Winters really couldn't think of a second man, just as Colonel Zink couldn't think of a second company to carry out the task. In any case, the 506th Regiment was the elite of the 101st Division, and Company E was the elite of the 506th Regiment. This has been proven in training and in combat. And because Company E had one of the best soldiers of the 101st Division, Second Lieutenant Parkes. This soldier, who was repeatedly praised by General Lee, both at the beginning and later, made a very deep impression on Colonel Zink.

"Dick, this is the mission." Zinke used Winters' nickname, "We have no way to refuse, this order comes directly from the War Department, and I have always believed that only Company E can accomplish this task." You can send a combat squad to carry it out. ”

"Sir, the brothers of Company E are tired, they have been fighting endlessly since the D day, and what they need is rest." Winters was a little unhappy, because since the D day, E Company has been shouldering the heaviest combat missions, and has been able to complete them brilliantly every time, especially this time, when D Company and F Company collapsed and retreated, they were nailed to their positions, and finally saved the whole battle, and the brothers of E Company paid a huge price.

Zink was stunned for a moment, nodded and said, "Dick, we have no choice. "Yes, the task has been decided, and there is no choice now. The same goes for Winters, who, although he can complain, has no choice.

"You are all the precious wealth of the Army, and you are also the best resource of the Army, and you should be used where you are most needed!" Zink continued, though he knew that these words were not comforting, "So Dick, talk to the brothers. ”

Winters nodded. He stopped talking, and then turned to leave the regimental headquarters.

"Dick!" Zink stopped him from behind.

Winters turned and looked at Zinke, silently waiting for his next words.

"Parks might be a better choice." Zink nodded at him, "Lacey? Parks. He reminded loudly: "The regiment headquarters will provide you with all the resources you need." ”

Winters didn't say anything, and walked out of the regimental headquarters directly. He knew that this was a very dangerous task, and that the person who could complete it had to be a very good candidate with a very strong discipline. The first name in his heart was Lacey? Parks.

Even though he didn't know how to speak to Parks, he found an opportunity to say it. It was hard, but no matter how hard it was, he had to carry out the order, so he was facing Parks now, and he had to do it this way.

"Those bastards!" Parks cursed under his breath. Winters knew who he was scolding, and Colonel Zink, commander of the 506th Regiment of the 101st Division, could be included in it.

"Parks!" Winters coughed dryly again, and he looked at him worriedly.

Parks glanced at Winters, then nodded, "Okay, I promise." Rather than letting the other brothers go on an adventure, it would be more reassuring for me to go. Dick, talk to the regimental headquarters about material matters, I want to accomplish this task, there are some things that are essential. ”

Winters nodded and said, "Don't worry, the regimental headquarters will do their best to provide for you." ”

Winters pulled out a map from his bosom, spread it out on the bed, and said to Parks: "Now we are in this position with the German Sixth Parachute Regiment, and they have retreated to the second line of defense. We for a short time were, there was no way to capture them, they had heavy artillery and mortars, and, of course, tanks. And three kilometers to their right there is a small village called Nueva Verdo. The Germans were supposed to have held prisoners of war in this village, and the exact location is not clear. ”

"Should?" Parks couldn't help frowning, "You mean, it's just an estimate?" Or do you not even know where the prisoners of war are held? It's great, it's all a matter of luck. His tone was sarcastic.

"How many people are holding prisoners of war?"

"I don't know."

"Are there any other places where prisoners of war are being held?"

"I don't know, Parks!" Winters said apologetically, "That's all they know!" ”

"Okay then." Parks decided not to discuss the information anymore and could only watch the action then, but he added, "Dick, how long do we have?" ”

"Before we break the Germans, or before the Germans break us." Winters said, because if the American army defeated the Germans, then the Germans could kill all the prisoners, and if the Germans defeated the American army, then these prisoners of war would be transferred to concentration camps, and they could not be rescued.

"There should be five days." "During these five days, whether our reinforcements or the Germans come in, they will have a great impact on the rescue, so the best time to rescue is five days from tomorrow." In these five days, you have to cross the lines of the two armies, make a detour from the right side and enter the German defense zone, and you have to go around in a big circle. In the German defense zone, it is also necessary to evade German patrol squads at all times, and there may be skirmishes. ”

"I know!" Parks nodded, he was very familiar with this, as an experienced agent, he not only performed various assassination missions, but also had experience in various special operations, especially the special operations that led the squad. Agents like him, trained rigorously and fighting hard, were in a far more dangerous situation than the current E Company.

"The number of people you need is all up to you, and all the soldiers of Company E will be among your candidates." That's the biggest support Winters can give.

"Okay, I'll draw up a list and give it to you!" Parks nodded, "And all the equipment resources needed." ”

Winters nodded, he looked at Parks and patted him on the shoulder: "Lacey, do a good job, whether the mission is successful or not, remember to come back alive." Then he turned around and went downstairs.

At seven o'clock the next morning, Parks was woken up by Winters. When they returned to the downstairs room, it was not only Nickerson and Wales, but Compton was inside.

"Colonel Sink has decided to hold a banquet for the officers of the 506th Regiment, so we have to attend." Winters smiled, "I suggest a neater uniform, which is also what Colonel Zinke requested, he said that the officers represent the face of the 506th Regiment, don't look like a beggar, this will be ridiculed by the Germans." ”

"Oh, I see," Wales whistled, then looked at Nickerson, "Nick, I didn't expect the revenge to come so quickly, did you?" You should be compared to Dick. Apparently he was referring to the fact that Nickerson had laughed at Winters for shaving at night last night, which gave him some fun.

"Well, you have ten minutes left, eight o'clock sharp, we must go to the regimental headquarters, they are in the biggest hotel in town, and there is a lot of good wine!" Nickerson diverted the topic and hurriedly urged.

Colonel Zink's banquet hall was very spacious, and the officers of the regiment were all there, and it was also very spacious, and there was good food and wine here, except of course there were no beautiful hostesses pouring wine everywhere.

"It's a great place!" Compton forked a large piece of roast beef on his plate with a fork, and what was still chewing in his mouth made his words slurred and unclear.

"Zink is so kind!" Wales forked a piece of roast, put it in his mouth, chewed it for a while, then raised his glass and took a sip of wine, and let out an exaggerated exclamation, "Perhaps this is the benefit that an officer should enjoy." ”

Nickerson shook his head and smiled, "Harry, you're wrong, the brothers won't be worse off than you." You know those boys, they've pretty much dug the whole town into the ground now. All the wine, food, and other things they could find, they could find them. It is said that they also slaughtered two cows this morning, and it is not known where they got them. ”

"Wow, that's great!" Wales exclaimed exaggeratedly, "If I had known this was the case, I wouldn't have had to attend this banquet." Because there's nothing to attract me here except for food. ”

"Including Colonel Zinke's speech later?" Compton laughed.

"I'm sure." Wales nodded, "Colonel Sink will probably say that the brothers are hard, he will be proud of us, and the 506th regiment is invincible." Actually, I already know these things. ”

Sure enough, it wasn't long before Colonel Zink stepped up to a relatively high platform and began to give his speech to all the officers, and from his impassioned language it was indeed passionate and inspiring.

“…… The brothers of the 506th Regiment have endured all kinds of hardships, and they are more like a real man, I am proud of you, the 506th Regiment will be invincible not only now, but also in the future......"

"Fluff—" Compton tried to hold back a laugh, but still squirted a sip of wine from his mouth on the back of Wales, who was standing in front of him.

"Oh-Compton, you've soiled my only clean clothes!" Wales couldn't help but whine in a whisper. "As I said a long time ago, you're really not a little mentally prepared."

"Cheers!" Just as the two of them were muttering below, they heard Zink shouting on stage.

"Cheers!" All the officers roared, and drank the wine from their glasses.

The purpose of the banquet was nothing more than to boost morale, and as Wales and Compton muttered, Zink announced that he would award the officers who had fought many battles and performed bravely. This is also an important reason for the cheers of the officers.

"Ensign Parks!" Someone was calling him. When Parks turned to look, he was a lieutenant officer.

"Sir?" Parks looked at him quizzically.

"Colonel Sink is waiting for you in the next room!" The lieutenant nodded at Parks, "Please come with me!" ”

Compton and Wales beside Parks looked at him in surprise, only Winters somewhat understood, because he had already told Colonel Zink the name of the person in charge of the operation.

When Parks walked into the room, Colonel Zink was sitting inside, and next to him were Lieutenant Colonel Stryll and Major Horton, who he was most familiar with. There was also a major and two captains, but Parks did not know him.

"This is Major Robert sent by the War Department." Zink didn't talk nonsense, and directly introduced the young major who was sitting to Kerx.

(To be continued)