Chapter 288: Bastone - The Last Night

After the Germans guarding Lacham had cut off their retreat, they tried to break through from the northeast corner, but they were repulsed by Company E, and finally they surrendered. Three hundred and eighty-seven Germans laid down their arms, and the German artillery did not bombard Ratham, although after the surrender of the German army in Parkes, they began to warn the brothers to pay attention to the shelling of the German army, but the Germans gave up the shelling, perhaps because there were still a large number of German prisoners here. There is no way for them to slaughter the American troops and kill their own people at the same time.

Three people were injured, only Hale was seriously injured, but there was no problem in saving a life. This is already the best result of a battle since Company E in recent times. And this result is not unrelated to Parks' return. Winters, however, warned Captain Parks at the battalion headquarters.

The headquarters of Company E was set up in a monastery in Lacham. That night the nuns brought a group of twelve or thirteen-year-old girls into the hall to sing a serenade for the company. The program features French and Belgian songs, several English songs and the German march "Lily? Marlene.

Captain Parks was writing his battle report in the dim light of the abbey, and beside him sat Lip, White and Lieutenant Haliger. The scene of the battle resurfaced in front of Parks, and a smile could not help but appear on the corner of his mouth, although the brothers were exhausted, they hated fighting, but once they were engaged in battle, they still behaved like an elite company.

"Once, by the gate of the majestic barracks, she and I were both standing by a skylight. We coyly said goodbye to each other, but now only the skylight remains. The favorite, Lily Marlene, the favorite, Lily Marlene, the two of us can be seen everywhere, and the singing of the two of us still seems to be floating. But when will all the people see again, and we will meet again at that skylight? Favorite, Lily Marlene, favorite, Lily Marlene whistled at the sentry outside the door......"

The singing of the little girls echoed in the church, making people feel a little in a trance. It all felt like a dream. Lip looked at Captain Parks beside him, he was writing something, but he seemed to be a little distracted. Then his gaze swept over the faces of some of the brothers in the church, as well as White, Haliger, and so on.

Li Pu suddenly realized that he hadn't calmed down so much for a long time to take a good look at each of his brothers. They leaned silently on the church benches, or crooked there. Some are tired and haggard, others are silent and dark-eyed. Recalling that from the Normandy landings to the present, he has silently counted in his heart one by one the brothers who have lost along the way, some have returned to the United States with injuries, some are still moaning in the hospital, and some have been buried in a foreign land. And the rest of these brothers will be their most reliable brothers, after so many battles and trials of life and death, what could be more reliable than their interdependence?

Captain Parks finished his final strokes, then folded the full sheet of paper and put it in his pocket. Lip turned his head to look at him and couldn't help but smile, "I can assure you that this is the best night we've had since we came out of Bastone." ”

"You mean there are no damn German shells, and cold foxholes, or heavy snow falling on you? If it's for those, it's the best night out. But that's not what I'd think it is, I want a comfy bed, a fragrant grilled steak and cider and stuff, and then I'll get a good night's sleep. When I finally woke up in the morning, I wasn't in damn Europe, but in the barracks in Tacoya," Parks laughed, and then stood up.

Lip stood up and let Parks walk past him. As soon as Parks walked into the hallway, he suddenly smiled at Lipp and said, "Oh, yes, Lipp, I want you to talk to you about your replacement of Sergeant Tybert first." ”

"What?" Lip looked at Captain Parks suspiciously.

"Captain Winters presented Sergeant Tybert with a field assignment, which Colonel Zinke had approved, and Sergeant Tybert was to be promoted to second lieutenant officer. So his place is vacant, and I think his business, except for you, I can't think of a second suitable person to take over. I hope you can do a good job with the brothers of the whole company," Parks said, patting Lip on the shoulder, "The brothers need a sergeant major who can give them confidence, and you and Tybert are undoubtedly the best candidates"

Li Pu was stunned, this appointment made his heart suddenly a little restless, he thought he could stay calm, but he still couldn't help but crooked the corners of his mouth, and said to Parks with a smile in the corner of his eyes: "Thank you very much, Captain"

Captain Parks nodded at him, then turned and left. He had to give the report to Captain Winters. According to the original schedule, Captain Winters will be promoted to major in the near future. Parks didn't think about what rank he would end up in, but now he knew that he would definitely get promoted, but that also meant that he might leave Company E, or go to the battalion headquarters, or go to the regimental headquarters, but it was not the best option.

When Captain Parks pushed open the door to the battalion headquarters, he saw what Winters was writing in the room. Beside him was Captain Nickerson, sipping his wine and seemingly talking to Captain Winters again. It was the largest room in a hostel, and the camp headquarters was set up in one of the best hotels in Ratham, with beds and even hot water and hot food.

Seeing Parks push the door in, Nickerson opened his arms and made a hugging gesture, but his ass was still on the bed, and he smiled and said, "We just talked about you, I didn't expect you to come." To tell you the truth, when I went to the regimental headquarters, there were people discussing Dick and you, okay, now you're all here."

"What's the matter?" Captain Parks said as he walked over to Captain Winters' desk, then took the report out of his pocket and handed it over, "Oh God, it's certainly not a good thing, every time the regimental people talk about someone, they're going to be unlucky." Or go to the lead, or someone is going to be unlucky, waiting to be wrathed by Colonel Zink"

"No, no, you guessed wrong, Major," Nickerson suddenly said something like this, "It's a good thing this time, do you hear me call you?" Lacey, you've been promoted, and like Captain Winters, you'll be promoted to Major. God, I envy you, especially Lacey, I think you're one of the fastest people to get promoted in the U.S. military."

"Major?" Although Parks had a guess in his heart, he didn't expect it to come so quickly, and he looked at Captain Winters, who had already turned his head to look at him, and said, "Is this true?" Dick"

"Given Nick's knack for finding information, this should be true. The appointment was approved by General Taylor. Colonel Sink had already submitted his letter of appointment to the divisional headquarters before the assault on Lacham began yesterday. So the people in the regimental headquarters knew about it. Winters smiled at Parks and said, "Congratulations, Lacey."

Parks couldn't help but smile wryly: "Does that mean I have to wear a bow tie every day, and then dress up neatly, follow your example, and shave my face clean, to be honest, it's really a chore for me." ”

"Look, Dick, I'll just say he's going to complain," Nickerson laughed, and then said to Winters, "What's more, you're probably going to be transferred out of Company E, I didn't ask Zinker who arranged for you, but you have to be prepared first, and you have to be promoted in rank, and usually with promotion in position." ”

"I'd like to hear your opinion, Lacey," Captain Winters said earnestly, looking at Parks, "it's important to know that your opinion is important, even Colonel Sink will take it seriously, and it's entirely possible that he will reassign you." ”

Parks nodded, "I know, Dick, I think if I had to choose, I'd rather not choose to be promoted than to be with my brothers." To be honest, I've been with my brothers for so long, and if I want to leave, I'm really reluctant. Besides, I've just returned to the company from the hospital, Dick, and I want to stay in the company if possible."

"It's a bit difficult, Lacey, I know you think, just like I did. I did feel very lost to leave E Company, and even during a period of administrative work, I was anxious every day, I loved to lead my brothers on the battlefield and fight with them, even if I was injured because of it. However, things don't always go my way. Winters looked at Parks and said with a slight smile, "I already have specific plans, maybe the position of deputy battalion commander is more suitable for you, and also, while the appointment has not yet come down, you can consider the candidate for the company commander of Company E, I think in this regard, Zink will definitely attach great importance to your opinion." ”

Parks knew that this appointment was impossible to change, but if he remained in the second battalion as deputy battalion commander, it might also be a better choice, which was much better than going to the regimental headquarters to take on some staff position. But in any case, being promoted to major is indeed good news, thinking about his progress from serving as a private in Takoya in 42 years, from a sergeant at the time of the Normandy landings, to the major that may be promoted to now, it is indeed a rocket-like jump in the US army, which makes him feel somewhat satisfied. After all, this also means that a series of contributions made by him in the battle have been recognized by the top level of the US military.

"Well, Dick, I think it's going to be a good choice. The deputy commander of the second battalion, what better source than this? Thank you for that, to be honest, I don't want to be a staff officer at the regimental headquarters and wait for the old age," Parks shrugged his shoulders.

"Does this mean that when I meet you in the future, I will have to salute you?" At this time, Nickerson suddenly interjected from the side, and he looked at Winters and Parks with an innocent expression on his face.

"Of course, I'd love to do it if you want," Winters smiled at him.

"Me too," Parks nodded and smiled, "I don't know how much I saluted you before, so I should have taken it back, it's a fair thing, isn't it?" All three of them burst out laughing.

Outside the window, a cold wind swept by, and the snowflakes in the sky swirled and fluttered in the wind, and then fell gently on the snow. The laughter of the three of them faintly came out of the room, adding a little vitality to the silent night. The Battle of Ratham was the last battle of E Company at Bastog, and this place, in addition to the endless pain left to the brothers, also left the brothers with a strong heart. And Bastone will also leave behind the heroic deeds of Company E of the 5O6th Regiment of the 1O1 Airborne Division, and these deeds will surely leave a strong mark in the military history of the US military.