My Enemy Is My Savior

Chapter 25 - Friedrich Müller

Chapter 25

Region east of Volosovo, Russia

August 18th, 1941

After the heavy fighting yesterday and the endless battles over the past few days, things seemed to be finally at ease. We now had arrived at a region just east of Volosovo, resting from the firefights.

The downside that had occurred thus far were the losses we had, and no reinforcements were able to arrive. I heard there was a delay for the replacements and supplies, since they had to take a detour over the Luga bridgeheads. The roads there still remained with their poor conditions.

The regiment that I was in arrived at what seemed to be a village--or was one. Charred remnants of past homes and huts piled throughout this area. Some furniture and belongings to the previous owners were still in shape, but most were blackened to its ashes.

The village loomed with a saddened atmosphere, and the grass were stripped from their green. We were dispersed along the outskirts of a dirt road that cut through the village. On the roads, hundreds and hundreds of Russian POWs marched towards the rear lines of our side.

I spotted Waldemar seated besides Rudi, and I went up to them.

"The Russians must have burned down this place, didn't they," I said and sat myself down next to Waldemar.

"Yeah. They didn't want us to use their supplies or shelters probably," Waldemar responded.

Shuffles from the boots of Russian POWs were heard as they passed by, not taking any glimpses at us at all. I then noticed one of our men going up towards the line, and started to shout curses and insults at them.

"Get out of here you damn soldiers! I'm tired of fighting you! Actually, I want to kill all of you!" He then pulled out a random Russian soldier, spat on him and shoved him down at the ground.

The other Russian POWs that were near only shifted in their march, and continued on. They looked distressed, worried, and scared. I felt sorrow for them, but kept my gaze at the taunting soldier.

Waldemar observed with intention as he watched the soldier badger with the Russians. He exchanged glances with Rudi, and they stood themselves up. I furrowed my eyebrows and followed their actions.

"What are you going to do?" I asked, tailing behind them as they went up to the soldier. They did not respond.

Once we reached the soldier, I recognized him as the one who was teasing Peter when the reinforcements had arrived a few weeks ago. Waldemar merged into the line and dragged the soldier who was harassing the Russians out.

"What are you doing to them?" Waldemar asked, grasping tightly onto the soldier's collars and glowered his eyes at his face.

"You don't bother me! Why don't you go ask the Russians that?" The soldier then wriggled himself free from Waldemar's grip, and was about to give Waldemar a swing at the face. Waldemar ducked, and kneed the soldier in the gut. The soldier winced as he clamped his arms around his stomach.

"Woah, Waldemar! Seems like you have some skills!" Rudi clapped while going up to Waldemar and patted him on the back.

"Training at an NCO school comes quite useful sometimes," Waldemar replied. He removed his helmet and threw it off towards the side. The soldier got up, and turned his attention to Rudi while coughing.

"You, you shut up too!" he then struck Rudi in the face. I gasped as Rudi fell backwards, holding onto his cheek.

It reminded me of when the Russian officer had punched me when I was captured, and the pain was still creeping me with sores that ached every now and then.