Capítulo 108: Chapter 108: Hero's Reception?
Although the situation at the time was complex and even somewhat chaotic, Lynn still remembered clearly that it was the not-so-burly Frans who carried him down the mountain, while Lübeck volunteered to stay behind with several other soldiers on the hilltop. Fortunately, they successfully repelled the limited subsequent attacks by the Soviet troops and eventually caught up with the main force. After the fierce battle at Capoca Village, more than half of the original fifty soldiers were lost, leaving only nine "Night Warriors" and sixteen regular soldiers. One set of infrared night vision equipment was also lost, but it did not fall intact into Soviet hands. Instead, it was destroyed by a member of the assault team with a grenade when recovery was deemed impossible.
As the commander, Eric was held responsible for the ambush orchestrated by the Soviets and was relieved of his position as the commander of the assault team. Considering his honorable injury during the battle, which required at least half a month of recovery, this dismissal was somewhat of a relief. Enrico, the deputy of the first team, took over Eric's command, but with only four combatants left in the assault team, including seven new recruits sent by the reserve, the overall combat effectiveness naturally couldn't compare to that of the seasoned veterans.
Due to inadequate hemostasis, Lynn's right arm was soaked in blood when he withdrew to their controlled area, nearly resulting in the loss of his arm. After some rudimentary treatment involving stitching, hemostasis, and anti-inflammatory measures, this war hero was left in a field hospital without any pretty nurses. Two days later, he was transferred to a military hospital in Stedingen Port. Despite some initial success, the ambitious "Operation to the Day" by the German forces ultimately ended in failure against the strong Soviet counterattack. The severely weakened 11th Armored Group could not withstand the fierce assault from the Soviet reinforcements and had to slowly retreat westward, escorting a large number of refugees. Stedingen Port soon turned from a rear area to a frontline position. Therefore, Lynn had to be transferred with his injuries, moving from one field hospital to another, even risking worsening of his wounds by camping outdoors. However, after this series of turmoil, Lynn's fate as a Danish volunteer soldier finally took a turn. In fact, from the moment Eric bravely completed the battle report despite his injuries and submitted it, an extraordinary journey was already destined.
One week later, in Berlin, Germany.
Berlin in the spring of 1945 was no longer the "capital of a thousand years" as portrayed by the German leader. Under the prolonged and intense bombardment by the Allies, its main urban areas were completely transformed, with many famous buildings turned into ruins, and everywhere was littered with debris from the fierce fires and broken bricks and tiles. The civilians walking the streets looked like beggars, with no trace of the stylish urbanites.
The German individuals accompanying Lynn in the military vehicle all looked gloomily at the scenes along the street. Their previous anticipation, excitement, and grandeur had all vanished.
With the war reaching such a stage, what was the point of shedding blood in battle and earning countless medals?
As Lynn alighted from the vehicle, he gazed at the overcast sky over the city, which perfectly reflected the predicament of this military empire. However, why couldn't the flying saucers he had seen be used to defend the skies of Berlin, instead of letting the Allied planes rampage?
This question had been troubling Lynn for a long time, but the answer seemed elusive.
The parking spot was just a street away from the Imperial Chancellery. Lynn could only catch a glimpse of its dome before being ushered through a flashing steel gate by several stern-faced officers and into the depths of an underground passage.
Before coming, Lynn had heard from a fellow patient in the hospital bed next to his that the magnificent buildings in Berlin were now all underground. After walking along the chilly and dim corridor for about thirty meters, the space in front suddenly opened up. Although it had rained for four days in the past week, the underground space here was not as damp as expected. The military officers' boots made a clattering sound on the dry cement floor and echoed in the corridor for a long time.
"Gentlemen, first of all, I personally salute your brave performance on the battlefield!"
Stopping the group of eight people in front of another corridor archway, the portly and haughty lieutenant colonel of the Wehrmacht said these official words. He then reminded all the soldiers that receiving an audience with the Fuhrer and being personally awarded medals by him was the highest honor. According to tradition, everyone had to surrender all weapons before entering. Even if decorated soldiers were found with weapons, they could be treated as traitors.
Having been told to avoid carrying weapons, Lynn could not find any metal objects on his body except for belt buckles and buttons. He also disliked the arrogant tone of the "pig-headed" lieutenant colonel. Although these soldiers were much lower in rank than him, their contributions to the war were probably no less than his, and their willpower and courage in life and death situations were far beyond those of someone who spent all day hiding in underground fortifications.
"Lynn Garg, Danish volunteer soldier, Waffen-SS reserve soldier..."
As the lieutenant colonel looked through Lynn's documents, he intentionally read aloud and then glanced at him with a peculiar look.
Although Lynn was not a true German, nor did he have any affiliation with them, after experiencing life and death struggles, receiving an audience with the Fuhrer and being personally awarded medals was a reward he had earned. As for Adolf Hitler himself, Lynn preferred to view him with an objective and dialectical perspective rather than fanatical worship. Moreover, he was such a prominent figure in history, and time was running out. To be able to meet him was also a worthwhile experience!
Just as Lynn was preparing to swallow his anger and enter the corridor, he heard the "pig-headed" lieutenant colonel say from behind, "Oh, I remember now, Lynn Garg! You're the soldier who single-handedly held off a whole platoon of Soviet troops, right? Not bad, not bad at all! Bach has quite a few elites under his command! If everyone were like you, Sergeant Garg, we would have taken Moscow long ago!"
It was evident that there was deep sarcasm in his words. Lynn stopped in his tracks, turned around abruptly, and stared at the "pig-headed" man with wide eyes.
Perhaps not expecting a mere reserve soldier to dare to stare him down and argue back, the lieutenant colonel was not intimidated but instead looked at Lynn disdainfully.
Although Lynn wanted to retort fiercely, he restrained his anger, knowing that being impulsive would only harm himself. He narrowed his eyes, imprinting the man's face in his mind, and then turned away, ready to continue inside.
"Wait!" Apparently unwilling to let Lynn go so easily, the lieutenant colonel signaled to a soldier standing in the corridor.
It was a soldier who seemed to be about the same height and age as Lynn. Upon receiving the order, he hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly walked to Lynn's side and whispered an apology before swiftly conducting a thorough check on him.
Although there was no official hierarchy between the SS and the Wehrmacht, Lynn cooperated silently, knowing that the "pig-headed" lieutenant colonel was just trying to assert his authority. If they were to detain a decorated war hero, they would have to explain themselves to the SS Security Office and undergo interrogation!
At this moment, the other soldiers waiting for identity verification also felt indignant at the lieutenant colonel's behavior. The Waffen-SS lieutenant sitting next to Lynn in the car earlier couldn't help but exclaim, "What does this mean? Do we have to strip naked and undergo checks to meet the Fuhrer?"
The lieutenant colonel didn't want to escalate the situation further. He turned to glance at the SS lieutenant, snorted coldly, and gave himself a way out, "Forget it, let this guy go! Really..."
Although the latter part was not spoken aloud, it could be inferred from the movement of his lips that it contained a string of profanity.
Although the wind blowing in his face carried a faint warmth, Lynn's heart was cold. He couldn't understand why he, a decorated soldier who should have been an inspiration and morale booster at the empire's end, was being harassed by a Wehrmacht lieutenant colonel. Was it because he was a Danish volunteer soldier? Just because he was a lowly reserve soldier?
Arrogant and conceited, revel in your moment of triumph, but Lynn would have his day of reckoning!
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