Whispers rippled down the line. ‘Viipuri’s been retaken … Pass it on … It was on the radio last night.’
‘Viipuri’s been retaken …’
‘Viipuri’s been retaken … Pass it on …’
‘Viipuri’s been retaken.’
Lehto grabbed hold of Riitaoja and yanked him upright. ‘Now we march, you piece of shit,’ he hissed, and started dragging the exhausted man supported in the crook of his arm. ‘Viipuri’s been retaken,’ he whispered hoarsely forward. He forgot to change the tone of his voice, so the guy walking in front of him received the news in a furious hiss, as if Viipuri’s retaking was the worst thing in the world that could have happened to Lehto.
‘Viipuri’s been retaken.’
‘Viipuri’s been retaken … pass it on.’
Lehto got Riitaoja up to speed and, shockingly enough, the latter managed to walk on his own again. There was no other option, as Lehto was walking menacingly behind him. ‘You start lying down again and I’ll take a stick and give you a beating you’ll never forget. Of all the motherfucking pansies, I have to drag you along.’
Riitaoja had already been afraid of his squad leader during peacetime, even if, for the most part, it had just been the timidity of an overly meek private before his superior. He addressed Lehto as ‘sir’, even when the others had taken to responding to their leaders’ commands with snarls of ‘Shove it!’ But in war his terror had altered. He feared the dark and violent nature of this man as if he were some sort of terrifying force that might crush him at any moment. True, Koskela had put Lehto under strict orders to stop abusing Riitaoja, but he wasn’t always around, and besides, even Koskela understood Lehto’s bitterness, seeing as Riitaoja not only left his duties to others, but also forced them to drag him along like a child. Riitaoja was also horrified by Lehto’s bravery, and thought that because this madman seemed to have no regard for death at all, there was nothing to prevent him from killing him straight off. Not even understanding himself how he managed to put one foot in front of the other, he pressed on across the swamp, fearfully choking back his sobs of desperation.
Then they were given a break, but this time they could guess what was coming. The halt took place silently, with no command, and each man dropped to his knee, raising an arm to alert those behind. A sort of pile-up ensued, as the darkness prevented anybody from making out the signal prior to tripping over the guy in front of him.
‘Road directly ahead. Eyes peeled, and stay calm.’
‘Stay calm … stay calm …’ Sihvonen repeated, but he was so restless that Lahtinen tried to urge him to calm down. ‘Take it easy now, we’ll be over there sticking our necks out soon enough. Ain’t gonna be a walk in the park, I mean … boys, tomorrow we’re in for some fighting over there like we’ve never seen …’
They stopped short as a gunshot rang out in front of them, and a submachine gun hammered back in response. Brr … brr … brr … brr.
Then they set off, groping their way forward. The battalion split up, and the machine-gun platoons broke off and assembled behind their infantry companies. The Third Company fanned out to the left, the Second to the right, and the First set up in clusters behind them. Koskela divided the machine guns between the platoons, who set them in position. Lammio arrived with the order that one gun was to be moved further out to the left, where the Third Company’s Second Platoon was advancing.
‘Kariluoto, do you have contact over there?’
‘No. My platoon’s in reserve behind their First Platoon, and we have contact with them. And the First and Second Companies are in contact with each other.’
‘Which of the guns wants to go? The second section’s guns are already taken.’ Koskela looked at Lehto and Lahtinen, who turned to look at each other. After a brief moment of silence, Lehto said, ‘First’ll go.’
‘Short end of every goddamn stick,’ Rahikainen muttered.
Lammio pulled out a map and pocket lamp. ‘Come take a look.’
Koskela and Lehto knelt beside Lammio, pulling their coats up over their heads to study the map beneath the makeshift cover. ‘The Second Platoon will assemble on the side of this meadow. Their objective is to advance to the main road, cut it off, and turn the front to the west. There is a path starting from the northernmost tip of the swamp that leads to the road, see? The platoon will advance along both sides of it. According to a patrol that went out, there should be some kind of barn in the meadow, but even without it it will be easy to find your way: two hundred yards out and to the left from here. You can’t miss it. If the platoon has already left by the time you get there, follow the path to the road and you should find them there. It’s about two hundred yards from the meadow to the road by way of the path. You could go through the First Platoon and follow the line along to the Second, but that would waste time, and besides, the First Platoon will already be under fire by that point. This is the safest and shortest way. Everything clear?’
‘Yep. So it’s Sarkola’s platoon we’re supposed to meet?’
‘Precisely. If the side of the main road is manned, then we’re in combat and you will easily find your way from the sound of the shooting. There’s almost certainly something there, as we were observed on our way in. But nothing has been confirmed, so just keep your eyes peeled. There could be something or nothing. Look out for yourselves. On your way.’
‘Hang on,’ Lehto cut in. ‘I’m not taking Riitaoja. Lahtinen can give me a man to replace him, he’s got more men anyway.’
‘True,’ Koskela said. ‘Lahtinen can give you one more man.’
‘You can take Sihvonen.’
‘Me! Of course.’ Sihvonen was furious. He was displeased at the separate assignment, but beyond that he was offended, as obviously Lahtinen would hand over the member of the group he considered most expendable.
‘Never mind the grumbling,’ Lammio said. ‘But Riitaoja will have to remain with the squad. If this shirking doesn’t stop, I’ll take whatever measures necessary to make it happen. A grown man ought to be able to pull himself together enough to serve as an ammunition-bearer.’
Riitaoja stood at attention and hastily gasped, ingratiatingly, ‘I’m pulled together! I was just tired a moment ago …’
The poor man didn’t know what he feared more – the enemy or Lammio – and he was so overcome with panic that he wasn’t even ashamed at being scolded in public.
The first machine-gun team set off, and no sooner were they out of earshot than the bickering began.
‘You! You goddamn war horse, you just had to offer us up, didn’tcha? Why don’t you go by yourself if you want to! What the hell are we supposed to do when it’s pitch dark out? They could be anywhere!’
As Rahikainen vented his anger, Lehto just walked on, every nerve on alert, muttering in passing, ‘Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open.’
‘Yeah, we’ll just see what gets opened up out there. Do you hear that shooting on the right? They’re already on the road. And there’s a tank. What are we supposed to do without any anti-tank guns?’
‘Shut up. There’s the meadow and the barn. If we follow the edge of the meadow, we’ll automatically hit the path … which should start from that hollow over there, if the map holds true.’
It was a bit brighter in the clearing than inside the forest, where it was just about pitch-black, and they started curving cautiously along its edge, soon coming upon the path to the road. But there was no sign of Ensign Sarkola’s platoon. They heard some shooting off to the right, but according to Lammio’s account of the situation, that would have to be in the First Platoo
n’s sector.
‘Let’s turn back,’ Rahikainen said.
‘No, we’re going to the road. Or didn’t you hear the same command I did?’
‘But if there’s nobody over there—!’ Rahikainen persisted. ‘I don’t believe half of what that peacock says. Who died and made him king anyway? Guy’s full of it.’
‘The layout seems right … and we are going.’
‘Vanhala, let’s you and me head back.’
‘Let’s all head back, all the way to Finland! We could just go home and tell them we got lost, heeheehee.’
‘Fine, you sniggering bastard! You and that war horse can head off, the two of you.’
‘Two little Finns off to conquer a tank! Heehee. That’ll bring us stripes and medals by the bucket …’ It wasn’t clear whose side Vanhala was on, only that he was amused at how incensed Rahikainen was.
Lehto ordered them to shut up and follow. He released the safety catch on his gun and started groping his way though the pitch-black forest, creeping along parallel to the path. He navigated by watching for lighter spots between the branches, as pale channels of light shining down from the sky meant that the path was near. Mud oozed beneath his feet. The damp, dark forest was quiet.
Lehto was already nearly to the road, and he was beginning to doubt himself. Where was the Second Platoon? He paused and listened. The men following behind caught up.
‘Let’s turn back,’ Rahikainen repeated.
Lehto’s anxiety increased his irritation and he whispered angrily, ‘Would you shut the fuck up? We have to at least locate our objective. I’m not giving that peacock the pleasure of seeing me turn back halfway through. I’m going to head out in front a little. If anything happens, get into positions and hold your ground. One of you can run for help. But remember, the others are on the road now, not back there where we left them.’
Lehto was off. For one moment a suffocating fear nearly choked him. What was out there in the still darkness? Why wasn’t there any shooting, if their own guys were already over there? And why was there a tank rumbling so close on the right? His armpits were dripping with sweat, and his mind was fixated on this harrowing feeling that something was wrong. But when the thought of going back crept into his mind, his fear gave way to a strange, bitter rage. Never. Not ever. They would never get to see him turn back. ‘They’ was somewhat vague. It wasn’t just Lammio, it was everything he’d been rebelling against since childhood. But then, what hadn’t he been rebelling against? For him, there existed only enemies and extraneous people. He had hated people ever since the austerity years, as far as he could recall – since the time he had had to go to the Workers’ Association Building in Tampere to fetch free pea soup in a rusty can, like a stray dog. He wasn’t even cut out to join the communists – seeing as he couldn’t stand having people anywhere near him. There were two men he’d felt some sort of respect for – Kaarna and Koskela – but even his regard for them was tinged with a certain proud disdain.
Tossing this anger around in his mind, he shifted his weight from one foot to the other, trying to see through the darkness and pricking his ears to make out even the faintest sounds in the night. The forest thinned, and he suspected he was a few yards from the main road. Just then, wafting through the damp, drizzly night air, a pungent smell came flooding through his nostrils – a smell he knew from Russian prisoners and fallen bodies. He raised his gun and was just stepping up to the side of the path when he heard a shout practically at his feet. He saw a bright muzzle flash, felt a crippling blast in his body, and fell to the ground with a weak cry.
IV
When the enemy opened fire, Vanhala, Rahikainen and Sihvonen took cover beside the path. Riitaoja dropped his ammunition box and took off, running like a madman through the forest. Rahikainen had left the gun-stand by the path, but Vanhala still had the gun.
‘Let’s go, guys,’ Sihvonen said. ‘The attack’s gonna start soon.’
‘What happened to Lehto?’ Vanhala’s voice was serious this time.
‘What happened? Did you hear that scream? We’re not sticking around to get ourselves killed. I told you guys … but that loony had to go get himself killed.’ Rahikainen started crawling back through the forest.
The enemy had stopped firing, but now the silence unnerved the men even more. The darkness seemed saturated with danger. The others were already making their retreat, but Vanhala whispered, ‘What if he’s just wounded? We should try to find out …’
‘How you gonna find out? Look, even if he is alive, there’s no way you’d be able to get him out that way … not from right under their noses … Nothing comes of that except the guys who go to fetch him end up stayin’ out there too. And he himself ordered us to go back for help.’
‘One man – but the others were supposed to remain in position … Where’s the gun-stand?’
‘I left it over there by the path … Goddamn dead-weight can stay there. Anyway, if we start dragging it off now they’ll hear it and come and finish us off.’
‘The officers might ask for it,’ Vanhala said. He was in two minds. He could certainly keep his own fear under control, but he had a tougher time standing up to somebody else. Vanhala was not a leader, not by a long shot, but even so, leaving things as they were struck him as a little too inadequate. ‘Here, you take the gun, I’ll go get it.’
‘OK, OK, knock yourself out,’ Rahikainen said. ‘I’m done tryin’ to hold back the crazies tonight.’
Rahikainen and Sihvonen retreated further back, but Vanhala started crawling slowly alongside the path toward the gun-stand. He reached it without incident and began pulling it cautiously to the side. Naturally, it scraped against the only rock on the entire path, prompting some light machine guns to pepper the ground all around Vanhala. He heaved the gun-stand over his shoulder and clambered to cover with the others, abandoning any attempt at silence. And he was laughing as soon as he’d caught his breath. His success gave him the confidence to decide that he wouldn’t just abandon Lehto, but would do something to set matters straight. There wasn’t really much option besides yelling, however, so Vanhala just belted out, ‘Lehtoo … oo!!!’
Light machine guns fired back angrily, but no other sound came.
‘Jesus, pal, would you cool it? Maybe you better start believing he’s done for. Why else would he be silent?’
‘What was that rustling over there?’ Sihvonen asked.
They listened, but nothing more remarkable came. The noise was enough to get them moving, however, and they made a hasty exit. There was something in Lehto’s death that made them feel even more helpless than usual. They certainly weren’t overly attached to their squad leader, but his bravery and ruthless, brute strength had given them a certain confidence in him. He had seemed sort of invincible, even to the enemy, making it seem to them as if even the Russians were powerless against him. And now a light machine gun aiming at nothing but a sound had taken him down. They had seen plenty of guys die by now, but the fact of Lehto’s solitude made his death even more horrific. To be left back there, alone, in the darkness, before the enemy. They could still hear his quiet cry. It had struck them as a warning call, a shout of surprise and a whimper all at once.
They hadn’t given Riitaoja a second thought this whole time, assuming he was lying in terror somewhere back behind them, by the side of the path. They called his name quietly as they headed back, but no response came. They scoured the edge of the meadow as well, and called out for some time.
‘Where can that little fool have gone to?’ Sihvonen wondered.
‘He must have run bac
k to the others,’ Rahikainen figured. ‘Anyway there’s no point in trying to find one man in these swamps.’
Guided by the sounds of the firing, they made their way toward the road, taking a wide curve out to the right so they would be sure to hit it behind their front line.
V
When Lehto first regained consciousness, all he knew was that he was in severe pain. Then darkness took mercy on him again. But the force of life within him was fierce and stubborn and, unwilling to surrender so easily, it woke him again. At first he couldn’t remember anything; he had no idea where he was, nor what had happened to him. He felt a raging, burning pain somewhere around his chest and his stomach. Then he remembered walking along a path, which led him to the realization of where he was. Same path.
At the cost of severe pain, he ran his hands over his body. The area just below his chest was bloody, and his back felt similarly warm and wet. When he moved, it felt as if somebody were twisting a knife through his mid-section. He could feel nothing in his legs, and his whole lower body refused to move. Little by little he began to realize that his spine had been damaged and his legs were paralysed.
And then he also realized that this was the end.
He gave a quiet moan and lay for a moment in hopeless apathy.
For the first time in his life, for one brief moment, he gave in – but then, a fierce shooting pain wrenched him awake again. Even now, he didn’t harbor any of that irrational hope of rescue people often cling to. Lehto looked upon his own situation with the same brutal clarity with which he looked upon everything else. He remembered his squad, but he didn’t call for help straight away, as anybody else would have. He knew it would just drag out death’s arrival, as he was sure that, in any case, he had no more than a few hours to live. On their way out across the swamp, they had talked about the injured, and what their fate would be on a campaign like this: to be doped up with morphine and left to the mercy of their own luck and the feeble prayers of that impoverished soul, the battalion chaplain.