FORTY THREE
After the patients on their stretchers, most of the nurses and their belongings, and every box of surgical supplies that could be crammed onto on the ambulance bus were loaded, Colonel Potter called Houlihan and MacAllister to one side. Even though he was sending a couple of armed guards with them, he offered the women a pair of service revolvers. "I can't order you to use these or even wear them," the commander informed them, "But I would like for you to take them with you."
Wordlessly, the women fastened the weapon belts to their waists. Seeing the fierce determination on the faces of his charge nurses, Potter grinned. They could bust him down to Private for arming non-combatants, but he was feeling better about their chances, already.
He was less confident about the men's chances after the bus left. Everyone was hastily loading medical and camp equipment onto the trucks and jeeps, taking down and packing away most of the tents, and spending a great deal of time looking, anxiously, over their shoulders. Judging from the sounds echoing around the countryside, the battle was definitely moving in their direction.
Even Ernie, who had barked excitedly when the ambulance bus was pulling out of the compound, was now whimpering while waiting in the back of Potter's jeep. He was not the only one who was ready to leave the area.
Three hours later, arriving in the dark, the convoy from the 4077th reached its designated location. Their new hospital site was an abandoned monastery that still had its roof intact. Using hand-held lights; the women had already started setting up the treatment areas. It was hard to tell what made them happier; seeing the men arrive or having the generator hooked up and producing electricity.
By midnight, Klinger radioed in their new location and announced they were open for business.
By three a.m., the first ambulance from a battle aid station arrived.
By noon, rumors were rampant; a whole battalion of Chinese troops had swept through the area killing everyone in their path; hundreds of paratroopers were expected any time; a whole hospital unit had been captured; three Red Cross workers had been killed; no, it was two nuns; no, it was that female Swedish doctor; and the men with her had been hacked to pieces.
Hoping to quell some of the gossip, Colonel Potter had called Regimental again. Once he had finished with his conversation, he called a senior staff meeting. HQ wasn't giving out much information, except that even more casualties were expected; and, that two English nurses, from a nearby outfit, had been confirmed as missing.
"Have they been captured, sir?" Major Houlihan asked softly, with obvious concern in her voice.
"Right now, all we know is that they are missing," the colonel replied. "Rather than take any chances, however, HQ has ordered all female personnel in this sector to be sent further south. Houlihan, you and your nurses, are now assigned to the 425th Evac. Hospital. You will remain there until further notice."
The head nurse protested, "Colonel, with even more wounded coming in, you are going to need us here."
"Major," the commanding officer held up his hand to stop her objections, "I'm the first one to admit that you and your nurses are indispensable. But HQ is not willing for the women to be placed in danger. And neither am I."
"But, it is okay for the rest of us to get our butts shot off," Captain Pierce griped.
Once again, the women of the 4077th MASH medical unit packed up and left their male counterparts behind.
