MASH is the property of its' creators and syndicators.
As it got dark, the evening began with the sounds or mortars and rockets. Sleep was next to impossible. Either the nearby battle or expectations of the wounded had the 4077th on edge.
Not long after, the first 2 ambulances pulled in to the 4077th.
Klinger got on the PA to announce that the wounded were arriving, but the squeals of large ambulance tires probably got people's attention.
In the first wave, 18 wounded arrived in two ambulances. BJ and Hawkeye handled triage while Colonel Potter, General Stover and Margaret put the wounded on gurneys and headed to pre-op: Charles was reviewing the wounded and directed the pre-op process.
It seemed to take only minutes before all five doctors were working on patients in the OR.
"These young men have been through hell," Stover noted.
"Old or new, the war doesn't discriminate," Potter added.
Hours moved like minutes in the OR. When Father Mulcahy asked if he was needed, Hawkeye pointed to two recently wounded.
"Father, I don't think either of them will make it. We tried, but they had too many serious injuries," Hawkeye stated, "I think they need your help right now."
Mulcahy walked over. In his silence, he contemplated the potential loss of the two young men who were barely hanging on. Whether it was for last rites or other prayers, the priest was almost radiating compassion and concern.
General Stover was a welcome addition in the OR. A skilled surgeon, he clearly knew what had to be done. Five doctors were working with a fierce dedication matched by the nurses and anyone else who had to spend time in the OR.
A corpsman, Corporal Chris Shaw, brought in a tray full of glasses of orange juice. Fairly new to the 4077th, he was amazed at the way the doctors and nurses could briefly turn away from patients, drink the juice, and then go right back to working on the wounded.
"Corporal," Potter began, "Get some coffee mugs, fill 'em up and then put them on a bench in the changing room. We need to do our best in keeping people awake and alert."
Shaw nodded and left the OR. Though he'd seen the carnage being worked on, he could never get used to it. He'd had too many nightmares.
As the night went on, more wounded kept coming in. Colonel Potter said it was time to use the mess tent as an additional Post Op. He was concerned that it might not be enough if the wounded kept coming in.
"Klinger," Potter said, "Get someone to help you and round up another dozen cots. If you can't find that many in storage, start taking them from the officers' tents."
Klinger replied that he'd get on it ASAP and left the OR.
"General, we're running out of room," Potter began, "What should we do? Other than turning the benches in the mess tent into more cots, I'm not sure what we can do."
Stover answered, "Let me call over to General Hopkins. He's in command of the offensive. Known him for years, so I know I'll get straight answers."
Once Stover had finished sutures on a belly wound, he quickly walked over to the radio/telephone at Klinger's desk. He knew how to get the thing running and asked Sparky to connect him with Hopkins.
"Beej," Hawkeye began, "This is insanity."
"How so," BJ asked.
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over the same way, and expecting different results. I believe this war qualifies," Hawkeye responded.
"Maybe they could just film this one and just show it whenever we have to be in here. Share it with the North Koreans and Chinese, too. They may very well see the insanity like we do," BJ mentioned.
"Beej, I don't know how anyone could miss the insanity. Putting kids back together so they can get wounded again and come back here," Hawkeye replied,
"I've seen a couple of repeat customers," Colonel Potter added, "And it breaks my heart every time."
The 4077th had a sign, "Best Care Anywhere." 97 percent of those who were operated on survived. But it was that 3 percent who didn't make it that stuck people in the craw.
About an two hours later, General Stover heard from General Hopkins. It seemed that the attack from North Korea and China was being pushed back by advancing UN troops. Such could mean two things: there would likely be fewer wounded and those that were would mostly be sent to the 8055 and the 3088.
As the sun came up, many of the wounded who were up to it were being sent by ambulance toward OR was no longer overflowing. While Post Op was still full, soldiers from there were well enough for EVAC buses going south.
Klinger came into the OR, and let Potter know that there were no more wounded in the mess tent and several members of the 4077th were working to clean it up.
"I don't know about you," Potter began, "But I could use a shower right now. Don't know how much longer we have to be in here, but that'll give me a kick in the pants."
"Sherm," Stover said, "Good idea. Let's have Pierce and Hunnicut go first. When they are done, you and Winchester can go. I'll go last."
"Works for me," Potter replied, "I'm for anything that makes us feel human again."