Private Bedros Sahakian

Journal Entry 36

July 19, 1932, Tuesday

Couldn't write at all yesterday.

Our whole company was called in to assist the Municipal Police in retaking one of their stations at Bubbling Well. It had fallen on day one of this rebellion.

Captain Miller briefed us on the mission but alongside was him, an English police officer wearing spectacles. The latter explained the layout of the station and the neighborhood around it.

Then they went on about how we were going to secure the objective.

Initially I thought he was a glorified clerk but appearances are deceiving. There is cold steel behind those glasses.

The way he explained the plan was methodical and ruthless.

It turns out his name is William Fairbairn, the commander of the Police's Reserve unit which is supposed to be a riot squad. The old hands who have been here longer say they're the real deal, especially an Irishman called Pat O'Neil.

Major Suvillian holds them both in high regard from what we observed.

The coppers were a mixture of European officers, Chinese patrolmen and Indian Sikh riflemen. They were all wearing what they call bullet proof vests and a number had riot shields.

Anyway we made our way to the Bubbling Well Station in armored cars and trucks.

In the lead was the Red Maria, the cops' armored vehicle that's painted crimson with a mounted Thompson. They must be confident because the color certainly attracts attention.

An occasional shot rang out but failed to stop us and one time someone tried to throw a flame bottle at us and failed. The attacker got a couple of rounds into the back for her troubles.

We got out while the riot squad's sniper team who was already there were trading shots with the hostiles inside the station. The joint looked pretty shot up already from the angle we were at.

The armored cars provided extra covering fire as we got set up for the upcoming assault. Dog company spread out to encircle the target and thanks to the firepower we had it was done efficiently.

Still the enemy machine guns were no jokes. Any attempt at a frontal attack across that open range without support would be a slaughter.

The carnage of the Weltkrieg weighed on our minds when looking at the stronghold.

So first we laid down a lot of lead at em and from as many sides as possible. Then we popped a massive smoke screen to cover the approach.

What's left of our platoon led by the Gunny was among the teams picked to join the attack that followed. We joined O'Neil's bunch to storm the back of the building.

With riot shields and their vests they were in front and we were in support. Thanks to the smoke we got closer than we would've otherwise though it was hard to see as well.

Most of us marines in the assault team were armed with shotguns, Tommies, two Brownings with a few Springfields. Our police allies had their own Thompsons, Enfields with Colt pistols.

We reached the left wall out of sight before the coppers busted down the door and Al tossed a mill grenade into the breach. An explosion followed with cries of pain and we surged in and shot at anything that moved.

The enemies in there didn't ask for no quarter and none was given. It was kill or be killed.

Around the same time the other teams stormed in as well.

Those bullet vests and shields really came in handy as did the submachine guns and shotguns. But still two cops died as we broke the first three rooms.

It was another worker militia. They put up a spirited effort, but we killed more of them than they did us.

Michail really showed out aggressively leading our squad in clearing the rooms.

One rebel hiding from view nearly cut down Hector with a Dao Sword only for a Sikh patrolman to intervene, blocking the blade with a riot shield before shooting the assailant in the chest with his handgun. Hector was both surprised and grateful for the man who saved his life.

The Tommy Gun I used kicks a lot but it sure knows how to sing.

We fought our way through until the main office was secured. Afterwards we smell something awful coming down from the cells.

What we found there were corpses of the police officers that worked here.

Won't go into detail here but what I saw last night was horrific. Some were shot in the temple but the rest were tortured to death, especially the Chinese in uniform.

Old scores were being settled if I was to wager.

Among the dead was Inspector Walkins. I barely recognize him from all the extensive torment they inflicted on his body.

The signs show that they were murdered just two days ago but they suffered way before their end.

Our police allies were enraged once it all sank in. Don't need to be an engineer to know that retribution is coming.

At the end we lost a handful of marines and cops with several wounded. Not going to deny this riot squad really impressed me.

Now see why the major Suvillian is pals with them

With the station retaken our regiment now has a steady foothold in the south eastern front. For the time being the company returned to base and we were as of today.

Apparently we were being treated as a mobile reserve.

I have a confession. Ever since the battle first raged, my mind kept dripping back to Sachi and even now.

All this time I claimed to myself and to others that I don't have feelings for her. Yet I am thinking of her more and more.

Guess Michail and Miss Gardner were right all along. I was just too stubborn.

Each day that passes without knowing what's become of Sachi is nerve racking beyond description. If only there was a clue somehow.

There's been no word from Shanghai Dawn Network on any broadcast when I listen to the radio. Nothing but static on the other end.

I pray that Sachi is safe and keeps hidden. Need to find a way to get to her somehow.

Whatever I feel or think about things here and back home I'm now certain of this one truth.

I love her.