Private Bedros Sahakian
Journal Entry 34

July 16, 1932, Saturday

We made it. We actually made it

This morning gunfire and shouting erupted in our southern and western flanks yards away from us. Soon followed by the collective roar of engines.

At first we thought it was a ruse then we spotted Reds fleeing north from the scene like rats from a flood. We were so shocked that we didn't even shoot at them.

Within minutes we spotted a platoon's worth of armed men on the roof of the nearest building to our position, waving at us.

Their attire and gear were varied and as were their nationalities. Yet they didn't wear anything that hinted of the Volunteer Corps and some weapons looked modified, more than what is allowed in militaries.

Soon after multiple squads of fellow marines started to appear all around the streets below, securing the perimeter. Once we recognized them as such some of us cheered but I was too tired to do it myself.

Then a convoy of armored cars and two trucks came onto the scene. Coming out from one was our company CO, Captain Miller and the other being Major Suvillian.

Somehow I'm not surprised the Major got involved.

A lot of them looked stunned by the amount of enemy dead surrounding our position. Of course the decay that had been going on for a week now had worsened to anyone's scents who can smell.

The flies had only added to it. As long as I live I will hate those things.

Don't even get me started on the filthy rats. They're the worst, absolute worst.

I have known that since as a boy hanging around Alexandra's port. This past week reminded me why.

We awaited them inside and once they entered Gunny reported to the officers, explaining everything best he could with the rest of us vouching for his word. Suvillian and Miller weren't pleased with Lieutenant Dewitt's performance.

Then they called me over and we went up to the office to fetch that idiot.

When we entered Dewitt had tear stains likely from the tear gas from the other night. He froze in shock upon seeing his seniors glaring his way.

I can tell he knew he was in for it now.

As soon as we untied him he tried to cover his butt about everything but our CO wouldn't have it. He chewed and spat out old Zachery like he was bad gum.

I admit deep down I had some satisfaction watching Dewitt sweat and panic. After everything it was a long time coming.

Even still they offered that disgrace a chance by going along with Gunny's original deal. Dewitt tried to object but Suvillian got in his face, making it perfectly clear that this arrangement was non-negotiable or else Dewitt will face a court-martial.

Cowed Dewitt reluctantly answered back. "Aye, aye Sir."

We marched out of the office but as soon as we reached the ground floor Dewit made a break for it. I admit I didn't think he had it in him.

Without hesitation Major Suvillian drew his 45. and shot Dewitt in the back. The would-be deserter cried out and dropped to the floor.

The rest of us, except for Gunny, were stunned by what happened.

Done, Suvillian with hard stone eyes ordered us all to get ready to move out and to leave the deserter's body where it is. Captain Miller was shaken up by his superior's actions but followed along.

I knew the Major was a hard man way before but now I realize he can be truly ruthless if someone crossed him. Don't get me wrong none of us is going to miss that screwup, Dewitt but still that was something I didn't see coming.

Those of us in our platoon that still both hands and feet helped the rescue party carry our wounded and dead out of that place and into the trucks. In addition we took what crates of weapons and ammo we can carry for ourselves.

Once everything was ready we went a certain distance from the factory before Gunny detonated the TNT inside. Our sergeant actually had it set up to begin during our time there.

In the event the Reds did break through we would've blown them up with us. Glad it didn't come to that.

With a thunderous roar and orange blast the factory was reduced to a burning heap of rubble.

That place had been our refuge yet prison throughout this hellish week now it is gone. Of course our CO informed us the fight for the city is far from finished.

Only then did we withdraw from that area and returned to base. Never did I think I would miss these barracks.

Turns out we have become known as the lost platoon among the whole regiment. I hate the name.

We weren't lost, we knew exactly where we were. Like it or not though the name is sticking with us.

Our unit suffered eleven casualties out of the original twenty five men we had. Five dead(Robert Tibbs, Daniel Yeoman, Edmund Stalls, John Felton and now Dewitt due to his attempted desertion) and six wounded(Antonio Dotti, Tyler Fredricks, Mark Bennet, Jarek Chomski, Henry Foreman and Nolan Kirk).

Every squad in the platoon was affected, one way or another. For us in squad c we lost John and Robert
Not gonna lie helping to carry Robert's corpse got to me.

I couldn't bring myself to look at his face.

He died suffering, without a chance to defend himself. Robert was his parents' only child.

Joining the Corps was his way to try to help them but now they're without their son. If only I had paid attention during that march last Friday he would've still been alive.

With Corporal Felton dead as well Michail has been leading the squad since then. Gunny is recommending a battlefield promotion for our big Greek brother.

Michail is doing well in that role even though he hates that the responsibility came from this manner. I don't blame him nor envy his position.

Major Suvillian let us know that our platoon was found because of Shang. It took some time and doing but he discovered our whereabouts and reported back to the major who organized the rescue party as a result.

We really owe our lives to that kid and I won't forget it.

As soon as we saw him again we thanked him but he was solemn and barely said a word but he was grateful that we made it. But he kept looking out into the burning city and we saw tears wetting his face.

His home is being destroyed before his very eyes. Not to mention people he knew and cared about were dying out there.

Mr. Guao was hurting as well despite the fact that he concealed it a lot more than Shang when we caught up with him.

The realization hit me as if punched in the gut.

This fighting affects everyone, its horrors don't discriminate and it is not over.

Who knows what happened to Sachi, Harp and the others we know in this city. Hope they're staying safe.

Right now those of us in the so-called lost platoon who are not wounded are allowed to rest for the time being. Tomorrow though we're rejoining the fight with the rest of the Regiment.

I'm so tired.