—— Red Army Sniper ——66I had to keep watch in all directions in case something had changed
since yesterday. ‘If you’re in an ambush, the first thing you do is
look around. If you notice something different, give it your full
attention!’ I constantly reminded my students, and I acted like that
myself. But today I would need to keep a closer watch not only on
my opponent, but also on myself: not to cough inadvertently, not
to sneeze, not to sniff. I would even have to breathe more carefully,
in a controlled manner, cautiously exhaling into the snow; in a
frost like this the breath from your mouth will instantly give you
away to the enemy.
That I was facing an experienced foe there could be no doubt,
just as it could not be doubted that he was already in situ. ‘He’s
outwitted me all the same, the bastard, got there earlier,’ I thought,
when first light had already dawned. Tears began to form in my
eyes from the continuous observation of a single point through
telescopic sights. It was the wind blowing straight into my face and
the frost. I kept brushing away the tears while trying not to make
any obvious movements. The fingers of my right hand, which were
constantly ready for action, had frozen. And I began to worry as to
whether I would be able to hit the target when necessary. I realised
that in duels like this there were no wounded – a sniper, like a
sapper, only ever makes a single mistake.
But the time was ticking mercilessly by. Three hours had already
passed and, since I had been lying here, there had not been a sound
or a movement from that side. ‘Where are you, you damned Nazi?
Show yourself, just for a moment!’ I whispered with my chilled
lips. Yesterday I gathered from the excessively puffedshape under
the camouflage that my German was superbly equipped. And the
hunch on his back was probably a thermos flask concealed under
the white suit. ‘A flask indeed. Could do with some hot tea over
here!’ I thought. ‘And I would warm my hands, and the cockles
of my heart. No, better a cup of your own, homeboiled, strongly
brewed, fragrant, sweet tea, and with a piece of cake as well.. .’
I dreamed. And all different sorts of new thoughts about home
crept into my head; almost my whole life passed before my eyes.