Band of Brothers:Brothers in Arms
Chapter 4
The soldiers were buried, their graves marked with an empty rifle topped with their helmets, and the extra ammo was distributed among the men. Having enough time to eat a small amount and drink from their canteens the men relaxed as they waited.
Wade and Gould both sat with Doc rechecking their supplies and talking.
"I've got a needle and thread if you want to sew that on, Doc," Wade asked referring to his stripe. "It'll only be a patched until you can get it sewn on better."
"I think I'll wait, but thank you. Hey guys, I've got about six more aide kits. Two for all of us. Keep them with you. How y'all fixed for supplies?" he asked them. They might just need all of it especially after the fight they had encountered.
"I'm fine," Gould said. "But I'll take the extra kits. Thanks."
"Yeah, me too," Wade also said as he took the extra kits from Doc and put them in his bag.
Gould opened his canteen and took a long drink of water. "What I'd give for a long drink of cold lemonade right now," he said as he wiped his brow with his sleeve.
"Good. Y'all go ahead and relax a moment, I'm gonna run down the line to see how everybody is," and with that Roe took off running. "Martin? Liebgott? How's things going down here?" Doc asked them.
Shrugging their shoulders and they gave him a thumbs up while watching the lines. Roe made his way to Malarkey and Muck. "How y'all doing?" he questioned.
"Oh, well you know how it is, Doc. We're just sitting here trying to put together a baseball team," teased Malarkey.
"Yeah, Doc. What position you wanna play?" laughed Muck.
"Right now, I just want to not get blown up by Kraut shells," he muttered and continued down the line.
"Hey Perconte, Luz, Shifty, Jackson. How y'all doing?" he asked once more.
Frank had a mouth full of cracker. "I'm ffffffine," he said as crackers flew out of his mouth.
"We're good Doc," Luz smirked and smacked Perconte on his back. "Hey Perco, if you keep eating like that the Germans might think you're one of them," he laughed.
Frank gave him a dirty look as he defiantly stuffed another cracker in his mouth and chewed.
"You look like a tiny rat when you do that, Frank," he chuckled. "Hey, guys look at this. Check out Perconte." Some of the guys turned their heads and laughed.
Frank shook his head as Luz also laughed. "Lug head," he told him as he chewed on another cracker. "When are we gonna get started? I'm getting tired of just sitting here," he asked Doc.
"Just a matter of time, Perconte. Don't you worry about it. Hey, enjoy the rest for a bit, oh ... and your crackers," he smirked and went back to where Captain Lewis the other medics were.
"Things are all checked, the boys are good to go. Perconte wants to march some more I think. I say let him," he chuckled.
Lewis looked at his watch. "He's about to get his wish fulfilled," he said to Doc. "Let's get this show on the road. Nix, Martin, Shifty, Welsh! He called out to his NCOs, "let's move out."
"GRAB YOUR GEAR AND MOVE OUT!" Martin rang out.
"LET'S GO!" Welsh also called out to his men.
"Sergeant Roe, place your men and let's go," Lewis grinned at Doc.
He nodded his head. "Gould! Wade! Get your gear gentlemen, we're moving out." He looked over at Perconte. "Hey, Perconte, looks like you just got your wish of moving out" he smirked and lit a cigarette.
"About time," Perconte said getting up and pulling on his pack. "Luz, come'on! Let's go!" he said to George as he picked up his rifle.
Luz rolled his eyes and shook his head sighing.
"Where do you want us, Doc?" Gould asked him.
"Spread out gentlemen. One in the rear, one in the front and one in the middle, just in case. And you two, don't go and get yourselves taken out of this, yeah?" he suggested.
Liebgott looked over. "Jesus Christ, Doc, worry much?"
"Of course, I have to know, Liebgott, besides who will save you if you get shot in the behind?"
Gould chuckled at Doc's remark. "Liebgott, my ass is in your hands. Wade, I'll take the rear."
Now it was Wade's turn to chuckled. "Oh, God help us all." The two Medics walked away laughing.
Liebgott laughed. "Oh, that's a good thing to know. Great now I have something else to look after."
Roe smirked, "I'll take front, you guys, just in case. Can never be too cautious."
They marched around areas that the Germans had flooded. Mosquitoes were everywhere making their lives miserable. The day was drawing to a close as the sun set with a brilliant orange haze on the horizon. Along the way there were burning wrecked tanks and dead German soldiers. The men either stepped around or over them. Lewis came across Nixon standing staring ahead. "What's wrong, Nix?" he asked.
"We lost Dog Company," he sighed.
Shaking his head he turned around. "Liebgott, you and Blithe go ahead and see if you can catch up to them," the rest of the men the signal to stop and wait. Each of them got down on one knee.
Frank pulled the watch off of a dead German's wrist and stuck it to his ear. "Luz it's still ticking." He got down on one knee like the rest of the men. "What are we waiting for?" he asked.
"We lost Dog Company," Sisk told him.
"Again? Hey, Luz, we lost Dog Company again."
Eugene stood fast and crouched on the ground. "We lost them again? How many times does that make it now? Four? Five?" he shook his head and took a drink out of his canteen.
Liebgott nodded his head. "Come on, Blithe, let's try to find these yokels." They both went marching into the dense woods.
Frank put on the watch along with the five others he already had on his arm and looked them over."Sinn, Sothis, Stowa, Nivrel ...," he read the brand names out loud.
Captain Lewis turned to look at him. "Frank, what the hell are you talking about?"
But before he got an answer he went down with a shutter. It was then they heard the sound of a rifle firing.
"GET DOWN! SNIPER!" someone yelled and the men did just that.
"CAPTAIN LEWIS! JOHN!" Nixon called over to him hearing Lewis moan. "MEDIC!"
Lewis was shot in the back, unable to move. The sniper had aimed for his head but when he turned to talk to Perconte it struck him in the spine instead, paralyzing him.
"TELL JACKSON AND SHIFTY TO GET UP HERE NOW!" Nixon called to the men. "DOC!"
Jackson scurried up to Nixon trying to keep a low profile. "Yes sir," he said looking in the direction of the woods where Liebgott and Blithe were heading.
"Lieutenant Nixon, Sir!" It was Luz. "Colonel Sink to speak with Captain Lewis, sir." Taking the receiver Nixon spoke into it telling him about Captain Lewis's injury and about the snipers.
"Regroup and pull back to the village, Lieutenant Nixon," Sink barked over the receiver. "Try to get Captain Lewis to Carentan. We've got a hospital set up there."
"Yes, sir," he handed the receiver back to Luz. "Liebgott! Blithe! Get back here! NOW!" he looked at Jackson. "Where's Doc?"
Roe heard the call for medic and ran forward. He cradled Lewis in his arms and looked closely at him. "He's been hit in the spine, exit wound." He grabbed a bandage and applied it to stop the bleeding. "Captain Lewis? Hey, I got you. It'll be alright, it's nothing you hear?"
Lewis nodded, unable to move.
Liebgott and Blithe came running back to the lines and looked at their Captain bleeding on the ground.
Shifty ran forward with Jackson, looking for the sniper. He saw a glitter in the hedgerow about 100 yards from them. "I see him," Shifty looked through his scope and put a shot clean through the sniper's head. "See anything else Jackson?"
Jackson studied the area. "I can't see anything but that doesn't mean there's nothing there."
"We need to pull back to the village. Some of you help Doc with the Captain," Nixon ordered. "Whenever you're ready, Doc."
"Doc," Lewis said weakly looking up at him. "I can't move. Get me outta here."
"I'll help," Frank volunteered and moved over by Doc. Looking down at his paralyzed Captain a tear ran down his cheek. "You're gonna be alright, Captain. We'll take care of ya'."
"It's nothing Captain, it's nothing. I'll get you fixed up. I promise," Roe told him.
Back at the village Doc helped get the man in a jeep and leaned over him trying to get the wound to stop bleeding. "I've got to get him out of here, Lieutenant Nixon. He can't stay here. He's losing too much blood." He wiped a bloody hand on his trousers and grabbed another bandage and some more sulfa.
A jeep was called in and Lewis was loaded onto it."We've gotta go now! We can't stay here! Go, go!" Roe shouted at the driver. The driver got into the jeep and they sped off towards the town.
Roe kept looking at Lewis's breathing pattern and kept checking his vitals. His breathing seemed to be getting even more shallow than he would have liked it to be.
"Captain Lewis? Listen to my voice, alright? Hold on, we're almost to the town. It's nothing. It's just a small scrape. You can handle it." he kept patting his face. "Keep your eyes open, Captain, come on stay with me. That's right, stay with me. It ain't that bad. It ain't that bad."
Lewis was having trouble focusing on Doc's face. "I can't ... I can't feel my legs, Doc ... Doc?" The world was getting dark but someone kept patting his face bringing him back around. "Doc? Is that you?"
The company returned to the village feeling deflated. "Lieutenant Nixon, Colonel Sink on the horn for you, Sir," Luz said holding out the receiver to his radio.
"Yes, sir," he said into it. This was the first time he wanted to walk away from the war, just quit.
"Lieutenant Nixon, damn shame about Captain Lewis. I hope he's not hurt too badly but I do have some good news. I am sending Captain Winters to replace him. Stay where you are for now and he should get to you sometime tomorrow.
"Thank you, Colonel. Please keep us informed of Captain Lewis's condition, Sir."
Handing back the receiver back to Luz he waved over Martin, Guarnere and Liebgott. "Pass the word that we will be spending the night here. Captain Winters will be coming tomorrow to replace Lewis."
"Come on, Captain Lewis!" Roe kept praying to himself that this man would get better. Eugene helped him get carried into a church currently being used a hospital in Carentan.
"Get him in here. Set him down, fetch me some fresh bandages and some plasma." Some men just stared at him unsure of what to do. Doc's face grew red. "Do it!" he barked. He kept trying to keep Lewis awake. "Captain? You've gotta stay awake for me, alright? Talk to me, Captain." Finally some plasma was handed to him and he set up an IV. It wouldn't be easy but Eugene always liked a challenge, but right now he had a hard time keeping the man awake. "Sergeant !" he shouted at a soldier.
He came running over. "Yeah, Doc? What do you need?"
"I need somebody to keep him awake. Can't have him dying on us. Just keep patting his face and help me drain some of this blood from his wound. I can't see a thing."
The Sergeant nodded his head. "Sure thing, Doc, anything to help." He sat his rifle down and grabbed the fresh bandages, ready to help when needed.
Lewis kept coming in and out of consciousness. First he'd see Doc's face and then another soldier. For some reason they kept slapping him in the face and yelling his name but he could not respond.
"Doc, he keeps going in and out," the Sergeant told him.
Eugene sighed. "Try to keep him awake, Sergeant." He kept swabbing the blood away from the wound, but it didn't help. "You've gotta be kidding me!" he shouted, and cursed some more in French. "I can't see a damn thing."
At that time another medic came up behind him. "I'll take care of him for ya." He looked at Lewis and then back at Eugene. "What's wrong with him? Why doesn't he have a tag?"
"Paralyzed." muttered Eugene.
"He's what?" asked the other medic.
"He's paralyzed, can't feel a thing." With that Eugene walked out of the church with Lipton coming up behind him.
"Doc? Hey Doc, look you did everything you could for him..."
"But it wasn't enough, Sergeant, not enough for him." Eugene hung his head and closed his eyes.
The Medic worked on Lewis getting the bleeding stopped. A surgeon took him into a makeshift O.R. and did what he could to help him.
Thirty minutes later he came out asking who had brought him in. He was pointed outside to where Doc and the Sergeant were talking."Which one is the Medic that brought Captain Lewis in?" he asked looking back and forth between them.
Eugene got up from the rubble he'd been sitting on. "I am. What's going on? Don't tell me he's...Jesus Christ I can't even say it." He grabbed a cigarette and lit it trying to calm his nerves.
"No, he's not dead, but he should be. You save his life, young man," he nodded to Doc. "Unfortunately he'll never walk again, but he will live. We'll be shipping him back to England tomorrow. Well done, Corporal."
Eugene sighed loudly, taking his helmet off and dropping it on the ground, ruffling his hair a bit. He couldn't believe it, the man wasn't dead. A thousand things were running through his mind and clearly Lewis should be dead, but isn't. Maybe Roe was just like his Grandmother afterall. He was now officially a healer.
"Can I go see him? If it isn't too much to ask? Is he talking?"
"He's still under sedation but you can see him if you'd like. Danielle, take these gentlemen to see Captain Lewis in the O.R. ward."
"Yes, Doctor Howard. This way, please."
Eugene followed the nurse after picking up his helmet. When they got to Lewis's bed all Roe could do is stare at the man. He had no emotions whatsoever. He sat down next to the bed and waited for him to wake up. A half hour went by and Eugene fell asleep, his arms across his chest.
Lewis's eyes opened and he looked around uncertain of his whereabouts. He heard a soft snore and looked over to see Doc sleeping in a chair. When he tried to turn over he couldn't move. "What's wrong with me? WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?" he started yelling.
Eugene was startled by the yelling and jumped up. "Captain Lewis. Calm down, you're alright. There was...well you got hit. Sniper. Shifty took care of it. Your fine though, gave us a right bit of a scare." He grabbed the man by his shoulders and tried to calm him down.
Lewis blinked a few times uncertain but then the memory began to creep back into his mind and he looked at Doc.
"Am ... am I ... ," he looked at him and swallowed hard. "Doc, am I paralyzed?"
Eugene sighed heavily and sat back down. "I'm afraid so, Captain Lewis. At least you ain't dead. I thought you were, the guys were worried, still are. They want you to get better is all."
Looking up at the ceiling he gave a sigh and nodded slightly. "Thanks, Doc. You're a good man." He was quiet for a moment. "You better get back, the men need you."
"Lieutenant Nixon said I could stay here as long as you wanted me to. Just curious if you have anything you want me to tell the men? I'm not leaving this bedside, my old feet could use a bit of rest. Besides I have a feeling that rest will be hard to come by here in the next few weeks," he smiled.
"You are right about that, Sergeant. We are on the verge of pushing into the heart of enemy territory. Or rather you are. I'll be going home soon." He continued to stare upwards. "I hope whoever replaces me will be good to my men," he looked over at him. "We've been through a lot haven't we, Doc? Just tell them that I'm fine and I'll be praying for them."
"Captain Winters is supposed to be taking your spot. I've heard nothing but good news about him. Hopefully he'll live up to our expectations." Eugene shook his head. "We have … I...well...it won't be the same without you, Captain."
Lewis nodded his approval. "He's one of the best, known him a long time."
"And he's recently been promoted to Captain," the doctor interrupted. "AND he's here to see you, Captain Lewis."
Behind the doctor was a tall, slender man with broad shoulders in his dress uniform. Across his face was a wide friendly smile.
"John!" Winters greeted. "How are you doing?"
"Dick! Come sit by me," Lewis returned the smile although weakly. "This is Sergeant Roe, my head Medic," he introduced.
"Sergeant Roe," Winters nodded, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you." He liked the look of this young man already. "Is that a French name?"
Roe stood up and saluted then shook his hand impressed with the firm hand shake. "Yes sir, half Cajun, thanks to my Mother and Grandmother," he answered before adjusting his gear. He never took it off the entire time he was in the hospital. He looked at the two old friends and gave a small smile.
"Captain Lewis, Captain Winters, if you two don't mind I think I'm gonna head back to the lines. I'm sure Lieutenant Nixon needs a few helping hands, and maybe I can see if I can't get any more supplies," he rubbed his tired eyes. He hadn't gotten any decent sleep since before they jumped.
"Hold on, Sergeant," Winters said still standing. "I'll be heading that way tomorrow. You can go with me in the morning. In the meantime, get yourself a hot meal and some rest. You're welcome to stay at my quarters tonight. It's just a tent but it's comfy."
"I couldn't possibly intrude, Captain Winter. But a nice night of sleep sounds very tempting. But if you insist, I have a feeling sleep will be hard to come by," he gave a small smile. "Well, I'll let you two have some time to catch up."
"I am not inviting you, Sergeant. I am ordering you," he squared his shoulders and looked at him but then his expression softened. "It won't do me any good to have a sick medic on my hands. Give me a few moments alone with Captain Lewis and then we'll get something to eat and get some rest. Tomorrow you'll ride with me."
"You heard him, Doc," Lewis spoke softly. "He's your C.O. now." He looked at Roe and gave him a weak grin. "Thanks, Doc, for saving my life. But thanks more for being my friend."
Eugene hung his head briefly and nodded his head. "And you, Captain Lewis, do me a favor and just get better alright? I expect letters from you to make sure everything is alright." He toyed around with an aide kit. "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. It's the guys I'm worried about," he shook his hand. "It was an honor sir, a true honor." He saluted him and left the two men alone.
"Take care of my boys, Dick. You're getting a good bunch of men. They're loyal. A good bunch of men," he said to him.
Winters sat down on a chair beside him. "Many of the men I knew from Taccoa. Nixon, Guarnere, Perconte, Shifty Powers, Buck, Bull, many others. I know them to be good men."
The two friends chatted for a bit about personal things, family, Army food, anything that came to mind.
"Excuse me," the nurse came in with stretcher bearers. "These men are here to get Captain Lewis," she smiled at them both.
"Where am I going?" he asked her.
"You're being shipped to a hospital in London and then after that you're going home," she told him. "I'm sorry, Captain Winters, you'll have to leave now."
"The best of luck to you, John," Winters told him. "And don't worry, I'll take good care of Easy," he reassured him. He left the room and tried to find the way out of the church.
Eugene stood outside the main door of the church with a box of supplies in his hands. He was going through it so he could distribute it among the other two medics. He had a cigarette in his mouth.
After wandering around and getting directions Winters finally found the way out of the hospital/church where he saw Roe sifting through a box of medical supplies. "Sergeant Roe, there you are. I do believe they are getting ready to serve dinner. Afterwards you can shower and get a clean uniform. How does that sound, soldier?"
Roe nodded his head. A nice warm showers and warm food sounded excellent. "Sounds refreshing ,Captain Winters." He looked at the man then and studied him for a moment. "Sir? Did you say Camp Taccoa? I was there with Captain Sobel. Currahee. I think you may have even been my platoon leader once."
"I was, until Sobel got in the works and nearly got me court martialed, more than once. Come along, we'll talk over a hot meal. And I do remember you, Doc," he patted his shoulder.
"What's going to happen to Captain Lewis/" he asked as they walked.
"Captain Lewis is going home," winters replied.
A large tent had been erected and a chow line set up. They just happened to be serving Winters' favorite meal; roast beef, mashed potatoes with brown gravy; all of it military style. Theyfound a place to sit at a metal table and chairs the color of their uniforms, OD green.
Afterwards he took Doc to where a shower tent was set up and showed him where to get a clean uniform and told him he'd wait outside for him.
Eugene had shoveled down his meal. It had been over a day since he'd last eaten so that and some fresh cold water was a God send. Afterwards he showered. The water was warm and the soap smelled better than anything he'd ever smelled before. He put on a new uniform with his new rank sewn on the sleeves, which seemed absurd to him since it would be getting dirty and bloody again, but he didn't mind. Finally he walked out of the tent and adjusted some of his gear.
Winters chuckled when he saw Doc in his clean uniform and with a full belly. "How are you feeling?" he asked him as they walked towards his tent.
"Full. Stiff. And just a nice feeling. Not exhausted like I was before. Thanks Captain Winters." As they walked along Eugene kept toying around with his uniform. It was odd seeing Sergeant stripes on, but he could care less about the rank, he was just happy saving lives.
"Good, we've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Let's get some rest so we can meet it head on. Here's my tent," he opened the flap for him. "I had a private bring in another cot for you. It's very humble but it's home, at least for now."
"Thank you, sir." He nodded his head and sat down on the cot. He wasn't really tired but he knew as soon as his head hit that pillow he would be out cold.
Meanwhile back on the lines Shifty was cleaning his rifle and humming a tune to himself.
Liebgott looked over. "So Shifty, what's it like being a sniper?"
"Why don't you run out about 100 yards and find out?" joked Shifty.
Liebgott's facial expression changed suddenly. "What? You can't be serious. You wouldn't shoot me would you?"
Shifty smirked, "I can always do with a bit of target practice. I'm sure Jackson could, too."
"Jesus Christ, Shifty, you scare the hell out of me sometimes," replied Liebgott, his eyes wide.
"Who says I'm joking, Liebgott?" The guys started laughing.
Jackson sat relaxing against a tree as he puffed a cigarette and looked at a picture of his twin brother. He was also dressed in ODs but there were Marine emblems on his shoulders and camouflage on the helmet. Looking up at the moon, he wondered if David was alright.
At the same time on Guadalcanal David Jackson looked at a picture of his brother, Daniel. Looking up at the moon he wondered if Daniel was alright.
Wade counted his morphine syringes and looked over at Gould who was laying on his back counting stars.
"You better check you supplies, Stephen," he said to him as he put away the syringes and began counting his bandages.
"I've already done that, twice. LOOK!" he pointed. "A shooting star. Something good is going to happen."
"Yeah, I see it," Wade looked up. "How many packets of sulfa do you have?"
"Thirty, why?"
"I've only got ten. Give me some of yours."
Gould sat up sighing and checked his bag pulling out ten packets. "That should give you 20 and leave me with 20. I hope Doc brings back some more supplies."
"He will. He always looks out for us," he answered.
"Yeah, he does," Gould said as he laid back down. "Look, there's Orion's belt."
Frank was looking at a girly magazine he had hidden in his pack. Page after page of topless, naked women were there to behold. With a small flashlight he scanned each page, making small sounds like he was hurt. "Oh, Mama," he drooled at a busty blonde who smiled back at him.
Luz snuck up behind Perconte and sat down next to him. "Hey there, Frank!" He smirked "What you looking at?" He looked over and his eyes widened. "Jesus Christ, Frank! Let me see!"
"Ain't she bee-u-tee-ful," he said with a slight lustiness to his voice. "If she was here right now I know what I'd be doing. Hey!" he protested when Luz snatched it out of his hands. "Candy is my girl. You'll have to pick one of the others."
Deacon pulled guard duty along with several others. Except for the barking of a few dogs and the thundering sound of distant shelling all was quiet.
It was a beautiful clear night and the stars twinkled brightly in the sky and he wondered if his folks were looking at the same stars. His brother, Jimmy and him would sometimes sit out at night and try to name all the constellations. Now he couldn't think of the names of any of them. He would stand guard for two hours until his relief would show up and then he'd get some rest.
Liebgott, Martin, Malarkey and Lipton all fell asleep in a circle each of them with their rifles next to them or still in their hands.
Shifty was perched up against a tree. His head was hung low and his rifle was held tight in his hands.
"So, how did you sleep, Doc?" Winters asked him over his coffee. They were sitting over a tray of powdered eggs, and fried potatoes in the mess tent. The Army seemed to live on potatoes.
"Slept like a newborn babe, Captain Winters. I could get use to being pampered like that. You've got it made," he smirked and sipped on his morning coffee.
Winters also smirked. "Oh, yeah ... made in the shade."
"Excuse me, Captain Winters," a private interrupted. "I'm here to take you to your post, Sir. Whenever you're ready, Sir."
"Thank you, Private. Well, there's no time like the present, heh Doc? Let's go fight a war."
Roe nodded as he finished his coffee. "Ready, Captain Winters." He also picked up the box of supplies he had managed to rummage up the day before. "Let's go see the boys. Hope they haven't killed each other."
The ride was uneventful as they drove past soldiers that walked the roads. During the week that the Americans had been in France they had managed to get a strong foothold on several of the small towns and villages that surrounded Normandy including Ste-Mere-Eglise, Cherbourg and Valognes, but it had been paid with a terrible price. Still there was much to do.
"Captain Lewis told me that our next objective is to take Carentan," Winters was telling Doc. "And then hopefully meet up with Montgomery at St. Lo for a push on Caen. Personally, I think Monty is over rated. Between him and Patton I don't know who's the more pompous. But you didn't hear that from me," he snickered.
"Carentan?" Doc questioned and then smirked hearing Winters joke about Patton and Montgomery. "No, of couse not sir, not a word. Though, I completely agree about Patton." Eugene liked Winters. He seemed so down-to-earth and yet a confident leader. Something that him and the men could use in battle, a great leader.
Winters liked Doc the first time he met him and he was getting to like him more as time went on. He had a certain kind of charm about him that the ones from the North seemed to lack. "I knew a man who was Cajun and you sound a lot like him," Winters commented.
"I am Cajun, Captain Winters. You can blame my grandmother. She wanted to send me away to some relatives in Maryland but I protested since she was ill," he gave a small smile as he changed the subject. "The men will sure be glad to see you again."
Frank Perconte was wiping his weapon off after cleaning it when he heard a jeep drive up and saw its passengers unload.
"Well, I'll be ... HEY! ... LUZ!" he shouted over to him. "Doesn't that look like Lieutenant Winters to you?" he narrowed his eyes studying him. "Make that Captain Winters."
Luz nodded his head. "Sure does, Frank, and look who's with him. Doc Roe. It's been ages since we've seen Winters. Good old Currahee days. Glad to know he's our C.O. now."
Winters picked up his pack and rifle and looked at the two men looking in his direction.
"Luz and Perconte ... I'd recognize those two anywhere," he chuckled looking at Doc as they walked towards the two soldiers.
"Captain Winters, Sir. It's really good to see you again," Frank spoke smiling and shook his hand.
"Good morning, Sgt. Perconte ... Sgt. Luz," he shook both of their hands. "Good to see you two again. Are you two alright?"
"Doin' fine Captain Winters," Perconte spoke, shaking the man's hand. "Great to see you again."
Luz smirked. "We're fine, Captain Winters, thanks for asking. Haven't kill him yet," he laughed nodding toward Frank.
"DICK!" Nixon smiled walking up to him. "Never thought you'd get here. Colonel Sink wanted me to call him when you got here," Nixon patted his shoulder.
While Winters and Nixon talked Eugene walked over to where Wade and Gould were.
Wade was pulling a splinter out of a soldier's finger with a pair of tweezers.
"Hold still, Reilly. If you hadn't used that board as a baseball bat this would ave never happened. If you don't stop jerking I'll leave the splinter in and let it fester till you beg me to cut off your finger. Now then, ... hold still ... Reilly, you're acting like a little girl, now hold still ...there it is," he pulled the splinter out. "All that fuss over a tiny splinter." He held it up so Reilly could see it and, after cleaning the area, sent him away. "Stop picking up pieces of the church tower before you get another splinter," he warned him.
"Hey guys, ya'll miss me?" He put the box of medical supplies down onto the ground. "Y'all take some of these supplies."
"Good to see you, Doc," Wade greeted.
"Hey, Doc," Gould also greeted. "Thanks, we could use the supplies."
"Whose the officer with you?" Wade asked him as he stood up.
Eugene patted Reilly on the back "Listen to him, he's a good doctor. Hey, take it easy Reilly." He sat down on the ground next to the other two medics. "That is Captain Winters, our new C.O. He went to Toccoa, Went through the same hell we did with Sobel and ran Currahee with us. I think he got sick and had to be taken out of commission for a bit but no matter he's with us now. Hey, Captain Lewis said to tell you that he's thinking of everybody in Easy. He tells us to be safe and keep in touch with him. He's gonna live."
"That's good," Gould said as he looked through the box. "Oh, good, you've got some more sulfa. We were starting to run short."
"Well, then that means he's going home then. Good for him," Wade nodded his approval. "You said you know Captain Winters? If you like him that's good enough for me."
"Yeah, I stopped by the hospital in town. That's where I met up with Captain Winters. A nice tent, a cot, warm shower and warm food. Too bad y'all couldn't have come," he teased. "But he's a good man. Winters, that is. Most of the guys in this company already know him from boot camp." He took a drink from his canteen. "I'm just glad that Lewis is gonna be alright. He's a good man."
"A tent and a cot?" Wade looked at him.
"A hot shower?" Gould said.
"Warm food?" they said together.
"You lucky dog, you," Wade shook his head.
"I wanted to come back to y'all believe me, but Captain Winters insisted. Actually her ordered me. I wasn't complaining. But all in all I'm just glad to be back. Anybody hurt last night?" he questioned.
"No, nothing happened. Well, nothing major anyway," Wade said.
"Just the usual ... a couple of blisters and a splinter. Otherwise nothing."
"We pretty much had an uneventful night," Wade told him.
"Well, at least you guys got a good nights worth of sleep. I know I did," he smirked. "Wonder when we'll be heading out?"
Shifty and Jackson came around and sat with the group. "Doc. Gould. Wade. How y'all doing?" they asked.
Eugene smiled, "Had a great night. Managed to hunt down the new Easy Company C.O. Well, rather he found me."
"No kidding, Doc? I don't think I've seen Winters in ages," muttered Shifty.
"Some of the guys seem glad to see him," Jackson said kneeling next to Shifty. "I hope he is as good as Lewis was. I liked him."
"Back at basic they had me running from different companies in the 506th and I ran into him in Dog company. Spent a month under his command. He's a good leader. Not one to run away," Eugene commented as he lit up a cigarette.
"That's good," Jackson replied also lighting up a cigarette.
Winters was talking with Colonel Sink over a radio.
"Yes, Sir ... Yes, Sir ... We won't let you down, Sir ... Yes, Sir ... thank you, Sir." He handed the receiver back and pulled the map Lewis had given him, spreading it out on an old half burned table under a tree. "Change of plans, Nix," he said.
"Uh-Oh! Why don't I like the sound of that?" Nixon muttered.
Winters chuckled a his comment. "We're still going to Carentan. There's reports of enemy activity there. But instead of going on to St-Lo we're to hold the town until Able, Dog and Fox Companies meet up with us. Seems they're off fighting in Isigny. He seems to think Easy can take Carentan by itself. I think he thinks we're invincible. Maybe we are. Anyway that's where we're going."
"Let me get this straight - he sends three companies to take a town but thinks we can take one by ourselves? He's either got a lot of faith in us or he's crazy."
"Or both. Either way we're taking Carentan by ourselves. Nix," he folded up the map and stiffed it into his jacket, "call a school circle."
"Yes, Sir," he walked into the open. "EASY! SCHOOL CIRCLE!" he yelled to them.
"That gives me plenty of bandages, a fair share of morphine and more than enough of sulfa," Gould said looking through his medic bag
"I love the way you count," Wade chuckled.
Their heads turned when they heard Nixon call out. "Now what?"
Eugene got up and got in the circle with the rest of the guys. Next to him Liebgott, Malarkey, Shifty, Martin and Lipton all stood getting their gear situated so they could go ahead and head out.
"What's going on?" asked Liebgott.
When Easy was gathered Nixon started. "Listen up, Easy. First, I've heard that Captain Lewis survived and is at this very moment heading back to England and eventually home."
The crowd of men gave a sound of approval.
"He's going home?" Frank smiled. "Hey, Luz, did you hear that? The Captain has gone home."
"I heard him, Perco. I'm not deaf," Luz rolled his eyes.
Deacon felt a little numb. He and Lewis had been such good friends and the two had been through a lot together. He said nothing, just sighed and slowly shook his head. Now who could he confide in when the world seemed to press in around him. It was good he was kneeling down otherwise he would have fallen over.
"Our new C.O. many of you remember but for those who don't, the man who's boots you will lick from now on is Captain Winters and he has something to tell you. Capt'n." There was no cheering to draw attention but the ones who knew Winters were cheering in their hearts.
"Thank you, Lieutenant. Good morning, Easy. We have a new objective. We will continue on and take Carentan. But then we will occupy it until Able, Dog and Fox are able to join us. Be alert as there has been enemy activity in the town. How much we're not sure. All I can tell you is once we dig in we will not leave until ordered to leave. Make sure you have plenty of ammo. So, let's gear up and go." As they began to disperse he called Roe over. "Doc, how are your men fixed for supplies?"
"We've got enough supplies, Captain Winters. I think we'll be fine," he nodded his head and finished off his cigarette.
"Thanks, Doc. Get your men into position. The sooner we get there the sooner we can get this done," he patted him on the shoulder and went to get his gear.
"Yes, sir," he turned around. "Wade. Gould. Get your gear situated, we're heading out. I want one in the rear, and one in the middle. I'll take front. Keep your eyes peeled and just yell if you need anything."
"Yes, Sir," they answered together and went to get their gear.
"I'll take the rear again," Wade said.
"I bet you say that to all the girls," Gould joked and they both laughed. "That's fine. Wherever you feel most comfortable."
"That's what you'd wish the girls would say to you," Wade chuckled and they laughed again.
"That other town must be bigger," Perconte said to Jackson and Luz as he put on his gear.
"Why do you say that, Perco?" Jackson asked him as he, too, pulled on his gear.
"Well, three companies are sent to take it and we're sent by ourselves to take Carentan. I'm guessing it'll be really small. They wouldn't send us alone to take a bigger town, would they? Would they, Luz?"
"Sink thinks we can do anything," Deacon mumbled angrily as he walked past Perconte. "If he wanted to take hell he'd send us. Wouldn't matter how many guys we loose."
Jackson watched Deacon walk past and scoffed. "That guys ass hairs are wound too tight."
Eugene looked at Deacon and pulled him to the side. "What's going on? You're never like this, and don't tell me that everything is fine because I know it ain't. Now come on, tell me." He had a stern look in his eyes and his arms were crossed.
"Everything is peachy keen," Deacon said sarcastically as he looked at him. "Don't worry about it, Doc. Let's go kill some Krauts." He wasn't ready to talk to anyone. He wasn't even sure of his own feelings. All he knew was that his best friend was gone and he felt very alone, even in an entire company of soldiers he felt alone.
"Bull," cursed Roe. "Don't make me send you behind the lines to the hospital. I do outrank you. Even though you might be the same rank as me, medics come first. But if you don't want to talk about it don't go and get yourself killed or end up like Guarnerre. Alright? I'm here if you need anything." With that he caught up with Captain Winters and walked alongside him.
Winters was walking beside his friend, Nixon, leading the way.
"Hello, Doc," he looked at him noticing his creased forehead. "Is everything alright"
"Nathan Greer, I think he misses Captain Lewis. I understand where he's coming from but he needs to push it aside and not let it get in the way of our mission. I don't want him to end up like Guarnerre did when we first landed in Normandy," he sighed. "Guess I can't please everybody, can I Captain?"
Winters chuckled and put his hand on his shoulder. "That's one thing none of us can do, Doc. Captain Lewis was concerned about - I believe he called him Deacon. He said he was troubled because of personal problems and Lewis took him under his wing sort of as a father figure. Unfortunately we won't have time for that now. He'll have to buck it up and go on. Same as the rest of us. We have a war to win, we don't have time for fuzzy warm feelings. Unless he gets real crazy don't let it bother you for now."
Eugene sighed. "Thanks Captain." He fiddled around with a bandage for a moment unable to think of anything else to say. Winters was right though, they had a job to do. Hopefully the war would end soon and they could all get back home.
Before long they were on the edge of Carentan. A hill separated them from the view of the town and Winters had the men lying low on the road so they could not be seen. Winters looked over the curve of the road and into the town studying it. A sign that hung from a building squeaked as the breeze moved it.
Scooting back down to Welsh he looked at him. "I want you to take the first straight up the middle, hard and fast. We have to move quickly. I'll be right behind you with 2nd and 3rd"
Checking one more time over the ridge of the road he was satisfied. Looking at his watch more out of habit than necessity he prepared himself. "GO!" he said to Welsh.
"LET'S GO, FIRST! LET'S GO!" Welch waved them forward and got to his feet leading the company over the hill. Luz followed close behind.
.Jackson laid low as Winters moved down the road in a half yell/half whisper said, "GO! GO! GO!" The men towards the front got up and ran down in road towards the town. He was with 2nd and they got up to run behind them when machine gun fire came down on them from out of nowhere. There was no recourse but to dive into the ditch alongside the road. A trail of bullets streamed passed him cutting down some men. Screaming they fell and didn't move.
Deacon ducked and covered diving for the ditch. Behind him he could hear someone yelling, "MOVE THOSE MGs! MOVE THOSE MGs, DAMN IT!" Looking back he could see it was Strayer frantically waving them forward. He stayed put unsure to what to do. It looked like suicide to step out into the open.
Winters couldn't believe is eyes. The few men that made it close to town were mowed down in the road. Upon hearing Strayer he tried to move his men.
"LET'S GO! LET'S GO!"
"WE'RE IN THE OPEN!" someone yelled.
"GO! GO!" Winters ordered again but no one moved. "GET 'EM GOING, BUCK! FOLLOW ME, MEN!" he ran down the road but still no one followed. Looking at the men in the ditch he kept yelling at them. "MOVE OUT! MOVE OUT!" All around him bullets hit the ground or bounced off of trees or road posts. It was as though a Divine Hand was protecting him. "MOVE OUT OF THAT DITCH! WE ARE NOT GETTING KILLED OUT HERE, BLITHE!" he grabbed the private and pulled him out and onto the road. Immediately he made his way to the other side jumping over the ditch and running into the field. "GO! THERE'S NO COVER HERE! GO! GO!" he was pulling men out of the ditches and kicking them to make them move. The field afforded some cover.
Deacon went sprawling onto the road when Winters grabbed his collar and pulled him. Immediately he was on his feet following Blithe into the field. There was tall grass and buildings between them and the machine gun.
Jackson ran across the road, bullets trailing him. He dove across the opposite ditch and landed face first in the dirt. Just as quickly he was up and running until he was behind a building. Rifle in hand he stopped, leaning against the building trying to catch his breath. To his right some men quickly set up their machine gun and began firing on the German position. Peering around the corner of the building Jackson saw muzzel fire spitting out of a window. Taking aim he fired at a shape that looked like a head. With a scream the German hit the floor.
Eugene was one of the first to run up the hill and into the town. He managed to hide behind a building with machine gun fire on it. He hid behind one of the pillars, hiding his face so he wouldn't get shrapnel in it.
Liebgott, Martin, Malarkey and Lipton all ran up the hill also. Each of them going in different directions. Shifty was right behind him. He kicked a fence open and hid in a chicken coup just as two guys ran behind him. One of them was hit, the other pressed up against the wall of a building.
Of course Luz had to be the second one to move out. He was with Lt. Welsh running up the hill and hiding behind a tiny brick building.
"Where the fk is everybody?" hollered Lt. Welsh. "Where did everybody go?"
"I have no idea!" replied Luz, firing off a few rounds and hearing radio static every now and again.
Frank ran between buildings close behind Winters and Martin. The machine gun nest was well established in a window around the corner making it impossible to move. Martin fired on it but it did little good. A man trying to show him the position of a shooter in an upper window was shot and collapsed. He helped to pull him back to safety calling for a medic.
Eugene ran forward and dragged the wounded man back to relative safety. The soldier had been shot in his shoulder, clean exit wound.
Sulfa and a bandage came next as Eugene kept trying to talk to the man to see if he needed anything but the guy kept screaming. Finally Eugene looked at him. "Enough! It's not that bad! You're fine! I need to know if your hit anywhere..." With that machine gun fire erupted near him sending bullets into the man below him. He grabbed his dog tag and ran from the gun fire which seemed to follow him.
Wade saw a man go down and tried to reach him but machine gun fire kept him at bay. "Hold on! I'm coming!" he tried to reassure the young soldier. Blood was pooling around his body as he reached out calling Wade. Trying again to reach him a row of bullets streamed passed him making him pull back behind the corner of the building. The soldier became quiet and didn't move. Somebody else called "MEDIC!" as Wade looked at the lifeless face of the boy soldier. With a sigh he ran behind the building toward the yelling.
Winters tossed a grenade at the window and it exploded sending chunks of debrie flying but the firing continued.
Jackson kept firing at the top windows when he saw movement in them. " O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me," he spoke out loud. All around him were explosions and rifle fire.
"JACKSON!" someone yelled at him. "TO YOUR LEFT! TO YOUR LEFT!" Looking he saw a hand throw something out of a window. It was a potato masher. Landing in the alley beside him he ducked as it exploded. Brick dust covered his back but he shook it off as he moved away to the other side.
Shifty stayed hidden in the chicken coup and saw the man against the wall get hit by a sniper and colapse. Aiming his rifle he fired a shot right in the sniper's head. He then concentrated his focus on a building on the corner of the street and fired a shot his way, killing another German soldier firing the machine gun. Next thing he knew bullets were coming his way and killing the chickens, he turned his head as chicken blood splattered him. "AW, GAWD!" he shouted.
Meanwhile Eugene was trying very hard to not get hit by the same machine gun fire as he ran past Shifty. "How you doin', Powers?" he yelled. "I'll see you in a bit!" He ran faster away from the machine gun fire.
Welsh yelled that he needed covering fire as he and two others fired on the machine gun causing the German to duck. In amazement Doc watched as Welsh ran out into the street toward the firing barrel that was aimed at Shifty and watched him throw a grenade into the window. It exploded and that ended its deadly reign. "GUARNERE! CLEAR THAT SECTOR ON THE RIGHT!" someone yelled and he ran behind Bill and up the street.
Shifty sighed and saw Lipton run towards him. "You alright Shifty?" He just gave a thumbs up, panting heavily. "We gotta take that warehouse. Shifty! Hammer those windows." With that Shifty began to take out the windows.
"We've got to clear these buildings. Guarnere, you and Frank start clearing these buildings. Two to a house," Winters yelled at the others.
"Yes sir," they both said and began with the nearest building. "Break the glass, Frank," he said to him as they stood on either side of the door. With a nod he smashed a window pane in the door and Guarnere tossed a grenade inside. It exploded and they rushed inside firing at any movement.
Gould had bandaged several men pulling them away from danger. But this time he was to pulled out of danger. Helping a man that had been shot he was trying to stop the bleeding when a German soldier emerged from a hole that had been exploded in a wall. Looking at Gould the German said something to him and pulled out pistol. As he aimed it at Gould someone shot him and he collapsed in a bloody mist. Gould looked up to see Jackson holding a pistol. "Thanks, Jackson," he smiled up at him. Jackson nodded and headed down the brick street.
Lipton ran up one of the stairs on the outside of a building. Clearing the room inside before looking back over town and hearing a loud explosion. "They've got a zero!" he shouted. "Move! Get out of the street! Go!"
Meanwhile, Eugene was bandaging a man who'd had a head injury. Behind him a building exploded sending rubble flying his way. Shielding the injured man with his body he waited until the debrie stopped and then continued bandaging.
Shells exploded a few streets over and slowly moved towards them when they heard Lipton yelling to move. He, Guarnere and several others ran for safety towards the edge of town.
Jackson was helping clear out a building when a German shell hit a building. He heard Liebgott yelling for Tipper over and over. Seeing a couple of men standing looking at something in shock he rushed up and watched as Liebgott was comforting an injured Tipper. Tip's leg was shattered and smoke wafted up through a half empty boot as blood dribbled down his face.
"It's okay, Tip. We're gonna get you fixed up. Guys, wanna give me a hand here. Come'on." He helped carry Tipper to safety.
They had the Germans on the run. Jacobs and Markinson set up their machine gun in a window and brought down retreating German in a swamp behind the town. Finally they could begin to breath a little. Winters was looking over a map of the town he had found in the town hall when Strayer asked him if it was safe to move the wounded. Winters told him it was and they came out of the building carrying some wounded men.
Eugene found himself helping transport some of the wounded to a near by field hospital set up in one of the buildings. Wounded men and the stench of death surrounded him, other men kept looking to him for what to do. So he gave orders as best he could.
Wade followed them as they carried Tipper into the building and laid him on the floor. Opening his shirt he checked him for bullet wounds. Small pieces of glass were embedded in the side of his face and his chest. Carefully cutting away his pants a part of Tipper's leg and foot had been blown away.
"Am I gonna be alright, Doc?" Tip asked him.
"Yeah, you're gonna be fine, Tip. It's not all that bad," he reassured him as he gave him a shot of morphine and sprinkled sulfa on the leg before bandaging it then started plucking out pieces of glass from his face and chest.
In the meantime Gould was attending to a solder with a bullet wound to his side. Trying to stop the bleeding his hands were red with blood, "I need to get him somewhere so I can take out the bullet," he told a Sergeant.
"They've got a field hospital set up down the street."
"Well, let's get him there," he told him. This was when he loved being a medic the most, when he could order men who outranked him.
"Luz!" Winters called out to him. "Call for some ambulances for the wounded," he ordered him.
Walking away a sniper bullet hit the ground and shattered sending a piece into his left calf. Yelling out in pain he leaned against the side of the building to keep from loosing his balance. "Damn!" he yelled out with a rare cuss word.
Jackson was leaning against the building where the hospital was set up lighting a cigarette when he heard the shot and saw Winters almost fall.
"SHIFTY! WE GOT A SNIPER!" he called out. "I'll get him, Capt'n," he called out to him throwing the cigarette down and running to the end of the block. Peeking around the corner of the building he scanned the area trying to figure out where the shot had come from. Looking over to where the bullet had broken a brick in the street he quickly deduced from the angle that it had to have come from the top floor of the bank building two blocks over. Calculating the distance he changed the setting on his scope and looked through it scanning the row of windows on the top floor.
Winters hobbled to the field hospital. "Captain Winters!" called Eugene, running towards him. "You okay? Here let's go get you sitting down so I can take a look at it."
With Doc's help he crawled up onto a table, blood dribbled down his boot. "All this time without a scratch, Doc, and what happens? A lousy sniper," he grumbled.
"Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave," he said to himself as he took aim at a man holding a rifle barrel out of the top window of the building. Carefully he took a deep breath and pulled the trigger.
Hearing the rifle fire he looked at Eugene. "And that, Doc, should be the end of our friendly neighborhood sniper," he chuckled.
Eugene smirked and took Winters' boot off. Grabbing a pair of tweezers and some hooch he set out taking the piece of shrapnel out of his leg. He got the piece out and held it up for him. "There it is. You're lucky it was a miss." He assured him and put the piece in a tiny pan.
Dick sucked air between his teeth when Eugene took out the fragment of bullet surprised that something so small could hurt so bad. After that Buck Compton came inside, his helmet in his hands "What's the plan chief?" he asked Winters.
Looking at Buck he grinned. "Make a thorough sweep of the buildings making sure there aren't any more snipers Set up guards around the city especially, on the main roads in and out, and we sit and wait until reinforcement get here." He nodded at Buck. "Oh, and send Luz in here. I need him to call regiment. I need to know why the wounded haven't been moved out of here."
Buck nodded his head. "Yes sir. Hey, you gonna be alright?" he questioned.
Eugene grabbed some hooch and a small cloth and began to clean the wound so it wouldn't get infected and listened to the two talk.
Winters sucked air again when Eugene clean his wound. "Yeah ... yeah, if Doc don't kill me first," he teased. "Thanks, Buck."
"If you'd stop squirming around maybe I wouldn't be tryin' to kill ya Cap'n," he teased. He liked these men, they all had a good sense of humor.
"I'll be getting back, Dick. I'll see if I can't find out why these wounded aren't being moved. Luz is in a conference with Lt. Welsh. See you around." With that he put his helmet back on and left the building.
In a few hours the town was secure and the wounded sent to the rear. The men could relax a little while they waited for the other companies to get to them.
The village now calm the men began exploring it. Eugene found himself under a tree outside the field hospital. He had fallen asleep after taking care of most of the wounded men, grateful for the rest and a bit of food even if it was stale.
Frank peered through the glass of a shop, his hands on either side of his face trying to make out what he was seeing. The sign above the door said "Boulangerie". Opening the door a little bell tinkled and he snickered. Inside was a counter with a glass case. Inside the glass case were loaves of dark brown bread. Moving around to the back of the counter he opened it and pulled out a loaf sniffing it.
"MMmmm, pumpernickle," he grinned and broke it open. He could tell it was at least day old but still edible. It melted like butter in his mouth. Picking up another loaf he went to find Luz.
"I got three Ladies and a pair of deuces," Jackson said laying the cards down on the table, stump of a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. Someone had found a small table and several of the men entertined themselves with a game of poker.
"Shit, Jackson! That's three hands in a row you've won. Lady luck must be on your side," Malarkey protested. "Beats my pair of Jacks," he threw down his hand. The others moaned also throwing down theirs. The small group was playing in the middle of the debris filled street in the shade of a bombed out brick building.
"What can I say?" he chuckled, throwing away the butt and gathering the matchsticks he just won."You do her just right she'll be good to you. My deal!"
"I'm almost out of matchsticks," Skip Muck complained.
"Don't worry 'bout it, Skip. They'll soon be mine. Five card draw," he announced dealing out the cards again.
"Look what I found, Wade," Gould smiled as he set an old turntable on the steps of the building and turned the crank.
"Where did you find that?"
"It was sitting here on the sidewalk. I guess some German was trying to steal it and left it here. Listen to this." He lowered the needle onto a record and they listened.
Winters was talking with Nixon when he heard the music and they stopped to listen.
"Who is that singing?" Nixon asked.
"I don't know," Winters told him.
Listening for a moment he asked again. "What's she singing about?"
"I don't know but it is beautiful."
"Yeah, it is."
"How many?" Jackson pointed at different men. "Two for you, three for you, three for you, and three for the dealer. What the ...?" he listened to the music. "Sounds like Lady Luck singing again. Alright ... I bet two matchsticks and raise you two more." He started humming along with the music.
Shifty looked over at Doc and decided to join him under the tree, putting his stuff down and sitting next to him.
This woke Eugene up. He open his eyes a bit and peered over. "How you doin', Darryl?" he asked.
"Doin' just fine Doc. I tell you, you scared the mess out of me trying to dodge those machine guns. How's Captain Winters?" he asked.
"Captain Winters? Oh, he's fine. Just a small wound."
Perconte saw the men playing cards and walked over to them. He was still holding the two loaves of bread. "Hey, you guys seen Luz? I can't find him."
"Whatchu got there, Perco?" Jackson asked him looking at the bread. 'Is that fresh bread?"
"It's day old bread. There's more in that bakery around the corner. Have you seen Luz?" he asked them again.
"I ain't seen him. Any o' you fellas see him?" Jackson asked. They all voiced their no's. "Give me a piece of that bread."
"You go get your own," he told him and walked off.
Jackson looked at his hand and at the retreating back of Perconte and made a decision.
"I fold," he threw down a pair of aces and a pair of tens. "I'm gonna get me some of that bread." He got up and went around to the bakery followed by the other men who were curious as to what he was. Finding the bakery he went in and found a loaf bread. The others scrambled for the other loaves. Shortly he was back at the table tearing off hunks of bread and eating it.
Luz smirked watching a flustered Perconte walking around. Sitting up in the tree Doc and Shifty were under he was careful not to make a noise. He had a perfect view of the city. Rubble littered the streets and buildings were half blown up but then he saw Perconte nearing the tree. Picking off a few nuts he held them in his hand. He had plans. Taking careful aim he threw it at his friend's head then hiding behind the foliage.
"Hey, Shifty ... have you seen Luz?" he asked him. Something hit his helmet with a PLINK and he saw a small nut as it glanced off his helmet but paid it no mind. "I've got some bread for him." Another nut hit his helmet harder this time. Noticing there was no nuts falling on anyone else he looked up into the tree scanning it. He didn't see anything and shrugged but then made out the shape of a familiar boot that was attached to a leg. "Luz? Is that you up there?"
"No, it's just a figment of your imagination, Perco," he smirked and jumped down from the tree. "Whatcha got there?" He eyed the bread, his stomach making gurgling noises.
"I found some pumpenickle bread and thought you'd like some. It still fresh," he handed the loaf to him. "Where's that music coming from?"
His stomach now full of bread Jackson was now feeling sleepy. "Deal me out, guys. Here, divvy up my matchsticks if you want. I'm gonna try and find a place to take a nap." He remembered seeing what looked like a hotel on the other side of town so he headed there. He couldn't believe the devastation of the town. Bricks and mortar were strewn everywhere along with shattered glass and broken and burned furniture. A huge hunk of the hotel was blown out of the top corner but otherwise was intact. Slipping inside he went up the elaborately carved staircase to the first floor where he found a bed that was made up. Taking off his gear and jacket he laid down on the soft mattress and was sound asleep in minutes.
"Hey, thanks Frank," Luz muttered as he laid down in some grass rubbing his now full stomach. "I tell ya if that lady keeps on singing she'll have all of us asleep in no time."
"Yeah, but it sure is pretty," Perconte sat down next to him. "This bread is so good. I'm glad I found it."
"Hey Perconte, you got any more of that bread? I'll give you a trade, got some cheese here," Eugene asked and rummaged in his pack, taking out the tube of cheese.
"Cheese!" he said surprised "Yeah! Yeah! Here ya' go, Doc!" he tore a big hunk off and handed it to him. "Where'd you find this, Doc?" he said holding the tube and looking at it.
"You know just laying around in some Kraut pack. Hey, keep it. Got more where that comes from." He gladly took the bread and started to eat it right away.
" Cheddrick ... Cheedorkah ... Cheddarksekse," Frank tried to read and squirted some on a bread. Taking a bite he smiled "Mmmm, Cheddar." He squirted more on the bread and gulped it down.
Eugene smirked. "Is it any good, Perconte?" he questioned chuckling. The man had cheese all over his chin. "Guess it is," he laughed. "Hey Frank, you got something on your face."
Wiping the cheese off his chin he licked it off his finger. When he finished he gave a satisfied sigh and laid down in the soft grass with his arms behind his head. "That was delicious," he said. "Now for a bit of a nap." He closed his eyes and sighed and dozed off.
Shifty looked over and chuckled. "Doc, what did you put in that cheese tube? It shut him up in no time. You should keep some more of that around, might come in handy later."
Eugene chuckled, taking a sip of water from his canteen. "I did nothing to that cheese, Powers, though you do have a great idea. Hey, maybe one day I'll do something like that."
"Jesus, Doc, remind me to not take anything you offer to me. You scare me sometimes." They both laughed.
Sitting in a couple of chairs with their feet propped up on the burned table Winters, Nixon and Welsh relaxed and talked together.
"When do you think Dog, Fox and the other companies will get here?" Nixon asked Winters.
"It's hard to tell," Winters said after looking at his watch. "Depends on how much trouble they stir up."
"The 2nd, 4th and 12th Armored Divisions are suppose to meet up with us, too, as well the 2nd Rangers and no telling who else. Carentan will be the gathering point as well as the main HQ when they get it set up," Welsh reminded them.
"Then this will be a major place for the Army's brass," Nixon commented as he took as drink from his canteen. "Bah! That's water," he fussed and pulled out another canteen that contained his favorite whiskey. Taking a deep drink he finished with an "AH! That's more like it. I wonder if this town has a liquor store somewhere?"
Winters and Welsh both snickered and shook their heads.
Jackson dreamed of his brother and could see him sleeping in a bunk heading to the Pacific Theatre. It was as though he then there he was there, facing him and and grinning. Both of them opened their mouths to speak but nothing came out so he had to settle with waving and then he was gone. He began to hear the rumbling of tanks drawing closer and it woke him. Looking out a window he could see they were American. Stretching he then put on his gear and made his way down the stairs to let the Captain know.
Deacon, who had been guarding the main road into the town, spoke into a walkie-talkie. "Luz," he spoke into it, "tell the Captain we have Sherman's and infantry approaching. It looks like the whole damn American Army is headed our way."
Luz had reached Winters and then he made his way to where Doc and Perconte were resting. "Hey Luz, what's going on? We heading out?" Doc asked him.
"Well," said Winters to both Nixon and Welsh. The three of them were still relaxing. "It looks like Lt. Colonel Strayer has found his way to us. Let's look lively." Nobody moved, not even Winters. They all laughed together.
"He'll find his way to us," Nixon said.
"Yeah," nodded Winters. "Luz!" he called over to him. "Tell Deacon to send them here to us."
Luz nodded his head and began to chatter on his radio to get the word across to Deacon. When that was over he was finally able to relax a bit so he took some of the bread Perconte gave him and he began to eat, slowly, just enjoying a bit of rest.
Deacon listened on the walkie-talkie. "Roger that."
The military convoy was led by a jeep with Strayer on the passenger side. When they reached Deacon, Strayer had him get in the jeep and show him where Winters was waiting.
Eugene had finally fallen asleep when he heard the rambling of a jeep nearby. He groaned softly. "Not another jeep," he complained and rolled over onto his back keeping his eyes closed.
Winters watched as Strayer's jeep drove up to them followed by three other companies. The town filled up with exhausted soldiers who sat or laid down where ever they could find a spot. Winters and Nixon stood and greeted Colonel Strayer.
"How's your men, Winters?" he asked him in that familiar gruff voice.
"They're fine, sir," he answered. He and Nixon sat with him catching him up with everything and then listened as they heard about their new objective.
"Hey, Doc," Perconte spoke as he watched the three officers conversing. "I wonder what they're talking about?"
"Who knows, Frank," Eugene answered. "Maybe we're moving out again here soon. Most of the men are beginning to get restless."
"Like you, Doc?" chuckled Shifty.
"Not likely, Powers. I could always do with a breather and a chance to not be patching up somebody's guts hanging from their stomach."
"Eeww," Frank sneered. "That's a real lovely thought there, Doc. Sorry I asked."
"That's what you get for asking, Perco," Malarkey teased him as he took a drink from his canteen.
"Why don't you just shut-up, Malark," Perconte was feeling sick and laid down, rubbing his small paunch of a belly over stuffed with bead.
"This is your new objective," Strayer told Winters, Nixon and Welsh as he pointed on a map. "You're to lead your company into a small area outside of St. Lo. Once there, you will dig in and secure the area. You will continue to make patrols around the area and clear out all hostiles. Supplies will be sent to you when we can get them to you. According to the information we have gathered, there is a perfect place for you in an old barn. From the barn, you can see all surrounding areas. We will supply you with a Browning .50 Caliber Machine Gun that you can store in the hayloft. The barn is here." Strayer said as he pointed on the map. "We are making a thrust on Bayeux and eliminate any hostilities surrounding it."
"With all due respect, sir, but it seems Easy is always fighting by itself with little backup if any."
"Colonel Sink and I have all the confidence in you and your men. Make sure your men get all the supplies you need before you go. We're setting up a chow line as we speak. Be sure your medics are properly supplied. You're gonna have a hell of a fight on your hands when you get there."
"Yes sir," he answered not happy with the news. "Nix, let's get our boys fed before we tell them the news."
"Yes sir," and he called his NCOs to help spread the news about the chow line.
Thirty minutes later Easy was standing in line with their mess kits out. "I am so hungry I could eat a horse," Perconte said.
"A horse, Perco? That's disgusting. Why you wanna eat one of your family?" Luz laughed and smacked him on the back "Only joking, Perco. Hey, wonder what they're serving today? I think more spuds are in order. Whatd'ya think?"
"Just so long as I don't have to peel them," he said as he moved forward with the line. From big pots cooks dipped out some beef stew, boiled potatoes and some kind of green leafy vegetable. In a corner was ladled some chocolate pudding. "Come on, Luz, let's sit on those steps," he said and went to sit down on some brick steps in front of a half of a building. Kicking away some of the debris he sat down and began to hungrily gulp down the food.
George followed behind Perconte as he usually did. "Hey Perco, ease up there buddy. Don't want Doc Roe to have to save your skinny little butt." With that he took a large bite out of the potatoes.
"I'm so hungry I could eat that nasty spaghetti we had in boot camp," Perconte said between shovels of food. "Mmmm, this green stuff is so good."
"Army noodles with ketchup, Perco. Hey, slow down buddy, you're gonna choke one day and I won't be there to help ya. Or Doc Roe for that matter. I wonder how the Sergeant is doing?"
"Mmmm, sounds good about now," he chuckled as he ate some boiled potatoes. "What's this green vegetable?" he asked eating it. "Spinach. I hate spinach," he said but continued eating it. "Mmmm, it's good."
Luz shook his head. "You are a crazy little man, Perco," he smirked and set his beef stew to the side, listening to some of the radio chatter. He could hear Winters' voice and a few others as well.
"Is that Winters? What's he saying, Luz?" Frank asked a bit concerned.
"Something about shooting you," he smirked. "I think we might be heading out again. I can't make it out, too much static." He neglected his food and lit a cigarette. "Damn," he muttered.
Winters made a decision. "Nix, call them up," he said, his tone sounded unhappy.
"Yes sir," Nixon replied. "EASY! CIRCLE UP!" he called out. He was not happy either.
Frank finished his meal and was eying Luz's unfinished pudding when the call went out. "Now what?" he said out loud.
Eugene was randomly wandering around, not looking at anything in particular when he heard Nixon call out. He joined the men in the little formation and stood fast, wondering what was going on. Next to him was Luz, Malarkey, Liebgott, Martin, Cobb and Shifty.
Winters waited until everyone was there before starting. Taking a deep breath he began.
"We have a new objective, men. We're going into an area outside of St. Lo and begin a clean-n-sweep of the whole area around it. Our base will be a a barn where we'll set up a .50 Cal Machine gun. Expect to meet hostilities wherever we go. Dog, Fox and Baker will take Bayeux. You NCOs, make sure your men have extra ammo. We leave in 30 minutes from this position. Dismissed. Doc, I need to talk to you."
Eugene's eyebrow was furrowed. You could tell he was in a deep concentration. He kept going over the list of supplies he had and wondered who would breathe their last on this mission. He walked to the side. "Captain Winters?"
Winters put his hand on his shoulder. "Doc, make sure you medics have plenty of supplies. I'm just afraid we're going into a bad area. Keep on the alert, Doc. Strayers said there's reports of SS and they have an especial hatred for medics, for some reason. We'll be by ourselves out there, Doc."
"We're paratroopers Captain Winters, we're supposed to be by ourselves." He gave a small smile "We've got enough supplies. I'm just glad I was able to get some from that hospital I was at yesterday." He kicked a rock with his boot "You can count on me, Captain."
Winters nodded with a heavy sigh.