Memories of a World War II Soldier
Joey wrote_
Getting the Germans and our selves safely back though the front lines was my greatest desire, but there were two problems; One, I had not even a clue as to where we were, and; Two, I had no idea which direction to travelin, to get there.
Fortunately, the guards were familiar with the area, and knew which way the American Forces would be coming from.
By this time I could hardly walk, so the two German soldiers got on either side of me and I put my arm around each of their shoulders and was able to hobble on.
Every once in a while the guards would stop dead and make a warbling kind of whistle. The whistle would be returned out of the darkness. The guards talked to someone for a few minutes.
Sure enough,two more Germans threw down their rifles and fell in behind us.This scene went on through the night until there was 12 more prisoners in our formation.
Suddenly,I heard the hum hum of light mechanized units moving in pitch blackness of the woods.They were crawling down a fire break, being led by a Jeep.
Absolutely no lights were showing. All they had to do was come upon this group of Germans advancing through the dark woods and all Hell would break loose and every one of us would be mowed down in a hail fo bullets.
Something needed doing. I told everyone to get in a ditch along side the path and I would make initial contact with the advancing troops.
I said a couple of "Hail Marys" and popped out of the ditch swinging my steel helmet, spouting every curse word that I learned in the streets of Philly .i.e., Don't you dare shoot me, you dirty rotten bastards, you M.F. sons of bitches. Shove them guns up your ass, godamn it.
I held my breath when I heard those bolts being cocked, the Light Tank turrets being traversed to point in my direction.
The officer in the lead Jeep got out, drew down on me and said "who the hell are you and what are you doing here."
I explained, I was part of the Heavy Tank unit that went through here yesterday. Our Tank was knocked out. We are trying to make it back.
The officer, still suspicous, asked ,whose we ? I only see one person. "I have to tell you about that Sir," I said. There's twelve German prisoners stashed in that ditch, can I bring them out now?
I yelled "Kommen zie raus"; They filed out and the officer said "holy shit."
I told the officer to treat the prisoners well be cause they were good to me. I would not have made it without them. I asked for cigarettes and got six packs to give the Germans.
The last thing I remember was being loaded into a Jeep and finally waking up in an aide station.
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