Monday, November 18, 2013

“Some Where in France”     INFANTRY


                                                  P.F.C . Henry Ladendecker

    It was in the blue of the night, that our Jeeps felt their way up, seemingly, in a dead road for 15 minutes until we finally reached a small town that had been badly beaten as though by a band of Indians in the movies we so often have seen.  Some houses were still smoldering, while others with no roofs or large holes in their sides, where at one time was a window or door, now have room enough for any G. I. Truck to pass in and out.  Here we dismounted with all our equipment hurriedly because the whistling sounds of 88’s were marking the town.
 
    Lead by a guide in single file while our nerves tightened a little we were taken to the Command Post whose place was on the cellar of the few remaining houses that were left standing.  Here we gathered our wits together for we knew we were safe.  I think!!!!!

     The situation was given to us quickly, for time is most valuable, especially, at night, because of Enemy Patrols, who seek our positions and whereabouts.  A Guard Master was made, and we posted our men at picked Gun Position.  Once more we became nervous for it required from everyone 2 hours of vigil watch under a high strain of physical effort, peering through the blackness of night and listening to the countless strange noises trying to mold what might be or could be the enemy we seek.

      When daylight finally came the aspects of normalcy arose within us for as we made a survey all looked bright, for we saw a number of good old G.I.’s who had been backing us up all through the night, roaming around.

      Back at the Command Post upon another survey by us, we came across a setup that only a dream could mold so elegantly.  Before our eyes was a stove, cooking utensils, plates, table, a pan of churned butter, two chunks of bacon, salt, onions, spuds together with a garden filled with chickens, rabbits, hogs, the usual varieties of vegetables and greens, that we once left behind so long ago.

     Without hesitation we began to function.  The stove was started, water soon was boiled and the breakfast for 18 under way.  French fries, coffee eggs, that the boys rounded up, jam and biscuits that we had in our possessions created our first menu.  Fortunate, enough we had two cooks in our midst, myself and a young lad, we call Hoppy.  However, with the life of animal about us lead those who knew the trade kill chickens, rabbits and a hog, solely because the instinct of fresh meat was what he yearned for constantly, but could not make it an actuality until now and nothing was going to stop his dream come true.

     The chicken, spuds, cabbage, carrots and coffee brought about our dinner that made us open our belts and back away.  For supper we had rabbit more vegetables, stew, baked beans, coffee jam and butter.  Oh yes, the linen and such not forgetting the wine and calvados in barrels in the cellar.  K.P. became no struggle what so ever. 
All that was necessary was for someone to cook and that department proved successfully each time we moved around the stove.  Special concoctions of fruit bar sauce that were collected from our breakfast “K” rations, baked apples and chocolate pudding in which the bars are found in our supper “K” rations as well as meat loaf were by no means a castaway.  Probably the greatest surprise of all to each and every one of us was the hidden flavor of our Army “C” rations that so detest when eating from the can, that our ample supply suddenly vanished when cooked on a range.  The idea of setting at a table will probably remain with us a long time, no doubt, a treasure to most of us solely, because it could not happen again in a million years.

     No house could be complete without some kind of relaxation, so I might as well tell you that there were two puppies and cats to amuse our time upon.  We aim to take the smartest pup as a mascot for we know it will only starve if left alone.

      The thought just occurred to me that not once did I mention who sponsored this affair.  I am at a loss for words, that, I can assure you, but perhaps when I tell you that maybe the roar of cannons, the falling of shells through the roof and about the backyard caused this tenant to leave in a hurry.  Whatever other reason that they had we will never know.

     So, I will leave you now in the face of an unfinished chapter because, I cannot state my departure in time of war nor can I mention what life will bring when we leave here.

     I only hope and pray that our free nation will spare its inhabitants this kind of destruction both in mankind and nature that we have seen, but in will stand united equally as a neighbor to a neighbor and rid the country of these who try to menace it. 

                                                                                                        Sincerely,
                                                                                                         Sgt. Paul J. Fleming


One of the 18 men in the group.

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