My friend requested this story, I hope you enjoy it too!
The men of Easy Company were stuffed into the back of trucks for their excursion from Belgium to France. The journey was arduous and uncomfortable, but they tried to make the best of their situation where they could as they drove through enemy territory.
"We should be in a plane instead of breakin' our asses in this truck," McClung said with a cigarette dangling from his lips.
"There's not much we can do about it now," Sgt. Martin responded. "Why don't you try and get some shut eye?"
"How can I with all this bumping going on?"
"Hasn't stopped Bull, none," Martin said of the bulky man snoring away with his arms crossed and cigar tucked into the corner of his mouth.
"Why couldn't they let us use those DUKWs? Those are like sailing in the ocean. Instead, we're stuck with these kidney-punching, deuce-and-a-halves," McClung said with the rumbles of distant mortar fire in the distance.
"Why couldn't we be in a C-47?" Perconte asked. "I'm tired of this tailgate jumping bullshit."
"Does anyone know where we're going?" Alley asked.
"France," Malarkey said.
"No, shit, Malark. I would just like to know where we're stoppin'."
"Why, you in a hurry to die?"
"No, I need to take a piss, my goddamn teeth are floating. I'm this close to leaning out the back of the truck."
"You will hold it till we get there," Sgt. Lipton said with a no-nonsense face.
"And when will that be?"
"I guess, we'll know when we're there," Lipton replied.
The men wouldn't have to wait much longer when the trucks let out a screech as they stopped a short distance from a desolate town. At first glance, the place appeared deserted, yet confirmation was required. With night fast approaching, that town would be the perfect location for a few hours of sleep before they would need to be on the road again.
"Let's go, let's go. Tactical columns," Lipton called out. "We need to get this town cleared."
The men poured out of their caravans and assembled in the street. With their M1 rifles in hand, they filtered through the town with one mission: kill the enemy.
The village was quiet; some might say it was a little too quiet. A few orders were given with silent hand gestures, and the men spread out through the streets. They rushed from building to building remaining as stealth as possible. Three men would slam their backs against the wall, after a nod, one could open the door followed by the others entering and checking each home, business, or shop.
One after another, the boys soon discovered that most of the buildings were abandoned. Signs that they have been ransacked and left in a hurry. Signs of damaged caused by artillery were prominent.
Malarkey moved to the next building where he tried the doorknob, being locked, he kicked the door in. He found himself face-to-face with a frightened man who was stuttering in his native tongue.
"What?" Malarkey asked. "What are you saying? Come on, get out here." He used his rifle to point toward the door.
The French man walked past the trooper with his hands up and was protesting in French.
"What you got here?" Liebgott asked as he approached.
"You know what he's saying?" Malarkey asked.
"Sorry, no French, only German."
"Who the hell speaks French?" Malarkey called out to the group forming around him.
The man shook seeing the soldiers who surrounded him, most of them pointing their weapons at him. His voice changed to pleading.
"He said he's not a German." A timid voice came from behind the squad who had gathered together.
"What?" Liebgott asked as he turned toward the men.
"He said he's not a German, and he's beggin' for mercy," Doc Roe said as he walked through the men.
Roe greeted the man in his Cajun accent then went on to ask him questions about the village.
After a few lines back and forth, Malarkey slung his rifle over his shoulder. "So, what'd he say?"
Doc Roe looked back toward the company. "He said that most of the people vacated the town, only a few people have stayed. There are some German soldiers down that way in the next village. They like to send in a few mortars every now and again to remind everyone that they're still there. They usually don't send any patrols."
"Well, we better make sure," Malarkey started. "Liebgott stay with the Doc and the Frenchman while the rest of us finish the search."
Within the hour the village was secured. Sentries had been posted, and scouts were sent to keep on the lookout for a possible attack. The rest of the company took advantage of the time they had to relax and blow off some steam.
Some of the men from Easy gathered in a home where the wall had been demolished and exposed the kitchen. They sat around the wooden table looking out onto the street as if they were sitting on their porch at home enjoying a Sunday dinner together.
The few villagers who remained had all made sure to stop by and greet them. They brought food and wine to show their appreciation for them being there. The men indulged themselves in spirits and worked together preparing the potatoes and vegetables they were able to get a hold of.
"Hey, what's taking so long?" Liebott asked.
Malarkey stood at the stove stirring the contents of the large cooking pot. "I can't make it cook any faster."
"That's what we get for letting a mick do the cooking," Liebgott snarked.
"If there's one thing the Irish know is how to cook potatoes!" Malarkey shook the cooking spoon at him.
"Didn't you guys get wiped out by a potato famine?" Liebgott retorted while the group chuckled along.
"Very funny," Malarkey said. "Shut up or you won't get some."
"Thank god!" Liebgott shoved a piece of bread in his mouth.
Luz lit the cigarette between his lips, took a drag then spoke as the smoke left his mouth. "So, like I was saying, this brand-new lieutenant in 1st battalion is chewing out these guys for the condition of their uniforms. Can you fucking believe that? We were living in the dirt for a month, and he expected them to have clean uniforms."
"Eh, they're 1st battalion, who cares," Heffron added.
"So, anyway," Luz continued. "He's chewing them out, and they're just standing there taking it. The Lieu then turns to leave, right then he slips in the mud, face first. They were practically bursting at the seems trying to keep from laughing." He looked out toward the street to see a young woman approaching with two small children with her and immediately stood up from his chair.
The rest of the group saw the woman and tried to straighten themselves up as she came closer. "Mademoiselle," Luz said as he fumbled the accent.
She couldn't help but smirk then replied to them in an English accent. "We thought you might like to have these canned plums. The children picked them from the orchard last year." She handed the basket to Ramirez who pulled out the four jars and placed them on the table.
"What are you doing in France?" Lipton asked.
"I came here on holiday to visit my family. Then when the bombings in London happened and the invasions, it was better not to travel back. I have remained here for the last few years," she explained.
"Would your kids care for some chocolate?" Shifty asked in his sweet, southern voice.
"Oh, they aren't mine, but I am sure they will appreciate it," she replied with a grateful smile.
Shifty pulled a brand-new bar from his jacket and broke it in half. He went to hand it to them, but they cowered into the lady's hips. He then gave it to her instead. She spoke to the children softly in French, and they each took the candy. She then told them to run back home to their mother. "Thank you," she said to Shifty with a smile.
Shifty blushed as he gave her a nod in return.
"Dinner is served," Malarkey announced. He started to ladle the stew into the men's bowls. He looked up to the woman. "Do you want some?"
"No, thank you, I should be on my way."
At that moment a loud screaming whistle blared in the distance. "Take cover!" Lipton instructed.
Everyone rushed to a corner to best protect themselves from the inevitable shelling. With no enemy in the immediate vicinity, the only thing they could do was stay low and wait it out.
"They better not ruin my stew!" Malarkey yelled out to Lipton while crouched down under the table still holding the serving spoon.
One jar of plums burst as it hit the ground. "Oh shit! Save the fruit!" Luz called out.
A final barrage came through, and no one was able to hear anything other than the destruction it caused. With a slight ringing in their ears, they popped up their heads and checked on their friends.
"You guys okay?" Martin yelled out.
A few men replied with variations of "yeah."
"Medic!" Luz shouted. "Doc, I need you!"
Doc Roe stood up from his spot around the corner of the building and rushed toward his friend who was sitting with the woman in front of him as she laid with her back against his chest. The gang gathered around offering to help where they could. Doc cut through the crown with a swift stroke.
He went down to his knees and looked at her wounded leg. There was damage from her oxfords to the hem of her skirt with debris. Doc picked out some of the glass shards and pieces of wood before sprinkling on the sulfa and wrapping a bandage around. He then looked to her arm, which wasn't as bad but was exposed as she tried to shield her face.
"Do you have a doctor in town?" Roe asked.
"No," she shook her head. Her body was trembling as she focused on her injuries.
"We need to get you off the street. I can try and patch you up myself," he offered. "Where can we take you?"
"I have a house just over there." Her finger shook as she pointed down the road.
"Do you think you can walk?" he asked.
She nodded with a bit of trepidation.
Doc stood up and held out his hand with Malarkey at his side offering toward her other hand. She grabbed onto both men and pulled herself up. She tried putting her weight on her foot, but then almost collapsed.
Roe reached around and scooped her up into his arms. A few of the men went along to help while the rest stayed behind to see if there was anything salvageable of Malarkey's meal.
They arrived at her home, and upon Doc's instructions, Luz and Talbert cleared off the table for him to set her down. He ordered the men to get the supplies he needed: a basin with water, needle, and thread, and towels.
He unwrapped the bandage from around her leg and started to clean it off and inspect it further. "What's your name?" he asked while focused on removing a small piece of glass with the tweezers from his bag.
"Rosemary," she responded with a wince. She then turned to the two men standing in her kitchen watching her. "Could you possibly do something for me?"
"Yes ma'am," Babe said.
She pointed a few feet away from the table. "In the bottom cupboard of the china cabinet are a few bottles of wine. Could you fetch the bottle of port for me?"
Babe did as he was told. He opened the drawer located under the display of dishes to find the corkscrew right where she said it would be. He then opened the bottle. He pulled a glass which was on display in the cabinet and poured her a gluttonous portion and handed it to her. She then took a long gulp leaving the cup half empty. She held it out back toward him to top her up.
"Thank you," she said then took another drink. "You can help yourselves," she welcomed.
The trio flocked around the bottle eager to get their share.
"Would you like some?" Rosemary held her glass toward her caregiver.
Doc allowed a smirk to cross his lips. "No, thank you. You go right ahead."
"How long will your lot be staying in town?" she asked.
"I believe we're just sacking out here for the night," he replied.
"Where are you staying?"
"I don't really know. Perhaps in some of the abandoned buildings or anyone who will house us," he surmised. "I don't make those decisions."
"I don't have much room, but you are more than welcome to use it. It's the least I could do for all that you are doing for me," she offered. She then let out a sharp gasp.
"Sorry, you had that stuck in there real good," Doc said after he pulled out a sliver of debris then continued with his work.
"The house next door is empty, and the one across the way is as well," Rosemary said.
"I'll go let Speirs know," Tab announced. He put his helmet back on and rushed out the door.
Tab wasn't gone long before he returned with a beaming smile across his face. "Looks like we get to stay here tonight."