OMAHA BEACH

D-DAY PLUS THREE

"Miller, Charlie Company." Captain Miller told one of the soldiers that were outside one of the military tents.

"Go on in, Captain."

Miller explained what had happened on the beach to Lieutenant Colonel Anderson and when he finished, the Lieutenant gave him another assignment.

"I've got another assignment for you, came straight from the top."

After Miller had been given his orders he went to tell Sergeant Horvath.

"You and I are taking a squad over to Neuville on a public relations mission." Miller started.

"What? You, me and the squad?" Horvath asked.

"Some Private in 101st lost three brothers and he's got a ticket home."

"How come Neuville?"

"They think he's up there somewhere part of all those air born miss drops."

"It's not going to be easy trying to find one particular soldier in the middle of this god damn war."

"It's like a needle in a stack of needles." Miller joked.

"What about the company?" Horvath wondered.

"We take the pick of the litter and the rest get moved into Baker."

"Jesus Christ. They've took away your company?"

"It wasn't my company, it was the army's, or so they told me anyway." Miller said sarcastically. "We're taking Jackson, Wade, Parker, Beazley and Caparzo."

"Beazley's dead."

"Alright then, Mellish."

By this time they were stood with the rest of the group.

"We got anyone who speaks French?" Miller asked.

"Not that I know of." Horvath answered.

"What about Talbot?"

"Died this morning."

"Alright, I'm gonna go try to dig up another interpreter." Miller informed everyone.

After Miller had gone Caparzo asked, "What are we gonna do?" with a cigar in his mouth.

"You're going home wrapped in an American flag with a hunk of cheese in your ass, Caparzo, you smart ass. Now listen up." Horvath answered but was interrupted by Reiben.

"You like it in the ass!"

"I thought you liked it in the ass."

Meanwhile, Captain Miller had found out about a Corporal Timothy Upham who could speak French and German, he went to look for him near some pencil pushers.

As Miller approached one of them shouted "Attention!"

They all stood and saluted.

"As you were." Miller allowed. "I'm looking for a Corporal Timothy Upham."

"Yes. I'm Upham, Sir." A skinny, young man stood up.

"I understand you speak French and German?"

"Yes, Sir."

"How's your accent?"

"Uh, it's just a slight one in French but my German's clean, Sir."

"Very good. You've been reassigned to me, grab your gear." Miller ordered.

"Yes, Sir." Upham collected his things.

"We're goin to a place called Neuville."

"Sir, there are Germans in Neuville." Upham stated worriedly.

"That's what I understand, Corporal."

"Sir, there are a lot of Germans in Neuville."

"You have a problem with that, Corporal?" Miller asked seriously.

"No, Sir, it's just if you consider I've never been in combat, Sir. I mean I translate maps, that's all."

"I need someone who speaks French and German, my two guys were killed."

"Yes, Sir, it's just that I haven't handled a weapon since basic training, Sir."

"Did you fire the weapon in basic training?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Well then get your gear."

"Yes, Sir." Upham resumed collecting his things. "May I bring my type writer, Sir?" Upham asked while knocking things over, clumsily.

Miller held up a pencil and Upham put it down.

Upham brought a briefcase over.

"That a souvenir?" Miller asked.

"No, Sir." Upham put it back.

"Take your time, Corporal."

Then Upham was finally ready and they began walking back to the squad.

"You should look on the bright side of things, Corporal."

"Yes, Sir."

"One thing," Miller took some bags from Upham's hands and threw them. "You don't need to carry those."

Upham dropped his helmet.

"You'll need that."

"Yes, Sir." Upham picked it up.