It was a beautiful day; the sun was out, and the sky was blue and clear.
Holland was absolutely stunning, you'd think the war was over.
Everything about that drop went as smooth as butter.
No hedgerows, no darkness, no flak.
It was perfect, almost as carefree as a training jump.
Murphy landed quietly onto the ground and quickly got rid of her chute.
Equipment was falling vastly from above her.
She left her chute on the ground, grabbed her rifle and legged it towards the wooded area.
Some other guys from 2nd were there and waiting for the rest to catch-up.
"That was breezy". Malarkey commented, "easy and breezy".
Murphy smiled, though searched the area for her squad.
They'd be arriving shortly, they jumped not long after her.
"Where the Goddam is Heffron?" Toye muttered, from somewhere behind her.
Her shoulders dropped, when she saw her squad quickly running over to her.
"Everyone okay?" She asked, eyes scanning them for injuries or lack of equipment.
"Fine, Sarge". Carson told her, "managed to grab a bag of equipment".
"Good". Murphy gave them a quick smile, "we're just waiting here for now".
"Pretty nice here, huh?" Jackson commented.
She nodded and looked around.
It was nice in Holland. The trees were blossomed with big green leaves, sunflowers were growing up nicely and the weather was stunning. It was almost like being on holiday.
"Wonder what the Natives are like". Carson mused, "didn't see much French".
"I'm sure they'll be more than happy to see us". Hughes grinned, "ain't we liberating them?"
Murphy nodded, "yeah, they've been under German command for almost five years".
"Jesus". He whispered, "that's a lot of time to be around a bunch of assholes".
"I don't know, Hughes". She said, "your parents put up with you for eighteen years".
They got a tiny chuckle out of that.
Murphy spotted Guarnere with Buck.
"Stay". She said to her squad.
Murphy walked over to them, Buck was mentally counting each guy, eyes sweeping over every head.
"Where the hell is Heffron?" Guarnere asked her.
"I have no idea". She replied, "Joe was looking for him".
"Jim, his assistant, he made it".
"Well, Babe shouldn't be too far behind". She mumbled softly.
"Murph, your guys here?" Buck asked.
"Yeah, sir".
"Alright, we're moving out soon. Tactical formation. Dog are leading, we're in the middle, Battalion HQ and Fox behind". He told them.
A tiny smile reached Murphy's lips, "looks like Fox learned their lesson, eh?"
Buck chuckled quietly, "yeah – yeah".
Guarnere smirked, "alright, get lost, Murph. Get your squad ready to move".
Heffron just managed to join Easy as they were about to head over to Son. Apparently, some guy from Dog Company broke his leg from the drop and Heffron helped carry him back to his Company. It was a million-dollar wound, that guy was going home.
All the Dutch ran out to greet them when they saw them coming into the village.
They truly were beautiful and kind people, much different than the French.
Easy were given hugs, kisses, good and beer. And they stalked up on food because K rations were something which never tasted good the second day of eating them. Guarnere had a load of green apples, he hoarded them in his webbing, pockets and musette bag.
They waved their orange flags everywhere, on the streets, from shops and houses.
It was a wonderful sight. It really was and it brought a smile to everyone's face.
But what made Murphy's heart melt the most, was seeing the man she loved receive a tiny flower from a little girl, who was wearing a very pretty yellow dress, cheeks rosy as roses. God, she was adorable, and Winters even crouched in front, to thank her properly.
However, they were running out of time, they needed to secure that bridge.
Getting through that crowd and remaining polite, was time consuming.
When they were half a mile in front of the bridge at Wilhelmina.
Bang!
88's and machine-guns started to fire at them.
It blew right up in their faces.
Big chunks of debris flew everywhere, and everyone was rushing to find cover. Once they were in about the dirt, Easy and Dog started to fire back at them. Murphy made sure her squad were firing, no use in sitting around and waiting for it to stop.
One of the shells hit the department store behind them and the impact flew Heffron right across the street, he was lying there, knocked out. Murphy saw this happening, right from her cover. She turned to Carson.
"Keep them tight!"
Keeping her head down, Murphy turned around and bolted down the street.
She came skidding to a stop and got down on her knees beside Heffron.
Murphy took off his helmet, wanting to check his head. She could feel a bump but nothing sinister. She then put his helmet back on and gave his shoulder a gentle shake.
"Hey, Babe?"
He let out a tiny groan.
"Hey, pal". Murphy mumbled softly, "hey – it's alright, eh? You're okay".
Heffron opened an eye, looking at her. "Ma?"
She huffed quietly, with an easy smile. "Oh, I think she'd have killed all those Krauts if she saw her son lying down here, Babe".
Blinking a few times, Heffron slowly sat himself up. "Jesus fuck".
Murphy nodded slowly, "yeah…welcome to the war, Babe".
Snorting, he slung his rifle across his shoulder.
She got onto her feet and grabbed his arm, "alright, let's go".
And that's when they both felt blood.
Murphy took her hand away, looking at the red liquid, before looking at Heffron.
He shook his head, "it's fine – come on, Murph".
The next loud explosion came from the bridge.
The Germans had destroyed it.
Heffron and the rest of the machine-gunners managed to push the Germans back, but their next problem was getting across the river. If only they were dropped on their actual objective, then maybe all of this could have been avoided. The planes dropped them eight-miles away from their main objective, Eindhoven.
"Sarge, I see a couple of waterlogged row-boats". Carson told Murphy.
A lot of them were grabbing doors, any forms of sturdy wood to make a bridge.
"I could swim across".
Murphy pursed her lips, "got a dry kit?"
Carson laughed, "no, but it's warm".
"Right, go tell Lieutenant Compton. If he say's yes, then go for it".
While Carson and Hughes went about swimming across the river, Murphy helped the others with building a make-shift bridge. Carson and Hughes were fast-little swimmers, they managed to grab a boat in a matter of minutes.
"Your guys are great". Muck said, "if this works, we won't need to do all this".
"We'll see". She mumbled softly.
Though their town had been near enough destroyed, the Dutch came over to help.
They brought out tools, more wood and helped with assembling the bridge.
Murphy didn't know how to thank them. Literally, she couldn't speak their language. So, she shook their hands and gave them cigarettes.
"That's the good stuff, I hear".
"Ah – thank you".
Murphy smiled, "how do you say, thank you?"
The man grinned, "dank je".
She repeated back to him slowly, "dank…je?"
He nodded eagerly, "yes, very good".
Though, the Dutch spoke English very well.
"Ah shit!" Hughes yelled.
There was a loud splash.
Murphy's head snapped towards the river. The boat had capsized.
Sighing, she ran right over there.
Carson's head wasn't appearing up to the surface.
"Where is he?!" She demanded.
"He was…". Hughes turned around, "he was right behind me!"
Taking off her helmet and jacket, Murphy put them down and dove right into that river.
She was going to kill Carson.
The water was murky, and Murphy's arm had scrapped across a few jaggy rocks when she hit the bottom. But when she kicked forward, she soon spotted Carson. He was frantically trying to free himself, his jacket had got caught on a piece of wood from the boat, preventing him from getting up to the surface.
Murphy reached his side and grabbed his arm.
Tugging it wouldn't work, Carson would have been free by now.
So, she reached into her boot and pulled out her small knife.
Murphy cut apart of his sleeve and wrapped an arm around his waist.
When they reached the surface, Carson was spluttering and gasping.
"Easy, it's okay". She mumbled softly, "just breathe, you're alright".
Guarnere, Liebgott and Toye were at the bank, waiting to help.
Murphy slowly swam over to them, with Carson still in her arms.
God, what a mess.
They helped the pair of them onto the grass, her jacket was soon placed across her shoulders. Carson was still coughing, she gave him a few pats on the back.
"You idiot, Gordy".
He nodded, "yup".
It was a good thing this didn't happen during the winter, they'd freeze.
Winters soon knelt in front of them.
"Are you two okay?"
Murphy gave him a nod, "we're fine, sir. Gordy's plan capsized".
Carson, through chattering teeth, laughed. "Very funny, Murph".
Winters smiled a little, staring at Murphy.
She gave him another nod, his smile widened slightly.
"We're digging in for the night in town. The engineers are 'gonna come down and build something stronger for the tanks to get across".
"Alright, sir". Murphy said, "I'll make sure my lads are dug in".
Soon, a blanket was placed around Murphy and Carson.
It was a couple of Dutch women who did it.
Aw, well, if that didn't warm their hearts.
"Dank je". Murphy grinned.
And they both said something in their native tongue.
Her smile fell, "ah – that's all I know".
The two women giggled.
"You're welcome".
Their uniforms were drying off quickly, thanks to the Holland sun.
Murphy ordered her guys to dig in, keep each other company for the night. She set off to dig a hole with Jackson, Carson and Hughes were a few feet behind them. Murphy liked Jackson, he was a good guy, really funny too but on most occasions, he was very quiet. His best friends were Hughes and Carson. And he got along well with Miller, from Bull's squad.
Murphy considered Hughes and Jackson to be the quietest members in Easy.
If Carson got promoted, they'd be a pretty quiet squad.
Murphy was glad they still had Carson, but she knew he'd be getting promoted shortly.
"I swam the river loads". Jackson told her, once they were settled into their foxhole. "The Allegheny River, my brother said I was a daredevil for doing it, the currents are strong".
Murphy snorted, "maybe you should have swum across that one, Jack".
He chuckled quietly, "Gordy did a god job".
She laughed, "Jack – he capsized".
Jackson shrugged, "the boat did, I think he tried to stay on".
Murphy sobered up and shook her head, "God…I could have killed him". She then looked up at Jackson, "how many siblings do you have?"
"Younger sister Margaret and Robert, he's older. In the navy, Italy".
"How olds your sister?"
Jackson smiled, "she just turned ten".
"She'll be missing you, I bet". Murphy said to him quietly, "I missed my little brothers".
"I didn't know you had any". Jackson said, "you never talk much about your family".
"I have two". She said, "twins, I think their three now – I honestly don't know".
He sighed, "yeah, that's young. Margaret was horrible at that age".
Murphy smiled and leaned back against the dirt, "yeah…the terrible toddler years, eh?"
The two of them remained quiet for a few moments, while they thought about home.
Conor and Robbie.
They must be three now or just turning three.
Murphy didn't know, how terrible was that?
And she did wonder about her mum and how she was coping.
"Murph, with me".
She blinked out of her thoughts and got up.
Murphy stood next to Guarnere, the two of them walked past others, who were hunkered down and sitting tightly in their little foxholes. She didn't know what he wanted but was happy to be up and not thinking about her family. As bad as that sounded, it still caused her to lose focus and she had to remain totally in the game.
"Bridge is finished". He told her, while they walked. "We're crossing in the morning, heading straight into Eindhoven. If our reception is anything like Son, times that by one hundred".
She gave him a small nod.
Guarnere looked at her, "boys alright? Gordy fine?"
"Yeah". Murphy whispered, stuffing her hands into her pockets. "Yeah – they're fine".
He gave her shoulder a tiny nudge, "what's with your fucking face?"
"Eh?"
"You look like someone just took your kitten away".
Murphy snorted, "what a way to word things, Bill".
Guarnere sighed, "Jesus, Murph…do I have to get fucking soft on you?"
She shook her head, "no, not with me, Bill".
"Alright, good". He said, "you had something to eat?"
Murphy nodded, "a little, yeah".
"Don't just stick with crackers this time, Murph".
"Right, I won't".
Murphy rubbed her lips together, looking down at her boots.
Guarnere frowned a little, "alright…get lost, huh?"
Lips twitching, she turned around and walked back to her foxhole.
…
Eindhoven was mental.
The streets were full of people and more orange flags.
As soon as they stepped inside, they were engulfed by this ginormous crowd of smiling faces, offering them food, beer and even a chair to sit down on. Getting everyone through the crowd was a tough process, women grabbed the troops, kids ran into their arms and men were all eager to shake their hands. It was loud, colourful and a happy street party.
Some Dutch woman had given Heffron a baby carriage, to put his weapons and ammo in. Heffron was soon pushing this baby carriage through the crowded streets. It was surely a funny sight, had most of them tickled. However, when Popeye tossed his gear into the carriage, Heffron shook his head.
"You do the pushing then".
Women even had these notepads, asking for their autographs.
Most of them signed names such as, "Cary Grant, "Kilroy" and Murphy's personal favourite, "The Andrew Sisters". Guarnere was pretty pissed that these women were wanting their autographs, like they were a celebrity.
"We have a fucking war to fight!"
Murphy shook her head and grabbed his arm, "come on! Where the hell are the rest?!"
"I just saw some broad almost kiss the life 'outta Grant!"
She was lucky, her squad were still right behind her.
"Sounds like a good time!"
Guarnere grinned, "get your boys moving, Murph. I'll look for Buck".
For the most part, Murphy and her squad got swallowed up into this crowd.
Jackson had called out her name a few times, thinking they'd lost her.
"Still in front of you, Jack!"
"Jesus, Sarge". He said, "could have sworn you weren't!"
Murphy spotted the pavement, where other guys from 2nd Platoon were.
"Head straight there, go!"
She was proud of her squad, they didn't stray away from her.
And Murphy felt very relieved to see Winters.
He was with the other officers, while they tried to locate the bridges over the Dommel River.
2nd Platoon were the first into the city, she could see the rest entering the city now.
"Thank you! Thank you!"
Murphy could hear a woman right in front of her.
She was about to opening her mouth and respond, when the woman grabbed her face and kissed her firmly on the lips. Murphy's eyes went wide, like someone was peeling her eyelids open. Oh boy, that was a weird one.
Murphy pushed this woman off her and wiped her lips.
"I'm a girl!"
The Dutch woman grinned, "I don't care!"
She huffed out a laugh, "you're bloody mad!"
However, the Dutch woman wasn't smiling anymore.
A few guys roughly grabbed her.
Murphy frowned, "I don't mind – she didn't know!"
Here she thought the woman was being taking away because she accidentally mistook her for a male. But the Dutch men were listening, and they dragged her away. Murphy bit down on her lip, before deciding she'd better follow them and attempt to rescue this poor woman.
"Where the hell did she go?!" Heffron yelled.
Her squad shook their heads.
"She was here a minute ago!"
Murphy could hear hackling and angry yells.
She pushed past a lot of angry Dutch people, who had created a circle.
Inside that circle were women, one of them was the woman who had just kissed Murphy.
Their clothes were stripped, their hair was clipped off and the women were crying.
Murphy felt her stomach pool with rage, discomfort and pity.
What the hell was going on?
The cries these women let out, tore away at her. Murphy felt inclined to stop this.
Why were they being treated so badly?
And it wasn't just a few women, there were a lot with shaven heads, walking around in nothing but their underwear. But then Murphy noticed the Nazi symbol tattooed on their foreheads, mixed in with the blood dripping down from their skulls. The Dutch were the nicest people they had encountered during combat, there had to be a reason for this.
Murphy looked over at a man, who was beside her.
"What'd they do?" She asked him.
"Traitors". He spat, "they slept with the Nazis!"
And it wasn't just the woman.
Murphy jumped a little, when she heard gunshots from behind her.
Turning around, she soon saw a few dead men lying on the road.
"Jesus". She whispered.
But what really turned her stomach, was when they started beating the women.
They were crying, while the men punched them and a few even threw stones at them.
It was horrible to witness.
Why the hell was she watching this?
This wasn't her city, this wasn't her country. And she didn't know what it was like to live in a country which had no freedom for almost five years. But seeing a guy's fist collide into a woman's face, over and over, remind Murphy so much of home.
Maybe it was easier for her friends to look away, knowing that these were traitors.
But what if they weren't traitors?
What if they didn't have a choice?
Murphy couldn't watch anymore. It risked more questions and it risked her losing focus. So, she turned her back towards the scene and made her way towards the pavement, where she had left her squad.
The British tanks arrived later on in the afternoon.
They soon halted in the centre of the town, set up housekeeping and proceeded to make tea.
Guarnere was right, they were a leisurely bunch of dammed donkeys.
Easy had done it's job by securing the bridges, and these guys were taking a break.
And by 1830 hours, the main body of the British Guards Armoured Division started passing through Eindhoven from the south. This completed the mission assigned to the 506. Winters set up outposts around the town, while the rest of Easy dug in for the night.
It was the Dutch underground who had helped push things forward. They told them where the Germans were, what their plans were. One guy even became apart of their combat team, John van Koojik. He was a good source for Easy that day.
Murphy was sure he was great.
But man, was it hard to look a Dutch man in the eye after what she witnessed.
And Murphy always had a good head on her shoulders, that's why they were so keen to promote her, but could you blame her? It was pretty brutal to see. Even if those women had done their country bad and put them in some deep shit, Murphy didn't see them as traitors. She saw them as her mum, being beat-up by her dad and herself, too scared to do anything because she knew her turn was next.
Those women were windows to the past.
"They were traitors, Murph".
Murphy was standing in a pasture. Well, it was once probably. Before the Germans slaughtered all their livestock. Her squad were dug in, they were relaxing with a lot of food thanks to the generous Dutch folk back in town. Murphy told them to relax, eat and get some sleep.
Guarnere was soon standing next to her.
"Those Dutch…they fucking hate the Krauts, probably more than us".
Biting her lip, Murphy looked down at her boots.
"You can't blame 'em". He said, "you can't stop 'em. So, you just move on".
She swallowed and lifted her head, "right".
Guarnere sighed, "look, I get it". He said, "must be hard for a girl to watch-"
"pal, that's not it at all". Murphy mumbled, shaking her head. "So, let's just not talk about it, alright? Just forget that".
He sighed again, hands slapping to the sides of his legs.
She cleared her throat, "plan for tomorrow?"
"First Allied Airborne Army dropped into a fucking Kraut nest. Krauts have prepared a counter attack down that road between here and Arnhem. We're towards Helmond with the Brits in the morning". Guarnere told her, "you'll get a briefing in the morning".
She looked up at him, with a tiny smile. "Just got one, Bill".
Guarnere was grinning now, previously thinking that her smile was still back in England. "Oh, I was just passing the Captain. Think he's in that barn over there".
Murphy nodded slowly, "good…cause I need to see him about something".
"Yeah, I figured that". He was still grinning, "told him you'd be down soon".
She gave him a soft smile, "thanks, Bill".
Guarnere nodded, "get lost, Murph".
Murphy walked inside the small barn, which was used for storing hay and straw.
She spotted Winters, who was standing in the centre of the room, looking at a map.
When the door closed, the map dropped, and he reached her side in a matter of seconds.
Taking her face, their lips met in a heat of intensity.
Murphy wrapped her arms around his neck, Winters grabbed her waist and picked her up, where she then locked her legs around his waist. Soon, the passionate couple crashed against the wall of the barn, knocking against the wood with a thud. Winters left her lips and took off her helmet, before he started kissing her neck.
Murphy's head leaned back against the wall, turning to the side, while her hand gripped the ends of his hair. She bit down on her lip, while pleasure bubbled up inside her stomach. Winters broke the kiss from her neck with a gentle huff, a trail of a groan behind it.
"I was only meant to ask how you were".
Murphy almost laughed.
Winters smiled, "you must have a spell over me, Sargent Flynn".
"Are 'ye calling me a witch now?"
He chuckled softly, shaking his head.
Murphy smiled a little.
And she got down from Winters.
He took her hand, they sat down on a pile of straw.
Wrapping his arm around her, Murphy leaned into his side.
"I love you". Winters whispered, while kissing the top of her head.
"Love you back". She wrapped an arm around his waist.
"Did Guarnere brief you for tomorrow?"
Murphy nodded.
"Guys up to don't expect much resistance".
She sighed quietly, "no?"
Winters shook his head.
"What do you think?"
"I think we should always expect a greater force". Winters said, "keeps us on our toes".
"Impossible". She whispered, "you always sweep me off my feet".
He chuckled, not sure if he was amused or touched.
Winters kissed her head again. "How'd that water feel?"
Murphy smiled and pulled back, looking at him. "Lovely".
Smiling back at her, he tucked a strand of blonde lock behind her ear, "you looked rather dashing emerging from that river, Murphy Flynn".
"Oh?" She whispered, suggestively.
Winters nodded, "hm…you definitely have a spell over me".
Murphy slowly shook her head, "maybe you're just in love, Dick Winters."
He placed his hands on the side of her face, "if I know what love is, it's because of you. Because I could watch you for a single minute and find thousands of things, I love about you. And I-"
Murphy grabbed the back of his neck, and their lips crashed together like a giant wave hitting the sand bank. She moved onto his lap, legs wrapped around his hips. Murphy broke the kiss and ran her fingers through his hair.
"I'm 'gonna make you happy for the rest of your life". She promised him softly, "even on the days you don't 'wanna be happy, I'll make sure I try my hardest to make you smile again. I'm 'gonna live on that farm with you, we're 'gonna be lying in bed, peacefully. And then, we'll have a few rugrats jumping around to get us out of bed". Murphy rubbed her lips together, pressing her forehead against his, while her hands gripped the collar on his shirt. "Cause if anyone deserves that life, with a picket white fence, little boots by the door and tiny hands in yours…it's you, Dick. And I'll fight for my life every day, we'll make it 'till the end. And our little corner of the universe, will expand and grow".
Winters exhaled shakily, "yeah, that sounds good".
She smiled and placed her hand on the side of his face, raising his head up to meet her eyes.
They sparkled in the dark.
"I was meant to be here". Murphy whispered, "I was meant to fall in love you with. All of this, it brought us together. It's not ideal for some but I tell 'ye, it fits the bill for us".
Winters traced his finger down her cheek.
"We have to fight for us and our friends every day". She said.
"We will". He whispered.
Murphy swallowed and pressed her face against the crook of his neck. Winters wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly against him. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, trying to forget what she had saw in town and how it made her feel.