The Improvised Escape Raid
BY: AliasCWN
Troy stared at Captain Hofstetter as the German commandant read the reports his clerk had delivered earlier. The commandant had had Troy delivered to his office and tied to a chair. Apart from a guard stationed nearby to thwart any escape attempt, the sergeant was ignored. It was the same routine as the previous three days; he wasn't questioned and nobody paid much attention to him. After a few hours, unless something changed, he would be returned to the compound to rejoin the other prisoners.
And nothing had changed. After the time was up, he was untied and ushered out of the office to be taken to the compound. As he had the three previous days, he took advantage of the walk across the camp to observe the security details. He had a pretty good idea about the layout of the POW camp already, but any little bit of information could be what made the difference between spending the rest of the war in a POW camp or escape.
The barracks and mess hall were situated behind the building containing the commandant's office. The base commandant had his quarters in the same building as his office. Between the office and the prisoner's compound was a large, open space, guarded by guard towers. One of those towers held a 30-caliber machine gun covering the main gate. Each of the corners of the rectangular compound had a tower that was manned at all times. The barracks for the prisoners was located in the center of the compound so the POWs would have to cross an open space to reach the fences around the compound.
Troy knew how he would hit the compound if he were on the outside, but he wasn't, he was on the inside. As a POW he was under the orders of the senior officer in the camp. That senior officer was a young lieutenant named Hall; and, thanks to the base commander, Hall didn't trust Troy.
Lieutenant Hall was standing in the hall near the barracks when Troy was returned to the compound. "What did they ask you this time Sergeant?"
Troy was tempted to lie, just so the officer wouldn't be so suspicious, but he didn't. "Nothing Lieutenant, just like the last three days."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Of course I'm sure," Troy growled. "Who was there, you or me?" Troy paused as he realized that he had used one of his driver's favorite lines. It made him think of Hitch and he wondered where the blond was at that very moment.
"There goes that courier again Lieutenant." Sergeant Bellows walked up and stopped next to the officer. He gave Troy an unfriendly stare.
"Captain Hofstetter has been sending one out every day for the last four days," the lieutenant nodded. "He must have some source of information." He looked at Troy as he said it.
Troy knew what they were thinking. The commandant sent a courier our every day after sending him back to the compound. He could deny it all he wanted, but the other POWs thought he was talking. There was no doubt that the Germans were getting information from somewhere, they knew too much not to be.
Troy pushed past the other sergeant to walk into the barracks and stretch out on his bunk. His thoughts went back to his team. He had expected them to attempt a rescue by now, but there had been no sign of them. He had seen Tully and Moffitt pick up Hitch after their jeep was hit. They had tried to reach him too, but the Germans had gotten there first. The last sight he had had of the others was as they were being chased over a hill by a German column. There had been a brief battle on the other side of the hill. Troy had heard it, but he couldn't see a thing. The column had returned shortly after, empty handed and minus a few of their vehicles. He dozed off while still trying to come up with an escape plan.
The other prisoners woke him when they shuffled into the barracks. No one spoke to him as they passed his bunk. Troy didn't try to speak to them either, there was nothing to be said.
"The new guy says headquarters wants to…"
Th speaker was hushed as everyone turned to look at Troy.
"We'll tale later Pierce," the lieutenant stated after glaring in Troy's direction.
"I'll take a walk so you can talk," Troy offered.
"No need Sergeant, there's nothing to talk about."
"I need the fresh air," Troy answered. He got to his feet and walked out the door. He could feel the looks drilling into his back as he walked across the compound. Knowing that they were watching, he made sure to give the guards a wide berth.
Back in the barracks the conversation picked up as soon as he was out of hearing range.
"The new guys says headquarters wants to retake the base at Alad Sidi. They have a plan they are going to put in motion in two days."
"If they do, they might take a stab at freeing everyone here," Sergeant Bellows suggested hopefully.
"Yeah, but if the Germans find out about it, they'll move us all out of here pretty quick." The lieutenant looked toward where Troy was strolling around the compound.
"We could maybe get a chance to escape," Bellows answered. "Especially if the Krauts move us in a hurry. They might get sloppy."
"That's a big if, Sergeant." The officer looked around the room. "Nobody mentions anything about this outside of this room. And nobody talks in front of Sergeant Troy. He may not be the one who is talking, but I'm not willing to take that chance."
"If its not him, then who can it be?" Someone asked. "He's the only one the captain's been talking to."
"He claims they haven't even asked him any questions," the lieutenant answered in Troy's defense.
"That doesn't make any sense Lieutenant," another man insisted. "What are they doing in there all that time, drinking tea?"
Everyone in the room laughed at the question.
"I'm not there, so I can't say for sure," the lieutenant answered with a smile to relieve the tension, "maybe."
Everyone laughed again and the meeting broke up. They scattered outside to avoid drawing the attention of the guards. The lieutenant stayed behind to talk to Sergeant Bellows. As the two men finished their conversation and turned to leave, the lieutenant noticed another man in the room. "Rabbit, what are you doing in here?"
"I came in here to get away," Rabbit answered.
"Is someone picking on you again?"
Rabbit lowered his head and nodded miserably. "That sergeant was asking me questions." Rabbit raised his head and hurried to continue. "I didn't tell him anything. I told him I didn't know anything."
"What sergeant?" the lieutenant demanded. "Sergeant Troy?"
"Is that his name? The one who was talking to the captain?" Rabbit answered.
"How do you know he was talking to the captain?"
"I saw him in there earlier when I was cleaning the office next door." The mousy little man answered.
"Thank you for telling me Rabbit."
"Sure Lieutenant. Could you do something for me?"
"What do you need?" the officer asked.
"Could you have another talk with the men? They think just because I'm small they can pick on me all they want." He allowed a rare glimpse of the anger he felt.
The officer nodded sympathetically. "I'll talk to them. They can focus their anger on Sergeant Troy. We'll have to watch him closely so he doesn't learn anything important."
"I think I'll stay in here until you talk to them. They only pick on me when you aren't around."
"Suit yourself Rabbit."
The next day started out the same as the previous four for Troy. The other prisoners were avoiding him but that didn't really bother him. He walked around the compound by himself, watching everything around him.
Just after noon a truck pulled into the compound. Several guards jumped to the ground and waited for new prisoners to get down. Troy stopped in his tracks as Tully and Moffitt dropped to the ground. He started forward but stopped as he watched his men being escorted into the commandant's office.
Troy positioned himself next to the barracks door. He knew his men would be taken to meet Lieutenant Hall as soon as the guards released them into the compound. He was the first to see the new prisoners when they were brought back out. Tully had a dark bruise on the left side of his face while Moffitt had one on the right. Troy growled deep in his throat, wishing he could get his hands around the captain's throat.
Moffitt and Tully were led into the compound. Captain Hofstetter led them over to where Troy stood. The sergeant straightened away from the wall as the small party stopped in front of him.
"Your men have finally arrived Sergeant. I must admit, I had expected them to be here sooner. But no matter, they are here now, and you can quit counting on them to come to your rescue."
Troy met Moffitt's eyes and remained silent.
The captain smiled smugly and turned to leave. The guards shoved Tully and Moffitt at Troy, forcing him to put his arms out to keep them from falling into him. He glared after the captain and his guards as they marched across the compound. The captain paused by the gate and called back to the sergeant. "Enjoy your time here Sergeant, you'll be leaving soon." He turned back and marched to his office. Troy glared after him until he disappeared inside.
"Sorry old man," Moffitt began, "this isn't exactly what we had planned. Tully wasn't supposed to get captured with me."
"Inside Moffitt, there are too many ears out here." Troy turned and led his men into the barracks.
Lieutenant Hall and Sergeant Bellows followed them into the building.
"What's going on Sergeant? Who are these men?" the lieutenant demanded.
"They're my men Lieutenant," Troy answered. He introduced Tully and Moffitt.
"How did you get caught Sergeant?" the lieutenant asked Moffitt.
"We were getting ready to attempt a rescue but we were discovered before we were ready," the British sergeant explained. "As I told Troy, Tully being captured wasn't part of the plan."
"Where is Hitch?" Troy demanded before the lieutenant could ask another question.
Moffitt looked around the room and then at Tully. "He was hit when you were captured Troy. After we left you, we got into another fight with the column."
Troy nodded, remembering the gun battle he had listened to on the other side of the hill.
"His injuries were such that his doctor wanted to ship him out. They want him to go help take care of his brothers. Doctor Boggs has arranged for him to do that."
"Doctor Boggs?"
"Yes Troy, you remember him, he was on the base when you were there." Moffitt watched understanding settle over the other sergeant's face.
"Yeah, I remember him," Troy replied.
"I have a plan Troy, but we'll have to wait for tomorrow night. They may expect us to try something tonight. Besides, we may need help from the others."
"What is your plan?" Lieutenant Hall asked.
Moffitt glanced around the room again and paused. "There are still a few details that I need to work out Lieutenant. I need to learn more about the security on the base. We'll talk tomorrow."
"Why not now Sergeant?"
"There are a few things I need to go over with Troy first." Moffitt insisted. "We'll talk tomorrow. We won't do anything without telling you first Lieutenant."
"You do understand that any escape plans must be approved by me as the senior officer in the camp?
"I understand Lieutenant."
Moffitt nodded at the others and took Troy by the arm. "Let's go outside Troy. I need the fresh air. I can tell you more about Hitch's condition." He led Troy across the compound, explaining his plan as they went. They ended up by the fence, near a guard. "We planned to come in and rescue you but Tully getting caught has ruined my plans. I still want to try something tomorrow night. We still might be able to get out of here."
"I'll talk to the lieutenant," Troy answered. "We'll have to run any plan past him."
Moffitt glanced at the guard uneasily. "Are you sure the guards don't speak English?"
"According to Lieutenant Hall, the only one who speaks English is the commandant."
Moffitt nodded and walked back across the compound to the barracks. Tully walked out to meet them.
"Well?" the Brit asked.
"It's just like we thought Doc."
Moffitt nodded and paused to watch the other prisoners. "They seem to be avoiding us? Is it something we did?"
"Not you, me," Troy answered. "They think I've been talking."
Moffitt stepped nearer to Troy and began talking again.
As night drew near Tully and Moffitt joined Troy in his barracks.
"You men will have to find bunks in one of the other barracks," Lieutenant Hall ordered. "This one is full."
"That's quite all right Lieutenant," the Brit answered. "We aren't staying." He nodded at Tully. Tully moved across the room.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
Tully ducked into the shadows and grabbed Rabbit by the arm. When Rabbit opened his mouth to yell, Tully hit him and knocked him out. He pulled strips of cloth from his pockets and began to tie the smaller man.
"Stop that!" Lieutenant Hall ordered.
"He's a spy Lieutenant," Moffitt explained as Tully continued with his task. "I paid a visit to the commandant's office and found evidence that he is the one giving the commandant the information. He hides in dark corners and listens to everyone talk, then he gives that information to the captain. The captain is quite adept at getting information. He hand-picked his guards. He only took men who spoke fluent English. They listen to the prisoners talk and pass that on too."
"How do you know all this?"
"I'm quite fluent in German. I also read it. The captain wasn't expecting anyone to be reading his personal correspondence." Moffitt looked around the room. "We're getting out of here tonight. Rabbit already told the commandant about our plans for tomorrow night. I made sure the guards heard it too. They won't be expecting anything tonight."
"I haven't even heard your plan yet. I haven't approved it."
"We don't need your approval Lieutenant." Moffitt informed the officer. "We were sent here to clear out this camp before our side attempts to retake the base at Alad Sidi."
"Empty it? How?"
"Later tonight there are going to be some explosions. We need to be ready to help. When the front gate blows you need to arm yourselves and take care of the guards who survive the explosions."
"We'll be butchered!" Sergeant Bellows cried. "They have a machine gun at the gate."
"I have someone taking care of that gun," Moffitt answered. "He'll also bring an armload of weapons for your men. The explosions will take care of a lot of the guards but it will be up to us to take out the survivors.
"Somebody's coming!" the lookout by the door hissed.
"Tully, hide our prisoner," Moffitt ordered. "Everyone else act normal." Moffitt stepped around the lieutenant to help Tully get Rabbit under cover. They stood between the door and the small figure under the blankets.
`The guards shoved the door open, eyeing the prisoners warily. Troy was grabbed and manhandled into the compound. Moffitt followed as far as the door and watched as Troy was dragged to the commandant's office. He felt someone come up behind him. He turned and looked into Tully's worried face.
"Well, another unforeseen change of plans."
Tully reached up and took the matchstick from his mouth. "I sure hope Hitch was watching."
The Brit sighed and nodded. "So do I Tully. That building was on the list."
"List? What list?" Lieutenant Hall sounded frustrated by all of the fast-moving events.
Moffitt explained the plans in detail to the other men in the barracks. Tully stood guard to make sure that none of them left the building before they could put their plan into motion.
Troy wasn't back yet when the first explosion rocked the barracks. The prisoners immediately rushed to the windows and the door. A second and third explosion followed.
"That would be the barracks and the mess hall," Moffitt stated in the sudden silence. More explosions sounded at the rear of the compound. "The fence behind this building," Moffitt added. The next explosion took down the end of the main building where the commandant had his quarters.
Troy heard the first explosion and smiled. The captain immediately sent his guards to help defend the camp. Troy watched as Hitch broke the window behind the captain. The captain spun, aiming his rifle at the private. Hitch raised his own weapon, intending to kill the officer. Troy kicked out with his booted feet, knocking the captain forward. Before he could catch his balance, Hitch was on him. His rifle barrel connected with the captain's head and the officer dropped to the floor. Hitch pulled a knife and cut Troy free.
Troy dropped the rope clinging to his wrists and bent to retrieve the captain's weapon. "Good to see you."
"Good to see you too," Hitch grinned. "Do you think you could take Tully's place? I'm not sure I can do this alone."
"No problem," Troy answered. "Tell me what to do."
"I have to get some weapons to the main gate." The blond reached through the window and picked up a bundle he had left outside.
"They have a machine gun in the tower out there," Troy warned.
"I know," Hitch answered. "Tully was supposed to take the guard on the tower. I guess we'll have to improvise."
"I can try," Troy answered.
"If you can keep his head down," Hitch answered, "I can drop a grenade at the base as I go by."
"What about reinforcements?"
"I blew up the barracks Sarge. If anyone survived that, they're not going to be in any condition to give us any trouble. All we have to worry about are the ones on the towers."
"I'll see what I can do about them."
Hitch flashed Troy a smile and shouldered the bundle of weapons. "Doc and Tully are expecting me. Cover me." He ran out the door, firing his tommy gun as he went.
Troy gave him covering fire until he ran under the tower with the machine gun. The sergeant saw him hesitate a second, then run toward the gate. Ten seconds later the grenade exploded, taking the leg out from under the tower. Hitch tossed another one toward the gate. It exploded before he reached the gate. Hitch kept running, carrying the bundle of weapons.
Bullets were coming too close for comfort. Troy tried his best to keep the guards from shooting at his driver. He breathed a sigh of relief as the prisoners rushed from the barracks and armed themselves. Soon the fight was scattered around the compound. Hitch and Tully were everywhere. He saw them handing out grenades to the other prisoners and then make a charge at one of the guard towers. As the towers fell, the prisoners charged at the guards trying to untangle themselves from the wreckage.
Prisoners from the other barracks, unaware that an escape had been planned, joined the fight as best they could. Before long the guards were trying to surrender. Lieutenant Hall began to organize the former POWs. The former guards were searched and herded into an empty barracks with guards stationed to keep them there. The dead and wounded were collected and given what care was available. Most of the work was done in the dark as the searchlights had been shot out during the fight.
Troy found the lieutenant searching for more weapons. "We have to get the wounded loaded onto trucks and get them out of here."
"We're working on it, Sergeant. Some of these men need medical attention."
"They're not going to need it much longer if the krauts show up and find us still here."
"How will they know about the escape? Your men blew up the radio room."
"They may have had time to get a message out after the first explosions. We can't risk getting caught here Lieutenant."
"Very well Sergeant. I'll have the healthy men load the wounded. I'll need a truck for the prisoners too."
"My men took volunteers to drive the trucks. They'll be here in a minute to start loading."
"Thank you, Sergeant, you've been a big help."
Troy nodded. "Oh, by the way, Captain Hofstetter survived the struggle. I'll have him loaded with the other prisoners." Troy turned away before the lieutenant could respond.
"Who was the private that brought us the weapons? Your friend said your other man was sent home."
"No, he didn't Lieutenant. He said Hitch was sent to take care of his brothers. Hitch doesn't have any brothers, except us. And his doctor, Doctor Boggs, that's the name of our commanding officer. There isn't a doctor by that name on our base."
"Very clever. Even if the spy heard you talking, he wouldn't have picked up on that."
"That was the idea Lieutenant"
"I also wanted to apologize for doubting you. When you spent so much time with the captain…"
"That was the idea Lieutenant. He wanted you to think it was me so you wouldn't suspect the real spy. It worked too. Moffitt found documents that suggested that he has used the same methods before. He moves the prisoners on and leaves Rabbit behind to spy on the next group. Nobody suspects a mousy little guy like him. One of the guards admitted to Moffitt that Rabbit has been here for months."
"He had me fooled. I took him for a timid little man who was too nervous to be a threat to anyone."
"You weren't the only one Lieutenant, but he's been caught now. We'll alert headquarters so they can warn our side. It won't work again." Troy looked over the lieutenant's shoulder to see Moffitt and Sergeant Bellows approaching. "Looks like it's time to go Lieutenant. We'll get you back to the base."
"I'm sure you will Sergeant."