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The enemy chose the night of the 20th/21st to begin their nightly routine of shelling the American lines. It started so suddenly and then came the familiar whistle before shells dropped between foxholes and burst trees or anything they could target. The Germans were testing out a brand-new weapon – the Screaming Mimi – it was six rockets stuck together, they'd fire it, and it would scream so loud it pierced their ears. The first bombardment on the 20th/21st was very intense. Nelly was kicking out – her boots scrapping and digging into frozen mud while she buried her face into Toye's stomach. The Sergeant could do nothing but hold onto Nelly and make sure the girl didn't get up and start running. Nelly didn't scream, but she did groan and whine. All Toye's words of comfort were drowned out by the shells and rockets.
He had been messaging his feet when the first whistle screeched in the sky – Toye didn't have time to stick his boots back on, he had to check on his men before diving for cover. And he was pretty sure his boots had blown away by now. Toye couldn't think about his boots – Nelly was trembling and withering around, highly distressed. "Shh…shh…I know, know". He soothed. The Sergeant placed his other hand on the back of Nelly's neck. "It'll be over soon". And even when it did end, Toye continued to hold Nelly until she stopped jerking around.
There, they could all hear the distant cries for a medic. And worse yet, their mothers. Usually, when a man called out for their mother, it meant they were dying and scared. Those were often hard to hear. The shells had blown off their roof and Toye's boots. Lipton's face appeared at the entrance of the foxhole. Giving the pair of them a nod, he ran off to check the rest of the men.
"Get ready!" Lipton called, "Get ready for infantry!"
"Okay, kid". Toye said to her, "Let's get our weapons and get ready".
And as they left their foxhole – weapons at the ready – it started to snow. Big, white and fluffy snowflakes fell from the sky and began covering the frozen earth and cold Paratroopers. The snow fell upon the dead, blanketing them in white. Men's faces were forced to look up, while they watched the first of many snow clouds cover the sky. And with the falling of snow, the temperature soon dropped below freezing. Nelly had never liked snow – it angered her father, and it was hell in Mauthausen. And it was going to be hell in the woods.
No infantry attack followed the bombardment, but the men were on high alert. After placing his guys on outpost duty, Toye sought out Eugene Roe, their Platoons medic. He found Roe patching up a small wound on a replacement's hand. Toye stood a few feet behind Roe, waiting until he was finished. Climbing out of the foxhole, Roe turned around and looked at Toye.
"Sergeant Toye". He said but soon noticed his socked feet. "Where the hell are your boots?"
"They got blown away someplace".
Roe sighed – sounding displeased. "Well, that ain't 'gonna help".
"Doc, I need a word 'bout something".
Nodding, Roe stepped close to the Sergeant. "What's wrong?"
Lowly, Toye informed him, "Nelly ain't talking".
Roe frowned – mildly confused.
Toye shrugged and did his best to explain, "She ain't said a word since we got off the trucks".
"Oh, I get it". Roe's frown softened.
"What is it?" Toye asked.
"Sometimes, when a person gets real scared…they stop talking". Roe said, "It's not that it hurts 'um to talk. They just can't, they find it hard".
Toye frowned. "Nelly's scared?"
"Probably". Roe said, "And stressed. Hectic place, a lot of noise".
With a nod, Toye asked, "So, what do I do, doc?"
"I'd pull her out". Roe said gently. "It'll only get worse if she stays, Sergeant".
"I can't do that". He said quietly.
"Why?"
"She sticks by me sometimes like glue". Toye stressed quietly.
Roe clapped Toye's arm gently. "Maybe a couple of days with Captain Winters wouldn't be so bad, huh?"
"She ain't broken, doc".
Roe smiled softly and his head tilted to the side. "Toye, Nelly's been at this a lot longer than us. Maybe her body and mind can't take it 'no more".
He felt a force tug at his heart. Toye shook his head. "That ain't it – our girl ain't broken. She's just not talking is all".
"Well, I told you what I think – the rest is up to you, Toye".
"You 'wanna see her?"
Roe nodded. "Yeah, I'll take a look".
The two men found Nelly sitting on the edge of the foxhole – as if waiting for Toye to return. She blinked a few times before her eyes looked up toward Toye and Roe, who were walking toward her. At the sight of the medic, Nelly frowned. But Roe greeted Nelly with a warm smile, while he crouched in front of her – Toye stood behind Roe, casting the girl a tiny smile. Nelly diverted her frown up to her Sergeant before her eyes cast downward toward the snow. Roe wanted to cover everything – he pressed his hand against her forehead, making sure the girl didn't have a fever – he was ruling out illness. Nelly was cold, just like everyone else. Still, he pressed his fingers just under her jaw, checking to see if her glands were swollen. They were perfectly normal. Fingers leaving her neck, Roe's warm smile softened.
"Are you scared, Nelly?" He asked her warmly, quietly.
Nelly blinked. She exhaled through her nose. And then shrugged one shoulder. Roe gently took one of Nelly's hands. And slowly, she looked at him. Roe's smile was comforting, and his hands felt warm – even though they were frozen – they still held some warmth. Nelly's eyes soften a little. And the frown on her face saddened. She took in a sharp and shaky breath. And then she nodded – changing her response. Roe gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
"That's okay, petit". Roe assured her softly.
Eyes closing, Nelly's head bowed toward her chest. She let out another shaky breath and her shoulders dropped during the exhale. With his free hand, Roe set it on Nelly's back. Toye's face formed a deep frown, while he stared down at his soldier and the medic. He was determined to keep Nelly with him, just so he could keep an eye on her. But Toye was beginning to realise that Roe was right, Nelly shouldn't be in the front line. Clearing his throat, Toye approached Nelly and crouched by her side.
"How about a couple of days with Captain Winters, kid?"
Looking at the Sergeant, Roe smiled – an encouraging smile.
"And when you come back, you'll be talking again". Toye added. "And we'll have our girl back".
Nelly knew she was useless out in the front. So, she agreed with a faint nod.
"Good girl". Toye said, "Let's go, kid".
Winters's CP wasn't too far away from Easy's position on the line – he was right behind them, to the left. Toye strapped her rifle over Nelly's shoulder, and she grabbed a hold of his jacket sleeve and they left. Boots crunching against freshly fallen snow, Toye led Nelly toward Battalion HQ – which was ever so slightly quieter than the main line. Two days and Toye was confident they'd have Nelly back to her usual self. Two days off the line could do wonders for a soldier's mental well-being. But Toye hated to drop Nelly off.
"Joe". Winters greeted the Sergeant kindly – he already knew what was about to happen. Lipton and Buck had come to him yesterday. His eyes soon looked down at Nelly. "Trooper, why don't you go over and help Captain Nixon with that map?"
Toye inwardly cringed when she only nodded as a response. But Winters didn't seem bothered at all. Letting go of Toye's jacket sleeve, Nelly briefly made eye contact with him before walking toward Nixon, who was sitting under a small canopy shelter. Winters smiled and clapped Toye's shoulder. Toye smiled small back at him. "Thank you, sir".
"We'll have her back to normal in no time, Joe". Winters promised him. "Couple of days back here and she'll be alright".
"It's not been the same without that Scottish accent, sir".
Winters's smile softened. "You did the right thing bringing her here, Joe".
"Yeah, sir".
"If anyone else looks troubled, send 'em here". Winters said, "Could always use a runner for a few days".
"I'll keep that in mind, sir". Toye felt his heart warm at those words – most officers would yell at a man for showing any sign of weakness, but Winters wasn't like that – he'd rather help mend a mind and soul.
"Alright, son". Winters let go of his shoulder, "We'll take good care of her".
"I know, sir".
But before Toye left, Winters asked, "Joe, where the hell are your boots?"
Toye snorted softly. "Somewhere in this hell hole, sir".
"Get new ones". Winters said, "Medics go into town frequently".
"I will, sir".
...
It was always a shock to the system when waking up in the woods. The cold hit them first, like an icy punch to the chest. Winters carefully and gently manoeuvred Nelly off of him and onto Nixon – who was snoring on the other side of the foxhole. She slept in the middle. Pushing the roof up, Winters climbed out of the foxhole and was greeted by more snow. The snow now reached his ankles, and it was growing. Stepping under the canopy, Winters sat by the table and studied the map Nixon had kept laid out before he decided to call it a night. From the looks of it, it seemed intelligence wanted a patrol – on the Bizory/Foy Road by the railroad tracks. Grabbing the field telephone, Winters called for Dike but got Lipton.
"Come over here, Lip". He said, "And bring Lieutenant Peacock".
"Yes, sir". Lipton replied.
If Nixon wanted intelligence, then Winters wouldn't risk sending out a squad – he wanted an entire Platoon to scout the area and make contact with the enemy. Scratching the slight stubble on his chin and under his neck, Winters checked his wristwatch – it was only 0500 hours. Once again, he got up very early. Grabbing his shaving kit, Winters sat down and broke up icy water to shave. It was something "goofy" he did for the men – to show a little normality. He was aware no one else bothered shaving now. Lathering white cream around his mouth and neck, the Captain dunked the knife into freezing water and began carefully scrapping the knife along his jaw.
That's how Lipton and Peacock found him.
"Sir". Peacock greeted.
"Lip, Lieutenant". Winters gave them a sharp nod. "Come in – take a look at the map".
Ducking under the canopy, Lipton and Peacock both took a look at the map.
"We need more intelligence along the Bizory and Foy Road". Winters said, "Lieutenant, I want you to lead 1st Platoon today – 1300 hours".
"Yes, sir". Peacock complied.
"You'll need to maintain radio contact at all times". Winters said, "It's easy to get lost through all the snow and fog. Have a lead scout for each squad".
"Sir".
"Alright, Lieutenant". Winters rinsed the knife out with the icy water. "Dismissed – brief your men, form a plan of action".
"Yes, sir". With a salute, Peacock ducked out of the canopy and left.
And with Peacock gone, Winters asked Lipton, "Where's Lieutenant Dike?"
"I'm not sure, sir". Lipton replied and then asked, "How's Nelly, sir?"
"She's fine, Lip". Winters's voice softened slightly. "Sleeping".
"Has she said anything yet?"
Winters shook his head. "Not yet". He added lightly, "Still time, Lip".
A small smile met Lipton's face. "Yes, sir".
"Alright, Lipton. I'll tell you if anything changes".
"Thank you, sir". After saluting Winters, Lipton turned and left.
Once his stubble was clear, Winters wiped the remaining cream off his face, stuck on his helmet and went off to check the lines. It was important for him to speak with the officers and enlisted men face to face, every day. He took the same route. It started with Easy Company – which was always nice for him to see the men he had once led. And in turn, the men were happy to see their old Captain. Besides checking in on his men and making sure their morale was as good as it could be, Winters had to tell Speirs his younger cousin was a cause for concern.
He found the younger Lieutenant leaving OP and with a jerk of his head, Winters beckoned him over. Hands tucked under his armpits for warmth, Winters soon gave the younger man a small and polite smile. "Speirs".
"Sir". Speirs greeted.
"How are your men?" Winters started off by asking.
"They're fine, sir". Speirs said, "I discovered a Kraut slit trench thirty yards from our position. But they're long gone now, sir. I didn't see any sign of the enemy".
Winters nodded, "Good". And he decided to be honest, "Nelly isn't doing so well, Ron".
Speirs's eyebrows twitched. "She get hit?"
"No". Winters said with a small shake of his head. "Doc thinks she's scared. She hasn't said a word since we arrived".
A frown settled on Speirs's face. "Right". He said quietly.
"I've brought her to my CP for a couple of days". Winters informed him. "I won't send her back on the line until she starts talking again".
Nodding, Speirs cleared his throat and asked, "Not a word?"
"No". Winters confirmed with a small sigh. "Not a word". He added, "We're not completely worried. Nelly can still do her job; she just won't talk".
Speirs scratched under his chin. "Right". He mumbled. And said, "I should see her".
"When you're free, come by". Winters said, "Maybe that'll help her, huh?"
"I'll come by later, sir". Speirs said.
"I'll see you then, Ron".
"Goodbye, sir".
It took Winters a few hours to check the line and the men and when he returned to his CP, Nelly and Nixon were sat under the canopy. Nixon was talking – mostly about his college days. And of course, Nelly just sat there and listened. Ducking under the canopy, Winters leaned against one of the poles that held the green canopy up. Nixon grabbed a can from the strenos and poured out coffee for Winters.
"Thanks, Nix".
Nixon gave him a nod. "How're the men doing?"
"Mostly the same". Winters replied. "Oh, Lieutenant Peacock's leading 1st this afternoon – I saw your obvious notes".
Smirking, Nixon lit himself a cigarette. "Glad you took the hint, Dick". He said, "We're not really sure on strength on this one".
"He's aware". Winters said, "I talked to him this morning and during my rounds". He then cast a quick look down at Nelly before facing Nixon again, who shook his head. Winters frowned softly. She didn't talk while he was away. Though, he still mentioned to Nelly, "Your cousin's coming to see you later, trooper".
The two Officers held their breaths – hoping she'd respond.
But all they got from Nelly was a faint nod.
The patrol Peacock led didn't go well. Not only did they run into the enemy line, but Peacock abandoned his men and raced into Battalion HQ, where Nixon had to figure out what was going on by himself and order the Platoon to fall back. There, Nixon learned the men were forced to abandon one of their own guys – John Julian, Babe's good friend. Babe even went along to try and help but he couldn't reach his buddy through MG-42 bullets. They were forced to fall back, without Julian. Sitting under the canopy, she watched the men slowly walk by her with heads hung low. Nixon ducked under the canopy and sat down. Bringing out his flask, he took a long drink of his whiskey and then scratched his beard. Winters was standing a few feet away with Peacock, where a quiet word was shared between the Officers.
Nixon raised his eyes when Nelly suddenly stood up and he watched, as she walked out from under the canopy and began making her way toward the men. Alex stepped out of his Platoon and walked over to the girl. They hadn't seen each other for a few days. Nelly stared up into his eyes and frowned sadly. Shaking his head, Alex gently touched the side of her face.
"We'll be okay". He whispered. "Please, get better".
Nelly gave a faint nod.
After giving her hand a squeeze, Alex re-joined his Platoon and walked back to the line. And as Nelly watched him go, she was reminded again of when they first met on the train. Where Nelly stole his sandwich and Alex didn't get mad. Where they spoke and he talked about his family in South Bend. It seemed like a lifetime ago. But it would soon be two years since they first met – it would be two years in April 1945. And she had changed so much since April 1943. But now, she knew she was regressing – that fear and being overwhelmed grabbed a hold of her tongue. Nelly felt as though she physically couldn't speak because she was so frightened. The snow now was a painful reminder of the snow in Mauthausen – so was the cold.
Looking back over his shoulder, Alex sent Nelly a soft and tender smile. She remembered being warm on the train to Camp Mackall because Alex draped his jacket over her shoulders. He didn't even know Nelly at the time, and he gave her his jacket. What a beautiful human. Alex faced the front again and Nelly stood by herself and watched him go. They eventually disappeared in the fog and snow – only leaving their footprints behind.