Coda
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Carter yawned as he sank onto a bench located near one of the few empty areas of the compound. He leaned his head against the wall and closed his eyes. He took some deep breaths and savored the peace and quiet.
"This bench free?"
Carter opened one eye and nodded.
"I'm knackered," Newkirk said as he flopped down. He was too exhausted to even light a cigarette. The Londoner bent down, placed his elbows on top of his knees and held his head. "Coming down with a headache."
"Join the club. First break I've had all day." Carter rubbed the muscles behind his neck to release some tension.
The camp staff had been working nonstop since the American tanks rolled through the front gates three days earlier. Fortunately, the German staff surrendered without a fight; but organizing the evacuation of close to one thousand prisoners, some of whom were ill, was a complicated undertaking. The evacuation was made more difficult because of their unusual circumstances. They had no idea what Hogan told the American commanding officer, but there were certainly a lot of radio messages going back and forth between camp and London. The tunnels were to be blown once the last batch of men left camp.
It was mid-April and, despite the sun, the air was chilly. Carter shaded his eyes against the glare and turned to Newkirk. "Hey. We should definitely make this a holiday."
Newkirk sat up. "Make what a holiday?" he asked.
"Liberation Day."
"Well, would it be our own particular holiday? Maybe observed at reunions, or a world-wide or regional thing?" Newkirk asked. "War still isn't over. They're like cornered animals."
Carter thought about Newkirk's point. "I see what you mean. I guess it would be our own little celebration. I know I'll remember April 17th as long as I live."
Newkirk chuckled. "I will, too. I can't wait to get home and have a pint in a real pub. You'll join me. So will the others."
"Yeah, I guess you'll get home before a lot of us." Carter sighed.
"Here." Newkirk pulled a chocolate bar out of his pocket and handed it to his friend. "All yours. No Schultz to worry about."
"Thanks." Carter removed the wrapper from the bar and broke off a piece. He handed it to Newkirk and the two shared both the bar and the silence that followed. Everything they worked for, everything they waited for—now that it was here—well, their reaction was unexpected. To everyone's surprise, there were no bells and whistles and huge celebrations. The men and the camp staff quietly went about their business and listened to the Americans now in control of the camp. The Germans seemed both nervous and relieved, and it was Colonel Hogan, more than anyone, who led by example. There was no gloating, no retribution. Just a bunch of tired young men waiting to go home.