The Private's Tale Raid

By desertpat51

It is late morning and the Rat Patrol had just finished a rather mundane mission. What was unusual about this one was what came after. Troy had presented Hitch and Tully with three-day leave passes. Granted, they were still behind enemy lines but all they had to do was get through the pass in the range of hills ahead and they'd be home free.

This is the first leave the privates have had in a long time and, with Tully driving, they are happily heading out across the warming desert in one Jeep, sans sergeants. Hitch is smiling and enjoying his stick of bubble gum while Tully is readjusting the matchstick between his teeth.

They head for the pass and round a corner. There's a huge explosion, a cannon shell, ahead and just to the left of them. Tully yells in pain, puts a hand to his left leg. He's been grazed by flying shrapnel. As Hitch grabs for the wheel, out from behind some trees on the left rumbles a halftrack along with several other vehicles, including the tank that fired at them. They quickly cut off any routes of advance or retreat. Tully jams on the brakes. They're outnumbered. They raise their hands, Tully obviously in pain.

The halftrack pulls up, stops and Hauptmann Hans Dietrich stands up and slides his goggles up onto his cap. With a wave of his hand and barked orders, Dietrich directs several of his troops to keep their guns on the two privates from their vehicles. Several other Germans jump out and motion for Hitch ad Tully to get out of the Jeep. They exchange a glance and slowly get out. Pressing on his new leg wound, Tully has to steady himself on the side of the Jeep.

Each of the privates is grabbed roughly by two Germans with a third doing a body search, removing their weapons and checking their pockets. Each searcher finds a set of papers and takes them to Dietrich. The Captain gets down from the halftrack, accepts the papers and starts looking through them, "Gentlemen, these papers indicate that you are on leave. Isn't this a rather unusual location for you to be taking a leave… behind our lines?" Hitch and Tully don't answer. Dietrich studies them, "Where are your two sergeants?"

From a hill above the pass Troy and Moffitt watch the capture through binoculars. Moffitt is worried, "Troy, it looks as though Tully was hit." Troy agrees, "Yeah. Well, we can't worry about that now." Moffitt, "I hope they'll be alright." Troy, "Dietrich will have to deal with me if they're not. Come on. We've got a lot to do and not much time." They head down the back of the hill to the second Jeep and disappear in a cloud of dust.

Dietrich is polite but insistent, "Gentlemen, you haven't answered my question." Tully says nothing but Hitch says, "Hitchcock, Mark T., Private…" Dietrich holds up his hand to stop him and speaks to his men in German. The guards roughly force Tully and Hitch into the back of the halftrack where they are held under heavy guard. Dietrich instructs one of his men to drive the Jeep. He then gets back into the front of the halftrack, stands on the seat so he can be seen by the men in the other vehicles, gives his standard upward hand pump and the column moves out. As the vehicles start moving, Dietrich scans the pass and hills expecting the other Jeep and the sergeants to appear, but they never do.

The German vehicles, with Dietrich's halftrack in the lead, drive into a camp with several tents, various German vehicles parked, and men busy with their duties. The halftrack stops in front of a tent with camo netting over the entrance and a table and chairs out front, Dietrich's headquarters tent. He slides out of the front seat, walks casually to the tent, nonchalantly pushes the tent flap aside and enters. Hitch and Tully are roughly forced out of the halftrack. Tully almost falls but Hitch catches him and supports him, as he limps, holding his left leg, towards the tent.

Inside the tent, the two privates are pushed in and held at gun point, Hitch still supporting Tully. Dietrich has set his cap down on his desk and turns to the privates, "Now, you will tell me, where are your two sergeants?" Tully stares at the ground and Hitch straightens. Both refuse to answer. Dietrich is getting impatient and raises his voice, "I'm waiting." The two Americans have faced this kind of questioning from the German before and remain silent. Dietrich slowly pulls out his Luger, points it at Hitch. This is a rare move for Dietrich and the privates know he's not bluffing, "I will have an answer, now." Tully, seeing his friend is in the crosshairs, decides to try something, "We don't know." Hitch grabs tighter onto his friend, "Tully, don't." Dietrich notes the interaction but is also getting annoyed, "You don't know?" Tully continues, "No sir. We don't know." Dietrich is dubious, "I find that hard to believe, Private." Tully continues, "This morning Sergeant Troy gave us those leave passes and told us to high tail it back to our base. That's what we were doing when we ran into you." Hitch is angry, "Tully? What are you doing?" Tully looks at his friend, "Trying to save your life. Captain, we don't know where they are." Dietrich studies the men for a moment more, then holsters his Luger. He motions for his men to take Tully and Hitch away. As they are lead out, Hitch says back over his shoulder, "Captain, Tully is wounded." Dietrich lights a cigarette and hears Hitch calling back from outside the tent, "He needs medical attention!" Dietrich takes a leisurely inhale, then exhales slowly and considers his next move.

Hitch and Tully are pushed into another tent, two tents down from Dietrich's, by the same two Germans who dragged them out of Dietrich's command tent. There are boxes and bags of medical supplies and food rations, stretchers are leaned up against the side of the tent, large kettles and pans are stacked in the corner and a thick wooden post, in the center, is supporting the tent. Tully isn't moving fast enough for one of the guards who pushes him. He trips and lands in a heap on the floor, grabbing his injured leg. Hitch goes down to help his friend but looks back at the Germans, "We need a medic." No answer. Another German comes in and both Tully and Hitch immediately see the ropes in his hands. The Germans take one man at a time and tie them up, at the ankles and with hands behind their backs. Hitch is struggling, "We need a medic!" The third German pulls out cloths that he could use to gag them, if Hitch doesn't shut up. He does but eyes the three Germans with anger as they leave.

Hitch and Tully awkwardly turn over onto their backs then sit up and scooch over to the middle wood post. They lean up against opposite sides and Hitch looks back at Tully, "How's the leg?" Tully shakes his head, "Not good. I think it's still bleeding." He winces as he adjusts. Hitch yells, "Hey. We need a medic in here… Hello? Is anyone out there? We need a medic! Come on." Tully has his eyes closed and is wincing against the pain. Hitch looks around and sees the medical supplies, struggles at the ropes, "If I could just get out of these ropes."

The German, who had come in with the ropes, is standing guard outside and now pulls the tent flap aside and glares at the two. Hitch sees him and tries again, "If… if there's no medic, can we please have a medical kit. I can do it myself." He looks at the man, "Please?"

At that moment, the guard pulls the tent flap wider. A sergeant enters, followed by Dietrich, "This man will tend to Private Pettigrew's leg wound." The German sergeant kneels down next to Tully, opens a medical kit, and rips open his left trouser leg to expose the wound. Tully almost cries out but muffles it and winces. The sergeant is not being gentle. Hitch is angry at the man's callous disregard for his friend. He looks up at Dietrich, "Captain?" Dietrich looks briefly at Hitch and speaks to the sergeant in German. The man reluctantly nods, takes a deep breath and continues but more gently, which Tully appreciates.

Hitch nods at Dietrich, "Thanks." Dietrich turns to leave. Hitch frowns, "Captain?" Dietrich turns, "What is it now?" He makes it sound like any more requests would be an imposition. Hitch speaks contritely, "Could Tully get a shot of morphine? And may we… please… have some water?" Dietrich considers the request, speaks to the guard at the tent flap but all Hitch can make out is 'waser'. Hopefully it means that water will be coming soon and not the opposite. And what about the morphine for Tully? He has a funny thought, maybe he should have taken German instead of French!

The German sergeant is finishing with Tully's leg when the German, who had brought the ropes, now delivers a bottle and syringe to the sergeant, who administers the morphine to Tully. He also puts two canteens of water down next to them. Hitch looks up at him, "Thanks. But how are we supposed to drink?" indicating his hands still tied behind his back. The man looks as though he doesn't understand then, seeing Hitch motion to his tied hands, sighs, kneels down, unscrews the cap from one canteen, and holds it to Hitch's lips. Hitch drinks, though he had hoped the man would untie his wrists and retie them in the front so he could serve himself. The man also gives Tully a drink, who nods a thanks.

The German sets the canteens down next to Hitch and Tully and walks out of the tent. Hitch looks down at the canteens, "Great. So near yet so far." Tully almost smiles then leans his head back against the pole. He's really tired and just waiting for the morphine to kick in.

The 'rope and canteen' German is met outside by Dietrich, "How are they?" The German now speaks English almost as well as Dietrich, "The one with the leg wound is doing better. The other one is… demanding." Dietrich knows these men, almost smiles and nods, "I want you to remain outside the tent. I think they will now relax. Listen to their conversations. I want to know if they talk about their sergeants. I want to know if their capture was part of some mission or the accident that they claim it to be. Keep me informed." The man nods and takes up his position outside the tent.

They are now alone. Hitch tries to look around the post to Tully, "How's the leg?" Tully winces, "Better. The morphine is kicking in. I'm okay for now." Hitch nods.

They sit there, leaning up against the post, Hitch absently staring around the tent at the supplies and Tully keeping his eyes shut and trying to relax. Hitch finally asks, "So what were you planning to do with your three days?" Tully smiles, "You're not going to like it. It doesn't involve girls." Hitch smiles, "Well then what's the point? Let me guess. Another book from the Doc?" Tully nods, "Anther two books. One on anthropology and one on geology." Hitch, "You're turning into a real bookworm." Tully thinks a moment and turns introspective, "What's wrong with that? You know, back home… the only thing I was known for was driving fast… and getting into trouble. And remember that first time when we met the Doc, how the Sarge introduced us? You were the Ivy Leaguer. I was the 'best kid moonshine runner from Kentucky'." Hitch tries to look back at his friend, "I didn't know it bothered you that much." Tully almost smiles, "You know, if you live someplace all your life, that's all you know." Hitch, with a little attitude, "Wow… now you're getting philosophical?" Tully, "Come on. I was trying to make a point. The point is that ever since I've been here, and met you and the Doc and the Sarge… I don't want to go back to that life." Hitch gives his friend a boost, "Well then, don't. You're smart. You can do anything you want." Tully sighs, "Sounds like something your parents would say. Or maybe even the Army recruiter. Join the Army. Travel the world. Meet new people." Hitch smiles but continues, "Hey, the Army's using you. Take advantage of the Army. While you're in, take every correspondence course they offer, learn as much as you can. What about that medical training course you were thinking about?" He sighs, "Of course that assumes we get out of this mess." Tully shakes his head, "Good advice… if we get out of this mess. Thanks for the pep talk. So, what were you planning for your leave?" Hitch smiles, "Well, there's this nurse who was just assigned at the base hospital…" Tully smiles, "Why am I not surprised."

The German outside, who's been listening, shakes his head. He motions for another guard to take his place and speaks quietly in English to the new man, "Listen to those two. I'm going to report to Herr Hauptmann." The other man nods and takes his position at the tent flap.

The German guard is now in Dietrich's command tent and salutes. Dietrich casually returns it, "What have you learned?" The guard is not enthused, "Herr Hauptmann, so far they've talked about the one man's leg and what they had planned to do on their leave." Dietrich, "That's all? Did they know you were listening?" The guard shakes his head, "I made it seem that I don't know English and I stayed out of sight." Dietrich thinks for a moment, "Very well. Continue the surveillance." Then he looks at his watch, "Have they had any food, yet?" The guard shakes his head. Dietrich nods, "Take them some food. I'll be in shortly."

Hitch and Tully are getting uncomfortable, leaning against the post and sitting on the floor of the tent. As Hitch tries to readjust to keep his rear from falling asleep, Dietrich comes in followed by two men who are carrying cots. The other guard, who had given them water, is carrying a tray full of food. Dietrich, with his hands clasped behind his back, watches as the men arrange the cots a couple feet apart from each other, then lift Hitch and Tully off the floor onto the cots and untie their hands. Hitch rubs his wrists and asks, "What's going on, Captain?" Dietrich waves the man with the food tray forward, "I understand you have not yet eaten." The man sets the tray down on the cot where Tully is sitting. Dietrich motions to the tray, "Gentlemen." He turns to leave but Hitch stops him, "Captain." Dietrich is annoyed, turns back to face them, "What?" Hitch says, "Thanks for the food… but… how long are we going to be here?" Dietrich says, "You will be taken to a POW camp in the morning."

As Dietrich and the other Germans leave, Hitch and Tully watch as three different guards, younger guards but also with guns, enter the tent and take up positions near the entrance. After all, their legs may still be tied but their hands are now free… one tied body part down, one to go.

Tully looks at the food then over at Hitch, sighs, "My leg is hurting again. I'm not very hungry." Hitch picks up a piece of buttered bread and takes a bite, "You should eat something… keep up your strength. Who knows when the Captain might change his mind?" Tully nods and picks up another piece of buttered bread and some dates, "You notice everything's been cut or buttered already… no knives." Hitch smiles, "I guess he doesn't trust us." Tully gives an agreeing smile and they start in on the food.

A while later, when Hitch and Tully have finished their meal, the three guards, who have been watching, now move in. One holds his gun on the privates while the other two silently tie their hands again, this time in front. The one guard, who had held them at gunpoint, now picks up the food tray and heads outside. Hitch and Tully look through the momentarily open tent flap and note that the sun is going down. A quick glance and nods are shared.

A while later Tully, who is feeling a bit spent, has laid down on the cot. Hitch is sitting on his. Their three guards, with their guns, are standing near the tent entrance. It's obvious to Hitch that they are as bored as he and Tully. Hitch looks at the three, "Hi. I'm Hitch." The three guards look at one another. They're not used to prisoners striking up conversations. Tully gives a quick wave from the cot, "I'm Tully." No response. Hitch and Tully look at each other, sigh. Tully says, "Do you guys speak English?" The guards nod. The first guard repeats their names, "Hitch? Tully? Those don't sound like American names." Hitch smiles, "They're nicknames." The first German asks, "What's a nickname?" Tully nods to Hitch who starts, "My name is actually Mark Hitchcock. But instead of calling me Mark, everyone here calls me Hitch. It's the first part of my last name, Hitchcock, get it?" The three nod slowly. The second guard asks, "What about Tully?" Tully usually doesn't talk about his given name, "Um…" Hitch says, "Come on. I haven't even heard this one. What's Tully short for?" Tully is obviously embarrassed, "It's a family name. I got it from my great grandfather." The others are now waiting. Tully takes a deep breath, "Tullis. Tullis Pettigrew. Ya' happy?" Hitch is trying to contain a laugh, "Tullis?" Tully is now defensive, "Hey." Hitch shakes his head, "I'm sorry. I've just never… I never knew." The first two German guards are snickering, realizing they are learning information about one of the Americans that the other didn't even know. But the third German guard says, "Tullis… I know this word. It's Latin, I think. It means… 'title'? Or, um, what is the word in English… 'rank', I think. You have a good name." Tully smiles then glances at Hitch, vindicated, then back to the Germans, "Thanks."

Tully tries to redirect the conversation away from his unfortunate name and turns to the Germans, "Okay. What are your names?" The first German says, "Friedrich." The second one says, "Ernst." Finally, the third German says, "Karl." Tully looks at Hitch, "Those are good names, too. Not a Hans among them!" They smile though their guards don't seem to get the joke.

After a while the conversation turns to card games. Hitch mentions, "We play poker a lot. It's really popular." Friedrich nods, "I've heard of poker but I don't know how to play." Hoping to find a common interest, Ernst asks, "Do you play bridge?" Hitch shakes his head, "I don't. But isn't that an old lady's game?" He looks around at the others and gets some rather uncomfortable stares, "I mean in American… I mean…" Tully doesn't speak immediately. The Germans look at him. Tully nods, "I play… a little." Hitch looks at him, and with a bit of a snide tone in his voice, "You play bridge?" Tully speaks more confidently, "Yeah, I do. My Ma has a bridge group and, almost every time, one of the ladies would have to miss. So I'd fill in. But, you know, bridge is actually a complicated game, more than poker. And it takes a lot of strategy to be really good." He nods at the Germans who smile and nod back. They are vindicated and Hitch is again the odd man out. Tully looks at the Germans, "Well, we've got four. Do you have any cards?" The Germans are a bit apprehensive. Karl now says, "Talking is one thing but… I don't think we are allowed to play cards… with the enemy, I mean." Tully sighs, "Yeah. I guess you're right. We are still enemies… too bad."

Outside the new guard, who is listening to the conversation, has also gotten bored and waves for another guard to take over while he reports what he has heard to Hauptmann Dietrich.

The five young men, from two different countries, are now comparing where they are from. The three young Germans have never been to the United States, and Hitch and Tully have never been to Germany. But they are all amazed at the similarities: mountains, plains, oceans. Of course, Germany has no deserts and coming to North Africa had been a big change for them. What the Germans come to realize is that it was a big change for Hitch and Tully, too. They had come from the eastern half of the country and had never lived in the Desert Southwest of the US.

As the five men continue to talk, Moffitt has slipped in the back of the tent and has been listening to the conversation. He knows the three guards speak English. He suddenly steps out of the shadows, brings his Thompson to bear on the young German guards, "Drop your guns." The Germans are surprised and are about to bring their guns up, but Moffitt commands, "Don't do it. Drop the guns, now." The three Germans drop their guns and Moffitt, without taking his eyes off the enemy, asks Tully and Hitch, "Are you two alright?"

Dietrich has been anticipating a rescue attempt, hoping he can capture all four of the Rats, and before Hitch and Tully can answer, the front tent flaps fly open and Dietrich, along with five other armed Germans, rush in. Dietrich now orders Moffitt, "Drop your gun, Sergeant." There is a momentary standoff. Dietrich tells two of his men to aim at Hitch and Tully. Moffitt now seeing that he is hopelessly outnumbered, and the privates are in danger, begins to lower his Thompson. Friedrich, Ernst and Karl quickly pick up their rifles and move to stand with their Hauptmann. Dietrich eyes Moffitt, "I said, drop your gun, Sergeant." Moffitt slowly takes a step forward and places it, butt down, up against the center pole and raises his hands. Dietrich continues, now a little more confident, "I thought you might make an appearance tonight. Where is Sergeant Troy?" Troy quickly slips through the front tent flap right behind Dietrich, shoves the muzzle of his Thompson in Dietrich's back, "Right here, Captain." Dietrich freezes. Troy demands, "Tell your men to drop their guns." Dietrich says nothing.

Troy nods to Moffitt, "Tell the captain's men that if they don't drop their guns, he dies." Moffitt speaks in German. The men are now looking at Dietrich. Moffitt says the same thing again, with more conviction. Troy makes the point by grabbing Dietrich's collar and pushing the barrel of his Thompson firmly against Dietrich's back, "Captain, I'd prefer not to kill you or your men tonight. Your choice."

Dietrich hesitates for only a moment, finally relents and tells his men to drop their guns. They drop their rifles on the floor. But Troy pulls Dietrich's collar again, "All the guns, Captain, including the pistols." Dietrich takes a breath, nods to his men. They all, including Dietrich, pull out their pistols and toss them on the ground. Moffitt kicks the guns away from the Germans and quickly moves to the privates, cuts their bonds and picks up his Thompson. Hitch picks up two Lugers, stuffs one in his belt and gives the other to Tully. He then picks up two rifles, hands one to Tully, then helps Tully off the cot. Hitch looks at Moffitt then Troy, "I'm glad you finally showed up. We were running out of things to talk about." Moffitt smiles, "Better late than never."

Dietrich has watched this exchange and looks from one private to the other realizing that he has been the victim of an elaborate ruse. But before he can speak Troy yanks his collar, "Alright Captain. You and your men out of the tent, slowly." They move, hands raised, to the outside and Troy gives another order, "Captain, your men on the ground, hands behind their heads." Dietrich speaks in a calm voice, "You heard him… do it." His men comply. Hitch and Tully exchange glances now realizing that most of Dietrich's men actually speak English and have been feigning ignorance of the language the entire time.

Troy and the others see more of Dietrich's men moving out of the darkness but not firing, seeing that their Hauptmann is being held at gunpoint. Troy holds Dietrich closer, speaks into his ear, "Captain." Dietrich knows what Troy wants, barks orders in German. Troy turns to Moffitt, "Moffitt, what did he say?" But before Moffitt can answer Dietrich calmly says, "I told them not to fire and to put their weapons down." His men slowly comply.

Troy motions for Moffitt, Tully and Hitch to move to the Jeep, which had been parked across the open area in front of the command tent. They help Tully into the back with his rifle and Moffitt gets in after him to man the 0.50 caliber machine gun. Hitch tries to start the Jeep, but to no avail. He sighs and looks over at Troy. Troy gives another yank on Dietrich's collar, "The rotor again? Believe me Captain, I'd take one of your vehicles but I need the jeeps this time." Troy is determined, yanks again, and through clenched teeth, "Captain!" Dietrich knows Troy means business, slowly digs in his pocket, pulls out the rotor from the Jeep's distributor and holds it up. Troy grabs it and tosses it to Hitch who lifts the hood, sees the distributor cap hanging, quickly replaces the rotor and the cap then slams the hood down. He slides into the seat and the engine starts up just fine. He nods at Troy.

Dietrich's men have been watching for any opportunity but Troy has been holding Dietrich close. Moffitt has been scanning the soldiers for any misbehavior on their part with the 0.50 and Tully, with the borrowed rifle, has been watching carefully from the back of the Jeep.

Troy now pushes Dietrich to the passenger side of the Jeep and forces him to sit, "Tell your men if they follow, you die." Again, Dietrich stubbornly says nothing. Tully now swings his borrowed rifle so that it's pointing straight at Dietrich's head. Moffitt, maintains his grip on the 0.50's handles, yells in German warning Dietrich's men of the consequences. If the Germans had any thoughts of a rescue, they are disappearing fast. Troy climbs in the front, sits above the dash, on the rolled-up blanket facing to the rear and straddling Dietrich, with his left booted foot on the side panel and the other in between the Captain and Hitch. Keeping an eye on Dietrich, he sets his Thompson on the hood. Moffitt hands the 0.50 off to Troy who grabs the handles. He nods at Hitch and keeps the 0.50 pointed back at Dietrich's men as they roll out. Moffitt sits on the Jerry cans, and now trains his Thompson on Dietrich, who is fuming. Troy glances down at him, "Relax Captain. If I wanted it, you'd be dead by now." They drive away while Dietrich's men can only look on.

About two miles from Dietrich's camp Troy, now casually holding his Thompson across his lap, reaches over and taps the steering wheel, "Stop here." Hitch pulls over and Troy jumps out, "This is where you get off, Captain. You know the way home." Dietrich hesitates still wondering if he's really going to be released … or shot in the back. He takes a breath and calmly gets out of the Jeep.

Moffitt hops down from the back of the Jeep and walks about ten feet into the darkness to the second Jeep that Dietrich hadn't even noticed. He starts up the engine and drives it over next to the first Jeep.

Meanwhile, Hitch gets out of the first Jeep and exchanges looks then nods with Tully, who pulls out a flashlight. He hands it to Hitch, who also grabs a canteen. Hitch walks around the Jeep to where Dietrich is standing and hands him the flashlight, "There's no moon tonight, Captain. We wouldn't want you to get lost out here." Hitch then hands Dietrich the canteen and Tully says, "No one should have to walk across the open desert without water." Dietrich slowly accepts the canteen. They all remember the mission, only two months ago, when Dietrich had made the Rats do just that.

Dietrich now eyes the two privates, "You lied to me."

Tully decides to speak first and shakes his head, "We never lied to you, Captain. We never knew where the Sarge and Doc went, just that we had to keep you busy while they were doing whatever it was they had to do."

Hitch now adds, "We also didn't count on anyone getting hurt. So thanks for helping Tully, Captain… we appreciate the hospitality."

Troy and Moffitt are watching as their privates stand up for themselves and make a good showing.

Dietrich shakes his head and almost smiles, "I understand one of you plays bridge." Hitch looks at Tully who admits, "I do, Captain." Dietrich nods, "Then, gentlemen, I have been finessed. Well played." Tully understands the bridge reference, almost smiles, and nods.

Dietrich now turns to Troy, not really expecting an answer, "What were you doing?" But Troy decides to give somewhat of an answer, "We weren't blowing up any of your ammunition dumps or killing any of your men." Dietrich slightly shakes his head. It's more than he expected.

Troy gets into the passenger's seat of the second Jeep while Hitch gets in the driver's seat. Moffitt gets into the driver's seat of the first Jeep. Tully is now reclining in the back, takes a matchstick out of his breast pocket and puts it in his mouth.

Troy salutes for the group, "Captain." Dietrich salutes back then watches as the Jeeps pull away and disappear into the moonless night. After a few moments, Dietrich finally takes a deep cleansing breath. He's feeling relieved that he probably won't get shot in the back. He almost smiles and shakes his head slightly, turns on the flashlight and starts the trek back to his camp.

The two Jeeps are driving through hills with large boulders. They pull into a low area under a rock overhang and stop for the night at one of their many holdups. Troy now looks at Tully, "We saw the explosion. Are you okay?" As Moffitt and Hitch help Tully out of the Jeep, he says, "Yeah, Sarge. I'm okay. I got hit by shrapnel when that shell exploded. But one of Dietrich's men took care of it. I think he did a pretty good job." Troy nods, "Well, I'm glad it wasn't worse." Tully smiles, "Me too.

As they lay out a blanket on the ground and help Tully hobble to it, Troy asks his privates, "What was all that about bridge?" Hitch looks at Tully who smiles, "We were talking to some of the guards about card games, including bridge, and I guess Dietrich found out." Hitch adds, "Well why not? He had a guard outside the tent the entire time, listening to everything we said." Tully continues, "We even thought about playing a game, but…" Troy, "You were going to play bridge with the enemy? I find that hard to believe." Hitch smiles, "Hey Sarge, who was there, you or us?" Moffitt has been listening and smiles to himself. Troy smiles, "You got me there. Sounds like you had an interesting time."

Hitch nods, "We did. But we're glad to be out of there. So how about you two? Did you find what you were looking for?" Moffitt smiles and pulls a large manila envelope from their Jeep, "Invaluable information from the partisans in this sector. We couldn't have even gotten to them without your help." Hitch smiles and pretends to tip an imaginary hat, "Glad to be of service."

Troy smiles, looks at his men, "Busy day… Jobs well done. Time for dinner." But Tully has one last question, "Hey Sarge, do we still get our seventy two hours of leave?" Troy checks his watch, does a quick calculation, "I'd say you've got about… sixty hours left." The privates aren't happy. Hitch does a quick calculation of his own, "Wait a minute. That means, by the time we get back to base tomorrow, we'll have less than forty eight hours left! Not fair!"

The four men have a good laugh and begin the process of getting the first relaxing meal they've had all day.

Author's Note: I hope you enjoy my first attempt at writing a story focusing on Hitch and Tully.