Fun Fact: Horses were used in World War II more so than any other modern war. In fact, they provided nearly 80% of German transportation when oil reserves grew scarce. In total, around 11 million horses were used throughout the war! Unfortunately, millions of horses died due to starvation, disease, or being eaten by starving soldiers. I thought I'd write this story as a tribute to these wonderful animals who gave us everything they have and received so little in return.
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"So that's the scoop," Hogan said, wrapping up his discussion with the rest of his team. "Thanks to Newkirk here, we already have the copy of the newest German code book. All we have to do now is sneak it out of camp when the Krauts have their backs turned, hand it over to the Underground agents in Dusseldorf, and we can add another successful mission under our belts."
Newkirk, Carter, LeBeau, and Kinch all shared proud expressions as they clapped each other on the back.
"This'll be it, our two hundredth mission!" Carter piped.
"No, it'll be our hundred and ninety-ninth," snarked LeBeau. "You can't count the one where Newkirk's stolen eggs made everyone sick."
"For the last time, it weren't me eggs that made everyone sick, it was your cookin', mate."
A round of snickers rose up around the barracks, blending with a flurry of French curses. Hogan leaned against the nearest bunk and watched his men as they tossed old stories and clever lines around the table. These men made up the best team he could ask for, and they had been through plenty of strange adventures together.
After a few minutes, he cut his reverie and headed back to his quarters to relax and read a book. With the briefing over, most of the men grabbed jackets and hats and headed outside to find something to occupy their time. Kinch stayed behind to man the radio in case someone happened to call. Newkirk leaned against the barracks wall just outside and lit a cigarette. Carter and LeBeau returned to their previous duties; scrubbing the laundry. Not exactly the most coveted job in camp, but it gave them something to do. While they buried their hands in the icy water, scrubbing uniforms with numb fingers, the front gates opened to admit General Burkhalter's staff car. The car was closely followed by a series of trucks, each pulling a livestock trailer behind it. Carter was the first to notice, and he eagerly elbowed LeBeau in the ribs.
"Hey Louis, take a look!"
A slightly miffed LeBeau leaned against the wash stand in curiosity.
"That's strange. What type of animals would a bosche general be interested in?"
"Let's go find out."
General Burkhalter, accompanied by a few guards, marched himself unannounced into the Kommandantur. Meanwhile, Carter and LeBeau sauntered up to the unguarded trailers and peered through the windows.
"Mon dieu!" LeBeau exclaimed, "horses!"
Indeed, the trailers were filled with large grey horses, five of them to be exact.
"Wow, they're beautiful!" said Carter, reaching a hand out to stroke one on the forehead.
"They remind me 'o the 'orses I used to work with at the circus," remarked Newkirk, who had just joined his friends in the investigation.
"Why would Burkhalter be interested in these guys?" Carter wondered. "I mean, he just doesn't strike me as the horse-crazy type of guy."
"Right, it's not like he could ever ride them," LeBeau snickered.
Newkirk strutted back towards the barracks.
"Well, let's find out, shall we?"
Carter and LeBeau hurried after him to alert Colonel Hogan.