Part 14

Before he even realized it, Janovec found himself sleeping indoors, eating hot chow, and not fearing for his life every moment of the day. Yes, it seemed things were indeed looking up.

They had moved into another town the previous day, securing and occupying it with little resistance from the enemy.

The past few days and weeks had flown by, leaving in their wake war weary soldiers glad for the break in actual fighting.

Life had settled into something of a routine when word of the prison camp at Landsburg reached them. There were no words in him to express the horror he felt at seeing those poor people locked up like animals. Wasn't war terrible enough for the soldiers who fought it? Did innocent civilians need to be brought into the mix also? He fell asleep that night confused and haunted, waking several hours later with tears he didn't remember crying dried on his cheeks.

The next day was no better; he and several others from his squad were sent to help oversee the work at the camp. He swore to himself he'd never forget the looks on the townspeople's faces as they moved the bodies.

Part 15

Orders had come down from higher that they were to move out once again, this time further into Germany.

It was wonderful, entering Berchtesgaden and meeting no opposition. He, Luz, Perconte and a few others made their way through town, snagging souvenirs where they could.

It didn't take long for instructions to be issued to the platoons, and, at least in Easy Company, the instructions were welcome: secure the Eagle's Nest.

Letting out a loud whoop, he guessed a good half of the Company was on their way up to Hitler's hideaway.

Afterwards, he would feel a bit odd saying he was disappointed in what they found upon reaching the Eagle's Nest. It was obviously more for show than anything else and held few things of interest overall. Still happy and smiling, he made his was to the Company area, found a tree, and took a long nap while others around him talked, smoked, or did the same.

He was shaken awake some time later by a very loud, very excited Luz.

"Hey! Hey, Janovec! Guess what? Krauts surrendered." His grin stretched from ear to ear.

"Can ya believe it? We may just live through this after all!"

Still waking up, it took a few moments for Luz's words to make sense.

"Come on, get outta here. You serious?"

"You bet," he replied, already on his way to share the news with the next sleeping, soon-to-be-woken paratrooper.

He didn't know what to say, and having nothing else to do at the moment, lay back down in the soft grass under the tree. It was as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He was going to see his parents again, going to see his girl again, going to see home again.

He closed his eyes.

It was the best feeling in the world.

Part 16

As it turned out, occupation duty was much more boring than fighting a war ever was. Less dangerous, but much, much more boring.

Standing along the side of the road, checking vehicles as they passed through and listening to the German soldier he was working with talk for hours on end made for long days.

Glancing down at his watch, he noted his shift was almost up and hoped his relief would be arriving soon.

As if on cue, a Jeep rounded the curve at that moment and, spotting Webster in the passenger seat, gave a big grin.

"Your turn now?" he asked, handing the papers he'd been holding to the other man.

Webster merely nodded and gave a half smile around the cigarette in his mouth.

"Yeah, I got it. Go on," he said, motioning toward the waiting Jeep.

"Alright then. I'm outta here."

Hopping in the vacant seat, he settled in for the return ride to camp, tilting his helmet back a bit to better see the passing sights.

He wasn't paying attention when the Jeep jerked hard to the left.

All he heard was a loud crash as a jolt ran through his body.

Everything went black.