The Hit 'em Back Raid

Chapter 6

"McConnell, take your squad and circle around to the left." Lt. Hanley was using an old farmhouse as a command post.

"Sir."

"What is it McConnell?"

"I was thinking Sir." Hanley waited impatiently for McConnell to continue. "Since Saunders is back, I was wondering if you wanted to put him back in charge of his squad."

"It's your squad now Mac." Hanley stated quietly.

"No Sir. Only on paper Lieutenant. They never really accepted me. They belong to Saunders. And to be perfectly honest Sir, I never felt quite right taking his place. He's a hard act to follow. I was willing to try, but now that he's back…."

Hanley bit his lip before nodding. "Okay McConnell. I'll tell Saunders. The guys didn't give you a hard time did they?"

"No." McConnell answered honestly. They're good guys and good soldiers, they just missed their sargent."

"Alright. You can stay here and help me coordinate the attack." Hanley called Saunders in to give him the news and tell him where he and his men were needed.

Leaving the Lieutenant, Saunders hurried to get his men into position.

"Hey Sarge. What's up?" Cage called as he saw Saunders hurrying their way.

"Did you guys give McConnell trouble?"

"No." Cage answered. "Not even as much as we give you."

"Well he just stepped down as your sargent. I'm in charge again. Saddle up!" Saunders led his men up behind the Germans who were concentrating on the American lines in front of them. They could place the Germans positions by the sound of their weapons. Saunders and his men crept closer. They were about to attack when Saunders realized that the sound of American guns would give their surprise away. He pulled back and held an impromptu meeting. "If we can get hold of some German guns we can fire from back here and they won't know who's firing. We need to try to get some of their weapons."

"I got this Sarge." Cage crawled ahead to find a German who was separated from the others. Pulling his knife, he snuck up behind him and slit his throat. Using his gun, it was fairly easy to pick off more Germans and confiscate their weapons. With the squad armed with German weapons they picked off the enemy without alerting them to American presence.

Cage took a few more out with his knife while Littlejohn broke the neck of one about to warn of their presence. Sawyer was caught between two soldiers who had recognized his American uniform. He shot one between the eyes but had to duck as the other one opened fire. Billy saw his dilemma and shot the second one. The Germans were starting to fall back. Saunders didn't want his men to be overrun so he ordered an all-out attack, no more sneaking around. The surprised Germans tried to retreat but that drove them into the American line they had attacked earlier. Surrounded, they chose to surrender.

The rescued POWs were welcomed by their comrades on the line. Their contributions had turned the tide in the battle. The German push was repelled with heavy losses on their side. The Americans had sustained light causalities. Even the areas not reinforced had stubbornly held their positions and refused to give any ground. The rescue of the POWs was considered a success.

Two days later….

"Well I have to admit Sargent, things are never dull when you're around." Hanley shook hands with Troy as they said their good-byes.

"Thanks, I think. You know no one would invite us back if we were boring." Troy laughed.

"I don't think you have to worry about that Sargent." Hanley looked around. "Where are your men?"

"Saying good-bye to yours. They've kind of gotten attached to them. Hitch and Tully especially. We usually work alone and it's kind of nice to work with someone else once in a while. We are kind of particular though. They enjoy working with your guys."

"The feeling is mutual Sargent. My men have sort of adopted them too. Feel free to call on us again…."

",,,,if we ever get back this way." Troy finished for him.

Hanley laughed. "Sargent Saunders is going to drive you to the airport. He volunteered for the duty. Funny thing… he never volunteers for anything." Hanley frowned in thought. "He'll meet you at camp."

"Thanks Lieutenant, I'd better not keep him waiting. The rainy season is about over in North Africa. Colonel Wilson is going to be finding a lot of work for us. Take care Lieutenant."

"You too Sargent."

Saunders was quiet on the ride to the airport. As they drew near he seemed to be lost in thought.

"That's some deep thinking you're doing. Anything you want to talk about?" Troy sat next to Saunders and watched his face.

"I need to thank you. I was looking at spending the rest of the war in one of those camps." Saunders stole a glance at Troy.

"I doubt that. You would have found a way to return to your squad. Some soldiers just can't be kept locked up."

"Well thanks anyway. You know…if you ever get back this way…"

"….ask for you." Troy laughed.