Chapter 7: Replacements
June - September 1944. Aldbourne, England
Webster spent about 2 weeks in the hospital with Lipton before they were both shipped out to Aldbourne, England. It seems Roe was right about the condition of his arm and he felt grateful that he only had a scar to show for it now. Lipton turned out fine too, his scar being on his face.
They spent a couple of days together, meeting with other wounded easies before they were joined by the rest of the company. Webster was fast asleep when Liebgott made his way up their room.
Liebgott tried to be as quiet as possible when he sneaked in the room he and Webster shared before they left. He felt relieved when he saw Webster fast asleep in his bed. Removing his boots he sat down on the edge of Webster's bed. Liebgott could make out Webster's fresh scar even in the dark as the other man slept. Reaching out he traced the scar thanking whatever god that was watching over Webster that day when he realised he could have easily lost the man.
Webster didn't know what woke him but when he saw Liebgott sitting on the edge of his bed he smiled lazily whispering "Hiya Joe", when the other man didn't react he frowned following the other man's gaze. Seeing him trace his scar, he realised what Liebgott must be thinking. He placed his hand on the other man's face whispering "Hey…. Hey…." When Liebgott finally met his eyes all he could do was embrace him "Come here…." Liebgott settled down, face on Webster's shoulder taking a shaky breath. They spent the rest of the night like that, neither of them uttering a word, even when Webster could feel hot tears scalding the skin of his shoulder.
In the next couple of weeks replacements began to pore in. Young men, men like Garcia, Hashey, Jackson, Heffron & Miller, who were replacing Taccoa men who died in Normandy. None of them got a warm welcome, even if they were in awe of us D-day veterans.
Lieutenant Winters got promoted to Captain and now led the whole company, while Lipton got promoted to first sergeant.
During their time in England, their days were mostly filled with training for the next jump as they kept learning new missions who kept on being cancelled. Boredom began to set in and some of them did rash things, like getting tattooed or stealing a motorcycle from the army depot.
One afternoon, they were all gathered together to welcome back easies who came from the hospital, two of them being Talbert and Gordon. During his time in the hospital Gordon wrote a little poem after he heard what happened to Talbert in Normandy. Webster was one of the last to sit down, he had to pick up laundry, as Gordon began his poem promptly named 'The Night Of The Bayonet'
" The night was filled with dark and cold,
When sergeant Talbert the story's told" already the men began to laugh,
"Pulled out his poncho and headed out,
To check the lines dressed as a kraut." Talbert hid his face in his hand when even Winters began to laugh,
"Upon a trooper our hero came,
Fast asleep he called his name." Webster could see that none of the replacements knew what the hell they were talking about and he smirked. Looking towards the front he saw Liebgott grinning like no tomorrow,
"Smith! Oh Smith! Get up! It's time!
To take your time out on the line." The soldier in question, blushed embarrassed as he looked towards Talbert and hid his face in shame.
"But Smith so very weary,
Cracked an eye all red and bleary.
Grabbed his rifle, he did not tarry,
Hearing Floyd but seeing jerry" Webster couldn't help but laugh alongside the others as Smith hid in shame to what was to come. His laughter died down though as he saw a serious Nixon deliver a message to Winters, whose smile dissolved instantly. This couldn't be good.
"It's me cried Tab, don't do it,
And yet Smith charged tout-suit with bayonet." Webster's suspicions were confirmed when every leader of easy company was informed before they all left leaving an anxious looking Lipton behind. A cry of protest came from Smith at the last bit and Webster laughed despite what he knew was to come.
"He lunged, he trust both high and low.
And skewered the boy from Kokomo."
Webster's applauded with everyone else when Talbert got a purple heart from Gordon for what happened that day in Normandy. Soon, Lipton delivered the news they were about to move out again and ordered them to get packing. Next day Patton overran their drop zone and the mission was cancelled once again.
September 13th 1944
This very evening you could find easy company in the nearest pub, replacements and all, enjoying some R&R after a hard day of training.
Webster was watching Buck and Luz playing darts with Heffron, clearly baiting him for a bet. Drinking from his beer, he followed Guarnere as he introduced himself to the replacements and generally scaring them. Webster smirked as Guarnere began to tell the 'Darling Doris' story to Miller, Garcia and Hashey.
"Hey Web, what do you call them letters, you know…."
"Um, a dear John letter"
"Right, a Dear Babe letter"
Webster couldn't help but laugh at the replacements faces as both Guarnere and Martin scared the shit out of them. He had to roll his eyes though as Cobb tried as well when he asked Miller about the Presidential Unit Citation. Webster found it rich coming from Cobb 'cause he didn't even fight in Normandy himself.
Once again their fun was interrupted when Lipton said they were moving out that very evening. This time however it was true and the very next day they were back in Upottery, listening to Winters and Nixon briefing them about their new mission.
The mission was to be called: Operation Market-Garden and was to be a day-time jump. Their job was to take the road between Eindhoven and Arnem, before liberating Eindhoven and wait for the tanks to come.
This mission was vital because the whole European advance was to be put on hold to give them enough resources. If this plan worked, they could finish the war and be home by Christmas. The mission sounded fine to them even when they heard they were to be under British command. Anyway, the chances of this one being called off was very slim indeed and they were ordered to say goodbye to England.
September 17th 1944
Easy company was up really early getting ready for their jump. The NCO's were walking back and forth helping the replacements prepare for the upcoming battle. Webster was watching Randleman help Tony Garcia when Sobel pulled in. Now, there was one man none of them wanted to see again. There was one good thing about it though, he brought Popeye back with him in time for the big jump.
Webster smiled at Lipton's happy face when he saw his friend again and listen absently when they talked about Sobel and a possible court-marshal.
Feeling a tug on his harness, he rolled his eyes as Liebgott checked his gear again. Taking a step back Webster muttered "I'm fine Joe." Liebgott simply ignored him, tightening a clasp on his shoulder. Webster sighed and let him do what he wished. When he was finished, Liebgott grabbed his face until their noses touched and said "Don't do anything stupid" before releasing him. Rubbing his cheeks Webster answered "Sure Joe, nothing stupid"
On the outside both of them looked calm while in fact Webster felt touched at Liebgott's obvious concern. Liebgott nodded before leaving, Webster watching him go until he vanished from sight.
Before they knew it, they all boarded their planes, left and were flying above the green fields of Holland.
AN: Sorry for the shortness of the chapter
To be continued in Chapter Eight: Operation Market-Garden