Author's Note:
Thank you ashbandicoot for the favorite on the story! I hope you're enjoying it so far!
I read Donald Malarkey's book Easy Company Soldier and decided to add this chapter regarding Easy's record-breaking march to Atlanta. Some of the dialogue in this chapter is from the book.
It had been three months since Marie officially became part of Easy Company. As the weeks went on her fitness had improved tremendously, she no longer got sick when she ran on Currahee. The same went for everyone in Easy; the first step to becoming a paratrooper was an exceptional fitness level, and they were finally achieving that. Marie and Emilia had established becoming "one of the guys," Marie even got herself a nickname from the men of Easy. They all called her "Hun." It was meant to be a short form of "honey", but Marie couldn't help thinking of Attila the Hun whenever someone called her that. Emilia on the other hand hadn't gotten one yet. The men constantly flirted with her, so all of their nicknames didn't seem very appropriate. She was also learning to cope with Sobel's bullying without lashing out at him, although his conniving stunts didn't let up at all. This included rewarding his Company with spaghetti, then changing his mind and making everyone run Currahee on a full stomach after a heavy meal.
Everyone thought Sobel had come up with every way to shape the men into the best Company in the Army, but this time it would be Sink that would outdo Sobel in grueling tasks. Sink found out that the Japanese army had set a world record by marching a hundred miles in only seventy-two hours. He decided that he wanted to beat their record. He ordered the 2nd battalion (because it was the best) to march from Camp Toccoa to Atlanta. That is about 118 miles in full uniforms and with full field equipment.
Marie's mouth dropped open when they received the order. She glanced over at Emilia, whom also looked aghast with the news. No one was happy with the order, but they proceeded to prepare themselves for the long march ahead.
"This doesn't seem very fair for the men that are carrying sixty pounds of weight, or maybe even more on their backs." Marie told Emilia, as they got ready in their barracks.
"Just be thankful that we don't have much to carry. All you have is your medical equipment, and all I have are maps, pencils, pens, and a couple other things." Emilia sighed.
"You don't have to carry any of the power tools?" Marie questioned.
"I don't think Sobel thinks I can handle that much weight." Emilia replied, rolling her eyes. "I'm going to be carrying that stuff on the field, so I don't see the difference."
Marie knew it was meant to be an insult to Emilia. He always seemed to have it out for the two of them, but not letting her carry all of her equipment seemed more like he was giving her a break.
Marie stuck with Malarkey during most of the march. Muck and Emilia would pop up from time to time, but with a little over a hundred men marching together it was easy to get lost in a sea of soldiers. During the march of the first day, Marie talked to Malarkey the entire time, realizing that this march may actually be easier than she thought.
"You know, this isn't so bad." Marie said to Malarkey.
"It's only the first day, Hun. I don't think we're going to cover that many miles in the first day." Malarkey informed her with a bitter laugh. He was right, they only marched forty-five miles on the first day. It was wet, rainy, and cold, but Marie preferred the chilly November atmosphere to the unbearable heat of August. The first day felt like an accomplishment, and Marie actually felt good. Malarkey told her he did too.
They faced day two with optimism, but their good moods soon faded. It hailed that day, and the sleet didn't make the march any easier. Marie's legs started to feel the full effect of being over-worked. Her throat was dry from thirst, but she pushed herself along with the rest of Easy Company.
"Why did I think this was going to be simple." Marie moaned.
Malarkey chuckled. "I know, this sixty-five pound mortar isn't helping either." He pointed at the equipment he was carrying. Marie sighed, feeling bad for him.
"I shouldn't be complaining, I'm barely even carrying anything." Marie said, looking at Malarkey apologetically.
"Don't worry about it, Hun."
"Are you as thirsty as I am?" Marie asked, licking her chapped lips, wishing that she had water.
Malarkey nodded in response, giving her a weak smile.
The battalion took a much needed break at about noon. Marie, Malarkey, Emilia, and Muck all sat together, panting and exchanging their thoughts on the march.
"I'm actually happy that Sobel didn't have me carry all of my equipment. Remind me to thank him." Emilia laughed. That was something Marie thought she'd never hear her friend say.
"God, what I wouldn't do for some water." Muck mumbled, massaging his sore muscles.
"Same." Emilia agreed. They all nodded in unison.
There was a farmhouse across the road. A woman emerged from the farm's fence and waved at them.
"Do you folks need some water?" She asked, shouting from across the road. The four of them exchanged looks. It was a tempting offer, but they knew it wasn't allowed. Bill Guarnere was sitting nearby, he was also considering the offer, but as squad leader he knew he couldn't break protocol.
Malarkey stood up. "I'm going for it." He told Guarnere. Guarnere didn't stop him. Muck gave him his canteen, grinning from ear to ear.
"Don, that's not a good idea!" Marie warned.
"Give me your canteen." Malarkey told her, extending his hand.
"No, you're going to get in trouble." Marie said, shaking her head. Malarkey looked up and scanned for officers.
"I don't see Sobel, and Winters is way up at the front." Malarkey informed her. He reached out his hand for her canteen, but she refused again. Emilia shook her head as well, but she seemed more amused than worried. "Fine, you two can drink from mine." He took off across the road as quickly as he could. The woman filled the two canteens for him. Marie saw Sobel coming, her heart somersaulted in her chest. The break was over as men were getting up and starting to march again. She tried to wave Malarkey over to warn him, but he didn't notice her.
Sobel saw Malarkey getting water, and was instantly infuriated. Luckily for Malarkey, he was too far away to notice who it was.
"I want that man's name!" Sobel shouted angrily, pointing directly for Malarkey. Sobel started to make his way to Malarkey, but Malarkey scurried into the mob of marching soldiers. He was well hidden, making Marie sigh in relief. He ran over to join them, handing Muck's canteen back to him.
Muck laughed, drinking gratefully. "That was the best!" Muck laughed, clapping his friend on the back. He was proud of his friend's antics.
"That was too close. You're lucky he lost you." Marie exclaimed, her hand over her heart in relief. Her heart was still hammering in her chest. Malarkey only smiled triumphantly at her, and handed his canteen to her. She didn't want to drink from it because of her stubbornness, but her need for water overcame her feelings of disapproval. She took a few big gulps; the cold water felt wonderful on her dry throat. She handed the canteen back to Malarkey, whom gave it to Emilia to drink so she could drink too.
The last day was by far the worst. Marie's legs felt that they were on fire as they marched on. She felt like her legs were going to give out, and she wasn't the only one who felt that way. She saw Malarkey struggled to walk alongside her. The Company was close to their destination, which was Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, but it still wasn't close enough to finish up right away. The battalion took another break, this time Muck helped set up tents that they could rest in. Marie and Malarkey collapsed inside the tent, as their legs shook rapidly from being overworked.
"Oh my God, I don't know how much more I can take." Marie groaned. She felt like she'd never be able to use her legs again after this march. Outside of the tent, they overheard Joe Toye singing. "How could he be singing after all this?"
Malarkey laughed. " That's Joe. I'm sure he feels the same way we do. He just likes to sing." They heard the announcement that it was time to eat. The problem was that the food was being served pretty far from their tent. They would have to make their way through the forest to get to it. Malarkey couldn't even bring himself to stand; he had to crawl on his hands and knees to get to where the food was being served. Marie was really worried about him. She followed him, walking stiffly from behind.
"Are you okay?" Marie asked him. Before she could say anymore, Muck came, holding his mess kit in his hands.
"No friend of mine crawls anywhere." He told him. He took his mess kit, and looked up at Marie. "Do you need some help, too, Hun?" Marie only nodded, feeling exhausted as she sat beside Malarkey to help him sit up. He took their mess kits and went to fill their plates with food. He returned and sat with the two tired soldiers.
"Thank you so much, Skip." Marie breathed, taking her plate of food.
"Of course." Muck smiled. Despite the food and rest, Malarkey's legs were still in pain.
"My shins are killin' me, Skip. I don't know if I can make it." Malarkey informed his friend, finishing up the last of his food.
"Almost there, buddy. Only thirty-eight miles." Muck replied.
Marie groaned. Thirty-eight didn't seem very close.
"Only thirty-eight?" Malarkey looked just as disappointed as she did.
"Eighty down. You can do this, Malark." Muck tried to convinced him, also looking over at Marie. "We can do this."
"I dunno, Skip." Malarkey sighed.
"I'll get you to Atlanta if I have to drag you." Muck told him.
Back in their tent, Marie was looking over Malarkey's legs. She feared that he had shin splints. His legs looked so swollen. Muck peered over Marie's shoulder, he was concerned too.
"I think you have tibial stress syndrome." Marie concluded as she studied his shins.
"What's that?" Malarkey asked.
"Shin splints. This is serious, it could cause fractures in the lower part of your legs. You really need a nice, long rest. I wish I had some ice for you." Marie explained, giving him a pitied look. Lieutenant Winters entered their tent; he had the same thought that Marie had about the shin splints.
"Why don't you plan on going the rest of the way in a rig, Malarkey." Winters told him. Marie agreed, he really needed to stay off of his legs.
"Sir, give me a night's rest." Malarkey begged, glancing over at Muck and Marie. "I think I can make it." Marie knew it was a bad idea, but she didn't want to lecture Malarkey on what he should and shouldn't do. She was glad that he suggested rest though, which is one of the only a few ways to treat shin splints, along with anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy.
Winters didn't look like he agreed either, but he sighed. "Whatever you think." He said.
Everyone made it to Atlanta in seventy-five hours. As Easy marched their way down the street, there were national radio networks reporting all over the world about their feat. They had actually broken the Japanese record, and by a lot too. There was a band playing which seemed to really lift the spirits of everyone in Easy, including Malarkey whom was still in a lot of pain. The music helped with finishing up the goal, and seemed to inspire a lot of hope in everyone marching. Marie spotted Emilia marching further ahead of her, and smiled. They had made it. Emilia had somehow known that Marie was looking at her since she turned her head and met her gaze. She returned the smile.
Unfortunately Malarkey would have to spend three days in bed because of his swollen legs once they returned to Toccoa. Marie took care of him in the infirmary, icing them as he recovered, but she was proud of her friend's perseverance.
"Your legs will make a full recovery." Marie informed him. "No fractures or torn muscles. You're lucky."
"Good. I don't know how much more bed rest I can take." Malarkey responded with a groan.
Marie laughed but she couldn't blame him, she would grow restless too if she was cooped up in bed for three days. "Just allow your legs to rest."
"I hope the Japanese don't pull anymore record stunts like that, I don't know if I could do this again." Malarkey chuckled.
"Agreed." Marie said, smiling.
A new chapter was unfolding in their lives, it would be December soon. It was strange how fast 1943 was approaching. December also meant that they'd be heading to Fort Benning, where the real paratrooper training would begin.