C'est la Guerre
Somehow I knew speaking French was going to be a factor in my assignment AND I'm heading to an area near the Mediterranean in the so-called "Free Zone." I'll be part of a team, mostly British, training French soldiers and members of the Resistance in demolition and ordnance. Even though France fell to Germany, there are many who don't like the Vichy government set up as a compromise. Many are quietly rebelling or making plans so they can be ready when the time comes to strike back. Perhaps when the U.S finally realizes the true scope of what is going on and decides to join the Allies. Our location is top secret and at any moment we may have to scramble to quickly get out the country if we are discovered by the Germans.
Tully is remaining in Scotland working on commando skills until given a permanent assignment. I'll miss him calling me, "Hitch" and our games of matchstick poker. At home I was always called Mark. At school, and in the Army, I've always been, "Hitchcock." Tully decided that was too formal, so he gave me the nickname, "Hitch," and I kind of like it. I hope we'll be assigned together in a commando unit someday.
So far, my French is holding up well. For the first few days I was rusty and had to focus on my responses. They spoke really fast, and it was all I could do to understand what they were saying but I think I'm now up to speed. They have shared stories about the Nazis taking over their country and the fall of Paris. It steams me to think of how we wouldn't have won the American Revolution without Lafayette and France, but the U.S. is still sitting back doing nothing to help their Allies. What about the role they played in WW1? Does that mean nothing? I don't know what it will take to draw them into this fight.
I answer to Sergeant Thomas of the British Army which is kind of weird but okay. We are somewhat "on loan" to the British since technically the U.S. is not yet a part of the Allied Forces. We're working with a group of about 20 men, and we've established a good working relationship. I hope whatever I teach them will help them regain their country someday.
When we are off duty, many of them have spoken to me of their confusion regarding America. They feel abandoned by their American ally and ask me why the U.S. hasn't yet entered the war. I have to tell them I'm just as confused and frustrated as they are. Seeing their pain and listening to the emotion in their voices makes me almost ashamed that my country isn't stepping up to its responsibility. How would America feel if it had been overthrown by an enemy and none of their world allies came to their aid? They can't stay out of it much longer. If only they were at least training more soldiers now, in order to be ready for when the fighting comes. I'm glad I joined when I did, and I will be ready!
Took an advance team on a mission today to "blow" an ammo dump. It was a timed training exercise, but we were using actual explosives. Thankfully, the fuel and ammo we were 'destroying' were just empty crates and oil drums or it could have been much worse. Anyway, the French team put together the explosives, set the timers and were due to get away from the scene quickly. However, one of the men messed up his timer and it went off too quickly. The explosion sent him and several others flying through the air. Three had slight concussions and shrapnel wounds. One lost an eye and the guy setting the charge lost several fingers. In spite of the injuries, it could have been much worse. You have to put your total focus on the explosives and detonators when working with ordnance. The slightest slip of concentration can cause a disaster. Which is what happens. Thank goodness the fuel and ammo was fake or none of the men, myself included, would have survived.
I spent some time in the hospital visiting with the injured and translating for some of the British officers. They grilled me a long time about what went wrong and how could the training been better. They had been fully instructed. We had practiced the procedure several times. It all came down to human error and one soldier not fully concentrating on the job at hand. The two most severely injured will be discharged from the army and sent home. I don't think they realize how much worse it could have been. They could be traveling home in a pine box.
During several of our practice missions, I noticed we were being watched by a number of American officers and non-coms. Occasionally I could see them point towards me and another American soldier on the team. Not sure who they are, and I think one might be Australian since he wore a slouch hat. He seemed to be asking a lot of questions and was looking through several personnel files. I think I caught the word "Africa" several times so maybe the rumors are true, and they are going to put together a long-range desert patrol.
This assignment will end in a week, and I have no idea where I'm being sent next. Heard from Tully. He has no clue regarding his next posting either. Really hoping we will be together. We already have trust built up between us and that's not an easy thing for me to do.
Last instructions with the French includes landmines and teaching them how to make their own explosive devices when they have to improvise. It's been a lot trickier than other topics and I have two men, Louis and Yves, who seem overly interested in making homemade bombs. They whisper together and I have a nagging feeling they want to use this knowledge for some other reason than fighting the Germans. I've tried talking with them about it, but they are quick to reassure me they just want to learn everything possible to help the Resistance. This made me even more suspicious, and I have a bad feeling in my gut about them.
We have to keep a low profile where we are training since we are in danger from the Germans, the Vichy government and Italy is close by. If the Germans should discover our location, we would need to head across the Mediterranean to Africa. We would lose this site for training purposes, and it would be difficult to find another. There is something both exciting and terrifying about working right under the enemies' noses.
Sergeant Thomas spoke with me and told me I'm being sent to Benghazi in Northern Africa. There I will receive training with a long-range desert patrol and possibly be considered for an American team to begin working before the U.S. officially becomes a part of the Allies. I'm ready.
My last night with the French and we are had quite a celebration. Lots of wine, bread and cheese and several ladies with whom to enjoy the evening. The men have been so appreciative of the training they received. They are hopeful they will be able to train others and use the knowledge in defense of their country. All of them made it a point to thank me, even Louis and Yves, who I still can't quite trust. They presented me with a parting gift—a red kepi to remember them by and remind me that I am a true ally.
The next morning, I was waiting for the plane to take me to Benghazi, a little hungover from the previous evening's festivities, when word reached us that Louis and Yves were dead. Overnight they had travelled to Toulouse and attempted to bomb the small Vichy government office there. They were discovered and killed. What a waste.
I keep thinking that maybe I should have trusted my gut more and shared my suspicions with Sergeant Thomas. Could that have prevented this fiasco? A number of civilians, including women and children were killed. Did I mess up in training my men? Forget to teach them something? I keep going over and over everything in my head. I know I keep things inside and brood about them and this will keep me occupied for a long time. What could I have done differently? Should I have spoken more with Louis and Yves and impressed the importance of teamwork more than I did? One thing I have learned is to better trust my gut when it's trying to tell me something. I need to work more on speaking up when I'm working with a team. My silence could lead to disastrous consequences. Easier said than done. It's hard to change the pattern of a lifetime.
I guess I won't have a lot of time to dwell on this foolish act since I'm getting closer to North Africa and what awaits for me there. As the French say, "C'est la Guerre." That's war.