Backpack
Carter was a boy scout. Actually, he was an eagle scout. Because of course he was. And the motto of a boy scout is "Be Prepared". So while he may lose a lot of important things (somehow it's always the compass!) he also has a lot of things in his backpack that are good for emergencies.
The most unusual thing, however, was the most unexpectedly helpful.
"Aha," said the German bearing down over Newkirk and Carter. "I know you two blew up the bridge! I will bring you to Major Hochstetter and I will be rewarded handsomely!"
Newkirk glowered at the German, while Carter nervously shifted on the ground, looking towards his friend for some sort of idea of how they were going to escape this one.
"Up on your feet dogs!" the German growled, motioning for them to stand up with his gun.
Both slowly rose to their feet. Carter reached down to grab his backpack, which the German immediately slapped down.
"And what have you got in here?" the German sneered. "More explosives to blow up more bridges?"
"No. I was grabbing it because I thought–" Carter started, but the German raised a hand to smack him and he fell silent.
"We will see!" With one hand, his gun still trained on Newkirk and Carter, the German grabbed the bag and threw it at Carter. "Open it!" he barked.
Carter looked to Newkirk who nodded. "We're already cooked, mate," he said.
Carter opened his backpack and the German peered in. Suddenly he shrieked and stumbled backwards, falling to the ground and clawing at his face. Newkirk didn't waste a second and grabbed the German's gun and slammed it into his chest. When the German went to grab his bruised ribs, Newkirk hit him in the face.
"Bloody hell, that was a close one," Newkirk said as he looked down at the unconscious man. "What was that all about anyway?"
Carter dropped his bag and then looked around near the German's head. Then he knelt down and scooped something up. He stood and held out his prize to Newkirk. It was a big, ugly bullfrog, which croaked irritably in Carter's hands.
"I caught it before we blew up the bridge. Isn't it a beaut?"
"Carter," Newkirk said, "it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen!"