...
August went by quickly and soon; they were in September. On the thirteenth, the Officers from 2nd Battalion were called up to the schoolhouse for a meeting. Winters and Nora left their home just after dinner and journeyed to Strayer's HQ as the sun was beginning to set. Inside the dining room, the table was almost full of Officers from 2nd Battalion. Strayer wasn't present and in his stead was Major Horton, Strayer's Executive Officer. Before Nora could take her seat next to Winters, her eyes spotted the large map pinned up against a wall. There were red circles marked on various roads, bridges, towns, and villages, in Holland. Her country. It felt like the wind had been knocked out of Nora; she could hardly catch her breath. With Captain Winters's hand atop her shoulder, Nora was soon forced to sit down…
"Sir, it's…".
"I know". Winters cast her a small, worried, smile.
Nora sighed and looked back toward the map. "It's home". She whispered.
"Relax gentlemen, lady…". Horton soon spoke up, "Smoke 'em if you've got 'em". Horton pointed to the map, "This is Operation Market Garden. It's a combined air/ground thrust intended to smash through the German lines and get us into Germany itself". He sighed, "And it's a monster".
With Winters giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze, Nora tried not to look too worried and stunned. It was odd, seeing her country being the centre of attention. And it was crazy knowing that she'd need to invade her own country in order to take it back…
Horton continued, "Four days from now, over one thousand five hundred C-47s and another four hundred fifty-plus gliders will be taking off from twenty-four different airfields. They will drop three entire Airborne Divisions behind Kraut lines. The British 1st Airborne, the guys who wear those red beanies…".
"Berets". Someone chimed in.
"Whatever gets the brass ring". Horton muttered. He said, "Arnhem. There they will seize and hold the bridge over the Rhine. The 82nd is next in line – they will be dropped around Nijmegen and will take the town and hold the bridges over the Mass River, the Mass-Waal Canal, and the Waal River. Our drop area will be here…between the Wilhelmina Canal, the Willems Canal, and the Aar River. Our objectives are the six bridges in that area, the Son Bridge, the bridges at Willems Canal and the four bridges around Veghel and Aar. We will also liberate Eindhoven itself…".
Nora's eyebrows softly raised at the last piece of information. Eindhoven. She had been there before, as a small child. Nora went with her grandparents and her brother; they took a bus…
"Meanwhile…". Horton said, "The British XXX Corps is going to throw everything it has up this road in a rapid dash toward the Rhine. Our job, besides taking the bridges – intact, I might add – is to hold this road open. That's a fifteen-mile stretch, and if Jerry cuts it anywhere, it screws up the entire operation. The idea is to get to Arnhem and relieve the Brit Paratroopers in two days".
"What's the distance?" Winters asked.
"Sixty-five miles…". Nora replied, even though the question wasn't for her.
Horton nodded and added, "Sixty-five miles of two-laned, hard-surfaced road. And, if you're at all familiar with Holland, you'll know it's wide-open and as flat as an iron board. Like I said, this is a monster".
Nora asked, "What's the opposition, sir? Last time I was there…it was filled with Nazis".
Horton gestured toward Nixon, who stepped forward and took centre stage…
"We're assured by G-2 that the Germans have been seriously hurt by the setbacks of this past summer and are unlikely to be able to put up any type of organised resistance". Nixon said, "Plus, the Brits tell us that the Germans in this area are poorly trained, second-rate troops, either kids fresh out of Hitler Youth or older men not deemed fit for frontline duty. The consensus is they can be quickly pushed aside".
Some snorts of laughter erupted…
"Whether you believe it or not". Horton said, "Don't count on this one being cancelled. This is the brainchild of Field Marshal Sir Bernard Law Montgomery, and you know how he likes to have his ass kissed. So, brief your men, pack your gear and make sure you have adequate ammo and supplies. Tomorrow, we leave for our marshalling area, which is the airfield at Membury. You'll brief your Companies there. Dismissed".
The dining area was quickly cleared, and Winters, Nora, and Nixon stepped outside together. By now, it was getting dark, the sun had almost fully set. Nixon placed a cigarette between his lips and lit it up. After taking a drag, he stared down at Nora and briefly wondered what was going on inside her head…
"We have contacts from inside". Nixon told Nora, "The resistance in Eindhoven".
Nora said, "I can translate".
Nixon nodded, "Yeah". He said, "I highly doubt it'll be old men and kids".
"No, it won't be". Nora said, "Why would Hitler put his worst in the Netherlands? It has the biggest port system in Europe. They need that port, to cut off all supplies and aid going into Europe from the Allies".
Nixon nodded along with her, "Yeah. However, I'll tell Easy exactly what I told you guys because that's my order. They 'wanna put all their hope into this mission, they think it'll be over by Christmas. A lot of money has gone into Market Garden".
"There's a lot of ground to cover, in such a short space of time". Winters pointed out, "We'll need to move really fast and get to those bridges as quickly as possible".
Nora said, "I wouldn't be surprised if the Germans already know we're coming".
"What makes you think that?" Winters asked.
"Holland is full of collaborators, sir". She said, "A lot of Dutch would do just about anything for money or safe passage. And some of them just really believe in the Nazis".
Nixon sighed, "That thought crossed my mind".
"They put guns in the windmills". Nora warned them, "They'll probably use them to take our planes down".
"Windmills. Noted". Nixon said, "I hope we don't have to shoot those windmills down. I like the look of them".
"You and me both". Nora said softly. Lips rubbed together in thought, and a tiny smile soon formed. She stared up at the Officers and looked between them. "But we might actually do it".
Winters smiled down at Nora and nodded. "That's right, Nora. We could liberate the entire country".
Nora's smile widened. "Wow", she whispered, "Imagine that". Nora couldn't think of the whole thing failing, she had to think positively. It would work. The Dutch would get their home back. After years of occupation, they were going to be freed. No more laws, no more rules, no more Nazis, no more killings…and Nora was going to play a huge part in taking back her country and freeing its people. Tears stung the corner of her eyes. "I'm going to save them".
Smiling still, Winters clapped Nora's shoulder. "Come on, Nora…let's go home".
…
She dreamed about home and awoke to the feeling of Winters giving her shoulder a gentle shake. It was time to leave Aldbourne and journey to Membury. And it was time to bid a final farewell to Mr and Mrs Barnes. They wouldn't be coming back to England. Nora would miss the Barnes's and her little room she shared with Winters above the grocers. She would miss helping Mr Barnes in the garden and her runs with Winters in the countryside. Nora would miss the two pubs in the village, and having a homecooked meal every night…
Winters and Nora spent the entire morning packing away all their belongings. The items that were left behind, would be sent away to await their return. Everything else was stuffed inside their duffel bags, which sat outside the Barnes's cottage. Now, it was time to say goodbye to Mr and Mrs Barnes. Sitting up in his bed, Mr Barnes watched the two Paratroopers enter his room…
"You're leaving now, kids?" Mr Barnes asked.
"Yes, sir". Winters said, "But it's nothing for you to worry about. Just another one of those extended field exercises the army are so fond of".
Mr Barnes smiled sadly upon Winters and then sent Nora a friendly wink. "You're a good lad, Richard". Mr Barnes said, "You're a fine soldier and you're every bit the man I think my own son would have become. But you're a God-awful lair…".
Winters huffed out a faint laugh, while Nora smiled small…
Mr Barnes said, "I've seen the preparations and heard the trucks rattling past. They're sending you back to the Continent". Winters opened his mouth to speak, but Mr Barnes raised his hand and said, "It's alright. You didn't want to worry the old man. Just make sure you come back. Both of you. And if I'm not here when you do, you be sure to stop in and see Mother and let her know you're well".
"I'll do that, sir". Winters promised him.
Outside, they heard the sound of a jeep pulling up outside the cottage…
Mr Barnes gave them both a nod, "Off with you, then. And God be with you".
"Sir". Winters shook the man's hand and stepped aside, letting Nora through…
"Ah, pet". Mr Barnes smiled at the girl, "Be sure to watch out for Richard, take care of each other".
Nora smiled softly and faintly nodded. "I promise, Mr Barnes".
"I'm immensely proud of you". He said, "Both of you. I just know you'll do well".
Nora took a hold of Mr Barnes, "Thank you…for everything, Mr Barnes".
Mr Barnes smiled and gave Nora's hand a squeeze. "It's been a pleasure, Nora Clopper".
Winters and Nora knew they would never see Mr Barnes again. It was hard to let go of the old man's hand, knowing Nora would never see him again, but she had to let go. Standing next to the opened front door, Mrs Barnes dabbed the tears from her cheeks with a tissue…
"Let me know how he's doing?" Winters asked the older woman, referring to Mr Barnes.
"I'll write". Mrs Barnes promised, with a wet sniff.
"Thank you, for everything". Winters said, "I'll be back".
"I know you will". Mrs Barnes replied. "Goodbye and God bless you". She kissed Winters's cheek and then pulled Nora into a fierce hug. "Now, you listen to Richard out there, won't you? You be a good girl and get back to me".
"Yes, Mrs Barnes". Nora hugged the old woman tightly, her face pressed up against Mrs Barnes's woolly cardigan.
"Oh, I'll miss you, dear". Mrs Barnes pulled back from the hug, kissing Nora's cheek. She smiled, with tears in her eyes. "Go on now, don't keep them waiting".
Taking hold of the duffel bags, Winters tossed them in the back of the jeep while Nora made herself comfortable in the backseat. Looking over her shoulder, she waved at Mrs Barnes, who waved back. Winters took the front seat and gave Mrs Barnes a wave. The driver waited until their goodbyes were final…
Winters slapped the dashboard and said, "Let's go. Hitler's waiting".
Nora didn't stop waving to Mrs Barnes until the jeep rounded a corner and they were out of sight. Drawing out a sigh, she faced the front and lowered her hand. Nora felt sad to be leaving the Barnes's, but it was her turn now, it was Holland's turn to be saved. A flutter of nerves soon appeared in Nora's stomach. Gosh, she was frightened to see her country again. Nora feared there would be nothing left in Holland, only ash…
Winters looked over his shoulder, checking on Nora. "Okay, kiddo?"
Raising her eyes, Nora gave him a faint nod. "Yeah. Fine, sir".
"Mr Barnes was…".
"He was great". Nora cut Winters off quietly.
He smiled. "He really was, huh?"
"Yeah, I'll…". Feeling herself getting choked up, Nora cleared her throat and looked away from Winters. "I'll miss him, yeah".
"I believe in an afterlife, where we'll be reunited". Winters said, "That may not be the case for you, but it's something I've always believed in".
Nora shrugged faintly and said, "I won't say anything bad about that, sir…it sounds nice".
Winters smiled gently at the girl. "If I happen to be right, I won't look too smug when we meet at the pearly white gates".
Nora snorted out a tiny laugh, shaking her head. "I appreciate that, sir". She asked, "Do you think it is white gates, sir?"
"No". He admitted softly, "I think it's something much greater than we could ever imagine".
"A room full of chocolate cake…".
Smiling fondly at Nora, Winters chuckled. "If that's your idea of Heaven, then why not? That sounds delightful".
"I thought so too, sir". A tiny smile met Nora's lips at the sound of Winters's chuckle. But the smile didn't last long, home was soon on her mind again and that queasy feeling reappeared. Nora exhaled a long breath and admitted, "I'm frightened, sir".
"About Holland?" Winters guessed.
"Yeah".
Winters told her, "No matter what state it's in, we can rebuild and start anew. That's the beauty of life, Nora – we can always correct things that are wrong and make them right again".
Nora asked, "What if it's just a pile of ash, sir?"
"It won't be". Winters said, "But if you happen to be right, then from the ashes, there will be life".
"Like the Phoenix, sir?" Nora asked.
He smiled, nodding. "The one and only, Nora. In order to rise from its own ashes, a Phoenix must burn".
"That poor bird…".
Winters huffed, amused by her comment. "Yeah. Poor guy".
Leaning back against the seat, Nora's arms crossed over her chest. Head turning to the side, she watched familiar houses and businesses pass by as they drove out of Aldbourne. Upon driving by the Sergeant's home on London Road, a smile met Nora's lips…
"I'm glad you gave Bill his Sergeant title back, sir". Nora faced forward, staring up at Winters.
He snorted, "I'd like to forget that ever happened".
"You don't find it funny, sir?" Nora held up her hand and almost pressed two fingers together. She said, "Not even a little bit funny, sir?"
Smiling, Winters chuckled quietly and shook his head. "Absolutely not, Lieutenant Clopper. I should have kept him as a Private".
Nora said, "We'd be lost without a Sergeant like Guarnere, sir".
"I agree". Winters admitted, "That's why I didn't take away his stripes".
Nora thought back to all the NCO's Easy currently had. Men like Guarnere, Toye, Malarkey, Grant, Johnny Martin, Bull, Talbert, Skip, all of them. Nora said, "We're lucky to have them, sir".
Winters smiled, "I agree, Nora". He added, "Even if they do occasionally bring Chippies home".
Nora chuckled quietly at the comment.