Strange company as the Germans retreated

Dear Editor:



I went out one night on one of my sojourns while on the Italian front in an attempt to latch on to a German prisoner. Just before dawn always seemed to be the best -- they were never very alert at that time of day. I got quite close to the German lines. It was just before dawn and there seemed to be a lot of activity with tanks and armored vehicles moving. It suddenly dawned on me as to what was going on -- they were moving on the retreat again.

There was an old lateral road and it sounded like some of their vehicles were coming towards me. I decided not to take off as it was starting to get light and they would have seen me for sure. There was a culvert under the road with just enough space for me to crawl into. I did just that, but suddenly had the feeling of not being alone. It was too dark to see. As more light came in I could make them out, there they were, plenty of lizards and snakes along with a couple of rats keeping them company. I waited for a few minutes until it seemed to be quiet above, then decided to get out of there and head back to our lines. The Germans had used the culvert as shelter when our artillery opened up, and they had been eating in there, among other things, this is what drew the varmints.

I headed for our lines. On arriving where the West Novas were yesterday, another surprise was waiting for me, they were gone. They had been relieved in the night by Gurkas but no one had told me this was to take place. We often relieved the Gurkas so they could have a few days rest and they returned the favor. They were sitting on the ground sharpening their knifes, this was their weapon, they had little use for the rifle. A few of then glanced at me with those black eyes, and that made me a little uneasy, as they might have been wondering, “What is he doing here?�

I stood for a few minutes then decided to go as it was beginning to rain. I had a couple of miles to walk and was now becoming quite weary, but eventually found the West Novas.



Oren S. Foster, BEM

Deep Brook