The "Oranges"

I have avoided telling stories about children I met and /or had to deal with in the ETO because to tell you the God's Honest Truth those stories are too painful even today to remember and talk about.

This one isn't maudlin so here goes.

The Krauts had, as many of you know, some very sophisticated submarine facilities at or near Dieppe France. Picture if you will, for those of you who have seen it, the many faceted sphere in EPCOT in Disney World ,FL but very much larger, and underneath at very precise intervals there were entrances for Submarines to dock,rearm etc. The shell was said to be about 6 feet of reinforced concrete with many rebars. Actually, the subs could enter and not be seen from the outside at any angle. The multi-faceted face made it impervious to bombs dropped from any height due to the many,many angles.

The Allies were very interested in this facility and wanted all the Intel they could get so three of us were sent to work with some Canadians to obtain something/anything of value. There was talk that this type of structure could be used to house the Rockets the Krauts were using - thus the interest.

On the way to meet the Canadians we stopped in a tiny auberge(inn) to take ten and have something to drink. We had "moonlight requisitioned" a lot of trading stuff as we had little or no money.We entered this auberge and the couple that ran it were walking on eggs in fear as they had never seen any GIs. While we were drinking our agreed upon two drinks and eating some cheese a little girl of about 5 or 6 came out and stood staring at us. The look in her eye was incredible when we offered her a couple of ORANGES and she called to her mother for permission to take the BALLS the Americans were offering.

That completely broke the mother up and she lost it right there. Astonished, I asked what she was so upset about and after much crying she finally got it out that her daughter had NEVER SEEN a real orange since she was born after the Krauts had taken over. We decided that we would give all the ORANGES to the little girl(6 or 7 as I remember) and then I saw the anxiety on the woman's face and she kept looking at her husband as she asked me what do you want in return. I was only 20 years old but I didn't have to be a rocket scientist to know what she meant. Relief virtually flooded her face when I asked for cognac or for some good wine in trade only.

Laugh if you want but I can still see that little girl holding her mother's hand and waving au revoir to us and I probably always will see her.

two people

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This is one thing that always bothered me. When they kept telling the Medics(God Bless Them) that they weren't Combat Soldiers or were in Combat! Hello There!

Sgtleo

I hope these stories interest you. If not let me know as a former "Top" I have an alligator skin-not sensitive to criticism or correction offerred. Have more stories if they are wanted but don't want to be a bore.

Here's one more you may enjoy:- This is the "BAD PATTON"

Remember hearing snippets of this story at "Lucky Forward" (3rd Army HQ.) when someone dared to tell it.

The General is NOT always Right!!!!!

There was an editorial Writer for a Boston,MA newspaper by the name of Donald Murray(I believe he may now be deceased) who served time as an MP for the 101 AB Div. during WW II.

THE STORY FOLLOWS:_

One day he,Don Murray,was at a cross-roads with a Staff Sgt. when Gen. Geo. Patton came down the road and asked where such and such a unit was.

Don was on the passenger's side so he saluted and asked permission to see the General's Sector map and proceeded to indicate the unit's position on the map. Gen. Patton said "OK driver take the right hand fork-that's the shortest route".

"I wouldn't if I were the General Sir" says Don!!"

Gen. Patton reaches over his driver's body and said "Staff Sgt. tell that Pvt.-he DOESN'T tell the General what to do and which way to go!

"But Sir said the Staff Sgt............." but zoom the General HAD gone

down the right fork.

Seconds later,after two bursts of a Schmeizer Machine Pistol,the jeep roars back through the cross road-burning rubber!!!!

Don and the Staff SGT. had to hide their laughter until the jeep was out of sight and sound because they saw the bullet holes in the right rear quarter panel of the jeep.

"TS" said the Staff-"you tried to tell him the Krauts were only a short ride down that road but we are only enlisted after all!!"

Too many times the Officers thought the MP was out there all alone for something other than his real purpose. Officers were never brought to a cross road and dropped off and then told hold this post until relieved or maybe even KIA like some of these men were.

That's how close Don and the Staff Sgt. were to the Krauts. Actually TOO CLOSE!!!!

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Here is the "GOOD PATTON".

Here is a true anecdote in which I was personally involved and one which should show just how much he could be concerned for his men.

Sometime late in early Oct. there was to be a conference between Gen. Bradley;Gen.Patton and Gen. Hodges. We were asked to provide and escort for Gen. Patton to and from the conference. A Staff Car was provided for the Gen. and it was to be sandwiched in between an armored jeep,a half track in front and a half track and a jeep following. Being one of the lucky ones, I won the job of manning the .50cal MG on the trailing jeep which meant that I had to stand with both hands on the weapon. It was a cold,rainy miserable day and although the ride wasn't all that long,we became cold and wet to the skin before we arrived at the conference site.

As they entered the building,we were told by a Mess Sgt. there,that we could go around back and get some coffee if we wanted. Gen. Patton overheard this and bellowed(as only he could)-where is the ^%$%^%^^* )Mess Officer for this group. Relunctantly,the MO appeared and the Gen. told him that we were his escort and he(the MO)was to provide a HOT meal ASAP NOT just coffee. After that, he(the MO) was to arrange that we all get a clean dry set of uniforms for the trip back because his escort was to be able to function 100%.

I never knew that canned hot beef stew,with white bread and hot coffee would make a meal fit for a king. My hands were so cold I couldn't even open the buckle on my cartridge belt without help also would have had trouble with the thumbs on the .50cal on the Jeep.

I have to admit that by being a little sneaky I even got an extra set of new,dry socks to stuff inside my shirt. Up until this point we had called him(Very,Very quietly) every name in the book for riding in an enclosed Staff car while we had not cover at all.

Here,I think Love/Hate says it all

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Here is General George Smith Patton our "fearlesss leader"

Sgtleo

I purchased this book because of Roque's and Marion's recommendations. It is a big thick hardcover book at a fair price of around $20, including shipping.

I just love this guy's sense of humor. He throws these little bits of humor here and there.

"No one ever knew whether the French police no longer needed asistance or whether the Platoon was badly needed back at the garrison to reinforce the Battalion in its efforts to put down insurgent insects in their attempts to regain control of the Fort. " pg 137.

Brooke