大象传媒

The 12th KRRC were in Opheusen, Holland, October 1944, carrying out a 6-man night patrol reccy. In the village centre, the patrol were approached by a Dutch freedom fighter.
His brief: "German lone tank expected to move forward in action". Patrol discussed the situation, agreed action for one rifleman to lay prone with rifle, awaiting appearance on enemy tank. Remainder of patrol to retreat back to earlier British lines. Lone soldier to fire rifle as warning on appearance of tank, patrol to return with relief.
The lone soldier wrote the following poem to take aggro out of the action, to recover the situation calmly, and subdue the 'gremlins in the head'.

A Day In The Life Of World War Two.
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The Dutchman was insistant, as
He briefed our High Command -
The enemy meant business, as
They overran his land.

With guns, and tanks, and deep intent -
Regain all they had lost;
Our little squad would feel that force,
Their strength - no matter what.

We gathered 'round - discussed it well,
One man suffice to warn -
Then they withdrew, that man stretched out
Across the road - alone.

One shot they said, would be enough -
They'd be prepared - they'd know,
'Good luck, old man' - relief would come -
If night was first to show.

At first a lonely vigil -
Many thoughts - this was his job -
But with the road beneath his breast,
He felt life hard enough.

The sun then threw a challenge, and
Began to warm his heart -
The silence took his fear away,
Belief grew far apart.

And then - a scuffle at his side,
A form on hands and knees -
A brave Dutch lady offered him
Hot coffee, with a - 'Please'?

No more was said - both still in doubt -
She crept away fulfilled;
That man felt good - not so alone -
And not a drop was spilled.

The black cat next - a safe refuge -
Had rolled up on his back;
A little purr put it to sleep -
What should that soldier think.

In disbelief, the man took stock,
And offered prayers for sure;
What saw him through that danger day?
His youth? - new friends? - or more?

They did not see the foe that day,
The village stayed force free,
That Dutchman disappeared from view,
His mind clear - obviously!

The enemy pressed in that night,
To prove the Dutchman true -
For seven nights an iron ring
Was tightened 'round those few.

The squad withstood all pressure - and
Drew back - to fight anew -
That lonely soldier - still perplexed -
Remained in doubt to know

As who would now believe his tale,
That day in World War Two -
With that brave lady - and her cat -
Well - they knew - now do you!

Words put together by Leon Alexander(pen name of Leonard Alexander Sydney Spurge - rifleman of 12th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps). In action Septemer 1944 through Belgium and Holland. After story through Holland, Belgium, Germany, the Rhine. Fighting stopped - Bremervoide then occupation at Hanover.

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