- Contributed by听
- Colin D. Rae
- People in story:听
- Douglas H. Rae (Battery Sergeant Major)
- Location of story:听
- Nijmegen Holland
- Background to story:听
- Army
- Article ID:听
- A8031782
- Contributed on:听
- 24 December 2005
While driving up through Holland in the last stages of WW2 in Europe, I lost my temper and very nearly my rank!
I was passenger in an army lorry, towing a 45 pound artillery piece and 50 rounds of ammunition. The gunner (private) driver was given orders by me, to put his foot down. My reason was that Nazi tiger tanks were firing down this road from hidden positions, in nearby bushes and trees. The driver needed no encouragement and sped wildly onwards, avoiding the shell holes on the road towards Nijmegen.
I looked through the open passenger window and saw hundreds of American troops, streaming back away from the front line. They appeared to be infantry, but most were without weapons, helmets or other equipment.
Suddenly one of these Americans, leapt up onto my side of the running board of the lorry. He pushed his dirty face into the cab and shouted at me, 鈥淗ey, hit me with a cigarette will yer?鈥 My reply was a suggestion that he 鈥渨ent away urgently鈥 or words to that effect. He repeated his demand and again I told him to 鈥済et off of my vehicle.鈥 Leaning into the cab further, the American now stretched his filthy arm over to the driver shouting 鈥済imme a cigarette, hit me buddy.鈥 Having been boxing for my regiment, I found it very easy to draw back my clenched fist and comply in part, with his request!
With blood pouring from his nose, the American shot off of the lorry and into the nearby ditch. He must have been alive and O.K. as I spotted him in the side mirror,
jumping to his feet and shouting out comments about my parents, plus many other interesting and descriptive adjectives about me!
The battlefield noises seemed to fade for a moment, as my driver drove on staring ahead and I realised the serious implications of what I had just done.
鈥淗ow much did you see of that American?鈥 I asked the driver.
He turned towards me grinning from ear to ear and saying,
鈥淵ank, I didn鈥檛 see no yank sir!鈥
Thrusting my bloody hand into my battledress pocket, I dragged out my last two very grubby Woodbine cigarettes. Lighting them both, I passed one to the driver and not another word was spoken, all the way to Nijmegen!
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