大象传媒

EPISODE 2 OF 鈥楨xodus From France鈥� from 鈥淛UST AN ORDINARY MAN鈥�

Such a call to duty was not well received. We had no food and very little arms and equipment resulting from our perilous escape from Petrol Island. The Officers in charge took the initiative by detailing two senior NCOs and about twenty other ranks, including our very able Artificer, plus two of our own gun towing lorries in an attempt to redress this balance by seeking out the nearest RASC Depot, which also happened to be closer to enemy lines. The occupants of the depot were themselves already in the preparation of beating a hasty retreat so the party found little difficulty in persuading them of the urgency of obtaining whatever supplies were available without the necessity of presentation of triplicate requisition forms and other red tape.

A few hours later loud cheers from us heralded the return of the detail. We lined the roadway where the cheering grew louder when it was revealed that the returning party with the lorries were being escorted by three small British Army Tanks; also acquired by the smooth talking persuasive NCO Artificer. He had managed after many attempts, to refuel and get the Tanks mobile giving the necessary five-minute lessons to two other unwilling drivers. How they managed to get back to us, intact and without knocking down the village on the way is beyond imagination.

The contents of the vehicles were duly unloaded under supervision and the spoils eagerly snapped up by cold and hungry soldiers. Apart from the usual canned foods and biscuits we were presented with a share of cigarettes and spirits, obviously donated to uplift our own

As usual, during times of stress and tragedy, there are always tales unfolding of great humour, making bad times fade into insignificance. Such an occasion arose on the following morning. One of the recently acquired Tanks being prepared for war service was becoming troublesome and refusing to start. The Artificer arrived on the scene intending to use his mechanical skills to rectify the problem. Lowering himself into the Tank he disappeared from view and into the working parts. After a short period of silence came an almighty bang!! Fearing the worst we all approached the Tank with caution hoping to offer any assistance. To our surprise, the tank lid lifted slowly, from within appeared the head of the Artificer, who from his appearance and to our utter relief appeared uninjured. But the apparition that appeared caused fits of uncontrollable laughter from us all, the face we saw was covered with black soot. The problem had been a blocked exhaust that had exploded filling the tank with soot and smoke. What was even more hilarious was the sound of one of our group in the background singing 鈥淢ammy鈥� Even the Artificer鈥檚 face broke into a huge grin.

More to follow.

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