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Post by Harry Hamilton on Feb 26, 2010 17:59:59 GMT -5
"Down, Hamilton!" He could barely hear his commanding officer's yell as a shell just exploded right next to them. He dove into a ditch, choking as he inhaled the desert sand. It was stinging his eyes, his nose, and his face. His hearing gradually came back to him, but all he could hear was silence. There was something laying across his legs. His CO's body was lying there, lifeless and dead. The surviving members of his platoon were in a panic, seeing the body of their commander. Was he going to die too? Lying in a foxhole in the middle of the desert in North Africa, while the Germans decimated their army? Would he ever see home again? Harry's eyes flew open. Another dream about the same thing--one of his first battles in North Africa. He'd been terrified, and certain that he would die. Of course, he didn't die, but the battle taught him they he could die at any moment. In a matter of seconds, his commanding officer, Lieutenant Hargrove, had died--right in front of him. The event shocked Harry, and gave him a more sobering outlook on the war. When he'd joined the army, he thought the war would be over in no time. He couldn't have been farther from the truth. He sat on the edge of his bed and put his head in his hands. He'd gotten the afternoon off, but now he couldn't sleep. All he could think about was that battle. Would he go into combat again soon? Would he survive? What was to become of him in the next few weeks? Harry wondered if his father ever felt like this. He'd read his war diary, but to him it didn't show any signs of fear or doubt. He'd always wanted to be like his father, in every way. He had the biggest influence on him as a child and even more so now. Harry supposed the only thing he could do was pray and hope for the best. He had known when he had enlisted that there was a great chance that he'd die in this war. He knew that. He wanted to serve his country. It just hadn't been so plain to him until now.
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Post by Daniel Steinert on Feb 27, 2010 8:43:53 GMT -5
Why do some people die, and others live? that is the question Daniel had been thinking about. He had seen combat before but not it was catching up to him. He had lost good men and seen leaders torn apart by metal. "how much longer was the war going to last?" he thought. The cot was a luxury that the base offered, but it created an even bigger problem; the inability to fall asleep. Without the sky to look at and put Daniel's mind at peace he was unable to fall asleep.
Daniel got up, put on his boots and tied them loosely. the barracks was almost half empty since they had taken so many casualties and they moved 3rd platoon in with them to make room for the 1st infantry which shared the base. He slowly walked towards the door inspecting his men. Most were just kids sent to serve their country. when he got to the cot of Ted Grudier he noticed he was awake. he was the only one of his men who had seen combat with him. "Hey Ted, why don't we get up for a while?" "okay" said Ted. He tied his boots up loosely without the leggings and the two started towards the door. When they were almost there he saw another person awake who seemed to be sweating and had his hands over his face. Daniel saw the sergeant chevrons sewed in his uniform and thought up what to say. "Sergeant, you want to come with us, we are just going out for a little air and maybe some cards?"
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Post by Harry Hamilton on Feb 28, 2010 16:22:36 GMT -5
Harry ran a hand through his brown hair miserably. Why the hell did those stupid Japs have to go and bomb Pearl Harbor? Then they wouldn't be in this mess. He'd be back home getting ready to take over his father's store. Maybe he'd be in college, studying architecture. There was a whole world of possibilities of what he'd be doing right now had the war not started. But then again, as much as he hated to admit it, the war had brought him good things as well. If there had been no war, chances are he'd never had met Elsa, the nurse he was in love with. He wouldn't have met the friends he never would have known had he not joined the service. Despite all this, he was still uneasy, and unable to rest. He had been planning to get some extra sleep this afternoon, which was now impossible. Luckily for him, a T/5 and another man approached him with a friendly invitation. "Sergeant, you want to come with us, we are just going out for a little air and maybe some cards?" Harry looked up at the Technician and nodded. "Thank you, Corporal, I think I might join you." he replied. He wondered how long they had been watching him. He began to feel a little self conscious and embarassed that he'd shown his despair so conspicuously. He retrieved his garrison cap from his pillow and put it on before standing up and facing the two men. "I'm Sergeant Hamilton, Executive Officer of the 3rd Platoon." The words sounded foreign to him, as he wasn't used to introducing himself this way. Before the war, it was just plain Harry. It proved how much the war had changed him. "And you two are?"
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Post by Daniel Steinert on Feb 28, 2010 20:39:20 GMT -5
When the Sergeant asked for who they were Daniel was opening his mouth when Ted said "Private Ted Grudier, 1st platoon." "And I am tech. corporal Daniel Steinert, 1st platoon's CO." The three started walking to the door of the barracks being careful not to disturb the others. Once outside the cool desert air felt so refreshing. They found a small table next to the barracks and sat down. "so where you from sarge? I'm from Chicago."
Questions of introduction and such went on for at least half an hour to Daniel's time sense. "I heard 3rd platoon took a beating l week ago...left most of the platoon dead." There was a long pause. "war is hell, lets hope it ends soon." Ted whipped out some cards and he said "how bout some good old Texas hold em?" Daniel agreed and they were soon immersed in poker. there was no real gambling going on, just exchanging of a few pennies and quarters.
"Say sarge you want to know what keeps me going during these times of war?" without really waiting Daniel continued: "I look at the sky...no matter where you are it always looks the same, kind of reminds me of this park in Chicago I went to as a kid whenever there were problems at home. Everybody has something they hang on to out here, without it they will go crazy after a while. Then Ted spoke up "See this here bracelet" He pulled back his sleeve "my girlfriend made it for me and I never take it off, just reminds me of what I am fighting for." "What about you, you got something of home you cary around or something?"
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Post by Harry Hamilton on Mar 1, 2010 19:43:08 GMT -5
"Nice to meet you both." Harry replied politely as they left the barracks. He sat down with the two at the table just outside of the barracks. The fresh air was a nice change from the stuffy air inside the barracks, that was for sure. He already felt rejuvenated, as if he hadn't been outside for days. "so where you from sarge? I'm from Chicago." "Hmm? Oh I'm from a small town in Pennsylvania in the mountains." he replied, feeling a little bit homesick. "Chicago, huh? The biggest city I've been in was New York, and that was when we were getting ready to deploy." That was the second reason for his joining army, besides wanting to 'get the Japs'. He wanted to see the world. "I heard 3rd platoon took a beating l week ago...left most of the platoon dead." "Oh? That's terrible! I just got transferred to this outfit. I wasn't with them then. They must have been led by Sergeant West." Harry answered. That explained why the bunkers were empty. What was out there if the Nazis wiped half of his platoon? The Corporal was quiet for a few minutes, and when he spoke, he almost caught Harry by surprise. "war is hell, lets hope it ends soon." Harry simply nodded silently. It was hell. Watching men get shot and blown up in front of you was just what he had said--hell. It was something no man should have to go through. The sooner they took care of those Kraut bastards, the better. "how bout some good old Texas hold em?" "Alright." Harry agreed with a small smile, putting a few pennies into the pot. He was soon immersed in the game, quickly forgetting about all his worries about the war. It almost felt like the days before the war. Right now he was just playing cards with the guys. There were no artillery shells, no gunshots, no screaming, no blood--just the cards and the silence of a tranquil desert camp. "Say sarge you want to know what keeps me going during these times of war? I look at the sky...no matter where you are it always looks the same, kind of reminds me of this park in Chicago I went to as a kid whenever there were problems at home. Everybody has something they hang on to out here, without it they will go crazy after a while." Harry nodded in agreement. They were under one sky. He looked up impulsively at the cloudless sapphire sky, again thinking of his hometown. He remembered hunting with his friends, swimming in the river, playing baseball on many a summer day... "See this here bracelet? my girlfriend made it for me and I never take it off, just reminds me of what I am fighting for" Harry knew what he was fighting for. Or rather who he was fighting for. Though it would make him blush to admit it, she was the only thing that gave him courage, that kept him strong. There was no way he was going to let the Axis win. "What about you, you got something of home you cary around or something?" "Well, no not from home..but one of the nurses stationed here gave me this." He reached into his service coat and briefly showed them a maroon-colored scarf before replacing it. "I guess that's what reminds me of what I'm fighting for."
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Post by Tech Sgt. John Whitmoor on Mar 3, 2010 0:11:35 GMT -5
Tech. Sgt. John Whitmoor, was out for a little stroll in the night air. During a short leave after Husky, John and his men had been stationed here for a while, for some R&R. John had been lucky, not losing any men this time around, but had lost a few men during Torch, and many of his friends from other platoons had lost a lot of men, some platoons even getting wiped out. It was hard for John to attend some of the funeral services, but he had, and kept image too, which was important.
Thinking about all this, he came across three men, playing a card game outside on an abandoned table. As he got closer, John could hear talk about lovers back at home, and was that the clinking of change he heard? John decided to investigate further, and walked over to the group. Luckily, they were all lower ranked than John, the highest being a Sergeant, then a Technitian 5th Grade, referred to as Corporal, and a Private. "Good evening boys," John said to the group. "I hate to break the party, but it looks like there is gambling going on here. Why are you three out here?"
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Post by Harry Hamilton on Mar 3, 2010 13:07:15 GMT -5
"Well, boys, thank you for cheering me up. Here are your pennies back.." he handed them both their original bets and took his own three pennies off of the table, sticking them in his pocket. "I think I'm going to go to the Blue Barrel. Would you men like to-" "I hate to break the party, but it looks like there is gambling going on here. Why are you three out here?" Harry looked up at the newcomer, not very much liking his tone. He saw the stripes on his shoulder, seeing that the officer was a Tech. Sergeant a few steps above himself. Nevertheless, Harry was under his authority, as much as he hated his chickenshit. He rose to his gangling height of 6'3" and saluted before returning his hand to his side. "Good evening, Sergeant. These men found me in the barracks, and they invited me outside, since I was suffering from insomnia. I accompanied these men outside for a breath of air. They invitited me to play cards, and I took them up on their invitation. We were using coins as chips, as it is necessary when playing this particular game, but there was no serious gambling going on here. As you can see, we all have our money back that we started out with, meaning that there was no risk or stake involved--which is the legal definiton of gambling, staking, or risking something in a contest. Regardless of the outcome, we would all have our pennies of back--nothing was at stake. No one was to receive, or lose anything. "But I do realize, sir, what was intended to be an innocent game would be perceived as a harmful engagment in gambling to exterior entities. I take full responisblity for this, the men just wanted to take my mind off of the war during this brief respite from combat. It shan't happen again." he replied calmly and smoothly, looking the Sergeant straight in the eye. He didn't and hadn't taken the game seriously. He knew that NCOs and officers weren't supposed to gamble with their men, but he wasn't sure about the Technician 5th Grade. That's why he gave them their money back at the end. That and he never gambled anyway. He hardly ever drank or smoked as well. And he only cursed in combat. Harry was just a small-town kid who joined the army to fight the Japs. But despite his simple ways, he was smart, and he was disciplined and could follow orders--but that didn't mean that he didn't know how to rationally and respectfully defend his actions. Legally, they'd done nothing wrong. There were no stakes, and according to US law, that was not gambling.
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Post by Tech Sgt. John Whitmoor on Mar 3, 2010 17:07:13 GMT -5
John returned the Sergeant's salute, and patiently listened to the story, when he was done, thought of a response. After a few seconds of silence, John responded. "Well, that's all perfectly fine. Of course, I wasn't really going to bust you for gambling. I have a slight problem with it sometimes, and I understand your feelings. I was out here thinking about this war as well. If you have time, I would like to join your game. Of course, legally, we can't really gamble, but your idea of using coins as substitute chips is a good idea." John sat down in the 4th, empty chair, and leaned back. "Now then, do any of you boys know how to play 7 card stud? It's my favorite poker variant."
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Post by Harry Hamilton on Mar 3, 2010 20:17:44 GMT -5
Harry nearly breathed a sigh a relief. "Thank you, sir." he answered, saluting once more before taking a seat. Upon hearing his request to join them, he nodded in consent. "Sure, go right ahead." He pulled up a seat for the Tech Sergeant. "No, I haven't played it before..how do you play?" he asked in curiousity. He didn't really play card games, though in high school some of his friends taught him how to play poker. "Cigarette, anyone?" he asked, pulling out his pack and offering it to each man in the group. He took out one for himself and lit it before beginning to smoke. It was something he hardly ever did, but every since he joined the Army it was quickly becoming a stress-reliever and a horrible habit. He looked over at the Tech Sergeant again, noticing a Screaming Eagles patch on his arm. He gestured at the patch. "Are you with the 101st Airborne, sir?" he asked. He'd considered joining the Airborne, but he had decided he was cut out better for the normal infantry. Maybe someday he'd volunteer for them. He heard that the training was even more backbreaking than the regular infantry training. But after all he'd been through in North Africa, he had no doubt that he could handle it. Once a man had been through hell, he was ready for anything. That's the only good thing about war.
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Post by Tech Sgt. John Whitmoor on Mar 19, 2010 22:04:23 GMT -5
"7 card is easy. I'll deal some cards, and show you along the way." John dealt the men there two facedown cards and one faceup card. "Ok, ante is, oh, let's say one dime." John set a dime in the center. "And then I'll put a card down, you bet, and we repeat." John dealt a faceup card to everybody and he put down a nickel. John took the cigarette from Harry. "Thank you, I actually lost my last pack in training yesterday. It's actually pretty embarrassing. But, I still have my lighter, thank God." John took out his lighter, a Zippo with a 101st decal, and lit the cigarette, sighing as he took his first puff.
John looked down at his 101st patch when Harry motioned to it, and nodded. "That I am, Harry, and you don't have to call me sir. We're playing poker. Just call me John." John dealt out another faceup card to everybody, and threw in another nickel. "I joined when I saw the first poster, wanted to be a part of a revolutionary idea. Haven't done much, but if the Fallschrmjaegers can take Crete, just think what we can do." He dealt out the third faceup card. "If you're interested in volunteering, make sure you join the Airborne Infantry. Don't join the glider corps. Also, training is very difficult, but you do get to go back home for a while, so that's good."
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Post by Harry Hamilton on Mar 19, 2010 22:24:35 GMT -5
Harry listened to the Tech Sergeant's instructions and nodded. He put down a nickel and took a puff of his cigarette. "Lost it in training?" Harry asked, raising a brown eyebrow with an amused grin. He watched the other man lit his cigarette, and saw the glint of his lighter, complete with a 101st decal. "Yes s-John." Harry replied. "It's nice to meet you." He listened interestedly as John explained why he joined the paratroopers. "It is a great idea. You know, I thought about joining the 101st, but my dad was an infantry officer back in the Great War, and you know, I wanted to be like him, since he's my Pa and all." he explained, taking another puff after he did so. "But I definitely will consider it. I just got transferred to this outfit, so I'd like to get to know my men and maybe see them through a few battles, and maybe after that we'll see what happens. It's definitely a possiblity though." He did want to join the paratroopers. They were the elites--the few, the proud, the mighty. He'd give anything to join their ranks. Harry put another nickel down and looked at John. "So, where are you from? I'm from a little town in Pennsylvania, in the Appalachians." he explained. Talking about his hometown and life before the war sure made being a soldier easier. It made him forget that they were actually fighting a war, and that they might die the next day. It gave him serenity, if only for a while, and that was important. If a soldier wasn't calm, then he was useless.
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Post by Tech Sgt. John Whitmoor on Mar 20, 2010 0:26:55 GMT -5
"Well, my father was in the Navy, but I don't want to stand helpless as an Unterseeboot takes pot shots at us. Although, we are pretty helpless in the Skytrains, but it's more fun than being on a boat. Trust me, you cannot fight when you're puking your guts out every minute." John dealt out the last cards, and decided to not put anything in this time. "Let me think, the earliest town I can remember, is a Hoovertown in Vermont, but I don't think I was born there. My parents were vagabonds for awhile, when the the Stock Market crashed, again, but I don't remember where I was born. I remember walking through the Apps, that's what my dad called them, they were pretty nice, but the air was pretty thin for long walks." John checked his cards, and found that all he could make was a straight, 8 high.
"Well, I'll put in another dime. What we do now is make the best hand we can, only 5 cards, not more, not less. And regular rules apply. Of course, with my luck, I'll probably lose. The only time I got a straight flush, the other guy got a royal flush. I lost over $80 and one of my Lugers. It was an artillery Luger, huge barrel. So, got anybody waiting at home for you, Harry?"
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Post by Harry Hamilton on Mar 20, 2010 17:24:24 GMT -5
Harry nodded, agreeing with John. He knew that many of the Allied ships had been destroyed by German U-boats, and he knew that there were Japanese kamikaze fighters that would crash into US Navy ships in the Pacific without a moment's notice. That was one of the reasons why he was glad he was in the ETO. The Japs wouldn't give up, even if it meant suicide. That was a difficult enemy to fight. "Yeah, I get a little seasick, myself." Harry answered with a chuckle. The only boat he could stay on was a fishing boat, and that wasn't for too long. He listened to John talk about his background, and he couldn't help feeling a little bit sorry for him. The Depression hadn't hit his family nearly as hard. He had led a comfortable middle class life back home. He remembered his mother's home-cooked meals, and how everyone would eat their fill. John's tale was another reminder of how fortunate he'd been in his childhood. Always count your blessings, son, his father used to tell him. He had. He still did. For one, he was alive, unlike some of his comrades. "I used to hike up there all the time. You kinda get used to it if you do it a lot, but it's still a challenge." He used to trap rabbits and deer up in the mountains. His eyes glazed over as he remembered those idyllic fall days, but he soon came to. "Well, I'll put in another dime. What we do now is make the best hand we can, only 5 cards, not more, not less. And regular rules apply. Of course, with my luck, I'll probably lose. The only time I got a straight flush, the other guy got a royal flush. I lost over $80 and one of my Lugers. It was an artillery Luger, huge barrel. So, got anybody waiting at home for you, Harry?" "Ah, I'll probably end up losing. I'm not much of a card player, that's for sure." Harry replied, laughing. "You had a Luger? I've yet to find one of those. I've always wanted one, though." He shook his head at John's question. "No one besides Ma and Pa. But I do have someone I do intend on marrying soon. She's not back home though, she's a nurse. She's stationed up at the field hospital. I was thinking about going up to see her, but she's probably busy with all the patients that keep pouring in and all." He put down another dime. "What about you? Anyone waiting for you?"
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Post by Tech Sgt. John Whitmoor on Mar 22, 2010 9:27:11 GMT -5
"Well then, let's make it interesting. Whoever wins gets to keep this." John took a Luger out of his pocket, and set it on the table on top of the money. "Don't worry. I have too many anyways. But that one's story is a good one. I was in a death struggle with a Sturmbannfuehrer of the SS, and it seemed like he was about to win. So, I grab his SS dagger right out of its sheath, slash him a few times in the face to get him off me, and deliver the finishing blow to the heart. I took the Luger, the SS dagger, and his Knights Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. I was a happy man that day, despite the broken arm."
John looke at his cards, and found that he only had a straight, 8 high. He showed the cards to the table. "Well, there you go. An 8,7,6,5,4, all in a row. I don't doubt that you have higher. It's my luck. Horrible at cards, but great in battle." John leaned back in his chair, listening to Harry. He thought about the question for a minute, and set the chair back down. "Well, I would have my parents, if I could find them. They disappeared after I got drafted, probably moved without telling me. I don't have a lover either, didn't have time then. But, maybe I'll find somebody in Europe. You never know."
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Post by Harry Hamilton on Mar 25, 2010 12:03:36 GMT -5
Harry watched in awe as John put the Luger on the table. He'd never even seen a Luger this close. He was about to refuse--he couldn't take his prized Luger, but then the Tech Sergeant added that he had plenty of them. He then told Harry how he had come to own it. "I haven't had to kill any SS Krauts yet. I did know a guy who killed one and got a Luger, but he wouldn't let me touch it." he said with a chuckle. "I can see why, since it's so difficult to get." Harry would have never casually discussed killing other men before the war. Before the war the only things he shot were rabbits and deer. The difference between hunting and war was that they were killing real intelligent beings. He didn't like it but that's what he had to do. He had to do it to keep alive and to keep his comrades alive as well. Out here it was survival of the fittest. John showed him his hand, and sure enough Harry's was higher. Actually, it was a full house. "Luck of the Irish today I guess. I'm not much of a card player either." Harry replied. He picked up the Luger and examined it. "Gee this really is a doozy." Making sure it was on safety he tucked it into his M43 jacket. He nodded at John. "Well, don't tell Elsa but the girls in Europe are very pretty." He looked at his watch and then back at John. "Well, I'd better go over to the training field. They issued me a Lee-Enfield and I have to get used to it before the next skirmish. Would you like to come along?"
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