Tuesday June 6th

I wake up in my cot startled by a figure standing over me. It is early morning and the sky has a dark blue from where the rays of the sun are just beginning to rise. It's Kurtz but he is more hyper than usual. He speaks jittering almost to the point of rambling at an almost incomprehensible speed. "Hey hey hey Franz, wake up it's a pretty day. You wanna go outside? I like flowers. Do you like flowers? Ah let's have bacon for breakfast!" I look at the mad boy, who is foaming at the mouth, utterly confused. Obrenski is awake now and he checks a small capsule case. "Dammit!" He exclaims. He rises and grabs the chattering incoherent Kurtz by the back of the collar and drags him out the door, I follow. He marches up to the Lieutenant's shack with Kurtz gleefully exclaiming," Yay! Are we going on an adventure? I like adventures. Obrenski you're really strong." Obrenski bangs on the shack door and an already awake Lieutenant Sprieg opens it for him. Otto the cat stands curiously by the Lieutenant, he likes to stay in the Lieutenant's shack some nights. Obrenski then moves Kurtz in front of him like he is presenting an offer. "He got into the damn Pervitin again." Pervitin is a stimulant we were issued to keep us awake. "Hi Lieutenant, watcha looking at?" asks the still chattering Kurtz who swings his arms back and forth as though he has no control over them. Obrenski continues," I swear he's like a damn dog! I'll really lock him in the outhouse this time!" The Lieutenant looks almost like a disappointed father, "Now Kurtz, you know not to be getting into Obrenski's things." Kurtz still is held from bouncing around by Obrenski's tight grip on his collar. "Aww but Obrenski has all the fun stuff!" The Lieutenant just shakes his head and says to Obrenski with a huff," Give him something to do while it wears out of him."

It is now early morning and the sun's light displays its beams across the eastern horizon, lighting the sky with shades of orange and purple. Twenty feet away from the gun pit, Kurts has a shovel in hand digging another latrine for the out house. Obrenski stands there supervising and has his arms crossed, obviously annoyed. I have watched them dig for an hour now, occasionally they would have to stop so Obrenski can redirect a scatter minded Kurtz. The Lieutenant has moved the radio and table outdoors. He sits in his chair and listens to the radio through one headphone. I stand there awkwardly, not certain of what I should be doing right now. ‘Franz,’ says the Lieutenant, “Don’t forget that Sergeant Rudenstoff is going to be installing the phone line today. You are to help him with whatever he needs.” Oh thats right, we are suppose to be getting a phone today! I’ll be able to call Irina now instead of always having to write her.

Obrenski and Kurtz return from their task. "Franz, you get to watch this time." Obrenski says frustrated. Kurtz still babbles erratically where the capsule's hold has yet to release him."What do you think we should have him do now Sprieg?" Obreski asks. Lieutenant listens intently to the radio, a degree of sterness runs across his face. "Spreig, what should we have him do?" Obrenski repeats. The Lieutenant outstretches his hand and holds up a finger in an effort to silence him. We are turned to alarm. Whatever he is silencing us for must not be good. "What is happening Sprieg?" asks a nervous looking Obrenski. The Kurtz silently jitters standing there. The Lieutenant listens awhile before setting down the headphones and turn to us, still keeping his stern look on his face. "Gentleman," he says,"The Allies have landed in Normandy." Me and Obrenski's face turns to shock. Kurtz still, though puzzled now, fidgets restlessly. I feel like a gut punch. We were already struggling against the Russians, another front in this war could spell our doom. "What? When?" exclaims Obrenski. The Lieutenant speaks as though he is disheartened,"This morning, the British, Canadians, and Americans landed in Normandy. There is still fighting on the beaches but it doesn't sound like we will hold." "This is just great! What front do you think they will send us to?!" Obrenski says frustrated. "The battle is not yet over." The Lieutenant say calmly. "You know we can't hold out on two fronts! How long do you think we will last now?!" shouts Obrenski. "Franz, what is happening?" Kurtz asks, he is suprisingly still. "Uh, something bad is happening." "What kind of bad Franz?" He asks innocently. I try to think of a way to explain it in a way he would understand. "More bad people are coming." I say. He asks," When will they be here?" "I don't know Kurtz." Obrenski snaps pessimistically," It won't be long now. We are barely holding against the Russians, now with the Americans and British, there will be no hope for us." He continues angrily," I tell you all, we will be at the fucking front within a few months!" With that said he storms off to the barracks.

I look at the Lieutenant and ask," Is he right Lieutenant?" He responds with the headphone back up to his ear, listening intently, "Only time will tell Franz." I feel my heart sink, I really don't want to go to the front. He continues to my surprise, "It is only a battle right now, the war is not lost yet." I feel a little reassured but we are fighting a war on two fronts now. "Franz," he says,"You and Kurtz go count the shells, I want to keep an inventory." I huff, I really don't like having to count shells and he always wants us to open the wooden crates and count them individually. It is a very tedious task, I always lose count and Kurtz is usually no help. Kurtz stands there still figiting, the capsule's effect must have worn off a little. "What are we doing now Franz?" He asks. "Counting." I say bluntly. Kurtz sighs, "Awwww I hate counting." "Me too." I say.

It is now late morning and me and Kurtz are about finished with our task of counting the 88mm shells. I have just about finished pulling out the roughly three foot yellow coned brass high explosive shell from its case and examining it for imperfections. Any small dents or such could lead to a dud or worse a misfire which could destroy the gun and us along with it. As I set it back in the three foot by one foot wood case. I also inspected the ones out of the two caissons that sit on a trailer. It is a large green painted wooden box that is three feet by five feet and it holds thirty of the high explosive shells. It has rows of individual slots that we can pull ammunition from. Kurtz always has trouble reaching the top row.

I finished my task while Kurtz lays in the grass hanging his feet over the trench wall, petting the black cat that lays on his chest, and stares up at the fluffy clouds that float by us. I practically did all the work myself. The sun is high in the sky and it is quite hot. The Lieutenant still mans his radio intently trying to get a grasp of the situation that is happening several hundred miles away from us. Otto's ears perk up and he looks around intently. Then I hear it too, distant pops like crackling fire. Then I hear it more and more as though it comes closer. It is the unmistakable sound of machine guns. I look around confused, Kurtz hears it too and sits up to look around. Then the droning of propellers meet my ears and sure enough, flying over the town is a four engine bomber being harassed by two of our fighters. I am surprised about how low they are flying, it couldn't be more than a few thousand feet. "Lieutenant look!" I shout pointing to the dogfight that is unfolding above our city. He stops and sets down his headset and examines the situation. "Obrenski!" he shouts. Obrenski emerges perturbed from the barracks. Lieutenant Sprieg commands, "Man your stations!" Kurtz hops back into the trench and we rush to our places on the Flak 88 gun. The Lieutenant takes binoculars and observes the action. After a moment, Obrenski asks impatiently, "Sprieg, what are we doing?" The Lieutenant utters," Stand down, I'm not going to risk hitting the fighters." The gunfire sounds closer as the bomber travels slowly over head of us. It's crew desperately trying to fend off their attackers. "It's a Lancaster, the British." The Lieutenant informs us. I watch as the fighters circle and engage attacking one at a time like vultures. Suddenly one of the engines on the bomber burst into flames. The bomber slowly loses altitude as smoke trails behind it, it's engine burning brightly. The fighters break off their attack and retreat back to their airfield believing their opponent to be finished.

We watch as the flames spread across aircraft as it begins its slow descent. The vessel looks as though it were desperately trying to keep itself a flight. Then I see out of the burning mass, a lone figure falls. We watch surprised as a parachute unfolds and opens out like a large white umbrella. The figure gracefully floats to the ground to land in the field just before the forest. The bomber soon loses altitude and crashes beyond the forest. The Lieutenant observes him before saying calmly," Obrenski, grab a rifle." He intends to capture him. Obrenski disappears into the barracks and returns with a Kar 98k rifle that we were issued. The Lieutenant walks up calmly, hands folded behind him, to the kubelwagen and Kurtz sprints to get in the vehicle. I get in the vehicle and start it up. The Lieutenant gets in the passenger's seat. And Obrenski gets in the rear seat behind me next to Kurtz. You would think we were on a hunting trip for how calm everyone is. "Franz, after him." orders the Lieutenant. I put the vehicle in drive and we are off to catch a prisoner.

We drive a mile before turning off the road and approaching the pilot's landing site. We rumble through the uneven fields full of yellow and white flowers. I can see the white chute and a man struggling to free himself from his harness. We rumble closer to him and I am surprised he hasn't spotted us yet. I can make out the dark blue of a British RAF uniform. He wears a yellow life preserver and pilot cap. I spoke too soon because now he has spotted us. He manages to free himself from the parachute and pulls out a pistol. A revolver to be more precise. He points his pistol at us. Obrenski shouts, "Franz, stop the car!" I slam on the breaks and we all lurch forward. I hear the sharp cracks of the revolver. He is shooting at us! One bullet smacks into the engine compartment with a metal thud. Another hits the windshield, I jump out of my skin as the glass is suddenly cracked. The impact point is not that far away from me. Another wizzes over our head. The Lieutenant seems unfazed from being shot at. The pilot quickly turns and takes off in a sprint towards the woods which is at least a hundred yards away. Obrenski stands up in his seat and says, "Oh no you don't" I see him out of the corner of my eye, he wraps the rifle sling around his left arm and holds the rifle tight to his right shoulder. He levels the rifle and draws a deep breath. Oh no! Is he going to kill him? Tense moments pass in which I feel I am holding my breath, suddenly a deafening crack sounds. The pilot suddenly stops. The bullet shoots up dust very close in front of him, so close that I am certain it went over his shoulder. I never knew Obrenski could shoot that well. The pilot turns slowly, dropping the pistol and raising his hands in surrender. Lieutenant Sprieg says calmly,"Obreski, good shot. Franz, bring us up next to him." Obrenski sits back down and I hear him rechambering the rifle.

I drive up carefully to our British adversary and I see he is a middle aged man, has a sharp face with wrinkles and a stern looking mustache. I stop not ten feet from him and Lieutenant Sprieg calmly gets out of the vehicle and pulls his pistol from his holster. I am stunned because I have never seen him wield anything other than binoculars. He says something to our prisoner in english with his pistol down by his side. I didn't know he could speak english. The pilot steps forward, hands still up in surrender. I step out and follow Obrenski, who still holds the rifle, and approach the British man. I only learned a little english from my fathers tutoring. The British man mentions something about Lieutenants' hands and Africa. I looked and never noticed how rough and cracked the Lieutenant's hand are. The Lieutenant looks surprised and replaces his pistol in his holster and Obrenski lowers the rifle. The pilot lowers his hands.

Our drive back was mostly silent. The pilot sat in the back seat nestled in between Obrenski and Kurtz. I see Kurtz staring at the pilot in amazement from the rearview mirror. Obrenski keeps a stern look on his face as he tightly grips the rifle. I feel a little uneasy being so close to the enemy afraid he is going to pull some trick. I still am shocked that we are so polite to a man who shot at us only minutes ago. "Franz, take us back to post." orders Lieutenant Sprieg. I am surprised, shouldn't we take him to headquarters.

We pull up to the gun pit and Obrenski asks," Spreig, what are we going to do with him? You know we need to turn him." The Lieutenant replies, "Sergeant Rudenstoff will be here later today. He will take him then, until then we will keep him here." Obrenski groans,"We are really going to keep him? You can't be serious." The Lieutenant snaps," We shouldn't have left our post in the first place. Now get him inside." We file out of the kubelwagen and Obrenski keeps guard over our prisoner by keeping his hand tightly around the British man's arm. We escort him to the barracks but before we enter, he asks in rough german,"Mind if I smoke?" He speaks german! The Lieutenant nods in approval. Obrenski releases his grip and the man reaches for his bag. Obrenski raises his rifle at him and utters, " No tricks." in rough english. The British man slowly raises his hands revealing empty palms as a gesture of goodwill. "That won't be necessary." our prisoner says in german. He slowly reaches for the bag at his waist and removes a red wood pipe with a lion's head engraved. He also pulls a small pouch of tobacco and gingerly pours the crushed leaves into the pipe. He asks," May I borrow a light?" Obrenski looks to the Lieutenant who again nods in approval. Obrenski lowers the rifle and reaches into his breast pocket for a lighter and hands reluctantly to the man. The man flips the lighter with a click and places the pipe snugly in his mouth before lighting it. He draws a breath and blows out a puff of smoke.

The Lieutenant begins to question him in english. The British man snaps to attention and salutes the Lieutenant. I hear the name Watson Crick and a title I don't understand followed by a series of numbers. The Lieutenant has started his interrogation and continues to question the man in english. I whisper to Obrenski, who I know speaks a little english,"What's he saying?" Obrenski whispers back," He says he's the navigator and that his mission was top secret." The British man asks the Lieutenant a question. I ask Obrenski,"What did he say?" "He asked if he was the only survivor." Obrenski says. I look to the pilot astonished that he was probably the only one to survive, all of his crew must have perished. I am surprised at how unusually calm he is. The Lieutenant says something in english and looks at Obrenski. The airman looks at Obrenski nervously.

Hours pass by, I am surprised that the Lieutenant doesn't keep our prisoner under closer guard because he goes to the Lieutenant frequently and they speak in English like old friends. He will occasionally puff on his pipe. Kurtz follows him around, though at a distance, curiously. I am still uneasy with him just being able to roam around, what if he tries to escape. Obrenski keeps a tight grip on the rifle saying to me,"I don't trust him. Why is Sprieg alright with him walking around? We should have had him turned into headquarters long ago." "Yeah I know, I get a bad feeling around him. I heard them talking about Africa earlier. Do you think he is going to run?" I say. Obrenski replies," It's hard to tell but I wouldn't put it past him. He is far too calm to be a prisoner of war, at least for one I have ever seen." I watch the man and the Lieutenant share a laugh together. It dawned on me that I have never seen the Lieutenant laugh before. Would this be considered fraternizing with the enemy? I hope he doesn't try anything on the Lieutenant. But I am even amazed at the English man's charm. The man leaves the Lieutenant and begins walking this way. Obrenski hands the rifle to Kurtz and says,"If he tries to run, shoot him." Kurtz takes the rifle awkwardly, it is as almost as tall as he is. Obrenski starts toward the Lieutenant and the man and him pass each other. Obrenski gives him an aggressive glance.

The British airman approaches me and asks me something in english, I don't understand. I am surprised he would want to talk with me. I keep a cautious eye on him. He then speaks in german. "Where are you from?" He asks. "Frankfurt." I reply. "Never got to visit Frankfurt. " "I used to teach geometry before the war and I had many German students and learned to speak with them." I look at him amazed, I am in the presence of a teacher. "You know." He says looking at Kurtz who awkwardly holds the rifle. "I used to have students his age. But I never thought I would be fighting them." He walks over to Kurtz who looks increasingly nervous, unsure on how to hold the rifle. He kneels and pulls from his pocket a chocolate bar. Kurtz eyes it temptingly, I can see his mind conflicted on whether to take it or not. The Englishman speaks softly," Take it, its for you." Kurtz lowers the rifle and reluctantly takes the chocolate bar. He inspects its silver wrapped surface carefully. Kurtz leans the rifle against the barracks wall. I am worried that our prisoner will attempt to grab the rifle and I brace myself. Well if our prisoner wants to escape now is the time to do so, but he doesn't. Kurtz unwraps his treat and looks at it in amazement. It has been a while since we have had chocolate candy. Kurtz munches down on it and flashs a joyous smile. I can't see the airman's reaction because his back is turned to me, I am sure he is jovial.

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A question burns in my mind so I ask, "Why are you fighting us?" He turns to me surprised before saying,"Because your people bombed my home." " Well your bombers destroy our cities everyday." I say snappily. He looks ashamed,"I know and I hate taking part in it." "Then why do we fight?" I ask. "It's a complicated question but your people are trying to take over Europe." "I didn't ask for this war." I snap angrily. The truth is hard to bare. He looks at me sorrowfully, "I know you didn't." This isn't your war kid." He continues nodding toward Kurtz," How many young boys are going to die? I used to have all sorts of students, and I miss those days. Look I didn't want this either but it is my duty just as yours to end this war. Do you think I enjoy watching cities burn? No I don't, but we all have a part to play in this show. Everytime I go up, I wonder how many lives I will take that day. I wonder if God will forgive me for all the destruction I partook in." I am mixed between emotions of anger and sympathy. Anger because he wrought this destruction, but sympathy because he doesn't want this anymore then I do. Then I find anger toward myself for sympathizing with the enemy.

"Listen," he says, "This is a game of power of high up people. Me and you are simply pawns in this game." This enrages me. I don't like being called a pawn. This is my home, a home I swore to defend, I chose to do this. I snap angrily," I am no pawn! I chose this!" Before I storm off angrily. His face is of surprise. I am not Hitler's puppet, I am my own man!

I storm angrily over to Lieutenant Sprieg and surprise him and Obrenski. I ask snappily, "Why haven't we turned him in yet?" Obrenski adds in," He's right Sprieg. Why haven't we turned him in yet?" The Lieutenant answers looking frustrated."We are not leaving our post again and that is final." Obrenski snaps,"Well you certainly seem buddy buddy with the enemy." "Obrenski!" shouts the Lieutenant. The Lieutenant speaks suddenly calm now, "We share a common past in Africa. He is our prisoner and he swore his word not to escape." Obrenski snaps,"His word? Since when have you ever relied on someone's word? Not Franz and most certainly not mine." The Lieutenant responds in an effort to diffuse me and Obrenski's rising anger," From my experience, the British have always kept their word." Obrenski snaps, "Well my experience with the British has been far different. They are crafty bastards that can't be trusted." I speak up, "We should at least keep him under closer watch." The Lieutenant looks like an idea entered his mind.

I look over and see the airman talking with Kurtz. Kurtz smiles bashfully. Suddenly Lieutenant Sprieg calls, "Watson! Come here." The airman stops entertaining Kurtz and approaches us. The Lieutenant speaks to him in english and the British man's face looks shocked. An angry Obrenski shouts, "You are letting him go?! You do know he is our enemy right?"

"And one day he may be our only friend." responds Lieutenant Sprieg sternly. "Franz." The Lieutenant says," Go get him three sets of rations." "What?! You can't be serious!" I say shocked. "I am serious. Now go." The Lieutenant replies.

I storm off to the barracks kitchen and collect the cans of the worst food we have to offer. I can't believe we are letting our prisoner go. This is a grave violation of our orders and the Lieutenant must know that. We will be aiding the enemy. Just what is so important about this man that the Lieutenant is willing to break orders for.

As I return I watch, horrified, the Lieutenant hands the British man his pistol back. I brace to be shot at in a trick but to my surprise nothing happens. Obrenski stands arms crossed fuming. I approach and reluctantly hand the canned goods to the English man who tucks them in a sack. Obrenski starts stomping off towards Kurtz. The Lieutenant hands the airman a small note and I am curious why. The Lieutenant and the English man give firm farewell handshakes and the pilot climbs out of the trench. He begins his trek westward toward the woods. The sun is starting to descend toward the west, the sky is dark blue. I can't believe we are actually doing this.

Suddenly I hear the rifle being snatched out of Kurtz's hands. I look back and see to my terror, Obrenski stomping angrily back. He takes a firing stance and pulls the rifle to his right shoulder and wraps his left arm around the sling. He draws a deep breath and aims the rifle. Oh my God! He is going to kill him! Lieutenant Sprieg catches on to what's happening and races toward Obrenski shouting,"Noooo!" Lieutenant Sprieg places himself in front of the rifle and knocks its barrel to the sky just as Obrenski pulls the trigger. Crack! Sound of the rifle breaks the air as it shoots its projectile harmlessly skyward. The airman dashes into a sprint for the tree line. The Lieutenant snatches the rifle from Obrenski and snaps,"Have you gone mad?! Shooting him would be a war crime!" "He is escaping! He is going to tell the Allies abouts us! Why did you let him go?!" shouts Obrenski. The Lieutenant snaps frustrated," Because he would do the same for us." "You are breaking orders Sprieg and you know it. He'll be back with hundreds of fucking bombers. Just you see." Obrenski snaps back before stomping off to the barracks again.

It is now dusk and the sun paints the sky in dark blue and purple as it descends beyond the forest tree line. Obrenski has fumed the rest of the afternoon away in the barracks. Kurtz chatters occasionally about the British Airman like he has seen some sort of celebrity. The Lieutenant mans his station at the radio and listens intently. I worry about the consequences of our actions. I approach him and decide I have to understand why we let our prisoner go. "Lieutenant." I ask,"Why did you let him escape?" "He replies with the headphone to his ear,"I didn't let him escape Franz. I simply allowed him to leave." "But why sir?" He sets headphone down and huffs. "Franz." He says,"Let me tell you a story." He continues," When I was in the desert fighting the British, we had a truce that at sunset, we would exchange the prisoners of the day's fighting. The British always kept their word, and so did we. When I was captured, they let me leave. If we don't show mercy to our enemies Franz, they will show none to us in return." "You were captured?" I ask astonished. "Yes, many times as a matter of fact, but the British always kept their promise. Those days of chivalry are over now." I never realized that the Lieutenant had been captured. "I am surprised, I thought he would hate us." I state. "Most of them don't Franz. They are just doing their duty the same as us." I think of this, and realize maybe I was too harsh to the English man. "Lieutenant." I ask. "Are we just pawns?" "No Franz," he says, “Without us here, who would defend the town?" I think he's right. He continues,"We all have our role to fill Franz." I ask another question,"Do you think we will lose?" He looks surprised but says calmly, "Only time will tell." "I am afraid of what will happen if we lose." I say. "Whatever the consequences are Franz, it will be the price of arrogance." He replies. He continues,"Arrogance that we thought we were invincible. Arrogance that we thought we could take on the world."

We are interrupted by the honking of a gray military truck with a spool of electrical wire being laid on the ground behind it. It pulls up beside our trench and out steps the short Supply Sergeant Rudenstoff. He comes carrying a wooden case. He approaches us and says,"Odel, did you hear, the Americans and British have a beachhead." "I have heard." says the Lieutenant in a manner of fact. Rudenstoff asks," Did you see the dog fight over town?" "We sure did! And Sprieg tell him what you did." says an approaching angry Obrenski, coming out of the barracks, with Kurtz following close behind him. The Lieutenant ushers,"We captured a British navigator." "Really, where is he?" ask Sergeant Rudenstoff. Obrenski growls,"He let him go." Surprise comes across Rudenstoff's face as he glances back to the Lieutenant. "What?! Is this true Odel? The Lieutenant nods. Sergeant Rudenstoff says astonished, "Now Odel, we have known each other a long time but what you did could be considered treason." "Then you know why I did it." The Lieutenant replies. Kurtz blurts, tugging at Rudenstoff's garbs,"He was really nice, he gave me chocolate." He glances from Kurtz to the Lieutenant again. "You know I really ought to report this." Rudenstoff says. "And I know you won't." Lieutenant Sprieg replies. "Yeah you're right, I still owe from the last time you saved my skin. But not again Odel. You keep doing things like this and even your medal won't save you." Sergeant Rudenstoff says. The Lieutenant replies calmly, "I know."

Obrenski butts in,"Your lucky I owe you too Sprieg, otherwise I would have turned you in." The Lieutenant snaps back sarcastically,"Well I am glad I am at your mercy Obrenski." The Lieutenant then says,"Enough of this, what is done is done." I wonder what Obrenski means when he says he owes the Lieutenant. Probably because Lieutenant Sprieg has bailed him out of jail many times. I wonder if Obrenski will report him, but then again I doubt he would cross the Lieutenant, because Lieutenant Sprieg is constantly keeping him out of trouble. Sergeant Rudenstoff speaks," Well you shouldn't have done that Odel, but I know there is nothing we can do now." The Lieutenant replies calmly,"The consequences will be my own."

Sergeant Rudenstoff sets the box on the table next to the radio. He prys the box open and pulls out of hay, a black phone with a receiver. He begins to wire the device to the long black telephone cable. Obrenski has disappeared into the barracks still perturbed. Kurtz asks me a question,"Franz, why is Obrenski so angry at the airplane man." I think of how to explain it to him."Because he is one of the bad men." I reply. "How can he be bad when he is so nice?" He asks. I struggle for an answer."Well uh uh because he is one of the nice bad men." I say. "Well why are there bad men Franz?" He asks. I answer,"Well they really don't like us." Why don't they like us Franz?" I struggle for another answer. How do I explain that we attacked their countries? I stammer,"Well we uh kinda took their things." "Why did we do that Franz?" He asks questions that I don't have answers for. "Well I really don't know Kurtz." I say, ashamed of my answer. "Do you think the Lieutenant knows?" I use this as an opportunity to escape my interrogation of innocence. This conversation just proved to me that Kurtz has no concept of war. "Yes, why don't you ask him?" I say. "Ok." he replies as he skips off to the Lieutenant who is talking at the radio stand with Sergeant Rudenstoff.

Kurtz tugs at the Lieutenant's shirt sleeve and I overhear him ask,"Lieutenant, why are there bad men?" The Lieutenant gives a sharp but fatherly answer,"Because we are at war." "What is war?" Kurtz asks innocently. "It is where people fight each other." The Lieutenant answers fatherly. "Why?" Kurtz asks. "Because we attacked their homes." The Lieutenant answers. Kurtz looks shocked. "Lieutenant, why would we do that?" Suddenly Obrenski emerges almost from nowhere. He stumbles as he walks and his face is flush red. It is obvious that he is heavily intoxicated. He aggressively slurrs as he speaks,"Because of the fucking Nazis!" He stumbles and places his hands on Kurtz's shoulders. Kurtz looks frightened. Obrenski slurrs, "War is where people fucking kill each other!" "Kill?" whimpers Kurtz. The Lieutenant prys Obrenski's grip on Kurtz. Obrenski breaks free of the Lieutenant and pushes him back causing the Lieutenant to stumble. "Obrenski!" snaps the Lieutenant. Obrenski stumbles and slurs,"What are you going to do about it?" "Obrenski remember your son," the Lieutenant says calmly, "Would he like to see you this way?" Obrenski stops and shakes, his face looks like a ton of bricks fell on him, his lips quiver. Obrenski sinks to his knees and sobs into his hands. Tears trickle down his face. The Lieutenant comes to his comfort and leans and whispers something in Obrenski's ear. Obrenski looks at him and rubs the snot and tears from his face. The Lieutenant helps him to his feet, and escorts him with his arm around Obrenski's shoulder. He escorts Obrenski into the barracks as Obrenski silently sniffles, with red puffy welt up eyes. They disappear into the barracks. I have never seen a grown man cry like that.

I look to Sergeant Rudenstoff and ask," What just happened?" " He has been hiding drinks again is what happened." He says. "What did the Lieutenant mean about his son?" I ask. He replies," That's not for me to say." Kurtz looks frightened and stunned like he can't comprehend what happened. He asks almost shaking,"Franz, is Obrenski mad at me?" I reply, "No Kurtz, He is just having a bad day." He pauses and thinks and then utters,"Do we kill people Franz?" I am taken back. How do I answer that. I guess being blunt is all I can do. "Yes Kurtz, we kill people." I say bluntly. He looks a mix of shocked and saddened, he whimpers "I don't want to kill people." " I don't either." I say honestly. Sergeant Rudenstoff steps in and asks, "Well you like the town don't you two?" Me and Kurtz reply in almost unison," Yeah." " You like the people in town right?" I think to Irina. We reply again,"Yeah." He says, "Don't think of it as killing to kill, think of it more as defending the things you care about." I never thought of it that way. He continues,"Nobody likes to kill, but I will gladly do so to defend my home. And you two should think about it the same way." Kurtz says after thinking," Ok I will kill for Great Mommy." I am shudder to hear such words from an innocent youth. "There you go, little soldier." Sergeant Rudenstoff says with a smile. Kurtz looks up to me and says," Do you think Irina would be ok with me killing?" I am stunned, how can he ask such questions. I don't even know how she feels about me committing such violence. Every plane we shoot down I am sure has killed someone. Am I a killer? I am the one who pulls the trigger after all. How many men have I killed now? How many men has Kurtz killed by association. I feel like a pit has formed in my stomach. Will God forgive me? Will God forgive Kurtz? Surly he will find forgiveness in Kurtz, he is innocent to all of this. I snap out of deep thought and stammer,"I.. I don't know."

The sun has disappeared and night takes hold of the land. The moon and stars shine brightly from the heavens. Kurtz stares up at the night sky.

Suddenly Lieutenant Sprieg emerges from the barracks and approaches us. "Rudy, is everything set?" He asks. Rudenstoff replies,"Yeah just finished up." The Lieutenant says,"Then I suggest you get going." He replies," Right, I agree." " Also I am going to need a new windscreen.The Lieutenant says. " Right, I will send someone out tomorrow." replies Sergeant Rudenstoff. The two men shake hands and Sergeant Rudenstoff heads up the earthen ramp and embarks the vehicle and leaves us. Kurtz disappears inside the barracks. I approach the Lieutenant and he begins to move the radio into his shack. I ask," Is Obrenski alright." He replies," Yes he is sleeping now." I state," He was sure mad at you, I have never seen him like that." The Lieutenant states,"He has had a long day, he will forgive me eventually." I ask,"Where did he get the alcohol from?" The Lieutenant replies," He hides them in the kitchen or under his cot, at least those are the spots I know of." "You know of? He does this all the time?" I ask surprised. "Yes Franz, he is a functioning alcoholic. He's always drunk." I knew Obrenski was an alcoholic but I never knew it was this bad.

I think and I decide to ask. "Lieutenant, what was in the note you handed the British man?" The Lieutenant answers calmly as he shuffles back and forth carrying equipment,"A list of our names and directions." "What!? Why?!" I exclaim. "Because Franz, one of these days this war is going to end. Whether we are the victor or not, I can't be certain. But it wouldn't hurt to have allies. We showed them kindness and hopefully they will show it to us in return." I can't believe he gave our names to the prisoner. If the Gestapo catches him, it will put us at risk. I fume angrily. I snap,"Do you know you put us all at risk?" He responds calmly,"Yes and it is a risk I am willing to take. I gave him directions on how to evade patrols going into Switzerland. He should make it in a month or two." "How can you trust him?" I snap. The Lieutenant fires back in return," Because it is the right thing to do. He has already told me about him being shot down in Africa. I he can evade patrols for two weeks then I am certain he can make it to Switzerland without much issue." I stand shocked at the Lieutenant's faith in the airman. He really trusts our enemy that much. "Franz." He says,'' One day you will understand that not everyone is our enemy." “But Lieutenant, we could be shot for this.” He replies,”And I know that Franz but at the end of it I am sure he would do the same for us.” “But how can you be sure?” I ask. He replies, “Because if we don’t do something then this war will never change.”

He quickly changes the subject,"Is there anything else you need?" "Uh no sir." I reply, "Then goodnight Franz." He says "Uh goodnight sir." I reply. He swiftly steps inside his shack and closes the door. I stand there and think that our Lieutenant just aided the enemy and how he put our lives at risk in the hopes that the Allies will have mercy on us. Does Lieutenant Sprieg believe we will lose? He is preparing but not voicing it.

I slowly walk back to the barracks and open the door. It is dark and the only light is the beam of the moon that peers through the open door and windows. I see Obrenski snoring on his cot while Kurtz is fast asleep on his. Otto the cat lays balled up at his feet. I find my cot and take off my boots and cozy into bed. It has been a long day and full of events I had never expected to experience. From the Allies opening a second front to the pilot's release to Obrenski's breakdown, it has been quite a day. I lay there and watch Obrenski contently snoring. I never knew that he was a chronic drinker and the Lieutenant is aware of it and allows him. How Kurtz is just a child who barely understands war yet he is willing to kill. How the airman is my enemy yet I felt sympathy for him. How Lieutenant Sprieg trusts the British man so much that he is willing to put all of us at risk for the chance of mercy. I worry if we lose. Maybe Obrenski is right, what if this war kills all of us. I shudder at the thought. My thoughts wander to Irina and I wonder how she would feel about me knowing that I have killed people. Most importantly, I wonder when this war will end.