March 6, 1944: Behind Enemy Lines:Germans Everywhere Looking for Me:
In the morning, I hear a rhythmic banging. I crawl to where I could see – it is a woodsman chopping wood.
We were told, if we’re shot down or behind enemy lines, to approach poor people – they would be the most likely to help us. He seems to fit the bill.
We play charades – he doesn’t speak English, I don’t speak French. Tells me to wait right there- he would be back.
I move off 50 yards, reposition with protection from and a good view of where I had met the woodsman.
He returns with 2 men, whispering: American, where are you?
I suss them out – they are unarmed and not menacing so I present myself.
They take me to a Russian lady who speaks English. She runs a spa hotel. Her daughter age 14, is there.
Her first words: Has America run out of men already that they have to send boys?
Me: I’m 21 – that’s about the right age.
She harumphs and tries again: Are you married?
Me: No.
RL: “Aha! You are wearing a ring!” as she points at my right hand.
I look; then explain: that’s my high school ring.
RL: That’s your wedding ring finger.
Mr: In America, we were the wedding ring on the left hand.
I guess I pass – not a German trying to infiltrate the Maquis. They give me civilian clothes and hide me in the barn.
Some Germans arrive and start searching. I can hear them outside. They come inside and start poking in the hay.
I am about as far back as one can get. Just hoping they’d miss. Glad now of the lack of food and being skinny – they can tease me about being skinny all they want – maybe the pitchfork tines will go either side of me and I’ll have the last laugh.
Time slows down – it seems forever.
After the Germans leave and I can breathe again, the French tell me to rest up – that night they are taking me to another hide-out.
Good – this one was dicey. But the Germans had already been so probably wouldn’t be back….
c. GCYI