The price of a mile (Second story in the world war series)

Chapter 23 - Day Two

Major causalities have been taken by both the SS and the Commonwealth forces, as the SS refused to give a inch of ground dying where they stood. Until finally the Major has recalled them to the back of the lines where as the Wehrmacht are now taking up defense to readily defend the middle bit of the town.

On the first night a counter attack was launched to hopefully drive the British back but without luck for the Germans. The British have repelled the counter attack and there was a catastrophic loss of life in the night fighting. Drastically declining the numbers of the now outnumbered German defends due to Karl being forced to give the orders from high command.

Those that've survived have been quickly rushed back into their positions and here they sit, a bit shaky from the battle that took place 4 hours ago, prior to the now rising sun. Kristin and his MG team are quietly sitting, soaking up the morning light that has graced the war torn town with buildings ready to crumble or holes in it with rubble and debris in the streets.

Some of the men that've survived, are filled with joy. Happy to see the sunlight for another day whilst others are quietly sitting about staring a bit blank, as that's mostly privates and the newest batch of fresh recruits.

A voice finally breaks the silence at the Mg team as a Private has asked " Sir, why are we out here fighting and for what exactly.... What I've seen last night.. I just want to go home now, I don't want to die like that one man. Poor guy got his entire upper body blown off..."

Looking up, Kristin immediately can tell the boy is about 17 years old. He might've lied about his age to get in, but hell.. Who wouldn't? Not with all the peer pressure and propaganda that's running in Germany.

Young boys joining up wanting to fight and see glory for themselves yet, only four days later are they homesick and missing home. Meaningless bloodshed of the German youth, but after gazing at the lad after a moment further, Kristin speaks.

"Well, the only true reason I'm fighting this war now is to defend my family back home, as well as Germany itself. If we loose the war, or if they get to Germany... I'm afraid on what might happen to the ones that I hold close soldat." He says in a melancholy tone thinking of home by the shoreline up north.

"Well sir.... I still want to fight, I-I, I'm just a bit scared. I want to kill the enemy here I'm not a coward, I'm not a panic monger..." The young Private says shaking his head, but Kristin can see the tremor he's trying to contain.

Then Kristin speaks up " When a man comes under fire, he comes face to face with himself, his life, and all the sins he's committed. He thinks about home as well as his path in the afterlife on where he's going. This is where his true colors show, if he stands and fights he wants to live because he's afraid of the end. He wants to go home and he wants to survive." Kristin says and after a moment, takes a breath to continue.

"If one should cower in the dirt, whimpering and wanting to go home.. He has signed his death wish, the point I'm hoping you'll understand is simple. Be at peace with yourself and except the fact that you might die within the hour. Let any emotional tie go during battle, until you either survive the battle, or you're oh your final breath... Be a man and return home alive, or you can be a mouse and die in the mud. Drop your ambitions lad, begin thinking on how to survive more then think.." Kristin says leaning back against the rubble, were it's being used for cover.

Silently looking at Kristin, having what he was told sink in and process it the lad silently sits and thinks for a bit. Sitting there for another minute, Kristin opens up his cigarette carton and pulls one out to sit it between his lips an he the lights it.

Taking a drag from it and removing it from his lips where it sits between his fore and middle finger, sighing a little. Kristin can feel the drug taking effect within him and he can feel his nerves steady down a little.