Screaming Eagles

Chapter 30 - The SS

Jack and the friend of the dead G.I. were in utter shock. The kid just threw himself upon a grenade and saved them from the blast.

"Fuck... " Was all that the private whispered while he gaped at the aftermath of his dead friend's actions.

The two were interrupted though when the more noticeable gunfire was becoming too close for comfort and they were forced to seek refuge back in the blood stained foxhole.

"Jeez..." The kid said while Jack propped himself up against the other side of the foxhole and shouldered his rifle.

"There's nothing we can do for him private, pick up your rifle and fight! 'Less you want to end up dead!" Jack said, his gaze was firm when they locked onto the kids.

The boy couldn't even say anything from the overwhelming trauma of his best friend dying in front of him while he was powerless to stop it.

There were tears welling up and the private was trying his best not to cry and Jack noticed, but he didn't say anything to him since his attention was brought back to the fight and he returned fire.

**

Somewhere near Baugnez, in an open field not too far from Malmedy.

A few hours ago James was running an errand for Colonel Cole about getting a list of supplies for the regiment when it had happened.

His jeep got shot and the initial surprise caused him to swerve off the road and into a ditch. He was only armed with his pistol, so when the ambushing squad descended down on his position he ended up surrounded. So he surrendered there, unknowing of the terrible ordeal that lies ahead of him.

These were light infantrymen part of the forward vanguard most likely scouting out for an attack. And James's suspicion was correct when motorized infantry came rolling by with armored support following behind.

Once it was safe to get back on the roads, James was escorted out to a nearby field with dozens of others. Even as he was captured, he didn't have a good feeling about any of this. And for starters, these guys were Waffen-SS.

So already, James was uneasy about the situation he was in, especially since they had a few Mg42s guarding over them to the front.

Then after a while, the last group was brought to the field and James had counted them, there were roughly 102 in all before it happened.

It was too fast, all James could do was begin to run as his eyes widened in horror when the officer gave a hand signal before the pair of Mg42s opened fire into the crowd.

Panicked yelling and the screams of the dying filled the air when rifle fire was mixed into the overwhelming chaos.

For those that have survived the initial volley wasted no time to scatter and make a run for it, including James.

Everyone was panicking and in shock, and as James ran for his life he watched as his comrades fell around him. There'll be a day that James will avenge the fallen here, but for now, just like the others. James was in fight or flight mode as the now very few survivors reached the momentary safety of the woods.

There were voices behind them that were heard and the Germans gave chase.

James just couldn't believe what he just witnessed, it was beyond barbaric and too atrocious to even think about. One thing was for certain though, he needed to survive.

"Ich sehe einer Läufer!"

"Töten ihn! Schnell! Schießen ihn bevor er entweichten uns!"

The multiple rifle crackles and an MP40 pops and rattles off behind James as splinters of wood from stray bullet fire shattering the trees around him.