Ever so patiently

So the War Beats On

Journal Entry #145
November 18th, 1942
" the military forces of both the United States and Great Britain have launch an amphibious attack against French North Africa, Algeria and Morocco. Code name 'Torch' was results of multiple arguments between the British and American plan makers. It was an important strategic decision that all allied powers would have to make.
We've been aiming for the Nazi's since earlier this year before worrying about the attacks in the Pacific, knowing if we helped our allies they'd return the favor to us. This summer Russia seemed desperate in his attempts to push the Germans out, we thought it'd be a good idea to send some boys up in August to relieve some of the pressure on the soviets but our planners back home thought it be smart to wait until the spring. Say that our ground forces would be more prepared. I say Russia will hate me more than he already does."

America
It had been almost a full year since I'd last seen Arthur. Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill would meet but England would never show his face, nor would he phone me. France phoned me the other night to my surprise. He said things are getting worse at his place but they'll live, then he brought up Arthur.
" Angleterre is just confused Alfred, give him time."
" How the hell did you find out?"
" I have talked to him, remember we were almost engaged once!"
"God don't remind me."
" Look what I'm trying to say mom graçon is that Angleterre is an old soul. Well old in general, he isn't use to change. You learn that in 1776. He just needs time to adjust."
"Your right I guess, all he thinks of is his position in society and his duty."
"Amérique remember we are not simple humans, we are nations. Rarely do we find real love. Don't spoil it." The fire in my stomach grew with rage the more people would tell me " not to spoil love."

"Francis I don't understand. How will I spoil love if he can't even admit his feelings to me."
"Alfred the people of this time look differently on two men together, I understand why he'd be cautious. If his people found him to love another man there would be an uproar. It would be the same in your situation." Unfortunately he was right. I would see him again for the first time in a long time two days from now.

That night on the boat I couldn't sleep, restless with the words i wanted to tell him but didn't know how to use them. I just wanted him to know how I felt. It was obscure and different from tradition but it was like a wild flame that didn't go out. No matter how hard I tried. These upcoming days, weeks, months, even years would be uncomfortable for the both of us if we didn't talk about it. Something needed to be done and quickly because the war was not over yet. We landed in North Africa a little shorter than 3 days after and there he was, all geared up with his troops. Ready to stride into Algiers. We were given strict orders not to fire unless fired upon. After all the French were former allies, and I know damn well this is not Francis's doing, he wouldn't want this. Though, I feel the British think differently, the expressions drawn on their faces were that of blood vengeance. They were here to kill allied or not.
"Good Evening America." Arthur said not looking me in the eye.
"Hello England, how is everything so far."
"It's hot, the food is running out, and I've got men scattered all over this damn continent. I've had enough of this place."
He stood up abruptly and stormed off to talk to someone who was calling for him.
"Sir we could use some help unloading!" I heard a soldier call for me.

These next couple days were a little ruff but slowly the tension was easing into the morning of November 8th. It was early in the morning. Only a sliver of red sun peeking through. The waves rolled on the shore violently but it was nice compared to what was ahead of us. We were split between 3 beaches and Arthur was dead set on being with the division farthest from mine. The British fought to the right of us. Later on by noon we heard news that some of our troops and allied troops had landed at the wrong beaches and one had landed on a beach where the French openly accepted them. Lucky bastards didn't have to fight at all!

The only fighting we saw was on my side today. A couple British destroyers were set to land a couple of us on a dock to prevent the French from destroying port facilities. They rained down affiliate fire on one of the ships preventing it from landing any of my men but the first was able to land 250 before retreating back to the water. We pushed back inland until their General surrendered the city to us at 6:00pm. Just in time for dinner!

It was too late for dinner by the time we returned so most men ate what they had brought to the camps. I stayed awake a while after most lights went out in the camp. One stood out above all. It was Englands tent, slightly larger than the rest there was a glow coming from inside where a silhouette paced back and fore impatiently.
"England?" I called out suddenly making the figure suddenly stop pacing. The figure finally conformed a the face of a well known ally.
"A-America? Sorry I didn't know you were awake. I was just on call with my commander."
He walked out with a blanket around his shoulders. When he sat down we were in silence for a while.
"How are things in the Pacific going?" He said quietly
"Huh? Oh! Um I don't know. To tell you the truth. Japan scares the shit out of me."
"Alfred they scare Russia, and everyone is scared of Russia."
"I know it's just Kiku is such a soft spoken kind person so I just never imagined any of this would happen. We tried so hard just to stay out of it."
"I know Al, but if you hadn't Japan and Germany would invade both of your coasts."
"It's not even Germany FDR and I are worried about, they are on the same level as us, it's Japan. Arthur have you ever heard of Bushido?"
"Um, no I don't recall."
"Well it's a code of death. Arthur the Japanese don't surrender. They just don't! They fight to the death or commit suicide if captured. It's like a dishonor to surrender. They have over a million men in their army but I have this feeling in my gut that if we win this war, there'll be less than a thousand left. The only reason they are alive is because they are too injured to kill themselves. It's terrifying."
He sat there for a moment, nibbling the side of his lip like he always did when thinking of something to say.
"Is China doing well to help?"
"Some what yes, the only reason they fight with us is because of their hatred towards Japan. Their army is decently built but we are the ones suppling them. God I don't want to know what happens if the supply runs out."
"It won't, this war will be over sooner than we think." He said placing a hand on my shoulder. It made me want to lean in and hug him.
"I sure hope so."

  We fell asleep that night not in our own tents but by the fire. Propped against a log, not exactly together but just close enough to hear each other's breaths.
"Sir?" Someone called from behind me.
""Uh, yes what is it?"
"Well you missed breakfast call sir, the Brits already ate too. I saved some for you."
" give it to him when he wakes up. I need to make a call." I said pointing to the Brit still sleeping. The young man solutes and walks off in the other direction. I got up slowly,stretching my back as I went along. Picking up my blanket before making my way to the tent I'll call him for more weeks to come. The line whined as I made my call to General Patton, the man in charge of every American here in this desert country.
" Mr.America Sir, to what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Mr.Patton, I just called to check up! How are things going on your end?"
"I'd be lying son if I said we weren't getting our asses kick. By our own damn allies too." the line went quiet between the both of us for s minute or so.
"So how are them poor sons of bitches treating you over there?"
"The usual sir. Like we haven't a clue what the hell we are doing. Well guess who made more progress. Sure as hell ain't them!" He laughed which eased some of the worry.
"Our air strike force that flew over Berlin were dropped in a second. 200 men went there and 0 came back. Then Brits were right, we should have just bombed everything instead of leaving survivors."
"God damnit." I sighed pinching my nose and sitting down.
"Well it's going a lot better over here than in the Pacific. I like talking with you rather than Mr.Hardass over seas. I swear that man hasn't a clue what he is doing."
"Hell kid sometimes I don't even know if I know what I'm doing." Yet another laugh erupted between the both of us.
"Well Sir I'll have to be going now. I'll send news your way as soon as I get off the phone."
"You do that son, stay safe and god bless America."

Yea right, god bless America my ass. Walking g out of the tent I was met with a smaller man.
"Thank you Alfred. For the food I mean."
"Nah it's ok I'm a big boy. You need it more than I do."
" If only I had woken up a tad earlier we would have got our breakfast." He smiled warmly.
"Yea you are right. But it's all right, now we have work to do."