"I know, but please think! I can use him for my testimony as a witness to the massacre!" James responded as he was slowly making his way over with small steps to stand between the two of them.
"He's a low ranked enlistee, what makes you think he has any knowledge about the massacre Major! He's not even in the SS!" Aldarick shot back with anger in his eyes.
"Soldat!" James's sharp, authoritative voice sounded, ending the argument for a moment and immediately grabbing the attention of the fear-stricken young man.
And to the German's surprise, James started speaking fluent German, "Do you know anything about the massacre of American troops at Baugenz?"
"I have no idea about anything involving a massacre!" He answered, there was a shock even in his expression upon hearing it.
"All that I've heard about it was there being American commandos engaging our forces..." The boy answered.
"What did he say, Major?" Aldarick demanded.
"He said he wasn't aware of a massacre taking place," James replied and once he finished he was then shoved aside.
"Wait don't!"
The Mp40 rattled to life and had shredded the boy to pieces at such a close range.
"He didn't know anything useful after all, we need to keep moving," Aldarick said before he removed the magazine to check how much was left before he reloaded the clip back into his weapon.
After another ten minutes of silent walking, they reached their destination and ambushed the German checkpoint.
"Everyone gather up what you can, I'll need a few volunteers to accompany myself and the Major." While he approached the Kubelwagen.
"Wait, this damn thing barely provides any protection..."
"Protection doesn't matter when speed is on our side American, it's all about shock and awe," Aldarick said smiling before he opened up the car door and got comfortable in the driver's seat.
"Well come on," He insisted before the few volunteers joining them took a seat.
James himself was still unsure, but he got in any way against his better judgment.
"Hold on tight everyone, stay low and pray that the Germans can't hit something passing them!" Alderick said while throwing the gear into drive and flooring it.
From Aldaricks estimation, he mentioned something about it being two kilometers to the frontline.
So speed was key and trying to gain enough of it was important, especially with such little time to get their jeep's maximum velocity on the straight road.
They were blazing away down the road and the final obstacle was in front of them before the open frontlines.
"We got another checkpoint coming up, brace for impact!" Alderick shouted and James's eyes had widened.
"You're crazy!"
"Don't worry, they'll move!"
The trees were flashing by in a blur as the jeep charged the German checkpoint at full speed.
"Achtung! Fiend!" A voice yelled out as they barreled through, men were scrambling out of the way before bringing their weapons up to bear. But it was already too late, they made it safely through.
"Right now we're approaching the German frontline forces, get hunkered down boys it's gonna get bumpy!" Aldarick said but already there were potshots being taken at the speeding jeep.
Very quickly those potshots turned into dozens of burst fire from multiple locations.
"Shit guess they're better than what we'd expected!" One of the resistance fighters called out while laughing.
On the other side of the open field, James could see friendly troops emerge from their protection that their cover provided.
A few did raise their rifles to fire so James was quick to respond "Hey! Don't shoot we're friendlies!" James shouted out as the gunfire behind them faded out.
That didn't do anything to alleviate the suspicion of them since they did approach so suddenly from the German side.
Thankfully Alderick knew just what to do naturally, he slowed down to a coasting speed before he did come to an entire stop in front of the American line.
"State your name and rank soldier, we've had German spies impersonating us recently!" One of the NCOs demanded, it looked like he wasn't going to take no for an answer.
"Major James O'Brien, 101st Airborne, see?" James said while he held out his dog tags and identification papers even.
While the Sergeant took them and examined them, an older man bearing Staff Sergeant came up with his rifle at the ready.
"If you're an American then you'd know this." The Sergeant stated.
"What two baseball teams took part in the world series in 1903? And who won it?"
"Who wouldn't know that? It was Boston vs Pittsburgh Pirates! C'mon Sergeant I grew up in the Bronx, I'm from New York for Christ sake!" James had exclaimed, he had to get back to HQ, the massacre needed to be brought forth.
"Yeah, he's one of us, sorry for the bother sir, like I said German commandos had penetrated our lines and it's been utter chaos. Everyone's trigger happy and on edge." The Sergeant said while the other one gave James his tags and papers back.
"By any chance," James began, "Have you heard anything about a massacre taking place?" Someone asked and James's eyes had widened.
"Yes! I was there and these men here are part of the resistance cell, there are some direct witnesses as well amongst them."
*
After a day had passed further news about the massacre had spread and it had indeed happened.
Which in turn brought out the darker side of the American troops, just like the Eastern front. SS soldiers were being sought out and butchered on the spot, no quarter was given and other acts of vengeance was carried out in severe war crimes.
The push towards Berlin was on and after months of fighting, the last bridge over the Rhine stood tall. The most experienced troops will be fighting to the death to hold that bridge while the main army makes its retreat towards Berlin.
The battle of Ludendorff bridge is going to begin.
**
As always thank you all for your continuing support, I've gotten the hang of things and the next chapter should be published within the next two days.
It's the beginning of the end for Germany and her fight, Merry (late) Christmas everyone! See you tomorrow!
YOU ARE READING
Screaming Eagles
Historical Fiction"You're about to embark on a great crusade..." General Dwight D. Eisenhower had said in his speech to the troops prior to the opening assault on Normandy's shores. However, Jack and James O'Brian never heard that speech, because they were in the air...
