Pitschen ma en gamba - Small, but powerful [A Band of Brothers Story]

Preparing for the Invasion

It was now the end of May 1944 and they had moved from Aldbourne to Upottery. They were doing regular training jumps and they all sensed that something was going to happen soon. The only question was when.

Ella was sitting next to Gene while Lt Meehan outlined the operation. It was huge. "Each trooper will learn this operation by heart, and know his and every other outfit's mission to the detail", Meehan finished his briefing.

Dukeman stood up and raised his hand. "Lt Meehan?"

"Yes, Dukeman?"

"Sir, are we dropping tonight?", he asked.

Ella wondered the same thing. It would be an awful hurry to get geared up and ready till nightfall.

"When it's time for you to know, we'll let you know", Meehan answered. Guess that means 'I don't know either' in Army-language. "In the meantime, study these sand tables, maps and recon photos until you can draw a map of the area by memory", he ordered.

"Now, we will drop behind this Atlantic Wall five hours before the 4th Infantry lands at Utah. Between our assembly area and the Battalions' objective, there is a German garrison." He pointed at the map. "Right here in this area, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont."

He looked at the men. "Easy Company will destroy that garrison."

***

By the end of the day, Ella was ready to scream if she had to catch one more glimpse of anything related to the operation. She knew everybody's mission inside and out, she had actually drawn a map from memory, burning it immediately afterwards of course.

The young medic decided she needed a distraction from all the names, times and places swirling around in her brain. Walking down the long line of tents, she settled on the hood of one of the jeeps, a slight distance away from the soldiers' billets, and lay back. Breathing deeply, she felt her headache abate as the cool air filled her lungs.

What her mother was doing right now? Ella didn't even know what time it was back home. She pulled out one of the first letters from home. She had read it so many times, she knew its contents by heart. Her mother had been livid when she'd found out her only daughter wasn't a nurse but a combat medic, in the Airborne of all places.

'I do not want you there! You will tell your commanding officer immediately that you are transferring to the Nurse Corps, do you hear me! I will not lose you in this blasted war, too!' her letter had said.

Ella, knowing her mother needed some time to wrap her head around the idea, hadn't done anything of that sort. And sure enough, a few days later, she had received the letter she now carried with her wherever she went.

My dearest Ella,

I have to apologise for my harsh words. I only want you to be safe, you know that. I take it from your last letter that you have found friends among the soldiers. I am glad to hear that and I hope you are happy. Tell me, do you trust these men? Will they protect you in the field?

My charina figlia, I would be very grateful for your swift reply. I would love to hear more about your friends, they sound like good people. And promise me, you'll tell me AND your superiors straight away if they ever do something to hurt you.

Don't forget to take care of yourself, child. I am very proud of you. Jau pens a tai.

Lots of love

Your Mama

Isabel

Ella missed her mother. She wanted to hug her one last time, tell her how much she loved her. They would be jumping into occupied France in the next few days and who knows if or when she would get the chance to write again.