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

Brécourt Manor

The make-shift aid station was tiny and from the looks of it, there were only two other medics around, both not from 2nd Battalion. There weren't many wounded and Ella was grateful for it.

She quickly got to work, cleaning and bandaging injuries. Most of the wounds were relatively minor and didn't require evacuation to a hospital. Still, patching up all those bloodied soldiers took time and energy.

When she finally had some time on her hands, the girl carefully checked her ribs to see if anything was broken. It wasn't, but there were already bruises forming, spreading across her midriff like spilled ink.

"Are you okay, Sergeant?", one of the other medics – Olson – asked as she re-buttoned her shirt.

Ella turned around. His eyes became wide as saucers when he noticed she was a girl. "I'm fine", she smiled. "Just some scratches."

The man didn't react, just kept gaping at her.

The brunette raised an eyebrow. "Are you alright, Olson?", she inquired concernedly.

He blushed furiously. "Oh, ah... yes, Miss, I mean, Ma'am- uh...Sergeant." He hurried away.

She shook her head with a smile.

"Anyone seen Sergeant Sawyer?", someone called from the door.

"Over there", O'Hara – the second medic – pointed.

Ella raised her head. It was Malarkey. He waved her over. "C'mon, Shorty, the lieutenant wants us at the CP."

She tossed down the towel she was holding, grabbed her helmet and followed her friend.

***

The orders were to take out the German 88s firing on Utah Beach. There were two they knew of, but Winters said to expect at least two more. He calmly laid out the plan, the men listening closely.

"How many Krauts do you think we're facing?", Guarnere inquired.

Ella studied him from her position in the background. He looked on edge, angry. She couldn't pin-point why, but it almost seemed as if he had a problem with Winters. That's new, she thought, because Guarnere had always respected the Lieutenant.

Then she remembered the letter Johnny had mentioned just two days before. That would explain it. Poor guy. She resolved to check on him later, let him know that he didn't have to deal with it on his own.

"No idea", Winters admitted freely.

"No idea?", Guarnere repeated, an incredulous look on his face.

The lieutenant didn't react to it. Instead, he continued: "We'll take some TNT along with us. To spike the guns." He looked at Lipton. "Lipton, your responsibility."

"Yes sir", Lip acknowledged.

Winters assigned Liebgott, Petty, Plesha and Hendrix to the machine guns. Compton, Malarkey, Toye and Guarnere would be doing the main assault with him.

"Alright", Lipton said, "let's pack it up, boys."

Outside, Ella packed all the supplies she could fit into her satchel, musette bag and pockets.

"Just weapons and ammo, drop everything else!", Winters called. "Got any spare ammo in a pack or a musette bag, bring it along!"

He then turned to their young medic. "Ella, you stick with me."