Women of War - A Band of Brothers Story

Fort Benning

A/N: Hello everyone. Thanks for your comments and votes on the last chapters, I'm happy you enjoyed it.

I have to admit, I'm not entirely happy with how this chapter turned out, but I just couldn't figure out how to fix it. Well, by the time I revise the story after it's finished, I might have a solution :) I hope you like it anyways.

In order to become certified paratrooper, each man and woman had to complete five training jumps out of a C-47. For that, the regiment moved to Fort Benning. This relocation proved to be the most gruelling exercise of their time in Toccoa.

Colonel Sink had read an article about a Japanese unit that had completed a forced march of 100 miles in 72 hours and since he was determined to prove that his regiment could do better, he sent 2nd Battalion on a 118-mile field march from Camp Toccoa to Atlanta.

The general consensus among the troops was that this was the most miserable experience they'd ever had. Setting off on 1st December 1942, they marched over rough and muddy roads in cold, rainy weather. The temperatures hovered around the freezing point, the rain sometimes turning to sleet or snow.

But, as much as they suffered over the four days it took them to reach Atlanta, the troopers' determination prevailed. Even when their limbs were numb from the cold, when they could hardly move from exhaustion or when they were practically delirious with pain, they kept moving.

And after 75 hours and 15 minutes, with an actual marching time of 33 hours and 30 minutes, the battalion reached their destination.

***

In the last two weeks of December, Easy Company qualified as paratroopers. In sticks of 12 people, they sat in the C-47s, waiting for their jump master's command when they reached the drop zone.

"Get ready!", their instructor yelled over the rattling and droning of the plane. "Stand up!"

Elizabeth got to her feet, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. Her heart beat was loud in her own ears.

"Hook up!"

Following the command, Irene reached up and attached herself to the static line, watching the men in front of her do the same.

"Check equipment!"

With shaky fingers, Helen checked her own gear before making sure Lipton's webbing was okay.

"Sound off for equipment check!"

With all the noise on the plane, it was impossible to hear more than the person behind and in front of oneself.

"Six okay!", Maxine heard from behind, accompanied by a slap on her arm to indicate all was in order.

"Five okay!", she shouted, giving Malarkey a clap on the shoulder.

"Four okay!", he continued the sound-off.

"Stand in the door!"

Ana María hurriedly whispered a prayer, crossing herself as their line moved forward with each person that jumped.

"Go!"

Talbert stepped out into the air and disappeared. Louise took his spot, hands braced on the outside of the door. Her body was buzzing with adrenaline. She didn't have time to think of all the things that could go wrong, of how crazy this was. The jump master gave the signal and she jumped.

Air whistled in her ears as she fell. Just barely, she held back a whoop of excitement. The prop blast tore at her, flinging her around like a ragdoll. Then, her canopy deployed, her fall slowing with an abrupt jerk.