June 8th-9th, 1944: St. Côme-du-Mont
Finding a lost regiment isn't an easy thing to do when you have no idea where you are. Doing so at night makes it a little harder. At least that is what the rag-tag group of four had found out. A whole day of walking the back country of Normandy had proven...well...eventful. Small arms fire happened through the day with another five men joining the group. The new additions were two more men from the 501st, a man from the 506th Dog Company as well as Fox Company, but no Easy. George was starting to get worried.
In the time it had taken the band of paratroopers to reach Ste. Marie-du-Mont, the regiment had already left. Thankfully a few supply trucks were still packing up and offered the wayward boys rides. Within an hours drive from the town of St. Côme-du-Mont the 501st men went their separate way, their regiment still cleaning up on the outskirts of the city while the 506th had taken the town. George, however, was a little heartbroken that he had missed Brécourt Manor and what was starting to trickle up from their actions at du-Mont as well. Pride swelled his chest at being with such a group but was quickly deflated with relief at being back with familiar faces.
The next day found the Company taking much needed rest within the city. Everyone knew it wouldn't last long so everywhere one could see men were stretched out smoking cigarets or trying to nap, but the tension was to great. That morning they had been put on stand-by which meant they were pulling out soon. But to where seemed to be the question on everyone's mind.
"George. Come on, George! You gotta know something!" Perconte whined beside of him. Well, it wasn't a real whine but the hint of it was there. "I mean you are th' radioman for 1st."
Hoobler just grinned his usual boyish smile. The kid loved war- he was almost eager to get moving again. "He doesn't know everything only what the brass wants him to know. Right, Luz?"
Pffting slightly, the comedian just smiled his cocky little half smile. "All the officers have been holed up in that shop for the past few hours. Every time I try to go close I'm ushered away like I was about to steal a cookie or something."
Dukeman perked up from looking at the collection of watches on Perco's arm, "Someone has cookies?" All three men turned and gave him a blank stare- it was George who was the first to recover. "Yes, Duke. Cookies. Let me go check in leg bag- oh wait! That's right! We all lost our leg bags! Sorry, kid. Fresh out." With a rejected look the private went back to looking at the watches.
"Hey fellas!" a familiar voice called from the edge of the group, rounding the back-end of a transport truck.
Luz blinked once, a large smile starting to cross his face. "Well look who decided to show up! Floyd- how the hell are ya?" With his hand out, Floyd Talbert gratefully shook it, relief at finally finding the Company evident in his, Shifty Powers, and Albert Blithe's faces. "Hi there, Luz. We thought we'd never find you guys."
"Hey, Tab, get a load of this!" Joe Leibgott walked over, digging something out of one of his pockets. He gave the red material a sharp flap to unroll it reveling a German flag. "You like that?"
Joe just grinned, "Yeah, it's the real stuff, man."
Talbert just grinned and dug out his own prize from a jacket pocket- a German paratroopers camo poncho. "Oh, nice!" Luz grinned, hand already going out to touch the material before Floyd started to roll it up again. "Nu uh, George."
Hoobler just smirked, watching with envy of the poncho. "My luger's gonna put you all to shame when I get it."
"That's a beauty, sarge."
"Let's go, 1st platoon! Easy is moving out! On your feet!" Turning their heads all the men gathered up their gear some still welcoming back the three wayward paratroopers. Quickly the men moved closer to the shop the officers had been in to stand in front of their platoon leader. Lieutenant Welsh was a short man- but a fiery little Irishman that got along well with his men.
"Listen up! It'll be dark soon. I want light and noise discipline from here on. No talking, no smoking. And no playing grab-fanny with the man in front of you, Luz."
Leo Boyle squinted against the sun as he moved into place in line, crossing his arms and shifting his gear about, "So, where we headed to, lieutenant, huh?"
Welsh didn't miss a beat as he hooked his musette bag around his neck soon followed by his mapcase. "We're taking Carentan." This sent a murmur amongst them men. That had been a strong guess where they were heading next. It wasn't going to be an easy fight.
Leibgott snorted once shifting his helmet against his side caused by seeing the large grin on Hoobler's face. In his usual callus tone, he remarked, "That sounds like fun."
"It's the only place where armor from Omaha and Utah beach can link up and head inland. Until we take Carentan, they're stuck on the sand. General Taylor is sending the whole division."
Now it was George's turn to be a smart-ass. Who would have expected less of him with a comment like that? Snarking once he looked up and around at the men beside of him before speaking. "Remember, boys," he started in his dead-on impression of General Taylor, "Give m' three days an' three nights of ha'd fightin' and you will be relieved." This, At least, got the men and Welsh snickering.
Hoobler soon stepped up with his hand raised to get attention. He was like a kid in a candy store. "Lieutenant? Lieutenant, I'll take point."
Welsh nodded, "Corporal Hoobler will be lead scout. Blithe, glad you could join us."
The still dazed Blithe just managed a brief small smile, "Thank you, sir."
"1st platoon, fall in behind Fox company," already their platoon leader was moving, motioning with his helmet for them to get going, "You people from 2nd and 3rd platoon follow us."
Adjusting his chin strap to fit around the back of his helmet Luz followed the line of men with another half smirked grin on his face. "Another thing to remember boys... Flies...spread disease. So keep yours closed." The platoons laughed, some calling out for more wise cracks and others for him remembering. It was good to be back with Easy.
Some dialouge taken from Band of Brothers