Adventures with Chuck
March 23, 1944: In the woods with Maquis
The Fiesler Storches (German spotter planes) haven’t found us….yet. We’re well-armed – British Sten guns, Spanish .38 Llama automatics – and I’d love to fire off a couple of bursts at one of those damned Storches, hit the radiator in its belly, and bring it down. But if the pilot radioed our location, we’d have…
Read MoreMarch 20-21, 1944: Evading Germans & Recon planes
Most of the time I have no idea where we are. We are constantly on the move, making camp twice a day to eat and sleep never staying anywhere more than a few hours at a time. The Germans are always hunting for us, their Fiesler Storches skinning in low over the forest while we…
Read MoreMarch 18-19, 1944. WWII.In the Woods with the Maquis
March 18-19, 2014 We bike ride back to Nerac in record time and sack out in the shed at Gabriel’s. At night, Raoul leaves. Gabriel takes me out in the forest. Uh oh. We hike for hours. I’m on guard. Where is he taking me? Why? I try not to think about how freezing cold…
Read MoreMarch 17-19, 1944: WWII. Blowing up Bridges.
March 17, ’44: Gabriel sends me with Raoul by bicycle up to Gabriel’s family home. I don’t know anything except I’m to go with Raoul. Hope I can trust him. We get to Gabriel’s parents’ house in about 3 hours. My legs are a bit stiff but I don’t have an alternative or a car.…
Read MoreMarch 16-17, 1944:WWII. Close call-Germans Walk Right in Front of Me
March 16, ’44: The girl leaves. No chance. But really too dangerous – don’t ever know who is on what side. March 17, 1944: Not much to do so I venture a little closer to the road – watch the passersby from under the shade of the tree, think about my next move. How am…
Read MoreMarch 14-15. Bicycle 2 nights to Nerac. One Step Ahead of the Germans
March 14, 1944 late, early March 15, 1944: Dr. Henri comes to pick me up at the farm. He’s a welcome face. Dr. Henri was one of the first people I met right after I bailed out of my plane. He had doctored my wounds. He speaks English pretty well. He’s Jewish so everyone drops…
Read MoreMarch 11, 1944: WWII. Hiding from Gestapo
March 11, 1944: The father had come and gotten us before dark yesterday. We were fairly safe in the woods – the Germans are a bit scared they might get ambushed. I’m getting a little antsy. Will I spend the rest of the war here? Was it still going on? What was happening? My wounds…
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