Shrouded Glory_A WWII NOVEL by Chris Glatte

Author:Chris Glatte [Glatte, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-02-23T05:00:00+00:00

9

Mankowitz counted his remaining ammunition. He had five clips for his M1 and four grenades. It was enough for now, but if 2nd Platoon was on this ridge longer than a day, they’d need a resupply or have to retreat across the ridgeline. The prospect of having to recross the exposed ridge terrified him.

The thick fog had allowed the rest of the platoon to cross with no more casualties. The rest of the company was still back there, covering Point Able from the protected ridge. There wasn’t enough room for more men on this side.

There’d been a smattering of fire from the Japanese position, but nothing too intense. Lieutenant Callow ordered them to conserve ammunition and fire only if there was a high probability of a hit. There’d been a few opportunities, but the Japanese were as hunkered as the GIs.

The day was waning toward evening and Mankowitz wasn’t looking forward to spending the night on this ridge. The wind was icy cold, and he had nothing except the inadequate clothes on his back. Their food and water supply was low, and sleep would be impossible.

He huddled against Harwick and Lance. Lance’s voice was strained as he shivered. “We should attack tonight and get this shit over with, one way or another.”

Harwick nodded his agreement. “We’ll freeze to death if we stay here and if we’re gonna die, I’d rather take a few Nips with me.”

Mankowitz said, “We could rejoin the company once it’s dark.”

Harwick looked offended, “I didn’t cross that damned ridge for nothing. We’re here now, I think we should roll those sons of bitches up.”

Lance nodded, “I ain’t going back across that…especially at night.”

There was silence as they shivered against each other. Mankowitz stared at the stiffening body of Private Rattinger. “I should’ve taken him the other way. Could’ve gotten him to an aid station. Why the hell did I bring him over here?”

Harwick shook his head, “You didn’t have a choice. You couldn’t get him turned around and onto Callow’s back. You both would have fallen. Besides, he would have died anyway. He was gut shot.”

Lance added, “Yeah. He didn’t have a chance. You cleared the way for the others to come across.”

An M1 fired nearby and Private Montgomery cursed, “Take that, you slant-eyed little shit!” There was a flurry of return fire and the rocks chipped and the air was momentarily alive with snapping bullets. Montgomery hunkered a few yards away, laughing. He saw Mankowitz looking and called, “I got one. I’d been watching the son of a bitch and just knew he was gonna get out of his hole soon. Don’t know how, just knew he would. He paid for it.”

Lance nodded and called back, “One less Jap to deal with.”

“Amen to that,” Montgomery called back happily.

When the firing died down, Mankowitz noticed Staff Sergeant Calder making his way through the line of shivering GIs. He wondered if Montgomery was about to get an ass chewing, but Calder briefly spoke with him and moved along until he reached their hole.

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