yeshintae
04-22-2007, 04:23 PM
Here's a (long) short story I've been writing for half a year now. It's not finished, but I want to know what people think of it. So I signed up to this site... Yeah constructive critisism is nice, but please don't go too far! ^.^
Memoirs of Torn Men
January 13, 1943
My Dearest April,
How are you doing today? How is college treating you? I hope you are well. I’m glad to hear from you, your last letters have brought me much comfort during these harsh times. The latest of these fights has left me very exhausted. I can’t begin to explain how tired I am of this God damn war! It has not been even a year since our Battalion has been deployed and already 17 are dead from my Company! I have seen them die with my own eyes… I held them in my arms as a brother would hold a brother. Their bodies, so fragile… How could life disappear from such lively people? After fighting in this war, I’ve seen what true hell is like… These last few months have shown me how war can change people…
Sincerely Cedric
The North African Theater of World War II begins for America with “Operation Torch”. This was an amphibious assault on the North African beaches to take back the lands and liberate them from the Puppet French Government, the Fascist Italians, and the Nazis. This entire operation would spring into motion on November 8, 1942….
October 19, 1942
Dear, My Love April,
How is everything back in Carolina? Is the weather too cold? I hope not! It’s great out at sea here. A lot of things have been happening lately. My company commander said that we’re going to be deployed in 2 weeks! And you’ll never guess who I met! It was Ken and Brad from high school! Isn’t it weird? It used to be the three of us hanging out in High School and even in preschool! Man all the practical jokes we used to play on everyone! Anyhow they’re both in my company now, and we’re all gonna fight and drive those Nazi bastards out of Afrika so fast that they’ll be crying for Hitler! Life on the ship isn’t so bad you know? I could definitely get used to it out here. The wind is so peaceful, and the air smells… well how it should smell! But I could really use some of your famous pies out here. If I had even one of your pies here, I’d be the happiest man on Earth, well not as happy if I could be with you though, of course! You know what!? When I get back in 2 months, you, me, Brad, and ken will all go out to eat somewhere! Since I’m coming back we’ve got to celebrate right! Until then April!
Sincerely Cedric
October 17, 1942
Dear Mother and Father,
It’s been 3 weeks and 2 days since I’ve left home for the military. I found it quite relaxing and splendid here. We have seen no action yet, but when we do, I’ll make sure I’m safe just like you asked. Although I do have some doubts on whether I can do such a large task as help fight the Germans and survive at the same time. However I do have full confidence in my actions and so I think I’m ready to fight in this war! After all it is for the freedom and liberty for the French, and even for the British to some extent! Have you heard about the German offensive on England? Rumors are that the Germans are about to launch a massive offensive on the English channel in a small matter of time. This means our forces have to swiftly capture North Africa, before Hitler gets the chance to get a foothold in England. Even with that possibility in mind, I’m overwhelmed at the possibility to finally fight the Germans and even happier that you two will be in America safe.
Love Always, Brad
October 31, 1942
Loving Parents,
Isn’t it amazing? It is Halloween and it’s is raining at full torrent outside! I’m currently using my time by writing you guys a letter. My company Captain said that we will be taking for the shores of North Africa in 8 days or so! I can almost feel the sand underneath my boots. But I have even more surprising and good news! I met up with Cedric and Ken, from High School the other day. They are both within my regiment and have even been placed into my company! Cedric says it’s long, before the Germans will start running away from the three of us. I do not know how that will become possible, but I’m sure he can dream, right? Other than that, there really isn’t much to say about the life on the ship so far. It is exactly the same as that cruise we took when I was 15, only it is much more crowded. I know that you love me, but I want to pray for me so that I will be safe during the offensive. Other than that, Happy Halloween!
Love Always, Brad
November 6, 1942
Sweet, sweet April
How are the leaves right now? They must be changing color right about now. I’m pretty sure of that. Our company commander asked us to get a good nights sleep today, because our offensive starts early in the morning in 2 days, but I haven’t been able to put myself to sleep! It’s from all the excitement right now! I’m ready to go out there and fight those bastards to the end! That’s not saying that I’m going to die here April! Far from that! I’m gonna make sure I’ll be there in time for Christmas or at least Valentines Day! That’s a promise!
With Love, Cedric
November 11, 1942
My Loving April,
It is my 3rd day out on the sands of North Afrika. It is simply amazing! Right now, me and Brad are just hanging out at base camp and getting ready to move on to Egypt. The sunset is amazing over here. I wish you were here to see it with me. Anyways, Brad and I haven’t gotten into any fights yet, but we’re both itching for one! Ken’s lucky, he was sent in on the beach first, to secure it. He was the one with all the luck, even in elementary school. I find it sort of funny though, how is it that the nicest kid on the block gets to go to the beach and fight, while me and Brad, the pranksters of High School get left behind? Doesn’t make much sense to me! But, we’re supposed to meet up with Kenny soon; Brad and I are going to beat the story of the beach landing out of him if he doesn’t tell us!
Always, Cedric
November 11, 1942
Dear brother,
It’s been three days since my landing on North Africa. I’m sorry I haven’t written to you sooner. I just didn’t have the time on the ship. But the Captain has given us time to rest and write letters to people overseas. I’m going to spend this time, writing this letter to you. I hope you are doing well and the weather is cool back home. North Afrika is devastatingly hot. Other than that, everything is fine. What amazed me though is that the Company leader actually chose ME to go on the opening boat landing on the beach! It surprised me and the rest of the company. You remember Brad and Cedric don’t you, my high school buddies? Well they were pretty jealous of me I could tell. The beach landing itself was pretty smooth not much fighting at all. So I guess I caught a lucky break huh? Well the Captain is saying we have to keep moving now; our entire group has fallen behind the initial front, so we have to move faster than normal.
Until We Meet Again, Ken
November 15, 1942
Sweet, sweet April,
How is everything back home? I have to tell you, everything within our Company is going well. I hope the things are the same back home. Nothing bad has happened I presume? A mail courier came by today and he had a letter from you! I’m glad to hear that your mother recovered from her polio and she is doing fine. Well Brad and I met Kenny the other day. We both asked him how the landing went and all he could say was that it was nothing! All he did was walk away and go help the medic treat the sick. You see, me and Brad still haven’t seen combat yet so we were going around asking for stories. Finally one of the riflemen told us the story of the landing! He said that it was one of the most bloodiest things he had every seen! The moment the guys stepped out of the boat, people were getting shot left and right! Brad and I were pretty confused, since Kenny had said that it wasn’t that rough of a landing. Maybe that guy was in a different landing then Kenny? Anyway, don’t worry about me April, I’m gonna get out of this war fine! You’ll see! I can’t die without seeing you one last time, right?
With Love, Cedric
November 21, 1942
Dear mother and father,
I’m currently sitting on a rock writing you a letter, because I finally received your response from a mail courier a week ago. I know I should have written when I received it, but I was very busy. I still haven’t seen combat, so I’m not injured except for a slight cold, because of the chilly nights here. I’m pretty sure you two are very worried right now, but don’t worry I’ve got Ken and Cedric helping me all along the way! Also did you hear about the news about the French Resistance? There are rumors among the officers that the French Resistance is running away from the Germans in Tunisia! I don’t know what to make of this. Currently we are near the border of Tunisia, and the French have already retreated across the border as the soldier gossip says. A lot of the soldiers here are saying that it won’t be long before the German “Desert Rats” comes out from their nest and hunts all of us down! I might want to fight for my country, but I’m certainly not willing to go up against Rommel’s Desert Rats. I’ve heard stuff about those guys. They can go through the desert for days without any food or water! They travel in hot stuffy tanks, and the infantry can actually bear the intense heat in the day and the extreme cold at night! These guys are true veterans! So you guys won’t have to worry about me dying soon, because I will not be fighting those guys anytime soon!
Your Son, Brad
November 29, 1942
Loving April,
It’s been a while since I last wrote you a letter. I’ve finally got myself into a fight! It comes with a feeling that is almost impossible to explain, a sensation of bravery, fear, and sweat all together in one. The entire firefight started off in the most unexpected way! Our entire company was ambushed by Italian forces! We were off going down near a river bank, when all of a sudden I could hear the cracking of rifles and the smell of gun smoke. My entire company took cover behind some large rocks between us and the enemy. The bastards were on the other side of the river bank and outnumbered us! With more men then us, they were able to get some of their troops to attack us directly with bayonets! It was all thanks to Brad that we got out of that one! When the Italians were coming toward the river, we were totally pinned down. I looked around and I saw that it was just me and Brad. Kenny had been right next to us but he had disappeared. Then all of a sudden, Brad said a quick prayer, jumped out from behind the rock and started firing at the Italians! With his show of bravery, our entire company exposed itself to fire and started charging toward the opposite riverbank. And with that, the Italians on the riverbank retreated, and the ones in the river were bayoneted by us! It was a great victory and we all celebrated afterward with a party. The only weird thing about it all was that Kenny was sitting by himself, away from the festivities. I was gonna go ask him what was wrong, but I decided not to… He’s just that kind of guy, you know?
With Loving Pride and Joy, Cedric
November 29, 1942
Dear parents,
I’ve been proclaimed a hero by my company! It all started last week during my first firefight! Our company was going down a riverbank to cross a river and save time instead of going around and crossing a bridge. The thing was the entire thing was an ambush! While we started to make our descent, Italian troops began firing upon us from the opposite bank! All of us scattered, panic filled through our ranks. The entire company had sought refuge from the gunfire behind some rocks near the river. The sounds of guns and the bullets ricocheting off the rocks clanged through my ears. All of a sudden I heard, “Italian troops crossing the river!” I peeked out and saw a horrid sight. The Italians outnumbered and were able to have one team fire at us keeping our entire company pinned down, while sending an assault team to go for the kill. I looked around and all I saw was chaos. Brad was taking cover behind the rock next to me, our Captain was shouting out orders above the shots of lead, and soldiers were trying to fire back. Confusion and anarchy were within our ranks. I scoured the entire battlefield for Ken, but he was nowhere to be found. I peeked out again and I saw that the Italians were halfway across the river. That’s when I realized right then it would be the perfect time to strike! If the enemy was in the deepest part of the river, they would not be able to strike back at us if we attacked them! So I jumped out and started firing at the fascists! I don’t know what happened afterwards, it was all just a rush of adrenaline. Cedric told me that I just sort of rushed out toward the enemy, taking as many as I could! I’m not sure about that but after I started firing, the entire company did the same and we drove those bastards back to Tunisia! Afterwards we had a great party! The only thing that really bothered me though, was that Ken was all by himself during the drinking. He worries me a lot lately. He hasn’t been saying much to us lately. Other than that everything’s good.
Your Hero, Brad
November 30, 1942
Dear Brother,
How are you today? It has been a while since I last wrote to you, but I finally got the chance to write you another. Our entire company got into a massive firefight the other week. The entire thing was chaos I’m telling you. Couldn’t tell what the heck was going on. All I remember was a bunch of yelling and gunshots going off everywhere. We ended up winning, even though the enemy had strength in numbers. It was all thanks to Brad. Everyone in the company thinks of him as a hero now, they say “if it weren’t for him, we would be part of some meatball stew right now!” Laughing and joking all the while. I’m not sure how to feel about this right now. Cedric and Brad are always re-enacting that battle with the others, telling the newcomers exactly what happened. I can’t be sure what they are so happy about. I don’t know why, but I don’t feel good fighting in this war. I saw people die during this war. Earlier I felt like I was doing this to help the people of Europe and America, but now I’m not so sure. What did those soldiers die for?
Love Ken
December 15, 1942
Dear April,
It’s now December in North Afrika and it is still hot during the day! Of course it is cold at night, but it is wondrous how the weather can be in such places! Is there snow back in Carolina? If there is, send some to me by mail, Brad and I are eager to get back home for Christmas and snowball fights. We’ve gotten into several more fights now and our company has emerged the winner in all of them! You should have seen the amount of prisoners we got in our last battle! So many that we needed another company to accompany us to the POW camp near Egypt. Brad has definitely become the leader of our group within the company. It is with his leadership that we have gotten out alive every single battle. Ken is with some other leader though. Me and Brad have asked him to join us, but he always says no. I wonder if the heat has gotten into his head sometimes! Some new nuggets (or new recruits as we veterans say!) have come in through Egypt and are showing their readiness for combat. The company leader asked me and Brad to go help train them in basic survival skills in case they get caught in a battle anytime soon. I don’t think so though, our entire company has just gotten through 3 more major battles with only 2 casualties! Our company has been nicknamed “The Grim Reapers” by the Italians, because we always attack by night. They even have a nickname for Brad! “The Lich” they call him! I have no idea what it means, but I have a feeling it’s bad! For the Italians at least!
With love, Cedric
December 17, 1942
Dear Mother and Father,
I know it has been a long time since I have written a letter to you, but I really haven’t the time lately. Brad and I have been very busy with our duties to help train the new recruits from England and America. Our company has won three major battles since my last letter and we have taken almost 1500 prisoners in total. We escorted them to a POW camp near the border of Egypt last week, there for the first time I saw the prisoner camp. It is not the best housing of all means, but it suits the enemy well. Better housing then we gets in my opinion! At least they get a roof on top of their heads; we have to sleep outside in tents. I was looking at the interrogators of our army doing their work and I was listening in. I figured out that the Italians had called our company “The Grim Reapers” because we always struck the enemy at night. Then one of the Italians pointed to me, yelped in fear, and started speaking in some Italian to the translator. I was surprised when the translator told me that I was “The Fearsome Lich” of the American army! I’m not sure you know this, my parents, but Lich means demon or devil in many languages. It seems like I am the Demon amongst the Grim Reapers. After that nice lecture, the interrogators showed me some tips on how to gain information from enemy prisoners. They felt that if a well-known enemy figure was interrogating them, the Italians would easily let loose of their tongues. And sure enough, the moment I started using the techniques that they asked, the Italians were singing like canaries! The information that they gave was about a secret supply line moving from Tunisia to hidden German and Italian forces within Egypt. I talked to the company leader and he said that we will be moving out to hit one of these supply routes to get the Germans and Italians were it hurts the most!
Proud Hero and “Lich”, Brad
December 18, 1942
Brother,
I write this letter to you with many worries on my mind. My company brought the prisoners that we had gained from 3 major battles that we had won to a POW camp near Egypt. When we had settled in I went about looking around the entire place. The camp is a sewer and a filthy place. I’m not sure even where to begin. The barracks where the prisoners are kept in smell like human corpses and waste at every waking moment and are very crowded! Meals are given once a day, sometimes not even given to help support our own bellies. The food itself is terrible, with white maggots living and eating the bread before the Italians can eat it themselves. Every stew is filled with green filth that even I cannot hope to describe! Prisoners that die are left to rot on the floors until friends come and pick them up to bury them with their bare hands in the desert sands! Even through all this our entire company seems to pay it no heed at all! Cedric laughs with his buddies on a good joke and I see Brad beating up prisoners with interrogators! How can this be tolerated! I tried talking to Cedric, but it didn’t work out. All he said was, “These guys are the enemy. We can’t go giving them apartments now can we? Why should we? They tried to kill us and our liberty and freedom!” But why can’t he see that their freedoms are being destroyed? I need to talk to Brad. His entire head seems to be filled with ideas of glory and pride. What happened to the humble, modest man who used to be? Brad might understand this predicament though, he is more intelligent than Cedric after all…
From Ken
Memoirs of Torn Men
January 13, 1943
My Dearest April,
How are you doing today? How is college treating you? I hope you are well. I’m glad to hear from you, your last letters have brought me much comfort during these harsh times. The latest of these fights has left me very exhausted. I can’t begin to explain how tired I am of this God damn war! It has not been even a year since our Battalion has been deployed and already 17 are dead from my Company! I have seen them die with my own eyes… I held them in my arms as a brother would hold a brother. Their bodies, so fragile… How could life disappear from such lively people? After fighting in this war, I’ve seen what true hell is like… These last few months have shown me how war can change people…
Sincerely Cedric
The North African Theater of World War II begins for America with “Operation Torch”. This was an amphibious assault on the North African beaches to take back the lands and liberate them from the Puppet French Government, the Fascist Italians, and the Nazis. This entire operation would spring into motion on November 8, 1942….
October 19, 1942
Dear, My Love April,
How is everything back in Carolina? Is the weather too cold? I hope not! It’s great out at sea here. A lot of things have been happening lately. My company commander said that we’re going to be deployed in 2 weeks! And you’ll never guess who I met! It was Ken and Brad from high school! Isn’t it weird? It used to be the three of us hanging out in High School and even in preschool! Man all the practical jokes we used to play on everyone! Anyhow they’re both in my company now, and we’re all gonna fight and drive those Nazi bastards out of Afrika so fast that they’ll be crying for Hitler! Life on the ship isn’t so bad you know? I could definitely get used to it out here. The wind is so peaceful, and the air smells… well how it should smell! But I could really use some of your famous pies out here. If I had even one of your pies here, I’d be the happiest man on Earth, well not as happy if I could be with you though, of course! You know what!? When I get back in 2 months, you, me, Brad, and ken will all go out to eat somewhere! Since I’m coming back we’ve got to celebrate right! Until then April!
Sincerely Cedric
October 17, 1942
Dear Mother and Father,
It’s been 3 weeks and 2 days since I’ve left home for the military. I found it quite relaxing and splendid here. We have seen no action yet, but when we do, I’ll make sure I’m safe just like you asked. Although I do have some doubts on whether I can do such a large task as help fight the Germans and survive at the same time. However I do have full confidence in my actions and so I think I’m ready to fight in this war! After all it is for the freedom and liberty for the French, and even for the British to some extent! Have you heard about the German offensive on England? Rumors are that the Germans are about to launch a massive offensive on the English channel in a small matter of time. This means our forces have to swiftly capture North Africa, before Hitler gets the chance to get a foothold in England. Even with that possibility in mind, I’m overwhelmed at the possibility to finally fight the Germans and even happier that you two will be in America safe.
Love Always, Brad
October 31, 1942
Loving Parents,
Isn’t it amazing? It is Halloween and it’s is raining at full torrent outside! I’m currently using my time by writing you guys a letter. My company Captain said that we will be taking for the shores of North Africa in 8 days or so! I can almost feel the sand underneath my boots. But I have even more surprising and good news! I met up with Cedric and Ken, from High School the other day. They are both within my regiment and have even been placed into my company! Cedric says it’s long, before the Germans will start running away from the three of us. I do not know how that will become possible, but I’m sure he can dream, right? Other than that, there really isn’t much to say about the life on the ship so far. It is exactly the same as that cruise we took when I was 15, only it is much more crowded. I know that you love me, but I want to pray for me so that I will be safe during the offensive. Other than that, Happy Halloween!
Love Always, Brad
November 6, 1942
Sweet, sweet April
How are the leaves right now? They must be changing color right about now. I’m pretty sure of that. Our company commander asked us to get a good nights sleep today, because our offensive starts early in the morning in 2 days, but I haven’t been able to put myself to sleep! It’s from all the excitement right now! I’m ready to go out there and fight those bastards to the end! That’s not saying that I’m going to die here April! Far from that! I’m gonna make sure I’ll be there in time for Christmas or at least Valentines Day! That’s a promise!
With Love, Cedric
November 11, 1942
My Loving April,
It is my 3rd day out on the sands of North Afrika. It is simply amazing! Right now, me and Brad are just hanging out at base camp and getting ready to move on to Egypt. The sunset is amazing over here. I wish you were here to see it with me. Anyways, Brad and I haven’t gotten into any fights yet, but we’re both itching for one! Ken’s lucky, he was sent in on the beach first, to secure it. He was the one with all the luck, even in elementary school. I find it sort of funny though, how is it that the nicest kid on the block gets to go to the beach and fight, while me and Brad, the pranksters of High School get left behind? Doesn’t make much sense to me! But, we’re supposed to meet up with Kenny soon; Brad and I are going to beat the story of the beach landing out of him if he doesn’t tell us!
Always, Cedric
November 11, 1942
Dear brother,
It’s been three days since my landing on North Africa. I’m sorry I haven’t written to you sooner. I just didn’t have the time on the ship. But the Captain has given us time to rest and write letters to people overseas. I’m going to spend this time, writing this letter to you. I hope you are doing well and the weather is cool back home. North Afrika is devastatingly hot. Other than that, everything is fine. What amazed me though is that the Company leader actually chose ME to go on the opening boat landing on the beach! It surprised me and the rest of the company. You remember Brad and Cedric don’t you, my high school buddies? Well they were pretty jealous of me I could tell. The beach landing itself was pretty smooth not much fighting at all. So I guess I caught a lucky break huh? Well the Captain is saying we have to keep moving now; our entire group has fallen behind the initial front, so we have to move faster than normal.
Until We Meet Again, Ken
November 15, 1942
Sweet, sweet April,
How is everything back home? I have to tell you, everything within our Company is going well. I hope the things are the same back home. Nothing bad has happened I presume? A mail courier came by today and he had a letter from you! I’m glad to hear that your mother recovered from her polio and she is doing fine. Well Brad and I met Kenny the other day. We both asked him how the landing went and all he could say was that it was nothing! All he did was walk away and go help the medic treat the sick. You see, me and Brad still haven’t seen combat yet so we were going around asking for stories. Finally one of the riflemen told us the story of the landing! He said that it was one of the most bloodiest things he had every seen! The moment the guys stepped out of the boat, people were getting shot left and right! Brad and I were pretty confused, since Kenny had said that it wasn’t that rough of a landing. Maybe that guy was in a different landing then Kenny? Anyway, don’t worry about me April, I’m gonna get out of this war fine! You’ll see! I can’t die without seeing you one last time, right?
With Love, Cedric
November 21, 1942
Dear mother and father,
I’m currently sitting on a rock writing you a letter, because I finally received your response from a mail courier a week ago. I know I should have written when I received it, but I was very busy. I still haven’t seen combat, so I’m not injured except for a slight cold, because of the chilly nights here. I’m pretty sure you two are very worried right now, but don’t worry I’ve got Ken and Cedric helping me all along the way! Also did you hear about the news about the French Resistance? There are rumors among the officers that the French Resistance is running away from the Germans in Tunisia! I don’t know what to make of this. Currently we are near the border of Tunisia, and the French have already retreated across the border as the soldier gossip says. A lot of the soldiers here are saying that it won’t be long before the German “Desert Rats” comes out from their nest and hunts all of us down! I might want to fight for my country, but I’m certainly not willing to go up against Rommel’s Desert Rats. I’ve heard stuff about those guys. They can go through the desert for days without any food or water! They travel in hot stuffy tanks, and the infantry can actually bear the intense heat in the day and the extreme cold at night! These guys are true veterans! So you guys won’t have to worry about me dying soon, because I will not be fighting those guys anytime soon!
Your Son, Brad
November 29, 1942
Loving April,
It’s been a while since I last wrote you a letter. I’ve finally got myself into a fight! It comes with a feeling that is almost impossible to explain, a sensation of bravery, fear, and sweat all together in one. The entire firefight started off in the most unexpected way! Our entire company was ambushed by Italian forces! We were off going down near a river bank, when all of a sudden I could hear the cracking of rifles and the smell of gun smoke. My entire company took cover behind some large rocks between us and the enemy. The bastards were on the other side of the river bank and outnumbered us! With more men then us, they were able to get some of their troops to attack us directly with bayonets! It was all thanks to Brad that we got out of that one! When the Italians were coming toward the river, we were totally pinned down. I looked around and I saw that it was just me and Brad. Kenny had been right next to us but he had disappeared. Then all of a sudden, Brad said a quick prayer, jumped out from behind the rock and started firing at the Italians! With his show of bravery, our entire company exposed itself to fire and started charging toward the opposite riverbank. And with that, the Italians on the riverbank retreated, and the ones in the river were bayoneted by us! It was a great victory and we all celebrated afterward with a party. The only weird thing about it all was that Kenny was sitting by himself, away from the festivities. I was gonna go ask him what was wrong, but I decided not to… He’s just that kind of guy, you know?
With Loving Pride and Joy, Cedric
November 29, 1942
Dear parents,
I’ve been proclaimed a hero by my company! It all started last week during my first firefight! Our company was going down a riverbank to cross a river and save time instead of going around and crossing a bridge. The thing was the entire thing was an ambush! While we started to make our descent, Italian troops began firing upon us from the opposite bank! All of us scattered, panic filled through our ranks. The entire company had sought refuge from the gunfire behind some rocks near the river. The sounds of guns and the bullets ricocheting off the rocks clanged through my ears. All of a sudden I heard, “Italian troops crossing the river!” I peeked out and saw a horrid sight. The Italians outnumbered and were able to have one team fire at us keeping our entire company pinned down, while sending an assault team to go for the kill. I looked around and all I saw was chaos. Brad was taking cover behind the rock next to me, our Captain was shouting out orders above the shots of lead, and soldiers were trying to fire back. Confusion and anarchy were within our ranks. I scoured the entire battlefield for Ken, but he was nowhere to be found. I peeked out again and I saw that the Italians were halfway across the river. That’s when I realized right then it would be the perfect time to strike! If the enemy was in the deepest part of the river, they would not be able to strike back at us if we attacked them! So I jumped out and started firing at the fascists! I don’t know what happened afterwards, it was all just a rush of adrenaline. Cedric told me that I just sort of rushed out toward the enemy, taking as many as I could! I’m not sure about that but after I started firing, the entire company did the same and we drove those bastards back to Tunisia! Afterwards we had a great party! The only thing that really bothered me though, was that Ken was all by himself during the drinking. He worries me a lot lately. He hasn’t been saying much to us lately. Other than that everything’s good.
Your Hero, Brad
November 30, 1942
Dear Brother,
How are you today? It has been a while since I last wrote to you, but I finally got the chance to write you another. Our entire company got into a massive firefight the other week. The entire thing was chaos I’m telling you. Couldn’t tell what the heck was going on. All I remember was a bunch of yelling and gunshots going off everywhere. We ended up winning, even though the enemy had strength in numbers. It was all thanks to Brad. Everyone in the company thinks of him as a hero now, they say “if it weren’t for him, we would be part of some meatball stew right now!” Laughing and joking all the while. I’m not sure how to feel about this right now. Cedric and Brad are always re-enacting that battle with the others, telling the newcomers exactly what happened. I can’t be sure what they are so happy about. I don’t know why, but I don’t feel good fighting in this war. I saw people die during this war. Earlier I felt like I was doing this to help the people of Europe and America, but now I’m not so sure. What did those soldiers die for?
Love Ken
December 15, 1942
Dear April,
It’s now December in North Afrika and it is still hot during the day! Of course it is cold at night, but it is wondrous how the weather can be in such places! Is there snow back in Carolina? If there is, send some to me by mail, Brad and I are eager to get back home for Christmas and snowball fights. We’ve gotten into several more fights now and our company has emerged the winner in all of them! You should have seen the amount of prisoners we got in our last battle! So many that we needed another company to accompany us to the POW camp near Egypt. Brad has definitely become the leader of our group within the company. It is with his leadership that we have gotten out alive every single battle. Ken is with some other leader though. Me and Brad have asked him to join us, but he always says no. I wonder if the heat has gotten into his head sometimes! Some new nuggets (or new recruits as we veterans say!) have come in through Egypt and are showing their readiness for combat. The company leader asked me and Brad to go help train them in basic survival skills in case they get caught in a battle anytime soon. I don’t think so though, our entire company has just gotten through 3 more major battles with only 2 casualties! Our company has been nicknamed “The Grim Reapers” by the Italians, because we always attack by night. They even have a nickname for Brad! “The Lich” they call him! I have no idea what it means, but I have a feeling it’s bad! For the Italians at least!
With love, Cedric
December 17, 1942
Dear Mother and Father,
I know it has been a long time since I have written a letter to you, but I really haven’t the time lately. Brad and I have been very busy with our duties to help train the new recruits from England and America. Our company has won three major battles since my last letter and we have taken almost 1500 prisoners in total. We escorted them to a POW camp near the border of Egypt last week, there for the first time I saw the prisoner camp. It is not the best housing of all means, but it suits the enemy well. Better housing then we gets in my opinion! At least they get a roof on top of their heads; we have to sleep outside in tents. I was looking at the interrogators of our army doing their work and I was listening in. I figured out that the Italians had called our company “The Grim Reapers” because we always struck the enemy at night. Then one of the Italians pointed to me, yelped in fear, and started speaking in some Italian to the translator. I was surprised when the translator told me that I was “The Fearsome Lich” of the American army! I’m not sure you know this, my parents, but Lich means demon or devil in many languages. It seems like I am the Demon amongst the Grim Reapers. After that nice lecture, the interrogators showed me some tips on how to gain information from enemy prisoners. They felt that if a well-known enemy figure was interrogating them, the Italians would easily let loose of their tongues. And sure enough, the moment I started using the techniques that they asked, the Italians were singing like canaries! The information that they gave was about a secret supply line moving from Tunisia to hidden German and Italian forces within Egypt. I talked to the company leader and he said that we will be moving out to hit one of these supply routes to get the Germans and Italians were it hurts the most!
Proud Hero and “Lich”, Brad
December 18, 1942
Brother,
I write this letter to you with many worries on my mind. My company brought the prisoners that we had gained from 3 major battles that we had won to a POW camp near Egypt. When we had settled in I went about looking around the entire place. The camp is a sewer and a filthy place. I’m not sure even where to begin. The barracks where the prisoners are kept in smell like human corpses and waste at every waking moment and are very crowded! Meals are given once a day, sometimes not even given to help support our own bellies. The food itself is terrible, with white maggots living and eating the bread before the Italians can eat it themselves. Every stew is filled with green filth that even I cannot hope to describe! Prisoners that die are left to rot on the floors until friends come and pick them up to bury them with their bare hands in the desert sands! Even through all this our entire company seems to pay it no heed at all! Cedric laughs with his buddies on a good joke and I see Brad beating up prisoners with interrogators! How can this be tolerated! I tried talking to Cedric, but it didn’t work out. All he said was, “These guys are the enemy. We can’t go giving them apartments now can we? Why should we? They tried to kill us and our liberty and freedom!” But why can’t he see that their freedoms are being destroyed? I need to talk to Brad. His entire head seems to be filled with ideas of glory and pride. What happened to the humble, modest man who used to be? Brad might understand this predicament though, he is more intelligent than Cedric after all…
From Ken