Jerries Object to Sharing Shack
With Pfc. Canard
When the fellows of E Company, 508th
Parachute Infantry, sneak of bedfellows, Private First Class Curtis
Canard of headquarters section smiles knowingly— for it was Canard's
unhappy experience to have the strangest.
It was during the bitter "Battle of the Bulge" when E Company was
in reserve, pulled back for a breathing spell after working out
along the Salm River. Canard, together with four members of the
company, moved out to set up and defend a road block some distance
from our lines.
During the night the Jerries succeeded in getting through the
position after bringing up three tanks and supporting infantry and
were on the prowl somewhere between the block and E Company's MLR
[Main Line of Resistance].
Canard arid his buddies planned to infiltrate back but in the
darkness Canard became separated from the small group. Alone, he
decided to wait until morning to complete the trip back and looked
around for a. place to sleep.
After a brief search he found a house which apparently was still
occupied. Outside was a small wagon with a team still in harness.
There was smoke coming from the chimney.
As far as Canard was concerned, he warned nothing more than to
spend the next few hours enjoying the warm hospitality of a Belgium
farmhouse. Finding the door open, he walked in arid saw the three
people who were living there asleep. He decided not to awaken them,
but to wait until morning to introduce himself.
He lay down by the fire, his rifle at his side, and within a minute
was sound asleep.
Some time later in the night, he awoke suddenly and found someone
leaning over him. He was blinded by a flashlight shining in his
face. In an instant he recognized one of his three 'hosts'. He was a
Jerry.
Canard started a well-aimed shoulder block but before he could
reach pay dirt, the Jerry smashed him across the nose with the
flashlight. The blow dropped him to the floor but in an instant
Canard was on his feet, this time with a bayonet in his hand.
The Jerry let out a yell for help to his two companions in the next
room and then headed for the nearest exit. Conrad stopped to pick up
his rifle and then followed him outside.
He cut loose with the three rounds remaining in the clip and then
decided this was the best time to rejoin the company. He did. It was
a few days before Canard admitted where he got the beat up nose
despite intensive questioning by his buddies. He declined to apply
for the Purple Heart.
"That's my first and last attempt at shacking up with the Jerries,"
Canard explained, "and as far as this non-fraternization program is
concerned, that's for me from here out." |