WO1 William Brown:
While still waiting at the BRDM, Brown sees the German, what was it, borderguard come over to their vehicle.
quote:
"I haven't met you yet, who are you? Brown? I'm sorry this turn out this way, but things should be on more of an even keel now. I have limited means here, but is there anything you need? I'll try and organise some NATO uniforms, the Poles here might trade for your Polish ones."
You're correct. My name is Brown, Warrant Officer first Class, William Brown, British Special Air Services...
Not much we need, although some of us need some medical attention, some rest would definately be much apreciated and all...the...
It does not seem the German is really interested in what he had to say as her already moved away from him. Brown had a short flash back reminding him of a customs officer that searched his luggage at the airport when he got back from his holliday...ages ago.
Gerhard suddenly looks really, really tired. While his kit is neat and cared for, it looks lived in, as does he. He turns back and says
"I apologise Oberfeldwebel Braun," lapsing back into half-German,
"I'm not being rude, just stupid. I guess I'm not used to such hostility from our own people. I'm just a little bewildered.
Somehow Brown followed the German when he walked over to WO2 Corrigan.
quote:
"I think it should be all right now, Mr Corrigan. I haven't heard from any of your officers yet, so I'm assuming that you're in defacto command here, allthough they seem like an independent lot so 'command' may not be the right term. While I have NATO rank and am a soldier myself, I'm paramilitary and not military. This is an important distinction to me, and I'm not going to give orders to anyone." He smiles. "Especially when I can bet they'll be ignored. But, if you'd like to prepare a list of urgently needed supplies and services, I'll take them to the partisans with you. I was attached to an HQ unit to lead them out of Kalisz, so I ended up with piles of junk that should be useful to people without access to some of the support expected after you get out of the field. Anyway, thanks for your help in straightening this thing out. I think some of your people may have misinterpreted what I said to your Russian friend, but they're tired and I'm sure they'll realise I was trying to save her skin when they can think on it."
WO1 William Brown:
"Sorry to interrupt this conversation, but as highest ranked NCO I probably should asume.. what do you call it.. defacto command... Like I was saying what we need most at the moment is some security and rest, something most of us haven't had since... well since ages. Any other support, medical supplies, food and the likes would be usefull, but rest seems to be the major issue now."
Brown looked at the German border guard, trying to measure him before continuing.
"Something else we might be interested in is intell, but I will first try and talk to one of the offers, see what they think.
Gerhard looks at the sky and winces,
"I'm doing it again. I'm sorry gentlemen, I guess I'm just tired - it's been a difficult time since Posen and Kalisz has really knocked it out of me. I don't mean to be rude, please just humour me."
"As to intel . . . we'll, we're pretty much all unknowns to each other. I can see where you'd want to keep your information to yourselves, and I think you'll understand if I stay close mouthed to the time being. I'm trying to rig an antenna so I can contact higher command, if there is any, and get sorted out just who is who. Don't forget, our hosts may not be fighting the same war as us, so keep your people quiet when talking to them until I can found out what HQ thinks about them. But you're right, priorities are food and rest. Let's get everyone out of this roadblock, all we need is Russian patrol to wander up while we stand around."
