A TIGHT PERIMETER
By late in the afternoon, the Americans have fallen back to a tight perimEter no more than 100 feet across and clustered around the buildings on the east side of Route 13.
Corporal Kelly's aid station for the wounded is filled with a dozen men in serious condition -- many of them near death.
Turnbull, Niland, and Pickett emotionally and physically exhausted from the draining fight. Turnbull simply staries ahead for long moments, trying to guess what the Germans will throw at them next.
Turner thinks that they need to do something bold. The German paratroopers are much more aggressive than their regular infantry. If the Americans just stay on the defensive, the Germans will overrun the platoon in their next attack.
Could they do something completely unexpected? The Germans would not expect is a counter-attack.Maybe that's what they should do?
Attacking the Germans would be very risky. He needs to talk to his men and make certain they understand the situation.He needs to know they are with him.
“I’ve heard about spots like this, boys. We’re surrounded. That leaves one thing to do. Hit them in the center. If we hit them now, when they are not expecting it, we will probably bloody their noses pretty bad. Maybe we will stop them in their tracks.”
The men are silent. No one speaks in defense of Turnbull's plan and a few paratroopers murmur to each other. Sergeant Niland looks uneasy.
The Corporal Bowles speaks up.
“I think you’re wrong Chief. We’re not quite cut off yet. There’s a chance that we can pull back and set up another line on the hill behind the village.
“I think that’s what we ought to do. And that’s a better plan than your suicide attack!”
The fire is intense now, rounds whipping all around the men, the noise deafening. Turnbull is caught off guard by Corporal Bowles. The Lieutenant really does not like the Corporal.
But maybe he has a point?
What do you do now, Lieutenant?
