CHAPTER 11 - PATRIOTS
“Think where a man’s glory most begins and ends, Having been helped to escape and embraced by the Czech Resistance Tim and I continued to work in the fields on the day of our escape. We mingled in with the other workers but as the thrill of our escape gradually wore off we began to feel a little apprehensive. The other workers were most helpful it has to be said but we were still strangers in a strange land. We did not work particularly hard literally just following the movements of the others. We just had no idea what the next move would be. It began to get dark and suddenly the next move was revealed. We saw three men approaching us and as they drew near we recognised two of them as the men we had replaced in the work party. The third man was big, unshaven and looked a very rough individual. Using sign language we were told to hand the tools to the other two men and follow the big man. We were also instructed to stay close since it was now getting quite dark. So we set off keeping quite close to the hedge. Then we had to cross a ploughed field at the double, holding hands as we did so. We travelled for some time along what must have been a stream because I could feel the water lapping around my ankles. If we thought this part of the journey was tough worse was to follow. |
Pte. Joseph Hutt |
It seemed like an age before our guide ordered us to stop and rest. We sat down and could just make out that we had entered a wooded area. Everything was blotted out by the darkness. I do not know how long we sat there but it seemed only minutes to me. Linking hands again we continued our journey. There followed one of the most strenuous walks in my life. It was pitch black but it did not seem to deter our guide who seemed to be gradually increasing the tempo. We were obviously climbing steeply now. We had to stop three times to rest and to get our breath. Just when I thought I was going to have to tell our guide that I was all in we suddenly stopped. Our guide prostrated himself on the ground obviously exhausted too. Tim and I soon followed suit. As we recovered we noticed that we were sitting on top of a small mountain and what a sight greeted our eyes. Down below was a pit of darkness alleviated only by the myriad of twinkling lights. We had climbed a long way it seemed.
Suddenly we were on our way again only on level ground now. It was deathly quiet and suddenly we tensed up when a sharp voice challenged us. It was obviously a challenge and our guide responded immediately. We could not understand a word but it must have been a password because the strange voice suddenly became friendly. We moved and were stopped twice more and then a third time when we seemed to be held up a little longer. There was more conversation this time obviously unintelligible to us. Suddenly I heard the swish of canvas and we were ushered inside and lit by a small flickering light we could see we were in a cave. It was rather a large cave, at least one hundred by thirty yards. It was very dark above so I could not determine how high it was. There boulders and other small rocks pulled to one side to make a pathway down the middle of the sandy floor. It was pleasantly warm.
We were then led down the path and noticed niches cut in the rock from which emanated light from candles or small oil lamps, I really could not tell which. At the far end of the cave we could make out a large fire with shadowy figures hunched around. Obviously, this was where the welcoming warmth was coming from. There must have been around thirty men I reckoned, just sitting or standing. As we approached silence fell and a huge man got to his feet. He was well over six feet and broad in the shoulder. He was heavily bearded and I remember thinking he would make a better friend than foe. He suddenly beckoned to a much smaller man who approached us.
“I speak a little English,” he said. “Welcome to our home.”
He pointed to the big man. “This is Stefan, our leader and I am Jan.”
They then began an earnest conversation in their own language while we just looked on.
Jan spoke again, “You will sleep now and will not be disturbed. You must be very tired.”
I remember thinking that that was an understatement if ever I heard one but I thought how considerate they were. We were shown to our beds and were given pride of place near the fire. However, we looked askance at the beds themselves since they were on a rocky ledge and made out of ferns on a sandy base. Never the less I am sure I was asleep before my head hit the ferns.
I awoke feeling rested but my bones were really aching. All the men were up and about and the fire was still going but we did notice a few strangers. They were in earnest conversation with Stefan who every so often would point to us. As soon as Jan knew we were awake he came over to us and informed us that the strangers were from another partisan group. Apparently, Stefan was telling them proudly that we were Englishmen who had stood up to Hitler and were now beating him. High praise indeed! We stretched our limbs and Jan led us to a small cleft in the rock face. We were given a small towel, about two feet square and a tablet of soap. We stepped out into the open. It was early morning and dawn was only just breaking. We went to a small hollow in the rocks and found a small trickle of water making its way into a natural bowl. The water was lovely and clear. Hanging on the rocks were several items of clothing and suddenly several naked partisans ran into the clearing and made for the clothes and began towelling themselves vigorously before getting dressed. Then it was our turn. We were told to strip off and taken to a place where a small stream had been diverted so that it plunged down onto a spur making a perfect shower. However it really was cold, so much so that we gasped as soon as we stepped under it. We were able to create precious little lather but cleansed ourselves and after vigorously towelling ourselves down joined the queue for clothing. We began to feel warmer and found that our aches and pains had all but disappeared. Jan told us that this was a daily ritual and no one was exempt.
After our ablutions we re entered the cave and were shown to a table made from logs of wood. We were handed a plate and given a large helping of porridge. It was not as pleasing to the palate as our porridge and was salted but it was piping hot and very filling. Then came the shock. We were handed a plate of food consisting of bacon and egg and a piece of sausage. The eggs were different in size so we concluded that they were wild bird’s eggs. In truth the sausage left a lot to be desired but where did it all come from? We were to find out later. The meal was followed by a cup of coffee made from acorns and a cigarette. The cigarette was rather course and harsh on the throat and the smell a little off putting but it did the trick. There was no mid day meal as such but a barrel of apples was always available and boiling water at hand for coffee. The evening meal was really substantial. It was a kind of goulash, liberally thickened with vegetables and plenty of meat. A crust of bread the size of a man's fist was handed out to scoop up the goulash. Although seconds were offered I never saw any one accept.
That afternoon, using Jan as interpreter, we had a long conversation with Stefan. He was quite willing for us to remain as guests but we informed him that we were still soldiers and it was our duty to operate as if still in the front line. We had, in theory, been seconded to his regiment and he was now our commanding officer. We assured him we would carry out his orders and asked to involved in the chores, as was everyone else. Stefan was visibly moved by this and appeared impressed. Jan quickly told the others and we were happily accepted as partisans. We could exchange ideas and could teach them about strategy and in turn they would teach us tracking and stalking and all the other intricacies of the woodland. This proved very invaluable to us later on.
Our first day was over and so to bed.
Next morning after breakfast, Jan informed us that we were to be shown round so that we could be initiated into the workings of each camp. We were taken to the opening of the cave and stopped at the huge sheet of canvas covering the entrance. There we were given woollen balaclavas and a large sort of poncho. The colour was green I remember. We could not see what use it would be at first but we soon found out. Once outside we could see clearly that we were on a kind of plateau about the size of a soccer pitch. There were boulders scattered around and about a dozen pine trees. We were taken to the edge of the plateau and could see that it was a sheer drop. Jan told us that there were only three ways to get onto the plateau and we would be shown later. On a huge rock nearby was a cleverly hidden hideout from which watch could be kept. Stefan showed us a pair of field glasses that he said a German soldier had “mislaid”. He had a twinkle in his eye when he told us that.
We were now taken to the top of the huge rock to where a metal disk about the size of a dustbin lid was hanging from two ropes. We could see partisans moving about below us. Stefan then picked up the branch of a tree and Jan told us to shut our eyes. I was suddenly jolted by a loud clang and nearly fell off the rock. Jan told us to open our eyes and when we looked down there was no sign of life anywhere. Stefan had obviously struck the metal disk quite hard. Stefan then produced what looked like an old car horn, the type with the rubber ball at one end. He pressed the ball and the strident sound rang out. Then we witnessed an amazing sight. Boulders suddenly sprang to life; figures detached themselves from trees and shrubs assumed human shapes. It was near perfect camouflage. Jan then showed us how it was done. The ponchos and hoods were placed over our heads. We could then adapt to whatever situation we were in. If in open ground we could flop down and apparently disappear. I saw the drill repeated several times and never failed to be impressed.
We had noticed that the partisans had only knifes and we had used our fingers to eat. One day we were asked if we could use German rifles and we confirmed that we could. Then things began to move. Far below, patrolling a path about a quarter of the way up the “Peak”, as we had christened our home, were two Germans. Stefan handed us his field glasses and we could see that they carried rifles. He immediately barked out an order and two men stepped forward. Stefan spoke rapidly and the men pulled on their ponchos and balaclavas and moved quickly away. It must have been two hours later when the men returned and immediately laid down two rifles in front of Stefan followed by ammunition, two grenades and two sets of equipment. We felt it expedient not to enquire what had happened to the Germans.
We had been sitting in the hideout on top of the big rock for nearly two hours. Jan was watching intently, not saying a word. Then he explained that he was waiting for a message telling him where the rations could be found that day. Each day they were placed in different places as a precaution. I too had been watching intently but saw nothing. Jan suddenly stood upright.
“Ah,” he said, “They will be between the shoulder and the lump.”
How he got the message baffled me because I had seen nothing. Now it got interesting because Tim and I were detailed to go in the party to collect the rations. We had done most of the chores but this was the first time we had been trusted with anything like this. When I told Jan we would enjoy it he simply smiled!
There were eight in the party when we set off, ponchos and balaclavas in position. Jan told us we must follow orders, as it was very a dangerous mission. We were to take number two trail and set out on our descent carrying empty haversacks. I shall never forget that trail. We had to travel in single file and I remember thinking that whoever arranged this route liked doing things the hard way. With hindsight I can see that every bit of cover was in place. It was still a tortuous climb down, very frightening at times since the path was no more than two feet wide in places with a sheer drop on one side. In one place the path actually got narrower and I thought I saw the root of a tree protruding out. I reached out to grab it and suddenly realised it was a metal handrail driven into a tree and painted very cleverly. Several times we had to freeze when the leader thought he saw some movement below. Suddenly we stopped again and quickly realised that this was not just a breather but we had reached our destination. There was nothing obvious. To our left was a shoulder of rock and to our right weather erosion had left a lump of rock jutting out. I was directed to a tree and at the root of the tree I found a parcel. My instructions were to collect the full haversack and leave the empty one. The others received similar instructions and we were all told not to take risks. It was some time before we all returned. With our parcels strapped to our backs we began the return journey. You can imagine my thoughts. If I had been terrified on the way down I now had to tackle that same trail with a forty pounds weight on my back.
The journey back was every bit as difficult as I expected it to be and it was getting dusk when we entered the cave. Our leader reported that all was well. Although it was bitterly cold outside I was sweating profusely but after a good meal in front of the fire I felt much better. I remarked to Jan that I would hate to make that climb in the dark.
“You already did my friend,” he replied. “That is the way you came here that first night.”
I still shudder when I think about it.
STEFAN
We continued to be intrigued by Stefan and after questioning him we began to build up a profile. I have already stated that he was a big man but in addition he had a very swarthy complexion, a shock of curly brown hair and an unkempt beard. His nose was slightly twisted as though it had been broken at some time. His mouth was usually set in a hard line but he did have a very cheery smile. However, the most striking thing about him was his eyes. There was just something there that gave him a very ruthless look and yet!
At first I could not understand his very deep hatred of Germans but it was Jan who enlightened us.
Stefan had been born into a well-bred family who lived in a large house and were very comfortably off. Then came the war! Two of his brothers had been killed fighting the Germans, his sister had disappeared after being accused of spying for the partisans and his father had been drafted into a slave labour camp. The Germans had commandeered the family home and consigned Stephan’s mother to a hostel where she committed suicide. During a fracas Stefan had killed a German soldier and had to flee for his life. Subsequently outlawed he had formed his own band of partisans. As Jan explained, his hatred for the Hun ran very deep. Jan told us that he hated to think what might happen when the Germans capitulated and Stefan was let loose among them.
We found out that Stefan was deeply suspicious of anything electrical. He was convinced that Germans had equipment that could pinpoint electrical devices. So, everything electrical was banned. There is no doubt that Stefan was a fair and accomplished leader who had the respect of his men.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END.
One day Tim, Jan and I were standing near the entrance to the cave when we heard the unmistakable drone of an aircraft approaching. Since we were just inside the cave we did not to do anything but peep through a slit in the canvas. The usual drill was taking place in the camp. Ponchos and balaclavas were quickly put on and then all movement ceased. “New” boulders and shrubs had suddenly appeared. Today was different from the others though because we sensed a slight vibration in the cave itself. Some time passed before we heard the sound of the hooter signalling the all clear and life began to return to normal. We left the cave and found out Stefan. He was standing there with the horn still in his hand looking very exited and more voluble than we had seen him before. Through Jan he told us that twenty-six American planes had passed over but the important thing was that they were MEDIUM range bombers. He stressed the word medium because this clearly meant that the planes had come from a base in France or maybe western Germany. He had recently been told that the French patriots were in full control but he had not believed it at first. He indicated that soon it would our turn to prove our worth.
Shortly afterwards we were sent for by Jan. He told us that Stefan wanted the news kept from his men, as he did not want them to get excitable or even show signs of relaxation. He clearly wanted them to remain as sharp as possible since the Huns had retribution coming to them.
We too would have liked to shout out the news but “orders is orders”. We really sensed that this now was the beginning of the end.
I would like to close by paying my own personal tribute to so many men and women who played such a part in the war but remain the forgotten people. I firmly believe that many medals are handed to the wrong people. Particularly when I think of the thousands who were plucked from their hum drum existences into the maelstrom of man made monstrosities. Of the thousands who gave their lives and those who gave the best years of their lives. Others too who suffered the anguish of being deprived of all that they hold dear. Many came from obscurity and returned to obscurity. They asked for nothing and received nothing, save the satisfaction of duty well done.
I salute all of you!