Trained, in many regions, of the South was the negroes soldiers that now find themselves over in Europe serving as part, of the 333rd Artillery Battion squad. While knowing many white soldiers treated them harshly when they are trying to accomplish the same goal. Which is to defeat the Nazi regime that has controlled Europe longer than many had imagine. All black and still segregated they accepted the challenged placed upon them, by Gen, George Patton to prove their worth to their people.
But, proving themselves has always been something they have been assigned to do in their life. Even, in boot camp they had to prove themselves more than their white counter parts. Even , to be accepted in society, as human beings they have to prove themselves. While some has fail these soldiers are determine to make themselves known, as a force worth acknowledging.
If, any white commander they have respect for to follow into this assignment. It’s Lt. Vance Elder, who see men and not color, as some of his other commission officers seems to do when talking down to them. He has been around when they stood up to the bigots soldier that thought they would bow down and take their comments. While, a few did he saw many that didn’t fear reprimands. Lt. Elder was proud to serve a long with this negro unit that standing, at the fore front and defending their fellow soldiers, of the United States Third Army. He saw some sacrifice their life to stop Hitler’s agenda, from spreading.
One person that actor in Lt. Vance Elder being respected was Sgt. Johnny’”Ace”Meeks, one of the highest rank negro the soldiers has strict repect for over others they felt was trying to impress officers that would have them working in the kitchen. Meeks, always stated, “let no other dictate your goals. Go out, and make them yourself”. It was a morale booster to his troop. Many times , it was Sgt. Meeks tthat calmed the storms that had many, within the 333rd Battalion wanting to fight one another. He was their counselor. But their friend.
None have ever been near the Rhineland to ever understand the complex region atmosphere. Some has question why they was needed now when they was willing years before 1944 to come and fight the Nazis , as proud Americans? At, every turn they see weapontry fired upon them to which they respond to the military regime that has destructed all, of Europe in some form, of another. Private Stone”Stoney” Gaines is in charged, of the communicate radio when information is passed along concerning that some United State military unit has located bodies, of eleven soldiers, of their units assassinated, by the Nazis.
And, the description, of their death isn’t pleasing to this negro unit that vent their rage upon the approaching Nazis, with more soldiers then , what they have to hold them off? They ordered to withdraw to other areas as soon as possible. In rapid retreat members, of the 333rd sqaud spread out into different directions getting lost, from one another in the process.
Hours, of searching and unable to locate members, of their plattoon Sgt. John Meek, Privates Stone Gaine and Rick Bell, called “Hitman” travel through the scenery, of this country side. While on high alert to watchful, of the Nazis that’s still occupy this country in all aspects. Soon, they come upon a small village that’s all run down, from bombs and other weapons, of the war. But, they remain quiet in the shadows, of an empty shop and watches members, of the Gestapos humiliated non supporters, of their causes.
With rage they wants to react to defend but realize numbers aren’t on their side to stop the violent ways, of these thugs carrying out injustice. After minutes of this devestating act the Nazi commander and stormtroopers departs , from the death scene.
” Sgt.Meek! the next man I see in a Nazi uniform will regret meeting Stoney Gaines.” Explaining ,he will treat them just like the dogs they are. A comment that gathers agreement, from others in the group. Especially, the youngest of the unit Pvt. Rick”Hitman”Bell who earned that reputation for fighting while going through boot camp training.
“I learn that those that hides behind power sometimes aren’t as brave when it’s them getting the blunt f the pain!” The lone soldier among them with the highest rank doesn’t interfer with them speaking because in many ways he understand he might join in with them. Slowing with their machine guns drawn they pace themselves through this village hoping they won’t find other members, of Hitler’s organization coming.
They wants to radio their other communication speacilist but feel that their enemy might intercept the translation to them. They walks into another small shop to locate other ways to get a message to their lost squad that they became seperated from when retreating. Walking around the shop for any type, of concept to assist them they stop, at a self made floor panel that seems undisturbed. Which catches the attention of all the negroe soldiers. Who instantly turn their weapons toward the panelling? While Sgt. Meeks slowly pull the door open.
Beneath it they come across two children’s hidden under the floor with tears streaking down their faces. One, who vent their rage upon the negro soldiers with hate? While the other, a female stays silent and afraid, of their captors and rescuers. Soon, they learn the rage of the child with the frustrated tone just happens to be German.
“Oh, you’re a Nazi boy?” Inquire Stoney Gaines. Who continue speaking in his native tongue?
“Well, guess what? I stated I would kill a Nazi in uniform. But, I might just change it to kill a child.” He states, as he aim the weapon toward the boy child that suddenly quiet down. With each other looking upon one another with hateful looks.
“You girl? You’re a Fraunline?’ request Sgt. Meeks in a softer tone.
“No. I’m Sandra Epstein.” Who explains that those killed, by the Gestapos was her family members?
“But, you’re with a Italian boy?” Sgt. Meeks dig or more information about this relationship.
“He’s Han Christian, Peters. My cousin.” Pointing out that he’s half jewish on his mother’s side. But more likely would have been assassinated, by the Nazis for that slight heritage. Which goes against their Aryan philosophy. Sympathy for them doesn’t move Stoney Gaines, from wanting to kill the children.
“Meeks, I still say kill them. You saw heard how the Nazis killed those eleven black boys days ago.”
“Gaines, calm down! These are children.”
“The worse enemy to face is children.” Reply Stoney Gaines. Who stares immensely, at the half German child?
“Look at this boy? He would just as soon kill us because of or skin!”
“Even if that’s true. And it might be some truth in what you stated? Realize that a child is as innocent, Then we would be in killing them.” Requesting a one on one conversation with his friend concerning his rage against the children. Rick Bell, left alone finds the Jewish girl to be very sad but talkative about their circumstances. He notice the Italian boy hurt and understands his lost too. It was just months ago when he was told, of his father death.
Soon, they are rejoined by Sgt Meeks and Private Gaines, who by now has a light approach to dealing with the “Tagalong Kids”, he has called them? Since, tthey feel it would be savage like to leave them behind to face another threat, from the Nazis.
Tired and weary they marches on with one thought in mind. Simply surviving all threats that keeps them, from meeting that obligation to themselves. And holding them back, from finding their 333rd Artillery Batillion unit. They determine to accept the challenge to prove to many that their color has nothing to do when defending harm to their nation. Now, they in Europe facing all kinds of hatred and comments and looks, from kids. How much can a man face? Especially, from those you’re assigned to assist during this war dominatin conflict.
Soon, they arrive upon a small group of Nazi soldiers intimidating some citizens with hostilities and threats. While undetected by Hitler’s soldiers it isn’t long before before they faces the rage, of the hot headed Private Stoney Gaines and “Hitman” Bell. Who fire off rapid fire toward the vicious forces? They are unrelenting unti all the Swatiskas wearers are grounded.
“Gaines! What was your reasonng?” Yell, Sgt. Meeks.
“I alerted you I would kill anyone wearing that uniform. Sorry, if I kept my word. Besides , they was threating to harm innocent people”. states Private First Class Officer Stone Gaines.
“What if there are others Nazis around?” While it’s a legit question to ponder you might say one soldier of this three man squad could care less, at the moment. But, he does shows passion , as he rush the childen, from the scene with haste. And, no sooner has they departed other Nazi troopers comes to the scene in force. And, with raging voices they questions citizens to the prepatrator directions. With, a few Nazi sympathizers in the streets they points out their directions to the soldiers. Which soon see them depart to capture the assassints.
Knowing, they out numbered and low on ammunitions to hold them off forever. Sgt. Meeks has his radio communication specialst try one more time to connect to his seperate squad commander. Static,at first is all they hear coming back in thier direction until a voices comes across a little louder to them. With jubilation and fear they states their location to their locate squad leader. Who instantly dispatch willing members that wants to support their fellow soldiers, of the 333rd battilion?
“Meeks, what about these kids?”
“Gaines, where we go? They must follow too!” Pointing out they have obstacles to face the same way they do concerning this war crisis. One thing they are very aware of is the fact that Rick” Hitman” Bell has gained their trust through this ordeal. All the waiting on now is rescuing, by their unit that’s travelling toward their location. Whether they get there soon is a matter of opinion.
But, this is the boys of the 333rd battilion who has proven themselves worthy to their race? And to their country.