Screaming Eagles

^FORTY-SIX COLEY

The German POWs had been kept under guard during the engagement, before Coley had made the argument that they could help. The Americans were naturally distrustful of the Krauts, and there had been many whispers about Malmade as well as murmurs that the men should be shot.

Von Boeselager had made the move to approach him and offer his comrades’ services. Coley had to scratch his head and consider the German officer very carefully. A day ago, this asshole had been interested in shooting Coley’s men. Now they wanted to shoot at their own guys.

“You see how strange that sounds, right? You want weapons to fight your own men?”

“These are not sons of the Fatherland. These are not sons of any man. These are monsters,” von Boeselager had said as fire poured into the advancing force.

“You guys could turn your guns against us and escape,” Coley had said.

“And go where, Lieutenant? Where do we go after we escape? The only thing that awaits us then is death or collusion with those beasts. We will fight to survive, and surrender our weapons when asked.”

“Your word as an officer?”

“Yes. My word as an officer and a soldier of the Third Reich.”

“I wouldn’t say that too loudly if I were you,” Coley had said.

Lieutenant Coley didn’t have much time to think about the repercussions. Instead, he made the decision himself: he ordered them to be given weapons but limited ammo.

Later in the day, the decision proved to be a smart one.