My Service in Europe: The Commandos

During one of our engagements near a town called Altenberg, Germany, I received a minor shrapnel wound on my right hip.  I had it attended to later on by a battalion medic after we moved deeper into town. 

At this time I was given the task of watching over the personal effects and weapons of some deceased that had been stashed in a house on a main street.  Advised that someone from Headquarters Company would be around shortly to relieve me of this duty, I was then to rejoin my section as soon as possible.

I thought this a good idea as the wound was painful although not incapacitating.  I was quite happy to have a spell of inactivity and also to be out of harm's way.  As time passed darkness fell and I began to feel apprehensive, wondering where the Stores person from HQ was who was supposed to relieve me of my assignment.

Realizing that as soon as we passed through a town some of the enemy that had withdrawn would begin returning to the now unoccupied town. 

I retreated to the furthest corner of the room in which the personal effects were placed and set up a defensive position covering the window and front door.  Fortunately I had 2 Bren guns and a fair stock of ammunition and grenades so I felt I could hold out for some time.

As suspected, later in the evening I heard German voices and footsteps but no one fortunately came to my house much to my relief. 

Shortly after first light, the next morning, all hell broke out.   When the fighting seemed to subside, I took a look outside and the most wonderful sight greeted my eyes, Green Berets!  Man was I ever pleased to see the Commandos and to know that I wasn't alone!

I immediately showed myself , asked for, and was taken before the CO of the Commandos where I explained my situation.  He accepted my story, backed by the equipment I had been in charge of.  I then asked if they were headed in the direction of my outfit and if I may be allowed to accompany them.  I also requested a note explaining my situation be written, to which he agreed. 

For the next few days I fought along side the Commandos, as one of them, until they caught up to my battalion. I remember how wide a separation they gave me in any engagement of the enemy during darkness as the Bren I was using fired one tracer every five rounds and would light up the immediate area exposing my position. They thought I was a "crazy Canadian bastard" (their words) which made me even more daring and did wonders for my ego.  I was the only Red beret amongst them and although they respected me, I was  given a wide berth during any night engagement.

Eventually we came to an area where I could conveniently join my battalion.  I later learned that the officer who had detailed me to guard the KIA's personal effects had been killed himself so the word never did get passed on to the stores personnel of the battalion.  I also learned that I had been reported as killed .  Fortunately for me it was a Robinson (also nicknamed Robby) and it had been reported to battalion HQ as "Robby was killed together with Lt. so and so".

It created quite a surprise when I showed up a few days later and if it hadn't been for the note I had requested of the Commandos I'd have been in a sad situation, as desertion "In The Field" is not taken lightly.