I
rose up from the roadway
My ears were cocked and ready
The rumble gre in volume 'till
My nerves were quite unsteady
The lads around were queit and pale
Each wore a nervous grin
A sentry stopped to clear his throat
And rub his trembling chin
I could not speak although I knew
My days of trial here ended
The rising roar of tanks and guns
Were ominously blended
My trembling knees were knocking now
The strain of years closed down
I felt the pincer movement then
Around my throbbing crown
A yell went up from someone near
He stood there pointing west
I swallowed hard for now I saw
A movement on the crest
The tenseness soon was broken
As first one spoke then more
The yanks were comin up the road
There Shermans to the fore |
Now all restraint was cast aside
Our sentries faded out
The lads went tearing up the road
To meet the yankee scout
I backed myself against a tree
For all my strength had fled
The tears were coursing down my cheeks
How happily I bled.
At last the jeep purred up and past
All ranks were cheering madly
The sweat grimed men upon the tanks
Were throwing food out gladly
Like schoolboys on a gala day
We scrambled for the tins
All cares forgotten in the rush
Our faces full of grins. |
No 162 Marine Parade.
Brighton. England.
Released by General Hodges 9th American Army.
3 May 1945. 12 o'clock Monday.