Albanian Escape: The True Story of U.S. Army Nurses Behind Enemy Lines

9. Lieutenant Duffy Leads the Way

9 Lieutenant Duffy Leads the Way Report of Lieutenant Gavin B. Duffy, SO£, British MIlitary Mission, Albania [8 December 1943] Krushove M. 99 to Gjergievice, M. 84 We moved off from Krushove at approximately 0800 hrs in the direction of Voskopoj, M. 96. We arrived at Voskopoj and staged a short halt in order to collect bread and cheese; also to fix up by 'phone five houses at Gjergievice for accommodating the party. The foodstuffs were eventually produced by the "SHTABIT" (Military Commandant). So I pushed on. The journey so far had been only about two hours and travel not so bad, so I increased the pace, and everyone was pleased because it was freezing. Eventually we arrived at our destination at approximately 15.00 hrs. We gathered together the "Council" (Administration Group) of the village, which was Moslem, who fairly quickly regulated the different groups in their specific houses. I called around the different houses in the course of the evening, and found everybody quite content under the circumstances. It must be remembered that nearly all Moslem villages in ALBANIA, with the exception of two, (these I have never visited), are absolutely ridden with lice, so by the time I paid my respects to the party, these ever present 122 Albanian Escape companions were just making their presence felt. Sensing this, I informed every one of our time of departure on the morrow, and beat a hasty retreat. 9 December 1943, Thursday-0800: En Route to Panerlt The group assembled with Gary at 0800, and waited for his signal to start. "I hope we can do as well as yesterday," Gary said. He made eye contact with each member of the party. "Are we all set?" When no one raised an objection, he strode offand the Americans followed him. Sergeant Zeiber ran up the line and stopped when he reached Jean, Marky, and Jens. "Eldridge was real sick and vomited most of the night," Zeiber said. "Let's have him ride on one of the mules and hope he'll be all right," Jean said. She handed him her coat liner, asked Jens for hers and gave it to him too. "Wrap these around his legs to help him keep warm." They caught up with Elna, who also was riding. "How are you feeling?" Jens asked. "I feel generally lousy. Maybe I've got the grippe," Elna said. Marky wrapped her liner around Elna's hips and back. "Do you want more on your legs?" "No, I'm not really chilly. In fact, I think lean walk." She leaped off her mule. "Maybe someone else needs to ride." She didn't convince anybody but insisted on walking anyway. About noon they stopped at the village of Panerit for food and rest. Eldridge looked terrible. His face was gray and his body limp. Two of the sergeants carried him into the house. "How are you doing, Eldridge?" Jens asked, concerned at his appearance. "Not so good. My stomach ulcer bled on me about two years ago, and this feels pretty much the way it did then," Eldridge said. "Stomach ulcers? How old are you?" Jens asked. Lieutenant Duffy Leads the Way 123 "Twenty-one." "Did you vomit blood last night or any dark-colored fluid?" Marky asked. "I don't know. I was outside in the dark when I threw up." Everyone would have preferred to keep going, but Jens and Jean suggested to Gary that Eldridge really needed to stop and rest. "About the most we can do is keep him quiet, but it may be the wisest move for all of us," Jens said. "If he can get some rest, he may be able to travel better." Gary agreed, and Eldridge was carried to the house whereJens, Marky, Pauleen, and Jean would spend the night. They decided that sleep might be the best thing for Eldridge, so they gave him an injection of morphine and covered him with their coats and liners to keep him warm. They had no milk, so they gave him a little water. He slept through the night. to December t943, Frlday-OS30: En Route from Panerlt In the morning Eldridge looked much better and said he felt fine. He and everyone else wanted to move on. Elna reported that she too was practically well and could travel without any problems. They were on the trail again about 0830, but in deference...