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

11. By Air or by Sea?

11 By Air or by Sea? 20 December 1943, Monday-0800: En Route to Kuc Unexpectedly summoned to gather their belongings and leave Progonat for Kuc, the group assembled outside in anticipation of news. Jens looked in vain for Gary, Blondie, and Panda. When it was determined that everyone was present, the guides motioned for the group to follow them. Jens increased her pace to catch up to Steffa. "Where's Gary?" she asked. "He left with Blondie and Panda about two hours ago and will wait for us in Kuc," Steffa said. "How far is Kuc from here?" Jens asked. "About two and a half hours." Jens allowed herself to fall back in the line as she pondered what Steffa had said. If Gary felt that he had to go to Kuc himself, she thought, it must mean that he doesn't trust scouts to do the job. She hoped he wasn't walking into a trap set by German sympathizers . Before they had been on the trail a full hour they met streams of people walking in the opposite direction. They stepped aside to let the travelers pass, and Steffa talked to anyone who would stop. Most were carrying a few belongings and a child or two. Several wounded men were being transported on homemade stretchers. Jens looked down the trail to see where the stream might end and spied Gary's familiar, quick stride among the stragglers and his black fur hat above the crowd. All of the Americans' eyes were on him as he approached. When they met, he stopped, glanced at the 142 Albanian Escape group, and bit his bottom lip as though he really didn't want to tell them what he had found out. It seemed to Jens that he always expected an hysterical reaction from one of the nurses and was sizing them up to figure out which one it would be. He shook his head and spoke in a clear, sober tone. "We can't go through. They're fighting right now in Kuc, just two hours from here." He raised his voice and spoke a little louder. "We'll have to get out of this area as quickly as possible to avoid being trapped." He struck out in the direction from which they had just come, and they turned and followed him without a word. At the pace Gary set, they overtook the stretchers, the elderly, many walking with the aid of canes, and younger people carrying children all in a matter of minutes. The party arrived in Golem, the coldest, bleakest, most windsweptvillage they had passed through. There wasn't one tree to break the cold wind that raged among the few houses in winter nor to offer shade from the scorching sun in summer. It was 1500, and Gary decided he needed to set up the wireless to inform Cairo ofthe fighting in and about Kuc. He left to look for a suitable house, while the group stood huddled on the outskirts oftown and hoped theywouldn't have to stay the night. While he was gone, Thrasher and Baggs brought up the possibility of air evacuation. Jens thought they must have talked it over between themselves, since their argument was organized and well presented. "A C-47 can easily land in that grassy field we crossed," Thrasher said. "We all fit on one plane before so it shouldn't be a problem fitting on one to get out." He shrugged. "Who knows, our people may decide to send two transports for us. But if we don't ask, we'll never know." "It sounds good to me," Jens said. "Have you mentioned it to Gary yet?" "No. We wanted to make sure first that we all agreed on it," Baggs said. "Unless there are any objections, we'll bring it up as soon as he gets back." Gary and Steffa returned in twenty minutes. By Air or by Sea? 143 "I can get only one house," Gary said. "The people here don't have enough food for themselves. They're also afraid of having so many of us stay here." He paused briefly. "I'm told there's a village about two hours from here. The guides will take you there, while 1 stay here and contact Cairo. As soon as we get a message through, we'll join you in Kalonja." Thrasher interrupted him, announced...