However, nothing strikes me or the canopy above my head and the gunfire soon ceases. As I near the ground it becomes apparent that I'll land beside a road adjacent to a recently plowed field. Down the road a short distance away a soldier on a bicycle is approaching the landing site. Flexing my knees I hit, facing down wind, roll and sit up, tugging on the lower shroud lines to spill the air from the canopy. As the parachute collapses I struggle to my feet, releasing the harness and shroud lines.
Several people come running up led by an elderly man.
Speaking in German he ascertains that I'm an American airman. With no further ado, he starts a roundhouse blow at my head. With no ability to fight back or negotiate, the only thing that comes to mind is to keep his blow short and less damaging. So, I step forward into the punch and watch his faded blue eyes widen as I come closer. I roll with the impact and after the first glancing blow he begins to back away, trying for still another swing.