Afro-American courier. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1926-19??, 1940-07-01

SN1~8N1 O8A/cA W. ~ ~ 49,
scene of war: gaping shell and bomb pits speaking the
charred crushed earth; total wreckage of various me-
chansns for wartanks cannon, armored cars some SUN
holding bodies of soldiers whose feless grotesque
faces and rdded and bursted forms showed mute cyl
ence of the hell of thousands of mangled bodies of
men biankeng the ground many injured beyond helpI
moaning horribly for help from their living comrades
In official headquarters decisive meeting was inl
progress An astute appearing old with haggard
face-the commander-spoke resoutey: Gentlemen, we
are perious position the will strike again
at dawn, fear that shall eventually be defeated This
pocket is disastrous, anchor has been destroyed wei
have been off from help and supplies. The enemy
has cunning trap to weaken for humiliation, to
capture supplies and the coast line. This would be
death blow to the Allied cause therefore must not
be taken, must find way
Commander Haveles.
General Jones.
Sir while it is yet dark main forces could COM
bin in major assault the enemys weakest poin-to
south and break through We could then retreat to
the coast where ships waiting
absurd General Jones' granting that we could
pierce the enemy's southern lne the moment that the
noise retreatng army became observable to the
enemy the NORTH they would know that we had aban
doned defenses and would quickly attack and prob
ably destroy us
But sir our defenses need be entirely abandon
ed small force could be left behind with ample supplies
antitank and antiaircraft material to cover our re-
treat
General Jones' that woul dbe suicide. though a
small force might be able to hold our defenses while
the main army retreated, finally they would be wiped
out
General Jones face was grave; "Sir, this is the
enemys last stand if he fails his is lost but if
they destroy entire force here they will have gamb-
ling chance proong the fighting Our armies have been
victorious the other fronts and even now are send
ing help from this pocket. But that help
will arrive too late If remain here entire army
will be beaten down and captured But sir small force
coul hold the bay until main force had retreat
ed Even though that force would be suicide squadron
am thinking of civilian lives that will be lost If this
will continue, but he fails no doubt he will ask for
he will be in possession of the coast ne and this bloody
war will continue but if he fails doubt he will ask for
peace"
The Commander loked questonngy at his other gen.
erals; We'll gentlemen your opinions
:. "A jolly good plan -
i II think it might work
/ 1T is desperate but best.
The Commander asked: "Then which OF you VIII
i volunteer his army the suicide squadron"
General Jones spoke quickly: "Sir, the American ma
ton would proud have its expeditonary force serve
in such outstanding capacity
Then give you permission, General Jones, and
commend you for your bravery and strategy If the plan
works, the Allies will be indebted to America and you
Gentlemen retreat with supplies to the coast line
prepare to break through the enemy southern line Cen
eral Jones, good luck.
The officers returned to their men and the retreat
began amid various military proceduresharp commands
l-thcusands of acting in one accord Mobile can
non horses mules trucks, tanks, munitions of various
kinds all except adequate supplies for the suicide squad
ron began rolling cankng crunchng between long lines
of somber infantry in retreat.
! The Americans parted sorowfully with their com
rades then turned mechanically to preparing their EN-
batled position for defense against attack which they
. knew was imminent. Thench mortars were placed fol
combat: anti-tank and an-aircraft guns, light ano
heavy machine guns, grenades, and howtzers
tied in he bleak 80
strong for the attack-for DEATH horrible and mad
Thep urr of planes heard overhead going in the
direction of the rereatng allies and the planes were