The Ely miner., 1941-03-27
CHAPTER x

General Mole sat in the hot shell.
ter of his command post which had
been dug by engineers into the re-
verse slope Of a squat ridge. He
pulled glumly at the stub of a cigar
as he observed the arrival of his
regimental and battalion command
ers whom he had summoned from
over his battle position.
Planes scared overhead, Ameri-
can combat planes covering his posi-
ton against air attack. From time
to time an observation plane dashed
low with a dropped message report
ing progress of the Van Hassek ap-
proach. AT last word, the main Van
Hassek column had cleared the Nue.
ces River after routing a motorized
battalion strong-point that Mole had
sent out to gain contact and delay
the enemy.
Mole's plan of battle was shaped: !:
his formal orders had been distribut-
ed. Since morning the men had been
digging in.
All his artillery had been dug In
and camouiaged. Here he had an
immense, hastily organized citadel
OF mutually supporting strong-points.
Machine guns had been placed for
the maximum of destructive effect.
The breaking of one line yielded the
enemy the grim necessity of attack
ing new one. Roads menacing his
tianks were strongly covered. It
was not such position as he would
have selected of his own choice.
but since necessity forced it on him.
he meant to make the most of his
opportunities for stubborn re-
SiStance.
His senior aide-de-camp came I'D
to him and saluted.
Sir, the officers are assembled" :"
the captain advised.
There was greenish hue to the
generals lean, cadaverous face,
brought by the stress of the past
few days. His eyes were bloodshot
under puffy black lids, but they
shone with stout, even glitter, that
proclaimed the mastery of will over
flesh. AS he stood up to face his
assembled commanders, he was per-
fectly contained.
I wanted few words with YOU
before we go into action, gentle
men," he began in a calm voice.
The decision to fight here was
made for us by General Hague.
Therefore, it becomes our decision.
Let me frankly say that the Army
Is on the spot, that the people
wouldn't understand the simple wis
dom of our falling back without a
fight"
He paused and his pale, blush lips
drew down into an expression of
bitterness.
"An right, Wen go throughl Wen
holdi Wen give the country a new
tradition to rememberi Well fight
Van Hassek with one regiment to
four or ivel If we're attacked this
afternoon We'll fight until night.
Wen hold through tomorrow. Then
I'll make my further decision. When
the time comes I'll give the order
for withdrawal which must be by
night"
General Mole paused again to look
about among them and then spoke
In slow, biting words
Gentlemen, a final woriI Wen
show the country what our mettle
is. Wen show the enemy what they
can expect to meet once our armies
are modified and organized and
trained. Remember this, if we lost
every last man In the Second Divi-
sion, our losses would still be only
a fraction of what the good old Sec
ond took in France, even if nobody
remembers that fact but the Sec
ond's survivors!"
His voice rose to furious IN
tensity and his clenched hand rose
above his head.
"a new Alamo to remember, gen.
tlemenI That's what well give the
country-a new Alamo to remem-
beri Put that thought into the teeth
of your men. That's alli''
ITO BE CONTINUED