Stash Will Never Forget Book Report

It’s November 12, 1944, and this will be a day Stash will never forget.

Not accustomed to standing around, Stash often volunteered for additional duties or assignments. He doesn’t care about recognition. He just prefers to keep busy. So when word comes out that his unit is looking for two volunteers to conduct some quick recon mission on a farmhouse about three miles from camp, it’s no surprise that Stash is one of the first to raise his hand. One other member of his unit, Joe Peters, also volunteers. Stash and Joe are directed to the intel tent and briefed on their short mission. A farmhouse located on the edge of the woods sat closest to the German army and offered a perfect vantage point for collecting information on the enemy’s

Since it’s a short distance, he decides not to take his full pack and opted for the smaller and much lighter day pack. The smaller pack is much lighter but doesn’t fit everything he typically carries. He has two K rations, two canteens of water, a small piece of leftover chocolate bar and about 32 rounds of ammo for the M1. He has learned early on that carrying a metal mess kit is not the best option. Although neatly stacked together, with a designated spot for the utensils, the metal components will potentially rattle, and he prefers not to give the Germans an alarm with all that clanging metal. Glancing down at his dog tags, he secures them with a small piece of tape, so they’d be silent as

They are cleared by the MP’s guarding the entrance and quickly follow the route they mapped out. Both are carrying the same weighted gear and are eager to get underway in the dark. In the far distance they hear a few exploding shells, but by the muffled sound, it’s miles away. They travel through the ravine as planned, not saying a word. They certainly don’t want to draw attention to themselves. The air is cold and damp. Stash’s adrenaline is pumping. This mission is a lot different from the everyday grunt work, so he’s excited but cautious at the same time. Every step he takes he’s constantly thinking about the next one and always observing what’s around him. The ground throughout the ravine is still soft in some areas, but in others, the first wave of cold weather started to firm up the soil around