     The first soldier was about 20 feet in front of the others. I waited to the last moment that I could be sure that I could get him, and fired. I kept firing even though the smoke from my gun and theirs obscured the view to the point I was only firing at the sound of their guns firing. Their bullets were zipping by me, and did not know if I was hit or not. I was out of ammunition, and could not hear them firing back at me.
    "We got em," yelled Tomasz.
    I started breathing again, and I was squeezing the machine gun so hard that I thought I would break it, then laid backward.
    We grabbed their ammunition, pistols, identifications, money, and coats.
    "Having been around these Nazis this last day or so, I can truthfully state, that they have no concept of personal hygiene," I stated, as I dropped the coat I had just liberated, and gave it a kick. As I walked away, I spotted a ring on one of the soldiers hand. It was my fathers. I pulled the ring off his finger and held it close.
    "Stop! You got him already!" Tomasz said, in a loud whisper, as I repeatedly stabbed the corpse, "Quick, we must go."
    "He killed my parents! He killed my parents," I stopped. I was on my knees, bending over, and crying.
    The soldier next to me moved, so I gave him the bayonet as well. I stared at him for a few seconds, and stabbed him again.
    Tomasz grabbed my shoulder, and gave a strong tug and a shake.
    "Greave later. Come now!" Tomasz said, with an urgent overtone.
    I slowly stood, "Alright, alright," I said, not taking my eyes off the dead Nazi. I turned, walked a few steps, then ran back and stabbed it a few more times.
    Tomasz had continued walking. "You finished?" he said, when I caught up with him. I kept my silence. Tomasz pointed to his ear and eyes, then to the surrounding territory.
    We walked for hours without a rest through very rugged terrain. We heard an occasional burst of automatic weapon fire, but could not tell exactly where it was coming from.
    "Hollo 3 is gone," Tomasz said, looking at faint wisp of smoke coming from behind a far off ridge.
    We watch for a minute, then decided to make out way down to a hay field, and sleep in one of the hay piles. We stopped at the fence, and decided to wait till dark to cross the field to a stack.
    While we were waiting, a German patrol drove along the fence on the far side of the field and stop at the corner post.
    "I'll say one thing for the Nazis, they have great binoculars," Tomasz said.
    "Their guns aren't too bad either. We should thank them," I replied.
    "We have been thanking them, in our own way. We shall continue doing so, I think," Tomasz said, with his usual grimacing smile.
    "I also like their knives," I said.
    "Great knives," said Tomasz, with half a laugh.
    At dark, we crawled to a hay stack, and burrowed in. I was very tired, but I knew I could not sleep, ever again. The next thing I knew it was midday, and Tomasz was shacking my arm.
    "We must go!" said Tomasz, in an excited voice.
    I slowly made my way out of the haystack, and looked all around.
    "What's the rush?" I asked.
    "Sssh," Tomasz said, pointing to the haystacks next to a small pond in the middle of the field.
    The farmer was baling the hay, and there were several workers with him. We crawled to the fence, then to the woods. When we got to the woods and looked back, we saw three people scurrying from the haystacks near to where the farmer was working. The farmer, and his helpers just stood there watching them go under the fence, and disappear into the trees.
    Except for or pistols, we had to dump our weapons when we got to a place where we had to be in public. At sunset, we caught a ride with another farmer on his way to Kaufering to get tractor parts. Kaufering was a long ride, and a bit of good luck, as we needed to be as far away from where we were as possible.
    Fortunately, it was dark for most of the trip as we pasted many Nazi patrols. Siting in the back of the truck on one could see us.
    When we got to Kaufering, we got a hotel room and dinner at a Hofbrauhaus. The conversations we overheard had us puzzled. So many people were openly denouncing the Nazi I thought the Gestapo would burst through the door a any moment.
    "Look up there," Tomasz said, motioning with his eyes to the balcony.
    "What?" I quizzed.
    "The lady with the small camera alongside her purse," Tomasz replied, adding, "Don't stare. They will be paying some of these people a visit,"
    "By the way, what do we say if they question us?" I asked.
    "We are from Passau, and looking for work." said Tomasz.
    "What if they ask for names?" I asked.
    "Just make something up. They have no idea if you are telling the truth or not. Besides, half the people out there are looking for work, and act like you need glasses or you'll be on the front lines," Tomasz answered.
    "Excuse me, do you mind if I ask you a question?" a man sitting at the table next to us said.
    "Ask away," Tomasz replied.
    "As young men, how do you feel about Hitler?" he asked.
    "He pulled us from the depression," I replied.
    "I mean this abominable war. At your age, you are prime candidate for the front line," he added.
    "I don't mind fighting for the fatherland," I answered.
    "It's not the fighting for the fatherland, it's the dying for that insane corporal Hiter that should bother you," the man said.
    There was a short scream, and everyone looked to the balcony.