Just Before the Battle

The scene is a muddy grove of trees in Italy. The characters: a group of inarticulate U.S. citizens who have been sent overseas to fight the war. They are on the eve of their first battle. With them is New York Times man C. L. Sulzberger.

Sulzberger: "Well, how do you fellows feel?"

Private Kenneth Cronogue: "The Germans are supposed to be very tough. But I don't like 'em because we are at war with 'em. . . . I am scared about going up against them. We are all scared. . . . I was born and raised in Hell's Kitchen. I can take care of myself. You'll see me again."

Corporal John N. Ryback: "The Germans are yellow. They pour it in with machine guns but they hate cold steel. The boys coming back tell us that."

Private Frank Cacciatore: "We've waited an awful long time for this. I'm nervous. Sure I am."

Corporal George H. Benson: "Everybody else is and we think lots about it. This waiting is killing--no boloney."

Private Charles Abromowitz: "The Germans are a bunch of tough boys. I just hate 'em. I think they have gotten the whole world in an uproar. I'm sure looking forward to going up."

Sergeant Delphia E. Garris: "It's just something that has got to be done. We have got to lick those bastards in order to get out of the army. That's our main thought--get rid of the Germans in order to get out of the army."

Sergeant Joe Judd: "The Germans are rotten as they come. I hate them. I am very happy to go to the front and take a chance on the things I have in mind. I am happy to have an opportunity to do something."

The order comes at last. The citizens move up into the line.

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