кошмар войны двумя штрихами

[gleb]

We were, however, out of luck that night, for not a vehicle came our way. At three in the morning, with just time enough to cross back to Bari before dawn, we laid mines across the road, and, so that the Germans should not put the blame on the local civilians, Sanders, our New Zealander, who had a passion for heights, and, having served in sailing-ships, climbed well, swarmed p a telegraph pole and tied a Union Jack to the top crossbar. I then pulled away my reluctant men and we drove up a narrow valley rough with boulders: we were half way to the top of the plateau when, from behind us, came a flash and a report, followed later by the red reflected glare of a fire. When at a later date we revisited the spot we found the burnt-out remains of a petrol tanker and trailer and two German graves by the roadside. But we got little satisfaction from this achievement at second hand.

Vladimir Penyakov. Popsky's Private Army