21th of November 1942. Camp Toccoa, Georgia.
The room was filled with smoke, conversations and laughter. The men had this very day completed their training to become paratroopers in the 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne Division 'Screaming Eagles'. As the colonel, Donald McManus, entered, the room fell silent.
"Congratulations, men. You have went through one of the toughest trainings in the army. You are the elite of elites in the US Army. You have deserved your wings! Tomorrow you will be sent to a base in another part of the country, so enjoy this evening while it lasts, Fox Company!" Everyone in the room cheered, while the colonel left, probably to speak to any of the three remaining companies.
"So, where do you think we will be sent, Johnny?" Private George Rapino asked his friend private John Green.
"Prolly the Pacific. I hear the Japs are kicking us out from evry holding there." He answered. Douglas Muck, another private, broke the conversation.
"My brother-in-law works at the division headquarters. He told me we're off to England as soon as the transports that were used in Africa are repaired and replaced and sent back to the US."
"Really? But the Krauts, Italians and French are defeated in Africa. What would we do?" Johnny looked sceptical.
"Well, Sicily, Sardinia, mainland Italy, the Balkans, northern Europe and France need to be liberated."
"We should concentrate on Italy, don't you think?" George said, half joking, half serious.
"Yes, you would feel home there, wouldn't you, Rap? Lot's of spaghetti."
"And you can't forget other pasta dishes, Muck." George continued.
"I'm goin' to get another beer. Do you guys want one?"
"Yeah, thanks Johnny." George said.
"I want one too, thanks." Muck said as Johnny walked towards the bar.
"Are we really going to Europe?"
"That's what my brother-in-law says."
"Hope we go to Italy. I've always wanted to visit Italy, but we couldn't afford it. I have five brothers and three sisters." George paused to take a beer from Johnny. "Thanks buddy."
"No problem."
"Thanks, mate." Muck said.
"No problem." Johnny once again answered. "So, if we go to Europe, where do ya think the invasion will be?"
"Sicily. The Mediterranean needs to be secured before any other invasion would be advisable. The Russians are pushing the front towards Berlin every day, so securing democracy in the Med is vital." Muck said. "And then France, of course."
"France... that seems like a tough one..." George said, thinking.
"Yeah, ya are prolly right, Rap."
"What's happening over here?" Sergeant Thomas Johnson asked, approaching the table with corporal Arthur McManus (the colonels nephew) and the privates Joseph Gold, Charlie Green and Martin Kerry.
"We're discussing where we're goin', Tom." Johnny answered.
"Now, let's not discuss war on our last day here. Anyone wanna play dart?"
***
