I'd rather walk than get a lift with the SS, and a lucky escape from P38 attack

My luck again! The enemy was retreating and I was ordered to walk overnight to a site, suitable to place our cannons. This spot was only pointed out to me on a map. When I tried to get a lift, I noticed SS soldiers on the vehicle; forget about it! Still today, I very much dislike their black uniforms, with a silvery skull displayed on it. There was a general dislike attached to this type of army, by the ordinary German soldier. Another miracle was when I found the correct spot without misfortunes of any kind. It was still dark.

A small shelter in the nearby bush was already waiting for me, to have a well deserved sleep. I woke up hearing planes buzzing around. These were not the promised 3000 Germans. These were British twin-tailed fighter bombers. They went directly down onto the Jerry Flak (Flieger Abwehr Kanone = aeroplane defence cannon), until the Flak was out of action. Those pilots displayed enormous courage. Along came two officers of our company, telling me that the Americans had retreated much further than expected and our cannons had already gone past this hide-out.

On the way they disclosed very bad news. My company was attacked by those enemy planes. Four of the RSO's, and two cannons were destroyed. Four men lost their lives, whilst hiding underneath the Cannons. The No.1 Gunner position ended here; my cannon was 'kaput'. The only thing left was one of the two vehicles, on which there was my gear. Here was another reason for me to be sad but also happy. Another miracle, that I was not there, at the time of the attack.

On my way walking along a road, this bomber decided to have a go at me, at least that is exactly what it looked like. It turned around and started to dive, leaving a lot of small black clouds behind it and then an egg came out from under it. Man did I speed for shelter, and fell down on my face. "BOOM". That was a bit far away. He had aimed at the road, not me. Now I know, those little clouds represented his cannon firing real bullets. 

I finally found my Company hiding at the edge of a bush. In front of this position was a small valley and behind it, not very far, tree covered hills. Did I tell you that it was winter? There was plenty of snow and it was ice-cold outside. The idea of a warm room was always on my mind. No luck; first a hole in the ground, and on the bottom pine tree twigs as a bed, and over the top some branches to keep the snow out. In addition a couple of times during the night, was my turn as sentry for two hours. It was cold alright, very cold.