The First Snow of Winter

by Fred Allen

  Over the next few months, Peter’s wounds healed and his respect for Sharkey mounted. He now recognized that one of the factors that makes war service such an artificial existence for soldiers was that their role models were nearly the opposite to what they would have been in civilian life. To the rank and file of an army unit reputations are established by proven prowess-repeated unverifiable stories will usually equal prowess-in activities that are without value in civilian life. The role models for the rank and file become those with a great capacity for booze and sexual conquests. These same role models often bragged that their girl friends paid their way and such accounts were enhanced by affairs with married women whose unfortunate “Limey” husbands were in the desert or Burma or some such place.

  During the long, boring, training years in England, some role models were those who knew how to “work the system” and avoid unattractive or inconvenient assignments. Some had great skill in malingering or “swinging the lead” and convincing Medical Officers to award long terms of “light duty” when the work load threatened to become particularly heavy. These latter role models disappeared once units went into action and the true consequences of shirking responsibilities became very obvious.

  Throughout war service, one of the greatest prices the veteran paid was his existence in a state of suspended animation where all of the qualities that society had attempted to imbue were, for the rank and file, merely held in abeyance as some very artificial standards were embraced as insulation against the long periods of painful boredom as training became increasingly repetitive.

  Sharkey was, in some ways, the exception to the artificial standards that established war time role models. He was, as described by colleagues who were career soldiers, a “soldier’s soldier”. As so vividly reflected by his troubled history in civilian life, Sharkey functioned much better in wartime and even then had difficulty conforming to civilian values when accommodation and training areas kept him in close proximity with civilians and demanded some conformity to civilian codes of conduct.

  Peter was gradually drawn into Sharkey’s inner circle and was invited to participate in Sharkey’s night patrols. There was always some excitement especially when they encountered “trespassers” on their rounds. Sometimes the trespassers departed peacefully, but representatives of some outsider regiments came in sufficient numbers to stand up for their rights and a punchup would ensue. Sharkey had arranged an early warning system whereby he always knew exactly when the MPs and/or the Town Patrol would arrive. His signal to disengage left the trespassers alone to face the “meatheads”. Even the most cynical observer of Sharkey’s night patrols would agree that the activities were not totally devoid of training and, as such, of some military value.

  Peter was promoted to Acting Corporal about two months after joining the Recce Platoon and he found himself spending more time with Sharkey and this included a few weekend passes to London. Peter had earned his promotion and other privileges by proving that he could keep his mouth shut, and by demonstrating a willingness to cover Sharkey’s backside whenever that portion of Sharkey’s anatomy became exposed to danger. Peter’s fistic prowess improved as he imagined that every face he swung at was that of a nameless Marine captain in Washington. But time is the healer of all things, and gradually the memory of the unfaithful Connie faded away leaving him convinced that, as it applied to women, Sharkey’s philosophy was perfectly valid.

  From the night of the violent encounter at the pub, until the fateful day in the Hochwald, Sharkey and Peter were together for nearly three years and the bond between them strengthened as time went by. Peter readily realized that many of the attributes he admired in Sharkey were not those he would have looked for in civilian life but life in war time was not the same. However, at the same time, he identified some qualities in Sharkey that he had admired in his father who had completed his service in World War I as an RSM. His father’s greatest strength had been his total honesty, and he would never hesitate in stating his opinion regardless of what others might like to hear. In addition, he was always fair and even-handed in dealing with subordinates as he worked in a supervisory capacity after establishing his reputation as an outstanding classroom teacher. Sharkey was also completely honest and practiced a direct approach in all matters even to a fault. While his firm control of the platoon was based upon a combination of fear and respect, the latter was earned largely through treating all members of the platoon in a scrupulously fair manner. Sharkey was totally committed to the importance of discipline and loyalty. The defence he offered to those who would question all the rules he broke on his “night patrols”, was to point out that real camaraderie and “Esprit de Corps” could best be developed through shared hazardous activities and opportunities for such activities had been limited during long boring periods of training.

  The major differences between Sharkey and Peter’s father lay in their relative social graces. Sharkey was one hundred per cent soldier and made no effort to hide a thinly veiled contempt for civilians. When we add to this the inbred enmity of the Irish for the English after three centuries of mistreatment, both real and imaginary, Sharkey wisely kept his distance from what he often referred to as those Limey bastards.

  Continued exposure to Sharkey was a military education in itself. As Peter had noted during his first few weeks in the Recce Platoon, Sharkey was much more than just immaculate appearance and “spit and polish.” He was also a walking encyclopaedia of military knowledge and skills. He made a point of knowing the characteristics of all battalion weapons including the more specialized weapons of Support Company. He volunteered for all courses and was recognized as the battalion expert in everything from handling explosives, use of anti-personnel and land mines, booby traps to ceremonial drill. He had also attended the brigade course for snipers and demonstrated that he was one of the best marksmen in the brigade.

  Another problem for Sharkey was his distaste for negotiations and utter disdain for compromises. Perhaps this represented a weakness but, before passing judgement, critics should look at it as in Sharkey’s world where the state of war was a natural state and everything stood out in either black or white.

  As he spent more time with Sharkey, Peter came to know him better and to understand the forces and attitudes that shaped him. Sharkey told him about his life in Ireland, about the father he had never known, the two brothers lost in World War I and the strong mother-Bridget-who had nurtured the three sons, loved them all, but always longed for the help of the late departed Shamus as the boys became too much for even her dedicated efforts.

  Sharkey had that wonderful Irish talent of a story teller. He regaled Peter with his stories of growing up in a small Irish town and how he successfully resisted the efforts of the devout Bridget and Father O’Brien, the legendary parish priest.

  He spoke with some appreciation of the efforts of the Sisters of Charity who had struggled mightily to inculcate a measure of Christian education into Sharkey and his two brothers. Sharkey had been deeply saddened by the recent passing of his mother in Dublin. He had planned on going back to Ireland on leave, but leave to the Irish Free State, or Eire, was quite difficult to obtain, and this was particularly true now that his mother was dead and he could not identify a close family member that he wanted to visit. He wasn’t too sure of the reception he would receive if he went back to his home town. His mother told him that the beautiful Kathleen

  Maguire had given birth to a fine baby boy and Father O’Brien had offered fervent thanks to the Good Lord that the baby appeared to have a fine head of hair. But while the baby was topped with luxuriant locks so untypical of the Shawkey boys, his mother had reported that the increasing resemblance of the little boy to Sharkey had elicited threats from Kathleen’s father as to what he would do to a certain raggedy haired son of a bitch if he showed his face in his pub.

  Platoon Commanders came and went as the Commanding Officer tried to give all of his j
unior officers as much experience as possible in a variety of appointments, but Sharkey still ran the platoon. This did not mean that Sharkey was disloyal or had ever shown any disrespect for any of the young officers. He always saluted smartly and took great pains to ensure that all platoon members paid similar compliments. Ever the good soldier, Sharkey understood the chain of command and the importance of both loyalty and discipline to the efficient operation of the battalion. Sharkey would always discuss his ideas with the platoon commander who soon came to recognize the wisdom of following his advice.

  Peter always had the distinct impression that Sharkey did not have any great love for officers but made certain that such opinions were never revealed to the rank and file. This attitude was hardly unusual with the senior NCOs and Warrant Officers who, for the most part, had more experience when the officers.. NCOs and Warrant Officers realized that they represented the backbone of their units. It was they who lived closest to the men and this constant proximity meant that they became the best judges of individual abilities.

  While the officers certainly had the best interests of the men at heart, the prevailing wisdom was that they keep their distance from the rank and file based upon the old adage that familiarity breeds contempt. Socializing with the men was frowned on and there was also the physical distancing under which the officers’ living accommodations were usually some distance from the men’s quarters. The officers would show up promptly at the appointed time for scheduled parades and inspections, their immaculate turn out reflecting the dedicated efforts of their batmen, but after the regular routine of administrative duties, they would usually disappear to their Officers’ Mess where, if needed, they could be contacted through the Duty Officer.

  Within the community the officers also moved in a different social circle. English society still retained much of its class structure combined with a strong military tradition. Most of the famous old regiments had ties with colonial units, and their clubs in London welcomed their colonial counterparts and offered access to a level of society that was all very new to the more democratic colonials.

  The WOs and NCOs really held the battalion together with total loyalty to their battalion. Field exercises brought the officers closer to the rank and file and an even greater awareness of the vital role of the Warrant Officers and NCOs. The higher the level of the training exercise, the greater the level of boredom for the rank and file, leaving them convinced that such activities could only be described as SNAFUs or, even, TARFUs in the vocabulary of the soldier. During extended periods while on these exercises, the rank and file were usually just sitting around waiting for something to happen. This situation was fraught with danger as troops were confined to their lines and often within clear sight of towns, villages, pubs and girls. At these times it was the strength of the WOs and NCOs that staved off possible mass desertions or even mutinies.

  Peter and Sharkey became inseparable. An unlikely combination in many ways but each seemed to compliment the other. Peter appreciated Sharkey’s total honesty and recognized, and took advantage of, his military skills. While never even approaching Sharkey’s mastery of the wide variety of battalion weapons, Peter reached a level of proficiency superior to all but those specializing in specific weapons. In Peter, Sharkey had found a highly competent and loyal partner; someone, as Sharkey would say, he could depend on to cover his ass. While much later Peter would question many of Sharkey’s moral excesses, just about all that mattered to Peter at the time was that Sharkey was a brave, loyal, and highly competent comrade in the ultimate soldier’s challenge of survival.

  Sharkey pulled some strings, and when each company was allowed one corporal to be promoted to Lance Sergeant, Peter was chosen. His new rank was very convenient for Sharkey because they could now visit the Sergeant’s Mess at the prestigious Guards Depot where Sharkey’s proud war record had provided him with a prominent place in the annals of the Brigade of Guards. Despite leaving the Depot under a small cloud, Sharkey was warmly received by many old acquaintances including the current Depot RSM who had been a Drill Sergeant at the time Sharkey took his honorable discharge. Peter was welcomed with open arms with only a few disparaging references to colonial amateurs.

  Sharkey also had his favorite London pubs where he was still remembered although not without some apprehension on the part of the pub owners. And the women flocked to him like bees to honey. Peter was continually amazed at how this lanky, bald, near middle aged person was so attractive to women. Mostly, in the beginning, it was merely a matter of animal magnetism but it was then sustained by his talents as a story teller and his tremendous sense of humor. In his company Peter picked up what he called “fringe benefits” because even with Sharkey’s undiminished virility, there was a limit to his capacity and this meant there was usually an overflow.

  The Recce Platoon had earned its reputation as the best in the brigade, if not the best in the division, and, as such, was selected to provide a small contingent to join a Royal Marine Commando on a “Top Secret” mission.

  Just before the Dieppe Raid in August 1942 the platoon was directed to provide five expert bodies for the top secret mission. The five must include personnel with proven skills in handling explosives, wireless communications, mine clearing and sniping. Following the platoon commander’s order to select the group, Sharkey disregarded the suggestion of volunteers; “we’re all f…ing volunteers” he would say, and detailed himself, Peter and three other platoon members that he knew had the required skills. The battalion had already moved quietly to the southern coast in preparation for “something big” and the small group from the Recce

  Platoon slipped off to the appointed rendezvous with the Royal Marine Commando.

  On reaching the rendezvous point, Sharkey reported to the task force commander Royal Marines Major Bernard Jeffries, and found that the task force consisted of thirty highly trained commandos plus the five from the Recce Platoon. The initial reaction of the marines was just a little cool. It was quite natural for these professionals with several raids under their belts to be just a little condescending towards this group of Colonial amateurs. As Sharkey discovered later, the inclusion of the detachment from the Recce Platoon had been ordered from a fairly high level in recognition of the fact that the Dieppe Raid would be a Canadian operation. This was combined with a desire to provide Canadians with some actual combat experience.

  In the three weeks of pre-raid training, the Canadians demonstrated a degree of proficiency in their allotted tasks that earned the respect of the more experienced Marines. Sharkey made an instant impression on Major Jeffries and his Warrant Officer from the moment he removed his outer jacket revealing the three rows of ribbons on his battle dress. And then Sharkey went on to demonstrate that he, and his group of Colonial amateurs, could do any of tasks that would be required in the mission and do them as well as, if not better than, any of the more experienced marines. Sharkey had never made any secret of his dislike of “Limeys”. This was an attitude that was born in his bones and sustained by both his mother and Father O’Brien. But all of this was forgotten in the preparation for their mission and in recognition of the level of professionalism demonstrated by the marines.

  Sharkey was particularly impressed by the youthful Major Jeffries. First, of course, by his row of ribbons which included both the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross. Although not more than thirty years of age, Sharkey identified the major as an officer of the old school. They were, as he explained to Peter, born to wealth and privilege but with a highly developed sense of social responsibility. They were usually the first in line when their country needed them. Sharkey told Peter of the extremely high rate of casualties among officers in the Guards Battalions where they insisted on actually leading their troops into battle armed only with a swagger stick and a pistol. “All guts and no brains” Sharkey would say but not without adding, with suitable reverence, “what a God damned waste”.


  Peter became the Marine Major’s wireless operator and body guard after proving his proficiency with the new high quality wireless equipment and his marksmanship with a submachine gun. Two days before D Day a small Royal Navy detachment joined them with their small landing craft equipped with souped-up twin marine engines and what the rather grizzled Lieut-Commander euphemistically referred to as a few specialized defensive weapons. They practiced a few night embarkations and disembarkations and on what proved to be D Day Minus 1, Major Jeffries called them together and gave them a detailed briefing on their mission.

  He first warned that this briefing was classified as “Top Secret” and that their lives and those of many others would be put in jeopardy if any details leaked out. Their objective was an enemy experimental radar station near the fishing village of Le Treport about fifteen miles from Dieppe. The Germans were developing a new, highly sensitive radar and, if proven effective, this radar would become the eyes of Fortress Europe with dozens of them installed along the channel coast and the coastline along the North Sea. Intelligence sources had also been concerned that this type of radar might be used for disrupting Allied Air Force communications and electronic navigational devices.

  The Major set up an enlarged map of the village of Le Treport and an area extending several miles inland. On another easel he put up aerial photographs and located the important features on both photos and maps. Their objective was to destroy the installation. Several of the marines had been carefully briefed by our own radar experts and were to attempt to bring back some specific components of the new German radar so that our Boffins could study just what the Germans had developed. The final objective was to attempt to capture one of the German officers on the site. The Major then gave detailed tasks to groups already established with their own section commanders, and distributed packages each containing smaller copies of both maps and aerial photographs. Every member of the task force was instructed to examine the maps and photos carefully and identify those landmarks that had been highlighted on both.