Survival

by M. Ben Yanay

  Bob shared this information with Ina and Janos. “We’ve seen the SS soldiers moving next to us on the road. Despite being trapped and surrounded, they were en route westward along the Danube into Austria, in the direction of Linz. They’re aiming to reach the German border. I believe they will attempt to blend in with the local population or purposefully fall captive to Allied forces. They would rather die than fall into the hands of the Russians.”

  “What does it matter who takes you captive? After all, either way, they are defeated,” Janos wondered.

  “I know these people,” Ina replied. “What is it you do not get? Any SS soldiers the Russians catch will be shot dead on the spot without a trial.”

  “And what do you suppose the Allies would do with their prisoners? Feel sorry for them and throw flowers at them?” Janos asked.

  “I believe they’ll interrogate them. They’ll be in captivity for as long as they are being debriefed until a prisoner exchange is decided on. Some of them will be tried and jailed, and some will be released.”

  “Everything I’ve told you is true. This is probably the way things are on the ground,” Bob said. “Of course there could always be surprises. I guess we’re pretty safe from any Russian aircraft raid, especially after Ina’s waving and kisses. But in case of a German attack… Actually, I just don’t know. On the one hand, I don’t want us to have any illusions. On the other, I am aware of the facts: they are neither attacking nor defending. They’re busy surviving and escaping.”

  “As are we,” Janos pointed out. “Come on, friends, let’s get a move on. However much wiser, I still cannot think when I’m so hungry. This information did not fill my stomach.”

  “I’m ready to move out,” Bob announced. “And what about you, Comrade Ina?”

  “Well, I’m also famished.” She smiled faintly. “After the Germans caught me, I did not eat or drink for three whole days and nights. I had to live on my imagination. It was a nightmare, but it made me stronger.”

  Janos drove Lexy, which growled unintelligibly while riding happily along the tracks. He speeded up, and Lexy obliged once again. The fields stretched out like a green yarn between heaven and earth.

  *

  Ina focused her gaze. “Perhaps I’m dreaming, guys,” she said, as though in a daze. “But no. It’s real. Do you see what I see?”

  Far ahead, on the edge of one field right next to another, they began to catch a glimpse of the outline of some populated area. They saw a grouping of a few buildings and a church tower. As they got closer, they realized these were the remains of a village. Not one structure was unscathed. The roofs caved in, falling on the burnt walls. There was not a soul in sight. The railroad passed near the outskirts of the village, near a lonely platform with some structure in its middle section. Surprisingly, the walls of this building were intact. Judging by the barbed window, this was the train station’s ticket booth.

  A faint road sign swung from a headless post. Farther ahead, they saw another rectangular structure with shattered windows. Its front wall had a leaning sign, whose writing was clearer: Grenz 10 kilometers [German: The border is 10 kilometers ahead]. Ina’s heart leaped. She longed to speed the locomotive up. But there was no need, as they passed the ruined border checkpoint without anyone to halt them.

  “We’ve come to the border between Austria and Czechoslovakia,” Janos said in a broken voice.

  We will be in Hainburg, a border town, in a matter of minutes. I remember it from the maps. There must be a train station there as well, but there’s no telling what shape it might be in,” Bob said.

  They saw the smoke rising up ahead, meaning the Russian planes had struck there, too, leaving devastation behind.

  “That means there are still Germans there,” Bob answered what Ina was just about to ask.

  According to the sign a few hundred yards before what used to be the town’s first grain storage house, now in flames, Bob was correct. The sign said Hainburg an der Donau.

  Another flight of fighters filled the skies with its noise. Two pairs of aircraft came from the west and fired on the buildings. There was black smoke everywhere. Janos slowed down, intending to stop the locomotive.

  “Let’s wait for them to be finished with their assignment,” he said, stressing the last word. Much to their surprise, they saw people running around like ants fleeing a burning nest. They were all rushing toward the locomotive, waving their arms and weapons.

  “These are Germans!” Ina cried in panic.

  A man carrying a green flag stood in the distance. He motioned the locomotive to approach. This was the local train dispatcher.

  Janos did not think twice. He kept going slowly. They saw the cheering crowd was uniformed and carrying weapons. They threw their helmets in the air. The aircraft flew by and disappeared. The locomotive approached the train station with the two platforms. The dispatcher kept waving at the locomotive but was almost run over by the crowd. He stood up, still holding his flag, and straightened his uniform. Ina held her breath. Bob observed closely and lay his hand on her shoulder. Janos grabbed the engine’s handle. None of them spoke in the heavy tension. Then, they noticed four train transport wagons on one of the platforms, and the accurate signs the dispatcher gave, guiding them there.

  “What does he want? He means we should link up with these cars?” Ina asked, concerned.

  Janos was busy motioning back to the dispatcher, showing him he did understand. He saw the cars and the attached locomotive and figured it was hit in the air raids and was no longer operable.

  “You don’t mean to respond, right?” Ina asked him, hesitant.

  “No, I am merely acting exactly as he asked.”

  “You need to hurry up,” said Bob. “Do it quickly now, before he diverts the railroad and moves us back to him.”

  Janos let out a loud cry, some sort of shout, almost a roar. He pushed the engine’s handle at once all the way. The locomotive leaped forward, passed the astonished crowd, and galloped onward. The soldiers began running after it but stopped after a few dozen yards.

  “They must be cursing us now.” Bob laughed. He tapped on Janos’s back. “Well done, Sergeant.”

  “That was scary,” Ina shared her feelings.

  “You can be calm as long as Janos is at the helm,” Bob reassured her.

  “Certainly,” Janos concurred. “The thought of those fighters coming back with more bombs and ammo really makes me happy. They’ll easily get rid of those soldiers, the whole bunch of them. They’re all gathered together at the train station. We didn’t mean to, but we trapped them all.”

  “I admire you,” Ina told him, “and that gets you a thank-you kiss.” She took her hat off and kissed Janos on the cheek.

  “Comrade Ina, what will the Komsomol people say to that?” Janos laughed.

  “What do I need to do to get a kiss from you?” Bob demanded to know. “I’m jealous.”

  Ina was embarrassed. She felt Bob’s yearning for her. She felt the same way. When he held her, she felt his fingers through the thick woolen coat, and it stirred her heart. This was but a brief moment, but she cherished the sweet memory of his breathing and the sense of his breath on her face. She was all red now, and too self-conscious to reply.

  Ina, who is usually so quick with her comebacks, is now silent, Bob noted to himself. This girl keeps surprising me. She’s so natural and honest. I never met any woman like her. Back in Alabama, duplicity is second nature. Ina is so un-American that way. I sure hope she doesn’t change once she gets to America.

  He thought of her many qualities one by one, and then considered the color of his own skin, which prevented him from confessing his true feelings toward her. As he buried his thoughts deep within, his heart was about to burst with anger. To find some distraction, he went over to the furnace and stoked it violently with chunks of coal. He then calmed down, breathed out long and deep, and leaned on his shovel. Sweat poured down his brow into his eyes, and he barely resisted wiping it off with h
is coal-soaked hands. Only then, did he notice Ina’s gaze at his face, through those large drops of sweat. He felt uncomfortable, so he turned his head away from her.

  *

  They managed to get away from the train station at Hainburg when another formation of four Russian fighters flew by. Those planes carried bombs and shells, which they poured on the crowd at the station.

  Ina, Bob and Janos could easily imagine the relentless heavy fire, burning through yards and barns, turning houses into smoldering ruins. They could easily picture the gray metal vultures running the soldiers down with their fire, razing the four train cars and that locomotive to piles of ashes and lead. Janos kept squeezing the handle. He wanted to get as far as possible from that hell.

  But one of the Ilyushins flew after them, besting their speed.

  “The plane is chasing us!” Ina cried out.

  “I cannot stop now!” Janos replied, shouting, “Bob! Bob, where are you?!”

  “Prepare to jump,” he told them. “I’ll keep going.” Janos was terrified. The plane overtook them. Janos was sure the pilot was about to fire at the engine, and even if he were to miss, he would damage the tracks.

  “Are you ready?” Janos shouted, his throat already sore. He grabbed the lever tight. Whatever happens, I’ll keep going.

  The Ilyushin suddenly dived right at them. He flapped his wings about in peace and soared right up.

  “Istenem!” [Hungarian: God] Janos sighed in relief.

  “What was that? Where’s the plane?” Ina asked, terrified and confused.

  “What a crazy cat this pilot is.” Bob laughed wholeheartedly. “I was sure that was it for us. I almost died just now. Ina, it’s all because of you. You got them crazy. It was one of your comrades—the guys you let your hair down for.”

  “What? I can’t believe it.” She tried to catch her breath. Her face changed from terror to sheer surprise. “He’s mad, really crazy. Surely he didn’t mean to scare us like that.”

  “He probably expected your kiss, which is certainly reasonable and normal,” Bob taunted her. “Seriously now, I think the fact Lexy has no flags and your show with the hair and blowing kisses really saved us. They already recognize us from past encounters. We’re so lucky those are the same pilots. If those had been other pilots… I don’t even wanna think about it.”

  17. Janos—Tales from the Past

  Their concerns subsided for the moment. The sky went quiet once again, and the green fields were strewn with red patches of blossom. Janos stretched out his arms. “Spring is here, and I’m so tired.” And then he added, “and hungry, too.”

  “We’re all in the same boat,” Bob replied slowly. “Get up; I’ll take over from you.”

  “Fine, but I suggest you slow down. This area has been bombed before so the railroad could be damaged.” He pointed at burnt vehicles by the side of the road. “Here, look at the charred remains.” He released the lever somewhat and got up. “Is there enough coal for the next hour?”

  “Yeah, I packed in a large quantity. You can rest assured.”

  “Ina, what’s up with you? Are you up?” Janos turned to her. “I’d like you to keep watch.”

  Bob touched her shoulder. “Hey, your head dropped. Are you sleepy?”

  “Yes, a bit,” she admitted with a faint smile. “I just had a momentary lapse, now that the pressure we’ve experienced is over. But I cannot muster any energy. Shall we take a break to stretch out?”

  “Not now. We’re in a dangerous zone, and we’re exposed,” Bob replied. “But I promise you the first chance we get, I’ll stop.”

  She nodded and lifted her rucksack. She fumbled inside.

  “What are you looking for? Bob asked her.

  “I don’t know. Perhaps I might find something to wake me up.” Her gaze lingered on Janos, who fell right to sleep. “I want to make us a feast fit for kings,” she told Bob. “When he wakes up, he’ll join us.”

  “What are you talking about?” Bob asked, amazed.

  “About a meal. I like to cook. Look what I found.” She took one hand out of her rucksack. “Do you see what I have in my hand?”

  “No. I cannot see a thing.”

  “Well, you’re supposed to have excellent eyesight. I see you’ve got a problem. Look here, I have three potatoes that I intend to peel. Would you bring me the pot?” Her other hand held a knife. “I’ll also make us a nice sauce. We’re lucky to have a juicy piece of meat with fat on it.” She began turning the knife. “Now, where’s the onion?” She opened her empty fist in the air. “Here it is,” she said, clenching her fist. “Look at the nice carrots I’ve brought. She began dicing in the air. “I’m waiting for the pot. Oh, thanks. Bring me some salt, too, if you please. Go on, light the fire,” she instructed Bob. Her hand was now holding a small metal handle. She was stirring the air enthusiastically.

  “But Ina, you’re just—”

  “If you can’t help me out, at least don’t be in my way,” she cut him off in a scolding tone.

  “I’ll light the fire myself. She produced a tiny matchbox and lit a wooden pick by rubbing it quickly on the side of the box until it ignited. “As you can see, I’ve got this.”

  “I don’t know what to say, but I’ve always counted on you,” Bob muttered.

  “Hold on, we’re gonna bask in the smell in no time.” She wiped her hands on her coat and said, “I’m gonna set the table.” Her fingers tapped the window as she wiped the glass. “Look at the sky. It’s gonna be evening soon. We’d better wake Janos up and sit down to dinner.”

  Bob could taste the smell of the stew he liked so much. He swallowed. “We’ve got a couple of lemons. I’ll make the lemonade.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Ina whispered and looked at him gently. “You’re a great pal.” Her eyes were wet. “You can calm down. I’m not crazy. I’m not. I am not…” she kept saying, faintly.

  “I guess we can stop there.” Bob pointed at some trees. The tracks crossed a small wooded area with scattered trees on either side. “There’s a truck there. It looks abandoned. But wake Janos up; we might need backup.”

  Janos opened his eyes. “I had a nice dream. I dreamt I was having hot soup.”

  “Never mind about dreams now. Look at those trees, how about we stop there?”

  “I see. Fine. And there’s a supply truck, parked over there. I know these trucks. It’s a TATRA. I used to drive one of these.”

  Bob released the lever and the locomotive moaned and slid slowly until it ground to a halt.

  The three surveyed the area. Bob looked on as Janos and Ina watched sideways.

  “We can come down,” Ina said, and added, “I think the coast is clear.” She opened the door and remained standing on the ledge.

  “Go on, Ina, jump!” Janos encouraged her.

  They went over to the truck, which was lying on its side. The driver’s cabin door was half-open. Janos climbed the steel stairs and looked inside. The body of a German soldier in Wehrmacht uniform was lying there, partly upright. There were two rifles next to him. He touched the soldier’s leg, lifted it and dropped it. The soldier was lifeless. Janos looked at his face. It was a young soldier with light stubble. His eyes were closed. Janos examined the body and was surprised to find no traces of blood. Only after he turned him over did he find bloodstains on the seat. He rifled through the soldier’s pockets and found a leather pouch in his military overcoat. It seemed brand new. Janos threw both rifles out of the cabin and shook the soldier’s water canister. He jumped out and rejoined his friends.

  “What have you found?”

  “We found a treasure. Enough supplies for a whole battalion, along with battle rations,” Bob revelled.

  There were all sorts of tin cans of various sizes on the truck’s floor, right next to wooden crates chock full of rye bread. The full, large bags that filled the truck’s iron frame had the labels Zucker [sugar] and Hafermehl [oat flour]. Bob tore the rope that ran round one of the sacks of sugar and the white
grains spread next to his boots. He threw his face right into the opened sack. “Gosh, that’s so sweet.” He laughed and began throwing sugar at his two friends.

  “I suggest we sit and eat before we lose our minds. I’ll bring the knife,” said Ina.

  They checked the labels on the small tin cans for their contents: sausage, liver pâté, solid cheese, biscuits, honey, jam, and margarine. They piled the cans in a box they lowered down to the ground. “Hey, there’s a sack of tea here, too!” Bob declared. “This is the feast fit for kings Ina had planned to make us.”

  *

  The three walked over to the trees and laid down the box. “Hold on, don’t sit down yet. The ground is still wet. Give me the knife, Ina.” He went back to the truck and cut the tarp that had covered it. “Here’s a mat,” he said, as he spread it at the foot of one of the trees.

  “Don’t dig in and gorge yourselves quickly,” Ina advised them. “Chew slowly and swallow well. Eat in moderation. The key word is slowly. After the length of time we went with very little food, we mustn’t cram too much into our stomachs all at once.”

  “Very little?” Bob exclaimed. “It was more like fasting, much like the survival training I had during my pilot course.” He began opening one of the cans. He first stuck the knife into its top. He then lifted the knife carefully and brought it close to his nose. After a few whiffs, he pulled out three red sausages. They were lean and tough. The pâté was bland.