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The Victors

JOHN WAGHELSTEIN

Erick leaned against the cool steel of the tank-it felt good. This
was the first time he'd had a chance to relax in almost ten days. The
Panzer divisions had been rolling across the level plains of western
Poland with little or no resistance.

"These Poles," he mused, "are so tragic-sending cavalry against
the steel of the Reich. Well, it will soon be over." He sighed and
took a swig from his canteen. He pulled out his wallet and removed
a photograph of a girl. She was young, good-looking and buxom.
Erick remembered and smiled, "Dies fraulein war gut." He was con-
fident that he would see her again and many other women, for that
matter. After all, he was a hero of the Polish Campaign and the
women would be falling at his feet when he returned.

He felt much older than he had when he was sweating inside this
iron monster on the first of the month, waiting for the signal to attack.
He had personally destroyed a farm house that was being used to
cover the retreat of a Polish brigade. One shot and the whole front
had crumbled, scattering its defenders like mice. That's what these
Poles were-mice. No backbone, but after all, isn't that what The
Leader had been telling them? No, it wouldn't be long before he was
back home, drinking beer in his favorite "stube" and pinching the
giggling girls. He smiled again. He smiled easily, and why not? These
were times for smiles. Nothing but victories and more victories. Every-
thing in life seemed to be smiling.

A whistle sounded in the distance and he got to his feet. Erick
scrambled up the side of the tank and called to the rest of his crew.
The word had come that they were to rest and refit in a nearby town,
although there wasn't much need for refitting, as hardly any damage
had been suffered. Anyway, they would be glad to get the rest.

As the tanks rumbled into the town, a few people could be seen
gaping at them. Dummkopfe! Hadn't they ever seen tanks before?
They parked in the square and got out. Some of the men crawled
under their machines and went to sleep, but Erick and Paul went to
look for a place to drink. They made their way down a side street
and found a cafe at the end of the block. Erick hoped they would

find some girls.
As they passed a store window, Erick looked at his reflection in

the glass. He was tall and well built, the kind of man that the

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