Manhandled into the flatbed truck, Richard crouched in a corner, his eyes watering at the sight of black smoke hovering in the sky over the farm. After a while, the truck passed through a tiny village.
“Stop!” someone shouted. “I’m hungry.” The other men joined in a raucous laugh. “And thirsty,” another one yelled. Cigarettes were lit and a solicitous man pushed one between Richard’s lips after he tied him to the truck saying, “Wait here. Be right back.”
All men jumped from the truck and swarmed out to the houses of the villagers, pillaging for food and booze. Their commanding officer made no attempt to stop them, but leaned back in the driver’s cabin and stuffed a pipe.
Richard tried to free his hands, but to no avail. The SS trooper had clearly immobilized a prisoner before. Knocking
