“In Greece, after the armistice, the Germans got out of hand,” the major said.
“I heard rumours. What happened?”
“They massacred most of the Italian garrison of Cephalonia, the Greek island,” the major said. “An atrocity; murders. Tedeschi cazzo; Tedeschi bastardo.”
The major pulled an off-white handkerchief from his side pocket and dabbed at his good eye, then he dabbed under the eyepatch. He looked toward the entrance to the camp. He blew his nose and tucked the handkerchief in his sleeve.
Fred shook his head. “Time to make them pay, sir.”
* * *
The foragers returned late in the afternoon with tools and worn winter clothing.
“The peasants gave what they could,” a former soldier said.
The haul of spades, picks, and a heavy hammer cheered Fred. He turned to the major. “Now we can g
