By Christmas Day, the constant rain, the intemperate weather, and the long day spent in the shallow, wet depression caused Le Blanc to begin to cough. On Christmas Night, Le Blanc’s cough became persistent, raspy, and loud. He had trouble controlling it.
Around 2200 Hours, Phil moved his team to the west, a few hundred yards farther from the track. The men needed a rest. There appeared to be a village or station up ahead. He asked Anton to scout it out. Louis moved out into the darkness.
Genero decided that if Le Blanc’s cough continued, the sergeant would have to leave the infiltration mission and head west toward the American lines. Phil hated to put his loyal subordinate through that additional risk, but he had no choice. With all of the coughing, it was a matter of time until Le Blan
