Chapter 111 Grand Welcome Ceremony

At 9:00 a.m. on July 11, 1944, the 101st Airborne Division returned to England from Normandy.

The warship floated on the sea, and Parks lay on the gangway of the ship. Looking at Utah Beach getting farther and farther away, all kinds of emotions suddenly surged in his heart. Since more than two years in the world, he has experienced hard training and cruel wars, and the friendship with his brothers and the sadness of losing his brothers have always appeared in his mind.

"What do you think? Lieutenant!" At this time, a voice came from his side.

Parks turned his head and couldn't help laughing: "White, why don't you call me Parks?"

"Would you mind if I didn't call you lieutenant?" White smiled and said, "But I still like to call you Parks. Only in this way can I feel that you are not a lieutenant.

Parks laughed and then looked at the beach that was getting farther away: "Finally, I can get out of here."

"Yes, I can finally leave!" White also said something, and then he didn't say anything. They just looked there and listened to the roaring engine sound and the sound of the waves hitting the ship as the landing ship marched...

Many of the brothers of Company E stood next to the gangway. They all looked at the distant beach like Parks, where they had fought, their comrades-in-arms had shed blood here, and some slept here.

"Lieutenant!" Just as Parks left the gangway to go to his room, he met the captain and thought he was a very kind middle-aged man. He looked at Parks with a smile and said, "Do your soldiers need something to eat?"

"What?" Parks couldn't help looking at him doubtfully.

"Chicken or steak? Ice cream? Eggs?" The captain nodded and smiled, "We still have a lot of such food on board. If you don't mind, I can arrange some for you."

"Mr., this..."

When Parks was about to speak, the captain seemed to know what he was going to say and smiled, "Lieutenant, this is just a way for me to pay tribute to your heroic performance. Do you need me to arrange it now? It's almost time for lunch!"

Only then did Parks understand, nodded and smiled, "Thank you very much! Prepare some of them. I think those guys will be very happy to enjoy the food you provide for them. This is undoubtedly a delicious meal for them!"

This is a kind of preferential treatment. I don't know that on this ship, in fact, all the ships took out what they thought were the best to entertain the officers and soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division. In everyone's opinion, they deserve to entertain them with good things. This also allowed the officers and soldiers of the entire airborne division to enjoy several meals.

The next day, a fleet of landing ships was in the port of Southampton, England. Here, the 101 Airborne Division received a grand welcome. From the port to the barracks that temporarily settled for them, they were welcomed.

As soon as Carbo walked out of the landing ship, he was stunned by the scene in front of him. Flowers, colorful strips and colorfully dressed crowds were crowded, and cheers and horns resounded throughout Southampton. Walking on the street, it also seemed very narrow. The bold girls even rushed into the procession on the street and gave a warm hug with the soldiers.

The victory of the Normandy landings completely ignited their enthusiasm. And the heroic performance of the 101st Airborne Division is also a topic of discussion among all Britons.

"I'm almost lost!" Paconti was tightly held in his chest by a girl. He felt that he was almost out of breath. He struggled hard and said to Luz next to him, "Why do they always like to put my head on their chests?" You know, this will hurt me a lot."

" Come on, Pai Konty." Luz had just been kissed by a girl, and there was a bright red lip mark on his face. He wiped it with his hand. "That's not murder. Even so, you will definitely enjoy it."

Soon they found that it was almost difficult for them to walk. The crowd kept rushing into the team, men and women, young and old. They hugged the officers and soldiers, and then kissed their cheeks, expressing their love for these soldiers in various ways. So much so that it takes a long time to take every step.

"Do we need to hurry up?" Wales just kissed a girl, and then squeezed over to look at Winters. He found that there were also a few red lip marks on his face. He smiled and said, "These guys hardly want to move. They enjoy it here."

"I don't think it's necessary, Wales. Now we are not marching to war. We are the Triumphant of victory. This is the honor that brothers fight for with their own surnames. Let them enjoy it for a while!" Parks said to Wales, "And I also like such a scene. To be honest, it's worth getting such a welcome several times in my life."

Winters also nodded at this time and said, "Rees is right. Let the brothers enjoy it. Just remind them not to be dizzy. We will camp here tonight."

"I hope so!" Wales laughed and said, "Actually, I also enjoy it."

The grand welcome ceremony on the street is still going on. Although the teams are as slow as snails, no one wants to leave quickly. They are all enjoying their own victories.

"Why are the girls here so enthusiastic?" Tybert grabbed a few fruits from the basket of an outstretched British old man with one hand, then stuffed them into his arms, and one nibbled them in his mouth. His behavior made the old man very happy and kissed his face warmly, which made him mutter to Landorman involuntarily, "Look at the crazy behavior just now. It's all inherited from their father. If a girl hugs you, don't be surprised.

Landauman held a lot of "loot", fruits, candy and all kinds of chocolates in his arms, which made him have to walk carefully and try to avoid bumping into people.

"Tybert, what's so strange about this? But I'm not interested in girls, and I care more about this!" His mouth pouted towards what was in his arms. "These are the most affordable, you know? I'm going to drool those guys who can only drill into women's arms later.

"Well, but I want these too, but I also want the girl's kiss!" Tybert smiled, then pressed her face with a girl who ran over with her arms open, and then kissed her face.

General Taylor was standing in a jeep and entering the city. He was obviously taken care of by the people. They raised various flags, sang their hymns symbolizing the harvest and victory in unison, and overwhelmingly expressed their respect to General Taylor.

This situation made General Taylor very enjoyable. He simply stood in his seat, waved to the people, and shouted, "Victory, victory!"

His voice was quickly drowned out by the louder voices of the people, and the shouts of "victory" on the street sounded together, making the masses and the army entering the city enthusiastic.

"It's crazy!" Parks shook his head, squeezed his body desperately in the crowd, and had to deal with sudden kisses and hugs from time to time. He himself can't remember how many girls' faces and lips he kissed, and how many old people, children, men and girls he hugged.

"It seems that we still underestimated the enthusiasm of the British people!" Winters was also very emotional. There was already a red mark on his face, which made him look a little embarrassed. However, Nixon, who is struggling to push forward around him, is not much better.

"I don't want to die here!" When Parks pulled Wales' head out of a woman's chest, Wales took a long breath, "However, this way to die is much better than being beaten to death by the Germans!"

The mayor of Southampton also appeared in the welcoming party. He and some municipal axe officials were waiting to greet General Taylor, which Wintes could not enjoy. Then General Taylor, who waved to the crowd in the car, was welcomed into the municipal axe hall by the mayor's group. There, they held a high-level welcome banquet for senior officers of the 101st Division.

"There must be a big banquet there!" Nixon showed envy.

"I don't think you will like it there!" Winters smiled, "Or have you changed and become fond of telling lies with a group of politicians at a grand banquet? This is not what you want."

Nixon laughed and said, "You still know me! It's worth a sip!" With that, he unscrewed the lid of the kettle and took a big sip. His kettle could never contain water. That's whiskey.

"Well, I don't want to stay here anymore. Although I like it, I still want to breathe fresh air!" Parks said and began to move forward again. Winters, Nixon and Wales followed him closely. Their ideas are similar to Parks. Although they enjoy it, it is also a kind of torture.

It took E more than two hours to walk the street for less than a mile. Until the camp, all the brothers of Company E looked ragged and colorful, as if they had escaped from the refugee camp. But their harvest is generally very rich. Everyone can return with a full load.

Although it has arrived in the United Kingdom, for the sake of safety, the division still decided that each company must send its own sentries.

Gradually, the night enveloped the whole port of Southampton, and the sound of the sea could be heard even in the camp. After a whole day of sailing and the hustle and bustle of the welcoming ceremony during the day, many people were very tired and fell asleep peacefully. There is silence all around. Occasionally, sentries passed by the barracks.

Parks was not sleepy. He couldn't stay in the barracks and walked out.

"Lieutenant!" A sentry saw him and said hello to him. Parks nodded and then sat down in a chair near the camp. He had to sort out his mood these days.

In these days of battle, he and his brothers established a life-and-death friendship, which made him feel very gratified. But I am also a little worried about the bleak future. Although he knows the whole process and outcome of the war, what he can change is very limited and doesn't matter at all. Sometimes, I don't even know whether I will be hit by the Germans like many brothers in the future battles and then die in painful moans. Although he dared to face death, he was afraid of the unknown way of death.

"Can't sleep?" A voice came from beside him. It was Winters. He smiled and said, "Me too!"

(to be continued)