Susan walked into the tent. “You wanted to see me, General?”
“Ah, Miss Travers. Yes.” Koenig looked up from his camp desk. “I never thanked you for repairing the staff car yesterday. That was good work.”
“Just doing my duty, sir. It looked worse than it was.”
“Lucky for us that Luftwaffe chap had terrible aim.” His mouth tightened. “But I’m afraid we’re in a pickle.” He tapped a dispatch on his desk. “We just got word over the wireless that Rommel is on the move. Headed straight for us, in fact. Three panzer divisions. I’m afraid we’ll need to evacuate.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, sir.”
“Yes. What I need from you, Miss Travers, is to drive my car again. We’ll lead the evacuation through the Nazi minefields. They won’t be expecting that.”
She smiled. “Brilliant, sir. The boys see a woman driving, they’ll have to follow.”
This story is based on an experience of Susan Travers, the daughter of a Royal Navy admiral who became a driver of French Foreign legion general Marie-Pierre Koenig, the only woman the Legion ever admitted into its ranks.
Or they’ll think she’s crazy. ;-)
On the other hand, if this is based on an actual event, then I suppose she’s right.
Who IS this intrepid heroine, and when will you be writing MORE of her? Wonderfully done.
I loved the heroine in a war setting. Keen to hear more about her.
Great piece of historical fiction. Driving through those minefields would be dodgy, though. Love that last line. I think it’s true.
Dear Josh,
Bravo! She must’ve been quite a woman to drive through a minefield. But then, she fixed the car. ;) Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Love this woman! She reminds me of the woman driver, Samantha, in the PBS series “Foyle’s War.”
Was this old Monty, Josh… They are both very calm, very stiff upper lip, British. Such a lovely stereotype.
No, it was a French general who commanded the Foreign Legion. Montgomery was testy and unpleasant to his subordinates. And everyone else, too, come to think of it.
That heaviness of command, I suppose. War brings out the worst in us before the best, the necessary, perhaps?
love the realistic feel of being there – and the woman driving – right on!
A very plucky young woman!