Covered in bloodstains, sand and sweat we left the frontline very weary and dreading the long journey back east to Egypt. Thankfully, we had a welcome rest in Tripoli first. Where a very memorable event occurred.
In the centre of the city I was somewhat surprised to see a branch of Barclay's Bank. A most unexpected mark of home. Locals taking selling egg and chips I was used to but the blue eagle was a first.
Outside it formed a queue of troops clearly eager to take advantage and withdraw some money with which to have some fun. And Lord did they deserve it! Stranded beyond that anti-tank ditch I think we all felt it could have been over for us. Many others we saw get put in the bag or shot down- some even ground into the sand under tank tracks. But all that was behind us and we were back in a respite situation, free to relax.
I couldn't help noticing, though, a curious expression on the faces of the men outside the bank. And the way they were shuffling about from foot to foot impatiently like children outside a sweet shop. All were nervous and excited; none wore the expression of men who were soon to drink. I didn't need to ponder the reason why for long as many of them kept glancing furtively across the road where a second queue led each man to the brothel area and the embrace of something unavailable in the frontline.
In the centre of the city I was somewhat surprised to see a branch of Barclay's Bank. A most unexpected mark of home. Locals taking selling egg and chips I was used to but the blue eagle was a first.
Outside it formed a queue of troops clearly eager to take advantage and withdraw some money with which to have some fun. And Lord did they deserve it! Stranded beyond that anti-tank ditch I think we all felt it could have been over for us. Many others we saw get put in the bag or shot down- some even ground into the sand under tank tracks. But all that was behind us and we were back in a respite situation, free to relax.
I couldn't help noticing, though, a curious expression on the faces of the men outside the bank. And the way they were shuffling about from foot to foot impatiently like children outside a sweet shop. All were nervous and excited; none wore the expression of men who were soon to drink. I didn't need to ponder the reason why for long as many of them kept glancing furtively across the road where a second queue led each man to the brothel area and the embrace of something unavailable in the frontline.
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