ALL MEN ARE
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slick, very neat. He smoked from a cigarette holder and, though
he too was enthusiastic
in
his greeting, he was poised and calm. His
chauffeur had the same grinning peasant sloppiness as the two
scouts who had preceded her. She was a handsome woman, con–
structed like a fullback. The officer bowed slightly and shook hands
and delivered an eloquent greeting in Russian, unconcerned that we
didn't understand. His manner was that of a host assuring us of his
geniality. I spoke to him in my simple German, which he was able
to manage.
He told me, speaking to the platoon rather than to me, that
this was an occasion for history. He insisted that I shake hands with
him, then made the rounds of the soldiers, bowing slightly, not ex–
tending any speciaJ recognition to Lt. Blue.
"Tell him we've been waiting a long time for this," the lieu–
tenant instructed me.
He answered that we could now get down to the business of
setting the world straight. He said that first we must insure the
peace by forever depriving the German of his power to wage war.
He said that his people had learned all about the Germans through
hard experience and knew how to manage them. Now that the war
was over, justice could be done. His people had suffered much.
The lieutenant had me tell the Russian that our men had been
instructed not to cross the Russian lines. The orders we had received
from division required us to man the demarcation line between
Chemnitz and Gelbe jointly with the Russians.
The Russian officer listened, smiled, answered that for his part
he would welcome our soldiers to his camp. He understood, however,
that we were under orders. And he had received the same orders.
He said that his men had much hatred for the Germans and that it
was not easy to restrain their justifiable desire for vengeance.
His eyes took in our town and narrowed at the sight of the
factory.
We drank cognac with each other, exchanged toasts. He called
sharply to his chauffeur, mounted the cart, crossed his legs. She
reached over and swatted the horse with the flat of her hand, a
sharp sound, and the horse lurched. The Russian waved back to us.
"That's a cool customer," the lieutenant commented with obvi–
ous dislike. "Those people sure don't give a damn for protocol. Who
