Behind Enemy Lines.

Behind Enemy Lines

Another day down that awful trench. The sound of machine gun fire, exploding shells and cries of pain were almost deafening. Private Joseph Brown was ready to face another day in this incipient hell.

Brown was a young man when he joined the army, a mere 17 years old. He was a member of the 18th Paratrooper Brigade and a key part of it. During his four years of service, Brown had worked his way from a Private in the 6th Infantry Regiment to a very well trained Lieutenant in the 18th Paratrooper Brigade. Yet still, the young officers heart had always been devoted to his beloved fiancée, Mary Ann. The two were childhood sweethearts and had lived next door to each other in a London suburb for many years. Before joining the army Joseph had been a carpenters apprentice and Mary Ann was working as a cleaner in a boot shop. This love affair was to be shortly ended. To the couples despair they would be separated for many more years and may not have even seen each other again.

3rd September 1939. "Today, Adolf Hitler and His Nazi army have invaded the country of Poland. Britain have now declared war on the state of Germany!" This was the message echoing around the whole country on all radio stations. Suddenly Britain was in a state of shock and preparing for war. All men that were seventeen or older were ordered to join up for the army. Joseph Brown was very keen to serve his country, but extremely reluctant to leave Mary Ann. He signed up and was sent to the 6th Infantry Regiment. Brown was pleased to be helping his country and was looking forward to his time in the army. After about a month of initial training the men of the 6th Infantry Regiment were sent to the front line in France. They were taken there on boats along with many other thousands of young, vulnerable men. After a few days of travelling the regiment reached their posts. The whole platoon was ordered to start digging trenches. This then went on for about another week all the time under heavy German artillery fire. When these trenches were finally completed the regiment was told to settle into their new homes. This would be the men's only place to go for months on end. At this stage, the once ambitious soldiers were wishing they had never signed up. Their job was to keep control of the their own section of the trench network. Lieutenant Jones gave each man his own specific post and that would be were he worked for the time ahead. To Browns relief his position was situated near the back of the trench by the first aid room. 4XJX2uB from 4XJX2uB coursewrok 4XJX2uB work 4XJX2uB info 4XJX2uB

The days passed and the fighting went on. Joseph was finding it hard to gain the will to carry on. Every minute of the day men would be dying. Whether they were shot, blown up or died of a mere cold these young soldiers were losing their lives. After about 2 years serving in France moving from one place to another Private Joseph Brown was called back to army headquarters at home in England. Only a small group of men were recalled to find out they had been chosen for the 18th Paratrooper Brigade. Brown was extremely shocked with the news ...

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The 18th Paratrooper Brigade was highly thought of in the British army. They were a small group of very well trained soldiers who were always ready to strike whenever needed. These men were trained by World War one veterans and the highest ranked officers who had large amounts of experience. On the 10th September Private Brown began his training in a secret army compound. This training went on for ten months giving Brown the opportunity to learn all the basic skills he needed. One of his mentors was an officer called Lieutenant Peters from the Royal Air Force. He was a qualified pilot and a highly experienced paratrooper. The Lieutenant would teach the men all they needed to know about parachuting behind enemy lines. Ten months passed and the training came to an end. The men were now ready for war. The 20th June arrived and it was Joseph's last chance to say goodbye to his sweetheart, Mary Ann. They were parted and Brown joined his regiment to prepare for war. The Regiments first task would be along with the rest of the British army moving into France to stop Nazi advances.

The Paratrooper Brigade were positioned across France in different places. They were supported by normal soldiers and platoons. For just over a year this was were the men remained doing very little important work. On 23rd December the men were ordered back to England by Winston Churchill himself. The time had come for the 18th Paratrooper Brigade to play their part in the war. The regiment was needed for an extremely important mission to capture an airfield. This airfield was the main place were all German invasions started from. The men were transported to a secret RAF airfield. Their, awaited them a barrage of B52 transport aircraft ready for take off. Before leaving on their mission the men were briefed by Commandant Edwards who told them what they are required for. "Right Men, now comes the time for you to put what you have learnt into action. At 1800 hours you will leave on a two hour journey to France. There you will meet up with French underground leaders who will inform you of the local area and the rest of your mission. Next you will proceed to a city called Bordeaux and be parachuted in.

We have been informed that there will be a small number of German Troops surrounding the city. Break down this resistance and then your main objective is to take control of the airfield. Once captured hold it for two days and await reinforcements. This maybe the last time you hear from me so, good luck men". The regiment boarded the aircraft and set of on their heroic mission.

Spirits were high on the plane journey, the soldiers were pleased to be helping their country during the war. Private Brown was finding it difficult to be joyful. He could not get Mary Ann out of his mind. How he wished he could be with her. The aircraft landed and the men met up with the French Resistance. The leader of the organisation gave the paratroopers their final briefing. "We have received recent information that the airfield at Bordeaux has been reinforced with more troops. Our intelligence people have said that the only way you have a chance of capturing the airfield is by surprise. A small group of soldiers will destroy the anti aircraft weapons. This will give the planes a chance to drop the rest of you in. The first attack will begin tomorrow at 0900 hours." That night was probably the worst one Brown had ever experienced. He could not sleep at all after thinking about the day ahead. Morning arrived and Private Brown was given very pleasing news. Due to his platoons sergeant being ill he had been promoted to Sergeant Brown. Although this would give him greater responsibilities he was extremely pleased. At 2200 hours the message came over the radio. "Echo 42, Echo 42, Anti Aircraft weapons destroyed. Repeat, Anti Aircraft weapons destroyed. Request reinforcements. Over" It was time. The men boarded the planes and were taken to the dropping zone. As Brown was now a Sergeant he would have to leave the plane first and lead his men into battle. The drop controller called, "First man ready. Go, go, go" The platoon left the aircraft one by one, dropping to face their biggest fear. As they descended each man armed their weapons. Sergeant Brown shouted his orders to the soldiers. "Arm your guns, and be ready to kill any one in your path, right here we go" dazzle, please do not redistribute this coursework. We work very hard to create this website, and we trust our visitors to respect it for the good of

Heads dropped slowly and became floating bodies, as they were shot out of the sky. The men hit the ground in the centre of the airfield. There was complete and utter panic among the Nazi troops. As the paratroopers advanced they destroyed everything in their path. At that moment, a siren sounded and German reinforcements arrived. The highly trained British soldiers quickly disposed of them. Sergeant Brown continued giving orders. "Find cover behind some of these aircraft and kill every one you see" The soldiers all found their positions and began picking of the remaining German troops.

This went on for another ten minutes with men dropping on either side. Finally the airfield was clear. The radio controller called HQ and reported the current situation. "Echo 42, Echo 42, this is Delta 5. Airfield is stable and under control. Over" Browns platoon set up vantage points all over the airfield to stop any German attacks. Once the area was secure a small group of engineers set up control tents for the officers. This would be were the four Lieutenants and Commandant Green would run the remainder of the operation. Days went on and small Nazi revolts could not break down the British defence. When the time finally came the reinforcements radioed in, "Delta 5. ETA 5 minutes. Requested air cover. Over" The Commandant returned their call and gave them clearance. The five minutes passed and as promised the reinforcements arrived. The following day more transport aircraft arrived to pick up the whole of the 18th Paratrooper Brigade. They were transported back to England.

7th November 1943. "We are victorious. Adolf Hitler has today surrendered his attempts to conquer Europe" This was the message echoing around the country. People were celebrating in the streets and rejoicing of the day's events. Joseph Brown was back at home living with his beloved wife, Mary Ann. The couple were happy together with their two adorable children. Joseph did not need anything else in his life. But there was just one more thing. The day after the war ended Brown received a letter through the post. It was from the Prime Minister Winston Churchill. He couldn't believe it, could his final wish be coming true. "Dear Lieutenant Joseph Brown, Due to your brilliant efforts in the Bordeaux conflict saving many lives, the British army would like to award you the George Cross for Loyalty and Bravery" Brown had got what he wanted, the armies highest honour The George Cross.coad adr seadadw orad adk inad foad ad.