#4 Summers then went to work, charging the farmhouse, hoping his hodgepodge squad would follow. It did not, but he kicked the door and sprayed the interior with his tommy (what they called the Thompson) gun. Four Germans fell dead, others ran out a back door to the next house. Summers, still alone, charged that house; again the Germans fled. His example inspired [a private] to come out of the roadside ditch where the group was hiding, set up his light machine gun, and begin laying down a suppressing fire against the barracks building.
Once more Summers dashed forward. The Germans were ready this time; they shot at him from loopholes but, what with [the privateÂ’s] machine-gun fire and SummersÂ’s zigzag running, failed to hit him. Summers kicked in the door and sprayed the interior, killing six Germans and driving the remainder out of the building.
Summers dropped to the ground, exhausted and in emotional shock. He rested for half an hour. His squad came up and replenished his ammunition supply. He charged another building, killing six more Germans. The rest threw up their hands. SummersÂ’s squad was close behind; he turned the prisoners over to his men.
...
There were two buildings to go. Summers charged the first and kicked the door open, to see the most improbable sight. Fifteen German artillery men were seated at mess tables eating breakfast. Summers never paused. He shot them down at their tables... D-Day by Stephen Ambrose The Thompson is one man's army. |