Quote:
I was in Africa in a war that wasn't mine, but I was forced to fight.
Still remember the first time when I was chosen for leading my first discontinued convoy to a logistic operation of some 50 trucks.
I said I would go in the jeep with the radio - communications being already one of my passions - and left to my sergeants the final touches while I was going to have my breakfast.
When I returned, what did I see? 34, one of my soldiers sat on the motor hood of my jeep, with his back against the windshield, right in front of my seat. I said to him:
- Come on, go to your car!
- Let me travel here, my lieutenant! - he replied to me.
- Do as I said! Go and join your section!
- I would like to go here, my lieutenant!
At this point I started to think that he didn't like travelling on the Unimog which was really an uncomfortable car. So I repeated the order:
- Go to your car! You're no better than the others!
- My lieutenant, let me travel here!
Now things started to be serious, especially as he was usually very obedient. Usually when an order was given, it was accomplished by him before we had time to finish our speech. So I asked:
- Why the hell you want so much travelling on the jeep?
He became very serious, and answered like this:
- If a bullet reaches you, we don't know what to do next. If it reaches me there will be no problem!
I want to state here that this young man was illiterate, not being able to read or write a sole letter.
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About this episode I said a few days ago to a General (who was a Captain then):
- No f***ing general can teach me what team spirit is all about!
And you know what? He agreed!
Team spirit
to the soldier who showed a real example of true team spirit and sacrifice.
