mouthpiece in the other. On the floor are cartridge cases, ammuni-tion boxes, steel helmets, and maps - in our typical untidy style.
A dark shape signals with a flashlight - a battalion policeman. Strange to see one so near the front. I look at the sky. We are to the south of Zeitah, about a kilometer away from the Egyptian road. Here we should meet up with the trucks. The jeeps drive off the path and line up in the order they will take in the convoy.
Some way away the superiors are sitting, standing, and crouching around a darkened petrol lamp, with the intelligence officer and the scouts. Maps, aerial photos, and notes lie on the ground. They are whispering together.
"... these positions will be captured tonight..."
"...there could be old mines around here ..."
"...the scouts noticed some traces around here ..."
.and what if the advance guard runs into enemy fire?..."
"... leave behind any broken down or damaged vehicle ..."
Photos are passed around. Some bright dots are the subject of dis-cussion. The scouts, who know the location, explain and discuss among themselves. The commanders of the forward and the rear parties come to a consensus about tactics. It is clear to everyone that this is a journey into the unknown and that chance and luck will be decisive.
The officers have concluded their discussions. A deep silence sur-rounds us and fatigue dulls the tension. The supply trucks are late. The hell with them. We all want to grab a few precious minutes’ sleep. I lie down on the hood and drift away.
When I awake, I hear a faint humming in the distance, which increases in volume. The convoy is here.
We all liven up. Motors are started. Now every minute counts. We are at least two hours behind schedule. Elieser takes four jeeps to the front of the convoy. My jeep and two others form the rearguard. Our drivers are pessimistic. The trucks are old, their drivers are raw recruits, and they don’t like the idea of this midnight cruise at all. It looks like trouble. The comrades who are staying behind wave. "Good luck!" We are off.
* * *
Now we are wide awake. We are approaching the Egyptian
road. We have taken the covers off the machine guns and the