Taken from Practical Christianity November 1945, pages 1-4, published by the Officers’ Christian Union, now the Armed Forces’ Christian Union.
During the month of October 1943, I was sent with my company to Leros, an island of the Dodeconese group. At once we were constantly subjected to heavy bombing, and it was striking to me how the peace of God within remained, with Bible Study and prayer continuing regularly. On 11 November we had our first casualty, a man with whom I had been talking ten minutes earlier. I had never asked him if he knew the way of salvation. Now it was too late.
The following day the Germans invaded. Realising the imminent responsibility and difficulty of commanding my company, I prayed as a soldier many years ago, “Lord, I am going to be very busy today and I may forget You, but please do not forget me.”
The enemy invaded by landing from the sea around 0630 hours. Then at about 1430 hours we saw about sixty Ju.22 troop-carrying planes fly over before commencing to drop paratroops; this gave my machine guns the opportunity to inflict a good many casualties upon the enemy. This change of situation had a great effect on the company. I felt that they had changed from irresponsible boys to serious thinking men. Everyone realised with what a grave position we were faced. I know that we spent much time in prayer throughout the first night of the battle.
The next morning the enemy reinforced his garrison by dropping more paratroops. My OP was spotted and subjected to very accurate sniping. I received orders for my company to attack Germana, a feature about ¾ mile away. By now I was sharing all my duties and trials with the Lord and found real inward confidence that His help in every way would be given.
We commenced our attack about midday and, after advancing 500 yards, came under heavy machine-gun fire. I again asked His help in my responsibilities. After about 2 hours we had captured our objective and were afterwards relieved to enable us to have food and drink.
When I reviewed the situation, I realised that the attack the next day would be costly in casualties. I asked His help; and turned in to sleep until 0300 hours. We formed a ‘stop line’ from which we watched a fierce battle all day, which was not successful. We were ordered to attack the next morning – an impossible task it seemed, over which I prayed. At dawn I sent out patrols to locate the exact position of the enemy in the village, which was found clear. Our advance was unopposed, prisoners came in, and the second objective won without loss.
Then on 15 November we were surprised to hear that the Island had surrendered. I cannot express how deep was my conscious gratitude for all His help during these days of leading the Company in action.
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