MSGJD,
We passed in the night. Tankers were always interesting.
It was the winter of 1973, we were going on REFORGER. That stands for Return of Forces Germany. This was the largest Maneuver the military ever conducted, and it happened about every year for a long time here.
I was a PFC, and had no license. I had been bombing the test, so I would not have to drive trucks here. Shortly before we got ready to saddle up, my NCO told me he was going to rearrange my head, if I didn’t pass the test. So, I did. Now, back in the day, the “Test” was written. The unit was expected to provide the “hands on” portion. My hands on, was REFORGER. I drove a Deuce and a half, towing a M200-A1 generator trailer, with no brakes. The first few days went, well, so, so. SP/5 Padilla sat in the shotguns seat and administered punches and screaming “advice” until I could mostly keep it on the small German roads. I did replace the West Coast mirror twice.
Soon, I felt like I was a Driver! Yes sir. Then one foggy night I got a call from Top, (First Sergeant) while refilling generators with 5 gallon cans. 8 cans per set. 13 sets. You can do the math. About the time I got done, I was starting again. Top needed a driver, and “can I drive a truck and trailer” was going to get me out of carrying 5 gallon cans all night. So I said, “Yes”.
Well, as it turned out, I was supposed to drive the fuel tanker, with trailer to a fuel point and tank up. Didn’t sound like much of a problem. So I went out to the 5 Ton and hopped in. My dog jumped in, along with a junkie who was to be the shotgun. I had a strip map, and the junkie was supposed to direct me. Two miles down the road the junkie had gone to sleep, and it started to snow. Not hard, but you could tell it wasn’t going to stop. As it had rained for the last week, it was not a good time to be out and about.
It didn’t take me but an hour before I was lost. The junkie was only semi awake. Charley, my dog could not help, but kept me warm. So we drove around for another hour or so. The roads are small down in the South of Germany even today. I kept the truck on the road, but did remove lots of side road markers. About 22:00 I went into a small village, and didn’t see or didn’t recognize a Dead End Sign. I drove down a long, very narrow road, and came to a stop in front of some nice persons house. Now what do I do? The one thing no one had ever taught me, was how to back up a trailer. But I tried! Oh yes. I tried. Engine roaring, headlights burning through peoples windows, me screaming, the Junkie (now awake) is screaming at me. Then the people from the houses joined in. I was sweating like a pig. It was about freezing outside, but not in the cab.
After I had jackknifed the trailer about 100 times, and had about half the town trying to direct me on how to drive, a nasty old man jumped up on the running board, opened the door and shoved me over. So, there we are. Three men and a dog in the 5 Ton and he backs up the trailer about 100 yards like I can drive it forwards. I felt about two inches tall. Then he sprang out and screamed something at me before walking away.
I drove off as fast as I could in shame. The junkie went back to sleep and we were just as lost as before.
About 24:00 I saw a guy on the side of the road, with his hand waving up and down. I pulled over and asked him if he needed help. He didn’t understand me. He yelled something at me, I didn’t understand him. I pointed at my strip map, and asked him “WO”, where. He made motions that he would get in the truck, and guide us there. So once again, three of us and a dog in the cab. Windows open so we could all fit in. This gentleman gave me directions and on we drove. About 30-40 minutes. We were driving down another long, foggy, narrow road, with barbwire fences on both sides. It was by now a winter wonderland. Nothing but pasture land on both sides. All the sudden, I can see a fence and house in front. I come to a stop, and out jumps my “buddy”. He waves and shouts Auf Weidersehen! And walks away. I am so screwed.
So I try and back up. A bunch of times. There is no way I can do this. So……………………………. I simply cranked the wheel to the right, and gave her gas. Drove off the road, down into the ditch, up over the far side and directly into the fence. Through the fence, (I never thought it could stretch that far!) and at last through the fence. I didn’t even think twice, and found another piece of fence still standing, and drove through it too. I never looked back.
About 05.00 we got back. Everyone was mad, I took a butt whooping and had to ride shotgun with SP/5 Padilla back to the fuel point and get fuel.
When we at last got home, I did learn to drive a trailer backwards. I spent hours at it.
