Decoration By The Birdcage

Until now, we never had more time than a week for cleaning up and repairs on the boat. Every time we thought we can completely relax something else happened. Either a boat came back damaged by the sea, or something else went wrong that we had to go out again as soon as our boat was in shape to some extent. The crew was very busy. We had to do all the minor repairs ourselves. There was no repair shop and only the major repairs were done by the mothership.And if they could not take care of it then the boat had to go to the arsenal in Pola.

But this time all four boats were action ready. That means one was always out on action and three on standby in port. We were the last in line.The boat was cleaned and everything else was in order. Now we were our own bosses. First we went through our duffle bags and did our laundry. When that was all finished we were free.

We took walks around the vicinity and even up to Klinci. But our biggest amusement was with the young vulture. Somebody had brought him around and a cage was made from a large wooden box. It was set up close by the Villa Stein. We could spend hours by that bird but did not understand why he would not eat. We saved some meat from our chow and put it in the cage. We stole some raw meat from the kitchen but he would not touch that either. We even went as far as stealing a dog and killing it and threw the fresh bloody meat into the cage. All our efforts were in vain. He just sat on his perch and stared at us. Eating was not on his program. He did not even touch young live mice.

Sometimes a pair of large older vultures circled above us. When he heard them cry he got restless and kept jumping from one perch to the other. Maybe they were his parents. On one occasion Stefan and I stood by the cage again and tried to figure out how we could free the bird without being found out. He was in poor shape already and we felt sorry for him. Just then somebody called out, "Hello, the two of you! come on over, I have something for you." It was our Commander. "Hold up your hands." he said and gave each of us something in our hand. At first we didn't know what it was but it turned out to be the Bronze Medal. Because of our puzzled faces he added, "This is for the 3600 tons from the last action. It did not turn out any better because it was a freighter and not a warship." We thanked him kindly and wanted to leave when he noted that the ones who already had decorations did not get anything.

Three of us received the Bronze Medal for bravery. We had somehow pictured a decoration ceremony differently but the important thing was that we received something, even if it was by the vulture cage. Now we got our best uniform out and sewed it on. "Some more will have to join this one." I told Stefan. In the afternoon we went over to Castel Nuovo to show off.