Fightin' Army #86 (July 1969) brings us the 10th chapter of "The Lonely War of Capt. Willy Schultz," written by Will Franz and drawn by Sam Glanzman. It pickes up right where the previous chapter left off. Disguised in German uniforms, Willy and a slightly buggy British prisoner named Newberry are about to make a break for it, cutting through the wire during the night. Newberry's escape is essential--it won't be long before the Germans discover the body of a guard he killed.
But things go wrong before the escape even begins. Willy's leg crashes through a rotten floorboard. His ankle is badly sprained and he's now out of it.
Another officer, MacRoberts, volunteers to step in. Unlike Schultz, his German isn't fluent, but he thinks he can bluff his way through a few sentences if necessary. The "forgery" depertment quickly makes up some documents for him as he shaves off his mustache and puts on the German uniform.
Before leaving, he gives Schultz a letter. MacRoberts and Newberry then cut through the wire and crawl out of the camp.
And that's as long as the escape attempt lasts. They're spotted almost immediately. MacRoberts is shot and killed, but the Germans take Newberry alive.
The letter left by MacRoberts is a false confession, taking the blame for the murdered guard. That saves Newberry from being punished.
The story works well as a fast-paced escape tale with a lot of realistic detail. It works superbly in its emotional touches--the decision by a German not to kill Newberry because the German's conscience won't allow it; MacRoberts' decision to replace Schultz in the escape attempt because Newberry had once saved his life; Schultz's realization that if he hadn't hurt his ankle, he'd be dead. This is yet another strong chapter in this brilliant series.
Next week, we'll head off-world to visit the Herculoids.
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