More war stories

We had friends -two older couples - with whom we would get together to share a meal and spend the evening by the fire solving the problems of the world - discussing books, politics and the virtues (or lack thereof) of the Scottish National Party. Arthur, a retired anesthesiologist, recounted some of his WWII experiences. He was in a medical unit with the British forces at Dunkirk. He was detailed to stay with the periphery defense but was allowed to leave at the last moment. They weren't allowed to take out the wounded.

Arthur had several stories of near-death experiences. Once he was almost killed by a cup of tea. I don't remember where they were at the time, but they had been staying in a house near the front when one of his orderlies decided they needed a cup of tea, so he lit a fire in the fireplace. The smoke gave away their position and the Luftwaffe bombed the house, blowing it up - but the men were able to dig themselves out of the rubble. Another time he was sheltering in a basement when a bomb hit right next to the wall throwing up dirt and debris - but it didn't explode, so once again he survived.

Another story told of when he was at a staff meeting and all of a sudden got a strong premonition that something bad was about to happen - so he got up and left the building. The other men laughed at his premonition - but as he was leaving he heard the incoming shell and threw himself to the ground. The shell landed right where he'd been sitting and all of the others were killed. Arthur figured he was probably working on the 4th of his seven lives. I'm glad we were around during those next lives to share his tales and his friendship.