They had won it back after a bitter struggle, and they found it far more forsaken and hopeless than before. They got a short rest here, for the troops had to recover from their weariness. The armoured cars and the heavy artillery moved out, supported by powerful squadrons of aircraft. The infantry kept in constant touch with them, ready to follow at any moment. It was now largely motorised. Even the Sanitary Corps had been provided with motor vehicles, and George and his animals could ride. With the other dog-handlers he had his quarters in the roomy ground floor of the city hall. He got no pleasure from seeing the little town again. More houses were in ruins. The streets were full of debris. Signs of destruction were everywhere. The shops were all closed, for they had nothing left to sell. If one walked along the sidewalks, splinters of glass ground under the foot at every step, for there was none to sweep away the broken panes or all the other litter. It was very depressing. With his first look George noted how terribly the number of people had shrunk.
