Selection 6 GRADE 9

Speed and Comprehension Reading Material

GEN. EISENHOWER’S NARROW ESCAPE

It was late in 1944. The American forces under General Eisenhower had recaptured
he greater part of France, including Paris.
Just before Christmas day, as Gen. Eisenhower was fondly called, and his field
commanders held a conference near Paris. It was growing dark when the conference ended,
and Ike left the place for his main headquarters, twenty miles away.
Hours passed but he had not arrived. His men were beginning to worry because he
was long overdue. They traced his route from the field, a big olive-drab sedan with the whole
front blown away was found. It wasn’t Ike’s Cadillac but in the dark it could be easily
mistaken for Ike’s car.
Upon inquiry, the Military Intelligence found out that Germans in American uniform
had tossed three grenades into it, killing an American colonel-aide of General Eisenhower,
and his driver. There were intelligence reports to the effect that German suicide squads had
infiltrated the area in G.I. uniforms for the purpose of killing Eisenhower and his top officers.
The search for the general grew frantic. Every inch of the road from one headquarter
to the other and the areas near the road were searched. The searchers did not find anything.
Ike was missing and the men grew very tense. Was Ike kidnapped? Had he been killed and
taken away?
At midnight, in the midst of the tension and confusion, Ike walked in with his driver,
escorted by a group of military policemen. It had been four hours since the search began.
His men laughed and patted each other’s shoulders. Ike looked bewildered as he tried to
figure out what was going on. But he got no answer. The M.P.’s then escorted Ike to his
quarters.
“What happened?” the senior officer asked the driver as the latter was eating his late
supper.
“It was Ike’s doing,” answered the driver. “About twelve miles outside of Paris, we
saw an old couple sitting on the road side. The old lady was crying. Ike made me stop to see
what the trouble was. It turned out that they were trying to get to Paris to see their daughter
for a Christmas visit. They had walked all day long in the cold and snow, and the old lady
just couldn’t go any further.”
“Well, Ike had them get in and told me to drive back. He told our escorts, his aide,
riding in another car, to go on to Main HQ. We took the pair to Paris, but had a rather
difficult time locating the daughter’s place. Ike would not just leave them in any place. Then
the M.P.’s found us and escorted us in our way here.”
“Did you pass the big junction eight miles from here, where the road turns off?” the
officer asked.
“No we were two of three miles away from that junction,” answered the driver. “It’s
Ike and his good deeds,” he continued grumbling. Should he had been selfish in extending
help, he could have been killed. But Ike’s good deed saved him from possible death, an
incident that could have prevented him from becoming a great American president.

528 words
 Selection 6 GRADE 9
Speed and Comprehension Reading Material

GEN. EISENHOWER’S NARROW ESCAPE

Comprehension Questions
Choose the letter of the correct answer.
1. Gen Eisenhower is ____
A. a German B. French C. American D. Italian
2. Where did the incident happen? ______.
A. America
B. Paris
C. Philippines
D. Italy
3. Gen. Eisenhower and his field commander had just had a ______.
A. Dinner party
B. Bull session
C. Conference
D. D. Mock battle
4. What did Ike’s men do after hours when he failed to appear to the main headquarters?
A. Waited until he came
B. Traced the route from the field headquarters to the main
C. Went to fetch him at the field headquarters
D. Rejoiced for they had a secret dislike for Ike.
5. What was Ike’s car?
A. Rolls Royce B. Mercury Sedan C. Cadillac D. Mustang
6. There were intelligent reports about ________________.
A. Ike’s enemies
B. G.I. men
C. German suicide squads
D. The military police had tried to kill Eisenhower
7. What were the couple trying to do when Ike saw them?
A. They were trying to walk around
B. They were trying to get to Paris.
C. They were trying to find a house.
D. They were trying to cross the borders.
8. What did Ike do to help the couple?
A. He told his men to escort the couple.
B. He showed them the way out
C. He took the couple to where they are supposed to go.
D. He let the police take over.

9. How many miles were they away from the junction?

A. Three of four miles
B. Four of five miles
C. One of two miles
D. Two of three miles
10. In the end, what have Ike’s good deeds caused him?
A. Friendship B. Safety C. Fame D. Leadership

528 words
 Selection 6 GRADE 9
Speed and Comprehension Reading Material

KEY
1. c
2. b
3. c
4. b
5. c
6. c