The Victors by Jack Cavanaugh

Author:Jack Cavanaugh
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: world war ii, bible, world war 2, american history, san diego, christian historical fiction, christian family, b17 bomber, women pilots, big bands, war photography
Publisher: Jack Cavanaugh

The first glow of dawn glimmered on the eastern horizon. Alex pulled tight her flight jacket to ward off the brisk morning chill.

Though it was still mostly night, she stood in the shadow of a B-17 wing on the flight line thinking she surely must look an odd sight to anyone who might happen to see her. She’d been up all night and hadn’t changed clothes since the graduation dinner dance, which meant her ensemble consisted of a blue skirt, silk blouse, and leather flight jacket.

Her eyes were fixed on another B-17. It was taxiing to the end of the runway. It was the plane that was taking Lieutenant Clayton Thomas away from her.

All night she’d debated whether or not she should see him off. She’d imagined throwing herself into his arms and telling him she would wait for him no matter how long he was gone. She also imagined his response would be unbridled joy at her pronouncement. They’d kiss and he’d fly away.

Her dream never had a chance to materialize.

The entire crew emerged onto the flight line tightly bunched, all wearing their flight suits and headgear. They were boarding their plane before she could even determine with certainty that Clayton was among them.

Doubts paralyzed her resolve until it was too late. All she could do now was watch from a distance as the plane took flight.

On the runway, four Fortress engines throbbed with power. A few moments later their pitch increased and the huge airplane slowly picked up speed. The nose lifted and the plane took flight, banking sharply on a course for England.

Alex watched as the mighty profile faded to a speck and the speck disappeared. She shivered uncontrollably. Her legs and feet were frozen. Her cheeks were chapped.

Instead of returning to her quarters where it was warm, she walked the length of the runway as a variety of fighters and scouts and bombers took flight.

This was what she used to do all the time. There was something magical about the instant an aircraft breaks the earth’s hold on it and takes wing. She never used to tire of it.

This morning was different. On this particular morning, Alex’s thoughts were not on things aeronautical. In her mind she was back in Sweetwater, Texas, at Avenger Field. She was standing in the dark outside the dormitory watching Evelyn Post hurry into the night to rendezvous with her lover.

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