Voices: Now or Never by Bali Rai

Author:Bali Rai
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic UK
Published: 2019-12-17T16:00:00+00:00

14

Between the frequent raids, we dug mini defences out of the sand, piling it high on the east-facing side. These bulwarks allowed us to take cover, but they did not protect against direct hits. However, they were better than nothing, and when the fifth raid started, many of us hid behind our work and prayed. From the air, those left exposed made clearer targets, whereas those in cover could only be seen once the German pilots turned and passed in the opposite direction. By then, we had taken positions on the other side of our little sand walls. We played this game throughout the raid. I’m not sure if we took any fewer casualties, but we had to try something.

After the fifth raid, Sid pointed towards Dunkirk’s main port and grinned.

“They’re here!” he exclaimed.

I looked up to see three naval vessels drawing into the harbour. Huge British destroyers.

“We’re being evacuated,” he told me. “Going back to Blighty, lad!”

“But there are only three ships,” I replied. “How can they take us all?”

“They’re just the first,” Sid told me. “The Navy will send more, I’m sure of it. Come on – let’s get closer!”

I turned to see my company emerging from buildings along the main road and shook my head.

“I cannot,” I replied. “I must stay with my own corps.”

Sid shrugged.

“Do you think they’ll miss you?” he asked. “In this chaos?”

“But I have a duty,” I said. “Hukum Hai.”

“Hokum bleedin’ what’um?” he replied.

I repeated our motto and explained what it meant.

“Fair enough, lad,” he told me. “But I doubt you’ll be moving off anytime soon. There are tens of thousands of troops between us and those ships.”

I shook my head.

“I’ll be here,” I told him. “If you come back.”

Sid gave me his mischievous grin once again.

“Who knows mate?” he replied, before setting off. “Maybe I’ll see you in London?”

Half an hour passed before the German planes returned. Although we took cover again, this time they ignored us and flew by. I watched them approach the port and my heart sank. They were aiming for the naval vessels. Several Stukas banked left and right, ready to flank the ships, as two larger Heinkels positioned themselves to fly directly overhead.

Suddenly, Allied troops began to appear on the coastal road, rolling huge 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns into position. They turned skywards and began to fire at the German planes. Even from a distance, the sound was deafening. Thud after thud, with the first salvo missing their targets completely. Then, a second wave, and this time, they found a target. One of the Stukas banked sharply before beginning to nosedive. Smoke poured from its tail, as it crashed into the sea and exploded.

“Take that!” yelled someone behind me.

The men started to whoop and cheer, but it was too soon to celebrate, as the German planes struck. Mini explosions lit up one of the destroyers, and then a larger blast rocked the ship’s stern. On land, another bomb landed next to an oil tank and the whole thing was blown into the air.

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