Army Girls: Behind the Guns (The Army Girls) by Fenella J Miller

Author:Fenella J Miller [Miller, Fenella J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Published: 2024-05-06T00:00:00+00:00

13

Sam was pleased that his section was performing perfectly. The bombers flew out as darkness fell to destroy Germany and each morning there were fewer returning, which meant dozens of brave young aircrew were lost. The Luftwaffe stayed away and after a week of inactivity he decided to run a night drill to keep his men on their toes.

Those not on general duties didn’t man the guns until the alarms sounded – there was no need as they could be in position in minutes. When the bombs had been dropping constantly, it would have been different, but now only the cities were being attacked and even those not every night. In fact, folk were beginning to behave as if they’d nothing to fear.

He waited until he was sure everybody would be heavily asleep before sounding the alarms. This was for his section alone, the others had been told to remain in bed. As the camp came alive, it occurred to him that he’d neglected to tell Lieutenant Simpson and as the officer was ostensibly in charge, he really should have run it by him. Too late to worry about it now.

The men had to be in place, the guns loaded, those working the predictor at the ready, the man on the range finder standing by and the one with the binoculars staring into the night sky. All this had to be accomplished in absolute silence and without any lights.

‘Well done, two minutes thirty seconds – that’s a record,’ he said. ‘There’s cocoa and a wad in the mess for anyone who wants it before they turn in again.’

Sam had organised this, knowing it would make the men less garrulous about having their beauty sleep disturbed. In good spirits, happy they’d broken their own record, his section carefully stowed their equipment and then headed for the mess.

Obviously, Ronnie had known about the drill and should have been looking happy when he came over, but he wasn’t.

‘Where’s our bloody officer? Should have been out here first – I’m going to roust him out. You coming?’

‘I forgot to tell him. But he should still have turned out with the men.’ This was going to be an interesting encounter. ‘Too bloody right I am. He was quick enough to reprimand me and I’d like to see what excuse he’s got.’

The lieutenant had his own billet – a wooden structure little more than a shed but probably more comfortable and warmer than a metal hut.

‘Not even a bleeding sound, lazy bugger,’ Ronnie said as he banged loudly on the door.

They stood to attention, waiting for their officer to emerge, but the hut remained silent. Slightly worried that the young man had been taken ill and was unable to respond, Sam tried the door.

‘It’s locked. Now what the hell do we do? Do you think he’s in there unconscious? Should we break in?’

‘Shut your gob for a minute and let me listen.’ Ronnie put his ear against the door and shook his head. ‘I don’t reckon there’s anyone in there.

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