Back to Battle by Max Hennessy

Author:Max Hennessy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Back To Battle
ISBN: 9780755128006
Publisher: House of Stratus
Published: 2012-05-16T04:00:00+00:00

As Kelly slipped from his stool, the masthead buzzer went.

‘Enemy fleet red one-oh. Heading away from us.’

Latimer offered Kelly a cigarette and he lit it gratefully and began to walk up and down, stretching his legs. He only had a space six paces forward and six paces back, but the bridge personnel, grinning in a mixture of pride, freedom from strain, and relief that they’d been spared one of the gory scenes that could be produced from a direct hit, made way for him.

He felt tired, more from tension than exhaustion, and from his deep concern for the ships and men under his command. But the satisfaction about him was powerful enough to reach out and touch. Once again they’d forced the Italians away by nothing else but superior morale, bluff and Nelson’s dictum that no captain could do wrong if he put his ship alongside the enemy.

‘Make to Battle Cruiser Verschoyle,’ he said. ‘From Kelly. “Many thanks. Congratulations to Incredible’s Commander (Air) for prompt response. Resume convoy formation and report damage.”’

Below the bridge, Siggis was chirruping a song as he helped his mates to shift the empty cartridge cases. Every man in the ship was aware of what they’d done and what it had done to the Italians’ confidence. The other destroyers were drawing closer now and the damage reports were coming in.

‘Impatient reports large hole in deck. Heavy fire midships. Fourteen casualties, nine dead. There may be others.’

It was a simple report, but Kelly knew exactly what it meant. The hole in the deck would be circled by long jagged blades of steel, red-hot fragments would have traversed the bulkheads and the middle of the ship would be a raging furnace with paint, linoleum, bedding, stores, personal belongings and food, all blazing together. He could see the smoke still pouring out of the hole, below which the first lieutenant and his damage control party would be struggling with hoses and axes to put out the fire.

It was now almost dark, that blessed darkness, which in these narrow seas was so important. The signals officer appeared.

‘I think the Italians should go back to selling ice-cream, sir,’ he said. ‘W/T’s just picked up a BBC announcement that they’ve lost Keren in Abyssinia.’

‘Perhaps our friends over there heard it, too,’ Kelly suggested. ‘Perhaps that’s what knocked the stuffing out of them. Their East African empire seems to be fading away at high speed.’

The signals officer had other information, too. ‘Mediterranean Fleet’s at sea, sir. Admiral Pridham-Whipple’s reported enemy units south of Crete. With the lot we’ve just seen off, the whole Italian navy must be out.’

Kelly sniffed the air. Over the years he’d developed an instinct and he knew that with Cunningham at sea there was something in the wind.

‘Make to the Captain, Nineteenth Flotilla “Conduct convoy to Malta. Am pushing ahead.”’

Verschoyle’s response was typical. ‘Don’t pull your poop string.’

‘Tell Impatient to take Indian’s place and Indian to join us at full speed.’

The signals officer had hardly disappeared when he returned. ‘From C-in-C, Med, sir: “Report fuel state.

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