Griffin, W.E.B. - The Corps 07 - Behind The Lines by Griffin W. E. B

Author:Griffin, W. E. B.
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf

Chapter Ten

[ONE]

USMC Office of Management Analysis

Temporary Building T-2032

The Mall, Washington, D.C.

1105 Hours 18 November 1942

Captain David L. Haughton, USN, walked into the office of Colonel F. L. Rickabee, USMC, and

handed him a square envelope. "Sorry, Fritz," he said. Rickabee opened the envelope and took out the single sheet of paper it contained. THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

WASHINGTON, D.C. 18 November 1942 Colonel P. L. Rickabee, USMC USMC Office of Management Analysis Commandant, United States Marine Corps Washington By Hand Dear Colonel Rickabee: Inasmuch as I have been led to believe that assignment of officer personnel within the Naval Service is

my responsibility, I was somewhat surprised to hear from Captain Haughton that you feel that one of the

officers being seconded to you from the Office of Strategic Services is "unacceptable."

You are directed to carry out the operation in question with the personnel assigned to it by me.

No further discussion of this issue is desired. Sincerely, Frank Knox Secretary of the Navy Rickabee looked up at Haughton but didn't speak. "Out of school, Fritz," Haughton said, "he went right through the roof." "He doesn't want to risk a confrontation with Donovan,"

Rickabee said. "Donovan might go to the

President, accuse Knox of going back on a deal, and Knox might lose. That's what this is all about."

Captain Haughton did not think it would be proper for him to reply, even though he'd had the same thought when he witnessed Knox's surprisingly angry-and highly unusual-response to Rickabee's request. "Well, I can always arrange to have the sonofabitch run over by a truck,"

Rickabee said. "Don't say something like that, even as a joke," Haughton said. Rickabee nodded but didn't reply. Captain Haughton felt a sudden chill. "For God's sake, Fritz, I hope you were joking." Rickabee's eyes, cold and expressionless, met Haughton's. "When Major Brownlee and Captain Macklin reported to me this morn-ing," he said, "I informed them only of what they had Need To Know at this time. Specifically, that tentative arrangements have been made to fly them, this afternoon, to Pearl Harbor, for further transportation to an unspecified location somewhere in the Pacific."

Haughton nodded. "Captain Macklin assured me that while he was of course willing to go wherever ordered, he nevertheless

felt obliged to inform me that not only had he not completed the training course offered by the OSS, but that he had not yet fully recovered from the wounds he suffered at Gavutu."

"Really?" "Really." "You will see, won't you, Colonel-personally, I mean-that Captain Macklin makes it safely to the

airport?"

"Unfortunately, David, I am one of those people who obeys his orders."

[TWO] Supreme Headquarters South West Pacific Ocean Area Brisbane, Australia 1405

Hours 18 November 1942 Brigadier General Fleming S. Pickering, trailed by Second Lieutenant George F. Hart, passed through

the two MP-manned security posts barring entrance to the Cryptographic Facility of Supreme Headquarters, SWPOA, and then walked down an inside corridor to an unmarked steel door leading to the Spe-cial Section.

Hart snatched a.38 Colt snub-nosed revolver from under his tunic and rapped three times with the butt on the door.

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