Lt. Elsie Ott's Top Secret Mission by Jeffrey S. Copeland

Author:Jeffrey S. Copeland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: military history, medivac, air rescue, WWII, nursing
Publisher: Paragon House
Published: 2019-12-31T17:41:16+00:00

Chapter 9

Pirates

1917 ZULU, January 19

British Field Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

The rest of the afternoon and early evening passed by quickly, especially because we were all so anxious about how and when we’d be able to be on our way again. While Chuck and the rest of the crew scrambled to find a solution, I decided the best thing I could do was keep busy. Once I made sure our men were settled in, I decided to make the rounds of the recovery tents spread around the compound. I wanted to see if I could help, but I had another motivation that I wasn’t ashamed to admit. I needed the attention—if nothing else something to distract me from what the snipers had done. I knew I looked a mess, but I also thought I might be able to bring some cheer to the men, especially because I was the only woman in camp.

The greeting each time was just as I expected—cheers and some whistles. I gave it right back to them, complimenting each man on some feature of his face or general physique. The smiles and laughs that came back in return were good for us all.

I was also welcomed warmly by the doctors and orderlies I ran across, so while they tended to duties they had put off earlier in the afternoon when the ruckus had started, I changed a few bandages and sat with some patients. I was just rewrapping a foot when Sam caught up with me and suggested we get a bite to eat. I didn’t know when we’d next get a chance for something other than sandwiches, so I agreed to go with him.

The mess tent was in full swing when we arrived, which, I have to admit, really shocked me. Extra security was everywhere—armed soldiers standing both just inside and outside the tent flaps and even at the end of the chow line. However, that wasn’t what gave me pause. What did was the fact one would never have known that a few hours before these same men were pinned down and under fire. Laughter and light-hearted banter filled the tent as Sam and I entered.

We picked up our trays and were served ample portions of lima beans and boiled potatoes. Near the end of the line, we were met by a server who asked us, “Fresh meat?”

“Yes, please!” we both said in unison as our excitement grew. However, that excitement didn’t last long. It turned out that “fresh meat” we had heard so much about was Spam! The whole group must have been in on the joke because the second the slices hit our trays, laughter and applause filled the air. A corporal in line behind us whispered to me, “We do this to all who visit us. Jolly good fun, right?” I smiled weakly, turned around, and shouted so all could hear me, “I do love your British humor!” Another rousing round of applause followed.

One would have thought we hadn’t eaten in weeks. I wasn’t overly fond of lima beans, but I didn’t miss a one.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.