Resolute Nazi by Wagher Ward

Author:Wagher, Ward
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-05-07T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

July 28, 1943; 10 PM

Commanding Admiral’s Quarters

British Naval Base HMS Highflyer

Trincomalee Fortress

Ceylon

Admiral Charles Forbes paced back and forth in the small living room of his quarters. A Royal Navy lieutenant delivered the radio message an hour previously, and the admiral considered his options. The US Navy had reported a large task force transiting the South China Sea There was little doubt it was headed for Singapore. Admiral King would be landing troops in another day and would not be able to repel a strong sea-based attack. Trincomalee itself was also vulnerable since a good bit of the allied tonnage was with Admiral King’s task force.

The alternatives were clear, but Forbes’s choices were unpalatable. He finally picked up the phone and called his flag lieutenant.

“Get the staff together, Richard, we have some decisions to make.”

Forbes took the time to shave and change into a fresh uniform. One had to set the example for the lads, he thought. As he cleaned up, he considered his options.

The rational choice would be to summon King back to Trincomalee. That would give them some hope of standing up to a Japanese attack. But that would mean the Australians would have to wait longer for rescue. He shook his head as he fastened the row of medals on his tunic. When he stepped out of his bungalow, Lieutenant Severs was waiting in the Humber Snipe staff car with an enlisted driver.

Forbes climbed into the back seat and pulled the door closed.

“Sorry to pull you out tonight, Richard. Something has come up.”

“Not a problem, Sir,” Severs replied. “I was kind of at loose ends tonight anyway.”

“Well, we have a bloody great Japanese task force headed our direction, and we need to make some decisions before Admiral King lands in Perth.”

“I understand, Sir. And that is not good news.”

The driver was not the fastest Forbes had ridden with, and he had to restrain himself from ordering the sailor to cob the throttle. The man drove carefully so as not to upset the admiral. Severs had been with Forbes long enough to know what he was thinking. The lieutenant grinned to himself. The admiral had always had a hard time concealing his impatience.

When he walked into the staff meeting room, Forbes was pleased to observe that he was the most presentable. He always felt the leaders needed to set the example. Several of the officers glanced at his fresh uniform and slipped into their chairs around the table so that he would not notice their wrinkled outfits.

“Thank you for attending me tonight, Men. Please allow me to frame the discussion before we begin. We received a message that the US Navy spotted a large Japanese task force in the South China Sea. There were two carriers and numerous support vessels, including freighters and tankers. Please give me your thoughts on where they may be headed.”

It was quiet in the room as everyone pondered what Forbes had just said. A lieutenant commander raised a finger.

“Yes, Commander Elliott?”

“They would have to be heading for Singapore or here.

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