by Griff Hosker
"It was Daddy. Any leave is a good leave but this one was special."
"Good. You deserve it." Then he frowned, "And this is not a social visit is it sir?"
"No Daddy. We are off Jerry side again. I need a few things."
"I haven't got much here, sir, but I will do my best." He took a clipboard and a pencil. "Fire away."
"Germans uniforms, weapons and rucksacks. New Bergens and uniforms. Grenades. Explosives. Timers. Fuses. Camouflage netting and a radio."
"Everything but the German stuff I can manage, Captain Harsker. I gave you the last of my German equipment." He shook his head. It's a shame because there must be a ton of stuff lying around in Normandy!"
I slapped my head, "Daddy, you are a genius and I am losing my marbles. Of course. We will pick up the German gear over there."
There were no separate messes and, with so few personnel, no need. We all ate together but you could not change the habits of a lifetime and we sat in three discrete groups. I sat with Major Rose and Doctor Hanson. I received grins from Fletcher and Private Beaumont when I walked in. I now had three men on whom I could rely. If I had to I would go in with them.
"How are those two, Doc?"
"They had nothing broken and the bullet that hit Private Beaumont just nicked his leg but Hewitt will have to keep an eye on it." He suddenly stopped. "You aren't thinking of taking them back are you? I thought they were just going to be training."
"It is not me, Doc. These orders come from the highest authority. If it was up to me they would have a month off. They deserve it but that is not the way it is going to be."
He shook his head. "What are we going to do after the war when we have so many broken young men to fix?"
"The same as we did after the Great War, Doc. Nothing. They will have to fend for themselves."
Major Rose had managed to get a bottle of something alcoholic. I had to get back in training and so I declined his offer. "You need to learn how to relax, Tom. It isn't good for you, you know. I mean when you are behind the enemy lines you must be living on your nerves. When you come back you should let your hair down."
"Not my way, sir. I was brought up to keep on going no matter what the problems were. I am too old to change now."
The rest of my equipment was stored in the QM stores and I fetched that the next day. I stripped down and cleaned my Thompson, Colt and Luger. Daddy had the ammunition for the Colt and Tommy gun and I still had some German ammunition but it would need replenishing. Major Rose was surprised that I didn't use one of the section to do it. He didn't understand the war we fought. A Commando looked after his own weapons. It was safer that way. He only had himself to blame it if went wrong.
When Fred Emerson arrived under his own steam and carrying his kitbag then I began to feel hope. I now had five men and, at a pinch we would make an attempt at the job. I still didn't want to have any men drafted in and so I went with John Hewitt to visit the other three in the base hospital just outside of Southampton. It was filled to capacity with the casualties not only from D-Day and the first week of the invasion but the casualties which had accrued since then. Poulson and Hay were in the non coms ward.
We interrupted a game of Nap. They jumped to their feet when they saw us. "I hope you have come to rescue us, sir! This is like a Chinese water torture."
"That depends on the doctors, Sergeant."
"Honestly sir our wounds don't bother us. My stitches are due out tomorrow. After that I will be tickety boo!"
"And you Hay?"
"My stitches came out yesterday sir but I was a bit stiff like. They said I needed physio."
"We'll get physio getting ready for the next operation. Come on sir." Hay looked at Hewitt, "Hey John, tell them you will look after us."
"I will but I don't think it will cut much ice."
"We'll do our best but don't get your hopes up."
We had the same message from Ken Shepherd. He was keen to make up for what he saw as slacking off. He had not been there at the end when we fought at Bréville. That was my section through and through. In the end it was easier than I thought. The doctor who ran the hospital was short of beds, "There has just been an offensive in Normandy. I have been told to expect hundreds of Canadians. Where can I put them Captain? You can have your three. They have been making the lives of my staff a living hell!" He turned to John Hewitt. "Are you the section medic?"
"Yes sir."
"I will give you their notes and medication. Come with me now and I will get it sorted. You will have to wait for Sergeant Poulson. He has stitches due out tomorrow but you can take the other two now."
There weren't many men in our warehouse but the addition of my two walking wounded made it seem much livelier. When Sergeant Poulson joined us the next day I gathered them around me. "We are being sent behind enemy lines again. I know you all volunteered to be in the Commandos but you didn't volunteer to go when you aren't fully fit. I only want volunteers for this operation. It is your call but if you think you might jeopardize the mission then tell me now. You know that this is not a game."
I looked at each one in the eye. They said nothing. Then Scouse Fletcher said, cheerily, "You know sir, with the gains we've made already we'll soon be going behind lines in Germany! That Adolf Hitler had better watch out eh lads?"
They were ready.
Bill Hay asked, "Where to this time sir?"
"This is too public a venue. We will wait until tomorrow. Major Foster will be down to give us a briefing and our final instructions. Then we have a week before we set off. All of us need to be fitter than we are. And a cross country run with full pack will decide if any of you go or not! We will have a warm up in the morning before the major arrives."
As we were not sure of the roads I took a map to plan the route. My section prepared their equipment and we assembled at six o'clock for a six mile run. I would have preferred a ten mile warm up but that would have been unfair on Poulson and Hay who were the most recently returned from hospital. For Private Beaumont and Fletcher it would be a good test of their legs. Before we left I had a quiet word with John Hewitt. "Today I want you as Tail-End Charlie. You don't need to hurry them up just make sure they are not hurting themselves."
"Right sir."
We took full packs and set off. There would be no hills on this run which meant that it should not be a lung busting run such as we enjoyed at Falmouth. It would be a good test of their fitness running in an environment such as we might find in France. I had a second hand on my watch and I would use it to keep a steady pace. I aimed for ten minute miles. I had, in my head, the mile markers from the map and I kept it steady. I soon discovered that a week's leave had not prepared me for this. I found it hard and I had no wounds. I knew they would be hurting but it was better to find out their weaknesses here before we met the Germans.
I stopped when we reached the barrier. I turned and saw that Ken Shepherd was thirty paces from me. Behind him there was a gap to Private Beaumont. Then Corporal Fletcher appeared closely followed by Emerson. There was a long gap to Hay and we had all recovered our breath by the time Poulson and Hewitt arrived. Hewitt gave a slight shake of his head.
"Well done lads, breakfast and then change. We will meet in the mess at ten."
I heard Corporal Fletcher say, as he wandered off, "I'll have to give up the ciggies!" The others laughed.
Poulson was still doubled over catching his breath. Hewitt was standing over him, "Just take deep breaths Sarge. You did well."
I said nothing for I knew that the big man would not appreciate any empty comment. He had not met our basic standards and he would know that. When he eventually stood he shook his head and said, haltingly, "Sorry sir. Had no breath. Let you down. I'll work on it."
"We have a week."
He nodded, "It'll be enough!"
I was not so sure but I owed my sergeant the chance. After a hot shower and a change of clothes I was ready for my breakfast. I went to the office and checked in with Reg Dean. "W
e'll need somewhere quiet to talk when the Major gets here Reg. This is a top secret operation."
"We have too many civilians in here sir. Why not down by the docks? There are lots of empty berths. If he is just talking to you that would be perfect. The weather forecast is good for today." He grinned, "Just watch out for the birds eh sir?"
I was in the mess hall early. I had picked up a clipboard and I had made a checklist of the men and what we would need. I had question marks against Hay and Poulson. With Gordy Barker still on the sick I might be without a sergeant. The section all arrived early too. Their silence reflected their own disappointment in fallen standards and levels of fitness. I could have allowed it to stay hidden but that was always the most dangerous course of action.
"We all know that today was a shambles. I took the run two minutes a mile slower than when we used to run to the camp in Falmouth. However it was our first run. Hewitt and I found it hard and we had no wounds. But we only have a week or so. Will you be ready?"
They looked at each other. I could see that their confidence was shaken. Bill Hay nodded, "We will be, sir."
Corporal Fletcher said, "I am giving up smoking!" They all looked at him in surprise. He shrugged, "I can make a fortune selling my ciggy ration when I go home on leave!"
Polly Poulson nodded too, "It will be like Commando camp all over again, sir. We found that hard but we came through. At the moment I can't see how I can be fit but I thought that at Oswestry too. I'll get there."
John Hewitt said, "Just don't bust a gut trying eh Sarge? I am lousy at stitching!"
The Major did not arrive until noon. "Sorry we are late Tom. My fault. I wanted to get the latest intel on the latest operation." He looked up at the cavernous building. "This is not a secure place. Come with me I have something arranged."
I was intrigued as he led us in the direction I had been going to take us. He led us to the harbour. I said nothing as I walked with him and Lieutenant Ross who appeared to be laden under a mountain of papers and maps. I saw a line of landing craft at anchor. They were the ones we had taken on the invasion. When I saw a familiar face and LCA(I) 523 I knew exactly where we would be going.
"Petty Officer Leslie!"
"Morning sir! Morning Major Foster." He waved his hand for us to enter. "The crew are all on leave until tomorrow. There is just the skipper and me. He has nipped home to see his wife and I will stand guard here at the gangplank. No one can overhear you, sir."
Major Foster nodded, "Thanks Chief and thank the skipper for this intrusion."
"No bother sir." He grinned, "Looks like we'll be taking another little trip together eh lads? All aboard the Saucy Sue!"
When we reached the crew's mess Major Foster shook his head, "As Petty Officer Leslie has already let the cat out of the bag I will tell you that this is the ship that will take you on your next operation. She will stay with you while you are in France as a floating barracks. This will be your new home for a while. Make yourselves comfortable. This will not be quick. Lieutenant?"
Lieutenant Ross began to pin maps on the walls. I saw, as he did so, that Major Foster scanned the faces of my section. He was assessing them. When the maps were up he began the briefing. I took notes as he did so.
"Captain Harsker has already been told the aims of the mission and the location of the target. What he does not know are the secondary targets." He smiled, "That may come as a surprise to him too."
I looked more closely at the map and saw that there were three crosses close to Trun. One was a large one. I had seen that in London but the other two were smaller ones to the south of the small town.
"You are going to make your way from Ouistreham to Trun. You will pass through enemy lines. Captain Harsker has devised that side of things and I will let him brief you on that. However once you get to Trun you will locate the underground fuel dump and pumping station. Your first target is the pumping station. That must be destroyed. If you manage that then your second target is the dump itself." He allowed that to sink in. "If, by some miracle you achieve that your next two targets are the two bridges south of Trun. One is here over the River Le Douit. That is in open country while the second, here, the Le Meillon is close to a hamlet, Guêprei. Both targets are two or three miles from Trun. If you succeed then you will head back through our lines. We are hoping to stop the S.S. division getting to Caen when we capture it. That thorn has held us up too long as it is."
He stopped and looked at us.
I finished writing my notes and said, "Any questions?"
Private Beaumont asked, "What kind of bridges sir? Stone or metal?"
He looked at Lieutenant Ross who panicked and began to search through his papers. "Come on Lieutenant!"
"Sorry sir. Er both metal."
Private Beaumont had his own note pad out and he scribbled away. "And the fuel dump sir, I am guessing it is underground and the RAF have been unable to destroy it from the air?"
Major Foster gave a wry smile, "Very astute Private. Yes, it is underground."
"Is this fuel for tanks, trucks or both sir?"
"Mainly tanks."
Private Beaumont nodded, "Good."
"Why good, Private?"
"I am guessing that this is fuel for their Tiger and Panther tanks. Both have a petrol engine. Petrol is easier to set on fire than diesel. We just need to start a fire and 'boom'! It will not need a big charge. The explosive will be the target itself."
Major Foster looked down at his own clip board. "You would be Private Beaumont?"
"Yes sir."
"Thought so, you are right Tom, he is a whizz. Tell me Professor, the bridges, how would you destroy them?"
"If they are metal sir then you destroy the metal piers attaching them to the banks of the rivers. You don't need a big charge because any damage will weaken metal and make the bridge unusable. Especially if Tiger tanks try to cross them."
The Major looked puzzled. "Why not take more explosives and make sure they are destroyed?"
"Weight sir. I think the captain will agree that if we are behind enemy lines we cannot have too much ammunition and grenades. We use physics to do the damage. We put the explosives where they have the most powerful effect."
The Major nodded, "And if you succeed you make your own way out. I take it you will go in as Germans and come out as British?"
"That's the plan sir."
"And the German equipment?"
"In the pipeline."
"Now what you should know, but this is top secret so keep it under your hats, is that today we have launched Operation Epsom. The weather delayed it. The Highlanders and the West Yorkshire Division will be attempting to surround Caen. We hope that by this time next week Caen will be in our hands. That is your own D-Day. You leave seven days from now. This landing craft will take you down the Orne canal to Caen. You will have a week in Caen to get your equipment and you will be ready to begin your mission one week later. Lieutenant Ross here will be liaison officer and he will come with you. We have a second operation and it is the timing of that which will decide your actual start time." He looked around. "Any questions?"
My men knew that I would ask any important questions and they shook their heads.
"Then good luck. I will leave the maps with you Captain Harsker. Destroy them before you embark. The Lieutenant will return in six days time with the passwords and other details. I will make sure you have everything you need to get you what you need. He can act as your liaison."
"A bit like Hugo eh?"
"Exactly, Tom. Well, good luck. We'll make our own way back to town." He stood and I went out with him. Once on deck he shook my hand. "I know this is a hard one and I know you have not enough men. I am sending over another Commando from Number 2 Commando. He is a fair sniper and has experience in explosives. More importantly he can speak German."
"I don't need him, sir."
"I have seen the medical reports. Not all of these walking wounded are fit enough and you know it. I doubt that they will
all go and the numbers you are taking are cut to the bone. You will take Lance Corporal Wilkinson and that is an order. It is only for this mission. His unit is being refitted at the moment."
I was not happy but I could do nothing about it. An order was an order. I nodded.
Chapter 4
I put the new lance corporal from my mind. As I descended to the landing craft's mess I thought about the hard decisions I might now have to make. I forced a smile. I owed these lads a couple of days to prove to me that they were fit enough. "So another jaunt behind the lines."
Scouse nodded, "At least we won't be dropping out of an aeroplane sir."
Bill Hay said, "How do we get through their lines though, sir?"
"As Germans. We have done it by accident before, when we stumbled upon those Jerries and took their vehicle. This time we don't steal them. At least not from Jerry. When we reach Normandy, Private Emerson, I want you and Private Beaumont to find a couple of German vehicles and fit them up so they work. Then we get some Jerry uniforms. I intend to drive through their lines. The hardest part will be where they meet our lines but there are so many little roads over there that it should be possible. And I have a couple of wrinkles up my sleeve. I am not worried about that part but finding the pumping station won't be as easy."
"It should be, sir."
"How so, Private Beaumont?"
"They can disguise the facility all they like and hide it from aeroplanes but if they have heavy lorries and petrol bowsers using it then the road way near the entrance will show clear signs of heavy traffic. The verge and ditches will be flattened by heavy vehicles and they will have had to clear the hedges to allow the trucks to turn. Given that it has to be on a road and we know to within a mile where it ought to be I don't think it will take long to find it."
"Your logic is impeccable. Let's hope that you are correct. I intend to use this as much as possible. While we have this LCA let's use it. Any more questions?"
We spent a good hour talking through what we would need. At the end I said, "I have already had a word with Daddy Grant. Head there now and collect what you need. We will have another run this afternoon but faster this time. Sergeant Poulson and Lance Sergeant Hay, if you hang back for a moment..."