Dieppe

by Hosker, Griff

  "So let me get this straight sir, you are taking away a damned good NCO and replacing him with someone with disciplinary problems?"

  Major Foster laughed but it sounded a little false to me. "No, Tom, you have got the wrong end of the stick. We just thought that his skills might be useful in your section and we didn't want to lose a good soldier."

  "Someone up top applied pressure, sir?" Major Foster's silence answered my question. "What skills sir? I have a good demolition team. A good radio man and my men are all round good Commandos. What can Corporal William Hay possibly bring to my team?"

  "He is a qualified frogman."

  He had me there. We had proved how useful that skill was. I sighed, "Right then sir. When do they get here?"

  "They are here already. They came last week and have been just waiting for you to return. We put them up in the barracks but Reg has already spoken with your landlady. There are rooms available in your digs."

  "All nicely arranged sir eh?"

  "Come on, Tom, don't be bitter." He went to the door and shut it. "You have a week to get them up to speed and then you and Jorgenson are off again."

  "Where to this time?"

  "Back to Tunisia. Your work there was so good that Lord Mountbatten wants to build on it."

  "But it is six hours or more from Gibraltar by aeroplane."

  "This is top secret, Tom, but the Americans are going to invade Vichy in Africa. The Americans are keen to get into the war and Vichy is seen as a soft target. They are desperate to get a toehold in this theatre. General Montgomery is building up his forces to begin a major attack in the eastern desert. We can get Rommel between two armies. The LRDG is doing their bit in the eastern desert but you are the only one with experience in Tunisia. The US Rangers will be used soon but until they have some experience it will be up to you. With Jorgenson's E-Boat we have the chance to operate close to the African coast."

  I stood, "I just hope the Americans fare better than the poor Canadians. There are two and half thousand of them either dead or prisoners."

  "This isn't the same, Tom. They will be attacking French not Germans and we have the word that many of the Vichy French are keen to join with the Americans."

  "Not us?"

  "No, I am afraid not. We upset them too much in 1940 when we took their ships. You and your team will gather intelligence and cause havoc in Tunisia and Algeria for we believe that the Germans will have to react and invade Vichy France."

  "And divide their forces." I nodded, "Very clever sir. Right I'll go and find these two new lads then."

  "We put them in Barracks 2A. They are expecting you." He looked up, "You will tell Lowe and Gowland?"

  "Of course sir."

  It was better that I greeted them before they met the rest of the section. I opened the door and saw the two of them. They were the only ones in the barracks. Corporal Hay was older than I expected while Private Emerson looked even younger than Ken Shepherd. I had never seen anyone as thin before and I wondered how he had passed his physical for the Commandos. They both leapt to their feet when I entered and stood at attention.

  "At ease. I am Lieutenant Harsker and you men are in my section I believe?" They both nodded. "Good, well I need to get to know you. The rest of the section will be back this evening and we have some hard training before our next operation."

  "We have an operation coming up sir?"

  I recognised the north east in Emerson's voice. He was grinning and looked keen. I smiled, "Yes Emerson. Let's start with you. Where are you from?"

  County Durham, Bishop Auckland."

  "And what did you do before you joined up?"

  "I was training to be a mechanic sir. I like engines."

  "You came straight into the Commandos?"

  "I was in the Territorial Army sir. Captain Hudson, the captain of our unit, reckoned I would make a good Commando. I enjoyed the training."

  "If you were a good mechanic then you could have joined a mechanized unit."

  "I like the outdoors sir. I use to go walking all the time with my granda. I was always running as a kid. I like messing with engines sir but I don't like being indoors." He looked worried, "Does that sound daft sir?"

  "No Emerson."

  "And Hay, what about you?"

  "I was in the Commandos from the start, sir. I transferred after Dunkirk. I was in the Ox and Bucks."

  "A good regiment. Were you on the retreat then?"

  "Aye sir. I decided there and then I wanted to hit back at Jerry and the Commandos seemed the best way to do it."

  "Good. And you must have done well, you were promoted to Corporal,"

  His face gave nothing away but his voice sounded bitter, "I could have been a sergeant, sir."

  "But you aren't and you transferred out of Number 1 Commando which tells me there is more to your story than your service record tells me." He remained silent. "I will be honest with you Hay, my section is one of the best in the Brigade. We are always put in harm's way. I have to rely on and trust my men completely. If, during this week of training I feel that I can't rely on you then you will be shipped out to another unit. Is that clear? I like to speak plainly and have everything out in the open."

  "That suits me sir. Just give me a chance and I will show you that I can be an asset to the section. I promise that I won't let you down."

  "Perhaps. Right, get your gear. My section stays in digs on the sea front. Mrs Bailey. She is a good landlady. The Sergeant Major lodges there too. She has rooms for you. I'll give you four minutes to pack and then we will double down to the town."

  As I waited outside for them I wondered what his story was. Perhaps he might confide in me when we were alone. It could have been that he was unhappy about speaking in front of Emerson. At least the young lad seemed an asset to the section. His skills with vehicles and engines could prove invaluable. I set a hard pace as we ran back to the digs. I felt slightly guilty as they carried Bergens and kitbags while I had nothing. They kept up remarkably well and I was impressed. Whatever other problems Hay had fitness was not one of them.

  While they got their breath back I waited for Mrs Bailey to come to the door.

  "Two new lodgers Mrs Bailey, Corporal William Hay and Private Fred Emerson."

  "Pleased to meet you ma'am." They both adopted the appropriate tone.

  "Will Hay? Like the film star? I like him."

  I saw Hay's face; he had obviously been teased about his name before, "No, Mrs. Bailey, it is Bill. I prefer Bill Hay."

  She smiled, "Whatever suits you my dear. Come on then. I will show you to your rooms." She nodded to me, "Good job you brought four bunnies eh Lieutenant Harsker."

  "Oh, Mrs Bailey, did you use both bottles of the elderberry wine in the stew?"

  "No, Lieutenant, just the one. You are right, it is a bit strong."

  "Then I will open the other after supper tonight. If you could bring it in after pudding."

  "Of course. Now you two lads come with me and we will do the grand tour."

  I waited in the sitting room and read the paper, depressing though it was. I wanted to catch Sergeant Poulson as soon as he arrived. He was my second in command and needed to know my fears. In the newspapers the Eighth Army was still on the defensive. Stalingrad was surrounded and the Americans had lost an aircraft carrier, 'The Wasp', in the far east. The war was not going well and I could see why they needed a victory, even one over Vichy France.

  I heard Sergeant Poulson's cheery, "Hello Mrs B., " as he entered the hall.

  I called as he passed, "Sergeant, have you got a minute?"

  "You back already sir? I'll just drop my bag here."

  He entered and I shut the door. "Have a seat, Sergeant."

  "Problem sir?"

  "Could be." I told him about Harry's promotion and our two new members of the section.

  When I had finished he nodded, "It might be nothing, sir. We both know that sometimes officers and their men don't get on but I will try to have a chat with him.
The problem may be the fact that you are an officer and if he had a problem with an officer in his other Brigade then he may be wary of talking to you."

  I brightened, that made sense. "Good. Keep this under your hat eh, Sergeant?"

  "Of course, sir.

  "And I think we are going back to Africa, but with the E-Boat this time. We may be based there for some time."

  "A chance to get the old knees brown then eh sir. Right, I'll go and unpack. I am pleased for Harry. He deserves it."

  "I know, sergeant."

  After he had gone I realised he had a far better attitude than I did. He thought of the man. I was selfish and thought of myself first.

  It was a noisy dinner table. I remained silent but the two new lads were bombarded with questions. Inevitably Scouser and some of the others let slip about our exploits. I saw the eyes of the two new men widen. Corporal Hay said, "You weren't joking then, sir. In Number One Commando our section were the best trained Commandos you ever saw. I saw more action on the retreat through Belgium."

  Polly said, "The Lieutenant was on that one too. He was a private then."

  This time Corporal Hay's jaw actually dropped and he seemed to notice my medal ribbon for the first time, "And you have been promoted four times then sir?"

  I nodded, "I am just lucky, I guess."

  Sergeant Poulson laughed, "Don't you believe him, Bill. Our Lieutenant is a genuine hero and the most modest man you will ever meet."

  "A pity more officers aren't like that, Sarge." Hay sounded bitter.

  I caught Sergeant Poulson's eye. This was the first insight he had given us about the mysterious issue which had caused him to join us. Harry Gowland and George had been relatively quiet and I understood why. We had an extra man and an extra NCO.

  I waited until Mrs Bailey came in. She had anticipated me and there were nine glasses. "Have a glass for yourself Mrs Bailey, we are celebrating tonight."

  She went out and returned with a large glass and a bottle of homemade lemonade. "I hope you don't mine Lieutenant, it is a bit strong for me. This will make it more like a port and lemon."

  "Whatever you wish, Mrs Bailey." When they all had a glass I said, "We have reasons to celebrate. Firstly we have two new members of the section, welcome!" Everyone raised their glasses and said something appropriate, "Secondly their arrival means we are losing one of our section, Sergeant Gowland you are moving on to bigger and better things."

  He looked at me and then realised what I had said, "I am promoted! Thank you sir."

  "We will miss you." I saw his friend, George, looking unhappy, "And of course we need a new Lance Sergeant and that would be you, Lance Sergeant Lowe! Cheers!"

  The one glass was not enough to get anyone inebriated but somehow it enlivened the table and, soon, everyone was chattering away like magpies. Sergeant Major Dean popped his head around the door. Mrs Bailey put her hand to her mouth, "Oh I am sorry, Reg. I forgot all about you!"

  He laughed, "I heard the noise and wondered what was going on."

  "Just celebrating two promotions Sarn't Major."

  He nodded, "And well deserved they are too. Right then Mrs B, where is this rabbit stew you promised me?"

  She stood and emptied the glass. "One more thing Mrs Bailey, me and the lads will be away for a while. Perhaps a couple of months. We will make sure our rent is paid up and then... well Sergeant Major Dean will sort things out."

  I saw her eyes begin to well up. Reg put his arm around her, "Come on. No more of that Lieutenant Harsker will look after your lads."

  As she was led from the room she said, "But who will look after him?"

  Part 4

  North Africa

  Chapter 15

  We had three hard days of training. It was strange to be without Harry. Bill Hay also found it hard to fit in. The lads did their best but he seemed to be keeping something hidden from them. They didn't like that. They knew each other warts and all. Sergeant Poulson tried to get close to him but every time he asked him questions he clammed up. I began to think I would have to transfer him out.

  On the fourth day of our training we rejoined our E-Boat. Major Foster had sent more details of our mission down to Lieutenant Jorgenson. He was going to have to work, as we did, behind enemy lines and it would necessitate creating a base where we could lie up. I was not certain how this would work but Major Foster assured me that it had all been thought through. The first thing we did was to introduce our two new members of the section to the crew of the 'Lady'. Fred was an instant hit. Once he saw the engines he was like a pig in muck. He chatted happily to the engineer and soon had oil beneath his fingernails once more. Corporal Hay, in contrast, appeared even more withdrawn and isolated than before.

  We spent the morning working on the camouflage of our boat. It would have to blend in with the African coast. To be fair to Corporal Hay he worked as hard as any but while the others bantered he remained silent. He even ate his lunch alone. Alan Jorgenson came over to speak with me. "Is he a problem, Tom?"

  "I think he is. I reckon I will have to send him back to his unit, or another unit at any rate. He just doesn't fit in."

  "I can see that."

  "And yet he is as hard working as any of the others. He is as skilled that much is obvious. In every other respect he is a perfect Commando. Everything that is, save the most important one; he doesn't mix."

  "Have you not found out the reason?"

  "We have tried everything. Sergeant Poulson is really good at putting lads at their ease but he has drawn a blank too. I will give it one more day and then we will see."

  He nodded and pointed below decks. "We are going to be cosy down there. We will have to spend more time in close proximity with each other. How about we have your lads sleep aboard tonight. We will take her for a tootle around the Lizard and back; a sort of working up exercise."

  "Good idea. I'll send a message to Mrs B. She hates wasting food."

  We had found an old bicycle and we kept it close to the boat. "Fred, hop on the bike and tell Mrs Bailey that we won't be back for dinner tonight."

  "Right sir!" He cheerfully mounted the bike and set off. Considering he was like a stick insect he was remarkably fit and tough. There was not much to him but it was all muscle!

  We left in the late afternoon. There were well over thirty of us on board now and that was more than the maximum compliment when she had been an E-Boat. I shared a cabin with Alan while the NCOs, Petty Officers and leading hands shared one mess. We did not race around the coast; the purpose was to see problems. We decided to pretend that we were in a combat zone. One watch in three would be below decks. We used the same system as we had before. George's section would be off duty when Sergeant Poulson and mine were on.

  So it was that, by accident Bill Leslie and Bill Hay were below decks at the same time. Sometimes things happen for a reason. When the time came for the watches to be changed Bill Leslie waved me over, "Sir, can I have a word?"

  "Of course."

  "If we go to the bow it will be quieter."

  I was intrigued. Bill looked quite serious. We got to the bow and I said, "Well, Bill, you have my attention. What is it?"

  "Skipper said that you had a problem with your new Corporal." I nodded, "Well I had a chat to him. I started off saying as how we both had the same Christian name." He saw my look and said, "I know it was lame but it was a way in. Any road up we got talking about daft stuff and I found out he was a frogman. I said as how you and me had done something similar at Dieppe and then it all came out. It seems that when he was with Number 1 Commando his Captain and him hadn't got on. Something about a girl." He shrugged, "Some women, they can be poison. I reckon I am lucky with my young lady. The point is that after that this Captain had it in for Bill. Then they were at Lulworth Cove doing rock climbing. The Captain and Bill were on the rope with a young recruit at the end. The Captain hadn't checked the young lad's knots and he fell off. Bill is a good swimmer and he dived in to try to save him but the lad
was dead. By the time they were rescued the captain had spread the story that it was Bill as had not tied the rope properly. That was when they transferred him. He got the blame."

  "Why didn't he say something?"

  "The other officers backed the captain. They stuck together and didn't believe Bill. He hates all officers. I told him you were different. When I told him how you wouldn't leave me when I got cramp he seemed to change." He shrugged, "I just thought you ought to know sir. He's alright. He was due for promotion to sergeant before all this kicked off. I might be out of line, sir, but I reckon we ought to give him a chance."

  "You mean I ought to give him a chance? Thanks Bill. I appreciate this and you have given me food for thought."

  I now understood Bill Hay's dilemma. He had been betrayed by an officer and it would take a long time to heal such a mistrust. I did not have the luxury of a long time. We had a few days and then the journey to Gibraltar; that was all. I could not, in all honesty, reject him. The Commandos had let him down. I was a Commando and it as up to me to right that wrong.

  I had to force myself to focus on the more important issue: the operation. Hay and his problem would have to wait. As we headed back to Falmouth the next morning, Alan and I discussed how we might operate. We had yet to be given the specifics but there would be inherent problems in operating behind enemy lines and so far from help.

  With his cheroot in the corner of his mouth Alan drew an imaginary line with his finger from Gibraltar to Tunis. "That is the limit of our area of operation."

  "You know more than I do."

  He laughed, "A friend of mine works at the Admiralty. He is the chap who recommended me for Combined Operations. I met up with him on my last leave when all of this was being planned. After a couple of whiskies he opened up. There will be an invasion and we will be hitting the length of the coast causing mayhem and generally having fun! The point is, Tom, that it is about eight hundred and fifty miles from Gib to Tunis. The 'Lady' has a range of eight hundred and sixty. We need somewhere along the coast where we can refuel. We need a bolt hole." He looked closely at the map. "Here is Algiers; it is as near as dammit half way between the two. There is a bay here and it looks to be largely free of people."