"Tom, we need you to scout out the defences in Algiers. You know why."
Suddenly the signal faded. I looked at Wacker who turned dials for a while and then shrugged, "We have lost it sir."
"Keep trying to get him back eh?"
I went up top. Our supply base could be seen in the distance. Alan shook his head, "We may have to get out and push. I think we are running on fumes here! What did the Prof want?"
"We have to scout out Algiers."
He shook his head, "It will take us two days to even begin to make repairs. We will have to tell him it is a no go."
"I know the 'Lady' can't go but my men can."
"It is over twenty miles!"
"I speak French and some of my chaps do too. We have the two bisht. Even if we had to walk then we could be there and back in a day. It isn't as though we have to contend with Jerry. They are Vichy French. There will be resistance here."
"Look, Tom, I know you have a great sense of duty. I admire you for it but we will be sitting ducks repairing the boat. It is only the fact that this is such an isolated place that gives us any chance. If you bring back Vichy French soldiers then we are as good as in the bag."
I nodded, "I know. Look Alan when we went in at Dieppe Jerry was ready for those poor sods. We left two and a half thousand of them on the beach. If I can do anything to stop that happening again then I will do." He did not look convinced, "I'll tell you what, if we get in trouble we will take to the hills and wait for the invasion. It is in seven day's time. Unless there are elite German soldiers we should manage."
"Okay. Who will you take?"
I need a couple of mechanics in case we can steal a vehicle. That will be Emerson and Lowe. Someone for explosives, Shepherd, and someone who can speak French, Poulson."
"That means you are only leaving Hay as NCO. How about a radio?"
I shook my head, "Too big and too bulky."
"Then how will you get a message back to England?" He had me stumped there. "Leave Lowe here in charge of your men and take Scouse. He is a bright lad. He might be able to do something."
"That is five. It is enough." I looked aft to the blanket covered bodies. "You might need my men. You are running out of crew."
"I know. We will bury them on the sand spit. They will be undisturbed there."
I shook my head, "No Alan, take them back to Gib. There should be somewhere for their families to visit when all of this over."
He nodded, "You are right."
The engine coughed and spluttered as we beached it on the spit. The crew quickly covered her with the camouflage nets and we watched as the sun began to set in the west. I gathered my men around me and explained what we would do. George said, "Sir, with due respect Emerson is just a kid. Take me. No offence Fred."
Fred shrugged.
"Fred proved himself on the boat and I need you and Hay here to help the Lieutenant. This is not up for debate, Lance Sergeant. Besides if Wacker gets through again Lieutenant Ferguson may have more orders for us. If they are different then you will have to carry them out."
"Of course sir."
"We have two bisht. Emerson and I will use them to find a vehicle and, hopefully, more cloaks. We drive into Algiers and scout out the beaches to the west of the town. We also ascertain garrison numbers. Sergeant Poulson and I can speak French. We will try to talk us out of trouble. Scouse your job is to work out how we get a signal back to Gib. I can't tell you all the details but we have a week at most. And remember if we meet Germans there is no point in giving up. They shoot Commandos."
Scouse nodded, "Suits me, sir. We know where we stand. Two can play at that game!"
"Ken, you and Scouse take Tommy guns. As for the rest of us, we use Colts. I want as many grenades as we can carry and, Ken, you need a Bergen with explosives and timers. If we can do some sabotage we will do. Get your gear. We leave in thirty minutes."
My men went to gather the gear that we would need. I donned the bisht again. I was just packing my Bergen when Bill Hay took me to one side, "Sir, I just wanted to say I am sorry for being such an idiot. I let one bad officer colour my judgement about all of the them. If you want to know my story..."
I smiled, "Later, Bill eh?"
He nodded, "Yes sir, I just wanted you to know before, you know, in case..."
"I am coming back. You should know I am hard to kill!"
Chapter 19
Our spit of land was cut off from the beach. The rest of our section took us in on the two dinghies. Once ashore we moved quickly across the stinking swampy area just beyond the beach. It was messy and it smelled but it protected the boat. I turned to look out to sea. It was so dark that I could not see the spit, let alone the boat. Alan had all night to camouflage the 'Lady'. He would have to repair the boat in daylight. I put their troubles from my mind. We needed to steal a vehicle or spend the night travelling the twenty odd miles to Algiers.
Sergeant Poulson brought up the rear. Fred wore the bisht. It was too large for him. He seemed to disappear into its folds. Having explored it once we knew that we had a mile to travel before we came to a road and then another half a mile before we would find the first mud huts and houses. When we reached Surcouf, Hugo had discovered its name for us, it was after midnight. I had no idea what sort of military presence Vichy would have in this part of the world. As we neared the small bay with the fishing ships I spied an old dilapidated lorry. It was under some palm trees. It would be perfect. Leaving the others to keep watch Fred and I ran over to it. I kept watch while Fred lifted up the bonnet. He shook his head and pointed. Even I could see that half of the engine was missing. I waved the others over.
Rather than risking the road through the houses I led the section to the beach. It would, hopefully, be deserted. We passed through a garden which, mercifully, had no dog. As we crossed it I spied four bisht. They were on the wall. Perhaps they had been drying in the sun; I knew not. I grabbed three of them and we continued to the beach. Once there I gave them to the other three. At least we could all blend in easier now. If we had to walk to Algiers it might not be so bad. When we had passed the huts we rejoined the road and headed west. I pointed to Ken to lead the way. I wanted to view my section. The bisht covered the Bergens well. We looked like locals. Of course our pale faces gave away our ethnic origins, especially the freckled Fred Emerson but, if he kept his hood over his face we might not be noticed.
Nothing came down the road. We walked for four miles and nothing moved either way. This was unlike the coast road we had seen near Tunis. We passed a sign to El Marsa. If we went there we would be adding to our journey. It was only a mile or so down the coast from our spit of sand. I took us to the left towards Mohammadia. Ken led the way again as I looked at the other signs. He gave a low whistle and we dropped to the ground. A Renault truck was heading for us. I had seen many such vehicles on the retreat to Dunkirk. It was a French military vehicle and I saw a kepi in the driver's cab. There were military around and they had to be avoided. The truck took the road we had just used.
I waved Ken to the left and we took a side road. We had to get off this main road. It meant moving through huts and houses again but we had no choice. The roads we took were narrow but they were silent and we made good time. I looked at my watch. We had covered about four and a half miles in an hour and a half. We still had time to be in Algiers by dawn but not if we had to keep stopping. We now no longer had the option of using the beach. There was no beach close by any more and the streets through which we moved were more densely populated. Although most were still asleep there would be many who rose early. There would be workers heading for the hotels and businesses in Algiers. That decided me. We had travelled another half a mile and I led us back to the main road. I gathered them around us.
"We aren't going to be able to steal a vehicle. We move in groups of two or three as though we aren't together. Sergeant you have some French, you go at the rear with Emerson. Ken you and Scouse in the middle. I will go ahead. If I am stopped yo
u keep on coming. If we are asked we are going to work in an Algerian hotel." They nodded. "And we need to pick up the pace. Don't run but move quickly. Try to shuffle. It is how the locals move."
I found it much easier to lead and be alone. I had my Luger, Colt and dagger in my belt and I knew that I could speak with whomsoever I met. I would not be worrying about my companions. Just after Mohammadia I took a left. We needed to avoid the centre of Algiers if we were to reconnoitre the beaches as Hugo had requested. By my reckoning we had another twelve miles to go and it would be dawn in three hours. We were not going to make it and we needed somewhere to lay up. When the streets were busy then we would be able to blend in a little easier. I did not risk turning around and I relied on my men just following.
Soon we were not the only ones who were heading into Algiers. Although that helped us blend in I noticed that they all turned off to head north while we went steadily west. We stood out a little. The trickle became a throng as we trudged along the road. At the next road junction I followed the line of migrant workers and headed north, into the city. It took us further from our destination but we avoided close scrutiny. It worked fine for a quarter of a mile. Ahead I spied two French policemen. They were randomly examining papers. That would not do. We had no papers. To our right was a grubby cafe. Inside I saw men smoking and drinking coffee. I headed there. We had no money and I could not risk having my men spoken to but we were briefly hidden for it was busy.
Suddenly Scouse pushed passed me and bumped into a Frenchman wearing a suit. "Excusez moi!"
The Frenchman murmured, "Putain!"
Scouse bowed and backed away. As he passed me he slipped me the wallet he had stolen. He shrugged and pulled the hood of his bisht over his face once more. I examined the wallet. We had papers and we had money. I walked over to Sergeant Poulson and gave him some notes. I nodded to Scouse. He went inside with Scouse. I waited a moment or two and followed. Emerson and Shepherd came with me. We did not go inside but sat outside at a table. I did not mind if no one came. We looked like customers and I could observe the French policemen. After ten minutes an Arab came over and looked at us, "Trois café, s'il vous plait."
He grunted and wandered off.
The policemen were still examining one in three of those who came by. There was a pattern. That was no good. There were five of us. The coffee came and I paid with a note. We were supposed to be poor and I did not leave a tip. Emerson and Shepherd picked up the strong black coffee. I shook my head and put a couple of sugar lumps in each. They drank the thick, viscous liquid and wrinkled their noses but I knew that had they not added the sugar they would have given themselves away. I glanced inside and saw that Sergeant Poulson and Scouse had been served.
I had finished my coffee and wondered how long we could stay when suddenly one of those approaching the French policemen ran. Perhaps he had no papers or he could have been resistance. It did not matter. The two policemen ran after him. This was our chance. I murmured, "Let's go!"
We headed into Algiers. Sergeant Poulson and Scouse were soon behind me. When we reached the next junction we headed left, out of the city. There was another road block at the end of the road some three hundred yards away. Dawn had broken and we could see further ahead. I saw that they were not bothering with those leaving, only those entering. I would worry how to get back through later. We walked through the checkpoint with scarcely a look. The traffic heading towards us was much less than that leaving. No one gave us a second glance.
I could smell the sea ahead. We were almost at the beaches. We were tired but we had evaded capture; so far. It was gone ten when we finally sat on the edge of the road which ran along the beach. There was little vehicular traffic and we were alone. I risked speaking.
"Well done chaps."
"Sir, that coffee was bloody awful! Next time order tea!"
I smiled, "Right, Emerson. Now we need to scout out the beach and the defences. As far as I can see it is not mined and there is no wire. Sergeant Poulson I will take Shepherd and Emerson. We will walk the length of the beach and look for defences. You two see if you can find a transmitter or radio we can use. If you see a vehicle we can steal don't take it but let me know. We will meet back here at noon and Scouse..."
"Yes sir?"
"Nice lift. If you can get another set, without getting caught..."
"Will do. By the way what did he say to me?"
"The nearest translation is 'Fuck You or Fuck Off', fairly offensive anyway."
"I'll remember that, sir!"
As we headed to the western end of the beach I said, "If anyone comes near you holdout your hand and say, 'Baksheesh'." Emerson looked confused, "You are begging for money. If they give you any just say 'merci effendi'."
"Right sir."
I made sure we shuffled and were hunched over. Beggars were common and would be avoided. I kept my head down, only glancing up to see where we were going. As we neared the headland at the end of the beach I smelled cigarette smoke. There was a battery there. It was not in a bunker but the six guns were protected by both sand bags and barbed wire. I saw French soldiers who viewed us with suspicion. I headed for the beach. My two companions played their part well and shuffled after me. Once at the water's edge I relieved myself. The sound of the surf covered our voices and I said, "Go on relieve yourself."
"But I don't need to go sir."
"Then pretend Shepherd. It will make the guards at the guns less suspicious."
When I had finished I turned and glanced up at the guns. I saw there were three German soldiers there. That was news; we had thought it was just Vicky French. We began to walk down the beach. Hugo had told me before we left Gib that the invasion would be at a beach west of the city centre. This was the only beach we had seen. I stopped occasionally to bend down and pick up flotsam and jetsam. It was what beggars might do. It gave me the chance to examine the sand. This was not shingle as we had had at Dieppe. It was firmer. Tanks would have no problem here. I saw that the road was only protected from the sand by a high kerb. A car could get over it. A tank would have no problems whatsoever. Although the beach was well over a mile long there was a narrow section in the middle where it was only thirty yards wide. Here was a second battery. This time there were just three guns there. I saw no German uniforms. The far end also had a battery of six guns but this time there was a German lorry and ten Germans.
As we headed back to the rendezvous I wondered what to make of this. Was there a connection here between Vichy and the Third Reich? If so then it could herald problems for the invasion. We reached the rendezvous early. "You two stay here. I am going back to the last battery we saw. Stay here until the Sergeant comes. If anything happens to me then get back to the boat."
"Sir?"
"I will be fine, Shepherd."
I shuffled back and sat on the rocks some ten yards from the barbed wire and the Germans. After a few moments I curled up in a ball and lay down pretending to be asleep. I had chosen the part of the barbed wire which was closest to the Germans. I knew they were close for I could smell them. One spoke French with a German accent.
"What is he doing?"
A Frenchman answered him. "He is a beggar there are many of them. They will steal anything but do not worry he is on the other side of the barbed wire. All he can steal there are sea shells." He laughed at his own joke. The other German did not reply, "Look, there are four more down the beach. Keep your eye on them. They would steal your truck if you didn't watch them like hawks."
"If we ran this town they would all be locked up."
"Well perhaps soon they will. It is time for my lunch. If you need me I shall be in the brasserie across the street."
There was silence and then the German spoke to his companion in German. "No wonder the allies plan to invade. These Vichy French are no better than the ones we thrashed in France."
"We do not have long to wait, Heine. In two days the column will leave Tunis and be here within five days. Then we will tell these Fr
enchmen what to do! We will be the masters!"
There was silence again. "God but this beggar stinks."
"All beggars stink." Suddenly a rock hit me on the back of the head and the German said, in bad French, "Go away before I shoot you!"
I jumped up and held out my hands in supplication, "Baksheesh, effendi, baksheesh!"
In answer he threw another stone at me and shouted, "Go away!"
I backed away. The other one said, "Did you see the scar on his face? He must have been in a knife fight."
"These damned Arabs make my flesh creep."
I heard no more as I turned around and headed for the road. When I was twenty yards from my companion I said, "Follow me, in ones and twos."
We had all the information we needed. The problem was getting that information out. I did not want to head back down the road we had just used for there were the checkpoints to contend with. I led them to a stand of palm trees. There was no one nearby.
"Well sergeant?"
"We found at least two transmitters sir but they had four or five guards around them. They were just too public."
I nodded, "And vehicles?"
"The same."
"Then it is Shanks' pony for us."
Scouse's mouth dropped open, "Walk back sir? It was over twenty miles to get here. We have had no food and no sleep. Can't we get our heads down for a bit?"
"Listen, lads, the Germans are sending a flying column. It will be here in five days. Six days from now... well let us say that if we don't get the information back this will end up like another Dieppe."
Sergeant Poulson nodded, "Then we had best get to it, sir. Same arrangements?"
"Yes, Sergeant. I will try to avoid checkpoints. Unless, of course, Fletcher here has lifted another wallet?"
"No sir, not yet."
"Then keep your eyes open for a vehicle."
I used the streets themselves to avoid roadblocks and checkpoints. It took us longer but was infinitely safer. It was as we came around a corner in a quiet suburb that an opportunity presented itself. An old beat up French truck pulled up outside a shabby looking apartment building on the south side of the city. The driver, a young man dressed in western clothes jumped out and looked around furtively. He went to the back and, opening it up took a carton of cigarettes from a large cardboard container. He closed and locked the tailgate and then rang the bell at the apartment entrance. A middle aged, blousy looking woman wearing too much makeup opened the door. She peered around and then dragged him in. I saw a light illuminate a window on the third floor and then the curtains were closed.
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