Crusader (A Novel of WWII Tank Warfare) by Jack Murray (important of reading books .TXT) 📗

fromdance band leaders such as Ray Noble, Lew Stone and Roy Fox. The news wasalways of interest. To hear what was happening back home could cheer or saddenin equal measure.

The voice of the radio announcer came on as the music finished.The news was to follow from the BBC centre in Cairo. Over the airwaves theyheard the newscaster speak.

‘The British army has launched an offensive in Libya againstRommel’s Afrika Korps with over seventy-five thousand men.’

The group huddled around the fire listened in stunned silence.

‘Aren’t the Germans listening to this?’ asked Danny.

Reed threw his cup into the fire angrily.

‘Of course they’re bloody listening. Who the hell sanctioned that announcement?’

-

‘I haven’t a clue why they broadcast this news,’ said Lister inanswer to a similar question from Captain Aston at a hastily convened meeting.‘I suspect someone in Cairo is for the high jump. If Rommel didn’t know we’relaunching a major offensive, he certainly does now.’

‘Isn’t that what General Cunningham wanted?’ pointed out Aston,sourly.

It was, of course, but this was before the 8th Army hadscattered itself across the desert in Libya looking for an enemy to fight. Listerignored Aston’s jibe. Rather than upbraid him publicly he was content toobserve the looks on the faces of the other officers. They’d all arrived at anopinion about Captain Aston anyway. He doubted if theirs differed much fromhis.

‘Any word on what is happening tomorrow, sir?’ asked Major Miller.Lister noted the emphasis on the word ‘is’. It was only fair. Unfortunatelyhe’d heard nothing concrete to tell them.

‘Brigadier Davy is meeting with General Gott later tonight,’explained Lister. ‘I’m sure I’ll get an early morning call to tell me theoutcome. Don’t expect a lie in tomorrow, though.’

The officers, too tired to laugh, smiled. Major Miller was thefirst to react.

‘My bet is we’ll be asked to head over the escarpment and take theridge north of Trigh Capuzzo.’

‘I don’t disagree Miller,’ replied Lister. He didn’t want to thinkabout what they would meet on the other side of the escarpment. The crump ofthe eighty-eights or hundreds, during the day, held its own pledge.

-

After another meal of bully beef, Danny went in search of Arthurand Phil Lawrence. He walked along the row of tanks. A few were making repairsto the damage from the shelling earlier. It made Danny thankful that he’descaped the worst of it. Men sat in groups, grousing about the food, talkingabout what they’d done that day, what they were going to do tomorrow or whenthey returned back home. There was silent reflection from some, laughter fromothers. This made Danny smile. Here they were, sitting in the middle of adesert. It was cold. They were facing an implacable enemy, yet these mencontinued to joke. One man had his hands clasped in front of him. Dannywondered if he was praying.

He passed a radio. It was tuned to the B.B.C. There was musicplaying. It sounded American rather than British. The stronger sound ofsaxophones and clarinets suggested Glenn Miller. Danny stopped to listen. Oneman offered him a cigarette, but Danny declined. He headed further along, passingmen engaged in everyday activities: eating, brushing teeth or shaving. It wasalways important to look your best when facing death.

Up ahead he saw two familiar figures having a cigarette. Arthurturned to greet the new arrival. As ever, his smile was filled withirrepressible good humour. Lawrence looked grave. This was unusual for the normallygood-humoured corporal but then Danny saw the large swelling on the side of hishead.

‘I had an argument with the periscope,’ explained Lawrence. Thiscaused Arthur to start cackling.

‘Cheers, mate,’ said Lawrence dolefully. This made Arthur laughmore. Even Lawrence smiled.

‘You both made it then,’ grinned Danny.

‘Course we did,’ said Arthur, ‘Never in doubt.’

They chatted for a few minutes about what they’d been doing thatday which amounted to not very much. In place of facts they resorted, as mendo, to exaggeration, jokes and insults. In such a way they nourished oneanother’s courage, lifted their mood  and banished fear, at least for a shortwhile. It never really left, though.

Talk of the next day could not be ignored forever. It was theirjob now; all encompassing, utterly terrifying and ultimately heartrending.

‘I’m not sure I fancy being target practice for the Jerrygunners,’ admitted Danny. ‘Do you know if anyone…?’ He left the rest of thesentence unsaid. He was asking if any of the people they knew had been killed.

Arthur nodded.

‘Ray Hill bought it this morning. ’

‘Really?’ said Danny. He thought of the young man they’dbefriended in Alexandria. ‘That’s a pity. He was all right.’

‘He was,’ agreed Lawrence, throwing away his cigarette.

‘He won’t be the last,’ said Arthur.

They said their goodbyes. There would be no time the next morning.They’d be up, off and out. Danny walked back towards his tank. He and hisfriends shared but one thought as they parted. They might not see one anotheragain.

When Danny returned to the tank, he saw Reed talking withLieutenant Hutton. The lieutenant departed as Danny arrived. Reed barelynoticed Danny as he turned to the others and told them that they were stillawaiting confirmation of the plan for the following morning.

A few minutes later Lister, accompanied by Major Miller, CaptainAston and Lieutenant Hutton walked up to Danny’s crew. They were stopping byall of the tank crews in Miller’s B Squadron. Danny and the others were ontheir feet in seconds.

‘Hello, Reed,’ said Lister. ‘Remind me who we have here.’

Reed introduced all of the men. Lister shook hands with each ofthem and spoke briefly with Craig to ask him about his family.

‘This is Private Shaw,’ said Reed.

‘Ahh yes, Shaw. I suppose you’ll soon have an answer to thequestion you asked me a few months ago.

Danny reddened slightly but grinned.

‘I’m not sure I ever had the chance to apologise to LieutenantTurner for putting him on the spot.’

‘I rather think your friend put you on the spot,’ replied Lister.The crew along with Lister and Miller laughed at the recollection. CaptainAston seemed bored. Or was it something else? Danny wondered if behind thesuperior, carefree air lay an altogether more human emotion. He, Arthur andPhil Lawrence hid their fears behind humour and moderate abuse. Lister andMiller always displayed