The Shadow of War by Jack Murray (latest ebook reader txt) 📗

to go to war. However, itdoes mean you can have embarkation leave of seven days. Married men first. Theyprobably need it.’

‘No, we don’t,’ shouted Arthur from the back.

Everyonelaughed, including Drew.

‘Bethat as it may, details will be posted soon. This is it. This is what we’vebeen training for. Jerry has been taking pot shots at us long enough. Now it’sour turn. Good luck, men.’

Andthat was it. They were going to war. Danny turned to look at Bob. His friendwas shivering in the rain. His face had turned white.

-

‘Ican’t do this, Danny.’

Bobwas shaking. Physically shaking. Danny wasn’t sure what to say. The two friendswere in Danny’s tent. No one could hear what Bob was saying, his voice barelyaudible. Tears welled in Bob’s eyes.

‘I’llnever survive. What’ll happen to Beth? My baby?’

‘Enoughof this, Bob. I’ll look after you. We’ll all look after one another.’

‘Haven’tyou been listening?’ said Bob angrily. ‘It’s one thing to take on a bunch ofItalians but the Germans are different. They killed my dad in the end. They’llkill me; wait’ll you see.’

‘Noone’s saying it’ll be easy, but this is what the training is meant to do.You’ll see when the time comes.’

Boblooked at Danny incredulously then shook his head. Danny waited for Bob to saysomething as he was out of ammunition on his own pep talk.

‘Notsure you’ve been listening, Danny-boy. It’s one thing to learn how to drive atank, master its weapons, and maintain them. Butif you can only see eighty yards in front and the guns that you’re up againstcan knock you out at eight hundred yards, or more if it’s one their anti-tankguns, then no amount of training will help. Do you understand? The odds arestacked against us making it through, Danny. It just takes one mistake from usor, more likely, a well-trained Jerry and we’re buggered, mate. Well and trulybuggered. We’re cannon fodder mate. That’s all the likes of us are.’

Thiswas difficult to argue with. Danny had also thought along similar lines butusually stopped himself before it became the kind of spiral downwards to a darkplace where no light or prospect of escape existed. Bob was falling headlonginto such a place and he hadn’t finished yet.

‘Yourealise we have to be halfway up their arse before we can kill them. How thehell does that work? What do we do? Shout, “Oi, look over there,” then calmlydrive up and take a pot shot? Well, Danny, I can tell you it ain’t that easy.They expect us to die. They expect us to keep going at them until our tanks areclimbing over our dead bodies and the Jerry has runout of ammo. It will be just like the last war, trust me. They’ve learned nothing.I’m not having it, Danny.’

‘Don’tdo anything silly, Bob.’

‘Whynot? Look what happened to Harn. He’ll spend the war in warm, comfy jail, justyou see. But he’ll live. They’ll let him out. Sure, he’ll have a bad name butwho’ll care? Who’s the idiot here?’

‘Hewon’t live if Hitler wins, Bob.’

-

LieutenantGreening assembled the men from his section which included Danny, Arthur andBob. Greening was a former cavalry officer who had transferred to the RTR.Although he was nicknamed ‘Lord’ Greening by the men, he was well-liked. In hislate twenties, he radiated composure and competence. His wavy blonde hair anddandified appearance might have counted against him had he not proved himselffitter than the majority over assault courses, an expert marksman and asympathetic leader.

Hewas accepted by old sweats in the battalion, the ones who had survived Franceand the Dunkirk evacuation. This was more than could be said for new arrivalssuch as Danny. They had yet to prove themselves. This meant they were eitherignored or generally disregarded. Greening mingled easily with the men, makingsure to have a word with everyone. He sat down with Danny and Arthur.

‘Chaps,you’ve probably heard me chatting to the others by now. I won’t add much towhat old “Detention” has announced,’ said Greening. This caused both men tolaugh. Another reason to like Greening was his use of Colonel Drew’s nickname.If anything, Drew was harder on his officers than onthe men.

‘Perry,as a married man, you’ll be able to go on embarkation leave from tomorrow. Asthere are so few married men, Shaw, you can also go if you like. We just needto keep a balance of fifty-fifty going and staying. You and Owen can go backtogether if you like.’

Dannygrinned and said, ‘I might try London for a night. Never really been before,sir.’

Arthurreplied, ‘Here we go. I suppose you’ll be looking for a place to stay?’

‘Nowthat you mention it.’

‘Toldyou,’ said Arthur looking at Greening.

‘I’llleave you gentlemen then. You seem to have matters in hand.’

Greeningleft them to speak to Bob. Danny looked at his friend. Bob was laughingnervously with the lieutenant. He turned to Arthur and said, ‘So you’ll put meup then?’

‘Youcan meet the missus and the family but one word. If you so much as look at mylittle girl, then it ain’t Hitler you need worry about.’

Dannylooked affronted. ‘What kind of man do you take me for? She’s only a child. Isaw the picture of them.’

‘Thatwas taken four years ago,’ said Arthur grimly.

‘Oh,’said Danny. ‘That would make her?’

‘Sixteen.I’ll be standing guard outside the room, sonny boy.’

‘Leaveit out, Arthur. I’ll climb in through the window,’ laughed Danny. He received aclip for his trouble, which only made him laugh more.

Afew minutes later, Greening came back to Danny and Arthur. This was a surpriseas both thought he had finished with them.

‘Parry,Shaw,’ said Greening, ‘I was wondering if you would like to come with me for afew minutes. Where is Lawrence?’ Danny called over to Phil Lawrence who waschatting to Jim Donnelly. Lawrence jogged over and the three men followedGreening.

As they walked Greening talked about commonplace things. This was asurprise as Danny had thought the lieutenant wanted to talk to them about Bob. Itwas no secret in the section that Bob was on the very edge of his emotions.

It soon became apparent they were heading towards the officers mess. Once inside, Greening led them downa long corridor towards the office of Colonel Drew. A quick knock on the doorand then