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

‘Food’s not that bad,’ said Jim Hamilton, polishing off the lastof the bully beef.

The rest turned to the Brummie like he’d just confessed toregular, consensual and mutually-enjoyable congress with sheep.

‘What?’ asked Hamilton defensively.

‘I wouldn’t leave any dirty underpants out when he’s around,’ saidArthur.

‘He might eat them,’ added Danny. This led to an assault withHamilton’s beret, which Danny, helpless with laughter, could not defend himselfagainst.

‘I’ve an idea,’ said Arthur, ‘Kill two birds with one stone, so tospeak. We leave this damn food out for the flies, that’ll kill ‘em off andthen…’

‘You’ll starve?’ added Danny.

Arthur’s face fell.

‘Good point, although eating that stuff might do for me anyway.’

A corporal came over to the group.

‘Finished yet?’ he asked, without any introduction.

‘Waiting for dessert, service here’s a shambles,’ said Arthur,taking a risk thought Danny.

The corporal grinned, ‘Cook’s not much better, either. Right, onyour feet. I’ll take you to your tanks.’

Danny felt a flutter of anticipation, or perhaps it wasexcitement. Or nerves. One way or another, he was about to join the war forreal. He would meet the men he would share a tank with. He wondered what theywould be like. What they would make of him? One of the joys of youth is vanity.Not in any sense that you are better than anyone else. More often than not,it’s the opposite.

The vanity of youth is not about the idolisation of self so muchas the belief that those around you are in any way interested in you. Part ofgrowing is realising no one is interested in you. Maturity is when you cease tocare.

One by one, Danny’s friends went to join their new team. With anod, Danny said farewell to Arthur. Danny’s tank was the last in the row. Hesaw the large sand coloured tank silhouetted against the cloudless evening sky.The purple-grey hue was suffused with lines of orange. Heat radiated off thesurface still making the horizon blur.

As he approached the tank, he heard the chatter of some men on theother side. While he hoped that they would be men that, at least, would belikeable, he realised it would be even better if they were men he could counton. He had no doubts about himself on that score.

-

A freezing night gave way to a morning that grew hotter by theminute as if some supernatural hand had switched on a pilot light. Danny wasthe first up, or so he thought. He noticed one mattress was already empty.

An unshaven man with flecks of grey in his stubble squinted up atDanny from under his makeshift pillow.

‘Make yourself useful, lad.’

This was Cecil Craig. He didn’t like being called Cecil. AnUlsterman in his early thirties, he could as easily have passed for fifty.Craig had been around since the start of the North African campaign. Sergeant Reed’sfirst instruction to Danny, when he introduced the Ulsterman, was to ignoreanything he said. Danny took this to be an odd form of compliment to his newcomrade-in-arms. Craig was the driver of the tank as well as being itsmechanic.

The wireless operator was only a little older than Danny, CharlieFelton. A country boy like Danny, this meant he was at the receiving end ofconstant ribbing about his intellect and the nature of the relationship withhis sister. He took this in good part, but Danny suspected that he did not havemuch time for his chief tormentor, Joe Holmes. In truth, Danny did not takemuch to the burly gunner either. He was as unwelcoming as Craig but without theundercurrent of dry humour that characterised the Ulsterman . Danny looked downat the prone figure still snoring on the ground and recalled the gunner’s firstwords to him the afternoon before.

‘Took your time getting here, son. You missing civvy street?’

Danny wasn’t sure if this was a comment on his lateness at signingup to join the army or the fact that the new arrivals had missed OperationBattleaxe, the summer’s failed campaign to relieve Tobruk. Danny ignored theremark then and resolved to ignore any jibe. These men had been through somuch; some resentment was inevitable and scepticism certain until you hadproven yourself.

Danny stooped down and started to brew up some tea. As the new boyhe was expected to perform some of the more menial tasks. He took over fromFelton, who was happy to be relieved of these duties if the broad grin on hisface was anything to go by.

-

Sergeant Reed approached the colonel. A brief salute from bothmen. Just as Reed was about to report, the captain appeared from behind thetent flap. Reed saluted again. The captain lifted his stick to his forehead butwas already looking up in the sky.

‘Sir, the men are ready for drill.’

‘Very well,’ drawled the captain, ignoring the fact that Reed hadbeen speaking to Lister. A brief look passed between Reed and Lister. Thecolonel’s blue eyes crinkled just enough to calm the anger in Reed.

Lister walked forward accompanied by a number of the other seniorofficers. Walking alongside him was the second in command, Major Warren and twoother majors, Laing and Miller.

The captain uttered an oath as a legion of flies descended on hisface. How he hated this country. The sooner his transfer came through thebetter, he thought. He risked a glance at the two men beside him. Lister and Reedwere thick as thieves. Neither respected him. He knew that much. Probably withgood reason. But what did he care? After six months, he was still standing herewhile King, McDonald and the other captain whose name he could never rememberwere lying dead somewhere in the middle of the God-forsaken wilderness.

More fools them.

Sensing he was not wanted, the captain moved away and left Listerand the other majors to do the inspection. Reed walked with Lister towards thenew arrivals. The colonel puffed on his pipe, waiting for the captain to moveout of earshot.

‘A little early, sir,’ said Reed nodding towards the pipe. Listerrolled his eyes.

‘Therapy,’ replied Lister. He did not smile but there was enoughof a look in his eye for Reed to enjoy the joke. Lister relayed the orders forthe day.

‘Ready when you are, sergeant.’

Reed began to bark out orders