Brief description:
This book reports the adventures of Lt. Bob Hilton, Engineer, on a special glider mission in Burma. While working on restoration and construction of airfields in Italy in 1943, Lt. Hilton is abruptly ordered to leave his unit and report to a British unit fighting the Japanese in Burma. There were plans to construct airfields in central Burma to supply paratroopers and fighting behind Japanese lines.
"Where do we fit in, sir?” Bob asked the question with some diffidence.
"I was just coming to that.” The general smiled. “Let’s sit down again and I’ll get on with it.”
Without exception, when they once more seated themselves around his desk, the three oflicers leaned forward eagerly to hear the next words of General Craigie. “Until about a week ago, the stafi‘ was satisfied that our plans were complete. Every key man had been assigned a job; and each had his responsibilities. Then we discovered that there was a special task for which we had made no provision. We needed experts and needed them quickly. So we sent cables asking for help. The results is that you men are here. You were carefully selected both because of your records and your specialties. Bennett, here, we brought over from GHQ India. He knows both the country and languages of Burma. He is a qualified glider pilot, as well as an airplane pilot. He will be your co~pilot, Dunlop. We had Dunlop sent from his base in England because of his long experience with gliders. Hilton we brought from Italy because of his knowledge of air strip construction under . . . shall we say . . . arduous conditions.”
“Did you say we have a special task to do, sir?” Bennett asked.
“Right. You will he on a special mission,” answered the general. “It will be dangerous . . . and most important. On its success may depend that of the entire operation. Twenty-four hours before the start of the main show you will be transported by glider to the field I have called ‘London.’ Your objectives are threefold: to reconnoiter the area and, if necessary, report back by wireless any evidence of Jap alarm concerning the main operation; to establish small security posts throughout the general area; and to make a preliminary survey of both paddies to determine how the general plan for converting them into airfields can be expedited. Of course, any minor work that you can do to make the paddies more suitable for the initial landings should also be undertaken, if possible.”
“How many men will be in the group, sir?” Bob asked.
“There will be the three of you and twelve Gurkhas. They are our best native troops, and all of them are splendid jungle fighters. Bennett, as senior oflicer, will be in command. And now for some of the details. . . .”
The general’s voice droned on, interrupted from time to time by questions from his small audience...
"Where do we fit in, sir?” Bob asked the question with some diffidence.
"I was just coming to that.” The general smiled. “Let’s sit down again and I’ll get on with it.”
Without exception, when they once more seated themselves around his desk, the three oflicers leaned forward eagerly to hear the next words of General Craigie. “Until about a week ago, the stafi‘ was satisfied that our plans were complete. Every key man had been assigned a job; and each had his responsibilities. Then we discovered that there was a special task for which we had made no provision. We needed experts and needed them quickly. So we sent cables asking for help. The results is that you men are here. You were carefully selected both because of your records and your specialties. Bennett, here, we brought over from GHQ India. He knows both the country and languages of Burma. He is a qualified glider pilot, as well as an airplane pilot. He will be your co~pilot, Dunlop. We had Dunlop sent from his base in England because of his long experience with gliders. Hilton we brought from Italy because of his knowledge of air strip construction under . . . shall we say . . . arduous conditions.”
“Did you say we have a special task to do, sir?” Bennett asked.
“Right. You will he on a special mission,” answered the general. “It will be dangerous . . . and most important. On its success may depend that of the entire operation. Twenty-four hours before the start of the main show you will be transported by glider to the field I have called ‘London.’ Your objectives are threefold: to reconnoiter the area and, if necessary, report back by wireless any evidence of Jap alarm concerning the main operation; to establish small security posts throughout the general area; and to make a preliminary survey of both paddies to determine how the general plan for converting them into airfields can be expedited. Of course, any minor work that you can do to make the paddies more suitable for the initial landings should also be undertaken, if possible.”
“How many men will be in the group, sir?” Bob asked.
“There will be the three of you and twelve Gurkhas. They are our best native troops, and all of them are splendid jungle fighters. Bennett, as senior oflicer, will be in command. And now for some of the details. . . .”
The general’s voice droned on, interrupted from time to time by questions from his small audience...
Publication
New York, Dodd, Mead & Company, 1945.
Collection
Physical description
210 p.; 20 inches