Cap Mandrake
Posts: 23184
Joined: 11/15/2002 From: Southern California Status: offline
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..our enemies with really nasty weather. ********Admiral's Cabin, HMS Warspite, 18:50, Feb 7, 1943*********** As CIC, Naval Forces, Operation You Know What, Admiral Somerville's mood is ebulliant. Sure, there are a few SNAFU's, but on balance, things are going swimmingly, or more accurately, not simmingly. Not a single vessel has been lost in the operation. He reviews a summary of the day's operations. Some 220 miles NW of the landing beaches, a single LCT was struck by a single bomb from a dozen Sally bombers approaching from the South. "Tavoy?", he wonders out loud. There were no enemy aircraft over the landing beaches. True, close air support sorties from the carriers had to be scrubbed, but that is a modest price to pay. Even more astounding is the total absence of hostile coastal defence fire and the apparent complete absence of enemy minefields. Warspite and Valiant have expended all their HE rounds. He has ordered the BB's to provide escort duty for the carriers and three heavy crusiers with full ammo loads to be detached from carrier escort duty. The heavy seas as causing havoc with unloading of the AK's, but at least 6 battalions of 5th and 23rd Indian are ashore as are support elements of 12th Army. "Splendid!", he says privately. <there is a knock on the door> "Enter" Fr. Emmanoulides: You wanted to see me sir? Adm. Somerville: As yes, Padre. I wanted to thank you for your prayer. It seems to have worked swimmingly. Fr. Emmanoulides: Swimmingly, sir? Adm. Somerville: Yes, Padre, we can't say you know what. Fr. Emmanoulides: Ah, yes sir, swimmingly. Adm. Somerville: Yes, indeed, swimmingly. I wondered if you might offer another prayer, but...could you please tread a bit more lightly on the suffering aspect? Fr. Emmanoulides: Yes sir. I will give an absolutely swimming blessing. Adm. Somerville: Superb! Fr. Emmanoulides: And the weather sir? I mean, what should I ask for? Adm. Somerville: Abyssmal. As bad as you can get. Pull out all the stops. Call upon your personal realtionship with Zeus. Fr. Emmanoulides: Zeus? Adm. Somerville: Yes Zeus. Aren't you Greek or something? Fr. Emmanoulides: Greek Orthodox, sir. It's a Christian faith. Adm. Somerville: Ah, superb, then mention Jesus or something. That should be good for morale. Fr. Emmanoulides: Yes sir, Jesus sir. He is always good for morale. Adm. Somerville: Splendid! Fr. Emmanoulides: Swimming, sir!
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