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tocaff -> RE: Where? (7/27/2009 9:13:15 PM)
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March 23, 1942
Homan was raided today by 54 Zeros (5 destroyed) and they were met by 19 P-40Es (9 destroyed & 1 damaged). This isn't good for the AVG, but in the long run the Japanese pilot pool suffers.
Houston & Boise are under ASW escort and will arrive at PH tomorrow.
Bill literally races into Ed's office and says, "We got it! They're building up at Truk! It's a really large body of troops there, though we can't tell exactly how many. Now your lunch with the Admiral today should be very interesting. Those code breakers surely earned their pay on this one. I wonder how we'll respond to this?" "Well calm yourself down Bill and I'll tell you all about lunch later. I'm going to head upstairs now as long as we've got something to talk about." With that Ed heads out of the office.
Aboard the Palawan Capt Demesa is a little upset that his favorite pair of slippers have managed to somehow be reduced to a left footed single. "Where's that sneaky little mutt?" he thunders. The crew manages a straight face around the bridge, but below decks the laughter reverberates through the passageways. Red is busy looking for the little 4 legged thief and finds Lucky, where else but at the galley begging for food.
Ed returns to the office late in the afternoon and says that, "I'm going to a staff meeting tonight and The President will be there. Me a lowly Captain, why? Get me everything that you can about this Truk situation." Bill calls the staff together and sets them to work and calls the code breakers to see if they've got anything else.
That night the staff meeting goes quickly and Ed says nothing, just hands Admiral Leahy the reports as they're needed. Finally FDR says that Ed has done a damned fine job and that he'd like a word after the meeting disbands. Ed looks at the Admiral who merely shrugs his shoulders. The room empties and FDR offers Ed a drink, which he politely declines until the President insists that he not be forced to drink alone. "You appear to be just what I'm looking for Captain. May I call you Ed? I'd like to offer you a position on my personal staff and I know that you'll lose your chance to command the Atlanta, but later, if I can spare you, I'll get you something bigger and better as will befit your new rank. If you work for me there'll be an immediate promotion as you'll need the clout to get things done. There's no rush for you to give me an answer so any time between now and when you leave after finishing your drink will do." FDR sits in his wheelchair smiling, enjoying his drink and a smoke. Ed knows when he's been had and says, "I'd be honored to help out in any way that I can sir." FDR smiles and says, "Admiral Leahy said you were a damned fine officer and would answer the call. You'll start work in one week. By then you'll have been promoted and squared away your present posting. Goodnight Ed." "Goodnight Sir," Ed answers and he is shown out by one of the White House domestic staff.
Yesterday a Polish newspaper editor was beheaded for listening to the BBC.
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