Cap Mandrake
Posts: 23184
Joined: 11/15/2002 From: Southern California Status: offline
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*******Bridge of USS Boggs, a fast mine sweeper, flagship of a fast transport taffy tasked with evacuating Col. Edson's Marine Raider Bn. from Tanna, 06:50, May 26, 1942******* In the arc of the small inlet, 5 APD's are loading Edson's men aboard. The plan was to already be at sea by now as the Marine Raider Bn. has no heavy equipment and were trained for mobility....and they WERE mobile too...at least until the last Red Cross shipment from the States...650 sets of brand new Samsonite "Silver Streak" luggage. God, they were beautiful...the luggage not the Marines. They just weren't very practical. Men struggle at every APD to get the luggage up the cargo netting. A half dozen boats wait in line near the APD's to load another 100 Marines...and their luggage. The glow in the East means the sun will be up any minute. Cpt. C. Griswold, USN, CO of the TF, paces nervously. From a nearby boat, a young Marine is heard to exclaim..> Young Marine: Sargeant, I forgot my make up case! Sarge: **** the make-up case! 2nd Marine: Oh, come on Sarge. It's a set. Sarge: All, right Goddamnit! But this is the last time. And I don't want anyone telling me they need to pee either. Go while we are ashore or hold it. Boatswain! Take us back in. Cpt. C. Griswold, USN: <quietly> Madre de Dios! <he is not the kind of man to take the Lord's name in vain, or the Mother of Jesus either, but somebody told him once it is OK if you say it in a foreign language. Deep inside, he knew that was a REALLY lame rationalization, but this is the worst stress he has been subjected to since his wedding night when his new bride giggled when he disrobed. He closed his eyes to shut out the memory. When he opened them again, the reality was hardly any better> Signal all ships to make steam. Lookout: Enemy planes bearing two seven zero! Cpt. C. Griswold, USN: <He rushes to the port side of the flying bridge. As he does so his hand comes to rest on a large red button, which belongs to an invention of his own design, now undergoing its first oeprational field test aboard Boggs......the Mk 12(G) ganged, all-weather, omnidirectional flare dispenser. All acitivity stops as six flares arc skyward in a perfect symmetrical pattern. I have to admit the thing worked perfectly in its first field trial> Madre de Dios y su Nino, Jesus!* *Edited: Forgot to capitalize "Jesus" <makes sign of the cross>
< Message edited by Cap Mandrake -- 10/8/2010 4:36:13 PM >
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