The Shadow of War by Jack Murray (read this if TXT) 📕

thechurch hall and there was no alcohol. The two boys here were about to leave whenI saw Lucy. She told us there was a secret bar at the front, outside. The vicarhad no idea. Well, maybe by the end of the night he did. By then, Bert and Hughwere five sheets to the wind, but we managed to get them away before it becametoo obvious.’

‘What’s the story with Lucy?’asked Danny with a grin.

This time, Danny had his capknocked off by Tom who said, ‘You’re too young yet.’ This amused Arthur and Carruthersimmensely.

 6

Sergeant O’Dowd relished thisday on a number of levels. He would be rid of the latest batch of recruits.They would become someone else’s problem. A new lot would arrive in the nextfew days. New people to bully. He was looking forward to it immensely. Therewas a fundamental problem with the training the army was giving to each new bunchof recruits. They became soldiers. A unit. A brotherhood who looked out for oneanother. After six weeks, they were a tougher, more resourceful and moreconfident bunch of men. In less jaundiced eyes, this would have been considereda success. In O’Dowd’s, it was a disaster.

With each passing week theirfear of him diminished as their effectiveness grew. O’Dowd’s opportunities forbullying them decreased exponentially. The one glowing exception to this wastheir first pass. Time after time it presented untold opportunities to mete outone last dose of punishment. In this regard, the last day was usually one ofdouble joy for O’Dowd.

The morning was predictably badfor most of the whole platoon. The Gissing brothers, in particular, knew theywere in big trouble which was unlikely to be mitigated by the fact that thiswas the day when the platoon would break up. The platoon scrambled onto theparade ground like a wave crashing against the cliff: uncontrolled, arbitraryand compelling in equal measure.

O’Dowd looked at the riches infront of him and almost did not know where to begin. This was the mother lode.Like an ivory poacher stumbling across the mythical elephant’s graveyard, hewalked along the line, almost licking his lips in anticipation as he slowlyidentified potential victims. Finally, he returned to the centre standingdirectly in front of the platoon. With a bark that resembled a growl, O’Dowdbegan the drill.

‘Ten-shun.’

The platoon’s movement had allthe silken precision of an inebriated elephant which, coincidentally, manystill were. In particular, the Gissing brothers were almost a day late in completingtheir drill. Neither cared much. Both had long accepted the inevitable and madelittle effort to keep in time or stem the giggles. O’Dowd lost no time inpicking them and many others out for their appearance and sent them out running aroundthe parade ground, rifle in air. One by one the runners and riders fell by thewayside. After ten minutes of drilling, barely half of the platoon was left,although Danny and his friends were still at the races.

This was very disappointing forO’Dowd, still smarting from his humiliation in the unarmed combat. Danny hadadroitly managed to avoid upsetting the highly up-settable sergeant. As aresult, aside from extra duty peeling potatoes or night watch, Danny had escaped any direct confrontation.

After half an hour of drilling,there were few still running. Most had offered up a sacrifice to Dionysus by the side of theparade ground. This provided much amusement to those of a more temperatedisposition. It also offered potential rewards to those running a book on thefield. O’Dowd was delighted with his handiwork and made a few bob in theprocess from the other sergeants.

The pantomime was brought to anabrupt conclusion as Budd arrived at the parade. He looked on with amusement atthe carnage. However, he recognised the cause and decided to put everyone outof their misery. The recruits returned to the barracks to await details oftheir next posting.

As they trooped back, the wholeparade ground stopped for a few moments and looked up. Overhead a Spitfireappeared and then another and then another. There was a rumble in the distance.The parade ground, to a man, began to cheer the RAF as they went to engage theenemy. The dog fight was too far distant to see, but the sound would live withDanny.

The men went inside to awaitdetails of their posting. Within twenty minutes a call came from the paradeground, and the men poured out of the barracks to see two planes returning,both Spitfires. Once more the recruits cheered but sound died down as theyrealised there was no third plane. Danny and the rest of the men took off theirhats. They looked at one another and then continued back to the barracks insilence.

One by one the men in the roomreceived news of their posting. Tom and the Gissing’s were to join an infantryregiment. Carruthers was to join signalling in the Artillery. Bob, Arthur andDanny were to join the Royal Tank Regiment. This meant they would be posted initiallyto Tidworth for further training before being garrisoned in nearby Thursley.

When they had all receiveddetails of their posting, they met back at the barracks. Danny was happy withhis news. He had wanted to join a tank regiment. Tom was less pleased. He hadalso wanted to be in a tank.

‘Lucky buggers,’ said Tom witha grin, ‘You get to ride into battle. We’ve got to bleedin’ walk.’

‘Nice big targets for Jerrythough,’ pointed out Bert.

‘True enough,’ agreed Tom.Looking towards Carruthers, Tom said, ‘You’ve got the cushiest number of thelot.’

‘They clearly recognise officerclass, chaps,’ responded Carruthers, grinning.

Tom and the rest laughed atthis before Hugh pointed out the one salient fact, to their friend.

‘Remind me of your rank, PrivateCarruthers.’

‘Temporary, old chap. Creamalways rises to the top. They’ll see sense soon.’

‘Like they saw sense in callingyou up to start with. Don’t hold your breath mate,’ said Arthur. ‘More chanceof Hitler wearing a dress and taking up with a bloke.

‘How do you know that hedoesn’t already?’ asked Hugh.

‘I hadn’t thought of that.’

-

Early afternoon and the groupgathered together on the parade ground for the last time. There was a genuinesense of sadness at the parting of the ways. Danny shook the hands of theGissing brothers and grinned.

‘Who’d have thought, boys?’

‘I know, Danny,’ replied Bert.‘I hope