El Alamein by Jack Murray (most popular novels of all time txt) 📕

‘It’ll be more than cricket balls coming our direction soon, though,’ replied Danny, acknowledging the cricket reference from Benson. The raised a smile.

‘I’m sure you’ll still hit them for six, Shaw. You’ll need to.’

Life at the camp allowed them to catch up on the latest Hollywood films. This gave a sense of normality that felt unreal such was the change to their lives over the last year. The films and their stars were a frequent source of conversation amongst the men, particularly the female leads.

‘Betty Grable, she’ll do,’ announced PG.

‘She says the same about you,’ replied Danny.

‘She would’n’all. They want something they can get hold off.’

Danny spent a few seconds appraising the ample form of PG who helped him by turning sideways and then towards him.

‘You could be right there,’ said Danny. ‘What about you, Sid?’

‘Gary Cooper,’ interjected PG before guffawing at his own joke.

‘Garbo.’

‘Makes sense,’ said PG. ‘You vont to be alone.’

‘Away from you anyway, dreamboat,’ laughed Gregson. ‘What about you, Danny.’

‘Well tonight, Sidney, I shall be accompanying Maureen O’Sullivan in my dreams.’

‘Lucky girl,’ said PG. ‘If she needs a real man you know where to find me.’

‘I’ll bear it in mind,’ nodded Danny in a serious manner. ‘What’s on tonight?’

‘They Died with Their Boots On,’ said McLeish.

‘There’s a cheery thought,’ said PG sourly. ‘Didn’t well end for them, did it?’

‘Maybe you could be Sitting Bull, PG. You certainly look like one from here, big boy,’ said Danny, rising quickly to avoid items from PG’s tool kit that were being hurled in his direction.

-

The rumours became fact when the commanding officer of the regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Pyman arrived to speak to them flanked by his squadron leaders and other senior officers. Beside him were Major Robert Crisp, who commanded Danny’s ‘A’ Squadron; Major Upcott-Gill, the commanding officer of ‘B’ Squadron and Major Colin Franklin who led ‘C’ Squadron. Other senior officers were also present as Pyman briefed the men about the forthcoming operation. He was a slight figure. Behind him was a board with a large map.

‘Well, I’m sure you’ll have gathered that I’m not here to talk about the weather.’

This was greeted by laughter among the ranks of the men just in front of him.

‘It is bloody hot, though,’ continued Pyman glancing up at the late afternoon sun. ‘Behind me you’ll see a board showing the layout of the Alamein halt and the surrounding areas. The coloured sections represent our best guess at the minefields Jerry has laid. We’re constantly monitoring this through aerial photography but, as you can see, it’s pretty extensive.’

Pyman used a stick to indicate the areas he was talking about. He turned back to the men.

‘Over the next few weeks, we’re going to train as we’ve never trained before. Nothing will be left to chance. This time we’re going to chase Rommel and the Afrika Korps all the way back to Tripoli and then Germany. We’re kicking them out for good. We have the men. We have the guns and, as you’ll have seen with these new Shermans, we have the tanks. This time there can be no excuses. We have to win.’

‘The detailed plan is still being worked out so, you’ll understand, I’m can only speak in general terms. It’s going to be a night attack.’

Pyman paused while the ranks of men took this in. With each passing day it had become clear that a big push was in the offing. The news that it was to commence at night was a shock. Although many of the tank crews had been involved in some night-time firefights this was the first time an attack on such a scale had been considered. There was a moment of silence and then a low mumble from some of the men. Pyman held his hand up to quieten the talking.

‘Yes, I know. If it’s a surprise for you, can you imagine how Jerry will feel?’

This was greeted with a ripple of laughter.

‘Yes, it’s going to be a night attack and we’re going to train for this. Now, doubtless a few of you will have considered one slight problem with this idea. Anyone care to guess what that might be?’

Danny raised his hand.

Pyman pointed to Danny and smiled.

‘Brave man. What’s your name?’

‘Shaw, sir.’

‘Go on,’ replied Pyman.

‘Well, sir, you pointed to the problem a minute ago. How are we supposed to get through a minefield at night?’

Pyman smiled. He’d been hoping this would be the question that was asked. He turned to his adjutant Captain Barker.

‘Would you care to show them, Barker?’

Captain Barker held up a strange metal device. It had a long arm similar to a broom handle with a disc at its head that looked like a film can.

‘This,’ explained Pyman, ‘is a mine detector. Basically, our boffins have come up with a way of finding mines without giving the game away to Jerry. Now I had to study this bit, but it works through these metal coils.’ Pyman indicated the coils on the underside of the disc-like shape. ‘They oscillate when they encounter a metal object underground. The Sapper will have earphones and hear a “ping”. Invented by two Polish officers, apparently. It’s going to save thousands of lives because we can work at night, avoid prodding the earth with a bayonet and hopefully catch the enemy unawares. I was going to say asleep, but I gather they’ll be wide awake, trust me. From what I hear we’ll be shelling them all night. I shall let Major Crisp explain in more detail about the attack.’

Crisp stepped forward and smiled. His teeth seemed to gleam against the deep tan of his skin. Danny was used to hearing his squadron leader’s South African accent, but he was amused to see a few straining to understand what was being said.

‘There will be two gaps. One north and one south.’

Crisp indicated on the board where these would be.

“We will be located at the Miteiriya Ridge and will proceed through the northern gap. Now these