The Long Patrol: World War II Novel Read Free Page B

his rucksack and swung it onto his shoulders. He formed up with the others in a ragged combat formation and tromped through the shredded forest toward Henderson field.
    The closer they got the more bomb craters they encountered. Some were still smoldering. They came to the edge of the jungle and looked out over the expanse of Henderson. The Japs and then the Marines had done a good job of fleecing the jungle. The field was flat with not a single living plant growing within its borders. It looked like a moonscape, it even had the craters.
    As they skirted around to the south they watched the fighters that had gone off to intercept the bombers coming in to land. They landed two at a time, the powerful F4 Wildcats looked like dangerous predators. They sent up plumes of choking dust and taxied to parking. They stayed spread out, not making themselves easy targets for any uninvited guests.
    O'Connor nudged Dunphy who marched beside him, “Love to get my hands on one of those.”
    Dunphy guffawed, “You wouldn’t get off the ground, you’d kill yourself and anyone nearby. Besides, you have to be an officer to be a pilot.”
    O'Connor shrugged, “Doesn’t look that hard.”
    “You have no idea, there’s more to it than you think.”
    O'Connor looked at him sideways, “You’ve flown before? You’re shitting me. If you were a pilot you’d be in one of those.”
    Dunphy kept his eyes forward. “Forget about it, Red.”
    Dunphy always called him Red, unoriginal, but probably inevitable. O'Connor watched the graceful planes landing and parking. He wasn’t going to let Dunphy ruin his fantasy. He’d only seen a handful of airplanes in his life and none as sexy as the Wildcats.
    They finally got to the southern edge of the airfield. The company was ordered to dig in. They didn’t have to be told twice. The recent bombing and their move closer to its target was incentive enough to get busy. Soon every soldier had dug a deep hole. Some of the men had cut down large palm trees and were using the thick trunks to cover the tops.
    O'Connor was pleased with his hole, but not to be sharing it with Private Dunphy. He looked up at the sturdy cover and wondered if it would be strong enough to withstand a direct hit. After seeing the size of the bomb craters he had no illusions. He only hoped for relative safety. He’d soon find out if his efforts were enough.

 
     
    CHAPTER TWO
     
     
    Once their positions were consolidated on the southern end of Henderson field with clear fields of fire and zeroed mortar crews there wasn’t much to do. O'Connor was exhausted. He slumped to the bottom of the hole. Beside him Private Dunphy napped fitfully, unable to get comfortable. “This fucking hole’s disgusting. How am I supposed to sleep in here?”
    O'Connor closed his eyes and leaned back. “You can’t complain; you didn’t do shit. If you wanted it comfy you should’ve helped.”
    “Fuck you Red, I helped plenty.” He held up his palms, “Look at my hand, those are blisters.”
    O'Connor laughed, “First time?” Dunphy picked at his hands. “Look I don’t like it any more than you. Were in a hole.” He pointed to the overhead palm logs, “You think those’ll sustain a near miss?”
    “How should I know?” he reached up and pulled on one, it was solid. “Pretty sturdy, doubt it’ll take a direct hit.”
    “I’m gonna try to get some sleep, when’re we up for outpost duty?” When there was no answer, he looked over at Dunphy who shrugged. “You’re worthless, you know that?”
    O'Connor sighed and stood up poking his head through the slot between the palm logs. He looked around and spotted Sgt. Carver talking with Lt. Caprielle. “I’m gonna go find out.”
    Dunphy punched him in the leg, “Don’t make work for us, asshole, they’ll tell us when it’s time. Why you so damned jumpy?”
    O'Connor ignored him and hopped out of the hole. It was evening, the day was winding down, but still hot and humid. It felt