Read Online Pride and the Anguish by Douglas Reeman - Free Book Online Page A

crunching over broken glass as it moved out into the stampeding people and din of traffic.
    The drive seemed endless. Several times they had to wait while abandoned cars were dragged from the road by sweating, angry soldiers. And on several occasions Trewin had to fight off vague, distorted faces which surged against the doors like part of his nightmares.
    At the waterfront he found some sort of order at last. Apart from the occasional flash of gunfire from the anchored ships, the whole area was in darkness. Motor boats chugged back and forth, full to the gunwales with men of every age and rank who were trying to reach their ships. Some were yelling questions which nobody ever seemed to answer, others were still too dazed or drunk to care.
    By the time Trewin climbed back aboard the
Porcupine
the sky was already brighter and the sound of aircraft was gone. Men were clustered at the guns, and others stood uncertainly by the guardrails watching the glowing fires ashore and listening to the distant wail of sirens and the murmur of a million voices.
    Mallory gripped Trewin’s sleeve. “You made it then.” He sounded relieved. “It’s been like a madhouse here!”
    Trewin ran up the bridge ladder and entered Corbett’s day cabin. Corbett was speaking into the shore telephone, but his pale eyes fastened on Trewin’s face as he waved him to a chair.
    He said, “Very well, sir. I got that.” His fingers drummed on the desk in a sharp tattoo. “I said I
got
that!” He slammed down the telephone angrily. “Bloody civilians! They should have ratings on the switchboard.”
    Corbett looked alert and neat, and Trewin found time to wonder how he had managed to arrive aboard before him, if at all.
    â€œPrepare to get under way.” Corbett stood up and stared absently at a chart. “This is the real thing, I’m afraid.” He looked hard at Trewin’s face and added shortly, “Our military defences at Kota Bharu to the north are under attack. Intelligence reportsa strong Japanese assault over the border in Siam as well.” He tapped the chart. “Two landings there apparently. Patani and Singora. But the Malayan one is the more serious. Kota Bharu has our main northern airfield. They say the enemy are pouring in troops and aircraft by the hour, and the whole coast is under bombardment from warships.”
    Trewin felt his stomach muscles tense. “So the impossible has happened!”
    Corbett’s eyes gleamed in the desk light like stones. “Don’t be so damned melodramatic! The attacker always has the advantage. This had to be expected.” He picked up his cap. “Anyway, in twenty-four hours the Japs’ll have a bit more to deal with than a few dozy soldiers!”
    Trewin asked, “Why was the city left unguarded, sir?” He seemed to hear the cries and the sullen thunder of collapsing buildings. “They went and dropped their bombs just where they pleased!”
    Corbett picked an invisible thread from his shirt. “The R.A.F. gave warning in plenty of time, Trewin. It appears that the city authorities neglected to keep the A.R.P. headquarters manned at night, and no one could be found to switch off the light power supply!” He eyed Trewin coldly. “As I just said. Damned civilians! You just can’t rely on ’em!”
    There was a rush of feet along the sidedeck and the sound of a boat thudding against the hull. Corbett stared at his clock and said firmly, “We sail in one hour. All libertymen should be aboard by then.” He frowned at Trewin. “If not, I’ll want to know why!”
    Nimmo, the chief E.R.A., tapped at the door and peered at the captain. “Engine room ready, sir.” He was unshaven and dishevelled, and his white overalls were open to his navel. He must have run naked from his bunk at the first alarm.
    Corbett said, “Thank you. You can stand by as from now.” As