Read Online Take or Destroy! by John Harris - Free Book Online
Authors: John Harris
Tags: Fiction
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Private Fidge - the announcement brought a quiver of alarm. This was something he hadn’t expected. When the buzz had gone round that they were going to South Africa, his day had been made. There was no conscription in South Africa and all you had to do was get on a train to Johannesburg and call yourself Cronje.
Hockold was speaking again.
‘I’ve looked at your records,’ he was saying, ‘and I notice some of you have been out here since the war started. That’s a long time, but if it’s any consolation, so have I.’
Well, that’s something, they thought grudgingly. At least he wasn’t some toffee-nosed puff from Cairo who hadn’t yet got his knees brown.
‘We’re here to train,’ Hockold went on. ‘For a special operation that could have a great deal of influence on the battle which we all know is brewing up out here. We don’t have long so it’s going to be tough and you’re going to have to work hard.’ He jerked a hand at the silent figure standing just to his right, and everybody’s eyes switched direction. ‘This is Major Murdoch, and it’ll pay you to give attention to what he says. It might save your lives.’
They all took a good look at Alexander Mackay Murdoch who stared back at them with his cold yellow eyes. He had dressed for the occasion and he looked like a walking armoury. He wore his kilt and, in addition to a Highland dirk honed to razor sharpness, he carried a .45, a .38, and a sniper’s rifle with a telescopic sight with which he’d shot more than one man in Spain. They didn’t like the look of Murdoch, and Murdoch didn’t like the look of them. The advantages were all on Murdoch’s side, of course, because he knew he could do something about them, while they knew they couldn’t do a damn thing about him.
Hockold was speaking again, searching his mind for something funny to say that would jerk them out of their apathy. ‘I expect you to do as you’re told,’ he went on. ‘And do it well because we want to pull this thing off and win ourselves VCs.’
He was pleased to hear a distinct laugh this time. You didn’t go out and get a VC because they looked nice on your coat. VCs were usually handed over at Buckingham Palace to your widow or your bereaved mum.
He paused. ‘I can’t tell you yet when it’ll be,’ he said. ‘Or where it’ll be, or what it’s for. But I will see that you do all know before we leave, because no one can do anything well unless he knows what he’s supposed to do. There’s just one snag -’
‘ ‘Ere it comes,’ Waterhouse said.
Hockold sensed the waiting hostility and went on quickly. ‘From now on, just to prove you’re no longer what you were, we’re going to separate you all.’
Sugarwhite’s eyes flicked to Waterhouse’s. Waterhouse looked at By. In similar fashion, the Argylls looked at the Gordons, and the Gordons looked at the West Yorkshires, and the West Yorkshires at the Royal Sussex. The look went right round the-whole crowded half circle.
Hockold continued mercilessly, accepting that Murdoch, who had suggested the move, had the experience to know what was best. ‘Regimental loyalties are no longer important,’ he said. ‘The only thing you think of now is this unit.’ He gestured at the small group of commandos under Sergeant Jacka. ‘Ask these chaps. They know what I mean. There will be two of them in each tent to encourage and advise. Otherwise, no tent will be made up exclusively from any particular regiment. That’s all. Training will start tomorrow.’
While they were still gaping, startled, shocked and disgusted, Hockold stepped from the box, thankful it was done. He turned to the sergeant-major with a forced smile. ‘It’s all yours now, Mr Rabbitt,’ he said, trying to drum up another joke to break the silence that hung over the gathering like the kiss of death. ‘Let t’battle commence.’
5
A training programme was organized and naval vessels were earmarked for the task.
As
Hockold was speaking again.
‘I’ve looked at your records,’ he was saying, ‘and I notice some of you have been out here since the war started. That’s a long time, but if it’s any consolation, so have I.’
Well, that’s something, they thought grudgingly. At least he wasn’t some toffee-nosed puff from Cairo who hadn’t yet got his knees brown.
‘We’re here to train,’ Hockold went on. ‘For a special operation that could have a great deal of influence on the battle which we all know is brewing up out here. We don’t have long so it’s going to be tough and you’re going to have to work hard.’ He jerked a hand at the silent figure standing just to his right, and everybody’s eyes switched direction. ‘This is Major Murdoch, and it’ll pay you to give attention to what he says. It might save your lives.’
They all took a good look at Alexander Mackay Murdoch who stared back at them with his cold yellow eyes. He had dressed for the occasion and he looked like a walking armoury. He wore his kilt and, in addition to a Highland dirk honed to razor sharpness, he carried a .45, a .38, and a sniper’s rifle with a telescopic sight with which he’d shot more than one man in Spain. They didn’t like the look of Murdoch, and Murdoch didn’t like the look of them. The advantages were all on Murdoch’s side, of course, because he knew he could do something about them, while they knew they couldn’t do a damn thing about him.
Hockold was speaking again, searching his mind for something funny to say that would jerk them out of their apathy. ‘I expect you to do as you’re told,’ he went on. ‘And do it well because we want to pull this thing off and win ourselves VCs.’
He was pleased to hear a distinct laugh this time. You didn’t go out and get a VC because they looked nice on your coat. VCs were usually handed over at Buckingham Palace to your widow or your bereaved mum.
He paused. ‘I can’t tell you yet when it’ll be,’ he said. ‘Or where it’ll be, or what it’s for. But I will see that you do all know before we leave, because no one can do anything well unless he knows what he’s supposed to do. There’s just one snag -’
‘ ‘Ere it comes,’ Waterhouse said.
Hockold sensed the waiting hostility and went on quickly. ‘From now on, just to prove you’re no longer what you were, we’re going to separate you all.’
Sugarwhite’s eyes flicked to Waterhouse’s. Waterhouse looked at By. In similar fashion, the Argylls looked at the Gordons, and the Gordons looked at the West Yorkshires, and the West Yorkshires at the Royal Sussex. The look went right round the-whole crowded half circle.
Hockold continued mercilessly, accepting that Murdoch, who had suggested the move, had the experience to know what was best. ‘Regimental loyalties are no longer important,’ he said. ‘The only thing you think of now is this unit.’ He gestured at the small group of commandos under Sergeant Jacka. ‘Ask these chaps. They know what I mean. There will be two of them in each tent to encourage and advise. Otherwise, no tent will be made up exclusively from any particular regiment. That’s all. Training will start tomorrow.’
While they were still gaping, startled, shocked and disgusted, Hockold stepped from the box, thankful it was done. He turned to the sergeant-major with a forced smile. ‘It’s all yours now, Mr Rabbitt,’ he said, trying to drum up another joke to break the silence that hung over the gathering like the kiss of death. ‘Let t’battle commence.’
5
A training programme was organized and naval vessels were earmarked for the task.
As
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