***
Major General Keatson had briefed his commanders and they agreed that a small group of specialists rather than a full on assault would be the best way to deal with the insurgents. The men selected were highly trained and heavily armed and were given their orders. They were to be split into four groups entering the underground system from four different directions. The main focus would be on the Northern line, one would enter in the North at Hampstead and the other from the South at Clapham South. The other two groups were to sweep through from the East and the West. Explosives or grenades were not to be used but any targets that were contacted in the tunnels were to be destroyed using small arms fire. Orders were specific there would be no prisoners. Many of the soldiers were uncomfortable about this operation. They had fought in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other trouble spots in the world but never had to fight against their own people. They were also aware that they would be extremely vulnerable in the tunnels with only one way in and one out. Most of the soldiers had heard of John Judge and what he had been doing and many of them had families who were suffering under this repressive regime. So there was little stomach for the task ahead. But they were soldiers and were trained to obey.
John Judge knew exactly what was going through their minds as he prepared his men for the assault against them. He knew exactly from which direction his adversaries would enter the underground system but not at what point so his defensive plan relied heavily on selecting the correct access points. His main concern was the southern route. Stockwell station deep shelter was the base for nearly 200 men and their families. Also, other families and children had moved in to obtain the relative security and support of John Judge and his team. So in all there was over 1000 men women and children housed in that underground tunnel. John believed that the army would enter at Clapham South. The air was poor in that section and the lighting inoperative so they would be heavily equipped with breathing and night vision equipment. John did not view this as a great advantage as these men were highly trained and experienced soldiers, nevertheless, it made them less mobile.
Judge did not believe that the soldiers would harm the women and children and in any case he could not move them out. The logistics and time required was too great. So his plan was to let the enemy enter the deep shelter at Stockwell and move an armed unit of his own down into the underground at Clapham North behind them thus cutting off their retreat. Non-combatants were moved well away from the expected entrance point and small explosive charges were placed at that position. At the first sign of a threat to the people living in the shelter, the explosive charges would be detonated. So with armed units behind them and explosive charges to their front the military unit would have only two choices; fight their way out or lay down their arms. John applied this plan to each of the deep shelters that were currently occupied. Contact with the soldiers was to be avoided so all units were dispatched to jump off points that that would keep them away from the advancing troops as they made their way through the tunnels. Communication links were set up at selected tunnel entrances and Overgrounders were to report on any over ground movement.
John’s radio cracked into life ‘troops being offloaded at Clapham South.’ Other messages rapidly followed ‘troops offloaded at Notting Hill Gate.’ ‘Troops offloading at Archway.’ ‘Troops disembarking at Mile End.’
John asked Terry if he knew how many were being deployed. His second in command responded ‘we think they are using just one platoon and have split it into four sections of 12 men. Do you think they’re underestimating us?’
‘Not at all Terry, they’re professionals and they know that too many of them in the tunnels at the same time would be a hindrance especially with the equipment they’ll be carrying. Their jump off points are not a million miles from where I thought they would come in. I’m not too bothered by Notting Hill; there won’t be any of us on that stretch. Thankfully, they haven’t come down the Belsize Park route so our fledgling government is reasonably safe. Have we got enough men there to protect them? I don’t want to leave them exposed.’
‘Yes, we have two large sections deployed, one at each entrance. We also have explosives wired up to halt any threat should it come.’
‘Good. We must protect the civilians that will be exposed at the three deep shelters so as soon as the first contact is made I want to know where it is and the outcome. I suspect I will see the first action at Stockwell. Good luck Terry.’
Lieutenant Julian Denning gathered his men in the surface entrance to Clapham South Tube station. The other three sections of his platoon had reached their drop off points. He carefully examined the metal staircase that would take them down to the station platform and decided that they would descend at 30-second intervals. As each man reached the station platform, they took up defensive positions. In 6 minutes, all of his section was crouched on the platform scanning every nook and cranny with their night vision scopes. JD, as he was affectionately known to his men, signalled for them to proceed north along the tunnel. The journey was slow and after nearly one hour they reached the next station without making contact with their target. They moved on for another 3 kilometres until they reached Stockwell. JD held his hand up to halt any further advance. Each man dropped to the ground into a prone position and scanned their field of fire, but there was nothing. JD had heard something though and remembered the briefing about the deep shelters. His section was directly above such a shelter. He searched for an entrance point that would take them further below ground. Having located a stairway, he ordered his point man to proceed. Each of the section followed with JD interchanging places with his lead man. They reached the entrance to the shelter, which was dark, but their night vision sights told them that the area was occupied. JD was uncertain about what his group was facing he gave his silent signal to maintain their position. JD deduced that there were several small figures huddled together in groups at one end of the shelter and these were surrounded by larger people. He saw no weapons. ‘Hold your fire’ he commanded. Suddenly the shelter was illuminated and the soldiers quickly removed their night vision sights.
JD looked stunned when he saw the women and children huddled in groups. He and his men edged forward. ‘What are you doing here and where are your men?’ He asked of no one in particular. He waited for an answer. One woman stepped forward ‘we’re here because we have nowhere else to go. Your political masters have murdered or jailed our men so we have come here for the only protection we trust. We have nothing above ground to go to. Here at least we’re not taken from our beds in the middle of the night and thrown into one of your Con pens.’
JD signalled his men to lower their weapons. As he did so, John Judge and a heavily armed section of his men had quietly approached from the dark stairwell to the rear. ‘She is right, she and everyone here is forced to live here.’ He said loudly.
The section leader spun around and reached to raise his weapon as his section fell to the ground in offensive positions.
‘Do not attempt a firefight here lieutenant many innocent people will be hurt. I promise you I will not initiate an action against you or your men. I will come into the light and will be unarmed.
‘Come forward and identify yourself.’ JD commanded.
‘Lower your weapons’ John countered.
The section leader nodded to his men to comply.
John emerged from the darkened stairwell unarmed with his hands visible. ‘Before you consider your next move, Lieutenant I have over forty armed men behind me. The entrance to your rear is also covered by my men. As a precaution, the stairwells are wired with explosives. They are not powerful enough to bring the roof down or harm the civilians here but are sufficient to render you and your men inoperative if you chose to carry out your orders and then try to retreat.’ John paused allowing the Officer to consider what he had been told. ‘Put down your weapon and come forward thirty paces by yourself, I will do the same and we can discuss our next move without any unnecessary bloodshed.’
JD held his hand up indicating to his men not to take any action. He slowly placed his weapon on the ground. The two men approached each other cautiously.
‘So you’re the famous John Judge.’ The Lieutenant maintained a defensive distance from John.
‘I don’t know about famous, but I am John Judge, shall we sit?’ John pointed to the concrete ledge at the side of the shelter. He was about to speak when his radio hissed indicating a new transmission. Terry Bayliss sounded distraught ‘John, we’ve had an engagement at Chancery Lane. I’m afraid we’ve taken casualties.’
‘How many Terry, do you need back up?’
‘I haven’t lost any men John, we have civilian casualties. They started firing from inside the stairwell and then the entrance charges were detonated. I’m afraid we have four dead and several wounded. Two of the dead are children John; the bastards have shot young kids.’
‘What’s the current status?’ John asked.
‘The injured are being seen to as best we can, the military are boxed in with my section at their rear, so for the moment they can’t move either way. They’re pinned down at the rear and can’t go forward because of the debris. And anyway I have men coming in from the other end now. For two pins, I would just take the lot of them out.’
Before John could respond the Platoon Leader picked up his radio, ‘Delta 1 to all sections abort your mission now, I repeat, abort. Acknowledge over.’
Each section acknowledged with the exception of the one trapped at Chancery Lane deep shelter, ‘Bravo 24 we are pinned down and the only way out is to get past some heavily armed insurgents. We will take heavy casualties over.’
JD looked at John for a sign that he would allow the men free passage. John duly nodded his head and called Terry telling him to withdraw.
JD flicked on his transmission switch, ‘Delta 1 to Bravo 24 you will be allowed to return to the surface shortly without obstruction. Do not initiate any further action and return to base. Acknowledge.’
‘Bravo 24 out.’
‘Well, Lieutenant where do you go from here?’
‘I’m not sure Mr Judge, I cannot condone the killing of our own people, especially children and I will not be party to it. I will probably face a court martial for disobeying orders. But I don’t believe my orders including the killing of innocent civilians. So whatever the penalty I will take it.’
‘You and your men are welcome to join us.’ John said, ‘we could use your experience and training. We believe that the battle we have been waging for the last ten years is drawing to a close. Our interim government is putting the final touches together for a truly democratic constitution and I believe many members of our police force are becoming disillusioned with the oppressive role they are forced to play. So, change is coming.’
‘I am already in deep crap for disobeying orders and now you’re asking me to desert. You know something John Judge I think I will take you up on that offer. As for my men, I will need to speak to them.’ Both men stood and shook hands before the Lieutenant walked slowly back to his team.
‘Gather round,’ he said ‘I’ll come straight to the point guys, I know none of you has been exactly comfortable with the task we were given. I certainly did not relish the orders that were issued to me. For some time now I have become disenchanted with fighting wars thousands of miles away, wars that in many cases were open to question. Now I’m being asked to fight against our own people and tonight we were responsible for the death of innocent civilians including two children. I cannot continue to be party to that and have decided to stay with John Judge and his men to help in any way I can to bring about a new and just society. I have already disobeyed my direct orders and now I will be classed as a deserter, but I’d rather live with that than the alternative. So, men, you are all free to leave. It is your choice. Mr Judge has assured me that you can leave here unhindered. The other sections of the Platoon have been instructed by me to abort their mission and return to base. Goodbye, I wish you all well.’ He shook the hand of each of his men warmly and waited for them to leave. No one moved.
One of them said, ‘well I for one ain't going anywhere, Sir. It shames me to know what we were about to do here, so, I’m staying with you.’ Each of the other eleven men took a similar stance. JD was overwhelmed. ‘Do you realise what you are doing, you’re deserting and the penalty, if you're caught, will be a serious stay in a military prison or worse.’
The self-appointed spokesman said ‘well we’ll just have to make sure JD that we’re not caught. Isn’t that right guys?’
They were all in agreement, but one asked ‘what will happen to us after all this is over, will the Army still treat us as deserters?’
JD was about to answer when John approached. He had overheard most of what had been said.
‘There will be no retribution against anyone who has stood up to this regime. I will make sure of that I promise. I have to warn you that you will be living underground like most of us and you may be called upon to confront your previous colleagues at some point. That will be a difficult thing for you to do, I know. But if you still wish to be part of this movement then you are very welcome.’ There were no signs of doubt or discord from anyone so John continued. ‘You will all remain under the command of your Lieutenant, who I believe you refer to as JD. That’s fine with me. JD, I will assign one of my commanders to you until you are fully up to speed with how we operate and what our plans are. We will provide you with sufficient equipment for you to billet down here. In the meantime, I suggest you introduce yourselves to the civilians who live here. Oh, and be nice you came close to shooting them.’
JD and his men mingled amongst the families of Stockwell shelter and after the initial reticence, cups of coffee were provided and the people chatted with the soldiers and started to smile again.
John was horrified at the thought of the deaths of children and adults and felt that it was a heavy price to pay for the limited success they had achieved. He made his way quickly to Chancery Lane to visit the bereaved and the wounded.
John Judge Page 45
