W E B Griffin - Men at War 1 - The Last Heroes

by The Last Heroes(Lit)

  He would dive to pick up speed and then come up under the rear aircraft of the rear wing. That would severely limit the ability of the Japanese machine gunners to fire on him. He could fire on at least one aircraft before making a dive turn away from him. He doubt d that they would try to pursue him. He was faster.

  There were only three planes in the rear V now. The aircraft he had first attacked had left the formation. He looked for it but couldn't find it. He changed his original plan and came up instead under the forward V, attacking the last plane in the right arm of the V, then the aircraft ahead of it.

  He was still in position under the second aircraft when the.50s in the nose stopped, and a moment later the.30s in the wings. He was out of ammunition. He began a steep, diving turn to the left, looking frantically over his shoulders. In the fraction of a second he had it in sight, he thought he saw flickers of fire in the Mitsubishi's engine nacelle, but he concluded that he was probably looking at its exhaust.

  He straightened out and headed back to Kunmin., dropping as he flew. Five minutes out of the airfield, he saw ten P40-Bs, flying in pairs, climbing out in the direction of the Japanese.

  When he called the tower for permission to land, the radio worked perfectly.

  One of the eager warriors of the Second Squadron, to whom the plane Canidy was flying was normally assigned, was waiting for Canidy when he taxied up to the revetment. He had his helmet on and his pistol, and Canidy realized that he had forgotten to wear his. The pilot obviously intended to race off after the others just as soon as his ship was fueled and rearmed. He was to be disappointed. There were four bullet holes in the aircraft fuselage, and two in the right wing. There had been no indication of any kind of damage to the controls or the engine, but John Dolan firmly announced that the plane wasn't going anywhere until they had a close look at it.

  The eager warrior, denied the joy of combat, furiously pulled his helmet off and threw it on the ground, smashing the right lens of his goggles.

  Shaking his head, Canidy started walking toward the mess. (@rookshanks appeared in what had been Canidy's Studebaker. He had been relieved of it as soon as they'd reached Kunming.

  Canidy opened the door and got in beside him. made two radio calls," Canidy said, handing Crookshanks the S. S. It chart. "There was no response to either. I marked where they were when we spotted them."

  "You spotted them?" Crookshanks asked innocently.

  "Douglass spotted them," Canidy corrected himself. "Wh, _11 waggled my wings, he was already signaling me."

  "Did you attack?"

  "Yeah."

  "And?"

  "Having thirties and fifties is a pretty stupid idea, you know that?" Canidy said. "You don't open fire until you're within thirty range, which means giving away the safety factor the extra range of the fifties gives you."

  "What would you suggest?"

  "I'd rather have all fifties."

  "Impossible."

  "Then two fifties with more ammo. Fair over the thirty barrel openings in the wing."

  "There's no more room for fifty ammo in the nose."

  "Then I'd still get rid of the thirties," Canidy said. "I like the idea of being able to shoot at people beyond the range they can re-turn it.9@

  "As a matter of fact, Canidy," Crookshanks said, "there is hardly any distance in the maximum range between them. Not enough to make any real difference."

  "The dispersal is different," Canidy argued. "At two hundred yards, the thirties scatter all over."

  "So do the fifties."

  "Not as bad as the thirties," Canidy continued to argue. "Because the fiftycaliber projectile is heavier and more stable. And a fifty hit is like three hits, or four, with a thirty."

  "I will take your suggestion under advisement, Mr. Canidy," Crookshanks said. "But getting back to my original question, What happened when you attacked?"

  "If you mean, did I shoot anything down, I don't think SO."

  "But you did attack. And when did you break off engagement?"

  6When I ran out of ammunition," Canidy said. stel. Canidy went to th, Crookshanks dropped him at the ho ey were all, he realized, in the ah club. There was no one there. Thor else over at the radio shack, vicariously getting their thrills by lis telling to the radio chatter.

  The bartender, a Chinese Christian from the Missionary Col. appear ed. lege ,I would like a glass of Scotch,"Canidy said. "A double double.' "So early, sair?'9 just the booze, please Canidy said. "No moral judgments."

  He took a stiff swallow, and a moment later another. Then he mixed water with what was left and started to sit down at a table to read an old copy of Life magazine.

  And then, very suddenly, he was sick to his stomach. He barely made it to the john before he threw up everything he'd eaten for breakfast.

  He looked at his watch. It was quarter to ten.

  Crookshanks sent for Canidy at half past seven that night. He slid a leather box, three inches by eight, across his desk to him. It was open. It held a medal of some kind.

  "What's that?"

  "That's the Order of the Cloud Banner," Crookshanks said. "Which I was given a couple of weeks ago to present to the first pilot who scored a victory."

  "They got one, did they?"

  "We got six of the eight," Crookshanks said.

  "That makes me feel pretty inept," Canidy said. "Is that why YOU called me in here, to point that out?"

  "I called you in here to give you the medal," Crookshanks said. "I didn't think you'd want a parade."

  "One of mine went down?" Canidy said, genuinely surprised.

  : Crookshanks nodded. "Well, I'll be damned!" Canidy said.

  "Are you sure?"

  "We're sure," Crookshanks said. "It was witnessed from the ground. We have pieces from all of them."

  "All of them?" Canidy asked. "Oh, you mean the other five."

  "Yeah. Your five and the other one."

  Canidy looked at him to make sure he had heard right.

  "You are surprised, aren't you?" Crookshanks asked.

  "I didn't stick around a second longer than I had to," Canidy said. "Yeah, I'm surprised."

  "You think it was luck?" A "Sure it was luck," Canidy said. "What else?"

  "It's going to cost you," Crookshanks said. "How?"

  "I want you to talk to the others so maybe they'll get lucky too."

  "I'd probably get as many laughs as Groucho Marx."

  "It was an order, Canidy, not a suggestion," Crookshanks said. "In that case, yes, sir, Commander Crookshanks, sir."

  "Because you are such a paragon of cheerful, willing obedience, Mr. Canidy, I have decided to give you a little reward of my own."

  "I'd like my own ship."

  "That's what I had in mind," Crookshanks said. "Thank you," Canidy said. "There's a hook there too, I'm afraid."

  "Which is?"

  "Martin Farmington didn't get back today," Crookshanks said. "I didn't know him."

  "He was a flight leader in the First Squadron," Crookshanks said. "I want you to take his place." When Canidy did not reply, Crookshanks said, "It's another seventy-five dollars a month."

  "OK," Canidy said. Martin Farmington returned early the next morning to Kunming on the back of a farmer's cart, in time to be a hero at breakfast. He -landed his pi bad crash ane, demolishing it, but aside from a couple of bruises and a cut on his arm from a sharp piece of canopy Plexihe was unharmed. glas, Canidy was readying his plane for flight when Crookshanks came out to the line.

  ,You're not going," he announced. "Can Bitter handle it?"

  "Sure. But why not me?" Canidy asked.

  "Because there was a TWX from Chermault. He's flying in here with some big shot. They want to talk to you."

  "He's not going to make a production about that medal, is he?" Canidy asked.

  "All I know," Crookshanks said, "is what the TWX said. And what it said is "Ground Canidy until further notice."'

  Kunming, China 21 December 1941

  Dick
Canidy watched Brigadier General Claire Chennault walk across the tarmac from his Twin-Beech to where he and Commander Crookshanks stood waiting.

  Chennault was wearing a horsehide leather jacket, a leather brimmed cap, from which the crown stiffener had been removed, and sunglasses. He also had a.45 hanging low, like a cowboy's six-shooter, on his hip; and his feet were in halfwellington boots. It was the pursuit pilot's uniform, and Chennault was entitled. He had, literally, written the book. A thousand Army Air Corps, Marine, and Navy fighter pilots-including Ensign Richard Canidyhad been trained according to the theories Chennault had laid down in Pursuit Aviation. Before the war was over, tens of thousands of fighter pilots would be so trained. Chennault was the acknowledged expert.

  But Chennault has never shot down an airplane, Canidy thought. I have. If Crookshanks's spotters are to be believed, I have shot downfive of them. I am therefore an ace. Since we have been in the war only two weeks, it is entirely possible that I am the only ace so far.

  From everything he had heard, the fighter force in the Phifil)pines and the Hawaiian Islands had been wiped out on the ground.

  He wondered what Chennault wanted with him, and for the first time he considered it might very well have something to do with yesterday's actions. God knows, he thought, the American public needs some good news. That an American had shot down five T

  Japanese on his first sortie was good news. It was therefore possible s about to be shown off. that he wa This theory seemed to be confirmed when he saw the briefcaseg civilian with Chennault. The man was American; he was carryin clearly not one of the AVG civilians, and he was just as clearly not a soldier in civilian clothing. He looked to Canidy like a bureaucrat. A little overweight, pate, and more than a little self-important.

  Crookshanks saluted when Chennault came close, and Canidy followed his example.

  "Good morning, General," Crookshanks said. "This is Wingman Canidy."

  Chennault offered Canidy his hand.

  "Canidy is one I recruited myself," he said. "How are you, Canidy? How does it feel to be our first ace?"

  "I'm not entirely sure the Chinese know how to count, General," Canidy said.

  "They know how to count." Chennault chuckled. "Damned well done, son."

  "Thank you, sir," Canidy said.

  "This is Mr. Baker," Chennault said. "Commander Crookshanks and Wingman Canidy."

  They shook hands.

  "We need someplace to talk in private' " Chennault said.

  "Would my office be all right, General?" Crookshanks asked.

  "If we can run everybody out and have some coffee," Chennault said, "Of course, sir," Crookshanks said.

  As they walked toward the building which housed Crookshanks's office, Canidy noticed, amused, that Crookshanks did the little dance military inferiors did to stay in step with their superiors.

  As soon as coffee and sweet rolls were served, Baker got down to business.

  "What is said here," he announced, "is not to leave this room. I want you both to understand that."

  "Yes, sir," Crookshanks said. Canidy nodded.

  Baker opened his briefcase, took an envelope from it, and handed it to Crookshanks.

  "General Chennault has seen that," Baker said to Crookshanks while Crookshanks was reading.

  Whatever it was, Canidy thought, was impressing the hell out of Crookshanks. His eyes actually widened. When he was finished, he looked at Baker, who gestured with his hands to give it to Canidy.

  It wasn't long, but it was certainly impressive:

  THE WH@ E TJ WASHINGTON, D. Mr. Eis engaged in a con-fid6ntial in is-sion of theat My Persona l direction.

  United Stalcivilian agencies are directed to provide port he requests. Militai@v and civilian agencies of the Allied Powers are requested to do so.

  @ranklin D. Roosevelt Canidy looked at Baker.

  "Has this something to do with me?" he asked. said '. "I came here from Washington to see you, Mr. Canidy," Baker "My immediate reaction," Canidy said, "is that you've got the wrong man. This Canidy is a former Navy lieutenant junior grade, now flying for General Chennault."

  "I know who you are, Mr. Canidy," Baker said. "You were acquainted with Mr. Chesley Whittaker, I believe?"

  "Yes," Canidy said.

  "I'm sorry to have to tell you Mr. Whittaker is dead," B said. "He suffered a stroke on December seventh."

  -You didn't come to China to tell me that."

  11 told you that to show that I know who you are," Baker said. "I came to China to recruit you for an important mission."

  "What kind of a mission?"

  "I can't get into that just yet," Baker said.

  "That's wonderful!" Canidy said, rolling his eyes.

  "It comes with the standard caveat," Baker said. "It is a mission considered of great importance to the war effort, and it entails a high degree of risk."

  "But you won't tell me what?" Canidy asked.

  "For Christ's sake, Canidy," Crookshanks snapped. "That letter is from the President!" saw," Canidy snapped back. He looked at Baker. "A flying job?"

  1 6I'm not at liberty to say," Baker said.

  "I can't imagine what else it could be," Canidy thought aloud. Then he added: "I'm under a year's contract to the AVG. I don't suppose that matters?"

  "What you would be doing is considered of greater importance Baker said.

  "Would I come back here?"

  "That hasn't been determined," Baker said. "Most probably, you would not."

  "Jesus," Canidy said, exasperated. "You understand that the only skill I can bring to this war is flying single-engine airplanes?"

  Baker nodded. "Unless you're willing to tell me more, my answer is no," Canidy said.

  "Canidy," Chennault said, "Roosevelt would not have sent Mr. 13aker here unless this was damned important."

  "Colonel Donovan told me to expect that Canidy would be difficult," Baker said, smiling.

  That surprised Canidy. He knew that Donovan was engaged in hush-hush work for the President. Baker was, therefore, sending W. E. B. GRIFI'l him a message. He looked quickly at Chennault and Crookshank Their faces showed no sign that they knew Donovan.

  "How is the colonel?" Canidy asked dryly.

  "He sends his best regards " Baker said. "He hopes to have dinner with you soon."

  Canidy doubted that. But he understood he was being told that if he went along with Baker, he would be going to the States.

  "That would be nice," Canidy said, dryly sarcastic.

  What the hell is the matter with me? Canidy thought. All the questions of rushing to the bulwarks to defend theflag aside, my option is either to remain here, where I'll likely be shot and killed, or to go along with whatever this guy has up his sleeve. The odds are that it will probably be less dangerous than what I'm doing now. Donovan probably needs a pilot, and Im a pilot. It may be as simple as that.

  What's wrong with that theory is that the President would not send a high-level bureaucrat halfway around the world to recruit an airplane driver.

  "Can you tell me what my status would be?" Canidy asked.

  "Oh, You mean who's going to pay you?" Baker asked, "You would be a civilian employee of the U.S. government. There would be at least as much money as you're making now. Including bonuses I understand you earned yesterday."

  Oh, what the fuck!

  "All right," Canidy said. "What the hell, why not?"

  Baker nodded.

  "When does all this happen?" Canidy asked.

  "You'll go back with General Chennault and me," Baker said. "Which raises the question of how we explain your departure around here."

  "What difference does that make? Let them ask Crookshanks if they're curious."

  "The situation is such that we can't let you tell your friends what you're doing," Baker said. "That means I have to come up with sorne sort of credible explanation why you suddenly vanished the day after you became an ace and got a medal."

  ,The Cloud Banner is not common knowledge
," Crookshanks said. "The only person who knows about it is Canidy's wingman, Douglass."

  "That would be Douglas Douglass?" Baker said, brightening.

  ,Yes' " Crookshanks said, surprised that Baker had that information.