| 2:55a |
@@@@@"I got Second Platoon," he told Croft"I'm
@@@@@"I got Second Platoon," he told Croft"I'm just about a hundred yards down the riverYour squad can sleep in these holes tonight, and set up a guard right along hereThey's two machine guns set up for you
"What's doing?" Croft whisperedI heard they expect an attack all up and down the line about dawnWe had to send a platoon over to C Company early tonight, and we been holding down the whole outpost here with less than a platoon He made a rustling sound in the darkness as he wiped his hand against his mouth"C'mere, I'll show you the setup," he said, grasping Croft's elbowCroft slipped his arm free; he hated to have anyone touch him
They went a few feet along the path, until the sergeant from A Company halted before a foxholeThere was a machine gun mounted in front, its muzzle just projecting through a fringe of bushesCroft peered through the foliage and in the faint moonlight was able to see a stream of water and a strip of beach bordering it on either side"How deep is the river?" he asked
"Aw, it's four, five feet maybeThat water ain't going to stop them
"Any outposts forward of here?" Croft askedAnd the Japs know right where we are The soldier wiped his mouth again and stood up"I'll show you the other machine gun They walked along a stubbly path cut through the jungle about ten feet from the river's edgeSome crickets were chirping loudly, and the soldier trembled a little"Here's the other one," he said He peered through the bushes and stepped out onto the strip of beachAbout fifty yards to their right, the bluffs of Watarnai Range bega |