![]() ![]() The commodore, flanked by Jensen and Mallory, was sitting behind this when the door opened abruptly and the first of the flying crews entered, blinking rapidly in the fierceness of the unaccustomed light They were led by a dark-haired, thick-set pilot, trailing helmet and flying-suit in his left hand. The furniture consisted of some battered wall-maps and charts, a score or so of equally scuffed chairs and an unvarnished deal table. ![]() The interrogation room, harshly lit by two powerful, unshaded lights, was uncomfortable and airless. "Thanks." Jensen looked across at the burly Australian and smiled faintly. "It is impossible, you say?" Jensen persisted. The cabin perspex was shattered and starred in a dozen places. The grey camouflage paint of the after fuselage and tailplanes was riddled with bullet and cannon shells, an aileron was shredded and the port outer engine out of commission, saturated in oil. In less than a minute the first bomber was down, heavily, awkwardly, taxi-ing to a standstill just beside them. Because I'm not God and I can't do the impossible." There was a flat finality in Torrance's voice that carried conviction, that brooked no argument.įor a long time Jensen stared at the holes and scars of the damaged machine, then shook his head and looked away.īoth men screwed up their eyes in automatic reflex as the fierce glare of the landing lights struck at them, the flare path arrowing off into the outer darkness. ![]() Because I don't believe in sacrificing good blokes for nothing. has often been questioned, but even we aren't given to sending a flying-boat for the sole purpose of enabling junior officers to spend a month wasting their substance among the flesh-pots of Cairo," be finished dryly. But where you got the idea about leave I don't know. I'm sure you are-I was pretty sure you were before I pulled you out of Crete. Just wanted to find out if you were the man for the job. "Of course you didn't!" Jensen cut in briskly. "Too bloody right, I don't!" Torrance growled. The old crate was still awash when we passed over, the big dinghy was out and it was as smooth as a millpond. The commodore nodded again, and Jensen touched his sleeve. Bill, these gentlemen here-Captain Jensen of the Royal Navy, Captain Mallory of the Long Range Desert Group-have a very special interest in Navarone. Squadron Leader Torrance," he added unnecessarily, "is an Australian." Mallory had the impression that the commodore rather hoped this would explain some things, Squadron Leader Torrance among them. "Gentlemen, this is Squadron Leader Torrance. I'm beginning to think that you can count yourself damn' lucky to have had even that much." "Four hours' sleep, Captain Mallory," he said quietly. ![]()
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