and Alf looked at their faces. They had both been kept in the dark and Alf was annoyed. He kept quiet for now as Rushton continued.
“This is the port of Gabes,” Rushton spoke “The Germans have been using this as a major supply port since the war began. They have all but abandoned it by moving North through the plains and this pass. These boats you see now are the last to leave. The allies have been unable to do anything about this base. That’s how strong it’s been….” he stopped as they all heard a diesel engine start.
One of the boats.
“….Until now,” he continued looking down at the port with its warehouses, its deserted landing strip nearby. Sand beaches stretching away both North and South.
“Our mission is to enter the town and mop up any resistance left.”
His men began to get excited at the prospect of action last. They began murmuring amongst themselves. Alf and Johnny felt it too.
“Their only escape is by sea now. If we can get to their boats and take them we have the port.”
The men wanted to cheer but knew they couldn’t. Even at this distance the Germans may hear.
“We will take our vehicles down to this spot here,” Rushton showed them on the map, “Which is there,” he pointed to the West of Gabes.
“What strength of resistance can we expect Sir?” Doyle asked.
“There are sentry posts scattered all around the dock. These appear to be unmanned. Nevertheless Doyle I want you and your group to take these one by one. As you take them move on to the next. The strength of the enemy is not known, unable to guess at numbers. Their strongest firepower will undoubtedly be the boats. We need to take them. The submarine we will probably be unable to take. We don’t know if the crew are on board. We can assume that at least some of them will be. Whether it will be enough to sail her, I don’t know. Be warned men if she is able to fire off torpedoes, well you can only imagine the devastation that could cause. The only good thing is they are unlikely to fire with those boats directly in front of them. They are too close. To fire directly into them would undoubtedly damage the sub severely. The warehouses nearest to the sub were known to contain fuel. How much has been successfully evacuated is anyone’s guess. No doubt the Germans have charges placed on that fuel. We must, if we can, try to stop them from detonating it.”
“What about those other ships Sir?”
“Those are merchant vessels carrying supplies and are not armed. Their crews are also merchant sailors, probably Italians or North Africans and will probably not fight back. If you encounter them take no chances, there maybe zealots amongst them and this is a war. Put yourselves first as always.”
“If they try to escape Sir?”
“Leave them! Concentrate on the Germans only. The merchant ships are certainly not ready to sail as we speak and will not be able to get away quickly. When push comes to shove they may well change sides and work for our lot. Who knows with foreign sailors. They will no doubt work for whichever side they think will profit them most.”
“So they’re one step above pirates,” Johnny said.
“Mercenaries,” Rushton replied.
Johnny looked down at the harbour. He could imagine it in peace time. When warships were replaced by fishing boats.
“You will also come across civilians, townspeople. They have been under German occupation for three years. The locals don’t really care who occupies them. They would gain from both sides and unlike in parts of Europe they have not suffered at the hands of Rommel’s army. Some may try to help you, some may not. Mostly they should stay impartial and will probably stand by and do nothing. Certainly most will be in their homes but if you encounter them be on your guard. Lieutenant Dennis….”
“Yes Sir.”
“I want you to take a small detachment and disable those boats. As many as you can. Once Doyle has taken the first of the guard posts you move with him and get to those boats. Disable their engines for now but not to a point of where you can’t repair them. We may need them ourselves. Sergeant Larder I want you to take five men and get into that fuel depot. The rest of you with me will sweep through the town and take the German headquarters. This should