It was no time to hesitate and Frank knew it.
"Bombs, men," he said simply.
Three hands drew back, then were brought forward. Three hand grenades dropped among the foes. There were three short blasts, and when the smoke cleared away, there were no Germans to be seen at that point. Then Frank and his men rejoined the others.
The situation now was that Commander Adams, Frank, their few men and a few Lewis guns, were beyond the lookout station protected from machine-gun fire from the direction of the Mole head, but exposed to fire from their own destroyers, alongside the Mole.
Commander Adams called Frank to him.
"We're in a ticklish position here, lieutenant," he said. "We're in danger of being shot down by our own guns. At the same time, if we move from behind this station, we are not in sufficient strength to drive the enemy away."
"Why not risk our own, fire, sir," said Frank, "and ask for reinforcements."
"That's a request that will have to be made in person," said Commander Adams, "and it will be rather risky."
"I'll be glad to try it sir," said Frank.
Commander Adams shrugged.