"Load the third platoon," the captain called.
A transport, under instruction from a colonel, wheeled onto the runway.
The colonel came running up. "Load that platoon for Birmingham, Captain," he ordered. "Radar traced one down there."
"There's one in the third cortile on the Main Post," the major said.
"Get it with the next plane," the colonel said.
The major trotted off to get a plane.
The captain told a lieutenant: "Take the fourth platoon, Hawkins."
The lieutenant saluted self-consciously. He crossed to his assignment and began to check his men's equipment. The men pulled nervously at their parachute harnesses and puffed at their cigarettes. "Don't forget to hook up in the plane."
Several men were waving out the next transport. It lumbered forward as the other one cleared the field and circled west toward Birmingham.
"I'd feel better with a rifle," one of the troops told the lieutenant.