CHAPTER SIXTEEN
BEACH LANDING
The convoy in which they moved out into the Pacific again was quite different from that in which they had come across. There were beach landing boats of many kinds in the great fleet. Though this indicated that they were to go ashore on some beach, Nancy’s unit had no idea what island that would be. To most it was a matter of indifference, but to Nancy it was immensely important in which direction their convoy moved.
In her musette bag she had tucked away the little map Bruce had drawn for her, with the names of Tommy’s bomber crew. She would never give up hope of learning more from some of them as to Tommy’s fate.
The crowded transport on which they traveled could not supply all with sleeping quarters. Nancy and Mabel were among the women who volunteered to sleep on deck the first night. The second night they took a turn below, but found it so crowded, and the air so bad they preferred their bed rolls on deck. Bathing was practically taboo, as their water supply had to be conserved for drinking. The second day out Jap fliers discovered them, so that helmets and Mae Wests were their inseparable companions. Their voyage across from home seemed like a pleasure cruise by comparison.
“I’ll surely have more sympathy with the dirty men we have to clean up hereafter,” said Mabel, trying to reach under her “Mae West” to do a bit of scratching.
“I’ve been wondering if I’ve gotten fleas or something,” said Nancy. “I remind myself of old Bozo back home. He’s always clawing at some part of his anatomy.”
When the Jap planes came over they had their first real chance to discover of what stuff they were made. To Nancy’s consternation she was almost paralysed with fear. She glanced at the few possessions she had with her, wondering which she ought to take to the lifeboat. It was awful to see those busters sending up great waterspouts where they fell, and never to know if the next would land in their midst. What a relief it was when their own planes went into action, and the Japs turned tail.
But the aggravating Zeros came over again in the night. Decks had been cleared and Nancy and Mabel huddled side by side on a bunk, listening to attackers and defenders roaring overhead. Nancy had been in a Florida hurricane once that made her feel like this. All night long the oncoming gusts of wind had threatened to level the beach cottage. She wondered how she had ever survived that night when almost momentarily she had expected death. But tonight she lived the horrible experience all over again. No one could tell as a plane zoomed low over their ship whether it was a Jap or American. Time and again they braced themselves for the explosion they were certain must come. She and Mabel clutched each other’s hands till their fingers ached.
“It’s beginning to look as though Major Reed has over-estimated my courage,” she whispered ruefully to Mabel.
“I never before realized how wicked I am,” groaned Mabel. “All my sins seem rising up to slap me in the face now.”