“Sure, an’ I dived for him,” O’Malley said.
“You jumped the gun, Irisher, and got in my way,” the boy from Texas complained.
“’Twas only by the half of a second,” O’Malley countered. “I had the spalpeen in me sights. He was my meat.”
“What happened?” Allison asked with a smile.
“I went down on him, but he wasn’t there. I’m thinkin’ he found a tree to get under.” O’Malley shook his head sadly.
“We’ll get him yet,” Stan said. “I aim to settle with him personally.” He looked at the briefing captain and his tone changed. “We lost Kirby. I do not know whether he took to his silk or not.”
They tramped into the mess and half of them turned in for breakfast. The other half remained ready for an alarm. O’Malley was greatly upset because he was drawn for duty and could not eat.
The Chinese cook was elated. He had only a few English words at his command, but the boys could tell by the way he waved his carving knife and jumped up and down that he was a pleased Chinese cook. The kitchen helpers had told him about the raid.
After breakfast Stan was very busy. His new job called for a lot of work besides flying. He did not aim to let anyone take over in his place. There would be no more instructors in the squadron. When he missed a flight because he was checking supplies and parts, he considered resigning.
Headquarters ended any hopes he had of being let go back into the line. He was now Colonel Wilson and he had to stay that way.
The whole personnel at the base had to pitch in and work hard after the big raid. Planes were scarce and so were repair parts. Ammunition had to be rationed and so did gasoline. Patrols went out under Allison to check the damage done.
Allison reported that the raid had been costly for the Japs. He felt, however, that the enemy was still able to maintain a strong force at the village. Bombs and ammunition were too scarce to allow another raid. There were no ground troops to send out. Stan listened to the Chinese colonel as he explained it.
“Today we fight here near Rangoon. Perhaps next week, next month we will be at Lashio or even deep in China. We can only do the best possible with what we have to use.”
On the third day after the raid an orderly ushered a ragged man into Stan’s little office. Stan jumped to his feet, completely forgetting his dignity.