BACK IN BRISBANE
PO Boogie reporting.
The USS SEADOG cruised into the Brisbane River, her colours proudly flying and her crew lining the deck in dress whites as she berthed alongside two other US Submarines.
The Seadog was well known because of her splendid battle record, and received a hero's welcome.
Waiting to greet them at the wharf were the two Canteen Cats, Miss Jess and Harry, who had befriended the crew when they were last in port. Drinks were on the house and everyone had a great time celebrating their safe return.
They were joined by Ensign Charlie, who had been transferred from an Aircraft Carrier (where he was a Top Gun) for some special purpose not yet known to anyone other than the top brass. He was a bright character, and soon made friends.
When they introduced him to the Canteen Cats, he soon proved to them all that he was definitely a 'Jack Daniels' man, and boy, did he put them away!
The cats jokingly referred to these submariners as 'UNDERDOGS" - a nickname the dogs appreciated. Likewise, they now referred to Ensign Charlie as the 'TOPDOG' - or like Superman, the 'UP, UP AND AWAY" guy!
The USS SEADOG cruised into the Brisbane River, her colours proudly flying and her crew lining the deck in dress whites as she berthed alongside two other US Submarines.
The Seadog was well known because of her splendid battle record, and received a hero's welcome.
Waiting to greet them at the wharf were the two Canteen Cats, Miss Jess and Harry, who had befriended the crew when they were last in port. Drinks were on the house and everyone had a great time celebrating their safe return.
They were joined by Ensign Charlie, who had been transferred from an Aircraft Carrier (where he was a Top Gun) for some special purpose not yet known to anyone other than the top brass. He was a bright character, and soon made friends.
When they introduced him to the Canteen Cats, he soon proved to them all that he was definitely a 'Jack Daniels' man, and boy, did he put them away!
The cats jokingly referred to these submariners as 'UNDERDOGS" - a nickname the dogs appreciated. Likewise, they now referred to Ensign Charlie as the 'TOPDOG' - or like Superman, the 'UP, UP AND AWAY" guy!
Several hours later, Charlie had to be bailed out of the Brig by the Captain, Commander Barnaby, who had been looking all over for him. (Something important brewing, it seems!)
After getting Ensign Charlie sobered up, Commander Barnaby called Lt. Roddie to his quarters to discuss a secret mission which would be undertaken by a select few. It was to be called by the code name 'Humpybong' which was an Aboriginal word meaning 'deserted huts' - and this was appropriate due to the fact that Military Intelligence had reported suspicious activities coming from some deserted houses in the Outback.
"The success of OPERATION HUMPYBONG will be of vital importance to our Australian coastal defences." Barnaby told Roddie.
"We know there are enemy spies hiding out somewhere in central Australia. Our Intelligence Agencies have intercepted their communications, but they are either on the move, or they are operating from three different locations. It is up to you and your team to find and destroy them!"
Barnaby opened a map and studied it with a frown before handing it to Roddie.
"The success of OPERATION HUMPYBONG will be of vital importance to our Australian coastal defences." Barnaby told Roddie.
"We know there are enemy spies hiding out somewhere in central Australia. Our Intelligence Agencies have intercepted their communications, but they are either on the move, or they are operating from three different locations. It is up to you and your team to find and destroy them!"
Barnaby opened a map and studied it with a frown before handing it to Roddie.
"Sir," exclaimed Roddie, "If I'm not mistaken these bases are sending messages to Japanese submarines that are operating off the eastern coastline." He paused for effect.
"The recent attack on Sydney Harbour by midget submarines is proof that a mother sub was in that area at the time. Also, we have lost so much allied shipping just off the coast that it has to be the work of submarines!"
He paused again, then added quietly,"But how do we track these spies down, Sir?"
Barnaby smiled the smile that he reserves for those occasions when he knows something you don't!
Briefly, he outlined the plan. He intended to use the talents of the new man, Ensign Charlie.
Charlie had been transferred to the SEADOG from the USS HOUND-DOG where he had earned the title of 'Top Gun'. He was to play an important part in the next mission, following this period of extended leave. He had been assigned as a torpedo man, but this was just a cover.
Barnaby had decided that Charlie's talents as a pilot could be employed here. He would fly Lt Roddie to the locations on the map. The aircraft would land a distance away in each case and be camouflaged in scrub. Then, Roddie and Charlie would travel on foot to check out the suspected bases. If their suspicions were correct, then Roddie would call in the team of commandos, who would parachute in on a DC3.
This would be the action taken until all three bases had been located and destroyed.
"You'd better call in Ensign Charlie now," Barnaby said as he calmly folded the map and handed it to Roddie."He needs to know the details."
Roddie saluted and carried out his orders.
.....................................
The next day, Ensign Charlie departed with Lt. Roddie for the US Air Base at Archerfield. Both were excited about their mission.
Roddie did not feel at his best in the air, but Charlie helped buckle him in and he felt reassured by the steady confidence that this seasoned pilot radiated. Soon they were cleared for take off, and Charlie lifted the aircraft into the air and they were on their way.
"The recent attack on Sydney Harbour by midget submarines is proof that a mother sub was in that area at the time. Also, we have lost so much allied shipping just off the coast that it has to be the work of submarines!"
He paused again, then added quietly,"But how do we track these spies down, Sir?"
Barnaby smiled the smile that he reserves for those occasions when he knows something you don't!
Briefly, he outlined the plan. He intended to use the talents of the new man, Ensign Charlie.
Charlie had been transferred to the SEADOG from the USS HOUND-DOG where he had earned the title of 'Top Gun'. He was to play an important part in the next mission, following this period of extended leave. He had been assigned as a torpedo man, but this was just a cover.
Barnaby had decided that Charlie's talents as a pilot could be employed here. He would fly Lt Roddie to the locations on the map. The aircraft would land a distance away in each case and be camouflaged in scrub. Then, Roddie and Charlie would travel on foot to check out the suspected bases. If their suspicions were correct, then Roddie would call in the team of commandos, who would parachute in on a DC3.
This would be the action taken until all three bases had been located and destroyed.
"You'd better call in Ensign Charlie now," Barnaby said as he calmly folded the map and handed it to Roddie."He needs to know the details."
Roddie saluted and carried out his orders.
.....................................
The next day, Ensign Charlie departed with Lt. Roddie for the US Air Base at Archerfield. Both were excited about their mission.
Roddie did not feel at his best in the air, but Charlie helped buckle him in and he felt reassured by the steady confidence that this seasoned pilot radiated. Soon they were cleared for take off, and Charlie lifted the aircraft into the air and they were on their way.
ON LEAVE IN SYDNEY
This is LT.SCRUFFY reporting from the HAPPY DOG Hotel in Sydney, Australia.
After recovering from the ‘Welcome Back’ party thrown for us by those clever Canteen Cats, Miss Jess and Mister Harry, - all the crew, (with the notable exception of the ‘Secret Duo’ – Lt Roddie and Ensign Charlie – and NOBODY knows where THEY are!) set off in a DC3 to Sydney, which is the first stop in the Aussie tour that has been arranged for us.
The hotel is situated near Sydney Harbour and we have a great view of the Harbour Bridge, which Aussies call the ‘Big Coat Hanger’!
We War Correspondents went up to the Reception desk to collect the keys, while everyone else waited in the lobby. They had a welcome sign out for us! Guess our fame has got around!
After recovering from the ‘Welcome Back’ party thrown for us by those clever Canteen Cats, Miss Jess and Mister Harry, - all the crew, (with the notable exception of the ‘Secret Duo’ – Lt Roddie and Ensign Charlie – and NOBODY knows where THEY are!) set off in a DC3 to Sydney, which is the first stop in the Aussie tour that has been arranged for us.
The hotel is situated near Sydney Harbour and we have a great view of the Harbour Bridge, which Aussies call the ‘Big Coat Hanger’!
We War Correspondents went up to the Reception desk to collect the keys, while everyone else waited in the lobby. They had a welcome sign out for us! Guess our fame has got around!
Some of the girls sat on the steps waiting impatiently for us boys to carry their luggage, but we reckoned that they were big and strong enough to carry their own – until our Chaplain, Lt Bentley, took pity on them and volunteered. (I think the ever-gallant Dasher got seduced into carrying Jazz W's bags, and I suspect that Casey was sorry HE wasn’t asked, and I must confess that Lacey O'Quinn kinda got to me too!) Harold, Buster and Fred just ignored all those fluttering lashes.
When we were all settled, we boys went to check out the hotel bar, but PO Scooch stayed with the girls. She takes up the story from here.
PO SCOOCH here.
WOW, are these Suites SOMETHING! All us girls got together in one of them and had a little party of our own. Room Service provided drinks and goodies and we sat where we could fit and discussed plans for the next day.
We thought it might be fun to go to Luna Park and ‘let our hair down’ – so to speak. I’m sure the boys will agree to that also.
My! Miss Morgan has FANTASTIC outfits and she came wearing one of her pink creations that had been advertised in her magazine, BITCHES-N-STITCHES. We were all drooling with envy! The rest of us hadn’t bothered to dress up, so we felt a bit naked! We have definitely set aside some of our time to go shopping for new wardrobes during our stay in Sydney.
PO SCOOCH here.
WOW, are these Suites SOMETHING! All us girls got together in one of them and had a little party of our own. Room Service provided drinks and goodies and we sat where we could fit and discussed plans for the next day.
We thought it might be fun to go to Luna Park and ‘let our hair down’ – so to speak. I’m sure the boys will agree to that also.
My! Miss Morgan has FANTASTIC outfits and she came wearing one of her pink creations that had been advertised in her magazine, BITCHES-N-STITCHES. We were all drooling with envy! The rest of us hadn’t bothered to dress up, so we felt a bit naked! We have definitely set aside some of our time to go shopping for new wardrobes during our stay in Sydney.
PO SCOTT now reporting on our wonderful trip to Luna Park.
We left early on a Manly Ferry and arrived at Luna Park in bright sunshine. We did get a bit of a shock though when we saw the entrance. It was a big, spooky looking face and it scared the cadets, who thought it was going to devour them or something equally frightening.
Lacey told Morgan that it looked creepy, while ‘Q'Dog and Buster weren’t sure and poor little Shadow was really scared to go in. However, Rhett, Finnegan, Molly C, Fred and Sage wanted to go in, so we closed ranks, paid our money, and ran inside before the ‘monster’ could get it’s teeth into us!
We left early on a Manly Ferry and arrived at Luna Park in bright sunshine. We did get a bit of a shock though when we saw the entrance. It was a big, spooky looking face and it scared the cadets, who thought it was going to devour them or something equally frightening.
Lacey told Morgan that it looked creepy, while ‘Q'Dog and Buster weren’t sure and poor little Shadow was really scared to go in. However, Rhett, Finnegan, Molly C, Fred and Sage wanted to go in, so we closed ranks, paid our money, and ran inside before the ‘monster’ could get it’s teeth into us!
Once inside, we never regretted coming. We went on all the rides and gorged ourselves on food, including Fairy Floss, cakes called ‘Lamingtons’ which were a great favourite with the girls, as well as hot dogs, snags and spuds, (which are sausages and mashed potato) chips (French Fries) and ‘Aussie Meat Pies! We also put away quite a bit of that delicious Aussie amber brew!
Ginger and Keeleigh took lots of pictures and, as you can see, we were a happy band of warriors! Some were a bit ’under the weather’ as the Aussies say, and which covers a multitude of evils apparently!
We also discovered that our brave Boomer, though never seasick, apparently has no stomach for things that whirl around and go up and down at the same time! However, NOTHING stops Fernando from indulging in the Aussie Brew!
Ginger and Keeleigh took lots of pictures and, as you can see, we were a happy band of warriors! Some were a bit ’under the weather’ as the Aussies say, and which covers a multitude of evils apparently!
We also discovered that our brave Boomer, though never seasick, apparently has no stomach for things that whirl around and go up and down at the same time! However, NOTHING stops Fernando from indulging in the Aussie Brew!
The cadets and younger members of the crew were captivated by the sideshows, and Keeleigh got a great picture of them talking to a BIG Bunny Rabbit.
What a fun day we had! We just LOVED Sydney.
Back at the hotel, tired and foot weary, many of our friends were not feeling so well. Many had over-eaten and over indulged in the Amber Brew, and our gallant nurses had their work cut out caring for upset tummies and what LIAM called “Too much of a good thing!"
It also seemed that Charlie Brown had been raiding the girls' bedroom - and had found himself a 'pennant' (?) battle trophy (?) (ahem!)
PO Scott signing off now from Sydney.
Back at the hotel, tired and foot weary, many of our friends were not feeling so well. Many had over-eaten and over indulged in the Amber Brew, and our gallant nurses had their work cut out caring for upset tummies and what LIAM called “Too much of a good thing!"
It also seemed that Charlie Brown had been raiding the girls' bedroom - and had found himself a 'pennant' (?) battle trophy (?) (ahem!)
PO Scott signing off now from Sydney.
CONTINUED
CLICK BELOW FOR OPERATION HUMPYBONG
Copyright - Audrey Plowes - 2010
CHAPTER 6