"It is. It's a very important mission, from the political as well as the operational point of view."
"Warden's just the man for that, sir. An ex-professor of Oriental languages. He speaks Siamese and will be able to get on with the natives. He's a level-headed sort of chap and doesn't get the wind up—at least, not more than most of us."
"You can have Warden. Now what about the third?"
"I'll think it over, sir. Probably one of the youngsters who've been through the course. I've seen several who look quite promising. I'll let you know tomorrow."
Force 316 had established a school in Calcutta where the young volunteers were trained.
"Right. Here's the map. I've marked the possible parachute landings and hide-outs where the Siamese say you'll be able to lie up without any risk of being discovered. We've already done the air reconnaissance."
Shears bent over the map and the aerial photographs. He carefully studied the area which Force 316 had chosen as his theater of unorthodox activity in the wilds of Siam. He felt the thrill which seized him each time he embarked on a new expedition into unknown territory. There was something exciting about any Force 316 mission, but this time the attraction was intensified by the wild nature of the jungle-clad mountains inhabited by lawless tribes of hunters.
"There seem to be several suitable spots," Colonel Green went on. "For instance, this isolated little hamlet not far from the Burmese border, about two or three days' march from the railway, apparently. According to the sketch map, the railway there crosses a river—the River Kwai, if the map's right. The bridge there will probably be one of the longest on the line."
Shears smiled, as his C.O. had done, at the thought of the number of bridges across the river.
"I'll have to study the question more closely, of course; but for the moment, sir, I should think that place would make a perfect H.Q."
"Right. Now all we've got to do is arrange for the drop. That'll be in three or four weeks, I should think, if the Siamese agree. Ever done a jump?"
"Never, sir. Parachuting wasn't included in the course until after I'd left Europe. I don't think Warden has, either."
"Hang on a moment. I’ll see if the experts can put you through a few training jumps."
Colonel Green seized the telephone, asked for a certain R.A.F. office, and told them what he wanted. He listened for some time and did not seem at all pleased with what he heard. Shears, who kept his eyes on him throughout the conversation, could see how his mood changed.
"That's really your considered opinion, then?" Colonel Green asked.
He frowned as he listened to the reply, then hung up the receiver. After a moment's hesitation, he finally made up his mind and said:
"Do you want to know the experts' opinion? It's this. They just said: 'If you absolutely insist on your chaps doing some training jumps, we'll make the necessary arrangements. But we honestly wouldn't advise it—not unless they can spare six months for a proper course. Our experience of missions dropping into this sort of country can be summed up as follows: if they do only one jump, you know, there's a fifty per cent chance of an injury. Two jumps, it's eighty per cent. The third time, it's dead certain they won't get off scot free. You see? It's not a question of training, but the law of averages. The wisest thing would be for them to do just the one jump—and hope for the best.' Well, that's what they said. Now it's up to you."
"One of the great advantages of the modern army, sir," Shears calmly replied, "is that there are experts to solve all the problems for us. It's no good thinking that we know better than them. What they've said obviously shows common sense as well. I'm sure it will appeal to Warden's logical mind; he's bound to agree with it. We'll take the advice and do the one jump—and hope for the best."
9
"You don't look altogether happy, Reeves," said Colonel Nicholson to the R.E. captain, whose face showed every sign of suppressed anger. "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong! We simply can't go on like this, sir! I tell you, it's hopeless! I'd already decided to approach you on the subject today. And here's Major Hughes, who'll back me up."
"What's wrong?" the Colonel repeated with a frown.
"I agree with Reeves completely, sir," said Hughes, who had left the building yards to join the C.O. "I also wanted to tell you this simply can't go on."
"But what?"
"It's utter chaos, sir. Never in the whole of my career have I seen such carelessness and lack of system. We're getting nowhere like this, just marking time. Everyone gives contradictory orders. These fellows, the Japs, haven't the vaguest idea of man management. If they insist on interfering with the work, there's not a hope of ever getting it done."
The situation had certainly improved since the British officers had been put in charge of the squads, but although there were noticeable signs of progress in the quality as well as the quantity of the work, it was quite clear that things were far from perfect.
"Explain yourselves. You first, Reeves."
"Sir," said the Captain, taking a sheet of paper out of his pocket, "I've only made a note of the more glaring blunders; otherwise the list would go on forever."
"Go ahead. I'm here to listen to any reasonable complaint, and to consider any suggestion. I can see there's something wrong. It's up to you to tell me what."
"Well, in the first place, sir, it's utter folly to build the bridge on this bit of ground."