Parer's War Page #5

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I just can't see how

to bust this thing up.

How can I quit when I owe Ken?

Holy Mary,

guide me to do what's right.

Damien...

You sure resigning's the answer?

I'm rooted if I don't, George.

I'm never gonna last there.

They'll make sure of that.

Thought about where you're going?

Not yet.

I've got three months notice

to serve out of the DOl.

And then I'm off to make my infantry

film, whether they like it or not.

Is that all you can manage?

That Double Mountain track's

worse than Kokoda, Warfey.

Then I won't have to explain

why you're living on hard rations

if that at all.

It's our bloody supply trail.

Ha! Good-o.

Any chance of a cuppa?

This is Damien, Scotty.

He's a good bloke.

Try not to lose him.

He wants to take some pictures

up at Ambush Knoll.

We're dug in just up here.

I wouldn't have thought

stand-and-defend was the go

for you punch-and-piss-off boys.

Ah, it is if Warfey says it is.

Lieutenant Garland here?

Ah, Damien Parer, this is Judy.

He wants to dope out

the Japs' earthworks.

And Judy's men, they had a big hand

in taking this place.

Must have taken a bit of dash

to do that.

Crikey! How did you manage

to winkle them out of this possie?

We didn't have to.

They decided to leave.

It wasn't worth their while.

Can you spot 'em from here?

Not unless we can bait them into

lobbing something our way.

Yeah, just don't tempt 'em

too close, Hughie.

What, and spoil the fun?

Right five degrees.

Fire.

Got it. Here she comes.

Hopeless.

They're still ranging too low.

Damien!

Here!

Move over, then,

you smart bastard.

Here go the Beaufighters.

Our camera's going to ride in one,

capturing some of the most

sensational pictures of the war.

Nice shooting, skipper.

They're feeling awful sick.

They're throwing back plenty

at us,

and lead is whistling all around.

Away to port,

there's an untouched ship.

The staff aboard and others

are not so happy about the war.

I think you should write to him.

I will not. He hasn't written to me.

I couldn't care less.

Well, how can he, Marie,

when you haven't even told him

where you are now?

Marie, wasn't it fantastic?

Um... I thought you would have.

With the Oscar all over the news,

you don't feel it's a trifle

churlish of an old friend

not to offer congratulations?

Living in hope, are you?

It's in the eyes, Jock.

How many Yanks you have to kiss

to get hold of this, Damien?

He's a trollop, Doc.

Middle of Tobruk, he shows up

with a camera in one hand,

suitcase full of grog in the other.

Get a good look at

those Jap earthworks?

It's like a fortress.

Beats me how Garland's crew dug...

how many Japs out of there?

Between him and Hughie's crew,

a couple of hundred.

What did Brigade have to say?

Any chance of relieving those boys

in the morning?

If there was, I would have done it.

Any mail for them down there?

A bit of news from home

would give 'em a lift.

Platoon can take it up

in the morning.

There's one there

waiting for you too, Damien.

Alright.

Not for me.

I've gotta get back up that ridge.

No more targets of opportunity,

Johnny. Conserve every shot.

Hey, Jonno.

Yeah, mate.

Afternoon shift, eh?

Oh, shut up.

G'day, mate.

Oh.

Get out of there.

Get out of there!

Get back to the fallback position!

Aah! NO!

Jock, get out of there!

I'm sorry, Damien. I'm really

sorry. Can it be fixed?

No, I don't think so. Not here.

I just didn't see you.

That's...

Really bloody sorry.

It's alright. I'm... I'm rooted.

It's no use crying over spilt milk.

There's no filming for me here.

Either of you cop a hit?

No, just his camera.

That's a bastard.

Anything you can do about it?

No. I'll have to head back

to Moresby

and see if I can get it fixed.

Then you'd better get going

tomorrow morning.

The Nips are pouring out of

Salamaua like bloody ants.

Hail Mary, full of grace.

Blessed art thou amongst women.

Holy Mother, pray for us sinners.

It's not looking too good here.

Watch over these men,

and grant them with your protection.

Lost the phone to Ambush Knoll.

Line's gone dead.

They've cut the line? That means

that they're on our supply trail.

How are we supposed to

get that gear up there now?

I've told young Judy to hold on,

we're coming.

So that's what has to happen.

Right!

You can hear the rate

of fire up there,

so you know they've had the dick

with no resupply.

Our supply lines are gone.

And north's the only approach

the Japs won't be expecting,

'cause only a f***ing idiot

would try to climb it.

Any takers?

Too right.

Yes, sir. I'm in.

Yeah, mate.

Yes, sir.

Major.

Right. Get to it.

Bugger off, Damien.

What are you still doing here?

I thought I'd stick around

and make myself useful.

Oh, did you? Well, you'll be bloody

asking for it going up there.

I'm just as likely to cop it trying

to get out of here, George.

I reckon he's volunteering, boss.

Look, see, I'll do what Scotty says

and scoot if it gets too hot.

For God's sake, don't get knocked,

or I'll be for the chop.

There's ammo!

Water and bully beef too!

Knocks it out of you, eh?

I haven't cracked a fat in months.

Half your luck.

Here, boys.

Thanks, Doc.

I've got a girl back home

who mightn't be too happy about it.

Whereabouts?

Melbourne.

She's in the Land Army.

Country girl?

No.

Never got her hands dirty

in her life.

Reckons I might not know her

when I get back.

You getting married?

Yeah, one day.

What about you?

You got a girl back home?

No.

Try not to think about it.

Go on, mate.

You've gotta have something better

to think about

than this bloody life.

Hey, load me up too, will you?

Hughie, ammo!

I'm coming for you!

You're gonna die tonight!

Get stuffed, Tojo!

Have a go then, you bastards!

Banzai!

Hey!

Banzai!

Banzai!

Hang in there, boy.

Any time you're ready, Damien.

What are we doing?

Not another bloody thing,

for the rest of today, anyway.

Nips have given it up

as a bad joke.

They've withdrawn?

Four hours ago.

We've just relieved the boys

up there.

Oh.

They named that north-facing

feature Parer's Bowl,

seeing as how you wore

a f***in' road through it.

So what's the story

with this busted camera of yours?

You did a good job of it, Jock.

Yeah, you wouldn't want to

get in his way when he's bolting.

You know, I reckon we could fix

this. It'll need some soldering.

Thought that'd do the trick.

Yes!

Oh, you bloody beaut!

Oh, lost my favourite lens,

but I could make it work.

Doc!

Bench Cut recce patrol.

Jock Erskine's copped a load.

Oh, that's a bastard.

How far away?

About an hour up the track.

It's an LMG load.

Won't be a tick.

You coming?

Course I bloody am.

Looks like you've scored yourself

a homer, Jock.

Righto. Let's get him back.

You're right, mate.

You'll be right.

You'll be right, Jock.

We'll be doing a stalk

on the vermin for this one.

The more, the bloody better.

Get your head down,

you idiot!

Nice and slow.

Timbered Knoll's gonna be

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