Between Fortitude and Folly

Signalwoman Martin wasn’t happy.  “I bleedin’ don’t know why I let you talk me into this.” “Don’t be an old Scrooge,” Dorothy told her.  “It’s Christmas, and these poor lads are half a world away from their homes and families.” “Wouldn’t be so bad if it were our own blokes,” Margaret grumbled. “You know fine…

At five-feet-four, Dorothy Walker was dwarfed by her Amazonian friend; and, not to put too fine a point on it, was just about as pretty as any human being had a right to be.  Her hair was dark brown and wavy, a type specifically chosen by God Above to suit the above-shoulders length mandated by…

“The engagement should begin around 2200 hours,” said Lieutenant Spivac, the Gunnery Officer.  “De Ruyter will be first in line, then Java a thousand yards behind her.” “What genius decided to send in the cruisers before the destroyers?” groused Lieutenant Karl Ziegler.  “No, don’t tell me:  Admiral Doorman, ‘The Fleeing Dutchman,’ whose ass just happens…

From behind De Vries, someone said, “I trust you’ve seen the VD films, Ensign?”  Jack recognized the voice of his immediate superior, Commander Gephardt. “Yes Sir, absolutely,” said Jack, saluting, “I did see the VD films they show at indoctrination.  And I can’t remember when I enjoyed the cinema so much.  Granted, the acting was…

The black powder charge exploded in a muffled baritone rasp—half bang, half whoosh.  As the torpedo shot down the tube, it tripped a lever that started the torpedo’s engine, so that by the time the long, silver cigar shape was hurtling through the air, the propellers were already spinning.  When it hit the water, the…

Chief Doyle was forty-seven, an old China hand, with as much grey as black in his short-cropped hair.  He seemed to have flourished on Navy chow, though his five feet, ten inches wore it fairly well.  Two decades at sea had baked his skin to a plump and juicy golden brown, and he spoke with…