Chapter 20

The American trucks arrived three days later, four driven by the drivers of the patrols. Titch was over the moon about them. “They’re brilliant, Boss,” he enthused, “we were doing 50mph on the road back without any effort and the four-wheel drive climbed sand dunes with no problem at all.”

Shaun looked at the little trucks painted in American olive green. It could seat four. The windscreen would have to go, he realised, the glass could reflect light. The patrol gathered around it whilst Titch recounted its capability’s. “Well the first thing is to paint it.” Shaun said.

“I’ll have to see about fixing a mount for the 50 and the Vickers K.” Jack added.

“They’re in the back of the three-tonner along with four three-inch mortars and their shells.” Titch chimed in.

For three days the men worked on the Jeep, as it was now called, at the end of which it bore little resemblance to the vehicle that had first arrived. It had been painted the sand colour, the windscreen was removed, just behind the driver and passenger seat was a mount that supported the 50 calibre machine gun, whilst a mount was placed in front of the passenger seat that held the twin Vickers Ks. Brackets had been made to house two Jerry cans at the back and straps were placed over the bonnet to hold their bedrolls and camouflage nets. Provision had been made for placing the P8 tank compass in front of the driver. The sand mats were rolled up and strapped to the side. The final modification was the adding of a water condenser at the front near the radiator.