Chapter 29

In Silverman’s office with Bobby, Bill, and Tim present the Commodore outlined what the little problem was.

“Gentlemen, let me say at once that I don’t think this mission is feasible. The Germans as you know have reinforced their Luftwaffe with squadrons from Crete and Sicily. They have air superiority at the moment in North Africa. Amongst them are two squadrons of Stuka dive-bombers. They are very good at what they do. They pick off our tanks and transport with unbelievable precision. Six weeks ago we sent eight Blenheim’s to bomb their air field and only two returned. Me109’s guard the base. Three weeks ago a mixed force of 36 LRDG and SAS in six trucks attempted to force an entrance. They were shot to pieces, fourteen dead and the rest wounded and taken prisoner.

“A recent aerial photograph shows that they have increased their fortifications to stop any attack from penetrating the air base. Headquarters wants that target destroyed before we go on the attack. That gentlemen, is the problem.” He sat back in his chair looking at them.

“What about a naval bombardment?” Bobby asked.

Silverman smiled, “It was thought of, Captain, but at the moment we have only two destroyers under repair at Alex. The evacuation at Greece and Sicily cost the Royal Navy dear in ships. What is left is now stationed at Gib desperately needed for convoy duty to supply Malta. If any ship leaves Alex it will be reported back to the Germans by their agents and they will monitor its progress with their reconnaissance aircraft. Also they have six E boats at Sollum who patrol that section of the coast. The SAS did a four-day reconnaissance before their attack. They discovered that a mine field surrounds the base and the guard fence is electrified. A full company of troops guard it, and they’re good.” Silverman said grimly.

“Could we see the aerial photographs Sir?” Shaun said.

Silverman nodded rising he moved to a table behind them. “All the information we have is right here.”

The four officers gathered around the table. “The base is here, eight miles out from Sidi Barrani,” Silverman said pointing to the map. “As you can see it’s on the coastal plain with forty miles of sand dunes before reaching the escarpment.” He withdrew six 8 by 10 photographs from a folder. “These are the latest aerial photographs. As you can see there are four sandbag gun emplacements guarding the main gate. Two contain two MG34 machine guns each and the other two have 30mm quad cannons. Those were added after the failed raid. The base itself is fairly recent and each aircraft has a high sandbag blast wall protecting it, as does the fuel dump.”

Shaun borrowed the magnifying glass, going over each photograph, finally shaking his head, “A frontal assault on the gate would be suicide,” he murmured.

Silverman nodded “I concur Captain.”

Shaun stood thinking. He lit a cigarette drawing in the smoke. “What about an attack from the sea but covered by a diversion at the main gate?” he murmured. Silverman frowned “I don’t follow Captain.” Shaun took a deep breath “If a team were landed from the sea they could destroy the aircraft with fused explosives and at the same time an attack on the main gate would draw the enemy to that location. I know it’s sketchy at the moment, but it’s something to think about.”

Bobby nodded, “The team could be landed by submarine, getting ashore with inflatable boats.”

Silverman looked at the officers, “How many men would you need?”

“Just Z patrol Sir; the four Jeeps and the remaining men to form the landing party, twelve men in total. We will need to go into the planning in greater detail, but it could prove to be a solution to the problem.” Shaun replied.

“Very well gentlemen. I’ll find out if a submarine could be available, as well as tides and the state of the moon.” Silverman smiled “We’ll continue this meeting in three days’ time. No doubt you will need to discuss the logistics amongst yourselves.” Silverman said handing Shaun the packet of photographs and bringing the meeting to a close.

Outside, Shaun arranged for them all to meet at the flat, “We will need to bring the Prof in on it along with Cookie. Can you bring them, Bobby?” Bobby nodded.

Back at the flat he waited until Sharon returned home from her duty. After the usual welcome he told her of using the flat to plan a mission. She frowned “What mission are you talking about?” she asked. He explained about the airbase, watching has her face went white. “Shaun, it’s been tried, the men were slaughtered who tried it. It can’t be done I’ve seen the reports.”

He took her into his arms, “Darling, all we are doing is to see if it is feasible. It may be, as you say, impossible but we have to try to figure a way to do it if we can.”

The next morning after Sharon had left for the office, he moved the dining table into the centre of the room and placed the photographs out on it. When the others arrived he quickly explained to the Prof and Cookie about the problem. “What I need from you, Prof, is a large scale plan of the base and the immediate ground in front of the main gate. Cookie, what kind of explosive could be used to blow up a Stuka and Me109 that will give us time to get clear?”

For five hours they discussed various methods until a plan started to come together. Each officer had a task to accomplish and they arranged to meet again the following morning.

At four in the afternoon the doorbell rang. It was Titch who had brought back the Morris. “It’s running like a sewing machine now boss. It needed new points and sparkplugs plus I’ve reset the timing and tappets. The young lady shouldn’t have any problems with it now,” he said grinning.

“Thanks Titch. How much do I owe you?” Shaun replied.

Titch shook his head “Nothing boss, I got the bits from a friend of mine.”

Shaun smiled “I’ll fix you up with some fags and a bottle back at the Oasis.” The Morris was a convertible painted blue and Shaun ran Titch back to his hotel. When he returned he parked out of sight of the flat.

When Sharon came in she was looking worried. “How did your meeting go,” she asked.

Shaun took her in his arms and kissed her, “It’s early days at the moment. What do you say about having a steak at our favourite restaurant?”