Chapter 46

By July1947 the Crater had received a further shipment from Bobby prior to him joining them there, mainly ammunition. But the Iona Star had unloaded two more Jeeps at the Great Bitter Lake along with more weapons. Seventy-eight trainees had passed through the training and twelve were currently finishing off. Bobby had been a great help in showing them how to use the M20 Bazooka and passing on the knowledge he’d acquired from the desert and Europe.

Reports from Ari indicated that things were heating up in Palestine with attacks on Jewish homes and settlements. The British involvement with Palestine came into effect in May and the British were starting to leave Palestine, leaving areas unprotected from Arab attacks. The Kibbutz’s out in the Sinai were being attacked by ever larger bands of Arabs. Only the use of the weapons that had arrived on Iona Star had saved them from annihilation.

Shaun told the news from Ari to the others one evening at the Crater. “They need a fast reaction team in place to come to the aid of the Kibbutz’s. I’m thinking of sending four Jeeps and the two trucks there to achieve that”.

“How will you get them there?” Ken asked.

“The only way I can think of is from Mogadishu in Somalia. We can get an export licence from Mombasa to Mogadishu with no problem from the authorities. Then have them loaded onto the Iona Star in Mogadishu. They’re more willing to except a bribe there than here”.

“How about the weapons and radios?” Bobby murmured.

“They will have to be stripped from the vehicles and crated up as pumping equipment. They can be held in storage until the vehicles arrive. Then they and the vehicles can be reunited once on board the Iona Star.

“If I can make a suggestion, Shaun, you should also include the water and petrol bowsers. Sinai is a long way from the nearest filling station,” Ken added.

Shaun smiled, “Point taken. But we will need to fill them up in Mogadishu. Any other points?”

“Just one,” Cookie said quietly, “Who will be going?”

“Me,” Shaun replied, “me and five trainees”.

There was a sudden silence. Everyone looked at Shaun with incredulity. “I can’t speak for the others, but I’ve trained these men and I’m going with them, like it or not Shaun,” Cookie said violently.

“You can count me in on that Shaun,” Prof added. “Ditto,” Bobby murmured.

“Before you put in your five eggs, Ken,” Shaun said, “someone needs to be here to organize the other vehicles for transport for when they are needed and that means you too, Prof”.

Prof began to argue about the decision until Shaun calmed him down.

“Ken can’t do it all, the weapons and radios have to be stowed and packed along with the ammunition. One of you will have to go to Mogadishu to see to the unloading and storing until the vehicles arrive. Then see to them being loaded on the Iona Star. Once on board the weapons and radios will need to be fitted to the vehicles ready for unloading once it gets to the Great Bitter Lake”.

Prof nodded reluctantly.

“Right then, Bobby, Cookie, and I along with four trainees, Peter, Jacob, Moses, and David will see to the first shipment. We will have to strip down the vehicles and pack the weapons, ammunition, radios, and navigation equipment also any spares we may need for them. These can be shipped to Mogadishu and stashed in a warehouse to await the vehicles. Bobby, you will be in Mogadishu to see to them and take Peter with you. You can travel on the freighter that takes them. Cookie and I along with the trainees will follow on the ship transporting the vehicles. I’ll have to contact Ari Silverman to organise the Iona Star for us. Also, he will have to send the trainees to make up the crews for the vehicles. So, we will need the best six radio operators, six drivers, and six navigators from the chaps we’ve trained. The four going with us can make up the truck crews. I’ll need your recommendations for that”.