The Atlantic Express
by: justjames17
(© 2004 -2007 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...
 

Chapter 53
Escape from Buna

Charles was shocked by the news that HMAS Stuart had an oil pump breakdown; the thought of being found and caught by the enemy while one ship was disabled was a real worry. They wouldn't be able to run at any speed and would be destroyed easily by the enemies' air or sea forces. He decided they needed more cover, he ordered the two motor lifeboats launched by both ships and had them attempt to tow the destroyers one at a time further up the inlet and closer to the jungle covered shore.

Heaving up Foxhounds anchor the tow was commenced, the four boats' engines revving flat out, water churning at their sterns as the props thrashed gradually drew the heavy ship up the narrowing channel until Charles ordered them cease, the sandy bottom began to rise close to the Foxhound's keel. The four boats retrieved the tow lines and motored back to where the Stuart lay, the arduous tow was recommenced and slowly she was drawn up to anchor beside Foxhound, fore and aft anchors were deployed to hold the ships in place. Charles then ordered the boats alongside to pick up as many crew as they could safely transport and sent the men ashore to begin cutting scrub and small trees and branches to bring aboard the two destroyers to help hide them from view.

The men sweated and worked amidst the jungle insects all drawn to their scent and sweat, the stinging beasties feasted on their blood as they chopped and carted the camouflaging foliage to the boats. The boats immediately they were filled motored back to where more of the crews awaited their arrival and unloaded the living camouflage and began decking out the superstructures so they resembled small islands. After a few hot strenuous hours labour the task was completed and Charles boarded a boat and motored away some distance to check out the appearance of the two ships. He was satisfied that from the entrance of the inlet they were hard to distinguish even using binoculars and he motored quickly back and climbed back on board Foxhound. He prayed that from the air in an aircraft travelling at 100 or more knots the two destroyers would remain unnoticed.

Now they had to wait for darkness once more, the foliage that had been used contained all sorts of beasties which began crawling and buzzing all about the ships, combined with the other nasties the crew's misery increased but Charles said, "Its better to have insects than bullets or shells zipping about your ears lads."

Bryce was standing next to Y gun on the after deck when a young python dropped from the small tree lashed to the turret, it nearly gave him a heart attack slithering between his feet as he leapt away from the reptile with his heart beating a rapid tattoo in his chest. The snake slipped over the side into the calm water and sinuously swam away undulating its patterned body through the sea; Bryce gave a huge sigh of relief and leaned against the hot steel of the gun.

The afternoon wore on and the heat increased as the sun bore down on the trapped ships, the tide dropped and both vessels keels settled on the sandy bottom, Charles prayed that they would not be grounded for too long, he checked the charts and found the tidal movements and realised they would be afloat again in about an hour and a half.

Meanwhile the forces of Nippon were abuzz, reconnaissance flying boats were cruising the islands closer to Buna gradually working their way South East while a few escort type destroyers were steaming from New Britain and Bourgainville to join the search, a number of smaller motor patrol boats were also being sent to poke their noses into shallower bays and inlets. This was in the destroyers favour as the arrival of naval vessels hopefully would not be too soon and maybe not till after dark.

At 2pm in the afternoon an aircraft was heard in the distance, its engine sound slowly grew louder as it neared the area, Charles scanned the sky with his binoculars through the foliage about the bridge and finally spotted the lumbering shape of the Japanese equivalent of the Sunderland flying boat, the Kawanishi H8K1 code name "Emily" as it flew slowly across the lower estuary, the sun glistening on its glass gun turrets. Charles called a warning to the gun crews who were tracking the plane as it passed across the inlet.

The plane turned and reversed course this time flying closer to where the ships lay but again it flew on and disappeared behind the tall trees of the jungle. Charles and the crews of both destroyers breathed once again as they relaxed, Charles warned the men to stay alert as the enemy could return at any time either by air or sea. The day dragged on while in the very hot steamy bowels of Stuart's engine room her engineers sweated and cursed as they attempted to rebuild the shattered oil pump, the task was taking longer than thought due to the total failure inside the vital pump. Their latest estimate now coinciding with sundown, Charles and Samuel both prayed they were right, as they had to escape tonight or face almost certain destruction on the morrow.

The men sweated and cursed as they stripped the seized overheated and jammed pump parts then began the task of adapting and rebuilding the recalcitrant piece of machinery. Skinned knuckles and sweat stinging eyes plagued the men but slowly they coaxed the pieces to fit, by the time the sun hovered at the edge of the world they gave a ragged cheer as the last bolts were tightened as the pump was refitted. The chief called the bridge giving commander Spurgeon the good news, he immediately signalled to Foxhound and a relieved Charles smiled to himself. The engineers primed the pump and tested it finding it operated satisfactorily and in all respects Stuart was ready for sea.

The tide was rising and both ships lifted off the firm sandy bottom as the sun slipped tiredly below the horizon, the camouflaging foliage was tossed overboard and the engines turned slowly as the anchors were raised. Both destroyers moved slowly ahead navigating by sonar down the gradually widening inlet, twilight dimly illuminated the sea as they moved clear from the hiding arms of the low jungle covered headlands. There silhouetted against the fading light was a smaller Japanese escort destroyer, a warship not much larger than a corvette but faster and better armed.

The enemy saw them as lighter shadows moving on the silvery sea, her guns immediately swung towards the two destroyers as her radio burst into voice. Charles ordered the Foxhound's guns to bear on the Japanese vessels bridge and they roared, belching flame and cordite smoke, flinging their missiles towards the smaller vessel. The enemy destroyer spun about weaving to dodge the shells but one exploded on her bridge destroying the radio shack and killing the captain and bridge crew. Her guns replied and her shells whistled close by Foxhound and raised tall water spouts either side of the Stuart behind her. Again Foxhound fired as Stuart steered to port to enable her guns to bear without hitting Foxhound; soon both destroyers were pounding the smaller vessel as its gunnery degenerated swiftly.

The small enemy vessel valiantly kept up its ragged fire until outnumbered and out gunned smoking from innumerable shell holes, her hull glowing red where fires raged in her innards, with engines still turning over, her bow slipped beneath the sea and her engines drove her hissing steam and smoke under the warm tropical waters. Foxhound and Stuart passed by her grave and saw the flotsam and jetsam along with the surviving crew bobbing on the surface, unable to stop and rescue them, the two Allied ships raced on across Milne Bay and out into the Coral Sea, heading South west for Cairns in North Queensland. Their only worry now being Japanese bombers or torpedo planes locating them next day as they raced towards the Australian mainland in the black darkness of the moonless tropical night.

Unknown to the two racing destroyers the Japanese navy was busy making an attempt to force their way through the Coral Sea towards New Guinea to capture Port Moresby and Tulagi by sea, the American aircraft carriers, cruisers and destroyers along with two Australian cruisers were awaiting them in the darkness. Admiral Yamamoto was counting on the superiority of his forces to bludgeon the American carriers into smoldering hulks or sink them entirely. This action was now occupying the enemy military minds, the small pin prick of the shelling of Gona/Buna would be compensated by the seizure of Port Moresby and the cutting off of the paltry force of annoying Australian troops holding up their triumphant advance. This was the first time the Imperial Army had met with any real resistance and to think it was by a relatively inexperienced militia troops was a total affront.

Foxhound and Stuart steamed down the inside of the Great barrier Reef and reached the small sleepy little town of Cairns where they refuelled in safety unknowing that a massive carrier attack was taking part over the horizon. Commander Spurgeon and Charles went ashore together to the military officers' club, their white summer uniforms and gold braid standing out amidst the drab khaki of the army officers. They were made welcome and the cold beers flowed like water as both men relaxed after their mission, a young lieutenant sat opposite Charles at the horseshoe shaped bar, his sun tanned face and startling grey eyes attracted Charles who couldn't stop glancing at him frequently.

Each time Charles looked across he found the young guy watching him then quickly looking away chatting to his companion, Charles felt himself stiffening as his mind conjured a fantasy about this stunning looking young soldier. Several times his companion Samuel had to repeat himself to bring Charles back to earth, eventually yawning and stretching himself he announced he was returning to Stuart to sleep. Charles wished him pleasant dreams and stayed on sipping the strong Australian ale, now free to daydream while watching the young lieutenant.

He saw the lad say something to his army pal and get to his feet then making his way out the door heading to the latrines, at the door he paused and turned to look at Charles and finding the handsome older officer watching him he smiled shyly then walked out into the darkness. Charles waited a couple of minutes before getting nonchalantly to his feet and following the lieutenant, he walked out into the balmy tropical night his eyes useless until they adjusted to the darkness. He saw a cigarette glowing near the shadowy latrine building and casually sauntered in that direction, he passed close by the figure and was able to see it was the young man of his desires.

He walked into the rather smelly latrine and fished out his large cock aiming it into the galvanised tin tray urinal running along the wall, he let go a good stream emptying his beer filled bladder, the sound echoing about the hut. He shook his cock after finishing and tucked it back into his y fronts and leaving his fly unbuttoned walked out to stand next to the still waiting young officer. He sighed and fished in his pocket for his cigarettes, the young man offered Charles one of his and Charles thanked him and as the lad flicked his Zippo lighter Charles hands touched his protecting the flame from the light breeze, the touch sent a zing through both men and the young lieutenant began to shake slightly.

Charles maintained the gently contact as he drew in the tobacco smoke, their eyes locked together in the still flickering flame, Charles dropped his hands and the lad snapped closed the lighter plunging them back into darkness. Voices sounded from the club's doorway as two officers left the building, their voices loud and slightly slurred from the grog, the young lieutenant suggested that Charles and he go for a walk, his voice trembling with excitement.

Charles let his hand gently caress the lad's fly feeling his hot hardness, the lad gasped and involuntarily pushed his hips forward affording Charles a good grope of his 6inch dick. The two men strolled off into the night the lieutenant leading the way until they reached the top of a slight hill overlooking the harbour, he stopped and turned to Charles and slid his arms up and around Charles neck as he pulled their faces together kissing Charles on the lips, Charles slid his tongue along the lad's lips and soon they were both sucking tongues.

The lad broke the kiss and slid down to his knees letting his hands run down Charles muscular back, he brought his hands to Charles unbuttoned fly and undid the top button allowing the white shorts to slip down to puddle on the captain's shoes as he began rubbing his smooth handsome face up and down Charles' underpants. Charles arched back thrusting his groin against that sweet face and moaned softly as he held the lad's short blond haired head.

 To be continued...
 

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Posted: 01/11/08