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9th April 1942
RAF Cholavaram, Madras
CO's Office, 17 Sqn


The presence of half a dozen men in the small confines of the CO's office was creating an unpleasantly hot environment, something the ceiling fan failed to address as it lazily rotated above their heads. Sat behind his desk the Wing COmmander motioned to the others to sit as best they could.

"Righto chaps, I suppose you're all a bit bored of kicking your heels out here whilst the Japs are pushing their way towards India? Well we shan't be waiting much longer, I've had the orders from Group this morning"

As he paused a sheet of paper was passed around the room.

"We're being moved to Dum Dum, I'm sure you're all aware that this is a vital airfield in the defence of Calcutta. The Nips are sure to target our facilities in the area and so a new wing is being set up. We'll be flying with 67 and the Kiwis of 488. As far as the admin goes we're to be part of 221 Group, and they want us operational no later than 7 days from now, so we have a lot of work to do..."

10th April 1942
Somewhere in India

George Rivers stared at the Indian countryside rolling past his window. The tedium was compounded by the frequent bumps as the Bedford crunched over yet another pothole that threatened to loosen his teeth. He wasn't sure exactly what he'd expected the job of Junior Engineering Officer, but it hadn't involved the boredom of a four day drive from Madras to Calcutta. Although he was nominally in charge of the straggling convoy it had quickly become clear that the NCOs had not needed, or wanted, his presence. So far even the airmen of the group had ignored him, looking to Sgt Brown and his corporals for orders.

The trucks were taking an advance party of the 17's ground crews to their new base, making sure that someone would be in position to look after the squadron's Hurricanes when they arrived. They'd also be taking anything too bulky to travel by air, the RAF was lacking in transport aircraft so most of the unit's personal possessions were stacked in the back of the trucks along with tool kits.

George stifled a yawn and shifted in his seat, just in time for another jolt to cause his head to thump off the cab roof. It was going to be a long drive.