1 00:00:05,639 --> 00:00:09,919 Speaker 1: Hello from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. 2 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:14,000 We're taking a break from posting new episodes, but I 3 00:00:14,039 --> 00:00:17,760 still want to bring you the regular dose of adventure. 4 00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:21,879 Please enjoy this episode, which was originally played on our 5 00:00:21,920 --> 00:00:51,200 World War II series The War. Welcome to the War 6 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:55,399 from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. If 7 00:00:55,439 --> 00:00:57,759 you have a comment, send it to me at Box 8 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:03,200 thirteen at Great Detectives Dot Well. Today we have a 9 00:01:03,280 --> 00:01:07,920 special treat for you. Today's episode is fictional, but it 10 00:01:07,959 --> 00:01:12,040 could very well have actually happened that way. The writer 11 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:17,079 was associated with naval fiction, though definitely from another era. 12 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:21,840 Speaker 2: However. CS Foster, famous for the Horatio Hornblower series, Broke 13 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:26,640 the Ship, a realistic novel of Navy combat in World 14 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:29,719 War Two that was so realistic that it was chosen 15 00:01:29,760 --> 00:01:32,719 as a selection for Words at War. So here now 16 00:01:32,799 --> 00:01:36,760 from July twenty fourth, nineteen forty three is the Ship. 17 00:01:43,359 --> 00:01:46,239 Speaker 3: Words that War presents the ship. 18 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:48,319 Speaker 4: Well. 19 00:01:58,799 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 5: With half a million men in the Royal Navy, it 20 00:02:01,799 --> 00:02:05,000 is inevitable that there should be some coincidence of names 21 00:02:05,040 --> 00:02:08,400 and ranks between characters in this book and officers and 22 00:02:08,479 --> 00:02:12,000 ratings now serving That is so inevitable that the author 23 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:16,000 has made no attempt to avoid any such coincidence. All 24 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:18,400 he can do is to assure the reader that he 25 00:02:18,439 --> 00:02:22,159 has attempted neither portraits nor caricature of any living person. 26 00:02:29,759 --> 00:02:31,759 Speaker 4: You'll find that written on one of the front pages 27 00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:34,199 of a book I read a few days ago, The 28 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:36,439 Ship by Sea US Forrester. 29 00:02:57,319 --> 00:02:58,360 Speaker 3: Words That War. 30 00:03:00,479 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 6: The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with the Council on 31 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:07,560 Books in Wartimes, brings you another in its series of 32 00:03:07,719 --> 00:03:08,919 radio adaptations of. 33 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:12,240 Speaker 3: Great books of this War. Each week at. 34 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:15,639 Speaker 6: This time we bring you selected drammatic episode from some 35 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:20,120 of the most stirring of our war inspired literature. Tonight's 36 00:03:20,159 --> 00:03:24,479 story End the Ship by C. S. Forrester, eminent English 37 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:29,120 author of Captain Horatio Hornblower and other fine books. Adapted 38 00:03:29,159 --> 00:03:31,560 for radio by Edmund Burnbryer. 39 00:03:49,479 --> 00:03:52,479 Speaker 4: The Ship is a glorious yawn about a glorious British 40 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:55,879 vessel and the men aboard her. A novel, yet as 41 00:03:55,879 --> 00:03:58,639 you read it, you feel you're reading facts. It's tough, 42 00:03:58,840 --> 00:04:02,560 authentic gripping this yawn. I read it and I was excited. 43 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:03,599 I hope you. 44 00:04:03,599 --> 00:04:04,199 Speaker 3: Will be too. 45 00:04:13,719 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 4: If the convoy didn't get through marta might fall. The 46 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:21,240 convoy had to get through, and there were only these 47 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:24,079 five light cruisers and a dozen destroyers to get it through. 48 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:28,959 The ship HMS Artemis was a light cruiser. 49 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:38,319 Speaker 7: Most did smoking the starboard vow green won nine. Most 50 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:41,560 did smoking the starboard bow green won nine. 51 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 4: Some men would have been uncomfortable in the crow's nest, 52 00:04:45,759 --> 00:04:50,279 not so ordinary seamen Harold Quimsby, whose idea of happiness 53 00:04:50,399 --> 00:04:54,279 was a full belly and nothing particular to do. Thanks 54 00:04:54,319 --> 00:04:56,879 to many hours of practice, Quimsby was able to watch 55 00:04:56,920 --> 00:05:00,319 the whole horizon forward of the beam without allowing any 56 00:05:00,319 --> 00:05:03,439 of his automatic movements to break into his inner thoughts. 57 00:05:04,279 --> 00:05:06,519 He was thinking now of his first sea boys, back 58 00:05:06,560 --> 00:05:10,360 in the almost unbelievably distant days of nineteen thirty nine. 59 00:05:11,199 --> 00:05:13,000 Speaker 3: He'd been up on the crow's nest then, too, he 60 00:05:13,079 --> 00:05:14,680 remembered when. 61 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 4: His binoculars picked up a dot on the distant surface, 62 00:05:17,399 --> 00:05:19,519 and he'd rung down to the bridge with excitement and 63 00:05:19,639 --> 00:05:20,800 sea sickness. 64 00:05:21,639 --> 00:05:22,800 Speaker 7: Just something over on the lip. 65 00:05:23,199 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 8: Where are you speaking from a head? 66 00:05:25,079 --> 00:05:25,399 Speaker 6: Masters? 67 00:05:25,399 --> 00:05:28,040 Speaker 7: I mean the master said, then that's what. 68 00:05:28,079 --> 00:05:31,160 Speaker 8: You say first, so that we know down here, and 69 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:34,160 you don't say over on the left to you, But 70 00:05:34,279 --> 00:05:37,720 what do you say on the port Bow said, that's right, 71 00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:40,439 but it's better to give a bedding. What does your 72 00:05:40,519 --> 00:05:41,399 bedding indicator? 73 00:05:41,480 --> 00:05:44,800 Speaker 4: Reason twenty one said, how do you say it? 74 00:05:45,319 --> 00:05:46,199 Speaker 1: I've forgotten? 75 00:05:46,319 --> 00:05:50,360 Speaker 8: Said port is red and scarb his green. Remember that 76 00:05:50,519 --> 00:05:53,240 port wine is read, and then you won't forget. And 77 00:05:53,319 --> 00:05:56,279 the twenty one this is clean enough is it? And nursey, 78 00:05:56,439 --> 00:05:59,399 I guess yen, And now let's have your report. Remember 79 00:05:59,439 --> 00:06:01,199 to say where you speaking, drump. 80 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:05,639 Speaker 7: And the Marstead sir Architect's side read two one. 81 00:06:05,720 --> 00:06:08,319 Speaker 8: Pretty good, Crimsby, that you must say it twice over 82 00:06:08,879 --> 00:06:12,120 you remember being too vet the guns are padding. We 83 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:13,560 might not hear you the first time. 84 00:06:13,920 --> 00:06:17,040 Speaker 4: Yes, sir, I mean now, I I said. He'd been 85 00:06:17,079 --> 00:06:20,199 a very green hand at that time, This ordinary seamen 86 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:23,759 Harold Quisby. He felt uncomfortable all over again as he 87 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:24,399 remembered it. 88 00:06:25,199 --> 00:06:25,360 Speaker 3: Now. 89 00:06:25,399 --> 00:06:28,600 Speaker 4: He looked attentively at the horizon, clinked, and looked again, 90 00:06:28,639 --> 00:06:30,639 with his hand on the buzzer of the voice cube. 91 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:37,759 Speaker 7: Allbred Marstead smoking the starboard bow green one nine. Marstad 92 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:40,560 smoking the starboard bow green one nine. 93 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:44,079 Speaker 4: Most of the brains of the HMS artemists were now 94 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:50,639 on the bridge captain and torpedo officer, navigating lieutenant, an officer. 95 00:06:50,279 --> 00:06:51,839 Speaker 3: Of the Watch, and chief yeoman. 96 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:56,079 Speaker 4: They stood there, unprotected even from the weather, nothing over 97 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:59,519 their heads and less than shoulder high around them, only 98 00:06:59,560 --> 00:07:02,079 the thin plating to keep off the seas. When the 99 00:07:02,120 --> 00:07:06,319 ship was taking green water over her bows. Death could 100 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:10,199 strike anywhere on that bridge, But then death could strike 101 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:12,759 anywhere in the whole ship, for the plating of which 102 00:07:12,759 --> 00:07:14,600 he was constructed was hardly. 103 00:07:14,759 --> 00:07:15,759 Speaker 3: Thicker than paper. 104 00:07:16,600 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 4: Even a machine gun bullet could penetrate it if it 105 00:07:18,759 --> 00:07:23,279 struck square. The ship was an eggshell armed with sledgehammers. 106 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:28,560 Mask he had reported, smoke green one ninzer. 107 00:07:28,319 --> 00:07:33,839 Speaker 3: Very good, Give yoman, signal that to the flagship, the. 108 00:07:33,839 --> 00:07:38,319 Speaker 4: Captain replying to his secretary Paymaster, Sub Lieutenant James Jerningham, 109 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:40,360 and giving the order to his chief Yeoman. 110 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:46,319 Speaker 3: So that's that, just three. 111 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:50,800 Speaker 4: Words spoken quietly to himself by Captain the Honorable Miles 112 00:07:50,959 --> 00:07:55,000 Ernest Thawton Harrington Ure, a man of far fewer words 113 00:07:55,040 --> 00:07:58,360 than name. However, the economy of a speech belied the 114 00:07:58,399 --> 00:08:01,000 torrent of thought that went roaring to his brilliant mind 115 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:01,959 at the first report. 116 00:08:05,439 --> 00:08:08,000 Speaker 3: The Italian fleet is out in full force. 117 00:08:09,839 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 6: Difficult to tell how many seaworthy battleships they have out 118 00:08:13,839 --> 00:08:19,360 to Toronto and Natavan. Well know now see them with 119 00:08:19,399 --> 00:08:22,600 our own eyes, see them all, because Italians never venture 120 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:25,279 out except in fulliest possible force. 121 00:08:27,439 --> 00:08:29,639 Speaker 3: So that's that. 122 00:08:31,199 --> 00:08:33,639 Speaker 4: He twisted on his stool and looked round him over 123 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:38,559 the bulging sea. There on the port quarter wallowed the convoys, 124 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:41,879 the fat, helpless merchant ships that carried within them the 125 00:08:41,960 --> 00:08:48,879 salvation of morton, food, new inner tubing, parantiaircraft guns, shells, 126 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:51,639 heavy guns, mountings and ammunition. 127 00:08:52,159 --> 00:08:53,559 Speaker 3: The convoy had to get. 128 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:56,840 Speaker 4: Through, and if it were reckless to risk it for 129 00:08:56,960 --> 00:09:00,399 such a frail as caught, then recklessness must be given. 130 00:09:01,919 --> 00:09:03,399 Speaker 6: You can see the smoke now, sir. 131 00:09:03,879 --> 00:09:05,360 Speaker 5: The flagship signal. 132 00:09:05,039 --> 00:09:07,879 Speaker 6: Sir letter k acknowledge the flagship signal gidioman. 133 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:11,159 Speaker 4: The signal from flagship to port specified that Scheme K 134 00:09:11,279 --> 00:09:14,519 would be carried out under the circumstances with moderate window 135 00:09:14,559 --> 00:09:17,519 bass and the enemy to leeward. The captain had foreseen 136 00:09:17,519 --> 00:09:20,399 these tactics were already open. On his knee were the 137 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:23,200 typerit noorders, which laid down what each ship should do 138 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:24,840 under Scheme K. 139 00:09:26,159 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 6: Signals down sir for ten do you want no revolutions 140 00:09:30,360 --> 00:09:32,879 or d you want no revolutions? 141 00:09:33,799 --> 00:09:37,039 Speaker 4: The convoy was executing a wheel to port under full helm. 142 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:41,159 The cruisers were turning more gently and increasing speed, and 143 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:44,279 the destroyers in the advanced screen were doubling around. It 144 00:09:44,399 --> 00:09:46,240 was a beautiful geometrical movement. 145 00:09:46,360 --> 00:09:48,879 Speaker 3: Stead eh medchips midship. 146 00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 4: Then another signal ran to the mass out of the flagship. 147 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:55,320 It pludded, waiting for acknowledgment, and then went down. 148 00:09:55,320 --> 00:10:00,360 Speaker 3: Darb A ten midchips harve ten mitchi or bridge ten 149 00:10:00,519 --> 00:10:02,639 tide chaps in hide up. 150 00:10:02,679 --> 00:10:06,360 Speaker 4: I'm getting more complete details from Quimsby. Aloft Paymaster Sub 151 00:10:06,399 --> 00:10:09,559 Lieutenant James Jerningham turned to yell the message. 152 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:09,840 Speaker 3: To the captain. 153 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:12,080 Speaker 9: Six big ships, six destroyers. 154 00:10:12,159 --> 00:10:15,960 Speaker 6: Two leading ships look like battleships, mighty heavy cruisers. 155 00:10:16,320 --> 00:10:19,080 Speaker 4: Others are light cruisers. The captain figured quickly in his 156 00:10:19,120 --> 00:10:21,480 mind that if Quimsby could see them now, the enemy 157 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:23,320 ships would be in sight from the bridge in about 158 00:10:23,399 --> 00:10:24,000 four minutes. 159 00:10:24,639 --> 00:10:27,320 Speaker 3: The voice of the range taker began its chance. 160 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 7: Rhinds two or a rhinds two l five rhymes two double. 161 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:36,600 Speaker 4: In exactly four minutes, the enemy shot up suddenly over 162 00:10:36,639 --> 00:10:39,799 the curve of the world, climbing over it with astonishing speed. 163 00:10:40,639 --> 00:10:44,159 Speaker 10: For fifteen revolution for twenty seven knots. 164 00:10:43,879 --> 00:10:47,519 Speaker 11: Or revolutions for twenty seven knots. 165 00:10:52,120 --> 00:10:53,440 Speaker 3: Visibility was at its best. 166 00:10:53,759 --> 00:10:56,639 Speaker 4: The enemy ships made hard, sharp silhouettes against the blue 167 00:10:56,639 --> 00:11:01,879 and gray background. Pay Master, the sub Lieutenant James Jerningham 168 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:05,759 knew himself to be a coward, but sometime ago he 169 00:11:05,840 --> 00:11:07,240 made up his mind to be a coward. 170 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:08,360 Speaker 3: Lacking and nothing. 171 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:12,200 Speaker 4: He spent hours in his cabin carefully studying the pictured 172 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:14,080 profiles of hostile ships. 173 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:16,039 Speaker 3: Study carried out in a mood. 174 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:20,120 Speaker 4: Of desperation, of despair, and he had a photographic memory 175 00:11:20,120 --> 00:11:22,960 which enabled him to recall the very pages on which 176 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:27,519 he had seen those profiles, even the very print beneath them. 177 00:11:27,679 --> 00:11:31,320 Speaker 12: The two leading ships are heavy cruisers Bozano sir. Nine 178 00:11:31,360 --> 00:11:34,879 thousand tons, eight eight inch guns, thirty two knocks just 179 00:11:34,919 --> 00:11:38,480 sure on the Nosa, and the last three cruisers look 180 00:11:38,519 --> 00:11:41,720 like bandonai is. I don't know about the first one, though, Sir. 181 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:44,799 She's like nothing we've been told about. I suppose she's 182 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:47,240 the new one Codonna, and the intelligence people didn't get 183 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:47,960 her a prosia, right. 184 00:11:49,080 --> 00:11:52,039 Speaker 4: I expect to write, I think I am sir. Out 185 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:56,159 of five hundred who started as naval cadet, only one 186 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:59,120 man ever reached the lofty rank of a Captain r N, 187 00:11:59,639 --> 00:12:00,480 only a few. 188 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:01,480 Speaker 3: Grades lower than God. 189 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:05,240 Speaker 4: That's the thought Journingham had at that particular moment. It 190 00:12:05,320 --> 00:12:07,200 was followed by another that saved him from some of 191 00:12:07,240 --> 00:12:09,080 his bitter feeling of inferiority. 192 00:12:09,519 --> 00:12:12,279 Speaker 3: He Journingham could spot shifts better than his captain. 193 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:15,879 Speaker 4: It did not mean he respected the captain left admired 194 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:18,840 him less. He would have admired him even more if 195 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:21,519 he could have read the captain's cool, unflurried mind. 196 00:12:23,519 --> 00:12:28,080 Speaker 6: Out there six of the best. The Italians have the 197 00:12:28,240 --> 00:12:34,519 vice admirals flag on the lead. There a Gentini, perhaps Abougette. 198 00:12:36,399 --> 00:12:40,399 If they gate inches nearly on range, is now probably 199 00:12:40,440 --> 00:12:44,919 open fired any moment our sixes couldn't put a share 200 00:12:45,039 --> 00:12:49,519 within three thousand yards of them. Now they know their 201 00:12:49,559 --> 00:12:53,879 superior strength, undoubted they've been informed about it from the air. 202 00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:58,879 Possibly that's a screen out there for a stronger force, 203 00:12:59,159 --> 00:13:04,360 more heavy users perhaps, and death of ships. Why should 204 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:09,480 they wait for reinforcements two heavy cruisers and four light 205 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:14,240 against our five light bruises. If they know that business, 206 00:13:14,240 --> 00:13:17,120 they've turned to port close with us and finish us off. 207 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:23,279 If we knew ours, we would run like hares. That 208 00:13:23,440 --> 00:13:25,799 the convoy go, that. 209 00:13:25,960 --> 00:13:26,519 Speaker 3: Malta go. 210 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:29,600 Speaker 4: Later. 211 00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:34,240 Speaker 6: The captain's report read at one three one oho hours 212 00:13:34,279 --> 00:13:35,559 the enemy opened fire. 213 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:51,080 Speaker 3: It might be worth someone's wild it. 214 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:54,039 Speaker 4: Phio analyzed why the column of water thrown up by 215 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:57,519 an eight inch shell should be so beautiful. It possesses 216 00:13:57,559 --> 00:14:01,360 a faint yellow tinge, meaning it's of the high explosive type, 217 00:14:01,720 --> 00:14:04,320 and it's really a charming sight against sky and sea. 218 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:08,240 They're beautiful to watch as long as they miss. And 219 00:14:08,320 --> 00:14:11,559 these powerful, all destructive eight inches were all distinct misses, 220 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:15,000 showing us a gunnery control instruments in the Italian ship 221 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:18,679 were not lined up as accurately as they should be. Now, 222 00:14:18,679 --> 00:14:21,919 the British flagship was leading round to the enemy. That 223 00:14:22,080 --> 00:14:23,759 was the way to deal with them. If they won't 224 00:14:23,799 --> 00:14:31,440 come out and fight, go in and fight them. 225 00:14:31,679 --> 00:14:35,679 Speaker 7: Nine one seven to below rine one seven do below. 226 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:39,639 Speaker 4: It was leading seamen Alfred Lightfoot's job to take ranges quickly. 227 00:14:40,039 --> 00:14:43,080 That was his personal contribution to the perfect fighting. 228 00:14:42,799 --> 00:14:45,440 Speaker 3: Hole which was the ship. And he did what he 229 00:14:45,480 --> 00:14:47,799 was supposed to do without distraction. Niney. 230 00:14:47,840 --> 00:14:49,879 Speaker 11: If the shell's got me nine money, I'll get it 231 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:51,240 in from no weather shell. 232 00:14:52,200 --> 00:14:54,240 Speaker 4: Twenty one seconds ago, he's seen the flashes of the 233 00:14:54,279 --> 00:14:56,480 guns at which he was pointing his range behinder, and 234 00:14:56,559 --> 00:14:59,960 already Alfred Lightfoot had forgotten them. During those twenty one seconds, 235 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:03,080 those eight in shells had been hurtling towards the HMS Artemis, 236 00:15:03,159 --> 00:15:04,960 hurtling through the air at the speed of more than 237 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:08,720 a mile in two seconds. Their path was curved, reaching 238 00:15:08,799 --> 00:15:11,720 far up into the upper atmosphere, higher than the highest 239 00:15:11,759 --> 00:15:15,559 out into the freezing stratosphere, before plunging down would toward 240 00:15:15,639 --> 00:15:23,080 their target. Suddenly, Alfred Lightwood heard a noise as of 241 00:15:23,159 --> 00:15:26,080 rushing water and of tearing sheets, and then the field 242 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:28,559 of his rangefinder was plotted out, and then a mess 243 00:15:28,600 --> 00:15:30,519 upheaval of water. Is the nearest shell of the broad 244 00:15:30,559 --> 00:15:32,879 Tide pitched close beside the star with a bow of 245 00:15:32,919 --> 00:15:36,600 the art Twenty tons of yellowed water came tumbling on. 246 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:38,200 Speaker 3: Board, saluting the upward. 247 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:42,519 Speaker 4: Words were flooding over light Foot. Strange mind nine Hoopstuart 248 00:15:43,159 --> 00:15:48,120 all hop time instantly training and professional pride masters, and 249 00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:50,200 he definitely twirled the scows and brought. 250 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:54,320 Speaker 3: The enemy into focus once again nine one nine tallllo. 251 00:15:55,039 --> 00:15:59,039 Speaker 4: It was then the paymaster's sub Lieutenant James Jerningham, saw 252 00:15:59,080 --> 00:16:03,159 the Italian chap turn away, and he gravely noted the 253 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:06,960 time upon the pad in his lap. Later, the captain's 254 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:08,120 report read. 255 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:14,639 Speaker 3: The enemy withdrew. Wasn't a surprise for you? 256 00:16:14,679 --> 00:16:15,759 Speaker 7: They're running away like that? 257 00:16:16,159 --> 00:16:17,840 Speaker 3: No, sir, not very much. 258 00:16:18,639 --> 00:16:20,639 Speaker 6: It made us be a trick to get us away 259 00:16:20,639 --> 00:16:23,559 from the convoy. They're that pains would have a chance, 260 00:16:24,440 --> 00:16:27,080 but I don't think so, no, sir. Something bigger than 261 00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:30,559 cruisers out today are fans. They might be trying to 262 00:16:30,600 --> 00:16:31,559 lead us into a chap. 263 00:16:32,559 --> 00:16:32,919 Speaker 3: Stop it. 264 00:16:34,639 --> 00:16:37,840 Speaker 6: We're staying between the eye Ties and the convoy, and 265 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:40,000 every minute brings us nearer to Malta. 266 00:16:40,440 --> 00:16:42,960 Speaker 4: Joining him at that point said yes, sir. He was 267 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:45,639 frantically searching about in his mind for some contribution to 268 00:16:45,679 --> 00:16:48,559 make to this conversation other than yes or a no, sir. 269 00:16:49,159 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 3: Wanting to appear bright, he said, night is coming. 270 00:16:52,720 --> 00:16:58,200 Speaker 6: Yes, the eye eyes are losing time, the most valuable 271 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:02,840 asset they have and is squandering at the commonist mistake 272 00:17:02,879 --> 00:17:04,680 to make in war is to think that because a 273 00:17:04,680 --> 00:17:07,039 certain course seems to you to be the best for 274 00:17:07,119 --> 00:17:10,759 the enemy. That is the course he will take. He 275 00:17:10,839 --> 00:17:13,519 may not think it best, or there may be some 276 00:17:13,599 --> 00:17:15,359 reason against it which you don't know about. 277 00:17:15,640 --> 00:17:18,799 Speaker 3: That's trucer. This was the longest beach ever heard from 278 00:17:18,799 --> 00:17:19,279 the captain. 279 00:17:20,279 --> 00:17:23,200 Speaker 6: And the next Communist mistake is to give unnecessary orders. 280 00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:25,680 Speaker 3: Whipple up there, ordinary seamen. 281 00:17:25,720 --> 00:17:27,920 Speaker 4: Whipple was now climbing the difficult ladder to the crow's 282 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:29,240 nest to relieve Quemsby. 283 00:17:29,319 --> 00:17:31,680 Speaker 6: Whipple up there, will keep a sharp lookout without my 284 00:17:31,799 --> 00:17:32,359 telling him. 285 00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:34,160 Speaker 3: He knows what he's there for. 286 00:17:35,000 --> 00:17:38,039 Speaker 4: Jerningham gates at him wordless. Now, in spite of his 287 00:17:38,079 --> 00:17:40,759 efforts to appear bright. This was an aspect of the 288 00:17:40,839 --> 00:17:44,480 captain's character which he'd never seen before, this courteous gentleman 289 00:17:44,519 --> 00:17:47,240 with a smiling common sense and his insight into character. 290 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:52,799 When Whipple took over from Quemsby a lost and that. 291 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:55,039 Speaker 8: Thing in the front of the line is the flagship. 292 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:58,359 Speaker 7: Give my regard to the admiral when you get your commissioner, 293 00:17:58,440 --> 00:18:00,359 no on, take your race. 294 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:04,319 Speaker 4: Five minutes later, there was no kidding around Corrich. 295 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:09,319 Speaker 11: Mastd more smoke visible on the port bow beyond the 296 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:18,839 enemy cruisers Red three eight masted, more smoke visible mastead 297 00:18:18,640 --> 00:18:20,680 and a lot of new smoke is closing us. 298 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:21,880 Speaker 6: Signed Baron No. 299 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:22,079 Speaker 4: No. 300 00:18:22,599 --> 00:18:31,160 Speaker 11: Red three nine mastad battleship in sight two battleships in 301 00:18:31,200 --> 00:18:34,079 a never cruiser hitting a little abaft about Baron as 302 00:18:34,079 --> 00:18:40,799 the other ship to turning. Now his turn of them. 303 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:44,079 Speaker 6: The behavior of the ship's company was most satisfactory. 304 00:18:45,799 --> 00:18:48,960 Speaker 4: Another phase of the captain's report. Not one man in 305 00:18:49,039 --> 00:18:51,319 ten an automist could see what was going on. In 306 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:53,960 the captain's opinion, the sordid news was dangerous. 307 00:18:54,000 --> 00:18:55,799 Speaker 3: Go down to tell the ship about the situation. 308 00:18:56,599 --> 00:18:59,519 Speaker 4: Journingham's mind was feverishly turning over words and phrases as 309 00:18:59,519 --> 00:19:01,599 he just handed the ladder. He didn't have time to 310 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:03,720 assemble any But on the other hand, he didn't have 311 00:19:03,759 --> 00:19:06,599 time in those few seconds to become self conscious, nor 312 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:09,799 had his weakness time to reassert itself. I've a message 313 00:19:09,880 --> 00:19:11,119 for the ship from the captain. 314 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:12,400 Speaker 3: The petty officer. 315 00:19:12,119 --> 00:19:14,440 Speaker 4: Beside the loud speaker hanging on the vault get switched 316 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:17,440 on and piped brillly. Sound of its call audible in 317 00:19:17,480 --> 00:19:18,119 every part. 318 00:19:17,920 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 3: Of the ship. 319 00:19:23,519 --> 00:19:26,519 Speaker 9: The captain has sid me to tell you that we've 320 00:19:26,559 --> 00:19:30,279 got the entire Kai navy imposibles that will hit hitty 321 00:19:30,319 --> 00:19:31,079 cruisers at all. 322 00:19:31,759 --> 00:19:32,759 Speaker 3: They've run away from us. 323 00:19:32,759 --> 00:19:35,519 Speaker 9: Once the hitty cruiser is half Now we're going to 324 00:19:35,559 --> 00:19:38,680 see if the battleship to run two three hours of 325 00:19:38,799 --> 00:19:43,279 daylight there and the convoys stop to reach Morta po. 326 00:19:43,319 --> 00:19:48,039 Speaker 7: Ducks with all the donelight the revolution, but anyone nuts 327 00:19:48,319 --> 00:19:48,880 make smoke. 328 00:19:49,319 --> 00:19:51,640 Speaker 4: Three minutes of smoke mean a smoke bank a mile 329 00:19:51,680 --> 00:19:54,319 and a half long, far too wide for the anim 330 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:56,200 to watch with care all along its length. 331 00:19:57,480 --> 00:19:59,079 Speaker 3: Later the captain's report. 332 00:20:00,039 --> 00:20:02,440 Speaker 6: I found the smoke screen to be extremely effective. 333 00:20:03,440 --> 00:20:06,759 Speaker 4: The smoke bank, allowing for spread, would be a quarter 334 00:20:06,759 --> 00:20:09,720 of a mile thick. The captain had solved the complex 335 00:20:09,759 --> 00:20:11,240 mathematical problem in his head. 336 00:20:11,799 --> 00:20:13,440 Speaker 3: He turned to the voice cube beside him. 337 00:20:13,559 --> 00:20:17,839 Speaker 6: Captain, Gunnery Officer, Gunnery officer, I'm turning to starboard now. 338 00:20:18,519 --> 00:20:21,119 It will take us two minutes and ten seconds approximately 339 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:24,079 to go through the smoke. You'll find the eye ties 340 00:20:24,119 --> 00:20:26,440 about red fire when we come out, but I shall 341 00:20:26,519 --> 00:20:29,839 turn to port parallel to that course. Immediately open fire 342 00:20:29,880 --> 00:20:32,160 when you are ready? All right, yes, sir, good by 343 00:20:32,279 --> 00:20:33,599 guns then. 344 00:20:33,519 --> 00:20:36,200 Speaker 3: Eight point to starvad Quartermaster done of it if he. 345 00:20:37,799 --> 00:20:40,839 Speaker 4: Chip stop begging smoke, and the order went down through 346 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:43,480 five decks to stalk a petty officer Harmsworth in the 347 00:20:43,480 --> 00:20:46,880 boiler room. Now the atomist was heading squarely into the smoke, 348 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:49,799 solidly away to starboard. One moment they were out in 349 00:20:49,839 --> 00:20:52,440 that clear sunshine, and the next they were in wreeking, 350 00:20:52,519 --> 00:20:55,119 oily darkness. Call the master didn't see that about it 351 00:20:55,119 --> 00:20:55,599 in the smoke. 352 00:20:57,279 --> 00:20:58,400 Speaker 6: I did reports. 353 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:01,000 Speaker 11: He's in the smoke and gone see anything. 354 00:21:00,720 --> 00:21:02,039 Speaker 3: Shut fifty second. 355 00:21:03,480 --> 00:21:11,839 Speaker 13: Fifty five seconds, one minute, fifty five seconds, ninety second, 356 00:21:13,559 --> 00:21:17,519 one oh five seconds not long ago now, and the 357 00:21:17,519 --> 00:21:21,079 smoke was just as thick as ever, extremely good two minutes. 358 00:21:22,759 --> 00:21:25,480 Speaker 4: The Captain could see the navigating lieutenant plainly now, and 359 00:21:25,559 --> 00:21:28,119 the Italians could just about see the shadowy gray form 360 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:28,400 of the. 361 00:21:28,319 --> 00:21:29,720 Speaker 3: Automist emerging from the smoke. 362 00:21:29,839 --> 00:21:33,559 Speaker 4: Four fifteen, an artemist, beautiful in the sunshine, swung round 363 00:21:33,559 --> 00:21:35,000 a turner broadside upon. 364 00:21:34,839 --> 00:21:39,559 Speaker 3: The colossal force. Long before the automist emerged, however, the. 365 00:21:39,519 --> 00:21:42,160 Speaker 4: Gunnery lieutenant had given order all guns look. 366 00:21:42,440 --> 00:21:44,519 Speaker 3: This took only fifteen seconds to accomplish. 367 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:47,359 Speaker 4: Therefore, when Broadsides was affected and the last gun ready 368 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:49,799 lamp came on. It needed only one word to throw 369 00:21:49,839 --> 00:21:51,960 a quarter of a ton of steel and high explosive 370 00:21:52,200 --> 00:21:54,400 from one ship moving at thirty one knots to another 371 00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:56,759 ship moving at twenty knots nine miles away. 372 00:21:56,960 --> 00:22:00,759 Speaker 6: Oh ho ho ha. 373 00:22:03,839 --> 00:22:08,319 Speaker 4: Later the captain's report read hits what observed Ha. 374 00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:12,599 Speaker 6: Ha ha. 375 00:22:15,839 --> 00:22:17,680 Speaker 4: Twelve shells were in the air at once, while the 376 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:20,480 fountains raised by the sixth preceding ones still hung poised 377 00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:23,279 above the surface. Every ten seconds the guns were ready 378 00:22:23,279 --> 00:22:25,400 and loaded, and every ten seconds the shells were hurled 379 00:22:25,440 --> 00:22:30,119 out of them four hits. The six broadsides was good shooting, 380 00:22:30,759 --> 00:22:33,319 and the Italian Navy was firing back straight at Artemis. 381 00:22:33,319 --> 00:22:35,599 Now there were bright flashes all down the line, and 382 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:37,799 sea and air were flung into convulsion. 383 00:22:40,759 --> 00:22:42,720 Speaker 3: On the bridge. The sudden crash of the guns made 384 00:22:42,799 --> 00:22:45,359 turning him jump it all. He hoped none of the 385 00:22:45,440 --> 00:22:47,720 men on Beauty up here had seen him jump. The 386 00:22:47,799 --> 00:22:49,799 second time he was sure his feet had left the deck. 387 00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:52,079 Speaker 4: The gin was appalling, and with every broad side he 388 00:22:52,160 --> 00:22:54,920 was shaken by the hot flash of the guns. The 389 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:57,359 captain gave an order to the navigating lieutenant, and soon 390 00:22:57,759 --> 00:23:00,240 hims Artem is healed and turned abruptly away from the 391 00:23:00,319 --> 00:23:04,039 enemy and back into the comforting smoke and darkness and silence. 392 00:23:04,880 --> 00:23:08,440 Speaker 6: Captain got it there, hurry up, which should be opening 393 00:23:08,480 --> 00:23:15,400 fired again in two minutes. An Artemis was already stealing 394 00:23:15,480 --> 00:23:17,920 over on the turn as she punched back into the 395 00:23:18,799 --> 00:23:21,880 seakouder enemies once more one minute. Every man of the 396 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:24,119 ship knew that the better he did his work and now, 397 00:23:24,759 --> 00:23:26,440 the better would be his chance of life. 398 00:23:26,519 --> 00:23:37,240 Speaker 10: Being ten minutes oh say o ha, and. 399 00:23:37,359 --> 00:23:40,160 Speaker 4: The above part brought its tons of steel again toward 400 00:23:40,200 --> 00:23:45,279 the eye tide part of this shooting superbric The captain 401 00:23:45,279 --> 00:23:46,960 could see that with his own eyes as he turned 402 00:23:47,000 --> 00:23:51,279 his binoculars upon the Italian flagship, the enemy Salvos were 403 00:23:51,279 --> 00:23:52,119 creeping closer to him. 404 00:23:52,359 --> 00:23:54,039 Speaker 3: He was nearly time to retire again. 405 00:23:54,680 --> 00:23:57,680 Speaker 4: A mile away, another British ship, HMS Hero, had emerged 406 00:23:57,680 --> 00:23:59,960 from the smoke screen, spitting fire from all our turn. 407 00:24:00,720 --> 00:24:01,640 Speaker 3: With hera out of. 408 00:24:01,559 --> 00:24:04,319 Speaker 4: The screen and the other cruises beginning to show beyond her, 409 00:24:04,599 --> 00:24:07,599 it was for Automist to withdraw and leave the Italians 410 00:24:07,599 --> 00:24:09,839 to their weary task of getting the range on these 411 00:24:09,920 --> 00:24:14,440 new elucid targets FOURT ten and artemists plunged back into 412 00:24:14,480 --> 00:24:15,599 the protecting spot. 413 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:19,160 Speaker 3: Then it happened. 414 00:24:29,599 --> 00:24:32,559 Speaker 4: Fifty salvos if inspired at automist without scoring a hit. 415 00:24:33,359 --> 00:24:36,400 Now when she was invisible in a smoky park, a 416 00:24:36,559 --> 00:24:37,799 chance shell hitter. 417 00:24:39,319 --> 00:24:41,079 Speaker 3: It was an eight in shell that hit the cruiser. 418 00:24:41,240 --> 00:24:42,920 It struck the ship's side a yard. 419 00:24:42,759 --> 00:24:45,519 Speaker 4: Above the waterline, and it penetrated the main deck as 420 00:24:45,519 --> 00:24:48,160 at first, flinging red hot fragments of steel all around it. 421 00:24:48,599 --> 00:24:49,759 Speaker 3: And with the fragments came. 422 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:52,799 Speaker 4: The flame of explosion. The ex gun turret bore the front. 423 00:24:53,240 --> 00:24:55,039 The officer at the shell ring and the officer at 424 00:24:55,039 --> 00:24:58,640 the ammunition poise killed by the jagged shield. One minute 425 00:24:58,640 --> 00:25:00,680 they were alive and the next they were dead. 426 00:25:01,079 --> 00:25:02,039 Speaker 3: One moment they were. 427 00:25:01,960 --> 00:25:04,039 Speaker 4: Men, and then the shell burst right in their midst 428 00:25:04,039 --> 00:25:08,359 and they were nothing nothing. The petty officer in charge 429 00:25:08,400 --> 00:25:10,440 of the lobby and the others survived them only by 430 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:13,680 a few seconds. They died by fire, but it was 431 00:25:13,759 --> 00:25:14,400 a quick death. 432 00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:21,680 Speaker 12: Ships on fire after yes, pretty badly, apparently. 433 00:25:21,240 --> 00:25:25,920 Speaker 4: Sir, very good, Jenny, Mum, oh, thank you, one turret 434 00:25:26,039 --> 00:25:28,640 without but the A and D turts were firing away beautifully, 435 00:25:28,640 --> 00:25:34,400 all four guns in white hot action at that moment, 436 00:25:35,319 --> 00:25:38,480 a shell was fired from HMS Artemis, which changed the 437 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:41,559 face of the war, altered the whole history of the world. 438 00:25:42,519 --> 00:25:46,000 Men and women in Nigeria or Czechoslovakia would feel the 439 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:49,319 impact of that shell upon their lives. Head hunting cannibals 440 00:25:49,359 --> 00:25:52,720 in Papua, Iberian nomad seeking a scant living on the 441 00:25:52,759 --> 00:25:56,960 frozen tundra of Asia, toddling babies in the cornfields of Iowa, 442 00:25:57,640 --> 00:26:01,079 and their children's children, all in years to come. 443 00:26:01,119 --> 00:26:02,279 Speaker 3: Oh something to that shell. 444 00:26:03,119 --> 00:26:05,440 Speaker 4: Of the four shells fired in that salvo, three of 445 00:26:05,480 --> 00:26:05,920 them missed. 446 00:26:06,559 --> 00:26:07,920 Speaker 3: The four the. 447 00:26:07,839 --> 00:26:11,400 Speaker 4: Shell from the left hand gun and turret a hit. 448 00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:18,640 Speaker 6: Later, the captain's report read, the enemy turned away and 449 00:26:18,680 --> 00:26:19,920 the action terminated. 450 00:26:25,119 --> 00:26:28,480 Speaker 4: That shell hadn't done any particular damage when it hit 451 00:26:28,519 --> 00:26:33,640 the Italian Majesty's battleship Lignano. But the duo Italian German 452 00:26:33,720 --> 00:26:39,759 command of Sane Capitan surce Helmost von Bordica and Vice admiraljo. 453 00:26:39,279 --> 00:26:41,759 Speaker 3: Gaspara Gezzano nor Centini were. 454 00:26:41,599 --> 00:26:44,759 Speaker 4: Hesitating about what to do with a pesty little British ships. 455 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:49,400 And they were arguing politely, of course, on points of strategy. 456 00:26:50,079 --> 00:26:54,160 Also they were suspicious of one another and well, you 457 00:26:54,240 --> 00:26:56,559 know how it is with the Italians and the Germans. 458 00:26:57,279 --> 00:26:59,920 The main thing is that when that historical sixteen shells 459 00:27:00,079 --> 00:27:02,400 rucked full upon their beat turret and burst against the 460 00:27:02,440 --> 00:27:06,640 twelve inch steel, it became the deciding factor that tipped 461 00:27:06,680 --> 00:27:10,079 down the scale and swayed the balance of von Borica's 462 00:27:10,079 --> 00:27:12,680 and Nocentini's hesitating mind. 463 00:27:14,720 --> 00:27:18,240 Speaker 6: The enemy turned away and the action terminated. 464 00:27:21,359 --> 00:27:24,000 Speaker 4: The enemies out of rain, sir, thank you guns. 465 00:27:24,599 --> 00:27:26,400 Speaker 12: I believe I saw a torpedo hit on the second 466 00:27:26,440 --> 00:27:27,599 ship while you were speaking, sir. 467 00:27:27,519 --> 00:27:30,039 Speaker 6: Thank you, congratulations, thank you. 468 00:27:30,119 --> 00:27:34,039 Speaker 4: Jurninggum, there was only the faintest glow to be seen 469 00:27:34,079 --> 00:27:37,079 of the fire that had raged minutes before, and a 470 00:27:37,079 --> 00:27:39,119 few more minutes with the hose would extinguish even that. 471 00:27:40,079 --> 00:27:42,759 The ship emerged into the fading dust, for it was 472 00:27:42,799 --> 00:27:46,440 now beginning to grow dark. Then the captain suddenly tensed 473 00:27:46,480 --> 00:27:48,440 himself as his roving eye caught sight of a twinkle 474 00:27:48,440 --> 00:27:51,440 of light ahead. And then he was able to relax 475 00:27:51,480 --> 00:27:53,799 and even smile a little to himself in the twilight, 476 00:27:54,720 --> 00:27:58,839 for that was the evening star shining out over the Mediterranean. 477 00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:19,000 Speaker 6: Man's darkenship. Second degree of readiness, Yes, the captain could 478 00:28:19,039 --> 00:28:21,400 now line his pipe, could now. 479 00:28:21,680 --> 00:28:26,559 Speaker 4: Inwardly only perhaps relax. He could now afford to indulge 480 00:28:26,559 --> 00:28:28,319 in the luxury of quiet thought. 481 00:28:31,759 --> 00:28:34,759 Speaker 6: This long struggle will someday have an end, I suppose, 482 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:39,440 but not now, and not for months and years to come. 483 00:28:41,279 --> 00:28:44,119 And even when it does end, the freedom which the 484 00:28:44,200 --> 00:28:49,000 struggle will win can only be secured by eternal vigilance, 485 00:28:49,960 --> 00:28:56,960 eternal probity, eternal good will, and eternal honesty of purpose. 486 00:28:58,119 --> 00:29:02,400 That will be the hardest lesson of all. Peace will 487 00:29:02,440 --> 00:29:08,039 be a severer test of mankind than war. Perhaps mankind 488 00:29:08,079 --> 00:29:12,720 will pass that test when the time comes. As for me, 489 00:29:13,000 --> 00:29:17,079 when that time comes, I will fight for the last die, 490 00:29:17,119 --> 00:29:20,960 in the last ditch, before I will come fromise, in 491 00:29:21,079 --> 00:29:27,440 the slightest with the blind or secret enemies of freedom 492 00:29:27,480 --> 00:29:51,839 and justice. You have heard the seventh program of Words 493 00:29:51,839 --> 00:29:55,119 at War, a series based on the great books of 494 00:29:55,160 --> 00:30:00,279 this war. This evening we presented The Ship by C. S. Forrest. 495 00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:01,680 Speaker 3: The script was. 496 00:30:01,720 --> 00:30:06,119 Speaker 6: Written by Edmund Burnbryer of the NBC Script Staff. Next 497 00:30:06,160 --> 00:30:08,880 week you'll hear Robert Saint John's book From the Land 498 00:30:08,920 --> 00:30:13,160 of Silent People. The narrator tonight was played by Alan 499 00:30:13,200 --> 00:30:17,039 bunts House. Jamison was the captain. Other members of the 500 00:30:17,079 --> 00:30:22,400 cast were Victor b. Croft, Sid Cassell, Humphrey Davis, Ian McAllister, 501 00:30:22,960 --> 00:30:27,319 Shirley Oliver, and Alfred Shirley. The original music was written 502 00:30:27,319 --> 00:30:29,000 and conducted by Frank Black. 503 00:30:29,480 --> 00:30:32,160 Speaker 3: The production was under the direction of Joseph Lawsy. 504 00:30:43,240 --> 00:30:46,119 Speaker 6: This program has been presented in cooperation with the Council 505 00:30:46,200 --> 00:30:49,680 on Books in Wartime for the National Broadcasting Company and 506 00:30:49,720 --> 00:30:52,160 the independent radio stations associated with. 507 00:30:52,160 --> 00:30:56,039 Speaker 3: The NBC Network. This program came to you from New York. 508 00:30:56,480 --> 00:31:00,599 Speaker 6: This is a National Broadcasting Company. 509 00:31:04,960 --> 00:31:10,240 Speaker 2: Welcome back. Well a very well told story, and those 510 00:31:10,279 --> 00:31:15,519 who have listened to, for example, or read Horatio Homeblower, 511 00:31:15,839 --> 00:31:18,960 we'll see a lot of parallels in some ways with 512 00:31:19,119 --> 00:31:23,759 the characterization. I guess that's the one advantage of the 513 00:31:23,799 --> 00:31:27,880 novel being able to get into different characters' heads. In 514 00:31:27,960 --> 00:31:31,279 terms of the adaptation, well, we didn't have one listener 515 00:31:31,720 --> 00:31:34,400 comment I wanted to share. This came from C. Peterson 516 00:31:35,000 --> 00:31:39,680 who says, these episodes and this was regarding that this 517 00:31:39,799 --> 00:31:42,480 is war series and Behind the Gun give a very 518 00:31:42,519 --> 00:31:49,599 interested and sanitized view of war. Being a veteran war myself, 519 00:31:49,640 --> 00:31:52,359 I know how ugly it is thank you for putting 520 00:31:52,359 --> 00:31:56,200 these glimpses into my father's war out there. Well, I'm 521 00:31:56,200 --> 00:31:59,960 glad to help him to provide that information. Of course, 522 00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:02,640 there's always going to be some limit in terms of 523 00:32:02,640 --> 00:32:08,920 particularly when you're dealing with information that's broadcast over the airwaves. 524 00:32:09,400 --> 00:32:15,160 But I think Man behind the Gun and certainly the 525 00:32:15,279 --> 00:32:19,559 USS Boise episodes were very powerful, I thought, but there's 526 00:32:19,680 --> 00:32:24,720 not a way to fully capture all of the ugliness 527 00:32:25,160 --> 00:32:31,319 and of war within the limits of broadcasting essentially what's 528 00:32:31,359 --> 00:32:34,759 required to be a family program. But I do appreciate 529 00:32:34,799 --> 00:32:38,680 your comment, Thanks so much, and thank you for your service. 530 00:32:39,279 --> 00:32:43,559 That will do it for today. If you have a comment, 531 00:32:43,720 --> 00:32:48,200 email me Box thirteen at Great Detectors dot net. Welcome 532 00:32:48,519 --> 00:32:51,720 your story or that of loved ones who serve during 533 00:32:51,759 --> 00:32:55,960 World War Two. Ken Curlin provides our opening theme music 534 00:32:56,119 --> 00:33:02,720 Kencurlan dot com. I am your host at This series 535 00:33:02,839 --> 00:33:05,599 is provided as a service of the Great Detectives of 536 00:33:05,640 --> 00:33:09,079 Old Time Radio. Great Detectives dot net.