Mitla Pass - Leon Uris [188]
Zechariah was a man known for his power to bulldoze his way through anything, circumvent orders he did not care to read, run his own show. He almost always won his battles, so opposition usually melted before his wrath. Not so this time. Everyone at Central was aware. The Lions’ commander was aware. It was no go into Mitla Pass. He wrote out another communication and handed it to the major.
“I hope you’ll see my point, Ben Asher.”
“All right, I’ll agree to this,” the major answered.
“Let’s shake hands and forget the threats and harsh words.”
“Of course, heat of the battle.”
The two men shook hands like two pieces of steel clanging and embraced with rib-breaking slaps of affection.
Para 202 to Central Command STOP 1830 Hours STOP Confirming orders not to capture Mitla Pass STOP Nevertheless our defensive position around the airstrip and Parker Monument is extremely exposed to both artillery and air STOP Ben Asher is in agreement with me that we should probe into the Pass with a patrol to see if we can find a better defensive position STOP We will stop short of the Egyptian defensive position at the Heitan Defile STOP We will withdraw patrol as soon as it meets enemy opposition STOP With our new defensive position inside the Pass I will feel safe to swing south STOP Will try to find a position inside Pass that can be held by no more than two infantry companies STOP Brigade plans to move south along Gulf of Suez at 0600 November 3 STOP Confirm SIGNED Colonel Z.
Central Command to Para 202 STOP 1900 Hours STOP Permission granted to use Lions for a limited patrol into Pass stopping short of the Heitan Defile STOP Withdraw immediately if opposition is encountered. SIGNED Dayan, Chief of Staff
“Put the Lions on alert to jump off at zero five three zero.”
“What do we need the entire battalion for? This is only a limited patrol,” the major said suspiciously.
“Calm down, Ben Asher. I’m not going to use the full battalion. I’m too damned tired to make out a plan now. Just have them at the ready; I’ll only use a part of them. I can’t think straight at the moment.”
Ben Asher gave a reluctant “Very well.”
Shlomo and Gideon caught up with Colonel Z. at the water tanker, stark naked and chipping away at his grime.
“Ah, there’s my writer,” Zechariah said. “I heard you got a few bumps on the parachute drop.”
“I’m okay.”
“Well, are we as good as the Marines or not?”
“Pretty close, I’d say.”
He dried himself and put on the same uniform he had been wearing for over a week. “Airplane hit the truck with the extra clothing. Everything went up in smoke ... pssst. The Egyptians will probably run when they smell us.”
“You in a good mood?” Gideon asked.
“Why not? I’ll still beat Yoffe’s Brigade to Sharm.”
“I want permission to go into the Pass on the patrol.”
Zechariah dug his fingers into his beard and thought as he scratched. “Sure,” he said at last, “you ride in the command vehicle with Ben Asher.”
“That includes me,” Shlomo said.
“Fine. You two can handle the machine gun in the command car. You want a game of chess later, writer?”
“I think I’d better get some sleep,” Gideon said.
GIDEON HUMMED a tune as he checked his gear for the morning patrol.
Shlomo was very pensive. He didn’t like the idea that the entire Lion’s Battalion was on standby. Colonel Z. had also ordered halftracks and the three operating tanks to be ready. He wouldn’t back away from a fight, no matter what the orders were. Zechariah had punched through the Egyptian position at Thamad like a battering ram. That one was vintage Colonel Z.
Gideon sang his song louder and louder... .
“What the hell’s the name of that song? You sing it all the time.”
“It’s an old American Civil War tune, ‘Just Before the Battle, Mother.’ We sang it in school when we were kids.”
“Sounds like you’re hoping for a fight,