:12:03
and fly us back to the base.
:12:05
I'll ask Maj. Fitzpatrick
of the Burma Rifles to tell you more.
:12:08
- Go ahead, Major.
- Thanks.
:12:11
Two years ago,
shortly before evacuating Burma...
:12:14
we had an occasion to construct
an emergency airstrip here.
:12:18
It's still there, and the latest aerial
reconnaissance tells us it's still usable.
:12:22
Following the action against the
radar station, your route of departure...
:12:26
will be track "E"...
:12:27
along here to the abandoned
airstrip at "R2" here.
:12:32
To make sure that you hit the airstrip
on the nose we've assigned...
:12:35
two Gurkha guides from
the Burma Frontier Force to go with you.
:12:38
Col. Holgerkin?
:12:40
They don't speak English
to any worthwhile degree.
:12:43
But they're extraordinarily familiar with
the terrain and the Burmese language.
:12:47
I believe that you will find
them excellent guides.
:12:50
- That's all from me.
- Thank you, Major.
:12:53
The march from the radar station
to the airstrip will be a forced march...
:12:58
that shouldn't last over 11 hours at most.
:13:00
Here's the administration information:
:13:02
No musette bags, shelter halves
or toilet articles are to be taken.
:13:06
Each man will be issued
four D rations, two K rations.
:13:09
You'll carry SOP ammunition loads.
:13:11
You'll take two.30 caliber machine guns,
1,000 rounds of ammo per gun.
:13:15
Each man will take six hand grenades.
:13:16
You'll carry SCR - 536 radios,
one set of panels, four mirrors...
:13:20
for signal communications.
:13:21
That's about it.
Stations and HR will be announced later.
:13:25
You'd better hit the sack early,
get some sleep. You'll need it.
:13:28
Write your letters now. There's
no mailing service where we're going.
:13:31
The chaplains of each faith
will hold services in half an hour.
:13:34
That's all, fellows. Dismissed.
:13:39
- You're Williams? American news service?
- That's right.
:13:42
- Nice to know you. I'm Nelson.
- Glad to know you.
:13:45
The colonel said you'll be at the briefing.
He didn't say why.
:13:48
I don't think you'll fall on my neck
and kiss me when you find out.
:13:51
But the fact of the matter is,
I'm going along with you.
:13:55
Yes. GHQ said it was okay for one
correspondent to accompany the mission.
:13:58
We drew lots for it and I won,
and here I am.