jtd@dec.uk.net

It was a hot Saturday evening in December and a warm, sultry breeze poured into Pearl Harbour from the tame, Pacific Ocean. Elaine Racine sat at one of the tables outside the Moonlight Café reading her newspaper in the dull light provided by the hurricane lamps. She checked the date ‘Sunday 6^th December’ and thought about her folks back home.

Would they be getting ready for Christmas?

Had they bought the presents yet?

Would they remember to send her present to the Officer’s Club, as this would be her first Christmas away from home?

Elaine had no doubts that they wouldn’t forget and sipped a little bit more from her wine glass casually gazing out onto the harbour that was filled with flickering lights from the numerous warships moored in the shallow harbour. It was true that Elaine had doubts about starting her new job in Hawaii, so far from her hometown, but the past two months had been filled with fun, hard work and plenty of men. It was a fact that she had spent time with a different man each week but she had never found what she was looking for. They were either too brash, vulgar, conceited or too much ‘up their own arse’ for her liking. Elaine had given each man ‘the push’ the following morning in her ultimate quest to find her perfect partner.

Elaine always enjoyed coming to the Moonlight Café in Kuahua as it afforded splendid views of the harbour and was one of the main landing stages for the sailors and officers as they left their ships for a ‘night on the town.’ It was traditional in construction yet had an air of the Far Eastern Colonial in atmosphere where ‘anything goes.’ The inside was rather plain, mainly decorated in wicker and light wooden panelling but the terrace, adjacent to the road, was spacious and liberally sprinkled with aluminium furniture. Elaine could not remember when she last bought herself a drink but she just considered herself to be part of the entertainment culture of Pearl Harbour. Tonight was ‘hot’ and Elaine felt beads of sweat drop through her cleavage ending in her navel yet her revealing cotton dress was comfortable and practical for the evening ahead. Elaine watched confidently as another landing craft bumped unceremoniously into the jetty. A group of rowdy sailors jumped off the small craft and headed towards the town shoulder to shoulder. As she watched an officer in the full white uniform of a Lieutenant Commander cautiously climbed off the boat. He adjusted his hat and brushed debris off his immaculate jacket yet she could not see his face. His body language was hesitant but his body was lean yet muscular and he certainly filled his uniform.

"Hold your horses, girl! This one’s high octane," Elaine muttered to herself.

Elaine returned casually to her evening newspaper but maintained her surveillance on the officer at all times. He started to walk in the direction of the café. He paused, checked the menu then started to walk on. Elaine’s heart fell as she saw this divine creature start to walk away.

"So what, there’s plenty more fish in this harbour, girl!" she comforted.

"Is this seat taken?" asked an unfamiliar voice.

Elaine looked up at the apparition in white,

"Surely not. Do join me," she replied.

"Are you sure that I am not inconveniencing you by this imposition?"

"No?"

"Say, let me buy you a drink. I’ve seen you before, haven’t I?"

Elaine just smiled.

"Yes. You work at the Officer’s Club, if I’m not mistaken."

"You’ve got a fine memory for faces, hey Lieutenant!"

"Sorry, I’m Lieutenant Tom Crowley of the USS Arizona." He offered his hand.

"Elaine Racine from Alabama. This sure is a pleasure. Now what’s you poison?"

"A beer will do fine, thanks Elaine."

Elaine studied his strong, tanned face. His eyes were blue, spaced just the way she liked them and his mouth, not too large, offered a flash of white, perfect teeth. She called the waiter.

"Hey, George, can we have another wine and a beer over here?"

Once the order was acknowledged Elaine returned to her visual interrogation. Tom certainly had broad shoulders, which were accentuated by the cut of his white jacket. She was aware that Tom was copying her visual interrogation and he obviously liked what he saw from the way he leaned towards her over the small table.

On an adjacent table a group of sailors started a fight over an old gambling debt. Bodies were flying all over the place and one of the jettisoned sailors flew into Elaine sending her falling from the chair. Without hesitation Tom vacated his chair and threw several, deadly accurate punches at the men from the USS West Virginia. They fell as lumber just at the moment the Military Police jeep pulled up.

Tom helped Elaine into her chair and offered to buy a replacement drink which had been split during the fracas.

"Sorry about that, but men have to let off steam once in a while," he commented.

"Sure, I don’t mind."

"Have you eaten?"

"No."

"Would you allow me to buy you supper, no strings attached hey?" Tom suggested.

"That would be kind. There’s a menu on the next table. Don’t mind the splashes of blood."

They laughed and continued to enjoy the evening unaware that a moment in history was looming just 300 miles north of the island.

After the meal they took a short stroll along the waterfront, arm in arm. The warm air, good food and company made them feel relaxed and honest. They talked of home, their mistakes and their hopes for the future as though they had known each other for an eternity. They paused briefly opposite the dry docks containing the USS San Francisco, New Orleans, St. Louis and Honolulu. Elaine felt Tom’s strong hand slip down to her slender waist and she was ready to succumb to his virile charm. They left for her apartment and carnal pleasure, the sort that she had not experienced for many months with a true man.

· 0342 Minesweeper CONDOR sights periscope off Honolulu Harbour ...notifies patrol destroyer WARD to investigate. 0458 Minesweeper CROSSBILL and CONDOR enter Pearl Harbour... defective submarine net remains open.

Elaine lay wide-awake with the man of her dreams slumbering on her chest. She looked at the clock, it was 4.00am but she didn’t care as she had a late start at the club on Sundays. She fell asleep happy and contented.

· 0600 - 200 miles south of Oahu carrier ENTERPRISE launches 18 aircraft to scout ahead...then to land at Ford Island, Pearl Harbour...ETA 0800.

Elaine woke in the brightness of the morning sunshine and to an empty bed. So he was like the rest, hey? She rolled over but was pulled back by a strong pair off hands.

"Morning, Elaine. Did you sleep well?"

"Sure. Say what time have you got to be back on your ship?"

"Two hours ago! I’ve made you some breakfast. It’s on the patio table."

Elaine climbed out of bed and put on her red, silk kimono.

· 0610 - 220 miles north of Oahu Admiral Nagumo orders launching of 1st wave of 183 aircraft off three carriers...2 are lost during takeoff.

They had breakfast in the sunshine that reflected off the still harbour. All was peaceful, tranquil and Elaine’s heart soared to the highest mountain on this holiest of days.

· 0630 Destroyer WARD again notified of submarine sighting this time by supply ship ANTARES off Pearl Harbour entrance...Navy patrol plane (PBY) dispatched to the scene.

After breakfast Tom left for his ship but made a solemn promise to meet her the following Saturday when his shore leave was next due. Elaine, though disappointed, understood his commitments and hugged him for the last time.

When Tom had gone to face the anger of his superiors Elaine went back to bed full of dreams and expectation.

· 0645 WARD opens fire on target hitting conning tower...as she closes in drops depth charges..air attack by PBY follows.

Her clock showed 6.50am as her eyelids became heavy once more.

· 0653 WARD'S commander Captain Outerbridge sends message to Commandant 14th Naval District: "We have attacked, fired upon and dropped depth charges upon submarine operating in defensive sea area".

Tom managed to catch the milk launch as she started her tour of duty between the large battleships and cruisers. He carried a few boxes up the landing stage and was ready to offer his lame excuse if he was caught.

· 0700 Commander Fuchida flying towards Oahu directs his pilots to home in on local radio station. 0702 Private's Lockhard and Elliott of Opana Radar Station pick up what appears to be a flight of unidentified aircraft bearing in 132 miles north of Oahu...discussion follows.

Tom went to his cabin to freshen up before the raising of the ship’s flag at 0800. This was one of his many responsibilities yet he cherished the pomp and circumstance as a red blooded American.

To read the rest of this story send me an email...

25^th May 2003.

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