The Raid

By James Dedman

Having escaped the hell that was the Pearl Harbor bombing and marrying the girl of his dreams, George Grant is faced with a whole new set of problems as the nation races headlong into the second World War. President Roosevelt has a plan, and it isn’t long before George is called upon to use all his skills as a aeronautical engineer.

Meanwhile, his wife Georgiana has been summoned to Congress, his son Robert to the new aircraft carrier Hornet, and his new sister-in-law Laura to a mysterious government agency. All in all, it appears that the Grant family’s problems are only just beginning.

It’s 1942. The War is beginning in earnest, and the United States is about to risk everything on a grand symbolic gesture . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Dedman
• Release date: Sep 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310653155

James Dedman

James C. Dedman lives in a rural community in the Midwest, forgotten by the modern world, presiding over an empire of various barnyard critters. An avid Civil War Reenactor and Historian, he enjoys researching genealogy, visiting historical locales, and raising chickens. An author of over 20 novels, he has also directed several independent films, a documentary and even a few plays. A Woman of Consequence marks his ebook debut, with more to follow. A practicing attorney at-law in order to fund his research, in his off time he gathers material for his books by making frequent trips to the West. He is the proud father of three girls, all of whom can sit a horse and fire a gun. He must always defer to his wife of over thirty years, however, as she is the one who feeds his horse.

Book preview

The Raid

By James C. Dedman

Edited By Daryl Debunhurst

Copyright 2015 James Dedman

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Disclaimer: This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to people living or dead (Except historical figures) is purely coincidental)

This book is dedicated to all the Americans who remember and seek remembrance of December 7, 1941 – the day America changed forever.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: "A Meeting at the White House"

Chapter 2: A Long Trip Home

Chapter 3: A Daring Plan

Chapter 4: "The Hornet"

Chapter 5: Army Pilots

Chapter 6: The Women’s Army Corps

Chapter 7: Eglin Field

Chapter 8: California

Chapter 9: Intelligence

Chapter 10: San Francisco

Chapter 11: The Voyage West

Chapter 12: Tokyo

Chapter 13: Shangri-La

Chapter 14: Strong Medicine

Chapter 15: Triangles

Chapter 16: The War Moves East

Chapter 17: Goodbye

Chapter 18: The Arrangement

Chapter 19: The Other Arrangement

Chapter 20: Christmas

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Chapter 1

A Meeting at the White House

December 21, 1941

Robert Post

There were Christmas decorations all over the capital city of Washington, D.C. The previous year at this time Robert Post had enjoyed traveling the city at night and seeing the red and green lights twinkling everywhere. Christmas time with all the bright lights was usually such a happy time. But this year, 1941, America was at war. Now with the heightened war concerns there was a special blackout drill tonight and the city was going dark. He supposed there was little real danger of the Germans or the Japanese actually bombing Washington, D.C., but there was always a chance that a submarine might surface at night and shell them. It was important that everyone understand that normal life was suspended until the war was won on both fronts. The public needed to understand the nation was at last in the Second World War. Turning off the lights in Washington tonight was intended to demonstrate that.

The Japanese attack two weeks ago at Pearl Harbor had been a complete surprise, though the fact that something had been building for some time was now clear in retrospect. Robert Post had foreseen that the Japanese would eventually go to war against America. He had not been able, however, to predict the dramatic fashion in which they would attack the United States.

Robert Post also had not predicted the amazing German response. Several days after the Japanese assault, Hitler declared war upon the United States. Post could imagine the joy that foolish act had given Winston Churchill, who had desired a war partnership with America ever since becoming prime minister of Great Britain. The Americans joining the war with Germany was not a certain thing at all following the Japanese attack, but Hitler had jumped into the matter, removing all doubt about America being England’s partner in the Second World War. Indeed, FDR had done everything he could have done to provoke the Germans before the Pearl Harbor attack. Why that had suddenly emboldened Hitler to such a crazed act was complete a mystery to Robert Post.

Robert had thought Hitler something of a genius until 1941, but attacking Russia with England not yet out of commission had been a colossal mistake. Then Hitler had compounded it by declaring war on the United States, making two horrible tactical and strategic errors in the time span of a couple of months. Post no longer thought Hitler a towering intellect as he drove over to the White House to meet with the President; rather he now considered Hitler something of a crazed madman. He thought there was only really one way this war would end. Post saw the great irony in this was that if Hitler had suddenly died after his conquest of Paris he would have been remembered by the German historians as Germany’s greatest leader ever. Now history would only remember Hitler as an insane maniac.

Post drove his dark sedan towards the President’s house, thinking about Christmases past. On the radio, the holiday tunes played on, oblivious to current events. It could have been last year if you did not see all the signs of war in the nation’s capital. The timeless songs brought a smile to his tired face. The radio was playing big band versions of many popular Christmas melodies and not the usual carols Post had grown up on. He was happy about that. The old songs brought back memories-- fond memories-- and right now he did not need to be dwelling in the past. The world had a whole host of new problems needing his attention and Robert Post knew he had a preference to let his mind wander back to the past. At heart, Robert Post was romantic man and, having found love again in his twilight years, he needed to focus on the happiness of now and not the happiness of then. Besides, the President surely needed his mind for something important tonight.

Going to the White House after hours was something Robert Post had been doing for several years now. In that time he had come to have new regard for the President: Franklin Roosevelt. Post had not always admired him-- indeed, Post was and would always remain a conservative Republican in his heart. But working with the President the last several years had caused him to respect the man. He knew Roosevelt loved his country even if his ideas about how to fix the Depression had not worked very well. In fact, Post considered Roosevelt’s domestic plan termed the new deal a colossal failure. But had come to understand that Roosevelt understood the threat Hitler posed to the world and that, above all, Roosevelt loved America, as any President should. That was why Post had not retired when he should have and labored on in the government still.

Robert Post wondered what was up tonight with the President. He thought his days of providing intelligence for the President were over, what with creation of the Office of Strategic Services. For the last several years he had been running a secret intelligence service from his post in the Justice Department and had understood the new OSS to be taking over all his old work. He said as much to the President that night as they began their conversation.

Yes, but you have given me such great information the last several years. You warned me about the Japanese, Roosevelt reminded him, waving a presidential finger at him. Roosevelt was in a very good mood tonight and Post wondered why.

I had no hard intelligence about their attack, Post declined the compliment. I certainly did not predict an attack upon Pearl Harbor. In fact, Post had sent two of his best agents to Pearl Harbor just before the attack, but more for training more than to help against an assault and they were on their way back to him now. Their being in Pearl Harbor just before the attack was an accident, not foresight.

I want to use your brain one more time, Roosevelt continued, bringing Post back to the present. I have always enjoyed your perspective. I feel very helpless just now to react to the Pearl Harbor attack, yet I am so angry at what they did to us. Even with all the power of this office I seem to be unable to take any meaningful action against them at this time. But let me propose a scenario to you and you tell me what the public would think of it.

I’ll try.

Suppose we were to launch an air raid on Japan? Roosevelt postulated. Suppose it was a very small raid and did very little actual damage?

Well, that is not hard to figure out, Post replied quickly. The hatred for the Japanese is such that everyone in this country wants to fight them. They feel exactly as you do. Any gesture of this nature-- and I gather it is just a gesture at this point-- would be very well received.

Even if the damage was minimal and the planes were all lost? Roosevelt continued.

You must have an idea in mind that is not within usual military protocols, Post replied. " So, if you are asking me if the feeling such a raid would create be worth doing it, I would say yes. I see no way to take the war to the Japanese in a meaningful way at this time, but you are the creator of the symbolic gesture, and have always understood the importance of appearing to act. This next year is very likely to be very one-sided in their favor. That we will eventually win I think we all know, but something early in the war, something amazing-- is that what you are asking?"

I am, Roosevelt replied with a smile. "But I am not sure being called the inventor of the symbolic gesture is a compliment or a complaint."

Neither am I, Post asserted and smiled back at the President. I don’t need to know what you intend. Let me be as amazed as the country is. For this to work, you will need complete secrecy, if for not any other reason than the safety of the pilots. You sometimes have a problem with keeping quiet, Mr. President.

What do you think I am planning? the President asked, sitting back, puffing on his cigarette in its long holder, and grinning like a man with a good hand in a poker game.

Obviously just what you said: an attack by air upon Japan, Post answered.

How?

Good point, Post furrowed his brow in thought. "Maybe bombers from Russia? No, the Russians would never do that. They worked too hard to be sure they would not be facing a two-front war against the Axis powers. Their winter offensive against the Germans is just starting now and they are trying to stop the rolling German columns short of Moscow. The Russians would not be any part of an attack upon Japan.

Perhaps you could launch from China? That presents many logistical problems, however. I do not think it could be done secretly there at all. The best way might be to have a go at this with carriers. But would you risk the aircraft carriers that were spared by not being at Pearl Harbor for a mere gesture? We do not have the strength to force our way over there that close to Japan. The Japanese will be watching those carriers anyway. What about a single carrier on a secret mission? But it would have to get terrifyingly close—and, once it attacked, everything in the Jap Navy would try to get it when it sailed away. Long range bombers, a one-way trip, far enough from Japan for the carrier to escape. Maybe the bombers could land in China or Russia? You are thinking of something very daring indeed. You would need a very special man to carry this out.

But will the Japanese expect it? the President asked, tapping the surface of desk lightly with his fingers. You seem to have figured out my intentions rather easily. Roosevelt seemed disappointed in Post’s speculations. He no longer looked quite so sure of himself.

No. The Japanese would not expect this. It makes no sense from a military viewpoint. They might love a suicide attack, but they would not see the strategic purpose of raising morale. If they did they would have sacrificed their sneak attack and been more open with the commencement of hostilities. They would still have caught the fleet unprepared and there would not have been quite the same angry outburst afterward, Post answered. If you can keep this secret, you can do it. I also see a problem with an aircraft carrier. Do the carrier planes of the Navy have the capacity for long range bombing? I do not think so. So you would need army bombers for this mission. But, could a long-range army bomber even take off from an aircraft carrier? Clearly they could not land on a carrier.

Those are all very good questions, Roosevelt replied like the sly old fox he was, his confidence returning to his face. Like you said: I need a special man for this operation.

Jimmie Doolittle, Post said the name that popped into his mind first. This famous pilot had recently left government service, but he was a pioneer in aviation and innovation. Roosevelt made no reply but sucked on his cigarette and smiled back smugly at Robert Post. The President’s gleaming eyes said Jimmie Doolittle was to be given just such an assignment for the most daring air raid in history.

Post choked a little at the thought of brave American pilots risking their lives in such a bold operation. As he left the White House that night, Post said a prayer for the men who might be involved in this risky bombing raid. He also offered brief thanks that there was no way he would have any role to play in it at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 2

A Long Trip Home

January 1942

Georgiana McClellan Grant

Georgina McClellan, at just about 30 years of age, was a nurse captain in the United States Army. She had been posted to Pearl Harbor and had been in charge of all the nurses at Fort Shafter the day the war began. Her duties had been expanded greatly by General Short before his removal from high command and she had become an indispensable member of his staff by the time of the Japanese attack on December 7. She had gone to the bunker with him in those days following the attack, and she had seen him recalled from his duty assignment because of the disaster at the army airfields on that day. His successor to office had found her services indispensable as well.

Georgina was also a bride. On Christmas Eve of 1941 she had married George Grant, a 43-year-old widower, inventor, and reserve army captain. When she married him she knew he had some money from