Lindsay sat down and tried to relax. He must not let Kemp get under his skin so easily.
‘What is it you want to see me about, sir?’
Kemp interlaced his fingers carefully across his stomach. Lindsay noticed how erectly he sat in the chair. There was not a crease in his uniform, and he guessed that he made a point of appearing alert whenever he was with his subordinates.
‘As you know, Lindsay, I have been doing a good deal of work on co-ordination.’ A small sigh. ‘A hard, thankless task.’
‘I did hear something about it, sir. But I’ve been away for several weeks, and of course there has been leave for the whole ship since we came to Liverpool.’
Kemp’s eyebrows lifted. ‘Away? Oh yes. The patrol.’
Lindsay took out his pipe and gripped it until Kemp’s casual dismissal of the patrol faded into perspective. Perhaps being recalled to the Service after retirement, the fast-moving rate of the war, the sudden jump into his new work were hard to bear for him, too. There were plenty like Kemp. So grateful to be needed again, yet unwilling to bend in the face of the changes which war had hurled against the country and the world.
Kemp continued, ‘That was a bad show about the convoy. Its commodore did not throw much light on the matter.’ He shrugged. ‘Past history now.’
Lindsay thought of the girl with the bandaged face. The blazing ship, and that last pathetic signal from the convoy escort. Am engaging.
He said quietly, ‘It was murder. In my opinion, our people will have to start thinking like the enemy and not of acting out the war as if it is a game.’ He could feel his hands trembling. ‘To see men die and be helpless to aid them was bad enough. To know it was because of carelessness makes it all the worse.’
Kemp smiled. ‘You are still on your hobby horse? I’ve been hearing about your assault on the Admiralty. I’d have thought you’d find a better way of spending your leave.’ He shrugged. ‘No matter. I came to tell you your new assignment. Not partake in amateur strategy.’
Lindsay replied, ‘You don’t believe that ships and men’s lives are important then, sir?’
Kemp smiled again. He looked more at ease than when Lindsay and the side party had met him at the gangway.
‘Look, Lindsay, you’ve had a bad time. I make a point of knowing everything there is to know about my officers. Especially commanding officers.’
Lindsay looked away. My officers. So Kemp was taking the reins.
He said, ‘I am involved, sir. I cannot just ignore it.’
‘Of course not. Admirable sentiment. However, you must allow me to understand the overall position and what must be done to contain whatever the Hun intends to do.’
Lindsay watched him with sudden realisation. There was something old-world about Kemp. He may have been able to obtain this new appointment through his past knowledge or record, but his manner, his form of speech were as revealing as a Cockney barrow-boy trying to masquerade as a bishop. The Hun, for instance. It had a First World War, Boys’ Own Paper ring to it. God, if Kemp thought he could introduce cricket into the Atlantic he was in for a shock. He felt the anger rising like a fever. But Kemp would not be the one to suffer.
‘Drastic situations call for drastic measures, Lindsay. I will be speaking with everyone concerned tomorrow, but I felt you should be put in the picture first.’ He hesitated. ‘Well, I mean, this ship is hardly a front-line warrior, eh?’
Lindsay said quietly, ‘They are using old pleasure boats, paddle-steamers for minesweeping, sir. China river gunboats for covering the army’s flanks in the Med. Benbecula is not alone when it comes to unpreparedness.’
‘Well, we can’t all have the plum commands.’ Kemp’s smile was still there but it was without warmth. ‘We need every ship we can get. Every man-jack who can serve his country to step in and fill the breech.’
Lindsay wanted to laugh. Or cry. ‘And the breech isa big one, sir.’
Kemp let his hands move up and outwards to the arms of his chair. ‘I think I am a tolerant man, Lindsay. Do not overtax me. There is vital work to be done and without wasting any more time.’ He stood up and walked to a scuttle. ‘The situation in Malaya is grave, more so than I would have thought possible. Of course I realise the Japanese have only been facing our native troops for much of the campaign, but I still feel that in my early days we would have given any attacker out there very short shrift indeed.’
Lindsay watched his profile. Native troops. Why not just let him talk. Get it over with and send him away happy.
Instead he said abruptly, ‘The troops are from many parts of the Commonwealth. Indians and Australians, as well as our people. I understand the Indian infantry have not been trained in tank warfare. Have never even seen one. They were told no attacker could use them in the ungle. I suppose the Japs didn’t know that though.’ Kemp swung round. ‘That’s probably a damned rumour!’ He calmed himself with a quick effort. ‘One thing is certain, however.‘Singapore will be held. It is a sad business to lose so much of Malaya, but with Singapore made even stronger than before we can soon retake the initiative on the mainland.’
Lindsay massaged his eyes. What was Kemp saying? That Benbecula was to go to the Far East? If so he was deluding himself more than ever.
Kemp became very grave, so that his eyes seemed to sink into the wrinkles like bright buttons.
‘Reinforcements will be sent forthwith. A fast convoy is being mustered and will sail in four days. It is a vital, convoy. Armoured vehicles and anti-aircraft weapons.
Troops and supplies, and everything else they’ll need for a siege.’
Lindsay tensed. ‘Around the Cape, sir?’
‘Of course. Did you imagine, I would direct it through the Med. to Suez? We’d have evry bomber and submarine 4 attacking it all the way.’
Lindsay replied, ‘I know, sir.’
‘Non-stop to Ceylon.’ Kemp seemed satisfied Lindsay was now in full agreement. ‘From there the troops and supplies will go on in smaller ships with fresh escorts. The FOIC in Ceylon is ready to act and will get them moving within two days of our arrival.’ He rubbed his hands. ‘That will keep the moaning minnies quiet when they see what can be done with a bit of initiative and drive.’
Lindsay said, ‘It’s thirteen thousand miles to Ceylon, sir. Even allowing for minimum changes of course to avoid U-boat attacks, breakdowns and delays it will take nearly seven weeks to get there.’
‘Really? Kemp’s eyebrows seemed to rise a full inch. ‘I’ am glad you have such a quick grasp of routes and distances. But I hope you are not suggesting that Singapore will have sunk without trace before that time?’ He laughed quietly. ‘And there will be no delays. This is an important job. We will have a heavy escort, and will go through regardless of what the Hun can throw our way.’
Lindsay stood up. ‘Look, sir, my idea about this German raider was not just born on the spur of a moment. I believe it is the start of something fresh. Something which could put our convoys into” real danger. We’re fighting on two oceans now. Even the Americans can’t be expected to help us until they’ve replaced some of their losses at Pearl Harbour.’
Kemp picked up his cap and eyed it critically. ‘I am not concerned with the American Navy, Lindsay. How they fight their war,is their affair. Personally I have greater respect for the Japanese. I worked with them in the last war. Courageous, plucky little chaps. Plenty of guts.’ He sighed. ‘But fate can be unkind,as we have seen.’
Lindsay could feel his mind reeling. It was like part of a badly acted play. Dinner jackets in the jungle. The captain on his bridge saluting as the ship went down.
He said, ‘I’m afraid I can’t agree, sir.’
‘That is hardly my worry, Lindsay.’ He smiled grimly. ‘I know ‘you’re fretting about having this old ship to command. With any sort of luck I may be able to help towards something better.’ His smile vanished. ‘But I intend to see that my arrangements work. I do not expect to hear any more of this defeatist talk from you or anyone else.’