Raw American recruits are thrown into battle on New Guinea during the early years of World War II in the Pacific.
[In the fall of 1942, General Douglas MacArthur's forces began attacking the Japanese troops on New Guinea. The Japs had everything, air superiority, artillery and tanks. The U.S. troops who began the attack were inexperienced draftees who'd never been in action before. Career soldiers, like Sergeant Larry Turk, knew the best way to lead them in an unequal battle was - to toughen 'em up!]
Third squad was embroiled in hand-to-hand fighting near a Japanese outpost deep in the jungle.
Sgt. Turk was yelling at one of the raw recruits when the bot hesitated..."Either ya fight them, rookie, or me! Make up yer mind!" The Sgt. grabbed him by the collar.
The tough N.C.O. drove his squad hard...he tried to make them mad...mad enough to forget their fear of the enemy.
"The Japs will call out durin' the night! They'll say they're G.I.s and they're hurt. They'll plead for help! They're great little actors. Don't fall for it...if you creeps leave yer foxholes, you're dead men, 'cause, if the Nips don't get ya...I sure will!"
[Night was the worst for these young untried soldiers, who'd been thrown into battle after minimal training.]
Sure enough, the cries in the night began. Very convincing, but Sgt. Turk kept the men in line. He'd toss a grenade at the Japanese pretending to be wounded Americans.
"How could he be so sure it was a Jap?" asked one of the men. The Sgt. turned to him with a scowl on his face.
[The squad leader hammered at his men, bullied them, and tried to keep them alive until they learned the ropes.]
One of the recruits was sent to take out a machine gun nest.
"Just keep runnin' Sonny," advised the Sgt. "No matter what happens...don't stop! We'll give you cover fire!" A tap on the back, "Now - GO!"
Sonny ran a short distance, then fell on his belly. The concerned Sgt. Turk knew he'd be riddled with bullets if he didn't get him out of there. He turned to Cpl. Allen..."If I get knocked off, corporal, you're in charge!"
Then he ran toward Sonny, but to the flank of the machine gun nest. While the Nips had Sonny pinned down, the Sgt. had time to sneak up on their flank and toss a grenade. Both Japanese soldiers were killed and the gun destroyed. But as luck would have it, a Japanese officer pulled his pistol and captured Sgt. Turk!
[Their squad leader was a prisoner of war, and Cpl. Allen heldn the squad in the same position until Lt. Haze clued them in.]
"Losing Larry Turk was a tough break for this squad! Now...stay awake. The Nips have tanks. If they try to break through, use bazookas!" he turned to Cpl. Allen..."Who's your bazooka man?"
"Floyd, Sir," replied Cpl. Allen, "But we haven't been using it so far."
The Lt. continued, "The field hospital and ammo dump are right behind us! If the Jap tanks break through, the division may get wiped out! You've got to stop them."
"Y-yes, Sir!" Allen stammered. The Lt. left to attend to Baker Company. Moments later, the squad could hear Jap tank engines roaring through the jungle, and the clatter as they came nearer...
"Listen," said Floyd, holding the loaded bazooka on his shoulder, "There's a tan close by Tom."
"Remember...the field hospital and ammo dump...don't miss," came the warning from Tom.
The lead tank crushed its way through the brush and smashed its way into the clearing before Pfc. Floyd...
"Pull the trigger, Floyd!" commanded Allen.
"I - I can't!" exclaimed Floyd.
Shirtless and chained, spread-eagle, in front of the lead Jap tank was Sgt. Turk!
"Shoot Floyd! That's an order!" shouted Sgt. Turk.
"B-but the Sarge'll be killed!"
Floyd took aim. His shot went right over the head of the Japanese tank commander standing in the turret hatch, driving him back into the tank. Floyd immediately dropped the bazooka and ran to the side of the oncoming tank, climbed aboard, and before the officer could close the hatch, he dropped a grenade through the turret. The explosion killed the tank crew and the machine came to a halt.
The rest of the squad rushed the tank and unchained Sgt. Turk.
The Sgt. commended Floyd, "That was pretty smart, firin' close to the tank to bluff the Japs. I still think you should-ve aimed right at the tank!"
"Gee, Sarge! I DID aim at the Tank!" said Floyd, "You don't think I'd disobey a direct order, do you?"
A slight grin crossed Floyd's lips, as Sergeant Turk wiped sweat from off his brow!
Love, romance, innocence, intrigue, danger, and lust. Life is complicated, and love even more so. Life, and love, can be hazardous to a lady's health. Especially if she's fallen in love with a married pop star.
