Chasing Shadows

CHAPTER THREE

  MAN DOWN

  As predicted by the camp doctor, after a couple of weeks Michael was given the green light to return to full time duties. Although unbeknown by the doctor, he had already taken it upon himself to take full control from day one. He then wasted no time in gaining permission from the camp Commander to take out a patrol. Michael had chosen a new area about ten kilometers from the camp, to check it out for enemy activity. Wanting to baptise and blood the new members of the team in real situations in order to speed up their training.

  His team comprised of all eighteen members. Don took the point with a Nard close behind him. While Hoi was the next in line with Michael close behind him. The rest of the team sorted themselves out in file, leaving Geordie as the tail end charlie. Michael knew he could trust Geordie having known him for some time. The tail end charlie's job was just as important as that of the point duty. The rule of the day was to keep the person in front of you, insight at all times. While occasionally looking behind. Whoever was at the point, Michael always insisted on a tracker being very close behind, for second opinions and advice.

  Michael had decided that they would cut a new track. In the hope that the new members of the team would get used to the hard work and learn how to keep the noise down to a minimum. It was the only safe way of knowing that they would not walk un-expectantly upon the enemy or worse, an ambush. There are times when you can come across an existing track. Care has to be taken when crossing it. Each patrol had devised their own methods of entering an existing track, so as not to leave any trace of the track they have just cut. While also camouflaging where they leave it, to carry on extending the new one they had been cutting.

  After an hour jungle routine kicked in and they took a short break allowing Michael to check his map reference and position. While other members of the team took a break. Leaving the point and tail end charlie still on the alert in case somebody was to stumble upon them. No smoking was allowed although most chose to take a drink.

  Once they were ready to continue, the lead position was replaced by the team member directly behind Michael, along with a fresh Nard. While Geordie dropped back as the tail end charlie. This made sure that everybody would take a turn up the front and the rear. This routine continued throughout the day, until around late afternoon, when Michael chose to call the patrol to a permanent halt for the day. Knowing that they were on a new track, it could be assumed that the point area was fairly safe. Although assumed, was another word that Michael had also banned from their vocabulary, wanting to only deal with the facts. Two team members were sent back a couple of hundred meters along the track to act as an early warning system, in case their track had been compromised. While the rest of the team set about setting up a very small camp for the night.

  Being a slight hilly area most chose to build a small flat bamboo platform out from the side of a slight incline. Then running a cord, vine, or even a trip wire above the platform. They proceed to covered it with a poncho or cape, to keep them dry in the night. Some even used large leaves over lapping each other in an effort to make it water proof. The base of the platforms was then covered with an array of dry vegetation spread out as a mattress. Laying on the bare ground to sleep is not very comfortable or advised. Especially with all the insect crawling around at night, and besides it usually rains. One needs a certain amount of sleep per night and to also be dry at the same time. There are no mosquito nets while out on patrol. These were a luxury that was only enjoyed when back at base camp. Items in your back pack was severely limited to the basics, in order to keep the weight down. Only local food was eaten, and as per the rules there was to be no smoking.

  A guard roster was set up leaving two on guard at all time. Their position was back up the track. With two trip flares set up across it, just in case they did do the unthinkable of falling asleep. A major chargeable offence in any mans army. Another golden rule of the jungle is, he who sets up the trip flare's will dismantle them in the morning. In the past there had been several serious accidents when others had tried to disarm them. Some guys go into fine detail when setting up bobby traps. Using an array of tricks trying to set them up so that the enemy could not disarm them. Many have bragged at some time or other that they had invented the perfect bobby trap, that could not be dismantled other than by detonating it. The jury is still out on that one?

  They had also been trained not to set up a camp to close to a stream or river, as flash flooding had more than once washed other members of the team away during the night.

  During the day they had covered about five kilometers, and after cutting your way through virgin jungle that is good. Compared to a mangrove swamp, where you might only cover a distance of about one kilometre a day.

  About a hour after daybreak and after they had packed up their gear and de-armed the flares. Michael formed up the team for another day of learning the tricks of the trade. They would still be cutting their own track as Michael wanted to make sure that all the new members of the team had taken a spell up the front.

  During the day the pace picked up as they found themselves in an area of the jungle that was not quite so dense. This meant that the speed of the patrol quickened which at times is not always a good thing. As in the haste of the patrol important signs can be missed. One has to learn how to read the jungle. Getting it right and it will be your friend, getting it wrong and it can be your worsted enemy and probably kill you.

  Once everybody had taken a turn at the front, Michael changed the direction they were heading and navigated them onto an existing track. Now other skills would be learnt. Now it was a case of watching all around the patrol. For the point man his job had just become a little easier. Now it was just a case of observing where they were going and no cutting.

  Later Michael made the quick decision to set an ambush on the track. With the help of Hoi they got off the track and headed in to the virgin jungle. While Hoi and the other Nards help conceal the departure point. Michael then worked out a direction that would bring them in position on the track. Slowly and with stealth they took up their positions along the side of track about six meters in the jungle. The track ran from East to West and they had been advancing along it from the west.

  Once in position it was just a case of waiting, while not knowing if anybody would pass along in front of them. Michael knew the area was free of so called friendly's, anybody coming into their arc of fire would be the enemy.

  The wait was long, but suddenly two males appeared coming along the track from the East carrying weapons. Michael held fire trying to work out who they were, and what they were doing. By a fluke chance they sat down right in front of the ambush team and started eating some rice that was wrapped in a leaf.

  After about ten minutes they got up and walked back along the track to the East the way they had come from. Luckily the team was not spread out and Michael was able to passed a message along the team to hold position, that he was not sure what had just taken place.

  To the teams absolute amazement a few minutes later another armed person also came in to view and sat almost in the same position. He also took it easy and ate some food. Then once again just got up and walked back up the track. Michael was scratching his heard trying to work out what was happening. The only conclusion he could come up with, was that they were members of an enemy ambush team and they were laying in wait to their East. They must have assumed that the track to their west was safe, and was using it when they took a break. A golden opportunity for Michael to prove to his team at a later date, that approaching from behind the intended set up position is the safest way to go. He then managed to get a message passed to all, that the next time it happened they would take them out on his command. Sure enough about fifteen minutes later two more guys came up the track, only this time they did not sit in the same place. This time they were sitting in front of the far end of the team. For Michael to take the first shot that would be the signal to spring the trap. He would have to line his weapon up across the f
ront of the whole team. Although this was no trouble and when he fired that first shot, immediately there was what sounded like a second single shot. While in reality all the team had fired at the same time.

  Almost immediately there was a sound of what could only be described as elephants charging through the jungle. Whereas in reality it was probable the enemy ambush team panicked into believing that their position had been compromised. Not wanting to be caught and probably killed. They were trying to do their utter most to flee the area at great speed.

  Before Michael withdrew he waited for what he thought was a safe time and then gave the order to withdraw. He had wanted to go out to the two dead enemy on the track and lay a hand grenade with the pin out under each body. However, his ethics prevented him against such a move. Knowing that the locals also used these tracks. The last thing he wanted was to kill them. After all with the help of the Hoi and the other Nards it was always his plan to befriend the locals whenever possible.

  The team retreated well back into the jungle to set up for the night. A routine that by now the team were starting to get used to.

  The following morning Michael decide to cut his way through to another known track, in order to cross a river that he knew lay ahead of them. It being the only bridge in the area.

  They arrived at the river crossing, only to find that the make shift rope bridge was missing. Michael ordered everybody to take up a defensive position while he, Hoi and Don decided what to do next. Yes he still wanted to progress along the track on the other side of the river, but he was wondering about getting across. The river was about twenty five meters across and the water was flowing quite fast, and it looked quite deep in places.

  Most military personnel usually had to prove that they could swim before they were allowed to go overseas. However, many could only just swim a few meters in a small swimming pool, and could only just make it to the other side. If these people were not allowed overseas. It's a fore gone conclusion that it would be hard for the military to do the job they were sent out to do, being short staffed.

  Michael made the decision that they would use a rope to assist some of the new guys to get across. Although Michael was the leader and that he should not take to many risks. He realised that he was one of the best swimmers in the team. And so he decided that he was going to swim across with the rope and tie it to a tree on the other side. Don unravel the rope he had been carrying and fixed it to a tree close to the spot where they were intending to across. Michael removed his back pack and laid it on the ground along with his weapon. He then tied the other end of the rope around his waist. Michael then walked along the bank up stream until the rope became tight behind him. At which he signalled to Don that he was ready. He then dived in to the river and tried his hardest to swim against the fast flow of the water across the river. It turned out to be hard work, but the flow of the water took him over to the other side dead opposite to where Don was standing. Somehow he managed to climb up the bank, pulling the slack rope up behind him. Even though the flow of the water was trying to sweep it further downstream. Michael now found himself in a situation, where he was un armed on one side of the river while the rest of the team was on the other.

  Some members of the team had been preparing to pull themselves over the river using the rope with one hand while trying to keep their back packs and weapons above their heads with the other. Not an easy thing to do while trying to walk through waste deep fast flowing water. Don was to be the last to go over, while Geordie was chosen to be next as he needed to get over quick with his weapon to help protect Michael. Geordie made it easily being a tall guy and good swimmer, but as the new guys took their turn, it was soon to be realised that some of them were struggling a little. Slowly the team was re-assembling and taking up defensive passions on the other side.

  One of the last ones to have ago was a short stocky guy know as Smig, although nobody ever knew why. Michael suddenly realised just when it was too late that Smig was going to be in trouble. No sooner had he entered the water and he was struggling. The force of the water immediately tried to pull him under, and then within a couple of seconds one minute he was there and the next he was gone. In fact nobody either side of the river saw him appear above the water again.

  Michael had to make a decision and fast. While most of the team was on his side of the water Don, Chuck an American and a Nard were still on the other side. Michael ordered the rope to be untied on his side of the river shouting to Don to keep it with him. Adding that he should go down river on his side and that Michael would stay on the other bank, and to also go down stream. A means of rejoining each other would be worked out at a later date when it arose. Michael had the radio and most of the team. At least Don had the luxury of a Nard to assist him.

  The rivers in the high lands all make their way down to the plains and eventually the sea in the East. This meant that many of the rivers dropped drastically in some places, which was why the flow was so fast. If they were unlucky the water would get deeper and flow faster the further they went down stream.

  The other problem was that they were both in known enemy territory. However, speed was of the essence to run down along the river as fast as they could in the hope of trying to find Smig before it was too late. As luck would have it, as they tried to make their way down river at blistering pace, neither party ran unexpectedly on to the enemy. Although at times they lost sight of each other as they had to go up hills and back down again in the vain hope of hugging the river and finding Smig. Slowly Michaels team got in front of Don leaving him well behind climbing over obstacles and large boulders. Both Michael and Don had come to the conclusion that each would have to make their own plans on whether to continue down river or to try and get back to base camp on their own. By now there was still no sign of Smig or of each other. Because there was only one radio, there was no way of making contact with each other. There was also the chance that Smig's body might have became trapped under a boulder in the river.

  After what seemed like a couple of hours, Michael's team came across a change in the river that opened up into what could best be described as a bit of a lagoon. Which had several sand bars appearing above the water. It was then that one of the Nards alerted Michael that there was something on one of them. Sure enough Michael was convinced that it was Smig. He hastily organised his team to take up a defensive position around the water bank they were grouped around. Giving Geordie full command of the group he wasted no time in taking off his shirt and boots to swimming out to the sand bar.

  Upon reaching him he was quite shocked to see the condition he was in. Thinking he must have collided with almost every boulder in the river. The body was blue in colour although Michael did not know if it was from impact with the boulders or from the drowning. While the birds had wasted no time in pecking out his eyes.

  As he tried to drag the body over to where the team was waiting, he found it hard to stop it from sinking. So instead of just clutching at his shirt and trying to drag him through the water. He had to adopted a correct life guard hold. Keeping his right side to Smig's back he place his right arm under Smig's left arm and chin. It was slow going as he tried to use a side stroke action to drag him across the lagoon. However hard it was there was no way that Michael was going to leave him. During the training Michael had always promised the team that wherever possibly no man would be left behind.

  Upon pulling Smig's body on to the river bank where the team was waiting. He then ordered the guy with the radio to call for a chopper to come and hopefully be able to winch Smig's body on board.

  Having located a chopper it took almost an hour to reach them. Upon its arrival they wasted no time in winching the body on board. While leaving Michael to come up with a plan of what to do next. Was he to try and find Don on the other side of the lagoon. Or was he to make it his priority to look after his team and get them safely back to the camp. Taking another look at the lagoon that was quite shallow in places, he came up with the idea of crossing th
e river at this particular location. Wherever he lead the team he would have to cross the river at some point. Knowing that Don had the rope limited his options. This seemed to be the best place to try. At least the flow was slower than the crossing they had used earlier and he just might be able to find an easy way across.

  However the decision was taken out of his hands as the light began to fade. catching him un-aware of the time of day. Michael organised to bed down where they were. Although the situation meant that they would have to mount at least four guards at all times. It was not an ideal spot, but they were going to have to make the best of it.

  Michael was awake by first light and started to get a plan in his head. Once everybody had taken up a defensive position he took it upon himself to test the water and to try and find an easy way across. At first he waded to a sand bar looking for a shallow passage to another one, and inch by inch he worked out a reasonable way across. Upon his return he ordered all of them to repack their gear into their ponchos trying to keep their gear water proof. However, it was essential that they kept their weapons dry as it was their only means of protection. If the worse scenario was to happen they could drop their gear, but at all costs they were to hold on to the weapons and ammunition. Michael had faith in the good swimmers and decided that they could help the not so good ones. To the groups amazement Michael removed his trouser to a couple of timid wolf whistles, and told them that he would demonstrate how the not so good swimmers that numbered three could help themselves across. Michael walked into the water holding the trousers and tied a knot in the bottom of each leg. He then held the trousers at the waist band behind him with the zip facing his back. He then drew them quickly up and over his head and onto the water in front of him. Immediately the legs were full of air and they stuck up at an out ward angle. He then gathered the trouser waste band together while under the water and then laid on the crutch between the legs. He went on to explain that if you did not place all your weight on the trousers at the same time, it would probably keep your head above the water for about five to ten minutes. Before you would have to do it all again only the next time you would be treading water at the same time. While assuring them that it could be done. The aim was to just use it as an aid to help you keep your head afloat. He went on to tell them had he had once spent an hour doing just this waiting to be picked up while a mile out at sea. He ended by telling them to trust him it works. While at the same time paring a good swimmer up with each of the three. The jungle green trousers are quite thick helping protect the serviceman's legs from thorns and sharp bushes. He also added that it works with a good pair of jeans. In the end the trick was not needed as the help from the good swimmers was enough to get them all across, as well as their gear although some of it did get wet.

  At least he knew they were on the right side of the river and that they also had the maps and compass. To help find their way back to the main camp, that was at least two days march away.

  Mean while Don had given up any hope of finding Michael, because his side of the river was throwing up to many obstacles for them to negotiate. There was just no way that they could keep the fast pace up. He was also worried that in their haste it was becoming too dangerous, and the threat of running unprepared into the enemy was just not worth the risk.

  Don decided to call a halt of their fast reckless pursuit, and to lead his team back to the track they had been on before the river incident. However, just like Michael he was also affected by the fading daylight. Deciding to camp for the night in a make shift spot that was protected by very large boulders. They only had the luxury of one guard all night as there was just the three of them. Which meant they got less sleep, but at least they felt safe in the location they had chosen.

  Unfortunately, they did not have a radio and so they had no means of making contact with the outside world. If they were to make it back, it was going to be hard approaching the main camp as they could not identify themselves.

  Luckily, Don was very skilled in tracking and to finding himself around the area without a map. He was also relieved to have a good Nard with him, as extra protection against making mistakes. Another thing that Don was relying on was the knowledge that the enemy had a tendency of letting the first few members at the head of a patrol through their ambush position. It was believed that this was to let the first few go through, in order to catch the leader and other top members of the patrol. Who it was believed at that time were further back in the middle of the patrol, and being protected by those around him. With only three members in his patrol it might just fool the enemy.

  At first light the next morning Don explained to the others a plan he had come up with during the night. It was no good trying to catch up with Michael in unknown territory with their limited resources. With the help of the Nard they would back track the same way they had come. Although he knew that there was a possible risk, it was worth taking. As he could not come up with anything better for the time being. At least with the Nard, who Michael had nick named Leo, after an Iban tribesman he had befriend in Borneo, could read the track for them. Two days march through the jungle without a map or a compass is fraught with danger and possibilities of going wrong. On a two day march if you were out by only one degree, after two days you could be several kilometers from your intended target. You would then be totally lost with little hope of working out where you were.

  That first day was slow going, as Leo did his best reading the track they had left the day before. Don was also starting to realise that with just the three of them it was going to take them longer on the return journey. He also asked Leo to keep his eyes open for possible food, as between them they had very little. That first day was uneventful, and lady luck seemed to be on their side. However, the second day started off on a bad note, when Chuck awoke with a bit of a fever. There was nothing that Don could do for him, as they did not even have a first aid kit. Now Don was getting himself into a bit of a predicament, not knowing how to look after Chuck. While knowing full well that it was imperative that they keep moving. However, he did ask Leo if there was anything in the jungle that could be used to help drop his temperature, that by now was quite high, as his forehead was indicating. To keep an eye on him Chuck had been place in the middle of their group, with Don bringing up the rear. Making sure that he did not drop back and out of sight.

  The day dragged on as Chuck became worse by the hour. Now they were covering their journey at a far slower rate. Even Leo who would normally take his time in reading the track was getting ahead of Chuck, and the two were out of sight of each other. But there was nothing that Don could do. Who by this time was right up behind him almost pushing him along. All the time breaking the rules and quietly talking directly into his ear, trying to convince him to keep going. After a time Chuck almost came to a stop. So Don called for a break, having to leave Chuck and rush a head in the hope of catching Leo. Only to find him gathering a couple of leaves, that he said would help him. At least that was good news for Don, who was finding it hard to think of a way out of the predicament they were all in.

  Don decided to call it a day and for Leo to find a safe camp site for the night just off the main track. The night was un-nerving as Chuck was by now muttering and moving around in his sleep. At one time Don even considered tying a gag across his mouth to keep him quiet, but thought better of it in case he suffocated.

  As the morning sun started to rise, Don knew he had to make a decision. Would he stay with Chuck, and let Leo try and get back to the base camp for help. Or would it be Don who went for help. It was a hard decision to make, although realising that Leo would have the best chance, as he was a tracker. However, in the end he chose neither, thinking it might be better if they stayed together. Thinking there was more safety in numbers.

  They set about trying to build a stretcher out of bamboo. Having resigned to the fact that they would have to try and carry Chuck all the way back to the main camp. Although at that time they had no idea how far it was. That day was one
of the worse days that Don could ever remember. Because the tracks went up and down hills and in some places they were very steep. It was hard just to keep Chuck on the stretcher, as by this time he was starting to become delirious. Don decided it would be better to tie him to the stretcher, using some of the rope they had used on the first river crossing. This was a good move as a couple of times as they were trying to navigate around large bounders on the narrow track, the stretcher tilted up on its side and he might have fallen off. During the day twice they heard a chopper pass over head. Sadly there were no breaks in the tree canopy above to see what it was. Although Don knew it could not be the enemy as they did not use choppers.

  Eventually the track lead through a small clearing and Don was positive he had not seen it on the way out from the camp. Realising that they might be lost, and as their bodies were just about drained of energy. They decided to stay near the clearing for the night.

  In the morning both Don and Leo agreed that they should stay where they were for the time being. While Leo went in the search of food and water. Don set about a plan he had thought of during the night. From his back pack he removed a handful of what looked like a scrunched up piece of rag. However, it was a couple of coloured panels of an old parachute that he unrolled and shook the creases out. Many of their supplies were dropped by parachutes when they were in hard areas to supply. At one time Don and Michael had cut one up using the material as a sleeping bag. Don walked out into the middle of the clearing and laid out the silk in a cross configuration. Being brightly coloured he was sure that it would attacked attention and be noticed from the air.

  Then it was a case of just waiting and listening, and finding something to do to kill the time. Although nothing passed by that day. Don was just thankful that they had not found one single sign of the enemy the whole time they had been on the track.

  After a total of five days, most of the time without food and no medical supplies for Chuck. Their prayers were finally answered as a chopper suddenly swooped low over their position.

  The clearing was not quite big enough for it to land. However, they hovered just above the trees canopy and dropped a harness on a wire. Don and Leo dragged Chuck over and attached him first. Giving the sign to those above to take him up. Don insisted that Leo was next. Then when he was safely aboard Don became the last to go up and waved good bye to the clearing that had been their home for a couple of days and more than likely saved their lives. Upon their arrival back at the camp they were met by a jubilant Michael and the other members of the team.

  As was expected and by a stroke of good luck Michael had not come across any problems or the enemy. Although he was not expecting any trouble as he had the maps and compass. He had arrived back at the main camp after only two days march. He was then able to pre-warn the camp security of what had happened. That Don was still out there with no means of communication to identify himself. The only information he could give the rescue teams was to pass on the map references of the first track they had gone out on.

  If Don had made it back to the base camp, for recognition he had intended to detonate a trip flare and to walk out into the open waving his white tee shirt tied to the barrel of his riffle. Hoping it was sufficient to be recognised by, and to finally be allowed to walked safely into the camp.

  The next day Michael was called into the Commanders office, and briefed on a New Zealander named Bruce Johnson. Who six months earlier had led a cross border patrol in to Laos trying to snatch a Laotian warlord. Wanting to get him on their side. Somehow he had become separated from his team and since then nothing had been heard from him. Adding that his team had all returned safely back to base, although minus Bruce and the warlord. Then out of the blue yesterday a reconnaissance air craft flying over Laos, had taken photos of what just might be him, along with another armed person. The photos were not clear but most believe it was Bruce. However, the photo was taken a couple of hundred kilometers from his last known position. The Commanders plan was to send Michael and five others and fly them by chopper just short of the border, but to the nearest point to where the photo had been taken.