Blog 75 posting

Another “Hints for the Holidays” follows. These will sequence through the entire novel, not telling the entire story, but providing glimpses from Golden Gate that will tantalize.

First LT Moshe Ben Badoo was wingman in this section of Israeli aircraft, flying in trail of Captain David by about a half mile, and lined up on Liberty’s starboard beam. Both were on the deck at just a hundred feet, in their second run. It was scary flying at this altitude, something he’d never done over water. His French-built Mirage fighter/bomber was well suited to this attack. Adrenaline took care of any fear Moshe felt as he lined up on the ship’s starboard midsection again ... and closed his trigger. His 30mm cannons opened up, tracers arching to the ship in his cross hairs.

Quickly his eyes glanced up to those gauges. He gasped as he saw them. Numerous cockpit gauges turned red - warnings of imminent failure. He radioed Captain David, “I’m hit and am punching out. Get the PT boats to pick me up.”

He jerked up straight and activated the ejection switch. His body blasted through the protective canopy cover. He soon hung from his parachute and watched the attack continue on Liberty. At least I get to see our attack. What he saw from his life raft caused him to choke, PT boats making strafing runs, jets continuing their attack, small explosions from cannon rounds, and smoke enveloping the ship. Above Liberty he saw … a large American flag. How can this be?

Your comments are welcome. Thanks