[Whiterook]

The night wind blends with dark silence, as the "Iron Annie" transport drones back home in a sweeping arc. My God it's dark...a good thing. My cohorts must be out there somewhere, but you'd never tell, with this moonless night. Capt Howard was out the door behind me; I heard his chute open....funny what you pick up on when your senses are peaked, and I'm hoping the other boys made it out OK. I didn't think that old Luftwaffe bucket-0-bolts would make it in the air, but she flew straight and brave.

I don't know about Howard...he play's his cards close to the vest. But anyone who can piss off old Blood and Boil Smythe off that much has won a hearty measure of my respect already! My sources say Howard is the best there is, and I'll need his "special traits" he has earned such a reputation over. The rest of the lads are a good lot, and I'm counting on Howard to help me keep them alive.

I can smell blessed Mother Earth, so the landing zone is about to give me her welcome. Here we go...