The Mighty Few

I’ve been into many battles in this god-forsaken war.

If it had not been for the bombing of Pearl Harbor, I would be complaining about the frequent raids and operations that never seem to give any strategic advantage as far as the Pacific campaign goes. Emotions are high, morale is low and everybody is just too tired - most of us have never set foot on dry land for months.

But today would be different. I didn’t lose men – friends and brothers, only to lose this war. Giving up would be an insult to their sacrifice. I looked outside my cockpit window and acknowledged my wingman, I could barely see him through the glass but I can sense his anticipation and fear. My squadron would be part of the planned bombing raid of Japan, who would not feel afraid?

We are to escort B-17 Bombers to the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to deliver the final blow that hopefully, would end the war. Today is different. Today, the entire world rest their hopes on us – on me and what’s left of the entire Pacific fleet.

We already made huge progress in the ensuing advance, our destroyers sunk just enough Japanese warships to allow our carriers to get to striking distance. We had some casualties of our own, but not enough to abandon our mission. When our bombers took off, we knew there’s no turning back.

Two more from my squadron perished before even reaching Japan’s shores. Victims of the infamous suicidal Japanese pilots. I took down about three Japanese planes – no one will get close to my bomber, right now, the bomber is more important than my life. 

We were winning. As we got closer, there was less resistance. Then something happened – base ordered us to hold fire. After we received the message, all hell broke loose. Planes ahead of us were falling one by one like flies. I could barely see about five Japanese aircrafts in the distance, working its way towards our bombers. We broke formation to engage but before we could fire our rounds another order was issued for a full retreat!

Reluctantly, I ordered my squadron to go back. “What the hell happened?” Only about half made it back to the carriers. Later that night we were called for a debriefing.

The Admiral explained that they intercepted a radio broadcast from one of the Japanese planes. All the planning and hard-earned advances towards Japan’s shores put to waste by just one radio broadcast. It was a routine sweep of the airwaves and they say we were lucky that one of the operators caught it. “What was the broadcast?” one of the squadron leaders shouted, losing his cool. The Admiral looked at him sternly and relayed the broadcast in Japanese.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I lost my cool as well.

The Admiral looked at me, with defeat in his eyes, he said. “In English it means: Let’s volt in!”


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