JARBA.

The earlier cloud cover had now pa.s.sed by and the night became bright and moonlit once again. It was then I saw two very large circular flying objects. Rooted to the spot I called to Chalky. They were moving very slowly at first then they both turned north west and tilted towards me, and as they did so they were lit up by the moonlight, showing them as silvery with a metallic sheen they also had small blue and green lights at each end, and no sound came from them as they suddenly shot off into the night! 'What the h.e.l.l were those things Chalky? I asked. 'They took off from over there near the target area.

'You were mistaken. You saw nothing! he quietly told me.

'But! I said, pointing in their direction.

'But nothing, Geordie. OK?

'Yes, OK then, I replied a little sullenly.

Not one of the men even looked in my direction, they just kept on walking as though nothing had happened that was remotely breathtaking and I had to just forget it, but I wondered, how do you do that? So I just shook my head and followed the guys; the air grew colder the higher we went but the steep climb up the hill kept us fairly warm. As we neared the rendezvous point, the road began to run around the base of a hill over the top of which we saw a faint glow of lights. Obviously this was coming from the other side. It was time to get away from the road and into the spa.r.s.e trees on its lower slope.

As we began to climb and neared the summit, the trees increased in concentration until they eventually formed a small thicket interspersed with dense undergrowth and bushes. Our rendezvous point was just over the hill and slightly down the other side and as we made our way towards it, through the trees we could clearly see the garrison in the valley below us, about four hundred yards down the hillside to the left of some small village that looked like it had been demolished.

Just below the brow of the hill, we came across Royston and his lads crouched in the undergrowth so we joined them, just as Reg and the others came through the trees to our right. For some time, we all sat quietly looking through our binoculars, closely observing the scene below, taking everything in.

The garrison was built on a level area in a valley sheltered on three sides by the surrounding hills. The main gate was directly opposite our position and only yards from the side of the road that wed followed up through the valley, which now wound its way around the base of the hill we where we sat, past the garrison and continued on through the hills.

The perimeter of the building consisted of a single mesh fence with barbed wire strung along its top. As Spot had pointed out, it looked to be a very flimsy and hastily thrown together affair, which was a surprise as we thought there might have been something far more substantial. Several vehicles and what looked like big boxes were parked in a compound area just inside the fence and behind them was a two-storey building, which looked to be built out of breeze blocks. To the left of this construction was a cl.u.s.ter of smaller huts and outbuildings.

The compound area was well lit by several rows of light bulbs strung across it, suspended from wire.

The main gate was manned by two guards, a further two men were stationed outside of the main entrance to the two-storey building, while a guard with a dog casually patrolled the compound. They all appeared to be fairly relaxed, smoking and chatting to one another, clearly not expecting any trouble.

To the left of the main gate, inside the perimeter fence, stood a small wooden-sided building. It was roughly thirty yards along the fence near to its corner, and about fifteen feet away from it inside the compound. The structure had a two-foot gap right around it between the top of its walls and its corrugated tin roof, with a smaller gap between the bottom of the walls and the ground. This was obviously their toilet block, judging by the number of visits made to it by various soldiers as we watched, all of whom emerged adjusting their clothing.

By now wed settled more comfortably into our position in the woods, opposite the main gate, from where we could continue to monitor movement within the compound. There were lights on in several of the rooms in the two-storey building, which made it easy to see what was happening inside each of these through the windows. Most had very little in them; however, there was a lot of activity going on in the last room on the second floor.

This seemed to be large in size, and at the end of a corridor. It had large, wooden double doors on to the corridor, which stood open, and opposite these the rear wall of the room was draped with two flags, although it was difficult to make out exactly what these were. Most of the area was taken up with a huge polished wood table, surrounded by high-backed chairs.

'I think that looks like the room where the meetings scheduled to take place. It would have to be the one at the farthest end of the building, Royston grumbled quietly.

'There isnt much going on down there at the moment, Royston. I dont think were going to learn too much more just now, Dynamo said. 'I think we should get as comfortable as possible and try to get a couple of hours sleep.

'Yes, I think youre right, Royston agreed. 'Spread out a bit lads and get yourselves something to eat.

A couple of the lads stayed on guard, while the rest of us settled down as best we could.

We awoke to a truly breathtaking view. The early morning sun was shining on Mount Hermon in the distance to our north, tinging the snow-capped peaks and slopes a soft, pink-edged gold. It was a beautiful and unforgettable sight.

'Well, its your show mate, how are you going to tackle it? Dynamo asked Royston, as we sat eating our meagre breakfast of dry biscuits and water.

'Well, its obvious that the security here stinks, the place is lit up like a Christmas tree, Royston said in disgust. 'Theres no one checking the hills overlooking their compound, it cant possibly be a military base, its got to be some kind of old storage depot. Have you seen the gear thats lying about! The two military guys wont be here until later this evening and the only activity going on appears to be that lot going to the bog. Theres another toilet block further back, which looks as though its probably for officers use only.

Chalky had been watching the building through his binoculars. 'Take a look at this lot, the lucky swine, he said. 'I bet theyre not having what were having!

Several civilians had entered one of the smaller rooms and were either sitting around in comfortable-looking armchairs or at a table laid out with food they were obviously having their breakfast, too!

'Never mind the "Last Supper", this is going to be their last breakfast! Spot joked.

'OK, Royston said. 'From what I can see it looks as though we need to get into that big room at the end on the second floor without anyone suspecting anything. The lads have had a look around and cant see another way in or out of that building, except for that one main door where the guards are, so no one should be able to sneak out the back if any trouble starts.

Greg agreed with him. 'We cant wait until theyre leaving the compound because they could be in there for a couple of days; besides, they may not all leave together, and its not just them we are after, its what they have too.

'So what is that then? I asked.

'You dont need to know, Greg told me. 'There are two of us who know what it is and it will stay that way just now.

'How do you now its in there? I whispered.

'Oh its in there all right, it was delivered by express delivery last night!

'Do you mean those two I saw in the car brought it?

'No more questions. Forget it, Geordie we know its there. So well have to take them out while theyre having their meeting and theyre all in one place!

'Right lads. This is what weve come up with, Royston continued. 'Greg and I have been studying their movements and as I said they all seem to be using this bog over to the left on a fairly regular basis. So, weve decided that Im going to be the one to go in; I need to get into that bog and then if I can make them believe Im one of their guys, I should be able to get into that room on my own. But Ill need everyones help, including theirs!

'What do you mean? How are you going to do that? Dynamo asked.

'Well, this is the idea, Royston began. 'As I said, theyre using that toilet block really frequently and most of the guys using it are coming from those huts in the background. Some of them go straight back to the huts again, but Ive noticed a few of them are going into the large building and the guards dont seem to be taking very much notice of them. Now, before I make a move I need to know when the VIPs are all in that end room because I need them all together, I dont want to have to look around for any of them. Greg and I are going to make our way down near to the corner of the fence over there at the rear of the toilet block. Well put a hole in it under cover of dark and then Ill go through.

'Once we know all the Bra.s.s are in that office, Ill get into the toilets from the back by using one of those vents in the top. From there I wont be able to see if anyone approaches the bog, but Greg will be in a nearby position where h.e.l.l be able let me know if someones coming. Actually, it would be better if someone does come when Im in there, because the guards will then be expecting someone to leave. But I dont think itll matter too much; they only seem to look in this direction if someone leaving the bog makes a noise with the d.a.m.n doors. If somebody does come in, then Ill take him out. When I leave Ill let my rifle drag on the ground and fasten my trousers up as I walk across the compound towards the guards, so that youll all know its me.

'Now this is where Ill need backup and you all come in, he went on. 'When I get to within a few feet of the guards on the door, Ill need you all to open fire on the building, that way I should be able to get inside while theyll all be rushing around in confusion.

'Dont waste any ammo, Greg added, 'but it would be useful if you put as many vehicles out of commission as possible.

'Thats right, Royston continued. 'Itll take me about a minute to run up the stairs and get to that room; hopefully by then theyll have knocked the lights off and in the dark and confusion theyll just think that I am one of them. As I said, there doesnt appear to be another exit so I should be able to get to the targets and I can a.s.sure you therell be no one coming out of that room alive! he said emphatically.

'Besides, by the time they do realise that Im not one of them, they wont be in a fit state to do anything about it. So, with a bit of luck, I should be able to walk straight through the building and back out again. Royston finished, confidently. 'Its a good job their security stinks!

'Well, thats the best plan Ive heard yet, Dynamo said, sitting back on his heels.

'Its the only one youve heard! Royston exclaimed.

'Thats what I mean, Dynamo laughed. 'Well, its your pigeon, old man.

'How many do you think there are of them in the building? Spot asked. 'Ive counted about twenty-five but I think there could be more.

'Well, I counted thirty, Greg said. 'But theyve been in and out of the buildings so many times during the night I think I might have counted some of them twice in the dark!

'So, unless the late arrivals bring more, we think theres between twenty-five to thirty of them, agreed Royston.

'Piece of cake then, isnt it? Dynamo said. 'I cant see a better way of doing it And its one way to make sure that whoever is in that room stays there. There isnt anywhere else they can go, so you can be sure that youve got them all together. But when you have taken them out, how will you find it?

'Oh thats easy, I will know where it will be, Royston a.s.sured him.

'How do you know that? I wanted to know.

'Its called inside information Geordie, Royston answered with a short laugh.

'You mean weve got someone in there working for us?

'Yes not one of us, but one of them. So, lets hope I dont blow him away as well, he went on with a grin and a slight shake of his head. 'No, that wont happen. He knows we are here so he shouldnt be in the building if he has any sense.

'Besides once we all open fire on the compound, theyll switch the lights off, as Royston said, Chalky told me, 'which means that he has a greater element of surprise because hes already going to be inside by then.

Roystons plans were discussed in more detail, as we finished off our biscuits, and we were all in agreement that there was no other option.

'We need to immobilise as much of their transport as possible, to lessen the risk of being followed, Dynamo said. 'And take out as many of them as we can in the process.

'We also need to keep a sharp look-out for approaching vehicles, Chalky pointed out. 'It looks as though this road is fairly well used and we need to be sure whether its them or not.

'Youre right, Royston agreed. 'If they drive right up to the main entrance of that building, which they probably will, that truck parked at the side of it is going to block our view of anyone getting out of a car, unless they move it before the targets arrive. If not, we wont get a good look at anyone entering the building from here.

'We wont be able to make out whos in the car coming up the road by then either, even with binoculars, itll be too dark. Why dont I go down and hide by the roadside? I volunteered. 'I should be able to see them from there if I can get close enough.

'OK, Geordie, make sure you find yourself somewhere reasonably comfortable where you can clearly see that its our targets as they pa.s.s you, Royston told me.

Chalky was sitting nearby. 'And watch out for the snakes, he teased.

'Aw, man, if its not crocs, its flamin snakes, I grumbled, giving him a shove.

Careful to stay well under the cover of the trees, we spread out through the woods to fully check out the whole area. A couple of the guys moved over to more closely observe the far end of the camp near to the bombed-out village, while several others moved through the trees setting b.o.o.by traps and tagging these so we could all clearly see each location.

I spent most of the day with Chalky at the furthest side of the wood away from the camp, overlooking the road, the river and the surrounding valley.

At around 1400 hours I looked through my binoculars and spotted a motorbike about half a mile away, heading up the road that led towards the garrison, its rider dressed in military clothes. Chalky had also picked him up. The guards on the gate seemed to be expecting him, as they opened the gates immediately and didnt stop or check him. The bike rider shot past them into the compound without slowing down and drove straight towards the guards at the main doors to the central building. He stopped and dismounted then pa.s.sed over a leather despatch bag to one of the guards, before climbing back on to his motorbike and speeding off through the main gates again and back down the road the way hed come.

It was an hour before we saw another vehicle approaching in the distance, during which time Id taken out my CTC and laid its sticky surface on the ground in order to pick up a covering of dust, twigs and leaves for camouflage. I checked the road through my binoculars again and saw there were actually two trucks, not one as Id originally thought, and both were laden with fruit and boxes. Leaving Chalky to keep watch, I cautiously made my way through the trees towards Dynamo and Royston.

'There are a couple of trucks coming along the road, I informed them. 'I thought it was them but its only a couple of trucks delivering food.

'No, it shouldnt be them, its too early. They arent due until about six, Royston said. 'What time do you intend to go down to the road?

'Ill make my way down there at about 1730. Ive spotted a good position near to where we turned off the road last night, Dynamo. The hills pretty steep and rough just there so theyll probably have to slow right down, so I should be able to get a good look at whos in the vehicles when they go past, I told them. 'I want to get down there in plenty of time. If I leave it until we spot them from up here theyll be reaching the place Ive picked out at the same time as me.

I went back to where Chalky still lay in the undergrowth on the other side of the hill, watching the road. At around 1630, the two delivery trucks left the compound and drove down the hill and back along the road. I waited a further hour then, while Chalky went to tell the others that I was now moving into position, I pulled my CTC around me for cover and made my way down the hill to the spot Id picked out earlier.

There was a hollow in the ground at the edge of the road where Id be able to lie fairly level with the surrounding area. It was on a slight incline at the brow of a small hump in the road about two yards away from the edge. I knelt down at the perimeter of the hollow then fell forwards downhill and crossed my forearms, which pulled my CTC completely around me. Then, laying my forehead on to my folded arms, I shuffled around a little to stir up the dust, which would help to make sure that I blended in with the surrounding area. Then I pulled the hood over my head so that I was completely covered.

I was facing downhill so that my feet were slightly higher than my head, as I positioned my binoculars ready and lay looking through them down the road in the direction the targets would be coming from.

After about an hour, I glanced at my watch. It was 1900 hours, meaning that Id actually lain there for an hour and a half our targets were late. I knew I would be virtually invisible to anyone looking down the road as long as I kept very still, but I was beginning to grow uncomfortable I wanted to move and wished that I hadnt been so eager to volunteer. Keeping still was proving to be difficult due to the number of insects crawling over me, probably ants.

The light was starting to fade and even looking through my binoculars I could barely see along the road now. Suddenly I heard the sound of fast approaching vehicles.

d.a.m.n I thought, annoyed. If its them, theyre travelling too fast for me to be able to see anything when they pa.s.s.

I could just make out three vehicles speeding along the road: an army lorry then a car followed by another lorry. I felt sure that these must be our targets, but I had to be certain.

The first lorry raced straight past me, with five or six soldiers standing in the back. Then, to my surprise, the other two vehicles came to an abrupt halt about eight yards away from me. There were about seven or eight troops in the back of the lorry and two of them quickly jumped off. I thought they must have spotted me but, moving slowly, I cautiously looked around to see why theyd stopped none of them appeared to be doing anything in particular, just stretching, yawning and chatting to one another, although the two on the ground had now decided to relieve themselves only yards from me.

I saw that the car in front of the lorry was dirty grey in colour without any markings. It was difficult to see exactly how many occupants there were inside, as there was some kind of part.i.tion behind the driver. However, I could make out one man sitting in the back, dressed in military uniform, staring straight ahead of him and calmly stroking his chin. After about two or three minutes the car driver suddenly beeped his horn, banged his hand on the outside of the car door, and waved on the driver of the lorry behind. Immediately both vehicles moved off, with the two soldiers on the ground rushing to jump back into the lorry only inches away from me.

As they pa.s.sed, the man in the rear of the car turned his head sideways and spoke to someone sitting next to him and I caught a brief glimpse of the two men in the back.

The descriptions of them Royston had given me were right, it was them. Our targets had arrived!

I lay still for a while longer until the sound of the disappearing vehicles had completely gone, before I gradually raised my head and had a good look around. The light was quickly fading but I could see that the coast was clear. My joints were a little stiff and sore from keeping still for so long and I was covered in dirt, dust and insects, but I couldnt wait to get to the top of the hill and, itching and scratching as I went, I quickly scrambled back to where Chalky was waiting for me.

'Well? he queried.

'Well what?

'Was that them?

'Yeah, its definitely them!

'Thank G.o.d for that, I couldnt stand another day stuck on this d.a.m.n hill. For a moment, there I thought theyd rumbled you! When I saw them stop and those guys jump off the back of that truck I thought I was going to have to come down there and give you a hand! That wouldve changed our plans, now wouldnt it? What was that all about anyway? he said.

'I havent got a clue, the two guys who jumped off just took a leak.

'Come on, lets get back to the others.

We quickly made our way through the trees to where the rest of the lads were waiting.

'Its them OK, Geordie made a positive ID! Chalky announced.

'Good! Royston said. 'Its just as well you went down there, Geordie. We saw the vehicles arriving but the car stopped where we thought they would, right outside the door of the main building, behind that d.a.m.n lorry, and we couldnt see who was in it.

'I didnt think they were going to get that far, I said.

'What do you mean? he asked.

'Well, the VIP car stopped just yards in front of me for some reason. I thought they must have spotted me, I told him.

'Oh, so thats what happened? he said. 'We couldnt understand what was going on either. The first lorry stopped just after it rounded that bend for some reason and they waved to the guards at the gates then reversed back. The next time we saw them the VIP car was right behind them, he informed me. 'Dont ask me what that was all about. Ive been in the Middle East for some years now and Ive given up trying to understand these daft sods!

'I wondered what the h.e.l.l was going on but I couldnt see from where I was, I said.

'Never mind, at least we know theyre here now. Lets find a way to get rid of them!