Birthday Baby

The napalm smoke left a sickly smell across the paddy field. The sound of helicopter blades filled the air. It hovered above the ground as if reluctant to settle in case it would never rise again. Would I reach it in time? The mud clung to may boots, each step was an agony.

My arms ached, the heavy bandoleers slung over my shoulder had cut into my flesh, the machine gun banged against my chest and yet I dare not release it; it was my only hope of survival. I knew the odds, and at that moment they were against me.

The helicopter laid down it’s deadly fire, cutting to close for my comfort, but it gave me a breathing space. The Gooks were held up behind me but they were not the sort to give up, after all I was in their home and I was the hated round eye interloper. They employed on of their favourite tricks of shouting out in English: ’We have the baby!’ My muddled, brain was confused; what did they mean by baby?

Then I heard the deadly whine of a mortar. How could they have got so close so quick? This was madness. I turned and loosed of a burst of fire and at the same time heard the crump of a mortar shell. There was no time, the helicopter would not wait under the threat of a mortar attack! I threw down the weapon, dropped the bandoliers to the ground and ran towards the helicopter.

My stumbling gait was brought up short by the sight of a Vietnamese girl with a baby in her arms. She came out of the trees on the side of the paddy field and was running towards the helicopter. I heard the crew shouting but I could not make out what they said but as another mortar landed close by I could guess.

The girl saw me, and, in a gesture I shall never forget, held the baby up as if imploring me to take it. I hesitated, in a moment it would be too late, I would be done for, but something in her eyes made me swing across to her.

She thrust the baby into my arms and turned to run for the cover of the trees. I had no time to think, with superhuman effort I made it across the last few yards and was hauled up onto the flatbed of the helicopter.

As it swung away I looked down and saw the Gooks had moved across to where the girl had disappeared. She had distracted them for some reason I shall never know, and very likely saved my life!

I looked down at the waif I held in my arms and was overcome by an emotion I could not explain. It’s brown eyes looked up at me with that innocent knowing that all babies have and my heart could have exploded in my chest. It’s softness and trust amongst all the mayhem I was caught up in so hopelessly brought me to tears and I hugged it close to my chest.

One of the gum chewing crewman looked down at me with a smile, and with a sardonic drawl, born of continual combat said, ‘It must be your birthday pal.‘

And do you know; it was !