Chapter 16: Boggled Boggs
Captain Boggs entered his office as he did each morning and stared at the mound of paperwork waiting in his in-box. He sighed deeply at the thought of dealing with all the minutia of running the base. He took the chair behind his desk and noticed the cup of strong, hot coffee, his aide had ready and waiting for him. Judging from the amount of files in the stack before him, it was going to be a long day.
He reached for the first memo, which stated the Rat Patrol still hadn't returned from their latest mission. They were over two days late and maintaining radio silence so no one knew what they were dealing with. Boggs wasn't too worried. He knew they ran into problems and was confident they would succeed and soon return, preferably without a wounded man.
Next was a hospital report on the number of sick and wounded. There were several from a recent battle who weren't doing well. This was worrisome. He hated to think of the young lives who had been cut short or whose lives would never again be the same because of wounds they received. Most of all he hated writing condolence letters to the families who lost a loved one due to the war. He made a mental note to stop by the hospital later in the day.
Food supplies were beginning to run low read the next file and he was worried that something would happen to the supply convoys that were expected. They had faced food shortages before and it wasn't something he wanted to again deal with. Morale became low and it was difficult for soldiers to perform their tasks efficiently and thoroughly when their stomachs were rumbling from hunger.
Next came a request from a young sergeant who wanted to get married. The Captain groaned aloud. The paperwork was mindboggling. It was a double whammy since the bride-to-be was also military. Maybe he could talk the love struck soldiers into postponing their nuptials until after the war ended. It might take less time.
On and on it went. Few people understood all the details involved in running the camp. Boggs did his job so well that no one really noticed since everything ran so smoothly. He drained his coffee cup and barked for his aide who immediately appeared with a pot of fresh coffee in his hand, filled the Captain's cup and hastily returned to his desk. He also knew and performed his job well.
The motor pool update was next and he reviewed the number of vehicles in good repair, the number needing work and a list of necessary parts, those that were scrapped and those captured from the enemy, usually by Sergeant Troy and his Rats. He paused for a moment of worry about his most proficient team and continued on with the paperwork. It didn't look like the stack in his tray had diminished at all.
Reports on weapons, ammunition, water supply and requisitions were perused and signed. He noticed the Rat Patrol had lost and replaced yet another jeep. The Colonel would not be happy about that. Still, they probably lost it while securing a major advantage to the Allied Forces so the higher ups wouldn't complain too loudly.
Four soldiers were currently being held in the stockade. He gave a small laugh that at least he knew it didn't include Hitchcock or Pettigrew since they were off base. He smiled as he recalled some of the stunts they had pulled that had landed them behind bars. Their reputation for pulling pranks was legendary. Outwardly Boggs always had to reprimand them and devise a punishment but inwardly he appreciated how their antics boosted morale. The desert was a demanding and draining place to serve. They needed all the respite they could get.
Finally, a report that lifted the spirit, Boggs thought as he learned of a planned entertainment for the men. Silently, Boggs thanked Hitch's friend, Isla MacKenzie for organizing a group of talented base personnel into a performing ensemble that was now presenting regular programs. She had visited a few months ago as part of a USO touring group and stayed on to help them with several missions that ended most successfully. She was an amazing young woman who occasionally wrote to him.
The in-box was beginning to clear out. Now came reports and letters that needed a reply. His aide came and took responses in shorthand, then returned to his desk to type them up. At last, the tray was empty, the completed letters signed and sent. Boggs relaxed in his chair, taking a deep breath and embracing the satisfaction of a job well done. His aide popped his head inside the office door to announce that the Rat Patrol had returned went straight to the hospital with a wounded team member.
Boggs sighed. If he had to guess, his money would be on Hitchcock as the one wounded. He picked up his cap and went to investigate, nervous that one day, the injury would be dire. As he left his office, he passed his aide carrying a pile of paperwork that was destined for the captain's in-box. He sighed. It was all so mindboggling. He looked forward to a break as he heard about the Rat Patrol's latest exploits and walked toward the hospital.