(SA) End of the Road

Tonight's story is entitled The End of the Road by Denver Morgan. 1944, the Burma Campaign. The hard, bitter and almost forgotten chapter of World War II.

Allied forces push through the damp, humid tropical jungles. Ambush, counter ambush. Violent death in every shadow. Deaths from tropical disease, lingering in sour. On the 9th of July, two men, Violet Officer Michael Thompson of the Royal Air Force, and Sergeant Joseph Miloney, American Army Air Corps, met on an isolated airstrip, somewhere a few miles from nowhere.

You're the guy who flies that thing over there? That's right. What can I do for you? Well, wonder if I could hitch a ride with you down to the airstrip when G-sector... Why'd you go with the rest a week ago?

I got sick, malaria. It's all they left me behind. Your army, doctors, just let me out. You're welcome to come with me. But I better go across and see the colonel. You know they like.

Okay, let's wander over. I suppose I better put a shirt on. Tell me, what's your rank? Sergeant Air Corps. I was in the crew that built the airstrip. And it's starting another one further south now.

Sorry, I didn't catch the name. Maloney. Joe Maloney. Mike Thompson. Are you an army pilot or are you? Are you? Army co-op squadron. You know, artillery spotting, general reconnaissance. You and the officer? Yes, but very very worried.

Okay. I'm only a pilot officer. Lowers to the low. Start of that as an aircraftsman back in 1940. No, one thing. When we see the colonel, make sure there's a loop and call him served.

Ah, I have to fix that. We leave in the morning. Where are you sleeping? When they kicked me out of the hospital, they told me go find a place for yourself. Oh, you're welcome to share my tent. It's the one over there next to the radio.