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Sergeant Richardson
Previously on Eyewitness. I don't know about this. You don't have to come. No one here will spit on you. But if you stay, know this. Those boys will remember who didn't show up. And someday someone might ask you where you were when it mattered. And you'll have to lie or tell the truth.
Ciara
Someone's son is on that beach praying for a boat.
Sergeant Richardson
We don't do this for medals. We don't do this because some paper says we should. We do this because it's who we are. Fishing's just a trade. Being men and women with spines, that's something else. Okay, I'll go. We meet at the slips at dawn.
Ciara
Go to Dunkirk and bring them home.
Sergeant Richardson
You know, once, when I was 16, the seed flipped me like a coin. I gasped, swallowed the brine, thought, this is it. This is the end. Then a hand grabbed my collar and hauled me aboard. I remember seeing Boots, hearing a voice, but I never saw a face. And then, bam. He vanished just as quick as he appeared. But I lived because someone thought I was worth saving. That's who's calling. Doesn't matter what they wear. Doesn't even matter if I know them. They're calling. You think the Navy will come back tonight?
Fiona
They'll come when they can. We get off in the order we're told. Keep your gear dry, keep your boots on, keep your head down. We'll move when we move.
Sergeant Richardson
I remember thinking that if war was all marching and biscuits, I could survive anything. Then they throw us a real war.
Fiona
Real war doesn't march. It runs you over and doesn't look back. Real war is when you're more scared of not doing your duty than you are of dying.
Sergeant Richardson
Look there.
Fiona
A flare.
Sergeant Richardson
More flares. A lot of them.
Ciara
Boats.
Fiona
Has to be.
Sergeant Richardson
They're coming.
Fiona
Lights out. Keep your heart steady. It's not dawn yet. They won't rush the beach until first light. But they're coming.
Sergeant Richardson
I've carried this for most of my life. I haven't even read it out loud to anyone. Dear Owen, if this letter ever finds you, I hope it finds you by the sea. Courage isn't loud, Owen. It's quiet. Like Ma's hands when she fixed our nets. It's staying when you want to run. Oh, and if I don't get back, know this. I wasn't brave. I was scared every day. You ever wondered what kind of man to be? Be one that comes home? All my love. And liam? He was 19 when he left. Thought he was going to see the world. He died in a field of mud. They sent this to me. I read it once. Folded it, kept it in my pocket. Just felt like he was still there, telling me how to be a man when I had no one else.
Ciara
Why are you handing me the letter?
Sergeant Richardson
Because it's time. It's time for me to let go. Maybe when you have moments of fear, you can read it and it'll provide you some comfort.
Ciara
Thank you. I'll keep it safe. And someday, maybe I can give it to my own children. When we get home. I'm never doing dishes again. That's my reward for doing this. If this boat gets home, I'll happily wash every dish in Ramsgate twice. Hey.
Sergeant Richardson
Keep your mind on the waves in front of you. Don't look back. Don't look too far ahead. Stay in the present. Don't you let me down now. Mabel.
Ciara
Do you need to read it again?
Sergeant Richardson
The letter?
Ciara
Yeah.
Sergeant Richardson
No, I'm fine.
Ciara
Then what are you thinking about?
Sergeant Richardson
I'm thinking about everything. All at once. That letter, your mom's laugh, price of herring, this wheel. If I think about one thing too hard, I'll cry or freeze. I'm not sure which. But thinking about everything keeps me moving.
Ciara
Do you guys see everything in the water?
Sergeant Richardson
Yes.
Ciara
What are they?
Sergeant Richardson
Belongings.
Ciara
That was someone's table. Someone's things. Their home. I know. Eyes forward, Nell. Distractions will make us sink faster than holes. Is that tanker bombed yesterday. The sweet smell. That's petrol. More. Smells sweet. Not the scent I'd expect. Do you think if we survive, they'll write a song about us? Three sisters on a stubborn boat? Or something like that? Only if we sing it ourselves. No one sings about smelly girls. We smell like diesel. And bravery. Bravery smells awful.
Sergeant Richardson
Now, when we get back, you can write any song you like. I'll even play the spoons for you. But for now, get your hands steady. When we tie up, there's no room for sore fingers. There she is. Dunkirk. We need to get to the Mole. That's where they'll be waiting. We've learned the sea's moods. You girls know when she's calm and you know when she's angry. You know how she pulls and you know how she pushes. That knowledge, use it now. We'll need every bit of it. We're not out to catch fish. We're out to save lives. You've got this, Ciara. Recheck the knots. I don't care if you tied it in your sleep. Check it again. Fiona, hold the hook you'll throw on my word. Nellie, you're the weight. You push us off if we hit me.
Ciara
But I'm small.
Sergeant Richardson
You're the difference between a dent and a hole that's bigger than any of us.
Ciara
Were both of those planes German?
Green Leader (Pilot)
No.
Sergeant Richardson
First one was a Spitfire. Part of the good guys. The second was a Stuka. Let's pray that Spitfire can help.
Green Leader (Pilot)
Beach sector, it's Green leader. I'm at 200ft.
Ciara
Eyes open.
Green Leader (Pilot)
I'm circling. I see a bunch of small boats. There's a green hole. Four on board. Two men, two girls. No, three. Three girls. Can't tell. They're weaving between holes like fish. Keep flares ready.
Ciara
Over.
Fiona
We hear you. We won't shoot yet. Can you spot us? This is Sergeant Richardson and company. We're hoping to get out of here quick. We're freezing and losing lads to shock.
Green Leader (Pilot)
Try being up here in a tin can with bullets punching holes in you. No heat either.
Ciara
Over. Is.
Sergeant Richardson
Is he joking? He's trying to hope it helps.
Fiona
Green Leader, if that's you that just flew above us, don't fly too low. You've got a tail.
Green Leader (Pilot)
Understood. I'll make this Jerry dance. Hold steady. Out.
Sergeant Richardson
Makes it sound like a game.
Ciara
What happens if we fire too soon?
Sergeant Richardson
What if they don't see the flare? How? When we build a bonfire with our boots and jackets, they'll see us. If we catch fire, at least we'll be warm.
Fiona
Keep your jokes. We'll need them when we get home. If we get home.
Green Leader (Pilot)
Green2, you still with me?
Fiona
Barely. Jerry's keep popping up like rats.
Green Leader (Pilot)
See that green hole at your two o'?
Ciara
Clock?
Green Leader (Pilot)
Big fella at the wheel. Three heads like acorns around him. They're in front of the next wave. I'm at a half tank. If I go down, you gotta tell our boys at the MO to fire their flare when that boat gets close. Understood?
Sergeant Richardson
Over. Reach.
Green Leader (Pilot)
Break right. Jerry, on your tail. I'll take the left. Don't let him get low near the boats. Dover, this is Green Leader 1 Jerry down? Little ship's safe for now, but I'm staying. My tank's at half out.
Sergeant Richardson
The pilot's still above us. He just took out a Stuka. He bought us precious seconds. And those seconds are lives. Let's not waste them.
Green Leader (Pilot)
Green Hole, this is green leader. You're 500 yards out. There's a gap in the mole. After the destroyer pulls away, you'll have 10 seconds. No more. Do not hesitate.
Ciara
Over.
Sergeant Richardson
Copy.
Green Leader (Pilot)
We're ready.
Sergeant Richardson
Overt.
Green Leader (Pilot)
Tell your girls I see them. Tell them to trust the waves. And for the love of God, look up when you hear the whistle.
Ciara
Out.
Sergeant Richardson
He can see you, girls. The pilot, he can see you. He says don't look up. Trust your hands.
Ciara
Rope ladder. Push. Sit. Rope ladder. Push. Sit. Okay. Okay. We're in this. We'll be fine.
Sergeant Richardson
Two lines.
Green Leader (Pilot)
Keep your packs on. Keep moving.
Sergeant Richardson
Watch the planks.
Green Leader (Pilot)
When we say jump, you jump.
Fiona
Get ready, boys.
Sergeant Richardson
You have the flare, sir?
Fiona
Got it.
Green Leader (Pilot)
All right. Boys, can you hear me?
Fiona
We hear you, Green Leader.
Green Leader (Pilot)
I'm coming around your way. Fire that flare. After I pass, look for the boat with the green hole.
Ciara
Over.
Fiona
Heard out. Tell me if you see the green hull.
Sergeant Richardson
Lads.
Ciara
It's like a bridge. Sideways, it's broken. How do we.
Sergeant Richardson
We wait. When they pull the rope, we slide in. When they throw the rope down, Ciara ties it. Fiona throws the rope. Nell, you push. If we drift wrong.
Ciara
Stuka. Don't look up. Don't look up. Don't look up.
Green Leader (Pilot)
Green hole. Look for the flare. After I pass the beach, Sergeant Richardson is who you're after. I'm chasing another Stuka. Don't hesitate. Over.
Ciara
Is that another Stuka?
Green Leader (Pilot)
Hold on, girls. It's just water. Keep eyes on.
Ciara
Father, look. The flare.
Green Leader (Pilot)
That's our cue. Hold on tight.
Ciara
Hold. Hold.
Green Leader (Pilot)
Now. We've got 10 seconds to get these boys on the boat. Get in, get out. Let's go.
Ciara
That's them over there.
Green Leader (Pilot)
Richardson, that's us. Fiona, throw them the rop. Get down. Thank you for joining us for this episode of Eyewitness The Longshore. This episode is brought to you by NCS Online. To learn more, visit ncsonline.com org be sure to come back for the next episode.
Ciara
Sam.
In this gripping episode, the "I Witness" audio drama plunges listeners into the tense and harrowing hours leading up to a daring evacuation during wartime. The focus remains on ordinary individuals—fishermen and their families—who answer the desperate call to save soldiers stranded on a hostile beach. The narrative intertwines themes of courage, duty, personal sacrifice, and the quiet heroism found even in the midst of fear. With immersive sound design and intimate dialogue, the episode examines what it means to face danger, to remember those lost, and to find strength and hope amid chaos.
The episode balances lyrical introspection, gritty realism, and understated humor. The dialogue is intimate and authentic, mirroring the natural conversation and camaraderie of people under immense stress, but still capable of hope and resilience.
"Seconds Are Lives" is a tense, evocative episode that highlights the courage of ordinary individuals in extraordinary circumstances. Through tightly crafted dialogue and immersive sound, listeners are drawn into a moment where heroism is both collective and deeply personal, and where the smallest decisions ripple into matters of life and death. The episode leaves listeners with images of hope, fear, and endurance, wrapped in the sounds and words of those chased by history's tides.