Words at War: The Ship (Encore) (A0106)

Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Words at War: The Ship (Encore) (A0106)
Date: July 18, 2026
Host: Adam Graham

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Episode Overview

This episode features an encore presentation of the radio drama "The Ship," adapted from C.S. Forester's acclaimed novel of WWII naval combat for the wartime series "Words at War." Adam Graham introduces the story and provides closing commentary, with a focus on the harrowing responsibilities, courage, and psychological toll faced by the crew of the fictional British cruiser, HMS Artemis, escorting a crucial convoy to Malta amidst fierce opposition from the Italian fleet. The adaptation delves into both the procedural and personal dimensions of naval warfare, drawing out themes of duty, fear, leadership, and the uncertainty of war.

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Key Discussion Points & Dramatic Highlights

1. Introduction and Context

• Adam Graham sets the stage:
  • [01:10] Adam Graham introduces the story and its origins:

    "Today's episode is fictional, but it could very well have actually happened that way... C.S. Forrester, famous for the Horatio Hornblower series, wrote The Ship, a realistic novel of Navy combat in World War II that was so realistic that it was chosen as a selection for Words at War."

2. Setting Up the Mission

• The Stakes:
  • [04:54] The story clarifies the mission:

    "The convoy had to get through and there were only these five light cruisers and a dozen destroyers to get it through. The ship, HMS Artemis, was a light cruiser."

• The Crew and Ship:
  • Vivid descriptions highlight the fragility and bravery of the ship and its sailors:

    "The ship was an eggshell armed with sledgehammers." [07:46]

3. Life Aboard HMS Artemis

• Role of Seamen:
  • The episode humanizes the sailors, particularly Lookout/Seaman Harold Quimsby, with flashbacks and narration on the routines and emotional states of men at war.
  • Instruction on naval procedure and communication, illustrating discipline and mentorship:

    "And sir, port is red and starboard is green. Remember that. Port wine is red and then you won't forget." [06:51] (Officer/Instructor)

4. Tension and Engagement with the Italian Fleet

• Detection and Identification:

  • [11:14] Crucial moments as the enemy is spotted and evaluated, with attention to the psychology of those involved:

    "The captain figured quickly in his mind that if Quimsby could see them now, the enemy ships would be in sight from the bridge in about four minutes..."

  • The voice of doubt and study:

    "Paymaster Sub Lieutenant James Jerningham knew himself to be a coward. But some time ago he made up his mind to be a coward lacking in nothing..." [11:56]

• Strategy and Realism:

  • The captain's analytical tactical discussions emphasize naval realism and high stakes:

    "If we knew ours, we would run like hairs. Let the convoy go. Let Malta go." [13:28] (Radio Program Narrator, inner voice of the captain)

5. The Battle Unfolds

• Opening Fire and Chaotic Combat:

  • Vivid, technical, and psychological depiction as shells fly, smoke screens are deployed, and orders are carried crisply:

    "Of the four shells fired in that salvo, three of them missed. The fourth, the shell from the left hand gun in turret A hit later, the captain's report read, the enemy turned away and the action terminated." [27:18] (Narrator/Reader)

• Moments of Humanness:

  • Jerningham’s small victories and anxieties are woven through action:

    "He, Jerningham, could spot ships better than his captain. It did not mean he respected the captain less... He would have admired him even more if he could have read the captain's cool, unflurried mind." [12:54]

• Cost of War:

  • Losses are starkly noted:

    "The officer at the shell ring and the officer at the ammunition hoist killed by the jagged shield. One minute they were alive and the next they were dead. One moment they were men and then the shell burst right in their midst and they were nothing." [26:30]

6. Climax and Resolution

• Turning Point:
  • The British ships' perseverance forces the enemy to withdraw; the battered but unbroken Artemis survives:

    "The enemy turned away and the action terminated." [28:19]

7. Reflections and Larger Lessons

• Post-Battle Reflection:
  • [29:36] A philosophical coda on the costs of war and the burdens of peace:

    "Peace will be a severer test of mankind than war. Perhaps mankind will pass that test when the time comes. As for me, when that time comes, I will fight for the last, last die in the last ditch before I will compromise in the slightest with the blind or secret enemies of freedom and justice." (Radio Program Narrator)

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Memorable Quotes

• "The ship was an eggshell armed with sledgehammers."
  — Narrator/Reader [07:46]

• "Port wine is red and then you won't forget."
  — Officer/Instructor [06:51]

• "If we knew ours, we would run like hairs. Let the convoy go. Let Malta go."
  — Captain (as interpreted by Narrator) [13:28]

• "One moment they were men and then the shell burst right in their midst and they were nothing. Nothing."
  — Narrator/Reader [26:30]

• "Peace will be a severer test of mankind than war... perhaps mankind will pass that test when the time comes."
  — Radio Program Narrator [29:36]

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Notable Segment Timestamps

• [01:10] Adam Graham’s historical context and introduction
• [04:54] Introduction of the mission: convoy to Malta
• [07:46] Description of the ship’s vulnerability
• [11:14] Enemy first sighted, order of battle forms
• [13:28] Captain’s internal tactical reasoning
• [21:04] Deployment of the smoke screen and tactical maneuvering
• [23:01] The order: “Open fire.”
• [26:30] Aftermath of the hit, losses aboard Artemis
• [28:19] Italian fleet withdrawal
• [29:36] Reflection on war and peace

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Adam Graham’s Commentary and Listener Feedback

• [32:40] Adam Graham provides post-episode reflections, drawing parallels with Forester’s other works, and reads a listener comment emphasizing the sanitized view of radio war dramas versus real combat experience:

  "Of course there's always going to be some limit in terms, particularly when you're dealing with information that's broadcast over the airwaves. But I think man behind the Gun and certainly the USS Boise episodes were very powerful, I thought. But there's not a way to fully capture all of the ugliness of war within the limits of broadcasting essentially what's required to be a family program." [34:03]

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Summary

This episode of "Great Detectives of Old Time Radio" offers listeners a stirring, intimate, and procedural reimagining of naval warfare through C.S. Forester’s The Ship. Its dramatization brings to life the tension, courage, and cost of World War II convoy escort missions through well-drawn characters and gripping action. The episode also sparks reflection on the limitations of media portrayals of war and the perennial challenge of confronting both conflict and peace with honor and resilience.

Listeners who love classic radio drama, naval history, or character-driven war stories will find this episode both evocative and thought-provoking.

Transcript

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[Adam Graham]

Hello from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. We're taking a break from posting new episodes, but I still want to bring you your regular dose of adventure. Please enjoy this episode, which was originally played on our World War II series, the war Radio. Welcome to the War From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, send it to me at [e-mail] well, today we have a special treat for you. Today's episode is fictional, but it could very well have actually happened that way. The writer was associated with naval fiction, though definitely from another era. However, C.S. forster, famous for the Horatio Hornblower series, wrote the Ship, a realistic novel of Navy combat in World War II that was so realistic that it was chosen as a selection for Words at War. So Here now, from July 24, 1943, is the ship.

[Radio Program Narrator]

Words at War presents the ship.

[Officer/Instructor]

With half a million men in the Royal Navy, it is inevitable that there should be some coincidence of names and ranks between characters in this book and officers and ratings now serving. That is so inevitable that the author has made no attempt to avoid any such coincidence. All he can do is to assure the reader that he has attempted neither portrait nor caricature of any living person.

[Narrator/Reader]

You'll find that written on one of the front pages of a book I read a few days ago, the ship, by C.S.

[Radio Program Narrator]

forrester.

[Narrator/Reader]

Words at War.

[Radio Program Narrator]

The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with the Council on Books in Wartime, brings you another in its series of radio adaptations of great books of this war. Each week at this time, we bring you Selected dramatic episodes from some of the most stirring of our war inspired literature. Tonight's store End the ship by C.S. forrester, eminent English author of Captain Horatio Hornblower and other fine books. Adapted for radio by Edmund Burnbreyer.

[Narrator/Reader]

The ship is a glorious yawn about a glorious British vessel and the men aboard her. A novel. Yet as you read it, you feel you're reading fact. It's tough, authentic, gripping, this yawn. I read it and I was excited. I hope you will be too. If the convoy didn't get through, Malta might fall. The convoy had to get through and there were only these five light cruisers and a dozen destroyers to get it through. The ship, HMS Artemis, was a light cruiser.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Mast head smoke in the starboard bow, Green one nine. Mast head smoke in the starboard bow, green one nine.

[Narrator/Reader]

Some men would have been uncomfortable in the crow's nest. Not so ordinary Seaman Harold Quimsby, whose idea of happiness was a full belly and nothing particular to do. Thanks to many hours of practice, Quimsby was able to watch the whole horizon forward of the beam without allowing any of his automatic movements to break into his inner thoughts. He was thinking now of his first sea voyage back in the almost unbelievably distant days of 1939. He'd been up in the crow's nest then too. He remembered when his binoculars picked up a dot on the distant surface and he'd run down to the bridge with excitement and seasickness.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Something over on the left.

[Officer/Instructor]

Where are you speaking from?

[Lookout/Seaman]

A head mast. I mean a mast head, sir.

[Officer/Instructor]

Then that's what you say first so that we know down here. And you don't say over on the left, do you? What do you say on the port bow, sir? That's right, but it's better to give a bearing. What does your bearing indicator read?

[Lookout/Seaman]

21, sir.

[Officer/Instructor]

How do you say it?

[Lookout/Seaman]

I forgot.

[Officer/Instructor]

And sir, port is red and starboard is green. Remember that. Port wine is red and then you won't forget. And 21 isn't plain enough, is it?

[Lookout/Seaman]

No, sir. Yes, sir.

[Officer/Instructor]

Now let's have your report. Remember to say where you're speaking from.

[Lookout/Seaman]

First mast head, sir. Object in sight. Red 21.

[Officer/Instructor]

Very good, Grimsby, but you must say it twice over. You remember being told that if the guns are firing, we might not hear you the first time?

[Lookout/Seaman]

Yes, sir. I mean, aye aye, sir.

[Narrator/Reader]

He'd been a very green hand at that time, this Ordinary Seaman Harold Quincy. He felt uncomfortable all over again as he remembered it now. He looked attentively at the horizon, blinked and looked again. With his hand on the buzzer of the voice cube.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Masthead smoking the starboard bow, green one nine. Masthead smoking the starboard bow, green one nine.

[Narrator/Reader]

Most of the marines of the HMS Artemis were now on the bridge, Captain and torpedo officer, Navigating Lieutenant, an officer of the watch and chief Yeoman. They stood there unprotected even from the weather, nothing over their heads and less than shoulder high around them. Only the thin plating to keep out the seas when the ship was taking green water over her bows. Death could strike anywhere on that bridge. But then death could strike anywhere in the whole ship. For the plating of which she was constructed was hardly thicker than paper. Even a machine gun bullet could penetrate it if it struck square. The ship was an eggshell armed with sledgehammers.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Masthead report smoke green one nine, sir. Very good. Chief Yeoman signaled after the flagship,

[Radio Program Narrator]

the

[Narrator/Reader]

captain replying to his secretary, Paymaster Sub Lieutenant James Jerningham, and giving the order to his chief yeoman.

[Radio Program Narrator]

So that's that.

[Narrator/Reader]

Just three words spoken quietly to himself by Captain the Honorable Miles Ernest Thornton Harrington York, a man of far fewer words than name. However, the economy of his speech belied the torrent of thought that went roaring through his brilliant mind at the first report.

[Radio Program Narrator]

Italian fleet is out in full force. Difficult to tell how many seaworthy battleships they have after Toronto and Matavan, we'll know now. See them with our own eyes. See them all. Because Italians never venture out except in fullest possible force. So that's that.

[Narrator/Reader]

He twisted on his stool and looked round him over the bulging sea. There on the port quarter, wallowed the convoy. The fat helpless merchant ships that carried within them the salvation of Malta, food, new inner tubing for anti aircraft guns, shells, heavy guns, mountings and ammunition. The convoy had to get through, and if it were reckless to risk it with such a frail escort, then recklessness must be forgiven.

[Lookout/Seaman]

You can see the smoke now, sir. The flagship signal, sir. Letter K. Acknowledge the flagship signal, Chief Yeoman.

[Narrator/Reader]

The signal from flagship to port specified that scheme K would be carried out under the circumstances, with moderate wind abaft and the enemy to lured. The captain had foreseen these tactics, for already open on his knee were the typewritten orders which laid down what each ship should do under scheme King.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Signals down, sir. 410. 210 revolutions. 14. 210 revolutions.

[Narrator/Reader]

The convoy was executing a wheel to port. Under full helm, the cruisers were turning more gently and increasing speed, and the destroyers in the advance screen were doubling around. It was a beautiful geometrical movement.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Steady. Midship. Midship.

[Narrator/Reader]

Then another signal ran to the masthead of the flagship. It fluttered, waiting for acknowledgment, and then went down.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Darber 10. Midships. Midship or bridge. Ships in sight. Ships inside.

[Narrator/Reader]

Upon getting more complete details from Quimsby aloft, Baymaster Sub lieutenant James Jerningham turned to yell the message to the captain.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Six big ships, six destroyers. Two leading ships look like battleships. Might be heavy cruiser. Others are light cruisers.

[Narrator/Reader]

The captain figured quickly in his mind that if Quimsby could see them now, the enemy ships would be in sight from the bridge. In about four minutes, the voice of the range taker began its chant. In exactly four minutes, the enemy shot up suddenly over the curve of the world, climbing over it with astonishing speed.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Fort 15. Revolution for 27 knots. What 50 revolutions were 27 knots.

[Narrator/Reader]

Visibility was at its best. The enemy ships made hard, sharp silhouettes against the blue and gray background. Paymaster Sub lieutenant James Jerningham knew himself to be a coward. But some time ago he made up his mind to be a coward lacking in nothing. He spent hours in his cabin carefully studying the pictured profiles of hostile ships. Study carried out in a mood of desperation, of despair. And he had a photographic memory which enabled him to recall the very pages on which he had seen those profiles, even the very print beneath them.

[Lookout/Seaman]

The two leading ships are heavy cruisers.

[Narrator/Reader]

Bolzano, sir.

[Lookout/Seaman]

9,000 tons.

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Eight.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Eight inch guns, 32 knots.

[Radio Program Narrator]

You're sure?

[Lookout/Seaman]

Aren't they? No, sir. And the last three cruisers look like Bandonaris. I don't know about the first one, though, sir.

[Narrator/Reader]

She's like nothing we've been told about. I suppose she's the new one.

[Radio Program Narrator]

Cadorn.

[Narrator/Reader]

And the intelligence people didn't get her profia right.

[Radio Program Narrator]

I expect you're right.

[Narrator/Reader]

I think I am, Sir. Out of 500 who started as naval cadet, only one man ever reached the lofty rank of a captain rn. Only a few grades lower than God. That's the thought Jerningham had at that particular moment. It was followed by another that saved him from some of his bitter feeling of inferiority. He, Jerningham, could spot ships better than his captain. It did not mean he respected the captain less, admired him less. He would have admired him even more if he could have read the captain's cool, unflurried mind

[Radio Program Narrator]

out there. Six of the best the Italians have. The Vice Admiral's flag on the leader. A Centini, perhaps A Brigitte. The big eight inches. Nearly on range now. Probably open fire any moment. Our sixes could put a shell within 3,000 yards of them. Now they know their superior strength. Undoubtedly been informed about it from the air. Possibly. That's a screen out there for a stronger force, more heavy cruisers perhaps, and baffled ships. Why should they wait for reinforcements? Two heavy cruisers and four light against our five light cruisers. If they know their business, they'll turn to port, close with and finish us off. If we knew ours, we would run like hairs. Let the convoy go. Let Malta go.

[Narrator/Reader]

Later, the captain's report read, At 1310

[Radio Program Narrator]

hours the enemy opened fire.

[Narrator/Reader]

It might be worth someone's while to try to analyze why the column of water thrown up by an 8 inch shell should be so beautiful. It possesses a faint yellow tinge, meaning it's of the high explosive type. And it's really a charming sight against sky and sea. They're beautiful to watch as long as they miss. And these powerful all destructive 8 inches were all distinct misses, showing that the gunnery control instruments in the Italian ship were not lined up as accurately as they should be. Now the British flagship was lead round to the enemy. That was the way to deal with them. If they won't come out and fight, go in and fight them.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Range 1700.Range 1700.

[Narrator/Reader]

It was leading Seaman Alfred Lightfoot's job to take ranges quickly. That was his personal contribution to the perfect fighting hole which was the ship. And he did what he was supposed to do without distraction.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Blimey. If a shell's got me KN on it, I'll get it.

[Narrator/Reader]

And from no other shell. 21 seconds ago he'd seen the flashes of the guns at which he was pointing his range finder and already Alfred Lightfoot had forgotten them. During those 21 seconds those 8 inch shells had been hurtling towards the HMS Artemis, hurtling through the air at a speed of more than a mile. In two seconds their path was curved, reaching far up into the upper atmosphere, higher than the highest Alps, into the freezing stratosphere before plunging downward towards. Suddenly Alfred Lightfoot heard a noise as of rushing water and of tearing sheets. And then the field of his rangefinder was blotted out in an immense upheaval of water as the nearest shell of the broadside pitched close beside the starboard bow of the army. 20 tons of yellowed water came tumbling on board, deluging the upper works, flooding over Lightfoot's range finder.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Nine tops cured

[Narrator/Reader]

instantly. Training and professional pride mattered and he deftly twirled the screws and brought the enemy once again.

[Lookout/Seaman]

9. 19.

[Narrator/Reader]

It was then that Paymaster Sub Lieutenant James Jerningham saw The Italian ships turn away, and he gravely noted the time upon the pad in his lap. Later the captain's report read, the enemy withdrew.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Was it a surprise to you they're

[Radio Program Narrator]

running away like that?

[Narrator/Reader]

No, sir, not very much.

[Radio Program Narrator]

It may just be a trick to get us away from the convoy. Then their planes are have a chance, but I don't think so.

[Lookout/Seaman]

No, sir.

[Radio Program Narrator]

Something bigger than cruisers out today, I fancy they might be trying to lead us into a trap.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Starboard 15.

[Officer/Instructor]

Resume previous.

[Radio Program Narrator]

We're staying between the iTai and the convoy, and every minute brings us nearer to Malta.

[Narrator/Reader]

Journing him at that point said, yes, sir. He was frantically searching about in his mind for some contribution to make to this conversation other than yes, sir or no, sir. Wanting to appear bright, he said, night is coming. Yes.

[Radio Program Narrator]

The Aydais are losing time, the most valuable asset they have, and they're squandering it. The commonest mistake to make in war is to think that because a certain course seems to you to be the best for the enemy, that is the course he will take. He may not think it best or there may be some reason against it which you don't know about.

[Narrator/Reader]

That's true, sir. This was the longest speech ever heard from the captain.

[Radio Program Narrator]

And the next commonest mistake is to give unnecessary orders. Whipple up there.

[Narrator/Reader]

Ordinary Seaman Whipple was now climbing the difficult ladder to the crow's nest to relieve Quimsby.

[Radio Program Narrator]

Whipple up there will keep a sharp lookout without my telling him he knows what he's there for.

[Narrator/Reader]

Jerningham gaped at him, wordless now, in spite of his efforts to appear bright. This was an aspect of the captain's character which he'd never seen before. This courteous gentleman with a smiling common sense and his insight into character. When Whipple took over from Quimsby aloft and that thing in the front of

[Lookout/Seaman]

the line is the flagship. Give my regards to the admiral when you get your commission. Go on, take your rest.

[Narrator/Reader]

Five minutes later, there was no kidding around for bridge

[Lookout/Seaman]

masted. More smoke visible on the port bow beyond the enemy cruisers. Red 38 Masthead. More smoke visible masthead. That lot of new smoke is closing us. Sign, Baron. No, no. Red three.

[Radio Program Narrator]

Nine.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Masted battleship inside two battleships in a navy cruiser heading a little abaft of our barren as the other ship. The other ships are turning now as turn of them.

[Radio Program Narrator]

The behavior of the ship's company was most satisfactory.

[Narrator/Reader]

Another phase of the captain's report. Not one man in ten in Artemis could see what was going on in the captain's Opinion distorted. News was dangerous.

[Radio Program Narrator]

Go down and tell the ship about the situation.

[Narrator/Reader]

Aye, aye, sir. Jerningham's mind was feverishly turning over words and phrases as he descended the ladder. He didn't have time to assemble any. But on the other hand, he didn't have time in those few seconds to become self conscious. Nor had his weakness time to reassert itself.

[Lookout/Seaman]

I have a message for the ship from the captain.

[Narrator/Reader]

The petty officer beside the loudspeaker hanging on the bulkhead switched on and piped shrilly, the sound of his call audible in every part of the ship.

[Lookout/Seaman]

The captain has sent me to tell you that we've got the entire Ikai Navy in front of us, battleships, heavy cruisers and all.

[Narrator/Reader]

They've run away from us once the heavy cruisers have.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Now we're going to see if the

[Narrator/Reader]

battleships will run too.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Three hours of daylight left and the convoy's got to reach Malta. Good luck to us all. There's none like us. Revolution for 31 knots make smoke.

[Narrator/Reader]

3 minutes of smoke meant a smoke bank a mile and a half long, far too wide for the enemy to watch with care all along its length. Later, the captain's report.

[Radio Program Narrator]

I found the smoke screen to be extremely effective.

[Narrator/Reader]

The smoke bank, allowing for spread, would be a quarter of a mile thick. The captain had solved a complex mathematical problem in his head. He turned to the voice tube beside him.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Captain.

[Radio Program Narrator]

Gunnery officer. Gunnery Officer, I'm turning to starboard now. It will take us 2 minutes and 10 seconds approximately to go through the smoke.

[Lookout/Seaman]

You'll find the eye tie is about

[Radio Program Narrator]

red five when we come out. But I shall turn to port parallel to their course immediately. Open fire when you are ready.

[Lookout/Seaman]

All right?

[Narrator/Reader]

Yes, sir.

[Radio Program Narrator]

Goodbye.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Guns turn eight points to starboard. Quartermaster? 15, hit it mid tip. Stop making smoke.

[Narrator/Reader]

And the order went down through five. Ten to stoke a Petty Officer Harmsworth in the boiler room now. The Artemis was heading squarely into the smoke, solidly away to starboard. One moment they were out in that clear sunshine and the next they were in reeking oily darkness.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Call the masthead and see if the lookout is in the smoke. Masthead reports he's in the smoke and can't see anything, sir. 30 seconds. 55 seconds. 1 minute, 75 seconds. 90 seconds. 105 seconds.

[Narrator/Reader]

Not long to go now. And the smoke was just as thick as ever. Extremely good.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Two minutes.

[Narrator/Reader]

The captain could see the navigating lieutenant plainly now. And the Italians could just about see the shadowy gray form of the Artemis emerging from the smoke. 4, 15 and Artemis beautiful in the sunshine swung round to turn her broadside upon the colossal force. Long before the Artemis emerged, however, the gunnery lieutenant had given orders all guns load. This took only 15 seconds to accomplish. Therefore, when broadsides was affected and the last gun ready lamp came on, it needed only one word to throw a quarter of a ton of steel and high explosive from one ship moving at 31 knots to another ship moving at 20 knots nine miles away.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Open fire.

[Narrator/Reader]

Later, the captain's report read, hit were observed. 12 shells were in the air at once while the fountains raised by the six preceding ones still hung poised above the surface. Every 10 seconds the guns were ready and loaded and every 10 seconds the shells were hurled out of them. Four hits with six broadsides was good shooting and the Italian navy was firing back straight at Artemis. Now there were bright flashes all down the line and sea and air were flung into convuls. On the bridge the sudden crash of the guns made turning him jump it all. He hoped none of the men on duty up here had seen him jump. The second time he was sure his feet had left the deck. The din was appalling and with every broadside he was shaken by the hot glass of the guns. The captain gave an order to the navigating lieutenant and soon HMS Artemis healed and turned abruptly away from the enemy and back into the comforting smoke and darkness and silence.

[Radio Program Narrator]

Captain, Gunnery Gunnery Officer, we should be opening fire again in two minutes.

[Narrator/Reader]

And Artemis was already keeling over on the turn as she plunged back into the screen to seek out her enemies once more.

[Lookout/Seaman]

One minute.

[Narrator/Reader]

Every man of the ship knew that the better he did his work now, the better would be his chance of life.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Two minutes. Guns ready. Open fire.

[Narrator/Reader]

And the above torrent roared its tons of steel again toward the eye tide. The Artemis was shooting superbly. The captain could see that with his own eyes as he turned his binoculars upon the Italian flagship. The enemy salvos were creeping closer. It was nearly time to retire again. A mile away, another British ship, HMS Hera, had emerged from the smoke screen spitting fire from all her turrets. With Hera out of the screen and the other cruisers beginning to show beyond her, it was for Artemis to withdraw and leave the Italians to their weary task of getting the range on these new elusive targets. And Artemis plunged back into the protecting smoke. Then it happened. 50 salvos had been fired at Artemis without scoring a hit. Now, when she was invisible in the smoky fog, a chance shell hit her. It was an 8 inch shell that hit the cruiser. It struck the ship's side a yard above the waterline and it penetrated the main deck as it burst, flinging red hot fragments of steel all around it. And with the fragments came the flame of explosion. The X gun turret bore the brunt. The officer at the shell ring and the officer at the ammunition hoist killed by the jagged shield. One minute they were alive and the next they were dead. One moment they were men and then the shell burst right in their midst and they were nothing. Nothing. The petty officer in charge of the lobby and the others survived them only by a few seconds. They died by fire, but it was a quick death.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Ship's on fire aft, sir.

[Narrator/Reader]

Yes, pretty badly apparently, sir.

[Lookout/Seaman]

Very good, Jerryman.

[Radio Program Narrator]

Thank you.

[Narrator/Reader]

One turret without. But the A and B turrets were firing away beautifully. All four guns in white hot action. At that moment a shell was fired from HMS Artemis, which changed the face of the war, altered the whole history of the world. Men and women in Nigeria or Czechoslovakia would feel the impact of that shell upon their lives. Headhunting cannibals in Papua, Siberian nomads seeking a scant living on the frozen tundra of Asia, toddling babies in the cornfields of Iowa and their children's children would all in years to come owe something to that shell. Of the four shells fired in that salvo, three of them missed. The fourth, the shell from the left hand gun in turret A hit later,

[Radio Program Narrator]

the captain's report read, the enemy turned away and the action terminated.

[Narrator/Reader]

That shell hadn't done any particular damage when it hit the Italian Majesty's battleship Legnano, but the dual Italian German command obtain Capitan Surcey Helmut von Bordeka and Viche Admiral Gaspara Gaetano Norcentini were hesitating about what to do with the pesky little British ships. And they were arguing politely of course, on points of strategy. Also they were suspicious of one another and well, you know how it is with the Italians and the Germans. The main thing is that when that historical 6 inch shell struck full upon their B turret and burst against the 12 inch steel, it became the deciding factor that tipped down the scale and swayed the balance of von Boricker's and Norcentini's hesitating mind.

[Radio Program Narrator]

The enemy turned away and the action terminated.

[Lookout/Seaman]

The enemy's out of range, sir. Thank you, guns. I believe I saw a torpedo hit on the second ship while you were speaking, sir.

[Radio Program Narrator]

Thank you. Congratulations, sir. Thank you, Jernicam.

[Narrator/Reader]

There was only the faintest glow to be seen of the fire that had raged minutes before. And a few more minutes with a hose would extinguish even that. The ship emerged into the fading dusk, for it was now beginning to grow dark. Then the captain suddenly tensed himself as his roving eye caught sight of a twinkle of light ahead. And then he was able to relax and even smile a little to himself in the twilight. Life, for that was the evening star shining out over the Mediterranean.

[Lookout/Seaman]

All hands dark and ship second degree of readiness.

[Narrator/Reader]

Yes, the captain could now light his pipe. Could now inwardly only perhaps relax. He could now afford to indulge in the luxury of quiet thought.

[Radio Program Narrator]

This long struggle will someday have an end, I suppose. But not now. And not for months and years to come. And even when it does end, the freedom which the struggle will win can only be secured by eternal vigilance, eternal probity, eternal goodwill and eternal honesty of purpose. That will be the hardest lesson of all. Peace will be a severer test of mankind than war. Perhaps mankind will pass that test when the time comes. As for me, when that time comes, I will fight for the last, last die in the last ditch before I will compromise in the slightest with the blind or secret enemies of freedom and justice. You have heard the seventh program of Words at War. A series based on the great books of this war. This evening we presented the ship by C.F. forrester. The script was written by Edmund Burnbrier of the NBC script staff. Next week you'll hear Robert St. John's book from the Land of Silent People. The narrator tonight was played by Alan Bunce. House Jameson was the captain. Other members of the cast were Victor Beecroft, Sid Cassel, Humphrey Davis, Eon. McAllister, Shirley Oliver and Alfred Shirley. The original music was written and conducted by Frank Black. The production was under the direction of Joseph Losey. This program has been presented in cooperation with the Council on Books in Wartime for the National Broadcasting Company and the independent radio stations associated with the NBC Network. This program came to you from New York. This is the National Broadcasting Company.

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, a very well told story. And those who have listened to or read Horatio Homeblower will see a lot of parallels in some ways with the characterization. I guess that's the one advantage of the novel, being able to get into different characters heads in terms of the adaptation. We did have one listener comment I wanted to share. This came from C. Peterson who says these episodes this was regarding the this Is War series and behind the Gun give a very interested and sanitized view of war. Being a veteran of war myself, I know how ugly it is. Thank you for putting these glimpses into my father's war out there. Well, I'm glad to help and to provide that information. Of course there's always going to be some limit in terms, particularly when you're dealing with information that's broadcast over the airwaves. But I think man behind the Gun and certainly the USS Boise episodes were very powerful, I thought. But there's not a way to fully capture all of the ugliness

[Lookout/Seaman]

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[Adam Graham]

within the limits of broadcasting essentially what's required to be a family program. But I do appreciate your comment. Thanks so much and thank you for your service. That will do it for today. If you have a comment, email me box [e-mail] I welcome your story or that of loved ones who served during World War II. Ken Kurland provides our opening theme music. KenCurland.com I am your host, Adam Graham. This series is provided as a service of the Great detectives of Old time radio. Great detectives.net you ain't heard about Moto Casino? Moto has real Vegas slots. Any game you can find on the floor in Vegas, you can play it on Moto.

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