Chapter 7

“ ... It is a point worth noticing, by any student of
strategy, that while the Wabbly in working solely for
effectiveness in lowering civilian morale worked upon
sound principles, yet the destruction of the Wabbly by
Sergeant Walpole and Flight Cadet Ryerson immediately
repaired all the damage done. Had it worked toward more
direct military aims, its work would have survived it.
It remains a pretty question for the student, whether
the Enemy Command, with the information it possessed,
made the soundest strategic use of its unparalleled
weapon ... But on the whole, the raid of the Wabbly
remains the most startling single strategic operation
of the war, if only because of its tremendous effect
upon civilian morale...” (Strategic Lessons of the
War of 1941-43.--U. S. War College. Pp. 94-96.)

A major-general climbed out of a staff gyrocar and waded through mud for half a mile, after which he, in person, waked two sleeping men. They were sprawled out in the puddle of rain which had gathered in a torn-away tread from the Wabbly. They waked with extreme reluctance, and then yawned even in the act of saluting in a military manner.

“Yes, sir;” said Sergeant Walpole, yawning again. “Yes, sir; the bombers’ve gone. We heard ‘em tryin’ to raise the Wabbly for about half an hour after she’d blown up. Then they cut off. I think they went home, sir. Most likely, sir, they think we used some new dinkus on the Wabbly. It ain’t likely they’ll realize they blew it up themselves for us.”

The major-general gave crisp orders. Men began to explore the Wabbly, cautiously. He turned back to the two sleepy and disreputable men who had caused its destruction. His aspect was one of perplexity and admiration.

“What did you men do?” he demanded warmly. “What in hell did you do?”

Sergeant Walpole grinned tiredly. The ‘copter man spoke for him.

“I think, sir,” said the helicopter man, “that we affected the morale of the Wabbly’s and the bombers’ crews.”