Final Thoughts

As in most good novels, the book ends off on a happy note, as the good guys survive and complete their mission while celebrating. The USN Sunfish successfully infiltrates the Philippines and hundreds of thousands dollars of $20 gold coins plus essential supplies such as ammo, food, communications arrive safely. A particular scare is when a heavily armed and powerful bomber arrives when the submarine is submerged, and to top it off, a few fighters arrive on the scene as well. The bomber goes down in flames, and everyone sighs in relief as the fighters reveal their US Marines colors. After Fertig was contacted, General McArthur appears on the scene, taking credit for the guerrilla operation and spreading propaganda about how he has returned. Note: When he left, he announced to all that he would return. After Pcikering has a confrontation with McArthur in which he insinuates that he didn't include McArthur in the operation because McArthur would have tried to interfere or shut down the operation to make himself look better. The irony strikes on the very last page, where a confidential letter from the president is revealed, showing that General Pickering is second in command in the Philippines, subject only to McArthur himself.

Cryptography

http://youbownow.glogster.com/Cryptography/

The art of creating an incomprehensible message that is understood through "translation" using a special key.

Decisions, Decisions

As the coded messages are transmitted back and forth from the Philippines to the US and back, the leaders on both sides of the conflict have to decide on a course of action. General Pickering is facing against Secretary Knox in order to bring the best and most capable soldiers into the field, while Knox is trying to send a political nominee, the inept Captain Macklin. Captain Mastuo Saikaku knows of the encrypted messages, but is unable to break them and gain access to the information inside. He is trying to triangulate the source of the messages and find the intruders in the Philippines and having to decide how many resources to pour into cracking a message of unknown importance.

Meanwhile, the guerrillas in the Philippines are managing to survive. They have ambushed many convoys, stealing supplies, and generally raising hell for the Japanese based on the island. They have verified their authenticity to the US HQ and they will be relieved by a submarine, which will have a few experienced soldiers aboard as well as supplies such as food, water, ammunition, as well as gold bullion to pay the Philippinos.

Philipines Update

In response to alinebarger, the Philippines were held by the US prior to WWII. General McArthur happened to be present and when he heard of the incoming Japanese, he left and said that he would return. Fertig was supporting the US by disrupting Japanese operations, but was not acknowledged until reports of his success spread.

In the events following last week, McArthur has just announced to the politicians and fellow generals that guerrilla operations are impossible. Meanwhile, Everly and Weston ambush a Japanese convoy, kill the wounded, and gather all the supplies they could find. Finally, General Pickering decides to defy McArthur and send a small squad of officers, mainly Sergent Zimmerman, Captain Macklin, Lieutenant Lewis, and Sergeant Koffler. Even though the group has been assembled, they still need to start on their mission, but I have the strange feeling that the action will start picking up from here.

Wendell Fertig

http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Wendell_Fertig

This website contains information about Wendell Fetig, who was the Lieutenant Colonel who self-promoted himself to general and who led a successful guerrilla campaign in the Philippines, which was deemed impossible by McArthur shortly after he left.

Bataan Death March

After the Japanese captured the Philippines from the light US forces stationed there in a hopeless situation, the US POWs were treated horrifically and they knew what their fate was from stories of Japanese brutality. In Behind the Lines, both commanders and soldiers went AWOL in order to escape the brutality and get a chance to strike back with certain death.

Meet the Cast

In Behind the Lines, there are many main characters. The beginning story focuses on the Captain Wendell Fertig, who is known in history for establishing and running a successful guerrilla campaign in the Philippines after General McArthur leaves. He sets up a guerrilla base consisting of Philippine natives and many Absent Without Leave soldiers. Because he technically would not have any authority due to his low rank, he takes the initiative of promoting himself to general in command of the Philippines. Two men, Sergeant Everly and Lieutenant Weston are his main aides, having escaped from the approaching Japanese invasion. He then contacts the US via radio, and after extensive testing they find he is genuine. However, they run into a serious problem politically, as General McArthur has just announced that it is impossible to have a guerilla operation in the Philippines, and he is very influential politically. As the section ends, another US general, Fleming Pickering, is planning how to help Fertig out.

So far, I don't think the action has really gotten started yet. Not all the main characters are introduced and it mostly consists of short, informative messages and build-up of the various characters. I just hope that more exciting events occurs soon. I can predict that some kind of relief party will be sent and will face many dangers politically and militarily. The climax will be when they finally arrive, battered, but safe and sound.

Introduction

Hello, my name is Joey Lee, and this is my blog. For this month, I will be focusing and posting about a WWII era book named Behind the Lines. This book was written by WEB Griffin, a popular military fiction writers who has written 3 WWII military fiction series already. This book is the 7th in the series, and focuses on Fertig's guerrilla efforts in the Philippines. The team of US special operatives is going to his aid with supplies and aid. I predict that they will succeed in the end, but there will be many challenges and intrigue before that happens.

Reading Schedule:
3/6
1-5

3/13
6-10

3/20
11-14

3/27
14-17