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43. Drill
43. Drill
Dining room is emptying as Sanya and Kimi sit over tea. But everyone stops as a high volume whistle fills the air lasting 10 seconds, 3 times.
Sanya leaps to feet. “Air raid stations!” Each person hurries to assigned post.
Kimi follows Sanya to courtyard. Only minutes since signal, yet already patients are being led into a trench, and they squat, bending forward with hands behind neck as taught. No one except Sanya knows that the whistling is signaling a real raid. Last month a B-29 over-flew the city and Sanya decided 3 whistles will mean a real raid and two a drill but, to prevent panic, only the wardens know the meaning of the extra whistle. And it works! Bed patients now being wheeled out of building and safely positioned in a bunker away from potential fire and falling brick are relaxed and joking. Following them come white-garbed nurses each carrying a long cloth hamper full of 5 crying babies.
Sanya is here & there, with Kimi by her side, making sure all is in order. “Evacuation complete and not even ten minutes!” she says. Everyone has on steel helmet and fire jacket. Kimi wants to remain at Sanya's side but Sanya turns on her. “You are pregnant! We out here are risking enough without endangering the future. Get in a bunker!”
As she speaks, the shout “The planes! The planes! Look!” rises all around. Everyone’s gaze elevates into the clear Novembermidday blue. There they are: 6 silver wing objects so high they look like toy a image in a painted sky; yet so powerful one can hear the propellers. Kimi cannot help feel awe at their beauty and perfection but her feeling is shattered by Sanya's hard angry voice. “Get in the bunker! All the way, head pressed against chest!”
Ten minutes later the all-clear sounds – one long tone for 30 seconds - and Kimi gets busy helping return babies to nursery, hoisting stretcher, leading infirm patient back into bed and guiding confused oldster. That over, she rejoins Sanya.
Sanya leaps to feet. “Air raid stations!” Each person hurries to assigned post.
Kimi follows Sanya to courtyard. Only minutes since signal, yet already patients are being led into a trench, and they squat, bending forward with hands behind neck as taught. No one except Sanya knows that the whistling is signaling a real raid. Last month a B-29 over-flew the city and Sanya decided 3 whistles will mean a real raid and two a drill but, to prevent panic, only the wardens know the meaning of the extra whistle. And it works! Bed patients now being wheeled out of building and safely positioned in a bunker away from potential fire and falling brick are relaxed and joking. Following them come white-garbed nurses each carrying a long cloth hamper full of 5 crying babies.
Sanya is here & there, with Kimi by her side, making sure all is in order. “Evacuation complete and not even ten minutes!” she says. Everyone has on steel helmet and fire jacket. Kimi wants to remain at Sanya's side but Sanya turns on her. “You are pregnant! We out here are risking enough without endangering the future. Get in a bunker!”
As she speaks, the shout “The planes! The planes! Look!” rises all around. Everyone’s gaze elevates into the clear November
Ten minutes later the all-clear sounds – one long tone for 30 seconds - and Kimi gets busy helping return babies to nursery, hoisting stretcher, leading infirm patient back into bed and guiding confused oldster. That over, she rejoins Sanya.
“No bombs this time. Probably calibrating bombsites? Next time bombs will fall.”
“But how can they fly over Tokyo
Sanya smiles ironically. “Even if there were one competent fighter left over Tokyo Japan
To read on click 11.(44-46) On the Town in Late War Tokyo
To read on click 11.(44-46) On the Town in Late War Tokyo
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