Battlefield Action #36

Jun 1961 · Charlton · 0.10 USD

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This anthology issue contains at least two war stories. "The Little War" depicts soldiers in intense combat, with one narrative involving a one-legged radio operator in the hills and a character who vows to spread news of God's work and build a church, suggesting a story of faith amid warfare. "Will This Be You?" showcases futuristic military technology, including experimental aerial jeeps and advanced weaponry being tested by U.S. Army and Marine forces, while three G.I.s are assigned to ride north toward the border to observe combat readiness and prepare soldiers for potential Korean conflict.

Contains 4 stories

Help from on High

8 pp · War

When a young boy brings word that Reverend Tingley—a missionary and symbol of hope to millions of Chinese—has been captured by the Communist forces occupying northern China, Captain Mallard and his handpicked paratroop unit are dispatched on a daring rescue mission. With only the boy as their guide and the element of surprise, the soldiers must infiltrate a heavily fortified compound and get the reverend out before the enemy closes in. It's a race against time and firepower to save a man whose freedom means far more than just one life.

Smitty Chickens Out

5 pp · War

Veteran Sergeant Bernie Smith has earned the trust and admiration of his inexperienced squad through years of protecting them in Korea, but when Major Bolt challenges him to let his men grow up and fight their own battles, Smitty faces an unexpected test of faith in the soldiers he's nurtured. As the enemy attacks and his squad looks to him for leadership, Smitty must decide whether to break his protective habits—and discover what his men are truly capable of when forced to stand on their own.

Will This Be You?

3 pp · Science Fiction, War

A soldier contemplates the future of modern warfare as military scientists showcase the cutting-edge arsenal awaiting the next generation of G.I.s—from jet jump belts and lightweight body armor to wheelless aerial jeeps and advanced missile systems. The story presents a vision of tomorrow's battles: briefer, more terrible, and fought by specialized few rather than massive divisions, each equipped with firepower that would have seemed like science fiction just years before. It's a stark meditation on what combat might demand of those who answer the call.

Little War

7 pp · War

Three American military advisors arrive in Northern Burma to train local troops against Communist Chinese incursions, but when Red forces pour across the border and their trainees face annihilation, Sergeant Bardik, PFC Coyne, and Captain Pfister find themselves breaking orders to fight alongside the men they've trained. As the battle rages and the inexperienced Burmese soldiers prove themselves far more capable in combat than on the drill field, the three G.I.s must decide whether following protocol or saving their comrades matters most.