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Monday, 6 November 2017

Garth Ennis' Battler Britton #2 (2006) - WildStorm Productions


Battler Britton (2006) - #2
"Bloody Good Show Part Two"
WildStorm (DC Comics)

Wing Commander Britton ask the Americans Captain Anderson and Plowman for permission in piloting one of the P-40 Warhawks to see how it handles. He gains their permission and flies it around the airstrip. Taff, one of Britton's men, reveals Britton's story to the Americans that the Wing Commander was the greatest pilot his squadron ever has as he was the one who improved the Desert Air Force's bombing record and recommended in using Beaufighters suitable for bombing raids. The men then discuss about their concerns of their risky task of being deep within German lines, in which Taff only reassures that the desert is too vast for anyone to see their units as long as they're careful.

Britton makes a low flyby in which the P-40 narrowly nicks Major Gilhooley's - who was shaving - one of his front teeth out. Britton then lands the plane and finds himself confront by an agitated Gilhooley (now speaking in a lisp), who is not please in seeing him flying the P-40. However, Britton lectures him that he needs to know the tactical assessment on the P-40 and conclude that it needs better tactics to fight against the more superior Messerschmitt 109. But Gilhooley doesn't heed his tactical advice as he believes that the 107th knows what they are doing before leaving in a huff.

Taff talks to Britton about Gilhooley. While he was talking with Anderson and Pillowman, it is learned that the Major had been with the 107th since its inception and stuck at the rank of Captain in 1939 until his promotion to his current rank due to his predecessor becoming missing in action after flying into a sandstorm. Which is the reason the more veteran 399 Squadron is lumbered with the 107th is because of Gilhooley's inexperience to properly lead his unit.



The 399 and the 107th begin their attack on a German airfield at Beda Masi and come out with success in contrast to their previous battle. The squadrons proceed on their next flight and encounter a brewing sandstorm. They are forced to fly above the storm and unexpectedly find a squadron of German Stukas without any fighter escort. They take the opportunity to shoot down the Stukas. During the dogfight, Captain Plowman flew too close to his kill and is blinded from the damage to his plane, causing him to collide into another P-40 and killing him and the other pilot Collins.

That night, Britton approach Gilhooley to share his sympathies for the loss of Plowman and Collins. Gilhooley express his difficulty of writing a condolence letter to the dead pilots' families given that his men died by shear accident. Britton give him comfort by telling him that he should write to the families of the contributions Plowman and Collins made to the squadron and that they only died fighting to the end. Gilhooley points out that it is not the whole truth in which Britton reply that the whole truth is "unthinkable" and tells Gilhooley that he could take a drink to drown down his guilt, forget it never happen, or taking his anger on the Germans. Finally, Britton cautiously tell Gilhooley that he must do whatever he can to lead and that this is what being a C.O. means, as this day's battle is only the beginning for him.
[http://dc.wikia.com]


Writer:  Garth Ennis     Penciller: Colin Wilson

Inker: Colin Wilson         Colorist: Jeromy N. Cox

Letterer: Rob Leigh

Editors:Scott Dunbier & Kristy Quinn

Cover Artist: Garry Leach   
Cover Date: October 2006
Cover Price: US $ 2.99

Format: Color; Standard Comic Issue; 32 pages





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