 You are about to hear a story based on actual events to protect the innocent names and places have been changed Auto light and its ninety-six thousand dealers bring you mr. Ray Milan in a story taken from life tonight's presentation of Suspends Tonight auto light presents the log of the Marne a true story concerning a British gun boat trapped by communist fire 140 miles from help starring mr. Ray Milan Hi, Harlow, what's that? Oh, I have that's my auto light stay full battery the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use Looks like a sure starter Harlow Dependable as a die have and what's more it's famous among car owners everywhere Because the auto light stay full needs water only three times a year in normal car use and it gives longer life, too As proved by tests conducted according to accepted life cycle standards sounds like a winning combination to me Harlow Right you are happy and you can get one at your nearest auto light battery dealer He services all makes of batteries to quickly find his name. Just call Western Union by number and ask for operator 25 That's me and I'll gladly tell you the location of your nearest auto light battery dealer where you can have your battery check this week And remember from bumper to tail light. You're always right with auto light And now with the log of the Marne and the performance of mr. Ray Milan auto light hopes once again to keep you in South Spence Log entry HMS Marne entered this day by the tenant commander James G. Harland officer in command According to statements by surviving officers and men The situation of the vessel during the morning 20th of June 1949 was as follows Marne was proceeding west in the Mingkian River on a routine supply mission from Fuchao to Yenping According to edicts issued by the Chinese People's Liberation Army in Marne had more than 14 hours of grace In which to reach her destination But at 20 minutes past nine the communist Open fire The second shell struck the wheelhouse three of the five men there were killed All communication to and from the wheelhouse was destroyed in the Marne immediately went off course Meanwhile to consecutive direct hits were suffered by the bridge All personnel there including the captain either killed or wounded Second in command lieutenant Bennett Moore in spite of shell fragments in his right lung and side alone on the bridge Had control of his faculties until the arrival of lieutenant Hugh Fraser Fraser reporting sir Good log more. I'm all right. I was shouldn't come on Not yet how about the others some of them yet we're off course Fraser I can't contact the wheelhouse signal engine room when you full speed of stern Full speed of stern both get a bearing on the battery. We'll return fire No response on the engine room. I can try again quickly. We're on a ground No use for they don't answer Why is this happening? Why did they fire on us? I'll try the transmitting station bridge TS Bridge transmitting station Nothing no communication at all. Everything's gone. We haven't fired one round back. I'll try to get down to the engine room That's okay. It's no use Fraser. No use. We're going aground 15 minutes after the attack was opened Marne was aground Neither a guns nor be guns were able to bear on target since her stern was toward the battery Consequently X gun was ordered in a local control There was no care for the wounded the sick bait been hit the medical officer and his assistant killed X gun got all three rounds then it was hit the entire gun crew being killed Small arms are issued since they were the only remaining weapons When sir you see the person yes, I think he's just fired. Thank you What oh yes Fraser I'm all right. Oh, it's 50 caliber I wish they would send borders and they'd stop firing. I don't expect them now They would have sent them they seem to have decided to reduce us to wreckage Think we can abandon ship of the wounded get to the national side of the river. No, there aren't enough life boats left They've seen to that the rotten Said they've stopped. Oh, I shouldn't they look what they've done to us June 21st the following day I received orders in Hong Kong to proceed by air to Marne as they take along medical supplies and the medical officer Lieutenant Robert Lamb Our Sunderland was fired upon as we landed Although we sustained enough damage to make it impossible to transfer all of the supplies We considered ourselves fortunate to have half aboard when the flying boat was forced to leave It was put to immediate use by the MO when I was taken to the officer in command In here sir. Oh, yes, we've had to use the radar room as a command center, sir Almost everything else has been knocked out. I see I should want a complete report in the condition of the ship after I speak to more Yes, sir. Do you think he's fit to carry on Fraser? Oh, no, sir. No, I'm surprised that he's still alive. He's not able to stand now demo Here we are sir Who is it? It's Fraser Bennett. Oh, I heard a plane tonight. I'm sure I did. Yes Sunderland brought a doctor and medicine Bennett. This is Lieutenant Commander Harland. Lieutenant Moore. Oh, I don't try more Thank you, sir. The C&C asked me to Convey his admiration for what you've done more. Oh, thank you, sir Do I understand that I'm being relieved of my command? Good Lord. You've done all you can. You're in no condition to go on I'm all right, sir. I Feel much better than I did yesterday. I I'm sorry more my orders are to assume command. I can't do anything else Yes, now Fraser. I should like to meet with the other executive officers. There's only one now, sir Oh Phil's died this morning. There's only Alden and myself now sir. I see and I should want to meet him if you could suggest a place This is Lieutenant Alden, sir. How do you do, sir? Oh, how do you do sit down? Thank you, sir You've had quite a go. Yes, sir And I don't think any of us would mind if we knew the reason behind it We were told that the Communist had promised us 14 hours to reach Yenping. They had so we were entirely within our right But they fired on us. There's been no explanation Dispatches were sent to the headquarters immediately. We received your message When were you shelled last morning and we were sending some of the wounded ashore to the nationalists. Oh, I Didn't know that. Yes, sir They sent a junk out last night and we asked them to come back at dawn with some more boats They told us they'd see them safely to food child But the men who really need help couldn't go they were too torn up to live through the journey. How many did you send 42 sir? How many seriously wounded are there 35 sir and how many dead 31 sir Your original compliment was 149. Yes, sir. There are 41 of us left. I see But we still have power. Oh, yes, sir They fared quite well below decks, but the communication between the bridge and the engine room was knocked out Is there anyone aboard who can repair it? I'm not sure yet. Yes Fraser. Liliths is left. Oh, I wasn't sure so he can do it Are you gonna try to reflota sir make a run for it reflota if possible? Yes I'd like to be ready to make a run for it if we ordered to what about the guns? They're all gone, sir What about fuel depends on how long we stay sir we were to refuel and in pink I'm afraid navigation will be a bit of a problem, sir. The charts were burned Well, we still have to do with what we have won't we yes, sir And I'd like every available man put to work at once on the foredeck I'd like everything that is heavy and can be broken loose moved out In the meantime, I want any water ballast and all the fuel oil in the forward tanks pumped out over the side So yes, I think the loss of fuel oil at the moment is not as important as getting more on a float again June 22nd 3rd 4th and 5th were required to repair communications enlightened the bow Small arms fire raked the decks occasionally and reminded us that the communists were watching our every move Hoping to put them off guard. I therefore halted all activity until the 2nd of July and then shortly after midnight Assisted by a moonless night. We raise steam and backed off to anchor without incident morale improved immediately July 15th an attempt to shift our berth was answered by a 30-minute barrage It was obvious that the communists were destroyers if we tried to leave July 18th Shortly after midday communist forces were seen crossing the river below us against no nationalist resistance of any kind Later that same day they crossed above us as well and we realized that we were completely cut off. I Ordered all ventilation shut off to conserve fuel July 20th after a month had passed We had our first direct contact with the communists a major kong requested me to come ashore to talk with him I accepted his invitation met him in a hut a short distance from the river I wish to make it clear that your ship will not be molested if she does not move and That there is no more trouble from your ship trouble You realize that this would not have happened if you had not fired first I think you're mistaken you fired first and I would appreciate safe passage down the river. I cannot grant you a safe passage It is up to my superiors But first you must admit that you fired first July 26th to conserve our already meager food stores offices and men were put on half rations One refrigerator was put out of service to save more fuel on July 28th. I again met major kong I talked to my superiors they tell me you give you a safe passage down the river. Oh Well, I'm happy to hear that you are not too unhappy aboard your ship No, not at all, but you would like to go down the river. Yes, especially since you have absolutely no reason to hold us here I Can give you a safe passage if the British side will acknowledge that they invaded Chinese waters Without the authority of the Chinese people's liberation army This will be a document The word invaded cannot be used. It is the most serious word to use There may be some difference between the Chinese wording and the English wording. I Am speaking only Chinese wording the word invade means to commit a hostile act Which we did not do you cannot use the word invade Do you admit that your ship was guilty of entering the river guilty of entering the river? It was not a guilty act and you cannot use the word invade It means that we are at war and we are not we are a friendly nation and always have been if you do not wish to cooperate I Suggest that we leave this until a later meeting. I insist that we continue this discussion Then you are ready to admit the British guilt. I Think the subject at hand is your guilt You are holding a British ship and British subjects under the threat of destruction You are causing great suffering lack of fuel oil has caused me to stop the ventilation system in mid-summer My food is spoiling because I can't run the refrigerators There's a danger that even drinking water will be unavailable You are responsible for the condition of that ship and the welfare of the offices and men Then you do admit the British guilt. I do not Then I suggest that we leave this for a later meeting. I warn you too if you move the ship Every effort will be made to destroy it Auto light is bringing you mr. Ray Milan in the log of the Marne tonight production in radio's outstanding theater of thrills suspense Say hap, what's the surest thing in the world? You got me Harlow Why starting your car if you've got an auto lights day full battery hap its tops Independable starting power and it needs water only three times a year and Harlow right only three times a year in normal car use That's because the auto lights day full has three times the liquid reserve of ordinary batteries And the auto lights day full gives longer life as proved by tests conducted according to accepted life cycle standards Is not a better battery built and it's carried by your neighborhood auto light battery dealer He services all makes of batteries and has special test equipment if a new battery is needed He also has an auto lights day full for your car So take a tip from me see your auto light battery dealer this week to quickly find his name Just telephone Western Union by number and ask for operator 25 That's me and I'll gladly tell you the location of your nearest auto light battery dealer and remember from bumper to tail light You're always right with auto light And now auto light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage mr. Ray Milan in Elliott Lewis's production of the log of the Marne a dramatic report well-calculated to keep you in suspense The entire months of July and August were taken up with trying to maintain life in an all-but-dead ship and in pointless Decisionless meetings with the communists. I over and over again repeated my demands for oil They repeated their demands that I admit British guilt By September 9th conditions abroad were quite serious Officers and men were without any of the conveniences afforded by a modern ship and they were almost without food Morale was at its lowest ebb when I heard a shout from the deck It was Admiralty fuel seized by the communists when they took yin ping They'd charged more than 400 pounds for his delivery, but it put life into the man The drums were brought aboard by hand pulling an empty denormous dried tanks Everyone offices and men buckled down to the job It took 11 hours and when it was finished every man on the ship was exhausted, but happier than they'd been for 100 days Good morning, sir. You sent for me. Yes. Come in Fraser. Yes, sir How much fuel oil did we take aboard last night at 296 drums? That's approximately 56 tons. Yes That should do us nicely. Oh, yes, sir. It already has Ventilation's running again. It reached a hundred and thirty six degrees in the engine room yesterday. Yes Yes, I know it's uncomfortable. Uh Fraser, I'd like to have you arrange a working party. Yes, sir I want the anchor cable lashed with bedding But first I want the bedding to be soaked thoroughly in soft soap and grease the anchor cables Yes, every time the ship swings at her moorings the cable screeches and scrapes. It's rather getting on my nerves After more than three months. It's getting on your nerves. That's what I want you to tell the men Fraser Look, oh boy I'm going to break out tonight. Yes, sir. When you've put your men to work bring Alden Lillis Lam and Nisbet I'll explain the reasons for my decision At three o'clock in the afternoon of 30th of July I conferred with the two executive officers the medical officer Engine room artificer Lillis and the senior telegraphist Nisbet. I want to break out tonight at 10 I've asked you here, so I could tell you my reasons why we should and I want you to give me any reasons why we should not I think all of us have had enough of this sir. Yes The delivery of fuel last night was important for two reasons one At least 47 tons of fuel will be needed to drive us to the open sea They gave us 56 tons which really leaves little to spare. That's right, sir Tonight will be the last one for a month with the phase of the moon right for a breakout The moon is due to set at 11 o'clock So I've decided to slip away at 10 accepting one hour of the waning moon is an unavoidable handicap Now we'll need every minute of time if we hope to get past the big guns at liangkong before dawn Now rain's farther inland have raised the river and traveling by night without a river pilot We'll need all the water there is to get us over the mudflats Lillis. Yes, sir. If we come under fire, I shall ask for smoke. Understand? Yes, sir I think everything's in tip-top shape below decks. We'll do the best we can sir. Good Nisbet. Yes, sir. Wireless silence will be enforced until I'm ready to send a message. Then only flash procedure will be used Yes, sir. Lamb and Fraser. Yes, sir. I want to make ma on a splinter proof as possible Now seated with that the wireless office the bridge and the habitable mess decks are sandbagged If we haven't enough sand use mattresses or cushion covers or canvas kit bags anything Yes, now make your preparations as soon as possible, but do no work on deck until after dark I don't want you to be seen Grease all the bright work to cut reflection Now you can do that during daylight after dark break out canvas and stretch it from the superstructure for and after change our silhouette Very good, sir. Now then If we are hit and sinking I will beach the ship if it's possible to save lives The ship's company will get ashore then I will blow up man If disaster does come your main object is to reach Fuchao or escape in junks to the open sea Any questions? Just one sir. I wonder what old Major Kung will say tomorrow when he's dipped to private Well, don't underestimate our Major Kung Fraser It's entirely possible that he arranged the oil delivery so the week would break out So they'd have a chance to destroy us However, pass the word along to the ship's company And good luck to you all. I hope we make it At least we'll have a devil of a good shot at it At seven I ordered steel helmets to be issued to the men who would be stationed on the upper deck At nine I climbed to the bridge to accustom my eyes to the darkness At three minutes past ten we prepared to leave Engine room reports are ready, sir Good. Order them to obey telegraphs Yes, sir Engine room obey telegraphs Rutter amidships, Winston Amidships, sir Half a head port Half a head port, sir Slip anchor cable Slip cable, sir Slip cable Not a sign, sir Not a splash Half a stern starboard Half a stern starboard, sir Harder starboard Harder starboard Harder starboard Harder starboard it is, sir Steady as she goes Steady as she goes Sir, yes, Fraser The funnel, sir Spewing sparks Oh, blast it Well, there's nothing we can do about it now. We've started They'll see that if they aren't blind, sir Shall I order alarm? Not yet. Port fifteen Port fifteen, sir Steady now Steady, sir Well, we've got round Half a head, both ten knots Half a head, both ten knots, sir I don't think they see us I don't think they do It did seem that our departure had gone unnoticed We passed downstream quietly and without trouble for fifteen minutes But then a flare illuminated the river It went up from shore, sir Yes, should we count? Probably control point Another battery, too There, sir Of the port power Is that a vessel? Yes Yes, it's a patrol craft Keep it fifteen port winster Yes, sir Read the depth reports, Alden We're closing the beach Yes, sir Control vessel, Fraser No, sir Land battery There, sir See the flash? Yes, full ahead, both Full ahead, both, sir What's the depth, Alden? Give me the readings Six volumes Six volumes Five and a half volumes What's the patrol vessel going to do? Set a crash course in that ship and steer him into her Into what, sir? I want to pass as close to as possible We'll smother her guns One thing, Fraser Our trip is no longer a secret No, sir, the gas is blown, all right I wish a hundred and forty miles lay behind us Instead of ahead But it's better than sitting still, sir Just a bit of starboard wheel now, winster Aye, sir We passed Xuikao without sustaining damage Shortly before one in the morning Still at full speed We passed Kaining Under much the same conditions At three o'clock, Lanxia But from the outset I had dreaded the final problem Of passing under the nine inch guns at Liangkang Searchlights probing the darkness Told us before we reached it That they knew we were coming And were waiting Our only advantage was the breath of the river At its mouth and we used it Hugging the North Bank And chancing free for the mortar I remember that the cool air of the open seas Seemed almost tenderizing and unreal We reached a point Directly across from the fort And one of their searchlights found us Give me smoke Make as much black smoke as you can Right, sir Make black smoke as much as you can Starboard 20, winster Starboard 20 Starboard 20, sir Zigzag Keep us from getting a fix on us Five seconds to starboard Five seconds to port Count them yourself Count them aloud if you like Aye, aye, sir Give me the depth olden Yes, sir One, two, three Eight and a half Five, starboard Eight and a half One, two, three One, two, three Give us that and I think we'll be safe Five, starboard Make more smoke Make more smoke Seven, one It's that course for Hong Kong, sir Half speed ahead boats Yes, sir Half speed ahead boats I'm going to the wireless room Yes, sir Hello, Nisbet Hello, sir Congratulations, sir Thank you It is good to feel her role to the sea again Nisbet I want to send a signal to Commander-in-Chief Yes, sir Have rejoined The fleet Yes, sir God save the king I think that's all, Nisbet Suspense Presented by Auto-Light Tonightstar Mr. Ray Milland Hey, Hap Did you hear about the meeting? What meeting, Harlow? Why the meeting of our American truckers This week in Chicago You know, Hap Trucking is one of our most important industries And it's the lifeline of the more than 25,000 American communities Which depend on trucks alone For the delivery of their necessities And that's not all Right, you are, Hap For those careful and competent cargo conveyors Can claim an unequaled highway safety record For sure With millions of accident-free miles every year And that great record is largely due To the American Trucking Association's Never-Ending Safety Campaign Which Auto-Light is proud to have assisted For over a decade Auto-Light salutes the members Of the American Trucking Associations And wishes them continued success As the world's finest drivers Next week on Suspense Our star will be Mr. Richard Widmark In a dramatization of the most famous Of all Texas feuds A dramatic report we call The Hunting of Bob Lee In weeks to come we shall also present Mr. John Hodiak, Mr. Joseph Cotton And Mr. John Lund All on Suspense Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis With music composed by Lucian Morrowick And conducted by Ludbloskin The log of the mar Was based on the book by Lauren Searle And was adapted for suspense by Gil Dowd In tonight's story, Ben Wright was heard as Fraser And featured in the cast were Joseph Curran's Charles Davis Anthony Ellis Jack Prussian Raymond Lawrence And William Johnstone Ray Maland is currently being seen In the Paramount comedy, Rhubarb And remember next week On Suspense, Mr. Richard Widmark In another story based on Actual events A dramatic report we call The Hunting of Bob Lee For the location of your nearest Auto-Lite battery or spark plug dealer Or your nearest authorized Auto-Lite service station Found Western Union by number And asked for Operator 25 Switch to Auto-Lite. 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