Mission Eleven: Battle Hawk

Tasked to destroy terror rocket sites, Cloud laments that his pilots have superstitiously adopted animal friends as co-pilots. The missions have been difficult, and his Happy Braves flight is under extreme stress.

Although Cloud understands the press for superstitious behavior under these conditions of high stress, he worries that these animal co-pilots will interfere with the mission. Consequently, he orders that no pets are allowed on flights.

On the next mission, the Happy Braves encounter heavy flak with losses. The rocket launchers they seek are hidden in a ragged gash cut by a river within a rocky plateau. The Germans release a smoke screen to shroud the launchers. Consequently, the bombing run is unsuccessful.

As they circle back for a second sweep, Tex reports that his monkey, Top Banana, has spotted a gaggle of Me-109s on the ceiling preparing to dive. Cloud orders his crew to duck back into the gash, within the flak, so as to discourage the bandits from following them. The Happy Braves find cover, but the smoke screen prevents a second bombing run.

After climbing out of the gash, the waiting bandits press the attack. Cloud downs a Me-109, as do others. But overall, the mission was a failure -- the terror rocket sites are still operational.

Back at base, Cloud grounds Tex for allowing Top Banana to ride with him. Once again, Cloud laments that his men are developing superstitions to cope with combat stress. Is this a sign that his pilots are at their breaking point?

That evening, Cloud experiences a surprising flashback ... 

Image Credit:

AAMOW#92 (August 1962): Splash Page Art: I.Novick; Writer: R.Kanigher

Johnny Cloud TM DC Comics