G.I. Combat #14 is an issue of the series G.I. Combat (Volume 1) with a cover date of April, 1954.
Synopsis for "Invasion, Top Secret"
Off the coast of north western Japan, three unidentified submarines surface under the cover of darkness. An unknown invasion force disembarks in rafts towards the beach. On shore, they begin their attack. Commandos are sent in advance to sever communication lines. They infiltrate the American bases and overpower the guards while destroying weapons and vehicles. Hours later, at dawn, a pair of GI's on the late shift listen closely at a strange and unfamiliar signal coming from a U.S. Radar station near the coast. At first the operators believe that the signal may be coming from a school of whales passing by, but when the signal is returned they know it to be the enemy. They try to call headquarters to warn of an attack, but the phone lines have been cut. It is too late, the invading forces are on land and massing to spring their surprise trap.
Meanwhile, In Tokyo, the men of the 91st, 92nd, and 93rd Infantry ready themselves to return back stateside on furlough. While the guys share what their plans once they get back home, their commanding officer's voice comes over the intercom ordering them to assemble outside in fifteen minutes. On the parade grounds, all men gather in full Class “C” uniforms – full combat gear – their CO steps out to give them the bad news. They have now all been ordered to participate in a “sham” invasion maneuver. The men are confused and upset, discouraged that their trip stateside has been cancelled.
At 0600 hours, the men of Company “B” file into the gliders at the Tokyo airport. Once airborne, Captain Royce Miller can now tell them the real reason for their strange change or orders. He tells them that an unidentified enemy has invaded Northern Japan and cut all communications. Air recon reports a mass movement of troops and equipment over the entire western section. Their mission is to secretly sneak in and stop the enemy, without the rest of the world ever finding out. Several hours later, the gliders reach their destination and come under fire by the enemy troops below. The glider, carrying soldiers from the 93rd Infantry Company “B”, gets its tail lines severed, and the glider drifts into the up draft to land in a dried up stream just beyond the enemy's lines. The men disembark, and their plan is to cause the enemy plenty of trouble without getting themselves killed.
At dawn the next day, the GIs of Company “B” watch from a ridge as the enemy prepare their artillery to go into operation. Captain Miller orders the Sarge to lead the men down on a sneak attack from behind. The carefully rush down the hill, and successfully overpower the enemy soldiers, taking possession of the cannon. Captain Miller can see through his binoculars the harbor nearby, swarming with enemy submarines. He orders the men to turn the cannon on the harbor and fire! Moments later, a rain of hell pours down onto the enemy subs, cutting off their foes supply line and means of escape. After nearly forty minutes of barrage, all the subs are taken out. But the men have been spotted, and enemy tanks are on their way. Captain Miller orders his men back up the hill and towards the mountain for cover. Even at the safety of the height of the mountain, the soldiers know it will be only a matter of time before they are found. Then, Captain Miller gets an idea. Later, as the enemy tanks continue their search for the GIs, one of their tanks crosses over a grassy patch. Just as it enters, the GIs jump out of the tall grass and fire into the tank, killing the enemy occupants. Now in possession of an enemy pant, they are able to quickly take out another enemy tank by surprise, clearing their way back towards the American lines. Later, however, as they move down the road, they pass right in the midst of the enemy traffic heading to the front. Cautiously, the GIs and their captured tank slip to the front of the column, where they can spot a halftrack carrying what appears to be the enemy's top brass. Captain Miller can't pass the opportunity, and has the Sarge fire directly onto the halftrack. It explodes, killing the entire command of the enemy!
Several days later, at the American command post, Captain Miller and his men are gallantly rewarded for their heroism in defeating the unknown enemy. The captain says all they want is one reward… just send his men home!
Appearing in "Invasion, Top Secret"
Featured Characters:
- Private Regan "Smokes" (Single appearance)
- Private Yates (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- Captain Royce Miller (Single appearance)
- American Infantry sergeant "Blackie" (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
- Chinese Infantry soldiers
Other Characters:
- American Military police
- American Radio operator "Ben" (Single appearance)
- American Infantry soldiers
Locations:
Items:
- Chinese Field cannon
Vehicles:
- American Willys MB Jeep
- Chinese submarines (Destroyed)
- Chinese T35/85 medium tank
- Chinese halftrack
- American Troop Transport gliders
Synopsis for "The Red Goons of Berlin"
Appearing in "The Red Goons of Berlin"
Featured Characters:
- Private Pete Manning (Single appearance)
- Private Danny (Single appearance)
- Private Joey (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- U.S. Army Major
Antagonists:
- Soviet Hijackers
Locations:
Vehicles:
- US Army Supply Trucks
Synopsis for "Trapped in Hell"
Appearing in "Trapped in Hell"
Featured Characters:
- Private Ed (Single appearance)
- Private Sandy (Single appearance)
- Major Curtis (Single appearance)
Supporting Characters:
- U.S. Army Sergeant
Antagonists:
- Soviet Armed Forces
Other Characters:
- Military Police "Andy" (Single appearance)
Locations:
Items:
- M35 Machine Gun
- M35 Ammo
Vehicles:
- American Flying Boxcar
- Navy Destroyer
Synopsis for "Spearhead Assault"
Appearing in "Spearhead Assault"
Featured Characters:
- 3rd Platoon, K Company, 9th Regiment
- Unnamed Lieutenant (Single appearance)
- Private Edwards (Single appearance)
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Military Police Officer Harry (Single appearance)
- Joe (Single appearance)
Locations:
Vehicles:
- Stalin Tanks, Mark IV
Notes
- Published by Quality Comics.
- "Invasion, Top Secret" is reprinted in G.I. Combat #43.
- "The Red Goons of Berlin" is reprinted in G.I. Combat #42.
See Also