Combat #7

Combat Casey

Combat Casey and Penny Pennington are among troops lining a trench when an army of Chinese soldiers advances on their position, lobbing gasoline grenades at the American troops. During the strafe, Penny manages to catch one of the Molotov cocktails and tosses it to Combat, who then hurls it back at the enemy, causing a massive explosion as it ignites their volatile projectiles. Those who are not burned alive flee in sheer panic, but Casey is convinced that they will be back before too long.

Once things have quieted down, a commanding officer approaches Combat and Penny and orders them to locate a missing civilian photographer named "Flash" Finnegan and not to return until they do. Casey bemoans the patrol duty, but Penny is excited because it allows him to examine the plants in the area. Through this observation of the ground, Penny spots discarded flash bulbs and later a bunch of photos. Realizing that Finnegan is leaving a trail for them to follow, Combat and Penny follow after it. They are shocked when t hey find Flash Finnegan and discover that "he" is really an attractive woman and that she is the prisoner of the Chinese.

However, Finnegan is far from helpless, as she convinces the soldiers to gather for a group photo she blinds them with the flash on her camera. As the enemy soldiers are disorientated, Combat and Penny come to her rescue. Flash is immediately smitten by Combat, even though she dislikes his red beard. As they trek across the enemy country side they come across an enemy fuel depot that is hidden in a well. With no weapons to destroy it, Penny suggests that Flash takes a picture of the well. Then while the flash bulb is still hot, he has Combat toss it into the well. The heat is sufficient to ignite the fuel causing a massive explosion.

Running back to base and back to safety, Flash tries to convince Combat to shave off his beard, but he refuses to do so, stating that he promised not to cut it until after the war is over, much to Flash's chagrin.

Recurring Characters

• Combat Casey

• Penny Pennington

• Flash Finnigan