Chapter 11 Summary

Chapter 11 starts with another deluge of casualties. However, Colonel Blake has been called away for three weeks to general duty at Tokyo General Hospital. His temporary replacement is Colonel DeLong. Due to various stressors, tempers are on edge. One night, after Hawkeye has finished part of a surgery and is waiting for the patient to recover for the next round of surgery, Colonel DeLong interrupts Hawkeye's poker game and asks him to continue surgery. Hawkeye does not explain the situation to DeLong but instead mouths off. Eventually the Colonel leaves.

Right before the patient is ready for surgery, Hawkeye shows the Colonel what is wrong. The Colonel is impressed but tells Hawkeye that he cannot tolerate insubordination. Hawkeye rebuffs him again and the Colonel goes to bed.

After a day or so of rest, the Swampmen find themselves down by the river and...