Chapters 30 and 31
Chapter 30 – Dunbar
Yossarian resigns himself to bombing the village, but Dunbar steadfastly insists on dropping his bombs well away from the houses (though he doesn’t admit this to his superiors). Thereafter Dunbar becomes increasingly sad and angry, making both Yossarian and the Chaplain uncomfortable.
With Orr missing, Yossarian goes back to flying with McWatt, who insists on reckless behavior like flying low over the base or climbing steeply for fun. Yossarian’s nerves are so frayed by this point, that he can no longer tolerate any unnecessary threat to his safety. As McWatt flies low over the practice bombing range, Yossarian leaves the bombardier’s bubble in the nose, climbs up to the flight deck, and chokes McWatt as hard as he can, saying “Go up! Go up!” McWatt does as he’s told, and there seem to be no hard feelings. Yossarian feels bad about attacking him, and McWatt is sorry that he’s been so insensitive to Yossarian’s nerves.
Yossarian takes to spending time with Nurse Duckett, who is always accompanied by the disapproving Nurse Cramer, who at all times silently communicates her disappointment from ten yards away. The three frequently lie on the beach, Yossarian playing cards with his friends, while Nurse Duckett playfully tries to sabotage the cards.
It is in just such a situation that the three witness a horrific event. McWatt is flying low over the water to buzz Kid Sampson, who is lying on a raft. For fun, Kid Sampson stands up on the raft and jumps in an effort to touch the fuselage as the plane roars by. Just at this moment, a random gust of wind drops the plane just low enough so that Kid Sampson is sliced in two by one of the propellers.
McWatt continues flying as the men on the ground look on in horror. McWatt climbs and climbs until the two other men on board are seen to bail out with parachutes. McWatt then crashes the bomber into a mountain.
Chapter 31 – Mrs. Daneeka
Since Doc Daneeka’s name was on McWatt’s flight plan (per Yossarian’s arrangement with the doctor), the administrative arm of the squadron believes that he, too, is dead. The army informs his wife back home, who immediately collects all the relevant insurance, social security, and pension benefits. Doc Daneeka is unable to practice medicine, draw pay, receive rations, or eat at the mess hall. In fact, he is ordered never to appear in Colonel Cathcart’s presence or he’ll be ordered cremated on sight. Doc Daneeka’s wife soon moves to Michigan and leaves no forwarding address.
