The Shadow of War by Jack Murray (latest ebook reader txt) 📗

be a worry. Afew of the others noticed Danny’s more rigorous inspection and laughed.

‘Afraid of closed spaces,Danny?’ shouted one wag.

‘Only if they’re anywhere nearyour arse,’ responded Danny. ‘I’d rather take my chances with Jerry out in theopen with a target painted on my chest.’

Danny hopped up onto the frontof the A9 and then levered himself through the turret into the tank. His firstthought as his feet hit the floor was its size. The tank was meant to have upto six men, but Danny couldn’t for the life of him see how that would work insuch a confined space.

Arthur was still inside. Helooked up at Danny from his position at the machine gun and said, ‘What do youthink.’

Danny was far from happy andpointed to the gun, ‘Like taking a water pistol to a gunfight.’

‘You reckon?’ said Arthur.Danny nodded in response. He pulled himself out of the A9 and jumped down tosee the second cruiser, the A13. His hopes were not much higher for this. Itwas plain to Danny, even without seeing the Panzers, that they were badly outmatched. Theexperience of France suggested that the manoeuvrability strategy had been of limitedeffectiveness, notwithstanding the success at Arras. The excitement he had feltearlier on the way over was gradually evaporating. In its place was a sense ofdread, a fear for the future. As he examined his own feelings, he realised itwas based on trust. Or a lack of trust in the army command.

His father’s experience in theGreat War remained locked inside his mind. On the few occasions Danny and Tomhad tried to talk to him about it, Stan had closed the conversation down.Therefore, Danny sought other sources to understand better the conflict hisfather had been engaged in. The conclusions from the books, he studied in thelibrary at Cavendish Hall, were unanimous. The British and French had beenpoorly led. With increasing certainty, Danny realised that the lessons from theWar had been learned better by the defeated country than by the visitors. He was the last to jump down from theinspection of the tanks.

‘Cheer up,’ said Coldrick,‘It’s not that bad.’

Danny looked at him and saidquietly, ‘I think it is.’

Coldrick didn’t disagree.

Chapter 6: Germany 1941

 1

Ladenburg (nr. Heidelberg): January1941

The road was virtually empty.The snow didn’t help, of course, but someone had done a good job of clearing itto the sides. The brightness made it an uncomfortable drive. Despite the ice, the police carsped along the main road towards Heidelberg without any problems. Manfred andhis father said little on the journey. Each lost in his own thoughts. Neither wasprepared to be the first to share them.

Manfred felt excited, orscared. He was prepared to admit as much to himself. A part of him would haveliked to have told his father. Another part rebelled at the idea. It had neverbeen that kind of relationship. Instead, their bond was based on obedience.Manfred had been a good boy insofar as he had rarely rebelled. As far as Brehmewas concerned, he had fulfilled his role as a father.

‘Look,’ said Brehme, pointingto the sky.

‘Messerschmitt,’ repliedManfred. Neither said anything as they looked at the plane make manoeuvres inthe sky.

‘Yes,’ confirmed his father.‘Look at it go. England will have trouble against those.’

‘I know,’ smiled Manfred, happyto talk about something. ‘One day we’ll have fighters powered by jets, Father.Can you imagine?’

‘Really? Are these thingspossible?’

‘It’s possible. I’m sure ourscientists will find a way. Then watch. The Luftwaffe will rule the skies. Imean, you can’t kill what you can’t catch.’

They continued along the road;the atmosphere lightened considerably as they crossed the bridge into the townof Heidelberg. All around were young men and women: students. And army. Manfredsaw his father looking at him.

‘You’re absolutely sure?’

‘Yes, Father. I’m sure,’confirmed Manfred.

They arrived at the trainstation and parked. The two men jogged from the car into the relative warmth ofthe station. Brehmeleft his son for a moment to confirm the correct platform. He came back fromthe guard and updated Manfred.

‘Plenty of time,’ said Brehme.

‘Yes.’

All around there were young menaccompanied by their parents. All were probably destined to go to the sametraining camp as Manfred. Brehme looked around at the scene and then glanced athis son. The partings were universally consistent: the fathers standingawkwardly as the mothers embraced their sons, often in tears.

‘Son, your mother...,’ Brehmestarted to say but Manfred held his hand up.

‘I know, Father. I know.’

‘She’s not well.’

‘I know. I’m sorry, Father,’said Manfred. He realised he felt guilty. For the first time he thought abouthis father alone with his mother. The lines on his father’s face were drawntight. He was aging and Manfred had only just noticed for the first time. Therewas worry too. Whether it was for him or his mother he knew not. The sorrowgave way to irritation. He wanted to be away now. Away from that house. Awayfrom the repressive atmosphere. How he had hated it.

The excitement he felt nowconfirmed the rightness of his decision. He wanted his father to leave him. Buthis father stood there stupidly, just looking at his son.

Manfred knew he was desperate to say something.However, eighteen years of giving orders, of discipline and obedience are noteasily overcome. Peter Brehme looked at Manfred. He wanted his son to give anopening that would allow him to say what was in his heart. The rage in Manfreddied away. Perhaps it was time to forgive. He held out his hand to his father.Brehme looked down and held out his hand to shake with sadness in his eyes.

Then Manfred pulled his fathertowards him and they hugged. It was just a moment, but years of castigationdisintegrated. Brehme pulled back with tears in his eyes. He turned away andrushed to the car.

Manfred watched him go and thenspun around to face the rest of the station. He felt faintly embarrassed. Butthen he saw that all around him, parents were hugging the young men who, likehim, were going to war. He picked up his bags and walked to the platform.People had started boarding already. He walked along the train and found anempty carriage.

Within a few minutes he wasjoined by several other young