The Cape Raider: An authentic WW2 military adventure story (Jack Pembroke Naval Thrillers Book 1) by Justin Fox

Author:Justin Fox [Fox, Justin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2021-03-22T16:00:00+00:00

During the rest of the day and into the night, Sturmvogel acquired a second, dummy funnel — a telescopic affair built of wood and tarpaulin. The Greek flag now fluttered from her gaff and a pig pen made of sewn canvas had materialised on the poop. Washing hung from lines strung across the main deck and chickens strutted about like diminutive Napoleons.

That evening, Bauer looked in on the young woman. Sophie was lying in the captain’s bunk, her shoulder heavily bandaged and her arm in a sling. Doctor Gerlach had tended to her, removing the shrapnel from her wound. She wore a white officer’s shirt that was too big for her tiny frame. Her face was sallow, giving her hazel eyes a compelling, almost unnerving, look.

‘The Kapitän asked me to make sure that you are all right,’ he lied.

‘Under the circumstances, I suppose so.’ Her voice was weak. She could not lift her head from the pillow.

‘What is your name, please, Fräulein?’

‘What’s it to you?’

‘It is for the record.’

‘Macfarlane. Sophie Macfarlane.’

‘My name is Friedrich Bauer, second officer. If there is anything you need?’

‘Anything?’

‘Well, I—’

‘Bring back the Axios? Grant me my freedom? Save the innocents in the water?’

‘Within reason, Fräulein.’ He flushed.

‘Reason? You have a very particular way with words.’

‘I am sorry. My English is not so good.’

‘Like so much else in this war, Lieutenant. What happened to my brother, for instance. Shot down over Kent. Not good at all, as a matter of fact.’

‘My sympathies, Miss Macfarlane.’

‘But your nation is to blame—’

‘We all have been drawn into this war. My sister was killed in a raid on Berlin by the RAF. She was an innocent too.’

‘Your people sink hospital ships and passenger liners crammed with civilians,’ she hissed. ‘You lay mines off harbours where anyone, even neutrals, can be hit.’

‘This is not true. We are the Kriegsmarine. It is an honourable service.’ His voice was soft, pleading.

‘You’re murderers, the lot of you!’

‘This is British propaganda. You must see—’

‘How can you call U-boats honourable? A raider such as yours is not honourable! Good God, Lieutenant, you delude yourself.’

Bauer could not meet her eyes.

‘I would like to sleep now, Lieutenant. Please will you leave.’

‘Of course, Miss. There is a sentry outside the door should you require anything.’

She turned her face to the bulkhead and waited for him to go.

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