The Wartime Nurse: Utterly heartbreaking and absolutely gripping World War Two fiction inspired by a true story (The Dutch Girls Book 3) by Imogen Matthews

Author:Imogen Matthews [Matthews, Imogen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2024-10-04T00:00:00+00:00

When she first broached the subject with Frans, he admitted there wasn’t a lot he could do to influence the situation. ‘Until we have firm information about where they were heading, it’s all speculation. The problem is that there are hundreds of downed airmen in the Arnhem area who the resistance are trying to deal with. It’s inevitable some of these men will fall into the wrong hands.’

‘But the men I’m talking about weren’t just wandering around after their plane came down. They were picked up and taken to a farm for shelter in the Veluwe woods. They were meant to be safe,’ argued Freddie in frustration.

‘Perhaps so, but the resistance there is overstretched. They haven’t the resources to check up on everyone who offers a hiding place. And that’s when problems occur. I’m afraid not everyone who says they’ll help is trustworthy.’

It wasn’t the reply Freddie wanted to hear, but she wasn’t prepared to let it lie. ‘There must be something you can do. I mean, you’ve always said you have good contacts with other resistance groups.’

Frans sighed. ‘That’s true, but in this situation I have to leave it to those who are best placed to know what is happening in their own area. If it would put your mind at rest, I will put out some feelers and see what comes back.’

Freddie was left feeling frustrated at his vagueness. Was there really no one he could turn to for help? So she was surprised when a few days later Frans called round to tell her he had information that could possibly lead to the missing airmen.

‘There’s a mental asylum close to Apeldoorn that has been taken over by the Germans. It’s a big place. Someone I know locally has been keeping a watch on it and has seen lorries arriving – he doesn’t think they’re bringing in more patients. He’s seen their uniforms and suspects that some of them are airmen who have been picked up close to Arnhem.’

‘Why would they take them there?’ asked Freddie, briefly consoled by the thought that Apeldoorn wasn’t too far from Arnhem.

‘I wonder about that too. My scout believes it may be only temporary before they’re transported to concentration camps. The Germans are emptying other mental institutions across the country. You see, they look on people who are invalids or have a physical or mental defect as inferior, and therefore think they don’t deserve to live. So they bring them all together in one place, before deporting them to the camps.’ He paused when he noticed her stricken face. ‘I’m sorry, but it’s probably best you know.’

‘And you think they’ll send the airmen to the camps as well?’ The very thought of it filled her with cold dread.

‘I can’t be certain, but I wouldn’t put it past them. Hitler is looking for revenge after the Allies came so close to victory. Look, I don’t mean to shock you, though the situation is serious. But I do think there’s something you can do in your role as a nurse.

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