The German Dressmaker: A WWII Historical Novel by Susan Shalev

Author:Susan Shalev [Shalev, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-four

“Winston Churchill said what?” Heinrich asked McFee in amazement.

“He called fish and chips good companions and said they are invaluable to the national morale and fighting spirit.”

“A greasy meal wrapped in newspaper is his weapon of choice and his strategy for winning a war against a highly trained, highly disciplined, and highly efficient military machine?” Heinrich laughed.

“Don’t ye mock, laddie. A fish supper and a stiff upper lip are a lethal combination,” joked McFee. “Ah’m just happy he’s not rationing fish and that our livelihood isna in jeopardy.”

Heinrich helped McFee haul in the last of the nets. They had had quite a successful catch that morning, sailing further northwards than usual. Now that the war was in full swing, fishing vessel movements were severely restricted because of the dangers of mines, surface and submarine naval activity, and potential aerial attacks.

Several of McFee’s fisherman friends had returned to Scotland in order to take their families to safer shores. Lowestoft was the most easterly point of Great Britain and the Royal Navy had established five naval bases in the area, including Sparrow’s Nest, the headquarters of the Royal Naval Patrol Service and the closest British military establishment to the enemy.

“At the start of the last war,” McFee recounted, “I was in me early thirties, fishing with me da’ on a steam trawler. The Germans had been mining shipping lanes and our vessel was one of many converted for minesweeping duties as part of the Royal Navy Reserve. The Germans were causing havoc with their mines and later their submarines. Our fishing community paid a heavy price. Over one hundred and seventeen men and laddies killed, and an even greater number of fishing vessels were lost,” he added solemnly.

“I clearly remember one afternoon when we were heading back to port. There was a huge explosion and a smack we had spotted in the distance was enveloped in a huge cloud of smoke. When the smoke cleared, there was no sign of the wee craft nor of any survivors. This time round I’m too old and my boat isna serviceable, so the Patrol Service has no use for either of us. But I’ll be sticking around here just the same. Ye never can tell when ye might be needed.”

This was quite a speech for McFee, who generally was not a garrulous man given to idle chit chat. Heinrich felt at ease in his silent company and found what McFee did say to be interesting or useful. Heinrich enjoyed the outdoor life and manual work. The fresh salty air had helped to hasten his recovery, and the watchful hours at sea distracted him from dwelling on his unhappiness. He had decided the best way to conquer his fear of the sea after his near-drowning was to address it head on, and he was grateful for his military training which had taught him perseverance, endurance, and resolve. More than a year of hard work had strengthened and filled out his physique, his face had lost its pallid hue, and his scraggy beard and wild hair helped him blend in with the other fishermen.

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