The Giant Awakens (The After Dunkirk Series Book 4) by Lee Jackson

Author:Lee Jackson [Jackson, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Severn River Publishing
Published: 2022-06-06T16:00:00+00:00

34

April 29, 1942

Marseille, France

“It’s good to see you safely back,” Fourcade greeted Jeremy. “I’ve read Duke Maurice’s report. I’m anxious to hear your observations.”

Jeremy returned the greeting and cast an uneasy look toward Léon.

“Don’t worry about me,” Léon said, stepping forward and grasping Jeremy’s hand. “We have no secrets here. I spoke with the duke. The meeting with General Giraud sounds like it was a bust—he’s letting visions of grandeur get in the way of his patriotic duty.”

“That’s the way I see it,” Jeremy agreed as the three sat down at the table on the veranda. “He essentially wants the central position of authority over all French military actions and the Resistance movements across all of Europe.”

Léon harrumphed and Fourcade scoffed. “Walk us through the particulars. What is he asking for?”

Jeremy let out a small laugh. “For starters, he would condescend—my word—to lead the French forces in North Africa once the invasion starts on the condition that the Allies also execute a simultaneous invasion of France.”

“So, he wants to dictate military strategy to the Allies who actually have armies and tanks and bullets,” Léon interjected skeptically. “Amazing. I thought better of him. Go on.”

“He demands that the Free French be excluded from any military operations.”

Léon arched his eyebrows. “He’s delusional. The Free French are good people who want and will fight for exactly what their name implies: a free France. Alienate them, and you alienate much of France.”

“Anything else?” Fourcade asked.

Jeremy nodded. “As mentioned in the report, he wants control of all Resistance organizations across Europe. He’s very pro-American but anti-British, so while he’s willing to accept British aid, he is not willing to go to London. He said that if the US and the British supply him with sufficient arms and equipment, he could lead armies to victory all across Europe.”

Fourcade scoffed again. “I’m astounded at the arrogance. Resistance organizations would have nothing to do with him. Why would they? He’s shown no interest in helping them. And now he wants to lead them? He has no clue about how difficult it is to recruit volunteers, organize them, maintain security, plan missions, ferret out infiltrators, and recover from their actions. He’s accustomed to leading with the clout of the government to back up his orders. Our authority comes from our right and determination to be free, and we fight in shadows under threat from tyrants who will shoot us on the spot.” She tossed her head and took a breath. “Tell me, Jeremy, what was his demeanor? How did he look and sound?”

“He carries himself well. Dignified. He wore his full uniform and he’s mentally sharp. I kept my thoughts to myself, but I sensed that he was a bit over the top in his expectations. He had newspaper clippings lying on a table. They came from around the world, with headlines about his escape. They might have gone to his head.”

“Sounds like it,” Léon remarked. “He’s not our man.” He glanced at Fourcade. “You were right to doubt him.

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