Atlantic Fury Read Free Page B

involved in the operation. He was probing Braddock’s background and to that extent he exerted a pressure on events and was, in a sense, the catalyst. He had seen Braddock in Cyprus a fortnight before and had then gone on to the Middle East on business for his firm. Now that business was finished and he was free to concentrate on his private affairs. Whilst Braddock was travelling up to the War Office, Lane was interviewing one of the few people who could help him in his inquiries.
    The BGS saw Braddock just after four. In his evidence, the Brigadier simply said that the interview strengthened the favourable impression already created by his record. He was satisfied that Major Braddock was the right man for the job. He was not asked for any details, only for confirmation that he had warned Braddock about weather conditions. As a result, the Court was not aware that the Brigadier was puzzled, even a little disturbed, by the answers Braddock gave to certain rather searching questions.
    In the talk I had with him later the Brigadier admitted that he had been curious to know why Braddock had applied for a posting to the Guided Weapons Establishment, particularly as his record showed that he had been one of the few survivors of the Duart Castle , sunk in those waters during the war. ‘I should have thought your memories of that area …’
    â€˜That’s got nothing to do with it, sir. It’s just that – well, I guess it’s because I spent part of my boyhood in Canada. I like cold climates. The farther north the better. And I like something to get my teeth into. Malaya was all right for a bit. But Cyprus …’ And then with an intensity that the Brigadier found disconcerting: ‘Is there any particular reason why I’m being posted to the Hebrides now – other than to deal with the problem of this evacuation of Laerg?’
    â€˜No, of course not. Why should there be?’
    Braddock had seemed to relax then. ‘I just wondered. I mean, when you apply for a posting and then suddenly get it …’ The lined, leathery-hard face had cracked in a charming smile. ‘Well, it makes you wonder what’s behind it.’
    â€˜Nothing’s behind it,’ the Brigadier told him. ‘I was simply referring to what happened to you up there in 1944.’ He told me he was wishing then that he knew the man better, feeling instinctively that there was more to it than he’d admitted. ‘How many of you were on that raft at the outset?’ He watched the tough, poker face, saw the nerve quiver at the corner of the mouth and the eyes fixed wide in a flat, blank stare. ‘No, I thought not. It’s something you’d rather forget. Have you ever visited the Hebrides since?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜Then why do you want to be posted there now?’
    But Braddock either couldn’t or wouldn’t answer that. ‘It’s just that … well, as I said – it sort of calls to me. I can’t explain exactly.’ And he’d smiled that engaging smile. ‘It’s a bit like Canada, I suppose.’
    The Brigadier hesitated. But it was nothing to do with him and he’d let it go at that, staring down again at Braddock’s record. The Normandy landings – antitank role – the M.C. for gallantry at Caen after holding a bridge with a single gun against repeated attacks by tanks – command of a troop two months later – promoted captain just before the dash for the Rhine – temporary rank of major at the end of the war … ‘Now about this operation. Do you sail at all?’
    â€˜I’ve done a little.’
    â€˜Good. Then you’ll have some idea what the weather means to the LCTs, particularly in view of your previous experience.…’ He had got up from his desk and turned towards the window. ‘However, that isn’t why I wanted to see you personally.’ The sky was blue and the sun