Crosswire Conspiracy Part 5 (1/3) By Buick McCain

(1/3), (2/3), (2/3). Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

August 1941 Most of our training exercises had been carried out under cover of darkness and with the complicity of local landowners and after three months of rigorous activity, the hard work was eventually paying dividends. I had organised the six groups into autonomous units and for security, each group consisted of no more than ten men and the unit commanders acting as cut outs. Benoit had been a revelation, organising and leading the others as if he had spent his life as a military man. Antoine had spent weeks reconnoitring potential targets and even Brasco seemed to relish in his role of intelligence chief and the red herrings I had been feeding him and my surveillance of him had turned to nothing.

We had had several drops compromised but I put that down to bad luck on our part or negligence in London. My wireless operator Matt Gladwyn was fastidious in his transmission timings and his security was now first rate. Perhaps the Germans were just lucky or I was paranoid!!

"We need to talk my friend!" It was Benoit. "The boys are restless and I am restless! We need action. We need to fight our war! Everyone understands why you have acted with caution and we all respect you for that. But! Well you must realise?" Benoit was right. London had been putting pressure on me too. It was time for action! "Benny, get me the others, we're going to make a war!"

I wanted to see Gladwyn first to make sure that we had clearance for off hour transmissions to London. Antoine had listed a dozen potential targets in the order of importance to the Allies but I wanted to narrow that list down to three. London could make that decision. Gladwyn assured me that arrangements were in place with two hours notice. " By the way Matt. If there is a problem what's your emergency pass code?" "Sorry Sir, if I told you, I would have to kill you, with respect Sir" "Don't keep calling me bloody Sir" "Yes boss".

We sat around the table discussing London's orders. The priority list was unequivocal: 1. Marshalling yard and/or roundhouse at Amiens railway station. 2. Radar detection vehicle compound at Villier Brettonneux 3. Barracks of 4th Panzer Division at Conty. Forward requirements soonest. End.

All the proposed targets were on Antoine's delivery route but we needed Brasco or me in situ to be able to gather intelligence and assess each target. The biggest problem was the Germans were always ultra cautious of two men delivery teams. "Which hand do you use most my friend?" Olivier had directed his question at Antoine who shook his right hand in a rather suggestive manner. In a split second Olivier had grabbed Antoine's left arm, pulled the stolen German Luger from his belt and smashed the butt of the gun across Antoine's outstretched hand.

Continued .... Next Page (2/3)

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