Hitler's Winter Quotes

“What’s your name?’ Jack asked. ‘Keene, Gerald Keene.’ The man said, between breaths. ‘That’s right, I forgot it for a moment there,’ Jack lied. He had given up trying to get to know the new men who passed through the platoon. The pain of losing a friend was so bitter that it was easier to not make any, but on this cold night, Jack felt that the young soldier could use a friend by his side.”
― Stuart Minor, Hitler's Winter

“The military policeman asked, looking at the sergeant’s damp clothes. ‘No, sir, it’s frightful weather out there. I’ve no reason to be going outside unless I have to.’ Fred said, before glancing at the men gathered in the room, the soldiers nodding in agreement. ‘What did these fellers who nicked your stuff look like, sir?’ He asked. ‘One was described as very tall and broad,’ the policeman said, as he looked at Fred. ‘Another man was of a similar size.’ The officer glanced at Ham. ‘One of them was a corporal.’ He turned to Little. ‘And the other was of an average height and build,’ the officer said, with a raised eyebrow as he considered Jack. ‘That could describe anyone, sir,’ Fred replied. The military policeman’s moustache ruffled with suppressed anger.”
― Stuart Minor, Hitler's Winter

“This is Lieutenant Romley,’ Townsend said, as he introduced the military policeman. ‘How can I be of service, sir,’ Fred said, between breaths. ‘There’s been an incident. Theft of military property. The lieutenant believes the men are from our battalion,’ Townsend replied. ‘I find that hard to believe, sir.’ ‘You’re breathing very hard, sergeant,’ the policeman said. ‘It’s the heat, sir, bad for the lungs,’ Fred replied. ‘Have you seen anything suspicious, sergeant?’ ‘No, sir. I couldn’t have. I’m about to go out with a work party you see. We’re just getting ready to go.’ ‘Have you been near the road?”
― Stuart Minor, Hitler's Winter

“Jack stared straight ahead as he moved towards the gate, his eyes glancing at the military policeman as he looked with a questioning gaze at the bundled up clothes. ‘See, as easy as that,’ Fred said, as they stepped away from the entrance. ‘You men, halt right there.’ Jack turned and saw the policeman waving towards them. ‘Keep walking,’ Fred said. ‘I said halt.’ ‘Pretend yow can’t hear him.’ ‘Stop those men.’ Through the corner of his eye Jack saw the policeman pointing towards them. ‘Run,’ Fred yelled. Jack”
― Stuart Minor, Hitler's Winter

“Well, I was just wondering how you plan on walking out the front gate with your hands full of stolen jackets.’ ‘The Red Caps won’t ask questions, the guards are there to stop people getting in, not going out.’ ‘Your plan is to just walk out?’ ‘That’s right,”
― Stuart Minor, Hitler's Winter

“I don’t know,’ Jack whispered, before kneeling beside a young woman, her blonde locks matted with dried blood. He could see that she had been shot in the side of her head, the back of her skull blown open by the bullet. ‘Their hands are tied,’ Jack said, as he looked down and saw that the woman’s arms had been bound behind her back with a length of rope. ‘They’ve been executed,’ Reg said, his face white as he looked at the bodies that had been laid out neatly on the floor. ‘A whole bloody family lined up and...’ He shook his head. A cry echoed from the street and Jack turned to where a window overlooked the road. He looked outside and saw a soldier stood in a doorway, the man waving his arm as he called out to where Fred was stood beside a shop. ‘What’s going on?’ the sergeant asked. ‘You’d best come and have a look,’ the man replied. Jack glanced down the street, his eyes staring at the deserted houses that lined the road. He felt a cold chill creep up his spine as he looked at the empty windows from which no lights shone. ‘Wait here,’ Jack said, before making his way out onto the road. He turned as a door swung open, his hand reaching for his rifle, before relaxing as Little stepped out onto the pavement, the corporal’s face a mask of wild anger. ‘The fucking pigs,’ he cursed, before kicking the wall in frustration. ‘Wait until I get my hands on ‘em.’ Jack glanced into the house that Little had searched, his throat catching as he saw the body of a woman on the floor. Beside her a baby lay on the hearth, the child motionless as it lay wrapped in a blanket. ‘The fucking animals,’ Little hissed, as he looked at the deserted houses. ‘Who could do such a thing?’ Ivor asked, his cheeks ashen as he stepped from the house. Jack shook his head, his eyes staring along the road as the men searched the buildings; the cry of alarm echoing along the street. ‘A whole bloody village.’ Jack turned and saw Fred pacing along the road, the battle hardened sergeant shaking his head in confusion as he looked at the houses as if unable to understand what he had seen. ‘What are we going to do?’ Jack asked. ‘Do?’ Little asked, his face possessed with rage. ‘I’m going to kill every fucking one of the evil bastards I can get my hands on.’ The men murmured in agreement, their eyes dark with anger. Jack stood in the street and watched as the first light of a new day shone above the rooftops, the sun casting a gentle warmth over the dead village as the men prepared to move once more.”
― Stuart Minor, Hitler's Winter