The Devil's Bridge Quotes

“The German swung an entrenching tool at Ham, the big soldier ducking from the blow, before thrusting up with his bayonet, the blade digging into the German’s thigh and sending him crashing into the ditch, his arms reaching up, before Ham crashed his boot down on his head.”
― Stuart Minor, The Devil's Bridge

“shell tumbled overhead and Jack saw a plume of water spit up from the river, his eyes squinting as he saw something moving amongst the smoke. 'Sir.' 'What is it?' Connor asked, as he looked up from the paper. 'It's,' Jack paused, his hands rubbing his eyes as a figure took shape on the bridge. 'It's a man riding a bicycle, sir.' 'A man doing what?' Connor asked, before turning, his face flashing with surprise as he saw the figure steering around a burnt out truck, his front wheel squeaking as he pedalled towards the pillbox. Jack followed Connor as he stepped outside, the captain ducking down as a shell spat overhead, the cyclist swerving as the projectile crashed into the river, sending a jet of water spurting into the air. 'What the hell are you doing?' Connor shouted, as the man drew near, his legs back-pedalling as he came to a stop. 'Are you trying to get killed?' Connor asked, his hand seizing him by the arm and dragging him behind a concrete barrier as another shell screamed overhead. 'I am sorry,' the man said, before wiping a handkerchief over his brow. 'Where the hell have you come from?”
― Stuart Minor, The Devil's Bridge

“He saw Fred wave, before pulling a Mills bomb from his ammunition pouch and holding it up. Jack nodded, before reaching for a grenade, the iron casing slick beneath his wet fingers as he held it against his chest. He turned to face Fred, the big corporal nodding, before gesturing towards the trench. Jack snatched the pin free, before holding down the lever, his heart in his mouth as he felt the wet metal slipping between his fingers.”
― Stuart Minor, The Devil's Bridge

“Jesus help me,’ Reg shouted, as Jack crashed into him. ‘It's me you fool,’ Jack hissed.”
― Stuart Minor, The Devil's Bridge

“Lucky bastards,’ Reg muttered, as he stared at the sleeping men. ‘They won’t be when the Red Caps get hold of ‘em,’ Fred replied, his voice disparaging. ‘A few minutes of sleep ain’t worth a fizzer.’ ‘I’d give a month’s pay for a kip,’ Reg said, before stifling a yawn with his hand. ‘If yow drop out I’ll drag yow along this road by your bollocks,’ Fred growled. ‘There’s no charity in you, is there?’ ‘No.”
― Stuart Minor, The Devil's Bridge

“How's Fred?' Henry asked, as the sergeant joined the men. 'Snoring his head off,' Shorthouse replied. 'They're going to get him to the Regimental Aid Post as soon as we find out where the hell it is.' 'He won't like that,' Sid said. 'I don't give a tinker's cuss what he likes, the bugger's no use to me, it'll be days before his concussion goes away,' Shorthouse replied.”
― Stuart Minor, The Devil's Bridge

“Sir,' he said, as he rose to his feet. 'What is it, corporal?' Evans asked, his voice faltering slightly as he looked up at the tall NCO. 'I'd like to volunteer for the recce,' Fred said, his voice wooden as he shot an angry look at Shorthouse. 'Volunteer?' Evans asked, his voice surprised. 'Yes, sir, and Jack here is volunteering to go as well.' 'I am?' 'Yes yow bloody well are,' Fred said, cutting Jack short. 'Oh, well, that's jolly good of you,' Evans said. 'You'd best take a Bren with you, in case you run into trouble,' Shorthouse said. 'Sid and Stan will volunteer as well,”
― Stuart Minor, The Devil's Bridge

“My favourite,‘ Ham said, before pushing the fruit into his mouth whole.  ‘It's like watching a ruddy hamster trying to eat a snooker ball,‘ Reg said, his eyes staring as Ham chewed the fleshy fruit between his teeth.”
― Stuart Minor, The Devil's Bridge

“What am I supposed to do with this?’ Donald asked. ‘Well it ain’t a bloody hat? Is it?’ Fred said. ‘If yow have got energy to moan, yow have got energy to work.’ ‘Serves you right, Shakespeare,’ Reg laughed, as Donald stood and started to fill the bucket. ‘Yow can help him,’ Fred said, before ducking into the seating well. ‘Bloody tyrant,’ Reg muttered,”
― Stuart Minor, The Devil's Bridge

“It will get calmer once we’re near the beach,’ an older man said, his face unconcerned as he patiently peeled an orange with his thumb. ‘I'm glad you think that we’re going to make it to the beach, Henry,’ a soldier said, from the opposite side of the boat, his face miserable”
― Stuart Minor, The Devil's Bridge