Straight Circle
By Ray Drayton
“This story is very well written.
It is as if the author has experienced it himself.
A very good read worth the five stars.”
Synopsis:
‘My Honour is Loyalty.’ – Waffen SS motto.
The Neo Nazi arm of the National Front extremists protect ‘The Milice’ – traitors who exposed French Resistance members to the Gestapo in World War Two.
The Milice hold positions of power in commerce, politics and the high church within present day France.
Alison and Philippe vow to track The Milice down in their guise as investigative journalists and expose them to face justice.
The Neo Nazis ruthlessly hound Alison, Philippe and Francois across the roof of Europe as the hunters become the hunted. They flee across the high Alps, sheltering in Monasteries utilized by escaping Nazis at the end of WW2. This wartime escape network was known as ‘The Monastery Route.’
Even in present day France, the price to pay if captured is the same as in wartime – certain death…
The Resistance Leader had not died in the hands of the Gestapo as Madeleine had always thought. The intense interrogation had robbed Francois of his sanity but he never revealed the whereabouts of his wife – the woman who had parachuted into occupied France to fight the Nazi aggressors.
Madeleine survived the war in the belief her beloved Francois was murdered by the Gestapo. She carried this belief to her grave.
Alison’s eyes fill up with tears. Although she returned from France recently, she still struggles to comprehend Francois is alive in a French Mental Asylum.
“Ohh Grandmother! Why did you have to die before I could tell you the truth?”
She knows the answer is not here, and never will be. The answer to everything lies hidden on a war torn battle field in France…
Philippe’s voice on the phone sounds strong and determined. “I will be in France on the 31st July. We can meet in Volvic any time after that suits you.”
Alison’s hand trembles on the page of her dairy. She stares in disbelief at the date. Once again the blood freezes in her veins. Madeleine had hunted down and executed one Lisette Durand, a Milice within the Resistance. The date of her execution?? 31st July 1944.
“Alison??” Philippe’s concerned voice jolts her back to the present.
“Sorry, I have just discovered another spooky coincidence.”
“You have?” He asks.
“Yes, but it will keep until I see you.” She smiles into the phone.
“Okay. Let me know your flight details and ETA in Volvic.” He pauses, “Alison, I really need you on this.”…
Philip Berrieux wraps his arms around her. “ I cannot believe we are back here so soon. We were standing at this memorial when we first met.”
Alison relaxes in his arms. It seems as though they have never been apart. She feels at home in Volvic which was Francois’ birth place.
“Let us visit the café in the square. We can talk about why I am here and why you are here.”
Philippe toys with his wine glass. “The Milice were more despicable than the German occupiers. At least with them, people knew who the enemy was. The Milice on the other hand were indistinguishable from fellow French citizens.”
She places a hand on his forearm. “But Philippe, this all happened sixty years ago. What can we do about it?”
“I am going to track them down, Alison.” His eyes blaze with fury, “every last Goddam one of them.”
“What??” Alison cannot believe what she is hearing. “At the very least they would be approaching old age by now. If they are still alive, that is.”
“If they are still alive, they don’t deserve to be.” He grates.
“Is this a personal vendetta?” She asks quietly.
“Yes, partially. But it is not only for Francois and Madeleine. The main purpose is for the people of France.” He grasps her hand as his voice trembles with emotion. “I intend exposing The Milice for the vermin they are. I want them bought to face justice, and I want you to help me.” …
“What about visas? How did the Odessa access false papers for thousands of escaping German military?” Philippe asks.
“False papers were issued by The Vatican Refugee Organization. The word of Bishop Hudal was good enough. Certain members of the Church Inner Circle are as bad as the Odessa. The war finished in 1945. You can’t hope to take on the Odessa and win.”
“Our fight is with The Milice, not the Odessa.” Alison protests.
Franz stares at her. “The Neo Nazi Far Right are a present day generation of the Odessa.” His stare becomes intense. “My friends – they are part of the same evil.”…
Alison stands up and clutches her young son’s hand. “Come on Francois, let’s walk in the garden.” She needs to clear her head and her heart.
The old garden seat beckons. She sits with Francois huddled beside her.
Alison twists her head upwards to see two large black birds sitting in the tree.
‘The Jackdaw is a large Crow. It is also the name given to ‘SOE’ agents parachuting into occupied Europe.’ Philippe’s words echo in her head.
‘But Philippe, there are only two of them. Where are you, my darling?’ Alison turns her head to hide her tears from her son.
A bolt of lightning speeds through divine conscious. ‘I am sitting right next to you.’
Little Francois senses his mother’s grief and squeezes her hand lovingly…
The Neo Nazi arm of the National Front extremists protect ‘The Milice’ – traitors who exposed French Resistance members to the Gestapo in World War Two.
The Milice hold positions of power in commerce, politics and the high church within present day France.
Alison and Philippe vow to track The Milice down in their guise as investigative journalists and expose them to face justice.
The Neo Nazis ruthlessly hound Alison, Philippe and Francois across the roof of Europe as the hunters become the hunted. They flee across the high Alps, sheltering in Monasteries utilized by escaping Nazis at the end of WW2. This wartime escape network was known as ‘The Monastery Route.’
Even in present day France, the price to pay if captured is the same as in wartime – certain death…
The Resistance Leader had not died in the hands of the Gestapo as Madeleine had always thought. The intense interrogation had robbed Francois of his sanity but he never revealed the whereabouts of his wife – the woman who had parachuted into occupied France to fight the Nazi aggressors.
Madeleine survived the war in the belief her beloved Francois was murdered by the Gestapo. She carried this belief to her grave.
Alison’s eyes fill up with tears. Although she returned from France recently, she still struggles to comprehend Francois is alive in a French Mental Asylum.
“Ohh Grandmother! Why did you have to die before I could tell you the truth?”
She knows the answer is not here, and never will be. The answer to everything lies hidden on a war torn battle field in France…
Philippe’s voice on the phone sounds strong and determined. “I will be in France on the 31st July. We can meet in Volvic any time after that suits you.”
Alison’s hand trembles on the page of her dairy. She stares in disbelief at the date. Once again the blood freezes in her veins. Madeleine had hunted down and executed one Lisette Durand, a Milice within the Resistance. The date of her execution?? 31st July 1944.
“Alison??” Philippe’s concerned voice jolts her back to the present.
“Sorry, I have just discovered another spooky coincidence.”
“You have?” He asks.
“Yes, but it will keep until I see you.” She smiles into the phone.
“Okay. Let me know your flight details and ETA in Volvic.” He pauses, “Alison, I really need you on this.”…
Philip Berrieux wraps his arms around her. “ I cannot believe we are back here so soon. We were standing at this memorial when we first met.”
Alison relaxes in his arms. It seems as though they have never been apart. She feels at home in Volvic which was Francois’ birth place.
“Let us visit the café in the square. We can talk about why I am here and why you are here.”
Philippe toys with his wine glass. “The Milice were more despicable than the German occupiers. At least with them, people knew who the enemy was. The Milice on the other hand were indistinguishable from fellow French citizens.”
She places a hand on his forearm. “But Philippe, this all happened sixty years ago. What can we do about it?”
“I am going to track them down, Alison.” His eyes blaze with fury, “every last Goddam one of them.”
“What??” Alison cannot believe what she is hearing. “At the very least they would be approaching old age by now. If they are still alive, that is.”
“If they are still alive, they don’t deserve to be.” He grates.
“Is this a personal vendetta?” She asks quietly.
“Yes, partially. But it is not only for Francois and Madeleine. The main purpose is for the people of France.” He grasps her hand as his voice trembles with emotion. “I intend exposing The Milice for the vermin they are. I want them bought to face justice, and I want you to help me.” …
“What about visas? How did the Odessa access false papers for thousands of escaping German military?” Philippe asks.
“False papers were issued by The Vatican Refugee Organization. The word of Bishop Hudal was good enough. Certain members of the Church Inner Circle are as bad as the Odessa. The war finished in 1945. You can’t hope to take on the Odessa and win.”
“Our fight is with The Milice, not the Odessa.” Alison protests.
Franz stares at her. “The Neo Nazi Far Right are a present day generation of the Odessa.” His stare becomes intense. “My friends – they are part of the same evil.”…
Alison stands up and clutches her young son’s hand. “Come on Francois, let’s walk in the garden.” She needs to clear her head and her heart.
The old garden seat beckons. She sits with Francois huddled beside her.
Alison twists her head upwards to see two large black birds sitting in the tree.
‘The Jackdaw is a large Crow. It is also the name given to ‘SOE’ agents parachuting into occupied Europe.’ Philippe’s words echo in her head.
‘But Philippe, there are only two of them. Where are you, my darling?’ Alison turns her head to hide her tears from her son.
A bolt of lightning speeds through divine conscious. ‘I am sitting right next to you.’
Little Francois senses his mother’s grief and squeezes her hand lovingly…