Some Say a Lot

By Marilynn Lynne Berry

This is the story about Franz Hess, a Jewish scientist working at an armaments Research and Development complex in the Ruhr, Germany during World War 11.



Franz, an enthusiast of American Swing Bands and himself an accomplished saxophonist, decides to form his own band, which inadvertently saves his life.



The Gestapo rounded up all scientists to work for the German war machine and as Franz was Jewish he was forced to work on fuel systems for the development of V1 and V11 rockets to enable far reaching bombing raids on England.



Retaliating, the Allies heavily bombed the Ruhr in 1942 and in the chaos Franz escaped his enforced imprisonment to Switzerland with the help of the French Resistance and Allies, finding himself eventually in America and England.



It was known 5th columnists were actively sending information to Germany from somewhere within an American Base in Southern England. The Allies recruited Franz, because of his training and scientific knowledge to route out the spies. He was subsequently given a new identity, authorizing him to investigate under cover of

G I Bandsman, Captain Billy Bolton. A good way to investigate was to form a Base swing band to get to know the GIs, and gain their confidence. The band played at weekly socials, which Franz hoped would trap the spies/5th columnists into making mistakes resulting in their discovery. Unbeknown to Franz, he had recruited musicians who were 5th columnists.



Subsequently, a femme fatale romantically obsessed him sufficiently for him to commit a treasonable act, resulting in his arrest, culminating in a hair raising escape with terrifying consequences.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Sep 28, 2006
• ISBN: 9781467012386

Marilynn Lynne Berry

Marilynn Lynne Berry was brought up in Birmingham, central England and became interested in literature at a very early age. However, Marilynn only started to write seriously 15 years ago, writing poetry and childrens books. More recently she made a conscious decision to write adult novels but stories everyone could understand and enjoy. Marilynn has a great fascination with World War 11 and the Glenn Miller style of swing music from that era, a period of time which interests not only Marilynn, but many people throughout the world, young and old. Currently, Marilynn lives in Rugby, central England with her family where she continues to write.

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© 2007 Marilynn Lynne Berry. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or

transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 3/2/2007

ISBN: 978-1-4259-5625-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4670-1238-6 (ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

Contents

Chapter 1

Happy Days

Chapter 2

Rocket Science

Chapter 3

Escape

Chapter 4

The British Embassy, Berne

Chapter 5

England And America

Chapter 6

At Portsmouth Dock

Chapter 7

Enter Captain Billy Bolton, Bandleader

Chapter 8

The Saturday Night Concert

Chapter 9

The Colonel’s Office

Chapter 10

Wednesday Night Band Practice

Chapter 11

The Base Hospital Pharmacy –

Chapter 12

Escape

Chapter 13

Reunion

Chapter 14

Saved

Chapter 15

The Krefeld Interview

About The Author

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Marilynn Lynne Berry would like to thank her wonderful Father and mentor for his endless patience whilst proof reading this novel.

Also, Marilynn would like to thank most sincerely, Wim Zweekhorst (Bill Baker and his Big Band from Rijswijk in Holland for his expert musical advice, supplying band photographs and always being available to help.

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CHAPTER 1

Happy Days

Franz put his saxophone on its stand wiping his brow with his handkerchief as the afternoon sun was hot forcing beads of sweat to trickle down onto his forehead, his nose, then to his mouth. He told the band to ‘take five’ and to get themselves a drink from the refreshment tables set up in the town square of Wesel, Germany.

Women were serving lemonade and people had come from other towns and villages from miles around to listen to the new style American swing band. Girls flocked to see the young men playing in the band as these young men were not only accomplished musicians, but very handsome. The bandsmen had dressed in military styled uniforms which always attracted women.

The band had learned a new language from American band magazines, to use only between band members.

‘Hey Franz’ Gerhard the lead trumpeter said, ‘take a look at 3 o’clock, an Able Grable, (well built girl). She could sure blow your wig.’ Franz eyes rested on the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and found himself walking towards her.

Hello he said, Are you from around here, I haven’t seen you before, what’s your name then? For the first time in his life, Franz felt coy and blushed.

My name is Freda Rijn and I come from Xanten, I just moved there with my parents where I help to run the bakery and catering business.

er…… Franz said awkwardly, he had never found it difficult to talk to any women before. His heart pounded and he felt such excitement about this girl, why, he was not sure.

Would you like a lemonade, I will get you one? I’m afraid it is Lemonade or Lemonade Freda!

Franz escorted Freda towards the drink tables handing Freda her lemonade.

It’s a beautiful name to match a beautiful girl Freda, one day I will pay you a visit in Xanten and buy some of your cakes. Franz chuckled.

Of course, you know my name is Franz Hess?

Franz flushed as Freda studied his face. He had never felt nervous before talking to any girl, but Freda was not just any girl, she was the most lovely girl he had ever seen.

What a beautiful day for a concert, what made you decide to hold a concert in the town square? I just love the American swing music. I can’t get enough of the sound of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, they are all so marvellous. Freda remarked.

The soft breeze blew her long red hair back from her face as Franz continued to gaze at her beauty. Franz could not believe such a girl was interested in his music and such a beautiful girl at that.

Have to go now Freda, but I hope you will join me after the band show. Perhaps we can talk more about swing music if you like. Franz hoped above all hopes Freda would say yes.

OK, I would be delighted, thank you. said Freda. I shall listen to your band very intently Franz. From what I have already heard your sound is very much like Glenn Miller’s.

Franz was elated as he joined the band on stage and announced the next song looking directly at Freda.

Franzed announced over the public address system,

"Well Folks, are you enjoying the day and the music here in this beautiful sunshine and listening to some great music? We have a wonderful song for you entitled, At Last. I am sure you will enjoy this one."

Franz smiled directly at Freda putting his saxophone to his lips, caressing the mouthpiece and wishing it was Freda’s lips he was kissing instead of his saxophone. All the people cheered and shouted, they were certainly enjoying the music.

Freda moved closer to the stage so that she could study Franz, the man, and his music; she liked what she saw. Freda and Franz continued to gaze at each other throughout the show when Franz occasionally glanced away from the musical score.

The band members were highly amused and at the end of the show whispered amongst themselves that their boss was ‘walking the plank’ over an ‘Able Grable’ he just met. (It means falling in love with a well built girl.)

"Boss, just going to the ‘chamber of commerce’ (men’s room) I’ll be back to pack up." said Gerhard, nudging Franz who was still transfixed by Freda.

Freda made her way towards the stage, walking up the side steps and across the stage to where Franz was sitting.

Oh yes, OK Gerhard said Franz, "do what needs to be done at the ‘chamber of commerce.’"

Freda came closer and Franz held out his hands to greet her. He kissed both sides of her face noticing she wore the most alluring perfume.

Many women came towards the stage asking Franz for his autograph which he gladly gave. He loved the adoration, especially from women and Freda could not help feeling a little jealous by all the attention he was receiving. Why was she feeling this way? She just met the man, and yet she felt she had known him all her life. Franz finished signing the autographs quickly, making his way back to Freda.

Apologies about that Freda, it goes with being a bandleader and celebrity.

Gerhard interrupted, Boss, I’ll take all the instruments back to the store now if that is OK? he said, directing some of the other band members to help him.

Freda looked quizzically at Franz and said, Franz, can I ask a question?

Ask away said Franz, but first, I just have to see that girl waiting over there. I won’t be long Freda.

Freda watched him jump down from the stage making his way towards a small slim and quite pretty young girl. Freda knew by their interactions with each other they were friends and perhaps more than friends. Freda felt pangs of jealousy again churning in her stomach knowing she had no right to feel these emotions as she had no hold over Franz as she had just met him.

Franz talked for a while with the young girl then kissed her on both cheeks and made his way back to the stage where Freda was waiting.

Who was that Franz? Freda said, trying not to sound jealous.

Oh she is just one of my friends from a while back. I see her on occasions as she works in the same Complex as I do and we often eat lunch together.

She seems nice said Freda, hardly daring to think Franz could be interested in any other woman. She was certain he had fallen for her, but now she was not at all sure.

What was your question Freda. You said you have a question for me?

Ah yes, said Freda "What did your trumpet player mean when he said he was going to ‘the chamber of commerce?’ Freda started to laugh as she noticed Franz was quite amused.

We have a sort of band language all of our own. We can have our own conversations without anyone else knowing what we are talking about. Well as you are so inquisitive, my fair Freda, I shall tell you. Franz took Freda’s hands and helped her down from the stage. Freda noticed he looked passed her as he helped her down and immediately turned around noticing another young woman smiling and waving at Franz. Who is that Franz? Freda asked, feeling the pangs of jealousy once more.

Oh, no-one just a fan said Franz. Your question Freda. It means, Gerhard was going to the men’s room, the toilet. Franz immediately burst into hilarious laughter watching Freda’s embarrassed face.

Come this way Freda, let’s find somewhere to walk where we can talk.

What about the band members, won’t they be angry you are not helping them to pack up?

No, they are used to me disappearing, and anyway, I do a lot of the preparation as band leader so I feel I am able to leave them to it.

Franz took Freda’s hand and guided her towards the nearby river path as he thought they could take a romantic walk along the River Rhine embankment.

Here is my telephone number and my address, you can contact me whenever you like. I am at home most evenings except Wednesday night when we have band practice. Oh yes, said Franz one small thing, if a woman answers the telephone, don’t be surprised, just ask for me Freda. It will be my wife, we are separated and live separate lives, although in the same house. It is a peculiar situation I know no-one understands it. But being Jewish divorce is frowned upon, so I guess we just stay friends. But there is no love between us, you understand.

Franz I am so sorry, I shall not telephone you. I would not like to cause you any trouble.

"Of course you can, why not. I am just on friendly terms with my wife but there is no longer any love between us and she understands I now have my life with the band which I hope I can develop into something famous one day.

In the meantime, I work at the Research and Development Complex as a Scientist and graduated from University with a good degree in Physics and General Sciences in ’32. Until I can afford it, I can’t really think about being a full time musician, which is of course my great wish in life."

Would you really give up your career as a scientist Franz to devote your life to big band swing music?

Freda looked puzzled and continued…

being a musician is not such a steady job Franz, it is very precarious and spasmodic work. Don’t you feel afraid to give up your career?

No, never, said Franz "but I have to do it at the right time, whenever that will be and of course no one knows where our politicians will lead us. If a dictatorship develops fully we shall probably be seconded into work we do not want to do, and I shall