Love Under Fire

By Louis Rautenbach

It is September 1939, New Zealand. In the death traps of the past winter and in the midst of the impending war in Europe, two loved ones gather for old time’s sake before they will leave separately for the war in Europe.
Kevin Welsh, an infantryman (soldier), and Helen Townsend, a medical Sister of Tekapo, discovered the wonder of their love the night before the young man should report for joining the war. Memories of this passionate night follow the two loved ones throughout this story until the end of the war, after which new challenges in the midst of love and sorrow cross their way again.
The reader will also experience the challenges and victories of World War II for soldiers as young as sixteen, and medical staff.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Mar 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781665587037

Louis Rautenbach

Louis Rautenbach is an author who already published various novels. He succeed in articulate stories through different genre and uses emotions to highlight the core of the stories. He has written several books that have been read as far as New Zealand, Holland, Pakistan and in Canada. His fondest memories from his childhood were until his seventh year at e’Mkuzi, at the foot of the Lubombo Mountains in northern Kwazulu Natal where he often wandered in the mountainsand gorges, along the mountain streams and rivers and sometimes got lost in his own dream world. His thirteenth book is titled Love under Fire.

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© 2021 Louis Rautenbach. 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.

Published by AuthorHouse 03/05/2021

ISBN: 978-1-6655-8704-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-8703-7 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 Lake Tekapo

Chapter 2 Call Instructions

Chapter 3 Skinny Dip

Chapter 4 Burnham Training Camp, Christchurch

Chapter 5 Boxing Match

Chapter 6 Hanmer Spings

Chapter 7 Southern Cross

Chapter 8 Achilles

Chapter 9 South Africa

Chapter 10 Auckland

Chapter 11 War Leave

Chapter 12 Sister Helen

Chapter 13 New Zealand

Chapter 14 Britain 1941

Chapter 15 Prisoners of War

Chapter 16 Maori Iwi

Chapter 17 Himalajas

Chapter 18 North Africa

Chapter 19 Kiwi and Moa

Chapter 20 Americans

Chapter 21 Victory in Europe 1945

Chapter 22 Victory Over Japan

Chapter 23 Red Poppies

Chapter 24 The Little Stone Church

Postscript

Kia ora, Aotearoa.

This book is

dedicated with great respect and humility to every person, soldier, man, woman, and child, who have lost their lives during this horrific war, whether through military operations, hardship, conflict, disruption, accident or any other contingency.

Across generations, it still touches the hearts of many people.

The Second World War, (referred to as WWII – from the 1st of September 1939, to the 2nd of September 1945) started soon after the First World War which took place from the 28th of July 1914, to the 11th of November 1918 – then known as the Great War,) also claimed millions of lives, uprooted people and brutally disrupted families.

Let us never forget the people who were affected by this terrible wars.

Te Pakanga Nui.

Introduction

This novel is a unique war adventure, mixed with action, perseverance, love as well as sorrow and will touch the heart of every reader.

Two young people, Kevin Welsh, an infantryman, and Helen Townsend, a medical nurse from Tekapo, discovered the wonder of their love the night before the young man had to report for war. Memories of this passionate unity followed the two lovers throughout the story until the end of the war, after which, new challenges of love and sorrow crossed their path again.

Amid the almost unbearable circumstances and difficult situation, Sister Helen as a nurse later followed her hero to the war front where their love blossomed in the midst of the conflict.

The idea for this story originated early in January 2020 during a visit to the Te Papa Museum Wellington, in the North Island of New Zealand and was inspired by the absolute and impressive exhibition of the war. To see, not only the realistic and complete depictions and statues, but the well-deserved recognition and honour that were bestowed on the participants and their families, which clearly matters to each Kiwi in all aspects, moved me deeply.

The story for this novel continued to grow until it began to take firm shape in April 2020 in the Lockdown time of the Corona Virus (Covid-19) pandemic in South Africa.

After I thoroughly researched history, I created fictional characters and certain conflict situations. The environment in which the story took place should resonate with every lover of romance and war stories, as well as with every proud New Zealander.

Although I used many facts from history books, this story is also mixed with fiction to enable me to create a story in an interesting and meaningful way. Some facts may be less accurate but were nevertheless written almost faithfully according to the timeline of the war.

A great amount of gratitude goes to the museum, the historians, and to every Kiwi who proudly maintains, nurtures, protects as well as supports their beautiful country. The pride of the New Zealanders that I read of in history still reigns today among these special people of the Island of the long white cloud.

The statue of sister Lottie le Gallais which was created by Weta Workshop for the Gallopoli Exhibition was used on the cover page and the use of it was permitted by the museum for purposes of this book. A big Thank You to the Te Papa Museum.

The main characters of this story are fictional, and any similarities or resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual personal events are purely coincidental.

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Chapter 1

Lake Tekapo

The late afternoon spring sun shone lazily against Mother Earth.

It was early October, the veld was renewed, the landscape was adorned in different shades of green. Wildflowers eagerly displaying their buds were scattered across the veld. The three young people sat next to Lake Tekapo with their bare feet in the icy, crystal clear water enjoying the unique enchantment of the landscape on the west side of the South Island. The pure white tip of the snow-capped mountain peaks glimmered against the northeastern background.

As the snow melted, especially from the Aoraki, as well as Mount Cook and surrounding mountains, the pure water flowed purposefully in one direction over the slippery rocks, as if rushing into the distinct lake.

Reports, which disturbed Kevin Welsh and his longtime best friend Jay Hobson, were broadcasted more frequently for several weeks on the radio. Helen Townsend, Kevin’s girlfriend of the past few years, was equally outraged at the arrogant aspirations of a single man in Europe. The militant leader of the Germans shamelessly challenged everyone.

Helen was a slender girl with long, wavy, auburn hair, and big green eyes. Her father, Colonel William Townsend, was a medical doctor in the active forces. She should complete her second year of training as a nurse within a few months following in her father’s footsteps. This twenty-year-old young lady had a calm and accommodating disposition and was always ready to assist her friends by word and deed.

Kevin was a sturdy young man just over 1.9 meters tall with pale black hair and dark brown eyes. Amidst his boyish features, he had a prominent nose and chin. His great physique and large hands let him stood out amongst his peers. His family and friends were sometimes irritated by his amiability and the way he always saw the lighter side of every situation. This energetic young man’s father was a Major in the New Zealand Army’s active forces, and his mother was involved with the Mission Church on the shores of the lake.

Jay, on the other hand, was a serious soul, who analyzed each situation thoroughly and with a serious approach. He was slightly shorter than Kevin, with his shiny, honey brown hair and bright blue eyes. He had a particularly athletic physique, and although less challenging and competitive than Kevin, he was also extremely energetic. Jay’s parent’s farm was to the southeastern area of the lake. He had a special passion for horses, and he usually arrived on horseback, at the super clear water of the lake for their usual visits. Among other things, they also discussed their respective dreams with each other.

Jay’s forty-six-year-old father, Henry, regularly warned tactfully about the challenges of war. In turn, his grandfather, John Hobson, who was in his fifties at the time of the Great War, liked to tell anecdotes about the shortages that people experienced throughout the war. I did not think that I would be confronted with those things at my age of seventy-six again, he sighed. When Jay was closeby he would say things like: The Grat War brought great disruption in those days. The young man used every opportunity to question his father and grandfather about their own experiences during that conflict. Henry, Jay’s father served as a soldier in the previous war but did not like to talk about the hardship he experienced.

In Germany, provocative propaganda and war talk have been disturbing during the past few years. John said timely and untimely to his grandson. Besides the memories regarding the misery and hardships associated with any war. Many resilient men felt increasingly rebellious toward the pursuers who pushed their agendas at the expense of prosperity and peace of other countries.

The inflammatory war speeches of the aggressor on the radio reached the peaceful New Zealanders via news reports from all around the world, forcing the people of the faraway island to take a stance against the arrogant threats. The trained soldiers of the Kiwi country were almost unanimous in favour of assisting Britain when needed. The three friends paid little attention to these warnings.

This special friendship started during their primary school days and strengthened even more after completing school, which allowed them to share their passion and everything else with each other. Both Helen and Jay enjoyed Kevins’ sense of humour. They all were keen on playfully teasing each other. Kevin was currently in training in the construction business, while Jay farmed with his father and grandfather on their family farm.

Although both young men were attracted to this beautiful girl with her clear laughter and positive attitude, it was Kevin who conquered her young heart. Her kindness and compassion for other people were admirable. Her kindness and compassion for other people were admirable and her empathy with the tormented inevitably forecasted a career in nursing for Helen. Due to personal circumstances, her desire to be trained as a psychologist could not be pursued. Her medical training was an affordable alternative, and of course, involved her in the service of the sick people in hospitals, where human distress was always enormous.

The Germans are clearly keen on war, Kevin said unusually seriously. The reports sounded disturbing from all over that he wanted to conquer his immediate neighbours to provide land for his people, said Jay. Hitler has been set for war since their defeat in World War I, which came to an end barely twenty-one years ago, Kevin said anxiously. The whole country is listening in anticipation at the disturbing events while Britain, which has been fed up for a long time, is giving an ultimatum to Germany. However, the German Government paid little attention to this, on the contrary, it only fueled the man, Jay agreed. Maybe the three of us should go and teach him a lesson, Kevin said boldly. All three laughed at his ingenuity.

I will represent England at any time as a soldier to fight against them! Kevin voiced his opinion again. Helen agreed with her boyfriend. If I can not take up the gun against the Nazis, I will go to the battlefield as a nurse to assist you, she said firmly. She stood tall, with her chin in the air like a good trained soldier. Nothing is going to happen to us, Kevin said and laughed when she confirmed in embarrassment. Jay and Kevin already talked for a while about serving as soldiers for His Majesty King George VI.

Both these young men had already applied officially to serve as soldiers. They had already completed their full compulsory military training and were ready for any eventuality. With the intensive training that every young man received, they idealised a war situation in a time of peace.

The Germans have been provoking conflict since last year, Kevin said again. He expects a definite retaliation from New Zealand. Their soldiers already occupied Prague on the 14th of March. I would suggest that we go and teach them a good lesson. Growing up in military homes, Helen and Kevin were in almost first-hand awareness of what was happening around the world. Meanwhile, Jay’s father, who fought as a soldier in World War I, was also following the news closely, but not with the same excitement of his son.

Yes, and at the end of March this year, Britain and France confirmed their guarantee as allies to Poland and extended the treaty. Britain has given ultimatums to Germany which they blatantly ignore, Jay said very seriously. They pay little attention to the warnings and continue with their aggressive behaviour. Helen actively participated in this conversation. On the 7th of July, Italy followed suit and invaded Albania. This after the Japanese also blocked the British delegation at Tientsin in China. This reaction was a definite message to Britain, she said, indignant at the devastating actions.

Let’s inquire again about our applications to be called up as volunteers so that we can be among the first soldiers to leave for war ..., Kevin suggested, eternally adventurous. Jay eagerly agreed. Jay was obviously excited about the prospects of an unknown adventure somewhere far away from here. Then I’ll take this home made weapon with me! said Kevin, giving a foolish laugh as he shoots a rock in a high arc across the water with his slingshot. Kevin leaned back as if his weapon was pulling him backwards. The trio laughed out loud again. The uncomplicatedness of youth brings a lot of fun and sure courage.

For a while, they were silent and eagerly surrendered themselves to the silence of the surroundings. Helen laid in Kevin’s arms while he leaned with his back against a large boulder. Jay sat on top of the rock with a young grass sprout in his mouth, while they gazed across the grassy plains to where the Military Base spread out bathing in the midday sun. They noticed a markable increase in movement down there than ever before.

My father says the blame for the Great War of 1914 can be laid at one man’s door. The drunk Gavrilo Princip! Jay eagerly informed his friends. My father says the drunken man fired the first revenge shots of the war on the 28th of July, starting the beginning of that war, Jay repeated his father’s opinion.

My grandfather says that on that contemptuous day, this hated assassin executed Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie in cold blood in the street in Sarajevo. In an instance, the couple’s three children were orphaned with these two shots from the drunken man’s handgun. The outbreak of the initial European war was the worst consequence of this absurd act. This Great War spread relatively quickly worldwide and after horrific deaths finally came to an end on the 11th of November 1918. Apart from the terrible death of nearly forty million people, the infrastructure of many countries was almost completely destroyed, leaving them on the brink of bankruptcy. Jay looked inquisitively at Kevin.

Jay, why are you telling us this now, are you getting cold feet? Kevin grinned playfully. Jay laughed embarrassed. No! No, I just want to share with you the knowledge which I received from two stallions. They talk a lot about their first-hand experience. Said Jay. You don’t think that I’m scared, do you? he asked, pretending to look surprised. With a joyful laugh, Kevin threw a handful of fine gravel at his friend. I am teasing you, my friend! I know how brave you are! They continued to chat, whilst walking next to the lake.

Although Jay realised that John was subtly trying to explain the reality of war to him, he also realised that his father was also still traumatised by the horrifying experiences. Not only did John experience the terror of the bombings, unspeakable misery, and famine himself, but he also saw what it did to his son. Jay’s father, Henry, was just eighteen when he had to go to war and was exposed to those atrocities. He still bore the invisible, emotional consequences of severe trauma.

It was obvious that Henry was not completely over the hardships. Jay suddenly reflected seriously on his father’s words: Think it over, war is a very serious matter and I can tell you more, his father offered. I would like to experience it myself, Jay declined respectfully. Henry, out of his own experience, knew what impact the consequences have on young, but respected his son’s wishes.

They realised that they were getting too serious. Being morbid was not part of any of them. Kevin playfully threw a handful of water from the lake over Jay, but some of the cold water also hit Helen. Kevin tried to run with long strides away from stupidity. Her face pulled in shock when the cold water hit Helen over her back. Her high heel shoes prevented her from trying to flee across the round stones. The only other defence was to arch her back inward with a high-pitched scream.

Of course, Kevin enjoyed the reaction of his friends and made sure that he moved quickly further away from the lake to escape a revenge attack. Helen laughed aloud as Kevin tried to balance himself and concentrate on his movements across the uneven terrain. As it was far from Summer, the wet clothes caused her to shiver from the cold. Jay’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Kevin in resentment.

They ran, in the long grass for some distance behind each other up the hill to get as far as possible away from the lake. Kevin stumbled over a rock and crashed like an ox onto the grass. Jay tackled his friend as if he wanted to avoid the pressure of a try in a rugby match. Helen did not keep them waiting and deliberately fell hard on top of the strong men on the ground. They rolled down the slope in combined laughter, until they stopped moving. They already forgivingly forgot about the cold shower.

Are you training for rugby or contact on the battlefield? Helen asked laughing and punched Kevin in the side with her small fist. They were suddenly silent. Jay turned on his back and stared at the clouds above them. It’s a reality now, he said, breaking a green blade of grass that he thoughtfully put in his mouth to chew on. Helen was suddenly also serious. The truth brings mixed feelings, she added. On the one hand, I am particularly excited, but on the other hand, I am anxious, she said and suddenly sat up straight.

In an attempt to tease, Kevin immediately made a frivolous remark to defuse the serious situation. Are you already getting cold feet? he asked, rolling away from the other two. Helen jumped up and pinned him between her legs to tickle the eternal laughter out of him. It was no secret that Kevin was extremely ticklish, and she regularly exploited this weakness. Kevin laughed out loud and tried to free himself in such a way that he did not hurt his petit girlfriend.

Jay smiled as he got up and shook the dust and the grass off of him. I am not afraid ..., but you realise that we will have to greet each other ... that we can not be so sure that we will see each other again soon, he said almost morbidly. Strange to his nature, Kevin was suddenly serious too. Maybe we will see each other too much during the war, he said, jumping up jogging away from his friends. Catch me if you can," he shouted over his shoulder and ran purposefully in the direction of the spa on the northwest side of the pond.

Anyone watching these three laughing young people would wonder what they were up to. The energy of the youth rushed powerfully through their young veins. Cheerful, free, and fearless, they ran across the plain, like calves only to sit onto a rock a long way further on. Helen was some distance behind them and out of breath caught up with the two young men after they already regained their breath. She laughed embarrassed as she flipped herself freely on to Kevin’s lap kissing him with her arm around his neck,

The storm clouds of an impending war disappeared from their minds for a while.

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Chapter 2

Call Instructions

The reality of the impending conflict was suddenly in their midst.

The leader was Adolf Hitler, born in Austria-Hungary near the border with the German Empire.

He made increasing political progress in preceding years, laying the foundations of his political aspirations shortly after Germany’s defeat in the Great War. After Hitler moved to Munich in the German state of Bavaria, he became involved in the Great War as a volunteer for Germany. Although he was wounded twice during this war, he still received two medals for bravery. As early as 1921, he became the leader of the Nazi Party, which prided itself on fighting for the rights of the working class.

The honour this political leader received as a valiant fighter through his involvement in the previous war fuelled his desire to enthusiastically seek worship and power. As a politician with artist qualities, he shared very disturbing and uncomfortable qualities with the equally artistic Emperor Nero of the once Roman Empire who died on the 9th of June 68 A.C. in Rome, Italy, after his atrocities against innocent people, finally led to death at his own hand.

As early as 1921, Adolf took over the leadership of the Nazi party and immediately began his inflammatory political aspirations. His statements and attitude disturbed many people outside his country’s borders and his threats aroused cautious vigilance among concerned leaders from other countries. His defiant attitude and the possibility of any unjustified invasions of other nations were fiercely condemned. However, Adolf Hitler’s onslaught was unstoppable, fearless, and even extremely challenging. Germany blatantly ignored all calls from other countries to refrain from acts of aggression towards its neighbours.

Hitler was fearless. He wanted to demonstrate his qualities and power as a world power practically, and for that he needed conflict. His desire was not only to display his military power but to be able to to demonstrate his modern weaponry as well. On the 1st of September 1939, his threats manifested, and his soldiers invaded Poland with the aim of violently overpowering and conquering them. The news of this invasion reached the New Zealand government within hours.

While the Prime Minister, Michael Savage, was terminally ill during these events, Peter Fraser led the people as the acting leader of the country. It is with great gratitude to the past and with confidence in the future that we, without fear, side with Britain. Wherever she goes, we will go! He declared the shared support of the vast majority of his countrymen. This decision, which had been considered and discussed for weeks, suddenly became a reality. Preparations to fight Germany as opponents were underway.

Amid their superior stance, Germany signed a Non-Aggression Treaty with the Soviet Union on the 22nd of August 1939. This immediately created vigilance in Britain. On the 3rd of September 1939, New Zealand declared war on Germany which made this particular island the first country to dare take up arms against the aggressor to aid Poland on behalf of Britain.

Although this declaration of war came somewhat prematurely, the Honourable Minister Fraser was convinced of their decision. In addition to the time difference where New Zealand was a few hours before Europe, the message to King George VI and Prime Minister Neville Chaimberlain was further delayed by the fact that the messenger in New Zealand with the telegram had to hide for several hours in fear of an air attack. On the same date, but several hours later, England also declared war on Germany.

Just after the declaration of war was officially broadcasted on the radio, Jay rode his horse back to Kevin’s house to share the news. However, Kevin and Helen had also just heard about it and were excited about what will happen next. Helen and Kevin lived in the army camp after all. The three of them walked chatting towards the lake, where they have studied together and spent so much time in each other’s company. They always shared their joys, dreams, and sadness.

Although they had been speculating for a few weeks, about the tensions in Europe which for a long while threatened to boil over for a long while, the reality of the official statement was still somewhat of a shock. They shared their thoughts with mixed feelings and were concerned that they would not be called to the battlefield together.

Things happen fast, this first declaration of war had a domino effect. The member states of the United Kingdom rallied behind England and with their declaration of war, New Zealand proved their opposition to fascism as well as their resistance against the dictatorial government of Germany, and, against any other country, that suppressed opposition by force.

Participation in the war was widely advertised and idealized in the newspapers. Young people were recruited at sporting events and other gathering places, leaving little room for resistance. Photos of soldiers were seen in Newspapers and posters of soldiers were put up at places where young people gather. There were even actions and speeches set up at workplaces, with doctors to perform the necessary medical tests, should anyone be interested in joining the force. It created a sense of duty when this first phase was successful. Obtaining a signature was the most important part. The invitation was even broadcasted with loudspeakers in vehicles on the streets. Dancing girls in brightly coloured dresses on trucks were used to attract the attention of young men.

To encourage the young men at a rugby match at Lancaster Park in Christchurch, soldiers of the standing force paraded in their neat uniforms decorated with ranks. Twenty-two young men applied in an emotional ten minutes, after experiencing the march. Although the army was actively recruiting, the Navy started its campaign to recruit volunteers. By this time, a huge number of young men were already training as naval soldiers. With their connections in the military, Kevin, Jay, and even Helena knew how to speed up the process.

You guys were crazy wanting to take part in the war. You do not know what it takes, you do not realise what you are getting yourself into! was the admonition from both John and Hendry. Jay was stubborn and young, he wanted to make his own decisions and learned lessons from them. What do the old people know? he thought slightly rebelliously. Ruth had mixed feelings about it, she wanted to support her son and be proud of him but would rather have him to stay at home.

It’s awful to think that they want to venture into the unknown, away from their families, knowing that a lot of our boys are going to die, Ruth told Lena when they ran into each other at church. Henry is still struggling with the consequences of the First World War. I do not want my son to go through with it, Ruth said concerned. After all these years, Henry still gets flashbacks of their fights. He suffers from terrible nightmares and gets irritated and emotional for days struggling with angry outbursts. It is disturbing, especially if he withdraws from us for days, she sighed.

The hardships and challenges of the Great War were still fresh in the memory of many of us older people and will probably be a part of our lives until the day we die, John said thoughtfully, nearly every day. He was also in favour of the New Zealanders fulfilling their duty to assist Britain in their cause, but he also wanted to prevent his grandson from romanticizing the conflict and violence of war.

The consequence of this declaration of war was that the members of the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force were called up for service in the next few days. On the 5th of September, South Africa officially declared war on Germany and Canada followed 5 days later. The competent men who lived close to the army camps were personally informed of their duty, while most men who lived in other areas received their call up instructions by mail and telegrams. Little time was allowed for personal preparation.

In New Zealand, the call up of soldiers started on the 12th of September and preparations were made to send the first expedition to Germany. The young men were already well trained and extremely positive. In South Africa, with the compulsory military training since 1909 for all male civilians, the men were trained and prepared, and ready for full-fledged warfare any day.

As a former British colony of the United Kingdom, as well as with the sentiment of