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Cottons War
If it hadn't been for the shopkeeper in Heraklion, Cotton might never have been involved ...
In the spring of 1941 the Nazis were storming their way through Greece. The Loukia was crucial to the British cause and the Greek resistance - and her cargo even more so. When the Loukia is wrecked in enemy territory, the British gathered together a handful of volunteers for a dangerous misson of retrieval: two RASC men, some sailors, one German-speaking airman and Mihale Andoni Cotonou - otherwise known as Corporal Cotton of the Marines.
In the spring of 1941 the Nazis were storming their way through Greece. The Loukia was crucial to the British cause and the Greek resistance - and her cargo even more so. When the Loukia is wrecked in enemy territory, the British gathered together a handful of volunteers for a dangerous misson of retrieval: two RASC men, some sailors, one German-speaking airman and Mihale Andoni Cotonou - otherwise known as Corporal Cotton of the Marines.
288 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1979
20 people want to read
About the author
John Harris
66 books21 followersJohn^^Harris
Pseudonyms: Max Hennessy; Mark Hebden
Image is a self caricature from the late 1970s.
From Wikipedia:
John Harris was a British author. He published a series of crime novels featuring the character Inspector Pel, and war books. He wrote with his own name, and also with the pseudonym of Mark Hebden. His 1953 novel The Sea Shall Not Have Them was the basis for a feature film of the same name in 1954. He was the father of Juliet Harris, who published more Inspector Pel books under the name of Juliet Hebden.
Pseudonyms: Max Hennessy; Mark Hebden
Image is a self caricature from the late 1970s.
From Wikipedia:
John Harris was a British author. He published a series of crime novels featuring the character Inspector Pel, and war books. He wrote with his own name, and also with the pseudonym of Mark Hebden. His 1953 novel The Sea Shall Not Have Them was the basis for a feature film of the same name in 1954. He was the father of Juliet Harris, who published more Inspector Pel books under the name of Juliet Hebden.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 16, 2024
John Harris (Aka, Max Hennessy) wrote this book in 1979. World War II books were still selling then. The USA had been in Vietnam for some time, but World War II books were probably more fun. This story is told in the traditional format. After a heroic effort, there is a shocking loss followed by an extensive preparation for the second battle followed by a dangerous and climatic finale. Yes, there is a side of romantic interest.
Cotton, our hero, was born as Mihale Andoni Cotonou but known as Corporal Cotton of the Royal Navy Marines. Having gone through school being called everything but his name, he avoided his Grecian background as much as possible. Having spent 20 years in the Marines, Cotton knew everything about being a soldier on or near ships. The time is 1941. Cotton was in Crete as the British army was helping the Greeks. The Greeks had stopped Italy who, in turn asked Germany for help. The Germans were using their Blitzkrieg ways and pushing the Greeks back before Britain could round up enough soldiers to make a stance. The Greeks and the few British were being pushed back to the coast and onto the Greek Islands. The Royal Navy (RN) was helping but the ships were very vulnerable due to the death of the Greek Air Force and unavailability of British aircraft. The few British aircraft in the Mediterranean were fighting the Italians in North Africa.
The RN has sent out a launch to the island of Aeos to find the crew of a downed aircraft and supply a potential Greek Resistance with money and arms. A second aircraft is down, and the launch has gone silent. Cotton is part of a small crew placed on another launch and ordered to recover the original launch, its cargo and crew, and any aircrew they can find.
As they approach Aeos, Cotton’s launch is also hit and damaged by German aircraft. The damaged vessel is grounded in the next bay from the original launch, but all the officers are killed, and Cotton is left in charge. He tries to get help from local Greeks and plans to scrounge parts from both launches to repair one for the return trip. Cotton faces a host of challenges. The original launch has been raided for parts and gasoline, and the Germans are coming closer every day. The Greek Royalists and Communists will not fight together; they seem to prefer to fight each other for better status after the war. Meanwhile the Germans on the other end of the island have come through the area and frightened the Greeks. They capture the crew’s wounded and kill the doctor for helping them.
Cotton develops a plan and prepares the crew for it. They leave on a dark night to attempt the trip back to Crete, knowing the Germans are guarding the exit from the bay. The finale is a pretty good battle, although not too long. Cotton learns a lot about himself and leadership and grows in command skills. The story is interesting with some good dramatic moments. Special interest in small boat warfare. 3½ Stars
Cotton, our hero, was born as Mihale Andoni Cotonou but known as Corporal Cotton of the Royal Navy Marines. Having gone through school being called everything but his name, he avoided his Grecian background as much as possible. Having spent 20 years in the Marines, Cotton knew everything about being a soldier on or near ships. The time is 1941. Cotton was in Crete as the British army was helping the Greeks. The Greeks had stopped Italy who, in turn asked Germany for help. The Germans were using their Blitzkrieg ways and pushing the Greeks back before Britain could round up enough soldiers to make a stance. The Greeks and the few British were being pushed back to the coast and onto the Greek Islands. The Royal Navy (RN) was helping but the ships were very vulnerable due to the death of the Greek Air Force and unavailability of British aircraft. The few British aircraft in the Mediterranean were fighting the Italians in North Africa.
The RN has sent out a launch to the island of Aeos to find the crew of a downed aircraft and supply a potential Greek Resistance with money and arms. A second aircraft is down, and the launch has gone silent. Cotton is part of a small crew placed on another launch and ordered to recover the original launch, its cargo and crew, and any aircrew they can find.
As they approach Aeos, Cotton’s launch is also hit and damaged by German aircraft. The damaged vessel is grounded in the next bay from the original launch, but all the officers are killed, and Cotton is left in charge. He tries to get help from local Greeks and plans to scrounge parts from both launches to repair one for the return trip. Cotton faces a host of challenges. The original launch has been raided for parts and gasoline, and the Germans are coming closer every day. The Greek Royalists and Communists will not fight together; they seem to prefer to fight each other for better status after the war. Meanwhile the Germans on the other end of the island have come through the area and frightened the Greeks. They capture the crew’s wounded and kill the doctor for helping them.
Cotton develops a plan and prepares the crew for it. They leave on a dark night to attempt the trip back to Crete, knowing the Germans are guarding the exit from the bay. The finale is a pretty good battle, although not too long. Cotton learns a lot about himself and leadership and grows in command skills. The story is interesting with some good dramatic moments. Special interest in small boat warfare. 3½ Stars
May 22, 2017
An entertaining historical yarn and ideal comfort reading. One of his best books.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews