The Gap

by Richard Nigel Stembridge

In 1941 Britain is desperately struggling to survive against the aggression of Nazi Germany. Douglas Norton is a pilot of a Sunderland flying boat engaged in the battle of the Atlantic. After a successful mission, resulting in the sinking of a U-boat, he is asked to volunteer to visit his birthplace in the Irish Free State, as it was during the Emergency. The British have discovered a plot to refuel the enemy submarines in their neutral neighbour. He accepts the assignment and succeeds in making a far greater contribution to his two countries than destroying Nazi Germany’s submarines in the Atlantic Ocean. A mixture of courage, luck and family contacts result in him obtaining the vital intelligence. But his mission is not completed and the Nazi’s continuing efforts to involve Ireland in the global conflict are eventually frustrated. Douglas becomes a central figure in the complex relationship between the two nations which he regards as his countries.

358 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 2, 2012