Stalemate (The Red Gambit Series) (3 page)

The events that brought me to write the ‘Red Gambit’ series have been outlined previously, as have the major contributions of some of the more important characters.

I have already
offered up my thanks to a large number of helpers, but I must now include the following.

The personal diaries and papers of Brigadier John Bracewell were invaluable, and helped me better understand the events at Barnstorf, as well as providing valuable insight into many of the subsequent Northern German operations. My thanks to his son, Major General Lawrence Bracewell MC OBE, and his granddaughter, Lieutenant Colonel Victoria Childs MBE, both for the access
, and the additional knowledge they provided.

Major Andrew Charles, Grenadier Guards, provided me with huge amounts of personal testimony and physical information, and I thank him and his wife Christine for their enthusiastic support.

The memoirs of RSM Neville Griffiths CGM, MM and bar proved a mine of information. Alas Neville passed away the day before we were due to meet.

Pieter de Villiers provided me with an array of details, by way of recollection or the written word, and I am indebted to him for providing me with insight into the Soviet POW camps, and some specific events at Sarov during September 1947
.

I am indebted to the guardians of the affairs of
General Benoit Hugues Kelly Plummer, former French Defence Minister, who provided me with full access to the incredible private collection he established, the contents of which deal with so much more than just French affairs, and which provided me with a great deal of information not previously in the public domain.

The granddaughter of Gisela Jourdan provided me with her personal diaries, and they have been of great assistance. At her own request, she wishes to remain anonymous.

Generalleutnant Willibald Trannel provided me with insight into the operations of the Special Air Group that assisted with the Allies’ covert operations in Europe, and was particularly helpful in piecing together the details of the SAG during the last months of the war.

I was privileged to meet with Marquis Ito Hirohata and receive, at first hand, the full story of the Rainbow Brigade. I am indebted to his son
, Isoroku, for help with translations, on the occasions that my Japanese, or his father’s English, failed to measure up.

Finally for this volume, I met with Egon Nakhimov, who was able to provide so many details on the Chateau assault, and the subsequent activities of Makarenko’s unit of survivors, one of the greatest untold stories of WW3.

With the help of all these documents, the personal memories of the above, and others, I have been able to put together a story of the last two years of World War Two, or as they became known, World War Three, years which cost many lives, and which left such an indelible mark on those who fought on both sides.

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