by James Remmer
For his graphic account of WWII night-time sorties over Germany, I owe much to the late John Chatterton, DFC, a former RAF Lancaster bomber pilot, who, while reliving the frightening reality of war, showed me the true meaning of “gentle giant”.
David White, an instinctive technical wizard, afforded me much-needed information on WWII radio communications.
My research in Argentina was an incredible experience, due largely to the help of two wonderful people: John Boote, a true gentleman and legendary estanciero, and his wife, the congenial, charming and indefatigable Eleanor (Minnie) Boote. Sadly, John is no longer with us, but Minnie remains a true and loyal friend.
I am also deeply indebted to Caroline Hynds, a hawk-eyed genius of an editor, to whom I owe much more than words could ever describe. Thank you, Caroline.
And finally I owe an incalculable debt of gratitude to my adorable and truly wonderful wife, Joan, who was with me on this venture from start to finish, affording me help and encouragement from Berlin to Buenos Aires, always with love, a warm smile and tireless devotion. Thank you, sweetheart.
There are many others who deserve my warmest thanks.
The following sources were, also, especially helpful:
German Foreign Office Archives
Zentrale Stelle der Landesjustizverwaltungen, Ludwigsburg
Institut für Zeitgeschichte, Munich
Jane Baker
Samuel Rachdi, Fahrplancenter
Werner Bittner, Lufthansa Archives, Cologne
Guildhall Library – marine sources
James Ferro, Port Office, Gibraltar
Derek Sansom, Public Affairs, Ford Motor Company, Dagenham
Buenos Aires Herald
Thomas Cook Archives
ADAC – Allgemeiner Deutsche Automobil-Club
David Penn & Paul Cornish, Imperial War Museum
Redoubt Fortress & Military Museum, Eastbourne
Dr Wirtgen, Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung
Royal Greenwich Observatory
Nigel N C Thorley (Jaguar)
Mike Dutton (BMW 326)
Peter Wurcbacher and Wilf Riding, 1941-44 German railway services
Deutsche Bundesbank
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Although Out of Mecklenburg is a work of fiction, I confess my thanks to David Khan, whose book Hitler’s Spies, perhaps the optimum account of WWII German espionage, gave me the inspiration to create a “different” kind of foreign agent. Anyone with an interest in German espionage during the Nazi era will find Hitler’s Spies an invaluable source. I certainly did.
My thanks, also, to Ruth and Leonard Greenup, whose book Revolution Before Breakfast provided me with a graphic insight into life in Argentina during the turbulent years of 1941-45. It really is an edifying source of information.
The following sources proved similarly helpful in my research:
Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince, Frommer’s 96 Germany
Uki Goñi, The Real Odessa
Ian Kershaw, Hitler 1936-1945: Nemesis
Marie Vassiltchikov, The Berlin Diaries
David Miller, Submarines of the World
Herbert A Werner, Iron Coffins
Correlli Barnett et al., Hitler’s Generals
Alexandra Richie, Faust’s Metropolis – A History of Berlin
Louis Hagen (editor and translator), The Labyrinth: Memoirs of Walter Schellenberg
Walter Warlimont, Inside Hitler’s Headquarters 1939-45
John Weitz, Hitler’s Diplomat
V E Tarrant, The Last Year of the Kriegsmarine: May 1944-May 1945
Rupert Butler, An Illustrated History of the Gestapo
Wolfgang Hirschfeld, The Story of a U-Boat NCO 1940-1946
G N Georgano, World War Two Military Vehicles
Brian L Davies, German Army Uniforms and Insignia 1933-1945
R E G Davies, Lufthansa
US Naval Intelligence (compiler), Uniforms and Insignia of the Navies of World War II
Tony Le Tissier, Berlin Then and Now
John Barnes, Evita, First Lady
Bill Gunston, Jane’s Fighting Aircraft of World War II
N R P Bonsor, South Atlantic Seaway
John Keegan (editor), Atlas of The Second World War
André Brissaud, The Nazi Secret Service
My apologies if I have missed anyone out.
While Out of Mecklenburg features a number of real characters, events and Nazi institutions of WWII, it is, in the main, the product of my own imagination. Any inaccuracies, therefore, are mine and mine alone.
Carl von Menen’s disappearance remains consigned to the ranks of WWII mysteries until 1985, when a friend from the distant past has the inspired notion that the missing diplomat-cum-spy might still be alive. A dangerous, exciting and breath-taking adventure begins. You can read about it in James Remmer’s next novel:
By Samborombon Bay
The hunt for Carl von Menen