The first of a series of books that cover World War Three, from July 1945 through to its close in September 1947.From the cold waters of the Baltic to a coffee shop in Turkey, a Chateau in Alsace to paddy fields in China, a foxhole in Northern Germany to the Kremlin's private offices, the Red Gambit series will carry you through the events that lead up to and continue through what became known as World War Three.Told from the point of view of the soldiers in the frontline, aircraft pilots, submarine and tank commanders and on to the Supreme Commanders on either side of the divide.Ride with Colonel of Tanks Arkady Yarishlov of the Red Army, fight alongside Major John Ramsey VC of the Black Watch, learn about leadership and honour from ex-SS Standartenfuher Ernst-August Knocke and follow Major Marion J. Crisp to glory with the 101st US Airborne Division.it was June 1945 and soldiers who had been fighting for years could look up at the summer sky and know that death would not visit them that day.It was the pause but they didn't know it.[The 'Red Gambit Series' novels are works of fiction, and deal with fictional events. Most of the characters therein are a figment of the author's imagination. Without exception, those characters that are historical figures of fact or based upon historical figures of fact are used fictitiously, and their actions, demeanour, conversations, and characters are similarly all figments of the author's imagination.]
The Red Gambit series of five books is dedicated to my grandfather, the boss-fellah, Jack ‘Chalky’ White, Chief Petty Officer [Engine Room] RN, my de facto father until his untimely death from cancer in 1983 and a man who, along with many millions of others, participated in the epic of history that we know as World War Two. Their efforts and sacrifices made it possible for us to read of it, in freedom, today.
Thank you, for everything.
The general concept of these books addresses the fears of war-weary nations in 1945.
The World War was drawing to a close, with solely the Empire of Japan to vanquish and yet, in the hour of triumph, the European victors stood facing each other across the ravaged terrain of their former German foe, not in friendship, but in worry and suspicion.
There was a genuine fear amongst some allied servicemen and public alike that the communist Red Army, much vaunted during the years of the struggle against Nazism, and so very obviously capable and professional, would continue its crushing advance to the shores of the Atlantic itself.
On the Soviet side, similar concerns and fears were realised in different ways, as all that could be seen was a relatively unblooded group of capitalist nations posturing and dictating to a Rodina that had spilt so much blood in everyone’s name. As I progressed in my research, I found a number of things that could have given the Soviets reason to doubt the alliance and feel threatened. Much of what is set before you in the lead up to the conflict has a basis in fact.
Neither side’s soldiers wished for more combat, for most had seen enough to last a thousand lifetimes. Despite that, and somewhat perversely, it seems that it was the Soviet soldier who was more prepared to continue against former allies, despite the immense sacrifices he and his Motherland had already endured. Political indoctrination played a great part in that obviously, as much about Western Europe and America had been criticised and held as false.
That what developed became known to all as ‘The Cold War’ is an historical fact. However, what could have happened is laid out in these books as if the reader is taking onboard a factual account of those difficult days. Indeed, much of the book, leading up to hostilities is based upon accepted facts, probably more than the reader might care to believe.
It is not my intention to do anything other than to illustrate that there are no bad peoples, just bad people. It is my hope that the reader will be able to see the strengths and weaknesses of the characters and be able to appreciate the qualities each brings forth, regardless of the nation or group to which the individual belongs.
We must all give thanks that it never happened but may possibly wonder what might have come to pass had it all gone badly wrong in that hot European summer of 1945.
I have deliberately written nothing that can be attributed to that greatest of Englishmen, Sir Winston Churchill. I considered myself neither capable nor worthy to attempt to convey what he might have thought or said in my own words.
My profound thanks to all those who have contributed in whatever way to this project, as every little piece of help brought me closer to my goal.
This then is my offering to satisfy the ‘what if’s’ of those times.
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Thank you.
I have received a great deal of assistance in researching, translating, advice and support during the two and a half years that this project has run so far. In no particular order, I would like to record my thanks to all of the following for their contributions. Gary Wild, Jason Litchfield, Mario Wildenauer, Pat Walsh, Elena Schuster, Stilla Fendt, Luitpold Krieger, Mark Lambert, Greg Winton, Greg Percival, Brian Proctor, Steve Bailey, Bruce Towers, Victoria Coling, Alexandra Coling, Heather Coling, Isabel Pierce Ward, Ahmed Al-Obeidi, and finally BW-UK Gaming Clan.
One name is missing on the request of the party involved, who perversely has given me more help and guidance in this project than most, but whose desire to remain in the background on all things means I have to observe his wish not to name him.
None the less, to you my oldest friend, thank you.
Wikipedia is a wonderful thing and I have used it as my first port of call for much of the research for the series. Use it and support it.
My thanks to the US Army Center of Military History website for providing the out of copyright images.
