The Hawk and the Hare - Brossura

Morrison, Janet Love

Brossura

ISBN 10: 1777010128 ISBN 13: 9781777010126

Casa editrice: Tidewater Press, 2020

Riassunto

Based on a true story.

It is 1944 and the young Canadians of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry have had enough of drills and night marches and waiting. Private Ewen Morrison is 21 years old when he joins the regiment in Sussex and meets his new platoon, including Reggie Johnson, an Indigenous soldier from Ontario's Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve. His new friend supplements the army's training with some of his own, helping to prepare Ewen for scouting missions against the enemy. Landing on Juno Beach, the men confront the brutal reality of war as they advance across northern Europe with the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. Reggie's bravery, skill and authority soon earn him a field promotion, but not necessarily the respect of all the men in his platoon.

Based on war diaries and regimental records, The Hawk and the Hare is inspired by the real-life experience of the author's father. This is not the story of generals and officers, but of the men on the ground and the hardships they endured. Exploring themes of friendship, culture and valour, The Hawk and the Hare honors the young men who fought to liberate Europe in the final months of the Second World War.

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Informazioni sugli autori

Janet Love Morrison is an author and editor whose previous books include The Crazy Canucks: Canada's Legendary Ski Team (foreword by Peter Mansbridge), winner of the 2009 One Book, One Vancouver award, and Radar the Rescue Dog (foreword by Justin Trudeau). She currently teaches High School English on the Cote First Nation Reserve near Kamsack, Saskatchewan, and is a Goodwill Ambassador for Friends to Mankind.

Janet Love Morrison is an author and editor whose previous books include The Crazy Canucks (foreword by Peter Mansbridge), winner of the 2009 One Book, One Vancouver award, and Radar the Rescue Dog (foreword by Justin Trudeau). Until recently, she taught English on the Cote First Nation Reserve near Kamsack, Saskatchewan.

Janet Love Morrison is an author and editor whose previous books include The Crazy Canucks (foreword by Peter Mansbridge), winner of the 2009 One Book, One Vancouver award, and Radar the Rescue Dog (foreword by Justin Trudeau). Until recently, she taught English on the Cote First Nation Reserve near Kamsack, Saskatchewan.

Dalla quarta di copertina

It is 1944 and the young Canadians of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry have had enough of drills and night marches and waiting. Private Ewen Morrison is twenty-one years old when he joins the regiment in Sussex and meets his new platoon, including Reggie Johnson, an Indigenous soldier from Ontario’s Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve. His new friend supplements the army’s training with some of his own, helping to prepare Ewen for scouting missions against the enemy.

Landing on Juno Beach, the men confront the brutal reality of war as they advance across northern Europe with the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division. Reggie’s bravery, skill and authority soon earn him a field promotion, but not necessarily the respect of all the men in his platoon. Based on war diaries and regimental records, The Hawk and the Hare is inspired by the real-life experience of the author’s father. This is not the story of generals and officers, but of the men on the ground and the hardships they endured.

Estratto. © Ristampato con autorizzazione. Tutti i diritti riservati.

That night, their first night on German soil, was spent in a dank cellar with masses of rubble—stability uncertain—above them.

“The Germans started this mess and look what they’ve done. It’s their turn now,” Sandy said. There wasn’t an ounce of sympathy in his body.

“Well, I hope the civilians were evacuated, the women and kids and old people. I’m guessing we’re liberating some of them from Hitler too,” Stan said.

Sandy shot him an angry glance. “You can’t tell me the majority of them weren’t cheering Hitler on when it all began.”

They waited for the call to form up and head to their latest start line, the main road between Calcar and Goch. But the call did not come so they did not head into battle the next day. Instead they waited. And while they waited, the rookies fought to contain their panic, grateful for the sense of surety the veterans provided. The veterans contemplated their own mortality, wondering how the hell they’d made it even this far.

The Major had briefed them all on the plan. “We’ve been ordered to capture the Goch–Calcar Road and the start line is here.” He pointed on the map. “The road runs northeast and almost through the Louisendorf crossroads. Our objective is to seize the high ground southeast of the road. This is it, Operation Blockbuster. We’re to go approximately three thousand yards beyond Louisendorf to take the ridge.

“It’s a two-battalion front. The attack will be made over open country. Kangaroos will move both battalions. We’ll be on the left and the Essex on the right. The Royals are in reserve behind us and we’ll get support from the Fort Garrys. Plus, the Toronto Scots are supporting us with machine guns and mortars. We’ll follow the two lead companies. We’re mopping up. We’re facing an upward slope, and we don’t know what’s on the other side.”

Ewen looked at Reggie, who dropped his head. No, we don’t know what’s on the other side, do we, my friend?

“Remember,” concluded the Major, “Ground once taken is never given.”

Two days later, Ewen and Reggie were leaning against a damp wall, sitting on their groundsheets as the dawn made the overcast sky slightly less gloomy, though hardly bright. “That sky looks like rain, I think,” said Reggie. “But I don’t know this sky, so maybe I’m wrong.”

“Going to make the roads even worse,” said Ewen, looking at the mud. “If that’s possible. Kangaroos will struggle.”

“We’ll be on foot anyway. Trust your feet, Ewen. Remember?” Reggie smiled, then stopped, looking up to the sky once again. “I never thought I would come this far. Germany, it’s a long way from home.” He shook his head. “I wonder if I’m the first from my reserve to be this far from our land.

“This will be my last fight. I won’t make it. I’ll be heading over that hill and not returning.”

Ewen was alarmed. They never spoke about the future. “No, Reggie! Don’t talk like that.”

“It’s how it is. I know,” said Reggie.

Ewen had heard of visions and knew some in his own family had them, but it wasn’t talked about. He was keenly aware that death was the war’s dance, and no one knew when their waltz would be over. “You and me, we’ve made it this far, and we’re not going to end up under a white cross out here.”

“You’re going to make it. Ewen. You’ll be around when it’s all over.” Reggie put his hand on Ewen’s shoulder. “Remember, visit my mother when you get back to Canada.”

Ewen stared into his friend’s eyes. He nodded, hoping this was a promise he would not have to keep. He didn’t ask about Rose.

Dettagli dell'edizione

• Editore: Tidewater Press
• Data di pubblicazione: 2020
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 1777010128
• ISBN 13: 9781777010126
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Numero di pagine: 261
• Contatto del produttore: non disponibile
• Persona responsabile: non disponibile