Death to Touch

 

The second book in the trilogy continues the theme of mine disposal, but introduces too, the actions of Ian Fleming’s intelligence commandos. 30 Commando’s task was to ‘pinch’ intelligence material, including that related to torpedoes and mines.

 

The Germans continue to develop ever more sophisticated mines to confuse the British minesweeping forces and Royal Navy Rendering Mines Safe Officers (RMSOs). Lt Stephen Cunningham, now a highly-decorated RMSO, is sent on instructional duties for a rest to Orkney, but it doesn’t take him long to volunteer for more dangerous RMS duties.

 

Intelligence officer Lt Cdr ‘Monty’ Montcalm’s task is to travel the country to investigate any new underwater weapons, during the course of which, he learns that the Germans may be developing a weapon that would be devastating to unescorted fast transatlantic convoys bringing vital troops and equipment in the run up to the Allied invasion of Europe. He accepts an invitation to join Cdr Ian Fleming’s Intelligence Assault Unit, later called 30 Commando. He is despatched to the Mediterranean with the brief to ‘pinch’ enemy documents and equipment related to weapons threatening the invasion of Europe.

 

Meanwhile, Colonel Ernst Scholtz of the Luftwaffe, a committed member of the Nazi Party and expert in mine warfare, learns of the success of the British in countering his latest magnetic mines and determines a means to defeat the minesweepers and any prospect of an Allied invasion. Stephen, too, finds himself in the Mediterranean as a member of a Naval Demolition Party tasked with port clearance. In Sicily he faces his most dangerous challenge yet – a harbour chock-full of depth charges linked to deadly and mysterious booby traps. Unless he can clear the port quickly, there will be no Allied invasion of Italy.