The Tirpitz Legacy

This new work of fiction from Patrick Slaney is based on the sinking by British bombers of the German Battleship Tirpitz in a Norwegian Fjord in 1944. A German SS Colonel leaves the crew to die as he concentrates on recovering and hiding a large amount of gold that was being carried on board. It's now 1953 and the Colonel has hired a salvage vessel to recover his cache of gold. Unknown to him the brother of one of the men he left to die in that Norwegian Fjord is a member of the crew of the salvage vessel. Members of the Norwegian Resistance Movement are also aware of what he is up to and they are out to avenge the deaths of their relatives the Colonel murdered during the occupation. Will the Colonel get his gold or will justice be done. Interview with the Author Q - Why have you written this story about the Tirpitz? A - The largest naval vessel of the Kriegsmarine is purely the focal point around which this novel is based. Hans Gerber, a Petty Officer on the ship, sees his brother abandoned and left to die through the actions taken by an SS Colonel. The Colonel even has Hans arrested for trying to rescue his brother. What a terrible death to be left to drown inside an upturned battleship. Hans promises his brother that he will avenge his death if it is the last thing that he does. Q - Who is the main character in the novel? A - The story follows Hans Gerber's life from his birth in Wilhelmshaven, Germany in 1912, until he returns to Norway to avenge his brother's death. He joins the Navy at the age of sixteen serving in peacetime and in war until 1944 when the Tirpitz is sunk. He is not the warring type and struggles to understand the politics of Hitler. Q - What is the main theme of the book? A - No matter who you are, you will eventually have to pay for evil deeds carried out against your fellow man. The SS Colonel was responsible for many war crimes during the Second World War while a member of the German force occupying Norway. He escapes prosecution for his crimes at the end of the war; however, Hans and the Norwegian Resistance Movement are after him. Six years later he makes a mistake and they get him. Q - Why should people buy your book? A - It is an emotional tale as you follow Hans who is intent on avenging his brother's death. Historically accurate it takes you through pre-war and post-war Germany through the eyes of an ordinary "Joe Soap" who ends up in a situation not of his choosing. Q - Have you published any other books? A - Yes I have a number of other works of fiction. You can find all the details on my website www.patrickslaney.com. I love to receive your comments so, please complete the Amazon review process, or you can send me remarks through my website and email. And many thanks for reading