My Blog: The Few by Rob Lofthouse

My next novel was self-published in May 2020, during the midst of the Covid-19 lockdown. I wrote the story in quick time given that I had the time during the day to get the word count done. I wanted to write a story that could open up the British readership to the German perspective. This concept is nothing new, but I wanted to write a story that displayed the familiar human factors experienced by all those caught up in the war, regardless of nationality. Fear, relief, joy, hate, love, sorrow, loss, exhaustion. After all, even the most rabid SS trooper or Kamikaze pilot had lovers and mothers.

The Few is a fictional story about a small, war weary German Special Forces team. They have enjoyed success on operations on the eastern front, but are redeployed to Nazi Germany's western theatre of operations. The Nazi High Command knew D-Day was coming in the summer of 1944, but could not be certain as to where the allies would land. Rommel and other like minded Generals believed the Normandy region would be the most likely, but they were dismissed by Hitler and his inner circle who felt a Dover - Calais axis of attack was more likely. In hindsight, we must thank Hitler for doing so, for his micro-management style of leadership denied his rather competent military commanders freedom of movement. The outcome of the 6th June 1944 could have been somewhat different.

The commander of this small band of determined men is Captain Patrick Wrobel. A seasoned, tired, exceptional operator who yearns for nothing more than to be with his wife and son again. His men are battle-hardened, rough and ready, with their own reservations and fears. The relentless, brutal campaign in the east has taken its toll on these specialist troops. They are loathed to take lives in the name of the Fuhrer and struggle to accept what Nazi Germany has become.

Redeployed to the Channel Islands, Wrobel and his team are given their mission... they are to infiltrate the Isle of Wight and observe allied invasion shipping traffic building up in the Solent. To assist in the logistics of the operation, an IRA handler, Kerry Cappa is tasked by his South Armagh Commander in Crossmaglen to ensure the Germans are catered for in return for arms and ammunition to fight the British occupation in the six counties.

The Few by Rob Lofthouse.

Available on Amazon.