Day of Vengeance Read Online Free Page A

of the war, German scientists developed flying bombs, called V-1s – and then actual rockets, called V-2s, which they launched from sites in northern France, targeting London, Paris and the Netherlands. By that stage they were losing the war and Hitler was desperate to find a miracle weapon that could somehow tip the balance.”
    “But it didn’t work?”
    “No. For the time, the technology they developed was incredible. But it also drained resources from the production of more ordinary, but better tried and tested weapons. Although the V-1s and V-2s were very scary, they could not be produced in sufficient numbers to really have much of an impact.”
    “So the V-2 was like a proper rocket – like a missile?”
    “Yes. In fact, after the war, the Americans and other countries recruited many of the best German scientists to help on their own weapons programmes. It was quite a scandal. Many worked on the Apollo space programme – you know that put people on themoon. The design of the moon rockets isn’t so different from a V-2 – just a lot bigger.”
    “There are loads more newspaper cuttings and pictures here,” Angus said, working his way through the box, “That’s Hitler, isn’t it?”
    “Certainly is. He’s standing in front of the Eiffel Tower in June 1940. The only time he visited Paris… I think you can see the old film footage of his visit on the Internet. Apparently, when that photo was taken, Hitler is supposed to have said to the photographer, ‘Take one of me here, take the next one in front of Buckingham Palace and then the one after that in front of the skyscrapers in New York.’”
    “What a nutter!” Angus said.
    They were interrupted by Mrs Jud. “We’ll have to go now, dear. Lads – there’s some soup left over if you want it…”
    “I nearly forgot…” Mr Jud said.
    “What?”
    “Mum and I, we’re driving up to Edinburgh. We’ll be gone over night.”
    “Oh yeah, the show, what is it again?”
    “ The Sound of Music , the son of one of Mum’s friends is in it – Peter. He’s playing Friedrich. They’re touring all round the country,” Mr Jud put his mouth behind his hand and whispered sarcastically, “Can’t wait.”
    Mrs Jud shouted from the kitchen, “Are you ready, dear?”
    Mr Jud was already up the stairs. “I’ll meet you at the car.”
    Mrs Jud popped her head round the door. “Where is he?”
    “He’s just coming, Mum.”

    Adolf Hitler, accompanied by his chief architect Albert Speer (left) and sculptor Arno Breker, near the Eiffel Tower. Hitler reportedly said to his photographer, Heinrich Hoffmann, “Take this one, Hoffmann; then the next one in Buckingham Palace and the next in front of the skyscrapers.”
    “So you two will be OK?”
    “Yes, Mum.”
    “There is more in the fridge and that’s Mark’s number if you need any help with the animals. You’re sure you’ll be OK?”
    “Yes, Mum. Go. Have fun.”
    Mrs Jud checked her make-up in the hall mirror one final time and shouted up the stairs. “I’m going. Now!”
    Finally, Mr and Mrs Jud left the house and a few minutes later the boys watched the old Subaru kicking up dust from its back wheels as it disappeared up the farm track to the main road.
    Angus rubbed his hands. “OK – lunch. And then we can go and have another shot on the Flight Simulator…” Angus smiled mischievously. “Or we can always take the bikes out…”
    “I’ll give that one a miss, thanks.”
    Soon they were sitting around the big wooden farm table digging into the soup.
    “I’m going to sort out some toast. Want some?”
    “OK,” Jack said. “So how long do you think it will take to restore the plane?”
    “Maybe it can’t be done – you know, finding or remaking some of the parts… There’s a lot missing. It’s really expensive. To be honest, I think Dad might have overdone it this time.”
    “So you reckon you’ll have your private pilot’s licence before then?”
    “For sure. I’ve only