

“We informed the Allies that there were Nebelwerfers here months ago. “I have a question,” Marie said, putting down her mug of cider. Like suddenly he could accomplish anything he set his mind to.

It was the same look he used at school, the one that made Paul feel a little smarter. He leaned forward and looked at each person, one by one. Paul eyed her, surprised to hear these harsh words coming from the same mouth that sang their Christmas carols. “We will turn their weapon of death against them,” said Mrs. Once the Nazis try to fire the cannon, the whole thing will explode.” We can slice off a bit and put it in one of the cannon barrels. Just a small amount will cause a powerful blast. He lifted a block of what looked like dull yellow clay. “I have brought a new kind of plastic explosive. Victor stood up and explained that the mission should be simple. Leon stepped aside so Victor could take over. He is a special agent, trained in explosives.” “That’s why they took the unusual step of sending Victor. “The Allies have told us that this mission is urgent,” Mr. This made Nebelwerfers one of the most feared weapons the Nazis had. When the rockets hit, they exploded, killing everything in their path. The weapon was called a Nebelwerfer, a German word that Paul didn’t understand. Each one could shoot one hundred exploding rockets in a minute. They were a kind of powerful cannon with six barrels. Victor had told him about these weapons earlier. “They can kill one thousand men in minutes.”Ī chill went up Paul’s spine. “More destructive than anything I remember from World War One.” He’d actually fought in that war with Paul’s grandfather. “These are one of the Nazis’ most powerful weapons,” said Mr. One of Maman’s jobs was to pick up those messages and deliver them to other resistance members in and around Le Roc. There were people in town who’d been given secret radios they used to communicate with the Allies. It was Maman who had brought this message, Paul had learned. “They want these terrible weapons destroyed tonight.”

“The Allies have sent us another message,” Mr. The Nazis were keeping some deadly weapons in Le Roc. Leon had gathered them to discuss an urgent mission, the one that Victor had come to Le Roc to help with. And whether Maman liked it or not, Paul was a part of it.Īnd anyway, there was no time for tearful talk. Now Paul knew all about Maman’s secret life. They’d sat for a moment alone, holding hands, wiping away tears. Leon had spoken to her first then she came to find Paul. And of course the person he’d least suspected was sitting next to him. Paul would never have guessed any of these people would be in the resistance. Bernard, a gray-haired woman who had the prettiest voice in the church choir. Spire, an older man with a limp, who’d been friends with Paul’s grandfather.
