CHAPTER 136 – The Battle of Greystoke Part 1

Authors Notes: We're going to 'pull the string' on one of the cliffhanger plot lines in Chapter 120. I think I may have figured out a new historical fiction story there. I hope you like 'the opening act'. To my many German readers, it's important to note that I make an important distinction between the people of World War II Germany and those who ruled them in the 1930s and 1940s. It may be a few weeks before the next chapters. I'm still writing…

…The Clayton treehouse, Land of the Mangani, 1940…

Both families sat assembled around the treehouse's kitchen table. Everyone was silent, holding hands anxiously. Even Andrew and Etienne and their steadies who had come to visit them the land of the Mangani were tense. Jeanne was nursing her recent newborn fourth child, another boy, who arrived soon after her husband's ascendency to the Silverback of the Mangani. Her third, Anne, was standing next to her mother, gently holding her baby brother's tiny hand while watching in amazement. Both of Jeanne's younger children fulfilled her dream of conceiving and having a completely natural birth among the Mangani, midwifed once again by Jane to the adoration of all the other female gorillas. Because of her great age, Kala had stopped being the troop's primary midwife, deferring to Jane and to Terk while training her daughter Jana.

But Jeanne was not joyful now. Jack came down from the radio room solemnly.

Jeanne was momentarily mesmerized and thrilled by the sight of her incredibly handsome naturally dressed husband walking down the steps from upstairs. Her mother came down behind him, fighting tears, her overall darker skin and black hair with many new gray streaks contrasting against Jack's tanned but lighter overall skin coloration. She was still beautiful.

Jeanne was very worried, and asked, "Sweetheart? Mama? What did Papa say?"

Armand was the only member of the combined families unable to make the journey back to Africa for Tarzan and Jack's 'change of command' as the retired military man had amusingly put it. He was fully occupied as a civilian military advisor to General Charles de Gaulle. Because of his vast service to France, Armand was a vital part of the beginnings of the exiled Free French movement and provisional government as France fell to the Nazis and the puppet regime called Vichy France was set up to slavishly support their German occupiers.

Jack said sadly, "They are calling up all reservists. And the 15th Scottish Division is redeploying for the defense of London, with all the remaining Homeland Defense units standing up for alert."

Jeanne, Elisabeth, and Michelle gasped and almost simultaneously exclaimed, "Oh no…"

In that one pronouncement every adult male in their families except Tarzan was impacted.

The family was already dealing with the trauma of being touched by war. Paul Clayton, a volunteer soldier in the 15th Scottish Division, was wounded when the only all-Scotland combat unit deployed to France in a desperate late attempt to reinforce the British Expeditionary Forces in France honoring an agreement between brand new British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and the recently ousted French Prime Minister Reynaud and his former military commander General Maurice Gamelin to help the French defeat the inexorable March of the Germans.

It was too little, too late. The inexperienced 15th engaged the battle-hardened Nazis and felt that they had done little to turn the battle, despite their shocking initial amphibious assault and victories against the Nazi elite troops. But it didn't last long. The French and their English, Scottish, and Canadian allies were out-gunned and outmanned, suffering many casualties and wounded like Paul. While the young man's gunshot wound was not life-threatening, the injury to Paul's arm and shoulder would take a long time to heal and his return to strength would be slow, even with Paul being in excellent physical shape like his older brother. Even worse, the injury was in vain, but fortunately the Scottish Division, and the Canadian volunteer Division fighting right alongside them, were ordered back to England before the humiliating retreat of the regular British forces' from Dunkirk.

Michelle tried to be brave, but her eyes watered for Paul, who, because of his injury, was on medical leave and allowed to travel for this important excursion to Africa for the family. But not for long. The mobilization would affect everyone without truly crippling injuries.

Elisabeth was no less upset than Michelle and hugged her husband Matthew tightly. This order would mean the mobilization of Matthew's unit, even though it was primarily needed for homeland defense and wasn't previously activated. With Armand's radio message to Jack, everyone's leave was cancelled and Jack would once again serve His Majesty's armed forces again – originally as a young boy, now as a middle-aged man.

Jeanne got a very angry look on her face and said in real frustration, "You're 36, dear. What are they thinking?"

Jack tried to soother her, "I'm the Count now. Nobility has to do their part. It's just like when Dad served in the Great War. They want me to command a squadron flying the best of the best - something new: the Spitfire. It's a beast of a plane and they need pilots in very good shape to handle one. I can't believe I get to fly one."

"You are amazing, dear husband. If only they could see you the way I get to," she thought.

Jack may have been 36, but there was no doubt in Jeanne's eyes he was in excellent physical shape not only as a pilot but as her lifetime lover who still satisfied her every desire - one reason why they had four children. If this matter wasn't so serious she would have teased him about being embraced by all that musculature and sampling his profound masculine attributes just the night before.

The middle aged French woman frowned, "For once I wish you didn't excel at so many things, Jack. You just became the Count and the Silverback, dear. We need you here at home."

"It can't be helped, cherie. We were all worried this might happen."

"Which is why we made all the changes now, son, before all out war erupted," Tarzan reminded everyone.

Jeanne knew her elderly father-in-law was right, but lamented to both men, "I know, but as upset as I am, I'm so happy for you 'jungle boy'. I… I know you love flying, especially the big fighters. Bruce will be so excited. You're flying the plane he helped design!"

Jack shook his head a little, "I hope I do the bird justice. And don't worry, Jeannie. Now I can do something to help win the war. I just hope it's not too late."

She assured him, "It wasn't too late in Kamina. Papa, you, and Dad C turned the battle of Africa."

Jane cautioned, "We are a long way from Kamina, dear ones. Times were much simpler then."

Tarzan sensed the worry among the family and expounded, "Jack, you and your brothers will make a difference. A big difference. England has been trying to find its way in this war since Germany invaded Poland last September. Nothing has gone right since against the Nazis' power. Poland fell. Then Norway. Then Denmark and the rest of the low countries, and now with France beyond help, England is marshalling its forces on the home front. Thank God Parliament got rid of do-nothing Prime Minister Chamberlin and Churchill is in. At least he's doing something, and tried to honor our commitments to our allies. With France gone, the Nazis will look to take us over. England cannot fall or all is lost. The Americans will be on their own."

Jack hugged his wife and looked at Paul and Matthew, "I agree with Dad. We'll defend England and help to win back your homeland, Jeanne and Mama."

Andrew said bravely, "I wish we could help."

Etienne nodded in total agreement, and both of their girlfriends smiled proudly but nervously over their brave offer.

Jack put his arm on his little brother's shoulder for assurance and stated, "Your jobs, dear brothers, are to protect our families' women and the babies while we're deployed."

Everyone knew the women of these two families could take care of themselves, but they appreciated the patriotism of the teens.

While disappointing, the news was no surprise. Aside from the joy of what was happening with Jeanne's new baby and Jack's brand new leadership of the family in Scotland and Africa, the daily news about France was devastating to the Jacot's and Clayton's. They were astonished that the defeat happened so fast, with weapons vastly superior to the rest of the world powers, though they were all grateful Paris was spared destruction. While Josephine had rarely heard from her relatives and extended family because of their life in Africa, and new Countess Jeanne's and Michelle's worlds revolved around their Scottish husbands and children, the women were still very worried about what would happen to those relatives with their Nazi occupiers. The rumors were that the Nazis were vindictive against anyone with strong faiths. Rumors of atrocities against the populations of Catholic and Jewish Polish populations were rampant. The Catholic population of France was even larger.

Because of that, Josephine had been fuming for some time over the cowardice of the capitulation of Vichy France, and exploded in her signature anger, though directed at her country's leadership, "Our family has more courage than the cowards of the Vichy government. I wonder if they deserve our help. Thank God for General De Gaulle and the Free France movement. Everything you dear young men do will help us get our home back. Especially if this gets the Americans into the fight."

Jane was very skeptical, "Don't get me started on that. I'm already mad at my cousin about that. I don't know what it will take to get the Yanks to ever enter the war. Damn their isolation policies. Don't they know how small the world really is and how terrible the Nazis are? It's going to take a catastrophe to them to force them to fight. Even if they don't care about England, they forget that France helped them win their freedom in the first place."

Everyone's vented frustrations silenced them all for awhile, but it was Jeanne that brought it all back to the family's concerns, by saying, "Jack, dear, I know you and your brothers have to go and everything you do will help save the world we know. At the same time I'm terrified."

Teenager Andrew was holding his pretty blond-haired, fair-skinned Swiss girlfriend's hand tightly, and asked a very mature question, "I agree, sis. But… calling up the reservists. It's bad isn't it, Dad?"

Tarzan answered, "Yes, son. It is very bad. The battle against Britain could all start by summer. Armand and I have been talking about how our Clayton Shipping Company and Clayton Air Cargo business will have to confront the threats of U boats and fighters. I sure wish Philippe was still alive to help us. He'd have already figured it out. Thank God for Captain Jensen taking his place running our entire cargo business though. That's one American who isn't afraid of helping us fight the Germans."

Jane reminded him, "Don't forget, dear, that he's helping organize and finance a bunch of American volunteers to help fly fighters, like he did in China to help them fight the Japanese Empire with that dashing Colonel Chennault."

Paul stood tall and confident despite having his arm and shoulder in a sling and a metal brace. He was a physical equal to Jack in every way and was in his late twenties, taller by an inch or two. Michelle was happy that Jack's brother was equally well blessed as his older brother and father in other anatomical departments, something she and Jeanne snickered about on a regular basis in normal times. Standing side by side, it was obvious.

Paul asked, "When do we go, big brother?"

"We better start back tomorrow. Armand says the battle could start any day. Even flying, it will take us several days. We can't afford to fly into open combat zones."

"And us too, husband," Jeanne insisted with her best determined lip jutted forward. Jack always knew to be wary of that expression.

But Jack dared defy his wife's wishes, "My brothers and I have to go home immediately to requalify for combat. The rest of you aren't going anywhere. You're all staying hidden right here in the jungle."

Tarzan objected even more vociferously than Jeanne, "Jeanne is right. We're going with you, son."

Jack argued, "Dad, no! You've served your time for England. Stay here in the sanctuary."

Jane observed very seriously, "The treehouse was no sanctuary when the German flamethrower squad nearly burned us all down when you were in Kamina. We're no safer here now. Bombers and fighters are far worse than men with guns and a flammenwerfer. If they destroy our home here, so be it. It's just wood. Our hearts will be here forever. If we hide with the Mangani, they become targets too. We have to go home with you. War is man's invention, not the animal kingdom's. They needn't suffer."

Jack knew he couldn't win this family argument with everyone's conviction, "Mom's right, I guess. But you're not going to London with us. That's where the attacks will be concentrated. Go home to Greystoke. Defend what we love. Be somewhere you are safe. At least you have a fighting chance at the Castle. And safety in the catacombs if it comes to that."

Tarzan worried, "Stone walls against soldiers and tanks?"

Jack corrected his father, You know Dad J told us the Nazis will come after England only by air. Junkers and Messerschmitt's will barely make the flight from Germany and France. It won't be an invasion."

Tarzan noted with disdain, "Yet."

Jeanne tried to compromise with her husband and son, "All right, dear. We'll go to Greystoke. But it doesn't mean we have to be happy about this. We know how to fight. Every one of us. That's who we are."

All eyes were on Josephine. Not a word had yet been spoken of her own private conversation with Armand, the other patriarch of the combined families. He'd long ago retired as a Colonel but he was one of the most important civilians in the movement to liberate the French citizens from the clutches of Nazi Germany through the charismatic leader of the opposition to the gutless Vichy government, Charles de Gaulle. Even his surname stood for France.

Jeanne asked tentatively, "Mama? What did Papa tell you?"

Josephine explained, "I wanted to go to him in London and bring the family so we could all be together even against the face of the German attack. He convinced me that for him to stay focused for what he has to do for General de Gaulle and with Prime Minister Churchill, we should get out of Africa and go to Greystoke and be safe. So that he'd have one less thing to worry about. Despite my misgivings, he is right. In the Great War, the conflict did come to Africa. Jane and her father were amazing against the flammenwerfer squad. It will happen again. The Mangani are targets if we stay here. And all the Nigerians. Things are already getting stirred up in Libya and the Sudan. We need to let your father concentrate without worrying about us and help the allies win. If we stay safe it will help him. We will go to Castle Greystoke with you. Armand convinced me that the family has to live to fight another day.

Tarzan agreed, "The Castle will be safer. We are surrounded by wilderness. Greystoke is about as far away from any invasion route possible, and if everything falls apart, we can escape to America or Canada through Iceland and Greenland. The Destiny has no range limit like the freighters, and there's never been a record of U boats never go that far north."

"Lily and Okpara, what will you do?" asked Jane fretfully.

The Nigerian royal couple had been very quiet to this point. The brilliant young man who was now supreme leader of the Nigerians answered, "Mom C, You know I have to stand and fight for my people right here, whether the Germans invade or not, because we are forever England's ally. But Jack, make your sister get out of here with our children and go to Greystoke. She's your sister. You're the only person in the world who can talk sense to her. You tell her. She won't listen to me."

Lily was adamant before Jack could speak, "I'll save you the wasted argument 'big bruver'. Okpara, my dear husband. I will never ever leave your side. Even if the Nazi guns are blazing inside our hut."

Her bravery was chilling.

"Who am I to convince my little sister otherwise?" said Jack, knowing it was a lost cause to convince Lily to flee to safety in Scotland. In 16 years of marriage to Okpara they'd only been to the Castle twice. Nigeria was Lily's home and the Nigerians her people.

Jane resigned herself to the decision, "I… I know, dear son. Lily and Okpara, please be careful. Know when to be brave for your country and when to save yourselves and your family to keep your government going. Come to Greystoke with my grandbabies if Nigeria falls, please."

"We'll do what we have to do, Mom," said Lily confidently, holding Okpara's hand, "We won't be reckless."

It was all decided, as grim as it was. There was only one thing to do next. Jack invited Tarzan, "Dad, you always know what to do."

Tarzan said a prayer for all of them for strength and safety in the face of a brutal enemy. Just as soon as they had celebrated Korak's ascendency as Silverback and Count, their lives were torn apart by war. Again. The two young Swiss and Austrian women who would soon dedicate their lives to Andrew and Etienne were amazed and impressed with the profound unity and love shared between these forever-entwined families. But that was one reason why they'd fallen in love with these boys while they were all in the boarding school in Geneva.

There were many tearful hugs, and each part of the combined families packed to go their separate ways. Okpara and Lily and their children only had a short ten mile hike back to the Village of Chiefs. The others dressed in normal western garb, gathered their belongings and started to load and prep the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra that was the family's latest transport. It was a big bird, only a little smaller than the Douglas DC-3, but could take all the members of their large family just about anywhere. Capable of 215 mph cruise over great distances, it would take them all back to Scotland quickly. Jack planned to drop the family at Greystoke and head to England with his brother and brother in law for their military assignments.

Jack effortlessly guided the big Lockheed into the humid jungle air with a roar, climbed out to cruising altitude, and flew the big aircraft northward while Jeanne charted the course with their sleeping baby in her lap. The normally chatty and excited families were very somber and quiet most of the way back, even with several stops along the way for fuel and overnight accommodations. Jeanne and Jack's new baby adjusted well to flying.

They all knew they were going back to Scotland and England and faced a very dangerous, uncertain future. And for those left behind in Nigeria, it was no less worrisome.