Fighting Four #02 - The Tunnel Busters

Way back in 2019 I read a novel by British writer Arthur Catherall titled The Strange Intruder. I enjoyed the book immensely and have kept a watchful eye out for the author's work ever since. Unfortunately, despite his accomplishments as a successful young-adult writer, he has gone out of print and out of the public's eye. Thankfully, the power of the internet has produced some scans of a few of his out-of-print books including three of his exciting Fighting Four novels.

Based on the success of W.E. Johns young-adult military heroes, the Biggles, and his subsequent series Gimlet, many authors were hopeful to attract the same consumer base. Like Johns' mid-20th century novels, Catherall established his own team of military heroes, what I refer to as “Team-Commando”, in 1959 titled The Fighting Four. There were five books published between 1959 through 1964 beginning with the series eponymous debut, The Fighting Four. These WW2-fiction novels were published by Children's Press in England using Catherall's pseudonym of A.R. Channel. 

Typically I like to start any series with the debut. Unfortunately, the series starter isn't available to me so I settled for an introduction to the Fighting Four by way of the second installment, The Tunnel Busters, originally published in 1960. 

This 188-page book begins with a fitting introduction to the team members. Sam Foster is the radio communications specialist. China Brown (questionable name) manages the teams firearms and logistics. Curly Bates is the explosives expert. The group is led by all-around fighting man Sergeant Ted Harris. Based on their success in the first book's adventure, which featured a Norwegian locale, the four have been assigned an explosive new mission. 

Hitler has routed supplies for his troops by way of railroad through an underground tunnel from rural France into Italy. Due to the rugged mountaintops, the interior design of the tunnel, and the anti-aircraft defense, British intelligence wants the team to parachute in and detonate explosives within the tunnel. Paramount to the mission's success is working with the rebel French in an isolated village controlled by the Germans.

The Tunnel Busters was a nonstop action sequence permeating with tension. The book's pace kicks off with Sam's spiraling descent away from the team due to a barrage of German gunfire. Miles away, Sam befriends a young shepherd boy and his dog that prove crucial to the mission. From the onset there's a gunfight with Germans, a tense standoff in a nearby village, a rescue attempt, the aforementioned tunnel busting business, and a wild hostage situation that elevated the book's finale into an emotional roller coaster as German leaders are set to execute members of the team. 

Don't be afraid of the “young-adult” aura of this series and its reputation. Despite violent details from the author, it is clear that enemy forces are dying. Granted the team will typically just knock out their opponents or “riddle them with gunfire”, but Catherall's storytelling has a darker overtone at times with talk of torture, firing squads, and threats of mass slaughter. Comparisons are often made to Johns' Gimlet series, which is expected. However, from research online, it suggests that The Fighting Four are more “adult” in nature compared to the Gimlet or Biggles series. 

Despite lukewarm reviews, my sample-size experience with The Fighting Four was exceptional. I thoroughly enjoyed this high-adventure military yarn and would definitely recommend it to men's action-adventure fans of any age. I'll be reading more of these books. You can get them HERE.

The Strange Intruder

Arthur Catherall (1906-1980) was an adventurer at heart. From climbing mountains in Lapland and Algeria to sailing trawlers in the Atlantic and Arctic, the British author certainly had many life experiences to inspire his literary work. Utilizing over six different pseudonyms, Catherall wrote a high volume of young adult novels like “The Strange Intruder”. This sweeping 1964 adventure tale was first released as “The Strange Invader” before being reprinted by Archway as “The Strange Intruder” in 1968.

While never specifying a time period, the novel seems to be set in the present day (1964). The wind-swept location is the chilly Faroes Islands, geographically positioned north of the British Isles and just Southeast of Iceland. In the book's opening pages we read that the 900-ton schooner Faroes Seeker has struck an old wheelhouse assembly and torn the ship's hull. Miles off coast, the crew becomes stranded and forced to use battered sails on storm-ravaged seas. 

The book's young protagonist is Sven Klakk, a 16-year old fishermen learning the trade with his uncles. He's part of a small village living on the islands and has enough experience with a plethora of rigging, climbing, fishing and...adventuring. In some ways Sven is the life of the island, always there to help the elders while slowly evolving into a full-time role as statesman. Sven and his father see the ship and eventually round up the village to start making supplies available for the surviving crewmen.

In a wild turn of events, the villagers spot a crew member jumping from the ship and swimming to a storm-battered enclave. Sven, panicking to save the swimmer, races to the cliffs and the narrative really builds steam as we learn the crew member is actually a polar bear escaping captivity from the ship. Once Sven meets the bear...the fight is on. With very little supplies, an old shotgun and the storm raging on the island, the story has Sven and the villagers fighting off a ravenous polar bear that's angry out of his element.

Like most of Catherall's work, this is a coming of age tale about a young man saving his village. Metaphorically, the bear is Sven's own childhood raging to break free. With the backdrop of swollen seas, rocky cliffs and island life, the author creates a vivid, enjoyable adventure read for anyone. I'm passing it on to a 67-year old to read next. The kid in us never really ages.

Buy a copy of the book HERE

Paperback Warrior Podcast - Episode 121

In this episode, Eric embarks on a globe-trotting nautical adventure with a spotlight on Arthur Catherall, exploring his World War II-era series set in exotic locales. He also dives into a recent western discovery, reviews a thrilling novel about a runaway rollercoaster, and shares his thoughts on the latest short story collection from Bruce Elliott, newly released by Stark House Press. Stream it below, watch on YouTube HERE, or download HERE.

Listen to "Episode 121 Audio" on Spreaker.

Cold Hazard (aka Danger Rock)

Richard Armstrong (1903-1986) was a British novelist that wrote adult and young-adult fiction that mostly centered around nautical adventure. He sailed for 17 years in the Merchant Service so his writing contains a great deal of validity. That experience shines through with his 1955 British novel Danger Rock. It was published in the U.S. under the title Cold Hazard.

This 200-page book begins by introducing the protagonist, 18-year old ship apprentice Jim Naylor. He's in charge of a large shipping trawler when it crashes into a floating iceberg. As the ship sinks into the frosty Atlantic, the crew begins to divvy out lifeboats. In the commotion of clearing the decks Jim and four other apprentices are left behind. They manage to get a small craft off and begin a perilous float for survival.

Jim and his fellow apprentices float overnight and eventually find a large island somewhere near Newfoundland. But, this island is nearly drowning in fog and seems to possess no life whatsoever. Saturated in cold mist, razor sharp rocks, and a harsh terrain, it is the last place on Earth the tiny crew wants to beach. But, with no other options available they push their tiny craft onto the rocks and begin weeks of intense struggle that test their endurance and internal fortitude. 

I really enjoy a good shipwreck story and Armstrong's writing is brimming over with atmosphere and desperation. These young men fear that death is within reach as they lay out their meager supply of food and water. Doom and gloom settles in when the group begins to argue politically on who's in charge and what awaits them. Jim's nemesis is a younger man named Pipworthy, a selfish guy who seemingly steals from every man. Over the course of weeks the small group must forage for supplies, build shelter, and create a crafty beacon system to alert any passing ships. 

Like Robb White, Frank Bonham, and Arthur Catherall, Richard Armstrong proves he can write with the best of them. While this book is geared for young adults, there are technical nuances and adult decisions foisted on the group as they strive to survive their Hellish predicament. This was also a mid-career book for Armstrong and I feel like the writing and prose shows him at the peak of his writing career. Highly recommended. Get the book HERE.