Why Am I Still Here? is based around the letters of Paul Titz, a young merchant seaman from the town
of Düren who, as the captain's steward on the scout ship Gonzenheim, ex Kongsfjord, took part in
Operation Rheinübung in 1941.
After the interception of the Gonzenheim by HMS Neptune, HMS Nelson
and Swordfish of 825 Squadron embarked in HMS Victorious,
and despite not being armed and never having fired a shot
in anger - he became a POW for more
than five years, including for seventeen months after VE Day. He moved
from the camp at
Donaldson's College, Edinburgh, to Knavesmire,
York, and from thence to Canada. He was held along
with other Enemy Merchant Seamen at
Farnham and Sherbrooke in Quebec and at Monteith, Ontario, before
returning to the UK
only to die in wretched
circumstances at No. 23 Camp, Farnham, Derbyshire just before he was
likely to have been repatriated.
The author, Jean Hood, has done a thorough job of researching Paul Titz, and German Merchant Seamen held in British captivity during the Second World War. This book provides a fascinating insight into a little known and written about aspect of the experiences of German POWs during, and after the war.
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