New book tells of a 'surreal world' in post-war Germany
Stories of debauchery, starvation and wedded bliss are just a small part of a new book that the author hopes will be a charity winner.
Brettenham writer Eric Vanlint, 84, has just released When Pigeons Come Home to Roost, an account of his time as a corporal in Germany in 1946-1947, in what he calls a "surreal world". Profits from the book will be going to charity.
As well as guarding Rudolf Hess at Spandau prison, Eric worked in the Quartermaster's Office in a devastated Berlin at a time when food was scarce, yet the British Army were being well looked after.
He said: "It was like a holiday camp because we were away from everyone else.
"At the same time, Germany had been battered to bits and there were men, women and children starving.
"I'd lost my brother in the war so I wasn't all that keen on the Germans and many hated them, but it was rather different when you met people face to face."
The austere conditions led to what Eric calls a "debauched" atmosphere, with German women being forced into prostitution to make money - with the most willing customers often the British soldiers posted there.
During his stay, Eric - then just 20 years old - was joined by his wife, Dorie, and the book also tells their love story.
The couple had only recently married and she was one of the first wives to join their husbands in Germany.
Eric began his literary career after his wife died in 1996, starting out in poetry before moving on to novels and autobiographical work.
He was awarded an MBE last year for services to literature and charity.
The book is the third in a trilogy previously featuring books on the First World War and the Blitz. Eric's works have managed to raise more than 160,000 for causes, including the Army Benevolent Fund and hospices across the country.
The books are self-published in order to maximise the amount donated and Eric has sold 30,000 copies, with a 2,400 copy run of his latest book ready to go.
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