Summer of My German Soldier

FBI agents arrive in Jenkinsville after Anton is found missing from the POW camp, and the townspeople are out on the streets, talking about his escape, speculating that he is connected to the recently arrested Nazi saboteurs. An agent comes to the Bergens’ store and shows the picture of Anton to Patty’s parents and everyone else. An employee remarks that Patty had spoken with Anton, and the agent turns to Patty for more information.

Charlene Madlee, a young reporter at The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, walks into Bergens’ store, looking for information about Anton’s escape. Patty rides with Charlene in her car to show her how to get to the sheriff’s office and then takes her to the POW camp. At the POW camp, Charlene speaks with Dr. Robinson, who describes Anton as a loner and someone able to think on his own. He tells Charlene that he does not believe Anton escaped to join any saboteur group, but that he simply wants his freedom. Dr. Robinson’s description of Anton as an independent thinker and decent person allows Patty to release her fear and experience the “greatest joy [she] had ever known” (113).