Detzer, Karl "Assignment to Danger"

World War 2 short story from the period when America was still a neutral. Detzer’s story presents an interesting, if fictionalized, look at New York harbor smuggling and German espionage activities in early 1940 (the QUEEN ELIZABETH is mentioned as being docked, which pretty much dates the story to late February or early March 1940). The yarn opens on a bitterly cold, snowy night and follows one U.S. Customs officer (Sgt. Malone) on “roving patrol” as he encounters a rash of criminal activities – ranging from murder and smuggling to the sighting of a mysterious small craft observed in the vicinity of the highly-guarded NORMANDIE – which seem to be simultaneously occurring from one end of New York’s vast port facilities to the other. But all are red herrings, mere diversionary tactics by a gang of smugglers working in cahoots with Nazis. In reality, the hoodlums are in the midst of an attempt to get a load of badly needed munitions out to a German U-boat loitering just outside the 3-mile limit – only to be foiled by the vigilant Sgt. Malone!