1. What did Dr Hayes notice was in Hermann Görtz’s pockets? 2. Where did Dr Hayes arrange for Görtz to be taken and why? 3. Why did the doctor take so long to x-ray Görtz? 4. What was the outcome of the story?
5. At the beginning of this diary entry, Dr Hayes says that he is telling this story because it is amusing. Would you agree that it is amusing? Would you use any other adjectives to describe this story?
6. In this diary extract, there are a number of features that make the recount dramatic. Choose one and
explain the impact you felt it had on the story.
Imagine that you are Hermann Görtz. Write a diary entry about the same event from your point of view. Include details mentioned in Dr Richard Hayes’ diary extract but from your perspective. You may also invent other details, for example your experience of being x-rayed and curiosity or concern over why it was taking so long.
To fi nd out more about Richard Hayes, go to your local library and borrow a copy of Codebreaker – The Untold Story of Richard Hayes, the Dublin Librarian Who Helped Turn the Tide of World War II by Marc McMenamin. You can also listen to a radio documentary about Hayes. Go to www.rte.ie/radio1/doconone/ and search for ‘Richard Hayes Nazi Codebreaker’.
P. 3 K 22 FIRE & ICE 2
Go to your Writing Skills Book to write a book launch speech for Codebreaker.
