Andy Brock (49th Parallel)

Andrew Brock was a Canadian farmer and military officer. During the Second World War, while absent without leave, Brock encountered Lieutenant Hirth of the German Navy, a spy who had entered Canada illegally on German submarine U-37. After discovering Hirth's true identity, Brock was able to prevent his escaping from Canada.
== Biography ==
=== Youth ===
As a youth, Brock intended to see the entirety of Canada. After saving up money, he purchased a farm, which kept him busy and unable to travel abroad. He would later look back at this as nonsensical. He also got married. (FILM: 49th Parallel)
=== Military Career ===
After the government's call for volunteers to fight the war against Nazi Germany, Brock volunteered. He was stationed as a guard at the Chippewa Canal. He found this immensely unsatisfying while other volunteers were being shipped overseas to fight; this ultimately led to him going AWOL. (FILM: 49th Parallel)
==== Encounter with Lieutenant Hirth ====
After approximately 380 days, Brock elected to go AWOL. After bribing a train conductor, Brock hid himself away in a freight car, where he encountered Lieutenant Hirth, a Nazi naval officer and spy who had infiltrated Canada as part of a secret invasion force. Unaware of Hirth's true identity and assuming him to be someone else down on his luck, Brock spoke of his life's story and troubles.
While changing out of his military uniform with his back turned, Brock was knocked unconscious by Hirth and robbed of his clothing. Brock only awoke when the train had reached the Niagara Falls border. Hirth held him at gunpoint to force his silence, and the train was allowed to cross the border into the United States. As the train crossed the bridge, and with the sound of Niagara Falls in the background, Hirth proclaimed his victory at having been able to enter the United States, and criticised democracy. Brock stood up for democracy and rejected all of Hirth's points.
When customs inspectors boarded the train, Hirth demanded they bring him to the German consulate in accordance with American law. Brock was able to convince the inspectors to regard both himself and Hirth as unregistered freight, and send the train back over the border. Having thwarted Hirth's plot, Brock told the spy to prepare to fight before punching the Nazi. (FILM: 49th Parallel)
== Notes ==
=== Behind the Scenes ===
* Brock was portrayed by Canadian actor Raymond Massey,49th Parallel - IMDB - Retrieved 8 July 2021Raymond Massey - IMDB - Retrieved 8 July 2021 in the veteran actor's sole performance as a Canadian.
== Appearances ==
* 49th Parallel (first and final appearance)
== References ==
Category:Humans
Category:Heroes
Category:Military
Category:Canadian Military
Category:Canadian Army
Category:Film characters
Category:Characters played by Raymond Massey
Category:Canadian characters
Category:Deserters
Category:1941 debut