Chapter XXXVII
In which a major breakthrough is achieved.
February 20, Berlin. The office of Martin Lederer.
- You won't believe it! - Erwin just barged in - Italy joined the war!
- Good. It was about time, too. I met some Italian soldiers during the Spanish Civil War. They seemed quite capable. Compared to the Spaniards, at least.
- It won't take too long to find out. They are facing the enemy on multiple fronts already. The French in Southern France, Tunesia and the British in Egypt and East Africa. The strange thing is that Ethiopia is still neutral.
Italy looks confident enough...
- And why would that be strange? What does Ethiopia has to do with Italy?
- Well... I mean... You know, there was this war between them and all...
- So? There was a war between France and Germany less than thirty years ago. It doesn't mean that we have anything to do with eachother.
- But... Didn't Italy win that war against Ethiopia? They surrendered to them!
- Sure they did. And they signed some nice economic treaties, too. Nice for the Italians at least. I still don't see why should that mean that when one of them goes to war, the other does too. And apparently they didn't see the connection either, did they?
- Well... Ah, nevermind. I'll go and make you a coffee.
- Yes, do that.
*** *** *** *** ***
February 23, somewhere near Namur.
- Do you see them, Lieutenant?
- Yes, Captain. It's a damn well hidden AT position if I may say so myself, Sir. - Wilhelm and Lieutenant von Braun were hiding under a bush, watching a French AT battery. It had a clear shot on the road ahead of the tank column. - So, what's the plan?
- We can't get around it in this forest and calling in an artillery barrage could end up a disaster because of the trees. We will have to draw their attention with a few tanks while you get into their backs and take them out with your men. But you will have to be quick. This new J model of Panzer III is strong but if it gets hit with that thing from the flank, the crew is as good as dead.
- Tricky. But not impossible.
- Then do it! I'm counting on you, Lieutenant!
- Sir, yes, Sir! - Lieutenant von Braun disappeared in the vegetation. Wilhelm watched for a while as the French officer walked up and down behind the gun. He looked nervous. Hardly surprising given the circumstances. Their position was in the only place that was not defended by the Meuse river. The most likely point of attack.
- It will work. It has to! - He crawled back where he came from. After a few meters he stood up and ran back to the column.
- Did you enjoy the view, Captain? - Benz was cheerful as always. - While we were freezing our balls off in this tin can of doom... - And whining as always.
- Things will heat up soon enough, don't worry. - Benz crawled back to his place and Wilhelm climbed up into the tank. - Let's get this show on the road! - The column started up. Despite Benz's complaints the weather wasn't that bad. And Wilhelm was right, things did heat up very soon.
The first Panzer in the column hit by the gun in the turret. It shook the tank and knocked out half the crew but nobody was wounded. By that time Lieutenant von Braun and his five selected men were close enough to set up their machine gun and lay suppressive fire on the AT. The second tank managed to maneuver around the one in front of it and took a shot at the gun, blowing it to pieces. The three surviving French Privates surrendered and were taken prisoners after their officer recieved a huge chunck of the shield from the gun through his head. As it turned out, they were left behind by their Battalion to cover their retreat.
*** *** *** *** ***
February 25, 1941. Somewhere in Iraq.
I lost my last pen around the time when we entered Syria and I could only manage to get my hands on another one now.
This place is a barren wasteland. In fact, the whole Middle-East is. Turkey had huge mountains. They were a pain to climb but they broke the scenery. The marshes of Russia had wildlife. I hated most of those animals, but it is truely lifeless here. No matter. We should be moving on soon.
*** *** *** *** ***
March 1, somewhere in London.
- Ah, good to see you again, Jason. It's been a while, hasn't it?
- Yes, Sir. And I'm glad to be back, to be honest. India has her charms but the mosquitoes were starting to get on my nerves.
- Yes. Well, that's not why we asked you back. The situation is getting a little out of hand around here.
- So I've heard. The Belgians are getting their collective bottom spanked by Jerry.
- And we do, too. Two Airborne Divisions took Bruxelles yesterday and our boys at the 59. won't be able to take it back. The Low Countries will fall, it's only a matter of time.
- And then France.
- Precisely.
- That's not a very uplifting perspective.
- Which is why you will need to go back to Europe.
- Don't take me for a coward, Sir, but that does sound a bit unwise in the current situation.
- Wait for the best part. You will go to Berlin.
- I beg your pardon?! What on Earth would I do there, if you don't mind my asking? Sir?
- I have a job for you, son. - Sir Menzies opened the top drawer of his desk and pulled out a file. - I believe you remember Agent A, our finest asset in the service since I don't even remember when.
- Yes, I do. What about him?
- We haven't heard from Agent A for quite some time now. You will go there and investigate.
- But how should I find him? As far as I know, noone ever met the guy around here.
-
He is actually a
she. And even though noone around here had the pleasure of meeting her, we do know enough for you to get a head start. You will have to use your head for a change.
- Understood. - Jason wasn't really thrilled by the idea of going back to Berlin and especially not for an undercover investigation. - But if she hasn't reported for so long then how do you know she is even alive? What if they got her?
- That's a distinct possibility, yes, although I'm quite confident in her abilities. Still, we will have to take that option into account. If she is in captivity, you will have to get her out.
- And what if she switched sides?
- She didn't, I'm sure. But if she did... Eliminate her.
*** *** *** *** ***
March 5, Berlin. The office of Martin Lederer.
- What were you saying about the Ardennes again, Erwin? - Martin was overjoyed. - That the Panzers won't be able to break through there? Well, my friend, you were wrong again. And so were the Allied commanders it would seem!
- You don't need to brush it into my face, you know.
- And that's not the only good news this morning! Would you be so kind and get me a coffee?
- Yes, Sir. - Erwin returned quickly with a cup of coffee, eager to hear about the other good news. - So, what else happened, boss?
- Den Haag finally fell this morning. Many brave soldiers gave their lives for the Reich there but the Allies are now on the run.
- What about Middelburg?
- Still holding, but not for long, I'm sure.
The Battle of Middelburg was long enough to allow many Allied soldiers to escape from Den Haag.
- That's a shame because the defenders of Den Haag will escape through there.
- Now, my Erwin, don't be too demanding. You should be glad for every victory, even the small ones. They can retreat only so far, you know. What actually concerns me is the state of the front in Southern France.
- What about it? Italy is responsible for that border, right?
- Exactly my point. Take a look at this.
Where the hell did the Italians go?!...
- But there are so many of them, why are they retreating?
- How should I know?! I just work here... At any rate, they will have to consolidate that line or we will be in big trouble soon!
- Nah, that won't happen. Will it?
- Let's hope it won't....
*** *** *** *** ***
March 16, Montmédy, France. The cantina of the 9. Panzer-Division HQ.
- Ah, there you are! For some reason I was sure I will find you here!
- And why am I not surprised either? - Wilhelm was really getting used to run into Jürgen every time he entered a bar anywhere. - So, what brings you here?
- You know how much I appreciate a glass of fine wine. Well, that, and I was also looking for you.
- Is that so?
- Yes.
- Congratulations, you found me. Now, how can I help you?
- Well, you see the thing is that I will have a week-long leave soon.
- Good for you then.
- And through certain connections I became aware that you also do.
- Now I am surprised.
- I work for the
Abwehr, remember?
- Yes, but that doesn't explain why are you interesting in my leave. Should I be worried?
- No, no, not at all. Actually, I'm not interested in your leave, nor you personally, but a friend of yours. A certain Hans Grübermann. If my sources are correct, he is a veteran of Gibraltar and after being Honourably Discharged, he now lives in Berlin.
- True on both accounts. Why the interest?
- Well, you know. It would be such an honour to meet someone like him! He is a true hero!
- I know him personally. He is a decent fellow but hardly a hero.
- He got crippled for his country!
- He got crippled because of his country. At least that's what he thinks about the whole incident. And to be honest, I don't think that's your true motivation either. You are still looking for that big breakthrough in your career, aren't you?
- What would make you think that? - Jürgen smiled. - Alright, guilty as charged.
- Alright, I'll arrange a meeting. Now buy me a beer!
*** *** *** *** ***
Martin visits Hans and Anna. They discuss the recent British landing in Den Haag, the clearing of the pockets and the poor performance of Italy so far. Anna suggests going on a holiday before the child arrives.
April 5, Berlin. The home of Anna and Hans Grübermann.
- I'm so glad you could come! - Anna was greeting Martin at the door. - He rarely ever goes out lately. I'm getting worried about him.
- He'll get over it! I brought some wine!
-
Martin! How
are you? - Hans rolled in in his wheelchair. He was starting to get used to it but he still hated it. - How's
Alexa?
- No idea, haven't seen her in weeks. She could have run off with some other guy for all I care... If she did, I hope they ran to the Netherlands.
- And why is
that?
- Because the British have actually landed in Den Haag early this morning. Can you believe that? After so many desperate attempts to take Wilhelmshaven they now finally succeeded. Not that they will last long, mind you.
-
Whatever. Let's open that
bottle instead!
- I'll get the opener! - Anna went out into the kitchen.
- Now tell me, Hans, how are things?
- Get
this!
Yesterday I found out that I'm
not a cripple after all! It was all just a
dream! No, wait, it
wasn't! How do you
think I am?
- Alright, calm down, I was just asking... Don't get overexcited! Anyway, I spoke to my friend about that house I mentioned earlier. He said that it could be arranged if he pulls some strings. But he assured me that he would be happy to help a veteran in need! Don't worry, it'll be fine.
Anna came back with the bottle opener and two glasses. She opened the bottle, poured some wine into the glasses and handed them over to the two men.
- Here you are!
- Thank you. And how are you, Anna? I hear you no longer work at the post office.
- Well, I no longer need to. I can help more at home. And it's not like we need every single women in the factories.
- Which is more than we could say about our unfortunate enemies. You know, sometimes I almost pity them.
- They are
simple people too, like
us, you know.
- They are simple people but we are not. But let's not get too much into ideological debates, I'm really not in the mood.
- Don't you
patronize me!
- Hans, please. - Anna moved a little closer to him. - Calm down. Let's talk about something else, alright? You know what I was thinking? We should go on a holiday!
- Holiday? Anna, need I remind you that practically the whole World is at war right now? Where do you suppose you would go on a holiday?
- I hear Switzerland is nice in the summer! - She turned to Hans. - We couldn't go on a honey moon because you were called in right after our wedding. Now it's time to make up for it!
- And what will
I do in
Switzerland?
Ski?
- Please, dear, for me? - Hans, despite his bitterness, still loved Anna and couldn't resist her begging eyes for too long.
- Alright,
alright! If you
really insist...
*** *** *** *** ***
April 17, Berlin. The office of Herr Weber.
- So, what am I looking at?
- This, Sir, is a Rocket Test Facility.
- Yes, I can read, thank you, but what in the Nine Hells is a Rocket?
- I'm not entirely sure about the exact mechanism myself, Sir, but it is some kind of propulsion. Theoretical stuff. But according to a certain Herr von Braun, it can go very fast. He even said that such a thing could go out into space!
Prussian scientist Werhner von Braun, the father of rocket technology, surrounded by Luftwaffe officers. Still very young (a mere 29 years old) and eager to show the World what he is capable of.
- That's a bald claim, is it not?
- Yes, it is. But I wouldn't say it is impossible. After all, it is closer than say Japan, only in a different direction.
- True, true. Alright. But what should I do with it? This is clearly a secret project, we can't print it!
- If I may be so bold, Sir, I believe we could. No technical details or locations of course, only the important part: the story of yet another triumph of the Reich over the decadent Western Allies!
- Alright, I will think about it during lunch. What else do you have for me?
- Let me see. The Greek front hasn't changed much in two months.
Greece still holds out in Salonica after many weeks of siege.
- Not particularly interesting, is it? Go on.
- The Airborne operation behind the Maginot Line was a huge success, we should definitely take a look at that.
In early April, a bold plan was devised to finally finish off the Maginot Line: an Airborne assault behind the fortifications to cut off them followed by an all out assault on the forts themselves.
The Invasion of France (codenamed Fall Gelb) went smoothly after the breakthrough at Namur. Many say that it was the turning point of the Western Campaign.
- Now that's more like it! I want a front page article!
- Yes, Sir. Then there's the final report on the Belgian pockets created a month ago. They are mostly cleaned up.
The Allied forces were surrounded in three major pockets in Belgium: one in Antwerpen (four Divisions), one between Batogne and Neufchateau (seven Divisions) and one around Brugge (eight Divisions). The forces trapped in them were from all over the World.
- Good. But that is old news. What else?
- The rest is foreign news. Brazil joined the war by launching offensives into the colonies of France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
- Good.
- Japan is doing really well in Indochina, they are completely in control of the situation.
- That's good as well.
- Italy is doing surprisingly good in French North Africa. They took Tunesia and half of Algeria...
- I sense a 'but' coming my way...
- But their line collapsed in East Africa. Somalia is lost.
- That should balance things out I guess. And I heared that they have reinforced Southern France.
- I assume Erwin told you that, because it is technically not correct, Sir. It was the Hungarians who reinforced the Italian lines in Southern France. You know, the flags are similar, he must have confused the two.
*** *** *** *** ***
May 5, 1941. Iraq.
Seargent Martinovic just came back from the field HQ. The order has finally arrived: we are marching into Persia.
Index