Authors: Julian Noyce
“
If you don
’
t mind,
”
the driver said
“
I
’
m going to sit in the car out of the rain. Can I leave it here?
”
“
No,
”
the SS man said opening the door and getting into the front passenger seat
“
I
’
ll show you where you can park.
”
A door was opened and von Brockhorst was shown in to a reception room on the seventh floor.
“
Someone will attend to you in a moment sir,
”
the usher spoke.
Von Brockhorst thanked him and taking off his gloves looked around the room. The carpet was deep pile and he realised he was dripping water on to it. He began to unbutton his coat. A side door opened and a steward entered.
“
Good morning general. My name is Max, I am one of Herr Himmler
’
s personal assistants. May I take your coat for you?
”
Von Brockhorst thanked the man and removed his hat also. The steward took the hat and gloves with the coat and returned almost instantly.
“
May I get you tea or coffee?
”
“
Tea would be nice.
”
“
Of course sir. Please make yourself comfortable. The Herr Reichsfuhrer won
’
t keep you waiting any longer than necessary.
”
Von Brockhorst was about to sit when he caught sight of himself in a large mirror. He moved over to it and examined his reflection. He smoothed down his short dark hair and brushed down an already immaculate uniform removing one hair from his sleeve and letting it fall to the floor. He checked that his iron cross 1st class was straight around his throat and made sure that his red shoulder tabs with the oak leaves and swords were even. He looked down at his feet and taking out a handkerchief he reached down and wiped some small splashes of dirt from his boots. He looked at his rows of medal ribbons on his left breast. He was one of the most decorated soldiers in German history.
There was a click as the door opened and Max returned carrying a tray containing a teapot, cup, sugar, milk, cream, spoon, saucer and a selection of biscuits and fairy cakes.
Von Brockhorst took a seat, admiring the quality of the leather armchair he had chosen. All of the sofas were of the same furnishing.
Max poured a cup of tea and Von Brockhorst rose once again, selected a biscuit and taking the teacup on its saucer he strode over to a window and looked out over the Rhine. The rain was hitting the panes hard and snaking down the glass. A row of barges moved lazily down the brown murky river.
Max left the room again. Von Brockhorst continued watching out of the window for another ten minutes when the door clicked open once more. Von Brockhorst slowly turned from the window, it was a different steward.
“
Herr general?
”
the man enquired.
“
Yes.
”
“
The Herr Reichsfuhrer will see you now.
”
Von Brockhorst placed his cup and saucer on the table and the new steward opened the double wooden doors, ushered the General in, and closed them behind him. In this new room Von Brockhorst could hear a distant rat-tat-tat.
“
Typists in the next room,
”
the steward said helpfully.
They crossed to another door. This one leather padded and the steward knocked against it.
“
Come,
”
a voice called from beyond.
The steward opened the door and stepped inside the room and immediately to one side. Von Brockhorst stepped in smartly. The steward clicked his heels together, kept his head low and left closing the door quietly behind him.
Von Brockhorst looked around this room. Expensive furniture, carpeting, marble busts, expensive paintings, a large desk behind which sat a bald headed man writing. Von Brockhorst focused on him.
The man signed the paper he was writing on with a flourish, put his pen down, pushed his chair back, put both his palms flat on the desk and pushed himself upright. He suddenly sprang around the desk and approached Von Brockhorst with his right hand extended. Though he didn
’
t smile there was friendliness in his voice.
“
It
’
s good to see you again General Von Brockhorst.
”
“
Herr Reichsfuhrer.
”
“
Please take a seat. How are you enjoying Berlin?
”
Von Brockhorst sat down opposite Himmler.
“
I must admit Herr Reichsfuhrer I
’
m looking forward to returning to action. I
’
m sure Berlin is very nice but I crave commanding my troops.
”
“
Ah yes,
”
Himmler said rustling through some papers on his desk,
“
Here we are. You are appointed commander in North Africa in command of the Afrika Korps answering directly to Von Arnim.
”
Von Brockhorst was surprised at Himmler
’
s knowledge though he didn
’
t show it. This was the head of the German police and soon to be minister of the interior, head of the SS, the secret police and supervisor of the final solution, the elimination of the Jews. The second most powerful man in Germany. Von Brockhorst was Wehrmacht, army, and nothing to do with the Gestapo and certainly not answerable to them or this man, unless of course a crime had been committed which there hadn
’
t.
Himmler put the paper down. Von Brockhorst followed it with his eyes. It had been personally signed by Adolf Hitler. Himmler was now looking across his desk at the General, light flickering off his pince-nez.
“
I am surprised Herr Reichsfuhrer that our beloved Fuhrer would trouble you on so trivial a matter as to the posting of one of his Generals.
”
Himmler took his glasses off , put them on his desk and rubbed his eyes.
“
The Fuhrer knows that I am merely interested in his interests. My job is not a very pleasant one but it is necessary
…
. No
…
. vital to the fatherland. All non believers must be removed. I need just one name from every family in Germany just one. This morning I signed an execution order for an SS General. A General Vorgsburg,
”
Himmler continued reading the name from his out tray. He looked up.
“
Do you know him?
”
“
Yes Herr Reichsfuhrer.
”
“
He has been found guilty of treason and will face the firing squad. Shocking a man in his position.
”
Von Brockhorst felt dread. He looked at the evil man sat in front of him in his high backed chair and half expected to see a black eagle perched either side of his head.
“
Like I said,
“
Himmler continued
“
I need just one name. Why I
’
d wager that if I dug deep enough I could even uncover some dirt on you General,
”
he said with a smirk.
Von Brockhorst remained quiet and stared at the man unafraid now. Himmler suddenly snapped the file on Vorgsburg shut.
‘
That
’
s his life
’
Von Brockhorst was thinking
’
snapped shut just like that
’
“
Like I said it
’
s an essential job. One which the Fuhrer has entrusted to me. Now tell me my friend what can I do for you?
”
The General undid his briefcase, took out a letter and slid it across the desk.
“
I need a man from you. A special man for the task ahead.
”
Von Brockhorst sighed with relief when he sank back into the comfortable rear seat of the Mercedes once again.
“
Wehrmacht headquarters,
”
he said to the driver not even noticing that it was the same one as before.
Von Brockhorst and Himmler had talked for over two hours and the General had felt that there was more to the man than the cold policeman he had first thought. There was warmth in the man to be found if you scratched the surface deep enough. Himmler had been very interested in the meeting the previous week at the Fuhrers country retreat the
’
Berghof
’
in Bavaria.
Von Brockhorst cast his mind back. He had been the last of the Generals to arrive and was greeted well. They were there to receive orders from the Fuhrer. Only Himmler and Goering were not present. Goering having already been debriefed and approved of the plan.
Von Brockhorst greeted them each in turn. Gerd von Runstedt, Alfred Jodl, Albert Kesselring. The tall elegant young General helping himself to punch he hadn
’
t met but knew.
Reinhard Heydrich.
Then Von Brockhorst had spotted a friend.
Admiral Wilhelm Canaris, head of the Abwehr, naval intelligence.
The two men exchanged pleasantries. Then during their conversation a gap in the crowd appeared and they found themselves across the room from Eva.
Eva Braun.
Hitler
’
s special lady.
She smiled sweetly at Von Brockhorst and he crossed to her. She held out her hand for him to kiss the back of. She smelled faintly of perfume and when he guessed its name she giggled prettily. Now as all conversation in the room subsided she was the centre of attention. All of the men in the room envious of Hitler for possessing such a beauty. She stayed in the room with them for a while and against their protests she left. Her perfume lingered.
The door burst open and Hitler stormed in.
The Generals instantly threw themselves into trying to put salutes together but Hitler barked an order at them to remain as they were. Only Heydrich saluted and Hitler barely acknowledged him.
“
Arrogant fool,
”
Von Brockhorst was thinking.
Assistants entered the room and began laying plans and documents on the table. One began serving punch but Hitler refused anything alcoholic. He had only ever gotten drunk once before in his life and vowed to never do it again.
“
Good morning gentlemen,
”
Hitler said clasping his hands in front of him. The generals put down their drinks and nibbles and circled the table so they were all facing him. There was excitement between most of them and Hitler let them continue for a few moments.
“
Gentlemen,
”
he said finally
“
let us begin.
”
Von Brockhorst sat back in the leather seats of the car as he remembered the meeting, the black leather briefcase on the seat beside him. Its important documents enclosed within.
Hitler had begun the meeting pleasantly. He had been wearing a brown shirt, silk tie and a grey jacket with a red armband with a black swastika on it., black trousers and riding boots. Hitler was optimistic and in a jovial mood. Von Brockhorst felt that some of his jokes bordered on the buffoonish. He had never seen the Fuhrer in this sort of mood. When the meeting closed the Generals had begun to leave for lunch and Hitler had ordered Von Brockhorst to stay. Heydrich had intended to stay as well but Hitler had dismissed him. Hitler then revealed to Von Brockhorst a plan he was hatching.
The black Mercedes turned into the front of Wehrmacht headquarters and paused long enough for the barrier to be raised. Hard looking sentries stood on either side of the car holding onto Alsatians. The car drove around to the steps and five minutes later Von Brockhorst arrived at his temporary office. His adjutant was already there piling up the mornings post into piles. Official letters on one side, personal the other. He took one look at Von Brockhorst
’
s face and said.
“
I
’
ll get you some black coffee sir.
”
“
And get Colonel Koenig up here at the double!
”
Von Brockhorst shouted at the adjutants disappearing back.
Koenig arrived quickly, saw the General
’
s distress, dismissed the adjutant, who couldn
’
t wait to get away, and poured the coffee himself.
Von Brockhorst sat himself down and shuffled through the mail on his desk. He didn
’
t open any of it and pushed the letters out of his way. Koenig just sat patiently and waited.
“
It began well,
”
Von Brockhorst started
“
The Fuhrer was
…
.
”
he paused
“
Different. I
’
ve never seen him like this. He was exciteable. First the progress of the war was discussed. The main topic being the battle of Stalingrad. Following the defeat, the disaster of Moscow, owing to the extremities of the Russian winter the Fuhrer was pleased to hear that our forces by October will be advancing towards the oilfields at Maikop
…
.
”