Hase bowed his head as Petru gasped, Udet grinning as he also saluted, his voice breaking, ‘Herr Leutnant…we thought you were wounded…’
Leutnant Hausser forced a pained smile, the camouflaged combat jacket thick around his shivering chest, ‘More shrapnel…same shoulder and some confusion from the explosion...I will be fine in a couple of days.’ He glanced across the faces staring at him in grim determination, ‘Will you men be fit to go back to the front in two days?’
Petru struggled upwards, Hase supporting him as the Romanian shuffled to attention, saluting with the Hiwi, ‘Jawohl, Herr Leutnant…we will come.’
Hausser’s eyes passed to Udet, the young German near him, the man still grinning as he raised a hand formally to his brow, ‘You are my commander…I follow you. I am ready, Herr Leutnant.’
The junior officer smiled back in jest, ‘Fools! Very well…make the most of this and tomorrow…then we go and find Major Wolff. Have drinks and fun with the nurses…we will also come and see Sergeant Moretti one final time, have a last drink with him.’ He indicated to Petru, ‘Crina has settled in nicely in Berlin…he is staying with my parents in his new home, so you can also drink to his welfare…a place by the fire and my father’s doting with extra food…’ The Romanian smiled fondly, nodding in agreement.
Hausser glanced at a nervous Hase fondly, gesturing to him, ‘In the meantime, this young rogue and I are going to arrange a meeting with his mother and father…then we will come back for you invalids…’ His eyes darkened suddenly, ‘…then we head back to Kharkov and Belgorod…maybe we will find that idiot Tatu again if he still lives.’
Chapter Nine: Bremen and Belgorod: Regrouping
Bremen Main Field:
Acting Leutnant Ernst Brandt stepped through the opening doorway, his pupils contracting at the bright light that filled the room, a small desk in the centre with two large bookcases on either side against the back wall. Staring incredulously at the numerous books that lined the shelves, he swallowed, realising most of the works were leather bound, his eyes straining as he attempted to read some of the titles on the spines.
Light streamed through the two windows on the outer walls of the corner room, a powerful electric light bulb glowing above with three lit lamps on small tables against the walls and a down lighter lamp on the desk. The walls were a sky blue, a rug and darkened wood easy chair before the desk, paperwork and a jug of clear liquid next to an ornate black telephone situated atop the leather bound surface.
Ernst smirked as he stepped forward, stiffening to attention as his eyes moved back to the numerous books, scrutinising the brown shining covers further in astonishment, the major seated before him signing some paperwork briefly before looking up. Coughing nervously, he glanced back down at the man before him, ‘Pilot Ernst Brandt reporting, Herr Major…my apologies for the delay, but I suffered a wound whilst jumping from my damaged plane.
The experienced and grey lined eyes seemed to study the flyer before the desk, the plump Major’s greying hair swept back, an imposing moustache adorning his upper lip, his cap hung on the corner of the chair behind him. Staring up at Ernst, the older man grinned at the pilot, his voice resounding across the room, ‘I see you have noticed my collection…not exactly approved by Berlin, but this is my private room, so I will store my personal belongings here…’ He leant forward, waving nonchalantly for the flyer to stand easy, ‘…I would appreciate your confidentiality on this matter, I normally meet officers of the Luftwaffe and occasional Wehrmacht staff in the office next door.’
Ernst nodded obediently, clearing his throat, ‘Jawohl, Herr Major…I have no interest in reporting behaviour unless it endangers the lives of pilots…’
Major Lank’s grin widened, his plump body pushing back against the chair behind in admiration, ‘Interesting answer Ernst…’ He pointed to the chair before the flyer, ‘…have a seat, we have several things to discuss.’
The young pilot pulled the chair back, nodding his thanks as he painfully lowered himself, the major continuing, ‘I am transferring your training unit to Bremen and you will report directly to me. The paperwork is already in process.’ He chuckled as Ernst’s eyes widened, continuing further, ‘You are also permanently promoted to Leutnant with immediate effect…I have read your file and am impressed with some of your flying, needless to say your ability to survive against superior enemy odds…’
The major hesitated as Ernst’s eyes widened further, the younger pilot spluttering, ‘Thank you…Herr Major…just luck I think.’
Major Lank leant further across the table, resting his elbows on the padded leather surface, the lamp light sparkling in his eyes as he grinned, ‘We have at most four to six weeks to train the new pilots…’ His eyes darkened as he glimpsed the younger man’s sudden curiosity, ‘…then I am ordered to release you back to the Eastern Front. You will be flying for me continuously, Leutnant Brandt.’
Three days later in Belgorod:
The rear tailgate of the Opel Blitz lorry fell down with a sharp loud crash, the deep voice instructive and demanding, ‘Alles Aus (all out)!’
The tarpaulin cover was thrust back, five pairs of eyes contracting in the dim light as it swept into the back of the truck, the figures dressed in grime smeared basic tunics and breeches, their heads and bodies strained against the cold air and abject misery, the soldier below on the tarmac impatient, ‘Bring the prisoners out!’
Two military policemen dropped from either side of the lorry, their boots scraping across the cement as they stood to attention, a captain standing with arms folded. A small file was pressed to his chest as the dejected prisoners rose from the side benches, jumping one by one onto the road, their eyes scanning the dull three and four storey buildings on either side, the pavements narrow and structures rising towards a cloudy grey sky.
The captain stepped forward from the front of the Wehrmacht district command building, his arms still folded as he surveyed the despondent men, raised voice almost a sneer, ‘Take a good look at the surroundings…the gallows are at the back of this building. This is the last you will see and smell of free air…it is either a tight noose or a penal unit for you all…’
The heads of four men bowed, one’s young face flushing in embarrassment, the captain’s eyes narrowing as he glimpsed one of the soldiers, taller than the others and older, standing and staring straight ahead at the end of the line. Stepping forward, the officer drew breath, a Kubelwagen jeep sweeping past along the street, the area comprising of administration offices for numerous units and the policing of the city.
His hobnailed boots crunching on the cement, he looked the older soldier up and down suspiciously, the man wearing oversized and torn German combat trousers, his frame seeming to perhaps have lost weight, unshaven grey unkempt hair and features and a bushy moustache, the infantryman seemed indifferent to the officer’s close scrutiny.
Stepping in front of the soldier’s gaze, the captain nodded to one of the sentries, grinning, ‘It seems we have a prisoner that is not afraid of military justice...’ The captain unfolded his arms, opening the ties on the folder, his eyes widening slightly as he read the list of expected soldiers, ‘So what charge will you be...’ He glanced up into the older man’s face, a twitch of uncertainty briefly entering his thoughts as he was immersed in the cold stare, the eyes seeming devoid of reaction and emotion. The captain looked down once more, uneasiness at the man before him spreading through his lower stomach as he read the individual charges for the prisoners, his voice audibly lower, ‘Stealing from the mess kitchen, falling asleep on frontline guard duty, failing to ensure the safety of comrades whilst on night patrol, suspected desertion or absence from unit and repeated activities unsuitable or unbecoming of a German soldier...’ The captain stared back into the soldier’s defiant eyes, ‘I wonder which one you will be? Perhaps you would not be so arrogant after sentencing, eh?’
A flicker of recognition seemed to lighten the eyes slightly before they went cold once more, th
e captain nodding and smirking as he stepped back, his sneering voice rising, ‘I see you now fully understand how serious this is for you...it is unlikely you will all survive this day...or it will be your last.’ He nodded to one of the soldiers with a rifle slung over his shoulder, ‘Lead them in, soon they will not be so insubordinate and rebellious.’
Frontline visitors:
Leutnant Hausser stiffened to attention, his hand rising to his officer’s cap efficiently, boots snapping together on the wooden planks beneath, a faint smile crossing his lips. Major Wolff grinned at the subordinate’s greeting, returning the salute, a fondness filling his chest, ‘We meet again, Herr Hausser...I hope you feel rested from your little holiday...good to have you back.’
Hausser grinned as the major extended a hand, clearing his throat, ‘It was interesting, Herr Major. I return with more wounds than I departed with...but good to see Berlin again and my parents, thank you for the opportunity.’
Wolff chuckled, grasping the junior officer’s hand firmly, ‘I read a report forwarded from the captain on the train, it seems you are unable to stay out of trouble even when away from the front.’ He slapped the younger man’s shoulder, his eyes straining in regret as the man before him winced in pain, the major glancing uncomfortably round the small bunker before nodding to his radio operator, ‘Heinrich...a drink for us all I think, I will return shortly.’ He indicated to Hausser’s camouflaged jacket, ‘I see they have gifted you one of our latest supplies...they are only just arriving for Grossdeutschland at the front, I will ensure your unit receives some.’ He gestured towards the entrance to the bunker, ‘Shall we inspect your men now?’
Leutnant Hausser grinned widely in brief hesitation, ‘We can...but there are only three now...it will not take too long I think, Herr Major.’
Major Wolff laughed out loudly in brief surprise, ‘I forget we have had little time to know each other...it seems you may have a rather ironic sense of humour, something I will no doubt warm to over time. Let us inspect them anyway, I have some interesting news to convey.’
The two men stepped towards the opening, Hausser’s eyes straining in suspicion, a distant burst of machine gun fire and rifle cracks preceding a muffled explosion, Wolff continuing, ‘The front has fallen into stalemate. The Russkies are digging defensive works all along this sector...extensive defences by all our reports.’ He shrugged, ‘The Luftwaffe are not in sufficient strength to provide detailed information from behind enemy lines, but the few prisoners we have taken from patrols admit after some reluctance of the use of slave labour and the locals. It seems the Russkies are also bringing up reinforcements to strengthen their positions…in short, they know we are coming…or at least suspect it.’
Hausser nodded solemnly, following the major along a log reinforced trench as they passed an opening, the additional low walkway extending forwards and leading to two covered machine gun positions with an adjacent camouflaged netted open heavy mortar pit. Clearing his throat, he spoke curiously, ‘So are we are likely to continue the offensive if they know we are coming? The ground is now hardening and will be ideal for our Panzers soon…surely we need to rely on surprise?’
The major stopped, glancing round furtively, his voice lowered in seeming disapproval, ‘Delay after delay...anymore and the initiative will slip from our grasp. I feel the Russkies are getting ready to throw something at us...that is, unless we attack first. There are rumours of new tanks and planes coming in large numbers from Germany, but as yet we have seen nothing.’
The younger officer nodded, ‘I saw some trains at Kiev with new tanks and guns for the front...mostly still on flatcars with crews working on them. We saw some of the same at Kharkov as we advanced and there were some others I had not seen before, Panthers I think the engineer called them.’
Major Wolff’s eyes sparkled in intrigue, ‘Interesting...l would like to see these new weapons. Let us hope they are as good as the initial rumours...perhaps better. We also need more men...was there any news of interest from your trip?’
Hausser grimaced, his voice lowered to almost a whisper, ‘The enemy bombing is getting worse...the Americans by day and British by night apparently. I did not see much evidence of destroyed buildings near Potsdam, but apparently the factories have been targeted most…I was told some streets have been devastated in more industrial areas.’
The major nodded thoughtfully, ‘We know many of the Luftwaffe pilots have been called back to Germany…perhaps they will make a difference to the defence of the Reich, but my worry is that we will become unprotected. There are not enough anti-aircraft guns to defend us properly…they are still able to fly overhead during the night with their Sewing Machines (the Russian PO-2 biplane aircraft that flew low during darkness, targeting any light below) dropping the occasional bomb if a sentry lights a cigarette or fire.’ He grinned mischievously, ‘We usually get someone to light a fire some distance from the lines to confuse them…some pilots drop their little bombs and grenades there.’
The younger officer’s eyes widened before becoming darker, ‘I see the usual games are continuing then…I seemed to have forgotten them whilst away from the front…I had better pay more attention in future.’
Wolff grinned, leaning forward to slap Hausser’s shoulder once more and then thinking against it, ‘They say that the most dangerous time is when you return from leave…too many thoughts of home are a distraction Leutnant, make sure you or your men are not a victim of such complacency.’
Hausser’s eyes sparkled as he smiled, ‘I will do my best, Herr Major.’
Major Wolff nodded in satisfaction, turning away slightly to progress down the trench, ‘Good…now let’s inspect our rebels…see what shape they are in…’
Striding further, they turned a corner at the back of the defensive system, heading out through some trees and bushes behind, the light dimming briefly before rising again, the two men emerging into a clearing. Three camouflaged Kubelwagen jeeps and an SdKfz 250 sat in the opening underneath trees, Udet turning and snapping to attention as he nudged Hase, the Hiwi and Petru following suit, the men stepping forward to form a line, much to Major Wolff’s amusement as he neared them, his hand rising in informal salute, ‘Stand easy men…all three of you...’ He nodded to two of the drivers to the side, both standing to attention, ‘Back to your cigarettes gentlemen…go to the command bunker and get a drink, your officers will be back for a briefing from the front line soon, so you only have a few minutes.’ He smiled as the soldiers nodded in surprise and gratitude, lunging to sprint towards the trench system, lit cigarettes reappearing from within their clenched hands.
The major then turned back, grinning as he saw Leutnant Hausser had adopted a position next to Hase, the three other soldiers dressed in field grey tunics and combat trousers with cloth caps. Resting his hands on his belt, he drew breath, ‘Well, let’s have a look at my ‘rogue’ communications unit…the Hanomag soldiers from Charkow (Kharkov).’
Wolff walked along the short line, the soldiers staring to the front as he turned at the end slowly, a faint smile on his lips, ‘First of all, there is news of your missing man…something I am sure you would wish to know…a Tatu I think, Romanian.’ He hesitated, enjoying the suspense as he glimpsed the eyelids flicker, a couple of men swallowing in rising excitement and anticipation, the major continuing, ‘It appears he has been active behind enemy lines…returning recently and simply announcing himself to a sentry behind the front…’ The officer grinned, seeing suppressed smiles on the men’s faces, Hausser glancing briefly towards him, ‘…I would not like to have been the local commander on that night, a man able to slip through both front lines without being challenged.’ The major kicked at the moist earth beneath his boots, ‘It seems your comrade is wanted by the Russkies quite badly, killing sentries and isolated soldiers, even rumours gained from captured prisoners of an NKVD compound being attacked…quite a killing spree.’ The officer looked up at the men before him, frowning, ‘I sent a request for him to be
sent to me, but this was denied. Apparently he has been taken to a military tribunal in Belgorod, but I have spoken to headquarters and am confident he will be released to you again…after all, there is no accusation of desertion from any serving officer, only the man’s admission he left his commander. Is that correct, Leutnant Hausser…did you make an accusation of desertion, or simply report a man lost during combat with the enemy?’
The junior officer stiffened, swallowing and reporting officially, ‘Herr Major, one of my men went missing after a skirmish with the enemy…we presumed he had been captured by the retreating Russians.’
Major Wolff’s grin widened, ‘That is what I suspected from your report…I have relayed a similar story to headquarters, so this should be interesting…’ The major turned to look away to the north, changing the subject as he kicked the dirt again with his boots, ‘I promised you a command…there is a unit currently on the frontline that may suit that purpose…their commander has just been transferred from Germany and does not seem to understand what is required here. He also seems to have arrived under unfortunate circumstances that we did not understand…I will decide later if you replace him. Failing that, I think there is a reserve platoon that will suit your circumstances and experience, but unfortunately without your men.’
Hausser glanced round in alarm, seeing the others stiffen, their eyes meeting briefly in horror. A muffled explosion occurred to the north, then another, Wolff grimacing, unaware of the startled reaction, ‘There we have one of our problems, a hidden Russkie mortar pit with snipers…they drop their shells into our lines at intervals and then move, or wait for a while…we cannot see their firing pits and the snipers take out any observers that come close or are looking. I have a plan to rid ourselves of the menace…and that involves you four, giving me an idea of what this Leutnant can do.’ His eyes lightened as he grinned knowingly at a despondent Hausser, ‘Now, let’s go for our drink and we can discuss it further.’
Bloody Citadel Page 14