by Donald Hunt
Hanz had been silently praying. He was convinced more than ever that God could hear him. As they listened to the sounds of the barrels being reloaded, he squeezed Marlene’s hand. He wanted to shout. He did so in silence.
The back rails were put in place and Werner climbed into the cab. He started the engine and rolled the window down. As the truck began to slowly move onto the road he heard a sound he had dreaded.
“Halt!”
The lieutenant had thought of one last thing. “How about one barrel for us?”
Werner smiled. “Of course, Herr Leftenant. Of course.”
* * *
Laura Knochen had worked all evening to prepare her home for the Herzogs. Her apartment was on the top floor of a three-story building. There was a front and back entrance to the main hallway on the ground floor. The ground units were two stories and the two top units were one level with an accessible attic space. The attic spaces were large but poorly insulated. They were comfortable in the winter because of heat rising from the coal stoves. The summer was a problem. Access to the attic was by a very narrow stairway at the end of a hallway. The small door was only four feet high. Laura had taken a mattress, one table, one chair and a lamp into the space. Fortunately, there was also an electrical outlet.
She had lived in the flat for six years, longer than any of the other four tenants. She knew each renter but none well. Below her lived an elderly couple. He was a retired druggist and they stayed in most of the time. The other two were women whose husbands were in the Army. They both worked in munitions plants. As far as Laura knew, both women supported the Nazis and their anti-Semitic policies. She did not know about the couple below her.
Laura instructed the Herzogs to come to the rear entrance where she would meet them. They arrived promptly at 11:00 p.m., each with a small suitcase. She quietly took them to her apartment and then to the attic. They had embarked on a journey from which there was no return. They had lost all of their family, all of their possessions, all of their friends, and given up their livelihood for a chance to live. They were enormously grateful to have Laura Knochen to help them. But they knew that Laura was doing far more than helping them. She was giving her life for them. This was an effort that could result in a death sentence. In her mind, Laura had already sacrificed herself for them. She was confident she could conceal her ‘guests’ from her neighbors who worked in the munitions factory but the elderly couple was another matter. The Herzogs would have to use the toilet during the day while Laura was at work. The couple would know someone was in her flat. Laura decided to introduce Paula as her sister-in-law who had moved in when her home in Düsseldorf had been destroyed by R.A.F. bombs. Victor would be non-existent to the outside world. Her fear was that someone in the complex would suspect Paula was Jewish and notify the authorities.
Laura now needed food for three. Anyone who observed her shopping habits would know this. Did anyone ever pay attention to what she did? She did not think so but couldn’t be certain. She decided to keep to her usual routine as much as possible, attend mass every Sunday and have Sunday lunch with friends. She missed her time with Marlene but had decided the Eichenwald’s had escaped the country. This was at least what she wanted to believe.
Victor and Paula spoke very little to each other. When they did, it was only in a whisper. He remained in the attic almost all of the time except for personal hygiene and meals. As much as possible he and Paula tried to act as one. They took showers together twice a week, a ritual that became the highlight of the week for Victor. Laura was kind enough to bring him reading material from the library. He often read and afterward, took a nap, which also became part of his routine. This was difficult for a man who had been so active all of his life. But he had to do it for Paula.
Victor Herzog was the third of five children in a Jewish family. He was born in Prague in 1883. His father owned a flourmill near the outskirts of the city. Vic worked in the mill as a youngster and became interested in baking. He met Paula in school and at age 20, asked her to marry him. Their first child was stillborn. Two years later she gave birth to a son, Julius.
The German economy in the 1920s was recovering from inflation and Victor recognized Berlin was becoming a thriving center of culture, transportation and entertainment. He and Paula moved there in 1924, and he used his savings to buy the building to start the Pumpkin House Bakery. Now trapped in a Nazi gulag, they lived day to day in the reality that each day could be their last.
As time went on, Vic began to believe they would survive. He reflected on his life and recalled times as a child when his father would take him and his older brother fishing. His parents told their children repeatedly that they were valued and unique. He had been exceedingly happy with Paula and he cherished their business and working with Julius. He had always been able to overcome any discrimination he had experienced. His parents had stressed to their children that the Jews were ‘God’s Chosen’. He sarcastically thought to himself that Hitler had failed to get the message. Now the conundrum - Laura Knochen, a Christian, was risking her life for him and for Paula. Day after day, he sat in the attic and tried to unravel the mystery.
They were now settled into a routine. The Herzogs ate breakfast with Laura but spoke only in low whispers. From time to time, Paula would talk in normal tones to validate her presence. Their evening meals were the same. Victor looked forward to the reading materials and an occasional newspaper. One of his greatest fears was that he or Paula would become ill. Laura assured them that she knew a physician who would help if needed, although it had been over a year since she had seen Anna Eichenwald.
* * *
Travel in the French countryside was more relaxed. Hanz and Marlene tried to sleep but the wooden compartment was less than comfortable. It was cold but they clung gratefully to the blankets and to each other. After four hours, both were hoping for a break soon. Werner informed them that they would take a detour about 100 kilometers past the German border. They turned east off of the main road onto a gravel road. After another ten minutes the road took them north to a farm house. Werner pulled the truck behind the house into a clump of trees. He was joined by a French National and they moved the beer kegs so the compartment doors could be opened. The bright sunlight temporarily blinded the couple. They were helped out of the compartment to stretch their legs. Marlene looked at the Frenchman.
“Toilette?” He pointed to the farmhouse. Hanz shook hands with the Frenchman. “Merci!” He followed Marlene into the house.
Hanz had picked up a significant amount of French in his travels and spoke with the resistance worker. He learned that the major concentration of the German occupying force was in Paris and along the coast of the English Channel. It was mid-morning and the four took time for cheese, salami and bread, along with a glass of wine. There was much less danger of detection, especially since they would not come within 100 kilometers of Paris. Their route would be to Reims, Saint-Quntin and on to Calais with one stop on the way. The Frenchman rode with Werner in the cab to troubleshoot. Werner felt he could handle any German patrols as long as they were not SS.
With each passing day Himmler knew the chance of finding Hanz Eichenwald was diminishing. Hanz had simply disappeared like a thief in the night. Himmler had interviewed the men who had talked with Anna and was convinced she was not involved. She was another story and he intended to deal with her soon. His men had questioned Hanz’s secretary. She clearly expected his return. It would be a bold move to question any of his colleagues. Max von Laue had a history with Jews but was too distinguished to approach. Any inquiry would be an accusation and there was no hard evidence that any of them were involved. The only neutral country in central Europe was Switzerland, and they had refused political refugees to maintain their neutrality, keeping the floodgates closed.
Himmler believed the Eichenwalds would go to Holland, Belgium or France and then to England. To have the director of the German Nuclear
bomb project successfully defect would be more than an embarrassment. It would give the Allies vital information. But with Himmler, this was personal. He had been made a fool, and it would not stand.
He sent word to the SS office in Paris that this man would be trying to leave Europe across the English Channel. Patrols along the coast from Amsterdam to Le Harve, France would be placed on high alert for the next two weeks. The break would come at night and probably in a motorized craft of some type. Fishing vessels were strictly forbidden to sail after sundown. Any vessel of any type would be stopped or fired on. This would also be a good opportunity to catch and kill some French resistance fighters.
Thirty kilometers southwest of Calais, on the coast, was an isolated fishing house with a small marina tucked into a cove. The beer truck pulled into the gravel drive and the Frenchman was greeted by two men who came from the house. They were discussing what to do with the beer and the truck. By morning, the SS would suspect that Werner Schmidt was involved when the scheduled delivery was not made. The SS would be looking for the truck all over France. The men drove the truck inland to an abandoned barn where they unloaded the beer. The Eichenwalds were relieved to be out of the container. A resistance worker named Trey had followed the truck and transported Hanz and Marlene, exhausted, back to the coastal house. It
was now just past midnight on the 17th. The truck was driven twelve kilometers westerly just past the village of Wissant where it was pushed off of a sheer bluff into the ocean. The resistance fighters knew well the German patrol schedules and stayed off of the main road to avoid them.
The house being used for the operation was well off of the coastal road. It was only a half kilometer from a marina. The fishing vessel at the marina was still in use but would not be used for the rendezvous boat. Hanz and Marlene were given the only separate room and both fell into deep sleep. It was a clear, cold night with stars in a black sky. The time window for the pick-up would begin in three days.
The following morning bright sunlight was streaming through the single window. Hanz woke and for a moment did not realize where he was. His mind quickly adjusted and he rolled over and kissed Marlene on the forehead. She did not stir. He quickly entered the small bathroom, showered and dressed, then went to the main room where a crackling fire welcomed him. Werner was already sitting at the table enjoying his coffee.
“Good morning. You look rested.”
“I slept so hard that when I finally woke up, I did not remember where I was.” Werner laughed.
“A good rest indeed.”
Unlike Hanz, Werner looked tired. He had tried to get some sleep in a chair without success because his thoughts were with Maria. He knew that sometime today she would be forced to confront the SS looking for him.
“So, you are coming with us?” Hanz asked.
Werner explained that if he returned and was caught, the SS would torture Maria in his presence for information and then kill him or both of them. Hanz stood motionless, his coffee cup in his hand. He realized how completely war could obliterate the morality of some men, but knew the Nazi bastards had none to start with. He was stunned that an entire generation of men had lost all sense of human value. His thoughts went back 40 years to a time when he studied the Torah and the Prophets. He remembered the story of Joshua. God had brought the Hebrews across the Jordan River to Jericho. The city was well fortified with high walls. The Hebrews had no way to attack the city, but God had promised it to them. The Lord instructed the people to take the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of the presence of the Lord, and march around the walls seven times. Then they were instructed to sound a trumpet blast and shout. When the people did this, the walls collapsed and the Hebrew Army streamed in. They destroyed every living thing with the sword… men, women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys. God destroyed the city because it was evil, and Hanz now understood that the evil of the Nazi Reich was no different.
He walked over to Werner and laid his hand on his shoulder. He could say nothing to comfort him. He had no words to convey his gratitude to this simple man who had sacrificed so much for two total strangers.
Hanz moved to the table and sat down. He was still thinking, still struggling with the realization that in a strange way, the sacrifice of one man of honor could balance the treachery of millions of his countrymen who were only too glad to band together in their hatred of the Jews.
* * *
Maria Schmidt had spent the day staying busy with chores. This was her first day without Werner. She did not understand. She only knew that Werner had left and she was alone with his invalid father. War brought heartache, but she had not expected this.
Dusk came early in January. The long evening shadows crept across the front yard, casting images that resembled prehistoric animals. Still, it was a peaceful scene. She was startled to notice a gray auto rapidly approaching the house along the gravel road. She stepped onto the porch for a better look, then was gripped with terror. She could make out a Swastika emblem on the side of the auto. Two Nazi officers in black SS uniforms stepped from the car.
“Good evening,” said one of the men. “We are looking for Werner Schmidt.” Maria’s heart was pounding.
“I am his wife. But he’s not here.” “Where is he?”
Maria recalled what Werner had said. She tried to stay calm and do exactly as he had instructed her. “He drives a beer truck once a week to Paris. He should return tomorrow.”
The officer in charge gave her a smirk. “Can we go inside?”
“Of course, come in. Werner’s father is an invalid from a war injury and stays in his room most of the time. Can I offer you hot tea?”
“No, thank you. We wanted to inform you that your husband did not make the delivery in Paris. We think you know where he is.”
Without realizing it, Maria raised her voice.
“Why would he not make the delivery? Has he been in an accident?”
She was clearly shaken.
“There was no accident. He has disappeared. We believe he is involved with the underground.”
Maria had not allowed herself to think Werner might be involved in anti-Nazi activity. Now she had to try to convince them. As she faced these men she began to see an ugly change in their demeanor. The Junior officer drew his revolver and began shouting. Then he pushed her against the wall.
“Open your mouth!”
Maria was frozen. She could not think. “I said open your mouth!”
He had the revolver barrel in her face. As she opened her mouth, he placed the gun barrel into it. “Do you want your brains splattered all over this wall?”
She shook her head and tried to back up but there was no place to go. She shut her eyes and began to cry.
“Genug! She doesn’t know where he is.”
With that, the men disappeared. Maria slumped to the floor. Just at that moment, Werner’s father opened the door.
“Maria, was someone here?”
It was critical that no unusual activity be observed about the fishing cabin. The trawler went out as scheduled. There had never been a land patrol near the house, but German patrol planes were seen every few days. Time began to drag for the Eichenwalds. Two more days with nothing to do but wait. Hanz found an old chess set and he and Marlene played a few games. They had not done that since Anna was a baby. It was difficult to concentrate.
“This is a lost cause,” Marlene finally said.
She had questions Hanz could not answer. Would they live in London? Would he work on the allied bomb project? Would it be difficult to learn English?“I’m sorry Marlene. I don’t know. I don’t know and I don’t know!”
The evening of the 19th, Trey brought a team member they had not met. Pierre was a large man of about 60. He had a thick white mustache and looked like a sailor, with weather beaten skin and a wrinkled face. He had a prominent limp to the left when he walked. He shook hands
with Hanz and Marlene, then asked Trey if there would be language problems. He was assured Hanz could understand and translate his French into German for Marlene and Werner. Pierre had been in contact with the British Navy and their weather service for two nights. He explained the escape effort.
“We have a 12-meter open boat with oars and a small outboard motor. We must make a rendezvous point bearing due west four miles from shore. A British Submarine, H.M.S. Aberdeen, will surface between midnight and 3:00 a.m. They will stay at periscope depth until they see our signal. We have four nights to make our connection, but the first is the best. The shore patrols are on high alert looking for you. The weather looks favorable, at least for the first two nights. We will row the boat for the first mile to get out of shore range, then we should be able to use the motor. I will drive the boat with Trey. Any questions? Good! We will leave at 10:00 o’clock tomorrow night.”
Tomorrow could not come fast enough for the Eichenwalds. Marlene had not really had time to think about Anna. She wanted to get to England so they could get word to her. Both Hanz and Marlene found sleep difficult to capture. They drifted in and out and finally, before dawn, Hanz got dressed and went into the front room to stir the fire. Werner was up having a smoke and had made a pot of fresh coffee. After getting the fire going again, Hanz had a discouraging thought.
“After our escape to England, I suppose the Nazis could still invade Britain.”
Werner sat in silence for a moment before he spoke. “I think Hitler has missed his opportunity. He is bogged down in Russia and now the Americans are in. The Third Reich will be defeated and the defeat will destroy Germany.” Hanz began to see that Werner was more urbane in his understanding of the war. “And what are your plans?”
With no hesitation Werner said simply, “To go back.” Hanz looked at him. “To go back. To find my wife. She is all I have. She is all I want.”
Hanz silently admired this man, the driver of a beer truck.