The Storm That Shook the World

by Walter Soellner

  “What? What was that, General?” Both Levi and Markus leaned to within inches of the old man’s lips.

  “Don’t … don’t …”

  “Yes, what?” Both said in unison. Markus tried to force the last words: “Don’t?”

  Albuquerque’s lips moved, mumbling a few words.

  “Did you get it, Levi? Did you get it?” Levi lowered his ear to the general’s mouth. He heard the last words of General Joaquim Augusto Mouzinho de Albuquerque.

  “What? What did he say?” Markus pressed. Levi looked up into Markus’s face and put his hand on his friends shoulder.

  “His last words were,” Levi spoke in a broken voice, “don’t kill my soldiers.”

  Markus’s lips quivered and his tears mingled with raindrops. He asked Levi the General’s last words again, already sure of the answer.

  Levi repeated: “Don’t kill my soldiers.” They both looked down on the general.

  “He didn’t want to fight. He did whatever he could to keep his troops safe, but in the end,” Markus paused, “in the end …”

  Levi was at a complete loss as to what to do. He knew Markus spoke the truth.

  Later, through a lengthy searching, with white flags flying, contact was made with General Albuquerque’s troops. A truce was agreed upon for the Portuguese soldiers to retrieve the general’s body and their other casualties.

  Captain Levi met with the commander of the remaining Portuguese soldiers, a Lieutenant Nunos. The Portuguese practice was to bury the dead immediately. With Markus’s intervention and insistence, Levi reluctantly agreed to have an honor guard at the burial. Captain Mathias led the eight-man honor guard.

  Later, Markus said to Levi, “It’s the least we could do for a soldier who probably saved countless German lives by staying out of the fights. Whatever happens, Levi, I’m going to deliver these letters to his daughter in Lisbon.”

  Imperial German Eagle

  CHAPTER 51

  Honor, Loss, and the Zimmermann Telegram

  It was two days later that Captain Levi’s forces returned to camp. Levi spent hours mulling over in his mind how he was going to explain what had transpired in contact with the “enemy” troops. Markus had insisted Levi tell the truth, both to protect his own military career and because it was the honorable, forthright thing to do.

  “I owe it to the general, to his memory,” Markus said. “I’ll take whatever happens.”

  “Don’t be so noble, Markus. I can leave out certain ‘parts’ of the encounter.”

  “No. Give your report as you would if I was a complete stranger. Just do it.”

  In the end, Levi did pretty much what Markus said to do. Colonel von Vorbeck called Markus into his headquarters tent, with Levi also present. He and Levi were sitting at a small table. Markus saluted the colonel and was put “at ease.” He stood there in silence as the colonel sat staring at him. Finally, he spoke, “Captain Mathias, I’ve just been given a very disturbing account of your conduct, by Captain Levi, during and after an engagement with the enemy two days ago.” Markus’s eyes darted to Levi, who sat expressionless, his eyes averted.

  “You have proven to be a remarkable soldier as your two Iron Crosses testify. That is why your most recent behavior is mystifying, to say the least. Let me get this straight, and correct me if I’m wrong. First, you volunteered to go on a dangerous night mission. Then, in the heat of battle, during an ambush operation with the enemy, you called a ‘cease fire’ order to the troops under your command.”

  “Yes sir, that’s—”

  “Silence! You gave a cease fire order that disrupted the surprise attack on the enemy, allowing the enemy to escape. You endangered your troops by giving up the element of surprise, and you’ve probably endangered this entire camp by allowing the enemy to regroup.”

  Levi shut his eyes and involuntarily shook his head.

  The colonel continued, “You think the Portuguese are not the enemy? Who do you think we were fighting back at Newala?”

  “They weren’t Albuquerque’s forces, sir—”

  “Silence!” Colonel von Vorbeck shouted, getting up from his chair and pacing back and forth in front of Markus. He stopped and wagged his finger, inches away from Markus’s face. “I could have you shot!” Colonel von Vorbeck took a step back, recovered his composure, and stepped behind the small table.

  “All this because you were friends with this, this, General Albuquerque? An enemy general!” His voice rose again, “And then you initiated, on your own, an unauthorized truce during which you gave an Imperial German honor guard for the burial of a Portuguese general! That’s more than fraternizing with the enemy, Captain.”

  Vorbeck returned to his seat as Levi moved uncomfortably in his chair with a sickened expression on his face. The colonel picked up on the body language and looked over to Captain Levi. “Do you have something to say, Captain, in addition to what you told me earlier?”

  Levi took a deep breath, took a few seconds to formulate his ideas, and began, “Colonel, everything you have said is factually true. But there is much more that has not been said … or considered. First of all, I don’t believe Captain Mathias would ever do anything to endanger his men or compromise with the enemy. Markus, that is, Captain Mathias, truly believes that the troops under General Albuquerque’s command would never engage in combat with us. He believes that because he has experienced the general’s actions toward him and toward our military.”

  He had started out looking first at the colonel and then at Markus, but now he looked Vorbeck straight in the eye. “You will recall, sir, General Albuquerque gave assistance to the captain after his grueling trek from South West Africa. He gave him food and sustenance and a ride to the coast on a Portuguese military wagon with those valuable wireless parts.”

  Levi cleared his throat and continued, “And again, when we raided the Portuguese fort and you sent Mathias to find Leopold and his wireless, again he helped Captain Mathias. Markus was captured by Portuguese troops, but Albuquerque allowed him to hide in his office and later furnished him a horse to reach the coast. During these extended encounters, the general made clear his hatred of the war and, as he expressed it, ‘I’m not sacrificing a single Portuguese soldier for a piece of that German colony.’ Sir, I believe we had a friend—almost an ally—in General Albuquerque.”

  Colonel von Vorbeck raised an eyebrow as he pushed back from his table and looked up at Markus. His anger had subsided.

  “May I continue, Colonel?”

  Vorbeck signaled approval with his hand, and Levi went on: “As regards what transpired on the two evenings last, I too was initially angry with Captain Mathias’s actions. It wasn’t until I was with the dying general, and later in conversation with Captain Nunos, that I realized Markus was right about him … er, them.”

  Again, Levi stopped for a moment. “I must add, sir, that I supported the truce for the purpose of burial details, and I engaged in our honor guard at the burial ceremony for the general.”

  Vorbeck waited a moment, looked at Levi and then at Mathias. “What have you to say for yourself, Captain? Is all this true?” Levi and the Colonel looked intently at Markus.

  “Yes, sir, it was the way Captain Levi said. I don’t have anything to add, sir, except that General Albuquerque and the troops under his command were not, in my opinion, the enemy.”

  The colonel sat a long moment in silence, staring at this unusual man before him. “You have placed this command in a very awkward position. Both of you, to a greater or lesser extent, have not followed official military regulations when engaging the enemy.” He emphasized the word enemy. “However, there are extenuating circumstances in both cases.”

  He turned to Levi. “Captain Levi, an honor guard for an enemy general in war time is probably unprecedented. However, because, and only because, of General Albuquerque’s service to Captain Mathias, I will overlook your questionable judgment. In other circumstances, you would have been demoted. However, under these cir
cumstances, with our officer attrition rate, I need all my officers at rank.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Captain Mathias, your charges are more serious. I will not repeat them all here. But I must consider your long, devoted, and brilliant service to the Kaiser’s army. In the past, you would have received a very severe punishment.” Again the commander paused. “I do understand your position and why you took the actions you did based on those beliefs, but it is not for you to decide who the enemy is and is not. Since you continue to hold that ‘some’ Portuguese forces are not the enemy, I have no choice but to relieve you of your officer rank and duties. From now and until we are out of Portuguese territory, you, Lancer Mathias, are confined to the camp until further notice.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “That concludes this inquiry.”

  Levi rose from his chair and waited to be dismissed. Markus stayed in his position also and waited. The colonel turned in his chair and opened a field chest. The sliding latch scraped and clattered. He took out several papers and a small box. Levi and Markus looked at each other while the colonel’s back was turned. They waited. The commander turned back around and looked up at the two men.

  “Captain, sit down. Lancer, pull up that crate, and sit.” Both did what they were told.

  “I have something to tell you that only a single courier and I know.” He interrupted himself to shout, “Corporal, three glasses and some Portuguese Madeira.”

  From the attached adjoining tent a faint reply, “Yes, Colonel.”

  Again, Levi and Markus looked at each other.

  “Two weeks ago, one of our submarines landed along the coast south of the Rufiji River. An extraordinary trip all the way from Helgoland, wouldn’t you say?”

  He didn’t wait for an answer, but continued, “It brought medicine, ammunition, some guns, and repair parts. The submarine was met by some of our troops still operating independently of my command. It also brought dispatches from Berlin and news of the war in Europe. Things are not going well for us in France, but Russia is out of the war.”

  “That’s very good news, sir. It’s no longer a two-front war, right?” Markus said.

  “We’ll have to wait and see, Lancer.” There was a slight smile on the colonel’s face when his emphasized “lancer.” Both men picked up on it.

  “Was any mail on board, sir?” Levi asked.

  “I wish I could say it brought mail, but it didn’t.”

  The corporal interrupted Vorbeck. “Ah, good. Thank you, Corporal.” The colonel poured three full glasses of the deep-red wine.

  “To your health and our success,” Vorbeck declared. The two friends were hesitant, but then took up the glasses and drank. Both men were thinking the same thing: First we’re disciplined, then in a moment, we’re toasting with wine! What’s going on?

  “I mentioned there were dispatches from Berlin. There is one for each of us, as a matter of fact. First, Captain Levi.” Vorbeck shuffled through the papers he pulled from the chest.

  “You have been awarded the Iron Cross, Second Class, for your military leadership under fire, and in addition, for your outstanding efforts throughout this campaign, in the repair and maintenance of His Majesty’s military structures in arduous conditions. Congratulations, Captain, and here it is.” He opened the small box from the chest.

  “Stand up, Captain.” They all stood while the Colonel pinned the heavy, metal Iron Cross onto Levi’s uniform. After a shake of the hands and formal salute, they all sat down again.

  “Next, we have Lancer Mathias. Let me read, in part, from this citation: ‘for gallantry and fortitude in overcoming great hardship and danger in executing a singular mission across vast tracks of Africa through enemy territory, this award is given in the name of Kaiser Wilhelm II, September 14, 1917.’ You are awarded the Iron Cross First Class for your service to date in Africa.”

  Everyone again stood, and Vorbeck placed the ribboned military award around Mathias’s neck and shook his hand, as did Levi. Markus blinked in amazement.

  “You are in an exceptionally small group of superior military men who have earned the distinction of three Iron Crosses. And you, Captain Levi, you have two awards, an admirable achievement.” He was smiling broadly.

  “I myself, while commander of all forces in our colony, have only one Iron Cross, until now! The Kaiser has generously bestowed on me an Iron Cross First Class.” He exaggerated for humorous affect and all three men burst into prolonged laughter and shook their commander’s hand.

  After they settled down and had an additional glass of wine, the colonel spoke up: “Given the recognition you have received from Berlin, your reduced rank to lancer will be brief and remain off the official company logs. You may resume your rank of captain.”

  Markus was taken aback by the sudden turn of events, to have received two surprises after such discipline. Levi was beaming with delight for his friend.

  “And, now, to the final surprise. I, myself, have been promoted to general, as of some time ago. It will have no effect on our continued mission, of course, but it is gratifying that Berlin appreciates our efforts here in East Africa.”

  Both Captain Levi and newly elevated Captain Mathias stood up, saluted the general, and gave a hearty congratulation to their new commanding general.

  “Now sit back down, gentlemen; we are not finished.” He poured a new round of Madeira, and they all took up their glasses.

  “The news is not good for us in the war in Europe. Military and political events among our allies are also grim.” The two captains sat sober faced as the mood in the tent changed abruptly. The new general continued, “The dispatches include an up-to-date, as of mid-September 1917, account of our war efforts and those of the enemy.”

  He turned back to the open field chest. Out came a shift of papers. He studied several in silence as Levi and Markus dragged their chairs closer to the table.

  “Yes, well, you know of the massive losses on both sides. It’s pretty much a continuing stalemate on the Western Front … completely different from our situation. By the way, we’ll be heading north again, very soon.” He sipped his wine.

  “High Command believes we’ve been very successful in keeping enemy troops here in Africa and out of Europe. That’s the good news. The bad news is there are food riots in several major cities and mutinies in isolated army and navel units. That’s bad, very bad. If we start losing discipline in the army …” He didn’t need to finish the thought.

  “Apparently the Kaiser has made numerous attempts to call for negotiations—both with the British and with Wilson over there in America. They’ve been rejected. Worse yet, it appears the Americans may get into the war. It’s all that submarine sinking of neutral shipping, including several passenger liners.” He paused and mused, “How did the High Command allow that to happen?” General von Vorbeck rustled his papers and exclaimed, “America, in the war! Christ! All that industrial power … and unlimited fresh troops. That’s what our forces may be facing back home, gentlemen.”

  He eased back in his chair. “Well, we’ve got our own work cut out for us here. Any questions?” There were none.

  “Then that will be all for now.”

  “Yes, General, and congratulations, sir,” they said in unison. Levi and Markus stood up, saluted, gave their salutations, and turned to leave.

  “By the way, gentlemen, here are several German newspapers and a British one, too. They’re old but nevertheless interesting. Don’t share them. No need to distract the men.”

  The rain had stopped. It was early evening with a heavy, gun-metal gray sky. The two newly bemedaled officers walked side by side in silence toward their tent.

  Finally, Levi spoke up: “He knew all along what was in the dispatches, our medals and honors. It was all a show of sorts. He wanted to discipline you—and me—first, on principle. He couldn’t just let us get away with … with what happened. But he more or less absolved us of everything with the wine and awards. It was the strange
st meeting, really bizarre, and a true insight into his personality. Don’t you think, Markus?”

  “Ja, it was. He’s hard as horseshoes in a fight, but that was a different side of him. I thought I’d had it there for a while, early on. Then there was this complete change … He’s a hell of a commander, er, general.”

  Back in their tent, reading the newspapers, both men had their noses buried in the pages. Levi arranged the only candle so that he could hold a single sheet of newsprint so that it was backlit. He moved the paper back and forth in front of the flame, illuminating the lines as he read. It worked out quite well, and it allowed Markus to sit opposite for candle reading, too.

  “Mein Gott, did you read this … about this, this secret Zimmerman proposal? I can’t believe our diplomats tried this!” Markus said in consternation.

  “What? What’s that?”

  “According to this British paper, German Foreign Minister Zimmerman sent a secret proposal to Mexico via the transatlantic cable; it was intercepted by the British. Anyway, this outlandish proposal was an offer from the Kaiser, that if Mexico would declare war on the United States, Germany would help her with arms and money. And that’s not all!”

  Markus almost set his newspaper on fire in his agitation. He went on, “It says here that Germany would help Mexico get back their lost territories of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona after the war!” He shook his head as Levi sat up and grabbed the paper.

  “What?” Levi had to read it for himself.

  “It says … that the Kaiser tried to buy part of some place called Baja California as a new colony … Verdammt!” Levi sputtered. “This is just too crazy to believe! It goes on to say the Japanese also tried to buy it, this Baja place, and that … let’s see, Germany wants an alliance with Japan against America!” He collapsed back into his chair.

  “This is a damned … This’ll bring the Americans into the war for sure! How old is this paper? They’re probably already in the war. How could Berlin think this would not leak out … that it wouldn’t infuriate the Americans? If there ever was going to be a mortal blow for us in this war, this is it.”