One Way Roads

by Erik Foge

  American jet fighters from the Red Tail Squadrons (the 100th, 301st, and the 302nd), also known as the Tuskegee Airmen, were stationed at Mildenhall Royal Air Force Base. The Red Tail Squadrons were given the great honor of protecting the bombers. Three days after the atomic bombs were dropped on Germany, Truman addressed the American public over the radio and told them that Germany had surrendered.

  The book quotes his speech:

  Three days ago, three American bombers dropped six atomic bombs on five strategic cities in Germany; one of those cities was Berlin. Each bomb had more power than 20,000 tons of T.N.T., which is the largest bomb ever yet used in the history of warfare. The Germans began the war with the invasion of Poland in 1939. They attacked us with their atomic rockets on March 15, 1945. They have been repaid many times over. With each of these bombs, we have now added a new and revolutionary increase in destruction to supplement the growing power of our armed forces, which the world now knows. We are currently developing these bombs and producing even more powerful ones. The force from which the sun draws its power has been loosed against Germany because they brought war to Europe and The United States of America.”

  On August 6, 1945, the Enola Gay, a B-29 Superfortress, dropped an Atomic Bomb on Nagasaki. Three days later, on August 9, 1945, Boxcar, another B-29 Superfortress, dropped an Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima. Then on August 14, 1945 Japan surrendered to the United States, thus ending World War Two.

  “Dammit!” Erik jumped up and hurled the book across the room, barely missing Jamie on her way in from the balcony. Jamie stopped and stared at him, wide-eyed and speechless. He took a deep breath and said calmly, as if nothing had happened, “Thanks for bringing me tea.” Then he walked over and picked up the book.

  “What’s the matter?” Jamie asked as she sat tentatively on the bed.

  Erik just shook his head in disbelief. It was all too much. Jamie motioned to him to come sit by her, but he shook his head, pursed his lips and flipped through the pages of the revised history, thought about the other effects Hitler’s assassination would have had on history, effects not mentioned in the book. Erik, normally calm and analytical, found himself angry and reduced to cursing over the results of ONE’s intervention in history. He closed his eyes, took a few breaths, then turned and smiled at Jamie.

  “Babe,” Jamie asked cautiously, “would you like a pastry with that tea?” She picked one from the plate and handed it to him.

  “Absolutely.” He realized that he’d been so engrossed in his book that he hadn’t noticed the pastries which had arrived with the tea.

  Erik took a seat by her, placed the plate on his lap and took a huge bite of the pastry. He savored the bite of freshly made pastry, custard and fresh apple, then took a sip of his rapidly cooling tea. Jamie said nothing; she just sat and waited for him.

  “Jamie,” he said when he’d licked the last dollop of custard from his fingers, “do you still like when I tell you about history?”

  She nodded.

  Erik took a moment to collect his thoughts and figured out how to express what he had to say. But there’s no nice way, so he put it bluntly. He assured her that he was not mad at her. She had her doubts, but after some explaining, she believed him. He summed up what he had read with all its gruesome detail.

  She shivered as he read the numbers of dead from the atomic bombs, and tears trickled down her cheeks. She choked and asked, “Is that because we went back in time?”

  “No, it was because ONE was trying to play God and end the war in Europe sooner, but it backfired.”

  “Who’s ONE?”

  Erik took a deep breath. “Not who but what!” He paused to collect his thoughts. “ONE is an elite dark agency that could do anything and get away with it.”

  “Are they what conspiracy theorists’ talk about?”

  “I guess.”

  “And how do you know about them?”

  “I was exposed to their world briefly.” He gave a dismissive gesture. “But that’s not the issue at hand though.” Erik raised the book. “Killing Hitler and how it changed World War Two is the issue.”

  “Is this,” she pointed to the book, “what we’re going to have to live through?”

  “If Hitler is assassinated, yes.”

  “Is there anything you can do to stop that from happening?”

  Erik shrugged and gave her a maybe-or-maybe-not look. “I could try to help the Allies win Operation Market Garden.” Then he contemplated the unthinkable. “Or save Hitler’s life.”

  “Do you think you’ll be able to do either one?”

  Erik shook his head. “To be honest, I don’t think so.”

  Jamie placed her soft little hand on his and raised her big brown eyes to meet his gaze. “Babe, won’t you try?”

  Erik nodded reluctantly. What else could I do? “But I’ll be a man against the world and time.”

  The odds were stacked against him. He had no support team, he was operating out of a hotel room in 1944 and planning an op which would take weeks or even months. When Erik was with the agency, he had direct access to the information in federal databases; now he only had the 2008 Edition of World War Two for Morons. With that in mind, Erik reread what little information was in the book. He knew he would spend hours upon hours planning and brainstorming. But mostly, Erik would need lots and lots of luck.

  * * *

  12. Democraticunderground.com 2001 — 2011

  13. www.theheroesclub.org 2011

  19. MAN AGANIST THE WORLD AND TIME

  “I’ve always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn’t have a chance to win.”

  — Arnold Palmer

  Rennes, France

  Erik stood at the foot of the steps of General Omar Bradley’s headquarters. He wore suitable attire for his identity as an OSS major—a green U.S. Army service tunic, a beige shirt, tie, trousers, and an overseas side cap with a golden oak leaf. Jamie stood at his side in an officer uniform consisting of an olive drab jacket and a pink-beige blouse and skirt. She also wore a tie and an overseas cap with a sterling silver bar that identified her as a U.S. Army First Lieutenant. Erik gathered his thoughts in preparation for trying to convince the Allies to prepare themselves for the German offensive through the Ardennes Forest. If he could be persuasive enough, it would change the outcome of Operation Market Garden.

  He felt Jamie’s soft touch on his shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll do great. They’ll listen to you,” she said in a warm sweet voice.

  Erik shrugged and looked up at the château. “I’m not so sure. If they believe me, then the war and the history books will be changed. If they don’t believe me, it’ll be up to me to stop Hitler from being killed.” He took a step up, but Jamie, with a deeply inquisitive face, held him back. He looked back at her.

  “Erik, I saw your military uniforms from different countries. When you wore them, is this the sort of thing you did?”

  He shook his head.

  “Can you tell me what you did?”

  Again he shook his head. He wasn’t allowed to talk about it.

  “Let’s go.”

  They walked up the stairs to the château in which General Omar Bradley had his headquarters. Erik focused, as he did when he was overseas doing an op, to get into character. He was trained to use whatever resources were available, and General Bradley was the resource. The downside of coming was that Erik knew he could give a play-by-play of what was going to happen, something he must not do. All he could do was drop “what ifs” and give hypothetical situations. Erik was also trained in predicting human behavior, but maybe his predictions would work out or maybe not. He just knew he had to try.

  At the top of the stairs, the MPs at the entrance snapped to attention, saluted and opened the doors. Once inside, Erik made a quick analysis of the room and individuals in it—military personnel, each attending to their assigned duties.

  “Can I help you, major?” Erik tu
rned to the voice. A sergeant sat behind a desk.

  “I’m here to see General Bradley.”

  “Sir, do you have an appointment with the general?”

  “No.” Erik leaned forward, “It’s a matter of national security.” Erik pointed to the phone. “Call him and tell him Major Erik Függer is here. He’ll know who I am.”

  “Sir, he’s very busy, but I can see if he’s able to meet you today.”

  “Listen, sergeant, I’m with the OSS. I’ll see him now.” Erik squinted at the man and lowered his voice. “Do I make myself clear?”

  The sergeant nodded and picked up the receiver.

  A door opened and a commanding voice drifted through the foyer. “Major?”

  Erik turned to the voice. General Bradley walked toward him with a warm smile and his hand extended. They shook hands and saluted. “You’re looking well,” Bradley said. “How have you been?”

  “Thank you, Sir. I’m well.”

  Bradley looked over Erik’s shoulder and smiled at Jamie. “I see the lieutenant is with you.”

  Erik glanced at Jamie, then back at Bradley. “Yes.”

  Bradley motioned them to walk with him. “What are you up to these days?”

  “Trying to find a way to defeat Germany, just like everyone else.”

  Bradley cupped his hand on Erik’s shoulder and nodded. “Speaking of that, maybe you should accompany me to my office.”

  “Why is that, Sir?”

  Bradley looked around, then leaned close to Erik and spoke in a half whisper, “Montgomery has a plan that could defeat Germany.”

  “Is that so?” Erik found it hard to keep his distaste for the man off his face.

  Bradley nodded and grinned. “Apparently you, like many others, don’t care for him, but do me a favor and just listen to him. Give your feedback; speak your mind. I’m sure he’ll listen to you.”

  Erik smirked. “Do I have your permission to do just that, Sir?”

  Bradley nodded. Erik smiled and thought if things were to get ugly, he had an exit strategy.

  Bradley’s office was obvious because two armed sentries stood at the entrance. Bradley ushered them inside and closed the door. The huge office had standard government-issue desk, chairs, and bookcases, all brought over from the US. On the left side sat an oversized wooden table used to discuss military strategies. Montgomery, some members of his staff, and a few members of Bradley’s staff stood around it, studying a map of Europe that showed both Allied and German troop locations.

  Montgomery turned around. “Brad, it’s so good to see you again.” He approached Bradley with a huge grin.

  “You too, Monty; how are things with you?”

  “Could not be better.” Montgomery turned his focus on Erik and Jamie. “Who did you bring with you?”

  Bradley turned to Erik. “This is … I’m sorry, I forgot your name.” Erik excused him and introduced himself and Jamie. “He’s with the OSS; the lieutenant is his aide.”

  Erik and Montgomery exchanged salutes and handshakes, and then he exchanged salutes with Jamie. “So you are with American Intelligence?”

  “Yes Sir.” Erik looked over his shoulder. “And Lieutenant Anderson is my aide.”

  “Dashing to have an attractive young lady as an aide,” Montgomery said, and laughter filled the room.

  Erik turned to Jamie to make sure she was okay, and she nodded, though her smile looked forced.

  “Let us get down to business,” Montgomery announced as he walked to the table in the center of the room. He turned to Bradley. “I don’t believe the major and the lieutenant have clearance to be present for what we’ll be discussing.”

  “I assure you…” Bradley began.

  Erik butted in. “I can assure you that as members of the OSS, not only do we have the proper clearance for this briefing, but we also have the authority to be here.”

  Montgomery grinned. “I’m sure the little lady doesn’t want to hear this anyway. She can be excused.” He motioned her away.

  “She stays, Field Marshal. What I see and hear, she will, too,” Erik declared. “Is that understood?”

  “Is that so?” Montgomery’s brows furrowed with suspicion. “Under whose authority?”

  “The President of the United States.”

  Bradley stepped into the conversation. “Major Függer was able to find a spy in my headquarters.”

  Montgomery stared at Erik, then back at Bradley.

  Bradley continued, “He has coordinated the French Resistance to help our troops in regaining control of occupied France. Monty, in my opinion, Major Függer should be and needs to be at this meeting. He could give his feedback.”

  Erik stepped forward, paused for a moment, stared at Montgomery, and then, looked slowly around the room and into everyone’s eyes and spoke with a tone of authority. “I am Major Függer with the OSS, and Lieutenant Anderson is also. My presence cannot be mentioned outside these doors due to security reasons. Any breach of this will result in severe disciplinary action and court martial. Do I make myself clear, gentlemen?”

  Everyone in the room said, “Yes sir.” pretty much at the same time.

  Erik turned to Montgomery. “You have the floor, Field Marshal.”

  Montgomery pressed his lips together, then apparently accepted that Erik was telling the truth. He nodded. “Thank you, Major Függer.”

  He walked to the table and opened a huge, black leather portfolio case. Bradley, Erik, and Jamie followed him and squeezed themselves into an available space. Montgomery pulled a map of the Low Countries from the portfolio case and began his briefing.

  “Gentlemen, this is Operation Market Garden. General Eisenhower agrees with me that my plan when it succeeds ...” His right hand made an embracing gesture over the map. “It will end the war in less than one hundred days.” A smile appeared on Montgomery’s face. “With that said, it will bring our boys home before Christmas.” Nods and grins filled the room, but Erik gave Montgomery a cold stare.

  Jamie, who knew little about the war, listened with a placid expression while she looked at Erik for nonverbal clues.

  “What’s the plan?” Bradley asked.

  Montgomery rubbed his chin and gave a crafty grin. “The plan is very simple; we are going to drop 35,000 paratroopers behind enemy lines in occupied Holland.” He stabbed a finger at the map and everyone in the room drew near to the table and examined the map closer. “Compared to Operation Overlord, this will be the largest airborne assault ever mounted.” Montgomery chuckled with delight. “To put it quite honestly, gentlemen, this has never been attempted before.”

  “Where is all this going to take place?” A member of Bradley’s staff asked.

  Montgomery stared at him, then met everyone’s eyes in turn. He pulled out a pointer. “The ground forces, Thirty Corps commanded by General Horrocks, with their 20,000 vehicles are located here.” He tapped the end of the pointer on Leopoldville, Belgium. “They’ll do a single thrust up this road.” He dragged the end of his pointer across the map and stopped at each key place. “They link up with our airborne forces, which will lay a carpet over Holland. The airborne forces, with total surprise, will seize and secure the bridges and hold them until the ground forces link up with them.” The men around the table examined the map closely.

  “Who is going to be assigned to what bridges?” Bradley asked. He rubbed his chin, adjusted his glasses, and glanced at Erik.

  “I’m coming to that. General Taylor’s One-hundred-and-first Airborne will be assigned to the Son and Eindhoven Bridges, General Gavin’s Eighty-second Airborne will seize the Grave and Nijmegen Bridges, and finally General Urquhart’s First Airborne will get the prize, Arnhem Bridge. From there, we can pour into Germany’s industrial center, the Ruhr, and then Hitler’s Reich will collapse. Any questions?”

  Bradley studied the map at different angles, motioned Erik to come closer, and directed a question to Montgomery, “How many miles did you say Thirty Corps has to travel?”r />
  “Sixty-three.”

  “How long will it take for them to reach Arnhem?”

  Montgomery replied briskly with a theatrical gesture. “Two days. Worse case, if we’re delayed due to weather, four days tops.”

  Bradley turned to Erik and said in a half-whisper, “Do you think it can be done?”

  Erik, stood with his arms crossed against his chest, and subtlety shook his head.

  Montgomery glanced sharply at him. “Is there anything wrong, major?”

  “Two days from Leopoldville to Arnhem?” Erik asked.

  Montgomery nodded.

  “Isn’t that a bit rash, considering the Germans might know that the bridges are important to our advance?”

  Lieutenant-General Browning cut in. “Our intelligence, including SHAEF’s intelligence reports, states that these are not elite troops at all. Jerry lost them in Normandy. These troops are made up of old men and boys.”

  “You absolutely believe that?” Erik stepped back from the table and stared at Browning. Next, he glanced at the map. “What about the reports from the Dutch Underground?”

  “Yes, I do,” Browning said. “The reports from the Dutch Underground are not reliable.” He pointed at Erik with an accusing finger and glanced around the table. “Christ, Major General Kennedy in the British War Office, as well as myself, Montgomery, and others believe that if we have the same amount of success as we have had since August, we’ll be in Berlin late December or early January. You should have faith in Montgomery and his reports. They’ve served us well.”

  “Being in the OSS,” Montgomery gave a cursory glance at Erik, “I’m surprised you’re not informed that children are to be seen, not heard.”

  “And the field marshal forgets that one day the child will replace the parent.” Erik smashed his pointing finger at Arnhem. “If Thirty Corps doesn’t get to Arnhem in four days,” Erik made a circular gesture, “the Germans will have fortified the area around General Urquhart’s troops, and then we’ll have a disaster on our hands.” Erik strolled toward Montgomery. “If I were you, I would, just to make sure, send in additional troops to make sure the Arnhem Bridge will be held and secured for Thirty Corps.” Erik paused to make his last point very clear. “Maybe you are going a bridge too far.”