Accidental Nazi

by Ward Wagher

  “We are,” Rainer said. “I have raised the level of training for our people. They are dedicated to your safety, Herr Partieleiter.”

  “Very well. If any other actions are called for, do not wait to consult with me. I trust you to do whatever is necessary.”

  “Of course, Herr Partieleiter.”

  “And this was starting out to be a nice day, too.”

  “Also, the Reichsmarshall will probably be coming to see you. The Englanders have changed tactics. They are now targeting our aerodromes.”

  Schloss pursed his lips. “And the damage?”

  “They got lucky on a couple of fields and hit the ammunition storage. It put them out of action. As far as the others it's merely nuisance value.”

  “And what does this mean, Karl?” He looked up at the other man and smiled slightly.

  Rainer stared at nothing for a few moments as he pondered, then he visibly started. “Oh. They have adopted these tactics because we're using the same against them and it is working.”

  “That would be my conclusion,” Schloss said. “I need to get Goering working on a counter to this. But we have them reacting to us. We just need to continue.”

  “We also have some good news, I think, Herr Partieleiter,” Rainer said as he handed Schloss an envelope.

  Schloss took the envelope and studied it. “And this is?”

  “From the American consulate. They sent it to Peter Schreiber. He forwarded it over to you.”

  “I see.”

  Schloss slid the single sheet of paper from the envelope and scanned it. “I see, indeed. Take a look, Herr Rainer.”

  Rainer took the sheet from him and read through it.

  “Short and to the point, I think,” he said.

  “Yes. I think it's pretty clear why the Americans do not want to take official recognizance of our offer, it seems they have no objections to our proposal and will act accordingly.”

  Rainer nodded. “That is how I would interpret this. This must make the English unhappy.”

  “I don't know why. We have essentially stopped blocking their commerce.”

  “Right. It takes away one of their reasons for prosecuting the war... and you told me this yourself, Herr Schloss.”

  “Just checking to see if you were paying attention, Karl.”

  “Very well.” He had an old fashioned look on his face.

  Schloss smiled. “I believe it is time to follow this up with something the Americans will really appreciate.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “I need you to draft two messages, then take them to Peter. He can have Ribbentrop send them.”

  “Very well.”

  “I want to send a message to the Japanese. We need to tell them that should they decide on a direct attack on American forces, we will not support them. And I want to send a message to the Americans to warn them that the Japanese are considering an attack on the Hawaiian Islands, perhaps as soon as early December. Can you do that Karl?”

  Rainer looked shaken. “How can you know this, Herr Partieleiter?”

  “I cannot know this for sure,” he replied. “But look at what the Japanese are doing. Anybody who understands them can see what they are planning. The second is just a logical extension of that. Think of how the Americans will react.”

  “We are betraying an ally,” Rainer said.

  “They would be starting a war they cannot win. We are doing them a favor.”

  “Very well. I shall have the draft notes for you this morning.”

  “Thank you, Karl.”

  Rainer nodded and stepped out of the room.

  Well, he bought that, Schloss thought. I'm sure he thinks I am blowing smoke. And who knows what will happen in this universe. I will do whatever I need to do if it keeps America out of the war.

  He spun his chair around and looked out the window again. The coffee was very good this morning. At his direction Peter had purchased a couple of fifty pound bags in Lisbon. He had made a gift of several five pound bags to the governing council. He kept the bulk for himself. Perhaps Peter was right, he really was a coffee snob.

  On the sidewalk below his office, the inhabitants of the city went about their business. And the business had recovered after the bombings dropped off. Perhaps if things remained quiet he could take in a dinner with Gisela. He was soon going to have to make some decisions about the woman. Frau Marsden had lectured him again following their last weekend outing. He knew she was right. He just wasn't sure he needed the complication of a marriage at the moment.

  There was another tap at the door and Renate walked in.

  “Ahh, good morning, favored sister.”

  “I thought you would like to know there is some grumbling downstairs,” she said.

  “And I'm glad to see you, too,” he said.

  “Will you stop? I'm serious.”

  He leaned forward in his chair and cradled his coffee cup in his hands. “Okay. I'm sorry. What seems to be the problem?”

  “People do not want to say much, of course, but there were some comments about Hess betraying the party with his speech about the Jews.”

  Schloss looked up at her as he thought. “I don't know. Would it help if I took a walk through the building? We need to emphasize that this strategy is consistent with what the party stands for.”

  She grinned. “Telling them something that's just the opposite of everything they understand and say it's okay?”

  “Goebbels does it all the time.”

  She snorted. “So he's had a lot more practice then you, Hennie.”

  “Although, now that I said it, I think I probably ought to get Goebbels on board with this.”

  “Seriously, though,” she said, “uprooting all the Jews and dumping them in Palestine is a cruel thing to do.”

  “Himmler wants to build ovens for them. After all the propaganda that's been pushed out about the Jews, I can't just turn around and say, 'Just kidding.' We're killing thousands of Jews right now, and I wish we could stop it cold. Unfortunately, these Nazi swine have poisoned the whole country. If I try to make any major changes, they would probably kill me, and then go on with what they are doing.”

  “I understand, Hennie,” she said quietly. “They are turning our country into an abattoir. What must the world think of us?”

  “The world thinks we have gone insane. And they're right.”

  “What does Hess think of all this?” she asked.

  “Hess will do whatever I tell him. Just like he did whatever Hitler told him to do. I don't think he has any personal convictions.”

  “And Goering?”

  Schloss shrugged. “Who knows? I think Hermann is an opportunist. I think he doesn't particularly care what we do with the Jews as long as he can loot them. Himmler is the true believer, and therefore the most dangerous.”

  “Are we going to get out of this alive, Hennie?” she asked.

  “Renate, I will do my very best. With you and Peter helping, I think we have a chance. But we have not chosen the easy course.”

  “And Gisela?”

  “I will probably marry her.”

  “Is that wise?”

  Schloss chuckled sadly. “No, it most certainly is not wise. But she has stepped into this with her eyes open.”

  “I know this is very soon after Hannelore, but I think Gisela is good for you.”

  And this is very soon after Trudy, but I also think Gisela is good for me. I am a miserable cynic, and too selfish for her. And what would the other Schloss have been doing here? What is he doing now?

  # # #

  October 31, 1941; 5 PM

  Ancona, Italy

  Wendel Weissen watched out the window as his train pulled into the station at Ancona, Italy. The blue waters of the Adriatic were enticing as the train followed the rail line which paralleled the coast coming into the city. The tall cranes in the harbor indicated this was a deep water port. The tracks spread out into a substantial rail yard and there was clearly a
lot of commerce moving through the area.

  Weissen had grown up in Naples, the son of a German merchant and could easily pass for a native of Italy. He preferred to keep a low profile. Many of the German visitors to Italy were condescending and irritating to the Italians. The Italians were in a subordinate position to the Germans and knew it, but Weissen's mission would ultimately require a large degree of cooperation from the Italians and there was no sense in rubbing their faces in it.

  While he was familiar with the eastern side of Italy, Weissen had never been down the Adriatic coast. Before leaving Berlin he had visited the library and researched to find whatever materials were available on the town. This consisted of an atlas, a short history and several tourist pamphlets. He had also carefully studied the railroad maps of Germany, Austria and Italy, and had paid attention to the route during his long trip from Berlin.

  The hotel near the train station was convenient and Weissen was weary after the long trip. He planned dinner and an early bedtime. He had scheduled a week in the city and hoped that would suffice. Karl Rainer had noticed his background and recruited him for the trip. They needed to prepare for the movement of thousands of Jews from Germany and Austria to Palestine. Not only was a good rail network to the port necessary, but also adequate space to house the Jews who were in transit. Rainer had informed him that other agents were working on procuring the necessary shipping.

  Weissen had no great love for the Jews. As he understood it, they were responsible for Germany's loss of the Great War. He decided that sending them to their homeland in Palestine was a generous thing for Germany to do. And since he had been given the mission to prepare the way, he planned to do his very best to make things happen.

  The hotel room was not very clean, and the food at the hotel restaurant was only passable. As he ate, Weissen decided he would look for more satisfactory lodging the next day. He looked up with surprise as another man slid into the chair across from his at the table.

  “Good evening, Herr Weissen.”

  He nodded. “And good evening. Uh... you have me at a disadvantage.”

  “My apologies. I am Loris Macari.” He opened up his wallet and showed Weissen an OVRA identity card. “You are working for the German government?”

  Apparently the Italian secret police checked everyone visiting the city. Weissen thought carefully before answering.

  “I am conducting a study of the German and Italian transportation networks for my government,” he said. “I suppose you could say that our strategy is shifting to a more Mediterranean focus. Il Duce has requested German help in North Africa.”

  Macari nodded. “I understand. Is there anything I might help you with?”

  “We are studying the potential of moving large volumes through Ancona in support of the war.”

  “I would have thought Naples would be a better port for your needs,” Macari said.

  “Well, obviously we are looking at Naples as well. But there are strategic interests in the eastern Mediterranean that make Ancona attractive.”

  Macari studied him for a while. “I suppose you would be speaking of the Jews.”

  When Weissen hesitated, Macari spoke again. “We have viewed with interest your change in your approach to the Jewish problem. It would be logical for the bulk of the transportees to come through Italy, would it not?”

  “We are looking at several options, actually.”

  “All we ask, Herr Weissen, is that Germany keep us informed so that we may work with you on this... initiative. It will have some impact on us.”

  “I understand. I will so notify my superiors.”

  “We would appreciate that you do.”

  With that, Macari left the table and walked out of the restaurant. This was definitely something that was going into his report at the conclusion of the trip. Weissen did not really know how to behave as a spy and Macari had him rattled. Rainer had instructed him to keep a low profile and it would be embarrassing to report the conversation. However, Weissen never considered not reporting it. That the Italians were interested in German activities in the Mediterranean was an important datum.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  October 31, 1941; 4 PM

  German Foreign Ministry,

  76 Wilhelmstrasse, Berlin

  “I just wanted to make sure of the tone of this communique before we sent it.”

  Heinrich Schloss scanned the draft of the letter just handed him by Joachim von Ribbentrop.

  “You have not sent this yet? I gave it to Schreiber five days ago.”

  “There was some discussion among the staff about the nature of this message....”

  “And so they wanted to sit on it? Herr Ribbentrop that is completely unacceptable.”

  The Foreign Minister raised both hands. “Please, Herr Partieleiter. I only found out this afternoon it had not been transmitted. Since you were scheduled to come to my office anyway, I thought we could take the opportunity to review and discuss.”

  “What is there to discuss? I looked at Rainer's draft and approved it. I see someone has changed the entire import of the message.”

  “How can we know what the Japanese are planning, mein Herr?” Ribbentrop asked. “And giving that information to the Americans is a betrayal of our treaty.”

  “And the diplomats know best,” Schloss said sarcastically. “Is that what you are saying.”

  “No, no, no. I am not arguing with you. I am simply relaying the concerns in this office.”

  “Are you with me on this, Joachim, or not? Let me be clear: I am counting on you to stay with me on this. Do you understand?”

  Ribbentrop paled. “Of course I am with you, Herr Partieleiter. If anything, I felt your original note was not strong enough towards the Japanese.”

  “Is that so?” Schloss folded his arms as he stared at the Foreign Minister. “And how would you have suggested wording the note?”

  “I would have told the Japanese in no uncertain terms that they would be no friend of the Reich if they launched an attack on the Americans.”

  Schloss glanced over at Rainer and then back at Ribbentrop. “Do you have the original text of the note?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “I noticed some of the phrasing in your revision included some... I suppose you would call it diplomatic-speak. Suppose we sit down together and reword the original to make it more polite – but without masking the intent?”

  “Yes, yes, of course,” Ribbentrop said. “If we take care of it immediately, we can get it out today.”

  “We are going to send it today, Herr Foreign Minister. I am very displeased to find this left incomplete. You will take steps to see to it nothing like this happens again.”

  “Absolutely, Herr Partieleiter. I will see to it myself.”

  “I know you will.”

  Forty-five minutes later Schloss and Rainer were back in the car and headed back to the party headquarters.

  Rainer shook his head. “We have seen this repeatedly before, Herr Partieleiter. Ribbentrop will tell you anything you want to hear.

  “So you think he was sitting on this himself?”

  “I think that has to be considered,” Rainer said.

  Take it easy, Hennie, he thought. This is something you would have anticipated if you had been here prior to June.

  “I need to talk to Peter about this,” Schloss said. “I wonder how they hid this from him.”

  “Everyone in the office knows Peter and you are close. Hiding this from him would not be hard.”

  “And so Ribbentrop acts indignant when he knew all along.”

  “In fact, with Hitler, he would always advocate a more radical solution to problems than anyone else,” Rainer said. “Hitler admired his audacity.”

  “His sucking up, you mean.”

  “Precisely. I guess I am telling you what you already know. It's why everybody hates him.”

  “I suppose it's easier to deal with an incompetent, fawning toady than someone who repeatedly ha
s tried to kill me,” Schloss said.

  “There is that,” Rainer said. “And then there is that other problem to deal with.”

  “No doubt.”

  “And I did need some guidance from you, Herr Schloss.”

  Schloss looked over at his adjutant. What might you need guidance about?”

  Then Rainer started visibly and nodded at the driver.

  Schloss shook his head. If you needed a really confidential discussion, Karl, you should have waited until we got back to the office. Apparently this driver didn’t need to hear it. And I probably should not have been shooting off my mouth either.

  “Very well, Karl,” Schloss sighed. “We will discuss this later.”

  A little later they walked into Schloss's office, and Rainer carefully closed the door.

  “I apologize for my oversight, Herr Partieleiter. I trust that driver, but I've tried to remind myself that not everyone has total need to know.”

  Schloss snorted. “I gave thought to treating you to a severe dressing down over that, but then realized I had been even more incautious in my statements. Let it serve as a reminder that we both must be very careful. I don't think I would be exaggerating to say our lives depend on it.”

  “The is unquestionably true, Herr Partieleiter.”

  “Now, what was it you needed guidance with, Karl?”

  “I am operating under the assumption that I should do anything to protect your life if a direct threat is unmasked.”

  “That is correct. I would expand that to include my family as well. And Gisela.”

  “Of course,” Rainer said. “My question comes to the extent that I should act in your protection.”

  Schloss walked around his desk and sat down. He glanced at the items on his desk and looked up at Rainer. “Please sit down, Karl. I am not entirely sure I understand your question.”

  “Speaking theoretically, of course, if an attempt was made which clearly pointed to Herr Himmler, what should my actions be?”

  “I suppose you have checked this office for microphones, Karl.”

  “It is checked every day, Mein Herr. And the main office is never unoccupied. That is something I have paid careful attention to.”