Warfilm

by Tom Newton

  He had loved her passionately once. She had spurned him for another. She had been so flippant as though nothing was important. He could remember the pain. He could still feel it. He did not want to kill her.

  You know who I am. I kill people like you.

  Please Alexis.

  Don’t beg. It doesn’t suit you. But I tell you what. I’ll trade you. A life for a life. No. Two lives. That’s what your German lovers do, isn’t it? I’ll let you keep your disgusting life if you give me two in return.

  What do you mean?

  You are going to kill that new German friend of yours for me.

  I don’t have any German friends. The Germans have left. You know that.

  Don’t try to pull one over on me, Ariadne. I’ve got more than two eyes. I know exactly what you’ve been up to.

  Oh. I understand. But he’s not German. He’s Swiss. He’s never hurt a fly.

  And that’s why you were speaking German together?

  German is spoken in some parts of Switzerland.

  Enough.

  He pulled a knife from his belt.

  Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance.

  No. Please. I’ll do it.

  Good. That’s better.

  He slid the knife back.

  First you kill the German, then you’ll go and kill Strange. Give me proof of the killings and your sentence will have been served. Otherwise I’ll be coming for you and don’t try to fool me, you’re not that good. Now go.

  He watched her as she hurried off towards the town. He was glad he had not killed her outright but when he thought of the bargain he had forced her to accept, it did not sit well with his conscience. He must be getting soft. He had a conscience now. It had never been a problem before. The longer he stood with these thoughts, the greater his regret. He wished he had just let her go, unaccosted. Too late now. She was on her way.

  26

  As soon as she had escaped from Alexis, Ariadne headed for Franz’s hotel. She tried to be as discreet as possible, taking a roundabout route and not looking too rushed. She glanced over her shoulder often, half-expecting that Alexis would change his mind and come after her. It was unlike him to let her go. He was famous for his ruthlessness. She was cornered. One man wanted her to find a German and another to kill him. Men were always wanting things from her. Why did the relations between the two sexes have to be so difficult? She had played men to her advantage. As far as she was concerned, they deserved it but she was not going to betray Franz. Of all the men she had come across in the last few years, he was the most innocent. When she met him she had planned to take him up to Strange’s house and she still intended to. There was no harm in that. Franz could always refuse to act as the courier and she would have done her job. But kill him. Never. She would find a way around Alexis. It would be dangerous but it could be done.

  She came to his window. When she had left the last time, she had placed a rock below it. She stepped up and was able to get enough purchase to pull herself in. Franz was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

  Good evening.

  She climbed up next to him and put her head on his chest. He was in a pensive mood.

  I went into the desert.

  And?

  The war has reached here too.

  She had to find a way to get him to Strange. He had not shown much interest so far and a job offer had not swayed him. Her fear of indebtedness prevented her from just asking for a favour. She ran her fingers down his cheek.

  I’m pregnant.

  You what?

  I said I’m pregnant.

  Who’s the father?

  Who do you think?

  He lay in silence. He had never considered becoming a father. That was something other men did. It was not the best time for it either.

  Aren’t you going to say something?

  It was only that one time.

  Once is all it takes. Didn’t they teach you biology in the Fatherland?

  He was thinking about the aeroplane in the desert. It gave him a chill.

  What do you think?

  She took her fingers from his cheek and rested her head on her arm.

  I think I should have the baby and we should go to America and make a new life together.

  He liked that idea. He could see them in New York, raising a child with jazz music and skyscrapers. He could be a father. He could be a good one. He would be more present than his own. He did not want to go back to Germany. He understood now how devastating the consequences of the Führer’s film were. Directors were often that way. Some of them were nice enough but they usually all had an unbalanced sense of self and an inflated regard for their own importance. He supposed those were the qualities required for the job. He could get taken on by a Hollywood studio. That would be good.

  How are we going to get there, with things the way they are?

  We’re going to need help, Franz. And who better than the man I work for? He has connections everywhere and he likes me. What have we got to lose?

  27

  Strange was wearing plus fours and a white shirt with no tie, when he let them in. It was hot. Ariadne stood on the threshold with a handsome young man. Strange was in an affable mood. Things were going his way, as they should. He greeted them with a raised palm.

  Could I offer you some chilled wine perhaps?

  He took some glasses and a bottle from the ice box and led them inside. They sat down on the sofa, opposite his desk. Ariadne introduced Franz and came straight to the point with their request. Franz assumed, from his initial impression, that Strange was not the kind of man who tolerated indirectness, which is why she had wasted no time with small talk. He was right. Strange did not like meandering, unless it was of his own design.

  You force a paradox on me, dear girl. If I were to help you in this way, I would lose you.

  He downed his glass and poured another. Franz sat quietly sipping. The situation brought out a shyness in him that made him feel self-conscious. Strange was a tall man, slender for his age with a heavy jowl and a forceful personality, tightly controlled.

  It doesn’t have to mean a total separation. I might continue to be of some use to you in America.

  He smiled.

  You might. As a matter of fact, I am in a position to help you. Somewhat complicated but it can be done. When do you wish to leave?

  As soon as possible.

  Your youthful impatience doesn’t leave me much time.

  He looked directly at Franz.

  Perhaps you could do me a small favour in return, as recompense. I have a package which I need taken up to the German zone. Probably best to go the long way, by sea.

  He tapped the bundle before him, wrapped in oilskin and twine.

  It’s very valuable. If you leave at night you will be back the next morning. Not too difficult. Ariadne here will take care of the arrangements and I will cover your expenses. What do you say?

  What’s in it?

  Strange laughed.

  Are you worried about legality? So strait-laced, you Germans. As if legality counts for much these days. If it makes you feel any better, it’s an artefact, a fragment of Mjölnir.

  Mjölnir?

  I take it you are not familiar with Norse mythology. I thought all Germans were raised on the stuff. Mjölnir, my dear boy, was the hammer swung by Thor.

  What do I do with it, once I get to the German zone?

  You will be approached by a man who will ask you to light his cigarette. You will comply and enquire after his aunt Alice. He will tell you that her health is improving and will request the medication you have brought for her. At that point you will hand over the package and your job will be done. Return here and I’ll see about getting you both on a ship for the United States. Will you do it?

  I will.

  Very good. You will have to go soon though, while the German zone is still German. Tonight in fact. Now take it.

  He slid the package over the desk towards Franz.


  28

  SECRET

  S/Ldr D. Noyes

  Advanced Intelligence Section, M.A.A.F.

  Crete 10th April, 1945.

  Dear Gilbert,

  I have been busy in the last few days and find that in consequence there are one or two matters which have not been attended to. Firstly, the A.D.I.K. Report No. 231 is returned herewith as requested. Many thanks. Secondly, our letters crossed and I received all the details about the mention, afraid however, after some of the people we have seen earn it, that its value is not a little inflated!

  The watches arrived safely. I have not yet forwarded Hugh’s to him, however. Again many thanks.

  As for the FuG 16z sets, I expect Jennings has spoken to you about them by now. I don’t know how many W/Cdr Morgan wants, but the remainder should be sent to A.I.2(g) via W/Cdr Colrick. The same applies to the RV 12P 2000 valves. Give W/C Morgan as many as he requires of this type (but not the others) and have the rest sent to A.I.2(g). For your information the types LS 50 and LS 180 are particularly sought after in England for keeping all our Wurzburgs on the air; they fairly eat them up and replacements are very difficult to get. The one without the marking looks to me like an LD 2, LD 3 etc. There are so many new V.H.F. types these days.

  Enclosed is one roll of 35 mm. film which was exposed some time ago and needs developing. Except for the middle part dealing with the Giant Wurzburg at Pancola, it is unofficial and is to be regarded as a set of trial exposures made upon the acquisition of my new 35 mm camera (with Zeiss f2 lens!) Hence a certain amount of curiosity to see the results.

  I too made the ascent of Vesuvio, way back in 1938 while I was yet young. Did it in the middle of the night so as to arrive about an hour before dawn and walked all the way from the main line to Naples at the bottom. Took about 5 hours I believe and we found two boys boxing in the shed halfway up at 0300 hrs in the morning, a thing that I have thought about very often but have never been able to explain.

  Yours sincerely

  Daniel

  What is this I hear about Goldie? After all the fun he has had. Shilltowe has now written to me saying he wants to go back after all. It is beyond me.

  29

  Technical Intelligence Section,

  Headquarters Mediterranean Allied Air Forces.

  17 April 1945

  Dear Daniel

  Many thanks for your letter of April 10th which I found on my return from Oran and Algiers, more about this trip later. I rather agree with your remarks about ’mention’. I am glad the watches arrived safely, I’m sorry I could not bring them myself.

  I am dealing with the FuG 16z’s and wireless valves as you request, also with the 35m/m roll of film you have sent.

  Regarding my trip to North Africa, I am forwarding reports etc. on this to Shilltowe. The aircraft was a JU 88 T-1 with modified nose and no bola which has made a good belly landing having been forced down without a shot being fired from over 20,000 ft. The aircraft was moderately intact. Wireless was normal FuG 10P, EZ 6, Peilgerät 6, 34 spot switch-box, in fact same wireless installation as JU 88 D-1, but with the addition of the FuG 101A. I managed to borrow from the Americans a 5 ton crane to get the aircraft lifted so that I could see the real item of interest, the GM 1 apparatus with, I hope, the basic boosting substance still present in the large container thus enabling us at least to determine what it is. As you will see from the signal, A.M. agrees with my suggestion re sending it to U.K. and incidentally and rather unusually bestows a bouquet as you will note with which I was quite pleased. Incidentally I had a very near shave as my tentative arrangement re the crane suddenly materialised on the second day necessitating my having to obtain a Fairchild from Com Flight Algiers to fly the 190 miles to the site of the crash to be there for the arrival of the crane. We landed all right in the field (cut corn and rather bumpy) but on taking off, slightly uphill doing about 65 mph just airborne, we hit a low brick wall knocking off our starboard wheel. It was amazing we did not go right in. The pilot (a very nice and good youngish sergeant pilot) asked if I wished to land again and I said no, much better to fly the 190 miles back to Algiers when we should have used most of our fuel and assistance of various kinds would be available at Algiers not available in a cornfield! He also asked if I would like to bale out as we should have to do a crash landing at Algiers, and I told him that I thought that he could land the aircraft better than I could land the parachute. So to cut a long story short on arrival at Algiers having had one and a half hours to decide our plan of descent, we shot the control tower up by passing over low flapping our wings to attract their attention and ditto the blood wagon etc., and then having decided we would land on the runway rather than off it, having strapped ourselves firmly in (he told me I should probably get the hell of a push in the back and therefore to brace my feet against the bulkhead, which I did), he brought her in very well keeping the wing up as long as possible, we then did a 70 yard slide across the runway, broke the propeller and other tyre but we were intact without a bruise. I was very glad to be on firm ground again but felt none the worse at all. The airfield had turned out to watch our undignified arrival, however all’s well that ends well. Otherwise I enjoyed the trip, meeting some friends, one of whom, a great friend of mine and the family’s, took me round the sights of Algiers. He enjoyed it as much as I did. I went over with A/Cdr Reilly in a special aircraft in which he was returning to Algiers and returned by D.C.3. I had lunch at C.S.D.I.C. Algiers, Nancy Weir asked after you. They are all over here now along with the rest of MAAF rear.

  Remember me to Hugh and the others. I return Hugh’s film and prints. She looks very charming, the old buzzard!

  Goldie returned to Cairo last week. He said he felt definitely older these days and that physically after all he found himself unable to cope with roughing it as in the old days. I am afraid he rather noticed the change from the comforts of Cairo to life in a tent, especially as he said that his leg was troubling him a bit. So that’s that and one can do nothing more.

  I am forwarding all documents requested to A.M. having just perused them and found some very interesting gen amongst other things on the MB 902 Italian aircraft which you and Shilltowe no doubt saw.

  Well no more, the best of luck to you all. I know absolutely nothing about the future, so don’t know when or if I shall see you soon. Please show this to Shilly and say that I am writing to him.

  Yours sincerely Gilbert

  30

  Back at the hotel, Ariadne helped Franz ready himself for the trip. She placed a cap on his head and slapped his cheek. He was apprehensive, he did not have a good feeling about this venture. He stuffed the package into his underwear.

  She suggested they eat before he left so they went down to the terrace, where they were perturbed to find that all the tables were occupied.

  Where did these people come from?

  They all looked odd to Franz, who was not particularly hungry anyway and had only agreed to come down because he did not know when he would get his next meal. The Chinese man was at his side.

  You want table you come back fifteen minutes.

  They did not want to wait so they went back up to their room, stealing a loaf of bread from the kitchen on the way.

  Ready?

  They lowered themselves from the window and set off. It was pitch dark when they reached the dilapidated waterfront. There was no moon that night so they had to feel their way blindly. When they reached the moorings, Ariadne told Franz to wait and went on alone. Strange had told her to find the seventh boat. The skipper was a man called Stavros. She took with her the money that Strange had given Franz – three sovereigns, and faded into the dark. Franz stood still, listening to the lapping water and the creaking hulls. His nostrils were filled with the fishy and slightly rotting smell of the harbour. He broke some bread and waited.

  Ariadne made her way carefully, counting the dim shapes of the boats as they loomed up. She was glad she was not pregnant. Perhaps it was wrong of her to lie but sh
e needed to motivate him, to bring him back to some kind of reality, even if it was a false one. She had not lied about America though. She had always wanted to go there. She loved the films with their dashing heroes and the sultry, intelligent women who manipulated them. And she wanted to go there with Franz. They had to get away from Europe. She reached the seventh boat.

  Stavros. Stavros.

  A large man came out of the wheelhouse.

  What is it?

  Lord Strange sent me. He wants you to take a man up to the German zone and bring him back.

  Give me a cigarette.

  He was gruff and unfriendly. She gave him one of her English cigarettes, which he drew on a couple of times and threw over the side.

  Let me see your coin.

  She held out a sovereign. She could barely make out his face. He wore a cap pulled low.

  Give me two. One for the way out and one for the way back.

  He held out his big hand and she dropped two sovereigns into it.

  Where is he?

  Just down the dock.

  Better get him here soon. I’m leaving in ten minutes. If he’s not here I’m going without him.

  Ariadne wondered where he would be going so late at night.

  Make sure he gets there and back safely please.

  That will cost you one more for security.

  He held out his hand again and she gave him the last sovereign. Then he turned away from her and walked back into the wheelhouse without a word. Ariadne found Franz where she had left him.

  It’s all arranged. Let’s go.

  She counted the way back to Stavros’ boat. When they arrived, he was on the deck, throwing off the mooring ropes. She put her arms around Franz and squeezed him with all the strength her thin frame could muster.

  Take care and come back safely. It won’t be too long and we’ll be out of here for good.

  Get a move on if you’re coming.

  She pushed him away gently and Franz stepped on to the deck.

  Sit here and don’t interfere with anything. And don’t bother trying to make conversation.