Improbable Nazi

by Ward Wagher

  “As the Reichschancellor stated, we received a note from the Americans late yesterday. President Wallace has extended us an invitation to meet with Vice President Truman and Prime Minister Churchill in Lisbon with a tentative date set at July 10th. The Americans would like to discuss a general settlement of the European war.”

  Schloss looked around at those sitting at the table. He had a cold smile on his face. “Perhaps the Americans can achieve what has so far eluded us.”

  “What would you say was the tone of the note?” Rainer asked.

  Very perceptive of you, Karl.

  Schloss looked over at the Foreign Minister, who nodded, and spoke. “The tone was rather peremptory, I thought. It was as though they were not giving us a choice.”

  “Rather cheeky of the Americans, given the position they are in,” Canaris commented.

  “Perhaps the note was directed more at the English, and addressed to both of us to keep the English from peremptorily refusing,” Goering said.

  He still doesn’t like Ribbentrop. I suppose that is not surprising. I really do not like him either.

  “One wonders what has driven the Americans to this action,” Rainer said. “The English suffered a major defeat in North Africa, and we have just heard that the Australians are asking for terms from the Japanese.”

  “What is your thought, Karl?” Schloss asked.

  Schloss and Schreiber had talked at length the previous evening and had reached their conclusions. Schloss was interested in seeing if the rest of the council could figure it out.

  “If the Americans can get the war stopped here in Europe, it frees the English to help them in the Pacific,” Rainer said. “Our recent actions in Scapa Flow notwithstanding, the Royal Navy remains a powerful force. The way the Japanese are marching through Southeast Asia, the Indians have got to be nervous.”

  “What should be our position on the war in the Pacific, then?” Canaris asked.

  Schloss looked around the room to see if anyone would comment.

  “We stay neutral, of course,” Ribbentrop said. “We have no interests in Asia.”

  “No interests?” Goering asked. “I know we are technically neutral in that war, but at one time we were close allies with the Japanese. Perhaps we could use our offices to end that war.”

  “In other words,” Rainer commented, “end it now after the Japanese have more or less achieved all their objectives? I somehow do not believe the Americans would accept that.”

  Schloss rubbed his face with his hand as he listened to the discussion in the council. He had pretty much decided what to do, but wanted everyone to speak as he wished. Besides, by being patient, he had often learned things from this group.

  “I do not think we want to give Churchill an opportunity to dig in his heels,” Schreiber said. “He will certainly demand we give up the territories we conquered.”

  “And we most certainly will not do that,” Goering said. “These territories are the rightful property of the German Reich.”

  “I suppose we ought to ask ourselves what kind of a minimal concession would convince Churchill to stop fighting,” Canaris said. “Perhaps, Herr Reichschancellor, you would be so good as to share your goals here.”

  Schloss smiled. Finally, someone got smart. “Our goals have not changed. Avoid war with the Americans and the Russians, and end the war with the English. Then we work on building the Fatherland.”

  Canaris raised a finger to acknowledge the point. “That being the case, I think we should be willing to make some modest concessions to the English.”

  “And what would be a modest concession, Admiral?” Goering asked. He seemed to be getting more excited.

  “I do not think we need to consider giving up any of our European territories. Once we let one of them go, the others will be agitating to leave as well. Perhaps if we let them retain Egypt and the Suez.”

  “Which would allow them to transit the Mediterranean and the Suez and get their fleet into the Indian Ocean and the Pacific,” Rainer filled in. “That would make a lot of sense.”

  “And the Americans would appreciate that, too,” Ribbentrop said.

  “Would that not leave us vulnerable in the Mediterranean?” Goering asked. “Once we let the English Navy back in, it would be twice as hard to eject them again.”

  “There is that risk,” Canaris conceded. “But we are rapidly developing a new generation of weapons. In fact, we must. The Royal Navy might find itself in a very lonely position in the Med.”

  Everyone chuckled.

  “Perhaps if we negotiated only a limited military presence for the English in Egypt,” Schreiber said.

  “That would be hard to enforce, Peter,” Ribbentrop said.

  “True,” Canaris agreed. “I think, though, that if we conclude a treaty, we won’t have to worry about the English for a while.”

  “I disagree,” Rainer said. “Oh, I will be as happy as the rest of us to get a treaty with them. But I fully expect them to continue running agents and provocateurs in Europe. Of course, once commerce opens up again, we can run agents in England as well.”

  “Is there a consensus that we accept the invitation?” Schloss asked.

  “But you have not said what you think, Herr Reichschancellor,” Goering said.

  “I agree with the consensus,” Schloss said. We need to get this war with the English stopped. Using Egypt as a bargaining chip is inspired. That is actually the one bit of English territory we hold.”

  “Did anyone notice the Italians were not included in the invitation?” Canaris asked.

  “Thoughts, anyone?” Schloss asked.

  “Count Ciano has his hands full trying to get a government together,” Goering said.

  “They might be insulted if they are left out,” Ribbentrop said.

  “A very good point,” Schloss said. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. Okay, Joachim, send a message to the Americans that we accept so long as the Italians are invited.”

  “Won’t the English insist upon having the French, et cetera along as well?” Goering asked.

  “I suppose they will,” Schloss said. “All we have to do is say no. Honestly, people, we are holding the stronger cards here.”

  The others nodded. Schloss studied the room, again. “Very well, Joachim, tell the Americans we accept, with the proviso they include the Italians. And probably it would be wise to let the Italians know this is coming.”

  “Of course, Herr Reichschancellor,” Ribbentrop said. “I will put the message together and send it right after our meeting.”

  Schloss understood that to mean that Peter would write the note and Ribbentrop would send it. He looked over at Kirche.

  “What’s next, Willem?”

  “The Foreign Minister has the next item, Herr Reichschancellor.”

  “Very well,” Schloss said. “Joachim?”

  Ribbentrop cleared his throat. “Yes, well, we received a second note from the Americans asking to purchase another twenty U-Boats.”

  “Now that is clearly unacceptable,” Goering shouted. “That nearly cuts our strength in the Mediterranean in half.”

  “What do your maintenance cycles look like on the U-boats in the Mediterranean?” Schloss asked.

  Goering looked uncomfortable. “I really do not know. However, the operational tempo has declined substantially over the past month. We ought to get caught up, if we are not already.”

  “So, if the remaining fleet is ready in all respects, we could surge a large number of U-Boats if there was a need.”

  “I suppose so,” Goering said. “But there would be no reserve.”

  “The flotilla we sold them has passed Cape Horn and is in the Pacific,” Canaris commented. “Their orders were to make for San Diego.”

  “And they have seventeen, after that accident in La Spezia,” Rainer said.

  “Very well,” Schloss said, “let’s do this: Tell the Americans we will consider it after the conference in Lisbon. We would be
uncomfortable with cutting our strength that much if we do not have an agreement with the English.”

  “I like that,” Rainer said. “Herr Reichsmarshall, when will we begin to see new build U-Boats entering service?”

  “That is almost a year away,” Goering said. “And, to be honest, I expect it will take us some time to work up a new class of boats. The new build reflects a radical design change.”

  “I am not happy about this part of it,” Goering continued, “but if it causes the Americans to encourage the English a bit more….” He rocked his hand back and forth.

  Ribbentrop chuckled. “I would appreciate any encouragement we can give to our English friends.”

  Schloss looked over at Kirche.

  “Final item, Sirs,” the secretary said. “Who shall we send to the Lisbon Conference?”

  “I think I need to go,” Schloss said. “If the American Secretary of State is included, then our Foreign Minister must attend. And I would like Peter to attend with me. In addition to the usual security and staff.”

  Ribbentrop looked like he had been slapped. Schreiber looked at him, and then at Schloss.

  I suppose I am going to have to pour some salve on this idiot’s feelings, Schloss thought. I sometimes feel like I am leading a group of children. My son is more mature than Ribbentrop.

  “Joachim, I understand your attendance is important to us all. But it really depends on who the Americans send. That will be quite outside of my control.”

  “Perhaps you could request that Secretary Hull attend,” Ribbentrop said.

  Schloss saw Canaris roll his eyes. No love lost there, either. “We can ask the Americans who they plan to send. But that is all.”

  “Very well, Herr Reichschancellor.”

  Schloss looked over at Schreiber, who nodded slightly. Peter would make sure the note to the Americans went out correctly. Ribbentrop was not above making a fool of himself, given sufficient provocation.

  “If there is no other business,” Schloss said, “then we can adjourn.”

  Goering slipped over next to Schloss as everyone was leaving.

  “Are we still planning for you to inspect the Me262 Swallow squadron?”

  I haven’t told him about the plot by the Heydrich group, and I do not think I will.

  “We are still working it into my schedule, Hermann. I should be able to let you know definitely in a couple of days.”

  “I am excited to show you what we have accomplished. The aircraft are turning out even better than I hoped.”

  “And the engines?” Schloss asked.

  “We are currently rebuilding them every twenty-five hours of run time. But I think we will be able to stretch that to fifty hours soon. They have been reliable.”

  “That is good to know,” Schloss said. “If we don’t get this war stopped, I want those aircraft to come as a nasty surprise to the English.”

  “Indeed. Production is ramping up. We should have several squadrons by the end of the year.”

  “Good,” Schloss said.

  “Thank you for your time,” Goering said.

  Schloss nodded. He watched as the other man strutted out of the room. While he was no longer as obese as before, the Nazi was still a large man.

  CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

  May 15, 1942; 8PM

  Schreiber Residence

  Charlottenburg

  Berlin, Germany's

  Renate Schreiber watched as Gisela left the dining room of the Charlottenburg residence and went upstairs to visit the toilet. She looked over at Schloss.

  “This Sunday it will be a year, Hennie.”

  A year since what? Schloss was thinking quickly. I have been in this world for nearly a year and it is still possible to be tripped up. Oh, yes, Hannalore’s death. My beloved wife, whom I never knew.

  “You know, I wonder if I subconsciously blot those things from my mind,” Schloss said. “It was a very dark period in my life.”

  “Gisela has been good for you, I think,” she said.

  “Yes, she has. But I have also taken great joy in the children. And having you and Peter at home has been good, too. I feel guilty about basking in the love from you all. I cannot begin to give back all that you have given me.”

  Peter looked uncomfortable. He picked up his coffee cup and noticed it was empty. He held it in the air, and the army corporal bustled into the room to refill it. Renate leaned over and put her arm around Schloss's shoulder and kissed him on the cheek. Whenever there was a family get together she contrived to be seated next to him at the table. Gisela was usually to his right. The round table in the dining room contributed to the cozy dinners.

  “There goes my brother, being modest again,” Renate said. “I am glad you were able to get away this evening.”

  “At some point, you must realize the work will still be there in the morning,” Schloss said. “Gisela has been working on me to relax occasionally.”

  “And she gives good advice,” Peter said. “My wife does as well.”

  “I wonder what the good Germans would think if they knew who really ran the government,” Schloss said.

  “Hush, Hennie,” Renate said as she mock-cuffed him on the back of the head.

  “You’d better watch out, Hennie,” Peter laughed, “Renate might hurt you.”

  “She has been beating me since we were children,” Schloss said.

  She glared at him.

  “Don’t you have anything to say to that, Rennie?” Peter asked.

  “Just that sometimes my brother would become stubborn and require encouragement.”

  Now Hans-Friedrich and Anna-Lisa ran through the room. Renate had carefully not changed the bedrooms where the children slept when they lived in the Charlottenburg house. They treated their visits as returning home and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

  Schloss smiled. “It is interesting to see them get unwound when Frau Marsden is not around to crack the whip.”

  “Frau Marsden certainly has a strong influence on them,” Peter commented.

  Gisela walked back into the room and picked up the thread. “Frau Marsden has a remarkable influence on the entire family. I find it amazing to have a family matriarch who is not related to anyone in the house.”

  Schloss nodded. “The word remarkable is, I think, apt.”

  “She seems in no hurry to move on,” Peter said.

  “For that we can be thankful,” Renate added.

  “She has been very good for the children,” Gisela said. “And good for my husband, I think.”

  “So, when are we going to Lisbon?” Peter asked.

  “And I wonder if Rennie and I might go along?” Gisela asked. “I have always wanted to shop in Lisbon.”

  “What a wonderful idea,” Renate said. “Peter, is something like that possible?”

  Peter raised his eyebrows and looked at Schloss, who shrugged.

  “Far be it from me to deny a request from the most important women in my life. Rainer will probably have a heart attack when he hears we are all going. But, that’s why he rakes in the Reichsmarks.”

  “That is cruel,” Renate said. “Are there security issues?”

  “There are always security issues,” Schloss said. “That being said, I think Lisbon is as safe as anywhere else.”

  “I will need to talk to Goering about lining up a second Condor for the trip,” Peter said. “Or perhaps a special railroad train.”

  “Whatever are you talking about, Peter?” Gisela asked.

  Once again Peter has set the trap carefully, Schloss thought with a mental smile.

  “Why, to return all the loot to Berlin after the shopping expedition,” Peter said with a broad, self-satisfied grin.

  “That’s about enough, Peter,” Renate said. She looked over at Gisela. “I’ll deal with him later. He is impossible when he gets this way.”

  “Not to mention the obvious conflict of interest,” Schloss said. “If the people see us using government aircraft to haul our treasures a
round, they will resent it.”

  Peter put his hand to his chest. “We might have to resign, Hennie. Just because of our wives flouting the law.”

  Renate stood up. “Come on, Gisela, let’s clear the table for the corporal. Once these two get this way, we would otherwise be in for an evening of it.”

  A flicker of lightning slipped past the blackout curtains, followed by the low rumble of thunder.

  “We’re supposed to have this all night, if we can believe the Luftwaffe weather people,” Peter said.

  “Which means we don’t have to worry about the English dropping bombs on our heads this evening. Probably.”

  “Churchill’s reaction to the American invitation was instructive,” Peter said.

  “A bit ungracious, if you ask me,” Schloss said.

  “Is that going to be a problem?”

  “In the short run, yes,” Schloss said. “But, the English press is hinting that there may be some strains in the coalition government. If Churchill loses a vote of confidence, the English will come to the table, and we won’t have to worry about Churchill. He is our most dangerous adversary.”

  “Do you think that really likely?” Peter asked.

  “I do not know. Canaris does not have a window into the English government. In fact, I think all of his sources in England are compromised.”

  “How can you know that?”

  Be careful, Hennie. You are getting ready to trip over your historical knowledge.

  “Does it seem to you that the intelligence we are getting over there is exactly what we want to hear? It seems too convenient.”

  “It does. However, Canaris has assured us his conduits are secure….” Peter paused. “Okay, I see what you mean.”

  “I asked him if he would consider attempting to set up a separate string of agents which did not interact at all with the current assets. He said he would if I told him to, but he didn’t think it necessary.”

  Peter looked surprised. “Hennie, that seems like elementary trade-craft to me.”

  “Right.”

  “Did you force the issue?”

  “No,” Schloss said with a smile. “I asked Rainer to see if he could set up some resources.”