The Night of the Generals (31 page)

Grau, Lt-Col., 20.vii.44, 21.30hrs.

"I'll arrange their visit personally," promised Prévert, making for the door.

"One more thing, Prévert. If I don't get out of here alive, do your best to get Hartmann away. I'm certain he knows all about the murder, and his evidence could be vital."

"From his behaviour I'm inclined to agree with you." Prévert gave a mock bow. "Your wish shall be granted. Let's hope it's not your last!"

9.35p.m.

An "order of the day" issued by the Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy reached Paris. It opened with the words: "The treacherous attempt on the Führer's life fills each and every one of us with righteous indignation against our criminal enemies and their hirelings. Divine providence has saved the German people and the Armed Forces from this indescribable misfortune. In the miraculous preservation of our Führer we see fresh confirmation of...."

This order of the day was signed: Doenitz, Grand Admiral.

10.30 p.m.

The military commander of the Greater Paris area, Lieutenant-General Boineburg-Lengsfield, directed operations against the S.D. and S.S. in person, escorted by members of his staff. He was bold enough to wait until this juncture because Retreat was at 10 p.m. and he wanted to bottle up as many men as possible simultaneously.

Surprise was complete. The S. D. and S. S. allowed themselves to be disarmed and taken prisoner without offering the slightest resistance. Barely an hour later, twelve hundred men were under lock and key, some in the military prison at Fresnes and others in the casemates of the Forts de l'Est at St. Denis. Senior officers of the S. S. were detained in custody at the Hotel Continentale in the Rue Castiglione.

All this happened just as the Bendlerstrasse end of the conspiracy had degenerated into a bloody shambles. Hitler, Goering and Goebbels were composing their speeches to the German people, and General von Stülpnagel, Commander-in-Chief, France, had been relieved of his command by Field-Marshal von Kluge.

10.38p.m.

Grau's flying squad drew up outside the prison. His picked men overran the sentries and stormed into the cellars, where they came up against the battle-seasoned detachment from the Nibelungen Division. The two parties flew at each other's throats like beasts of prey--or, in more prosaic language: fierce hand-to-hand fighting took place.

Tanz's shock-troops retreated step by step, blazing away savagely in all directions. It was like a battle in the Warsaw sewers, and although the Nibelungen Division had been well-grounded in Warsaw techniques, Tanz's men were picked off one by one.

Having served his apprenticeship under General Tanz, the young lieutenant acted precisely as he had been ordered to act under such circumstances. He called for covering fire, crawled into Grau's cell, and shot him.

Grau collapsed without a word. His eyes were wide open as he fell.

11.23 p.m.

Side by side, Generals von Seydlitz-Gabler and Tanz listened intently to their Führer's words. It was a soul-stirring moment. Von Seydlitz-Gabler, in particular, registered deep but manly emotion.

The Führer yelled: "A small clique of ambitious, unscrupulous and criminally stupid officers..."

"Quite right!" said General Tanz.

"A small gang of criminal elements, who are now being ruthlessly exterminated..."

"Serve 'em right," put in General von Seydlitz-Gabler.

An A. D. C. poured champagne into two waiting glasses. After Hitler came Goering and, after Goering, Doenitz. As the last impassioned phrases died away, von Seydlitz-Gabler declared solemnly: "To our Führer, guided and guarded by Providence."

General Tanz drained his glass.

General von Seydlitz-Gabler drafted a telegram conveying his humble respects to the Führer and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. He expressed his full and unqualified appreciation of Lieutenant-General Tanz's services and composed a report to that effect. Furthermore, he proclaimed General Kahlenberge a traitor and deserter and issued a warrant for his arrest.

"Well," declared von Seydlitz-Gabler with an unclouded brow, "I think we can congratulate ourselves on coming through a trying time with flying colours."

"Casualties were unavoidable," said Tanz. "The attempt to rescue Grau had to be foiled at all costs, especially as he was in close touch with traitors like Kahlenberge. He also appears to have been in contact with the French Resistance. We had no choice in the matter. Don't you agree, sir?"

"Certainly," said von Seydlitz-Gabler after a moment's hesitation.

"May I count on your full support if the point is raised?"

"That goes without saying, my dear chap. You can count on me in every respect. Haven't the last few hours proved that? Well, then, what about a modest victory celebration? I'm sure the ladies will be delighted to join us."

11.50p.m.

Three men made their way southwards in the direction of Marseilles: Inspector Prévert, General Kahlenberge and Lance-Corporal Hartmann.

"Well," Kahlenberge said grimly, "the war's as good as over for us. The night of the long knives is here again--or should I say the night of the generals? We'll have to become civilians if we want to survive. We've no option."

"The war will never be over for me," said Hartmann. "I'll never be able to forget what's happened."

Inspector Prévert's harsh absinthe-coated voice broke in. "We must accept war for what it is--murder, pure and simple. Anyone who's gutless or indifferent enough not to make a stand against it is abetting murder. He's just an accomplice. Is that what you want to be, Hartmann?"

There was no reply

INTERIM REPORT

EXTRACTS FROM THREE ARTICLES DEALING WITH THE PROBLEMS RAISED BY 20TH JULY 1944 The following articles were written and published one month, ten years and sixteen years after the event respectively. Their most noteworthy feature is that all three were written by the same man, the self-styled historian Karl Kahlert, formerly a captain on von Seydlitz-Gabler's staff.

From the periodical "Officer and Reich," August 1944, an article entitled "The Mark of Shame" and signed K.K.: "... it fills us front-line soldiers with profound indignation to see defensive victories which have been won with the blood of our comrades placed in jeopardy. An ambitious and unprincipled clique of un-German, treacherous and reactionary elements..."

From the periodical "Officer and People," August 1954, an article entitled "The Hour of Trial" and signed K.: "... deserves our deepest respect. It was an act which enabled us to raise the flag of honour once more. We stand, profoundly moved, before the great dead of that day, men answerable only to conscience and the dictates of the heart..."

From the periodical "Officer and State," August 1961, an article entitled "A Day of Conspiracy" and signed Kahlert: "... there are moments in history whose distinguishing feature is their very uniqueness. They are, by definition, unrepeatable... "Even though their ranks included some whose motives were, to say the least, not entirely unequivocal... "... forced to conclude that while the men of 20th July merit respect, they should not be heedlessly, and thus irresponsibly, held up as an example. The young officer of today should be deeply conscious of this. All that need concern him is what we in this country have always felt to be the essence of military tradition and the inviolable duty of the soldier: unquestioning obedience..."

PART THREE

Epilogue

Party for the Dead

BERLIN, 1956

1

Herr Kahlenberge's 'plane was nearing Berlin. Not a cloud obscured his view of the city, and general visibility was good. As the Air France machine came in to land the sun shone forth in all its glory as though the heavens had decided to put on a show of welcome.

Kahlenberge hugged his soft leather briefcase almost tenderly. It contained the draft of a lecture which he was to give before what would undoubtedly be a select and well-informed audience drawn from Berlin's upper crust.

The ponderous machine lumbered across Templehof aerodrome and rolled gently to a halt. The passengers extricated themselves from their seats and streamed up the aisle to the exit. As he passed the smiling air hostesses, Kahlenberge smiled back and bade them good-bye in impeccable French. His knowledge of languages had improved considerably in the past few years. The air hostesses were patently charmed, and Kahlenberge was not too old to feel gratified.

Cheerfully, he walked across the tarmac to the main building. He was fond of Berlin and its inhabitants. To him, the city was the only vantage-point from which Europe could be viewed as a whole, and he was flattered by the thought of being asked to lecture there. He had prepared his address with due attention to detail. It was entitled "The Conquest of the Past"--a conquest which Kahlenberge felt that he himself had successfully achieved.

BRIEF NOTE: Kahlenberge in the intervening years At the end of July 1944, escapes to Southern France with Inspector Prévert and Lance-Corporal Hartmann. Resident in Marseilles until 1945. Thanks to some wire-pulling by Prévert, employed in an administrative capacity by the French Army of Occupation in Koblenz between 1945 and 1947. From 1948 until 1952, senior executive in a commercial vehicle and agricultural machinery firm based in Essen. Since 1953, director in charge of planned production in the same firm. Contributor to newspapers and periodicals. Occasional lectures. Author of memoranda commissioned by the ministry responsible for industrial planning.

"Thank you, Herr Generaldirektor," said the man at the barrier, handing back Kahlenberge's passport.

Kahlenberge smiled indulgently. In his firm he had been known as "General" long before he officially earned his civilian appellation. He had recently forbidden his staff to use the new title, but since they seemed to enjoy doing so he had resigned himself to it.

Kahlenberge scanned the arrival hall. He owed his invitation to Professor Kahlert, once a captain on his staff and now a historian of some repute. It seemed improbable that the usually punctilious Kahlert had forgotten to send at least a couple of his minions along to meet him, but Kahlenberge could see nothing that even faintly resembled a welcoming committee. He was a little disappointed until it struck him that this would give him a chance to look round his beloved Berlin at leisure.

Kahlenberge was about to lift his suitcase off the baggage counter when a pudgy hand closed over his and a husky voice said quietly: "May I help you?"

There was no mistaking the voice. With a start of surprise, Kahlenberge spun round to face the little man who was standing beside him.

"Prévert, my old friend, what a coincidence."

Prévert grasped Kahlenberge's outstretched hand and shook it warmly. They smiled at each other like men who have just received an unexpected present.

The Frenchman seemed to have grown even shorter. His flat, round, inexpressive face was covered with a network of fine wrinkles, but his eyes sparkled with the crystalline brilliance of emeralds. Looking into them, Kahlenberge felt almost dazzled. With a touch of misgiving, he asked; "It was a coincidence, I suppose?"

"Don't bank on it!" Prévert told him drily.

BRIEF NOTE: Prévert in the intervening years Late July 1944, decamps from Paris accompanied by Kahlenberge and Hartmann. Finds lodgings for Kahlenberge in Marseilles and Hartmann in Antibes .1944-45, works with the Maquis .1945, returns to Paris.1945-49,heads the Crimes of Violence Department at the Sûreté.1950-51,helps to reorganize-the national police services .1954 onwards, co-ordinating director of the French police departments associated with the International Police Organization--Interpol.

"I wouldn't put anything past you," said Kahlenberge.

"Very wise of you!" Prévert replied, motioning him to follow.

A man in a smart grey suit silently took charge of Kahlenberge's luggage and led the way through the swing doors. They emerged on to the pavement, where a large dark saloon stood waiting by the kerb--a Renault with a Berlin number-plate.

They got in. Prévert raised his hand and the car drove off towards the centre of the city.

"Don't worry," Prévert remarked. "You won't miss your lecture. Have you got it taped yet?"

"Not quite."

"Never mind," Prévert said equably. "I may spare you enough time to correct a point here and there."

"So it wasn't a coincidence," Kahlenberge did his best to look amused. "You obviously suffer from the same old vice-moving people around like pawns on a board."

"Just take a look at this city," said Prévert. "Don't you feel it bubbling away just beneath the surface? Berlin always reminds me of a gigantic barrel full of fermenting wine--if you'll pardon the analogy. I'm still fond of my drink."

They drew up outside the Dollhagen, the celebrated delicatessen shop in the Kurfürstendamm. The driver opened the door, still without a word, and Prévert and Kahlenberge got out. People streamed by without giving them a second look. Kahlenberge revelled in the sense of anonymity. He enjoyed being just another face in the Berlin crowd because it made him feel he belonged.

"Let's fortify ourselves a little first," Prévert suggested. "I'm sure you could do with a bite and it won't do me any harm either."

They climbed the stairs to the first-floor restaurant, where a table had been reserved for them beside a window in the far corner. The head waiter bowed and smiled. All Prévert had to do was to raise his hand like a president unleashing the waters of a dam, and two plates of baked oysters appeared, bedded in red cabbage and accompanied by a bottle of Chablis '53.

"Almost like being in France," said Kahlenberge.

Prévert nodded. While they ate he expatiated smilingly on an acquaintanceship with culinary refinements. If ever a nation took it into its head to make war on France for that reason--but only for that reason--he, Prévert, might be able to sympathize with its motives.