22. WE ALL FALL SHORT.
Tuesday August 1st 10:00 pm
Me and Irina race back to the town in the kubelwagen on this dark starry evening. The shrieking of the air raid siren grows louder as we approach. Are we under attack? What is happening? Why are the guns not firing? I scan the night sky searching for any silhouettes of bombers but it is so dark I can hardly see. Like my wish had been answered, the wispy fingers of the search lights flash and begin to probe the sky. As we race into town, I ask Irina," Wait, what are we going to tell your mother?" "I went to some friend's house, but drop me off a couple blocks away." I drop Irina off close to her house and she gives me a quick kiss on the cheek, before dashing home. I race back to the gun pit to find Obrenski, Kurtz and Lieutenant Sprieg manning their positions on the gun. I quickly park the kubelwagen and sprint to the Lieutenant. "Lieutenant Sprieg what's happening?" I ask. He scans the sky with binoculars but still answers me," I don't know, man your position." Obrenski grumbles, "Come on Sprieg, can't we go to bed." The Lieutenant barks, " No one sleeps until I figure out what's happening."
A several hours have past but the screams of the air raid siren have died down but the search lights still illuminate the sky. The Lieutenant stands listening intently to the radio set. Obrenski has dozed off leaning against the gun and Kurtz keeps rubbing his eyes and yawning. He tugs on my sleeve, "Franz can we go to bed yet?" he says drearily. " Not until the Lieutenant says so." He replies disappointed, "Awww I just want to go to sleep." "I know buddy." I reply as I yawn. The Lieutenant sets down the headset and approaches us. "Gentlemen." he says. Obrenski is startled awake, me and Kurtz drag our tired selves around the Lieutenant who doesn't seem tired at all. He continues, " There were no bombers. A bomb went off in the tank factory, it appears to be sabotage." I perk up and ask, "Does that mean there is a spy?" Obrenski adds with arms crossed,"Or a traitor." The Lieutenant responds," It is uncertain as of right now. The factory only suffered minor damage. Anyway get some rest, we will run drills tomorrow morning." Kurtz grumbles, "Aww I hate drills." Obrenski approaches the Lieutenant and asks," Who would want to sabotage our factory, why not go for something bigger in another city?" The Lieutenant replies simply," I don't know." I try to listen to the conversation but Kurtz has grabbed hold of my arm and is dragging me, saying, "Come on Franz, lets go to sleep." Obrenski and Lieutenant Sprieg start to talk amongst themselves as I am dragged into the barracks. My mind wanders to why would anyone bomb the factory? The war is getting too close. Then my mind flashes to my wonderful day with Irina and the passion we engaged in. I must keep it a secret,Obrenski would mock me and the Lieutenant would certainly scold me. But for the first time in my life, I finally know what love is about.
August 7th, Monday. 11:30 am
I pass through the city streets on a cool afternoon, Kurtz rides in the passenger seat of the Kubelwagen and looks amazed as though he hasn't seen this part of the city though we have passed through it many times by now. We are on an errand for Lieutenant Sprieg to pick his uniforms from a cleaner in the Jewish district. A store that other officers silently ridicule him for seeing a jew laundry aid but none dare to speak out because of his reputation. We drive through the bustling streets into the Jewish district. This place has come alive with activity and color, a far cry from when I first ventured here. We park outside of a small gray shop, and go inside. The small store has a white interior with wood floors, the back has a counter and behind it are a variety of clothes that hang on hangers. At the counter is an older woman with tan skin and soft welcoming eyes. She greets us," Hello boys, are you here for Mr. Sprieg?" "Yes mam." I reply. "Good, I just finished his." She informs us. She then says,"Have you heard about the factory bombing? They are blaming us jews like they always do. But I don't know why anyone would do such a thing." She refers to the bomb that damaged the factory a week ago. The town has been shaken with anxiety and excitement. The saboteur still hasn't been caught and though it wasn't a major catastrophe, it has definitely created controversy and stirred up tensions. Espesially tensions between the pro party and jewish populations. The party officials have done all they can to place blame on the jews. But the simple matter is we don't know who did it and why. She disappears briefly into the wall of clothing before returning with folded uniforms. She hands them to me and I give her the appropriate amount of reichsmarks. She then tells me," Tell your Lieutenant, I always appreciate his business." "I will." I reply. "No." she says, " I mean it. Without his support my business wouldn't have survived. No German soldier wants his clothes washed by a jew, especially officers. Your Lieutenant is a very generous man, he always pays extra." I just realized I never actually counted the money, I just handed what he gave me. "Will you please thank him for me?" she asks. "Uh yes mam I will." I say.
Me and Kurtz leave the store and place the fresh clean garments in the back of the kubelwagen. Kurtz tugs my sleeve and asks," Franz, what's going on over there?" "What do you mean?" I ask. He then points and I notice a gathering of people around the main road. I am curious as to what event leads them there. Kurtz takes off in a dash exclaiming, "Come on Franz, lets see what it is!" His boots clack against the road. I try to grab at him but he leaves me, so I try to catch up. I shout," Wait Kurtz! We are supposed to be heading back." I follow him into the gathering which possesses far more people than I originally thought. People line both sides of the street and then I hear it. The notable sound of the marching band playing military marches with brass instruments down the road. They come closer and I can see them in their white uniforms in formation playing proudly. A parade? I didn't know there was supposed to be a parade today. Then a new sound meets my ears, the sound of motors, the squeaking of wheels and the clatter of tracks. It's the unmistakable sound of tanks rumbling down the street. Sure enough, my suspicions are confirmed. The boxy forms of tanks come into view as they patter down the street. There is the sloping boxy frames of Panzer lVs and the short stature of Stug llls Their barrels are raised skyward and the tank crew hang out of the hatches and wave at the crowd. The crowd cheers, claps and waves as the parade continues. Then something catches my attention, there emblazoned on the gray hull of one of the tanks is a black wolf head with red eyes and white teeth and within its jaws is a tan hare with blood dripping down the teeth. The image strikes me as disturbing. As the tanks pass soon a new sound meets my ears. The sound of hundreds of boots clacking against the street. Marching soldiers come into view, and not just any soldiers but soldiers of the SS, Hitler's personal army. Die hard nazis who fully believe in his ideology. Distinctive in their black uniforms with the lightning runes on their collars, rifles slung over their shoulders, they march in rows down the street. Kurtz looks around amazed and entertained. My thoughts lay on why is the SS here? Hundreds of soldiers pass through, enough for maybe a battalion. What is this? Why are they here? "Franz, isn't this great?" Kurtz asks giddy over the cheers. "Yeah great buddy." I say trying to not reveal my troubled concern. The city already has a garrison, why are they here? Something is going on and I don't like it. Soon the parade leaves us and I say "Come on Kurtz, lets go." He asks with excitement in his voice," Wasn't that fun?!" "Sure was Kurtz, lets get going."
We rembark the Kubelwagen and leave the city. I am still troubled by the presence of the SS. With them being here, something must be happening. As we pull up to the gun pit we find that another vehicle is there and standing outside it is a SS soldier smoking a cigarette leaning against the side of the vehicle. He stares at me and Kurtz as we park and exit the kubelwagen. He looks as though he is trying to keep himself from chuckling. I find myself annoyed by him but then I see why he is here. Down in the gun pit is Lieutenant Spreig talking to another man in black SS officers uniform. His markings signal him to be a high officer as medals hang from his chest. He is slightly taller than the Lieutenant and holds his chin high in an act of arrogant superiority. Cocky he seems, I don't like him. Why is he here?
I approach and the Lieutenant greets me saying, "Franz, This is Major Hans Olbermann. He is in charge of the 129th SS Panzer Battalion. They will be providing extra security for the garrison." The Major scoffs, " These are the rest of your men?" The Lieutenant looks annoyed and rebukes, "They are more capable than you think." The Major then says with an agitated look on his face, "We will see. I am here to inspect this installation's combat performance. I hope you will do your best not to disappoint me." The Lieutenant then commands,"Gentlemen, to battle stations." We all rush to our position on the gun. The Lieutenant barks orders, " Load training round, target three thousand yards. Fire at will." I take the blue tipped dummy shell from Kurtz as Obrenski furiously cranks the hand wheels with rapid clicking sounds. With the gun in position, barrel parallel to earth, I see our target which is once again the rusted tractor at the wood line. Obresnki peers in the gun sight and makes slight adjustments with the hand wheels. I load the dummy shell into the breech and the hatch slams shut. Obrenski orders, "Fire." I clamp down on the firing level and the gun booms forth. The shell streaks down the landscape leaving a trail of blown over flowers in its wake. The shell impacts the earth at high velocity just short of our target spraying up a shower of earth.
"I'm disappointed Sprieg, I expected better from a man with your reputation." The Major says. The Lieutenant looks challenged. "Obrenski, up two, left three." Lieutenant Sprieg says while maintaining stern eye contact with the Major. "Load" orders the Lieutenant. I take a dummy shell from Kurtz. The gun clicks as Obrenski operates the hand wheels. I load the shell into the breech. "Fire." orders Lieutenant Sprieg still keeping stern eye contact with the Major. I clamp the firing lever and the gun booms. The projectile hits the target dead center. We stand in amazement. The Major looks astonished.
"I see your reputation in gunnery is true. What is an officer of your quality doing amongst these ugh…conscripts?" He says looking at us with utter disgust. Obrenski clenches his fist tightly. Lieutenant Sprieg replies still uninviting, "I chose country over party Major." The Major gives a sly smile,"We both fight for the betterment of Germany Lieutenant." "I don't fight for Hitler." the Lieutenant says agitated. The major gives another sly smirk, "Careful of what you say heer Sprieg, talk like that can get you arrested. And we wouldn't want that would we?" An obvious threat, the police have been arresting anyone who has spoken out against Hitler and the Party. Obrenski has had enough," Now wait just a minute." snaps Obrenski in the defense of the Lieutenant. He approaches angrily, but Lieutenant Sprieg stops him. "Do control your mongrel Lieutenant, I hear he is quite the troublemaker. Obrenski snarls, "What did you say?!" Lieutenant Sprieg holds him back, and barks,"Obrenski! In the barracks now!" Obrenski stops and looks angrily at the Lieutenant. "NOW!" Lieutenant Sprieg demands. Obrenski grumbles and reluctantly heads to the barracks. The Lieutenant turns and says aggravated," Major, I would appreciate it if you did not insult my men." Major Olbermann says snidely," You call these men?" The Lieutenant huffs and then asks, "What exactly is the SS doing here? The war is far away from here." "The war is here heer Sprieg, there are reports of partisan activities in this area, we are to put a stop to it." Partisan activities? He must be referring to the factory bombing. We still don't know who did it but nothing like that has happened since. "Why wasn't I informed?" demands Lieutenant Sprieg. "You simply didn't need to know at least not for those in the regular army." The Major says snarky. The Lieutenant says almost growling, "Major, have you finished your inspection?" "Yes, though I wouldn't say I am satisfied but what can I expect from boys and an old man." I feel insulted. The Lieutenant says in an incredibly stern tone, "I believe your inspection is over Major. I recommend you leave." A bold move for the Lieutenant who is addressing an officer superior to him in rank. The two men lock eyes in a tense unseen battle for dominance. Lieutenant Spreig holds the sternest expression I have ever seen." After a few tense moments, the Major says, " I do think you are right heer Sprieg, I have other matters to attend." With that he gives a smug smile and then leaves us in the vehicle as he and his chauffeur drive off. I have never seen him this hostile to anyone.
Obrenski emerges from the barracks and exclaims,"Nazi prick." The Lieutenant returns to the radio set without comment. Kurtz looks at me and says," He wasn't very nice." " I know buddy." I reply thinking of how I agree with Obrenski, He was a prick and I hope we don't have to see him again. Obrenski goes to the Lieutenant and asks,"Why are they here?" Lieutenant Sprieg responds with a headphone to his ear, "He said there were partisan activities here. They are to provide security." Obrenski replies,"That's bullshit and you know it." "I know, the bombing seems to be an isolated incident. And partisans are usually more active than this." I ask, "Do we know who did it?" The Lieutenant responds," Probably an anti war protester, though I wonder how they were able to acquire the explosives." Obrenski states,"The Allies could be behind it." "I doubt it." The Lieutenant says in disagreement.
"Franz!" a voice calls my name, I look around and see a bicyclist pedaling towards us. Its Irina! She stops and dismounts the bike and rushes to me in her violet dress. I quickly go to embrace her and we hold each other as though we are meeting in a long awaited reunion. Then we remember we have an audience and awkwardly discontinue our embrace. Obrenski grins and Kurtz rushes to hug Irina. He wraps himself around her waist and exclaims,"Irina! I'm so happy to see you again." Irina gives a smile and says in a motherly tone," I missed you too Kurtz." He releases his hold, and the Lieutenant asks, "It is a pleasure to see you again dear but why are you here?" I look at her and she answers," It's the SS, they are taking over people's homes and moving their troops in. They have an officer moving into our house! What's happening Lieutenant?" He replies," The SS are here to provide security." "Because of the bombing?" she asks. He responds,"We believe so." She then says," They can't just move into people's houses can they?" "We are at a state of war dear, they can billet their troops wherever they please." states the Lieutenant. Obrenski blurts," It's an occupation! Those bastards!" The Lieutenant then states, "For now we don't know what's happening but it's obvious the SS know something we don't." Lieutenant Sprieg?" she says quietly, " You know they are blaming the jews." He replies," Yes dear I know."
Suddenly honking gets our attention and sure enough a truck comes traveling down the dirt road toward us. The truck abruptly stops and out steps Sergeant Rudenstoff. He walks down the earthen ramp to us but looks curiously at Irina. Lieutenant Sprieg greets him,"Rudy how are you?" He asks, " Who's the girl?" Obrenski blurts slyly, "Franz's lover!" Lieutenant Sprieg rolls his eyes before saying, "Franz's love interest." . "Oh good, I was starting to think she was another one of Obrenski's concubines." Rudenstoff says. Obrenski grunts sarcastically, "Good to see you too Rudy." The Sergeant then says, "Odel, they are requesting all officers to a meeting at headquarters. Do you know that the SS are here?" "Yes we met their Major a moment ago, quite a rude character." the Lieutenant replies. Obrenski grumbles with his arms crossed," A bastard more like it." Rudenstoff continues," I heard they are here because of the factory. But you are never going to believe this." "What is it?" me and Irina ask almost in unison. "I heard from the guys investigating it, they said they found toy parts in the bomb's remains." "Toy parts? What the hell." Obrenski exclaims. Lieutenant Sprieg stands and ponders this new realization before saying,"Alright Franz we are going into town." I look disappointed at Irina, she just got here and I don't want to leave her. She looks disappointed as well. The Lieutenant then says, "Would you like to come with us dear? Its awfully far to pedal." Irina smiles, " I think that would be nice sir." Lieutenant Sprieg then says," Then it is arranged. Obrenski, Kurtz, man the post while we are gone." Obrenski grumbles, "Why do I always have to babysit?" I look and smile at Irina and we are about to leave before Obrenski says, studying us closely, " Wait! There is something different about you two." Me and Irina freeze and turn around. Does he know about the night of the ball, he can't possibly know, I haven't told anyone. Are his perversion senses that intune. Me and Irina look nervously at one another. Whatever comes out of Obrenski's mouth can't be good. He then says," Nah I'm just fucking with you two." I breathe a sigh of relief, but then he winks with a grin, not just any but THAT grin. Me and Irina blush uncontrollably, he knows! The Lieutenant breaks up the tension by saying," Alright let's go."
I sit in the driver's seat of the Kubelwagen and start up the engine. The Lieutenant sits in the passenger seat and Irina sits in the seat behind mine. We have tied her bicycle to the hood of the vehicle. We begin our trek toward the city and upon entering city limits, Irina asks," So Lieutenant Sprieg, just who are the SS? Are they not with the regular army?" The Lieutenant replies," In a way dear. You see the SS typically fight alongside the army but you will find they are much more aggressive, especially with their policies." "What do you mean sir?" Irina asks.
"I mean requirements for joining are swearing full loyalty to Hitler and the Party's doctrine of Aryan Supremacy." he replies. Irina asks, "You mean they don't like the Jews?" "Dear, they don't like anyone that doesn't believe in Hitler's cause. They are fanatics." "Why do they hate so much?" she asks. " Because it makes them feel powerful, dear. I have heard whispers of violence against civilians in occupied territories because of them." After a short pause, she asks," What do you believe in Lieutenant Sprieg?" "I believe in Germany dear, my home without war."
We arrive at the Government building and the Lieutenant steps out of the vehicle and says," Franz you two stay here, I won't be long." He leaves us and heads up the stairs to the government building. This time there is more activity with many of the black uniformed SS soldiers going to and fro. On the side of the building juts out a tank's sloped hull and its massive menacing barrel protrudes out into the street Irina then says," Franz, what did that man say about toy parts in the bomb?" At first I don't know what she is onto but then I realize, "No you don't think?" I say. She replies," Uncle Nuham's shop is the only one of a few toy stores I know that are in town." " Surely it's just a coincidence. Do you really think he would build a bomb?" I say. "No but Ishmel passionately despises the Nazis." she says. I ask, "You think uncle Nuham's son is behind the bombing?" " I don't know but I do know he had friends who fought against the Nazis on the night of broken glass." she says. "You think he is with the partisans?" I ask. She replies, "I don't know."
After a while, the Lieutenant returns and silently gets in the passenger seat. He abruptly says, "The rumors are true." " What?" I ask. "There is an underground partisan group acting within the city." "Really?" asked an astonished Irina. He says, "They call themselves The Blue Rose. The police found one of their hideouts the other day stocked with weapons, weapons that were reported missing from the garrison armory." "Did they cause the bombing?" Irina asks. He replies, "They haven't claimed responsibility yet but it is more than likely." "What does that mean for us?" I ask. He responds, "We are to report any strange behavior to the SS who are investigating. They will brief the public this afternoon." "What are we going to do now sir?" I ask. He replies, " For now we proceed as usual but we need to be getting back, heavy bomber formations have been reported nearby, which means we need to send her home." I hate Irina having to leave but I understand the situation we are in. But I worry for her safety, what if more violence emerges from the partisan Blue Rose. "Franz." He says, breaking my thought, " Let's take her home."
As we progress closer to Irina's home, I take notice that some of the SS soldiers are seen going about the street knocking on the doors of people's homes. Some greet them cheerfully, others warily. A man welcomes a group of the troopers with a bottle of champagne and a cheery smile. "Is the SS going to stay Lieutenant?" I ask. He replies, "The battalion is light and has the strength of two thousand men and twenty four tanks. Their Headquarters is in the Heisenberg Inn, but they don't have enough hotels to house them all. So the SS will be staying in some people's homes." Irina asks "They can do that?" He replies, "Yes dear they can." Soldiers unload boxes of equipment and take them into one elderly man's home, an officer directs their actions with sharp commands. I stop a few blocks from Irina's home as an army motorcycle, with a sidecar that possesses a menacing machine gun, passes us by. Irina steps out and I join her as we cut her bicycle loose from its restraints on the hood. As Irina takes hold of her bike, she kisses me on the lips in front of Lieutenant Sprieg. She then smiles and then says," I'll write you later." before mounting her bike to pedal off. I feel my heart sink as she leaves us. I hate being without her, like I am lost and uncomfortable without her presence. I long for her though she has just gone. Like a pit in my heart that is only filled by her being near. "She is quite fond of you, isn't she? A nice girl you have found Franz." says the Lieutenant, breaking my thought. I replied getting back in the vehicle, "Yeah she is great." He says, "I am happy for you Franz." like a proud father would.
As I start the kubelwagen and we head down the street, I say almost blurting, "I think I am in love Lieutenant." "I believe you are too Franz." he agrees. I say, "It's like I need her all the time. Is this what love is, sir?" "Franz." he says, "What does your heart tell you?" Like pressure built up inside me desperate to be released, I blurt out, "I want to marry her Lieutenant." He is taken by surprise but has a face that isn't of approval. He says,"Well Franz, lets not get too hasty, you have only known the girl a couple of months." I feel my heart sink, I defend my resolve," But I feel so close to her and she understands me!" The Lieutenant huffs and says,"I know Franz but you need to remember there is still a war on and your duty must come first." "But sir!" I exclaim. He stops me," A marriage won't matter if there is no home to go to." All I can do is groan. He then says almost like a command, "Finish the war, then get married." I huff in disapproval but he is right, if we lose this war, me and Irina's relationship would struggle in the massive political struggle the end of the war would cause. Would we make it under Allied occupation? I then ask,"Well do you at least think she would say yes if I asked her, sir." He smiles and replies," I'm sure she would." My spirit renews a little.
As we drive near the Jewish district, we see a scene that I have not seen before. There some of the SS are putting up fences with barbed wire, setting up a perimeter around the Jewish quarters. The fence separates the small section of the city from another. Then we come to another scene, there are lines of hundreds of Jewish men, women and children that are being stopped before several typists sitting in desks outside. They are registering the Jews and issuing ID cards to them collecting a census. Then we come across a checkpoint that is the only access point between here and the Jewish district. Several armed SS soldiers stand assembling or guarding the point from behind an arm bar. A woman argues with one of the guards on the jewish side. Then she is suddenly struck in the face by the soldier with the butt of his rifle, she falls and hits her head on the pavement with an audible thud. She lays there unmoving. Lieutenant Sprieg barks, "Franz, stop the car!" and jumps out before I could fully stop the vehicle.
He vaults over the arm pole and rushes over to the woman while I stop the vehicle and follow him. He crouches over her and places his ear to her mouth before taking his hands and inspecting the back of her head. By then I have finally crossed the barrier and caught up with him. She still lays there eyes closed as in deep sleep and unmoving, a large knot has formed on her forehead. Then the Lieutenant draws back his hands to reveal that they are covered in red blood. He looks at his blood soaked hands for a moment then turns his head and barks the order to the group,"Get a medic! Quickly!" Two of them rush off down the street. "Franz!" he commands," Watch her and alert me if she stops breathing." I go and crouch beside her and then I can hear her labored breath" The Lieutenant rises and angrily approaches her assailant, snapping," YOU! Who Is your commanding officer?!!" The soldier refuses to answer. The Lieutenant snaps again," Do you have any idea of what you have just done?!" The woman breathing has gone from labored to now where she has long pauses before gasping for air, she still remains motionless. Horror soon strikes me as I notice that blood starts to pool around her head and dark brown hair."Answer me!!" demands Lieutenant Sprieg. The soldier finally responds,"Major Olbermann, sir." "What is your name soldier?!" demands Lieutenant Sprieg in the most aggressive tone I have ever heard. The SS trooper responds, "Corporal Max Tannenhof, sir." The Lieutenant asks angrily, "Corporal, What was the meaning of this?" He replies,"She was trying to leave sir, I have orders to make sure no one leaves." "So you struck her?!" The Lieutenant asks in angered disbelief. Just then a medic arrives with the same two men who are carrying a stretcher. The medic rushes over and pushes me out of the way. By now a large puddle of dark red blood has pooled around the woman. With one look, the medic utters,"This is bad." before waving over the two men. They place the canvas stretcher down and roll her limp body onto it. Blood covers the entire rear of her body. They pick her body up and rush off with blood that streaks the ground behind them. I stand there and just gaze at the blood puddle and wonder if that was the last time I would ever see that woman alive. Then I am snapped back to reality by the Lieutenant who continues to scold the assaulter. The Lieutenant then orders one of the nearby soldiers,"Get me Major Olbermann right now!" "But sir he is..." "Now dammit!" The other soldier runs off to be the messenger.
After about thirty minutes have gone by and the Lieutenant stands, arms folded behind him, fuming. The offending soldier stands across from him seeming more nervous for a reprimand than actually about attacking someone. Just then a staff car pulls up and out steps the Major. He approaches and says in a greeting tone,"Ah heer Sprieg, what seems to be the trouble?" The Lieutenant approaches him and states,"One of your men just assaulted a woman and gravely injured her, I demand that he be punished." The Major asks the soldier, "Is this true Corporal?" "It was a Jew sir, she was trying to leave. I was ordering her not to." the SS trooper replies in his defense. The Major replies, almost surprised and a little relieved,"Oh it was just a jew." The Lieutenant seems angered at the Major's seeming disregard for the woman and says, "That Jew was a civilian of Germany!" The Major responds, "If she did not wish to be struck then she should have followed his commands." Me and Lieutenant Sprieg stand appalled that the Major stands on the side of barbarism. The Major issues out new orders,"Continue with your orders Corporal, and if any other Jew tries to leave, shoot them." My jaw hangs in disbelief. The soldier replies," Yes sir." before rushing to his post. The Lieutenant approaches the Major and ushers quietly,"General Yodel will hear about this." before commanding sternly, "Franz, we are leaving."
As Lieutenant Sprieg and I embark the kubelwagen, I notice his blood stained hands. The drive back to post was silent, he kept a stern look upon his face. When we arrive back, Obrenski can be seen manning the radio while Kurtz crouches down to pet Otto the cat. The black feline takes enjoyment in the child's touch. Lieutenant Sprieg approaches Obrenski and Kurtz greets me, " Hi Franz, did you have fun?" Fun? I just witnessed a dying woman and barbarians too savage to care. Thank God he wasn't with us, it could have affected him. At least he still retains his innocence. I reply,"Yeah buddy it was fun." Kurtz then says, "I wish I could have gone, we would have had so much fun." "Yeah, we could have used you buddy." I say in an effort to not reveal the trauma I just witnessed. Lieutenant Sprieg taps Obrenski on the shoulder, who is listening intently through the headset. Obrenski takes off the headset and exclaims,"What happened to you?" As he examines the Lieutenant's blood stained hands. He replies,"I don't want to talk about it." Obrenski then says," The 2nd and 116th have launched a counterattack in the west. They are pushing the American and British back." Lieutenant replies,"Good news for once." Obrenski utters, "Don't get too excited, the Russians just cut off Army Group North up in Lithuania." The Lieutenant thinks on this for a minute then says," I need to call General Yodel." He then cleans his hands with a nearby canteen before disappearing into his office. Obrenski asks me sharply, "What the hell happened?" "It was the SS, we watched them beat a woman, I don't think she is going to make it." I say. My stomach tied in knots as I recall the event. "Those bastards, just who the hell do they think they are?" "They are fencing off the jewish district." I say. He replies," Of course they are, those antisemitic bastards. They had to bring their hatred with them."
After an hour it is now sunset and the sky is painted deep orange. We begin to man our positions on the cannon. "Obrenski, northward." commands Lieutenant Sprieg. Obrenski swivels the gun as the monstrosity slowly rotates, clicking as it goes. Kurtz hands me a brass shell as the gun's rotation stops. I hold the roughly forty pound shell in my hands and slide it into the guns breech."Up seventy four degrees." commands the Lieutenant as he observes the sky with his binoculars. The gun clicks stop as the gray steel barrel points skyward. Soon faint droning can be heard as dozens of bombers come into view several miles away. Their clear silhouettes are black and I can make out the distinctive four engines on some of the planes. That dozens become hundreds as the droning increases,more of the black silhouettes come into view as they are back lit by the decaying sun's orange radiance. "B-17s, It's the Americans. Open fire." says the Lieutenant. I pull the firing lever with a sharp tug and the monstrous cannon blast forth, in a smog of smoke, a deadly projectile to greet the invaders. It ends in a puff of black smoke among the formation. There must be hundreds of bombers flying near the town! The other guns in our flak battery open up and the town is alive with rolling thunder. Yellow shells streak into the sky in to the high above formation. I can only wonder what Irina thinks about this. Seven or eight shells shoot high to the lower atmosphere, blasting their way in amongst the sky fleet. I can see some of the bombers shake and swerve to avoid being hit. Kurtz hands me another shell and I slam it into the breech. With a sharp pull on the firing lever, the cannon fires forth a yellow streak among other yellow streaks to explode among the formation. A few bombers can be seen limping away from the pack as they shakily try to flee from the carnage. I feel proud of the small amount of damage we inflicted on the invaders. But that seems so miniscule compared to the hundreds that are still flying. Kurtz hands me another shell but before I can load it the Lieutenant commands,"Wait, hold your fire." as he observes the high up battle before us. Then I realize that the tune of thunder has now gone silent, the other guns have stopped firing. Why? Smaller silhouettes begin to appear and I soon realize that they are fighters. Our fighters as they ascend into heaven like a graceful flight of doves. They are many and come rising from below the unsuspecting formation, they rise like knights charging into battle.
Then I bear witness to a sight I have never seen before and probably never see again. As the sky is soaked in deep purples and dark blues, the sky bursts into an eruption of light. And then I realized why, A B-17 contains thirteen machine guns for defense. The moment the bombers spotted the fighters, every gun in the formation unleashed their fury upon them. The evening sky high above us is alive with flashes of yellow far too numerous to count. Amongst the yellow are streaks of red and green tracers weaving a colored tapestry high in the sky. I had never seen such a sight before. The fighters dive deep into the vast sky armada like swallows in flight. Fire balls erupts as engines take fire. Damaged fighters, like wounded birds, fall smoking from the sky. The battle in the heavens takes on a ferocity I have never seen. Fighters sweep gracefully into the formation slashing at their prey as they pass. A few bombers begin a flaming descent to the earth, as casualties of the carnage. Suddenly a few puffs of earth kick up before I realize that they are stray bullets from the aerial battle. "Kurtz! Get down!" I say. I push him down just as a streak of bullets fly over his head and trail up to the barracks. A stray bullet hits the window and shatters it with a crash. Another set of bullets begin pinging off of the gun making an awful ringing. "That was close." says an astonished Obrenski. "Stay focused!" the Lieutenant commands.
The sky war rages on fiercely as the fighters gallantly take on their superior foe. Our hero pilots have lost many of their number. Most begin to scatter leaving the formation no longer disturbed. The sky fleet continues on unfazed but many wounded bombers begin to turn back and limp to England.There are still so many still flying and we lost so many fighters, it feels as our efforts were in vain. How can we possibly stop them all. My stomach sinks with despair. The Lieutenant observes them with his binoculars as they begin to disappear on the horizon.
"Did you see the fireworks franz?!" Kurtz says, amazed. He still has no comprehension of what just happened. A benefit and a curse of his innocent mind trying to make sense of what he just witnessed. Obrenski just shakes his head and states," Those fireworks almost killed us." Then he groans," Ugh those bastards shot out my window!" Obrenski enters the barracks to inspect the damage. Some bullets have thoroughly lodged into the wall of the building. The Lieutenant goes to man the radio and orders, "Franz, inspect the gun." I follow and observe the cannon for damage. Besides a few scratches, it looks relatively ok. "GOD DAMMIT!" yells Obrenski from inside the barracks. "There is glass all over my bed!" he screams. I chuckle at him, serves him right for being a pervert. Obrenski emerges and snaps, " Why is it always my shit?!" The Lieutenant says," I'll have Rudy come replace it tomorrow." Obrenski crosses his arms fuming."Fucking American bastards." he gripes. "Be glad they didn't kill you." remarks the Lieutenant. "Franz, go ahead and make dinner. I feel like we are going to have a long night." he says. "Do you think there are going to be more of them sir?" I ask. He replies,"I don't know but we will keep are guard up."
We stayed alert for most of the evening before the Lieutenant dismissed us, then when we retired for the night. Obrenski has placed a tarp over the shattered window and Kurtz sleepily strokes Otto the cat and I prepare to go to bed. Obrenski's oil lamp serves as our only light as it flickers its orange glow off of the wall of our home. Obrenski sits in his bed drawing something on paper, probably more pornography knowing him. Suddenly Kurtz starts snoring loudly, the excitement of the day must have tired him. Obrenski asks subtly while still drawing, "So how was it?" "What?" I ask confused. "You know what." he says confidently. Surely he doesn't mean me and Irina. "So how does it feel to be a man now?" he asks. He knows! I try to stifle my embarrassment. "How…how'd you know?" I ask. He replies still scribbling, "You are more confident now. And you two just seem closer." "Please don't tell the Lieutenant." I beg. He smirks, "Relax, your secret is safe with me. You still didn't answer my question." I breathe a sigh of relief. At first I was intimidated, my experience was between me and Irina. But something about Obrenski seems more inviting, he is more sober than usual, like he respects me. "It was nice." I reply. He shows a proud smile. "It was about time." he says. "She is beautiful Obrenski." I say. "I know," he replies ,"You got real lucky Franz." "Obrenski, I….I think I love her." I say. "I know you do." he replies. " I think I want to marry her." I say. He stops scribbling and looks at me. "You know marriage is quite a commitment. Are you sure you are ready for it?" he replies. "Lieutenant Sprieg doesn't think I am." I say. He rebuttals, "I don't care what Sprieg thinks, it is about what you want Franz. What do you want?" I rub my hand through hair and say," I don't know if she would say yes." "I'm sure she would." he reassures me. "You think so?" I ask. " I know so, believe it or not I was married once Franz. She looks at you the same way my wife looked at me." he replies. I am astonished, he never talks about his wife. "What was your wife like?" I ask. He seems taken back before answering," She was a spitfire." he says with a soft reminiscing smile. "We got married not long after I came back from the war. She was kind, sweet, but oh so stubborn. We had my son Max two years later, things were great for a while and then…."
A frown suddenly turns on his face, a face of painful recollection. " What happened? I ask intrigued. "Hitler happened," he says shortly. He takes a deep breath and then starts "The Allies after the Great War determined that Germany should pay reparations, they blamed us for the war. The economy tanked, money was essentially worthless, no one could find jobs and no one cared for damaged soldiers like me." I listen to him intently. He continues,"I found solace at the bottom of a bottle, but she didn't like that. Now to think of it, I don't know why she put up with me. Then came Hitler, he promised he would make us great again and for the longest time, I believed him. I went to every rally, every parade, donated almost all of our money and little by little life started improving." Obrenski supported the Nazis? He continues," Then she left me and took Max with her, she didn't like what they stood for. And I was a fool not to see it then." "You were a Nazi?" I ask in complete astonishment. He looks at me shamefully and answers, "Yeah, I was for a while." "What happened?" I ask, perplexed. He answers, "I woke up." What do you mean?" I ask.
He replies looking me dead in the eyes. "I watched them burn synagogues to the ground. I watched them beat people in the streets with my own eyes. It wasn't right and I refused to take part in it. It was not the Germany I fought for, not the Germany my friends died for. "What did you do?" I ask. "I tried to speak out but by then I was too late, my voice was drowned out by their hatred. Then just when I thought it couldn't get much worse, it did. They took my son from me, Franz. They indoctrinated him in to their cult and turned him in to a weapon. Tell me Franz, what do children need with handgrenades? I figured out their plans, they trained our children to fight their wars. I couldn't do anything about it and my son is dead because of them." His face turns to bitter anger and he says to me, "Look around you Franz. Does this look any better? I fought in one war and here I am in another because of them. I tell you Franz nothing good will come of them being here." I agree with him but I ask him anyway," Why do you say that?" " I have heard stories." he says. I ask, "What kind of stories?" He replies "The kind where entire towns disappear overnight. I hear they take people away, they are not to be trusted, Franz." "What are we going to do?" I ask. He replies," For now nothing but keep your eyes open. Things are going to change here real soon." I hate to admit it but I think he is right.