Opening Moves

“Gentlemen, my name is Major David S. Goldstein,” the Jewish officer could not help but leave his name hanging just for a split second, “And I am here to translate for both groups, which I will do honestly, literally and completely, to ensure full understanding.”

Goldstein pulled out a small stack of V-shaped cards and walked towards his own grouping of officers.

“For ease, it has been decided that name indicators would be appropriate and so I will place them out now by way of introduction.”

He leant round Eisenhower placing a name strip and, despite the General not needing any introduction whatsoever, named him, including the position of Supreme Allied Commander. Respectful nods were exchanged across

Moving to Ike’s right the diminutive Major placed out the strip for Joseph de Monsabert, naming him as the representative of the French Government and General commanding French Forces in Germany.

Placing his own marker in the space he had recently vacated to Monsabert’s right, he moved to the other side of Eisenhower in order to complete the Allied ensemble with the naming of Brian Robertson, Baron of Oakridge, presently the British Deputy Military Governor of Germany and Britain’s representative at these proceedings.,

Effortlessly, he moved around to the other side of the long table and commenced his introductions of the guests.

“Franz Von Papen”.

More correctly known as Franz Joseph Hermann Michael Maria von Papen zu Köningen, his credentials were impressive. A former army Colonel, politician, and one time Chancellor of Germany; Von Papen was a name that would be known to every German.

Leaning forward the second strip was placed.

“Adolf Schärf.”

Twice a political prisoner of the Nazis, Scarf was head of the newly formed Social Democratic Party of Austria.

Von Papen noted that with each name, nods from the Allied sides showed acknowledgement.

A strip for the provisional President of Austria.

“Karl Renner”

‘Nods of acknowledgement, and something else.’ The old politician’s senses lit up.

The Prime Minister of Bavaria received his name strip.

“Wilhelm Hoegner.”

‘It isn’t contempt.’

No mention of his former military rank of General-Oberst.

“Heinrich von Vietinghoff.”

‘It isn’t superiority.’

Another General-Oberst status went unmentioned.

“Heinz Guderian”

‘It isn’t hate.’

The ex-minister of Armaments and War Production needed no introduction.

“Albert Speer”

‘It certainly isn’t subservience.’

Neither did the last leader of the failed Third Reich.

“Karl Dönitz.”

‘It isn’t even mistrust.’

Finally, the last Chancellor of Germany, albeit briefly and not by that name.

“Johann Ludwig Graf Schwerin von Krosigk”

‘Grü² Gott! It looks very much like need.’

Goldstein, having finished his introductions, strode to the main double doors and knocked on one, which was immediately opened and admitted two US NCO’s bearing organised files and documents, one grouping of which was placed before each man present.

Each lay where they were placed, untouched by the recipient, as if by common agreement.

His work done, the First Sergeant left the room, the T4 Sergeant taking her place at the stenotype in the corner of the room.

Eisenhower began, and Goldstein translated into German.

“Thank you all for coming here at such short notice. I know some of you have been held awaiting investigations into your activities over the last twelve years and I must stress that such investigations will run their course and where there has been transgression, justice will surely follow. Today you should have been ten and now you are nine, because the individual concerned has been proved to be associated with unacceptable activities. What needs to be done cannot be done at any price. I hope that you will all understand that.”

Ike waited until Goldstein had delivered the translation and deliberately prolonged the pause to let the words sink in. There was no hint of a reaction from those facing him.

“Gentlemen, by now you will all have heard of the events which commenced yesterday morning.”

The pain on the faces of all of those across the table encouraged Eisenhower. His next words were deliberately chosen.

“This attack poses the highest possible risk to all our countries,” indicating not only those before him but the two allied officers either side of him, “And will not be easily defeated, and certainly not without great loss, even in the face of our unity.”

That was noted loud and clear.

“Germany is without government, as is Austria, both controlled by our Military at this time.”

As each word wormed its way into their minds of the Germans and Austrians, to a man both groups squirmed out of national embarrassment, as well as developing more understanding as to part of their purpose in being there.