Opening Moves

‘So it was Von Papen. Damn, five dollars lost.’ He had been so sure it would be Dönitz,

“I believe that all of us here understand that our nations, having been conquered, cannot expect the niceties of freedom of self-determination at this time”, looking around at his cohorts for a dissenting look or gesture and seeing none he continued, “But this seems to go some way towards that goal.”

He pursed his lips, lightly adjusting his small moustache.

“But at what cost to our nations, Herr General, what cost?”

Silence.

He dropped the file on the desk and it sounded like a gun shot.

“Would these niceties have been afforded us were the Russians not knocking on your door? I think not, so let us be free of the illusion that this is a philanthropic exercise on the part of any of your governments.”

As Goldstein completed his words, Von Papen noted them strike home.

This time he took further stock of the attitudes of those around him and was satisfied to see that they seemed to understand his approach, his need to show that they were their own men, even though he knew, they knew, where this was going and what had to be done.

He adopted a more conciliatory tone and approach.

“Herr Generals,” he deliberately addressed the three of them, “As we sit here, the Communist enemy Germany and Austria have been fighting since 1941 is knocking on your door, inflicting death and destruction upon the people and ideals you hold dear.”

He looked around him enquiringly, searching each man for some sign of rebellion, some indication of discontent. There was none to be seen.

“Our own people will suffer even more outrages and this time without the hopes we had before.”

Slowly he rose to his feet.

“How can I, as a German citizen, contemplate doing anything other than using every part of me, every effort, and all my energy, and dedicate myself to the preservation of my country and countrymen?”

He adjusted his waistcoat with a dignified tug.

“Personally, and I must speak solely for myself at this time,” a unnecessary statement but one appreciated by his comrades in the absence of formal discussions, “I will accept the proposal here as it stands but understand that I am not a fool, and neither is any man here. I know this comes with a price tag but it is a price the German People will have to pay, no, will gladly pay to stand tall once more. It is the Army that you need, and we old men are required to persuade our peoples of the correctness and necessity of it all, after six long years of blood and pain”

He gestured loosely at the documents in front of him, in a way bordering on contempt, certainly by way of total disregard.

“You may give us some rights to self-govern but you and we all know they will be few and unimportant for now. Maybe later when we have earned your trust and proved our worth, but not now. None the less I will lend my support and ask my people to rise up again.”

He looked around him.

“Kameraden?”

One by one, each of the men stood in agreement until no one save the stenographer was seated.

She had witnessed an historic moment.

“Now Herr Eisenhower, what is it that you wish of our countries and peoples?”

Even in his wildest dreams, Ike had never foreseen that these men would throw their full support behind the Allied cause so readily and so easily. None of his concessions had been sought or offered and yet he had all he dreamed of from the Council.

“Gentlemen, I would ask that you inform your people of the contents of the documents in front of you.”

Trying to ensure that his German allies felt in control in some small way he conceded.

“If and only if you all feel able to support it fully and with honour.”

Eisenhower paused before the big one.

“We want the German Army,” Goldstein translated Army precisely as he had been briefed, “Der Heer, Luftwaffe und Kriegsmarine”, the German words punched from his mouth in the Teutonic style, “To be placed under our command, under my orders and reconstituted as best can be done in the time available, to join us in defeating these attacks, and then…”

Their collective attention sharpened at the meaningful pause.

“…And then forming part of the forces that liberate Europe, restoring all states, restoring all peoples, and to put an end once and for all to the threat of a communist Soviet Union.”

The group stood transfixed.

“Beyond the Polish Border, Herr General?” Von Papen posed the question that sat tantalisingly on everyone’s lips.

“You bet your ass, Chancellor.”

Von Papen looked at his group, taking each man’s gaze in turn, understanding what lay behind each man’s eyes and then, when all had been appraised, he turned to Eisenhower and nodded.

He moved around the head of the table, being met half way by an American General who believed he had just been handed the means to save Europe as easily as plucking a rose from its stem. Hands were grasped with a sincerity and comradeship that both sides appreciated there and then, and came to fully understand in time.