Upfall

"Colonel, if I may" said Jezek, having discerned the gist of the Israelis Hebrew conversation "we are ready to start moving groups of people to the stream you described. We are grateful for our rescue. But there are nearly two thousand people here. Can you offer us any more assistance?"

Yatom called over to Feldhandler, who was arguing with Perchansky.

"What can we do for these people, Doctor? Did you think that part out?’

"We saved their lives, Colonel. There's a limit to what we can do. Did Shapira tell you about arming the refugees?"

"Yes."

"Well, I suggest that alter they refresh at the stream, they find a nice isolated Polish village and move in."

Mofaz rolled his eyes. "Tell him that" said Mofaz, pointing to Jezek. Feldhandler did, sympathetically but firmly. Jezek looked at Feldhandler as if he'd been told to land on the moon.

"Herr Jezek" repeated Feldhandler "I'm sorry to say you are going to have to fend for yourselves. We‘ll give you a few weapons. But you must make your own way."

"Danke Herr Oberst" said De Jong. He offered Yatom a sharp salute, which the Israeli returned awkwardly. De J ong and J ezek nodded at Feldhandler then walked back toward the other Jews waiting to go into the forest.

Chapter 12

Midday was bright and clear as the sun reached its zenith. In the field between the train and the tree-line Bolander and Ilan were instructing thirty men in the use of Uzis, Mauser rifles and German stick grenades. Other teams of men, organized by Jezek and De Jong, cleaned out the reeking boxcars of extra baggage and the dead.

Further on large groups of Jews walked off toward the stream, and beyond that a large hill, which lay kilometer or two southwest of the suyeret‘s ambush site. The Jews carried their luggage and small children, guarded by two men from the sayeret.

Shapira walked over from the weapons training site to join Yatom and Mofaz who stood with Perchansky and Feldhandler in a small patch of shade by the locomotive.

"How is the 'training' going?" asked Mofaz sarcastically.

"Surprisingly well, Major" answered Shapira, brushing aside Mofaz's doubt. "Those men are smart and ridiculously motivated. Some are Polish or Czech army veterans. I found a man to lead our little detachment."

"Who" asked Yatom "that De Jong fellow?" Shapira nodded.

"Tov" said Yatom. "Let's decide what to do now and how to do it.

We don't have much time. I'm surprised another train hasn't come along."

"That's unlikely, at least until tonight or tomorrow" said Feldhandler.

"Why?" challenged Mofaz.

"Because this track is used mainly as a spur line to Sobibor, and the track itself is in poor repair. Historically, the line was shut down in mid-1942 for repairs—a few months from now. So we probably have a little time, though I agree we should hurry."

Yatom turned and walked off toward Mueller and the Polish train engineers. Perchansky and Mofaz exchanged comical glances, as if they were participating in a farce, but followed along after the sayeret commander. Mueller had regained consciousness and lay bound in the high grass next to the bodies of his dead comrades. The two Polish engineers sat nearby, also bound, but uninjured. Yatom walked over to Mueller and dragged him like a sack of potatoes until he was propped up against one of the hot roadwheels on the passenger car.

Mueller winced and groaned. He watched his captors, fear and bafflement in his eyes. They spoke a language he didn't recognize and wore outlandish if functional looking uniforms. His head ached from his beating at the hands of the grim soldier that stood in front of him.

Mueller realized that it had been stupid trying to shoot the man at the last moment, but felt that he had also been quite brave to try.

Another soldier walked up, a bit older, and fatter than the others, carrying a large automatic weapon. Behind them was a woman, an attractive, dark complexioned girl wearing pants, and carrying some kind of machine-pistol herself. Two other soldiers stood nearby.

Mueller had just about collected himself when the older soldier kicked him in the testicles, sending the German back into a world of confusion and pain. "Why did you do that!" protested Perchansky.

Feldhandler ignored her and turned toward Yatom, looking for a sign of either disapproval or assent. The colonel's face was a mask.

"Go ahead" said Yatom phlegmatically. "You speak the best German."

Feldhandler raised his leg as if he were going to kick again. Mueller flinched. Feldhandler began speaking in precise fluent German.

"I am going to ask you a few questions about this train and your mission on it. I already know all the correct answers so do not try to deceive me. if you tell me the truth you will live. If not, my friend here" continued Feldhandler, pointing to Yatom, "will cut you limb from limb. Verstehst du?" Mueller nodded, obviously terrified. "Tell me your name, rank and unit." Mueller answered truthfully. He knew they'd taken his identification papers.