Vengeance 10

Keitel had, Dornberger told Bethwig, agreed to arrange with Himmler’s aide for Dornberger to see the Reichsführer, but Himmler had refused, preferring instead that Dornberger meet with SS General Ernst Kaltenbrunner, Heydrich’s successor. When Dornberger then demanded that Keitel issue an order for the release of the three scientists on grounds that as army employees they were not subject to Gestapo arrest, Keitel refused, claiming he could not interfere in an ongoing investigation.

Kaltenbrunner, SS chief of security for Berlin, was not available. Instead his deputy, SS General Heinrich Muller, was waiting for them in Kaltenbrunner’s office. After Domberger stated the reason for his visit, General Muller rolled his eyes towards the ceiling, as if seeking sympathy, and denied any knowledge of the circumstances surrounding von Braun’s arrest. He was a huge, florid-faced man who obviously depended more upon physical size and demeanour than brains. Bethwig watched him in fascination, thinking that in his presence one had the feeling that a physical assault was imminent, and admitted that he was, indeed, intimidated.

Domberger adopted a reasonable tone, explaining that the three men must have been arrested by mistake, that they were absolutely indispensable to the A-4 project which was in its most critical phase. He asked for their immediate release. When he finished, Muller eyed him carefully, then turned towards Bethwig.

‘And what is the reason for your presence in my office, Herr Bethwig?’

His tone was belligerent enough to make Bethwig bridle, but he kept his temper under control. ‘Simply to support General Dornberger. I am a scientist and an engineer and can — ‘

‘Yes, yes.’ Muller waved a hand. ‘I know all about you, Herr Doktor. In fact, I am surprised that you were not arrested with von Braun. Our file on you is even thicker than his, or General Domberger’s,’ he finished with a smirk.

‘If you are attempting to intimidate either of us, let me remind you that as military personnel we are — ‘

‘Not subject to the authority of the SS. Yes, I know.’ Muller waved a weary hand. ‘And I would remind you of the position in which Doktor von Braun now finds himself, for the second time. I would have thought one warning sufficient.’

Bethwig could endure the man’s arrogance no longer. He sprang to his feet, slammed a fist down on Muller’s desk, and had the satisfaction of seeing the SS officer jump.

‘Not those ridiculous sabotage charges again! You fool!’ he shouted. ‘Do you work for the Allies or for Germany?’ Bethwig leaned forward until his face was inches from Muller’s. ‘Well, two can play this game,’ he snarled. ‘Perhaps an investigation into your own activities would show who the traitors are. What do you suppose a thorough investigation of all those fine houses, expensive automobiles, and greedy women you surround yourself with would disclose? The Führer himself might even take a personal interest, especially when he contrasts his own way of life with the hedonism so beloved by the SS.’ The accusation was simply a shot in the dark, but the odds were on his side; and when he saw Muller’s expression transformed for an instant he knew that he had struck home.

Dornberger stared at Muller, making no attempt to calm Bethwig who was close to raving. The SS general had leaned back in his chair under Bethwig’s assault, and Bethwig leaned closer still and jabbed a finger directly into his face.

‘You issue orders for the release of those three or I will go directly to the Führer. It will give me a great deal of pleasure to see you squirm as you try and explain why you are delaying the development of a weapon which the Führer himself has proclaimed will win the war for Germany. I am certain he will also be interested in an examination of your personal finances and those of other officers in the SS!’

As he subsided into his chair, exhausted by his outburst, Bethwig could see indecision grinding its way through Muller’s brain, and he thought with contempt that in the Machiavellian world of the SS one could never be certain where one’s support lay.

The SD commander stared at the angry Bethwig, wondering just how much fact there was in his accusation and how much guesswork. He knew that Bethwig’s father had high connections in the party, and it was rumoured that the younger Bethwig worked directly for the Reichsführer on a secret project; something also to do with rockets. There were too many loose ends, Muller decided. Since he had no direct orders from Himmler on how to proceed — there had been only a telephone call from an aide instructing him to see Dornberger — he decided to stall until he could clarify the situation.