Berlin, Gau Groß-Berlin, Großdeutsches Reich, 19. Mai 1943
Dr. Goebbels said, “It’s about time!”
He had been taken to “protective custody” after the catastrophic death of the Führer. There were rumors. Now here was this lawyer from the army, what was his name?
“Schlabrendorff.”
“Very well, Herr Schlabrendorff. There is much to be done.” He would have to mobilize the nation for Total War, ruthlessly pursue the Aktion against the Jews, and persuade Lida Baarova to come back, to the Chancellor’s bed.
“Indeed. But not by you.”
“What!?”
“Count yourself fortunate you will get to stand trial for impeding the war effort. Your colleague Telschow will not have that good fortune. For that offense, Herr Noske, the new Statthalter of Hannover, had him taken down to a canal and shot, like Rosa and Karl.”
For the first time in his life, Josef Goebbels had nothing to say.
Hauptquartier des Großergeneralstab, Zossen, Staat Brandenburg, Deutsches Reich, 19. Mai 1943
Heinz Guderian was a happy man, even if he had his doubts about the new government. Zeitzler had been named Chief of the Greater General Staff because he never told Hitler any bad news, and now that was no longer a factor. Now he was Chief, and a Field-Marshal as well. And given his orders. Which he was passing on to his commanders.
“Herr Generalfeldmarschall von Manstein, who do you recommend as Commander of Army Group South?”
“I am being relieved?”
“You cannot be Supreme Commander East and an army group commander at the same time.”
Manstein smiled. “Very well. How about Generalfeldmarschall Rommel, here?”
“Not possible. He will be Supreme Commander West.”
Now Rommel smiled.
Dr. Goebbels said, “It’s about time!”
He had been taken to “protective custody” after the catastrophic death of the Führer. There were rumors. Now here was this lawyer from the army, what was his name?
“Schlabrendorff.”
“Very well, Herr Schlabrendorff. There is much to be done.” He would have to mobilize the nation for Total War, ruthlessly pursue the Aktion against the Jews, and persuade Lida Baarova to come back, to the Chancellor’s bed.
“Indeed. But not by you.”
“What!?”
“Count yourself fortunate you will get to stand trial for impeding the war effort. Your colleague Telschow will not have that good fortune. For that offense, Herr Noske, the new Statthalter of Hannover, had him taken down to a canal and shot, like Rosa and Karl.”
For the first time in his life, Josef Goebbels had nothing to say.
Hauptquartier des Großergeneralstab, Zossen, Staat Brandenburg, Deutsches Reich, 19. Mai 1943
Heinz Guderian was a happy man, even if he had his doubts about the new government. Zeitzler had been named Chief of the Greater General Staff because he never told Hitler any bad news, and now that was no longer a factor. Now he was Chief, and a Field-Marshal as well. And given his orders. Which he was passing on to his commanders.
“Herr Generalfeldmarschall von Manstein, who do you recommend as Commander of Army Group South?”
“I am being relieved?”
“You cannot be Supreme Commander East and an army group commander at the same time.”
Manstein smiled. “Very well. How about Generalfeldmarschall Rommel, here?”
“Not possible. He will be Supreme Commander West.”
Now Rommel smiled.