Lieutenant Dietrich

Chapter 1: The Basement Eastern Front May 9 1945

Lieutenant Dietrich sat hunched over a rusty metal desk in the basement of a partially collapsed apartment building. In the dim light from a cracked window he stared down blankly at the maps and papers

on the table. There would be no reports to send, no supplies to requisition. There hadn't been for some time now. No matter what they had been told there would be no relief column. Try as he might

he could not figure a way out of this trap.

When the final collapse of their line came Dietrich's understrength unit was brushed aside. They'd retreated with two trucks and a halftrack, the minimum it took to carry the remaining eighty seven men

and equipment. They eventually ran out of petrol and were forced to destroy the vehicles. To Dietrich it was like shooting a fine horse that had preformed well, that their lives had depended on. On foot with the

Russians nipping at their heels Dietrich directed his men to the only defendable cover in sight, a bombed out apartment building. Quickly Dietrich assessed the situation and had all the approaches to the building covered.

Surrounded, they'd held out for two weeks. Dietrich led squads daily to probe the shrinking parameter. Desperate for a way out he left a standing order for his men to be ready to move at a moments notice.

Used to fighting in the open he hoped for an opportunity to capture some vehicles and weapons to make an escape. Knowing the bulk of the Russian army lie between them and their homes Dietrich knew there

was little chance of any success.

The last time he felt his troops becoming encircled was the previous winter, 1944. He had chosen to fight his way out to preserve his men and equipment despite previous orders forbidding retreat.

That was how in a hastily convened court martial he was charged with: Disobedience, deliberate or not which endangered the safety of the Reich. And he was reduced in rank from captain to lieutenant.

Dietrich had argued that there was no advantage in allowing his men to be slaughtered and equipment captured. His commanders had convinced the SS that an experienced officer like Dietrich could not be replaced.

Privately he was commended on his actions, they knew the war had been lost for some time now. Since Hitler had taken personal control of strategy on the Eastern Front the war would end no time soon as they had hoped.

The only advice they had to give: Just try to keep your men alive and the enemy away from the Fatherland.

Dietrich was led away two SS guards. Stunned and angry he would be damned if he would let the lives and equipment entrusted to him be squandered by those suicidal orders.

Rommel himself had recommended his promotion to captain for basically the same maneuver they had just accused him of cowardice for executing. He took it very personally that the honor his late commander

had bestowed on him was unjustly taken. He was escorted directly to a train bound back to the front, and assigned new troops that didn't know him or have loyalty to him. As they walked through the empty train cars

Dietrich briefly contemplated escape. Knowing Sippenhaft was in effect he quickly disregarded the thought. Any sign of disloyalty would bring about the death or imprisonment of ones entire family and friends

by association, thus eliminating all those "Guilty by blood."

They reached the cars already loaded with soldiers. When the door to it opened Dietrich was shocked by the youth of the troops. They were the last holdouts from schools. Many of their parents had received official letters

asking why their sons had not yet enlisted and suggesting it would be the best course of action at this time. The soldiers looked up at Dietrich expectantly knowing he was to be their officer. As they begun to stand at attention

Dietrich waved an as you were. He smiled and strode seemingly confident through the car. Inside he was churning, the nation was being bled white. He wondered if they believed the absurd propaganda that they were winning

the war. That New York was being bombed, that Russia was at war with Japan and losing. Dietrich remembered being young and eager to show what he could do for his country. It had turned out nothing like he had

imagined. The guards left him in the officers car, none of the others had arrived yet so Dietrich had a moment alone. He took off his cap, bowed his head and ran his shaking fingers thru his hair They were so

outnumbered last time the Allies resources seemed endless. What chance would any of them have?

Back in the troop car one young corporal was very excited. He had recognized Dietrich as being his cousin Lieutenant Manfred Sturm's former captain. Manfred had come home on leave and told his cousin all about

Dietrich, showing him photos of his unit in Africa. Almost worshipful of his captain Manfred had described Dietrich's bravery, tactical cunning and respectful treatment of those who served under him. He was sure Manfred's

commander was a captain not a lieutenant, still it had to be the same man, he even wore Afrika Korps decorations.

Peter Muhlenburg was an 18 year old with wavy red hair and an infectious sense of humor. He maintained a youthful optimism despite the chaos that surrounded him. Corporal Muhlenburg had no allusions as to what

they faced on the Eastern Front. Few had returned from there without debilitating wounds. At least they would have a competent leader.

And so it was that in his second winter on the Eastern Front Dietrich and his men came to be trapped in the basement. The building had been airily bombed and gutted by fire the year before. The Germans were unable

to find anything left of use in the ruin. Nothing whatsoever to burn for heat or eat. The pipes had ruptured leaving the basement partially flooded with contaminated water. From their lookout post atop the building they

zeroed in on the Russian field kitchen. Striking out under cover of darkness Dietrich led a few hand picked men to capture some supplies and weapons. Enough to hold out a few days, a week had past since and the

food had run out. Dietrich wondered why the Russians hadn't brought in a tank or heavy artillery to level the building and put and end to it. He guessed the besiegers intended to starve them out. After an initial assault

the Russians had given up, sniping at the building and shooting mortars at it to ensure the Germans would get no rest. Why should they trouble themselves to attack? Dietrich thought. Time is entirely on their side.