The Special Delivery Raid
By: AliasCWN
Chapter 7
"Good afternoon Sergeant." Dietrich stood in front of the cell and faced Sergeant Moffitt. Still in a German uniform, the Major had not yet realized that he had caught a British commando; he thought he had caught a traitor plotting against the German command. Dietrich sent the guard further down the hall to watch the entrance to the building.
"Captain." Moffitt acknowledged cautiously.
"I see that you have changed sides." He looked pointedly at the German uniform that Moffitt still wore. "Was it for the promotion?"
The sergeant gave Dietrich a mischievous smile before responding. "It got me a nice quiet room all to myself. You should try it sometime."
"I think not Sergeant, the quiet is deceiving. You are about to get some rather unpleasant company. The Major thinks you have some information that he wants."
The British commando nodded silently.
The Captain glanced toward the guard to see if he was keeping a sharp eye on the entrance.
"You are taking them rather young aren't you Captain?" Moffitt eyed the guard.
"He's sixteen Sergeant. The last son of a widow who has three young daughters at home to raise. If he dies in this war, she'll be all alone with no man to help support them." The Captains voice betrayed his sadness and frustration.
"That's too bad Captain. This war is as hard on those left at home as it is on those who have to fight it. I would like to help but as you can see, I have very little control over what happens to anyone at the moment."
Dietrich glanced at the guard again and lowered his voice as he stepped closer to the cell door. "Actually Sergeant, that is why I am here. I don't have much time to explain so please listen carefully." He glanced nervously toward the guard. "I have a deal for you. I would be willing to facilitate your escape if you would do something for me."
'Really Captain, I'm listening." Moffitt answered politely. He didn't try to hide his distrust of the 'deal'.
Dietrich ignored the sarcasm in favor of talking quickly. "I have a lieutenant who is in trouble. If he doesn't get away from here he will be killed. He has certain information that the Nazi party does not want widely known. They are willing to kill him to keep their secret." He watched Moffitt for any indication that he understood the importance of the information. "He has seen things that disturb him." Dietrich shivered as he remembered the details. "He is willing to share this information with the Allies if they will guarantee his safety."
"What is it you think I can do to prevent his death?"
"You could speak to your commanders and to Sergeant Troy."
"I don't understand Captain, what does this have to do with Troy?"
Dietrich sighed. "The Lieutenant has been ordered to kill or capture the Rat Patrol. His orders state that he is not to return until he has killed or captured your entire team." Dietrich smiled at the expression on the sergeants face. "Don't worry Sergeant, your friends are in very little actual danger, the Lieutenant is being sent after them in one patrol car with only two other men to help. The Major feels that one German is worth three Allied soldiers. If he were to actually accomplish his stated task, he would truly be a hero; as it is, he will die a hero and make his father proud." Dietrich let his tone drip with anger.
"Three men and one car," Moffitt mused. "Troy's got him outnumbered by one vehicle."
"And plenty of experience, not to mention firepower." Dietrich added. "The Major has ordered me to send two of my youngest men and only rifles for the task."
"Suicide by the enemy." Moffitt said thoughtfully.
"Exactly Sergeant. I am sending young Hubert here," He indicated the guard, "and another boy who is only seventeen. I don't wish to send them to their death at such a young age."
Moffitt didn't ask the Captain to explain that remark. He was beginning to think that they might be able to work something out that would benefit both sides. "So I escape, they chase me, and Troy captures them? He looked to Dietrich for confirmation.
"I would need your word that you would do everything in your power to assure their safety." The Captain stared at the prisoner intently.
"I can't promise anything more Captain. I will do my best to help them, but as you know, things happen. I am sure that Troy would go along with the idea if I could get to him in time, but I can't say what our commanders will do."
Dietrich nodded, relief plain on his face. "That is all I could ask Sergeant. It is all anyone could expect of you." He hesitated as he stared at the wall behind Moffitt. "I think your commanders would be very interested in the information that the lieutenant has, perhaps he could make a deal for his protection."
Moffitt smiled. "I'll see what I can do Captain."
Dietrich focused his attention on the British sergeant again. Reaching into his shirt, he produced a .45 and passed it through the bars. "Almost all of my available men are preparing to join the search for a Colonel who went missing last night."
Moffitt kept his expression neutral.
"The base will be practically deserted. There is a staff car behind this building waiting to be repaired. The hood is up to indicate that it is not in running condition. Actually there is nothing wrong with the car and it is armored for your protection. The guard will change half an hour from now. I will assign Hubert and another youth to Lt. von Strom for his detail. I will keep them here until I hear the alarm that announces your escape, then I will send them after you and the others…. Take care of them Sergeant." The last was added in a softer tone, barely audible.
Moffitt bit his lip as he accepted the responsibility of looking out for the safety of the three you men. With a sigh Dietrich nodded at the prisoner and walked to the end of the hall. He spoke a few words to the young guard, who looked nervously at Moffitt, and then he was gone.
The boy stayed where he was for several minutes, watching after the Captain. After a while he nervously approached the cell. "You will do this for us?"
Moffitt nodded before answering the boy in his own language. "Yes, I will help. My own brother was killed in this war, he was sixteen, like you. I have promised your Captain to do all that I can." The boy nodded and turned away to return to his post.
"Will the Captain get in trouble if I escape after he visited me?"
The boy turned back with a grin. "No. The Captain was very careful. The only ones who saw him are the same ones who are going with Lt. von Strom. No one else knows he came here." The pride in his commanding officer was obvious in the gleam in his eyes as he mentioned Captain Dietrich.
"Good. Then we do this and everyone gets to live."
The boy nodded in agreement and returned to his post. A half hour later his relief arrived and he left without a backward glance.
Moffitt relaxed in his cot as he listened to the sounds of the search parties preparing to leave. He heard the vehicles departing in a steady stream of troops looking for the Colonel. He fell into a light doze as he waited for the right time to escape.
The guard approaching his cell woke him. Keys rattled in the lock and the door swung open. Moffitt opened his eyes to see Major Roush standing in front of the cell. The big German officer stared at him without speaking. Moffitt returned the stare as he slowly climbed to his feet.
"Have you reconsidered your decision to remain quiet?"
The prisoner stared at him silently.
"I guess not." Major Roush smiled. "You can save yourself a great deal of pain." His tone suggested that he hoped the prisoner would refuse to talk.
"I don't know anything Major, I told you, I had nothing to do with the disappearance of the Colonel. I was talking to one of your officers when the Colonel was kidnapped."
"I was hoping you would say that." The Major replied with a cold smile. With a look of anticipation, he approached Moffitt.
Moffitt watched the guard return to the other end of the hall, leaving him alone with the Major. He considered reaching for the .45 that Dietrich had given him but he was wary of tipping his enemy to Dietrich's involvement. The Major swung a ham-like fist at his midsection. Moffitt dodged the blow and took a swing at the Major; his fist connected with a bone jarring thud. The Major shook his head and roared in anger. He lunged at the smaller man, wrapping his arms around him and squeezing tightly. The sergeant fought for air, pushing and pulling at the thick arms surrounding him. Throwing his head forward, he smashed the Majors nose with his forehead. The Major responded by tightening his grip, forcing even more air out of the sergeants lungs. Moffatt's vision started to go grey as his body reacted to the lack of oxygen. The Major felt the sergeants body going slack and took the opportunity to shift his grip. As soon as Moffitt felt the grip loosen he twisted an arm free. Using the fingers of his free hand, he gouged at the bigger man's eyes, dragging his nails down the Germans face. The Major released him to reach for his face and Moffitt slammed his hands over the big Germans ears, shattering his eardrums.
The guard, hearing the Major roar in pain, ran for the cell. Seeing the Major grappling with the prisoner, he put the key in the lock and opened the door. Rushing inside, he tried to club the prisoner with his rifle.
Moffitt ducked the rifle and reached for his bunk where the .45 was hidden. Feeling the guns grip in his fingers, he swung at the guard. The heavy weight of the .45 connected with the guard's temple, dropping him instantly. He twisted and hit the Major across the head too. As the big man fell, Moffitt gratefully sat on his bunk.
Sucking in huge gulps of air, Moffitt bent at the waist and lowered his head to clear his vision. As his breathing returned to normal, he began to think of escape. Using the belts of both men, he tied them together back to back. He gagged them securely and collected their weapons. Picking up the keys, he gave them one final glance before he locked the door and walked out of the building.
As Dietrich had promised, the base was nearly deserted with guards few and far between. The staff car was exactly where he had said it would be too. It started on the first try and ran smoothly, drawing a sigh from Moffitt. Placing the rifle he had taken from the guard on the passenger seat, he drove directly to the front gate. Since he had no papers, he slowed at the gate to let the guard think he was stopping, then he hit the gas and raced past the startled sentry. They dodged the fast moving car as he made his escape into the darkness outside the gate.