Hammelburg, Luftwaffe Headquarters, Office of the Luft Stalag Postmaster
March 24, 1944, 1130 hours
General Burkhalter strode into the office of Captain Dunkelberger, the Luft Stalag postmaster for the Hammelburg area. Dunkelberger shared the office with Captain Dingle, the supply officer, and Burkhalter found both men sitting at their desks.
"Captain Dingle, don't you have something to deliver?" Burkhalter asked.
"Nein, General," Dingle replied. He then noticed the glare from the General. "I mean, ja." He picked up a folder from his desk. "I have to take these papers to, um, to …"
"You have to take those papers on a tour of the building," Burkhalter said, finishing his sentence. "And they would like the scenic tour."
Dingle nodded his head nervously. "Jawohl, General," he said, rising from his desk. "The scenic tour."
Burkhalter waited until Dingle had left the office and then closed the door. He turned back to Dunkelberger, who was staring at the General with fear in his eyes.
Burkhalter smiled at the Captain, and was amused to see a slight flinch. I don't blame him for being scared – seeing as how I ran Captain Dingle out of the room in such an obvious manner. "Captain Dunkelberger, you are currently the postmaster that handles the mail for Stalag 13, is that correct?" Burkhalter stressed the word currently, hoping to scare the Captain even more.
Dunkelberger nodded. "Jawohl, General," he replied meekly.
"It has recently come to my attention that the mail for an American officer, one Colonel Robert Hogan, is not being delivered to him," Burkhalter said slowly. "Is this true?"
Dunkelberger nodded again. "Jawohl, General. Major Hoch…" he started.
"And I have also heard that you are delivering the mail that should go to Colonel Hogan to Major Hochstetter," Burkhalter interrupted.
Dunkelberger nodded again. "Major Hochstetter ordered …" he replied.
"And all of Colonel Hogan's outgoing mail is also being delivered to Major Hochstetter?" Burkhalter asked, interrupting the Captain's attempt at an explanation.
Burkhalter could see beads of sweat beginning to appear on the Captain's brow as he nervously nodded yet another time. "Jawohl, sir," he replied quietly.
"May I ask why I was not informed of this?" Burkhalter asked harshly.
"Major Hochstetter ordered me not to mention it to anyone," Dunkelberger explained.
"Captain, you are a Luftwaffe officer, are you not?" Burkhalter asked. Dunkelberger nodded. "And you are the Luft Stalag postmaster, correct?" Another nod. "And I am in charge of all of the Luft Stalags in the Reich, am I not?" The nodding continued. "Which makes me your superior officer?" The nodding was now continuous. "And apparently I pass down my orders to you through Major Hochstetter."
Dunkelberger continued nodding until he realized the meaning of the General's last statement. He quickly began shaking his head. "Oh no, sir," he stammered. "But Major Hochstetter is Gestapo."
Burkhalter placed his hands on the desktop and leaned toward the Captain, causing him to lean backward in his chair. "The Gestapo has no jurisdiction over the prisoners in the Luft Stalags unless I hear it from Herr Himmler personally," he said in a menacing tone. "And unless you hear it from me, they are not to interfere." He paused to stare silently at the trembling Captain. "And if they do, I expect you to inform me immediately!"
Captain Dunkelberger opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, unable to respond. Burkhalter saw that the man was sweating profusely. "You seem to be a little warm, Captain," he said. He stood and removed a piece of paper from his jacket pocket. It's time to put a real scare into him. "Do you know what I have here?"
Dunkelberger shook his head.
"It is your transfer," Burkhalter replied. "All it needs is a date and my signature, after which you will find yourself in a location where you will not be at all warm." Burkhalter enjoyed the reaction from the man. If he knew what was really on the paper – notes for Burkhalter's upcoming meeting with the Führer – he wouldn't be so scared. What he doesn't know could definitely hurt him.
Dunkelberger swallowed nervously. "Herr General, I … I," he stammered.
"Captain, you will disregard Major Hochstetter's order and immediately resume Colonel Hogan's mail," Burkhalter said. "And if I hear of any future disruption …" he waved the paper slightly. "Do I make myself clear?"
"Jawohl, General!" Dunkelberger replied with relief.
"Good," Burkhalter said, a smile appearing on his face. "I'm glad you enjoyed our little chat." He turned and left the office without another word.
- - - - -
Burkhalter's car pulled to a stop in front of Gestapo Headquarters. "Driver, wait here until I return," he ordered before stepping out of the vehicle and climbing the steps to the building. Hochstetter is going to love to see me, after what we went through this morning. He walked down the hallway, informing the guard that he was to see Major Hochstetter, and barreling past before the guard could object.
Hochstetter looked up when his door opened and a sneer spread across his face when he recognized the General. "What do you want?" he barked.
Burkhalter sat down casually in one of the guest chairs. "And a pleasure to see you again too, Major," he said with an amiable smile.
"Make yourself at home, General," Hochstetter said sarcastically.
Burkhalter ignored the remark. "Major Hochstetter, it seems like you have taken it upon yourself to stick your nose into Luftwaffe business," he said. "Again."
"So what if I did?" Hochstetter remarked defiantly. Then a look of confusion spread across his face. "What are you referring to?"
"For your information, I have rescinded your order to my postmaster," Burkhalter said, indirectly answering Hochstetter's question. "Colonel Hogan will again be receiving his mail."
Burkhalter noticed Hochstetter's breathing becoming more rapid as the Major sat in stony silence. Burkhalter also remained silent.
"General, you are once again interfering in Gestapo business," Hochstetter growled after a moment.
"No, Major," Burkhalter replied with a smile. "You are once again sticking your nose in places it does not belong."
"Are you telling me how to run an investigation?" Hochstetter blurted.
"No Major, I am reminding you that you have no authority over Luftwaffe prisoners of war," Burkhalter said calmly.
"General, the Gestapo has the authority to investigate …" Hochstetter began.
"And that authority would be relayed from General Schlesinger to me," Burkhalter interrupted. "You have informed the General of your actions, and he has approved of them, has he not?" Burkhalter knew that it wasn't the case and wanted to hear Hochstetter admit it. Hochstetter remained silent.
Burkhalter smiled. "I thought as much," he said smugly. "I must commend you, Major. The last time I spoke with the General about you, he discussed giving you a different assignment."
Hochstetter smiled. "Is that so?" he replied. "A promotion would be nice."
Burkhalter's smile widened. The fish fell for the bait. Now it's time to reel him in. "Actually, the word he used was transfer, not promotion, Major Hochstetter," he replied. His smile turned to a chuckle as he watched Hochstetter's shocked expression. "Would you care to discuss your suspicions with the General?" he asked. "And if he agrees with you, then I will relent and allow the resumption of the hold on Colonel Hogan's mail."
"Ah, General, there is no need to bother General Schlesinger with this," Hochstetter groveled. "I'm sure we can come to an understanding."
"I'm sure we can," Burkhalter replied. "And that understanding will be that you are not to harass the prisoners – any of the prisoners – in my Luft Stalags without written authorization from General Schlesinger."
Hochstetter was getting angry again. Burkhalter could see his face becoming redder with each breath. "That's not much of an understanding," he muttered.
Burkhalter shrugged. "For my purposes, it will do," he replied. "Now, there is the matter of all of the mail that you have in your possession."
""What about it?" Hochstetter asked.
"You will give it to me," Burkhalter replied. "At once."
"General, I assure you that I will …" Hochstetter began.
"Assure me of nothing," Burkhalter shot back. "Give me the mail."
Hochstetter opened his mouth to reply but apparently thought better of it. He opened a desk drawer and retrieved a small bundle and handed it to the General. Burkhalter looked at the bundle and began clucking his tongue. "Tsk, tsk, Major," he said disapprovingly. "The outgoing mail as well."
Hochstetter let out a rumble as he retrieved another bundle and tossed it in Burkhalter's direction. "There! You have your precious mail," Hochstetter yelled. "Now you can leave."
Burkhalter laughed as he stood.
"You do realize that you are allowing the most dangerous threat to the Third Reich to continue to operate," Hochstetter said tightly.
Burkhalter paused at the door. "Ja, I do realize that, Major," Burkhalter replied. Hochstetter's eyes bulged and his mouth opened, but Burkhalter spoke again, cutting off any reply. "But with one word to General Schlesinger, your operating privileges can be revoked!"
Hochstetter let out an unintelligible shriek as Burkhalter closed the door. As he walked down the hall, he heard Hochstetter screaming and then the crash of several items hitting the office wall. It's always fun to take the toys away from those little spoiled brats!
- - - - -
When Burkhalter returned to Luftwaffe Headquarters, he gave the packet of outgoing mail to Captain Dunkelberger with orders that it be expedited on its way. The Captain was very happy to oblige to try to get back into Burkhalter's good graces.
Burkhalter held on to the packet of incoming mail. I will deliver this to Hogan personally and let him know that it will not happen again. He thought about what it must have been like to be stuck in a prison camp with no news from home. What am I thinking about! I'm sure Hogan has more contact with the outside world than I do!
But the mail delivery would have to wait. Burkhalter was due in Obersalzberg the next morning for his weekly briefing with the Führer. He thought briefly about informing General Schlesinger of what Hochstetter had done. That would take care of Hogan's problem for good. But I wonder … who would replace Hochstetter? If it was anyone with any amount of intelligence, Hogan might not be able to operate as freely. The last thing Burkhalter wanted was for someone to get the proof of Hogan's activities that Hochstetter craved!