Rastenburg, East Prussia, Farm of Tadeauz Malewicz
November 14, 1943, 2200 hours

Vladimir lay on his bed in the attic of the small farmhouse. He had been in Rastenburg for a week, and had just started settling into his routine. He was staying with Tadeauz Malewicz and his wife Jacinta, posing as Tadeauz's cousin Wladimir from further east near the Prussian-Polish border area. Both Tadeauz and Jacinta were part of the Russian network, and had been in this area for many years. Even though East Prussia was predominately a German territory going back before the Great War, there were many native Poles that had lived in the area for generations. And so the German authorities had accepted the couple and left them to live peacefully on their farm, and to run their market in the town of Rastenburg.

When Hitler had the Wolfsschanze built nearby, Tadeauz had been tasked with keeping tabs on the activity and reporting it back. Another member of the Russian network, Grzegorz, helped out with the farm work. The pair had been operating successfully, but with the increased use of the Wolfsschanze by Hitler, The Center wanted another agent in place to coordinate the information.

That had been decided even before Marya had returned to Moscow and suggested that Vladimir be that agent. And so, here he was, lying on a small bed in the attic of a small farmhouse.

Vladimir sighed and tried to get comfortable in the small bed. His mind was jumbled with the thoughts of the turn of events in the past few months that had led to this assignment.

Three months ago I was a prisoner in Stalag 13 in the middle of Germany. Only three months ago! It seems like a lifetime ago now with all that has happened. I have gone from the middle of Germany, back to Moscow, and now back in German occupied territory.

Vladimir gave up trying to sleep and sat on the edge of the bed looking out the small attic window at the moonlit countryside. Not only am I here to work with the agents already in place, I am supposed to be the one in charge. Marya would have to suggest that. What made her think that I could actually be in charge of an operation like this? The same thoughts had bothered Vladimir during the journey from Moscow. He had no experience being in charge. Back at Stalag 13, Colonel Hogan was in charge. Oh sure, he valued our input and actually talked out the problem missions with the whole group before making a decision, but the decision was his – and he usually took on the most dangerous missions himself, rather than putting one of his men on the line.

Vladimir had had to figure out how to direct this little operation here in Rastenburg. The Center would hold him responsible for keeping things running smoothly, but he knew nothing about what had been happening before he arrived. Towards the end of the journey from Moscow, he had decided that the best course of action would be to emulate the man who he thought was one of the best leaders of men he had known – Colonel Hogan. Vladimir would talk with Tadeauz and Grzegorz, seek their input, and most of all, treat them as he would want to be treated.

The initial meeting had gone well. Vladimir related the instructions he had from The Center, and then asked them how they thought it best to proceed. The question had surprised the two men – they were not used to being asked for input from their superior. After the initial surprise, the three men had a long discussion that led to Vladimir assuming the identity of Tadeauz's cousin and working in the market. There was a tailor shop in the town, but Tadeauz informed Vladimir that the proprietor was an ardent Nazi supporter, so it would be a bad idea to try to operate from there. Vladimir would be the person to make contact with their leak from the General Staff and handle the communications. It seemed to Vladimir that after that initial meeting, Tadeauz and Grzegorz had realized that Vladimir was going to treat them fair, and they in turn appeared to respect his authority more.

Thanks to you, Colonel Hogan, I may actually be successful on this assignment, Vladimir thought. His thoughts then returned to the current assignment. He had set up a meeting with their leak, a General Stauffen, for tomorrow morning in the barn on the farm. Since the General was a regular visitor to the market, they were able to set up the premise of getting Stauffen fresh eggs if he would stop at the farm in the morning. Vladimir had let the General know that it was not safe for him to use his radio, as the General Staff was being monitored. So Stauffen would give the plans to Vladimir, who would radio them to their Swiss contact to get them back to Russia. He had decided not to communicate them directly to The Center, so as not to change the routine – better to keep it the same in case others are being watched, he thought.

Vladimir looked at the clock in the room and sighed. The meeting was set for 0600 hours tomorrow and he had better try to get some sleep before then. He lay back on the bed and tried to get comfortable. The early morning meeting would not be a problem for him, as he would have to be up anyway to tend to the animals. He chuckled as he remembered Jacinta's reaction when he asked how to milk a cow. "I was raised in Moscow as the son of a tailor," he had said. "Ask me to make clothes for the animals. That I can do!" Both Tadeauz and Jacinta had told him that he did not have to help out, but Vladimir had insisted on learning and helping. Yes, it had been an interesting week for him!

Vladimir bunched his pillow, filled with goose feathers, and rolled on his side. Mama would laugh to see me now. Milking cows, cleaning up after the horses, gathering eggs. Just like she used to do as a child growing up in Olevsk in the Ukraine. Thinking about his mother brought many more memories back to Vladimir of the three weeks he had been able to spend at home. His mother had helped him learn more of the Polish language while he was there. The area she grew up in was very close to Polish territory, and the Ukrainian language that she learned as a child was very close to Polish. Tovarish Beria had been surprised to hear that Vladimir had taken to learning Polish on his own as part of the assignment. "So it seems that Svetlana Viktorovna's high recommendation of you is warranted after all," he had said.

Vladimir snuggled tighter under the blanket and tried to clear his thoughts of everything relating to his assignment. He thought of the three weeks at home with his family and drifted off to sleep.

---------------

Vladimir woke with a start. It took him a moment to orient himself to where he was. He sat up and looked at the clock. It was time for him to get up and tend to the animals and be ready for his meeting with General Stauffen. He sighed. He wished he could go back to sleep and finish the dream he had been having. Ever since he left Moscow, he had been having dreams of being back with his wife. It had taken him a long time for the dreams to stop after his capture by the Germans. Now, after being home and seeing his dear Natashenka, they had started again. He sighed again and got out of bed. There was nothing that could be done except to hope for a speedy end to this war.

He climbed down the attic ladder into the room below. Jacinta was over the fire preparing the morning meal. He greeted her and put on his coat to head to the barn for his morning chores. Normally Tadeauz would be with him, but since General Stauffen was to come this morning, it was decided that Vladimir should meet him alone. Tadeauz would be somewhere outside, keeping an eye on the barn in case Stauffen happened to be followed. Vladimir thought it funny how the underground networks always met in barns - barns and markets here, just like back in Hammelburg. If the Gestapo were smarter ... if the Gestapo were smarter, the world would be a very bad place, he thought.

The mornings were very cold and Vladimir felt the chill as he walked to the barn. But the small structure was warm from the animals, and Vladimir could complete his chores without wearing his bulky gloves. He first gathered a few eggs to give to General Stauffen when he arrived – best to keep the illusion up in case someone is checking. He had just finished gathering the eggs and picked up the pitchfork to muck out the stalls when he heard the barn door latch rattle.

General Stauffen entered the barn and quickly closed the door behind him, stamping his feet on the earthen floor to shake some of the cold away. "Guten morgen," he said to Vladimir.

Vladimir stabbed the pitchfork into the ground and replied, "Guten morgen, General." Vladimir walked from the stall and sat on a feed barrel that was up against the wall. He motioned for Stauffen to sit on one of the other barrels in the barn.

Stauffen shook his head. "What is this about it being dangerous for me to use my radio?" he asked nervously in German.

It took Vladimir a moment to mentally translate the German. He was glad that he had been able to learn it while in Stalag 13, but it still didn't come naturally to him. "General, the Gestapo knows there is a leak out of the General Staff and that battle plans are getting to the Russians," he replied.

Stauffen looked panicked. "Do they suspect me?" he asked.

Vladimir shrugged. "They suspect everyone since they do not know who it is," he responded. "That is why it is dangerous for you to send the information. If you give it to me, I can send it."

Stauffen shook his head. "Nein, it is too dangerous for me to give any more information," he said. "If they suspect me, it could mean my life."

"Herr Stauffen, they will not suspect you as long as you do not use your radio," Vladimir replied. "We are making sure that their suspicions are directed elsewhere."

Stauffen's eyes narrowed. "And how are you accomplishing that?" he asked.

Vladimir made a dismissive gesture. "It is best for you not to know," he replied. "But our information is that Count von Waffenschmidt is the only one investigating, and that he has simply instructed people in Rastenburg to monitor the General Staff for radio transmissions."

"I know von Waffenschmidt," Stauffen replied. "He was here last month, but is gone now."

Vladimir nodded. "Exactly," he said. "So you can keep giving me the information."

"I need to make sure I will be safe," Stauffen replied. "My safety is more important than giving this information to the Russians."

"And why is that?" Vladimir asked.

"That, my friend, is information it is best for you not to know at this time," Stauffen replied, with a humorless smile on his face.

"Fair enough," Vladimir replied. Stauffen was hiding something else from him, but there would be time to determine what that was. "For now, let me assure you that you are safe as long as you do not do anything stupid. Von Waffenschmidt is being led in another direction."

Stauffen nodded. "I do not have the information written down," he said, and tapped the side of his head.

"I will remember it," Vladimir replied. "Tell me."

General Stauffen began rattling off troop movements, timetables, regiment strengths and other details of the upcoming German offensive. Vladimir listened intently, remembering every detail so he could transmit it to the Swiss contact.

When Stauffen was finished, Vladimir said, "Danke, General. Whenever you have information to relay, contact me at the market, and we can meet here again."

Stauffen nodded and started towards the door.

"Herr General," Vladimir said, holding out a small canvas bag.

"What is this?" Stauffen asked.

"Your eggs," Vladimir replied. "You came here to get fresh eggs."

Stauffen nodded and took the bag. "I will contact you again, as long as I am sure it is safe."

"It will be," Vladimir replied.

Stauffen nodded again. He opened the door and quickly stepped outside. When the door was closed, Vladimir returned to the stall to continue his morning chores. While he worked, he repeated the information to himself so that he could commit it to memory.

After a few minutes, Tadeauz entered the barn. "How did it go?" he asked Vladimir, speaking in Polish.

"Good," Vladimir replied. "He gave me the information."

Tadeauz smiled. "Very good," he said. "Let me finish here while you take care of the more important task."

Vladimir nodded and handed the pitchfork to Tadeauz. "I will be back when I am finished," he said, walking towards the door. Before opening the door, he turned and asked, "I didn't hear an automobile when he arrived. Did he walk?"

Tadeauz shook his head. "No, he left his auto back up the road," he said.

Vladimir nodded and opened the barn door to step out into the cold.