Hammelburg, Luftwaffe Regional Headquarters, Office of General Albert Burkhalter
July 20, 1944, 1530 hours
Burkhalter ignored the phone ringing on his desk, opting instead to continue working on the report due in Berlin the next day. After the sixth ring, he angrily picked up the handset. "What is it?" he growled. He listened to the voice on the phone. "Reichsmarshall Göring? Yes, put him on." He waited while to connection was made.
"Hallo, Herr Reichsmarshall," Burkhalter said. "Ignoring you? Nein, I was not ignoring you. I was working on the report you …"
He stopped and his eyes went wide. "What?" he exclaimed. "An attempt was made on the Führer's life? Is he …"
Burkhalter nodded. "He is safe, I understand sir," he said. "Conspirators are being rounded up. Ja, I understand." He paused to listen. "Ja, Herr Reichsmarshall, I will make sure my officers get the news. Jawohl. Heil Hitler!"
He hung up the phone in shock. Someone tried to kill Hitler? The fact that someone tried was not all that upsetting to Burkhalter. But whoever tried had failed – and that upset the General. Things are going to get worse now. Hitler thought he was invincible before, and now he'll think that he's totally infallible. Burkhalter sighed. Now he knew life would become more difficult for him – he had to find a way out.
Getting out was not going to be easy, and it was not going to happen tomorrow. He had to plan – and it had to be a good plan. He got up and walked to his liquor table to pour a glass of schnapps. He downed the glass in one swallow and poured another. You know, I could have been in that briefing room when the bomb exploded. He downed his second drink. I could have been killed. He gave a sarcastic laugh as he poured his third drink. I suppose that is one way to get out!
He downed his third drink and shook his head. "I had better not get drunk here," he said to himself. "And I had better make sure my officers hear the news."
He went to his desk and hurriedly scribbled out a message to be sent to the Kommandants of all his Luft Stalags. On his way out of the building, he gave the message to his aid. The Major's eyes went wide with shock as he read the message. "Is this true, General?" he asked.
Burkhalter nodded. "It is true," he replied. "Make sure that is sent immediately." His aide nodded. "The news has upset me, Major. I am leaving for the day," he said.
"I understand, sir," the Major replied, giving his superior a salute.
No, you don't understand why I am upset – but it is better that way. Burkhalter dejectedly returned the salute and left the building.