Rastenburg, East Prussia, Wolfsschanze
August 1, 1944, 0245 hours

Author's Note: This chapter contains dialogue from the transcriptions of Hitler's military briefings and meetings as contained in the book Hitler and His Generals – Military Conferences 1942-1945 edited by Helmut Heiber and David M. Glantz. Is has been used without permission.

Burkhalter paced the length of the small visitor quarters he had been given at the Wolfsschanze. He was not happy – he did not want to be here. He had come to East Prussia for a normal midday status meeting with the Führer … a meeting which never happened. Instead, he had been forced to wait until almost midnight to participate in a meeting that turned out to be anything but a status meeting. Participate, that's a laugh. All I did was stand there and listen!

Indeed, Burkhalter had not been asked for the status of his Luft Stalags, or for anything else for that matter. He had simply stood there for the hour long meeting and listened, all the while wishing he could be allowed to fly back to the Hammelburg area. But that wasn't to be – when the meeting broke up, it was too late for him to fly out of the area safely. He briefly thought about taking the chance – being shot out of the sky seemed less painful than remaining here for any more meetings. But in the end, he had decided to stay and leave the next morning.

Burkhalter reflected on the meeting that that evening. As far the Führer's meetings went, this one was unusual. Hitler still rambled on and on about the state of the war and how they could still somehow succeed, but the tone was for the most part calm and reasonable.

"But even later we can only conduct the war here if we manage to rebuild the Luftwaffe to some extent. So I considered the question: what are the most dangerous moments that could occur during the entire war? First, of course, would be a breakthrough in the East with a real threat to the German homeland – whether in the Upper Silesian industrial area or in East Prussia – with the accompanying difficult psychological effects. But I believe that with the forces we are putting up now, which are slowly coming out, we are in a position to stabilize the East – I believe that – and that we will overcome this human crisis, this moral crisis. It can't be separated from the even that took place here."

Even when Hitler made this first reference to the assassination attempt, he did not erupt.

"Because the action is not to be taken as an isolated action. But this act which happened here is, I would like to say, just a symptom of an inner circulatory problem, of an inner blood poisoning, that we are suffering from. What do you expect in the end from the front's highest leadership, if behind them (as we can see now) the most important positions are occupied by absolutely destructive people – not defeatists, but destructive people and traitors? Because it is like that. If the communications service and the quartermaster's office are occupied by people who are absolute traitors – and you don't really know how long they have been in contact with the enemy or the people over there – you can't expect that the necessary initiative to stop such a thing will come from there."

Burkhalter had been shocked at that statement – not so much that the two Generals he was referring to – General Fellgiebel, the Communications Inspector and General Wagner, the Army Quartermaster General – were involved in the assassination plot, but because of what he himself had been doing for the past months. Were his actions different than the conspirators because he was only making information available to Colonel Hogan and not explicitly handing it to the American?

"Because the Russians certainly didn't improve so much in morale within one or two years. That is not the case. They didn't improve in the human sense either. But our morale doubtlessly became worse – became worse because we had this place over there, which constantly spread poison over the path of these General Staff organizations, the organizations of the quartermaster general, of the intelligence chiefs, and so on. So we only have to ask ourselves today – or rather, we don't have to ask ourselves anymore: how does the enemy learn about our thinking? Why are so many things neutralized? Why does he react to everything so quickly? It's probably not the perception of the Russians at all, but permanent treason, constantly being carried out by some damned little clique."

Burkhalter chortled. Hitler was now blaming the fact that the Russians were countering every German offensive on the conspiracy – and certainly there was information leaking to the Russians. Burkhalter had no doubt about that. But to blame the failures in the East solely on the conspirators was laughable. It certainly wouldn't be because of your overly predictable and unimaginative battle planning, mein Führer, would it?

Burkhalter sat down on the bed and stretched out, resting his head on the pillow. To actually think that the reason we are being driven back on all fronts is because the commanding generals are too self-serving and don't follow the asinine orders coming from your sheltered bunker – how ludicrous!

"And so I've also come to the decision now that I don't care about this damned hierarchy at all. Here it's about men, nothing else! If I imagine what men we have – like this little major in Berlin who made such a hard decision. If I put a man like him into such a position, instead of a lieutenant general or commanding general, he's worth ten times as much. It really depends on one man, and the others are bastards. We raise them so they consider it to be obvious that others sacrifice themselves, but they don't even consider it themselves. They already have one eye squinting over here: what can happen to us? If we're imprisoned, we'll be treated according to our rank, especially those of us from noble families, so we'll be dealt with in keeping with our station and won't be put together with all the plebian masses. Well, that's unbearable, and that's why we have to check all the commanders again."

How ironic that statement was – a complaint that the commanders expected their men to sacrifice themselves, but wouldn't consider doing the same. It seems to me, main Führer, that the same could be said for you. You refuse to allow any retreat, even if it means the total annihilation of the men involved, but you wouldn't consider stepping on a battlefield yourself. With a sigh, Burkhalter turned out the light and tried to get some sleep.

- - - - -

Burkhalter was awakened abruptly by a knock at his door. He sat up in the bed and listened. The knock sounded again – this time more insistently. "What is it?" he asked testily.

"General Burkhalter, the Führer requests your presence in his briefing room," said a harsh voice from the other side of the door.

"Now?" he asked.

"Immediately," came the terse reply. "You are to come as you are with no delay."

Burkhalter rose from the bed, glad that he had not undressed for the night. He grabbed his uniform jacket and opened the door. He was surprised to find that his escort was not a single man, but rather three armed SS guards. "What is the problem?" he asked nervously.

The guards did not respond verbally, but pulled him into the hall and began prodding him along.

Burkhalter was in shock - he had no clue as to what was going on. Why did the Führer want to see him at this hour? Why were the guards treating his as if he were a prisoner? Unless … Did someone implicate me in the assassination plot? Who could have done that?

Burkhalter was escorted out of the guest quarters building and over to the bunker that served as the Führer's private quarters. They reached the briefing room and the General was shoved into the room. The guards followed and took up a post beside the door.

Burkhalter looked around – he was not alone with the Führer. Assembled in the room with Hitler was the entire senior advisory staff, as well as Reichsmarshal Göring.

"I am very disappointed in you, Albert," Göring said.

"Why?" Burkhalter asked. "What did I do?"

At that moment, the door to the briefing room opened and Burkhalter was amazed to see Hochstetter enter the room accompanying Reichsfürher Himmler. He was even more amazed when he saw that Hochstetter wore the insignia of a Colonel. "Hochstetter? A Colonel?" he said.

"General Burkhalter," Hochstetter replied with a smile.

Burkhalter knew he was in trouble now. Hochstetter never smiled that genuinely. And the Colonel's insignia proved that the man had a reason to be happy. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I am here to watch you try to explain yourself," Hochstetter said. "I told you before that I would find proof of my suspicions about Stalag 13 – and I have … and more."

"What proof?" Burkhalter asked. "What are you talking about?"

Hochstetter laughed. "You sound just like Klink," he replied. "He claimed ignorance of Colonel Hogan's actions as well."

"Colonel Hogan? What's he got to do with this?" Burkhalter asked. Oh no, they've found out that Colonel Hogan is not just a normal prisoner. But I still don't understand what I have to explain – Klink is the one who should be here. "Where is Colonel Klink?"

Hochstetter laughed again. "Klink is … shall I say, past tense," he replied. "I shot him for complicity this morning."

"You shot him?" Burkhalter asked. "For complicity of what?"

"General, your precious Colonel Hogan is right now undergoing interrogation at Gestapo Headquarters in Berlin," Hochstetter said. "My suspicions were correct all along – he is the cause of all the trouble around the Hammelburg area. He has been arrested for espionage and sabotage."

Burkhalter was silent – his head jumbled with the confusion of the situation.

"And that is not all, General," Hochstetter continued. "I have proof that you are not so innocent yourself."

"What?" Burkhalter gasped. Proof? What proof can he have that I was funneling information to Hogan and his operation? Hogan didn't even know it himself!

"Why is it that every time you suggest using Stalag 13 for one of our secret research projects, it always ends in disaster?" Himmler asked.

Burkhalter was silent, too stunned to reply.

"Because you are helping Colonel Hogan in his activities!" Hochstetter answered for him.

"That is a lie!" Burkhalter exclaimed. "I have never talked to Colonel Hogan about any of this!" They can't accuse me of lying about that – I never have talked to Hogan about it.

"Is it a lie, Albert?" Göring asked. He then recited a list of projects that Burkhalter had indeed funneled to Stalag 13 for the sole purpose of providing Colonel Hogan the access to either obtain the information or destroy the project.

Burkhalter began shaking his head violently. "Mein Führer, this is not true. Do not listen to these lies," he pleaded.

"Silence!" Hitler yelled. He walked up to Burkhalter and slapped him hard. "I am doing all I can to win this war for Germany and this is what I get in return? Traitors! We cannot win this war as long as there are traitors in command positions!" Hitler had begun pacing as he yelled. He whirled and pointed a finger at Burkhalter. "And you – you come here bragging about the exceptional record of Colonel Klunk and how no prisoners ever escaped from his camp. Why? Because those prisoners are busy doing your bidding, that is why!"

"Mein Führer," Burkhalter began.

"I said SILENCE!" Hitler screamed. "I do not want to hear any excuses for your treason!" Hitler began pacing again, balling his hands into fists and shaking them in the air. "We will only win this war if I can trust the military to follow my orders! Men like Hochstetter are what we need and deserve to be promoted." Hitler stopped and glared at Burkhalter. "Men like you should not wear a uniform representing my military and deserve to be shot!"

Burkhalter's blood ran cold. He still did not understand how this had happened. He had been careful to never leave a trail back to him. He had never come out and told Hogan he was helping him, afraid that the American would do something that could be traced back to him. What had happened? "But," he uttered … then was silent as Hitler slapped him across the face again.

"Take him out of here," Hitler said.

As the guards advanced towards Burkhalter, he began pleading. "Mein Führer, this is all a mistake. I did nothing wrong! Someone is telling lies about me. I am a loyal officer."

Hitler had turned his back on Burkhalter and refused to respond. The guards grabbed Burkhalter and began to shove him towards the door. As he passed Hochstetter, Burkhalter saw the man smile and remove his pistol from his belt holster.

"I am going to enjoy this, General." Hochstetter said gleefully.

Burkhalter resumed his begging and pleading as he was shoved out the door and out of the building. He fell silent as he was shoved up against the outer wall of the building and Hochstetter slowly raised his pistol.

"Goodbye, General," Hochstetter said, and pulled the trigger.

- - - - -

Burkhalter sat bolt upright in his bed gasping for breath. His heart pounded in his chest and he was covered in a cold sweat. As he looked at his surroundings, his mind began to gain focus. "It was only a dream!" he gasped. "God, what a nightmare!"

He stumbled out of bed and turned on the light, double checking his surroundings to make sure what he had experienced was just a bad dream. "I need to get out of here," he mumbled. "The first chance I get, I have to leave."

It wasn't just the Wolfsschanze that Burkhalter knew he had to leave … it was Germany. The time had come for him to make his escape while he still could. He didn't want to take any chance of his nightmare becoming a reality.

Burkhalter wiped the sweat from his face and dropped hard into the chair by the bed. Now how the hell am I going to be able to get out of Germany? I always planned to enlist Colonel Hogan's help, but will he believe that I am sincere in my desire to leave? If he believes it is a setup, he'll just deny being involved in anything. Burkhalter knew he could threaten to expose the Colonel if he didn't help, but he didn't think that would impress the American. I might just find myself dead instead … which if I can't get out of here, might not be a bad alternative.

His breathing returned to normal as he sat in the chair thinking of various plans. He was still in the chair several hours later when his driver knocked on his door to escort him to the airfield.