Chapter 13---Werner von Herwarth's Story
"I don't know where to begin, Colonel Hogan," von Herwarth said softly looking the American in the eyes directly.
"The beginning's always a nice place," Hogan quipped with folded arms. Then he became serious. "I've heard of your uncle, and he's considered a second degree Mischling because he has only one Jewish grandparent if memory serves."
Von Herwarth smiled grimly. "Your memory serves you well, Colonel. Yes, my uncle Hans is a second degree Mischling. His wife had one Jewish grandparent, but his wife did not practice Judaism nor did she follow her Jewish upbringing. Instead, she followed the religion of her husband. But it is after that where things get, as you Americans say, muddled?"
"That's what we say all right," Carter chuckled. He closed his mouth immediately seeing Hogan's face. "Sorry, sir."
"Go on," Hogan urged the man.
"My father, Klaus von Herwarth was also a second degree Mischling, but what the Nazis did not know was that my father secretly married a woman of the Jewish faith who had Jewish grandparents who practiced Judaism faithfully as did my mother. I was raised according to the Jewish faith as will our child when it is born. You must understand Hitler's edict that anybody is considered a Jew if, according to German law, he or she has three Jewish grandparents, or is married to a Jewish person, or has one Jewish parent. I had the spouse, a Jewish parent and practiced Judaism."
"But didn't that bring suspicion to your uncle the diplomat?" asked Hogan.
"A little bit, in the beginning. But I will come to that in a bit. Everything was fine for awhile. Nobody suspected anything and Christina and I were extremely discreet when it came to celebrating the Jewish holidays. But then, one day, we were seen leaving a suspected place for Jewish worship by someone who reported what they saw. Next thing we knew, the Gestapo broke into our home and arrested my parents and Christina's grandparents. My father was a German. But as soon as it became known he was married to a Jewish woman, he became a first degree Mischling and was treated as such and subject to the same persecution and restrictive laws. My mother was able to keep her citizenship but eventually, her rights were taken away. Fortunately, Christina and I were not home at the time or we would have been arrested as well. A neighbor of ours spotted us approaching and warned us about the Gestapo in our home and offered to hide us until they had gone. I asked them to hide Christina because we suspected she was pregnant and I did not want those animals to put their hands on her. I asked my neighbor to hide her while I turned myself into the Gestapo. Also, by being German and married to a woman of the Jewish faith, I became a Mischling of the first degree and considered Jewish and subject to the same persecution."
"Blimey," Newkirk interjected. "Why the bloody hell didn't you hide with your wife? You said your neighbor was willin' to hide you both."
"My question exactly," Kinch said with folded arms. "Weren't you afraid they would search for your wife by you turning yourself in?"
Von Herwarth sighed wearily. "I could only think of Christina and the child she was carrying. That was all that mattered. I was hoping that if I turned myself into the Gestapo they would stop looking for her and leave her alone. As soon as I told them my name and that I lived there they arrested me on the spot. And that was only the beginning of my troubles."
"Why?" asked LeBeau. "What happened? I mean, it's obvious they didn't shoot you because you are here."
Von Herwarth smiled grimly. "Ja, I am here." For a moment he bowed his head and shook it. He took a moment to compose himself before he looked up again and took a deep breath. "As I said, they immediately arrested me along with my parents and Christina's grandparents. As soon as they found out who my uncle was they immediately investigated him and for awhile I thought uncle Hans was going to be arrested as well, and that would have been detrimental to the Allied cause as he was supplying them with information. But they could not tie him to anything and decided he was not responsible for what his brother was doing and as a second degree Mischling, he had a German blood certificate declaring him and his wife deutschblutig or of German blood. He and his wife were exempt from most of Hitler's racial laws."(1)
"That was fortunate for our side," Hogan remarked. "Your uncle supplied our side with valuable information both before and during this war. What happened next?"
Von Herwarth chuckled. "I thought I was going to be shot. So, as I sat in a cell waiting to die, imagine my surprise when a Gestapo officer and several guards came into my cell and told me I had volunteered to fight for the Fatherland to prove my loyalty to Germany."
"Bloody charming," Newkirk muttered.
"Of course I refused. Told them I did not believe in Hitler's policies and refused. That's when they told me if I refused, my wife's grandparents, my parents, and my wife who had been recently arrested would be sent to labor camps. But if I fought for the Fatherland, they would be safe from harm, and I had one minute to decide." He hung his head. "I couldn't believe they had my Christina, so, I agreed to serve the Fatherland and to fight for Germany."
"Of course they lied to you about having your wife, didn't they?" asked Hogan.
"Ja," von Herwarth said. "But I did not know this at the time. I couldn't take the chance. Not in her condition. They forcibly removed me from the cell and had me transported to the induction center. Before the day was ended I was officially in the German Army."
"How did you find out they didn't have you wife?" asked Newkirk.
"I was, along with several thousand other soldiers, boarding a train for somewhere when I spotted her in the crowd waving to me attempting to get my attention. I motioned for her to wait as far away from the platform as she could get, and then after I boarded the train, I sneaked off the train through another car, ditched my weapon, helmet and knapsack, and found Christina who told me she had never been arrested. Then, the two of us ran as quickly as we could hoping we wouldn't be followed. Luck was with us because we weren't. We couldn't go back to our apartment as there were still Gestapo guards watching the place, so we went to the house of a friend who sympathized with us and gave us clothes to change into and some food and what little money she had. We then waited until night and made our way to my uncle Hans place. He had heard from a friend of my father what had happened and hid us in a small concealed room in his home. He told us Christina's grandparents had been executed as it was determined they were too old to work, and my parents were sent to a labor camp; which one he did not know."
Newkirk shook his head. "Bloody bastards!" he uttered angrily.
"We stayed for about a week as my uncle checked around to see how safe it was for us to travel and get out of Germany as there was no way we could stay. I hadn't yet been discovered missing from the train, but once I was I would be charged with desertion. It wasn't long before he found out the Gestapo was hunting for us everywhere and were arresting anybody we were friends with hoping to convince them to turn against us. There was no place we could go. Then my uncle made contact with the underground and spoke with somebody there who said they could put us in contact with someone named Papa Bear who could get out of Germany. Everything was set for the night your men met us. But before we left my uncle's home, he gave me a journal and told me to get it to you as you would know what to do with it. I did read some of what was in it and it shook me to the core. My uncle also contacted London who said they wanted this journal immediately."
Hogan got up and hooking his thumbs in his side pockets of his leather jacket, slowly began to pace. He suddenly stopped and studied von Herwarth. "You said you read some of what was in the journal. Can you at least give me some idea what's in it?"
Von Herwarth bowed his head and sadly shook it. "I would rather not, Colonel. It's not that I don't want to…" he raised his head. "…but it contains things that no man or woman should ever see."
Hogan nodded his head and let out a deep breath. His men watched their commanding officer hesitant to interrupt him when he was thinking as they knew he was. Finally, after several minutes, Hogan stood in front of von Herwarth. "Is there any possibility this Major Guthrie could be pursuing you and your wife?"
Von Herwarth, shaking his head, shrugged his shoulders. "I can't say for sure, Colonel. But it is entirely possible. I know the Gestapo has been after me probably since it was discovered I escaped from the troop train after being forced to join the German Army. At most, I am sought for desertion and the journal as an added bonus."
"The underground told us you were considered a first-degree Mischling," Hogan added.
"They did not have all the facts, Colonel. I am marked for death the moment they catch me as is Christina. At least the labor camps if not outright execution."
"I just have one question, sir," Carter asked raising his hand as if asking permission of a teacher.
"What is it young man?" asked von Herwarth.
"How could you agree to fight for Hitler? I mean, I know you wanted to protect your wife and all, but to fight for old crazy eyes? It seems to me, anyway, that being of the Jewish faith, you'd rather die than fight for Hitler."
"Carter," Hogan warned his young Sergeant. Carter met the Colonel's eyes.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I need to know how somebody of the Jewish faith could fight for Hitler instead of against him. I need to understand, sir."
"I'll explain it to you later, Carter," Hogan assured him. But Carter shook his head.
"I'm sorry, sir, but I need to hear it from von Herwarth. I want him to explain it to me. I mean, no matter what, I'd rather die than fight for Hitler. I'm positive anyone in this room would rather die than fight for old scramble brains." His eyes landed on von Herwarth who couldn't meet Carter's stare. Even Hogan found himself looking at their guest.
"Well, von Herwarth?" the Colonel asked gently.
The man sighed and met Carter's stare. "Have you ever been in love, young man?" he asked Carter. "I mean truly, wholly, completely and totally in love?"
Carter had to admit he hadn't. "But what has that got to…."
Von Herwarth held up a hand. "When you are totally and completely in love, young man, you will do anything to protect that person. And I mean anything." His eyes shifted to Hogan. "Ask your Colonel. I'm sure he understands what it means to love someone so much you would do anything to save that person." He noticed Hogan glance at him curiously. He had no way of knowing the Colonel was thinking of Tiger and what he would do if he was ever in this man's position.
Hogan always told himself he would rather die than fight for Germany. But what if they had Tiger in their clutches? Would he still feel that way? Would he be willing to sacrifice her life by saying no to the Nazis? He had never thought about it before. It's back to column A or column B again with no other choice. Column A Tiger would die and so would I. And Column B I sell my soul to the Nazis to save Tiger who might die anyway. With a groan Hogan pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I think that's enough for now, von Herwarth. I appreciate your honesty and telling us your story. But I suggest you get some rest." Hogan looked at his men. "Fellas, upstairs. We need to talk and go over one more time the plan for tomorrow night. I don't want any mistakes tomorrow night."
Back in the barracks again, Hogan poured himself a cup of luke warm coffee and took a drink. He hadn't spoken since they climbed back into the barracks, and Carter suspected the Colonel was upset with him. He slowly approached his commander.
"I'm sorry, Colonel. I didn't mean to upset you or anything. I mean, I wouldn't ever want to do anything to upset you or make you angry at me because you know how I can be…."
"It's okay, Carter," Hogan interjected. He really did not want to listen to one of Carter's long and endless speeches. "I'm not upset and I'm not angry. I'm just thinking."
"About what, Colonel?" asked Kinch.
Hogan turned and faced the men seated at the table looking up at him. Hogan put one foot on a bench. "About what would I or any of us do if we were in von Herwarth's position."
Newkirk lit a cigarette and took a drag. "I'll tell you one thing. I'd rather die than fight for Germany. There's nothin' anybody could do to make me fight for that fruitcake."
"Suppose they had your sister, Mavis as a prisoner," said LeBeau. "And they told you you either fight for the Third Reich or we kill her. Are you saying you would let her die?"
"Mavis wouldn't want me to sell meself to save her," Newkirk replied. "She always told me we sometimes have to make hard choices in life we may not want to make. And as much as I love her, she would understand me sayin' no to the Krauts. Besides, even if I said yes they'd probably still kill her anyway regardless." He took another drag.
"The Krauts are famous for not keeping their promises anyway," Kinch added.
"Boy, you got that right, Kinch," Carter chimed in. He looked up. "What d'you think, Colonel?"
"I don't know really," Hogan said. "It's a situation I hope I never find myself in where I'd have to make a terrible choice like that and have to choose. It would be a lose-lose situation."
"Isn't that the truth," Kinch added sensing Hogan was troubled. "You all right, sir?"
"I'm fine. Just thinking about tomorrow night." He drained his coffee cup. "Kinch, you and Carter will leave here at exactly 2000 hours with Mrs. von Herwarth and head where?"
"To the abandoned shoe store three miles outside of town," Kinch said.
"Right," Hogan said. "Newkirk, will we have a car from the motor pool ready for tomorrow night?"
"Yes, sir. It'll be parked in the woods a few yards from the emergency tunnel. I promised the guard fourteen cents a mile."
"Good. Now, Otto and Carl will meet you at the rendezvous place and take Mrs. von Herwarth and keep her hidden until the plane arrives and then get her to the secret airfield. They'll then contact us and let us know when she is en-route to London. And under no circumstances do I want you two to hang around. After you hand Mrs. Von Herwarth over to the underground, I want you both to come directly back here through the emergency tunnel. Got it?"
"Got it, sir," Carter said.
"Okay." Hogan checked his watch. "It's been a long day and we've got an even longer one tomorrow. So I suggest we all turn in and get some sleep. Goodnight."
With a chorus of 'goodnights' from his men following him, Hogan entered his small room, closing the door behind him. Switching on the small lamp, Hogan sat down at his desk; he had a work detail to prepare for tomorrow and besides, it would take his mind off of the story he had heard.
With a blank sheet of paper in front of him, Hogan grabbed a pen and then paused. He couldn't concentrate on the task at hand. He kept remembering his father.
Young thirteen year old Robert and his family read everything they could find on the war while reading the infrequent letters they received. It seemed that Robert's father was among the first US troops to arrive in France. But that was in June, 1917 and this was now early February,1918. (2) There had been no letters received from his father in nearly a month and something told Robert something was wrong. Then, the unthinkable happened that explained the reason why they hadn't heard from him.
Hearing the doorbell ring, young Robert raced to the door and opening it, saw the mailman standing there; he handed the young boy a telegram. Closing the door, Robert looked at the envelope and noticed it was from the US Army. He immediately turned and ran to the kitchen where his mother was busy preparing lunch for him and his siblings. He handed her the telegram and waited impatiently for her to open it. Finally, she did. Removing the envelope's contents her eyes quickly scanned the typed message. She suddenly put her hand to her mouth as the sobs came and the tears fell. Leaving the telegram on the table, she ran from the kitchen.
Curious, young Robert picked up the telegram from Western Union and read the message. It read as followed:
'The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your husband, Colonel Robert Michael Hogan, has been reported missing in action since the twenty-second of December, 1917, over Germany. If further details or other information are received, you will be promptly notified.'
Robert was stunned. His father, missing in action. He felt something wet on his face and wiped it away only to have it replaced by more wetness. Still holding the telegram he ran throughout the house until he found his mother in the living room, sitting in a chair with her face buried in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. Young Robert approached his mother and wrapped his arms around her, allowing her to bury her face in his small shoulder as he did his. The two of them continued to hold each other tightly as the tears fell over the man they both loved whose fate right now was unknown. He wanted to do something, anything, to find his father and bring him home safely. But at thirteen, there was nothing he could do but pray. And he would pray. He would pray more than he ever had before for his father's safe return. Oh how he hated the war and the United States' involvement in it. He didn't know what he would do if his father was gone for good.
Hogan shook his head as he wiped his face, unaware he had been crying. He hadn't thought about that time in his life in a long time. Closing his eyes, he pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew why he suddenly thought of his father being shot down in 1917. Then, with a deep sigh, he again picked up his pen and began to make out the work detail assignment.
(1)German blood certificates were provided by Hitler to those with partial Jewish heritage declaring them deutschblutig or of German blood. It began sometime after the Nuremberg Laws of 1935 and allowed exemption from most of Germany's race laws which laid the official grounds for the persecution of Jews. The Race Laws were comprised of two separate laws: The Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honor and The Reich Citizenship Law.
(2)June 25, 1917, the first US troops began to arrive in France. They fought alongside the French and British allied forces in the last year of the war against Imperial German forces. For purposes of this story I had Hogan's father among the first US troops. Facts courtesy of Wikipedia.