Chapter Twenty-One: The Proposition
Peter could not have made a better call for the infirmary. The best actors of the camp, Peter included, were called upon. And boy did they give an act. As the cold weather arrived, more prisoners found themselves in the infirmary with some illness or another. The medics would always say 'a touch of the flu', or a 'bad cold' that may get worst without proper rest. It was never too many men, and no one stayed sick for more than a few days. It was just a rotation of men, who worked through the day, and sometimes night, starting on the tunnel. Guards checked in on the infirmary guests, but the times were routine, so there were no surprises. A tunnel was started on October 4th. It would go forty yards before it came to the fence, and another fifty or so before reaching the woods. The woods were thick, and everyone was optimistic that if the escape went off without a hitch, one could go missing for a good amount of time. Beyond that no one had thought about. It was, for now, sufficient enough to think about just getting out of the camp.
So, while slow but sure progress was being made in the infirmary, work in the recreation hall began. It was bare, and so the prisoners began working on a stage setting. Major Duerr approved the act, though there was constant watch n their every move. Surprisingly, Duerr supplied them with wood and tools to get the job done. Commandant Beauvais and Captain Lawrence explained to Duerr that having a recreation hall gave the prisoners more things to do, thus keeping their minds of the dull life they led there in the camp. It would prevent them for going 'wire-happy', they explained. This satisfied Duerr. The stage was built in a week, with many prisoners willing. After that, they set about trying to furnish the rest of the hall.
A week after the tunnel from the infirmary, they ran into a bit of trouble. So far, there had been a minimal amount of dirt to get rid of while they went straight down. They had been tossing it in the latrine in small amounts at a time. That was sufficient, but more needed to be done. This created a lull in the tunnel business. But finally, after three days, a solution came from Lieutenant O'Neill.
"Let's toss it underneath other barracks," he told Lawrence. "We'll cut out places in the floor of all the barracks, and bring the dirt there. Jerry never goes under there, or really inspects the place. They'll never know, as long as we do it inconspicuously."
It was done. Dirt was kept in containers in the infirmary. For the two hours that the prisoners had free run inside most of the camp, prisoners came and took the containers, hiding them in their jackets, and then went about disposing of them in the latrine and beneath the barracks.
The recreation hall was closer to fence by ten yards. And on the October 15th, work began on a tunnel there. It was then that plans were begun to actually pull off a great escape. While the non-coms toiled night in day in tunnels, disposing of dirt, doing their normal work in the day, and while Luke and Everley worked on bringing the radio into camp, the four officers met every day in the recreation hall, behind the stage, to discuss an escape that would get at least some men home.
They agreed that the more prisoners who got out, the more who would make it home. The more prisoners who escape, the more havoc it created for the Third Reich. And that was one goal they had to achieve. The main problem was that the camp was deep in enemy territory on all sides. If they wanted to reach England, it would require going through Germany and then France. Going to Switzerland meant going through occupied Czechoslovakia, Austria, and maybe Germany again. And going east to Russia meant a lot of occupied territory, and eventually the front lines of battle. The least hostile and shortest journey one could try and make was to go north to the Baltic Sea. And if you could cross that, you could reach neutral Sweden or Finland. Still, it meant making your way through occupied territory, but nowhere near as much as the other wishful routes.
As October went by, the cold air came as well. The prisoners quickly realized that what they had was not enough. About half-way through the month, the Red Cross sent more blankets. But the men who worked outside turned them into another coat of sorts, or tore some of it up to make gloves, or another pair of socks. Letters went out to their families asking for any warm clothing. Peter became busy once his barracks-mates realized he could sew. Mavis had sent him some needle and thread, and he traded cigarettes for more thread with the guards. He was soon turning blankets into another layer for everyone in his barracks. He was not the only one. Louis found himself plagued as well with a sudden onslaught of requests. However, they were both happy to do so to help their comrades.
As October came to an end, the reports on the tunnels were uplifting. In a month, they were a little more than a third of the way there in the tunnel from the infirmary, and half-way there in the tunnel from the recreation hall. On the first of November, the officers met once more to discuss more details of the escape.
"We must disguise it," said Géraud. "We must make sure that the Germans will not find out until much later."
"Where do we think we will get to escape from first," asked Lawrence.
"The rec hall, sir," answered O'Neill. "The progress there is faster, and the distance shorter anyway."
"How many men do we think we are going to get to escape," asked Noël.
"As many as we can fit in a time frame," answered O'Neill. "I don't think we should limit it to anything specific. If we can create a long timeframe for men to get out, then we push as far as we can. The more men out, the better."
"The more havoc we create," said Lawrence.
"Or the more men that get killed," commented Noël. "What about that?"
"It will be their risk," replied Géraud. "When they are picked, it will be their choice. Though I believe that if anyone is picked, they will take the chance. Freedom is just too good to pass up."
"Yes, sir," said Noël. "Still, 'ow will we get so many men out at once, and then give them time to at least get away from the camp?"
"The rec hall will have to be in use," said Lawrence. "That way, there will be commotion. Men can be coming in and out too much for Jerry to keep a count or something."
"But at night," asked Géraud. "'Ow will we ever 'ave something be done there at night?"
"We'll need a ruddy good reason," pointed out O'Neill.
Noël looked around the hall thoughtfully. There was now a ping-pong table with a ball that didn't really ping, a few tables where men played cards, a corner for some boxing, the stage…the stage!"
"We can put on a play," said Noël suddenly.
"A play," echoed Géraud. "My, that's a good idea. But like O'Neill said, we'll need a good enough reason to have a play."
There was suddenly a scuffle around the curtains, and Louis and Peter stumbled out.
"Let's 'ave a Christmas play," suggested Louis eagerly.
"No," said Peter, giving Louis a frown. "A talent show!"
The four officers looked quizzically at the two corporals.
"Do you two, by any chance, know what the meaning of private meeting is," asked Géraud.
"It was 'is idea," said Louis quickly, pointing at Peter.
"Was not."
"Is too."
"Okay, okay," said Lawrence quickly, breaking up the bickering before it started a third war. "Just next time give us a warning you're going to burst out from behind the curtains. I thought you were Jerry listening in."
"Don't worry, sir," said Peter. "We always make sure you won't be disturbed in these little meetin's."
"What about now," asked O'Neill.
"Everley's got it," assured Peter. He smiled as Everley poked his head out from behind the curtains and gave a quick grin. He quickly ducked back.
"So," said Géraud. "A Christmas play. It might 'ave merit. Even Germans celebrate Christmas."
"Wot about a talent show," asked Peter.
"Fermez la bouche," said Louis. "We all know you would not win anyway."
"Will you two stop it," said Lawrence. "Look, regardless of what we do, something like that would buy us plenty of time to get plenty of men out…as long as everyone got away without a hitch."
"So," said Peter. "We doin' it?"
The officers shot their men slightly annoyed looks.
"We have to talk to Major Duerr first," said Lawrence. "And not a word about this to anyone. Not until we know for certain what is going to happen. If something got around, guards might hear and wonder. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," answered Louis and Peter simultaneously.
"Understood, Corporal Blackwell," asked Lawrence more loudly.
There was a muffled "Yes, sir" from behind the curtains in response.
"Bon," said Géraud. "Capitaine."
"Yes, sir," said Lawrence. He followed Géraud out from behind the stage and of to talk to Duerr.
O'Neill and Noël looked at Peter and Louis with bemused grins.
"Can't you ever keep your nose out of anything," asked O'Neill.
"Oi," said Peter. "So far, everything I've ever stuck my nose into 'as only got better."
They all just rolled their eyes at that.
***** ***** ****
"A Christmas play?"
"Oui, Major," replied Géraud. "Something to keep the men more preoccupied and to keep their morale up. The days are getting colder and longer anyway, meaning there is less work to be done on the farms. More men will just be lying around 'ere, doing very little and getting very bored. That would only lead to some sort of trouble."
"How do I know there will not be trouble in this," asked Duerr, giving both Géraud and Lawrence scrutinizing stares.
"On Christmas, Major," asked Lawrence. "Not likely. Besides, this will be something the men will want to be a part of. Like we said, the more you keep them preoccupied the less likely there will be thoughts of creating trouble."
"We could always find more work inside the camp," offered Duerr. "Trust me, the camp down the road knows how to do that very well."
"Sir," asked Géraud. "We know of no other camp."
"Disregard the comment then," said Duerr. "It is not a matter of security. My mind was just wandering." He stood up. "I will talk with the Kommandant, and let you know tomorrow what we have decided. You are dismissed."
Lawrence and Géraud saluted, which Duerr returned, and then they left the building with Berg following closely. Once they were back in the compound and out of earshot from other guards, Lawrence turned to Géraud.
"Did that strike you as odd, or was it just me," he asked.
"I really did not know of any camp nearby," said Géraud. "Did you?"
"No, sir," answered Lawrence. "Which has me worried. We don't really know what lies elsewhere. We could have men going straight at that camp. But it's odd, I though with working we pretty much knew this area."
"I thought the same," said Géraud. "But, I suppose we were wrong."
"So," said Lawrence. "How do we guarantee that we find no surprises out there?"
"We need a map," said Géraud. "We need someone to get us a map."
"I've seen maps in Duerr's office," said Lawrence. "But it would be suicide trying to get in there. That's a fence and quite a few guards to get through."
"Oui," said Géraud. "I have an idea, but I am unsure about 'ow we will pull it off."
"Anything is better than nothing," countered Lawrence. "Might as well have a go."
"What if we planned a small escape for a few men to get out and 'ave a look around the area," said Géraud. "They could scout it out, and when they get recaptured, report to us what they found."
Lawrence's eyes were wide. "You will need some brave souls for that venture. And someone clever enough to pull it off. Someone who will need to be able to hide out for a few days and still be gathering information. And someone willing to escape, and then come back."
"I 'ad a man figured out until you mentioned that last part," said Géraud.
"Sir," said Lawrence. "That last part will cancel almost anyone out."
"I suppose so," said Géraud.
"Well, who did you have in mind anyway," asked Lawrence. "If it's a reasonable character, maybe we could persuade them. Bribe them. First spot out or something."
"I was thinking of your English corporal that we sent messages through," said Géraud. "And his French friend of course. They work well together, and Corporal LeBeau told me their story about their capture. They survived a long time dodging Germans in the countryside. I believe they could do it again for a few days, and gather the information we need."
Lawrence frowned. "I said reasonable character. Corporal Newkirk is not the most reasonable character. For all his participation in this, he might not be cooperative in that sense. He wants out. I know a lot of men here do, but I think he has less patience. And sending a Frenchman with him? Your country is occupied sir. What if they both clear out and don't come back?"
"It's a possibility that I recognize," replied Géraud. "If it 'appens, we will find another way. But I think we can trust these two. Because for all they might want out, I do not believe they will give up a chance to 'elp their comrades master this escape."
Lawrence sighed. "It's your call sir."
Géraud checked his watch. "Come. There is about thirty minutes left in the rec hour. We can propose the idea to them now."
They walked back to the stage. The men who had been working underground were coming up now, giving themselves plenty of time to look respectable for when the Germans would see them at the end of recreation. Géraud and Lawrence watched as Peter and Louis closed up the tunnel. When they were finished, the two officers sent everyone our, holding the two corporals back.
Lawrence looked to O'Neill and Noël. "No one is to disturb us this time. If you hear anything, forget about it for now."
"Yes, sir," they replied. They left the area to keep watch.
Meanwhile, Peter and Louis were wondering what was going on. They had an uneasy feeling about being left with the officers on purpose. Not to mention, they looked very serious and thoughtful. When everyone was gone, Géraud and Lawrence looked to them.
"We 'ave a mission for you two," said Géraud. "It is an important one, but completely voluntary. We 'ave discovered that there is another camp nearby. This made us realize we do not know everything about the area, or what lies beyond. Your job, if you accept, will be to find a way out of 'ere, and to scout as much of the area as you can before getting recaptured. When you can, you will report back what you found, so that we can identify any obstacles for the escape."
Peter and Louis exchanged a glance.
"You mean," said Louis cautiously. "You want us to escape, and then get recaptured on purpose?"
"Yes," said Lawrence, slowly. "That's the idea."
Peter looked doubtful, and Louis contemplated the matter suspiciously.
"But in return," said Géraud. "You two will be the first out of the camp for the escape."
This did not appear to affect Peter or Louis's look of questioning.
Finally, Peter sighed. "You promise, that if we just attempt this, we get first out?"
Géraud and Lawrence looked at one another and the French officer nodded.
"We promise," he said. "Just the attempt means you get first out."
"Okay," said Louis. "I will do it."
He looked at Peter.
Peter nodded determinedly. "Me too. You've got yourself a deal."