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"What's in a Name?"
Chapter 7
Helga's Hijinks and Klink's Bad Day in Berlin
"I need to make contact with one of the prisoners," Oskar said to Helga as he, along with Max and the secretary, enjoyed a cup of tea with a batch of Greta's homemade pastry. Despite the war, food and consumer goods were still plentiful. Hamelburg, being near an agricultural area, was a nice spot to be, although some residents were becoming concerned that their proximity to Düsseldorf and the industrial buildings on the outskirts of their hamlet was inviting danger.
Helga raised her eyebrows. "That's going to be difficult, "she replied. "Contractors are carefully watched." She thought for a moment. "May I ask why?"
Oskar glanced at Max, who nodded. "We explored the mine entrance," Oskar explained. "We believe the tunnel is viable, although we'd like an expert to look at it. An engineer or someone familiar with mining. And…" he paused. "Part of the tunnel is under the dog pen."
Helga was intrigued. "I don't understand how that helps," she said.
Max shrugged. "Don't know yet. But that's the last place the guards would look for the tunnel entrance."
"About that." Helga looked down at her hands, which were clasped around one of Greta's fine bone china teacups.
"Go on," Oskar prodded.
"Have you heard of the term ferrets?"
Max smiled. "Those little animals?"
"No. The army has specially trained soldiers that check for signs of tunneling," Helga explained.
"I see. That could put a damper on our plans," Max said.
"Maybe not." Helga smiled. "The Kommandant's request never made it to headquarters, and we never got the guards assigned."
"Let me guess. They were sent to the other camp," Max chuckled.
"No." Helga's voice got quieter, as if she was frightened of being overheard. "I sort of lost the order."
"You what?" Oskar cried.
"I took advantage of the mix-up," replied the secretary. "Who knows?" she shrugged her shoulders. "It may have happened anyway."
"Do you know how dangerous that is?"
"Yes," Helga answered. "I do. After I got away with stealing the page from the blueprints, I guess I got a bit overconfident. But then once I realized what I did, I became nervous and had to tell you. That's one reason why I asked for this meeting. But no one found out. And I think the Kommandant is too busy to resend the order. He just asked Stalag 13 to send them back when they get there." She let out a small laugh. "Of course, Stalag 13 is never cooperative. If the ferrets do end up there, we won't see them."
Max was appalled by Helga's actions. "Please don't do anything else to jeopardize your job, and your life. No more direct actions. Think of your family."
"We'll see," Helga replied. It was true that she was initially quite frightened, but now that there appeared to be no fallout, she had calmed down. "I think I can help you. The man of confidence comes into the office on a regular basis. The next time he comes in, I can make some discreet inquiries. I can also check the POW cards to see if some come from mining towns."
Oskar nodded. "That's a good plan."
"That still doesn't solve the problem of speaking with one of them directly," Max reminded everyone.
The three conspirators, later joined by Greta, sat and mulled over the problem of how to make contact.
"I know one thing, Oskar said. "We'll need a diversion."
HhHhH
Klink was not known as a decision maker. He often hemmed and hawed over minor details. For bigger, more important issues, the pros and cons often found their way onto a pad of paper. He would pace, and stare at the new picture of the Führer that hung on his wall. It had recently come from Berlin, and surprisingly it somehow had not been misdirected. On occasion, he would ask himself, what would Hitler do, and then look at the wall expecting an answer. Paranoia, brought on by years of experience, was the essence of the problem. The other was a long-buried and unrecognized lack of self-esteem. After all, most of his classmates had already made general.
So, thoughts of going to Berlin to address the misnaming problem directly were truly frightening. On one hand, the issue was a concern. Misdirected personnel, such as guards and the ferrets, could not be taken lightly. Missing prisoners was even worse. Colleagues at other camps scoffed at Klink's concern. "Who needs more mouths to feed?" They asked with a laugh and a knowing look. But to Klink, more POW's meant more prestige. They were been purposely sent to his camp, not another Luft Stalag. And this position was all he had.
On the other hand, reminding Berlin of the issue was opening up a whole new can of worms. Being noticed was not the best way to stay alive. Being known as a habitual complainer was definitely not healthy. Klink was walking a fine line.
The larger Stalag 13 would be fully operational within months. However, Klink was receiving no respect, and he was not getting anywhere with phone calls.
"What is one to do?" Klink asked the photo. No answer was forthcoming. He walked over to the wall behind his desk and stared at the map of his domain. Many buildings were shown, although few, at this point, were occupied. Never mind the missing ferrets. Klink decided he would train his own guards to look for hidden tunnels. He wanted more prisoners.
"Helga," he announced a few minutes later. "I am going to Berlin."
"Yes, Kommandant. Do you wish me to call ahead and make an appointment?"
Klink thought for a moment, and afraid he would be ignored, decided against it. "No, thank you. I'll speak to someone once I get there. Hopefully, General Burkhalter will be available. After all, he assigned me to this camp. The least he could do is speak with me."
And so, as Sergeant Schultz helped Klink to pack, Helga thought about this latest news. Recalling that General Burkhalter was a colonel when he appointed Klink as Kommandant, she looked up the latest information she had available on the officer, as well as a list of pertinent personnel changes.. Burkhalter was also a member of Hitler's staff, although he was not very high up on the ladder. There was no other information available. She set aside a file for Klink. "What will you be asking Berlin for?" She asked. "Do you think they can fix our problem?"
"Well, Helga. I think it will be harder for them to turn me down in person, face to face. It's not the missing ferrets that are the problem."
At that word, Helga's stomach dropped.
"It's my guards and prisoners."
Helga's stomach rose.
"I can train the ferrets. How hard can that be? I have a manual," Klink said.
"Perhaps the dogs may be able to detect tunnels, Kommandant."
Klink looked up. "You think so? I wasn't aware."
"Oh, yes. After all, their sense of smell is so much better than humans. And, after all, they bury things and have to find them again. Doesn't it make sense that they'd find loose dirt?" Helga was amazed at her new found capacity to spin a tale. "If you wish, I can ask the dog handler the next time he comes into the office. Perhaps he can look into that for you."
Klink clapped his hands. "Splendid, Helga. Have him speak with the officer in charge while I'm gone."
Realizing that this new idea of hers might get Oskar away from his van and into the compound, Helga smiled as she watched Klink leave the office.
HhHhH
Helga was all business when Oskar entered the outer office the next morning.
"You need another signature?" Oskar asked Helga in the gruff tone he used for his visits to the camp.
"No, Dr. Schnitzer. The Kommandant has another task for you, if you and your dogs are up for it. Play along," Helga whispered.
Oskar nodded. "Yes."
"We never received the specially trained guards that are assigned to the task of discovering tunnels. Rather than wait, or train other guards, the Kommandant wonders if the dogs may be able to detect any tunnels. You may need to take them around the compound and show the guards, of course. Is this possible?"
"I see." Oskar did see. This was a way for him to get away from his van and the dog pen, and perhaps get near a prisoner. "I have not trained the dogs for this service, although it is possible they can learn. No guarantees."
"Wonderful," Helga said. "You will need to speak to Captain Sunderman. He is in charge while the Kommandant is away. He is expecting you."
"I know I shall have to first take the dogs out into the compound without the guards," Oskar added as he waited by the inner office door. "Until they are comfortable with their task."
"I'm sure that is understood," Helga said. She tapped on the door and introduced the veterinarian.
HhHhH
It took a better part of the day for Klink to arrive in Berlin. He was too low on the totem pole, as Americans said in the movies, to merit a plane, but trains were plentiful. He was delayed several times for trains carrying troops and supplies west, and others-prisoners,he supposed-east.
Upon arrival, he checked into a hotel for the evening. Bright and early the next morning, Klink made his way to Luftwaffe headquarters. He had been there before, but the large and imposing building never failed to make him uncomfortable. Upon arriving at the offices where POW policy was set, Klink sat as officers and enlisted men scurried back and forth, while a bevy of attractive young ladies in uniform pounded out paperwork on their typewriters.
"Sorry to make you wait so long, Kommandant," said the eager young leutnant seated at the entrance. "You are from a camp in Hammelburg?"
"Yes." Klink leaned over. "But it's with one m. Near Düsseldorf."
The aide removed a binder from a shelf behind him and pored through its contents. "I don't see it here."
"That's impossible. We've received pay packets and deliveries. Well, not all deliveries. That's the issue. That's why I'm here."
The aide stared blankly back at the Kommandant. "Wait here, sir." A few moments later, the aide returned with a major, who took the aide's seat.
"Your camp appears to be missing," he said.
"That's what I've been trying to explain. Try looking in the sixth district," Klink advised.
A few moments later, the major stopped at a page. "Aha. Here we are. Hamelburg with one m. I didn't know there was another Hammelburg. Did you, Leutnant?"
"No, sir."
"Yes, that's wonderful." Klink said. "But everywhere else, we're known as Luft Stalag 13!"
"That is impossible, sir. As you indicated, this is District six. Says so right here. No one would assign the number 13 to a camp in Hamelburg. There is already a 13 in Hammelburg. The one with 2 m's."
"That is correct, Major!" Klink, who was trying to hold onto his patience, tightly grasped the edge of the desk. "But someone did assign the number 13 to our camp. Look at these maps I brought. A Oberst, Wolfram Gratz, was the one who brought this issue to my attention." Klink passed over official paperwork left by Gratz at their first meeting. "And here are copies of letters I've sent requesting assistance with the confusion." He handed these over to the major, who took a long look at the evidence in front of him.
"Why didn't you just change the sign? Or get new stationery?" The major sat back, as if that was the simplest and obvious solution to the problem. Hands clasped, he waited.
"First of all, I tried. The local printing plant was too busy with Herr Goebbel's work, and they gave me an outrageously overpriced estimate. Besides, that is just window dressing. This is affecting the running of the camp," Klink stated.
"How so?" asked the major, as the leutnant looked on.
"Allied prisoners on their way to my camp were sent goodness knows where. My ferrets and some supplies have been sent to the other camp. I've not received a contingent of guards, but I've received enlisted Allied ground troops."
"So you need ferrets? Your camp is a revolving door? I assume there are mass escapes, tunnels, and massive displays of disobedience."
"No, not exactly, although prisoner morale is going down due to lack of mail," Klink replied. "In fact," he said proudly. "We have not had one successful escape!"
"Congratulations. Anyway, mail takes time. So what seems to be the problem?" asked the major.
"I…I,"Klink sputtered. "Well, the Polish prisoners have been there for quite a while. They should have received some mail, don't you agree? But listen, Major. This is the problem. One day an order will be issued and I will not receive that order. It will go to the other camp, who will not relay that order, and then someone's head will be on the block when Berlin finds out. And that someone will be me." Klink was beginning to sweat.
"This is a fiasco, I will admit. But it's out of my hands. Reissuing the maps and notifying the Red Cross is a tremendous job. The best I can do is to notify the new commander of that sector of the situation and pass the misnaming problem up the line."
"Thank you," Klink said. "Who is the new commander?"
"General Burkhalter. Didn't you get the notification?"
Klink shook his head. "No. It probably got lost. General Burkhalter gave me this position. I'll look forward to finally meeting him personally." And I hope he forgives me for not sending him a congratulatory letter.
"Oh, that's truly unfortunate," said the major. This Klink is in trouble now. "Unfortunately, General Burkhalter is indisposed at the moment. As I said, I can notify him of your concern. I'm sure he will either contact you by phone or he will eventually get over to your sector to conduct an inspection. I don't know how long he will be unavailable."
Klink sighed. "Then I shall return to my camp. Thank you." Klink, although impressed by the courtesy of the two officers, was disappointed. He turned on his heels and walked out.
"Did he say he had Polish prisoners?" the major asked the leutnant.
"I believe so, sir."
"I guess he didn't get the memo." The major straightened the copies of paperwork Klink had left with him, and clipped them together.
"What should we do?"
The Luftwaffe major had fought in the previous war and still retained some modicum of decency towards his fellow airmen. He felt for the Polish airmen being removed from POW camps. They were being sent to labor camps, while those refusing their new role were transferred to concentration camps. "As I said, we'll notify General Burkhalter about the misnaming issue, and that's it."
A/N: Luftwaffe headquarters in Berlin was originally known as the Reichs' Air Transport Ministry. It is one of the few buildings to survive relatively intact and is now the German tax office. "When it was completed in 1936, it was the largest office building in Europe. The building went on to be used by the Soviets and then the East Germans. Today, without the eagles and swastikas, it is used as the German tax office." Information from various sources and Headquarters of the New Luftwaffe / murray-sager / 2qv6230.
Polish prisoners: from the website of the ICRC. www. icrc eng / resources / documents / misc / (international committee of the Red Cross)
"In September 1939, Poland was invaded by German and Soviet troops.
A large proportion of the Polish army was captured: around 400,000 men by the German forces and over 200,000 by Soviet troops. Until February 1940, the German authorities gave the ICRC lists of the Polish prisoners of war they held, but after that date they stopped.
In 1943, they again began to send these lists, but now only officers were mentioned. What had happened was that most of the Polish soldiers who became prisoners of war were turned into 'civilian workers' by the German authorities. They were thus - in defiance of the 1929 Convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war - deprived of their prisoner-of-war status and of the protection this should have afforded them.
Prisoners of war who refused to become 'civilian workers' were mostly sent to concentration camps. In this way, the ICRC lost track of a large number of them.
At no time during the war did the USSR give the ICRC lists of Polish prisoners. When, in April 1943, the massacre of over 5,000 Polish officers at Katyn was discovered, the USSR refused to allow the ICRC to take part in an international investigation."
I'm sure there was some form of this order issued to all the POW camps, but I have not been able to find it.
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