Beyond the Shield

by Nachman Kataczinsky

  “Since Zaretzky’s name was on the Comintern lists of Communist party members we expect the security branch of the NKVD to approach you. Your mission is to serve as bait to discourage them from picking on someone else and to feed them information, or disinformation, we want them to have about us.”

  “Lovely,” Zaretzky responded. “Now I’m bait. Who am I expecting to devour me?”

  The head of the Mossad smiled. “No devouring. We expect them to be curious about us. Their normal modus operandi would be to either kidnap one of our people or subvert one. They don’t normally kidnap foreign diplomats but who knows whether they will consider us poor Palestinians proper diplomats. So we are offering them bait in the form of a known Communist who has already communicated with them and given them information on the British Mandate in Palestine.

  “The head of the legation is expecting you and actually has a job for you but knows nothing about this mission. Your official position will be First Secretary of the Palestinian Legation. We already have a security guy there. You will help him and collect as much intelligence as you can, but bear in mind that your primary mission is to keep Beria and friends happy. We have in mind a secondary purpose: If possible, we want to undermine Beria’s standing with Stalin.”

  “Yes,” responded Zaretzky, “the guy is an animal, torturer and pedophile.”

  “All true, but that’s not the main reason we want to undermine him,” said the head of the Mossad. “He’s very effective at what he does and one of the things he does is consolidate intelligence and organize special projects. Stealing the atomic bomb secrets was his initiative as well as organizing and guiding the team that developed the Soviet bomb. With him either gone or losing his standing with Stalin those special projects will be significantly slowed down or not developed at all.”

  “They will have a couple of questions regarding our spying abilities for you that may be tricky. Here’s what you tell them…”

  ***

  The Prime Minister waited for the Speaker of the Knesset to bang her gravel and silence to fall. “My fellow members of the Knesset, before we start debating I have some news to share. Our forces in Northern Italy fought their first battle against the Nazis. The victory in this battle was complete. We destroyed two SS divisions near the Brenner Pass and three Wehrmacht divisions on the Italian-Slovenian border. Our losses were less than a hundred casualties with eight dead. The news is being disseminated to the public at this time so you will find more details and pictures in the papers.”

  A member of the Knesset, from one of the Arab parties got up and yelled, “The Prime Minister should be ashamed. The government initiated a war of aggression and we will all pay the price.” A general hubbub erupted after this interruption. It took the speaker some time to quiet the room.

  Amos Nir waited patiently before responding, “The Knesset member seems to think that we started this war. May I remind you that the Nazis started it. We are just acting to protect ourselves and to fulfill our obligations to our allies, the British and Soviets. But that’s not what we need to discuss.

  “I would like to present a law to the Knesset for acceptance.

  “This law is quite simple. Any citizen of Israel who wants to join the Arabs from Judea and Samaria in their trip to an alternative universe or to Jordan will be free to do so. The State will do everything in its power to insure that these citizens travel with all their possessions. The move to the alternate universe will include their homes, fields, cars and anything else they choose to take with them. If this proves impossible, the state will compensate such citizens with items of equal or greater value of their choice. If for example a majority of a village decides to move, the whole village will be moved even if a minority of its inhabitants objects. Those who decide not to move with the village will be free to stay with no special compensation.

  “The government and the Knesset Internal Affairs Committee both recommend approval of the law as written.”

  The debate lasted the rest of the day and into the next. It ended in the afternoon when the speaker called for a vote. Of the 120 members 23 voted against the law – members of the Arab parties, the Communist Party, and two other leftist groups. The rest, including the left of center ones like Labor who had demanded the vote, voted for the law. Since every law had to survive three such votes it took another day to pass.

  ***

  Hitler was pacing in front of the map table at the OKW headquarters as General Alfred Jodl explained the operation against the British forces. He started with France. “Our forces successfully executed a pivoting maneuver and are now converging on Lyon. We estimate that about sixteen enemy divisions are concentrated in that area. We think that nine of them are British and the rest are French. Elements of the Eighth Panzer encountered a British force near Saint Etienne.

  “We estimate that the British force was about battalion-sized. Our forces had to retreat after losing a third of our tanks. It seems that the British are using a new tank that our Panzer III can’t penetrate at any angle. Panzer IVs with new guns can’t penetrate its front or most of the side armor. Their guns are deadly to us at long ranges.

  “This incident caused us to slow the armored units and wait for artillery support. We also requested close support from the Luftwaffe.”

  Hitler stopped his pacing. “Are you all crazy? We need to attack them as soon as possible. Put Rommel in command of Army Group D. We have to crush them.” He looked around. The generals lowered their eyes. Jodl clicked his heels. “As you command, my Fuehrer.”

  Hitler nodded. “What’s going on in Italy? Have our forces positioned themselves to attack the British rear?”

  Jodl shook his head. “My Fuehrer, we are still collecting information on what happened in Italy. Preliminary reports are coming in but everything is confused. We can’t establish contact with the two Waffen SS divisions that attacked across the Brenner Pass. Contact was also lost with the sixth Panzer division. We have reports from the 13th Panzer division and the 25th Panzer regiment. Neither one has any tanks left. They lost close to 80% of their personnel. The Luftwaffe reports the loss of 82 Stukas and 12 Messerschmitt fighters - all the planes they sent into action at both locations, the Brenner Pass and the Slovenian border.”

  Jodl paused indecisively and continued after a moment. “We have several unconfirmed reports that the opposing forces displayed flags with Jewish stars.”

  Hitler stopped, leaning heavily on the map table. “Jodl, are you telling me that we lost five divisions, including some of our best, and a hundred aircraft to some pig-dog Jews?”

  Jodl hesitated. “My Fuehrer, I am not sure what happened. Our losses were heavy and our forces didn’t achieve their objective. We still don’t know how it happened.”

  Hitler considered the statement. “Then find out. That’s what you’re here for.”

  Jodl clicked his heels again.

  Hitler asked, “What’s new on the Eastern Front?”

  Jodl gestured to a colonel standing nearby, who changed the maps on the table. “We seem to be unable to dislodge the Russians on the Don line. They are attacking on the Northern Front and slowly moving northwest from the direction of Moscow. If we don’t stop them they will break our ring around Leningrad.”

  Hitler pointed at the assembled generals. “Devise a plan to stop their advance and break through to the other side of the Don. Present it to me in two days.” He turned around and left.

  At his office in the Chancellery Hitler told his secretary to summon Albert Speer and General Robert Ritter von Greim, the new commander of the Luftwaffe replacing the assassinated Goering. In the meantime he met with Himmler.

  “We need to stop our actions against the generals. Only temporarily, you understand. We have problems on all fronts. I had to appoint Rommel to lead the defense of France. The Russians are getting frisky and we can’t afford an open insurrection. I have decided to postpone our actions.”

  Himmler nodded. “I understand. I can start moving t
he Waffen and other SS troops to be in position to act when the time comes. Slowly concentrate them in the Army Group South territory ready to strike.”

  Hitler shrugged. “Good, do that. In the meantime I need you to investigate a strange claim. According to the High Command, our troops invading Italy were repulsed by forces under a flag with a Jewish star. Did you hear anything about that?”

  Himmler fidgeted in his chair. “Just before coming here I received a disturbing report. The two SS divisions that were supposed to go through the Brenner Pass indeed claim to have fought against a force under a Jewish star flag. The survivors are ready to go back into the fight but the debriefing officer said they didn’t believe they could win.”

  Hitler got up and immediately sat down. “Well, investigate this and tell me when you have definite information. I also want you to call the Caliph’s base in Brindisi. Maybe there is a connection.” Hitler thought for a moment. “Actually don’t call the base personally. Tell Alois Brunner to call.” Brunner replaced Adolf Eichmann after Eichmann’s execution by the Israelis in Lithuania.

  As Himmler left the office, Albert Speer and General von Greim entered. Hitler gestured for them to sit. “Albert, what is the status of the modified Panzer IV?”

  “My Fuehrer, the Variant F2 is now in production. That’s the one with a 75mm high performance gun. As you know, it is successful against the Russian T34. We should be able to replace all the Panzer IIIs by the middle of next year.”

  Hitler got up and started pacing. “What about a larger gun?”

  “That would take a while. I’m not certain what’s available in the way of guns, but a larger caliber with a higher muzzle velocity will also require a new, larger turret and a new hull. It means a new tank design. I will check with Krupp and with Daimler-Benz.”

  Hitler addressed the commander of the Luftwaffe. “I want you to closely support our forces in France. At the moment, this is the most dangerous front and Rommel must have the support he needs.”

  General von Greim thought for a moment. “We have two Air Armies available. Luftflotte 2 with 177 aircraft and Luftflotte 3 with 752 aircraft. Luftflotte 2 is now located in Greece and already lost some aircraft in Northern Italy. We need them in that area against the Yugoslav partisans and other threats. Luftflotte 3 is positioned in France, Holland and Belgium. It would mostly be their assignment to act against the Franco-British invasion of France. We can, possibly, take some bombers from the Luftwaffe Command Center in Germany, but they have only 46 Do217 and 18 Ju-88. Any other reinforcements would have to come from the Eastern Front.”

  Hitler made an impatient gesture. “Take all the bombers from the Command Center. We’ll see how it goes and decide on more later, if needed. We need to be extremely responsive to the requirements of the French front.”

  ***

  Wolf settled in the tent he shared with his crew. It wasn’t bad, insulated and with a propane heater. It even had internet access, although he had to use a battery operated-tablet to send an email to Sheina.

  Dear Sheina,

  We have just been through a major battle. Thank G-d my group came through with no injuries. There were some casualties in some of the other companies and some people were treated in our field hospital. It doesn’t seem to be too bad.

  I was promoted. I am now First Sergeant and as soon as things settle down will become Platoon Sergeant. My company commander promoted me because of my “resourcefulness and initiative in combat.”

  The weather here is cold. During the night the temperature falls close to freezing and it’s not that hot during the day either. We have warm clothing and warm tents with heaters. I’m lucky to be in an armored unit. Our tanks have heaters and we’re all very comfortable.

  Right now I’m in an encampment several kilometers away from the Brenner Pass, on the Italian side. There’s talk about us crossing into Austria but no orders yet.

  Jacob sends his best regards. He’s doing very well and was promoted to sergeant. He told me that his unit is reorganizing and that they are going to release him from service into the reserves within a couple of weeks. He should be home soon.

  Give my best regards to Esther. How is she doing and does she have an email address? I would like to write to her directly.

  They promised that our cell phones would have a connection within a couple of weeks. I will call my parents as soon as I can. In the meantime please inform them that everything is good here. I can’t write to them since they don’t have email.

  With love, Wolf

  A response arrived within an hour:

  Dear Brother,

  Sheina gave me your email address and as you see I have my own now.

  I called our parents and told them that you’re doing well. They were having second thoughts about having signed your request to serve in a combat unit but seem to be reassured now. Father is very proud of you and Mother thinks you’re a hero. They want to know whether you need anything they could send to you.

  Having had some little experience with war I have only one piece of advice for you: don’t be tempted to become an officer. The wounded in the hospital in Samarkand where we trained all agreed that new second lieutenants have a very short life expectancy.

  I’m doing as well as can be expected. I’m studying Hebrew and as you can see this email is part Yiddish and part Hebrew. My basic computer literacy is improving but I may have difficulty getting into medical school. There is still some time before I need to decide and will update you later.

  In the meantime Sheina wants her computer back to write an email to you. By the way, she’s a very nice girl and we have become really good friends. I also like her cousin Tzipora, though I can see why you were attracted to Sheina.

  Wish you the best.

  With love, your sister Esther.

  ***

  Major General Ephraim Hirshson, the commanding general of the Israeli Expeditionary Forces in Europe looked over his staff, assembled in the command tent and waiting for him to start the meeting.

  “Good morning, everyone. First an update on what the General Staff requires us to do: We stay where we are and let the Germans come to us. If they don’t take the bait, we advance until they do. It’s up to us to decide where and how.

  “I want to consolidate our position. We need a good logistics base close to the port of Venice. We also need a subsidiary base by the Brenner Pass.”

  Ephraim turned to his Chief of Operations. “Please take care of the planning.

  “What’s the status of our anti-air capabilities?”

  The Colonel responsible responded, “We have local and regional capabilities. The regional is the 107th squadron of Kfir fighters. They’re mostly obsolete where we came from but are extremely capable, especially when armed with Derby air-to-air missiles. In this configuration they are capable of dealing with aircraft up to twenty miles away.

  “Local capabilities are the Machbet/Racquet system mounted on Centurion tank chassis. It has a 20mm Vulcan cannon plus missile launchers with a maximum range of about four miles. We used them in the last battle and they’re deadly, especially as we’re dealing with slow flying aircraft. We also have several SPIDER batteries, which are basically Derby missiles modified for ground-to-air use.”

  Ephraim nodded. “That confirms my assumption that we don’t really need a Kfir squadron for air defense. We may use it for ground attack but, judging by their performance in the last battle, our air defenses are more than good enough.

  “I am bothered by the distance the Kfirs have to fly to get where they might be needed. Brindisi is 450 miles from us and even farther to where the Brits are. I would like to have the Kfirs close. Maybe the logistics base can also serve as an air force base. Get a combined air force and engineers proposal on my desk in a day or two. If need be we can get construction assistance from the Italians.

  “If any of you are wondering why I mentioned the Brits, it’s because they asked for assistance. I’ll let our chef of intelligence explai
n.”

  The Brigadier General responsible for the Expeditionary Force’s Military Intelligence stood in front of a large scale map of Southern France. “The combined French/British forces are slowly advancing in the face of German opposition. They are holding the line at Lyon and advanced and took Clermont-Ferrand. This makes for a reasonably narrow front, only 150 miles from the Swiss border to Clermont-Ferrand. From there the front goes to Toulouse. The Allies are holding about 400 miles in all.

  “We are providing them with intercepts and transcripts of German communications. We also have several drones flying constantly over the area, including at least one equipped with long range radar. That combined with satellite images gives us excellent information on what the Germans are planning and doing.

  We know from our intercepts that the Luftwaffe is moving its Third Air Army very close to the front. This caused the British to move significant numbers of Hurricane and Spitfire fighters into the area. Their Centurion tanks are performing extremely well. There are three confirmed reports of Centurions knocking out Tiger I tanks. The Panzer IV and IIIs are defenseless against them.

  “Now to the request for assistance: Montgomery is a capable commander but not as good as Rommel, especially in open terrain like France. He suffered several small setbacks and is now overly cautious. I think that his natural overly aggressive personality will soon be back. I have no doubt that he will eventually push the Germans out of France but it might take him a year and, what’s more important, not convince the German command soon enough that the war in the West is lost. Especially if he makes a major mistake, which, as we know from history, he’s liable to do. He requested our assistance in the air until his reinforcements arrive. I recommended that we use our jets not only against the Luftwaffe but also against ground troops. That should quickly convince Rommel and the rest of their command that they are losing.”