Breaking From the Enemy

by J. R. Sharp

  “Good. I need to go down there and see this way station in operation. When are you going there next?”

  “Tomorrow morning after our meeting.”

  The German colonel thought about it for a minute and checked his schedule.

  “Sounds good. Tomorrow it is, and don’t tell anybody I’m coming. We want this to be a surprise.”

  The major nodded, stood and left the colonel’s office. Now he wanted to find the crafty Italian who tricked him. Most of the Italian enlisted were housed in German-controlled compounds, so they shouldn’t be too hard to find. There were only a few still operating, as most Italian soldiers were deployed to battlefronts.

  ***

  Lieutenant Muller was pulling into the compound and he could see the ever-present major standing in the corridor looking at the roof. He slowed the sedan as the major lowered his head from looking into the sky. After he stopped the sedan, the lieutenant quickly exited the vehicle to open the door for his immediate supervisor and mentor. Major Schmidt was already standing waiting for the lieutenant to open the door as he approached him. The lieutenant reached for the door handle when the major spoke. “Where do those Italian military electricians live?” asked Major Schmidt.

  “Which electricians are you talking about, Herr Major?”

  “The ones that Sergeant Braun was supposed to make an example of to make sure we had the Italians’ attention. They also did all the work at the way station and the ghetto.”

  “I don’t know, Herr Major, but I will find out for you as soon as I take you to your office.”

  The major glanced around the compound to see who was looking in his direction. There was no one. He was sure the joke pulled on him was an isolated one. The only ones that knew of his embarrassment were the privates and their colonel. The Hero of Hannut would have his revenge.

  “Let’s go by the ghetto before you take me to the office,” ordered the major.

  The lieutenant put the car in gear before heading to the ghetto.

  “Lieutenant, I want you to make sure everything is in order at the way station for tomorrow morning. Our colonel will be stopping by for a surprise visit with me after our morning meeting. Let no one know he is coming, and you don’t know as well.”

  “Yes, Herr Major.”

  ***

  After leaving Major Schmidt, the junior officer set out to find the two electricians, who were obviously in some kind of danger. He had seen the electricians at some point mustering with the other soldiers near the barracks west of the city. That was a long time ago, and most of the soldiers were long gone by now. No one could forget the large, one-eyed Italian soldier, so getting the location of these soldiers wouldn’t be hard. The lieutenant had to make sure his information was accurate before telling the major. Those who gave the major wrong information usually paid the price.

  As the compound came into the view, the lieutenant slowed the sedan to turn into the large parking area. The lot was empty this afternoon, with the exception of an old working truck that had seen better days. The lieutenant spotted Sergeant Lucciano having lunch just outside the office building.

  “Where is the compound commanding officer?” the lieutenant asked.

  “Herr Colonel Specca has gone to lunch.”

  “No matter. I am not here for the colonel. Perhaps you can help me. I need to talk to you about some of your Italian workers.”

  “What can I help you with?”

  “I am looking for the two electricians that come here every morning for their work assignments. Where do they live?”

  The sergeant looked confused. “They stay at the barracks across from the main train station. That is where they’ve always stayed. Do I need to move them somewhere else?”

  “No, you don’t have to move them,” answered the German officer as he turned to head back to his car.

  “That’s good because I need to get ahold of them and let them know their new work truck is here. Their old one was a converted sedan. They’re so busy making repairs around the city we decided to get them a replacement before they break down somewhere.”

  The lieutenant stopped in his tracks. He turned back to Lucciano, holding out his hand.

  “Let me deliver the new truck to them,” he said coyly.

  The sergeant went back into the office, grabbed some paperwork and came back into the compound yard.

  “You need to sign this paperwork, Lieutenant.”

  After the lieutenant signed, the sergeant said, “The truck is yours.”

  ***

  Major Schmidt returned to his office to prepare for the visit and catch up on his paperwork. He sat at his desk thinking about his beautiful Hilda, the beautiful nurse who made him feel alive again. He looked forward to her visit later in the year.

  Getting through all the paperwork was mundane. The major wondered if he would ever return to the tank battles that made him a hero not too long ago. Staying in this city was killing him. Fighting the enemy with Panzer tanks was his destiny. The newer version of the Panzer was coming out, and for the first time since the Panzer was developed for battle, he was going to miss the design and testing phases. Just thinking about it made his head pound.

  How could they not want input from the Hero of Hannut? he thought as he reached into his desk for pills to relieve his headache. Marta Columbo walked into his office.

  “Lieutenant Muller is on the line for you, Herr Major.” The major waved at her to patch the call into him as he swallowed his relief with a sip of water. He grabbed his phone.

  “Herr Major, I have found the electricians. They still live in the barracks near the main train station. The colonel ordered them a new work truck, which I signed for and will be delivering to them.”

  “Excellent work, Lieutenant. Come to my office and we’ll deliver the truck together and see if these jokers have anything that will hold them accountable for their insubordinate actions this morning.”

  “I am on my way, Major.”

  The lieutenant immediately headed out to the major’s office. I wonder what those poor electricians did to the major, he thought.

  Chapter 16

  GINO PULLED INTO THE hotel in the same manner as he had done for the past few months. This time he didn’t leave the trunk open for fear someone was watching. Giacomo stayed in the sedan to make sure all was clear before they proceeded with the drop. As Gino walked into the bar, the first thing he noticed was the bartender cleaning glasses with a towel. The bartender looked up and gestured toward the back of the bar, to the storage room. Gino usually walked into the front lobby for work, but this morning he headed into the bar’s storage room from the back way so as not to be seen.

  As he entered the room, Enrico asked, “What happened at the compound this morning?”

  Gino looked confused. “What are you talking about? What problem?”

  “The incident with the Gestapo major. Apparently, he’s upset about something and has been inquiring about you and Giacomo.”

  “How do you know about that?

  “We have people all over the city and word travels fast.”

  “Let me tell you something, if you are going to spy on us, we’re going to stop doing business with you. Do you understand me? We are putting our lives in jeopardy for you, and the more people who know what we’re doing, the more likely we could get caught. We have some new rules we’re going by or we stop this today.” Gino waved his finger in Enrico’s face and finished with, “Do you understand me!”

  The bartender stepped back and realized the Italian soldier had the upper hand, and he didn’t want to make him angrier.

  “Mr. Cartelli, I apologize for my outburst, but we wanted to make sure you were alright this morning. The eyes are on the Germans and not you. We don’t want to cause you harm in any way. Your partner and you are doing us a great service, which is helping us shape the new Europe for a better future for all. What are the new rules to make you feel safer? I was just trying to give you a warning.”

&nb
sp; The war had been going poorly for the Italians, and the Germans continued to crack down, sensing an uprising. They were becoming more diligent and unforgiving of anyone who undermined the cause. Suddenly, Gino’s confidence waned and he felt endangered. He and Giacomo might have to make a move if detected. The mishap with the Gestapo major certainly didn’t help matters.

  “In the past we would leave the trunk open so your folks could load their equipment for transport; we need to alter the plan a bit. If the trunk is closed, that will be our sign we feel unsafe or we need to go someplace where the car will be inspected, so we can’t have any of your goods in the back. The second change will be that we have to deliver the equipment on the same day; there will be no overnight storage.”

  Enrico nodded. “That’s no problem. We can adjust to those changes. Can you guys get a bigger truck or some type of trailer so we can move more items?”

  Gino said, “Since we have been tasked to do more than electrical work in the past couple of months, we’ve asked for a new service truck, but so far nothing from our Italian or German colonels. Hell, I don’t know who’s in charge anymore.”

  “Well, let’s have a drink to celebrate our new agreement, Mr. Cartelli.”

  “That sounds great. Let me get my partner and open the trunk for your delivery today.”

  ***

  As they drove back to the barracks, they were tired and a bit worried. The work was intensifying as well as the scrutiny. They finished another twelve-hour day without any breaks, and there was more to do tomorrow. As Gino pulled off the main highway, he felt like something was wrong. He stopped before they got to the barracks.

  “What are you doing? Let’s go. I’m hungry,” remarked Giacomo.

  “I’m worried about us being watched; and I’m worried about that German major we ran from. Do we have anything in the truck that could get us in trouble?”

  “I don’t think so—just my pistol. But let’s check one more time. You never know who’s going to be at the barracks.”

  They opened the trunk to see if anything could get them in trouble. They moved some tools, buckets and paint, and something caught Gino’s eye. Tucked into the corner were two boxes of rifle ammunition.

  “How did we miss those boxes?”

  “I don’t know, but let’s take a look at the whole sedan to make sure there’s nothing that can tie us to them.”

  They hid the ammunition in the nearest bush and off they went back to their sleeping quarters. As they closed in on the barracks, they noticed a small troop transporter in front of the barracks. Their first thought was they had company in the barracks. They only saw the troop transports when soldiers were being moved from one place to another. There was an Opel Blitz in front of the barracks as well.

  It’s seen better days, but it’s still in good shape, thought Gino as he exited the work sedan to clean up before dinner.

  They entered the barracks to see three people sitting in the makeshift lounge. Two of them were regular German soldiers, and the other was Major Schmidt.

  “Glad to see you privates again. I hope you don’t mind us sitting in your lounge,” remarked the major. “You see, I received a call this afternoon that the lieutenant was bringing your new work truck, I decided to come along and join the fun since we had such a good time this morning.” The major glared at Giacomo. “You know what was funny about this morning? Colonel Specca had no idea what I was talking about when I went to see him. You told me the colonel wanted to see me, did you not, Private?”

  The major rose and approached Giacomo, who had about fifty pounds of muscle on the German. “As it turns out, the colonel didn’t want to see me at all. Now, why, I wonder, would a lowly Italian private make up such a lie to a Gestapo major?”

  Both of the privates stood at attention. The one-eyed giant looked straight into the major’s eyes without blinking and replied, “I apologize, sir, but I was in Colonel Specca’s office when I heard the German colonel yell that he wanted the person who knew what was going on in Rome to report to him. I saw you standing next to Private Cartelli and thought a Gestapo major was the man to provide such a report to Colonel Specca and the German colonel. I apologize if I was wrong, Herr Major.”

  Major Schmidt looked at Giacomo for about a minute to see if he showed any signs of fear. If this were a lie, it was certainly bold and reckless, especially from a lowly Italian private.

  “Well, I guess I can see how you could come up with that conclusion. But, Private, be warned. You have no business eavesdropping on discussions between officers. Doing so can be perilous, if you understand my meaning.”

  “Yes sir. Forgive me, sir. I will stick to only my business in the future.”

  “Okay then. You’re lucky I’m in a good mood, and you’re lucky your services are needed. To that end, I have a new work vehicle here for you. Go ahead and move all that equipment from your old car to the Opel. I’ve brought some reinforcements to help you move the equipment. Shall we go outside, privates?”

  The major opened the door and both privates followed him. The two other soldiers were right behind them with their guns at the ready. As they filed outside, the lieutenant and at least five other soldiers stood where there were none earlier.

  “Gentlemen, please assist our electricians in moving their gear from the small vehicle to the larger one,” the major ordered the five soldiers standing at attention.

  When Giacomo moved toward the old sedan to unload it, the major quickly put up his hand, signaling the German soldiers to aim their guns. Giacomo froze.

  “Private, stand where you are for right now and don’t move,” ordered the major.

  “Sir, I just want to get some personal items from the front seat before they get lost or stolen.”

  Schmidt summoned Lieutenant Muller.

  “Show my junior officer what you want to get out of the car, Private.”

  Giacomo went to the passenger seat with Lieutenant Muller watching him like a hawk. Gino was about to make a run for it, thinking Giacomo had had enough and was going to pull a revolver hidden in the cab and start shooting, but Giacomo emerged carrying a wooden box Gino knew was full of letters and personal items. He breathed again as his partner rejoined him.

  “Private, open the box and show my junior officer what’s inside so we can move onto other important tasks at hand.”

  He opened the box, and the lieutenant moved the letters around with the barrel of his pistol. Seeing nothing suspicious, he signaled to the major that all was clear. Muller moved to the work sedan, which was already being unloaded by the soldiers, to look for any type of contraband. After the sedan was empty, the German soldiers looked under the car and in the engine compartment and every other space and cavity.

  The search took almost a half hour, and once completed the major said something to the junior officer. Lieutenant Muller put his pistol away and ran behind the barracks. The major waited with his hands behind his back. Seconds later, a car rounded the corner and stopped in front of the major, who didn’t move until a soldier opened the door for him. When the soldier shut the door, Lieutenant Muller put the car in gear and headed for the main highway. The other soldiers dispersed without a word. Neither private moved until all the Germans were out of sight.

  “Well, that was fun,” said Giacomo.

  Gino was shaking.

  “It was a good call checking the car one more time before we got here. Those boxes of ammunition would have been hard to explain to the major,” Giacomo said, still holding the wooden box. He also held a pistol.

  “Where did you get that gun?” asked Gino.

  “It was in the bottom of the box. I took it out when everyone was watching the sedan being unloaded. I carved an opening on the bottom to hold my pens and other items, but a pistol fits nicely in there. I needed to retrieve the box before the soldiers found the gun; you know Italian privates are not allowed to have pistols.”

  Gino was speechless. His partner had a gun at the ready with Germans surro
unding them.

  “Giacomo, you’re either crazy or suicidal.”

  “No, I’m mostly hungry. Let’s go eat.”

  Chapter 17

  MAJOR SCHMIDT HATED HIS new office down the corridor from Colonel Specca’s. Schmidt’s boss, the German colonel, was shipped to Russia to plan an upcoming invasion. That left Major Schmidt the highest-ranking German officer in the city. Although the Italian colonel still outranked the major, Schmidt’s new position gave him more authority, which in turn made the colonel treat Schmidt with deference. The two men now met daily to ensure Schmidt was in the loop on all activities in Rome and Vatican City.

  Major Schmidt was at his desk enjoying one of the few times when there wasn’t much to do. He looked out his window and wished he were viewing the battlefield through field glasses instead. He sighed, knowing his days of commanding tanks were over. He had hoped that the recent visit to Rome by German officers would bring him better news. But it was news that his boss, the German colonel, was going to battle—not the once famous tank commander. Schmidt reached for his pills to find relief for his pounding head caused by the church bells’ constant ringing. His door suddenly erupted with the familiar knocking of Marta Columbo, who had moved to his new office.

  “Major, you have a call from up north.”

  “Who is it?”

  “Major Klein from the Northern Italy Command.”

  “Good afternoon, Major Schmidt. This is Major Klein. I received a phone call from one of my Italian supporters from the Azzano-Decimo area. They caught a smuggler last week.”

  “What does that have to do with me?”

  “After he was questioned, the man said there is a vast network of locals involved throughout Rome.”

  Schmidt sat up and grabbed a pen and paper to take notes.

  “What was he smuggling?”

  “Looks like he was smuggling mostly food, clothing items and blankets, which is nothing to worry about. But he was caught with some small-arm ammunition, too.”

  “Did he have any guns? And do you have names of the people? “