In Line of Fire (Secret Soldiers of World War 1 Book 2)

by David Hough

  “Bier und Schnaps! Schnell!” One of the guards shouted. It was quickly delivered to them by the pale-faced innkeeper.

  An hour passed. The German officers finished their drinks and staggered out, taking no notice of the prisoners. Their voices were loud, their words slurred. Dusk was falling when the Oberleutnant came into the inn. He had two badly-dressed young women with him, one short and stubby and the other unhealthily lean. When the women spoke to one another in German, Wendel quickly deduced what they were. It was inevitable. In any war there would be money-hungry women who would follow the army wherever it went.

  “You will be searched, all of you.” The Oberleutnant indicated to the two German prostitutes. “Take the Belgian women upstairs and search them. If they have any money on them, bring it to me.”

  “No!” Wendel jumped to his feet. “They must stay with us!”

  The Oberleutnant pulled out his pistol and jabbed the barrel into Wendel’s stomach. His face contorted into a deep scowl. “They go where I tell them to go. And they will be searched!” He nodded to the foot soldiers as the young women were led away. “Search these men. I want to know where they keep their money.”

  The two soldiers looked at one another and shrugged as the officer stormed away to a seat at the far end of the room, leaving them to conduct the body search. Their examination was protracted, but their beery breath was evidence of why they had little concentration. They found nothing except the small amount of cash Wendel carried with him. He guessed the vehicle search had also been equally inconclusive. Why else did the Germans continue with this fruitless business? They would have shot all of their prisoners had they found anything incriminating. His only satisfaction was that Donohoe must have hidden the money and weapons well.

  Marie and Danielle both looked shaken when they came back down the stairs. The prostitutes followed them and shook their heads when they reported to the Oberleutnant. “We found nothing.”

  “Schwein! They are hiding their money and I will find it.” The officer leapt to his feet and stormed from the inn, closely followed by the two German women. Moments later the Feldwebel came in and ordered the two soldiers to remain on guard.

  DeBoise went to Danielle and put a hand to her arm. He stared at the guards as he asked, “Did they harm you?”

  Marie replied with an even tone. “No, they did no physical harm. We were made to undress, but it was only in the presence of the women. We were not attacked or hurt. And they found no money on us.”

  Wendel sidled up to them. He waited until the guards turned away before he whispered, “There’s nothing we can do now except wait and see if an opportunity arises for us to get away from here. Pray God the bastards don’t search the car thoroughly.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Wendel awoke early, before the first light of dawn began to seep into the inn. Like his four companions, he had slept on a hard seat in the barroom, and he felt sore. He stood up to stretch his arms, trying not to waken anyone else. More than just sore, he felt anxious. The longer the Germans held them at the inn, the more likely the weapons would be found. Come the discovery, they would be shot, all of them, including the girl.

  He cursed silently. He was resigned to the fact of his actions being the calculated risks of a fighting soldier, but the schoolgirl shouldn’t be caught up in this. She should have a lifetime of peace ahead of her. So should so many civilians caught up in this war.

  The two German soldiers guarding them were fast asleep nearby. Stepping carefully, Wendel crept to the door and opened it. The street outside was in semi-darkness, lit only by the moon’s ethereal radiance. A weak reddish glow on the horizon warned him that dawn was near. Strangely, he heard no sounds except the muted pounding of distant guns. He shivered in the continuing northerly wind.

  Where were the sentries? Not one was in sight. Was this how the German army intended to dominate Europe? With an army so complacent that men fell asleep without a single alert guard on duty?

  The dull thud of the guns continued. Were they enemy guns? There was no way of telling. He scanned the moonlit road and an idea began to form in his head. Was it worth the risk of trying to get away while the Germans slept? Or should they hope the enemy would move on soon and leave them behind?

  He flinched at a small movement behind him and then Marie was at his side. She spoke in a soft whisper. “The Boche are all asleep.”

  “Too much beer and schnapps. They’ll suffer from a hangover when they wake.”

  “Most surely, and we’ve seen it before, Victor.” She peered up and down the road. “Are you wondering what I’m wondering? Should we try to creep away while we have the chance?”

  He shook his head. “They’d hear the car if we start it up,” he whispered.

  “But it’s no more than five kilometres back to Ghent,” she insisted. She glanced behind her, towards the sleeping guards. “We can walk that distance in a couple of hours.”

  “Yes, I suppose we could.” Wendel focussed his thoughts for a few seconds. “Maybe it’s worth a try. They still haven’t found our weapons. We’d be dead by now if they had. We ought to try to recover them before we leave.”

  “They must be particularly stupid Boche soldiers.”

  “Probably, but be thankful for it.”

  Wendel scanned up and down the village street, wrestling with his thoughts. The red horizon was getting brighter, dawn would soon put paid to any attempt at escape. He spotted their vehicle parked at the side of the road about one hundred yards away, at the end of the main street. There seemed to be no guards nearby. Yes, escape was worth a try, but the attempt had to be made now.

  He patted Marie’s arm. “Best we let Private Donohoe recover the guns. Did you know he was once a petty crook? He’ll be able to do it without waking the Huns.”

  “It’s agreed then?”

  “Agreed.” Wendel turned to face into the room. There was still no sign of movement. “Waken the others, Marie, but be careful not to rouse the guards.”

  Wendel stepped outside the inn and walked a few yards in each direction. The steady thud of muted gun fire never ceased, but it seemed to have no effect upon the Germans here in St Ghistelle. How could the officers allow this to happen? Someone would suffer when the senior officer discovered the prisoners had escaped.

  He returned to the inn’s open door and waited. Only a few minutes passed before DeBoise tapped him on the arm and leaned close to whisper. “Marie has woken the others. They’re coming now.”

  “They know they mustn’t make any noise?”

  “Yes… can I make a suggestion, Captain?”

  “Of course.”

  “It would be better for us if we take the car with us. We’d be much safer with it, once we got clear of the village.”

  Wendel frowned as the rest of his companions tip-toed up behind the Lieutenant. “And disturb the Huns while we’re starting the engine?”

  “Not necessary to start the engine here,” DeBoise said softly. “The car is already at the end of the village street, and road beyond it drops steeply. If we turn the car and push it a few yards to the top of the incline, we could coast down the hill until we were out of sight. We wouldn’t need to start the engine until then, and we’d have a head start against any Huns who try to chase after us.”

  Wendel sighed. Why hadn’t he thought of it? “That’s a damn good plan, Lieutenant. Get Donohoe to recover our guns, quickly now. And get the two women into the car. Marie can steer while we turn it. You, me and Donohoe will push.”

  There was no time to lose now that the sun was all but creeping over the far horizon. DeBoise and Donohoe hurried ahead to recover the weapons while Wendel led the two women from the inn. He paused only to impose silence before ushering them along the street and pushing Marie in the driving seat.

  “Got the guns, Captain,” Donohoe hissed as he scrambled out from under the vehicle. “And yer money.”

  “Let the handbrake off, Marie!” Wendel whispered.

&
nbsp; The three men pushed. The road was not wide enough to make the turn in one go. Would the manoeuvring alert one of the German soldiers? It was all a matter of luck now: there was no turning back.

  “Push hard now,” Wendel hissed as they made the final turn towards the steep hill. The first rays of morning sunlight began to ooze up into the sky.

  Something squeaked as they eased the car over the top of the slope, but still no one challenged them. Marie applied the brake again. “Everyone on board,” she said. “Quickly.”

  Wendel let her remain at the wheel, anxious to lose no time. She released the brake just as he clambered into the passenger seat beside her. “No need to speed,” he said. “Just coast down the hill and stop at the bottom when we’re out of sight of the village. I’ll take it from there.”

  He stared back as the vehicle rolled down the slope, convinced the sun was now high enough to waken the German guards, but there was no cry for them to stop, no warning gunshot. He said a silent prayer for the mind-numbing effect of the innkeeper’s alcohol.

  At the bottom of the hill, the road swung into a sharp curve and Marie halted the car. “So far so good, Victor.”

  “Better than I expected. Lieutenant DeBoise, take the starter handle!” Wendel leapt from the car and hurried round to the driver’s seat. He mentally crossed his fingers as DeBoise swung the handle and Marie slid across to the front passenger seat.

  The engine fired up on the first pull.

  Seconds later they were motoring along the road, back towards Ghent. Full daylight was only minutes away. They had made their escape only just in time.

  “Can we get around St Ghistelle and back on a road towards Ypres?” DeBoise asked as the car raced along the narrow country lane.

  “No,” Wendel replied firmly. “It’s too dangerous. Listen to the guns, getting louder all the time. The Hun spearhead must have pushed too far towards the coast, I can see that now.”

  “So, what…?”

  “We’ll head back to Ghent. We’ll have to leave Danielle with her mother, there’s no other way. Marie and I will look for another route through to Ypres while you and Donohoe drive back to Dunkerque.”

  “C’s original plan?”

  “Yes. You must stay in Dunkerque until Haig’s IV Corps take Ypres. Then try to get to the Château at Gheluvelt. It shouldn’t be difficult once Ypres is taken.”

  “Still dressed as a priest?”

  “No, dressed as a soldier.” Wendel was tempted to add that the Lieutenant was getting too fond of the clerical gear, but he kept the thought to himself. It had been a good idea, but no more than that. “I think C was right. We must have a back-up plan.”

  “Communication will be difficult. How will I know if you are successful?”

  “If I am successful, the Countess won’t be at the Château when you get there. Just be careful not to take too much risk.”

  DeBoise took on a querying tone. “And you sir? And Marie? What about the risk to you and Marie?”

  What indeed? He was a soldier and risk was part of his job. Besides, once back in uniform he had the ultimate option to surrender and demand to be treated as a prisoner of war. No such option was open to Marie. Why did he choose to keep her with him? Should he admit he wanted to remain in her company because he admired her?

  He sniffed before replying. “I shall decide what I must do when we get back to Ghent.” It was an excuse, a delaying tactic, but he had nothing else up his sleeve.

  “Captain! Behind us!” Donohoe’s sudden cry made Wendel turn in his seat.

  A German armoured car was motoring along behind them.

  “Damn! They must’ve discovered our escape!” Marie reached back to take Wendel’s pistol from Donohoe. “Make sure the rifle is loaded, Private, but keep it out of sight.”

  “Keep calm. Maybe they’re not after us.” Wendel kept the car running at the same steady speed. “They’re not shooting at us and they don’t seem to be intent on catching us.”

  “If they try to stop us, we must open fire!” Marie snapped back. “They’ll kill us anyway if they catch us.”

  “Keep calm,” Wendel repeated firmly. “How many Germans can you see in the car, Donohoe?”

  “Just two, Captain. There’s a driver and what looks like an officer.”

  Wendel make a rapid decision. “I’m going to slow down and let them pass. Just act like any civilians would act in the circumstance.”

  “You mean frightened?” Danielle squealed.

  “I mean innocent.” Wendel eased his foot off the accelerator.

  “They’re pulling out to overtake,” Donohoe said evenly. “What should we do now, Captain?”

  “Stare at them as they pass us, like anyone else would in the circumstances, but don’t do anything to cause them alarm.” Wendel pulled the big car as close to the side of the road as he could, giving the German vehicle space to get by. He eased back even further on the accelerator, almost to walking pace, and glanced back over his shoulder. “You’re right, Private. Only two Germans on aboard, and I don’t recognise the officer. Keep calm everyone.”

  The armoured car rapidly came level with the big Adex. The officer in the passenger seat stared at them, his face seemingly passive, and then the enemy vehicle was pulling ahead.

  “Did you notice…?” But Wendel got no farther before the German car swerved in front of them and pulled to the side of the road. As it came to a halt, the officer stood up to wave them down. “Oh, damn! What the hell does he want?” He eased the car to a halt and pulled on the hand-brake.

  “Don’t speak, any of you! Let me do all the talking.” Wendel climbed down from the Adex and walked forward to the German car. Either he would be shot, or he would get away with a monumental bluff. It was all going to be a matter of luck now. He felt his muscles tense as he came alongside the vehicle.

  The officer, a Major, pulled out his Mauser pistol and pointed it at Wendel, eyeing him warily. “Who are you? And where are you going?” he demanded in German.

  “May we speak French, sir?” Wendel replied, effecting a humble expression. “My German is very poor.”

  “Idiot!” The officer repeated the question in heavily accented French.

  Wendel replied as calmly as his tension allowed. “We are trying to reach, Ghent, sir. My family has lost everything in Armentieres and we must get to our relatives in Ghent.”

  “Armentieres?”

  “Our home was destroyed, sir.”

  “And the priest?”

  “My brother, sir. His priest house was also destroyed.”

  The Major gave a short snort of derision. “Very well. You may continue. And learn to speak German! You will need it in future.” He sat down suddenly and tapped the driver on the shoulder. “Get going!”

  Wendel waited while the armoured car pulled away and vanished around a bend in the road. He let out a deep sigh of relief.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Another Sunday, another siege. That morning was like no previous Sunday morning in Ghent. The town had avoided destruction by German siege guns but the end of its freedom seemed inevitable. Like Antwerp, it seemed to be beyond the reach of Christian prayers. The roads were becoming ever busier as more and more people joined the exodus in the face of the German advance.

  Wendel stood alongside Madame Beaumier at her sitting room window, watching the crowded street below. “The end cannot be far off,” he said, allowing his sadness and frustration to show in his demeanour.

  “You are right, Captain. We are lost.” Madame spoke with an acid tone. “The Ghent I grew up in will not last much longer. The Boche are now too close to entering the city. Today or tomorrow. Who knows? But they will come, and very soon.”

  “Can I still get to Ypres, do you think?” Wendel asked the question to draw her attention away from her own problems. He was already certain the direct route was no longer open to him.

  She gritted her teeth and spat out the reply. “You should not attempt it from here, Captain,
not even dressed as a civilian. I hear stories of so many refugees being killed. The Boche have no compassion for people who have already lost all they once owned. What did we do to deserve this?”

  “You did nothing,” Wendel replied. “You were simply in their way.”

  “And you will be in their way if you try to get to Ypres from here.”

  “Then I will have to find another solution.” Wendel replied with a firmness that was stronger than he felt. “In the meantime, my companions and I must leave by the back door before the Hun army arrives.”

  “Back to Dunkerque?”

  “Lieutenant DeBoise will certainly drive back to Dunkerque, and as soon as possible. It was the starting point for C’s fall-back plan and I must now accept that C was right.”

  “And you?”

  “I suppose I have no other choice, but I will wait until the last minute.”

  She rounded on him with a pleading expression. “When you go back to Dunkerque, will you take Danielle with you?”

  “You don’t want to keep her here with you?”

  “No. She won’t be safe here. Not when the Boche arrive. You know what they do.”

  “Of course,” he said, but it was not what he had planned and it caused him to rethink his ideas.

  A flutter of relief passed across Madame’s face. “Thank you. Don’t let her out of your sight, Captain. Make her stay with you until you get to Dunkerque. She’ll be safe enough there. We have relations in the town. They’ll look after her.”

  “And you, Madame?”

  She drew back her shoulders and put on an air of resignation. “I must stay here in case my husband returns. It’s my duty to stay here.”

  “You will be in danger.”

  “Hah!” She clicked her tongue loudly. “You think I would run away, when my husband may come back here looking for me?”

  “No, of course you would not. I understand.”

  There was little more he could say to her.

  He spent the next hour outlining his intentions to his companions. No one came forward with any solid counter-argument.