A half hour later a car followed them through the dark and empty roads. They turned into a quaint town named, Wells-next-the-Sea. Wolf figured that British Intelligence planted the car. Soon they would make their move. But where was the E-boat? That was settled when the car turned onto a private pier.
The driver flashed his headlights toward the Channel and almost immediately was met with a series of return flashes from a German E-boat that was a few hundred yards off the coast. The engines to the E-boat turned over and made a run for the pier. The E-boat was a mirror image of an American torpedo boat. It was highly maneuverable and designed to operate in shallow waters. The boat’s twin engines powered the E-boat to the pier. Wolf and Hans made a motion toward the boat.
The car from British Intelligence that had been trailing them turned on their lights and gunfire filled the night air. The driver of Wolf and Hans’ car pulled out a pistol and shot Hans in the back. He stumbled for a moment and then fell onto the pier. The driver got back in the sedan and turned it around. He accelerated and purposely drove off the pier.
More gunfire came from the British Intelligence car as Wolf leaped onto the stern of the E-boat. The crew pulled him all the way on board as Wolf yelled, “Hans! Hans!”
One of the crew members said, “It’s too late, they got him. I’m sorry. Captain Kruger.”
“No!”
“Welcome aboard the Kondor. We’re bringing you home.”
“I didn’t think I was going to make it.”
“You’re safe now.” The sailor barked out some orders. “Get Captain Kruger a blanket and perhaps some coffee.”
Wolf smiled, “Bavarian coffee?”
“Yes, sir.”
Winston’s Rolls Royce was parked in an alleyway on the other side of the road. Major Hollenby was with Winston and James was at the wheel.” Major Hollenby said, “Our double agents have disappeared into the night.”
“I rather enjoyed the show.” A medical truck rolled onto the pier. Hans was lifted onto a stretcher and put into the truck. “Will Hans be okay?”
“He’ll be fine. He may have vertigo for a few days, but that should pass.”
“I hope so Major. He is a pilot.”
“Does it matter he won’t be flying again.”
“You never know. The realignment of the world after this war is over, may cause strange bedfellows.”
Major Hollenby smiled. “You do plan ahead...”
Harding Barrow
It was well past midnight when Madeline got out of bed. Madeline was spending the night in her old room. The RAF pilots were still housed at the estate, and they were sleeping. The strain on the RAF was slowly lifting, as the Luftwaffe concentrated their attacks on London and not the fighter bases. Madeline wondered where Wolf was and if she would ever see him again. Oh, she talked bravely in front of Randolph and Winston, but underneath it all, she couldn’t help but worry.
Madeline walked into her father’s room. She saw that the light was on. She knocked and went in. “Madeline, you couldn’t sleep either.”
“No.”
“Is it about Wolf?”
“Is he well?”
“For now. Does it bother you that I’m in love with a German and a pilot to boot?”
Lord Ashton put down a book. Madeline took stock of him. Her father seemed to look younger every day. She liked him so much better since he had given up the drinking. It was his vindication with the RAF that had changed everything. More so, she now respected her father. Lord Ashton said, “It doesn’t bother me in the least. Actually, I’m quite fond of him. He helped your brother escape, and he has fought with honor for our country. He’s a good man and a great pilot. Randolph says there is none better.”
“He’s probably right. I hope when this is over he gives it up.”
“Do you really?”
“I guess not. It’s hopeless. But still…”
“Oh, Madeline.”
“You seem so different now.”
Lord Ashton smiled. “You mean since I’m sober.” Madeline’s face turned red. “It’s the truth and there’s no sense dancing around it.”
“And mother is coming home tomorrow.”
“I’m not sure if everything will ever be the same between us. All I can do is try, but I’ve caused her so much pain.”
“But that’s over. A new beginning. Who knows where it will go.”
“You’re right.
Luftwaffe Headquarters Berlin
After making the French coast near Pas de Calais, Wolf transferred to a Mercedes Benz that belonged to Hermann Goering. He was then chauffeured to Luftwaffe Headquarters, which was the very same place he had received his award only months earlier.
The first thing that Wolf noticed was that everyone in the building seemed to be on edge. You could see it in their faces. That meant only one thing. The easy victories against Poland and France had faded away, and that the Battle of Britain wasn’t going well.
Or even more to the point, the Luftwaffe was losing. Wolf was led into a cold office on the second floor, and he knew what was coming. The interrogation process would soon be under way. Wolf had prepared himself for this crucial moment. Much depended on it, perhaps even his life.
Major Kurt Lichtenberg warmly greeted Wolf. “Captain Kruger, congratulations on your miraculous escape from England.” Major Lichtenberg wore an eye patch over one eye, which was the result of crash landing during the Spanish Civil War. He was a bomber pilot for the Nationalist forces during the Battle of Toledo.
Specifically, Major Lichtenberg was part of the Condor Legion, which was made up of volunteers from the German Air Force and Army. In reality, the Condor Legion was Hitler’s experiment into an unofficial foray into a foreign conflict.
The Major’s plane had been crippled by ground fire and rather than bail, he crash landed. Major Lichtenberg had survived but the needle from a flight compass had gone thru his eye. From that day forward he wore an eye patch and then became an intelligence officer in the Luftwaffe.
Wolf said, “I was very lucky to have been assisted by our countries operatives in England. They were very brave.”
“The Luftwaffe couldn’t very well leave our most famous ace to collect dust in England. Now, how did you get shot down on that fateful day?”
Wolf didn’t hesitate. “I didn’t see it. I was taken from behind. One second I was flying for home after our bombing run and the next my Me 109 was burning.”
“I see. That is somewhat odd for a pilot of your credentials.”
Well, now I’m back to kill the man who did it. “I’m not happy about it. I was no use for the Luftwaffe for the rest of the Battle of Britain. I have to live with that fact.”
“Where did they take you?”
“Initially, I was taken to a hospital in London since my shoulder was wounded. I was there for several days. I can’t remember exactly how long. Later I was driven to what must have been an RAF holding facility outside of London. I was questioned every day for the better part of a month.”
“What did they want to know?”
“I was one of the first senior pilots shot down during the Battle of Britain.”
“And the most famous. Go on.”
“They tried to pry information from me about our tactics and dogfighting methods.”
Major Lichtenberg wrote on a notepad. “What did you tell them?”
“That I was sick of being provided with warm beer after dinner.”
Major Lichtenberg laughed, “You did miss home.”
The interrogation ended after an hour and Wolf was kicked upstairs to meet Herman Goering. Wolf found himself once again inside the ornate offices of the Air Marshall. Goering shook his hand. “Captain Kruger we meet again. I understand you’re well.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Our fight with the RAF rages on. It is a battle of wills.”
“I have been out of the fight for too long.”
Goering smiled. This ace who was one of the Luftwaf
fe’s finest was ready to do his duty again. “I have no doubt if there were more like you, the RAF would have been destroyed long ago.”
“Am I to be posted with JAG 23 my old unit?”
“In time. I have something much more important and pressing for you.”
“Sir?”
“I’ve been informed by my assistant, Colonel Steckel that there is a need for your services.”
“Where sir?”
A smile came across Goering’s fat face. “Our top secret testing facility at Rechlin. Do you know what a jet is?”
“No Air Marshall.”
“It is a plane that will win the war. You are to leave immediately. Colonel Steckel is waiting for you.” Hermann Goering’s heavy jowls drooped when he leaned forward and handed Wolf Kruger a piece of embossed paper. “Captain Kruger, I have been authorized to present this to you. By the way, I have promoted you to Major. That would have been done long ago, but was not possible when you were lost... thankfully, that was only temporarily.”
Wolf took a look at the gold leaf paper that was from the desk of Adolf Hitler. “Air Marshall, I don’t know what to say.”
“You’ll find that it proclaims that Major Wolf Kruger has received the highest military award of the Third Reich...the German Cross in Gold. That will be awarded to you in one month’s time by the Fuhrer himself in Berlin. In the meantime, Major Kruger you push our experimental jet thru its paces. You’re to report weekly to me personally, about what improvements should be made to the jet.”
“What is this plane called?”
Goering laughed, “I almost forgot. The Messerschmitt 262. It is a twin-engined fighter-bomber, that is the fastest combat plane in the world.”
“I cannot wait to fly it. Perhaps I can shoot down a wandering Spitfire with it.”
“Once it’s ready, that certainly is the idea. Good luck, Major Kruger.
* * *
Colonel Steckel was waiting for Wolf outside Hermann Goering’s office. He was a tall man who gave off an aristocratic presence. His tailored uniform fit exceptionally well. A monocle eyepiece was over his right eye. Wolf saluted him. “Major Kruger, my car is waiting for us for the drive to Rechlin. Shall we go, there isn’t time to waste.”
“Sir.” Wolf put Hitler’s embossed letter in his uniform pocket.
They walked down the hallway and passed some Luftwaffe generals. They both saluted the generals. Colonel Steckel said, “I was told by Goering about your letter from our great Fuhrer.”
Wolf said without emotion. “Yes, I’m very honored.”
Colonel Steckel laughed lightly and adjusted his monocle. He then whispered, “Better to wipe your ass with that paper, for as much use it is to you and Prussia.”
Wolf was taken back. “Sir.”
“Tell me how many Me 109s did you shoot down. Many I hope.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
They exited Luftwaffe headquarters. A staff car was waiting for them. A driver opened the rear door of the car. “Don’t you? I would have shot that paper hanger, but I never got the chance... at least not yet. As for fatso Goering, he spends too much time playing with his model trains.” Wolf was stunned that Colonel Steckel would speak this way in front of his driver. Colonel Steckel realized this and said, “Major Kruger there are many like us. More than you know.”
* * *
At first, Wolf just listened as Colonel Steckel rambled on. But his facts were dead on. “I know that your parents were murdered by the Nazis. Forgive me; you don’t have to be a genius to figure that out. The list of intellectuals and professors that have disappeared is long and deep. The driver whose name was Lieutenant Rhines said, “Colonel, tell him about the others and my uncle.”
“You tell him, Lieutenant.”
“Major Kruger, my uncle was an industrialist. Don’t get the wrong idea. He was an honest man. Nuts and bolts, that’s what he made. His company did much work for the government before the Nazis came along. Goering and his buddies steered the work away from my uncle’s company. And worse yet, they had him killed. He was arrested, and we never saw him again. And because he was a threat. How can you be a threat when you make nuts and bolts? This has to change!”
The car swerved to one side of the road. Colonel Steckel said, “Lieutenant Rhines... please.”
“Sir.”
Wolf said quietly, “I thought I was on the only one. How foolish.”
Colonel Steckel adjusted his monocle. “A black cloud has descended on our country. This is why you must steal the jet and fly it to England. Now, you must bide your time. Fly the Me 262 and suggest minor changes. It is vital that you have the drop fuel tanks that they are testing, put on the aircraft for one of your flights. Without the drop tanks and the extra fuel, you can’t reach England. You’ll end up in the Channel or plastered against the cliff of Dover. Do you understand Major?”
“Yes, sir. Without the drop tanks, I may as well be in prison.”
Lieutenant Rhines said plainly, “Will you kill him? The person who arranged for the murder of your parents?”
“If I get the chance.”
Lieutenant Rhines smiled, “Wonderful.”
Colonel Steckel said, “Now Major Kruger, since we are now considered friends, let me you offer some advice. This isn’t the situation to settle a score with Zigfried Bockler. However, if you get the chance, kill the Nazi bastard.”
“Yes, sir.”
Harding Barrow
At the same moment, Lady Margaret exited Winston’s Rolls Royce. She placed a crutch under one arm and stepped onto the stone walkway of Harding Barrow, a place that she hadn’t seen in over a year. Frankly, she never thought she would ever return. But she was like a ship without a port. Harry Ickes was dead, and now Lady Margaret was back where she started.
Lord Ashton moved down the stairs from the front door. Lady Margaret noticed that Lord Ashton wasn’t sporting that awful cane, which he had clung onto as his drinking wound out of control. Lord Ashton took her hand and kissed it. “Forgive me for all I have done and that which has been neglected.” He then turned to a servant who brought a wheelchair down the stairs.
Lady Margaret blushed. “That isn’t necessary.”
Lord Ashton answered, “Yes, it is.”
Madeline and Randolph were waiting at the top of the stairs. Randolph went down the stairs. He and a servant carried Lady Margaret up the stairs. Madeline said, “A magnificent entrance.”
“Thank you, my dear. I would have used that blasted crutch. But if I was sent sprawling, I couldn’t fathom another stint in the hospital.” She was wheeled into the foyer. Lady Margaret took in the scene. “It seems the old place has been brightened up.”
Lord Ashton closed the door behind his family. “You will find many things are different... and all for the better.
Dulwich Village
Three days after the botched escape at the pier at Wells-next-the-Sea, Hans found himself back on his cot at Dulwich Village. Hans was still groggy at times and suffered from a case of vertigo, but he was no worse for wear. And he was alive. When the shooting had started, it seemed to have come from many directions. The next thing he remembered was waking up in an English hospital. When he was under, he dreamed that he was back in Germany. Or more specifically, on the farm with Helga. At this point and time, that sounded like more than enough. How long will this war go on for?
And now, Wolf was gone again. Did he even make it back or was his boat sunk in the middle of the Channel. And what about him? There was a rumor the RAF would soon start transporting prisoners to Canada. If that happened, he wondered if he would ever see Germany and Helga again.
He also couldn’t understand why he passed out. He wasn’t shot. The more that rolled around his mind, the more confused he became. But Wolf seemed to get away. Maybe someone wanted Wolf to get away. What is going on here? Why did Wolf turn up suddenly at the RAF Annex? Where were you the whole time? Really... where.
He thought b
ack to the day he was shot down. Or the more accurate fact that his tail was shot off. Who shoots off a tail? Everyone with any sense attacks from behind and gets the hell out of there. Only a fool or a very skillful pilot would attempt, much less be able to, shoot off the tail of an enemy fighter. You’d have to cut a fine pattern to do that. You’d have to be an excellent marksman.
Wolf was an excellent marksman. Perhaps the best in the Luftwaffe. No! It’s not possible. What kind of a fantasy was it to think that Wolf Kruger would fly against his country? There was no way he would do that. But would he fly against the Nazis, if given the chance? Yes, yes he would. They killed his parents. Hans lay back on his cot. They killed his parents.
Luftwaffe Flight Testing Center Rechlin
The Luftwaffe Flight Testing Center at Rechlin was heavily guarded. There was a barbed wire perimeter fence, and guard posts spaced at intervals. Colonel Steckel's car stopped and the occupants were asked to provide identification papers. Colonel Steckel showed his disdain for the situation, as Wolf handed his papers out the window. “Private, I’ll have you know this is Major Kruger, the most decorated ace in the Luftwaffe.”
A Doberman Pinscher guard dog that was held on a chain by another guard barked once. The guard yanked on the chain, and the dog was muffled. The papers were handed back to Wolf. “Major, welcome to Rechlin.”
“Thank you.”
The sedan pulled away. Colonel Steckel said, “As you can see, nothing easily gets in and out.” The sedan stopped in front of the operational headquarters of the test center. “General Ahrent runs the complex. Unfortunately, he is an ardent Nazi. You must be careful what you say. Let’s go meet him. And Wolf as soon as you can... get the hell out of here with the jet. The longer that takes, the more that something can go wrong.”
Churchill's Ace (Epic War Series Book 1) Page 28
