[THREE] The Office of the Military Attaché The Embassy of the German Reich Avenida Córdoba Buenos Aires, Argentina 0525 19 April 1943
Standartenführer Josef Goltz, Oberst Karl Heinz Grüner thought, looks to be in complete possession of his faculties; Der grosse Wienerwurst looks as if he’s about to wet his pants.
Goltz was shaved and in uniform. First Secretary Anton Gradny-Sawz was unshaved, his hair was mussed, he was not wearing a necktie, and his face was flushed.
‘‘We almost couldn’t get through,’’ Gradny-Sawz announced. ‘‘There are troops all along Avenida Córdoba. We were stopped—’’
‘‘The First Cavalry and the Second Infantry Regiments,’’ Grüner said, directing this information to Goltz. ‘‘Obviously headed for the Casa Rosada. I have no idea why they have stopped. If there were resistance, gunfire, I would have heard it.’’
‘‘Will their coup d’état succeed?’’ Goltz asked.
‘‘I would think so. These units may be ahead of schedule, and are waiting for others to show up. I haven’t been receiving much information—the loyalists have shut down many of the telephone trunks. But what I have suggests that almost all of the troops in the Buenos Aires area have placed themselves under Ramírez and Rawson. I have no idea what’s going on in the rest of the country. It’s impossible to call in or out of Buenos Aires. I was surprised that I was able to get through to you. I can’t reach the Ambassador.’’
Goltz grunted.
‘‘General Rawson has been appointed—or has appointed himself . . .’’ Grüner stopped to read from a clipboard where he had written it down: ‘‘ ‘President of the Governing Council of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Argentina.’ ’’
‘‘That’s not good news,’’ Gradny-Sawz said.
‘‘Why do you say that?’’ Goltz asked.
‘‘Oberst Perón told me that Rawson is one of those who believe we were responsible for the death of Oberst Frade. They were close friends.’’
‘‘Oberst Perón was the late Oberst Frade’s closest friend,’’ Goltz said. ‘‘He understands why the death of Frade was necessary. Believe me, Anton, Rawson will come to understand that, too.’’
There was a knock at the door.
‘‘Come!’’ Grüner said.
Major Freiherr Hans-Peter von Wachtstein entered Grüner ’s office. He, too, was in uniform.
‘‘Heil Hitler!’’ he said, giving the stiff-armed salute.
‘‘I tried to call you,’’ Grüner said. ‘‘The lines were out.’’
‘‘I saw troops moving—as well as a squadron of the Corps of Mounted Police,’’ Peter said. ‘‘I thought the revolution had probably started. I tried to call you, Herr Oberst, at your home, and when I could not get through, decided I had better come here.’’
‘‘Right,’’ Grüner said. ‘‘The correct decision.’’
‘‘First Cavalry and the Second Infantry Regiments are stopped along Avenida Córdoba at Avenida Pueyrred ón...."
‘‘We had trouble getting past them, von Wachtstein,’’ Gradny-Sawz said. ‘‘There was a major who had apparently never heard of diplomatic privilege.’’
‘‘Well, we’re here,’’ Goltz said. ‘‘And now that we are?’’
‘‘The reason I called you, Herr Standartenführer,’’ Grüner said, ‘‘was not because of the revolution; all we can do about that is wait to see what happens. There has been a message from Berlin. The cryptographer officer is still ill, and the communications officer called me. About four-thirty I was in the process of decrypting the message when one of my sources telephoned from Campo de Mayo to tell me the troops had left there at half past two.’’
‘‘It took him two hours to send that word to you?’’ Gradny-Sawz said incredulously. ‘‘That doesn’t seem to be a very good source.’’
‘‘I was pleased that he managed to get through at all,’’ Grüner said. ‘‘At that point I telephoned your house, Herr Standartenführer.’’
‘‘I think we must proceed on the assumption that President Castillo will be removed from office—if he has not been removed already,’’ Goltz said, ‘‘and that henceforth we will be dealing with—what was it you said, Grüner? ‘The Governing Council of the Provisional Government’— as, it seems appropriate to say, you accurately predicted. What did Berlin have on its mind?’’
Grüner went to his safe, worked the combination, opened the safe, and handed Goltz a business-size sealed envelope. On this he had written, ‘‘For the Exclusive Attention of Standartenführer Goltz.’’ Goltz tore the envelope open and read the message.
MOST SECRET
URGENT
FROM FOREIGN MINISTRY
TO EMBASSY OF THE GERMAN REICH BUENOS AIRES
FOR EXCLUSIVE ATTENTION (1) AMBASSADOR
(2) STANDARTEN-FUHRER
JOSEF GOLTZ
BERLIN 18 APRIL 1943 7:05 PM1. SUMMARY OF INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM DOENITZ AND CANARIS FOLLOWS:a. ON 13 APRIL 1943 US CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS SIGNALED ALL US NAVY VESSELS OPERATING IN SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN TO LOCATE AND POSITIVELY IDENTIFY SPANISH REGISTERED MOTOR VESSEL COMERCIANTE DEL OCEANO PACIFICO.
b. AT 6:27 AM LOCAL TIME 18 APRIL 1943 AT POSITION 27 DEGREES 25 MINUTES SOUTH LATITUDE 43 DEGREES 05 MINUTES WEST LONGITUDE COMERCIANTE DEL OCEANO PACIFICO WAS CLOSELY APPROACHED AT VERY HIGH SPEED AND IN AN INTIMIDATINGLY RECKLESS MANNER BY US NAVY DESTROYER ALFRED THOMAS. IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARD ALFRED THOMAS RADIOED NON-ENCRYPTED MESSAGE TO US CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS GIVING POSITION AND ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL (9 PM 20 APRIL 1943) OF COMERCIANTE DEL OCEANO PACIFICO AT MOUTH OF RIVER PLATE.
c. US AMBASSADOR MADRID HAS BEEN SUMMONED TO SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTRY TO RECEIVE OFFICIAL PROTEST IN STRONGEST POSSIBLE LANGUAGE THIS INTIMIDATION AND HARASSMENT OF A CLEARLY IDENTIFIED SPANISH VESSEL ON THE HIGH SEAS IN BLATANT VIOLATION OF THE RULES OF NAVAL WARFARE AND THE RIGHT OF FREE PASSAGE OF NON-BELLIGERENT POWERS AS OUTLINED IN
THE GENEVA CONVENTION.1. AMBASSADOR VON LUTZENBERGER IS DIRECTED TO IMMEDIATELY AND PERSONALLY REGISTER WITH HIGHEST POSSIBLE OFFICIAL OF ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT THE OUTRAGE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE GERMAN REICH CAUSED BY THIS BLATANT VIOLATION OF NEUTRALITY BY THE US GOVERNMENT. AMBASSADOR WILL REMIND ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT OF THE SINKING OF THE PORTUGUESE MERCHANT SHIP REINE DE LA MER UNDER VERY SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES IN SAMBOROMBON BAY AND TO REQUEST IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE LANGUAGE THAT ARGENTINE NAVAL FORCES ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF THE COMERCIANTE DEL OCEANO PACIFICO WHILE SHE IS IN ARGENTINIAN WATERS. SIMILAR ACTION WILL BE TAKEN BY THE SPANISH AMBASSADOR.
2. AMBASSADOR AND GOLTZ ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE WHATEVER PRECAUTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO INSURE SECURITY OF MATERIEL EN ROUTE IN CONNECTION WITH REPATRIATION PLAN. AMBASSADOR WILL REPORT RECEIPT OF MATERIEL BY URGENT RADIO TO FOREIGN MINISTER.
3. CONTENTS OF THIS MESSAGE, AND ACTION DIRECTED HEREIN HAVE BEEN COORDINATED WITH HIMMLER, BORMANN, CANARIS, AND DOENITZ.
IN THE NAME OF THE FUHRER, ADOLF HITLER!
VON RIBBENTROP
FOREIGN MINISTER
MOST SECRET.
Goltz idly handed the message to Gradny-Sawz and looked at Grüner.
‘‘We have another situation, don’t we, Herr Oberst, where, thanks to the nonavailability of our delicate cryptographic officer, you already know information you are not authorized to know?’
‘‘It would appear so.’’
‘‘You are now authorized to know it,’’ Goltz said with a smile. ‘‘So what is your reaction to this?’’
‘‘May I speak freely, Herr Standartenführer? Offer a professional observation that in another context might be considered disrespectful?’’
‘‘Of course.’’
‘‘The Americans and the English knew the Océano Pac ífico is the replacement for the Reine de la Mer before they dispatched their vessels to find it.’’
‘‘How could they possibly have known that?’’ Gradny-Sawz demanded.
‘‘If they weren’t sure, they would have
shadowed her with discretion. When they ‘intimidated’ her, they were thumbing their noses at us.’’
‘‘To what purpose?’’ Goltz asked.
Grüner did not reply directly.
‘‘And they are by now probably wondering what ‘mat ériel’ the Océano Pacífico has aboard that merits the attention of the Foreign Minister, after coordination with Canaris, Doenitz, and, especially, Bormann and Himmler.’’
‘‘You’re not really suggesting the enemy has intercepted that message, much less have been able to decrypt it?’’ Goltz asked.
‘‘There’s no question that they have intercepted it,’’ Grüner said. ‘‘And if they haven’t managed to decrypt it yet, it won’t take them long.’’
‘‘I refuse to believe that!’’ Gradny-Sawz said indignantly. ‘‘German cryptography is the best in the world!’’
‘‘And I would further suggest, Herr Standartenführer,’’ Grüner went on, ignoring Gradny-Sawz, ‘‘that other connections will be made. Your name is listed as a special recipient. ‘Who is Standartenführer Goltz?’ They have an Order of Battle, Herr Standartenführer. They know who you are. ‘What is the SS-SD liaison officer to the Office of the Party Chancellery doing in Buenos Aires? Why is he being made privy to this particular message? Is it because there is a connection between him and this mysterious mat ériel von Ribbentrop is talking about?’ ’’
‘‘You certainly seem to be greatly impressed, Grüner, with the capabilities of our enemies!’’ Gradny-Sawz said.
‘‘I am paid, Herr Baron . . . ,’’ Grüner began coldly, but was interrupted by Goltz.
‘‘Anton, sssssh!’’ he said. ‘‘Oberst Grüner is not pleased with what he considers to be his duty to tell me.’’
‘‘I don’t think it reasonable to assume, Herr Standartenf ührer,’’ Grüner said, ‘‘that the Americans or the English have any idea of the nature of the ‘matériel’ they will correctly suspect is aboard the Comerciante del Océano Pac ífico, but because of the interest shown by our senior leaders in it they will conclude that it is important. Given that, they may decide it is in their best interests to destroy the ‘matériel,’ and worry about the indignation of the Spanish and the Argentines later.’’
‘‘By destroy it, you mean sink the Océano Pacífico?’’ Goltz asked, and then answered his own question. ‘‘Why wouldn’t they have done that on the high seas when they found her?’’
‘‘They found her before this message was sent,’’ Grüner replied reasonably.
‘‘Permission to speak, Herr Oberst?’’ Peter von Wachtstein asked. Grüner nodded. ‘‘Herr Oberst, I have the feeling that I am listening to a discussion I perhaps should not be hearing.’’
Grüner looked at Goltz. Goltz looked at Peter for a moment.
‘‘Give Hans that message, Anton, please,’’ Goltz ordered.
Gradny-Sawz did so reluctantly. Goltz waited until Peter had read the message, and then went on.
‘‘The ‘matériel’ to which the message refers, Hans,’’ Goltz said, ‘‘is for use in repatriating the Graf Spee officers. Some of it is military in nature, shortwave radios, that sort of thing, and small arms. Some of it is passports and other documentation. There is even some money. It would be very inconvenient if it were lost, and embarrassing, if the documents, in particular, fell into the wrong hands.’’
Like hell it is, Herr Standartenführer, Peter thought. What you’re talking about is money. The money von Lutzenberger told me the replacement ship was bringing in. And the loss of a few small arms and radios and ‘‘some money’’ wouldn’t even be brought to the attention of Himmler, Canaris, and company.
‘‘Yes, Sir,’’ Peter said.
‘‘Two things seem evident to me,’’ Goltz said. ‘‘The repatriation of the Graf Spee officers has come to the attention of our most senior leaders. Perhaps the Führer himself has expressed an interest—’’
‘‘Yes, I would not be surprised,’’ Gradny-Sawz interrupted, which earned him a look of disdain from Goltz.
‘‘—and that Oberst Grüner is correct in believing that the Americans are quite capable of sinking the Océano Pac ífico without concerning themselves with either the Argentine or the Spanish outrage that would cause, simply because attention has been called to the matériel our beloved Foreign Minister has informed them she has aboard.’’
Gradny-Sawz was visibly shocked by the sarcastically disrespectful reference to Foreign Minister von Ribbentrop.
‘‘As a matter of fact,’’ Goltz went on, ‘‘I think we should consider ourselves fortunate that the Americans did not have a chance to intercept and decrypt Ribbentrop’s message. They very likely would have attempted to board the Océano Pacífico.’’
‘‘But Josef,’’ Gradny-Sawz said, ‘‘the Océano Pacífico is armed. She would have fought rather than submitted to a boarding.’’
‘‘An armed merchantman is no match for a destroyer,’’ Goltz said. ‘‘If the Americans had intercepted that message before they found the Océano Pacífico, our matériel would now be on the bottom of the South Atlantic Ocean.’’
‘‘She’s due at the mouth of the River Plate at nine tonight, ’’ Grüner said thoughtfully.
‘‘With a little bit of luck, she may arrive a little sooner,’’ Goltz said. ‘‘If I were her captain, under the circumstances I would make all the speed I could. And with a little more luck, the Americans will not be able to decrypt Ribben-trop ’s news bulletin until she is safely inside Argentine waters. ’’
‘‘You don’t think the Americans would sink her inside Argentine waters?’’ Peter asked. ‘‘They sank the Reine de la Mer.’’
‘‘One, Hans,’’ Goltz explained, ‘‘I don’t believe they would send a destroyer into Argentinian waters to sink a neutral vessel, no matter what they suspected of her. A submarine, possibly. Two, I don’t think they could set anything up between now and the time the Océano Pacífico will enter the River Plate estuary tonight.’’
‘‘Yes, Sir, I’m sure you’re right,’’ Peter said.
‘‘But tomorrow, as a wise man once said, is another day,’’ Goltz said. ‘‘And by the day after tomorrow, there is no question the Americans could bring a submarine into Samborombón Bay to sink the Océano Pacífico. And we certainly cannot place any real hope that by the day after tomorrow the Argentine government will respond to von Lutzenberger’s request that the Argentine Navy protect her.’’
‘‘Not in the present circumstances,’’ Gradny-Sawz agreed solemnly.
‘‘Which means we have three choices,’’ Goltz went on. ‘‘We can try to get that matériel off the Océano Pacífico tonight, which seems unlikely. Or first thing in the morning, which seems possible but risky—there would be obvious risks in landing a boat during the day. Or as soon after dark tomorrow night as possible, which I think is the solution.’’
‘‘Yes, I would agree,’’ Gradny-Sawz said.
‘‘Von Wachtstein,’’ Grüner asked, ‘‘what’s the status of the boat?’’
‘‘Herr Loche—Günther’s father—took possession of the boat yesterday, Herr Oberst. I believe the both of them— Günther for sure—were going to El Tigre this morning to test the engine, and so forth.’’
‘‘That may change, because of the circumstances,’’ Gradny-Sawz offered.
‘‘Have you seen the boat, von Wachtstein?’’ Goltz asked.
‘‘Yes, Sir.’’
‘‘In other words, you would know where to find it if you went out there?’’
‘‘Yes, Sir.’’
‘‘Anton, I have a mission for you,’’ Goltz said. ‘‘You will find Günther—preferably Günther and his father, but Günther in any case—and order him out to the boat, if he’s not already there.’’
‘‘Wouldn’t it be better to send von Wachtstein?’’
‘‘I will explain, in this instance, that I believe that the First Secretary of the Embassy of the German Reich, in an Embassy M
ercedes, stands a better chance of making it through the lines of the revolutionaries than a major.’’
‘‘Of course, you’re probably right,’’ Gradny-Sawz said.
‘‘And I will tell you this just once, Gradny-Sawz: Never question any orders I give you ever again.’’
Gradny-Sawz’s plump face colored.
‘‘Josef, I meant no—’’
‘‘For the time being, Gradny-Sawz, I think it would be best if you referred to me by my rank.’’
Gradny-Sawz swallowed.
‘‘Jawohl, Herr Standartenführer,’’ he said finally.
‘‘Von Wachtstein, do you think you can make it through this revolution we seem to be having out to El Tigre?’’
‘‘I’m confident I can, Herr Standartenführer.’’
‘‘You will go there and take possession of the boat. If Günther and/or his father is there, they will serve as your crew to take the boat to Magdalena. If they are not there by ten-thirty, you will take the boat to Magdalena by yourself and hold yourself in readiness there for further orders.’’
‘‘Jawohl, Herr Standartenführer.’’
‘‘You said, Oberst Grüner, that you have someone in Naval Headquarters?’’
‘‘Yes, I do.’’
‘‘Can he be relied upon to notify you of the arrival of the Comerciante del Océano Pacífico within Argentine waters? ’’
‘‘Not unless I specifically ask him to. I mean, I receive regular routine reports of all shipping activity, but I think you’re talking about learning of her arrival immediately.’’
‘‘We need to know when she enters Argentine waters and more importantly, where she will anchor. Do you think, Grüner, that when the Océano Pacífico reports entering the River Plate your man has enough authority to order her to anchor in Samborombón Bay?’’
Blood and Honor Page 64
