Himmler's War-ARC Read Online Free PDF Page B

charge. “Along with that announcement, there are other steps to be taken. First, all of Stauffenberg’s friends and family will be rounded up and interrogated. Gently, at first, until and if we find a conspiracy, and then more harshly. Tell me, General von Rundstedt, is possible that the Allies have radio controlled weapons like we do?”
    Field Marshal von Rundstedt was a proud man and he bristled at being referred to as a mere general. However, he did not correct Himmler. “Indeed it is possible. We sank a ship in Naples harbor with one and there is no reason to assume the Allies don’t have them either.”
    Himmler nodded. “Which might explain the fact that Stauffenberg’s briefcase was empty. Perhaps he had a signaling device in it which he used to guide the bomber.”
    Or, Varner thought, had the contents of the briefcase merely blown away, or had he left whatever papers he’d brought with Jodl or Keitel?
    “Is that possible, Colonel Varner?” Himmler asked.
    Rundstedt responded for a very perplexed Varner. “It is, Reichsfuhrer, but it also implies that von Stauffenberg either knew very little about the accuracy of bombs or that he was suicidal. While it might be possible to guide a robot plane fairly precisely, accurately dropping a bomb load on a small target is not. In my opinion, hitting the building where the Fuhrer was, was blind luck, and that leads me to think that a conspiracy is most unlikely.
    “I might also add, Reichsfuhrer, that Hitler’s decision to go to Rastenberg was made at the last minute and in great secrecy. He left by train the night before, arrived in the morning and had planned to return that evening. Therefore, I do not think there was enough time to plan and execute such a complicated assassination as you describe.”
    Himmler shook his head, accepting Rundstedt’s analysis with obvious reluctance. “This is all speculation. We will have more knowledge when we are through with our investigations.”
    “And announcements,” Goebbels said. “I will personally prepare to announce that Adolf Hitler died a martyr’s death after heroically fighting terrible wounds inflicted on him by our cowardly enemies. The announcement will be made at your discretion, of course.”
    Himmler nodded. “And you will further announce that he was assassinated by murdering Americans conspiring with Wall Street Jews,” said Himmler. “That will inflame the public on our behalf.”
    Goebbels made a note. “Excellent. And what about his funeral? It should be one fit for a god, with thousands of marching soldiers and the leaders of the Reich assembled to honor our fallen leader.”
    Rundstedt laughed harshly. “And won’t that make a wonderful target for the Ami bombers? They could finish what they started at Rastenberg and end the war in an afternoon.” Goebbels flushed at the criticism and hunched down in his chair.
    Himmler stood. “Enough. We will meet again and soon.”
    “It cannot be soon enough,” said Rundstedt as he rose. “Germany has been badly hurt, but we have also been handed potential opportunities. I wonder how the Allies will take the news and how it might affect their plans for the war? And how will this affect our own plans?”
    Opportunities indeed, thought Himmler.
    * * *
    The ride from the replacement depot to the 74th Armored was short, only a few miles, but it took almost two hours because of all the traffic, most of it also heading for the front lines. Several times his lonely Jeep was shunted aside by MP’s in favor of columns of trucks and tanks that had greater priority even though they were all headed in the same direction. This gave Jack an opportunity to look around and be shocked by the level of destruction. Except for the attack on the LST, he’d never seen war before and, in particular, a pilot was usually insulated from its effects.
    Although the heavily cratered roads had been patched, there were still enough holes and bumps to shake his spine as the