The Devil's Blessing Read Online Free PDF

what Ingersleben would say next.
    “There you have it,” Ingersleben began. “Oberfeldwebel Haas’s plan. I know what many of you are thinking. Are we cowards if we do this? Who are we to follow one man’s plan? Did our friends die, only for us to return the favor by running like women into French or American arms?”
    Haas looked around. The men had begun to move now. Not so much, but barely, their bodies slightly swaying back and forth. Teeth were being gnawed and fists were so tight that they looked as bright red as the morning sun. The men started looking at each other, straining to talk to each other, yet unable to open their mouths. But their expressions were talking, and they were communicating the same message to each other. Otto could hear it, but could Ingersleben?
    “I have made my decision.” Ingersleben gave Haas a reassuring look, and Haas returned a smile.
    “Grenadier Wernher!” Ingersleben barked.
    Josef Wernher appeared as if from thin air. He must’ve been crouching on the back of the vehicle.
    “Arrest this man on the charge of conspiracy to defect,” Ingersleben said.
    Now it was time for the color to leave Haas’s face. He seemed genuinely stunned, as if he had just witnessed the impossible.
    “What is the meaning of this!” Haas said. “How dare you--oomph!” The back end of Wernher’s rifle hit Haas’s ribcage, and the pain made him realize that this was all too real. He fell to his knees atop the transport. He looked up at Ingersleben.
    “This is madness!” Haas yelled, looking up at Ingersleben. Ingersleben finally responded to Haas by kicking him under the shin, causing him to fly off the transport with his arms flailing in the air. Two happy soldiers came forward and grabbed him as he landed on the muddied ground.
    Now it was Ingersleben’s turn to address the men. He did so in a manner that no one had ever seen before. His eyes were rabid, but he also seemed happy.
    “Now, listen here, men!” Ingersleben said. “This—” Ingerslben strained to find the right word as he pointed at the man huddled on the ground—“ pig of man has had his chance! He would not only have us die, but die a coward’s death! Is our situation dour? Yes. But Germany will prevail, and we are on course to strike the enemy back. Regardless of what some might say.” He spat towards the direction of Haas on the ground below; Haas was tearing up, realizing his fate was sealed.
    “Let us say we do follow through with his plan, and we do make it to enemy lines. Sure, we will enjoy warm food and blankets and have our wounds heal as we no longer fight. But then what? But then, Germany will continue on to her glory! And when the Fatherland retakes its land--and it will--what will happen to those that turned themselves in? They would be no different than a Russian, Gypsy, or Jew. I am no Russian. I am no Gypsy. I am no Jew. I am German! Which means I am more man than all other men combined. Our enemies hate us because they wish they were us! Now, in the hour of our need, in the time our Führer and our people need us most, the time when true character and honor is born, this man would ask you to die a coward. Well, he can have that death all he wants. I for one, will not. Tie him up. Let his trial begin.”
    The men cheered so loudly that Otto couldn’t hear Haas’s sobbing as they pulled him away. Otto’s eyes caught Ingerslben’s. They told him that he, too, had heard what the men were thinking.

Chapter Five

    Haas had stopped crying. Resigning oneself to one's impending death had one positive. It gave one some dignity, or at least the appearance of it.
    Otto looked on as Haas was hurried over to a nearby tree that stood, alone, between the prison and the tree line the men referred to as the forest.
    Haas no longer fought, nor did he seem to even be there. His eyes were sullen and his jaw drooped, leaving a small gaping mouth exposed. He seemed equal parts stunned and relaxed.
    “Oberfeldwebel