The Eagle has Flown Read Online Free PDF

that?'
     
     
'Operation Eagle almost succeeded.'
     
     
'But Churchill wasn't Churchill,' Himmler reminded him. 'Our Intelligence people discovered that.'
     
     
'Of course, Reichsfiihrer, but German paratroopers did land on English soil and fought a bloody battle. If the story was publicized, the effect on the British people at this stage of the war would be appalling. The very fact that it's SOE and their Brigadier Munro who are handling the matter, is further proof.'
     
     
'You know the man?'
     
     
'Know of him only, Reichsfiihrer. A highly capable intelligence officer.'
     
     
Himmler said, 'My sources indicate that Rivera has also passed this news on to Canaris. How do you think he will react?'
     
     
'I've no idea, Reichsfiihrer.'
     
     
'You can see him when you get back to Berlin. Find out. My opinion is that he will do nothing. He certainly won't go running to the Fiihrer.' Himmler examined another sheet in front of him. Til never understand men like Steiner. A war hero. Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves, a brilliant soldier, and yet he ruined his career, risked failure, everything, for the sake of some little Jewish bitch he tried to help in Warsaw. It was only Operation Eagle that saved him and his men from the penal unit they were serving in.' He put the sheet down. 'The Irishman, of course, is a different matter.'
     
     
'Devlin, Reichsfiihrer?'
     
     
'Yes, a thoroughly obnoxious man. You know what the Irish are like, Schellenberg? Everything a joke.'
     
     
'I must say that from all reports he seems to know his business.'
     
     
'I agree, but then he was only in it for the money. Someone was singularly careless to allow him to walk out of that hospital in Holland.'
     
     
'I agree, Reichsfiihrer.'
     
     
'My reports indicate that he's in Lisbon now,' Himmler said. He pushed another sheet across. 'You'll find the details there. He's trying to get to America, but no money. According to that, he's been working as a barman.'
     
     
Schellenberg examined the signal quickly then said,
     
     
'What would you like me to do on this matter, Reichsfuhrer?'
     
     
'You'll return to Berlin tonight, fly to Lisbon tomorrow. Persuade this rogue Devlin to return with you. I shouldn't think that would prove too difficult. Radl gave him twenty thousand pounds for taking part in Operation Eagle. It was paid into a numbered account in Geneva.' Himmler smiled thinly. 'He'll do anything for money. He's that sort. Offer him the same _ more if you have to. I'll authorize payments up to thirty thousand pounds.'
     
     
'But for what, Reichsfuhrer ?'
     
     
'Why, to arrange Steiner's escape, of course. I should have thought that's obvious. The man is a hero of the Reich, a true hero. We can't leave him in British hands.'
     
     
Remembering how General Steiner had met his end in the Gestapo cellars at Prinz Albrechtstrasse, it seemed likely to Schellenberg that Himmler might have other reasons. He said calmly, 'I take your point, Reichsfuhrer.'
     
     
'You know the confidence I repose in you, General,' Himmler said. 'And you've never let me down. I leave the whole matter in your capable hands.' He passed an envelope across. 'You'll find a letter of authorization in there that should take care of all contingencies.'
     
     
Schellenberg didn't open it. Instead he said, 'You said you wanted me to go to Lisbon tomorrow, Reichsfuhrer. May I remind you it's Christmas Eve?'
     
     
'What on earth has that got to do with anything?' Himmler seemed genuinely surprised. 'Speed is of the essence here, Schellenberg, and reminding you of your oath as a member of the SS, I will now tell you why. In approximately four weeks, the Fiihrer will fly to Cherbourg in Normandy. January twenty-first. I shall accompany him. From there, we proceed to a chateau on the coast. Belle Ile. Such strange names the French employ.'
     
     
'May I ask the purpose of the visit?'
     
     
'The Fiihrer intends to meet with Field Marshal Rommel personally, to