The Second Objective Read Online Free PDF Page B

listened quietly, made suggestions but appeared satisfied with his overall strategy. He asked Von Leinsdorf to call in the squad leaders he had selected. Skorzeny chatted briefly with each man, addressing them only by their adopted American names.
    Skorzeny’s adjutant presented each squad leader with a packet of specially forged documents, including U.S. Army ID cards, high-level American security passes, letters of transit, and detailed maps of various cities in France. They were also given a cache of customized weapons, explosives, and ammunition prepared at Skorzeny’s request by the Technical Criminal Institute of Berlin. These included piano wire garrotes, concealed knives, and a new technology: a metallic silencer that attached to the end of their American officer’s handgun. He then drew their attention to a map of the Belgian border his adjutant laid out on the table.
    “Your squads will be the first to cross, through these gaps in their line,” said Skorzeny, showing points of infiltration. “Begin your reconnaissance assignments. Your reports will be vital to us during the early hours. Avoid capture at any cost.”
    Then Skorzeny for the first time detailed their second objective. When he finished, no one broke the silence. From their shocked reaction Skorzeny knew that Von Leinsdorf had followed orders and refused to discuss the mission with them.
    “Sir, at what point are we expected to attempt this?” asked Karl Schmidt.
    “I will explain when the colonel leaves,” said Von Leinsdorf to silence him.
    “I would prefer to hear the colonel’s views firsthand,” said a defiant Schmidt.
    “Your orders are perfectly clear,” said Skorzeny. “For the next two days, reconnaissance and support for the invasion. At midnight on the seventeenth, regardless of whether or not our brigade has reached its first objective, proceed with the second.”
    “What should we tell the men in our squads?” asked Schmidt.
    “Tell them nothing,” said Skorzeny. “Until you have to.”
    “That was my advice as well,” said Von Leinsdorf, making clear his irritation.
    “What kind of support will we have from the rest of our brigade?” asked Schmidt.
    “That depends on the progress of the entire offensive,” said Skorzeny. He gestured to his adjutant to pack up, eager to leave.
    “No more questions,” said Von Leinsdorf.
    “But should we expect them, sir?” asked Schmidt, ignoring Von Leinsdorf. “Is anyone else involved or are we acting alone?”
    “If all goes according to plan,” said Skorzeny, “help will be waiting when you near your target.”
    “How much help?” asked Schmidt.
    “A fifth squad,” said Von Leinsdorf.
    “There, you see?” said Skorzeny with a smile. “Support will be there when you need it the most. On the other hand, as I always tell my men, expect nothing and you won’t be disappointed.”
    Skorzeny wished them luck and walked out toward his waiting transport, followed by his adjutant. Their vehicle was parked on the edge of a clearing, near where the commandos’ twenty American jeeps were being serviced and fueled. The paint on the jeeps’unit insignia was still drying.
    “Keep no records of that meeting,” said Skorzeny firmly to his adjutant. “As far as Autumn Mist is concerned, it never occurred.”
    Skorzeny climbed into the transport where his bodyguards waited and drove off to the north.
    In the cottage, standing over the various maps of Belgium and France on the table, Von Leinsdorf walked them one last time through their first two days. “On the seventeenth I’ll contact each of you by radio. If you don’t hear from me, assume we are going ahead and work your way south. We’ll stage the operation from here, on the evening of the nineteenth.”
    He pointed to a prominent old cathedral city, an hour and a half northeast of Paris.
    “We need a place to meet,” said Von Leinsdorf. “Any suggestions?”
    “I was stationed there for a couple weeks,” said