Opening Moves

Clark was a self-publicist, a trait that had earned him few friends and many critics during his time as commander of the Fifth Army in Italy. His capture of Rome, which many at the time felt contrary to military priority, resulted in a failure to encircle enemy units and the resultant escape of many German divisions. Those same divisions later fought on long and hard, causing many allied casualties. It would always be held against him by a lot of Allied Commanders.

He was famous for ensuring that all communiqués from 5th Army went out emblazoned with his name, and that desire for fame, glory, and promotion now worked in favour of the Western Allies as he started to issue orders. The phone lines were down but the radio truck could contact half of Europe. He sent out warnings and instructions to his commands all over Austria and Northern Italy. Messages were sent to allied commanders in Germany and the rest of Europe, apprising them of the impending storm.

Rhodes, who washed and changed in record speed, had been present for most of Rolf’s report and displayed his full usefulness as he wrote out what had been said word for word from memory, presenting it to Clark, who signed off on it, ready for dispatch to his various commands.

Warnings went out all over Europe, cascading from unit to unit, albeit slowly.

The General’s entourage swept out of Enns at 0415 hrs, heading back towards Salzburg at breakneck speed.

Schwartz returned to his unit to help ready them for the impending storm, Pförzer was released and disappeared swiftly, probably securing his wares from whichever soldiers would come calling. The three escapees were placed in one of the M20’s in the column racing back the one hundred kilometres or so to Salzburg, taking Clark back to his command base.

0545 hrs Monday, 6th August 1945, Salzburg, US Occupied Upper Austria.

They narrowly missed the commando attack upon Clark’s headquarters. Understandably, the General had little time to spare for them as he set about establishing order amongst his surviving staff. The attack had missed its main target but despite the warning sent from Enns, many casualties had been caused. Shock seemed to temporarily paralyze those who survived; piteously few considering a Ranger battalion had been on the road within minutes of receiving the information and had caught the paratroopers on the run-in.

Members of that Ranger unit now viewed anyone and everyone with jaundiced eyes, fingers on triggers. The three German soldiers had been placed under the care of Athabaster, who seemed unsure of what to do with them. He had departed to get instructions, leaving them stood in the care of two of his men.

Things became fraught when Uhlmann, Braun, and Shandruk were challenged by a Ranger Chief Warrant Officer. Despite wearing US uniform, they seemed unable to speak English, except for one who had a distinctly European twang to his words. The two soldiers tried to explain but the CWO was not in the mood for nervous soldier’s bullshitting him so he shut them both up in short order.

A newly inspired Colonel Rhodes acted as the rescuing cavalry and vouched for the three before pulling them to one side.

“The General has asked me to thank all three of you again. You have been of great service and many lives have been saved throughout Europe. That will not be forgotten.”

Uhlmann did not understand the man but could not help wondeing if this officer was the same one who peed his pyjamas a few hours beforehand.

Braun translated.

“You cannot stay here, so we must escort you back to another facility where more questions can be asked.”

Producing three letters, he passed them, one to each man. Each was personally signed by General Clark. They were brief in words but heavy in meaning.

Braun again translated what amounted to a signed personal statement that the bearer was directly associated with the General, who would take a clear interest in their well-being and good treatment at all times, declaring that the bearer had been of great and valuable service to the Allied Armies in Europe in August 1945, and at great personal risk.

“The General’s apologies that he cannot hand these to you himself but he asks me to say that the words are very real and he will honour their meaning.”

The two nodded as Braun translated the rest of the letter and the spoken word.

Rhodes half turned and nodded to a Corporal holding a bundle.

The man advanced and proffered up its contents.

“General Clark reckoned you might have need of these. Just don’t point it at me Herr Maior.”

Braun translated Rhodes’ last quip without understanding, but Rolf smiled directly at Rhodes and nodded.

The bundle contained three belts, holsters, and Colt automatics.

Tokens of trust from a grateful man.

Each of them took one and buckled it on, feeling a comfort in its presence.

“And for my part Major, you scared the shit out of me for sure but I thank you, all of you.”

Rhodes extended his hand to each in turn, saving a special firm and lingering shake for Uhlmann.