Churchill's Ace (Epic War Series Book 1) (35 page)

Madeline came in and sat down. She sighed and said, “It’s much too late for all this.”

“My dear, we were just mentioning our concerns for Wolf. Perhaps we should pull him out of there and send him back to Biggin Hill. He is, after all, a pilot.”

Madeline smiled, “You mean ace.”

“Of course.”

Madeline poured herself a drink from a decanter that was on the table. “Sir Winston, don’t take this personally. Let him go back. He won’t be happy until he does what must be done.”

“As in…”

“Killing Zigfried Bockler. All wrongs must be righted with Wolf. Surely you know that he sees everything in black and white. I don’t know if it must be part of his German heritage. Stubborn and single-minded. I wouldn’t want to spend the rest of my life with a man who has any regrets. There’s been enough of that in my family. My father has recovered, but the time lost can never be regained. Besides, anyone who thinks they can dissuade Wolf after he has made up his mind is sadly mistaken.”

Winston sat back. “You do know him well.”

“Yes well, we’re made for each other. And after all, it’s your fault. You’re the one who introduced us.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been blamed for a momentary lapse of good judgment.”

The nightly bombing raid arrived on schedule. The drone of the twin-engine bombers could be heard overhead as they headed for London proper. Soon the anti-aircraft batteries which ringed the city opened fire.

Tracers streaked into the sky, but few if anything were hit. The defensive batteries were more of a propaganda tool than anything else, meant to show the residents of London that action was being taken to shoot down the German bombers.

When the lights went out inside the RAF Annex, Wolf, Hans and the man with no name slipped out the front door. The side gate to the compound was indeed open, and they simply walked thru it. A sedan with blackout lights was waiting by the curb. A nondescript man opened the door, and Hans got in. Before Wolf did the same, the man nodded, “Good luck Captain Kruger.”

The car sped away and drove out of London. The flashes from the search spotlights and defensive batteries soon disappeared in the distance, as the sedan drove north. The driver was just as mysterious as the man at the RAF Annex. Wolf finally said, “Where are we going?”

“We’ll be there soon; try and get some rest.” The charade was a joke because Hans was fast asleep in the back seat. Wolf prayed that everything would go off without a hitch, and Hans could return to the annex. He toyed with the idea of bringing Hans along, but Major Hollenby had the operation seemingly laid out, to perfection. As it was, that seemed to be the case.

A half hour later a car followed them through the dark and empty roads. They turned into a quaint town named, Wells-next-the-Sea. Wolf figured that British Intelligence planted the car. Soon they would make their move. But where was the E-boat? That was settled when the car turned onto a private pier.

The driver flashed his headlights toward the Channel and almost immediately was met with a series of return flashes from a German E-boat that was a few hundred yards off the coast. The engines to the E-boat turned over and made a run for the pier. The E-boat was a mirror image of an American torpedo boat. It was highly maneuverable and designed to operate in shallow waters. The boat’s twin engines powered the E-boat to the pier. Wolf and Hans made a motion toward the boat.

The car from British Intelligence that had been trailing them turned on their lights and gunfire filled the night air. The driver of Wolf and Hans’ car pulled out a pistol and shot Hans in the back. He stumbled for a moment and then fell onto the pier. The driver got back in the sedan and turned it around. He accelerated and purposely drove off the pier.

More gunfire came from the British Intelligence car as Wolf leaped onto the stern of the E-boat. The crew pulled him all the way on board as Wolf yelled, “Hans! Hans!”

One of the crew members said, “It’s too late, they got him. I’m sorry. Captain Kruger.”

“No!”

“Welcome aboard the Kondor. We’re bringing you home.”

“I didn’t think I was going to make it.”

“You’re safe now.” The sailor barked out some orders. “Get Captain Kruger a blanket and perhaps some coffee.”

Wolf smiled, “Bavarian coffee?”

“Yes, sir.”

Winston’s Rolls Royce was parked in an alleyway on the other side of the road. Major Hollenby was with Winston and James was at the wheel.” Major Hollenby said, “Our double agents have disappeared into the night.”

“I rather enjoyed the show.” A medical truck rolled onto the pier. Hans was lifted onto a stretcher and put into the truck. “Will Hans be okay?”

“He’ll be fine. He may have vertigo for a few days, but that should pass.”

“I hope so Major. He is a pilot.”

“Does it matter he won’t be flying again.”

“You never know. The realignment of the world after this war is over, may cause strange bedfellows.”

Major Hollenby smiled. “You do plan ahead...”

It was well past midnight when Madeline got out of bed. Madeline was spending the night in her old room. The RAF pilots were still housed at the estate, and they were sleeping. The strain on the RAF was slowly lifting, as the Luftwaffe concentrated their attacks on London and not the fighter bases. Madeline wondered where Wolf was and if she would ever see him again. Oh, she talked bravely in front of Randolph and Winston, but underneath it all, she couldn’t help but worry.

Madeline walked into her father’s room. She saw that the light was on. She knocked and went in. “Madeline, you couldn’t sleep either.”

“No.”

“Is it about Wolf?”

“Is he well?”

“For now. Does it bother you that I’m in love with a German and a pilot to boot?”

Lord Ashton put down a book. Madeline took stock of him. Her father seemed to look younger every day. She liked him so much better since he had given up the drinking. It was his vindication with the RAF that had changed everything. More so, she now respected her father. Lord Ashton said, “It doesn’t bother me in the least. Actually, I’m quite fond of him. He helped your brother escape, and he has fought with honor for our country. He’s a good man and a great pilot. Randolph says there is none better.”

“He’s probably right. I hope when this is over he gives it up.”

“Do you really?”

“I guess not. It’s hopeless. But still…”

“Oh, Madeline.”

“You seem so different now.”

Lord Ashton smiled. “You mean since I’m sober.” Madeline’s face turned red. “It’s the truth and there’s no sense dancing around it.”

“And mother is coming home tomorrow.”

“I’m not sure if everything will ever be the same between us. All I can do is try, but I’ve caused her so much pain.”

“But that’s over. A new beginning. Who knows where it will go.”

“You’re right.

After making the French coast near Pas de Calais, Wolf transferred to a Mercedes Benz that belonged to Hermann Goering. He was then chauffeured to Luftwaffe Headquarters, which was the very same place he had received his award only months earlier.

The first thing that Wolf noticed was that everyone in the building seemed to be on edge. You could see it in their faces. That meant only one thing. The easy victories against Poland and France had faded away, and that the Battle of Britain wasn’t going well.

Or even more to the point, the Luftwaffe was losing. Wolf was led into a cold office on the second floor, and he knew what was coming. The interrogation process would soon be under way. Wolf had prepared himself for this crucial moment. Much depended on it, perhaps even his life.

Major Kurt Lichtenberg warmly greeted Wolf. “Captain Kruger, congratulations on your miraculous escape from England.” Major Lichtenberg wore an eye patch over one eye, which was the result of crash landing during the Spanish Civil War. He was a bomber pilot for the Nationalist forces during the Battle of Toledo.

Specifically, Major Lichtenberg was part of the Condor Legion, which was made up of volunteers from the German Air Force and Army. In reality, the Condor Legion was Hitler’s experiment into an unofficial foray into a foreign conflict.

The Major’s plane had been crippled by ground fire and rather than bail, he crash landed. Major Lichtenberg had survived but the needle from a flight compass had gone thru his eye. From that day forward he wore an eye patch and then became an intelligence officer in the Luftwaffe.

Wolf said, “I was very lucky to have been assisted by our countries operatives in England. They were very brave.”

“The Luftwaffe couldn’t very well leave our most famous ace to collect dust in England. Now, how did you get shot down on that fateful day?”

Wolf didn’t hesitate. “I didn’t see it. I was taken from behind. One second I was flying for home after our bombing run and the next my Me 109 was burning.”

“I see. That is somewhat odd for a pilot of your credentials.”

Well, now I’m back to kill the man who did it
. “I’m not happy about it. I was no use for the Luftwaffe for the rest of the Battle of Britain. I have to live with that fact.”

“Where did they take you?”

“Initially, I was taken to a hospital in London since my shoulder was wounded. I was there for several days. I can’t remember exactly how long. Later I was driven to what must have been an RAF holding facility outside of London. I was questioned every day for the better part of a month.”

“What did they want to know?”

“I was one of the first senior pilots shot down during the Battle of Britain.”

“And the most famous. Go on.”

“They tried to pry information from me about our tactics and dogfighting methods.”

Major Lichtenberg wrote on a notepad. “What did you tell them?”

“That I was sick of being provided with warm beer after dinner.”

Major Lichtenberg laughed, “You did miss home.”

The interrogation ended after an hour and Wolf was kicked upstairs to meet Herman Goering. Wolf found himself once again inside the ornate offices of the Air Marshall. Goering shook his hand. “Captain Kruger we meet again. I understand you’re well.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Our fight with the RAF rages on. It is a battle of wills.”

“I have been out of the fight for too long.”

Goering smiled.
This ace who was one of the Luftwaffe’s finest was ready to do his duty again
. “I have no doubt if there were more like you, the RAF would have been destroyed long ago.”

“Am I to be posted with JAG 23 my old unit?”

“In time. I have something much more important and pressing for you.”

“Sir?”

“I’ve been informed by my assistant, Colonel Steckel that there is a need for your services.”

“Where sir?”

A smile came across Goering’s fat face. “Our top secret testing facility at Rechlin. Do you know what a jet is?”

“No Air Marshall.”

“It is a plane that will win the war. You are to leave immediately. Colonel Steckel is waiting for you.” Hermann Goering’s heavy jowls drooped when he leaned forward and handed Wolf Kruger a piece of embossed paper. “Captain Kruger, I have been authorized to present this to you. By the way, I have promoted you to Major. That would have been done long ago, but was not possible when you were lost... thankfully, that was only temporarily.”

Wolf took a look at the gold leaf paper that was from the desk of Adolf Hitler. “Air Marshall, I don’t know what to say.”

“You’ll find that it proclaims that Major Wolf Kruger has received the highest military award of the Third Reich...the German Cross in Gold. That will be awarded to you in one month’s time by the Fuhrer himself in Berlin. In the meantime, Major Kruger you push our experimental jet thru its paces. You’re to report weekly to me personally, about what improvements should be made to the jet.”

“What is this plane called?”

Goering laughed, “I almost forgot. The Messerschmitt 262. It is a twin-engined fighter-bomber, that is the fastest combat plane in the world.”

“I cannot wait to fly it. Perhaps I can shoot down a wandering Spitfire with it.”

“Once it’s ready, that certainly is the idea. Good luck, Major Kruger.

* * *

Colonel Steckel was waiting for Wolf outside Hermann Goering’s office. He was a tall man who gave off an aristocratic presence. His tailored uniform fit exceptionally well. A monocle eyepiece was over his right eye. Wolf saluted him. “Major Kruger, my car is waiting for us for the drive to Rechlin. Shall we go, there isn’t time to waste.”

“Sir.” Wolf put Hitler’s embossed letter in his uniform pocket.

They walked down the hallway and passed some Luftwaffe generals. They both saluted the generals. Colonel Steckel said, “I was told by Goering about your letter from our great Fuhrer.”

Wolf said without emotion. “Yes, I’m very honored.”

Colonel Steckel laughed lightly and adjusted his monocle. He then whispered, “Better to wipe your ass with that paper, for as much use it is to you and Prussia.”

Wolf was taken back. “Sir.”

“Tell me how many Me 109s did you shoot down. Many I hope.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

They exited Luftwaffe headquarters. A staff car was waiting for them. A driver opened the rear door of the car. “Don’t you? I would have shot that paper hanger, but I never got the chance... at least not yet. As for fatso Goering, he spends too much time playing with his model trains.” Wolf was stunned that Colonel Steckel would speak this way in front of his driver. Colonel Steckel realized this and said, “Major Kruger there are many like us. More than you know.”

* * *

At first, Wolf just listened as Colonel Steckel rambled on. But his facts were dead on. “I know that your parents were murdered by the Nazis. Forgive me; you don’t have to be a genius to figure that out. The list of intellectuals and professors that have disappeared is long and deep. The driver whose name was Lieutenant Rhines said, “Colonel, tell him about the others and my uncle.”