On Desperate Ground by James Benn Read Free Book Online Page B

Eastern Front to stem the red tide now flowing toward Berlin and victory.  
    Hitler had finally admitted the defeat of his Ardennes Offensive, and Guderian hoped to bring some sanity to the situation as he prepared for the upcoming briefing with Hitler. He looked up from the map to the officer opposite him, General Reinhardt Gehlen, intelligence chief for Foreign Armies East, responsible for gathering military intelligence on Soviet intentions.
    “So, Herr General, all indications point to a massive Soviet offensive at several key spots along the front, here, here, and perhaps here,” stressed Gehlen, as he sketched three red arrows on the situation map, all leading ultimately to Berlin.  
    “Do you trust your sources? Are you sure the Russians are not feeding you misleading information?”  
    “Everything we based our conclusion upon has been verified. Prisoner interrogation, radio traffic, and aerial reconnaissance, all have supported this conclusion. We have our reconnaissance units on the ground, as well. My own men bring back first-hand information,” said Gehlen with a tone that implied no further questioning of his conclusions was necessary.
    Gehlen snapped his fingers and one of his officers brought a stack of photographs to the table. They were of a Russian artillery park, lines of camouflaged heavy artillery and transport hidden in a small valley. As the officer laid the photos out, Guderian saw the Deutsches Afrika Korps cuffband and the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves at his neck, realizing instantly that this tall officer must be one of those who sought out intelligence first hand.
    “The offensive will commence no sooner than one week and no later than two. Our line troops and reserves are completely inadequate to hold off the attack in more than one location.” Gehlen paused and added, “The line will break.”
    Guderian reeled from this calm statement, struggling not to let its effect show.  
    “Very well. Return to your headquarters at once. Keep me informed. Daily.” The General looked past Gehlen to the men standing behind him and scanned their faces.  
    “One of your officers will be detached to my headquarters as liaison. You.” Guderian said, pointing at the tall officer with the photographs.
    “Very well Herr General,” Gehlen said. “Allow me to introduce Colonel Johann Faust.”
    * * *
    Faust followed Major Bernd Baron Freytag von Loringhoven, Guderian’s Adjutant, to the radio section to establish daily radio communications between Foreign Armies East and Guderian’s mobile headquarters. Faust provided the code keys to be used when receiving Enigma transcripts—top-secret wireless communications—from Foreign Armies East.  
    As they walked back from the radio room, Freytag observed Faust carefully. He did not know the officer and was eager to gain an understanding of him before they met with Hitler the next day. Meetings with the Führer were difficult enough and he did not want his Chief dependent upon information from an officer who was an unknown factor.
    “Colonel, we will need a final report on any changes or new developments by noon tomorrow. The Führer briefing is scheduled for 1400 hours.”
    “I will be ready, Major,” Faust said, stressing the last word to remind Freytag of his lesser status.  
    Although Faust out-ranked him, Freytag’s position as Adjutant to the powerful OKH commander put him in a position to deliver instructions to many generals. A mere colonel did not impress him.
    “Glad to be transferred out of the Russian Front, Colonel?”
    It was a simple question, but Freytag hoped the answer might reveal something of Faust’s character and politics. Glancing sharply at the major, Faust picked up his pace to show his displeasure, a tactic he often used to put others off balance. Freytag, as tall as Faust, had no difficulty keeping up.
    “I am glad to be wherever I can serve the Reich, Major, even if it is in such a comfortable post.” Faust