The Rhinemann Exchange by Robert Ludlum Read Free Book Online Page B

Reichsminister.”
    “How so obtainable?”
    “I believe General Leeb might be more knowledgeable on that subject.”
    Leeb nearly dropped his ivory cigarette holder. Altmüller noted his surprise and cut in swiftly. “Why would the army ordnance officer have that information, Herr Vögler? I ask merely for my own curiosity.”
    “The reports, once more. It is my understanding that the Ordnance Office is responsible for evaluating the industrial, agricultural and mineral potentials of occupied territories. Or those territories so projected.”
    Ernst Leeb was not entirely unprepared. He
was
unpreparedfor Vögler’s insinuations, not for the subject. He turned to an aide, who shuffled papers top to bottom as Speer inquired.
    “The Ordnance Office is under enormous pressure these days; as is your department, of course, Herr Vögler. I wonder if General Leeb has had the time …”
    “We
made
the time,” said Leeb, his sharp military bearing pitted in counterpoint to Vögler’s burgomaster gruffness. “When we received word—from Herr Vögler’s subordinates—that a crisis was imminent—not upon us, but imminent—we immediately researched the possibilities for extrication.”
    Franz Altmüller brought his hand to his mouth to cover an involuntary smile. He looked at Speer, who was too annoyed to find any humor in the situation.
    “I’m relieved the Ordnance Office is so confident, general,” said Speer. The Reichsminister of Armaments had
little
confidence in the military and had difficulty disguising it. “Please, your extrication?”
    “I said
possibilities
, Herr Speer. To arrive at practical solutions
will
take more time than we’ve been given.”
    “Very well. Your possibilities?”
    “There is an immediate remedy with historical precedent.” Leeb paused to remove his cigarette, crushing it out, aware that everyone around the table watched him intently. “I have taken the liberty of recommending preliminary studies to the General Staff. It involves an expeditionary force of less than four battalions.… Africa. The diamond mines east of Tanganyika.”
    “
What?
” Altmüller leaned forward; he obviously could not help himself. “You’re not serious.”
    “Please!” Speer would not allow his friend to interrupt. If Leeb had even conceived of such drastic action, it might have merit. No military man, knowing the thin line of combat strength—chewed up on the Eastern Front, under murderous assault by the Allies in Italy—could suggest such an absurdity unless he had a realistic hope of success. “Go ahead, general.”
    “The Williamson Mines at Mwadui. Between the districts of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in the central sector. The mines at Mwadui produce over a million carats of the carbonado diamond annually. Intelligence—the intelligence that is forwarded regularly to me at my insistence—informs us that there are supplies going back several months. Our agents in Dar es Salaam are convinced such an incursion would be successful.”
    Franz Altmüller passed a sheet of paper to Speer. On it he had scribbled: “He’s lost his senses!”
    “What is the historical precedent to which you refer?” asked Speer, holding his hand over Altmüller’s paper.
    “All of the districts east of Dar es Salaam rightfully belong to the Third Reich, German West Africa. They were taken from the fatherland after the Great War. The Führer himself made that clear four years ago.”
    There was silence around the table. An embarrassed silence. The eyes of even his aides avoided the old soldier. Finally Speer spoke quietly.
    “That is justification, not precedent, general. The world cares little for our justifications, and although I question the logistics of moving battalions halfway around the globe, you may have raised a valid point. Where else nearer … in
East
Africa, perhaps, can the bortz or the carbonado be found?”
    Leeb looked to his aides; Wilhelm Zangen lifted his handkerchief to his nostrils and