Wheels of Terror by Sven Hassel Read Free Book Online

across to the table, he pointed to Reinhardt's improvised bedclothes and ordered into thin air:
    'Get it away!'
    Ten recruits as well as Reinhardt flew forward to carry out his command. The coat and pillow disappeared like magic.
    Slowly the commander unbuttoned his coat. His little grey-covered book came out from his left breastpocket. Ceremoniously dusting himself, he brought out his silver pencil with a flourish. The book was placed on the table at the angle prescribed in the junior schools when lessons in hand-writing are being given. As he wrote he thought out loud:
    'Unteroffizier Reinhardt, Hans, serving with No. 3 Company, detailed as guard commander under special circumstances, was found improperly dressed on duty. His tunic was unbuttoned. His belt with pistol was beyond his reach, so it would have been impossible for him to use his own firearms in an emergency. This violates Regulation No. 10618 of April 22nd, 1939, concerning guard duty. Furthermore Army Regulation No. 798, same date and year, was grossly violated as he was found sleeping on the table in the guard-room. Still further, he used the army's greatcoat as a blanket. At the same time an instruction issued by Oberstleutnant von Weisshagen as a Depot Order on the 16th June, 1941, has been broken. It concerns the identification of persons found in the barracks area after 10 p.m. The guard commander takes no decision on such an occasion but sends instead for the orderly officer.'
    With a jerk he turned to the gaping Reinhardt:
    'Well, Unteroffizier, anything to report?'
    Reinhardt was dumbstruck. The commandant adjusted his belt and polished his monocle on a snow-white handkerchief. Then he snapped:
    'Obergefreiter Eicken and Fahnenjunkergefreiter Hassel! Take Unteroffizier Reinhardt to the cells! He is under arrest for gross indiscipline on guard duty. The matter will go forward as evidence for a courtmartial. To-morrow he shall be transferred in custody to the 114th Grenadier Regiment Standorts prison. Until relieved of duty Obergefreiter Eicken will serve as guard commander. The patrol carried out their orders correctly and with zeal.'
    On his silent feet, he walked out of the guard-room.
    'Come along,' Pluto grinned at Reinhardt. 'Any attempt to escape and I use my bayonet!' At the same time he noisily brought his rifle to the ready.
    All three of us marched down the passage to the cells. Pluto enthusiastically dangled the big bunch of keys. The dog from cell No. 78 caused Pluto to bellow:
    'Shut up! Silence after 10 p.m.!'
    With unnecessary noise we shot the bolt back from cell-door No. 13 and pushed Reinhardt in.
    'Undress, prisoner, and put everything on the bed,' ordered Pluto taking great pleasure in his role as prison warder.
    A few minutes later the broad-chested Reinhardt stood before us as God had made him. A fat peasant of no consequence, robbed of the cords and ribbons without which he was what he had been created: a bewildered, thick-skulled farm labourer.
    Pluto was determined to carry out every regulation in the book.
    'Prisoner, bend forward,' he ordered, aping Sergeant-Major Edel's roar.
    As carefully as any scientist he studied Reinhardt's upturned behind.
    'The prisoner has nothing concealed up his backside,' he established with delight.
    He then examined the ears of the lost and gaping Reinhardt and announced gleefully:
    'Prisoner, do you know the regulation concerning personal cleanliness? This hayseed doesn't know how to shovel the muck out of his ears. Write: the prisoner was found on arrest to be in an extremely dirty condition. His earholes were bunged up with filth.'
    'Do you expect me to write as you say?' I wanted to know.
    'By God I do! Aren't I guard commander? Haven't I got responsibility for the prison register?'
    'Oh shut up, you stupid swine,' I replied. 'As far as I am concerned I don't mind putting your tripe down, but you'll sign it.'
    'Yes, sure. Why make all the fuss?' said Pluto.
    We examined Reinhardt's uniform