‘That’s enough!’ shouted Breuer, leaping to his feet. All his self-control was gone. ‘You’re forgetting yourself! You can insult who you like, but leave Hitler out of it! The Führer is far too important a figure to be touched by your pathetic criticism! I won’t stand for it, Wiese, do you hear? I won’t stand for it!’
When he gave his reply, Wiese’s voice sounded quite calm again, almost sad.
‘Fine, you get on your high horse if you want, Breuer. You’re only doing it because you know I’m telling the truth. It’s become crystal clear to me over the past few weeks here what the score is, so I have to call it as I see it. We’re not in Germany any more, in our nice, comfortable, peaceful bourgeois world, where there’s all sorts of ways of dodging unpalatable truths. We’re in a life-and-death situation here. We could all be wiped out tomorrow. There’s a premium on truth in such circumstances. You speak of Hitler’s successes. They’ve all been achieved through deceit and foul play. The German people aren’t any happier as a result. All that’s happened is that they’ve lost their sense of decency and honesty and sacrificed their good name. And what kind of successes were they anyway? Smoke and mirrors, nothing more. Promises of jam tomorrow! And now we’re picking up the tab for them with rivers of blood and tears. War, that was the answer to everything where National Socialism was concerned. The fact that we’re sitting here today up to our necks in shit is the clear and logical result of Nazi policies and ideology. And not just us, either, the whole of Germany’s in the same predicament – surrounded by enemies who want us dead. The whole world’s at war with us and hates us as the worst enemy of humanity!’
‘So knowing that,’ said Breuer, shocked, ‘how can you say that you want Germany to lose this war? No, Wiese, you can’t mean that!’
‘I know what you’re going to say,’ answered the lieutenant. ‘That the consequences of losing the war will be dreadful. The Allies will make us pay a terrible price, so bad even our children and grandchildren will still be paying it. But there’s no other way. Our people won’t be cleansed by fire by winning this war, only by losing it, with all that that entails. Only through that most awful of experiences will they come to realize the disastrous consequences of taking the wrong path, and rediscover how to behave decently and honestly. I hope with all my heart that the German nation will be able to save its soul from these darkest of times, but this is the only way I see that happening.’
Breuer was more moved than he was prepared to admit by his comrade’s profound sincerity. After a while, he spoke again. ‘I think we should leave things where they are, Wiese. I know that you’re a fundamentally decent person. You only want the best for your country. But the things you’ve just said are completely beyond the pale for a German, and still more so for a German officer! Just tell me one thing, if you wilclass="underline" if you really and truly believe everything you’ve said, how can you still wear the Wehrmacht uniform with the symbol of the Reich on your chest? How can you even bring yourself to fight in this war?’
A look of dismay crossed the young officer’s face. He groped about for the right words. ‘That’s a question,’ he said at length, ‘that I ask myself over and over. You’re absolutely right: I oughtn’t to be fighting this war any longer. But…,’ he gave a tortured smile, ‘which of us is ever totally consistent? Life demands so many concessions from us – and, you see, I’m a believer in divine guidance. Fate has been kind to me so far. Over three years of fighting, I haven’t been called upon to shoot another person. And I’m determined that I won’t ever point a gun at anyone for the duration of this war – even if it costs me my life. But let’s draw a line under this conversation. It’s all so remote from what we’re up against now. We’re all in the same predicament here, so it’s vital we stick together. I’d hate to think this discussion of ours might cast a shadow over our friendship. It won’t, will it, Breuer? Please say you’re not angry with me.’
Giving Breuer a look of friendly candour, he proffered his hand. Breuer shook it with genuine warmth and sincerity.
As evening fell, the men returned in dribs and drabs to the bunker. Fröhlich was in buoyant mood.
‘That lot over in the quartermaster’s section,’ he announced, ‘are living the life of Riley – their mess is groaning with food! You name it: buckwheat blinis with ersatz honey, proper coffee, and a fantastic cognac… By the by, I spoke to Namarov as well, the Cossack leader. He’s from Sevastopol, an officer in the sappers. A really nice bloke! Hasn’t got any time whatsoever for Bolshevism – you should hear him! Not bothered in the slightest about being bottled up here. And he’s a real fan of Germany. He sent Captain Siebel Christmas greetings with a note praising the “German talent for organization” and saying how the camaraderie between officers and men in the Wehrmacht will ensure us victory! Yeah, that’s what it’s come to now, when a Russian has to bolster our faith in the unshakeable power of the German military, while there’s people in our own ranks who don’t believe we can win.’
Fröhlich cast a reproachful eye around his comrades. He was puffed up with self-importance after his encounter.
‘Captain Siebel’s convinced there’s going to be another relief operation soon. The army’s chief quartermaster told him that some major preparations were afoot. Apparently huge tank formations are assembling in Morosovskaya. What’s more, Captain Siebel reckons we can easily hold out to the spring if need be, given the current weakness of the Russian forces.’
While all this was going on, Herbert had arrived with the latest batch of dispatches from the divisional office. Breuer glanced through the pile. ‘Aha!’ he exclaimed. ‘It’s our regular dose of pick-me-ups from the Corps! Let’s see what gripping stuff they’ve got to report today… Three more German prisoners bestially murdered by the Russians; I’d love to know where they claim to have discovered the bodies… The Russians have deployed a Kazakh division on the northwestern sector of the front; they’re all illiterate – apparently that’s a sure sign the Soviets are running out of fighting men. I see, how interesting! A medical company has destroyed twelve Russian tanks with Teller mines,[4] a heroic instance of the German will to fight triumphing against all odds, which should be held up as an example to the fighting units… hmm: Oh, get this, this is a good one:
4
Teller mines were German anti-tank mines commonly used in the Second World War. Their name derives from the German word