Tanner noticed few German patrols. He thought it was because they didn’t think a crossing at Vogelgrun was likely. During the days he spent on the German side, he did manage to pick up one potentially vital piece of information. That was the location of German minefields. Every morning, farmers would drive their cattle and sheep along proscribed paths that led from the Dragon’s Teeth cement barriers to the fields bordering the river. With a sketch pad and a good Swiss camera, he and the other Americans were able to pin down the probable locations of minefields.
“If the farmers don’t let their cows get blown up,” Tanner said on reporting back to General Evans, “I think it’s highly unlikely that GIs will either.”
“Could you see any indication that they know we’re coming?”
“Sir, I followed the cow paths and crawled on my belly through the Dragon’s Teeth and a little ways beyond. I confirmed that farmers had filled in the area between some Dragon’s Teeth so their livestock could more easily make it to the fields. Not exactly the thing to do if an attack is expected.”
Evans sat back and thought. “With dirt filling the places between the teeth, could we drive jeeps and tanks over them?”
“I couldn’t tell how firmly packed that dirt was, but if a cow could make it, so could a jeep. As to a tank, I’m not certain. And I could see the bunkers where the Germans were stationed and everything seemed quiet. There was laughter and talk and, of course, cigarette smoke. They may be concerned about crossings north of here, but I would say that the average Kraut isn’t worried about anybody coming from Vogelgrun.”
Evans stood up and began to pace. “Since we switched spots with the French, General Devers’ plan to have Patch’s Seventh Army cross at Mannheim is no longer very viable. Therefore, he is intrigued at the possibility of an American crossing at Vogelgrun. It the attack is a surprise, do you think we can pull it off?”
Why are you asking me? thought Tanner. He wants advice, that’s why. Evans, Patch and Devers will make the ultimate decision but they want input from people on the ground. “Sir, I think we could make it across fairly easily.”
“What about an artillery bombardment?”
“General, the Germans looked so sleepy we might just be able to rush them without a bombardment.”
Evans laughed. “And that is why I’m a general and you’re not, Tanner. I have been given fifty DUKW landing craft and each can handle at least a squad. We will bombard the crap out of them for no more than two hours then the little DUKWs can race across the narrow river as fast as they can and come back for more. In three crossings we should have at least a battalion on the other side. While our men keep crossing, engineers will be building pontoon bridges. The Germans will try to destroy them, of course, but we’re not going to let them, are we?”
Tanner grinned. Evans’ enthusiasm was contagious. “Yes, sir. I mean no sir.”
“That’s right. We’re going into the heart of Germany and seal off the routes to their damned Alpine Redoubt. Oh by the way, Captain, I’m commending you for going across and scouting the land for us. You might even get a medal out of it.”
Tanner didn’t know what to say except thank you. He did not think of himself as someone who had done anything heroic. “Sir, other guys were out there as well.”
“Don’t worry; we’ll take care of them. Look, Captain, this is such a new and virginal division we want our boys to know that there are men who will do what they have to and then some and, oh yeah, survive the experience. You could have huddled in the mud of the riverbank for a couple of days and nobody would have known. But no, you went out and crawled through their lines and picked up valuable information. And how can you be certain you knew where all the minefields were? All you had to do was miss one and we wouldn’t be having this cozy little talk, now would we?”
“No sir.”
“Good, now we’ll be giving you a second chance to prove you’re a hero. When the attack comes, you’ll be in one of the lead boats so you can make certain nobody strays off the beaten path and into a minefield. And try to keep your feet dry.”
* * *
Lena was exhausted. Her body ached and she was hungry. She was almost always hungry. Food was becoming more and more scarce. She’d picked up on rumors that what food existed was going south into the redoubt to feed the German armies that were supposed to flock there. She had her doubts. The Schneiders had more than enough but they were not about to share. And especially not with someone who was going to be disposed of in a very short while. Lena was becoming desperate. When should she run? Soon, very soon, she kept telling herself.
Lena had been spending most of the past several days helping the Schneider’s pack their belongings. If they were going to be refugees, they were going to be extremely well-dressed refugees. She thought that Frau Schneider was in for a rude awakening. Her husband had tried to tell her that she could not bring all her clothing and jewelry. She had even wanted to bring a lot of her furniture. “We’ll come back for it,” her pig of a husband told her. That seemed to mollify her. But the trunks and suitcases of clothing were mountainous. It would have been funny if it hadn’t been an indicator that Lena was going to be sent to a war factory where she would likely die.
She was in her room and had stripped off her dress and slip, and was standing barefoot by her bed, dressed only in her bra and panties. Her dress was soaked with sweat and it would have to be washed. But why? she thought. Perhaps she should take off tonight? After all, the only ones in the house were Anton and Magda. Their parents were off to some Nazi celebration designed to take their minds off the fact that Germany was losing the war.
The door to her room clicked and Anton entered. When he saw that she was partly undressed, he grinned happily. “You are lovely,” he said.
“Thank you, but you should leave,” she said sternly. “Your father will be home shortly.” She cursed the fact that the cook, Olga, had come down with a fever and was in the hospital. She was alone with Anton.
She fought the urge to cross her arms across her breasts and thighs. Such a show of modesty would make Anton think he had intimidated her. Instead, she stood and glared at him. She was wearing almost as much clothing as a young girl at the beach.
He took a step towards her. “I don’t think it’s time to leave,” he said huskily. “I think it’s time to finish.”
He grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. She was surprised by his strength. He tried to kiss her and then grabbed for her breasts, squeezing them and hurting her. In shock, she squealed with pain.
Anton laughed. “Don’t worry about my father. He won’t be home for a couple of hours and he’s already said I can do whatever I want with you. After tomorrow it won’t matter.”
Tomorrow? She sagged and he took it as a sign of weakness. His hands roamed over her body, inside her bra and up her legs. He was breathing, panting, heavily.
“I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t hurt me,” she whispered in his ear.
Anton smiled and stepped back. “Then take off your clothes.”
Lena stepped out of her bra and panties. “Now it’s your turn.”
He grinned and in a moment he was naked as well. “Let me touch you,” she said. She reached down and stroked his growing manhood. He sighed happily and she cupped his balls in her hand. Suddenly, she squeezed with all her might and twisted them savagely. His eyes widened. He wanted to scream, but no sound would come from his throat. She jabbed him in the eye with the fingers of her other hand and, when he went to protect it, she kicked him in the testicles. Anton fell to the floor and curled up into a fetal position. She kicked his hands aside from his testicles and kicked him again and again in the groin until he stopped writhing.