Bruno stopped his monologue and turned to the Governor General. “He’s right, you know, Polish women are by nature very filthy. It’s very difficult to become inspired with such types. When are you going to bring me some of that cultured French pussy?”
“Soon, Bruno, soon…” The Major traded glances with the statue and young girls.
“Yes, patience, Bruno, the military will do all it can so you can have what you need for your art!” All except Krafft, snickered at the suggestion Germany’s conquests were solely for bringing Bruno inspiration.
The Major let go of the handcuffed girl, who then slithered behind the pole she was attached to.
“In fact, we may have some Mademoiselles for you in a month or two…” speculated Major Wolf, turning to Krafft, “…and Herr Krafft here will be contributing to assure we will all have the finest living quarters when we arrive in Paris.”
These words gave Krafft the first inkling of his role in the coming invasion of France. This casual conversation before him is what every department of British Intelligence was dying to figure out.
Chapter 7 – The Argument
Joseph put the note into his pocket just before his wife walked in.
“Which plan do you think they will use?”
“Hitler and the High Command are leaning with the fifth variant… it’s a master work… pure genius, really.”
“Well, then, let’s look at some of the details…” Frau Goebbels said while rolling out a map on the kitchen table. “After all, you should have some concrete suggestions when you meet the Führer tomorrow.”
Again Magda was correct. Using the works of Nostradamus to cause fear and uncertainty against his own people might contribute to the Nazi victory. However, to have this fear and uncertainty actually manipulate, assist, or even support the overall military objectives would have to be clearly stated to get the Führer’s attention.
Both of the Goebbels studied the map in silence. Both knew execution and timing of the invasion plan would be of the utmost importance – two factors propaganda more than likely could not play a role in – or could it?
Frau Goebbels focused on the French armies in the southeast of France, which were expected to come north to meet the German invasion in the Ardennes. Since the Germans would not be attacking any of these French objectives based along the Maginot Line, the question in her mind was how to create a situation to hinder these French armies from coming north.
Joseph Goebbels was also looking at the south, but with a totally opposite idea: feeding misinformation so the French would believe a major German attack would be coming to the southern regions, thereby having the French generals keeping their forces there.
“I have it.” Frau Goebbels finally broke the long spell of silence. “We find a passage which will tell the civilians that the southeast will be the safest place for them to go when the war comes to France.”
“But this will let the French army know there will be no attack in the south!” Joseph said heatedly while glaring into Frau Goebbels’ eyes.
“Joseph, do you think the French Military High Command will actually move several divisions based on rumors from a four-hundred-year old prediction that happens to be floating around in an astrology magazine?”
Herr Goebbels did not answer; he knew Magda had a point.
“In a magazine eighty percent of the French public consider trash?”
Joseph’s silence continued: he knew Magda was right.
“Since we do not have the forces there to slow down these southern armies from coming up the real action in the north, the only practical way of hindering them is having the roads filled with their own civilians heading south.”
If she were a man, then there is no doubt Frau Goebbels would have become a top general in the German High Command – and would probably become one of the best. The image of a French army general, cursing his own countrymen who were clogging the road ahead of his tanks and soldiers, created a calculated grin on the Reichminister. The widespread chaotic scene of French armor and equipment completely surrounded by fleeing famers, cattle, tractors and carts filled with their only belongings had him even break out into a short chuckle.
“Yes, yes, I see it now!” Again, Magda had done it. She was genius, pure genius.
Magda knew the average French farmer was highly superstitious and would more than likely heed the advice of their beloved and respected Nostradamus than any French politician or general. For the first time in European history, Magda Goebbels would use a famous French figure against the French people.
“Pass, please?”
The tall figure bundled in what appeared to be two coats and several scarves wrapped around his neck and lower face was barely recognizable. When the guard saw his identity papers he snapped to attention.
“Reichminister Hess!” Apologies, I didn’t recognize you!”
Rudolf Hess simply gave a nod to the guard and then motioned his hand forward instructing the driver to continue. This was the third time this month the Reichminister had visited the airfield in Augsburg, and the third time he was accompanied by a civilian that no one on the base knew the identity of. Where they flew was also a mystery, since Hess himself piloted his own personal twin engine Messerschmitt and never left the chief of operations a flight plan. No questions were ever asked, or even thought of being asked, since he was a Reichminister; second to the Führer himself after Hermann Göring.
The car drove directly to his plane where the two men got out. The civilian illegally smoked a cigarette while Hess inspected the plane. After his rounds Hess signaled his driver, who then drove off. Hess spoke a few words to his flight guest, who finished his cigarette.
Both men then made prolonged glances up into the clear night sky towards the crescent Moon just now rising above the horizon. Hess taxied the plane down the tarmac without stopping at the check line and then took off. Once in the air he turned off the radio set in his plane.
“Did you double check my calculations?”
“Yes, Rudolf, what you came up with supports Krafft’s 1933 prediction.”
The astrological skill of Rudolf Hess were known only via rumor – some say he was an amateur, others would say he was much more competent. Only three people in the world knew just exactly how competent he was – which in those days could be described as expert.
Hess was actually motivated to study astrology from his admiration of an American president. The current events recorded in the newspapers while a young Hess was growing up in Egypt were the words of an outspoken, and almost Kaiser-like, Theodore Roosevelt.
While not widely known in America, many in German astrological circles were fully aware that President Roosevelt had his horoscope cast, and was constantly updated on, the present and future aspects transiting his chart. More than a select few Germans has this knowledge since it was an entire team of German astrologers from the Hamburg School that the former Rough Rider hired to calculate and interpret this information when Teddy Roosevelt was Secretary of the Navy.
Hess became fascinated the leader of a world power would use a German tool to supposedly shape his policy. It was this one fact that turned Hess from someone merely interested in astrology into one who studied and practiced it intensively.