“My group, such as it is, did not quite know how to interpret the reception it received from your auxiliary policemen.”
“These fellows can be something of a cross to bear, Captain, but I can assure you, at no time were they a threat to your men.”
“Yes, of course, Herr Sturmbannfuehrer. As we are about to settle in town, my only concern is that no unpleasantness occurs between your people and mine. My lieutenant described a situation of drunkenness and indiscipline, and no effort was made to keep your men in line.”
“A presumptuous interpretation on the part of your lieutenant. The situation is firmly in hand. They’re essentially good boys—for Ukrainians, that is. Remarkably thorough. We’ve been busy these past few days, and they’re only now letting off steam. You understand how it is.” Toller smiled, crookedly.
“An impressive reminder of your visit hangs at the edge of town. Partisans?”
“I’ve taken the time to settle some old accounts. A group has been active in these parts for some time, but they’ve always managed to elude me. Until yesterday. They were skulking about after the Reichsbahn people evacuated. They lacked a convincing reason as to why they hadn’t migrated across the river and pretended not to know what was going on. They had the nerve to feign innocence, can you imagine? Some claimed to have traveled all the way on foot from as far as Stalino. Hopeless cases.”
“The town appears remarkably intact. Have the engineers left behind any mines or booby traps we should be aware of?”
“There wasn’t the time. Army and civilian personnel made a rather hasty retreat last night before accomplishing the job. The fear of a Russian penetration ignited a stampede.”
“Undoubtedly the small armored detachment making a probe. We skirmished last night.”
“So it appears now, but the commandant in charge of this facility was among the first to take flight, and the rest followed. Inadequate behavior for an officer to say the least,” the Sturmbannfuehrer replied.
“I gather your business here is concluded, and you and your men will be crossing the river.”
The Sturmbannfuehrer nodded. “A ferry is still operating forty kilometers to the north. Our next destination.”
“So far to travel? Why not cross at the Zaporozhye carriageway? It’s closer.”
“True, but my command post is in Dnepropetrovsk. Besides, there are a number of fishing villages strung out along this side of the riverbank, and I want to make one last sweep before we cross. Why don’t you accompany us, Captain? We can serve as each other’s escort.” Toller’s eyes widened. He behaved as though he had come upon the most brilliant idea of his career.
“Thank you, but no, Herr Sturmbannfuehrer. I’m not ready to leave yet. I’ve an old account to settle myself.”
“Well, I for one have tempted the fates long enough. I’ll be thinking of you once I’m back in the safety and comfort of my headquarters…Have you noticed how strangely quiet it’s become, now that the countryside has been emptied? Soldiers, peasants, even animals. Everything gone. Poof. Who would have ever dared to think such a thing was possible? The loud voices and laughter of my men swallowed up in all this emptiness. Even the bleating cries of the executed sounded so hollow and muffled. Strange. The clouds part, and there is sun, but so little light. And look, that white mist, as thick as a blanket, continues to accumulate in the east. It causes one uneasiness, don’t you think?”
“Perhaps it can have that effect, Herr Sturmbannfuehrer.”
“Go about your business, Captain, and don’t fret. My troops are rounding up the boys. Some I fear have become lost and are too intoxicated to find their way back to the square. Well, it has been something of a party, hasn’t it? What an enormous country. A man can do as he pleases, that’s the beauty of it. It’s a pity to have to leave.” Appearing wistful, Toller sat up straight to look around, then wished Falkenstein luck and sank back deeply into the plush car seat, retreating into whatever illness that ailed him. Falkenstein turned away from the staff car and gave Voss a single nod. The crew and stragglers clamored off the armored personnel carrier, and the lieutenant assigned tasks. “We must secure the perimeter of town as quickly as possible. Corporal Schroeder, round up every newcomer who has tagged along since last night. No one leaves. Find out what their specialties are—medics, signal operators, any specialized skills—and have them report to me here, in the square. If anyone is without a weapon, I want to know who they are and the reason why.”
Schroeder pulled a face. He did not appear enthusiastic over the duty the lieutenant saddled him with. Voss then singled out Braun and Schmidt. “Reconnoiter the repair depot, and find a durable position to cover any threat from the east. After that has been done, one of you make a search for fuel. There might be some our Ukrainian friends have overlooked. Angst, Detwiler, find suitable quarters for the captain, preferably near the square. It shouldn’t take you long. Inform Sergeant Reinhardt of the location. When you’re finished, Angst, join Braun and Schmidt over at the depot. Detwiler, you can then assist Corporal Schroeder with the newcomers in getting positions fortified and establishing machine gun emplacements. Wilms, I spotted a water tower on the northeast side of town. That will serve as our primary observation post. Take the portable and, once you’ve established yourself, do a radio check with both vehicles.” The crew hurried off in their separate directions. Mueller remained by the armored carrier and waited for the lieutenant to complete his briefing. “What is it, Private…?”
“Mueller, sir. I have some signal experience. The corporal told me to stay here.”
“Good, Mueller. When the captain’s headquarters has been determined, you can help set up the communications that the captain will need. Sergeant Vogel, the captain’s driver, will show you what he wants done. I will need you to relieve Wilms on the tower, eventually, but in the meantime, stay available for Sergeant Reinhardt and do as he instructs.”
“Yes, Lieutenant.”
The SS Obersoldaten had begun to reassemble the auxiliaries amid much laughter and foolery. Some of the Ukrainian policemen were so drunk they needed to be carried aboard the trucks. One auxiliary, on hands and knees, heaved violently into the mud, as another, unconscious and propped up against a wall, sat in a pool of his own urine. Incapable of getting to their feet, the two were dragged to the waiting truck by their comrades and roughly tossed on board. They all expressed disappointment at having to leave the scene of arson, pilfering, and murder. Falkenstein limped over to the lieutenant’s side. “I have witnessed civilians behave with more discipline while under bombardment,” he said, observing the rabble now swarming around them with contempt.