The Allies targeted the Heinkel Works facilities at Rostock-Marienehe specifically. They were important German aircraft production facilities and a prime bombing target. The remaining residents wandered in the rubble-filled streets. They searched for loved ones, food and shelter. The residents that could leave were gone. This was what Hitler’s dream had brought upon the people of Germany.
Even though the weather was murky and cold, at least the air had a fresh smell. The low, gray clouds made the town seem dreary. War does strange things to people and places. Germany was a tired, beaten country. After the years of war since 1938, the bleak weather fit the mood perfectly. Rauch watched a light snow continue to fall as the train slowed and made its way through the outskirts of town and toward the waterfront. This was the first time Rauch had seen a true port city. Sure Saarbrucken, near his home, was a “port” city. But the port was on the Saar River, not the ocean.
Even though he tried not to show it, he was very interested in all of what he was seeing. His attention was focused on what was outside of the train’s window. The train slowed down to nearly a crawl as it neared the waterfront. Even with the dank weather the town looked strangely peaceful. Even though it had been bombed extensively, Rauch could see some well-kept buildings with very little damage. This used to be a nice place to live, he thought.
The train jolted heavily as it stopped. Rauch ceased his focus on the town itself and noticed a whirlwind of activity around the station and stopped train.
Several officers were barking out orders and soldiers were scurrying around in all directions. Rauch heard heavy footsteps coming down the corridor of the train. Seconds later the door to the train compartment slid open and an SS captain from the station stepped into the door opening. He stood like a statue. Again he was perfectly dressed, his uniform crisp and clean. His steely eyes scanned the occupants of the compartment. Rauch and Schneider sat there not moving and stared back at the captain.
“We have arrived at our destination. Talk to no one and follow me,” he stated coldly and succinctly. Rauch decided it was in his best interest to not make a scene with the way the SS captain had addressed a major. He was still very unsure of what was happening and who was in charge. One thing Rauch did know, however; he was not in charge. Rauch and Schneider got up, stretched for a second and followed the captain down the narrow passage to the door.
“Maybe we can get some food while they are unloading the cargo,” asked Schneider.
Just as Rauch was about to answer, they stepped off of the train into bedlam. Like Ohrdruf, the SS guards again surrounded the train and more trucks pulled up to the train cars.
“Order our men to stay with the cargo,” Rauch told Schneider. “I will check in.”
Schneider took three steps back toward the door of the railcar two cars in front of their passenger car. The SS guards blocked Schneider while other SS troops opened the railcar doors. Schneider’s men peered from the dark car.
“Get down now!” ordered an SS leutnant. As the men jumped off of the train the leutnant turned to Schneider. “This shipment is now under my command. Take this to the stationmaster’s office. You are relieved,” barked the officer.
Schneider took the paper from the officer and turned to see Rauch still standing where he was, staring wide-eyed at the situation. Rauch had had enough of this. He broke into a quick stride toward Schneider and the SS leutnant. Schneider’s eyes widened. He knew what was coming.
“Leutnant, come here!” ordered Rauch. The leutnant turned immediately recognizing an SS major. But to Rauch’s amazement, the leutnant turned back to his work. Rauch was incensed. But before he could take another step, two Gestapo agents appeared out of nowhere at Rauch and Schneider’s sides. Backing them were two more SS troopers armed with machine pistols aimed at Rauch and Schneider. One of the Gestapo agents stepped directly in front of Rauch and placed his face no more than five inches from Rauch’s nose.
“You will step away or I will have you shot,” said the dark wiry man in the black leather long coat curtly. Without another word the two troopers placed the barrels of the MP40 submachine guns into the sides of both Rauch and Schneider. Everyone froze. After several tense but quiet seconds, the Gestapo agent spoke again.
“Report your arrival to the stationmaster now,” he said blandly.
Both Rauch and Schneider turned away and joined the SS captain beside the passenger car. The captain saw the entire event. The group turned and walked toward the station.
Rauch and Schneider followed the SS captain away from the train. Rauch was mad as hell but also was smart enough to keep his mouth shut. Schneider had nearly soiled his trousers.
“My God, sir, what is going on here?” Schneider asked Rauch, not expecting an answer. Rauch gave him none. They walked briskly behind the SS captain to the stationmaster’s office.
Schneider could smell food cooking somewhere close. A quick glance beyond the tracks yielded a sight he had yearned for. A field kitchen had been set up and was serving several groups of troops.
“Hurry, please,” shouted the SS captain over the din. Schneider decided he would remember the kitchen location and visit it as soon as they had time.
They walked from the cold into a warm, busy office full of officers. Rauch looked around the room and it became clear to him that his train was not the only one bringing in cargo. Over against the far wall stood two men, unmistakably Gestapo. One was paying very close attention to the reports of the cargo delivered, looking over the shoulder of an SS colonel and writing notes to himself. It seemed that he was keeping a record for the Gestapo as well. The other man, Eric Von Leiper, another Gestapo agent, watched everything else happening in the room. Like a cobra ready to strike, Leiper stood coiled, ready to step into any situation that he thought warranted more information. Rauch decided he had had enough of the Gestapo.
“You are from Ohrdruf?” shouted another SS colonel, waving his hand at Rauch to come over to his desk. “Bring me your orders and papers.” Rauch and Schneider both stepped over to the desk with Rauch placing the tally ticket they had received from the SS leutnant at the train with their orders on the desk in front of the colonel. The SS colonel looked at both Rauch and Schneider as if they were a nuisance. He snatched the orders up and urgently began to read them. Rauch glanced over to the Gestapo man in the black hat against the wall and got an absolute cold, searing stare. Rauch immediately looked back to the job at hand.
“Have you checked in your cargo yet?” asked the SS officer.
“Sir, our cargo is just being unloaded now. Here is the ticket,” answered Schneider, pointing to the ticket on the colonel’s desk, clearly trying to take the lead in the conversation from Rauch. Rauch started to get mad, but his latest experience stepped in. He decided to let Schneider take the lead. Let him be the big shot. Rauch looked away as if he was bored. He was still amazed at all of the activity swirling around this relatively small port. Even with the sun rising he could only see one small cargo ship just past the train.
“Is there a problem here?” hissed Leiper, who had instantly appeared at Rauch’s side. “Your papers, Major,” he demanded.
Rauch was taken aback. He not only was surprised but completely flustered that he was being checked. But he did have the good sense not to question this man in any way, especially after what happened outside. He reached into his tunic and handed his identity papers to the man. Leiper quickly scanned the papers and jotted down Rauch’s name and information and stared intently into Rauch’s eyes.
“Bam… Bam,” the noise of the SS colonel’s stamping of the orders broke the stare stalemate and brought Rauch’s attention back to the moment.