“Damn, these are heavy as hell!” cried Vogel as the little guy tried to single-handedly lift a crate. He barely moved it. None of the others could move one alone either. The officers and the guards stood silently watching the men. Both Rauch and Schneider, seeing the garage for the first time, were in awe of the facility, not only the areas they had been in but this huge underground hangar/garage.
They quickly found that it took two men at each end of the crates to move them and heft them into the back of the trucks. The wooden crates were painted feldgrau with black SS stamps and the Nazi eagle standing atop a swastika inside a wreath of oak leaves, the “Iron Eagle”. All were nailed securely shut.
“What the hell is in these things?” moaned Mauer.
“Silence!” the SS officer cried. “Load the trucks and keep quiet!”
Silently the men continued loading their truck. The same was happening with each of the other five trucks. Once loaded, the trucks were checked and double-checked by the officers. Their tally sheets were brought over to Reiniger.
“Everyone back into your trucks!” the order came from one of the SS officers. A large package of food was also loaded into each truck.
“Hey, now we are talking,” said Kruger. “It’s about time we got something to eat.”
The men began tearing into the food.
Reiniger turned to Rauch and Schneider.
“Gentlemen, I will get your official orders while the trucks are readied to pick you up,” said Reiniger, leading Rauch and Schneider back toward the elevator that they used before. “In the meantime, you can also get something to eat. Our officer’s dining room is on the way.”
Officer’s dining room? Rauch looked at Schneider, trying not to show his surprise, but it had to show through. Schneider smiled for the first time. Rauch joined him. Maybe this was not going to be so bad after all.
Reiniger took the men up two floors, down a long hall where they entered a large grand dining room. The two officers were amazed. This section of the underground complex with its full dining room looked like a royal chateau in France. Beautifully appointed, several officers had already seated themselves at two of the eight tables in the large room. Reiniger clearly took pleasure in leading Rauch and Schneider to the far table, seating them and hosting a very fine meal fit for a king.
“One of the advantages of serving the Führer is that the officers share some of the benefits. When he visits this facility, this is his private dining room,” Reiniger explained. “When he is not here, this is the officers’ dining room.”
Both Rauch and Schneider were clearly impressed. The room had a beautiful ornately designed ceiling with various versions of moldings and carvings. Fine carpets covered the floors. One in particular was a huge representation of the Nazi Party Flag. The walls were a burgundy hue that went perfectly with the dark mahogany wainscoting. The lighting fixtures were gold with elegant fine crystals. A large single crystal chandelier hung majestically in the center of the room. On one end were several beautiful pieces of artwork. One in particular was The Astronomer, painted by one of Hitler’s favorite artists, Johannes Vermeer. Originally owned by a Frenchman, the work was stolen by the Nazis and became one of the Führer’s most cherished paintings. On the other end was a massive portrait of Hitler himself. Rauch and Schneider were amazed at the opulence in this “bunker” as it had been called.
“Gentlemen, when you are finished with your meal, please report to the conference room just across the hall.” Reiniger turned and motioned to the service manager standing near the double doors at the end of the room.
“Thank you,” Schneider answered meekly. Rauch simply nodded in silence.
Almost immediately two serving staffers dressed in white entered the dining room and set several fine china dishes in front of each officer at the table. Within 30 seconds another waiter brought two large platters, one of carved roast beef and the other of various cooked vegetables, and placed them on the table. A platter of bread and fresh fruit soon followed. Two bottles of French Bordeaux also appeared, perfectly decanted.
“Sir, do you believe this?” a wide-eyed Schneider asked. “This is magnificent!”
Trying not to seem impressed, Rauch perused the table. “Schneider, what do you expect? This is the Führer’s dining room; nothing but the best!” Rauch smiled broadly acting as though this was regular fare at SS officers’ mess. Both officers filled their plates and began their meal. Neither had eaten this well in several months.
After nearly an hour, the officers finished their meals and prepared for the journey ahead. Schneider deftly stashed an apple and pear in his pocket for later. He had not seen fresh fruit in eight months. He was not about to pass up such a fine chance. In fact, if he could, he would have taken the entire platter with him.
CHAPTER SIX
Back in the conference room the three men sat down. Their coats and gloves were still there. Reiniger left the room for a minute, returning with a leather pouch. Rauch immediately recognized the pouch. It looked similar to the one he initially received back at regimental headquarters. Reiniger opened the pouch and placed the orders on the table in front of him. After briefly looking them over, he stacked the pages neatly and returned the stack to the pouch. He calmly placed his hands on the table.
“Your orders are to transport this cargo in these trucks to the railhead at Ohrdruf. From there you will go to Rostock. You are to accompany this cargo with the full detachment of men you have here to be joined by a guard group in Ohrdruf. Once in Ohrdruf there will be a train waiting for you. Transfer the cargo to the train and further accompany the cargo to the destination denoted, Rostock. You will be contacted by the SS commander at the rail station in Rostock for the final destination. Gentlemen, do you have any questions?” asked Reiniger.
Rauch and Schneider looked at each other.
“Perfectly clear, sir,” replied Schneider. Reiniger handed the SS pouch to Schneider. He placed it on the table before him and nodded to Rauch.
“Good,” nodded Reiniger. “You leave immediately.” Reiniger stood to attention, “Heil Hitler!” snapping his right arm up in the Nazi salute.
“Heil Hitler!” answered Rauch and Schneider as they both bolted up to attention returning the salute.
With that, Rauch and Schneider picked up their belongings and the pouch. Reiniger turned and led the two men back through the checkpoints until they found themselves back at the mouth of the original bunker entrance. The loaded trucks had been brought around and were parked, running, just behind Rauch’s staff car. The two officers walked briskly to the car, Schneider opening the rear door for Rauch as he got in. A quick few steps around the car and Schneider was in the opposite door and they were away; back into the darkness and cold.
“My God, what have we gotten ourselves into?” asked Rauch quietly, not expecting an answer.
Schneider stared ahead. “Whatever it is, this is big, very big. Sir, can you believe that facility? And it was the Führer’s private facility? I just cannot believe we were privileged to be there. What an honor!”
Rauch looked out of the window. There was just a hint of light in the eastern sky. This fool Schneider has no idea of the significance of what we just witnessed. Rauch’s mind was speeding furiously. What exactly was that place? What was in those crates? Why was it so important? The questions just erupted from Rauch’s mind. But one thing was certain. At least this time they knew where they were going.