There was no perceptible shift in his posture but suddenly De Walle seemed to be a foot taller and bordering on sinister, his voice taking on an edge of extreme seriousness.
“Understand this Messieurs, we cannot afford to carry people who do not contribute or are disruptive. If an instructor requests that one of you be removed then there will be no appeal, no discussion, and no delay. You will be gone, along with my written report on you and a guarantee of personal attention from a number of very important people who will not have your best interests at heart”.
A snigger punctuated the intended silence.
“That was not humour gentlemen; it was a statement of fact.”
His eyes bored into the culprit, an American Major, who got the message loud and clear.
The moment passed and De Walle relaxed back into his presentation again.
‘So, why are you here and what are we about to do? The question which all of you have been asking yourselves in one way or another since you got your joining papers.”
“It will come as no surprise to you that relations with our Soviet comrades are strained at times. Some of you will already have experience of provocations and regrettable incidents.” At least three officers nodded enough to be instantly noticeable.
“We have no reason to believe that our alliance will fail but we would be foolish not to prepare for such a failure before it is too late.”
A wave of realisation spread through everyone in the room and an anticipated boring week of army lectures on dealing with refugees or similar disappeared in a few well-chosen words from De Walle.
“I will remind you that you may take away the lessons of this symposium but not the purpose or location of it. You may not directly speak of it to anyone, ever.”
The silence and anticipation pervading the room was stifling.
“Gentlemen, you have fought the Axis powers, in some cases since 1939, and fought well, learning and evolving tactics through experience and, at times, others mistakes. It is the considered view that we would not have that luxury should the communists choose to attack us here, in Western Europe. Therefore we propose to use this symposium to give you the means to fight well again against a new enemy should you be called, means which can be trusted as they are the result of other’s learning, experience and mistakes.”
The tension was immense as some of those present grasped the true meaning of the words.
Commander Dubois strode one pace forward, smashed his heel to the stone floor, startling even the experienced combat veterans in the hall. With a voice loud enough to be heard some considerable distance away he roared “Room, room Atten-shun!”
The sound of feet slamming into stone was combined with the groaning of the heavy wooden door at the rear of the hall being pulled open by the two commandos stationed there for the purpose.
The hinges had been left un-oiled to increase the dramatic effect.
Immediately the sound of feet, marking time in perfect synchronicity, invaded the expectant silence
De Walle had seen it before, as had Dubois, for the act had been carefully rehearsed, although granted that on those occasions not all the props had been to hand. What both saw now reminded them of the mettle and worth of the symposium members.
Through the hall the sound of marching feet gathered volume and reverberated as, without verbal command, Knocke sent in the members of “Biarritz”.
The echo of their precise steps around the stonewalls grew in volume until it seemed to some that a regiment was bearing down upon the occupants.
De Walle noticed the looks on the assembled faces as it became apparent to all that a squad of eight German officers was marching to the front to take a position in front of the podium. Some faces were incredulous, some were shocked, and one or two were darkened by hatred. The barely audible Texas-twanged comment of “they’re fucking krauts” was totally unnecessary.
The eight officers, resplendent in full uniform, complete with medals, belts and headgear, split precisely in front of the podium, forming four either side with their backs to the candidates. On an unspoken command, they turned and took a position of attention. Before them, the candidates seemed confused and unsure of what their reaction should really be. The array of awards on the German officer’s uniforms was indicative of huge experience, personal bravery, and most certainly competence.
Nevertheless, they were German uniforms, and some were even SS, although all noticed the eagles removed and the flags of Germany and France embroidered into a curious badge worn in the eagle’s stead.
All of that being said, they were not prepared for Knocke.
Again, they became aware of a single set of precise military steps marching down the centre of the room and a man in black uniform moved past, stopping in front of the podium and saluting De Walle formally in the accepted style. Knocke, with no overt surprise, noted the Frenchman’s uniform and rank, then mounted the podium and took the central position, ceded to him very deliberately by De Walle.
He turned and paused the required time before his leg shot out into the “at ease” in precise timing with that of his men and Dubois, as all assumed the position.
It was De Walle’s idea that he should now pause and let the vision of his presence and bearing take some effect before delivering his most important words of welcome.
For a man who had faced the perils of the Russian Front, it surprised Knocke that he was actually nervous, but he felt confident it would pass.
“Gentlemen, welcome to Symposium Biarritz. Please be seated”
It was an innocuous start but an extremely important one, especially as every man before him instantly sat on the word of a German officer, displaying response and acknowledgement of Knocke’s authority, whilst quietly remaining focussed on the immaculate soldierly vision to their front.
“My name is Knocke, formerly a Colonel of tank troops in the Army of Germany. General De Walle informs me that any further introduction is superfluous, as you will all know of me. The other officers before you have also served in different areas and achieved different things and they will be introduced shortly.”
“What we all have in common is that we have met the Russian and we have killed him in great numbers. He is a deadly enemy, an implacable enemy who possesses infinite resources and manpower. His methods are ones you have not met before and the purpose of this symposium is to give you input that will allow you to make informed judgements in the event that your home countries go to war with the Soviet Union.”
A statement like that requires a period of silence to let it sink in, so Knocke halted and watched realisation spread across the faces in front of him.
“We have skills, and we will teach you willingly, for communism threatens what is left of our homeland just as it threatens yours, no matter how far away you may live. Yes, we were defeated by the Russian but do not imagine for one moment that was because we lacked the skills to beat him, for we did not and, importantly, do not.”
“We are here because we volunteered for this and believe in the aims of this symposium.”
“You may not like us and we must accept that. But what we will not accept is failure, and so we must ALL set aside our personal feelings”, the emphasis on ‘all’ was very marked on each occasion, “And ALL remember that our time here, yours and ours, serves the greater purpose of protecting ALL our countries if the worst fears are realised.”