As previously arranged, some of the things he said had no bearing at all on the situation but appeared to be communing with the spirits about friends of his who were dead and soon to be born again in a new incarnation; but Hitler showed no impatience because these were skilfully interspersed with predictions about the course of the war.
During the three-quarters of an hour that the stance lasted Malacou's forecasts of general interest were: That between five and seven days hence General Montgomery 's army would cross the Rhine in force and there would follow several weeks of desperate fighting in the West. German losses would be extremely heavy and some ground would have to be given up to the British and the Americans; but on the Northern front there would be an improvement in the situation. Within a few days the Russian onslaught would be checked and for at least three weeks they would make no further advance of importance. The coming day would be a very trying one for the Fьhrer. He would receive two communications. One would be the request of one of his most trusted Army Commanders to be relieved of his command; the other a letter from one of the pillars of the Nazi regime stating that he had lost faith in victory; but the Fьhrer was advised not to take the letter too seriously, because the writer had a great affection for him and would remain loyal to him to the end. It also appeared that within a week the Fьhrer would decide to make an important change in the High Command of the Army by dismissing one of his Generals. Lastly, in mid-April there would come to him from an unexpected source great consolation for -the trials with which he was being afflicted and support in his struggle, but whence this would spring it was not yet possible to divine.
Deliberately, in order to win Hitler's confidence, Gregory had made the general tone of this first occult communication as optimistic as possible, by suppressing several of Malacou's bleaker predictions. At the mention of the two communications he was to receive the following day Hitler had temporarily gone off the deep end and raved about the betrayals of which he was constantly the victim; but after ten minutes he had subsided, and at the end of the session he was obviously pleased by what he had: been told. Turning to Gregory, he said
'Herr Malacou several times mentioned dead people he has known who are shortly to be born again. Do you also believe in reincarnation?'
`Most firmly, mein Fuhrer,' Gregory replied promptly; which was the truth, for he had frequently discussed it with Erika and had become fully convinced. Moreover, it was with a definite intention that he had told Malacou to mention the subject several times in his ramblings. Keeping his eye on Bormann in case he indicated disapproval Gregory added, `To anyone who accepts the survival of the ego after death, which I regard as beyond, doubt, reincarnation is the only logical belief, and the wise men of all nations have taken it as a guide for their actions.'
Hitler nodded. `Several people have told me that they hold that opinion, Herr Major, and the subject is a most interesting one. Sometime we must talk of it together.' With a friendly wave of thanks he then dismissed them.
When they reached the conference room Bormann signed to Malacou to go through to the far side of the partition, then turned to Gregory. `This Army Commander who is asking to be relieved. I saw your hesitation when you spoke of it. You held back something. You know who he is. Tell me.'
There had been other occasions on. which Malacou, when uttering on a subject, had suddenly been inspired to add particulars of which he had not previously been aware. That had happened in this case, and it had given Gregory a very nasty moment.
`You are right, Herr Parteifuhrer,' he replied. `It is Herr Himmler; but I thought it more tactful not to name him.'.
Bormann glowered. `It's as well for you that you did not. Are you sure of this?'
Gregory shrugged. `How can I be? I can only say that I have confidence in the Turk's predictions.'
`I see. Well, this must be stopped. At the moment, if Himmler were free to come frequently to Berlin he would exert a bad influence on the Fuhrer.'
As Goering had told Gregory that Bormann was scheming to replace him as Hitler's successor and that Bormann, regarding Himmler as his most serious rival, had got him out of the way by securing for him the command of an Army Group, Gregory knew what was really in Bormann's mind. But he simply bowed and said, 'Herr Parteifuhrer, you may rely on me to accept your guidance at all times.'
The following afternoon the storm broke. Guderian, the Chief of the General Staff, arrived with a letter from Himmler in which he asked to be relieved of his command on the grounds of ill health. A conference was called and those on the far side of the partition heard a battle royal take place, with shouts and screams, between the Fьhrer and his General.
Later, Gregory learned that Guderian had defied Hitler and told him that Himmler had proved such a disaster as an Army Group Commander that he had forced him to offer his resignation, then insisted that it be accepted. Keitel and Jodi had, as usual, played for safety by saying, the Fьhrer was the best judge, while Bormann had insinuated that this was another plot to weaken the Fьhrer’s control of the armed forces. After hours of wrangling Hitler, near collapse, had got up from the table and, mumbling that he would `think it over', staggered off to his room.
On the following day Gregory heard about the other letter. It had been from Albert Speer. In it he had stated his conviction that Germany 's situation was now hopeless, so an armistice should be asked for in order to save Germany 's cities from further bombing and conserve as much industrial plant as possible to aid in Germany 's recovery. The letter invoked another outburst of self pity in the Fuhrer and vituperation against the young Minister who had made his dreams of magnificent buildings and splendid autobahns come true. But he took no action.
Malacou had told Gregory that it was his belief that Speer was now actively plotting to put an end to Hitler and as that, above all things, was what they desired they had at the stance done their best to protect him. One thing was certain. He was the only decent and honest man in the whole of Hitler's court.
On March 22nd Hitler suddenly made up his mind about Himmler and, despite Bormann's endeavours to prevent him, accepted his resignation.
Gregory immediately took alarm; for that could lead to Himmler visiting the bunker and it was possible that he might bring Grauber with him. He endeavoured to calm his fears by the thought that at least for some days that was unlikely. But, with Koller's consent, he used the private line from the Air Ministry to Karinhall to telephone Goering and also, with apparent casualness, took the first opportunity that offered to discuss the results of Himmler's resignation with his representative at Fьhrer H.Q., the horrid little ex jockey, Obergruppenfiihrer Fegelein.
From both sources he received reassurances. Himmler had had a breakdown and was unlikely to leave the clinic at Hohenlychen for some time, while Grauber was remaining on the Russian front to keep an eye on General Heinrici, who had been appointed as Himmler's successor in command of the Army Group.
Yet Hitler, with his now chronically illogical assessments, having decided on Guderian's advice that Himmler must be replaced, suddenly made up his mind to get rid of the unpopular but extremely able Panzer expert too; so overnight Guderian was replaced as Chief of Staff by Colonel-General Krebs.