Opening Moves

The greater the state, the more wrong and cruel its patriotism, and the greater is the sum of suffering upon which its power is founded.

Leo Tolstoy

0104 hrs Monday, 6th August 1945, Enns, US Occupied Upper Austria.

Finally, the barge nudged into the modest moorings at their destination. After a long journey up the Donau, they had turned into the tributary river, also bearing the name of the city they were about to enter.

Enns was asleep, or so it seemed, the sole sounds of note were now the gurglings of its eponymous river, although the striking of one o’clock by the clock in the famous Enns Tower had only recently faded away into the night.

Uhlmann and Braun were tucked away in the hold, and Pförzer left Shandruk in the wheelhouse as he greased the palm of the bored sentry, who immediately slid away to secrete his bottle of Stroh rum, ready to sample later when he was relieved.

Quickly the group converged on the wooden stage and followed Pförzer’s giant frame as it slid between flimsy wooden structures before stopping at the door of a solid brick building.

With the padlock removed, Pförzer opened the door and counted the group in before closing it behind him.

It was pitch black inside but clearly Hub knew his way around and within seconds two candles were burning brightly, granting enough light for the surroundings to become clear. Within the building, whatever it was, for there were no openings save the one door, the roving eyes saw crate after crate of goods. Bottles of whisky and wine, stacks of cigarettes, smoked meats hanging from ceiling hooks. There were perfumes, nylons, and army ration boxes by the dozen.

Rolf picked up an opened bottle of Courvoisier Napoleon Champagne cognac and then marvelled at the dozen or so bottles on the shelf behind it.

“Unfortunately Kameraden, we need clear heads tonight, “ said Pförzer, carefully taking the Courvoisier from Rolf’s hands and indicating some bottles of Hungarian ‘Egri Bikavér’ and olive drab cans of Budweiser beer.

A bottle of the ‘Egri’ or ‘Bull’s Blood’ as it was more commonly known was quickly opened. Small measures were poured whilst Pförzer scurried around the storeroom, gathering food which he set before them on a wooden board perched on a crate.

A reasonably fresh loaf of bread was hacked open and consumed with slices of Liptauer cheese, frankfurter sausages, and cornichons. A stone jar of Powidl apricot jam appeared and swiftly became a favourite with Shandruk.

Quickly disappearing into his treasure trove, Pförzer returned with three wristwatches, giving each man one in turn, British Army Vertex style for Uhlmann and Shandruk, and a US Army Hamilton design for Braun.

Once the edge was off their hunger and they had settled to more relaxed eating, Pförzer set out his plan.

“As you can see, I am not unfamiliar with the city of Enns, Kameraden.”

He pushed the Liptauer to one side and put down a sheet of paper. Pulling a pencil from an inside pocket, he quickly drew a few lines and squares.

Looking up to make sure all were paying attention, he continued.

“This is the Hotel Lauriacum, where tonight sleeps the man we need to see.” The pencil switched locations. “Here is the place where my American friend is billeted.”

He indicated some lines running back from the billet to the square that obviously represented their present location.

“This is the track I use to conduct my business with him. I think we should be ok getting close to here,” he indicated one of the horizontal lines and labelled it ‘Basteig’ and made a circle.

“This is a fire damaged house. Deserted. It will be safe enough and we will stop there.”

He stifled a small belch with his one good hand.

“Obviously we have the curfew. I have my papers, which permit me to be out. You three do not, so you must shadow me as I walk openly ok?”

He looked up at Rolf and received an accepting nod.

“Good. I will then go on and speak with my contact. You will be safe there, no problem. However, from that point we have no plan of course, and we must improvise as we go. My friend will help, if I can make him see the urgency of this.”

“And we must go now I think,” Rolf said, putting his hand on Shandruk’s shoulder as another slice of bread and powidl was hastily consumed.

Pförzer looked at his watch.

“Shall we kameraden? Coming up to 0125 hrs”

They all took up their watches, winding and preparing to synchronise.

“On my mark… drei… zwei… ein… mark.”

Candles extinguished, the group left the store, pausing only as Pförzer secured it once more.

They stole forward, hiding in the shadows. A jeep slowly laboured down the track, the sound of its approach giving them plenty of warning and time for even Pförzer to blend into the bushes until it passed. Soon they were all gathered together again in the fire-blackened ruin.

Nothing needed to be said as Pförzer slipped away.