War Girls Complete Collection Chapter 251

Chapter 29

T

he Americans treated them well, and after more than a month at the compound, both Richard and Katrina almost felt at home. Life settled into a pseudo-rhythm punctuated by the departure and arrival of a never-ending stream of expellees. Richard figured out a way to deal with the guilt he felt over his part in the identification of former SS members. In fact, after one particular incident, he returned to Katrina, and instead of being upset and riddled with guilt, he felt vindicated.

“What happened?” she asked as he barged into the room with a positive energy he hadn’t felt in quite a while.

“I guess I’m finally seeing the usefulness of my work.”

“Well now, you’ve got me hooked,” she said with a cheeky grin. “Spill it.”

“There was this man today. He’d tried to hide beneath civilian clothes and when asked he pretended to be a simple soldier in the ranks of the Wehrmacht. But it didn’t take many questions to bring the truth to light.”

“And he was?”

“SS-Sturmbannführer.” Richard remembered that she probably didn’t know about the SS ranks and explained, “That’s a high-up officer, comparable to a major in the army. Once we confronted him with it, he didn’t even deny it. In fact, he started a hateful tirade about the Slavic

Untermenschen

who deserved to be treated like the vermin they were.”

Katrina gasped. “You’ve got to be kidding?”

Richard shook his head. “He even went as far as acting shocked that he should be punished for annihilating the vermin. Had the guts to ask the colonel if they had pest exterminators in America and if they punished the men working for pest-control companies. I had to restrain myself from standing up and punching his arrogant smile from his face.”

“I’m proud you didn’t punch him,” Katrina said, smiling at him.

“Believe me, it was hard enough. The vile things he said were enough to make even Dennis, whose German is abysmal, feel ill. I could see him balling his fists under the table and he would have punched that bastard to death if his superiors hadn’t been sitting in the same room. Today, I am finally convinced that I’m doing a good thing. That asshole is a good example of why everyone hates us Germans.” With the force of his story, he’d talked himself into a rage, still reeling from the impact of how a sufficiently intelligent human being could be so blinded by hate.

“Shall we take a walk before dinnertime?” she asked him, but Richard had different things on his mind, and crept his hands beneath her blouse.

“I’d rather have you distract me in a more pleasurable way.”

The next day

Richard returned to his work with a much lighter heart. His days continued in the same rhythm until one day Dennis said, “Pretty good work you’re doing here.”

“Thanks, fella.”

“By the way, we’re pulling out of Czechoslovakia. You should talk to the colonel about what will happen to you and your girl.”

“Will do.” Richard nodded, dumbfounded. He hadn’t heard that rumor and naturally, he worried about their future if his time working for the Amis came to an abrupt end. He returned to the barracks, where Katrina waited for him.

“You look worried, my darling,” she greeted him.

Once more he was surprised at her receptiveness to his moods. “The Americans are leaving Czechoslovakia.”

“Oh… that’s quite the news. What will happen to us?” she asked.

“I don’t know. Dennis suggested I go talk to the colonel in the morning.”

“That might be a good idea. He might even grant us a travel permit to Berlin.” She put on the kerchief to hide the stubble growing on her head, looking positively glowing with the smallest bump forming in her belly.

Richard could only gape at her in awe. Pregnancy seemed to be agreeing with her, as she grew more stunning by the day. He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “Beautiful.” She blushed at his compliment and he kissed her forehead.

“Let’s go for dinner. How are you feeling?”

“Fine.” Despite the boredom she endured sitting idle in the barracks she never once complained. He admired how well she’d accommodated to living among the soldiers. By now everyone in the garrison knew and respected her and she’d even helped out several times, accompanying a delegation of Americans into town and translating for them.

“I love you, sweetheart.” Richard pressed another kiss on her forehead and led her to the mess tent.

In the morning he headed for Colonel Sinclair’s office and asked to speak with him.

“Klausen,” the colonel greeted him. “What brings you here?”

“Sir, Private Jones told me that the Americans are leaving Czechoslovakia next week.”

“You’re well informed. Our higher-ups have come to an agreement with the Soviet Union.” By the way the colonel’s face contorted into a grimace, Richard could tell he wasn’t pleased by the new orders.

“I was wondering what was to happen to me and Katrina then?” Richard asked.

“Well…” The colonel scratched his head. “I’m not yet sure what our new marching orders will be and whether we’ll still have a need for your services.”

“May I ask for a favor?” Richard decided to chance his luck. As much as he appreciated the opportunity the Americans had given him, he still longed to return to his family in Berlin.

“Speak up.”

“My fiancée and I would like to travel to Berlin and find my family.”

The colonel shook his head. “Berlin? I’m sorry, but that’s outside my authority. While the city itself is partly under American control, you need to cross the Russian sector to reach it. And there’s no way for me to issue proper traveling documents for you at this point in time.”

Colonel Sinclair must have seen the defeated look on Richard’s face, because he added, “For what it’s worth, I can make inquiries on your behalf, but let me warn you that our relations with the Russians aren’t the best.”

“Much appreciated, but that won’t be necessary,” Richard said and thought for a moment. “I have an aunt living near Munich. Would it be possible to go there?”

“Munich?” the colonel asked, walking over to a huge map hanging on the wall.

“Yes, sir.” Richard joined him and pointed to a spot about seventy miles southwest of the Bavarian capital. “Right here, in Kleindorf.”

Colonel Sinclair studied the map before he answered. “That shouldn’t be a problem, since you wouldn’t leave the American zone. As soon as our work is finished here, I’ll issue temporary papers for you and get you on a train to Munich.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The colonel gazed at him for a few moments with a thoughtful expression on his face. “I never thought I’d say this, because I was intent on hating all Germans, but you’re really a good fellow. Return tomorrow for your papers.”

“Yes, sir.” Richard wanted to scream with delight. After their arduous journey, he and Katrina would finally be on their way to Aunt Lydia’s farm.