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Previ ewA Complete Story by IAN LASRYCOLONEL STERTZ was jittery. It wasn’t because he was in charge of an artillery strongpoint on the Channel defences that his Fuehrer had boasted about so often—after all, Colonel Stertz was a man of courage who had served in two wars —but a certain propensity of his Supreme Commander had him definitely nervy.Field-Marshal von Runstedt had astrong liking for delegating certain of his high officers to make flying visits without warning, to just such establishments as that of Colonel Stertz, and In spite of the most meticulous preparation, their comments were often extremely scathing, and seldom at all complimentary.Colonel Stertz was himself a martinet for discipline, but he failed to see. as a reasonable man, how his soldiers could constantly be in a state of parade-ground smartness.They had to sleep, they had to eat, they had to work, and the visits by Herr von Runstedt's Staff did not- take cognisance of time, circumstance, or anything else. Stertz’s bushy eyebrows contracted as he thought of the remarks addressed to him by that whip-persnapper at the last visit. That, at least, wouldn't happen again. He had arranged a neat little system of advance information that-The phone on his desk rang once. He picked up the receiver.“Stertz.”“Oh, Stertz. it's Klaus here.”“Yes, Klaus.”“Some visitors are coining your way. They left here ten minutes ago. So turn out the guard, Stertz.COLONEL STERTZ smiled. “Thanks, Klaus. It’s very useful to know these things beforehand.” He put up the receiver.This was going to be very convenient indeed. He pressed a button. The inter-office phone came to life.“Sir?“Trial emergency. Captain. I shall be timing you.”Colonel Stertz sat back aiid waited. Around him whistles blew, footsteps hurried, distant commands were barked. Then there was silence. A green light glowed near the Colonel'sleft hand. The reedy voice of the office phone made itself heard.“Ready, sir.”“Four minutes. Captain. Fairly good. You will tell your men to stay at their posts until further orders.”“Yes, sir.”Stertz sat back. Everything was in readiness. Let the damned visitors come. He lit a cigarette and drew on it luxuriously.It was not more than ten minutes later that a lieutenant knocked and entered. He looked uneasy. Colonel Stertz smiled. “Yes?”“There are visitors, Colonel—and particularly one visitor, sir.”“Yes, Lieutenant?”“Field-Marshal Rommel, sir”Stertz stood up suddenly. His cigarette was ground into the ashtray. His precautions were doubly welcome now!“I am ready, Lieutenant.” He hurried down the stone passageway to the reception room near the concrete door.“Heil Hitler!” He saw the well-known face turn to him.“Colonel Stertz?”“Yes, sir.” /“I haven’t got much time.” Stertz noticed the guttural accent to which the old Prussian school took such strong exception. “You will show me the whole of this establishment, please. In working order.”Stertz clicked his heels. “It is ready, sir. The men are at their posts for a trial emergency. If you would follow me.” He led the entourage from the room.For the first time in Stertz’s experience. the inspection was a success. Rommel asked innumerable questions, all of them pertinent. His aides apparently preferred to let him talk, for they said very little. Stertz noticed that a staff-captain was • constantly taking notes of what was said. At the end of 25 minutes the last flxed-de-fence gun had been inspected, the last cupola had been examined.They reached the staff-cars. Rommel turned. “I was glad to find such preparedness here.” he said. “Accept my congratulations.” He turned to his aide. You have Colonel Stertz’s message?”Stertz found an envelope handed to him.kV-f#L*\\ /Thera ere visitors, Colonel—and particularly one visitor, sir.“You will open and read that message one hour after we leave—not before, Colonel. You understand?”“Yes, sir.“Hell Hitler!”“Heil Hitler!”Colonel Stertz looked curiously at the envelope in his hand when he got back to his office. He knew only too well the danger of opening it before the stated time. Somebody might require that envelope to be produced before the hour was up—unopened.The minutes ticked by. Colonel Stertz looked up at the clock. The minute hand was just moving over the four o’clock mark. One hour.He reached for the envelope and slit it open. A slip of typewritten paper fluttered out, and he snatched it up impatiently. Its wording was brief and to the point:—“Many thanks. Colonel Stertz. You have been most helpful and instructive. Sincerely yours.Allied Expeditionary Force-Advanced Elements.
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Mon, Jan 01, 0001
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Michael S.
WI, USA 15 Feb 2022
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