the sons of skanderbeg

7/24/2019 The Sons Of Skanderbeg

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THE SONS OF SKANDERBEG

A.T. Saguinsin

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Copyright@2016 By A. T. Saguinsin

All Rights Reserved

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Dedication

People of Albania, Croatia ,Poland, the Czeh Rep!bli " Frane

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T! S"#S "$ S%A#D!RB!&

TAB'! "$ C"#T!#TS

(rologue

S)ander*eg + The Al*anian ero

The Advent ", -orld -ar

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The Resistance /oveent

Racis and Anti+Seitis nder #ai &erany

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igh (ro,ile !spionage

(oland nvasion

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'i,e in Ausch4it

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!uropean Turoil

The $irst Assassination Attept

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"peration 7al)yrie+ Second Assassination Attept

Third And Su*se8uent Assassination Attepts

The Death o, !r4in Roel

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Atrocities in "ccupied (oland

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Dresden; &erany

'ast Ditch ,or !scapees

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Cechoslova)ia

Cechoslova)ian Resistance /oveents

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&eran "ccupied $rance

"radour+Sur+&lane aute+ 7ienne; $rance

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Atrocities at "radour+Sur+&lane

Testiony o, a Survivor+=une 1<55

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"peration Anthropoid

The unt ,or the Assassins

Revenge $or eydrich>s Death

oage ,or Reinhard eydrich

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7ichy; $rance

=asenovac; ndependent State o, Croatia

Testiony o, an Author

A Tale o, a orror Church

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'i,e and Atrocities in =asenovac

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'ioges; $rance

/ountains o, 'idice; Cechoslova)ia

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Al*ania

taly nvades Al*ania

&erany nvades Al*ania

Resistance /oveents Arise

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7ichy; $rance

Allies land in #orandy

$all o, Berlin

!pilogue

The &eran Roots

Does #ais Still !?ist

BB'"&RA(

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(rologue

So#e portion$ of thi$ boo% that ontain offen$i&e $ene$ are !nedited in order to re&eal the

tr!e e&ent$ that tran$pired d!rin' the horrible (ear$ of )orld )ar ** in tho$e onentration a#p$

and &illa'e$ of +a$eno&a, Croatia, A!$hitz, Poland and Orado!r-S!r-Glane in Frane.

Thi$ boo% ontain$ ord$ and phra$e$ that #a( not be $!itable for (o!n' a!diene$ or

reader$. Parental '!idane i$ hi'hl( reo##ended. /i%ei$e, ad!lt$ ho ha&e le$$ tolerane for

$tre$$in' re#ar%$, offen$i&e ord$ and phra$e$ are ad&i$ed to a&oid tho$e $ene$ in thi$ boo%.

So#e e&ent$, na#e$ and plae$ #entioned in thi$ boo% are fat!al a$ the( for# part of theat!al e&ent$ that o!rred in hi$tor(, hoe&er, the na#e$ that appear in the ar $tor( are

fititio!$. An( $i#ilarit( in the na#e$ of real entitie$ are oinidental to #a%e the $tor( reali$ti.

- The A!thor

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S)ander*eg + The Al*anian ero

S%anderbe' in Albania #ean$ 0 A )arrior Kin' of Albania. A Protetor and Nationali$t. A

national hero of Albania1. *t ha$ beo#e a #(th for 'eneration$ *t a$ #ade a !nder'ro!nd

re$i$tane in #e#or( of it$ heroi ori'in. The na#e S%anderbe' a$ e&en !$ed b( the in&adin'

Ger#an SS Di&i$ion S%anderbe' in Tirana, Albania.

S%anderbe' i$ the title of an Albanian hero, Geor'e Ka$trioti, or Ca$triota, Albanian G2er'2

Ka$trioti 3born 4567, northern Albania8died +an. 49, 45:;, /ezh<, Albania=. Hi$ na#e, *$%ander

a$ 'i&en to hi# b( S!ltan >!rad ** after Ale?ander the Great ith the ran% of be( 3hene

S%anderbe'=.

S%anderbe' i$ $o#eti#e$ alled the Dra'on of Albania. Hi$ father, G2on Ka$trioti, lord of

#iddle Albania, and hi$ #other @o2$a&a a$ fro# >aedonia. G2on a$ a re$i$tane leader ho

fo!'ht the in&adin' Otto#an$ b!t e&ent!all( $!b#itted and honored S!ltan Ba(ezid *. G2er'2 3or

Geor'= , li%e hi$ father G2on ere ta%en ho$ta'e$ b( Otto#an$ to the S!ltan$ o!rt and on&erted

Geor' into *$la# to a$$!re G2on$ lo(alt( to the S!ltan$.

Geor'e Ka$trioti $t!died at the #ilitar( $hool in Edirne, T!r%e(. D!rin' hi$ a#pai'n a'ain$t

the H!n'arian$, S%anderbe' too% Kr!2e Ca$tle and delared ar a'ain$t the Otto#an$ ieldin' hi$

fla' bearin' the do!ble-headed ea'le hih had lon' been !$ed a$ the $(#bol in the Albanian fla'and in the Bal%an$ a$ ell. S%anderbe' o&er poered the lar'e ar#( of the Otto#an e#pire led b(

Ali Pa$ha in 4555 and $!eeded b( to #ore &itorie$ o&er >o%er in 4557 and Orani% in 4559.

Thin%in' that the Otto#an$ o!ld be able to $ie'e Kr!2e Ca$tle in 4576, a h!ndred tho!$and

$oldier$ ere $ent 2!$t to be held ba% b( the rapidl( $preadin' di$ea$e hih fored the# to

retreat and abandon the planned $ie'e before the ad&ent of inter $ea$on.

@enie i$ $i'nifiant in the hi$tor( of Albania that at the be'innin' of the Albanian !phea&al,

S%anderbe' a$ $!pported b( @enie. S%anderbe'$ fore$ ere reo'nized to be a $!pport fore

beteen @enie and the Otto#an e#pire. Hoe&er, S%anderbe'$ ri$e to poer on the border$

$addened @enie and on$idered hi# a$ a threat to their intere$t$. Hene, their relation$ or$ened

and the di$p!te o&er the fortre$$ of Da'n!# tri''ered ar beteen Albania and @enie in 4559-

455;.

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The @enetian$ e&en offered reard$ to an(one ho o!ld a$$a$$inate S%anderbe' and $o!'ht

e&er( #ean$ to o&erthro hi#. The Otto#an$ ere e&en in&ited to $ta'e a pre-#editati&e atta%

on S%anderbe' $i#!ltaneo!$l( p!$hin' Albania to a do!ble-onflit ith the Otto#an$ and @enie

fro# the Ea$t. Hoe&er, S%anderbe' a$ $o poerf!l that he defeated the Otto#an$ led b( Pa$ha

and the @enetian fore$ in hih the latter offered a peae treat(. The Otto#an$ did not 'i&e

!p ta%in' Kr!2e Ca$tle, b!t thi$ ti#e b( atta%in' Albania fro# all $ide$, th!$ $e&erin' all $!ppl(

line$ and red!in' S%anderbe'$ $tren'th of #obilit(.

S%anderbe' abandoned the T!r%i$h $er&ie d!rin' the defeat of the T!r%$ at Ni$, in Serbia in

455 and 2oined hi$ fello#en in Albania a'ain$t the *$la# fore$. He $!e$$f!ll( rep!l$ed

al#o$t 4 T!r%i$h in&a$ion$ in 4555 -45:: and li%ei$e, in 4576 he &itorio!$l( fo!'ht the ar#(

of >!rad **, th!$, #a%in' hi# a hero thro!'ho!t the )e$tern orld. And (et, the Otto#an$ ere

defeated b!t at that ti#e S%anderbe' a$ $tri%en b( #alaria and died itho!t $eein' the tri!#pho&er the Otto#an$.

Had it not for S%anderbe'$ abilit(, the Albanian re$i$tane o!ld not ha&e had la$ted another

46 (ear$ !ntil it$ fall into the Otto#an E#pire in 459;, heneforth the re$i$tane$ le'a( bea#e

part of the do#inant e#pire !ntil 44. S%anderbe' e#braed Chri$tianit( and for#ed a lea'!e of

Albanian prine$ in hih he a$ appointed leader. He obtained $!pport fro# Naple$, @enie and

a$ na#ed b( Pope Cali?t!$ ***, Captain-General of the Hol( See.

The Advent ", -orld -ar

*t a$ $aid that )orld )ar ** a$ the bloodie$t onflit that the orld ha$ e&er e?periened

ith a death toll of #ore than 76 #illion and it a$ $aid to be a $e!el of )orld )ar * after an

!n$ettled onflit left behind 6 (ear$ later. The onflit &irt!all( in&ol&ed #an( part$ of the orld

d!rin' the (ear$ 4-457 beteen the Allie$- Frane, Great Britain, S, SSR, and A?i$

poer$ - Ger#an(, *tal(, and +apan.

*n the ad&ent of the Ger#an ditator$hip of Adolf Hitler in 4, the latter$ a$piration$ to

e?tend hi$ $o&erei'nt( o&er Poland a$ hi$ initial a#bitio!$ $he#e that o!ld be arried o!t b(

fore b!t fir$t tho!'ht of ne!tralizin' the po$$ibilit( of ho$tile reation b( the So&iet nion bein'

the neare$t of it$ nei'hbor that o!ld pa!$e a 'reat threat to hi#. Ger#an( and the So&iet nion

ne'otiated and re$!lted in the $i'nin' of the Non-A''re$$ion Pat beteen Ger#an( and the

So&iet nion in >o$o. Hoe&er, a $eret protool of the Pat di$lo$ed the partition of Poland

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beteen the# in the e&ent of an( po$$ibilitie$. /i%ei$e, Hitler$ ation o!ld be ha#pered b( the

>!nih Pat that '!aranteed #ilitar( $!pport fro# Frane and Britain in the e&ent Poland a$

atta%ed. The $tor( ontin!ed.

On the other $ide of the oin a$ A$ia. +apan, an A?i$ all( of Ger#an( a$pired to on!er the

entire A$ian ontinent b( la!nhin' it$ fir$t le' of in&a$ion a'ain$t China in 49. Hene, ar in

E!rope $par%ed and $pread li%e a ild fire. A$ Ger#an o!pation ontin!ed en'!lfin' the

E!ropean ontinent ith atroitie$, $o ere the re$i$tane fore$ be'an to be or'anized in #an(

loalitie$ of the $tate$ to defend their li&e$ ith di'nit( and $o&erei'nt(.

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1

The Resistance /oveent

An or'anized 'ro!p of $oiali$t-elite $oldier$ fro# Albania alled S%anderbe' hih had been

operatin' in Frane at the o!tbrea% of ar a$ #obilized and di$per$ed in $trate'i loation$ to

#onitor and ea%en the Ger#an defen$e a'ain$t Frane and !lti#atel( a$$a$$inate Hitler and hi$

%e( offier$. So#e of the$e $oiali$t $oldier$ on$i$ted of +ei$h-Albanian$ ho had been

$p(in' the Ger#an fore$ $ine it$ entr( to Frane. Their Ger#an a$ 'ood a$ ell a$ their

En'li$h. Con$e!entl(, Hitler$ hi'h #ilitar( o##and a$ !ndeniabl( o#po$ed of half-+ei$h-

Ger#an #ilitar(- General$, Colonel$, >a2or$ and Captain$ .

So#e of the# o!ld hardl( bear the atroitie$ the )affen SS did to the +e$ hen the(

enfored Hitler$ Final Sol!tion - the Holoa!$t. B!t it a$ all ditated b( the F!hrer to arr( o!t

ith hih the( had to li&e on, otheri$e, the( o!ld ha&e their li&e$ $arified for $(#pathizin'

ith the +e$. And (et, for the $a%e of h!#anit( the re$i$tane had to perfor# a noble #i$$ion in

e?han'e for their li&e$ than to li&e in $ha#ele$$ &itor( ith an e&il ditator.

So#ehere in Berlin, Ger#an(, a lande$tine re$i$tane #o&e#ent ithin the Nazi #ilitar(and other 'o&ern#ent depart#ent$ had ropped !p to for#ation and ollaboration in&ol&in'

+ei$h #ilitant$ a'ain$t Hitler$ Final Sol!tion and Holoa!$t. The #o&e#ent a$ or'anized and

led b( o!ple Erzen and +ora Kel#endi, both +ei$h-Albanian$ and ed!ated in Ger#an( to

beo#e ae pilot$ before the o!tbrea% of ar. *n the ad&ent of for#in' a re$i$tane #o&e#ent,

the( had learned and o##itted to pat of life and death and hate&er happened to e&er(one in

their re$peti&e re'ional #i$$ion, be it $!e$$f!l or fail!re, e&er(one $ho!ld $tr!''le to e$ape to

Czeho$lo&a%ia for a 'ro!p 'atherin' to 2oin a #other re$i$tane 'ro!p that o!ld liberate the

o!ntr( or ea%en the Ger#an fore$ b( a$$a$$inatin' or eradiatin' Hitler$ top offier$. Fro#

Czeho$lo&a%ia, the( o!ld proeed and $ettle to their #other land, Albania. Their #ain ob2eti&e

a$ to #er'e ith a do#inant re$i$tane #o&e#ent to liberate the nation fro# *tal( and fi'ht the

in&adin' fore$ of Hitler. Albania o!ld be the o!ntr( here +ei$h per$e!tion a$ not that

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br!tal than in Poland, Croatia, !'o$la&ia and other E!ropean $tate$ that ere o!pied b(

Ger#an(. /i%ei$e, the( o!ld $tart a ne life hen Albania a$ alread( liberated fro# in&ader$.

Erzen a$ >a2or and +ora a$ Captain in their earl( thirtee$36$=. )ith the# ere a n!#ber

of +ei$h-Albanian$ or%in' in the Nazi Part( $!h a$ Sander Bo'dini, a for#er Pett( Offier of

the Ger#an Na&( ho #i'rated to Frane and ent ba% to Ger#an( to 2oin the na&( in the earl(

6$ , he later bea#e Na&( Co##ander. Ger#an Ar#( Captain Ia#il /e%a, ho had been

ollaboratin' ith Nazi SS Offier$ in @ih( hen >ar$hall Petain fla!nted hi$ alle'iane to

Hitler altho!'h Frane a$ $till at ar a'ain$t Ger#an(. Ia#il$ parent$ ere both Albanian-+e$

ho #i'rated to Ger#an( hen he a$ a (o!n' bo(. Ia#il /e%a deided to 'o ba% to Ger#an(

to re$!#e hi$ a$$i'n#ent !nder the Ger#an #ilitar( Hi'h Co##and for an i$olated #i$$ion !pon

learnin' the or'anized #o&e#ent to defend the +ei$h people fro# per$e!tion .

Aaron Dei$hi, Ger#an-+ei$h Ar#( >a2or a$$i'ned in the ar#or( of the Ger#an #ilitar(o##and to $trate'i E!ropean re'ion$ here Ger#an #ilitar( a$ la!nhin' #ilitar( offen$i&e.

Aaron$ father a$ Albanian-+e and hi$ #other a$ Ger#an-+e ho $ettled in Ger#an( here

Aaron a$ born. Ariel Shrobber, an Albanian-Ger#an-+ei$h SS #e#ber ho a$ !nfort!nate

to be identified b( a rai$t-re'ional o##ander a$ ha&in' both +ei$h parent$ and a$ a re$!lt 'ot

di$#i$$ed fro# $er&ie. Hi$ Father a$ Albanian-+e and hi$ #other Ger#an-+e.

Hoe&er, he a$ fort!nate eno!'h to be 'i&en a hane to $!r&i&e the e?e!tion. Sa#ron

Fra$heri, Albanian-+e, ho$e parent$ #i'rated and $ettled in Ger#an(. Fra$heri a$ born in

Albania and ret!rned to Ger#an( hen hi$ parent$ ere alread( old. He $t!died at the Ger#an

#ilitar( $hool and $er&ed the Ar#ed fore$ after hi$ $t!die$. Ger#an #ilitar( Ad2!tant Sa#ron

Fra$heri a$ pro#oted to the ran% of Colonel hen Hitler in&aded Frane here the for#er a$

in$tr!#ental in ra%in' don oil re$er&e$ at the Frenh oil depot for ref!elin' Ger#an Panzer

tan%$.

*n appreiation of Fra$heri$ perfor#ane, he a$ o##ended b( hi$ i##ediate $!perior for

ran% pro#otion. Hoe&er, he a$ $!ppo$ed to abandon hi$ po$ition hen he learned that all

+ei$h $oldier$ ere to be di$#i$$ed fro# the $er&ie and $!ffered the on$e!ene of bein' a

+e. B!t, later realized that the inident a$ re'ional and that $er&ie#en o!ld find an option to

lea&e, hoe&er, if the( ere fo!nd '!ilt( of ollaboration and trea$on the( o!ld be e?e!ted on

$i'ht. To help $a&e #illion$ of +e$ fro# rai$# and per$e!tion, he deided to 2oin the

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#o&e#ent. Fra$heri a$ lande$tinel( pa$$in' hi'hl( la$$ified and ollaborati&e infor#ation to

the 'ro!p .

Deep ithin the# a$ ani#o$it( to Hitler$ poli( of Final Sol!tion and Holoa!$t to the

#illion$ of +e$ onfined and #!rdered in the onentration a#p$ in A!$hitz, Poland and

+a$eno&a, Croatia. >a2or )ilhel# Shellnetz, an Albanian-Ger#an-+e ho$e parent$ ere

e?pelled fro# Ger#an 'o&ern#ent $er&ie hen the( ere $!$peted of ollaboratin' ith the

+ei$h #ilitant or'anization. /i%ei$e, General G!?i# Do$ier a Ger#an-+e ith both Ger#an-

+ei$h parent$, $t!died at the Ger#an #ilitar( $hool and $er&ed it$ Ar#ed Fore$ after

'rad!ation. Do$ier ho had o#pa$$ion ith the +e$ a$ lo$el( or%in' at Nazi-Ger#an

>ilitar( Head!arter$ here he a$ handlin' &ital do!#ent$ and other onfidential infor#ation

abo!t Hitler and the Nazi >ilitar( Affair$. B( lande$tine #e$$a'e$ and !ndero&er netor%, the(

ere able to o##!niate and for#ed ollaborati&e or'anization to or% for a o##on 'oal.So#e e&en or%ed in other Ger#an Offie$.

Racis and Anti+Seitis nder #ai &erany

Rai$# or the $o-alled anti-Se#iti$# inten$ified and bea#e e&en #ore hi'hli'hted d!rin'

the Third Reih a$ Hitler deno!ned inferior rae$ other than the Ar(an hih he on$idered a$ a

#a$ter rae. Hitler a$ aare that there ere $e&eral Ger#an-Nazi offier$ and )affen SS in hi$

ar#( and he o!ld hot den( the fat that $o#e of be$t and &al!able offier$ ere half +e$.

General

Erhard >ilh an a&iator d!rin' peaeti#e a$ o##i$$ioned in the Ger#an Air Fore and a

dep!t( of General Her#an Goerin' a$ hief of the /!ftaffe3air fore= . Hoe&er, Hitler #i'ht be

a!'ht or $!$pended ith thi$ i$$!e b( 2!$t $i'hin', 0 * ill tell (o! and deide ho i$ a +e .1

*n fat, there ere aro!nd 47 or #ore +ei$h-General$ and a h!ndred tho!$and $oldier$

o#pri$in' the Nazi #ilitar( and at lea$t 6$oldier$ ere aarded the Kni'ht$ Cro$$, the hi'he$t

Ger#an deoration 'i&en to the +ei$h $oldier$ So#e +e$ in the Ger#an #ilitar( pratied their

reli'ion d!rin' the ar. Hoe&er, hen a deree a'ain$t the +e$ for the Final Sol!tion a$

prolai#ed !pon the in&a$ion of Poland e&en the Ger#an $oldier$ of +ei$h de$ent $er&in' in the

ar#( ere di$har'ed fro# the $er&ie and o!ld ha&e to r!n for their li&e$ or e$ape $o#ehere

to $!r&i&e and e&ade per$e!tion.

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A for#er +ei$h $oldier, na#ed Ariel Shrobber a$ di$#i$$ed in fro# the ea$tern front of

the Ger#an #ilitar( o##and before the Poland in&a$ion in 4 . pon train' fro# a

do!#ent 'athered b( a Ge$tapo, he a$ identified b( the rae re$earher a$ a diret +ei$h

de$endant of both +ei$h parent$.. Ge$tapo, a $eret polie of the Nazi Ger#an( and the #o$t

elite polie-deteti&e ith %een le'al %noled'e and $%ill$ in $le!thin' a$ the #o$t na$t( a#on'

the Nazi $er&ie !nit.

To 'i&e hi# a hane he a$ e?iled in a re#ote area in Poland here he had to $!r&i&e the

ri'or$ of life a#on' the +e$. He fo!nd hi#$elf al%in' in the r!in$ of a ertain ton in Poland

here he had to deal ith $tran'er$ ho# he did not %no hether Nazi ollaborator$ or o##on

people.

0 * %no ho (o! ere and ho (o! are no 0 $i'hed a #!$tahed #an ho loo%ed li%e in hi$

late 56$. 0 HoJ1 he a$%ed.

0 o!r d!$t( oat ith faded b!tton$ le$$ (o!r na#e plate.1

0 So#e #ore J1

0 o!re a +e 0

0 Are (o! 'oin' to $hoot #eJ He a$%ed.

0 Oh no. Dont orr(. >e and #( friend$ are Chri$tian$ and e dont are abo!t (o!r reli'ion.

Thi$ i$ ar 0 The #an in&ited Ariel in$ide the r!in$ here there ere aro!nd $i? ar#ed-#en.

The #an introd!ed hi#$elf a$ Aaron. The( 'a&e hi# a loaf of bread

0 )hat ha&e (o! been doin' here J1 Ariel a$%ed

0 )ere re$i$tane #e#ber$ and e&e been fi'htin' the in&ader$ $ine then. So#e of #( #en

ere %illed b( the $tron' Ger#an fore$. Panzer$ ha&e left thi$ plae in r!in$. 0

0 )here do (o! thin% (o!re 'oin' noJ1 Aaron added.

0* a# onf!$ed,1 Ariel replied

0 )ill (o! $till fi'ht for the Nazi J1 Aaron a$%ed.

Aaron$ 'larin' e(e$ ere $o in&itin' to #ean 2oinin' hi$ 'ro!p.

0 Thin% abo!t itJ1 he added.

0 * ha&e nohere to 'o. Ho an * helpJ1 Ariel a$%ed

0 o!re a bi' help for !$1 Aaron deli'htedl( replied.

0 )hile (o!r Ger#an i$ 'ood * ill 'i&e (o! a hallen'in' #i$$ion.1 Aaron $aid.

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The folloin' #ornin' the( fi?ed the#$el&e$ and $tarted to tread their a( o!t of the r!ined

ton$ tr(in' to a&oid ini#ial ele#ent$ hile &i'ilant of the threat of the SS $oldier$ b!t #o$t

parti!larl( the &iio!$ e(e$ of the Ge$tapo.

0 )hat ha&e (o! 'ot thereJ1 Aaron a$%ed.

0 >( identit( do!#ent$1 he replied a$ he p!t o!t hi$ folded do!#ent$.

0 Can * !$e the$e J1 he a$%ed.

0 e$. O!r Ger#an ontat i$ a +ei$h >a2. )ilhel# Shellnetz in Kra%o. He ill ta%e are of

e&er(thin'. Ta%e #one( for the ti%et1 Aaron a$%ed.

The( hid and left their eapon$ alon' their a( hen approahin' the raila( $tation here a

n!#ber of SS $oldier$ ere patrollin' the &iinit( hile the( %ept an e(e to #en in oat and

'entle hat, the Ge$tapo. The( be'an to di$per$e and al% in $eparate a($ in the $tation after

$e!rin' eah on ti%et.0 )here are (o! headin' J1 The ti%etin' Offier a$%ed.

0 Kra%o.1 Ariel replied.

A #an in 'ra( oat $lol( approahed hi# a$ he $en$ed it a$ a Ge$tapo. He $po%e in

Ger#an and a$%ed to $ee hi$ do!#ent$ 3 in En'li$h=

0So, (o!re a di$#i$$ed $oldier and aitin' for (o!r fate1 he a$%ed $ara$tiall(.

0 e$. And * a# headin' to $teel plant in Kra%o to #a%e #($elf prod!ti&e.1

)hile the Ge$tapo a$ interro'atin' Ariel, Aaron approahed the#

0 And ho$e a!thorit( i$ $endin' (o! to Kra%o to or% thereJ1 he ontin!ed.

0 E?!$e #e, Sir. That 'entle#an i$ a$$i'ned to or% in Kra%o $ine he i$ a for#er SS $oldier.

He i$ 'i&en a hane to or% and li&e b( the Ger#an #ilitar( o##and in Ger#an(.1 Aaron $aid.

0 And ho are (o! to interr!pt #( 2obJ1 he a$%ed and $tared $harpl( at Aaron.

B!t Aaron a$ fir# and ontin!ed to e?plain to on&ine the polie. He %ne that Ge$tapo a$

$o %een and $#art to %no the r!le$.

0 Do (o! ha&e an( identit( paper$J1 the Ge$tapo a$%ed.

Aaron $hoed hi$ le'al identit( do!#ent$ hile the Ge$tapo %eenl( read and e&al!ated it$

ontent$. The Ge$tapo pa!$ed for a hile a$ he loo%ed $trai'ht to the e(e$ of Aaron ith do!bt

and $%eptii$#.

15



.

0* a# the e#i$$ar( fro# Kra%o ho ill a$$i$t hi# to 'et there. Sir, it ill be lear and hi'hl(

appreiated if (o! ill allo #e to all the #ilitar( detah#ent in Kra%o and let (o! tal% ith

the Dep!t( o##ander.1 Aaron a$%ed.

0 o!re hallen'in' #e to hear the tr!th. Then, proeed.1 He a$%ed a$ he handed ba% the

do!#ent$ to hi#. Aaron folded and !i%l( %ept it in$ide hi$ oat.

Aaron $tepped forard to the telefon orner that a$ appro?i#atel( fi&e $tep$ aa( fro#

here the( ere $tandin'. *n a fe #in!te$ he a$ able to ontat >a2or )ilhel# Shellnetz, the

dep!t( o##ander hile the Ge$tapo ontin!ed hi$ irritatin' in!i$iti&ene$$ to Ariel abo!t hi$

do!#ent$. Aaron alled hi$ attention and 'ot the phone and be'an tal%in' ith Shellnetz. Aaron

approahed Ariel and aited for the Ge$tapo. After a hile the Ge$tapo handed don the telefon

and approahed the#.

0 Alri'ht, (o! in thi$ ti#e. B!t dont be $o $!re of (o!r$el&e$. o! #a( 'o.1 He $aid.The to left hi# itho!t a ord hen the train a$ $een approahin'. Not $o far ere their

#e#ber$ abo!t to ride the train ho ere $tep$ aa( fro# the SS $oldier$. The( #ade it to the

train and #o&ed a!tio!$l( in the pre$ene of Nazi in$petor$ ho$e ar#$ ere $trapped ith

$a$ti%a e#ble#. The( had to $top in $!b$e!ent Ger#an he% point$ for in$petion and if

nee$$ar( the( had to 'et off for refre$h#ent at the $tation$ offee $hop.

16



.

2

igh (ro,ile !spionage

Soon the( arri&ed at the Ger#an #ilitar( detah#ent in Kra%o and #et >a2. Shellnetz.

The( ere led to an i$olated roo# and be'an to onfer their plan$. Aaron e?plained the $tat!$ of

Ariel bein' a di$#i$$ed SS $oldier and a'reed ith their on$en$!$ to deplo( hi# a$ $p( b(

2oinin' the Ger#an in&adin' fore$ in Poland in the re#ote area here Ariel a$ a$$i'ned and

di$#i$$ed. The( belie&ed that hi$ #ilitar( reord o!ld not be traed $ine he o!ld be rer!ited

b( the Co##and detah#ent that a$ not $o parti!lar abo!t reli'ion a$ lon' a$ one a$ Ger#an

itizen and !alified to $er&e the Nazi re'i#e. The i#pendin' plan to in&ade Poland o!ld

ha$til( re!ire #ore Ger#an itizen$ to enli$t in the #ilitar( for reinfore#ent in re$pon$e to an(

#ilitar( retaliation b( Pole$.

Shellnetz endor$ed Ariel Shrobber to Col. Shneider, hi$ Detah#ent Co##ander, ho a$

not $o parti!lar abo!t an(one$ reli'ion, be it +e, >!$li#, Chri$tian or Co##!ni$t. B!t there

ere $trit thin'$ he o!ld li%e one to obe( and ob$er&e, lo(alt( and hone$t(. Aaron and hi$ #en

ent to different diretion$ for a #i$$ion. Hi$ $!rreptitio!$ #o&e a$ n!#bered and a!tio!$ inthe #id$t of ini#ial ele#ent$ $!rro!ndin' the area, and (et he $tr!''led hi$ a( to radio Erzen

and +ora in Berlin ho ere aitin' for hi#. The re$t of hi$ #en headed to Frane to rer!it

#ore #e#ber$ near the Ger#an-be$ie'ed itie$.

>eanti#e, in the Berlin Hi'h Co##and, Hitler and the a$$e#bl( of hi$ top Nazi offier$ $!h

a$ Gen. Her#an Goerin', Gen. Heinrih Hi##ler , Gen. Erin Ro##el, and Gen. Reinhard

He(drih ere di$!$$in' abo!t the #ilitar( de&elop#ent and a#pai'n in E!rope and Afria.

Ob$er&ant and le&er in thi$ e&ent ere Gen. G!?i# Do$ier ho ala($ had hi$ &ital do!#ent$read( hene&er the F!hrer needed the# a$ he al$o perfor#ed $eretarial ta$% ta%in' #in!te$ of

#eetin' for do!#entation. He had to e?eri$e e?tra a!tion in the pre$ene of other #ilitar(

onfidant$ and $taff aro!nd the F!hrer. *t o!ld be ob$er&ed and noted that hene&er an

a$$e#bl( a$ alled Hitler$ ad2!tant$ and #ilitar( onfidant$ o!ld tend to reate a do!ble o&al

for#ation $!rro!ndin' the F!hrer and hi$ top offier$. *t a$ an apparent 'e$t!re of $e!rin' their

17



.

$afet( fro# an( po$$ible e&ent!alitie$ here&er the( 'o for a #eetin' and in$petion. B!t all the

e&ent$ that tran$pired and all tatial and $trate'i plan$ to be enfored b( the Hi'h Co##and

ere bein' tran$#itted in a &er( $e!re, a!tio!$ and $!rreptitio!$ #anner b( Do$ier.

*n their $#art tehnial and #ethodial apabilit(, Erzen !pon reei&in' all top #ilitar(

$eret$ a$ able to #onitor the #o&e#ent$ of the Ger#an fore$ parti!larl( in Ger#an(, Poland

and Frane. E!ipped ith eapon$ and $ophi$tiated ar #ahine$, Ia#il and hi$ rebel-rer!it$

ho ere deplo(ed to Frane fierel( fo!'ht the Ger#an fore$ to pre&ent the ene#( fro#

penetratin' ton$ and itie$. Sophi$tiated Ger#an Panzer$ and Ger#an >G-5 #ahine '!n$

ere the #o$t feared ar #ahine$ the ene#( had that o!ld in an( !nfort!nate eno!nter o!ld

eradiate and totall( $top the#. Their hane$ of $!r&i&in' in an( eno!nter ere their tatial and

$trate'i plannin' abilit( to re$pond to ritial $it!ation altho!'h the( had inade!ate ar

#ahine$ a$ the ene#( had. The( ble !p brid'e$, !t line$, planted #ine$ and a#b!$hed ran%in'offier$ alon' the road$ and hi'ha($. /i%ei$e, the( 'athered Ger#an a##!nition$ and all $ort$

of '!n$ to be !$ed a'ain$t the#. Sa#ron Fra$heri re#ained at the Ger#an >ilitar( Head!arter$

in Frane for #ore &al!able infor#ation he o!ld feed to Ia#il /e%a pertainin' to $trate'i plan$

of the Ger#an fore$.

*n effet, fr!$tration$ and an'er a#on' the top o##ander$ o!ld beo#e a bi' i$$!e in

hih an(one a#on' the# o!ld not find an( an$er. Ne&erthele$$, the( did not $pend $o #!h

ti#e to a !e$tionable i$$!e the( o!ld not re$ol&e b!t lea&in' it for the #eanti#e $ine there

ere other #ilitar( i$$!e$ to be !nderta%en. The F!hrer and hi$ ri'ht hand, Goerin' tal%ed abo!t

the han'in' $it!ation ithin their operation. He arned hi$ onfidant$ and $taff, 0 Be &i'ilant

and %eep an e(e. 0

Do$ier , not affeted and prepared for an( e&ent!alitie$ $ta(ed al# and a$ at ea$e a$ if

nothin' a$ affetin' hi# and e&er(one ithin the operation. He #o&ed o!ra'eo!$l( onfident

all aro!nd ta%in' ad&anta'e of hi$ po$ition. >!h #ore he tho!'ht of di$$e#inatin' &ital

infor#ation to the #o&e#ent.

0 The plan i$ on. Poland i$ $et for in&a$ion1 he prono!ned.

18



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(oland nvasion

On Septe#ber 4, 4 at 65L56 /!ftaffe atta%ed the Poli$h ton of )iel!n, %illin' at lea$t

4,66 people and r!ined 97 perent of the it(. Th!$, )orld )ar ** had 2!$t be'!n a$ the Ger#an

pre-dreadno!'ht battle$hip Shle$i'-Hol$tein opened fire at the Poli$h #ilitar( depot at)e$terplate in Danzi' on the Balti Sea. At aro!nd 6;L66, itho!t a for#al delaration of ar,

Ger#an troop$ atta%ed near the Poli$h ton of >o%ra hih $tarted the Battle of the Border.

/i%ei$e, on the $a#e da(, Ger#an fore$ atta%ed Poland$ e$tern, $o!thern and northern

border$ folloed b( air $tri%e on Poli$h itie$. The #ain a?i$ of atta% $tarted fro# Ger#an(

proper thro!'h e$tern border of Poland. Atta%$ ori'inated fro# Ea$t Pr!$$ia in the north in

ooperation ith Ger#an-Slo&a% tertiar( atta% b( !nit$ fro# Ger#an-allied Slo&a%ia in the

So!th. All the$e a$$a!lt$ on&er'ed on the Poli$h apital of )ar$a.After a da(, Ger#an troop$ be'an to $tor# the 'ate$ of Poland, in airfield$, itie$, ton$, and

a&en!e$ reatin' #a$$i&e atta% on e$tabli$h#ent$, par%$ a$ Poli$h ar#( e?han'ed fire.

Ho$tilitie$ o!rred da( and ni'ht hile #an( i&ilian$ ere a!'ht in a ro$$fire. >an( ere

%illed hen drop$ of bo#b$ p!l&erized $tr!t!re$ e&er(here hile there a$ no $afe plae to 'o.

The in&a$ion of Poland a$ al$o %non a$ the Septe#ber Ca#pai'n hih a$ partiipated

b( Ger#an(, So&iet nion and a $#all Slo&a% ontin'ent that #ar%ed the be'innin' of )orld )ar

**. *t a$ a ee% after the $i'nin' of the >oloto&-Ribbentrop Pat or the >oloto&-To'o pat

endin' the R!$$ian and +apane$e ho$tilitie$ in the ea$t on Septe#ber 4:, 4. Ger#an( and the

So&iet nion di&ided and anne?ed the entire Poland.

The in&a$ion of Poland a$ al$o %non a$ the Septe#ber Ca#pai'n hih a$ partiipated

b( Ger#an(, So&iet nion and a $#all Slo&a% ontin'ent that #ar%ed the be'innin' of )orld )ar

**. *t a$ a ee% after the $i'nin' of the >oloto&-Ribbentrop Pat or the >oloto&-To'o pat

endin' the R!$$ian and +apane$e ho$tilitie$ in the ea$t on Septe#ber 4:, 4. Ger#an( and the

So&iet nion di&ided and anne?ed the entire Poland.

The So&iet in&a$ion of Ea$tern Poland on Septe#ber 49,4 rendered the Poli$h plan of defen$e ob$olete in aordane ith the >oloto&-Ribbentrop Pat. The Poli$h 'o&ern#ent

onl!ded the defen$e of the Ro#anian Brid'ehead a$ no lon'er fea$ible, th!$, all troop$ ere

all e&a!ated to ne!tral Ro#ania. On Ot :, the So&iet and Ger#an fore$ 'ained f!ll ontrol o&er

19



.

Poland folloin' the Poli$h defeat at the Battle of Ko% that #ar%ed the end of the Seond Poli$h

Rep!bli tho!'h Poland ne&er for#all( $!rrendered.

*n the after#ath of the in&a$ion, !nder'ro!nd re$i$tane or'anization$ for#ed the Poli$h

nder'ro!nd State ithin the territor( of the for#er Poli$h $tate. >an( of the #ilitar( e?ile$

#ana'ed to e$ape Poland and $!b$e!entl( 2oined the Poli$h Ar#ed Fore$ in the )e$t that a$

lo(al to On A!' , 4, Ger#an( $i'ned a non-a''re$$ion pat ith the So&iet nion to

ne!tralize the po$$ibilit( that the So&iet nion o!ld o#e to Poland$ aid. Seretl( di$lo$ed in

the a'ree#ent a$ the ideolo'ial ene#ie$ a'reed to di&ide Poland beteen the#. On A!'!$t 7,

Hitler dela(ed the atta% hen he learned that Britain had $i'ned a ne treat( ith Poland,

pro#i$in' #ilitar( $!pport $ho!ld it be atta%ed. Hene, Hitler ordered the in&a$ion of Poland to

be'in on A!'!$t :. /i%ei$e, Hitler t!rned to propa'anda and #i$infor#ation to fore$tall Briti$h

inter&ention, alle'in' per$e!tion of Ger#an $pea%er$ in ea$tern Poland. Poland be'an to all !pit$ troop$, fearin' i##inent atta%, b!t Britain and Frane per$!aded Poland to defer 'eneral

#obilization !ntil A!'!$t 4 in a la$t dith effort to di$$!ade Ger#an( fro# ar. the Poli$h

'o&ern#ent in e?ile. Nazi diplo#at$ and propa'andi$t$ $ra#bled to head off ho$tilitie$ ith the

)e$tern poer$, b!t on Septe#ber Britain and Frane de#anded that Ger#an( ithdra b(

Septe#ber or fae ar.

At 44 p.#. on Septe#ber , the Briti$h !lti#at!# e?pired, and 47 #in!te$ later Briti$h Pri#e

>ini$ter Ne&ille Cha#berlain ent on national radio to $ole#nl( anno!ne that Britain a$ at ar

ith Ger#an(. A!$tralia, Ne Mealand, and *ndia folloed $!it $hortl( thereafter. At 7L66 p.#.,

Frane delared ar on Ger#an(.

So&iet and Ger#an troop$ #et on a n!#ber of oa$ion$, hoe&er, #o$t of their $phere of

intere$t$ ere $eparated b( ater barrier$.

One re#ar%able e&ent of thi$ %ind happened at Bre$t-/ito&$% on Septe#ber , 4. The

it( hih laid ithin the So&iet $phere of intere$t had been o!pied b( the Ger#an 4th Panzer

Corp$ o##anded b( Gen. Heinz G!derian. B!t, hen the So&iet th Tan% Bri'ade o##anded

b( S. >. Kri&o$hein, the to ne'otiated that Ger#an troop$ o!ld ithdra a$ the So&iet o!ld

enter the it( $al!tin' eah other. E&ent!all(, in Bre$t-/ito&$%, the to o##ander$ elebrated a

2oint &itor( parade before the Ger#an fore$ ithdre in a ne de#aration line. Hoe&er, after

da($ the partie$ had a ho$tile eno!nter near /o -/&i&, /e#ber', hen the Ger#an #o!ntain

infantr( re'i#ent atta%ed a reonnai$$ane detah#ent of the So&iet 5th Bri'ade hih in!rred

20



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a$!altie$ on both $ide$. /ater, the to partie$ ne'otiated hih re$!lted in the on$en$!$ that the

Ger#an troop$ ithdra and the Red Ar#( troop$ entered /&i& on Septe#ber .

>eanti#e, Ariel Shrobber in a lande$tine dialo'!e a$ bein' !r'ed b( >a2.Shellnetz to

re-enli$t in the Ger#an fore$ in the e$tern front of Poland to obtain infor#ation on the troop$

#o&e#ent hile the ar a$ ra'in' in $trate'i re'ion$. *n hi$ illin'ne$$ to arr( on the

re$i$tane$ ob2eti&e, Ariel ent to the e$tern front and abandoned hi$ 2ob in the $teel plant.

0 * 2!$t ant loiter aro!nd here in thi$ ritial ti#e hen the SS and Ge$tapo ill not he$itate to

%ill hen the( learn abo!t #e.1 Ariel e?lai#ed.

0 That o!ld be a helpf!l dei$ion. Good l!% and ta%e are.1 Shellnetz $aid.

And $oon Ariel left for the e$tern front to re-enli$t for the Ger#an ar#(. *n the e$tern

front, hi$ per$onal ba%'ro!nd o!ld not be a #atter b!t one $ho!ld be #ore e?tra a!tio!$ of the

o##andin' offier ho o!ld %no of an( Ger#an-+ei$h $oldier and on$e!entl( a$$i'n hi#in the #o$t ritial battle 'ro!nd. For Ariel Shrobber the 2ob of $p(in' a$ 2!$t be'innin' and he

a$ illin' to $arifie hi$ life for a heroi #i$$ion than die itho!t an( !$e. He too% !p ar#$

and fo!'ht $ide b( $ide for the Ger#an fore$ b!t $till at ar ith Hitler a$ he a$ a!tio!$ of

bein' notied of $parin' $o#e li&e$ of the ene#(. He o!ld tr( to 'et a hane to $ore in the

radio in the #id$t of ho$tilitie$ to rela( hi$ #e$$a'e to Aaron.

All the Ger#an #ilitar( detah#ent$ ere in red alert and #obile a$ Shellnetz a$ ten$ed in

pro&idin' infor#ation to Do$ier in a $e!re and $!rreptitio!$ area bea!$e of the fre!ent

interr!ption$ in the line that a$ bein' !$ed b( the SS $oldier$ in rela(in' o##!niation.

nfort!natel(, Shellnetz$ data feedin' a$ bein' #onitored and interepted at ti#e$ that a!'ht

the attention and $!$piion of an Ad2!tant in the radio roo#. The latter bea#e $%eptial and

realized of the for#er$ treaher(. )itho!t he$itation and !rio$it(, the ad2!tant atte#pted to trap

hi$ ation b( hi$ tehnial %noho and e&ent!all( affir#ed hi$ belief of Shellnetz. The latter

bein' !naare that he a$ alread( bein' the $!b2et of $!$piion a$ repri#anded.

0 *t$ all o&er >a2or Shellnetz .1 Col Shneider $aid, pointin' hi$ /!'er hile fo!r SS $oldier$

!i%l( 'rabbed hi#.

Shellnetz %ept $ilent hile he $lol( p!t hi$ to hand$ at the ba% of hi$ head. To SS tied hi$

ar#$ at the ba% a$ the( dra''ed hi# o!t of the b!ildin'. No trial a$ $er&ed for hi$ offen$e $ine

it a$ trea$on and the prie for thi$ '!ilt i$ death. *##ediatel( he faed the firin' $!ad and

a'ain$t the all blazin' b!llet$ ent thro!'h hi$ bod(.

21



.

*##ediatel( Col. Shneider alerted all )affen SS he%point$ on hi$ a( to the )e$tern Front of

Poland. He a$ $topped, arre$ted and in&e$ti'ated.

0 o! are !nder arre$t Shrobber b( order of Col. Shneider.1 The SS in$in!ated.

0 For hat &alid rea$onJ1 Shrobber a$%ed.

0 For hi'h trea$on1

0 That$ i#po$$ible and profane * a$ di$har'ed fro# $er&ie and no (o! 'onna har'e #e for

hi'h trea$onJ1 he e?lai#ed.

0 Re'ret bein' a +e. o! ere 'i&en a hane to li&e.1

Shrobber a$ onfined in the he% point for da($ !ntil the dei$ion fro# the #ilitar(

detah#ent a$ reei&ed . /ater, Shrobber a$ deported to A!$hitz .

22



.

3

'i,e in Ausch4it

A!$hitz a$ a netor% of onentration a#p$ and e?ter#ination a#p$ b!ilt and operated

b( the Third Reih in Poli$h area$ d!rin' )orld )ar **. *t a$ fir$t b!ilt to hold Poli$h politial

pri$oner$ ho be'an to arri&e in 456. A$ the( arri&ed, fa#ilie$ ere di$e#bar%ed to'ether and

br!tall( $plit !p a$ a Nazi dotor, ordered eah one to reate one of to line$.

0 Split into to $trai'ht line$. o!n' and $tron' #en to the ri'ht and to the left, o#en, hildren

and older #en ho are too ea% and !nfit to or%.1 a Nazi Dotor ordered.

0 )here do e lead the$e (o!n' #en on the ri'htJ1 a$%ed a Nazi Kapo.

0 )here el$e b!t to the labor a#p .1 he replied.

0 B!t fir$t, before (o! proeed, (o! $ho!ld %no the $ta'e$. /ead the$e people to the a#p

pri$oner$, $trip the# off their per$onal belon'in'$ and ha&e their hair !t and $%inned-head. Then,

'i&e eah one of the# $triped pri$on o!tfit$ and a pair of $hoe$. Hoe&er, there i$ a h!'e pile$ of

$hoe$ there that are not paired aordin' to their $ize$. /et the# find the ri'ht pair that ill fit

their feet.1 the Dotor ontin!ed.

After the( ere dre$$ed !p ith $triped pri$on o!tfit. The( fell into line and in an orderl(fa$hion the( al%ed toard$ the re'i$tration booth of the a#p, then had their ar#$ tattooed ith

a n!#ber, and tran$ferred to one of A!$hitz$ a#p$ for fored labor. The ne o#er$ ere

then thron into r!el, hard labor, terrible orld of a#p life. Shrobber bein' $tron' and (o!n'

a$ able to arr( on the fored labor tr(in' to tri% the '!ard$ in the a#p. On the fir$t ee% at

A!$hitz, the ne o#er$ o!ld find o!t the doo#ed fate of their lo&ed one$ that ere lined !p

on the left. Con$e!entl(, $o#e of the# ne&er reo&ered at all.

0 )here are e 'oin'J1 a$%ed an old #an.

0 * dont %no. All * %no i$ that the( anted !$ lean$ed and di$infeted. /et$ 2!$t follo hat

the Kapo $a($.1 Another old #an replied.

/ater, the Kapo 'a&e in$tr!tion$.

0 Alri'ht, e&er(bod( $trip All #ale$, to the $hoer roo#, all fe#ale$ to the other and tho$e ith

hildren, hold the# ti'ht to the $hoer roo# No1 the Kapo $ho!ted.

23



.

0)here do e 'o after the $hoerJ One elderl(- in#ate !rio!$l( a$%ed.

0 )ell, (o! ill 'o to a or%plae b!t (o! ha&e to be di$infeted fir$t.1 the Kapo added.

Fro# the $hoer roo#, the( ere led to a lar'e roo# that loo%ed li%e a lar'e $hoer roo#

ith fa%e $hoer head$ on it$ all$. Apparentl(, the( ere all he$itant to ta%e the $hoer, b!t the(

$lol( proeeded a$ ordered b( the Kapo$ ho !$hered the# to the ante-roo#, ho $!ddenl( $h!t

the door$ of the ha#ber$ . The pri$oner$ $en$ed that $o#ethin' ent ron'.

0The( abr!ptl( $h!t the door J /oo% !p in the roof The( ha&e e?tended a ho$t of 'a$ $#o%e 1

one #iddle-a'ed o#an la#ored.

Then, e&er(one bea#e pani%( and be'an $ho!tin' for help a$ billo$ of $#o%e bea#e

thi%er and en'!lfed the# to death. )o#en held their hildren ti'ht a$ the( $lol( fell holdin'

their ne% and #o!th 'ra$pin' for air and died. *t a$ in$tant and %illed !i%l(. pon realizin'

that it a$ not a $hoer roo#, &iti#$ raled eah other $tr!''lin' to breath fre$h-lean air.Other$ o!ld $rape the door$ !ntil their fin'er$ bled. So#e elderl( e&en la#ored, 0 o!

#!rderer$, (o! heated !$ 1 So#e e&en lan'ed beteen an open $pae of the door and $rathed

the all$ b( their fin'er$ b!t it didnt #a%e an( $en$e at all and 'ot a$ph(?iated to death.

The people on the ri'ht #eant the( o!ld be pri$oner of the a#p and #o$t o!ld later die

fro# $tar&ation, e?po$!re, fored labor, and tort!re. A 'ro!p of pri$oner$ o!ld be $eleted for

a$$i'ned ta$%$ .

0 o!, hat$ (o!r na#eJ1 the Kapo a$%ed.

0 Ariel Shrobber1 he replied.

0 +oin the $eleted fe in the train to 'ather !p all the per$onal belon'in'$ that ha&e been left b(

(o!r o-in#ate$. Sort the# fro# the h!'e pile$ and $tore the# in$ide the areho!$e$.1 He

ontin!ed.

*n$ide the train appeared before the# different per$onal belon'in'$ left behind b( the

pri$oner$. The ite#$ inl!ded lothin', e(e 'la$$e$, #ediine, $hoe$, boo%$, pit!re$, 2eelr( and

pra(er $hal$ o!ld be pa%ed and $hipped ba% to Ger#an(. Shrobber tried to introd!e

hi#$elf to an SS offier ho loo%ed friendl( and approahable.

0 Reall(, (o! ere one a Panzer operator b!t a$ di$#i$$ed bea!$e (o! are +ei$hJ1 an SS

Offier a$%ed.

0 E?atl(. *t $o happened that it a$ a F!hrer$ order b!t * $till belie&e that not all re'ion$ enfored

the $a#e poli(.1 Shrobber in$in!ated.

24



.

0 +!$t #a%e it 'ood and o#e hat #a(. Co#e and * ill #a%e (o! a Kapo in on$ideration of

(o!r bein' a Ger#an $er&ie#an.1 the Offier $aid.

0 Than% (o!1 he replied.

Shrobber a$ led in$ide a a#p of A!$hitz 4 and $a the horrible $it!ation of the

in#ate$.

0 Thi$ i$ a pri$on ithin the pri$on here la-&iolator$ pa( for their rebellio!$ at$ or

di$obediene. Thi$ ill be one of (o!r a$$i'n#ent$ here. * ill lea&e (o! and proeed to (o!r

d!t(1 the SS Offier a$%ed.

Shrobber be'an to roa# aro!nd and he%ed the in#ate$ in their dail( ati&it(. He ob$er&ed

and tal%ed ith other %apo$ i#ple#entin' the r!le$ and arr(in' o!t their d!tie$. *n the ni'ht,

Shrobber a$ a$$i'ned to o&er$ee in#ate$ in their $leep and li%ei$e, $ee nothin' !n!$!al a$

happenin'.0 )hat$ 'oin' on in$ide there J1 Shrobber a$%ed a$ he tried to e?tend hi$ fae in-beteen a

narro indo of the ell$.

0 )ere #a%in' o!r a( on ho fo!r per$on$ o!ld all $leep at the $a#e ti#e in a 4.7 $!are-

#eter-$ize floor area. B!t e o!ld do nothin' b!t to $leep $tandin' o&erni'ht !ntil e $ee another

da( alon' other$ doin' a hard labor.1 One in#ate la#ented.

0 That$ aro!nd 4: $!are foot $ize of an area. Holdin' fo!r per$on$J That$ a terrible

p!ni$h#ent.1 Shrobber hi$$ed.

He #ade another ten $tep$ to the ne?t ell and tried to &i$!alize the dar% roo# thro!'h it$

pal#-$ized openin' at the door.

0 An(bod( ho#eJ *$ an(one thereJ1 he hi$pered.

0 e$, e are here.1 An e?ha!$ted in#ate an$ered in a lo tone.

0 )hat happenedJ )hat$ !pJ1 he a$%ed.

0 )e&e been here for to da($ no for atte#ptin' to e$ape. )e are 'i&en no food nor ater a$

e are de$tined to die fro# $tar&ation and deh(dration.1 An in#ate added.

*n hi$ o#pa$$ion and $(#path(, Shrobber $nea%ed a tin( anteen of ater 2!$t eno!'h the

$ize of the tin( openin' at the door to et their lip$ and ton'!e. /ater, he ent don the $taira$e

#ade of $tone that led hi# beneath to another dar% ell$. B!t he a#e aro$$ another Kapo .

0 )hat$ a r!$hJ1 Shrobber a$%ed.

0 All the pri$oner$ onfined in tho$e lo$ed ell$ ha&e e?pired.1 the Kapo replied.

25



.

0 )hat$ the a!$e J1 he a$%ed.

0 S!ffoation. The( ha&e !$ed !p all the o?('en in the ell.1 He added.

0 )ait a #in!te. Tell #e $o#e #ore rea$on$ h( in#ate$ die $oon a$ the( $ho!ld notJ1 Shrobber

!rio!$l( a$%ed.

0 * %no (o! Shrobber. o! ere di$#i$$ed bea!$e (o!re of +ei$h herita'e.1

0 e$. No * %no (o!, /!breht. An SS fro# A!$trian Ger#an Co##and.1he $aid.

0 )h( do (o! ha&e to %no #oreJ Are (o! affetedJ Do (o! ha&e $(#path( ith tho$e ba$tard$J

o! $ho!ld re#e#ber that (o! are ta$%ed to he% the in#ate$ da( and ni'ht and nothin' other

than that.1 the Kapo e?lai#ed.

0 o! #!$t re#e#ber that (o! are al$o h!#an bein', ho i$ ta$%ed hether the(re $till ali&e or

dead. Th!$, (o! #!$t ao!nt for the# otheri$e, not at all. )hen the ar i$ o&er, e&er(one ill

be $!b2et to ar ri#e.1 Shrobber in$in!ated.The Kapo pa!$ed and loo%ed at hi#,

0 Alri'ht, for the $a%e of ar'!#ent, $o#eti#e$ a andle i$ lit b( other SS in the ell to on$!#e the

o?('en fa$ter than the in#ate$ inhaled it all. So#eti#e$, to $ee their death in a r!el #anner, SS

han' the# ith their hand$ behind their ba%$ for ho!r$, th!$ di$loatin' their $ho!lder 2oint$ and

die.1 He e?plained.

The( ontin!ed tal%in' abo!t the #ethod$ of tort!re the Nazi e#plo(ed to the pri$oner$

ithin the a#p. *n order to 'et e&en #ore infor#ation fro# the Co-Kapo, Shrobber tal%ed in a

friendl( and per$!a$i&e tone.

0 o! are ahead of #e a$ Kapo. Ho$ (o!r life hereJ1 he a$%ed.

0 Bein' a Kapo or head of the blo%, e are ho!$ed near the entrane door here to roo#$ are

$it!ated. )e are ell-fed here. o!, too are ho!$ed in the oppo$ite zone and treated ell. *t$ 'ood

(o!re 'i&en a hane.1 /!breht added.

0 * $ho!ld ha&e been dead b( no. Had it not for a o#rade. Ho abo!t the ino#in' in#ate$,

here are the( ho!$edJ1 he a$%ed.

0)hen $eletion ha$ been done for pri$oner$ for or%, the( are ho!$ed in ooden or bri%

barra%$. Bri% barra%$ are on$tr!ted in a!t!#n of 454. The Nazi intended the barra%$ to

ho!$e 56 pri$oner$ b!t &er( often #ore than 966 o!ld be plaed in eah of the#. Hene, the

total n!#ber of pri$oner$ to eah barra% depend$ on the n!#ber of tran$port$ arri&in'. The(

$leep in :6 $pae$ ith three b!n%$ in eah $pae. The barra%$ ha&e earth floor$ and fe $anitar(

26



.

failitie$. Eah barra% ha$ to $to&e$ ith a bri% heatin' fl!e r!nnin' beteen the#. Hoe&er,

f!el i$ not pro&ided. A$ a re$!lt #an( pri$oner$ die d!rin' the e?tre#e old of the Poli$h inter$.

The barra%$ ha&e one been $table$ here all$ are thin and ha&e 'ap$ at the botto# and top

hih let in the bitterl( old ind.1 Hoe&er, barra%$ ha&e no indo$, b!t in$tead ha&e a ro

of $%(li'ht$ at the top of the roof. Eah blo% ha$ ooden three-tiered b!n%$ here pri$oner$ $lept

!nder thin blan%et$ or ra'$ on #attre$$e$. 0/!breht ontin!ed.

0 * learned abo!t the e?tre#e $!fferin'$ of the in#ate$. Ho i$ it hidden fro# &i$itin'

dele'ation$J1 he a$%ed.

A$ the( ontin!o!$l( ta%led the i$$!e of the pri$oner$ life in the a#p, the #ore i$$!e$ ere

bein' bro!'ht o!t onfidentl( b( the Kapo.

0 To tell (o! hone$tl(, o!r o##andin' offier$ ha&e a$%ed !$ to #a%e the plea$ant and orderl(

$i'ht be &i$ible to the &i$itin' dele'ation$. B!t behind thi$ oneal#ent i$ the horrible $enario.1/!breht ontin!ed.

0 /i%e for e?a#ple hatJ1 Shrobber a$%ed.

0 o! %no * a# tellin' (o! thi$, not bea!$e (o! are al$o a Kapo b!t * fear that in e&er( ar

there i$ &itor( and there i$ defeat. There i$ end in thi$ ar and * fear that in the e&ent the Third

Reih fall$, e&er(one ill be held ao!ntable for hat he ha$ done.1 He $aid.

0 * %no and it i$ reali$ti.1 Shrobber $aid.

0 The barra%$ are $ar#ed ith &ario!$ $ort$ of &er#in and rat$. Da#pne$$, lea%( roof$, and the

fo!lin' of $tra and $tra #attre$$e$ b( the pri$oner$, ho are $!fferin' fro# diarrhea that #a%e

their li&in' ondition$ #i$erable. *t a$ a''ra&ated b( a on$tant $horta'e of ater for la!ndr( or

a$hin' and the la% of $!itable $anitar( failitie$. 0 he $aid.

0 That$ $o patheti.1 Shrobber $i'hed.

0 * ant bla#e (o! for ha&in' $(#path( ith the# bea!$e the( are al$o (o!r people. B!t thi$ i$

the life (o! and (o!r people $ho!ld fae in thi$ planet. /!breht $i'hed.

0 Ho abo!t their #eal$J Do other$ eat the $a#e #eal in the entire a#pJ1 he ontin!ed.

0 >eal$ reei&ed b( pri$oner$ are three ti#e$ a da( hih inl!de food ith n!tritional &al!e that

ha&e been an offiial nor#$ in the Nazi onentration a#p$. Pri$oner$ ith le$$ ph($ial

de#andin' labor a$$i'n#ent$ reei&ed appro?i#atel( 4,66 alorie$ a da(, hile tho$e en'a'ed in

hard labor reei&ed appro?i#atel( 4,966. B!t #o$t pri$oner$ be'an to $!ffer fro# or'ani

27



.

deterioration after $e&eral ee%$ on $!h $tar&ation ration$ in the a#p that a!$e$ e?tre#e

ph($ial e?ha!$tion that e&en lead$ to death.1 /!breht e?plained.

The folloin' #ornin', at 5L6 a#, /!breht #ade a roll all for pri$oner hih !$!all(

la$ted for fo!r ho!r$.

0 Alri'ht, %eep #o&in' and #a%e a ro of fi&e ith a $trai'ht line.1 /!breht o##anded.

The pri$oner$ $ta(ed o!tdoor$ in a $trai'ht line for#ation !ntil the SS offier$ arri&ed.

Hoe&er, the '!ard$ o!ld a$% the pri$oner$ to $!at for an ho!r ith their hand$ abo&e their

head$ or le&( p!ni$h#ent$ $!h a$ beatin'$ or detention for infration$ $!h a$ ha&in' a #i$$in'

b!tton or an i#properl( leaned food bol. The( ere o!nted and re-o!nted a$ it a$ de$ribed

ho e&en the dead had to be pre$ent at roll all, $tandin' b( the $!pport of their fello in#ate$

!ntil the ordeal a$ o&er.

*n the e&enin', a $eond roll all too% plae to deter#ine if a pri$oner a$ #i$$in', hene,other$ had to re#ain $tandin' !ntil he a$ fo!nd and %non the rea$on of hi$ ab$ene, re'ardle$$

of the eather ondition$ and e&en if it too% ho!r$. *ndi&id!al and olleti&e p!ni$h#ent$ ere

on&ened, dependin' on hat tran$pired d!rin' the da(, before the pri$oner$ ere alloed to

retire to their plae for the ni'ht and 'et their bread allot#ent and ater. C!rfe a$ i#po$ed to

to three ho!r$ later. The pri$oner$ $lept in lon' ro$ of ooden b!n%$, l(in' in and on their

lothe$ and $hoe$ to pre&ent the# fro# bein' $tolen.

A'ain, Shrobber #ade hi$ ro!tine he% ith a thron' of pri$oner$ rodin' eah barra% a$

the( ra##ed into the o#part#ent$ that ere f!ll(-pa%ed. So, a$ a re$!lt of a tho!$and people

di$trib!ted in eah barra%, the( ere !nable to 'et a 'ood $leep.

0 )hat$ ron' ith (o! people thereJ he a$%ed.

0 )e find it hard to $treth o!t o#pletel( a$ the( are all l(in' both len'thi$e and ro$$i$e ith

one #an$ feet on another$ head, ne%, or he$t. )e are $tripped of all h!#an di'nit( b( thi$ %ind

of treat#ent. 0 an elder pri$oner o#plained.

0 )e ant do an(thin' for no.1 He $aid.

0 See hat other$ are doin'. The( $ho&e and %i% eah other in an effort to 'et a fe #ore inhe$

$pae on hih to $leep a little #ore o#fortabl(.1 An in#ate added.

Shrobber $tepped aa( and $a the pri$oner$ in their identit( o!tfit. He approahed a Kapo

in-har'e of the pri$oner$ ho ere $ein' the loth.

0 )hat are the$e piee$ of loth$ $en forJ1 he a$%ed.

28



.

0 Thi$ i$ to di$tin'!i$h one pri$oner to the other$. )e $e trian'!lar piee$ of loth into their

2a%et$ belo their n!#ber alled, )in%el.1 a Kapo e?plained.

0Ho abo!t the other$J )hat are the( forJ1 he ontin!ed.

0Red trian'le i$ for politial pri$oner$, hile p!rple olor i$ for +eho&ah$ )itne$$e$ and 'reen i$

for ri#inal$ and $o on and $o forth.1 a Kapo added.

0 *n addition, the nationalit( of pri$oner$ are al$o $tithed into the )in%el. /i%ei$e, (ello

trian'le i$ for the +e$.1 He $aid.

0 A$ * $ee the# fro# here, So&iet pri$oner$ of ar and other$ ha&e their n!#ber$ tattooed on their

he$t and other i&ilian$ on their left ar# .1 Shrobber $aid.

0 E?atl(, it ill pratiall( identif( and loate ertain pri$oner$.1 The Kapo replied.

0 B( the a(, ho i$ the dail( $!$tenane of the in#ate$ J1 Shrobber a$%ed.

0 Pri$oner$ learned the %ind of life to li&e in thi$ a#p. *n the #ornin', pri$oner$ reei&ed a hotdrin% b!t no brea%fa$t hile at noon, the( 'ot a thin #eatle$$ &e'etable $o!p. /i%ei$e, in the

e&enin' the( reei&ed a #old( bread a$ ration and #o$t pri$oner$ $a&ed $o#e of the bread for the

folloin' #ornin'. Pri$oner$ ho ere $!b2eted to li&e #edial e?peri#entation ere better fed

and lothed. 0 a Kapo e?plained.

0 * a# $addened b( the $anitar( and h('iene $it!ation of the in#ate$. Ho do the( ta%e their

e&er(da( $tr!''le in their $anitationJ * learned that #an( hildren ha&e died of No#a, , a baterial

infetion o##on a#on' '(p$ie$ in the a#p$. >alno!ri$hed hildren are #o$tl( inflited ith

thi$ baterial infetion.1 Shrobber la#ented.

0 There ere poor $anitar( failitie$ and inade!ate latrine$ and fre$h ater here. *t a$ onl( in

45 hen latrine$ ere in$talled after (ear$ hen a#p on$tr!tion be'an. Pe$t$, $!h a$

di$ea$e-arr(in' lie and the &er#in are all aro!nd the a#p$ a$ in#ate$ are inflited ith t(ph!$

and other onta'io!$ di$ea$e$.1 A Kapo $i'hed.

Shrobber a$ one a#on' the pri$oner$ of ar ho had e?periened the $a#e ondition that

the in#ate$ ere $tr!''lin' for. One da(, he a$ approahed b( a )affen SS ho had a file of

do!#ent$ in hi$ leather a$e.

0 Ariel Srobber, (o! are bein' relie&ed of (o!r $tat!$ a$ Kapo of the a#p b( General H!bert

Be%er, the o##andant of the nd Panzer Di&i$ion of the Nazi re'i#ent. After a aref!l re&ie

of (o!r per$onal reord, it a$ fo!nd that (o! had $er&ed in the Ger#an Panzer Re'i#ent a$ tan%

o##ander. o! are hereb( 'i&en a hane to re-enli$t in the Ger#an Panzer Di&i$ion in )e$tern

29



.

Poland pro&ided (o! ill ta%e a f!ll oath of alle'iane or lo(alt( to the Nazi 'o&ern#ent. )o!ld

that be a#enable to (o!J1 the Ad2!tant a$%ed.

0 e$ * do1 Shrobber replied in a lo &oie.

Soon Shrobber a$ ell-fed and lothed ith a neat-bla% )ehr#aht Panzer ool !nifor#

and after 6 da($ of orientation and trainin', he a$ di$pathed to the Ger#an >ilitar( field

detah#ent in )ar$a for the battlefield

.

30



.

4

!uropean Turoil

Britain and Frane did little #ilitar( aid to Poland de$pite it$ delaration of ar a'ain$t

Ger#an(. Britain bo#bed Ger#an ar$hip$ altho!'h Ne&ille Cha#berlain, Britain$ Pri#e

>ini$ter oppo$ed it$ bo#bin'$ b!t Frane did not la!nh a f!ll $ale atta% b!t #ade #ode$t

a$$a!lt$ b( it$ border ith Ger#an( !ntil Poland a$ defeated did Frane ea$ed it$ a$$a!lt$.

D!rin' the $!b$e!ent #onth$, Frane and Britain ere a!$ed of a'in' a 0phon( ar1 for

failin' to la!nh a f!ll #ilitar( a#pai'n a'ain$t Ger#an(. Hoe&er, in 456 ho$tilitie$ e$alated

e?ponentiall( ith Ger#an($ April in&a$ion of Nora( and >a( in&a$ion of the /o Co!ntrie$

and Frane.

*n Poland, Ger#an fore$ ad&aned at a dizz(in' rate. E#plo(in' a #ilitar( $trate'( %non

a$ the blitz%rie', or Qli'htnin' ar,Q ar#ored di&i$ion$ $#a$hed thro!'h ene#( line$ and i$olated

$e'#ent$ of the ene#(, hih ere enirled and apt!red b( #otorized Ger#an infantr( hile

the panzer tan%$ r!$hed forard to repeat the pattern. >eanhile, the $ophi$tiated Ger#an air

fore--the /!ftaffe--de$tro(ed Poli$h air apabilit(, pro&ided air $!pport for the blitz%rie', andindi$ri#inatel( bo#bed Poli$h itie$ in an effort to f!rther terrorize the ene#(.

The Poli$h ar#( a$ able to #obilize one #illion #en b!t a$ hopele$$l( o!t#athed in

e&er( re$pet. Rather than ta%e a $tron' defen$i&e po$ition, troop$ ere r!$hed to the front to

onfront the Ger#an$ and ere $($te#atiall( apt!red or annihilated. *n a fa#o!$l( ill-fated

$trate'(, Poli$h o##ander$ e&en $ent hor$ed a&alr( into battle a'ain$t the hea&( Ger#an ar#or.

B( Septe#ber ;, Ger#an fore$ had reahed the o!t$%irt$ of )ar$a, ha&in' ad&aned 456 #ile$

in the fir$t ee% of the in&a$ion.

The Poli$h ar#ed fore$ hoped to hold o!t lon' eno!'h $o that an offen$i&e o!ld be #o!nted

a'ain$t Ger#an( in the e$t, b!t on Septe#ber 49 So&iet fore$ in&aded fro# the ea$t and all

hope a$ lo$t. The ne?t da(, the Poland 'o&ern#ent and #ilitar( leader$ fled the o!ntr(. On

Septe#ber ;, the )ar$a 'arri$on finall( $!rrendered to a relentle$$ Ger#an $ie'e. That da(,

31



.

Ger#an( and the SSR onl!ded an a'ree#ent o!tlinin' their zone$ of o!pation. For the

fo!rth ti#e in it$ hi$tor(, Poland a$ partitioned b( it$ #ore poerf!l nei'hbor$.

On the other hand, Aaron and the re$t learned the dreadf!l fate of Shellnetz that a!$ed the#

han'e their po$ition and plan$. The( $tr!''led #!h in e&adin' Ge$tapo and SS that ere

!bi!ito!$ in itie$ and ton$ $ine the a#pai'n a'ain$t traitor$ and rebel$ a$ inten$ified.

Ho!$e$, b!ildin'$, $hool$ and h!rhe$ ere $a%ed to eradiate $!$pet$ and if fo!nd '!ilt( the(

o!ld 'et $hot. Aaron had to #eet and 2oin Erzen and +ora ho both $nea%ed fro# Berlin to

Ger#an o!pied Czeho$lo&a%ia after the death of Shellnetz that dre in #ore $!$piion$ of

trea$on to a n!#ber of Ger#an-+ei$h offier$. B( the order of the F!hrer, the Ger#an Hi'h

>ilitar( Co##and #obilized and deplo(ed a$t!te Ge$tapo a'ent$ in #an( part$ of o!pied

-E!ropean territorie$ to entrap traitor$. Se!rit( a$ in red alert e&er(here. Aaron and hi$ #en

ere e&a$i&e of the SS and Ge$tapo a$ the( $tr!''led their a( o!t of Poland for Czeho$lo&a%ia.On Septe#ber 4, 4 at 65L56 /!ftaffe atta%ed the Poli$h ton of )iel!n, %illin' at lea$t

a tho!$and people and r!ined 5 of the it(. Th!$, )orld )ar ** had 2!$t be'!n a$ the Ger#an

battle$hip Shle$i'-Hol$tein opened fire on the Poli$h #ilitar( depot at )e$terplate in Danzi' on

the Balti Sea. At aro!nd 6;L66, itho!t a for#al delaration of ar, Ger#an troop$ atta%ed near

the Poli$h ton of >o%ra hih $tarted the Battle of the Border.

/i%ei$e, on the $a#e da(, Ger#an fore$ atta%ed Poland$ e$tern, $o!thern and northern

border$ folloed b( air $tri%e on Poli$h itie$. The #ain a?i$ of atta% $tarted fro# Ger#an(

proper thro!'h e$tern border of Poland. Atta%$ ori'inated fro# Ea$t Pr!$$ia in the north in

ooperation ith Ger#an-Slo&a% tertiar( atta% b( !nit$ fro# Ger#an-allied Slo&a%ia in the

So!th. All the$e a$$a!lt$ on&er'ed on the Poli$h apital of )ar$a.

B( Septe#ber , Ger#an Panzer tan%$ led b( Han$ &on R!ther in the north had reahed the

@i$t!la Ri&er $o#e 46 %# fro# the Ger#an border at that ti#e and Gar( &on Kohler a$

approahin' the Nare Ri&er, Ariel Shrobber$ Ti'er ** a$ alread( be(ond the )arta ri&er three

da($ later, hi$ left in' a$ ell to the rear of dU and hi$ ri'ht in' at the ton of Kiele. B( ;

Septe#ber, one of hi$ ar#ored orp$8ha&in' ad&aned 6 %# in the fir$t ee% of the a#pai'n

8reahed the o!t$%irt$ of )ar$a.

On the ri'ht of the @i$t!la beteen )ar$a and the ton of Sando#ierz a$ li'ht di&i$ion of

Shrobber hile in the $o!th a$ /i$t and the San Ri&er abo&e and belo the ton of Prze#($l.

General G!derian led hi$ third ar#( tan%$ aro$$ the Nare, atta%in' the line of the B!' Ri&er

32



.

hih a$ alread( enirlin' )ar$a. The entire Ger#an ar#( a$ f!lfillin' their role in the $o-

alled Fall )ei$$ plan. Di$'r!ntled Poli$h ar#( a$ $plittin' !p and fell into fra'#ented troop$

and $o#e ere retreatin' hile other$ ere la!nhin' di$2ointed atta%$ on the nearb( Ger#an

ol!#n.

*n the fir$t ee% of ra'in' battle, Poli$h fore$ abandoned the re'ion$ of Po#erelia, the Poli$h

Corridor Greater Poland and pper Sile$ia, b!t !nfort!natel( the Poli$h plan for border defen$e

a$ a fail!re hile the Ger#an ad&ane a$ not ea%ened. Poli$h o##ander-in-hief >ar$hal

Edard R(dz-S#i'l( ordered a 'eneral retreat to the $o!thea$t, toard$ the o-alled Ro#anian

Brid'ehead. >eanhile, the Ger#an$ ere ti'htenin' their enirle#ent $ie'e of the Poli$h fore$

e$t of the @i$t!la 3in the /odz area and in the far aa( e$t of Poznan and deepl( penetratin'

into ea$tern Poland. Sine the fir$t ho!r$ of the ar, )ar$a a$ !nder hea&( aerial

bo#bard#ent and a$ atta%ed fierel(, folloin' it$ $ie'e on Septe#ber 4. /i%ei$e, on the$a#e da(, Ger#an fore$ al$o reahed the it( of /o, a #a2or it( in ea$tern Poland. >ore

than a tho!$and Ger#an fi'hter airraft bo#bed )ar$a the folloin' da(.

A $trate'( of enirle#ent a$ alled for b( the Poli$h defen$i&e plan per#ittin' the Ger#an$

to ad&ane in beteen to Poli$h ar#( 'ro!p$ in the line beteen Berlin and )ar$a-/odz, at

hih point Ar#ia Pr!$( 3 lar'e$t re$er&e ar#( of the S!pre#e Co##ander that o!ld $er&e a$

rear '!ard and o!ld be #obilized in the e&ent of i##inent ar.= nfort!natel(, Poli$h #ilitar(

planner$ failed to fore$ee the $peed( Ger#an ad&ane$ and predited the f!ll #obilization of the

Ar#ia Pr!$( b( Septe#ber 4:, b( hih ti#e it a$ too late.

After the e?e!tion of Shellnetz, Col Shneider alerted all #ilitar( detah#ent$ for the

apt!re of Ariel Shrobber ho# he branded a$ rene'ade and di$#i$$ed +ei$h $oldier that

needed on-$i'ht e?e!tion. The prono!ne#ent a$ $peed( hen r!el-rai$t Ger#an offier

learned of Shrobber$ identit( and i##ediatel( ordered hi$ on -the-$pot e?e!tion. At that ti#e,

Shrobber$ tan% had reahed the o!t$%irt$ of )ar$a. On the oppo$ite diretion a$ another

Ger#an tan%. *t$ tan% per$onnel a$ reei&in' tran$#itted data on the alert-prono!ne#ent abo!t

Shrobber. Sine tan% per$onnel ne&er %ne eah tan%$ pilot$ the( o!ld not identif( ho

Shrobber a$. Con$e!entl(, Shrobber$ to o#rade$ in$ide hi$ tan% ere tr(in' to 'ra$p the

radio #e$$a'e, hoe&er, Shrobber a$ &er( %een and a!tio!$ a$ he fore$a the after effet of

Shellnetz$ entrap#ent.

33



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And after hi$ to o#rade$ ere able to reei&e the radio #e$$a'e, he 'a&e the# $l!'$ of hi$

l!'er. No he a$ alone dri&in' a 'etaa( tan% fro# the $%irt$ of )ar$a and o!ld e#er'e to

re$t on the 'ra$$( fore$t that o!ld o&er the &ehile ith $hr!b$ and tall leaf( tree$. Sine he

realized that he a$ bein' h!nted he prepared hi#$elf for an( e&ent!alit( a$ he dra''ed o!t of the

tan% the orp$e$ of hi$ o#rade$. He $ta(ed in the fore$t da( and ni'ht hile thin%in' and aitin'

for hi$ ne?t plan to do $ine there a$ no alternati&e plae for hi# to 'o a$ the Ger#an fore$ had

enirled the &iinit(. Hi$ onl( defen$e no a$ hi$ l!'er, #ahine '!n and the ti'er.

The folloin' #ornin' hile &iein' ith hi$ bino!lar the &iinit( of the nearb( ton, he

$potted billo$ of dar% $#o%e.

0 Here the( o#e. Con&o( of Panzer$ 1 he $i'hed.

He !i%l( 'rabbed #ore lon' and thi% 'ra$$e$ and lea&e$ to o&er the lon' '!n and the #etal

anop( to a&oid li'ht refletion a'ain$t the $!n. +!$t aro!nd a h!ndred #eter$ don the ro!'hroad Shrobber opted to hide #eter$ aa( fro# the ti'er $ettin' hi$ #ahine '!n in a $table

po$ition at hih an( 'i&en ti#e he o!ld fire hen the( happened to $ee the a#o!fla'ed-tan%.

Ten$ed and an?io!$ hile hi$ fin'er$ ere ta!ted on the tri''er, Shrobber held hi$ breath a$

the( pa$$ed on hi$ $ide. Ob$er&ant tan% per$onnel o!t of the t!rret did not $ee hi$ tan% one the(

pa$$ed the area. Hoe&er, Shrobber did not #o&e !ntil the( 'ot farther #a%in' $!re that no one

o!ld #a%e a #i$ta%e to t!rn hi$ head ba% to the fore$t.

There a$ onl( one thin' in hi$ #ind no. He had to abandon the Ti'er and hi$ #ahine '!n

to #a%e it ea$( and li'ht for hi# to tread hi$ a( thro!'h the r!ined it(. *t a$ a lon' a( al%

and he had to $top at ti#e$ in the 'ra$$( $lope$ to oneal hi#$elf hen troop$ in tr!%$ ere

o#in' their a( and a'ain treadin' o!ld re$!#e. The $i'ht of r!bble$, and b!rnin' r!ined

b!ildin' $tr!t!re$ fla!nted a$ he a!tio!$l( approahed the entrane of it$ fallen 'ate$. He tried

to ob$er&e and $en$e for $i'n$ of life hile it $ee#ed $o $ilent b!t the $o!nd of the fallin' debri$

fro# the ea%ened $tr!t!re o!ld be heard hen $tron' ind o!ld blo it don . Hi$

!i&erin' %nee$ and dried #o!th that de&eloped ra%in' dried lip$ ere $o de$perate for relief of

food and ater $ine the la$t drop of ater fro# hi$ e#pt( anteen and a piee of bread alon' the

a( ere on$!#ed.

At the offee $hop half- $pared b( the $tor# of Nazi troop$ he $lol( $nea%ed into an open

door for a thir$t-!enher. /!%( in hi$ hane-&i$it he 'ot a bottle of ine and a piee of

ba'!ette b!t not ater and offee for the line a$ de$tro(ed. He 'a&e hi$ e?ha!$ted bod( into the

34



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floor hile $ta(ed on$io!$ for an(one o!ld be a potential threat. )hile ta%in' the o#fort of

$olitar( enlo$!re and the $oothin' ta$te of the ine and the ta$tef!l bread he $en$ed foot$tep$

approahin' at the ba% door. He !i%l( too% o&er at the ine ellar and held hi$ breath a$ the

$tran'er a#e in. Shrobber 'rabbed hi$ pi$tol fro# the hol$ter and 'ot $tead(

0 Rai$ed (o!r hand$ in the air and fae the all1 he e?lai#ed.

He approahed the belea'!ered #!$tahed-#an in a d!$t(-'ra( oat and bla% Pari$ian ap hile

fain' the all ith hi$ hand$ in the air.

0 * a# not an ene#(. Dont orr( * a# not ar#ed.1 The #an $aid.

Shrobber fri$%ed the #an at hi$ '!n point a$ he p!$hed hi# into the $paio!$ area.

0 Alri'ht, ho (o!J1

0* a# the oner of thi$ ine $hop. The rebel$ and (o!r Nazi o#rade$ had blood( la$he$ in thi$

area and the re$!lt i$ (o! an $ee. >an( re$ident$ ha&e fled thi$ plae hen learned of the rebel$atta%.1 The #an e?plained.

0 o! $pea% Ger#anJ1 he a$%ed.

0 e$, b!t not too #!h1 the #an replied.

0 Ha&e the Ger#an$ alread( o!pied thi$ plaeJ1 he a$%ed.

0 e$. )ee%$ a'o the( arri&ed and leared thi$ ton and e$tabli$hed their he% point$ in orner$

of thi$ ton.1 The #an ontin!ed.

0 )here are the( noJ1 he a$%ed.

The #an led hi# be$ide the ba% door that a$ half-opened and pointed at the he% point here

a n!#ber of SS ere on '!ard.

0 )here ha&e (o! been ahile a'oJ1 he a$%ed.

0 * ent to #( flat near the he% point.1

0 Ha&e (o! been tal%in' to the#J1 Shrobber ontin!ed.

Shrobber $h!t the door hile the #an re#ained at hi$ '!n point.

0 Arent (o! 'lad $eein' (o!r o#rade$ thereJ )h( not approah the#J1 the #an in$in!ated.

0 Sh!t !p * ill $ee the# later.1 He replied.

0 * ill hold (o! #( pri$oner1 he told.

0 B!t h(J * a# 2!$t an ordinar( itizen.1

0 o! need not a$% #e. )hat$ (o!r na#eJ 1

0*'na(.1 The #an replied.

35



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Shrobber 'rabbed a !rtain lae at the indo and tied the to hand$ of the #an to hi$ ba% after

hih he $ho&e hi# to the orner .

0 He(, thi$ i$ !nfair. Are (o! Ger#an J1 he a$%ed.

0Of o!r$e, * a#. o! ont 'et o!t1

0 B!t, h( are (o! doin' thi$ to #eJ o!re an ene#(, ri'htJ1

0* a# a di$#i$$ed Ger#an- +ei$h $oldier and a de$erter. 1 he replied.

0 * a# half-+ei$h and * hate the Final Sol!tion. Dont be afraid, * ont tell the#. Tr!$t #e.1

0 No. * dont tr!$t an(bod( Vtil * 'et aa( fro# here.1 He in$in!ated.

0 B!t hat abo!t #eJ * ha&e a ife and a hild aitin' in #( ho#e.1 He added.

0 Sta( here for a hile !ntil * 'et aa(.1

0 o! ant do thi$. o!r o#rade$ #a( onder if the( dont $ee #e aro!nd and the( ill 'et here

and find (o!.1Shrobber pa!$ed for ahile and onte#plated.

0 Alri'ht, *'na( * ill relea$e (o! if (o! ooperate ith #e or * ill blo (o!r ho!$e b( an(

#ean$.1 He a$%ed

0 e$, * pro#i$e. >e and #( fa#il( al$o anted to lea&e thi$ plae had the Ger#an$ arri&ed here

earlier and reated proble# for !$. O!r li&e$ are ala($ at ri$% da( and ni'ht.1

0 )hat i$ it that (o! o!ld li%e #e to doJ1 he a$%ed

0 o!re a friend to the# alread(, ri'htJ1

0e$, the( alread( %no #e.1

0 * need a &ehile $o * an 'et aa( fro# here.1

He !ntied the #an and relea$ed for a p!rpo$e.

0+!$t $ta( here and * ill tr( to #a%e a a(. B!t help !$ lea&e thi$ plae al$o1 *'na( a$%ed.

0 Prepare (o!r$el&e$ .Get a &ehile and * ill ta%e (o! o!t of here.1 He a$%ed.

0 e$ * ill do that1 *'na( replied.

*'na( ent to hi$ ho!$e and alon' the a( he a#e aro$$ patrollin' SS. 3 *n En'li$h=

0 Ho are (o! , *'na(J1 a$%ed one SS $oldier.

0 Great.1 *'na( replied.

0 *t loo%$ li%e (o!re $o b!$(.1 The other SS $aid.

0 * a# preparin' $o#e food fro# the $hop.1 He $aid

0 Got $o#e ine thereJ The SS ontin!ed.

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0 e$. B!t * ill 'et ba% $oon1

0 )ell ait for (o!.1

0S!re. /ater.1

Shrobber pee%in' fro# the door $a hat a$ tran$pirin' alon' the a(. *'na( tal%ed to hi$

ife and a 45-(ear old $on abo!t hi$ plan$ ith Shrobber.

0 o! ha&e to 'et read( at all ti#e$ and at the ri'ht ti#e e ill lea&e hile * $ee% for a &ehile.1

He told.

He ent ba% to the $hop to 'et a bottle of ine for the SS.

0 The( lo&e #( ine hih * need to 'i&e the# to #aintain friend$hip and tr!$t.1 *'na(.

0 )hat abo!t the &ehileJ Ha&e (o! told (o!r fa#il(J1 Shrobber a$%ed.

0 e$. The(re read(. To#orro i$ o##i$$ar( da( and a deli&er( tr!% i$ o#in' to !nload it$

food alloation. Get read(.1 *'na( $aid.0 * a# ala($ read(.1 Shrobber replied.

Shrobber too% ad&anta'e of the $till of the ni'ht. He $nea%ed into the ho!$e of *'na( and $pent

the ni'ht !ntil the folloin' #ornin'.

0 The tr!% ha$ o#e.1 *'na( $aid.

0 e$, * an $ee it. Get read( at the thre$hold after #e.1 Shrobber replied.

)hile the tr!% dri&er and hi$ a$$i$tant$ ere !nloadin' the food $t!ff hile !nder '!ard b(

to SS $oldier$, Shrobber #ade hi$ e&a$i&e and onealin' a( to the to SS $oldier$ ho ere

#eter$ aa( fro# the he% point hih a$ bein' patrolled b( at lea$t fi&e SS. )hen the to SS

ere ao#pan(in' the #an!al deli&er( of the food $t!ff, Shrobber $iftl( 'ot into the $teerin'

heel$ hile *'na( and hi$ ife and $on too% the rear $ide to 'et into.

Shrobber $tarted the en'ine that a!'ht the attention of the SS at the he% point. B(

aeleratin' the en'ine he razed the he%point and hittin' the three SS to death. The other SS ran

after and fired at hi# b!t #i$$ed. *##ediatel(, the SS radioed for an ene#( alert hile the

'etaa( tr!% ent a$tra( to a&oid potential threat$ fro# ene#( p!r$!it.

One lo$t fro# the $i'ht of the ene#( Shrobber a$%ed *'na( to 'et in front lea&in' hi$

fa#il( at the rear.

0 Can (o! dri&eJ1 he a$%ed.

0 e$, h(J1 *'na( replied.

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0 Hold the heel$ and e ill 'o $eparate a($ after ro$$in' the ooden brid'e. o! an dri&e

(o!r a( to that $#all ton b( the prairie here (o! an find ref!'e. * belie&e it$ a free

nei'hborhood.1 He e?plained.

0 Ho abo!t (o!J1 *'na( a$%ed.

0 * a# on #( on no. * $till ha&e to do a #i$$ion.1 He added.

Shrobber ent don at the foot of the brid'e hen *'na( dro&e aa( to the prairie. Shrobber

$pent the ni'ht in the brid'e !ntil the folloin' da( to l!r% for an( pa$$in' Ger#an &ehile$.

After an ho!r he $potted an approahin' Ger#an tan%. He ent in the #iddle of the road and

a&ed hi$ hand$ to $top it. )hen it a#e nearer the o##ander e#er'ed fro# the t!rret.3 *n

En'li$h=

0 Co#rade, hat$ the proble#J1 the o##ander a$%ed.

0 * a$ left behind. Gi&e #e a hith.1 He told.0 C#on !p here1

0 Than% (o!.1 He $aid.

0 )hat reall( happenedJ1 the o##ander ontin!ed.

Shrobber loo%ed don to $ee the n!#ber of re a$ there ere another to in$ide. )hile in

#otion not far aa( fro# the brid'e, he $lol( too% o!t hi$ pi$tol and $!rpri$in'l( $hot the

o##ander. The o##ander fell into the 'ro!nd after Shrobber p!lled hi# o!t of the t!rret. The

to !pon learnin' of the o##otion ated !i%l( to repel Shrobber$ $!b$e!ent ation$. The

latter !i%l( $hot the to ho failed to fire a $hot. He $ho&ed the dead bodie$. He #ane!&ered

the tan% ba% to the ooden brid'e and loaded an a##o at the bi' '!n. He a$ a$toni$hed hen

to other Panzer$ ere 2!$t behind the fir$t one at an inter&al.

He #ane!&ered the tan% to the ele&ated 'ro!nd $o he o!ld &ie the fo!ndation and floor of

the brid'e. He fired to totall( de#oli$h the ooden brid'e b!t failed to de$tro( it totall( hile the

to tan%$ %ept #o&in' forard a$ it fired at Shrobber. Shrobber a$ hit at the $ide a!$in' hi#

to be $ha%en b!t he $tr!''led to load another a##o hile hi$ tan% had $topped fro# la%in'. He

fired and hit the tan% ahead of the other. *t b!rned hile it$ re ent o!t of the t!rret before the(

ere totall( on$!#ed b( fire. The( fatall( di&ed into the ri&er a$ the $eond tan% p!$hed the

b!rnin' tan% into the ater. Shrobber tried another a##o hile hi$ o!nd in hi$ head a$

bleedin' prof!$el( that a$ $!$tained hen he hit the ed'e of the t!rret after the tan% a$ hit b(

the fir$t atta%.

38



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The ooden brid'e a$ no en'!lfed b( fire a!'ht b( the fallen tan%. The $eond tan%

$topped and ai#ed at Shrobber ho a$ #otionle$$ a$ it$ ladded-iron heel$ be'an to prod!e

fire. Both pa!$ed for a #o#ent a$ if tr(in' to $pot an a!rate tar'et. Si#!ltaneo!$l(, fier( ball$

of fire ere e#itted fro# the barrel$ hittin' both tar'et$. Th!$, the tan% b!rned to'ether ith the

ooden brid'e and pl!n'ed into the ater. A$ a re$!lt, Shrobber$ tan% a$ re%ed and $lol(,

he rept hi$ a( o!t of the t!rret hile the tan% a$ bein' razed b( fire. Shrobber later on died

lea&in' the $#all ton alon' the prairie free fro# bein' o!pied b( the in&adin' Ger#an fore$.

Bla% $#o%e billoed in the air a$ harred ood-part$ ontin!ed to fall fro# it$ fo!ndation.

The r!in$ of the ooden brid'e re#ained !ntil the arri&al of the Allied fore$. *t a$ totall(

de#oli$hed and leared hen the En'ineerin' Bri'ade of the Allied $oldier$ in$talled $teel

platfor#$ to ro$$ the other $ide of the ri&er ban% to the ton of >(an$tati. The $i#ple ton in the

prairie a$ inhabited b( a n!#ber of $!r&i&in' e$apee$ ho ere able to e$ape fro# the nearb(ar-torn &illa'e inl!din' *'na( and hi$ fa#il(. The( heri$hed the #e#or( of Ariel Shrobber,

a hero and ho a$ in$tr!#ental in $a&in' the re$ident$ and the entire ton of >(an$tati fro# the

la$ of in&ader$.

5

The $irst Assassination Attept

The or'anization and it$ #e#ber$ had one o##on 'oalL to li!idate all Nazi %e( offier$

and !lti#atel(, the F!hrer in order to ne!tralize and ab$ol!tel( ea$e and paral(ze it$ 'oal of

E!ropean on!e$t. lti#atel(, in an( e&ent that their #i$$ion failed, the( o!ld all $!ffer the

on$e!ene$, otheri$e the( o!ld on&er'e to flee to Albania here the( o!ld li&e freel( in

the ab$ene of e?tre#e per$e!tion and eradiation of the +ei$h root$.

*n the #id$t of e?tre#e pre$$!re on the on-'oin' ar for Ger#an &itor(, the F!hrer and hi$

top offier$ ontin!o!$l( ond!ted $ite in$petion$ of their troop$ a$ !r'ent a$$e#bl( for r!ial

#eetin'$ ere alled for. General Do$ier$ role a$ #o$tl( pla(ed in thi$ in$tane a$ ten$ion and

e?tre#e a!tion in feedin' report$ to Erzen ere hi'hl( ob$er&ed. B( an( #ean$ Erzen #!$t

obtain and #onitor report$ fro# Do$ier e&en in the #id$t of dan'er, radio a$ &er( i#portant.

39



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/i%ei$e, Do$ier #!$t ala($ he% and a&ail of the radio b( an( #ean$ e&en if it hi$ e?!$e$

o!ld a!$e hi$ o#rade$ to onder e&en in $peial 'atherin'$. The odd$ o!ld reate lo!d of

$!$piion b!t other$ ho %ne hi# ell o!ld 2!$t nod of hi#.

0 He a$ $o b!$( for !r'en( ith the F!hrer.1

0Thi$ i$ (o!r hane, dont #i$$ hi#. Thi$ #i'ht be #( la$t #e$$a'e to (o!1 Do$ier $aid on the

radio in a lo &oie.

0 * read (o! lo!d and lear 0 Erzen replied.

+!$t in ti#e hen Do$ier p!t don the $pea%er a ertain $taff- General approahed hi#.

0 )hat$ !p General Do$ier J1 he a$%ed.

0 Nothin', b!t * had to 'et a feed fro# the e$tern front1 Do$ier le&erl( replied.

0 )hat abo!t the )e$tern FrontJ1 he ontin!ed.

He t!rned and loo%ed at the $taff-General.0 )ere #a%in' a 'reat ad&ane in the front. A 'reat !pdate for the F!hrer, ri'htJ1 he fir#l( $aid.

0 Ah, that$ 'reat )h( not 'et ba% to the ban!et and 2oin !$ a'ainJ That$ orth elebratin'

i$nt it J1

0 o! $aid it 0 he replied.

>eanti#e, $o#ehere in Berlin. Erzen and +ora and their #en ere $et for their orhe$trated

plot to a$$a$$inate the F!hrer and hi$ Aide hile on their a( to the F!hrer$ #an$ion near the

Berlin )all. Thron' of people and ell-i$her$ a#e alon' the F!hrer$ a( to 'et the#. B!t far

fro# the entrane of the it( in the le$$ pop!lated b!t $o#ehat r!$ti road, Erzen$ 'ro!p a$ $et

in an ele&ated area to 'et a learer &ie and prei$e ai# for the a#b!$h of the on&o(. E?atl(, at

4466 ho!r$ a$ $tated in Do$ier$ #e$$a'e the F!hrer ith hi$ on&o( o!ld o#e to pa$$ b(. A

#i$t(-old #ornin' al#o$t $hro!ded the $!rro!ndin' a$ the area a$ ele&ated and o&erloo%in'

ton$ and itie$. Eho of fired b!llet$ re&erberated a$ the $!rpri$ed ha!ffe!r aelerated the

F!hrer$ >Benz ho pro#ptl( d!%ed hen the $hot$ fired. *n a zi'za' dri&in' diretion, the

onfident and $pirited ha!ffe!r #ana'ed to e$ape the pa$$ hile the re$t of the SS en'a'ed in

the ho$tilitie$. nfort!natel(, one of F!hrer$ $taff-General$ a$ fatall( har#ed a$ the( headed

toard$ the neare$t and $afe Ger#an #ilitar( ho$pital in Berlin. The rod aitin' for the on&o(

a$ $ho%ed and di$per$ed hen the( learned of the report$. So#e ere per$onall( deli'hted a$

the( (earned it to happen.

40



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Erzen and hi$ troop$ after eradiatin' the SS on&o( fled the area i##ediatel( after a failed

a$$a$$ination. The F!hrer bein' !n$athed of the a$$a$$ination atte#pt $oon i$$!ed an order to

h!nt and %ill the a$$a$$in$ and #!h #ore an inten$ified a#pai'n a$ la!nhed to entrap all

probable $!$peted !lprit$. Con$e!entl(, #an( had to $!ffer for the offen$e.

0*t$ ti#e to flee Berlin. Thi$ i$ no lon'er a $afe plae for !$.1 Erzen told.

0 )hat do e do noJ1 +ora a$%ed.

0 )e ha&e to di$per$e to eah hi$ on a( no to e$ape the f!r( of the F!hrer.1 He replied.

The f!r( of the Ger#an$ a'ain$t the +e$ inten$ified hen the( bea#e the e(e$ of $!$piion

a$ a$$a$$in$ in the fia$o. )afen SS $tor#ed ho!$e$, b!ildin'$, par%$ and other e$tabli$h#ent$ and

indi$ri#inatel( $hot $!$peted i&ilian-+e$. >an( hid the#$el&e$ in the roof, and an( po$$ible

onfine#ent and hidin' plae$ for $afet( of bein' arre$ted and $hot. So#e ere dra''ed o!tdoor$

and p!$hed a'ain$t the all$ to 'et $hot. Co##otion and p!r$!it for fearf!l $!$peted a$$a$$in$o!ld ta%e plae in the $%irt$ and a&en!e$ and ended !p in the blood( end. *nnoent o#en and

hildren ere not $pared b( the r!thle$$ and anton re&en'e of the SS and Ge$tapo an(here.

S#art Ge$tapo a'ent$ ere able to obtain photo$ of Erzen, +ora and o#pan( and to alert the

p!bli the( po$ted the# in all$, par%$ and po$t$ e&er(here reardin' an(bod( for the arre$t and

lead of the#. The bill o!ld read li%e thi$ 0 RE)ARD OF R>766,666 FOR THE ARREST OR

/EAD TO THE )HEREABOTS OF L >a2. Erzen >el%endi " Capt. +ora >el%endi1 Their

photo$ ere $till in Nazi !nifor# li%ei$e the re$t of their #e#ber$.

0 *t$ not $afe for !$ to appear an(here no. )e #!$t han'e o!r i#a'e to e$ape fro# thi$

plae.1 Erzen !r'ed.

0 e$, e ha&e to han'e a different i#a'e to #i$lead the# and $o o!r identit( paper$.1 +ora

replied.

0 E?atl( .1 Erzen added.

And $oon a different i#a'e appeared fro# the to and $o ith their identifiation paper$ that

o!ld allo the# ae$$ to &ital and ri$%( ro!te$. +ora had a neat #ilitar( hair !t ith he$t in

and a #anl(-loo%ed and ell-done !nifor#. /i%ei$e, Erzen did the $a#e and to #a%e the#

appear a$ both 'entle#en-offier$. )ith all their o!ra'e and hi'h $pirit the to o!ld pa$$

thro!'h a n!#ber of SS $oldier$ and offier$ itho!t bein' notified. *n $o#e in$tane$, the(

o!ld 'o alon' the thron' of ar#( $oldier$ and offier$ in their ro!tine ati&it( in p!bli plae$

and an(here the( o!ld intend to 'o. /i%ei$e, the( ere $o e&a$i&e and a!tio!$ of ritial

41



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area$ the( tho!'ht ere ri$%( for the#. At an( 'i&en point of ti#e the( o!ld be a!'ht or #a%e it

to their de$tination$. So#e $entr( point$ o!ld 'i&e the# re$pet and $al!te. B!t in $o#e

in$tane$, re$pet for a ran% a$ not #aterial.

0 o!r do!#ent$ Sir$ Ja$%ed the SS at the $entr(.

pon he%in' the paper$ the SS o!ld loo% at the# and $r!tinize fro# head to foot. Erzen in a

'ala !nifor# ith a ran% of >a2or $tood fir# a$ he loo%ed $trai'ht to the e(e$ of the SS $oldier.

/i%ei$e, +ora ho han'ed her i#a'e into #a$!line-loo% ith a $hort hair o&ered ith ap

had her li'ht #!$tahe to be #ore redibl( #a$!line. She loo%ed $trai'ht and $tood fir#l( ith

onfidene b!t re#ained $ilent.

0 So (o! to are headin' to Dre$denJ1 the SS a$%ed.

0e$.1 Erzen replied.

0 )hat forJ1he ontin!ed0 To $ee the Ad2!tant for the $er&ie tran$fer.1 Erzen added.

The SS pa!$ed for a #o#ent and t!rned hi$ ba% toard$ the offie. The to re#ained a$ the(

tho!'ht of do!bt and an?io!$ of the $oldier$ #o&e$. Soon the SS ent o!t ith a bill to $ho

the#.

0 Ha&e (o! $een an(one of the$e indi&id!al$J1 the SS a$%ed.

0 No1 Erzen replied.

0 Ho abo!t (o! J1 he a$%ed a$ he !nfolded ide-open the bill $hoin' their photo$.

+ora too% a loo% at it and ad2!$ted her &oie into $o#ehat h!$%( and #a$!line to hear.

0 No1 $he replied.

*t $o happened 2!$t in ti#e that a lo!d horn of the arri&in' pa$$en'er train ble it$ horn that

o&erhel#ed her &oie.

0 Alri'ht, (o! #a( 'o1 the SS $aid a$ he 'a&e ba% their do!#ent$.

On the other hand, Aaron and the re$t learned the dreadf!l fate of Shellnetz that a!$ed the#

han'e their po$ition and plan$. The( $tr!''led #!h in e&adin' Ge$tapo a'ent$ and )afen SS

that ere !bi!ito!$ in itie$ and ton$ $ine the a#pai'n a'ain$t traitor$ and rebel$ a$

inten$ified. Ho!$e$, b!ildin'$, $hool$ and h!rhe$ ere $a%ed to eradiate $!$pet$ and if

fo!nd '!ilt( the( o!ld 'et $hot ri'ht there and then. The odd$ in&ol&in' a Ger#an Colonel and a

General ho ere $!$petin' Do$ier of hi$ #($terio!$ ation$ hi$pered their onern to an

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inti#ate Ge$tapo ho $tal%ed $!rreptitio!$l( on Do$ier$ per$onal ati&it( in and o!t of hi$ abode

and or% plae .

At fir$t, Do$ier bea#e on$io!$ and $en$ed that $o#ethin' fi$h( a#on' hi$ odd o#rade$

ere roppin' !p b!t did not o#e to belie&e hi$ notion b!t in$tead re$!#ed hi$ e$piona'e ati&it(

a!tio!$l(. /ater, he realized that the dan'er he a$ fain' ith the$e odd offier$ l!r%in' and

$tal%in' hi$ per$onal ati&it(. He #ar%ed the# a$ $taff-General Otto &on Shroder and a ertain

Col. A. Kr!'er. He learned of a ertain Ge$tapo ho had been $tal%in' on hi# b( the na#e of

+o$ef Dill#an. He tried to bro$e their reord$ in hi$ file$ and a$ able to trae the#. He #ar%ed

their hereabo!t$ and prepared hi#$elf.

*n the afternoon he han'ed hi$ o!tfit and folloed the ar of General Shroder ho on hi$

a( to a ban!et in a hotel. Do$ier hid hi#$elf and $a Shroder tal%in' to to Ger#an offier$

and a #an in dar% oat and a 'entle hat, +o$ef Dill#an, a Ge$tapo. Do$ier onl!ded that he a$the $!b2et of di$!$$ion and later realized that the( ere on$pirin' hi# to a deadl( entrap#ent

b( the note 'i&in' to hi# b( hi$ tr!$ted loo% o!t. The note of tr!$ted loo% -o!t read li%e thi$ 0

Beare, the( ha&e learned of (o!r treaher(. o!ll 'et %illed on the $pot. 0

Tr!$tin' the #e$$a'e of hi$ loo% o!t he he%ed the $l!'$ of hi$ l!'er and fi?ed a $ilener . *n the

dar% $ide of the hotel hen the dr!n% Shroder 'ot into hi$ ar he $iftl( ent behind and $hot hi$

dri&er. B( hi$ $!rpri$e, Shroder opened ide hi$ e(e$.

0 Do$ier, (o! J1 he $aid.

0 )ho el$e do (o! thin%J1

The folloin' da( Shroder$ and hi$ dri&er$ bodie$ ere bein' la#ented and fea$ted b( SS

$oldier$ and fol%$ in ton. Do$ier did not $ho !p in the offie an(#ore thin%in' that the( all

onl!ded that he a$ a $p( and traitor b!t in$tead ent hidin' and h!ntin' for Col. Kr!'er in hi$

apart#ent. He learned that Kr!'er a$ a o#anizer and hi$ #ain han' o!t a$ a abaret. Kr!'er

!pon learnin' the death of General Shroder onl!ded that Do$ier a$ a traitor ho had done it.

A #a$$i&e #anh!nt a$ la!nhed for Do$ier$ $pot e?e!tion in par%$, e$tabli$h#ent$, h!rhe$,

hotel$ and to hi$ apart#ent b!ildin' b!t he a$ e&a$i&e for he %ne their $earh diretion$. *n the

e&enin', in a abaret here Kr!'er and hi$ SS '!ard$ $ta(ed in hi$ free ti#e Do$ier in hi$ dar%

oat and hat $eretl( $nea%ed into the roo# here Kr!'er a$ b!$( ith hi$ o#an. And before

hi$ o#an o!ld $rea# Do$ier relea$ed a $l!' in Kr!'er$ forehead and a$%ed the o#an to %eep

$ilent. He e$aped at the ba% door thro!'h the indo.

43



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Do$ier in the $till of the ni'ht #ade !$e of the re#ainin' ti#e before the dan bro%e o!t.

Dri&in' a f!ll tan%->Benz, Do$ier dro&e hi$ a( to +o$ef Dill#an$ ho!$e o!t$ide the $!b!rb$

near the ri&er here ho!$e$ and $tr!t!re$ ere apart fro# eah other, th!$ en2o(in' the $erenit(

of the plae and the onder$ of nat!re. The traditional Ger#an-$t(le ho!$e a$ partl( onrete

and partl( li'ht #aterial$ here Dill#an ith hi$ 6 (ear-old ife and to (o!n' %id$ a bo( and a

'irl a'ed ; and 4 ere li&in'.

Dill#an a$ aa%en b( the $!e$$i&e phone rin'$ hile in their $o!nd $leep. He a$

notified of the #!rder of Kr!'er that $!rpri$ed hi#.

0 )hat$ ron' J1 hi$ ife a$%ed.

0 Kr!'er a$ #!rdered in a abaret.1 He replied.

0 )ho did it J1

0 Do$ier. He i$ $till at lar'e and ha$ not been a!'ht. )e ha&e to be a!tio!$. He i$ o!t to %illan(one a$ he %no$ he i$ nohere to e$ape.1 He added and fi?ed hi#$elf.

0 Sta( here ith (o!r %id$ and lo% (o!r$el&e$ !ntil * o#e ba%.1 He a$%ed.

Before Dill#an a$ able to 'et into hi$ ar Do$ier appeared behind the $hr!b$ and pointed a '!n at

Dill#an.

0 Dill#an . *t$ (o!r t!rn1 Do$ier $aid.

0 No Dont fire 1 Dill#an e?lai#ed.

Do$ier in a ha$te and belie&in' that Dill#an a$ dead pro#ptl( t!rned hi$ ba% to flee b!t

o!nded Dill#an a$ able to 'ra$p hi$ pi$tol fro# hi$ oat and fired at hi#. nfort!natel(, Do$ier

a$ hit in the ba% and bled prof!$el( a$ he fled and $tr!''led hi$ a( to the ri&er ban%. Dill#an$

ife alar#ed the head!arter$ of the inident and i##ediatel( after a fe #in!te$ SS $oldier$

arri&ed and di$per$ed for po$$ible trae of Do$ier. Dill#an a$ r!$hed to a ho$pital b!t a$ later

on $!!#bed.

*n the ri#e $ene, the SS $oldier$ and $!bordinate Ge$tapo$ re#ained in the ho!$e for f!rther

in&e$ti'ation a$ the dan bro%e o!t. The( di$o&ered the >Benz that Do$ier !$ed to arri&e at the

plae.

0 He ant 'o an( f!rther. Searh the area.1 One Ge$tapo $aid.

)hile the( di$per$ed to tra% don Do$ier a Ge$tapo tried to $tep ba% to the ri#e $ene here

Dill#an a$ $hot. He a$ $!rpri$ed hen he $a the $hell of the $l!' here Do$ier fired hi$

44



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pi$tol. /i%ei$e, he happened to $ee the blood-$tained 'ra$$ fro# the o!nd of Do$ier. The(

tra%ed don the path of drop$ of blood and $tained 'ra$$e$.

0 To the ri&er 1 e?lai#ed a Ge$tapo.

All SS $oldier$ approahed the lon'-l(in' ri&er here it$ !rrent a$ rapidl( floin' pa$$in'

thro!'h the brid'e. >eanti#e, o!nded Do$ier a$ alread( drifted at the foot of the brid'e and

$lol( reepin' !p hile bleedin'. He !ndre$$ed hi#$elf and #ade !$e of hi$ hite thin-lon'

$hirt$ to rap and ea$e hi$ bleedin' o!nd. He $pared hi$ !nifor# b!t re#o&ed hi$ na#e plate

and lea&in' a $tar in$i'nia. The SS ere o#in' ai#in' their '!n$ in all diretion$ of the ri&er

ban%. Do$ier $en$ed the arri&al of the SS and thin%in' there a$ no #ore hope to $!r&i&e p!t o!t

hi$ Ger#an /!'er fro# hi$ ai$t and ai#ed to fire at the fir$t SS ho o!ld o#e nearer ith hi$

re#ainin' ro!nd$ of $l!'$. And before the fir$t SS $oldier e#er'ed on $i'ht, Do$ier held !p hi$

breath hile hi$ fin'er$ tre#bled in the tri''er.0 Halt C#on ba% no *t doe$nt #a%e an( $en$e at all. He #i'ht ha&e been drifted !nder the

ater 1 the troop o##ander e?lai#ed.

Do$ier a$ able to relea$e i$ breath freel( a$ the( $tepped aa( hile holdin' hi$ bleedin' o!nd.

A'ain, he tied hi$ o!nded $ide abo&e hi$ ai$t line ti'htl( to pre&ent prof!$e bleedin'. Slol(

he e#er'ed to the brid'e and &ieed the pa&ed hi'ha( to deter#ine the di$tane to the ton

proper. He deided to $ee% $helter a#on' the 'ron tree$ $ine the $!n had $hone bri'htl( and

aited hat #i'ht o!ld o#e alon' the a(. *n an ho!r he $potted a ar'o tr!% o#in' fro# a

di$tant and he $tr!''led to reep and al% hi$ a( to the pa&e#ent of the road. He han'ed

hi#$elf alon' the iron fene on the $ide of the road a$ he a&ed hi$ hand to $top the tr!%. The

tr!% $topped o!rteo!$l( and an old #an in hi$ old 'ra( $!it and ap ali'hted 'entl(. He $po%e

Ger#an. 3 *n En'li$h=

0 o!re hit $irJ1 the old #an $i'hed.

0 Ta%e #e to the neare$t Dotor, Plea$e 0 he a$%ed.

I!i%l( the old #an dro&e to the ton proper that a$ al#o$t an ho!r far fro# the plae.

0 o!re an offier J the old #an a$%ed.

0 E?atl(.1 He replied.

0 )hat reall( happenedJ1

0 An eno!nter ith an ene#(1 he ontin!ed.

0 )here are (o!r o#rade$ J1 the old #an ontin!ed.

45



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0 * a$ left behind b( the driftin' !rrent1 he replied.

The old #an pa!$ed hile approahin' the Ger#an he% point.

0 o!r paper$ plea$e.1 the SS a$%ed.

He !i%l( 'a&e hi$ paper$.

0An offier i$ o!nded and * ha&e to r!$h hi# to the neare$t ho$pital1

The SS he%ed !rio!$l( the o!nded Do$ier ho$e head a$ don a$ if he a$ !non$io!$.

0 O%a( 'o1

pon arri&in' at the #ilitar( ho$pital the old #an alled the attention of the ho$pital aide ho

!i%l( bro!'ht Do$ier to the e#er'en( roo# a#on' other patient-$oldier$ bein' attended to.

The proed!re a$ !i% and Do$ier !nderent operation to re#o&e the $l!' behind hi$ ba%.

Ho!r$ after a $!e$$f!l operation Do$ier a$ bro!'ht to the re!peratin' roo# and $pent $o#e

ti#e !ntil he a$ re!perated. He a$ alread( on hi$ feet and o!ld al% aro!nd a$ he a$ bein'$al!ted b( patient-$oldier$ all aro!nd, hoe&er, he a$ e&a$i&e that other$ o!ld reo'nize hi#.

He e&en $a po$ted bill$ of anted indi&id!al$ inl!din' hi$ in one of the ho$pital po$t$. )itho!t

an( per#i$$ion he e&aded ho$pital a!thoritie$ and al%ed hi$ a( o!t to an !ndi$lo$ed area of the

ho$pital b!t there ere SS aro!nd the &iinit(. He $nea%ed into the &e''ie deli&er( tr!% and ent

!nderneath the $a%$ of &e''ie$ after hih the dri&er dro&e o!t after bein' he%ed b( the SS.

Do$ier didnt %no that the ne?t deli&er( of the dri&er a$ the #ilitar( ho$pital at the air

field. The dan'er a$ hi'h in the pre$ene of a #ilitar( o##and po$t in the airfield that he

tho!'ht of ta%in' the ar'o plane to depart the area. B!t it a$ a tedio!$ and ri$%( plan to e?e!te

that he had to ta%e li&e$ of SS and an offier to fi? hi#$elf into a ne !nreo'nized i#a'e of a $tar

Offier to ta%e a plane o!t of the re'ion. B!t thin'$ o!ld not be that ea$( hen a ann( Ge$tapo

o!ld di$o&er hi$ identit(. To'ether a o#pan( of SS o!ld ta%e a hot and fier( p!r$!it before

boardin' the plane and $orin' a n!#ber a'ain$t the#. At '!n point he o!ld hold $o#e

parah!ti$t$ and the pilot$ in$ide the plane b( ta%in' all their rifle$ and forin' the# di&e into

!n$peified loation. Bein' hi2a%ed plane, he o!ld fore the pilot$ to alter diretion$ to

Czeho$lo&a%ia b!t the( had to ref!el to 'et there. The( had to fore land in a ertain airfield in

Poland to ref!el b!t the toer had been arned and alerted of the hi2a%ed plane hih al$o

identified Do$ier.

After ho!r$ of ne'otiation$ ith the field o##ander, a tan% of f!el a$ deli&ered to ref!el

the airraft hile an atte#pt to entrap the $#art Do$ier a$ perpetrated that a!$ed the li&e$ of

46



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three SS e$ort of the 'a$ tr!%. The pilot$ re#ained at hi$ '!n point b!t the field o##ander and

hi$ SS o!ld not initiate a #o&e to 'et Do$ier a$ the( o!ld not blo the plane ith Ger#an pilot$

on board. *n a fe ho!r$ the plane reahed the air $pae of Czeho$lo&a%ia and Do$ier ordered the

pilot$ to land in a re#ote area here there a$ a&ailable r!na( and free fro# an( ontat of

ene#( line$. *n an !nidentified loation ith a ro!'h b!t ae$$ible r!na(, the plane $!e$$f!ll(

landed that 'a&e Do$ier a hane to e$ape and $!r&i&e.

0 So lon', #( one ti#e o#rade$ 1 Do$ier $ho!ted at the pilot$ a$ he al%ed toard$ the

ilderne$$ of the area.

Do$ier a$ deli'hted and felt $o relie&ed b( the a#biene of the $!rro!ndin'$ a$ if he a$ in

the !non!ered paradi$e of total freedo# and en2o(in' the lon'-(earned bli$$ of life. No fear and

no an?iet( at all a$ he did not feel ear( hile hi$ le'$ ontin!ed to tread the &a'!e diretion of

the e?oti plae. And o!t of that ilderne$$ appeared before hi$ $i'ht the far aa( inhabited plaehe did not %no e?atl( hat it a$ and (et he ontin!ed to $tep forard approahin' the

habitable $ite. B!t he did not realize that the little ton in the prairie had been on!ered b( the

Ger#an fore$ and a n!#ber of ar#ored &ehile$ and tan%$ ere deplo(ed in the &iinit(.

A for#ation of Ger#an SS and a n!#ber of Ge$tapo a'ent$ ere &i$ible a$ if hi$ arri&al a$

e?peted. A Ger#an $niper a$ han'in' !p in the tree ai#in' at hi$ prei$e tar'et aitin' for the

$i'nal of hi$ $!perior. Do$ier bein' !naare of the i##inent dan'er ontin!ed to $tep forard

hile en2o(in' the old-breeze of the da($ fine eather. The SS Co##ander fla!nted hi$ th!#b

don. lti#atel(, the re&erberatin' $hot $!ddenl( di$t!rbed the $ared bird$ that fle aa( fro#

their per%$. Do$ier fell on the 'ro!nd lifele$$. The SS Co##ander ordered to lift the bod( of

Do$ier to be bro!'ht to the Ger#an >ilitar( Head!arter a$ ph($ial e&idene to $ho to the Hi'h

Co##and that the( had f!lfilled their #i$$ion .

6

"peration 7al)yrie+ Second Assassination Attept

After the failed atte#pt to a$$a$$inate Hitler, Ar#( Gen. Friedrih Fro##, o##ander of the

Ger#an Ho#e Ar#( a$ $hot b( a firin' $!ad for hi$ diret partiipation in the +!l( plot to

a$$a$$inate Hitler. *n 455, #an( hi'h-ran%in' Ger#an offier$ had their tho!'ht$ that Hitler

47



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#!$t die for he a$ leadin' Ger#an( to nohere b!t de$tr!tion, hene in a $!iidal ar on to

front$. Sta!ffenber' ent to Berlin to #eet hi$ o-on$pirator$ to arr( o!t Operation @al%(rie.

Th!$, the( belie&ed that the onl( a( to $top hi# a$ a$$a$$ination.

A$ a re$!lt of a$$a$$ination, o!p detat o!ld en$!e and a ne 'o&ern#ent in Berlin o!ld

$a&e Ger#an( fro# total annihilation at the hand$ of the Allie$. All did not 'o aordin' to plan,

hoe&er, Col. Cla!$ &on Sta!ffenber' a$ 'i&en the ta$% of plantin' a bo#b d!rin' a onferene

that a$ to be held at Berhte$'aden, Hitler$ holida( retreat b!t a$ later #o&ed to Hitler$

head!arter$ at Ra$tenb!r'. Sta!ffenber' a$ hief of $taff of Gen. Friedrih Fro##, ho a$

hief of the Ho#e Ar#( hih a$ o#po$ed of re$er&i$t$ ho ere inlined to the on$pira(,

b!t a'reed to ooperate in the o!p onl( if the a$$a$$ination plot a$ $!e$$f!l.

pon learnin' the plot, Aaron Dei$hi prepared hi$ rer!it$ for the bi' e&ent thin%in' that it

o!ld be the be$t ti#e to $hatter the Nazi hi#$ial drea# of on!erin' the hole orld and$top the Final Sol!tion. /i%ei$e, he tho!'ht that e&en if hi$ 'ro!p o!ld not be able to 'et Hitler,

then the( o!ld ta%e part in %illin' other top offier$. Th!$, on the ni'ht of +!l( 6, 455, at the

onferene roo# in Ra$tenb!r', Sta!ffenber' planted an e?plo$i&e-filled briefa$e !nder a table.

Aaron $till in Nazi offier$ !nifor# and hi$ #en in SS !nifor#$, $pent the ni'ht in the nearb(

fore$t leadin' to the he%point$ at Ra$tenb!r' here the #eetin' a$ on-'oin'. At an( one ti#e

hate&er the re$!lt of the a$$a$$ination plot o!ld be, he and hi$ #en o!ld p!r$!e their #i$$ion

to fi'ht. Col Heinz Brandt tried to 'et a better loo% at the #ap in hih Hitler a$ $t!d(in' the

Ea$tern Front. He #o&ed the briefa$e o!t of plae, farther aa( fro# here the F!hrer a$

$tandin'.

At aro!nd 4L5 p.#. the bo#b ent off and o##otion en$!ed. )hen the $#o%e leared,

Hitler a$ &er( #!h ali&e, b!t a$ o!nded, harred, and e&en $!ffered the te#porar( paral($i$

of one ar#. )hen he arri&ed in Berlin, General Fro## a$ infor#ed that Hitler a$ o!nded b!t

ali&e, ordered the arre$t of hi$ #en, b!t hi$ plo( a$ not $old to Nazi polie in$tead he a$

arre$ted and onfined in an offie. Her#an Goerin' prono!ned that Hitler a$ $till ali&e and

Fro## a$ relea$ed fro# hi$ onfine#ent fro# the offie. Hitler a$ r!$hed to bed for treat#ent

and 'i&en fir$t aid. Alar# ent on and all he% point$ ere lo$ed for an( probable entrap#ent of

!lprit$.

>eanti#e, Sta!ffenber' and Gen. Friedrih Olbriht i$$!ed order$ to o##ander &ario!$

'o&ern#ent b!ildin'$. Fro##, ho a$ alread( relea$ed a$ an?io!$ to ha&e hi$ in&ol&e#ent in

48



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of the $hred Ge$tapo a'ent$ ho# #o$t often than not onfronted ho$tilitie$ ith the#. To

#aintain a $e!re po$ition and pre&ent ene#ie$ to ro$$ the ri&er SS $oldier$ e$tabli$hed

he%point$ at the brid'e and ath toer$ in both orner$ of the it( leadin' to the ri&er ban%$

that o!ld learl( &ie the $!rro!ndin'$ for e$apin' rebel$. *t o!ld be a dan'er zone for an(one

atte#ptin' to $tep the area a$ the lethal >G-5 #ahine '!n$ o!ld not $antif( the#.

*n $o#e oa$ion$ the bottle ne% for !npreditable ho$tilitie$ li%e a#b!$ade$ of SS offier$

o!ld ta%e plae in offee $hop$, par%$ and plaza$, that o!ld $pare or lo$e their li&e$ or the

de$erter$. *f it happened SS and Ge$tapo o!ld $tor# all a&en!e$, $%irt$ and o!ld not $pare

b!ildin' apart#ent$ and o!ld dra' don all $!$peted ele#ent$. *n thi$ br!tal #anner

per$onalitie$ ere e?po$ed to the point of 'ettin' $hot hen ho$tile or arre$ted and onde#ned to

$!ffer in the onentration a#p$. Hene, in no ti#e defetor$ and $(#pathizer$ ro$e to

!npreedented n!#ber$ that !$!all( re$orted to $treet ar. Nor#all(, it a#e to a point thatnobod( had to be tr!$ted in the fae of 'roin' ten$ion and ra%don for their apit!lation.

Third And Su*se8uent Assassination Attepts

)hile #an( offier$ belie&ed that Hitler a$ leadin' Ger#an( to h!#iliation, another

a$$a$$ination atte#pt a$ on$pired. *n the $!##er of 454, >a2.Gen. Hennin' &on Tre$%o, a

#e#ber of Gen. Fedor &on Bo%$ Ar#( Gro!p Center a$ the leader of one of #an(

on$piraie$ a'ain$t Hitler ith hi$ $taff offier, /t. Fabian &on Shlabrendorff and to other

on$pirator$. The( belon'ed to old Ger#an fa#ilie$. The 'ro!p tho!'ht of arre$tin' the F!hrer

hen he &i$ited the Ar#( Gro!p$ head!arter$ at Bori$o&, So&iet nion, hoe&er, Hitler

appeared bein' $!rro!nded b( SS $oldier$ and dri&en in one of a fleet of ar$. The( ne&er 'ot near

Hitler.

On >arh 4, 45, Tre$%o tried a'ain a plot alled Operation Fla$h. Tre$%o and

o#pan( ere $tationed in S#olen$%, So&iet nion. Fro# @innit$a, SSR, Hitler a$ thin%in' to

fl( ba% to Ra$tenb!r', Ger#an(. D!rin' a $topo&er in S#olen$%, the F!hrer a$ to be handed a

parel bo#b b( an i'norant offier thin%in' it a$ a 'ift of li!or for to $enior offier$ at

Ra$tenb!r'. All ent aordin' to plan a$ Hitler$ plane too% off. The bo#b a$ $et to e?plode

$o#ehere in >in$%. )hen the ode ord 0 fla$h1 a$ #entioned o-on$pirator$ in Berlin

o!ld ta%e ontrol of the entral 'o&ern#ent. nfort!natel(, the bo#b ne&er popped !p bea!$e

the detonator a$ defeti&e.

50



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On >arh 4, a ee% after the fia$o Tre$%o ho$e Col Freiherr &on Ger$dorff to at a$

$!iide bo#ber in Berlin$ Me!'ha!$ >!$e!# here Hitler a$ to attend the ann!al #e#orial

dediation. )ith a bo#b in eah of hi$ to oat po%et$, Ger$doff a$ to 'o be$ide Hitler a$ he

re&ieed the #e#orial$ and then, he o!ld i'nite the bo#b$ alon' ith hi#$elf and e&er(one in

the i##ediate &iinit(. The bo#b$ ere $!pplied b( Shlabrendorff- eah ith a 46-#in!te f!$e.

One at the e?hibition hall, Ger$doff a$ infor#ed that Hitler$ in$petion of the e?hibit o!ld

onl( la$t for ; #in!te$- hih a$ not eno!'h for the f!$e$ to #elt don.

The Death o, !r4in Roel

Erin Ro##el a$ Hitler$ fa&orite General. He a$ alled the De$ert Fo? hen he

o##anded the Afri%a Korp$ and $hoed hi$ tatial 'eni!$, abilit( to in$pire hi$ troop$ and #a%e

the be$t of li#ited re$o!re$ that pro#pted Hitler to ele&ate hi# to the ran% of Field >ar$hall./i%ei$e, he fortified the Atlanti )all alon' the oa$t of Frane that o!ld repel the in&adin'

fore$ of the Allie$ in 454. *n 45, Ro##el learned of Hitler$ death a#p$, $la&e labor,

e?ter#ination of the +e$ and other Nazi atroitie$. He a$ di$#a(ed b( the de&a$tation a!$ed

b( the bo#bin' raid$ of the Allie$ and the ero$ion of people$ #orale. He belie&ed that Ger#an($

&itor( a$ a lo$t a!$e and a prolon'ed ar o!ld onl( a''ra&ate ho#eland$ de$tr!tion.

>e#ber$ of a 'roin' on$pira( to o!$t Hitler reahed hi$ %noled'e and a#e to %no the

plan of a $eparate peaef!l $ettle#ent ith the )e$tern Allie$.

Ro##el a$ o!nded in the field hen a Briti$h fi'hter plane $trafed hi$ ar in 455. He a$

ho$pitalized and ta%en ho#e to reo&er in Ger#an( and after three da($, Hitler a$ nearl( %illed

b( an a$$a$$in$ bo#b d!rin' a $trate'( #eetin' in Ea$t Pr!$$ia. Di$'!$tedl(, $o#e $!$pet$

i#pliated Ro##el in the on$pira(, altho!'h he a$ not aare of the a$$a$$ination atte#pt.

Th!$, Hitler a$ inf!riated a$ hi$ attit!de did not on&ine hi$ ani#o$it(. Hitler faed a proble#

on ho he o!ld eli#inate Ro##el itho!t re&ealin' to the Ger#an people that he had ordered

hi$ death. The final $ol!tion a$ to o#pel Ro##el to o##it the di'nit( of $!iide and

anno!ne that hi$ death a$ a!$ed b( hi$ battle o!nd$. Ro##el$ fa#il( a$ aare that

Ro##el a$ !nder $!$piion and that hi$ hief of $taff and hi$ o##andin' offier had been both

e?e!ted.

51



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7

Atrocities in "ccupied (oland

No leared of $eond threat fro# the +apane$e, So&iet Pre#ier +o$eph Stalin ordered hi$

fore$ into Poland, hene the SSR o!ld abandon it$ intere$t in the territorie$ beteen the ne

border and inl!de /ith!ania in e?han'e for )ar$a in the zone of intere$t of SSR. A$ a re$!lt,

Poli$h defen$e fore$ in the ea$t on$i$tin' of 7 battalion$ %non a$ Korp!$ Ohron( Po'raniza

ere ordered to fall ba% and not en'a'e the Red$, b!t it did not deter $o#e la$he$ and l!$ter

ho$tilitie$ a$ $oldier$ and the pop!lae atte#pted to defend the it(.A$ a on$e!ene, the So&iet$ e?e!ted $e&eral Poli$h offier$, inl!din' PO)$.

Co##!ni$t parti$an or'anized loal re&olt$, re$!ltin' to lootin' and #!rderin' i&ilian$. The

So&iet in&a$ion a$ one of the dei$i&e fator$ that on&ined the Poli$h 'o&ern#ent that the ar

a$ an apparent lo$$. Poli$h #ilitar( fall ba% plan had alled for a lon' ter# defen$e plan a'ain$t

Ger#an( in the $o!th-ea$tern part of Poland hile aitin' an e?peted #ilitar( aid fro# Frane

and Britain in it$ atta% on the e$tern border of Ger#an(. Hoe&er, Poli$h 'o&ern#ent fir#l(

ref!$ed to $!rrender and $it for a peae ne'otiation ith Ger#an(. *n$tead, ordered the Poli$h-

e&a!ation and re-or'anize in Frane.

*t a$ a total ar and a$ a on$e!ene, i&ilian a$!altie$ ere hi'h a$ /!ftaffe atta%ed

i&ilian tar'et$ and ol!#n$ of ref!'ee$ alon' the road$ to rea% ha&o di$r!pt o##!niation$,

and de#oralize Poli$h. *n addition, both SS and )ehr#aht #!rdered tho!$and$ of i&ilian$

inl!din' tho$e e?e!ted in the e?e!tion $ite$ d!rin' Operation Tannenber' b( the

Ein$atz'r!ppen. Hitler$ Poli$h Ca#pai'n a$ the fir$t a#pai'n to reate /eben$ra!#, or li&in'

$pae for the ethni Ger#an pop!lation. A$ a re$!lt of Ger#an-hatred a'ain$t oppo$in' Poli$h

i&ilian$, atroit( a!$ed li&e$ of #en, o#en and hildren and the ation of the Ger#an ar#(a$ 2!$tifiable in their on e(e$. /i%ei$e, it a$ learned that the Nazi propa'anda or%ed to

per$!ade the Ger#an people into belie&in' that the +e$ and other ethni people ere their ene#(

and inferior rae.

52



.

The in&a$ion of Poland led Britain and Frane to delare ar on Ger#an( on Septe#ber.

Hoe&er, the( did little to affet the o!to#e of the Septe#ber Ca#pai'n. No delaration of ar

a$ i$$!ed b( Britain and Frane a'ain$t the So&iet nion. Thi$ la% of diret help led #an( Pole$

to belie&e that the( had been betra(ed b( their )e$tern Allie$.

Hitler e?plained to hi$ offier$ that the #ain ob2eti&e of the in&a$ion a$ to obtain Ger#an

/eben$ra!# for the Ger#an pop!lation. Re#ar%able atroit( to Hitler$ dei$ion a$ the

enfore#ent of Final Sol!tion folloed b( $!b$e!ent territorial o!pation$ hih ere the #o$t

br!tal and $a&a'e epi$ode$ of )orld )ar ** re$!ltin' in the death and #!rder of #ore than

#illion Poli$h-+e$ in e?ter#ination a#p$ in A!$hitz, inl!din' ad ho #a$$are$ here

i&ilian$ ere dra''ed to fore$t, '!nned don3!$in' >G-5 #ahine '!n= and then b!ried dead

or ali&e.

A$ a re$!lt of it$ defeat, Poland a$ di&ided a#on' Ger#an(, the SSR, and Slo&a%ia. Theit( of @ilni!$ a$ ta%en b( /ith!ania fro# So&iet nion. Greater Poland and Po#erelia ere

o!pied b( Ger#an( and e$tabli$hed #ilitar( di$trit$ alled Poznan and )e$tpre!ben. Hitler

appointed hi$ Colonel-General$ to handle #ilitar( di$trit$ of /odz and Kra%a !nder the

o##and of Gerard &on R!nd$tedt and )ilhel# /i$t. Another on$en$!al-a'ree#ent a$

$!rreptitio!$l( #odified and ne'otiated beteen Ger#an( and SSR, that all of /ith!ania a$ to

be $hifted to the So&iet $phere. )itho!t !nder$tandin' or de$irin' it, Hitler tho!'ht of the ar a$

on beteen to 'ro!p$ of apitali$t 3 Frane and Britain= a$ he !nder#ined the apitali$t $($te#,

$ha%in' hand$ ith the Red$ and la#orin',1 A ar i$ on beteen the to 'ro!p$ of apitali$t

o!ntrie$, for the re-di&i$ion and do#ination of the orld There$ nothin' ron' in their ha&in' a

'ood hard fi'ht and ea%enin' eah other )e an #ane!&er )e pit one $ide a'ain$t the other to

$et the# fi'htin' eah other a$ fierel( a$ po$$ible The annihilation of Poland o!ld #ean one

feer bo!r'eoi$ fa$i$t $tate to fi'ht ith There i$ no har# hen e e?tend the $oiali$t $($te#

onto ne territorie$ 1

Tho!$and$ of Poli$h troop$ e$aped to ne!tral Ro#ania thro!'h Ro#anian Brid'ehead and

H!n'ar( and another #ore than 6,666 troop$ to /at&ia and /ith!ania ith the #a2orit(

e&ent!all( #a%in' their a( to Frane and Britain a$ the Poli$h Na&( $!eeded in e&a!atin'

Poli$h ref!'ee$ to Britain a$ ell. The So&iet$ f!lfilled the liberation of Poland in 457 and

e$tabli$hed a o##!ni$t 'o&ern#ent. *n +!ne 454, Hitler atta%ed the So&iet nion, brea%in'

hi$ non-a''re$$ion and Ger#an( $eized the entire Poland. D!rin' the o!pation, nearl(

53



.

,666,666 Poli$h +e$ ere %illed in the Nazi a#p$. Sla&i #a2orit( a$ $e&erel( per$e!ted,

deportin' and e?e!tin' Pole$ in an atte#pt to de$tro( the intelli'ent$ia and Poli$h !lt!re. A

lar'e Poli$h re$i$tane #o&e#ent effeti&el( fo!'ht the Ger#an fore$ ith the a$$i$tane of the

Poli$h 'o&ern#ent-in-e?ile. >an( e?iled Pole$ al$o fo!'ht for the Allied a!$e.

54



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8

Dresden; &erany

>eanti#e, Erzen and +ora ere both $tranded $o#ehere in Dre$den here the( had to

$tr!''le their a( o!t to Czeho$lo&a%ia a$ the $earh and p!r$!it operation$ a'ain$t the# ere at

it$ hei'ht.

0 The plan i$ learL o!r fir$t le' i$ Czeho$lo&a%ia hile it i$ not that hot for the Nazi to la!nh an

offen$i&e there, then e ill all proeed to o!r nati&e land, Albania. Per$e!tion of the +e$ i$ not

that or$t than in the re$t of o!pied E!rope.1 Erzen e?plained.0 Are (o! $!reJ1 +ora a$%ed.

0 Sorr(, * did not notif( (o! before e lo$t Do$ier. That a$ the !pdate hih Aaron and all the

re$t in the 'ro!p deplo(ed an(here reei&ed.1 He added.

0 * tr!$t (o!.1 +ora ontin!ed.

0 * ha&e notified Aaron to flee for hi#$elf to Czeho$lo&a%ia. *t$ not $afe here an(#ore.1 Erzen

told.

0 B!t ho an he do that hen e ha&e lo$t ontat in the airfield J1 +ora a$%ed.

0 )ell, he i$ on hi$ on no.1 Erzen replied.

0 )e need to han'e lothe$ no a$ thi$ doe$ not $#ell plea$ant at all.1 +ora a$%ed.

0 No. )e 2!$t need to p!t thi$ off and la!nder. )e #!$t be in !nifor# b( all #ean$ !ntil e 'et to

Czeho$lo&a%ia and Albania, otheri$e it$ all o&er for !$.1 Erzen told.

0 )e #!$t be in a h!rr(.1 +ora added.

Erzen and +ora %ept it ool in a hidin' plae at the hei'ht of a #a$$i&e $earh for the# after a

failed a$$a$$ination of the F!hrer that a!$ed li&e$ of their fi&e tr!$ted #en d!rin' the blood(

p!r$!it b( the Ger#an fore$. Three a#on' the# e$aped b( boat b!t ere $!rro!nded b( the)affen SS ho peppered the# ith fier( b!llet$ b( !$in' the dreadf!l Ger#an >G-5 #ahine

'!n. The other to ho ere $till in their Ger#an #ilitar( !nifor#$ atte#pted to e$ape b( the

Ger#an ar#ored &ehile hile bein' p!r$!ed b( a #ahine '!n-e!ipped #otorized &ehile b(

)affen SS thro!'h the $%irt$ and a&en!e$ of Dre$den a$ the( fierel( e?han'ed fire ith the#. *t

55



.

a$ a len'th( p!r$!it that a!$ed the Ger#an$ a lot of da#a'e and li&e$ inl!din' Ger#an

offier$ alon' the a( for the to #en ere profe$$ionall( trained $oldier$ in the Ger#an #ilitar(.

B!t the( #et their )aterloo hen the( ere entrapped at the brid'e ith both end$ ne$ted b( the

Ger#an he% point$ hih po!red in #ilitar( reinfore#ent$ that $!rro!nded and e&ent!all(

ornered the#. B!t the( had no hoie b!t to aelerate the 'a$ of the &ehile to reate e?it b(

de$tro(in' the ooden fene of the brid'e a$ the( pl!##eted into the depth of the ri&er.

Con$e!entl(, Ger#an troop$ be'an firin' at the# that ended their li&e$. Their b!llet-riddled

ada&er$ $!rfaed at the nearb( ban%$ later here the( ere drifted b( the !rrent.

Aaron failed to 2oin the# hen the plot failed b!t in$tead he and hi$ #en left Berlin b( air

and b( train to Ra$tenb!r', Ger#an( 3 part of Pr!$$ian Poland= hen he reei&ed report$ abo!t

Operation @al%(rie, an a$$a$$ination plot to %ill Hitler b( on$pira( of top Ger#an Offier$. To

$!pport the on$pira(, Aaron prepared hi$ troop$ for the #o$t aaited e&ent that #a( or #a( not be $!e$$f!l. Hoe&er, he a$ hopin' for the be$t, be it a $!e$$ or a fia$o he and hi$ #en

o!ld p!r$!e their #i$$ion.

'ast Ditch ,or !scapees

There a$ nohere to 'o b!t to the atera( here Aaron and hi$ #en had to 'o on$iderin'

the &i$ible dan'er aitin' for an(one at the ri&er ban%$ and a brid'e. The( ere o!tn!#bered and

la%ed a##o$ to $!ppre$$ the ene#( alon' the a(. The( had to #aintain their orn-!nifor# to

%eep their di$'!i$ed identit( and o!ld enable the# al% freel( b!t dan'ero!$l( an(here. *n one

oa$ion, Aaron and one of hi$ #en le&erl( and onfidentl( al%ed in the $treet and nor#all(, SS

ho# the( o!ld $ee alon' their a( or pa$$- b( o!ld $al!te to hi# hen $eein' hi$ &i$ible

in$i'nia ran%, hoe&er, a ritial $it!ation ro$e hen alon' the road a #ilitar( offier in ar o!ld

$top and interr!pt the#.3in En'li$h=The( $al!ted the General hen the( $en$ed that he a$

loo%in' for $o#ethin'.

0 )hat i$ it that (o!re loo%in' for GeneralJ1 he a$%ed onfidentl(.

0>a2or, e are loo%in' for the o##and po$t near the Elbe ri&er. 0 the General a$%ed.He$itant to loate the e?at loation of the o##and po$t, Aaron pointed hi$ fin'er to a different

diretion hih he a$ not $!re. General Han$ Baier loo%ed at hi#.

0 Arent $o $!re eno!'h of thi$ plae, >a2orJ1 the General added.

0)e ha&e 2!$t arri&ed da($ a'o, $o ere not a!$to#ed of the plae (et, Sir1

56



.

0 )h(J )here did (o! o#e fro# and hat re'i#entJ1 the General ontin!ed hile hi$ Ad2!tant

and dri&er loo%ed on.

0 Sir, ere fro# Berlin >ilitar( Detah#ent Ar#or( Di&i$ion.1 Aaron replied.

0 B!t h( ere (o! here $ine there i$ an on-'oin' #ilitar( operation thereJ1

0 )e are part of the reinfore#ent to tra% don de$erter$ after the fia$o on the a$$a$$ination of

the F!hrer .1

The General pa!$ed a$ he loo%ed at hi$ na#e plate.

0 Alri'ht, >a2or Dei$hi (o! to are di$#i$$ed.1

0 Than% (o!, Sir1 he replied.

Then, that a$ the onl( ti#e the( breathed freel( and ea$ed their ten$ion. The( al%ed fa$t

and itho!t t!rnin' ba% to an i$olated a&en!e not %noin' that in a di$tant offee $hop a #an

$ippin' hi$ hot offee and in hi$ dirt(-hite oat and bla% hat a!'ht their attention. He $a thehole $enario and had been $%eptiall( %eepin' hi$ e(e$ on the# that pro#pted hi# to $tal% the#

!naare. A$ Aaron and hi$ #an al%ed fa$t 46 #ore of hi$ #en alon' their a( pretendin' to be

patrollin' in the &iinit( be'an to a$$e#ble to follo the# to an old ro ao##odation flat in

ad2oinin' area.

0 There the( are. * a# not #i$ta%en 0 the Ge$tapo $i'hed a$ he hid hi#$elf behind the po$t of

'ron $hr!b$.

The Ge$tapo !i%l( $ra##ed and proeeded to the neare$t telefon boot at the &iinit( of the

o##erial area.

0 Co##and Po$t. )hat an * do for (o!J1 the o##and ad2!tant a$%ed.

0 A'ent Otto Hear$t $pea%in'. Plea$e $end SS trooper$ in the &iinit( of Ne!$tadt in an old ro

ho!$e near the h!rh. A 'ro!p of !n$r!p!lo!$ ele#ent$ ha$ been $i'hted in Nazi !nifor#.1 He

e?plained.

0 Are (o! ertainJ

0 e$, * $a the# a$$e#bled in an old ro ho!$e near the h!rh.1 He e?lai#ed.

0 Alri'ht, SS trooper$ o#in' ri'ht aa(.1

)hile Aaron and hi$ #en ere holdin' a #eetin', one of hi$ #en ent o!t to $en$e for an(

!nanted #o&e#ent. He $potted the approahin' Panzer tan% and SS infantr( troop$ abo!t one

%ilo#eter aa( alon' the a( to their area. I!i%l( he ent in.

0The( are o#in'1 he $ho!ted

57



.

E&er(one ho a$ pani%( $a#pered o!t of the pre#i$e$ and be'an to find hidin' plae$ in

different diretion$. There a$ no a( o!t b!t to #o&e toard$ the ri&er Elbe or to the old

A!'!$t!$br!%e brid'e that a$ ne$ted b( SS he%point$. )hen the SS $a the# #o&in'

toard$ the $aid diretion the( o##ened firin' at the# and an e?han'e fire folloed hile the

$ophi$tiated Ger#an ar #ahine, the Panzer tan% be'an to #ane!&er a$ the re loaded an

a##o. *t 'a&e the# a bi' $hot b!t #i$$ed to hit an(one of the#. Aaron ordered hi$ #en to $atter

and $tr!''le their a( to the ri&er hile troop$ %ept firin' at the#. *nitial ao!nt for a$!altie$

a$ one hit fro# Aaron$ 'ro!p and three SS fro# the Nazi troop$. )hile the &iinit( a$ &er(

narro for the Panzer tan% to penetrate Aaron and hi$ #en ere able to #a%e a $ift #o% atta%

on the SS troop$. Knoin' that $o#e $tr!t!re$ ere alread( abandoned, the Panzer tan% $o!red

the# to pa$$ thro!'h the other $ide of the a&en!e hile $%ir#i$he$ ontin!ed.

)hen approahin' the thre$hold of the ri&er Elbe, Ger#an fore$ fro# the he% point$ be'anto $hoer the# ith blazin' b!llet$. The( be'an to 'et an?io!$ hen both $ide$ %ept firin' at

the#. The ae$o#e >G-5 #ahine '!n at the top 'a&e the# a hard ti#e.

0 Shoot the toer Shoot the toer 1 Aaron $ho!ted.

)ith all hi$ #en$ o!ra'e and onfidene the Ger#an hoitzer and 'renade$ the( 'rabbed

fro# the ene#( or%ed effeti&el( for the#. The( bro!'ht don the to deadl( >G-5, and the(

razed the o##and po$t %illin' all it$ defen$i&e $oldier$, b!t the( lo$t to li&e$ hile the(

ontin!ed to #a%e their a( to ri&er Elbe. Con$e!entl(, the 2oint fore$ of the SS ith their

Panzer ere ad&anin' behind the#.

The( $o!'ht ref!'e in$ide the lar'e b!n%er hih the( $!e$$f!ll( ta%en hen the( #ade a

darin' atta% after the fall of the toer$, %illin' all the SS. No the( ere in po$$e$$ion of the

ene#($ >G-5 #ahine '!n$ and $!b-#ahine '!n$. The( di$arded the hoitzer for la% of

a##!nition. There a$ no t!rnin' ba% for Aaron and hi$ #en de$pite the plea fro# the Ger#an

General the( #et at the $!b!rb$.3in En'li$h=

0 There$ no #ore hope for (o!, >a2or Aaron Dei$hi and (o!r #en. * a# 'i&in' (o! all the

hane$ to li&e. Brin' don (o!r eapon$ if (o! $till ant to li&e Thin% it o&er 1

0 A$ (o! an all $ee, (o! are $!rro!nded. At an( ti#e, e an blo (o! !p there o! ha&e no

hoie b!t to o#e ith (o!r hand$ in the air1 the General added.

)hile the( ere aitin' for the ri'ht ti#e to p!ll their tri''er$ all $ta(ed alert and ai#in' at their

tar'et$.

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footbrid'e to l!r% for an( patrollin' SS $oldier$ in the he% point, hoe&er, the General a$

alread( able to ontat and alert the he% point$ at the brid'e.

0 )e ant $i# to the other $ide. The ri&er i$ bi' a$ the !rrent flo$ rapidl(. )e ill all peri$h if

e dare to do $o. There$ no hoie b!t the brid'e.1 Aaron e?plained.

Sen$in' that the( had been alerted, Aaron $trate'iall( deplo(ed hi$ #en and atta%ed the

he% point %illin' all SS $oldier$ and the patroller$. Hoe&er, at the other end of the brid'e hih

a$ appro?i#atel( 4 and a half %ilo#eter$ aa( a$ another he% point of SS l!r%in' for their

arri&al. All a$ $et at an( #o#ent one the 'ro!p bea#e &i$ible to the#. The 'ro!p tho!'ht

abo!t the l!r%in' po$ition of the SS $oldier$ $trate'iall( li#bed don the $teel brid'e and al%ed

beneath it a$ the( approahed the ene#( at the other end. Hoe&er, a$ i$e a$ the 'ro!p o!ld be

$o#e SS $oldier$ did the $a#e thin'. And $o $%ir#i$he$ too% plae beneath the brid'e. So#e SS

fatall( fell into the ater a$ to of Aaron$ #en ere fatall( hit. One fell into the ater hile theother one a$ $!$pended at the ed'e of the bea#. Therefore, a 'ro!p of fi&e37= had toppled the#

all inl!din' the one$ on top of the brid'e.

/i%ei$e, to #a%e the p!r$!it fa$ter aerial a$$i$tane a$ alled for b( the General to $trafe

the de$erter$. After the( had toppled the# all aerial a$$i$tane $ooped fro# the thi% bri'ht

lo!d$ and a$ fa$t a$ a fl(in' ea'le the to di&ed don to $trafe the# at the brid'e.

0 St!%a$ St!%a$ Ta%e o&er 1 Aaron $ho!ted.

*t a$ li%e a rain of fire that hene&er the fla#in' b!llet$ hit the 'ro!nd it $izzled, reatin'

open hole$ or dar% rater$, hat #ore hen it hit a h!#an fle$h it o!ld prei$el( lea&e #!tilated

bone$ and fle$h to death. Aaron and hi$ tried to retaliate a$ the( ran and hid at the $teel po$t$ of the

brid'e to reah the fore$t hih a$ al#o$t 466 #eter$ aa( fro# their po$ition. To St!%a$

#ade another three to fi&e ro!nd$ to $trafe the# b!t failed to 'et the# . /ater, the( fle aa( !ntil

the fi&e37= #en band a$ able to totall( ro$$ed the other $ide. Hoe&er, !naare of hat had

happened, the p!r$!it tea# of the General and it$ reinfore#ent$ ith ho!nd$ 3Ger#an Shepherd$=

ere alread( treadin' their a( to 'et the#.

0 General, that fore$t i$ $o treahero!$ that it had %illed all o!r #en ho atte#pted to ha$e

rebel$1 an SS e?plained.

0 The de$erter$ o!ld ha&e 'one $o far b( no at the e?pan$e of that &ir'in fore$t.1 an SS Offier

in$in!ated.

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0 *t happened bea!$e the( la%ed $trate'( and illin'ne$$ to ha$e the#. Nothin' o!ld be #ore

treahero!$ than the fan'$ of the$e $tar&ed ho!nd$ and lethal '!n$.1 the General replied

0 At da( brea% to#orro, e ill re$!#e h!ntin' the#.1 He added.

At da( brea%, the p!r$!it ontin!ed. E&er(one had to do all the le' or% a$ no %ind of iron

heel$ o!ld be needed to do the 2ob. The( entered the e?pan$e of the &ir'in fore$t a$ thi% 'ron

tree$ dar%ened and al#o$t pre&ented the brilliane of the $!n to 'li#p$e thro!'h the thi% lea&e$

of tall tree$ and $hr!b$ onl( if $tron' blo of the ind$ o!ld allo it. >eanti#e, Aaron and hi$

#en ere far behind the h!ntin' part( of appro?i#atel( tent(-fi&e SS #o!ntain infantr( $oldier$

that ere part of reinfore#ent of the Ger#an #o!ntain infantr( re'i#ent. Sniffin' ho!nd$ ere

$o feroio!$ and $en$!al that braid$ ere $trethed hene&er it $niffed $o#ethin' e?oti fro#

the#. H!#an$ ha&e it$ ph($ial li#itation$ that Aaron and hi$ #en had to ta%e a brea%. Relie&in'

and re$tf!l hen e&er(one leaned hi$ ba% at the bar% of an inlined tree and $oothin' hen l(in'on the thi%-old ild lea&e$.

0 Ho lon' do (o! thin% e o!ld $ee plain$ or a prairie fro# thi$ $iteJ 1 one of hi$ #en

!rio!$l( a$%ed.

0 Not $o $!re. * ha&e ne&er 'one to thi$ plae before and e&er(bod( ha$ ne&er did.1 Aaron replied

hile hi$ #ahine '!n on top of hi$ bod(.

0 /et$ 2!$t %eep al%in' and o#e hat #a(. One thin' * a# $!re no.1 He added.

0 )hat i$ itJ1 hi$ #an a$%ed.

0 The(re behind !$, $o let$ %eep #o&in'.1 Aaron in$in!ated a$ he $tood !p and han'ed hi$ '!n-

belt aro!nd hi$ $ho!lder.

)hile #in!te$ had lap$ed a h!$%( bar% of $niffin' ho!nd$ ere $en$ed afar fro# their po$ition.

0 I!i% , $niffin' ho!nd$ 1 Aaron e?lai#ed.

Read( ith their eapon$ the( #o&ed !i%l( and al#o$t ran aa( a$ fa$t a$ the( o!ld fro#

the plae. /ater, the li'ht of the $!n 'a&e the# the e?pliit &ie of the open field$. The( ran a$

fa$t a$ the( o!ld o!t of the fore$t$ $hade b!t behind the# ere feroio!$ ho!nd$ a$ the SS %ept

firin'. The( all d!%ed don a#on' the tall prairie eed$ and e?han'ed fire ith the# and

ontin!ed to r!n b!t the( notied that the( ere headin' to a ired fene $!rro!ndin' the

peri#eter of the field$. The( ere $t!nned and o!ld hardl( belie&ed that the &iinit( had been

po$$e$$ed and inhabited b( the Ger#an fore$. The( all had ran o!t of a##!nition$ and hat a$

left a#on' the# a$ their $tren'th and de$ire to e$ape. The( t!rned left to han'e ro!te and tried

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to #i$lead the h!ntin' part( hih relea$ed the ho!nd$ fro# their %not$. The( ran ba% in$ide the

fore$t. One of the ho!nd$ 2!#ped into the ea% #an and bite hi# hile the #an $tr!''le to a&oid

the hite fan'$. The other ho had a $tren'th 'rabbed a piee of &ine and hit the ho!nd to free

the ea% o#rade. He $tron'l( e?erted hi$ effort and ba$hed the head of the bea$t. *t fell don

bleedin' and plaated. Aaron and the other three ahead of the to ere atta%ed b( the other

ho!nd in hih one of the# a$ bitten in the ar#. The( $tr!''led to $!bd!e the bea$t b(

$tran'lin' it b( the braid it had aro!nd it$ ne% hile the ha$in' SS behind ere r!$hin' and %ept

firin' at the#. The rollin' terrain don the ri&er enabled Aaron and hi$ to #en to ran b!t the

other to that ere left behind ere alread( held apti&e. Aaron and hi$ to #en 2!#ped into the

ri&er Elbe to e$ape.

0)hat abo!t the#J1 one of hi$ #en ried.

0 *t$ no !$e re$!in' the#. The( are held apti&e$ no. +!$t proeed1 Aaron e?lai#ed.0 The !rrent i$ rapid , ell 'et dron1 the other one $ho!ted.

0 +!$t $ta( at the ed'e and hold the 'ra$$e$1 Aaron e?lai#ed.

)affen SS %ept folloin' the# %noin' that the floin' !rrent a$ rapid. B!t it a$ too

late for the# to realize that ahead of the# in the ri&er a$ a floatin' bar'e of SS $oldier$ ai#in'

their '!n$ at the#.

0 *t$ all o&er 1 an SS $oldier $aid.

0 e$, the ha$e i$ o&er.1 Aaron $i'hed.

Soon the( ere bro!'ht !p and bro!'ht into the dr( land. The other to ere al$o 2oined hile the

o!nd of the one bitten b( the ho!nd a$ rapped ith hi$ hand%erhief. The General

approahed the# and tried to identif( eah one of the#.

0 o!r Nazi !nifor# $till fit$ ith (o!, >a2or Aaron Dei$hi. o! reall( o!ld ne&er %no thi$

plae before.1 The General $ara$tiall( $aid.

0 The fore$t a$ no lon'er &ir'in !nli%e before hen it a$ #ade a fa&orite a#b!$h $ite and 'ra&e

for o!r SS $oldier$, $ine then e tried to on!er the ilderne$$ and #ade !$ it$ po$$e$$or.1 he

added.

The( ere all bro!'ht to the other o##and po$t here the( 2oined ith aro!nd fifteen #ore

rebel $oldier$ apt!red in different plae$. A$ the( aited for the General$ in$tr!tion a Ge$tapo

a'ent ho $tal%ed the# in the $!b!rb flat appeared and approahed Aaron.

0 *t$ all o&er >a2or. No de$erter$ o!ld be able to $!r&i&e b( o!r %een e(e$.1 He bra''ed.

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0 Not all da($ belon' to (o!.1 Aaron $aid.

/ater, to ar#( tr!%$ rolled in and ordered the# to 'et into one of the#. The tr!%$ be'an to roll

o!t of the plae.

0 )here are e headin' offierJ1 Aaron a$%ed.

0 o! ill all be tran$ported to Berlin Head!arter1 an offier replied.

*t too% the# hane$ to tal% a lot and e&en e?han'ed plea$antrie$ alon' the a(. /ater the(

$topped at the hill$ $ide ith &erdant a#biane. The da( a$ fine altho!'h #i$t( and old and

the $ent of the air a$ $o plea$antl( aro#ati.

0 Alri'ht, e&er(bod( ta%e $o#e ti#e to $treth and fle? (o!r #!$le$1 the offier !r'ed.

The( all 'ot don and e?itedl( $trethed their ar#$ and %i%ed their le'$. The other Ar#(

tr!% po$itioned on the oppo$ite $ide of the Ar#( pa$$en'er tr!% and after to #in!te$ the

o&erin' !rtain of the Ar#( tr!% a$ !n&eiled. The 'r!e$o#e >G-5 #anned b( three SSopen- fired indi$ri#inatel( to the beildered de$erter$ ho hopele$$l( ran for their li&e$ a$ the

blazin' b!llet$ hit the#. The( ere $ho%ed and pani%( that $o#e ere not able to r!n b!t fell

into the 'ro!nd bleedin' to death. Aaron #ade a fe $tep$ aa( b!t !nfort!natel( a$ hit b(

three $l!'$ $trai'ht to hi$ he$t and all the re$t fell don to their la$t trip to death.

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9

Cechoslova)ia

*n >arh 4;, the in&a$ion of Czeho$lo&a%ia bea#e one of Hitler$ a$piration$ folloin'

the An$hl!$$ of A!$tria to Nazi Ger#an(. Th!$, the o!pation of Czeho$lo&a%ia be'an 34;-

457= ith the anne?ation of Czeho$lo&a%ia$ northern and e$tern border re'ion$ b( Nazi,

otheri$e %non a$ the S!detenland !nder ter#$ penned b( the >!nih A'ree#ent. The plo( of

Hitler for thi$ effort a$ the alle'ed $!fferin'$ of ethni Ger#an pop!lae inhabitin' the re'ion$.

E?ten$i&e border fortifiation$ ere al$o $it!ated in the $a#e loation$.

On Otober 7, 4;, after the Nazi o!p, Ed&ard Bene$ had re$i'ned a$ pre$ident of the fir$t

Czeho$lo&a% Rep!bli.

Bene$ or'anized a Czeho$lo&a% 'o&ern#ent-in-e?ile in /ondon and ne'otiated to obtain

international reo'nition and reno!ne the >!nih Pat. *n 456, Britain reo'nized the e?iled

'o&ern#ent, belatedl(, the So&iet nion in the $!##er of 456, and the .S. in the inter.

/i%ei$e, the Czeh Ar#( a$ alloed to reon$tit!te in Frane on +an!ar( 5, 456, and !nit$

of it$ 4$t *nfantr( Di&i$ion too% part in the la$t $ta'e$ of the battle of Frane a$ did $o#e Czehfi'hter pilot$ in &ario!$ Frenh Fi'hter S!adron$.

The $!b&er$i&e ati&itie$ of the S!deten Ger#an$ had ad&aned the >!nih A'ree#ent.

D!rin' the po$t ar (ear$, Bene$ reei&ed on$ent fro# the Allie$ for the po$tar tran$fer of the

S!deten Ger#an pop!lation a$ Bene$ or%ed hard to re$ol&in' Ger#an #inorit( proble#. The

Fir$t Rep!bli had o##itted it$ forei'n poli( to )e$tern Allie$. Hene, Bene$ a$ deter#ined

to $tren'then Czeho$lo&a% $e!rit( f!t!re Ger#an a''re$$ion thro!'h alliane$ ith Poland and

SSR in hih the So&iet nion oppo$ed a tripartite Czeho$lo&a%-Poli$h-So&iet o##it#ent,

hoe&er, Bene$ onl!ded a tr!e ith the So&iet nion.

The re$t of Czeho$lo&a%ia a$ left ea% and it bea#e poerle$$ to rep!l$e $!b$e!ent

in&a$ion hen S!detenland a$ anne?ed to Nazi Ger#an(. *n 4, Hitler prolai#ed Bohe#ia

and >ora&ia, the Protetorate of the for#er prior to the o!pation of Pra'!e, the apital it(.

D!rin' the earl( ho!r$ of >arh 47,Hitler $!##oned Pre$ident Haha and infor#ed hi# of the

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i##inent Nazi in&a$ion of Czeho$lo&a%ia ith threat of /!ftaffe atta% on the apital it( of

Pra'!e.

A$ a ondition, Hitler ordered the apit!lation of the Czeho$lo&a%ian Ar#(, on$e!entl(

Haha $!ffered $eiz!re d!rin' the #eetin' and had to be %ept aa%e b( #edial $taff, e&ent!all(

Haha 'a&e in to Hitler$ de#and for $!rrender ter#$. Hene, the $a#e (ear Hitler$ in&adin'

fore$ o!pied Czeho$lo&a%ia, a $arifiial la#b on the altar hih a$ the o!to#e of the

>!nih Pat. The pat a$ a &ain atte#pt to halt Hitler$ hi#$ial i#perial a#bition$. That $a#e

da(, Ger#an troop$ #arhed into Bohe#ia and >ora&ia. *t a$ bloodle$$ and no re$i$tane

happened d!rin' the o!pation, li%ei$e in the e&enin', Hitler and hi$ troop$ #ade a &itorio!$

entr( into Pra'!e. >eetin' no re$i$tane d!rin' the in&a$ion of Bohe#ia and >ora&ia ,b!t onl(

an or'anized re$i$tane led b( Karel Pa&li% ho fierel( fo!'ht the Nazi )ehr#aht in >i$te%

a$ reorded.The >!nih Pat a$ an a'ree#ent $i'ned on Septe#ber 6, 4; b( Hitler, >!$$olini,

Daladier and Cha#berlain hih $ealed the fate of Czeho$lo&a%ia into the hand$ of Nazi

Ger#an( in the na#e of peae, altho!'h the a'ree#ent a$ to 'i&e onl( to Hitler, S!detenland

here #illion ethni Ger#an$ li&ed, inl!din' :: perent of oal,96 perent of it$ iron and $teel,

and 96 perent of it$ eletrial poer. *f not 'i&en to Hitler the Czeh Rep!bli a$ left

o#pletel( $!$eptible to Ger#an do#ination. /i%ei$e, the o!pation of Czeho$lo&a%ia

re$!lted in the e$tabli$h#ent of a protetorate o&er Slo&a%ia. *t a$ the death of a one$$ion and

pro&ed that Hitler a$ l(in' at >!nih hih $hoed that the for#er had intere$t in Ger#an

e?pan$ioni$#. *n the $a#e (ear, 49th of >arh, Briti$h Pri#e >ini$ter Ne&ille Cha#berlain ited

that he o!ld not tr!$t Hitler not to in&ade other o!ntrie$, hene he a$$!red to defend Poland

hen atta%ed b( Nazi Ger#an(.

Aordin' to Cha#berlain 0the >!nih Pat had p!rha$ed peae in o!r ti#e a$ it a$

#erel( a ne'otiatin' plo( of Hitler, onl( te#poraril( dela(in' the F!hrer$ l!$t for blood and

land.1 The Ger#an o!pation of Czeho$lo&a%ia a$ de$ribed a$ e?eedin'l( har$h, altho!'h

not a$ $e&ere a$ in Poland e$peiall( hen Heinrih He(drih a$ appointed Go&ernor General .

Aordin' to a di$lo$ed do!#ent drafted b( o!pation a!thoritie$, it o!ld $!''e$t a draonian

#ea$!re that o!ld inte'rate half the Czeh pop!lation and the other half o!ld be e?e!ted and a

lar'e Ger#an pop!lation o!ld be alloed to olonize Bohe#ia and >aro&ia. He(drih replaed

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&on Ne!rath, ho a$ the Reih Protetor of Bohe#ia and >ora&ia, for bein' too lenient toard

the Czeh$.

*n 456, after a#ple deliberation$, Part( a'enie$ a$ ell a$ the Central A!thoritie$ of Berlin

e?pre$$ed their &ie$ abo!t the &ario!$ plan$ in a #e#orand!# hih indiated theL Ger#an

intr!$ion into >ora&ia and $ettle#ent of Czeh$ in Bohe#ia, hoe&er, the re#ed( a$

!n$ati$fator( b( rea$on that Czeh$ o!ld ontin!e to e?i$t hoe&er, a #ore radial $ol!tion that

o!ld be $!b2et to ar'!#entation alled for the deportation of Czeh$ hih o!ld not be arried

o!t aordin' to a re&ealed #e#orand!# and di$per$ion of Czeh national$ in the onentration

a#p. The F!hrer ho$e to a$$i#ilate the Czeh$ and direti&e$ ere i$$!ed o!t for the

a$$i#ilation and Ger#anization o!ld ha&e to be arried o!t in the entralized a( for (ear$ to

o#e b( the Reih Protetorate.

Cechoslova)ian Resistance /oveents

D!rin' the Nazi o!pation of Czeho$lo&a%ia $pontaneo!$ for#ation of ar#( o##and to

defend the nation a$ or'anized ith branhe$ in Britain and Frane. nit$ for Czeho$lo&a%ia

and Slo&a%$ $er&ed ith the Poli$h Ar#( %non a$ the Czeho$lo&a%ian /e'ion, the 4$t

Czeho$lo&a%ian Ar#or Bri'ade on$i$tin' of the Frenh Ar#(, the Ro(al Air Fore and the

Briti$h Ar#( . There ere #ore than ,666 Czeh$ and 566 Slo&a%$ ho fo!'ht in 44th *nfantr(

Battalion-Ea$t alon'$ide the Briti$h in North Afria and Pale$tine. Czeh pilot, S't. +o$ef

Franti$e% a$ one of the #o$t fa#o!$ per$onalitie$ a$ bein' a#on' the ae pilot$ in the Battle of

Great Britain.

The Politial Center led b( Pro%op Ditina ith Edard Bene$$ ollaborator$ a$ or'anized

and a$ nearl( de$i$ted b( arre$t$ in hih (o!n'er politiian$ too% ontrol. Edard Bene$ a$

the Fir$t Pre$ident of the Czeh Rep!bli ho re$i'ned hen the Nazi o!pied the o!ntr(. He

li&ed in Great Britain and for#ed a 'o&ern#ent-in-e?ile and $o!'ht *nternational reo'nition a$ he

alled for the ren!niation of the >!nih Pat and it$ on$e!ene$. /i%ei$e, intellet!al$ a#on'

the Soial De#orat$ in a$$oiation ith trade !nion$ and ed!ational in$tit!tion$ for#ed the

Co##ittee of the Petition.

The Co##!ni$t Part( of Czeho$lo&a%ia 3KSC= a$ the fo!rth #a2or re$i$tane 'ro!p that

a$ or'anized d!rin' the Ger#an o!pation. The leader$hip of the 'ro!p #o&ed to >o$o after

the >!nih A'ree#ent and ent !nder'ro!nd !ntil 45, hoe&er, it a$ ea% b!t faithf!l to

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So&iet line. Hene, it bea#e #ore ati&e a'ain$t the Nazi after it$ atta% on the So&iet nion in

+!ne,454.

Earl( in 456 the Central Co##ittee of the Ho#e Re$i$tane hih on$tit!ted the

de#orati 'ro!p$ a$ or'anized. *t a$ in&ol&ed pri#aril( in *ntelli'ene 'atherin' in

ollaboration ith a So&iet *ntelli'ene in Pra'!e. *t reated a !nited front folloin' the in&a$ion

of So&iet nion in +!ne,454. Hoe&er, hen Reinhard He(drih a$ appointed in the fall, the

'ro!p$ effort a$ tharted. B( #id-45, the Nazi$ had $!eeded in eradiatin' the #o$t

e?periened ele#ent$ of the Czeho$lo&a%ian re$i$tane #o&e#ent$.

*n 45-45, Czeho$lo&a%ian fore$ re'ro!ped in hih the Co##!ni$t !nder'ro!nd

e#er'ed a$ the re$i$tane fore in the loalit(. *t a$ prepared to a$$i$t the liberatin' ar#ie$ of the

.S. and the So&iet nion, later the #o&e#ent ollaborated ith the Red Ar#( parti$an !nit$ and

de&eloped a '!erilla !nit. G!erilla ati&it( bea#e #ore ati&e and inten$ified ith a ri$in'n!#ber of paratrooper$ and led the for#ation of parti$an 'ro!p$. On >a( 7, an !pri$in' bro%e o!t

in Pra'!e in hih the Czeh National Co!nil led the re&olt. Barriade$ ere ereted thro!'ho!t

the it( a$ Czeh #en and o#en battled a'ain$t thron'$ of Ger#an troop$ ba%ed b( tan%$ and

artiller( that led to Ger#an )ehr#aht$ apit!lation.

At e?atl( 6766 ho!r$ in the #ornin', Erzen and +ora #ade it to the airfield at Dre$den-

Klotz$he ith the a$$i$tane of a tr!$ted Ger#an pilot, na#ed R!t'er, a friend of Col. Sa#ron

Fra$heri ho# he ontated for the# earlier for their !r'ent drop at the border near /ibere,

Czeho$lo&a%ia.

The fli'ht a$ o#pri$ed of Ger#an )ehr#aht3Ar#(= Paratrooper$ and a o!ple, Erzen and

+ora. Cle&er and pre$!#pt!o!$ a#on' the paratrooper$ the( ob$er&ed o!ra'e and onfidene.

0 )hih a( ill (o! 'o, SirJ1 a$%ed one parah!ti$t.

0 )ere on a $peial #i$$ion o&er /ibere to 2oin fore$ ith Ger#an #ilitar( o##and.1 Erzen

in$in!ated.

0Good l!%1

Soon the to $eparatel( 2!#ped o!t of the plane o&er the fore$t land of /ibere. The( tread

their a( o!t of the fore$t and #et b( #e#ber$ of one of Czeh$ '!erilla fore$ of o##!ni$t

alliane.

0 )e o!'ht to han'e o!r attire no a$ thi$ ill no lon'er $er&e o!r #i$$ion here. )e ha&e to p!t

on the $a#e lothin' li%e o!r o#rade$ here in order not to #i$lead the#1. Erzen a$%ed.

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0 E?atl(. )e are all of the $a#e %ind no.1 +ora replied.

0 *ntelli'ene report$ $a( that a Briti$h- ba$ed Czeh 'o&ern#ent of Bene$ i$ di$pathin' a o!ld-

be a$$a$$in$ of He(drih na#ed +o$ef Gabi%, a Slo&a% and a )arrant Offier, and Staff S't. +an

K!bi$, a Czeh in Pra'!e on Otober ;. Code na#e L Anthropoid1 A '!erilla leader anno!ned.

0 )e ill not 'et lo$er and interfere ith their #i$$ion b!t e ill 2!$t ait for f!rther

in$tr!tion$. Hoe&er, e ant 2!$t enter a Ger#an fortified Pra'!e a$ it ill be i#po$$ible to

fi'ht their $tron'hold and 'et peri$hed. *n$tead e ill proeed to /idie here e o!ld han'

o!t and ait for the re$!lt of Anthropoid 1 He added.

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10

&eran "ccupied $rance

Ger#an( had la!nhed it$ ar a#pai'n in E!rope. Ton$ and itie$ ere all penetrated and

be$ie'ed b( the Ger#an fore$ hile air poer ontin!ed to de&a$tate /ondon. The in&ader$

ad&aned into the territor( of Bel'i!# ,Netherland$ and Poland. Frane a$ o!pied and #ade

an !nonditional $!rrender to Hitler hile the Ger#an fore$ #arhed thro!'h the re#ar%able

Arh de Trio#pe in Pari$, the it( of li'ht$.

General Philippe Petain, )orld )ar * hero and >ar$hal of Frane later bea#e the Chief of

State of @ih(, Frane ollaborated ith Hitler folloin' the $i'nin' of the Ar#i$tie at

Co#pie'n, Frane ith Ger#an( that 'a&e the latter ontrol o&er the north and e$t of Frane

inl!din' Pari$ and the oa$tline of the Atlanti, lea&in' to-fifth$ of the pre-ar territor( of the

o!ntr( !no!pied. Hoe&er Pari$ re#ained the 2!re apital of Frane.

The ne E!ropean order a$ enfored d!rin' Petain$ re'i#e in Frane. He aboli$hed the

pre$iden(, and 'ot the on$tit!tional poer to appoint and di$#i$$ #ini$ter$ and i&il $er&ant$

fro# offie. He had all the poer$ of the le'i$lati&e, e?e!ti&e and 2!diial poer$ and a$

o##ented to be the Frenh leader $ine /o!i$ W*@. Petain had the ab$ol!te poer of the Head of

State.

De$pite the ne E!ropean order Frane re#ained for#all( at ar ith Ger#an(. Folloin'

the Briti$h atta%$ on +!l( , 456, Petain$ 'o&ern#ent bea#e #ore An'lophobi and

inrea$in'l( ollaborati&e ith the in&ader$. The Frenh ollaborator$ $!''e$ted to Petain to

reate a ollaborationi$t ar#ed #ilitia 3>ilie= in hih the latter aepted. The ar#ed #ilitia a$

#obilized !nder the o##and of +o$eph Dar#and, ho, alon' ith the Ger#an fore$ led aa#pai'n of repre$$ion a'ain$t the Frenh re$i$tane3>ar!i$=

Dar#and$ fore$ la!nhed an all-o!t a#pai'n a'ain$t $#all and lar'e 'ro!p$ of '!erilla

#o&e#ent$ in the entire Frane. Fro# the $%irt$ to the ide a&en!e$ and par%$ of ton$ and itie$

ho$tilitie$ ontin!ed and a$ a on$e!ene, #ore re$i$tane #e#ber$ ere %illed. Gen. Heinrih

Hi##ler, the hief of the SS ordered to inten$if( the a#pai'n a$ #ore rebel$ ere ar#ed to fi'ht

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ba%. Reinfore#ent$ of poerf!l Panzer$ be'an to roll and $o!r the a&en!e$ a$ the( $la##ed

thro!'h b!ildin'$ and e$tabli$h#ent$ to apt!re and ipe o!t rebel$. The( o!ld #a%e $!re that

no $i'n$ of life o!ld re#ain in the area$ after the( $a%ed and de$tro(ed the#.

>eanhile, @ih(, Frane bea#e the entral head!arter$ of the Ger#an Hi'h Co##and

here Petain and Hitler #et for #ilitar( and politial tal%$ beteen the to o!ntrie$. *t a$

here the #o$t $ophi$tiated Ger#an Panzer$ and artiller( ere $tationed to $e!re the area and

protet it fro# ene#( atta% parti!larl( the or'anized re$i$tane. )hile r!#or$ of politial and

#ilitar( de$tabilization to o!$t Hitler ere heard the Ger#an Hi'h Co##and bea#e #ore

&i'ilant and red alert a$ !p to repel an( po$$ible atta%$ b( the ene#ie$ and protet the F!hrer.

"radour+Sur+&lane aute+ 7ienne; $rance

Orado!r-$!r-Glane i$ loated in the Ha!te-@ienne Depart#ent, abo!t 47 #ile$ north-e$tfro# the it( of /i#o'e$. *t i$ one of the #ore i$olated pop!lae of Frane %non for it$ porelain

ind!$tr(. Not that ar fro# Orado!r i$ the it( of /i#o'e$ hih i$ $it!ated ithin the $e#i-

a!tono#o!$ part of @ih(, Frane, an all( of Nazi Ger#an(. Orado!r-$!r-Glane a$ a $ite in

Frane here br!tal atroitie$ ere o##itted b( )affen SS d!rin' )orld )ar **.

On the other hand, fro# the Fore$t hill abo!t to %ilo#eter$ aa( fro# Orad!r-$!r-Glane,

ere Ia#il /e%a and hi$ re$i$tane fi'hter$ e!ipped ith Ger#an >5 $!b-#ahine '!n$ ere

l!r%in' for the approahin' on&o( of Ger#an ar'o tr!% loaded ith $!pplie$ and a##!nition$

headin' to Nazi >ilitar( Detah#ent near /i#o'e$. One the on&o( pa$$ed b( their po$ition,

the( opened-fire at the SS $oldier$, throin' 'renade$ and e?pellin' all the SS $oldier$ don the

tr!% dead. The ar#( tr!% a$ totall( b!rned and $pared onl( the ar'o tr!% of $!pplie$ and

a##!nition$. The( too% the tr!% and dro&e their a( o!t of /i#o'e$ and headed to

An'o!le#e$ ba%ood$ here their hidin' area a$ loated.

The inident a$ i##ediatel( rela(ed to the Ger#an #ilitar( head!arter in /i#o'e$ hen

an SS *n$petor and a Ge$tapo ere ond!tin' a ro!tine he% on their a( to /i#o'e$. The

$i'ht of the dead bodie$ of SS $oldier$ and b!rnin' ar#( tr!% ere all aro!nd the road and

apparentl(, the tr!% of $!pplie$ and a##!nition$ a$ lo$t.

0 The( ont 'et an( f!rther, alar# all he%point$ to entrap the rebel$1 an SS offier

o##anded.

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)hen the SS arri&ed at the $ene in their on&o( of lorrie$, half-tra%$ and ar$ fro# the

$o!th, b( a( of the /i#o'e$ road, their fir$t $trate'( a$ to $eal the &illa'e to pre&ent the

$!$peted ene#ie$ fro# in're$$ and e're$$. The offier$ e$tabli$hed their o##and po$t at the

>a$$et 3 $#all far#= hih laid a little o!t$ide the &illa'e to the north-ea$t. Hene, it a$

$i'nifiant that the troop$ approahed onl( fro# $o!th and did not arr( o!t a la $t(le

#o&e#ent, lo$in' in on the Orado!r fro# $e&eral path$ $i#!ltaneo!$l( to pre&ent e$ape.

>eanti#e, $o#ehere in An'o!le#e$ ba%ood$ Ia#il and hi$ #en had hidden the ar'o

tr!% !nder the 'ron lea&e$ and tree$ a$ the( tried to re#o&e heel #ar%$ of the tr!% fro# the

d!$t( 'ro!nd.

0 Prei$el(, the Nazi$ are h!ntin' !$ b( no. The( ont $top !ntil the( 'et !$ and the tr!%.1

Ia#il hi$$ed.

0 The( ill deal ith !$ in a #ore $!btle a( before the( 'et !$. *t$ their on a##o$ that ill%ill the# or the( %ill !$ b( their on $l!'$1 A #an $aid.

After an ho!r Ia#il 'ot the radio and tried to ontat $o#eone ith !r'en(. A'ain he 'a&e hi$

order$ to hi$ #en.

0 Faro$, * a# entr!$tin' (o! #( leader$hip of o!r 'ro!p. * hope to $ee (o! all a'ain after the ar.

Sander Bo'dini i$ no on hi$ a(, $o * ha&e to lea&e (o! no.1 Ia#il a$%ed.

Ia#il left dri&in' the Ger#an ar'o tr!% ith a loo% o!t on hi$ a( to the $ea oa$t of

Ro(an here Sander Bo'dini o!ld pi% hi# fro# a Ger#an Na&( ar$hip pl(in' alon' the Ba(

of Bi$a( to Bre$t , Frane. Fro# Bre$t, Ia#il o!ld $tr!''le hi$ a( to the air ba$e of the Nazi

Air Fore that o!ld ta%e hi# o!t of Frane to N!re#ber', then to Czeho$lo&a%ia. Still in hi$

Nazi !nifor#, he had to !nderta%e a to!'h #i$$ion, do or die.

S!b$e!ent eno!nter$ too% plae beteen the Nazi $oldier$ and re$i$tane #o&e#ent$ in the

&iinit( of Orado!r-$!r-Glane that #ade the Nazi e&en #ore inf!riated. A$ a on$e!ene, dar%

tho!'ht$ entered the #ind$ of the Nazi $oldier$. The re$i$tane$ lande$tine pa$$a'e$ at the

ba%ood$ had not been di$o&ered b( the Nazi $oldier$ not !ntil the hot p!r$!it for the

di$inte'rated re$i$tane 'ro!p$ d!rin' a blood( eno!nter after the Orado!r #a$$are. *t had

beo#e a depot of f!el and a##!nition$ that had been $!pportin' the re$i$tane hile the Ger#an

#ilitar( o##and a$ $till e$tabli$hed in the area. Ia#il $!e$$f!ll( e#bar%ed into the Ger#an

ar$hip patrollin' the Ba( of Bi$a( in hih Bo'dini a$ it$ o##andin' offier. Hoe&er,

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both ere pre$!#pt!o!$l( inter#in'lin' ith other Ger#an offier$ in the o!r$e of their len'th(

tre% to Bre$t. *n one oa$ion, $%eptial na&( offier$ ere ine&itable.

0 * 2!$t dont %no h( do (o! ha&e to e?tend tra&er$in' Bre$t al#o$t at the tip #eetin' the

Celti SeaJ 0 a$%ed the Ger#an aptain.

0 )e are not e?tendin' o!r na&i'ation to the Celti Sea b!t e reall( intend to tra&er$e there for

Capt. Ia#il /e%a for a $peial and !r'ent #i$$ion to N!re#ber'. There i$ no ea$( a( for an air

pa$$a'e than to ta%e Bre$t to N!re#ber' itho!t an( ha$$le.1 Bo'dini e?plained ith a!dait(.

The Captain %ept $ilent and %ept ithin hi# hat he belie&ed a$ an attit!de of ollaboration

beteen Bo'dini and /e%a. Hoe&er, /e%a a$ aare and ob$er&ant of the #o&e#ent of the

Captain.

0 * belie&ed he a$ ab$ol!tel( $%eptial for the real #oti&e of o!r plan$. An at#o$phere of

belli'erene i$ no ob&io!$ ith hi# and hi$ to $!bordinate$. The( o!ld do $t!pid thin'$. 0Bo'dini $i'hed.

0 e$, * an $ee it e?pliitl(. * a# read( an( ti#e.1 Ia#il hi$$ed.

Ia#il dre and he%ed hi$ /!'er hile Bo'dini $tepped into the radio roo# ith hi$ pi$tol

read(. Ca!'ht !naare, the Captain a$ tr(in' to ontat the #ilitar( detah#ent in /i#o'e$. He

$h!t the iron anop(, and before hi$ Captain a$ able to #a%e it in the air. The Captain t!rned

aro!nd to $ee hi#. 0* $aid, No 1 Bo'dini $ho!ted. He $hot the Captain ho dropped the $pea%er

and fell dead. At that point, the odin' a$ tran$#itted to the o##and po$t.

0 C#on in Ro'er. )hat a$ that noi$e abo!tJ 0 the operator a$%ed.

Bo'dini !i%l( $nathed the $in'in' ire line of the $pea%er.

0 Ro'er. *t$ nothin' b!t a fallen iron $tool * aidentall( %no%ed don. Thi$ i$ the $hip

o##ander Bo'dini #a%in' a ro!tine he% and !pdatin' on the air a$ to o!r e?at loation.1 He

prono!ned.

0O%a(. Ro'er, lo!d and lear Sir.1 The operator replied.

Bo'dini dra''ed and rapped the Captain$ bod( ith a bla% leather $!it that a$ bein' !$ed

b( $ailor$ hen b!r(in' a dead into the depth of the oean. At ni'ht, Ia#il a$$i$ted Bo'dini to

thro the bod( into the ater hen hi$ to $!bordinate$ loo%ed for the #i$$in' Captain. Bo'dini

ordered the to to $earh for the Captain. Ia#il and Bo'dini a$ertained that no other na&(

per$onnel %ept an e(e on their ation$. )hen the to Ger#an $ailor$ $tepped !p in the bo!'h of

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the $hip, Ia#il ho a$ hidin' behind the de% fi?ed hi$ l!'er ith a $ilener and fired at the to

ho pl!n'ed into the ater itho!t firin' their '!n$.

Finall(, the ar$hip relea$ed it$ anhor into the deeper part of the $ea oa$t of Bre$t. 0 Arent

(o! o#in' ith #e noJ1 Ia#il a$%ed. 0 Not at thi$ point in ti#e. *t$ too dan'ero!$ for !$

$ine o##!niation i$ threatenin' to thart o!r #i$$ion that ea$(.1 Bo'dini replied.

0 * !nder$tand . * $till ha&e to 'o a lon' a( a$ * $ee it fatal hen e&er(thin' fail$.1 /e%a $aid.

0 Co#e hat #a(. Soon, * ill follo a$ * learned that Fra$heri i$ alon' hi$ a(, too.1 Bo'dini

$aid

0 )h( not noJ o!re in dan'er and ao!ntable for the lo$$ of (o!r Captain and to other$. *t

ill 'i&e (o! a hard ti#e.1 He added.

0 Dont orr(. * an #ana'e. An(a(, Good /!%.1 Bo'dini $aid.

0 Alri'ht, * i$h (o! the be$t.1 /e%a $aid.At the order of Bo'dini, the fleet boat a$ loered don b( three $ailor$ a$ Ia#il 'ot on it.

The $ailor$ oared their a( to the oa$t and Ia#il /e%a #ade hi$ a( to !n$peified loation in

Bre$t, Frane. He #ade hi$ a( to the Nazi raila( $tation that o!ld ta%e hi# to the air field .

/ater, he 2!$t $hoed hi$ identit( paper$ to the fli'ht $taff after ta%in' a plane ti%et that #ade hi#

ea$( to board a pa$$en'er plane for N!re#ber', Ger#an(. At N!re#ber', $t!d(in' hi$ at!al

loation in hi$ #ap, the air ba$e a$ 2!$t 5 %ilo#eter$ aa( fro# hi$ po$ition. He $pent a ni'ht in

the nearb( *nn alon' the a( here a n!#ber of SS $oldier$ ere o!t for a 'ood ti#e in the

ad2aent ta&ern. He ent in and 'ot a bottle of beer.

0 He(, o#rade i$ the air ba$e near approahin' thi$ areaJ He a$%ed one air fore $taff ith an

in$i'nia of a bronze ea'le and enr(pted Ger#an Air Fore a$ $een in hi$ !nifor# path.

0 e$, Sir. *t$ abo!t three %ilo#eter- al% fro# thi$ $ite. )h(J

0 * a# headin' that a( for a plane o!t to Czeho$lo&a%ia1 he ontin!ed.

0 )h(J )ho are (o! and h( 'o to Czeho$lo&a%iaJ1

0 * a# on a #i$$ion to be part of the )ehr#aht a$$i'ned in Pra'!e.1 He added.

The #an a$ al#o$t dr!n% and a$ tr(in' to fi'!re o!t hi$ na#e plate and in$i'nia.

0 o!re Captain Ia#il /e%a, ri'htJ1 he a$%ed.

0 E?atl(.1

Ia#il tried to befriend, e?han'ed plea$antrie$ and on&ined hi# !ntil finall( he dro&e hi# to

the air ba$e here the latter a$ $tationed.

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0To#orro, he% the la$t plane o!t for parah!ti$t$ for Czeho$lo&a%ia and (o!ll be able to

board the fli'ht.1

The folloin' da( after learin' ith the air ba$e per$onnel Ia#il $e!red hi$ parah!te

alon' other SS paratrooper$ and boarded the la$t #ilitar( plane that o!ld drop hi# o&er /ibere.

*t a$ off to 'o b!t al#o$t halted.

0 Captain Ia#il /e%a, (o! are bein' $!##oned b( the air ba$e o##and to report to the

o##and po$t ri'ht aa(.1 The Pilot a$%ed.

0 For hat rea$onJ1 he a$%ed.

0 *t a$ not onfir#ed o&er the radio b!t * a$ 2!$t told to tell (o! the !r'ent #e$$a'e.1 The pilot

added.

0 B!t #( fli'ht o!ld 'et dela(ed a$ thi$ i$ the onl( plane o!t for Czeho$lo&a%ia.1

0 *t a$ an order to #e, Sir. * a# 2!$t folloin' order$ a$ e reei&e it in the radio.1 He added.0 )here$ the radioJ1 he a$%ed an?io!$l(.

0 in the o%pit1 the pilot replied.

Fro# hi$ $eat in the f!$ela'e Ia#il $tepped into the o%pit ith hol$ter of l!'er read( a$ the pilot

$h!t the door and 'ot the $pea%er and tal%ed to the o##and po$t.

0 Thi$ i$ Captain Ia#il /e%a fro# SS-Standartenf!hrer )alter Mi##er#ann. An(thin' * an do

for (o!J1 he a$%ed.

0 Captain /e%a (o! are hereb( $!##oned to lear (o!r na#e and e?plain (o!r in&ol&e#ent in the

lo$$ of Ger#an Na&( Captain Han$ Be%er and hi$ to pett( offier$ aboard K>S Tihrpitz. *t$

o##ander Sander Bo'dini i$ no bein' held for in&e$ti'ation in /i#o'e$, Frane.1

0 * ha&e nothin' to do ith that nor ha&e an( idea abo!t their lo$$.1 He e?plained.

0 * a# on an !r'ent #i$$ion, $o plea$e dont dela( #( #i$$ion.1 He added.

0 No, (o! ant 'o that$ an order of the hi'h o##and. Gi&e #e the pilot1

Ia#il t!rned off the radio hile the to pilot$ loo%ed on and ere $t!nned a$ Ia#il dre hi$

l!'er, and at hi$ '!n point ordered the to to $tart the en'ine.

0 Alri'ht, nobod( ill 'et %illed if (o! ill ooperate1 he a$%ed an?io!$l(.

The plane $lol( rolled alon' the r!na( and 'ot aelerated hen Ia#il $a an ar#ored

ar approahin' behind the plane. The SS parah!ti$t$ in f!$ela'e ere all !naare of hat a$

ta%in' plae in$ide the o%pit. *n a fe #in!te$, the #ilitar( plane a$ headin' it$ a( o&er the

border of Czeho$lo&a%ia . To #a%e $!re the pilot$ o!ld not o##!niate ith the air ba$e

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o##and, Ia#il a$ $till holdin' the to pilot$ at '!n point and at ti#e$ 'ettin' into the f!$ela'e

to appea$e the paratrooper$ of an( !rio$it( and orrie$. Before the( reahed the air $pae of

Czeho$lo&a%ia all the paratrooper$ had 2!#ped o!t of the plane for their $peifi #i$$ion.

0 Alri'ht, (o!re al#o$t done ith (o!r 2ob for #e. * ha&e to 'o no.1 He $aid.

*##ediatel( hen the plane a$ o&er the border near /ibere, Czeho$lo&a%ia Ia#il #ade

hi$ one of hi$ darin' 2!#p$ d!rin' the broad da( li'ht and landed $afel( in the ild of /ibere. He

a$ 'reeted b( the re$i$tane fi'hter$ ho al$o #et Erzen and +ora hen the( landed in the $a#e

loation. To'ether the( $tr!''led to fi'ht the SS aro!nd /ibere and Pra'!e.

>eanhile, Sander Bo'dini a$ detained in the Ger#an #ilitar( detah#ent for f!rther

in&e$ti'ation for the lo$$ of hi$ Captain and hi$ to #en. E&ent!all(, the bloated bodie$ of the

to $ailor$ ere 'athered floatin' in the Ba( of Bi$a( here the( ere drifted to the $ea oa$t of

Ro(an, Frane. pon in&e$ti'ation, the bodie$ $!$tained '!n $hot o!nd$ fro# a pi$tol that didnot belon' to Bo'dini nor an(one in the ar$hip b!t to Captain Ia#il /e%a. B!t the bod( of the

Captain a$ ne&er fo!nd at all for it a$ tied ith an iron ei'ht to pre&ent fro# floatin'.

Bo'dini a$ tried before the #ilitar( o!rt for the #!rder of hi$ pett( offier$ a$ the h!nt for /e%a

ontin!ed to be held $olel( liable for the death of the to $ailor$.

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11

Atrocities at "radour+Sur+&lane

On +!ne 46 a 'ro!p of abo!t 4;6 $tron' $oldier$ #o$tl( fro# the rd Co#pan( of the 4$t

Battalion of the 5th Re'i#ent of the nd SS Panzer Di&i$ion be'an to enter and $earh the i$olated

far#$ and ho!$e $o!th of $#all &illa'e of Orado!r-$!r-Glane. The( dra''ed all the inhabitant$ that

the( fo!nd a$ the( al%ed thro!'h their a( to the north. The( $earhed the far#$, b!ildin'$ and

barn$, probin' $tra ith their ba(onet$ to #a%e $!re that e&er(one a$ ao!nted for and no one

a$ to be left behind. B!t to the di$#a( of the tra&ellin' $ettler$, the $oldier$ $et the b!ildin'$ onfire a$ the( left.

The >a(or of the Orado!r a$ $!##oned b( Adolf Die%#an, the o##ander of the

detah#ent hen he $topped at Cha#p de Foire 3 Fair'ro!nd or A'ora=. Spea%in' thro!'h an

interpreter, he told to the >a(or that there a$ to be an identit( he% and all inhabitant$ ere to

a$$e#ble on the fair'ro!nd. *##ediatel(, the >a(or a$%ed the @illa'e Crier to anno!ne the order.

The inhabitant$ for the #o$t part #!$t ooperate !ietl( ith the SS, a fe ere to flee, other$ to

hide, b!t no one a$ to atta% the SS $oldier$ no offer an( ar#ed re$i$tane.

The &illa'e rier no do!bled $et off ro!nd the $treet$ beatin' hi$ dr!# and ao#panied b(

an SS $oldier allin' the inhabitant$ to o#e o!t and a$$e#ble to the fair'ro!nd ith their identit(

paper$ to he%. E&er(one had to o#pl( ith the $!##on fro# the (o!n'e$t bab( to the olde$t

itizen and no one a$ to be e?!$ed not e&en the $i%. A teaher for the 'irl$ $hool ho had a

hi'h te#perat!re a$ not $pared and 'i&en ti#e to fi? her$elf for an appropriate lothin' b!t #ade

her a( to the a$$e#bl( on a dre$$in' 'on o&er her ni'ht-lothe$.

To $!ppre$$ an( tho!'ht$ of a #a$$ atta% !pon the#$el&e$ the SS $et !p #ahine '!n$ on

tripod #o!nt$ in the fair'ro!nd. The( anted to arr( o!t the nor#al proe$$ of handlin' peopleof lar'e n!#ber$ in an open area. The inhabitant$ ere $ared and pani%( hen the heard $hot$

fro# ti#e to ti#e o#in' fro# different part$ of the &illa'e. *t a$ the '!nfire heard for tho$e

people bein' $hot and %illed for tr(in' to e$ape and hide their tr!e identit(. *n $pite the plo( of

identit( he% it a$ $aid that no one a$ e&er at!all( a$%ed to prod!e hi$ or her identit( paper$.

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.

/ater, it a$ lai#ed that the SS #ain ob2eti&e in 'oin' to Orado!r a$ to $earh for eapon$

hih if fo!nd to ha&e onealed an( eapon$ o!ld i#pl( the pre$ene of the Re$i$tane and

prei$el( the ne?t $tep o!ld be to in&e$ti'ate and e?a#ine e&er( one$ identit( paper$.

Aordin' to a lai#ed $tor(, the ation of SS $oldier$ a$ a repri$al for re$i$tane atta%$ in

hih aro!nd 66 SS $oldier$ $tor#ed the &illa'e $!are alle'edl( in $earh for hidden e?plo$i&e$

and a##!nition$. All :7 $ettler$ of the &illa'e ere $earhed of their identit( herdin' off #en

into barn$, and the o#en and hildren into the h!rh. The $oldier$ $h!t the door of the h!rh

and be'an i'nitin' the d(na#ite and inendiar( de&ie$ inl!din' the entire &illa'e.

Apparentl( $et on fire and b!rned to death and tho$e ho $!r&i&ed ere %illed b( #ahine

'!n fire and 'renade$, e?ept for 46 people ho ere able to e$ape the fire hen the( fei'ned

itho!t bein' notied b( the SS ho later left the $ene. The death toll a$ 57 o#en, 69

hildren in the h!rh and 46 #en in the barn$ #a%in' a total of :5. After the ar, the trial of #!rderer$ ere ha#pered b( the diffi!lt( of loatin' and identif(in' the alle'ed SS $oldier$ a$

$o#e of the# ere alread( %illed in $!b$e!ent ation$ *n 47, onl( 4 of the 66 SS in&ol&ed in

the br!tal #!rder ere on&ited in hih 7 ere i#pri$oned and ere e?e!ted.

Testiony o, a Survivor

=une 1<55

The $earh ontin!ed and inten$ified for an( f!'iti&e$ ith all their earthl( belon'in'$ bein'

$a%ed and entered for an( ho had a&oided the all to the Fair'ro!nd. The b!l% of %illin'$ a$

o&er b!t it a$ 'r!e$o#e to re&eal that the aid or%er$ ho entered the &illa'e o&er the ne?t fe

da($ lai#ed that the( had fo!nd ada&er$ in #an( loation$. An in$tane a$ the harred bod(

of an elderl( bedridden #an ho $ee#ed to ha&e been b!rned to death a$ it a$ not po$$ible to

identif( the re#ain$ in the '!tted ho!$e.

/i%ei$e, a 'ro!p of (li$t$ on that da( o!t fro# /i#o'e$ ere apprehended hen the(

arri&ed at the &illa'e after the &iti#$ ere $ent to h!rh and barn$. The( ere all $hot in front of

Bea!lie! for'e before the h!rh and barn$ ere b!rned. Hene, a 'ro!p of dead bodie$ ere

di$o&ered don the ell on the road to St. +!nien. People ho heard the $hot$ o!t$ide the &illa'e

a#e to loo% at hat a$ happenin', and be'an $earhin' their hildren. *f the( a#e too lo$el(

and $een b( troop$, the( too o!ld be $hot.

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Roa#in' SS all o&er the &illa'e ere $plit into $#all 'ro!p$ to h!nt don the re#ainin'

inhabitant$. All in're$$e$ and e're$$e$ of the &illa'e ere $ealed and '!arded ne&erthele$$ a fe

people did #ana'e to $nea% in for a !i% loo%. >o$tl( ere parent$ ho ere an?io!$ or

orried for their hildren$ $afet(. One >ada#e De#er( a$ able to $nea% in and reahed the

Bo($ Shool and a$ able to e$ape a'ain itho!t bein' deteted b( SS. *nrea$in'l( de$perate

people had be'!n to 'ather on the o!t$%irt$ of the &illa'e, #o$tl( parent$ ho$e hildren had not

ret!rned fro# $hool. Other$ ere &illa'e re$ident$ ho i$hed to ret!rn ho#e and a$ a re$!lt of

hopef!l thin%in' and r!#or, the 'ron $tor( o&erni'ht appeared that the hildren ere $afe in the

ood$. >an( Frenh people #ade their a( into the &illa'e and finall( fo!nd the tr!e e?tent of

the tra'ed(. Apparentl( $ho%ed the( realized the f!ll $ale of the %illin'$ and the re#ain$ of the

h!rh. Thi$ i$ aordin' to a ertain H!bert De$o!rtea!?, ho #ade hi$ a( to $afet( and

itne$$ed the de$tr!tion hi#$elf.The o##andin' offier in har'e of the Orado!r #a$$are, Adolf Die%#an a$ %illed b( a

$hell $plinter on +!ne ,455 and left hi$ o##and po$t $helter to the north of No(er$. Th!$, the

death of the o##ander ho had been the $o!l of the re$i$tane ended in a ri$i$. )ith hi$ death

the entire affair of Orado!r o!ld be abandoned fro# the attention of the Ger#an Ar#(. *f he ere

ali&e on that da(, Ro##el o!ld ha&e had hi# o!rt #artialled or o#pelled to o##it the

di'nit( of $!iide a$ hat Ro##el did in hi$ in&ol&e#ent in the a$$a$$ination atte#pt of Hitler.

B( an( $tandard$, the #a$$are at Orado!r a$ apparentl( a ar ri#e and o&er the folloin'

(ear$ #an( atte#pt$ ha&e been #ade to brin' 2!$tie to all the &iti#$ of thi$ br!tal #a$$are. B(

an( $tandard$, hat too% plae in Orado!r-$!r-Glane on Sat!rda( 46th +!ne 455 a$ a ar ri#e

and o&er the folloin' (ear$ #an( atte#pt$ ha&e been #ade to brin' 2!$tie to all the &iti#$ of

thi$ 'r!e$o#e ri#e. No one a$ e&er tried nor p!ni$hed ithin the Ger#an )ehr#aht for the

#a$$are of the itizen$ of Orado!r.

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12

"peration Anthropoid

On Otober 6, 454, the Briti$h Speial Operation$ E?e!ti&e be'an. The #i$$ion a$ to be

arried o!t b( )arrant Offier +ozef Gabi% 3Slo&a%=and Staff Ser'eant Karel S&oboda 3Czeh=

on Otober ;, 454,a Czeho$lo&a%ian *ndependene Da(. $in' fal$e identit(-do!#ent$,

S&oboda$ na#e a$ replaed ith +an K!bi$ 3Czeh=. The #i$$ion$ odena#e L Anthropoid.

K!bi$ a$ not able to o#plete hi$ trainin' after a head in2!r( d!rin' the trainin' a!$in' dela($

in the #i$$ion. On Dee#ber ;, 454 46 p.#. Gabi% and K!bi$ ere airlifted alon' ith $e&en$oldier$ fro# Czeho$lo&a%ia$ ar#(-in-e?ile in the nited Kin'do# and to other 'ro!p$ alled

$il&er A and $il&er B ho had different #i$$ion$ b( a Ro(al Air Fore Halifa? 4; S!adron into

Czeho$lo&a%ia. All did not 'o aordin' to plan$, the pilot ho did not ha&e orientation dropped

Gabi% and K!bi$ near Neh&izd( ea$t of Pra'!e altho!'h the plan a$ to land near Pil$en.

Hene, the $oldier$ #o&ed to Pil$en to ontat their allie$ and fro# there on to Pra'!e here the

atta% a$ planned.

The( ontated fa#ilie$ and anti-Nazi #o&e#ent$ in Pra'!e to help the# prepare for the plot.

Gabi% and K!bi$ initiall( tho!'ht of a$$a$$inatin' He(drih on a train b!t fo!nd it i#po$$ible

after the lo'i$ti$ e?a#ination. The ne?t plan a$ to %ill hi# on the road in the fore$t on

He(drih$ a( to Pra'!e. The( o!ld $top He(drih$ ar b( p!llin' a able aro$$ the road, b!t

after aitin' for ho!r$, /t. Adolfo Opal%a3 fro# the 'ro!p= a#e to brin' the# ba% to Pra'!e.

The la$t plan a$ %ill He(drih in Pra'!e.

On >a( 9, 45 at 46L6 a.#., Gabi% and K!bi$ aited at the tra# $top at a !r&e near

B!lo&%a Ho$pital in Pra'!e ;-/iben here He(drih !$ed to pa$$ on hi$ dail( o##!tin' fro# hi$

a( ho#e in Panen$%e Brezan( to Pra'!e Ca$tle. An o&er &ie of the $pot !r&e a$ ideal thato!ld fore He(drih$ ar to $lo don !pon pa$$in' the a(. Another #an na#ed, @ali% , a

loo% o!t for approahin' ar a$ po$itioned abo!t 466 #eter$ north of Gabi% and K!bi$. To

#in!te$ later hen He(drih$ 'reen- Con&ertible >erede$ ar reahed the !r&e, Gabi%

$tepped in front of the ar and p!lled the tri''er and opened -fire ith hi$ Sten $!b#ahine '!n.

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B!t it 2a##ed and failed to fire. He(drih halted hi$ dri&er SS Ober$harfXhrer Klein and tried to

$hoot Gabi% ith hi$ /!'er pi$tol, hile K!bi$ thre a #odified anti-tan% 'renade hih a$

onealed in hi$ briefa$e at the &ehile.

*t$ fra'#ent$ ripped thro!'h the ar$ ri'ht rear b!#per, hittin' He(drih ith $hrapnel,

e#beddin' into hi$ bod( !pon detonation a$ fiber$ fro# !phol$ter( flon o!t, altho!'h the

'renade did not 'o in$ide the ar. K!bi$ a$ al$o in2!red b( the $hrapnel. Folloin' the e?plo$ion,

Gabi% and K!bi$ fired at He(drih ith their pi$tol$, b!t #i$$ed He(drih d!e to the $ho% of

e?plo$ion. The latter $till !naare of the $hrapnel in2!rie$ $tepped o!t of the ar and e?han'ed

fire. He tried to ha$e Gabi% b!t fell don. K!bi$ fled !$in' hi$ bi(le a$ Klein a$ ordered b(

a prof!$el( bleedin' He(drih to ha$e Gabi% on foot $a(in',1 Get that ba$tard1 K!bi$ #ana'ed

to e$ape on hi$ bi(le hih he left o!t$ide the Bata She Shop. Klein tried to ha$e Gabi% !ntil

reahin' the #eat $hop b!t Gabi% fired at hi# tie ith hi$ re&ol&er and hit the for#er in hi$le'. Gabi% e$aped to a loal $afe ho!$e of the No&a% fa#il( &ia tra#. /ater, Gabi% and K!bi$

belie&ed that the plot a$ a fia$o. B!t He(drih a$ $e&erel( in2!red b( the bo#b.

After the blood( inident at p.#. on >a( 9, #ore than 4,666 Ger#an$ be'an to $a% o&er

:,666 ho!$e$ in $earh for the a$$a$$in$. Bleedin' He(drih a$ r!$hed to B!lo&%a Ho$pital b(

an off-d!t( polie#an and Czeh o#an ho $topped a deli&er( &an. He $!ffered $e&ere in2!rie$

to hi$ left $ide, ith #a2or diaphra'#, $pleen and l!n' da#a'e a$ ell a$ frat!re rib. The

S!r'eon$ tried to re-inflate hi$ ollap$e left l!n', re#o&ed the tip of frat!re rib, $!t!red the torn

diaphra'#, in$erted $e&eral atheter$ and re#o&ed the $pleen hih ontained a 'renade fra'#ent

and !phol$ter( fiber. Hi##ler, hi$ diret $!perior $ent hi$ per$onal ph($iian, Karl Gebhardt, ho

arri&ed that e&enin'. He(drih a$ entirel( !nder the are of SS Ph($iian$. He de&eloped a hi'h

fe&er and o!nd draina'e. Hi$ ondition appeared to be i#pro&in' after $e&en da($ and hile

$ittin' !p eatin' a noon #eal he $!ddenl( ollap$ed. Spendin' on a o#a hi$ la$t re#ainin' ho!r$,

He(drih, the $o-alled 0 The *ron-Hearted #an 1and 0 The B!ther of Pra'!e1 died the ne?t da(

at aro!nd 5L6 A>. Hi##ler$ ph($iian offiiall( de$ribed the a!$e of death a$ $eptie#ia.

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The unt ,or the Assassins

A$ retaliation for He(drih$ atta%, Hitler ordered the e?e!tion of 46,666 Czeh$ and

folloed b( dail( arre$t and e?e!tion$ of innoent i&ilian$, thereb( Pra'!e bea#e a holoa!$t

of death prior to the inident. >r$. No&a% $ent her da!'hter, +indri$h%a to ta%e +an K!bi$

abandoned and blood $tained bi(le, b!t $he a$ $een b( a Ge$tapo. /ater, after the inident

Gabi% #ade it to a $afe ho!$e at @inohrad( Di$trit ith hi$ 'irlfriend, /ibo$la&a.

De$pite the Nazi$ inten$ified $earh for the !lprit$ in the a$$a$$ination of He(drih, no lead$

on tho$e re$pon$ible ere fo!nd. On +!ne 4;, 45, a deadline a$ $et for the a$$a$$in$ to

$!rrender a$ p!blil( i$$!ed to the #ilitar( and the people of Czeho$lo&a%ia. A$ a re$!lt, the

Ger#an$ threatened to $hed #ore blood a$ a on$e!ene and to fore the !lprit$ to $!rfae,

hene, to o#pel a potential infor#ant to $ell o!t the !lprit$. >an( itizen$ ere $ared and

an?io!$ of the threat a$ the( ere indeed ear( of f!rther retaliation$, #a%in' it inrea$in'l(

diffi!lt to prolon' onealed infor#ation. *nitiall(, the a$$ailant$ $o!'ht ref!'e and oddled b(

to Pra'!e fa#ilie$ and later in Karel Boro#e2$%( h!rh, an Ea$tern Orthodo? h!rh dediated

to St$. C(ril and >ethodi!$ in Pra'!e. The a$$ailant$ ere el!$i&e that the Ger#an$ ere !nable

to loate the# !ntil Karel C!rda of the $abota'e 'ro!p alled, 0 O!t Di$tane1 a$ arre$ted and

interro'ated b( the Ge$tapo. A$ a re$!lt, he 'a&e the# the na#e$ of the 'ro!p$ loal ontat$ for

a reard a#o!ntin' to 4,666,666Reih#ar%$.)hile the h!nted-#en $heltered at the h!rh r(pt, $e&eral $afe ho!$e$ pro&ided b( the

+indra 'ro!p ere $tor#ed b( the Nazi$ and a$ a re$!lt, Karel C!rda, a parah!ti$t ho a$ ith

the# in the En'land trainin' betra(ed the tea# b( 'oin' to a Pee% Palae and told the Ge$tapo all

he %ne abo!t the a$$a$$in$. He e?po$ed that the briefa$e belon'ed to Gabi%, li%ei$e re&ealed

all the $afe ho!$e$ e$peiall(, the >ora&e fa#il( in Miz%o&, the enter of the #o&e#ent. On +!ne

49, 45 at 67L66 a#, the b!ildin' a$ be$ie'ed b( Ge$tapo.

The fa#il( #e#ber$ ere #ade to $tand o!t door hile their flat a$ bein' ran$a%ed b( the

Ge$tapo. >r$. >arie >ora&e, a$%ed per#i$$ion to 'o to the toilet and thereb( o##itted $!iide

b( ta%in' (anide ap$!le. naare of hi$ fa#il($ in&ol&e#ent ith the re$i$tane, >r. >ora&e

a$ ta%en to the Pee% Palae ith hi$ 49-(ear old $on, Ata, ho ref!$ed to tal% de$pite the

tort!re he $!ffered thro!'ho!t the da(. The (o!th a$ dazed ith brand( and $hoed hi$ #other$

$e&ered head in$ide the fi$h tan% and arned that hi$ father o!ld be the ne?t to 'et the $a#e fate

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if he did not re&eal the infor#ation. nfort!natel(, Ata$ ill poer had finall( $hattered and

bro%e don and told the Ge$tapo the hide o!t of the paratrooper$ and the h!rh in Re$$lo&a

Street.

At dan of the folloin' da(, hile the other$ $lept in the r(pt, Opal%a, K!bi$ and S&ar

ere on '!ard on the balon( hen the( notied the )affen SS troop$ laid $ie'e to the h!rh b!t,

de$pite the e?erted effort$ of #ore than :66 SS $oldier$ !nder the o##and of Gen./t Karl

Fi$her &on Tre!enfield, the( ere !nable to ta%e the paratrooper$ ali&e. )ithin an ho!r, the area

aro!nd the h!rh a$ $!rro!nded a$ the SS troop$ be'an to $tor# the h!rh, hoe&er, the( ere

#et b( hail$ of '!nfire fro# the hoir loft. *n the &a!lt belo, the fo!r o#rade$ realized that

their three o#rade$ ere battlin' a'ain$t the Ger#an troop$ abo&e. S!ddenl( there a$ an

o&erhel#in' $ilene thro!'ho!t the h!rh.

)hen the SS troop$ ent !p the narro $tair to the hoir loft, the( fo!nd the blood-bathed bodie$ of K!bi$, Opal%a and S&ar altho!'h K!bi$ a$ $aid to ha&e $!r&i&ed the $%ir#i$he$, b!t

died $hortl( afterard fro# hi$ $erio!$ in2!rie$ after a to-ho!r '!n battle. Alle'edl(, in2!red in in

a hopele$$ $it!ation and to a&oid bein' ta%en ali&e b( the Ger#an$, Opal%a and S&ar too% their

on life. The $%ir#i$he$ in$ide the h!rh a$ o&er. A preaher na#ed, Petre% ad#itted !nder

o#p!l$ion that there ere fo!r #ore #en hidin' in the r(pt. The Ger#an$ anted the# ali&e

and tried to per$!ade the# to $!rrender, hoe&er, a b!r$t of fire replied to the# a$ the( la#ored,1

)e are Czeh$ and e ill ne&er S!rrender 1.

/ater, the SS troop$ a$%ed for the Pra'!e Fire bri'ade and ordered the# flood the paratrooper$

ith ater and tear 'a$ into the r(pt thro!'h a narro $treet indo. The tear 'a$ a$t in$ide

ere thron ba% o!t hen the ater a$ $lol( ri$in'. Alternati&el(, the )afen SS Co##ander

ordered $tor#in' the r(pt near the altar !nder a arpet. The atta%er$ fo!nd the #ain entrane

into the r(pt and blon aa( the $tone o&erin' the entrane that led the# to a $teep $tair into the

r(pt. SS troop$ ere ordered to 'o don in 'ro!p$ at a ti#e, b!t onl( to retreat d!e to hea&( fire

fro# belo a$ paratrooper$ fo!'ht the# fierel(.

At abo!t noon, fo!r i$olated $hot$ ran' o!t belo folloed b( a pre&ailin' $ilene. A Ger#an

$oldier a$ $ent don to he% hat had happened belo and later, e#er'ed $ho!tin',1Ferti'1

The battle a$ o&er. The other fo!r, Gabi%, +o$ef @ali%, +o$ef B!bli% and +an Hr!b( o##itted

$!iide in the r(pt b( their on re&ol&er$ ith their la$t b!llet$. The( ere la(in' aro!nd in the

ater be$ide one another. /i%ei$e, the Ger#an SS and Ge$tapo $!ffered a$!altie$, and

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aordin' to the fir$t report, at lea$t 45 SS $oldier$ ere %illed and 4 o!nded, altho!'h the

offiial SS report re&ealed that onl( 7 ere o!nded in the $%ir#i$he$. The rebel$ had onl( $#all

pi$tol$ in their po$$e$$ion$ hile the SS $oldier$ had #ahine '!n$, $!b#ahine '!n$ and hand

'renade$.

After the ho$tilitie$, Karel C!rda onfir#ed the identit( of the dead Czeh re$i$tane fi'hter$

inl!din' K!bi$ and Gabi%. Bi$hop Gorazd too% the bla#e for the tra'ed( in the h!rh in an

atte#pt to red!e the repri$al$ a#on' hi$ flo% and e&en rote to the Nazi a!thoritie$ ho later

arre$ted hi# on +!ne 9, 45. He $!ffered the on$e!ene of the br!tal tort!re !ntil he died.

/i%ei$e, on Septe#ber 5, 45, the Nazi arre$ted the bi$hop, the h!rh$ prie$t and $enior la(

leader$ and ta%en to Kob(li$( Shootin' Ran'e in the northern $!b!rb of Pra'!e and ere $hot.

The traitor, Karel Y!rda, after atte#ptin' $!iide, a$ han'ed in 459 for hi'h trea$on.

Per$on$ in$tr!#ental in the $e&en-#en #i$$ion ereL->arie >ora&e ho a$ a helper of Czeh paratrooper$ in the #a(he# a!$ed b( the arre$t of

Czeh people, $he too% her on life b( $alloin' a (anide ap$!le.

- Ata, a 4-(ear old $on of the >ora&e$ a$ e?e!ted in >a!tha!$en on +an 5, 45.

- Rela Fate% ho too% part in the a$$a$$ination of He(drih a$ ta$%ed to dri&e ahead of the ar of

He(drih, hene if the latter a$ not ith other '!ard on ar$, Fate% had to ha&e her hat on her her

head.

-Peter Fate% and hi$ ife /ibo$la& oddled +o$ef Gabi% and +an K!bi$. The Fate% fa#il( a$

arre$ted in +!ne 45 and it$ #e#ber$ ere e?e!ted Otober 45.

- /ibo$la&a a$ ta$%ed a$ o!rier in the re$i$tane #o&e#ent. She a$ Gabi%$ 'irl friend. At

46L56 a#, on Otober 5, 45, /ibo$la&a a$ e?e!ted.

-/!d#ila >ala, a 5-(ear-old teaher and ao#plie of @ali% a$ arre$ted b( Ge$tapo b!t too%

hi$ on life b( ta%in' poi$on.

Revenge $or eydrich>s Death

Hitler ordered an in&e$ti'ation and &indiation on the &er( da( of the a$$a$$ination and al$o

$!''e$ted that Hi##ler $end SS General Erih &on de# Bah-Mele$%i to Pra'!e. Aordin' to

Karl Her#ann Fran%$ po$tar te$ti#on(, Hitler %ne Mele$%i to be e&en har$her than He(drih,

ne&erthele$$ He(drih a$ alled b( Hitler a$ the #an ith an *ron Heart. Hitler fa&ored the

e?e!tion of ten$ of tho!$and$ of politiall( !nreliable Czeh$, b!t Hi##ler did not fa&or hi$

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$!''e$tion bea!$e the Czeh$ ere #o$tl( needed in the prod!ti&it( of the re'ion, hene if the(

'et %illed it o!ld red!e prod!tion. The retaliation ordered b( Hi##ler for the e?e!tion of

#ore than 4,666 a$ br!tal and r!thle$$ nonethele$$. One of the arre$ted Czeh$ a$ K!bi$

'irlfriend Anna >alino&a, ho $!b$e!entl( died in the >a!tha!$en-G!$en onentration a#p.

>arie Opal%o&a, 4$t /t. Adolf Opal%a$ a!nt a$ e?e!ted in the $aid a#p on Otober 5, 45

hi$ father, @i%tor +arolin, a$ %illed. An e$ti#ated 7,666 Czeh$ ere %illed in retaliation.

Ge$tapo alle'ation$ lin%ed the a$$a$$in$ to the &illa'e$ of /idie and /eza%(. *n addition to

the alle'ation$, a$$ailant$ ere bein' oddled in /idie $ine it a$ %non that $e&eral Czeh

ar#( offier$ e?iled in En'land a#e fro# the $aid &illa'e. /i%ei$e, the Ge$tapo had fo!nd a

re$i$tane radio tran$#itter in /eza%(. To ao!nt for the a$!altie$ for retaliation of the Nazi *n

the &illa'e of /idie, de&a$tated on +!ne , 45, h!ndred$ of #en ere e?e!ted, hildren ere

ta%en pri$oner #ore ere later %illed in 'a$ &an$ at the Chel#no e?ter#ination a#p other$ere ta%en for adoption b( Ger#an fa#ilie$ and a h!ndred o#en ere i##ediatel( deported to

Ra&en$br!% onentration a#p. *n the &illa'e of /eza%(, all ad!lt$, #en and o#en ere

#!rdered.

Both ton$ ere b!rned and /idie a$ le&eled don. On thi$ $ale of po$$ible Nazi

re&en'e in the a$$a$$ination of He(drih a$ not fore$een b( the Czeh 'o&ern#ent-in-e?ile or

el$e a$ dee#ed an aeptable prize to pa( for eradiatin' He(drih and pro&o%in' repri$al$ that

o!ld red!e Czeh on!rrene ith the Ger#an $o&erei'nt(. Operation Anthropoid re#ain$ the

onl( $!e$$f!l 'o&ern#ent-or'anized tar'eted %illin' of a top-ran%in' Nazi.

Erzen and hi$ 'ro!p ho ere han'in' o!t $o#ehere in the fore$t of /idie ere di$t!rbed

b( the t!r#oil bro!'ht b( the death of He(drih. The( itne$$ed the b!rnin' of ho!$e$, $hootin'

of innoent i&ilian$ and the #a$$i&e de$tr!tion of the &illa'e a$ the $o!rin' e&en dro&e the#

ba% !p to the ood$ here the( ere in no ti#e en'a'ed to retaliate the !nea$in' Nazi firin'.

*n one of their retreatin' eno!nter$ Ia#il /e%a and Erzen fo!nd a hard ti#e dealin' ith a

o##andin' offier of a Panzer hih %ept firin' at the# here&er the( ran and hide hile +ora

and the re$i$tane fi'hter$ ran ahead of the# to find a $afe ref!'e.

Behind the r!in$, Ia#il ho a$ e?periened $!bd!in' tan%$ in the battlefield$ fla!nted hi$

a'ilit( hen he fo!nd the tan% $!$pended in the ide-opened anal. He in$erted a 'renade

beteen the bearin'$ and off to 'o, the tan%$ ball bearin'$ ere to$$ed in the air b( lo!d

e?plo$ion a$ he fired on the tan%- o##ander ho a$ tr(in' to p!ll hi#$elf o!t of the t!rret. The

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latter fell on the 'ro!nd hile bein' toa$ted b( the fire -'!tted a$ the other to failed to e$ape

and died.

0 )ell done /e%a1 Erzen $aid.

0 There are #ore alon' the a(1 /e%a replied.

*n the battle to defend the &illa'e$ of /idie and /eza%(, the re$i$tane a$ ea%ened and

$!ffered a lar'e n!#ber of a$!altie$ hen Hitler thro!'h a ne o##ander ho replaed

He(drih, Gen. Karl Fi$her &on Tr!enfield led a #a$$i&e a#pai'n in Czeho$lo&a%ian &illa'e$

that ere alle'edl( oddlin' re$i$tane fi'hter$. Tan%$, #ahine '!n$ and e&en SS infantr( #en

$o!red the &iinit( and e&en the ood$ of the &illa'e$ to e?ter#inate the#. Thi$ dro&e Erzen and

hi$ 'ro!p i##ediatel( far aa( hen the( fo!nd the( o!ld all be ornered in all $ide$ and feared

their totall( eradiation.

oage ,or Reinhard eydrich

Reinhard He(drih a$ one of the #ain arhitet$ of the Holoa!$t and a$ an SS-

Ober'r!ppenf!hrer and General der Polizei,hief of the Reih >ain Se!rit( Offie. Thi$ inl!de$

the Ge$tapo, Kripo, SD and Stell&ertretender Reihprote%tor of Bohe#ia and >ora&ia. He(drih

$er&ed a$ Pre$ident of the *CPC, %non a$ *nterpol and haired the +an!ar( 45 )ann$ee

Conferene, hh for#alized plan$ for the final $ol!tion to the +ei$h I!e$tion - the deportation

and e?ter#ination of all +e$ in Ger#an-o!pie$ territor(. Hitler de$ribed hi# a$ 0 the #an ith

the iron heart. He helped or'anize a $erie$ of oordinated atta%$ a'ain$t the +e$ thro!'ho!t Nazi

Ger#an( and part$ of A!$tria in No&e#ber,4;, He a$ diretl( re$pon$ible for the

Ein$atz'r!ppen, the $peial ta$% fore$ hih tra&elled in the a%e of the Ger#an Ar#( and

#!rdered o&er one #illion people, inl!din' +e$, pon He(drih$ arri&al in Pra'!e, he $o!'ht

to eli#inate oppo$ition to the nazi o!pation b( $!ppre$$in' Czeh !lt!re and deportin' and

e?e!tin' #e#ber$ of the Czeh re$i$tane.

The a$$a$$ination of He(drih a$ one of the #o$t $i'nifiant e&ent$ in the hi$tor( of

re$i$tane in Czeho$lo&a%ia. He(drih reei&ed to lar'e f!neral ere#onie$ a$ one of the #o$t

i#portant Nazi leader$ one in Pra'!e here a tho!$and SS $oldier$ ere lined toard$ the Pra'!e

a$tle and the $eond in Berlin here it a$ attended b( leadin' Nazi fi'!re$, inl!din' Hitler,

ho plaed the Ger#an Order and Blood Order #edal$ on the f!neral pillo. *t$ i#pat led to the

i##ediate di$$ol!tion of the >!nih Pat hih a$ alled b( the Czeh$ a$ >!nih Ditate

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$i'ned b( K and Frane a$ ell a$ *tal(, an all( of Ger#an(. K and Frane a'reed that

S!detenland a$ re$tored to be part of Czeho$lo&a%ia after the ar.

The re$i$tane #o&e#ent a$ paral(zed a$ the #a$$i&e a#pai'n to e?ter#inate the

re$i$tane fi'hter$ ne&er ea$ed a$ troop$, panzer$ and all $ort$ of eapon$ to r!$h the Nazi

ene#ie$ %ept po!rin' into the territorie$. The 'ro!p fled the &iinit( of /idie and e$aped to

!n$peified loation in the ood$. Erzen, +ora and Ia#il $loed don in their #i$$ion and

deided to di$per$e fro# the 'ro!p ho$e fi'hter$ had e$aped to eah on ref!'e to a&oid bein'

li!idated.

0 There$ no a( for !$ to $!r&i&e the f!r( of the Nazi$ if ill re#ain in thi$ &iinit(. )e ha&e to

abandon Czeho$lo&a%ia alread( before the( 'et !$.1 Erzen in$in!ated.

0 *t $ee#$ that all entr( and e?it point$ ha&e alread( been $ealed. )hat do (o! thin%.1 Ia#il

a$%ed.0 )e ha&e to find an( po$$ible e?it point$ to abandon thi$ territor(.1 Erzen added.

0 * belie&e on the other $ide of the ood$ a$ a raila(. )e an tread o!r a( to find o!t.1 +ora

$!''e$ted.

0 /et$ find o!t.1 Erzen $aid.

Soon, the( tread their a( o!t of the ood$ to the oppo$ite $ide to find the raila(.

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13

7ichy; $rance

>eanti#e, Sa#ron Fra$heri alon' ith other Ger#an Offier$ had an !r'ent all fro#

their o##andin' offier General R!dolph Hen%el to be part of the offiiatin' tea# in the

Ger#an-o!pied Croatia, and !'o$la&ia. Fra$heri a$ alread( preparin' hi$ f!rlo!'h to $nea%

o!t for hi$ planned rendez&o!$ ith the 'ro!p at /ibere, Czeho$lo&a%ia had it not for the

!nti#el( order of hi$ o##andin' offier for an i##ediate di$path to Croatia. Fra$heri had no

hoie a$ he a$ in- beteen all$ here he o!ld not ha$ten thin'$ $olel( for hi#$elf to #a%e hi$

plan$ po$$ible.

0 Ti#e i$ r!nnin' o!t. * #a( or #a( not #a%e it $ine the $it!ation in Czeho$lo&a%ia i$ or$e

than before. 0 he $i'hed.

=asenovac; ndependent State o, Croatia

+a$eno&a a$ an e?ter#ination a#p e$tabli$hed b( a 'o&ernin' $ta$he re'i#e, an

3NDH=*ndependent State of Croatia d!rin' )orld )ar ** in Slo&enia. *t a$ not operated b( Nazi

Ger#an( and on$idered one of the lar'e$t onentration a#p$ in E!rope. On April 46, 454,

after the A?i$ poer$ in&aded !'o$la&ia, the *ndependent State of Croatia 3NDH= a$ fo!nded

hih o#pri$ed of #odern-da( Croatia and Bo$nia and Herze'o&ina and $o#e part$ of Serbia. *t

a$ an *talian-Ger#an protetorate a$ it oed it$ e?i$tene to the A?i$ poer$ ho o!pied

the#. The leader of NDH a$ Ante Pa&eli ho adopted the $ta$he rai$t ideolo'( of Nazi

Ger#an( i$$!ed the fir$t deree$ re$tritin' the ati&itie$ of +e$ and $eizin' their belon'in'$ and

propert(.Hene, it a$ folloed b( deree$ for the Protetion of the Nation and the State on April 49,

454hih #andated the death penalt( for hi'h trea$on if one ha$ done har# to the honor and

&ital intere$t$ of the Croat nation and i#periled the e?i$tene of the *ndependent State of Croatia.

Another deree onernin' the nationalit( $tated that the nationalit( of the itizen$ #!$t onl( be

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that of the Ar(an ori'in and national$ of NDH hih ere enfored not onl( thro!'h the re'!lar

o!rt $($te# b!t al$o thro!'h ne $peial o!rt$ and #obile o!rt$ ith e?tended 2!ri$dition.

On +!l(,454, the $ta$he 'o&ern#ent be'an to e?tend it$ a#p in +a$eno&a a$ the e?i$tin'

2ail$ o!ld no lon'er ao##odate the 'roin' n!#ber of in#ate$. +a$eno&a a$ $it!ated in the

Ger#an o!pied zone of the *ndependent State of Croatia .

0 Col. Fra$heri, bein' a o##andant in one of the a#p$ of +a$eno&a, * o!ld li%e (o! to %no

that it i$ the #andate of the Nazi re'i#e and the re'i#e of $ta$he to i#ple#ent anti-+ei$h and

anti-Ro#a ation$ to $ho $!pport for the e?ter#ination of Serbian pop!lation.1 the $ta$he

Sla!'hterer na#ed, @erd!ri prono!ned.

0 E?pliitl( noted a$ * a# part of the )affen SS E?peditionar( Fore$ in Croatia.1 Fra$heri

replied.

0 )hen a$ thi$ o#ple? b!iltJ1 he a$%ed.0 The +a$eno&a o#ple? a$ b!ilt beteen A!'!$t 454 and Febr!ar( 45. *t a$ an e?pliit

delaration of Hitler that the #ain 'oal of the Nazi a$ 'enoidal that a$ 'i&en to Sla&%o

K&ate#i% at their #eetin' on +!l( 4, 454.1 @erd!ri replied.

0 Ho i$ +a$eno&a o#pared to A!$hitzJ1 Fra$heri a$%ed.

0 )ell, A!$hitz #a( be di$tint fro# +a$eno&a, perhap$ in ter#$ of ad#ini$tration and

i#ple#entation of poli(. o! ill learn #an( thin'$ alon' the a(. *n addition, +a$eno&a

ontrib!ted #!h in to the Nazi 0final $ol!tion1 to the +ei$h Proble#, b( the #a$$ #!rder of

Ro#a people and eli#ination of politial opponent$. $ta$he$ #o$t $i'nifiant 'oal a$ to

ahie&e the de$tr!tion of the Serbian pop!lation of the *ndependent State of Croatia3NDH=1

@erd!ri e?plained.

Fra$heri #erel( rai$ed i$ e(e bro and pa!$ed a$ he loo%ed at @erd!ri.

0 E?atl(. o!re ri'ht.1 He $i'hed.

/ater, he a$ e$orted to the o##and po$t of @2e%o$la& /eb!ri, the head of $ta$ha Se!rit(

Fore.

Testiony o, an Author

*t a$ noted b( +ohn Cornell in hi$ boo% Hitler$ PopeL The Seret Hi$tor( of Pi!$ W** (Viking,

London, UK, 1999)(p254-260) thatL

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Frani$an Prie$t$ too% part in the #a$$are of the +e$, Ro#a and Serb$ hen $ta$he had

'one ild %illin' the#. Alle'edl(, the prie$t$ ere ar#ed to e?e!te their e&il at$. A ertain

Father Bozidar Bralo a$ a!$ed to be danin' aro!nd the #a$$ared bodie$ and %non to be a

per$i$tent o#panion of a #ahine '!n. /i%ei$e, the Frani$an$ $et fire to ho!$e$ and $a%ed

&illa'e$. A ertain Father Si#i of Knin, a Frani$an too% part in atta%in' the Orthodo?

pop!lation toard$ the de$tr!tion of the Orthodo? h!rh.

!'o$la&ia$ defeat in 454 'a&e a( for the Catholi h!rh to ta%e f!ll ad&anta'e of the

inrea$ed poer in the Bal%an$. A leadin' Nazi ollaborator a$ a Catholi prie$t na#ed, Alo2zi2e

Stepina #et and 'reeted Ante Pa&eli, a leader of the $ta$he re'i#e and a$$!red the latter of no

tolerane for the Orthodo? Serbian h!rh.

*t a$ %non to the @atian hat a$ happenin' in Croatia and thi$ atte$ted hen Pope Pi!$

W** #et Ante Pa&eli in @atian, da($ after the #a$$are in Glina. Apparentl(, the Pope a$holdin' hand$ of Pa&eli a$ he be$toed hi$ ble$$in'$ to the ne p!ppet $tate of Croatia. *t an be

ar'!ed that the Cardinal$ in the @atian ere ao#plie$ in the Holoa!$t and e?ter#ination of

+e$, Ro#a and Serb$ a$ there ere #e#ber$ of the Catholi ler'( ho partiipated in the

Holoa!$t in !'o$la&ia and Croatia. *n 45, aordin' to Cornell, the Pope a$ bene&olent to

the leader$ of fa$i$t Croatia.

The Pope fla!nted hi$ tr!e olor$ hen he told a Croatian papal repre$entati&e that he a$

di$appointed that de$pite e&er(thin' no one e&en a%noled'ed the pri#ar( and real ene#( of

E!rope, no real #ilitar( a#pai'n a'ain$t Bol$he&i$#. Stepina a$ a f!ll $!pporter and all( of

the ler'( in the fored on&er$ion$ alon' ith bi$hop$ of non-Catholi #a2orit(. There ere

#an( Catholi prie$t$ ho $er&ed the $ta$he re'i#e in hi'h po$ition$, hene, the Pope a$ the

hi'he$t #ilitar( &iar in Croatia. Field Chaplain a$ appointed for eah !nit of the $ta$he ar#(

in hih eah ta$% a$ to inite the $ta$he !nit in the #a$$ #!rder$ of the pea$ant pop!lation.

/i%ei$e, hi'h di'nitarie$ of the Catholi h!rh and $ta$he ollaborated for the #a$$

on&er$ion of the Orthodo? Serbian pop!lation.

A Tale o, a orror Church

>eanti#e, the fore'oin' tale of a horror h!rh for#$ part of Sa#ron Fra$heri$ #e#oir

hen he attended a 'ro!p of in#ate$ that ere fored to be on&erted into a Catholi faith before

Bi$hop Stepano ith Father An'elo @ent!ri. Fra$heri a$ able to reord the e&ent$ hen

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>iro$la&i told hi# abo!t their ethni lean$in' $he#e in hih fored on&er$ion of the in#ate$

a$ one of their $ol!tion$, and then folloed b( e?ter#ination.

The h!rh in&ol&e#ent in the ethni lean$in' bea#e a per&adin' and $t!nnin' re&elation

$ine the Catholi h!rh a$ deepl( ooperati&e and $!pporti&e of the $ta$he re'i#e.

Alle'edl(, the @atian *nternational Poli( a$ a'ain$t the #o&e#ent a$ #an( Cleri$ ere

oppo$ed to the &iolene that the $ta$he ere enforin' a'ain$t the &iti#$. Hoe&er, there ere

e&il$ all aro!nd p!llin' the ri'hteo!$ to their i$he$. So#ehere in the &illa'e, a lar'e pari$h

h!rh offiiated b( ertain Father An'elo @ent!ri bea#e the ob2et of the $ta$he in their

a#pai'n to o#pel the on&er$ion of the #inoritie$ $!b2et for deportation and e?e!tion.

Bi$hop Alo($i!$ Stepano, ho a$ an e#i$$ar( of the Pontifial h!rh in the Capitol

fre!ented the h!rh to edif( and ad&i$e the prie$t and it$ pari$hioner$ be the( nati&e, forei'ner$

and #inoritie$ to ith$tand the hallen'e of ti#e.0 O!r relation$ ith the $ta$he ill be i#periled and e an be all de$tro(ed if e dont abide b(

their la.1 Father An'elo @ent!ri $aid.

0 )hat la do the( ha&eJ The &iolene that the( inflit on innoent i&ilian$ and the #a$$ #!rder

that the( oneal in re#ote &illa'e$ of the a#pJ1 Bi$hop Alo($i!$ Stepano e?lai#ed.

0 To#orro, >iro$la&i and hi$ #en ill o#e to reei&e (o!r benedition and ble$$in' of

$!pport for their re'i#e.1 @ent!ri added.

0 * ill not be aro!nd to#orro. +!$t tell the# to o#e ba% $o#e other da(.1 The Bi$hop replied.

@ent!ri bea#e an?io!$ that he !ttered in a $ta##erin' tone.

0 B!t Bi$hop, the( ill 'et #ad and * an 'et $olded or har#ed b( the#. o! %no ho the$e

people areJ The( are notorio!$ #!rderer$ in thi$ &illa'e. )hat $hall * do noJ @ent!ri pleaded.

0 /ea&e and $h!t the h!rh . Co#e ith #e and e ill ret!rn to'ether ith other prie$t$ to fae

the# hen the( 'et ba%.1 The bi$hop in$in!ated.

0 Oh, than% (o!. * thin% that ill be better.1@ent!ri replied.

On that ni'ht the( left for the it( to onfer ith the Arhbi$hop. The folloin' da(,

>iro$la&i and a 'ro!p of $ta$he ent to the h!rh. A$ $aid b( Father @ent!ri, >iro$la&i 'ot

#ad hen the( $a the h!rh lo$ed. The( tried to %no% at the ooden door a$ lo!d a$ the(

o!ld b!t it a$ in &ain.

0 Father @ent!ri, Bi$hop Stepano are (o! thereJ1an $ta$he $ho!ted.

0 /et$ 'et ba% later. The( ill be ba% for $!re.1 >iro$la&i $aid.

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0)here are e 'oin' J1 an $ta$he a$%ed.

0 To Father Sari at the other h!rh1 he replied.

Father Sari ho a$ a $!pporter prie$t of +a$eno&a had been ooperati&e and all( of the

$ta$he dotrine and %ne #an( thin'$ abo!t the 'enoide and atroitie$ in the &illa'e.

0 Father Sari, e %no (o! are o!r friend a$ (o! ha&e been lo(al to !$ $ine (o! arri&ed here.

Can (o! help !$ e?e!te o!r dotrine of e?ter#inatin' the in#ate$J1 >iro$la&i !r'ed.

0 )hat do (o! #ean J1 he a$%ed.

0 Do * ha&e to elaborate that to (o!J o! ha&e to a$$i$tant$ here. Thi$ i$ o!r a( of doin' an

ethni lean$in'. * %no (o! are aare of that. Dont (o! orr(, (o! ont 'et p!ni$hed or 'et

%illed hen (o! do that b!t rather e ill 'i&e (o! reard.1 he ontin!ed.

0 Are (o! raz(J )e ere not ordained to do that, el$e e ill 'et p!ni$hed and e?pelled fro# the

h!rh.1 Sari $aid.0 *f (o! fail to do that, all of (o! ill &ani$h fro# thi$ State. Fore the# to be on&erted to $pare

their li&e$, otheri$e %ill the#. )e ill $end the# to (o!. That$ o!r poli( for ethni lean$in'.

Dont thin% abo!t the Pontiff, the( dont %no hat$ 'oin' on here. )e ill oneal thin'$ fro#

the#. o! are in$ide o!r 2!ri$dition and protetion. 0 >iro$la&i arned.

0B!t, o!r d!t( i$ to $a&e li&e$ and $pirit!alit(. * ant do that.1 He e?lai#ed.

Father Sari a$ $ho%ed and a$ tr(in' to realize the on$e!ene if the( did not ooperate.

0 o! ill 'et !$ed to that thin' hen e $ho ho to do it . o! 2!$t ha&e not e?periened $eein'

and doin' it. *f (o! do it, then (o! are helpin' !$ lean o!r $oiet( fro# the$e ene#ie$.1

>iro$la&i !r'ed.

0 * 'ot an idea. * ill deli&er #( #en to replae (o!r a$$i$tant$ and do the 2ob.1 >iro$la&i

$!''e$ted.

0 The pari$hioner$ and the #inoritie$ ill be $ared and ont o#e an(#ore.1 Sari $aid.

0 >( #en ill do it in their prie$t 'arb$ hile (o! read (o!r pra(er boo% in the p!lpit. /i%ei$e,

after (o!r pra(er the #inoritie$ ill line !p for $olitar( onfe$$ion and (o! ill deli&er eah one at

a ti#e at the e?it point leadin' to the e#pt( dar% roo# here no one an $ee.1 He in$in!ated.

Father Sari %ept $ilent and $lol( proeeded ith hi$ ele$ia$tial ere#on(. The folloin'

da(, the $ta$he ret!rned to the h!rh of Father @ent!ri.

0 )e ant ble$$ and 'i&e benedition to an e&il ati&it(.1 Bi$hop Stepano $aid.

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0 o!r pre$ene here ill not be ond!i&e for (o!r ele$ia$tial #i$$ion if (o! ill not

ooperate ith !$.1 >iro$la&i arned.

0 O!r ob2eti&e in thi$ $tate i$ part of the Pontifial #i$$ion in ooperation ith the Nazi re'i#e

$ine the F!hrer i$ part of thi$ faith. A$ide, e are not bo!nd to obe( (o!r e&il la . 0 the Bi$hop

e?plained.

0 )ell, e ill not fore (o! to abide b( o!r la, b!t * a# tellin' (o! that thi$ i$ a ti#e of

t!rb!lene to all nation$ and an(one an p!t the la into hi$ hand$. *t i$ ine&itable, $o ath o!t

and be aref!l.1 He arned.

0 )e are not afraid of (o! a$ lon' a$ e do o!r d!t( for the h!rh.1 The Bi$hop added.

A$ lale$$ne$$ and &iolene pre&ailed, #ore and #ore in#ate$ ere deported to the a#p to

beo#e &iti#$ of per$e!tion and 'ot %illed. And the onl( ha&en for the hopele$$, $ared and

de$perate a$ the h!rh. The C!t-throat 3$ta$he= a$ the( alled the# be'an their anton#i$$ion in the h!rh.

0 Help !$ Father to be $pared b( the C!t-throat. )e $till ant to li&e b!t there i$ no plae to 'o.1

An Old o#an la#ented,

0 +!$t pra( hard #( $i$ter that e&er(one be deli&ered fro# e&il..1

Father Sari hi$pered.

He pa!$ed for ahile hen he $en$ed that three #en in dar% robe$ here l!r%in' behind the

door of the dar% roo# and later, hen an old o#an $tepped into the e?it roo# the three 'rabbed

her and to pre&ent fro# reatin' noi$e, her #o!th a$ #!zzled ith toel a$ the( $lit her throat.

S!b$e!entl(, the other &iti#$ $!ffered the $a#e fate. Their bodie$ ere piled at the ba$e#ent of

the on&ent rapped ith dar% blan%et$. *n the e&enin', a 3: W := ar#( tr!% o!ld arri&e and

pi% the# !p to be d!#ped to the e?a&ation $ite at the foot of the #o!ntain that a$ intended for

the &iti#$.

0 o! are not 'oin' an(here, Father Sari. )e ha&e han'ed the Bi$hop, Father @ent!ri and other

prie$t$ in the h!rh bea!$e of di$obediene. 0 >iro$la&i ridi!led.

0 e$, * ha&e heard abo!t that fro# #( h!rh a$$i$tant$. )ill (o! do the $a#e to !$ hile e

ha&e been folloin' (o!r o##andJ1 Sari $aid.

0 No. B!t one (o! di$obe( !$, (o! ill al$o $!ffer the $a#e fate.1 He added.

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0 O!r hand$ are alread( $tained ith blood of the in#ate$. No e ha&e 'one raz( and ha&e

beo#e e&il li%e (o!, e ha&e t!rned thi$ pari$h into a #!rder h!rh, do (o! thin% e are not

obe(in' (o!r o##andJ1 he o#plained.

0 That$ e?ellent o!re indeed a lo(al $er&ant. )e ha&e been $!ppl(in' all (o!r need$ in life

inl!din' #one( a$ a for# of reard.1 He #!$ed.

0 e$, b!t do (o! thin% e an !$e that #one( to 'o $o#ehere el$eJ1 Sari a$%ed.

0 *t i$ bad for (o! to 'o an(here bea!$e there are plent( of ene#ie$ o!t there ho o!ld li%e to

%ill (o!. *t$ better that (o! $ta( aro!nd the &iinit( of the h!rh and %eep an e(e for an(

intr!der$.1 He $!''e$ted.

After ahile >iro$la&i p!t o!t a $hin( and $harp %nife, $i#ilar to the one the( are !$in' in

their e?ploit.

0 * a# replain' (o!r old-d!ll blade. To#orro, !$e that to the ne bath of ne o#er$.1 He$aid.

0 )hat a $harp and bea!tif!l #!rder toolJ >( feelin' ha$ han'ed and * feel e?ited doin' it a$ *

$ee blood $heddin' fro# #( &iti#$ .There$ a feelin' of blood thir$t the $prin'$ fro# deep ithin

#e . * ant tell hat it i$.1 Sari e?plained ith oddit(.

0 That $o!nd$ $tran'e in (o!, a$ * told (o! before, (o! ill 'et !$ed to it. There$ 2o( in %illin',

ri'htJ 1 >iro$la&i.

0 e$. o!re ri'ht. * ala($ thir$t for blood no.1 He added.

Father Sari $tepped lo$er to >iro$la&i hile $tro%in' the $harp ed'e of the %nife and

al%ed aro!nd hi#.

0 o! ala($ en2o( %illin', ri'htJ1 Sari a$%ed

0 E?atl(. )e are no indeed one in thi$ $pree.1 >iro$la&i $aid deli'htf!ll(.

Father Sari fla!nted hi$ #anner of $littin' the throat to >iro$la&i$ throat and one he

t!rned ba%, he $!ddenl( l!n'ed the %nife into hi$ throat. Blood $pran' o!t fro# >iro$la&i throat

a$ Sari p!t hea&( pre$$!re !ntil hi$ throat a$ ide-opened.

0 Thi$ i$ the prie of dra''in' !$ all to hell. o! %illed #( a$$i$tant$, #( bi$hop and prie$t$, then *

ill e?ter#inate (o!r #en, too.1 he hi$pered.

He rapped the bod( and hid ith the other op$e$ !ntil the tr!% a#e for pi% !p.

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At the p!lpit, Father Sari o!ld deli&er hi$ $er#on and read the pra(er boo% ith all hi$

o#pa$$ion. After readin' the pra(er boo% he o!ld then a$%ed the in#ate$ to 'o to the

onfe$$ion booth. Hoe&er, he a$%ed the o#en and hildren to $tep o!t !$in' the other e?it door.

0 Tell (o!r friend$ to 'et read(. The( are aitin' to %ill no.1 Sari hi$pered.

0 e$, ere read(.1 An in#ate replied.

)hile >iro$la&i$ three #en in prie$t 'arb$ ere aitin' in the dar% roo# , Father Sari and

the in#ate$ h!rried to $h!t all pa$$a'e$ of the h!rh lea&in' >iro$la&i$ #!rderer aitin' in$ide

the dar% roo#.

0 )hat$ ta%in' the# $o lon'J1 an $ta$he ondered.

0 /et #e he%. 0 the other $!''e$ted.

He a$ $t!nned hen he $a that e&er(bod( a$ 'one lea&in' all the indo$ and door$

lo%ed !p. The( ent and ran aro!nd to find an( e?it point$ b!t it a$ too late, Father Sari andthe in#ate$ $pilled 'a$ to all orner$ of the h!rh and i'nited a fire that !i%l( $pread all o&er b(

the blo$ of the ind. Soon, the entire h!rh a$ b!rned don %illin' the $ta$he #!rderer$ in

the &illa'e. Father Sari and the in#ate$ ere not able to r!n farther hen the( ere h!nted b(

the $ta$he. The( ere trapped b( the $ta$he near the ri&er ban%$ here the( ere %illed

and d!#ped into the #!d flo$.

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14

'i,e and Atrocities in =asenovac

Fra$heri arri&ed in the &illa'e of +a$eno&a in Febr!ar( 45 #et the head of the $ta$he or

Croatian Se!rit( Fore, na#ed @2e%o$la& /eb!ri ho pro&ided hi# all the nee$$ar(

infor#ation abo!t the a#p. The( ent aro!nd to $ee and in$pet the a#p $ite$ and tho$e

e?ter#ination $ite$ that ere bein' b!ilt.

0 The$e $ite$ are af!l. * ha&e ne&er $een $!h a %ind of onentration a#p $ine A!$hitz

here &ario!$ in#ate$ arri&e b( the h!ndred$ e&er( da(.1 Fra$heri in$in!ated.0 Thi$ ha$ been a d!#pin' 'ro!nd for different ethni 'ro!p$ of Serbian$, +e$, Ro#a, Sinti$ and

G(p$ie$.1 /eb!ri $aid.

0 Then hat do e do to the# a$ the( arri&e itho!t ea$in'.1 He a$%ed.

0 nli%e A!$hitz, e ha&e o!r on poli( a$ to hat to do to the#.1/!b!ri added.

0 A$ (o! an $ee, a$ the pri$oner$ arri&ed at the a#p the( are #ar%ed ith olor$ a$ in the Nazi

onentration a#p bad'e$ red for o##!ni$t$ and bl!e for Serb$.1 He ontin!ed.

0 )hat i$ the proe$$ in the e?e!tion of pri$oner$J1 Fra$heri !rio!$l( a$%ed.

0 )e dont e?e!te all b!t e $pare #o$tl( $%illed at needed profe$$ion$ and trade$, $!h a$

dotor$, phar#ai$t$, eletriian$, $hoe#a%er$, 'old$#ith$, and e#plo( the# in $er&ie$ and

or%$hop$ at +a$eno&a.1 /!b!ri e?plained.

0 )here do (o! do the e?e!tionJ1

0 >o$t &iti#$ are e?ter#inated at e?e!tion $ite$ near the a#p alled Grani%, Gradina and other

plae$.1 He replied.

$ta$he i$ notorio!$ for it$ barbari pratie$ ho$e &iti#$ ere #o$tl( ethni Serb$, ho#

the for#er anted to obliterate fro# the NDH alon' ith the +e$, anti-fa$i$t$ or di$$identCroatian$ and Ro#a. The &illa'e of +a$eno&a e?i$ted in the #ar$hland at the on&er'ene of the

Sa&a and na ri&er$. +a$eno&a had a o#ple? of fi&e $!b a#p$ hih ere l!$tered o&er 466

$!are %# on both ban%$ of the Sa&a and na ri&er$.

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The fir$t onentration a#p that a$ !$ed b( $ta$he to e?ter#inate pri$oner$ a$ the

+ado&no onentration a#p. *t a$ operational fro# >a( 454 b!t a$ lo$ed in A!'!$t of the

$a#e (ear oinidin' ith the for#ation of the a#p at +a$eno&a in the $a#e #onth. The fir$t

to a#p$, Krap2e and BroZia, ere lo$ed in No&e#ber 454.

0 )hat ethni pop!lation ha$ the #o$t e?e!ted in +a$eno&a and hereJ1Fra$heri a$%ed.

0 Prior to A!'!$t, 45 #o$t of the +e$ ere e?e!ted at +a$eno&a, thereafter the $ta$he be'an

deportin' the# to A!$hitz. +e$ are initiall( $ent to +a$eno&a fro# all part$ of Croatia after

bein' 'athered in Ma'reb, and fro# Bo$nia and Herze'o&ina after bein' 'athered in Sara2e&o the(

are tran$ported to +a$eno&a fro# other ton$ and itie$. The$e pri$oner$ inl!de Ro#a and Sinti

ho ere apt!red in &ario!$ area$ in Bo$nia, in the Koazara re'ion. nfort!natel(, $pea%in' of

n!trition, h(dration, $helter and $anitar( that ere belo the a#p$ $tandard$, the fi'!re$ of

#!rdered Ro#a ere the #o$t ontro&er$ial ran'in' fro# 6,666 to 76,666.1 /!b!ri e?plained.The da( a$ done. Fra$heri ent to hi$ !arter$ to ta%e hi$ #eal and fi?ed hi#$elf to re$t. He

o!ld hardl( ta%e hat he $a on that da( and a$ apparentl( di$t!rbed in hi$ $l!#ber the

inh!#ane treat#ent that he learned fro# +a$eno&a that a$ far be(ond the atroitie$ it had in

A!$hitz. *t a$ a ni'ht#are that e&en in hi$ ild drea# ne&er o!rred. Onl(, Ga$ ha#ber$

ere not !$ed in +a$eno&a, in$tead h!ndred$ of #en ere beheaded ith $a$ and a?e$ or thron

into the Sa&a ri&er ith onrete tied aro!nd their ai$t$. Girl$ ere 'an' raped, h!ndred$ at a

ti#e. )o#en ere ha%ed to death b( trained b!ther$ and $o#e of the# had their heart$ $la$hed

o!t. One da( hile he a$ roa#in' and ob$er&in' the #o&e#ent$ in the a#p, he $a the $ta$he

'!ard$ o#in' fro# a di$tane appro?i#atel( 466 #eter$ aa( fro# hi# ith #an( o#en and

hildren. 3 in En'li$h=

0 Alri'ht, e&er(bod( on the 'ro!nd 1 one $ta$he '!ard o##anded.

He a$ $t!nned hen b!ther$ $!ddenl( appeared behind the '!ard$ ith %ni&e$, iron bar$

and #allet$ and atta%ed the helple$$ h!#an$ a$ o#en held ti'ht their hildren in their ar#$ to

reei&e their blood( end. Fra$heri t!rned hi$ ba% not to $ee hat happened ne?t b!t heard the

o&erhel#in' $hrie%in' and 'roanin' of helple$$ &iti#$.

0 No Ha&e pit( on !$ 1 &iti#$ la#ored.

0 Dont %ill !$ Help 1

0 Nobod( ill r!n 1 a B!ther $ho!ted.

Fra$heri $tepped aa( and held hi$ #o!th fro# &o#itin'.

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0 Barbari Deh!#anizin'1 he $i'hed to hi#$elf.

On the other hand, far fro# the bloodbath, Fra$heri di$!$$ed other onern$ ith the $ta$he

'!ard$. A$ the( had an inti#ate di$!$$ion, the( tread their a( to barra%$ and ha#ber$ of the

in#ate$.

0 )hat$ the r!$hJ1 Fra$heri a$%ed.

0 Red Cro$$ dele'ation$ are o#in' to &i$it the in#ate$ to#orro, Sir.1 An $ta$he '!ard replied.

0 * a# not infor#ed abo!t it. So, hat ill (o! do ith the #ea'er diet, deplorable

ao##odation$ and har$h treat#ent to the in#ate$0 he a$%ed.

0 That $o!nd$ !nplea$ant, Sir. Chief /!b!ri ill tell (o! abo!t it or (o! 'o to hi$ offie.1 a '!ard

added.

He r!$hed to /!b!ri$ offie and after a fe #in!te$

0 * learned the Red Cro$$ dele'ation$ ill &i$it to#orro. )h( a# * not infor#edJ1 Fra$heria$%ed.

0 * a$ $!ppo$ed to tell (o! b!t (o! ere not aro!nd. *t$ 'ood that (o!re here. )ell, e ha&e to

#a%e o&er to let the# $ee bea!tif!l thin'$ here.1 /!b!ri in$in!ated.

0 To o&er the realit( of their #i$erable ondition$ in their $i'htJ Then, after the( t!rned their

ba%, e&er(thin' i$ re&erted to it$ nor#al $i'htJ1Fra$heri e?lai#ed.

0 He(, )hat$ (o!r proble#J *t $ee#$ that (o! are beo#in' $(#patheti ith tho$e doo#ed

in#ate$J Are (o! ith !$J1 /!b!ri a$%ed.

0 *t$ not in aordane ith the Nazi 'oal to e#plo( barbari %illin'$ on helple$$ o#en and

hildren o!t there All the$e h(pori$ie$ in the $i'ht of the dele'ation$ are not the nor#$ of the

Ger#an re'i#e1 he e?lai#ed.

0 $ta$he re'i#e ha$ it$ on dotrine that doe$ not oinide ith the Ger#an dotrine. )e are an

independent $tate and e follo o!r la hen it o#e$ to pri$oner$ deported here. )e ha&e no

hoie b!t to red!e the pop!lation, el$e e ill 'et roded. At lea$t, e obe( the Nazi re'i#e$

'oal of final $ol!tion.1 /!b!ri e?plained.

Fra$heri $ta(ed thin%in' abo!t /!b!ri$ in$in!ation. /ater, he $tepped o!t of the offie and

proeeded to hi$ !arter$. He $pent $o#eti#e onte#platin' abo!t hi$ $tane and hi$ plan$ of

e$apin' fro# the a#p.

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A different tho!'ht a#e into hi$ #ind. He prepared hi$ diar( to 2ot don the da( to da( e&ent

in the &illa'e of +a$eno&a hih he belie&ed o!ld be a $i'nifiant te$ti#on( hen he #et an(

&i$itin' harit( or'anization$.

He titled it, 0 The 1942 Jasenovac ia!"1 The folloin' !n!$!al e&ent$ that he reorded read

thi$ a(L 3 in En'li$h=

Day 1 Sunday

“ My arrival at the village of Jasenovac. I am welcomed by an SS ocer

and introduced Verduric a horrible butcher of the cam!."

Day # Monday

“ I am startled by the way barbaric $illings em!loyed by the %stashe

butchers in the di&erent cam!s."

Day ' (uesday

“ I see the un!leasant condition of the inmates their sanitation diet and

an over all miserable living condition as they die hel!lessly in hard labor."

Day ) *ednesday

“ In cam! +rocice sorts of food has changed during the cam!,s e-istence.Inmates are given a sou! made of hot water with starch for brea$fast and

beans for lunch and dinner while in cam! no.' meal is initially better

consisting of !otatoes instead of beans however later on the diet is changed

to a single daily serving of thin turni! sou!. +y the end of the year diet has

changed again this time to three daily !ortions of thin gruel made of water

and starch henceforth food changes re!eatedly thereafter.

(here is over all lac$ of clean and !otable water. /risoners are forced to

drin$ water from Sava river. In cam!s +rocice and 0ra!e inmates slee! in a

three tier of bun$s in the cam!,s barrac$s while in cam! no.' inmates

numbering more than '222 initially slee! in the attics of the wor$sho!s in a

railway tunnel in the o!en de!ot. (wo other barrac$s are erected to be used

as clinic and hos!ital where sic$ inmates are sent to die or be e-ecuted."

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Day 3 (hursday

“Jasenovac inmates are forced daily !erformance of hard wor$ usually 11

hours a day under the eye of their %stashe ca!tors who normally e-ecute

inmates for the most trivial reasons. Inmates are lashed in order to force

them wor$ harder. Inmates labor force are divided into grou!s of construction

wor$ers bric$wor$s metal wor$s agriculture etc. until the wor$ers !erish in

their hard labor. Inmates wor$ as blac$smiths to forge $nives and other

bladed wea!ons for the %stashe.

4ac$ of sanitation is ram!ant inside the cam! as there are cluttered blood

decom!osing cor!ses vomit everywhere in the barrac$s which are infested

with sorts of !ests and foul scent of over5owing latrine buc$et. In e&ect

inmates e-!osed to these elements su&er from im!aired health leading to

e!idemics of ty!hus ty!hoid malaria !leuritis in5uen6a dysentery and

di!htheria."

Day 7 8riday

“Inmates have to relieve themselves during brea$ moments at o!en

latrines with big !its dug in o!en 9elds covered in !lan$s where inmates

would !lunge inside and die. (his is the !loy of %stashe to se!arate the

!lan$s by internees:newbies; and !hysically drown inmates inside. During

hard rains and 5ooding the !it will over5ow and deliberately drain the la$e

from which the drin$ing water is ta$en.

4i$ewise during winter inmates are very e-!osed to frost because their

rags and blan$ets are too thin and worn out to $ee! them warm. <arely

clothes and blan$ets are !oorly cleansed as inmates are only allowed to wash

them shortly in the la$e,s water once a month to save it during winter time

when la$e has fro6en. In a warehouse a sanitation is erected to inade=uately

boil a few clothes."

Day > Saturday

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“Inmates are stri!!ed of their belongings and !ersonal garments since

they are only given a ragged clothing. 4i$ewise thin rain?coats are allowed to

them to ma$e light footwear during winter. (heir !ersonal food bowl are

designed to contain a meager amount of 2.) liters of sou!. Inmates whose

!ersonal food bowls are missing or stolen by another inmates will receive no

food at all. It is only during the scheduled visitation of the delegation inmates

will they receive bowls twice as large with s!oons and at such time they are

given colored tags."

Day @ Sunday

“An-iety or fear of death and the enigma of the living condition in the

cam!s dwell among the inmates as it has great im!act on the inmates. *hen

loo$ing at its o!timal way life in the cam! can be viewed in these !hasesB

arrival living inside the cam! and the liberty. (he 9rst !hase consists of the

shoc$ caused by the hardshi!s in transit cam! where the %stashe will ta$e

advantage of this shoc$ caused by the hardshi!s in transit to cam! by $illing

a number of inmates u!on arrival and shortly housing them in warehouses

attics in the train tunnel and outdoors. After being familiar with the shoc$ing

9rst !hase inmates will enter the second and most critical !hase living

through the anguish of death the sorrow hardshi!s and abuse. “

Day C Monday

“Death is imminent mostly in !ublic !unishment or selections when

inmates are lined u! in grou!s and individuals will be randomly !in?!ointed to

receive the death !enalty. owever the !rocess of doing these will intensify

by !rolonging its !hases when the %stashe start !atrolling and as$ing

=uestions staring at inmates choosing them and then refrain and !in?

!ointing at another. Inmates will react to the %stashe crimes in an active and

!assive way. Inmates will cons!ire to form resistance movements or grou!s

steal food !lan esca!es and revolts and contacts with the outside world.

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(he !assive a!!roach of the inmates would react by attem!ting to

survive to see their day unscathed. +ut this is not going in line to slaughter

but in order to survive which !revents the %stashe the !ossibility of

dehumani6ing the inmates. +ut inmates are utterly !rimitive in this way as

their entire life revolves around obeying orders and eating a bowl of sou!

thus they become living dead wal$ing s$eletons mentally stri!!ed of their

humanity beyond ho!e of salvation."

Day 12 (uesday

“En its dar$er side all inmates su&er !sychological !roblem which to

some e-tent is obsessive thoughts of food !aranoia delusions day?dreams

lac$ of self?control. It is a horrifying scene as in Auschwit6. In the summer of

1C)# tens of thousands of Serbia villagers are de!orted to Jasenovac from

the 0o6ara region in +osnia in which most men are e-ecuted and women are

sent to forced labor cam!s in Fermany. Ghildren are ta$en from their

mothers and either $illed or de!loyed to Gatholic or!hanages.

Day 11 *ednesday

“(here is no distinction as to who will be cremated by the %stashe

whether inmates who are still alive or cor!ses that have been stin$ing

everywhere. Sometimes %stashe will ust cremate those inmates who are

drugged and sometimes fully awa$e. It was in January 1C)# that the 9rst

cremations too$ !lace in the bric$ factory ovens. Some of these crematories

are so!histicatedly designed and forti9ed in Fradina across the Sava river

however it is not con9rmed if these crematories are used but it is said that

some of the cor!ses are buried rather than cremated. 4i$ewise the

%stashe also try em!loying gas or !oison in e-terminating the inmates that

arrive in Stara?Fradis$a. In cam! Da$ovo the %stashe em!loy gas to women

and children in gas vans which is later re!laced by Hy$lon + and sulfur

dio-ide. Alternative method is used in the e-ecution of inmates by utili6ing

shar! or blunt craftsmen tools such as $nives saws hammers etcetera."

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Day 1# (hursday

“*hen laborers in the farm become unem!loyed in winter and a trans!ort

of new inmates are arriving e-ecutioner devise to utili6e a crane as a gallows

on which slaughter will be done so that bodies can be thrown into the stream

of drifting water. (his ta$es !lace in cam! Frani$ ram! near the Sava river.

%stashe will come with lists of names of inmates who are detained in the

warehouse every night stri!!ed chained beaten and then ta$en to the

Frani$. *eights are tied to the wire that is bent on their arms and intestines

and nec$ are slashed and ultimately dum!ed into the river with their heads

smashed by a blunt tool. 4ater to enhance the method of $illing inmates

are tied in !airs bac$ to bac$ their bellies are cut before they are thrown into

the river."

Day 1' 8riday

“In the vicinity of the villages Dona Fradina and %stica the %stashe use

the em!ty areas by encircling the area mar$ed for slaughter and mass graves

in wire where they slaughter victims with $nives or smash their s$ulls with

mallets. In addition grou!s of <oma are e-!loited to dig graves and actually

!artici!ate in the slaughter at Fradina. (he site become the $illing 9elds as it

grows and becomes notorious $illing 9elds in Jasenovac. 4i$ewise grave sites

are also situated in %stica and Dra$senic."

Day 1) Saturday

“It is li$e a game or contest where !rison guards ma$e bets as who can

slaughter the largest number of inmates. Ene of the guards brags that he

has slit throats of more than '222 new arrivals while other !artici!ants claim

he has $illed more than 322 inmates and the other claim he already $illed

more than C22 inmates. 4i$ewise he tortures an old man who refuses to

!raise a leader of %stashe by his com!ulsion and have his ears nose and

tongue severed. 4astly he !luc$s the old man,s eyes ri!s o& his heart and

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slits his throat. It is sad to say that the horrendous scene was witnessed by a

certain doctor."

?????????????? nothing follows after this day??????????????????

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15

Fra$heri !pon %noin' and itne$$in' $o#e of the horrible $enario$ of deh!#anizin'

in#ate$ and di$o&erin' the in$en$iti&ene$$ of the $ta$he re'i#e, a$ $t!nned b( the barbari

nat!re of the $ta$he $la!'hterer$.

0 * ha&e $een ar$ of #en d(in' b( '!n$hot$ b!t ne&er thi$ %ind of death in #( hole life.1

Fra$heri $i'hed.

He o!ld hardl( i#a'ine e&en in hi$ ilde$t drea# ho $!h a %ind of a h!#an bein' o!ld

#ana'e to e#plo( a %ind of r!elt( to other$ of the $a#e %ind. *n hi$ $olit!de he pondered that

$ta$he $ho!ld not e#plo( de'radin' and barbari treat#ent to h!#an bein'$ a$ it a$ #ore than

the a($ of a bea$t. The $i'ht of tho$e bizarre e&ent$ #ade Fra$heri to re$ort to depre$$ion. He

a$ o&erhel#ed b( the at#o$phere of !ni#a'inable at!ation$ of #en a'ain$t #en.

The folloin' #ornin', a$ !$!al another tr!% loaded ith $arifiial la#b$ for $la!'hter

arri&ed in the a#p. *n#ate$ ere ordered to reate to line$, ri'ht and left. The (o!n' and abled

ere $e're'ated fro# the ea% . pon $eein' thi$ $a#e $ta$he proed!re, Fra$heri approahed

the '!ard$.0 Nobod( a#on' the in#ate$ ill 'o to Gradina. E&er(bod( ill $ta( in thi$ a#p and ill 2!$t 'o

to the far# to do 2ob.1 He a$%ed.

The '!ard$ ere $t!nned and too% a fe $tep$ toard hi#.

0 B!t Sir, it i$ o!r d!t( to obe( the $ta$he priniple , otheri$e, the barra%$ ill be f!ll-pa%ed

ith the$e b!rden $o#e in#ate$.1 One '!ard in$in!ated.

0 The Nazi priniple doe$ not allo barbari %illin'$ of h!#an$ . * %no that the #o#ent (o!

$end the$e in#ate$ to different a#p$ the( ill end !p the $a#e a$ tho$e (o! ha&e #!rdered and

d!#ped into the Sa&a ri&er.1 He e?plained.

0 B!t Sir, Chief /!b!ri ill be #ad hen he find$ that e &iolated the $ta$he r!le$. 0 a $eond

'!ard e?lai#ed.

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0 He i$ no h!#an bein'. Tell hi# that * ordered it. Otheri$e, he and (o! ill be liable for

&iolatin' the nor#$ of the Nazi. Thi$ land i$ !nder Nazi $o&erei'nt( and an o!pied territor(.1 He

added.

The '!ard$ did nothin' b!t to obe( Fre$heri$ o##and, hene the in#ate$ ere $a&ed fro#

bein' di$trib!ted to the a#p$ of death. Hoe&er, hen report$ ere reei&ed b( Chief /!b!ri he

!i%l( ent to the a#p$ #ilitar( detah#ent. He entered the roo# of Fra$heri alon' ith one

of hi$ '!ard$.

0 Col. Fra$heri, (o!r at!ation i$ ini#ial to the $ta$he nor#$ in thi$ $ite. * a# the head of

+a$eno&a and it$ a#p$, and nobod( $hall interfere ith o!r affair$ here. * deide on hat to do

ith the in#ate$ a$ the( arri&e.1 /!b!ri o#plained.

0Chief /!b!ri, (o! $ho!ld not for'et that #( pre$ene here i$ b( the poer of the Nazi Hi'h

Co##and fro# Pari$ b( order of the F!hrer and that i$ for a $peifi p!rpo$e, to offiiate thead#ini$tration of all a#p$ in +a$eno&a. *t i$ bea!$e there ha&e been report$ of barbari

treat#ent$ of the in#ate$ fro# &ario!$ a#p$ here. /i%ei$e, if the &i$itin' dele'ation$ find thi$

deh!#anizin' treat#ent, (o! and the Nazi 'o&ern#ent ill be liable for ar ri#e$ at the end of

the ar.1 Fra$heri e?plained.

0 There i$ no proof to (o!r alle'ation$. Ha&e (o! e&er $een an( of the$e $it!ation$J1 /!b!ri $aid.

0 e$, * did. That$ h( * a# ta%in' o&er (o!r po$ition.1 He added.

0 No. )e are $ta$he and $till ha&e $o&erei'nt( o&er thi$ &illa'e, that$ the rea$on h( e are

alled the *ndependent State of Croatia. The Nazi 'o&ern#ent ha$ no a'ree#ent ith o!r o!ntr(

a$ re'ard$ to $o&erei'nt( o&er the ad#ini$tration of the a#p$ and the entire &illa'e. )e o!ld be

Nazi o!pied b!t li#ited to $o#e e?tent. o! are a #ere ob$er&er here.1 /!b!ri ontin!ed.

0 No #ore li#itation$ bea!$e Croatia a$ independent before b!t no no #ore. Croatia i$ no a

Nazi p!ppet $tate. o! an be held liable for all the $la!'hterin' of in#ate$ in +a$eno&a.1

Fra$heri added.

0o! are an ene#( of the $ta$he re'i#e a$ ell a$ the Nazi 'o&ern#ent b( the a( (o! treat

in#ate$. o! are tr(in' to protet their ell-bein' b( &iolatin' o!r r!le$.1 /!b!ri in$in!ated.

0 Bea!$e (o!r r!le$ are deh!#anizin' hih $ho!ld not be the a$e1Fra$heri added.

0 Ho abo!t the r!le$ in A!$hitzJ Arent the( the $a#eJ *nareratin' in#ate$ and later on

$eretl( #!rderin' the# in the 'a$ ha#ber$J The onl( thin' different i$ that e dont !$e 'a$

nor poi$on in #a$$ %illin'$ b!t thro!'h #an!al #ethod$ 1 /!b!ri e?lai#ed.

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Fra$heri $tood and $tepped aa( fro# hi$ table and a#e $tep$ toard /!b!ri.

0 )hat $hall e do ith tho$e arri&in' in#ate$ if e ill not $end the# to their re$peti&e a#p$,

otheri$e, e ill 2!$t be b!ildin' a h!'e 'atherin' of in#ate$ here or tell the# not to deport

the# all here )hat$ the !$e of the final $ol!tionJ1 /!b!ri ontin!ed.

0 * ill rather di$obe( the a!thorit( and 'et $hotJ Tell #e Fra$heri hat to do 0

Fra$heri a$ 2!$t $tarin' at hi# and $lol( onealin' hi$ ri'ht hand in the at of drain' hi$

pi$tol. )hile /!b!ri$ '!ard a$ 2!$t $tandin' at the door.

0 * #!$t tell (o! to $h!t !p1 Fra$heri $aid a$ he !i%l( dre hi$ pi$tol and $hot /!b!ri $trai'ht to

hi$ he$t.

/!b!ri fell on the floor bleedin' and 'ra$pin' hi$ breath a$ Fra$heri 'rabbed hi$ pi$tol fro#

hi$ hol$ter and plae it on hi$ pal# hile hi$ '!ard a$ $t!nned and nailed to hi$ feet.

0 o! did not $ee an(thin', ri'htJ1 Fra$heri a$%ed the '!ard ho re#ained $tandin'.+!$t after the inident, the $narl of an ar#ored &ehile #o&ed Fra$heri to $tep forard to the

door b!t a$ 'reeted b( the approahin' o##ander of the SS o##and po$t in +a$eno&a,

General /!di' B!bier alon' ith to SS $oldier$ ho heard the $hot.

0 )hat ha$ happened hereJ1 General B!bier a$%ed.

0 )e $tr!''led hen he tried to $hoot #e in the heat of o!r ar'!#ent.1 Fra$heri e?plained.

The General $tepped in$ide and $toop don to he% the d(in' /!b!ri hile hi$ '!ard

approahed the for#er. Fra$heri $h!nned aa( and in a ha$te tread hi$ a( to hi$ $er&ie &ehile.

The d(in' delaration of /!b!ri inf!riated General B!bier and !i%l( ro$e after Fra$heri.

0 Shoot hi# Shoot the traitor 1 he $ho!ted.

And before Fra$heri a$ able to aelerate the &ehile$ en'ine, he $!$tained #!ltiple

'!n$hot$ fro# the SS $!b #ahine '!n and a$ ne&er able to fire a $hot at the#. Hi$ bod( a$

$ent ba% to the o##and po$t and later on b!ried at the 'ra&e $ite for the dead Nazi $oldier$.

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16

'ioges; $rance

On the other hand, Ger#an Na&( Co##ander Sander Bo'dini a$ fain' in&e$ti'ation and

trial before the Ger#an >ilitar( Trib!nal for the death of hi$ to Pett( Offier$ and the #i$$in'

Na&( Captain, ho pre$!#ed dead at that ti#e. The ro$$-e?a#ination a$ thoro!'h that it

in&ol&ed interpolation$ beteen hi$ #ilitar( la(er and the pro$e!tor$ of the #ilitar( trib!nal. A$

a re$!lt of $!b$e!ent interpolation$ and deliberation$, Bo'dini$ in&ol&e#ent and relation$hip

ith the !lprit, Ia#il /e%a a$ r!led o!t, hoe&er, hi$ liabilit( for ne'let of d!t( a$ bein' po!nded on hi#.

The pro$e!tor$ in$i$ted that Bo'dini $ho!ld be held liable for the lo$$ of hi$ #en bea!$e of

'ro$$ ne'li'ene and

*n hi$ $tate#ent, Bo'dini a$$erted, 0 o! honor, * a# in f!ll ontrol of the $hip$ &o(a'e b!t

not ab$ol!te ontrol of #( #en$ per$onal affair$ altho!'h the( ere !nder #( o##and, $till

the( are liable to their per$onal ation$ aboard the $ea &e$$el. )e $ho!ld realize that h!#an

relation$ o!ld lead !$ to deter#ine hat i$ $afe and hat i$ perilo!$ for o!r$el&e$ a$ e 'et alon'

ith other$.1

0 )here (o! not orried abo!t (o!r #i$$in' #en hen (o! learned abo!t their $!dden ab$ene in

the $hipJ )hat did (o! do thenJ1 the Pro$e!tor a$%ed.

0o!r honor, * a$ $ho%ed and i##ediatel( ordered #( #en to find and $earh the entire $hip,

li%ei$e, * a$%ed the# to in&e$ti'ate.1

0 Did (o! not thin% that a !lprit had alread( e#bar%ed into (o!r $hip at the portJ Ho $afe i$ the

$hip fro# the ri$% of intr!der$ d!rin' (o!r &o(a'eJ1 the Pro$e!tor in$in!ated.

0 o!r honor, $ine e are at ar, o!r $tandard operatin' proed!re parti!larl( to #( #en i$ to$ta( alert fro# infiltrator$ a$ e ala($ he% and %no ho are aboard the $hip and ho are o!r

nei'hbor$.1Bo'dini replied.

0 The !lprit, ho a$ able to $nea% into the $hip, did an(one realize he a$ an i#po$torJ1 the

Pro$e!tor added.

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border of A!$tria for a onnetin' trip to *talian territor(. The( di$per$ed to a&oid &i$ible

$!$piion b( an( $trollin' SS offier$ . Erzen and +ora too% their o!tdoor plae on the table ne$tin'

a'ain$t the all of a offee $hop hile Ia#il on the oppo$ite $ide. The other to re$i$tane

fi'hter$ $trolled aa( to ha&e a learer &ie of the plae. A$ the to ere ta%in' a !rio!$ al%, a

Ge$tapo a'ent ho had been $pendin' hi$ ti#e bro$in' the #ornin' ne$ o&er a !p of offee

a!'ht hi$ $!$piio!$ e(e$ on the to. He $tood and approahed an SS patrol '!ard alon' the

pro#enade and hi$pered $o#ethin'. The '!ard ent in$ide the $alon and la$t $een holdin' the

telephone. The Ge$tapo then, approahed the to re$i$tane fi'hter$. The o#prehended the #an

a$ a Nazi polie a'ent ith a $a$ti%a e#ble# rapped aro!nd hi$ ar# $lee&e. 3 *n En'li$h=

0 o!re ne to thi$ plae, ri'htJ1 he !rio!$l( a$%ed.

0 e$, e are, h(J1 one re$i$tane fi'hter replied.

0 Nothin'. * 2!$t happened to $ee (o! loo%in' aro!nd. o! #a( be loo%in' for $o#ethin' (o!dont %no. * an an$er an( of (o!r !e$tion$.1 He added.

0No. than% (o!. 0

0 o!re both SS $oldier$. )here are (o! fro#J1 he ontin!ed.

0 Fro# Czeho$lo&a%ia. )ere aitin' for the ne?t trip. Thi$ plae i$ bea!tif!l. E?!$e !$. >a(

e 'o to $ee #ore o!t thereJ1 the fi'hter added.

0 >a( * $ee (o!r identit(J1 he a$%ed.

0)hat forJ )ere Nazi $oldier$ and it #a( be di$o!rteo!$ for !$ to treat !$ that a(.1 He

o#plained.

0 Sorr(, b!t thi$ an operatin' proed!re in thi$ Nazi-o!pied territor(.1 He $aid.

0 Dont orr(, e ha&e the paper$.1

The Ge$tapo too% a loo% at their paper$ and %eenl( ob$er&ed $o#e ob$!red #ar%in'$ on

photo$ and ille'ible letter$.

0 E?!$e #e an * ta%e thi$ in$ide the $alon to loo% at a learer &ie of (o!r paper$. Co#e follo

#eJ1

>eanti#e, an SS $oldier ho a$ la$t tal%in' in the phone a#e o!t fro# the other offee

$hop to $ee the o#in' SS $oldier$ on a #otorized &ehile. The to re$i$tane fi'hter$ $eein' that

the( ere bein' entrapped ith their fa%e identit( paper$ bea#e pani%( and an?io!$. The( onl(

had one thin' in their #ind$ b!t to $ra#. One of the# dre hi$ pi$tol and $hot the Ge$tapo in the

ba% a$ the rod $a#pered aa( ith pani%( in different diretion$.

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*t a!'ht the attention of Erzen and o#pan( ho fled the offee $hop to find a $afer plae.

The to be'an ho$tile a$ the( ran aa( ieldin' their '!n$ to the p!r$!in' SS $oldier$. The(

reahed the 'ara'ed-train to $hield the#$el&e$ to p!r$!in' SS a$ the( e&en ran to the rod alon'

their a( and e?han'ed fire.

0 E&er(bod( don1 an SS $ho!ted.

*n the end the to ere '!nned don at the railroad tra%.

0 The( 'ot the#. )e ha&e to #o&e o!t and a&oid the Nazi$.1 Erzen $aid.

0 /et$ ta%e an( train that ill ta%e !$ o!t of thi$ plae.1 Ia#il $!''e$ted.

0 /et$ ool it off. )e ant 2!$t do it hen thin'$ are $till hot. /et$ ait for $o#e ti#e !ntil the

ri'ht train o#e$.1 +ora a$%ed.

0 She$ ri'ht, e ha&e to be onfident and $ta( alert. )e ant 'o to o!r de$tination b( ta%in' other

train$.1 Erzen $aid.The( $ta(ed aa( fro# the plae and tried to find a $afer ref!'e !ntil the train arri&ed. )ith

onfidene and o!ra'e the( boarded the train that o!ld ta%e the# a$ far a$ Arte'na, toard$

dine !ntil the( 'ot into @enie, all *talian territorie$.

0 Ho lon' do (o! thin% it ill ta%e !$ to arri&e in @enieJ1 Erzen a$%ed ran%l(.

0 Perhap$, #ore than : ho!r$ .1 Ia#il replied.

0 * ill ha&e $o#e $trethin' and $ee the $ite.1 Erzen $aid.

Erzen $tepped o!t a$ +ora a$ fo!$ed bro$in' o#en$ #a'azine and Ia#il bro!'ht o!t a

boo%-#ar%ed po%et boo%. A little al% at the narro porh Erzen en2o(ed the plea$ant air and

$ener(. *n a fe #in!te$, a!'ht !naare a$ a Ge$tapo a'ent ho had been ro&in' eah oah

of the train for $!$piio!$ '!e$t$. Behind hi# ere to Nazi SS ar#ed ith $!b #ahine '!n$

in$petin' for paper$.

0 )hat a nie and 'entle breeze i$nt itJ1 an A'ent a$%ed ith $ara$#.

Erzen a$ $tartled hen he t!rned hi$ head behind. 0 Of o!r$e, ob&io!$l( ri'htJ1 he replied

0 No do!bt, >a2or. *t$ &er( plea$ant and indeed a bea!tif!l land$ape.1 the A'ent ontin!ed.

0 *t loo%$ li%e (o!re ha&in' a lon' trip, >a2orJ1

0 e$. B!t, it ill not ta%e too lon' and ell 'et into @enie $oon. )here did (o! o#e fro#J 1

He added.

0 N!re#ber'.1 Erzen $aid.

0Ho #an( are (o! in thi$ oah and here are the(J1 the A'ent a$%ed

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0 >( ife and a friend in$ide.1 He replied.

0 )ere on a f!rlo!'h and ere 'oin' ba% to o!r #ain o!ntr( of ori'in, Albania.1 Erzen

in$in!ated.

0 F!rlo!'hJ *t$ 'ood to hear that in the #id$t of !r'en( in $o#e o!pied territorie$ J B!t h(

in thi$ t!rb!lent ti#eJ the A'ent $aid $%eptiall(.

0 )ere ret!rnin' to Ger#an >ilitar( Co##and in Albania here e a#e fro#. )hat$ ron'J1

Erzen 'r!#bl( a$%ed

0 o!r !nifor# #a%e$ (o!r be$t. B!t * hope (o! dont #ind if * $ee (o!r paper$.1 He a$%ed

!rio!$l(.

Erzen #o#entaril( pa!$ed and loo%ed at hi# a$ he be'an to p!t o!t hi$ paper$. The Ge$tapo

'ra$ped and read it on$pi!o!$l( a$ he 'laned at hi# o#parin' hi$ photo'raph fro# the paper$.

/ater, he handed it ba% to hi#0Still redible and loo%$ 'en!ine. B!t, ho * $a (o! and (o!r o#pan( in a $#art po$ition at

the offee $hop a$ (o! fled d!rin' the o##otion fro# hih (o!r to o#rade$ ere trapped

and %illed i$ a$ ann( and #i$leadin' (o!r $tate#ent$ are.1 He in$in!ated.

Erzen a$ $t!nned and did not notie that the Ge$tapo had alread( dre o!t hi$ pi$tol fro#

hi$ oat and po%ed at hi#. I!i%l( a$ he o!ld be, he $tr!''led to 'rab hi$ pi$tol or re#o&e it

fro# hi$ hand. *n hi$ $tr!''le and fi'ht, Erzen 'ot a hane to $ho&e the Ge$tapo and %i%ed hi$

a$$ and o!t-balaned the latter pl!n'ed into the liff. nfort!natel(, the to SS fo!nd $a hat

tran$pired o!t$ide and one of the# b( ha$te $hot Erzen on the $pot. At that #o#ent, +ora and

Ia#il alread( behind the to SS retaliated and %illed the#. To lea&e no trae of %illin'$, the(

p!lled the to dead bodie$ and d!#ped it o!t hile the train a$ $iftl( in #otion .The( r!$hed

to Erzen ho a$ $erio!$l( hit and beteen life and death. *n hi$ d(in' $tate#ent, Erzen o!ld

hardl( !tter a ord a$ +ora a$ eepin' and #oanin'.

0 +ora, 'o and ta%e are of o!r infant. 0 he a$%ed.

0 Ia#il, ta%e are of +ora and o!r bab(.1 He in$in!ated.

0 * ill 0 Ia#il replied.

0 Are (o!J1 a$%ed Ia#il to +ora.

0 e$. Al#o$t fo!r #onth$ no.1 +ora replied.

The( p!lled Erzen$ dead bod( in a oah for ar'oe$ and onealed hi# !nder the rate$ of

fr!it$ and &e''ie$. The( tried to tran$fer in a $afe oah b( treadin' the train$ porh and roof to

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a&oid an( athf!l e(e$ of the Ge$tapo and SS $oldier$. )hen the train $topped at the ne?t

$tation, Ia#il and +ora $nea%ed o!t and $pent $o#ehere for another train . /ater, the( 'ot into

another pa$$en'er train headin' to @enie for #ore than fi&e ho!r$ trip.

+ora $till berea&in' the lo$$ of Erzen o!ldnt find her$elf at peae b!t $orro de&a$tated her

b!t !nder Ia#il$ o&erhel#in' #oral $!pport. Hene, the re#ainin' period of their tra&el a$

nothin' b!t a i$tf!l #e#orie$ of Erzen. Her tho!'ht$ and feelin'$ for Erzen o!ld ha&e had

dri&en off her ri'ht tra% to life, had Ia#il per$i$tin' eno!ra'e#ent p!lled her ba% to

realization. B!t #o$t of all, the onei&ed babe that Erzen$ #e#or( o!ld be #o$t appreiated

and heri$hed bea#e +ora$ in$piration.

/ater, the( arri&ed in @enie, a bea!tif!l plae in *tal(. The( $h!nned the rod and an( #en

in !nifor# to loo% for a $afe and !ite plae to dell. *t a$ 45, the Ger#an$ and Allie$ li$ted

plae$ li%e @enie not to be da#a'ed nor $!$tained no har#, e&en the #o$t preio!$ of it$ b!ildin'$tr!t!re$, h!rhe$, #!$e!#$ and hi$torial $ite$ ere pre$er&ed. /i%ei$e, @enie$ art trea$!re

and arhitet!re ere far le$$ than an( other itie$ that ere de$tro(ed b( the Allie$ and A?i$

d!rin' the ar. +ora and Ia#il $o!'ht ref!'e in the $%irt$ of @enie for $o#e ti#e !ntil the( had

e$tabli$hed ontat$ ith $o#e re$i$tane fi'hter$ ho $!pported the# in their e?pedition to

Albania. B!t the fi'hter$ had to i##ediatel( abandon the area d!e to ad&anin' Ger#an fore$

and Fa$i$t Salo Rep!bli. )hen *tal( for#all( $!rrendered to the Allie$ in 45, $o#e area$ ere

$till !nder the ontrol of the Ger#an fore$ and the Fa$i$t$ parti!larl(, the entral and northern

zone$. Anarhi$t$ $!ddenl( e#er'ed and thre the#$el&e$ into ar#ed $tr!''le and e$tabli$hin'

their for#ation$ here&er po$$ible.

0 )e ant $ta( here for $o lon'. There are lot$ of ene#ie$ $!rro!ndin' the it( no and ere in

ritial $it!ation.1 Ia#il in$in!ated.

0 )e ha&e to lea&e a$ $oon a$ po$$ible.1 +ora $aid.

0 B!t e are $till fain' another ritial proble#. Albania i$ !nder Ger#an ontrol no, hoe&er,

a n!#ber of re$i$tane #o&e#ent$ are &i'oro!$l( fi'htin' the# all o&er. There$ no other plae

here e o!ld li&e ith le$$er per$e!tion than in Albania. So, e ha&e to 'et there b( an(

#ean$ e&en if it o$t o!r li&e$. One thin' * a# $!re, e ill be proteted and re$!ed there.1

Ia#il e?plained.

0 * hope (o!re ri'ht.1 +ora replied.

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17

Al*ania

Albania i$ a o!ntr( in $o!thea$tern E!rope and no offiiall( %non a$ Rep!bli of Albania.

*t$ apital it( i$ Tirana. Albania i$ bo!nded b( a oa$t of the Adriati Sea to the ea$t, and to the

$o!th b( Greee. *t i$ bordered b( >ontene'ro to the northe$t, to the northea$t of Ko$o&o, and

>aedonia to the ea$t. Albania i$ appro?i#atel( 96 %# fro# *tal(, aro$$ the Strait of Otranto

lin%in' the Adriati Sea to the *onian Sea.

taly nvades Al*ania

On April 9,4, Albania a$ in&aded b( *talian troop$ #onth$ before the be'innin' of the

Seond )orld )ar, altho!'h ar#ed re$i$tane tried to defend the o!ntr( it failed and *talian

troop$ o!pied the land. A$ a on$e!ene, Kin' Mo' * and hi$ ife, I!een Geraldine Appon(i

and their infant $on /e%a fled to Greee and alle'edl( too% ith the# a portion of the 'old

re$er&e$ of the Central Ban% of Albania, hoe&er, an'r( #ob !pon learnin' it atta%ed the

pri$on$ , freed the pri$oner$ and ran$a%ed the Kin'$ ho!$e.On the folloin' da(, April ; Tirana a$ be$ie'ed b( *talian troop$ and apt!red all

'o&ern#ent $tr!t!re$ and in the e&enin' after ho!r$ of fi'htin' troop$ entered Sh%oder, Fier and

Elba$an. )hen the *talian troop$ ad&aned in Sh%oder the an'r( #ob $ie'ed the pri$on and

liberated $o#e pri$oner$.

Albania bea#e an *talian protetorate alon' Bohe#ia and >ora&ia hih ere Ger#an

Protetorate$. Kin' @itor E##an!el *** , %in' of *tal( a$ to 'o&ern Albania$ ron had been

alread( in per$onal !nion ith the *talian ron, hene, Ro#e handled the forei'n poli( of

Albania. /i%ei$e, Albanian #ilitar( a$ inorporated ith the *talian #ilitar(. Sine Albania a$

alread( !nder the ad#ini$tration of *tal(, all le&el$ in the o!ntr( a$ 'o&erned b( Fa$i$# of

>!$$olini, th!$, Albanian Fa$i$t Part( a$ or'anized a$ it bea#e branh of the *tal($ National

Fa$i$t Part(. Bein' a olon(, therefore, *talian itizen$ be'an to $ettle in Albania and on land

and it$ nat!ral re$o!re$ a#e !nder diret ontrol of *tal(.

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A$ ited hi$toriall(, Albania had lon' been a territor( of the Ro#an E#pire, later, d!rin' the

>iddle A'e$ $o#e oa$tal area$ li%e D!razzo had been infl!ened and oned b( *talian %in'do#$

of Naple$ and the Rep!bli of @enie. Tho!'h profo!nd $t!die$ *talian Fa$i$t le'iti#ized it$

lai# and delared raial affinit( of Albanian$ and *talian$ and lin%ed Albanian$ thro!'h ethni

herita'e to *talian$ bea!$e of lin%$ ith the pre hi$tori *taliote$, *ll(rian and Ro#an pop!lation$,

and the Ro#an and @enetian infl!ene o&er Albania hih 2!$tified *tal($ ri'ht to po$$e$$.

/i%ei$e, *tal($ $!pport to Albanian irredenti$#, direted a'ain$t the predo#inantl( Albanian-

pop!lated Ko$o&o in !'o$la&ia and Epir!$ in Greee ere #ade to 2!$tif( lai# for $o&erei'n

le'iti#a( o&er Albania.

Kin' Mo' ref!$ed to $!b2et Albania to anne?ation of *tal( b( the o##and of Benito

>!$$olini, ho !$ed Kin' Mo'$ $!ppre$$ion of fa$i$t$ in Albania a$ a plo( for a''re$$ion. Al$o,

>!$$olini delared an !lti#at!# that the apital it( of Tirana be anne?ed to *tal(. Hene, after Kin' Mo'$ ref!$al, Albanian oa$t$ ere bo#barded b( *talian ar$hip$ folloed b( troop$

landin' on April 9, 4. *nitial landin'$ of *talian paratrooper$ ere tra'i hen Albanian ro!'h

oa$tal ater$ droned #an( of the#. Re$i$tane fi'hter$ in Albania pro&ed to be ineffeti&e,

th!$, Kin' Mo' and I!een Geraldine alon' ith infant Cron Prine /e%a fled to /ondon &ia

Greee. /ater, Kin' @itor E##an!el *** re rel!tantl( too% the ron of Albania.

&erany nvades Al*ania

*n 45, >!$$olini a$ o&erthron and *tal( $!rrendered. Albanian defender$ $!bd!ed

*talian fore$ a$ the o##!ni$t$ too% ontrol of Albania$ #a2or itie$ e?ept @lore hih a$

Balli Ko#betar $tron'hold. Briti$h a'ent$ in Albania 'a&e the Albanian re$i$tane fi'hter$

#i$leadin' infor#ation abo!t the Allie$ planned in&a$ion of the Bal%an$ and !r'ed the# to !nite.

*n the end, the leader$ of the o##!ni$t$ and Balli Ko#betar ollaborated b!t not the fate of

Ko$o&o after the ar. A$ a re$!lt, the to i'nited a ar thro!'ho!t Albania d!e to their politial

and ideolo'ial indifferene$.

*n Septe#ber 45, Ger#an( in&aded Albania a$ paratrooper$ ere dropped in the apital

it( of Tirana foilin' Albanian fore$ to defend the it(. )hen the it( a$ o&erhel#ed b(

Ger#an fore$ the( dro&e aa( the Albanian fi'hter$ into the hill$, on$e!entl(, #an( !nit$ of

Balli Ko#betar ollaborated ith the Ger#an$ a'ain$t the o##!ni$t$, po$tin' #an( of it$

leader$ in hi'h po$ition$ in the Ger#an o##and.

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Shortl( after o!p(in' the o!ntr(, the Ger#an$ ne'otiated and $ettled the ad#ini$tration of

Albania. A Co##ittee a$ for#ed !nder Ger#an $pon$or$hip and reo'nized b( the Ger#an

'o&ern#ent. A Ko$o&o-Albanian all( of the Ger#an$ na#ed, Whafer De&a a$ appointed >ini$ter

of *nterior of Prizren in Ko$o&o and later fo!nded the Nazi-ali'ned /ea'!e of Prizren hih

delared a hol( ar 3 2ihad= a'ain$t it$ ene#ie$ Sla&$, +e$ and G(p$ie$ to ethniall( lean$ed

Albania.

)hen *tal( $!rrendered to Ger#an(, Ger#an fore$ be'an to e?ter#inate all +e$ in Albania

inl!din' the re'ion$ of Albanian-do#inated and o!pied !'o$la&ia. /i%ei$e, +ei$h $ettler$

in e$tern >aedonia ho ere not har#ed d!rin' the *talian o!pation bea#e the fo!$ of

e?ter#ination b( the Ger#an fore$ here 'ro!p$ of +e$ ere di$pathed to the onentration

a#p and e?ter#inated.

Hitler$ fore$ ere ad&anin' into $o#e ton$ and itie$ in Albania a$ there ere $poradiho$tilitie$ eno!ntered beteen the Ger#an fore$ and '!erilla #o&e#ent b!t the( ere

o&erpoered b( the #i'ht of the ad&anin' in&ader$. The Ger#an$ in #ore in$tane$

o&erpoered the rebel$ in re#ote area$, th!$, the( red!ed ho$tilitie$ that #ade the# ea$il(

o!pied #a2or ton$ and itie$ in Tirana.

Thinl( pop!lated ton$ had or'anized re$i$tane #o&e#ent that tried to defend the#$el&e$

fro# ab!$i&e SS $oldier$ ho ere a$$i'ned to patrol and lo$el( ath the #o&e#ent$ of

$!$peted #e#ber$ of the re$i$tane #o&e#ent$.

Resistance /oveents Arise

*n 46, a Co##!ni$t or'anizer, Ali Kel#endi a$ $ent to Albania to for# a o##!ni$t

'ro!p. Hoe&er, there ere no or%in' la$$ on hih o##!ni$t o!ld depend for $!pport a$

>ar?i$# had attrated fe and onl( reated a n!#ber of i$$!e$, e$tern-ed!ated, #o$tl( To$%

intellet!al$ and landle$$ pea$ant$, #iner$ and other indi&id!al$ not ontented ith Albania$

ob$olete $oial and eono#i pro'ra#$. Pari$ bea#e a o##!ni$t h!b and onl( faded aa(

hen Frane fell to Ger#an Nazi in 456. D!rin' the Nazi o!pation #o$t +e$ in Albania

proper ere $a&ed, altho!'h other$ in the Ko$o&o re'ion ere deported and %illed. *n 456,

Albanian re$i$tane be'an ith $#all eta$ b!t in 45, it 're to beo#e a $i'nifiant fore.

S#all *talian 'ro!p$ ho de$erted the fa$i$t ar#( and 2oined the Albanian parti$an$. *n 45,

hen *tal( apit!lated, a lar'e n!#ber of *talian $oldier$ $!rrendered to the ad&anin' Ger#an

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ar#(. The( ere $ent to onentration a#p$ or to fored labor in Albania for the $er&ie of the

Ger#an ar#(.

*n 454, an Albanian Co##!ni$t Part( in Tirana a$ e$tabli$hed b( a $#all Albanian

Co##!ni$t 'ro!p$ !nder the leader$hip of En&er Ho?ha ith an ele&en-#en Central Co##ittee.

*nitiall(, it had fe rer!it$ and la%ed #a$$ appeal and onl( inrea$ed in n!#ber$ had Part(

alled on (o!th$ to fi'ht for the liberation of the Albania fro# *tal(. o!th$ ea'er for freedo#

ere rer!ited and in 45, the part( or'anized the National /iberation >o&e#ent on$tit!tin' a

n!#ber of re$i$tane 'ro!p$ inl!din' tho$e that $tron'l(-oppo$ed Co##!ni$#.

*n Otober 45, a nationali$t re$i$tane a'ain$t *talian in&ader$ e#er'ed. The e$tern

-oriented re$i$tane a$ for#ed b( Ali Kel(ra and >ithat Fra$heri for#ed the anti-o##!ni$t

front or national front, Balli Ko#betar Nationali$t re$i$tane. The( rer!ited #e#ber$ and

$!pporter$ e$peiall( pea$ant$ and lar'e landlord$. The( pleaded for eono#i and $oial refor#$a$ the( bol$tered the reation of Greater Albania b( *talian$ and oppo$ed the ret!rn of Kin' Mo'.

/ater, +ora and Ia#il departed for Albania on a pa$$en'er $hip that tra&er$ed aro$$ the

Adriati Sea. /i%e other Ger#an- o!pied territorie$, all pa$$en'er$ had to pa$$ thro!'h $trit

i##i'ration in$petion and identifiation at the Albanian Adriati Sea Port.

0 Are (o! h!$band and ife J1 a$%ed the Ger#an *##i'ration Offier.

0 No.1 +ora replied

0 B!t ho$e bab( are (o! bearin' ith (o!J1 he ontin!ed.

0 Her h!$band had died alon' the a( to *tal(. He a$ a o##i$$ioned-offier in the Ger#an Air

Fore.1 Ia#il e?plained.

0 )h( did he dieJ the Offier a$%ed.

0 He a$ $hot b( a re$i$tane fi'hter on the train.1 +ora $aid.

0o!re al$o in the Air ForeJ1

0 )ere both in the ati&e $er&ie before he died1 $he added.

0 Ho abo!t (o!, Captain Ia#il /e%a of the Ger#an >ilitar( Co##and fro# @ih(, FraneJ

o!&e 'one a lon' a(, tooJ Ho did (o! o#e to'ether fro# different $er&ie !nit$ J1 he

a$%ed.

0 )ere lo$e friend$ and e are on f!rlo!'h for o!r herita'e land, Albania.1 Ia#il $aid.

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0 Albania i$ a nie o!ntr( and ethniall( ideal plae to li&e in e$peiall( for #inoritie$ li%e +e$,

Ro#a and Sla&$ . *talian$ $a( thi$ i$ a plae of ho$pitalit( a#on' tho$e ho ant to in&e$t and do

b!$ine$$ and of o!r$e, to hide the h!nted.1 He in$in!ated.

>o#ent$ later, the $ta#pin' #ahine a$ ha##ered don into their paper$ . The offier

'laned and in%ed at the #an in 'ra( oat and dar% hat hile $tandin' behind the $tation$

he%point barrier here )affen SS ere on their feet. Aro$$ the barrier a$ the raila( $tation

here oahe$ ere aitin' to be di$pathed a$ pa$$en'er$ ontin!ed to fill in &aant $eat$.

0H!rr( !p, thi$ one o!ld ta%e !$ to the it(.1 Ia#il a$%ed.

0 e$, * %no b!t ta%e a loo% behind !$.1 +ora in$in!ated.

0 * %no * ha&e $en$ed it lon' before he let !$ 'o. The )affen SS and a $hred Ge$tapo ill

be'in $tal%in' !$. +!$t rela? and ta%e it ea$(.1 Ia#il added.

The train be'an to $narl it$ tra% aa( to the it( proper of @lore a$ the $tal%er$ %ept their e(e$ on the oppo$ite end of the oah near the door. A$ the( %ept an e(e on the to, Ia#il tho!'ht

of treadin' hi$ a( o!t at the other oah, b!t the thin' a$, the $tal%er$ ere blo%in' the a(.

Rather he $tepped into the a$h roo# that a$ behind their po$ition and tried to he% for an(

po$$ible 'atea( to the other oah.

0 No a(. nle$$ e 'et rid of the# b( an( forible #ean$.1 Ia#il hi$pered.

0 No, not here. )ell 'et into deep tro!ble. /et$ 2!$t ait Vtill e 'et into the it(.1 +ora $aid.

0 The( ont $top !ntil the( p!$h !$ a'ain$t the all. )e 'et the# fir$t or the(ll 'et !$.1 Ia#il

ontin!ed.

0 Rela?. See , * ant r!n that fa$t no a$ * a$ not pre''(.1+ora e?lai#ed.

0 O%a(. /et$ ath and $ee.1 Ia#il $aid.

The train $topped at the pop!lo!$ area of the it( a$ thron' of people roded the &iinit(

hile the pa$$en'er$ be'an to ali'ht to ta%e their belon'in'$ fro# the o#part#ent of their

oahe$. B( the ha$te of the #ob Ia#il and +ora tried to $nea% o!t fro# the train itho!t bein'

notied b( the $tal%er$.

0 H!rr( !p, +ora e o!'ht to lo$e the# .1 Ia#il $aid.

0 e$ * a# in a h!rr(, b!t here toJ1 +ora a$%ed.

0 +!$t %eep #o&in' and 'o ith the rod. Keep (o!r head loer. There the( are, loo%in' for !$,

not $o far, b!t anderin'1 he hi$$ed.

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eono#i i#portane to the#. Con$e!entl(, hen the Ger#an$ o!pied !$, the horror be'an.

+e$, Sla&$, Ro#a and G(p$ie$ are bein' deported and e?ter#inated.1 The #an ontin!ed.

0 B( the a(, #( na#e i$ Ah#ed and thi$ i$ #( ife, Fati#a. )e are >!$li#$. )e li&e b( o!r

be$a ode that if one $a&ed a life that o!ld be a$ if e ha&e $a&ed the hole h!#anit(. )e obe(

the I!rani priniple1 Ah#ed in$in!ated.

0 )e are Albanian- +e$ b( herita'e and o!r ane$tor$ li&ed in Albania. )e ret!rn bea!$e e

belie&e that e o!ld $till $!r&i&e in thi$ land. B( li&in' ith o!r people, e an b!ild a ne

be'innin'. )hen e learned that *talian$ did not har$hl( treat o!r inhabitant$ here e deided to

'o ba% and $ettle don all o&er a'ain a$ e tho!'ht that Ger#an$ o!ld do the $a#e, b!t not a$

or$t a$ in A!$hitz and +a$eno&a in Croatia.1 +ora e?plained.

V O!r 'ro!p $attered in $o#e part$ of E!rope ere $tr!''lin' a'ain$t the Nazi-Ger#an$. )e

a'reed to #eet in Czeho$lo&a%ia to 2oin fore$ b!t the( did not #a%e it there !ntil the $ite a$ be$ie'ed, and later tho!'ht of fleein' here.1 Ia#il in$in!ated.

0 The re$i$tane fi'hter$ here are defendin' the nation fro# the Ger#an in&ader$, ho ontin!e to

oppre$$ the #inoritie$ a$ e fore$ee that $oon the Ger#an fore$ ill be dri&en o!t.1 Ah#ed

added.

0 * o!ld $ee that (o!r ife i$ pre'nant and her bell( i$ $ellin'. She need$ a 'ood re$t a$ $he i$

#o$t li%el( to deli&er.1 Fati#a $aid.

0 o! o!ld $pend $o#e ti#e here !ntil the $it!ation ha$ ooled off. o!r ife loo%$ li%e to be

deli&erin' her infant $oon.1 Ah#ed $!''e$ted.

0 )e than% (o! b!t it #a( be too #!h of !$.1 Ia#il $aid.

0 *t$ o%a( for !$. )e are onl( to in thi$ ho!$e a$ e are hildle$$.1 Fati#a $aid.

0 )e are not h!$band and ife. >( h!$band a$ %illed in the train alon' o!r a( to *tal( b( the

SS #onth$ a'o.1 +ora in$in!ated.

0 Oh, reall(J Sorr( to hear that.1 Fati#a apolo'ized.

0 *t$ alri'ht.1 +ora $aid.

)hen the $it!ation had ooled off Ia#il altered hi$ appearane, thi$ ti#e an ordinar( i&ilian

tr(in' to e?plore the plae and the e?tent of hi$ 2o!rne( in $earh for $!r&i&al and the po$$ibilit( of

o!t$ide onnetion$. Ia#il learned that fa$i$t o!pier$ ere tr(in' to arre$t and deport +e$

fro# Albania, b!t the inhabitant$ #o$tl( >!$li#$ and Catholi$ ref!$ed to $!rrender the +e$

li&in' in the o!ntr(, rather oddled the# and helped the# e$ape and $!r&i&e. The( ere #o$tl(

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hidden in the #o!ntain$ here the Ger#an$ o!ld not $ee the#. /i%ei$e, #e#ber$ of the

Albanian 'o&ern#ent fi?ed the +ei$h fa#ilie$ fal$e or for'ed do!#ent$ to $a&e the#. Albanian

far#er$ hid +e$ in the far#, hene Albania bea#e a +ei$h ref!'e a$ o#pared ith other

Ea$tern E!ropean o!ntrie$ here onern$ for the +e$ ere not that h!#ane and ho$pitable.

Fro# the (ear 4; !ntil 457, Albanian pop!lation on$i$ted of the do#inant >!$li# and

the le$$er pop!lation of the Orthodo? Catholi. Hene, the ratio had a 'reat deal of interreli'io!$

tolerane. >an( +e$ d!rin' the Seond )orld )ar $o!'ht ref!'e in Albania here #o$t of the#

ere treated ell b( the loal Albanian inhabitant$. /i%ei$e, Albanian->!$li#$ pratied the

be$a ode, their traditional ho$pitalit( to the +e$ b( $helterin' the# in the &illa'e$, #o!ntain$

and e&en tran$ported the# to the port of the Adriati Sea to flee to *tal(, b!t $o#e preferred to 2oin

the re$i$tane #o&e#ent$ all o&er the o!ntr(. Treat#ent for the +e$ a$ indeed different fro#

Albanian-do#inated Ko$o&o, +e$ ere har$hl( treated and arre$ted to be handed o&er to the Nazihere #an( of the# ere e?e!ted. After the ar, the ad a$he#, an *$raeli Holoa!$t >e#orial

reo'nized the Croatian$ and Catholi ler'( inl!din' n!n$ and a prie$t, ho a$ #!rdered for

re$!in' the li&e$ of #an( +e$ fro# e?e!tion.

*n >a( 455, a Ko$o&o-Albanian and Ger#an ollaborator na#ed De&a and hi$ #en

rer!ited Ko$o&o-Albanian$ to 2oin the 4$t )affen SS di&i$ion that a$ later na#ed, SS

S%anderbe' Di&i$ion in honor of the Albanian national hero Geor' Ka$trioti S%anderbe'.

nfort!natel(, tho$e Ko$o&o-Albanian$ that ere rer!ited b( the di&i$ion to ta%e part in the

Ger#an o#bat operation$ tarni$hed the na#e of the o#pan( b( r!thle$$l( #!rderin', rapin'

and lootin' Serbian loal$ folloed b( it$ anton raidin' of +ei$h ho#e$ in Pri$tina, arre$tin'

indi'eno!$ and forei'n +e$ to be handed the# o&er to the Ger#an$ for e?e!tion. /ater, hen

the Allied &itor( in the Bal%an$ a$ at hand, the di&i$ion head, De&a and hi$ #en tried to a!ire

eapon$ fro# ithdrain' Ger#an fore$ to proeed ith the final $ol!tion of the Sla&i

inhabitant$ of Ko$o&o , b!t a$ a&erted b( poerf!l !'o$la&ian Parti$an$.

*n Septe#ber 45, hen *tal( apit!lated to the Allie$ all onentration a#p$ in Albania

ere de#oli$hed. Th!$, all the propert( and belon'in'$ of the +e$ ere bro!'ht to the !$tod( of

#an( or'anization$, in$tit!tion$ and pri&ate indi&id!al$. *n Ger#an-o!pied Albania, the Ger#an

fore on$i$ted of )ehr#aht rer!it$ later de$erted and 2oined the Albanian Parti$an !nit$ at the

lo$e of 45 and their n!#ber$ 're d!rin' the Ger#an S!##er Offen$i&e in 455 a$ the

Ger#an fore$ o##ened ithdrain' fro# Albania.

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To #onth$ later, +ora 'a&e birth to a bab( bo( and na#ed hi#, Erzen, +r, in #e#or( of

Erzen. For their on&eniene, the( ere te#poraril( $heltered at Ah#ed$ &aant roo# at the ba%

of the ho!$e. Ia#il a$ able to deal and $e!re 2ob fro# the *talian$ to earn #one(. *n

on$ideration for the %ind ho$pitalit( and 'enero$it( of the o!ple, Ia#il and +ora a'reed to pa(

$o#e a#o!nt to the# hih the latter ref!$ed.

0 *t i$ o!r illin'ne$$ to help and !nder$tand (o! in ti#e$ li%e the$e fro# hih e ob$er&e the

Be$a ode. 1 Fati#a in$in!ated.

0 /iberation i$ i##inent and e&er(one ill be able to $tart a ne be'innin' . /et$ 2!$t ait for

that e&ent 0 Ah#ed added.

0 o!re reall( onderf!l people. >a( God ble$$ !$ all.1 +ora $aid.

0 e$. /ibert( i$ at the thre$hold and one a'ain thi$ nation ill be free.1 Ia#il prono!ned.

0 Aordin' to the late$t anno!ne#ent, the Parti$an$ are no ad&anin' in Tirana a$ the Ger#anfore$ $!ffered hea&( lo$$e$.1Ia#il added.

0 The &itor( of the Co##!ni$t Parti$an i$ i##inent and $oon the Ger#an fore$ ill be dri&en

o!t of Albania, hene e ill all en2o( the /ibert( e ha&e been lon'in' for.1 +ora $aid.

Tirana a$ liberated b( the parti$an$ in No&e#ber 455 after al#o$t a #onth-battle. The

National /iberation Ar#( 3N/F=, a o##!ni$t parti$an led b( En&er Ho?ha entirel( liberated

Albania, fir$t fro# the *talian fore$ and no fro# Ger#an o!pation on No&e#ber , 455.

*t$ re'!lar fi'hter$ on$i$tin' of #ore than :,666 #e#ber$ al$o too% part in the battle a'ain$t the

Fa$i$t$. /i%ei$e, Ko$o&o a$ later liberated b( Albanian parti$an$. The Albanian parti$an$

ere al$o in$tr!#ental in a$$i$tin' +o$e Broz Tito$ o##!ni$t fore$ in liberatin' >ontene'ro

and $o!thern Bo$nia and Herze'o&ina hile the Ger#an fore$ ere retreatin' fro# Greee into

!'o$la&ia a$ the So&iet Ar#( a$ al$o #arhin' into !'o$la&ia.

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18

7ichy; $rance

)hen the Allied in&a$ion a$ i##inent, the Ger#an fore$ ere p!t on alert in all part$ of

Frane parti!larl( in the $ea oa$t of the Ger#an-fortified Nor#and( all or the Atlanti all.

Th!$, the trial for Sander Bo'dini did not p!$h thro!'h b!t rather, the #ilitar( trib!nal !pon

reo##endation and per$i$tene of Bo'dini$ la(er of hi$ innoene and la% of fat!al ba$i$

in$in!ated to the Ger#an Hi'h Co##and in @ih(, Frane that he be relea$ed a$ hi$ $er&ie$ ere

!r'entl( and #o$tl( needed d!rin' the Reih$ pendin' in&a$ion b( the Allied fore$ in Frane.Bo'dini a$ deli'hted b( the %een dei$ion of the trib!nal on hi$ a$e that a$ ob$!red b(

the ri$e on the i$$!e of the Allied in&a$ion of Frane. Hoe&er, hi$ relea$e a$ onl( te#porar( that

he had to be e$orted on d!t( b( the trib!nal$ de$i'nated #ilitar( polie. Bo'dini a$ realled to

Berlin Head!arter$ to re$!#e hi$ d!t( for the Reih.

>eanti#e, +o$eph Darnand, a de fato leader of >ilie, and or'anizer of a ollaborationi$t

#ilitia $!pported >ar$hall Petain in @ih(, Frane and offered hi$ a$$i$tane a'ain$t the re$i$tane

#o&e#ent in Frane. Hi$ politial areer a$ far off ri'ht in hih he tried to 2oin the Frenh

Re$i$tane in different oa$ion$ b!t failed . After hi$ failed atte#pt$ to 2oin the re$i$tane he

t!rned to the Nazi b( hih he a$ rapidl( aepted and 'i&en an SS ran% of a /ie!tenant b(

Hitler hen he per$onall( too% an oath of alle'iane. Hene, >ilie #e#ber$ hih he led a$

al$o the tar'et of the re$i$tane fi'hter$, hoe&er, it$ #e#ber$ ere ref!$ed to be ar#ed b( the

@ih( and )ehr#aht.

Allies land in #orandy

)hen Nor#and( a$ in&aded b( the Allie$, Darnand fled to Ger#an( in 455 and 2oinedPetain$ p!ppet 'o&ern#ent and 'ot pro#oted. Hoe&er, hen the Allie$ ere ad&anin',

Darnand tried to flee to *tal( b!t a$ apt!red b( the Briti$h $oldier$ on +!ne 7,457. He a$

bro!'ht ba% to Frane here he faed trial and $entened to die b( firin' $!ad on Otober 46,

457 at Fort Chatillon.

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.

*n Frane$ r!ral area$, the #a!$%is or re$i$tane fore$ hih on$i$ted of 'ro!p$ of ar#ed

#en and o#en pro&ided intelli'ene infor#ation and had been in$tr!#ental in leadin' e$ape

ro!te$ to Allied $oldier$ and fl(er$ trapped behind ene#( line$. The( ere #en and o#en ho

a#e fro# all le&el$ of Frane$ $oiet( hih inl!ded $t!dent$, ari$torat$, prie$t$ , and itizen$

on$i$tin' of liberal$, o##!ni$t$ and anarhi$t$.

Para#ilitar( on$tit!ent$ of the Re$i$tane ho# landed in Nor#and( and Pro&ene, Frane

or'anized an operational !nit$ %non a$ the Frenh Fore$ on$tit!tin' a tho!$and fi'hter$ and

're rapidl( at a tre#endo!$ $ize in 455. Charle$ de Ga!lle a%noled'ed the for#ation of the

Frenh Fore$ a$ re'ion$ be'an to be liberated b( the Allied $oldier$. >eanti#e, General >arie

Pierre Koeni' atte#pted to !nif( the Frenh re$i$tane effort$ a'ain$t the Ger#an fore$ and a$

affir#ed b( General Di'ht Ei$enhoer the o##and of the for#er.

*n A!'!$t 455, or'anized Frenh Fore$ penetrated ton$ and &illa'e$ and $eized brid'e$hile pa$$in' on intelli'ene infor#ation abo!t Ger#an !nit$ in penetrated area$ that #ade the

Allied fore$ rapid #arhed into Frane. /i%ei$e, in Brittan(, Frenh fore$ helped the p!r$!it of

/oire and Pari$ to the Seine b( blo%in' the railroad and hi'ha( #o&e#ent$, $nappin'

teleo##!niation line$ of the ene#(.

$all o, Berlin

The So&iet nion la!nhed it$ Strate'i Offen$i&e Operation $tartin' +an!ar( 457 and

reatin' to So&iet front$ atta%in' Berlin fro# the ea$t and $o!th hile the Ger#an fore$ ere

o&erran in their po$ition to the north of Berlin. /i%ei$e, the fir$t defen$i&e po$ition$ ere

la!nhed at the o!t$%irt$ of Berlin. Ger#an ar#( General G. Heinrih antiipated the Red Ar#(

thr!$t to the north of Berlin a$ he prono!ned, 0 The Red$ ha&e #ade it to the Ode ri&er and

enirled the it(. Thi$ i$ a bad indiation for the Reih.1

*n April 457, in the Belor!$$ian Front, >ar$hall Geor'( M!%o& led the Red Ar#($ fir$t

offen$i&e in the it( of Berlin a$ he o##anded hi$ #en ith all their #i'ht 0 Co##ene firin' 1

Si#!ltaneo!$l(, in the %rainian Font, >ar$hal *. Kone& p!$hed fro# $o!th thro!'h the la$t

ol!#n$ of the ar#( 'ro!p. The Ger#an$ had $!ffered hea&( a$!altie$ and inade!ate $!pport.

0 General )ieldin', e ha&e depleted e!ip#ent and o!r #en are badl( e!ipped. >an( of o!r

)ehr#aht and SS- di&i$ion$ ha&e di$inte'rated and ithin a fe da($ the Red$ ill be #arhin'

thro!'h the it(.1 The Ad2!tant de$peratel( reported.

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0 Thi$ i$ it The Third Reih ha$ o#e to an end 1 The General prono!ned.

>eanti#e, at the F!hrer$ b!n%er , an at#o$phere of an?iet( a$ depre$$in' a$ the F!hrer$

offier$ ere falterin' to di$!$$ an( po$$ibilit( of !nonditional $!rrender hile the( %ne that

the end of Hitler$ Reih had o#e.

0 )e&e o#e to the point that e&er(one ha$ to lea&e. 0 Hitler $i'hed.

/ater, he $h!t the door and a '!n $hot a$ heard. )hen the( opened the door, the $i'ht of

bleedin' head of the F!hrer $praled on hi$ table and the dead bod( of E&a Bra!n on the $ofa ho

alle'edl( in'e$ted (anide appeared before the#. One SS '!ard ho a$ ith the F!hrer before

he too% hi$ life $aid that their bodie$ be b!rned $o that no one ill do hat the( did to >!$$olini,

after the( %illed a$ han'ed !p$ide don in p!bli.

S%ir#i$he$ ontin!ed hile the Allie$ ere ad&anin' to the north-e$t hile the Red Ar#(

on the $o!th-e$t of Berlin a$ the near apit!lation of the Ger#an fore$ a$ at hand.0 )e o!ld rather #o&e e$t ard and p!$hed a'ain$t the Allie$ and $!rrender than be p!$hed

toard$ the Red Ar#(.1 One SS Offier hi$$ed.

/ater, Berlin a$ be$ie'ed b( the So&iet Ar#( and !lti#atel(, the Ger#an fore$ $!rrendered.

General M!h%o& a$ a%noled'ed a hero in the battle of Berlin Th!$, Stalin a$ happ( ith the

o!to#e and ha$t( a#pai'n a'ain$t the Ger#an$ in the battle of Berlin altho!'h it had a!$ed

hi# a tho!$and dead Red $oldier$. /i%ei$e, the be$ie'ed Ger#an( a$ di&ided and $hared to the

Allie$ their re$peti&e zone$ of o!pation.

On the other hand, before the fall of Berlin, Sander Bo'dini a$ onte#platin' for an ideal

path to e?e!te hi$ d!t( for the Ger#an fla'. )ith hi# ere hi$ >ilitar( Polie e$ort$ de$i'nated

to o&er$ee hi# and pett( offier$ on their a( to the do%.

0 The $!b#arine i$ read( for &o(a'e, Co##ander.1 A Nazi $ailor anno!ned.

0 *t i$ no #( #andate in hih a( ere $ailin'. The F!hrer and hi$ Aide$ are no ta%in'

ref!'e into hi$ b!n%er. )ere e?petin' a horrendo!$ $ar# of in&adin' fore$ in the oa$t of

Nor#and(, 1 Bo'dini $aid.

0 )hih a( $hall e ta%eJ1 an offier a$%ed.

0 *t$ a lon' a( ho#e fro# both diretion$ b( ater$. )e ill fae a to!'h eno!nter in the

En'li$h Channel ith En'land before e reah the Ba( of Bi$a(.1 He $aid.

0 B!t Sir, e are $!rro!nded if e ta%e that ro!te. )h( not ta%e the North SeaJ That #a( 'i&e !$ a

'atea( to a le$$er ri$%.1 An offier added.

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0 There i$ no #ore $afe ro!te$ no. The Allie$ ha&e ta%en ontrol of the $ea$ a$ Atlanti in&a$ion

i$ antiipated.1 Bo'dini $aid.

0)hat do e do noJ1 an Offier a$%ed.

0There$ nothin' e an do, b!t to ta%e the ri$%$ fro# all diretion$.1 Bo'dini replied.

Alon' the En'li$h Channel, the $!b#arine ent !p to the $!rfae and one $iren$ be'an to

alar# a$ Spitfire$ $ooped don and $trafed the# ith blazin' b!llet$. Sea battle$ t!rned the $ea

into deep 'ra&e of $!n%en $hip$ ith it$ dead hile blazin' fl(in' #ahine$ pl!n'ed into the depth

of 2!n%$.

0 *t o!ld be !no#fortable $eein' (o! 'entle#en on (o!r feet all the da($ of (o!r li&e$ itho!t

doin' an(thin' and die itho!t repri$in' an( ene#( atta%$. 0 Bo'dini e?lai#ed.

0 *t$ o!r d!t( to obe( the trib!nal$ order.1 replied one of the >P$

0 *t doe$nt #a%e an( $en$e at all. Thi$ i$ ar and (o! ha&e to do $o#ethin' to fi'ht for (o!r o!ntr(, (o!r$elf and fa#il( and for (o!r fello#en1 Bo'dini ontin!ed.

0 Ta%e (o!r eapon$ and $hoot the approahin' ene#(. 1 He added.

*t a$ $hodon of battle $hip$ in the #id$t of the En'li$h Channel. Bo'dini$ battle $hip

#ane!&ered hen a battle $hip be'an to fire at the#. One a torpedo a$ $et, then it a$ off to

'o. Then, it t!rned o!t to be a $hip re%ed a$ billo$ of dar% $#o%e ho&ered abo&e it, then

another torpedo a$ relea$ed to brin' it don. /ater, the re%a'e and all the re$t ent don into

the $ea bed to it$ eternal re$t.

0 /et$ 'et don.1 Bo'dini ordered.

0 Co##ander, radio #e$$a'e fro# Berlin.1 A radio #an $aid.

0 Go ahead Berlin1 Bo'dini a$%ed.

0 Co##ander, (o! are hereb( ordered to ret!rn to Berlin a$ $oon a$ po$$ible for an !r'ent #i$$ion

.1 a radio #an a$%ed.

Soon, Bo'dini #ane!&ered hi$ a( ba% to Berlin lea&in' the ar zone here Nazi fore$

and the Briti$h ere en'a'ed in inten$e $ea battle. At the Berlin Head!arter$, Bo'dini a$

'reeted b( $enior Nazi Offier$ ho ere antiipatin' hi$ ret!rn a$ the( ere all in the r!$h

%eepin' all &ital do!#ent$ in their brief a$e$.

0 >o&in' o!t $o#ehere J1 he a$%ed.

0 E?atl(, a$ (o! an $ee e&er(one i$ on the r!$h before it$ too late.1 A Senior Offier replied.

0 Bo'dini, the on&o( i$ read( to the port.1 He added.

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The on&o( of e&a!ee$ proeeded to the port hile Bo'dini ent ahead of the# to initiate

the reeption at the port. Hene, the $!b#arine a$ opened and prepared to e&a!ate the leadin'

Nazi offier$.

0 Sir, did (o! $ee thatJ1 Bo'dini$ Ad2!tant hi$pered a$ he too% a !i% loo% at the o!ple alon'

other offier$ at the ento!ra'e.

0 )ho a$ itJ1 Bo'dini a$%ed.

0 *t loo%$ li%e the F!hrer and hi$ ife, b!t * a# not $o $!re hen the( t!rned aro!nd.1 The

Ad2!tant added

0 * did not notie. *t$ #i$t( and e&er(one ha$ hi$ hood on.1 Bo'dini replied.

0 )elo#e aboard Gentle#en1 Bo'dini $aid ith a plea$ant $#ile.

0)here to Co##ander J1 one of the Offier$ a$%ed .

0A$ ordered, e ill proeed to Ar'entina1 he replied.0 Then, let$ proeed.1 He replied.

Sine the fall of Berlin and the Allied in&a$ion too% plae in E!rope, Sander Bo'dini a$

ne&er fo!nd. After the ar, Stalin ho a$ e?petin' to $ee the bod( of Hitler did not reah the

So&iet nion hile he belie&ed that the latter had e$aped to Ar'entina, li%ei$e, $e&eral

$pe!lation$ %ept e#er'in' fro# the ne$paper$, boo%$ and other #edia in$tr!#ent$ that Hitler

a$ $till ali&e and $i'hted in Pata'onia, Ar'entina and $o#e $aid in Brazil. pon reahin' thi$

hear$a( to the %noled'e of #edia enth!$ia$t$ and !ndero&er a'ent$, $o#e e&en bothered to 'et

to the alle'ed loation and tal%ed to the nei'hborhood for te$ti#on(.

*n tho$e da($, an old #an in the &iinit( of the hotel here Hitler a$ alle'edl( $een $aid that

he reall( $a hi# li&in' in an i$olated area and bein' arried b( to per$onal Aide bea!$e he

o!ld hardl( al%. An old o#an ho a$ a $er&ie $taff in the hotel, te$tified that hat he $a

a$ indeed Hitler, b!t $he and other o-hotel or%er$ refrained fro# tal%in' abo!t hi# for fear of

lo$in' their 2ob.

/ater, $o#e $pe!lati&e boo% a!thor$ and hi$torian$ lai#ed that Hitler died in 4:7 and not

457. A piee of harred $%!ll ith a b!llet hole a$ bro!'ht to a So&iet foren$i e?pert for

anal($i$, b!t onfir#ed that the &e$ti'e belon'ed to a fe#ale. Hoe&er, at that ti#e Hitler$

per$onal Denti$t a$ $till ali&e and a$ able to e?a#ine the dent!re e?trated fro# the harred

bod( and lai#ed that it a$ hi$.

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)hen Albania a$ liberated b( Albanian Parti$an$, Ia#il, +ora and her $on, Erzen left the

ho#e of Ah#ed and Fati#a to find a ne be'innin' for the# a$ a fa#il( in Tirana. /ater, Ia#il

and +ora 'ot #arried and the( ere ble$$ed ith to $on$ and one da!'hter. Ia#il and +ora

enli$ted in the Ar#ed Fore$ of Albania and ontin!ed their $er&ie$. Erzen 're !p to be a

$oldier and after $e&eral (ear$ in hi$ $er&ie he ro$e fro# ran%$ !ntil he earned a $tar General in

the Albanian Ar#( hile Ia#il$ to $on$ ith +ora $t!died to beo#e a #edial pratitioner

hile their da!'hter that bea#e a la(er. Ia#il and +ora li&ed their li&e$ to the f!lle$t.

*n +a$eno&a, Croatia, hen the $ta$he re'i#e a$ toppled , all the blo%$ and a#p$ in the

&illa'e ere di$#antled. The ho!$e here Sa#ron Fra$heri $ta(ed a$ de$tro(ed b!t before it

a$ totall( $hattered, piee$ of note$ that he o#piled ere reo&ered beneath hi$ bed. /ater, it

a$ deli&ered into the hand$ of the a!thorit( and bea#e a ritten te$ti#on( a'ain$t tho$e

$ta$he ri#inal$ ho, later on faed the trial and ere e?e!ted b( firin' $!ad and han'in'.After the fall of the re'i#e $o#e leader$ of the *ndependent State of Croatia or the $ta$he ere

able to e$ape to different o!ntrie$ $!h a$ Canada, A!$tralia and Ne Mealand. nfort!natel(,

Andrei Pa&eli%, the leader of Croatia$ $ta$he re'i#e a$ $hot b( hi$ h!nter in Ar'entina and

later died of in2!rie$ in 479.

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Epilogue

The Ger#an Root$

For #an( ent!rie$, e$tern E!rope ha&e been do#inated b( the Ger#an people and (et,

#an( of the# %no a little of their tr!e ori'in hih the( tr( to oneal !ntil the end of the

Hitler era.

Ger#an$ are a $in'le fa#il( of people fro# different tribe$, 2!$t li%e a #odern-da( *$raelite$

are a people fro# $attered tribe$ orldide. Ger#an$ #o$tl( li&e in Ger#an( and A!$tria.

Chatti i$ a Hebre ord for 0 Hittite1 hih i$ #entioned in the Bible $e&eral ti#e$. One

tribe of Hittite$ ere alled Canaanite Hittite$ ho ere fiere people and !$ed to $%ir#i$h iththe *$raelite$ d!rin' the anient ti#e$ The( a#e fro# the root$ of Ha#- de$ribed ith a dar%er

$%in. Another tribe a$ the o-alled Chatti or Hatti. Hatti$ or Hittite$ ere people ith #!h

li'hter $%in. The earl( ritin'$ of Ro#an hi$torian, Tait!$ atte$t to the fat that Ger#an tribe$

arri&ed in E!rope d!rin' the 4$t and nd ent!rie$ A.D. One of the$e $i'nifiant Ger#an tribe$

a$ the Chatti. The ane$tor$ of the Chatti li&ed #o$tl( in A$ia >inor and ere %non to be

A$$(rian Chatti.

The( ere ho$tile people and on$tantl( in onflit ith the Ro#an E#pire hih the

Ro#an$ later alled the# Ger#ani #eanin' 0 ho$tile #en1 or $o#eti#e$ labeled the# 0 ar #en1

Hoe&er, there a$ no onrete proof hether the ter# Ger#ani a$ e&er !$ed b( the Ger#an

people the#$el&e$, b!t Tait!$ #entioned that +!li!$ Cae$ar had fo!r reord$ in hih one a$

!oted a$ $a(in', 0 Ger#ani1

Ger#ani a$ the Ro#an$ alled the# ere haraterized to be feroio!$, ar-li%e nat!re of a

tribe. A$ hi$torian$ affir#ed, the$e earl( tribe$ #i'rated into Central E!rope. A pre&ailin'

!e$tion a$ rai$ed a$ to their tr!e ori'in and aordin' to S#ith$ Cla$$ial Ditionar(, the( ere

the A$$(rian$ ho #i'rated into E!rope fro# the Ca!a$!$ and the o!ntrie$ aro!nd the Bla% and Ca$pian $ea$. 3 artile, 0Ger#ania1 p.:4=

So#eti#e in ;66 A.D., the Ro#an roned- e#peror, Charle#a'ne had a &i$ion of a orld-

r!lin' e#pire d!rin' the >iddle A'e$ hih too% hold for a tho!$and (ear$ and re-e#er'ed a'ain

d!rin' the 4$t and nd orld ar$.

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Aordin' to hi$ artile in the Plain Tr!th, Dr. Hoeh rote that the Ger#an$ had a !ni!e

#i$$ion in plae of the +e$ and that the Ger#an politiian$ %no that their drea# of a orld

e#pire an e?i$t onl( if the( #aintain thi$ lai# of a orld-#i$$ion.

*t i$ #ar%ed in hi$tor( that Ger#an( $tarted 'reat ar$ the orld ha$ e&er e?periened )orld

)ar$ * and ** and to enter another orld ar i$ to #a%e the $a#e horrible #i$ta%e in hih

Ger#an( and the orld are 2!$t too i&ilized or enli'htened to $par% it all a'ain.

Does #ais Still !?ist

0 Tho$e ho for'et the pa$t are onde#ned to repeat it.1-- Philo$opher Geor'e Santa(ana.

*n a $i'ned do!#ent abo!t A#erian-Briti$h poli( on Ger#an( in Febr!ar(, 457, S

Pre$ident Fran%lin Roo$e&elt and Briti$h Pri#e >ini$ter )in$ton Ch!rhill, $aid, Q*t i$ o!r

infle?ible p!rpo$e to de$tro( Ger#an #ilitari$# and Nazi$# and to en$!re Ger#an( ill ne&er a'ain be able to di$t!rb the peae of the orld. )e are deter#ined to di$ar# and di$band all

Ger#an Ar#ed Fore$, brea% !p for all ti#e the Ger#an General Staff that ha$ repeatedl(

ontri&ed the re$!r'ene of Ger#an #ilitari$#, re#o&e or de$tro( all Ger#an #ilitar( e!ip#ent,

eli#inate or ontrol all Ger#an ind!$tr( that o!ld be !$ed for #ilitar( prod!tion. *t i$ not o!r

p!rpo$e to de$tro( the people of Ger#an(, b!t onl( hen Nazi$# and #ilitari$# ha&e been

e?tirpated, ill there be hope for a deent life for Ger#an$ and a plae for the# in the o##!nit(

of nation$.Q

Aordin' to Arth!r Spie'el#an of Re!ter$ on >a( 46, 4: ith a nel(-dela$$ified .S.

*ntelli'ene do!#ent, 0Nazi leader$ #et top Ger#an ind!$triali$t$ to tal% and plan a po$t-ar

international netor% to re$tore Nazi to poer $ine their lo$$ in 455.

For#er Pri#e >ini$ter >ar'aret Thather on her $peeh in Colorado, SA on Otober ,

47 that the 0Ger#an re!nifiation a$ a bi' #i$ta%e for hih E!rope i$ no pa(in'. Ger#an(

i$ &er( poerf!l no- her national harater i$ to Do#inate.1 She !oted, in her boo%, The

Donin' Street ear$, Thather $aid, Q* do not belie&e in olleti&e '!iltL it i$ indi&id!al$ ho are

#orall( ao!ntable for their ation$. B!t * do belie&e in national harater.Q (pp& '90-'91)&

0People are re$pon$ible for their on ation$. And the rea$on e are headin' for a orldide,

atal($#i di$a$ter i$ bea!$e of the inherent h!#an nat!re ithin all #an%ind. B!t ne&erthele$$,

nation$ are $i#pl( fa#ilie$ 'ron lar'e. And a$ >r$. Thather $aid, there are ertain fa#il( trait$,

129



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or a national harater, a#on' different people$. And the Ger#an harater, a$ tho!$and$ of (ear$

of hi$tor( pro&e$, i$ to do#inate 0

Qo! ha&e not anhored Ger#an( to E!rope,Q Qo! ha&e anhored E!rope to a nel(

do#inate, !nified Ger#an(. *n the end, #( friend$, (o!ll find it ill not or%.Q

130



.

BB'"&RA(

Hod'%in$on, Harr( 3667=, Sanderbe'L Fro# Otto#an Capti&e to Albanian Hero, *. B. Ta!ri$, *SBN 4-

;765-54-

Blan!#, Frani$!$ 34::= 3in /atin= Geor'i!$ Ca$triot!$, Epiren$i$ &!l'o Sanderbe'h, Epirotar!#

Prinep$ Forti$$i#!$, Propa'anda Fide, @enie.

El$ie, Robert 3646= [665\, Hi$torial Ditionar( Of Albania, >ar(landL Ro#an " /ittlefield P!bli$hin'

Gro!p, *SBN 9;-4-;-74-:, OC/C ;4:996:

Hart, B. H. /iddell, The Ro##el Paper$ 347= >an&ell, Ro'er, Heinrih Fraen%el, The >en )ho Tried

to Kill Hitler 34:5=.

Harri$on, Gordon A., Cro$$-Channel Atta%, pa'e$ 6:-69. )a$hin'ton DCL Go&ern#ent Printin' Offie,

4;, and Po'!e, Forre$t C., The S!pre#e Co##and, pa'e :. )a$hin'ton DCL Go&ern#ent Printin'

Offie, 4:.

E$ape of Darnan Gerald Steinaher, ]*h #ahe Sie z!# Erzbi$hof &on Pari$, enn Sie !n$ helfen1 Die

Fl!ht der @ih(-Re'ier!n' nah Norditalien 457, inL Der Shlern, Heft 4, 669, p. ^7.

>a? /a'arri'!e, !e$tion$ $!r...le$ Fran_ai$ pendant lO!pation 3The Frenh d!rin' Ger#an

O!pation=, >ontpellier 3Frane=, CNDP, 669. D

Genoide and Fa$i$# The Eli#inationi$t Dri&e in Fa$i$t E!rope b( Ari$totle Kalli$, Ro!tled'e, Ne

or%, N 66, pp. :^55

Hil'r!ber, Staat$#anner !nd Diplo#aten bei Hitler, p. :44.

>. Per$en,Q$ta$%i /o'oriQ, p. 9

En(lopedia of the Holoa!$t, 46, pp. 9^956

Bo$nian >!$li#$ in +a$eno&a Conentration Ca#p8Con're$$ of Bo$nian *ntellet!al$, Sara2e&o *SBN

9;-7;-59-46-7 3Otober 66:, Holoa!$t St!die$=

The Gla$$ Half F!ll b( Alan Greenhal'h *SBN 6-997;55-4-6 pa'e :;

/e?in'ton Boo%$. *SBN 6-94-65;5-7.

Elli$, +ohn 34=. Br!te ForeL Allied Strate'( and Tati$ in the Seond )orld )ar 34$t A#erian ed.=.

@i%in' Ad!lt. *SBN 6-:96-;699-9.

Fi$her, Ben2a#in B. 3)inter 4^666=. QThe Kat(n Contro&er$(L Stalin$ Killin' FieldQ. St!die$ in

*ntelli'ene. Retrie&ed 46 Dee#ber 667.

Gold#an, St!art D. 364=. No#onhan, 4 The Red Ar#($ @itor( That Shaped )orld )ar **. Na&al

*n$tit!te Pre$$. *SBN 9;-4-7445--4.

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.

Hooton, E. R. 3669=. /!ftaffe at )arL Gatherin' Stor# 4^4 @ol!#e 4. /ondonL Cher&ron*an

Allen. *SBN 9;-4-6-94-6.

Kenned(, Robert >. 34;6=. The Ger#an Ca#pai'n in Poland 34=. Men'er. *SBN 6-;64-6:5-.

K!$hner, Ton( Kno?, Katharine 34=. Ref!'ee$ in an A'e of Genoide. /ondon, Ne or%L Ro!tled'e.

*SBN 6-945:-59;-9. Retrie&ed No&e#ber 644./!%a$, Rihard C. 3664=. For'otten Holoa!$tL The Pole$ nder Ger#an O!pation, 4^455.

Hipporene Boo%$. *SBN 6-9;4;-664-6.

>a2er, Die#!t et al. 366=. Non-Ger#an$ !nder the Third ReihL The Nazi +!diial and Ad#ini$trati&e

S($te# in Ger#an( and O!pied Ea$tern E!rope, ith Speial Re'ard to O!pied Poland, 4^457.

+ohn$ Hop%in$ ni&er$it( Pre$$. *SBN 6-;64;-:5-.

the sons of skanderbeg

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