The Night of the Generals Page #9

Can you bear the truth?

Probably not.

I'm a fraud.

Impossible.

When they opened fire on us

at Voronezh, I ran away.

It's as simple as that.

Then, I've no idea how, I was hit.

It was like a door slamming in

my head, and I thought I was dead.

Next thing I remember

waking up in the hospital

and there was this general

congratulating me

on having killed 40 Russians

single-handed.

You see, they were all killed

that day, the whole company.

Everyone was killed except me,

and I suppose

it didn't look too good in dispatches,

a whole company being wiped out,

so they decided

to make a hero of the survivor.

The one who ran away.

So now what do you think

of all that bravery?

Well, that's a lovely story.

I think it's marvelous.

Marvelous?

Yes.

For once, the joke's on them.

Come, make love

to the queen of Poland.

I must say you are,

well, unexpected.

It's lucky we met.

What's lucky is right now.

You know, when this war is over...

Mm-mm. It will never end.

Well, what happened?

Did you see them?

Generals Gabler and Kahlenberge

are in conference

and cannot be disturbed.

I told you they wouldn't see you.

Where's General Tanz?

Look, why don't

we forget about this?

It's not as if we don't have

other things to do.

Where's General Tanz?

In the old city, conducting

a tactical exercise.

I don't trust him.

Naturally, in the field,

he must use his discretion.

He has no discretion.

He is ruthless.

Now, now, you exaggerate.

He will only go to phase two

if phase one should prove

to be a failure.

What is a failure?

Well, if the Poles, the Jews

try to retaliate.

What constitutes retaliation,

a rock thrown at his golden head?

Is that sufficient warrant

for the demolition of the city?

You always overstate things,

Kahlenberge.

General Tanz

is a responsible officer...

Come in.

Sorry, sir. Colonel Mannheim

to see General Kahlenberge, sir.

We'll discuss this later.

And don't worry about Tanz.

I'll take care of him.

Colonel Mannheim, sir.

You wanted to see me, general.

Yes, yes.

Yes, I did, colonel.

I wanted to see you about...

Damn it, what was it about?

Yes.

Yes, I remember now.

You have an officer on

your staff, a Major Grau.

Halt! Halt!

Major Grau to see General Tanz.

Major Grau?

Just a minute, sir.

Get me CP,

Colonel Sandauer, urgent.

Roadblock 4 calling CP.

Roadblock 4 calling CP.

Can you hear me? Over.

Get your hands up.

Hands up.

Colonel Sandauer

on the line, sergeant.

Colonel Sandauer,

there's a Major Grau here.

Wants to see the general.

My orders were...

What? Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

You may pass, major.

Stop!

Go ahead.

Well, at least you have one friend.

So it would seem.

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