Michael Ridpath: Shadows of War

‘Oh, yes,’ said Theo. ‘But I don’t want to undermine my country in a war. Unlike you, for me those two things clash.’

‘Yes, of course,’ said Conrad. He had visited Theo’s family seat in the heart of Prussian Pomerania. Theo’s father had been a general, as had his father before him. Patriotism, duty, the obligation to fight for one’s country: all these were bred deep into Theo’s bones, despite the socialist ideals he had professed at Oxford in the early 1930s.

‘You’re still in the Abwehr?’ Conrad asked.

Theo smiled. ‘You know I shouldn’t really answer that question.’

That was good enough for Conrad.

The soup came and they began eating. ‘I have dropped everything to come here,’ Theo said. ‘And I’m curious why. What’s an infantry officer doing in Holland? Shouldn’t you be in France?’

Conrad scanned the café. There was one other customer, an old man reading a newspaper and drinking a small glass of beer. He looked very Dutch. He was also out of earshot, as was the barman.

‘Do you know a Captain Schämmel? Of the OKW Transport Division?’

‘I’ve never heard of him,’ said Theo. ‘Should I have?’

Conrad hesitated. Could he trust Theo? Of course he could. Theo knew the names of most of the people who had been involved in the previous year’s conspiracy. One more name wouldn’t make any difference.

‘Perhaps,’ said Conrad. ‘He claims he is representing a group of German generals who intend to overthrow Hitler. Soon.’

Theo nodded. He was thinking. Conrad let him. ‘And you are meeting him? Here in Holland?’

Now it was Conrad’s turn to hesitate. But he had to trust Theo; he had already taken that decision. ‘Yes.’

‘And the British secret service sent you?’

‘Sir Robert Vansittart. Chief Diplomatic Adviser. Personally.’

Van had been aware of the discussions with Theo’s co-conspirators and the British government before the Munich peace conference the year before, and Theo knew that.

‘I see.’ Theo studied Conrad. ‘I haven’t heard of this Schämmel. Which is a little strange. I have spent a lot of time in Holland recently.’

‘Is there an imminent plot?’

Theo hesitated. Then he nodded.

Conrad leaned forward. ‘When?’

‘Next week. The fifteenth of November to be precise. If the generals don’t lose their nerve.’

Conrad felt a surge of excitement. ‘Which generals?’

‘Halder. And most of the others from last year.’

‘Halder is still Chief of the General Staff?’

Theo nodded. ‘Hitler intends to launch an offensive through Holland and Belgium next week.’

‘Next week?’ Conrad was stunned by what Theo had just told him. The date of a major offensive. In a lot of people’s eyes that would be treachery of the highest order. He glanced at his friend. Theo knew what he was saying.

‘That will turn the Sitzkrieg into a real war,’ Theo said. ‘Nineteen fourteen all over again. The generals think the German people won’t like that. So it’s the right time to strike.’

‘So by next week Hitler will be overthrown and the war will be over?

Theo grinned. ‘That’s the plan.’

It sounded too good to be true.

‘Do you think they will go through with it?’ Conrad asked.

‘The offensive or the coup?’

‘Both,’ said Conrad.

‘The Führer seems determined not to be put off from the date of the offensive. As for the coup? Halder has let us down before. He said he would act if Hitler invaded Poland and he didn’t, so I can’t be sure he won’t let us down again. I hope he won’t. I have to believe he won’t.’

‘I hope to God he does act this time,’ said Conrad. ‘Does that mean it’s possible Halder could have sent someone to sound out the British government about peace terms if there is a coup?’

‘Yes, it’s possible. And I suppose it is possible I wouldn’t know about it. But I can find out.’

‘Ask Canaris?’

Admiral Canaris, the Chief of the Abwehr, had given his behind-the-scenes support to the planned coup. He knew everything.

Theo avoided answering the question directly. ‘I’ll have to go back to Berlin. I might not get you an answer for a couple of days.’

‘That’s all right. I expect there will be a number of meetings to discuss possible peace terms. Schämmel is supposed to be bringing one of the generals he is working for.’

‘Do you know who that is?’ asked Theo.

‘No. Schämmel hasn’t said yet. Which is understandable.’

‘I suppose so.’ Theo narrowed his eyes. ‘Are you going with Major Stevens?’

‘Who is Major Stevens?’

‘He’s the British Passport Control Officer in the Hague, which means he is in charge of the British secret service in the Netherlands. I know a lot about Major Stevens. In fact I know a lot about everyone who works for him, and the people who work in the British Embassy. Your whole Dutch operation is full of holes. You should be very careful.’ He frowned. ‘You haven’t told them about me, have you?’

‘No,’ said Conrad. ‘I haven’t met Major Stevens yet.’

‘Good. Best not to mention me at all, and if you do, give me a code name. Say I’m in the Luftwaffe and close to Göring. That should confuse them.’

‘You are asking me to confuse my own side?’

‘You bet,’ said Theo. ‘Because if you don’t, there is a good chance that my side will find out that I have been talking to you. And the wrong people on my side.’

‘I understand,’ said Conrad. ‘But I will pass on what you said about the offensive next week. You know that?’

‘Yes,’ said Theo. ‘I know.’ He mopped up the last of his soup with some bread. ‘How’s Anneliese?’

‘She’s well,’ said Conrad.

‘How’s she settling in to life in London? Do you still see her?’

Conrad took a spoonful of soup. ‘I do, when I can,’ he said. ‘It’s difficult for the Jewish refugees in London. It’s hard to find a job, although she’s just got something working as a nurse.’

‘It’s got to be easier than Berlin,’ said Theo. ‘At least she left before Kristallnacht.’

Theo was referring to the wholesale beating-up of Jews and smashing of their property twelve months before.

‘That’s certainly true.’

‘I’m glad you are still seeing her. I admire Anneliese. She’s a strong woman. I’ve come across people who have spent time in the concentration camps; they are not quite the same afterwards.’

Conrad smiled quickly. ‘It was difficult for her,’ he said.

Theo caught something in the tone of Conrad’s voice, and looked as if he was about to pursue it, before deciding not to.

Theo signalled for the bill. ‘Oh, and please give your beautiful sister my regards when you can,’ he said. ‘Once this has all worked out as it should.’

‘I will,’ said Conrad. Theo and Millie had met briefly in Germany the previous year and Theo had clearly taken a shine to her. Although Theo had many strengths, the way he treated women wasn’t one of them, so Conrad was quite happy that Theo had only met his sister the once.

‘How will we meet next time?’ Conrad asked.

‘There’s a chemistry professor at Leiden University: W. F. Hogendoorn. He’s Dutch, but trustworthy. Leave a message with him, at the university, and he will tell you where and when.’

‘W. F. Hogendoorn,’ Conrad repeated. By ‘trustworthy’, Conrad wondered what Theo meant. Trustworthy for the Germans? The Abwehr? Theo? The cause of peace? ‘I hope you are right about the coup.’

‘So do I,’ Theo said. ‘So do I.’

Theo paid the bill and left the café walking up towards the Breestraat. Conrad waited a moment and then turned the other way.