Bob Carruthers - Tiger Command!

“Indeed, SS-Panzerschütze Wohl”, replied von Schroif, “Good, bad, plus, minus… Personally, I prefer the terms ‘strengths’ and ‘weaknesses’.”

“Exactly! Now, it is funny that you should use those terms, because that is precisely the point of this exercise. It’s part of the still top secret project Elvira, but I promise you, if the benefits are being deliberately held from you now, they will be more than evident on the completion of the project.”

“Time you made a good woman of Elvira then,” interjected Michael Knispel.

“SS-Hauptscharführer,” replied Wohl, “no man should get betrothed to a woman whose charms he does not fully know.”

“No man would get betrothed to a woman whose charms he did fully know,” joked Knispel, at which the group, even Wendorff, chuckled.

“Enough of this,” replied Wohl. “Elvira and I remain close, but, as yet, not fully committed. Let us leave it at that. Anyway, allow me to warm to my major theme. The purpose of this exercise, SS-Hauptsturmführer, is to attempt to list Elvira’s good and bad points◦– her strengths and weaknesses, as you so eloquently put it.”

“One major good point is that she hasn’t started spending your money yet,” mocked Bobby Junge, joining in the fun.

“Enough!” cried Wohl. “To business! Sir, this is what we have come up with so far. From a lowly loader’s point of view, personally, I am more than happy with the amount of space provided for my duties. This allows me to conduct my profession with greater ease and efficiency. I am also delighted with the new flexible strips for attaching stowage.

“Knispel here is beside himself with joy over the binocular sights, and with◦– as I think we all are◦– the overall stability when firing the new electric trigger switch in the firing gear, and the handholds on the roof. When it comes to the Acht-acht, I think the gratitude and levels of satisfaction are unanimous. Likewise the armour.

“Junge, who often worries about the state of his ass when any tank he is driving is on the move, also admits to casting a jealous eye over your seat…”

“Careful, Wohl…” joked Junge.

“Of course, he means the two-position commander’s seat and, of course, the über-comfortable backrest… Other strengths mentioned by the group were the ability to stow more ammunition, and how much easier it was to reach it… I think that was all so far… Wendorff’s been quieter than usual, so I think we can take that as a sign of quiet contentment and that everything on the radio front meets with his satisfaction. Now, sir, is there anything you would like to add?”

“I like your list so far, SS-Panzerschütze Wohl, and the thinking behind it… Now what would I add… let us see… the new optics… I do not appreciate the way they are mounted in the cupola… The hatches could do with a big improvement… Much more responsive… Has anyone mentioned the mine and smoke generator dischargers?”

“No,” replied Wohl, “but I agree that they should definitely be on the list… anything else?”

“Not that I can think of at the moment, SS-Schütze,” replied von Schroif, “but please bear in mind that these are very early days, and to reach full comprehensiveness, perhaps your list should be enlarged and amended when we have all spent some more time with Elvira.”

“An excellent point, SS-Hauptsturmführer, and one which I have already taken into account.”

“It might also be an idea,” added Wendorff, “to compile a list of strengths and weaknesses for different terrains, different sectors, and different weather conditions.”

“An excellent idea, Panzeroberschütze. Write that down, Wohl,” ordered von Schroif, who was heartened by the fact that Wohl was now at least engaging in some real soldiering. However, if Wohl was now fully engaged, it was obvious that Wendorff was still a long way from being his usual self.

“Now for the weaknesses,” whispered Wohl, jokingly looking around for Soviet spies. “So, what do we have here? Knispel is afraid that he sticks his hand up your ass when he has to leave through your cupola? Knispel, why this obsession with the boss’s ass?

“As far as I am concerned,” continued Wohl, “I am not particularly enamoured by the amount of fumes that are sent back when the gun fires, or my lack of comms. There have also been questions raised about the armouring on bins, a certain difficulty in re-arming the co-ax, the size of the gun deflector bag, and the fact that there is no neutral position on the traverse control… anything else?”

“Well, far be it from me to complain about my own personal comfort, but I do find my position rather cramped,” opined Knispel in a rather plaintive manner, so much so that he left himself completely open to a scornful attack from his loader.

“Right, that’s it boys. Get Henschel on the phone. Scrap Elvira now… This Tiger is more of a pussy than a big cat… Send the designers back to the drawing board… Elvira is too small for Knispel’s liking and is causing him a little discomfort! What we need is a lion… a real big cat!”

Amidst such mirth, the discussion and festivities came to an end, with von Schroif having the last word at Knispel’s expense.

“Worry not, SS-Schütze Wohl. When your list is complete, I shall personally arrange a meeting between you and Kurt Arnold at Henschel, to ensure the new lion has specifications that meet Knispel’s exceptionally high standards!”

Walter Lehmann’s expression remained outwardly calm, but his mind was running through options like a rat trapped in a cage. Why were the Abwehr here? Was it routine? Was he to be questioned here, or taken away? If so, where? There was absolutely no doubt in his mind that, if the situation was as serious as he feared, his only hope of escape was to flee before he was taken away. But how could he achieve this? Was he to jump out of the balcony? Run for the door?

His Luger was in the desk drawer behind him, and he could see that the officers were armed, so how could he manoeuvre himself behind the desk, open the drawer, and kill the two men before they killed him? On top of that, if he did manage to kill them, where would he go? Russia, that was his only real option… Beria owed him. He decided to relax, give nothing away, and prepare himself for any opportunity or advantage that might come his way, however slight or seemingly unimportant.

“RHSA Kriminalassistant Lehmann. We would like you to come with us.”

That was it. Stark and unambiguous. If they succeeded in taking him for questioning, then he was as good as dead. Then the dreaded word ‘torture’ flashed through Lehmann’s mind. He knew he was no hero. If he talked, they would torture him to get more information before killing him. If he didn’t talk, they would torture him, and then they would kill him. Just then the phone rang.

“Of course, gentlemen. I will be with you immediately. I just have a quick telephone call to take from the Führer’s office.”

That would disrupt their thinking and planning. Nothing like dropping the Führer’s name into an ironclad procedure. Lehmann then walked slowly behind the desk, picked up the phone, and in an obedient, but authoritative, voice said, “For the personal attention of the Führer?.. Yes, immediately…” to the puzzlement of the internal caller at the end of the line.

“Jawohl, it’s for the Führer… I will ensure the relevant documents are sent both to Doctor Goebbels and Reichsminister Speer… I have them here…” At which he slowly opened the drawer and pulled out a piece of paper, being careful to leave the drawer open, allowing quick access to the Luger.

“Jawohl, I am holding the document now… Yes, I understand… I shall send the other document too… Is it the directive…?”