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.“We have been forced to defend ourselves and to gain for the people of Germany what history and justice demand—room for our people and freedom from that domination.We have waged war only in self-defense, only to provide us with the freedom that is our birthright, only to give us a chance at survival.” He was feeling more confidence now, and allowed himself the glimmer of a smile.His speechwriter had done a good job—in truth, who needed Goebbels, anyway? The man had always been overrated.“To that end, we have arrested the enemies of the Third Reich, and imprisoned them—as all nations of the world imprison criminals and traitors.Have we treated them unfairly or harshly? No, no, a thousand times no! They have been placed in prisons where they have been receiving good food each day, a place to sleep, and appropriate care.Even when our own people have been called upon to make sacrifices, we have paid working prisoners in a currency called lagergeld, with which they can purchase the luxuries of life.We have done so because we are a humane people.“But what of these accusations of barbaric living conditions? Those, dear countrymen, were created by the prisoners themselves! We furnished them clean barracks and they chose to live in squalor.They have fought among themselves, lived like filthy pigs, prostituted themselves to each other, and in spite of all our care and attention, have chosen to reveal themselves as they truly are.Our hands are clean and our conscience is pure.“With other prisoners, alien to our race and foreign to our people, such as Jews and Gypsies, we have, at great cost, found them room to resettle and build their own lives, free from outside interference.But the Soviet Bolsheviks have attacked them, killed their women and children, and brutalized the survivors.The Mongol horde returns across the steppes, and with it comes brutality such as the civilized world has never seen.“The proof of this you will have shortly, for I predict you will hear the Soviets claim in their propaganda that there are death camps in the territories they have captured.Indeed, there are death camps, but they are not German death camps.They are the creation of the Soviets themselves, in their own mission to rid the world of those whom they find inimical to their Slavic temperament.“Those who set themselves up as our enemies have been motivated by envy—envy of our character, of our purity, of our strength.In spite of all our enemies may do, the Third Reich will never crumble, never falter, never die.As Führer of the Third Reich, I call upon all of you to continue your unwavering support of your fatherland, and resist with all your might, and we will yet prevail!“Thank you and good night.”Heinrich Himmler knew full well that he was not the orator that Adolf Hitler had been.Speaking, even on the radio, was exhausting to him, calling on all his reserves of emotional energy.His face beaded with sweat, he moved into the dark control room, where an aide waited with a towel and another glass of water.He wiped his face and quickly drank the water.“A masterful performance,” the radio engineer said.“It will inspire the people.” Himmler nodded his thanks, too tired even to reply.He walked down the single flight of steps to his waiting limousine.The SS driver opened the door, saluting smartly at his approach.Himmler slid into the backseat, where his ADC awaited.“You have a visitor at the chancellery, mein Führer,” he said.“Who is it?”“Rommel’s envoy, von Reinhardt.”Von Reinhardt was waiting at the new chancellery when Himmler arrived.The aristocratic officer was seated in a chair in the outer office, and rose to his feet with visible effort, bracing himself on both arms, as the führer walked past.“I’m rather surprised to see you,” Himmler said coldly.“I would have thought your master would be far too shocked by political reality to continue our dialogue.” He walked to the bar in his office to fix himself a drink.He did not offer one to his visitor, who merely turned to follow the führer with his eyes.“You’re right,” replied von Reinhardt.“The deal with the Desert Fox is, as you no doubt realize, completely cancelled by the reality of Buchenwald.I daresay if he were here now, he would strangle you with his bare hands.”“Let us stick to practical matters [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]