Brag
07-27-08, 01:19 PM
Preoccupied, Hauptman Steglitz, the military governor of Lorient slid the radiogram into the cuff of his tunic sleeve and told his driver to head for the railway station.
"The train is late, Monseur Hauptman." The Station Master said, looking at his pocket watch. "This never happened before the invasion."
"You'll get used to German efficiency." Steglitz had better things to do than trade barbs with French officials. He sighed, extracted the message from his sleeve and re-read it.
To the Port Commandant of Lorient.
We will be arriving at your charming port on 6 August 1940.
Kindly round up all available French talent needed to produce a grand performance of The Messiah at the docks to greet our triumphal arrival. We will also appreciate a crowd of adoring women who speak French. Their adoration should be proportional to the size of the crowd. The crowd must understand French as my choir will give a spirited rendition of Le Hoochie-woochie.
You also should have a dais ready so that I can stand out over the crowd and my medals will show to advantage. I will then give a speech about le Franco-German cooperation et ma grandiosite in the world scheme.
A wave of relief came over Steglitz when a whistle announced the arrival of the special train bringing the first load of Kriegsmarine personnel.
Steglitz greeted Captain Schiller. "What a relief to see you. Now, greeting Hitler is your responsibility."
"Hitler?"
Steglitz handed the radiogram.
Schiller's hand shook. He looked at the heavens and yelled, "Balz, you miserable bastard go to Brest. Go to Willhelmsaven, Kiel. But why here? Why me?"
"The train is late, Monseur Hauptman." The Station Master said, looking at his pocket watch. "This never happened before the invasion."
"You'll get used to German efficiency." Steglitz had better things to do than trade barbs with French officials. He sighed, extracted the message from his sleeve and re-read it.
To the Port Commandant of Lorient.
We will be arriving at your charming port on 6 August 1940.
Kindly round up all available French talent needed to produce a grand performance of The Messiah at the docks to greet our triumphal arrival. We will also appreciate a crowd of adoring women who speak French. Their adoration should be proportional to the size of the crowd. The crowd must understand French as my choir will give a spirited rendition of Le Hoochie-woochie.
You also should have a dais ready so that I can stand out over the crowd and my medals will show to advantage. I will then give a speech about le Franco-German cooperation et ma grandiosite in the world scheme.
A wave of relief came over Steglitz when a whistle announced the arrival of the special train bringing the first load of Kriegsmarine personnel.
Steglitz greeted Captain Schiller. "What a relief to see you. Now, greeting Hitler is your responsibility."
"Hitler?"
Steglitz handed the radiogram.
Schiller's hand shook. He looked at the heavens and yelled, "Balz, you miserable bastard go to Brest. Go to Willhelmsaven, Kiel. But why here? Why me?"