Code name arc angel, p.31
Code Name Arc Angel, page 31
“Yes, sir,” responded Horst. He acted surprised at the announcement of Hitler and Himmler’s suicide. Why Jodl? he wondered. He hadn’t packed a bag. He only had the uniform he was wearing. As he followed Jodl out of the building to the waiting limousine, he thought about the long ride they had ahead of them—most of it at night. Hopefully, the Allied fighter planes wouldn’t find them during what was left of the light and try to kill them.
As they started, Jodl said to Horst, “Thank you for your loyalty. You have done a great job as my chief of staff. I am very sad that Himmler and his cronies were unable to find your wife. You, like I, lost everything we have. We have been loyal to the Führer. We have done our job as well as can be expected.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate your kind words. I tried very hard to do my job for my country,” replied Horst.
As the journey began, they discussed many aspects of what would happen once the war was over. Horst found Jodl’s outlook somewhat positive. Jodl believed he had obeyed the Führer’s orders. Everything he had done was at the direction of the Führer. Horst couldn’t believe it—the millions of innocents killed, the plunder, and the physical devastation. He had to swallow hard to keep quiet. It would be a long ride. Thank God, it was mostly at night. That way, he wouldn’t be able to see the devastation.
Once they reached the Allies’ front lines, they were led by an American escort the remainder of their trip. They arrived at Reims late that evening. Jodl was led directly into the headquarters building and began his negotiations shortly thereafter. Horst was escorted by armed guard to the Allies’ officer’s dining room for dinner. It was the last time he saw Jodl.
He approached the guard at the door of the dining room and asked to see his commanding officer. The guard left and brought back a US Army colonel to meet with Horst. Over his dinner, Horst told his story to the colonel. He explained that his name was Carlton Fuller. The colonel didn’t believe his story. It was the colonel’s opinion that the German was lying and trying to slip into the United States illegally. Horst stressed that he was a second lieutenant in the US Army. He had functioned over the past four years under deep cover in the German Reich. He explained that his code name was Arc Angel. All the colonel could do was shake his head. He told Horst he had a big imagination. He had heard of a spy with the code name Arc Angel, but he was sure Carlton was not Arc Angel. Carlton, in his frustration, finally asked the colonel to have someone contact General William Donovan, head of the OSS, or David Bruce to determine who he was. Carlton was tired and very upset. He finished his dinner and waited.
About thirty minutes later, a three-star general came into the room. “Mr. Fuller, I am General Lane, US Army. I apologize for my colonel. Knowing what you have done for our country, I understand your frustration with his reaction. His not being able to believe your story. I woke up General Donovan at his home and asked about you. I have never been chewed out like that in my career. We will be getting you home as soon as we can arrange transportation. General Donovan will be meeting you when you arrive in Washington to muster you out of the service. Again, sir, I congratulate you on your achievements and apologize for our attitude. I wish you well in the future.”
“Thank you, sir. No need for an apology. I understand the situation. Where do I check into?” asked Carlton.
“A sergeant will take you too our officers’ quarters. He will bring in a set of fatigues for you to wear. Please take off that Nazi officer’s uniform. In the morning, someone will pick you up and get you started on your way to the States,” replied the general. “Good night, Mr. Fuller.”
It seemed Carlton was asleep before he laid on the bed. A knock resounded on his door at 8:00 a.m. Carlton rolled over and shook his head. “Yes. Who is it?” he asked.
“It is I, Colonel Best,” was the answer.
Carlton jumped out of bed, opened the door, saw his friend William Best, and hugged him.
“Colonel Best? The last time I saw you it was Major Best. How good to see you! We have so much to talk about. How are you?” Carlton had tears in his eyes.
“Carlton, I’m fine. It looks like you lost some weight since I saw you three years ago. Yes, I’m a colonel in the US Army.”
All Carlton could say was, “Unbelievable.”
He and Colonel Best couldn’t stop talking.
“Emily is fine. She is still in Switzerland. She and I will get married when she gets home. Hildegard has been with her since being “kidnapped” as planned by the underground. She is fine and says hello. She understands she will not see you again. She will always care for you. She thanks you for all you did for her. She will go back to Germany and resume her life. She wants to help rebuild Germany now that the war is over. The US government will help her do that.”
Carlton and Colonel Best left on the first plane back to Washington, DC. It was a long flight. They had to stop at Gander Air Base to refuel. Once they left, it would be another six hours. The anticipation was building in both of them. Finally, the pilot announced that they would be landing in ten minutes at Bolling Army Air Force Base. Carlton and William each hugged a widow as the plane approached the runway.
Washington was glorious today. The sun was shining, and spring had just sprung. The plane taxied to and stopped in front of a small terminal.
Carlton left the plane first, followed by William. There was Donovan, along with his family, but Carlton first saw Maggie and the children. He tripped getting off the steps from the plane and almost fell down. The tears in his eyes nearly blinded him.
Maggie flew into his arms, followed by the children and his mother. He and Maggie kissed deeply and hugged each other. Then the children hugged and kissed their daddy. Finally, he hugged his mom. There were tears flowing from everyone.
Carlton stepped back and looked at his three-year-old daughter Sara for the first time since she was a baby. He thought she was beautiful. He was happy to be home with the family he so dearly loved. It had been a long war.
After the family greetings, General Donovan gave both Carlton and William bear hugs. He unfurled a sign pennant from his inside pocket. He gave it to Carlton Jr. and Charlotte to hold.
WELCOME HOME,
SOLDIER!
Bruce Jarvis, Code Name Arc Angel
