Holy Tigers

By P.S. Finley

The Convent of Santa Jalisse faced annihilation during World War II. Brutal Nazi SS occupied holy ground. Allied carpet-bombing was imminent. Fugitive student nuns prayed desperately for deliverance. If only the Savonne River Bridge would just go away, armies would be forced to divert. Their home could be liberated. Providence answered the nuns' prayers by putting a powerful German panzer into their hands.

• Language: English
• Publisher: P.S. Finley
• Release date: Jan 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781942867043

P.S. Finley

Retired from the IT profession, this author now rakes up thirty years of fiction ideas into original sub-genres. The works will vary: theatrical plays, children's adventure, space opera, suspense, and comedy.

Book preview

Iron Occupation

- Day 1 -

In the fall season of 1944, World War II had entered its final year of conflict. Bleak devastation resulted wherever the armies clashed. Caen, Monte Cassino, homes of beautiful, historical towns; all were annihilated by Allied carpet-bombing. The spectre of destruction next loomed over the Convent of Santa Jalisse near the Savonne River. The Nazis occupied it and the Allies were coming.

Draping swastika banners and the stomp of hobnailed boots bruised the gentleness of the holy place. In starched, crisp fashion, an SS trooper brought the mother superior and her assistant to his commander. The nuns were dressed in common robes along with light, understated head coverings.

Ah! Mother Lynde, how nice of you to come visit me. Welcome! The aging SS officer dressed in black death's head uniform was simply known as Herr Hochziegle. He worshiped National Socialism. Cordial cruelty was his trademark. Please, have a seat.

Mother Lynde was tiny in frame. No one could accuse her of being five foot tall. Although she was elderly, she was the kind who would remain spry all the way into her eighties. The expression on her face was usually what could be described as sternly sober. Smiles were rare. She spoke with an alto voice, We should like to stand, thank you.

Her assistant, Sister Sophia, was young and of pleasant glow. Unfortunately, her eyes were too easy to read. Mother Lynde might perfectly conceal surprise at being welcomed by the usurper, but she didn't. Frequent glances of unsureness searched for queues and guidance from her matron. Otherwise, she tended to keep herself in reverent poise with eyes lowered when among the enemy.

There was a second serpent in the room, a woman in feminine SS attire. She was tall, young and vibrant, even beautiful despite her austere garb. Because of her casual demeanor, the nuns initially suspected that she might be little more than Herr Hochziegle 's social pet. However, predatory stares from her striking eyes chilled them to the core. She slowly walked around in the background, pretending to pay only partial attention.

You may stand as you wish. Herr Hochziegle took a comfortable seat behind an ornate wooden desk. I've heard that you are keeping secrets from me!

Secrets, Herr Hochziegle?

He smiled with enthusiasm, Oh yes. It seems that you have many more nuns here than I had been led to believe. I should like very much to meet them!

You have met all of the sisters who belong to this convent.

Oh, but what of the others? The lurking woman smiled fiercely, lounging herself against an heavy chair. Herr Hochziegle ceremoniously opened a folder on the desk and lifted out the sheet within. Let us see here. He read with soft spoken voice, There is Sister Maisie… He looked up in faux surprise, She is from Scotland! He resumed reading, but with a crescendo coldness, There is Sister Olga… Russian. There is Sister An-u-kampa. I hope I pronounced that correctly. She is from India. He stood up for threatening effect, Sister Camelia… Romania. Sister Halima… Africa. What have you to say for yourself?

Mother Lynde maintained her poise, They are students. They come here before taking their vows to join the Order.

Herr Hochziegle sat back against the desk with folded arms. These fräuleins come from foreign countries, some of which are enemies of the Reich. Since I have not had the privilege of meeting them, I cannot know if they are good little nuns, or if they are spies! I'm sure that you can appreciate my position.

You know that our Order wishes complete neutrality during wartime.

Then why are they hiding, Mother Lynde?

They were sent out before you arrived here. Part of their training is practicum, to aid the sick and the poor.

Ah! They are nurses?

Some of them.

And… do they render medical aid to wounded partisans?

Mother Lynde recognized his trap. Amidst the pressure of the moment, her heart searched for wise words, We love all of God's children.

Herr Hochziegle paced around slowly, shaking a finger. "Ah, then perhaps we do have a problem. You see, if you heal my enemy, then he will come back and perhaps kill my own people. That does not sound very neutral to me."

The Red Cross also shows mercy, Sir.

That will change, I assure you. If you think that the Allies will win this war, then you are quite mistaken. We simply need to consolidate our strength, smash the attackers, and then claim our rightful destiny. Far from leveling the expected threat, his tone eased, Please do think about having your 'students' come introduce themselves.

Mother Lynde and Sister Sophia exchanged a surprised glance. We are free to leave?

Why of course you are! You are not a prisoner here! For your safety, we do ask that you remain at this facility, but you are most free to move about.

The yet unspeaking woman drifted closer. With a pleasant expression, she raised a small Walther pistol and shot Sophia in the leg.

The girl screamed as she collapsed to the floor. Mother Lynde fell to her side, WHY?

Herr Hochziegle looked to the almost smiling predator, "Frau Schreckgespenst, that was not very nice! How could you?" She returned a contented stare.

Mamá! Mamá!

The mother superior pleaded, Please! We need a doctor!

He squatted down, Oh yes, very much! He took painful hold of the leg and revealed a moment of cold hatred, After the names on that list surrender to me.

I don't know where they are!

Oh, I am confident that you will find a way to spread the word. Herr Hochziegle stood up and called to waiting troopers. He gestured for them to carry the wounded nun away, Please handle her gently. Hochziegle called out after the departing matron, I would not wait too long. After they were gone, he continued to stare at the exit, I hope that you did not hit any vital arteries or veins.

The SS woman stood beside him. Oh! You hurt my feelings, Herr Hochziegle! She shook her head contentedly, No, no vital damage. I'm rather proud of my aim. She will linger for a long time.

We will start with her. But I think that the mother superior might require greater pressure than this. More of her precious daughters might need to suffer before she breaks.

Agreed. We don't have much time before the Allied army arrives.

Frau Schreckgespenst, by the time we depart, all of the hiding nuns are to have been captured and interrogated. Any spies and partisans that we learn from them will be liquidated.

What of the nuns of this convent?

They are useful labor until then, don't you agree?

We have orders to not exterminate them.

Herr Hochziegle shrugged, Only the ones who are not enemy collaborators.

General Disagreement

During the war, neither side was immune to heated disputes amongst those in command. In Germany, generals regularly fell out of grace for arguing the obvious. This certainly happened in the Savonne River situation.

General Von Halberstadt insisted, Mein Führer, our armies are too badly stretched out. We must withdraw and consolidate if we are to meet the Allies!

The furious tyrant flung his dramatic subliminal fist gestures along imaginary swastika lines, "RETREAT? You want to just let the enemy walk into Germany? NEVER! Cowards regroup! Loyal soldiers stand their ground! Brave men advance to destroy the enemy!"

Mein Führer, there is no shame in tactical evasion! It is not bravery to-

The little man raged, "-I WILL DECIDE what is bravery and what is not!" He spoke with wild eyes and threatening tone, The Allies think they will move into Germany, but it is WE who will counterattack THEM!

A winter offensive, mein Führer?

"A winter offensive! When we strike the Ardennes, you will break out across the Savonne and annihilate them!"

How, mein Führer? You have already stripped away half my army!

"You will not need many! The enemy will have turned away and be vulnerable!" From manic to pleased, Hitler smiled, Do not worry, my dear Kurt. Operation Widerhaken will triumph! I am giving you a crack unit of Tiger tanks to spearhead your assault!

Like other staff officers who realized that they were pressing their luck, the general saluted and quietly backed down from his protests.

If the leader was too consumed by his own passions to sense Von Halberstadt's doubts, his ministers of sinister weren't. On his way out, the SS Reichsführer presented himself. Generaloberst, you don't seem terribly enthusiastic about your duty!

I am concerned about my men.

I am sure that I needn't remind you. Giving your men victory is the best way to care for them. He didn't receive a response. I want to be sure that you clearly understand your orders, Generaloberst Von Halberstadt. You are strictly forbidden from destroying the bridge over Savonne. If you do so, you will be tried as a traitor and executed. He folded his hands behind his back and turned to walk away, You would be very wise to prevent the Allies from destroying it, too.

The general laid out a personal defence, As long as Reichsmarschall Göring's Luftwaffe protects it from the air, I shall protect it from the ground. That garnered a hateful scowl from Himmler, who knew full well that the Allies held clear air superiority in the region.

—————

Mere days later, one Lt. Col. Mitchell Akers of the United States Air Force steadied his B-17 bomber. He could barely hear his radioman over the roar of engines and blast of air through shattered cockpit window.

=/Skipper! Kellie Belle had to feather number three engine and can't keep up. Miss Conception is losing fuel. Captain Sadowsky doesn't want to go down in Herman-town.\=

I don't blame 'em. Tell 'em to jettison bomb loads and turn back! And radio those Lightnings. Ask if a few of them can walk our wounded birds home.

=/Roger.\=

The copilot trimmed tabs, I wish our little friends had shown up sooner!

We didn't lose anybody. That's the important thing.

=/Skipper! Orders from Dragon Roost! Recall. Abort mission!\=

WHAT? We're only fifty miles from target!

=/Do not, repeat, do not bomb the bridge! Direct order from the general!\=

After a healthy venting of obscenities, Col. Akers ordered, All planes, vector now to two-seven-two degrees!

The copilot shook his head, "I don't believe it. Couldn't they have pulled the plug before we got mauled by Messerschmitts?"

I tell you. Court martial is sounding more and more appealing every day!

—————

That evening, another battle was brewing. Brigadier Lethbridge of the British Army paced around a large map table. His nickname was 'Lethy', although he was oft referred to as 'Little Monty' due to striking physical resemblance and mannerisms of his top commander. With stiff posture, fist firmly planted behind his back, and riding crop clutched in the other hand, he impatiently circled the table. He vented frustrations to his subordinate, Look here, Stanley! General Von Halberstadt is in a perfect position to rip right into Allied flanks! That Savonne River Bridge must be destroyed! Blown to bits!

I thought we did that, Sir.

We requested bombers, but they were recalled!

Why on earth, Sir?

The brigadier noticed the approaching party. We're about to find that out!

Lethbridge's counterpart in Patton's army was General Rainer. Following his commander's gruff and aggressive style, he barely had enough patience to endure the ritual salutes and formalities. He challenged, "Why are you trying to bomb my bridge?" He leaned closer, "It isn't even in your zone!"

Doesn't matter! It still directly affects us. Intelligence has informed me that the enemy plans a counterattack using that same strategic bridge!

"Not if we're using it to attack him!"

Now here, here! Take a look. He pointed with his riding crop, Let's say you push a bulge out on the other side. If old Von Halberstadt mounts a major counterattack, your forces would be trapped! General Montgomery would be forced to pull back to bail you chaps out. That could extend the war by months! We must take the responsible, conservative approach!

Rainer explained through restrained tone and wild eyes, "I'll tell you what conservative has gotten us! The better half of the German Army escaped in both Normandy and Italy to regroup and fight again! This time we're going to cut through! We're going to cut through and this time close the loop!"

"Reckless, I tell you! Reckless! Your job is to secure our flanks so that we can march on Berlin!"

The heated meeting ended without agreement. After barely polite salutations, Lethbridge's adjutant asked, Sir, what can we do?

The brigadier quietly explained, All this side-push talk is sheer poppycock! There is only one tactic for a situation like this. With General Montgomery being out in the field, we go straight to the top! Get me an aircraft. I'm off to see General Eisenhower!

Sir!

Outside, General Rainer got into his jeep. "At this rate, the Ruskies will get to Berlin before we do! Get me a plane. The only way to solve this is to have Ike fence these birds into their own zone!"

—————

The Convent of Santa Jalisse was situated in a mountainous region. The impassable deep woodlands provided haven to partisan groups. Most of them weren't equipped with transmitters, which was fortunate given German skill at triangulation. They had almost no supplies, support or training. They did what little they could to spy, sabotage and harass.

One cold fall evening, a group huddled around a small fire pit in the woods. Tonight it was fueled by stolen train coal, warm with little smoke. The leader's name was Goran. What news do you have for us?

A nervous visitor from the village explained, We have a radio at-

"-Don't tell me who has it, Juraj!"

Sorry. We, there is a radio. The Americans are coming. They could be here in the next week or two.

And the Germans?

We have word from the other side of the river. They are not retreating. In fact… He shuddered with fear, Tanks have come… big ones.

One of the partisans asked, What do you think, Goran?

He shook his head; I do not know who will cross the river first, Americans or Germans. What I do know is, there will be terrible battle. They will destroy everything. He pondered, Those river cliffs are tall. They need the bridge to cross.

The young partisan shrugged, And?

Goran met eye contact, If that bridge weren't there, then neither army could cross. They would have to go fight somewhere else. A girl dressed in nun's robes offered him a tin of water. He accepted it with a kindly smile, Thank you. I'm sorry that we can't take better care of you.

She shook her head with a smile, We are not starving. God has blessed us with your protection.

Juraj asked, Isn't there some kind of underground around here who could blow it up?

Goran's frustrations vented as cynicism, Stop dreaming.

Another young nun walked up. This one was big and strong, the ideal Russian peasant woman. Her accent was heavy and foreign vocabulary limited. You talk of blowing up bridge. Sounds like good idea!

Goran's tone was kindly, Sister, that bridge is huge, made of heavy steel. Commandos couldn't carry enough demolitions to break it. We have nothing. I have four bullets for my pistol. He pointed to a partisan, Yuri has one bullet for that rifle.

Another partisan laughed, And say prayers to God if he ever fires it! The group burst out into carefully quieted laughter. Poor Yuri was not combat material. He was exceedingly thin and wore cracked glasses. His aim was frightfully bad, unlikely to hit the proverbial broad side of a barn. They allowed him to lug around and lavish polishing care on his treasured rifle. It was a German Mauser, one of the finest rifles in the world. When more ammunition was found for it, someone who could actually aim toward the correct compass point would confiscate it from him.

Sister Olga suggested, You should contact underground!

There isn't any around here. Our people traveled to contact resistance across the border, but… they never came back. Pondering, he shook his head, The fact that neither side has blown up the bridge means that both sides want to use it.

There is more news. The group looked to Juraj, and he looked to the sisters, The Nazis know about you. Anybody who hides you will be executed along with their families.

A smaller nun sat down nearby. She spoke with a Scottish accent, I canno' believe civilized men could do that!

Goran made sharp eye contact, You listen, young lady, and you listen well. You believe that devils exist? Well so do I, and they wear black uniforms.

She shook her head at the wartime hatred of men.

The village man tensed, Sister, there's a rumor that… I'm sorry.

Sister Maisie exhaled through a nervous smile, Sorry about what?

The Nazis might have shot one of the nuns.

She bolted up and screamed, NO!

Sentries ran in. One of them slumped in frustration, "Thank you."

Goran gritted his teeth with tightly closed eyes. He then calmed himself, We must flee here.

Maisie realized what she had done, I am so sorry! Please forgive me!

As the party quickly gathered up gear and prepared to leave, Juraj tried to calm the distraught girl, Sister! By the way they were talking, she might only be wounded.

Who is she?

I don't know.

"Why would they do that?"

One of the other sisters took hold of her, putting her face close, "Maisie, ask quietly!"

The trembling girl returned a nod.

The partisan leader instructed Juraj, You must get back to town before you are missed.

Goran, one more thing. The Germans have brought dogs in to hunt you. At receiving a nod of acknowledgement, he hurried away.

Tears streamed down the sisters' cheeks. Maisie shook her head, Did he say she was only wounded to settle me?

Compassion surpassed aggravation in Goran, It is possible that the Nazis wounded her to force your sisters to reveal your names. Either that or one of your own is collaborating with them.

Her eyes widened in astonishment, deeply upset that anyone could accuse any of her sisters. She impulsively took in a deep breath in preparation for another outburst, but Sister Olga planted her hand over her mouth.

Goran stopped close in front of her. His tone was grief stricken, I was like you. If anyone had told me that one of my family would side with the Nazi's, I would strike him down. But it happened. It can be anyone.

Maisie stood there trembling with tears. Olga put her arm around her, Come, Sister. She pondered as they walked, I wonder how close Russian Army is right now. She confidently concluded with a nod, Bridge must go away!

—————

The Russian Army wasn't anywhere close, but they entertained solid interest in the situation. Their General Zorikovski paced, carrying around a long corded command phone. He enunciated through labored English, …I insist on speaking with General Eisenhower! When will he be available? He pursed his lips and squinted as he listened, …I have question for him! Why did General Montgomery try to blow up important bridge on Savonne River? How can you cross over and attack Germans with no bridge? The tall bear of a man with crew cut hair and slightly too tight uniform took a deep breath and sighed with frustration. "…Is that so? I do not see it that way. You not crossing river to fight Germans makes me wonder how serious you are about helping Russia in the war! If you would push back German Army at Savonne, it will help us advance to Berlin! Why do you destroy everything in your path? You do it all backwards! Scorched earth is for when you retreat, not when you advance. The man rocked on his heels, beginning to fume, Do not damage that bridge! You liberate, not bomb Santa Jalisse! Chairman Stalin will be very unhappy! I will be very unhappy! Do you clearly understand?… Good! I will speak with your general later today!"

—————

The continued existence of the bridge over Savonne would be an election decided by numerous, weighty military votes. The Free French would have an opinion on the matter. Commando forces had their hands full with recently liberated territories. Identifying Vichy supporters, collecting civilian intelligence on occupying Germans, and stabilizing local chaos was their task. One such unit at long last met the surviving local resistance fighters. As they debriefed, a soldier hastened in and saluted. Capitaine Simoneaux!

The man returned his salute, Yes, Caporal?

We have a message from Savonne. There is a considerable German buildup!

A message? How are we getting messages from there?

After verifying privacy, the corporal lowered his voice, Sir, by carrier pigeon. It was sent by one of the nuns.

"Carrier pigeon? A nun of Santa Jalisse?"

Oui, Capitaine. Her home family has a long tradition of raising carrier pigeons. Before the war, it was mostly a hobby. But now, this Sister has sent us a warning!

The amazed officer sat down. Does Command know about this?

No, Sir. Nobody did until now. The family came to us asking for help.

This could be a trap.

Not likely, Capitaine. The Sister uses a special ink, and she always adds the next two letters of a sentence in a novel.

We must ask her questions!

We dare not, Sir. Even if the pigeons could be relied upon to return to the convent, the nun would be in danger of being caught. Capitaine, the Germans must be stopped! I know that they are far away. But if they drive the distance back here again, then they will retaliate against the civilians for helping the Allies. It will be a bloodbath!

He got up and paced around slowly, The bridge has not been bombed. That must mean that our armies intend to capture it.

Sir, that might not happen! Tiger tanks have been spotted on our side of the river!

Tigers? No! Simoneaux wrung his hands, shaking his head, The Germans would not have such a force sitting idly in a quiet zone without some plan. He turned to meet eye contact, They are going to counterattack!

Capitaine, will the American Army arrive in time to stop them?

The better question is; will they bring enough force?

Sir, if I may, this might sound insane.

Maybe insane is what we need. What are you thinking?

If we could destroy the bridge, the Tigers would be trapped and they couldn't get reinforcements.

An army is guarding that bridge, and the Allies will not bomb it.

Resistance fighters want to destroy it. Can't we at least contact them to see what can be done?

The captain pondered for a few moments. I do not know if we can obtain the necessary demolitions… but we must try.

The Allies will not approve.

It does not matter. Our people have suffered too much. The Allies can continue their main push without crossing the Savonne. That bridge must fall!

Puppies & Pigeons

- Day 2 -

Well after sunrise, a young nun wheeled a light cart filled with food wastes. She rolled it up to a Nazi perimeter guard point. The soldier, now accustomed to seeing this, made only cursory pushes and stirs into the contents with his bayonet. Uninterested in spending much time on the smelly mass, he waved her on.

A few weeks ago, a soldier would have escorted her for the disposal. Packs of wild dogs were running loose in the deep woods. Even though the animals almost always hunted at night, there could still be risk for lone travelers. The escorts had ceased, though, due to increased partisan activity in the area. Small parties walking regular paths on a predictable schedule could become easy prey.

Sister Danielle had one of the most tender and loving hearts at the convent. Given to passionate prayer and deep devotionals, mercy was her primary spiritual gift. The Convent at Santa Jalisse was situated on broad estate atop a plateau. Surrounded by gardens, grassland, and orchards, it required a lengthy walk to reach the steep outer ledges. Periodically, motorcycles cruised in the distance on patrol.

Upon arrival at a ledge, Danielle struggled to move the cart down out of line of sight from behind. She then leaned over the edge and clapped her hands, Puppies! Puppies! Masters at stealth, dogs began emerging from the mountain brush. Come come come come! When they arrived, she pointed down below, Sit sit sit sit! They didn't respond at first, so she folded her arms, I'll not feed you!

One of the wild hounds made a futile bound up the wall at the nun, causing her to stumble back with fright. Another dog, however, lit into the would-be attacker and drove him back. Mother Superior Lynde had sternly warned Danielle against feeding wild dogs. They could never be safely tamed. The more they were fed, the more they would breed, the greater danger they would pose to the town's livestock. But Sister Danielle couldn't bring herself to obey. They were so hungry, and the Nazi demands for full group meals generated much more waste than normal.

The stab of fear served to convince Danielle that Mother Lynde was probably right. Still, she got up and returned to the edge. At length, she persuaded the dogs to obey. Now came the more difficult part, feeding the smaller ones without the larger ones diving in to snatch food away. It was contrary to pack mentality. But train them, she had. She quickly walked down the line, dispensing blobs of waste food from her small shovel to each one. With kindly, encouraging tone, she praised them for being so good. The animals scarfed down the poor smelling scraps without hesitation. They looked up at her when it was gone, to which she knelt down, All gone. No more for today, puppies. It broke her heart to see creatures so mangled by scars, mange, parasites, and illness. I wish I could care for you all. The animals quickly departed, some of them stopping momentarily for hungry stares back at her.

From inside the improvised infirmary at the Convent, a concerned Sister Aimee felt a wave of relief at seeing Danielle returning in the distance. That didn't abate the tears in her eyes, though. She tensely tended to a wounded German colonel.

He watched her eyes, at length asking with fairly good English, It bothers you to render aid to the enemy?

She cleared her throat, avoiding eye contact, No. The Lord commands us to love all men.

There was a long pause. Perhaps then, the towns people are not being very nice to you?

Aimee gave a tense shake of the head, Some of them don't like it. But they understand.

Then what troubles you so deeply, Fräulein?

She betrayed her angst and fury with sharp eye contact. Her nostrils flared amidst labored breathing.

With is free hand, he stopped her by taking gentle hold of her wrist, Tell me?

Aimee trembled, We didn't do anything to hurt you! At seeing him shake his head slightly, she elaborated, Your people shot my sister in the leg! Tears flooded, She'll get gangrene if a doctor doesn't operate!

What? The army officer's impulse was to sit up, but pain held him back. Who did this?

Your SS Commander, Herr Hochziegle!

I want to see him, now!

Sister Aimee looked around, beginning to panic.

He reassured her, I promise you. There will be no retaliation. Call for my Leutnant.

They proceeded at a