A Wall Of Shame

By Geoge Amos

A daring plan is hatched to rescue Dieter von Klaus from East Germany. Soon the rescuers, John Groves and Hans von Klaus are entangled in a dangerous web of deceit and in the clutches of the infamous Secret Service known as Stasi. Can Dieter be brought back to the safety of West Germany or will it end in disaster?

• Language: English
• Publisher: URLink Print & Media, LLC
• Release date: Mar 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781647537296

Geoge Amos

Born in Hertfordshire in 1944 and grew up in post war London. Married to Jan since 1970 and have 3 children. I have been able to complete this novel in the hope it will be enjoyed by all avid readers of suspense thrillers.

Book preview

Prologue

On November 9 1989 the Berlin Wall, iconic symbol of communism, and the ‘Iron Curtain’ was officially dismantled.

Citizens of Germany, liberated from the autocratic and oppressive DDR or GDR, laconic acronyms for the notorious Deutsche Demokratische Replublik, celebrated and rejoiced triumphant.

Berliners chiselled and picked at sections to take souvenirs, covered with graffiti, while the rest of the world witnessed, mesmerised, as the historic events unfolded. The menace of a ‘New World Order’ in the Eastern Bloc, of communism and cultural hegemony, had commenced its welcomed extinction.

Tens of thousands of East Germans had crossed the border, many had perished in their courageous attempt in search of a better life, or merely seeking friends and family absent for nearly three decades. The ‘Wall of Shame’ was no more, and East Germany officially reunited with West Germany on October 3 1990 to be part of a sixteen nation state, simply known as The Federal Republic of Germany.

The desire for democracy and freedom served as the catalyst for rebellion, a nation, ushering in a new dawn.

CHAPTER

1

At the end of the Second World War many of Germany’s great historic cities lay in ruins. Leipzig, Dresden and the capital Berlin, heavily bombed by the Western Alliance of The United States and Great Britain. Berlin, the Nazi stronghold was further destroyed by the Soviet Forces during the Battle of Berlin with the final assault.

Berlin’s location within the Eastern Bloc was controlled by the Soviet Union, but after negotiations the western part of the city was reluctantly acceded to the United States, Great Britain and later France creating four sectors.

Tension between the East and Western powers intensified over disagreements on the reconstruction of the cities. The monumental task of re-structuring the collapsed German economy, by establishing a single monetary currency, created further rifts and acrimony, while vast numbers of displaced persons, remained uncontrolled, leaderless, and in need of food and shelter.

The resentment and distrust by the Soviets towards the Western powers, culminated into a serious international crisis. Russia blockaded supplies to West Berlin, in an attempt to eliminate Berlin of Western influence. The Blockade lasted from the 24th June 1948 to 12th May 1949 and the Soviet policy failed, they had profoundly underestimated the West’s determination and prolonged resolve to maintain their presence in Berlin and the rest of Western Germany.

The Allied Airlift was a remarkable achievement of cooperation, and will to succeed to provide West Berliners with food and vital supplies, the Soviet Authorities lifted the embargo; however, tensions remained and the drain of East German citizens to the West continued to flow until the erection of the infamous concrete barrier in 1961 known as The Berlin Wall.

After the formation of the German Democratic Republic in 1949 the communist autocracy of the East Germans became insanely paranoid about dissidents and the affect on their citizens. In an effort to stem the overwhelming tide of emigration from East Germany to the Western sector, the Communist authorities, backed by Soviet Russia started construction of the dividing wall in August, effectively sealing-off the zones.

A reign of terror began to exist and many ordinary Germans became a target for persecution by an autonomist branch of the DDR The Ministry of State Security, it was innocuously referred to as Stasi, but it was a ruthless political organisation leaving ‘No stone unturned’ to uncover suspected Fascist dissidents—as they were described—for elimination.

Many citizens, families from both sides, separated from their kith and kin; so ruthlessly, risked everything, including their lives to escape - few succeeded, but most were shot and killed while attempting to cross over, or around The Wall.

The aristocratic Bavarian family of Von Klaus and the Groves, an English family living in London, were to become unsuspectingly embroiled in the international crisis, entangled in a web of deceit, murder and espionage.

John Groves had recently celebrated his sixty-third birthday working for the British Foreign Office in 1961, the Special Operations Executive (S.O.E) had been dissolved in 1946 and John had played an important part of this covert organisation.

He was no reluctant hero, and enjoyed the fame of celebrity status after meeting the King and Queen and the Prime Minister of the Great British Empire. The presentation of the George Cross by the King for bravery in 1945 while working with the S.O.E, during the Second World War, was the pinnacle and beginning of a glittering career as a top Civil Servant.

However, notoriety and shame for John was meeting Adolf Hitler in Berlin in 1940 following the Nazi invasion of Great Britain, it had cast a long dark shadow over his personal life and that of his family. John, even after twenty-one years, still had feelings of guilt and depression, accepting money from the Nazi dictator for appearing in a propaganda film that he and his family was forced to make.

The need to atone for his sins was ever-present, and by exposing himself to danger, often seemed to be a short term fix. John, desperately needed another field mission before his forthcoming retirement; looming two years hence. He had missed the buzz and excitement experienced in the past with old colleagues and SOE operatives Etienne and Mark, he yearned for a reason to embark on a mission that would have some elements of danger.

John was eager to accept a position within the Foreign Office, and rapidly proved his worth by helping to succesfully plan the Berlin Airlift of 1948. He was promoted to assistant Foreign Secretary following a change of Government in 1952.

As he reflected on his past that warm mid July morning in 1961, John remembered with great affection his German friends the Count and Countess Von Klaus, Count Ludwig, a Wehrmacht General whom he had rescued from a Russian Prison Camp had remained his best friend since 1940, and they regularly spoke over the telephone from their palatial Castle in the German Black Forest. John’s wife Mary looked forward also to her conversations with the Countess Angelika - whom she referred to as Angel, but the recent and last telephone call was deeply disturbing. Ludwig and Angel were worried about their eldest son Dieter.

Dieter, had been living in Leipzig since the end of the 1940’s and had been sharing an apartment with a girl friend, under the yoke of the communist regime of the DDR.

The unexpected long distance telephone call, that warm summer morning, was the catalyst that would serve to initiate a series of events that would change the lives of the Von Klaus and Groves families forever.

John, my dear friend I hope this phone call does not worry you too much! but the State Security of East Germany have connected Dieter with my past as a German general accusing him of being a fascist dissident. John, was shocked, it worried him, his friend was always optimistic, It must be really serious, he thought

"Stasi, the Secret Service, have also obtained information about his aristocratic ancestry that doesn’t bode well in a Communist Police State. My autobiography that was published, probably gave the Stasi all the information they needed.

Angel and I are extremely concerned for his safety John, and ask your advice considering your experience with international political matters" It was an impassioned plea by Ludwig, and John knew his friend well, detecting the anxiety in his voice and responded carefully, not wishing to upset both Ludwig and Angel.

Ludwig, has Dieter been arrested and where is he now? No, not yet, he is still in his apartment, but two men from Stasi came to his home in the early hours of yesterday, and made accusations that are untrue, but I know what happens in a police state, first a visit then an arrest! I saw this happen so many times under the Nazis, Ludwig replied.

"Ludwig I need to think carefully about this, diplomatic channels are not possible with East Germany, but there are other ways to deal with this so please be patient with me, and I will ask the Foreign Secretary first thing tomorrow morning for his help, I wish I could speak with him today, but I know he is not available.

Ludwig, may I have a word with Angel, Mary wishes to speak with her as well, and she is standing right next to me. Angel grabbed the phone immediately and spoke to John, she was profoundly upset, Is there anything you can do John, I am so worried? I will do whatever is necessary Angel to get Dieter out of Leipzig and back with you in Baden. John replied, and then passed the telephone over to Mary. Angel please try not to worry, John will do something I’m sure, he has my full support Mary was very sympathetic as always. I knew we could depend on you and John for help Mary - thank you." Angel passed the telephone back to Ludwig, so he could again speak with John.

John, now that Angel has left the room I should tell you that Dieter will not be able to speak with us anymore as he suspects his calls are being monitored with a bug. There is another matter, Dieter told us that the Wall separating East and West Berlin is already under construction, closing the border "Yes, I know, the Foreign Secretary is meeting the Prime Minister tomorrow to discuss the situation, and I will raise our problem tomorrow with him.

I promise you Ludwig that even if I have to go to Leipzig personally, I will rescue your son! John did not make promises lightly and meant what he said. John, I once entrusted you with my life, and that of my sons all those years ago, and you did not let me down, thank you for your help, I will speak with you tomorrow then - goodbye old friend"

Mary’s response was swift ‘What can we do John? I am really concerned for Angel and Ludwig, they sound frightened, and fear that they may never see Dieter again, poor Angel."

Mary was also sixty three, and had retired three years earlier on her sixtieth birthday, the last years in her position as matron were difficult, her roll was just administrative and managerial with endless paperwork. Nursing patients was her love, but that had diminished and she was pleased to leave the hospital where she had worked for forty-three years, and where she had met her husband as a war patient in 1916.

Anyway, Mary was a grandmother now, and delighted in spending more time with Clare her granddaughter, and Clare’s mother Mary Anne.

James, Mary Anne’s twin brother was not married and had taken over John’s business as a carpenter, he lived quite close to his parents in a rented apartment, and visited them frequently.

Gardening was a real joy for Mary and she took great pride in growing her own vegetables, the family were almost self-sufficient, and did not need to buy anything from the local greengrocer. Mary had waited many years to acquire a garden, and this precious space at her London home was not going to be wasted.

CHAPTER

2

The next morning John had his arranged meeting with the Foreign Secretary, and Member of Parliament, Gerald Clifton-Jones, he was a gentleman known to John for many years, and he too was soon to retire. John had been promoted to Clifton-Jones old position when Gerald was appointed as Foreign Secretary, so they had worked harmoniously together for more than twenty-one years.

"John, the Prime Minister feels that we should visit Berlin, he is worried as is the rest of the Cabinet that the Wall will cause massive problems to both sides East and West. He wants somebody from our office to visit before the MI6 are involved, there could be another international crisis with the GDR and the Soviet Union, there are already too many spies in the region, and he wants it dealt with diplomatically, I advised him on this matter.

We have to tread carefully, so as not to upset the other countries occupied by the sectors in the western side, particularly the Americans. The US president has told the PM that he will not risk the possibility of another war over Berlin, unless full scale incursions are made into the western sector."

This was just what John was waiting for, a reason for an official field mission. he thought Gerald, I was planning to go to Leipzig myself, so I can also visit Berlin. The Von Klauses older son Dieter is under scrutiny by Stasi and maybe arrested for being a dissident, I have promised them that I will speak to you about the problem first. John replied diplomatically.

John, you know this could be another dangerous mission for you, and you have been office bound for years, you will be retiring in two years, so how does Mary feel about it Clifton-Jones responded. I will explain it to her tonight as it is vitally important that I leave for Germany urgently. John said firmly.

As a British Government official, you will have problems entering the eastern side, do you have a plan John? asked Clifton-Jones.

Yes Gerald, I have been thinking about it all night. What does the PM want us to do in Berlin, has he been specific or is he leaving it to us? answered John with a question. He has placed the ball in our court - so to speak, but insists we must avoid any incidents that could be embarrassing for the British Government, that’s why he has not involved Anthony and Richard at M16. replied Clifton-Jones.

These two gentlemen were also known to John from 1940, when they headed-up SOE and John had worked with them for some while. They immediately joined the British Secret Service after the SOE was made defunct, and made number one and two respectively. Sir Anthony received a knighthood as a reward for his excellent work and development of the SOE, as befits a top civil servant.

"They are both good fellows, however, the PM has expressed he does not want to ‘open a can of worms’ with too many agents in East Germany at this stage, and a low profile mission is more appropriate, so hence our departments involvement.

John, as an old friend, I would have tried to deter you undertaking this mission, but now you have told me about Ludwig and Angelika’s son, I can only give you my full support. What are your plans?" asked Clifton-Jones.

John was anxious to elaborate on how he would enter East Germany.

"I will go to Berlin as required by the Prime Minister, but firstly to Leipzig. The GDR are still encouraging western business’s to buy their manufacturing products such as ceramics and glassware, they badly need the foreign currency and their economy is floundering.

In Leipzig, there is a major exhibition centre that is open to all foreign buyers, I intend to pose as a company director for a china and glass importer. All the exhibitors showing are companies that are controlled by the state, I will be watched and will have to report daily to Auslandische Treffunkt (Foreign Visitor) it will make travelling around difficult, but I will find a way.

Ludwig’s driver can take me to the checkpoint to enter into East Germany at Berlin. I hope to arrange another passport? and I will need some documentary evidence to indicate my new profession, such as business cards and headed paper."

My word you have done your homework John, the department can have everything arranged in a couple of days for you, however, there is one problem that you may not know. The GDR have a new regulation with the restrictions on entry, you need an application with your itinerary eight weeks prior to approval for a visa stamp and entry. replied Clifton-Jones.

"Bloody hell, I did not know that, anyway, I’ll try to expedite that as soon as possible, maybe I can get the approval sooner, but I’ll explain this to Ludwig today.

Thank you Gerald for your support with the Klaus’s issue, it means a lot to me to have your backing concluded John. Ludwig did so much for us during the war, cooperating so willingly, I am happy to help in any way I can." replied Clifton-Jones.

CHAPTER

3

As soon as John arrived home that very evening, he spoke to an anxious and impatient Mary. How quickly can you leave for Germany Mary, will you be able to stay at the castle with Angel and Ludwig for awhile, I need to visit East Germany. Mary was baffled. Why are you going yourself John? because I am the best person to try to sort this out with Dieter, I now speak German, and are familiar with all the bureaucracy of the GDR. John retorted.

John, you promised me many years ago that you would do no more field missions Mary was angry. You are sixty-three! why can’t you just slow down like most men of your age.

You know that’s not my style, and anyway, it is 1961 and we are not at war Mary, only a ‘Cold War’ so it is not dangerous like the other operations, and it is for our friends. I also have to visit Berlin John was reticent to tell Mary anymore. Mary became alarmed, Berlin! that is where the troubles are, isn’t, over the building of a Wall? I have go to Berlin Mary, the PM has ordered me to visit. John was not entirely truthful, but he wanted to placate his long suffering wife, his excitement of going to East Germany was not going to be dampened by any petulant behaviour by her.

I will go with you to Baden as I am worried for Angel and Ludwig and need to see them Thank you Mary I’ll ring them now. Mary was not convinced, "But her husband is a stubborn man, and nothing will change his mind." she thought.

Ludwig answered the telephone from Baden, and John was quick to tell him they are coming over soon, Ludwig was pleased and very relieved.

As soon as I have sorted out all the documents and visas, we will be booking our flights to Stuttgart Ludwig. John was very happy to tell Ludwig that Mary will be with him.

Ludwig was reluctant to tell John, that his youngest son Hans was insisting that he accompany John on this mission, eventually Ludwig plucked-up the courage to tell him. John, I am sorry, please forgive me, but Hans wants to go with you, he wants desperately to help his brother, I have been unable to dissuade him. He says he knows the risk, but will not change his mind.

John was understanding and replied. You know he will not be allowed into the GDR under his own name, so we will have to provide a British passport, he can pose as a British businessman working with the same company as my fictional one. That’s my plan to enter the GDR without too many questions being asked."

It will delay our mission as my office will need a passport photograph from Hans. We are breaking all the rules, but as I am head of the department, it can be covered-up. Thank you my friend. uttered a relieved Ludwig.

"Hans must