The Untold: Stories from WWII

By D.W. Saur

What if the villain isn't who you think he was? What if you are called to risk it all by going behind enemy lines? What if your skills require you to take another's life? 

 

The Untold: Stories from World War II is a historical fiction novella divided between three stories that address these questions with a series of twists.

In A Crime Against Humanity a courtroom full of press and attendees glare at the man accused of murdering thousands of Jews at the concentration camp known as Schwarzes Wasser. Commandant Karl Müller admits to every horrible deed committed in enough detail that his fate is sealed. However, there's more to Karl's story than just the crimes committed. 

 

When Karl's story ends, veteran Luke Taylor retells his story in Flashbacks. Born into a military family, Luke, along with almost fifty other boys, was groomed to be spies in the mission codenamed Project Loki. It took decades for Luke to realize that infiltrating the Nazi war machine was the easiest part of his mission. 

 

The Untold comes full circle in The Eastern Front when a graduate student unlocks the story between the cryptic pages of Oksana Gribanov's diary. The diary reveals her time of service as a sharpshooter during the siege in Leningrad and beyond. 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books To Go Now
• Release date: Jun 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215842911

D.W. Saur

D. W. is a proud alumnus of several institutions and holds multiple degrees and certifications. He started his writing career with a primary thought of doing historical works. Though he enjoys the research process, D. W. quickly found his way into writing fiction as a full-time hobby. D. W.'s debut children's book titled Metal Like Me was released in October of 2019, focuses on overcoming bullying, and was a winner of a Purple Dragon Fly award. Dark Days is the first installment of a young-adult fantasy saga and Saur's fantasy debut that went on to win 7 awards. Saur has gone on to publish other works spanning several generals, has launched a series of podcasts through Polar Press Presents on YouTube, and continues to produce a variety of works in the hope of providing something for everyone.

Book preview

Part I

A Crime Against Humanity

Chapter 1

Karl Müller

Present     

Mr. Weber, you are the man formerly known as Karl Müller, correct?

That is correct, answered Mr. Weber.

"You are the Karl Müller who was Commandant at the concentration camp known as Schwarzes Wasser, correct?"

That is correct. I took the name Daniel Weber after the war.

The prosecutor almost let a laugh slip through but he pressed his hand to his mouth. The lawyer slowly turned and scanned the room. The citizens in attendance were all dressed to the nines, reporters were quickly taking pictures, cameras rolling, and some descendants of survivors were in tears while others looked on with intense hatred at Karl.

Mr. Müller, do you know you are perhaps the first former Nazi being tried like this who has pled guilty since the moment of their arrest? Every other trial was dragged out with faking of illness and denial, but you did not flinch in pleading guilty. You even refused to cover your face like the others, and perhaps what is more surprising is that you refused a lawyer. Why is that?

I have done wrong— Karl began.

Wrong? the lawyer interrupted. Is that all you call it?

No. His voice cracked and trembled. I have killed.

Murderer! a woman shouted.

Mumbling started but silence took over when Karl replied, Yes. Yes, I have murdered. He took a deep breath. I’m not proud of what I did. I did what I had to do and what I did has haunted me since I fled Germany. I make no fuss, no denial, or wish to cover up because I deserve to be punished for what I did.

You deserve it, and yet you hid for more than sixty years.

You will never understand, so it is best to get this over with.

We shall then. The judge turned in his seat slightly to face Mr. Müller and informed him, Mr. Müller this is a somewhat informal trial to establish who you are and what you did. Ultimately, we are determining if you should be deported and stand trial in Germany. Do you understand?

Yes, Karl answered.

Carry on, the judge urged the prosecution.

Mr. Müller, you refused to view the documents providing the evidence against you, so if you answer my few questions here, then it will ultimately determine your guilt. Do you understand?

Yes.  

What happened on April 23, 1943?

Care to be more specific, Mr. Walker? the judge asked.

On— Mr. Walker started to rephrase, but he was interrupted.

That morning we took the roll call as usual, but some parts were out of the ordinary, Karl said.

Chapter 2

April 23, 1943

Past 

Karl dragged a Jewish prisoner behind him, moving too fast for the prisoner to keep up properly. The man kept tripping over his feet, but Karl’s grip on his shirt ensured the inmate wouldn’t fall to the ground. When arriving at the center of the call-lines, Karl released the prisoner. It has been brought to my attention that you have been assaulting those who assist me. Karl looked out upon the hundred prisoners, lined in four rows of twenty-five. Is this true? No one spoke. He continued to pace in front of the first line until he stopped at a face he recognized. You are my tailor, are you not?

Yes, sir, the prisoner answered.

Have I been informed correctly? Are there prisoners assaulting one another?

Sir please, he begged, voice trembling. Please don’t make me answer.

What are you scared of? Karl huffed and took two steps back. I have failed you all! He pulled his Luger from its holster. I failed to make you more scared of me than each other.

Sir— the prisoner started.

Go on, Karl insisted.

We are more terrified of you than anyone here.

Karl smiled. Then why not tell me who?

We fear that not only will we suffer consequences from you but them as well. One beating is better than two, sir. Karl’s smile grew but the slow pace at which his mouth widened was disturbing, almost demonic with intent. You could nearly hear the evil thoughts that echoed in his mind.

Okay. He holstered his sidearm. Tell me no names, but tell me why the prisoner there was beaten by another Jew.

Many think those who work for you are given special treatment.

Karl laughed. Those who work for me, he said. You all work for me! His voice rang in the air. Though the air was crisp, it wasn’t the wind sending shivers down the prisoners’ spines.

Those who don’t labor outside, sir, the prisoner clarified.

I see. Karl tapped a finger to his lip. Do I give you any special treatment, tailor?

You treat me the same as anyone else here. No better and no worse.

An honest answer from a Jew, very surprising. Karl turned to the guards on duty and smiled while pointing at the prisoner. They laughed in return. Call up all barracks and gather all the guards off duty. I want everyone gathered at the yard by the top of the hour.

The yard was the largest stretch of land not being used that could accommodate all three thousand prisoners and guards in the same location, making it ideal for announcements. By the top of the hour all prisoners and guards were assembled.

Barrack K! Karl yelled. Come to the front.

The prisoners did as ordered and stood in call-lines just like they were just seconds before.

Prisoners of Barrack K believe they have the right to discipline. Only I have that right here. They believe I’m playing favorites and you see, I have been. Barrack K was among the first to arrive here and they are the only barrack to never have been liquidated. Only two prisoners have died from Barrack K and both were from natural causes, so in return for my leniency, I’ve been repaid by cowards taking a right that is mine.

Karl grabbed the microphone and gave the cord a good yank. He looked at the length and then started walking towards the stairs. Step by step he slowly made his way down the platform. Once on the ground, he made his way to the center of the prisoners of Barrack K. Pulling the microphone close to his lips he ordered, Those who work for me in Barrack K come stand in front. A dozen prisoners moved like crippled elders; they lurched forward and stood in a line before all in attendance. You have done nothing wrong. You have served me well and even refused to give up the thieves that bunk beside you. Though we are depicted as cruel, we do care about bravery and honor. Many would punish you, but you still serve a purpose.

Karl pulled out a whistle from his pocket and gave it a quick blow. Twenty-five soldiers came marching along in two columns with one in the lead from the back of the gathered crowd. They made their way to the backline of Barrack K and each soldier stood behind a prisoner. Once in position, Karl blew the whistle and twenty-five shots rang out.

With the microphone once more at his lips, Karl announced, You have no right to justice.

The soldiers stepped over the corpses and stood behind the next line. He blew the whistle and once more shots boomed.

You will not take from me what is mine.

Again the soldiers stepped over the bodies and stood behind the next line. He blew the whistle and another volley rang out.

The next time this happens, I will liquidate the entire camp.

The soldiers made their way to the fourth line, but there was no speech, just another whistle, and more shots. Only twelve of the hundred in Barrack K remained.

Karl turned to the guard to his right and ordered, Pick a barrack and have them dispose of the bodies.

Chapter 3

Tell Us More

Present

Is that all? Mr. Walker asked.

Karl wiped his face and took a deep breath to keep the tears from forming. For that day, yes.

What was the purpose of Schwarzes Wasser?

That was classified.

Mr. Walker stopped pacing and turned to Karl. You say you are here to confess, but you refuse to admit the purpose of the camp. Why not just tell us what the purpose of the camp was?

If you have all the documentation about the camp, about me, then you will know I never knew the purpose. The purpose was classified and I didn’t have the clearance.

I refuse to believe that you didn’t know what was happening inside your camp.

Were you ever in the Nazi army? Karl asked.

Mr. Walker chuckled. I’m grateful that I was not born then or in a country that allowed such events.

Well, did you read about Hitler’s regime?

Of course, and I’ve seen a lot of television documentaries and movies about it too.

Then you would know that one did not defy Hitler’s orders and live long to talk about it, so when I tell you that information was above my pay grade, you can guarantee that I didn’t question it. All I can tell you is that we were a labor camp, not a death camp.

The prosecutor gave another huff. Not a death camp, but you killed almost 58,000 people.

No, it was more, Karl corrected.

All accounts point to fifty-eight.

It was closer to two hundred thousand, Karl clarified.

Did you have them killed?

It was the work that killed the vast majority.

Work and executions.

Yes, there were many executions, but we didn’t shoot them by the thousands.  

What about starvation? Camps all over Europe starved the Jews to death. Did you do the same?

"No. Our camp was different. The work was considered vital for the success of the Reich so we fed the prisoners better than in other camps. Honestly, if we gave them the rations that other camps did, then