Camp X Doublecross

By Jim Carr

hen Klaus Holzer, a sergeant in the German Army, is tortured by the Gestapo, he did not know it would lead him to an adventure that would change his life forever. His torture was a ticket to Canada, where he was trained as an agent for the Allies in Germany and Europe. The Allies did not know was that Klaus was an undercover agent for the Germans only after they send him to Germany. With the deaths of the friends he made from Camp X gradually change forever..

• Language: English
• Publisher: jim Carr
• Release date: Apr 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9781989425510

Jim Carr

Jim Carr's adventure with words began as a teacher of Latin grammar, followed by a lengthy career in print journalism as a reporter, columnist and editor. He left to become a communications specialist for a number of national and international corporations and institutions. He returned to journalism in retirement and acts as associate editor of Spa Canada magazine as well as freelancing for other publications. He writes a blog about Thai resorts and spas, which is featured on Spa Canada's website, as well as fiction.

Book preview

Dedicated to the brave souls

who put their lives

on the line every day behind enemy lines

CHAPTER ONE

Y ou look absolutely handsome in your new uniform, said Klaus Holzer’s mother, watching him pass the mirror over the kitchen sink. Just don’t let it go to your head.

Klaus had just been promoted to Sergeant by Captain Sachse, who told him he had high hopes for him. Klaus had dark brown hair, large hazel eyes and a thin, pleasing face that made people feel comfortable around him. He had a date with a young woman he had known from his school days and wanted to celebrate with her.

They had lunch at one of her favourite restaurants and decided to walk down to the park and take a few pictures. The park was adjacent to an aircraft assembly plant, and he pointed to one of the new planes that were being pulled out of the plant and to the nearby landing strip for a test flight. Klaus took a picture of it leaving the plant and again when it rose in flight.

They started to leave when he was stopped by a Gestapo officer, who handcuffed them both before being taken to Gestapo headquarters, where he sat him and Erika, his friend, on a bench to await questioning.

Major Preuss is ready for you, Sgt. Holzer," said the young woman, dressed in a Gestapo uniform, with Chestnut brown hair and a toss of her head as she led him inside.

The Major was reading a file from a stack of files on the left side of his desk. The walls of his office were painted a dark grey, and the two chairs in front of the desk were old and creaked with any movement. Klaus Holzer tried to stop shaking as he sat in front of the Major’s desk. There was a large picture of the major shaking hands with Hitler on the wall behind his desk, a picture of Hitler in Paris, and another of the Fuehrer entering Austria.

Preuss, who took pride in his uniform and mission for the Third Reich, ignored Holzer as he studied the file on his desk. Preuss had a round face, dark blue eyes and a receding hairline and wore thick glasses. He loved to play chess and was proud of being named Berlin’s best and an amateur painter. When he did raise his head, it was to stare at Holzer, who couldn’t stop shaking.

Do you know why you are here, Holzer? The Major’s voice was strong and authoritative. There was something about Holzer that irritated him. It was his look that reminded him of his wife and daughter and how they ignored and treated him. They certainly had no respect for him and even mocked him when he worse his uniform at meals.

Holzer shook his head. He was the ideal concept of how an Aaryan should look – tall with short blond hair, intense blue eyes, and a crease on the left side of his face. His hands are large. His hobby is weightlifting and telling jokes.

We believe you are a British spy.

Why? Because I can speak English?

We don’t believe you. One of our officers saw you taking pictures of a factory that produces our great airplanes.

Suddenly, Holzer came alive. I was taking a picture for my father, a pilot in the previous war. I wanted to show how our planes had changed. Then, after a pause, I joined the Army because I believe everything the Fuehrer says and the Nazi party stands for. You’ve made a mistake. Ask my parents. I can give you their address. They had nothing to do with my photographing. Then, after a desperate pause, "I joined the Army to do everything I could to bring about the Third Reich. I volunteer for all missions, no matter how dangerous. My parents are old and know nothing of what I do.

We don’t believe you, said Preuss, touching the buzzer below his desk. Another Gestapo officer entered and grabbed him. Don’t let up on him until he admits it.

The crease in Klaus’s left cheek quivered. You’re making a mistake. I am a loyal German and a devoted follower of Herr Hitler.

The Gestapo officer grabbed him by the arm, dragged him from the chair, and forced him to the door. Holzer looked back to see Preuss smiling. Another officer joined them, and they marched him down a long corridor and a flight of stairs. They tied his hands to two ropes hanging from the ceiling before ripping the clothes off his back and lashing him until he cried out, pausing to ask him who his friends were and what you were planning.

I am a member of the German Army, and I want to fight for the Third Reich until I die. He heard them laugh and braced himself for more lashing, but it never came. They untied him from the ropes and led him to a large tank of water, where they pushed his head into the water. Klaus had to hold his breath as long as he could before giving up and breathing in water. They raised his head, and when he got his wind back, they pushed his head into the water again. This time everything went black, and when they raised him, Klaus spent the next few minutes coughing out water. The torture chamber smelled of burnt flesh and unnerving screams from another enemy of Germany.

They sat him on a bench and let him recover. Klaus shivered. I want to see my Captain. He knows who I am and what I stand for.

They then led him to a cell, leaving him in the semi-darkness. There was only one light for the entire floor, and the light barely made it to his cell. Suddenly, he was hungry when one of the guards arrived to give prisoners food. They left without including him, and he sat back. The thought that they would starve him to death flashed through his mind, and for the first time, he began to feel the worst was about to come.

He was dragged up the stairs to the major’s office from his cell in the morning. The secretary was already at work and rushed to open the door to the major’s office. The first person he saw was his Captain.

I’ve come to rescue you from the clutches of the Gestapo, said his Captain, Manfred Sachse. He had a barrel chest with dark hair and busy eyebrows, which twitched when he was excited. Sachse was taller than Preuss, and his long face smiled as he patted Preuss’s shoulder. He loved the Vienna Waltz, and his wife’s friends made a point of asking him to dance with them. His son is in Hitler Youth and an ardent Nazi.

I explained to Major Preuss that you come from a military background and are one of my best soldiers, that I promoted you to Sergeant and will need you and others like him in the coming days. And to put your mind to rest, he said, his eyes looking into Preuss’s eyes, I will take full responsibility for him and his activities.

Major Preuss made a face. I still think you’re making a mistake, but if that’s what you want, you may live to regret it. I have seen his type before, and I suspect we will see him again before this war is over. He buzzed his assistant. When she entered, Preuss told her to escort them out of the building.

I shouldn’t say this, but that place gives me the creeps every time I enter one of their offices, Klaus said as they entered Captain Sachse’s car. His driver smiled as he closed the door behind them. I can see they’ve given you a pretty hard time.

Klaus could feel the relief and closed his eyes. They whipped me and then tried to drown me. When that didn’t work, they let me cool my heels in one of their cells and allowed me no food. They wanted me to tell them I was a British spy.

A British spy? Sachse shook his head. He turned to the driver. Stop at the first restaurant you see. Sgt. Holzer hasn’t eaten in a couple of days.

Later, when they reached the camp, Sachse had the doctor examine him. The doctor, a young man with an unshaven face and bright blue eyes, smiled when he looked at you. Klaus entered Sachse’s office, shaking his head. I’ve done everything possible to help him, but he needs a few days of rest. His back is raw from the whipping they gave him, and his lungs still have some water. But he has a strong body, and with some rest and a change of pace, he’ll be as good as new. Perhaps a few days at home would do him some good.

The doctor, a recent graduate, had a preciseness about him and an air of authority. His hair was white and straight, and the sockets of his blue eyes were bright red. His first name was Wolf, and he avoided telling people what it was. He tended to speak quickly and often had to repeat his findings. If his name didn’t suit him, medicine did. He graduated as top student from his class.

Captain Sachse went to see Klaus a couple of days later in the infirmary, amazed at how quickly Klaus’s body was healing. What do you think about a week’s leave with your family once you can travel? I think it would do you a lot of good, and it would be good for your family to see you.

I’m ready to travel now.

Only when the doctor says so. Sachse bit the corner of his mouth. I’m curious how a great German soldier like you led the Gestapo to arrest you.

They saw me taking a picture of one of our new airplanes from the factory. I took it for my father, who was a pilot in the previous war. I also have an uncle who was a pilot. He was shot down in enemy territory and taken to England as a prisoner of war. When the war was over, he met an English lady. They married and stayed in England. I used to spend my summer holidays as a boy at his home. When you’re young, you pick up languages fairly quickly.

Sachse shook his head as he rose from Klaus’s bedside. Is there anything else I should know?

Klaus smiled and shook his head.

Klaus’s parents and Erika were at his home when he arrived. He was anxious to see his mother, in particular, and his younger brother and sister, who were involved with the Hitler Youth. He sat opposite another soldier who had lost his left leg. For him, the war was over. He looked at Klaus and his left arm in a sling. I wish I could trade places with you, he said as one of the servers offered them tea and cheese sandwiches. The soldier was too young, thought Klaus, to live the rest of his life like this. He had a round, boyish face and dark eyes that smiled excitedly. His hair was cut short, and there was a touch of the devil in his smile, even though he had little to smile about.

How did you injure yourself? said Klaus.

We were on manoeuvres, and a tank ran over my right leg. I thought I would die from the pain. But I will miss the guys in my hut and our wonderful time together. We had a great group. Then, after a long silence, I think my mother is secretly happy. My father understands.

When his stop was announced, he tried to stand, but a sudden jerking of the train sent him sprawling on the floor. Klaus lifted him and helped him onto his seat. Klaus stopped a passing trainman and asked him to help his friend off the train. A few minutes later, Klaus could see the trainman talking to his mother, father, younger brother, and sister. As they turned to lead him to his father’s car, Klaus saw him turn and wave to him. A minute later, the train started moving. Two more stops, and he would be with his family again. He sat back, with his head against his seat and closed his eyes.

He woke with a start when the trainman tapped him on the shoulders. Your stop, Sergeant. Klaus rose, picked up his bag and headed down the car to the entrance where he would leave the train. The door opened, and he grabbed the railing to steady himself as he stepped down the three stairs and then on another step outside, guided by the trainman until he was clear. He searched among the crowd but couldn’t see his family. A fear that he had missed them gripped him until he spotted Herr Vogel, who worked in the train station.

Herr Vogel, Klaus shouted.

Vogel, now in his 60s, had a grey mustache and eyes to match, spotted Klaus in the crowd and became suddenly serious when he saw Klaus’s bandaged arm. Are you wounded?

No, a broken arm, thanks to a slippery hill during manoeuvres.

Herr Vogel slapped him on the back, and Klaus had to grit his teeth from the pain. Your parents are waiting for you at the station. Here, he said, looking at Klaus’s bag, let me help you with your bag,

His mother saw him first and put her arms around him. She looked at his arm but didn’t say anything. His father shook his hand and helped him into their old car. We must have a chat when you feel up to it, said his father, whose hair had turned grey in the short time Klaus went into training. His voice was softer now than he remembered, and the worry never left his face.

The following day, his father suggested they spend the morning in the forest close to their home. It’s the best way I know how to ground yourself, he said as they started. When they reached the edge of the forest, he paused and looked at Klaus’s face. Your Captain called me, and we had quite a chat about you. He told me what you went through and asked us to help you recover. He told me I would be very proud of you and that you were meant for bigger things.

An hour later, having walked a familiar trail, they paused at an old boulder Klaus remembered from his youth. Klaus sat against it to feel the warmth of the sun and smiled. When he opened his eyes, he knew there was something else his Captain had told his father.

He said you would be offered a great adventure on behalf of the Reich, something you were uniquely suited for.

Did he say what it was?

His father shook his head. I haven’t told your mother. If possible, let her know once you find out. Otherwise, she’ll only worry for nothing.

They were walking downtown, where they met by some of his father’s friends and a few young men he knew during his school days, who looked at his arm in a sling and patted him on the back.

The leaves were turning colour, and a cool wind from the North made him shiver. One of their neighbours, who had a car, stopped and offered them a ride back. His father nodded, and they climbed abroad. Haven’t seen you since you enlisted. The town’s the same, but all the young people have disappeared.

He dropped them off at their home and waved to Klaus’s mother as he drove away.

I made you your favourite dessert, she said, placing a large strudel on his plate. You won’t get that when you return to duty.

Chapter Two

Captain Sachse arrived in a black staff car that could seat five people comfortably. He opened the side door for Klaus and helped him inside. Are you ready for action?

As much as I’ll ever be. I didn’t expect to return in a fancy car like this.

You won’t be going back to camp. At least, not just yet. Sachse fell silent and breathed in the scent of the forest on both sides of the road that would take them to the main road.

I don’t understand, Captain, said Klaus when the silence got the better of him. He had recovered from his torture. His back had healed, leaving red welts, but other than that, he was as good as he ever was, even a little better. If I’m not returning to camp, where are we going?

To Berlin. And do not ask me where and why. The captain’s voice suddenly became authoritative. You will understand later.

It was nightfall by the time they reached the outskirts of Berlin, passing through three checkpoints along the way. Their driver stopped in front of a hotel in the middle of the city. Klaus looked at Sachse with an open mouth. It’s a hotel for army officers visiting Berlin. We will have business at an office near here in the morning.

An older man escorted them to their rooms. We will meet at 7.30 tomorrow morning, said Sachse, who disappeared into his room.

The older man had a bent in his back and walked slowly. He had been wounded in the previous war as a young soldier in the trench he and three others were manning. His hair was grey now, and he walked with a slight limp. His grey eyes looked tired, but he managed to smile as he showed Klaus around the room and bathroom.

Klaus had never been in a hotel before and sat on the edge of the bed. The window on the front opened to the street below, where he could hear the hum of passing cars. On the wall opposite his bed, a clock chimed the hour. There was a small sink in the bathroom and an unopened bottle of Cognac. After some effort, he managed to break the seal and poured himself a half glass. The aroma from the Cognac stayed in his nostrils after each swallow. He got ready for bed and turned on the radio. He covered his head with the blanket and drifted off to the sound of classical music.

He woke in the morning to hear the radio still playing classical music, this time Mozart. It was just past six, and he jumped out of bed. It didn’t take long to shave, shower and dress in a clean shirt and tie. Klaus glanced at himself in the mirror and smiled. He looked great and could feel in his bones that something big was going to happen to him.

At precisely 7.30, he rapped on the Captain’s door. It took a minute or two before Sachse opened his door. He had cut himself, and the right side of his face had seven or eight pieces of toilet paper on the cuts to stop the bleeding. When he finished getting dressed, he picked up the phone and ordered a big breakfast for them. Sachse glanced at Klaus and smiled. We have a big day ahead of us, and who knows when we’ll eat next.

When they finished breakfast, Sachse leaned towards him. I couldn’t tell you this before because it’s top secret, and I couldn’t take the chance of something happening to us, and someone learning about a mission we have in store for you.

The British, Canadians and the Americans have put together a spy training camp in Canada. We want you to infiltrate their camp by becoming one of their students and find out all their codes and the names of the agents they’re training. He paused to scan Klaus’s face and smile. I recommended you to the people at Abwehr while you were on leave. When I told them you endured torture at the hands of the Gestapo and did not give in to them, they were anxious to talk to you. He glanced at his watch. If we leave now, we can walk there in time for your meeting. I will be with you during your interview."

Klaus looked up. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, painted an intense blue he had never seen before. He felt it a good omen and picked up his pace. The streets were already crowded, with people heading for their offices or entering and leaving the restaurants they passed along the way. Sachse stopped at an imposing building, where they walked up the five steps to the entrance, where they were stopped by a guard just inside the door.

We’re here to see Captain Oldenburg. My name is Captain Manfred Sachse, and Sgt. Klaus Holzer.

The guard picked up the telephone and called Oldenburg’s office. It’s on the third floor, turn left at the top stair and look for Room 308.

You’d think they’d have an elevator of some kind, said Sachse as they climbed the cream-coloured marble steps. Klaus glanced at him and smiled.

A few minutes later, Sachse knocked and they entered. The sound of typewriters from ten typists was the first thing that greeted them, and seeing a young man dressed in a German naval uniform heading in their direction. Captain Sache, Captain Oldenburg, he said and held out his hand. And this is Sgt. Holzer, I presume. He led them to his office and ordered tea. Oldenburg, who had just celebrated his 36th birthday, was tall, handsome and had light blue eyes and pale-yellow hair. He liked to talk with his hands and was very proud of his 12-year-old son, who had joined the Hitler Youth.

They tell me even the Gestapo could not make you admit being a spy despite the torture you faced. I understand you have the welts to prove it. He smiled and added: Kindly remove your jacket and shirt. I want to see them myself.

Klaus looked at Sachse, who just nodded. Klaus stood and removed his tunic and shirt before turning around. Oldenburg felt the welts and nodded. You can dress, sergeant. He looked at Sachse and smiled. We have a proposition for you. You do not have to take it because your identity could be discovered anytime, but you’re ideal for what we have in mind. Then, after a long pause, we need someone who can infiltrate Camp X in Canada. They train spies against the Third Reich there. We have not been able to break their codes so far, but someone undergoing their training would be ideally suited to find the key for all of them.

I’m not sure what to say. I want to talk to Captain Sachse before making up my mind.

Oldenburg smiled. That’s a wise decision. In the meantime, let me introduce you to the lady who will be your link night and day when you send messages to us. You will be trained in using Morse Code and learning our codes. She will be there to send you messages from us and receive messages from you.

You’ll have my answer tomorrow.

In the meantime, we’d like you to meet the person on the other end of your transmitter. He pressed a button on his speaker and asked for Karn. Could you step inside for a minute or two?

There was a rap on his door before a young woman entered. Klaus, I’d like to introduce you to Karn Ritter. She would be your trainer in the use of your transmitter and be ready to receive your messages 24 hours a day.

Karn was in her early 20s, like himself. She had the darkest eyes he had ever seen that had a language of their own. Her dark brown hair was done up in braids. Her blue skirt was longer than most others, and her light blue blouse was fastened at the neck. Karn was taller than most women and carried an air of assurance in the way she talked. Off hours, she looked after her mother, who suffered a heart attack two years earlier.

I would like to work with you, she said and turned to look at him.

I will be here tomorrow, Klaus found himself saying. I must talk to my captain before making up my mind.

Some of the air left the room when she departed, and for the first time, he lost confidence in himself.

They can order you to do this, you understand. But that would not be wise if they hope to get someone prepared to go the extra kilometre, and that’s what you’ll be called upon to do at the end of the day. Understand that before you make your decision. In the meantime, what about a sightseeing tour of the city? I’d like to see the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and the Guard House if we have time. I think you’ll enjoy it, too.

After leaving Brandenburg Gate, they returned to the hotel for lunch.

If you have any questions about what you learned today, let me know if I can help.

I think you want me to take the assignment.

I do. You showed what you were made of when the Gestapo arrested you. And I know you admire Herr Hitler, as do I. Then, after a pause, Not just anyone can handle this assignment.

That is kind of you to say, captain, but I must also think of my family and how they would fare should I fail.

Call your father. Tell him you were offered an assignment, but it would be dangerous. But under no circumstances let him know what it’s about.

My parents do not have a telephone. You have been very kind to me, Captain Sachse. In their absence, what would you advise if you were my father?

Sachse cocked his head and thought for a minute. "I would tell you to go. Anyone able to handle the Gestapo the way you did