The Night of the Generals Page #10

I'm assuming, of course,

a dead body like this will attract

a certain amount of attention,

quite unjustifiably, in my view.

After all, who was she?

A whore.

At the end of her life,

she did serve a certain purpose.

We've spent two interesting

and enjoyable days together.

I don't want to blow

your handsome head to pieces.

Get away from here, Hartmann,

as far as possible.

Go to ground somewhere.

Here's money,

and you can take the car.

You're in civilian clothes.

And you have nearly

the whole night ahead of you.

Now go quickly. Leave Paris.

Survive.

Why?

Why?

Must you have an explanation?

It happened, that's all.

I've no doubt

there are many reasons,

but it was the war that...

Is your experience of death

really so limited?

Our age has witnessed millions

of deaths more terrible than hers.

They're natural phenomena

beyond our control.

Now, either you make

a run for it, or I kill you.

Are you mad enough to think

you'll get away with this?

I already have.

You're the one whose life

is in jeopardy.

Go!

Go!

Yes? Yes.

Who wants to speak to her?

Give me the telephone, Mother.

I'm sorry. If you won't give me

your name, you cannot speak

to my daughter.

You shouldn't have

done that, Mother.

Obviously one of your

nightclub acquaintances.

You should've let me

speak to him!

He'll call back in the morning

if he's a gentleman.

Which I doubt,

knowing your habits.

You've become a savage!

What else?

I'm your daughter.

So much the worse for me.

At least I'm alive again.

Oh, Kahlenberge.

Yes.

I shall be gone all day.

Gone where?

To the country. Barbizon.

I promised Eleanore.

A lovely place.

There's a splendid restaurant there.

You should try it sometime.

I won't be back until evening.

By which time, it will all be over.

One way or another, yes.

Don't look so glum.

Anyway, the, um...

The exercise has

already begun, hasn't it?

Yes.

About this time, our man should be

approaching the third checkpoint

at Rastenburg. He's carrying

a briefcase containing 4 pounds

of dynamite and an automatic

triggering device.

Around 1:
00,

Hitler will meet with the generals

and with our man.

The cement walls of the bunker

will intensify the explosion.

Nobody in that room will survive.

Ah, Von Stauffenberg.

You here for the 1:00 meeting?

Yes, sir. Just arrived from Berlin.

I was about to report, but...

Slight change in plan.

We're meeting in the hut, at 12:30.

Oh, good.

This way.

Berlin, you lucky devil.

This place is like a monastery

at Lent.

It's perfect hell.

Over there.

Here.

It was found in the bedroom.

"Hartmann, Kurt. Corporal."

I don't believe it. I mean,

it's too obvious, too convenient.

What else?

We have found fingerprints...

on a piece of brandy glass,

as well as on the doorknob.

We are checking on them.

Who was the woman?

Monique Demours,

professional prostitute.

Left a bar called Le Paradis

at about 11:
30

with a young German

in civilian clothes.

She's been dead

since midnight at least...

Company B.

Seventh Corps headquarters.

That's General Gabler's command.

I'll phone you later, inspector.

Colonel.

Yes?

Don't go there.

Not today, of all days.

Any day's a good day

to catch a murderer.

Even doomsday?

Particularly doomsday.

Our strategic withdrawal

from Saint-Lo has made it

possible, my Fuhrer,

for us to drive a wedge

into the enemy front right here,

in the vicinity of Mortain.

If we succeed...

It's all right, thank you.

We shall be in a position to break

through here, to Avranches,

and to cut off the American 3rd Army

from their 1st Army

and from the British.

Two of our panzer elite divisions,

The 12th SS Panzer Divisions,

and the 21st Panzer Division,

as well as the 346th

Infantry Division

are moving west

to reinforce our positions here.

As per your orders, my Fuhrer,

the 5th Parachute Division...

I'm expecting a telephone call

from Berlin, urgent. Be right back.

Now, according to dispatches

just received from the Eastern front

our troops had to retreat

from their positions.

The enemy is attacking

on the whole front here

between Lublin

and Brest-Litovsk.

Further south,

the Romanian 3rd Army

is facing 90 enemy

infantry divisions.

As soon as I know anything,

I'll call you.

Yes, of course I will.

What? It's...

12:
42.

It's a bit early.

Right.

General, last night,

there was another murder.

You and your damn murders.

Can't you understand there

are more important things

in the world than murdered whores?

Yes, of course, sir,

but one of your men,

Lance Corporal Hartmann,

is missing.

Do you know anything

about him?

Yes? Oh, yes, sir.

No, I've heard nothing, sir.

Of course. As soon

as I hear, I'll call you.

Thank you, sir.

I shall be brief, sir,

Lance Corporal Hartmann...

Is missing. Yes, I know.

He wasn't a wholehearted soldier.

I imagine he has deserted.

What time is it?

12:
42, sir.

12:
42.

Yes.

Yes.

Here, the enemy is driving

with strong forces west of...

Colonel von Stauffenberg is next.

He'll be back in a minute.

Nobody could live through that.

Back to Berlin.

Quick!

Rastenburg calling Berlin.

Rastenburg calling Berlin.

I haven't seen Hartmann

since I assigned him as driver

to General Tanz two days ago.

Was he with General Tanz last night?

Yes, of course he was.

And in fact, it was Tanz

who reported his desertion.

General Tanz.

- Kahlenberge!

- Valkyrie. Repeat, Valkyrie.

I have just received a message.

- Valkyrie.

- My God.

It is official, Hitler is dead.

There is a new government in Berlin.

We shall now proceed

according to plan.

You, colonel, will begin the disarming

of the Nibelungen Division.

Yes, sir.

There may be resistance.

We're ready.

The divisional barracks must

be sealed off by 1400 hours.

Yes, sir.

You, major, will now break

communication between

divisional headquarters

and the outside.

Yes, sir.

At precisely 1430 hours,

you will arrest General Tanz.

Here's a warrant for his arrest,

signed by the military governor.

The charge is treason.

Yes, general.

Proceed carefully, General Tanz is...

I know what he is, general.

Good luck.

Good luck.

Headquarters of the Nibelungen

Division at Cormet.

Yes, sir.

Make it fast.

Yes, sir.

Mueller, get Colonel Hinkel

on the radio.

Third and 4th Battalions

are to be moved to Cormet.

Rendezvous at 1345 hours.

Yes, sir.

Come with me.

Urgent message

to all members of the Wehrmacht.

The military governor of France has

confirmed the death of the Fuhrer

at Rastenburg.

Officers of the SS are now

being detained in the interest

of national security.

Halt!

Colonel Grau to see

General Tanz. Urgent.

Your papers, sir.

Thank you, colonel.

Heil Hitler.

Halt!

Your papers, please.

Here.

Thank you, sir. Go ahead.

We repeat

the message from the office of

the military governor of France.

Adolf Hitler is dead.

Members of his staff

are under arrest.

The new government at Berlin

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