Jack Higgins – Sheba

When they were admitted to the Fiihrer’s enormous study they found Hitler seated at his desk. He looked up. ‘Something important, I trust.’

‘I think so, my Fiihrer,’ Canaris said. ‘This is my aide, Captain Ritter.’

Hitler took in the scarred face, the stick, the medals, rose, came round the table and took Ritter’s hand. ‘As a soldier I salute you.’

He went back to his chair and Ritter, overwhelmed, stammered, ‘What can I say, my Fiihrer?’

Canaris intervened. ‘The question of the Suez Canal. Captain Ritter has come up with an extraordinary plan. In fact, what is the most extraordinary thing about it is its simplicity.’ He laid the file on Hitler’s desk. ‘Operation Sheba.’

Hitler leaned back, arms folded in an inimitable gesture. Til read it later. Tell me, Captain Ritter.’

Ritter licked dry lips. ‘Well, my Fiihrer, it all started with a professor of archaeology at the University called Muller and an extraordinary find he made in Southern Arabia.’

‘Fascinating,’ Hitler said, his eyes glowing, for his passion for architecture was intense. ‘I’d give anything to see that temple.’ He sat back. ‘But go on, Captain. You use the site as a base, but how does that advance the cause?’

‘The essence of the plan is its absurd simplicity. A single plane, a bomber trying to attack the Canal is an absurdity. One can never be certain of accuracy.’

‘So?’ Hitler said.

‘There is a two-engined amphibian called the Catalina, an American plane that can drop wheels and land on the ground as well as water. It has an extraordinary cruising range. Better than sixteen hundred miles carrying a bomb load of one and a half thousand pounds.’

‘Impressive,’ Hitler said. ‘And how would such a plane be used?’

‘As I say, absurdly simple, my Fiihrer. The plane lands at our site in the desert and takes on not bombs, but mines. It flies to Egypt and lands on the Suez Canal itself. There the crew offload many mines, which will drift on the current. I would suggest somewhere near Kantra as a good spot. The crew will of course sink the Catalina, leaving on board a large quantity of our latest explosive, Helicon, which will do an enormous amount of damage to the Canal itself. I need hardly point out that the mines floating down will meet ships travelling north from Lake Timsah. I think we may count on several sinking and thus causing a further blockage.’

There was silence for a while as Hitler sat there staring into space and then he smacked a fist into his palm. ‘Brilliant and as you say, absurdly simple.’ He frowned. ‘But this plane, this Catalina. Can you get hold of one?’

‘There is one available for sale in Lisbon, my Fiihrer. I thought we could buy it and start our own airline in Bahrein, a Spanish company, naturally. I’m sure there would be plenty of coastal trade.’

Hitler got up, came round the desk and clapped him on the shoulders. ‘Quite. I like this man, Herr Admiral. Put his plan into force at once. You have my full authorization.’

‘My Fiihrer.’ Canaris led the way to the door, turned and forced himself to give the Nazi salute. ‘Let’s get out of here,’ he whispered to Ritter, turned and opened the door.

As they went along the Marble Gallery Canaris said, ‘You certainly covered yourself with glory there. Naturally I’ll authorize the necessary funding for the Catalina but it occurs to me that there might be a problem regarding a suitable crew. Of course, there is no reason why Germans should not be flying for a Spanish airline.’

‘But much better if they were Spanish,’ Ritter said.

‘And where would you procure them?’

‘The ranks of the SS, Herr Admiral, they have many Spanish volunteers.’

‘Of course,’ Canaris said. ‘It would be perfect.’

‘I have already tracked down a suitable pilot, a man with much combat experience in the Spanish Civil War. He is at present employed as a courier pilot by the SS. I’m seeing him later this morning at Gatow airfield.’

‘Good. I’ll come with you and see for myself,’ Canaris said, and led the way down the marble stairs.

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