“General? “von Heurten-Mitnitz asked.
“The general theorizes,” von Ribbentrop said, “and he may well be right, that Dr. Goebbels believes that the Fuhrer is at his best when he is angry.
Consequently, the good doctor tries to schedule at least three events a week that are sure to anger our Fuhrer.”
“And that report of yours would be one of them,” Kaltenbrunner said.
“As far as I’m concerned, the less said to the Fuhrer about either Africa or the French, the better.” Two good-looking, blond young SS troopers came into the room. One pushed an exquisite wheeled serving cart. He placed it beside Kaltenbrunner, so that the second could ladle mushroom soup from a silver tureen into Kaltenbrunner’s plate.
Then the cart was moved to von Heurten-Mitnitz, and he was served, and finally to von Ribbentrop.
Afterward, one of the waiters poured wine, a 37 Bernkastler.
“So far as my report is concerned, General,” von Heurten-Mitnitz said, “”Mine’ as the British said as they rode into the valley at Balaklava.
” Kaltenbrunner chuckled, and von Ribbentrop looked puzzled.
” Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die, “‘ Kaltenbrunner furnished.
“How droll, “von Ribbentrop said, moving on to cover his failure to catch the wit. “Helmut, we’re going to have, I fear, some trouble with our Hungarian friends. It has been suggested that you be sent down there to see what you can do about it. The general and I would like to hear how you feel about that.”
“That would depend, Herr Reichsminister,” von Heurten-Mitnitz said.
“Depend?” Kaltenbrunner interrupted.
“On the nature of the trouble and whether or not I could do some good.
Or do you just want me out of the way so my report on the French won’t reach the Fuhrer?” Kaltenbrunner snorted. Joachim von Ribbentrop looked at him to see whether he was amused or angry. When he saw him smiling, Ribbentrop laughed.
“The nature of the trouble is spelled Horthy,” Kaltenbrunner said, referring to the regent of Hungary.
Helmut von Heurten-Mitnitz raised his eyebrows.
“I would spell it Hungarian,” von Ribbentrop said, arather than single the admiral out. The Hungarians are having second thoughts about their alliance with us.”
“If the question is out of line, please forgive me,” von Heurten-Mitnitz said. “But is there anything concrete?”
“Yes, there is,” Kaltenbrunner said. He stopped and looked at von Ribbentrop. “Is there any reason I shouldn’t discuss Voronezhl?
Joachim von Ribbentrop shook his head.
“For hundreds of years, von Heurten-Mitnitz, the Hungarians have been lln January 1943, a 200, 00Small Hungarian force had been routed by the Russians at Voronezh. There had been relatively few casualties, and a successful withdrawal had been made, but the Hungarians had lost essentially all of the tanks, artillery, and other weapons. splendid fighters. Under the Austro-Hungarian empire, of course.
One would presume that equipped with the very latest German equipment, they would be able to at least hold their own against the Russians.” He then delivered, dispassionately, a rather detailed report of Hungarian reluctance to engage the Russians at Voronezh, down to the numbers of tanks and cannon lost to the enemy.
“And I am unable to believe,” Kaltenbrunner concluded, “and Ribbentrop agrees with me, that their senior officers would have acted as they did, except on orders from Horthy. Or someone very close to Horthy.
With his blessing, so to speak.” Helmut von Heurten-Mitnitz said what was expected of him, “Then the officers should be shot, and the men forced back into the line.”
“The Fuhrer believes that would be unwise,” von Ribbentrop said.
“He believes that when the Hungarians come to understand that the alternative to an alliance with Germany is not neutrality and peace but enslavement by the Bolsheviks, they will fight in keeping with their warriors’ tradition.”
“Perhaps he’s right,” von Heurten-Mitnitz said.
“And perhaps he isn’t,” Kaltenbrunner said. Helmut von Heurten-Mitnitz was surprised at Kaltenbrunner’s bluntness. Only a few men would dare to suggest that Adolf Hitler erred. “That’s where you would come in, von Heurten-Mitnitz ”
“I don’t quite understand,” von Heurten-Mitnitz said.
“Reichsmarschall Goring, Dr. Goebbels, and some others are going to Budapest to reason with Admiral Horthy, “von Ribbentrop said. “And there is no doubt that they will return with a renewed pledge of allegiance from Horthy. And a new ambassador will be appointed.