The Abbeville Boys

Chapter 23: The Escape

      Kurt woke up the next morning, kissed Gretchen as she slept, and went back to his room. He got dressed and headed towards Dachau. On his drive he began to think about how he was going to present himself. He had on a Luftwaffe uniform with the rank of Oberst and credentials showing he was with JG 26, but he was in a private vehicle. He decided he would do as all German officers did, act arrogant. He was famous and officers at the camp probably knew him.

      Kurt arrived at the front gate and was granted access immediately. He went directly to the commandants’ office. As he entered, the commandant stood and gave the Nazi salute. Kurt returned the salute. The commandant asked, “How can I help you today?”

      Kurt said, “I need one of your prisoners, Joseph Benowitz. He’s an airplane mechanic and is needed for the war effort. I was sent to get him.”

      The commandant asked, “What’s your name Oberst?”

      Kurt showed him identification, “My name is Kurt Reichard, and I need things to move fast. There’s heavy bomber activity coming from England. I need to get back.”

      The commandant knew him. He looked at Kurt with big eyes. He asked, “Do you have orders for the release sir.”

      “No, I was told by my commanding officer that he talked with Himmler and everything would be alright. Himmler said if anything went wrong, he would have the commandant transferred to the eastern front. This is urgent.”

      Now the commandant was even more intimidated. He summoned an officer into the room. He told him to get Benowitz and bring him to the office at once.

      Kurt and the commandant discussed what was happening with the war. Kurt lied and told him things are great on the western front. They were defeating the Allies on all fronts. They needed experienced people like Benowitz, to maintain efficiency. 

      After about twenty minutes a guard returned with Benowitz. Kurt stood there looking at Joseph. It took a few seconds to recognize who he was. Kurt was completely shocked. Joseph was gaunt and beaten down. Kurt was so upset about the condition Joseph was in but needed to get out of there. He said, “Thank you commandant. As soon as I get back to JG 26, I will inform my commanding officer of the great job you did here. He will call Himmler telling him the same thing. Kurt grabbed Joseph and said, “Come on Jew. We’ve got work for you to do.”

     They went to Kurt’s car and both got in. Joseph got in and started crying. He leaned over to hug Kurt. He pushed him back. Kurt said, “Not yet. We don’t want them to see us. Hang on while we drive away from the camp.”

      Joseph said, “How did you find me?”

      Kurt stared ahead, “I wasn’t looking for you. I’m sorry. I thought you left the country. Then I heard recently a lot of Jews in our area were taken to Dachau. I decided to take a chance and drive to the camp. I talked to commandant and here we are.”

      “They just released me to you like that, without any paperwork?”

      “Yes, I’m a fighter pilot in the Luftwaffe. I’m an ace and an Oberst. I’m famous and everyone knows me. The commandant was quite impressed. The commandant kept asking me questions and I was getting nervous. When I threatened him with the Russian front, he sent one of his officers to get you. It bothered me because I was talking to the SS. You never know what those guys are going to do. What happened when the SS grabbed you?”

      Joseph related the story to Kurt. Joseph looked down and said, “We just waited too long. As soon as they started arresting Jews near us, we should’ve left, but we stayed to get the money. What are we going to do now?”

      Kurt told him about what happened to Gretchen, getting kidnapped and then explained the situation, “We’re going to my parents’ house. Gretchen is there and she’s safe. We’ll grab her and get you some food. You can then clean up and the three of us are going to Switzerland. It shouldn’t take long.”

      Joseph started crying again, “Thank you. I didn’t think I was going to make it. I can’t describe to you what went on in there. The death and torture are terrible.”

      “I started hearing about the concentration camps a year or so ago. I didn’t believe what they were telling me. I just couldn’t think my country would do anything like that.”

      “Aren’t you going back to your base?”

      “No, the war is over. We might last a few months, but this country has fallen apart on all levels apparently. I’m going to sit it out with Gretchen and wait for our next move. You can stay with us if you want, or you can go your own way.”

      Joseph leaned back in his seat and relaxed for the first time in a long time, “We’ll figure it out when we get there.” He then drifted off to sleep.

      The drive wasn’t long. As they arrived at the estate Joseph woke up. He felt good seeing Kurt’s house. They walked in and everyone was there. Kurt’s mother and father just stood there for a few seconds shocked by Joseph’s appearance. Finally, they ran over and embraced him. Everyone was hugging and laughing. Kurt said, “Mother, we’ve got to move quickly. Can you get the cook to fix a meal for everyone. Gretchen and I will get ready to leave.”

      Kurt’s mother ran off to the kitchen and told the cook to prepare food. While waiting on the food Joseph went and cleaned up. He put on Kurt’s clothes. They were a little large, but he made do. Joseph came back into the kitchen with his concentration camp clothes. He gave them to Kurt’s mother. She said, “I’ll throw them in the trash.”

      Kurt said, “No, someone might see them and figure out Joseph has been here. Burn them until they’re completely gone.” His mother nodded her head yes. Kurt turned to his father, “You and mother might want to consider leaving the country. I’m concerned about the Nazis finding out we were here.”

      His father said, “We’ll look into it. Right now, you three should get out of here.”

      The cook said, “Dinner is ready in the main dining room.”

      Everyone went to the table. There was a large meal, and they all started eating. There was some talking but not much. Joseph was downing his food fast and would go back again for more. They decided it was time to leave. Kurt had some money, but his father gave him a large amount to get started. Kurt, Gretchen and Joseph hugged the parents, and they left heading towards Switzerland. Kurt packed civilian clothes but still had his uniform on in case of German checkpoints.