The Abbeville Boys
Chapter 24: Life In Switzerland
The trio drove for several hours. They were about a half hour from the Swiss border and came upon a German checkpoint. Kurt pulled up as the guard approached. He saw the uniform and saluted. Kurt returned the salute. The guard said, “Papers sir.”
Kurt handed him his JG 26 identification. The guard saw the name, “Oberst Reichard it’s a privilege to meet you.”
Kurt just nodded in acknowledgement. The guard then said, “Are you headed to Switzerland?”
“Yes, I have military business there. I brought along my wife and servant. We’ll be there about a week.”
The guard stood there for a second and then motioned for the gate to be opened. The guard gave Kurt’s identification back and they drove on.
After about thirty minutes they came to the Swiss border. As the car pulled up to the gate the guards approached. The guard asked, “What’s your business?”
Kurt responded, “We want asylum in your country.”
The guard said, “Do you have papers?”
Kurt showed him his identification and Gretchen showed him some papers she had. Joseph had no papers. The guard looked at the name on Kurt’s JG 26 identification and even he knew the name Kurt Reichard. The guard then asked about Joseph. Kurt said, “He’s my servant, he has no papers, He’s with me.”
The guard ordered the gate open, and Kurt asked, “Which way to Zurich?”
He pointed to the road ahead and said, “Go straight up the hill. After a few minutes you’ll come to a fork in the road. Take the right fork and keep driving.”
Kurt thanked the guard and drove on. It took them a little over an hour to drive the one hundred and fourteen kilometers (seventy miles) to Zurich, all up hill. They entered the city, and it was like driving into a storybook. It was in stark contrast to the carnage he saw in Northern Europe. Gretchen and Joseph also looked on with their mouths open. The Limmat river flowed through the town, and it was beautiful. They pulled up to a hotel downtown. Gretchen sat there, “That looks really expensive. Are you sure we should stay here?”
Kurt said, “Yes, we’re going to enjoy a few days of relaxing until we have to look for jobs.”
Kurt got out of the car and went to the lobby. He got two rooms. He returned to the car and parked. He looked at Gretchen and Joseph, “Now, let’s just go relax.”
They walked to their rooms and Kurt said, “We’ll get cleaned up and rest for a couple of hours. Then meet up and go get dinner.”
Everyone agreed. Kurt and Gretchen went to their room, and he just wanted to get out the uniform and into civilian clothes. They cleaned up and laid on the bed naked. They snuggled and began making love. This is where Kurt wanted to be. He loved flying but he couldn’t stomach the way Germany was falling apart under Hitler. After a while both of them slept in bliss.
Several hours later they woke up and Kurt called Joseph’s room. He answered the phone and Kurt said, “You hungry? There’s a great restaurant less than a block away.”
Joseph answered, “Yes, I’m starving. I’ll come by your room in about ten minutes.”
Kurt acknowledged, hung up, and started getting dressed. Joseph came to the room, and they headed towards the Johanniter restaurant. It’s one of the most elegant restaurants in Zurich. Kurt, Gretchen, and Joseph felt at ease. Everything was finally good in their life. They entered the restaurant and had a table by the big front window. After ordering drinks the main course came. It was glazed veal along with melted cheese and potatoes, pickles, and onions. They ate, talked, and laughed for several hours.
Joseph finally said, “Do you think the Luftwaffe will consider you a traitor?”
Kurt contemplated the question, “Some people might consider me a coward or a traitor, but I can’t stand by and watch my country do things not just to innocent people but their own people. I killed many of the enemy as a loyal German. What they did to both of you is unthinkable. We’ll stay here until the war is over. After that we’ll see what happens when the allies take over. When things settle down maybe we can go back.”
Afterwards the trio walked along the Limmat river. After an hour of seeing the city Joseph decided he was intruding on Kurt and Gretchen. Joseph thanked him profusely for the dinner and the chance to get out of the camp. He walked back towards the hotel. Kurt and Gretchen began hugging and kissing on a bridge over the river. They cuddled while watching the flow of the river below. It was so comforting. They strolled back to the hotel and went to the bar to have a drink. Both were feeling pretty good from the wine at the restaurant but wanted one more. As Kurt and Gretchen talked the conversation turned to their parents. Kurt told her, “We’ll go upstairs to our room and call both of them. I’m not concerned about the Germans; I’m concerned about the allies, they're bombing everything.”
Gretchen agreed and they went to the room. Kurt was first. He told Gretchen, “Don’t say anything about where we are or what they’re planning. There may be people listening.” She understood.
Kurt got the operator and had her call his parents’ house. His mother answered the phone. Kurt started talking, “Mother, are you alright?”
She became excited, “Kurt! Where are you, are you safe?”
Kurt answered, “Yes, I’m safe. I can’t tell you where I’m at. I’m with Gretchen and Joseph. Everything is fine. Is father there?”
She handed the phone to Kurt’s father, “Hello son, are you alright?”
“Yes, everything is great. You need to keep track of what’s happening when the allies come in. I can’t talk about anything right now. I love you father. Tell mother I love her. I will call again later. Goodbye.”
It was now Gretchen’s turn. She called and her father answered, “Hello father. I’m calling to let you know everything is great.”
He was overjoyed, “Gretchen, I’m so glad to hear from you. Your mother and I have been worried. So, everything is going well? Where are you?”
“I can’t tell you, father. They may be listening. I just want to make sure you’re alright. I want you to keep up on what’s happening as the war winds down. I’ll call you again. Kurt and I are safe and sound. I love you father. Tell mother I love her. Goodbye.”