The phone rang on General von Choltitz’s desk, and he picked it up. “Yes?”
“This is General Jodl,” said the voice on the other end. “Is Paris burning?”
“As a matter of fact it is,” Choltitz replied. “But there are only small fires in certain specific areas.”
“You mean the entire city of Paris is not aflame!”
“Not yet.”
There was a pause. “The Fuhrer won’t be happy to hear that.”
“I think it would be premature to torch the city. We’re not under serious attack yet.”
“I have received information from Model’s headquarters that the Allies are moving steadily toward Paris.”
“They’re not here yet,” Choltitz replied, “and I don’t think I should destroy the city until I have no other alternative.”
“Have you blown up the bridges over the Seine yet?”
“No sir.”
“One wonders what you are waiting for?”
“We might need those bridges ourselves to ship troops to the front,” Choltitz explained.
“You’re not getting any more troops to send to the front.”
“I still don’t think the bridges should be destroyed until it’s necessary. You’re not here and I’m afraid you don’t understand what the situation is.”
“That may be so,” Jodl agreed. “The best analysis of a situation always comes from the person closest to it. But let me advise you that Karl is on the way, and its crew is under separate orders from the Fuhrer. It will begin to destroy Paris as soon as it arrives, unless the orders are countermanded personally by the Fuhrer himself.”
Choltitz gulped. “Where is Karl now?”
“My latest information is that it has crossed the border into East Prussia. It may arrive in Paris the day after tomorrow.”
“Good grief!” Choltitz said.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing—I just wouldn’t like to see Paris destroyed if it weren’t necessary.”
“You worry about Paris too much, General von Choltitz. The soft life is getting to you, I can see that. Well, I must deliver your report in person to the Fuhrer. That will be all. Good day and Heil Hitler!”
“Heil, Hitler,” Choltitz said without enthusiasm, hanging up the phone.