The price of a mile (Second story in the world war series)

Chapter 14- Homeward bound

Taking a step into Heinrich's office Karl closes the door carefully behind him then facing forward towards the Colonel General, Karl straightens up and clicking his heels together he salutes.

Looking up from his paperwork Heinrich commanding voices comes out short "At ease." he says as Karl relaxes a little. Standing with his hands behind his back and his feet spread apart slightly Karl stands to attention quietly then he inhales speaking.

"Morgen herr, Major Kriesser reporting." Karl says awaiting for the OberstGeneral to speak, and there he continues to stand at eased as he waits. Looking up at Karl and then back down at his desk where Karl's military career and the promotional document is from one of the higher ranking Field Marshals that sits on his desk.

He then looks back up saying "We're dangerously low on our lower General staff ranks, due to the drawn out battle of Tunisia.. As well as the German forces surrendering at Cape Bon, our main Colonels there where either K.I.A or they're now POWs." The General says in a angered voice from the news of the German forces dishonorably surrendering without fighting at Cape Bon.

"You're being promoted to Colonel, Major. So in other words, you're being rank-jumped because of the permission I was given to fill up the lower ranks by the Reichsmarshal. Since you're a experienced officer, and with most of our other forces are fighting in Russia. As well as the fact you're being transferred to the Sicily defenses, you're being promoted as well as your new commanding officer will be GeneralLeutnant Eberhard Rodt." Heinrich says drawing a big breath in the end.

After a moment he raises his cup to his lips drinking the contents of water within it, taking the time to let the information for Karl sink in so far. Then after a minute he continues briefing Karl of what is to happen.

"Generalleutnant Rodt, is in Sicily he's in charge of the 22nd Panzer Division that Rommel sent his way, and the 15th Panzer Grenadiers division. Obviously you'll be in charge of one of the Regiments from the 15th at the beaches of Italy, there the Italian army will fight along side of us to hold the beaches. Understood Colonel?" Heinrich asks looking at him with a uninterested glance.

"Ja herr, I do" Karl replies holding his surprise back saluting then Heinrich reaches down into one of the desk cabinets and he pulls a box out then retrieves golden aiguillettes. Then holding both of them out in one hand Karl carefully takes it and gently sets it down then Heinrich asks for his Major insignias and the silver aiguillettes he currently has on.

Complying with the order he removes them and he then exchanges them for the Colonel insignia and the golden aiguillettes doing the process of clasping the insignias on.

Then getting the aiguillettes on as well. Once done Karl salutes with a happy grin to his face and returning the salute Heinrich then grabs a official looking folder that reads 'classified' in big red letters on the outside of it. Then he hands it to Karl.

"Within the folder are the plans for the beach defenses of your sector, that you're going to defend along side one of the Italian Generals. Read it carefully and get down to Sicily when your leave ends as quick as possible. Dismissed." Heinrich says returning the salute then sitting back down.

With a nod Karl tucks the folder underneath his arm and against his upper body like he's carrying a helmet, the side with the word 'classified' on it is pressed to his chest to conceal it and keep prying eyes from him. Soon he heads back out into the courtyard seeing a jeep has pulled up for his ride that'll take him 3 blocks down to the train station.

Walking up Karl stands near and seeing the nod from the younger officer, Karl heads over to the passenger side and he opens the door. Getting into the jeep where he asks. "Zu dem Zug statione, bitte."