“Are ye alright?” McLean asked, his pitchfork pointed menacingly at Hess.

“I need to reach the Duke of Hamilton. Can you assist me?” Hess replied in his best English.

“Ye look in no shape to meet anyone, lad,” McLean retorted, his thick Scottish accent braying into the quiet night. Seeing the German’s injured state, he took pity on him and helped him to his feet. The pair made their way to the farmer’s humble cottage where his wife served Hess a comforting cup of tea by the fireside and tended to his injured ankle.

As word of the crash spread, curious neighbors gathered at McLean’s doorstep, peppering him with questions about the mysterious pilot.

“Who is he?”

“Says his name is Captain Alfred Horn,” McLean said, repeating the clandestine name Hess had given him.

“What does he want?”

“He’s pigheaded. Wants to meet the Duke of Hamilton.”

“Why?”

“Won’t say.”

When the Home Guard arrived to apprehend Hess, the farmers were reluctant to hand him over, believing his plea for peace to be sincere.

However, the unexpected turn of events forced a change in plans. The covert attempt at an exchange between England and Nazi Germany was exposed, forcing the British government to deny the accusations of double-dealing with the enemy. Hess’s mission to meet Churchill was thwarted, and he was imprisoned in the Tower of London for the remainder of World War II.

Chapter 59

30 July 1941

Secure Phone Call

Pope Pius XII: Burn all the evidence!

Adolf Hitler: We are working on that as we speak, Your Holiness.

Pope Pius XII: What’s taking so long?

Adolf Hitler: My commanders are trying out methods of elimination.

Pope Pius XII: Adolf, if there are any survivors, they will retain legal right to their artwork, property, possessions, and money—including the gold meant for the Vatican!

Adolf Hitler: You are instructing me to eliminate millions of Jews?

Pope Pius XII: I am instructing you to protect all the artwork and gold you have confiscated. Do you want your Führermuseum or not?

Adolf Hitler: It’s all I’ve been dreaming of since you first put the idea in my head.

Pope Pius XII: Burn all the evidence.

Adolf Hitler: I will, Your Holiness.

Chapter 60

10 November 1941

The Art of War

Laying Plans

#15 If a general heeds my strategy he is certain to win. Retain him.

When one refuses to listen to my strategy,

he is certain to be defeated. Dismiss him.

These imbeciles are testing my patience. Their fluctuating allegiance to our cause is exhausting. I have instructed Hitler to devise an efficient method of annihilating his enemies. The Nazis are without a vision.

Without a vision, the people will perish.

I have furnished Hitler with a detailed plan for the Final Solution, the methodical extermination of the Jews. The meeting to set this Final Solution into motion is scheduled for the forthcoming month—with the initiation of the plan set for January. Nothing shall obstruct the Council’s mission.

Chapter 61

At 7 a.m. local time, Japanese Zeros attacked Pearl Harbor killing over 2,000 service members.

The following American ships were lost during the attack:

● USS Arizona

● USS Oklahoma

● USS Nevada

● USS California

● USS West Virginia

● USS Cassin

● USS Downes

● USS Oglala

Chapter 62

8 December 1941