Berlin, Abwehr Headquarters, Thursday, 19 October 1944
Hauptmann Walter Schellenburg strode through the corridors of the Bendlerblock with confidence. His efforts in dealing a fatal blow to the Kraft spy network had brought about his promotion, and he was now an experienced investigator in his own right. His summons to the office of the Chief of Abteilung III of the Abwehr held no terror for him, but rather filled him with anticipation.
"The game's afoot," he thought.
He entered the outer portion of office and advised the duty officer of his arrival. He was asked to wait a moment before being ushered into the inner sanctum of Oberst Ferdinand von Schlabrendorff, the recently appointed chief of the Abwehr's counter-espionage unit.
"Sit down Schellenburg," said von Schlabrendorff with little ceremony. "There is a matter that requires our immediate attention, and I am putting you in charge of it."
Schellenburg liked his chief's directness. "What sort of matter sir?"
Von Schlabrendorff handed him a slim file. "We suspect that Polish intelligence organs have developed or planted an agent or agents in one of our aircraft factories through whom they have gained access to very sensitive information on development of our latest aircraft. Your orders are simple - find the agent or agents, turn them if feasible, eliminate them if necessary. This matter will not go to the courts."
The younger officer read the file quickly. What little that was there suggested that Source Merlin had a finger in the pie somewhere. His eye lit upon the location of the factory - Sorau, in Lower Lusatia, and his mind made a mental connection.
"This has something to do with that aircraft hoax I read about in the newspapers?"
"Yes and no," von Schlabrendorff replied evasively. "It was no hoax; one of our experimental aircraft crashed during tests but we have been able to keep the details from the press. Unfortunately, the Poles managed to obtain a photograph of it before its first flight; we do not know what else they may have learned. It is your job to make certain that they do not learn more."
Berliner Morgenpost, Friday, 20 October 1944
The Office of the Chancellor has reported that Minister of Justice Gustav Heinemann will retire for reasons of health, effective 31 October 1944. No announcement has yet been made regarding selection of a successor.
Emder Zeitung, Saturday, 21 October 1944