As he swung in front of the building’s entrance his nerves were at fever pitch. For days, rumours and counter-rumours had waged. The Russians were making such a spectacular advance across East Prussia that the possibility they would be the first to reach Berlin was very real. And his blood ran cold at the thought of Russian troops seeking retribution for all they had suffered at the hands of the Nazis. Berlin was now a city of women. Rape. There would be unrestrained rape. For that reason alone, let alone for political reasons, it was essential that the great British and American drive across northern France to the Rhine continued eastwards—that it continued eastwards until it reached Berlin.

He parked the jeep and hurried inside the building where he was met by an escorting officer.

The officer saluted smartly. ‘This way, Major Remer,’ he said, leading the way up a flight of stairs. ‘I’m afraid you’ll have to have your credentials checked before you enter the meeting room. It’s obligatory for everyone—even the regimental commanders.’

They were met at the door of the meeting room by a military policeman and then, once inside the room, Max was warmly greeted by Colonel Joseph Dawson, a man he knew well.

There were only another dozen people present, all of them regimental commanders.

A general he had a lot respect for opened the proceedings. Standing by the side of a huge, curtained map, he said, ‘Only those with an absolute need to know have been asked to this briefing. I don’t need to emphasize that, until further orders, nothing you hear today is to go beyond this room. At long last, gentlemen, our goal is in sight.’

He drew back the curtain.

The map was of Berlin.

Max’s nerve ends tingled.

‘Our assault,’ the general continued, ‘will be part of a First Allied Airborne Army operation, calling for units from two other divisions: 82 Airborne Division, whose objective will be Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport; 101 Airborne Division, whose objective will be Gatow Airfield, west of the city. Our objective will be Oranienburg Airfield, to the north-west of the city. Two regiments will hold the perimeters and the third will move towards the centre of Berlin. We’ll hang on to this area until the ground forces get to us. That shouldn’t be long—a few days at the most.’

Max let out a deep, heartfelt breath of relief. British and American intent was to be in the city well ahead of the Russians, which meant he would be in the city almost ahead of everybody.

As if reading his thoughts, Colonel Dawson took the podium and said, ‘We are also extremely fortunate to have had assigned to us Major Remer, who is Berlin-born and who knows the city intimately. His expertise is going to be invaluable to us. As to when we go—that depends on the continued speed of the advance on the city by our ground forces. Certainly, a drop won’t be scheduled until the ground forces are within a reasonable distance of the city. And now, gentlemen—‘ he unrolled a transparent overlay from the top of the map, marked in heavy black ink with various objectives and drop zones—‘to the fine details of each phase of the operation.’