The Knight, Death and The Devil

The cool breeze brushes up against the skin of my cleanly shaven face. It is a beautiful morning, and if you know how to hate just one person I can teach you how to hate the millions.

I ride my pale horse through the valley, sharpened sword at my side. My faithful hound Marcus keeps pace, ever ready for the next slaughter, as am I. We are both proud soldiers of the Fatherland. Stolza Deutsche Soldaten. I wear the goat horns and I bring the flame. I bring death by the bullet or the blade or the rope. I am all of these things. I wear the SS lightning bolts on my crisp black lapels and I wear the death's head officer’s cap. I have dined with Goebbels, Goring and Heydrich. Mein Fuhrer knows my name.

************

I am the Knight.

I stand to protect the German people and I am prepared to sacrifice my life if that is what is required of me. The enemies of the state - within or without - must be defeated. This is my purpose. My mission. My life.

Today I visited the camp at Kraków-Płaszów in Poland and met with the Commandant. There were concerns about the march of the Red Army coming in that direction and it was necessary to discuss protective measures and evacuation plans.

I had heard stories about Amon Goth. It can be difficult to know what to believe from what you hear, but he lived up to his reputation when he lit a cigarette and then pulled his Luger and casually shot three of the camp prisoners, all women, for seemingly no reason at all. Then he ordered his deputy to release his two Rottweilers on the horrified witnesses. He is a strong and dedicated soldier of the SS. We need more like him.

I am the Knight.

************

I am Death.

Mine is the last face you will ever see.

When I bring my men into your village, death will follow. We will hang you from the lamposts and hang signs around your necks written in Deutsche citing the reasons why you needed to die. We will hang your siblings and parents and friends right next to you in the same fashion. Then we will put everything else to the torch and move on to the next village.

You do not ever want to see my shadow fall upon you.

I am Death.

************

I am the Devil.

Torture and incineration. Pain and suffering. I will make you scream, and then I will make you scream over and over again. No end to it all. Never. I have no pity. No compassion. It simply isn't within me.

I have much work to do. Ich habe Arbeit zu erledigen. I bring the flame and I bring the sword, but there are many more who I must bring these gifts to as the Nazi flag flies proudly behind me. I assure you that one day my work will be done. No matter how long it takes, one day my work will be done. A thousand year Reich.

I am the Devil.

************

In the village just outside of Auschwitz we heard the first sounds of approaching troops. We took up defensive positions but when we saw the size of the coming army we fell back in retreat, all the way to Berlin in the end.

When dawn rose the next day, the first of the Red Army soldiers walked cautiously out of the early morning mist and through the main gates of the camp in a wide-eyed procession of sympathy and sorrow and abject horror. It was only then that they realized what a tragic spectacle the prisoners had become, as the pitiful nature of their existence was reflected in the eyes of those battle-hardened Russian soldiers walking slowly through their midst, instantly stripped away of any notions that they had already seen the worst of what war had to offer or just how cruel man can be to man.

I was there in handcuffs in Berlin when the Red Army soldiers took down the Nazi flag over the Reichstag. I could see the numerous wristwatches worn by the Russian soldiers, stripped from the bodies of dead German soldiers during their march through the city. I was disgusted. I didn’t care if I died, I just wanted to take at least one of them with me. I still had my knife.

************

In Nuremberg I was held accountable. I assumed the Russians would just execute me right there on the street in Berlin, but they ultimately handed over many of the senior SS officers to the court. I was one. They presented my medals and my immaculate jet black Tottenkompf cap at trial. That was all of the evidence that was needed.

“Tomas Ehrlich, this panel finds you guilty of conspiracy to commit crimes, crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Do you have any final words to say before you are sentenced?”

“Ich bin eine stolze Deutscher! Mach was du willst!” (I am a proud German. Do what you will.)

************

The next day they didn’t bring me anything to eat. I understand. It would have been pointless.

When they led me out to the gallows the sun was shining. It was a beautiful morning and I could feel the light breeze on my unshaven face. There were many people gathered there to observe and cheer for my death. I did not care. They are all just animals.

I was surprised though when the executioner, after securing the noose tightly around my neck, leaned in close and wished me a quick trip to heaven. I did not expect that.

When he pulled the handle and the trap door dropped out from beneath my feet I heard my neck snap, and then I heard nothing more.

I am The Knight.

I am Death.

I am The Devil.

THE END

Authors Note: This story is based on the 1513 engraving "Knight, Death and The Devil" by German artist Albrecht Dürer. You can see a copy and learn more about it here if you are interested: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knight,_Death_and_the_Devil

“Nazi Punks, Fuck Off!” - The Dead Kennedys