“It would seem to me, gentlemen, with all respect,” Himmler said, “that we have only a few facts before us. Making decisions with so few facts is counterproductive. Thus we need to talk to someone who, as von Lutzenberger said, is ‘personally familiar’ with the incident.”
Canaris grunted his agreement, then asked: “Which of them? All of them?”
Himmler did not respond to the question directly. “The first thing we have to do is learn what we’re facing.”
“I agree,” Canaris said.
“And the way to do that,” Himmler went on, “is to send people to Buenos Aires to find out, and bring some of the people on von Lutzenberger’s list here, to get their stories. Once we have decided what the situation is, we can decide how to deal with it.”
“Go on,” Bormann said.
“What I suggest—what I intend to do immediately, unless there is serious objection—is to send my adjutant, Oberführer von Deitzberg, and his deputy, Standartenführer Raschner, to Buenos Aires. As you know, von Deitzberg is conversant with all the details of this program. Between the two of them they can determine how this disaster came about.”
“You mean, conduct the investigation entirely in Argentina?” Canaris asked.
“Oh, no. The same plane that takes my men to Argentina will bring to Berlin some of the people on von Lutzenberger’s list.”
“Who, specifically?” Bormann asked.
“If I send von Deitzberg, that would permit me to bring von Tresmarck to Berlin,” Himmler said.
“I would like to personally hear what von Tresmarck has to say,” Canaris said.
“With that in mind,” von Ribbentrop said. “What if I send von Löwzer? And bring back Gradny-Sawz?”
“Who is Löwzer?” Dönitz asked.
“Deputy Minister Georg Friedrich von Löwzer,” von Ribbentrop said. “He is also privy to Phoenix. I don’t want to leave him over there for long, however. I need him here.”
“Our priority is the success of Operation Phoenix,” Bormann said, somewhat unpleasantly. “Whether or not that is convenient for anyone.”
“I was speaking of von Löwzer’s value to Phoenix,” von Ribbentrop said. “And once we have a talk with Gradny-Sawz, I think we’ll probably be able to send him back to Buenos Aires. Then I can bring von Löwzer back here.”
“Why not bring von Wachtstein to Berlin as well?” Dönitz asked. “If I read that cable correctly, he was physically present on the beach.”
“I thought about that, “ Himmler responded. “We don’t know how much—or how little—he knows about Phoenix. But yes, I think it would be a good idea to have von Wachtstein come here.”
“I agree,” Dönitz said.
r /> “If von Wachtstein was on the beach when the two men were killed, he has to know something about what was going on,” Canaris said.
“And once we have a chance to talk to him,” Himmler said, “we can decide whether to tell him more or eliminate him.”
“You have some reason to suspect him of complicity?” Canaris asked.
“No,” Himmler said. “That’s my point, Admiral. We need information. And I have suggested a way to get it.”
“I agree with the Reichsführer,” Canaris said. “But I have a suggestion of my own. We need an immediate replacement for Oberst Grüner. In both his military and Sicherheitsdienst roles.” The Sicherheitsdienst, SD, were the secret police within the SS.
“That’s true,” Himmler said. “Who do you have in mind?”
“One of my officers, Korvettenkapitän Boltitz—”
“Karl Boltitz?” Dönitz interrupted.
Canaris nodded.
“I know his father very well. And the son’s a bright young man,” Dönitz added.