 |
 |
At the town of Rechnitz, they split up. The VW van took the south-easterly minor road and the Audi headed straight for the east, both would eventually meet up on the single track road that ran through the small section of woods on the Austrian border that couldn’t be seen from either of the elevated Hungarian guard posts. As they approached the spot in a co-ordinated move, the passengers all slid down off their seats so they wouldn’t be seen.
The VW pulled up and the electricians quickly carried their equipment into the wood followed by Matthias and their man designated to watch the northern section of road to the next border village. The Audi, travelling in the opposing direction met them head-on. Out spilled Gallagher and Deacon who followed the others through the trees. The Audi immediately reversed back out and pulled into the dirt space on the bend of the road, allowing the VW to pass it to continue to its laying up position in a car park on the edge of Rechnitz. The Audi then drove straight through the woods emerging into the view of the guard towers only seconds later. The driver and his dog would return much later to the full view of the southernmost tower to play out the planned distraction. The first part of the operation had passed successfully. All that the Hungarian guards saw were the manoeuvrings of two vehicles coincidentally head to head on a road with only one passing place.
Reaching the far end of the woods, they settled down and made themselves as comfortable as they could. Matthias took Gally and the binos to the inside edge of the trees where they had a commanding view of the wire, the road, the solitary large conifer and the watchtower. They went over the plan again, discussing fine detail; when they would move out, positions, actions on Radler not appearing and actions on being compromised.