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“Hey everybody my name is Maurice, the white rabbit you have never heard of, but I am the most famous rabbit you will ever meet. Well maybe not I per say but you do know my many children. My children have been in the most famous stories of all time, Peter the Rabbit, Alice in Wonderland . . . but what about those rabbits whose stories didn’t turn out happy? The ones that have seen things, know things. The rabbits that became too scared to return to the surface. These are the stories that I will be telling, so let’s take a journey to the bottom of the rabbit hole. Tell the stories that were never able to be told. These are the Nightmares of the White Rabbit.”
The year was 1941 and the “desert fox” or General Erwin Rommel was leading the 19th Panzer division and the rest of the German military through the Northern African desert. Their enemies scattered before them as they continued their march deeper into Africa. The tent blew slightly in the hot breeze as General Rommel sat at a wooden chair in front of a shaky desk. The man’s skin had become worn and cracked due to the desert sand and heat. The pen in his hand seemed to slip between his fingers as the sweat clung to him. His grey German uniform was not made for the desert heat and humidity. Finishing his last words in his personal black journal, I’m still waiting on the discovery of the Jewel of the Nile. The Fuhrer can’t have all the riches. Rommel closed the book with a huff as he prepared his mind for the tedious contemplation of their next direction. Thousands of soldiers slept out in the camp waiting on his decision to conqueror more land for the greater Germania.
“General Rommel, General Rommel,” outside the tent came a familiar voice. A voice that he had actually been waiting for several days to hear from, “Aye Master Sergeant Kubrick please enter,” tucking his black book he rose in his seat just as the young soldier made his way through the green opening. He was a brass and young soldier that had quickly risen up through the ranks to become Master Sergeant of the 21st Panzer division which served under his very command. His arrogance would one day cost Germany a great soldier. Rommel had seen many soldiers like him come and go. The young quickly running off to play war realizing the terrible cost that it forces you to pay. “Heil Hitler” Rommel saluted repeating, “Heil Hitler.”
Removing his field hat, Kubrick ran his hand through his blond hair. He was only a spitting image of the perfect soldier. Trying to dispense with the pleasantries, Rommel felt his anger boiling much quicker than he expected. “Kubrick, I want answers immediately . . . explain your actions. I want to know why I shouldn’t turn you into the High Command for treason and desertion!” Kubrick’s eyes had a coldness that had overtaken the once young eyes of a juvenile adolescent bound for pretty girls in a university. “Please forgive my absence general the men are not at fault they were following my orders.” “I send you on a scouting mission and you desert on the motherland . . . I should have you shot!” Shaking his head, “no general like I said you must forgive me. We ran into some resistance down the road from some fighters. They overtook our car and knocked out the supporting jeep. We couldn’t radio in, but we did beat them back. Anyways sir, we found a fighter alive and he told us of a small tribal kingdom filled with the riches of a thousand kings. He said it was only a day’s walk, we’ll me and the soldiers marched to try and find this camp”. He rubbed his neck and Rommel couldn’t hide a personal excitement which he immediately tried to shoot down. “Did you find this camp? You must have if you decided to show back up here.” He wagged his finger, “you took a big risk taking that heathen’s word. So . . . tell me about it”.
Motioning towards a pile of maps piled onto the foot of his cot, “may I general?” Rommel nodded “Please do”! Kubrick began to fumble through the maps and pulled out a large one on the northern portion of Africa. He traced his finger, “the force is nothing compared to what we have come across, an easy box in pattern could eliminate them . . .” “MASTER SERGEANT Kubrick! I MAKE the plans of attack . . . I was appointed by the Fuhrer himself. I don’t need tactics from a man a mere signature away from the noose”! Kubrick gulped slightly, “yes quite, anyway they had a few soldiers, estimation over a hundred lightly armed. In the time that we observed, I believe that the treasure is in the king’s hut because it is heavily fortified but nothing a couple tanks can’t eliminate.” Rommel leaned over the map as he saw Kubrick point to where the camp was. “Are you sure about this,” Kubrick nodded, “I can lead you right to it”.
Leaning up from the map, “I can’t send out the entire division I would have to send it in to High Command . . . no, I think we should take a small force maybe a regiment”. “Two tanks would suffice . . .” Rommel stopped talking, “you could say it was to quell an uprising general”. Rommel narrowed his eyes, “sorry sir, whatever you want to do.” “Make no mistake Kubrick whatever I do you better hope that your information pays off.” Straightening himself up Kubrick pressed his uniform down, “I assure you sir, it is there and I can lead you to it. I request permission to assemble a regiment.” Nodding his head, “assemble a regiment we leave at nightfall.” Smiling Kubrick gave an arrogant, “very good sir.” Kubrick turned to leave but Rommel raised his hand and gave a quick, “just a minute Kubrick. I need you to document your attack on the recon. We need to know what happened to our German brothers. We want their families to know that their deaths were avenged”. “Very good sir . . . Heil Hitler,” giving a lazy salute Rommel gave a quick, “Heil Hitler” and he watched Kubrick exit his tent.
It didn’t take long for the regiment to leave camp as we marched into the desert. It took several hours but Master Sergeant Kubrick’s words were spoken true. Quieting the tanks was tricky but necessary before we made our way over a mountainous hill of sand. Crouching up the hill several members of the regiment including Kubrick and I overlooked the camp sitting by a large desert oasis. The camp was filled with several huts and appeared more like a refugee camp. Families in front of grass houses as children played with a soccer balls in the middle of the camp.
“There is the hut I was telling you about.” Kubrick pointed to a lone hut in the middle of the camp, the most likely place to hide the treasures that Africa tried to keep hidden. Sand bags encircled the large hut three times providing much cover and protection against an advancing force. “We’d have to hit him hard and fast . . . not able to let them dig in.” “Kubrick, if I hear you make another suggestion, I will have you transported to the front lines in the Soviet Union . . .” “Yes general,” Rommel examined harder watching the few soldiers marching around the camp. Kubrick had been right they were lightly armed but the heaviest weaponry lay with the hut in the middle. Not wanting to give Kubrick the satisfaction, “I have seen enough let us withdraw.” Rommel cursed to himself on the way back, Kubrick had been right a simple “box in” tactic would be the most logical choice in this situation.
They advanced at all four sides and as Master Sergeant Kubrick had suggested the “box in” tactic worked like a charm. Although the limited number of troops made the attack take longer than expected. The resistance fighters scattered as women and children ran into the huts in fear. Many of the huts blew from the inside as they showered the air with an array of jungle canopy. The two tanks came in leveling huts and scattering the remaining fighters, who fell from the bullets of the advancing German soldiers. No one was spared as even children gave their final breaths of life. The rest of the people retreated into the large hut in the center of the camp. Heavy artillery lined the bags as they all peered at our small regiment ready and willing to die. Rommel sniffed the air and could smell their fear. However there was promise of a fight, alas it would be in vain.
A general like Rommel would not usually travel into such hostile and dangerous terrain but what he hoped lie within the hut would be worth the risk. It would mean a chance to retire, a chance to retreat into the mountains of Germany or maybe buy a little cabin in the Black Forest. The fighting took a whole hour without the use of the two tanks. The fighters had dug in good and resisted until a white shirt rose from the top of the hut. Wearily Rommel yelled, “Move in by two’s and empty out the weaponry . . . secure the area!” The grey uniforms entered the encircled sandbags and began to remove weapons from cowering fighters. They raised them in the air as the German soldiers tossed them to the side. It didn’t take long to remove the weapons. A soldier about the age of a teenager waved at the general, “all clear sir!” Straightening his uniform and gave an excited, “Master Sergeant, you and the two behind you come with me. The rest of you secure a perimeter and gather up the wounded.”
The soldiers responded without question as Rommel entered the hut. It had a damp smell like rotting meat in the hot sun. It was humid like an army barrack after training. The few people in the hut scattered cowering at the wall like dogs welcoming home an abusive owner. In the far back of the large hut sat a man as large as a boulder. He was round and his cheeks sagged from the heat. Covered in sweat he glistened slightly as Rommel made his way towards the man. “Let us dispense with the formalities and get to the point. You know why I am here and you know what I am looking for?” The dark skinned king straightened his crown made from dry bits of plants. “You seek treasure,” Kubrick gave a snide “Well, I guess these heathens aren’t as dumb as high command said they were”. Rommel’s black boots made a hallow sound as he approached the king. THUMP . . . THUMP . . . THUMP . . . . THUMP. He stopped mere feet from the king, “my men seek treasure, let them have the trinkets, you know what I am after or do I have to speak plainer?” The king gave an unsure look as the seconds past he seemed to not want to reveal the answer. “You fool,” muttered Rommel who quickly added, “The Jewel, the Jewel of the Nile,” “Jewel,” repeated the king. “The diamond, the largest diamond in the world,” Kubrick couldn’t hide his excitement, “the largest diamond in the world”!
Ignoring Kubrick, Rommel’s eyes never left the king’s as he stared back at him. The seconds past as the king continued to be defiant, “I . . . I don’t know what you are talking about?” Rommel gave one final look before turning to Kubrick, “bring me the girl.” Rommel pointed to a dark skinned woman cowering by what looked like her younger sister. Kubrick gave a confused look, but obeyed and grabbed the now screaming woman. “Get off, get off her,” Kubrick shouted as he tore the woman from the grips of the other girl. Kubrick dragged the girl over and tossed her at Rommel’s feet. Taking the girl by the hair and removing his standard German Luger pistol. His eyes motioned to the king, “I’m going to count to three and if you don’t tell me I will start killing every person in this hut starting with her”. The king’s eyes fell on the crying woman as she clenched at Rommel’s hand squeezing her head. “1 . . . 2 . . .” the king didn’t move as his eyes filled with terror, Rommel clicked the hammer back. The king didn’t stir as Rommel said softly, “3.” The King didn’t budge or move. He remained motionless even when the hammer clicked down and a loud BANG made every other person jump in shock.
The woman’s eyes never closed as the side of her head exploded raining blood over the floor. “Careful general you’re going to get it all over my pants and boots!” Releasing the woman she fell with a thud as she hit the wooden floor. The king’s lips trembled but he stared back up at him. “I don’t have the Jewel of the Nile,” Rommel gave a loud, “oh but I think you do. I really think you do . . . the problem is we have to find somebody that matters.” Rommel scanned the room, “what are you looking for general . . . maybe I can help?” Pointing to the corner it seemed that Rommel had found what he was looking for. “The little boy . . . grab the boy,” Kubrick seemed resistant at this but Rommel knew that his brashness for appeasing the higher ups would bind him to his duty. He grabbed the boy yelling, “come here . . . come here you stupid boy!” Kubrick grabbed the crying child and dragged him to the general. The general took the dark skinned boy and leaned down towards him, “its funny your . . . majesty, but I do believe this boy looks an awful lot like you.” The king’s eyes lay motionless as Rommel continued, “I am going to count to three again and well . . . I think you know what happens if I get to three. However I do assure you that if I get to four, I will kill everyone in this hut and see you burned alive as your pathetic little camp is burned to the ground”. Rommel clicked back the hammer again as the boy screamed even louder, “let go, let go”! Ignoring him Rommel counted, “1 . . . 2 . . .” Before he got to three the king raised his hand “wait”!
The counting had stopped as the king stared down at his son, “you are the heir to this kingdom Munko, and once these monsters are defeated and purged from our lands can we return to the life that we left behind. Our people will need a king when I am gone. I . . . am sorry.” His eyes rose back up to Rommel, “we have treasure”. The king raised his fat leg and with several stomps on the wooden floor he said, “There . . . there is your treasure take it and fill your greed”! Kubrick smiled, “I knew that guy was right all along”. Scanning the floor he moved hay and tall grass out of the way until he found a large set of double doors. “I found the doors general,” Rommel made his way forward, “forget the treasure you fool, where is the diamond”! The king stared at the weathered face of Rommel as he bit his lip then pointing to the doors, “you will find the diamond down there but know this, since its discovery blood follows that cursed diamond. We don’t call it the Jewel of the Nile . . . we call it a blood diamond . . . beware of its curse”.
Rommel waved him off, “get off it you fool . . . Kubrick you come with me.” Turning to a soldier he said, “you there boy what’s your name”? The soldier began to splutter being surprised at being addressed, “never mind then, never mind, if these heathens trap us down here or try to kills us in any way . . .” Rommel turned to the king and then back to the soldier, “wipe them from the earth and radio headquarters”. Kubrick was already flying down the wooden steps as Rommel made his way to the hole in the floor. He straightened his uniform as he followed Kubrick down the steps. He found him at the very bottom as he stared at a large amount of treasure that seemed taken out of a fairy tale. Small amounts of rubies and gold coins with large strands of pearls stretching through the pile, “oh my . . .” Kubrick couldn’t hide his excitement. “Germany could fight ten wars with the amount of treasure here”. Kubrick reached over and grabbed several coins letting them run through his hand. “You can have the treasure just make sure it gets to Germany”. Kubrick gave a soft, “well I am keeping what is due to me!” “Take it,” snapped Rommel as he made his way to the back of the basement. “Its mere trinkets compared to . . .” “Compared to what”? Kubrick’s snap was silenced when Rommel made his way towards a large golden stand which contained the largest diamond that any human eye had ever seen. Rommel’s eyes glimmered greedily, “the Jewel of the Nile . . . the blood diamond . . . at last”. Rommel took several steps as he hesitated for several moments before his fingers traced the smooth surface of the diamond. The diamond was the size of a baseball and when Rommel gripped the sides he raised it to his face. A smile curved stretching his wrinkles, “hello you beautiful curse”.
(November 12, 1943)
It was strange how cold the desert became at night. His country’s war across the desert had become something like a blur. The Germans’ marched across the desert razing houses and destroying cities. However the allies had invaded and pounded them back. The only purpose in Rommel’s life was the diamond or the allies. Spending many sleepless hours staring at the diamond and letting it roll within the palm of his hand and between his fingers, he was mesmerized by its beauty. However the months after the allied invasion of North Africa were some of the toughest battles. While many of his officers rushed into his tent, “please general we need your help”! Rommel’s patience was thin, he wanted to sell the diamond. He wanted the riches that it would provide. It glimmered in the lamplight. In the depths of the very diamond he saw his new dream, a wintery wonderland. He saw their kids playing in the vast mountains of snow. His authentic German Sheppard handpicked from a thankful Fuehrer for a job well done. He dreamed of his arms around his pure blood Aryan German wife as she beamed up at him. His aged face wasn’t able to sprout a tear in the blazing African sun every plea for help was nonsense. It was meaningless and nothing mattered but the diamond. Not the constant, “please general the allies are advancing,” or “general please your needed in the war tent”! The war continued without him and many men came to him threatening “treason” and this would cause him to carry the diamond to meetings with him. The diamond would rest in his hand and distract his planning causing a half hearted attempt at saving the land that he had spent hours planning on conquering months before.
The Nile River was slow beneath them as they were ordered to retreat back to Europe. Rommel was sitting on the deck watching the desert and scattered farms trace the shore lines as the remaining army had separated. Rommel’s little boat puttered alone as the Nile flowed gently underneath him. Sitting at a makeshift table on deck Rommel was once again staring at the diamond letting it reflect in the moonlight. It was beautiful and the minute he got to Germany he envisioned the millions of Reichsmarks coming his way. A life far from war and soldiers, no more blood or the constant “Heil Hitler or Heil my Fuehrer”! He would for once be the man, set on his own little country nestled in the bosom of his homeland Germany. “General,” Rommel’s thoughts were broken like the breaking of glass.
The calming of the Nile had calmed his soul as he continually gazed at his new fascination. “General, I . . . I’m sorry to disturb you sir,” Kubrick had lost much of his confidence the days preceding the capture of the treasure. The slaughter of the innocent civilians seemed to have hit him hard, but was necessary for the assurances of the treasure. “The council is getting together to discuss the safest route home, we have gotten word that allied naval ships are patrolling the area”. Lowering the diamond, “very well,” he stood and placed the diamond into his pocket. “Are we still in the delta,” Kubrick nodded, “ye . . . yes sir almost in the Mediterranean,” “I know where it is”! Kubrick nodded “of course sir”.
Making his way towards Kubrick and around the corner, he felt a hand on his shoulder, “sir,” Rommel froze and stared at the hand. “I’m sorry sir. I just thought I would let you know that Regiment 38 was completely annihilated by the allies”. The hand never left his shoulder as Rommel shrugged his shoulders to remove it, “and why is that of any concern of mine? Men die all the time for the greater good. It is what a good German does”. Rommel was about to turn when Kubrick gave a soft, “that was the regiment we were with”. Rommel stopped and had given a short, “what do you care, you’ll get your share, I even took the pleasure of having it boxed and marked specifically for you. Now if you say another word of this event to anybody, I will personally make sure that you alone go down for the mess you created. Now get your act together and meet us all on the starboard side deck”. He gave a disgusted look to Kubrick who nodded, “ye . . . yes, you’re right general,” “and stop sniveling like a girl “what has happened to you Kubrick”?
Shaking his head Rommel turned disgusted as he made his way through the small corridor. He noticed the water beginning to pick up. The footsteps above assured him that the captain was busy up ahead. Approaching the front of the boat he was welcomed by several other high commanders waiting to discuss the route. “Good evening gentlemen, I have to say I am surprised to see you come to my boat and leave your other ships to patrol us”. A Lieutenant Sergeant that had been assigned to Rommel late into the campaign, “well sir frankly we were kind of wondering why it would take the entire council to decide the route”. Rommel approached the table, “well I was brought here because I believed you all called the meeting”. Some of the men began to shuffle in their spots nervously, the Lieutenant Sergeant continued, “I am sorry sir, but Kubrick called this meeting”. “Well when he gets here, we will have him explain everything,” Rommel approached the map, “I trust the journey back has been safe for everyone”. They all nodded, “any news on the second group”? “Your plan worked perfectly general,” replied the Lieutenant Sergeant. Rommel gave an uninterested, “well I figured the allies would think that the command of the African campaign would naturally be with the one that would provide the largest protection. Hopefully the idiot allies will chase them while we slip through the Mediterranean and head back home. I just hope we can get word to High Command to help send aid to the boys to make sure they get back to Germany”.
The minutes ticked by as one of the men unrolled a detailed map of the area. “Very well let’s just get this underway, I’m very tired”. Rommel’s hand dove into his pocket, “so where are we exactly in this delta”? “I don’t mean to cause any discern general but I think we should wait for Kubrick to start the meeting”. Rommel’s thoughts were absent from the Lieutenant Sergeant. The pocket which contained his diamond, the love of his heart was missing. His hand gripped nothing but lint as he reached into his other pocket. The hope that he had simply misplaced it was gone. He began to frantically check his entire coat as he patted his pants. “Is there something wrong general,” the Lieutenant Sergeant looked worried as he clenched his field hat tighter between his armpit. The rest of the command stared at each other with an odd and confused expression. “Where is Kubrick,” Rommel demanded then quickly added, “never mind I’ll get him, you all stay here . . . don’t want to loose another one.” They all gave a nervous set of laughter as Rommel tried as calmly as possible to return to the corridor.
Turning the corner, he was running as fast as he could, “Kubrick,” he shouted. His hands traced his body as he still continued to search for a diamond that he knew wasn’t there. Approaching the open deck he noticed the table and the lantern. Still resting on the table flickering in the