Meine Rache: My Revenge

This superb novel, Meine Rache (My Revenge), is an extraordinary story of international intrigue and personal vindictiveness that begins with the experiences of two friends, caught up in the fervor of the Second World War and the promised resurgence of a superior German society. The revenge sought by the main characters in Meine Rache only becomes apparent after several decades, and following intricate interwoven relationships that extend from Europe to South America and into Africa. Hanns Krieg, prominent character in the story, finds a personal satisfaction in his duties in the wehrmacht and as a staff officer to a prominent Nazi leader; whereas his friend, Diedrich Erhard, spurns the military to study medicine in Poland and develops notoriety as a researcher specializing in biological weapons. For self-preservation, and to safeguard their personal fortunes, both flee das Vaterland before the advancing Allied forces arrive during the latter part of 1944. Both judged his separate flight from Germany critical to personal survival, but both men remained convinced that he left "things unfinished." Through a series of separate experiences following their escape from Germany, Hanns and Diedrich chance to meet at the offices of DVS Technologies in Mendoza, Argentina. Hanns built this major mining and exploration company, using his knowledge of mineralogy and the organizing expertise he developed as a military officer, together with subsidies by the Argentine government. Personal feelings of failure in their former roles in the Third Reich draw the two friends to enter an agreement with each other to extract vengeance for the presumed injustices of the conquering Allies. Their vengeance was not to be a one-time event nor could it be an event easily devised. Hanns and Diedrich sought something that would extend for years and have virtually no boundaries. Only then might they satiate their vindictive appetites. Diedrich's chance discovery of a lethal virus during a business trip with Hanns, to the newly formed Republic of Zaire, offered a possibility. In its present form, the newly discovered virus offered a single apparent probability, death of those infected. Public health officials knew little about the virus or control of its effects. However, Diedrich, who had no difficulty experimenting with viruses in prison camps, worked in shadowy places that few dare follow as he sought revenge. The challenge for Diedrich was how to "harvest" a virus sample and return it to his clandestine laboratory in South America where he could develop a weapon to use against his former enemies. In Meine Rache, Diedrich sees success as developing the ultimate weapon while Hanns enjoys success as the magnitude of his wealth. Their lives take an unexpected turn as they venture to Tanzania for a short trip to see Kilimanjaro Mountain. The story of these two expatriate Germans is unforgettable, with its rich word pictures and misguided but entertaining characters.