Des Teufels General

"Des Teufels General" - Devil's genral - is a drama in three acts. The story line is situated on the background of the ending of World War II. GENERAL PLOT: General Harras, the protagonist, has served well for the German airforces since 1914. He had recognized that he Nazi-leadership he always worked for has chosen the wrong way for Germany and led it into a cruel war against long odds. He therefore started a resistance movement which mainly is based on aircraft-sabotage. During act one to three, he struggles with the GeStaPo and especially with his antagonist Dr. Schmidt-Lausitz who wants to blow Harras' cover. Zuckmayer always takes some time for little sub-plots, which are evolved during long dialogues. Topics are for instance loyalty, heroism and aspects of the Nazi-Regime. Probably one of the most famous scenes is at the end of act three, when Harras is about to flee the GeStaPo: Harras gives his young friend, Hartmann, a small, silver pocket watch, saying: "Souvenir".