Judith 1966

Haganah identifies Schiller and the threat

In the waning days of the British mandate, the Haganah learns that Gustav Schiller, a former German tank commander, is secretly teaching battle tactics to Arab forces. They know his expertise but cannot locate him at first. The discovery triggers a covert effort to track his movements and seize the opportunity to stop his influence.

Judith Auerbach Schiller identified and smuggling plan devised

Haganah intelligence traces Schiller to his Jewish former wife, Judith Auerbach Schiller. They arrange for Judith to be smuggled into Palestine via the port of Haifa. The plan relies on Judith’s proximity to Schiller and the hope that she can help identify him if she encounters him.

Judith placed in kibbutz under Aaron Stein

Judith is placed in the care of Aaron Stein, a Haganah commander, at a kibbutz. She quickly grows uneasy with kibbutz life and resists sharing information about Schiller. Stein remains hopeful that she may still be able to identify him, at least indirectly.

Judith's wartime past comes to light

The story reveals Judith’s traumatic past: Schiller abandoned her during the war and took their son Karl. Judith was sent to Dachau concentration camp, where she survived after being forced to serve in an officers' brothel. These memories haunt her as she tries to cooperate with the Haganah.

Judith's reluctance and the missing information

Judith dislikes kibbutz life and is unable to tell the kibbutz leaders anything about Schiller. Stein believes she can still help and continues to push for a path to locate him. He suggests that they approach the local army commander for access to the case file.

Major Lawton steps in and retrieves the file

Judith travels to Haifa to plead with the army commander, Major Lawton, for help. Lawton agrees to assist and hands over the file on Schiller. The file confirms Schiller’s last known location and shifts the pursuit toward Damascus.

Schiller's last known location: Damascus, Syria

With the file in hand, the team learns that Schiller was last known to be in Damascus, Syria. This new lead prompts a dangerous cross-border operation to reach Damascus. The pursuit now requires international smuggling and coordination.

Smuggling into Damascus

Judith, Stein, and a colleague are smuggled into Damascus, evading checkpoints and danger. They embark on days of searching through the city for Schiller’s whereabouts. The operation is tense and requires careful planning and patience.

The hunt concludes with a confrontation

After days of searching, they finally locate Schiller. As they close in to capture him, Judith shoots and wounds him, foiling the immediate capture. The confrontation marks a turning point in the pursuit.

Schiller returns to Palestine and is interrogated

Schiller is smuggled back to Palestine and interrogated, but he refuses to divulge information. The interrogation tests Judith’s resolve as she hopes for news about their son Karl. The exchange heightens the sense of danger surrounding the mission.

Arab attack on the kibbutz and the turning reveal

While the kibbutz comes under attack by Arab forces, Schiller is left alone with Judith. He finally reveals the battle plans and tells Judith that he knows the whereabouts of their son Karl. The revelation comes at a critical moment as the defense tightens around them.