U-4714 by Robert F. Clifton (best ereader for graphic novels txt) 📕

able to stay in constant touch with Hedda and his parents.

When not busy and on duty Reinhardt would get the weather report for Lorient and the surrounding area. When he was certain that the weather was bad enough to prevent the allied air attacks he left the safety of the pens. It was then that he wandered into what was left of the city and with other officers sat and sipped cognac in the cafe's. It was during those times that he received the truth about Germany's conditions and in particular the situation with U-Boat Command. Wilhelm Adler, Lieutenant assigned at the base as Supply Officer sat with Dresner and two other Naval Officers. “What is happening now gentlemen is that where we once ruled the Atlantic we no longer do so. I have sat in ear shot of those U-Boat Captains being debriefed and their stories are all the same. They insist that the Naval code being transmitted has been breached. The allies know exactly where each boat is assigned, what area, what zone, when they are to be refueled when they are to return to base and exactly what base. Another thing is that where it was once a problem of their surface ships on the hunt now it is aircraft. Aircraft carrier planes fly cover for the convoys and now it is believed that they and their long range bombers have pin point radar. They have reported this and again the Kreigsmarine refuses to believe it.

I have done a little research on my own. Here, on this sheet of paper is a list of the number of U-boats lost since the start of the war. By revealing this information to you I am placing my life in your hands, but someone other than me should know what is going on. Listen to this. 1939. nine boats lost. 1940 twenty four boats lost. 1941 thirty five boats lost. 1942 eighty six boats lost. Now, in 1943 so far we have lost forty one boats and the list grows larger everyday. Something is definitely wrong. The boats are better, better built and better equipped. Is it the tactics that are wrong or is it the fact that the English and Americans have indeed broken our codes and are further advanced in weaponry?”

“I say it's both. The returning Captains now tell of being hunted at night with long range bombers armed with bright spotlights (Leigh Lights).Boats that use to hide in the dark on the surface now fear being seen and attacked”, said Lieutenant Eric Schmidt.

“If that's happening it could also mean that the bombers also have that excellent radar you mentioned Adler,” Reinhardt offered.

“Exactly. Listen to this. As Supply Officer it is my duty to check everything issued to each and every boat. The last U-boat to leave yesterday had on board one case of condoms. Now, I ask you where are the crew to go ashore on leave? It just goes to show you that things are getting more ridiculous each and everyday”, said Adler.

“Maybe the Admiralty thinks the crew should use them on their selves”, said Schmidt.

Later, back in his room at the Officers Quarters Reinhardt anxiously opened a letter he had just received from Hedda. He sat on his single bed and read:

My Dearest Reinhardt,

Oh, how I miss you. I hate this war that keeps us apart. A war that now results in no trains being available for civilians to travel without a special permit, one that I can not acquire. The trains do come with certain necessities for the people, but most are used to transport troops and equipment. If I could dearest I would walk to you, but chances are that you would be out to sea by the time I got there.

It is being said that many German City's are being bombed day and night and the death toll of citizens is overwhelming. How sad.

We are safe in Flensburg, at least so far. I guess there is nothing here of any importance and so the British and American aircraft do not come.

Your last letter arrived three weeks after you posted it. I am not complaining since I am fortunate to have received it at all. In it you asked how I was. Actually, dearest, I am fine. Father however is quite ill. I suspect that he has had a slight stroke, due to his high blood pressure issues. What makes it worse is the fact that our family doctor is with the Wehrmacht in the East. Now, father is being treated by a retired nurse. Since there is no medicine all he can do is rest. It is so sad to see him, even worse to see my mother worry so.

You might be interested to know that due to the shortage of meat I am now very good at raising rabbits. Mother makes a very delicious hasenfeffer.

I have written to your mother, but have not received a reply. Here again, because of he war the mail is slow to arrive. I am sure they are well. To my knowledge Hamburg hasn't been touched by the air raids. Let's hope that it never is. I will close now my darling loving you and missing you. Stay safe dear one,

Love

Hedda

Reinhardt folded the letter and placed it with the others, some stained with diesel oil fingerprints from being read while at sea. They were read over and over and each time he did he pretended that they were new even though he knew each word by heart. As he stood up there was a knock on his door. “Eingeban” (Enter) he said.

A German private entered the room, saluted and handed Dresner a sealed envelope. “Wait, I might have a reply”, said Reinhardt.

“Yes sir”.

Dresner tore open the envelope, removed a folded paper, unfolded it and read, “Oberleiutnant Reinhardt Dresner is hereby promoted to Lieutenant Zur See (full lieutenant) on this date, Twelve, June 1943. He will report to U-boat Command Keroman Naval Base, Lorient, France for further orders.” “There is no reply, thank you”, said Reinhardt.

After leaving his quarters Dresner walked to U-Boat Headquarters. He returned the salute to the two army sentinels posted one on each side of the door. Entering, he stopped at the desk of a Junior Officer, showed him the letter and was told to wait. As he waited he sat in an old, folding chair and with nothing to do reached for an old newspaper. Picking it up he saw at once that it was printed in French. Still, he looked at the printed photo's instead of reading the print. As he returned the paper to the small table he looked up when he heard, “Lieutenant Dresner?” He stood up and walked to where the ensign stood by a closed door. “You may go right in sir', said the Junior Officer.

Once inside the office of Commodore Herman Schroder Reinhardt stood at attention in front of the senior officers desk. “Ah, Dresner. How good to meet you at last. At ease, please have a seat”, said Schroder.

“Thank you sir”.

“Now, I suppose that you are wondering why you are here?”

“I'm hoping that I am about to receive command of my own boat”.

“Well, you might say that in a way. U-Boat Command has reviewed

the personnel files of several U-Boat officers looking for a special talent. You are one of those chosen. Now, I assume that you are waiting to hear chosen for what?”

“Yes sir”.

“It seems that at the moment there is unrest in Denmark. There are reports of sabotage, labor unrest and strikes. At the moment there are several Danish submarines at the Naval bases. The Kreigsmarine intends to procure those boats before they are deliberately scuttled. You will take command of the Havkalen and with a German crew take the boat to Bergen, Norway”.

“I beg your pardon Commodore. I saw those submarines when I was a midshipman at the Naval Academy. Personally, I don't see the value of them in the Kreigsmarine”.

“The value Lieutenant is strictly political. Our navy does not desire bad publicity such as the Danes sinking their own ships or boats and depriving our use of them”.

“I see”.

“Do you have any questions Dresner?”

“Yes sir. Although I will have experienced German crewmen they will be unfamiliar with the workings of a Danish boat. I myself will need time to get accustomed to the new surroundings. How much time am I allotted to train my crew before I embark for Norway?”

“Three to four weeks seems reasonable, don't you think?”

“Yes sir, however I seem to recall that the British have constantly laid mines between Denmark and Norway particularly near Jutland”.

“That's correct”.

“In that case travel in the open is hazardous, submerged even worse'.

“That's why you and the others have been chosen for this mission”.

“I see”.

“Any other questions?”

“Am I allowed to give passes to myself and crew while in Denmark?”

“ Once seized, the boats are to be guarded at all times. How you do it is up to you. Nonetheless, a good crew is a happy crew. Again, how you keep up their moral is up to you”.

“Thank you sir”.

“Now, you will be taken to the airport and at four this afternoon you will board a Junker tri-motor transport. Then you and the others will be flown to Copenhagen. Upon your arrival you will be met by a Colonel of the Wehrmacht. He will take you to the Danish Naval Base at Holmen. By the time you and the others arrive there the Army will have already impounded the Danish boats. You as senior naval officer will establish command of navy personnel. You will also assign officers and crew members to your and the other boats”.

“I understand sir. Thank you”.

“Good luck Dresner”.

Reinhardt saluted, turned and left the office.

At four in the afternoon Dresner got out of the car that took him to the airport. He picked up his sea-bag and walked to the Junker Transport sitting on the runway, He noticed that those standing in line to board were in a nervous state of mind, afraid that at any moment allied aircraft would arrive and bomb or strafe the airport. Eventually Dresner after showing his orders was allowed to board and he took a seat and made himself comfortable. As he did he heard someone call his name. “Dresner? Reinhardt Dresner? Is that you?”, said Konrad Elcho.

“Konrad, how good to see you. Come, sit here beside me and tell me what you have been doing”, said Reinhardt.

Elcho sat down and said, “Doing? What have I been doing? Trying to stay alive. The last boat I was on was almost the last boat I was on. We were off the coast of Newfoundland spotted by Canadian destroyers who depth charged us for six hours. Two men on board went mad because of the attack. I thought I was going to join them in their insanity. I swear the enemy has broken our code. We were ordered to patrol near Newfoundland and the day we arrived on station the destroyers came. They had to know that we were coming and exactly where we would be. They won't listen to us Reinhardt. They refuse to accept the fact that the coded messages are being intercepted and interpreted. Our own Navy is killing us, one by one”.

“But, you survived Konrad. You are here, safe and sound”, Dresner replied.

“Only by luck. Only by luck. Now, since you'll be the boss in Denmark, what have you got planned for me?”

“I haven't even appraised the situation yet Konrad. First, I must examine the boats then and only then can I make assignments. However, since I know you and your capabilities I can offer you either Executive Officer on my boat or Captain of your own boat. It's up to you”.

“Well if it's all the same to you I'll take command of one of the boats.

Even though it will be for a few hours as we cruise from Denmark to Norway it will show on my record that I was the