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

be over and we could go back to life as it use to be”.

“I do too Hedda. I do too”.

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On October 3, 1943 the Schwimmkran 1/38 ( sea crane) arrived at the Holmen Naval Base. Dresner had already seen to it that the German hardhat diver had checked the exterior of each sunken submarine. Then, after the diver had precariously made his way down, into and along the narrow passageway of the Danish boats he found the sea cock valves and closed them. Once that was done Reinhardt ordered pumps started in order to remove as much water as possible from each boat. While he was doing this Danish shipyard workers refused to work on any vessel that belong to or would belong to Germany. This was another setback for the Kreigsmarine in general and for Reinhardt Dresner in particular.

Wolfgang Achenbach stood by the side of Reinhardt. “Since the Danes refuse to work on German vessels Herr Duckwitz is in touch with Berlin. It appears that rather than showing force against these shipyard workers the Howaldtswerke Ship Works will be arriving next month with German workers. Then, we will show the Danes German ingenuity”, he said.

“Good, but if I could have had those workers the Danish boats would have been raised by now”, Dresner replied.

“Without the schwimmkran 1/38?”.

“Yes sir”.

“How, may I ask”.

“I had studied the methods used by the American Navy in raising their submarine S-51 in 1926 under the command of then Captain Ernest King. At that time time their divers, using high pressure hoses blasted their way through the bottom mud then pushed steel straps under the boat. They then sunk large containers and attached them to the straps. Of course what they did next was to blow out the water in the tanks fill the tanks with air and the boat rose just as nice as you please to the surface. Now, if that could be done in the deep ocean I'm certain that it could be done with these boats under more than 2.8 m (9 ft. 19inches)of water at the dock”.“Interesting my friend and after listening to you I am certain that you would have succeeded. Nonetheless, if Berlin says that they are sending German shipyard workers here to salvage the Danish boats who are we to argue? And, as since you mention Admiral King our intelligence service advises us that King, in charge of Naval Operations hates the British Navy so much that he disregards all of the intelligence reports England sends to him. In particular, he refuses to blackout shore lights on the east coast of America from Maine to Texas. Our returning U-Boat captains report that at night they float on the surface and tankers and freighters are silhouetted with the bright lights on shore behind them. The hunting is easy. So are the kills”.

“And here I am twiddling my thumbs instead of being on the bridge of my own boat”, said Reinhardt.

“Your assignment is just as important to the Fatherland Reinhardt. You just don't see it that way. However, I have orders to report to the Naval Academy at Murwik. There will be a week of high level meetings held with Admiral Doniz. This Danish situation is on the agenda. I am under the opinion that these meetings will be from three to five days. I have selected you to be my military aid at these meetings. At the same time you are free in the evenings. I suggest that you spend those evenings with Frau Dresner”.

Reinhardt smiled, “Thank you Herr Achenbach. I deeply appreciate it.”

“Don't mention it”.

Later, after taking Hedda in his arms and kissing her she said, “A letter has arrived from your mother”.

“What did she say? How is she?”.

“Reinhardt dear, it is your letter. I didn't open it”.

“Why not? There are no secrets between you and I. Where is the letter?”

“Come, it is in our bedroom”.

Reinhardt sat on the edge of the bed and tore open the envelope. He removed the letter unfolded it and began to read. “My Dear Son, I write to you now to let you know about the death of your father. All I know at this time is that he lost his life in one of the many air raids that took place at the Hamburg Shipyard. Unfortunately the authorities are strained and at this time can offer little information as many families in Hamburg are trying to located relatives that were caught in the bombings and resulting fires.

Your Aunt Edda Fritzler somehow got out of the damaged apartment house she and your Uncle Paul lived in and made her way here to Oststeinbek. She will now live with me. As far as we know Paul Fritzler, a policeman who was on duty was a victim of what they are calling a fire storm. From what Edda has told me it must have been a living hell. So far they have estimated that over forty thousand people have died. I'm afraid that those seriously burned and injured will soon be added to the list.

I hope that this letter reaches you as I know that the postal service like everything else has been affected by this awful war and that you and Hedda are safe.

Love

Mother

Reinhardt placed the letter and envelope on the nightstand . “Well, at least I know that she is alright. My aunt Edda is living with my mother now. Evidently she lost her husband and a place to live in the bombings of Hamburg”, he said.

“It must have been awful”, said Hedda.

“Everything about war is awful”.

“How long are you home for dear?”

“Actually, I'm assigned as the military aid to Herr Achenbach during Naval meetings being held at the academy. He has been gracious enough to allow me to spend my evenings with you”.

“How wonderful. Let's not waste a moment of being together. Oh, I almost forgot, I bought something for you”.

“For me? Now, I wonder just what it could be”.

“Come with me to the living room”.

When they walked into the room Reinhardt looked around expecting to see something. Instead Hedda walked to where the phonograph set on a stand. She turned the crank winding the clock like movement, turn the lever allowing the turntable to move and after placing the arm with the needle on the record stood back and watched for the expression on her husbands face. He began to smile as the words and music to Lilly Marleen came out of the speaker.

“Do you like it Reinhardt?”

“Yes, of course how very thoughtful. It reminds me of the October concert in the park. The band played that song on that day”.

“Yes they did. And, we danced. Dance with me now Reinhardt. Dance with me and hold me close” she said as tears began to form in her eyes.

“ Hedda, Hedda, Hedda. Why are you crying?”

“Because I'm afraid of loosing you. Because I know what you really want is your own command of a U-Boat, even though you can be assigned to a post here on shore. And, because no matter how much I beg you not to go you will do everything in your power to go to sea”.

“Listen my love. From the time you first met me you have known that as a German Naval Officer it is and always has been my duty to serve the Fatherland. Our love is precious to me. Nonetheless, I can not imagine a time in the future when people would look at me and accuse me of not doing my duty for my country”.

“You have and are doing your duty. Can't you see that? How many

deployments do you need, how many depth charges have to be dropped on you as you huddle in the dark underwater? You already have an Iron Cross. What you are seeking now Reinhardt is an iron coffin”.

“As a woman I don't expect you to understand”, said Reinhardt.

“As a woman and like every woman in the world I understand that war is stupid caused by stupid men for stupid causes. And stupid men rush to their deaths following other stupid men with their heads filled with thoughts of glory and victory all for the Fatherland. And do you know what is left in all of the destruction Reinhardt? I'll tell you. Widows and orphans”.

“Well, do not worry dear. The Kreigsmarine will see to it that I shall remain in Denmark for the duration of the war, working as a dock hand bringing Danish ships up from the mud”.

“When you see Admiral Doniz tomorrow tell him I said thank you”.

“Admiral Doniz is not there. He is in Lorient. He sent Admiral Bader in his place”.

“Then in that case thank Admiral Bader”.

“No need to do that. Admiral Bader is old navy. He has no use for submarines”.

The next morning Reinhardt attired in his dress, blue uniform stood behind Wolfgang Achenbach and Georg Duckwitz, Naval Attache' assigned to Denmark. Admiral Arnold Bader, recently promoted from Kapitan der zee to Konteradmiral waited until the waiters had set pots of hot coffee on the tables and left before he opened the meeting. When he did he looked at Duckwitz and said, “Tell me what the conditions are in Copenhagen”.

“As you know admiral, the Howaldtswerke shipyard crew is now in Copenhagen as is the schwimmkran. We should be able to begin salavge operations immediately. However, if the admiral has any further questions we have here Oberleutnant Dresner who is in charge of recovering the Danish U-Boats”.

“Ah yes, Dresner. Good to see you again”, said Bader.

“Thank you sir”, Reinhardt replied.

“So tell me, when will we know about he Danish submarines”.

“ Retrieving them from the mud will not be difficult. Waiting for them to dry out to the point where a thorough inspection can be made will take some time. I would say that I should be able to finish my inspections in the next month or two”, said Dresner.

“That takes us into 1944”, Bader responded.

“Yes sir”.

“I will report that to Admiral Doniz. Tell me Dresner, what are your feelings about these Danish U-Boats? Are they really worth all of this trouble?”, asked Bader.

“I really can't answer that Admiral. Evidently the navy sees either a use or a need for them or they wouldn't want the salvage operation”.

“As I recall you have a background in submarines. Give me your opinion for a use of the Danish boats”.

“Perhaps they could be used to patrol the fjords of Norway”.

Bader threw his head back and laughed. “A good answer. Gentlemen, let's take a break from these proceedings and have a smoke and coffee. Dresner. I wish to speak to you in private”.

“Yes sir”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Seven

The Gulf Of Mexico

 

Reinhardt Dresner sat with three other young navy officers in the briefing room located in the submarine pens in Lorient, France. For his work in Copenhagen salvaging the Danish submarines, Havfruen, Havmanden, Havkalen and the Havheste, he had been promoted to Lieutenant Commander and given his choice of assignments. He had asked for and was given command of a new U-Boat, U-4714. Now, he was being advised of the new, different operating systems installed in the new boats coming out of the shipyards.

Fortunately for him Admiral Doniz had somehow kept the rail line from Lorient, France to Hamburg Germany open and operating. As a result, Reinhardt had stopped at Oststeinbek and spent two days with his mother. Then, he took the train directly to Lorient and the submarine pens.

“Now, that you are familiar with the nomenclature of the new boat let me bring you up to date on the new weapon systems and in particular the new, acoustic torpedo”, said the instructor. “The Zaunkonig (Wren) is a acoustic torpedo that is electric and has an effective range of 5700 meters. It has a speed of twenty four knots and uses a passive acoustic homing device to find its target. It is activated after a straight run of four hundred meters. Built inside this weapon are two hydrophone receivers which sense the sound waves of ship propellers. It then alters the torpedo