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

crew ate a meal of cold ham sandwich's and coffee all the while maintaining silence. Once and only once did they hear the ping of a Dutch

trawlers ASDIC. As expected the operator searching for the submarine believed the signal he received was the old sunken wreck of a freighter.

For the next week Bergman using the same strategy sunk three more tankers, ships that loaded with their cargo of oil and gasoline from the refinery were slow, almost stationary, targets. After each kill the Captain congratulated the crew.

On the surface at night the radioman received a coded message in the cipher machine. Once decoded Bergman read the message. He was to take his boat to a position just off of the coast of Venezuela. There he was to attack and sink any and all ships carrying crude oil to the refineries in Aruba. After reading the orders Bergman requested clarification on whether or not the word, “ALL:” meant American ships as well. The U-D5 received a one word reply from the Kreigsmarine, “Affirmative”.

Once out of the range of the Dutch patrol boats Bergman allowed each off duty watch to go on deck. There they could take in the tropical sun and swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean. Crew members took advantage of the opportunity as a swim removed much of the dirt, oil and grime they had accumulated while living in a closed environment. Bergman allowed each watch fifteen minutes in the water. While the men swam, lookouts were on the alert for surface ships and aircraft.

On a dark, moonless night the U-D5 attacked three tankers off of the coast of Venezuela. Two were of Panamanian registry. The third, the SS Absegami was American. After the attacks and the sinking of the tankers

Dresner stood along side of Bergman and the two officers stood watching the burning Absegami sink slowly under the oil covered ocean. Men in life boats were picking up life jacketed survivors from the water. Bergman,

turned and softly said, “All hands below. Come about. New heading, south southeast, one forty six point two five degrees”. All hands making up the gun crew went below. Junior Officer Karl Elcho in command of the Second Watch took his position along with the lookouts in the conning tower.

Life became a bit more comfortable for the crew as the use of torpedoes in the attacks made more room in the boat. Bunks were now available to all hands and the passage way between the aft and forward torpedo rooms were clear allowing for easy walking, particularly to battle stations. The off duty watch was able to sit and eat in comfort and after the sinking of the Absegami Captain Bergman awarded each man a bottle of beer which was a complete surprise to the men. No one ever suspected that the Captain would smuggle two cases of beer on board the boat, since it was against Navy regulations, but they were glad he did.

A coded message arrived on the cipher machine. Translated it ordered Captain Bergman to head for a new, home location, Lorient France. Now that the Germans occupied France U-boats could operate out of French ports allowing them to enter the open ocean quicker and at the same time avoid the English channel.

Arriving home and just outside of the submarine pens the crew took salt water showers and put on undressed blues. Once they were clean and dressed the crew took the U-D5 into the assigned dock. There, they were met by Admiral Donitz who awarded Iron Crosses to Bergmann, Dresner, Elcho and Ernst Diebert, Helsman.

The entire crew was given two weeks leave. Upon leaving the boat

Reinhardt was told to report to the Kriegsmarine Headquarters. When he did he received orders to report to the Marineschule at Murwik. He was to be an Instructor of Navigation at the academy. He protested, but to no avail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Three

The Red Castle

 

The Naval Academy at Murwik, the northern part of the city of Flensburg had replaced the old German Imperial Academy at Kiel. It now was situated on the North Sea coast and overlooked the Flensburg Fjord.

As a result of its beautiful red brick architecture the School for Naval Officers was named as the “Red Castle by the Sea”. Oberleutnant Reinhardt Dresner was assigned to instruct Navy Midshipmen who had been selected to train in operations,with such subjects as Officer-Of-The-Watch and navigation.

Reporting for duty Reinhardt openly complained about being assigned to a plush teaching position rather than his place in the U-boat Service. Kaspitan Dur See, Dietrich Frank listened patiently. Then said,

“There is a saying in the Navy that C students are commissioned. B students are given commands and A students become teachers. Your complaint is the result of your intelligence Lieutenant. Like you, my fate is the assignment as Commanding Officer of the Marineschule-Murwick. I would much rather feel the rolling deck of a German Raider under my feet. You're here because you're intelligent. I'm here because I'm old. But let me tell you something Dresner. We are both Germans and we will do what we are told for the Fatherland. You are dismissed”.

On weekends, particularly on Saturdays, Reinhardt often walked into the city of Flensburg. Weather permitting he would walk the sidewalks and window shop. At times he would sit at a table in one of the many small restaurants. Sitting alone he would have lunch while he read the newspaper. He looked for news about the Navy in general and the U-boats in particular. Once in awhile he would see photographs of U-boat Captains receiving the Iron or Knights Cross, but none were anyone he knew or served with.

A warm October late morning found Reinhardt Dresner looking through the large plate glass window of Bayer's Bookshop. He looked at the books and their inviting covers displayed neatly in the window. However, he did not see what he wanted. As a result he entered the store and when he did a bell fasten over the door began to ring softly. A young woman came into the front of the store from the quarters in the rear. She was about five feet, six inches tall with dark brown eyes with hair that matched. She wore a shop keepers apron over a light blue dress. To Reinhardt she was beautiful.

“Guten Morgen Oberleutnant” (Good morning) she said.

“Good morning”, Reinhardt replied.

“Are you looking for something in particular?”, she asked.

“As a matter of fact I am. I was wondering if by chance you might have some of the writings of John Steinbeck translated and printed in German?

“Yes we do. As a Navy officer you might enjoy, Cup Of Gold. It's about the Pirate, Henry Morgan. I believe it was one of Steinbeck's first books”.

“Tell me Fraulein, are you comparing German Naval Officers to pirates?”

“Of course not. I would never do such a thing!”, she responded in indignation.

Reinhardt began to laugh. “Of course you wouldn't. Forgive me for my actions. I was just teasing you”, he said.

The young woman composed herself and offered a weak smile.

“We also have Tortilla Flat and we might be receiving Of Mice and Men”, she said.

“Fine. I have read Tortilla Flat. However, I am interested in Of Mice And Men. Is it possible to have you save a copy for me?”

“Certainly, all I need is your name”.

“It's Reinhardt Dresner. What's yours?”

“Frauline Bayer”.

“Ah, the owner I presume”.

“The owners daughter”.

“So tell me Fraulein Bayer, do you read Steinbeck?”

“Yes, but I prefer the works of Thomas Mann, a German. I'm sure you have read, The Magic Mountain. I prefer German writers. Nonetheless, unlike you who likes Steinbeck, I like the American writer, Hemingway”.

“I didn't know that his books were printed in German”, said Dresner.

“ They aren't, not as yet. I read Farewell to Arms and the Sun Also Rises. Both were excellent”.

“Then you can read English”.

“I can read and speak English as well as French”.

“Ah, the Fraulein is not only beautiful, but intelligent”.

“Does that bother you?”

“On the contrary, it intrigues me”.

“Why?”

“Because I want to see more of you, get to know you, learn your likes and dislikes”.

“No”.

“Why not? I assure you my intentions are honorable just as I am.”

“That may be, but my father is very strict when it comes to young men making advances towards me”.

“And he's right. However, I am not making advances. I simply desire your company for such things as discussions about literature, music, films. Now, if those things were discussed over dinner, or on long walks along the Fjord to me these are merely social gatherings, I'm sure you can agree.

With a smile she said, “Under those conditions I do agree”.

Excellent, now can I, without be accused of being forward ask your first name?”

“You may. It's Hedda”.

“Hedda Bayer. It's very pretty name, just like you”.

“Come now Lieutenant, flattery to a girl is nice. But now I think you are over doing it a bit. Don't you?”

“Of course not. It is the time for Oktoberfest even if it has been canceled because of the war .There is to be a concert next Saturday in the park near the waterfront. Would you go with me?”

“Only if my father agrees to me going”.

“Fine. Is you father near by?”

“He is in our living quarters, here behind the shop”.

“Would you be so kind as to tell him I request to meet with him?”

Herman Bayer parted the curtains that hung in the doorway that separated the bookshop from the home of the Bayer family. As he did he pulled one suspender over a shoulder and when his trousers were secured walked up and stood behind the counter near the cash register. “You wanted to see me?”, Herman asked.

Reinhardt looked at the man he judged to be about fifty years old. He was a portly man with the beginnings of a large stomach. Balding and with a red face and watery eyes, the result of high blood pressure and schnapps. He stood looking at the young Naval Officer.

“Herr Bayer, allow me to introduce myself. I am Oberlieutnant Reinhardt Dresner. At present I am assigned to the Naval Academy as a professor, or instructor if you prefer. I have just met your beautiful daughter and have asked her to join me for the concert in the water front park that will be held next week in place of Oktoberfest. My intentions are honorable and I ask you to allow her to attend the concert with me and perhaps a small dinner afterward. At the same time sir, may I also invite you to join us”.

“And what about her mother?”, asked a tall, hefty, woman with braids coiled and pinned on top of her head who entered the store from behind the curtain.

Reinhardt removed his uniform cap. “Of course Frau Bayer. The invitation is for you also. You must forgive my oversight, but I did not know you were about”.

“Oh, I'm about. I have been listening to your conversation with my daughter for the past fifteen minutes. I must say that you do have an persuasive way about you. Nonetheless, the virtue of our Hedda is to be protected at all times. However, I would like to know something more about you. Where are you from? What does your parents do? What is your assignment in the Kriegsmarine? How long will you be in

Flensburg? Answer those questions and any more that I might think of and it will be I and not my husband who decides whether our Hedda may join you. Of course that still will be up to her to agree”.

Reinhardt smiled. Still holding his cap in his hand he said,” I was born and raised in Oststeinbek, a small village just outside of Hamburg.

My father is a welder in the shipyards. My mother is a housewife. My current assignment at the Naval Academy is, Instructor of Navigation. The other subjects I teach are confidential due to the war. I hope you understand. Before that I was assigned to the U-boat service, first as a Junior officer and then as Executive Officer. As