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

you know Frau Bayer there is a war going on. No German knows what will happen day to day. As a result my assignment at the Academy could be changed any day, so to answer your question I can't tell you just how long I will be in Flensburg.

But, after meeting your daughter I hope that it is for a long time”.

“I see, but tell me Lieutenant, why are you so suddenly attracted to my Hedda?”, asked Frau Bayer.

“It is war time. Flensburg, like many cities where military men are stationed draw a certain type of female. I don't have to use the word. I'm sure you understand my meaning. I, as a German officer and a gentleman, aware of my position and reputation as such have no desire to damage that reputation. Still, as a young man and one that is surrounded by males day in and day out at times desires the company of a young woman, particularly at Oktoberfest time. Not just a girl who looks for a good time, but one who is pretty, intelligent and comes from a background where family honor is foremost. Again, I, as a gentleman would protect the lady's honor and hopefully at the same time enjoy her conversation and company. Your daughter represents all of those qualities that I look for in a lady. I have two requests. The first is that Hedda will accept my invitation and the second is that you will grant her permission to join me”.

“I see. Hedda, would you like to go to the concert next week with the Lieutenant?, asked Frau Bayer.

“Yes Mama”.

“Are you free next Friday evening Lieutenant?”

“Yes I am”.

“Then you will come for dinner. At the table we will talk and afterward I will make my decision”.

“Excellent, what can I bring? A bottle of wine perhaps?”

“A bottled of wine will be fine. Now, Herman and I have things to do. You two can continue your conversation. Remember, I can hear you from the back”, said Frau Bayer as she and her husband returned to their living quarters.

Hedda smiled, then in an almost whisper said, “You must have made an impression with Mama. Already you have been invited to dinner. Let me warn you, she will be watching every move you make and father will want to talk about the war”.

“Then I had better practice my table manners”, Reinhardt replied.

“Oh, she's not as bad as that. You might hold the chair for her. That will go a long way”.

“Is there any particular wine you parents prefer?”

“A bottle of Riesling will do. Knowing my mother she will more than likely serve a pork dish”.

“Then Riesling it shall be. Now, I will let you return to your duties. I must be on my way since I have to prepare a navigation lesson problem for the midshipmen. Now, do I pay you right away, or wait until my book arrives?”

“You pay now. That way we are not stuck with a book when a customer changes their mind. The price is, three Reich Mark”.

Reinhardt removed his wallet from his back trouser pocket, opened it and took out the money and handed it to Hedda.

“I'll give you a receipt”, she said.

“I don't need one”.

“That may be, but my father wants things done a certain way. A receipt helps to keep the shop finances in order”.

“I see, then until Friday night. Auf Wiedersehen Hedda”.

“Auf Wiedersehen, Reinhardt.

****************************

Reinhardt sat at the table of Herman and Karla Bayer. From across the table he gazed upon Hedda, noticing that she appeared somewhat apprehensive although this second meeting with her parents seemed to be going well. Herman lifted the wine bottle and poured a half a glass for everyone as Karla passed the platter filled with Schweinbratan, a roast of pork. Next came bowels of dumplings and a dish of zartes effenbein (white asparagus called, soft ivory). As they ate ,as expected Herman Bayer opened the conversation by saying, “So tell me Lieutenant, what is the war like on the sea?”

“Please Herr Bayer, call me Reinhardt. I prefer it instead of my rank when I am with family and friends. To answer your question I was in the U-Boat Service. So, to be perfectly honest it is like a game of hide and go seek. The difference is that when you are tagged by the enemy and considered IT, you die”.

“Oh my goodness. How terrible”, said Karla Bayer.

“Yes, it is, but then again war is terrible no matter where it takes place, on land or sea”.

“I understand, but what is it like when you torpedo another ship?”, asked Herman.

“That depends. If the attack begins on the surface then you are aware that a ship, any ship might have guns mounted on their decks. If you are close enough to land then you are exposed to aircraft. So in that case you are scared. Then again if you attack submerged enemy surface ships start searching for you. As they do they drop depth charges trying to destroy you. When that happens you are several hundred feet under water. You are no longer scared. You are terrified”.

“It sounds horrible”, said Frau Bayer.

“Do you happen to know just what tunes the band will play tomorrow?”, asked Hedda changing the subject.

“Naturally they will start off with Das Lied dar Deutschen just to be patriotic. I have heard that the rest will be mostly polkas”, Reinhardt answered.

“And just how do you know this?”,asked Karla Bayer.

“I hear them practicing. The sound of their music comes across the water to the academy”.

“Tell me Reinhardt. How was the supper?, asked Karla.

“Excellent. As I ate I thought I was back home at my mothers table.

You cook just like her”.

“Then I take it that you approve”.

“Approve no. Consider it excellent, yes”

“Then, would you like coffee?”

“Yes, if anyone else is having it”.

“Some strudel perhaps?”

“I look forward to it”.

“Tell me Reinhardt, are you a member of the new party?”, asked Herman.

“Isn't everyone?”. Asked Reinhardt.

“They must be. I can't keep Mien Kampf on the shelves. Believe me I don't mind. I am making a lot of money with his book. Have you read it?”, asked Herman.

“Yes sir, I have”.

“What do you think of it?”

“I consider the Fuhrer to be another politician. However, at present he and his party are in power”.

“You must admit that he has created a new, better, Germany”.

“He put my father back to work. We Germans deserve a rightful place in the world. But you see, I am an officer in the Kriegsmarine. I took an oath to defend the Fatherland against its enemies, so you see I am somewhat impartial when it comes to politics”.

“Enough about politics Herman. Hedda help me with the dishes then you take Reinhardt for a nice after dinner walk”, said Frau Bayer.

“May I help?”, asked Reinhardt?”

“Yes, sit there, drink you coffee and tell me how much you enjoyed my strudel”, answered Karla.

“It is so beautiful it will be a sin to touch it with my fork. But, it is said that we are all sinners, therefore, I will not only touch it, I will consume it”.

Later, Hedda and Reinhardt walked along the streets paved with inlaid brick. As they did she asked him about his life before he joined the navy, his likes and dislikes of music the sports he played and other interests besides the works of John Steinbeck. He answered that when it came to music he enjoyed American Jazz. At the gymnasium he played Fuball (soccer) as a defender.

“Do you like to dance?”, asked Hedda.

“Yes actually, the waltz, and foxtrot, but not polkas. For some reason my feet can't keep time to polka music”.

“I love to dance, but I seldom get to do it. Father does not like the idea of a boy having his arms around me and his body touching mine”.

“I can understand that”.

“Really? Don't tell me you are a prude. These are modern times. A new day, a new Germany. The Fuhrer himself has said that it is the duty of every German woman to bare sons for the Reich”.

“I have heard that. However, I don't think he meant out of wedlock”.

“No wonder my parents like you. You think just like them”.

“I hope by that you mean with a concern for respectability “.

“Yes, I do, but at the same time this is a different age. Today we are much different then our parents”.

“That doesn't mean that we should do away with morals”.

“I agree, but I hope that because I want my life to be different than my parents you don't think that I'm immoral”.

“Of course not.”

“Good, now let's walk to where the concert will be held. I so look forward to tomorrow”.

“Your wish is my command”.

“Really? Then I wish that you never have to leave the Naval Academy and go to war”.

“Thank you, but it is my duty as a German and as an officer to serve the Fatherland”.

“If you say so. Then if you must go back to the war I wish that it is near the end with victory”.

“It should be soon. The word is England will either surrender or be invaded. Meanwhile I suggest that we enjoy these peaceful, quiet times here in Flensburg”.

“I would love to do that, however, now we are at war with Russia”.

“They surrendered quickly in the last war”.

“What cinemas have you seen lately?”, asked Hedda, changing the subject.

“The Girl At The Reception. I saw it during my last leave”.

“I missed it when it was here. Was it any good?”

“It was alright. It killed a rainy afternoon”, he answered as they reached the bandstand. They were surprised to find that a portable dance floor had been placed on the grass.

“Will you dance with me tomorrow?”, she asked.

“Yes, providing they play the right tunes”.

At noon the next day Reinhardt and Hedda took a seat on one of the benches next to a long table. Many people had already arrived and more were still arriving. “Have you had lunch Hedda?”, asked Reinhardt.

“No, but I'm not hungry at the moment. If you want to eat something now I'll eat with you”, she answered.

“No, just let me know when you're ready”, he said as the musicians walked up two steps and took their seats in the concert shell. When they were comfortable the band director raised his baton the band began to play Das Lied DAR Deutschen (The National Anthem }

The young couple and the rest of the crowd stood and gave the new salute. Reinhardt gave a military salute with his right hand at his right brow. After everyone was seated or going about the grounds the band began to play, opening with a polka tune, Iha Iha iha Oh.

“I told you there would be polkas. I guess they don't want me to dance with you, said Reinhardt.

“Nonsense, I think you're just hoping that's what they'll play. Either you can't dance and won't admit it or you don't want to dance with me”.

“Hear the tune they're playing now? Herr Goebbels has taken English and American songs and had someone change the lyrics making them pro German. Ah, here's a good one. Japanese Sandman, now Fraulein I get to hold you in my arms and we both know that your parents won't mind”.

The couple sat when polkas were played and danced to Dinah, Let's Put Out The Lights, Picture Me Without You and Stardust. As they moved slowly across the small, crowded dance floor Reinhardt pulled her gently closer to him. With her head just below his chin he caught the faint fragrance of perfume in her hair. When he did he began to tremble as he thought of the scent of Kolibri. Beads of perspiration formed on his forehead. In his ears he heard the ping, ping, ping of a British ASDIC as it searched for him. He stopped dancing.

“What's wrong?”, she asked.

Reinhardt stood still for a moment fighting the fear he felt once again, The type of fear that only someone who goes through a depth charge attack knows and understands. Then, suddenly he was alright.

“Nothing, I