Brag
08-05-08, 03:02 PM
Lorient was a whirlpool of activity. Small vessels were being converted into armed auxiliaries. Trucks raced back and forth. The new port captain and the military governor worked their way toward the pier trying not to get run over.
Already assembled, the band tuned in.
"Though a pain in the neck, this is a great and proud moment for German arms," Captain Schmutz said.
"Indeed, my esteemed friend," Colonel Freitag answered.
"A highlight in naval history. It will be remembered by future generations."
"Here it comes." Captain Schmutz pointed at the approaching U-boat.
"I am proud to share this moment with you." Colonel Freitag passed a pocket flask to Schmutz.
The Band broke into the U-boatlied to welcome the first German Submarine to arrive at a French port.
A crowd of people, herded by some SS troops cheered wildly.
"What are they doing?" Freitag asked pointing at the U-boat crew on deck, twirling.
Schmutz shrugged. Don't know, they might be a bit euphoric after sinking the Nelson. I have a Knight's Cross with oak leaves, diamonds and swords for the captain."
"Definitely a gallant officer."
"Yes."
"And what is that man on the bridge wearing?"
"It looks like a tea cozy with rabbit ears, Colonel."
"Curious."
The dock crew lowered a gangway., the man wearing the tea cozy came up and saluted. "Le Uboot ein hundred drei und zwanzig has arrived, mes monsieurs."
Unable to take his eyes off the bizarre headdress, Schmutz shook hands with the two stripped officer. "Where is your captain?"
"I am le captain. Johan Sebastian Balz a votres orders. Le plus grand Deutches hero to command a bateau-U."
"Le bateau-U?"
"Oui, like oolala. You like my French?"
Schmutz cleared his throat. "In the name of the Fuhrer, it is my pleasure to decorate you with the Knight's Cross with oak leaves, swords and diamonds."
Balz turned toward the U-123. "Einz, zwei, Hoochie-woochie, loss."
The crew on deck twirled and sang, Hoochie-woochie.
While Schmutz hung the medal on Balz's neck, Balz said, "I will need a sandwich man."
"Sandwich man?"
"Oui. You know board up front, board on the back and a man in the middle. My men will paint a sign."
Schmutz frowned. "Well, I guess it can be arranged."
The following day at the Lorient Railway Station, Balz paraded up and down the platform followed by the sandwich man. Wearing two signs that read: observes Le Grand Balz, le hero of la Kriegsmarine.
The station master asked Balz, "Why do you have that man following you?"
"If moi wore those boards moi meme no one would see mes medailles."
Already assembled, the band tuned in.
"Though a pain in the neck, this is a great and proud moment for German arms," Captain Schmutz said.
"Indeed, my esteemed friend," Colonel Freitag answered.
"A highlight in naval history. It will be remembered by future generations."
"Here it comes." Captain Schmutz pointed at the approaching U-boat.
"I am proud to share this moment with you." Colonel Freitag passed a pocket flask to Schmutz.
The Band broke into the U-boatlied to welcome the first German Submarine to arrive at a French port.
A crowd of people, herded by some SS troops cheered wildly.
"What are they doing?" Freitag asked pointing at the U-boat crew on deck, twirling.
Schmutz shrugged. Don't know, they might be a bit euphoric after sinking the Nelson. I have a Knight's Cross with oak leaves, diamonds and swords for the captain."
"Definitely a gallant officer."
"Yes."
"And what is that man on the bridge wearing?"
"It looks like a tea cozy with rabbit ears, Colonel."
"Curious."
The dock crew lowered a gangway., the man wearing the tea cozy came up and saluted. "Le Uboot ein hundred drei und zwanzig has arrived, mes monsieurs."
Unable to take his eyes off the bizarre headdress, Schmutz shook hands with the two stripped officer. "Where is your captain?"
"I am le captain. Johan Sebastian Balz a votres orders. Le plus grand Deutches hero to command a bateau-U."
"Le bateau-U?"
"Oui, like oolala. You like my French?"
Schmutz cleared his throat. "In the name of the Fuhrer, it is my pleasure to decorate you with the Knight's Cross with oak leaves, swords and diamonds."
Balz turned toward the U-123. "Einz, zwei, Hoochie-woochie, loss."
The crew on deck twirled and sang, Hoochie-woochie.
While Schmutz hung the medal on Balz's neck, Balz said, "I will need a sandwich man."
"Sandwich man?"
"Oui. You know board up front, board on the back and a man in the middle. My men will paint a sign."
Schmutz frowned. "Well, I guess it can be arranged."
The following day at the Lorient Railway Station, Balz paraded up and down the platform followed by the sandwich man. Wearing two signs that read: observes Le Grand Balz, le hero of la Kriegsmarine.
The station master asked Balz, "Why do you have that man following you?"
"If moi wore those boards moi meme no one would see mes medailles."