SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post - (Story) U-46 puts to sea again

Laughing Swordfish · 06-10-07, 04:31 PM

Later after the medals and the debriefing, not forgetting the beers; Oscar and I found ourselves alone in a cafe near to the officers' quarters.

I've always liked Oscar. He's always been the most thoughtful and intellectual member of the crew. Even if just maybe his heart isn't totally behind Germany's war, there is nothing he wouldn't do to save the life of one of us, he pulled Christian through, and to a lesser extent me, and many more of the boys, through one scrape or injury or another, in ridiculously inadequate conditions.

So I value his opinion. And I'm getting it now.

"I know we're under a lot of pressure and fear at all times. You most of all. Retribution and death is just around the corner for all of us, every time we go out, Rollie"

"It goes with the job, Doc..."

"I know! I know, Rollie, and we must keep on, and we must keep on until we can fight our way to peace."

He allowed himself a tiny smile at his own irony.

"But it's not just the 49 men, Christ, they're young boys, and you and me who get scared. And don't tell me you're not; because I'm petrified when the depth charges come, and so are you, or you should be if you're human. But you won't ever show it. And thank God you don't, or we would have been in such a panic, we'd have been sunk and drowned long before now. I'm talking about Heidi. She goes days without knowing, fearing only the worst. What about that time our radio antenna was shot away, and we couldn't report in?"

"We were presumed lost, but she didn't ....." I said helplessly

"....yes she did, she cared more than anything you idiot!"

I remember now at Kerneval how Doenitz had shown me the U-46 flag, taken off the map of the Atlantic, but never quite thrown away with the others, but cherished in a desk drawer, by one of his staff.

"But Doc, there are thousands of people right now worrying about their loved ones on either side of the fence."

"Yes Rollie, but only one is yours! Hold her, hug her, tell her you will never take risks at sea even though you must and will. Make her believe that this will all have a happy ending."

"I will, Oscar"

"Oh and can you make me believe it too, Rollie".

LS

06-10-07, 04:31 PM	#686
Laughing Swordfish Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 713 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Later after the medals and the debriefing, not forgetting the beers; Oscar and I found ourselves alone in a cafe near to the officers' quarters. I've always liked Oscar. He's always been the most thoughtful and intellectual member of the crew. Even if just maybe his heart isn't totally behind Germany's war, there is nothing he wouldn't do to save the life of one of us, he pulled Christian through, and to a lesser extent me, and many more of the boys, through one scrape or injury or another, in ridiculously inadequate conditions. So I value his opinion. And I'm getting it now. "I know we're under a lot of pressure and fear at all times. You most of all. Retribution and death is just around the corner for all of us, every time we go out, Rollie" "It goes with the job, Doc..." "I know! I know, Rollie, and we must keep on, and we must keep on until we can fight our way to peace." He allowed himself a tiny smile at his own irony. "But it's not just the 49 men, Christ, they're young boys, and you and me who get scared. And don't tell me you're not; because I'm petrified when the depth charges come, and so are you, or you should be if you're human. But you won't ever show it. And thank God you don't, or we would have been in such a panic, we'd have been sunk and drowned long before now. I'm talking about Heidi. She goes days without knowing, fearing only the worst. What about that time our radio antenna was shot away, and we couldn't report in?" "We were presumed lost, but she didn't ....." I said helplessly "....yes she did, she cared more than anything you idiot!" I remember now at Kerneval how Doenitz had shown me the U-46 flag, taken off the map of the Atlantic, but never quite thrown away with the others, but cherished in a desk drawer, by one of his staff. "But Doc, there are thousands of people right now worrying about their loved ones on either side of the fence." "Yes Rollie, but only one is yours! Hold her, hug her, tell her you will never take risks at sea even though you must and will. Make her believe that this will all have a happy ending." "I will, Oscar" "Oh and can you make me believe it too, Rollie". LS Last edited by Laughing Swordfish; 06-10-07 at 04:43 PM.