"Just you better come back!" Fritz's wife Gretchen had always worried when his short term of leave was up "You know this ol' sea dog, The Tommy's and the Yanks keep trying but I'll always come home for you Gretch." Fritz kissed his wife one last time before turning for the door. He gave his wife one last smile but deep inside he knew that the odds were stacking heavily against him and his fellow Kammeraden in the Unterseebootwaffe. Germany was Losing this war and he knew it by the numbers of boats failing to return. "When will the valkries be coming for me" he thought aloud in the back of his government schouffered Mercedes. Fritz looked around and noticed things that he would not have normally noticed. He noticed certain tree's, Flocks of song birds, The smell of the fresh country air. His senses were always heightened before a patrol. He of all people understood that this could be the last time he saw the things that normal people take for granted. Soon he would be back in france.
U-96's 13th Patrol began just like all the others. There were the political speaches about Duty und Fatherland. There was the typical last minute faults with the boat that had to be repaired quickly and often inadiquatly. Then there was the fanfair from the crowds who wanted to see a hero and his crew go off to war. A just war against that crook Churchill who opposed peace no matter how many times our Fuhrer tried to end this conflict. I just dont understand why the Tommy's are fighting us. Nobody here in Germany wants this war. How long can this maddness go on!?
"Sir B.D.U. has responded." With that the radio man Willi handed Fritz the message.
Fritz read the message while the entire command room crew held the breaths in anticipation. "well what is it herr Kaluen?" Heinrich asked. "They want us to head back to St. Nazier." the look of disbeleif was complete on every mans face. "What do they think we are doing!" Fritz screamed out "Dont those dumbkopfs understand that we are lucky to travel 150 Kilometers let alone 5,300!" Just then the damage control team leader entered the Command station. "what is it Gotfreid, Let me guess the boat is sinking and we have to ride our damn torpedo's home?!" Nervous laughter erupted somewhere in the back of the room. Gotfreid was visably caught of gaurd by the casual remark. He looked around the room at the other officer and men trying to figure out just what it was that he had missed. "Well what is it." Fritz barked. "Well herr kaleun the ship is now water tight above the waterline" "Finally Some good news" Fritz retorted under his breath. "Alarm! Aircraft S.W. closing fast" the cheif watch officer screamed into the tube from the watch station. "Take us down number 1!" Fritz spun around and hollered at Gotfreid just as he was ducking thru the hatch to the aft compartment. "Hey Gotfreid.....Just in time eh!"
T.B.C.
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