(Story) Hechler's war

[DanBiddle]

Some of you may have read my patrol reports in U-24, and how my character was promoted to staff duties. I started a new career the other day, and here's the first part of his patrol.

I appreciate any comment and criticisms, as I know I'm nowhere near the standard of Laughing Swordfish and Miss Behavin'.

Cheers!

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The sea rose and dipped in an endless, formidable swell. There were no foaming white crests, so typical of the Atlantic at this time of the year, but the deep troughs gleamed slightly in the early dawn light. A mist had gathered, but was already being scattered and dispersed by the undulating water. It was mid January, and the crisp Atlantic wind cut through the air like a knife. Gulls and other sea-birds lifted on the successive swell, seemingly immune to the mind-numbing coldness of the water. They scarcely noticed the steep swells, obviously used to the Atlantic’s harsh climate.

It was 1940, and war had started to encompass the world, and soon no region would be left at rest. The Atlantic was the prime battleground, the Wermacht had yet to be unleashed on continental Europe, and Germany’s U-boats were alone in carrying the battle to the Allies. The gulls which floated silently were, as usual, the first to sense something different in their domain. They were not alone. The remnants of the mist let not a sound through, yet the birds noticed the slight tremor through the water, a tremor that caused a mass exodus to the relative safety of the sky.

Had there been an onlooker he would have been surprised at the suddenness of the shape. First a shadow, then, breaking from the mist and damp, dawn twilight, a silhouette, the unmistakable, harsh lines of an ocean-going U-boat appeared, cleaving through the swell with a sharp white wake foaming from her fore plates. She crept on at reduced speed with a presence so unique, and such a bone-chilling viciousness that she really did embody a wolf of the ocean. One of Germany’s Grey Wolves, the hunters, striking suddenly, without warning as their torpedoes wreaked havoc with Britain’s merchant navy.

No figures explored her heaving deck, and the only movement was the steady, careful sweep of the horizon as the bridge lookouts performed their thankless task of searching sky and sea for enemies. The weathered plating of the conning tower rose with them, only the number, U-32, broke the monotonous grey plating. It was the only identifying mark that set them apart from so many. Each watch member was fully aware of the cost of carelessness. In these harsh waters there was scarcely a second chance, and many of their compatriots had been dispatched to a cold, unmarked grave in the depths of the North Atlantic.

Below the bridge, 51 officers and men were scattered through the hull, some on duties, others sleeping in cramp, damp bunks resting before they themselves would go on duty and their bunks taken by the watch going of duty. Oberleutnant zur See Dieter Hechler lay alone in his curtained off bunk, savouring the precious few minutes of solitude. He was outwardly relaxed from long practice, yet his mind was active, noting the rise and fall of the boat, the noises and mutterings from the watch in the control room next to his small refuge.

He had held this command for only 12 days, and this was his first patrol. This was not to say he was without experience, for he had been serving in U-boats since the start of the war, and Hechler had been second-in-command on Schultze’s boat, and experience that had taught him a lot, and not just in naval warfare. Hechler had prospered under Schultze’s wing on U-48, and had soon been earmarked for promotion, eventually being given U-32 from the luckless Paul Büchel.

He wore an old, worn fisherman’s sweater, and flannel trousers. His jacket hung on a hook next to his bunk, along with the white cap. They would show his authority and skill at a glance, yet in this branch of the Kriegsmarine, authority and respect were earned, never given as granted, and he still needed to win over his new crew. Hechler was 25 and one of the youngest U-boat Commanders in the war so far. His dark, ruffled hair was at odds with his rank, and frequent comments from superiors had done little to limit its unruliness. His blue-grey eyes were the key to his character however, and his feelings clearly shone out through them. His doubts, joys and mirth were clearly visible, even when the rest of his face was a careful mask of self-control.

A hatch banged, loud and sharp, clearly heard throughout the ship. Hechler made himself relax muscle by muscle, postponing the inevitable. A slight movement outside the green curtains, and a hand dragged them slowly back. Hechler saw Heinz Rehburg, one of the control room watch crew looking at him. A young man from Bonn, Rehburg had proved himself to be a reliable seaman, and was destined for promotion if he had enough luck to survive for a few more weeks.

Rehburg nervously opened his mouth, “Leutnant Rahn requests your presence on the bridge, Herr Kaleun.”
“Very well, Rehburg, I’ll be up in a minute.”

He watched as the curtain was drawn back across before reaching for his cap and binoculars. He grimaced in the mirror. He examined his appearance as a subordinate. He looked presentable enough; the Captain, calm, unflappable. With a last glace around his cabin, he drew back the curtain and walked the scant feet into the control room. The crew would greet him with varied feelings. He was replacing their old Commander, this was Büchel’s crew, and many hadn’t transferred their feeling across to him. They would greet him with relief, doubt, dislike even, but he would be accepted as Commander. His cap did that, showing his authority at a glance.

Hechler nodded to the crew in the control room before briefly glancing at the chart and walking across to the ladder leading up through the conning tower to the bridge. As his head rose through the hatch, he could see the watch crew stiffen, and before he had fully climbed onto the bridge, Rahn was turning to greet him.

Dietrich Rahn was the First Watch Officer, the second-in-command, and Hechler liked him. A confident man of 22, Rahn had managed to prove his worth under Büchel, and had risen to 1WO after Büchel and his XO were dismissed from the ship. Hechler had heard it was shattered nerves that had sealed Büchel’s fate. Hechler dismissed the thought as the turned to Rahn.

“Convoy, Herr Kaleun! On the port beam. Looks large, fast as well sir. We haven’t managed to get an accurate course for them yet, but we’ll have that soon.”

Hechler raised his binoculars to his face and peered over towards the east. Surely enough there were countless thick black smoke columns rising above the horizon. Rahn had said they were fast. A fast convoy heading south – this was a valuable convoy. Most likely tankers and maybe even a heavily armed surface escort Hechler thought. The Graf Spee was a costly reminder to the Brits, and Hechler doubted that they’d let their valuable escorts sail without heavy escort from now on. The convoy stretched across half the horizon. Rahn was right – it was a big convoy.

“I want revolutions for 15 knots, set a course directly for the convoy until we can work out the course.” Hechler remained looking at the convoy.

“Jahwohl, Herr Kaleun!”

Hechler felt the lurch as U-32’s diesels jumped to the faster speed and the deck plates started to vibrate under his feet. He could guess at the activity going on below decks. When living in such close proximity to one another, new traveled fast, and the pounding diesels would have alerted the whole crew that something was up. Hechler heard whispered comments being passed down the ladder. Hechler remained impassive, motionless, watching the smoke columns without the aid of the binoculars now. Slowly, the sky was brightening, and more detail could be learnt of the convoy. Her course was clear now, the convoy was traveling a straight course, with only very slight zigzags to try and throw his aim off. Hechler turned to Rahn and gave his orders, “Alter course, steer one-eight-zero, increase speed to 17 knots!”

Hechler turned and climbed briskly down the ladder into the control room once more. He looked around him at the many faces crowding the compartment. He stared impassively at them, his features betraying nothing, before smiling and announcing, “Battle-stations men! We’ve a convoy to hunt!” turning around once more he headed towards the bow.

“Hartmann!” Hechler cried, as the Radioman darted from his little hut and stood to attention in front of him. “Prepare this message to BdU: Contact Report. Convoy sighted grid square BE36, Large, speed 12 knots, general course 205 degrees. Suspected tankers and possible heavy surface escort. Am setting up attack, and will remain in trail. UH. Is that clear?”

“Jawohl, Herr Kaleun!” The radioman headed back to his hut, and presently Hechler heard the tap of the Morse key. He turned and walked back to the control room. The room was emptier now, with most of the crew holed up in battle-stations. Hechler spotted the Chief, Leonhard Krystoflak standing next to the helmsmen, watching the progress as U-32 thundered along parallel with the convoy, rushing to move into an attack position. Krystoflak turned and looked at Hechler, one eyebrow raised. He was a veteran of eight patrols already, and had been decorated several times. He knew U-32 like the back of his own hand, and his confidence in the ship was unbreakable. As Hechler saw the Chief’s expression, he motioned him over.

“We’re attacking a convoy, Leonhard. It’s big and fast, probably with plenty of escorts. I want you to be ready for a submerged attack and then be ready to shut off for depth-charging. Things may get a little hot around here soon.” Hechler watched as Krystoflak nodded and turned to go back to dials. A strange one, Hechler thought. He had been least responsive to Hechler’s authority, and whilst he obeyed every order, Hechler could feel the dislike Krystoflak harboured towards him. He shook his head. You couldn’t win them all over, he thought. Hechler turned and headed for the ladder, remembering that Krystoflak had been very close to Büchel, which probably explained his animosity towards his new commander. Hechler shook the thought from his head as he climbed up onto the bridge once more.

The change in light was amazing, Hechler thought. He had been below for a scarce ten minutes, yet already light was starting to spill over the horizon to the east. At least they would be attacking from the dark side of the convoy. He turned to Rahn.

“How goes it, Dietrich?”

The First Watch Officer grinned back at him as the U-boat rose on the waves then fell into the troughs with an almighty crash, sending spray hurtling across the bridge. The ride was exhilarating, Hechler thought. It was no wonder the bridge crew were mimicking Rahn’s jubilant expression. Rahn opened his mouth to reply before quickly ducking as a massive burst of spray crashed over the tower, soaking Hechler through.

“We’re ahead of the convoy now sir and they’re remaining on the same course. We’ve been able to observe the individual ships as well now sir. There are 5 columns, each 10 ships long, as well as some ships clustered at the back of the convoy, but these are mainly stragglers – small merchants mostly. The centre column is made up of large tankers and a Southampton-class Light Cruiser. The other two inner columns have some smaller tankers and large merchants as well. We can only see one escort – a destroyer on this side of the convoy. It looks good, Herr Kaleun! It’ll work for sure!”

“Good work, Dietrich, I agree. We’ll alter course in five minutes and run in on the convoy. I want to slip inside the outer columns and launch attacks at the cruiser and the tankers. BdU will probably want us to remain in trail as they guide other boats in. I don’t see how they’ll catch this one though, it’s going pretty fast.”

Hechler rested his hands on the bridge as the submarine pounded through the waves, watching as they altered course and the convoy came ever nearer. The could make out the ships without binoculars now, and Hechler saw that Rahn’s analysis had been correct. The convoy was lined on the outside by medium sized merchants, with plenty of smaller one to the back. Couldn’t keep to the pace, Hechler smiled to himself.

Anton Stein, one of the portside lookouts saw his captain smile and was amazed. He was a cool one, he thought. Going into battle with a heavily escorted convoy and he was smiling. Amazing. Nonetheless it was with a lighter state of mind that Anton Stein headed into combat. If Hechler was smiling it would be alright, he thought. Hechler’s harsh voice crashed into his daydream, “Seaman Stein! If a destroyer runs us down from port, you may be certain that I will personally fire you out of the torpedo tube! That thick skull of yours is bound to sink a tin can like that!” Stein hastily put his binoculars back up to his eyes and scanned the horizon. He grinned to the other lookout. Hechler never missed a trick, but they all knew that his harsh words were merely covering his own feelings about the attack.

Hechler took one last glance around him before ordering the boat down to periscope depth. Despite the darkness on this side of the convoy, they would be spotted before long, and Hechler didn’t relish the thought of a gun battle with a light cruiser. Of course, this wasn’t a proper cruiser, like the Admiral Hipper or the Prinz Eugen, but those guns would still make mincemeat out of a U-boat. He climbed down into the conning tower, shutting the hatch tightly behind him. As U-32 slipped below the waves, he raised the attack periscope clear of the waves. The convoy was clearly in his view, and Hechler immediately picked out the cruiser in the middle column.

Proceeding at slow speed, they had crept past the outer column without any trouble at all, and Hechler lined the cruiser up in his sights. She was about 10,000 tons, he thought, and even at 12 knots she looked formidable and foreboding as she sliced through the waves with a fine moustache of foam sliding aft from her curved bow. Hechler looked away from the scope and turned to Rahn, who crouched in the small tower compartment next to him, ready to alter the setting in the Torpedo computer.

“I want two torpedoes, both set at 3 metres depth, impact pistol. Better make them fast running too. Cruiser is just over 1000 metres away, speed 12 knots. I’m aiming both shots along the hull. Ready?” Hechler was answered by a nod of the head. He looked back into the scope again, judging the speed of the large merchant in the next column, waiting until the torpedoes would definitely clear it. He kept looking through the scope. “Flood tubes one to four, open all bow caps.” Hechler waited as the orders were passed, and finally, “Tube 1, Fire! Tube 2, Fire” Hechler watched as the torpedoes streaked away from the U-boat, then moved his periscope down to the next ship in the column, a large tanker.

“10 degrees left rudder! Rudder amidships! Rahn, tube 3 and 4 5 metres, impact pistols, fast running. Prepare for a stern shot as well.” Hechler waited until the computer was set, then ordered tubes 3 and 4 to fire at the tanker. He quickly moved the periscope back to focus on the cruiser. He could identify her as HMS Glasgow now, and as the stopwatch clicked down, he saw her suddenly increase speed and try to alter course.

Hechler watched as the first torpedo slammed into the hull aft and the Glasgow seemed to stagger sharply before resuming her course. Her speed seemed to be coming back down, and even as Hechler watched the bow wave start to decrease the second torpedo also slammed into the hull. There was a bright flash under he funnels and a massive welter of water was thrown into the air above the ship and she was momentarily hidden to Hechler. He heard some other explosions, but it was far too early for the tanker to be hit, and Hechler was puzzled for a moment until the spray died down and all became clear. His torpedo had hit something vital on the Glasgow and there were many fires and explosions rippling along her hull. He could see seaman jumping off the ship to escape the lethal firestorm and the Glasgow was already very low in the water.

Hechler heard another explosion, and quickly shifted his view back to the tanker. There was some spray falling back to the sea, and Hechler could see that the tanker was slowing. After another 5 minutes he knew that the other torpedo had either missed or had misfired. A massive explosion rent the air, and shock waves were felt throughout the hull. Hechler transferred his gaze rapidly to the position of the Glasgow - a massive explosion had ripped her in half, and she was already plunging rapidly to the bottom with an indescribable roar of rent steel, smashing bulkheads, explosions and the sea rushing in to fill the void. Hechler saw the stern cant upward, the cruiser’s four screws pointing to the sky as Glasgow began her last plunge to the bottom of the Atlantic, already becoming a vast ship graveyard.

Hechler could see the tanker slowly approaching the Glasgow’s last position, moving but damaged, and he ordered a quick reversal in course, keeping the periscope trained on the tanker. “Quickly, Rahn! Set up tube five as we did for the other four! Tell me when you’re ready!”

A few seconds passed before Rahn replied, and Hechler quickly ordered the last torpedo fired at the tanker. As the boat shuddered with the release of another torpedo, Hechler spun the periscope around quickly, trying to see if they were discovered. He looked in horror as he saw a Destroyer bearing down rapidly at them from port, the lookout in the crow’s-nest pointing straight at Hechler. Hechler instantaneously slammed the periscope down and dropped down the ladder, as a shocked Rahn followed. As he landed in the control room, Hechler shouted out brief orders:

“ALARM!! Quickly Chief, all ahead flank, take her down to 100 metres, make a hard turn to port and shut-off for depth-charging!” Hechler saw the jubilant faces rapidly changing to disbelief and shock, and then just as rapidly to fear as the sound of racing screws echoed through the hull. Sub-consciously Hechler grabbed hold of some piping and saw Rahn do the same. The soundman poked his head around the corner as he yelled, “Depth-charges in the water sir!” Hechler saw the crew grab hold of anything built into the boat as he shouted “Hang on, men! This one’s going to be close!” The Navigator, Striezel already had his chalk board out ready to note the number of depth-charges.

The hull was violently rocked one way and then the other as U-32 was straddled by two very close depth charge bombs. The huge roaring of noise, shattered glass and the lights cutting out caused mass panic to the crew. Terrified faces greeted Hechler’s gaze as he ordered damage reports from all sections. Hearing the destroyer moving away, Hechler rapidly ordered quiet in the hull, and the boat shut down for silent running. Terrified as they are, the crew manage to keep quiet as the shockwaves from the depth charges die down. The lights are eventually restored.

The soundman turns back to us once again. “Destroyer, bearing 020 degrees, closing fast!” Hechler heard the report and realised that the destroyer had turned and was heading in to attack once again. “Hold on, men! Here she comes again!” As the screws became louder and louder, and the destroyer came closer and closer, Hechler saw his crews faces screwed up in total fear. As the noise reached its climax and appeared just overhead, the boat filled with nothing but the high pitched whirring of propellers, and Hechler could hear nothing else but one small voice sobbing out “Oh God, oh God!” The navigator looked across the compartment with a grave face and announced, “Six depth charges in the water, sir”.

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There's the first part - I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Anyone guess where the name comes from

Cheers,

Dan Biddle

[Respenus]

LOVED IT!!!

[U-104]

:r ock:

[bookworm_020]

Terriffic!!!! Bring on the next installment!!!

[Jimbuna]

AWESOME!!!

[HunterICX]

Great Read there Matey , that took some time away while at work

[Finnbat]

Good writing, some words not opening for me. But Im not englishmen.
Waiting the next chapter...

[DanBiddle]

Wow!! Thanks for all the support, your comments are much appreciated!

Hopefully I'll have the second part of the convoy attack up by the end of the evening, and with any luck there won't be so many typos in the next bit

Cheers,

Dan Biddle

[DanBiddle]

Well, here we are with chapter two. I hope it measures up to your expectations!

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As the noise reached its climax and appeared just overhead, the boat filled with nothing but the high pitched whirring of propellers, and Hechler could hear nothing else but one small voice sobbing out “Oh God, oh God!” The navigator looked across the compartment with a grave face and announced, “Six depth charges in the water, sir”.

Amidst the massive detonations echoing through the hull, a rushing whirlpool of water struck the submarine and U-32 was rolled sharply over on her port beam, even as the lights went out in a splintering crash of broken glass. Pipes ruptured and the control room was bathed in an eerie blue glow as powerful jets of water burst into the control room from the piping. A blast hit Hechler right in the face, and he could barely see or hear for a moment before he managed to move out of the painful spray. There was open sobbing coming from one corner of the control room, but Hechler ignored it whilst he tried to sort out his crippled boat.

“Ahead flank, take her down 20 metres and full right rudder!” Hechler shouted out, “Damage control team to the control room, shut off those leaks!” Hechler quickly ordered the change in course whilst the destroyer was directly overhead. The sharp turn to the right would also take the U-boat in amongst the main convoy, and Hechler hoped that the destroyer would lose them amongst the maelstrom of water churned up by multiple propellers. Already the leaks were under control as Krystoflak deployed his team efficiently around the compartment.

The high speed noises from the destroyer were fading, and soon they picked up the unmistakable sounds of large merchant vessels directly overhead. Hechler ordered them to follow the convoy slowly, as they listened out for more signs that they had been detected. As his crew got their breath back, Hechler looked around the control room, his eyes moving to compassion as he saw a young sailor sobbing on the floor in a corner. It was his first patrol, and Hechler understood the reaction to a first depth charge attack. Rahn was sitting in the corner, looking over towards Hechler, and noticing this, Hechler gave a small nod. The sound of depth charges echoed through the hull once more, but there were no violent movements or broken glass this time.

Rahn stood up, “A long way off, Herr Kaleun! It looks like you fooled them that time.”
“Yes, Dietrich, they must have lost us in that last attack. Certainly not an experienced Royal Navy escort yet. Take us up to 100 metres and let us slowly run out of the convoy to the west. We’ll circle round and see if that tanker is still there.” Hechler stood up and walked forward to the Soundroom. “Kreffter, monitor that destroyer for me, I want to know where he is at all times – keep me updated.” He walked back into the control room, pulling his cap off and moving a hand through his hair. He put his cap back on and walked over to his bunk and sat down. Depth charges echoed through the cold water once more, but they were even further away.

“Take it easy, men. They’ve lost us this time.”

Hechler saw relief showing on the faces of his crew. This boat had rarely come into port damaged, except for the previous patrol, and Hechler had heard rumours that Büchel’s breakdown was the result of a particularly savage attack by a pair of destroyers. To all accounts that was the only attack the boat had come under, and would explain the jubilant cheers that echoed through the hull as the Glasgow had broken her back in that final explosion. It was the first victory for U-32, and a cruiser at that, and Hechler was particularly pleased with the crews’ approach to the attack. Even if Büchel had been broken, it seemed the crew was made of sterner stuff. The sound of the convoy was no longer audible through the hull, and Hechler moved forward again before crouching next to Kreffter. The soundman had his eyes shut, and was pouring all his concentration into the headphone he wore around his head. The wheel in front of the dial moved slowly back and forth between 90 degrees and 120 degrees. Another low shudder rang through the hull – more depth charges, far away. Kreffter opened his eyes as he became aware of Hechler crouching next to him.

“Where are they, Kreffter?”

“The depth charges confirm it, Herr Kaleun. The convoy is moving off on 90 degrees, and the destroyer seems to be depth charging the area off to 120 degrees. They’re moving away, but I can’t tell the distance from here.”

“Good work, Kreffter.” Hechler clapped him on the shoulder before standing and looking back at the control room. Faces were peering around the side of the circular hatch, all interested in the dialogue going on between Captain and soundman. He stepped through the hatch and moved over towards the chart table. Taking a quick glance at the plot, he looked over to Rahn, “Take her up to periscope depth, and we can secure from silent running now. Tell the lads forward to get the tubes loaded again.”

“Jawohl, Herr Kaleun!”

Rahn skillfully moved the boat upwards through the dark depths of the Atlantic before the submarine began to rock gently as the surface swell caught her. The control room was a mass of activity now as the watch crew made preparations for surfacing if Hechler ordered it, and other sailors ran up and down the hull as the torpedoes were quickly loaded into the tubes again. Hechler nodded to Rahn as periscope depth was announced and climbed into the tower again. He grabbed hold of the periscope handles as Rahn joined him in the tower. He looked across; “Be ready for a crash dive, but also let me know as soon as the fish are loaded” Hechler looked back into the periscope, sensing rather than seeing Rahn nod back at him.

Hechler slowly moved the periscope up until the head just breached the waves. He looked closer through the lens as it cleared and was fully focused. Lying almost directly in front of his eyes about 800 metres away the tanker they had hit early was dead in the water and listing. Her name, S.S. Deer Lodge was blackened and scorched near the stern, and Hechler presume their torpedo had also started a small fire. There was no activity on her decks, and she appeared to be completely deserted. A small oil slick trailed from her starboard quarter and spray burst over the listed side in irregular bursts.

He moved the periscope round to the right, and saw the convoy just merging into the dawn darkness. It was much brighter than earlier, but there was still a dark gloom hanging over the sea to the west. The time was 8 am, and Hechler was surprised that they had been under depth charge attack for over an hour. Looking round again, he saw the distinct shape of a Tribal class destroyer hurrying after the convoy. The convoy only had another destroyer and a small Flower class corvette making up the escort, and they would undoubtedly want to keep the rest of the escorts close together after Glasgow was sunk and the Deer Lodge had dropped out of the line, crippled. After a last check round, Hechler pulled the periscope down and dropped down into the control room. Rahn was already there, apparently having climbed down to check on the readiness of the torpedoes. “Tubes one and two are loaded sir, and tube three is about half done.”

“Thank you Dietrich. Surface the boat. Prepare for a surface torpedo attack on the tanker we hit.” Rahn quickly turned and issued commands to the crew. Whispers soon passed along the boat, and soon every crewman was excited to have another ship to their name.

As the sharply curving bow rose slowly out of the water, Hechler climbed up out of the tower onto the bridge, clad in his oilskins and binoculars to protect him from the swell which still remained. The watch crew climbed up after him, and soon the bridge sight was carried up as well. Hechler bent over the sight and carefully lined the crosshairs up with the tanker. He was aiming well aft, as this was obviously a crude carrier, and he wanted an quick explosion, not a burning wreck to act as a beacon to the rest of the Royal Navy. His orders were relayed down the tower and into the control room as he systematically set the boat up for attack.

“Flood tubes one and two. Open bow caps. Range…750 metres, depth 3 metres, impact pistol. Better make them fast running and get the job done.”

“Jawohl, Herr Kaleun!”

“Set up for surface torpedo attack, Herr Kaleun. Depth 3 metres, range 750, impact pistol, fast. Tube one and two ready sir!” Stein relayed the orders back to Hechler.

Hechler put his eyes back down to the sight before centering it on a spot just forward of the superstructure. Without looking up, he ordered, “Tube one, Fire!” Quickly moving the crosshairs along the hull, he focused on the forward superstructure and announced. “Tube two, Fire!” Taking his eyes away from the sight he quickly detached it and passed it back along the chain until it could be stored back in the control room. He looked back at the tanker. The torpedoes should reach it any second now, he thought.

Two quick detonations rumpled across the water as a sheet of flame roared upwards from the stricken hull. The rapidly building inferno had set the crude alight and was already moving rapidly along the hull. A gathering roar filled the ears of the deck crew as hold after hold exploded in a maelstrom of flames and smoke, wrenching the hull plates apart and allowing the sea to greedily explore the inside of her hull as the deck grew closer and closer to the water. The ship seemed to be breaking up even as they watched, and the typical screaming of bulkheads wasn’t heard because they had literally been blown apart. The smell of burning metal and gasoline fumes drifted across the water towards them, masking the convoy away to the south. The smoke made Hechler’s eyes smart, but he remained motionless watching the death of a once proud ship, now breaking up before his eyes. The largest piece of hull was only about 50 feet long, and within minutes the tanker had completely disappeared beneath the waves. A small amount of burning wreckage was still visible, but that was all. So, it was gasoline rather than crude oil, Hechler thought to himself. There was no other explanation for such a rapid sinking.

Looking back at the watch crew he quickly ordered a change in course, “All ahead flank, come right heading two-two-zero! We’ll run after the convoy and overhaul them before they get too far.” Hechler had a last look round before climbing down the ladder and leaving the watch in the capable hands of Dietrich Rahn, First Watch Officer.

As he entered the control room, there were still jubilant shouts and friendly insults hurling back and forth. There were big grins on the faces of the watch crew as they went about their duties. The only dampening on the happy scene was the grim face of Leonhard Krystoflak, Chief of the Boat. Hechler motioned to him, and with a little grumbling, Krystoflak edged closer.

“I want all the tubes reloaded Chief, even if that means pulling one out of the external storage. Get some good men to help you, and for God’s sake look happier man, we’ve just sunk over 20000 tons of shipping!”

Krystoflak grumbled away as Hechler moved forward to send off a radio message to BdU. He still didn’t know why Hechler had been put in charge. True, Büchel wasn’t the most aggressive of U-boat commanders, but he’d never got them caught up in an attack like that one. He’d been as frightened as the next man during the depth charge attacks, and as much as he’d loathed the sight of the young sailor, Vogel, sobbing on the floor, he had felt much the same way. Now Hechler was planning to reload and go after the convoy again – sheer madness! He had his victories, didn’t he? Why should he risk all their lives for the sake a few more ships. He still wore a rim expression on his face as detailed a work party to bring one of the externally loaded torpedoes inside the hull.

Hechler watched him go with a wary expression on his face. Krystoflak troubled him, and he could see the same signs he saw in Büchel before he left on his last patrol, and that worried him. It was no time for the Chief’s nerve to break, especially as they we’re about to head in for another convoy attack and were out in the mid-Atlantic in January. He would give him one last chance in the next attack before deciding to ask BdU for a replacement when they next docked.

He had already sent a message off to BdU, relating their attack briefly, the sinking of the Glasgow then the hour long depth charge attack and the sinking of the crippled Deer Lodge before reporting that they were motoring to overhaul the convoy and launch another attack at dusk. The convoy was very fast, Hechler thought, at least 12 knots and he wasn’t sure exactly how far away the convoy was before they set off in chase, but the gathering light would help him out, and he was quite sure that at flank speed, a full 17 knots, they could easily overhaul the convoy before nightfall. He turned around and headed to his bunk. After pulling the green curtain across he hung up his cap and lay back before filling in his personal log.

Hechler’s father had been an infantryman in the Great War, and he had been badly injured in one assault. After recovering from his wounds, he had remained detached and mentally scarred. In moments of clear thought he would chill the family with his tales from the trenches; the machine guns, the mustard gas, and the mud. It had shocked a young Hechler, and he had chosen the Navy for no bad reason. His first cruise had been around the world in the cruise Emden, a typical entry to the Navy. He had been drafted into U-boats in 1938, and promoted to First Watch Officer in Schultze’s boat a few months before the war began.

The whole hull was leaping and bounding now as the submarine crashed over the waves. The torpedoes were steadily being loaded into the tubes, and it wouldn’t be long before they were overhauling the convoy. Reports said that the convoy was in sight on the horizon to port, and they were steadily overhauling them. Krystoflak was still looking nervous, but Hechler put the thought aside. They would attack this evening if nothing went wrong.

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

Hechler was just nodding off when the curtain was pulled back. Instantly jolted into wakefulness, he looked across and saw the grave face of Leonhard Krystoflak peering at him.

“We’ve got to reduce speed, Herr Kaleun! The fuel is getting to a critical level. The port propeller bearing is running hot too. We can’t carry on at this pace, I’m sorry Herr Kaleun, but we’ll have to let that convoy go.”

Hechler looked sharply at Krystoflak, a frown settling over his features. His eyes frostily looked over the Chief of the boat, and Hechler noted that Krystoflak had the good grace to look apologetic. Hechler was highly suspicious now, and as he climbed out of his bunk, he saw some crewmen with open disgust on their faces. A sham after all then, Hechler thought. Walking quickly across the compartment, Hechler climbed up the narrow ladder to the bridge, spotting Rahn still on watch. He moved over to him.

“Chief says we’re low on fuel, and need to slow down.” Hechler saw a frown immediately appear on Rahn’s face.

“So you don’t believe it either then? We have to accept his word for it, so where’s the convoy?” Hechler noted that it was 11 am, so they’d had a good three hours of pursuit.

“We’re ahead of the convoy again, sir. I suppose if we cut back to 10 knots and cut in now, we’d have a good chance of making the intercept, and I know we’re fully loaded up on torpedoes. We’ll have to watch him, Herr Kaleun, he and Büchel were thick as thieves most of the time sir. We never went into combat until those destroyers surprised us on the last patrol. At the time, we were all scared ****less, but now, hearing what the Chief’s pulling, I’m starting to wonder sir.”

“Exactly my thoughts, Dietrich. I’ll go down and plot an intercept, but we WILL attack that convoy again, and you’ll have to stand by to take control in case he trys anything funny on us.”

Hechler climbed below and walked over to the chart table. “Striezel!” he yelled, as the Navigator emerged quickly into the control room. “I need you to plot an intercept course for the convoy at 10 knots, the Chief informs me we’re low on fuel.” Another frown of the eyebrows, and Hechler noticed Krystoflak cringing out of the corner of his eye. “Can we make it?”

“Jawohl, Herr Kaleun! We can make it. Expect an intercept in 15 minutes.”

“Very well, thank you Striezel, that was very prompt.” Hechler looked around and ordered the change in course and speed. As he moved across the control room he passed Krystoflak, still standing motionless in the middle of the compartment, next to the periscope tube. “Well, Chief, I hope those orders will alleviate our fuel situation. Send the crew to Battle-stations if you please!” On that note Hechler donned his cap and jacket before swiftly climbing the ladder back up to the bridge. Rahn was already turning towards him, a questioning look on his face. Hechler moved over to him and spoke in his ear.

“We’re closed up at battle-stations. The Navigator doesn’t agree with the Chief’s fuel outlook either. We’re going to be attacking the convoy in broad daylight, and I’m almost certain that we’ll be discovered at some point, so be prepared to take care of the Chief if we get a bad time of it.”

“Will do, sir. It’ll only be another 10 minutes before we’re in visual range. We can already make out the individual ships in the convoy.”

“Excellent Dietrich. Stand by to dive, we’ll attack the centre column as before and try to get another tanker.”

“Jawohl, Herr Kaleun!”

A few minutes later the bridge cleared and the submarine disappeared beneath the waves, leaving a foaming white wake on the surface, the only mark of where she had been. Hechler was in the command room, with most of the crew not needed elsewhere, and Hechler grinned round at the gathered faces. “We’ll finish what we started, eh?” Grins answered him back as he turned and climbed up into the tower. Rahn soon followed, and Hechler turned to speak with him about the attack.

“I want you to set the computer up now. We won’t have much time, so I’ll target a four fish salvo at two large tankers and a stern shot at one of the cargos on the outer screen. Set all the torpedoes to 3 metres, impact firing and fast speed. They’ll be able to see the trails clearly with this light and it won’t take a genius to work out where we are. Fire and dive deep. How’s that sound?”

“Excellent, Herr Kaleun. Setting up now.”

Hechler slowly raised the attack periscope above the waves, and once it was focused, the view took his breath away. Under a gently undulating sea, row upon row of merchantmen greeted his eye. All were keeping the same rigid formation, thick black smoke rising into the air. Each had a large bow wave foaming from the stem and now he could see the convoy clearly, it really astounded him. He had never seen an attack through the periscope prior to earlier that morning, as Schultze had always attacked submerged. Most of the ships had been grey, amorphous shapes in the dawn twilight, but they were clearly visible now as U-32 crept through the outer column, barely a couple of inches of periscope showing above the waves.

They quickly slipped inside the second column, still undetected, and Hechler quickly snapped a large tanker into the crosshairs. “Flood tube one to five an open bow caps!”

A moment later Rahn replied, “Tubes one to five flooded and open. Ready to fire on your order.”

Making a last check on the tanker, now steaming 500 metres away, Hechler ordered U-32 to attack. “Tubes one and two, FIRE!” He quickly spun the periscope around and targeted the stern tube onto a medium sized cargo ship in the second column. “Tube five, FIRE!” He spun the periscope back round towards the tanker, and as it rotated on it’s mount, he spotted a destroyer charging down the column towards him, much further way than earlier that morning, but still a sight that mad his blood chill. Reacting quickly, Hechler spun the periscope back towards the row of tankers in the middle of the convoy. Quickly selecting the large tanker behind the one he had already aimed at, he quickly shouted “Tubes three and four, FIRE!”

Before even waiting to see the results of his handiwork, Hechler dropped down the ladder and shouted out “ALARM! Take her down to 100 metres, Chief, quickly! All ahead flank and bring her round to port!”

As the U-boat plunged into the dark depths of the Atlantic, aimed at the next column of merchantmen, the hull echoed to the sound of high speed propellers racing towards them. Yet again, the crews’ faces showed fear, terror even as there was little they could do to stop the impending doom. Just before the noise reached a crescendo, Hechler ordered the sub to make a sharp turn to starboard, and drop down even deeper to 130 metres. The roaring of depth charges going off close to the submarine rocked the hull as the lights smashed yet again. Pipes burst and water was sprayed around the control room.

“Quickly, up to 90 metres, slow ahead!” Hechler looked around at his crew. Rahn was holding up well, a grim expression was on his face, but he was determined and trusted the skill of his new commander. Hechler noted the terror on Krystoflak’s face, and instantly knew that he would have to be dismissed once they reached Wilhelmshaven again. The sailors standing near the Chief were all noting his reaction, and it was doing little to help theirs’.

“Easy men, there’s been nothing yet. They only got us that time because they could see out wake. Keep calm”

Suddenly more explosions echoed through the hull, different, high pitched explosions accompanied by an endless screaming, tearing and roaring of water as bulkheads collapsed and the torpedoes slammed into the ships Hechler had targeted. He looked over to Rahn, “Two I reckon. That last shot on the tanker was poorly aimed, but I think we got the other one and the car..”

Hechler was cut off mid sentence as the soundman, Kreffter announced that there were more fast propeller noises closing. Two escorts. The stakes had just been raised. The newcomer closed quickly, and despite Hechler’s quick alteration of course, another depth charge attack rocked the boat hard. The Chief, Krystoflak was visibly shaking now, and Hechler spared a glance of utter contempt towards him before turning his attention back towards Kreffter. At his glance, Kreffter replied.

“That destroyer is moving away slowly, it’s turned and the first one is coming back fast.”

It was clear in Hechler’s mind. One destroyer was monitoring them on ASDIC whilst the other made their attack run. Already the sounds of the convoy were receding, leaving them even more exposed and at a disadvantage. As the first destroyer came barreling in again, another load of depth charges were fired at them, but these were slightly further away. They still violently rocked the hull, but had been set at the wrong depth. Hechler took U-32 deeper again as they all heard the other destroyer closing in at high speed. Hechler turned his back on the control room and peered at the chart Striezel was plotting. There definitely seemed a gap where one destroyer couldn’t monitor them, and the other was too committed to the attack to change course. There was definitely room to escape their aggressors if only they could exploit it. Hechler stiffened as a voice called out.

“Kaleun, I order you to surface the boat, IMMEDIATELY! We cannot escape two, it just isn’t possible. We’ve got to surface now to have any chance of living! NOW, Herr Kaleun!”

Hechler had identified the voice. It was Krystoflak; there was little doubt of that. Hechler was filled with anger as he turned and shouted rapidly at the broken Chief,

“Chief, shut up this insta..” Hechler rapidly stopped talking after he turned and saw a Luger pistol cradled in the hand to Leonhard Krystoflak. His face was bright red, and tears were streaked across his face. He was visibly shaking, yet the pistol in his hand was rock steady. And it was pointing straight at Hechler’s chest.

“Come on, Herr Kaleun. Surface the boat. We’ll all die if you don’t”

“Krystoflak, shut up. We’re much safer down here than on the surface, and there’re only two of them. They’re losing accuracy too. Put the pistol down and then we can evade the destroyers. Do not think for a moment I want to die either. Now put the pistol down.”

The tension in the control room was so thick you could cut it. Crewmen looked on in disbelief, there own fear forgotten as the Commander stood at one end of the control room, the Chief the other. Krystoflak was struggling to come to a decision. His hand was shaking as well, and the pistol moved across his chest in a jagged figure of eight. Water dripped off piping in the blue light, further adding to the tense atmosphere. The sound of fast moving propellers echoed through the hull again and they drew ever closer. The sound seemed to galvanise Krystoflak into action as his hand steadied, aimed over Hechler’s heart and the sound of a hammer being drawn back was clearly audible. Krystoflak shut his eyes shuddered and then suddenly pitched forward on his face, revealing Rehburg standing behind him with a large crowbar hefted in his hands. Relief was short lived, however, as another depth charge attack rocked the boat. This time, it was just as close as the first drop, and lights shattered and pipes burst before Hechler could get U-32 back onto an even keel and in control once again. As she slipped deeper into the Atalntic, Hechler thought rapidly about how they could escape the clutches of the destroyers.

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

The next 5 hours were nerve wracking for all the men and Hechler had do delve deep into all his vestiges of skill and self-control as he guided his crew through the harrowing depth charge attacks. By the time U-32 finally rose to the surface, battered and bruised it was late afternoon, and the light was already dying as the sun sank to the west, throwing an orange glow over the sea. Krystoflak had been tied down on his bunk in the sick bay, and was still alive but had not yet regained consciousness. Hechler ordered a message sent to BdU, and U-32 turned north again, heading back to Wilhelmshaven. With only two torpedoes left, Hechler didn’t want to risk another convoy attack, but he hoped they might pick up a few ships sailing alone on the way back.

He was impressed with how the rest of the crew had held up. The Krystoflak incident had strengthened their nerve, and their final escape had definitely increased their faith in Hechler. Already they had seen more action in 12 days with Hechler than the last 6 months with Büchel. Hechler looked around the control room once more, smiling reassuringly at the crew members that met his glance before he headed off to his bunk, and lay back with a sigh. The attack had tired him more than he thought, and already he could feel sleep claiming him. They had managed to sink the large tanker, S.S Bennestvet and the cargo ship S.S Stirlingshire. That brought the total ships up to four, and BdU were already sending more U-boats in on the convoy. Hechler for once didn’t care, and as his eyes closed, he sunk into a deep dreamless sleep as U-32 headed north at half speed, heading for home.



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




Another update completed. This isn't the end of Hechler though, so stay tune for another update soon



Cheers,



Dan Biddle

[bookworm_020]

The Laughing Swordfish may soon have some company...

Keep up the good work

[joea]

So many talented authors here? I love it! So will Krystoflak be sent to the harbour guide boats? Lucky for him Germany is not yet at war with Russia.

[Finnbat]

Nice writing.

I want to see how the poor bastard gets in court martial and gets against wall.
If someone lift a gun against captain on board it is bad bad bad...

[SteveW1]

Fantastic writing, loving the story keep it up.

[Respenus]

Thriler under see. I must say, if you guys steped together, you could put a compilation of fictional U-boat stories in a book. A sure best seller

Keep up the good work!

BTW, is the sub a type VII? I really didn't catch it anywhere and got the picture from the 5 torpedo tubes.

Forgot to add before. It's ART!!!

[DanBiddle]

Cheers for the comments guys, I really appreciate them!!

As for the U-boat, I never did fully explain the background or exact specification, but U-32 is a Type VIIB sub of the 2nd Flottila. I looked on U-boat.net, and U-32 was a VIIA sub from the same flottila, and Buchel actually did command her until Feb 1940. U-32 also has the distinction of sinking the largest ship in the U-baot war, a 42,000 ton liner, Empress of Britain. Unfortunately, U-32 was sunk two days after this. (we'll not be trying to recreate that!)

I'm currently writing the next installment, and we'll hear the aftermath of 'Krystogate'
I was writing the last bit of the previous installment late at night, and I've noticed there are more typos there, so hopefully the next one will be a little more coherent. What can I say, I get so caught up in the action my fingers can't stop rushing over the keyboard!

Anyway, thanks again for all your comments, and I may be able to get the next one up tonight, but I make no promises (probably depends on the Chelsea game )

Cheers,

Dan Biddle