(Story) U-46 puts to sea again - Page 15

Laughing Swordfish · 12-13-05, 09:07 PM

We are ushered in, and the doors close behind us.

Any number of staff officers are there, poised readily with notebooks or files in hand.

We see him. Hunched over a huge 'bird table' of what seems to be Eastern Europe. Demanding reports and map overlays angrily from a harassed staff.

The orderly coughs politely

"Officers of U-46 and U-467 to see you, mein Fuhrer"

The crowd of lackeys parts, and we get a better look.

In a drab dun-coloured tunic and trousers, with an SS Eagle on his left sleeve, a diminutive man turns from the map table. A lock of lank dark hair falling down from his forehead. And that unmistakeable moustache.

"Yes, yes of course, our heroes of the deep!"

He pumped our hands with great excitement. Whatever land war forgotten for the moment.

"And which of you saved the other?"

"Well, Mein Fuhrer..." Reuben started..

"..Never mind, never mind! The German people salute you! Bring me those medals!"

He pinned them onto our chests. The Oak Leaves. A huge honour, but I couldn't help noticing as the Aide de Camp tidied away, that there was a whole box of them.

Obviously heroes of the Reich come cheaper by the dozen.

"Great work against the English. Soon we will send our finest battleship to smash their naval power, and you will all be home soon. Now we have bigger fish to fry!"

A number of the staff tried to intervene discreetly at this incaution, but Hitler would not be stopped.

"England was never our enemy in the long term, oh no! We have sent her running back to her shores, and you must keep it that way. But here....!"

He made a grand gesture at the map. Stabbing his finger at Moscow.

"Here is where Germany's destiny lies!

"Russia, mein Fuhrer?"

"Yes, Russia, Leutnant! We have only to kick in the doors and the whole rotten building will come crashing down! At dawn tomorrow, the Bolsheviks won't know what hit them!"

"Yes, my Fuhrer"

We were clearly not meant to hear any of this, and were even kept under armed guard by OKW until H-Hour was reached.

Reuben turned to me

"Russia?"

I pulled a small face.

"Well maybe we can pull it off. We have done so far"

"What about that stuff about going home, Sir?"

"Trust me, Reuben, I reckon that we'll still be dodging destroyers this time next year. And when it happens we can explain that we have it on Herr Hitler's authority that we shouldn't be there. Now, what are we going to do with the rest of our leave? God help me I'm already missing U-46 after this madness. Any ideas...?

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

Oberon · 12-14-05, 06:23 AM

Brilliant work!

I love the fact you used the 'rotten building' quote

And you put in Guderian as well!

Laughing Swordfish · 12-16-05, 09:14 AM

My parents are not around anymore.

Neither are Reuben's. But his Uncle still has a house in Hamburg. and since that''s where we both hail from, and we have the use of a staff car, I suggest that we should go there, and revisit our old stamping ground.

Reuben is strangely reticent about the idea.

But we arrive there all the same.

His Uncle, Fritz, is not a little shocked to see two decorated naval officers at his door, but soon recovers his surprise and embraces his long unseen Nephew. His welcome to me was more reserved, and did I notice some silently mouthed communication between Nephew and Uncle, which I was not supposed to see?

Soon we are sitting down to a hearty meal of mutton and sauerkraut. (I thought it should normally be knuckle of pork, but it still tasted great)

Towards the end of the meal, and the wine is being poured, there is a definite bumping noise from the attic.

Uncle Fritz has closed his eyes, and Reuben is staring at me intently.

"Damned mice, Sir."

"Damned big mice, Reuben", I tried to joke.

"Sir..." Reuben sighed,

"You know my name is Reuben; my Uncle's real name is Isaac."

He swallowed some wine.

"Does that give you a clue, Sir?"

"Yes. Yes it does, Reuben..."

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

12-16-05, 11:24 AM

WOW! I just read all the posts on this topic; and I must say that you're a star! Keep it coming; I'm drooling after the next chapter!!!

Laughing Swordfish · 12-16-05, 12:05 PM

Uncle Isaac laid down his knife and fork.

"Yes, I am a Jew, obviously my family and friends, too, Herr Leutnant."

"I suppose it is your duty to report us to the authorities"

"But I am German, and served as a young machine gunner on the Western Front in the last war. I never dreamed then that it would come to this. Reuben here is half jewish on his father's side. My brother who fell on the Somme, fighting for his country. Despite all that's going on, I'm proud that Reuben is fighting for his country too, and we're very grateful to have him back in our arms. But we have been trying to survive the last few crazy years, until things become normal again. You must do your duty, but our lives depend on you."

I didn't know what to say. I had heard rumours of course, but never imagined it was like this.

Isaac fell silent. Reuben just stared at me, his body language told me that he would use his very cutlery to defend his family against the rifle butts and truncheons of the Gestapo, if need be.

I rose from the table. And took off my tunic.

"You don't have a rodent problem in your attic, Herr Francks. You have some human people up there who I am sure would be more comfortable down here joining us for supper. I'd be delighted if they would join us, even though I won't ever be able to remember meeting them..."

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

donw · 12-16-05, 12:24 PM

My goodness Herr Swordfish!
You keep this up and you might have a best seller on the shelves with the right publisher!!

Gizzmoe · 12-16-05, 12:52 PM

Thread stickied.

Crash Dive · 12-16-05, 02:30 PM

Finally its a stickey post

U-104 · 12-16-05, 04:17 PM

:|\ :|\

12-16-05, 04:26 PM

Thanks for stickying it Gizz!

Kpt. Lehmann · 12-16-05, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizzmoe

Thread stickied.

What took ya so long

Mast · 12-17-05, 03:01 AM

This IS a great read. Just like others have said, I would by-pass this thread but glad I didn't this time.

All I can say is wow!! Can't wait for the next installment.

Mast

bookworm_020 · 12-19-05, 04:24 PM

Great to see it's been stickied. Now all can enjoy this great story and get more into the mood of the game. Hope to hear more in the very near future.

Curval · 12-19-05, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donw

My goodness Herr Swordfish!
You keep this up and you might have a best seller on the shelves with the right publisher!!

Agreed. But keep quiet..he might stop posting the story and then we are all gonna have to buy it.

.

donw · 12-19-05, 07:57 PM

Just tell me where to send the money!! I have transportation arranged below to go pick it up!!

12-16-05, 02:30 PM	#8
Crash Dive Electrician's Mate Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego, Ca. Posts: 136 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	Finally its a stickey post __________________ \"The sixth electric fish went to her midships to break the ship\'s back and set her afire.\" O\'Kane

12-16-05, 04:17 PM	#9
U-104 Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: United States Posts: 797 Downloads: 187 Uploads: 0	:\|\ :\|\ :\|\ :\|\ __________________ My heart is steadfast, O God. I will sing and make music with all my soul. Ps. 108:1 Survival of the fittest does not explain arrival of the fittest. we live in a single spoken sentence.. "God said, let there be"

12-19-05, 04:24 PM	#13
bookworm_020 Navy Seal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sinking ships off the Australian coast Posts: 5,966 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Great to see it's been stickied. Now all can enjoy this great story and get more into the mood of the game. Hope to hear more in the very near future. __________________ "There is always one person in any organization who knows whats going on, That person must be fired"

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12-13-05, 09:07 PM	#1
Laughing Swordfish Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 713 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	We are ushered in, and the doors close behind us. Any number of staff officers are there, poised readily with notebooks or files in hand. We see him. Hunched over a huge 'bird table' of what seems to be Eastern Europe. Demanding reports and map overlays angrily from a harassed staff. The orderly coughs politely "Officers of U-46 and U-467 to see you, mein Fuhrer" The crowd of lackeys parts, and we get a better look. In a drab dun-coloured tunic and trousers, with an SS Eagle on his left sleeve, a diminutive man turns from the map table. A lock of lank dark hair falling down from his forehead. And that unmistakeable moustache. "Yes, yes of course, our heroes of the deep!" He pumped our hands with great excitement. Whatever land war forgotten for the moment. "And which of you saved the other?" "Well, Mein Fuhrer..." Reuben started.. "..Never mind, never mind! The German people salute you! Bring me those medals!" He pinned them onto our chests. The Oak Leaves. A huge honour, but I couldn't help noticing as the Aide de Camp tidied away, that there was a whole box of them. Obviously heroes of the Reich come cheaper by the dozen. "Great work against the English. Soon we will send our finest battleship to smash their naval power, and you will all be home soon. Now we have bigger fish to fry!" A number of the staff tried to intervene discreetly at this incaution, but Hitler would not be stopped. "England was never our enemy in the long term, oh no! We have sent her running back to her shores, and you must keep it that way. But here....!" He made a grand gesture at the map. Stabbing his finger at Moscow. "Here is where Germany's destiny lies! "Russia, mein Fuhrer?" "Yes, Russia, Leutnant! We have only to kick in the doors and the whole rotten building will come crashing down! At dawn tomorrow, the Bolsheviks won't know what hit them!" "Yes, my Fuhrer" We were clearly not meant to hear any of this, and were even kept under armed guard by OKW until H-Hour was reached. Reuben turned to me "Russia?" I pulled a small face. "Well maybe we can pull it off. We have done so far" "What about that stuff about going home, Sir?" "Trust me, Reuben, I reckon that we'll still be dodging destroyers this time next year. And when it happens we can explain that we have it on Herr Hitler's authority that we shouldn't be there. Now, what are we going to do with the rest of our leave? God help me I'm already missing U-46 after this madness. Any ideas...? Lt de Bunsen, U-46

12-14-05, 06:23 AM	#2
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Brilliant work! I love the fact you used the 'rotten building' quote And you put in Guderian as well!

12-16-05, 09:14 AM	#3
Laughing Swordfish Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 713 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	My parents are not around anymore. Neither are Reuben's. But his Uncle still has a house in Hamburg. and since that''s where we both hail from, and we have the use of a staff car, I suggest that we should go there, and revisit our old stamping ground. Reuben is strangely reticent about the idea. But we arrive there all the same. His Uncle, Fritz, is not a little shocked to see two decorated naval officers at his door, but soon recovers his surprise and embraces his long unseen Nephew. His welcome to me was more reserved, and did I notice some silently mouthed communication between Nephew and Uncle, which I was not supposed to see? Soon we are sitting down to a hearty meal of mutton and sauerkraut. (I thought it should normally be knuckle of pork, but it still tasted great) Towards the end of the meal, and the wine is being poured, there is a definite bumping noise from the attic. Uncle Fritz has closed his eyes, and Reuben is staring at me intently. "Damned mice, Sir." "Damned big mice, Reuben", I tried to joke. "Sir..." Reuben sighed, "You know my name is Reuben; my Uncle's real name is Isaac." He swallowed some wine. "Does that give you a clue, Sir?" "Yes. Yes it does, Reuben..." Lt de Bunsen, U-46

12-16-05, 11:24 AM	#4
CV-707 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	WOW! I just read all the posts on this topic; and I must say that you're a star! Keep it coming; I'm drooling after the next chapter!!!

12-16-05, 12:05 PM	#5
Laughing Swordfish Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: London Posts: 713 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Uncle Isaac laid down his knife and fork. "Yes, I am a Jew, obviously my family and friends, too, Herr Leutnant." "I suppose it is your duty to report us to the authorities" "But I am German, and served as a young machine gunner on the Western Front in the last war. I never dreamed then that it would come to this. Reuben here is half jewish on his father's side. My brother who fell on the Somme, fighting for his country. Despite all that's going on, I'm proud that Reuben is fighting for his country too, and we're very grateful to have him back in our arms. But we have been trying to survive the last few crazy years, until things become normal again. You must do your duty, but our lives depend on you." I didn't know what to say. I had heard rumours of course, but never imagined it was like this. Isaac fell silent. Reuben just stared at me, his body language told me that he would use his very cutlery to defend his family against the rifle butts and truncheons of the Gestapo, if need be. I rose from the table. And took off my tunic. "You don't have a rodent problem in your attic, Herr Francks. You have some human people up there who I am sure would be more comfortable down here joining us for supper. I'd be delighted if they would join us, even though I won't ever be able to remember meeting them..." Lt de Bunsen, U-46

12-16-05, 12:24 PM	#6
donw Sonar Guy Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 386 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	My goodness Herr Swordfish! You keep this up and you might have a best seller on the shelves with the right publisher!!

12-16-05, 12:52 PM	#7
Gizzmoe Silent Hunter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 3,668 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	Thread stickied.

12-16-05, 04:26 PM	#10
CV-707 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Thanks for stickying it Gizz!

12-17-05, 03:01 AM	#12
Mast XO Join Date: May 2005 Location: Denver, CO. Posts: 403 Downloads: 49 Uploads: 0	This IS a great read. Just like others have said, I would by-pass this thread but glad I didn't this time. All I can say is wow!! Can't wait for the next installment. Mast

12-19-05, 07:57 PM	#15
donw Sonar Guy Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 386 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	Just tell me where to send the money!! I have transportation arranged below to go pick it up!!