(Story) U-46 puts to sea again

[Laughing Swordfish]

I look across the rail we're all leaning on.

Christian, Doc, Heidi and me.

I suppose we all have the same love/hate relationship with her.

Christian is an excellent seaman and my First Watch Officer for that reason. He's great at everything, but notoriously clumsy because of his height when it comes to moving around the inside of the boat. The POs amidships have even started a sweep game to count how many loud thumps and consequent oaths are shouted through the boat every time Christian needs to climb through and inspect the engine room. He hates being confined down there, just as he hated being confined in hospital. Christian is best with the sea and wind in his face. That's the part of U-46 he loves best. The Bridge.

Oscar is one of the bravest men I have had the privilege to know. He's technically a non-combattant, but there's no such thing on a u-boat, and certainly the depth charges don't make any such choices between a cook a Medic or a torpedo man. Covered in spurting blood, he looked after our first Flak gunner, Kurt, right up to the end. And he saved Christian, when he was shot that time. He's a great thinker, and no Nazi, neither is anyone on the boat as far as I know, after we got rid of that last Party-Sponsored arse, and managed to get Christian back, fit or not. His bunk is his operating and inspecting table. He is one of the few who have a bedspace to themselves, and regularly sleeps on the same blood-stained mattress covers.

He thinks about things. He questions what our country is really doing or trying to do. He's never said what brought him to the sea. I'm guessing it wasn't the promise of a 3 metre by 1 metre operating theatre as about hygenic as a Berlin dustbin. Sometimes I'm not even sure he remembers what number we are. It's his job to keep us alive within his power, and he deals with the job in front of him. He won't be the first Doc to get all excited at being allowed to fire a torpedo though. What does he see when he comes onto the Bridge (apart from the time when we let him think he was firing a torpedo, that is).

The horizon, I'd say. Particularly the Sun rising.

Now I look left to Heidi at my shoulder...

LS

[Canovaro]

Is it possible to download the story as a pdf so far?
Want to print it to read on holiday...

[Laughing Swordfish]

Best talk to DonW, compared to him I am a complete computer Biff!

But thanks for reading!

LS

[donw]

Originally Posted by Canovaro

Is it possible to download the story as a pdf so far?

Sorry mate...I don't have the software to make a PDF. The best I can offer is the website shown on LS and my signatures. At least there you can skip the running dialog between all the story posts. We're up to 11 pages there, that you could copy and paste to a Word document to print.

Just don't try to sell it because I plan on making LS a very rich man someday

[Laughing Swordfish]

Heidi watches as there is a fresh shower of sparks and the old 20mm gun is pried free. The new one, oiled and uncased is already being rigged up on the pulleys.

The foreman is roaring obsceneties as he chivvies up the dockers dragging up all the kit and bedding. Cox is down there with Reuben, they both have bulging kit bags, and I know what's in them.

Heidi turns to me. "They're turning the boat around so fast, Rollie".

"Well we still have to fit and calibrate the new Flak gun, and then take her down the Estuary and test fire it at the seagulls. It'll be a while yet before we get our next patrol orders."

She turned to me. "I know I should be braver Rollie, but now that we're together, I feel so afraid everytime you are gone."

"We all know fear, darling, and..." (carefully worded) "...I'm not taking any unnecessary risks out there" (of course all risks are necessary). "We must be doing something right, because we keep on coming back"

But your face, and those other boys, I worry, and...."

"Shush, now Heidi, they are just scratches" I held her close, as Christian and Doc particularly, looked studiously the other way.

"We'll always come back, you know that"

I watched Reuben and Cochsens, over Heidi's shoulder, commandeering a kubelwagen and hoisting their kit bags of food into the back. On their way to the station.

"Come on Heidi, you have a few days leave, let's go."

"Where to, Rollie?"

"To my home City, Hamburg. I'm going to show you fear and worry.."

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

I'd phoned ahead from the Gare de Nord.

There is a train that goes though to Hamburg with one change "Wear your uniform". Reuben had picked up the phone, and said it was ok.

"Wear your Navy uniform, Heidi. It will help them not to be inspected, if they see German military staff coming and going. The owner of the house is Isaac. He is Reuben's uncle. He has a gathering beyond his own family, up in the loft. They are all Jews.

And if you want to know about fear and worry, look no further."

I knocked on Uncle Issacc's door.

LS

[Lagger123987]

Nice little part of the story, but expecting more from you!

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by Lagger123987

Nice little part of the story, but expecting more from you!

More! You want some More?!!

Join the qeue!

[azn_132]

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

More! You want some More?!!

Join the qeue!

Im waitin also too u kno.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Patience young grasshoppers. The Laughing Swordfish has been a faithful thread for nearly two years now.

It will come.... when it is ready.

[Laughing Swordfish]

Wow, has it been 2 years already?

Time flies when you're having fun!

LS

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Yessir. You made your first post on this thread in August 2005.

In just two months it will have been two years.

Thanks for entertaining us for so long, mate.

Here's hoping your inkwell never dries up!

[Laughing Swordfish]

Reuben opens the door, and ushers us in.

"Thank you for coming Kap"

The five children are seated around the table, along with the other older relatives. Reuben locks the door behind us.

Uncle Isaac embraces us with his broad arms, and Heidi receives special attention from the womenfolk.

She has dolls for the three girls, and a train set for the two boys; and is instantly elevated to film star status. The boys are already assembling the track, while all three girls want to sit on Heidi's lap at the same time.

For Isaac, I have a big joint of beef and two chickens, some potatoes and carrots and cabbages. Also a bottle of good Hamburg schnapps, and some fortified wine to go with the meal.

"Can the kids have a small drop, just this once? I have some extra juice for them."

I also have one last present for Isaac. Seven candles.

"Light them every day, Isaac"

"But not near the window, these days," he winked.

Again I feel ashamed.

He presses a glass of wine into my hand. Heidi is reading a story to the three young girls, whilst the beef goes into the oven.

"Thanks again for coming, Kap, it means so much to my Uncle and his people"

"Don't mention it Reuben. Look at Heidi with the children. I hope she's not getting broody already!"

"Maybe not such a bad thing, Kap, you don't have much of a family, Otto tells me"

"No, just a brother somewhere. Haven't spoken for years. Perhaps I should......"

"Anyway where's Cox, you 've put all the food in the loft already?"

The call of the Reeperbahn was too strong, Sir. He's a sailor ashore in Hamburg after all, and wild horses couldn't stop him! We can go and fetch him tomorrow at the Dancing Fox, down in the red light district. We can leave Heidi in the cab and..."

"Shush Reuben!"

I can hear the distinctive sound of jackboots clattering across the pavement, and stopping at our door.

The women and children have magically disappearred. This is a drill that they are tragically used to.

I open the door before they can knock or kick. A young brash Gestapo officer by the looks of him, and two SS goons by his side.

"Can I help you, Gentlemen?"

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

He wasn't expecting this.

Instead of some 'unter-mensch' that he could bully or drag away, he was confronted by a decorated u-boat commander, demanding to know the meaning of this intrusion.

He faltered.

"It has been reported that this house is harbouring Jews..."

"You will call me 'Sir' !"

"Yes, Sir!"

Heidi joins me at the doorstep.

"I am Kapitan-Leutnant de Bunsen, commander of the U-46, in the 7th Flotilla at St Nazaire, sinker of more english ships than I can count, and awarded the Knights Cross personally by the Fuhrer himself. This is my wife to be, Heidi, she reports directly to Gross-Admiral Doenitz. I do not imagine that you would want your name going forward in any complaint of mine in any of those circles?

"This is our retreat when we come back from patrol, and where myself and my fiancee are planning our wedding. Come in, take a glass of wine. This is my faithful retainer, Braun, perfectly Aryan as you can see".

Isaac dutifully pours into the glasses.

"Proust, Leutnant"

"This is our home, which Braun looks after for us. I would be very upset, and so would my Masters, if I were to find that you or any of your men had intruded on our privacy. Do I have your assurance that this house will be left in peace? Or do I need to talk to the local Gauleiter and have him report to Berlin, with your name?

"No! No Sir, that won't be neccesary. We'll leave this whole street alone. Your house in particular. It's just that we had this information..."

"Yes, about that. If you must arrest anyone I would start with your informant. He or she is clearly spreading subversive rumours and undermining our war effort."

"Yes Sir, we'll see about that"

"And one last thing. Since the War started I have been pretty much at sea full time. I didn't get round to filling in the paperwork for my ration card, not that I need it much, U-boat food is the best, hein! But I need my retainer, here, Otto Braun to be able to draw food on my behalf, for when we get back after sinking the Tommies. I'm sure you can make that happen for me; more wine?"

"Yes, Sir!" as Isaac refills his glass and we invite the two stormtroopers in to take a glass as well.

When we finally get rid of them, Isaac hugs me tight.

"It's like a dark cloud has been lifted from us!"

Then he is kissing Heidi again and again.

"Still be careful, Isaac, or should I say 'Otto Braun' but things should be easier now for yourselves and the little ones"

"You know, my heart was thumping, then"

"Mine too, Isaac"

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

The beef was fantastic. It was good to see the youngsters enjoying a hot square meal. The chickens will go into a big pot, and with the rest of the vegetables, that will keep everyone going for some time.

Reuben has gone out for extra provisions, and Heidi has sneaked out to rustle up some sweets or chocolate for the children.

"You know, Isaac, it's a strange world; here we are bearing gifts of food, and out there on the high seas, we're trying to starve an entire nation into submission".

He patted me on the shoulder. "One day all this madness must end, Rollie. Thank you for everything".

We're now sitting in the car, opposite the Dancing Fox, Heidi and me, Reuben has been sent to fetch or carry Cox back from the bar or back rooms. Heidi turns to me.

"You were right Rollie, I know nothing about fear and worry, compared to what's happening in our own country."

"These are uncertain times, darling. That's why we have to live for the moment, like our lads are probably doing about this time at the Chat Noir. There are thousands and thousands of seamen, pilots and soldiers all round the world right now, who don't know what tomorrow will bring, and nor do their families.

"I know we've had our losses, but I'm still going to do everything I can to not be one of them. You'll still see our naughty little green swordfish having the last laugh, as we pull in to dock, and my white cap"

"I promise you that, if you'll promise you'll always wait for me. I don't know if I could bear it without knowing you would always be there"

She hugged me and then clasped my hands.

"I promise, Rollie".

LS