"Sealion on the collar" lol. Have some of them practice with their British allies in southern England?
Really glad to see more focus on the navy and pacific war.
Stupid Luck and Happenstance.
- Thread starter Peabody-Martini
- Start date
Really glad to see more focus on the navy and pacific war.
Jacob has already realized that amphibious landings are tricky, dangerous and need every advantage you can squeeze out of the situation. The paratroopers have the SKA to scout, prepare and secure landing zones. He (The Navy) and Sea-batallion likely want something similar. Go on shore, check out situation, act as forward controller for naval gunnery, and behind the lines action to soften the landing. All in all, very similar roles for the SKA. Add in diving expertise to make the initial landing, especially in conjuction with submarines would make for a devastating force-multiplier.
Afterwards they'll probably realize the value of highly trained infantry (and demolition) with experience in underwater navigation for sabotage in enemy ports and such.
Also calling them sea-lions would be meme-licious.
Afterwards they'll probably realize the value of highly trained infantry (and demolition) with experience in underwater navigation for sabotage in enemy ports and such.
Also calling them sea-lions would be meme-licious.
Part 26, Chapter 287
Chapter Two Hundred Eighty-Seven
7th February 1943
Da Nang, Vietnam
The Japanese were putting up one Hell of a fight. The day before the artillery had moved up along with the Panzers. The marching orders of the 3rd Division were clear, take the city, its harbor and the airfield. Tilo was listening to the artillery and a couple of ships from the KLM as they were shelling the Japanese positions. Several kilometers of open ground and an unknown number of dug in Japanese defenders. Yeah, no sweat. At first Tilo had thought that it had been a rare moment of good sense that had caused the Brass to order them to swing wide of the city and attack the airfield from the west through the rice fields as opposed to getting cut to pieces on the road. That was until he discovered that would involve ankle deep mud and waist deep irrigation canals as machine gun bullets zipped over their heads.
“Come on you apes!” The Lieutenant yelled, “We’re behind schedule!”
That resulted in some grumbling amongst those within earshot.
“God loves drunkards and fools” Reier muttered “He’s both.”
“You just described the Seebaitallons” Someone replied, “God loves us, that’s why we get sent to the loveliest places…”
They had just run out of the marginal cover of the paddies. As Tilo peered over the top of the bank he could see a tangle of barbed wire and buildings across the tarmac. “Think they’re in the buildings?” he asked Reier.
Reier just looked at him sourly “I think you got a future in intelligence Kid” He said as another burst of machine gun bullets passed overhead.
“I need volunteers to go over the top to cut that wire!” The Lieutenant said as he worked his way down the line.
“Sure thing, Sir” Reier said to the Lieutenant then as the Lieutenant worked his way further down the line he turned to Tilo “You got your wire cutters, Kid?”
Tilo looked through his gear until he found them. “I got them right here” He said and held them out to Reier.
“Good” Reier said. Then he grabbed Tilo by one of his suspenders and pitched him over the top of the bank.
Tilo staggered forward until he landed in front of the wire. Reier landed next to him and took aim at the buildings with Tilo’s rifle, his own on its sling over his shoulder.
“WHAT THE FUCK!” Tilo yelled and tried to duck lower as a bullet pinged off something metallic.
“You didn’t honestly think I’d put myself in a position where I couldn’t shoot back did you?” Reier said back, “Now start cutting, Kid.”
For lack of anything better to do Tilo started cutting the strands of barbed wire while trying to keep as low as possible. It seemed to take forever, then suddenly he was through only to nearly get trampled as the rest of the Squad came charging through. Reier grabbed Tilo and hauled him to his feet. “No laying down on the job!” he yelled at Tilo as he shoved Tilo’s rifle into his hands and they charged across the open tarmac.
Tilo saw someone get hit a few paces in front of him. As the man spun around falling in a tumble Tilo didn’t see who it was. Back in training he’d been told that in situations like this close with the enemy. He was only part way across the tarmac and those buildings seemed like they might as well be on the moon. Then he caught sight of what looked like a flashing light in the shade of the building ahead. They were sitting in the shade while he was roasting in the sun, the assholes!
Tilo ran forward until he made it to the buildings. He was almost surprised when he ran into the concrete wall. Reier hit the wall right next to him.
“I should kick your damned ass!” Tilo yelled at him.
Reier just laughed at him. “Save that for enemy, Kid” He said.
Abwehr Special Warfare Camp, Near Judenbach-Sonneberg
Thorwald had watched as the Naval Officers had worked their way through the camp this week. He had originally started this place so he could have a place to train snipers for the Heer, Luftwaffe and Abwehr. Somewhere along the line it had become more than that. It was something that the inquiries from that he had received militaries around the world, asking to send observers spoke to. Kat Mischner had said that she had been approached by an officer from the US Army who had asked if Thorwald himself could contact him. Thorwald was debating how to deal with that. The British were not only wanting to send observers but had supposedly lined up a few volunteers to train in this camp if Thorwald allowed it.
Considering the high washout rate and the limited number of slots amongst the training cadres and even within the Hellcats themselves he’d would probably be facing a revolt if he did that. The KLM had decided that they would start an outfit along the lines of the SKA. If the Navy wanted to fund it then that was their business. He had realized that there was a number of soldiers that had completed SKA training but had not made the cut to get into the Hellcats for a variety of reasons, mostly just bad luck and timing. They were perfect for the Navy.
The Navy outfit would technically fall under the Seebaitallon Infantry. He had worried that the men might reject it for that reason. As it had turned out the Meeresaufklärung or MA, Marine Reconnaissance, would have almost the exact same mission as the SKA except under the KLM and they had no shortage of takers. They would wear a patch with a sea lion on it as opposed to the Hellcat patch. Thorwald actually thought that this would be good for the SKA in the long run. A little competition never hurt anyone.
7th February 1943
Da Nang, Vietnam
The Japanese were putting up one Hell of a fight. The day before the artillery had moved up along with the Panzers. The marching orders of the 3rd Division were clear, take the city, its harbor and the airfield. Tilo was listening to the artillery and a couple of ships from the KLM as they were shelling the Japanese positions. Several kilometers of open ground and an unknown number of dug in Japanese defenders. Yeah, no sweat. At first Tilo had thought that it had been a rare moment of good sense that had caused the Brass to order them to swing wide of the city and attack the airfield from the west through the rice fields as opposed to getting cut to pieces on the road. That was until he discovered that would involve ankle deep mud and waist deep irrigation canals as machine gun bullets zipped over their heads.
“Come on you apes!” The Lieutenant yelled, “We’re behind schedule!”
That resulted in some grumbling amongst those within earshot.
“God loves drunkards and fools” Reier muttered “He’s both.”
“You just described the Seebaitallons” Someone replied, “God loves us, that’s why we get sent to the loveliest places…”
They had just run out of the marginal cover of the paddies. As Tilo peered over the top of the bank he could see a tangle of barbed wire and buildings across the tarmac. “Think they’re in the buildings?” he asked Reier.
Reier just looked at him sourly “I think you got a future in intelligence Kid” He said as another burst of machine gun bullets passed overhead.
“I need volunteers to go over the top to cut that wire!” The Lieutenant said as he worked his way down the line.
“Sure thing, Sir” Reier said to the Lieutenant then as the Lieutenant worked his way further down the line he turned to Tilo “You got your wire cutters, Kid?”
Tilo looked through his gear until he found them. “I got them right here” He said and held them out to Reier.
“Good” Reier said. Then he grabbed Tilo by one of his suspenders and pitched him over the top of the bank.
Tilo staggered forward until he landed in front of the wire. Reier landed next to him and took aim at the buildings with Tilo’s rifle, his own on its sling over his shoulder.
“WHAT THE FUCK!” Tilo yelled and tried to duck lower as a bullet pinged off something metallic.
“You didn’t honestly think I’d put myself in a position where I couldn’t shoot back did you?” Reier said back, “Now start cutting, Kid.”
For lack of anything better to do Tilo started cutting the strands of barbed wire while trying to keep as low as possible. It seemed to take forever, then suddenly he was through only to nearly get trampled as the rest of the Squad came charging through. Reier grabbed Tilo and hauled him to his feet. “No laying down on the job!” he yelled at Tilo as he shoved Tilo’s rifle into his hands and they charged across the open tarmac.
Tilo saw someone get hit a few paces in front of him. As the man spun around falling in a tumble Tilo didn’t see who it was. Back in training he’d been told that in situations like this close with the enemy. He was only part way across the tarmac and those buildings seemed like they might as well be on the moon. Then he caught sight of what looked like a flashing light in the shade of the building ahead. They were sitting in the shade while he was roasting in the sun, the assholes!
Tilo ran forward until he made it to the buildings. He was almost surprised when he ran into the concrete wall. Reier hit the wall right next to him.
“I should kick your damned ass!” Tilo yelled at him.
Reier just laughed at him. “Save that for enemy, Kid” He said.
Abwehr Special Warfare Camp, Near Judenbach-Sonneberg
Thorwald had watched as the Naval Officers had worked their way through the camp this week. He had originally started this place so he could have a place to train snipers for the Heer, Luftwaffe and Abwehr. Somewhere along the line it had become more than that. It was something that the inquiries from that he had received militaries around the world, asking to send observers spoke to. Kat Mischner had said that she had been approached by an officer from the US Army who had asked if Thorwald himself could contact him. Thorwald was debating how to deal with that. The British were not only wanting to send observers but had supposedly lined up a few volunteers to train in this camp if Thorwald allowed it.
Considering the high washout rate and the limited number of slots amongst the training cadres and even within the Hellcats themselves he’d would probably be facing a revolt if he did that. The KLM had decided that they would start an outfit along the lines of the SKA. If the Navy wanted to fund it then that was their business. He had realized that there was a number of soldiers that had completed SKA training but had not made the cut to get into the Hellcats for a variety of reasons, mostly just bad luck and timing. They were perfect for the Navy.
The Navy outfit would technically fall under the Seebaitallon Infantry. He had worried that the men might reject it for that reason. As it had turned out the Meeresaufklärung or MA, Marine Reconnaissance, would have almost the exact same mission as the SKA except under the KLM and they had no shortage of takers. They would wear a patch with a sea lion on it as opposed to the Hellcat patch. Thorwald actually thought that this would be good for the SKA in the long run. A little competition never hurt anyone.
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Oh my Goddd.... This going to get Brutal. All I can see is a bar/mess, drinks, some arguments like, not prorper, bunch of rejects / afraid of water, drowned cats, like to groom and preen, go back to the circusring for your tricks, some rude noises, fish being tossed .... and some very angry commanding officers next morning as the go through the rapports of events last night that resulted in nearly burning down the town next to the base.
So basically, the new unit are sea lions?
Because starting an Operation Seelöw thread can get you banned from this site the chance to subvert that is just too good to pass up.
Talk about scope creep! It started with sniper training, expanded to Abwehr special missions and then to the SKA Hellcats. Now the British, US and KLM all want some. I wonder if Thorwald can get royalties on the concept.
Part 26, Chapter 288
Chapter Two Hundred Eighty-Eight
8th February 1943
Da Nang, Vietnam
Taking the airfield might have been important if the main battle hadn’t been going on elsewhere. As it had turned out the Japanese had not yet brought in the airplanes, so when it came to what they chose to defend, the airfield wasn’t at the top of the list. Instead the Panzers had rolled up the main road and fired 50mm high explosive shells right into the Provincial Headquarters of the IJA. Tilo had heard that the head of the Asia Division of Abwehr was furious with the Oberst of the Panzer Regiment because this had destroyed a bonanza of intelligence. “What are they going to do?” Reier had asked “Send him to the Seebaitallons?” Everyone had a good laugh over that.
The Lieutenant had been happy with them. He’d even told them what they thought was a compliment “You apes did well” is what he’d said. Then they’d been tasked with rooting the last of the Japanese defenders from the city. That was how Tilo and Reier ended up by the harbor, there were a number of boats that had been beached there. The Brass didn’t want there to be any escapes by sea. Reier had commented that if any of the Japanese managed to get past the two cruisers anchored out there in a small boat then more power to them. They were far more likely to end up as fish food when their boat got filled with 15cm holes.
The boats that they were guarding were also said to be considered valuable by no less than the Commander of German Forces, Pacific Theater, Admiral Jacob I. von Schmidt himself, second only to God himself as far as the likes of you is concerned was how the Lieutenant had put it. Tilo couldn’t see why.
The bow of the boat dropped down onto the beach forming a ramp. Tilo walked up that to take a look at the cargo. Bags of rice. Experimentally he lifted one up. Around 23 kilos. He estimated that there were probably 400 bags on this boat, around 9 metric tons total. There were fifteen of these boats.
“What are you doing? Reier asked.
“Trying to figure out what the Admiral wants with a hundred and thirty-five tons of rice” Tilo said.
After months in Vietnam they knew it was a fool’s errand to depend on supplies, other than ammunition, coming from Australia much less Germany. The whole Division had been subsisting on mostly locally procured fish and rice for weeks. The mere rumor that an actual loaf of bread had been seen in the bivouac had nearly caused a riot. No one in the Division was particularly thrilled with the thought of more rice.
“I gave up trying to figure out what officers are thinking a long time ago, particularly when they are that high up the food chain” Reier said “Something about that much power messes with people’s brains.”
Warsaw, Poland
When Field Marshal von Wolvogle had carried out his house cleaning months before he’d focused on the southern and central portions of his Command. That had been where the crisis had been unfolding. He’d managed to salvage that shit storm in a way that had made him a look good. Wolvogle might have liked to think that if the dead wood had been cleaned out sooner then he’d be enjoying this winter by drinking the contents of Stalin’s wine cellar in Moscow. But he knew better, this war was always going to be a protracted affair and he didn’t even know if Stalin had a wine cellar.
He was getting alarming reports of what was happening in the Ukraine this winter. It would be just like Stalin to cause their advance this spring and summer to stall by sticking them with a massive number of starving refugees. He needed to make plans for that, that included calls to the medical community to warn them. Having the large number of POWs over the winter had severely taxed the system. They needed to know that they could likely be facing something even worse in the near future.
The northern portion of his command, which Wolvogle had neglected, had turned out not to need his attention at all. The 8th, 9th and Estonian Army Corps under Generaloberst von Manstein had broken through in the long-stalled Leningrad Front. Word had reached Warsaw that they had linked up with Finish forces. The surrender of the City of Leningrad had come hours later. While Wolvogle would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of Stalin’s office when that telegram had arrived he really did feel sorry for the poor sap who would have had to deliver it. Did they draw straws or was it every man for himself in the Moscow telegraph office?
Bunzlau, Germany
Major Welter’s day was getting better by the second. He had been leading the crews that did conversions on existing hulls. Recently they’d run out of Panzer II and III hulls. The riveted armor on the old Panzer Is had made them fit only to be sent to the foundry. The Heer had even considered the unthinkable. They had ordered purpose built vehicles to fill the rolls that the conversions had previously occupied. There was no reason for self-propelled artillery and the accompanying ammunition schleppers to be purpose built. It took factory space that should be used to build vehicles that Heer desperately needed and if a one-off specialty vehicle was needed, the factory couldn’t do that, not easily anyway.
It was part of the reason why Welter’s work was so important. Now he was looking at dozens of Russian built T-34s. Sure they were not known for quality and the engine seals were crap. But as the asshole responsible for this latest war supposedly said, quantity has a quality all its own. Welter hoped that the day came when Stalin ate those words when his conversions rained fire down on Stalin’s head.
8th February 1943
Da Nang, Vietnam
Taking the airfield might have been important if the main battle hadn’t been going on elsewhere. As it had turned out the Japanese had not yet brought in the airplanes, so when it came to what they chose to defend, the airfield wasn’t at the top of the list. Instead the Panzers had rolled up the main road and fired 50mm high explosive shells right into the Provincial Headquarters of the IJA. Tilo had heard that the head of the Asia Division of Abwehr was furious with the Oberst of the Panzer Regiment because this had destroyed a bonanza of intelligence. “What are they going to do?” Reier had asked “Send him to the Seebaitallons?” Everyone had a good laugh over that.
The Lieutenant had been happy with them. He’d even told them what they thought was a compliment “You apes did well” is what he’d said. Then they’d been tasked with rooting the last of the Japanese defenders from the city. That was how Tilo and Reier ended up by the harbor, there were a number of boats that had been beached there. The Brass didn’t want there to be any escapes by sea. Reier had commented that if any of the Japanese managed to get past the two cruisers anchored out there in a small boat then more power to them. They were far more likely to end up as fish food when their boat got filled with 15cm holes.
The boats that they were guarding were also said to be considered valuable by no less than the Commander of German Forces, Pacific Theater, Admiral Jacob I. von Schmidt himself, second only to God himself as far as the likes of you is concerned was how the Lieutenant had put it. Tilo couldn’t see why.
The bow of the boat dropped down onto the beach forming a ramp. Tilo walked up that to take a look at the cargo. Bags of rice. Experimentally he lifted one up. Around 23 kilos. He estimated that there were probably 400 bags on this boat, around 9 metric tons total. There were fifteen of these boats.
“What are you doing? Reier asked.
“Trying to figure out what the Admiral wants with a hundred and thirty-five tons of rice” Tilo said.
After months in Vietnam they knew it was a fool’s errand to depend on supplies, other than ammunition, coming from Australia much less Germany. The whole Division had been subsisting on mostly locally procured fish and rice for weeks. The mere rumor that an actual loaf of bread had been seen in the bivouac had nearly caused a riot. No one in the Division was particularly thrilled with the thought of more rice.
“I gave up trying to figure out what officers are thinking a long time ago, particularly when they are that high up the food chain” Reier said “Something about that much power messes with people’s brains.”
Warsaw, Poland
When Field Marshal von Wolvogle had carried out his house cleaning months before he’d focused on the southern and central portions of his Command. That had been where the crisis had been unfolding. He’d managed to salvage that shit storm in a way that had made him a look good. Wolvogle might have liked to think that if the dead wood had been cleaned out sooner then he’d be enjoying this winter by drinking the contents of Stalin’s wine cellar in Moscow. But he knew better, this war was always going to be a protracted affair and he didn’t even know if Stalin had a wine cellar.
He was getting alarming reports of what was happening in the Ukraine this winter. It would be just like Stalin to cause their advance this spring and summer to stall by sticking them with a massive number of starving refugees. He needed to make plans for that, that included calls to the medical community to warn them. Having the large number of POWs over the winter had severely taxed the system. They needed to know that they could likely be facing something even worse in the near future.
The northern portion of his command, which Wolvogle had neglected, had turned out not to need his attention at all. The 8th, 9th and Estonian Army Corps under Generaloberst von Manstein had broken through in the long-stalled Leningrad Front. Word had reached Warsaw that they had linked up with Finish forces. The surrender of the City of Leningrad had come hours later. While Wolvogle would have loved to have been a fly on the wall of Stalin’s office when that telegram had arrived he really did feel sorry for the poor sap who would have had to deliver it. Did they draw straws or was it every man for himself in the Moscow telegraph office?
Bunzlau, Germany
Major Welter’s day was getting better by the second. He had been leading the crews that did conversions on existing hulls. Recently they’d run out of Panzer II and III hulls. The riveted armor on the old Panzer Is had made them fit only to be sent to the foundry. The Heer had even considered the unthinkable. They had ordered purpose built vehicles to fill the rolls that the conversions had previously occupied. There was no reason for self-propelled artillery and the accompanying ammunition schleppers to be purpose built. It took factory space that should be used to build vehicles that Heer desperately needed and if a one-off specialty vehicle was needed, the factory couldn’t do that, not easily anyway.
It was part of the reason why Welter’s work was so important. Now he was looking at dozens of Russian built T-34s. Sure they were not known for quality and the engine seals were crap. But as the asshole responsible for this latest war supposedly said, quantity has a quality all its own. Welter hoped that the day came when Stalin ate those words when his conversions rained fire down on Stalin’s head.
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If that happens, I don't think Tilo will speak to Reier again, he'll be furious
I assume our friendly Admiral is interested in the landing craft rather than the rice!! Though I am surprised that the Germans have not designed one themselves earlier. OTL the British despite the financial restraints, anti war sentiment and general Knuckle headiness still managed to design and build a viable mechanised landing craft in 1926.
I assume so as well. Although, taking food from the enemy to use for yourself is always a plus
You are correct. The German Heer has indeed landingcraft, but these are designed for use on inland waters and not the open sea. Most were of modular construction and could be moved in section by rail
Google Pionier Landungsboot and you get a lot of pictures.