Luft '19
- Thread starter KyleB
- Start date
Don't know when next update will come. Probably tomorrow. I don't feel like writing right now.
Leo: Keep in mind that the Idflieg had a tendency to adhere to "fads," for example after the appearance of the Sopwith Triplane, the triplane was practically the only fighter design favored for production. By the end of 1918, the pendulum was swinging in favor of parasol-monoplane design, and by spring 1919 this would probably be the main type produced by German aircraft manufacturers--hence the prototypes introduced at the post-war Fourth Adlershof Competition, including the numerous Fokker parasol monoplane prototypes, the SSW D.VI, Kondor parasol monoplanes, etc.
Leo: Keep in mind that the Idflieg had a tendency to adhere to "fads," for example after the appearance of the Sopwith Triplane, the triplane was practically the only fighter design favored for production. By the end of 1918, the pendulum was swinging in favor of parasol-monoplane design, and by spring 1919 this would probably be the main type produced by German aircraft manufacturers--hence the prototypes introduced at the post-war Fourth Adlershof Competition, including the numerous Fokker parasol monoplane prototypes, the SSW D.VI, Kondor parasol monoplanes, etc.
March 21, 1919
Der Federnd Becher (a pub in Berlin)
"Hey, Karl! Come join us! I'll buy you a beer," said Oberleutnant Fritz Burger. Oberleutnant Karl Braun, surprised by the presence of Fritz (and Oberleutnant Ernst Udet) at the same watering hole that he had visited, turned and sat down with his Luftstreitkräfte buddies.
"Hey! Fraulein! Three more beers," Fritz called, over the back of his seat. He turned back around to face his fellow pilots.
"So, as I was saying to Ernst," continued Fritz, wiping beer foam off his mouth, "The Fokker D.X is definitely the best plane that has been entered in this competition. When I was flying the prototype, I hit 226 kilometers per hour in level flight at four thousand meters. It can do that because its Benz Bz.V engine makes 280 horsepower, which is unmatched by any other fighter engine."
"Don't listen to him," Ernst told Karl. "He doesn't know anything about airplanes. Maximum speed is meaningless. In a real dogfight, the winner is the one whose plane has the best climb rate and maneuverability. And that's why the Siemens-Schuckert D.VI is better. It can go almost as fast, 215 kilometers per hour, but can climb faster. It can reach six thousand meters in sixteen minutes. Meanwhile, that Fokker can only do it in nineteen minutes because its engine is so heavy. And the Bz.V's true output is only about 250 horsepower, because some of the power has to be diverted to run the cooling system."
"But--"
"And the D.VI is much more maneuverable. Turning is faster; handling is precise. It's a wonderful machine to fly. Besides, it has a streamlined releasable fuel tank below the fuselage. Now THAT is innovative." Satisfied with his argument, Ernst took a long swig of beer.
"If you can fly it," retorted Fritz. "The ersatz oil used in Siemens-Halske engines is of terrible quality. The pistons begin to seize after seven or eight hours of operation." Ernst smiled and drank more beer. "Also," said Fritz, "I heard about how Siemens-Halske engine production is of a very low standard. A Siemens engineer told me. He said that the engine designers are frustrated because the manufacturing process is done so cheaply."
"Well, guess what," said Ernst. "That's why they switched engine production to Rhemag last year. I don't know why you didn't hear about it, but Rhemag engines have been steadily replacing Siemens-Halske models and they have none of the reliability problems."
"Is that so?" said Fritz. "Well they use the same oil that they used to. That caused the problems with the D.VIII for one thing. Rotary engines just aren't viable anymore because of their low reliability."
"Yes they are!" said Ernst indignantly. "For maneuverability and climb, a rotary engine is great. And my Rhemag-engined Siemens-Schuckert D.IV has suffered few mechanical problems."
"Really?" said Fritz. "Then I wonder why the Idflieg has clearly stated that no more rotary-engined types are going to be built!" Ernst turned pink and muttered something under his breath.
"Ha! Can't beat that, can you?" said Fritz.
"Well, Fritz," said Karl, joining the conversation at last, "if the Idflieg invited designers of rotary-engined prototypes to the competition, then they probably are still considering production of these types." Fritz raised an eyebrow.
"But that doesn't matter," said Karl, "because I'd rather have a plane that's still in one piece! Those flimsy parasol designs will fall apart when they enter service. That's what happened to the D.VIII. Major structural problems. Having a slight edge in a dogfight is not nearly as important as having a crate that doesn't break up from under you."
"No," said Ernst, "those problems are only present in Fokkers. It happened to the D.VIII, or E.V I should say; it happened to the Dr.I too, which was a triplane. There were even some issues with the D.IX wings breaking. One of my pilots, Vizefeldwebel Beck, was killed when the wing of his D.IX failed in a dogfight. The problem is not design, but the shoddy workmanship that happens in Fokker factories."
"Not really," said Fritz. "Albatros designs had that problem too. And the Fokker D.VII was completely without structural problems."
Ernst decided to turn the conversation back to Karl. "So, Karl, what plane do you think is the best?
"The Rumpler D.II."
Fritz burst out laughing. "That flying snail!" Ernst snorted into his mug of beer.
"What are you laughing at? Listen to me. First, the Rumpler has the same engine as the Fokker, the 250hp Benz Bz.V. Second, it's much stronger..."
To be continued.
Der Federnd Becher (a pub in Berlin)
"Hey, Karl! Come join us! I'll buy you a beer," said Oberleutnant Fritz Burger. Oberleutnant Karl Braun, surprised by the presence of Fritz (and Oberleutnant Ernst Udet) at the same watering hole that he had visited, turned and sat down with his Luftstreitkräfte buddies.
"Hey! Fraulein! Three more beers," Fritz called, over the back of his seat. He turned back around to face his fellow pilots.
"So, as I was saying to Ernst," continued Fritz, wiping beer foam off his mouth, "The Fokker D.X is definitely the best plane that has been entered in this competition. When I was flying the prototype, I hit 226 kilometers per hour in level flight at four thousand meters. It can do that because its Benz Bz.V engine makes 280 horsepower, which is unmatched by any other fighter engine."
"Don't listen to him," Ernst told Karl. "He doesn't know anything about airplanes. Maximum speed is meaningless. In a real dogfight, the winner is the one whose plane has the best climb rate and maneuverability. And that's why the Siemens-Schuckert D.VI is better. It can go almost as fast, 215 kilometers per hour, but can climb faster. It can reach six thousand meters in sixteen minutes. Meanwhile, that Fokker can only do it in nineteen minutes because its engine is so heavy. And the Bz.V's true output is only about 250 horsepower, because some of the power has to be diverted to run the cooling system."
"But--"
"And the D.VI is much more maneuverable. Turning is faster; handling is precise. It's a wonderful machine to fly. Besides, it has a streamlined releasable fuel tank below the fuselage. Now THAT is innovative." Satisfied with his argument, Ernst took a long swig of beer.
"If you can fly it," retorted Fritz. "The ersatz oil used in Siemens-Halske engines is of terrible quality. The pistons begin to seize after seven or eight hours of operation." Ernst smiled and drank more beer. "Also," said Fritz, "I heard about how Siemens-Halske engine production is of a very low standard. A Siemens engineer told me. He said that the engine designers are frustrated because the manufacturing process is done so cheaply."
"Well, guess what," said Ernst. "That's why they switched engine production to Rhemag last year. I don't know why you didn't hear about it, but Rhemag engines have been steadily replacing Siemens-Halske models and they have none of the reliability problems."
"Is that so?" said Fritz. "Well they use the same oil that they used to. That caused the problems with the D.VIII for one thing. Rotary engines just aren't viable anymore because of their low reliability."
"Yes they are!" said Ernst indignantly. "For maneuverability and climb, a rotary engine is great. And my Rhemag-engined Siemens-Schuckert D.IV has suffered few mechanical problems."
"Really?" said Fritz. "Then I wonder why the Idflieg has clearly stated that no more rotary-engined types are going to be built!" Ernst turned pink and muttered something under his breath.
"Ha! Can't beat that, can you?" said Fritz.
"Well, Fritz," said Karl, joining the conversation at last, "if the Idflieg invited designers of rotary-engined prototypes to the competition, then they probably are still considering production of these types." Fritz raised an eyebrow.
"But that doesn't matter," said Karl, "because I'd rather have a plane that's still in one piece! Those flimsy parasol designs will fall apart when they enter service. That's what happened to the D.VIII. Major structural problems. Having a slight edge in a dogfight is not nearly as important as having a crate that doesn't break up from under you."
"No," said Ernst, "those problems are only present in Fokkers. It happened to the D.VIII, or E.V I should say; it happened to the Dr.I too, which was a triplane. There were even some issues with the D.IX wings breaking. One of my pilots, Vizefeldwebel Beck, was killed when the wing of his D.IX failed in a dogfight. The problem is not design, but the shoddy workmanship that happens in Fokker factories."
"Not really," said Fritz. "Albatros designs had that problem too. And the Fokker D.VII was completely without structural problems."
Ernst decided to turn the conversation back to Karl. "So, Karl, what plane do you think is the best?
"The Rumpler D.II."
Fritz burst out laughing. "That flying snail!" Ernst snorted into his mug of beer.
"What are you laughing at? Listen to me. First, the Rumpler has the same engine as the Fokker, the 250hp Benz Bz.V. Second, it's much stronger..."
To be continued.
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The lack of Castor beans and it's influence in world events is a topic I hadn't spent much time pondering, until now. I grew up equating the smell of Castrol R and motor racing. In 1976, the Castrol company substituted brake fluid for two-stroke oil when they supplied the East German team at the International Six Days Trial, held in the Berkshires. The motorcycles siezed, and the team was out. The last battle of WWI.
"Stronger!?" said Fritz. "So what? I don't care how strong my crate is if it's so bloody slow that half the Spads in Flanders are on its tail within thirty seconds."
"The Rumpler is not that slow. Greiner hit 205 km/h flying it. I got to 204 myself. And it's a very sturdy plane. You can say what you want about the other planes, but I would always rather be in a biplane, because it's a tried and tested design--"
"So are parasol monoplanes!" interrupted Ernst.
Karl went on. "And it's very maneuverable. Certainly more maneuverable than the D.X, and definitely the match of the D.VI in turning rate. It trumps the Fokker in climb rate--seventeen minutes to six thousand meters. Not quite as good as the Siemens-Schuckert, but I don't care, because when the Rumpler enters service, it won't break down constantly."
"Siemens-Halske engines don't break down! I've explained all that already."
"Well, one of the men in my squadron has a D.IV and he has more problems than anyone else in the squadron," said Fritz, raising his voice as Ernst tried to protest, "except for another poor fellow, who has a Siemens-Schuckert D.III!"
"Well, I bet neither of them has a Rhemag engine."
"Of course, if you're a privileged Jasta leader, you can get the 'Special Engine,' but--"
"Rhemag engines are the only ones being produced right now!" Ernst roared.
"Nope! I bet that Siemens is still using cheap engines in secret, and it will be the death of scores of pilots. You wait and see," said Fritz gleefully.
"Oh, I will," said the purple-faced commander of Jasta 4, who had decided that this was the time to leave. He stormed out of the pub.
"Well, Karl," said Fritz, as he finished his beer and stood up to leave, "I think this means you have to pay."
Siemens-Schuckert D.VI, 3/18/1919
(I'll Photoshop some images of the Rumpler and Fokker later)
EDIT: Meh, maybe not.
"The Rumpler is not that slow. Greiner hit 205 km/h flying it. I got to 204 myself. And it's a very sturdy plane. You can say what you want about the other planes, but I would always rather be in a biplane, because it's a tried and tested design--"
"So are parasol monoplanes!" interrupted Ernst.
Karl went on. "And it's very maneuverable. Certainly more maneuverable than the D.X, and definitely the match of the D.VI in turning rate. It trumps the Fokker in climb rate--seventeen minutes to six thousand meters. Not quite as good as the Siemens-Schuckert, but I don't care, because when the Rumpler enters service, it won't break down constantly."
"Siemens-Halske engines don't break down! I've explained all that already."
"Well, one of the men in my squadron has a D.IV and he has more problems than anyone else in the squadron," said Fritz, raising his voice as Ernst tried to protest, "except for another poor fellow, who has a Siemens-Schuckert D.III!"
"Well, I bet neither of them has a Rhemag engine."
"Of course, if you're a privileged Jasta leader, you can get the 'Special Engine,' but--"
"Rhemag engines are the only ones being produced right now!" Ernst roared.
"Nope! I bet that Siemens is still using cheap engines in secret, and it will be the death of scores of pilots. You wait and see," said Fritz gleefully.
"Oh, I will," said the purple-faced commander of Jasta 4, who had decided that this was the time to leave. He stormed out of the pub.
"Well, Karl," said Fritz, as he finished his beer and stood up to leave, "I think this means you have to pay."
Siemens-Schuckert D.VI, 3/18/1919
(I'll Photoshop some images of the Rumpler and Fokker later)
EDIT: Meh, maybe not.
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February 22, 1919
Dunkirk
Adolf Hitler pulled the trigger of his MP18 submachine gun, letting loose a hail of fire into the windows of 'Le salon de thé "La cuillère graisseuse" de la grand mère Bacon.' British soldiers inside the damaged tea shop--as well as other buildings nearby--shot back and nearly hit the thirty-year-old Gefreiter, who quickly jumped back and ran to a wall where some of his fellow soldiers were taking cover. Then he nearly tripped over the corpse of the late Rudolf Eichmann.
Hitler was taking part in a major German offensive. Though the economy back home was teetering and the number of available soldiers was decreasing, Kaiser Wilhelm II had ordered a grand push to kick the Allies out of northeastern France, to shorten the front and capture the vital strategic area around Calais. The naval operation planned to support it had failed, and Ludendorff wanted to call off the attack, but the Kaiser was adamant.
"We need to get some potato mashers into those buildings," said Simon Laine, a member of Hitler's squad. "Some of us can lay down suppressive fire--"
"Simon can take a couple of grenades and I'll move with him up to that cafe or tea shop or whatever it is," said Ludwig Brendel. "Then we can clear it of enemy soldiers. After that we'll go for the hotel."
"We'll cover you," said Hitler, nodding to the other men in the squad. "Then we'll advance to the building once you've cleared it. Where is our Unteroffizier?"
"He was evacuated ten minutes ago," said a rifleman named Lysander. "Shrapnel wounds."
Another soldier named Jasper said, "You can be our leader for now." Hitler was well-liked and a strong leader figure in his platoon, and he was an obvious choice.
"Alright, let's go," said Brindel.
"Follow me! I'll lead the way!" announced Laine.
Hitler poked his head above the wall, then quickly swung up his MP18 and sprayed the enemy-occupied buildings with 9mm Parabellums. Lysander and Jasper followed suit. Jasper was quickly shot in the face and fell to the ground, bleeding and screaming. Hitler kept moving along the wall, scanning windows, and shooting at signs of movement. Machine-gunners inside the tea shop continually returned fire. Lysander picked off British soldiers trying to take potshots from the hotel, then picked up Jasper's MP18 and started haphazardly shooting wherever he saw a muzzle flash.
Two minutes later, the sound of a sharp explosion was heard, followed by the screams of wounded soldiers. Hitler watched smoke and flames accumulate inside the tea shop. The sound of Brendel's submachine was instantly recognizable.
Hitler dropped behind the stone wall and pulled Lysander down. "Give him some first aid," he said, pointing at Jasper, "then take him to a hospital or something." I'll go--" but the Austrian corporal's words were drowned out by the sound of a tremendous whooshing train, followed by earth-shattering explosions. The German soldiers took cover.
"Artillery?" said Hitler.
"Naval artillery," said Lysander. "The British have got ships in the area. American ships, actually. Battleships. They're using them for artillery. They're shelling our rear positions."
Hitler swore. "Go back with Jasper; I'll go get Laine and Brendel, tell them to retreat. We can't stay here forever. This is madness."
Gefreiter Adolf Hitler (bottom left) with fellow German soldiers
Dunkirk
Adolf Hitler pulled the trigger of his MP18 submachine gun, letting loose a hail of fire into the windows of 'Le salon de thé "La cuillère graisseuse" de la grand mère Bacon.' British soldiers inside the damaged tea shop--as well as other buildings nearby--shot back and nearly hit the thirty-year-old Gefreiter, who quickly jumped back and ran to a wall where some of his fellow soldiers were taking cover. Then he nearly tripped over the corpse of the late Rudolf Eichmann.
Hitler was taking part in a major German offensive. Though the economy back home was teetering and the number of available soldiers was decreasing, Kaiser Wilhelm II had ordered a grand push to kick the Allies out of northeastern France, to shorten the front and capture the vital strategic area around Calais. The naval operation planned to support it had failed, and Ludendorff wanted to call off the attack, but the Kaiser was adamant.
"We need to get some potato mashers into those buildings," said Simon Laine, a member of Hitler's squad. "Some of us can lay down suppressive fire--"
"Simon can take a couple of grenades and I'll move with him up to that cafe or tea shop or whatever it is," said Ludwig Brendel. "Then we can clear it of enemy soldiers. After that we'll go for the hotel."
"We'll cover you," said Hitler, nodding to the other men in the squad. "Then we'll advance to the building once you've cleared it. Where is our Unteroffizier?"
"He was evacuated ten minutes ago," said a rifleman named Lysander. "Shrapnel wounds."
Another soldier named Jasper said, "You can be our leader for now." Hitler was well-liked and a strong leader figure in his platoon, and he was an obvious choice.
"Alright, let's go," said Brindel.
"Follow me! I'll lead the way!" announced Laine.
Hitler poked his head above the wall, then quickly swung up his MP18 and sprayed the enemy-occupied buildings with 9mm Parabellums. Lysander and Jasper followed suit. Jasper was quickly shot in the face and fell to the ground, bleeding and screaming. Hitler kept moving along the wall, scanning windows, and shooting at signs of movement. Machine-gunners inside the tea shop continually returned fire. Lysander picked off British soldiers trying to take potshots from the hotel, then picked up Jasper's MP18 and started haphazardly shooting wherever he saw a muzzle flash.
Two minutes later, the sound of a sharp explosion was heard, followed by the screams of wounded soldiers. Hitler watched smoke and flames accumulate inside the tea shop. The sound of Brendel's submachine was instantly recognizable.
Hitler dropped behind the stone wall and pulled Lysander down. "Give him some first aid," he said, pointing at Jasper, "then take him to a hospital or something." I'll go--" but the Austrian corporal's words were drowned out by the sound of a tremendous whooshing train, followed by earth-shattering explosions. The German soldiers took cover.
"Artillery?" said Hitler.
"Naval artillery," said Lysander. "The British have got ships in the area. American ships, actually. Battleships. They're using them for artillery. They're shelling our rear positions."
Hitler swore. "Go back with Jasper; I'll go get Laine and Brendel, tell them to retreat. We can't stay here forever. This is madness."
Gefreiter Adolf Hitler (bottom left) with fellow German soldiers
Winston Smith
Banned
February 22, 1919
Dunkirk
Adolf Hitler pulled the trigger of his MP18 submachine gun, letting loose a hail of fire into the windows of 'Le salon de thé "La cuillère graisseuse" de la grand mère Bacon.' British soldiers inside the damaged tea shop--as well as other buildings nearby--shot back and nearly hit the thirty-year-old Gefreiter, who quickly jumped back and ran to a wall where some of his fellow soldiers were taking cover. Then he nearly tripped over the corpse of the late Rudolf Eichmann.
Hitler was taking part in a major German offensive. Though the economy back home was teetering and the number of available soldiers was decreasing, Kaiser Wilhelm II had ordered a grand push to kick the Allies out of northeastern France, to shorten the front and capture the vital strategic area around Calais. The naval operation planned to support it had failed, and Ludendorff wanted to call off the attack, but the Kaiser was adamant.
"We need to get some potato mashers into those buildings," said Simon Laine, a member of Hitler's squad. "Some of us can lay down suppressive fire--"
"Simon can take a couple of grenades and I'll move with him up to that cafe or tea shop or whatever it is," said Ludwig Brendel. "Then we can clear it of enemy soldiers. After that we'll go for the hotel."
"We'll cover you," said Hitler, nodding to the other men in the squad. "Then we'll advance to the building once you've cleared it. Where is our Unteroffizier?"
"He was evacuated ten minutes ago," said a rifleman named Lysander. "Shrapnel wounds."
Another soldier named Jasper said, "You can be our leader for now." Hitler was well-liked and a strong leader figure in his platoon, and he was an obvious choice.
"Alright, let's go," said Brindel.
"Follow me! I'll lead the way!" announced Laine.
Hitler poked his head above the wall, then quickly swung up his MP18 and sprayed the enemy-occupied buildings with 9mm Parabellums. Lysander and Jasper followed suit. Jasper was quickly shot in the face and fell to the ground, bleeding and screaming. Hitler kept moving along the wall, scanning windows, and shooting at signs of movement. Machine-gunners inside the tea shop continually returned fire. Lysander picked off British soldiers trying to take potshots from the hotel, then picked up Jasper's MP18 and started haphazardly shooting wherever he saw a muzzle flash.
Two minutes later, the sound of a sharp explosion was heard, followed by the screams of wounded soldiers. Hitler watched smoke and flames accumulate inside the tea shop. The sound of Brendel's submachine was instantly recognizable.
Hitler dropped behind the stone wall and pulled Lysander down. "Give him some first aid," he said, pointing at Jasper, "then take him to a hospital or something." I'll go--" but the Austrian corporal's words were drowned out by the sound of a tremendous whooshing train, followed by earth-shattering explosions. The German soldiers took cover.
"Artillery?" said Hitler.
"Naval artillery," said Lysander. "The British have got ships in the area. American ships, actually. Battleships. They're using them for artillery. They're shelling our rear positions."
Hitler swore. "Go back with Jasper; I'll go get Laine and Brendel, tell them to retreat. We can't stay here forever. This is madness."
Gefreiter Adolf Hitler (bottom left) with fellow German soldiers
I never thought I'd say this, but Hitler was rather awesome in that chapter.
Hiding in a tea shop
It was actually an insider reference, as was most of the chapter.
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1914-Summer 1919: A German fleet of merchant submarines. The subsequent trade (with the US, first and foremost) and avoidal of the Lusitania incident (because there are fewer U-boats) gives the Germans more time before the Americans enter of the war, and the Germans import copper which is used to make copper sulfate to stop the 1916 potato blight.
After summer 1919: It doesn't.
I will get more into this after I finish Hitler part 2.
Not sure yet... honestly, I'm a bit doubtful that 1920s Europe will be that much different from OTL.
American Mark IX Heavy Tank (3/28/1919)
March 30, 1919
Six miles north-west of Compiègne
Adolf Hitler threw himself onto the ground as French machine-gun fire sprayed the open ground.
"Unteroffizier! In here!" called the voice of Gefreiter Hans Blucher from a slit trench. Hitler looked up and sprinted over to Blucher, who was crouching inside next to a machine gun and a bloody corpse.
"Where's the rest of the squad?" inquired Blucher.
"Laine and Brindel are digging holes further behind us. Fassbinder and Jung are hiding in that barn. Jasper is dead, Lysander wounded, and I don't know where Schreiner is."
"Schreiner went off to scout by himself."
Hitler swore. "Idiot!"
At that moment an artillery shell exploded nearby. Blucher loaded his MG 08 with a belt of ammunition. "We're spread too thin," said Hitler. "Where are all the reserves? Where is the rest of the army?"
"Too much fighting, herr Unteroffizier, too many years of warfare. The German people are starving and all the men have gone to work. Now the economy is falling apart." Hitler had his own ideas on what caused Germany's economic problems, but stayed silent.
Blucher went on. "And now the Allies are attacking... all of them at once, the French, British and Americans. It's like they're sending a big tank to steamroll over Germany and crush us."
Then a panting German soldier carrying a rifle ran up to them and collapsed into the foxhole.
"Schreiner! What were you doing?" demanded Hitler.
"Scouting, herr Unteroffizier. There's some British tanks coming."
Blucher swore.
"How many did you see?" Hitler replied.
"About four."
"Hmm," said Hitler, "that means there's probably two. Are there any anti-tank rifles or guns around?"
"I think there were a few 37mm pieces attached to our company, but I don't know where they went," said Schreiner. "Platoon C perhaps?"
"Someone in another squad in our platoon had an anti-tank rifle but I don't know where it went," said Blucher. "Maybe we should move out of here."
"We have to hold our position," Hitler told them. "If they come, remember to shoot at the grilles and vision slits."
"Schreiner, go tell Fassbinder and Jung; they're in that barn. Then come back here."
Ten minutes later, Hitler saw them emerging out of battlefield fog and smoke: British tanks. And there were four of them after all!
Blucher started firing at them with machine guns. Accompanying infantry returned fire. Then the tanks opened up with their machine guns.
Blucher immediately panicked and jumped out of the slit trench. "Get back here, you coward!" Hitler shouted, but Blucher was dead a few seconds later.
Then some enemy infantry ran past the slit trench. Terrified out of his mind, Hitler stayed frozen, unable to move. After a few interminable minutes, the monstrous shape of a British tank appeared right in front of Hitler. The absolutely petrified Austrian-born Unteroffizier could do nothing but watch the enormous, snarling metal monster drive right over his foxhole.
Hitler had experienced what was known as "Tank Terror." He was not the first and he would not be the last as the Allies put Fuller's Plan 1919 strategy into action.
Two hours later, as Hitler waited for a chance to escape to his own lines after darkness, he heard the sound of footsteps behind him. They came closer and closer. He slowly moved to pick up his submachine gun, but at that moment, he was kicked hard in the head and the gun was pulled out of his hands. He heard vague murmurings in some incomprehensible language before losing consciousness.
Adolf Hitler was now a prisoner of the French Army.
From German Merchant Submarines of World War One by Michael Paulding
The Hamburg
"As it became obvious that the war was going to last a lot longer than was anticipated at first, many in the German Imperial Navy felt that Norddeutsche Lloyd's merchant submarines were not coming off the slipways quickly enough. In November 1915, the German Imperial Navy contacted the Blohm & Voss shipbuilding company, based in Hamburg, and asked about the feasibility of having B&V construct merchant submarines. The company had no previous experience with submarines, and NDL offered technical assistance in exchange for a significant financial sum. This fee was later paid for by the German Imperial Navy, in addition to the payment for completion of the submarine.
"B&V named the submarine after the city in which they were headquartered. Many problems were encountered by B&V. They had no submarine-building equipment, experience or properly constructed slipways, as this was the first submarine they had ever attempted to build. The design process was fairly simple, but it was in manufacturing where B&V suffered the most delays by far due to the aforementioned problems. The Hamburg was finally completed on May 31, 1916.
"The Hamburg was a straightforward and orthodox design. Her maiden voyage started when she entered the North Sea on July 12, captained by Ernst Nadel. Overall, she made five journeys to the United States, all of them whilst commanded by Ernst Nadel. Twice she visited Boston; the third and fourth time, she docked at Hampton Roads, and finally she visited New York City. The main cargo she carried consisted of copper, nickel, and rubber. She suffered from numerous mechanical problems during her career.
"On March 5, 1918, she returned to port less than a fortnight after the United States' declaration of war. She was subsequently converted to a U-cruiser with torpedoes and deck guns and designated U-155, and placed under the command of Fregattenkapitän Walther Wusthoff. She only made two wartime patrols to the North Atlantic. On the first, she departed on October 11 and sank the transports Zanzibar and Angel and a fishing trawler, plus the destroyer USS Wrainwright. She departed a second time on December 13 and sank the transports Ketchikan and Saint Brendan. The Hamburg was grounded for severe mechanical fatigue in early 1919, and never left harbor again. After the armistice, she was scuttled."
The Hamburg
"As it became obvious that the war was going to last a lot longer than was anticipated at first, many in the German Imperial Navy felt that Norddeutsche Lloyd's merchant submarines were not coming off the slipways quickly enough. In November 1915, the German Imperial Navy contacted the Blohm & Voss shipbuilding company, based in Hamburg, and asked about the feasibility of having B&V construct merchant submarines. The company had no previous experience with submarines, and NDL offered technical assistance in exchange for a significant financial sum. This fee was later paid for by the German Imperial Navy, in addition to the payment for completion of the submarine.
"B&V named the submarine after the city in which they were headquartered. Many problems were encountered by B&V. They had no submarine-building equipment, experience or properly constructed slipways, as this was the first submarine they had ever attempted to build. The design process was fairly simple, but it was in manufacturing where B&V suffered the most delays by far due to the aforementioned problems. The Hamburg was finally completed on May 31, 1916.
"The Hamburg was a straightforward and orthodox design. Her maiden voyage started when she entered the North Sea on July 12, captained by Ernst Nadel. Overall, she made five journeys to the United States, all of them whilst commanded by Ernst Nadel. Twice she visited Boston; the third and fourth time, she docked at Hampton Roads, and finally she visited New York City. The main cargo she carried consisted of copper, nickel, and rubber. She suffered from numerous mechanical problems during her career.
"On March 5, 1918, she returned to port less than a fortnight after the United States' declaration of war. She was subsequently converted to a U-cruiser with torpedoes and deck guns and designated U-155, and placed under the command of Fregattenkapitän Walther Wusthoff. She only made two wartime patrols to the North Atlantic. On the first, she departed on October 11 and sank the transports Zanzibar and Angel and a fishing trawler, plus the destroyer USS Wrainwright. She departed a second time on December 13 and sank the transports Ketchikan and Saint Brendan. The Hamburg was grounded for severe mechanical fatigue in early 1919, and never left harbor again. After the armistice, she was scuttled."
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