Chapter Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Four
19th May 1979
Kiel
After so many months away, Erich had been given a week of leave. At his mother’s invitation, he had come to the yacht club on a Saturday afternoon. The white panted building on Kiel’s waterfront was smaller than he remembered.
“Your coat, Sir?” The Bellman asked as an Attendant took Erich’s black wool coat from him. In years past, he might have gotten static from this man about not wearing a jacket and tie, which was mandatory according to the formal rules of the Imperial Yacht Club of Kiel. Erich found that wearing the blue dress tunic of Marine infantry meant that the Bellman had absolutely nothing to say. The man glancing at the pin on his beret caused the look on his face to change for a split second. This establishment went out of its way to cater to the Kaiserliche Marine. While the prestige of the Military had declined in recent years in the greater society, many blamed the ending of conscription and the changes in the emphasis in education because the country needed Engineers far more than Soldiers, this club was separate from society outside its doors. So, the Bellman would understand exactly what the medals pinned to Erich’s uniform meant.
“We are pleased about your return Oberleutnant” The Bellman said neutrally, “Your parents are waiting for you in the lounge.”
Erich was here because his mother had asked him to at least come to the exclusive yacht club in Kiel that his family had been members of for generations. It was her hope that they could try to find a middle ground, that was how she had termed it when they had spoken over the phone. As far as Erich was concerned, that was absurd. His father had wanted to dictate his life and Erich had gone along with it, right up until he had joined the Marine Infantry. Erich had agreed to meet his parents for luncheon today, his hope was that he could get a sort of resigned acceptance from his father.
Looking at himself in the mirrors that made up one of the walls of the lobby. He was wearing a white beret with a blue band. Pinned to it was a gold wreath with a diving sealion. That along with the Marine Career Badge and patch of the 3rd Marine Infantry Division sewn to his sleeve said to everyone exactly who Erich was. When he had returned from time spent with the Riverine Navy, he had been informed that despite there still being some training left, Erich and his men had earned their place among the Sealions, the elite Jager Corps of the KM.
Entering the lounge, Erich saw that his mother and father were waiting. His father had a blank expression while his mother looked hopeful. Erich had not seen them since that incident in the Hamburg Military Hospital, with any luck Erich wouldn’t end up strangling his father again this time. His goal was just to get through the meal without any outbursts.
“You came Erich” His mother said, happy to see him. “You are looking well.”
The last time she had seen him, Erich had just arrived back from the campaign in the East Indies. It was not an exaggeration to say that he had been looking rather rough at the time.
“Good to see you Ma” Erich replied as they walked together towards the crowded Dining Room. She smiled at him in reply.
Kiel Week, the highlight of Kiel’s Summer Social Season when Kiel would be the center of the Empire, was coming up in the last week of June this year, only a month away. The members of Yacht Club were the ones who organized the regatta, so everybody who was anybody was here today for the planning sessions that were set to begin after the luncheon. Erich had no intention of sticking around for that.
It was no surprise that the luncheon was a multi-course meal comprised mostly of seafood. It was an absolute feast compared to what Erich had been eating for the last several months. He found that was entirely too rich for his stomach.
Finally, as the last course was completed. The club President signaled that he wanted to speak and was met with polite applause. He was exactly what people imagined when they thought of an establishment like this one. An elderly and ossified fossil. He was a self-styled “Kommodore” having once been a Kapitan-zur-See in the Pacific War, commanding a Battlecruiser. These days he spent his days presiding over the day-to-day operations of the Imperial Yacht Club while soaking up gin in the lounge.
“Before we start the main event this afternoon, I wish congratulate a member who has returns to us today after spending several harrowing months in the South Seas of the Pacific” The Kommodore said, “Young Herr Raeder battled pirates and incompetent superiors, earning himself medals and meritorious promotion in the process. While many might have quibbled over his choice to join the Marines out of the Academy, he has proven himself mightily. I knew your great-grandfather, Erich. He would be proud of you today.”
This was met with far more enthusiastic applause.
Erich couldn’t help but notice that his father was glaring at him in red-faced anger, the vein in his forehead throbbing. His mother just looked disappointed by this latest turn. Things had been going well right up until the Kommodore had opened his mouth.
