U9999

hammo1j

Donor
The docks at Hamburg: it was a sight I never expected to see again.

Now we stood to attention on deck in the cold as U371 sailed into to dock. But there were no emotional families or girlfriends awaiting our arrival. There were only the three figures on the jetty obscured in the mist.

The war had turned against the U-boats by Janurary 1943. Ironically it was the defeat of the RAF’s Bomber Offensive that had lead to the end of the “Happy Times”. Diverted from bombing urban Germany, legions of Halifaxes fought a deadly and successful war against the submariners.

“They could have at least laid on a Band, Herr Leitender Ingenieur”, remarked Diesel Officer Lehman.

The three figures wore uniforms which I had never seen before. The smaller figure wore a spectacular ¾ length coat of azure leather. Two massive goons wearing uniforms from the same unit, but of much lower rank, dwarfed him.

As we docked we could make out the insignia atop the peaked cap. My heart sank as the Death’s Head stared me with its empty eyes.

“F____ing SS. Just our luck – wonder what they want.” Lehman was one who talked too much.

Kapitan Topp was first up the gangplank. In contrast to our Cologned host Topp looked like a tramp and probably smelled like one too. Only the Knight’s cross with oak leaves marked him out as the true hero of the Reich that he was. He saluted.

“Fregattenkapitan, I am SS Admiral Hurst . “ he held out his hand without too much disdain.

“My orders were to return to dock Nr 5 and await further instructions.”

Hurst motioned one of the goons forward who handed him the written directive.

“Read it loud that all may hear.”

ADMIRAL HURST OPERATES UNDER MY PERSONAL DIRECTIVE ON A MISSION THAT IS KNOWN TO HIM ONLY. FOR THE GOOD OF GERMANY ALL FORCES WILL OFFER THEIR COOPERATION TO HIM
BY ORDER ADOLF HITLER

A scrawled signature confirmed the authenticity of the document.

Hurst addressed us in a voice I already despised.

“From this point onwards you have the honour working directly for the Fuhrer. I expect you to discharge this duty to the last drop of blood. Now come: the Luftwaffe awaits.”

Reluctantly we filed past Hurst trying to keep below his radar; it didn’t pay to stand out as far as the SS was concerned. Hurst motioned to one of the goons and pointed me out. I felt a big hand on my shoulder.

“Leading Engineer Matteus?”

As well as the SS insignia he had the Star of David subordinated in the background of his lapels. I had heard of the infamous Juden FreiKorps but this was the first time I had seen one of these killers up close.

“Ah, I am so glad you could make it. Really glad." Admiral Hurst was talking.
"I should like to let you know that you were the reason we choose this crew above all others to make this great contribution to the Reich”

I tried to suppress the look of horror that I was responsible for the inevitable death of the crew in whatever mission impossible Hurst and his SS Cronies had planned for us.

“I do not see my achievements as anything other than the achievements of the crew, Herr Admiral.”

“Such a modest boy.” Though he was about the same age as me, he ruffled my hair as if I was a child and sent me onwards.

Half an hour later, the Ju52 taxied on to the runway. Inside the noise was normally enough to deafen my thoughts but now I frantically tried to second guess Hurst’s reasoning.

I had volunteered in 1938 prior to completion of my final term of a Physics degree. For the whole war I had been at Topp’s side so it was clearly my loyalty to the cause that he valued. But then again, Topp had retained most of his crew from the early days. So why pick on me?

The Ju52 gathered speed and with a lurch we were airborne: destination unknown.

(To be continued).
 
Did you make the Juden FreiKorps up? :confused:
They wouldn't be that stupid, would they?
Bonus points for your imagenation. :cool::D:p
 

hammo1j

Donor
Dogsbody, artha, altamiro. Thanks for your comments.

You are correct this an episode where the POD occurred considerably in the past. Josef Goebbels came to realise that Nazism was unsustianable simply because a significant proportion of any German Empire would have nothing to lose.

Using his marketing genius Goebbels devised a caste system that would make the conquered and undesirables beholden unto the Nazis. The goal of a master race with subordinate slaves was still the same but it was was not to be achieved through simple extermination. Hitler was convinced by reference to the most successful empires: the Roman and British.
 

hammo1j

Donor
Part 2

The Ju52 broke through the clouds into glorious sunlight. Through the glinting reflections on my grimy window I could see we had an escort. Three Fw190’s with mottled green on sky blue joined our formation. I could tell they were the latest type with the airborne “Neptune” radar aerials visible.

I suddenly felt tears of joy as I realised the Reich was acting as one organism. National Socialism clearly was the future of society as class divisions were undone the best would come to the fore. Despite our enemies on all sides, we would always overcome through the superior technology, superior courage and superior unity of the German Volk. I felt shame that I had ever doubted the Fuhrer.

“We’re heading North.” Lehman had to shout into my ear over the noise of the tri-motors.

The Jewish giant leered at Lehman as if to intimate - no talking in the ranks. They had split the crew into three planes with an SS man to keep an eye on each group.

“What’s f__kface’s problem?”

“Don’t let him hear you saying that.”

Half of his face was horrendously burned - no doubt from the horrific Eastern war where most Jews had to serve their test of loyalty. Given the most brutal of duties, the chance of completing the two years service necessary for citizenry class three was less than the toss of a coin.

“We outrank him anyway.”

“Yes, but we don’t have MPIs like he’s got. These guys are real nut jobs. You remember what they did at Leningrad? ”

“I don’t think he’s gonna do anything. They need us too much, especially you, Superman. Anything happens to us he loses his cushy number with Hurst. Aint that right?”

Lehmann tipped his cap as if he was directing his words at our guard.

--0--

The original escorts waggled their wings and peeled away. Five minutes later a new quartet of Fw’s met our formation.

“JG-5. It’s Norway we’re going to.”

“Huh?” I had been dozing.

“The insignia of those 190’s show they are Norwegian based. We’re off to the land where the sun never sets and the tarts are all blonde!”

Lehman was correct. We landed on a coastal airstrip. We walked a short distance to, what in peace time would have been a hotel, but now was military accommodation for project personnel.

--0--

"Before God I swear absolute obedience to Adolf Hitler, Commander in Chief of the German Army and to the superiors appointed by him... I swear to you, Adolf Hitler, Germanic Führer and Remaker of Europe, to be loyal and brave. I swear to obey you and the leaders you have placed over me until death. So help me God."

Stood to attention in the quadrangular court we swore the oath that made us complicit in whatever was to take place.

Hurst had explained to us that the project was SS only. We could volunteer or leave now with our military honour intact. Needless to say, there were no dissenters.

In all honesty I was overjoyed at a golden opportunity to join the elite. The pay was better and the new SS Navy Officer uniform was far more elegant than anything I had worn. I anticipated my return to my hometown in my new splendour. My rise in status was assured and the girls would be dripping at the sight of my insouciant swagger.

But now it was late. The war had exhausted me. The men were given a communal dormitory. As an officer I enjoyed a separate room. I had showered out the dirt encrusted over the past eight weeks. It felt like a return to paradise.

I pulled apart fresh white linen and as I slept the ground did not move beneath me.

(To be continued next Sunday).
 
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