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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).
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