U-4714 - Robert F. Clifton (reading list .TXT) 📗

Wehrmacht under the command of you, Colonel Adler will seize all Danish Navy vessels, including and most important the submarines. Those submarines are to be examined by Lieutenant Dresner and those found fit for sea duty are to be absorbed into the Kreigsmarine. All surface ships and in particular the minesweepers are to be inspected and examined by

those under the command of Kapitan Muller. Like the submarines, any ships found to be sea worthy will be placed in the German Navy. Now, let me advise all of you that this should have been done weeks ago. I will not criticize the actions of the Diplomatic Corp in how they have functioned with the Danish government which allowed the Danes to keep and maintain its military. However, it is evident that Berlin has seen fit to move in a, let's say, a constructive move. Although the duties of the Naval Attache have been explained to you it is no secret that at this time tomorrow the Danish Army will also be eliminated. Are there any questions?”

“Yes, I have one Herr Achenbach. Isn't it true that six thousand Danish troops are fighting with the Wehrmacht in Russia?”, asked Colonel Adler.

“That is my understanding”, Achenbach answered.

“And, yet in their wisdom, Berlin intends to seize the Danish Army and Navy”, Adler replied.

“I believe that it is traditional in the German Officers Corp to just follow orders and not to be involved in political matters. I suggest that you do that Colonel. If there are no other questions you are excused. Prepare your troops and crews and be ready by eight o'clock tomorrow morning to enforce your orders. Dresner stay behind for a moment”.

When the others had left Reinhardt stood patiently waiting to hear what Achenbach had to say. Finally, after the double doors of the office were closed Achenbach said, “Lieutenant, there is no easy way to say this. You have been in combat and are familiar with war and death caused by war. Unfortunately I have been instructed to inform you that your father, Otto Dresner was killed in the air raids on the shipyards in Hamburg. I offer you my personal condolences and those of the government. As a proud German working for the Fatherland Otto Dresner will be awarded the Factory workers Badge posthumously. It will be presented to your mother. If there is anything I can do for you just ask, however, leave at this time is impossible”.

Reinhardt swallowed hard and fought back the tears. Finally, he was able to speak. “Can you tell me the condition of my mother?”, he asked.

As far as I know she is well. Oststeinbeck has not been touched by the enemy bombers. If you would like I can make inquiries and when I hear something I'll let you know”.

“Please. Thank you sir”.

“No problem, up and at them tomorrow Lieutenant . You finally get to do your assignment”.

“Yes sir, I'm looking forward to it”.

At 0720 hours on Sunday, August 29, 1943 Reinhardt Dresner was suddenly awaken by the constant pounding on his bedroom door. “Wait a minute! Wait a minute”, he yelled as got up out of bed. Opening the door he was met by an Army Sergeant. “What is it?”, asked Dresner.

“Forgive me Oberleutnant, but I have been ordered to wake you and to take you to the submarine docks at the Naval Base. If you would please get dressed sir we have an automobile at your service”, said the Sergeant.

“Why? What's happening?”

“It seems the Danish Navy is sinking their own ships sir”.

“Damn! Alright, give me a few minutes”.

“Yes sir”.

After dressing Reinhardt followed the Sergeant down two flights of stairs and after exiting the Officers Quarters climbed into the back seat of a German Staff Car. Immediately the driver pulled away from the curb and began driving fast through the streets of Copenhagen heading for the Danish Naval Base. There were many people in the streets. “What else have you heard Sergeant?”, asked Reinhardt.

“The rumors are that the Danes have dissolved their government and are trying to get their navy to Sweden. How true it is sir I can't say”.

As the automobile approached the main gate of the Holmen naval base it was waved through and the driver drove immediately to the submarine docks.

Dresner got out of the car slowly as he did he looked at the tops of the conning towers that were now under water. He walked to where the Havmanden had been moored. Air bubbles slowly rose from the stricken boat. Next, he walked to the dock where the Havfruen lay under water. Then, the Havkalen and finally the Havhester. He shook his head in dispare

As a navy man and a U-boat officer he disliked the acts of what he considered sabotage when the Danes sunk their own boats, even though he understood their reasoning.

“Well, what do you think Dresner?”

Reinhardt turned at the sound of the voice. Seeing Herr Achtenburg he responded by saying, “What do I think sir? I think that someone, somewhere, leaked information to the Danes about Operation Safari and our intentions to seize the ships in their navy. But, what does it matter what I think. The boats I was to inspect are now sunk”.

“Can they be raised again?”, asked Achenbach.

“Certainly, in time and with the right equipment”.

“Good then we will raise them. The Danes sunk them. The Danes can raise them”, said Achenbach.

“ From what I just saw,the Danes are taking to the streets. I doubt if they will be cooperating with us in the future”, Dresner replied.

“We'll see Dresner, we'll see. We Germans will now take over and run things. Apparently we made a mistake allowing the Danes to oversee and maintain civilian authority. Now, as a result of their actions the Wehrmacht will take control including the police duties”.

“Not, to change the subject Herr Achenbach, but since the boats I was to inspect are now under water what are my new duties?”

“I can't answer that at the moment Dresner. Like you, under these new circumstances I don't know what my own duties will be. So, I suggest for the moment we both go to the hotel and have breakfast, since neither of us has had as much as a cup of coffee”.

As the weeks went by the Danish shipyard workers refused to salvage the sunken boats and ships. The majority of the labor force in Copenhagen were on strike and while this was happening the German Naval Command in Denmark waited for orders from the Kreigsmarine. On a September afternoon Reinhardt Dresner was summoned to the office of Wolfgang Achenbach.

When Dresner entered the office Achenbach pointed to a chair located in front of his desk. “Have a seat Reinhardt. I have some interesting news that concerns you”, he said.

“I hope that it is a new assignment as a command of a U-boat”, Dresner replied.

“No, I'm afraid not. Instead you will be in charge of the salvage operations in raising the Danish U-Boats. You have already indicated to me that it can be done”.

“As I recall I also said with the right equipment”.

“Yes you did. Now, the Kreigsmarine wants to know just what equipment you will need”.

“First of all a deep sea diver. He needs to go down and inspect the exterior of the boats for any damage such as the result of an explosive. I'm assuming that when the order came to scuttle all they did was open the sea-cock thus flooding the vessels. That being the case the diver or divers must enter the boats locate the sea-cock valve and close it. Once that is done operation for raising the boats can begin”.

“Then all you need is divers?”

“No I'll also need a large, floating crane, der lange Hendrik. The Danes do not have anything like they have in Hamburg. Now, if the British and American bombers have spared hitting the crane the next problem is getting it here from Germany.”

“That then becomes my problem Dresner”.

“In the meantime what are my duties?”, asked Reinhardt.

“Prepare reports. If possible draw plans and cost analysis and give them to me. Now, since you are a recent newly wed why not send for your wife. Have her here with you at the end of the day. We will prepare a house or apartment for you if you so desire”.

“I will have to think over your kind offer. At the moment I'm concerned with the acts of sabotage taking place. I don't want to place Hedda in any danger”.

“Of course, of course. May I suggest then a suite of rooms here at the hotel. Think about it Dresner, maid service, room service. Your wife can socialize with the other navy wives. In case you haven't noticed there are sentries out front and security inside at all times”.

“I must say that it's very tempting Herr Achenbach. I will discuss it with my wife when I see her”.

“Of course. Perhaps as a sign of my gratitude you would like a leave for the weekend. Do you drive Dresner?”

“Yes sir”.

“Fine. I will make arrangements for you to draw an automobile out of the pool. Make sure you select one with a large Gepackraum (luggage compartment). If your Hedda is anything like my wife she will bring everything except the kitchen sink. You take the weekend. Drive to Flensburg, convince your wife to live in Denmark and come back ready to go to work”.

“Yes sir and again, danka schoen(thank you).”

 

***************

Reinhardt sat with Hedda on the living room sofa. After explaining the offer given to them by the Assistant Naval Attache' he took her hand and said, “To tell you the honest truth dear as much as I love you I want you to stay here in Flensburg. Flensburg is Germany. Flensburg is safe. There is too much unrest right now in Copenhagen and anti-German feelings are growing larger everyday with the Danes. I don't think you would be safe out on the streets there. That means you would be a prisoner in the hotel and I would be worrying about you all day long as I worked.”

Hedda smiled. “I understand dear, but I assure you that I am not afraid of living in Denmark. However, since you don't want me there for the obvious reasons, it makes things easier for me to remain here. Here, I can help my mother tending to father. I can run the shop just as I do now, even though business is bad. If things continue your new assignment means more time in Copenhagen which means more weekends coming home here to me. So, my dear husband I will do as you ask and remain in

Flensburg. Besides your new assignment keeps you on shore and not in those dirty, foul smelling U-Boats”.

Reinhardt offered a little laugh. “And just how do you know what a U-boat smells like?”, he asked.

“I read. I have read every book I could get my hands on in reference to U-Boats. I wanted to know what it is like for you dear. Ever since I read the books I give thanks every night in my prayers that you are not stationed out at sea with the enemy searching for you, trying to kill you”.

“Stop worrying. Speaking of books, has Steinbeck's , Of Mice And Men come in yet?”

“No, not yet”.

“Frau Dresner, I might have to report you to the authorities for taking a customers money and not supplying the merchandise”.

“Stop worrying. When it does arrive I will keep it safe for you until you pick it up here at the shop”.

“Very well. So, since we both agree that you will stay in Germany then I must leave tomorrow morning. The Schwimmkran (Crane) has been sent some time ago. It should be reaching Copenhagen soon.”

“And, after you raise the Danish boats, then what?”

“My darling Hedda, then what, is whatever and where ever the Navy chooses to do with me or send me. Its the war dear one. Until it is over I can't choose how or where to live”.

“I just wish this awful war would