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

rudder using an electropneumatic device”, the instructor continued.

“I have a question”, said Reinhardt.

“Yes, Commander”.

“I have heard that two of our boats were sunk by their own torpedoes when it circled back, homing in on the sounds made by the U-Boat”, said Dresner.

“That is correct. However, allow me to say this. Any torpedo, even those before the zaunkonig when launched could circle back. That is why it is activated after four hundred meters. Also after launching you must dive to at least sixty meters (!96 feet) and maintain silent running”.

“It appears to me that all of these new, scientifically, improved, systems are merely new ways for U-Boat commanders to kill their own boat and crew”, said Dresner.

“What brings you to that opinion Commander?”

“For instance, the addition of sonar, a device that sends out a signal that can be detected by the enemy, the necessity to report several times a day by radio allowing the enemy to use Radio Directional Finders to pin point the geographical location of U-boats on the surface and now torpedoes that can run out of control at anytime', said Reinhardt.

“Radio contact is the U-Boat Commanders lifeline. It is where one receives orders, directions, weather reports and news of conditions ”added the instructor.

“As a Commander I have no need to know the weather conditions in the Baltic Sea when I'm floating on the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. Instead of forcing me to surface and transmit on a daily schedule, I should be allowed to transmit when I feel it is right and safe”.

“Fortunately for the Kreigsmarine all of these new systems that you are now complaining about are the result of U-Boat commanders and their crews sacrificing their lives. For instance, the addition of sonar hopefully will prevent you from being attacked by a submerged British submarine like two of our boats that were sunk. The new radar along with the radar detection device hopefully will alert you to approaching surface ships and or aircraft. And the zaunkonig leaves no bubble wake behind it which again hinders the enemy when he is looking for you. Now, I can't force you to accept these changes Commander Dresner, but I suggest you do”.

“After the briefing Dresner met with his two new watch officers. The first watch officer and Executive Officer was Dieter Falkner a rather tall man, but muscular with dark hair and eyes. Falkner was thirty seven years old and had come up from the ranks from Chief Boatswain to Junior officer and finally Oberleutnant. Reinhardt considered the man an asset since he would be familiar with the concerns of the non commissioned officers and crew.The man had also been serving on U-boats since 1936. The second watch officer was Elmar Sauer, short, premature balding with , almost ghostly white skin a result of a pigmentation problem. Being sealed almost daily in the interior of a U-Boat would not help this condition. To Dresner, Sauer was essential to the success of any deployment. He was extremely knowledgeable about not only the workings of the hohentwiel (radar), the Bali Detector and the sonar, but he had trained in their use with Oberbootsmann (Chief Petty Officer) Felix Bernhart who could make necessary repairs if needed.

With the exception of the petty officers, the rest of the crew were made up of young men from their late teens to their early twenties. Many had been stationed at the Hamburg Shipyard where they watched and became familiar with the U-4714 from the laying of the keel to the launching and commission. Each petty officer was well qualified in their specialty, torpedo mechanic, radioman, and engineer. Where normally the engineer was a commission officer, in the case of the U-4714 due to the lack of qualified Engineer Officers that position was filled by a Chief Petty Officer, Conrad Baumhauer who was one year shy of being promoted to

stabsoberbootsmann (Chief Petty Officer with ten years service).

As the U-4714 was being fueled, armed with torpedoes, ammunition for the anti-aircraft guns and food Reinhardt met with his three officers. Turning to Elmar Sauer he said,” After you see to the proper storage and trim make sure that there is a good supply of grease for guns. Now that the Navy has improved on the refrigerator system there should be more room in the crews quarters. Nonetheless I want equal distribution of weight in the boat”.

“Yes sir”, Sauer replied.

Turning then to Baumhauer Dresner said, “Chief I hope you are familiar with the snorkel. I understand the principle of the device, but I must admit I have not seen it in use”.

“I am very familiar with it Kapitan. I was involved with it during testing in the Baltic”, Baumhauer answered.

“Excellent, now I want all of you to be aware that once I get to where I think it is free from the enemy aircraft we will have diving drills until I feel that this crew is experienced enough to get us submerged quickly and safely. When we are finished loading I intend to leave tonight. Once out of the harbor we will travel on the surface. Once again Sauer. I depend on you and your men to be alert using the radar. Once I feel that we are alone without the British or Americans attempts to harass us I will open our sealed orders and let you and the crew know where we are going and what we are expected to do”.

Dieter Falkner opened a hatbox and said, “Captain, the crew has chipped in and purchased the white peaked cap for you, the symbol of a U-Boat Commander”.

Dresner smiled. “I really appreciate it Dieter. I will thank the crew when we are at sea. That's when I'll put it on”, he said.

After the officers left Reinhardt took out paper and pen and wrote a letter to Hedda. “ Mr Darling wife

I know that you worry about me in this war, but please don't. Be happy knowing that I am doing what I have always wanted to

do, command my own boat. We will be leaving soon. Naturally, as I write this letter I have no idea what my orders are or my destination. If I did know I could not tell you.

I can tell you this, I have a crew made up of fine officers and men, Most of the seamen are young, but enthusiastic, a good sign.

The officers are both experienced and knowledgeable, so all in all I expect a good cruise.

Write to my mother when you can. I hope your father is well. Say hello to your mother for me. Once again, don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I know the Captain. Remember dearest how much I love you.

All my love

Reinhardt

 

At 0200 hours Dresner stood in the conning tower of the U-4714 and watched the deck crew toss off the lines that had moored the boat to the dock. He then turned his attention aft and saw the prop wash created by the diesel engines. “Slow ahead”, he said. Once the boat had cleared the submarine pens of Loriant, France and out into the fringes of the Bay of Biscay, Reinhardt ordered full speed ahead wanting to get out and away from enemy aircraft now armed with searchlights. Reinhardt remained in the conning tower until the first rays of daylight appeared on the horizon then he ordered a dive. As the U-boat began to submerge he clocked the time it took looking at his stop watch.

Once under the surface Dresner sat opening his sealed orders in the privacy of his quarters which consisted of a bunk, folding writing desk attached to the bulkhead, reading lamp and for privacy a curtain, Reinhardt read the orders then made his way to the control room. There he asked, Falkner who had the watch,”” Depth?”

“One hundred meters (328 ft.) as ordered Captain”, said the first Watch Officer.

“Very good. Now all hands. I have just opened our orders from U-Boat Command. We will be deployed in the Gulf Of Mexico. Naturally, our assignment is to attack and sink allied shipping. I intend to enter the Gulf by the way of the Florida Straights. I will tell you now that there is a slight risk. We will be at one time between the Florida Keys and Cuba. Both of these locations have combat air stations. However, at the same time we should have good hunting as American, Cuban and Mexican vessels are all fair game. Now as for the present you have given me, the white peaked cap I say danka shoen. As for your time in getting this boat under water you took forty seconds. That is not good enough. We will drill and drill and drill some more until I am satisfied. That is all, back to your duties. Herr Falkner the new heading is south by South west”.

“South by South West, yes sir”.

On Sunday, May 7, 1944 shortly after midnight the bow of the U-4714 broke the surface of the Atlantic Ocean twenty five nautical miles off of Key West, Florida. Before going topside to the conning tower Dresner checked with the radar and sonar operators. All was quiet except for the radioman who said, “Captain I am getting s strong signal. Music is playing”.

“Can you give me a direction?”, asked Reinhardt

“Yes sir, directly north of us”.

“Give me your earphones”. Dresner placed the earphones on his head and listened. The tune was Artie Shaw's ,Begin The Beguine. “How nice of them to give us an instrument to aid in our navigation. “Steady as she goes. Maintain course. I'll be topside”.

“Yes sir”.

By 0700 The U-4714 turned directly north into the Gulf of Mexico.

The raising sun bathed the boat in sunlight. Flying sea gulls followed in the wake of the boat looking for a meal. Dresner shouted, “Alert! Alert! Clear the bridge. Dive! Dive! Dive!” After entering the control room Reinhardt stood with the stop watch in his hand. “Depth?”, he asked.

“One hundred meters. Sir”, said Sauer”.

“Very good gentlemen. Thirty seconds, excellent. All officers to the control room”. Said Dresner.

When the three officers joined Dresner he turned and placed his finger on the nautical chart showing the Gulf of Mexico. “Gentlemen, right there is the wreck of the Empire Mica, a British Tanker sunk in June of 1942 by U-67. She lays just off of Pensacola which is home to an American naval station with both surface ships and aircraft. What I intend to do is use the Empire Mica as a place to hide. The late Captain Bergman who I served with on the U-D-5 taught me this tactic. We hover over the wreck and listen. When we hear the sound of a target we search, strike and come back over the wreck. Enemy destroyers looking for us picks up sonar signals and hopefully the operator assumes that we are the Empire Mica.

At the same time with the Naval Station at Pensacola we might, just by chance get a shot at a destroyer or something else”.

“May I ask just how long we will lay off of the coast of Florida sir?”, asked Falkner.

"Fortunately, for us the Gulf of Mexico is our soul area. We are the only boat assigned. We are free to search and destroy as we see fit. As for the duration off the coast of Florida I can only tell you this. Long enough to sink one or two vessels and then we move.”

“Sounds good Captain”, said Sauer.

“Fine, now set the course for latitude 29-18-9133N by Longitude 81-21-1948W. When we get there we'll spend a few days with the Empire Mica”.

At sunset the next day, Reinhardt took the bearings noted his location and yelled down to the control room. “What is our sonar picking up?”.

“We are right over the wreck sir”, said Falkner”.

“Excellent. Herr Sauer, do you detect any enemy radar operating?”

“No sir”.

“Very good. Allow the off duty men a few at a time to come topside and get some fresh air. Lookouts stay alert”.

“Dieter Falkner followed four seamen up the ladder to the main deck. From