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

new boats and as the older boats return to base they too will be outfitted with them. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir. I now understand”.

Back at his room in the Officer Quarters Reinhardt sat on his bunk and read the letter that came from Hedda:

“Dearest Reinhardt,

Mama and Father have given permission for me to travel to Ostienbek to meet your parents and naturally, to see you.

My papers are in order and will have a seat on the train. I must admit that it is a shame to see the many wounded soldiers coming back from Russia standing, some on crutches at the depot. I saw them there when I purchased my ticket. I also noticed that many civilians are also traveling on holiday.

I will close now and anxiously wait for Saturday when I shall see you.

With Love

Hedda

 

 

Reinhardt folded the letter and slid it back into the envelope. He thought about the fact that even a simple communication by letter had changed under the new government. Now, practically every German suspected that their mail could be examined and censored.

Hedda Bayer sat comfortably at the Dresner family table. With a happy smile on her face and holding the hand of Reinhardt she answered all of the questions put to her by Herta and Otto Dresner. She mentioned the town of Flensburg, the workings of her fathers book store, her schooling, and her interest in music and art. When she was through speaking Herta turned to her son and said, “Reinhardt, do not let this young woman get away from you”.

“I'll try not to”, Reinhardt replied.

“Now, after supper you can unpack. I want you to feel at home. You will use Reinhardts bedroom”, said Herta.

“Where will he sleep?”, asked Hedda.

“I shall be very comfortable on the couch in the living room”, Reinhardt answered.

“Are you sure?”, asked Hedda.

“I assure you the couch is much more comfortable then a bunk on a U-Boat”.

After supper Hedda helped Herta with the dishes and as she did Otto Dresner lit his pipe and sat with his son in the living room. “So tell me my boy, how are things?”, he asked.

“Fair, father. At the moment the old Navy, those who sailed the surface ships, the dreadnaughts, the zertorers, the cruisers look with disdain at the U-boat Command. Unfortunate for me I'm assigned to an experimental unit under an Admiral from the surface fleet. The only chance for we U-boat men is for Admiral Donitz to become head of the Kriegsmarine “.

“I see, but look at it this way. You are home. You have done your duty to the Fatherland. You have been awarded the Iron Cross. You are safe Reinhardt. No one can question your loyalty to Germany or you bravery. I say be content with your assignment. Your experimental unit keeps you safe and alive. Now, to change the subject. The young Fraulein in the kitchen with your mother. Do you love her?”

“Yes father. I do”.

“Wonderbar . She is a delight. I can tell your mother likes her. Knowing how your Mama thinks already she's hoping for many grandchildren”.

“I haven't asked her yet. To tell you the truth I'm afraid she might refuse me”.

“ I doubt that my boy. I see how she looks at you, how she held your hand at the dinner table. If you ask me she came here not only at your request, but hoping that you will ask her to become your wife”.

“Then, there's the war”, said Reinhardt.

“Yes, there's a war. There have been wars and there will always be wars and none of them past, present or future have stopped a man and woman to unite in marriage. Some look at it as being their only chance

to do so. Others disregard the possibility of losing one another due to war. Knowing you as I do, you will disregard what might or what might not happen in this war. And now my son, I wish you and Hedda much happiness”.

“Thank you father”.

Herta and Hedda entered the room. “What are you two talking about?”, asked Herta.

“The war, what else?”, Otto answered.

“Are you in the mood for an after dinner walk Hedda?”, asked Reinhardt.

“If you want”, she replied

The weather for a January day was rather mild. There was a thin layer of snow on the ground and on the branches of evergreens. Those trees that had dropped their leaves at the end of autumn now stood bare, but held snow in the crutch of branches along with a few icicles. Fortunately, there was no wind to speak of and the couple, hand in hand walked through the park. As they did their feet made crunching sounds on the frozen ground. As they approached a pond covered with ice they walked up on to a footbridge. There Reinhardt stopped. Turning to Hedda he said, “I must report for duty again in two days. In those two days you will head back to Flensburg and your father's shop. It might be awhile before we see each other again. I am going to miss you. Right now I want you to know how much I love you”.

“I love you too Reinhardt. I just wish this terrible war would end. Then, I'd know that you are safe”.

“Hedda, I could die just by being hit by a streetcar. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine”.

“I know, but still, I worry”.

“I don't know if this is the right place or time, but Hedda, will you marry me?”

“Yes Reinhardt, yes”.

After a warm embrace and kissing Rienhardt reached into his overcoat pocket and took out a ring box. I bought this and ever since I did I have been worrying whether or not you would accept my proposal. I hope you like it and I hope it fits.”, he said.

He slipped the diamond engagement ring on to her finger and disappointed said, “I was afraid of that. The ring is too large. You have such dainty fingers”

“Stop worry about it. When we get back to the house we'll wrap it with some string to make it fit. Then, when I get back to Flensburg I'll have the local jeweler size it for me”.

“I guess that will have to do for now”.

“Reinhardt dear, I do have a question”.

“What is it?”

“What will you do after the war. Will you remain in the Navy?”

“I don't know as yet. I have a degree in marine engineering. I could possibly go into that profession. Why do you ask?”

“ It is bad enough that this war takes you away from me for who knows how long. Already the Navy has moved you from Flensburg to Hamburg. I do not want to be a wife that sits at home while her husband is off somewhere on a ship sailing around the world.”

Reinhardt smiled, then said, “If that's the case then you place me in a position where I have to choose between you and the Kreigsmarine”.

“And, what do you choose?”

“That's easy. The Kreigsmarine won't keep me warm in bed or give me children”.

“Good answer Lieutenant Dresner”., she laughed.

Back at the Dresner house Reinhardt and Hedda told of their engagement to Herta and Otto. After hugs and kisses a somber mood came over all of them when listening to the radio they heard the news that the Wehrmacht offensive in Russia had stalled. The reason was blamed on the weather.

Hedda excused herself and went upstairs. In a few minutes she returned and standing in front of Herta said, “I want you to have this. We had this taken awhile back in Flensburg. Reinhardt hasn't seen it yet”.

Herta looked upon a black and white eight by ten photograph of the couple taken together. “I didn't put it in a frame because I was afraid the glass might break while traveling and damage the picture”, said Hedda.

“Oh, how nice. I will frame it and it will be on the mantle for everyone to see. I hope you had a copy for you parents”, said Herta.

“Yes, I did. I'm afraid now that when they hear that Reinhardt and I are engaged my father will want to place it in the shop window since Reinhardt is in uniform in the photo. My father is very patriotic”.

“What about my copy?', asked Reinhardt.

“Relax dear. For you and I we have the smaller prints, also some wallet size”, Hedda answered.

Two days later, Reinhardt held her in his arms as the conductor called for passengers to board the train that would take Hedda back to Flensburg. There was a farewell kiss and she disappeared into the crowd

of people, many of them soldiers and sailors. Reinhardt stood watching until the train vanished from sight. Then he picked up his small suitcase and headed for the submarine pens in Hamburg.

When he got to his room at the Officers Quarters he was told to report to Naval Command and to see Admiral Bader. Not knowing what to expect Reinhardt didn't unpack. Later, he stood at attention in front of Admiral Bader who sat behind a desk. “At ease Lieutenant. How was your pass?”

“Fine sir. I actually became engaged to marry”.

“Congratulations. Now, to get down to facts. Since I have known you, you have been a true proponent for the U-Boat Service. As a result demands from the Kriegsmarine asking for experienced U-Boat officers and crews come across my desk nearly everyday. So, Lieutenant Dresner, since you like the submarine so much I am assigning you as Executive Officer on the U-800. The boat is being loaded as we speak. Thank you for your service and may I say, good luck.

“Thank you sir. May I ask the name of the Captain of the boat?”

“I seem to remember something like Arbor”.

“Could it be Arner”.

“Possibly. Your dismissed. As you can see I am very busy”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Six

The Milk Cow

Reinhardt Dresner entered the hatch and climbed down the ladder entering the interior of the U-800. When he did he was met by Karl Arner.

“Dresner, you old bastard. How good to see you again. The last I heard of you, you were in the Caribbean with Bergman”.

“Yes sir, how have you been?”

“Good, good, except for this shitty assignment. Just between you and I, U-boat officers and crewmen are getting screwed by those of the old navy. But, what the hell, orders are orders. Stow your gear and then I'll show you around the boat”.

“Fine, tell me Arner. Have you heard anything about Bergman?”

“The last I heard he was in the Mediterranean. He's been reported as, Over Due”.

“Damn”.

“Oh well, everyone knows that the Med is no place for a U-boat. The water is too clear and calm. Hurry up and I'll show you this cow”.

Reinhardt tossed his sea bag on to a bunk that would be shared with the number two watch officer. Then he met with Arner again.

“As you already know this boat is a big son of a bitch. It's two hundred and twenty feet long, with a beam of thirty feet, seven inches. She draws twenty one feet four inches as she sits right now. At the same time afloat she weighs one thousand six hundred and sixty eight tons. Submerged? One thousand and nineteen thousand, thirty two tons. Her top speed on the surface is approximately fifteen knots. Submerged she's good for almost seven. You will notice that there are no torpedo tubes fore or aft nor are there any deck guns. We do have two thirty seven millimeter anti-aircraft guns. Therefore Reinhardt, we have no need for torpedo men on board. Instead we will have a crew of cooks and bakers who's duty to the Fatherland is to bake bread and supply fresh vegetables to those fighting men on the attack boats. Oh, I forgot to mention. We will also have a doctor on board. They say he is to examine the crews that we meet. As far as I'm concerned I think his duty is to treat U-Boat crews for boils, rashes and the clap that they might have picked up on leave”.

“And as far as I know and that's very little, I