Merchant ships ran up and down the east coasts alone, unescourted and unprotected in the early years. They carried a light artillery piece on deck in some cases, but these were of little use. By the time they knew they were under attack it was to late. The U boats were only attacking at night. The first warning the ships had was the sound and shock of a torpedo exploding in the side of the ship. Most ships had no defense at all.
About half way across the Atlantic U-47 received it's first radio signal from the agent called Tad, they were instructed to proceed west to a position just out side the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. They were to lie on the bottom and not make contact with allied shipping. Tad would make contact.
It had been a long trip across the Atlantic ocean. The crew knew from the start this trip was going to be different, the boat was loaded with explosives. Half of the crew had trained in the use of explosive devices. Commander Mueller had been gone for a long period in special training.
Walter Mueller was about to depart on a mission that would fulfill and satisfy his lifelong dreams. If successful, he could be responsible for the winning of the entire war. He would be a hero to be revered by generations of Germans. His name would become legend. Walter grinned so hard his mouth hurt.
When the Commander returned to his vessel, one of his men noticed a disturbing difference in him. He seemed happy. He whistled a tune frequently and was all smiles. There were none of his usual tirades of temper, directed toward those whose performances fell below his expectations. His black moods and periods of dark brooding were gone. All this worried Radioman Dick Schweppes, who was an avid Commander watcher. A watchful man who believed he could tell much about their future by observing the skipper. It seemed to him the Commander was relieved of some terrible weight.
He thought there was in the commander a kind of unnatural euphoria. Maybe the Commander thought it time to pay a price for the hundreds he had been responsible for killing. The Commander may have made the decision that the time is at hand.
I may be willing to die for the fatherland if there is no other way. I will not give up my life to ease his conscience.
Schweppes looked fore and aft. The little boat was packed full of men. He thought, what ever the outcome of this mission, many of us will most likely not see Germany again. There again was the all to familiar fear that rose in him, sickening and weakening his resolve and striking at his self respect. Left to do its work it would destroy him the man, and leave only the little boy cowering in fear and self preservation. He grasped it and pushed it out of his mind as though it was a foreign enemy and not a part of his own being. In an instant it was over and his resolve returned.
0 comments:
Post a Comment