Dundalk Farms

2011-08-05T18:06:00.000-05:00

Ever want to make a nail? This is the way they were made for centuries. A lot of heat a pounding and a quench in water. This is one of the nearly lost arts that is enthralling those of us who love such things. Heating hammering and forging bathed in heat an flame. Hot metal slowly cooling as hammering hardens the surface the metal is compacted, hardened and strengthened. The world doesn't know it but it misses these disappearing arts. Never fear the day will come when they will be needed again. Doug Visit "The Mooncursers and other Spun Yarns"

Sailing Ships and Sailing Men

2011-04-02T09:27:00.002-05:00

As a boy in the 1930's, I knew sailors. Most came home and swore off sailing ships for ever.

Drawn to a wild Baltimore waterfront life, they blew their wages on booze, women and gambling. They were shanghaied or signed onto a ship just to have a home for a time. It was not the sea they were drawn to, but instead, family.

A man, known to do his share high up on the yard arms, had respect.

On land, they were lowly and even tramps. Upon the sea, each a respected seamen! To stand his watch, furl canvas in rain and sleet then lend a hand on the bitter end of a sheet a new boy on board rose to man and mate.

Good people these, though not in a way most of us would recognise.

Among us modern sailboat sailors we may swagger and tell of hanging on with one hand and reefing a flogging sail with the other.

You could with effort, drag the same story from these square rig sailors, though they wouldn't say they were high in the air above mountainous waves reefing and tying as they rounded the notorious capes, driven by snowy squalls. To be 200 ft in the air in gale winds with a sails snapping and booming making every attempt to throw the watch to deck. Cut from heavy cloth, these men who worked, lived and died at sea.

A seaman I knew and was influenced by, was a Mr. Outabridge who fell from the main yard cracking his skull. He supervise the repair of it and inspired the character Doc in the Novel, Of Mooncursers and Other Spun Yarns By Douglas G. Pollard Sr. on sale @ Lulu.com .

My mothers brother Talmage Williams right after World War One was shanghaied aboard a sailing ship in to the far east. After a two year stint when his ship had not made a U.S. Port. He signed aboard a steam ship to Baltimore. Left in port at Tripoli where he had gotten drunk and spent a couple weeks in jail for getting into a bar room brawl. That was his last duty under sail. Arriving home he lost his seaman's papers for a year for jumping ship. During world war two he stayed at sea almost constantly. He made the one and only Mermaske run through the North Sea hauling gasoline. They were close on the German coast and suffered bombings for several days. Talmage said they watch ships burning in the distance every night and all hands fully expected to die on that trip. IT was by luck that they were not attacked by German dive Bombers.

To find men like these today you have to look to our men fighting on the sands of the middle east. So, every Generation has it's men.

The Last of the Pufferbellies in Dundalk

2011-03-18T11:47:00.004-05:00

WE were at war! The Japanese had bombed Perl Harbor and Germany declared war. It was 1942! We were loosing the war in North Africa and we were being Driven back in the Pacific. We were melting down everything metal we could find. We kids collected aluminum pots and pans and turned them over to the fire department to be used in building airplanes.

The Baltimore News Post put a story on the front page that Steam locomotives would be towed to the steel mills to be melted down to build guns and ships. On that day hundreds of people walked down the streets to the railroad crossings to watch the locomotives being pulled through town.

America was well attached to it's steam locomotives. Lionel and American Flier toy trains were the most popular toys around every Christmas. Engineers were our heroes. We looked on steam railroads in aw.

There was more, we were watching the end of an era and everyone sensed it. It was also the approaching end of a way of life but we didn't sense that and it didn't come for may years. Our American love of machinery would one day become a love of cheap electronic toys. The highly skilled American craftsman was soon to be equated to the low level white collar worker. The caftsman's skill and years of education and training was lost in a single generation.

Only thirty years later another long line of machinist, mill wrights, tool makers and die makers all tramped there way to big box stores to greet customers.

The pride of a nation, the machinery that provisioned a war on two fronts and overcame odds that the whole world thought America would succumb to was sold to the Chinese for pennies. We have been reduced to making electronic toys and calling this failure, progress.

Today we send our children to get a degree and become nothing more than specialized word smiths. Few thus educated have the ability to think outside the narrow area of their study.

It is the experienced mechanical Engineer that has gone with the machinery. The kids come out of college knowing nothing of real know how and there is no factory to gain the needed experience to become a truly qualified engineers. They don't even know they are lacking.

The Locomotives were only the first to go. Our lessor Gods, the production line would follow.

Our Children are educated to look back on those years of the assembly line worker as the dirty industrial years. Of course they were the years where America earned it's wealth to give our youth their educations. God Bless mass production.

I am sometimes accused of thinking outside the box. I reply, "It is not so. I just have a bigger box than they."

Doug

2011-03-14T16:30:00.001-05:00

Oil On Troubled Waters

2010-06-17T08:53:00.000-05:00

There is oil on the water in the Gulf of Mexico and it is not hard to get rid of a huge amount of it. As a kid I played on a creek near Baltimore that had an almost continual sheen of oil on it's surface coming from Nearby Industry. The creek had become barren of fish, crabs and sea weed. Natures way of cleaning the water was for dust and pollen to land on the water and roll with the wavelets. As these particles roll in the water they keep adding a thin layer of oil that is the sheen on the water. The particle grows in size and continues to increase in size, from then on. These we called grease balls. They were a kind of emulsion formed by a combination of water and oil. I have seen these balls as big as 6" in diameter with many more in smaller sizes. Any dust that will float will roll up into these balls cleaning the surface of the water.
A powder could be spread on the Gulf. It might be saw dust, or wood sanding dust. It might be micro balloons. Any round particulate that can roll freely will pick up oil. Maybe a few tractor trailer loads of the material would be a good test. There is likely a best size and shape for this and a little research would certainly determine that.
These grease balls will roll up into marsh grass and on beaches. They will not kill birds or fish as they harden on the surface in sunlight. They need not get to shore as they can be dredged up in nets and sent to refineries for processing. Because oil floats these balls will float no matter how big they get These nodules will be working day and night at cleaning the waters surface and the operating cost is zero, zilch, nothing. The value of the crude will not be lost when refined. I would think a shrimper might make a pretty good days wages by dredging up grease balls and selling them to the refineries. Everybody wins. Doug Pollard

Gulf oil spill may not lastas long as we think

2010-06-17T08:48:00.000-05:00

Bear Creek east Of Baltimore Md. always had a layer of oil on it. It leaked from settling ponds of local industry. The creek was basically dead. A few crabs lived at the mouths of drainage ditches as did small fish but that was about all the life there was. All the beds of sea Grass had died. It was a dead little sea. In the late 1940's a major polluter found itself in a labor dispute and on strike and shut down. The creek came alive with amazing speed. In three weeks there was some fish in the creek. In six weeks there where a lot of fish as well as crabs. The had moved in from the bay and though not exactly thriving they were living in the creek. Local residents of the area were amazed to be catching rock-fish, croaker, white perch and spot. Taylor blues were breaking the water feeding on plentiful alewives. You could drag up a net with enough grass shrimp for a days fishing. Waterman who had them, put their shedding pots back in the water and sold soft crabs again. To the mixed feelings of all who were glad to be going back to work the fishing was not to last. As the manufacturing started up anew and the water was ever more streaked with oil, fish floated on their sides.And lined the banks.
I think this shows that a body of water can repair itself pretty quick when the pollution stops. This true of oil pollution but some things are longer lasting. I think the Gulf will recover quickly as soon as the oil can be removed from the water. My solution of rolling particles on the water will not likely remove the heavy oil but it will take that long lasting sheen that lingers after a spill. This sheen damages the coast line for a long time after

Gulf Oil Spill

2010-06-17T08:35:00.000-05:00

There is oil on the water in the Gulf of Mexico and it is not hard to get rid of a huge amount of it. As a kid I played on a creek near Baltimore that had an almost continual sheen of oil on it's surface coming from Nearby Industry. The creek had become barren of fish, crabs and sea weed. Natures way of cleaning the water was for dust and pollen to land on the water and roll with the wavelets. As these particles roll in the water they keep adding a thin layer of oil that is the sheen on the water. The particle grows in size and continues to increase in size, from then on. These we called grease balls. They were a kind of emulsion formed by a combination of water and oil. I have seen these balls as big as 6" in diameter with many more in smaller sizes. Any dust that will float will roll up into these balls cleaning the surface of the water.
A powder could be spread on the Gulf. It might be saw dust, or wood sanding dust. It might be micro balloons. Any round particulate that can roll freely will pick up oil. Maybe a few tractor trailer loads of the material would be a good test. There is likely a best size and shape for this and a little research would certainly determine that.
These grease balls will roll up into marsh grass and on beaches. They will not kill birds or fish as they harden on the surface in sunlight. They need not get to shore as they can be dredged up in nets and sent to refineries for processing. Because oil floats these balls will float no matter how big they get These nodules will be working day and night at cleaning the waters surface and the operating cost is zero, zilch, nothing. The value of the crude will not be lost when refined. I would think a shrimper might make a pretyy good days wages by dredging up grease balls and selling them to the refineries. Everybody wins. Doug Pollard

Posted by Doug at 11:13 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: clean that oil sheen, income for Gulf States waterman, oil on the water, oil sheen, oil spill. save the marshes from oil, rolling up oil, saving crude oil off the water, turn spilled crude to money
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The Dundalkers# 51: read oldest posts first

2007-04-15T20:31:00.000-05:00

Every inch of the boat was in use, food and supplies were stored every where. Most of the bunks were full, the toilets were loaded with supplies and hammocks hung from the overhead were loaded with dark bread. On this particular trip there was the added supplies needed for their mission, Explosives, inflatable rafts, machine guns, ammo and He would watch the Commander more closely though.

U Boat number 47 had been running slow all the way across the Atlantic. There was a need to conserve fuel. The American waters were a long way from their wolf's den on the coast of France or Gemany

All this made for hard living bunks were used in shifts and they stayed damp and stunk of mold, mildew and sweat. The men had one working toilet and some times a tin can had to be used and often could not be pumped overboard until the boat surfaced. At the depths the submarines lay hiding from their enemies' air pressure was used to pump overboard. Air pressure had to be made by running the engines.

The boat smelled putrid from a mixture of engine oil and saltwater souring in the bilge. Of course there were body odors, and body function smells mixed with the stale odors of yesterday's meals.

The bread, grain and even the cheese they, ate not only smelled of all these things they had been so permeated with odor they tasted of them.
The only saving grace was that the men couldn't smell any of it. They had to go on deck to sun bath occasionally. Going back below was sickening.

In the winter when the water was cold, it could be as cold inside as the surrounding water was. The summer time, epecially in the Gulf Stream, was almost unbearable. The temperature inside the sub could shoot up to one hundred and twenty if the engines were running. Because the air became so moist, sweat did not evaporate. The crew took turns going on deck to cool themselves. With all the hardships they thought themselves slightly better off than the seaman floating in a raft after having been torpedoed.

After the sun went down and the twilight settled into darkness, Commander Mueller brought his U boat to the surface. All was clear around them. Walter looked over at the Virginia beach stretching down to the South. There were miles and miles of shore lights. Auto headlights could be seen moving along the water front. This sight in the middle of a war always amazed him, the American lights silhouetted any ships that moved along the coast, it was like a shooting gallery. He could not fathom what the Americans could be thinking.

A little after two a m U- 47 , received a radio message from the operative Tad. They were given detailed instructions to proceed up the Chesapeake Bay to Baltimore.

The lookout spotted three ships coming out of the Chesapeake bay entrance. They were being escorted by an old British world war one Corvette. The old boat was so slow she was no danger to the U boat. Walter had been tempted to sink her several times, how ever he was afraid she would be replaced by a much more dangerous destroyer. Her vulnerability made her safe. Walter laughed maybe one day when he ran out of tankers?

The old ship was the United States Coast Guard Cutter Flint, she was not a ship to be taken lightly though, her crew had experience in battle, and new what they were about. Their underwater listening and Sonar people were well trained. They had sunk one
U-boat in this war off Hatteras and one in the first war. They were training young instructors in the use of these devices. The middle aged Captain knew all the tricks. It was hard to fool him.

U- lie in wait silently and hidden, at periscope depth the Commander watched the four ships moving toward him. He watched the blackened shadows move across the shore lights. Walter told his second in command to look at them.

"My God," the man said, "they would be better off to turn on all they're running lights. They would be harder to see against the confusion of lights on shore."

This night they were safe. U- 47 would not strike she had a more important target and there could be no chances taken.

Walter Mueller was surprised at what a strange feeling and what a terrible temptation it was to sink one or two of those targets. He laughed to himself what a killer I have become he thought.

The really good news was that the operative Tad had given him ships to sink, there names ant eta. and he could be trusted. Walter had known Tad to be a good and loyal German in the past was afraid he had been influenced by the Americans. It was good to know they were both fighting on the same side. This was good news he had help ashore and the increased their odds of success by a huge margine.

The Dundalkers#50 : read oldest posts first

2007-04-13T18:24:00.000-05:00

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.

The Dundalkers# 49 : read oldest posts first

2007-04-10T20:08:00.000-05:00

Time after time some twist of fate had saved them. A certain amount of that luck was not luck at all but instead due to his ability to do the unexpected.

This successful man made most of his own luck. He had a thorough knowledge of almost every naval battle that had ever been fought. Walter had fought more battles in his own mind than probably any living man.

His crew thought him a lucky Captain and the U- 47 a lucky U boat. This was a hard combination to beat and it gave the crew the confidence to carry out some heroic feats. They were lucky.

Most of the shipping the U- 47 had sunk though was along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States.

The Americans were, early on, not using convoys. There Naval resources were stretched to thin, they had to many ships committed to the Pacific Ocean. The Americans had put most of there priorities in the Pacific.

Ships running along the Gulf stream were Occasionally Patrolled by Brave Coast Guard Boats and Crews. They fought hard but the boats were old and slow and they were to few. The crews had almost no know how in submarine warfare. They were trained in life saving not killing.

A few old British Corvettes from World War One were sent to help. Their crews were experienced, battle hardened and Old. Most had fought submarines in the Great War. Had the Americans Convoyed there shipping even these old boats may have destroyed many U boats.

Walter had gone to Berlin with Admiral Donet'z to convince the Furer that they would do well to stop the shipping at the Atlantic coast of America. They felt It was a was a waste of resources to attack shipping in the Mediterranean and out in the Atlantic. Vessels in these area's were all in convoy and well protected.

The German High Command seemed blind to this logic. All they could think of was protecting the South of Europe. Good Unterseaboots, Commanders and crews were wasted in battle with Navy vessels. It was the cargo vessels that brought the men, munitions and scarce fuel to Europe. These ships kept the allied war machine running on Gasoline and bunker oil for it's warships.

The Dundalkers#48: read oldest posts first

2007-04-09T21:39:00.000-05:00

It was April 23,1943 The boat and crew had been at war with the United States since December 1941 it was hard and dangerous work they did. Unterseaboot U- 47,with Commander Mueller and her crew lay on the sandy bottom in about sixty feet of water off the Virginia Capes. They were resting and waiting out the daylight hours. Walter was lying in his bunk looking over his log books from the last four years.
U-47 , was very successful in its campaigning against the allies. During the four years she had been commissioned she had sunk twenty- two ships big and small. The boat had sunk 331,000 Tons of shipping. Commander Mueller's total lack of fear and his genius in attacking and escaping were in large part responsible. He always did the unexpected.
The English strategy of using convoys covered by destroyer and cruiser escorts had been working.
Most of the U boat Commanders had grown to careful in their attacks on shipping that was escorted in this fashion. They had good cause, The British had recently sunk several U boats and at least two more barley escaped and these were seriously damaged.
Here along the U.S. Coast the Americans had learned much they to were using escorted convoys. They had also bee successful using airplanes along with destroyers to search out and destroy U-boats. Walter had done well against these convoys. He and u-47 had learned to hide in the edge of the gulf stream where temperatures were constantly changing back and forth. It confused sonar and listening devices. His attacks were made near one of these edge areas to provide him with cover.
He would sneak in and strike two or three ships. The young Commander had learned to hide almost under a ship it's propeller noise would cover his own sounds, His ability to escape was a certain amount of luck and a lot of cunning. The Americans were building liberty ships faster than they could be sunk. The good news was they were great to hide under their slow speeds allows U47 to keep up with them while he was under them.

The Dundalkers# 47 : Read older posts first

2007-04-04T19:09:00.000-05:00

Vira you are going to be Sandy's Control.

"Oh no Mr. Donovan I don't think that's a good idea at all. Tad I mean Sandy, Her face turning red she looked back and fourth at each man as a trapped animal would. Sandy and I have not gotten along that well. Some one else should be his control.

Vira I don't believe it's out of any hard feelings between you two, that your objecting to working with Sandy.

I believe I know what I am doing here. You know this man better than any one here. There are many advantages to that you may be able detect tension, mental fatigue or even lying. I'm sure you both know the dangers of Getting romantically involved.

"OK, that settled, Oh by the way, Sandy when you come back here later, go see the Psychiatrist. The only thing he reports to the agency is whether or not you're mentally fit to do the work or not. What you tell him stays with him. You can tell him your name. Donavan laughed and stood up putting out his hand to Sandy. They all shook hands.

Sandy and Vira walked out the door.

Donavan yelled "break a leg." He mumbled to himself with a grin "that ought to screw up that Dutchman's head."

"What did he say" asked Tad?

"Oh He said break a leg."

"WHAT"

He knew I'd appreciate it even if you didn't. It's a theater thing it means the same as good luck.

Tad scratched his head this country and its people are impossible some times. In Germany you tell somebody to break a leg you better be ready to fight or run.

Tad and Vira went to her Office by around eleven o'clock that night they had worked out signals, times to make contact, code words and a host of other things they would need to communicate with each other.

The Dundalkers#46 : read oldest posts first

2007-03-29T19:27:00.000-05:00

Vera ran after him. "Wait", she yelled down the hall. "Wait Sandy", she shouted.
Tad stopped and waited. As the slinky blond walked up to him, he quipped, Your the one with the poison. With a hard stare he turned and went into the gym.
As the weeks training drew to a close Vera came and got Tad. As they went up in an elevator she said Tad your finished training here for a while. I am going to take you up to the Directors office. I hope you won't walk out this time.
Tad said nothing.
The two waited in the outer office. In a few minutes a receptionist came out and invited the two of them in. As they entered Tad was introduced to the director. "Mr. Donavin, Mr. Eperson and I'm sure you know Miss Graves."
How are you Mr. Eperson, the man looked down at a paper on his desk. Sandy? Right? He asked. Not waiting for an answer he turned and said "Hi,! How's the always lovely Vera these days"?
Blushing a little she said, "Fine thank you."
The director invited the two of them to sit down pointing to the two chairs in front of his desk.
Now he said, "Sandy as I'm sure your aware there is a war on its way. There seems to be no way out of it. Germany has taken on a belligerent attitude that leaves no room to negotiate. According to Adolph Hitler's writings, war is the proper beginning for an inevitable thousand year reign of his facist party, he looks forward to it. A great deal of Germany seems to agree.
It seems to me that we'll have war in a time period of one to five years. If it should come now we will win with out a doubt. Five years down the road with Germany arming at an alarming rate its any body's guess.
If I were president, I would enlist the army and over throw the government. We'd go to war with the Germans and destroy them before they become to powerful. Once the task is completed I would then turn the Government over to the people again. Having said that its probably a good thing America had the good sense to elect Roosevelt. Don't look so relieved it could happen. The F.B.I. is always watching for the guy who is in to big a hurry to wait for the Government.
When the war gets underway we will need to tightly control your radio messages. We hope to be able set up rendezvous between our airplanes, destroyers and German U boats. Of course we will have to give them ships or they'll know what were doing. That will be a hard thing to live with, you'll be the direct cause of a lot of seamen being killed. But more will die without you. For every one that dies you may save a hundred. The good news is you won't have to decide who will live and who will die. We'll
have to live with that. I hope God will forgive us."

The Dundalkers #45 : read oldests posts first

2007-03-25T17:27:00.000-05:00

Sorry it took so long to get back I'm working on Video And had all kinds of glitches. Wound up reformatting my Hard drive to a dual boot system and Installing XP on part of it and Linux on the other. I plan to use Linux on line and XP for video and hopefully I'll be able to keep XP clean enough to get good video with out crashes and such.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Tad thought the cowardly weapons as he called them, disgusting. The fountain pen guns, pencils that shoot very small caliber bullets and little weapons that shoot curare tipped darts. The worst were sickening little toy like weapons that squirted deadly poisons.

Once in class Tad stated as much. The instructor just about jumped down his throat. "The warfare of Spying and espionage are not cowardly nor are the weapons of the trade. However, it is feminine in the sense that it is not an all out frontal attack. The female being smaller and weaker has developed a defense that is not a direct confrontation. It's a battle of subterfuge and secrecy. You like a woman will always be the least powerful, the enemy will have all the big guns. You had better have the secret little weapons stuck in your lapel or hidden in some accessible place. Your cover, disguise and a feminine attack are your only defenses."
The following day Tad was called out of class. As he stepped out into the hall he found Vera waiting for him. "Hello Sandy" she said. "Hello" Tad answered with some surprise. "We have a little problem, actually it could be a big problem, if we can't fix it," Vera said quietly even though no one was around. "It seems you are talking in your sleep. You see we have a hidden microphone in your sleeping Quaters, just for this purpose. It's not that big a deal unless we can't stop it."

Tad asked, "how do you stop a person from talking in their sleep. Seems to me like something you can't control. It's strange my wife would not have mentioned it to me before know."

"Maybe you only talk when you are under extreme pressure. Your wife....... what is her name?"

"Pa......." Tad paused for a long moment staring at Vera.

"Very clever," he said.

She winked and smiled at him. "The female of the species."

As they walked to a door she said "go on in, I'm coming with you."

The two of them entered the room and Vera introduced the two men. "Tad this Dr. Tyler he will help you with your problem."

Tad was standing there staring at her. "What's with you? My name is Sandy Eperson."

Vira burst out laughing. "Tad she said I haven't blown your cover this man is a Doctor, he is outside our little game. He is going to attempt to hypnotize you. If it works it will cure you from talking in your sleep. It won't work if you are not yourself."

"My name is Sandy Eperson and I don't know what your talking about. If you don't mind I'm going back to Class." He turned and walked out of the room.

Dundalk farms: Read oldest posts first

2007-03-19T17:45:00.000-05:00

Sorry folks this may take a few days. I am working onWolftrap Video of the trip south and to the Bahamas. My computer kept locking up and some of the programs quit working. I have had this problem before and have now set up a dual boot system with Linux on one drive and Xp on the other to do only video on using Premier. I will do all my on line work in Linux. That should keep Xp free of trash. Anyway it will take a few days to get things straight again and start posting. Sorry about that!
Doug

The Dundalkers #44 : read oldest posts first

2007-03-15T19:32:00.000-05:00

"Tonight you will have hand gun practice until midnight then we'll run another mile and so. Tomorrow morning we'll be up at four a.m. for more of the same and so on through the week."

"After we work out in the morning I'll show you how I would have killed Sandy here. When I'm finished you'll be trained killers. You may not be fit to live among decent people."

He turned and Extended his hand to Tad. Tad looked at him with a little less than complete trust. He took the hand that was offered him. Brian pulled him up, as Tad came up he hooked his elbow around the mans neck and the instructor threw him again.

Sandy your a slow learner, I was trained in China by masters in the art. Your out of your class. You don't stand a chance. Give it up.

Tad thoroughly enjoyed most of the small arms class. In the classroom they were shown a variety of weapons suitable for use by under cover agents. The instructor showed them how they were used. They were shown different kinds of explosives more so they would be able to recognize them than any thing else. As they were not to be saboteurs there was little need for them learn to much about them.

Tad had been issued a 38 caliber revolver as his service pistol. He thought it a little old fashioned and he wished he could have the German Luger that he carried during the war. The revolver with its short barrel was more suitable to carry in a shoulder holster though.

At the shooting range he did well and the pistol shooting was cut short. Instead he practiced the codes he might require should he need to contact his superiors for instructions or help by radio in an emergency.

The next day he was issued an Army automatic. This weapon took a lot more practice than the little Special. The was not extended to be carried on his person, but as Fire power in a real battle. He also had to learn to disassemble and assemble put it together in the dark.

That night he was handed in the darkness an Army covered in mud the instructor said. Sandy you just dove head first into a ditch your gun is jammed up with mud the enemy is advancing on you. Five minutes is all you have till your brains get scattered across the mud. Take apart, clean and get it together. He died three times, each time it was dunked in a bucket of mud again. The fourth, fifth and sixth tries he was successful.

The Dundalkers # 43 : read older posts first

2007-03-13T15:34:00.000-05:00

The good cop interrogator laughed and said "don't feel all alone Sandy I completely lost it. They gave me a nickname around here that I shall refrain from repeating. By the way what's your real name?" He asked.
"Tad....... Sandy Eperson"
Vira shook her finger at him, "Almost" she said."
"Remember if you ever have to go through an interrogation, the female of the species is the one that's poisonous. And THAT'S the moral to this story."
Sandy meet Stan Wetzel, James Hidden and this is the famous Danny O'Brian, otherwise known as Pillow Talk O'Brian. They all laughed.
The five of them walked out into a brightly lit hallway. As they walked four men dressed in all black clothing came through a door carrying sub machine guns.
"Were the hell are we," asked Tad, as they walked by.
"You are at F.B.I. head Quaters" said Pillow Talk.
They walked into the cafeteria and had a light breakfast.
After they had eaten Vera walked Tad to the gymnasium. Sandy this man is the head of hand to hand combat training. John Rowe, this is Sandy Eperson, Sandy, John. The two men shook hands Tad half way expected to be thrown on the floor or something just as painful.
John told Tad to go into the locker room and put on a sweat suit.
When he walked into the locker room he was surprised at the every day appearance of the group of men there. No one there fit his notion of an F.B.I. agent. There were no tall well groomed young men one usually pictured as F.B.I. agents. Instead were a group of men of all shapes, sizes and Nationalities.
"Hello Sandy I'm Brian I'll be your instructor here today. Find yourself some sweats over there in that cabinet and get dressed, that locker over there will be yours."
Tad picked himself out a sweat suit, went to a locker and changed. There was no conversation carried on in the locker room at all. Tad noticed a couple guys eyeing him suspiciously. He stared back and they looked away. I guess there all gun shy,they probably went through an interrogation to. You have to wonder which one is planted here to trip us up. I'll see if I can pick him out. He looked around and quickly decided it was futile. There may not even be a plant and he sure won't be wearing a sign. They all made there way to the gym.
The instructor walked up to the group and said all right we'll start off with a mile run and then a few warm up exercises. We're gonna run hard/ now's the time to have a heart attack, not when some S.S. man is chasing you. Let out a yell of some kind as we start out the door it'll help get you pumped up.
They all took off running out the door , yelling like Banshee Indians.
In a short time Tad realized that hard work was not training for running. He was unable to run the mile. He walked some and ran some. The other men in the group were shorter and lighter built than himself, they seemed to do a little better than he did. He was sure of one thing he would run and exercise from now on. He felt sure the S.S. did. He also realized it was a good thing he had not gone up against Fritz, instead of Horst. After running they did a half hour of calisthenics.
Once they had finished Brian told them they had done well. Lets go get some work done now the play is over. There were a few grunts and groans from the group.
They went back into the gym, the instructor walked to the center of the mat stopped turning to face the group. "All right you Sandy I want you to come throw me on my ass."
Tad smiled, He had been through some training in the Navy and he knew that for every move there was a counter move. He came forward the instructor brought up his guard as if to box. Tad grabbed his right arm to twist it and throw the man. The next thing he knew he was on the matte. He turned his back on Tad and said you see I weigh....... At that moment, Tad grabbed Brian from behind and felt himself flying through the air.
"As I was saying, I weigh about half of what Sandy weighs and I have know were near his strength. This is not about strength. Its about agility and speed. I have used the Oriental Art Of self defense called JU JITSU. Remember the name you will hear a lot about it in the coming years. It uses the other mans weight and strength and momentum to throw him down. Today we will practice these moves until you have them down pat. Then we will run another mile."

The Dundalkers # 42: Read oldest posts first

2007-03-12T20:14:00.000-05:00

Tad yelled back Tad......, he stopped short.

The other said in a soft friendly voice "see that was easy, nothing to it, tell me the rest and I'll see what I can do to make these guys stop."

Tad sat back down, after that they got nothing but the answers Vira had given him.
That night he was taken to a cell to sleep, all night long they woke him every ten minutes. Some time during the night it seemed to Tad it was around A.M. He lay there awake.

The door latch rattled and the door swung quietly open. Vira walked in. Tad was happily surprised. She handed him a cup of coffee and said, "hear drink this." Tad took a couple of sips. Then the woman kissed him. Tad put his Arms around her and kissed her long and hard. He moved his head down and kissed her on the neck.
Sandy she said. Tad jumped back like he had been shot.
What the hell he said.
"Ssh" she said you and I need to go over your story again they'll come in here to question you in a few minutes. Tell me your full name and then give me your full alibi before they get here.
Vira stepped forward and took his face in her hands to kiss him.
Tad slapped her hands out of his face. You miserable little swinehund he said. Your are trying to work on me. Your helping them to make me lie about my self. I am who I say I am Sandy Eperson.
His three interrogators stepped through the door and all three walked to him and shook his hand. You did well one of them said. Of course this was only a taste of what a real interrogation would be like.
Vira walked over and said I'm an actress you know, I have been trained for this. But you could very well be up against a professional woman like my self. Except she would have much more time.
I really gave it away. I called you Sandy, it was either that or get in bed with you. Don't feel to bad I almost did.
Tad said yea if you had a little more time you would have led me around by the nose.
I did that she giggled, it wouldn't have been your nose you'd have been following.
Well I feel like a fool Tad said shaking his head.

The dundalkers #41 : read oldest posts first

2007-03-11T20:28:00.000-05:00

Here is a couple pictures of parts to the boat I'm building. there are more and a little write up on Sailboats Fair and Fine

Click on the link on the left side of this blog to read more.

We have two hours to memorize your alibi. You study a little while and then I'll question you, then we'll start all over again.

The two of them worked along about an hour. Finally Tad got up and said "Vera, if I'm going to learn this, I've got to move away, the fragrance your wearing is doing things to me.

Vira looked up at Tad and smiled.

After another hours work She said, "well I guess were out of time."

Vera stood up and walked to the door.

Tad's eyes were glued to her nicely rounded bTadm as she walked across the floor. He thought that is some woman. With some reluctance he left his vantage point and followed her, they walked through the door.

Her tail was the last thing he saw for an hour. A black bag was pulled over his head and he was knocked to the floor. It had started. Having seen a few movies about international intrigue he tried to remember every sound, every smell, all the bumps,as well as the number of stops and turns. It was a waste of time no one asked him and he didn't have time to regret the effort.

He was taken into a room, set in a chair, the bag was pulled down around his neck and tied. It was little to tight to be comfortable.

The room was dark, except for one light shining in his face.

Three men began questioning him about his past. They tried to trip him up on his story. Over and over he was questioned where were you Sunday night. What did you eat for breakfast. They asked him questions that were none of there business. Some drew his anger. They called him names. One man threatened him. Another stepped in front of him to protect him. After five hours of verbal abuse and a little mild cuffing around Tad was getting tired and a little aggravated.

Your wife is a beer hall whore said one of the men and came forward in his face.

Tad jumped up grabbed the bag were it was tied in both hands and ripped it open. He started for the man. His antagonist jumped back and yelled "your name."

The dundalkers #39: read oldest posts first

2007-03-10T18:39:00.000-05:00

"Tad you have a lot to learn in a short period of time. You don't have time to learn every thing you should know. You can't drop out of sight for six months. The time you are spending here is dangerous. Abwehr in Frankfort will wonder were you are if your gone to long. Admiral Canaris is having you watched there's no doubt about that."

"How do we know they did not follow me here asked Tad? Could they also be following Paula and Arni he asked with concern in his voice."

"They haven't followed you Tad, we have been tailing you, and we are watching Paula and your son as we speak. Apparently your story was bought by Fritz."

"Now! Tad we have to teach you were and how to make pick ups and drops, you have to learn how to fight not with your fists but as a killer does. Tad you haven't had any training in small arms handling since before the war. You'll be given some. You will also need to be able to withstand interrogation. You will be interrogated and they will probably break you. If you doubt your strength NOW's the time to back out.

I Know my strengths and my weaknesses, more than that I know how to defend the weaknesses, replied Tad.

We'll see she said. You need training in how to recognize a tail and how to loose him. You must be taught to live in your community without raising suspicion. This will be difficult."

"If someone calls the police and you should be arrested your cover may be blown. At best you will be of know more use to Abwehr. Since you will be of no further use to them they will consider you only a bad risk. With you dead Paula and Arni will be considered an absolute menace."

"As I said you need a lot of training in a short time. Learn your lessons well."

You will need a false identity and a story for our interrogation team to attempt to extract from you.

Tad here is an alibi for last week and this week, you are to memorize it if you should be questioned about this time period this is the story you are to tell. You are by no means to divulge anything that has happened, or is happening, or you expect to happen, in the future Inside the two week time period.

By the way your name is Sandy Epperson.

The Dundalkers # 38: Read oldest posts first

2007-03-07T16:11:00.000-05:00

"Yea well this is the last time you and I will talk about any of this. You will be turned over to an Agent. He'll be your contact, he will get information to you and take it from you. I don't mind telling you I'm glad, I don't want to have to tell you to do something that might get you killed."

"Tad, Remember you are dealing with dangerous people on both sides. If the stakes are high enough either side will do you in. Watch your back.

Abwehr was delighted with Tad's advancement. They gave him names of agents that would be in contact with him. The operator OAR gave him complete instructions on what was wanted in regard to the Hindenburg.

One week later he radioed his message to Hamburg concerning the Graft Zeppelin Hindenburgh just after she flew over his house, barely six hours later the destruction of zeppelin at Lynhurst New Jersey was announced on the Radio.

That night around midnight he picked up a paper at the cab stand in Dundalk.

There it was a half page picture of the burning Zeppelin settling to the ground with people running away, some on fire. His hands shook as he read the accounts of the burning. Germany was already protesting. The Nazi's were calling the disaster sabotage. They knew ahead of time and they allowed it, probably just for a propaganda advantage. That's why they dropped the packages that he was holding. They had gotten word ahead of time.

The German Government was blaming the American Jews. It could be so, but Germany was their collaborator. Tad felt sick at his stomach. Germany was claiming that America was ultimately to blame because of her refusal to give them a safe gas. If the United States had been willing to sell helium to Germany this could not have happened.

The United States held fast in the years to come. The was a lot of talk and protesting by the pacifists. The American people in general were against giving in to Germanys demands. As time went on and the Nazis showed there intent, more and more America's Attitude hardened.
Tad ,Paula and Arni Got up early and drove the U.S.1 highway to Washington D.C.. They checked into a hotel and spent the night. After breakfast Tad dropped Paula and Arni off at the Smithsonian museum.

Tad drove into the nearby country to a large stone home on in a very nice residential area. As he turned into the drive way he was struck by the appearance of the place. He thought surly he was at the wrong house. Their was a lady picking flowers in the front yard, and a few children's toys were scattered around. He started to back out. The lady said , "yes this is the right place Tad. Go to the front door they'll let you in."

Tad knocked on the front door it opened and he went in. There was a police officer standing just inside the door. My name is "Tad Yule." The officer Cut him off before he could finish.

"Go in the first door there to your right. Miss. Graves will take care of you." Tad walked into the room.
Miss Graves was one good looking woman. She was thirty five years old well dressed in a suit, very tall high heel shoes and she was standing on one foot. The other foot was resting on a chair and she was straightening the seams on her stockings. Her blouse was cut low, showing well rounded breasts. Looking up she smiled a big beautiful smile. Blond hair framed a lovely face with warm friendly eyes.
Tad was certainly no womanizer. He had never been unfaithful to Paula, however he sure did appreciate a goodlooking woman. He, like most continental men felt that a little infadelity was completly acceptable. Nearly all men who could afford it had mistrises. As long as it did not come between a man and his wife it was a gentalmanly arrangement.
His own father had, for many years had a mistress. Tad remembered seeing her many times when he was young. She was a really atractive woman and he had thought his father a very lucky man..
Tad found it hard to remember that this was probably an F.B.I agent, that was making calculations concerning his suitability to function as an agent.
"Thadius Yule?" she asked. Without waiting for an answer she said "my name is Vera Graves." "How are you today?"
"Very good thank you" replied Tad.
"Tad," she said, lets go into my office were we can talk in private. He followed her in. The room was more like a living room than the office he expected. Tad sat down at the end of a sofa. Vera sat in an over stuffed chair be side him.
There are certain things we usually go through with new recruits. In your case for all practical purposes you are already an agent. There is no need to seduce you or ply you with alcohol to see if you can keep your mouth shut

"Hey wait a minute I might be a blabber mouth, I think you should test me fully in every way." Tad grinned like a school boy.

She smiled, "I'm sorry about that, were missing a great opportunity maybe there will be another."

"You know what they say, an opportunity missed is an opportunity lost. She made no comment. I guess we'll have to be satisfied to get our work done," he said.
"Yes like they say in the movies duty calls. Actually we know you quite well, we have had you under surveillance since before you left Germany. The F. B. I. got you a job at the steel mills. You were led into the German American society."
"Led," Tad said "you mean Alfred Derr is working for the F.B.I.? I guess Hubert was in on the whole thing all along." "God almighty" Tad said "everybody's used me. I feel like a dumb boob."
"Don't feel to bad, we and the nazi's both have the resources of entire governments at our disposal. Now you do to. Hubert helped us get you here but he didn't know about the thing with the German American Society. At least not until you told him. We wanted to see what your reaction would be and whether you would come forward or not. We had hoped you would come straight to us. You didn't. But it worked out all right in the end."

The Dundalkers #38: read oldest posts first

2007-03-05T19:36:00.000-05:00

Back in Dundalk

"Tad," Hubert said, "tomorrow is going to be a nice day." "I would like to take you, Paula and Arni to Glen Echo Amusement Park for a day of fun.."

"Hubert that sounds good Paula and the boy would enjoy that, Recent weeks have not been the most pleasant time for any of us. I will have Paula pack us a picnic lunch. We'll set out on the grass and talk. That will be good."
The next day was spent relaxing and talking. Arni tried to wear out all the rides.
Hubert said "Tad lets you and I walk over there and get a cup of coffee. Paula can we bring you one back."
"No thank you uncle," she replied. She got up and walked over to were Arni was waiting to ride the merry go round. "Arni" she said, "Lets ride the Caterpillar." Arni's eyes grew big "YEA" he shouted as he grabbed her buy the hand and took of runing pulling his mother along.
The two men bought their coffee and walked over and sit down on the grass to talk. Tad was told the arrangements were made for all of them to go to Washington. Paula and Arni would spend their days at the Smithsonian Institute and the zoo. They should have a nice time.

Tad on the other hand would have a tough week. The F.B.I. would put him through the ringer. Four hours of sleep and twenty hours of training could be looked forward to every day for a week.

"Hubert" Tad said, "I cant just not go to work for a week they'll fire me."

Hubert laughed, "I wondered how long it would be before you thought of that. It's been taken care of you have been promoted to assistant Superintendent Of all the Open Hearths at Sparrows Point." He paused a moment to let it sink in. "You now have three weeks vacation and you will be expected to travel some. Convenient huh."
"When you make radio contact, let them know of you're good fortune. I'm sure they'll be happy to have an agent in such a high place. Maybe we'll find out what's important to them. I feel sure they'll want more important information from you."

"I don't think they'll buy that Hubert, it's to quick and it's to convent the may not believe it" was Tad's reply.

"Intelligence says they will, I don't know you may be right. The only thing you can do is what your told."

"Tad be careful, Watch out for Fritz, if he gets anything on you its over. You won't know your covers blown till you hear your neck snap."

"You know Horst has disappeared." "No," Tad said surprised. Hubert told him he'd asked Hans about it. He told me, Horst had gone back to Germany to visit his family. "Not So, he was being watched, he hasn't been seen since the day you drug him in the Restaurant all bloody. We think he may have been done away with that day. I haven't eaten any pork there since."

Tad looked down at the ground and chuckled. "Your a hard man," he said.

The Dundalkers#37 : Read oldest posts first

2007-03-04T15:42:00.000-05:00

Commander Walter Mueller has sunk a battle ship he thought. That most deadly of ships belonged to him for eternity, know one could take her away a fact is a fact and even a lie can't change it. All those hundreds of poor souls that went down with her belong to God. All the crying and wailing of their mothers, wives and children can't change that either.
Suddenly Walter realized he could never be afraid again for his own safety. His life was like nothing compared to that nights work. It was only important that he do his duty with dignity and not make a mockery of what has happened here. No man should have to feel shame for the man that killed him.
The depth charging had damaged U- 47. The boat would need a fair amount of repairs.
Both forward torpedo doors were damaged and many gages and valves were damaged, batteries were cracked and when they had raised their periscope they found it could not be lowered. It seemed that every thing in her had been knocked out of alignment, nothing moved smoothly and none of the equipment ran silently. Everything leaked oil or water.
Walter didn't mind, no long drawn out repairs for him. He had his own ship yard and if need be, the crew under his super vision could put her in shape quickly. That's what he thought but it didn't work out that way.
As the U boat approached the sea wall she was to tie up to, there was a band playing. There were comrades from other boats all present in the crew of U-47's honor.
The newly promoted Rear Commodore Karl Donitz was there to welcome Commander Mueller and the crew of U-47 home. Donitz's promotion was a direct result of Mueller and his crew's attack. The Navy and Adolph Hitler were forced to look on the U- boats in a new light. From now on they would be given top priority as the Navy's main battle force. Already new ship-ways were being built to increase the production of U Boats.
From this point forward the unterseaboot would be the main high seas fighting force for the third Richt.
Two weeks later Commander Mueller and his crew went to Berlin. They met with the Furer and were later in a public ceremony, presented the Iron Cross. They had come home hero's from their first mission.
Walter Mueller found Adolph Hitler a disappointment he was not the brilliant man he was said to be. The Furer was surly well read but was obviously lacking in education. His worst trait was that he believed what he wanted to believe. A leader who believes his own lies will ultimately fail. The man was very pleasant but as the English say, a boor. The young Commander was disappointed and he suddenly felt fear for the fatherland. In a moment the feeling was tucked away in the back of his mind but only to be brought forward again many times in the future.
The following night Commander Mueller paid for out of his own pocket, more or less, a party for his crew. Walter stayed and drank his share of beer with his men and sang till he almost lost his voice. The party was at a well known brothel and he had no taste for that kind of relationship with women. However after a half dozen tankards of beer his attitude changed and the next morning he found himself bedded down with rather a full built young lady about eighteen years old. She had long blond braids and her skin was so pink she looked as though she had been scrubbed all over with a brush. The girl playful and totally without shame. Walter found that refreshing and soothing to his own sense of decency, of which he had been given an over abundance. The two of them stayed in bed till late in the evening that day. The older lady who ran the place and her ladies took good care of him and his men. They were all fed in bed and treated like kings. All stayed till the following morning.
Walter was astounded at the size of the bill for services rendered. He added a sizable amount for the madam, signed it, and told her to send it to his father.
The family's personal bookkeeper was given the bill. The old man didn't know what to do. Nothing like this had ever happened before, what to do. He couldn't just pay the bill he had to talk to Walter's father and he dreaded that. Dieter Mueller had a bad temper and he was sure to blow up. There was nothing else to do.
Right after lunch he presented Dieter Mueller with the bill and then stood back a respectable distance. Dieter stared at the bill a long time with a look of disbelief. His face turned read as a ripe apple, he looked at the old book keeper. The poor old man was white as a ghost and his hands were shaking.
Dieter busted out laughing so loud his wife came running out of the setting room in obvious dismay. He grabbed his wife and waltzed her around the room. When he released her she Stepped back looking at him as If he was crazy. "What is it Dieter? What is wrong with you? Have you lost your mind? Your acting crazy." He handed her the bill. The woman was unable to take it in all at once. "What's this mean," she asked with apprehension showing clearly on her face.
Dieter said don't you see he said the boy has finally for once in his life done a foolish thing. He has just figured out that life is more than submarines and war.
Mrs. Mueller had to go lay down. Somehow she could not feel happy about the fact that her son was cavorting with prostitutes.
Walter could not figure it out he had been waiting for his father to come to him and blow u. Nothing of the sort happened. After a time he figured his father was either to mad to say anything or to embarrassed, Neither one ever brought it up.
The crew of U-47 returned to their boat. Schultz was washing his feet and the commander went into his cabin to go over the paper work for the repairs. In about a half an hour he came back out and Schultz was still washing his feet. Walter stopped, looked and asked what the hell are you doing Schultz. The man looked up shamed faced and said, "well sir I walked all over that place bare footed, You know you could get athlete's foot in a place like that." Walter said," oh" and left.

The Dundalkers # 36: read oldest posts first

2007-03-01T16:30:00.000-05:00

The picture on the left is U-47 With Gunther Prien Skipper. Picture taken in Kiel Germany. The Battleship is the H.M.S. Royal Oak that was sunk at Scapa Flow in 1939 by U-47 . Note the skull and cross bones and Umbrella. Pretty obvious what the Germans thought of peace negotiations The crew was laboring as hard as they could go to load torpedo's in the empty tubes, in preparation for another attack.

The little submarine ran in dangerously close to the huge ship. Still there was no movement to indicate they were aware of his presence. The huge bulk of the battle ship towered over the little submarine. She looked for all the world like a mountain rising into the sky in the semi darkness. Walter had the incredible feeling she would topple over on top of them if she was hit.

The young commander realized he was too close and he hesitated only a moment. He loosed two torpedoes one after another, he could not miss. At the same time he yelled, full reverse helm hard to port. He and his fellow officers dropped to the deck of the conning tower. As the blast blew across the top of the conning tower they all felt as though they would be sucked out and thrown in the sea. The Submarine slowing to a stop was rocked by the blasts terrible force as the first and then the second torpedo struck. As the U-boat turned the commander yelled full ahead hard to starboard. The sub moved forward and the stern kicked around lining up the stern torpedo tubes.

The two Torpedoes headed for the sinking Battle Ship both hit the mark but only one exploded.

Commander Mueller headed his boat for the inlet they had come in. They had been spotted. There was a sub chaser hard on his tail. As the U boat got just out side the inlet the sub chaser ran aground trying to follow them out. The little British boat got off a few rounds, all fell wide of the mark as she rolled in the incoming swells.

They weren't in the clear though a destroyer was hard after them and two more were coming out the main channel. U-47 , was in trouble, the destroyer was coming on strong and the British ship didn't have to come out through the main channel. The Destroyer was an old four stack world war one ship that had distinguished herself early on in that war. She had been on an uneventful submarine patrol and was headed back to port when she received the radio message from shore. It was true she was old and not so fast as the newer ships but she packed a wallop. The old destroyer was well able to do great damage or destroy any submarine caught in her pattern of depth charges.

The submarine submerged in a crash dive and she settled to the bottom. Every one on board was quiet, no person moved no one spoke any noise that could be heard by the listening devices aboard the ships above would mean death to them all.

The whole crew of the sub was jammed in the bow were they had run to hurry the emergency dive. They were laying on top of each other and sum on the bottom hardly able to breath.

The destroyer dropped a pattern of depth charges all around them the boat shook, lights blinked and the crew was slammed around inside the boat . Tools spare parts and all manner of things jumped from one side to the other. It felt as though a great giant had taken hold of the boat and shook it violently. Gauges broke, Packing in valves and pumps came adrift. Water poured in all of them. The shuddering and vibrating were so severe that each mans thinking was muddled. Half crazed men ran from one piece of equipment to the other trying to make repairs by any method possible, any thing to keep out the dreaded water and pressure. Their commander had to stop them and make them set in silence.

Many in the crew were suffering from what they called Bleckoller, translated It meant tin can neurosis a result of the tension from the depth charging. On older man had been against the hull when a charge went off and was dying, his spleen ruptured

Suddenly there was a ray of hope in what had seemed a hopeless situation.

The next pattern of depth charges exploded somewhat distant from them. The destroyers had found a sunken ship and had mistaken it for the sub. Occasionally pieces of debris and oil would surface to confirm they were killing something. Every time the depth charges went off U-47 moved a little farther away. The sound of her propellers was masked by the tremendous noise the depth charges made. Once there position had changed a mile or so the submarine lay on the bottom and waited. The U-boat lay on the Bottom five hours . Finally the surface ships moved away, after a long wait in which repairs were made the sub moved off under water. Four hours later she surfaced and made a run for home in the darkness.

The dundalkers # 35: read oldest posts first

2007-02-28T20:06:00.000-05:00

Walter saw that his crew was ready, he was ready and the boat was ready with just a little luck they would succeed.

The U boat and her crew waited silently making every effort to make absolutely no noise that might be detected by a patrol boat. The radio operator sat listening on the hydraphones as they lay there waiting, a patrol boat passed over them, they sat in dead silence.

When the last twilight had faded, The little unterseaboot surfaced and headed for the opening. To Walter's dismay the sky was lighted as if by a brightly shining full moon. It was the Northern Lights the Aurora Borealis running across the sky in waves. It was a disaster.

The topside of many of the sunken ships could be seen along the mouth of the harbor. There was an unreal look about the whole seen. The outline of the mountainous sky line the lights on shore and lighted sky was all like making your way through a grave yard on a moonlit night.

Commander Mueller rung his hands in torment what should he do. If he called off the attack the opportunity would be lost. A dark moon and a high tide at the same time would not occur for another month. And then the high tide would not be as high. It had to be this night.

They ran very slowly the throttle jockey stood at the throttle ready to hit reverse the moment a command was given. It didn't come the boat slide over the sand bar and eased inside the harbor. As soon as they were in the harbor They submerged to periscope depth. As they moved along Walter realized there were no ships anchored any where near them. Where were the ships? Then he saw it a faint outline silhouetted by the white cliffs behind it. And then another, and another. U- 's, Torpedoes were ready she eased her way closer to the ships.

Walter felt like the she wolf stalking the gentle lambs. These were not lambs and U 47 was not a wolf. This prey was ships of war, more deadly than the little unter seaboot, that stalked them. Her only salvation was to attack those she could in the night and slink off to hide from the overwhelming fire power of the remaining ships before her.

As the U boat approached it's target she surfaced in order to make the fastest possible escape. On the surface she could run at her top speed and escape to the open ocean.

When his target was in range Commander Mueller gave the order FIRE ONE, as his boat pushed off to on side from the effect of the torpedoes discharge he commanded FIRE TWO.

As U-47 was turning to make her escape the crew waited silently, there was an explosion right in front of the ship . The torpedo had hit something in the water maybe the anchor chain. The second torpedo hit the other ship dead in the side. A cheer went up inside the submarine. The light from the blast lit the ship that had been missed. My God Mueller whispered almost to himself, "a battle ship." He gave the order to turn 23 degrees and head back for the battle ship. As U- 47 made her turn Walter pressed his eye so hard against the eye piece it cut through the foam rubber and cut his eye lid.

The Dundalkers #34: read oldest posts first

2007-02-27T20:32:00.000-05:00

The U Boat moved slowly away on the surface, then it hit Walter that it was the kid Booby that was dead. He shook all over and it took a few minutes to get control of himself. As soon as the shaking was over he went below.
The blood and gore had been cleaned up and the body was wrapped in a blanket. The blanket was being sewed up. The body was kept on board till nightfall, a service was held on deck and the body was slipped gently into the Ocean.
U-47, submerged and ran under water were her crew could relax and reflect. There was dead silence no person spoke. Commander Mueller passed around a bottle of cognac and all had a drink.
After sun down the boat radioed to the Fatherland it's first kill. Sunk the Merchant oil tanker Margaret L. Powell with all hands Gross tons 8,974 cargo fuel oil ship appeared to be lightly loaded. Then U-47 received orders that astounded Commander Walter Mueller.
The U boat47 was to proceed to Scapa Flow there she was to enter the deep water basin and sink whatever Naval ships it could and Escape. This was a formidable task, at first thought impossible by Mueller. What was Commodore Donitz trying to do to him was he not his friend. Did the Commodore want him dead. As he thought about it though he realized it would be a great moral boost to Germany if he could pull it off, not to mention what it would do for his crew.
The effect on the English would be Devastating to have their war ships sunk right in their own fortified harbor.
Scapa flow was were the World War One German fleet was held to be divide up by the Allies at the end of the war. Thanks to the defiant German crews aboard these ships many were scuttled. All this had left a bad taste in the mouths of all Germans.
Their rusting hulks blocked the entrances to the harbor. Their was a main channel that was heavily Guarded and patrolled. Any U Boat attempting that entrance would be quickly discovered, being trapped in the harbor it would be destroyed quickly. Walter studied the charts. He could see no other way in.
They moved around the Orkney Islands. Just before Midnight on October ,they received a message directly from Commodore Donitz. The message contained detailed information on how to enter the harbor. Their was it seemed a small piece of water between a sunken ship and a Rock jutting up from the sea. At high tide a U boat might sneak in unobserved, providing she came in decks a wash moving slowly.
The commander checked his charts they showed only a foot or two of water. What the hell was Donitz trying to do to him. He set on his bunk staring at the chart a long time. What did Donitz know that he didn't.
One hour later he came out of his cabin apparently full of Confidence. He told the crew what their mission was. He also told them of the shallow entrance and Donetz orders to enter there. Walter said, "men I know the Commodore personally. Karl Donitz is an excellent strategist and if he says there is a good chance we can get through, I Believe him."
"If we get away with this stunt we will all return to the home land to a hero's welcome ,make no mistake about that. Today while we wait for darkness we will have a dinner party. This Prowling wolf will sink ships tonight for the fatherland for the Furer and for our crew mate Booby, Hiel Hitler."

The dundalkers #33: read oldest posts first

2007-02-26T11:51:00.000-05:00

The decision was made the target would not be torpedoed. Torpedo's were expensive and the sub could only carry so many. Besides that the gun crew needed constant practice in case the were forced to surface and fight. There lives may well depend on the gun crews. When the ship got into position Mueller ordered the U boat surfaced. As the conning tower rose above the ocean the gun crew came scrambling topside. In the long swell that was running sea were washing over the decks There was no hurry and no need to open deck hatches. In a moment the decks broke out of the water at least partially, and the crew was at the deck gun. The machine guns were manned. The Order was given to fire. There was a tremendous roar as the gun went off. The first shot went over her mid section. The gun blasted again that shell hit the water a little short. The canon's report was heard again this time the range was found. A blast was seen high on the side of the ship.

The ship began to pick up speed and turned sharp to Port. Walter gave the order to head off thirty degrees to port and increase engine speed. Nothing happened the U- Boat was falling behind. The Commanders head set and mike were not working his orders were not being heard below. Walter opened the hatch and yelled below for Booby to come top sides. He placed the young man at the hatch to relay orders below. Now the U-47 was moving at top speed. The tankers best speed was no match for the U-boat. The unterseaboot had a speed of eighteen knots and the best the tanker could do was twelve.

U-47was now in position again and the tanker could not escape. She continued in her feeble attempts to run a twisting and turning course. The U boat and ship engage in a macabre dance of death, to the beat of U- 47's deck gun. The wolf and the lamb Walter Shouted to his next in command.

Shells continued to explode in the ships sides. The sixth shell hit her just below the water line and there was a tremendous explosion. The shell had gone into an empty fuel tank, full of fumes, it exploded. The blast broke the ship in half and drove her midsection down into the ocean. The shock wave from the blast hit the U boat and knocked two of the gun crew off their feet. There was a shower of debris and it whistled past them. Booby was standing in the conning tower The next instant his head was gone. The commander and all were showered with blood and flesh. For a moment none of them realized what was all over them. Booby's headless body fell down through the open hatch.

The order to dive was given. The gun crew scrambled up the conning tower and down through the hatch then sliding down on the rails on each side of the ladder.

When all were below the hatch was closed and the sub was taken slowly down to periscope depth. The periscope was raised. Commander Mueller searched the oceans surface only the bow section was left sticking up out of the water. There was a huge oil slick on the water and it was on fire. Billows of black smoke poured into the sky and spread slowly South. The British in world war one had been quite ingenious at putting pieces of ships together. No portion of a ship could be left floating. The submarine was surfaced and ran toward the section of ship still floating. They pumped three shells into her and she slowly sank as the trapped air escaped out of her. The U-boat circled the area looking for survivors, there were none.

the Dundalkers #32: read oldest posts first

2007-02-25T20:50:00.000-05:00

Commander Mueller stepped aboard U- 47. He returned the salute his men gave him as he headed below. The crew saluted his uniform as he moved to his cabin. When he came out he pushed the curtain aside. Now he was dressed in work cloths and there was no longer a reason to be saluted. He was one of U-47's crew. The engine was running and all was in readiness for departure. Dock lines were drug aboard and U-47 moved slowly out of the harbor.
The small boat headed west at a slow speed to conserve fuel. The boat was loaded to the gills there was food packed every where and spare supplies, generator belts, pump impellers, packing, fuel injectors and a thousand other necessary and useful parts.

A full load of torpedoes, ammunition for the deck gun and machine gun ammo were stowed. There were rounds of hand gun ammo and a few hand grenades.

U-47, had taken up station just above Scotland where she ran back and fourth on patrol. The crew had not seen battle yet they were nervous, as might be expected. The small craft spent its days setting on the bottom or running submerged at periscope depth.

During the night they ran on the surface charging batteries and watching for enemy ships. During the late night hours they would radio for instructions. In the early hours about4:00A.M. on Sept.30 a message came through from home. All allied ships were to be torpedoed with out warning with the exception of passenger vessels. Only a few days later it was changed to all shipping.

At 1100 hrs the same morning, Smoke was sighted on the horizon. U - 47 dove to periscope depth, she lay there and watched as the ship became visible on the horizon. The ship was moving toward them. The exact course of the vessel was plotted and Commander Mueller moved his U boat into position. They lay waiting almost two hours. Torpedoes were readied. The ship was moving slow about seven knots, a setting duck. She was a British Tanker painted in peace time colors. Her hull was bright red and her topsides white.. The English had not yet had time to paint many of their ships with in wartime gray. She was like a sign saying come sink me.

Walter Mueller searched the horizon there was nothing to be seen. The North sea was calm. Their were almost no waves only the ever present long slow swells that rolled the ship.

The Dundalkers #31 : read the oldest posrs first

2007-02-24T18:24:00.000-05:00

It was late July 1941 and the U-boat U-47 with emergency dives or crash dives as the Americans called them. Commander Mueller was in the process of training his crew. The boat was at present running on the surface and the seas were calm. Mueller was beginning to get concerned that they might not have any bad weather. The crew needed to be tested, although Walter felt sure they would do fine. Bad weather and running on the surface would make many sick, all would do there duty but some would perform better than others. He needed to know who would be the most dependable.

DIVE, DIVE, DIVE, HE SHOUTED. The horn below sounded and the crew ran forward to make the boat dive faster. Only the crew members that were handling essential equipment such as diving planes and control valves stayed in place. Two of the crew positioned themselves at the bottom of the latter to catch any who might slip and fall coming down from the conning tower. Injuries to crew members could be devastating in battle. A man who injured himself through carelessness was in for a severe reprimand or much worse.

As the boat leveled off the Commander Shouted congratulations the best yet minutes.

The crew cheered. One almost boyish voice called out lets do it again Walt. The commander nor any one else were called by title or last name. On a submarine quarters were to close for normal military protocol. All men were thought to be equally Important as each mans life depended on the other. All knew who the boss was make no mistake about that.

As soon as the words were out on of the men put his hand over the boy's mouth and said "shut up booby you'll get all of this you want in the coming months." Booby was an affectionate name always given to the youngest on the boat no matter how old. It meant baby.

Complaining was strictly forboden, a man could joke about any hardship with impunity however. If it was borderline some body better laugh.

"All right we'll do it one more time, if we do as well this time we'll lay on the bottom and take a few hours rest."
"Surface"

The drill was carried through again and the previous time was beaten by five seconds.
The promised rest was taken with delight by all.

On August the eighth the U-47 returned to base, Where she spent two weeks being loaded with supplies and repairs being made. She had a few minor break downs of equipment.

The day before Commander Mueller was ready to sail he was met by Admiral Donitz. The two men sat and talked a long time. Walter told him about how he had been set on fire by the other mans words and how that passion had stuck with him.

The Admiral said "well I am glade that I was able to help, it was a prophecy that turned out to be right, but at the time I wasn't sure that your fatalistic attitude wasn't right, I said it as much for my benefit as for yours."

"Well it made all the difference to me sir" replied the younger man.

"Happy times Commander," called Admiral Donitz as he stepped into his command car. Happy times was the equivalent of happy hunting.
Commander Walter Mueller watched as the car pulled away from his father's home and drove down the lane.

The young Commander shook hands with his father and kissed his mother good by. His sister had married many years before. He told his mother to give her and her family his love.

His father said son you are finally going to do, what you have trained for all these long years. "Good luck, Happy times," Deiter said with some difficulty. He turned quickly to hide his emotions and walked toward the house.
The old chauffeur drove Walter to the ship yard.

The Dundalkers #30 : Read oldest posts first

2007-02-23T19:36:00.000-05:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Tad walked out of the steel mill. He had just finished up his evening shift, as he walked to his automobile he was aware of someone standing by his car. Tad put his hand in his coat and took his pistol that had been given him by Hubert, out of it's holster. He put the gun in his pocket and held on to it, finger on the trigger.
As he walked up to his car the man asked "Tad?" Tad watched the man's eyes and hands. Both men were nervous.
Tad said, "if you have business be quick."
"I have packages for you, I was told you would be expecting them."
"All right" Tad said. Get in my car we can set there until the shift change is over. When the parking lot clears out a little we can move the packages to my car.
The two men set in the car and talked. It was a strange conversation. Neither man told anything about himself or any of his business. They killed about a half hour.
Finally Tad said "all right lets do it now." They got out and transferred the Radio equipment to Tad's car The other man got in his car and drove off.
Tad set in his car a few minutes to let the other man get away, then he left.
Two weeks after receiving his equipment he had it set up in the spare room in the attic. He had run antenna wires through the rafters and from the roof to a pole on the chicken coop.
Tad spent all of his spare time the next two weeks practicing Morse code. Becoming proficient at Deciphering the German codes took longer. The whole thing was a matter of practice.
Tad was finally ready to make contact with Abwehr in Hamburg. He turned on the radio and tuned the set to the frequency that was assigned him for this transmission in this first contact. He began calling "CQWWZL CALLING OAR........CQWWZL CALLING." After several calls Tad was answered by an operator at the German headquarters Hamburg Germany. The answer was so strong and clear it shocked Tad. It sounded like the operator was just down the street.
He sent his message stating that he was know operational and would be calling in as directed.
Abwehr sent him instructions, they wanted production schedules and names, time and date and destination of ships departing the Baltimore harbor. He was also to send information he felt was of value.
He ended his transmission with simple if abrupt word "OUT."
Setting back in his chair Tad wiped the perspiration from his forehead. I've just committed a crime that could get me jailed or deported. I hope Hubert has made arrangements for me to meet with the F.B.I. it would be nice to know I'm on somebody's side. This is like being hung out on a jibet to dry.

The Dundalkers# 29 : read oldest posts first

2007-02-22T19:14:00.000-05:00

Early the next morning Arni was brought into the world. He didn't like it at all. The next door neighbor Rose told Paula, "that bambino's got lungs and a voice like an Italian opera tenor."

The Italian neighbors got Tad drunk in spite of his protests. The back slapping and drinking went on into the night. Tad tried to protest that Paula needed him in the house. That was met with howls of laughter and the reply, what was a man to do with a woman at a time like this. A man only could do one thing with a woman and now was not the time. Besides you can't get in the house anyway. Tad looked through the front door. Every woman in the Italian neighborhood was inside.

Geno said "a birth is a time for prayer and then its vino and Bragging if its a boy. If its a girl its vino and thoughts of a sweet little thing to wrap it's arms around your neck as long as you live. Even after some boy has stolen her heart."

The next morning Tad`s head was as big as a beer barrel. He crawled out of bed groaning.

Two weeks later he had made an agreement with a man that could build them a house of the kind they were accustomed to in the old country.

Tad and Paula were completely fascinated as the man described the house that he would build. It was as though the man had been listening to there conversations as they had talked about their future home. Paula guessed that all Germans in this country had the same kinds of memories of home.

There was little construction going on in the Dundalk area at the time. As a result the basement was being dug the next day. Three men dug and one swung a pick or a flat bladed matox. The fifth man hauled the dirt in one of three wheel barrows. As the other two were being filled. The dirt was used to fill and level the sloping front yard, ending in a terrace almost at the street.

A truck brought two loads of used bricks a day. One very old man sat on a little stool and chipped mortar off the bricks and stacked them up. These used bricks were for the insides of the outer walls and the inner walls that partitioned the house into rooms.

There was to be a living room ,dining room, two bed rooms, a bath and kitchen, a basement and an unfinished attic suitable to being finished at a later date.

The outsides of the walls would be sheathed with new brick.

All rooms were to be plastered inside with ceramic tile baths. All other rooms to have hard wood floors, of the builders choice depending on what could be found of the highest quality. The kitchen to have burlap backed battle ship linoleum.

The house was to be livable in less than one year.

Tad paid one half down and the balance over three years in three equal payments. There was an interest rate of one and one half percent per year.

The agreement was verbal on most such small homes in the area.
A hand shake was not good enough for Tad. He insisted on every detail and the quality of it in writing. The old builder grumbled about the amount of detail that Tad insisted on.

Tad told him "when the house is complete it will be exactly as Paula and I want it. We will be happy with it and you will have your money and we will be good friends." Him and the builder sat up half the night writing the agreement.

The only thing the builder would not tie down was the hardwood flooring. Air drying lumber was a slow process, taking as long as five years. The builder would use nothing else. He insisted the he choose the hard wood flooring based on availability and Quality. The two of them signed the contract and celebrated the agreement by shaking hands and drinking a beer.

The family moved into there new home on time in . Paula thought she was the happiest she had ever been. She worried a little that things were to good. She loved her new home, they were slowly filling it with furniture. It was getting more homey all the time.

One of the things she disliked at first, she later became fond of. The smell of new plaster, it had a slight sour smell. The smell reminded her of bread rising.
The neighborhood was a little lonely, but there was a young couple with three children that had just bought the lot across the street. Maybe she would have a friend to talk with and to walk to Dundalk with.

The dundalkers,#28: read oldest posts first

2007-02-21T19:05:00.000-05:00

Tad stood with his hands clasped on top of his head studying a painting of a bunch of young men playing soccer. One young man was kicking the ball at the goal with others running at the ball obviously to late. The goalie was diving across the goal trying to make a save with little chance of success. Tad thought what a nice picture.

It was fall Tad had been working at the open hearth all summer he was learning how steel was made in America. The big difference it seemed to him was that in Germany they went to great lengths to make all their steel very high quality. The steel was expensive as compared to the same quality in the states.

In American steel is made on a grander scale like every thing else. Because of the high production, steel is more machine made and machine controlled the best a little lower quality than the best made in Germany. The over all quality is much higher and the price lower. The steel worker making higher wages could afford more of his own products.

To Tad this was the most important thing, a man who builds automobiles and can afford to buy and use what he makes is a very successful worker and only here in America can he do that.

Tad and Paula were renting a house in the little community Saint Helena across the street car tracks from Dundalk. The town had been inhabited mostly by Italian families. There was more Italian spoken than English.

Paula Was big and could give birth at any time. She was very concerned that the baby's early years not be spent in Saint Helena. These years when children learned to speak, should be spent in a community that spoke mainly English. The child should not grow up being torn between three languages.

One of Hubert's friends from Highland Town, the head water at the German Restaurant was coming. He was going to take them to look at a piece of land. It was said to be a nice plot of ground and at a reasonable price. The two of them were dressed and ready to go. They both hoped they would be more successful today. Over the last month they had looked at a lot of land and houses.

Much of what they looked at was owned by large companies and the were not interested in selling small parcels. Some of the houses did not fit with their German idea of what a house should be like.

A big Packard pulled up in front of the house and stopped. Horst Schnelling stepped out and walked to the front door and knocked on the door.

Paula and Tad both had the same thought, waiters pay must be good.

Tad answered the door inviting Horst in. The man stepped in taking off his hat saying "Greetings Paula." "Hello Horst how are you?" "Fine" he said nearly bowing to her. Tad thought he detected an uneasiness in her attitude and voice.

Tad breaking the silence offered the man a drink, "maybe beer, water or a soda perhaps." The other man shook his head no. Tad said "well shall we go then?" All agreed.

They drove about a mile to a place Horst called Dundalk Farms they drove to a plot of ground sloping up hill to a large forested hill. The man told them there was two acres of land. He told them that there were German families next-door and in the second house down.

The three of them walked almost every square foot of land. There were some old apple trees and the ground under them was covered with apples. The trees were bearing plenty of fruit for their age. The view from a house on this land would be beautiful Paula was thinking. She stood looking out across the not so distant steel mills and beyond across the Chesapeake bay to the eastern shore. In Germany such a view could be purchased by only the wealthiest of families.

Horst shattered the thoughtful silence with a statement that raised goose pimples on Paula's flesh. "Up on this hill if there is an invasion you will be able to see it coming on the water over there and take cover Before any shelling starts."

The two of them stood there staring at him in a deathly silence.

Hey he said "We all know we have to consider such things. We should never forget the possibility, even likelihood that this could happen. I'm sorry I did not mean to bring up unpleasant thoughts when you were so happy thinking about building a new home."

Tad turned to Paula saying "It really would be a nice place to live. Of course we'll have to keep one eye on the harbor," they all laughed.

The two of them had fallen in love with the place.

Tad asked "do you know what there asking for it Horst?"

"They are asking one thousand dollars for the whole lot. Of course that's negotiable."

The couple could hardly take the man seriously, that was about half the price that the land was worth.

Tad told Paula after they got home, "Don't get your hopes up, I can't believe they will sell for that price."

Three days later Tad purchased the land for a total of seven hundred dollars. That evening they danced around the table and drank a toast to their new home. One hour later Tad sent the boy next door to get the Doctor Paula was in labor.

The Dundalkers # 27 : Read oldest posts first

2007-02-20T15:22:00.000-05:00

Hubert took them out to dinner. They had a fine German meal, the restaurant was a beautiful place. This restaurant was obviously very popular with Americans and Germans alike and all were well dressed. The whole place was like a museum with many antique relics of Germany's past. There were beautiful alabaster statues on display in every corner and alcove. On the walls were paintings of the country side in Germany and Austria. They brought back memories to all three of them.

Paula looked longingly at a lovely little picture of a street in an old Austrian village, a bakery on the corner reminded her of her families bake shop at home. She wondered if she would ever be rid of her home sickness. She missed her mother, the friends she grew up with and most of all she missed Germany, the look of it, the feel, and the smell of it. She had seen no countryside here that looked like it. She wondered, why? In her young life had the changes come about that had destroyed a comfortable way of life and forced them to leave. For a moment she hated the allies that had defeated Germany in world war one. It was their fault, they had compelled Germany to adopt a strong Military government to regain the lands and manufacturing markets stolen from it. Stolen at the armistice ,they were the spoils of war. She worried about the safety of her family in a second war.

Hubert was looking at a large painting of south western Germany. The land was flat and the farms were all fenced off with hedge rows.

He was remembering the charge he had led on horseback across the French border. A young officer at the time he was to scared to think, he could only spur his horse on charging, yelling and waving his sword. The ground rushing under his horses feet

was a blur. He remembered no particular sounds, only a continues roar, strangely like the rush of ground, horses and men before his eyes.

He had forgotten his men riding and shooting behind him. It was like these French Solders were falling and dying before him by his hand alone. Hubert felt like some terrible grim reaper, some hand of God or the Devil.

The French Were falling back. Looking back he realized he and his men were way out in front of the German lines and in danger of being surrounded. Over half of his men were gone and some were wounded. He led his men back to the lines.

Setting on his horse behind the relative safety of an old farm house he began shaking. Hubert shook so violently his horse threw him and ran off. One Of his men rode out and brought his horse back.

A superior officer came over and told him that he had routed the enemy and that he would be recommended for a metal. He felt more like a coward than a hero and said so. The other officer laughed "you ought to be scared, you scared the hell out of me and those Frenchmen over there."

It was only luck that spared his life he never took such a wild chance again. He had grown up in what seemed a second. Wizened and humbled knowing death and having been death itself he never led the battle again. He fought only to save himself or a comrade. Undoubtedly it saved his life he thought. Hubert felt grateful.

The Dundalkers # 26 : read oldest posts first

2007-02-19T16:22:00.000-05:00

Paula got out of bed and went into the kitchen. She fixed them both something to eat, while Tad took a hot bath. Tad came into the kitchen wrapped in a towel, as he rounded the table he reached out to grab her. She side stepped him and ran laughing into the bedroom where she called out "start eating your lunch I'll be out in a minute."

Just as Tad was finishing up his sandwich she came back in the room dressed. Tad went and dressed while she ate. The two of them left for an afternoon walk.

They walked a couple of blocks to Patterson Park.

It was Saturday and a lot of people were in the park, many were laying on blankets sunning them selves, a few were playing with dogs or kids, but most were just walking. These were the same things you might see anywhere in Europe, some how this was

different these people seemed more at ease, maybe less formal.

Tad thought about the park in his home town and the many hours he spent there as a child. He had pleasant memories of the puppet shows, organ grinders and jugglers. Parks in Germany were somewhat like amusement parks.

Children did not go there alone to play they were always supervised by adults. Their was a deep seated fear that they would be stolen by Gypsies and taken to the black forest or some where beyond. Tad new of no one this had happened to. These tale

s must have been past down from a time when the country was wild and untamed, when wondering tribes crossed the land and raided small villages.

In Europe a park is a place that you get dressed to go to. These American children were poorly dressed and they played rough. He told Paula as wild as they are they may have been well dressed when they left home this morning. She laughed,

They walked to the north side of the park were there was a base ball game going on. The couple climbed into the bleachers and watched. Tad could not figure out what was going on. A curious game he thought.

Sometimes the man in the middle threw the ball and the other man swung at it and some times he didn't. Some times the people yelled and sometimes they didn't.

One man squatting down caught the ball when the other man didn't hit it. Then he would do a funny thing, he'd lift up the padding he had on his belly and putting his hand under it he'd point three fingers at the ground, sometimes two, some times only one. What ever it meant he must have gotten it wrong sometimes because the one throwing the ball shook his head no and sometimes yes, then he'd throw.

When all the players changed places all the men in the stands stood up and clapped.

There was one man out there every one hated he was dressed like an undertaker. He didn't do much of anything except watch the one man throw the ball. Sometimes he let out an awful grunt. The guy swinging at the ball didn't like it, he got his face right in the undertakers face and he cursed and hollered. The ball was thrown and the black suited fellow said "baa" the man with the stick walked over and stood on a pillow.

One of the players came up to Tad and said "hey buddy you want to play base ball we're short a man!" Tad told him he could play soccer but he'd never played base ball. The fellow told him that didn't matter they were short a man and any way he could play right field and he wouldn't have to do nothing nohow. Paula said "go ahead Tad play, if nothing else you can always kick the ball." Tad shrugged his shoulders and said "OK."

The guy was right the ball didn't come to him and he was glad. Tad got up to bat and the man in the middle threw the ball right at him, he jumped back, it curved and went across the plate. The next throw the same thing happened. The crowed booed. Tad could not believe anybody could throw a ball like that, curving as it did. You just can't throw a ball in a circle, but this guy could. Tad had a sudden new respect for baseball.

The guy that ask him to play yelled something to the guy in black, then walked over and told Tad to stay in there and swing. "He won't hit you" he said, "swing and swing hard."

Tad stepped up to the plate, the ball came at him so fast he could hardly see it, he swung as hard as he could he heard a loud crack and the ball went somewhere, he didn't know where. He didn't have any idea what to do next. Somebody yelled "run,"

he ran to the bag he saw everybody else run to. Somebody was hollering "go to second, go to second run to second base." The only base he saw was one on the other side of the pitcher. Tad ran as hard as he could go, right straight across the middle of the diamond. Every one was yelling at him, he didn't know what to do. A guy ran up to him and yelled in his face "go to second you dumb Pollock."

Nobody's gonna call me a Pollock he thought.

Tad came up with a right square under the mans chin jacking him up off his feet. Tad caught a glimpse of Someone coming at him. He turned bring his guard up to late. He was hit right on the nose blood flew, Tad went down like a pile of bricks.

He got up shaking his head to clear his vision, he saw people fighting every where. They were running down out of the stands onto the ball field fighting all the way.

Suddenly Tad remembered Paula alone in the stands. He ran for the stands. Then he saw Paula standing off to the side waving at him. He ran to her, "are you all right he said." "Oh I'm fine" she said, "you don't look so good though."

As they hurried along they heard the wail of a police siren and then another and another.

The police were coming straight at them. Tad turned his face away from them pretending to talk to Paula so they couldn't see his battered face. The officers went right on by.

As they hurried out of the park Paula asked "what did that man say to you that made you so mad?" "He called me a dumb Pollock Tad said. Dumb's OK Pollock is not" he mumbled through swollen lips.

Paula laughed so hard she had to sit down on the curb. She had tears running down her cheeks. Tad looked around people were watching. He was standing there with blood on his face and she was crying. He took her by the arm helping her up he said lets get back to Huberts before we get ourselves arrested.

There will be no new posts untill Tue. Feb. 17

2007-02-14T20:15:00.000-05:00

Hi Folks,
I am going to be away a few days and I am having computer problems that need to be fixed. I'll be back on Tue. Feb. 17. Thanks for joining me here. Below is a little info on my Book Of mooncursers and other spun yarns.
"Mooncursers" takes place near "Baltimore Maryland," during the early part of WWII. A story of two boys, each battling his own devils. Both are strengthened through adventure and the overcoming of self imposed guilt. They decipher a cryptic note and right an old wrong. All this in order to give new meaning to the life of an elderly lady living in an old Baltimore slum and to return to her what is rightfully hers. This is a story of boys who find young manhood and lifelong confidence through adversity, adventure and intrigue. Between these covers are other short stories for old boys and young men. Some will delight, drawing a chuckle and others to inspire thought. A few will leave an introspective question or two to ponder. One story is pure piffle. See if you recognize which one. Doug

The Dundalkers # 25 : read oldest posts first

2007-02-12T17:31:00.000-05:00

" Well Tad," said Hubert "help me load the truck my driver will soon be here". The two of them walked around to the garage to get the truck. "Wait till you see this their really rare in this country. The Americans think it funny looking and laugh at it. My German customers love it and recognize it anywhere".

"I grimace every time I think of what it cost me, but it's more than just a good truck and it's good for business. He opened the door."

Tad whistled long and low, "a Mercedes truck, I'm impressed." She was black with big spoke wheels, in the front fenders were two spare tires with chrome wheel and tire covers. She had side view mirrors and a spot light. The back of the trucks roof was raised so that a man could walk in.

Painted on both sides in gold leaf was Hubert Swartz Old World baker. "Yes I see what you mean he said you must have dropped a bundle, with freight and duty added on her cost. I'm surprised you let someone else drive it."

"I told my driver she has to last a lifetime. He treats her like a museum piece. The problem is, it slows down deliveries, sometimes I wish him to be a little less careful. Then I remember what's invested in that truck.

"Resting his hand on Tad`s shoulder, "lets go he said." He started the engine it was quiet and smooth, as only an engine with hand scraped bearings, lapped valves and finely balanced pistons and crank could be.

They pulled the truck up to the bakery door and began loading it.

"Tad why don't you go upstairs take a nap then you and Paula might like to walk around town it is quite a nice neighborhood. I have some more baking to do and books to work on. I'll come up around five O clock we will go out to dinner, I know where

there's a fine German Restaurant right down the street. I think you and Paula will like it," he said.

Tad undressed and crawled in bed, Paula was still asleep. Tad rolled over toward her, placing his face in the small of her neck he kissed her very gently. She groaned and rolled over towards him. He kissed her on the forehead moving down he kissed

her on both eyes. She threw her leg across his. They made love. It was exciting making love in her uncles house, they felt like young teenagers sneaking some forbidden act in secret. They dosed off and slept till noon.

Paula awoke first looking at her husband she giggled, he had flower on his face and looked like a clown. He awoke to her laughter he rose to a sitting position looking very puzzled. The harder he looked at her the harder she laughed, she was almost histerical.

Tad jumped out of bed chucked his pillow at her went in the bath room saw himself in the mirror and laughed out loud.

The Dundalkers # 24 : Read oldest posts first

2007-02-10T09:33:00.000-05:00

Hubert's home was an apartment over top of his bakery. For a bachelor he kept a neat and clean place. Paula thought, this place was not decorated and furnished by a man. Looking around she thought a women has had a hand in this, she kept it to her self. She said Hubert you are quit a house keeper. Her uncle, turning a little red in the face, replied, you should have seen it a few days ago.

Tomorrow said Hubert, like every baker in the world I have to get to work by three a.m. The truck must be loaded and ready to go by eight in the morning. We Germans must have our pumpernickel no matter what country we live in. We are as bad as the English and their tea. They sat up talking till time for Hubert to go down stairs to the bakery.

Tad went to work with Hubert. He helped out as best he could, carrying bags of flouimmigrationr washing pans and cooking pastries. They finished up early.

The two men sat down to have a cup of coffee. Tad Told Hubert of their experience in New York with the Germanic American Society. When you called Alfred and asked him to meet us at immigration did you mention that Paula is pregnant! Paula thought it odd they knew.

Hubert's reply was an emphatic no. " I did not call him at all as a matter of fact I was looking forward to a trip to New York to meet you. Alf Derr called me and told me not to come. He said you had made arrangements for him to meet you there. Was that not so?"

"Absolutely not" answered Tad. "We were Hoping you would be there. Paula and I were sorry you were unable to meet us."

"You know Tad", said the other man with a little anger slipping into his voice, I am sure the nazies are keeping dossiers on all of us here in America. They must surely see us as possible nazie agents should war erupt.

Tad you can be sure the U.S. government is watching this group and others like it.

I belong to the Society, I have many friends among the members. I know there is some pretty strong thinking regarding the situation in Europe among the members. The organization may even be manipulated by the Fascists. I personally take no part in any political movement that might be going on. I am not here to be anybodies pawn. The baker slammed his fist on the table spilling their coffee as he spoke. It Gauld's my ass that Alfred used me. I'd like to put my fist up his nose.

"This table can't take much more of your anger" laughed Tad. "Hubert I think it might be wise to say nothing of this. They seem to know much more about us than we do about them. We would do well to learn as much as possible about our enemy, if we even have one". Even as he said this he was sure that the young SS. agent and probably Alfred were both his enemy.

The Dundalkers # 23 : read oldest posts first

2007-02-08T16:23:00.000-05:00

Tad thought this man so open and honest, who wore his feelings on his sleeve was not the kind of person who would secretly involve him and Paula in some political intrigue. Tad felt relieved thinking he would tell Hubert about their experience with the Germanic American Society when the opportunity arose. He might know something.

Paula locked her arms in theirs and they walked three abreast across the lobby. Paula in the middle, talking at high speed, feeling almost like a child again wedged between these two big men and was the center of their attention. She loved it.

The three of them left the station and headed for Hubert's house. They drove through the city and all the while Hubert pointed out things of interest to them. He knew the city well he had delivered bake goods everywhere in the area.

The weather was warm and people were out all over the city, walking along the side walks, gathered on the street corners. Many were sitting on the white marble steps on the fronts of their homes.

A boy walked down the street carrying his father's lunch pail full of beer. He had just purchased it at the corner beer parlor. Every now and then he would look around and then take a sip, these European descendants thought little of it. His father would give him a share when he got home provided he didn't drink to much on the way.

Paula's uncle told them how Baltimore was famous for these white steps and how the women took great pride in keeping them sparkling white. Early in the morning they will be out scrubbing them he remarked. She thought them very attractive. They set off these row homes in away that brick steps could not.

Traffic in Baltimore was unbelievable, automobiles jammed the streets. Trucks and streetcars stopping, loading and unloading, held up the automobiles.

They watched four boys hanging down low on the back end of a streetcar to avoid being caught by the conductor as they hitched a free ride.

Children ran in and out of the traffic, some on roller skates. A boy came by riding on a home made scooter built from a set of roller skates, a two by four, an orange crate served as an upright in the front with a stick nailed across the top was the handle bars. He held onto the back of an auto and was pulled down the street. A cop on the corner blew his whistle and hollered at the boy, waving good-bye the kid rode on.

The traffic moved along, sometimes fast but mostly slow then grinding to a halt, it would set still for what seemed forever. Sometimes a man would get out of his car and run into a beer joint and come out with a couple beers for him and his wife to drink.

A lot of families would set on top of their cars and talk with the people on the side walks, or the passengers on the autos going in the opposite direction, but weren't moving either.

Paula wondered if all these people could possibly know each other they certainly acted as if they were all old friends. This city seemed more like a small town than the thriving city that it was. The waiting and traffic jams seemed to be taken in stride by all. Heads hung out of streetcars while laughing and talking went on between them and people on the sidewalks and automobile. There was the constant chatter of jokes and laughing then the traffic would move a half a block and everybody had some one new to talk to.

It's hard to emagine such good naturedness in the face of all that sweating. Tad and Paula at this point in mid April new nothing of hot weather. But were soon to learn.

The Dundalkers #22 : read oldest posts first

2007-02-07T13:00:00.000-05:00

Chapter Five

Tad and Paula arrived in Baltimore at the Pennsylvania Railroad station. They had enjoyed their trip. The trains had electric engines so there was no soot, the cars were new, clean and comfortable. The tracks between New York and Baltimore were in good condition so the ride was smooth and quiet. The two of them were struck by the huge size of everything. Trains were bigger, cars were bigger, roads were wider, it seemed that every thing had been made larger to help fill up this huge country.
The distances between things was a surprise. Towns were miles apart and in between were vast stretches of young forests. A few farms were scattered at intervals through New Jersey.
Pennsylvania was a real surprise, they saw houses and barns on well manicure farms. They looked like they had been picked up and moved from Germany and set down here.
The distance they had traveled, had they been home, would have put them in another country. It was hard to believe they had only seen a small part in one corner of America.
They were glad to have arrived at their destination, the long trip was behind them. From this point on every thing will be directed toward our new lives thought Tad.
Paula saw her uncle Hubert coming through the revolving doors at the front of the station lobby. In her typical abandoned fashion she let out a scream and ran to him, jumping she threw her arms around his neck,
"Hubert," she Yelled in his ear. Caught by surprise he lost his balance and the two of them tottered around the floor in a kind of drunken dance. Catching his balance he lowered Paula's feet to the floor and stood there hugging her and grinning like a school boy. After a moment Hubert stepped back and looked at her.

"My God!" He said, "You look just like your mother. Paula."

"So do you," she replied, "That's how I knew you so quickly."
Tad stood there smiling, everyone was looking at the crazy woman who had just attacked the gentleman coming through the door. He was struck by the appearance of Paula's uncle. Hubert was unusually tall raw boned and wiry, his hands were huge and obviously strong. He had a handsome face strongly shaped features, wide set eyes brown and warm and a slightly balding head of red hair. He was obviously amused at this beautiful young woman pouncing on him in such a wild manner.
"Come uncle Hubert,I want you to meet my husband Tad, that's him over there. He's the one with grin." She ran across the lobby pulling him after her.

"This is my husband, Tad, uncle Hubert," she said. She stood back watching her two men in shear delight.
The two men shook hands long and hard, their hands stayed clasped for a long moment as they talked They instantly liked each other.

The Dundalkers# 21: read oldest posts first

2007-02-06T13:28:00.000-05:00

He had finished his appeal, leaning over a table he signed the document. Then it was passed to next person, signed and so on around the room. Every man and woman in the dining room signed.
Business having been completed, the band began to play and the beer drinking resumed. Everyone was very friendly, almost intimate they were like secret lovers, close because of their shared secret. The party broke up around midnight to the strains of Lilly Marlaine.
The two couples left the hotel, they drove around the city for a couple of hours sight seeing. They talked about many things, America, Germany, their families and a host of other things. Absolutely no mention was made of any of the events of the evening. The subject was being avoided by all of them.
Alfred and Hilda drove them back to their hotel. The two couples said goodnight, they parted with a slight uneasiness between them.
Tad and Paula Entered their room, hardly speaking they undressed and went to bed. Silently the two of them laid side by side not talking. Paula turning over toward Tad, and said are you asleep Tad? No I'm awake he replied. I'm scared she said, this night may haunt us the rest our lives. We should not have signed those papers.
Tad turned toward her and said, we are not in a police state here in America, we are protected by the laws of this country. I wish we had not signed that paper but there should not be any trouble over it.
He wished he was really that sure. Tad felt half sick. Paula we made a mistake tonight, we will have to be more careful in the future. I think Alfred knew what was going to happen and brought us here to get us involved. We must not allow ourselves to be lead.
Paula reached over and took Tad`s hand in the dark, tapping his ring finger she said, "Did you see that strange looking skull ring on that speakers finger." Paula felt Tad stiffen as though hit by an electric shock. "It is that new SS," he said, in a strained voice.
They both laid awake a long time.Ta reached across laying his arm on the pillow above Paula's head. She raised it and his arm slid down under her neck pulling her to him> They embraced in a long kiss he rolled toward her his other arm reaching around her now thicken waist. They made love as the first gray light invaded their room in the gental way that expectant mothers and fathers do.
Tad sat up on the edge of the bead thinking. God! What a dumb koff I am, I should have been more careful. I will not be drug into the war I came here to escape, I will know what I am doing.
I must be better informed, I must know what's going on in the world. I'll buy a short wave radio and I'll listen to Hitler, the B.B.C. the French and the U.S. broadcasts. Paula and I will Know how to defend ourselves against getting involved.
He told Paula what he had been thinking.

"That could be dangerous if War starts, I mean, to be caught with such a radio, we may be thought spies. Still," Paula said, "We may have gotten involved with dangerous people, we have to know how to protect our selves. Even here in America you can't trust the news, every country supplies it's people with propaganda in war time. If war breaks out we will be suspect and how can you defend yourself if you don't know all the truth.

The Dundalkers#20: read oldest posts first

2007-02-05T11:25:00.000-05:00

“Ladies and gentlemen as many of you are already aware the Germanic American Society has placed itself against any American intervention in European affairs by the United States. If war breaks out in Europe and the United States were to join in many young American boys would die. I do not have to tell you what would happen on the German side. Europe will be laid waste. Without American intervention Germany may have to fight it's way through Poland. The poles have little of value to defend and will surrender in the end. The rest of Europe will quickly sue for peace, there will be little distruction or suffering. When the war is over and Europe is united the fortification under German supervision will begin. Europe will be safe from the Russian Bear. The Soviet Union will be isolated and contained, held within their own borders the barbaric hordes will turn to China and they will fight to the death. Europe will grow and prosper, she will quickly equal America in industrial might. With thousands of miles of ocean between these two mighty powers and no need for each others land there will be peace and prosperity for a thousand years We must do all we can to prevent the United States from getting involved.”

“Those of you that have short wave radios should be able to hear the Furiers speech tonight it should confirm what I have told you here this evening.”

“I have here in my possession a petition . We would like to have everyone sign it. The paper will then be sent to our local congressman. People will be signing these petitions all over American the coming weeks, they will be received by congressmen everywhere. It is imperative that this country be kept out of any possible European conflict. This paper you are signing tonight will be for the good of this country as well as Germany, Europe and ultimately the world.”

The Dundalkers #19: read oldest posts first

2007-02-04T13:33:00.000-05:00

There he was the young Blond blue eyed man stepping out from behind some others. This was the man he had seen both at the pacifist rally in and on the ship. The one who had beat up the fellow that stepped forward to defend his wife. This blond devil that was the body guard who guarded the speaker, Adolf Hitler.
“Germany is not the homeland of the Jew. Jews did not cut the forests, fighting wolves and bear alike as did our families in our ancient past.”
“Germany is the land of the Aryan tribes that were our ancestors. We alone fought the foreign hordes that have sought to take our lands away from us, the Russians, the Swedes and the French. Surely you are not doubting this. You cannot think they are truly Germans as are you and I.”
“The Jews in our homeland are corrupting the pure Aryan blood of our German people. This cannot be allowed to happen. Long live Germany, long live the Furor ,Hiel Hitler, Zeeg Hiel then the whole room came to it's feet shouting and saluting. HIEL HITLER, HIEL HITLER, over and over. The sound reverberated back and forth across the dining hall. The whole thing was exciting and very contagious. The Band began playing old familiar German Music. Every one sang to the strains of Lilly Marlain. Several good beer drinking songs were sung to and drank to as well. There was a fervor building, an excitement in the air. A feeling of oneness within the group. Strong allegiance to the father land took them all. Each felt deeply and strongly their Germanic ties.
First Tad then Paula were caught up in the excitement, They joined in, HIEL HITLER, HIEL HITLER with the zeal and fervor that had gripped them all.
The steely eyed young man that had interrupted Tad stood back thoughtfully watching Tad and Paula.
The young man then stepped forward holding both hands high in the air turned from side to side so that all would see him. As the young blond haired man turned back and forth she noticed a ring on his finger, a skull was set in the face of it. Odd she thought. The room began to quite down. Now he had every body's attention, and he begun.

The Dundalkers# 18 : read oldest posts first

2007-02-03T18:20:00.000-05:00

Paula I know you must be tired, lets get you to your hotel room where you can freshen up and rest a little. Later My wife Hilda and I will call to see if you two feel up to going out to diner. Nothing to fancy mind you.
Turning to Tad, Alfred said, tomorrow or the next day I will drive you down to the train station, if that's satisfactory with you. Tad replied tomorrow will be fine. I need to get to Baltimore as soon as possible. I have a job there and I don't want to keep it waiting.
The three of them got into the car and drove to the hotel. The hotel was just as Alfred had said, clean, comfortable, but more than that it was very German. German was the language spoken there. It was like walking into a little piece of the father land. To Tad and Paula it was very comforting to be in familiar surroundings, however it made them both a little homesick.
A young lady who looked as though she had just stepped out of an Alpine lodge took them to their room.
After the door was closed, Paula said, it's as though this whole place was designed to make us homesick. Tad smiled saying, yes I know what you mean Leibshen it's as though we had never left home. They thought no more of it. Both took baths and had a long nap.
The phone rang, Tad picked it up, it was Alfred. Hello he said warmly, Hilda and I thought maybe You two might like to eat there at the Hotel, the food is good and the surroundings familiar. After dinner we can go for a ride around New York so that you can see some of the city. That is if Paula is feeling up to it in her condition. That will be fine, I am shore Paula will love it replied To.
Tad explained the conversation to Paula. She looked puzzled, how dose he know I'm pregnant? We didn't tell him she said. Turning to look at herself in the mirror she thought, I'm hardly showing yet. Looking at her image in the mirror, reading her thoughts, Tad said Hubert must have told him. It seemed strange the two men would talk about such things.
Alfred and Hilda arrived about seven that evening, Tad was struck by Hilda's stunning beauty. Come in, come in stammered Tad in an embarrassingly high pitched voice. At that moment Paula walked in the room. My god he thought Paula is a very pretty women, but she almost looks plain next to this Glamorous woman.
After an introduction Alfred said, "Shall we go down to the dinning room for dinner?"

"That sounds good to me," answered Tad, Paula nodding in agreement.
Tad and Paula went into the bedroom to finish dressing. Paula frowned, turning to her husband she whispered, "Well You certainly were taken with her weren't you."
He blushed, Foolishly he said, "She is not hard to look at you know."
"Possibly you should have checked the American girls out before you married me she said. Looking in the mirror she pretended to be jealous pouting and whipping an imaginary tear from her eye, she turned and looked strait at Tad."
At that moment she was beautiful beyond belief and Tad told her so. "With out a doubt your the most desirable female ever to pass before these eyes," and he patted her on the tail. With a boyish grin he reached out, grabbed her and hugged her long and hard. They walked out of the bed room smiling. Paula announced, "OK were ready, shall we go"?
They left the suit and walked toward the dinning room. The room was a perfect German beer garden, What a surprise the wonderful it had three huge wooden beer kegs lying horizontal in cradles. There were spigots in all three. A bar maid was drawing beer from one of the kegs into huge mugs.
A white hared gentleman showed them to a table, where they were all seated. They were all brought a stein of beer and a few pretzels. Each was given a menu.
Every one ordered their dinner, receiving another beer, they drank down the first and started the second.
In a few minutes their food arrived, with still another beer, they all drank down their steins of beer.
Around the dining room a man walked playing an accordion and singing. All the guests sang along with him. They All drank round after round of beer, the more they drank the louder they got. Almost everyone moved onto the floor and danced the polkas singing wildly. Every one was having a wonderful time.

The Dundalkers# 17 : read last posts first

2007-02-03T16:19:00.000-05:00

The lower picture is of course the Statue of Liberty and the one above shows the 1931 Skyline of New York.

They were now getting close to land. There were shore birds to be seen from time to time during the day. They were seeing more tree branches, packing crates, bottles and trash. “ The Americans must be throwing the whole country in the ocean,” he told Paula, with a chuckle.
The ship was really moving now. Evidently the captain was making up time lost while driving into those long rolling seas. It had been a rough crossing until today, he thought to himself.
"Land Ho"! was announced over the loud speakers. A cheer went up all over the ship, there was instant excitement and relief. They had crossed an ocean. There was land, there was America.
He squeezed Paula's hand as they stood along the rail looking at the land that would soon be their home. Tad and Paula were both struck by the immensity of the city closing in around them. They had both seen big cities before, this was different. The sky line was totally American. No other city they had ever seen had tall sky scrapers like these.
Tad thought all of America must have crowded into New York.
Of course it wasn't so, but a very big part Europe had, they were still coming and a big part of them were Germans and German Jews.
Paula screamed there it is. As a rain shower passed The Statue of Liberty came into sight. She really was beautiful. That copper statue Streaked in a silvery green definitely Pleasing to the eye, but she was far more lovely for what she represented
She was placed out there on the water as a front door to a comfortable home, that said come eat, warm yourself, you are welcome. We want you and more important we need you. No other country in known history had done such a thing before now. All who passed this way knew this was a new way in the world. This was an opportunity to hold the future in their own hands, unlike the old world where many were held by the iron fist of the upper class.
Many of the people passing her come from countries were there was no hope. There was instantly a change in these people, it showed in their faces and in the way they stood. There was a future for them and their families.
A country whose people have gone through an experience such as this, would be hard to defeat, her armies would be terrible in battle. A country of people who had had a guarentee of their freedom. These people had more to loose than just their pride if another army marched across their border. A land where every man has a gun and that could be brought to bare on the enemy.
Never have a people had more to loose. The world would know this country for centuries to come.

A thought sudden swept across his mind suppose it was all a hoax. What if it was a land where the President ruled with an iron fist and we might be nothing more than the pawns we would have been to the Nazeis. The thought made him sick.

Tad and Paula cleared customs Quickly. The fact that they had a sponsor and a guaranteed job made all the difference. The two of them were out on the street almost too quick. One minute they were busy filling out papers and answering questions the next they were on the streets of New York All alone and ignored.
Paula's uncle Hubert had said he would try to be there to meet them. They stood outside the immigration building along time. Hubert was no place to be seen, something must have held him up. Tad was not sure what to do next.
Mr. Yule? Said an elderly gentleman walking up to Tad. Yes, I am Tad Yule, but I do not believe I know you, said Tad.
I am Alfred Derr, I represent the German American Society of New York, he said in German. The two men shook hands Mr. Derr turned to Paula and bowed removing his hat, how do you do Mrs. Yule he said gently.
We have been contacted by Mr. Hubert Deits your uncle I Believe
Mrs. Yule, He was unable to come to New York to meet you. He called the German American Society, I was appointed to come here and welcome you to America, welcome he said with a big laugh. He stood there with his thumbs stuck in his vest pockets, rolled back on his heels and grinned. Obviously very satisfied with himself.
Turning to Tad he said, I have my car parked right around the corner. If you have no other plans, I would like to take you to a very nice little hotel that have picked out for you. It is clean, comfortable and reasonably priced,
Looking a little sheepish, he inquired do you have American money? Do you need? Tad cut him off before he could finish, no we have no need of money. Thank you very much for your concern though.
“MR. Derr I would be pleased if you would call me Tad, and my wife Paula,” said Tad.
Alfred is my first name but everyone calls me Alf was the other mans reply. There was that big smile again. They all shook hands.
Tad thought Alf certainly does not seem a proper name for this big man,

The Dundalkers #16 : Read oldest posts first

2007-02-01T09:52:00.000-05:00

The First Class Dining Room of the Liner Mauretania Done in Exotic Woods and Palatial Elegance.

A couple of days later it was announced there was a sailing ship off their port bow. All the passengers ran to the port side to see her.
What a sight she was. She was a very big square rigger, she was running before a strong wind, caring thousands of square feet canvas. Her high bows were driven deep in the water, throwing spray strait up in the air.
Her stern was jacked high out of the water. Both rails one at a time were driven under by her long slow roll, with tall masts swinging in a two hundred foot arc. She seemed a thing alive and bound for a distant shore all on her own. Hardly a thing to be controlled by puny men about her decks and rigging. A thing of beauty, strength, imbued with fitness of form and all power man could build into her. Truly a breath taking sight.
The captain's voice came over the intercom, stating that the ship they were seeing was the Moshulu. Built in Germany now sailing under the Union Jack. Moshulu is one of the largest sailing ships in the world. She is completely built of steel including her spars. She is a fast and able sailor and was built to carry sail for a hundred years. Even in these days of steam with he lower maintenance and speed she is able to earn her owners a profit.
Tad and Paula never forgot that sight there entire lives. They talked about the beautiful sailing ship they had seen many times during the coming years.
They had finish dinner the seas were down and the running smooth. There was muted music coming from the ball room and Tad walked around to Paula's chair and taking her but the arm, Said “My Paul, would you like to go to the Ballroom and dance to that beautiful music they are playing.” They were both living way above their means and new they would never get a chance again in their lives to live this life style of the very wealthy.
“Yes please lets do, and could we have one of these fancy cocktails everyone drinks. Do you think we could?”
Just about that time the band leader announced, Mr. And Mrs Thadeus Yule have just entered the Ballroom for their first dance of the crossing. They were applauded by the many people dancing and setting at the tables. Shown to a table and when seated Tad on the advise of the waiter ordered Paula High Ball and a German beer for himself. They felt like royalty they felt among the American and European rich.
At best Tad and Paula were upper middle class in the sense of the definition of that time. But they felt like millionaires in this setting. That of course was the intention of the introduction.
Tad Rose from his chair to to bestow on his wife an invitation.
“Would you like to dance Meine Liebshen,” he ask taking her hand and she responded by stand and moving so elegantly into his arms. Tall but shorter them him she looked into his face They moved on the floor and began to do the two step. A dance among the most under rated of them all. With it's nuances, designed to allow a man to show and present his partner.
“ Tad you are such a show off,” she said
“ Yes and look who I am showing off. Only the most beautiful women on the floor tonight. I see the admiring glances you are getting. I will hold you tight not only because I love you but to show your admirers you are mine.” Paula responded in a some what throaty Giggle in a schoolgirl fashion that embarrassed her and excited Tad.
They set out a Charleston as Paula was getting out of breath and was just a little more than they felt they should attempt with her pregnant. They sat at their table and watched the other dancers.
At a table back behind them was a group of young German's, they had some young ladies with them and they were noisy. They in fact beginning to draw a lot of attention from all the people in the ball room. They were very loudly tasting themselves and Hitler and loudly saluting him. One said something to lady at a nearby table that she did not like. Her husband jumped up and one of the group stood up and Tad recognized him. He was one of the Nazi's at the rally with Hitler. The way too handsome blond young man hit the womans husband with a kidney punch, a knee to the groin, and a chop to the neck and all were executed in lightning speed. A couple of well placed kicks by the other men at the table. And they all left the room.
Tad grabbed Paula and they headed for their room.
“My God, Tad did you see how those Germans handled themselves they are trained killers she said in a very upset state.
Paula I have seen the blond one he is a body guard for that damned Austrian, Hitler. I saw him at the Peace rally at home when Hitler made that speech there.
“Oh God” did he see you?” He didn't look at me and probably he wouldn't recognize me if he had, Tad answered.
Paula taking off her necklace said “You recognized him”?
“He was part of a few with Hitler and I was on of a crowed I'm sure he wouldn't recognize me and besides we are out of Germany now, we don't have to care.”
“Listen Tad these are very dangerous people I think we should stay in our cabin and not get mixed up with them. Nothing is to much for them they kill people for no reason except who there grandparents may have been or for the fun of it.” She held up her finger shaking her head side to side.
“Paula listen to me. I have an advantage over this man. He is very dangerous and I know it but Listen to me,I am very dangerous also, but he doesn't know it. I will be underestimated. In this way I have an advantage . I do not intend to hide in a cabin, would you insult me?”
“No,” Paula exclaimed, “No!”
“Ok all will be as it was before tonight,”
“Yes,” she replied.
They undressed and went to bed but there was little sleep this night.

The Dundalkers # 15: read oldest posts forst

2007-01-31T13:52:00.000-05:00

The Mauretania built in 1907 and removed from the rolls in 1935. She held the Atlantic crossing record in the 1920's. at a top speed of 26.7 knots and could average 22 knots.

CHAPTER THREE

On the fifth of April Tad And Paula set sail aboard the ocean liner Mauretania, bound for New York. They were able to get passports and book passage quickly because they had sponsors in the United States. It had all happened so fast there they had hardly thought about what they were doing.
Now the reality set in and it was chilling, they were sailing three thousand miles to a new land, the only possessions they had were in their steamer trunk and a few suit cases. America was an immense country would they be lost in so vast a land, or would they stand out and be held up to ridicule like those who came from eastern Europe. To the Germans these easterners seemed preposterous, would they look the same to Americans? Thank God they would have German friends there.
Even though it was spring. The time of year was close enough to winter for the North Atlantic to be rough. The ocean liner plowed into big seas that marched ever eastward, at times the ship rolled violently.
The rolling and pitching was very uncomfortable, and sometimes scary for Paula. She thought she would feel better out on deck but the weather was bitter a person could only stay out there a few minutes.
Tad enjoyed it, he loved to stand on deck and watch the seas roll under the Mauretania bow's. His time in the U boat service had taught him to have no fear of these big waves. They were only a part of the every day work of a good stout ship. This is what they were built to do.
Ice was another story. Tad like every other seaman looked on ice with dread and fear. When he laid his head on the pillow at night he often pictured the awesome sight of the icebergs he had seen in the North Sea. It was hard to fall asleep. Sometimes at night he would wake up with a start from the sound of the bows slamming down into a sea. Often he would get up and walk out on deck. Sometimes there would be fog. Was the ship running to fast in these foggy conditions? For a man whom was use to being in control it was unsettling to feel helpless.
Every day their latitude and longitude was announced. Tad kept a running fix on a chart he kept with him at all the time. If something happened he wanted to know were he was. If something did happen to the ship, the chart would be valuable information to have in a life boat.
It was Sunday morning. The lat. long. was being announced, Tad was plotting it on his chart. Suddenly the hair raised on the back of his neck, as a cold chill ran down his back.
Paula looked at him hard saying "Tad, what is wrong with you? You look terrible."
"OH! I'm all right," he said and he got up and walked over to the buffet and poured himself a cup of coffee. He pictured the Titanic probably broken, lying on her side, under thousands of feet of water. She must be somewhere very nearly under us now, he thought. He did not tell Paula what he was thinking until years later.

The Dundalkers # 14 : read oldest posts first

2007-01-30T15:18:00.000-05:00

Are you not happy asked Paula beginning to feel hurt? Yes liebshen, I am very happy said Tad, as he gave her the most gentle hug she had ever known and kissed her. I am not made of glass you know I won't break, she said smiling. Paula was touched by his gentleness.

She was, like the first time he laid eyes on her, the most desirable woman he had ever seen.

His face turned red as he realized her mother was standing there watching. He had never shown Paula much affection in front of her mother or any one else for that matter.

Grechen looking serious turned to them, Paula, Tad, I feel you should consider leaving Germany. I think you would be wise to go as soon as the baby is old enough to travel.

Tad and Paula looked at each other, Paula Nodded to him. Tad turned to Gretchen saying "Mother in law we have been talking about this for a while now. We feel we must go before the baby is born. A baby born in America will be a citizen, making it easier for Paula and me to become citizens. This done we cannot be deported if America joins in the war. We must move fast, we could be trapped here."

Gretchen said "Lets draft a letter to your uncle Hubert in America. He can give you advice on immigrating there."

Paula hurried into the bedroom, returning with pen and paper. She began to write and they all contributed ideas. As the letter lengthened the three, feeling like conspirators became more and more exited, not so much because they were leaving Germany but because of the coming adventure.

Suddenly Gretchen grew somber, she broke into tears. Paula instantly began to cry. Her mother said I can't believe I'm encouraging you to leave. We may never see each other again. Tad had to leave the room.

The letter was mailed, now there was nothing to do but wait.

Late March they received a letter from Paula's uncle Hubert in America. He would have them move in with him. He had a member of the German American Society talk to the employment office at local steel mill. They would give Tad a job as soon as he could get there. He felt that they should leave Germany as soon as they could get passports and book passage. Folded up in the envelope with the letter was a very official looking paper guaranteeing Tad a job with the Sparrows Point Steel Co.

Tad was lucky finding a buyer for his fathers house. One of the neighbors wanted to buy it for there son and his new bride. The deal was completed quickly and Tad left for home much relieved to have that unpleasant task completed.

The Dundalkers#13: read oldest posts first

2007-01-29T10:16:00.000-05:00

Early one morning in late February, Tad came into the kitchen to find Paula setting at the table her face in her hands. She looked up her face was flushed, she had a fever. Tad new right away she had the flu.
He gave her hot tea and put her to bead. Then left for work. On the way to work he stopped by the Doctors office. The nurse told him the Doctor would go by and see her. Feeling a little relieved, he headed for work.
Tad put in a hard day many people were out sick every one had to do double duty. He worried about Paula, God I am dumb he thought, I could have gone by and gotten her mother to go set with her.
The big steelworker hurried home not stopping for his usual pale of beer.
Walking up the steps to his apartment he saw Paula's mother Gretchen standing by the kitchen window, fear tightened around his heart as if grasped by hardened fist, someone had sent for her mother. His wife must be very sick. She saw the look on his face. Its all right she said, Paula is going to be just fine. The doctor says she has a cold that and morning sickness, she is, her words broke off by her daughters announcement. Pregnant said Paula walking into the room, looking much better.
Tad stood staring for along moment. God he thought. Germany is no place to raise a family, I have to get all of us to America with three thousand miles of ocean between it and Europe there will be safe haven to raise my family.

The Dundalkers#12: read oldest posts first

2007-01-26T17:01:00.000-05:00

She was deeply in love with her sometimes clumsy but always good natured husband.
Her family had operated the small bake shop for several generations. She had a small income from the shop. Because of this income, her and Tad were able to get by. Although, it bothered him that he needed her help. Because work was slow they had a lot of time together they enjoyed each other immensely. Her money helped but it hurt to.
Adolph Hitler came into power and for awhile things began to look up, the economy began to prosper. He was a wonderful leader, he gave the people confidence and it showed itself everywhere in the country. For the first time since world war one the German people felt pride in them selves and in there country.
Life was sweet for Tad and Paula, they had savings, a nice apartment and Tad`s boss liked him. Their future looked good. Tad felt that he could look forward to advancement in the company.
They began to think of buying one of the older homes in the neighborhood and they even let themselves talk of children. Some of the houses in town was for sale. Tad went to look at a few of the homes. None of the houses he looked at were in his reach. There was something strange going on, in each house he looked at he was told the owners were moving to America. Some men had recently left the mill the rumor was that they also had moved to America. Why?
Tad walked down through town on his way to work, as he rounded a corner there was broken glass everywhere all over the side walk. Store fronts and houses stood open, doors and windows broken, furniture, clothing and peoples possessions strewn across side walks and street.
An old woman, hands and face covered with blood was standing in the street ringing her hands and crying. She had a yellow star of David on her coat. A Jew. At her feet was a big pile of ashes. Tad walked over and asked if he could help her. She looked up at him with blank stare, turned and hurried off. Tad stooped down and picked up the chard remains of a book.
The night before was later called the night of Crystal knock. The Nazi's had rounded up Jews all over the city, breaking glass and burning books and religious articles. They were arrested and taken away, a terrible nightmare had begun.
Hitler had begun to show his real intentions as he grabbed more and more power to himself and his Nazi party.
Tad was shocked, before now there was talk and speeches, but he had never thought that anything like this would happen. Anyone could now be thrown in jail, the law had been set aside, no protection for anyone. If a German could be jailed for being a Jew a man could be arrested for any reason, With out the protection of law a man and his family would be little better off than a slave and in fact could be made one.
War was coming, the Fuhrer was making speeches preparing the German people to make sacrifices for the Third Reich, Tad felt the world would resist Germany in her effort to gain the lands she needed. Many of these lands had been taken from the father land in wars over the last thousand years. It could be bad for Germany.
While this was going on a tragedy struck. The Jews were denied coal to heat there homes, it would be needed for in the event of war. The winter was cold many Jews died from influenza. The flu spread all over Germany. Many Jews were imprisoned for being a carrier of disease.

The Dundalkers#11:read oldest posts first

2007-01-25T18:10:00.000-05:00

"Karl I must admit that with the boy being my only son, I would like him to take over the ship yard at some point in the future. However he and Germany will have to decide whether he should build ships or command them. My real hope is that he will do both. I should like him to command until the time comes to take my place. All of this will ultimately be decided by time and circumstance, no matter how well I plan."
"I feel that you need to talk to him about his future. He is convinced that Germany is defeated and there is no future for him in the Military. Nothing Herr Prien or I say makes any difference. Some one whose military knowledge he respects might convince him Otherwise."
The two men having completed their breakfast as well as their conversation, Stood and shook hands and agreed to meet again.
Deter Mueller left for the ship Yard.
Walter walked into the room, Good morning Commander Donitz he said.
The naval commander rose to his feet and reached out to shake the boy's hand.
Walter took the man's hand. No one had ever treated him with such respect before. He suddenly realized the man considered him worthy. The boy felt flattered and proud.
The two of them sat and talked a long time about Walter's battle plans. Many questions were asked and answered.
Karl was telling the boy about an Attack on a French ship that he had been involved in as second in command in the early part of the war.
The boy suddenly interrupted him and almost pleading asked why did our army give up.
Why did they quit, they were not yet defeated, tears ran down the boys cheek. As he sniffed and wiped the tears from his cheek he jumped up to run from the room.
The young commander grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back. He said, "Do not be ashamed of your tears. Every man on my boat, encluding myself cried when the armistice was announced. I tell you there was not a braver bunch of men on any ship any where in the world. There was not a coward in the bunch. We all cried.
The Armed forces didn't give up. It was the civilian government that gave up. Looking back they were right. They agreed to an armistice to save Germany from certain destruction. At the time I felt they had stabbed us in the back. I'm afraid we in the military out of pride might have fought on to the last man. All Germany would have been cinders and rubble. There would have been no opportunity to negotiate a settlement as good as the bad one we have now. The war was lost over a year before it ended many died who should not.
I feel that in a few years we will be able to negotiate a better agreement. Europe needs Germany to have a strong Navy and a strong economy. A strong Germany is a strong Europe and many in the continent know it.
There is a threat to Europe coming in the East. The Communist government in Russia is Eyeing Europe as a ripe plumb ready to be picked. A Europe conquered by Russia would become an economic and social waste land. The dark ages of Europe's past would seem like one of those nursery rime tea parties. The continent might never recover from such moral devastation.
Three countries have the manufacturing capability to supply Europe in a war against Russia. These countries are Germany, England and the United States. However these countries side up, no matter where the lines are drawn, all supplies will have to be shipped across the waters of the world.
Unterseaboots will have to either protect that shipping or sink it, depending on whose side they have taken."
"How will we be able to do that if we have no U boats and no yards to build them in," asked Walter?
"Ah, That is were men like your father come in. The war is barely over and he is already working on ways to manufacture submarines for other countries, the young man answered. How will that help you ask? By keeping us in the fore front of U-boat technology he said answering his own question. When the time comes for Germany to have U-boats again we will be building the best in the world.
Already Poland and Italy are interested in buying German built submarines. Of course they will have to be built in sections here and assembled in those countries. You see already it starts.
So Walter you see my young friend there is a very important place for you in Germany's future. You can either fight from a U-boat or you can build them for other men to use.
The thing you must do is study and learn. Don't be fooled into thinking war is a long way off. You barely have time to learn all you need to know before you are thrust into a life or death battle against the enemy. You and others like you will determine the fate of Germany."
A thrill shot through Walter's chest that he had not felt before, it was almost like pain but it felt good, his heart beat as if he were already in battle. He felt invincible and he knew his name would someday be written in history books, the future was in front of him and all he had to do was reach out grasp it, and pull it to himself.
There was no doubt as to how he would fight for Germany, he would go into the U-boat service. To command a U-boat was greater than any thing a man could do. Walter Mueller after a period of despair, had reset his sights and would not ever lose his way again.

The Dundalkers#10: read oldest posts first

2007-01-24T20:08:00.000-05:00

One night late in the year a man showed up for dinner that Walter had met before.
His father introduced the man to everyone. His name was Karl Donitz, Commander Karl Donitz. He was the Commander Walter had run into on the dock several years before. This man was a hero to all Germany, a holder of the Iron Cross who had commanded U-boats and had sent many Allied ships to the bottom of the sea.
Walter worshipped this man. Commander Donitz was Walter's hero and Idol. To be like this man was all he aspired to. For the first time in months some of his old enthusiasm returned.
In awe, he addressed Commander Donitz, "How does it feel to sink an enemy ship? I would love to command a U boat and sink The ships of Germany's enemy's, I think it would be the most wonderful thing in the world."
The young Commander looked at him a solemnly. Walter he answered it is not a wonderful thing. It means killing people, killing young men whom you don't even know. They have wives and families who suffer from there loss. It is not a thing to take pleasure in.
On the other hand they are the enemies of our country, it is never wrong to destroy the enemy.
If you ask me is it wonderful to fight for your country, to that the answer is absolutely. It is the greatest honor a man can have.
There is another contribution that a man can make. He can build the weapons that men like myself use to fight. To build an honest boat that is the best money can buy is also a great honor. Next to you sets such a man and for his part he received no Iron Cross. Without him men like myself would be helpless to do any thing of value.
Walter looked at his father wide eyed a sudden surge of respect warmed him through.
This time Walter's father did not dismiss him, he stayed and talked to the to men for hours. The boy had not felt so much interest in anything for quite some time.
After dinner Commander Donitz turned to the boy and said, well young man I understand you have a whole book full of battle plans that you have devised. Are they to secret to show an old warrior.
Walter jumped up so quick his Chair turned over backwards. He stood straight as a ram rod and said Yes Sir, I mean no sir I would like to show them to you sir.
The boy suddenly looked shy. I'm afraid their not very good.
Karl Donitz replied well Herr Prien thought they were pretty good, he told me that I had to look at them. I always do what he tells me, after all if it weren't for him I would probably have spent the war fighting in a muddy trench. You see he was my School Master too. He recommended me to the navy. He has connections in high places. I bet you didn't know that.
Walter said. "No he never tells me anything about himself."
"No and he never will however there is more to that man than you and I know. Take my word for that. Lets go look at your war plans."
The man and boy went into the bedroom that Walter used as a classroom and library.
Karl Donitz studied the different strategies a long time, some times he would ask Walter a question and then he would turn back to the plans and study them again.
As time went on and the man said nothing, Walter began to think The Commander didn't like the plans that he had worked so hard on. The boy became bored, he went over and sat down in a chair. In just a few minutes he was sound a sleep. The man did not even notice. Karl Donitz marveled at the knowledge the young boy possessed. It was not dumb luck that designed these strategies. They were carefully thought out, with built in counter moves, all based on sound naval battle principles.
Karl Donetz suddenly realized it was late He covered the boy, turned out the light and went to his room.
Rising before day break as he was accustomed to doing, he went downstairs in the hope of getting an early morning cup of coffee.
The maid was fixing breakfast. Karl sat down at the table and was brought a cup of steaming Coffee, which he drank black in an absentminded fashion.
In a few minutes Herr Mueller came into the room and sat down. I'm sorry he said I stayed up as late as I could, when you didn't come down I went to bed.
Commander Donetz replied, I got so engrossed in the different stratagems that the boy has devised I spent the half night studying them. Walter fell asleep at some point I don't know when though.
"So Karl you found the plans interesting. I thought them good, but I have not the knowledge Of Naval affairs to judge them properly."
Karl studied the boys father a moment. "Herr Mueller I don't know what plans you have for the boy, but if he continues on his present course his country will need him. You and I Both know at some point Germany will have to fight again. We have to get our lands back. The treaty of Versi has stripped Germany of everything she needs to be a survive. We will fight again."
Most of the boys plans are not new. At least one is, I am sure. The are two more that I am not sure about. Let me tell you there is one that is absolute Genus. I have studied it a long time. I was unable to envision a defense against it except for overwhelming numbers. It's hard to believe it was conceived of by a boy.

To Buy or not to Buy

2007-01-24T09:23:00.000-05:00

My father, Charles Fredrick Pollard, known to all as Fred, had in the late fall of 1947gone down to the Local Chrysler- Plymouth dealer to find out why he had not received his new Plymouth. He had placed his name on a list for a new car, which was what had to be done at the time. After waiting almost a year for a car that was to be delivered with temporary wooden bumpers, as there was no chrome anywhere to be had, he had grown tired of seeing other names move ahead of his on the list.
We stood admiring the brand new Plymouth that set in the middle of the show room floor.
“Sure is shiny,” I said.
This was the second year that they built automobiles after World War Two. The previous year they were the same as the 1942 models which were the last ones built at the start of the war. These new models were radical in design and seen by all as the way of the future and they really were shiny.
When, after a lot of laughing back patting and two handed hand shaking a very happy customer left the sales desk, my father and I walked over and sat down across the desk from the dealerships owner.
“Hello, Mr. Eiler,” my father said somewhat stiffly.
“Hi, Fred. Still working on the house?” he asked as the two men shook hands.
“No, it’s about finished unless Ruby comes up with something she wants to change. But I’m not here to talk about my house, or my wife. I’m here about that new car I ordered nearly a year ago now.”
Mr. Eiler, owner of the dealership and friend of many years, sat across his desk with a white handkerchief clenched between his teeth. The man suffered from hay fever and used the handkerchief as a filter to breath through. With watery eyes, he studied my father intently.
Finally he said, almost under his breath, “Fred, I know that you don’t work in the automobile industry so I’m sure you don’t know. It’s not good enough to just put your name on a list and put up a little money. That’s just not the way automobiles are bought today. With the war over and everyone wanting a new car there aren’t enough to go around. The government sets the price on the new cars, as I’m sure you know. The trouble is, the price is so low it’s hard to make any money. So everybody in the business is taking a few hundred dollars as incentive to expedite your new vehicle’s delivery. For three hundred dollars I can get your name to the head of the list.”
I sat in awe, studying the glistening highlights on that shiny showroom model between myself and the huge front window.
My father stood up silently, with a look of complete disbelief.
“Are you telling me, Chris, that the good faith money I put up and the order I placed only entitles me to stand at the back of the line indefinitely? I shove three hundred dollars under the table you’ll move my name up on the list and then order a car for me? I’ll then have the privilege of waiting for it to come in? Seems kind of like paying ten cents to stand in line at a nickel crapper house. Now I see why you breath through that handkerchief. The air you do business in could leave a bad taste in your mouth. Couldn’t it?”
I suppose the sun went behind a cloud because I was sure the glistening highlights had disappeared off that new Plymouth’s sheen.
“Well, Fred, I’m sorry you feel that way, but that’s just the way things are done now that the war’s over,” he said shaking his head side to side as though denying his own words.
“Ok, Chris. The war’s over all right and that’s not all that’s over. I’ve bought near about all my gas from you and you’ve done all my automobile work that I didn’t do myself from the day you opened your doors here. Don’t ever expect to see me come through those doors again,” he said, holding his hand out for the return of his money.
“Fred, wait a minute. Don’t be that way. This is the only way I can make any money on these cars. Set your self down and lets talk about this,” he said. He was visibly shaken, he surly did not want to make an enemy of a man so well thought of in the community.
“My money,” Fred Pollard demanded, his eyes steady on the other man unblinking. The two men, now standing, glared at each other as though each expected the other to back down.
I sure hoped it would be my father.
I knew him as a man who was kind and considerate of others feelings and whole-heartedly lived his life by the golden rule. I had never seen this hard angry side of him.
I wondered if paint had chrome in it. Maybe that’s why that new showroom model didn’t have any shine they probably didn’t have any chromium to put in the paint.
In a moment Mr.Eiler took his handkerchief out of his mouth as he returned with my dad’s money and said, “Fred, I feel bad about all this and I want to make it right. Tell you what I’ll do, I’ll let you have my show room model , that gray one right there. It has a couple things on it you didn’t order but I’ll throw them in anyway. It won’t cost you a cent more just so there won’t be any hard feelings. Now how’s that.”
Suddenly that car glistened like a diamond star in the black of night.. I started for our new car but was grabbed by the shoulder and and held still.
Chris,” Fred said, ”I would sorely hate to see you loose money by selling me that car. Besides that it wouldn’t hardly be fair to move my name to the front of the list after all those folks paid three hundred dollars to be first. With fifty people all first, you shouldn’t have any problem finding someone to buy that pretty new car. I’ll take my money now.”
“Will a check be all right?” Mr. Eiler asked.
“Did I give you a Check?” Fred asked. “No,” he said answering his own question
“Cash will be fine.”
I sat slouched in my seat staring past the automobile at the rivulets of rain running down the showroom window. Surly so close after the war they didn’t have any paint either; because that new rattletrap was coated in the dullest of gray primer. Who would want such an ugly thing?
Fred Pollard never owned a new car that I remember, although my mother said he had a new model T Ford when they were young.
“ I’ll beat your brown if that isn’t a shame. He wants one, too,” my mother said, "and he ought to have it.”
I sure can’t understand any of this. Dad wants a car, Mr. Eiler wants him to have one, that’s for sure, and mom wants him to have one too. And there’s nobody wants him to have one more’n me. Shoot, I’ll bet everybody in the family wants him to have one. Why not?

The Dundalkers#9: Read oldest posts first

2007-01-22T09:34:00.000-05:00

"Of course there was little opportunity to get acquainted. Boys and girls didn't go to school together, and the young ladies were never allowed to play with Boys.
We stood aloof in the most superior manner we could devise and then looked at the them when we thought no one was watching."
Paula was nodding and smiling to herself, she knew the game.
"Being to shy to ever talk to them anyway I continued in this child like game of seek and peek into early manhood.
My mother said I was a handsome young man. I sometimes stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself. I hoped she was right but my chin was to big, my nose to long and my teeth weren't as strait as they could have been. I had pimples that were bright red and each seemed to me as big as goose berries. I would never have two women like my father and maybe not even one.
These self appraising cessions began with me smiling at myself, combing hair different ways and practicing nonchalant and debonair looks. They usually turned in to silly clown like faces degrading into grizzly animal like snarls. If any one had asked would have denied even having a mirror.
At about age sixteen it finally came home to me after having a conversation with my School Master one day that it was dangerous to voice mine and my mothers democratic ideals.
He was talking about the lineage of the European and English royal families. He talked about there rights to rule. And how this right had been past down for centuries.
Then he went into a long discourse into how these kings had raised Armies and fought to defend the peoples of these different lands from invaders.
I made the mistake of telling him that I thought the people had the right to rule them selves. The kings protecting the people from the other kings in Europe was hoax put over on the people by all nobility. Since it was the people that was doing the fighting any way they should rule. I told him the kings only fought each other so the people would feel the need to have a king as a protector against every other king.
The old man erupted into a wild tirade, his face red and eyes bulging he light into me.
He branded me an enemy of mankind, A traitor to my country and king, a revolutionary and a rabbelrouser. He said I was not fit to lick the boots of honest Germans. He told me that in the time that he was a young man I would be drawn and quartered and that time would come again.
Tad he said if your father was not a brave soldier of earlier wars I'd drum you from my class room. However I will surely notify your father about your disloyalty to your king and country. If I know your father he'll beat some of those revolutionary ideas out of your foolish young head he bellowed, finished at last.
As a result I got another beating this time with fists and swift kicks. There is no doubt that I could have by now whipped my father easily. I took the beating. After all he was my father and I could not do to him what I refused to do to others.
This incident made me even more of a pacifist than ever. Now I was even beginning to have doubts about the rightness of fighting for ones country.
I had learned a valuable lesson though, from now on I would keep my mouth shut about Democracy and mans rights.
My Schoolmaster let me finish school that year and I graduated. I received none of the honors I had earned. The old man handed my diploma to the boy next to me and he gave it to me. My name was not announced. I wished that I had stayed away.
I was bitter.
Three days after I finished school tragedy struck. My mother passed away It was as though the light went out in my life. Not only was she my mother she was my confidant and my inspiration. I felt sorry for the wretched way she had lived and that I had been able to do nothing about it.
One week later my Fathers Mistress moved in. It didn't me bother after all my father never hid her from me. He was after all very proud of her she was a beautiful woman. I'm sure he loved her.
"Paula" Tad said.
"Yes" she murmured softly.
"If I had ever known how that story sounded I wouldn't have told it to you. I never said the words before even to myself and I didn't know how it would sound. I'm shocked. I wasn't looking for sympathy or anything like that."
I understand and I feel honored that you told me. I know it took courage to tell a story like that.
"Tad it probably would be unwise to tell that to any of my family. They would not understand Pacifism or Democracy for that matter.
They would like to see the country ruled by a king as your father would." Paula looked at Tad hoping he would understand."
"Paula how do you feel about all this?" He asked.
"Well I don't know," she said. "I have not thought much about those kind of things. I feel that people should defend them selves and I'm sure the people understand government enough to make decisions for the country. I also don't know that they don't. I have no strong feelings." "Well Don't worry I'll never tell that story again as long as I live, Not to anyone" he stated emphatically. "It embarrassed me."
The couple dated on a regular basis and grew closer together as time went by.
Tad attend rallies and meetings at the Democratic Pacifist meeting hall down the street from the bakery. On a few occasions Paula even helped him hand out pamphlets on the street corners.
Paula's mother saw them one day and there was hell to pay. She forbid he daughter to see that activist, coward as she called him.
Tad was shocked at the venom in her voice as she denounced him and the organization he belonged to.

The Dundalkers#8: Read oldest posts first

2007-01-19T16:21:00.000-05:00

The two girls came out of the ladies room and they were both giggling. Paula Sat down beside him and took his hand smiling.
Just to look at her was delicious.
The hour was getting late and the group broke up and headed their seperate ways.
Walking slowly they headed for her house. The couple talked about nearly every thing they could think of.
Tad turned to Paula and said, "I love your deep voice."
"What" she snapped. "What kind of a thing is that to say to a woman". She looked at him as though he had said a dirty word.
"No No" he stammered. "What I mean is you have a beautiful rich throaty voice. Most women have high voices that disappear into the air when they speak. I don't hear high pitched sounds very well. I can understand you even when you speak softly as you have been doing. At least until I insulted you."
Paula Giggled. "Thank you, I think.
After a while the conversations turned to their lives.
Paula began to talk about the bakery. "I love the business," she said. "I Often think of people eating our bread and sweet treats and the pleasure the get from them. It must be similar to the way an Artist feels about people enjoying their paintings."
She talked about growing up helping with the bake shop. Paula was a happy child her home life was easy with little stress. Her parents were loving and cared for each other.
Tad said, "It must have been wonderful to grow up were all was happiness. It was not the case in my home.
He began to spill out his story, A story he had never talked about to any living soul. As he talked he slowly began to understand for the first time how much he had been hurt.
"Well lets see, At the beginning I suppose My parents were Marten and Gerta Yule. I was born on September. My father although German, in his younger years had been a soldier in the Austrian Army and had fought in Poland. He met my mother there and married her. The two of them came back to Germany after the war. Germany and German ways were a mystery to my mother and she was a very unhappy person. She was from a wealthy Polish family and being the wife of a steel mill worker was not an easy life. She grew up with peasants as servants and was accustomed to a more elegant way of life. Since I have been grown I have often wondered what terrible thing had happened to her to cause her to marry so far below her station in life. She seemed to care little for my father. The fact that he had a mistress for most of their married life seemed to not bother her at all.
Had it been up to my mother I would now be playing the piano or teaching school for a living. Pop would not have a son doing sissy stuff like that.
My father was orphaned in early childhood and had almost grown up in the military. He was like a drill sergeant at home. He never asked anyone anything he only gave orders.
I was afraid of him and I think he hated me. He hated anyone he considered weak. I had much of my mothers personality this he considered to be a frailty. I believe he was ashamed of me. Thank God he was not home much. The important people in his life were not his family.
Father thought my mother a failure as a woman for not having more than one child, and hated me for being that child.
Despite all of this there were times when we were close and I have always cherished them. He did seem to be proud of the fact that I did well in school and took me to a beer parlor and show off one of my better school papers. Then he spoiled it all by saying something like. "He better learn well, he'll never be man enough to fight his way." Then he laughed and held my arm up as though I were a prize fighter and yelled. "Did you ever see such a skinny kid in all your life." A few of the men turned away in disgust. I thought that it was because I was such a sorry sight. The others laughed. I preferred the laughter.
I didn't cry but I wanted to. Some times in my own bed at night I let go and cried. At times like these I hated his guts.
Then he would do something nice like taking me to the park to see the puppet shows. We would set on a park bench and he would tell me stories about the war he had fought in and how some of his friends had died. He loved to talk about how brave they where right up to the end. He said with pride throwing his massive chest out as he talked that Good German men like those cursed the enemy with their dyeing breaths.
The pride I felt in my father and those brave German Solders cannot be explained in words. I am a very patriotic German. My loyalty to the father land is unfaltering. I would Gladly lay down my life for my country.
At about age ten I read in a book how the Cossacks started out picking up their horses when they were foals and how they could lift them after they grew to be stallions. I began lifting concrete blocks tied to a pole and it was not long before I began putting on weight.
I continued to be teased by the other boys. I was still smaller than most if not quite as thin as I had been. It never occurred to me to fight. I was a pacifist by my mother's teaching, at least in my personal relationships.
I took beatings several times while growing up. The boys who beat me were bigger but that was not the reason I didn't fight. It just didn't occur to me to fight back. I didn't even have hard feelings toward those that beat me.
One night my father came home in a rage. He had gotten word of one of my regular beatings. He was embarrassed that a son of his could be a coward. He beat me good. I promised that from that day forward I would take up for myself.
Well it never happened. From that day forward for along time I got about four beatings a week. Two from my friends and two from my father. If nothing else I was getting tough I could take a beating . The problem was I still didn't have any idea how to fight.
I still considered the boys who beat me my friends and I held no ill will towards them. I hated my father and was ever more determined to be a better German soldier than he had ever been. After all he must not have been too brave he came back from the war the brave ones stayed.
Around the age of twelve I began to excel at wrestling, the beatings began to ease up. The boys may have just gotten tired of whipping me. They now seemed to genuinely like me, at least some. As time went on closer relations began to form between myself and all the boys in the neighborhood
It felt good to walk to school with the other boys. Sometimes when I was a minute or two late they would even wait a little for me.
One day my father sent me to the store to by tobacco and the clerk short change me. I was so shy that I did not even call his attention to it. When I arrived home I got a beating for being careless with the money. I never told what happened I was to ashamed.
All the years of my early youth as I was an embarrassment to my father , so my mother was to me. Her half German and Polish way of speaking and dressing was made fun of by all my friends and I did nothing to stop their jeers and laughter.
I was being my mothers boy. I was doing as she had taught me. I was being a pacifist
Pacifism was not the only thing she was teaching me in those early years. The Poles had a strong sense of freedom and she was an advocate of Democracy. She preached her Democratic ideas relentlessly into my young mind and it took root and grew.
My father like most Germans thought it the thinking of fools and however nice it sounded was sure to fail in the long run. How could any country survive with everybody running things. A country like a family needed a man with a strong arm to lead it and fight for it. Democracy was a weaklings dream and he would have none of it spoken about in his house. Countries should be run like Armies that way everyone would know where they stood.
After all America had nearly split apart during the civil war. The French were still struggling with their democracy.
The whole thing was an unworkable dream.
My mother, he said, was like all the rest of the dumb Polocks. They were so concerned about freedom they wouldn't turn over the power to run the country to the figure head Kings they elected. They had only a token army The country couldn't defend itself.
You can't be free if any country that wants to can march right over you. What the hell kind of freedom was that.
I knew my father was right about Poland. France seemed to have made a mess of democratic government as well. America seemed to be doing well and there were some of our friends who would openly say as much. I never took there side in any conversation nor did my mother.
I continued my weight lifting on a regular schedule and continued to get bigger. I was not growing taller at a fast rate but I was building a powerful body. No one seemed to want to whip me any more. I guess I was just to big. They would've been safe
I probably wouldn't have defended my self anyway.
I was doing well in school and had second highest grades in class. I never raised my hand to speak or ask questions during school sessions. On several occasions on days when I was supposed to read something out loud in class I stuck my finger down my throat to make mother think I was sick. I stayed home on all these occasions. Even though I did well scholastically I was still not a leader, either among my fellow students or playmates. Cowards do not lead. Every one thought I was a coward except me. I knew I wasn't but it was a waste of breath to try to convince anyone else.
I was noticing the girls some. They seemed to be noticing me as well. I often caught them looking at me when they thought I wasn't looking back. Hildagard a little older than myself, stood and stared at me even when I looked at her. Of course I immediately averted my gaze.
To this day I have never forgotten those eyes or that look. I most assuredly missed a wonderful opportunity and I shall always regret it." Tad turned and looked at Paula rather sheepishly wishing he had kept that to himself.
She seemed not to notice.

The Dundalkers#7: read oldests posts first

2007-01-17T19:22:00.000-05:00

Several days past and she saw nothing of the young man. Paula had been sure that he had been interested in her. The week ended the bakery was closed and Paula had a day off.
It was Sunday morning and Paula was helping her mother with dinner. She spilled a glass of water and then flour, as she was rinsing sour kraut over the drain she dropped it.
Gretchen stood hands on hips watching her daughter working. It was obvious that Paula's mind was elsewhere. What is on your mind daughter? You are far away this morning.
Paula told her mother about the young man and how she could not keep her mind off of him.
Yes Gretchen said thoughtfully I tried to wait on him Tuesday . The poor man stammered and seemed to loose his wits, he turned and went out without buying anything. At the time I thought him simple. I guess I surprised him when I came out from the back of the shop. He was expecting you. She looked at her daughter a long time.
Paula go for a walk in the park you're not much good to me, I can finish this up all right. You've been working too much at the bakery. Get out in the sun your cheeks are to white. The spring sunshine may redden them a little.
Gretchen watched as her Daughter walked down the lane in front of the house. She thought to herself, every one says she looks like me but she really looks like my mother. A sad feeling came over her as she remember her mother who died giving berth to her brother.
As she thought of her brother she wished she could see him. She knew of course she would never see him again. Hubert had moved to America and with all that ocean between them she was sure they would not meet again. She missed her little brother terribly.
Paula walked along the brick path by the pond in the middle of the park. As she ambled along she watched a group swans swimming along the bank. One in the back had little ones with her following in single file. As they moved through the water they were trailed by their wake that spread out in a V shape behind them. The whole thing reminded her of Gleaming white boats moving along through the shimmering water. On the opposite shore a small dog barked at the swans with the ferocity of a wolf. Every bark contracted his little body and nearly lifted him off the ground.
A finely dressed young couple, obviously wealthy, got up off a park bench and moved down the path. As Paula sat down on the bench she caught a whiff of the expensive French fragrance the lady was wearing. Paula felt envious of the woman. She thought how wonderful it must be to have such fine cloths and live in a beautiful home. To go to the famous European ball rooms to dance and talk with such elegant people must be wonderful.
As she sat there thinking about them her mind wondered and she pictured herself dressed in fine cloths standing in front of huge mansion with her chauffeur holding her car door open beckoning her to enter.
Suddenly she came to her senses and look around self conscientiously as though some one might be reading her thoughts. Realizing her silly day dreams were safely hidden in her own mind she sat back and relaxed.
She sat for a considerable time watching people coming and going through the park. In the distance she could hear children laughing and talking.
A soft Viennese waltz being played in a band stand at the other end of the park was not wasted. An elderly couple were dancing, each with a kind of sadness in there eyes. Perhaps they were remembering a romantic night in their youth, maybe the night they met or their honeymoon. Maybe for some other love, lost through the years. Only they knew.
The warm sunshine on her body made her feel drowsy. She leaned her head back and the sun on her face felt warm and soothing. The music and the children playing seemed to get farther away. She slowly dozed off. The swans swam by again and this time there were two finely dressed people standing on the back of one of them. Along the shore line were Castle like buildings, tall and elegant. There was another swan with a lady standing on its back. The lady held something in the air in her hand. She was dressed in a long gown and had a crown on her head. There was a light rain falling and she was partly hidden by a mist. She saw the woman's face very well. The woman was herself. Paula knew even in her dream it was strange and she felt it had meaning. In her sleep she vowed to remember it.
Tad stood under a tree off to one side and watched Paula setting on the bench. He was looking at her profile and the sun accented her beauty. She was bathed in sunlight as though she had been painted into a shaft of light by an artist. It shown through her red hair and it glowed as though lit from the inside. The warm yellow light shown through her dress and high lighted her figure revealing long slender legs.
Tad thought the young woman perfect and beautiful. As he stood here looking at her his heart beat quickened and he could hear it hammering away in his ears.
He suddenly felt uncomfortable and he looked around and saw a policeman watching the two of them with a stern countenance. Tad fearing the policeman might think him some kind of pervert, walked over and sat down quietly beside Paula. The officer apparently satisfied walked off.
The couple sat their quietly for a time, Paula having laid her head on his shoulder continued to slumber quietly.
Awakening she raised her head looked at him startled and very loudly asked what is your name? Several people walking by smiled there way. Tad Yule was his quick reply as he shook his head up and down and grinned widely , both ears glowing red.
Paula Laughed. He looked so sheepish. I was asleep she said.
Yes I know was Tad's reply. I sat a long time and watched you sleep he said.
Suddenly Paula put her hand to her mouth and sat straight up. My mouth! she said exclaimed . You sat and watched me sleep with my mouth open. I probably was slobbering to. Now her face turned red.
"I don't know" he said. "I couldn't see your mouth. You had your head on my shoulder."
Paula giggled and feigned a little shyness.
"Paula" Tad said. "I know we don't know each other very well but I would like to see you often. Would you go to the Theater with me tonight. I could walk you home now and then come back for you later.
Without any hesitation she replied yes lets go. Lets go to my house now. My mother will be glad to know you can speak.
Yes I guess your mother thinks me demented.
Paula smiled.
"Oh God," Tad said as he rolled his head back and closed his eyes. What a hit I've made. Suddenly turning to Paula he said, Maybe I can charm her. I might impress her with some grand and eloquent conversation.
I think you already have with that shy act you put on in the bakery. Paula smiled at him. Don't go from one extreme to the other, she may think you one act after another.
Hey Tad said that was no act. I was struck dumb when she came out instead of you. He suddenly turned in surprise "You two have been talking about me I'm on your mind". No wonder you said yes so quickly you've been thinking about me. He let out a hoop that sounded like a war cry. Several people turned around in alarm.
Paula slapped him on the arm and said shush people are looking at us like were crazy. My mother might have been right about you.
Tad dropped Paula off and headed for home whistling. That night after going to the show at the theater they stopped in the local beer parlor for drink and dancing. They both had friends there and the evening turned into a small party.
As the two of them danced Tad was afraid he would make some clumsy move that might disgust her. His recently acquired bar room manners with women would not be tolerated by this well brought up woman. He hardly knew her and yet he wanted her so bad his lust felt like the hunger of a predator, half starved ready to pounce on some helpless prey.
He controlled himself with some difficulty.
Paula felt his need, his breathing warm and moist on the top of her head was guarded and controlled but interrupted by short gasps for air.
She was having no easy time either. She stopped dancing and apologised some what short of breath. "My shoes are pinching my feet and I am a little tired." They walked off the floor and sat back down at their table.
Paula and a friend went to the ladies room.
Slimy watching the two of them laughed and remarked. "Tad I never saw two people breath so hard and get so red in the face as you two while dancing slow. Anyone seeing the two of now would think you were jitterbugging. I think you better get married...... or something."
Tad jerking his head around to see if anyone heard exclaimed. "Mine Gotten what If she heard you. Don't say stuff like that.

The Dundalkers#6: Read oldest posts first

2007-01-16T12:14:00.000-05:00

Walter drifted without direction.
In desperation Herr Prien even accused him of being a quitter.
"Where is all that determination you claimed to have a short time ago. The first obstical you come to you quit. It is good that you do not command a U-boat to give up at the first hard times."
The old Teacher felt ashamed of himself.
Walter stood looking at him his stare as black as midnight. Turning silently he walked away.

CHAPTER SIX

Tad walked to and from work every day from the rooming house were he lived with a group of other steel workers. One evening walking home from work he stopped in front of a small bakery, looking in the front window he saw something that set him on fire.
Behind the counter, waiting on customers was a beautiful young lady. Her finely shaped face was framed by red hair and punctuated by soft, caring eyes. She was tall and thin. The young women moved with the elagence of an aristocrat. She had a warm and friendly smile and seemed to genuinely care about each and every person she waited on.
Her customers obviously new and liked her as well.
This woman was different than the women Tad had been dating from the local beer parlors that he frequented. There was no crudeness about her, no vulgarity in her mannerisms. He thought her a most delightful person, and so sexy in a kind of unpracticed way.
The woman Moved back and fourth picking out bread and pastries for her customers, Tad watched as her loosely fitting dress came tight here and there revealing a very feminine figure beneath it.
As he stood there with an almost disgraceful smile on his face, she turned and looked straight at him. Her face suddenly reddened and she made a nervous gesture at straightening her clothes and hair. She turned quickly and hurried into the back room.
Tad walked through the door and the bell rang out announcing his Entrance. It sounded loud as cathedral bells and he winced. His mind had gone blank and he had no idea what he was going to say to her when she came back out. He only knew he had to know her. It came to him like a stroke of genius , he'd buy something.
The door to the back room opened and she walked out. Tad couldn't believe his eyes she had aged twenty years in a few moments.
The lady walked up and asked can I help you. With obvious concern she said are you all right sir.
Tad finally realizing this was the girls mother he Giggled in a silly school girl fashion. His face turned bright red and he couldn't think what to say. He turned and hurried out the front door.
Embarrassed he walked past the shop on the other side of the street for several days.
Paula standing behind the counter saw him walking past and emembered the day she caught him looking at her and smiling in a most arrogant way. She thought him handsome and there was a kind of boyishness about him that excited her.
Tad saw here looking at him out of the corner of his eye. He suddenly could hear the blood pounding in his ears and he could feel it in his temples. Never had he seen such a woman that could excite him so with only a sidelong glance. He suddenly turned and crossed the street toward the bake shop. He had no Idea what he would say or do. He had to know her of that he was sure.
My God Paula thought he 's coming what will I do? Panic welled up in her she could not escape. There was no one there to wait on him except her. What if her face flushed or she blurted out something foolish. Then suddenly it was to late the bell jangled.
They stood and stared at each other a long moment. "What can I get you she stammered". He waited so long to answer she thought he had not heard her. "Strudel" he answered.
What kind she said.
He looked surprised. Goose berry I think he said looking puzzled.
Paula laughed. She laughed with not only her mouth, but with her whole face and especially her eyes. She laughed as one does with a friend.
Tad realized with astonishment that he was in love. He could not say so, she would think him a fool. He must take his time and not scare her off.
To his surprise she introduced her self to him. He was so taken back he forgot to introduce him self. He left quickly without saying good by.
Paula thought she must have been to forward. He probably thought her a man chaser who feared getting old without a husband. She was twenty five years old not really young as single women went. She liked this man and she hoped he would come back. He was surly attracted to her. She watched him walk down the street. He stopped and shook hands with another man. He was a head taller and nearly twice as wide across the shoulders as the other fellow. Much different than the men in her family who were tall and lean as she was herself.
She found her self wondering what their children might look like. Feeling silly she returned to her work.

The Dundalkers #5: Read oldest posts first

2007-01-15T17:46:00.000-05:00

Walter looked up at Kurt Prien and made an emphatic statement as though a matter of fact.
"I shall be a U boat Commander Sir"
The old man after studying the boy,s face a moment answered, "No your future is more important than that, You will build the ships and make the steel that other men will use. That will be your contribution to your country".
The child looked at the man in front of him stated flatly that he would be a U boat Commander First, and maybe he would build boats later.
This wasn't just some kid voicing a whim. Walter was a child, but a child with convictions. The old school master had seen boys like him before, they turned out to be the great ones, if handled right. Those who failed did so because they did not have the hardness to succeed.
"Your just a boy, You may change your mind later as you encounter new challenges" the old man stated testing the boys convictions.
Herr Prien I may be a boy but I know what I will do. I have read about Generals, Admirals and Great kings. Many believed they were destined to lead. I believe it is my destiny to be a U-boat Commander and from there I will climb my way to Admiral. I intend for all Germany to know my name and Germanys enemy's will know it and fear it.
If that is what you will do then you must be willing to work hard to learn the tools of the trade. I will teach you all I can . You will have to learn your fathers business so that when your time comes to take over the ship yard you will be ready though."
You will have to learn to be a warrior, a U boat captain, a ship builder and an industrialist. When the other boys are playing you will be working and studying.
The boy was quietly thinking. Kurt could almost see the wheels turning.
Kurt knew the boy must be having doubts.
At last Walter answered "I'll do it, I'll do it and I'll do it better than any one else."
From that point his future was fixed, and his learning and training begun.
Walter Mueller went to a private school with many other wealthy boys. He could have been taught at home but Kurt and the boys father felt he needed to be exposed to other boys. Walter was at the top of his class and was a natural leader. He excelled at sports and was often elected team captain by his team mates. The boy obviously had leadership qualities.
When Walter got home from school he had one hour to play. The boy had made a lot of wooden ship models. These were not finely made models with any detail at all, but was instead only a representation of a ship or submarine. For Walter's purpose the models were adequate, for setting up mock naval battles. Walter and his tutor had made an ocean in the yard behind the house. The grass was raked away to leave a leveled out patch of dirt.
The boy spent hours at night working out battle strategies. Then he and Kurt would place the ships around on the imagined ocean. They would pour sand around as necessary to indicate the shore line. The two of them would move the ships according to Walter's planned battle strategies. When the time was available the two of them spent hours discussing the out come of these battles and how they might be better fought.
Kurt began to realize the boy was going far beyond what he had taught him about historic naval battles. He needed someone who could help the boy analyze the outcome of these mock encounters.
Kurt knew who to talk to, Commander Donetz. The submarine commander had been a student of his years before. The school teacher had recognized the boy's potential and had recommended him for military training.
He wrote the man a letter, with the hope that Donetz might recommend some retired naval Officer who would be willing to help. Of course the boy's father would have to be convinced of the value of another salary to train the boy to do something other than help with the shipyard. The war was not going well and the outcome was uncertain. If Germany lost the war the shipyard would be dealt a severe blow. Money might be tight.
After crawling around in the dirt playing these war games, Walter went in took a bath and dressed in suit and tie for dinner as was the custom in the Mueller house hold.
Walter would go into the huge dining room and set down in his seat to await the arrival of his parents and sister. The seating arrangements had recently changed. He had always set next to his mother. A few months ago his father told him to set at his end of the table. "Your mother and sister will set together so they may talk of things concerning women. We shall discuss things of interest to men."
The boy's chest swelled and his head didn't get any smaller.
Mrs. Mueller was brought up in a household full of girls, she had only sisters. Walter's boundless energy and forgetfulness where manners were concerned drove her to distraction. The boy new she was more comfortable with his stuffy sister.
Walter did what he could to make the poor girls life, if not miserable at least uncomfortable.
Once he entered the world at the men's end of the table he suddenly felt different about her, even protective of her. He found out he even liked her.
The dinner was always set as if they had a house full of company. Indeed they often did. His father brought people home without notice on a regular basis and he expected them to be fed.
Mrs. Mueller was a gracious hostess, she was beautiful and elegant. The men were all attracted to her, and she loved it. Herr Mueller would often watch amused as she maneuvered business associates around like boys. The women liked her as well. After her initial flirting with the men, she would join in with the women in conversation. She had strong ties to her female friends.
The men were left to there own conversations. Walter was invited to join in these conversations. A kid though he was, he was able to speak with knowledge about the ship building business and most any topic anyone wished to discuss. The guests were impressed.
After about an hour, his father would give him the nod and the boy would excuse himself to the guests and then to his father and mother. Walter always felt sorry for his sister, she was older and was expected to stay until the meal was over.
After dinner two hours were spent in homework from school every night. Following this, two more hours were spent studying business or war history and tactics.
Hard as all this seems, Walter loved it. It was all very interesting and challenging to him. To this growing boy it was all war games. Business, sports and sea battles were all war and the strategic and maneuvers the same. The only difference was the stakes.
Then a terrible thing happened in his life. No it wasn't a death in the family or a friend.
It was as if a piece of himself had been ripped out.
The war ended and Walter fell into deep despair. He felt he had no future his only desire was to be a U boat commander. The boy was only twelve but he was convinced his life was over. No amount of talking or rationalizing could convince him otherwise.
He had dreamed of sinking ships and fighting sea battles with the English and Americans. He had pictured himself hunched over looking through the periscope of his own submarine. Fire one, Fire two, he could see it in his minds eye the streaks of foam heading toward an unsuspecting war ship. The huge explosions and the sinking ship burning as it went gallantly to the bottom. His country's enemy destroyed never to threaten Germany again.
He saw himself standing on the deck of his surfaced submarine ordering life preservers thrown to the poor sailors swimming in the oil covered waters. They would wave good-by, as his submarine slowly submerged under the sea, leaving them to be rescued by there country men.
He saw himself riding in an open car with throngs of people waving from the roadside. Walter could see Himself standing up wearing his Iron Cross waving back. He would salute the Kizer and be saluted back a hero in his country's victory over the allies.
He imagined, one day he might even be an Admiral and command a huge fleet of ships.
All this was lost now it could never be. They had lost the war it was all over for Germany. The whole country would be enslaved.
The year that followed, was a bad time for Walter Mueller he pretended to study but his heart wasn't in it.
His grades dropped off and he took no interest in his studies at home. His earthen ocean in the back yard grew up in weeds.
The hardest thing of all was the sight of the defeated men coming home. They looked like beaten men their heads hung and their shoulders sagged. They were dirty and often ragged. Walter hated them. He couldn't look at the withered remains of a once proud German Army. The look in there eyes made him sick, how could they give up.
Deter Mueller was worried about the boy. The boy's lethargic Attitude toward his studies and life in general was unsettling. Deiter just didn't have the time to devote to him.
He asked the old tutor to do all he could to help the boy to get through this crisis.
Mrs. Mueller tried to comfort the boy but her efforts were met with bitter resentment. After a time she gave up in despair.

The Dundalkers#4: Read oldest posts first

2007-01-13T17:49:00.000-05:00

A U boat Commander, he was dressed in a navy dress uniform. He wore a commanders cap raised in a high peak, insignia in the front. The mans face was wide with a massive jaw. His nose had been broken and there was a long thin scar. It stretched from the corner of his eye, down the side of his face ending almost at his chin. An enormously wide grin stretched across his face showing straight white teeth. His scar stretched and glowed bright red. The eyes were wide set, smiling and they confirmed the sincerity of his grin. The face was of leather wrinkled prematurely by sun, wind and rain.
The commander stood the boy on his feet and admonished him to watch were he was going. "Look what you've done to my uniform he said. I have a date with a lady out there" he said pointing to the U boat tied to the dock. "I'm a mess."
It was many years before Walter understood the remark. He watched the Commander walk down to the U-boat. He stopped and was saluted by his crew and returning there salutes he stepped on board.
The man appeared in Walter's dreams often and he thought of him many times in the future. He had been infected with a bad case of hero worship.
The boy stood on the shore soaked to the skin, the wind was cold and he shivered a little.
The old tutor took off his coat and wrapped it around the boy's shoulders. Come along he said we must get back to studies.
As the man and boy turned to leave there was deafening noise. Whoomp, swoosh and fire shot out of the hatches of a U boat tied up to the first slip on the dock. The man and boy were almost right beside it, they were both hit by a blast of hot air. Walter fell flat on the dock and Kurt landed on top of him. The old man sought to protect the boy from flying debris. As it turned out there was almost nothing thrown into the air.
People were running toward the boat from all directions. Herr Prien jumped across from the pier and ran to the blacksmith that had been working at a forge, which had been set up on the boat's deck. Red hot glowing coke had landed on him as the forge was blown over.
Kurt rolled him beating at his burning clothes. Desperately he tried to put out the flames the man screamed in agony.
Walter ran to the end of the dock where he found a bucket with a rope attached. Filling it with water he ran back and threw it all over Kurt and the blacksmith.
Kurt Began ripping and tearing at the hot clothing, trying desperately to help the poor man.
Suddenly a Sailor came up out of a smoke filled hatch carrying another man. He dumped the workman on deck. The sailor went below again, in a moment he came up again with another man over his shoulder. The young sailor did this seven times. Finally he came up and fell exhausted on deck. He was panting like a dog running in hot sunlight.
There were people jumping on board and doing what they could for the injured.
Walter who had been squatting down beside the hatch was fascinated by the huge sailor that kept coming up out of the hatch carrying injured men and depositing them on deck like torn ragged play dolls. The man made his last trip and lay back on deck breathing deeply, wheezing like an old fireplace bellows. Walter was squatting there looking down at the man lying flat on his back. The man lay there looking at the boy and he his mouth spread in a huge smile.
Walter said high I am Walter Mueller.
Walter sat down beside the sailor and just looked at him.
The sailor looked at Walter a few minutes and in a very loud voice said my name is, (and he mouthed the words in a very exaggerated fashion) Tad Yule how do you do. The boy laughed out loud. They shook hands.
Tad never went back to the boat yard. He was sure that Dieter Mueller would have kept his word and found work for him. Tad did not want to impose on the man at a time when he must be in serious trouble. There were no U- boats to build now.

Men who sailed aboard the U-boats were a special bunch. They held the respect of those that served in the other branches of the military. These underwater sailors had held the much bigger and better equipped English navy at bay all during the war.

The war would have ended quickly had the English and Americans been able to land troops in Germany. All Germans knew this truth and it helped Tad find work at a time when jobs were hard to find.
After the war Tad went to work at the Krupp steel works in the Ruhr valley in Germany. They sent him and another man nearly as big as Tad to the Foreman at one of the blast furnaces where iron ore was melted down to make iron.

The two men stood looking toward the blast furnaces as they waited for the foreman to come over and talk to them.
Under the shed roof in front of the furnace it was unlit except for the red light from the furnaces. People moved around looking like shadows trimmed in red light.

A group of men standing away from the furnaces waiting to relive the men now working were drenched in steam rising off their sweat soaked clothing. The rising vapor twisting and turning in the red glowing light looked to be aflame.

Marten turned to Tad and said "God look at those poor devils shoveling that stuff in that heat. That is the closest thing to hell there is.

The place did look like a nightmare in hell. Hot as he was Tad felt a cold shiver go up his back.

"Marten" Tad said. "We'll be lucky if we get a job that good."

Tad had hoped for something better based on his school grades. Times were hard though and any job was better than none. The Foreman took one look at his size and assigned him to the black gang. Marten was sent away.

All the ore, coke and other chemicals had to be shoveled in the furnaces by hand. Back breaking work it was to.
A gang of men of which Tad was one, walked in a circle between the ore piles and the furnace. The furnace foreman Would pull his smoked goggles down over his eyes and look into the inferno through an opening in the furnace. By the look and color of the flame he decided what needed to be added to the cooking ore. The crew shoveled it in.

As they walked around they picked up shovel loads of ore or chemicals, still circling they threw it in the white hot inferno. It was one of the toughest jobs in the mills. A wide coal shovel heavily laden with ore weighed to a lbs. It had to be thrown into the furnace. No job for a man slight of build.
Wool underwear was the only thing that kept the heat from searing the skin under their clothing. The sweat filled wool cooled their bodies as they circled away from the furnace door.
As two years went by Tad's huge upper body got even bigger. His neck arms and shoulders were so big it became a problem buying ready made clothes. People turned and looked at him as they passed him on the street.
In addition to his shyness he was beginning to be embarrassed about his fiscal appearance. In spite of his awkwardness he had more friends than he had ever had in his life. For reasons he was unable to fathom people took to him even though he had little to say. He certainly was not easy to talk to. You had to talk very loud in order for him to hear you. The loud talking among him and his friends to make for a boisterous party in the local bear gardens. all seemed to want to join in.
With strangers he continued to be almost speechless. Grateful was not the word he felt for the new found popularity although he was a little overwhelmed.
While walking home to the boarding house were he lived every day, he often passed a group of people on the street corner passing out pamphlets for peace. Later on he became a member of the group. Among the group was a young lady that he liked very much and they became good friends. Still later they became lovers. It was a short-lived lived romance and Tad seemed little effected by fickleness. It turned out she had no loyalty to Tad or their movement.

She ran off with on of Germany's foot-solders and they

married. Tad told one of his friends, "I guess she didn't have any qualms about living off of military money".

It didn't matter, the Army wasn't big enough to fight anybody anyway. The German economy had not been great since before the war. Now it really turned sour as did the rest of the worlds during the depression and the steel industry suffered. Many of the furnaces were shut down.

Tad's work was sporadic he would often go to work only to be turned away for a lack of work. The company tried to spread the work out among as many men as possible.

Tad found himself with time on his hands. For a while he hung at his favorite beer garden. He had a few short-lived romances.

He began to be bored with what he was doing. Drinking beer and chasing women was fun but he wanted something more. The group that he had been handing out Pamphlets which was all right but that's all they wanted to do. Tad wanted to do something that would make some difference. He had no idea what.
One Saturday afternoon Tad walked down to the park. He walked along listening to people talk. Occasionally he tipped his hat at a young lady. As much as he would like to he was to shy to approach a lady and make conversation unless he knew her at least a little.

Just across the park he heard a mans voice rising and falling in an almost hysterical manner. Curious he walked over to see what all the fuss was about. There as a fairly large crowd gathered around. And in the center standing on a box was a very average looking fellow. The man first spoke softly so low Tad could not hear. Then his voice would build to almost a scream. His rather large eyes went from person to person riveting his gaze on them. He spoke of the weakness of the present democratic government and how the country needed a president that would throw out the laws that robbed the countries leaders of their right to govern the country.

"Communists, Democrats, Pacifists, Socialists and Jews, The weak and effeminate bunch that are in power rob the country of its right to defend itself build its own markets and run its own economic future."The sadness in his voice and Eyes was unmistakable. There was no doubt that he had the countries good at heart in his own twisted way.

The speaker's voice rose in volume and pitch, Germany has a glorious military past. She has maintained far more than her part of the defence of Europe against the Mongol hordes that has camped on the borders of the eastern countries for hundreds of years.

In the great war Germany without regard for the lives of it's own young fighting men attempted to throw the spawn of the Oriental Potentates out of the eastern states of Europe. The Russians, the mongols, the Turks, the Jews and a hoard of other eastern interests will grind Europe under their camel leather boots.

"Who will help us then?"

The speaker's voice grew ever louder and was reaching a screaming crescendo. Eyes bulging his face trust forward Right fist slamming down in his left hand as he drove home the point.

"THE ENGLISH, THE AMERICANS, THE FRENCH."

His voice lowered to almost a whisper. "Not likely. They began disarming as soon as the war ended. They may fight a war, a four year war like the great war."

Yelling at the top of his straining lungs. "THEY WILL NEVER FIGHT FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS LIKE WE GERMANS HAVE."

Now he spoke softly so that Tad had to strain to hear above his own loudly beating heart. "They have not the strength to defend Europe even for Twenty years not to speak of hundreds." Now Screaming, "WE MUST THROW OFF THE PUPPET GOVERNMENT OF THE ALLIES THAT TRIES TO LEAD GERMANY WITH THE WEAK SHAKY HANDS OF AN OLD WOMAN."

The mans voice was nearly hysterical, "WE WILL PULL THESE WEAKLINGS DOWN."

"WE WANT STRONG LEADERS, STRONG GOVERNMENT, A STRONG ARMY AND A STRONG GERMANY. OUR STRENGTH WILL SPREAD THROUGH OUT EUROPE. THE DEFENDERS OF EUROPE WILL MARCH IN STRENGTH AND OUR ENEMIES WILL TREMBLE IN FEAR. THIS is AS IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN WITH THE FATHERLAND AND IT WILL BE AGAIN. My friends and fellow Germans when you leave here tell another person what you have heard here tonight. Soon all Germanic People will rise to the need of their country and there European neighbors." You may think the world will not stand for what I ask. It is not so, The world knows that Europe must be defended against the east and its false religens, Comunisum and the thinly disgised communal dogma of Socalism. Democracy and passivism is their tool to gain control.
"Down with Comunism, Down with passavisom, and down with democracy."
The crowd joined in with the chant a hundred voices in unison. They were in a wild state.
There was no doubt in Tad's mind, had they known his politics they would have beat him to death on the spot.
Tad stepped back he had heard enough, Who ever that crack pot was he was out of his head raving like a maniac. As he walked away he heard a shout and a scream. Tad turned to see what was going on. Just then he saw a man slap an elderly woman in the face and push her to the ground. He took a hand full of papers from her hand and tore them up.
Tad ran toward the couple having no idea what he was going to do. He grabbed the man and lifted him high in the air. Not knowing what to do with the man he just held him up. A whole group of policemen came to his rescue. "I'll take him" one of them shouted. Tad dropped the man flat on his beck. The Officers rounded up the speaker and his cronies. It seems that they had been following this group around waiting for them to go too far.
The side of the ladies face was red and beginning to turn blue. Tad felt very sorry for her. She said "young man you handled that quite well. Most men would have beat him up though I'm afraid. It's wonderful to meet a young man who is in control of himself.
"Well" Tad said, " I don't know about the control I just never have hit anyone except maybe for their own good grinning from ear to ear."
"What in the world were you doing that made those guys so mad."
"Oh" she said "Not very much I'm afraid. I'm handing out these programs for the Democratic Party for Pacifism. Were having a meeting to elect a candidate for the Burgermisters election."
She reached inside her coat and pulled out a program and handed it to Tad. Then she giggled, "Their all in here she said." She stood there smiling.
Tad bent over and picked up the torn papers. There were one or two programs and the rest were cut up news paper sheets. Tad let out a belly laugh.
"Would you like to come to our meeting and help us elect a candidate for Burgermister? the old lady ask in almost a pleading tone. If you don't want to join I'm sure you will have a good time.
Are you married? she inquired tilting her head to the side and smileing slyly."
"NO" Tad replied his face turning the usual bright red that always threw the ladies off guard."
"Good" the woman said with conviction. "We have many beautiful young ladies who will be glad to see an eligable bachlor. You will surly enjoy yourself."
"I'll come to your meeting frau," he said grinning so wide it hurt.
The elderly woman and Tad walked around and passed out pamphlets.
Tad thought about the man that gave the murderous speech in the park on his way home. He thought to himself I hope I never see that man again.
His hopes were in vain. He would see Adolph Hitler many times in the future and wished to God he had walked up and killed him that day in the park.

Of Chainsaws and little women: read the oldest posts first

2007-01-12T18:00:00.000-05:00

Needed a little break from Dundalkers so here's a little story to reveal my weakness where the manly power of noise gasoline and smoke are concerned

    In my yard stands a majestic old pecan tree. She , and I say she
because she bears pecans and I'm told the male tree doesn't, spreads out
over a large part of our yard. Much taller than our two story house her
branches a foot in diameter extend 50 feet, each weighing a least ton when
laden with leaves and even more when bearing nuts.
  The other night a storm came through and one of those branches
broke at the trunk and hung there right over top my pickup truck.
  I moved the truck holding my breath and then made a trip to Walmart
to buy a chainsaw figuring this will not be the last branch to come
down and the wood needs to be cut up and the mess cleared away.
  I was standing in the store studying the different chainsaws.
  A little old lady with a blue vest on walked over and said,
"That's the one you ought to have," pointing to an electric chainsaw.
  "My husband has one and he loves it," she said.  "Starts every time,
doesn't stink, its quiet and so light you can attach it to a pole and reach
way up in the tree to prune it, and Cheap too!" Thinking all this
certainly sounded reasonable.  I picked up the little electric chainsaw
and put it in my shopping cart.
Just then a manager type walked up and said, "This sir is what you need,big,
engine long blade anti kick back feature. Now that saw will do a mans
work." I looked at the little lady she turned her head to side and winked
at me.
Then I drew myself up to the full length of my suspenders and said,
“I think not sir," my heart sinking, as I shook the little plastic saw
with my hand.  "This one will do just fine.  It's quiet, starts every time
and it won't smell up the place."
  The man studied me a few seconds and said, "OK but when you chamge
your mind just bring it back and get this one." He looked at me, made a
face and his glasses slid down his nose. Looking over them he turned and
walked away.
I had been dismissed.  
   I couldn't help feeling a little remorse as I looked longingly at a the
18 inch gasoline saw all painted in camouflage.  I would never hear its
angry roar as it tore into the white virgin pecan wood ripping it into pieces
The little old lady, very pretty by the way, Stood watching me and asked, "
You going home and work on that tree young man?"
  Young man being the magic word here, at age seventy it does the trick
every time.
    "Yes mam”, I answered, perhaps a little dejected and still eyeing the saw
with its powerful gasoline engine.
  "I know something about you," she said softly.
  " What's that mam?" I questioned, studying this tiny figure standing
squarely in front of me, with increasing dread.
   You've got confidence.
    "I do?" I asked , now beginning to recognize the  true
wisdom confronting me.
      "Any man that is willing to use an electric chainsaw in broad
daylight is truly a big man.
      I took my  saw home and whacked the branches up into fire wood and
the little saw was truly a magical thing. It quietly and efficiently made
short work of the job at hand.
      This morning I got up and made my morning walk to the local
restaurant for coffee.  I dreaded the howls of laughter and jokes that were
soon to be hurled at me from the somewhat red necky sorts that are my
friends and neighbors I could already hear it.
      I Walked in and sat down. The waitress had brought my coffee as I
came in the door. "Good morning honey', " she cooed as she did to
everyone.
       "Been running," someone asked me.
       "Nope! why?"
       "Your face is red."
        We sat pretty much in silence, as is our way. Only an occasional
comment and short answer here and there.
  Slowly having finished their coffee each  got up and left me setting
alone. I was feeling a little disappointed now. The saw is so quiet
no one had even heard it running. They didn't even know I had a chainsaw.
    Then immortal big box words echoed in my ears "If not satisfied
with your purchase for any reason return it for an exchange or your money
back.
  I cleaned up and returned the wonderfully quiet and efficient little
saw and bought the heavy, noisy, clumsy and foul smelling, gasoline saw.
 I walked proudly toward the cash registers then I saw her, standing in
the isle, that formidable little old sales lady. I slipped down a side isle.
In the most cowardly manner I slinked through ladies longerie and past
the lunch counter heading for the check out counter.  All this while
looking over my shoulder half expecting to see a smidgen of a woman come
charging out from behind some display. She would surely 
drag me and my beloved prize back to the tool department.
After paying what was due  at the check out I emerged
from the swinging doors to safty, freedom and glee at having escaped.

The Dundalkers#3: Read oldest posts first

2007-01-11T19:45:00.000-05:00

CHAPTER TWO

Walter Mueller struggled to open the huge front door. The massive door was four inch thick old English oak. It along with its massive bronze hardware weighed at least a quarter of a ton. Although it took all the boys strength to get it moving, once in motion it swung easily and smoothly on fine precision bronze hinges. Windows , doors, hinges and all the rest of the main office building were completely constructed right here at the Kiel Boat Works. Even the nails were manufactured by the yards craftsmen.
Walter walked into the long hall and looked all the way down to the end where his father's secretary sat at her desk. She waved at him as she always did. The boy gave an eager waved back.
The hall was the most beautiful place he knew of and the boy had been in Royal Palaces. Waist high to a man the walls were paneled in vertical tung and groove teak oiled and hand rubbed to a rich luster. Above the warm wood paneling, plaster walls were painted a sea green. The white plaster ceilings were separated from the walls by plaster cast cornices of intricate design. From the overhead hung four huge crystal chandeliers lit by gas light.
Floors were parquet laid in patterns of teak holly and ebony.
To the boy the most beautiful thing of all were the rows of oil paintings depicting all the boats and ships that had ever been built here in the yards long history. At the front were the oldest pictures. The sailing ships built by Walter,s great grandfather. The pictures progressed to the other end were the modern submarines hung in rows. Resting on stands on the floor in front of the paintings were models of all the ships perfect in every miniature detail.
Although only a boy Walter new all the ships and boats by heart. Heir Prien and Walter's father often walked down the hall with the boy and told the stories of each ship, how it was built and how she had lived and died.
To Walter each was like a member of the family. He liked them all. But he loved the fighting ships and boats and especially the U- boats the most.
Walter made daily visits to the yard. He played around the Docks and railways were Kiel Boat works built the Unterseaboots that fought so strongly in the first world war.
The yard was small as ship yards go, but Huge for a boat yard. Along the waters edge there were six railways. Each sloped upward toward a row of tin roofed buildings that were open on all sides. The buildings were four stories tall, each had an overhead crane running into it. All the buildings had the dirty gray look of industry. In the darkened shade of the roofs laboring on U boats were hundreds of men. Cutting torches showered sparks beneath them resembling an orange fiery water fall. A steady stream of blue gray smoke poured out from under the roof peak.
Unterseaboots were resting on their cradles in all stages of construction, many looked like the skeletons of long dead dragons. Their unplated frames pointed upward toward the roof like a huge animal's rib cage. Streaks of glowing red could be seen slicing upward as tossers threw red hot rivets to catchers up on the hulls of the boats.
The steady staccato of the riveter's hammer could then be heard mingled with that of hundreds of others. The sound of drop forge hammers were deafening as they hammered out the curved plating to fit the hulls. A foundry was set up behind one of the buildings and glowing red bronze was being poured into molds. The castings made there were rudders and valves and a thousand other parts to be used on the U boats.
Running out in the water were piers with all manner of equipment and U-boat supplies. These docks, a beehive of activity appeared to be in chaos. Men were working at rigging painting and loading the U boats that were tied to the docks.
It was early May and the young Walter Mueller was enjoying excitement of the sites and sounds all around him. This day would be a fateful day in the boy's life, though he would not know it for many years to come. He would meet two men that would have a positive influence on his life. The first his Idle and a man whose footsteps he would try to follow in. The other would prove to be a worthy adversary and a deadly enemy.
His father watched Walter running along side a submarine being launched. Grease spraying off the rails as the boat slid along splattered the boy from the top of his head to the top of his patent leather shoes. Dieter turned and commented to the boy's personal guard and tutor. That boy will be ship builder some day, that is if you don't let him get run over by a boat.
The old man looked fearfully at the other man, and then laughed. "It'll have to be faster than a U boat maybe a sub chaser. I know I can't keep up with him.
All this is a part of his education and we would do well to have him feel this is his boat yard as well as yours. Then when the time comes it'll be natural for him to take over."
Mr. Mueller, looking thoughtfully at the boy said, "Yes the boy must not grow up soft. Walt is smart and we must not allow him to become board, give him time to play and learn on his own but also keep him busy studying".
Mr. Mueller stood and watched the U-boat slide into the sea. The boy was already in the cold North Sea water up to his waist catching the wooden blocks that had shored up the U boat while it was being built on the railway. He had several floating in a line and was busy pushing them ashore. A workman hooked them with a sharpened boat hook and rolled them over on the rust stained sand.
Walter ran along the beach and jumping onto the dock he ran toward his father who was standing at the head of the pier. He left a trail of wet on the planking behind himself as he ran. Walter looked back at the trail as he plunged forward over a coil of hemp rope coiled on the dock.
He was caught by one arm and the back of his shirt and snatched up before he could hit the decking.
What's this wet rat I've caught that slings water all over me. You should watch where you are running.
Walter was instantly angry at being handled and talked to like a common ragamuffin, and began swinging his fists. The angry little fellow looked up and his mouth fell open. This man was no ordinary workman.

The Dundalkers#2: Read oldest posts first

2007-01-10T17:10:00.000-05:00

Above is the famous German Submarine U-47. She was completed in 1937 and and her life ended in 1941.

When he arrived there a couple days later he was advised of his position as liaison between the navy and the ship yard.
The boy Walter Mueller had told his father about Tad. Dieter Mueller having influence with the navy got him the position. The damage to his ears of course ended his duty on U boats for ever. It would be years before his hearing would return enough for him to work as a radio operator.
Tad stayed at the boat works and filed reports to the navy and did clerical work or any other task that required his attention. The young man developed the habit of cupping his hand about his ear when he passed some one in case they might say something. It helped him to hear a little better. Often people would do the same thing back at him and finally each other. It became a kind of salutation around the boat works.
Tad liked the boy Walter Mueller. The feeling was doubly mutual with the boy. The sailor was a shy young man and often felt embarrassed around other people. With children he felt none of this and was free to be himself.
He was often in contact with Dieter Mueller, {always on official business} and the business man liked him.
One Friday afternoon Mueller was setting at his desk ready to go home. Tad came into the outer office to bring paperwork on changes to some of the boats under construction. Dieter stood up on hearing the young mans voice he said, "Come in Tad I'd like to speak with You." Tad looking at the secretary raised his eye brows and pointed his finger at his own chest and mouthed the words 'Me?"
The woman shook her head yes in answer and waved for him to follow her. He tagged along behind her rather sheepishly.
"Tad its good to see you. You are looking better I see the burnt skin has peeled off and your color is more natural looking. You look good."
"Thank you sir" Tad stammered in an uncertain voice. If my hearing would just improve I could get back to my Unterseaboot.
"Well Tad I would not be disappointed If it was slow returning, That was a bad blast you were in."
"Yes sir we were all lucky we weren't killed outright." Tad said in a still uneasy manner. Mueller looked at Tad a long moment making the young man even more self-conscious than usual. "Have you heard anything about any recognition for saving your comrades?"
"No sir I think I'll be lucky if they don't stand me in front of a firing squad for blowing up a Unterseaboot sir."
Dieter Mueller burst out laughing. "I don't think they'll do that, after all it's the ship yards fault, at least were paying for the repairs.
All that aside, what I called you in here for was to find out what you intend to do, that is what kind of work will you do when the war ends. Will you stay in the military?"
Tad studied the question so long Dieter began to wonder If the man understood what he had asked.
"Finally Tad replied, I had always thought that I would one day work in your Familles Steel mills in the Rhur Valley. My father has worked there many years now and I planed to do the same"
"Since I have lost much of my hearing that'll probably not be possible." Tad shrugged his massive shoulders and looked down at the floor. Now I don't know."
"Tad, When the war ends and your finished with your commitment to the Navy, Come here to see me. I'll have work for you. There is no need to worry about were you'll work."
Tad stepped forward offering his hand to Herr Mueller saying, "Thank you sir When the time comes I'll be here. If you give me work I'll see to it that you never regret it."
Dieter Mueller took the younger mans hand and shook it vigorously.
Tad turned and walked from the room. As he passed by the secretary at her desk in the outer office he nodded and said, "AufWiedershen Fraughline." He turned a little red when she winked at him.
The woman watched him walk out of the office then all the way down the hall and out the door.
The U boat went down off the coast of Ireland with all hands. Submarines in those days were pretty crude and dangerous weapons to the men that sailed in them. More of them were lost through equipment failure than combat.
The explosion had saved Tad's life. He almost felt grateful for the accident.
Tad was soon discharged from the navy. Germany had been defeated. Kizer Wilhelm had wisely decided to sign an Armistice Agreement with the allies.
Germany would have been totally destroyed had she fought on as the military wished. The country would suffer greatly from the terms of the agreement. There was at least a country to suffer.
Tad felt the allies were very gallant to agree to an armistice at all. After all Germany had been defeated for some time. It only remained for the allies to shell the country to rubble and then march in and take over. Every thing of value could then be taken to pay war reparations. The allies had been very generous.