Into The Great White Open – Main Story Line Part One
– Leaving the North Sea
A Letterstime side story
July 5th 1915
late evening, SMS Roon
Korvettenkapitaen
Andreas Findert saw the last of his guests leaving. Standing on the deck of Roon
he could smell the soot from many smokestacks, see the flickering of the waves,
and hear the cries of the seagulls. They
all had been there, the bold, straightforward Fregattenkapitaen von Buelow of SMS Berlin, his fast wing, as his CO,
Fregattenkapitaen Ziethen had called her. Also there had been Korvettenkapitaen
West from SMS Albatross, their modern
fast purpose built minelayer, the newest ship of their little fleet,
Korvettenkapitaen Windmueller from SMS
Undine, the sister ship of famous SMS
Frauenlob and Korvettenkapitaen von Hippel from SMS Arcona, their oldest unit. All had brought with them their XO's
and their NO's. While that group was meeting, Roon's Artillery Officer, Kapitaenleutnant Hoehne and Roon's Torpedo Officer, Oberleutnant zur
See Kleeberg, had their own meeting with their fellow comrades.
That one ended much
earlier, Findert expected. Ziethen had made a formidable speech, when he
explained their mission. Now all knew where the voyage would lead, if all went
well. But first they had to leave the German Bight and then the North Sea. Best
if they were not detected, better still if they did not
have to fight at all. For the first part
of the journey First and Second Scouting Groups would render assistance, but it
would be a fleeting companionship after all.
Findert was
still impressed about the vigor in Ziethen's voice. There was no question that
the journey would not be finished in a simple fortnight. Ziethen had made clear
that their voyage north will last some more weeks at least.
They had
discussed a lot of things and plans. Findert was pleased that Meteor's NO was with them now, to
augment his Flag staff. That guy had have a wonderful time up there already and
knows well the environment.
It had not
been easy to accomodate all the new members of the crew, but Roon had had flagship facilities since
she was commissioned in 1906, so they could offer some comfort for the more
than 730 strong crew. He was glad he was not on those small cruisers, where
circumstances might turn out much more critical and cramped.
They had
stowed coal everywhere, coal in sacks was stowed even onboard all available
deck space. Their displacement was above 10.500 tons now. Never ever had Roon been that heavy. Stll, their
draught was less than that of SMS
Derfflinger and SMS Seydlitz.
That would cause not that much trouble and their huge amount of coal would be
reduced much too fast anyway, once the journey began tomorrow.
Since their return
from the night exercise early morning yesterday, they had stowed so much
equipment and supplies that Findert frequently wondered if Germany was empty of
goods now.
Wilhelm Wudtke
was watching his XO from his guard position near the gangway. He was "Wache
unter Gewehr“ (Note [1])
at the moment. So many officers had entered his ship this evening, that he felt
that he had paractically saluted his arm off. Finally, they had all left.
Findert looked weary, the young man thought. When that one looked up, their
glances crossed. Findert straighted himself up and walked over to his place.
"Sailor, everything
fine with you“? Findert was not annoyed by the obvious interest of the young
soldier. "What is your name, Soldat“?
"Aah, Matrose Wudtke,
Sir“, a quick answer after a short hesitation.
"Wudtke, soso. You
are one of our new soldiers, are you? You boarded us in Kiel, correct“?
"Jawoll, Herr
Korvettenkap'taen“. Wudtke was not sure what he should think of this situation;
never before had he been questioned by that high an officer.
"Matrose Wudtke, what
do you think of our situation, all our recent guests“?
In Wilhelm's head,
thousands of thoughts bobbed and twirled in a most confusing dance.
"Korvettenkapitaen Findert, to be honest, I am not sure what kind of an answer
you expect from me. I think our operation, wherever it may lead us, will start soon.
And“, he hesitated again, "the uniform of the other Fregattenkapitaen was of
very good quality“. The words just left his mouth. Wudtke was very confused
now, otherwise he just might have held his tongue.
"Uniform
of...“? Findert was quite taken aback by that answer. "Oh, you are a good
observer. ‚Good quality uniform‘, to be honest, whatever answer I might have
expected, it wasn‘t that one! What is your profession or, better, what did you
do before the war“?
"My profession
was one of a tailor, before I was drafted this March. I am Schneidergeselle“.
"Oh, good that
profession. How old are you, young man“?
"I turned
nineteen in March“.
"You were
drafted when you turned nineteen“? Findert was stunned. Surely someone had made
a mistake; this boy was too young for regular service. Of course, he did not
share his thoughts with Wudtke. "Brilliant! Your profession might turn out
useful, soon“.
Findert was confused
about himself as well. What was he doing? In less than twelve hours they ought
to leave Wilhelmshaven and he was making smalltalk. But, why not. "Where is
your Gefechtsstation?“
"Port Searchlight
above the bridgewing“, Wilhelms hand pointed to his right.
Shortly later,
Findert entered Ziethen's stateroom for their evening review.
July 5th 1915
late evening, SMS Amazone bridge
Kontreadmiral
Mischke was happy. Some action, at last. SMS
Amazone, his flagship since last August, was leaving its berth in Kiel.
This would be their last journey together.
SMS Amazone is the last of the long list of cruisers to go east to
Aufklaerungsgruppe Ostsee.
Mischke was
not pleased about that at all. His mission was to guard all three main
entrances to the Baltic, the "Kleine Belt“ (Note [2]),
the "Grosse Belt“ (Note [3])
and the Oere-Sund. (Note [4])
Since the
beginning of the war all this was done with a motely collection of auxiliary
warships, backed up by two small cruisers, a gunboat and a Torpedoboot
Halbflottille. The cruisers where normally rendering assistance to the
Torpedoboote, which controlled the Sund-Traffic. Early June he had to transfer
one of his cruisers, SMS Undine, east
to augment Aufklaerungsgruppe Ostsee. Due to the war efforts, especially after
Letters success in the North Sea, Germanies small cruisers were stretched
extremely thin. Now the time drew near, when he had to let go his flagship.
Other, less suited ships had to take the guarding mission. He had frequently
protested against the removal of his most potent units, but to no avail.
This mission
however, was approved by Grossadmiral Prinz Heinrich von Preussen. One of the
reasons is to train the crews of both his newly recommissioned Grosse Kreuzer, SMS Vineta, recommissioned June 24th
and SMS Victoria Louise,
recommisioned June 29th. Of course not much training could be done
in this short timeframe with both crews, but a fight with the British was
highly unlikely however. The second reason was that the experience with Meteor after her minelaying was quite
encouraging. And the third was the fleet sorties in the North Sea would and
could need another diversion. "The question of competence will be risen in the
Admiralty and the Government of our enemies. Let the "Tommies“ have some fun at
home“, Mischke thought.
Their plan was to
pass the "Kleine Belt“ during the short hours of darkness, which was only about
five hours in this latitude. And some of those would be twilight still.
The
Kuestenschutzdivision Ostsee would be full strength in this sortie, both above
mentioned "Geschuetze Kreuzer“ (Note [5]),
his Amazone, and the gunboat SMS Panther, the last survivor of a
class of six (Note [6]).
Accompanied by the nine boats of 7th Torpedohalbflottille this would
be a real little fleet.
"Helm, bring her to
course 40. Signals hoist 10 knots“. The weather was overcast but the wind was
blowing gently.
July 6th 1915,
predawn, SMS Roon
Ziethen had
tried to find at least some sleep after Findert had left. But it was in vain.
He had given it up an hour past midnight. He came back from looking out of the
porthole, where he had watched his two small cruiser companions. Satisfied he
saw Undine now "camouflaged“ as a cruiser of the Bremen-Class due
to her faked third stack.
"Will
go to the bridge“, he told himself. He imagined that he could feel the
trembling of the deck getting stronger, as more boilers began to be brought on
line. Still his mind raced with thoughts of the last days,
especially the meeting with Viceadmiral Letters yesterday afternoon. He
remained profoundly impressed by the Baron. That man had somehow touched his
soul. When he had left, he told Admiral Necki that nothing of this shared
privacy would ever be told to anyone. He had vowed to himself to do everything
to make his mission successful. Ziethen was more than eager to leave now.
"Captain to
the bridge“, Roon's third Officer, Oberleutnant zur See Sven Harksen's voice
was audible some minutes later. Ziethen was glad he had this Danish speaking
officer on board. Actually, each of his ships had Danish or Norvegian speaking
personel aboard. He personally had taken care of that.
July 6th 1915,
predawn, SMS Berlin
Fregattenkapitaen von
Buelow was sleeping soundly; his first Officer Korvettenkapitaen Walter
Hildebrand, was contolling the final preparations now. Literally said, they had
worked until the last minute to get their ship ready. That was a fact now.
July 6th 1915,
predawn, SMS Undine
"All boilers
on line and piping warmed, preparations complete“, Undines XO told
Korvettenkapitaen Windmueller. "The tugs are standing ready“.
July 6th 1915,
predawn, SMS Arcona
"Have you seen
to our freight“? Korvettenkapitaen von Hippel asked. Yesterday, accompanied by SMS Albatross, they had proceeded to the
arsenal and loaded 200 mines. That was their full capacity. And the real reason
for their mission, at least the first part, as Ziethen had made abundantly
clear during their mission briefing yesterday evening. Ziethen was "burning“
with his mission, that was for certain. What was even more clear was that he
was expecting the same dedication from everyone. That was fine with von Hippel,
as he himself was quite confident of
their success.
Both ships had raised
a fake third stack as well.
July 6th
1915, early morning, SMS Roon bridge
The harbor was
bristling with energy. The minesweepers had already left their berth and
proceeded to the outer Jade.
Many pipes
were sounded. Second Scouting had already proceeded to the pathways. Tugs had
already shoved Roon clear of the quay. Ziethen frowned as the
battlecruisers gave voice, but his was one born of nervousness, not suspicion
of augury. It had begun.
"Ahead slow“,
Ziethen ordered in an even tone. "The others“?
Korvettenkapitaen
Findert understood the question. Ziethen's two small cruisers – SMS Berlin and SMS Undine - were berthed nearby, but his two minelayers – SMS Arcona and SMS Albatross - were across the way. Berlin and Undine had
already edged nimbly away from the piers.
"Not yet,
sir“, and he stepped out to call up orders to the lookout section.
Wilhelm Wudtke
was excited. Their sortie had begun. He had a brilliant look at those big
Battlecruisers, which were on Roon's
port side ahead. That one with the raised forecastle must be the famous SMS Seydlitz. There on the one ahead he
could see the clear harmonic lines of SMS
Derfflinger, flagship of Kontreadmiral Necki. And there were four smaller
ships as well. Cruisers, he was told.
July 6th
1915, early morning, SMS Albatross bridge
"Follow Arcona, ahead slow“, Korvettenkapitaen
West commanded. "Where is Roon“? His
little ship had loaded 288 mines and
coal was everywhere. "His Kaiserliche Marine coal transport Albatross“, he had
facetiously reported to his XO, Kapitaenleutnant Buehler.
July 6th
1915, early morning, SMS Amazone
They had
passed the "Kleiner Belt“ in darkness. But surely they were seen by many. The
Belt is much too narrow for unseen passage. At Middlefart, it is only about 2
Kilometers wide. The Danish city of Fredericia was already on their port
quater. "Signals, form search formation; engine, prepare for 14 knots“,
Korvettenkapitaen Lutter commanded after his conversation with the admiral.
"Hoist ‚detached‘ for Panther and her
two Torpedoboote“.
Kontreadmiral
Mischke was watching the massive form of SMS
Vineta behind them. Most prominent was the big 21 cm bow turret. Rebuilt
from 1909 to 1911, she was used as a training ship until the war broke out. She
was decommisioned in November 1914 after a brief stay with Fifth Scouting
Group. The main reason for that was the need of crews, though her military
value was limited. The offical reason, bad condition, was not the exact truth.
"Enough for patrol duties, and now for commerce warfare“.
"Admiral, Vineta has acknowledged. As has Panther“, Lutter said. "Victoria Louise has just acknowledged as
well“.
Seventh
Torpedoboot – Halbflottille, normally stationed at Warnemuende, Rostock's
Baltic harbour, had already taken their escort positions. The three most
modern, 1908 vintage boats, V 154
with the flag of Fregattenkapitaen Wolfram, V
152 and V 155 where dashing
ahead. These boats were the only ones armed with the powerful eight-eight L/30
guns.
The oldest
boats, 1905 vintage S 122 and S 127 were only armed with three 5 cm
L/40 guns, the 1906 vintage G 132, G 133, G 134 and G 136 were a
bit better armed with four long barreled 5.2 cm L/55.
Fourth Torpedoboot
Flottille, consisting only of Seventh Halbflottille, had recently exchanged
their formerly older still boats for those relatively new ones.
"So all German
small calibers are nicely collected in this Flottille“, Mischke was thinking
sarcasticly. But at least nine boats
will be there to guard them and to complete their mission.
July 6th
1915, morning, SMS Roon bridge
They went to
16 knots after clearing the outer Jade. Weather was cloudy, early morning mists
were rolling when they had left Wilhelmshaven.Roon took position on the starboard side of SMS Derfflinger. On the far side of their formation was Conda's SMS Bremen and six new large
Hochseetorpedoboote of the 1912/13 type. Three of them belonged to
Korvettenkapitaen Borys, whom Ziethen knew briefly from his Baltic experience.
One time
Wilhelm Wudtke, now at his observation post at the searchlight, thought he
might have seen something on the surface. But, when he blinked and rubbed his
eyes and looked again, there was nothing there. He frequently thought what a
pretty sight those big units on his port side were.
Actually,
there was no indication that they had been spotted by an enemy submarine.
Ziethen would have been delighted if he only knew that his Roon in the British Admirality had been thought by some distant
Britishers in Room 40 to be the unfinished SMS
Luetzow. But, of course, he did not know about "Luckless Layton“ or even
that a Room 40 existed at all.
July 6th
SMS Amazone, later morning,14 knots
SMS Panther
was detached and closest to the Danish shore. Together with two Torpedobooten,
they were out of sight. Those had steamed north east, in direction of the
Danish city of Grenaa. There they could take a close look of the traffic coming
from Aarhus.
The rest of
the formation has steered first east northeast, then north east direction
Danish island Anholt. There they turned due north. The Kattegat was just about
35 nm wide between Anholt and the Swedish coast of Schonen. Their formation was
now SMS Vineta about 9 miles east of
Anholt, 9 miles further east his SMS Amazone,
and finally same distance still further east SMS Victoria Louise. Their remaining 7 Torpedoboote where in a
searchline about three miles north of their position
"Much traffic
in the aether“, the wireless officer of Amazone
was stating.
July 6th
SMS Prinz Adalbert, noon, near Bornholm
Aufklaerungsgruppe
Ostsee had reached its planned position just east of Bornholm. They had left
Danzig-Neufahrwasser early this morning. Now that Mischkes Kuestenschutzverband
Ostsee had left for the Kattegat, this backup was thought necessary.
Kontreadmiral
Hopman's Aufklaerungsgruppe Ostsee, after all the transfers of mid June, was
back to strength now. Still, his flag was hoisted on SMS Prinz Adalbert and old companion SMS Prinz Heinrich was there as well. SMS Kaiserin Augusta had joined them shortly after Roon's departure. She had taken Roon's old position as third of the
line. So they were back to the old number but not old strength.
SMS Thetis
was there of course, now the only old one of his small cruisers. She was now
augmented by her sisters, which were on duty with Kuestenschutzverband Norsee.
Those units are SMS Niobe, once
stationed in Bremen, SMS Nymphe and SMS Medusa, formerly stationed in
Cuxhaven, to guard the Elbe. The only other operational unit of this class was
Mischke's flagship SMS Amazone, which
was to join his formation after the termination of the current operation. SMS Gazelle was decommisioned February
this year after hitting a mine back in January. She had lost her propellers and
was not considered worth repairing. Currently she was laying in Danzig, used as
a floating office. (Note [7])
The seventh unit of this large class had been
SMS Ariadne, sunk in the
Battle of the Bight.
"It is a good
opportunity anyway to train with all those new fleet members and it is a
necessity. Should the Russians come out, and there are signs of increased
activity, I might have good use for well trained units“, Hopman was thinking.
"Here we are in quite
a good position to sail west and render assistance to Mischke or strike east,
should the need arise to counter a Russian move“. His units were ready.
July 6th
SMS Victoria Louise, Kattegat, noon
"Captain,
signals from G 133, steamer is trying
to escape into Swedish coastal waters. They can not stop her in time“, the
excited voice of his Second Officer was heard by Fregattenkapitaen Dominik.
"Position“?
"G 133 is about 4 miles northeast. The
steamer is further northeast, about 035“.
"We are too
slow to stop her and too far away to intimidate“, Fregattenkapitaen Dominik
thought. "Artillerie officer, do we have a solution?“
Seconds later,
"Target is a larger steamer and in range of our bow gun. Shall I open fire“?
After a short hesitation, that one went on "Kommandant, they are very close to
Swedish territorial waters.“
"I want to stop that
one, permission to open fire“, Dominik was in no mood to let that one escape.
Slowly the long
barrel of the 21 cm bow single turret was lifting and turning to starboard.
"Range to
target 125 hm, ranging shot, fire“, Victoria
Louises Artillery Officer commanded.
"KABOOM“, the long barrel recoiled, the
pressure wave was felt on the bridge. "Bow turret, reload“.
Some miles
ahead, on G 133, a freight train was
heard rushing overhead. "Victoria Louise,
has opened fire,“ Oberleutnant zur See Arndt, the commander of G 133 commented.
About fifteen seconds
later, the 108 kilogram heavy shell arrived. Its huge splash was not very
accurate and off target, though, and detonated about three hundred meters to
port and four hundred meters far.
After some
corrections Victoria Luise fired
again, "KABOOM“, this time the shell
detonated shortly ahead of the steamer‘s bow.
That one
stopped immediately. Shortly later, G 133
arrived for inspection.
July 6th
SMS Berlin, 16 knots, noon
Von Buelow was
watching the distant form of sister SMS
Bremen. How he would have loved to have those pretty 15 cm guns as well.
He could not
get these pictures out of his mind. There they had stood, waiting for being
fitted on his Berlin, and then they
had been transported off to another sister, be it SMS Muenchen or SMS Danzig,
both being repaired as well.
"Conda's force must
be on a special mission, as well, otherwise it is strange to have them
accompanying the Scouting Force, they are too slow for them“, he adressed his
XO, Korvettenkapitaen Hildebrand.
July 6th
SMS Panther, 12 knots, afternoon,
course north
Not that he
was feeling lonely, being detached with S
122 and S 127 since the early
morning. Since then Panther has controlled four merchant vessels and the
Torpedoboote three and five, respectively, most of them fishing boats. So far
they had found nothing suspicious. The weather had improved, it was only partly
overcast, and the sun was coming through. Visibility had improved a lot and was
now above 100 hm.
Suddenly
Korvettenkapitaen Velten was worried. "Where is S 122“? he asked. Without cruisers nearby he might have a hard
stand against enemy warships.
"About 3 miles north
of us, she just finished controlling one vessel“, his XO answered.
"And S 127“?
"She is on our
starboard side course...“, he never finished his sentence for in the distance
there was the sound of rolling thunder.
Looking east
he saw the stern of a grey vessel heading 065, suddenly turning sharply to
south. Fountains were erupting around that vessel, now identified as S 127.
"What...“?
"Capitain, she is
under fire. Seems to be that merchant northeast of her“.
"Gefechtsalarm, all
men to action stations!! Helm bring her to course 30, ahead flank“!
Obviously S 127 is struggling to get clear. A
detonation was viewed near her forefunnel. Both S 127 small guns which could bear were replying in earnest. "Crack,
Crack“.
"Signals from S 127, they are under fire from a
disguised merchant“, voices from the W/T office were heard.
"Guns, prepare to
open fire“!
"Signals, to S 122...“
July 6th
S127, 22 knots,increasing, emergency
rudder
Oberleutnant zur See
Ladisch knew he was in trouble. He had signaled that steamer to stop. After
their second attempt that one seemed to heave to but, once they had closed to
about 2000 meters, she had suddenly opened fire with guns she should not have
had.
What Ladisch
did not know was that his adversary was the 1459 GRT British Q-Ship Stephenson, newly commisioned in April
1915 and armed with one 12 pounder and three 6 pounders. On one hand her
mission was to prey on German submarines ,and on the other hand to scout the
Kattegat.
"Whanng“, a second hit was received
which destroyed their W/T. Wounded were crying in agony; acid smoke crept into
his nostrils.
"Shit, our own
guns seem to have no effect“, he shouted to his gunnery officer. Unfortunately
their torpedos were not ready at the moment. He cursed about that mistake.
A small fire was
already burning at their first stack. Luckily their machinery and boilers were
not hit, yet.
"Engine, make smoke!
Hurry up“.
July 6th
SMS Panther, 14 knots, course
northeast
"Fire“,
commanded Korvettenkapitaen Velten, after S
122 was clear and the target was finally visible. A lot of smoke was
eminating from the single stack of that merchant.
"CRACKCRACK“, both 10.5 cm cuns were
erupting in unison. Their enemy was about 6000 meters east, still firing at S 127 with three guns at least. That one
was smoking, not only from already taken hits, but also in an attempt to
conceal herself. Watching her, a third hit was observed. S 127 guns had frequently hit the merchant, but no effect was
visible so far. But 5 cm guns could not have much effect. S 122 was coming around at the northwest.
"So it is up to us“,
Velten thought grimly.
"Enemy is speeding
up“, lookout reported.
"Signals, to Amazone. Have encountered armed enemy
merchant. We are under fire. Proceeding to S
127, rendering assistance“.
"CRACKCRACK“, second salvo went out. A
third before the splashes were fountaining.
"Still short and to
port“, corrections were shouted from the Artillery officer.
Meanwhile S 127 seemed to come clear; no more hits
were observed.
Fifth salvo
brought Panther's first hit. It
erupted high in the superstructure, but the heavy shell was leaving traces
unlike the small 5 cm of their Torpedoboot companion. A fire started.
"Guns, you are on
target, keep it up“.
"Whuuush, splash“, obviously the enemy
has changed target. Three fountains erupted around the Panther.
Their target was
turning towards them.
"Hit,
another“, the lookout reported. "CRACKCRACK,
whuuush, splash“.
"Whannng“, a shell ricocet from the aft
gunshield. "Casualties“? Velten demanded. Luckily the armored gunshield had
deflected the sixpounder shell. No one was really hurt. Seconds later the aft
gun commenced firing.
Their target, now
burning in three places, changed course due north, still firing with three
guns, the biggest obviously on the bow.
S 122
was coming up fast from the east. She was running at 24 knots, at least. Even S 127 had turned around and was
accelerating as well. Soon it was three to one.
The next
minute with range down to 3000 meters brought some more hits on the enemy, a
couple of them near the waterline. Stephenson
started to list to port. Still she fired back.
"Whaang,“ this was starboard side
admidships. A small fire started.
"CRACK, CRACK“, four seconds later "CRACK, CRACK“. The heavy shells, one
out of two hitting now, were seemingly overwhelming their enemy. Only one gun
now was firing at Panther, though the
gun on enemy's far side opened up on S
122.
List was increasing,
and the fires were burning out of control. It was nearly over.
July 6th
SMS Undine, 16 knots, late afternoon
"Here they go“
Korvettenkapitaen Windmueller said to no one especially. He had watched the
flags going up on Derfflinger,
detaching the formation of Conda. Very quickly he watched those small grey
forms disappear.
"Flaggs going up on
Derfflinger“. Still they are accompanied.
July 6th
SMS Roon, 16 knots, late afternoon
"Raise speed to 18
knots, course due north“, Ziethen commanded after receiving and acknowledging
Derfflinger's signal.
"Lookout, our
cruisers“?
July 6th
SMS Amazone, 14 knots, dusk
They had controlled a
lot of ships today. Four prizes where taken, three swedish vessels with
contrabande and one english merchnant with military goods, obviously bound for
Russia via Sweden.
Some hours ago
SMS Panther has radioed that they
sunk British Q-Vessel Stephenson,
after that one put up a fierce fight. S
127 was detached with wounded from Panther
as well. The coup de grace was delivered by a torpedo from S 122. Panther was not seriously damaged, though. 35 crew members
were rescued, including Stephenson's
captain. Panther has had three crew
members seriously wounded and S 127
had five dead and 13 wounded.
Kontreadmiral
Mischke's force continued north into the Skagerrak. Panther, now only accompanied by S 122, was ordered not to leave the Kattegat.
July 6th
SMS Roon, 18 knots, nearly dusk
The morning and the
afternoon had went by uneventfully. "Where are the British“? It seems too good
to be true but no enemy had shown up. Obviously the British do not have forces
out here in the middle of the North Sea. The only course of concern was the
continous very high speed, which melts away their precious coal resources.
Their "scout“ U – 19, had so far reported nothing.
Kapitaenleutnant Kolbe was very reliable, Ziethen have had discussed their
mission and expectations back then, end of June. U – 19 had left Wilhelmshaven
during the darkness hours after dusk July 4th.
There could be
another reason for not reporting, but Ziethen was not that pessimistic. He
watched the grey form of SMS Seydlitz
to port. Soon those will have to leave.
July
6th SMS Roon, 18 knots, dusk
"Derfflinger
has hoisted the signal“, Kapitaenleutnant Hoehne reported to the bridge.
"Signals,
acknowledge“, Ziethen commanded. "Andreas, our cruisers“?
"Acknowledged
as well“, Korvettenkapitaen Findert confirmed.
"There
they go“, Ziethen fought the feeling of weariness as their strong escorts
turned away on their western horizon. Soon they disappeared in the gloom.
"Signals,
hoist 16 knots, we ought to reduce fuel consumption“. For nearly 16 hours they
had steamed at this relatively high speed, first 16 and then 18 knots for the
last couple of hours. "When it is dark we reduce to 14 knots as planned“.
Darkness though in this latitude would be less than two hours.
"Kapitaenleutnant
Trapp, please visite our Chief-engineer Marine-Stabingenieur Naves and inform
yourself about about our current fuel situation. Report to me immediately
thereafter.
Roon's
second officer vanished.
"Oberleutnant
zur See Harksen, I want fuel reports of our companions, as well. Especially of SMS
Albatross“.
"Obviously
we are lucky ones, no british ships shown up. We are in the middle of the North
Sea now, have had left the German Bight and our home behind“, Ziethen thought
satisfied. "Time to make a speech to the crew. They ought to know a bit more,
now“.
Wilhelm
Wudtke has changed his observation post and was temporarily stationed in the
fore fighting mast, now. The last ship he had seen disappear minutes ago was a
four stacked cruiser. He did not know at this point of life that once he will
be a crew member of SMS Stralsund,
but this will be no part of this story.
Written for Letterstime by Uwe Ziethen.
Story is permitted to be placed on Jim Byrds
“Thequickbluefox.com” server.
Uwe likes to thank Jim very much for his encouragement
and support.
Notes:
Footnote 1: Wache unter Gewehr = Guard with gun,
under gun?
Footnote 2: Kleiner Belt = little Belt, between
Jutland and Falster, partly german controlled
Footnote 3: Grosser Belt = great Belt, between
Falster and Seeland, under danish controll
Footnote 4: Oere-Sund = between the Danish Main
Island named Seeland and Sweden, the main entrance
Footnote 5: Geschuetzte Kreuzer = Protected Cruisers,
Cruisers second Class, Grosse Kreuzer in German
Footnote 6: Sistership Eber interned in Brasil, Iltis,
Jaguar, Tiger and Luchs lost in
Tsingtao, the German possesion in China.
Footnote 7: historical fact
[1] Wache unter Gewehr = Guard with gun, under gun?
[2] Kleiner Belt = little Belt, between Jutland and Falster, partly german controlled
[3] Grosser Belt = great Belt, between Falster and Seeland, under danish controll
[4] Oere-Sund = between the Danish Main Island named Seeland and Sweden, the main entrance