Into The Great White Open – Introduction - Part two, The Gathering

A Letterstime side story

Introduction, Part One

May 18^th 1915 SMS Berlin course south southeast

Second Scouting was on a minelaying mission. Strengthening the Doggerbank fields was their mission. Six modern light cruisers, they ought to receive a strong backup. Yesterday late in the evening Third, First and Second Battlesquadron had left the Jade. Fourth Scouting Group led by SMS Kolberg, acting as Second Leader of Torpedoboats, was the close escort of the Main Body.

Fregattenkapitaen Friedrich Freiherr von Buelow, the CO of SMS Berlin was proudly looking at those Battleships. "The pride of germany navy“.

During the night all 480 mines were successfully laid. Due to strong hints of a British Counteraction, very strange W/T Transmissions were received, the fleet turned in southernly directions at 07:00 am.

May 18^th 1915 09:18 am, SMS Danzig , 50 nm northwest of Helgoland

"WHHHHHHHHHHHUUUUUUMMMMMMPF“,SMS Danzig was shaking violenty. In the machinery and boiler rooms it was especially violent. Floorplates were eruting. Electrical fires broke out. Water was dashing in.

"Krumpf, Krompf, Klong, Chrash“, all four big searchlights broke from their platforms and chrashed to the deck. Down came the wireless antennas.

"Scheiße, Treffer“, Fregattenkapitaen Reiß was shouting. "Secure all watertight doors, Lookouts, Torpedostracks in the water“? Chaos everywhere.

The ship did not react to rudder comandos anymore.

"Capitaen, ship is making water through the screw-glands. We need to stop immediately“, the concerned voice of his XO was heard.

"I do not stop my ship unless we are out of danger from more submarine torpedoes“, Reiß was screaming.

"Mine to starboard“, lookouts were shouting. They had run into a newly layed British minefield obviously.

"Stop all engines, prepare to leave the ship“. How he hated this.

But soon a strange calm was overcoming the SMS Danzig, which was not in immediate danger of sinking. She was heavily hit on the stern, with a lot of structural damages, though. (Note [1])

May 24^th1915 SMS Roon course east north east

Yesterday all Aufklaerungsgruppe Ostsee's Armored Cruisers, SMS Prinz Adalbert, SMS Prinz Heinrich and last but not least SMS Roon, had left Danzig. Their escorts, the boats of 20^th Halbflottille, were with them. Joined by both fast cruisers, SMS Augsburg and SMS Luebeck and 19^th Halbflottille, coming from Memel and Libau respectively, they had sailed north. With them was the Deutschland, not the Predreadnought, but a big auxiliary minelayer with a today's load of 214 mines.

Their mission was to complete minefields in the entrance of the Gulf of Finland. April 15^th, in her first such operation this year, Deutschland had laid the first of three planned big fields.

"Luebeck and Augsburg are detached to cover the Deutschland, bon yoyage“, Ziethen was commenting the fact, that they had to stay behind again. They ought to act as distant cover force. Should the Russians come out though, they would beat hard. And fast.

"Follow the flaggship on her course change to west southwest, helmsman course 220“, Ziethen commanded.

The Russian Baltic Fleet would soon win back her fighting prowess, normally lost during the long winter period of immobility due to the ice.

"Kapitaenleutnant Hoehne, our strongest adversary in First Cruiser Brigade will be the Rjurik, as was fact last year. Should it come to a fighting, we as trail snail will in all likeliness have to face one of the remaining two modern Bajan – Class Armored cruisers“ (Note [2])

"These Bajans are not faster as we are, but weaker armed as our Roon. Your task will be to blow one of them up and shift fire to Rjurik, to help the SMS Prinz Adalbert which surely has to face her. We will have to knock out the Admiral Makarow fast. Let us prey that the Protected Cruisers Bogatyr and Oleg will not be part of a sortie. They are much superiour to SMS Augsburg and SMS Luebeck. In everything than speed, that is“, Ziethen later finished an unusually long monologue, his officers standing around him on the bridge.

Hoehne made glances to Findert, his XO, "saying“ as much as “As if I do not know these facts“.

"If we are to meet their second cruiser brigade, consisting of the much older and obsolescent AC's Gromoboi and Rossija and the protected Cruisers Awrora and Diana, we will be in a much better situation“.

"I do not expect to meet their Linienschiffe (Note [3]), in all likelyness it will be the First Cruiser Brigade“, he finished finally.

Deutschland managed to lay all her "eggs“ unmolested. No Russian ship showed up.

"No party today, we'll have to reinvite“, Michael Hoehne said to Andreas Findert, later that evening.

"You can not await action, can you“, Findert was a bit upset. "Michael, your time will come“, he continued, wondering if Mike might get the double meaning. That one only smiled.

May 30^th1915 North Sea, ship Meteor

SMS Muenchen was turning about. "Funny“, Korvettenkapitaen von Knorr, was thinking by himself. "They found our little ship that suspicious and boarded us. Seems that secrecy had worked“.

Working together with two U-Booten, U – 19, Kapitaenleutnant Kolbe and U – 35 Kapitaenleutnant Kophamel, had left Wilhelmshaven yesterday. Both boats of course were far further north to scout against the British, so they could not intervene here. "And needn't to“, he thought on.

Von Knorr had commisioned the Meteor May 6^th, she was a former British prize ship named Vienna.

This night they will reach the norvegian coast near Lindesnes, following U – 19 to Utsire. So this little steamer passed through that area, were world's greatest Seabattle will take place one day ahead. Of course von Knorr did not know of these future events.

June 1^st SMS Albatross bridge, near Schillig Reede, steering way

Fregattenkapitaen West was in a state of shock.

Yesterday morning he had left Wilhelmshaven shortly after Second Battlesquadrons Predreadnoughts. He followed the trail ship, the newest one of those, the SMS Schleswig-Holstein to the outer roads near Schillig-Reede. There they awaited the possible order to lay tactical minefields, should there be a need for them. Sistership SMS Nautilus had left Cuxhaven as well. And SMS Arcona was waiting in the Ems river mouth. They always took these positions when the Hochseeflotte or Erste Aufklaerungsgruppe went to sea.

In the afternoon and evening hours lots of W/T messages were heard. A massive battle was taking place in the Skagerrak. Soon they were joined here at the Reede by all four in Wilhelmshaven available coastal batlleships, SMS Aegir, SMS Odin, SMS Beowulf and SMS Hagen.

The other four Siegfrieds were guarding the Elbe or the Ems respectively, two each. Fourth Battlesquadron, left behind as mostly, was marching forward to Helgoland, lead by SMS Braunschweig.

The battle seems to go increasingly well. Sturdee's Battlecruisers were receiving the pounding they needed after Falkland. Soon three of them were reported as sunk. Fregattenkapitaen West so longed to be there, but Albatross was no ship of the line.

Later it was heard that at least one more of those Britisher BC's went down. The clash of both Mainbody's, "How could it have come to that“, seems to be going much better than feared.

"The British are retreating“, Kapitaenleutnant Buehler entered the bridge, the newest message in his hands, "They flee“. That fact seems to be an impossiblility this morning, a lifetime ago.

Then came the night, which passed very quickly. Then the first ships came into sight. And with them the real horror.

A few dreadnoughts showed little or no damage, but the vast majority had clearly been hotly engaged. Smoke marks, holes, torn metal, etc. were in evidence on so many ships. SMS Nassau was heavily down by the bow, and SMS Deutschland by the stern. SMS Koenig listed heavily, burned all over. The battlecruisers were in better shape, but SMS Bluecher was looking horrible. Many of the small cruisers were heavily damaged, especially those of Fourth Scouting Group.

"Heavens above, where are all those many Hochseetorpedoboote, are these few all that is left“? West was finally speaking.

"If this is a victory, it is a Victory's nightmare“.

June 2^nd SMS Roon's bridge, morning

"There she goes“, Korvettenkapitaen Andreas Findert commented the fact that SMS Augsburg was leaving their formation with high speed in westernly direction.

Through his binoculars, standing on the port bridgewing, he watched the fastly receding form of their former companion.

"That battle out there in the north sea, two days ago, must be the real reason for it“, he speculated on. "Do you have heard any details“? he addressed his Kapitaen.

"Not that much, must be a stunning victory of Admiral Letters, again. Heard they sunk at least four of the remaining five Battlecruisers, and some Dreadnoughts as well. And many lighter forces“, Ziethen replied to his XO.

"Our losses must have been severe as well, especially with the Scouting Forces“, he concurred with the opinion of Findert. "Soon we will hear details, I am sure of it“.

June 3^rd SMS Roon's bridge, northwest of Lyserort, course north

They have had to change their mission plan. Without SMS Augsburg available, only SMS Luebeck, now with two Hochseetorpedobooten, S 148 and S 139, was able to scout north. All three were patroling at the entrance of "Finnischer Meerbusen“ (Note [4]), to hinder possible ambushes of the Russian Baltic Fleet.

Kontreadmiral Hopmann and his three Armored Cruisers, accompanied by three Hochseetorpedobooten, was altering in between rendering assistance to SMS Luebeck and guarding the Irben Strait. That strait was located between the big island of Oesel and the Kurland coast. Lookouts were more than alerted, because SMS Thetis was twice attacked unsuccessfully by submarines yesterday. At the moment they were on a northern sweep, for the Gulf of Riga had been reported free of enemy ships.

SMS Thetis was close support for the planned minelaying operation of the 19^th Torpedobooot-Halbflottille, G 135, S 126, S 131 and S 130, each carrying 12 mines. Those should pester the Irben Strait. Accompanying Second Minensuchdividion as vanguard already had entered the strait and started sweeping. Seaplane carrier Glyndwyr, escorted by Torpedoboat V 108, stood nearby.

"Thetis has just signaled, mines clear for laying“, Ziethen was informed by his W/T officer.

"So it starts again, let us hinder our russian minelaying friends“, Ziethen said.

Minutes were trickling by.

"Glyndwyr's aircraft reports two big smoke plumes, one near Zerel, a big warship with one stack and another big plume, consisting of sixteen destroyers near Pissen (note [5]). They are advancing to the mouth of the strait“, the alarmed voice of the Second Officer, the blond, very germanic looking Kapitaenleutnant Jens Trapp, carrying the message, was heard.

"Verdammt, signals from the flaggship“? Ziethen was upset. "Let us hope no torpedo mass attack will take place“. And adding to Findert, "We are too far north for rendering assistance“. Damned, had the Russians waited for them steaming north again before coming out to give battle?

"Fregattenkapitaen Ziethen, signals from SMS Prinz Adalbert, change course south, all ahead“, this time Findert was relaying the message.

"Another message from Thetis, she has recalled II. Minensuchdividion and Glyndwyr. Thetis and the 19^th Halbflottille will cover the retreat“, once again Trapps voice from inside the bridge. Ziethen was on the port bridgewing looking through his binoculars. He spotted the aircraft on the far horizon.

Roon had once again proved to be the fastest of those three Armored Cruisers. When they arrived at the mouth of the Irben Straits, the Russians long had retreated. Obviously they feared even the artillery of SMS Thetis, for they clearly stood out of range.

Next day, after a recoaling of the Armored Cruisers by supply ship Dora Hugo Stinnes, finally the torpedoboats were able to lay their mines at the destined places. Ironically the Torpedoboats could not recoal due to the mines on deck.

June 7^th Barents Sea, Ship Meteor

"Mines away“, von Knorr's voice echoed from the bridge. They had passed the Northcape two days ago, after an uneventful voyage. U – 19 was long being detached to attack Britisch commerce and warships north of the British Isles. U – 35 was detached even earlier, but both U-Boote had made excellent scouts. Nobody had seen them and their unsuspicious litte steamer.

It was still yery cold up north, water temperature was only 0.5 degrees celsius at the moment. Just some hours ago they saw some fishing boats under sail, that means that icing situation is improving. Archangel will receive cargo soon, if the allied supply operations not had already started.

"We'll help you with some cargo of our own“, von Knorr thought, seeing Cape Gorodezki in the distance.

Hours later.

"That was the last one“, the XO told von Knorr. "We laid all of our 285 mines in ten seperate fields“.

"Very well“, that one replied.

"Steamer on the port side“, the alarmed voice of one of their lookouts was audible.

That ship appeared out of the fog, but seemingly taking no notice, for it sailed on with north notheasternly course on to Archangel. Vision was improving greatly now.

"Soon they will reach the outscirts of minefield X“, many binoculars followed that about 800 tons displacing ship.

The steamer's bow seems being lifted out of the water. A huge fountain erupted. "WHUMMMMMMPFFF“ the dull detonation was audible in the distance. When the water and mist finally settled seconds later, the little ship was being seen listing heavily to port, down by the bow. In less than a minute it capsized. All was silent, no sound. With a high raised stern it disappeared very quickly beneath the waves.

"They did not use wireless“, the WT-Officer called the bridge. "Hardly had the time for it“.

Hours earlier they had watched two much larger vessels, displacing about 5.000 tons, one of them clearly British, runnig into field III. and V. respectively. They had not watched their sinking due to the ever existing fog, but there could be no doubt about their fate. (Note [6])

June 16^th SMS Albatross, bridge, early morning

"I am not sure they know what they really want“, Fregattenkapitaen West informed his XO, Kapitaenleutnant Buehler, about a just received new written order.

"We ought to remain in the North Sea, shall train our crew intensively, go to the dock soon and stay ready for action beginning of July. Take a look at it“.

"What is that about“?, Buehler, after taking the papers and reading it, replied in earnest, "thought we should deploy to the Baltic to join "Aufklaerungsgruppe Ostsee“ the day after tomorrow. Those orders were from Großadmiral Heinrich Prinz von Preussen, the Oberbefehlshaber der Ostseestreitkraefte (Note [7]), himself“.

To improve the quality and intensity of German Baltic minelaying, the former order had arrived on board SMS Albatross June 7^th, they ought starting the first mine sortie in June's third decade.

The SMS Albatross was launched October 23^rd 1907 by AG Weser in Bremen. Commissioned in Summer 1908 after her completion May 19^th, she was quite a new ship. On trials she had reached 20.7 knots.

That fact rendered her obsolete for modern missions with the fleet and her armament of 8 x 8,8 cm L/35 was now considered being too week to defend herself against those plenty available British light and small cruisers.

That seemed not to be the case last summer, when SMS Albatross together with her sister SMS Nautilus had laid mines more than once. First, SMS Albatross, accompanied by SMS Stuttgart had contaminated the Tyne river mouth, that one of the Humber was contaminated by sister SMS Nautilus and SMS Mainz. Mission had started August 22^nd late in the evening and was completed August 26^th, when all ships came home unscathed. However, two days later SMS Mainz was sunk.

A second sortie had started September 9^th, when a minefield was laid in the "Bight“, to hinder further disasters like that British attack, which eventually had sunk the SMS Mainz, SMS Coeln and SMS Ariadne. Both "fast“ minelayers together with the auxiliary minelayer Kaiser, had been accompanied by Third Scouting units SMS Roon and SMS Prinz Adalbert and two small cruisers.

So they ought to stay in the North Sea. "A new mission, will boredom being ended soon“?

June 16^th SMS Prinz Adalbert, Admirals Quarters, noon

"Kapitaen Ziethen, Sir“, the officer of the watch was leading Fregattenkapitaen Ziethen to the rooms of Kontreadmiral Hopman.

Ziethen entered the room, Kapitaen zur See Michelsen, the CO of SMS Prinz Adalbert was there as well, standing to the right of the admirals desk. Both of Hopman's Staff Officers, Korvettenkapitaen Seidensticker and Kapitaenleutnant Gercke were there, too. They were standing in the back of the room.

The officer of the watch was leaving, closing the door. "Admiral Hopman, melde mich wie befohlen zur Stelle“, (Note [8]) Ziethen saluted in front of his commander, standing in attention.

"My dear Ziethen, please stand at ease“, the pleasant voice of Germany's youngest admiral was audible. "I ordered my Flaggkapitaen and my staff here as well, for I have urgent matters to discuss“.

Ziethen greeted first his colleague Michelsen and then both younger officers. In the past weeks they had grown to know each other quite well.

"Meine Herren, please be seated“, Hopmann continued. "I called you together to discuss the tactical situation and to inform you about some quite important changes“.

So the meeting began, charts and maps presented by the flagg officers.

"Beginning this month we "lost“ our only true fast cruiser, the SMS Augsburg, which alone has more value for his theater of war, due to her high speed, than all other small cruisers combined“, Hopman's voice was heared.

"To compensate for that "loss“ the former Kuestenschutzverband Ostsee unit, the SMS Undine, came under my command“.

"The Augsburg is on a special mission and is unlikely to return this summer. My superior, Großadmiral Prinz Heinrich von Preussen tasked us with improving our Baltic minefields, to hinder russian efforts in this regard. Therefore he ordered a true fast minelayer, the SMS Albatross to join my command as well. However, this is not going to happen, as a new order is stating. This order arrived this morning. We have to go along with the auxiliary minelayer Deutschland, as we did in the past. Our second fast cruiser, the SMS Luebeck, was fitted for minelaying this spring. Unfortunately she is leaving my command today“.

A murmur was audible from the small audience.

"Sir, what do we do without fast scouts“? Kapitaen zur Seen Michelsen asked. "Do we receive replacements, for instance the SMS Bremen“?

"No, the Kaiserschlacht so thinned our screen units, that all modern or nearly modern cruisers, and that includes the Bremen – Class, are to remain in the North Sea. But let me continue“, he glanced at the audience.

"The just mentioned Kaiserschlacht had made clear to some, that Predreadnoughts have no more place in modern fleet engagements. Second Battle Squadron has lost the SMS Hessen due to artillery damage and SMS Schleswig-Holstein due to torpedo damage. The heavily damaged SMS Deutschland is going to be repaired, no matter what rumor you might have heard. We will not let a ship with that name let rusting or being not well maintained, let alone scrap her. But she will be in dockyard hands during the summer. What will happen to the five other survivors of that squadron is not yet decided“.

"What is decided though is that Fourth Battle Squadron with the five Wittelsbach – Class ships and the two Braunschweig – Class ships is going to be transferred to the Baltic permanently. Maybe the rest of Second Battle Squadron is joining as well. The fact remains that our escorts are too few for even those already available units. Some voices advocate for a use of them in Flanders. Let us see what will be“.

"My old unit SMS Wittelsbach is joining us“, Ziethen thought. They have had some short spells in the Baltic in the past. "Now they are to stay permanently“.

"So we are augmented by some Battleships. Ooh“,he hesitated a short moment, "I forgot telling you about the reentering service of SMS Brandenburg and SMS Woerth. They are to be transfered to Libau, where they are to remain as floating batteries, should the Russians dare to return“, Hopman added, slightly speeding up. "Their crews are to be reduced after the transfer, but will remain large enough for that role“.

"We are further to receive all other four Gazelle -Class small cruisers additionally to our ever active companion SMS Thetis. Unfortunately to another loss, of which I am to speak soon, we have to let SMS Undine go, what a shame“.

"Admiral“, Flaggkapitaen Michelsen burst in once again, "that is leaving us with only old slow cruisers, whose only strength is in numbers. They are inferior even to the two Russian Auroras, not mentioning the two Bogatyrs. They have to struggle to reach more than 18 knots“.

"And Kontreadmiral Mischke, the commander of Kuestenschutzdivision Ostsee will lose all big units. I can imagine him fuming“, he continued. "Will he receive the SMS Undine back“?

"Right as ever you are, my dear Michelsen. No, SMS Undine is going to the North Sea, as is SMS Luebeck. Kontreadmiral Mischke is receiving two of the late last autumn decommisioned Protected Cruisers of the Victoria Luise – Class, they will be permanently stationed in Kiel. In all likeliness those will be SMS Victoria Luise and SMS Vineta. They will reenter service these days. Until then his flagg will remain on SMS Amazone, which will join us finally as last unit. Kuestenschutzverband Nordsee will receive the former small cruisers, now rerated as gunboats, SMS Condor and SMS Seeadler“.

"That is not everything which is done to bring the Kaiserliche Flotte to fullest possible strength. Gunboat C, launched as SMS Meteor will in all likeliness being completed soon, she was launched in January, but worked stopped after her launching for the time being. She will support SMS Panther guarding the straits. We can expect her to be ready end of August“.

"His Majesty's Kaiser Wilhelm the Second newbuilding yacht, the SMS Hohenzollern, launched end of September last year and stoppped thereafter, too, will now being completed at AG Vulkan in Stettin in a modified form as a cruiser - fast minelayer hybrid. It was a shame that work on her did not resume earlier, for machinery and boilers were already completed. She will be ready for service late in Autumn. But no more details on that, now“.

"You see, we are activating all available assets, to augment our strength. Hope that will make a change in the next months“.

"Ahh“, another hesitation, cuppled with a strange look, "and SMS Freya will be recommissioned as artillery training cruiser as well“.

"But, sorry to interrupt you“, Ziethen was speaking before thinking, "there is SMS Kaiserin Augusta acting exactly in that role. I know the fact, because she relieved SMS Bluecher when war broke out“.

"Ziethen, you are my artillery specialist, I lured you into this trap“, Hopmann was smiling but with a sad hint in his eyes. "Of cource I knew you where SMS Bluecher's Artillery Officer until last summer. To be honest, SMS Kaiserin Augusta, old but quite fast as she still is, will replace, in my formation“, an unusual third reluctance, "your SMS Roon“.

"???,“ Ziethen was stunned. "Replacing.....my....Roon“, his mind raced. "Admiral, I do not understand“, the words where slowly returning, finally.

"No, my good Ziethen, that you can not understand, but, to be honest, finally now I begin to understand. At the end of this meeting, you will receive your instructions. The details are not for this audience“.

The rest of this meeting, about one more hour, could not being recalled by Ziethen later, it went by in a blur.

Finally, both were alone.

"Thank you for your valuable statements and hints“, Kontreadmiral Hopmann commented, after some moments of silence. "Here, take this glass of Whisky, it is from an english friend. Received it before this war began“.

Ziethen took the glass, taking a nose, finally taking a sip.

"You are to leave my command immediately after we finish this meeting. You are bound for Kiel and will be escorted by SMS Luebeck and SMS Undine. I can not spare any Torpedoboote. After a brief stay in Kiel you are to sail to Hamburg, where SMS Roon will be drydocked. See to the fact that your ship is thoroughly refitted. It is unusual a fact, that you receive a high priority drydock refit, when all these damaged ship's after that big batte we call now "Die Kaiserschlacht“ are awaiting their repair. You are detached, now“.

"Do you have an idea what my mission will be, then“? Ziethen was interrogating.

"No, I can not help you there. But I am sure you will get further orders, soon“.

"Ziethen, you were my best commander and I am leaving my best ship. All luck to you and your command. The Almighty may see to your save return“.

He finally had said goodbye to Kapitaen zur See Michelsen as well, when he had left SMS Prinz Adalbert. His mind was reeling.

Soon he was back on Roon. "Korvettenkapitaen Findert are to report to my rooms immediately“, he told the officer of the watch. "Boilers on two hours notice“.

Only few seconds after he reached his rooms, Findert was showing up.

"Korvettenkapitaen Findert, as requested“, he saluted.

"Andreas, please stand relieved and take a seat. We are detached“, it burst out before Findert was finally sitting. He clearly could see the question in his XO's face.

"Detached. We are to proceed to Kiel immediately, and from there to Hamburg. We are to receive a dockyard refit at Blohm & Voss“.

"What is that all about, we already had one in April before we joined Kontreadmiral Hopman's command“, Findert was replying. "We are not due for one yet. What will be our task afterwards“?

"To be honest, no idea at the moment“, Ziethen could give no other answer. "Could it be that we are to replace damaged High Seasf Feet units? Must be something in that direction“.

"You mean our Roon in a role similar to SMS Bluecher“? Findert, always the good analyst, had a sharp look in his eyes.

"Anyway, Andreas please look that we are to prepare to get underway. I have the feeling every minute counts now“. Findert left his room.

"Back to Kiel and on to Hamburg, Dockyard refit, Detached“. He felt so tired and awoke same time.

June 17^th Kiel quay, about midday

Wilhelm Wudtke, together with about 20 new recruits and about the same number of old "Seebaeren“ (Note[9]) was awaiting the "Fastening“ of his new swimming home.

Yesterday, standing in "Achtung, Stillgestanden“ (Note [10]) in his Kiel barracks, he had heard the commando: "Matrose Wudtke, vortreten“, of course he had done that, stepping forward. "You are to be commanded to SMS Roon. What a shame, that Roon is not a sailing vessel, you might speed one of those“, his Oberbootsmann had told him. "Always this teasing“, he thought.

But with this one it was logical. One day, after a gruesome march, his "educator“ had commanded: "Wudtke, clean my boots“.

"Oberbootsmann Hering, one question“, he had answered.

"What“?

"From the inside and the outside“?

"Wudtke, what a question“, that one has bellowed. "Of course, next question and you keep double watch“.

So he had taken out his shoe paste and blackened the "Stiefel“ from the inside as well. Next morning there was a heavy "detonation“ heard from Oberbootsmann Hering. Wilhelm was lucky that Leutnant zur See Schneider, his company CO, had overheard that evening “conversation“ and came to Wudtkes rescue.

"That roar was heard in Copenhagen“, Thomas Bornhold, one of his room mates was joking later. Still Wilhelm's cheek was red and hurting. "But that was worth it“.

Now he was standing here and was watching that BIG vessel coming along. "Clemens, look, she has four stacks, can you see“? he told his comrade. "Mensch Willi, am I exited“, Clemens Bock repeated both to Wudtke and Bornhold. The fourth from their group, Axel Strehl, said nothing at all.