Engage the Bismark
Posted on Monday, 13 July 1998
"To K.G.V.
From Admiral Tovey the night of 26th of May
The sinking of the Bismarck may have an effect on the war as a whole out of all proportion to the loss to the enemy of one battleship. May G-d be with you and grant you victory."
North of England, near Iceland
May 20, 1941
Lij closed his eyes and felt the stinging cold waters so close to his home. Unshed tears threatened to elope from his control but the Dutch officer knew better than to weep. This will also come to pass, he thought silently, as with my other many losses. He knew that his country was suffering under the German tyranny every single day. The Dutch weren't so proud as stubborn and set in their ways. And Germany decided to 'teach' them the New Ways with the most convenient method possible, violence.
Captain Wentworth saw the pale solitary figure near the bow but decided to not bother his faithful under-officer. The boy puts up with so much of his emotional storming that it was only just for Frederick to leave the officer alone when he was brooding. The rest of the crew for the first time in months were buzzing with excitement and unveiled anticipation. They were to join with other ships to sink the greatest Nazi naval symbol of power and prestige. Somewhere in these cold Northern waters Bismarck was churning waiting for preys.
Sink the Bismarck was the order given and the Royal Navy felt the deep satisfaction in receiving the command. It took HMS Avalanche less than a day to join the others right above England looking for this fabled vessel of the Commander in Chief Erich Raeder. Captained by Ernst Lindemann the ship left its safe harbor on May 18th and headed towards the North Sea. She soon met with her escorts the cruiser Prinze Eugen and three destroyers. Raeder believed that with this new Bismarck it was the beginning of the end of the British Lifeline of the Atlantic. Bismarck was suppose to be one of three powerful and deadly German battleships, the other two being Prinze Eugen and Gneisenau. But a heroic torpedo raid by Flying Officer Campbell seriously damaged the Gneisenau. The pilots paid this success with their lives but the ship was soon put out of action.
Lutjens, the commander of the whole force was not very happy to put to sea with only two and even recommended to Raeder to hold off until another ship was available but Raeder didn't listen and the force was assembled. Lutjens was too aware of the English's discipline of 'engage the enemy more closely' and the bombing raids they were also capable of. He went to sea in doubt and even with something of a fatalistic view. The man was too aware that he was about to go up against the most feared naval power in the history of naval warfare. Bismarck was like large bait smack in the middle of the sea with the British as sharks waiting to get even for the U-boat attacks.
Lij felt someone stand next to him and opened his eyes. His captain was holding a hot cup of real coffee and the Dutch officer grabbed the mug with a genuine appreciation. They both stared at the dark and gray sea with settled determination to find this Bismarck and make Hitler weep.
What the two men did not know at that moment was the Bismarck group was spotted by the Swedish cruiser Gotland. But the Germans dismissed her as a threat since Sweden was a neutral country. Bad mistake, the Swedish naval staff passed the information on to Norwegian military attaché in Stockholm who immediately gave it to the Admiralty of the Royal Navy by 9 p.m. that day. Now the hunters were no longer blind.
HMS Avalanche was recalled the next morning to join a pack that was departing from Scapa Flow. Frederick immediately turned his destroyer around and made full steam to meet up with his designated group. A grim smile was set on his lips, we are coming together and that means the scouting for Bismarck was over, we know where she is. HMS Avalanche was the closest to HMS King George V captained by W.R. Patterson and the whole 2nd Cruiser Squadron. It was an impressive sight as these ships ripped through the heavy and frigid waters of the North Seas. As the hours passed Frederick was realizing exactly how many of the Royal Navy vessels were coming to hunt the Bismarck down. He gazed at the flagship HMS King George V and wondered how Croft was doing.
May 22, 1941
Admiral Tovey was the Royal Navy's man leading this charge and he was no fool. Making quick and immediate decisions he also filtered in all the information available before giving orders to his ships. Admiral Croft quite liked this fellow. Gregarious but very religious the small Admiral was quick to laugh and praise. He was also one of those who couldn't shut up and would openly criticize his superiors if he felt it necessary. Surprisingly this didn't get him removed from the Navy and matched with his unbending integrity the Royal Navy was lucky to have him. This admiral was looking at the maps. "Well Croft what do you think? Training exercises or convoy routes?"
Croft didn't hesitate, "Convoys, John, convoys."
Tovey nodded with excitement; "Yes I believe so. The Germans are itching to show their naval power besides the usual U-boat terrorist tactics. Your brother-in-law is with us now?" Croft nodded. "Well if the boy does well I think Sophy will have to sew yet another rank on the man." Tovey added as he looked out to the sea. The weather was foul and they soon lost track of the enemy because no reconnaissance could be had.
May 23, 1941
Tovey was just informed that Bismarck was sighted by Norfolk near Denmark Strait. Actually it was the Suffolk who saw Bismarck first but the two began to chase the Germans down in spite of the horrible conditions. Tovey and Croft were very tense, it was too clear now that the Bismarck was heading for convoys and the ones they were aiming for were extremely vital. Others soon joined the two British cruisers with the rest converging.
HMS Avalanche was in full steam as the destroyer struggled to stay with the newer HMS King George V . Frederick knew that whatever the reason was for the hurry it must be desperate and that meant convoys. Lij was mentally calculating where they could meet up with the Germans and guessed accurately. The taste of the hunt was upon them all and like starving hounds they were in full throe of finding the Bismarck. Frederick poured over the maps once more, trying to plan other scenarios should the need to arise but he doubted it. He didn't sleep much that night and neither did most of his crew.
The next morning brought horrible news. HMS Hood was sunk and HMS Prince of Wales was badly damaged when they attacked Prinze Eugen and Bismarck. Frederick sat in total shock, how could this happen? Tovey was grim mouthed and Croft was also taken back by this bit of news. The Germans on the other hand were elated and celebrating. But HMS Prince of Wales damaged Bismarck, there was a fuel leak and the ship was deprived of nearly 1000 tons of oil. And they were shadowed by HMS Prince of Wales though they didn't know it yet.
May 26, 1941
Southwest of England
Bismarck was hit! She was torpedoed and bleeding fuel. The Swordfish planes from Ark Royal dropped the torpedoes around Bismarck and somehow managed to hit her Achilles' heel. Her rudders were now jammed and the ship literally started to make circles to the total astonishment of its chasers. Captain Lindemann realizing that he could not steer his ship gave it to the winds. And here Fate totally interfered for the winds blew the Bismarck right towards the path of her hunters. And the hunters were frantically trying to catch her before she could either scramble to safety behind the U-boats that were so close or the Luftwaffe air cover from France. But this was not to be and she headed to her death in the terrible squall.
It was after midnight when Frederick heard the news. They were going to engage with the Bismarck . The cheers that ripped through his ship could be heard from its companion. Lij grinned broadly, this was Christmas all over again! The watches were manned and rest was taken in spite of the hideous weather.
May 27, 1941
It was morning when the British sighted the Bismarck on the horizon. "Tin Hats! Engagement!" Shouted Frederick and his men scrambled to their stations. Lij was down near the guns furiously plotting out the angles for Avalanche's artillery. It was within minutes that Rodney fired her guns in full. A minute later King George V joined in and HMS Avalanche followed her sisters. The sky ripped apart from the noise but nobody in HMS Avalanche cared. They were elated, here was the fabled monster. The ship that Hitler said would destroy the Royal Navy and kill the Lifeline to England. Here was the monster that was supposed to starve England to submission. Like hell.
The mood in Bismarck was indeed dismal. Lutjens was all too fatalistic from the beginning and even more so as time passed. This was what he expected and he also expected to die. His crew, too young and not schooled like the Royal Navy, was impaired severely by the lack of morale and experience. Efficiency could not be had when morale and hope were non-existent, so Bismarck's guns did not do much damage in the fight.
Norfolk joined in from the east and soon Bismarck began to break apart. But she somehow maintained afloat until the torpedoes were released into the water. At 10:36 in the morning the ship turned over completely in the water taking with her Lutjens and Lindemann. Tovey watched the ship sink, "She is of the old Imperial German Navy isn't she Croft?" Croft nodded as he remembered those days.
Frederick watched as the ship rolled over in smoke and debris then disappears underneath the ocean. He closed his eyes and raised his face to the sky. He knew what everyone else did at the moment. Hitler will not dare to build such warships again. Raeder will now have to depend on U-boats only, and there will be no great German surface fleets to harass the Royal Navy. Lij was enthusiastically congratulating the gunners. The moment was short but not fleeting. After months of being terrorized by the German U-boats they knew they delivered a crushing blow to Hitler.
London, England Anne sat in her office with tears coming down her face. She just read, illegally, a dispatch from the Royal Navy. Bismarck was sunk and within the note she saw the list of the Royal Navy ships engaged in this massive hunt. With some shock she recognized the name HMS Avalanche. Slowly taking control of herself she turned her focus back to the puzzle that was in front of her, code named Enigma.
Dr. Hanson was coming out of the restaurant after an early lunch and entered into his car. The engine was purring when he sensed someone behind him. He looked up at the rear-view mirror and saw a young man sitting in the backseat. "What are you doing here? I'm afraid I'm not carrying much cash but…"
Hauptmann Mahler raised the pillow to silence the fire from his pistol. Dr. Hanson slumped forward in his car but the horn wasn't making any noise. Mahler disconnected it before he hid himself in the back. Quietly slipping out of the car the young man entered unnoticed into the thin crowd.
A Watering Can
Posted on Tuesday, 14 July 1998
The time will come,
When thou shalt lift thine eyes
To watch a long-drawn battle in the skies.
While aged peasants, too amazed for words,
Stare at the flying fleet of wondrous birds.
England, so long mistress of the sea,
Where winds and waves confess her sovereignty,
Her ancient triumphs yet on high shall bear
And reign the sovereign of the conquered air.Gray's Elegy
Thomas Gray
June 21, 1941
Biggin, England
Caroline was chatting happily with the group but no one seemed to be in a good mood as she was. Darcy was coldly polite as ever, Bingley was occupied with his thoughts and Pyro was nowhere to be found. Elizabeth escaped a while ago, claiming she had work to do and left the men to the mercies of Bingley's sister. For the first time in years Darcy actually wished that there was a call for scramble, but no luck. And Caroline kept on going like some droning factory machine about the latest fashionable garb when being bombed. It seemed that haute couture invaded even the practical world of the London Blitz. Gas masks now came as accessories for that certain type of women who are never without style. It seems that stupidity also never goes out of fashion either.
Bingley warned them that Caroline finally found a 'charming and sweet' cottage about 10 miles north of Biggin and 20 miles south of London. Just close enough to miss the bombing and irritate Bingley and his friends on an almost daily basis. Bingley rolled his eyes as Caroline now switched to the latest movies on screen and Darcy moaned quietly inwards. Why did Elizabeth leave him to this?
Elizabeth was waiting for a call. She received a letter from Wickham about a week after his departure and it was indeed incredibly amusing and sweet piece of mail. She responded promptly and the two became regular correspondents. Then starting a month ago he called her at her office right after lunch and the two managed to squeeze in a half-hour chat. This has become something of a weekly affair, and Lizzie found herself looking more forward to it with every passing week. When Wickham talked, Darcy just became an unpleasant memory and the charming man was soon able to make her forget her dreary base life in Biggin. She was hoping to take some time off and convince Jane to visit London in spite of all the dangers. Knowing Jane, it would be a difficult feat, but Lizzie hoped that Jane would approve of her friendship with Wickham and maybe see something else into their relationship that Lizzie would dare not. She trusted Jane's opinion above all and was quite determined to have Wickham go through the 'Sister Test'. Many men failed this exam and were summarily dismissed from the Bennet sisters' circle, but the few who did pass were blessed with great company, lively wit and fresh beauty.
Bingley passed with flying grades, but Darcy failed it with brilliance and in all likelihood be left behind for another year. The only reason that Elizabeth, Lydia or Mary who visited upon occasions endured his company was the simple fact that Bingley wouldn't go anywhere without the pompous Lord of Lords. But the man admittedly was a handsome asset and seemed to open doors to places that the rest of the group would not have access to. Bingley was also from a family with money but his money was earned and not inherited. While Darcy was an heir to a vast family fortune, land and name. This distinct difference made itself known even in these war days and Lizzie would mock at it with great delight. Even Charlotte was vastly amused by the gentle ribs that Lizzie endowed upon the noble head.
Elizabeth swiftly answered her ringing phone and it was the voice that she wanted to hear. Wickham quietly asked after her family and friends as he always did with great courtesy and soon entertained her with the latest fashion follies he witnessed in the still-lively nights of London. Then he added some great tales from the Prime Minister and lifted Lizzie's heart even further. He was indeed a very attentive man, she thought as she listened to him talk about his job. How she longed for the glamorous and exciting world of Whitehall! She could learn so much in London and wished that she could get transferred. Lizzie ended the phone call with some sadness only to realize that there was someone in the room.
Darcy stood by the door aghast at what he just heard. It seemed that Wickham did not leave Lizzie alone after that cold February morning. Indeed the man had been in constant contact with the woman winning her over in degrees. His face was very pale and drawn but his cheeks were taut with undisguised anger and disgust. Lizzie was taken back for a moment at this display of emotion but held herself firm. "Good afternoon, how can I help you?"
He handed her a folder; "This came from Ops. They wanted to make sure that you could confirm the course of this conversation. It seems that Harry wants to deliver it to London tonight. I was passing by his office when he grabbed me to deliver this."
She took the folder from him careful to not touch his elegant hands. She noticed a fresh scar on the side of his index finger. It was gotten from a particularly brutal dogfight less than two days ago and he returned with his Spitfire's cockpit window riddled by ME bullets. The stitches were healing nicely but she felt a brief spasm of pain for him. The Battle of Britain was over but Darcy and his boys were on constant alert for enemy planes and saw plenty of action. Whatever he may be outside of that uniform he was one damn good leader, and she knew that Bingley owed his life to this remote man. Which in turn meant that Jane owed Darcy a debt of gratitude too. Lizzie gentled herself and raised those eyes at him to at least show him some friendliness for that.
Darcy stared at her lovely eyes. What changed her attitude in a blink of an eye? Just a second ago she was almost hostile and now she stood in front of him without a drop of sarcasm or distaste. He felt ashamed of his anger, a child birthed by jealousy and fear. She was better and wiser than most women and will not be taken in by false promises and beautiful smiles. He thought desperately, she would see Wickham through all his lies sooner or later. How he wished it was sooner. "Harry will come by six, so if you could finish it by then…"
She flipped through the transcripts she wrote down about a week ago. "Yes, it shouldn't be a problem. Thank you Squadron Leader."
Realizing that he was being dismissed the man fumbled for an excuse to stay. "I'm sorry to have overheard the conversation but I did not mean to eavesdrop."
She looked at him in surprise. "That is alright Squadron Leader. Wickham and I were talking about nonsense anyway."
"With Wickham that is very easy to do." He bit his tongue that should have never come out!
Lizzie's eyebrows rose and he knew by the height they reached he was in for some trouble. "We actually talk about you greatly."
He flushed rather beautifully, "And how far did you succeed in figuring me out?"
"Not well, I'm afraid you are a puzzle, Squadron Leader."
"Then may I beg you from wasting your valuable time in this useless endeavor? It will credit neither of us."
She saw his usual control come over his visage and voice and was determined to break through that haughty exterior. "But I do know for a fact that you are a cautious man, and one who finds it hard to forgive once the judgment has been passed."
He regretted hearing his stupid words come back at him with such force. How did she remember all that? It was months ago when he professed such foibles of his person in front of the group at Hart. She had the uncanny ability to regurgitate sentences even whole arguments with clarity and exactness. But of course that was why she had her current position. "I am indeed very cautious Miss Bennet. And hopefully I have been in this world long enough to make proper and decent judgments about my fellow men."
"And women?" She asked not blinking.
He swallowed once wondering if she heard it. "I am like any other men in regard to your fair sex. I am too proud, too weak, too confused to ever pass a correct opinion or even a coherent one."
She couldn't help it that was too funny! She threw her head back and laughed in delight at his unplanned and refreshing candor. Darcy left the room with that laughter echoing in his heart. She was laughing at him but it was so sweet. So tender was that moment of unveiled appreciation at his honest reply that the man would remember it 'til his dying day.
He returned to Bingley and was dismayed to find Caroline still flittering away like some demented bird. Bingley rolled his eyes again, still no Pyro in sight. Darcy wondered where did the boy hide and how did he know when to run for cover? Caroline knew instinctively that while she was away that country chit, Lizzie, had gotten some hold over Darcy and her brother. It was too obvious when she arrived at Biggin that the whole group was on intimate terms with each other. This worried Caroline a great deal. And she didn't like the news of Jane Bennet either. Bingley was obviously taken with this 'angel' of his, but she was determined to put a stop to it. Bingley was destined to marry Darcy's baby sister Georgiana. The girl was barely eighteen but she was the greatest heiress in England and would come to huge fortune when she reached the age of twenty-one. When that marriage is firmly made, Caroline planned to become the next mistress of Pemberley, and no silly country milkmaid was going to usurp her from her proper place in English society.
It was later when she found herself alone with Darcy that she slowly began to work her will. "So Darcy when do we expect to receive your wedding invitation?"
Darcy snapped his head in shock, "Excuse me Caroline?"
"Well it seems to me at least that you have developed some taste for the local colour. Specifically for the one that wears such sensible shoes. Tell me, so I'll know what to buy for your wedding. Will it be a spring or autumn affair?"
His face fully blasted its resentment on the woman and for a second she felt that she went too far. "I do not know what you are even hinting at but whatever game you're playing please stop before you go any further. Miss Bennet is a friend to us and a kind one at that. Need I remind you she was here during the Battle of Britain and did much to help us live another day."
"Oh, I'm sure she did, after all her mother had to have taught her something."
The insinuation went too far and Darcy stood up to silence that vicious tongue, "Miss Bennet is by all accounts a gracious and kind woman whose faults are few. I concede the point that her family and connections are poor indeed, but that does not give you the right to insult her in such a manner. Is that clear Caroline? Or shall I tell Bingley to mind your manners?"
Caroline flushed then went pale. She did go too far, so she gave an excuse and left the room in some anger. But she was also glad; she knew Darcy's pride too well and the man did admit to the fact that Elizabeth's connections are indeed 'poor'.
As she stormed by a large and rather smelly hangar she slammed into Annie who was turning the corner. "Look where you're going you idiot!" Screeched Caroline and left Annie shocked and standing there with her mouth open. So that was Caroline! She entered into the structure where her plane was being held. She peeked inside the cockpit; "Coast is clear Pyro. I just her storm to her car and leave."
Pyro sagged in absolute relief. This was getting ridiculous, he couldn't just hide every time that witch dropped by but neither did he have the stomach or the fortitude to deal with that viper. Annie gave a sympathetic smile and waved good-bye to the poor fighter pilot. She went back to working on the plane's engine. She was scheduled to deliver some goods to an unidentified place. She knew that this shipment was important because Africa has become the latest battleground between England and Nazi Germany and great deal of supplies were being routed in that arena. Throughout the night when she felt fatigue seep into her bones she read the much-handled note taped next to her toolbox. It was a poem:
He is with me still.
The years have casted up and drifted out again;
And the memories, dried on the shore.
Have been bundled and stored
For this time,
For this quiet while I am alone.J.B. Warr
She had a sweetheart once. A fine and decent man who was her best friend throughout their childhood and in their mature years became something more. His body was somewhere in France; shot up, his Hurricane became engulfed in flames. His chute opened but the thing caught fire and the pilot hurtled to earth with nothing to save him. She could still recall his face with just a thought, and that was the sole reason she was alone in this hangar working silently on her plane. But that was a reason good enough.
London, England Meesh keyed into her flat quietly because it was so late. She didn't want to wake anyone else up on her floor; they all deserved much rest. She made clucking noises to her pet Brian, a rabbit and fed him some food. The animal tamely ate while she stroked his back. She took off her coat and hung it in the closet slowly stretching to her full height, which was rather impressive. One didn't notice how tall the woman was while she was sitting behind her desk. Mahler decided to swiftly overtake her from the back as he eyed her from the kitchen. Meesh picked up her watering can and turned on the wireless to listen to some classical broadcasting. She was totally focused on her plants and Haydn when Mahler rushed from behind and hit her squarely in the back. She lost her balance but swung around and made full contact with his face using the watering can. This gardening implement was no cheap tin affair but full-blown corrugated steel. Mahler felt his nose cave in and stumbled back in shock as Meesh scrambled to her feet. She made another swing at his head but the man pulled out his gun. She dove behind the sofa as the gunfire ripped the quiet night.
Cursing loudly in German, Mahler scrambled around the furniture and was greeted with an upswing of that watering can. Trying to duck he lost his balance and fell to his side. She again scrambled out of the gun's range as he pulled the trigger. Suddenly the whole place was alive with banging noises, screams for help and people thumping at the front door. He realized that he had to leave now and went through the parlor window landing like a cat on the well-kept lawn below. Running like the sprinter he was he left the scene before any officials arrived at the scene.
It was almost two hours later when Colonel Elliot arrived at the scene. He questioned the shaken but sane woman. She was adamant about one thing; "Colonel, the man spoke German. I'm sure of it." Colonel Elliot had no trouble believing her.
June 22, 1941
Broadcast, London
Prime Minister Churchill
…This is no class war, but a war in which the whole British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations is engaged without distinction of race, creed or party. It is not for me to speak of the actions of the Unites States, but this I will say: if Hitler imagines that his attack on Soviet Russia will cause the slightest division of aims or slackening of effort in the great Democracies who are resolved upon his doom, he is woefully mistaken. On the contrary, we shall be fortified and encouraged in our efforts to rescue mankind from his tyranny. We shall be strengthened and not weakened in determination and in resources…The Russian danger is therefore our danger, and the danger of the United States, just as the cause of any Russian fighting for his hearth and home is the cause of free men and free peoples in every quarter of the globe. Let us learn the lessons already taught by such cruel experience. Let us redouble our exertions, and strike with united strength while life and power remain."
Mahler sat shocked in his chair nursing his broken nose. Germany declared war on Russia? Why in Heaven's logic did Hitler do that for?
Eavesdropping On Hitler
Posted on Thursday, 16 July 1998
Enigma was a very real and challenging problem for the Allies during World War II. It was the encryption that the Germans used to exchange information with each other. Luckily for the Allies the Polish ciphers already had solved most of the Enigma problem and went a long way to help the Allies to win this greatest War. It was not until 1974 that this silent group who spent years working in dark rooms listening in on Hitler and Co. guaranteeing England's survival and later the Allies' triumph on D-Day was publicly recognized.
September 9, 1941
London and Bletchley Park, 50 miles North of London
Anne still dressed in somber colors unconsciously mourning the loss of her closest friend. She attended the funeral on that beautiful June day shocked and unable to grasp the loss of this intelligent and caring compatriot. Richard's sisters were present wrapped in their stoic grief and British acceptance they showed great kindness to many other friends and co-workers who came to give their last and painful respects. Anne stood by the gravestone long after the ceremony was over. She could hardly accept Richard's violent death much less the fact that she had to leave him there underneath the earth. Somehow she could never imagine Richard dead nor even harmed for he was a man filled with life and curiosity. Crippled for life the man was determined to use his vitality and turned it inwards honing in on his mind. His endeavors did not fail him and neither did his will. Surviving that horrible headmaster and forever gaining accolades in his career the man made a fulfilling life for himself. Finally shaking herself to move from the spot Anne walked away convinced that if she went back to her office in London she would see his cane slumped lazily against his door marking the fact that he was in.
No such sight greeted her when she did return but for weeks on end she did expect to see it. About a month later she received a package from one of the sisters. It was his favorite cane; the one made of ebony wood and gorgeous silver handle. She read the note, "Richard said you should have this just in case you need to control the rowdy crowd you inherited from his death. With love and respect, Emma." Anne did cry then and late into the night she shed tears that she never knew she had. From that moment onwards the cane always had a special spot next to her desk. A Memento Mori of an extraordinary man she had the honor of calling friend.
Colonel Elliot was rather hush about Richard's death but Anne knew better than to just believe it was some random act of uncalculated violence. Before his death he was introduced to a problem called Enigma. And now she has inherited this challenge. IF she could pass the test devised by the devious and brilliant minds of Bletchley Park her fellow workers and Anne herself would probably be included in one of the most covert and closely guarded secret of English Intelligence Community. Anne read the folders for the third time sitting behind what used to be Richard's desk. "For Your Eyes Only" was scrawled in red letter on top of each of the dozen folders and she braced herself to read them all over again. They would disappear from her sight after 4 P.M. today. The Private who delivered the package to her was sitting outside her office armed and ready to shoot anyone disturbing her. She knew that the man's rank was a ruse for he looked hard and battle-tried. Whoever he was and whoever sent him meant business.
"Is everything well professor?" The man asked sticking his head in. She nodded and replied, "Yes and you will have these back by four. I won't need them again." His only reply was a rueful smile and the dark Welsh head disappeared once again behind the mahogany door. Sipping warm tea Anne tied her hair back and donned her glasses to once again peruse the files.
Enigma was one of Germany's great triumphs and one of their worst disasters. Believing this encryption to be totally 'unbreakable' they could not fathom anyone having the capability or the patience to calculate out all the permutations of the machine. They thought wrong.
The Polish cipher bureau (Biuro Szyfrow) were among the best and three of mathematicians in the division Marian Rejewski, Jerzy Rozycki and Henryk Zygalski were arguably the best in Europe. Through bribery, espionage and luck they were able to get a message in text, the same message in code and the keys that were used to convert the text into code. Using mathematical calculations, permutations and theories they were able to recreate the Enigma machine. It was a piece of brilliant deductive work by the whole Biuro. The year was 1933.
But much was still necessary to actually read any Enigma encoded messages and the team tried time after time to figure out even though the Germans changed the whole system more than once. July 25, 1939 in Kabackie Woods the Poles handed their whole work to the shocked but grateful British. However it was too late to save their country and they found themselves fleeing to France by fall of 1939. Few ever made the crossing and they had to destroy all their work in fear of being captured. Those who did manage to reach France were equipped by the British to continue their work. Those who were captured by the Germans were killed or made prisoners but none of them ever told their captors what they've done. Their silence in their executions and imprisonment guaranteed Germany's continued ignorance of the Enigma affair. This Biuro Szyfrow was indeed a brave group.
Now Britain's Bletchley Park, formally named Government Code and Cypher School (better known as Golf, Cheese and Chess Society) took control of this dilemma but none knew like Anne how they even got this much information and what bloody price their European compatriots paid for it. Trying to take some air from her reading Anne opened the window and took a deep breath. But steeling herself she sat down again and opened the next file. The Bletchley group was indeed a motley makeup. Chess masters, mathematicians, professors, and just brilliant people including one Ian Fleming a young journalist were feverishly working to break this code. They were able to read the Luftfwaffe's version of the Enigma code because they were so sloppy. The Italian's code was already deciphered but was only useful for the African campaign. The Kriegsmarine's (Navy) version was still a mystery. None of the German military branches shared the same Enigma. This guarantees them privacy even from each other; a situation that is hardly conducive to brotherly love and sharing.
The first sample of the missing rotors (actual parts of the machine) came when the British captured a U-boat on February 1940. The crew was unable to dispose of all the rotors and the few that were still on the boat were taken. Then from February to June of 1941 the Royal Navy went hunting for German weather ships and was able to harvest more of the missing parts. The Germans should have by this time changed their keys but out of arrogance or neglect they did not. The final success came on Friday May 9th this year when a U-boat was forced to surface. The Royal Navy found everything, the whole Naval Enigma with all its rotors and keys. Bletchley now were able to break Enigma at least for the month of May and June.
But the keys and rotors will change, that was a guarantee and Bletchley was working furiously to anticipate the changes. Could Anne survive the challenge? She looked at the sheets again. Bletchley in all their demented mania recreated the Enigma problem from scratch and now wanted her to somehow duplicate the work of the original Polish mathematicians. She gave a huge sigh and stared at the problems that to 99.88% of the world's population was gibberish. She could but help feel the excitement though at the thought of joining Bletchley and their crusade.
The person who offered her name to the Bletchley's circle saw her in Richard's funeral. He remembered the young girl behind that pale and drawn face. She had remarkable aptitude for solving what were known in the mathematical circles as 'Impossibles'. She would stand there looking at the board for minutes on end not doing anything then scribbling just the answers on a clean slate. Most would at least write out the formulas in order to think out 'loud' or to show off but Anne didn't. She had no desire to flaunt her talent and anyone who was already present in the lecture hall should know how she got the answers.
She even volunteered to take an exam from them and finished it within the allotted time. The group was dismayed to find the first three pages blank. They then flipped onwards to discover that she did pages four through twelve. Puzzled one examiner asked her why she did this. Her answer was still quoted in the hallowed halls of the academia, *" The first three pages had easy questions so they couldn't be worth much. The last page was the most difficult so I assumed that it had most points. After that I worked backwards." The examiners were left with gaping jaws as they watched her leave the room. Those pages that she finished were correct earning her the highest ranking in the whole examination year. Her grade in that test was still untouched after 10 years though many have tried breaking it.
Four P.M. came and she dutifully handed the folders to the man. The Private searched the office but found no hidden or lost pages. It was around six when she was able to join her cousin for dinner. Saying nothing of what she did for the day, Anne let the man continue his course of conversation. Colonel Elliot was more than aware of how she spent her day. He was one of the people involved in Bletchley's endeavors to break Enigma and was rather glad that Anne was invited to the group. He then switched the topic to the latest address made by the PM to the House of Commons and the two got into a lively discussion about this PM's great speaking ability. After the simple meal he faithfully escorted her to her door and said a cheerful good night.
She watched his departing figure and finally entered her flat. Elliot rounded the block and slipped into the car that was parked outside her place. "Anything Seb?"
The man shook his head; "No and I've already circled the building for tonight. Don't you think that we should tell her so she could at least be prepared for whoever this German agent is?"
"No, I don't want her to change her routine and spook the Jerry away. If we catch this man we will go a long way into denting Canaris' ring in England." Seb gave an uncommitted nod and felt relief as his superior walked away. Stringing this Elliot woman along like bait in a sea of sharks struck the man as particularly cold-blooded. This became even more disturbing if the rumor of their impending marriage was true. For how could any man that was suppose to be in love with a woman use her in this manner?
Uncharted dock somewhere in Western Coast of England Captain Wentworth finally sat down with his coffee joined by Lij and Admiral Croft. The three made a comfortable group and Croft dialed the number to ring his beloved Sophy. She answered the phone and they had a lively conversation that lasted almost half-hour before Frederick was allowed to talk to his sister. "So how are we doing today? Is that Charles Musgrove in the background?"
"Yes, it is. He just came over to see our firearm collection. It seems that the man has a certain mania for them. Frederick did you get my telegram regarding Dr. Hanson?'
"Yes I did. That is indeed tragic and unfortunate. How is Anne doing?"
"We don't know we haven't seen her for last two months. But the poor woman was so deep in grief that no one knew how to reach her. She was very brave though and took over the helm for Dr. Hanson's sake. From what I hear which is little she is doing fairly well in London and Mary is expecting a call from her any day now. Oh, Charles wants to chat with you."
"Charles!" Cried out Frederick, "How are you doing dear chap?"
"Pretty well regarding how you're treating our family." His voice was teasing but the man's words confused Frederick.
"How I'm treating your family? Charles what are you talking about?"
Charles laughed out loud; "Well it's just that Louisa is totally recovered from her fall so we are all wondering when you're going to marry her."
Frederick almost dropped the phone, "Marry Louisa? What are you talking about?"
Lij's head snapped up violently but Croft gave a sly smile at that bit of news.
"Yes, well we are all expecting it you know after how you treated her and all. It may sound old-fashioned I know but you courted her pretty ferociously Frederick." Charles voice was grave now, "She talks nothing else but you and even has your picture by her bedside. For heaven's sake Frederick tell me that this is not a surprise to you."
His silence was enough of an answer. "Frederick whatever you may be I personally don't believe you to be some playboy. You came into our home and treated us well and we took you into our hospitality believing that you are a gentleman. Did you not say to Sophy that you wanted a wife?"
"Charles I think I better talk to Sophy. We will have another conversation on this but I have to go now." Charles gave a rough farewell and Frederick heard Sophy take the receiver.
"For heaven's sake Sophy please tell me that not everyone's labouring under that impression."
"We all are Frederick." Was her cautious reply and Frederick moaned out loud.
"I'll call later when you have more privacy. 'Til then good-night." He hung up the phone and turned to Croft. "You knew about this?"
The old silver head shook in some amusement. "Of course I did Frederick. We all had some expectation of you finding your 'wife' amongst the old halls of Oxford and your actions led me at least to believe that Louisa was your choice. Was I wrong?"
"Totally." Was the abrupt answer.
"Well then who is occupying your mind?" Frederick gave a grunt and Croft broke into a wide grin. "Well Frederick it looks like you're in a pickle. So are you going to marry Louisa?"
"Frederick's going to marry Louisa?" Was the astonished echo from the doorway. The men whirled around to see a healthy and tanned Benwick standing with his mouth open.
House of Commons
"…Thus far then have we traveled along the terrible road we chose at the call of duty. The mood of Britain is wisely and rightly averse from every form of shallow or premature exultation. This is no time for boasts or glowing prophecies, but there is this: A year ago our position looked forlorn, and well nigh desperate to all eyes but our own. Today we say aloud before an awe-struck world: "We are still masters of our fate. We are still captain of our souls."Prime Minister Churchill
England Is No Longer Alone
Posted on Friday, 17 July 1998
December 7, 1941
Biggin Hill England
If Darcy expected his relationship to improve with Elizabeth, he was sorely mistaken. She did treat him with less frigid civility, but the barrier was still ever present between him and the woman he loved. And the person responsible for this miserable state of affairs was still calling her every week and having long and loving conversations with her, while the Squadron Leader was left with scraps of sentences and phrases. He was now also aware that there were written correspondences between Wickham and Lizzie that started very soon after his visit to Biggin. So the viper indeed had a long while to build that impenetrable wall between Darcy and Elizabeth.
If Darcy were less proud, then he would have surmised more gentle ways to go around that wall. However, he was indeed proud, if not at times arrogant, so he would only butt heads on that invisible barrier, succeeding in nothing, and hurting himself even more. His emotions played havoc with him to the point that it began to turn against his better judgment. But none of this was visible to the eyes of either his friends or his compatriots, for he was a man of iron control.
Darcy was sitting by his ever-faithful Spitfire, Pemberley, as the plane was getting a second overhaul. His first bird, Georgiana, was scrapped after that incredible flipped landing last year. With the changes the engine would be markedly improved and the guns will fire at a faster rate, guaranteeing the Germans some surprises. Unfortunately the Germans have improved their fighter ME109 to such a point that the airwar was once again turning into their favor. But Lord Beaverbrook, the man responsible for the development of the RAF fighters wouldn't be outdone and promised immediate improvements down the chute. He had a personal reason; his son was a RAF fighter pilot.
Darcy saw Bingley enter into the hangar examining his lovely plane, G-ddamnit, when he spotted Darcy. Grinning more broadly than usual the youthful pilot sauntered over. Darcy frowned a little; his wingman was up to something.
"Darcy good afternoon! Fine day isn't it?"
"It's freezing outside Bingley and the sky has been slate gray for the last three weeks. So what in heaven's name are you singing about?" Darcy's sour mood couldn't dent Bingley's smile.
"Oh nothing really unusual, Darcy my dear. I just called Jane Bennet, and she agreed to meet me this coming Thursday. I just wanted to make sure she would come."
"She always does Bingley you should know that by now."
"I really wanted her to come this Thursday Darcy."
The suspense was hanging in the air like a lost chimpanzee on a vine so Darcy had to ask, "Why is that? Is it your first anniversary or something as ridiculous?"
If Bingley could have seen his friend's obvious sarcasm and disdain, he would have silenced himself, Darcy was not a man to deal with when he was in one of his moods. But Charles was too far-gone into his own happiness to care.
"I am going to propose to her."
Only silence greeted the announcement and Bingley began to worry a bit. "Darcy did you hear me?"
"Yes I did, Bingley. I heard you." But that was all Darcy was willing to give to his friend.
Bingley will marry Jane, he thought, and then Elizabeth will be around them forever, even after the war ends, if it ever ends. Could I live like this, continuing to suffer in silence while Elizabeth finds happiness with another man? She won't marry Wickham, I know it, but she will sooner or later find a man to love and marry. If I could be such a man, I would gladly give up a kingdom, but the situation is so hopeless now I don't know how to even go about repairing it. I'm so tired, so tired of this war, of Hitler, of flying and of loving a woman who doesn't love me back. I am so tired...
Then Darcy came to judgment, and as he erred before regarding Jane, he would err again regarding the relationship between the woman and his best friend. A judgment made in anger and fear for himself and his friend and one that he would regret for years later. "Bingley may I speak with you frankly regarding Jane Bennet?" Bingley's smile did disappear then.
"I think Jane Bennet is a wonderful woman. She is kind, beautiful and one talented nurse. We both know that her focus on her job is unswerving in nature. But Bingley that is what I am worried about. Does she love you truly? Above all, including her occupation as a nurse?"
"What are you saying Darcy?" Bingley asked with no small worry.
"If she marries you, she will become a pilot's wife. And that is not a fate that I would wish on any woman. Think about it, the worries, and the unknowns that come with this job is horrendous. We can get shot down any day; any time and probably in most situations die before we hit the ground. Do you think that Jane should be exposed to such a life?"
"Darcy, I don't know why you're saying this, but if she loves me, I am more than sure that she could make such personal decisions for herself."
"And that is my next question friend, do you know she loves you? I've watched her for a while, and though she is the friendliest and one of the kindest human being I've ever brushed against I just don't see a strong emotion within her regarding you. I think she values your company above any other man without doubt, but as to love, I just don't see her in love with you. I'm sorry Bingley but there it is. I think her life right now is so focused on her career, her family and Benton Hospital, I just don't see a room for marriage in there."
Bingley was shocked as his mind furiously digested this announcement from his best friend. Darcy was one incredibly sharp and observant man. That was why he was Squadron Leader and Bingley wasn't. Both joined the RAF simultaneously, but Darcy excelled at a rate that Bingley couldn't follow. And that was because Darcy was that much better, not Bingley was that much worse. Now his friend was giving him rather a harsh opinion of his relationship with Jane Bennet. He began to examine all of Jane's actions regarding their affair. Granted Jane was reserved, but she was by nature a reserved woman. Closing his eyes Bingley was willing himself to remember a word that Jane mentioned regarding her love for him. And he failed.
Darcy saw the emotions run across his friend's face and indeed felt terrible pain, but Darcy knew that it would pass. It had to if both men were to survive the Bennet sisters. "Bingley, I'm sorry."
His wingman didn't answer for a long time. Bingley felt despair creep in as never before. Not even during Battle of Britain or France did he ever feel despair; anger yes, frustration every single day but not despair. He was in love with Jane Bennet and everyone in the base knew it, the whole staff at Hart's Tavern knew it, so Jane Bennet must know it. But she never said she loved him back, never told him that she wanted to share her future with him. Never.
If he ran to the phone and rung Jane Bennet right then and there, Jane would have said it. But she didn't, because she feared for his life almost every waking moment in her existence. Fighter pilots lived for another day either out of sheer luck or sheer skill. She believed with all her heart that Bingley's luck ran out a year ago and now he lived on his wits and skill. If a distraction such as her, were to severely interrupt the man's daily life, then what would happen? He would be shot down and killed over the Channel or over England. Another casualty in a war that saw no end to such horrible endings to so many young and good men. She couldn't bare it, to know that she could be the cause of such an ending to the man she loved, so she gave what was necessary for the moment to Bingley. A happy, quiet, intelligent and kind woman to his wishes, and both were indeed happy, or at least until Darcy interfered this afternoon. Love would distract Bingley, and place him in a precarious position, for which he could pay with his life. So Jane kept her silence and hoped that when things were over and the Fighter Command finally grounded this cheerful falcon (they should any day she believed for he was flying for over two years!) they would indeed develop their relationship to a happy conclusion. She had no idea that Bingley wanted that happiness while he was in such jeopardy.
Bingley raised his face, and Darcy was shocked to see it aged almost five years in five seconds. What have I done, he thought with lightening fear. What have I done? But his pride silenced his tongue as he saw his friend's heart break. My heart broke too and I survived, I am sure Bingley's will too. Suddenly Pyro who was running pell-mell towards them shouting something shattered their privacy.
Both men frowned then bolted up when they understood; "Japan attacked United States! Japan attacked United States! They bombed Hawaii and killed hundreds of people! Japan attacked United States! Come on it's on the Wireless! RUN you blimey idiots!" Both men bolted towards the Ops room only to find a huge gathering. Elizabeth was standing in the corner hidden from view as the radio repeated its news again and again.
"This holy day of the Christian land, Sunday, December 7th, 1941 Japan in a hideous and cowardly act attacked United States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. We must remember Japan had never formally declared war with the United States, so this attack indeed was unexpected. We have casualty reports of hundreds and by tonight will probably run to thousands. We are not yet sure what damage was done, but Pearl Harbor is one of the largest naval bases in United States. We do know that one of the battleships, USS Arizona, was sunk with crew on board and reports are filtering in that one of the nearby airbases was also totally destroyed. However, the few fighters that were able to hit the air are fighting valiantly even now. Ladies and gentlemen let us pray for our fellow Americans who have given us our supplies to help us survive this horrible conflict here in Europe. Let us remember the Lend-Lease by Roosevelt that enabled us to order materials without immediate payment. Let us pray for the men and women who will never again see another day and for those that will. For them England weeps, for them England will fight."
Elizabeth was crying, she knew all too well what it means to be bombed, to be ripped from earth and then to bury one's friends into the same tainted soil. On a Sunday, she thought, on a church day the Japanese attacked, guaranteeing them unprepared response. How despicable. Darcy stood shocked, on a Sunday, a brilliant tactic but don't the Japanese know that this will push the United States into war? Don't they realize that Roosevelt was just waiting for an opportunity like this to become embroiled in the Conflict? He looked at his fellow squadron. They all had the same elated knowledge - England wasn't alone anymore.
Benton Hospital, England Jane, Hil, Lisa and Lydia were all hunkered down around the small wireless as they heard the same broadcast. They were all shocked and dismayed. Jane felt tears form in her eyes. The damage, the casualties, the horror must be incredible, she thought. To be totally caught unprepared for this huge raid…she looked at Lisa and saw the grim line on the nurse's face. Hil thought out loud, "Does this mean United States is at war with Germany now?"
"Not yet, but I guarantee that she will be before the week is over," stated Lisa, "and Japan and Germany will regret it. Mark my words, they will indeed regret it."
Lydia asked, "But it wasn't Germany that did this."
"No Lydia, but they are the other half of the Axis and Roosevelt isn't going to forget that anytime soon. I can assure you that England will have no problem declaring war on Japan. And Roosevelt will respond to that, he must now. Poor fools, they should have known better than to trust their isolation. They should've been more careful."
"Let us pray for them then, and hope that United States will now join us and end this miserable war." Whispered Jane. And everyone within earshot did.
Massachusetts, United States Michael turned the radio off; his face so pale it was almost sickly. Closing his eyes he moaned into his hands. He could hear his mother weeping in the next room as his father was making a run to visit the Jacksons. One of their sons, the youngest, Mark, was a crewmember of USS Arizona. They just got the Christmas card from the young man on Friday wishing them happy holidays and a great New Year. Is he dead? Thought Tenby. Or is he wounded and in a hospital somewhere? Dear G-d we didn't expect this, not this. It was over a century since an enemy, a foreign nation attacked United States inflicting such horrible destruction and mayhem. The whole place must be on fire now, he thought; even the water must be ablaze with the spilt fuel and chemicals. It was a well-executed attack and its design fulfilled the expectations of the Japanese perfectly, but it will also bring us to war. Now United States no longer can look the other way. He turned to see if his mother was well, but she was at the doorway staring at her only son. She knew about wars, she lived through the Greatest War, WWI, and fervently believed and hoped that war would be the last. No longer. She stared at her son and saw her older brother who died in those trenches in France. She wasn't weeping for the Jacksons; she was weeping for him.
New York City, United States Carolyn stood alone in her apartment shocked as everyone when the broadcasting was finally done for the day. She was standing in the same position for last four hours. We were attacked, she thought, and now there are Americans who lay dead, hundreds, thousands probably. We are at war though it hasn't been said yet. We are at war and we the people know it because we have thousands dead. England was right, they were right all along in distrusting the Axis. In believing them to be the most evil thing that existed on this earth. They knew from the beginning what the Axis was capable of. They knew and now we know all too well.
Oh no! Carolyn suddenly remembered something. Her fellow friend from the Club was on a singing tour across the United States and Carolyn suddenly remembered that Pearl Harbor was one of the stops. She ransacked her room to find the tour dates and felt absolute relief when she realized that the troupe wouldn't be there until next Thursday. She closed her eyes and sank into her favorite chair. Now what?
December 8, 1941
House of Commons
Meesh stormed behind Churchill as he and his staff approached the Hall. Churchill was grim, saddened by the news and yet elated. He knew what he had to do and called the House for his speech at 3 P.M. The day before after hearing the news the War Cabinet immediately approved a declaration of war on Japan. The PM was determined to make this announcement public and show United States she would neither be alone in her grief nor her anger.
Meesh felt elation, anger and fierce determination; she knew what would happen now and hoped that the PM's speech reflected the war-like mood of his staff. She wasn't disappointed.
"…With the full approval of the nation, and of the Empire, I pledged the word of Great Britain, about a month ago, that should the United States be involved in war with Japan, a British declaration of war would follow within the hour. I therefore spoke to President Roosevelt on the Atlantic telephone last night, with a view of arranging the timing of our respective declarations.…The ordeal to which the English-speaking world and our heroic Russian Allies are being exposed will certainly be hard especially at the outset, and will probably be long, yet when we look around us over the sombre panorama of the world, we have no reason to doubt the justice of our cause or that our strength and will-power will be sufficient to sustain it. We have at least four-fifths of the population of the globe upon our side.
We are responsible for their safety and for their future. In the past we have had a light which flickered, in the present we have a light which flames, and in the future there will be a light which shines over all the land and sea."
Germany declared war on United States on December 11th, 1941.
Chapter 21 -- Sinking of HMS Avalanche
Posted on Sunday, 19 July 1998
The year is 1942 and the Nazis changed the Enigma for the German Navy, effectively blinding Bletchley Park. Once again the Royal Navy is at the mercies of the German U-boats, better known as Wolf Packs.
March 3, 1942
Somewhere in the North Atlantic
Well Frederick thought, we couldn't have engaged the enemy closer than that. Desperate to stop the surfacing U-boat from going under and attacking the convoys he ordered full speed and Avalanche rammed the diving U-boat, sinking the iron coffin with all its German crew trapped inside. It was a grizzly affair but an effective way of putting the U-boat out of commission. However his ship sustained heavy damage on the bow as the metal crumpled and leaked. The engineers were quickly pumping the water and locked the forward cabins, preventing any flooding except for the exposed rooms.
Suddenly the threatening surface shadow of a torpedo whizzed by starboard side (right) of HMS Avalanche and missed the destroyer by about 17 feet. Frederick was quickly engaged in calculating out its point of origin. He didn't have to shout orders as Lieutenant Lij was hollering for more speed down the tube to the engine room. The men below deck all heard the threatening sound of the whizzing torpedo and worked even more feverishly to prevent another one from coming closer. Suddenly Commodore Wentworth saw his other ship HMS Argonaut captained by Harville veer off from the convoys. He must have seen yet another U-boat. Frederick was now in full-alarm. U-boats don't attack simultaneously and at this close range. Donitz must have ordered his captains to give him some good kills. No doubt to please the German High Command thought Frederick.
"Torpedo stern! Closing in at 100! More speed!" Lij shouted as he saw the trail heading directly for the rear of the ship. The old and much abused destroyer pulled yet another miracle and somehow gained enough speed to miss the torpedo by no less than 6 feet. The sighs of relief on the Avalanche were audible indeed. Frederick remained on his course and was on the portside when he saw the trailing bubble marks. The U-boat that fired the torpedo on the starboard side was trying to sneak underneath the speeding destroyer to get at the convoys. "Depth Charges on my mark! One! Two! Three!" The men released them overboard and Avalanche sped up to escape the underwater blasts. The bombs detonated and sprayed water above the waves. Slowly following the sprays were the telltale marks of debris and oil.
More cheers went through Avalanche but it was a rouse. The U-boat captain was too much of a fox and what was visible above water was what he wanted them to see. He wanted to attack the convoys but changed the direction of his sub. Whoever was manning that damn destroyer was too good. He could not let such a threat escape from his sight so he ordered his sub to trail behind HMS Avalanche instead waiting for the kill zone. It was no less than five minutes when such an opportunity appeared. Too ahead for any other ship to come to its aid HMS Avalanche was once again leading the convoy to Britain. Captain Krupnick silently ordered the torpedoes to ready, then fired.
The captain didn't miss his prey, but then he never did. The rear of the ship exploded in a spectacular display of fire and that was good enough for this wolf pack leader. Sustaining heavy losses of no less than 3 subs today Krupnick ordered the rest to submerge and go back to France.
Lij nearly fell overboard at the explosion and Frederick did fall off the helm. They turned to aft and saw the gaping end of the ship. Oh my G-d, it will be minutes before the ship floods and keels upwards, trapping the men below deck and sinks. Wentworth didn't hesitate. He hit the buzzer and the sound ripped through every cabin and room in the Avalanche. The wounded were dragged, carried or literally dumped overboard with the able-bodied diving after them. No one argued against the Commodore about trying to save the Avalanche. When someone like Wentworth said to abandon ship, it's time to go. Lifeboats bloomed by the sides of the ship as the men opened them up. Lij scrambled to throw the crew overboard as some were hesitating. Fear was not an option at a moment like this and the Dutch officer sprinted around the deck lowering lifeboats or helping men put on their lifejackets. He had no fear of the sea and could tread for hours, if not a full day without a jacket. But some of these Englanders, especially the Scots had real phobia about the deep dark ocean.
He saw Wentworth go below deck and let out a roar of frustration. What the hell does the Commodore think he's doing? Captain Harville saw the Avalanche explode and paled. "Full starboard ahead! NOW!" The order could be heard below deck without the aid of the tube and the engine pumped ahead as the Argonaut sped to save the men of HMS Avalanche. The crew at the helm were pale, if the ship exploded again it could kill all the sailors floating around it. If it sank from the rear as it was bound to do then the suction could grab hold of everyone within 50 feet and pull the men to their deaths. Argonaut had to get there fast.
Wentworth was dragging two men when Lij collided with him mid-ladder. Soundlessly he grabbed one unconscious figure and lifted him on his right shoulder. Both bolted up to the deck and put lifejackets on the unconscious men. They saw the Argonaut at full speed coming to their rescue and both sighed in relief. Two more unconscious men hit the drink and Frederick spun to go below deck when the ship began to keel stern side. Both men slid two feet to the rear but Frederick grabbed hold of the stairs and tried to climb down. Lij grabbed him and yanked him off.
"Commodore we have to go now!"
"There are more men below! I have to get them I am the captain of this ship!"
"You bloody English idiot if you go down you're going to die with those men! There is no time Sir!"
"Then get off the ship now! That's an order!"
The response was the Dutch officer pulling out his gun and aiming it on Frederick. "Sorry, sir, to do this, but you're going off this ship now." Both stared at each other in shock.
"You won't pull the trigger Lieutenant." Frederick declared with a crooked grin.
"You're right." With that the Dutchman slammed the butt of the gun on Frederick's forehead knocking the man out cold. With his commanding officer the Dutchman jumped ship and madly swam for one of the last lifeboats within reach. The others were paddling to get away from the vortex that would appear within seconds.
The men recognizing their two commanding officers dragged the unconscious Commodore in and Lij attached himself on the side rope as the lifeboat furiously paddled away from the dying Avalanche. Argonaut was frantically pulling in the wounded and exhausted men when the Avalanche as a final farewell gave off one more minor explosion. Then slowly and majestically it stood literally on the damaged end and sank straight to the bottom of the Atlantic. Over a quarter of its crew was lost with the destroyer.
Harville saw the dark and bruised head of his commanding officer and sighed in relief. "What happened to him?"
Asked the captain and Lij blanched. "I knocked him out sir." All the heads within earshot turned to the poor officer.
"You did what lieutenant?" Asked the captain in a stunned voice.
"I knocked him out sir with my gun. The fool refused to abandon ship, so I had no choice. Here is my sidearm sir." With that the Dutch officer released his gun.
The Captain of the Argonaut was at a total loss on what to do next, "Well, it seems that you're fine and that the Commodore is fine, so we'll just…have a drink shall we? Thomas, go fetch the surgeon for the Commodore. Lieutenant come with me." The Dutchman meekly obeyed with amused eyes following his form as he disappeared below deck. Leave it to the Dutch to do the eminently practical while the Brits do the eminently loyal.
March 10, 1942
Somewhere on the Western Coast of England
Frederick was finally allowed to look at his new destroyer HMS Laconia as she was being set to sea. It would be at least two weeks before his ship would be seaworthy and until then he was free to roam. Also the Royal Navy wanted to give the men of HMS Avalanche something of a brief holiday before being reassigned to HMS Laconia. Being sunk by a German U-boat could play havoc with one's nerves. Lij was immediately summoned to the Admiralty, slapped on a medal for rescuing his 'already unconscious' Commodore and sent back to Frederick's side. The whole thing spun the poor officer's head, as he could not understand how he ended up with a medal and not a four-year sentence.
Frederick humored the poor youth and told him, "That's the British way chap. Get use to it." Lij stared at the gleaming gold and blue on his coat. Damn the thing was heavy! A smiling Harville who did much to save Lij's skin joined the two and the three made a jovial group at the local tavern.
"So Frederick when are you returning to Oxford. From what I hear you have great company eagerly waiting for your return."
Wentworth blanched at the thought of Louisa and that mess waiting for him. "Harville I am at a loss on what to do. I must have made the wrong impression, because I am not interested in Louisa. In fact I have no wish to marry her at all. Heaven help me, at the time, yes, I was somewhat desperate to find myself some company, but I was not wife-hunting."
Lij couldn't help but chuckle out loud at that confession. "You could have fooled me sir."
Wentworth threw a thunderous glance at the fair head and continued, "Harville do you have any clue on what I should do?"
"Oh yes, I certainly do. Call Benwick and tell him you're not interested in Louisa."
Wentworth frowned and so did his Lieutenant. "Why Benwick?"
"Because while you were away my dear Commodore, Benwick and Louisa fell madly in love with each other."
"WHAT?" Both men of the former HMS Avalanche yelled out loud.
"Frederick it has been almost two years since you've met Louisa, yet she hasn't seen one letter declaring your love for her, not even a bloody line from Tennyson. What's a girl to do? Keep pining away for a man who was so obviously in love with his ship more than her? Granted you are a glorious hero to pine for, but she needed a flesh-and-blood man and sorry dear boy but you weren't around."
Lij sputtered out his ale and fell into a hysterical laughter. Frederick didn't know whether to be insulted or relieved. But decided to opt for the latter and soon began to laugh with his junior officer. "How did this happen?" Frederick asked as he felt deep relief. He really didn't want to hurt the Musgroves and, more so, dear Anne who loved her family so much.
"Benwick wrote to her trying to get Anne's address in London. Louisa didn't have it at the time as nobody did so she wrote back telling him this. Well he replied and she replied and so forth. It wasn't long before he called her and she called back when he was ashore. It was right around the Bismarck hunt that he professed his love for her and she did too. But they are terribly afraid for you and of you Wentworth. A man like you could damage Benwick's career beyond help if you so felt like it, and Louisa was in mortal fear of that fact. I tried to convince the young lovebirds that was total nonsense but you know about youthful dreams and fears…"
Wentworth grinned from ear to ear, this was too delicious for one man to contain, "So would Louisa have married me if I asked her?"
"Probably not, but she really does like you Frederick and thinks the world of you. Now be an angel and call Benwick. Here is his number and put the poor fellow out of his misery eh?"
"How do you know all this?" Questioned Lij.
"Well right after your brave and stupid captain was made a brave and stupid Commodore the poor man confessed everything to me. He practically worships Wentworth here, as Benwick served with him on Avalanche, and after Bismarck, why Frederick here is a demi-god." The demi-god with the black and blue temple took the phone and made the call.
"Benwick there?"
"Yes, please wait a moment." There was a loud call for the officer and soon Benwick's deep voice flooded the line. "Benwick here who is this?"
"It's Wentworth, Benwick, how are you?"
"The question should be how are you? I heard that you were injured when Avalanche sank!"
"Well I am doing well. So is there anything you should tell me?"
"Tell you what? I'm sorry, am I being commissioned elsewhere?"
"No, about Louisa Musgrove." Dead silence hung on the other end for a full minute. Wentworth couldn't contain himself and laughed out loud.
"Dear G-d Benwick don't be frightened! I am so happy for you both. I could not have found a better man for that sweet girl!"
"You mean it Frederick? Honestly? Everyone was talking about you marrying her, and we were so worried…"
"You are pair of young fools you know that? No, I don't love her Benwick I never did. And a girl like that needs a gentle eastern-wind man, not the stormy kind like me. I'd probably frighten her to death with my moods, so I am glad that she found a good man like you. You're as romantic and hopeful as she is in spite of all that has happened. My congratulations to you both. So am I invited to the wedding? I damn well better be."
"Yes you are and that lieutenant of yours too. Thank you for putting our minds to rest Frederick. Thank you." The boy's voice reflected his genuine gratitude and the soaring of his spirits. Wentworth said his farewell and walked back to his table a better man than before.
Sighing his relief out loud, Frederick closed his eyes and dreamt of Anne. Her quiet face marked by those lovely eyes came back to haunt him fully. She loved him once and with all her heart. There was never another after him, Frederick was sure of it. Charles Musgrove failed and Dr. Hanson was a dear friend only. Of course there was this cousin of hers, but Frederick had a past with her and he was more than willing to revive it. Very willing indeed.
So Frederick was free now, unfettered by the mishap in Oxford. Lij grinned into his cup and wondered how many minutes it would be before his Commodore tried to locate the timetable for the next train heading into London. It was almost five minutes before Wentworth found the timetable and quickly calculated his arrival at the capital. Anne, dear Anne be there. Please.
© 1998 Copyright held by the author.