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Post by silentwolf on May 16, 2022 19:37:38 GMT
JANUARY 1941
Otto Waldner walks with Anselm Freidich through the corridors of the sub pen.
It is dimly lit but bustling with activity. The sounds of heavy machinery, the clanking of hammers and men shouting all echo within the chamber, producing an almost overwhelming ambience.
Freidich narrates the walk as the two make their way to Waldner's new boat.
"We've got several VIIC's ready to go. Lucky for you, you could have ended up with that rust bucket.."
Freidich points to a type VIIB who has, for a lack of better words, seen better days. Her hull is battered and her conning tower is ripped wide open.
Freidich continues, "They'll have her ready for sea again by April. How do you like her compared to that Type II you've been in command of?"
"Much larger", Waldner replier.
Waldner points to the gaping hole in the conning tower and continues, "much better air circulation".
"Nein.Nein..." Freidich shakes his head and the two share a brief laugh as they continue to walk.
After a moment, Freidich halts abruptly.
"Here we are Walder, this one is yours...."
Waldner takes in the sight of his new command - a brand new Type VIIC. He can almost smell the paint from afar as 3 workers are marking "U-97" on the conning tower.
"Yes, this boat is nice, indeed....", Waldner replies.......
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Post by silentwolf on May 22, 2022 15:41:48 GMT
FEBRUARY 1st, 1941
The crew of U-97 is loading supplies and provisions on board for their boat's first war patrol.
Otto Waldner stands on the conning tower bridge and supervises a group of men who are loading the torpedos.
"Two more to go. Careful now, take it easy with those G7e's.", Waldner shouts to the team.
Waldner has opted to carry 2 additional electric torpedoes in place of standard, G7a steam powered eels.
Waldner continues, "those eels will serve us well, they'll help us remain hidden from the enemy after we take out our targets."
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Flotilla 6
New Recruit
In the Winter of the "Happy Times"
Posts: 14
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Post by Flotilla 6 on Nov 21, 2022 13:27:34 GMT
April 8th 1943, Wilhelmshaven Germany.
Anselm Freidich navigates the sub pen catacombs with newly arrived Olt zS. Gustav Brenner. As Anselm runs through the routine Gustav spied a U-boot having hull damage welded up. His mind pondered the action that laid up this valiant steel warrior. While speculating how the crew faired after the pounding that this Untersee Boot took, Anselm stopped at the next sub bay. Gustav almost bumped into Anselm but caught himself just before.
Amselm lifted this arm in the direction of a well-worn U-136 in bay thirteen. The maintenance crews were finishing up painting over the new sections of deck recently installed. Anselm started “Here is the U-136, your first command.” He continued, “she has been laid up five months though the boys have worked tirelessly making sure that U-Boot is more than seaworthy.” With that he continued reviewing the extensive list of repairs and the many upgraded systems done during her stay at Wilhelmshaven.
“Good Luck Olt zS., she’s a good boat that brings her crew back every time.” With a friendly smile Amselm saluted the Kommodant with a brisk “H**L H*****R,” then turning went back the way he came.
Gustav stood there looking at his new command a minute then he too turned to leave. He and the crew would do their shakedown tomorrow and prep the boat for service in the next few weeks. Thinking to himself as he worked his way back to his living quarters, till he shipped out next month, about meeting his new crew at dinner this evening.
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Flotilla 6
New Recruit
In the Winter of the "Happy Times"
Posts: 14
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Post by Flotilla 6 on Nov 22, 2022 13:32:19 GMT
April 8th 1943, the evening, at a restaurant just outside Wilhelmshaven proper.
At a local eatery a large groups of German officers and crew are having a ruckus meal. At one table the aura is more restrain. This group is just beginning to get to know each other. In a few weeks they will commence their first patrol as a unit. This is the first casual gathering since their formal introduction earlier this afternoon at the base. Many, if not most, have been to sea on an Unterseeboot. Others have been to sea, but not under the sea. Few, very few, have neither been to sea in combat as of yet.
The one that looks to be in charge is a medium height man with golden blond hair and ice blue eyes. He is slender in build yet very sturdy looking. His uniform marks him as an Oberleutnant zur See (Kmdt. Gustav Brenner.)
The loud man to his left is a bit taller and huskier build. He sports dishwater blond hair and dark blue eyes. He looks to be one of the Watch Officers (1WO Egon Fischbein.) Rumor has it he was one of the remaining survivors from the brutal air attack the U136 took on November 1st 1942 patrol in the south Atlantic. All the other survivors have been scattered to other Unterseeboot assignments with their old Flotilla, N°6. The U136 has been permanently transferred to Flotilla N°15 to erase the bad taste this attack left on Flotilla N°6's units history.
A third man, to Fischbein's left, seems to be the other watch officer. (2WO Matz Brandt.) A more reserved man, he too is of medium height and build. Though he has jet black hair and deep green eyes. As a new recruit, with stars in his eyes, he watches every move Fischbein makes.
Across from Obt. Brenner sits a short stocky man with dirty blond hair and hollow blue eyes. He is a man of more years than the one whom sits across from him. Though he is still respectful of the Obt rank. Everyone at the base knows he came to the Flotilla from the Destroyer Z16 Friedrich Eckoldt after its sinking in December of '42. His uniform divulge his occupation as the boats engineer. (LI Moritz Schirmer) A gruff man with oil stained hands, he is the type to communicate with actions than words. A quiet man of few words. He prefers the direct approach to everything he does.
The final officer at the table is to the right of the Oberleutnant. He is the tallest at the table of medium age and build. He wares the uniform of a medical officer that is smartly pressed with every crease is in place. His rounded spectacles give him a look of an University professor from a very prestigious institution, in fact, Medizinische Fakultät der Universität Greifswald. He is the crews doctor. (Doc. Phillip Taube.)
There are also a dozen or more Unterseeboot crewmen, of various rank and occupations, at the tables around this group of officers. They too are getting to know each other as they are coming from other Unterseeboot to fill the ranks of the U-136's crew. The rest of the crew will trickle in over the next few days.
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