by Griff Hosker
He nodded, "Tell them Sergeant Eisner sent you. You will get full measures that way!"
"Thanks and if I see you there I will buy you one!"
"You are on."
I turned. "Come on, march! Just because your betters are talking is no reason for you to slack off!"
The fact that we were seen talking made the rest of our inspection of the perimeter easy. I was able to observe the huge 155mm guns and the 75mm. There were six of the bigger ones and four of the smaller. They would make a mess of any of larger ships who approached. I could now clearly see the minefield. It lay just thirty yards from the wire. That made sense. They would not want exploding mines to rip holes in their wire. As we approached the canal and river again I saw that there was another armoured shelter and more armoured tobruks. We turned and walked along the edge of the canal. I glanced down to see if I could see the canoes; I could not. The tide was in. That was reassuring. Of course when we took them out there might be damage. That was the chance we took.
We were almost back to where we had started our 'patrol'. I looked at my watch. It was gone one. I headed for the cafes we had seen. The streets were busy now. There were off duty German soldiers. I realised that would be a problem for us. We had to avoid any further, unwanted, conversation. Luckily the first two we encountered were too full. I stopped at one table. "We are new in town. Sergeant Eisner said the 'White Horse' served decent ale. Where is it? These are all a bit crowded."
The private pointed down towards the square. "Go down to the end of the square and turn left, Sergeant. It is at the corner."
"Thanks."
The walk afforded us the opportunity to inspect the rest of the town. The narrow streets would not help our tanks when we attacked but once past the beach defences I could see no obstacle to stop infantry. The problems of the mines remained. There was no way to outflank them. The narrow path we had taken would be a death trap. I hoped that the planners had come up with something to disable the mines or we could lose many more brave and irreplaceable soldiers.
The 'White Horse' was, fortunately, almost empty. There were just a handful of Frenchmen drinking and smoking. They scowled at us. I glared at them and they looked away. "Sergeant Eisner said you had decent beer here. Four large ones."
I spoke in German and the barman ignored me. I leaned forward and repeated it in French adding, "I know you understand German! Next time serve me the first time or it will be the worse for you." He pulled four beers. "That's better." I glanced up at the tariff and put down the right money. "No tip!"
We took the beers to the furthest and darkest corner of the bar. We drank the beers quietly. Although we were all hungry none of us were willing to risk the food. At best they might spit in it and at worse...
"So what do you think of our new posting?"
As the most confident speaker Beaumont answered me. "I have had worse. The beer is drinkable but I prefer the Munich beers."
I nodded, "Why they cannot make wheat beers such as we have at home I do not know."
It was now almost two in the afternoon and the French, having finished their lunch, departed leaving us and the barman. I had given money to the others and Beaumont went to the bar to buy the next round. He spoke to the barman quietly and in French. I guessed he was playing the good guy to my baddie! He winked when he returned. He had learned something. We would have to wait until we were alone to discover what. It would be dark at about five thirty but the port and the watch would be alert. We had to be ready to leave once it was closer to seven. 'Osiris' could lie off the estuary at periscope depth but the minesweeper we had seen had me worried.
We nursed our beers until four and, as the bar filled up, this time with Germans, we left. I said loudly for all to hear, "We had better report to Captain Swartz." I had heard his name and guessed that he was something of a martinet. "We wouldn't want to get into his bad books the first day at a new posting."
We were half way up the street when we met Sergeant Eisner and four other non-coms. He smiled, "Well, what did you think of it?"
"The beer was fine but I prefer Munich wheat beer."
He nodded, "Don't we all. Where are you off to? I thought you were going to buy me a drink."
"I would but our officer is due to arrive at six. We are to meet him at the Command Centre. He is a Prussian. He even has a monocle!"
Eisner spat, "I hate those Teutonic types. They are the ones who get good men killed. Another time then."
We headed up the street. Once we reached the quiet, empty residential area we darted back into the garden and re-entered the house. Having established that no one was near we gathered in the kitchen. "What did you learn, Beaumont?"
"Just confirmation that Eisner does drink there but he sounds like the character you were playing. Throws his weight around and pretends it is his private drinking club. I got the impression that they plan to do something about him."
"What makes you say that?"
"The barman said I seemed a nice young man and I ought to stay away from the likes of you and Eisner when not on duty. He said it would be safer."
"You may be right then. I spread my hand around the kitchen. "We have two hours to kill here. We have seen all that we need to and more. I don't want to risk an officer seeing us and asking us what we are going here."
We ate some dry rations we had. It was not much but it stopped our stomachs from grumbling. We had only gone twelve hours without food. We had taken on board plenty of liquid. We would come to no harm.
We knew when dusk had fallen for the house became pitch black again. We left at six thirty. We did not have far to go. I hoped the tide was right. It would not be as low a tide as when we had hidden the canoes. We might have to swim for them. This time we marched confidently down along the wire to the stone at the end of the mole. The sentry on the top waved to us. We marched to the minefield and, when we saw the two sentries had retired to their guard hut we went back to the wall. Once we had scrambled on to the rocks we were hidden from sight. They would only be able to see us if they peered over the side and there was no reason for them to do that. Even a ship entering the canal would not see anything unless they used a searchlight.
I took off my greatcoat and tunic. Our disguises would no longer be needed. I rolled up my sleeve and lowered my hand into the water. I managed to touch the top of the canoe but that was all. I mimed for Fletcher and Poulson to hold my legs and I immersed myself in the icy water. The surges of the waves made it hard but I eventually reached down and lifted the stones out of the bottom of the canoe. I had moved four when I needed to take a breath. I managed to empty it on the next immersion. When I went down for the third time I grabbed the canoe by the seat and pulled. It was hard at first but it began to move. Beaumont grabbed the bow and it became much easier. Once out we turned it upside down to drain the water. Sergeant Poulson emptied the second, aided by Fletcher and Beaumont. I packed the greatcoats in the bow and the stern of the canoe. It would not do to leave them for the Germans to find.
While Poulson and Beaumont emptied their canoe of water I nodded to Fletcher. This was the time for an act of faith. He sent the coded signal five times. Had we seen anything in the dark then he would have stopped but the black night remained empty. The Lieutenant Commander had said he would be there and we had to trust to him. Fletcher climbed in the canoe while I held it. Poulson held it while I got in and then Fletcher and I held their canoe so that they could board. Once we were ready we began to paddle. If the sentries saw us we would know it. For that reason we kept our strokes slow and smooth so that we did not splash. We would have to go at least a mile beyond the end of the mole.
There was little point in hurrying. We would get there when we got there. The receding tide aided us and what little wind there was came from our backs too. After twenty minutes of steady paddling I risked looking behind me. The mole could only be seen by the glow of light from the sentries brazier. We stopped paddling and waited. If the submarine was there they would see
us and surface. If they were not then I would give it an hour and start to paddle home.
As we bobbed up and down I was convinced that I could see the periscope but each time I was wrong. Then I heard a dull sound from below. It was the submarine's electric motors. There was a maelstrom of bubbles as it surfaced just twenty yards from us. We paddled towards it and then I heard a louder noise from behind us. It was a ship and it was leaving the river. Eager hands grabbed us and others held the canoes. I took out my German dagger and slashed holes in the bottom of my boat. We did not have the time to recover it and if we left it floating it would warn the Germans that we had been there. Poulson saw what I did and he did the same. I slid the canoe down into the water. It began to sink but still too slowly for me. We hurried through the hatch. The deck crew had heard the ship too and we were unceremoniously pushed into the forward torpedo room.
The hatch was slammed shut quickly but even so we were showered with water as the submarine crashed dived. We were turning at a sharp angle and diving for the bottom. I found it hard to keep my feet. The leading hand said, "Steady on sir! Don't want to lose you just yet."
I heard the engines of the R ship as it passed over us. I wondered if this was a coincidence or had we been spotted?
The Midshipman who waited for us said, "Could you come with me, sir. The Captain wants a word."
"Take charge, Sergeant."
"Sir."
The watertight door was slammed behind us. It sounded like the crack of doom. "Sorry we were late, Captain Harsker. Our little friend up there chased us last night and it took longer to get back on station."
"Does he know we are here?"
"I am not certain. Jerry has been developing underwater listening devices. I don't think it is as good as ASDIC but.... Did you get the information you needed?"
I nodded, "And more!"
"Good. Number One take us to the bottom. Pass the word, silent running." He looked at me. "I would rather travel on the surface if I am able. We will see if we can lose him."
I leaned against the side of the submarine as we touched the bottom. We canted over at a slight angle and then we waited. We heard the engines of the German ship as they passed over us and then they receded. I smiled. Lieutenant Commander Reid shook his head and pointed up. I looked at my watch. After twenty minutes I had begun to sweat. I watched condensation drip from the steel sides of the boat and then I heard it. Faint at first it was the German ship and she was returning. In the silence of the submarine the noise of the engines sounded deafening and then they receded. Another twenty minutes passed and then the captain said, "Bring us up to periscope depth, Number One. We will have a look see."
We rose slowly. The Lieutenant Commander wiped the condensation off the periscope with a towel and then turned it slowly through three hundred and sixty degrees. "Bring us up so that we can run on engines. Deck watch to the guns." He smiled as we rose a little. "Captain Harsker might appreciate the fresh air, Middy. I don't think he is a natural born submariner."
I nodded, "Each to his own, Lieutenant Commander."
"If you nip to the ward room I am sure we can give you a drop of something to warm you up. I'll just go topside."
A seaman said, "If you would follow me sir." I almost laughed at the wardroom. It was a table with a bench and a curtain. "Take a seat sir. I'll go and get some mugs. Are you hungry?"
I was but I knew I would not enjoy sandwiches with the acid taste of battery upon them. "No thank you Killick. A drink will be fine."
The Lieutenant Commander joined me as the leading hand brought the mugs and a bottle of gin. "By way of celebration. I thought Jerry had us last night. I'll just have the one though! I'm driving."
I pointed upwards, "Who has the con then."
"Number One. I am lucky. He will have his own boat before too long and I will have to train up another." He poured the gin into the mug and added some angostura bitters. "Bottoms up!"
I was not a gin man but I had been brought up well by Dad. "Bottoms up."
He swallowed half and smacked his lips, "So, what is it like?"
"The beach?" He nodded. "A death trap. There are mines, concrete emplacements, 155s, 75s and Russian 76s.Their big guns can pound ships which are thirteen miles off shore. And we only looked at part of the beach one mile by three hundred yards. It looked the same all the way down." I supped my gin. It was like drinking medicine. "I was on the Africa, Sicily and Italy invasions. They didn't have one tenth of the defences I saw. They looked awesome enough from the aerial photographs. On the ground they look positively impossible."
He downed his drink. "You are a cheery soul. Will you be taking part in this attack or are you the scouts?"
"Oh we will be in and we will be the first to land."
"But you chaps are good. Everyone says so."
"No matter how good you are machine gun bullets don't discriminate. They kill the good and the incompetent just as efficiently."
"You have survived behind enemy lines many times, I am told."
"A few time, yes."
"Isn't that more dangerous?"
"No, not by a long chalk. I have the greatest admiration and respect for any soldier who assaults a beach. I am not returning with good news but at least we are returning. One step at a time eh?"
Chapter 12
Major Foster came down to debrief me. We would be returning to reconnoitre the other side of the canal in ten days and he was anxious that I should not have to trek up to London and back. I wished he had let me. That way I could have seen Susan. After I had given him my report and drawn the map of the beach as I remembered it he said, "It sounds like a tough nut to crack." He smiled, "Still you got in and out in one piece."
"This second raid increases the risk you know? I am not certain what can be gained. If we are to find a path for Lord Lovat then we have done so."
He leaned back, "This is Colonel Fleming's baby. He is keen to know what dangers are presented by the land to the north of the canal and river. The Airborne Brigade have to hold that flank along with the 1st Special Service Brigade. The main break out will be further south. He asked for you specifically. He has great faith in you."
"I wish he wouldn't. He is reckless you know, Toppy. He thinks any price is a price worth paying."
"Well it will be the last one. Have you chosen your team?"
"Bill Hay, Ken Shepherd and Alan Crowe."
"Why those?"
"I am acutely aware that on the last two raids before this one my men were wounded. These three haven't used all their luck up yet. Besides there is woodland country where we can hide and their language skills will not be as important."
"So you are the antithesis of Colonel Fleming?"
"I bloody hope so!"
"Surely you don't believe in luck, Tom. You plan and organize so well that I would think you had eliminated luck."
"Luck is as important as anything. We aren't superstitious or anything like that; not really but the fact remains that luck does play a part. When the invasion takes place and the machine guns start to scythe down the men on the beaches it will be luck which determines which men fall. You can't dodge a German bullet. Remember the retreat through Belgium?" The Major nodded. "Think of the men who were killed by flying shrapnel and those who survived. We all marched down those lanes and we all scattered when the Stukas dived. There was no skill in survival. It was luck."
"Well Captain Marsden appears to have his fair share of bad luck. He is still having trouble with that small bunch of malcontents."
I shook my head, "That's not bad luck sir and the problem is solvable."
"How so?"
"Move the bulk of the men to other sections and get rid of the ringleaders."
"Get rid?"
"Send Osborne and the other leaders to regular units. He said himself he is in it for the money. Move him and make him someone else's problem."
"Perhaps you are right. It is wearing down the captain and demoralising the rest of his section. I
will have a chat with Major Rose before I go."
"And I will go and see Daddy Grant."
All the way back from Normandy I had run through what I needed to make life easier when we returned. He smiled when I walked through the door. I think he regarded me as a surrogate son. I know he was as proud of my promotion and medals as my mum. "Back safe and sound eh sir? What can I do for you today?"
"Have we still got those German waterproofs we brought back?"
"Somewhere. I'll have to search them out myself. Special equipment I tend to hide. There are some thieving buggers around here."
"In the Commandos?"
"They have the skills, sir. It has only been since the whole troop returned. I suppose it is inevitable; I mean there are more men. We have had pistols and ammunition stolen. Expensive binoculars too. I reckon someone is selling them on the black market. Major Rose is quite concerned."
"I can understand that. Was it Colts?"
"Yes sir. That is why we are so short. They are easy to get rid of on the black market. Your section has eight left and that is more than any other section. Poor Captain Marsden only has two in his. His own and Sergeant Curtis. We have thieves in the Brigade."
I shook my head. "The service is changing eh, Daddy?"
He nodded, sadly, "When do you need these waterproofs sir and how many?"
"Just four and we need them by the end of the week."
"I'll have them by tomorrow." He took in my words. "Going back, sir?"
I nodded. "Once more unto the breach!"
"Gordy going with you?"
"Bill Hay."
"He is a good lad. Are you well off for ammo sir? I still have some German stuff."
"We didn't need to fire a shot in anger this time."
"Well I shall keep it safe and sound for you, sir."
As I went to gather my men and tell them who I had chosen I realised that this was the first time we had not had to use any violence. I hoped the next mission would end up as successful. Although disappointed that they had not all been chosen the men who would remain behind were not resentful. Crowe and Shepherd had not been on the last three raids and were beginning to feel left out.