Ecuperating - Chapter 11

I learned a lot about the early life of Hans Gruber and his family life near Hamburg, his education and marriage in England and his eventual life in the German Navy. He had been in the navy for several years and got his own vessel just the year before. He was concerned about the Hitler youth programs and how he might be able to get all his four sons and two daughters out from under that influence.

Hans confided that he was not entirely happy about the Third Reich and the direction Hitler was leading the nation.

“The population is behind him because he gave them back the pride they had lost when they lost WWI,” he stated, waving his drink around.

“Right now, I would say we are winning the war. The only thing that could lose it would be if the idiot was to attack Russia, which I understand he is planning to do. We can beat the English and Americans, but not if we have to fight the Russians too. Time will tell, I suppose.”

I was not happy at the prospect of even entering the war against Germany, let alone losing it.

“You will be in the war before long,” Hans said.

“You can’t help it. We are sinking your ships at an alarming rate, and the incident of loss of lives of the crew will become untenable to the American public soon. If you don’t declare war on us, we will declare war on you. It’s inevitable. And it will be a bloody one, whoever wins.”

Both of our tongues were somewhat loose and I soon found myself telling my own life story to Hans.

“You meanYou mean you are only 16?” he choked with laughter.

“No I’m 15!” I kidded.

We roared with laughter again. I hesitate to think what my crew was experiencing with our laughter resounding throughout the ship.

“You are more of a man at 15 than most of the men I know!” Hans complimented me.

By seven in the evening we had both sobered a bit. Our conversation took a new turn.”

Eric, my friend,” Hans put a hand on my shoulder. “If I may. I would know your intention concerning me and my crew.”

“Our next stop is England. I suppose I will hand you over to the authorities there. I am surprised you asked. It seems obvious that we must do that.”

“Not necessarily so, Eric. I have an alternative for you to consider. Your country and mine are not yet at war, or I would never ask this of you. As you are no doubt aware, our submarine fleets refuel and restock supplies on the open sea from supply and fuel vessels. We seldom go to port. I am scheduled to refuel and re- supply the U-234 tomorrow morning at coordinates that I have memorized. I would ask you to consider returning us to our people.”

My father had often left it to me to barter with the fish buyers. I became quite canny at bargaining. I smelled advantage here with Hans.

“And what would be in it for me?” I asked.

“I would be sticking my neck out if I let you go. The Americans would be okay with it, but I’m sure the English would be a bit pissed!”

Hans smiled.

“You sound like a true Yankee Trader!” he said.

“Let’s see if perhaps we can come up with a doable agreement for both of us. There just has to be a way here.”

We discussed and discarded many plans over the next couple of hours. Finally we came to an agreement. In return for the favor of dropping Hans and his crew at the agreed upon coordinates, Hans would pass the word to the German U-boats to not sink a certain vessel showing 20 point lights directly astern of one white over two red. I would have a free pass both ways across the Atlantic.

In addition, I would transport passengers designated by Hans to America. These passengers would pay me a substantial fee in addition to a fee to Hans. Hans would then open a Swiss account for both of us to administer these funds.

It would be easy for me to hold up my end of the bargain. Usually, unless we had some wounded to return to the states, I would come back empty. There would be plenty of room for any number of passengers. I would have nothing to do with choosing who would be transported. Hans would take care of that part of the operation and would inform them how much the payment to me would be.

“I think we may both become rich from this stupid war!” Hans smiled as we shook hands on the deal.

Hans and his crew were safely transferred to their own ships the next morning at about dawn. Transportation of passengers began two weeks later, when I returned to Liverpool, England. Liverpool was the main freight port in England, and close by, in her old marketplace, many offices and bars dotted her warren like streets and alleys.

I had two favorites, the Red Lion and the Duckhouse. I have no idea how Han’s accomplished it, but he seemed to know when I would arrive in Liverpool. Several times over those years, he would meet me there and we would again get drunk together.