Monday, 18 August 1941
The visiting German fleet stayed in the harbour of Dakar for only two days, its attention concentrated on refueling and replenishing. There was, of course, the opportunity for Capitaine Martin of the Gloire to host a visiting delegation of German officers, and, of greater interest to him, to enjoy the opportunity to visit the German flagship, Graf Zeppelin, as well as some of the other vessels of the German squadron.
Like his own ships, the Germans had been at sea for an extended period, and it did show – even in the short time in port the German officers had work parties chipping away at the inevitable rust and repainting the metal left bare. He was impressed by the victualing ship Mittenwalde, and he particularly appreciated the report of one of his junior officers who had been offered the opportunity to go aboard her and take a closer look at her cold storage facilities, her materials handling arrangements and her booms for underway transfer. Martin also took note of the rapidity with which the Germans had topped off their fleet oilers from the two chartered tankers awaiting in the port; their technique appeared well practiced. He also noted that the Germans obviously had contacts in the business community ashore, for fresh provisions were readily delivered to them – orders for their purchase must have been placed before the arrival of the German force.
Martin genuinely regretted the departure of the Germans, for there were many subjects that he wished he could have explored further. However, as the last of the German vessels disappeared over the northern horizon, he could take comfort that Gloire and Duquesne would soon follow in the same direction, making their own way home from their assignment in Djibouti.
Thursday, 21 August 1941
From Dakar the German task force had shaped a northwesterly course, passing east of the Atlantean mainland. From the outset they had the friendly escort of Atlantean patrol aircraft operating both from bases on Lyra and from bases in Atlantis’s African provinces. The Seetakt sets aboard the ships of the task force were kept lit by their constant presence. The combat air patrols would occasionally encounter them and both sides showed professional respect and kept reasonable distances. Likewise the antisubmarine patrols flown from the aircraft carriers; they would occasionally sight shadowing Atlantean warships but the latter made no attempt to close.
“Herr Admiral,” Lindenau reported. “We are passing west of Madeira, per orders.”
“Excellent,” von Fischel responded. “We should pass well east of the Azores on this course.”
“Yes Herr Admiral,” said Lindenau with a nod.
“Tomorrow we will alter course,” von Fischel added. “Fleet Command has advised that the British are planning to stage a major exercise in the North Sea. We must take care to avoid it – to be home if possible before it begins, if not, to steer clear of it.”
“Quite so Herr Admiral,” concluded Lindenau.
[Situation Map]