WesWorld

Quoted from "Hood"

General Gehlen might have doubts as to the accuracy of his intel, the Gloster Ace shown in the bottom photo does not exist in Wesworld. ;)
Nice piece otherwise though.

<Shrugs>
Consider it a stand in for some of Gloster's other projects, The image was labeled that of the G.42 - isn't that project number floating around somewhere?

Der Tagesspiegel, Wednesday, 19 March 1947

Reporting to the Reichstag on the progress made on the National Motorways System, Minister of Transport Gottfried Treviranus explained that due to the severe winter weather in the 1946-47 period work on the motorways has fallen behind schedule. While the section linking Magdeburg with Halle was completed before the onset of winter the section between Koln and Kassel remains incomplete, as do several sections in the area of the Ruhr.

London, The German Embassy, Thursday, 20 March 1947

Walter Schellenburg looked out the window of his office to reassure himself that the waters of the Thames had not yet reached the embassy doors; things had not yet reached such a state but the winter’s weather had been so terrible the Abwehr residenz wanted to take nothing for granted. The heavy snowfall of February and early March had melted rapidly in unseasonably warm weather; more water than the land could hold. The Lea and the Thames had burst their banks in places, adding to the misery of the inundations in East Anglia. Schellenburg was not a religious man, but there were some among his English friends who thought God himself had turned against them for having elected a socialist government.

He was careful to keep track of damage done to industrial and military installations; such things did make it into the newspapers. More importantly, he trawled every newspaper that could be found for aerial photographs of the spreading waters… these would yield valuable data. He had already set some of his “Baker Street Irregulars” to seeking out such photographs that did not make it into the newspapers – for these were even more useful…


Handelsblatt, Friday, 21 March 1947

Reports of mounting damage to factories, farms, and housing, coupled with lost industrial production by British industry, have placed increasing pressure on the British pound on international exchanges. Speculative trading in sterling prompted the Reichsbank to impose limitations on the Frankfurt, Berlin, and Wien markets.


Aircraft Carrier Karl der Große, 17 dgs, 26 min North, 49 dgs, 21 min West, Saturday, 22 March 1947

Vize Admiral Ruge had brought his task force north to rendezvous with the Eighth Supply Group and its escorting frigates. For the crews of his ships there was mail, news from home, and fresh food. For the ships at last there were stores, munitions to expend that which had been expended in training, and above all fuel. His orders though left him at unease; he was to remain at sea for the time being. No explanation was given.

Hamburger Abendblatt, Sunday, 23 March 1947

The chartered roll-on/roll-off ship Bussard has arrived in the British port of Harwich bearing advance parties of the Technisches Hilfswerk with amphibious vehicles, construction equipment, ambulances, and relief supplies including food, water, and bedding. Additional supplies are being despatched as quickly as possible to alleviate the impact of flooding across East Anglia and throughout the Thames Valley.


Der Tagesspiegel, Monday, 24 March 1947

The Ministry of Defence has announced the order of two prototypes of the proposed Dornier Do335 carrier-based fighter aircraft. It is expected that the first aircraft will fly sometime before the end of this year.


Berlin, The Cabinet Meeting Room, Tuesday, 25 March 1947

The first half of the day’s meeting had been taken up with a review of the situation in England; the presence of German relief teams was expected to be a sensitive issue, given memories of the Great War. Thankfully thus far they had been well received.

“Do we anticipate the need to deploy further personnel?” asked Chancellor Adenauer.

Freiherr von Braun responded quickly. “Personnel are standing by; however, we are awaiting a response from the British authorities as to their needs. First indications are that their needs for amphibious vehicles outweigh the need for labour in general.”

There were nods from around the table. It was unspoken that it would be better not to appear overly solicitous but response to requests. Adenauer turned to von Hapsburg. “How are the financial markets holding up to the pressure on sterling exchange?”

“The measures we have taken are damping down the speculative frenzy; however, the longer term solution lies with the British and how they respond to their economic losses over the rest of this year; perhaps longer. Von Hapsburg had his doubts but spoke the truth – there was little Germany could do to change the fundamentals.

“So,” Adenauer acknowledged, and moved on. “Herr Lehr, regarding the rebel leader N’Dofa – have we had any leads on his whereabouts? Our Dutch neighbours are inquiring.”

“They have made inquiries across the Continent,” replied the Minister of Justice. “We have no leads, and no reason to believe he has made his way to Europe, let alone Germany. However, our police agencies have been put on alert.”

“Excellent,” replied the Chancellor. “Herr Blank, regarding the Abwehr’s report on the current developments in the Levant…”

“Yes Herr Chancellor,” Blank answered. “They are most troubling. Not only does the situation in Mandatory Palestine grow more violent but there are suggestions that unrest is brewing in Syria. Deliveries of arms and equipment by Yugoslavia to the Syrian military have significantly increased its capabilities.”

“General Gehlen appears confident that despite these developments our oil and mineral supplies from Turkey ought not to be disturbed.” Adenauer ended his assertion with a questioning look towards Dehler, the Foreign Minister.

“The situation in Turkey remains stable,” he replied. “There should be no spill-over if the Levant unrest continues at the current level.”

They were but half-way through the day’s docket, and the meeting continued.

Dithmarscher Landeszeitung, Wednesday, 26 March 1947

Two chartered cargo vessels arrived in Emden to take on additional cargos of flood relief supplies for Britain. The Alcyone of the Argo Line is taking on concentrated rations, submersible pumps, inflatable boats, and a quantity of Schwimmwagen for mobile rescue work. She is expected to sail on the morning’s tide. The Bugsee of the Peter Dohle firm will take on a cargo of bagged coal for distribution in order to alleviate continuing shortages of that vital commodity.


Marburg, Thursday, 27 March 1947

Rolf Hachmann read the telegram from the Deutsches Archäologisches Institut through three times before he spoke. Giving a small sigh he said, “Well, there is good news, and not-so good news. Which would you like to hear first?”

Bessig shook his head; Hachmann loved to play games like this. “The good news please…”

“The Institut did not reject our application out of hand… However, they are concerned whether we can procure in Bahrain all that is required to support an expedition. They want more detail, facts and figures, but suggest that with such they might approve.” Hachman shrugged. “I thought we provided all that…”

“So did I,” Bessig agreed. “Perhaps we could wire Klaws for more details?”

“We shall have to, and we have not much time. The Institut asks for our revised proposal within four weeks.”


Aircraft Carrier Karl der Große, 8 dgs, 6 min South, 27 dgs, 38 min West, Friday, 28 March 1947

Admiral Ruge received the latest message from the Admiralstab with no little joy. For many of his crews they had been at sea for three months; the Wallenstein for far more. They could now begin their homeward voyage. It would, however, not be rapid. Some of his supply ships had been detached to Recife to take on fresh stores and others to Caripito to take on oil. He walked to the plotting table of the flag bridge and scanned the map. He turned to his flag captain. “To all ships; Concentration at EH8355 preparatory to our return to Germany. Advise time of rendezvous.”

Emder Zeitung, Saturday, 29 March 1947



Die Welt Am Sonntag, Sunday, 30 March 1947



Marineflieger Station Jever, Monday, 31 March 1947

A number of engineers from the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke had joined the delegation of naval officers to witness the testing of a modified Bf262 fighter aircraft. From the rear of the aircraft hung a stinger-like appurtenance intended to allow it to land upon the deck of an aircraft carrier. Of course, the Admiralstab, their minds filled with concerns, would not allow the tests to begin on the pitching deck of vessel – tests on a regular runway fitted with arresting gear would precede such. The engineers, for their part, thought this unnecessary.

The aircraft took off without incident; no one was expecting any. Additional weight had been added to the forward part of the aircraft to compensate for the additional weight in the rear, and the centre of gravity appeared to be maintained; the test pilot reported no adverse handling as he circled the field and lined up for his first attempt at landing.

As if approaching the deck of an aircraft carrier a landing signals officer observed the Bf262 as its pilot lined up the runway, lowering his undercarriage and deploying the arresting apparatus. Paddles in hand he provided guidance to the pilot as the latter finalised his approach. The officer signalled ‘chop’ with his paddles and the pilot dropped his aircraft onto the runway with an audible thud, engaging the second wire and being brought to a sudden stop. The arresting gear assembly on the aircraft had worked - that was the good news.

Unfortunately, the nose of the Bf262 drooped noticeably, and as the pilot attempted to taxi his aircraft off the runway it buckled – leaving the Bf262 crippled. Crash tenders roared out to the aircraft in case it caught fire but it did not; the engineers would have an opportunity to examine what had caused the nose wheel to fail. They had not anticipated this…

Der Tagesspiegel, Tuesday, 1 April 1947

Around the nation the sound of shipyard hammers rings out as construction begins on additional naval vessels for the Kriegsmarine. Most notably, keels have been laid in Bremerhaven and Kiel for the new light cruisers Nürnberg and Leipzig. These vessels are expected to join the fleet late next year.


Oberösterreichische Rundschau, Wednesday, 2 April 1947



Kieler Nachrichten, Thursday, 3 April 1947

The air defence cruisers Aspern and Zenta were completed today, the Aspern here and the Zenta at Cuxhaven. They will now embark upon builders’ trials and their operational training. Yesterday their sisters, Lissa and Saida were launched, representing the next construction cycle. It is anticipated that a further pair will follow them on to the ways this summer.

Der Tagesspiegel, Friday, 4 April 1947

The first prototype of the Arado Ar334 bomber aircraft arrived at the Erprobungsstelle Rechlin to begin testing, which is expected to continue for the next several months.


Aircraft Carrier Karl der Große, 25 dgs, 11 min North, 53 dgs, 20 min West, Saturday, 5 April 1947

There was a sense of relief and anticipation in the crew of the Karl der Große and the other ships of the task force, for it was clear that they were homeward bound at last. It had taken some days for the main group of ships to reach the point of rendezvous, but now the last of the auxiliaries had arrived, having taken on bunkers at Port of Spain. He did not show it, but Admiral Ruge was happy to give the order to set course for the northeast, into the North Atlantic, towards home.


Hamburger Abendblatt, Sunday, 6 April 1947

Churches across the nation saw celebration of Easter. Chancellor Adenauer and several other members of the Government attended services at the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche.

Der Tagesspiegel, Monday, 7 April 1947

A delegation of Luftwaffe officers visited the Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke today to inspect a mock-up of the firm’s Vf191 training aircraft and review progress of its development. Company officials indicated general satisfaction with the progress to date and a decision to move forward is expected soon.


Berlin, The Cabinet Meeting Room, Tuesday, 8 April 1947

Blank, the Minister of Defence, concluded his presentation. “I would ask for the Government’s approval of the Defence Staff’s recommendations at this time.”

Adenauer did not immediately reply; and it certainly seemed that everyone else at the table was waiting on him. “Herr Blank, the recommendations are comprehensive and far reaching; and some demand considerable reflection before reaching a conclusion. However, I believe that we all can agree on the recommendation regarding bomber aircraft without too much ado; the facts speak too loudly for themselves.”

There was a murmur of agreement. “Very well,” Adenauer continued. “We approve that particular recommendation; however, we shall table the rest for consideration at our next meeting.” Heads nodded in approval.

“Now,” the Chancellor continued, turning to Dehler, the Foreign Minister, “the matter of the Belgians and their possible election outcomes…”


Rostocker Zeitung, Wednesday, 9 April 1947

In a surprise move the Ministry of Defence has withdrawn funding from the Heinkel Work’s P1068 jet bomber development programme. Plagued with delays the Luftwaffe determined that the aircraft failed to meet its requirements. Heinkel’s loss is however a gain for the Junkers firm, who received a development contract for another jet bomber aircraft, to be known as the Ju322.

Aircraft Carrier Karl der Große, 41 dgs, 6 min North, 40 dgs, 52 min West, Wednesday, 9 April 1947

Vize Admiral Ruge reviewed the lengthy message from the Admiralstab with a sense of surprise mingled with anticipation. It would mean that their voyage homeward would be interrupted, but he suspected that his men would find the forthcoming days’ experiences worth it. He summoned his staff officers to the briefing room of the flag bridge.

“Gentlemen,” he said by way of explanation. “An opportunity has presented itself and the Admiralstab has tasked us to avail ourselves of it.” There was a bit of a buzz among the seated officers – Ruge was known to have a flair for the dramatic.

“The British have announced that the Royal Navy will be conducting exercises in the Atlantic commencing within a week’s time; it is not exactly clear where these exercises will be taking place – it is expected that information will be communicated to us. Until that question is clarified, we will maintain our present area of operations.” The groan among the staff was almost audible. “However…” Ruge paused, allowing the sense of disappointment to be replaced with anticipation.

“We have been tasked to conduct joint manoeuvres with our Russian allies, who have a battle squadron exercising in the Atlantic while en route to their bases near Murmansk. It is composed of four of their latest battleships, with little other support. Our mission is to conduct joint training operations with the Russian vessels joining the task force temporarily and functioning as a part of its screen. I want to see a detailed plan of proposed exercises on my desk by morning.”

Ruge could almost see the wheels spinning in the minds of his officers. One raised a hand. “Herr Admiral, when do we expect to rendezvous with the Russian force?”

“They are operating to the northeast of our present position; however, we are not yet in direct contact with them. Communications inter-operability and signals interchange should feature in your planning. For the present, we will conduct air searches in a one-hundred eighty degree arc from zero-zero to one-eight-zero. I suspect we will make rendezvous within thirty-six hours.”

Hamburger Abendblatt, Thursday, 10 April 1947



Militär-Wochenblatt, Friday, 11 April 1947

The Fieseler firm has begun testing of two improved anti-submarine warfare variants of its Fi168 Haifisch torpedo bomber. The Fi168G is being tested as a dedicated search aircraft with a large fixed funkmess for long-range detection of surfaced submarines; the Fi168J is being tested as an ASW strike aircraft with in proved pod-mounted detection equipment and a searchlight mounted in the port wing. Depth charges or other ordnance can be carried in an internal bomb cell while up to four12.8cm rockets can be carried under the wing. The test programme is expected to proceed over the next several months.


Kronen Zeitung, Saturday, 12 April 1947

The prototype Wiener Neustadter Flugzeugwerke Wf14 utility helicopter made its first flight yesterday at the WFW works at Wien-Schwechat. The first test flight lasted ten minutes and was pronounced a success by company officials.

Battleship Retvisan, 44 dgs, 2 min North, 33 dgs, 14 min West, Thursday, 10 April 1947

Operational Group Yunona 1.1 was enjoying a welcome break from its assigned routine of at-sea training to participate in joint training exercises with the German aircraft carrier task force somewhere to the southwest. For Vice-Admiral Gordey Levchenko that was the problem; he was not certain where the German vessels were located, and without screening units of his own OG Yunona was dependent on their allies to find them. From what information he had his counterpart had four aircraft carriers under command, and so Levchenko was confident that his ships would be sighted, eventually.

For the last weeks his vessels had been exercising in the open waters of the Atlantic before sailing to join the Northern Fleet. His crews were experienced enough with sailing conditions in the Black Sea, but storms there might arise quickly and though savage, would depart as swiftly; in the Atlantic bad weather might be seen day-after-day; and his orders, “Find a good North Atlantic storm and practice in it" were unimaginative. The chance to act in concert with the German vessels would provide opportunities for other sorts of training, to show to Russia’s allies what the Federation’s shipbuilders could accomplish given a free hand, and, more importantly, to observe how Russia’s ally carried out their own operations. And, Levchenko admitted to himself, perhaps to learn from them.

“Air contact!” came the report from the electronic detection systems officer. Their equipment had noted the approach of aircraft from the west-southwest. The echo suggested a single aircraft – perhaps two. With a professional manner the bridge crew began to track the aircraft’s movements as it drew closer.

The two Fieseler Fi168 “Haifisch” had been launched earlier that morning from Pappenheim, and assigned to the search sector where the Russian squadron was considered likely to be – and it appeared that luck was with them. On the horizon could be seen the tall upper works of four mighty warships – a daunting picture in time of war, and even now something to give pause.

“We will stay low, and attempt to signal the Russians when we close,” the lead pilot announced over the intercom. “See if we can contact them by wireless.”

The lookouts aboard Retvisan and the other battleships could now identify the approaching aircraft – a pair of German attack bombers, obviously on a scouting mission. Levchenko ordered that contact be made on the guard frequency, and the effort was rewarded. The aircraft circled and then one detached and flew low and slow over the nearby Rostislav, dropping a weighted bag on the ship’s afterdeck.

Captain First Rank Vladimir Novikov opened the bag as soon as it was brought to the Rostislav’s bridge. It contained information on the location, course, and speed of the German task force as well as preliminary radio frequencies to be used for the duration of the exercise. This he communicated to the flagship with alacrity.

Levchenko soon ordered a course change to effect a rendezvous and advising his own fueling group of his movements.

Die Welt Am Sonntag, Sunday, 13 April 1947



Berlin, Abwehr Headquarters, Monday, 14 April 1947

The portfolio before him held but a single sheet of foolscap, but reading it gave General Gehlen pause. The residenz in The Hague had picked up rumours that the Dutch chiefs of staff were considering changes to the semi-independent Household troops of the Dutch monarch. “Near emasculation” was the phrase his chief agent had used in the report submitted to Berlin; Gehlen doubted that the Dutch would go that far, despite the high-handed manner in which the Household Troops had been used in suppressing the revolt in Oubangi-Shari. Still, any changes would modify the balances of forces in the West. Gehlen took up his pen and made a swift annotation.

“Confirm and obtain corroborating details immediately.”


Berlin, The Operations Room of the Admiralstab, Tuesday, 15 April 1947

Kapitän zur See Karl-Friedrich Merten was not surprised when word was brought to him of reports of British ship movements in the North Sea; he looked at the wall-clocks and saw it was a few moments after midnight, Greenwich Mean Time. “Their manoeuvres have begun,” he thought.

As chief of the Operationsabteilung of the Admiralstab it was his responsibility to recommend courses of action in reaction to any potential threat to German naval forces in the event of war; thus, for him, the British movements would be beneficial in exercising his own powers of divination and the ability of his staff to predict and respond. He was looking forward to this. He picked up the telephone on his desk and put a call through to Konteradmiral Werner Graf von Bassewitz-Levetzow, the assistant chief of the Admiralstab.

“Merten here,” he said by way of brief introduction. “The British exercises have begun.”

Concluding the call Merten walked from his office to the Operations Room, where the plotting map showed the positions of all the Kriegsmarine’s vessels at sea or in home ports, as well as the known positions of foreign ships across the wide Atlantic. Moments later von Bassewitz-Levetzow joined him there. “What is the situation?” the latter asked.

Merten began to explain. “We have reports from U-boats of heavy activity – ships sortieing from Scapa Flow and Rosyth, and traffic analysis suggests from elsewhere. If we begin preparations now, a morning air search should clarify what exactly is happening.”

“I will get on to the Marineflieger,” von Bassewitz-Levetzow noted.

“In addition to three U-boats on regular patrol in the North Sea we have the Brasche to the east of the Orkneys – she made the initial report – and the Tarpune near Trondheim,” Merten continued. “The Goldener Löwe is on regular patrol in the Norwegian Sea.” He pointed to the map. “Her last reported position was here, 68 North, 5 West.”

“She should be well placed to keep an eye on our British friends if they operate that far north,” von Bassewitz-Levetzow said with a smile.

“Yes,” Merten agreed. “And a number of commercial trawlers have gone to see with observers on board with orders to report what they see.”

Von Bassewitz-Levetzow nodded. “And our carrier task force?”

“Admiral Ruge’s forces together with Operational Group Yunona 1.1 are operating here,” replied Merten. “North of the Azores – their last weather reports put them approximately 800 kilometres west of Corruna.”

“Do you have any recommendations at this point?” von Bassewitz-Levetzow asked.

“None yet,” Merten replied. “Until it becomes clear exactly what sort of exercise the British are running Admiral Ruge should stay at sea in his present position.”

Aircraft Carrier Karl der Große, 43 dgs, 12 min North, 35 dgs, 42 min West, Saturday, 12 April 1947

His own ships had made rendezvous with Operational Group Yunona 1.1 late in the afternoon of the previous day; for Vize Admiral Ruge the juncture of the two forces offered opportunity and dangers; the ship-handling and operational techniques of the two navies differed in substantial degree, and questions of signals procedures and methods loomed large – never mind the language barriers. Nevertheless things had begun well enough. They were sufficiently far south that the weather remained tolerable, and as the heavy ships hove too Admiral Levchenko and his senior officers made the transfer from Retvisan to Karl der Große by launch. Meeting face to face had overcome many of the potential obstacles.

It was agreed that the initial phases of their exercise, dubbed Viribus Unitas, would comprise three phases – an initial cruise in company (principally to test the procedures worked out between the two task forces), a phase of resupply and refueling (Ruge now had plenty of supply ships close at hand), and then a third phase where the Russian vessels would be able to conduct antiaircraft training, and, perhaps, fend off simulated air attacks by German aircraft. Beyond these agreed points loomed one unknown.

Britain’s Royal Navy had announced it was to hold large-scale exercises commencing in a few days, but what all this entailed had yet to be conveyed to foreign navies operating in the Atlantic, and Ruge’s ships were due to pass though one of several possible exercise areas. Until the situation clarified they would remain in the general vicinity of their present location.

Battleship Retvisan, 44 dgs, 40 min North, 27 dgs, 27 min West, Tuesday, 15 April 1947

Admiral Levchenko was pleased with the way his ships had conducted themselves during the first phase of Exercise Viribus Unitas. While his ships were new the nucleus crews aboard each of them had long served together in the Black Sea, and the gaps in the ships’ companies had been filled with the cream of the Federation’s naval schools. They had achieved sufficient familiarisation that his ships had taken up position in the task force as the inner screen of the German aircraft carriers, with cruisers, destroyers and frigates ringed around them.

Borodin, the signals officer, approached and saluted. “Admiral, a signal from Karl der Große,” he said, handing over a message slip. Levchenko read it quickly and nodded. “Advise Captain Novikov on the Rostislav” he replied.

Apparently the English had begun their scheduled exercises, and thus it was possible that the Russo-German task force might find themselves playing hide and seek with the Royal Navy. The thought amused him and Levchenko allowed himself a small smile.

Berlin, The Operations Room of the Admiralstab, Tuesday, 15 April 1947

Merten and his staff had spent the morning plotting all ship movements in the North Sea based on available intelligence; not only the Admiralstab’s sources but the Abwehr had been called in to provide background. The situation was, to Merten’s mind, interesting to say the least.

Ship spotters had reported the build-up of British forces at Harwich and it appeared that this force had sailed on the morning of the previous day – it was believed to comprise two aircraft carriers, six cruisers, and a number of smaller vessels – including fleet auxiliaries. This surprised Merten, who pondered its meaning. Marineflieger Do330 patrol aircraft had been shadowing this force, having found it in the vicinity of the Klaverbank and reported its progress; the plot showed this force – designated “Albrecht” on the plot – moving northeast towards the Doggerbank.

The composition of the other British force – dubbed “Julius” – was less clear. The submarine Brasche had made the initial contact report – many ships departing Scapa Flow on an east-north-easterly course – and her orders were to minimize communications while tracking the movements of the British fleet. At this hour the Marineflieger’s aircraft had yet to make contact.

Von Bassewitz-Levetzow returned to the plotting room and joined Merten. “This is what we know thus far?” he inquired.

“Yes Herr Admiral,” Merten replied. “It is not entirely clear what the English are up to; it is certain that the “Albrecht” force is meant to mimic a force attempting to break out into the Atlantic; either ours or perhaps the Dutch – in either case it would make no difference.” Merten paused; a yeoman had brought a signal. He scanned it quickly and ordered “update the composition of “Albrecht” – make two of those destroyers sloops and it is four auxiliaries, not three.”

“Four auxiliaries?” von Bassewitz-Levetzow commented. “For a raiding force?”

“Yes,” Merten continued after a moment’s thought. “They must be testing their tactics for bottling up our forces in the North Sea, and expect us to bring a fleet train out of necessity.”

“Which is the case,” von Bassewitz-Levetzow noted, sourly.

“All the more reason to pay attention to their activities,” Merten added. “However their conclusions may prove illusory – for one thing, their auxiliaries are too slow to effectively operate in high speed manoeuvres. One of the auxiliaries is identified as a Dale class tanker, which are capable of little more than eleven knots. If they do not split the “Albrecht” force, it will be tied to its slowest vessel.”

“Perhaps they expect the “Albrecht” group to successfully evade interception and wish to test their underway replenishment skills in the open Atlantic,” said the Admiral, half in jest.

Observation Report of German Military Attaché, Cordoba, Argentina, Wednesday, 16 April 1947

A demonstration was given by a 75 mm mountain artillery battery; all the men taking part were conscripts who had been in the service a little over one year. The exercise was held in the foot hills of the Andes about three kilometres west of Mendoza. The terrain in this region is very rough and rocky with no vegetation except cactus and small bushes. There are many steep slopes, slides, and chasms. All pack mules were led by men dismounted. One gun was taken in pack to the top of a hill over a narrow, knife-edge ridge which was so steep that dismounted men assisted the mules by hauling on ropes tied to each side of the packs. This gun was eventually placed in position on top of the hill. Another crew hoisted its loads to the top of a cliff by hand, first using rope ladders for the personnel. The loads were then taken across a deep arroyo on a rope cable with pulleys. The personnel was also crossed in this manner and the gun set up on the other side. It was explained that the rope ladders and cables had previously been placed in order to save time. Nearly every pack carried a coil of heavy rope, and several rope cables were also carried. The battery detachment scaled a nearly vertical cliff on foot in the Alpine style to establish an observation post on a high hill. Communication equipment consists of telephone and wireless. All these activities were conducted simultaneously.

Comments by observer: This demonstration is the best I have seen of Argentine army activities. Although rehearsed many times, as could be seen by the appearance of the ground, it presented a true phase of peace-time garrison training. The troops were in their every-day work uniforms and there was a total lack of parade ground atmosphere. The equipment was well worn but kept in serviceable condition. The guns were clean and working parts oiled. All in all, I was very favourably impressed with the efficiency by all ranks.


Berlin, Abwehr Headquarters, Thursday, 17 April 1947

The somewhat fuzzy copy of the Pienaar Memorandum in the portfolio on his desk explained for Gehlen the storm brewing in the Dutch press; Dutch security was like a sieve. Not only were the Household troops to be removed from direct royal control but the Dutch marines were to be given over to the Navy and lose their semi-independence. No matter how the proposal might fare in the Dutch Parliament it would mire the Dutch Government in acrimonious debate for months, if not bring the Government down. With Belgian elections in the offing that would only add to the uncertainty of the forthcoming months. He picked up the telephone – the direct line to the office of the Defence Minister.

“Herr Blank,” he said in a guarded tone. “I need to see you on a matter of some immediacy.”


Frankfurter Zeitung, Friday, 18 April 1947

Very early public opinion polls suggest the likelihood of another victory for the Free Democratic Party under Chancellor Adenauer. Despite some growing dissatisfaction in the eastern districts of Pomerania and Silesia the Free Democrats seem poised to maintain a safe majority of seats in the Reichstag. Speaking at the opening of a new section of the National Motorways the Chancellor reiterated the Government’s commitment to the party’s Manifesto on Economic and Social Policy and the performance-based economy.

Tuesday, 15 April 1947 – At sea and in the air

The U-boat Brasche had picked up the British squadron departing from Scapa Flow not long after midnight; the sound of their heavy screws could hardly be missed at the speed of their movement. The U-boat had been tasked to monitor the announced British exercise, and her commander waited patiently for the force to settle onto its outbound course before giving chase – on the surface until near dawn, submerged thereafter, relying on the boat’s air mast to keep her diesels working and her speed up. Trailing the force was difficult, with the British straining to get their force to sea towards what seemed to be prepared patrol positions. The Brasche periodically reported course and speed information to Submarine Force headquarters in Kiel using burst transmissions to minimize the potential of discovery.

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At the Marineflieger’s bases in north-western Germany – Norderney, Nordholz, and Eggbeck – the sound of the engines of Dornier Do330 long-range reconnaissance aircraft reverberated constantly as aircraft took off or returned from their patrols over the North Sea tracking the British exercise. The crews were thankful that the British Admiralty had scheduled their manoeuvres for April, rather than having to fly through the heavy weather that had swept the sea-lanes earlier in the year.

Tracking one of the British flotillas – designated “Albrecht” – was rather simple; it had been picked up sailing from Harwich the previous day and pairs of Dorniers relieved one another every few hours, relying on their airborne funkmess equipment to maintain contact at night. The other force, designated “Julius” was far more difficult to monitor – despite occasional but belated U-boat reports the Dorniers had difficulty locating the main British force. Nevertheless, they would continue flying, round-the-clock, until contact was made, and maintained thereafter.

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Theodor Osterkamp, master of the trawler Rau VII, was enjoying himself; not that the fishing was good, but that he and his little vessel had been called upon to serve the Reich as an observation post. A veteran of the Great War and of the great sea battle fought in these waters Osterhamp revelled playing the role of quiet sentinel. In this he was not alone – he knew that many, if not all, of the trawlers at sea had special observers on board, men of the Kriegsmarine occupying a temporary berth; but he had been successful, and for the last two hours he and his ship had trailed a pair of English aircraft carriers with their cruiser and destroyer escorts. Of course he did not close with them, and as the afternoon wore on it was clear that they would show him a clean pair of heels. His disappointment was assuaged with the English force separated, leaving behind its slower auxiliaries and their escort of small ships. He would continue to stay close to this group, making the best of the situation at hand.

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Late in the afternoon a patrolling Dornier made funkmess contact with three vessels in the vicinity of Great Fisher Bank and settled into extended “snooping”.

Aircraft Carrier Karl der Große, 46 dgs, 59 min North, 25 dgs, 4 min West, Thursday, 17 April 1947

The combined task force had maintained a somewhat circular track though advancing north-eastward while waiting developments. To the north the English fleet was conducting exercises, and there was nothing to be gained by blundering into it. Still, Ruge used the opportunity to keep his crews sharp – air searches were maintained to a ninety-degree arc along their path of advance, and combat air patrol aircraft were kept ready for launch – a precaution thus far unnecessary.

But the weather was favourable for gunnery practice, and with the agreement of Admiral Levchenko sorties were flown with Haifisch bombers towing target sleeves to permit the Russian battleships the opportunity to test their skills. One-by-one they would detach from the screen and stand off, while firing on the towed targets with their main antiaircraft armament. Ruge was impressed by the high rate of fire that the 13cm guns of the Russian battleships could sustain, and, more importantly, their excellent director control – the umpires rating this portion of the training estimated that more than eighty percent of the shells fired found their mark. And more importantly there were no accidents – aircraft being hit by stray shells.

Pletnev, one of the Russian liaison officers assigned to Karl der Große, explained that the crews of the Russian battleships had long served together in the Black Sea, where Russian Federation Navy doctrine placed a premium on well-directed antiaircraft fire. They had been kept together when assigned to the new Rostislav-class ships, and their experience told. This Ruge considered to be a wise move, for it would certainly speed the training of Operational Group Yunona.

Berlin, The Operations Room of the Admiralstab, Tuesday, 15 April 1947

To Merten the deployment of the British force “Julius” from its northern bases seemed to be quite reminiscent of the Skagerrakschlacht of the Great War, the heavier force staying near the Ling Bank, the lighter, scouting force patrolling the Fisher Banks. It was illuminating to see what the British Admiralty thought the Kriegsmarine might do in a wartime scenario.

The track of the “Albrecht” force suggested that the “Julius” vessels in the vicinity of the Fisher Bank would make contact during the night, or perhaps by early morning. The wide-ranging Dorniers of the Marineflieger were doing their best to monitor British movements, and the fragmentary reports from observers stationed on fishing trawlers across the North Sea helped to fill in the gaps; but Merten really wanted to put eyes on the British operations.

He picked up the telephone and put through a call to von Bassewitz-Levetzow, who joined Merten in the plotting room a few moments later.

“The plot is firming up,” said von Bassewitz-Levetzow upon entering. “You have an idea?”

“Yes,” replied Merten, taking up a pointer. “Wiesbaden and Kolberg are here, about fifty kilometres west of Horns Rev, finishing up their final operation training drills.” He indicated a spot near the coast of Danish Jutland and not far south of the Fisher Banks. “If we sent them northwest, with orders to keep well clear of any British warships of course, they would be in a good position to eavesdrop on British communications.”

Von Bassewitz-Levetzow pondered the suggestion. The air defence destroyers had the newest and most sophisticated electronic detection equipment in the fleet; and the monitoring of the Royal Navy’s signals would be invaluable.

“I will speak to Admiral Lindenau at Wilhelmshaven,” von Bassewitz-Levetzow announced. “I will get back to you as soon as possible.”

About a half-hour later the telephone rang and Merten answered, nodding as he did so. When he put it down he turned to the plotters and ordered, “Put Wiesbaden and Kolberg on course 315 from their present position; we will update the plot when they next report position, course and speed.”