15,000 Miles From The Past {4}

CHAPTER 4: LANDFALL

Date: January ??, 1938
Location: Northwest Bay, Isla Incognita
Situation: Departure and Day 1 On The Island
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Important Suggestion: Reread Chapter 3 The Old Warrior first here:
http://lostsouthpacificadventures.blogspot.com/2014/09/15000-miles-from-past-3.html

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A customary marine band did not play lively tunes ashore as we weighed anchor and gathered way departing Malabascar. We did not have one. Instead....

Herr von Stiehl arranged for each vessel to loudly play a traditional recording of "Hoch Deutschlands Flotte." This spirited march had been a staple expressing pride in our navy tasked with guarding overseas colonies from before the Great War of 1914-1918. 

It cheered the men enormously.... 

As they waived auf wiedersehen to families or anyone lining the docks.... 

Amidst gaily fluttering flags at the von Stiehl Werke.  

An hour later Malabascar began to rapidly recede on our port side.

To starboard, an intoxicating cerulean blue sea appeared. Somewhere out there lay our destination.

No doubt never far from Herr von Stiehl's thoughts as we steamed toward....

NORTHWEST BAY, ISLA INCOGNITA

At this time you must remember von Stiehl's irrevocable prohibition that dates, course and speed must not be revealed until a future permitted time. Therefore, I beg your forbearance if I do not mention the number of days taken to sail to Northwest Bay, Isla Incognita. Still as I record all but the most secret circumstances, you will be privileged to learn many details known only by our most senior officers.   

Early in the morning of Day #1 ships boats began ferrying shore parties to a rocky beach. We did not expect trouble but everyone was ready for it. According to several officers our personnel were among the best volunteers the Kriegsmarine and Wehrmacht offered. The most modern and powerful equipment added to every one's confidence. 

Familiar vegetation amidst some singularly peculiar flora was noticed. There was not much time to contemplate if it belonged. Some thought it did not.

The first three sections cautiously moved inland alert for unknowns. Gefreiter Christian Blech at the point of our right-hand gruppe thought it odd no tropical birds rose, soared, dived or screeched in raucous complaints about our invasion. Only the pleasant sound of the surf was heard behind us. Isla Incognita was lovely and peaceful.   

Suddenly a silent arrow grazed Blech in the shoulder. He immediately fell to the ground. Our hoped for promenade ended almost as soon as it had begun.

Shots were fired in the direction from which the arrow had come....

Only to see a body of islanders already departing in haste across a narrow stream. Covered by foliage at the near stream bank, they disappeared within dense brush on the far side with amazing agility.

Once Blech recovered from his shocking encounter with death, we moved forward....

Approaching the slowly-moving stream with caution.

We wondered if the indigenous population would oppose our crossing the river.

They did not. One of their number had been killed and left behind. Therefore, we continued to move inland scouting the immediate area per orders for the day.

We encountered another curious plant. However, in the near distance we spotted a man-made object.

A totem of sorts. Was it a boundary marker or warning? Both was the opinion of the men there. Satisfied we had penetrated far enough for today, they....

Returned to the stream to rejoin comrades who had been unsuccessfully attacked by nature.

 Ferocious wart hogs charged and gored several of our men. We'd had enough and so....

Two hours later, probably more, we withdrew to the campsite established in our absence.

During our march inland, more sections landed.

These headed inland to our left around a heavily wooded ridge.

Like us, they remained alert. This was especially so because they had heard our earlier rifle fire. 

They too approached the stream. Nothing more than verdant tropical panoramas were seen.

The leading section paused until reinforced.

Satisfied with reinforcements, everyone walked toward the stream. Blocked from view by vegetation agitated water went unseen.

Then from out of the depth near the bank surged a reptile of gigantic proportions. It thrust out of the water before anyone could react. A perfect ambush was sprung with a cold design to crush and eat our men alive within snapping jaws. Of course it had no notion of the lethality of our weapons. It only knew hunger and gave no sentient thought to innumerable successes won by its dynamic power. Instinct compelled the thing forward to feast upon us. It's prodigious size proved physical abilities far above our own. Horrified....

Our men fled for their lives in three directions even as another smaller crocodile leaped from the water. 

No shots were fired as the beasts pursued us. However, when out of their elemental home, the land slowed their charge. At a safe distance we recovered our wits, turned about pouring withering and fatal fire into the reptiles. We were very lucky. Elsewhere others were not so fortunate because....

Back in the bay Dr. Krausen observed a hideous sea creature shockingly erupt from the depths. It overturned a returning ship's boat taking a screaming crewman below as a bloody prize. It was over in the blink of an eye. The unfortunate seaman was never seen again.

Much later when Dr. Krausen arrived in camp, injured men needed his attention.  

 Others inquired about impossibly large nuts, mollusk shells and berries.  

Nearby, von Stiehl waited for reports with which you are already familiar supplied by.... 

Major Joachim von Recker who added, "Losses are minimal, sir. Dr. Krausen stitched lacerations of three soldiers. They may be able to return to light duty in a few days. One sailor was lost to a sea monster. On balance, Day #1 is a success."

Von Stiehl: "Ja. Our benefactor will be pleased. By now he should know the mission is underway."

Schloss Cecillenhof, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany

Excuse me Your Excellency. A letter has arrived from Admiral Fürstenberg in Wilhelmshaven.

Ja, Manfried. Operation Southern Cross sailed for Isla Incognita on Christmas Eve.

A fitting wish for the Fatherland. By now they should be encamped under those stars.

And they were. By nightfall a guarded zareba enclosed the camp. 

We might imagine guards peering into the darkness while.... 

Others relaxed with comrades discussing each man's experiences and thoughts for the day.  

 Von Stiehl radioed son Rudi aboard Luchs.

Kaleu (Kahloy), your father says all is well in the camp. In the morning parties will move inland to the objective. And....

Lookouts spotted a bon fire inland. Major von Recker thinks natives started it.

CLOSING REMARKS

1) Day #1 was a tabletop weeknight game governed by Howard Whitehouse's Astounding Tales rules. Chuck L. and John B. commanded the two shore parties while yours truly activated and moved creatures and indigenous warriors.

2) Some items featured were:
Flags: The Flag Dude.
Buildings in the snow: Inn by Miniature Building Authority.
Tropical soldiers/sailors: Brigade Games, Black Tree Design and others.
Submarine: Brigade Games.
Luchs: Richard Houston gunboat sold through The Virtual Armchair General.
Giant Crocodile: Schleich.
Red Car: Duesenberg made by Solido.
Sea Monster: Mosasaur of the Inner Sea by Dragonblood Miniatures painted by Chuck.
Tropical Terrain: Lots of scratch-built items from Pet Stores.
Custom Stream and Terrain Cloth: The Terrain Guy now out of business.
Natives, Totem and von Stiehl's son: Bob Murch Pulp Miniatures.

3) Perhaps I should restate that historical elections of 1933 maintained The Weimar Republic in this what-if story. Fascist and Communist challengers grossly failed and became insignificant. The Fascist leader committed suicide afterwards. Additionally, Malabascar is a fictional independent island nation - not a former colony of Germany. See Chapter 1 for more.

4) Chuck L. and Todd B. provided prodigious and vital amounts of varied tropical terrain. Thank you!

5) Thank you for looking in. I appreciate it.

6) The exciting and terrifying march inland will appear in early December, 2014. I hope you will come back to find out what happens.

7) Meanwhile, your remarks, inquiries and impressions are sought and welcome below at the word "Comments."

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15,000 Miles From The Past {3}

CHAPTER 3: THE OLD WARRIOR

Date: December 20, 1937
Location: The von Stiehl Werke and Isla Incognita
Situation: Departure and Arrival
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Important Suggestion: Reread Chapter 2 Nineteen Years Later
http://lostsouthpacificadventures.blogspot.com/2014/08/15000-miles-from-past-2.html

* * * * * * * * * *

If you dare my dear reader, your inclusion in the most astounding exploration of our time begins now. This dangerous adventure into the unknown will change your life in a way you can not possibly predict. However, you are sworn to secrecy and must not reveal dates, course, speed, particulars and duration until such a future time as Herr von Stiehl permits. These conditions are unbreakable. Keep them and your reward will be beyond extraordinary. Break them and you risk much. Only after success will the wisdom of the these requirements be fully understood. 

Should terms be impossible, motorcars wait outside to drive you to Malabascar Harbor. Seats have been arranged aboard the clipper departing at 11:56 p.m. --- Anyone? --- If so, we respectfully ask you to leave now with Herr von Stiehl's compliments and his sincere wish for a pleasant flight to Manila.

For those whose courage has not failed and only if terms are agreeable, you may join Herr von Stiehl and his son Rudi in the green room.           

Wilhelm von Stiehl: "Son, Dr. Krausen hat recht (had it right). We must leave within two days.

Kapitänleutnant Rudolph von Stiehl: "I am eager to be underway. As you always say father, lost seconds become minutes. Misused minutes convert to lost hours. Abandoned hours cast away productive days, weeks and so on."

Von Stiehl: "Ja. She is ready for you. All preparations have been made. Go to her."

In the harbor outside the von Stiehl Werke, sailors and soldiers stand anticipating.

Soldiers are clothed and equipped in varieties of latest experimental tropical garments.

While party goers have assembled outside the nautical repair facility.

Trudi and Wilhelm with other von Stiehl family members await the reemergence of an old warrior.

Von Stielhl's WWI Unterseeboot (underwater boat or submarine), reclassified as U-100. She flys the battle ensign of the Weimar Republic.

Hidden in the von Stiehl Werke, she was slowly repaired from 1919 to 1937 as parts and technicians arrived from Germany.

Old battle damage from the last engagement prior to November 27, 1918 was repaired.

Torpedoes of the newest design were the most difficult to import.

 To be launched through one of two aft torpedo tubes. Open this hatch and you will see....

The tube interior.

Stern torpedo tube exit points; one closed - the other - open.

There are four torpedo tubes in the bow.

Another image of the forward torpedo room.

One of the bow torpedo tubes appears ready for launch a deadly weapon.

Closed bow torpedo tube cover.

Twin rudders and a pair of three-blade propellers replaced ancient equipment. This is the steuerbord seite (starboard side) rudder.

Brand new propeller.

Below decks the captain's quarters are fresh and new.

The nautical chart (map) table is just forward of the captain's quarters.

We apologize. Access to the coning tower is denied. Fire control and two periscopes are located here. One is the ranging attack scope for short distances. The other is for longer ranges, scanning to the horizon.

Speaking tubes below the conning tower to issue and acknowledge orders as....

Confirmed by gauges in the canoe.

These too.

Primary steering is accomplished by left and right black levers. Should these become inoperative, wheels may be rotated left and right accomplishing the same thing.

Left rotation of this wheel causes bow planes to point downward. Turning right points planes upward.
Tiefer means lower/deeper. Höher means higher.

Reconditioned radio compartment.

For entertainment, a phonograph player will transmit music to the crew. Average temperatures of  95 degrees Fahrenheit are routine. However, the diesel engine room is hotter at 120 degrees.

 Galley.

Soup consisting of sausage, carrots, potatoes and spices.

The canoe exits the repair facility.

Family and crew share exhilarating moments. Serious contemplatives may be pondering what mission success or failure will mean for the family and The Fatherland. Most however, are living in the moment hoping all return alive and healthy. Everyone knows many of the dangers the expedition will face. Worry, however, is carefully and properly disguised.

Artur von Stiehl (gesturing): "Wilhelm, she is lovely. Rudi will do well, of that I am certain, ja."

Trudi von Stiehl: "My son! I drink to your success!

Artur's spouse Liesel (white coat): "Vielen glück (good luck) Rudi! Hurrah! Hurrah! HURRAH!" 

(Hurrah! is spoken very rapidly like a fast heart beat and is pronounced WhoRah. Trill the letter R with your tongue. Who sounds like Hoo as in who is that? But don't pronounce the w.)

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JANUARY 14, 1938

ISLA INCOGNITA  : EARLY MORNING DAY #1 

The flotilla arrives in the northwest bay of Isla Incognita. U-100 has already launched rafts for the first shore party. Luchs is stopped trailing ship's boats for the same purpose.

Meanwhile flagship Ajax slowly steams in also towing ship's boats. Wilhelm von Stiehl is aboard. He was last here in 1918. What must he be thinking? We may safely guess he is better prepared than nineteen years ago.

Soldiers prepare to shove off from Ajax. 

What wonders and dangers await the von Stiehl Expedition? 

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CLOSING REMARKS

1) Come back in late-October to find out! Two more chapters are underway. Each describes amazing sights and extraordinary scenes on Isla Incognita. The fate of the republic swings in the balance.

2) Can you identify the real submarine? If not, I'll identify her in October.

3) Isla Incognita's bay was first painted with a very thick coat of white house primer paint. Liquitex Professional Acrylic Artist Color Phthalocyanine Blue (green shade) with medium viscosity was applied afterwards. Brush strokes varied between light and heavy as did the amount of paint to simulate deep and shallower water. In the tropics white sand is fascinating to see at considerable depth through the water. Here it is simulated where blue becomes whiter. Waves were made from white cotton-like material found stuffed inside some pillows, blankets and such. It is a fabric named batting.

4) The von Stiehl Werke was a factory built twenty years ago for a model railroad. It was fun for my twin sons and I to back cars in and out again and again. A serendipity moment occurred last year when I realized it could become the repair facility for von Stiehl's canoe and to also hide her. Canoe was the word German submariners used for their WWI submarines.

5) Thank you for looking in. I hope you enjoyed the photo story, had fun and found the submarine photos I personally took unique, interesting and illuminating.

6) Meanwhile, kindly place your guess about the sub's identity with other thoughts tiefer (deeper) at Comments.

* * * * * Das Ende * * * * *