The Hansa Way
OUTLINE
Spring of 1945: Elisabet, pregnant from a German Navy seaman, is now an outcast in her home country. In hopes of finding her lost lover, she sets sail on a journey with her new born daughter, hopping from a fishing trawler to a drifting U-Boat along the Hansa route leading her from Helsinki to Danzig from where she is finally evacuated along with thousands of ethic Germans expelled from Soviet controlled Poland.
Elisabet is delivering her baby daughter as the radio announces that the German Army has retreated to Norway, having Scorched earth Northern Finland on its passage, leaving a desolated land behind. Amidst the celebration that follows, Elisabet is being pressured by her bourgeois Swedish speaking family not to divulge the identity of the baby's father, to avoid tarnishing its business' reputation . Not wanting to bear such a burden on her daughter and yearning to find her lover, she talks to Red Cross personnel stationed at the hospital who assist her in tracking the father's family in Danzig, under Soviet control. In the disarray that precedes the German capitulation and with no way to communicate via mail or telegraph, she seeks a way to reach Soviet controlled Estonia, hoping to make her way to Danzig. Only experienced fishermen can navigate the dangerous waters along the "mine net" laid between Helsinki and Tallinn. Elisabet boards an Estonian fishing trawler at night.
<< PREVIOUS EPISODE - NEXT EPISODE >>
HOSPITAL ROOM, HELSINKI, 25 APRIL 1945
The low lying Nordic sun bounces off the glass windows from a house across the street and radiates through the sparsely furnished hospital room. Alma, an Assistant Nurse gently pulls a baby girl from of her mother's womb. As no one else is around to cut the umbilical cord, she asks Elisabet to hold her dripping newborn while she gets the scissors. Elisabet weeps a mixture of joy and sadness as Alma cuts the cord then wipes the baby before exiting the the room.
HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM, HELSINKI, 25 APRIL 1945
A crowd nurses are gathered around the radio as the newsman announces that the last German soldier has just crossed the Norwegian border. The short war against Germany has left desolation throughout Northern Finland and the Finnish Army will now concentrate its resources on the Eastern front to block any Russian invasion attempt.
Alma finds a middle aged couple waiting in a room adjacent to the cheering crowd.
-Mr. and Mrs. Ahlström? asks Alma.
-Yes, anxiously replies Elisabet's mother.
-It's a girl!
-Is she healthy? asks the father.
-Yes, both the baby and the mother are fine. You can come in now, replies Alma, smiling.
The mother looks at the father who holds her back.
-We have to go. Please give her this, and this for you, replies the father as he hands an envelope and a couple of 1000 Markka notes to Alma.
HOSPITAL ROOM, HELSINKI, 25 APRIL 1945
Alma walks back into the room holding the envelope and a notepad.
-So? asks Elisabet.
-They left...
Elisabet holds her baby tight and stares out the window.
-Hypocrites!
Alma places the envelope on the night table. Elisabet grabs it and peeks inside finding a stack of 1000 Markka notes.
-You are sure that you don't want to think about it some more?
-Yes, I'm sure, replies Elisabet as she puts the envelope back on the table. Marie, Marie Grass. That's her name.
-You can stay here for a few days if you want... You should rest now, says Alma as she writes down the baby's name on the birth certificate.
PUB, PORT OF SOMPASAARI, A WEEK LATER
The pub is crowded with fishermen, sailors and dockers drinking and discussing the outcome of the war, and its implication for their livelihoods. In the back of the pub, the only woman there attracts attention as she talks to a young man, siting at her table.
-With the baby? asks the seaman.
-Yes, replies Elisabet holding Marie tightly wrapped in a white cloth.
-I don't know. I was told one passenger. Didn't know you would be a woman... With a baby.
-I'll pay double.
The young man is taken aback by the directness of this woman, even younger than him.
-Ok I guess... So meet us a the end of the dock at midnight. Be discreet. One luggage only... and the baby...
-Thank you... thank you so much.
HELSINKI ARCHIPELAGO, 3-4 MAY 1945, NIGHT
A fishing trawler sails away from Helsinki. The Baltic Sea is eerily quiet on this third day following the announcement of Hitler's death.
ESTONIAN FISHING TRAWLER, BALTIC SEA, 4 MAY 1945, NIGHT
Elisabet winds a music box playing The Swedish Rhapsody to little Marie's ear as they share a narrow berth in a corner of the main cabin where other crewmen are resting.
As Marie falls asleep and the music stops, one of the seamen, the one who she met in the pub, turns towards her and whispers.
-Good night.
-Good night to you too, answers Elisabet. How long until we reach Estonia?
-About six more hours. We could go faster but because of the mines...
Elisabet, caresses her daughter's face and pulls up her blanket trying to fall asleep amidst the whirring of the boat engine.
ESTONIAN FISHING TRAWLER, BALTIC SEA, 20 NAUTICAL MILES FROM TALLINN, 4 MAY 1945, DAWN
A fisherman, alone on deck, scouts the foggy horizon, as the boat navigates on a fine line between two rows of mines. Hearing voices mixed to the sound of the diesel engine and of the water hitting the hull, he looks towards the cabin to make sure he isn't being called but the trawler's captain is dozing off at the helm and there are no other souls on deck. Hearing more calls, he is befuddled when a surfaced submarine appears through the fog, meters away from his slowly sailing trawler. On its deck, several sailors call him in German, and in what sounds like various Baltic languages.
Confused, the fisherman takes a few seconds to realize that the U-boat is not in a firing position, then replies to the German sailors telling them to hold on as he calls his captain twice before he could wake him up. Hearing the commotion, Elisabet climbs on deck holding baby Marie in her arms. The two other fishermen are now on decks trowing ropes at the U-boat as more German seamen pop out through the submarine's fin side door.
The captain of the Estonian trawler is baffled when the very young Commander of the U-boat jumps on his rusty fishing boat.
-Are you the captain? asks the German Kriegsmarine Commander.
-Euh... Yes, replies the Estonian fisherman in German with a thick accent.
-We need Diesel. We can pay you.
-Diesel? The Estonian fisherman looks at his crew which have gathered around him.
-Do you understand what they want? he asks his 3 men crew in Estonian.
They all reply that they don't as Elisabet walks up to them still holding Marie.
-They want to buy Diesel... They're willing to pay, claims Elisabet.
All men turn towards the mother and baby.
The Estonian then looks at the 75 meters Type XXI Elektroboote.
-Diesel! I don't know... How much do they need?
Elisabet translate in German then Finnish from now on.
-Enough to reach passed the Russian lines. Maybe 10 tons.
-10 tons! Our tank only holds two, and we're probably half empty.
-You can buy some from the Russians in Tallinn, not us.
The Estonian fisherman hesitates...
-From the Russians... It's risky.
-We can pay you...
The German Commander pulls a 1kg gold bar bearing an engraved swastika from his pocket.
-This one now, for your reserve... and one more per ton you bring back.
DOCKS, TALLINN, NIGHT
The docks are bearably lit by a single lamp post on this chilly Spring night. With its lights down, a Soviet Army truck slowly drives by the docked Estonian trawler. The Estonian captain and two of his crewmen apprehensively walk across the truck's path. The driver flashes the head beams twice and stops. The three fishermen walk up to the truck.
-Let's move, says the driver in Estonian.
-How many you got? asks the captain.
-20 barrels.
-Ok, that will do, replies the captain, figuring out the maths as he answers. Can you pull back by my boat.
-No, replies the driver nervously. Let's do it here right now. You have the money?
-Better, the captain pulls the gold bar and hands it to the driver. That's five times the value.
The driver inspects the Swastika bullion as the two other fishermen pull up the tail tarp and start rolling down the drums out of the truck.
NAVIGATION TABLE, INTERIOR U-3955, 5 MAY 1945, EARLY MORNING
The U-boat Commander, the Engineer and Navigator, all in their early 20s, are drawing radius with compasses on a map of the Baltic sea as the Estonian captain accompanied by Elisabet and Marie stand by. Marie starts crying as heavy metallic noises emanate from the pressurized hull. Elisabet plays the music box's Swedish Rhapsody to soothe her.
-20 times 0.1341 ton, that's 2682 kg... With what's left in the tank, it's barely 3 tons, says the Engineer.
-We won't make it passed Gotland, replies the Navigator looking at the map.
The U-boat Commander looks at the Estonian, then at Elisabet still singing to Marie's ear.
-You're sure he can't get more, asks the Commander?
Elisabet translates.
-No, he will already have to account for the missing 20, says the Estonian to Elisabet. That's all we can do... Can you ask him to bring us back up now?
Before Elisabet could even translate a message pops from the Enigma machine. All heads turns towards the Radioman.
-From OKW, Flensburg: ALL SHIPS ARE TO CEASE FIRE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE NEAREST ALLIED FORCES PORT FLYING A BLACK FLAG.
-That means we can't even surrender to the Swedes. We've got to make our way to Fehmarn, says the Commander to his Officers.
Suddenly, the Watchman stops his rotation of the periscope and shouts.
-Commander! A four engine bomber is flying low at 11 o'clock.
-That's the third one this morning. They're is no way we can resurface before sunset, says the Commander.
-If that trawler stands still all day, it'll attract attention. They'll dispatch a Corvette, says the First Officer. We have to move on.
Elisabet who understood the conversation, thus the implications for her, Marie and the Estonian captain, becomes the center of attention.
-What's going on, asks the Estonian.
-I don't mind continuing with you, says Elisabet to the Germans ignoring the Estonian...
-What about him, asks the Engineer.
All heads turn towards the Estonian who looks confused.
BALTIC SEA, 20 NAUTICAL MILES FROM TALLINN
A tiny black inflatable raft unfolds as it reaches the surface followed by the Estonian captain who pops out of the water like a fishing quark wearing a Tauchretter. He climbs onto the raft, sinks into it and stares at 3 gold bars which he pulls from his pocket before starting to row towards his trawler half a NM away.
COMMAND POST, U-3955, MORNING
-15 meters down, 220 degrees WSW, 90 percent speed, shouts the First Officer to the Crew as the Watchman pulls down the periscope.
-Welcome aboard ladies, says the Commander as he looks at Elisabet holding Marie bearing a smile.
-Thank you Captain.
-Commander... corrects the Commander.
TORPEDO ROOM, U-3955
The numbing sound of transformers echoes through the U-boat's hull. Elisabet sits by Marie on a lower berth in the torpedo room. The Commander walks to them and kneels down.
-So what's her name?
-Marie.
The Commander caresses Marie's forehead.
-Hopefully, she'll get to grow up in peace.
-Yes, replies Elisabet not too sure on how to react to the Commander's proximity.
-How old are you?
-17...
-That's how old I was when I embarked on my first patrol, like 5 years ago. When I leave this ship, hopefully we all will, I'll be 17 again... All these years... It's like time stopped.
-You're only 22? and a Commander!
The Commander smiles.
-This is my first patrol as Commander. We left Danzig on March 26 and have been playing hide and seek with the Russians since then.
CAPTAIN'S QUARTER, OFF FÅRÖ ISLAND, SWEDEN, MAY 5, 1945, EVENING
One by one, the Commander pulls a dozen of compact wooden boxes from his safe and hands them to the Navigator who places them side by side on the Commander's berth. All are sealed and bear an engraved Deutsche Reichsbank eagle on their lid.
-You are sure about the position? asks the Commander.
The Navigator is stunned by the number of boxes.
-Yeah... How much is that? I thought you meant 20-30 kg...
-One hundred kg per box. If we secure 10, that's a ton... We can't risk them seizing it all from us. Not the Russians nor the Swedes.
-Hell no!
-So you have to make absolutely sure that we have the right coordinates...
-I double checked with the sextant and triple checked with the lighthouse... We're spot on... 500m in line.
-Ok. Last thing... Ask Radioman to send an encrypted message to Flensburg with our coordinates. This shall be our last recorded position...
SEABED, OFF FÅRÖ ISLAND
Standing on the seabed by merely 15m depth, the Navigator is scouting the horizon with a battery lantern, trying to count the boxes. His stiff diving suit prevents him from looking up at a wooden box which is plummeting down along his breathing tube. The box hits the side of his helmet and knocks him over on the murky seabed creating a cloud of dust.
U-3955 DECK, OFF FÅRÖ ISLAND, MAY 5, 1945, DAY
The Engineer holds the umbilical breathing tube/cord as the Commander dumps the remaining boxes one by one aiming at the fading light below.
-It's getting tighter. Like if he got deeper... warns the Engineer.
-The light hasn't moved... Is he responding?
The Engineer hits the cord twice and waits for a response as the Commander's focus shifts from the bottom of the sea to the rotating beam of the lighthouse.
Suddenly, the cord is pulled 3 times meaning that the diver requests to be pulled back up...
U-3955 DECK, OFF FÅRÖ ISLAND, NIGHT
The 3 officers are now at the ship's stern.
-This gold doesn't belong to us, but it for sure doesn't belong to the Russians nor to the British, nor to the Americans... utters the Commander. So, for now, it shall remain submerged until the three of us agree on what to do with it.
-And if one of us disappears? suggests the Engineer.
-Well then the two remaining will decide... replies the Commander.
-And if we all disappear! proposes the Navigator.
At that moment Elisabet pops out of the fin's hatch and climbs down ladder.
-Well lets figure this out later on, now we need to find a way out of here, says the Navigator as he helps the Engineer carrying the diving equipment inside.
-Can I help? asks Elisabet as crosses the 2 officers on the narrow path leading to the stern of the ship.
-No, we're good... Go comfort the Commander... He's in the midst of an existential crisis.
She walks towards the Commander, sitting at the ship's stern, staring at the lighthouse .
-Can I join you Commander? asks Elisabet.
The Commander turns around and smiles at Elisabet.
-Sure... You want to sit down? replies the Commander as he lays his life vest on the steel deck as a cushion. You smoke?
-Ok...
The Commander pulls a couple of "Favorit Zigaretten" and blows a long flames out of his tube lighter to ignite Elisabet's cigarette.
-That's good... We have to save the petrol! says Elisabet as she gently pulls the Commander's hand away.
The Commander lights his own. They look at the lighthouse beam for a while...
-You should go back home Elisabet... The war is over now and Germany is not the place to be, says the Commander. We could drop you off here. This is Sweden. They're neutral. You could be home in a couple of weeks.
Elisabet remains silent for a moment.
-I'm sure I'll find him...
-Even if he made it, which is rather unlikely, he'll probably be sent to a labour camp in Ural or even further... For God knows how long...
The lighthouse beam passes right above their heads.
-Then I'll wait... I'm not going back to them. I want my daughter to be wanted... proud. Proud of her mother and proud of her father. I don't want her to grow up ashamed... hiding the fact that her father was the enemy and that her mother was a loose girl...
-Maybe you're right... But a loose girl... That much? replies the Commander teasing Elisabet.
-You know what I mean...
A moment passes. The Commander is uneasy, not sure if he offended Elisabet with his comment.
-You have a wife? asks Elisabet, breaking the silence.
-No... Never even had a real girlfriend.
-What do you mean Real?
-Well like a girl I go out with... Write to... That kind of things.
-But you've been with women before?
-Of course... I'm a seaman.
-You mean prostitutes...
-Yes... Kind of, replies the Commander embarrassingly.
-And did you love them.
-I liked one... She was a Polish girl in Danzig. I think she liked me too.
-And?
-Don't know. When we came back from a patrol, the brothel had been destroyed by an air raid.
-Sorry...
-I don't think she died. Neighbours said all the girls went to the shelter... But no one knows where they went after...
Elisabet kisses the Commander on the cheek.
NAVIGATOR'S TABLE, OFF FÅRÖ ISLAND, NIGHT
The Commander and the Navigator are drinking Ersatzkaffee while studying a map of Gotland.
-There are two possibilities. Either we try Visby and purchase from a fisherman, which means we have to enter and wait in the straight or we try the base here on Fårö, where there is a base... points out the Navigator.
-We could get squeezed in the straight... But then again, buying from the Swedish Navy...
-Maybe we bribe a seaman...
-In German?
At this moment Elisabet pulls the curtain and walks out of the adjacent Commander's quarters.
-Did we wake you up?
-It's Okay, Marie is sleeping...
-Coffee? Offers the Commander.
-No thanks, I don't drink coffee yet, and it wouldn't be good for the baby... responds Elisabet as she looks at the map.
-You're right, although it's not even coffee, replies the Navigator as he looks at his reflection inside his cup.
-I speak Swedish, if that helps?
Both look at her incredulous...
-How many languages do you speak? Asks the Commander.
-Three. Finnish at school, Swedish at home and German... Well, in bed... smiles Elisabet... and some Estonian, at the fish-market.
-Wow, replies the Navigator.
-So you heard what we were saying, says the Commander.
-Yes, you guys want to sneak onto the island to buy or get some diesel from the Swedish Navy. But you don't speak Swedish!
-Basically that's it, answers the Commander.
-How long do you think it will take. I can't really leave Marie for more then 4 hours without feeding her.
-4 hours! I think it'll be at least 12! if not a a whole day... says the Commander.
U-3955, ELECTRICAL ENGINE ROOM, MAY 6, 1945, DAY
The U-boat's Engineer ties a last wire to a Breast pump prototype under the suspicious eye of the Commander.
-And you're sure this will work?
-Yes, it's Edward Lasker, who was a student at Charlottenburg's Technical Institute where I studied who invented this.
-Lasker, the chess player? asks the Commander.
-Yes, answers the Engineer. So you want me to make the demonstration on you or directly on her?
-Well, maybe we'll test on a crewman first.
SHORE, FÅRÖ ISLAND, MAY 6, 1945, DUSK
The Commander, the Navigator and Elisabet beach their inflatable boat on the northern shore of Fårö Island.
-Don't worry, she'll be fine... says the Navigator to Elisabet. There are 50 daddies playing mommy on board.
-I've just never left her, replies Elisabet.
-Let's go! says the Commander as he grabs one side of the boat.
The trio takes covers in a wooden patch about 500m north of the Fårö Fyr.
-There should be a road leading to the lighthouse. We can walk along until we hit a cross road. Says the Navigator.
-Do you guys know where we're going? asks Elisabet.
-To get diesel! reply the two guys, looking at each other.
FÅRÖ FYR, FÅRÖ ISLAND, NIGHT
The trio reach the lighthouse and take cover behind rocks, scouting the area for potential vigils. The lighthouse beam intermittently bouncing off a patch of fog over the sea, illuminates the area revealing several barrels sitting at the bottom of the tower.
-Do you think they're full, asks Elisabet noticing the barrels.
-Most likely paraffin for the lamp, replies the Navigator, who looks at the Commander. What do you think?
(Type XXI submarines were initially developed to run using paraffin for air-independent propulsion but the project was abandoned by the kriegsmarine and replaced by dielsel/electric engines.)
-No... She's not ready... I mean we'd have to run it by Engineer but... Anyhow, strange that the whole set up is left unguarded, says the Commander.
At that moment, light beams flicker through the forest, revealing an incoming vehicle and defining the prospective road.
An M/43 Volvo all terrain vehicle arrives and stops at the foot of the lighthouse. The two men on board walk out and start calling a name out loud... No one replies... Until a dark shape, lying a couple of rocks away from Elisabet, starts moving. The Commander muzzles her from behind as the Navigator aims his handgun at the Swedish seaman slowly standing up, gathering his weapon, helmet and backpack, on which he had been sleeping, and walking towards the vehicle.
-Yeah, yeah... shouts the sleepy vigil as the two others break into laughter.
The tree Swedes sit by the paraffin barrels and pull out a bottle of Akvavit to celebrate the end of the war leaving the vehicle unattended, 10 meters away...
Behind their rocks, the Navigator looks at the Commander, who then looks at Elisabet, still muzzled, then back at the Navigator...
-I guess this is our chance! If we get separated, walk back to the lifeboat and hide. We'll either be there or they'll send another boat to get you.
-What do you mean separated! Let's stay together right, says Elisabet as she pulls the Commander's hand away from her mouth.
On those words, the Navigator notices that one of the Swedes stands up to take a piss against the lighthouse tower.
-Let's go.
The trio climb onto the road and make a loop around the vehicle to approach it from behind, hidden from the Swedish seamen. The Commander pushes Elisabet onto the back seat then climbs over the front seat where the Navigator is busy trying to figure out the starting system.
-You think this is it?
-How would I know...
-Well, they're about 3 seconds away from us... maybe 5 because they're drunk. So you got to get it right the first time. I can't start shooting at Swedes... Plus the war is over.
-Shooting! I thought you guys brought me along because I could negotiate, murmurs Elisabet from the bottom of the back seat.
-Well, change of plans... We didn't know they'd provide us with a getaway car...
The sounds of the escaping vehicle steer the Swedes into motion, but the darkness of the Baltic night prevents them from firing a single shot.
COMMAND POST, U-3955
Marie is crying as the Engineer and two other seamen desperately try to get her drink from a pierced pouch containing her mother's milk. Radioman kneels in front of her and starts playing the music box. Marie slowly stops to cry, and starts suckling the poach to the crew's great relief.
MAIN GATE OF THE SWEDISH NAVAL BASE, FÅRÖ ISLAND, NIGHT
All lights down, the trio's vehicle is parked a short distance from main gate of the island's Naval Base.
-We're talking not even 10km... They'll be back within less than 2 hours!
-The way they were guarding the lighthouse, maybe we have a shot at getting in.
-It doesn't look like there is a fence besides the gate.
-But where is the depot? Plus how many barrels can we fit in here.
The Navigator looks at the space behind him.
-Like 6 max.
-That's good. We could probably get passed Rugen with that. We just need to know if the Soviets reached much further.
ROAD BACK TO FÅRÖ FYR, FÅRÖ ISLAND, NIGHT
The trio's M/43 Volvo stacked up to the roof with diesel drums zooms by the 3 seamen they stole it from before they could once again have time to pull their weapons. Confused and concerned about the outcome of the potentially embarrassing situation, the Swedes start walking back towards the lighthouse.
-Did you notice a slipway at the end of the road, asks the Commander.
-No, but it wouldn't make sense that they're wouldn't be one, replies the Navigator.
-Well we have maybe half an hour to get the raft and dump the drums. Elisabet, can you drive?
-No... I only drove a farmer's tractor when I was a kid.
-Ok so you get the boat and steer it back close to the lighthouse. Don't forget both paddles and the rope.
-You think it's all going fit on the boat? There was barely enough room for the 3 of us, asks Elisabet concerned.
-We'll tow the barrels.
-But they'll sink!
-Don't worry...
FÅRÖ FYR, FÅRÖ ISLAND, MAY 7, 1945, DAWN
-Shit, it's gonna be day before we even leave.
-Hopefully the 3 Swedes are making their way back here and not alerting the base.
-Ok, let's go. Elisabet, to the boat, Don't forget the paddles and the rope.
-Nav, help me unload then drive the kastenwagen back at least one km up the road and run back. Find a way to stall them when they find it...
All three execute their task in a flash.
SIDE OF THE ROAD, FÅRÖ ISLAND, DAWN
The 3 Swedes take cover in the forest as they notice the head beams of their running m/43 pointing towards them. After debating a plan of action, they cautiously walk to the m/43 pointing their weapons in its direction. After a longish standoff, they realize that the vehicle has been empty all along. They debate weather they should report the whole incident... One starts walking back towards the lighthouse as the two others drive back to the base, hoping that the longish watch turnover will get unnoticed...
OFF FÅRÖ ISLAND, MORNING
The fin of U-3955 pops out of the water to the great relief of the Commander, Navigator and Elisabet who are arduously rowing with 6 fully loaded barrels in tow. Seeing two full bottle of Akvavit at the bottom of the boat, Elisabet teases the Navigator.
-I see you trusted that the barrels would float but you didn't take any chance with the bottles!
FÅRÖ FYR, FÅRÖ ISLAND, MORNING
The Swedish relief vigil finally arrives by foot to the lighthouse, just in time to witness the German U-Boat diving less than 200m from shore.
Incredulous, he starts walking back towards the base...
U-3955, TURBINE ROOM, MAY 7, 1945, DAY
The Commander surrounded by Elisabet, Marie and most of the crew are gathered in the turbine room as the Navigator pours Akvavit into the seamen tin cups.
-skål! Shouts the Navigator as he raise his glass to the crew and the girls.
-To all the mommies on board, pursues the Engineer!
Elisabet stands up.
-Thank you Engineer and thank you all for taking care of my little Marie while I was ashore...
-Our little Marie! shouts a seaman as he mimics holding one of his breast.
The Commander stands up and waits for the commotion and laughter that follows to settle before addressing the crew.
-As you know, our country has now officially surrendered... The war is over... We have lost... Although I am still the Commander of this ship, as a renegade officer, I no longer have authority on its crew and therefore cannot unilaterally decide of its faith. Most of you are older than me. Many with families hopefully waiting for them in the motherland, or somewhere in what will be a new Europe.
As some of you know, this ship supports the latest classified technology designed by our country and is praised by our enemies... Former enemies... My instructions were to avoid seizure of this ship at any cost... Sailing it back to Danzig is in contradiction with these orders. Scuttling the ship in deep enough water to avoid its raising would mean death for most, if not all of us... And we now have a baby on board...
Our only hope is to reach Bornholm, which is under the new German Government's control. Our batteries are now operational and fully loaded which means that we could try the impossible... reach Nexø by tonight. This means sailing submerged by at least 15 meters to clear the draft of the Soviet fleet for close to 250 NM. This also mean overriding our oxygen production by more than double its capabilities. So in the best interest of all, I ask of you to lie down, talk a minimum and prey. If we don't make it we'll have to surface in broad daylight... in very hostile waters.
BALTIC SEA, 3 NAUTICAL MILES EAST OF NEXØ, BORNHOLM ISLAND, MAY 7-8, 1945, NIGHT
After a 15 hour submerged journey at full steam from Fårö, the snorkel of U-3955 emerges 3 Nautical Miles off Nexø, on the still German controlled island of Bornholm, Denmark. The inflow of fresh oxygen revives the sleepy crew. The Navigator is first to peak through the periscope. The small town is ablaze and bombs keep falling from the sky.
-Shit! I don't know what this is but it sure doesn't look like peace. Take a look Commander.
The Commander grabs the periscope and orders the Radioman.
-Radioman... Get High Command in Rønne. See what's happening. Whoever is on it, it doesn't look like they're only targeting the port. The whole town is on fire.
The Radioman starts setting rollers on the Enigma as the Commander approaches.
-Forget about the code... Get them on the Radio.
The Radioman scans the frequency dial.
-This is U-3955, I repeat this is U-3955... requesting situation report on the port of Nexø.
The Radioman looks back at the Commander who's surrounded by the rest of the crew... Radio Silence...
-This is Rønne High Command. Identify yourself.
The Commander grabs the mike.
-This is Commander XX of the Kriegsmarine. Requesting authorization to dock at Nexø. Out of fuel and supplies.
Long silence at the other end as the Commander looks at Elisabet who joined the group around him.
-Negative. Nexø at risk of imminent attack.
The Commander hands the mike back to the Radioman as he addresses the Navigator.
-No shit imminent... What do you say Nav!
-I say we have no choice. We could sail submerged all the way to the main dock and evacuate between to waves of attack. We spread on the island an lay low until things settle down...
-Yes, until they sink us and we lose our escape ride, replies the Commander as he grabs the mike again.
-This is U-3955 Commander XX, requesting to speak to the garrison’s commander.
A fifteen minute silence is interrupted by a voice breaking over the sound of explosions.
-This is KZS von Kamptz, commander of Bornholm... We are holding the island against a Soviet attack while expecting a response from Allied command in Copenhagen at any moment... We have lost contact with Nexø's Kriegsmarine and DCA bases. Do you have a visual on the port and town of Nexø?
-Affirmative. The town is ablaze and several civilian ships are either burning of sunken in the port. Explosions seem to have slowed down over the past few minutes... Do you have an ETA on the British contingent?
-British of Americans... No... We were expecting a plane but our airstrips are all down so it will have to be a ship... In the morning I hope. What about the situation at sea? Our radar stations are all down...
-We can't give you our location on air but so far...
The Commander peaks at the Radarman who nods his head then he grabs the periscope while keeping the mike in his palm and rotates a 180.
-... So far, nothing on the horizon...
DOCKS, NEXØ PORT, MAY 8, 1945, EVENING
The fin of U-3955 emerges by a sunken passenger ship along the main dock in Nexø. Most of the town is burning and an eerie silence shrouds the port. The Commander followed by six of his men jump onto the dock's ladder and make their way to the abandoned Kriegsmarine's building which flag catches on fire as they reach the main entrance.
-HALT!
The U-boat crew ducks as the hear the order coming from the roof of a nearby building.
-Don't move, orders the Commander to his crew, before shouting back at the voice on the roof.
-This is Commander XX, we just docked our ship. Can I speak to you're CO?
A minute later, a wounded German sailor walks out of the building using his gun as a crutch. The Commander walks up to help him out.
-Where are the others.
-I don't know, every one in my squadron is dead. The bombardments just stopped about an hour ago. They've been bombing us for over two days. I thought the war was over. What's going on?
-I don't know. Have you seen and British or Americans?
-No, only planes coming from the East. Russians for sure... Do you have a doctor on board?
-No, but we'll take car of you. Is there a building where we could take cover for the night? Food?
-Maybe the church right behind. It's still standing.
NEXØ KIRKE
Elisabet and Marie take refuge in the Nexø Church as Soviet bombs continue dropping on the small town.
DANZIG
Following its liberation by the Red Army, the city is in disarray and prone to "ethnic cleansing". Elisabet finds Gunter's family home repossessed by displaced Poles. Claiming the German citizenship of her daughter, she takes part in a massive exodus of Ethnic Germans towards the west.
LÜBECK
Elisabet and Marie take shelter in a house bordering the British and Soviet zones where Marie was raised.
Marie is raised on the Inner German Border by her single mom mother.