by M. L. Maki
INTO A FORBIDDEN SEA
Book 3 of
THE FIGHTING TOMCATS
HUNTER KILLER SERIES
BY
M. L. Maki
ROSE HILL PRESS, WASHINGTON
Into A Forbidden Sea
Book 3 of The Fighting Tomcat/Hunter Killer Series
©2020 by Sofia R. Maki and Megan L. Maki
First Edition
Cover Design by Megan L. Maki
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, any information storage and retrieval system, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Into a Forbidden Sea is a work of historical fiction and speculation using well-known historical and public figures. All incidents and dialogue are products of the authors imagination and are not to be construed as real. Because of the speculative nature of this work, we have changed some timelines of the present, such as the fact that the aircraft carrier battlegroup depicted in this book has never existed. Also, we have changed the historical timeline in the present to suit the nature of the work. Any resemblance to persons living or dead who are not historical figures is entirely coincidental.
The views presented are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the DoD or the United States Navy.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank everyone who contributed advice and help on this project. Without your kind help, it would never have happened. Several submarine community veterans, including Andrew Brown, Greg Backes MMN1(SS), Craig Cutting MMN1(SS), and John Barton ETC(SS) Retired, were indispensable by providing the technical expertise and the submarine language that this target sailor doesn’t know. We especially want to thank our beta readers, Penny Sevedge, ETNC (SW) Scott M. Richardson, Lt. Thomas Johns USNR, and Lt. Liz Petrea.
DEDICATION
To all those honest people who dedicate themselves to creating a better world. All over the world men and women dedicate themselves to saving lives, making our lives more worth living, and making our world a better place to live. They struggle for equality, for better communities, and for space to breath.
Thank you.
I believe it is the duty of each of us to act as if the fate of the world depended on him. Admittedly, one man by himself cannot do the job. However, one man can make a difference. We must live for the future of the human race, and not for our own comfort or success.
Admiral Hyman Rickover
CHAPTER 1
USS SAN FRANCISCO SSN 711, 600 FEET, 75 MILES NORTH OF FAROE ISLANDS
1900, 4 June, 1942
Lieutenant Commander John Morrison walks into Control.
“Captain in control.”
Morrison, “Cutting, what do you have?”
“Sir, there is a convoy to our south west. Sonar picked up a submarine to our west. Designate Sierra 3. Five blades, two screws.”
Morrison studies the chart table. Lt. Craig Cutting joins him, “Sorry sir. I’m blabber mouthing.”
Morrison smiles, “Relax Lieutenant. You’re doing fine.” He looks Cutting in the eye. “Try not to let your nerves show. It can put your watch team on edge.”
“Yes, sir.”
Morrison, “Your intercept. Proceed.”
Cutting, “Yes, sir.” He turns to the watch team, “Right standard rudder, new course 260. Load Tube 1.”
ETC(SS) John Barton, Chief of the Watch, “Sir, Tube 1 is down for maintenance.”
“Of course. Load Tube 2.”
“Load Tube 2, aye.”
LCDR Greg Backes walks in and straight to the table.
“XO in control.”
They watch as the distance to their target closes.
“Control, Torpedo, Tube 2 is loaded.”
Cutting, “Very well. Flood tube 2.”
“Commodore in control.”
Commodore James “Papa” Holtz asks, “Another sub?”
Morrison, “Yes, sir.”
Cutting pushes the button, “Sonar, Conn, what can you tell me about Sierra 3?”
ST1(SS) Michael Brown, “She’s close in sound profile to the second sub we sank outside Brest. If anything, it’s quieter.”
Holtz says quietly to Morrison, “You’re letting him run the intercept?”
“Yes, sir. He needs to build confidence. Best way is to do it.”
Holtz, “I agree.”
“Conn, Torpedo. Tube 2 is flooded.”
“Very well.” Cutting looks at Morrison, who just nods. Cutting pushes the button, “Open doors on Tube 2.”
“Aye, sir.” As the door opens, they all hear a grinding noise. Cutting looks at his captain.
Morrison, “Shut Tube 2. Load Tube three. We’ve been heard, Lieutenant. What do you recommend?”
“Clearing datum?”
“Correct. Continue.”
Cutting, “Ahead standard. Right standard rudder. New course 025. Five degrees down bubble. New depth 900 feet.”
U-334, SNORKELING, WEST OF USS SAN FRANCISCO, SIERRA 3
Kapitänleutnant Hilmar Siemon sips his coffee, “How many?”
“Eighteen ships, Herr Kapitän.”
“Good. Any reply from the others?”
“Yes, Herr Kapitän. Our other three boats are moving into position.”
“Good. We go north and wait. It is a patient game.”
Sonar says, “Kapitän, I hear a noise. Bearing 160.”
Siemon, “What is it?”
“It sounded like metal grinding.”
“Could it have been whale song?”
“I don’t think so, captain.”
USS SAN FRANCISCO
“Conn, Torpedo. Tube 2 is shut. I am not sure it sealed, though.”
Cutting, “Very well. Status on three?”
“In progress.”
“Conn, Sonar. New contact, bearing 344. Designate Sierra 4.”
Cutting, “What do you make of it?”
“It’s still distant. Probably a snorkeling sub.”
Morrison motions to Cutting. When he walks close, Morrison says, “Let’s restore Tube 1. Load it and 4, as well.”
“Yes, sir.”
“We’re not in a hurry. Now that we’re clear, slow us to 1/3rd. Let’s continue looking for subs. There are probably more out here.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’re doing well, Craig. I am going to check torpedo.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Morrison leaves, heading for torpedo.
TMC(SS) Mel Kennedy says, “Sir, we can’t drain Tube 2.”
“Understood, Chief.”
TM3(SS) Evan Trindle, “Tube 3 is loaded and made ready.”
Morrison, “Call it in. Chief, when you’re done loading, we need to figure out what happened to two.”
“Yes, sir.”
Morrison watches the team work as they load tubes 1 and 4.
Once loaded Morrison, joins Kennedy at tube 2, “What do you think?”
“It sounded like something hung up in the system. We’ve fired a lot of torpedoes, but the bushings should still be okay.”
“I agree.”
On the 1MC, “Captain to control.”
Morrison puts a hand on chief’s shoulder, then walks back up to control, “What do you have?”
<
br /> “Two more sub’s, sir. Sierra 5 and 6.”
Morrison studies the chart table, “Okay, the southernmost is joining these three. A four-sub wolf pack. The convoy is about 25 miles south of us.”
Backes, “Can we use the fish in two?”
Morrison shakes his head, “No, not until it’s removed. Okay, let’s set up shots for these three subs grouped together. Once we have them, we’ll radio the escorts and walk them on the remaining sub. Go ahead, Cutting. You have it.”
“Yes, sir. Left rudder, new course 345. Five degree up bubble. Make our depth 300 feet. Flood tube 1, 3, and 4. Open doors when flooded.”
U-261, SIERRA 5
“Captain, I am hearing torpedo tubes flooding.”
Kapitänleutnant Hans Lange, “Where?”
“It is 110, sir.”
“Is that one of the others getting in a rush?”
“It could be, but I don’t think so.”
USS SAN FRANCISCO
“Conn, Torpedo. Tube 1, 3, and 4 flooded. Opening doors.” The torpedo doors open smoothly.
Lt. Cutting, “Assign tube 1 to Sierra 4. Tube 3 to Sierra 5. Tube 4 to Sierra 6. Match and cross check.”
The Fire controlman announces, “Matched and cross checked,” and repeats the tube sequence.
Morrison walks up beside Cutting and quietly asks, “Are you okay with pushing the button?”
“Um, yes, sir. I got it.”
“Proceed.”
Cutting pushes the buttons, “Fire 1. Fire 3. Fire 4.”
“Conn, Torpedo, Tubes 1, 3, and 4 fired electrically.”
“Conn, Sonar. All three fish running hot straight and normal.”
U-257, SIERRA 6
“Torpedoes, Kapitän! One has no change of bearing!”
Kapitänleutnant Heinz Rahe, “Crash dive. Make our depth 400 feet. Ahead full. Calm Hans. It will miss. You cannot hit a submarine with a torpedo. That is why our enemy uses depth charges.”
“Yes, Kapitän.”
“Snorkel secured. Engines secured. Panel is white.”
“Full down.”
“Full down, Kapitän.”
“Kapitän, one torpedo still has no bearing change. The others target our friends.”
Then they hear a high-pitched ping from the torpedo.
“The torpedo has guidance. Emergency blow. Back full.”
The Mark-48 is the pinnacle of torpedo design. It corrects for the change in bearing and explodes next to the submarine. There are no survivors.
USS SAN FRANCISCO
“Conn, Sonar. Sierra 4, 5. And 6 are hit. All three are breaking up.”
Cutting, “Very well.”
Morrison walks into Sonar, “Brown, let me know when you have a good fix on Sierra 3.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You doing okay?” Just a day ago, ST1(SS) Michael Brown saved the boat from being run down by a Nazi cruiser in a Norwegian fjord.
“Yes, sir. Sir, they’re getting quieter. It will only be a matter of time before they have guided torpedoes.”
“I agree. We need to consider how that will change our tactics.”
Guthrie, “I have it at 198.” He calls it into the tracking party in control.
Morrison, “Thank you Guthrie. Mike, once you’re commissioned, where do you want your career to go?”
“Sir, I just want to be useful. I know I can’t be a regular watch officer. I haven’t been nuclear trained.”
“Mike, we are the only nuclear sub. Nuclear training is not required.”
“Oh. I have a question, sir?” They can feel the sub tilt up as they drive up to periscope depth.
“Go ahead.”
“You’re commissioning your best guys. Isn’t that counterintuitive?”
“You, and the others, are the best we have. You will bring that expertise into the officer corps. That, and it would be a terrible management strategy to keep the cream down. It counter incentivizes everyone. I want people motivated by your promotion. In fact, I believe every enlisted sailor I have would, with development, make a quality officer. It would thrill the shit out of me to make that happen, even if it means a massive training effort.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.”
Backes pops his head in, “We’re completing the circle.”
Morrison, “Thank you, Brown.” He walks into control.
Guthrie asks, “He’s cool. What do you think will happen to Commander Cumberland? I still can’t believe he hit the Commodore. Who knew how bad off he was?”
Brown, “He’ll get court martialed. He deserves to be shot out a torpedo tube.”
USS SAN FRANCISCO
Morrison looks up the daily code, “Convoy commander, Yankee Bravo.” He repeats three times.
“Yankee Bravo, authenticate.”
Morrison, “Authentication: November, Bravo, Gulf, November, Niner.”
“Yankee Bravo, this is His Majesties Destroyer Eskimo, how may we help you?”
Morrison, “You have a German submarine eleven miles ahead of you at 041 actual. Depth is 180 feet. Course is 175 at two knots. We are out of torpedoes. Can we guide you in?”
“Most delighted. Coming to 041 and setting up for a depth charge attack. Please keep us posted.”
“Conn, Sonar. Tango 19 is accelerating and changing course.”
Cutting, “Thank you Brown.”
In a few minutes they hear the depth charges.
“Conn, Sonar. Sierra three is taking on water. It is sinking.”
Cutting, “Thank you, sonar.”
“Conn. Sonar. Sierra 3 has collapsed.”
Morrison on the radio, “Good kill, Eskimo.”
“Thank you. Any chance you could escort us a bit. We’re a day away from the Tirpitz’s lair.”
“We can escort for a bit. Yankee Bravo out.”
Holtz, “Good call. To share the fate of the Tirpitz could give away our role in sinking it.”
SMALL BOAT NEXT TO THE CAPSIZED TIRPITZ, KÅFJORD, NORWAY
1610, 05 June, 1942
SS-Oberführer Otto Von Bergan asks, “Now, Captain Ashley Thorne, please tell me what has done this to the pride of the Kriegsmarine?”
Captain Ashley “Rose” Thorne is a F-16 pilot captured at Brendenmeyer NATO Air Base after it went back in time. Her blond hair matted; her hands manacled. She looks at one of the huge holes at the turn of the bilge, “I can’t be certain. The Russians were working on a device that might have done this. It was a submarine that ran on the bottom on tractor tracks. I am not sure what weapons it would have, but if it could go under the torpedo netting it could probably run down the side of the ship planting explosives. I never saw the machine, but I heard about it in intelligence briefings.”
“Is that what you think?”
“It is too many holes to be torpedoes. That, and the netting would stop torpedoes. It’s also too cold for swimmers, even if they could get here.”
“We have a cease fire with Russia.”
“I’m sorry, sir. Perhaps the men in the submarine never got the word. We have nothing that could do this.”
He pulls her chin over to look at her. There is fear in her eyes.
“Do you lie to me?”
“N…no sir. I…I do not dare.”
“Come. Coxswain, take us to shore.”
HILL ABOVE KÅFJORD
Tucked between two rocks, Chris Oliverson of British Intelligence studies the woman on the boat. “She is manacled, yet they brought her here. She must be important.” He slides backward and quickly works his way back into the town.
INN IN KÅFJORD
SS- Oberführer Von Bergan walks in with Ashley. He has six SS soldiers and a SS female agent with him. He orders food for his group from a heavy, red haired waitress. She serves their beers and walks back to the bar.
Ashley receives water, “May I use the toilet?”
Bergan, “Lina, check it.”
The tall, lithe SS agent walks in and inspects the toilet. There is one small
window that is too small for escape and two commode stalls. She exits and motions for Ashley to enter. A minute later, the heavy waitress walks into the toilet.
Ashley hears the door open and stiffens, “I’m almost done.” Then she hears, “I’m with British Intelligence. Strip.” When Ashley comes out of the stall, the agent opens her manacles. Ashley immediately strips as the agent removes the padding from under her own apparel. She hands the cloths to Ashley, and takes her old ones, putting them back underneath her own.
Then the agent removes her red wig and puts it onto Ashely’s head. The agent makes up Ashley’s face to look a little like her own. In moments, she’s done. She steps back and surveys her work, “Go straight to the kitchen. A blond man will take you away. Do exactly what he says.”
“Who are you?”
“It doesn’t matter. Go.”
Ashley does not look at the table when she walks out and to the kitchen. In a moment, she and Chris Oliverson are outside and walking to another building. From there, they go underground and behind a hidden wall. Chris says, “Be silent. We’ll get you out of here.”
“She’s taking too long.” Lina walks into the bathroom with a machine pistol. The agent waiting behind the door, grabs her head and pulls it down onto her raised knee, knocking her out. She quickly takes the thinner woman’s clothing and runs out of the bathroom toward the kitchen shouting in German, “She is escaping!” In the pandemonium, she changes her clothing in the kitchen and walks out into the town, letting her natural grey and black hair flow.
VF-154 CO’S OFFICE, RAF ALCONBURY
0743, 6 June, 1942
Commander Samantha “Spike” Hunt is reading reports. There is a knock and a man in a suit walks in, “Good afternoon, ma’am. I am with Major General, Sir Stewart Menzies’ office. I have some information for you.”
She stands and shakes his hand, “Would you like some tea, sir?”
“Please.”
Her Yeoman, YNC Cooper pours tea for them both and leaves.
The man says, “Good tea.”
“Thank you. You can’t have my yeoman.” She smiles.
“Of course. First. Have you been made aware that our Russian friends have negotiated a unilateral cease fire with Germany?
