Opening Moves

“You should be safe here. They don’t normally come on here unless they are picking up stuff for the Colonel. Get dry and grab some sleep. It’s coming up to three o’clock so you can have two hours easily before I put you in the hold. You can sleep more in there, provided one of you stays alert.”

Pförzer quickly tidied up the mugs, cleaned them and replaced them in the rack, then settled back into his chair and looked at his new comrades, realising that each was already asleep and dreaming of a better world.

At five o’clock he would get them into the hold and then be away to see Colonel Evgeny for his signed pass.

0503 hrs Sunday, 5th August 1945, Ybbs an der Donau, Soviet Occupied Lower Austria.

“Waking the dead would probably have been easier,” chirped Pförzer, as Shandruk became the last of the three to return to life, all having taken advantage of the safety offered to sleep deeply.

“As soon as you are all ready to move ,we will get you into the hold while I’m away. It’s always locked and it’s very secure, so provided you stay quiet at all times you shouldn’t have problems.”

He passed a paper wrap to Uhlmann.

“Apple, bread and wurst is all I have at the moment but I will be able to do better for lunch Herr Sturmbannfuhrer.”

Pförzer moved out and onto the deck, scanning the area carefully whilst appearing to busy himself with chores and checks. He beckoned the three out after a short delay.

Showing them down into the hold, Pförzer whispered, “In the far corner you will find sacks and sheeting. Very comfortable I should think menschen. Leave the boxes and stacks alone if you please.”

Before closing the hatch and locking them inside, Pförzer took another look around.

“I will be back within two hours kameraden. I will bring clothes and food with me and we will leave the quay immediately, if only that we may talk more openly and safely. There is lot of strange stuff going on with the Russians at the moment and I want to get clear of here as soon as possible.”

In the darkness, Uhlmann decided to save his precise and worrying explanation of the Russian behaviour for later.

“No lights, stay silent until you hear me speak directly to you. And for god’s sake, one of you stays awake! Alles klar meine herren?”

Barely audible assent and thanks floated up from the three already immersed in the total darkness of the hold, and then the locks were in place and Pförzer was gone.

0657 hrs Sunday, 5th August 1945, Ybbs an der Donau, Soviet Occupied Lower Austria.

It seemed like the man had been absent but a few minutes before the sound of the engine reluctantly coming to life disturbed Uhlmann. He had stayed awake first, whilst the others slept, and then placed Braun on alert and taken his own rest.

Two opaque panels in a small central structure in the ceiling allowed a low light to gently bathe the hold, sufficient for Uhlmann to see his comrades.

That Braun and Shandruk were fast asleep when at least one should have been alert was not wasted on him, and he had court-martialled men in his unit for the same offence on the Russian Front. The other two started awake as the engine roared with acceleration, and he looked at each man’s reaction.

Without the need for words, he established that Braun had indeed fallen asleep on guard. In the silence of looks exchanged between fellow soldiers, Braun accepted his blame, and his guilt was clearly marked on his pained expression. Rolf inclined his head and raised one eyebrow, in the style of an extravagant silent movie actor. In return, he received a resigned exhalation from the ashamed NCO. There was nothing more to be said.

They became aware that the vessel was moving and relaxed. After what seemed like an age the hatch was opened and Pförzer greeted them as the morning sun flooded into their hiding place. Some clothes were thrown down, along with a brown wrap with food.

“Morning kameraden, sorry for the delay but I wanted to pass the bridge before letting any of you out. The day is bright and not a cloud in the sky. No sign of the storms now.”

His head withdrew as he quickly scanned around before returning.

“Get into those civilian rags as soon as possible. I will put your uniforms over the side later on. When you have done that, we can have you up on deck one at a time.”

A further check on the surroundings.

“I normally bring one crew with me, so no-one will be worried to see a hand on deck. Willi is staying at home today.”

A huge grin split his face.

“We will have you safe and sound in no time. Watch your eyes.”

His hand dropped inside the frame and clicked the switch to the three lights, which immediately illuminated the hold area.

The light, even though low wattage, hurt their eyes, as none had been quick enough to react to Pförzer’s warning.

The hatch dropped back into place.