A Heros Birthday.

[Fredrich Von Luger]

All language has been translated to English for ease of reading.

Fredrich looked around from the Bridge of his Cruiser as it steadily cruised through the ocean at 35 knots, moving towards a dock on the German Coast. He looked at his staff, and sighed, before saying “Well Men, we’re almost home. It’s quite a shame I must spend the beginning of my birthday on a Ship in the middle of the sea, and without a Skipper either.”

The rest of his staff nodded, three days ago his skipper was found mysteriously shot dead with a Shotgun next to his body in the bridge, and the crew had just finished cleaning the blood out of the bridge a few hours ago, the official report was that it was suicide.

“Well, Sir, you’re New Skipper will be at you’re party today!” His navigational officer said.

“Yes, I suppose that’s a good thing, I hear this ones a good one.” He said. He looked across, thinking of the name of the new Skipper, A man named Johann Krueger.

He paused, and continued to look out of the window of the ship for the next few hours.

*Time Skip: Two Hours*

As his cruiser steadily floated into Harbor, he looked around, it was about ten in the morning, and a great crowd was waiting for the ship in-front of its docking station, he could see a band and three staff cars awaiting for him and his staff, and trucks waiting for the crew.

He looked around, there had to be atleast four destroyers, two U-Boats, two Light Cruisers, and, could it be!? He looked at the ship, although there was no name on it, he could tell by the ammount of main cannons and the size of it: The Bismarck!

As the ship slowly pulled into the dock, he watched his crew catch the ropes that the men on the shoreline threw over to the ship, and they tied them off to the ship, in an effort to keep the ship at its point. He looked around, and sighed, saying “Well, I’m almost fifty years old, and I’m not an Admiral yet. What a shame.”

"Someday you will be, Sir!" His navagational officer said, as he carried his overcoat over to him, and drapped it over his shoulders.

He looked across as the men of his ship finalized the tying off, placing boards across from the ship to the dock, so that it would be easier for the officers to get to and from. He looked around and sighed as he walked down the long pathways and stairs of the bridge, and appeared out of a doorway on to the wooden deck of the cruiser. He looked around, and could hear the band start up, playing the song “Oktoberfest Polka.”

He smiled, this was one of his favorite songs, and stepped across the boards, and was greeted by a wehrmacht Soldier, a Major, with a Roman salute. He smiled, and returned the salute, saying “Fine welcome wagon. I presume the fact that you have invited all of the local officers of this region.”

“Yes sir, I have. I have invited the officers of the 12th SS, 600th Fallschirmjager, and even the local 7th Infantry.” He replied.

“Good, very good.” Fredrich replied. He looked around, and listened to the rest of the band as his officers and the majority of his crew was let off the ship, and taken away in trust for their four days of shore leave. He watched a group of Wehrmacht soldiers give him a 21 gun salute, and nodded as the song was over. He was then directed to a Mercedes 770-K, and got into it, listening to the engine start up.

The car was a fine car, to say the least. The fine Italian leather lined the seats and there were even curtains to block the windows if it was to get too sunny for him, it was never too sunny for Fredrich, he was just glad to be off of the sea for a few days.

The car began to drive, and he watched the scenery drive by as the convoy of Mercedes drove down the streets of the small costal village. To his knowledge, Admiral Reader might be coming to the party tonight, and his father was coming! He was happy to hear of this, he hadn’t gotten o see his father in many years. He looked out the window, watching the scenery go by, and smiled, he was finally given a break.

As the car continued along, he could see the immense troop presence in the small town, he knew that if the allies were to find out about this party, with almost all of the Kriegsmarines high command in attendance, only one well placed bomb or a few soldiers would be able to wipe it out, and then it would be useless without good commanders, especially because Hitler had no idea how to command a Navy.

As the Mercedes Convoy arrived in-front of a Large Palace, he got out of the car, and was escorted into the house. To his surprise, all of the guests were already there, and all at once, they yelled “Surprise!”

He smiled, just barley startled, and said “What a great surprise! I was told you weren’t going to be here till tonight, or even tomorrow! What an Honor it is to see all of my good friends here!” He looked around, there was a large banner hanging over the main archway into the grand dining room that read "Happy 48th Birthday!"

He looked around, and was overjoyed when he noticed the fact that a group of his closest friends, the Five nuns from the church he was pastor at in Flensburg, were there! He quickly rushed over to them, kissing them each on the cheek, and said “Hello! It’s great to see you five!”

They all smiled, and looked around, the head nun saying “Fredrich, How good it is to see you! To believe that you are a Kaptain already! It was only a few years ago when we last saw you, as not even an officer! But, we cannot hold you up, you must go greet the rest of the guests. Since we sit at the same table as you, we will talk later, ok?”

“Ok” Fredrich replied, a wide smile on his face, he looked around, trying to find his New Skipper to greet.

[Johann Krueger]

Johann yawned, and stretched in the seat of the Ju 52, provided for his transport from the Kriegsmarine Officers Academy Germania, where he had given a lecture earlier, unfortunately, it had to be cut early, Johann didn't know why. When the plane was about a half hour from its destination, Johann was handed orders from his accompanying officer. He opened them, and read that the skipper of the heavy cruiser, Blücher, apparently a suicide and Johann was to meet the captain, one Fredrich von Luger, a fairly new Kapitän, who had the favor of the Führer himself.

Johann tucked the orders into the left pocket of his uniform, and started reading. Even though he was slightly nervous at meeting a famous Kapitän, he was even more nervous about flying. He had taken sleeping pills before he got on, and that helped, but now he was awake, and able to see everything that was going on in their suspended box. His intense reading helped out with his anxiety, but still, when it was time to land, drops of sweat were falling off Johann’s face, and creating dark patches on the pages.

The plane dipped down, and it took all of Johann’s will to not puke his breakfast all over the plane. A few minutes later, when they were safe on the tarmac, Johann breathed a sigh of relief, and took a moment to compose himself before stepping out. Fredrich might be famous, but Johann had a following too, mostly from his work on the pocket battleships, but still famous, nonetheless. When he was fully composed, he walked out of the plane, and onto the tarmac, waving to the fair sized crowd that was there. He quickly walked over to the Mercedes 770-K waiting for him, and was taken to a hotel room, where he cleaned himself, prepared, and wore his dress uniform.

After all that was done with, he walked back to the car, and got in. The driver took him to an ornate palace, filled with party officials and high officers of the NSDAP and all branches of the military. “Driver, I think you’re at the wrong place. I’m supposed to meet my Kapitän, not go to a party.” The driver turned around, and pointed to the palace. “That’s where he is. It’s his birthday today, so they’re celebrating it. No better place to meet your CO than a party, correct?” Johann shrugged, and got out, thanking the driver. He sighed, and walked through the door, greeted by the sight of a party in full swing. The band was playing a dancing tune, people were drinking and laughing, and Johann sighed again. He wasn’t exactly a party person. Sure, he drank with other sailors, when he was a seaman, and later with officers when he was promoted, but he had never really attended a party like this before, and frankly, Johann wasn’t really hoping to anytime soon.

To help alleviate some of the stress, Johann made a beeline for the bar, ordering a glass of Stroh 80, his favorite drink. After he finished the glass, he figured he might as well find Kapitän Luger, who must be somewhere in here. He looked around from the bar for a few minutes, and finally saw him, talking to some nuns in the corner. He headed toward the group, but made the mistake of walking through the dance floor, getting caught up in the dance with a particularly drunk girl. Johann shrugged, and danced with her until the song was over, not really enjoying himself. Luckily, the girl was too drunk to notice, and fell asleep in a nearby chair after the dance.

Johann quickly got off the dance floor, and resumed his search for Kapitän Luger, this time spotting him in another corner, talking to a priest. He walked over to the pair, being very careful to avoid the dance floor, and finally made it to the Kapitän. Johann saluted, and said, “Korvettenkapitän Johann Dietrich Krüger, reporting for duty, sir!” Johann handed the Kapitän his orders, for inspection, while maintaining the customary Kreigsmarine salute.

[Alban Dierdrich Werden]

Alban inhaled deeply. He was at the party for a new Kapitain, one he would be serving under none the less. It would be hard to put Hoffnung des Lebens under the responsibility of any one other than himself, but from what he had heard she, her crew, and himself would be in good hands. Fredrich Von Luger had reached the rank of Kapitain, and that in itself said enough that he wouldn't be the death of those men. But the thought was still there, and perhaps the destroyer itself would do to serve as a symbol, 'Hope of Life'.

Sitting at the bar Alban sipped Schwäbischer Whisky vom Bellerhof. He was never use to parties such as these, he had always taken to the bar rather than this. He put his glass down briefly as a drunken sailor approached him and challenged him to an arm wrestling match. As the honorable man he was, he instantly accepted. "A man that can't keep the lower ranks in check even in a bar is no officer." He laughed and began to arm wrestle the bulky sailor. It was close, but Alban had more experience with the body working tasks of maintaining, loading, and working on a ship. He shouted triumphantly as the other mans hand hit the bar top.

He picked up his glass of whiskey and sipped it again before sighing. "Better at least go meet my Kapitain before I get a little to much like a sailor and less like an officer..." He stood up from his seat and began to look through the crowd of people. He sifted his way across the room, careful not to spill his drink. What an embarrassing first impression to have a drink spilled upon his dress uniform. But then, it might also be more embarrassing to look as if he couldn't hold his liquor.

After a while, Alban spotted Fredrich Von Luger and Johann Krueger in the corner and began to make his way forward. Once there he snapped a salute to his higher officers, careful to ensure the glass was in his free hand. "Oberleutnant Alban Dierdrich Werden and the Hoffnung des Lebens reporting in. I shall be serving under you sir."

[Fredrich Von Luger]

Fredrich had made his way over to a few more guests, often having to stop to talk to a few people he didnt really like, such as a local Wehrmacht Major, but he had to show a good face, and would speak friendly to each and every guest he talked to.

He soon found himself talking to an old child-hood friend, whom had also taken the same life choice as he, and become a Pastor. He was in a deep conversation, talking about things such as the war, about religion, and even about noval things from their childhood when he was approached by a Herr Johann Krueger.

He saluted the man, and soon found himself reading a set of orders, and smiled once finished reading them, he then introduced the man to the Priest, saying "Father Shergruben, this is my New Skipper on the Tirpitz, Mr. Johann Krueger."

The Father nodded, and shook the mans hand, he wasnt one to go all out on the Nazi Party salutes, and said "How do you do?"

Before the could get a conversation started, a second man arrived, introducing Himself as "Alban Dierdrich Werder". He saluted, and smiled, listening to him as he explaind he was the Captain of a destroyer under his command. He nodded, and turned back to Father Shergruben, as he said "I must make my get away, so you three can talk. I will see you later tonight, Fredrich, My friend."

He nodded, giving the pastor a brief hug, and watching him disappear into the crowd. He then turned back around, and looked at the two men, standing at attention in the middle of a Party, and said "Well Men, At Ease, this is a Party After all!"

As the two men went back to a normal stance, he looked at them, and said "Well, i suppose you already know who I am, Fredrich Von Luger. I hope to command you and the rest of the men in our Task Force well."

Before he could finish, another officer stepped over, a FreggattenKaptain in the Kreigsmarine, Walked over, inturrputing him, and said "Herr Luger, we have three very important men here to see you!"

Fredrich looked at the Man, and asked "Who?"

The Man staired at him, and said "Well, one was an SS General, and one was Commander in Cheif of the Kreigsmarine, Admiral Raeder! But i could not catch the identity of the last man, he was carrying a large ammount of boxes, gifts for you I presume, Herr Kaptain."

Fredrich nodded, and looked at Krueger and Werden, and said "Let me introduce you to my boss, Admiral Raeder."

He smiled, and led the men through the crowds, often having to once again shake the hands of men he had already greeted. He soon found himself at the entrance to the Palace. There stood Admiral Raeder, along with an SS-General, whom happened to be one of his Childhood friends, and a man hidden behind a pile of boxes finely wrapped with bows on top of each of them.

He greeted the SS-General, and then Admiral Raeder, introducing each of them to Kreuger and Werden. He looked at Admiral Raeder, and quietly asked "Who is the man behind the boxes?"

Raeder smiled, and looked over at the SS-General, saying "General Dirlewanger (Oskar Dirlewanger), Let us help our friend with his boxes from the German High Command."

Oskar Smiled, he knew somehow the man behind the boxes would surprise Fredrich Very Much. Both Men took half of the boxes, and once the man was revealed, it shocked Fredrich to his core. His hand shot into the air as he snapped to attention, and he yelled, almost over the roar of the party, "HEIL HITLER!"

The man behind the boxes was a man that was almost like a father figure to Fredrich. He had often spent many hours talking to him in his home in Berchtesgaden, or in many of the Offices he occupied in Berlin or Munich. The man was none other than Herr
Josef Goebbels, The propaganda minister of the Greater German Reich.

Josef Smiled, saying in his usual Tone, "Dont be so formal, this is you're birthday my dear friend, enjoy it. I seem to have become the messanger for the rest of the German staff, Our Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler, and the Reichsfuhrer, Heinrich Himmler, wish you a very happy birthday. They wish they could be here, but unfortunitly they had prior engagements, SS-Parades and meetings with generals, respectivly. But i have brought you the gifts from them and the rest of the staff, including a friend of yours, Field Marshal Rommel?"

Fredrich smiled, returning to a relaxed stance and listening to Josef. He nodded, and when Erwin came up, he said "Ah, I havent seen Erwin in quite a Long time, I hear Africa is going well."

Josef nodded, saying "Yes, quite well I believe. Well, i shall have you're gifts be placed in you're gift room, if they fit, I wouldnt doubt if you had a plane in there from Herr Goering already...".He smiled, laughing at the end of that bit. Soon enough, the crowd began to settle down, and Fredrich, Josef, Raeder, Dirlewanger, Krueger, and Werden were lead by an SS Private to a seperate section of the room, to sit at a large round table for officers and their wives only. Fredrich found Himself sitting next to Raeder and Krueger, with Alban next to Raeder and Mr. Goebbels next to Krueger, it would continue like that, countless important officers all sitting around the table.

Fredrich's mind was still racing at that time, Herr Goebbels at His party!

[∬:Bruno von Haus]

As a 600th SS Panzer Lieutenant, Bruno von Haus always thought birthdays were over rated but when he heard it was a promotion and birthday party he couldn’t resist but go to the party. As his Mercedes pulled up to the palace and stoped at the door, That was when a Soldier, a private, opened the door of the car, and and out steped a beautiful woman and next to her was Bruno. “My dear” as Bruno offered a hand for her to move forward. “So Bruno, honey, where is the party?” asked Helga Bartelsmeire, Bruno’s date. Then Bruno answered “The party should be these double doors.” Bruno then opened the doorm and there it was, a grand party that was in full swing.

As Bruno and Helga went through the doors, they saw the table reserved for him, his date, and all officers. As they were going to the table Bruno had to stop and say hello to the birthday officer. Then was is when he noticed Herr Goebbels and salutes at attention. Goebbels smiled, and returned the salute. Bruno then noticed the birthday man, and began to introduce himself. “Happy birthday, sir, and congratulations on the promotion, you truly deserve it. My name is Bruno von Haus, and this is my date and wife-to-be Helga Bartelsmeire. May I ask your name sir?” Bruno looked at the officer with a smile, and awaited a reply.

[∬:Rolf Blauvelt]

(Sorry for the short post. No time)

Johann was following Fredrich, having gone to a more relaxed stance, as relaxed as he could be at a party, and was surprised when he saw the very important men, who seemed to know Fredrich personally. His admriation for his Kapitaen went up. But he still wondered about the man behind the boxes, and was about to ask when Fredrich did, and waited for the response. When he saw who it was, his hand went up, and he shouted Heil Hitler, almost at the exact same time Fredrich did. He eased a little when Herr Goebbels allowed them too, and followed everybody to the table. By chance, he got placed next to Herr Goebbels. Johann didn't really know what to do, so he just started. "It is an honor and a pleasure to meet you Herr Goebbels. I have seen your films, and think they are amazing. My favorite is Nation's Pride, very inspirational. It will revolutionize the German film industry for sure."

[Alban Dierdrich Werden]

((I apologize ahead of time for the fact that this might not be as high quality. The system booted me as I posted previously and lost a lot of detailed typing so I am now aggravated.))

Alban snapped his hand up with the other two, slightly slower yet still with dedication. The appearance of Herr Goebbles surprised him, he hadn't known his new commander had connections that high up. Multiple emotions rushed him with this. He didn't exactly trust politicians as most had never seen battle or the hardships of a soldier under any branch. Yet this also held respect as the Fuhrer had seen battle, and the Fuhrer had chosen Goebbles himself. But still, he tried to remain careful, no matter how much he loved the Fuhrer he could never be sure about propaganda.

He followed the others to the table, nervous as he had been in the longest time. He tried to fix his suit and meddles as nonchalantly as he could in the situation to ensure as few creases as possible. He was no longer amongst the likes of soldiers and sea-men, but that of officers and officials of the government. He would much rather be in the sea on his ship as he was fired upon.

As Krueger spoke to Herr Goebbles he became more nervous. He had never associated himself with the propaganda so much, having been to mixed up in the war at hand. And as such, he feared the disrespect he might appear to give if brought into the conversation. As such, he turned to Raeder and Fredrich in an attempt to remain separate from the talk of the arts. "My ship and the sea beneath her are so much less complicated..." Was but one of the thoughts running through his mind. Amongst the others was the fear of speaking when Goebbles might be ready to make a comment. As such, he spoke quietly to the Admiral and new kapitain. "Sirs...If I could distract you from the talk of propaganda to speak of ships and their Captains, along with the war at hand and the placement of myself, my ship and her crew?"

((Again, I had a much better post before. Stupid webernetter.))