Reluctant Hero

It was two days later and they were just on time as they surfaced at the rendezvous to be greeted by their escorting destroyer. Who having quickly established their identity signalled briefly “Follow mama.”

It was almost sunset, as Tony patiently conned the Tenacious into Portsmouth harbour. Tony was highly intrigued as to the reason that he had been recalled from patrol, after only fourteen days, but this was wartime, and Tony knew anything could and would happen. The signalman piped the salute as the boat came level with the signal tower flying the Admiral Submarines flag, and the casing party came to attention, and they all saluted. As soon as they got the “carry on. Everyone’s attention was focused on making the 90-degree port turn into Dolphin Creek, and preparing to berth, as well as the urgent need to change the engines over to run on the motors.

“Stop starboard, in starboard engine clutch” The captain ordered.

Within seconds the starboard engine spluttered to a stop, and within a few seconds the control room reported that they were now running on the starboard motor.

This was followed by a similar order for the port engine change, immediately afterwards. Once the Captain had power from both motors, they were almost alongside their allotted berth, and a brief glance showed him that there was a sizeable welcoming party waiting for them on the jetty, including Capt Submarines. Tony was curious, and slightly concerned at the size of the waiting group, which indicated something special was on the cards. Once they were secured, Tony turned to Bill his First lieutenant.

“Refuel as soon as possible Bill, full battery charge, and replenish provisions as soon as we get orders. But do not pipe leave until we know why, and how long we will be here.” “Right Sir” He replied saluting as Tony climbed over the bridge rail, and climbing down on to the casing. The casing party came to attention, as Tony made his way ashore, and saluted the senior officers waiting for him on the quayside.

“Welcome home Tony.” Captain Submarines said shaking hands.

He did not introduce any of the other people with him, some of whom were unknown to Tony.

“We will go to my office where we can make the introductions and talk privately.”

Tony looked at the Commander, an old friend of his who was Staff officer Operations. He looked at him, and just shrugged his shoulders, not giving a clue as to all the secrecy. Tony followed the party along the quay to the Captain Submarines office. He was very intrigued by the presence of a slim attractive sexy blonde female that walked silently with them. She was about 5’6” slim with short pageboy cut dirty blonde hair covered with a beret of the type usually favoured by the French. She wore a fawn rubber mackintosh, high heels and a lot of make-up. Tony could smell wafts of her very exotic cheap perfume as they walked. She walked silently, almost moodily with her hands in her pockets, and a large black shoulder bag slung over her right shoulder.

As they walked, Tony sensed from time to time that she was giving him curious sidelong glances. But each time Tony turned to look at her, she immediately looked away. They got into the office, and drinks were served, and to his amazement everyone except Captain S/M the young lady and a civilian who was introduced as Mr. Broughton from the admiralty, were asked to leave the room. Immediately the civilian started to talk.

“Commander Nash first of all may I introduce Anne- Marie to you. The lady just nodded in acknowledgement of his smile. We have studied your past history, and your service record with a very special operation in mind. As a holder of the Victoria Cross, and because of your German parentage and background, you are the ideal man, for a very dangerous mission we would ask you to consider. You of course, have a perfect right to refuse if you wish. God knows man, you have done your bit in this war, and you deserve a break. I would also like to congratulate you on your immediate promotion to full Commander, which was confirmed just after you sailed.”

“Moving on, your perfect knowledge of German, and intimate knowledge of Germany plus your past record as a signals expert, are just what we need. In short, we want you to defect to Germany with Anne-Marie here as your wife. She is a trusted double agent, and you will be working with her as your boss. This is a lot to ask of you, and you will of course be reviled in the press here in the UK as a traitor, and also in America. That is sure to happen, your defection will soon become public knowledge as the Germans love that sort of propaganda, and Lord Haw Haw will exploit it for all he is worth. But we need you somehow to get hold of the German naval U Boat codes, and you can only do that if the Nazis trust you implicitly.

We are almost certain that Admiral Doenitz will want to make use of you in some way, and could give you the opportunity to get those important codes. We can only hope that will happen quickly. The U Boats are sinking our merchant ships faster than we can build them, and getting those codes back to us will be vital in winning the U Boat war. Your fluency in German and your signals experience is a vital component of this operation. The main thing is that we need to get a copy of them without their knowledge. If they suspect we have a copy, they will certainly change the codes, and the whole exercise will be pointless.”

Tony hesitated for a few moments, as he absorbed what he had just heard, the whole idea had come right out of the blue, and various thoughts and problems ran through his head. Anne-Marie who spoke in a strong French accent interrupted his thoughts.

“Of course if you don’t have the balls to do the job you are useless to me Commander”

Tony reacted angrily. “There is more than a question of balls, mademoiselle I have a ship to worry about, and certain other practicalities to consider.”

Mr. Broughton spoke up with anger in his voice. “You should learn to keep your mouth shut mademoiselle. You have had time to consider and work on the scheme, but the Commander has just been told of the task ahead. He has just returned from an arduous patrol, and he is entitled to have a few moments to consider all the options.”

Tony said. “Sir’, would it be possible to work with someone else, rather than this lady here? “

“I am sorry Tony, but Anne-Marie is a good and trustworthy operator, in fact she is the best, and the only option. It takes great skill to do what she is being asked to do as a double agent. But as you have noted, she has an unfortunate habit of being a bit headstrong.”

“A deadly fault in a secret agent, I would have thought sir.” Tony replied sarcastically.

The whole idea was buzzing around in his head. Tony was happy with Tenacious, she was a good boat with a good crew, but Tony also knew that hundreds of seamen were dying every day, bringing vital supplies to our shores, and if he could do anything to save their lives Tony would do that.

“Yes sir. I will do it; I must do it, if there is no other way.”

“According to your record, you are not married or engaged or anything are you Commander?” “No sir” Tony replied.

“Good, because you two have to be husband and wife in every way.” Mr. Broughton responded.

“You do not seem happy with that idea Commander?” Anne-Marie asked.

“We have not got off to a good start Mademoiselle, and on this short acquaintance it would seem we may have significant marital problems.” Tony replied.

“M’siur, we are booked in at the Keppels Head for the next 10 days as Commander and Mrs. Nash she replied, I already have a room, and tomorrow we marry for real at Portsmouth registry office. You see the Germans are not fools they know a lot about what happens over here, especially in the Portsmouth area, and we can take nothing to chance. When we leave this office we go hand in hand, as a happily betrothed couple.”

Captain S/M shook his hand. Sardonically he said “Congratulations on your sudden marriage. In a way Tony, I was secretly hoping that you would refuse. However, your number one is due for his perisher’s course and he can go on that straight away. I have a new Captain and First Lieutenant for Tenacious standing by. The crew will be told that as you have been promoted you are being re-appointed. Which you were going to be anyway at the end of this patrol.”

“Bill is ready for command sir, so he should do well on his course. But I need to have some handover time” Tony replied. “Sorry Tony you have little or no time, we will sort out those problems ourselves the with base staff. But I am pretty sure there is a party for you being laid on at the Keppels Head to celebrate your promotion at the present time.”

After a detailed briefing taking about two hours, they arrived at the Keppels Head, hand in hand. To Tonys amazement most of the boats crew were already there drinking. It gave him a chance to introduce Anne-Marie as his prospective wife to the ships company, who seemed very puzzled at why it had been kept such a secret. “My fiancé has been working away for some time on secret war work, and it was essential we did not advertise our relationship, now the situation has changed, so now we can get hitched properly. I am afraid also, that I am leaving you anyway, as I now have my other half ring and I am now a full Commander, a new captain and First Lieutenant will be joining tomorrow.” Tony told them.

Eventually they got to their room, and to his surprise found all his kit waiting for him, with Anne-Marie’s toilet gear and wardrobe. They had agreed not to bicker or fight with each other after their initial clash, and each of them were making a positive attempt to become better acquainted. She had apologized, using the excuse that they had been planning the whole operation for about three weeks and the success or failure of the whole operation hung on his acceptance.

“Tony I am really sorry. You had me very worried for a few moments.” She had said.