Depth Charge by M. Zachary Sherman

Author:M. Zachary Sherman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: 9781434238764, fiction, Stone Arch Books, Historical/Military & Wars
Publisher: Capstone
Published: 2014-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

ULTRA

In December 1932, the Polish Cipher Bureau broke Nazi Enigma cipher codes. Because of this achievement, Allied codebreakers were able to decrypt many secret messages that had been created using the Enigma. The intelligence gleaned from this source was called “Ultra” by the British, and made a substantial contribution to the war effort.

FACT

The Polish Cipher Bureau cracked the Enigma cipher nearly 7 years before the outbreak of World War II.

CHAPTER 004

SABOTAGE

Two hours later, Donovan and Brett were neck-deep in grease, oil, and charred engine parts in the cramped rear of the sub. They were doing what they could to “affect repairs.” At least, that’s what they hoped all their banging and ripping apart and German cursing looked like to an outsider.

Donovan had a simple knowledge of engines. He had fixed cars in high school. Luckily, Brett knew considerably more. He had attended engineer training with MI6 agents, and knew how to sabotage German equipment as well as repair it.

The U-505’s chief engineer peered over his shoulder and scratched his head. “So?” he asked, as Brett threw a very large piece of charred metal behind him.

Brett shook his head. “Not good. She’ll need dry-dock to make her seaworthy,” he began.

“You’ll be lucky to get to France without some English ship sinking you,” Donovan finished, faking his disappointment with the machine.

“Batteries could get us to Norway, but not to France, yes?” asked the German.

Donovan nodded.

The German engineer rolled his eyes. “See? That is what I told the captain. But no, he wanted specialists from Berlin to tell him.”

“Absolutely,” Donovan said. “We hear that all the time.”

“We’re all just doing Hitler’s bidding, eh?” said Captain Brett, jokingly.

But the engineer squinted. It seemed an odd phrase, one a high-ranking German engineer wouldn’t say.

“Yes. Where did you say you were from?” the engineer asked suspiciously.

First Lieutenant Donovan looked at his wristwatch. “We’ve got work to do, and we’re running out of time,” he snapped. “Now either help us, or get out of the way.”

Startled at Donovan’s tone, the chief engineer stumbled slightly as he took a step back and saluted. “Yes, sir. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you.”

And with that, he was gone.

Grinning, Brett turned from the engine. “Nice one,” he whispered.

“Thanks. Here.” Donovan handed him the satchel with the dynamite. “Set timers for 1800 hours. That’s when the radio guys swap duties.”

Impressed, Captain Brett looked at him. “How do you know that?” he asked.

Donovan shrugged. “I read the duty roster in the control room as we came down the ladder.”

“Nicely done,” Brett whispered. Then he leaned forward and carefully placed the first charge deep within the framework of the engine.

Donovan checked his watch again. They had fifteen minutes before the first charge would go. During that time, he needed to attach a second charge to the ballast tanks in the forward section.

A two-fisted punch would ensure that the ship sank.

“Go on ahead,” Brett said. “I’ll meet you near the radio room in ten minutes.”

Donovan backed out of the narrow engine room. He passed through the enlisted galley where three men sat, including the chief engineer.

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