SOUTH BY NORTH: BOOK FOUR OF THE HUNTERKILLER SERIES (THE FIGHTING TOMCATS) by M L MAKI & Megan Maki & Sofia Maki

SOUTH BY NORTH: BOOK FOUR OF THE HUNTERKILLER SERIES (THE FIGHTING TOMCATS) by M L MAKI & Megan Maki & Sofia Maki

Author:M L MAKI & Megan Maki & Sofia Maki [MAKI, M L & Maki, Megan & Maki, Sofia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Rose Hill Press
Published: 2022-05-16T22:00:00+00:00


CHAPTER 15

USS JAMES HOLTZ, DDG-1

0520, 24 January, 1943

CAPT John Dallas is eating breakfast with his officers. His XO, LCDR John Marker, “Do you think the invasion will go down on time?”

“I doubt it. No plan survives contact with the enemy. I’m concerned with the lack of U-boats. They should be all over us and we’ve seen none.”

Marker, “With most of the pens destroyed, our guided torpedoes, and improved sub patrols, it could be, they’ve given up.”

“No. The submarine is the primary Kriegsmarine weapon.” A radioman walks in and hands the captain a message. Dallas grimaces, “We have a U-boat to our south. It’s still out of range. We continue on course and speed for now. We don’t want to reveal we know they are there. Excuse me, gentlemen.”

CONTROL, USS SAN FRANCISCO

Guthrie, “Conn, Sonar. Admiral Franks has gone ashore. The rest of the team is heading for the harbor entrance.”

Morrison pushes the button, “Thank you, Guthrie. How’s Sierra 1 doing?”

“They’re still submerged and waiting in front of the task force.”

“Roger.”

“Conn, Sonar. Someone dropped sonobuoys about three miles from Sierra 1. Sierra 1 is going deep.”

Morrison, “It is probably an S-3 Viking from the air wing. Thank you, Guthrie.” To himself, “Come on, guys. Kill him before he gets too close.”

Miller walks in, “Sir, grab some food and shut eye. I got it.”

Morrison nods, “Franks is ashore. The others are in route to the harbor. Sierra 1 is being prosecuted by aircraft. The Task force is about a hundred and fifty miles to the north west. The main is on 15-minute standby. Questions?”

“Nope. I got it, sir.”

John nods and walks forward into the wardroom. The cook slides a tray of breakfast to him, “Here you go, sir. Eat.”

“Thank you.”

U-509, 20 NM SOUTH OF THE FLEET

“Captain. More sonar to the west.”

Witte, “Very well.”

Geist, “Sir, their screen is within torpedo range.”

Witte, “I want to fire our torpedoes from inside the formation. Inside, they won’t dare fire torpedoes at us. Doing so would endanger their own ships.”

Geist, “But, sir. Once we sink the carrier, how will we get out?”

“Sinking the carrier will free us of these infernal aircraft. With just destroyers, we will escape.”

USS YORKTOWN

Captain ‘Groovy’ Miller studies the chart plotter in combat, “What’s happening with this submarine?”

“Yankee Bravo gave the destroyers a starting range and bearing via the SEALs. They’re looking for it, sir.”

Miller shakes his head, “Our best anti-submarine platform is tied up on another mission. Think. We’re far enough away. Authorize a Yankee search.”

USS SAN FRANCISCO

0740, 24 January, 1943

Morrison walks into control, “Have they found the German sub?”

Miller, “Sir, get some sleep.”

Morrison looks at him.

Miller, “No, sir. They’re still searching.”

ST1 Johnson “Conn, Sonar. Active sonar from the fleet destroyers.”

Morrison, “Make the engine ready to answer all bells. Standby to lift.”

ENCM Godoy, “Engines ready to answer bells.”

“Drain the trim tanks fore and aft.” They feel the sub lift. “Back one third. Let’s get into deeper water.”

U-509

“Active sonar, sir.” They hear the high pitch pings from the destroyers.

Witte, “Too many are transmitting. They will hear nothing.



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