Karl Mueller stood on the dockside, taking in the hectic scenes of the busy wartime port. Warnemunde was an important shipping port for Germany and had been for hundreds of years. Its location meant it gave a secondary access to all Germany’s ships to the oceans of the world via the Baltic Sea and ultimately the North Atlantic. Though Bremerhaven and other ports in the north-west gave them more direct links to the Atlantic, Warnemunde was out of range of the allies’ short-range bombers so afforded any shipping docked there a relatively safer harbour for repairs or loading.
Mueller and his men had made good progress since leaving the farmhouse the previous day and finally reached their destination with a few hours to spare. He had called in as ordered and been given his next set of orders over the phone. They were to await the docking of a ship from the city of Konigsberg, further along the German coast to the east. When it arrived, they were to get on board and accompany the ship to its next port of call, where he would be given his final orders. Though the continuing lack of clarity was frustrating for Mueller, he understood that the final mission was of such importance, the utmost secrecy was necessary.
He looked over to the workers’ canteen where his squad were enjoying some strong coffee and hot food after the all-night drive. They were just as much in the dark as he was but were far more pragmatic about the whole thing. Glancing at his watch he realised they still had a few hours to kill. He called over one of his men.
‘I am going to get some sleep in the back of the lorry,’ he said. ‘See that I am not disturbed until the ship arrives.’ He climbed in the back, rearranged the kitbags into a semblance of a mattress and within minutes, was fast asleep.
Several hours later he was awoken by one of the soldiers. The ship had arrived and was busy taking on stores for the German bases throughout Scandinavia. The front of cargo ship was swung wide open and Mueller took the opportunity to wander over to watch as mountains of stores were loaded into the cavernous interior. Eventually he presented his papers and took the men on board. They waited on the deck while Mueller made his way to the bridge to meet the captain.
‘Captain Schneider?’ asked Mueller.
‘I am he,’ said Schneider. ‘And you, I presume, are Hauptsturmführer Mueller’
‘I am,’ said Mueller, ‘and I see you are expecting me. That is good.’
‘I was made aware that you and your men would be joining us,’ said Schneider, ‘and was informed that I was to carry out your orders to the letter.’
‘Excellent,’ said Mueller. ‘See that you do and this will be painless for all of us. Now, first of all, I will need a room for my men. Do you have cabins?’
‘No, but there is a disused dining room on the top deck where they can make themselves comfortable. We will supply blankets and mattresses.’
‘That is acceptable,’ said Mueller. ‘Secondly, I assume you know why I am here.’
‘I knew you were coming on board and apart from anything to do with the sailing of this ship, I was to take my orders from you for the next few days.’
‘Good,’ said Mueller, ‘so we both know where we stand. Now, why don’t you bring me up to speed about your vessel and the trip you have recently undertaken?’
‘Well, there’s not much to tell,’ said Schneider. ‘Before the war we used to trade out of Kiel and transported goods all around the Baltic coastline. In 1941 we were commandeered by the German navy and are now used to transport essential stores to our naval bases along the Danish coastline. A few weeks ago I was ordered to proceed to Konigsberg with all speed and load a cargo that would be waiting there. We did as ordered and were then told to continue with our original orders and load stores for our normal supply run.’
‘What cargo did you pick up in Konigsberg?’ asked Mueller.
‘I have no idea,’ said Schneider, ‘and don’t want to know. When an order like that comes from high command, it is not in my interests to ask too many questions. All I know is it consists of two railway wagons, each with the doors completely sealed with chains. I was also told to pick you up here and that you would furnish me with further orders.’
‘Good,’ said Mueller, ‘everything seems to be in order. Continue with your loading, captain, I want to be sailing on the next tide.’
‘Where are we going?’ asked Schneider.
‘Where was your first port of call going to be?’
‘Here,’ said Schneider, pointing at a port on the eastern coast of Denmark. ‘We have a stationary force there and have done since we invaded.’
‘That is acceptable,’ said Mueller. ‘When do you expect to arrive?’
‘No later than tomorrow evening. That is, of course, assuming we don’t have to run for cover from allied aircraft.’
‘I am fully aware of the risks, captain.’ said Mueller. ‘Proceed with your plans at full steam. I will speak to you again tomorrow.’ He left the bridge and returned to his men. Within half an hour they had settled into a disused mess room while Mueller had commandeered a nearby cabin for his own use. He settled down to try and catch up with some more sleep, fully aware that one way or the other, his mission would be complete in the next few days.
Twelve hours later, Captain Schneider was steering his ship north through the Great Belt, the narrow shipping channel between the Danish islands of Zealand on his right and Funen on his left. All the lights on the ship were dimmed to avoid the attentions of any allied aircraft that might be flying overhead and apart from his second officer, who was adjusting the direction according to the ship’s compass, the bridge was deserted. At its narrowest point, the strait was only ten miles wide but Schneider knew these waters well and was not worried about his ability to navigate it safely. A noise behind him caused him to turn around and he was surprised to see Mueller come onto the bridge along with two of his soldiers carrying machine pistols.
‘Hauptsturmführer Mueller,’ he said, ‘this is unexpected.’
‘Captain Schneider,’ responded Mueller, walking over to the chart table. ‘Please join me.’
Schneider walked over and stood beside Mueller.
‘Please show me where we are,’ said Mueller.
Schneider leaned over the chart and pointed at an area between two smaller islands in the strait.
‘We are here, midway between Omo and Nordstrand. Nyberg lies about thirty miles north-west of our position and we will be changing course in a few minutes.’
Mueller nodded and slid the chart closer toward them until the eastern coast of Norway came into view.
‘Captain,’ he said eventually, ‘on the orders of the Führer, you are to change course immediately.’
‘What about my cargo?’ asked Schneider. ‘Our garrisons are running short of essential supplies.’
‘You can deliver those in a few days on the return journey.’
‘Where is my new destination?’
Mueller leaned over and dabbed his finger on a town on the southern coast of Norway.
‘Here,’ he said, ‘Kristiansand.’
Schneider nodded quietly. Despite being curious as to the reasoning behind the change, he knew better than to question an SS officer under the direct orders of the German High Command.
‘Is this a problem?’ asked Mueller.
‘Not as far as the sailing is concerned,’ said Schneider. ‘We will have to cross the Kattegat strait and of course the Skagerrak. In essence they are straightforward but we will be very exposed during the crossing.’
‘Rest assured that measures are in place to ensure our safe crossing,’ said Mueller. ‘All you have to do is make full speed to Kristiansand. The rest is not your concern.’
‘And what about these two?’ asked Schneider, indicating the two soldiers who had taken up position either side of the doorway.
‘Just think of them as insurance,’ said Mueller. ‘Get us to Kristiansand and we will be out of your hair. Until then, consider yourself a German combatant under my direct orders. That way, there will be no misunderstandings. Do I make myself clear?’
‘You do,’ said Schneider.
‘Good. Now, how long until we reach out destination?’
‘Sixteen hours, depending on the crossing.’
‘Then make it happen. I suggest you organise some strong coffee.’
‘Where will you be?’ asked Schneider.
‘Right here beside you,’ said Mueller.