Chapter 1 – autumn 1941

A small tanker convoy is sailing northwards along the western coast of Africa. It is escorted by the 36 Escort Group, consisting of two sloops and seven corvettes. On deck of the Bittern-class sloop Stork stand the leader of the convoy, 45 years old Frederic John Walker. Although he watches the sea, the convoy is outside of the usual hunting grounds of the German submarines and out of the range of the German air force. And so his thoughts begin to wander and he starts to reflect his career.

He served in the Royal Navy since 1914. Twenty-seven long years! When the Second World War began, in 1939, his career seemed at dead end. Still a Commander, he had been ignored for promotion to captain and indeed had been scheduled for early retirement. He gained a reprieve, however, due to the commencement of war and in 1940 was appointed as Operations Staff Officer to Vice-Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay. Even so, he still had not been given a command, despite expertise in anti-submarine warfare that would no doubt be indispensable in the Battle of the Atlantic. During the Dunkirk evacuations he was Mentioned in Despatches for his work during the evacuation.

Walker finally received a command in October 1941, taking control of the 36th Escort Group, based in Liverpool, home of Western Approaches Command. The group is used to escort convoys to and from Gibraltar. So far, the duty has been uneventful.

During the wars, Walker was trained as an expert in Anti-Submarine Warfare. He studied the ability and tactics of the German submarines. Unlike others, he was not taken by surprise when the German boats attacked the British supply routes very effectively in 1939. The British did everything to improve the defense. The introduced the convoy system, did everything to increase the number and range of the escorts, they built bases on Iceland, which was then handed to the USA. American ships began to escort convoys in the Northern Atlantic and it was only a question of time when the US would enter the war completely. During the first six months the escorts have been able to push back the submarines, and the casualties decreased.

However, Walker knows that the battle is not won. The Germans have a huge program to build new submarines and soon their number will increase tremendously. From their bases at France they will be able to send their ships into the wideness of the Atlantic Ocean. Britain can only win the fight, if the escorts manage not only to push back the submarines, but to sink them.

Walker looks northwards. Behind the horizon there is Gibraltar, the destination of this convoy. The Germans are sending submarines in the Mediterranean Sea and those are passing Gibraltar. The escort will have to be alert when they near Gibraltar. But they still have time and Walker is determined to use this time to train the escort group.


Chapter 2 – 1. December

A commander of the Royal Navy stands on top of the Rock of Gibraltar and watches the clouds drifting across the sky. There must be bad weather over the Bay if Biscay, but here at Gibraltar it is still warm and dry.
Walker’s convoy finally reached its destination. The rest of the journey was uneventful. Although he should feel glad about it, Johnny Walker is in a bad mood. He still could not show his skills. Yes, he is hungry for a fight, although he knows that his mission is to protect the merchant ships, not to sink hostile ships. The men of his group were drilled during the trip and every man knows how to do his job. He knows that he can rely on them. But can he rely on himself? There are still many tactical issues, he should have changed. Although he is decided to use a more aggressive tactic against the enemy, his perception is rather vague. And he knows that he must have a clear plan before he goes into battle, a plan that every member of his group is drilled for. First of all, he must decide about the formation of the escort group. Maybe there should be different formations for day- and nighttime. During night, the ring has o be much tighter. But then, what has to be done, if a submarine is spotted? How many ships should chase it and which ones? What should be the orders for the remaining ships, which have to secure the convoy then? How long should the ships chase a submarine before they had to return? What should happen, if no submarine is spotted, bit an own ship is sunk? He has to discuss this with the commanders of the other ships. There has to be a decision right now, because he wants to use the time at Gibraltar to train his group, before the next mission begins.
Down there, Walker can see that the harbor is almost filled. Some of the ships came with him; they are waiting for the next convoy to sail to England. Others came from the Mediterranean Sea. Comrades report, that German submarines make this ocean a dangerous place, too. The wardroom is filed with stories and rumors. An officer told him stories about the hard fight in Africa; about the superiority of the German tanks and about a wonder gun, which grenades penetrates every British tank with high precision, even at an incredible distance. Yesterday, news came up that German tank divisions took Moscow. Stalin committed suicide and Russia is about to capitulate. Many officers were very pessimistic, how Britain could continue the war under such circumstances. Others expressed their hopes that this could make Roosevelt change his mind. They were sure that America would now join Britain. Roosevelt would most likely settle his differences with Japan and declare war on Germany.
Walker shakes his head. He decides to go to the commander’s office. There he hopes to get reliable news. But the commander of the base knows little about Russia or America, but he can give some information about the current situation in the Atlantic. Walker learns that the Germans have at least three boats at the western exit of the Med.. Walker was lucky that he passed them unseen. The commander also tells him about latest news from the Western Approaches Command.
“I know that we had high casualties, Walker, but I can tell you there is something going in the old Royal Navy. You will soon have better weapons. Like these new ash can throwers. I heard that they do not influence the ASDIC signal. Or the new RDF, which works similar as the ASDIC, but on the surface. You will be able to see the enemy even at night.”
“Well, have you seen these so-called RDF?”
“Sure! Some of our Swordfishes got one.”
“And, does it work!”
“Yes! Now we detect German submarines almost every day.”
Walker sighs: “I wished I had the new equipment, but if wished even more to lead a convoy through more dangerous waters.”
The commander of the base laughs: “Do not say this too loud. The German might want to make you wish come true. Oh, by the way, I almost forgot to tell you that I received a message from the WAC. We will soon send another convoy to Liverpool. I guess it will be a rather large one and the 36 Escort Group will guard it. The route goes along the coast of France, through the operation fields of the German submarines and bombers. Are these waters dangerous enough?”
“When do we set sails?”
“Do not hurry. You will have to wait for more ships. You will not set sail before mid of December. And once you are at Liverpool, you may also get the RDF and ash can throwers.”
“Oh, I really wished I had them now!”
“Do not worry, Walker, I have something brand-new for you, another innovation, almost as good as the RDF. It is called “snowflake”. A new kind of flare that turns night into day. With that you can chase submarines even at night.”
“How many can you give me?”
“I have enough to equip your ships as well as the merchant ships.”
“Do you have any details about the enemy?”
“Well, Walker, as I already told you, the enemy has some boats right out there. They will detect you soon enough. If you manage to pass them unseen, you come into the range of the German bombers. They will find you. Then you will cross the marching routes of the complete German submarine fleet. Maybe you will even meet some heavy cruisers or battle ships. I bet you will have your fun.”
“Will I get air support?”
“I have air patrols out there and they will keep an eye on you as long as you are in range. Then you will be all alone, until you reach the coast of England.”