Bismarck ISOTed to RMS Titanic - and U-234

[Tyr Anazasi]

27.05.1941, Bridge of Bismarck, 550 nm off Brest, North Atlantic Ocean, 10:15:

Fregattenkapitän Oels, stood on the bridge. Admiral Lütjens and Captain Lindemann had been killed, so he was in command. He heard a voice: "Herr Kapitän, we've shot the last shell." "I am ordering to scuttle the ship. The ship cannot be captured by the British." "Jawoll!"

Only a few minutes later, Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Schreiber was thrown to deck by yet another shell hitting the Bismarck. He was only slightly injured. When he was stood up again, he saw the charrred and mangled remains of what had once be his friend. "Jürgen! Jürgen!" he cried. Then he saw the torpedoes coming, and turned to his commanding officer whom stood next to him with an injury to his left arm. "Leutnant Hausburg, what will we do?" "Pray! ..." was the only answer the young officer could give. "Gegrüßet seist du, Maria, voll der Gnade," He heard his young commanding officer start to pray, and he started to pray as well: "Vater unser, der Du bist im Himmel, ..."

And at the very moment the torpedoes hit, the scuttling charges went up, ... everything turned dark.

10.05.1945, U-234, North Atlantic Ocean, 10:15:

Germany had surrendered. Only half a day ago Kapitänleutnant Fehler got the confirmation, as he could contact another Uboat. So it wasn't a ruse by the Allies. He knew, Hitler had died, and now the fatherland was in shambles. U-234 was alone. Should the mission be completed? For hours they had discussed, what to do. Going to Japan, as ordered previously, or surrendering, as ordered now? The Japanese officers and the Naval judge had voted to go to Japan, General Keßler had voted to surrender. Now he,had to act and order what to do. He stood up. "Gentlemen, I am the captain of this Uboat. I, and only I, will decide what we will do. We will..." And before he could finish his sentence, suddenly, everything went black.

14.04.1912, Crow's nest of RMS Titanic, 23:20:

The night was clear, and the sea calm, yet out of the blue two bright flashes occurred which would come to change everything ...

"Did you see that, Reginald?" Frederick Fleet said.

"Yes, I did. There was a flash. No. There is a second, but much smaller."

"We should report that."

"Bridge, this is Crow's nest, Lee speaking. Sir, we could observe two flashes on port..."

As everything remained dark, both spotters went ahead with their original task.

14.04.1912, about 15 nm away, 23:22:

"Where are we?" Otto Schreiber asked whilst and looked around as he woke up. Everything seemed to be in order, even the ready stock of the guns were there. What's going on here ... "I don't know." Fuck! That certainly was a voice he'd never expected to hear again. "Jürgen? Jürgen! You're alive. But I saw you die!"

"What? I do have a headache, but all I remember, is wanting to find some ammo ...Where are we? Where is the British fleet?" "I don't know." Otto answered, before asking: "Are we dead?"

First the was one light, then a second, a third, another and another. Slowly more and more lights started to illuminate the ship. On the bridge a flash light had illuminated the scene. Captain Lindemann could see his ship. "All station, situation report. On the double!" he ordered wondering what's going on. It just didn't make any bloody sense ... Were they dead? After all, he remembered his ship being slowly shot to bits.

Engine room reported, everything was working. The generators were starting to come alive again, and soon, the whole ship would be operational again. Slowly further reports came in, and surprisingly no damage had been found. And various persons, like Kapitän Netzband, whom he knew for a fact had been dead only a few minutes ago, were repported to be alive!

At the same time his navigators seemed to be unable to figure out where they were, at least initially, for the stars didn't correspond to their last known location, moreover, even having been adrift couldn't have done this. They seemed way off. And it definitely wasn't 10:20 AM in the morning. They should be the bottom of the Atlantic. But they were here, wherever this 'here' was.

"Herr Kapitän," he heard the voice of the man at the helm. "Is this a British trap?" Admiral Lütjens asked him as he looked at the admiral. "That might be a logical answer, but we're alive, the ship is repaired ... I don't know, how, nor why. Neither would I know why the Brits would sink us, heal us, fix the ship and then let us float around somewhere. Fully operational."

"Herr Admiral," Lindemann said, "we're receiving an SOS. A ship is near and sending a distress signal."

"What ship?" the Admiral wanted to know.

"They call themselves the RMS Titanic." Lindemann said as he moved to give the message to his commanding officer: 'SOS, RMS Titanic, we're sinking, position...' it reads. "But Herr Admiral, that cannot be! Can it? The Titanic sank in 1912, it's 1941!"

Unknown the the officers and crew of the Bismarck, only a few miles away, on U-234, a very similar situation was unfolding: TFehler entered the bridge as the ship was slowly resurfacing, when he saw the silhouette of a big ship nearby, which was slowly turning on it's running lights, and even it's cabin lights. He however couldn't believe his eyes! It was clearly a Bismarck class battleship. "Herr Kaleun, RADAR reports three contacts, one very near!" the RADAR officer nearly screamed at him in fright. He had not detected the Bismarck yet, but as he turned around Fehler showed him the ship, and asked with his voice coated in both awe and sheer disbelieve: "Is that the Bismarck?!"

But before Fehler could say anything, the radio operator appeared. "Herr Kaleun, you won't believe me, but we got a distress signal by a ship called RMS Titanic..."


OOC: Thanks to Vnix for editing.

 

[Tyr Anazasi]

14.04.1912, North Atlantic Ocean, 23:24:

On the bridge of Bismarck Fregattenkapitän Oels had just got word, there were two radar contacts some 15 nm from their position, but right as he tried to open his mouth to report on these contacts, something new popped up on his radar. There on his screen it showed a new contact. It was but barely 1 000m away, and it showed as a small contact, likely a submarine. And yet again before he could report, either on this newer ship, or even on the two bigger ships detected previously, something happened: signal rockets were fired by the new contact.

"What is this?!" Admiral Lütjens demanded as he stared at the signal rockets. It was but a moment later however he got the information he needed, the ship, or rather the submarine, started flashing something. As officer he could read morse code, but there was also another lieutenant, who translated.

"Uboat U-234 to battleship Bismarck. We must talk. But we need to save the Titanic first. I suggest to meet in square BC7315 tomorrow night. Kapitänleutnant Fehler, commander of U-234."

Lütjens was stunned. A German submarine, U-234? Quickly he roused himself from his stunned state and moved to his communications officer. "Signal them back. 'Message received. On our way to Titanic. Rendezvous at square BC7315 when possible.' "As the young communications officer ran of to signal back, Lütjens made his way to the radio room, and swiftly after the Bismarck started broadcasting radio messages to all ships nearby asking for help with Titanic.

The German battleship Bismarck was going to assist the RMS Titanic, a ship out of time, and an enemy to boot.

14.04.1912, about 15 nm away: 23:26:

Despite having rammed an iceberg the crew of the RMS Titanic had not yet started to launch the lifeboats. On the bridge Captain Smith saw lights in the distance, an unknown ship was approaching, and he could not hide his relief as he saw that. They were not yet doomed. At that very moment Jack Phillips, his radio officer, ran in and spoke: "Sir, a German battleship is nearby and on her way. They call themselves the Bismarck. She's on her way to help us and will arrive in a bit more than half an hour.

"Battleship Bismarck?" Captain Smith said more to himself. "Never heard of it! There was a cruiser called SMS Fürst Bismarck, IIRC."

"It doesn't matter, Sir." First officer Murdoch said. "We need all the assistance we can get."

"You're right!" he answered whilst commemorating his long life at sea. He'd spent his whole life at sea, he'd earned the right to call himself the captain of the newest and greatest ship in the world. And now this, a disaster! Still, he was the Captain and as such he would take charge, he'd take charge of the evacuation. Still he couldn't help but feel relief as he looked at the lights on the horizon again before he left the bridge.

At the same time on the bridge of the Bismarck Kapitän Lindemann was informed that another ship, the RMS Carpahia, was also en route in response to the distress signal.

"So it is true? This isn't a dream?" Lindemann spoke his thoughts loudly.

"I don't know if it's true or not, but we seem to be both living the very same dream." Lütjens remarked. "Anyway, we need to concentrate on rescuing survivors. I want every boat in the water, when we arrive. We need to rescue as many persons as possible."

"Herr Kapitän," Korvettenkapitän Neuendorf remarked, "we should order the band to play something to keep the people calm. On the Titanic they did so as well."

"Good suggestion. Make it so!" Lindemann replied.

15.04.1912, 00:08, RMS Titanic

Captain Smith returned to his bridge as he saw the battleship come closer. Even in darkness he could see, that this ship was unlike every other warship he had seen, and he'd never even heard about such a ship being built. And it would have taken years to be built. Could it have been hidden? Seems unlikely. Anyway, for now those thoughts were irrelevant. He had to save his passengers and crew. Hopefully the Admiralty knew more about the ship, as he had no time to think about it any longer. Indeed he was glad to see a ship coming to help. Now there was a chance, that everyone could be rescued.

On the bridge of the German warship Admiral Lütjens had a quite similar line of thought about the situation. He had no idea, what had happened, and worst of all, he had no time to think on it. Two German warships sent back in time, just to this moment. Why? And how? Or should he better ask who? The Lord? He breathed. He had no time. And he was sure, he would not find a logical answer. Only a few people might have idea, an idea of what MIGHT have happened. He was no such man. He had ordered the crew informed of the situation, he'd even remembered to add in orders on keeping any advanced technology a secret from the Titanic's crew and passengers.

It was a quick instruction, which was helped by the fact, that everyone knew the RMS Titanic. And to help that ship meant, that the men would think about other things first and not get the same crazy thoughts he had. Or, if they did, they had little time to actually think about it. Which is good, he mused. They'd time afterwards, and that won't be easy, but by then the evacuation of the Titanic would have finished and one had more time to talk about the situation.

 

[Tyr Anazasi]

15.04.1912, 01:06, very near to RMS Titanic (by PPaul16)

Seamen Otto Schreiber and Jürgen Graf gently bobbed up and down in one of the Bismarck's lifeboats in the cold but calm North Atlantic waters. They were waiting for another boat to fill before they could move into position to offload passengers from the sinking Titanic.

"I tell you Jürgen, you were dead, I saw it with my own eyes, in fact I can't get that horrible image out of my mind…" said Otto as he looked between his friend and the massive sinking ship "But now you're alive and well and I'm looking at the Titanic with my own eyes…"

"Well I feel alive now and don't remember being dead." Replied Jürgen "Do you really think we are in 1912? I wonder what is going on in Germany. I wonder if my parents are there, I would be older than them now."

Their conversation was interrupted by Leutnant Hausburg in charge of their boat who ordered them to begin rowing into position as the previous boat pulled away. "Remember our orders men, keep the communication with the passengers to a minimum. No talk of us being from the future or anything like that!" he commanded.

15:04.1912, 01:56, bridge of RMS Titanic

"Mr. Andrews, Mr. Ismay, you're the last passengers on board." Captain Smith said. "I am ordering you finally to leave the ship, as the evacuation is nearly over."

"Indeed the orchestra has taken their boat. Chief engineer Bell and his men are taking theirs. That means, there will be soon no electricity for the pumps." First Officer Murdoch arrived with these news. Andrews and Ismay went to the last boat.

"Captain, there is nobody left. Please, come with me to the boat." Murdoch said to the Captain, who stood alone on the bridge looking into darkness.

"What about the poor souls, trapped in the flooded parts of the ship?" Smith asked.

"Sir, whether you go down with the ship or not, you can't help them. You have prevented a much greater catastrophe. It could have been much worse. So very much worse. It's a miracle, that you succeeded to rescue anyone at all." Murdoch tried to convince his captain.

"Well, no miracle. That German battleship was the miracle. I didn't do much." He answered.

"That's not true Sir. You kept this ship afloat for such a long time."

Captain Smith looked on to the cold and dark sea again. He breathed. He needed a moment to consider the next step to take. Going down with the ship would avoid the inquiry to come, and a captain should go down with his ship. He should go down with his ship, shouldn't he? But wouldn't it also be cowardly, somehow? He wasn't a coward, and as the last person, he had no duty to go down with the ship. He just nodded to his first officer, and both men hurried to the last life boat, for they hadn't much time left.

Shortly after the electricity stopped working and the ship started to move.

15.04.1912, Bridge of Bismarck, 01:59:

Captain Lindemann looked through his binoculars. "It seems, Captain Smith decided to leave his ship. He seems to be the very last." He remarked.

"What would you have done?" Lütjens asked him softly and solemnly.

"That's a question every captain, and every naval officer, should ask himself." Lindemann replied, as he took a moment of silence before he continued: "A few hours ago I was prepared to go down with this ship. But that was in battle. Here we're in peace. Here he's the last. He doesn't need to die. He doesn't need to prevent the capture of his own ship by the enemy."

"I agree. He'll have to face the music at home, and he'll certainly take part of the blame. He knows it, and I think I know his thoughts: He thinks, what he could have done to prevent this. Or at least, those were my thoughts in the last minutes of the battle." Lütjens said before he looked straight into Lindemann's eyes and continued frankly, "You were right. We should have sank the HMS George V* and then sailed home."

A young Leutnant named Richter stopped the conversion, when he returned with a book from the library. "Herr Admiral, it seems there is another ship near, the SS Californian. She however seemed to have her radio switched off at night."

"I guess a 38 cm shell in front of her bow would a good reason to switch the radio on." Lindemann remarked with a small glimmer in his eye.

"I'd like to think and do so, but there are too many people on deck. Moreover, as we seem to be from the future, we should not reveal that we can fire accurately at night." Lütjens sighed. "It's 1912 and they don't use radio like we do. Erm, will do? Would have done? Anyway, you know, what I mean." Just thinking about time travel seemed to give him a headache.

"Herr Admiral," a radio officer appeared on the bridge, "we've managed to contact another ship, the SS Mount Temple. And the SS Frankfurt is also assisting us. Neither ship will be here until morning though.

"That's still helpful. Hopefully they can accommodate our passengers. I'd rather go back home as fast as possible, and skip any visit in New York or Halifax." The Admiral said.


"BTW lieutenant, I want you to go into by quarters and from the bulkhead remove the old imperial flag there and replace our ensign with it. And make sure you are careful with it! It is the old flag of the SMS Bayern which thankfully could be saved before the ship was scuttled." Lütjens ordered the lieutenant whom had just before appeared on the bridge.

"Admiral. We should launch some flares. We might be able to contact the Californian, or perhaps another ship." Lindemann suggested. The admiral just nodded. He just hoped the survivors would not look too thoroughly at the ship.

* The Germans believed at first, the other ship would have been the HMS King George V, as they never thought, the British would send such a new ship against them.



15.04.1912, North Atlantic Ocean, 02:17:

As the Titanic sank with the Bismarck still illuminating the scene with her searchlights, suddenly the stern of the giant ship began to lift into the air. Slowly at first, but then faster, higher and higher. Surprisingly the ship tilted back onto the water for a moment only to capsize and slip beneath the waves. Of the once great ship Titanic, only debris remained. Debris of a ship which but hours before had been the greatest ocean liner in history. It was a tragic sight to see, and as such the band of the Bismarck, which had played joyful music before, but stopped playing. It seemed, nobody made any noise. Time seemed to be stopped for this moment. Only the cameras of the war correspondents on Bismarck and some photographers, most of them from the Bismarck, but also some from the Titanic, were busy.

For a full two minutes after the Titanic slipped beneath the waves no one made a sound. Not even the last few rowers in the water made a sound for they too had taken the time to honour her. The officers and crew of both the Titanic and the Bismarck on deck stood there saluting. It was then that one young officer quietly started singing: "Ich hatt' einen Kameraden …" Tte band of Bismarck followed suit and joined in to play "Der gute Kamerad".

Not everyone was already on the Bismarck, some few boats were still on the water. In one of them Otto and Jürgen were rowing back to Bismarck after taking a small break when she sank. As they rowed they could hear the voice of an old man praying on German for the souls lost. Then he started to bless the crew of the launch and the German warship. It was Father Peruschitz, who would become a silent hero of the catastrophe. It was him, who warned the 3rd class passengers, that the ship was sinking. He went to every cabin to look for the people and was sitting in the last boat with passengers. Together with him there were mostly Irish sitting in the boat.

"You're from Germany?" Otto asked, as he was surprised to hear a German speaking priest.

"Yes, I am. I am from Bavaria. I am Father Peruschitz." The priest answered. "Where are you from?
"Weimar." Otto replied. Fort he first time he had to think of home. A home no longer existing. Or did it ever existed? It didn't mean much, as it was lost.

His thoughts were, luckily, disturbed by the priest. "Then you're not catholic?"

"No." Otto shook his head.

"That's alright. We don't mind you rescuing us anyhow." The priest replied and laughed. Quickly he thought to translate into the Irish, who, before he even managed to finish, started to laugh as well.

In this moment Jürgen leaned over to Otto and whispered. "In the time we're from most of them would be dead by now. But they don't have any clue about that." He looked at the passengers, who still laughed.

"They faced death, but now they're laughing in a small nutshell somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean." Otto mumbled.

"Well, a few hours ago I was dead…" Jürgen muttered.

Lieutenant Hausburg looked at them grimly. They stopped talking and rowed. Soon they would reach their ship and saviour, the German battleship Bismarck.

 

[Tyr Anazasi]

German HSF ship classification

Großlinienschiff = Great ship of the line = battleship, Dreadnought
Linienschiff = Ship of the line = battleship, predreadnought
Großer Kreuzer = Great Cruiser = A cruiser with a displacement of over 5.500 t
Kleiner Kreuzer = Small Cruiser = A cruiser with a displacement of less than 5.500 t
Großes Torpedoboot = Great Torpedo boat = A torpedo boat of over about 600 t, includes also destroyers
Torpedobootszerstörer = Torpedoboat destroyer = The first German destroyers. Note that the type 1916 destroyers were classified as torpedo boats again
Kleines Torpedoboot = Small Torpedo boat = A Torpedo boat of about 200 t, no modern ones

This system was outdated, when ww1 began. New types had to be introduced and others were outdated. The Torpedoboot also included destroyers, the Kleiner Kreuzer had reached the dimensions of the great cruiser, the Große Kreuzer included armoured cruisers, battle cruisers but also older cruisers.

 

[Tyr Anazasi]

15.04.1912, North Atlantic Ocean, 02:25:

Elsewhere on the Bismarck John Astor attempted to comfort his pregnant wife, "please try to stay calm Madeleine, we are safe now."

Still sobbing and somewhat in shock she explained: "I can't believe such a magnificent ship could ever sink! Could you imagine what could have, no what would have happened to us had we still been on her!"

"Please don't think of that," replied her husband, "besides, they told me another ship will be getting us soon to take us straight to New York. We'll be home soon my dear."

"I can't wait to get back on land." she exclaimed as she shivered in the cold night air.

Upon hearing whom the man and his wife were, a young petty officer – whom had spent some time in the US in the 1920s and knew of their stature – rushed off to get some blankets and a cup of coffee for the pair in an attempt to try and make sure they would be as comfortable as could be under the circumstances.

"Here you go ma'am" he said handing her the steaming mug. "Remember my name is Petty Officer Hans Wolf, happy to be of assistance!"

"Thank you," John Astor responded "I appreciate your assistance, and I'll be sure to remember you when we return to New York."

As petty officer Wolf walked off to continue his normal duties he was nudged by another sailor whom asked: "What is going on there?"

"Don't you know who that man is?" replied petty officer Wolf in a somewhat surprised tone of voice. "That's one of the richest men in the world! You can't blame a man for trying to be on their good graces."

"Perhaps I too should see if I can help them out in any way too…" the sailor responded. At the same time he could not help but think it was strange, Wolf, always trying to find a good deal. We've only just come to this time and he's is already trying to get some action …"

Nearby Filip Asplund declared "I don't see anyone bringing mama coffee and blankets, I'm surprised they even let us stand on the same deck as them!"

"Even here there is still a class system!" agreed his mother Selma.

"I heard that man is so rich he could buy this entire ship!" added Filip "We better not look at them too much or they'll have us whisked away to sit on a coal pile in the bowels of this ship!"

"Enough!" commanded his father Carl. "Some people have more money than others, that's the way the world is, but after everything that has happened we should be thankful we have our entire family together here safe and sound!" Carl shook his head thinking about how badly his family was behaving, they had all just barely escaped with their lives, and now they're complaining about not getting coffee!

Carl's brother had moved to America a few years ago and was doing well for himself and had urged Carl to bring his family over. He told him he could get good work in America and give his family a better life.

Passage on Titanic – in steerage mind you – had cost him all his savings, he'd risked everything. Thankfully it had been an uneventful voyage up until a few hours ago. When they initially discovered the ship was sinking the gate leading to the upper decks was locked and he had feared they would all be trapped there, and that they would drown.

Upon escaping the lower compartments the scene above on the decks was much different from below decks, here too it was utter chaos, and all he could do was to keep his family together.

Then as if from heaven a great warship appeared, and it seemed like everyone calmed and the crew started working with organization to evacuate everyone. He knew some families were separated, but he was thankful he'd managed to keep his wife and children by his side throughout the entire ordeal.

His thoughts were interrupted by his wife "You know if we were back in Sweden we could all be in safe warm beds right now!" she huddled the children together trying to keep them all warm in the cold night air.

Carl looked at her with exasperation "We're doing this for the children, I want to give them, and you a better life. I'll get a good job, we'll have a nice home, and the children can all get a good education!"


(By PPaul)


15.04.1912, North Atlantic Ocean, 03:03:

For Father Joseph Peruschitz this had been the most unusual pulpit he ever saw. However, it was the best he could get, even if he needed to be careful to not fall from the turret Dora with her two mighty 38 cm guns. In front of him, on the stern, a crowd of survivors had come together to celebrate the Holy Mass. Well, it wouldn't technically be a real Holy Mass as he would speak English and German instead of Latin. Similarly there wasn't an organ or a true choir, but a German sailor playing an accordion. But at least the ship's crew had supplied him with Bread and wine even if he, rightly, assumed, that the wine was way too good for such a mass.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming to celebrate this somewhat peculiar Holy Mass with me. I beg your pardon, for the organ is missing, but thankfully our dear fellow seaman Andreas Hofer has brought his accordion and will play for us instead. And I dare say, the wine might be a bit better than in most churches. As such I hope the small problem of not having an organ is therefore alleviated."

As Father Joseph took a short break muffled, and some not so muffled laughs could be heard all around the deck.

"I know, that despite all efforts, not everyone could be saved." He continued in a somewhat less jovial tone than he had started his sermon with. "To that end, we're here to celebrate them. We're here to celebrate their ascension into heaven. We're here to celebrate their lives, to honour them one last time. More importantly we're here to mourn them, our friends, and loved ones.

Many of you have lost someone dear. Normally I would tell you something about the dead, normally I would tell you stories about them or parts of their lives. But today, there are too many. I can't honour them all individually. In time I'm certain all will be individually remembered, and all will have the send-off they deserved. Today, all I can say is, that they are at a better place. They've been freed from all the trials and tribulations of our mortal lives, for they have been received by Our Lord's warm embrace. Our lost friends and loved ones are with the Lord.

Yes, you can mourn. Yes, you can cry. Yes, it will be difficult for you to remember. But, please, also remember the good times. Remember the good times. Remember all the times you laughed with them, and had fun with them. We are here to celebrate the good times. We're here to celebrate not their deaths, but their lives. So I ask you to remember any scene you had, which was remarkable well. And then watch that scene again."

He made a small pause. The auditory was partly crying, partly laughing, partly doing both.

"Sam Smith, former steward on Titanic. He's from Harlem, New York. He will sing now Amazing Grace. If you can, you can sing with him."

Sam, a small black man, with a clear voice started to sing: "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me …"

"Thank you, Sam."

"I would like to remind us all, we are not guilty for living. None of us is guilty in that way. None of us should ask why we're alive yet someone else is not. We cannot blame ourselves. Instead we should be thankful that we're alive. Be thankful to have spent so much time with your loved ones. As I said before, our fallen loved ones are in a better place, and also please remember that we shall all one day see them again. Someday we will join them! Even if that may be in a distant future.

"We should be thankful that we survived. We should be thankful, that we got another chance. We should be thankful, and remember or loved ones. We should be thankful to share this with others. None of us are at fault for living, it is the will of the Lord. He wants us to live. He has for us to play a role. Nobody knows, what this role will be. In time we shall discover it. It might not come now, but it will. So we should thank the Lord for his grace to let us survive. We're here. We're alive. We should be very grateful."

"We should also be thankful for this very ship. Seemingly out of the nowhere she was sent here to help us. Sent here to rescue us. Had this ship left Germany a day earlier or later ... Let us not think of that. Let us instead be thankful for this ship, and thankful towards this crew, and also thankful to our Lord."

"In German history the choral "Nun danket alle Gott" has a special meaning. After the battle of Leuthen, where Frederick the Great won against a force twice as strong as his own, in a time of great despair, a soldier sang this choral, starting the whole army to sing it as well. And ever since it had become a kind of national choral. Therefore I ask you to sing this chorale with me to thank and to honour our Lord, this ship and her crew."


Nun danket alle Gott


15.04.1912: North Atlantic Ocean, Officer's mess of battleship Bismarck, 03:50:


The officers of the Titanic and the members of the staff of the White Star Line had taken a meal in the officer's mess of the German warship, when Kapitän Lindemann entered the room.

"Gentlemen," he said, "I can tell you, that the RMS Carpathia is on her way to meet with us. In fact, we can already see her approaching. Our estimation is that she'll arrive in about 20 minutes. From then on we are going to ferry the survivors to her and the other ships coming."

"Captain Lindemann," Captain Smith spoke, "I have to thank you and your crew for rescuing us."

"That was nothing. Any seaman would do so." Lindemann answered.

"That may be captain, but it was you and your crew helping us. Therefore we need to thank you."

"If it wasn't so tragic, I would say, it was my pleasure." Lindemann replied.

"May I ask you some questions?" Smith asked.

"Of course, but I have precious little time at hand."

"Where does this ship come from?"

"Oh, from Hamburg. But was built by the Kaiserliche Werft Wilhelmshaven. We were on our shakedown cruise before the ship is to be officially commissioned."

"So this ship isn't commissioned yet?" Smith was baffled.

"Well, not officially. We were on our way back home, or better wanted to return, when we got your SOS. As there were no flaws to stop a commissioning, Admiral Lütjens decided to commission the vessel at once."

"So the swastikas seen here...?" Smith didn't end the sentence.

"Oh, they are part of an experimental new yard ensign for the Shipyard. The Swastika is an old sign for luck." Lindemann needed to note down these lies.

"Can you tell me..." Smith couldn't end the question as Lindemann interrupted him.

"Captain Smith, I am sure, you want to get to know more about this vessel. I am sure many want. However, that will have to be postponed, as this ship and I need to prepare."

"Of course, I don't want to disturb you."

When Lindemann was gone, Mr. Andrews walked over to Captain Smith. "I couldn't have thought our intelligence on German shipbuilding to be this wrong if I hadn't seen this ship with my own very eyes. That they haven't remarked a ship like this moored in Hamburg, the second largest city of Germany. It must have taken years to build, how could they miss it!"

"Mr. Andrews, what do you think about her?" Smith inquired.

"Well, I cannot be certain on all of it, but I think and we can feel it to an extend right now, she's a very stable ship. And fast, I presume, despite her tonnage. She must be at least over 35.000 ts. Most likely even more than 40.000. And then there's her guns. These seem to be at least 14", which is a change from the Germans' usual style of smaller guns for more armour. It might be an early response to our "Iron Dukes" and "Queen E's"? While they are still in the works, there certainly are enough rumours around about them.

Her secondaries are not in casemates, but in turrets. We know the Germans love a full-blown secondary battery compared to our Navy, which prefers the all big guns ship, still this is new. And she carries at least a plane. Her speed may exceed 25 knots. She looks to be fast. In this regard more like a battlecruiser. But that may cause some thinner armour."

"And your opinion?"

"Uph. Hard to say. But several aspects are very new and modern. Revolutionary even. I don't know if everything works out this way, new ideas implemented often cause at least some problems. In my opinion, this super dreadnought is a testbed for some of their new design ideas. Maybe an "answer construction" to our own new super dreadnoughts, based on rumours available to them? It would partly explain this mismatched dimensions. But it's a German ship, so I would not like to fight her."

"Hmmm. Mr. Andrews, I hope, you're right concerning our intelligence. If that ship is as new to them as it is to us, we need to tell them about her as fast as possible. And even if she's not new, we should still do our best to find out all we can about her."

"Captain Smith," Mr. Ismay, the manager of the Blue Star Line, interjected, "there is another point to see as well. Whilst I do not want to sell MI6 short, but the Bismarck could have arrived and left Hamburg at night. The Germans clearly wanted to keep her a secret. Coming in at night with tugs, no doubt the Germans know their own river quite well, and presumably they could have stowed her away in a shipyard for the day. The southern parts of Hamburg have one shipyard after the other, some of them are really large, like Blohm & Voss or Vulkan. If she just came in as part of their test voyage and to take some supplies for an Atlantic crossing, I am rather confident she could have escaped attention, if the stay in Hamburg was short."

"As for Wilhelmshaven, can the Germans build ships this big there? Since they started expanding that little village into their main Atlantic Naval Base around 50 years ago, it is still under construction, still being added to, I heard. Yes, the base and yards undoubtedly are operational, but I do not think they have many slips for super dreadnoughts, because a substantial part of their fleet building is done at other yards. I doubt that she was built in Wilhelmshaven, and she certainly couldn't have been at some backyard in their colonies. It could be part of a secret alliance Germany has with another power. We can only hope MI6 knows more."

"But who would have built the ship for the Germans?" Smith wanted to know.

"I don't know. The swastika might be a hint. It's indeed an old sign of luck, and it's quite popular in India. It also has been gaining in popularity in the USA, and Japan too could be her origin." Andrews answered. "The French are their enemies, of that at least we can be certain. But Russia? Not totally impossible, but highly unlikely. Unlike Mr. Ismay, I don't want dismiss the German colonies so fast. If they indeed managed to build such a ship in secrecy such a location would be perfect. And for the MI6 a great defeat not getting to know anything."

"As for Wilhelmshaven, we cannot forget that practically all of the city is an off-limits special military district. Germany can do there as she pleases without many recognising anything. Whilst I share some of your doubts about the Germans being able to build ships this big out there, we cannot rule it out." Andrews remarked.

"Still, we don't know. We can only tell the Admiralty, what we know. And that is relative little, for now." Smith added.

 

[Tyr Anazasi]

15.04.1912, North Atlantic Ocean, bridge of SS Carpathia, 03:54

Captain Rostrom couldn't believe his eyes. That's a huge dreadnought flying the Imperial ensign. Around it he saw some boats rowing nearby. Presumably those are still looking for survivors.

"Mr. Cottam, please signal the captain of that colossus over there, that we will be ready for the transfer in about half an hour. Also, please wake Mr. Blackmarr, as a naval photographer he is needed."

"Sir, I've never heard of that ship, not even rumours. Hopefully the Admiralty knows more. In any case we need to get all the intel on this ship we can get. Photographs included." his first officer Horace Dean remarked.

"She certainly is a beast isn't she? I can only hope the Admiralty knows about her, and has countermeasures in place Mr. Dean. I however have a bad feeling the Admiralty knows nothing about her!"

"Sir, where do we go to land the survivors? Azores, Halifax or New York?" Mr Dean asked.

"New York. We will go back to New York. Please inform our passengers that we won't arrive in Fiume in time."


15.04.1912, North Atlantic Ocean, bridge of Bismarck, 04:25

"Herr Admiral, a priest wants to speak with you." Admiral Lütjens only heard the voice of the young lieutenant. He turned and saw Father Peruschitz.

"Herr Admiral, I am Father Peruschitz from Bavaria. I need to talk to you. And I would prefer it to be in a more private atmosphere."

A little later they were in the Cabin of the Admiral.

"Herr Admiral, some of what your crew has told me was quite shocking, unbelievably so in fact. However I'm not so certain anymore."

"Well, at first I need your word, that nothing of this is spoken of outside of this room." Lütjens made clear.

"Absolutely. I am a priest..."

"This is a state secret as well, and I really shouldn't be telling you about this." Lütjens added.

"Then it's true?!?" Peruschitz couldn't believe it still.

"Yes, it is. Nobody is mocking you. We are from the future. We were in battle with British forces and we needed to scuttle this ship. But suddenly we were here and everyone was fine. I don't know the reason, and I don't know how."

"Herr Admiral, I am a man, doing my duty for the Lord. I am priest since nearly 17 years. I never heard about such a wonder before."

"Father, we don't know the exact reason..."

This time the Father interjected. "No, Herr Admiral, this has to be a wonder. The Lord has sent you here because of a reason, a reason we don't know. Perhaps you should prevent that war. Perhaps you should only prevent one of the passengers' deaths. It's providence. It's a wonder. And believe me, I am very cautious in this regard as well."

This time the admiral didn't say anything. He just looked into the eyes of the priest.

"Look, I was ready to die, when I heard the news of the damage. Now I am here. I am pretty much sure I would be dead by now, if you hadn't come to save us ... I don't know, what the Lord wants to be done. Shall a certain person be influenced? Or a whole country? Or the whole world? I don't know. I only know, that this is providence. Please be careful, what you do."

"Father, I am."

Both looked at each other for some time, when someone knocked on the door. "Herr Admiral, we can start the transfer."

"Alright." He responded to the knock, before turning back to Father Peruschitz: "Father this is top secret."

"Herr Admiral I did my duty for the Lord, and I will do my duty to you. I won't tell anyone. Even if the Pope came to me, I wouldn't say anything."

The admiral just nodded. A moment later Lütjens was back on the bridge and Peruschitz on the way to the boats.


15.04.1912, North Atlantic Ocean, 12:38:

RMS Carpathia had taken about 700 survivors. The ship left for New York at about 09:00 o'clock. In the meantime SS Mount Temple had arrived and taken another 700 survivors. The last about 700 survivors were taken to SS Frankfurt. That ship got also 49 bodies recovered by the boats of the Bismarck, which had found 16 more survivors, of which 2 would unfortunately die.

Over the next few days more bodies were found and recovered to a total of 118. Some of them had be laid to rest on the sea, but 95 were buried at St. John. The captain of the Frankfurt got an envelope, he had to get to the consulate in New York to be transferred to Germany. The Message:

"German grand ship of the line* Bismarck on the way back home STOP Assisted Titanic STOP More explanations follow at home STOP Signed Vice Admiral Lütjens

On the bridge of Bismarck Captain Lindemann ordered: "Helm, take us to Grid BC7315. The Admiral and we all need to have to talk with the commander of a Uboat."

"Aye, Herr Kap'tän."


* the German term of battleship in this time was ship of the line, for a Dreadnaught Grand ship of the line (Großlinienschiff).

 

[Tyr Anazasi]

16.04.1912, North Atlantic Ocean, KM Grid BC7315, 23:18:


The Bismarck had arrived at the rendezvous point with U-234. Soon after firing signal rockets a half-way submerged submarine, with her deck below the waterline, was spotted. Admiral Lütjens invited Kapiänleutnant Fehler to his room, surprisingly Fehler did not come alone.

With him came his first officer Kapitänleutnant v. Bulla, navigator and pilot, who was to become an expert for carrier operations; General der Flieger Ulrich Keßler, also once a naval pilot though now an air strategist; Lt. Menzel, his adjutant and RADAR specialist also former bomberardier; Oberstleutnant v. Sandrat, an air defence specialist; Fregattenkapitän Gerhard Falcke, engineer for electric welding and naval strategist; Oberleutnant zur See Hellendorn, flak specialist; Marinerichter Kay Nieschling; Marinebaurat Dr.-Ing. Schlicke, IR and RADAR expert; and the Messerschmidt employees Dr-Ing. Bringewald and Franz Ruf.

Of these Lütjens didn't at all expect two of them: Kaigun-Gijutsu Chūsa Hideo Tomanoga, a naval architect and submarine designer; and Kaigun-Gijutsu Chūsa Shoji Genzo, an aircraft specialist.

With Lütjens were Kapitän Lindemann, his First Officer Fregattenkapitän Oels and Kapitän Netzband, former commander of the battleship Gneisenau and now in Lütjen's staff, and Fregattenkapitän Ascher. After the greeting and introducing they got immideately in medias res. Fehler explained, what had happened after the sinking of the Bismarck until his own "event".

"So we had to surrender and Germany was completely occupied and with most our cities largely bombed to rubble?" Lütjens was shocked.

"Yes, Herr Admiral!" Fehler said.

"And Hitler dead?" Lindemann wanted to know.

"Yes."

"That was the only good news we have." Keßler interjected.

"That's treachery! Hitler was the greatest German ever!" Nieschling, a Nazi to the core, ranted. "That's the same attitude, which led to our defeat! I will remember this, once we're at home."

"You can't threaten me. Hitler is now some small post card painter in Munich. Nothing to speak of." Keßler answered.

"He's the Führer. The true leader of Germany. We need to go home and..."

"He led us into a war, a war which mind you couldn't be won! He led us into destruction like pigs to the slaughter. And he committed crimes nobody could imagine before!" Keßler said loudly.

"Not possible. Lies! Where's the proof?!" Nieschling nearly screamed, though not without wanting to know.

"Here." Keßler said whilst he opened his bag and took out several pictures. "Just a dozen of the many photographs we've made in the KZs. Look at them. Look at the children. The gas chambers. The crematories. Your beloved "Führer" has killed millions of Jews, Gipsies and others". As he finished speaking and the pictures had been seen, all were astonished and horrified, even Nieschling.

"That doesn't mean anything, they are not real. Faked." Nieschling spoke, though his voice was much more silent, calm even, almost as if he had started to doubt.

"No, that's the truth. That's the worst crime ever happened." Keßler's voice was calm, but sharp.

"That's the work of some cronies of Hitler, if these photographs are real, which I still doubt. Himmler perhaps. That's another reason, why we have to go home and help the Führer to get his position he is born to." Nieschling parotted, though not even he was truly convinced anymore.

"Herr Nieschling," Lütjens intervened, "I don't think, you can deny, that Hitler was against the Jews. Herr Ascher can tell you more, if you don't know anymore."

Fregattenkapitän Ascher, a Jew, nodded. He was too shocked to say anything.

"We need to go to Germany..." Nieschling could not end the sentence.

"Oh, we will go back to Germany, as we are German soldiers, regardless, who is in power." Lütjens said calmly.

"Good, we..."

"I said, regardless, who is in power. We won't start a coup to install another man, especially no certain Austrian painter!" Lütjens voice was a bit louder.

"How dare you!" Nieschling seemed to explode. His face was as red as it could be. "I will have you court martialled for treachery! You are under arrest."

Lindemann looked to Oels who just nodded to one of the sailors in the background at the door. The two men stepped forward and grabbed Nieschling, who was still crying bloody murder and threatened everyone in the room. Only seconds later Nieschling was on the way to the brig.

"Herr General, that knowledge and those pictures, were you in the Widerstand?" Fehler asked Keßler.

"Yes, I am. I was part of the July 20th plot." Keßler confessed.

Lütjens had to breathe deeply to come back to the topic. "Meine Herren, is here someone against going back to Germany?" he asked directly. Nobody said anything.

"Okay, I am placing you directly under my command, Herr Kapitänleutnant. You're to go to Germany. How long will you need to do so?"

"Herr Admiral, that are about 2400 nm. I can make up to 17 knots surfaced, but economically only 10 is feasible. That would be about 10 days, without delays. So I guess 14 days."

Lütjens nodded. "You won't cross the Channel. As do we. I think, we will need a week to arrive home. I will give you an escort, when you arrive at grid AN2311."

"Herr Admiral, what do we do in Germany? I mean, they don't have any clue that we exist at all." Fehler wanted to know.

"Well, we're still German soldiers. But I have to add, that I had talked to Father Peruschitz from Titanic. He said, we were sent here by the Lord. It would be providence. We need to do something. Whether this is true or not, I still think, even more so now," he looked at the pictures, "that we need to change history."

"How?"

"Well, our knowledge is plentiful. We can change much." Lindemann interjected.

"I didn't mean that. I meant, if we change the political situation. And in what way?"

"That's a good question. Hitler's system didn't work in any way shape or form." He said, somewhat more forcibly than normal. "We need to keep him out at all cost. As to Kaiser Wilhelm, well ... His grandfather was smart enough to select Bismarck as chancellor. But Wilhelm? A chancellor with more powers, but depending on the Reichstag? Possible. We have to see." Lütjens said.

"Jawoll, I understand, Herr Admiral."

"Herr Admiral," Lütjens hear a voice from the other end of the table, a voice he hadn't heard in this discussion. "What is with us? We know too much." It was the voice of Kaigun-Gijutsu Chūsa Genzo. "Are we your prisoners?"

"Well, of course not." Lütjens made clear. "But you're our guests."

"We could offer you an alliance with Japan." Kaigun-Gijutsu Chūsa Tomamoga added.

"That's a political question. And although I see some advantages, it certainly is not up to me. Besides, I think while this "early" Tokyo will soon see that Germany is a better friend for Japan than the Allies ever will be, they will be baffled by what happened to us all as well. So you're our guests, but I am sure you can soon talk with your embassy once we are back home in Germany. " Lütjens made clear.

The two Japanese officers looked at each other, then they nodded. "It would be a pleasure for us to accept your hospitality, Herr Admiral."

"Kapitänleutnant Fehler, your passengers will sail home with us. Fregattenkapitän Ascher will be your new 1WO. He will be under your command, you will remain commander of U-234."

"Herr Admiral, I accept, of course." Fehler said. Ascher just nodded. Finally he asked Admiral Lütjens:

"Herr Admiral, are we able to stop this?"

Lütjens looked at him. "Stop Hitler? Yes. Stop the war, the First World war? I certainly have my doubts. I would wish to, but I still think there are other powers too keen to attack us. France is obvious. And as long as Russia is France's ally we have to deal with them, too."

"But we shouldn't forget, that Britain is there, too." Lindemann added. "They won't accept Germany having a strong fleet. And they would want to control the oil sources. They already control most of Persia, and I doubt they accept us in the region. Not only because we would then threaten India, but also because of the oil. This ship is completely dependent on oil. The Hochseeflotte still used coal just because of the fear that oil might be harder to get in a war. They were true."

Lütjens agreed. "Yes, I think we should try to avoid such a horrible war. But if the Allies decide to attack us, we need to pay them dearly for their mistake. And if we don't lose that war, Hitler will never come to power."

"We need to deal with him, one way or the other, though." Keßler added.

"Well, he hadn't done anything we could kill him for. He's just a painter." Oels interjected.

"Well, one way or the other didn't mean to kill him. Not necessarily at least." Keßler made clear.

"As a painter he could get a better education. That might be the key." Lütjens said. "At one point, however, we might need to do so. And that has to happen before he becomes a danger."

Soon after the talks were closed and after the most needed luggage was sent to Bismarck, both ships started the voyage home.

 

[Tyr Anazasi]

16.04.1912:


Headlines from several newspapers:

New York Times, NY:

RMS Titanic sunk after collision with iceberg - Most of the passengers and crew rescued by German battleship



Daily Telegraph, London:

RMS Titanic sunk - hundreds dead - survivors were rescued by German dreadnaught



Vossische Zeitung, Berlin:

Titanic gesunken - Deutsches Großlinienschiff rettet Überlebende (Titanic sunk - German battleship saves survivors)





16.04.1912, Berlin, Secretary of the Navy, 09:02 o´clock



Großadmiral "Mr. Forkbeard" Alfred von Tirpitz had just set down at his desk, when he got a call. 'That´s about 4 minutes earlier than I expected', mused the most influential naval officer of Germany, rather amused.

The Admiral had set down his cup of coffee with a loud clang earlier in the morning when he saw the headlines of the newspapers during breakfast. He instantly knew a long, long day was coming for him.

"Herr Staatssekretär, the chancellor wants to talk to you." his secretary said. Soon after Chancellor v. Bethmann-Hollweg was talking to him.

"Herr Admiral, can you tell me something about the stories of a German Großlinienschiff assisting the sinking Titanic?" Bethmann-Hollweg wanted to know.

"Herr Kanzler, I can assure you, that we don't have any ship there at the moment. I don't know which or what ship was there, but it isn't ours... SMS Moltke´s voyage to the Americas is planned for June ... Yes, they must be mistaken ... No, Herr Kanzler, I too am totally baffled how a dreadnaught ship can be so badly misidentified by multiple sources ... We are working on it ... We cabled our embassy in America and they confirm the ship and crew identified themselves as Germans ... Yes, the cruiser SMS Fürst Bismarck is still here ... No, she couldn't sortie, even if we wanted to. She needs plenty of work since coming back from Asia ... Yes, sir. I will inform you once I know more."

Soon after he got the next call.

"Your Majesty? ... No, it's not one of ours ... No, I don't have any clue at this moment what ship it was ... There must be a mistake, but a very strange one ... After cabling our embassy they confirm the ship and crew claimed to be German ... Yes, your Highness, the SMS Fürst Bismarck is still here ... No, she can't sortie ... Yes, your majesty, I will inform you the moment I hear something new ... We are working on it with outmost speed.

The calls didn't stop coming.

"Reichstagspräsident Kaempf? ... No, this isn't our ship ... We are in the process of finding out what strange thing happened there ...

His whole morning was full with speaking other politicians about this mystery ship. Alfred simply hoped that more information would reach his offices soon. It would take till noon, when a courier arrived with a coded message from Funkstation Nauen.





16.04.1912, London, HQ of the Admiralty, 14:13:



Sir George Smith-Cumming, director of the MI6, had written a letter to the First Lord of the Admiralty:

"Dear First Lord of the Admiralty,

I got your question about the news of a German super dreadnaught named Bismarck, which, according to our press, has saved the passengers of the Titanic. I can tell you that my sources tell me that the only ship named after Bismarck is the armoured cruiser SMS Fürst Bismarck, which is currently in Germany for refit after having been in East Asia for nine years.

It's very likely this ship, which was mentioned and the civilians overestimated it. We haven't heard about a German dreadnaught called Bismarck. Such a large ship usually can't be built in secrecy. If such a ship still exists, it shows that we are heavily underfunded for our task, a problem that I mentioned before.

C"

Winston Churchill still had some bad feeling. He wasn't totally convinced. Especially after reading the telegrams sent by Captain Rostom of RMS Carpathia. He needed to wait, until the pictures were here.





9:30pm 18 April 1912 – New York City


A large crowd had gathered for the arrival of the Titanic's passengers and crew. Reporters were jockeying for position hoping to get the best interviews with the passengers and crew as they departed. Captain Rostron had invited the Titanic's officers to remain on the RMS Carpathia for a while so they could avoid being mobbed by the reporters. While they were talking another man entered the room.

"This is Francis Blackmarr" said Captain Rostron introducing the newcomer to the group "He had his photography equipment on board with him and was able to take some photographs of the Bismarck. I assume you and your crew will be returning to England?"

"Yes" replied Captain Smith "We plan to go to the New York White Star Line office, I'm sure they will advise us to return to England as soon as possible."

"I need to resume my voyage to Fiume, but I think we should get all the information we have about the Bismarck to the Admiralty as soon as possible." Said Rostron "Mr. Blackmarr has agreed to turn over the pictures of the Bismarck after they are developed. He can then give them to you so you can deliver them when you return to England if you are willing."

"Of course we will deliver them!" replied Captain Smith. "Hopefully the Admiralty already knows about the Bismarck and the Royal Navy is building even bigger dreadnoughts, but regardless it is our duty to report everything we know."

"Good, I wish you safe travels back to England" said Rostron "I have some of my men spreading rumours that you and your officers were on one of the other ships, after the crowds disperse you should be able to make it off the ship and to a hotel without too much hassle."

(By PPaul)





19.04.1912, New York City, 18:54:

The SS Frankfurt arrived in New York City later than the faster RMS Carpathia. While the survivors of the Titanic were landing, the First Officer hurried to the consulate. As it was closed, he demanded to talk to the consul. As he was adamant, he finally got the address of his house, which he reached a little later. There he gave the message of the Admiral to Consul Falcke. Also he got several photos from the Admiral showing him and the ship. To say the consul was astonished was the least. At once he sent this coded telegram to Germany:



From: Horst P. Falcke, Generalkonsul New York

To: Foreign secretary of State v. Kiderlen-Waechter

Following telegram by Vice Admiral Günther Lütjens STOP Authentic STOP Photos seen STOP They come with the next ship STOP Battleship Bismarck is REAL! STOP Stories about the ship are mostly true! STOP Awaiting further orders in this regard! STOP



20.04.1912, Berlin, City Castle, 09:00:

Admiral Tirpitz was on time, when he entered the office of the Kaiser. Wilhelm was greeting him. "Herr Admiral, we get more and more rumours about this Battleship Bismarck. Either it's a belated April fool's joke or there is indeed a German Großlinienschiff called Bismarck en route to us."

"Eure Majestät, Naval Command and I also don't know anything about this ship, only what I read in the newspapers. Additionally we got a coded confirmation from our embassy in the USA that the ship is real and on her way 'home'. There are confirmed photographs of the unknown transported on RPD Zieten. Unfortunately, while the Zieten is a fast ship, there is no chance for them to reach Germany before the mysterious vessel.

Furthermore, we got a message from that vessel calling itself the Bismarck via Nauen radio station. But it was short, rather mysteriously worded and as such we learnt few things. But there should be a ship reaching the Bight soon."

"So you didn't build a ship without my knowledge?"

"No. I have no idea, what ship is coming. Or should come. In a situation like this nothing would me make more glad than telling you we build a Großlinienschiff in total secrecy, but that is not the case here."

"Hopefully." the Kaiser remarked. As he didn't know more, he just sighed. "It seems, the ship will be here in a few days. We should be ready. Full alert to the Hochseeflotte. Bachmann* shall send some cruisers to look for this ship.

"Jawohl, your majesty."



*Viceadmiral Bachmann was the commander of the reconaissance force 1912 (Befehlshaber der Aufklärungskräft, BdA)


22.04.1912, North Sea, bridge of SMS Mainz, 10:38:


The Small Cruiser SMS Mainz under Captain v. Egidy was patrolling in the North Sea to look for this ominous warship called Bismarck. Egidy had no clue, what was going on. The whole Hochseeflotte was on alert. 8 great ships of the line and 12 ships of the line were near Heligoland. Three great cruisers and 10 small cruisers were patrolling the North Sea. And they were not the only ones. Since the last three days he had seen six British cruisers, including a battlecruiser. As if that wasn't strange enough, a plane was spotted an hour ago. It neared the ship, overflew it and then flew north. It was a monoplane. He asked himself, from where it came, as he was way out of the next possible landing site, even if it was a float plane. And the cross on it had resemblance to the Iron Cross. German planes had a corcade*.

"Herr Kapitän," he heard the voice of the First Officer, "we spotted a ship straight ahead."

"Another British cruiser?"

"I don't know. But I never saw such a ship before. But I doubt, it is a cruiser."

Egidy looked through his binoculars. And he didn't believe his eyes. It was a great warship with two twin turrets on the bow and at least two twin turrets of medium calibre at each side. Likely that was only half of the armament. Egidy had never seen this before. Then it started to contact his ship with light signals:

"German cruiser, this is the German Great ship of the line Bismarck."

"Bismarck, this is the SMS Mainz. I am Captain von Egidy"

"Captain, Admiral Lütjens sends you his greets. He invites you to visit our ship and to talk about several things."

Captain Egidy didn't know, if he could deny this, but the Bismarck had already launched a boat. So he followed the invitation. If an admiral invites you, it is regarded as an order.

After a small tour through the ship led by Captain Lindemann Egidy met with Lütjens on the bridge. Lindemann had avoided to answer his questions about the origin of this ship. He couldn't think, the Imperial Navy had built such a ship without having heard anything about this. And the uniforms were a bit different.

"So what do you think of this ship, captain." Lütjens asked.

"It is a marvellous ship, Herr Admiral."

"Fine. We're on the way to Wilhelmshaven. I would want to ask you to invite Admiral von Tirpitz to see this ship."

"Well, I am only a captain. I can't tell you, what he will answer."

"Of course, but I still think, he wants to see this ship, don't you think?" Lütjens remarked a bit humorously.

"That's sure. I will contact him once I am back on my ship."



*Because of the problems identifying enemy planes the Iron Cross was used to mark German planes and tanks, as the corcade was not sufficient to differate between German and Entente planes.

22.04.1912, London, HQ of the Admiralty, 13:59:

Having just had lunch Admiral Sir Francis Bridgeman had come back to office where he found the next memorandum of the search for the Bismarck. To this date no such ship had been seen. There were many other German ships travelling around, but not this particular ship. It seemed, the German main fleet was in the German Bight near Heligoland, while the cruisers were searching the North Sea just like his own. Until now with seemingly the same nonexistant success. But then he got news, that the German main fleet was travelling north. The cruisers were called back. Damn. It seemed, the Krauts were successful. He was sure, that this meant, that this ship, the Bismarck, met another German ship. But why this? If this was a normal vessel, then there should be not such an action to find the ship. Alas, this was also no normal ship. It remained strange though.

"Please tell Smith-Cumming he should be aware, that the Bismarck finally arrived at home. He should take every opportunity to get more information." he ordered to his secretary. Too bad, that the photographs of this vessel hadn't arrived yet. The RMS Laconia was to arrive the next morning- at earliest.

 

[Tyr Anazasi]

https://www.german-navy.de/

I am referring to a number of ships I don't have the time to explain. Here is a good overlook over the ships of the HSF in history, with much data about every ship.

Here is the SMS Mainz for example:

https://www.german-navy.de/hochseeflotte/ships/smallcruiser/mainz/index.html