Chapter 6: Do not head south, but go north
At this moment, apart from the sound of the waves and the sea breeze, another sound faintly emerged, reminiscent of the drumbeats from ancient battlefields, as well as a rumbling noise coming from beyond the horizon of the sea
The sergeant put down his weapon and said in English: "Sir, this can only determine our approximate location. Also, from now on, please call me John, John Cock!"
In just a short while, Logan's paratroopers had already detached the large package fixed to the upper machine gun position and pushed it into the sea, quickly forming a British-style lifeboat. Following this, the paratroopers began transferring their equipment from the glider to the lifeboat, with Tobias being the last to leave the glider— as the pilot, he was responsible for unscrewing the special valve at the bottom of the glider, allowing it to slowly sink to the bottom of the water. Following this, the paratroopers began transferring their equipment from the glider to the lifeboat, with Tobias being the last to leave the glider— as the pilot, he was responsible for unscrewing the special valve at the bottom of the glider, allowing it to slowly sink to the bottom of the water
It seems to be a ship... Let's stop rowing! The airman sitting next to Logan quietly reminded his superior and companions. This person's full name is Tino Grott, born in 1906. Among the paratroopers participating in Operation "Cyanide", he holds several distinctions: he is the oldest, has the most varied occupations, has visited the most cities, and claims to be the most resilient little JJ. This individual, who has worked as a restaurant waiter, a stoker, a sailor, and even a boxing sparring partner, boarded the train of the German military's rearmament two years ago and was fortunate enough to become a member of the elite airborne forces. Naturally, his salary is significantly higher than that of ordinary army soldiers.
"Hurry! Unfold the inflatable raft!" Logan issued the command with a hint of tension, while vigilantly scanning the surroundings. In just a moment, a shadow silently glided overhead, and the sudden sense of pressure sent chills down one's spine. Fortunately, Logan quickly realized that it was one of their own. Under his watchful gaze, the DFS230 light assault glider bounced a few times on the surface of the sea before coming to a safe stop.
After recognizing that the outline of the ship was not a warship, everyone on the two lifeboats waved their hands and shouted with all their might, fearing that the other party would not be able to see them
Alright! Logan felt a bit embarrassed, and he turned to the other paratroopers and said: "Remember the names on your identification. Now, row south!"
Lieutenant, listen ... ...
The soldiers picked up the paddles and began to row with great effort. A few minutes later, another glider disappeared from the surface of the sea, replaced by an identical style of inflatable raft
The wind and waves on the sea were not strong. After about the time it takes to smoke two cigarettes, the two lifeboats successfully met at the designated location
"Everything went smoothly, and no one was injured!" Lieutenant Runt Stephenberg, commander of the Second Assault Team, reported the situation to Logan in German
After a brief rest, the paratroopers resumed rowing with the oars, and the two lifeboats continued to move south at a slow pace. After rowing for a while, Tobias suddenly nudged Logan's arm with his elbow, signaling that there was something happening to the north
The tall and slender figure standing at the bow of the ship is Airman First Class Mark Aira, who stands at a height of 1.89 meters. Before the war, he played as a goalkeeper for a team in the Munich area. Logan has loved football since middle school and was once the "goalkeeper" of his class team, but his height limitations prevented him from pursuing this path further. The current situation seems to have changed significantly; once the war is over, Logan might still be able to showcase his talents in football—during the 1940s and 1950s, an all-out attacking football strategy would make traditional teams bow down in submission! The current situation seems to have changed significantly; once the war is over, Logan might still be able to showcase his talents in football—during the 1940s and 1950s, an all-out attacking football strategy would make traditional teams bow down in submission!
From now on, only English is allowed! After everyone had transferred to the lifeboats, Logan issued the new order with utmost seriousness
With the commander leading the way, the paratroopers beside him followed suit
The paratroopers paddled in pairs, taking turns. After nearly an hour, a light different from the starlight finally appeared in their line of sight. It was a dim orange-red hue, just a glimpse, resembling the dawn just breaking in the east, yet the compass clearly indicated that it was to the south
Tobias pushed open the glass canopy above the cockpit, and the briny sea breeze rushed in all at once (this glider has been modified, and there is more than just the one door at the back, ha ha)
Despite the presence of large floating clouds in the sky, there is still some light on the surface of the sea. More importantly, the fierce gales that have consistently ravaged the English Channel are completely absent, and the undulating waves appear remarkably gentle.
Tino Grote skillfully took a pack of cigarettes from his jacket pocket, pulled one out and placed it between his lips. Facing Logan's questioning gaze, he said softly: "Don't be nervous, sir, I won't light it, just satisfying my craving for a smoke"
Before boarding the ship, Logan specifically instructed his soldiers to splash some seawater on their faces and bodies, and even discarded two military caps, as the more disheveled their appearance, the better.
The two parties ultimately did not draw too close to each other, and that ship did not turn on a single light during its voyage. Thus, half an hour passed, and the disturbing rumble finally receded once again.
As the sea breeze blew, Logan discovered that his forehead and temples were drenched in sweat. He then took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lit one. Although the losses of the British Expeditionary Force have so far been far less than those of the French army, the amount of supplies discarded during the retreat is still countless. Therefore, for the German army, equipping these paratroopers with authentic British goods poses no difficulty at all
Everyone let out a huge sigh of relief
The paratroopers lowered their bodies one by one, trying to conceal themselves within the confined space of the lifeboat. Time passed second by second, and the thunderous sound produced by the ship's operation became increasingly clear. Under the influence of powerful propulsion, the sharp bow of the ship effortlessly cleaved through the waves, leaving behind a non-linear wake.
The atmosphere, stifling to the point of near solidification, brought about an uncontrollable tension. Logan thought to himself, "At worst, I can go to England and cause some destruction"
Before turning 20, Logan never smoked, but just a month before his 21st birthday, he not only learned to smoke but also indulged in heavy drinking for several consecutive days, almost ready to visit the "Gentle Harbor" for a carefree experience
"English, let's speak English from now on!" Logan cautioned, glancing at the pitch-black southern horizon. According to the original plan, the landing site should be approximately 15 nautical miles north of Dunkirk. If relying solely on manual paddling, it would take only 5 to 6 hours to reach the shore
Logan raised his right hand, signaling the paratroopers to stop rowing. Everyone remained motionless, barely holding their breath. The strange sound grew closer and clearer, and as the view remained shrouded in darkness, an unknown anxiety gradually evolved into tension and fear. When the sound of the splashing waves became distinctly audible, a shadowy black vessel of indeterminate size finally emerged on the surface of the sea
"Get down!" Logan whispered to his paratroopers. From the black, indistinct outline, it appeared to be at least a medium-sized ship. If nothing unexpected happened, there were likely several hundred coalition soldiers on board who had been evacuated from Dunkirk. If they were discovered at this moment, even if Logan and his team managed to evade detection, they would probably be 'rescued' and taken to England!
Wow, what a beautiful day
Once again, human ears hoped to perform the function of cat ears. Although the effect was very limited, this group of German paratroopers dressed in British military uniforms still detected the ships approaching from the north to the south in advance
After bidding farewell to his glider, Tobias kept holding his sextant to observe and calculate. Logan finally couldn't help but ask: "Tobias, what level of accuracy can this thing achieve? In nautical miles?"