Countdown to Atomgeddon: The Pacific War

By James Howell

The German submarine U-234 left Norway on April 14, 1945, on its last mission to Japan with a cargo of uranium and other strategic military supplies. The cargo included a complete jet aircraft and several tons of documents and plans to build jet aircraft and other German aircraft in a plant to be built in Japan.
Japan and Germany had cooperated in their efforts to build the first atomic bomb by sharing precious raw materials and technology. The Allies had effectively blocked thousands of tons of seagoing strategic military supplies, and later in the war, Germany had invaded the previously neutral country of Russia, cutting off the other route for supplies traffic via the Trans-Siberian Railway.
At the time, there were no aircraft capable of large shipments of cargo over such distances, and the only option was shipping by the only route left: underwater by submarine. The U-234 was the last resort to ship large quantities of cargo over long distances. Aboard the submarine were forty-five crewmen, a German general, three German officers, and two high-ranking Japanese naval officers.
On 8 May, 1945, the submarine was ordered to surrender to the Allies as it plied the cold waters of the North Atlantic. The war had ended in Germany, and the submarine surrendered to the USS Sutton. The surrender of the submarine and its cargo was accomplished with the aid of the Alsos Missions as part of the Manhattan Project. The Alsos Missions continued work in the Pacific to assist the Allies develop and eventually deploy the first atomic bomb.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781514421420

James Howell

James Howell is a retired sales executive now living in Georgetown, Texas. He served in the Army between the Korean and Vietnam wars when the Cold War was at it’s hottest. He has a fascination for military history and tries to stay true to facts while writing fiction. His first three books are about the race to build the first atomic bomb. The first and hopefully the last time a nuclear weapon has been used in combat. Thankfully, the war ended with the detonation of the bomb over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, thus saving millions of combatant and private lives. Operation Trickery is about the small battles and deception that helped win the war in Europe months ahead of the end of the war in the Pacific.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Colonel Powers Calls

Nate was pulling Brandon and Blake out of the old silver mine with his trusty old ’35 Ford. It had been stripped of its fenders, windows, trunk lid, and hood for efficiency and reduced weight. Aesthetically, it was a disaster; but it was efficient. The small cable from his front bumper wench was attached to an ore car containing Brandon and Blake, along with a cargo of about 400 pounds of geodes and silver ore. The trio had found some really nice geodes, the kind with white crystals on the inside of a really ugly and rough outer surface. The ore car was inching slowly up the 45-degree incline when the engine died on Nate’s trusty old ’35 Ford. Brandon and Blake were stuck about halfway up the mine shaft in complete darkness, except for their miners’ lamps.

Blake was the first to panic. What’s happening? Did you run out of gas again? Get us out of here! I’m already late to go home. Vivian will never forgive you if I’m late for her birthday party.

Not my fault. You guys are too heavy and burnt most of the fuel just trying to pull you out of there, Nate responded.

Brandon was first to crawl out of the ore car, and he began to climb up the mine shaft on the rail ties between the two rails. Brandon then made his opinion clear. I knew this would happen. You never know how much gas you have in your car since you ripped out all the gauges out of the dash.

Just as Blake was about to climb out of the ore car, the cable began to split and broke at the coupling to the ore car. With Blake still on board, the ore car shot down the tracks into the dark abyss. The cable was snaking its way toward the mine-shaft opening, making a hissing noise while Brandon pressed himself against the mine-shaft wall to avoid the sharp splintered cable. Brandon was able to avoid the cable and any injury it might have caused, while Blake was not as lucky. It was about fifty feet to the end of the mine shaft and moving faster every second. It took about four seconds for the ore car to reach the bottom with a mighty crash. Blake was able to position himself against the ore-car wall on impact to prevent breaking something, but the geodes and silver ore had not. Blake was shoved hard against the ore-car wall by the ore, while the geodes plummeted toward his back and head. Brandon was quick to reach the ore car and discovered Blake unconscious and bleeding from bruises and multiple contusions.

Brandon then called to Nate, Bring me a first-aid kit, then go get some help to get Blake out of here, and he’s banged up pretty badly.

Nate responded as fast as he could with the kit before he resurfaced from the mine shaft in search of help. He took Blake’s ’41 Ford before deciding that the best help would be the forest service personnel at the ranger station in Magdalena, about nine miles away. The forest rangers were prepared for emergencies of all kinds. Almost weekly, they were called to rescue some fool from many of the old abandoned silver and smithsonite mines, most of which stopped producing in the twenties.

While the rangers prepared for the rescue, Nate found a new cable for the winch at the hardware store and some gasoline to restart the engine of his trusty old Ford. Brandon was able to stop most of the bleeding from the many small contusions, but Blake was still unconscious from several bumps on the back of his head from the geodes that pummeled his back and head.

While Nate was replacing the winch cable, two forest rangers descended the mine shaft to find Brandon nursing Blake. A third ranger followed them with the new cable and hook to reattach to the ore car. They decided to bring Blake to the surface in the ore car, which now seemed the safest way to extract him. Nate had replaced the cable, restarted the engine, and tested the new cable to make sure it would safely pull the ore car and Blake to the mine entrance. The ore car was much lighter since most of the silver ore and all the geodes had been forced out as it crashed into the bottom of the mine shaft. The ore car itself apparently suffered very little damage and could best be utilized to move the still unconscious Blake.

Very cautiously, Nate brought the ore car to the surface while Brandon continued to nurse Blake. As the ore car reappeared at the mine entrance, Blake was awakened by the bright sunlight. He looked terrible with multiple contusions, bruises, bandages, and dried blood—plus a nasty temper. He looked terrible, but it didn’t compare to the anger welling up inside him.

You dumb ——! You damn near killed us with that junk heap of a car.

Nate was elated that his best friends were OK and now angry at him.

That ‘junk heap’ just saved your lives. And if you weren’t so heavy, the cable would not have broken.

Brandon then voiced his displeasure, Blake is right. You ran out of gas and used an old, damaged cable along with that ‘junk heap’ to almost kill us both.

Nate knew he had screwed up, but he wasn’t going to admit it to his two oldest friends. You guys would complain if I had carried you out on my back. Besides, you even lost the geodes and silver ore I had found. Those geodes were the ones with mostly clear calcite crystals, but also some purple and pink crystals.

Blake then asked, Did you call Vivian to let her know I was going to be late for her birthday party?

Nate had an answer. No, I have saved your life enough for one day. You can call her yourself from the hospital.

Vivian was startled by the ringing telephone, and she picked it up on the first ring. She was surprised to hear Blake explain why he missed her party. She was upset, but even more upset about the call. You are where? You and Nate did what? Did you break anything? I guess that is good news; By the way, you got a call from Colonel Powers. Now you are taking me out for a nice dinner since you missed my party. I don’t care how bad you feel, you are taking me out for a nice dinner.

Blake finally was released from the emergency room at the Magdalena hospital after seemingly hours of examinations, sewing and patching, wiping and cleaning, and beeping from a strange-looking machine.

Nate was walking his friend out the door of the hospital when he finally pointed out, You are as good as new—probably better. Now you can call Col. Powers to see what he wants.

Blake sensed that no one had any sympathy for his situation at nearly being killed by that stupid old wreck of Nate’s. Let’s get to a phone so I can ask Col. Powers for some sympathy. I’m sure he still loves me—seems that no one else does around here. Give me a nickel for the telephone.

Col. Powers’ secretary interrupted the colonel’s conversation with the Secretary of War in Washington to take the call from Blake. What took you so long to return my call? We have a situation where you and Nate will be needed. Catch the next plane out of Albuquerque for San Francisco. I’ll meet you at the gate when you arrive. Don’t ask any questions, I can’t tell you anything over the telephone. Call my secretary with your ETA of your flight to San Francisco. See you there.

The phone went dead before Blake had a chance to ask any questions. He knew better anyway; Col. Powers was always abrupt and secretive. Blake just shrugged his shoulders, joined Nate in his car, and explained that they were to meet Col. Powers in San Francisco tomorrow. Don’t ask why. He just said to be there.

Nate had no problem leaving Magdalena, the hamburger joint that he and Brandon opened following their leaving the local newspaper the Mountain Mail. It would be left in Brandon’s good hands. Nate had no wife or other significant other at the time. The old newspaper had begun publishing a paper in the late 1890s and had been providing a monthly newsletter until last year as readership had declined with the closing of the local silver and smithsonite mines. Nate and Blake had been the journalists for the paper, while Brandon was the editor. The progress of Nate’s book journaling the many lost silver mines and ghost towns in the Black Range and Gila Wilderness would just have to wait for his return.

Blake had made Vivian mad again for the untold number of times and needed to leave town for a while, for her to cool down. He took an extended drink and more time to explain his accident and smooth Vivian’s feelings by taking her to dinner at the Val Verde Hotel, the best and only steak house in Socorro. A good steak always made Vivian feel better about her new husband—who seemed unavailable whenever he was needed most.

Blake waited through dinner and dessert of bread pudding with extra brandy sauce to tell Vivian about the call from Col. Powers. She finally responded, You owe me another steak after this meeting with Col. Powers. Do you know how long you will be gone? I hope it won’t be as long as the last time he called. I guess I will miss you, but not much.

Blake just sat quietly and listened to her. He knew better than to try to interrupt or beg for forgiveness.

Nate picked up Blake at 0500 hours for the hour-long trip to Albuquerque. Their flight was to leave at 0700 hours for the six-hour flight to San Francisco. They didn’t want to miss this one; the next one was scheduled to leave in two days. Blake had called Col. Powers’ secretary to leave their ETA in San Francisco, barring any delays. Just like the last time Col. Powers called—no questions, tight schedules, and no luggage. Must be another Alsos Mission. The Alsos Missions in Europe were designed to capture many of the most important physicists in Germany, their research, and as much raw material possible to help build the atomic bomb. Nate and Blake were needed to record the activities of the Alsos teams and, hopefully, find a good story to publish. Both men knew the colonel would not call if it wasn’t important, and they were anxious to know what was about to happen.

Col. Powers met Blake and Nate at the airport shortly after their arrival. You look terrible, did the other guy survive?

Blake responded, No, it was just a dumb accident.

Before Blake could continue his explanation, Nate interrupted, It was Blake’s fault. He pushed my little Ford past its limits.

Blake just smiled but then responded, Yeah, I failed to put enough gas in your little Ford and didn’t replace the damaged cable on your wench. Sure, that’s all my fault.

Nate sprang into action again. Yeah, but I wasn’t over the weight limit, and you were. Then you lost all my silver ore and a bunch of geodes.

Col. Powers knew better than try to understand what the two friends were talking about; he had heard this kind of banter before. He decided to wait until the dust had settled before trying to make any sense of their conversation. He finally did interrupt, Let’s go, we have a lot to talk about. We’re headed to the Presidio Language School in Monterey, California.

A military sedan and driver were parked at the curb, waiting for the three men.

Col. Powers said, Blake, you take shotgun. Nate and I will ride in the back. We don’t have much time. Listen and be quiet, and don’t ask any questions. Your questions will be answered when you reach the school. Our driver is Sergeant Jefferies Logan from British MI5 and will answer all your questions.

Col. Powers began explaining the reason he had called them—where they were headed and when they were to arrive. The sedan stopped in the outskirts of San Francisco, where Col. Powers left the two men from New Mexico and boarded a cab headed somewhere undetermined. He disappeared without an explanation.

Nate finally exclaimed, Wow, that was quick, and have you ever had a minute or three to talk to that guy before he disappears again?

The Presidio Language School is a military installation designed to teach civilian and military personnel various languages. Nate and Blake were both thinking, Why do I need another language? I have enough trouble with English, or whatever they call what I speak.

Blake was also concerned about something else. Col. Powers had used Blake and Nate to record Alsos missions in Europe in the past while they were both journalists. Blake was still thinking, This is going to be different. Besides, I feel terrible and probably look worse.

CHAPTER 2

U-234 German Submarine

The submarine began to move away from its moorings, headed south from the port of Bergen, Norway. The submarine and its precious cargo were being guarded very closely by several heavily armed German soldiers. Across the estuary, a Bolex 16mm camera was recording the submarine’s exit into the cold North Sea wind. The markings on the German submarine were easily visible as U-234, but it had been modified and did not appear as its predecessor, the U-233.

The submarine moved slowly in the late afternoon light as the camera operator noted, Alice, it is getting too dark—and the distance too great for more pictures.

Alice replied, OK, let’s get this film to the office for processing. My old associates, Blake and Nate will want to see this film quickly.

Before they left for their office, the camera and film were placed in a black bag, where the film could be removed safely without danger of exposure. The film was removed from the small reel and placed in an aluminum canister and sealed with black tape. The camera was then reloaded with film, and the black bag was buried in the snow-covered ground. The canister was placed in the toe of one of her oversized boots. Caution was paramount with the SS and Gestapo monitoring all activity around the port facility and especially the office of the local paper. They moved easily through the streets of Bergen and headed for the local office of Nordlys Publishing, where Alice Fitzpatrick Logan was the scientific correspondent.

As they approached their office, the Gestapo had established a roadblock, checking everyone and their papers. Although most of the German troops had been reassigned to other fronts, there remained a small force in Norway, watching key installations. As they stopped at the roadblock, an armed guard asked for their papers and instructed Alice and her cameraman to exit their vehicle. Two other guards examined the interior of the vehicle and opened the film door of the camera to expose its contents.

Do you have other film or written material in your possession? one of the guards asked.

No. Just the film you just exposed, ruining the wedding shots of Colonel Von Stuggen. I think he is your commanding officer. I’m sure he will understand your diligence in stopping any possible espionage. May I have your name to explain why his wedding pictures were ruined?

The guards quickly allowed Alice and her cameraman to proceed without further delay or divulging their names.

Alice had met Nate and Blake at the International Theoretical Physicists Conference in New York the prior fall and really enjoyed her two new friends, but especially Nate. Their combined efforts at the conference uncovered and exposed a Russian spy passing secret documents to his handler and radio operator in London; the spy’s code name was Sonya. The spy was not arrested, but he had disappeared following his exposure. Surprisingly, the Russian embassy had no record of his being escorted from the conference to the Russian embassy by two large tuxedoed physicists.

Alice had the film processed. One copy was kept for her records, while the negatives were to be sent by courier to Alsos headquarters in London. She really preferred to hand carry the film to London but was well aware of the security issues with the film and traveling to England, as her editor constantly reminded her. In late 1944, the German armed forces were still holding Norway hostage, but their grip on the government and the movement of its citizens was becoming less restrictive. In spite of the dangers, Alice still wanted to deliver the film to London to speed the delivery; and it would allow her a chance to visit her many friends on staff at Cambridge University. The editor finally convinced Alice that it was too dangerous, and she agreed to stay in Norway and await further instructions from Nate or the Alsos headquarters. The film was eventually taken to London in a Norwegian diplomatic pouch by the ambassador. No one would stop him.

The Alsos Mission headquarters in London was established by the Allies to find the many assets needed to build the super bomb, and it was rumored that Germany had been working on the project for several years and was close to the deployment of the weapon. The main goal of Alsos was to find the assets that the Germans possessed—which included the raw materials, the laboratories, and the physicists building the super bomb. It was also rumored that Germany had been working with Japan to develop a similar weapon. The Allies acknowledged that they were behind in developing the weapon, and Russia was also trying to find and acquire the same assets as the