CASTLE'S COMMAND

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Author's Note: As I've stated before this is an alternate universe so some events occur here that did not happen in our universe although the broad outlines are quite similar or the same.

Denmark's navy having been effectively destroyed during Nazi occupation was small but rebuilding. It was centered on a Cleveland class light cruiser, two Fletcher class destroyers and four Admirable class minesweepers purchased from the United States. Two Flower class corvettes and four Vosper class motor torpedo boats purchased from Great Britain.

One of the destroyers and the two corvettes were on a training mission in the Baltic Sea, basically and anti-submarine exercise, they were in international waters when they were intercepted by the Soviet task force. The Ognevoy fired a warning shot then radioed;

The Soviet Union is master of these waters and will not allow foreign nations to conduct naval maneuvers in these waters. Return to your home port.

Not having orders covering such an incident the Danish squadron ended the exercise and turned around. The allied squadron was not close enough to intervene but the threat and response were picked up on their long- range radios. A coded message was sent to Plymouth.

Hours later a coded message was received.

Squadron will proceed at best sustained speed to Copenhagen, contact Danish Admiralty. Offer support of U.S. and U.K. forces. Action of Soviet forces to be considered tantamount to piracy. Captain Bailey acting Commodore.

With the relay of that message, two days later, the Danish Admiralty ordered its' ships back to sea, both destroyers and both corvettes, with orders to return fire if fired upon, all guns loaded the gun crews at their stations. The Allied squadron, less the intelligence ships took up position five miles behind the Danes.

The Ognevoy had been joined by three more destroyers, the Otvazhny, the Vlastny and the Obraztosvy intending to overawe the Danes. Their radar picked up the allied destroyers but the Russian commodore assumed that they were the rest of the Danish navy. The Russians repeated their earlier and fired a warning shot across both of the Danish destroyers bows. The Danes in turn, fired warning shots all falling close to the Russian ships.

Before things could escalate, the Allied squadron went to flank speed and broadcast in Russian;

Soviet commander, this is Commodore Andrew Bailey aboard HMS Undaunted of the Allied Naval command. The Danish ships are in international waters. Your attempt to hinder their operations is tantamount to piracy. If you fire at the Danish ships. you will be committing an act of war. As Denmark is an ally of both the United Kingdom and the United States of America you will be at war with all three countries. If you commit any further aggressive acts, we will sink you. As you told the Danes, I am telling you, return to your home port, immediately.

The Russian commodore had been told to harass the Danes, but wasn't supposed to commit his country to a naval war they couldn't possibly win. The commodore, however, was a fanatical communist and believed in his country's propaganda in the superiority of all things Russian. He ignored the message and ordered his ships to open fire. Initially getting a hit on the KDM Baldur, which did minimal damage.His crews were inexperienced and their gunnery was poor, although the KDM Thor was hit once also. The allied crews, were well drilled and experienced. They opened fire at long range, but with the advantage of radar directed guns scored three hits on the Ognevoy and two each on the Vlastny and the Otvazhny. One of the hits on the Ognevoy was a lucky one. It hit the bridge, wounding the commodore and putting him out of action. His executive officer was a hell of a lot smarter than his boss and realized that not only was he outnumbered six to four, the allied gunnery was far superior. Unlike the commodore he knew very well that the government didn't want a shooting war. He ordered his ships to cease fire, break off the engagement and retreat.

Aboard the Chevalier, Castle was relieved that it didn't get any worse and that there were no allied causalities nor damaged ships. He was also disappointed that they hadn't sunk the Ognevoy for starting the action.

Over the next several months there were several confrontations with Russian naval forces or those of their client states but none of them escalated to a shooting war but one came very close.

It came in December. The two American destroyers were on patrol off the German coast when a call for help came from a freighter attempting to deliver supplies to Kiel.

A destroyer, formerly of the Kriegsmarine now belonging to East Germany was attempting to force to heave to and be boarded.

Rick ordered both ships to flank speed and getting on the radio reported the distress call. The reply came back. Stop the East Germans with whatever force necessary. They were on the scene in less than five minutes. Rick could see smoke coming from the freighter's superstructure and holes made by cannon fire.

The communists had fired on an unarmed merchant ship. No warning was necessary under international law. Both destroyers fired from angles that meant that the freighter couldn't be hit. The east German destroyer, heavily hit and taking on water began to sink. The ship was abandoned and rescue operations were underway. The freighter was called to see if help was needed. A doctor was needed. He and two pharmacist's mates were sent aboard. The destroyers escorted the freighter into port

The East Germans and their Soviet masters rattled their sabers and filed protests in the U.N. The testimony of the freighter's captain and camera footage as well as notes from the destroyer's logs proved that like the Danish incident, this incident happened in international waters. A clear attempt at political intimidation that backfired on the communists.

With the formation of NATO, the combined naval force was disbanded the elements returned to their own national command authority.

Rick's record was such that when the combined force was disbanded and the American ships returned home, Rick was offered integration into the Regular Navy at his current rank, as were Ryan and now Master Chief Petty Officer Esposito. Rick remained in command of the Chevalier with his command team and most of his officers, the reservists offered extended active duty; There was some turnover in the crew, but that was expected.

New York City, 08, July 1949.

The move home had finally been completed. Rick had taken leave to get settled The Southampton house was for sale and being handled by Kate's lawyers in England. With the help of Rick's parents, they had bought a loft in SOHO would be their home of record wherever they were stationed, which currently was Norfolk.

Rick had resumed writing during his spare time and had three more books published starring Samuel "Stony" Stone, an officer in the counter intelligence division of the Office of Naval Intelligence. They were best sellers, and he had been approached for doing a radio program based on his characters, Commander Stone, his girlfriend, Kelly Byrne. His best friend and fellow ONI officer Lieutenant Commander Keith Regan.

Their principal enemies were an ex-SS Colonel Hugo Schwarzes Herz and his protégé Helga Kunz

He had agreed and based on the first month's reviews, the Stone Files ran fourth to The Lone Ranger the shadow and Gunsmoke.

As soon as they were settled, Kate said;

"I've been thinking of something. You're going to be at sea a lot., I know it as well as you do. I don't want to be idle. With my background as an intelligence officer, I should be able to get a job with the navy in some capacity."

"Anything you want to do, Kate, I'll back you up."

Kate applied. Her background check and security clearance took six months but she was hired as a civilian intelligence analyst with the Office of Naval Intelligence. She was assigned to the Norfolk headquarters.

Their peaceful life lasted barely over a year. On June 25, 1950 the North Koreans invaded South Korea.

Off South Korea, 02 July, 1950

In a brief skirmish the Cruisers U.S.S. Juneau, HMS Jamaica and thefrigate HMS Black Swan sank four North Korean torpedo boats and two mortar gunboats.

10, July 1950.

Rick and his command were transferred to the Pacific Fleet, with the Seventh Fleet based in Subic Bay, the Philippines arriving there on the ninth of August.

At Kate's request, she was transferred to the ONI office in Naval Headquarters Subic Bay. She was able to see Rick for a few days as the ships refueled, resupplied and took on extra munitions.

Off South Korea, 14 August 1950.

The Chevalier's first assignment was to a shore bombardment task force that relieved the ships that had been operating since early July, the task force consisted offour heavy cruisers, four light cruisers and eight destroyers. They were eliminating the communist artillery operating on or near the coast. They operated into early September when they were tasked with forming part of the Inchon invasion force.

Near Inchon Korea, 12, September 1950.

At the battle of Haeju Island the ROK ship PC 703 sank a minelayer and three supply ships.

Inchon Korea, 15, September, 1950.

The Chevalier was part of the United Nations naval force of two hundred sixty-one ships supporting the invasion. Seventy-five thousand troops from the United States, Great Britain, Canada and France fought a four- day battle that defeated the communist forces in the area, allowing the recapture of Seoul, two weeks later.

Subic bay, the Philippines, 25, September 1950

The Chevalier arrived at the Subic Bay for resupply and a week's shore leave for her crew. Kate was overjoyed to spend a few days with her husband, relieved that he hadn't been hurt in any way. Her boss gave her five days off. Ryan said;

"Rick, there's nothing I can do here, except drink and see the sights. I'm not that interested in the Philippines. I can handle the ship's needs as well as you, while we're in port. Kate's here. You take five days straight with her. I'll take two off. I can always call you if you're needed."

"That's not fair to you, Kevin."

"Yes, it is. I can relax aboard ship just as well as off and it keeps me away from temptation."

"I'll still check in, every morning. Thank you, Kevin."

"You're welcome just make Kate happy."

"He did that? Oh, that wonderful man. We have to find a way to thank him."

"I'm sure that we can find a couple of bottles of Jameson's at the BX and I think the BX has sausages and cheese."

"Let's go now, then we can have supper in the officer's club."

They found the gifts they wanted, plus a large box of Hershey bars for Kevin's sweet tooth. They had a very nice supper and once in Kate's quarters, they slowly undressed each other, savoring each moment of anticipation before falling into bed. They didn't sleep till well after three in the morning.

Those idyllic days passed all too swiftly and it was time to put to sea. Kate stood on the dock, with tears in her eyes watching until the ship disappeared into the morning haze.

Although Stalin refused to directly commit any regular Russian forces to the war, except for Russian "Volunteer" pilots flying North Korean marked aircraft Russian supplied large quantities of arms and equipment.

With the difficulty of moving large amounts of heavy material and munitions overland they needed to transport by sea but the American and British navies dominated the sea lanes. The Russians came up with a plan. Risky, but a plan. They would set up two task forces to escort eight to ten merchant vessels each. Each task force was based on a cruiser laid down in the mid-thirties, the Kirov and the Molotov and four destroyers.

Moving as close to the coastline as they dared, on a moonless night. The warships had Chinese and Korean crews with a small cadre of "volunteer' Russian officers. The plan was doomed from the start.

A pair of Lockheed P2 patrol bombers spotted the convoys soon after leaving harbor at dark. The wakes and bow waves of the ships were clearly visible. The P2's reported the sighting and heading to naval command

Off the Korean coast, 03, November 1950 21:00 hours.

Two task forces sailed to meet the communists. The U.S. task force consisting of the heavy cruiser U.S.S Helena, the destroyers U.S.S. Chevalier, U.S.S. Glennon, U.S.S. Corey and U.S.S. Basilone

The U.K. task force consisting of the light cruiser HMS Belfast with the destroyers HMS Griffin, HMS Vanquisher, HMS MacCam and HMS Roberts

The lead communist convoy consisted of the Kirov a cruiser laid down in the mid-thirties. She was accompanied by four destroyers. The Ognevoy, the Otvazhny Vlastny and the Obrist Obrazto3. The task force was escorting seven cargo ships full of arms and munitions and one troop transport carrying Chinese troops. The second convoy consisted of the cruiser Molotov and four destroyers. The Tashkent, the Gnenvy, the Zavod and the Bodry escorting six freighters, a troop transport and an oiler. It departed an hour after the first convoy, on a slightly different course.

If the convoy hadn't had bad luck, it would have no luck at all. Two hours out of port, one of the ammunition ships hi tone of the communists' own mines. The resulting explosion was visible for several miles, giving the allied task force a visual reference for the convoy that it was already tracking on radar.

Aboard the Chevalier 22:30 hours.

"Captain lookouts report an explosion on the port quarter in line with our radar contact at twenty-five thousand yards, bearing 265 degrees.
" Come left to 265 degrees, all ahead full, sound battle stations. Report contact and bearing to all ships."

The admiral commanding both task forces flew his flag from the U.S.S. Helena. A radio message was received.

Sea strike command to ask Force Eagle. All ships will immediately engage enemy convoy, when in range. Intelligence has identified a second convoy approximately one hour behind the first. Task Force Lion will intercept and attack that convoy. Flyboy two has it under observation. Sea strike command out.

Knowing that the convoys had been spotted and that the allied task forces were superior the communist admiral ordered the second convo to reverse course and return to port. It was too late for the first convoy; the Americans were in range. There was no hope for it.

At twenty thousand yards, the Helena opened fire on the Kirov. The Helena's eight- inch guns easily outranged the Kirov's seven inchers.

Also, the American's radar was newer and more efficient. The Kirov's return fire was short and well -off target. The Helena scored first with three solid hits, severely damaging the communist ship, one shell taking out her radar mast and com shack.

The Kirov was now reduced to her visual gun directors but as the range closed, she managed a hit near the Helena's bow and a second taking out on of the five-inch turrets. Not that it helped the Kirov much at closer range both radar and visual gun directors came into use and one by one all of the seven-inch turrets were silenced.

Even with her main battery silenced, the crew of the Kirov bravely, if stupidly, continued to fight until two of Helena's salvos hit in quick succession, two of the shells penetrating the Kirov's armor and detonating her main magazine.

The Vlastny dropped back to rescue survivors, the other three only engaged with the American destroyers.

At just under fifteen thousand yards, the Chevalier opened fire with all three turrets of her main battery, her initial target, the Ognevoy. No hits were recorded with the first three salvos. The enemy ship returned fire, with the same results. Meanwhile, the Basilone and the Corey hadganged up on the Otvazhny.

The Otvazhny was quickly overwhelmed and sunk, but not before damaging the Corey enough that she had to withdraw and return to base.

The Chevalier and the Ognevoy continued their duel. The Chevalier drawing first blood with hits on the number one turret, destroying it and another abaft the bridge holing one of the funnels. The Ognevoy hit and severely damaged the forward three-inch fifty mount, killing its' crew.

The Glennon was engaged with the Obrist Obrazto3, also getting hits on the enemy ship. The crew of the communist ship was mostly Korean and Chinese, but the captain and senior officers were Russian. Seeing the way, the battle was going, he ordered a withdrawal. The ship began making smoke and fleeing into the night.

With the withdrawal of the Obrist Obrazto3, the Glennon joined with the Chevalier in firing on the Ognevoy. The enemy's trying to fight two ships at the same time was enough of a distraction to allow the Chevalier to make a torpedo attack, putting a salvo of three torpedoes into the Ognevoy. She broke up and sank.

One Salvo from the Helena, sank the Vlastny.

Their escort destroyed, the cargo ships had no choice but to surrender, all except the troop transport. The fanatical commander scuttled his ship, taking most of the troops down with the ship.

The crews of the cargo ships were allowed to take to their lifeboats and rafts and make for the shore, only a few miles away. The ships were all torpedoed.

It was already too late for the second convoy as well, although the major part was not played by Task Force Lion. Working with Admiral Kincaid, Comsubpac had dispatched a pair of Balao class fleet submarines to the area. The U.S.S Stickleback and the U.S.S. Tusk. Both were running on the surface when their radar picked up the retreating convoy.

to make a torpedo attack, putting a salvo of three torpedoes into the Ognevoy. She broke up and sank.

One Salvo from the Helena, sank the Vlastny.

Their escort destroyed, the cargo ships had no choice but to surrender, all except the troop transport. The fanatical commander scuttled his ship, taking most of the troops down with the ship.

The crews of the cargo ships were allowed to take to their lifeboats and rafts and make for the shore, only a few miles away. The ships were all torpedoed.

It was already too late for the second convoy as well, although the major part was not played by Task Force Lion. Working with Admiral Kincaid, Comsubpac had dispatched a pair of Balao class fleet submarines to the area. The U.S.S Stickleback and the U.S.S. Tusk. Both were running on the surface when their radar picked up the retreating convoy.

Knowing from intelligence reports that the enemy crews were mostly conscripts with no anti-submarine experience the two submarines ran on the surface to within five thousand yards of the convoy then submerged and let the convoy come to them. Because most of the cargo ships were old and slow the convoy was only making thirteen knots. A very unlucky number for them. Broadside on to the convoy, at three thousand yards, the Stickleback fired four torpedoes at the Molotov. At the same time and range the Tusk fired three torpedoes at the Tashkent.

The electric motors of the torpedoes left no telltale trail of bubbles on the surface, so the first the enemy knew of the attack was when all seven torpedoes struck home.

The destroyer's bow blown off and holed amidships she immediately began to sink the cruiser too, was listing heavily, and would sink within the hour.

The Stickleback shifted targets and fired two torpedoes at the Gnenvy. It too, sank, although more slowly than its' sister. The Tusk fired the remaining three torpedoes in its' forward tubes at the oiler. Setting it ablaze, briefly before the sea quenched the flames.

The remaining two destroyers finally figured out what was going on and started a sonar search, but the noise of the sinking ships caused enough confusion that the subs were able to go deep and sneak away.

By the time the convoy got everything straightened out, Task Force Lion was rapidly closing in. The Russian officers on the remaining escorts made the same decision their comrade had and abandoned their charges, sailing away at flank speed.

The remains of the second convoy suffered the same fate as the first,

The task forces returned to their normal patrol stations or shore bombardment.

The Chevalier remained at sea until December fifteenth then returned to Subic Bay for resupply and refit, while the crews enjoyed two weeks of rest and recreation.

Subic Bay, 24, December 1950.

Kate snuggled with Rick, on the couch, gazing at the tiny artificial Christmas tree on the coffee table. There was a small pile of presents surrounding it. They had eaten supper in the officer's mess then gone to the officer's club for a couple of drinks with Kevin.

"I'm the luckiest man in this man's navy to be able to spend Christmas with you, instead of out on patrol. I feel sorry for Kevin, though, with him here and Jenny at home."

"Hopefully, my Darling, next year we'll all be home for Christmas. But as long as I'm with you, wherever we are, it will be a happy Christmas."

They kissed, and went into the bedroom for their real celebration.

TBC.

Please Review

Swordwriter