Post by ChefEd on Sept 5, 2023 13:43:19 GMT
6 GIUGNO 1940
Tenente Angelini has lost track of the time. It is dark, it is late, he and his crew have been working around the clock for 3 days. Quartiermastro, Capo di seconda classe, Teodoro Malfatona working harder than anyone. Malfatona seems to be everywhere at once, directing the crew in the proper placement of everything from toilet paper to torpedoes and mines. His reports to Sottotenente Bianco and Capo Della Barca Gurino are constant, brief, and complete.
Tenente Angelini is one of only four men on the Foca who have been on a combat patrol, all during the Spanish Civil War. He, along with Chief of the Boat Gurino, Quartermaster Malfatona, and Chief Engineer Ruggiero, all served in the Sottomarini Legionari. Angelini has spent most of his time at his station in the sail, at his desk, or walking up and down the boat encouraging and ensuring the men, as they prepared for patrol.
Sixty men serve on the Foca. Gasparo Angelini knows every man by name. He does not hesitate to use their name, instead of their rank, when speaking to them. It is an uncommon practice, but his men are more loyal because of it. This level of familiarity does not lessen their respect or deference to their comandante. Secondo Bianco and Chief of the Boat Gurino see to that.
“Comandante…” “Yes, Enzio?” “QM Malfatona reports we will be loaded and stored by dawn.” “Good. Pass my regards.” “Sir.” “Check with the QM and Chief. As soon as they can spare the men, start them on 6-hour sleep shifts. I want them rested when we leave tonight.” “Yes, sir.”
Retiring to his shipboard cabin, Tenente Angelini lay down and closed his eyes. Sleep did not come easily. The uncountable concerns of a ship’s captain careened through his mind. Sleep finally found a foothold, giving Angelini a few hours of respite from the pressures of command.
A few hours after dawn, Tenente Angelini, after splashing water on his face, went on deck for some fresh air. The base at La Spezia was busy. Small boats and launches were scurrying across the bay like water beetles. Going to and fro on their individual missions. Yet, all their efforts were concentrated on a single purpose – putting the submarines and warships out to sea within the next forty-eight hours.
Command was tight lipped about the furlough recall, and the need for haste to prepare for sea. For many, though not most, it was apparent Italy would be entering the war in Europe soon.
As Gasparo was contemplating the future, Seaman Passero brought him coffee and a sandwich. “Sorry, sir. No hot food yet.” “That’s fine, thank you.” “Please pass my regards to Sottotenente Bianco.” “Yes, sir.”
While waiting for Enzio, Gasparo sipped his coffee, and absent mindedly picked at his sandwich, all the time looking west, envisioning where they would be in several days’ time.
“Sir?” “Ah, Enzio. Rested?” “Enough, sir.” “Good enough. I report to HQ at 9 for our orders.” “Any ideas, sir?” “Some, but nothing I want to share. No use speculating.” “Yes, sir.” “Did you eat, yet?” “No, sir. I was sleeping when Seaman Passero summoned me.” “Sorry about that.” “No need, sir. Time to get up, anyway.” “Have Salvatore check with the section heads, and report back to you. I am expecting to be back here before noon. We’ll see if we can have lunch.” “Yes, sir.”
Enzio receded into the boat, allowing Gasparo to finish his cooling coffee.
Tenente Angelini reported to headquarters promptly at 9. He was passed on through several staff until he was presented to the director of operations. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Angelini was presented with two packets. “Tenente, these are your orders. Do not open the second packet until you are out to sea, at the appointed time indicated in the first packet.” “Yes, sir.” “Any questions?” “None that I am sure you could answer, right now, sir.” The director raised an eyebrow, “You are shrewd Gasparo. Use that to your advantage.” “Yes, sir.” “Buona fortuna.” “Thank you, sir.”
Upon return to the Foca, Tenente Angelini informed the officer of the watch to inform Sottotenente Bianco to report to the captain’s cabin in 20 minutes.
The Foca’s orders were to sail that night after the new moon set, when the tide began to ebb. They were to proceed west, above Corsica, then south westerly to Algiers. They were to patrol east and west 100 miles off the coast of Algeria and await a signal from command. Once the prescribed signal was received, the captain would open the second packet, and execute the orders therein.
Sottotenente Bianco arrived at the captain’s cabin several minutes early. Minding his watch, he knocked on the bulkhead at 20 minutes. “Enter.” “Sir?” “Sit.” Sottotenente Bianco took a seat and awaited his captain’s next words. “Enzio. We have received orders to sail tonight.” He proceeded to advise his Secondo of their orders, and to notify the Chief of the Boat to have the crew prepare for departure at the appointed time. He was further reminded that they were to have lunch together. “Enzio, call together the officers. We will meet at the Porto di Scalo at noon, for a meal.” “Yes, sir. Anything else, sir?” “Yes. ‘You will do fine.’” “Thank you, sir.”
Pressing the intercom button, Angelini awaited a response. “Yes, sir?” “Please send my regards to Capo Deiana and ask him to report to my cabin.” “Yes, sir.”
Several minutes passed until a knock on the bulkhead. “Enter.” “Sir.” “Report.” “Yes, sir. Nothing serious to report, sir. A few bumps and bruises, a few minor cuts and abrasions, but nothing to be concerned about. The crew is healthy and fit.” “Very good. Did you get any rest?” “Enough, sir.” “How is your family.” “They are well, thank you, sir.” “Good. Dismissed.” “Yes, sir.”
Angelini pressed the intercom again. “Yes, sir?” “Call me in 30 minutes.” “Yes, sir.”
Tenente Angelini and his officers ate a quiet and pleasant lunch at the Porto di Scalo. Angelini intentionally kept the conversation away from military matters. He guided all talk toward the pleasantries of life, family, friends, lovers. “Gentlemen, see to your duties. Be sure to work in some rest before we sail.” “Yes, sir.” Came the replies. “Thank you for joining me. I hope we can repeat this very soon.” “Thank you, sir.”
The Foca slipped her berth at 2220 hours, cruising at 11 knots on the surface, until 0415 hours. She then altered course south – southwest towards the coast of North Africa. Foca, and her crew, arrived on station at 0350 hours, on Monday, 10 June, an hour before sunrise.
Tenente Angelini has lost track of the time. It is dark, it is late, he and his crew have been working around the clock for 3 days. Quartiermastro, Capo di seconda classe, Teodoro Malfatona working harder than anyone. Malfatona seems to be everywhere at once, directing the crew in the proper placement of everything from toilet paper to torpedoes and mines. His reports to Sottotenente Bianco and Capo Della Barca Gurino are constant, brief, and complete.
Tenente Angelini is one of only four men on the Foca who have been on a combat patrol, all during the Spanish Civil War. He, along with Chief of the Boat Gurino, Quartermaster Malfatona, and Chief Engineer Ruggiero, all served in the Sottomarini Legionari. Angelini has spent most of his time at his station in the sail, at his desk, or walking up and down the boat encouraging and ensuring the men, as they prepared for patrol.
Sixty men serve on the Foca. Gasparo Angelini knows every man by name. He does not hesitate to use their name, instead of their rank, when speaking to them. It is an uncommon practice, but his men are more loyal because of it. This level of familiarity does not lessen their respect or deference to their comandante. Secondo Bianco and Chief of the Boat Gurino see to that.
“Comandante…” “Yes, Enzio?” “QM Malfatona reports we will be loaded and stored by dawn.” “Good. Pass my regards.” “Sir.” “Check with the QM and Chief. As soon as they can spare the men, start them on 6-hour sleep shifts. I want them rested when we leave tonight.” “Yes, sir.”
Retiring to his shipboard cabin, Tenente Angelini lay down and closed his eyes. Sleep did not come easily. The uncountable concerns of a ship’s captain careened through his mind. Sleep finally found a foothold, giving Angelini a few hours of respite from the pressures of command.
A few hours after dawn, Tenente Angelini, after splashing water on his face, went on deck for some fresh air. The base at La Spezia was busy. Small boats and launches were scurrying across the bay like water beetles. Going to and fro on their individual missions. Yet, all their efforts were concentrated on a single purpose – putting the submarines and warships out to sea within the next forty-eight hours.
Command was tight lipped about the furlough recall, and the need for haste to prepare for sea. For many, though not most, it was apparent Italy would be entering the war in Europe soon.
As Gasparo was contemplating the future, Seaman Passero brought him coffee and a sandwich. “Sorry, sir. No hot food yet.” “That’s fine, thank you.” “Please pass my regards to Sottotenente Bianco.” “Yes, sir.”
While waiting for Enzio, Gasparo sipped his coffee, and absent mindedly picked at his sandwich, all the time looking west, envisioning where they would be in several days’ time.
“Sir?” “Ah, Enzio. Rested?” “Enough, sir.” “Good enough. I report to HQ at 9 for our orders.” “Any ideas, sir?” “Some, but nothing I want to share. No use speculating.” “Yes, sir.” “Did you eat, yet?” “No, sir. I was sleeping when Seaman Passero summoned me.” “Sorry about that.” “No need, sir. Time to get up, anyway.” “Have Salvatore check with the section heads, and report back to you. I am expecting to be back here before noon. We’ll see if we can have lunch.” “Yes, sir.”
Enzio receded into the boat, allowing Gasparo to finish his cooling coffee.
Tenente Angelini reported to headquarters promptly at 9. He was passed on through several staff until he was presented to the director of operations. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Angelini was presented with two packets. “Tenente, these are your orders. Do not open the second packet until you are out to sea, at the appointed time indicated in the first packet.” “Yes, sir.” “Any questions?” “None that I am sure you could answer, right now, sir.” The director raised an eyebrow, “You are shrewd Gasparo. Use that to your advantage.” “Yes, sir.” “Buona fortuna.” “Thank you, sir.”
Upon return to the Foca, Tenente Angelini informed the officer of the watch to inform Sottotenente Bianco to report to the captain’s cabin in 20 minutes.
The Foca’s orders were to sail that night after the new moon set, when the tide began to ebb. They were to proceed west, above Corsica, then south westerly to Algiers. They were to patrol east and west 100 miles off the coast of Algeria and await a signal from command. Once the prescribed signal was received, the captain would open the second packet, and execute the orders therein.
Sottotenente Bianco arrived at the captain’s cabin several minutes early. Minding his watch, he knocked on the bulkhead at 20 minutes. “Enter.” “Sir?” “Sit.” Sottotenente Bianco took a seat and awaited his captain’s next words. “Enzio. We have received orders to sail tonight.” He proceeded to advise his Secondo of their orders, and to notify the Chief of the Boat to have the crew prepare for departure at the appointed time. He was further reminded that they were to have lunch together. “Enzio, call together the officers. We will meet at the Porto di Scalo at noon, for a meal.” “Yes, sir. Anything else, sir?” “Yes. ‘You will do fine.’” “Thank you, sir.”
Pressing the intercom button, Angelini awaited a response. “Yes, sir?” “Please send my regards to Capo Deiana and ask him to report to my cabin.” “Yes, sir.”
Several minutes passed until a knock on the bulkhead. “Enter.” “Sir.” “Report.” “Yes, sir. Nothing serious to report, sir. A few bumps and bruises, a few minor cuts and abrasions, but nothing to be concerned about. The crew is healthy and fit.” “Very good. Did you get any rest?” “Enough, sir.” “How is your family.” “They are well, thank you, sir.” “Good. Dismissed.” “Yes, sir.”
Angelini pressed the intercom again. “Yes, sir?” “Call me in 30 minutes.” “Yes, sir.”
Tenente Angelini and his officers ate a quiet and pleasant lunch at the Porto di Scalo. Angelini intentionally kept the conversation away from military matters. He guided all talk toward the pleasantries of life, family, friends, lovers. “Gentlemen, see to your duties. Be sure to work in some rest before we sail.” “Yes, sir.” Came the replies. “Thank you for joining me. I hope we can repeat this very soon.” “Thank you, sir.”
The Foca slipped her berth at 2220 hours, cruising at 11 knots on the surface, until 0415 hours. She then altered course south – southwest towards the coast of North Africa. Foca, and her crew, arrived on station at 0350 hours, on Monday, 10 June, an hour before sunrise.