Chapter 13Kiel, Germany, 1945
The party was in full swing. Even though the Officers Mess stood some 200 metres from the guardhouse, the naval ratings on guard duty could hear the raucous sounds as they shivered in the cool night-time air. Most knew the war was going badly and the fact that their officers could still find cause for celebration and enjoyment escaped them.
“Hey, Max, come here. A drink for you, my friend.”
Korvettankapitän Max Ritter forced his way through the small throng of bodies and found a beer being thrust into his hand by Kapitän zur See, Heinz Schmidt.
“To the future, Max,” Schmidt shouted as Ritter took a swig from the beer glass.
“Sure, the future,” Ritter replied, knowing only too well what the future of Germany would be over the coming weeks.
“The admiral wo
