The Adventures of the Pilot from Tsingtau -Pages 181 - 190

A Stowaway Then I crawled onto the deck towards the capstan and hid for a while in the oil trough under the chain drum. Since all was quiet around me and no one appeared I climbed out of my hiding spot, took off my boots, and placed them under a bundle of ropes in the corner of the forecastle. In my stocking feet I now reconnoitered. As I looked down the aft forecastle to the loading dock I suddenly jerked back. Breathlessly and without batting an eyelash I leaned up against a ventilator shaft. Two guards stood below on the loading dock looking up towards the forecastle. After I had stood for over half an hour crouched in place and my knees refused further service, two stewardesses came from the middle deck. They appeared to have been relieved from night duty. The two guards took the opportunity and soon engaged with them in deep conversation, no longer paying attention to what was going on around them.

Dawn began to break and I had to do something before the opportunity was lost. I slipped past the couples on the opposite side of the forecastle, placed myself on the foot of the sail, and landed on the loading dock. Not hesitating for a minute, I quietly proceeded unnoticed past the two guards, reached the promenade deck, then climbed high on the outside edge of a deck strut and shortly thereafter reached the outer edge of a lifeboat. I held on tightly with one hand as the churning waters of the Thames were just two meters below me. Then I secured my other hand on the side and loosened the marline of the boat with my teeth. With my last bit of strength I crawled through the small opening and stayed well-hidden inside the boat. I held onto the marline so that no one would think that a stowaway was in the lifeboat. Everything was done. The tremendous physical exertion, the anxiety, and by no means the least difficult the gnawing hunger finally took their toll. I stretched out the length of the planks and within a few moments I no longer knew what was going on around me.

The Path to Freedom I was awakened from a deathlike, dreamless sleep by a shrill siren. I carefully opened the marline of my hiding place and I would have liked to yell "Hurray" because the steamer was entering the port of Vlissingen. Everything came back to me. I took my knife and cut the marlines with one swipe but this time I cut the ones on the side next to the deck. Breathing freely again I stood up on the middle of the boat deck and expected to be taken into custody any minute. No one was interested in me. The ship's crew was on mooring manoeuvers and the passengers were busy with their luggage. I went down to the promenade deck. Passengers looked at me with disgust in my dirty clothes and my ripped blue socks while they looked good.

However I must have had happy, sparkling eyes and a broad grin on my dirty, shrunken face because I caught the eye of several astonished women. I couldn't run around any longer in this outfit. I went to the forecastle, brought out my boots (my best hockey boots, an English gift of love,) and despite being curtly snubbed by a Dutch sailor, I calmly put those lovelies on and wandered down to the gangway. The steamer was tied directly to the dock. The passengers left the ship with goodbyes from the captain and the ship's officers. At first I seriously considered identifying myself to the captain so as not to embarass the Dutch shipping company. However caution took the upper hand, so with hands in my pocket, looking dreadfully shabby, I careened with a seaman's stride down the gangway. No one took notice of me. I acted as though I belonged to the ship's crew and even helped secure the steel cables. Then I mixed in with the crowd. While the passengers were going through customs I looked around and discovered a gate in the fence with a large "No Exit" sign. Here most certainly was my way to freedom! In a flash I overcame this childish barrier and stood outside. Free! It took all my concentration to not jump for joy like a madman. Two brave countrymen took me in. They didn't want to believe that I was an officer, and above all else that I had succeeded in fleeing from England.

You should have seen the bath water! That evening I ate enough for three people. After I had bought a few things the next day I boarded the D-Train for Germany in my work clothes. As the train was about to go in motion a man tapped me on the shoulder from behind (Oh, how I hate this form of greeting!) He asked me, "Where are your papers?" "Who are you?" I said. "I'm a detective with the secret police." "Anyone can say that." "Indeed, sir. Here is my badge." I felt queasy! I respectfully told the man that I didn't have any papers but was traveling directly to Germany and the Dutch government would not be prepared for any unpleasantries. "So," he said, "You've come from England and have no papers. That must have been difficult?" "Oh, yes. considerably," I indicated. "Alright, then I wish you a pleasant journey!" We shook hands and the train set into motion.

Back in the Fatherland! I could no longer stay in my seat. I was alone in my compartment in first class, overcome by the thoughts and the hopes that raced through my head. I paced back and forth like a wild animal in a cage. Finally, finally. It seemed like an eternity as the train slowly traveled over the German border. The black and white pole waved to me. I leaned out the window and jubilantly cried "hurray" twice. The third hurray stuck in my throat. I was overcome with gratitute. I sobbed loudly and couldn't stop the tears falling from my eyes. Was that fatigue? The train stopped in Goch, where I saw my first field gray uniform in my life standing on the railway platform. Carefreely I jumped from the train.

A harsh hand grabbed my coat collar and a strong Prussian watchman with a fierce face beneath a light helmet held me in his steel fist. "Ha. We've got the lad!" I could have wrapped my arms around the neck of the brave soldier. I'd never felt so safe in my entire life. I tried to explain who I was. A smile, which would have been no comfort to any other person, was his response. Next morning I was transported to Wesel by two reserve soldiers. There was no one to speak with in the business office. Young boys ran after me, threw stones and called out: "They have him, they have the spy!" These wonderful blond heads! An orderly took me into custody. "Sit down there. We make quick justice of people like you. Once Lieutenant Captain F. comes there will be a brief hearing then you'll swing!" Some time later the man arrived and of course, he was a comrade of mine. I couldn't describe the astonishment and joy. First there was the dumb expression on the orderly's face. He had to run off and get me breakfast. I experienced particular pleasure here in Wesel. There was an English newspaper article from the "Daily Mail" from July 12th, during the time when I was already free. The article ended with my probable attempt to get onto a neutral steamer as a sailor and that "his recapture should be but a matter of time"!!

To become dispondent, to lose hope and then to prepare for a fate which your enemy is unable to provide? Now less than ever! Now is when a man demonstrates his worth. Barriers and chains fall. A new age arises. Whoever wishes to see it must look beyond the clouds and the obstructions. In the end one phrase must echo forth and one's will must be asserted: Accomplished by my own efforts!!! * Years have passed. There were years more dire than the battle years on the front, but they brought freedom, release, creativity, and success by my own efforts! One day I returned to the blue ocean and transported myself to distance and wonderous lands. Wherever I went I was received with respect and amity as a German. The new age has indeed arrived! And after long journeys to foreign lands as I returned to the homeland coasts of German, I learned anew: You cannot die, dear Germany, as long as you work, believe in yourself, and remain united!

From the same author and published by Ullstein: Sailing Voyage to Wonderland Photographer, writer, cinematographer and seaman all in one person—Plüschow sails the huge four-masted "Parma" on the ocean. He describes the colorful life onboard, the hell that is Cape Horn, his hunts through the primeval forests, the Pampas and the mountains of Patagonia and Chile. It is a book full of romantic seamanship and the spirit of adventure. 24 thousand copies. With many pictures from photographs taken by the author. Cardboard cover 3.50 Marks; Cloth bound, 5 Marks.

* Printed at House Ullenstein, Berlin *

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Imaging and translation by Susan Kriegbaum-Hanks