Island Flavor, (Part 4, Excerpt 47)
This is a new story titled, Island Flavor. It tells of the historic US military build-up of the Miami area during the Second World War. Our German spy who was dropped off by a “U” boat, is going to buy a house in the area. Then he is going to start to observe the nearby Miami area air base. But he suddenly gets a new assignment from the "U" boat.
Island Flavor
“Oh, I’m afraid I can’t take cash. Tell you what, I’ll drop you off at the bank in Miami Springs. You start an account. I will run over to the office, and bring back the paper work. The bank’s certified cashier's check made out to Mary Evans Real Estate will do just fine.”
“Here’s the bank, Peter. I’ll be back in an hour.”
“You just sign here, Peter. Now, here is you’re receipt and the keys. I will take care of the title and all of the necessary paper work for you. I will drop everything by in a week. Just give me a call next Wednesday.”
They shook hands, and she drove him back to his motor inn. Peter didn’t waste any time. He visited the Miami Springs Golf Course, and he checked it out. The Nineteenth Hole, the bar, restaurant and lounge there would be a perfect location to hang out. He noticed a lot of Army Air Force officers frequented it. Next, he went to the Hialeah Park race track. It had the lounge and restaurant areas he was looking for. He then rode the bus around Hialeah and Miami Springs using 36th Street to keep him in the air base area.
He spent his time moving about these places until he found out the best times to be there. These times were naturally when the military were present. He sat around, appearing to read newspapers, horse racing literature, golf magazines, but he was always listening.
At the two-week deadline he had his Enigma machine and transmitter set up in the spare bedroom. This Enigma was a German Navy “G” model. It had four code rotors. The German Navy code book gave him the settings to be used at the predetermined times. Every date required different rotor settings. The U-Boat had the identical information. This allowed him to communicate with it. This code book was printed in red, water-soluble ink on pink paper so it could be easily destroyed if need be.
He was required to keep his message to only a few hundred characters. This reduced duplication of characters to complicate the process of the enemy breaking the coded messages.
It was 11:30 AM. He tapped the call sign out on his key using Morse Code. He waited…suddenly his key sounded an answer. The U-Boat was on station. He commenced typing on the Enigma’s keyboard:
All well, base operations in place_
USAAF Air Transport Command using C-47_
Original 21st Recon Squadron Search & Rescue active_
PS out_
He waited.
His key started clicking. Four letters, U Out_
Peter thought to himself. Success! I will be back at the time in two weeks, transmitting. The enemy are dumkoffs!
Peter was constantly on the go: race track, golf course, bars, in the grocery line, even on the bus, constantly listening for that one word or phrase. He would then put it all together.
Right after December 7th, the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese and the formal entry of the US into the war, activity at the base suddenly increased. He then started hearing words like 26th Antisubmarine Command, U-Boats, B-18 Bolo, and B-24 Liberator Bombers. He could see these additional aircraft. Even his bungalow was at times flown over.
He transmitted all this information. Then he started to hear new
information: Miami Beach Training Center and Officer Candidate schools of the Army Air Corps. It sounded real big.
He wondered...just what’s going on? Then he had an idea. Mary Evans, she should know something.
“Hi, Mary. Remember me? Peter Smith”
Oh hi, Peter. How have you been doing?”
“Real fine. I’m working selling equipment to both the golf course and the race track, then training in its use and installation. I was wondering if you would do me the honor of dining out this Friday, Saturday or when-ever you are free. I saw a nice restaurant in Miami Springs.”
“Well, thank you, Peter. Friday would be fine.”
“Now, Mary, I can’t pick you up. I can’t buy a car...you know the war and all that. How about picking me up at 7:00 PM at my bungalow?”
“I understand, Peter, I’ll be there. See you then.”
At the restaurant: “This is a very nice restaurant, Peter. I’ve seen it before but never been here. These prices are kind of high. Is it ok?”
“Mary, it’s a night to just enjoy! Oh by the way, I’ve been hearing a lot lately about Miami Beach. I wonder what’s going on?”
“Haven’t you heard, Peter? The US Army Air Force has turned the entire Miami Beach into a training center.* They’ve leased all hotels, apartments and theaters. They're training both basic and officers. In fact, they are using the entire, actual beach!”
“Wow, sounds fantastic, in fact almost unbelievable. Mary, it won’t be long, and we will lick those Nazis!”
A couple of evenings later found Peter Smith at the prescribed time at his Enigma machine, all rotor settings up to date. He used the key to type his call sign and received an immediate answer. He proceeded to type on the Enigma machine.
Miami Beach new training center_
Using all buildings & beach area_
Base & USAF OCS_
PS out_
His Enigma machine started typing. The U-Boat was sending him a message. He quickly grabbed his pencil and paper:
Orders for PS_
Proceed at once, Key West_
Observe Naval sub facility_
Leave base key front door_
No change in transmit schedule_
U out_
Peter typed a reply:
Instructions received_
PS out_
Peter thought, someone’s going to take my place. I’ve only got two weeks to get to Key West, get set up, and transmit. I’ll have to leave tomorrow morning.
About the Author:
My second full-length book , Florida Keys’ Watercolor Kapers is composed of 336 pages. There are 12 stories running from 6 pages to as many as 72 pages. It is fully illustrated with 88 watercolors and sketches. The watercolors I made roaming around Key West after I finished my 750 mile hike from Georgia to Key West. (See book or Don Browne’s SouthWest Florida Online News records, A Walk Across Florida.) As you read these stories you will experience Key West, the Keys, and the Caribbean. These stories span the time of the early 1800’s to 1969. bkranich.wixsite.com/bobkranich
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