[ Page 39 ] He argued successtully against this proposed course of action, and gained approval from Control to operate between the Cape and Australia. The blockade runner "Rhetokis" was met on her way from the Far East to France, but she was not destined to arrive. Spotted by Coastal Command aircraft off Spain, the British Cruiser "Scylla" was homed in, she arrived, opened fire, and the German ship promptly scuttled. It had all changed from the early days of the War, British forces were stronger, they were now bottling up the exit and ingress from and to the Germans home ports along the coast of France. This tide had indeed turned.
'Michel's" Captain soon proved his judgement not to go to Antarctica vindicated. He promptly sank 3 ships, the British 'Reynolds"-5,1 13 tons, the American, "Sawokia,"- 5,882 tons, and finally a Greek, "Eugene Livanos," of 4,816 tons.
On the 12th. of December he was ordered to go home to Germany, giving the Cape a wide berth, 'Michel" sank another Britisher, "Empire Marsh." Ruckteschell was now abeam of St. Helena when SKL changed their minds, and told him to return to the Indian Ocean. On board, one could well understand the frustration that would be evident in her Captain, eg:- "What the hell are they up to in Berlin? Have they any idea what it's like to sail from the Indian Ocean, be in a position to make a final run for home, and now be ordered to retrace our steps back to the Indian Ocean?
They are not at risk, they go home to wives, families, even to mistresses every night, here we are at risk every day, and may never see our families again, oh for a shore appointment! When I am in charge of Raiders, at least, I will make sound judgements, and be aware of the welfare of my Captains, their crews and their ships."
'Michel" had also been told to proceed to a port in Japan, not withstanding the feelings of Captain and crew, the other side of the coin portrayed a different scenario. As indicated a little earlier, the Allies had tightened the noose thrown around the coasts of Europe, and the sea approaches to them, this had trapped "Rhetokis." Control no doubt believed that 'Michel" would have been under a real threat of destruction, had she been allowed to continue her run home, and acted accordingly.
On the 7th. of February, having been at sea 324 days, land was sighted again, the Raider had arrived at Batavia, a Japanese pilot taking the ship into port, later the Germans were to complain about their treatment from the Japanese, indicating that their supposed Allies had related to them little better than if they had been spies.
A further stop was made at Singapore, thence on to Kobe, to be met by the German Naval Attache, Admiral Wenneker, and Gumprich, former Captain of "Thor," to learn for the first time about the demise of that Raider, and the fact that his ship was the last surface Raider still operational. A refit was needed, but before he could again sail, as a sick man, he was relieved of command by Gumprich, and sent to hospital in Peking. There he remained, his war was over, but after the surrender of Japan, he was repatriated, then to be finally convicted as a War Criminal.
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