Brer Rabbit
03-14-10, 12:26 AM
U-51 just completed its 5th patrol, and it is Jan 1940. During the patrol we sank four ships - a large Cargo, Tanker 09, small Freighter, and a Medium Cargo. As I use 100%, and hae not risen to the uber kaluen level of proficiency I took 9 torpedos and a bushel full of 88 rounds to acomplish this. As our patrol area was in CF32, and a little below 50% fuel, I decided to RV with Belcher off of Greenland to resupply.
During my last sinking I used the deck gun to finish off the Med Cargo. Bernard had been bannished to latrine duty and bilge inspections for earlier goofs. He begged to be allowed to go on deck to assist in passing ammo for the deckgun. I felt sorry for him and as he had managed to avoid me for the past two weeks, I relented as sent up on ammo detail.
While on deck he kept begging the gunnet to teach him how to load and fire the gun. The gunner let him load and fire off a few rounds. After the action he bribed the gunner with some hidden schnaps to ask me to let him train Bernard for duty as part of the gun crew. At the time I figured (a. it would keep him away from me and (b.since it was January and our location was the North Atlantic. The weather being good the gun crew practiced every day and during the night doing gun drills and maintaining the 88.
We were almost at the RV site with Belcher and that night the gun crew went up to train as they often did. During the training the gun chief went below to use the head. While he was below, the WO spotted a ship and alerted the boat. As he was cranking around the UZO for a good look to identify the ship, the gun began to fire live rounds. Hearin ghe gun go pff I lept out of my bunk and dashed to the bridge.
I got there just in time to see a second round hit the ship setting another blaze in the bow. At the same time the WO stammered "BBBBeelcher"
"B E R N A R D! Somebody anybody grab that SOB." The gun crew quickly subdued Bernard and I lept down to deck grabbing him by the throat. "You stupid, ignorant, little turd. I'm going to kill you. I screemed. Before I choke him to death the gun chief who had followedme to the bridge holding up his pants with one hand. Managed to get my hands from around Bernard's neck. "Wait" he said, "Ive got a better idea." He produv-ced a small rubber dingy from the deck casing, quickly inflated it and threw it and Bernard over the side.:damn:
During my last sinking I used the deck gun to finish off the Med Cargo. Bernard had been bannished to latrine duty and bilge inspections for earlier goofs. He begged to be allowed to go on deck to assist in passing ammo for the deckgun. I felt sorry for him and as he had managed to avoid me for the past two weeks, I relented as sent up on ammo detail.
While on deck he kept begging the gunnet to teach him how to load and fire the gun. The gunner let him load and fire off a few rounds. After the action he bribed the gunner with some hidden schnaps to ask me to let him train Bernard for duty as part of the gun crew. At the time I figured (a. it would keep him away from me and (b.since it was January and our location was the North Atlantic. The weather being good the gun crew practiced every day and during the night doing gun drills and maintaining the 88.
We were almost at the RV site with Belcher and that night the gun crew went up to train as they often did. During the training the gun chief went below to use the head. While he was below, the WO spotted a ship and alerted the boat. As he was cranking around the UZO for a good look to identify the ship, the gun began to fire live rounds. Hearin ghe gun go pff I lept out of my bunk and dashed to the bridge.
I got there just in time to see a second round hit the ship setting another blaze in the bow. At the same time the WO stammered "BBBBeelcher"
"B E R N A R D! Somebody anybody grab that SOB." The gun crew quickly subdued Bernard and I lept down to deck grabbing him by the throat. "You stupid, ignorant, little turd. I'm going to kill you. I screemed. Before I choke him to death the gun chief who had followedme to the bridge holding up his pants with one hand. Managed to get my hands from around Bernard's neck. "Wait" he said, "Ive got a better idea." He produv-ced a small rubber dingy from the deck casing, quickly inflated it and threw it and Bernard over the side.:damn: