(Story) U-46 puts to sea again

[BladeBlunter]

This is my first post here but I've been visiting since I picked up SHIII on day of release.

This is such a great read, puts me in mind of the Douglas Reeman books that I've read in the past, full of great characters and atmosphere, excellently done.

Keep this up and I think you'll have a lot more fans once word gets out about how good this is.

Please keep up the reports, and take care on the high seas....

[Stalker of the deep]

I've been reading this thread from the start keep it up!!!
cant wait for the next bit :D

[HundertzehnGustav]

Keep yer eyes sharp

[Laughing Swordfish]

We reach our dispersal point, and amid much waving of caps, and ribald humour over the blinker lamp, Bernie and his U-100 takes off further West into the unknown.

He's always keen to get away and come to grips with the enemy.

We're both very alive to the fact that the presence of the Bismark is going to make the North Atlantic even more interesting than usual, this time.

Good hunting, Bernie.

We hang around for a day in a small box pattern. We're not far from our designated patrol area anyway, and I want to see which, if any, of the other two boats makes the RV.

In a way it was gratifyingly difficult to spot a fellow U-boat, even when you knew it should be there. But also disconcerting; the Sunderland didn't prang them both surely?

Viktor hadn't been able to raise either of them on the radio, and apart from a listening watch, I'd forbade him to transmit any more signals apart from essential traffic.

Finally on the dawn of the day after the appointed RV, Oscar came up for a 'breath of fresh air' and immediately lit a foul-smelling cigar.
A fine example from the boat's doctor.

But as he tossed his match into the sea, he craned his neck almost casually and said:

"What's that, over there fellows?"

Sure enough there was a long low dark shape about 2,000 metres away, in the bright early morning sun

Willi was mortified, as this was his watch; soon he, Reuben and I were training our Zeiss binoculars on her.

"She's one of ours" Reuben stated, and we concurred.

But Willi regained ground by identifying her. He was an expert at conning tower emblems!

"It's a bear, the Berlin Bear!"

That's young Walter, the little bugger!"

So it was. A couple of lamp signals, and some nifty helmsmanship from Willi, and we were pretty much in hailing distance some few minutes later.

U-711, and her young crew had survived their first action. Their watch and flak gunner had been on the ball enough to at least shoot back, and once caught on top to see it through. Whilst the U-513 it seems had been caught hesitating between the option of diving or fighting. So that when she did submerge, it was too late, not enough depth and a clear wake, for a Sunderland that had already sheared away from the flak her fellow boat was sending up; U-513 was a much easier target, and she and her crew will never have the chance to learn from their mistake.

The crew of U-711 were cheering happily, like the boys most of them were. Not much younger than my lot, but a world of experience away in the year or so that seperated them.

"Ok, Willi, let's not have a big reunion party. The sun's up, and we're both asking for it up here"

"Tell Walter to go down to periscope depth too, and keep his distance.

Slow speed and maintain course. We'll surface again at 20.00.

"Sir! Clear the bridge men!"

As the lamp blinked one last time, amid some last waving and exhortations with a plunging downward thumb signal for U-711 to submerge also, we trooped below.

"Plucky kid," said Reuben, as we reconvened round the chart table.

"Yes Reuben" I smiled wryly,"That's one of the things we do have enough of at the moment"

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Bluewings]

Nice writing , really :)

RiP U-513 :zzz: ...

Cheers .

[Skweetis]

I took a break to read this post, printed off up to thread page five from laughingswordfish.net, and now Im enthralled! can't stop reading! hahahaha

Ill be up to page 11 tonight...

Great work!

[donw]

Great work!
...with no alternitive but to get better!!!

If all goes well, I plan to help our future "Best Seller" maintain a running web site...keep your finners crossed!!!

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Clear. Surface!"

As I dopped down from my observation scope, Otto had already set our dive planes up, I think he was quite enjoying the fact that he had a more experienced hand with the (actually very tricky) business of changing depth.

Reuben would now be standing by with the stokers, aft, waiting for the word to switch the electric motors off, and fire up the diesels.

You could risk it on the Papenburg Meter if you were sure off your sea and your instruments here in the Control Room.

But, situation depending,, we always waited for the call down from the new watch.

"Diesel vents clear, Sir!"

"Down electric motors, Diesels on. Ahead standard."

We knew U-711 was close by; we could hear her turning through the water.

It was Christian's turn. And as I followed his watch up, he was already pointing out to starboard.

"That's Walter, Sir"

"Thanks, Number One"

Before the light faded, we had quite a conversation by lamp.

Walter reported a few tracer dents off the bridge, and were we ok?

Cheeky monkey!

'Yes we are fine, U-513 gone; U-100 ok, and out working'

.."Auntie Beatrice?"

"Auntie B is well, and may be paying a visit. Keep your best shoes shined."

With that we turned away towards our patrol pattern, and U-711 did the same.

It's funny how even the remotest friendly contact takes on such a significance when you are at sea. The boys were waving wildly before I sent them below and resumed normal watch.

We must attack more ships,

But in the back of our minds, like the little boys we really are, we're hoping for, and dreading, the time when our formidable Great Aunt, hoves into view.....

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Stalker of the deep]

i thinks the swordfish has been sunk with all hands?

[Kpt. Lehmann]

i thinks the swordfish has been sunk with all hands?

I sincerely doubt that.

I am sure De Bunsen is just formulating his next plan. :sunny: :sunny: :sunny:

[Laughing Swordfish]

Still alive and kicking kameraden.

Just been a bit busy.

Hope to get back to the campaign today.

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Laughing Swordfish]

It was a typical day in the Control Room. The soft murmurings of Otto or Reuben with their team; the routine trudge of the new watch bobbing and ducking their way to the bridge, the squelch of the off-coming watch giving a last weather and situation report before climbing gratefully into their bunks like zombies.

There were times when they'd been too tired to even take their wet things off, but at least now, after a good few patrols they know better. The bedding is damp and rank enough as it is already.

And of course, me, Willi, and one or other of the watch officers always bending over the chart table, with dividers, slide rule and wax pencil, or hovering outside Viktor's radio cabin.

We had taken one ship. 2,000 laiden tons by the look of her. Up from the West coast of Africa. Freetown would be my guess. Bruno spotted her miles off and we were at periscope depth and ready long before she showed us her starboard bow at 2,000 metres.

Even then we tracked her for the last hour or so of daylight, and put her down with one shot in the dark. And we didn't even surface afterwards.

Dirty work perhaps, and I was nearly in two minds to let her go. The Gibraltar Fleet must be coming out, and following pretty much the same route, and we didn't want to show our hand. Or I didn't.

But BdU had been unequivocal in their orders though, no great lovers of fleet actions, it had been 'Business as Usual' and we had been allotted our grids. U-100 furthest West, then us, and U-711 on her first patrol, closest to home.

We were hundreds of miles apart by now, like a goal with only three strands of netting to stop the football.

But that didn't stop us endlessly speculating about the Bismark. She'd already seen them off once, and reports had been frustratingly patchy ever since.

Surely Auntie B had to be heading South or South West, depending where she broke out. Scattering convoys before her, and drawing the British capital ships onto her guns and our tubes!

As Bruno said, as only he can:

"It may be quiet now, but soon the North Atlantic will be a huge buffet table!"

We laughed, changed onto the next leg of our patrol pattern, and waited some more..

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[U-104]

more more more more!!!! :up:

[Laughing Swordfish]

Another stray. Two masts, one funnel, lowish in the water, which is good, because it means she's carrying.

But not for long

"Los!"

That exhilarating hiss of the torpedo leaving tube one. The petty officers swearing and cursing as a new torpedo is winched up into position, fresh grease slapped on, and quiet and not so quiet instructions from all and sundry, down to thir vest tops, and everyone always an expert, in how best to reload.

"Shut up boys, or you'll miss it!"

The Coxswain always knew how to get their attention

"Twenty seconds to impact!"

'The Kapitan will nail her..'

'I hope he sends another one, so I won't have to sleep underneath you, you smelly old tramp..."

"Shut up boys! Let's see if the Kap has got this one..."

Seconds pass. The boys don't know what range we've launched at, or therefore the time of detonation

"Right, keep reloading Tube One, standby Two to Four."

"Captain to all. We remain at battle stations. We are pursuing a freighter of a good size, who is not enjoying life up here in the storm any more than us I dare say. Sorry men, that first torpedo should have hit by now, we're going to try and run ahead and get a simpler shot. Close all bow caps, and hold on to your hats. We're going into some very big waves."

Joachim comes bowling through to the fore-ends.

"Come on you slackers, get that tube loaded now! And swear and clang as much as you like, noone's going to hear you, or care in this ****ty weather, least of all me. Now check, arm, grease and load - give me that chain pulley here you idiot!"

..."Tube one reloaded, Sir"

We have now bashed through the waves for another hour. There'll be no planes up, and I have trimmed the watch right down to me and Christian. We think we have her silhouette in the distance, but it's impossible to tell in the wind and driving rain.

"Why don't we drop down and listen for her that way, Sir?"

"Because we might be a few knots faster on the surface, but she's riding the storm better than our little pencil of a boat. We have no beam to speak of, and are getting tossed around more than her.

"We have two things in our favour. The first is that she doesn't even know we've come knocking yet, even though we've shot at her once. She's making a straight course, and having enough trouble with the storm herself.

"The second is that we are slowly gaining on her, and it will take as long as it takes."

U-46 is thrown about in another series of jolts and surges, as this remarkably designed vessel pitches and surges in an out of every wave.

We have to relieve the watch much more frequently, and chain them on to the bridge. It has been known for an entire watch to be swept overboard by a wave when not clamped on to the boat, and other stories of an entire watch which perished when their bridge was engulfed by a wave so massive, that it effectively submerged the boat for so long that it drowned them all.

What must the new watch have thought when they climbed the ladder?

Shudder

But there she is, just before dawn. Puffing away, all 8,000 tons of her, and looking forward to breakfast.

And we've got ahead

"Come on Joachim, give us that firing solution, we have a near perfect 85 on the bow and range 900

"Yes, Sir"

"Los!"

'Standby tube four just in case."

"Bridge to Control, port to South 190, and Otto?"

Even as we turn away and gaze over the Wintergarten, a huge geyser of water and a rolling boom confirms the hit.

"Is she going, Christian?"

"Yes, Sir"

"Close Tube Four; diving stations. Bridge hands below.

"You do the hatches this time, Christian, and broadcast the kill to the crew. Tell Otto to drop us out of this storm, and cut speed. He knows. Tell Willi to give him our route, and then get youself some time in the sack. That's exactly where I'm going"

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[U-104]

:rock: :rock: :up: :up:

[Sailor Steve]

Good stuff. Love the entries discussing the disposition of the boats.

[Laughing Swordfish]

I slumped onto my bunk, and rubbed my sore eyes, making them worse.

So tired.

I looked across to my fold-down 'desk' and realised with a start that there was a red manilla folder still lying on it. The inked stamp on it - 'U-46: Geheime Befehlung'

Jesus, how long had I left secret patrol orders lying about?

I really must be getting tired.

These need to go back in the safe. I have a small lockable cubby hole for the purpose.

As I returned the orders, my hand brushed against a cloth bag at the back containing some hard object.

Curious and non-plussed for the moment, I pulled it out and opened the bag.

Well blow me, I'd quite forgotten I had one of these!

It was a Luger. A 9mm Parabellum automatic pistol. Parabellum - 'Prepare for War' I thought and smiled. They got that right.

I'd quite forgotten it was there, or in what circumstances I was supposed to use it. Repel boarders, or quell mutinies perhaps? Take a pot shot at a destroyer or jabo even? Or maybe it's supposed to be an easy way out if we're stuck on the bottom or going down and there's no hope? I grimaced.

Whatever, it was no use to anyone now. After at least a year of neglect and exposure to the damp and salt air of a U-boat, it was completely brown and seized up with rust.

I practiced a couple of quick draws in front of my tiny mirror. Hey, this is fun!

Otto, Willi and their Control Room gang were probably surprised, to say the least, to see their Kapitan swagger out of his cabin brandishing a pistol and yelling

"Yeehaw, cowboys, give me a shot of red-eye, bartender, and tell Black Jake I'll see him on the Main Street at High Noon!"

"You ok, Sir?"

"Just messing about Otto. I just found my luger. Look at the state of it. I handed it over to him. Take it up top and have Bruno chuck it over the side."

"Ok, Sir."

He took the pistol but hesitated.

"Sir..?"

"Yes, Otto?"

"I was just thinking, I've got some stuff for removing rust and so on, perhaps we could get it shiny and brand new again. It would certainly give us something to do.....?"

And so it was that the luger spent the next day soaking in a tray of some solvent of Otto's. Word spread and everyone in the wardroom and the CPO's all were clamouring for a bit to clean once we were able to break it down.

In the end when we divided up the disassembled parts, people had to team up and take it in turns to restore their own bit. Competition was fierce and the parts were jealously guarded. I even broke out the box of bullets to give everyone something to clean and polish. There was always someone off-watch diligently rubbing and oiling again and again. None of us really had much experience of small arms, but of course in the spirit of competition we all discovered we were each the absolute experts in the field.

Finally the day came when each gleaming and glistening component part was proudly produced at a ceremony in the Control Room, and Otto solemnly re-assembled the pistol. Everyone had done a fantastic job, and was bursting with pride as their piece was added.
The Luger shone like a mirror. It's action was slick and effortless, it's slight sheen of spotless gunmetal blue.

"Well I suppose we ought to give it a go lads" I suggested, to great cheers.

Over the course of the next day or so and as the situation or duty or weather allowed, every single member of the crew took part in the shooting competition at one time or another.

Any passing enemy plane would have been bemused to see a good proportion of a feared U-boat's crew laughing and abusing each other as one by one, they took turns in blasting away at some apple juice bottles towed 20m off the stern.

To be honest we were all pretty terrible shots, but it was huge fun. And for some of the stokers, it was the first time on deck at sea.

The winner in fact did come from the engine room, much to Otto and Reuben's swelling pride. Young Braun adopted the technique of screwing his eyes shut and squeezing the trigger!

His prize was to be honorary owner of the luger (although it was thoroughly and religiously cleaned afterward -everyone taking their original piece and tutting about the amount of carbon that had built up) and returned to my cabin for safekeeping. Ownership to be contested on our next patrol.

Braun's other reward was to dispose of the array of bottles we had trailing aft, and what better way to do that than get the boat's top marksman to smash them with the AA gun!

Under the intense supervision of Joachim, and Johann, our flakkie, in case he blew our stern off, those bottles disappeared in a great churning shower of spray, and no small expenditure to the Reich!

[Serverdaemon]

Dunno how... But it just keeps getting better!!!
:rock:

S

[Bluewings]

I just love the way you write :yep:

But now that everybody had its fun with the Luger , it must go back where it belongs : on the Cpt. 's hip .

B. Goelf out .

Cheers .

[Laughing Swordfish]

In fact the men did get together and stitch together a rudimentary holster belt and cowbow hat out of some old canvas for me. And I looked quite the part in my checked shirt and Navy oilskin trousers as rodeo chaps.

They're trying to persuade me to wear it all when we come back in and take the salute in St Nazaire.

The Flotilla guys might get the joke, but the Party BigWigs who always congregate for a photo opportunity on these occasions are not known for their sense of humour. And nor, publicly, is Uncle Karl.

As for carrying the luger around with me, I've gone a year without even remembering it's existence, and it would get in the way when moving through the hatches.

Also I have far better ways of dealing with both the enemy and an unruly or wavering crewman.

Plus there are no more bullets left anyway. We really are terrible shots, and used the lot!

In my defence, when I was eliminated, I'm sure Bruno suddenly swung the helm on the Bridge every time I took aim.

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[bookworm_020]

At leat you have better aim with torps!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[Kpt. Lehmann]

YEEEEEEHAWWWWW!!!! :arrgh!:

[Serverdaemon]

BDU to U-46... BDU to U-46...
Request mission update and status...

[Laughing Swordfish]

"We can't send this to BdU, Sir.."

"Why not?"

Viktor sighed. And glanced at his piece of paper

"Because, Sir:

'Where is the Ark R and and where is Auntie B, what are our KM idiots doing about it?'

isn't going to go down too well, I'd guess"

"Nor, Sir, is this doodle of a little Alpine house, and this man and a woman having a picnic with 'Ich liebe Heidi' scrawled underneath. That's hard to translate into morse, Herr Kaleun."

"Give me that here, Viktor! That's just some doodlings and scribbles, the message form is on the reverse side"


"I'll re-write it. Step across the gantry"

" U-46 to BdU. DTG (put in the time and date when you send it, Viktor?)
In patrol box BE as ordered.
U-513 confirmed lost with all hands by enemy air action.
U-100 and U-711 proceeding to designated patrol areas.
Last heards as my previous message.
Two merchants sunk by U-46 of 2,000 and 8,000. Could not ascertain name of ship, or type of cargo due to weather, but laiden and heading NE.
11 torpedoes ready, and all other weapons systems and crew intact
Request new ops area or permission for independent action, to anticipate the big ships. Ours or theirs. U-46"

"Well that's better, Sir,"

"Thanks Viktor, I'm glad my message to the GrossAdmiral has your approval"

I took my cap off and ran my fingers through my hair

Some medicinal rum should have been forthcoming, but of course He had a better supply than me. I'm not supposed to know about it, and they can store stuff in ingenious places.
(I'm thinking now of the time when a depth charge ruptured a couple of pipes in the Control Room, and the hands were incredibly quick to see to it)

(It's a busy time to say the least, when you're being depth charged , and the crew were very conscientious in stemming this particular flow with their mugs)

Only later I learned, that an illicit bag of schnapps had been burst behind one of our air pipes by the Royal Navy. Christian told me much later when he found out himself, after me, him and Otto were busy saving the boat. We had already gone past 220m down.
"Are you annoyed , Sir?"
("Of course I'm annoyed, Number One! Where was our last tot? I had a throat as dry as Rommel's boots!")

Anyway,

"Sit down Viktor. Pour a couple of shots and talk to me"

"This thing about Heidi..."

"Sir, the crew have known for ages; she loves you, and that was obvious to any of us who had to go to Headquarters, the other crews in the Flotilla know too, and they're taking bets on you against that fly boy from Abbeville."

"You're running a book, aren't you, Viktor?"

"Not any more, Sir, the whole of U-46 wants their money on you, I can't place enough of it out with the luftwaffe groundcrews and the army at odds to make a turn"

"Get back to her, Sir"

"By that you mean, don't take any risks with the boat, and get us all back in one piece, isn't that it?"

"That thought hardly crossed my mind, Sir"

The green curtain swayed, and I could catch a glimpse of Viktor's famous paperback collection, rocking back and forth on his shelf.
Most were trashy detective novels to be sure, but I happen to know there were some extremely romantic stories of love in the 18th century that he never lent out.

"We'll all be getting back safely, Viktor, but one thing at a time..."

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Mr. De Bunsen... where do we place our bets on the good captain?

:up: :up: :up:

[bookworm_020]

My Flack crew are gunning for the captain!! :arrgh!: :arrgh!:

[Laughing Swordfish]

"They are fast screws, Sir. Someway distant. Bearing North-Northeast about 280 on our port bow."

I grabbed one of his earphones. And listened as Hans rotated his sonar wheel.

He's always right of course. We all in our tasks have to be right all of the time.

"Destroyer, Sir"

"Steer 350, and give me my periscope please, Reuben. Bruno get your bridge watch together, and get some soup down them from the galley, ready to go up in thirty minutes. Rouse Christian and Willi. Don't wake Otto, he's only just got his head down, and ease us up on the dive planes. He's very tetchy if we use up compressed air unless in an emergency.

"In an emergency we're all blowing air out of one valve or another.." Bruno mutttered as he went to rouse his watch.

"Get on with it, Number Two!" I laughed, as the murmured orders in the control room and the gentle tilt and swing of our boat obey my and Reuben's commands.

Back to the Sonar desk.

"I know it's a destroyer, Hans. But only one? Nothing bigger beyond it?"

We had been waiting for more news on linking up with the Bismark.
The reports we received were fragmented. She had clearly come in for a bit of attention after sinking the Hood, and some damage to her oil bunkers were clearly going to curtail a long voyage.

Plus we could make out that she had been attacked by destroyers, cruisers and planes. So the element of surprise perhaps wasn't there, but she'd obviously swatted them all away.

The last we heard was a sustained attack from bi-plane torpedo bombers. One of which may have scored some damage impeding her movement into the shipping lanes.

Ironically, as Joachim pointed out, those torpedo bombers are called swordfishes.

And now we're not receiving anything from our people. I suppose I'm starting to fear the worst. Auntie B has huge guns, but she can't hide as well as we can.

So, while we would always duck away from a destroyer contact, we might be close to a surface battle, or who knows what, and we must close in.

"Twelve metres, Sir! Periscope depth"

"Thank you Reuben"

And I swing my cap round the other way, and take a peek...

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Kpt. Lehmann]

.... well tell us what ya see sir! :arrgh!:

[bookworm_020]

He's just building the tension...

:yep: :yep: :yep:

[Laughing Swordfish]

It took me a while to acquire the destroyer through the scope. It was still a long way off, and although we had set us to converge, we were still in any ASDIC blind spot.

Destroyers don't hang about on their own. It looks like a tribal class, which usually escort capital ships, and are used for fleet actions.

There!

For a second, I'm sure I saw it. A Flat Top!

"Joachim! Christian! Get here and have a squint! It's hard to spot at this range and with the sea, but I think we have a Carrier here on this bearing?"

Christian stared endlessly, rotating the scope in small sweeps, before, swearing in frustration.

"I can't see it, Sir"

"Let me see." Joachim, as our weapons officer is uncanningly good at spotting and recognising enemy warships and planes.

For a long time he was silent, as me and Christian paced behind him.

Eventually he let out a long low whistle.

"Better wake up Otto after all, Sir"

"He's always wanted to sink the Ark Royal".

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[donw]

LS
I gotta know....are you making this ALL up as you go along...(the at sea encounters) ..or are you actually reporting what you are experiencing in the game??

[Laughing Swordfish]

Yes, the patrols do represent my own perfomance in the SH3 game, in terms of missions, sinkings, damage etc.

Obviously I have created names and personalities for my crew, and other captains, and characters like Heidi.

Which is why I might embellish the story of each patrol, or mess with historical facts, but never exaggerate the results of any mission. And why if the U-46 is sunk, I suppose this thread will have to die with her.

I'll do my best to make sure that doesn't happen.

LS

[-Dreadnought-]

Bloody nice writing (I asume you use that term in Britain)!
You should write a book, quite impressing indeed. :up:

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Don't you dare let her (U-46) sink Kaleun!!! :o

[Rhodes]

I want a movie with the story of the U-46... (not a movie game, a real action feature,well made of course...) :)

[Laughing Swordfish]

Thanks guys.

U-46 is still well and truly alive, but paradoxically she has to spend a lot of the time 'sunk' - ie submerged. To stay alive.

I'm sure there are better U-boat aces out there.

But I'll do everything in my power to fight aggressively, and to bring her back in one piece; and to live to tell the tale.

At the moment we reckon we're on to the Ark Royal, more follows.

Kind regards, LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

"You're right, Sir, it's Her"

By now all three of us are cramming round the eyepiece, like the little boys we once were.

"Battle stations! And do wake up that slacker of a Chief Engineer . He'll want to see this. "

Ever since Ernst took that tracer in the Wintergarten, I've had a sense that Otto and a lot of the seniors have wanted some revenge.

Well, a U-boat on the surface is no match for a bomber, travelling at 500 times our speed, and with that fatal third dimension of the air. And I have always dived rather than giving battle, given the choice.

Ernst and that brave pilot managed to kill each other, but not us.

My Chief and Ernst went way back. It took him hard at the time when we pulled Ernst down bleeding and mortally wounded, and in the still of the Control Room, as Oscar pronounced Ernst dead, Otto swore vengeance on all enemy aircraft

And now we maybe have the chance to redress the balance.

Otto is breathlessly on my shoulder.

"Take a look my friend. She's still a long way off, but getting bigger by the minute."

"That's her, Sir!"

"You see anything smaller dotted around her, Otto?"

"Destroyers, Sir, and quite a few of them"

"Yes, Chief and thats our problem. They shouldn't be able to see or hear us yet. But to get into a decent attack position is going to involve getting north of them.

Before I talk to my Number One on the tactical considerations, can you pull U-46 out of a hole once again, because we're bound to take some punishment whatever we do."

Otto's eyes gleamed.

"We're here for moments like this, Kaleun"

"That's good enough for me, Chief. We're at battle stations and I want our best people up. See to it at your end of the boat. Don't worry I'll call you forward when we get a good shot at her.

"Christian! Willi! Around the chart table now! Viktor! Get off a contact report! Steer further north, Reuben, surface the boat and flank speed. We need to get ahead of them!

Bruno, have your men under the ladder, I'll be up later.

Joachim, get the foreends and tubes cleared for action.

This could be history we're writing here, tell the boys it's the Ark Royal!"

Lt de Bunsen U-46

[Mast]

:rock: :rock: :up: :arrgh!:

Mast

[Kpt. Lehmann]

HOOOYAH!!!! :rock: :rock: :rock:

[donw]

Lt de Bunsen

I know i asked this question before....but please..confirm to all of us... that read this thread every single day...that you actually just accidenty ran into the path of the Ark Royal?? And are telling us the result of that encounter

[GrimKnight]

Lt de Bunsen

I know i asked this question before....but please..confirm to all of us... that read this thread every single day...that you actually just accidenty ran into the path of the Ark Royal?? And are telling us the result of that encounter
A few posts up he wrote:
Yes, the patrols do represent my own perfomance in the SH3 game, in terms of missions, sinkings, damage etc.
...Which is why I might embellish the story of each patrol, or mess with historical facts, but never exaggerate the results of any mission. LS
So, just give him some time, LS has got a life besides playing SH3 (I think ;) )

[Laughing Swordfish]

Bruno's boys were up on the bridge like squirrels as soon as we'd equalised pressure and the last hatch opened.

Even Otto, usually so miserly with his diesel, was now running the engines for all they were worth. And getting a suspiciously higher speed than he claimed the U-46 could ever do before.

We had to race ahead, whilst keeping a respectful distance, but still stay in long range visual contact. In other words we had to copy the zig-zag of the task force (and Joachim thinks he can also see the battleship Renown amongst the screen of destroyers), whilst not losing them. but not being seen.

A tricky game, but Bruno, at his best, kept us in sight of the Tommies now starting to be silhouetted even at that distance by the setting sun, as we gradually seemed to creep ahead, and constant recalculations of two courses and two speeds brought us closer to a reckoning at dusk.

BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM

We instinctively ducked in surprise. Who the hell was firing at us?

BAM BAM BAM BAM

"Flugzeug! Rot Eins Da! Da! Dahinter! Folgen nach Grun Zwei. Links! Links!"

BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM

It was our own Jurgen on the ball, blazing away with the 20mm and calling out the enemy aircraft's passage near the stern of the boat.

It was a swordfish. A funny looking bi-planed torpedo bomber. We could see after our initial surprise that the torpedo it once had underslung was gone. And it also had problems of it's own. Jurgen must have clipped it with a couple, or it was already hanging on from some earlier tussle. Either way it dragged itself up higher away into the sky (it must have been looking for the Carrier against the sunset just like we were)

"Damn it!" I shouted

"It's ok Sir, good old Jurgen soon saw him off!"

"Yes, Holtz"

"But it's all his big brothers we have to worry about now..."

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Kpt. Lehmann]

OOOOOOOooooh.... you are in trouuuuuble now! :(

[Laughing Swordfish]

"We can expect company, lads, but hold your nerve. If we dive now we'll lose them."

"Damned good eyes, Jurgen! He won't be back in a hurry!"

(Although his friends will)

Jurgen turned round briefly to acknowledge and then was back clearing his gun and kicking the empty 20mm cases over the side, slamming a new magazine on, and calling for the next ready use ammo box to be broached and a Number Two to stand by.

Excellent.

"Bruno, keep going full pelt. Steer out of their pattern to the North East, and then we'll exaggerate back to the North West. I'll be up again in a minute.

Of course below decks everyone is desperate for news, and men always fight or perform better if they have some idea of what is going on. So through the pipe:

"Kapitan to all stations. We are in contact with an enemy carrier force. We reckon it's the Ark Royal, it's long range yet, and this is going to be a long night."

"That noise you heard was Jurgen in the Wintergarten shooing away an old British crow!"

There were loud cheers.

"It does mean that we have to be quick on our toes, men. Let's not mess about."

More cheers, and everybody seemed to be up.

"Christian, take some extra men up on the bridge for air watch". And (in a whisper) "Double the hands available for damage control."

"Reuben, get aft and look after the engines; Otto, you have the Control Room while we're up top."

"Joachim, I don't need to tell you we'll only get one run at this. Get off and do your thing. But I need your finger on the button the very second the time comes for those eels"

"Coxswain, make all checks, and stow kit securely, if anyone want's to go to the heads now is the time, before you lock it."

"Willi, I've pushed us out on a wider tack, but I expect some pursuit already after that brush with the plane. Can we run ahead in time, and cut in. Let's check the chart."

Willi smiled and looked at me.

Crazily superstitious most of the time, but always cool in action. A chinagraph pencil in one hand as he sharpened it with a bosun's clasp knife with the other.

He held up the pencil.

"This is all we'll need to sink her, Kap!"

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Laughing Swordfish]

It was an edgy night, but not for long.

We'd seen a picket destroyer, and glimpses of the carrier, Otto bless him was running his diesels into wire wool just to edge us ahead into an attacking position.

Maybe we got too close on one tack, they knew all along after that torpedo bomber came limping back, that they had a u-boat out there. Maybe they were refuelling, or loading ammo, I don't care .....
"...as long as they're not cleaning the rust of the depth charge runners, Herr Kaleun!"

"Yes, Christian," I grinned.

Of course the skill was to keep into contact with the Carrier at ams length and get ahead until nightfall, while being pushed out all the time by the escorts, who weren't sure who else had turned up for the party and didn't want to be drawn into a feint and lave the big ships open. Stephan last heard seems to making modest claims like us, Bernie in his charging U-100 will hate to have missed this show if he could get back on time, because he last reported even further West.

Willi comes up with his watch.

"Want to get below, Kap, you're no good to us frozen?

"Thanks Willi, maybe I will have a cup of cof...

"ALARM!"

The boys are flying down the ladder and only really using it to break their fall. Johann and his mate come flying through us after the watch from the gun, his mate still holding the last bracket of AA shells.

"Throw them away , Neumann!"

"But Sir, we.."

"You're blocking up the hatch, in a submerging uboat which is not now watertight, boy!"

Otto as efficient as ever already has the bows down.

The first shot that zips across our bows is from the starboard.

We make sure everything is clanged shut and everybody put to battle stations. We're already crashing to 50 and that won't be enough.

"Damned destroyer nearly outflanked us, lads!"

"Aren't we supposed to be stalking them?"

"Otto, Christian, it now makes sense to make your circle to port. We've now found ourselves inside the outer screen, I know it's an impossible range, let's just get up to 13m depth so we can see.
We have at least one destroyer up our stern, and presumably more to come. between us and those ships.

"Otto for God's sake give me periscope depth, and flood tubes one to four"

"Joachim give them a salvo, metre spread, maybe a tail shot if we're lucky, because we're not invited here.

A violent hiss of the tubes and surge of the boat, but I knew, and the officers knew, at this range and with our torpedoes, it would be a lucky hit on something

That destroyer was now very close, at least one.

"Close bow caps! Hard a-port to 190"

Let's at least sneak out to the south if we can't outrun them to the North, and hopefully box round. And hopefully the escorts will lose interest quicker.

"Deeper, Chief and slow.

Joachim is still standing watching the red and black dial of his stopwatch

"It's ok Joachim, my decision, and it was really a long shot or nothing.

And then the ever louder churning of propellors start to come,.

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Ruh ROH!!! :-? :o

[TheSwampFox]

Wow, I was afraid that the famed U-46 had been destroyed! Keep the water out of the people tank, Kaleun ;)

[STEED]

I can't wait any longer when is the book coming out great stuff :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up:

[JSalinger]

Great stuff, Herr Leutnant. I stayed up late reading these a few nights ago. :) You really ought to publish these in print form...I think they'd be very popular among folks like us.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Roger that! ...and we can say "We knew you when...."

Seriously... this would make for a great book.

:ping: :ping: :ping:

[Oblivion]

This has to be one of the best Stories associated with a PC game I have ever read. Even at work I log in to check the progress of the capitan and crew. Keep the good work up enjoying every minute!!
:up: :up:

[bookworm_020]

I hope when I come back in a few weeks (I will be a volunteer at the Commonwealth games in Mebourne, Australia) that there will be more of the excellent story to read. :up: :up:

[q65]

Great reading Hope nothing has happened to u-46

[Laughing Swordfish]

Hello everyone.

It's ok, U-46 still lives, it's just that I've been busy and/or away.

As another reader kindly pointed out, we have other things to do sometimes, and messages to BdU can be intermittent.

A reader asked twice lately whether, I really sank the Ark Royal in the game. I hoped I'd answered that, the Ark Royal wasn't sank in the pursuit of the Bismarck in the Atlantic.

I'm trying to weave a small alternative. A story of why that didn't happen.

This is still really happening to U-46 in my game, and we are alive

I'm also trying to get back to Heidi.

I hate having to explain the thread on the thread, so anyone with any issues outside the story, can always email me?

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

Even the cook comes running through.

"Is it true , Sir , did we manage to sink the...

"Get back to your station, Kuki, seal your galley hatch and dowse your stove.

"Do you think we got her...? breathes Christian running forward and Bruno walking back.

"I doubt it lads, that noise you hear is not the sound of an aircraft carrier splitting in two. The tilt of the boat should give you some idea, and perhaps the next loud bang you'll hear will be not theirs , but ours.

"Now stop messing about and go to our evasion drill....


Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Here she comes, Herr Kaleun!"

"Depth 60 metres, steering hard on the port wheel, running to bearing 295 Sir!"

"Brace, men! hold on to something."

"Full speed and turn hard to starboard, now, Otto!

"Depth charges in the water, Sir!



Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Now drop her Chief!"

Spin her like a wheel helmsman and give me 260.

We start to sink lower, and hopefully work our way around the back.

One desperate salvo didn't hit, but we are now the contact boat, and there is a major task force (Force K, as we intercepted)

"New escort approaching, Sir!"

A few charges go off mildly to our stern

"To hell with them boys, they're guessing. "

"So are we Kap?"

"We never say that, Number One...."

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Belze]

More of this greatness please.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!!!! RAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

:rock: :rock: :rock: :rock: :rock:

[Dowly]

AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!!!! RAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Haha!!! I´m just watching MacGyver and he said EXACTLY the same thing that you did! :rotfl:

[Laughing Swordfish]

KABOOM!.. KABOOM!.. KABOOM!..KABOOM!

"Steady men!"

U-46 rolled to port as if reeling from a punch.

"Damage reports!"

"All contained, Herr Kaleun!"

This from Kurt, my young damage control expert, who scampers up and down the boat with all his tools and his gang and never tells me the nature of the problem, only that it's fixed.

"Otto we're still descending?"

"Yes Sir at 58 metres"

"Level off on the dive planes, lets show them where to put their bombs."

"Otto, be ready to crash on their next run, hard a dive and hands forward, and all Reuben's got in the electric motors. Full starboard on the helm, At my command!"

Everyone else was utterly silent except for the steady thrashing of the escort growing louder above us

Now! Chief! Now..!


Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Sir Big Jugs]

MORE!!!MORE!!!MORE!!!MORE!!!MORE!!!MORE!!!MORE!!!M ORE!!!MORE!!!MORE!!!MORE!!!

[Laughing Swordfish]

Hans has thrown the headset down and stared into the Control Room.

I wink at him. He's a good man.

"Drive us down and away, Otto,. Now!"

U-46 cants down, and like the swordfish she is, turns away from the destroyer's run, hopefully just at the right time.

The roar of the propellors reach a crescendo, and then subside.

"What? Not a single depth charge? That's insulting!"

came from Walter at one of the Control Wheels

Everyone laughed.

"Quiet everyone!" I whispered.

"Either he's very stupid or very clever. Keep going down Otto, there'll be another one coming."

Otto looked at me.

"I'm sorry Chief, it was a long shot. It was that or nothing. But it's my guess they have Auntie B in the noose. "

"What we're going to do is duck round the back of that Task Force, get ourselves clear and reload tomorrow night."

"We're being hunted Sir,"

CRASH! BOOM! CRASH! CRASH!

The second and the third were the worst.

It wasn't close enough to breach the hull, but it was strong enough to swat us sideways in the water, and ironically the next charge blew us upright again. I guess that must have been what happened, at the time we were rattling about like split peas in a tin. Oscar wanted to be busy with cuts an bruises, but we had no time.

"Hold your depth, and hold your nerve men, your Kapitan does not want to get his feet wet today!"

It brought a wry smile from brave men.

"Christian, what I'm trying to do is wriggle out from under this, and pop up somewhere to the west of them and reload."

"So let's keep the noise down on the boat and make ourselves scarce.."

There were some brave nods amongst the men, but while we were being quiet, the enemy didn't have to.

And we could hear the growing throb of their propellors even now.

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Adlerkopf]

Hello everyone,

this is my first posting here, but I have been reading the boards all day and I have to say that LS you are an awesome writer. I've spent the better part of the afternoon reading all 13 pages of this thread alone and all I can say is...WOW, keep it up man!! :rock:

As the CO of the "AdlerKopf" U-125, 2nd. Flotilla out of Lorient, I hope to one day have the pleasure of fighting side by side with the brave crew of the U-46.

Lt. Josef Hintz
U-125 "Adlerkopf"
Type IXC, 2nd. Flotilla

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Welcome Adlerkopf!!!

Mr. deBunsen... this story is just the sort of thing that keeps us modders going.

Thanks for the fuel sir!!!! :up: :up: :up:

[Mike 'Red Ocktober' Hense]

Mein Got Philip... so they've pushed you out to sea again...

good hunting you ole basta###!!!


--Mike

[Suicide Charlie]

I just picked up Silent Hunter III a week or two ago so I'm quite new to this community and game in general. I've been reading this thread every chance I get for the past couple of days, and now that I'm all caught up I'm almost bummed because now I have to wait just like everybody else to see what happens next.

It's quite fitting that this story has gone without screenshots, after all when you're at 100m and moving hard to port trying to evade a destroyer there's nothing in the control room to show you how things are folding out. You have to use your imagination and situational awareness.

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Deeper"

"Eighty five metres, Sir.

"Very well. Slow speed, and a good hard sprint at my command"

However many times we hear it, there is nothing quite like the sound of an approaching destroyer. That relentless chugging beat that grows ever louder as danger approaches.

The trick is not to show our hand too early, but wait until they are committed to their attack run.

You pointlessly gaze upwards sometimes. As if you can see through the pressure hull and the destroyer coming some 260 feet above our heads. The reason you do it, is just to avoid the stare of the men who have their eyes fixed on you, and trust you with their lives. Willing you with every ounce of their soul to make the right decision, and to make it soon, because that destroyer is almost here.............

"......Flank speed! Bow planes to dive! 30 degrees to starboard on the helm!"

"Wasserbomben!"

...BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

"Hah! Not even close!" cries Willi, chalking another six of them off, as if for all the world, he knew all along they would never hit us.

And that is the greatest trick of all.

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Laughing Swordfish]

Always deeper, always changing direction and speed.

The last four runs weren't easy but they weren't the worst.

"Only scary for a first timer, eh, Willi?"

"The only first timers are those escorts up there, said Willi loudly so that the crew can hear him.

"Those jokers couldn't sink a pebble!"

"Let's get up and see who sinks who!"

There is an enthusiastic murmur around the Control Room.

I see Walter and a couple of the lads taking off their woolly hats and souwesters and perching their side caps jauntily on their heads. The tin swordfish as prominent as it can be.

And so to loud cheers, despite themselves....

"Periscope depth, Chief! U-46 is going back in!"

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Sgian Dubh]

Well.

I've returned to SHIII after a hiatus imposed by a new job. What can I say that hasn't been said already. This is a great read. I enjoyed every bit of it and will definitely be checking this on a daily basis. LS, you have a way with words sir.

[Laughing Swordfish]

Welcome, Adlerkopf!

We're 7th Flotilla out of St Nazaire at the moment, but you and your crew are welcome in the 'Black Cat' for a drink anytime!

Madame would be proud to have the Eagle's Head alongside some of our emblems on the wall.

And thanks to everyone else. I really do appreciate it

LS

[mterentiusvarro]

Likewise, I'm thoroughly enjoying your story and anxiously looking forward to the next instalment . Keep up the good work!

Varro

[Suicide Charlie]

A curious happening... I started a new career for the Wolves at War campaign. I'm joing the 7th Flotilla as a friend of mine is the XO, the U-boat that's been assigned to me you ask? U-46.

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Is it safe, Hans?

"Well, Sir! There's plenty of warship noise at a distance"

"What about our friends, the destroyers?"

"Moving away at high speed ; it's hard to tell Herr Kaleun, there's a lot of explosions going on, it's like I can hear other torpedoes running in the water very faintly. Do you think..."

"What I think, Hans, is that the Bismarck is fighting for her life, and we may already be too late. Keep me posted, lad!"

As I duck back into the Control Room

"...50 metres.."

" Never mind that!. Just get get us levelled off at 12 or 13 , now Chief!"

"Joachim, take all the hands you need forward to reload those tubes. Go noisy. Report to me when we have any tube ready to fire

Otto blew his precious ballast tanks

Now I can see what......is going on.

There are large black dots in the distance, occasionally silhouetted by the crash of their guns. British battleships and cruisers

But the constant plumes of water, smoke and flame in one spot on the horizon

"Lads, they've caught Auntie Beatrice! The Bismarck!"

We have to...

"...Sir, I have to report that all our forward tubes are inoperaple.

Joachim sighed.

"I'm sorry, Sir, but one of those depth charges blew off or buckled our bow caps"

"Anytime we load, we risk flooding the boat. I'm sorry Sir, but there it is..."

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Adlerkopf]

LS,

Thank for the welcome.

U-125 just got back to Lorient from a hop over to the American East Coast. 8 ships sunk (6 merchant, 2 DD's). Me and the boys will be heading down to St. Nazaire to celebrate with you 7th. Flotilla sea dogs. Tell Madame and the other fraulinen that the U-125 boys are on the way :arrgh!:

First round is on us!!

In treue fest zu unterseebootwaffe,

Lt. Josef Hintz

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Can it be fixed?"

I already knew the answer

"Not in the middle of the Atlantic, Herr Kaleun"

"But we still have tube 5 to show our arse to them with?"

"Sir, I have to report that we used a lot of the parts from the rear tube to try to bring the fore tubes back into action"

"Joachim, can we not fire a single torpedo, at a British Task Force who are too busy bullying one of ours, to strike back?

"No Sir, we can't. The offensive capacity of the U-46 has been removed beyond repair at least in the latest battle situation"

"Stop standing to attention, Joachim, I'm sure you did all you could. Short of surfacing and taking on the Rodney or Prince of Wales with our 88mm peashooter.

We watched helplessly, taking turns on the periscope, as the Bismark sank in the distance, really only a plume of smoke amongst salvoes of shell splashes and strikes. She'd clearly fought back hard.

Torpedo strikes, and more shells, then Auntie B starts to go.

Oscar , our Medic, takes a squint.

"There's our lads in the water, Kap!"

"We can't go in, Oscar. You must know that."

"Because ....?

"Because the Brits are on the scene, and aren't a bad lot at following the rules of the sea. And they have the room and facilities to look after survivors (after all we've sent them a few of their own), but if they get a sniff of the likes of us, they'll be off like a shot."

Oscar,the best thing we can do for our comrades in the water is to leave them to dry captivity. But we'll hang around anyway"

"Slow speed, Otto. Steer us to 47........

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Keep looking Bruno"

We've now scoured the area several times since the last Royal Navy vessel has left.

It's daft really. I have doubled the watch to look out for lurking destroyers but half the crew are roaming on the deck casing hoping to spot one of ours. We'll never all get back in time if we need to crash.

I can't risk the boat.

"Boatswain, send two thirds of these blokes below. Have them ready for a turn on deck in three shifts, the ones you take below will be two and three. Have at least a petty officer in charge of them at all times.

"Yes Sir, anything else, Sir"

"Tell Kuki it's ok to make loads of hot coffee or soup for everyone, and also do what you have to do to get some dry blankets and clothing ready, also any inflatables...I was waving my hand vaguely, he was smiling and already moving.

U-46 is only inching through the water. The Doc is on the bridge, peering anxiously.

"We'll give it a bit longer, Oscar, I promise"

The water lapping against our hull is black with oil and the flotsam and jetsam of a sinking. Even several clearly dead bodies. Funny how we never cared about it so much before.

Myself, Oscar and two other hands have dropped down to the main deck.

"Watch your quarters, men! Ships and planes! Ships and planes!"

It was encouraging to know that Bruno was keeping his watch on their toes

"Don't forget us if you dive, Number Two"

"You know the rules, Sir!"

Yes, the old Kiel mantra.

(Last man down the hatch buys the schnapps. For everyone behind him, the salt water is free)

Oscar turns and smiles.

"He's a cheeky little....

"...shush, Doc...!

"...Did you hear something, just then...?"

Even Bruno turned serious, and was staring hard out of our starboard bow.

"There it is again" says Oscar.

"Hilfe...Hilfe mir, bitte...bitte...bitte...Hilfe...."


Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Well Mr de Bunsen? Are you gonna rescue the poor guy or not?

[bookworm_020]

Haul him in and set course for home and Hedi. :rock: :rock:

[Belze]

I need the other part!
WOOOOAAARR

[Herr Zeitbombe]

LS- Let me add even more accolades to your impressive list of complements. This has been one of the most enjoyable pieces of fan fiction that I have ever read, if not a great serial novel. Clearly you have a gift for drama and an impeccable sense of suspense. Each post leads me to look for the next one. I have been checking every day for the last week for updates on the U-46. You, sir, have hooked me along with what I imagine is a good portion of the people who visit these forums.

I would greatly enjoy the further adventures of U-46. Good luck getting back to Heidi.

\Lurker no longer. First Post!

[Laughing Swordfish]

BdU BdU .... Test .. Test Test

[Laughing Swordfish]

Wow it worked!

Neal from HQ has been helping repair my links to this thread.

We've lost at least one chapter, but here goes...

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

Some very good helming from that rascal, Bruno, on the bridge.

He nosed us around, and then me, Oscar, Dieter and Kals were hauling him onto the deck

"Gently, lads!" Oscar whispered.

Even he gasped, when he got the man on board.

The left foot was missing below the knee, the right leg shot away completely.

"How could he..."

"...Shut up Kals! Fetch me my bandages, and straps, any straps at all!"

Oscar leaned over closer. I could tell the poor fellow was saying something, and Oscar was murmuring something back.

By the time Kals had reappeared with bandages and straps, Oscar had already lifted his head

"Nein, Kaleun... forget it Kals"

We took his tags and any other personal effects, and I had Christian put them in my locker.

Oscar being a man of learning, said most of the words, in what was a hasty sea burial.

"Prepare to dive. Let's get out of here till nightfall, Reuben"

"Doc?"

"Yes Kap?" he paused his trudge back to midships.

"About that lad....

"His name was Muller.."

"How? I mean what...."

"Kap , the cold water played a part, and the human body's own amazing systems and will power. I think it was dragging him out that actually killed him. He bled like hell then. All washed off now; that's one good thing about u-boat maintenance. There wasn't a chance."

"What did he say?"

"Just this Kap"

'..Danke...'

"He didn't want to die alone. And at least we could do that for him"

Yes Oscar, let's look to the living, we're going home.......

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Laughing Swordfish]

The steward was clearing away the plates a day later in the ward room .

Still dangerous waters, but we were heading back to St Nazaire.

"Why so glum, Doc?"

"That Bismark boy... Muller...."

"What is it, Oscar? He died and it's war and...

He told me some more on that fore deck,

"He was supposed to be manning one of the secondary 5.9cm turrets. They were firing to the end. As the youngest he was sent to fetch more shells, or life vests or even a drink of water, I don't know...

He told me that even as he struggled back across the deck a new salvoe of shells hit her.

The Bismark was starting to go over. He got to his turret to find that the doors had been so damaged by the explosion that they had buckled and his chief, and all his young shipmates were still inside, pounding against the steel and screaming. They couldn't get out.

There must have been another salvo which blew the lad clear.
I'm sure that he never knew his legs were gone, right to the last

But those poor lads, sinking in an iron coffin, how....

"Shut Up Oscar! You're just making it up!"

One look in his eyes told me different

"And you're frightening the children. Let's just get them all home again eh?"

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Laughing Swordfish]

We have another boat coming in at the same time.

We are to RV with him in the Bay. It's the U-125, a different flotilla, but Josef Hink's boat if I'm not mistaken. I reckon he has been plundering further south, and he and his men are ready for french beer just as we are.

"The Eagle's Head.... That's the U-125 all right. Look at that! They've already got their victory pennants up, and...."

"Let them, Christian. Where are ours?

Soon we and U-125 are blinking lamps at one of our minesweepers in the estuary. It appears that Josef's boat has taken a little damage, so he and his crew are going to be guests of 7 Flotilla for a while.

It turns out that another boat, returning from operations further west in the Atlantic, came across the same scene but literally had no torpedoes left. They picked up a handful of survivors. All with their own legs.

We're now nosing our way up the river to the St Nazaire Pens,
Amid all the jolly waving, there's one or two of us searching hopefully for a certain face on the dockside.....

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Herr Zeitbombe]

"Amid all the jolly waving, there's one or two of us searching hopefully for a certain face on the dockside..... "

I wonder who he is looking for?? :D
While I enjoy the action of the sub hunts, it is the well written shore story that keeps me hooked. Good job, Swordfish.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Ahhh... home and Heidi :smug:

Please tell us that she made it to the bomb shelter on time. :oops:

[Laughing Swordfish]

"There she is Boss..."

Bruno is grinning and I follow his pointed finger.

There is a pretty blonde in naval staff uniform, waving and jumping up and down, trying to get forward past the guards.

I'd know her anywhere.

"Let me guess, Herr Kaleun. You'd like me to dock the boat, and put the crew on harbour stations, sort out the watch, prepare the paperwork with the harbour master, and get the tube caps repaired and the boat replenished and refuelled, and...."

"Yes, Bruno. If you can do all that in the next five minutes, I 'll be eternally grateful. But just give me those five minutes..."


Now I am striding down the ramp..

Now I am pushing past some astonished navy big wigs..

Now I am holding Heidi in my arms.

And now at last, she is kissing me....

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[bookworm_020]

The Swordfish has a bigger grin now! :up:

Three cheers for the captain!

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Don't let go...."

"I won't, Heidi..."

"Every time, they thought you weren't coming back, I wouldn't believe it."

"I know, Heidi."

"I always believed though..."

....and she clutched me tighter

"...believed you'd come sailing up the estuary...."

"Honestly, Heidi, it's that belief that keeps us alive. Look at Otto there. He'll be off to Frankfurt tonight if I have anything to do with it. His wife is expecting a baby, you know."

"There's Reuben and my coxswain."

They have skirted around the parade and are both struggling with kitbags full of what could possibly be tinned navy food. There's going to be some happy faces in an attic in Hamburg, if they can make the train.

"What about them?"

"Well nothing really. But those people look after me as much as I try to look after them."

"I want to look after you, Herr Kaleun..... Rollie"

The boys on the deck and up on the tower are cheering like mad, and I'm blushing like my first kiss in kindergarten.

"Heidi, you know I always....but never quite......"

"Psssht! I certainly do now."

"....do you have to go out again...? I could find you a shore job with the flotilla, and then we......"

"Heidi, you know I ........"

And then I am whisked away, to Uncle Karl's stern but perhaps not totally dissaproving gaze.....

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout!!! :smug:

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Don't go. Please don't go"

"You know I have to, Heidi. Senior people are looking.

"It's just a debrief, and we're not banged up too much. Our Uncle Karl is going to want to know about the Bismark, and after that we can.."

"...I have to leave for Normandy. Today."

I stood with an open mouth

"Im sorry darling, I just do."

And then she tore herself away from me with her hands to her eyes. Pushing through the press of the crowd and gone.

"Sir?"

"..what?"

"Car for Kerneval, Herr Kaleun. If you please.."

I allowed myself to be ushered into the staff car, but all the time staring into the distance at what I had just let out of my hands.

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Herr Zeitbombe]

In the imortal words of Darth Vader.


"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"
:( :damn:

Though something tells me that the story is not over yet...
Please let there be more...

[Laughing Swordfish]

"...She just seemed to just be turning in a wide circle, and firing with any guns that brought to bear. It didn't make sense, Sir."

"We had a report about a jammed rudder, that they couldn't fix, Lad."

Doenitz leaned back in his chair slightly.

"At least you got some torpedoes off. Our friend Goebbels is going to have to stop claiming we've sunk the Ark Royal so publicly now. Unless.."

He rose suddenly and poured two glasses of vodka.

"Unless I send you to Gibraltar after her..?"

It must have been the burning in my throat that made me splutter.

"What's the matter Leutnant? This is Russia's finest. Our generals are doing very well by the way, but here we are in France, and they send me cases of this low-grade panzer fuel. I have to get rid of it somehow!"

(Well, give it to Max in U-213 or Bernie in U-100, or my own Dieter who'd set fire to something with it ) I think to myself.

But Uncle Karl has already poured another two.

He looked at me as I drank the next glass. Seeming to be thinking about his next words.

"Not Gibraltar for you Leutnant, and you know why?"

(Because it's suicide) "No, Sir"

"Because Germany is trying to do everything at once. We have conquered Western Europe, and here we are on the French Coast.
But our planes have failed to defeat the RAF. So while we can piss into the English Channel, we can't cross it. Now we are in Greece and all those places, and Libya, the Army is getting a sun tan and we have too few boats to cover all their operations, assaults and supply routes. All the time making new enemies. Now we are invading Russia. Huge tracts of ground, and captures, but we only have a fraction of it, not even one fifteenth, before we take Moscow. Soon America will be joining the War with all that entails."

"I see, Sir" (not seeing at all) but raising a new glass.

"So how do you think the Amis will get here, when they come? How will they supply the Ivans?"

"Well, the North Atlantic, Sir"

"Precisely! Which is where we must now fight and win this War! Not in side shows, or other adventures. But against the commerce and military transport that will soon be arriving every day!

I need you Leutnant, and your kameraden in the other boats to fight aggressively and decisively against the enemy with every torpedo and in every way. It has to be my way. Our way. The loss of the Bismark , the Graf Spee and the Blucher has told us that.

The Uboatwaffe will protect Germany! Don't you agree, Leutnant!"

"Yes, Sir!"

"Excellent. But I can't help thinking there might be something else on your mind?"

"Well, Sir I was hoping.."

"A member of my staff, blonde hair perhaps? Only a Woman Corporal, but a most promising one. I've noticed it before and you must understand that I cannot formally condone such a liaison, Leutnant?"

"Yes, Sir" I replied crestfallen.

"If you bunch of pirates only ever did what was condoned back here, we wouldn't get anything done out there"

Doenitz sighed.

"Well she's up at a place near Abbeyville."

"Abbeyville?" I protested. "But that's the Fighter Base"

"So they tell me, it's near there. But you're on dry land now, boy."

He pressed a last tumbler of vodka into my hand .

"You don't always have to duck out of sight every time you see a pilot you know. Now get over there. My duty driver is waiting...."

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Curval]

He is gonna catch her in an uncompromising position with that pilot she was dating before. Fighter pilots are studs.

:-j

[bookworm_020]

Post that fly boy to the Russian Front! :arrgh!:

I think she's has to worry about some american paratrooper trying to drop in on her!

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Mr. deBunsen,

Is your PM box full? I am attempting to reply to your PM. :cool:

[Laughing Swordfish]

Kpt Lehmann, I have eventually received your PM, thanks, but I think my reply might have failed ?

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

I clamber into the soft leather front seat and immediately the car is pulling away.

"Here we go, Sir!" and off we roared.

The driver turned to face me.

I'd seen some sights on the last mission but this was a shock so close.

His face was neatly divided in half by two scars, not those cosmetic, neat duelling scars that the Prussian officers give each other, but two deep almost parallel diagonal wounds running from his right eyebrow across a broken nose to the left corner of his lip.

He noticed my look

"..oh that , Sir, a bit of bayonet fighting around Eben Emael, when I was with the 4th. That big Frenchie and me both ran out of ammunition in the tunnel. He went for the face...and I went for the chest."

"Range of 2 centimetres, Sir, not kilometres"

"The rest of the lads will be tearing up Russia by now, while I'm here on coastal duties.

I had nothing to say as this gefreiter expertly shook out two English 'Victory' cigarettes from his pack, lit them both and passed one to me.

I was warned once never to mix it with the infantry, back at Kiel.

Besides I liked his style.

"What's your name, Driver?"

"I'm Paul, Sir."

No rank, no surname, this guy could almost be a u-boat man.

Well I'm..

"Rollie, Sir. Everyone calls you that at base. You're the U-46 just in, the girls all listen out for you all. And I hear everything.."

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Laughing Swordfish]

I suppose you boys have quite a tale to tell...

The Driver looked at me sourly.
He steered expertly around a corner and turned across to me.

"We did ok, Sir"

In three weeks they had sent the enemy running

Paul had clearly got to grips with the Frenchiies and his facial scars spoke of some sort of military argument. He caught my look again.

"It wasn't all fun and games, sir.


LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

I suppose you boys have quite a tale to tell...

The Driver looked at me sourly.
He steered expertly around a corner and turned across to me.

"We did ok, Sir"

In three weeks they had sent the enemy running

Paul had clearly got to grips with the Frenchiies and his facial scars spoke of some sort of military argument. He caught my look again.

"It wasn't all fun and games, sir.


LS

[bookworm_020]

Has the captain gone on extented leave???

As long as he doesn't go AWOL for too long the brass and fanclub won't mind

[Laughing Swordfish]

Paul flipped his cigarette butt out of the window, having lit another one from the glowing ember.

Unheard of behaviour for a private soldier driving a staff car.

The next thing he'll be offering me a damned drink!

..."Care for a toot of proper German schnapps, Sir?"

The insolent landser was offering me a hipflask with one hand as he took a sharp bend at speed with the other.

Despite myself I smiled, but there were limits, and besides I was suddenly very tired.

"Not just now, I'm going to catch a quick nap. Old Uncle Karl certainly knows how to put away the vodka" I mumbled.

"Hah!" Paul turned at me and gave me a broad grin. It was terrifying. With those scars it looked like his face was splitting open like a baked potato.

"Water, Sir"

"What..?"

"The Admiral was drinking water from a different old vodka bottle. He's done that to the last three skippers who've come in, so the girls tell me. At least you made it to the car on your own Sir!"

I gaped dumbfounded, and then joined in his laughter.

"Get some sleep, Sir, I'll wake you up when we're nearly there..."

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[SciFi25]

Wow!! Thats all I can say!! Amazing!! Its taken me since yesterday to read them all!! This story has made me (finally) install SH3 on my new computer and play it with a nice new graphics card!! lol!!

Keep up the good work!!! :rock: :rock:

[Laughing Swordfish]

"We're nearly here, Sir.."

"..What...?"

Paul, my driver was shaking me roughly with his right arm.

"I said that we're nearly here , Sir"

"How long have I been sleeping... I must.."

"Better take a pull of this, Sir, and out came Paul's flask, and this time it's fiery spirit charged down my throat. And then the rasping gasp of the V cigarettes.

"Almost as bad as the french horse sweepings, they call cigarettes.

My driver elaborated on his theme of inter-army tobacco rivalry.

"Of course when the Amis come, the market will drop right out of this stuff, and that dreadful Yak dung the boys are smoking in the Ukraine."

"They've got proper smokes with filters, that real cowboys have , and they get issued them everyday, and every soldier has a pack in every pocket. Just think of that rate of exchange, Sir, four packets of decent American cigarettes for one Mauser bullet; how can we lose with those market forces!"

"Well smoking is supposed to be bad for us, so I heard."

"Why, Sir..?"

I tilt the flask once more.

"Anyway the signs say Abbeyville, but I can't see any fighter airfield, and to be honest I think we should..."

"We're here, Sir"

A low red brick building in some small grounds. No planes. no guns.
The odd chirping of a bird, but no planes or mechanics, just some odd figures mooching around in the distance.

"Off you go, I'll be waiting here, Sir.

I stumbled out of the Mercedes, and walked bewildered across the lawn.

And almost bumped into the wheelchair.

The poor guy in it had been burned.

His hands and most of his face including his eyes were wrapped in bandages. He sat rigidly in his wheelchair; his dressing gown an unimportant adornment. On a hook at the back of the chair was the man's worth. A Luftwaffe pilot's tunic to prove it.

And suddenly I knew.

"Gustav?"

His head jerked up at this approach.

For the first time I looked up from the chair to the tear-stained girl pushing it.

"Hello Heidi"

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Ah, this must be my friend from the U-bootwaffe. It looks like you were right after all kamerad. Sea water is good for you. Especially when you are on fire over the Channel."

I looked helplessly at Heidi.

She looked helplessly at me, and then blurted some excuse about needing to go and fetch a nurse for Gustav's dressings.

I squatted down by his chair.

"Gustav? How was it?

He smiled. It was pretty much the only facial expression to be seen.

And then he spoke softly. The arrogance and bitterness fading away with every word. The constant raids over Britain had seen to that.

"We took quite a few, you know. Do you have anything painted on your boat,?

"Yes; a Swordfish. It was painted so that it was laughing. The crew like it and if they think it brings them luck, then it will"

"Falcons"

"I'm sorry Gustav..?"

"My wing all had screaming falcons with talons outstretched on their fronts. It's funny, I suppose. Our falcons weren't laughing, and they certainly aren't now. I'm the only one left."

"Three Hurricanes and two Spitfires, I shot down. My lads did equally as well, but one by one, over the days..."

"...how many men have you lost on your boat?"

"Only one actually, Ernst, and...dare I say it, he was killed by an enemy aircraft."

"Well I have lost everyone I started with, and more" Gustav replied

"We've had our losses, too, and ours tend to be final for everyone aboard!"

Gustav thought for a moment.

"You know, one of our 109's ditched in the sea on the second day. A young lad, and only his third flight ever. We saw him go in, and we saw him stuggle to release the cockpit cover, but we were flying overhead and we couldn't help him. He drowned alone.

"Look at me now... I'm burnt a little, but I swooped and soared in the skies, I shot down six of them, but if one of them had got me instead (instead of that damn rookie when I was out of ammunition), it would have been over quick in a big ball of flame.

"But I could never go underwater in the boats. And die like that, with all those depth charges going off.. I could never go like young Tischmann did"

"Well we're still here, Gustav, but sometimes the Allies do make us spill our coffee from time to time

The part of his face that I could see, smiled.


Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Kpt. Lehmann]

This story just gets better and better! :up: :up: :up:

Mr. DeBunsen, I am attempting to send you another PM with some information you requested of me. I am guessing your PM box may be problematic again.

[Laughing Swordfish]

"I think I was abrupt with you before..."

"Think nothing of it, Gustav"

"I was so confident, and now look at me. The last one left. Give me your hand, Herr Kaleun"

"As a pilot I had many girls, but Heidi was a challenge to me. She never gave in to me. Even when you were at sea, she could talk of nothing else but you and your men on the U-46."

"They say I'll see again, but never fly again

"My mind has changed since AdlerTag, and I don't need my eyes to see that it's you that she really loves"

"If we know one thing, kamerad, it is that life is short, and must be grasped and squeezed tight. Take her, go to her, but don't make any long promises"

And then Heidi came back with a nurse over the lawn...

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Laughing Swordfish]

And I went to her, walking faster with every stride.

And she came into my arms.

"I couldn't leave him on his own, Rollie, he has lost so much and been in such pain."

And then she said the words that I had only dreamed about like in Viktors cheap radio room paperback thrillers.

"But it's you that I want, Rollie. You, that I have always wanted. You. Just you"

And then we were holding each other tight, and we were kissing.

And it shouldn't have been me who was crying.

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Laughing Swordfish]

I carried Heidi back to the car where Paul was lounging against the bonnet.

"About time, Sir. We'll still get back to the Chat Noir if we hurry. And believe me, Sir, me and the lads are used to high speeds over France."

"Well drive, Paul. Drive! Me and the Corporal will be taking the back seat.

"Drive as fast as you drove up here, Paul.."

"Yes , Sir"

"But don't look back in the rear view mirror"

"No Sir...!"

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Laughing Swordfish]

Back in the Chat Noir.

The usual raucous scene where I would normally stride in as U-Boat Kapitan, this time I am shy.

"Why did you want to come here of all places, Heidi"

"Because this is where you belong... Darling, now let's just go in.

A huge cheer went up as Heidi and I entered the room, all the crews were there,

Bernie and some very dazed U-100 crew.

Young Stef from U-177 who'd fought off the jabos on the right flank as we came out of the Bay while we dived. that last time, now in great favour, and had taken a decent ship, and being feted and quite nonplussed by it all, the young lad.

Max at the bar looking more like his lucky pig every day. His boat always comes back with pennants and damage, a bit like ours

"So you made it back again you old rascal, any more of those schnitzels and you won't fit up and down the hatch"

"Now, where's Freddy.....

"Never mind that Rollie, your band is playing..!

Burly torpedo men from U-217 suddenly grabbed me and lifted me onto a small dancing stage.

Artificers from U616 stripped my Cap from my head and forced it onto my left hand

Max is about to hoist Heidi bodily up there too, and before I can protest, a body of men appear, and fend him off.

They are my own men from U-46, Oscar, Christian, Otto, Kurt, Viktor even, and Hans, plus a medley of the fore-ends ratings. They escort Heidi up on to this plinth as solemnly as if they were on ceremonial parade (which none of them have ever been)

With the consequence that there are too many drunken sailors, trying to look after Heidi each trying to be more correct than the other, and they start barging each other.

It works easiest if Heidi and me are standing below the stage and alll the other assorted u-boat men stand on top.

I start

"I don't know where you lads got this idea....

"We knew ages ago, Sir!

"We all did!""

and I am enveloped with laughter from the entire 7th Flotilla ashore.

I turned to Heidi

"It's true what they say, I have always loved you, Heidi, but didn't know how to say it"

She clutched me tighter and in front of the whole Chat Noir, gave me a long kiss, to a huge applause from the men.

I have to say, lying on my bunk or on those bridge watches, I hadn't quite fantasised it like this, but then I never held out any hope at all.

There was much beer and champagne drank and spilled. Heidi was only a corporal, but she was VIP to all the other Kapitans there, and their crews.

I was fetching a bottle or two for my own lads in U-46, in celebration, when a brown manilla envelope with a Kriegsmarine Adler embossed on it, is rushed into the middle of the party by dispatch rider, that I must sign for.

Heidi tears herself away to be with me in a relatively quiet corner of the Club.

"What is it my love"

"Well I expect you've seen one of these envelopes before, Heidi?

Lt de Bunsen, U-46

[Gizzmoe]

Thread unstickied. Will open a new general Uboot story sticky soon.

[bookworm_020]

If this story is lost in the maze of posts, there will be great weeping and nashing of teeth:damn:

[Sailor Steve]

If this story is lost in the maze of posts, there will be great weeping and nashing of teeth:damn:
It's already included in the new sticky thread at the top of the page for all u-boat stories.

[The Renegade]

I know that countless people have already said this before, but I just wanted to say that this is a fantastic story. Seriously, I just joined this forum today and I have read it for the past....oh, 3 hours probably. Now I must wait for the next installment just like everyone else.........

But damn it is a good story, and to think it started as "fan fiction!" Well, I can certainly say that it has clearly surpassed that title. And just the quality and suspense of the writing....well, I'll put it this way. It gives a totally new aspect to SH3. It adds that much more to the immersion experience. The game honestly felt different to play after reading this wonderful tale. Makes me want to start a story of my own, but I don't know how good it would be. I'm not too good at SH3 yet, so it surely wouldn't be as heroic.

Laughing Swordfish, I want to commend you for writing some great literature about a great game. You should seriously consider being a part-time writer.

And now, alas, I must wait. Time to hone my skills in my little "einbaum."

[Badger Finn]

Hello all...great read...and well what everyone else said...

[bookworm_020]

Has the laughing swordfish been caught?? I haven't heard a radio transmission for quiet some time.

She may have to be MIA

[Kpt. Lehmann]

LS... Where are you??? :o

[WolfPackofOne]

I have been reading this thread now since the day before yesterday. In working hours I might add :know: I had to dodge the boss quite a few times but i could not stop reading it. Now I have to wait like everybody else.

I've only been playing SHIII for little over a week now. I’ve never heard of SH before and bought the game on an impulse because it was rather cheap and I quite enjoyed playing an ancient CGI sub sim, Gato:ping: I think it was called.

Now I’m completely addicted to the story and the game. The writing is excellent and it adds a completely new dimension to the game. I hope I don’t have to wait too long for updates.

[Immelman]

Its been almost a month I think the legend it gone and Heidi will cry her self to sleep until she is old and gray assuming she survives the bombings :dead:

[Hybris]

First great story. Second you don't sink the swordfish the swordfish sinks you I'll make sure I bookmark this page. I'll be looking for the next update:ping:.

[Laughing Swordfish]

Hello everyone, Laughing Swordfish here.

Just to say that U-46, Rollie and Heidi are alive and well.

I'm sorry for the long gap, it's just that since the forum format was changed, I haven't been able to log in. But I now have a password that seems to work - because here I am back again!

A couple of chapters got lost in the process, but never mind.

More to follow. Regards from LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

I folded the message

"We're going straight back out, Never a break hein!"

Heidi looked at me ernestly

"I knew that the 46 was to be turned around quickly, I just thought...."

"What?"

"...I just thought that maybe you wouldn't have to go this time? That there are some shore-based jobs I know about, and you've already done your bit, and then we can..."

"No Heidi. Look at those guys."

I pointed to various members of the U-46 crew all drunk as monkeys, and Dieter had dropped his trousers again. Jorgen was having his face slapped by the barmaid

"Well I admit they're not much to look at, but they're brave boys and good at what they do. I have to be there with them, please don't ask me to give them and my boat up"

"But..."

"No 'Buts' please Heidi. You know I have to go"

"But..."

"Shush, Heidi, they can't kill us, we're the lucky swordfish and now that I have you to come back to, I'll be twice as sure to bring everyone back in one piece.

I snap my fingers and eventually the crew stagger around me.

"Party's over lads. It's time to stick it to England again.

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

There is a cool breeze as we purr out of the pens and down the St Navaire river.

Seagulls dip and soar, cawing in our wake.

A butterfly lands on the lip of the conning tower, thinks better of it and takes off again.

Today I am noticing these things

Bruno has the bridge, and he is always smiling.

"What's up Number Two?"

"You're in love, Sir. It's a rare and beautiful sight!"

"You cheeky monkey!" I make a half-hearted attempt to cuff him, but the rest of his watch are also grinning.

He's never talked about it, but any good Kapitan knows these things. His own love is a girl called Abbie who was crippled in a climbing accident at the outbreak of the war, he sends her most of his pay towards her medical bills. I don't let him go to see her nearly as often as I should. Next time I will. And there will always be a next time. That's what we tell the juniors, at any rate

Heidi was definitely there, waving frantically on the dockside, Heidi who never sees boats go out, in case they never come back.

We'll be coming back, I promise

But before then we have a job to do

"Call up the flakkie and the ready-use 20mm shells, Bruno, we're almost out into the Bay, you know it can get quite lively here.

If in doubt, crash the boat and get everyone in, rather than slug it out on your own. If you need extra eyes, pinch someone from Christian's watch. Konrad or George would be a good bet"

(Those two are the most sober - it was a hasty deployment)

I sniffed the air

"I can smell the sea again, Bruno"

"I smell English ships, Kap!"

U-46 has put to sea again

LS

[bookworm_020]

Nice to hear from LS again. I hope comunication will be maintained and never be lost again!

Good Luck and good hunting:rock:

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Great to have you back!!! :up: :up: :up:

[Mooncatt]

im fairly new here and just discovered this thread, im at a loss for words as to how good this story is i havent been able to stop reading it even while at work (which ive got in trouble for once or twice lol) keep it up

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Bruno, I've been meaning...."

"Flugzeug hoch und links! Jabo!

All eyes train the skies, another dot growing bigger. Already too big.

We should dive rather than give battle to aircraft. Too late, he came out of the sun.

"Stay up and fight him, Bruno, send Wolfram and Karl below now, put George on ammunition handling."

"The whole boat on action stations"

'Already done, Sir

"Look, he's circling. He's caught us out and had his chance. Now he's hoping we'll panic too, and give him a nice clear shallow wake to bomb, like U-513"

"Loaded and ready, Sir! Tracking!" cries Jurgen.

"Good work in the WinterGarten, boys. It could get hot, and then keep steady and send those shells right up into his face, don't spare the Reich's money on my account. I'll try to send the boat on an even keel, to give you a good shot, but we might be dancing around on the helm as well!"

"Tell the Doc to stand by, and beef up Kurt's damage control team"

'So you think he'll come, Sir?'

"I hope so, Bruno."

'But why, Sir?'

Because if he doesn't attack, he's constantly reporting our position and course to the Royal Navy. and we'll have a destroyer on our tail before we know it. And another fresh plane taking over. It seems like the worst thing, but it could be better if......

BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG

Jurgen and George's 20mm tracer arced up to meet the plane that was clearly now beginning it's attack run. Not a chance of hitting it at that range, but at least the die is cast.

An ernest voice from Otto through the voice pipe

"Are you coming down, Sir? Permission to dive the boat ?

"No Chief, just give me everything hard to port on the diesels.

"Lads, the bastard is coming around again. I'm turning the boat as quick as I can, as soon as you get a bead give him all you've got!

Sure enough that plane had circled in front and wanted to take us head-on, so as to avoid the flak, and was now getting bigger again. But U-46 had turned to show her teeth, and give our gun a chance.

Johann and George desperately swivelling the Gun round.

The roar of the plane getting louder.

It's tracer stitching red across the ocean. It's bomb bays open

"Duck down, Bruno!"

Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump, Bang, Bang, Thump, Thump

We peered over the lip of the bridge, now riddled or scarred with tracer bullets, to watch this plane pull hard out of it's bombing dive, desperately trying to gain height, but with black smoke pluming out of one of it's engine cowlings. Showing it's belly in a laboured ascent as Jurgen kept pumping his flak into her. Even after the luger competition, I couldn't have missed that target.

The plane struggled away before exploding quite spectacularly.

"Second Watch back on deck to clear the AA Gun for submerging. Be quick about it, I don't want to be up here too long and neither do you.
First Watch stand by to take the bridge, but we'll be down a few hours till nightfall, Christian, all other hands stand down from action stations. All to diving stations Well done Second Watch and Jurgen and George particularly.
If you were wondering what all that noise upstairs was about boys, we've just splashed a Liberator! We're not going to make a habit of that sort of match, but this time our Swordfish won!"

I come down and toss my cap happily across the chart table. and my Navigator always puts it to one side and turns.

"I know what you're going to ask, Kap. You ask it all the time.

"Where the hell are we, Willi?"

"There we are. Right here. Ten times a day, every patrol"

Laughing Swordfish
RdB

[Mooncatt]

fantastic more more:rock:

[johan_d]

Couldnt read all due time.. but its amazing how good your writing and imagination is to create a story here.
Please continue where you can, and fiddle some events picked up by radio in, like D Day and such.

Copy and pasting it now into one document to read while on vacation!

johan

[elite_hunter_sh3]

gonna bump this amazing story go LS w0000t

[Laughing Swordfish]

"You're crazy, you know that Willi?"

"Come on Boss, let me go up. I have to know"

"There were a lot of bullets, Willi..."

"So I have to see for myself Herr Kaleun."

I looked at him

"It's important Herr Kaleun."

I sighed.

"I suppose I'd better see for myself. Let's go."

I shouted up the ladder

"Kapitan on the Bridge!"

"Jawohl Kaleun!" Is Christian's answering cry.

"How are things Christian?"

"Good, Sir but too quiet"

"Well find us something before dawn will you, then come down for breakfast.

"In the meantime, me and Willi are going to take a stroll around the deck, so don't dive without us."

"It's the paint work again isn't it Sir?"

"It means a lot to him, Number One"

"Kapitan and Navigation Officer on Deck!"

I joined Willi on the decking.

"Ready Willi?"

We walk around to the starboard side of the conning tower. The green laughing swordfish is still there. There are a couple of bullet scars around her. But she is untouched.

The port side is completely unscathed. Willi reaches out his hand and touches the emblem. A smile spreading over his face. I follow suit.

"You see, Willi? They can't ever sink us; we're a lucky boat.

He nods, and smiles, never taking his eyes of the swordfish talisman.

"Willi....."

"Yes Sir?"

"You know it's not really the Swordfish that makes our luck."

"Yes it is, Sir"

No it isn't Willi! It's you and Otto and Reuben and Christian, Bruno and Oscar the cox and the cook and all those other reprobates I have below.

Every single one of them - you definitely included - help to keep us alive, do our job, and get us home.

I clapped Willi on the shoulder.

"I believe in the lucky swordfish too. They'll never harm us while I'm on board, and while the fish is still smiling"

Willi laughed

But my real trust is in you guys. I couldn't do it without you.

I slapped the Laughing Swordfish emblem.

"If they put a bullet hole in her or chip the paintwork, Willi, we'll just re-do it and sink more ships."

"They can't touch our Swordfish, Sir"

"Ok Willi. We won't let them. Let's go in and see if Kuki has anything on the stove?"

LS
RdB

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Close bow caps. Good shot, Christian"

"Only about 2 or 3 thousand tons, Sir"

"Still asking to be sunk mensch!"

I let my Number One conduct the whole attack. It was straight out of the book, with a near perfect right angle torpedo solution.

"What do we know about her?"

"Checking now, Sir"

He eased U-46 in amongst the flotsam.

He hailed down for water, biscuits, and cigarettes, a small bottle of rum appeared from somewhere.

"Sir, will you take the Bridge for a moment?"

"Carry on, Number One"

Christian and two of his watch dropped down onto the decking. I steered the boat on lowest speed towards the survivors, and their boat.

"Cut engines!"

Even from here I could see they were shocked, and scared of us.

First Watch pulled them alongside.

Christian went to put them at their ease. God knows there's not much we can do for them having sunk their ship, But we can at least offer them some sustenance, and they are on a major shipping lane so they have a fair chance of being picked up.

Then it happened.

A man with a beard

Also a Master's cap. It happened so quickly.

He pulled a pistol and shot Christian.

"Jesus! Boys! Drag him under cover! Get Oscar up here right now, Christian's been shot! Fetch my Luger!

Peter and Heinrich, both unarmed, are hauling Christians body away. The other two members of his watch, Dieter and Kals have raced to the AA gun and are trying to bring it to bear, but fortunately the boat is at an angle that won't allow it. Otherwise they would have killed everyone in that life boat.

At the same time Oscar is racing up the ladder with his bag.

The Brits in the boat are in pandemonium, they realise that their captain's actions might have put them in jeopardy somewhat. Some are cowering, some are pleading, and some are trying to restrain their captain.

Get me that bloody luger!"

Finally Braun passes it up to me and I cock it with a satisfying snick.

First things first. I duck down from the other side of the bridge to see Oscar and Christian.

"How is he Doc? Any chance?"

"Clean through the chest. No vital organs hit, Rollie. But we have to get him home, or he'll die for sure."

He glanced at the Luger in my hand

"What the hell's going on, Kap?"

"Never you mind Oscar, just get Christian below, and do what it takes to keep him alive.

He nodded, and called for a couple of seamen to help him.

I strode around the bridge to where the Brits were alongside.

I've never been so angry. Maybe that was why the luger was shaking so much.....

RdB

[bookworm_020]

Watch out LS, You mightt end up at Nuremberg if you suvive the war, so don't do anything rash. :nope:

Don't shoot him, Sink the lifeboat by using a torpedo! It is a hostile ship after all...:arrgh!:

[Laughing Swordfish]

I am shaking with rage.

Bruno, Reuben and Willi are up on the bridge. as I point the luger at the lifeboat.

"Who was it? Who fired that shot? Come on! I'll kill you all!"

I spot the bearded captain now looking more subdued.

"It was you! Get up here!"

He is hauled on deck

"Give me that revolver!"

"Mmm, a Webley. Nice weapon"

Then I tossed it into the water.

"You've just shot one of my lads, who was trying to help you. Why shouldn't I do the same to you?"

"We were told that U-boats regularly massacre any survivors, and......"

"Bollocks! Who is the only person who has fired a gun. Yes, you that's who. I have a young officer fighting for his life because of you. You see that pile of provisions there. They were for you and your shipmates, my boy was trying to give them to you when you shot him."

"By all rights I should see to you right now. Or take you back to Germany, and you woudn't fancy that much."

"I'm sorry"

"If Christian dies, I will never look after any survivors ever again. And that will be down to you."

I sighed.

The high tide of my rage was now on the ebb. I suppose we've just killed over half of his shipmates. I tucked the luger away.

"I see you have some youngsters in the lifeboat, I've got a few of my own. You'd better get back in and look after them. There are the provisions that we were trying to give you"

They were handed down to sheepish gratitude.

"Head East North East, keep the morning sun on your starboard quarter, and one last piece of advice.."

"Yes...?"

"Stay out of the Atlantic"

LS
RdB

[svenks]

I know, I know - I'm just repeating what others have been saying for a long time, again and again....

BUT THIS IS SO GREAT!!!:up:

Thanks, LS

Sven

[Laughing Swordfish]

Oscar's hands are covered in blood up to his elbows.

He absent mindedly wipes his brow leaving a crimson streak across his forehead.

It has been 2 hours now and pretty much touch and go.

"How is he, Doc?"

"Stable, Rollie. I've patched him up but a u-boat is no place for someone in his condition. It's bad enough for someone in one piece. Quite apart from the dangers, there's the risk of secondary infection in a place like this.. It's all so bloody inadequate.

We have to get him back. I know you have your patrol orders, but Christian will almost certainly die if we don't get him back to a proper hospital.

"I can't go back with 13 torpedoes unused and a completely servicable boat, Oscar"

"You can't go back with a dead Kamerad either"

"No. No, of course I can't. Thank you Oscar. "

I clapped him on the shoulder

"Take good care of him. I will too"

I spent the next hour in Viktor's radio cabin, trying to raise any boat or ship that might be in the vicinity and heading back to France. Nothing.

I can't play with Christian's life anymore. Uncle Karl may not like it, but I'd rather face him than Christian's mother

Oscar is right, we can't wait.

"Willi!"

"Yes Sir?"

"Ruckmarsch. We're cutting this one short, plot us back to St Nazaire. Full speed."

"Bruno, you are acting Number One; keep your watch with you; Reuben you'll take over as Number 2 so get yourself in amongst Christian's motley crew. Otto if you need to change your schedules, now that I have taken Reuben, then do so.

"We're going to bring Christian home safe and sound, and that's a promise I make to all of you!"

There was a loud cheer through the boat

"One ship and one plane isn't so bad, in the time we had, who knows we may even have the chance to wet our beaks before being turned around again!"

Another loud cheer.

U-46 swings round and increases speed.

I put the luger back into my locker. As far back as it will go.

War is crazy by nature. But does it have to be that crazy?

LS
RdB

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Don't you ever think!"

Heidi rushes into my arms, as Christian is stretchered down the gangplank and Oscar hands him over to the doctors who are waiting.

"What...?" I replied, startled.

"All we heard at BdU was 'Officer shot, returning to base. U-46'"

"Well it wasn't me, it was Christian, and I think he's going to be..."

"I know that now, you idiot! Just hug me...."

LS
RdB

[america person]

Oi!, well ive kinda been gone for a while...but this is still grand, last i heard there was talk of it being complied on the web for easier reading? is that still the case?

and what i miss?(im installing shIII on my pc, heres hoping it will work)

Oi
Trav

[cobalt]

"Head East North East, keep the morning sun on your starboard quarter, and one last piece of advice.."

"Yes...?"

"Stay out of the Atlantic"



hahaha

[Laughing Swordfish]

Hello everyone.

Thanks very much. It's very vain of me, but I am always encouraged by your kind comments.

I'm in the process of putting the story onto the website, so it is all in one place at:

laughingswordfish.net

So there will be a tidied up version of the whole story there to date, as soon as I can. And Neal can take what he needs for the book.

Best wishes, LS

[galahad]

Bravo

[TarJak]

Now there's a small modding challenge. How about a pennants to fly when coming into harbour after a successful patrol?

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Him, Sir?

"Yes, Wolfgang Friedel will be your new replacement"

"You know we don't go in for politics on boats; Herr Admiral, and can I just say....

"You will take him on your next patrol. That is an order.

"I shouldn't say this, Sir, but we don't go in for the hardcore national socialist stuff, on the 46. We're just here to sink the enemy. The sea is a great equaliser .

I need a new senior watch officer, not some Nazi lecturer", Sir!

"You'll do as you're told and quickly, boy, or I'll give him your boat

"You can't do that. Sir"

"Yes I can, Junge; when you join the party you can never leave,"

LS

[RedHammer]

This has to be the best report thread of all! (including Over Flanders Fields mod for cfs, cfs3, cfs2. il2 sturmovik.. ALL OF IT!!)
ive just spent 2 days reading each and every report and reply on the greatest Sub Novelle I`ve ever read in my entire life!!
They should be making an edition of SHIII of which ur novelle is included in the Manual!

Btw what year and date are you on now?

Just a suggestion: In each of ur reports, write date and year in the beginning.


Ive played this sub-sim for 1 week, as in, this is the time I`m engaged to the game even though it`s been out for a year. Haven`t even updated it cuz a friend bought my SH3 because I had bad economics a while, have been playin cracked 1.0 this far. But this AMAZING Novelle just encouraged me to order SH3, which better be here MOMENTARILY so I can get online and organize some Wolf Packs! In which VIIB/C/41 and IXD series is gonna be the only subs used!

If all sites that sells SH3 linked to your novelle, They would be sold out PRONTO!!

Keep it up! And god`s grace and mercy upon that DD that sinks U-46!! That DD will be a flaming hell within seconds, hit by 100 torps from my Wolf Pack!


Salute!

RedHammer

[Laughing Swordfish]

Thanks Redhammer, Tarjak, galahad, cobalt, americaperson, svenks and everyone else.

If I do make the game more alive or give it more colour, then your kind messages do the same for me. Thank you.

I think I'm in 1941 by the way, but as has already been pointed out the story is muddled historically, because I've managed to cram in the Battle of Britain, the sinking of the Bismark, and the invasion of Russia all into one year!

Anyway U-46 is about to go back out again

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

Over dinner with Heidi, she explained that this fellow is a favourite of a big Nazi party bigwig, what the landsers call a 'Golden Pheasant' in other words someone with plenty shining on his chest, but no mud on his knees.

And now his boy is taking Christian's place.

She asked me again

"Now more than ever, Heidi, I have to look after the boat, I can't quit now"

"I promise I'll always come back"

"But you can't keep that promise!"

"Yes Heidi, with everything I have, yes I will keep it, the boat, me and the boys"

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

"....And in any case, I never joined the Nazi Party"

"So leave for a job back here"

Heidi cuddled up closer in the hotel bed.

"I think of you all the time on patrol...."

"I do too..."

"...and there have been times when I, and many of my comrades would have dearly wished for you, back at BdU, to wave a magic wand and wisk us all away to a safe desk job on dry land instead of being down to 100 metres and trying to outguess and secondguess two destroyers with the depth charges dropping down.

"That is the only magic wand I can wave. To wriggle out of those situations, and save the lives of 50 other crewmates. I've done it so far, and I'll do it again. I know it's risky, but it's what we have to do, and I need to be there.

I'm pulling on my trousers

"Come on Heidi, throw something on, let's have breakfast, I need to inspect my crew in the next hour. We're sailing as soon as it get's dark. Sooner for my liking.

"Croissants for me!"

"Can I have real eggs and real bacon for once?"

"And masses of good french coffee!"

Heidi shone me her smile. She doesn't know she's doing it, but it wins my heart from the first time I set eyes on her way back in u-bootschule.


LS

[U-104]

:rock::rock:

[galahad]

:up:

[Rilder]

Awesome story, keep on writing... or Il give your uboats location to ever single RAF pilot :cool:

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Why, Sir?"

"Why what?"

"Why am I not First Officer, I outrank him".

Friedel pointed at Bruno.

"Do you also outrank me, Wolfgang?"

"No Sir"

"So what I say, goes. Bruno is my acting Number One because he knows the boat and he knows the men, he knows the enemy and he knows the sea. He's been with me from the start.
You've got your chance on a front boat, and I dare say you can press the button when it comes to the kill. But you're here for sea and battle experience. You haven't got it yet, Bruno has. I expect you to learn from him and me, Otto and Willi; I expect you to learn and love U-46 from top to bottom as we do, Stay close to your watch, they are good men, listen to them and talk to them

"I want my Christian back, to be honest, but a couple of patrols out with us will stand you in good stead for getting your first command.

"Alles klar?"

"Klar, Herr Kapitan!" he clicked to attention and threw me a salute

"If you do anything like that on this Boat, Wolfgang, you will be featuring in Man-Overboard drills for a week.

"There isn't enough room on the boat as it is without all that Sieg Heil stuff all the time"

LS

[bookworm_020]

Use him for torpedo firing drills. I think he would fit quite well into tube No. 1.

I can see it now....

"Captain, we've been hit by an enemy Officer!"

"We shall repy in kind!, Load Bernard in Tube 1 and Match bearings and Shoot!":arrgh!:

[america person]

rad, this is really super stuff

and yeah SH# still doesn't work for me...

Keep up the good writing

Oi
Trav

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Oh yes, things are getting interesting all over again! :cool:

[eLNuko]

MORE MORE MORE !!!

Give us MORE !!!

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Kapitan on the bridge!"

Otto looks at me , but we haven't heard any alarm, we're just out into the Bay, but Bruno would have had hit it if there was a problem. It was a junior rating who called down

"Standby, Otto, I'm going up. If you have to drop the boat, we'll get back in as quick as we can. I have no idea what this is about.

As I clamber onto the bridge, I find first watch ratings trying to part two officers who are literally at each other's throats. Bruno who knows his stuff and was supposed to be Officer on Watch, and Friedel who is a Party Member and has got used to expect everything to go his way.

"Stillgestanden!"

I am submerging the boat. Dismiss the hands below, they don't need to see what's going on here.

"Otto!" I bellowed through the pipe.

"Down! Not a crash, but take us to periscope depth, I'd say 12 metres. and switch to electric motors. Just a minor staff problem, Otto, no more planes for a while which would also be good!"

"Right the pair of you get down that ladder and wait for me in the wardroom. Be under no illusion gentlemen, this will be an interview without coffee. Get Willi amd his 3rd Watch up, I never have any problems with them, and they have other jobs to do."

You have put the U-46 in jeopardy in the most dangerous part of the ocean. There's nearly 50 men down there counting on you to be their ears and eyes.

You will report to me in the Wardroom.

LS

[bookworm_020]

Time for a keelhaulen, I think:arrgh!:

Then I'm going to eat a whole bushell of apples...:yep:

[Jager Kapitan]

This story is amazing........ Spent hours reading it, you must continue it! :yep::up:

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Alright Mr. DeBunsen... if one day you DO NOT make this into a novel... I will swim all the way to England and ply you with coffee, tea, beer, and/or whiskey... until you do. :p :p :p

... and the thought that one day your pen may dry up... is quite depressing.

At some point... even if it is in the distant future... I expect an autographed copy... even if it costs me a hundred bucks.

Alles Klar?;)

[bookworm_020]

A copy for me also... IT will sit pride of place with all my other sub books:up:

[Marriott]

I agree with the last two posts:D

[Laughing Swordfish]

The cox pokes his head through the curtain of my cabin his eyes a mixture of bewilderment, curiosity and excitement.

"Beg to report Sir, Chief Engineer has us levelled off at 12 metres, no periscope."

"Very good Cox

He coughed, politely

"Two officers waiting to see you, Herr Kaleun..."

"Thank you, Cox, clear the Control Room of all unnecessary crew, and telll Hans and Viktor," I gestured across the passageway to the sonar and radio cabins,

"To put their headphones on properly and turn the gain up on their radios or scanners, and attend to their duties, not to mine"

"Yes Sir!"

He is off like a shot and I can hear him bellowing even from here, even to superior officers. I like him; as Otto says (and he would say) "He's like the oil in the engine" In other words he gets around the Boat and the crew and get's things done.

Back again.

"Sir?"

"You will go out and tell those two officers to remove their caps of rank from their heads, and escort them to the wardroom where I will join them. Oh, and Cox,

"Yes, Sir"

"Tongues are already wagging aren't they?"

"Well, yes, Sir"

"You are going to nip it in the bud aren't you, Cox?"

"Jawohl Herr Kapitan!"

"And you're also going to eavesdrop and listen outside the wardroom yourself, aren't you?"

"The thought hadn't crossed my mind, Sir"

"Come on Cox, it was a small incident when two officers had a difference of opinion, and there was some messing about on the bridge as we've all done in the past, particularly you!

Cox smiled

"They will be seen to, but I don't want any adverse speculation on our boat. Yours and mine."

At the 'yours' Cox's eyes lit up.

"I don't want any damage to our boat, or to the morale of the crew, so keep them busy, and I'll deal with those....

"Idiots, Sir?"

"Between you and me, yes Cox"

"Now leave me with everything and check every department on the Swordfish, and talk to everyone there, get Kuki to get something going for everyone, whatever, ok?

"Yes, Sir"

"Send them both in"

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

The cox pokes his head through the curtain of my cabin his eyes a curious mixture of bewilderment, curuiosity and excitement.

"Beg to report Sir, Chief Engineer has us levelled off at 12 metres, no scope."

"Very good Cox

He coughed

"Two officers waiting to see you, Herr Kaleun..."

"Thank you, Cox, clear the Control Room of all unnecessary crew, and telll Hans and Viktor," I gestured across the passageway to the sonar and radio cabins,

"To put their headphones on properly and turn the gain up on their radios or scanners, and attend to their duties, not to mine"

"Yes Sir!"

He is off like a shot and I can hear him bellowing even from here, even to superior officers. I like him; as Otto says (and he would say) "He's like the oil in the engine" In other words he gets around the Boat and the crew and get's things done.

Back again.

"Sir?"

"You will go out and tell those two officers to remove their caps of rank from their heads, and escort them to the wardroom where I will join them. Oh, and Cox,

"Yes, Sir"

"Tongues are already wagging aren't they?"

"Well, yes, Sir"

"You are going to nip it in the bud aren't you, Cox?"

"Jawohl Herr Kapitan!"

"And you're also going to eavesdrop and listen outside the wardroom yourself, aren't you?"

"The thought hadn't crossed my mind, Sir"

"Come on Cox, it was a small incident when two officers had a difference of opinion, and there was some messing about on the bridge as we've all done in the past, particularly you!

Cox smiled

"They will be seen to, but I don't want any adverse speculation on our boat. Yours and mine."

At the 'yours' Cox's eyes lit up.

"I don't want any damage to the boat, or to the morale of the crew, so keep them busy, and I'll deal with those....

"Idiots, Sir?"

"Between you and me, yes Cox"

"Now leave me with everything and check every department on the Swordfish, and talk to everyone there, get Kuki to get something going for everyone, whatever, ok?

"Yes, Sir"

"Send them both in"

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

Cox is a good lad, not much of an upbringing, his father was killed early in his boyhood, by a tram in Aachen, a beautiful border town that we once visited when I was young; a young energetic boy when he came to the sea, and found his way to u-bootschule, and he found me and U-46

It's like a name and his job.

His real name is Leo Kochsens. He's another one I can count on. Everytime we dock if he hasn't got a scam going, he is disappearring towards the railyard with Reuben. I know where they're going most times, because their kit bags are full of food and stuff from the boat, including some toys made by the boys in the fore-ends in their spare moments.

He turned out to be brilliant at organising men and tasks because he had a particular energy and way with organisation that we at Kiel, who were concentrating on all the intricacies of a u-boat attack, never had or failed to notice.

I didn't. And on that proud day that U-46 was given to me for trials, I picked Otto and Bruno and Kochsens as my first three allowed choices. People like Christian, Willi and Oscar transferred over later during our sea trials.

Anyway on our first patrol, a long timer (on his last patrol) told us that the British equivalent (near enough) for Leo's job is 'coxswain'

The job of dashing around the boat and making sure everything was done seemed familiar enough, but the name was so similar sounding that we just had to give Leo the British abbreviation for the job and name of 'Cox'

Already with the clasp, a good lad to have on your boat,

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

"HOW DARE YOU!"

"The pair of you have let me and the crew down and jeopardised the boat in one of the most dangerous parts of the sea"

"What will the watch hands think? What will the oily rag engineer hands think who never see daylight, and who utterly trust the bridge watch for their lives? To find you behaving like children?"

"Put your caps down on the table gentlemen, here's mine."

They meekly did so, so there were three caps on the wardroom table, One with a white cover but each distinctive of appointment.

""Each of us will pick up a cap. I will go last. Leutnant Friedel you may go first; then you Bruno, then me, each according to his ability and experience will pick a cap and take that appointment and responsibility"

LS

[Grey Area]

From U-53
To: U-46 c/o BdU

Keep it coming 'mate, I read 21 pages of posts last week and was disappointed when I got to the end and the story wasn't finished!

U-53 out

[Immelman]

Nice idea!! I was wondering what the heck Rollie would come up with to inspire his men and repair this breach in the chain of command and discipline. Nice solution :up:

[bookworm_020]

I'm hanging out for the next installment:yep:

Keep up the good work!

[Laughing Swordfish]

There was a long silence,

But Friedrich finally picked up his own officer's cap; mine and Bruno's had the tin swordfish badge attached to it.

Bruno reached for his own cap without hesitation.

I picked up mine.

"Now that we have established the order of rank, step outside Bruno and attend to the Control Room for a minute. Standby to come in again though."

"Ok Cap"

"Until this procedure is over you will address me properly as Herr Kapitan! Now get out!"

And Bruno went out to check our valves

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Out Bruno, Out!"

Friedrich smirked.

"I knew you would do the right thing, Kapitan."

I grabbed Friedrich by the neck and in one swift movement had him up against the bulwark.

"I'm doing the right thing now. If you disrespect any of my crew even down to the lowest stoker, if you say you think better, then I'll tell your Uncle that you died heriocally in action when we get back. Now get out! Reuben needs you down in the engine room for when we surface.

Go now.

[bookworm_020]

Horay!!!:()1:

I thought something bad had happened to the Laughing Swordfish, but she lives on!!:D

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Get in here Bruno, pull the curtain"

"Yes Sir"

[Laughing Swordfish]

"What's it all about, Bruno?"

"how long have we known each other?

"How many patrols have we done together, how many escorts did we slip past, how much tonnage is down to Second Watch?

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Never, ever, fight with a fellow officer in front of the men.

Now that we're surfaced I need the likes of you to look after us down here

And one more thing........

"ALARM!!!!

Willi is rattling down the steps, followed by his 3rd Watch.

Otto is already punching us deeper into the water. Spare hands are tumbling through to add weight to the bow.

"What is it Willi?"

Definitely an escort, one fore turret, and one stack seen"

"Bring us up to periscope depth, Otto. Sounds like a corvette.

Anything Hans?

No sonar, Sir, fast enough to be a warship, but a little one.

"Ok Otto bring me up for my periscope, order motors to slow, swing her round to starboard....

And there she was, a Flower class staying too long in one place on the Atlantic,

"Open bow caps one and three,"

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Now Friedrich, there she is, and she doesn't know about us yet."

"We need to get closer, but still stay unseen, because if she gets a whiff or a glance of us, the whole game changes"

"What's your plan?"

"Well we're more than three kilometres off and just short of her starboard beam. But she seems to be steaming a straight line; I'd pull out and strain the engines and get ahead and lie in ambush.

"Good. Give those orders, tell Reuben to gun those engines also bring the boat to battle stations. Don't let us be seen."

It took nearly an hour to get ahead.

The crew are up and on tenterhooks.

"What's up Sir?"

"We're taking a shot at a corvette lads, if we don't get it right, we can expect him to be angry and come after us. But I think we're ok, he doesn't seem to have any ASDIC switched on."

"Hans? What is a corvette doing out here on her own? Are you sure there's no other contacts? Like a convoy"

"Kapitan to bridge!"

"Nice one Friedrich. You've got the setting sun behind her, and a decent bow angle. Range?"

"1700 metres, Sir.

"Converge for just a little longer, any monkey business from the corvette?"

"None, Sir, a straight line. Must be green.

"Well that's just like you Friedrich, let's see who is the better eh? Tell me when you think you have a firing solution. And prepare tube one again. Do you think you need two for that tin can?"

"No Sir!"

"Good. Although it's always good to have a second one up the spout in case the first one misses, or is a dud, and you'd lose your position messing around with reloads. This is just a flower class corvette, stupid commander, brave crew, probably from Canada. One torpedo should be enough, if you aim it right."

"Sink her for me Friedrich."

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Good line, Wolfgang"

I lowered my binoculars

"Range?"

"900 metres, Joachim has all the data, Sir"

"Well what are you waiting for? Take her!"

Friedrich's eyes lit up.

"Nummer Eins!"

"Eins fertig!" is the answering pipe.

"Los!"

The great hiss of the launch, and the brief glimpse of it's wake. Willi has the stopwatch running.

""Starboard 90 keep a parallel course have tube 3 ready just in case!"

"Good Friedrich, that's what I would have done."

"Let's see if we've nailed him."

This would be a good one for the boys. We've already suffered long and hard at the hands of allied escorts in the past. Any chance to strike back is a precious moment.

"Should impact in 10 seconds, Sir....."

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

It's a high plume of water we see first. No great fireworks this time.

But a few seconds later that lovely boom rolls back over the ocean

"A hit!" cries Friedrich, and we all afford ourselves a smile.

"Right under the bridge, Wolfgang, beginners luck! Bloody well done! One less escort on our tail, men!"

I clapped him on the back. "She'll go, no doubt about it, those corvettes are as thin as paper. They're supposed to rely on their speed and manouvereability, this one got it wrong."

Sure enough she was going down fast by the bow. Men were taking to the boats.

"Now what, Friedrich?"

"Now we resume patrol and reload, Sir"

"What about those survivors?"

"What about what they did to Christian, Sir!" Bruno blurted.

"I haven't forgotten that, and that's why you'll have the luger sent up with whatever rations and water we can spare. You know a little english from your travels, Bruno, you can accompany me with the stuff. Keep everyone else on the bridge. These aren't the same people who shot Christian, these are people who's ship we've sunk and we are bound by the rules of the sea to give them every assistance and succour that a war permits. And that's not much. Still; fetch my luger; you never know.."

[Hybris]

I'll admit that I haven't been keeping up with the up dates since June but so far I'm not disapointed. In fact I have been enpired by your work to try and tell the story of U-17 and our adventures.

Thanks and keep up the good work Swordfish.

[Jimbuna]

LS...you will never cease to amaze me...I have read some truly excellent books on U-boats in my time...and this ranks right up there amongst the best...keep it up sir :rock: :rock: :rock:

[elite_hunter_sh3]

cool keep em coming cant wait for next installment :up::up::rock:

[Kpt. Lehmann]

cool keep em coming cant wait for next installment :up::up::rock:

As usual... Ditto!:up: :up: :up:

[bookworm_020]

cool keep em coming cant wait for next installment :up::up::rock:

Add my ditto in as well!:D

[elite_hunter_sh3]

i wonder where LS is??

[Jimbuna]

i wonder where LS is??

Busy writing another episode for us I hope!! :rock:

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Get him on deck, Bruno. Treat him with the respect that becomes an officer."

The enemy captain is hauled up onto the decking, as provisions are handed down.

We salute each other.

"I have no tea, I'm afraid Captain, will you take some hot coffee?"

He nodded assent tiredly

"Reuben, send down a flask of coffee, black and strong!"

When the coffee arrived and we sat down underneath the bridge, he relaxed noticeably. A few of our boys were passing food and water down to the life boats, and even sparking up cigarettes.

"We're going to have to leave you to your own devices, soon Captain, but I'd hate to think that noone would come by to pick you up?"

"That's ok" he chatted. "We were here to pick up a convoy, and help it in to Liverpool."

"Are there enough escorts to come looking for you?" I asked with all concern.

"Oh yes, two destroyers and a couple of corvettes, like ours.

"Here, have some more coffee, and here's some chocolate."

"I'd hate to leave you out here, outside the path of the convoy, where should you be, and we'll make sure you get picked up.

"That's ok, we were just at our RV when..... when you hit us."

"How long will they be, do you think? I can't take you on board myself, and we have other things to do, we have to go back to Germany for a refit; we haven't even got any torpedoes left, but I'd hate to cast you adrift if your friends weren't coming shortly?"

Yes they're supposed to be here at 0200

""Well then you'll need a flare. To attract them to you.

"Hand me down some flares will you!"

"As soon as the convoy arrives shoot a flare and you'll be saved"

Oscar is leaving the nearest life boat, having tended to some minor wounds.

"You're such a con artist, Rollie" he whispered.



LS

[bookworm_020]

Gotta love idots:doh: They make us average folk look better!:up:

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Good luck Captain, maybe see you after the War"

"Cast off and go about, Bruno. We chugged gently away from the lifeboats.

"Prepare to dive on my command, Bruno; I'm just going below.

"Viktor get that morse key tap dancing!"

"Yes Sir!"

'To BdU and all callsigns, from U-46

Corvette sunk, HMS Tulip (- get Willi in here to give you the position, Willi! Into the radio cabin if you please!)

Expect convoy northeastbound to Liverpool with four escorts at my grid at 160200. Request any boats or aircraft to converge. U-46 will be the reporting boat.

Send.'

"Hans!" I peered round the corner.

"Yes, Sir!"

"I'm going to take us down, for a while, so that you can listen better on sonar. Give me a shout if you hear anything. Victor can you still receive if we trim the boat right down?'

'Yes, Sir!"

"Good man. Otto drop us, and switch to electric. Joachim, inspect the forward tubes, Viktor, as soon as you hear any signal at all I want to know. With any luck it's going to be a busy night."

LS

[Jimbuna]

Christ! talk about "Careless Talk Costs Lives" :yep:

[america person]

not exactly a light hearted thread anymore....LS, have you updated your story site, or considered an email thread, of some sort? or post the story to a blog, where we could pull it down from an RSS feed?

Just a thought

Grand story, keep it up. have you ever thought of expanding it to a true story, so its not so dialogue driven?, sorry, as i also like to write, sometimes i stick my nose where it might not belong... ps if anyone wants to read anything ive written pm me, or check my blog....im Vest Wearing Punk

Oi
Trav,

[Laughing Swordfish]

Thanks guys. In answer to America Person, I'm so IT illiterate, that I 'm not sure what you mean or certainly how to do it.

I did have a stab at a website (laughingswordfish.net) but it has got hopelessly behind the story. I haven't given up on it yet though. I've been trying to put some real u-boat photos on there

The other idea is to embellish it into a book, and I'd like to do that, even if I have to self-publish. My boss has given me some useful contacts for that.

Of course the problem is that the story hasn't finished. The War still has 4 more years to run, and the U-46 is still afloat! I'd have to publish it in installments.

Thank you for all your very kind comments and suggestions, they really do keep me going

Kind regards,

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Sir! I have three messages"

I raced to Viktor's cabin.

U-100 on it's way back. still has four useable torpedoes, and as always is itching to use them.

U-971, a green boat straight out of St Nazaire, but which has picked up the call and is steaming full ahead towards us. Good Lad. Emerson, I think his name is.

And Max, in U-217 who has taken a couple just south west of us, but now is racing and reloading to the new hunt. The party wouldn't be complete without the Happy Pig!

"Third watch under the ladder! Prepare to surface Otto!"

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Otto, can you ask Hans if he can still hear if we increase speed? We can't see a thing in this sea"

"Ok, Cap"

Then it happened. We might have moved a fair way off, but there was the flare, shooting brightly into the night sky.

From Hans: "Getting slow engine noises, Sir, many!"

My God, it worked.

"How many boats in contact?"

"Just U-100, Sir, she is north of us. 217 and the new guy will intercept later tonight.

Willi shows me the chart.

It would be better if we could make a concerted attack from different angles and stretch their escort defence to it's limit. But we can't wait. I know U-100. It's a good boat with an aggressive commander. He will have seen the flare already and be homing in. Let's go for it.

"Flank speed, Willi. Show me some smoke stacks!"

LS

[america person]

LS, the blog is simple almost like a forum, and you publish posts, and can edit them, people can post comments, you can also upload pics, generally they're ones you've taken or images you've made yourself, but there maybe ways around that...for an example of what I'm talking about, see my blog(link in sig) for a better idea of what I mean, and if you want ill be glad to help set you up....


nice little set up, can't wait for the attack to start...

PS: on my Blog I'm Vest Wearing Punk:up:

Oi
AP

[mookiemookie]

LS has inspired me to start writing down my own patrols reports/stories. But I won't be sharing as I am not nearly 1/10th the writer he is. More just for my own fun and diversion.

Keep 'em comin, LS. I've just finished getting myself caught up on this thread and I'm loving it.

Now play smart, too. You gotta keep Herr Kaleun alive for Heidi :up:

[Laughing Swordfish]

As U-46 picked up speed and veered around, I spared a thought for that corvette captain that I duped.

"Don't be in any rush to get onto another ship, my friend; maybe you're no worse off where you are..."

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

The smoke threads and the silhouettes start to take form as we pound through the night sea.

"Come on Friedrich, pick three or four out for me, don't waste our torpedoes on little barges"

He gulped and stammered.

"It's hard to tell, Sir should I....."

"Tankers first if we can, Friedrich, although they are usually hidden inside the convoy, but no army or air force can do anything without petrol, even ours. So they are a priority target.

"There Sir! First shot at that merchant on the quarter bow, probably seven or eight thousand tons, after that we'll see if we can sneak in to have a go at the oilers and....."

There was a huge boom and a great orange explosion from the far side of the convoy

"It looks like U-100 has beaten us to it, Bruno."

"That's not fair, Cap, it was our convoy"

"It still is, Bruno, my friend. Look through the binoculars.. What do you see?"

"All the escorts are chasing off around the other side of the convoy, Sir"

"Would this be a good time to put in an attack, do you think?"

Bruno smiled, and before long we were crashing through the waves towards the rows, the dark shapes on the black sea.

"Now Bernie is probably down and reloading. He'll be ok, if I know him. We can take the heat off by striking from this side; before they know it, we'll have the Royal Navy dancing all over the place. Later we have two more boats joining the party.

"OK, drive straight in to the forward edge of the convoy. One torpedo, one ship this time; let's not be extravagant. A cripple is as good as a sinking, as long as the rest of the pack turn up. But make them all count boys.

LS

[bookworm_020]

There's going to be hot time, in the old town, tonight!!!!:rock::rock::rock:

[DanBiddle]

I've just found this thread, and finally finished reading all the installments. I have so say this this is an absolutely amazing story, and like many others, I am officially hooked :D

Keep up the good work, and i can't wait for the next update!

Cheers,

Dan Biddle

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Los!"

Tube one is on it's way.

"That's going to hit, Friedrich. Maybe not enough to put her down, but if we can make her limp out of column, well, that's what we have a deck gun for"

"You see now, the tankers have more of a flat deck and the superstructure is further aft. There's one, and there's another. Quick! Two firing solutions, before they start to zig zag. Joachim, up here! My weapons officer cooly makes the data predictions and feeds them down.

Friedrich, take any opportunity target with the last torpedo, we're going to turn about to use tube 5 and reload.

"Zwei und Drei, Los!"

Even as we sent them on their way, the first hit with a huge bang. The 7,000 tonner immediately started to lose speed and list to starboard.

A freighter was coming right across our bow like a duck in a shooting gallery.
"Don't wait for my say so, Friedrich, just go for it. We can always come back for more"

"Nummer Vier! Los!"

"Hard a starboard Otto! Get those slackers reloading right now. As soon as we come round, Friedrich, you've got the hang of it now, throw the stern torpedo at them. There should be some fireworks in a minute.

Sure enough two balls of flame within the convoy only 30 seconds apart confirmed the kill.

"Christ!" Bruno murmured. "You'd never get me to sail on one of those things"

We watched as the last freighter, maybe only 2,000 tons broke in half and sank quickly.

"Good work, men. But the night has just begun. Get that stern torpedo off before the destroyers come back. I'm going to check below."

Viktor has a hastily scribbled message for me.

U-297 (that's von Carnigan's boat) is in the vicinity, and has only just picked up our signals. Andreas should be here within 2 hours.

I look in on Hans' sonar cabin.

"The sound of hulls breaking up, everyone can hear through the water. What he offers me though his headphones is something else.

"Depth charges, Sir"

Bernie Goetz is taking a pounding in U-100 on the other side of the convoy, which allowed us in.

"He'll be ok," although we all know there are no such things as a guarantee under depth charge attack.

Hold on Bernie, before the night is over we'll give the Tommies much more to worry about than one submerged u-boat....

LS

[Kpt. Lehmann]

:up: HOOOYAHHH!!!

Sink'em all!!! :up:

[galahad]

I never cease to be impressed whenever I read this thread, very well done!

[Laughing Swordfish]

I passed down through the Boat

Thumbs up and returned in the Control Room.

"Hans, ok? Viktor, ok?"

Met with a mixture of an impatient smile, both are really busy, but are used to me poking my nose in.

Through to the Lordships. The sweaty barracks of the Boat. No place for an officer except maybe Joachim and me.

Now these lads are busy and I want to make sure those torpedoes are getting loaded.

Top naked and oiled with sweat and grease, swearing like the pirates they are, the men were straining at pulleys and the third torpedo with their back to me.

I received no attention until Joachim saw me as I bent through the hatch

"Kapitan!"

Joachim.

"Don't stop Joachim, How long to reload? What's the matter with that one.

"It's just taking longer to go in Sir.

"Why? is it bent or dangerous, is it ready to be armed properly"

"No Sir, the men are exhausted"

"Well thank God it's no more serious than that."

I flung off my jacket and got my shoulder behind the propellors .

Whether they were inspired by their Kapitan actually doing some manual work, or their pride was stung I won't know, but it wasn't my pathetic push that suddenly saw torpedo three slide into it's tube to cheers.

"One more boys. And I promise to make good use of them!"

They were setting to with a new will, as I ducked out back past my cabin and the control room.

"Kurt, (now promoted straight to petty officer with the clasp). Check all valves, seals and tools. You know your job. Then rest your men.

No point waking anyone amidships, they need their sleep, then the Cook.

Hello Kuki, keep those stoves dowsed and watch that hatch above your head. I need you to be Oscar's Assistant.

"But I'm no Doktor, Sir?"

"You know how to use a butcher's knife don't you, Kuki?"

"Yes Sir"

"Then you're the Doc's Assistant in the Atlantic."

"Is it going to come to that, Kap?"

No. No, not ever. But if it does turn nasty, Kuki.. If we are forced down again with the depth charges raining down and all hope seems to be gone..

"Yes, Sir..........

"At least keep that blade clean to cut up all our bacon for breakfast for when we surface the next day, won't you!""

LS

[Jimbuna]

WOOHOO!!! 'lets go a hunting' :lol:

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Kapitan to Control Room!"

I'm bowling back forward.

"U-297, Sir engaging!". It's a way off but that was definitely a torpedo strike.

Good old Andreas here already.

"Thank you Hans. Viktor get a short one off to U-297 and U-100, and any of the other boats coming in .

Willi, get us up to flank speed and converge, can we do that Otto?" Otto turns and smiles "You have 16 surface knots in this sea, Sir. We can still outrun them.. the merchants at least."

"Joachim?"

"All done Sir. Every torpedo loaded and the boys would very much like to see them on their way.."

LS

[elite_hunter_sh3]

keep em coming LS damm good writing:up: :up: :rock:

[gord96]

good writing. i think we like it so much cause we can relate to the story so much. i am interested to see how you handle the writing if you ever sink. not that i am wishing that, but i am sure it would be entertaining.lol :)

[Laughing Swordfish]

Hi Gord96 and all.

If U-46 does sink, and I'm realistic enough to realise there's a fair chance of that happening at some point, then the story will end with one last chapter.

But I ain't going to allow that to happen, not now and not tomorrow!

Besides, Willi says we're a lucky boat!

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

Willi and me have looked over the charts.

It's his Third Watch and so now we're both on the Bridge.

We're thrashing ahead. There is the smoke still visible in the pale night sky of a freighter settling gently on it's keel. The work of U-297, I'd expect.

"Lucky Four Leaf Clover, Cap!"

Willi is not only supersticious, but an expert on u-boat emblems.

"Can you see her, Willi?"

"Away to starboard"

"Damn!"

"What, Sir?"

"He's taken our water, and I have to say making fair use of it. Now we have to either disengage and leapfrog him, or go straight in.

Willi just turned and grinned.

I grinned back.

"Flank speed Otto, steer starboard 30! Everyone back to battle stations."

"We're going to worry this convoy to death"

"Get the second officer and Joachim up here."

We're going in again.

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Now hard to port"

"Ok Joachim line us up That big transport there, two in her. You see that tanker just on the edge, only small but worth it. Wait till the smaller fry aren't masking the targets.

"Yes, we're very selective shoppers, Sir!"

"Ok! Now tube four for that one."

I pointed at a 4000 tonner who happened to give the simplest solution for our salvo. Such are the vagaries of war.

"Ok Friedrich, that's how it's done. By good seamanship, not by Nazi doctrine.
So what exactly did you do when I left you to my stern torpedo.

Joachim is competently relaying a stream of target data downstairs. Willi has his watch on their toes.

"What happened to that stern torpedo that I ordered you to fire at the end of our last attack?"

"No discernible results, Sir, but..."

"No 'Buts'! Those ships were overlapping, you could have shut your eyes and stood a fair chance of hitting something"

"Ok go down, I'm assigning you to Otto (and he'll be really pleased) before you can take command of your own boat, whatever your connections, you won't last a day in the Atlantic unless you know the boat, it's many mechanics and the crew.

Now if your Uncle will excuse me, I have some enemy ships to sink...

LS

[Jimbuna]

Is Friedrich related to Bernard er chance? :hmm:

[Laughing Swordfish]

"It's not that I have anything against Friedrich, Willi, it's just that we're not risking our lives every moment for Hitler, and Friedrich's politics, we're doing it for Germany, and above all...."

"To bring everyone home safe from the war, is that what you mean , Sir"

"We can't use the words war and safe in the same sentence, Willi".

"Tonight people are going to die, some already have, and you know it could be us or them or both."

"Now lets bring us to bear..."

LS

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Keep 'em coming LS.

Thanks for the fuel!!!

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Viktor, 'Send U-46 to U-297. Four torpedoes away to your East. U-46 Breaking off. Get yours off soon, expecting company to my East. Wait for my strike, and then pick out some of your own. Don't hang about, we have faint fast screws but gaining.'"

"Ok Sir!"

Spin us around Otto, and lets's drop a little deeper, be ready to cut speed on my word. Joachim put everything we have left up the tubes. Quickly now; the destroyers will be back soon and I'm going to want some peace and quiet round about then.

LS

[galahad]

Hope you make it

[Laughing Swordfish]

"U-297, Sir!"

"Give me that earphone!"

'Two new torpedoes in the water , Sir!'

'Well done Andreas! That's six eels on their way between us. I knew he wouldn't hang back.'

'Keep talking to me Hans, I don't want to bump into him. Give me periscope and how close are the Brits?'

"Gaining, Sir." The explosions, five in all. I reckon by the space of the hits that we had the first three and U-297 turned up and sank the last two. That was two sunk each and another oner one crippled and dropping out of convoy. We are thrashing them.

Andreas is already slipping below. Off to our left we can see the silhouette of a destroyer steaming hard back to this side of the convoy.

"Run, Willi. Andreas has more torpedoes than us. We may draw the escort off him, and he can go in again. Everyone below except you and me.

"We're going to draw him as far south of the convoy as we can, and let the others get stuck in."

"What about us, Cap!"

"We've beaten the odd destroyer before. We're going to duck soon. As soon as she thinks she's in firiring range, we'll go. Then her asdic will be useless to pick up Andreas, because it only works from the bow. Then 297 will be up and loaded and have a free go.

"What about us, Cap?" Willi repeated patiently, but with a more serious look into my eyes.

""We'll be ok, Willi, I'll make sure of that. We've only got two workable eels left, so what I'm doing makes sense.

'Ok Now drop us to to 80 metres Otto and run silent...."

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

The destroyers came and the destroyers went.

They didn't ping us once, even though we could hear their propellors virtually overhead.

I'm guessing they're after good old Andreas, whose U-297 will already be pounding the waves to get ahead of the convoy again.

"Otto, we're no good down here, periscope depth please, I think any immediate danger has passed"

There were five distinct detonations while we were below. Impossible to tell which were ours and which were Andreas's. He fired two and we fired four before we submerged, he can claim his two, he was in a better firing position. But listening underwater, I heard four vessels break up, and there is no mistaking that sound. The crew always rejoice of course, but there is still a part of me that bears some anguish for fellow seamen.

Only a small part. We're well on our way to destroying this convoy, if we can rejoin and get our last two off. And if U-297 can get ahead and attack them from there, or even from the other side or if Emerson or any other boat can close, we've got these escorts chasing their own shadows. Also there'll be some stragglers, like that big one that we crippled earlier, and probably a couple more by now.

"Clear Otto. Stand by Second Watch, the convoy shouldn't be hard to find, just steer us towards the smoke and flames. I'm more concerned about what the escorts are doing. There's always payback. I'll be up with you in a minute. Flank speed, please Otto, as soon as we are up and on diesels."

[america person]

good job, most excellent stuff as always...

Oi
trav

[Jimbuna]

Way to go LS...give em hell :rock: :rock: :rock:

[Parkera]

WOW This is by far the best story of any game i have ever come across! I have been reading this non stop since comming across it the other day. Looking forward to reading more.
KEEP IT UP!:up:

[bookworm_020]

"Bdu to U-46,

Please send patrol update. Your report is overdue."

[robbo180265]

Hi Laughing Swordfish.

Your story has brought me so much pleasure and made the game so much more real.

Keep up the good work :up:

[bookworm_020]

Bdu wishes to anounce that the U-46 is now overdue, grave fears are held for her and her crew.

Regards,

Bdu

[Jimbuna]

Bdu wishes to anounce that the U-46 is now overdue, grave fears are held for her and her crew.

Regards,

Bdu

Never mind Bdu!...what medication can I take for my withdrawal symptoms? :hmm:

Come on LS "lets be avin you!" :D

[Laughing Swordfish]

Still here, menschen!

Or should I say back again, having spent a few weeks ironically enough overlooking the western approaches to the Clyde and the Minch in Scotland in another life.

Don't despair, new message to follow...

LS

[ECV56_PolTen]

(impersonating the voice of Vicktor Von Franken-something) IT'S ALIVE... ALIVE!!
:rock::rock::rock::rock:

[Jimbuna]

Good to hear from you :up:

NOW GET TYPING :D :rotfl:

[Laughing Swordfish]

Me and Bruno are up first. Water from the bridge dripping down our necks as we heaved ourselves up through the hatch, grimacing and swearing, but grateful as always for it's cold fresh feel after being submerged. A feeling that soon wears off after four hours on watch in the North Atlantic.

Below we hear the shout from Otto, and the grumble, then rumble, then hearty pounding as the exhaust valves clear water and the diesels kick in, the Chief bless him, isn't sparing the fuel, I can see us quickly climbing up past 12 knots and further, as the good old U-46 surges forward again.

Bruno as if reading my thoughts turns and smiles.

"She's like a faithful dog being taken out for a walk after a while indoors, and now off the leash again, Kaleun!"

"Yes Bruno, but a dog one minute", I patted the rim of the conning tower affectionately,

"And a wolf the next!"

There is another cry from below. We are picking up radio signals again, but this one has me scurrying back down the ladder to Viktor's cabin.

"Another U-boat, Sir." says Viktor excitedly.

"It'll be Emerson.......!"

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

I'm looking through Viktor's hastily scribbled message pad.

The call Sign is clear, U-971.

"But that's not Emerson's boat, Viktor?
"Don't you remember, Sir, we're playing the numbers".

Of course, we still only have about 24 operational and agressive front boats at sea in the Atlantic at any one time.

It's good, by a simple numbering trick, to make the enemy think we have a thousand.

U-971, that's Emerson alright. Viktor is a dab hand at morse and he can tell every boat just by the morse signature of his friends in 7th Flotilla, just by the way they tap the key.

"That's Klaus alright, (the U-971 signaller) he's always heavy on his "U' and his "A" and sometimes gets them mixed up. "

"I know every tapper in the Flotilla just by their keying signature"

"That really is great, Viktor but has Emerson given us a position...?"

LS

[ECV56_PolTen]

So, had Emerson give a position?

Can't wait... can't wait... what's next?:up:

[Laughing Swordfish]

Willi, acting First Leutnant and Navigator, and I are bent over the chart table. It's hard to get a mean course for the convoy because it is now so ragged, but we reckon they have roughly gone on a port zig, and are heading more true north.

If Andreas in U-297 has got his skates on, and I believe he has; he has the dash for it, and he can outstrip any convoy, if not the escorts, then last heard he was making his way around the opposite side of the convoy from where we first launched our combined attack.

With Willi's trusty dividers, shunned cups of coffee, shouted calls to Viktor and Hans in the radio and sonar cabins, a certain amount of sheer guess work, but also all trust in our kameraden in U-297 and U-971, we've come up with this picture.

The convoy has been savaged on it's North Easterly course, multiple sinkings and ships forced to limp out of convoy. The Allies have, as best as they can manage, I think manouevred northwards. This is maybe what I would have done, (after all any change of direction in contact is usually better than none). But it will also take the convoy further out from any Biscay Boats speeding out to their East (but they don't know about Emerson yet) And also give them a better chance of undisputed air cover by morning, towards the Bristol Channel.

In our impromptu wolfpack, U-100 has chipped in with an attack, but Big G is out of eels, and already heading back to St Nazaire after a long patrol further west.

U-297 scored with it's first two torpedoes, and then broke off to get to the other side of them. As the convoy has sheered off to the North, that put's von Andreas's run to get to the opposite side of the convoy to actually drop him right in front of them.

Young Emerson in U-971 has raced out and taken huge risks in charging over the surface of the Bay of Biscay to join battle. His excited reports say that he is working up his position on their starboard flank as the convoy has unwittingly turned away from his head-on approach.

As for U-46, I have to make the decision. We're now bringing up the rear, so we have every point of the enemy's compass covered except to the vast expanse of the West. We are to the south with only 2 tubes left to fire.

"Ok Willi, that's it. We will have to be goalkeeper, I'm passing command to Andreas, he can direct things better from there, and he is the lead boat.

We need to speak to U-297....."

LS

[galahad]

Love it

[Jimbuna]

"To Wolfpack, message follows:

All boats, prepare to make one final attack if position is advantageous before it begins to get light. I repeat, we will make one more attack if possible and then withdraw to a safe distance before dawn. All boats not in condition to attack withdraw immediately, depending your status either back to port, or continue to your assigned patrol grid. We must not let them call in re-enforcements, if aircraft or additional escort vessels are sighted, withdraw immediately. All of you have fought well tonight, I am sure Doenitz will have champagne waiting for us in St. Nazaire. Until then, Good Luck and Good Hunting.

U-297, Out"

From Bdu:

Any attempt at impersonating an officer is punishable by summary court martial then firing squad :D :up:

[galahad]

Roger

[Laughing Swordfish]

"That's Andreas! He must be in position! Willi set a course into the rear of them, I'll be upstairs with Bruno's lot, we'll give you a decent sighting as soon as possible (although there are still black clouds of burning oil away in the distance, drawing us grimly onto the convoy). Otto have Reuben give us every extra metre of speed back there. Viktor, listen out for 297, and 971, and anything else you can pick up. Hans you won't hear a damn thing on sonar at this speed, get to your bunk, I want you up and fresh for if we dive. Joachim, I know you've already inspected and loaded the last two torpedoes, break out the 88mm deck ammunition, have it checked and ready, I'm thinking there may be some tidying up to do tomorrow morning!"

"Two and Four, loaded, and ready to go, Sir!"

Other affirmatory reports are coming in, as the U-46 picks up speed to rejoin the battle.

"Action Stations, Gentlemen, we're going in again.........!"

LS

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Well its about time! ;) :up: :up: :up:

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Let's not be over-confident, Bruno. Destroyers are still destroyers, and while we have had them chasing their tails up to now, if they catch one of us they won't let go.

"What about her, Kap?"

Bruno points out another merchant, it's hard to tell if she's making her own course, or is desperately trying to regain the convoy. It is making an uncertain pattern due to the damage to it's bow. I think it's one of ours from the earlier attack.

"Pass her position, speed and rough course down to Willi, please Bruno. We'll see to her later"

U-46 surges on. Soon we are up again with the rear of the convoy.

"Fresh meat!" cries Bruno.

"Ok Number One, less of that. Any escorts?"

We can't attack directly astern, we have to get broadside of them. I have to decide to veer off and slink up on the Eastern approach, or hammer further out and dog-leg back from the West. But where are the escorts.....?

An explosion and a ball of flame answers my own question. It's on the starboard side of the convoy. Within a minute there is another bang.

That must be Emerson in U-971. The escorts will race to him if they run true to their untrained form.

I took the pipe myself.

"Hard-a-Port! Steer to 300, then attack run to starboard on bridge command!......"

"Ok Bruno line us up with the last row, there's a decent sized freighter there, and I think a tanker beyond it.

Another series of explosions, I think U-297 has got in, but at this distance it could be Emerson taking a pounding, or both.

Viktor confirms both other boats in contact and torpedoes in the water. U-971 sent an emergency close-down message, so he's either ducking, diving or drowning. We can't help him just yet other than to attract their attentions elsewhere, which is why I've pulled West.

Anyway, Joachim has given me my firing solution on the tanker, and a different freighter.

"Los...!"

LS

[Jimbuna]

Way to go LS...Sink em all!!! :arrgh!:

[Kresge]

Keep it going!!! You're going to have to publish all of this soon!

:up:

[Laughing Swordfish]

There is a huge cheer as tube four is sent off.

The boys in the fore-ends have a love-hate relationship with their charges. Firstly they're proud of their torpedoes, and were stung into shame after that fiasco off the North of Ireland. They are dedicated to sending allied shipping to the bottom.

But there's also the fact that the more we launch, the less there is to service and load, the more room there is for my Lordships to live in, and the sooner the last one goes, the quicker they get back to a friendly port, and perhaps a friendly girl, or at least a willing one. So they look forward to battle, and take the consequences of a depth charging, as a natural event. Waiting quietly as the destroyer makes it's pass, then rushing to the valves or bulkheads and stopping any crisis.

In the meantime me and the other seniors in the Control Room are supposed to show no fear, and yet a few of us know better than them, what a desperate hole we've been in.

It's at times like these that dark humour arises, like when we were badly damaged and nearly sunk near Cork. We'd been wriggling away from escorts all night. My boat was hurt and listing badly when we finally surfaced cautiously the next morning, the decks were a mess all our food was swilling around , and there was the ominous chlorine smell of battery acid leaking into the sea water, which kept Otto and his gang busy, lifting up the deckplates.

Kuki comes forward, balancing a cup delicately. "Your usual morning coffee, Sir."

I looked in the cup, and there was just a small mouthfull left after it's journey through the hatches. It was cold and salty.

"Well there is a War on, Sir" was all he would say.

It's hard to argue with that. I laughed and drank it with relish.

There'll be time for coffee later......

"When Willi?"

"Twenty five seconds, Kap" without even looking at his stopwatch.

"Bruno, keep your watch covering their quadrants, we don't want any nasty surprises. We're doing that tonight."

LS

[donw]

Laughingswordfish.net has now been updated with the complete story starting from page 1!:up:

LS...
I've tried to PM you but not sure if you are getting them...

[DanBiddle]

Such a great read! I've finally managed to read up to the last installment (not all in one go though :p) and can't wait for the next one!

Keep up the brilliant work!

Cheers,

Dan

[Laughing Swordfish]

Thanks DanB, and especially thanks to DonW.

Thanks to him, the story is up to date at:

www.laughingswordfish.net

I'll be getting in touch via PM, something that I've been very bad at, or ignorant of before.

The next thing is to maybe to polish it into a book, if there's any interest?

Kind regards as always,

LS

[Kpt. Lehmann]

The next thing is to maybe to polish it into a book, if there's any interest?
LS

Mate... are you kidding? There are two or three things that have driven me to see GW and GWX through...

Your story is one of those things.

If I had a "real" captain's hat to give... I'd trade it for one of the first copies of your book.

I hope like hell that you do expand on this story and make it into a book.:up: :up: :up:

[donw]

The next thing is to maybe to polish it into a book, if there's any interest?
LS
No my friend...the next thing is to stay focused as a Sub Kaptain...continue as you have been, till you either get sunk or the War ends!

THEN...you and I and several others around here, can discuss you turning this story into a best seller

[Laughing Swordfish]

The countdown was almost exact.

We heard a dull explosion back on the bridge, at least signifying a hit.

"Looks like we punched him right on the nose, Kap!"

True enough, I had aimed more central, but the torpedo from second tube had gone off with a glancing blow on the bow. Between 3,000 and 4,000 tons, that ship was about to slip headlong below, as the sea rushed into her forward compartments and sucked her down.

The tanker went as well, moments later in a bright display, which brought delighted cheers from the Second Watch.

"I don't know what money they're paying them", mutters Oscar who has joined us on the bridge. "But you wouldn't get me sitting on thousands of gallons of aviation fuel."

"Not with the likes of us about, Doc!"..

LS

[Laughing Swordfish]

"Joachim, close all bow caps, we've nothing more to deliver. Cox, stand the boys down in the fore ends, good work again, after this tell them when they make their victory pennants they can sign their own name. No swastikas"

"We're not out of this yet, we've still got to do the dirty work". I nodded towards the deck gun ammunition cases. At least a couple who need finishing off, and we can't get away from it forever. Increase the bridge watch; let's sink these last few, and get to the River.

"Signal to Bridge!"

The hastily written scribble is passed up verbatim.

U-971

'Surfaced after long escort contact. Depth charge damage to bow. No forward firing torpedoes. Leaking. Can I go?

I scribbled back:

'Gut gemacht, jetzt nach Sante Nanny. Tiefer aus weg.'

"Get Viktor to send that to Emerson. I want him to get home ..

LS

[Jimbuna]

Great stuff LS :yep: good to see were back in business :up: :rock:

[mr chris]

Have started to read this story from the first page. But have to go to bed soon:cry:
I would love to see it one day as a book in the shops and i would love to have a copy of it. You have a special talent for writing i look forward to reading more keep up the great work Laughing Swordfish:up: :rock: