Wilhelmshaven Evening Gazzette
 

27th September 1939

Wilhelmshaven quayside witnessed a small crowd today, gathered to welcome home the jubilant crew of U-30. As she pulled alongside she bore the scars of battle, her crew, nonetheless, unscathed.

On Leutnant Alfred Hoffmanns first tour of duty, he has shown himself to be a determined officer, and as such, well respected by the crew. People across the Fatherland, and especially in the corridors of power in Berlin, will be delighted to know that Herr Hoffmann and his professional crew accounted for seven allied ships, amounting to a total of 28,818 tonnes.

The crew, understandably in need of rest and recuperation, were proud to talk about their exploits. "The Leutnant worked us hard, but we are honoured to serve Germany. We are happy that we contributed to the effort as a whole", said one weary sailor.

Leutnant Hoffmann himself had praise for his crew. "Although it was my first voyage, the crew and the boat moulded perfectly to create an efficient weapon". On a personal note, Herr Hoffmann added "I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues who, during meetings in the 'nightclub' have shared with me invaluable advice".

As the Leutnant departed the quayside, he bemoaned the lack of more significant targets, but hoped to redress that issue on his next voyage. Nevertheless, I'm sure 28,818 tonnes of merchant shipping from a relative novice will be appreciated by all those involved in the war effort.

I'm sure it won't be long before we hear more about this young man. He is eager to make an impact, both for his country, and for the uboat fleet as a whole. I'm sure our readers wish him well for the future struggle.

The citizens of this port city are proud of Lt. Hoffman, :yep:

28th October 1939

The news sweeping the nation, indeed the world, tonight is the sinking of two ships, which were sailing under flags of neutrality, of the Bay of Biscay. Britains Foreign Office described it as a despicable act of aggression by Germany. Our Fuehrer, though, insisted that once the details have became clear, it will be shown that uncharted wrecks, or rocks, will have been responsible and is demanding an apology from Herr Churchill.

Locally, here in Wilhelmshaven, all the talk on the incident centres around the leaked information that U-30, of the city based 2nd Flotilla, was responsible. Just last month Leutnant Hoffmann and his crew bathed in the admiration showered on them by locals when they returned from a successful patrol. Now, it seems, they've possibly undone all that hard work.

It has also came to light that a lad from the dock area of our city could be on the crew of U-30. Rumours abound that 23 year old Bernard joined the boat before it departed three days ago. In attempting to confirm this, several of the community were approached. One shopkeeper said "It would be no surprise to me if Bernard is responsible for this. I have known him all his life, and let me tell you, he is no stranger to calamity."

So it seems we'll have to wait a little longer until all the details are confirmed and exposed. Until then let us back our brave submariners with all our faith.

Leutnant Hoffmann accumulated tonnage/patrols 28,818/1

BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!! :arrgh!:

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If I see those fecking penguins one more time I swear I will open up a hunting season. :lol:

http://imgcash1.imageshack.us/img50/3402/tonguegs0.gif http://imgcash6.imageshack.us/img524...aryheadsw0.gif http://imgcash3.imageshack.us/img240...ointingqq8.gif

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Message
To: U30
From: U64

Congratulations to Lt. Hoffman and the brave crew of U30.
Good luck on your next patrol.

Kurt Linke

Von: U-49
An: U-30

Gute Jagd!

;) Well done, go for it ....


@jimbuna: I like those penguins, they are cute :yep:
Please keep an eye on them... there are wolves out there :rotfl:

J.S. Balz writes:

Those are lovely penguins dancing the hoochie woochie :sunny:

8th November 1939

Messages of goodwill for U-30 and her crew from Brag, U-64 and U-49 have been forwarded to the relevant war department in Berlin, and the Gazzette has been assured that they will be communicated to the boat at the next opportunity.

@Brag

Careful, don't draw too much attention to them....I hear STEED is a good shot with his blunderbuss http://www.abfnet.com/forum/images/smilies/odd.gif


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15th November 1939

Today U-30 returned to it's home port, here in the city. Family and friends were present to welcome home their loved ones from another patrol. There was even some local support from people who have taken this boat and her crew to heart. Also in the air was not a little anxiety, over the recent 'neutral ship' affair.

When the crew, led by recently promoted Oberleutnant Hoffmann, alighted the boat, they looked a weary bunch; happy nonetheless to be home. It has to be said U-30 herself looked in better shape than the last time she berthed - maybe Oberleutnant is growing longer in the tooth?

I approached the Oberleutnant, as he walked towards me eating an apple handed to him by a wellwisher, and queeried him regarding the 'neutrality issue'. He calmly said "We have not harmed any ship that was not carrying materials which could be used against the Fatherland in the course of the war!"

On the question of the crewman, Bernard, he was less forthcoming. When asked if indeed this sailor was on his crew, he choked on his apple, befor spitting out the words "NO COMMENT". With that, Oberleutnant Hoffmann left the quayside to embark on some well earned shore leave.

Well earned indeed - U-30 accounted for 10 merchant ships on her tour of duty, totalling 37,548 tons. Truly a remarkable feat, because the boat carries only 14 torpedoes. It appears the brave crew are becoming more accomplished with every mission.

We can only hope this trend continues from the Oberleutnant and his men. It is indeed hard to believe they were posted here as recently as September, straight from the Naval Academy. We wish them well.


**STOP PRESS** - 'Neutral' ships were British registered. Hitler demands apology from Churchill. Hoffmann vindicated.

Oberleutnant Hoffmann accumulated tonnage/patrols 66,366/2

15th December 1939

On this cold and wintry morning, U-30 again returned home after a successful patrol. This time she looked battered, and the crew weathered and tired.

With the ridiculous, trumped up charges of sinking neutral ships behind him, Oberleutnant Hoffmann led his men to sink eight ships, totalling a remarkable 42, 669 tons. I'm sure soldiers and civilians alike will appreciate the commitment made to the war effort by the crew of this boat.

Herr Hoffmann bemoaned the bad weather experienced during the whole of his mission, but was nevertheless overjoyed at the successful outcome. He also took time to praise his hard working crew, and said that with a surplus of badges to award even Bernard got one. Remarkable! What a turnaround in fortunes for the young local lad. I'm sure his community will be proud of him.

The Gazzette, as ever, will keep you updated on the exploits of U-30.

21st February 1940

This afternoon, the quayside at the dock was crowded with locals, reporters for the national press, and an Honour Guard. Why the mass attendance? To welcome home U-30 after sinking H.M.S. Nelson.

This heavyweight of the water, and a vital cog in the British Home Fleet, succumbed to a brave interdiction by Wilhelmshavens proud boat. Despite the large presence of Berlin press the Gazzette, as always, brings you the news from the crew.

Before being flown off to the Reichs capital for ceremonies, Oberleutnant Hoffmann had this to say - "It is a great honour to have these men serve with me. They stepped up to the plate when myself, and their country needed them. The sinking of the Nelson represents a huge victory, not only to our fellow seamen, but to all the services, and people at here at home."

Bootsmann Wolf Steinmaier was equally as jubilant - "All the crew are overjoyed to bloody the noses of the British. We are all dedicated to our work and have the utmost faith in the Oberleutnant. On this patrol he showed the kind of results we can all achieve. We need some rest, but all the crew just want to get out there again."

As the crew are driven to the dock offices for press conferences and interviews with the newsreels, there is no letting up in the jubilation of the local crowd. It seems this is going to be the talk of the city for some time to come.

Oberleutnant Hoffmann accumulated tonnage/patrols 241,061/4

Jeeeeahaaaaaaaaa!

Nelson! You got it! :up: :up: :up:

(sorry for being to emotional :oops:) :lol: