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Weiss Pinguin · 01-22-09, 07:49 PM

Edit: Thank you much

September 29th, 1939
Grid AN13

As I peered through the periscope at the good-sized freighter, it occured to me that this was the first time we would actually be able to see our target. I began calling information to the tracking crew, who adjusted the solution for one of our few remaining homing torpedoes.

Several minutes later we listened to the woosh of the ejecting torpedo, and Manfred Reckhoff on the hydrophones tracked our eel's progress. We were close enough to the enemy merchant that we could faintly hear the explosion as our torpedo impacted.

"Contact is still going, sir," Reckhoff called out. "She's reducing speed some..."

"Down periscope," Wagner ordered, "Come right to zero-zero-zero, increase speed to six knots. Set tube two to run straight at one meter, contact pistol." After several minutes of tooling along to the north, he ordered another course change, this time to the southwest.

"Reduce speed to 2 knots, up periscope." This time he took the scope, grabbing it just after it broke the water's surface. "Flood tube two... Feuer, zwei!"

Once more Reckhoff monited the torpedo's run. "Torpedo detonation!"

Wagner nodded confidently as he lowered the periscope. "Excellent work, men. Helmsman, come to course one-six-five, depth fifty meters. Increase speed to five knots."

This time I was finally able to record more than a simple 'Ship sunk' in the ship's log. I ran through the details in my head as I wrote: Granville-type freighter, estimate approx. 4000 tons, sunk September 29, 1939...

From there we decided to turn for home, as our torpedo stores were low, and our imposing 20mm kanonen were useless against anything bigger than a fishing vessel. The return trip was uneventful, and after having run submerged for an entire week, we finally surfaced on October 1st, several kilometers from Heligoland. The crew was more than happy to see the outside world again, and as we motored into Wilhelmshaven at a brisk 4 knots, they were all lined up on the deck, which was quite impressive, as there was little room to stand.

Later that evening a grand celebration at the nearest pub ended with a glorious barfight and rousing performance by a choir in town. I could have sworn the fellow leading them was wearing a tea cozy on his head, but I might've just been that tipsy.

01-22-09, 07:49 PM	#4
Weiss Pinguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Auburn, Alabama Posts: 3,333 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	Edit: Thank you much September 29th, 1939 Grid AN13 As I peered through the periscope at the good-sized freighter, it occured to me that this was the first time we would actually be able to see our target. I began calling information to the tracking crew, who adjusted the solution for one of our few remaining homing torpedoes. Several minutes later we listened to the woosh of the ejecting torpedo, and Manfred Reckhoff on the hydrophones tracked our eel's progress. We were close enough to the enemy merchant that we could faintly hear the explosion as our torpedo impacted. "Contact is still going, sir," Reckhoff called out. "She's reducing speed some..." "Down periscope," Wagner ordered, "Come right to zero-zero-zero, increase speed to six knots. Set tube two to run straight at one meter, contact pistol." After several minutes of tooling along to the north, he ordered another course change, this time to the southwest. "Reduce speed to 2 knots, up periscope." This time he took the scope, grabbing it just after it broke the water's surface. "Flood tube two... Feuer, zwei!" Once more Reckhoff monited the torpedo's run. "Torpedo detonation!" Wagner nodded confidently as he lowered the periscope. "Excellent work, men. Helmsman, come to course one-six-five, depth fifty meters. Increase speed to five knots." This time I was finally able to record more than a simple 'Ship sunk' in the ship's log. I ran through the details in my head as I wrote: Granville-type freighter, estimate approx. 4000 tons, sunk September 29, 1939... From there we decided to turn for home, as our torpedo stores were low, and our imposing 20mm kanonen were useless against anything bigger than a fishing vessel. The return trip was uneventful, and after having run submerged for an entire week, we finally surfaced on October 1st, several kilometers from Heligoland. The crew was more than happy to see the outside world again, and as we motored into Wilhelmshaven at a brisk 4 knots, they were all lined up on the deck, which was quite impressive, as there was little room to stand. Later that evening a grand celebration at the nearest pub ended with a glorious barfight and rousing performance by a choir in town. I could have sworn the fellow leading them was wearing a tea cozy on his head, but I might've just been that tipsy. __________________ Last edited by Weiss Pinguin; 01-22-09 at 08:04 PM.