December, 1939 on my first patrol in a brand, new Type VIIB out of Kiel. I was transiting on the surface at night, south of the Shetland Islands en route to the Western Approaches. My Watch Officer spots a ship, I look and see a destroyer at short range off my starboard beam! I order hard right rudder to line up for a shot... The destroyer's searchlights come on, tracers fire and my superstructure is riddled with gunfire. Crash Dive! Depth charges go off all around me, but without effect. I manage to sneak away, lesson learned: Next time, I'll dive to periscope depth before starting my attack
