[Paul Riley]

Originally Posted by Paul Riley

War diary , U-48
8th Dec 1939

Having now been at sea 11 days we have been patrolling a 200km corridor from BF11-BF14,accounting for 3 sinkings in the area so far,including 1 French freighter,1 British modern tanker (a good 9000 tonnes too!),and 1 British intermediate tanker for a total of 14.464 GRT.All attacks were performed at close range with contact tips (2 at night,1 in total daylight) in practically perfect weather conditions,hardly a breeze anywhere.
8 torpedoes remain with approx 150 rds of HE shells.
-Kapt. Kurt Neulinger , U-48

U-48 has also raised concern about faulty torpedoes experiencing 2 duds and one that failed to keep its depth passing right under its target.

Looks like it may be a good Christmas booze up if they manage to fire off all remaining torpedoes with successful sinkings and make it back in time.Doenitz has promised 2 weeks of leave for every man.They plan to spend possibly 1-2 weeks more on patrol then attempt another risky passage through the channel for a brief 3 days or so.Kurt however plans to spend Christmas with his elderly mother and to visit the grave of his recently deceased father.He is thankful he has good men aboard his UBoat to keep his morale in top form during this difficult time.
Wish them luck!

War diary , U-48
14th Dec 1939

Having now spent 17 days at sea we finally managed to sink 6 ships through grids BF11-BF14.This area proved to be very lucrative and I have no doubt we will return there again soon,however we won't be going through the channel next time,its getting too tight now,patrols are starting to swarm around the channel openings.
Almost all attacks were successful,performed at ranges between 500-1000m and contact tips.We experienced only 2 duds and 1 that passed clear under the keel of one ship.
But the jewel in this patrol occured last night,we picked up a large ship on the horizon at night on one of the logged shipping lanes in BF14 that seems to be used mainly by tankers,and it turned out to be a 12000 tonne whale factory vessel doing 12kts,our biggest prize yet!.I sent 2 into her from 1000m with a spread of 2 degrees,both slammed into her perfectly and she sunk after around 15mins.I couldnt believe my good fortune,I was moments away from calling an end to the patrol when my instincts told me to stay in the area longer.After that glorious final sinking it really was time to consolidate our victories and head back home,where surely an Iron cross awaits me,and the men also will no doubt be showered with medals and other spoils of war,including women!
We are now moments away from entering the channel on another risky endeavour to shorten our return in time for Christmas.The area is alive with warships and we will need to remain very vigilant,running decks awash in the day and surfaced at high speed at night.Let us hope our recent audacious actions are not avenged by angry English warships,and that our courage and tenacity carries us safely home again.

Current patrol total - 6 for 36.958 GRT
2 stern torpedoes left,150 rds HE shells
Fuel - approx 5000km left moving at ahead full

Kpt.Kurt Neulinger
U-48