At last! The U-46 is cleared for sea.
A short run to BF17 again. That should give us plenty of diesel to use on station as it is only off the south western approaches to the Irish Sea and the Bristol Channel.
The boat is now absolutely seaworthy, and the crew are ready to go, if a little chubbier and more hungover than last time. We were a long time in port getting over the last one.
Freddy and Max, Peter and Stephan in his new Type Nine are forming some sort of screen outside the western end of the Englisch Channel. They were escorted out yesterday with a destroyer air cover. Wolf Packs, we're calling it. Our job is to mop up behind, take any opportunity targets, and reinforce the line if one of my kameraden chance upon a warship trying to steal up from Gibraltar. We also have to relay or produce the neccesary weather reports for BdU. We're still keen to get good Met reports for a Channel crossing.
It sounds like a good plan. Why do I feel both exhiliarated and listless, eager to go, but still feel like I'm sitting on the substitute's bench at the same time?
Damn, I am sitting on the bench! I'm still moping on my bunk when Christian, the First Officer pokes his head beaming through the curtain.
"It's customary for the Captain to take the salute out of port, Sir!"
One look at my face and the grin disappeared, as did he.
His face is replaced moments later by my faithful friend, Otto.
"Why so glum, Sir?
She is up there, you know."
I beat Otto to the bridge ladder. I could hear him laughing behind me.
Keeping a straight face, the 2nd Watch Officer was already handing me my favourite Zeiss binoculars and pointing me towards the edge of the dock.
There was Heidi. Heidi who never saw the boats out, in case they never came back. There she was this time. waving frantically as she saw the white cap being plonked on my forgetfull head by Otto.
Heidi who in that moment, I knew I would swim back across the Atlantic for, if I only knew she would have me...
At that moment in my young life I never felt happier, prouder and more alive. It snapped me out of my reverie.
"Harbour watch below! Patrol Stations for First Watch! Christian, get those charts out again.
Let's sink some ships!"
Lt de Bunsen, U-46
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