2nd patrol in my IIa, U-12, less than 100kms off the English coast. The weather was quite poor at around 10am, spotted a tramp, decided to go in hard and fast in a surface attack and fire at around 500m (I don't need bad sea prematures). Due to rough seas and the fact my watch officer is also torpedo trained, I had him down below looking after the torps while I held the tower with 2 rates.
So I was around 600m away from the target and charging in at 11knots when I heard the sudden roar of aircraft engines and got the fright of my life when a bomb exploded probably 20m off the port side and showered my boat with water. Verdammt!!!!!
Luckily I had pinged for depth prior to my attack run, so a sharp turn to starboard to avoid collision and a crash dive saved my skin.
Currently at 60m wondering whether to stick around for another shot or just retreat submerged with my tail between my legs.
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"Of all the branches of men in the forces there is none which shows more devotion and faces grimmer perils than the submariners." Sir Winston Churchill.
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