[VonApist]

Stephan sprinted up the ladder, climbing to the tower watch.

"British ASW trawler to our right. Bearing 040, Heading 020. In the limits of our visibility" the U-Boat's second in command reported, pointing to his right. "I dont think they have spotted us in this weather".

Stephan took a pair of Zeiss binoculars from the hands of one of the sailors and scanned the horizon. He had forgot to put his oilskin on and his uniform was becoming wet, fast. He could feel a trickle of cold water running down his spine.

"She is not changing course or speed. It seems that they havent spotted us yet".

"Should we go under?"

"No Gerald. We will remain on surface. I want to have first hand visual on her" Stephan replied and leaned over the communication tube.

"Chief. Reduce speed to 2 knots. Be on your toes to crash dive, we have a Tommie trawler out here".

He then turned towards his 2nd. "It seems that they have no radar or a verry crappy radar operator. Thank God we are in this tiny tincan and the weather is crappy. Hell Gerald, your scream was so loud, I wonder how the British were unable to hear it. Good job for spotting it early."

A faint smile formed on the 2nd's face. "Pretty close call, sir"

"Well we still are not out of the woods. We will keep an eye on her until she is out of visual, ready to crash dive if she makes a turn. We will then submerge to 20m and use our hydrophones. I dont want to risk getting spotted. The incoming convoy is my priority. What the hell is a Trawler doing so far out of shore, anyway" Stephan wondered only to receive a grimace of wonder from his second in command.

Ten minutes later the British trawler dissapeared from view. Stephan turned to the watch crew. "OK men. Everybody down. We are going under."

"Speed one third. Dive, Dive,Dive. Take her to 20m Chief. We are coming down" U-137's Kaleun ordered as the rest of the men were already climbing down the ladder to the Zentrale.

(To be continued)