I walk along the pier in Kiel, there´s lots of traffic today. Rumors say
that something big is going to happen soon. Kommandant gathered every Kaleun
to his office yesterday and ordered us to provision our boats. He didnt say why...
Today at 07:00, we started to load our boat, the U-113, with torpedoes and food.
The weather was calm and sunny. Sweat pushed to the surface of my skin as I helped
my crew to carry the heavy boxes onboard. We were ready at 15:05.
I reached the end of the pier and stared the oily water. I was startled by the sound
of horn, coming from a small coastal merchant, making it´s way to the pier next to
the one I was standing on.
I turned around and started walking back to my quarters. I was at the mid-section,
when my 1st WO, Karl, came running down the pier towards me.
- HERR KALEUN!, he screamed.
- Urgent message from BdU! We are to leave Kiel before the end of the day!, Karl said.
- Let me see the orders, Karl.
As I read through the paper, I felt slightly confused. We were to leave Kiel and sail
to the coast of England.
- Very well, tell crew to start preparing U-113 for sailing.
- JAWOHL, HERR KALEUN!, Karl yelled with smile on his face.
When I got back to my quarters, I started immediatly pack my personal belongings to
a single wooden box. It was a precaution-- if something would happen to me, my belongings
would be easier to find and mail to my family.
At 17:30, I went to check on my boat. Preparations were almost finished. Karl was yelling
orders from the conning tower to the men working around him. Suddenly he noticed me and went
all quiet. I smiled to him and gave the 'thumps up' sign. Karl smiled slightly and nodded.
We were scheduled to leave at 21:20, we had the honor to be the first boat to leave. Others
would leave right after us.
I was laying on my bunk, listening to the clock nervously tick. 13 more minutes and we would
finally be on our way.
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