January 1941
En route to patrol area after refit and hull repairs, we receive a radio report of a merchant ship moving southwest, towards our potted course so I adjust course to intercept. After a short cruise we locate it on hydrophone, and shortly thereafter make visual contact, and find it's a lone liberty transport, unescorted and coming right toward my bow. We approach in darkness, high seas and heavy rain, while turning slightly to starboard, planning to turn back to port as the target passes to set up a broadside firing solution. We submerge about two kilometers off their port side when I realize I've misjudged the time it would take to line up broadside so I change plans decide to do a full U-turn and attack from their stern. I surfaced the boat briefly to gain speed, then and made my turn to port and went back to scope depth, and lined up for a perfect shot on her screws and rudders. At about 500 meters I fire two right at her stern, and watch on the event camera as the first blows a massive hole in her side and knocks out her propulsion, while setting the rear of the ship in flames and disabling the rear deck gun. With the second eel hitting in nearly the same spot, adding another huge hole. With the rear of the ship engulfed in flames I feel safe to surface and order the crew to finish her with the deck gun. Only four shells later she was sent to the bottom.
To be continued.