"Deeper"
"Eighty five metres, Sir.
"Very well. Slow speed, and a good hard sprint at my command"
However many times we hear it, there is nothing quite like the sound of an approaching destroyer. That relentless chugging beat that grows ever louder as danger approaches.
The trick is not to show our hand too early, but wait until they are committed to their attack run.
You pointlessly gaze upwards sometimes. As if you can see through the pressure hull and the destroyer coming some 260 feet above our heads. The reason you do it, is just to avoid the stare of the men who have their eyes fixed on you, and trust you with their lives. Willing you with every ounce of their soul to make the right decision, and to make it soon, because that destroyer is almost here.............
"......Flank speed! Bow planes to dive! 30 degrees to starboard on the helm!"
"Wasserbomben!"
...BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
"Hah! Not even close!" cries Willi, chalking another six of them off, as if for all the world, he knew all along they would never hit us.
And that is the greatest trick of all.
Lt de Bunsen, U-46
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