[darksythe]

Thanks for all the feedback its all been very constructive ive had a sever case of writers block for the last 3 days but im hoping after rewatching Das Boot last night that might clear up today.ive only added about one more page so far but ill let you all take a look at it now.

Ps. please excuse spelling and minor gramatical errors as these will be rectified before final release.

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September 3rd 1939 04.25 Northern Border AN34

It is now coming up on day 3 of our transit and i expect to cross into grid square AN31 within 2 hours. Yesterday morning we submerged U-14 for the first time. The crew was understandably shaken up when some fittings started to leak water, and the hull moaned from the increased pressure. One of the crew suffered what Warrant Officer Carl Kals our ships doctor called a nervous breakdown. He prescribed Seaman Ernst Schuster a full day of bed rest, and suggested that he be allowed to do a deck watch on our next surface run. Ernst is a member of the engineering team 1st watch so i was naturally hesitant to grant him such. The doc made it clear however that if i wasn't going to give Ernst a break I might be dealing with more serious problems in the engineering compartment the next time he had an “episode”. I reluctantly agreed with Doctor Kals, and have assigned Seaman Schuster to first watch deck crew. Hopefully he can handle the pressure or i will be forced to transfer him off the 14 when we return to Wilhelmshaven. Other then Seaman Schuster's breakdown the cruise has been uneventful. Save for the fight that broke out in the crews quarters which from what i ascertain involves a woman named Claudette back at the base. The 2 men involved have been punished adequately by assisting the mess chief in preparing last nights scalloped potatoes. Judging from the rocking of the ship im guessing that we are in less that calm seas. Oh well at least the weather should offer a break from the boring monotony of this cruise. Hopefully it will be foggy for most of the day enabling us to run on the surface. Well its time to head out of bed and get a cup of that oil the mess chief calls coffee, and begin day 3 of our patrol. Good morning captain. Good morning Iwan, would you be so kind as to get me a cup of coffee? Certainly sir. Good man. Lieutenant Maddaus how are we looking this morning? Looking good sir right on schedule I'm expecting to cross into grid AN31 around 06.30. Just what i wanted to hear Ludwig keep up the good work. Captain Krey your coffee sir. Thank you ensign I'll see you on the bridge in 5. Yes sir. It was time to radio our position into to HQ. Our radio operator Seaman 2nd class Erich Ites was already preparing the report when i got to the radio room. Good morning captain. Good morning Erich got the morning report ready? Yes sir i do. Good go ahead and send it. I'll be on the bridge if any messages come in. Very good captain.

So Iwan ready for another day? Yes sir i certainly am. Good to hear, 3rd watch have any sightings? Negative captain they said it has been dense fog all night long. Lucky for us though the seas just started to kick up. Ahh well thats just wonderful saving all the fun for the day shift i see. Yes sir it would appear so. Its just as well theres probably nothing out there anyway, at least at this rate we'll be able to stay on the surface. Maybe we'll get lucky and this fog will stay with us until tonight. One can hope so sir. Indeed one can. Sir can i ask why Seaman Schuster is on deck watch this morning? I drew Iwan away as far as one could on a bridge this small by asking him to come with me to inspect the flak gun. Ok Iwan heres the deal with Schuster. Yesterday he suffered what Doc has classified as a nervous breakdown in the engineering space when the hull started creaking. Doc thinks it will do him good to be on deck watch. I agreed to oblige him on the hopes that the fresh air will help him. So you pawn him off on me? Easy sailor I realize it's **** but the only other choice i have is to either run the engines short one man which we can not afford, or let you run one man short. Now which would you prefer? To deal with Schuster or be shorthanded? I see your point, sorry sir. As long as you voice your concerns out of earshot of the rest of the crew I'll be more then happy to hear you out. Thank you sir. Just as i was about to converse with Iwan about the quality of the coffee this morning when Seaman Ites came over the horn. Captain, Radio, new message received. On my way. Keep your eyes out for Schuster will you Iwan? Certainly sir.

As I arrived in the radio room Erich was decoding the last of the message. Whats up Erich? Nothing much just a contact report from U-{??}. Great whats the chances its of any significance to us. Well sir it doesn't look to me like its going to be any. Then again I'm not the navigator. Well said Erich well said. The message stated that a 1 or 2 ship convoy had been spotted moving westerly at medium speed through grid AN36 at 22.00 last night. No indication of sovereignty Thank you Erich. I'm off to see Ludwig and see what he thinks about hanging around here for a while. Ok Ludwig heres the situation we just received a contact report of a unidentified 1 to 2 ship convoy heading west through grid AN36 at 22.00 last night. Would we have enough fuel to head back into AN34 and investigate? Lieutenant Maddaus checked the fuel level and did some calculations. Well sir it is possible but i wouldn't recommend it we may use up fuel in the process that could be better used for positioning on a convoy or escaping there escorts. Ok keep your current course and speed lieutenant. Will do sir. Ludwig is right it isn't worth the fuel to chase down a convoy behind us that may well be a friendly one.