Sorry for the delay, but here's the continuing adventures of Lt. Jr. Theodor Lawrenz, commander of U-18. Still on our first patrol...
05 September 1939
0500h: Still continuing our stalk of the merchant. Waters remain very choppy, and visibility is very low. Despite the fog, the moon is still out and visible for all to see.
We're closing rather rapidly to the enemy craft, but we must be careful. Being detected could bring the entire Royal Navy on our heads.
0552h: Gave up on pursuit as merchant began to gain speed after we dived to approach.
I have decided that we shall begin our return to Wilhelmshaven no matter what on 7 September. We can't stay out here forever, after all, and we need new orders. Besides, I'm not keen on staying out at AN16 forever.
1446h: Encountered a C2 approaching our position. Diving to periscope depth, going to lie in wait.
1550h: After putting our last three torpedoes into the C2, it finally slipped beneath the waves. U-18 has done well. We shall finish our patrol, report into the fleet, then get out of here as fast as our Typ-IIA will let us.
1725h: We were attacked by British planes 10 minutes ago. I assume that we have become quite infamous. Crash-dive performed successfully, and we're continuing on our merry way.
1755h: Another crash dive to respond to another air attack. I assume that the British will be attacking us every time we attempt to surface, so I shall endeavor to keep the U-18 underwater until night, when we can safely surface, recharge batteries, and report home.
2000h: Reported to fleet. Position AN16, no torpedoes left. Two cargo ships sunk, with a total tonnage of 12893 tons sunk.
06 September 1939
0800h: Reported back home. Grid AN41 is our current position, and we're a good 90 hours until we're back at Wilhelmshaven. It'll be a long trip back, but at least we do not need to fear English air attacks any longer.
Weather is pleasant, and waves are still choppy.
1100h: A British plane came out of nowhere, and we dove away. No damage, no problem. I'm just surprised of its direction of attack: The plane came from the south, which is just open sea all the way down to Hartlepool and the English island, but we're miles away.
1429h: Another attack. I wonder how long we'll need to manage this until we are in the clear.
1520h: Another attack.
2000h: Sent in patrol report. AN42 is our grid. 75 hours to Wilhelmshaven.
07 September 1939
0800h: Sent in our patrol report. AN45 is our position. It's going to be a long boring run. Even if we encounter anything hostile, we can't do anything other than just dive away. Our lack of torpedoes is a sign of a job well done, but I'll be damned if it doesn't make the run home a tiresome one.
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