6th patrol
We transfer to U-5.
Totenhagen made rate of watchman while we were ashore.
Officers Fredericks and Hartenstein were dismissed without replacements.
21 APR 40
1604 hrs.
Ahead slow. Carlewitz plots a course to our patrol area, AN21.
We maintain a routine of staying submerged during the daylight, except for surfacing at Noon for five minutes to ventilate the boat and send the daily position report to BdU.
I take a peek with the scope before we surface, since the time darkness arrives varies each day with the weather conditions.
The object of this routine is to avoid aircraft.
I climb to the bridge. Sunshine. Clear sky's. Calm sea.
I light a cigar.
From the open hatch, I hear John McCormack sing, "Star of the County Down".
"Near Banbridge town
In the County Down
One morning last July
Down a boithrin green
Came a sweet cailin
And she smiled as she passed me by"
"She looked so sweet
From her two bare feet
To the sheen of her nut-brown hair
Such a coaxing elf
I was ashamed of me self
For to see I was really there"
"From Bantry Bay
Up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen
Like the sweet cailin
That I met in the County Down"
As I listen to the lyrics, I remember the times in my life when I was thunderstruck as well.
I finish my cigar and climb down to the control room.
Daily Noon position reports to BdU:
22 APR 40: AN 95
23 Apr 40: AN 63
24 APR 40: AN 49
25 APR 40: AN 46
25 APR 40
2200 hrs.
As we surface, we find ourselves in a storm that will last for five days.
Overcast sky's, thunder, lightning, very heavy sea.
Poor flying weather. Good.
Daily Noon position reports to BdU:
26 APR 40: AN 42
27 APR 40: AN 42
28 APR 40: AN 42
29 APR 40: AN 27
30 Apr 40: AN 27
30 APR 40
2246 hrs.
Clear weather. Heavy sea. Patrol area AN 21 reached.
Carl A. Lange Jr. sub-Lt.