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Viking_1957 · 08-28-24, 06:13 PM

Its an immersive game. I've been writing journal reports as the XO.

___
22 February 1941

After our first cruise, many of the crew were suffering. Four deaths was much to bear. After conferring with HQ it was decided that 3 weeks rest in Bavaria was realistic. The wine flowed freely, as did the women. On return we were much refreshed. The ones who simply could not continue were released from service, and I selected new sailors with the help of the XO. All my officers decided to continue with me. Hardship has a way of welding people together.

Our tonnage in the end was good, at nearly 40000, and damage to the boat was repaired within the week. Our coming cruise, we can only hope, will not involve such a close encounter with a British destroyer. We are replenishing supplies and the mood is optimistic. A new cook with a reputation for making life interesting is perhaps helping.

Myself and two of my officers were decorated. WIth the way things turned out we had mixed emotions at this; but they certainly deserved the accolades, and the two who are married were very happy to spend some time with their families. Who knows how long our second cruise will be? But we are anxious to take the fight back to the enemy!

18 March 1941 XOs Log

The Captain took the crew losses very personally on our first cruise. I hoped that the vacation time, and the distance from the battlefield. would work its healing. But as we approach a large convoy on our way to our assigned patrol, I see that the only way forward now is glory or death.

Its midnight and we are running with decks awash on our approach from the rear of the convoy. Hoffmann intends to take out both rear escorts and then have easy pickings for the next hour. I am remembering the prayers my mother taught me as I finger the cross around my neck.

Hoffmann has positioned us between two escorts - one at 1.5km to port, and the other equidistant to starboard. Both are a half kilometre ahead, just visible in the darkness. As we complete the solutions for both targets, he calls for all four tubes to be loaded at 2.5m depth and 74km fast speed. The solution locked, he makes the call and all four eels are on their way! The red lighting feels more eerie now and the sweat is running down into my beard.

20 seconds.. 10.. we hear and feel the first impact, then moments later, the second. The destroyer is shattered and all hands are lost. 20 seconds.. ten.. the first eel for the second target is a dud! 5 seconds more then BOOM! The destroyer has only begun to accelerate when she is stuck in the stern and her engines are shattered. The cheer from the boys is deafening! Now they will believe Hoffmann can do anything. Maybe he can. Maybe it was our desperate prayers. Either way the deep has her victims. We turn into the convoy to begin the nights real carnage, just as on the horizon we see a massive explosion and the sky turns red.

I'm breathing easier and remembering my family. We surface and pick up the pace, feeling confident that we have our enemy by the balls. Not ten minutes later the sky lights up above us like an early dawn. Star shells! We are fully exposed and in the distance we can hear alarm bells. Who will be hunter and hunted tonight. As we dive to periscope depth there is a deathly silence.

08-28-24, 06:13 PM	#8
Viking_1957 Watch Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Canada West coast Posts: 22 Downloads: 12 Uploads: 0	XOs Log Its an immersive game. I've been writing journal reports as the XO. ___ 22 February 1941 After our first cruise, many of the crew were suffering. Four deaths was much to bear. After conferring with HQ it was decided that 3 weeks rest in Bavaria was realistic. The wine flowed freely, as did the women. On return we were much refreshed. The ones who simply could not continue were released from service, and I selected new sailors with the help of the XO. All my officers decided to continue with me. Hardship has a way of welding people together. Our tonnage in the end was good, at nearly 40000, and damage to the boat was repaired within the week. Our coming cruise, we can only hope, will not involve such a close encounter with a British destroyer. We are replenishing supplies and the mood is optimistic. A new cook with a reputation for making life interesting is perhaps helping. Myself and two of my officers were decorated. WIth the way things turned out we had mixed emotions at this; but they certainly deserved the accolades, and the two who are married were very happy to spend some time with their families. Who knows how long our second cruise will be? But we are anxious to take the fight back to the enemy! 18 March 1941 XOs Log The Captain took the crew losses very personally on our first cruise. I hoped that the vacation time, and the distance from the battlefield. would work its healing. But as we approach a large convoy on our way to our assigned patrol, I see that the only way forward now is glory or death. Its midnight and we are running with decks awash on our approach from the rear of the convoy. Hoffmann intends to take out both rear escorts and then have easy pickings for the next hour. I am remembering the prayers my mother taught me as I finger the cross around my neck. Hoffmann has positioned us between two escorts - one at 1.5km to port, and the other equidistant to starboard. Both are a half kilometre ahead, just visible in the darkness. As we complete the solutions for both targets, he calls for all four tubes to be loaded at 2.5m depth and 74km fast speed. The solution locked, he makes the call and all four eels are on their way! The red lighting feels more eerie now and the sweat is running down into my beard. 20 seconds.. 10.. we hear and feel the first impact, then moments later, the second. The destroyer is shattered and all hands are lost. 20 seconds.. ten.. the first eel for the second target is a dud! 5 seconds more then BOOM! The destroyer has only begun to accelerate when she is stuck in the stern and her engines are shattered. The cheer from the boys is deafening! Now they will believe Hoffmann can do anything. Maybe he can. Maybe it was our desperate prayers. Either way the deep has her victims. We turn into the convoy to begin the nights real carnage, just as on the horizon we see a massive explosion and the sky turns red. I'm breathing easier and remembering my family. We surface and pick up the pace, feeling confident that we have our enemy by the balls. Not ten minutes later the sky lights up above us like an early dawn. Star shells! We are fully exposed and in the distance we can hear alarm bells. Who will be hunter and hunted tonight. As we dive to periscope depth there is a deathly silence.