Submarine Type VIIB U-45 "Der Wein"
September 30, 1939.
Once again I am called from the BdU to receive new patrol orders. We are going to AN13, NW of Scapa Flow.
I order to load tubes I and III with G7e electric torpedos and 3 more in reserves; the rest, all steamers.
October 11, 1939.
At 0610 local time, we depart Wilhelmshaven at 1/3, as usual, weather is good with 5 m/s winds.
The watch point me to a lone Arado boatplane coming back from its patrol.
09:04 In shallow water I submerge to 25 meters to perform a sound check and slow down. Everything OK. My navigator estimates we are in AN95.
13:05 I order surface the boat; my plan for the moment is submerge for 4 hours, to surface later to recharge batteries and ventilate for another 4 hours.
17:05 25 meters deep.
October 12, 1939.
Nothing to report this day, we continue our trip to the patrol zone. Weather remains the same.
October 13, 1939.
02:57 Sound officer detects what seems to be a lone merchant, I ask for a bearing and we surface to chase it.
03:13 Enemy ship confirmed; Class C2 cargo, british... YOU A$$ IS MINE!. Hiding in the dark night I establish a position ahead and abeam of the cargo.
03:48 I fire twice; first torpedo hits little behind the center, the second close to the bow.
The C2 is dead in the water, but refuses to sink, So, you are a tough guy? I engage the deck gun.
03:52 The cargo goes down. FINALLY we got our first victory.
We sail again toward AN13
08:52 ALARM!!, Walrus spotted (Not again, please). Gunner to the flak! On the double!
Two minutes later, the Walrus is only a spot in the water.
13:00 We surface to find a medium rain, but heavy fog and 7 m/s winds.
21:00 After being submerged for 4 hours, we surface again. Weather is still bad.
October 14, 1939.
Nothing to report. The crew is starting to get bored; nobody said that life in a U-Boot was a party anyway.
October 15, 1939.
05:00 On surface. Rains remains; I hate the british weather.
October 16, 1939.
06:00 The navigator reports we have reached AN13. We start a search pattern. The rain has ceased, but we have a light fog, partly cloudy skies and 7 m/s winds.
07:10 ALARM!! Walrus. In these destructor infested waters I prefer not to push our luck, I order crash dive.
07:49 Sound contact.