[Capt Bathtub]

W of Cape Finisterre

I am impressed by the watch crew and how they maintain a vigil with their binoculars even though they can barely see the ends of the boat. This is the thickest fog, rain, cloud, end of civilisation weather we've yet seen. Worse than Norway. So most of tonight is spent submerged, training the crew on hydrophone techniques by listening and comparing results with periscope observations.

Just discovered that the Snr Warrant Officer Radioman's first name is Wolf. Who on earth would name their child Wolf? This country's gone mad. He has been with us since the beginning and I never knew his full name. Well he doesn't say much, but apparently he's very good at listening. Mein gott, I even awarded him an Iron Cross, without knowing his name. I need to spend more time down the aft end of the control room, where that "crew management" desk is, there could be other humourous names. Herbert Andersen!! And A.Goldbeck sounds like a small child when he talks.

Southbound and we intercept a large cargo, grid CG13, rough seas, clear skies. Send 2 eels in deep, one aimed below stack detonates true, second aimed for midships duds on hull (assume pistol error, never mine), enemy ship comes to stop and lists to the starboard and stern. Come about for stern shot, impact on hull midships. Ship state remains at 0604. Will wait for sinking, sunrise, seas too rough for deck gun! 0828 and the aft gun on the cargo starts taking shots at our position when we round the ship, spots us due to visibilty of conning tower in rough seas. Might stay away from that end of the cargo. 0947 and the ship still shoots at the periscope when I leave it up long enough for them to spot, so they haven't fully abandoned ship yet. 1029 no change, too dangerous with weather, daylight and possible assistance heading this way for them, so will send an electric, impact pistol 4m depth, into their portside. They won't see it coming...impact at 1054 she finally splits and sinks beautifully. The only shadow over this action was that during the wait whenever I popped back into the command room for a check via the Observation periscope, Totenhagen would hurriedly step back from the earshot of Barsch. I know they're up to something. Put the junior lieutenant, F.Kaeding, the officer with no hat, on duty in his stead.

Same happened next day at 1822, picked up merchant on hydrophone, went to investigate. Found a large cargo, sent 2 eels in usual spread 1841, fires on deck and heavy list dead in water, set up for another shot and lo and behold she sinks at 1856. Surface the boat at 1915 due to stunning aspect of quarter moon and sunset. Maintaining station south half of BE90, been given freedom of action by BdU, heavy storm lasts for 2 days, seas still too rough for loading external stores - may set course for Spanish coastal waters if seas don't abate.

Pick up C3, two shot salvo long range 2000m+, rough seas, 1027, third shot needed as ship still managing 5 knot speed. Third eel under the stack brings to a halt. Observe ship sink at 1040 stern first then performs death roll at 45deg. Awe inspiring! Maintaining station at BE99, 2 forward torpedoes remain plus external stores awaiting suitable weather.

Heading now to Cape Finisterre for external reload leeside, according to the Britannica there's a suitable area called Punta da Insua, unless seas abate beforehand. Hmmmm, cerveza anyone? The leeside has a port near to a town called Laxe, so naturally gunners will be sent out to requisition as much of this cerveza as they can carry. Within an hour. Good luck gentlemen. Land sighted at 0130. 0245 we drop anchor in shallow waters and send our intrepid gunners on their way. External reload commences. Raiding party consists of gunners B.Kettner and K.Vogler with rating H.Ebert all led by Snr Warrant Officer P.Hessler. Neutral Spain must not be made aware of our presence.