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Enchanter · 01-06-07, 07:03 AM

Personal Diary of Gerhard Linden 27 November ’39 – 9 December ‘39

Our orders in hand, the crew cast off the lines and made for the western coast of England. Our track took us north of the port of Scapa Flow and resulted in a good many targets of opportunity!

No fewer than 5 merchant ships (including one fishing boat) took the final plunge. Our torpedo skills left much to be desired, a 50% hit rate was, in my opinion, not good enough for a ship of our caliber. I have instituted a ‘two shot policy’ aboard the boat. In circumstances permitted by weather, a medium to large ship, (Small Merchants and up) will be fired upon with two torpedoes. Should either (or in some cases both) torps miss or fail to detonate, I surface and hand the destruction over to my gunner Gotz Kals. This policy stresses the evaluation of a target, not in terms of tonnage, but in respect of what is occurring in the surrounding area. I aborted one such use of the policy during the patrol when my sonar man detected a warship inbound to our position. However, for the most part, this policy allowed me to conserve torps for more dire situations.

One incident I am still quite livid about is my encounter with a C2 Cargo just off my patrol zone. I established a submerged intercept, in the classic 90° position. At 1000m I launched a salvo of two torpedoes both set to fast and magnetic trigger at 8 feet. I was suspicious of the indicated track by my Weapons officer, but I trusted to his judgement. Which, ultimately was my greatest error. The damned fool managed to miss the target completely both fore and aft of the target. Needless to say, I was a slightly grouchy commander. Nevertheless, I refrained from introducing him to the bulkhead long enough to re-direct another salvo launch. Again, a silly mistake, though this time, only one torpedo missed. One slammed into the aft of the ship, slowing her, but by no means causing a sinking feeling. Having wasted four torpedoes already I ordered a surfacing and the d/g manned. Karl put her under with several shots later. During this time, I remained below and slammed the weapon officers head into the bulkhead. On every shot fired, so as not to give away our position…

Relieving the dazed weapons officer of duty for a while, we entered our patrol zone. Quickly I established contact, but our foray against the C2 meant that we were sorely missed by no less than three destroyers. As they passed out of detection range, I happened across another C2. I’m pretty sure that these ships were designed to give me a headache. They are fast becoming the bane of my tonnage reports. Firing two individual torpedoes into the pig, both of which hit (thus proving the fault lay with the Weps Officer, still dazed in his quarters), the C2 steamed on, quite oblivious to my attack. Considering this to be poor etiquette on the part of the target captain, I directed the boat to surface and manned the d/g once more. I ordered Kals to fire on the command deck, to display our displeasure at being ignored.
After about 6 shells, the captain of the C2 was graceful enough to sink the ship.

Our patrol sector now cleared, we left the area and happened to encounter another costal merchant. I swear, I’m using some or other deodorant that attracts the damned things. One torpedo later, this time delivered by my Weps Officer, eager to please I might add, we had her sunk. 7 Hours later I crossed paths with a tug boat! I was quite happy to leave the thing along, seeing how it wasn’t worth the tonnage, but Kals begged me for a chance to shoot it. He claimed it would be amusing! I agreed, and went to the bridge to watch Kals have his fun. Subsequently we’ve taken to calling him ‘Tug Boat Charlie’. He wears the new name with pride!
Rounding the Scapa Flow base area once again, we intercepted a small merchant, with only two torpedoes remaining, I was loathe to fish for her, so I manned the d/g again. Although we were running short of shells, Kals challenged me to a shooting contest. In the spirit of teaching the little swine a lesson or six in advanced naval gunnery, I accepted. We pulled alongside the boat at 1500 m, and proceeded to call of targets. Kals is a devious little *****! He called some very difficult shots. He was suitably impressed when he indicated the flag pole, and I took it out with a single shot. After alternating between us for six shots, I tired of the game and ordered Kals to fire into the engine room. With a single HE shot he tore the boat apart. I was suitably impressed. Fritz informed me that he had heard Kals later talking about the contest, apparently he was rather inspired by my display, and has decided to name ‘his’ d/g ‘Kaleun’s Ire’. I think that should serve as a fervent reminder for our esteemed weapons officer too!

Due to the excellent weather during the patrol, I despaired of ever having the opportunity to try further exercises of the ‘front on sneak attack’ manoeuvre. However, as we entered the last leg of our journey, a single small merchant happened along. The weather had degraded sufficiently for me to try the tactic, and once again we demonstrated the power of German engineering where you need it most on a torpedo. The exploding part.

Fritz had questioned me with regard to my dinner with Suzanne. I had enjoyed a lovely evening with the girl. She is bright and witty, and has a very gentle disposition. She admitted, all the while blushing beautifully, that she had looked me up in the Naval Command office and had been told of my reputation as a U-Boat commander. I was flattered that such a stunning woman would take so much interest in a U-Boat commander. It turns out, the bistro was owned by one of her friends husbands and we spent nearly the entire evening talking. When I finally walked her home, we parted ways with a hug, that, although I may have imagined it, lingered deliciously.
Fritz says lingering hugs are a good sign. I’m certain I’m going to have to have this man shot…

As I was making my way onto the boat, I was handed a note by one of the dock men. It was a brief letter from Suzanne, wishing me well for the patrol. I’ve kept it in my pocket ever since. I think we may have a good luck charm, for this patrol netted no fewer than 12 ships! As a result, I invited Suzanne to attend the awards ceremony for the patrol. The awards ceremony had me presenting another Iron Cross 2nd Class, this time to my NCO watch stander for his exceptional ship spotting skills. A Iron Cross 1st class went to a machinist I had observed during the patrol. Not once in the seven days did he leave his station! According to the crew, he took short naps at his station whenever he had a full compartment, but the Cross I had awarded him in the previous cruise inspired him to work even harder. No doubt Chief Sr. Warrant Officer Herbert Reckhoff is on the fast track to promotion. I still have an officers berth to fill, and his qualification as Machinist will fill the post nicely. My commanding officer presented me with my Iron Cross 1st class, and with my U-Boat War badge AND my U-Boat Front Clasp. The crew were rather jubilant after the ceremony, and I received a few phone calls complaining about my crews excessively loud singing and bragging at local drinking halls, the next day. Apparently most of my crew are strutting about, telling anyone who’ll listen they are the crew of U-49, you know, the U-49, with the best damned crew ever to sail the English waters!
This morale boost will no doubt serve us well in a war that seems set to last a long while.
I’ve spent many evenings with Suzanne since our arrival home. We also went on a day bicycle ride around country, then picnicked in a field. We’ve become extremely close, and several times she’s accompanied me to various officer parties at the officers club. She is a constant source of mirth, she brightens me up considerably. Several of the crew have now seen me about town with her, and I imagine, rumours have already started. I’ll deal with that when next we sail. Fritz has admitted to both her and I, that he is confused how such a grumpy U-boat commander (who are vastly inferior to Chief Engineer’s he’ll have us know), has managed to attract such a vivacious lady. I’m still certain I’ll have to have this man shot…

Due to the date of our arrival, I imagine we’ll not sail until next year. I look forward to taking the famous U-49 and her excellent crew out again as we terrorise the waters off the English coast.

Until next time,

Gerhard Linden
U-49 Kapt.

01-06-07, 07:03 AM	#7
Enchanter Bosun Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Africa Posts: 66 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	Personal Diary of Gerhard Linden 27 November ’39 – 9 December ‘39 Our orders in hand, the crew cast off the lines and made for the western coast of England. Our track took us north of the port of Scapa Flow and resulted in a good many targets of opportunity! No fewer than 5 merchant ships (including one fishing boat) took the final plunge. Our torpedo skills left much to be desired, a 50% hit rate was, in my opinion, not good enough for a ship of our caliber. I have instituted a ‘two shot policy’ aboard the boat. In circumstances permitted by weather, a medium to large ship, (Small Merchants and up) will be fired upon with two torpedoes. Should either (or in some cases both) torps miss or fail to detonate, I surface and hand the destruction over to my gunner Gotz Kals. This policy stresses the evaluation of a target, not in terms of tonnage, but in respect of what is occurring in the surrounding area. I aborted one such use of the policy during the patrol when my sonar man detected a warship inbound to our position. However, for the most part, this policy allowed me to conserve torps for more dire situations. One incident I am still quite livid about is my encounter with a C2 Cargo just off my patrol zone. I established a submerged intercept, in the classic 90° position. At 1000m I launched a salvo of two torpedoes both set to fast and magnetic trigger at 8 feet. I was suspicious of the indicated track by my Weapons officer, but I trusted to his judgement. Which, ultimately was my greatest error. The damned fool managed to miss the target completely both fore and aft of the target. Needless to say, I was a slightly grouchy commander. Nevertheless, I refrained from introducing him to the bulkhead long enough to re-direct another salvo launch. Again, a silly mistake, though this time, only one torpedo missed. One slammed into the aft of the ship, slowing her, but by no means causing a sinking feeling. Having wasted four torpedoes already I ordered a surfacing and the d/g manned. Karl put her under with several shots later. During this time, I remained below and slammed the weapon officers head into the bulkhead. On every shot fired, so as not to give away our position… Relieving the dazed weapons officer of duty for a while, we entered our patrol zone. Quickly I established contact, but our foray against the C2 meant that we were sorely missed by no less than three destroyers. As they passed out of detection range, I happened across another C2. I’m pretty sure that these ships were designed to give me a headache. They are fast becoming the bane of my tonnage reports. Firing two individual torpedoes into the pig, both of which hit (thus proving the fault lay with the Weps Officer, still dazed in his quarters), the C2 steamed on, quite oblivious to my attack. Considering this to be poor etiquette on the part of the target captain, I directed the boat to surface and manned the d/g once more. I ordered Kals to fire on the command deck, to display our displeasure at being ignored. After about 6 shells, the captain of the C2 was graceful enough to sink the ship. Our patrol sector now cleared, we left the area and happened to encounter another costal merchant. I swear, I’m using some or other deodorant that attracts the damned things. One torpedo later, this time delivered by my Weps Officer, eager to please I might add, we had her sunk. 7 Hours later I crossed paths with a tug boat! I was quite happy to leave the thing along, seeing how it wasn’t worth the tonnage, but Kals begged me for a chance to shoot it. He claimed it would be amusing! I agreed, and went to the bridge to watch Kals have his fun. Subsequently we’ve taken to calling him ‘Tug Boat Charlie’. He wears the new name with pride! Rounding the Scapa Flow base area once again, we intercepted a small merchant, with only two torpedoes remaining, I was loathe to fish for her, so I manned the d/g again. Although we were running short of shells, Kals challenged me to a shooting contest. In the spirit of teaching the little swine a lesson or six in advanced naval gunnery, I accepted. We pulled alongside the boat at 1500 m, and proceeded to call of targets. Kals is a devious little ****! He called some very difficult shots. He was suitably impressed when he indicated the flag pole, and I took it out with a single shot. After alternating between us for six shots, I tired of the game and ordered Kals to fire into the engine room. With a single HE shot he tore the boat apart. I was suitably impressed. Fritz informed me that he had heard Kals later talking about the contest, apparently he was rather inspired by my display, and has decided to name ‘his’ d/g ‘Kaleun’s Ire’. I think that should serve as a fervent reminder for our esteemed weapons officer too! Due to the excellent weather during the patrol, I despaired of ever having the opportunity to try further exercises of the ‘front on sneak attack’ manoeuvre. However, as we entered the last leg of our journey, a single small merchant happened along. The weather had degraded sufficiently for me to try the tactic, and once again we demonstrated the power of German engineering where you need it most on a torpedo. The exploding part. Fritz had questioned me with regard to my dinner with Suzanne. I had enjoyed a lovely evening with the girl. She is bright and witty, and has a very gentle disposition. She admitted, all the while blushing beautifully, that she had looked me up in the Naval Command office and had been told of my reputation as a U-Boat commander. I was flattered that such a stunning woman would take so much interest in a U-Boat commander. It turns out, the bistro* was owned by one of her friends husbands and we spent nearly the entire evening talking. When I finally walked her home, we parted ways with a hug, that, although I may have imagined it, lingered deliciously. Fritz says lingering hugs are a good sign. I’m certain I’m going to have to have this man shot… As I was making my way onto the boat, I was handed a note by one of the dock men. It was a brief letter from Suzanne, wishing me well for the patrol. I’ve kept it in my pocket ever since. I think we may have a good luck charm, for this patrol netted no fewer than 12 ships! As a result, I invited Suzanne to attend the awards ceremony for the patrol. The awards ceremony had me presenting another Iron Cross 2nd Class, this time to my NCO watch stander for his exceptional ship spotting skills. A Iron Cross 1st class went to a machinist I had observed during the patrol. Not once in the seven days did he leave his station! According to the crew, he took short naps at his station whenever he had a full compartment, but the Cross I had awarded him in the previous cruise inspired him to work even harder. No doubt Chief Sr. Warrant Officer Herbert Reckhoff is on the fast track to promotion. I still have an officers berth to fill, and his qualification as Machinist will fill the post nicely. My commanding officer presented me with my Iron Cross 1st class, and with my U-Boat War badge AND my U-Boat Front Clasp. The crew were rather jubilant after the ceremony, and I received a few phone calls complaining about my crews excessively loud singing and bragging at local drinking halls, the next day. Apparently most of my crew are strutting about, telling anyone who’ll listen they are the crew of U-49, you know, the U-49, with the best damned crew ever to sail the English waters! This morale boost will no doubt serve us well in a war that seems set to last a long while. I’ve spent many evenings with Suzanne since our arrival home. We also went on a day bicycle ride around country, then picnicked in a field. We’ve become extremely close, and several times she’s accompanied me to various officer parties at the officers club. She is a constant source of mirth, she brightens me up considerably. Several of the crew have now seen me about town with her, and I imagine, rumours have already started. I’ll deal with that when next we sail. Fritz has admitted to both her and I, that he is confused how such a grumpy U-boat commander (who are vastly inferior to Chief Engineer’s he’ll have us know), has managed to attract such a vivacious lady. I’m still certain I’ll have to have this man shot… Due to the date of our arrival, I imagine we’ll not sail until next year. I look forward to taking the famous U-49 and her excellent crew out again as we terrorise the waters off the English coast. Until next time, Gerhard Linden U-49 Kapt. __________________ Hasta la wookie...baby.