[Enchanter]

Personal Diary of Gerhard Linden 1 September ’40 – 6 September ‘40

Our orders are in! Transit the English Channel and enter our new home port. Along the way we should seek to interdict merchants ships as usual, and destroyers if possible, to distract them from raiding our surface ships. The day before that however, I was to attend an award ceremony for officers. Several officers in our flotilla were called to the front and presented with various medals and promotions. The Officers all sat on one side of the hall, and the guests on the other. Slowly the number of recipients dwindled, and I began to feel uncomfortable. I hoped I had been invited by mistake, as had happened with one or two officers before.
Then, the commander spoke my name, and I stood and marched to the front. Standing at attention I heard the commander speak my citation.
“For bravery in the face of battle, and superior merit commanding the men of U-Boat 49, the Chancellery of the German Reich bestows the Order of the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds upon Senior Lieutenant Gerhard Linden.”
Everything seemed to go hazy and the next thing I knew, the commander was pumping my hand and grinning in my face.
”Well done my boy,” he grinned, and then he hung the coveted medal around my neck. As one the officers side of the hall came to their feet, cheering and clapping. I stood there as, what Fritz would later describe as, ‘a stunned mongoose.’
When the rowdy officers finally quieted, the presentation was dismissed. Suzanne walked up to me and smiled.
“Well done sailor!” She smiled. I smiled back at her and gathered in my arms. Kissing her deeply. After a minute or two we parted the embrace and walked arm in arm down the pathway. I filled with equal parts joy and worry. I would now escort her to the train station where she would make for St. Nazaire. I would not see her again until then. We climbed into the staff car, and made for the train station. Standing on the track, her luggage already loaded, she looked up at me as I turned her towards me. I marveled at the beauty of her. 5’5” of pure wonder. Her hair shone in the sunlight, her lips were a perfect soft red. Her eyes sparkled, and she smelled of flowers. She wore a large peach colored hat, complementing her traveling dress. She met my eyes and I as I drank in the moment of being with her. Then she kissed me lightly and disengaged herself from me.
“It would seem fate for once turns the tables on you Herr Kaleun.” She smiled, “For today it is I who leaves, and you who must watch. It’s a lousy place to be isn’t it?”
The last query was delivered with a prod to my chest. Smoothing the creases of my dress uniform she stood on her tiptoes and delivered another quick kiss.
“See you soon my love.” She whispered.
“Be safe my angel,” I whispered back, and kissed her once more. Then she began walking to the train. I watched the train pull out and turned back to the waiting staff car. Returning to base, I was struck how empty and desolate it was.

After a sleepless night I finally boarded the boat, and the crew made preparations to cast off. Transiting the peninsula for what we hoped would be the last time. We plotted a course for the English channel and set to. Our intelligence had pointed out that the channel was empty. That was hardly the case. Shortly after passing Dover we encountered a V&W Destroyer heading the opposite way. It was pitch back night, and I submerged and prepared a solution. My Weapons Officer had diligently arranged several extra electrical torpedoes for us, and I planned to use them against this formidable target. Selecting my tube, plotting my solution and firing, we waited for the stopwatch to reach the correct mark. Suddenly halfway between the target and ourselves (about 750m) there was a tremendous explosion! I looked at the water and in my confusion, thought the target had fired on us. Then my weapons officer announced in a flat voice, “The weapon has detonated Herr Kaleun.”
Dammit.
Re-enter the new solution, select the second electric loaded, and fire. This time the torpedo hadn’t traveled 10 seconds when it too exploded.
Disgusted with the whole charade I put my stern to the rapidly disappearing ship and went on my way.
Despite naval intelligence informing us the strait was quiet, I was nevertheless best by no less than five warships. They never detected us, but we stalked an armed trawler for a long while before electing to expend a third electrical torpedo. This time the torpedo sailed under the targets keel and swam harmlessly away. I began using some choice words to explain my displeasure. Then we happened upon a few lone costal merchants. In total we sank 5 ships, all costal merchants save two small merchants. Expending all our torpedoes but two, we made for our new base. Our torpedo was has come a long way, and we managed several kills at ranges of 1500m! The crew, and I, have learnt patience and diligence, and our kills are no longer a matter of pride, but a matter of professionalism.

On the 3rd of September, the crew surprised me completely. I was standing on the bridge with the watch when our boat came to a slow stop. Perplexed I called down and demanded speed, but had no answer. Grumbling mightily I descended to the command room and there, Fritz had managed to cram all officers and NCOs into the little room. As I descended the ladder they began singing Happy Birthday (very badly), in English no less! Fritz and Carlewitz had spent painstaking hours teaching our NCOs the confounded song. We had a good laugh at that. Thanking the crew, I then accepted Fritz’s offer to be escorted along the length of the boat, and here each and every seaman stopped his work and greeted me for my birthday. I was quite touched. Essentially, this boat has become one big overextended family. Many of these men have been with me since this war began a year ago. I am proud to serve with them for the Fatherland!

Finally we transited to our new port. I’ll miss the protection of the enclosed pens I imagine, but the living areas are much more spacious. My office is still cramped, but the town of St. Nazaire is beautiful, clean and lively. I look forward to exploring it with Suzanne. Ironically, my transit was faster than hers, and I shall have to wait upon her arrival. In the mean time, Fritz and myself have made every effort to scout the local Officer’s Nightclub wine selection. Some very fine choices of wine are available! Reckhoff informed me today that he has secured a residence in the Married Officers Quarters for himself and his family, but sadly my other officers and NCOs must content themselves with writing love letters home. Poor fools.

Gerhard Linden
U-49 Kapt.