[Enchanter]

Personal Diary of Gerhard Linden 8 November ’40 – 21 November ‘40

If our previous patrols were exciting, then words could not describe the frantic pace of our latest patrol. Due to our increased kill ratio, we had been ordered to patrol the Northern coast of England. There it was hoped we could prey on the fat tankers and cargo ships being diverted that direction since the fall of France.

However, 24 Hours out of port, I stumbled across the lead destroyer of a convoy, as yet undetected! I immediately sent word to BDu and dived to periscope depth. It had just turned midnight as I raised my scope and look onto a scene to make any U-boot captains heart swell. Huge merchant ships milled about, organizing themselves into a convoy order. Without hesitation I selected the biggest target first. A T3 tanker. Setting the torpedo to explode beneath her, I loosed and immediately set up targeting the ship alongside her. The troop transport ship soon had her own trouble heading her way as I fired on her too. Seconds later, my first torpedo struck home and the T3 began breaking up from a massive explosion on her storage decks. The troop transport was hit next, and began to wallow, then sink in the calm waters. As I came about for another run, I raised my periscope at precisely the wrong moment. The searchlights of a V&W destroyer swept over us, and began firing with a vengeance. Quickly I submerged the boat, our position and direction of travel no longer a secret, I ordered a depth sounding. I hoped that between the two maneuvers I could convince the attacking ships of my direction of escape. With a sounding of over a 100 meters between myself and the bottom, I ordered the boat to 100 meters. Keeping my speed at Ahead Slow I turned the boat hard to starboard intending to use the merchants as obstacles to the hunt for me.
Suddenly the ocean exploded as depth charges began raining down on us. Fortunately we were saved from major damage by the turning, but I ordered an increase to flank speed as we descended. Between that and the noise our torpedo men made reloading, our position was giving away. The ruse had failed. The enemy began pinging us, they’re determination to destroy us driving us to greater efforts. The torpedo hatch slammed closed and my Watch officer called out that the torpedoes were stowed. I turned to Fritz and ordered ‘Rig ship for silent running.’ Immediately all non essential gear was stowed and all noisy activities ceased. The boat became as quiet as a tomb, the only sounds the groaning of protesting metal as the pressure on our hull increased. My weapons officer whispered in my ear, “Depth charges in the water!”
A few seconds later the water exploded once more, but above us, and too far to the left to be a problem.

Soon another destroyer entered the fray, lending her active sonar to the search, the soon located us once more. I waited for the sounds of the charges falling into the water before I changed course hard starboard and increased to flank. This time the explosions were closer and we took some minor damage. A pipe burst above Fritz’s head showering him with water, but he barely batted an eyelid and ordered the engine back to ahead slow. For 2 hours we tacked away from the battle, occasionally changing direction randomly to prevent any concentrated attack. As the sounds of the destroyers feel further behind us, I looked over my command room. The men were tense, covered in sweat, but in the red light their faces were set with a grim determination. I glanced at the battery and air readouts. Still 75% battery power, and more than 50% air. Forcing a gruff voice that could be heard throughout the command room, I said, “Bah! Not even 25% of our batteries were used! And we have enough air to float the entire English navy! They didn’t even try hunt us!”
A few nods greeted the statement, and the Weapons officer spoke up, “Ja Herr Kaleun. I’ve seen more concentrated searches for fish!” A chuckle followed the statement as the crew vented their tension.
“Come to periscope depth, raise the periscope and increase speed to Ahead full. Secure from silent running.”
I closed my eyes as the ship began her ascent and took a deep breath of the fetid air. At periscope depth a few minutes later, I did a sweep before allowing the ship to surface. There we began recharging our batteries and I plotted a route to intercept and engage the convoy again. Then I walked onto the bridge and stared at the horizon. I turned to stare SW and wondered what Suzanne was doing. Probably sleeping. And here I was on a big iron coffin shooting things at people equally determined to kill me. With a sigh, I returned to my bunk and opened the book I had brought with me. I began reading, but 3 hours later Fritz roused me, I looked up, the book on my chest and blinked.
We’ve reached the intercept point Kaleun,” Fritz informed me, “and our look outs have spotted the lead escorts. I’ve ordered us to periscope depth.”
I returned to the command deck and brought the boat to Ahead Slow. We crept past the hull of the enemy escort and after a few minutes I raised my periscope. I cursed silently as I watched the sun began her ascent. Walking to the map I estimated the convoys course and speed. We’d never get another night attack before the ship came into the more fiercely guarded English territorial waters. I didn’t relish a dawn attack, but I preferred one with three escorts to any other with more escorts and the potential to summon air support.

We began our attack run, three torpedoes leaving on their mission of death. The first detonated beneath the target T3, the other two impacted on their C2 targets, but neither sunk. I launched my fourth tube at the T3, this time the detonation, about 500 m off our bow was heard throughout the ship. Suddenly small caliber fire began striking around our periscope! We’d been spotted in the rising dawn. Quickly I lowered the scope and a shell crashed into the water and detonated against the watch tower. The boat rocked and we executed a fast dive, turning a reciprocal heading to the one we’d been spotted on. Rigging the ship for silent again, we began our exit. I checked our stores. Two torpedoes left, having expended some of our aft torpedoes during the dive in an attempt to score some kills. I evaluated the situation. I knew that our patrol zone was still to be reached, and elected to have some live torpedoes for the encounters up north. We slipped away from the convoy, but we felt we had done sufficient damage. Her two capital merchants and a vital troop transport were no more. Tanks, Fritz mused later, were far inferior to German infantry when there were no Limeys to drive them.

Leaving the scene of the battle we began our trek towards the patrol zone. In the clear weather we spotted a C3 cargo ship at long range, and electing to save my torpedoes I had Kals open fire. After about 12 direct hits the C3 exploded. And hour later we engaged a Coastal Merchant in the same manner. Pleased with the opportunity to add tonnage to our logs without the expense of torpedoes, the morale on the boat soared. Once again, U-49 was becoming the terror of the seas.

2 days after the first convoy attack, we were passing the Northern coast of Ireland when we happened across a second convoy! Dusk was falling and the weather was turning horrid, rain driving over the deck and limiting visibility. I made a bold decision. Keeping the watch at their stations, I infiltrated the convoy. Surfaced. Soon the looming hulk of the sole T3 tanker came into view and we fired off our final bow torpedo. With a deafening roar the ship lit up like a beacon in the dark night, and we quickly submerged and hustled out of sight. The escorts couldn’t even begin to search for us, and soon we had surfaced and brought our last aft torpedo out of her deck storage. It was early morning, and the weather had abated sufficiently for us to run through the convoy submerged this time. Patiently we cut through the convoy, searching for our final victim, and found her, a straggling C2 with the British flag. I briefly toyed with the idea of sinking the T3 under the American flag, but elected not to. As she passed by us, I began setting up the shot for the C2. 2 minutes later, the torpedo left her tube and slammed into the target. Another glorious explosion. The crew couldn’t contain themselves. A ‘Hurrah!” of joy was raised as I brought the periscope down. Grinning at Fritz I ordered a dive to 50 feet to avoid any nasty surprises, then we turned back to our plot for the patrol zone.
Although I had no torpedoes left, I hoped to happen along a ship in good weather. Alas, although we encountered 2 small merchants, the weather precluded any gunnery. Turning for home we were shocked when we heard the sounds of another convoy on our sensors!
Just to make him nervous, I asked for weather conditions above deck from the Nav Officer. He grinned at me and reported the wind speed in excess of 16 m/s.
Then he surprised me and asked if he should order Kals to the deck. I played with the idea, but finally decided that the wind and waves were beyond reasonable safety limits, and that I would be foolish to end such a glorious patrol with a surfaced gunnery attack on a guarded convoy. So we did the next best thing and shadowed the convoy for a while, reporting it to BDu. Then we returned home. At 25 km from port I radioed St. Nazaire and informed them of our approach. I glanced at my clock. 5 o’clock in the evening. Suzanne would be getting off work now. I went to the bridge and faced the howling elements at their most furious as we docked. The band had set up under a shelter, but there was no one on the pier to greet us. Except one lonely figure, clutching a shawl as the wind and rain buffeted her. Her free hand waved frantically at me and with my binoculars I could see the smile on her rain soaked face.

Never had it taken so long to lower the gangway and secure the ship to the pier. I rushed across the gangplank and lifted Suzanne into the air. Setting her down I kissed her, speaking of my love for her without words. Finally we parted and she swayed giddily with joy.
“I was told you’d be docking!” She shouted over the wind, “I thought I’d come say hello!”
In my arms I felt her shiver, and noticed her lips were blue with cold. I swept off my raincoat and wrapped it around her as I told her how much of a mad banshee she was to be out in this weather. With a smile she kissed me once more and told me to come visit her when I was done at the base. I agreed and she made off into the rain for home. With my raincoat. Which I only realized when she disappeared from view.

The patrol report was quickly sent off to the commanders office, and I made for Suzanne’s apartment. There the smell of coffee filled the air and she emerged from the bathroom as I knocked on the open door, toweling her wet hair. Her long auburn hair fell to her shoulders, in complete disarray from the vigorous drying.
“Never have I seen such a vision of beauty,” I said as I walked towards her.
“That’s because you’ve been cooped up in a smelly boat for weeks!” She laughed as she threw the towel at me. “For a wonder, we have hot water, and your bath is drawn. Now go. And shave! I think you gave me beard burn!” Perplexed, I entered the bathroom and noted the full, steaming bath, with a pair of my casual pants and a shirt folded on the dresser. My spare shaving kit was sitting by the washstand.
“You’ve been visiting while I was gone.” I called from the bathroom. My only answer was a mirthful chuckle. Ten minutes later I was sinking into the glorious water. A while later I emerged, feeling a new man. “Goodness, by time you showed up sailor. I had begun to think you may have sunk!”
“You should have sent a search party then!” I laughed, and she looked up at me. “Don’t think I didn’t consider it!” she said, “But then I couldn’t get hold of Fritz to lead the search!”
The image of Fritz waltzing into the room with me in the bath wiped the grin off my face. Another chuckle followed and I was pulled to the chair and given a kiss.
“Now tell me everything,” I was commanded as coffee was poured and served.

The next morning I reported to the commander of 7th Flotilla and gave my report. By the end of the day I had completed my paperwork for the recommendations. A few days later we held the awards ceremony for U-49’s crew once more. In the cheery sunlight morning, with my men dressed in their parade best, and the guests in the latest fashions from Paris, I called forward the men, as I handed out promotions and medals. I awarded the First Class Iron Cross to my watchman for his bravery in holding the watch during the convoy attack. Two NCOs and a seaman earned their promotions too. Finally I read the citation for the final award.
“For his bravery and loyalty during the patrols on U-Boot 49, the people of the German Reich take pleasure in awarding the Iron Cross Second Class to Sub Lieutenant Fritz Freiderichs, Chief Engineer of U-49. I pinned the decoration to my friend and smiled at him. Then I returned to the podium and as the applause died down I continued.
“For his outstanding valor and dedication, the Kaleun of U-Boot 49 confers on Sub Lieutenant Fritz Freiderichs the rank of Junior Lieutenant, with all benefits and privileges thereof.” The crowd exploded with applause and I pretended to ignore Fritz’s wet eyes as I presented him with his badges of rank. Then the commander too the podium, thanked me and gave me permission to dismiss the men. Doing so, I waited as they filed off the presentation stage, and as I turned to march off behind them, the commander called me to attention. Perplexed, I came to attention, not fully sure what I was expecting.
“For his bravery and daring in the command of the men of U-49, the Chancellor of the German Reich sends his personal regards and respects to Lieutenant Senior Gerhard Linden. He regrets that the affairs of war preclude his personal presentation of this auspicious commendation, as he confers on you the order of the Knights Cross, with Golden Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. This is the highest honour any man can aspire to. Wear it with pride Kaleun. His warm regards, Chancellor Hitler.”
I trembled as the medal was given to me. Then the commander drew himself erect and saluted me. My years of military training snapped to the fore and I saluted back crisply. With pride in his voice, the Commander dismissed me.
Suzanne congratulated me, and in seconds I was swarmed by the men of U-49. From crewman to officer they all wanted to pay respects.

As England grows bolder and more cunning, hiding her convoys behind the American flags, I begin to fear that the war may not soon come to an end. Though the deeds of the men of U-49 are heroic, I fear we shall have greater legends to create as we push further into the war. It is with overwhelming pride that I push on in the defense of the Fatherland, with the brave crew of U-49 behind me.

Gerhard Linden
U-49 Kapt.