From Kptlt. Johan Sebastian Balz
Lorient, 22 November 1940.
Just returned from patrol and Herr Admiral Doenitz told me to be modest. So I modestly report 109,072 BRT sunk, which is a modest tonnage for a great U-Boot Komandant such as myself. During this patrol we experienced monstrous seas and restricted visibility most of the time. Attempted an attack on a convoy but were unable to even launch one single torpedo. Most of the sinkings were done by surfacing behind a freighter approaching it 'til seeing the stern and letting it have a magnetic under the poop from about 300 meters. With fast travelling tankers had to line up with the ship's course and begin surfacing at flank speed while ship was overhead and fire the moment the scope broke surface. Great sport for Balz the Magnificent. Will anyone buy me a drink? I also received The KC with golden oak leaves, swords, and diamonds, I inform modestly.
Kptlt. J.S. Balz
A magnificent, modest U-Boat Komandant.
