J.S. Balz writes:
17 September 1941
From: U-503
To: BDU
I regret to report that despite my brilliant performance, I was unable to reach the goal of 200K BRT. My skillful attacks on convoys and lone tankers were giving the normal results expected from a brilliant officer as myself and I sank 153049 BRT. During an attack on a conoy just as I was launching a superb set of shots, a stinking small freighter plowed into my conning tower and destroyed both persicopes. I must add that the torpedoes launched did sink two ships.
Despite the mishap, I consider my tonnage for the patrol adequate for a grand reception and party to honor me and my greatness.
Kptlt, Johan Sebastian Balz, the Magnificent.