[Enchanter]

Personal Diary of Gerhard Linden 18 October ’41 – 26 October ‘41

Shakedown.

Well, as efficient as the German Kriegsmarine can be, I never thought they’d be this efficient!
Not two days into my leave I get called into the 2nd Flotilla’s Commandant’s office and told that my new command is ready!
I had initially been made to believe that I would take command of a used IXB when her crew returned from patrol, however, it was decided that I would command an IXC, and it so happened my boat, U-504 arrived in dock at Lorient just yesterday!
My Commandant gave me my transfer papers, then shook my hand and saluted me. I felt as if I was leaving my family home as I got into the staff car for the trip home to pack.

I didn’t count on a livid fiancé however!
“You’re on leave, Gerhard!” she yelped when I told her the news.
“We’re at war, Suzanne,” I replied, which I admit now was the best response I could have given, but I was so excited about my new command!
A few choice words later, I was hurrying out of my old apartment as my irate wife-to-be began picking up one or two of the things she had thrown at me. Getting into the staff car, I urged speed, not for my command, but to escape my loves wrath!

Although I was upset she couldn’t be excited about this fantastic opportunity, I must admit that I am very glad to see she has some pluck! She’s certainly as tempestuous as the day I met her! Despite the argument, I called her the instant I arrived in Lorient, and her sweet silky voice greeted me back. We both apologized, declared our love and I went to meet my new Commanding Officer, Viktor Schütze.
Words cannot describe what it felt like to meet such a hero of the German people! This tall man came around the desk and shook my hand and sat me down.
“Gerhard,” he began, sitting across from me, “I won’t lie to you. We have some of the hardest tasks in the navy. We also have some of the greatest Kaleun’s in the world. I’m afraid your reputation in 7th Flotilla will count for very little here. You’ll have to begin proving yourself all over again.”
“I’ll prove myself, and more, sir,” I replied.

His words were true however. As I stepped onto my newly constructed boat, the marvel of the new technology receded and a single word sprang to mind.
“Deathtrap.”
“What was that Gerhard?” Fritz asked, as we walked through the command deck. Until then I hadn’t realized I had spoken out loud.
“Leaking seals, dented bulkheads, this gangway is already rusted and it’s not forty days old!” I exclaimed.
“That’s why we have such an experienced crew!” came the jovial reply.

Such experience would be needed, and badly so! I spent two weeks preparing to take my command out, and finally I felt ready to take her to sea. The Commandant gave me my orders, explaining that this would be a ‘soft’ cruise to test the systems on board. And my mettle, it was implied.

We began our transit, and arrived on station. The IXC has a lot of power to offer, and her deep fuel tank means extended, high speed runs. Her batteries last longer than on the VIIB and she is a far sturdier ship. We ran down to crush depth once or twice, and flanked and reversed the engines. By the time we arrived on station we had tested almost every station.
Except for the deck gun, every station was ready and becoming better. When our first victim appeared on the horizon, I deliberately watched my gunner Kals. The poor man almost began salivating with excitement! Calmly, and sadistically, I asked for a weather report. When the report came back all clear with no wind, I began to look thoughtful. I couldn’t decide who’d break first. Me - with laughter - or Kals. Finally the man broke. All but hitting his knees, he begged for a chance to test the new deck gun. I nodded and joined him on deck.

The 10.5 inch gun is an impressive naval weapon. Sadly, the increased diameter means decreased shell capacity. But overall, a very solid weapon. Kals needed some time to re-adjust to the sighting and accuracy, but as he became more proficient the fires on the distant C3 we targeted became more and more wild.
Finally she slipped beneath the waves. That would be our last opportunity to fire from the surface.

Now I wished to test our submerged capability. I began executing all my attacks and intercepts from a submerged position. Slowly we became more comfortable running this behemoth. Consequently, the Weapons Officer and I have decided to use only the type II electric torpedoes on our next patrol. We wish to perfect our silent, submerged kill.

On return from the shakedown cruise, with no less than 5 ships sunk, we were greeted much more positively by the dock crew. Obviously, we have made our bones with these crusty old salts. Now we, the soft, sea faring crew, must live u p to those standards on every patrol. Schütze shook my hand when I arrived back in his office and took my report with a nod.
“Very well Kaleun,” he smiled, “you’ve got what it takes to be in the 2nd Flotilla. Welcome aboard.”
With a smile, I thanked him and made to leave. As I turned he mentioned casually,
“I understand you are to be married this November yes?”
“Yes Kapitan!” I replied proudly.
“You poor, poor, man,” he laughed, “you almost look eager! Well Kapitanleutnant, you’ll be pleased to know you are only required back at base on the 25th of November.”
With that, I departed to return to St. Nazaire, and my tempestuous fiancé.

On arrival, she met Fritz and me as we sat in the Officers Club enjoying some beers and chatting with a few other Kaleuns. Amazingly, it was Suzanne who asked a question no-one else had framed by then. After the usual chatting and laughing she looked at me and asked,
“What is your ship’s name?”
Fritz and I looked at each other. We had discussed this at length, and even found a suitable emblem for the shipwrights to paint on the sail.
“Das Krokodil.” I replied, with a smile.