16 November 1940
U-124
To BDU
After chasing 3 phantom convoys, with my consumate skill I intercepted one convoy and sank a tanker. Our coffee supplies received heavy damage but we will pursue our quest of sweeping the Englanders off the surface of the ocean. Total sunk 35,000 BRT, 16 Torpedoes left.
Kptlt. Johan Sebastian Balz
Lt. Otta Kalb writes: After the coffee in the tea cozy incident, we did torpedo the fast moving tanker and stood 300 meters away watching it sink.
There were a series of explosions in the area of the bridge. After about five raports we were hit by a light artillery round and had to crash dive while the sea swallowed the tanker. Very Odd.
The following day, we ran into a heavily escorted convoy shortly after dark. Balz ordered periscope depth and all engines stop.
We fired four bow torpedoes but only one hit and exploded. While skulking at 80 meters under the convoy, Bernard said, "Wasserbomben."
"You imbecile," Balz growled. "After my brilliant triple wiggle waggle, the poor, confused escorts are searching the wrong area. How can you say Wasserbomben?"
"To add atmosphere of high drama."
"Go to the galley and play with the kitchen knives. Maybe you'll stab yourself to death. But die quietly, remember we're on silent running."
After Bernard left for the galley, Balz sat on the chart box and hummed his favorite song, I'm the Greatest Hoochie-woochie.
|