Rain pelted the harbour like GWX on 19 September 1939. The day U-45 returned from patrol. On the conning tower, Balz felt very sad. Half of the torpedoes had been duds. His choir tour of England was cancelled due to the outbreak of war. And now, rain on his triumphal return.
He got sadder when he didn't get any medals. Sad and alone in his room, he wrote a letter to his mother.
Dear Mutti,
BDU doesn't recognize me as the great hero that Iam. This is very sad.
Frau Balz read the letter and went into immediate action. She sent two cases of Schnapps to Balz's Twirlers. She wrote letters to BDU, the mayor of Wilhelmshaven and other notables. She then telephoned and rented a hall.
People from everywhere accepted the invitations and gathered at the hall
Hoochie-woochie twirlers twirled and sang songs praising Balz
When Balz saw the throng that came to honour him, he felt happy.
"This is very hoochie-woochie," he said to the reporter who came to cover the event.