Fifty seconds to impact.
We should dive away. But I would need a heart of stone to stop the crew crowding around the periscope vying for a peek as our stern tube races to it's work. They have been tormented enough by these escorts, and surely will be again, this is their pay back.
I don't know about pay back, I just want any destroyer off our back.
Christian cuffs and curses the boys, both in a sort of muffled way.
"Make way for the Kaleun. Let the dog see the rabbit...!"
He makes a path for me to the scope, but of course is pressing right against my back, desperate for a glimpse.
Joachim is already back from the aft torpedo compartment, stopwatch in hand.
"Fifteen seconds, Herr Kaleun!"
"Running true kameraden!" I reply as the steam wake is now clearly visible. And I think they've seen it. Yes, she's definitely been trying to pick up steam, but too little, too late.
Those destroyers, they have enough explosives to sink ten little boats like ours, and wouldn't they love to.
"Five seconds..."
Maybe I do have a heart of stone. For the last hour they have been trying to drown us all, without ever seeing us. That makes them the enemy, that reason alone is good enough.
"Here Number One. You call it."
And Christian eagerly peered through the scope.
The explosion that rolled back through the sea left all commentary redundant
"Impact! A hit! Hunter class 1,800 tons. She's breaking in the middle already! Look boys!"
Cheers are ringing out, and I'm smiling too as I head through to the med bay.
Oscar is on his bunk reading a book. Only him.
Before I can perch on the end, take my Cap off and rub my forehead, his latest Charles Dickens is down, and there is a brandy from his cabinet in my hand.
"Not many get away from those flimsy tin cans when we manage to hit them, Doc"
"Well a damned sight better chance than we stand when they hit us, Rollie"
"Yes, that's true. What novel are you up to these days?
"Well on our first patrol in U-46, it was 'Great Expectations'
We grinned
"So what is this one, then Doc?"
"You may not like it so much.."
"Come on what is it..?"
"Hard Times"
And concerned faces looked in, to see their Kapitan and their Surgeon laughing hysterically at each other all over a stupid English book
LS
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