Our celebrations at sinking a destroyer are short-lived.
U-344 has not reported in, for two days. She must be gone. Willi and Christian knew their opposite numbers on that boat, and did their training with them. They are taking it hard.
We are submerged during the day and popping up at night to run forward and plug the gap.
"I'm sorry about Pieter, and also about Sven, you guys"
We are sitting in the wardroom, and after two days it is clear they must be lost at sea.
I pour some brandy. "Let them go, my friends."
"They will not have suffered"
Of course I have no way of knowing that; being sunk in a u-boat is noone's favourite way to leave the earth.
"Take a break fellows, until it's time to surface again. It's not going to happen to us if we keep our wits about us, and we will get them back. Now sleep for the both of you"
LS
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