March 1945. On my first patrol with Type XXI U-2528, the BdU send me to AN14.
Since this is not my favorite place to be late in the war, my plan was to do my 24 hours and get the hell out of there.
I somehow managed to sneak past the patrols and hunter killers, and arrived to my designated area. Soon after, I received a report of convoy sailing towards me. During the last few months, when I was commanding type IX, after receiving a convoy report I would run flank speed - in the opposite direction.
Eager to try my new boat, I decided to attack. The plan was to launch four TIs from 8 km and get away as fast as possible. I was in very shallow waters (60m), between Orkney and Shetland, only 10km away from land. The plan was almost spoiled by an escort who decided to do its sweep, and came very close to me. Another one was closing.
I couldn't wait for long as the convoy was moving away so I released torpedoes and started to get away slowly (that's 4kt with type XXI
), hopeing that I will open enough gap before impacts.
Eight minutes later I heard four explosions!
I couldn't believe that all torpedoes hit, because I never hit anything from that distance before. Soon, both ships sank.
The escorts were totaly puzzled. One came some 2km near me, but I wasn't detected. I guess that XXI and it's speed made all the difference.