April 26, 1940 Kiel
2217 U48 and her crew are ready to leave Kiel once again. Been ready for a while now...our departure was planned for the morning but order came in to delay it and await for new directives.
An hour ago a military truck unloaded a small group of soldiers with a couple of crates and sealed orders: we have to transport them and their cargo up north toward the Norwegian coast. We will later receive further instructions.
Seems like we have been drawn into some shady businness.
I've already ordered the crew not to question our guests nor to voice out their opinions or suspicions about what's going on.
All is ready now, a light drizzle is soaking us and reducing visibility so we must pay attention on our way out to avoid collisions.
Let's roll.
April 27, 1940
0612 Incoming message from BdU. Commander eyes only. Coordinates. A frequence. A keyword. And the order to share this with our guests commander.
0625 U48 is going flat out. Visibility is not that much so we are on alert but should also help to keep us hidden from any unwelcome attention. Sea state is worsening. This is going to be a rollercoaster.
2225 U48 is now close to Laeso Island and our guests leader is using the radio. Weather improved a bit but wind is still strong and the waves made it an horrible run. At least there is better visibility. He is coming out...
April 28, 1940
0620 U48 is now approaching Koster Islands. We shall meet with a ship and transfer our guests and their cargo. Should be able to spot them any moment now.
0632 Lookout spots a small vessel approaching from the East...let's check...some kind of torpedo boat...our guest confirms it's what we are waiting for...they spotted us...signalling...let's get things moving. With these waves it will be fun...
0847 It's been a nightmare but it's over now.
Sailor Trotha was almost swept off the boat but managed to grab the railings.
He got some bruises and a swollen ankle, he should be ok in a couple of days.
One of the crates almost fell off the boat and sailor Dobber was caught between it and the hull. He got a slight concussion and some deep nasty scratches on his chest and forearms.
Bootsman Altmeier checked on him too and he say it's nothing to worry about, but Dobber should rest for a couple of days.
Torpedo boat is moving away and we can now resume our original mission: 24 hours long patrol in grid area AF59. It will take a while to get there.
We also need to perform some manteinance on our diesels since we pushed them to get here quickly enough.
But first we need a break from the constant slapping of the waves and some rest.
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