[FlankSpeed]

September 9,1939 U-41 (VIIB)

Acted on contact report from BdU and intercepted merchant 70KM off the east coast of England grid AN73.

Target positively identified as the British flagged medium cargo vessel SS Azalea City. Proceeded to shadow target in preparation for torpedo attack. Petty Officer Eckerman manning the hydrophone reported enemy warship contacts at long range moving fast. Decided to press on with the attack and launched three torpedos set for impact, all made good hits leaving the SS Azalea City stopped and listing in the water.

Possible distress signel sent as warship contacts were soon reported closing at very fast speed to my position. Attempted to exit vicinity at surface flank speed but enemy warships identified as three Royal Navy destroyers were soon spotted on the horizon. Dived the boat to the maximum depth allowed by the shallow waters, reduced speed to 1knot and rigged for silent running. Enemy warships proceeded to collect survivors and swept the area before returning to their patrol. Thankfully I remained undetected.

SS Azalea City sunk for 5078t.

Now resuming patrol. Morale is high.