Recently started my second career, U-48 VIIB with Oberleutnant William Brewer at the helm with the 7th Flotilla out of Kiel. It's early January 1940 off the south west coast of Spain, it has been storming constantly since I sailed through the Channel. Enroute I sank a small merchant in the Channel, and got depth charged by an ASW trawler that was escorting it. That engagement was probably a poor choice, but after the previous patrols I had an itchy trigger finger.
I sailed towards my patrol grid of BF17. I acquired two merchants on hydrophone, but never was able to get a firing solution due to the hideous weather. After my 24 hours I decided to pack up and head south, hoping to get out of the storm. The rain eventually subsided and I was able to sink two other ships passing through the western edges of Biscay, one of which was a Large merchant.
I then arrived in CG85, and the storms began pounding me again. So we submerged to 40m and it was not long before we picked up a merchant on hydro. I tracked him as best as I could to close the distance and went to periscope depth. Eventually the ghostly appearance of an ore carrier emerged from the fog, visibility was less than 500m. I fired my first pair of steamers from almost directly astern and from about 350m. One eel bounced off the side, and the other hit him right in the screws, yet somehow he kept on going.
He then started his S turns and I moved off and lined up for 3/4 rear shot, this time deciding to use the magnetic pistol. Down to my last three bow eels (not counting my reserve), I decided to go ahead and fire all three at him. First eel bounced off the stern area, the second was a dud, and the third exploded under his bow. I then had to follow him for two more hours in the storm before he sunk. I then returned uneventfully to Kiel (went around the northern route this time), 4 ships sunk for 28869 tons and an Iron Cross First Class to impress the ladies with.
