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ijnfleetadmiral · 09-27-14, 09:15 AM

29 December 1939:
Departed Wilhelmshaven under clear skies and fairly calm seas.

31 December 1939:
Apologies to the crew that we're not home partying for New Year's.

1 January 1940:
As a special concession, I broke out a bottle of Napoleon cognac I'd hidden away and each crewmember was given a couple fingers in their mess cup. Rang in the New Year with a toast and rousing rendition of "Auld Lang Syne".

Toward morning, about 0430, lookouts sighted a warship off to starboard, approaching fast. We dove frantically, rigged for silent running, and I looked through the periscope, hoping we were in at least partial attack position.

The sight in my periscope was something out of a dream: Southampton-class CL...UNESCORTED! And U-45 is in PERFECT attack position, with the range less than 2,500 yards!

Fired three torpedoes and prayed fervently...

Target's lookouts sighted the torpedoes and she switched on searchlights and commenced evasive maneuvers, evading one torpedo, but the other two hit, one in her rudders and props, and the other in the port engine room, causing several internal explosions and mortally wounding her. Everyone managed at least one look through the periscope before she sank stern-first with several more explosions following.

All I can say is somebody must live right...Happy New Year indeed!

(Signed)

-Hossel

09-27-14, 09:15 AM	#4697
ijnfleetadmiral Ensign Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Corinth, MS Posts: 231 Downloads: 116 Uploads: 0	Happy New Year Indeed! 29 December 1939: Departed Wilhelmshaven under clear skies and fairly calm seas. 31 December 1939: Apologies to the crew that we're not home partying for New Year's. 1 January 1940: As a special concession, I broke out a bottle of Napoleon cognac I'd hidden away and each crewmember was given a couple fingers in their mess cup. Rang in the New Year with a toast and rousing rendition of "Auld Lang Syne". Toward morning, about 0430, lookouts sighted a warship off to starboard, approaching fast. We dove frantically, rigged for silent running, and I looked through the periscope, hoping we were in at least partial attack position. The sight in my periscope was something out of a dream: Southampton-class CL...UNESCORTED! And U-45 is in PERFECT attack position, with the range less than 2,500 yards! Fired three torpedoes and prayed fervently... Target's lookouts sighted the torpedoes and she switched on searchlights and commenced evasive maneuvers, evading one torpedo, but the other two hit, one in her rudders and props, and the other in the port engine room, causing several internal explosions and mortally wounding her. Everyone managed at least one look through the periscope before she sank stern-first with several more explosions following. All I can say is somebody must live right...Happy New Year indeed! (Signed) -Hossel __________________ "It does not matter how the enemy travels, in convoy, in pairs, or alone...I will find him and sink him wherever he is."