[UKönig]

"So, Herr Kapitanleutnant, Admiral Donitz begins as he hands me a snifter of brandy, "Tell me again how you managed to escape from that tanker convoy".
I accept the glass, take a swirl and a sniff, before gulping a shot, the liquid warming my throat on its way down. When I am able to again, I reply, "Well sir, after the fletcher destroyer lost interest in killing us, and sped back to the head of the convoy, we let our speed fall off a bit and surfaced the boat." "We took up a position on the trailing T3 tanker and as the weather was calm enough, began to lob 88mm HE shells at him". "We managed to score a few hits at 5km distant, I put my gun crew down for the iron cross 2nd class for this actually, and caused enough damage to slow him down".
The Admiral listens intently while I continue.
"By then, the rest of the tankers got wise to our location, and started firing back. Swine. Anyway, we were forced to dive again as one of the flanking destroyers came back in our direction". "We took some damage from depth charges, but our repair teams were more than up to it, and after about 15 more minutes of attack, the destroyer broke off and returned to his flank position".
I take another gulp of brandy.
The Admiral bids me to continue.
"Now that we slowed down a heavy tanker, he was more readily sunk by one of our two remaining torpedos. Seeing that the coast was still clear, I gave the order to surface and man the deck guns again."
"That was reckless, Herr Kaleun"
"Reckless, yes sir, but rewarding."
A raised eyebrow from the Admiral.
"The exploding tanker made the rest of the convoy tack in a new direction, and in so doing, opened up their flank, giving my elite gunnery crew the best broadside they could hope for. With about 10 shells, they managed to pound a small tanker into submission. They scored a lucky hit, and the whole thing went up like doomsday." "I had to give the order to crash dive again, because both remaining escorts detected us again". "We really must have been making them look bad, because this time, they were a little more aggressive in hunting us." "We snaked a torpedo down the throat of one of the incoming escorts, and took him out, but now we were in serious trouble, because all the ammo we had left was for surface firing".
"Yes Herr Kaleun, the dockworkers were rather surprised at the condition your hull was in after you got back, I read that in your original report, but please, continue".
I swallow the last of my drink and set the empty glass down on the nearest end table. Next to my white command cap. Looking at it, sitting there on the table, I am taken back to our harrowing underwater escape...
"Well sir, We just managed to get under when the first 4 bombs went off. Right away the empty stern tube was put out of action, the tube door jammed in the closed position. That wasn't so bad. The port compressor was disabled, but repairable. I ordered full ahead, and down to 90m. He seeded the area with a few more charges, but they all missed. We dropped a decoy and went to silent running, after another series of blasts. He took the bait for about 10 minutes, and we managed to sneak off in the opposite direction, but as they turned around, their hydrophone operator found us again. We took 7 or 8 more charges, and at least one of them took out our forward battery. Left us with 4 functioning cells, barely enough power to run the lights in the forward compartment. Our pumps and pressure hull remained strong enough and there were no serious breaches reported, so it must have been a shock wave that shattered the batteries. I have also put in for some extra lime wash sir, we used quite a bit. 2 of my damage control team were overcome with chlorine gas and had to have absolute rest. I also ordered the potash cartridges for the bow compartment crew, but fortunately we were able to contain the damage. We played duck and dodge, cat and mouse (don't be the mouse!), and after 4 hours of bombing, gave the enemy the slip. When the coast was clear, we surfaced and ventilated the boat. The rest is in my report sir."
"Well Herr Kaleun, a very interesting tale", the Admiral begins, "but I must caution you to restrain yourself from these pirate games you keep playing. I'm not sure if you noticed this, but our fortunes are not going as well as the leader has planned. We will continue to do our utmost for final victory, but a U-boat and her crew has become a very choice target for the enemy these days. Please exercise more care when engaging convoys." "Now, as to the matter of your crew, yes, I have approved of their medals, as well as your flak officer, for shooting down that wellington bomber."
He pauses then says "And we are sending you on a torpedo course, we have some new developments in the field and I need my best COs trained in their use. If successful, we can turn the tide back in our favor." "You will depart tomorrow, while your boat, U-110 is being overhauled. It's a 3 week course and when you get back, we will have your new orders then."
I collect my command cap, and the Admiral dismisses me informally.
After I leave his office, I mull the situation over.
It's probably my tonnage list that keeps all of his concern from showing, but I can see that he is no longer the Lion, he's changed now, strained...