I should have listened to my own advice!!!!

[ddiplock]

I managed to get ahead of a convoy, and right into its path, and dive before being detected. I ran the batteries to 50rpm and slowly began inching toward the convoy at 1 knot. I popped up the pericscope to have a look around, a few esorts, a single Dutch destroyer taking the lead, looks like he's heading straight for me, but it was just the position of the boat.

Now, when I got in close to the convoy, I realised i wasn't at the right angle for an attack, so I began to turn to get into position. By now, that leading Dutch destroyer was only some 500 meters away, very close, and my turn happend to put my propellers so they were facing him. I was rigged for silent running and said to myself "now, shall I kill the batteries and make like a hole in the water so he doesn't know i'm here and wait for him to pass, or continue on course?"

I assumed that although he was close, I was creeping REALLY slowly, so surely he wouldn't hear me. It was December 23rd 1943, and I was hoping to sink some big merchies as a good Christmas present to my crew. Bad idea to continue on course!!!

The Dutch destroyer must have heard me, and began banging away on me straight away with his ASDIC. I was forced to dive down deep to some 250mtrs as always and endured some heavy depth charging. I survived with minimal damaged to my propellers and aft tubes, but other than that, the boat was fine.

If any fellow Kaleuns are in that situation....kill your engines and let the destroyer pass by. I should have listed to my own advice, and it was my arrogance that nearly got me sunk. :rotfl: U128 survived......this time!!!