AoD Career: Karl Hartenstein

Grey Wolves!

Roughly two and a half years ago, I reported about the short career of KpLt. Franz Kerber,
who perished in the icy North Atlantic during his second patrol in 1940 after an air attack.

Today, I wish to introduce you to Oberleutnant z.S. Karl Hartenstein!






Patrol 1
25 Jun 1940
Late Evening

After successfully completing the Frontausbildung(front training) in the Baltic Sea,
I receive my first assignment to answer the call of duty of the Fatherland.



However, before we leave we have an appointment in the 'Bar Royal'.
Most of the Piepels(nickname for enlisted men on u-boats) are terribly drunk,
yet I am able to find a seat at the table of some fellow, sober, commanders.
On top, I am able to keep an eye at the lady on the stage as well...



Since I am a new face in the U-Flottille 'Weddigen', I am expected to buy the next round of beer and
while the alcohol level among my comrades rises, I learn about the latest news...










26 Jun 1940
Early morning

After a rough and, thanks to the lady on the stage, rather eventful night, I head for Korvettenkapitän Eckermann's office,
the commander of the U-Flottille 'Weddigen', to receive my patrol orders.
While waiting next to his door, my eye catches the chalk board with the current top aces.
Without expression, I wonder if my name will ever appear high on this board...





The commander briefs me quickly yet thoroughly and dismisses me with a snappy salute, wishing me the best of luck for my first patrol.
Alas, my first command.



After the I.WO hands over the freshly outfitted boat, we slowly leave Kiel with most of the men on deck.
Their faces and uniforms still clean...
On the boats' conning tower the new emblem, 'the wild Onager' amuses the crowd, while a naval band plays a classic German piece,
the 'Erzherzog Albrecht Marsch'.



Although the boat is rather new, I can already see signs of usage among the valves and equipment,
even rust seems to appear already...



The II.WO discusses the torpedo load out with me.
I requested a complete T I armament since the T III, while next to impossible to spot on the surface, appears to have some problems.
At least I was convinced by their faultiness during my time in the Torpedoschule (torpedo school) in Flensburg-Mürwik.
My complaints did not find any attention though, and I got accused of having "inconsistent aiming"... tse!



As we leave the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Kanal (Kiel channel) behind us,
I start to prepare the Kriegstagebuch.



Later that Evening

We barely left the main land behind us and already the watch crew reports a ship in sight!
My heart beats twice as fast and I struggle to hide my emotions from my crew while I head for the bridge...



Indeed!
As we close in, we see the British flag flying above the merchant vessel.



Well then, I.WO, your turn!
With a calm voice and in professional routine, the I.WO attacks the clueless ship from point blank range...



Half a minute later a huge water column rises and the ship breaks apart immediately.
While watching her go down in a matter of seconds, I can hear my crew cheering loudly from below through the opened hatch.
I can't hide my emotions now, congratulate the I.WO and try not to think about the crew of the destroyed ship.



After searching the surface for possible survivors,
I order to return on the original course.
Roughly 24hrs later, the Obersteuermann (navigator) informs me that we have reached our patrol area, AN43.



Days later, after cruising through the area in a search pattern,
I send a status report to the BdU, followed by a battle report.




Suddenly, the voice of the III.WO rips the monotone silence apart...