First and Last Voyage of U-53

[ChrisG2100]

I am a fool. I will now use Weapons Officer to assist with Firing solutions for Training. I have lost too many men to my arrogence.

U-53 - 13th Sept 1939

14:09 Radio report of large ememy convoy in Grid AM72 course NNW 6 kts. Am very excited. Have already achived first MT kill on last mission even though all perished in the channel.

14:15 Make plans for attack and have peanut butter sandwich.

14:18 Change course to 118 degrees to intercept

15:32 Clear with wind at 13 m/s 227 degrees - odd it sounds like rain but the WO reports he cant see rain. Must be British trick. Will notify BdU.

15:34 Range 6.1 Km to projected Convoy Course. Convoy not sighted.

15:41 Sea's Heavy with white caps - Invisable Rain still falling. Feel mind slipping. Will not tell man. Convoy not sighted.

15:42 Smoke sighted on horizon bearing 001 degrees. Ship hulldown over horizon.

15:43 WO estimates range at 7500 m

15:50 Contact 020 range 6200 m

15:51 Saw flash on bow of ship (We are under attack - I should have submerged before now)

15:52 Ships at 020, 028, 037, 040 at 5200 m to long range.

15:52 Order Crash Dive

15:54 Depth 67m

15:56 Nothing on Hydrophone.

16:10 Nothing on Hydrophone. Slow to 1/3 order Periscope Depth

16:12 Being Pinged.

16:12 Order Crash Dive and change course to 090

16:13 Heavy Pinging.

16:14 Screws can be heard Pinging stopped. I raise periscope just in time to see bottom of ship 60m above. (My God, she's right over us.)

16:14 Heavy Depth Charging

16:14 Dive deeper to evade - Its too late.

16:15 Bow Torpedo Room Flooded

16:16 Try to stop diving. One man dead. Bridge destoyed. Con damaged.

16:17 Now at 190m! Blowing ballast. Order to surface. Hull buckling. If we can only reach pariscope depth...

25-Sept-1939

Fdu reports not report recieved from U-53 in over 10 days. British convoy reports depth charging contact at AM72. Last know position of U-53 was AM72. U-53 must be presumed lost.


Eventhough I didn't get a shot off, it was an exciting patrol. Now leaving Wilhelmshaven commanding U-51. Hey its day time for a change.