3RD Patrol (BALZ)

[Brag]

From Lt- Schmenk's Diary (continued)-
Balz lowered the scope and shook his head. "Schmenk," he said, "You did it again, very consistently you get us exactly five thousand meters from the edge of a convoy. Close enough for me to watch the English parade. You incompetent piece of pre-cadet. I am a ship sinker not a parade watcher. From now on, I will plot intercepts so that we can cover ourselves with glory."

Once the convoy vanished to the west, Balz ordered, "Surface!"

I came on the bridge and scanned the horizon. Nothing. "All clear, Herr Kaleun."
Balz did not answer. An explosion raised a column of water to port and heaved the boat.
A shell whistled overhead.
"Alaaarm, creash dive, full speed ahead." Balz yelled.

Below it was dark and water poured all over the place. The smell of burned electrical cables and smoke made breathing difficult.
We shook with another explosion.
"Port and starboard diesels damaged, flooding disel compartment.
Flooding aft torpedo room. Forward battery compartment damaged.
Flooding electric engine compartment."
The reports were coming in like a cacophony from hell. Each one revealing the situation more desperate.
"Damage control crews to all damaged compartments. Emergency pumps on. Dive to one hundred meters, not one centimeter below that'" Balz gave orders above the infernal din inside the U-boot.
Flickering emergency lights came on, exposing a stream of water coming from the aft part of the boat.
"Two warships approaching very fast," The soundman announced.
"Thank you very much," Balz said. "It was getting lonely here."
The chief came into the Zentralle. Both diesels jumped off the mounts. "About twenty minutes to control flooding," he reported.
"Thank you. Have the choir members working in the Zentralle and forward crew compartments sing Who´s Afrais of The Big Bad Ship Hoochie Woochie. And someone bring me the duckie tea cozy."

Thinking of the approaching destroyers, I was sure we would die to the sounds of a silly song.