Saga of Albert Angst (rtd)

[Finback]

AAR (in a bottle) KL Albert Angst: U-435
Date: 25 December, 1943
Weather: Clear, Fog light, Wind 7 Meter/S
Location: Unknown

On the way to it's ordered station
U-435 dove to avoid radar location.
Leveling off at 30 meters
Sound reported a contact to the south.

"Turn, put the contact directly ahead".
With Angst as the Captain, there was no need to dread.
He ordered 12 meters
And wiped the drool from his mouth.

An hour plus later they hove into view
A sizable convoy with escorts not few.
With cobra-like instinct
Albert zigged, zagged and maneuvered inside.

Now in position with just minutes to go
U-435 tensed like the string of a bow
Nothing to fear with Angst in control
The crew was calm, just enoying the ride.

Torpedos were fired, 2 here and 2 there
A 12,000 ton tanker sent flames in the air.
The other two eels, a little bit late
Smashed a large freighter and sealed its fate.

"Take us deep, do it quickly", Albert did shout,
"A River Class escort is coming about".
Full speed, hard-a port, flood all the tanks
Albert respected the Tommies and Yanks.

A few minutes later the onslaught began
Fast screws went over and dropped a huge spread of cans.
"They're close to the mark but nothing more!
Again Albert will bring you back to the shore!"

The 435 rocked, wabos dimpled the hull
A massive explosion then finally a lull.
"Stay deep, remain silent. That's the best they will bring".
But the escorts replied with an ear-splitting Ping.

The soundman reported, "They're above us again.
Dropped 5, 10, 12, no 20 more cans."
"Brighten up lad!" Albert said, "All is OK!
We're in control. We'll again win the day!"

But this spread was closer than the previous one,
And a hedgehog hit forward added more fun.
And while twisting and turning and making repairs
Came another damn hedgehog from the escorts upstairs.

The Chief was now worried and gestured about
Then hurrying forward he said with a shout,
"Pass the tools and grab some lumber!
That SOB up there has got our number!"

The next hit was worse a third hedgehog did score
And the water came in with a heart-wrenching roar.
"Get her up!" Albert ordered, "Blow all the tanks!
Get her up to the surface! Turn all those cranks!"

While passing 90 meters, the crew got prepared
To get off the boat and maybe be spared.
But that River Class escort was not done yet
Here came the hedgehogs and...

U-435: OVERDUE PRESUMED LOST



283,714 Confirmed Tons Sunk
679,365 Claimed