March 15, 1940 Kiel
0124 Kiel docks are slowly disappearing in the foggy rain while U48 follows our minesweeper friend out of the port area. Visibility is really poor and we often risk to lose sight of the vessel in front of us. The risk of a collison is really high. This is not the best way to start a mission. Our assigned patrol area is AN44, quite close to the Scottish coast and not so far from Scapa Flow. It will be interesting up there. On the way out we will perform some trials and once again check everything is fine on the boat.
March 16, 1940 AN35
2129 Sound contact! SE of us...closing...we are close to Kristiansand, perhaps a merchant heading there? Surface the boat! New course 130°!
2216 Ship spotted! Far on the southern horizon...barely visible...ahead one third! Change course to 170°! Lower the boat to 6 meters....ahead slow!...weather is not perfect but a deck gun attack is going to work if we can get close.
2220 Target is not that big and seems to have four masts so it must be a Tramp Steamer...let's dive and get into position.
2229 British Tramp Steamer moving toward Kristiansand at 7 knots...no visible weapons...We will jump off the water close to them and use our guns
2235 We are on parallel course about 600m off to her port side...time to attack. Ahead full! Surface the boat! Lower periscope!...here we go...man the guns! Open fire!
2237 Deck gun hold fire!...she is slowing down already...let's finish her off with our Flak gun...starting even more fires on the deck should be enough.
2238 ...and she is sinking! I did not expect to find our first prey so soon. This will boost our morale. U48 will now resume the plotted course toward AN44
Ship sunk! SS Velma Lykes (Tramp Steamer), 2092 tons. Cargo: Aircraft. Crew: 21. Crew lost: 6
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