Quote:
Originally Posted by pikke
April 26, 1940 Kiel
2217 U48 and her crew are ready to leave Kiel once again. Been ready for a while now...our departure was planned for the morning but order came in to delay it and await for new directives.
An hour ago a military truck unloaded a small group of soldiers with a couple of crates and sealed orders: we have to transport them and their cargo up north toward the Norwegian coast. We will later receive further instructions.
Seems like we have been drawn into some shady businness.
I've already ordered the crew not to question our guests nor to voice out their opinions or suspicions about what's going on.
All is ready now, a light drizzle is soaking us and reducing visibility so we must pay attention on our way out to avoid collisions.
Let's roll.
April 27, 1940
0612 Incoming message from BdU. Commander eyes only. Coordinates. A frequence. A keyword. And the order to share this with our guests commander.
0625 U48 is going flat out. Visibility is not that much so we are on alert but should also help to keep us hidden from any unwelcome attention. Sea state is worsening. This is going to be a rollercoaster.
2225 U48 is now close to Laeso Island and our guests leader is using the radio. Weather improved a bit but wind is still strong and the waves made it an horrible run. At least there is better visibility. He is coming out...
April 28, 1940
0620 U48 is now approaching Koster Islands. We shall meet with a ship and transfer our guests and their cargo. Should be able to spot them any moment now.
0632 Lookout spots a small vessel approaching from the East...let's check...some kind of torpedo boat...our guest confirms it's what we are waiting for...they spotted us...signalling...let's get things moving. With these waves it will be fun...
0847 It's been a nightmare but it's over now.
Sailor Trotha was almost swept off the boat but managed to grab the railings.
He got some bruises and a swollen ankle, he should be ok in a couple of days.
One of the crates almost fell off the boat and sailor Dobber was caught between it and the hull. He got a slight concussion and some deep nasty scratches on his chest and forearms.
Bootsman Altmeier checked on him too and he say it's nothing to worry about, but Dobber should rest for a couple of days.
Torpedo boat is moving away and we can now resume our original mission: 24 hours long patrol in grid area AF59. It will take a while to get there.
We also need to perform some manteinance on our diesels since we pushed them to get here quickly enough.
But first we need a break from the constant slapping of the waves and some rest.
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April 29, 1940
0458 Storm still raging. Sea conditions are horrible. Most of the crew has been suffering from seasickness. We have to dive quite often. This is slowing us down but we risked capsizing at least twice. Cannot go on forever.
1755 Storm relented a bit. Wind dropped to 9 knots and sea condition are somewhat better. Once in a while the Sun shines on us. Much better.
April 30, 1940
1122 Stormy weather once again. We are not very lucky.
May 1, 1940
0642 It's raining so hard it's difficult to breath. I cannot see anything. A whole fleet of carriers could pass few feet ahead of us and we will not see them.
1501 I believe this storm is over...or I hope so. Wind still blowing but no more rain, clouds are thinning. Waves are still an issue though.
1934 No wind nor waves. Sea is silk smooth...but empty. Waves managed to do some small damage to both guns. Crew already working on them. We are going to reach our patrol area later than I planned but sea conditions wouldn't allow anything more. Will try to gain back some time from now on.
May 2, 1940
0702 Ship spotted! NW of us...she is coming our way...
0719 Some kind of small merchant...possibly a Tramp Steamer. Her course is 152, speed 8 knots. Deck gun will be our main option here.
0731 A Tramp Steamer indeed...but one of ours! We will keep out of sight and resume our plotted course.
1902 We should reach our patrol area by tomorrow, most likely in the afternoon. No contact to report.
May 3, 1940 AF58
1422 We got here at last. Will patrol this area for 24 hours. Weather is gloomy but sea state is not bad. Wind 8 m/s. Visibility quite poor.