[x] Brush up a little bit more on your enemy at the base library
This feeling of restlessness, it won't go away. Even though there's not much you can learn from ready the books at the base's library, it might just help put your mind at ease. The theoretical can only comfort you during downtime – during the actual action, you're better off with cool wits and grace.
The base library is just an old building, built during the Kaiserreich for all the servicemen and their families who lived in Wilhelmshaven. As such, it's moderately large, and contains books of all types. During the day it's not rare to see wives and children of sailors checking books out. It's past normal operating hours now though, it's only open to officers by request. You have to check with the night watchman and sign your name on a sheet before you're given access.
Only a few lights are on inside. Row after row of bookshelves sprawl in all directions as far as you can see. What you came for here is to be found in the form of old Naval Review journals and magazines. It's not a very precise way of looking at the enemy strength, but it'll do. If you wanted up-to-date information you'd have to request it from the intelligence bureau, get permission, and wait a couple of weeks. You grab several relevant documents as well as a book on British industry for good measure. You'll comb these over for a while.
Ah, it seems like you're not the only one in the library at this time of night.
While carrying your books to the reading area, you spot another officer. A member of your crew in fact. The plethora of charts and maps in front of her completely cover the table.
“Navigation officer, trying to plot a course even before we're aboard? I don't think it'll do you much good, given the fact that I'm the only member of the crew to know our general patrol area right now.”
“Oh, sir. This isn't for the patrol.”
“It isn't?” You come closer and look at the charts. “So it isn't. I don't believe we'll be going anywhere near the Keeling Islands for the foreseeable future.”
“This is just a pastime of mine.” Patchouli explains. “I like to see the charts for sea zones and learn about the general characteristic of each.”
“I suppose it could someday come in handy. But I'll have to say that it's a bit odd. Especially right before a mission. You should be getting some rest Leutnant.”
“For me, this is like resting sir. I feel most relaxed when reading books or looking over charts. I feel like the whole world is accessible.”
“I suppose I can understand that. That is, after all, similar enough a reason for my own being here.” You sit down in an empty chair, putting your books down in front of you. “Well, if you don't mind I'll get some reading done and put my mind at ease.”
You pick a book from the pile and start reading.
It's not at all very encouraging. None of them are. Between articles on how such and such ship was commissioned and launched and the rough estimates of tonnage and firepower it's enough to depress any U-Boat captain. Not to even mention the consequences of the Washington and London treaties. The ratios favor heavily the British her allies. Ultimately, like it or not, you've got to forcibly adopt the attitude of 'more enemies=more chances to sink something'. If only not to be utterly demoralized even before the patrol begins.
Well, on the plus side you think that you can easily tell the difference between several British destroyer types.
“Is anything the matter?” You've felt that you're being closely scrutinized for a while now. You put down your book.
“Nothing. Sorry sir.” Patchouli tries to hide her embarrassment by bringing her face close to the charts.
“If you have something to say, go ahead. I encourage the fraternization of my crew members.” You add jokingly, “Whatever it is, rest assured that I don't bite.”
“It's nothing really sir. I was just surprised at just how into your books you were. And how upset you seemed. I'd never seen anyone show so much emotion while reading.”
“Hah, that's certainly embarrassing! I wasn't aware I was so easy to read while reading. I should watch myself.”
“It just means that you're honest with yourself.”
“I guess that's one way of looking at it.”
“I think it's commendable that you worry enough to read up on the enemy and their history.”
“You can tell that that's what I was doing, huh? I suppose I'm not a good commander if I let my subordinates see me worrying about the enemy.”
“On the contrary, knowing your own limitations and the strength of the enemy can only be a good thing.”
“I'm glad you think so Leutnant. The British really are dastardly and clever foes.” You bring up something that's stuck with you about the British, “Say, have you ever read a book in English titled
Strange Intelligence?”
“I'm ashamed to say that I haven't sir.”
“It's a very rare book, I don't think it was very popular even in England. But it's still an interesting read. The lesson I learned from reading it was that we cannot let our guards down for even a moment. Even innocent-seeming things like sending patrol messages can lead to our demise. It's relatively easy for them to triangulate our position if we have enough active chatter. The Kontreadmiral might get upset with me, but I think it's to our benefit if we don't send too many messages.”
“That does seem prudent.”
“Yes. Not to mention that British Naval Intelligence is top-notch. If they cracked our codes and were able to pinpoint our fleet movements in the last war, I think we should be cautious and assume they'll eventually do the same now. I tell you this for when you're in command of your own boat.”
“It's appreciated. But I don't think I'll mind just being a navigation officer for a while longer.”
“I suppose that will play out to my benefit.”
You're more at ease now that you've talked with her. You even spill the beans on what your patrol assignment is. You figure it's okay since it's already midnight. You two even go through plotting a course and the hazards that likely await at each point. And then you retire for the night. You tell her to do the same. Even if it's just two or three hours of sleep, it's better than nothing.
You're groggy and a bit on edge in the morning, but it's nothing a shower and a cup of coffee can't fix. You dress up, and carry a small bag with the items you'll be taking on board.
When you arrive, at 0450, most of the crew is assembled. It's still twilight, the sun hasn't made its appearance yet. You greet the other officers and wait for the appointed time. Your Chief Engineer proudly tells you that she's completed a number of modifications on time. That's good. You were worried that there might be a bit of a hold up because of it.
You then address the crew.
“It's now 0500 hours. You are all to board and be ready for departure at 0520. Maintenance checks and supply loading have been already completed. That is all.” You then turn and confirm the details with your XO while the crew boards.
By now, a modestly-sized crowd has gathered around the submarine. Mechanics, servicemen, and the odd civilian here and there. They all cheer and wish you and your crew a successful patrol. It feels nice to hear all this support early in the morning. As you stand on the conning tower you wave at the crowd.
You check your watch.
0519.
“Alright, Chief Engineer, ahead slow. Let's navigate carefully out of the port.”
And with that, your first patrol on U-45 began.
~
Partial update just to show that this isn't abandoned.
>>74172 I wasn't aware that the beetle got its nickname post-war, I found no source indicating as such (and I obviously wasn't alive in the late 30s and 40s). The cars were orginally intended for as a cheap car for the German people when production started in the late 30s, and the cars that did make it off the assembly line were mostly appropiated to motorize the Wehrmacht.
>>74241 Hey, 30,000 out of 40,000 men in the submarine branch died. History is plent GRIMDARK.
