July 27, 2025 • 25 mins
Delve deep into the clandestine world of submarine warfare during WWI with the Journal of Submarine Commander Von Forstner. As the commander of the German U-boat U-28, Forstner provides an unvarnished account of the gritty realities of life under the sea, including detailed descriptions of torpedo attacks on Allied ships. First published in 1916, this 1917 English translation aimed to support the Allied war effort by revealing the fearsome nature of their invisible enemy. Inspired by a visit to the captured WWII German U-505 submarine at Chicagos Museum of Science and Industry, this audio reading offers a visceral understanding of the claustrophobic conditions endured by the submarines crew, exemplified by the cramped sleeping quarters nestled alongside 15-foot-long torpedoes. This is a journey into the heart of the submarine warfare experience. (Introduction by Sue Anderson)
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Part two of the Journal of Submarine von Forstner. This
is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the
public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit
LibriVox dot org. Recording by Sue Anderson. The Journal of
Submarine Commander von Forstner by Georg Gunter Freher von Forstner,
(00:25):
translated by Anna Kraft's Codman, with commentary by John Hayes
Hammond Junior. The Journal Part two, the captain quickly issues
his orders for the course to be steered and for
the necessary navigation. The officer in charge of the torpedoes
receives the command to clear the loaded torpedo for firing,
(00:47):
while the captain quietly calculates first the relative position of
his boat to the enemy's ship, according to the course
she has taken. Secondly, at which point he must aim
the torpedo to take surest effect. And in the same
way as in hunting a hare, he withholds the shot
to correspond to his victim's gait. Many thoughts fly through
(01:11):
his brain here among his companions, the annihilation of the
enemy will cause joyful enthusiasm, while among them their downfall
will cause overwhelming sorrow, but without doubt they must vanish
from the seas. And only a man who has experienced
these sensations knows how many secondary matters occur to him.
(01:35):
At such a time. With lowered periscope, he sees nothing
that goes on above him on the sea, and like
a blind man, the boat feels its way through the
green flood. Every possible event becomes a subject of conjecture.
Will the fellow continue on the same course. Has he
seen our periscope in the second it was exposed? And
(01:59):
is he running away from us? Or on the contrary,
having seen us, will he put on full steam and
try to run us down with a fatal death stroke
from his prow. At such an instant of high nervous tension,
I have caught myself giving superfluous orders to let myself relax.
And yet I knew that every man was at his post,
(02:23):
fully conscious that his own safety, the safety of the
whole boat, and the honor of the fatherland were all
at stake and dependent on his individual effort. I knew,
of course, that each fine fellow down in the machinery
room or at the torpedo tubes, had done his very
best and that all his thoughts were centered like mine
(02:46):
in keen expectancy. On the firing of our first torpedo,
the Eel, as we call it, guarded with so much
love and care, which would speed along accompanied by our
warmest wishes. We give nicknames to our torpedoes, mostly feminine names.
Side by side below lie the Fat Bertha, the Yellow Marry,
(03:09):
and the Shining Emma. And these ladies expected to be
treated like all ladies, with the tenderest care and courtesy.
Now comes the announcement from the torpedo officer the torpedoes
are cleared for firing. He stands with a firm hand,
awaiting the signal from his commander to permit the torpedo
(03:30):
to drive ahead against the hated but unconscious adversary, and
to bore its way with a loud report deep into
the great steel flank. Once again, the periscope springs for
an instant to the surface and then glides back into
the protecting body of the turret. The captain exclaims we
(03:51):
are at them, and the news spreads like wildfire through
the crew. He gives a last rapid order to straighten
the course of the boat. The torpedo officer announces torpedo ready,
and the captain, after one quick glance through the periscope
as it slides back into its sheath, immediately shouts fire.
(04:13):
Even without the prescribed announcement from the torpedo officer that
the torpedo had been sent off, every one knows that
it is speeding ahead, and for a few seconds we
remain in anxious suspense until a dull report provokes throughout
our boat loud cheers for Kaiser and for Empire, And
(04:34):
by this report we know that the fat Bertha has reached,
unhindered her destination. Radiant with joy, the commander breathes a
sigh of relief, and he does not check the young
sailor at the wheel, who seeks to grasp his hand
and murmur his fervent congratulations. But congratulations must be postponed
(04:56):
until we ascertain that our success is complete. And once again,
the periscope runs up towards the laughing daylight, while the commander,
in happy but earnest tones, utters the reassuring words the
ship is sinking further torpedoes can be spared. He then
permits the gratified torpedo officer, who stands by his side
(05:19):
a quick glance through the periscope to verify the result
of his own efficiency. It is chiefly owing to the
care of the personnel of the torpedo squad that the
torpedoes are maintained in such perfect condition, and that their
aim is so correct, and to them is due in
great part the success of our attack. The commander and
(05:41):
his officer exchange a knowing look, for they have seen
the enemy's ship heavily listing to one side, where the
water is rushing into the gaping wound, and soon she
must capsize. They see her crew hastily lowering the life boats,
their only means of escape, and this is a sufficient
(06:02):
proof of our victory. We can depart now in all security.
Concealing our presence, we plunge and vanish beneath the waters.
Having reached a certain distance, we stop to make sure
that our victim lies at the bottom of the ocean.
We behold the waves playing gently and smoothly as before
(06:22):
over the cold watery grave of the once proud ship,
and we hasten away from the scene of our triumph.
There is no need of our going to the help
of the enemy's crew struggling in the sea, for already
their own torpedo boats are hurrying to the sucker of
their comrades, and for us there is no further work
(06:44):
to be done. Imagine the enthusiasm our dear fallen Comrade
Weddingen and his crew must have felt as the loud
report of their last torpedo announced the destruction of their
third English armed cruiser. Chapter four mobilization and the beginning
of the Commercial War. After long and agitated waiting, we
(07:09):
received in the last days of July nineteen fourteen the
command to mobilize. Joyful expectation was visible on every face,
and the only fear that prevailed was that those of
us who were awaiting our orders on land might be
too late to take part in the naval battle we
were all looking forward to so eagerly. A few years ago,
(07:32):
one of the lords of the English Admiralty had predicted
that in the first naval battle fought between Germany and England,
the German fleet would be entirely annihilated. We naturally only
smiled in derision at these boastful words. The English newspapers, besides,
had for many years announced that whenever German officers met together,
(07:55):
they drank a toast to the day, although of course
this was true. Yet we were all burning to prove
in battle what our great navy had learned in long,
hard working years of peace. A mighty engagement at sea
seemed to us imminent during these first days of war,
(08:15):
and we all longed to be in it. I was, however,
at the moment, among those unfortunates who were strapped down
to a desk in the Admiralty, and with envy I
beheld my comrades rushing to active service. For I had
always hoped to lead my old beloved U boat victoriously
against the enemy. We had all placed strong hopes in
(08:37):
the part our submarines would eventually play in a great crisis,
but we never dreamed that they would so successfully take
the first role as our most effective weapon in naval warfare.
With a happiness that can hardly be described, I suddenly
received the order to take over the command of a
fine new U boat, which had just been built at Keel.
(09:00):
Never before was a pen more quickly thrown aside and
a desk closed than when I handed over my duties
in the Admiralty to my successor, And shortly afterwards I
took possession of my new splendid boat, to which I
was going to confide all my luck and all I
was humanly capable of doing. I addressed my crew in
(09:22):
a short speech and told them we could best serve
our almighty war Lord in bringing this new weapon of attack.
Confided to our care to the highest state of efficiency,
and my words were greeted with loud cheers. There was
much work to be done in putting the finishing touches
to our submarine, which had only just come off the ways.
(09:46):
The auxiliary machines had to be tested and certain inner
arrangements made, But thanks to the untiring zeal of the
crew and to the eager help we received from the
Imperial Navy Yard, our task was soon accomplished. After a
few short trial trips and firing tests, I was able
(10:06):
to declare our boat ready for sea and for war,
And after everything had been formally surveyed by the Inspector,
we left our home port before the middle of August,
departing at a high speed. We bade farewell to the
big ships still at their moorings, and we soon joined
our fellow submarines who had already in the first fortnight
(10:30):
of war. According to an announcement of the Admiralty's staff
made a dash as far as the English coast, and
here is the proud record of what they further accomplished.
At the beginning of September nineteen fourteen, the English cruiser
Pathfinder was torpedoed by Lieutenant Captain Hersing, who later sunk
(10:52):
the two ships of the line, Triumph and Majestic in
the Dardanelles, and was rewarded with our highest order, Poor Lemetrie.
This initial success proclaimed our submarines to be our greatest
weapon of offense, and their importance became of worldwide renown.
For we claim the honor of having fired the first
(11:13):
successful torpedo shot from a submarine. It opened a new
era in maritime warfare and was the answer to many
questions which had puzzled the men of our profession the
whole world over. Above all, we had proved that a
German U boat, after a long and difficult voyage, could
(11:34):
reach the enemy's coast, and, after penetrating their line of defense,
was able to send one of their ships to the
bottom of the sea with one well aimed torpedo shot.
The age of the submarine had truly begun. Other victories
followed in prompt succession. Weddingen's wonderful prowess off the Hook
(11:56):
of Holland on September twenty second, nineteen fourteen will never
be forgotten. In the space of an hour he sunk
the three English armored cruisers Kresse, Haig and Abu Kir,
and shortly afterwards dispatched their comrade Hawk to keep them
company at the bottom of the North Sea. Let me
(12:17):
add to this list the English cruiser Hermes near Dover
the Niger off the downs of the English coast, the
Russian cruiser Pallada in the Baltic and a great number
of other English torpedo boats, torpedo boat destroyers, as well
as auxiliary cruisers and transports. All this was achieved before
(12:38):
the end of nineteen fourteen. Unfortunately, I am not at
liberty for obvious reasons to describe my own part in
the beginning of the war, but hope to be able
to do so after we achieve a victorious peace. Our
dear cousins on the other side of the Channel must
have been rather disquieted by the loss of so much
(12:59):
shipping at the hands of our boats or of our mines,
and they must have realized that a new method of
warfare had begun, for their fleet no longer paraded in
the North Sea or in any of the waters in
the war zone. Their great valuable ships were withdrawn, and
the patrol of their coast was confided only to smaller
(13:21):
craft and to the mine layers, in order that their
people might supposedly sleep in peace. Our adversary was concealed
by day and only ventured forth at night, confident that
darkness would insure his safety. This was then the hour
for us to lie in watch for our prey. And
no more glorious clarion call could have heralded in the
(13:45):
new year than the torpedo shot which on the New
Year's Eve of nineteen fifteen sent the mighty ship of
the Line Formidable to the bottom of the Channel. This
was our first triumphant victory, which showed that not even
darkness could circumvent our plans, and which dispelled all further
(14:06):
doubts as to our efficiency. A few days after the
sinking of the Formidable, a piece of one of the
row boats was washed ashore at Zebruga and now adorns
our Sea Museum as the only reminder left of the
great Ship. We stood at last on the same footing
as our dear old sister, the torpedo boat, to whom
(14:28):
we in reality owed our present development, and from now
on in proud independence, we were justified in considering ourselves
a separate branch of the Navy. Now that England felt
obliged to withhold the activities of her fleet, she instigated
against us the commercial blockade and Hunger War. She obliged
(14:49):
Neutrals to follow a prescribed route, and by subjecting their
vessels to search, she prevented them from selling us any
of their wares. In this manner, she sought to redeem
herself from the paralysis we had brought on her fleet,
and her unscrupulous treatment of the right of nations and
her interpretation of the so called freedom of the seas
(15:12):
are only too well known. We retaliated on February fourth,
nineteen fifteen, by prescribing a certain danger zone which extended
around Great Britain and Ireland and along the north coast
of France. By this interdict, public opinion was enlightened as
to the part our U boats were going to perform
(15:34):
in this new commercial warfare. A part I must admit
that few people had anticipated before the commencement of hostilities.
Of course, new demands were to be made upon us.
We should have to make long undersea trips and remain
for some time in the enemy's waters, after which we
should have to return unperceived. The English called it German bluff.
(15:59):
But their soon changed after we had made our first
raid in the heart of the Irish Channel, and few
of them now ventured abroad, except when forced by the
most imperative obligations. At the end of October nineteen fourteen,
the first English steamer, Glitra, was sunk off the Norwegian coast.
(16:20):
It carried a cargo of sewing machines, whiskey and steel
from Leith. The captain was wise enough to stop at
the first signal of the commander of the U boat,
and he thereby saved the lives of his crew, who
escaped with their belongings after the steamer was peacefully sunk.
If others later had likewise followed his example, innocent passengers
(16:42):
and crew would not have been drowned, and after all,
people are fond of their own lives. But these English
captains were following the orders of their government to save
their ships through flight. The English authorities even went so
far as to inaugurate a sharp shooting system at sea
by offering a reward to any captain who rammed or
(17:04):
destroyed a German submarine, although the latter could only obey
this command at the risk of their lives. But what
cared the rulers in England for the existence of men
belonging to the lower classes of the nation. They offered
tempting rewards for these exploits in the shape of gold watches,
and bribed the captains of the merchant marine with the
(17:24):
promise of being raised to the rank of officers in
the reserve. Therefore, the British newspapers were filled with the
account of the destruction of German u boats and of
the generous rewards given for these fine deeds. It was
jolly for us, on our return to Port to read
the record of our own doom, and scarcely would there
(17:47):
be a submarine afloat if these records had been true.
I should like to tell a short story in connection
with these assertions of English prowess. One of their small
steamers had actually contrived misty weather to ram the turret
of one of our submarines. While it was in the
act of submerging. The English captain was loudly praised in
(18:09):
all the newspapers and received the promised rewards for having sunk,
as he declared a German U boat he had distinctly felt,
he said, the shock of the collision. His statement was
certainly accurate, for the submarine was also conscious of the shock.
But it was fortunately followed with no evil results, and
(18:30):
our commander had the joyful surprise shortly afterwards when he
emerged to find the blade of the foe's propeller stuck
in the wall of the turret, whose excellent material had
preserved it from serious injury. We happily hope that the
German Empire will never run so short of bronze that
(18:50):
it will be obliged to appropriate for the melting pot
this fine propeller blade, which is one of the many
interesting trophies preserved in our submarine Museum. Chapter five. Our
own part in the commercial War and our first captured steamer.
As we have said above, our war against the merchant
(19:12):
marine of the Allied Nations began in February nineteen fifteen
throughout the war zone established around the English and French coasts,
day after day, the number increased of steamers and sail
boats that we had sunk, and commercial relations between all
countries were seriously menaced. The English were forced to believe
(19:34):
in our threats, and even the shipping trade of the
Neutrals had greatly diminished. The mighty British fleet no longer
dared to patrol the seas, and the merchantmen were told
to look out for themselves, and were even armed for
the purpose. While the winter lasted, there was not much
for us to do, and we awaited fine weather with
(19:56):
lively impatience. During this period, our victor toorious armies had
occupied Belgium and Serbia and conquered the Russian girdle of fortifications.
The subsequent participation of Italy produced but little impression on
the fortunate current of events, whereas Turkey's entrance at our
side in the war opened a new field of operation
(20:19):
for our U boats in the Mediterranean. At last, I
myself was ordered to prepare for a long voyage, which
I welcomed most joyfully. After several months of comparative inaction,
we were to remain in the enemy's waters for several weeks,
which of course involved the most elaborate preparations. Every portion
(20:40):
of the boat was again minutely inspected, every machine repaired
and thoroughly tested. Like a well groomed horse, we must
be in perfect condition for the coming race. Each man
in the crew holds a responsible position and knows that
the slightest neglect endangers the welfare of the whole boat.
(21:01):
The commander must be certain that everything is completed according
to the highest standard. The boat is frequently submerged and
performs various exercises under seas while it is still safe
in the friendly waters off our own coast. We are
always abundantly provisioned for the thirty men must be given
(21:22):
the most nourishing food to be fit for their arduous tasks.
I have often laughed to see the quantity of provisions
placed on deck for the dealers, of course, are never
allowed to penetrate the inner shrine of the boat, and
yet we have often returned from a long cruise because
our food was coming to an end. Every available corner
(21:43):
and space is filled with provisions. The cook, a sailor
specially trained for the job, must hunt below in every
conceivable place for his vegetables and meats. The latter are
stored in the coolest quarters, next to the munitions. The
sausages are put close to the red grenades, The butter
lies beneath one of the sailor's bunks, and the salt
(22:06):
and spice have been known to stray into the commander's
cabin below his berth. When everything is in readiness, the
crew is given a short leave on land to go
and take the much coveted hot bath. This is the
most important ceremony before and after a cruise, especially when
(22:28):
the men return, for when they have remained unwashed for weeks,
soaked with machine oil and saturated with salt spray, their
first thought is a hot bath at sea. We must
be very sparing of our fresh water supply, and its
use for washing must be carefully restricted. The commander usually
(22:52):
spends the eve of his departure in the circle of
his comrades, but it is a solemn moment for him.
As soon as he sails from his native shore, he
becomes responsible for every action which is taken, and for
many weeks no orders reach him from his superiors. He
is unable to ask anyone's advice or to consult with
(23:15):
his inferiors, and he stands alone in the solitude of
his higher rank. Even the common sailor is conscious of
the seriousness of the task ahead, and of the adventures
which may occur below seas. No loud farewells, no jolly hand,
no beckoning girls are there to bid us God's speed.
(23:36):
Quietly and silently do we take our departure. Neither wife,
nor child, nor our nearest and dearest. No whither we go.
If we remain in home waters, or if we go
forth to encounter the foe, we can bid no one farewell.
It is through the absence of news that they know
that we have gone, and no one is aware except
(23:59):
the span high officer in this department of the Admiralty,
who gives the Commander his orders on what errand we
are bound or when we shall return. For the slightest
indiscretion might forfeit the success of our mission. Before dawn
on the day of our departure, the last pieces of
(24:19):
equipment and of armament are put on board, and the
machinery is once more tested. Then at the appointed hour,
the chief engineer informs the commander that everything is ready.
A shrill whistle bids the crew cast loose the moorings,
and at the sound of the signal bell, the boat
begins to move. As we glide rapidly out of port,
(24:43):
we exchange by mutual signs a few last greetings with
our less favored comrades on the decks of the ships
we leave behind, who no doubt also long to go
forth and meet the enemy. The land begins to disappear
in the distance, and as we gaze at the bobbing
buoys that vanish in our wake, we hope that after
(25:06):
a successful journey, they will again be our guides as
we return to our dear German homes. After gliding along
smoothly at first, we soon feel the boat tossing among
the bigger waves. But we laugh as they heave and
dip around us, for we know everything is ship shaped
on board, and that they can do us no harm.
(25:28):
The wild seas are bearing us onward toward the hated foe,
and after all, in the end they lull so peacefully
to sleep the sailor in his eternal rest. End of
Part two.
Part two of the Journal of Submarine von Forstner. This
is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the
public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit
LibriVox dot org. Recording by Sue Anderson. The Journal of
Submarine Commander von Forstner by Georg Gunter Freher von Forstner,
(00:25):
translated by Anna Kraft's Codman, with commentary by John Hayes
Hammond Junior. The Journal Part two, the captain quickly issues
his orders for the course to be steered and for
the necessary navigation. The officer in charge of the torpedoes
receives the command to clear the loaded torpedo for firing,
(00:47):
while the captain quietly calculates first the relative position of
his boat to the enemy's ship, according to the course
she has taken. Secondly, at which point he must aim
the torpedo to take surest effect. And in the same
way as in hunting a hare, he withholds the shot
to correspond to his victim's gait. Many thoughts fly through
(01:11):
his brain here among his companions, the annihilation of the
enemy will cause joyful enthusiasm, while among them their downfall
will cause overwhelming sorrow, but without doubt they must vanish
from the seas. And only a man who has experienced
these sensations knows how many secondary matters occur to him.
(01:35):
At such a time. With lowered periscope, he sees nothing
that goes on above him on the sea, and like
a blind man, the boat feels its way through the
green flood. Every possible event becomes a subject of conjecture.
Will the fellow continue on the same course. Has he
seen our periscope in the second it was exposed? And
(01:59):
is he running away from us? Or on the contrary,
having seen us, will he put on full steam and
try to run us down with a fatal death stroke
from his prow. At such an instant of high nervous tension,
I have caught myself giving superfluous orders to let myself relax.
And yet I knew that every man was at his post,
(02:23):
fully conscious that his own safety, the safety of the
whole boat, and the honor of the fatherland were all
at stake and dependent on his individual effort. I knew,
of course, that each fine fellow down in the machinery
room or at the torpedo tubes, had done his very
best and that all his thoughts were centered like mine
(02:46):
in keen expectancy. On the firing of our first torpedo,
the Eel, as we call it, guarded with so much
love and care, which would speed along accompanied by our
warmest wishes. We give nicknames to our torpedoes, mostly feminine names.
Side by side below lie the Fat Bertha, the Yellow Marry,
(03:09):
and the Shining Emma. And these ladies expected to be
treated like all ladies, with the tenderest care and courtesy.
Now comes the announcement from the torpedo officer the torpedoes
are cleared for firing. He stands with a firm hand,
awaiting the signal from his commander to permit the torpedo
(03:30):
to drive ahead against the hated but unconscious adversary, and
to bore its way with a loud report deep into
the great steel flank. Once again, the periscope springs for
an instant to the surface and then glides back into
the protecting body of the turret. The captain exclaims we
(03:51):
are at them, and the news spreads like wildfire through
the crew. He gives a last rapid order to straighten
the course of the boat. The torpedo officer announces torpedo ready,
and the captain, after one quick glance through the periscope
as it slides back into its sheath, immediately shouts fire.
(04:13):
Even without the prescribed announcement from the torpedo officer that
the torpedo had been sent off, every one knows that
it is speeding ahead, and for a few seconds we
remain in anxious suspense until a dull report provokes throughout
our boat loud cheers for Kaiser and for Empire, And
(04:34):
by this report we know that the fat Bertha has reached,
unhindered her destination. Radiant with joy, the commander breathes a
sigh of relief, and he does not check the young
sailor at the wheel, who seeks to grasp his hand
and murmur his fervent congratulations. But congratulations must be postponed
(04:56):
until we ascertain that our success is complete. And once again,
the periscope runs up towards the laughing daylight, while the commander,
in happy but earnest tones, utters the reassuring words the
ship is sinking further torpedoes can be spared. He then
permits the gratified torpedo officer, who stands by his side
(05:19):
a quick glance through the periscope to verify the result
of his own efficiency. It is chiefly owing to the
care of the personnel of the torpedo squad that the
torpedoes are maintained in such perfect condition, and that their
aim is so correct, and to them is due in
great part the success of our attack. The commander and
(05:41):
his officer exchange a knowing look, for they have seen
the enemy's ship heavily listing to one side, where the
water is rushing into the gaping wound, and soon she
must capsize. They see her crew hastily lowering the life boats,
their only means of escape, and this is a sufficient
(06:02):
proof of our victory. We can depart now in all security.
Concealing our presence, we plunge and vanish beneath the waters.
Having reached a certain distance, we stop to make sure
that our victim lies at the bottom of the ocean.
We behold the waves playing gently and smoothly as before
(06:22):
over the cold watery grave of the once proud ship,
and we hasten away from the scene of our triumph.
There is no need of our going to the help
of the enemy's crew struggling in the sea, for already
their own torpedo boats are hurrying to the sucker of
their comrades, and for us there is no further work
(06:44):
to be done. Imagine the enthusiasm our dear fallen Comrade
Weddingen and his crew must have felt as the loud
report of their last torpedo announced the destruction of their
third English armed cruiser. Chapter four mobilization and the beginning
of the Commercial War. After long and agitated waiting, we
(07:09):
received in the last days of July nineteen fourteen the
command to mobilize. Joyful expectation was visible on every face,
and the only fear that prevailed was that those of
us who were awaiting our orders on land might be
too late to take part in the naval battle we
were all looking forward to so eagerly. A few years ago,
(07:32):
one of the lords of the English Admiralty had predicted
that in the first naval battle fought between Germany and England,
the German fleet would be entirely annihilated. We naturally only
smiled in derision at these boastful words. The English newspapers, besides,
had for many years announced that whenever German officers met together,
(07:55):
they drank a toast to the day, although of course
this was true. Yet we were all burning to prove
in battle what our great navy had learned in long,
hard working years of peace. A mighty engagement at sea
seemed to us imminent during these first days of war,
(08:15):
and we all longed to be in it. I was, however,
at the moment, among those unfortunates who were strapped down
to a desk in the Admiralty, and with envy I
beheld my comrades rushing to active service. For I had
always hoped to lead my old beloved U boat victoriously
against the enemy. We had all placed strong hopes in
(08:37):
the part our submarines would eventually play in a great crisis,
but we never dreamed that they would so successfully take
the first role as our most effective weapon in naval warfare.
With a happiness that can hardly be described, I suddenly
received the order to take over the command of a
fine new U boat, which had just been built at Keel.
(09:00):
Never before was a pen more quickly thrown aside and
a desk closed than when I handed over my duties
in the Admiralty to my successor, And shortly afterwards I
took possession of my new splendid boat, to which I
was going to confide all my luck and all I
was humanly capable of doing. I addressed my crew in
(09:22):
a short speech and told them we could best serve
our almighty war Lord in bringing this new weapon of attack.
Confided to our care to the highest state of efficiency,
and my words were greeted with loud cheers. There was
much work to be done in putting the finishing touches
to our submarine, which had only just come off the ways.
(09:46):
The auxiliary machines had to be tested and certain inner
arrangements made, But thanks to the untiring zeal of the
crew and to the eager help we received from the
Imperial Navy Yard, our task was soon accomplished. After a
few short trial trips and firing tests, I was able
(10:06):
to declare our boat ready for sea and for war,
And after everything had been formally surveyed by the Inspector,
we left our home port before the middle of August,
departing at a high speed. We bade farewell to the
big ships still at their moorings, and we soon joined
our fellow submarines who had already in the first fortnight
(10:30):
of war. According to an announcement of the Admiralty's staff
made a dash as far as the English coast, and
here is the proud record of what they further accomplished.
At the beginning of September nineteen fourteen, the English cruiser
Pathfinder was torpedoed by Lieutenant Captain Hersing, who later sunk
(10:52):
the two ships of the line, Triumph and Majestic in
the Dardanelles, and was rewarded with our highest order, Poor Lemetrie.
This initial success proclaimed our submarines to be our greatest
weapon of offense, and their importance became of worldwide renown.
For we claim the honor of having fired the first
(11:13):
successful torpedo shot from a submarine. It opened a new
era in maritime warfare and was the answer to many
questions which had puzzled the men of our profession the
whole world over. Above all, we had proved that a
German U boat, after a long and difficult voyage, could
(11:34):
reach the enemy's coast, and, after penetrating their line of defense,
was able to send one of their ships to the
bottom of the sea with one well aimed torpedo shot.
The age of the submarine had truly begun. Other victories
followed in prompt succession. Weddingen's wonderful prowess off the Hook
(11:56):
of Holland on September twenty second, nineteen fourteen will never
be forgotten. In the space of an hour he sunk
the three English armored cruisers Kresse, Haig and Abu Kir,
and shortly afterwards dispatched their comrade Hawk to keep them
company at the bottom of the North Sea. Let me
(12:17):
add to this list the English cruiser Hermes near Dover
the Niger off the downs of the English coast, the
Russian cruiser Pallada in the Baltic and a great number
of other English torpedo boats, torpedo boat destroyers, as well
as auxiliary cruisers and transports. All this was achieved before
(12:38):
the end of nineteen fourteen. Unfortunately, I am not at
liberty for obvious reasons to describe my own part in
the beginning of the war, but hope to be able
to do so after we achieve a victorious peace. Our
dear cousins on the other side of the Channel must
have been rather disquieted by the loss of so much
(12:59):
shipping at the hands of our boats or of our mines,
and they must have realized that a new method of
warfare had begun, for their fleet no longer paraded in
the North Sea or in any of the waters in
the war zone. Their great valuable ships were withdrawn, and
the patrol of their coast was confided only to smaller
(13:21):
craft and to the mine layers, in order that their
people might supposedly sleep in peace. Our adversary was concealed
by day and only ventured forth at night, confident that
darkness would insure his safety. This was then the hour
for us to lie in watch for our prey. And
no more glorious clarion call could have heralded in the
(13:45):
new year than the torpedo shot which on the New
Year's Eve of nineteen fifteen sent the mighty ship of
the Line Formidable to the bottom of the Channel. This
was our first triumphant victory, which showed that not even
darkness could circumvent our plans, and which dispelled all further
(14:06):
doubts as to our efficiency. A few days after the
sinking of the Formidable, a piece of one of the
row boats was washed ashore at Zebruga and now adorns
our Sea Museum as the only reminder left of the
great Ship. We stood at last on the same footing
as our dear old sister, the torpedo boat, to whom
(14:28):
we in reality owed our present development, and from now
on in proud independence, we were justified in considering ourselves
a separate branch of the Navy. Now that England felt
obliged to withhold the activities of her fleet, she instigated
against us the commercial blockade and Hunger War. She obliged
(14:49):
Neutrals to follow a prescribed route, and by subjecting their
vessels to search, she prevented them from selling us any
of their wares. In this manner, she sought to redeem
herself from the paralysis we had brought on her fleet,
and her unscrupulous treatment of the right of nations and
her interpretation of the so called freedom of the seas
(15:12):
are only too well known. We retaliated on February fourth,
nineteen fifteen, by prescribing a certain danger zone which extended
around Great Britain and Ireland and along the north coast
of France. By this interdict, public opinion was enlightened as
to the part our U boats were going to perform
(15:34):
in this new commercial warfare. A part I must admit
that few people had anticipated before the commencement of hostilities.
Of course, new demands were to be made upon us.
We should have to make long undersea trips and remain
for some time in the enemy's waters, after which we
should have to return unperceived. The English called it German bluff.
(15:59):
But their soon changed after we had made our first
raid in the heart of the Irish Channel, and few
of them now ventured abroad, except when forced by the
most imperative obligations. At the end of October nineteen fourteen,
the first English steamer, Glitra, was sunk off the Norwegian coast.
(16:20):
It carried a cargo of sewing machines, whiskey and steel
from Leith. The captain was wise enough to stop at
the first signal of the commander of the U boat,
and he thereby saved the lives of his crew, who
escaped with their belongings after the steamer was peacefully sunk.
If others later had likewise followed his example, innocent passengers
(16:42):
and crew would not have been drowned, and after all,
people are fond of their own lives. But these English
captains were following the orders of their government to save
their ships through flight. The English authorities even went so
far as to inaugurate a sharp shooting system at sea
by offering a reward to any captain who rammed or
(17:04):
destroyed a German submarine, although the latter could only obey
this command at the risk of their lives. But what
cared the rulers in England for the existence of men
belonging to the lower classes of the nation. They offered
tempting rewards for these exploits in the shape of gold watches,
and bribed the captains of the merchant marine with the
(17:24):
promise of being raised to the rank of officers in
the reserve. Therefore, the British newspapers were filled with the
account of the destruction of German u boats and of
the generous rewards given for these fine deeds. It was
jolly for us, on our return to Port to read
the record of our own doom, and scarcely would there
(17:47):
be a submarine afloat if these records had been true.
I should like to tell a short story in connection
with these assertions of English prowess. One of their small
steamers had actually contrived misty weather to ram the turret
of one of our submarines. While it was in the
act of submerging. The English captain was loudly praised in
(18:09):
all the newspapers and received the promised rewards for having sunk,
as he declared a German U boat he had distinctly felt,
he said, the shock of the collision. His statement was
certainly accurate, for the submarine was also conscious of the shock.
But it was fortunately followed with no evil results, and
(18:30):
our commander had the joyful surprise shortly afterwards when he
emerged to find the blade of the foe's propeller stuck
in the wall of the turret, whose excellent material had
preserved it from serious injury. We happily hope that the
German Empire will never run so short of bronze that
(18:50):
it will be obliged to appropriate for the melting pot
this fine propeller blade, which is one of the many
interesting trophies preserved in our submarine Museum. Chapter five. Our
own part in the commercial War and our first captured steamer.
As we have said above, our war against the merchant
(19:12):
marine of the Allied Nations began in February nineteen fifteen
throughout the war zone established around the English and French coasts,
day after day, the number increased of steamers and sail
boats that we had sunk, and commercial relations between all
countries were seriously menaced. The English were forced to believe
(19:34):
in our threats, and even the shipping trade of the
Neutrals had greatly diminished. The mighty British fleet no longer
dared to patrol the seas, and the merchantmen were told
to look out for themselves, and were even armed for
the purpose. While the winter lasted, there was not much
for us to do, and we awaited fine weather with
(19:56):
lively impatience. During this period, our victor toorious armies had
occupied Belgium and Serbia and conquered the Russian girdle of fortifications.
The subsequent participation of Italy produced but little impression on
the fortunate current of events, whereas Turkey's entrance at our
side in the war opened a new field of operation
(20:19):
for our U boats in the Mediterranean. At last, I
myself was ordered to prepare for a long voyage, which
I welcomed most joyfully. After several months of comparative inaction,
we were to remain in the enemy's waters for several weeks,
which of course involved the most elaborate preparations. Every portion
(20:40):
of the boat was again minutely inspected, every machine repaired
and thoroughly tested. Like a well groomed horse, we must
be in perfect condition for the coming race. Each man
in the crew holds a responsible position and knows that
the slightest neglect endangers the welfare of the whole boat.
(21:01):
The commander must be certain that everything is completed according
to the highest standard. The boat is frequently submerged and
performs various exercises under seas while it is still safe
in the friendly waters off our own coast. We are
always abundantly provisioned for the thirty men must be given
(21:22):
the most nourishing food to be fit for their arduous tasks.
I have often laughed to see the quantity of provisions
placed on deck for the dealers, of course, are never
allowed to penetrate the inner shrine of the boat, and
yet we have often returned from a long cruise because
our food was coming to an end. Every available corner
(21:43):
and space is filled with provisions. The cook, a sailor
specially trained for the job, must hunt below in every
conceivable place for his vegetables and meats. The latter are
stored in the coolest quarters, next to the munitions. The
sausages are put close to the red grenades, The butter
lies beneath one of the sailor's bunks, and the salt
(22:06):
and spice have been known to stray into the commander's
cabin below his berth. When everything is in readiness, the
crew is given a short leave on land to go
and take the much coveted hot bath. This is the
most important ceremony before and after a cruise, especially when
(22:28):
the men return, for when they have remained unwashed for weeks,
soaked with machine oil and saturated with salt spray, their
first thought is a hot bath at sea. We must
be very sparing of our fresh water supply, and its
use for washing must be carefully restricted. The commander usually
(22:52):
spends the eve of his departure in the circle of
his comrades, but it is a solemn moment for him.
As soon as he sails from his native shore, he
becomes responsible for every action which is taken, and for
many weeks no orders reach him from his superiors. He
is unable to ask anyone's advice or to consult with
(23:15):
his inferiors, and he stands alone in the solitude of
his higher rank. Even the common sailor is conscious of
the seriousness of the task ahead, and of the adventures
which may occur below seas. No loud farewells, no jolly hand,
no beckoning girls are there to bid us God's speed.
(23:36):
Quietly and silently do we take our departure. Neither wife,
nor child, nor our nearest and dearest. No whither we go.
If we remain in home waters, or if we go
forth to encounter the foe, we can bid no one farewell.
It is through the absence of news that they know
that we have gone, and no one is aware except
(23:59):
the span high officer in this department of the Admiralty,
who gives the Commander his orders on what errand we
are bound or when we shall return. For the slightest
indiscretion might forfeit the success of our mission. Before dawn
on the day of our departure, the last pieces of
(24:19):
equipment and of armament are put on board, and the
machinery is once more tested. Then at the appointed hour,
the chief engineer informs the commander that everything is ready.
A shrill whistle bids the crew cast loose the moorings,
and at the sound of the signal bell, the boat
begins to move. As we glide rapidly out of port,
(24:43):
we exchange by mutual signs a few last greetings with
our less favored comrades on the decks of the ships
we leave behind, who no doubt also long to go
forth and meet the enemy. The land begins to disappear
in the distance, and as we gaze at the bobbing
buoys that vanish in our wake, we hope that after
(25:06):
a successful journey, they will again be our guides as
we return to our dear German homes. After gliding along
smoothly at first, we soon feel the boat tossing among
the bigger waves. But we laugh as they heave and
dip around us, for we know everything is ship shaped
on board, and that they can do us no harm.
(25:28):
The wild seas are bearing us onward toward the hated foe,
and after all, in the end they lull so peacefully
to sleep the sailor in his eternal rest. End of
Part two.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.