Although taking command of a coastal submarine might seem more fulfilling, Zhang Hainuo opted for a pragmatic approach and chose to serve on a long-range submarine. This way, he could learn from an experienced captain for a while. Reder fully supported this decision.
Since Zhang Hainuo made this choice and received assistance from Tirpitz, the naval officer in charge of personnel transfers readily checked for him. Currently, there were five long-range submarines undergoing repairs in Wilhelmshaven. They were U15, U33, U35, U51, and U56, none of which were fully crewed.
Choosing based solely on their numbers felt somewhat reckless to Zhang Hainuo, so he politely asked the officer:
"I'd like to know the combat records of these submarines, if possible."
"Oh?" The officer hesitated at first, but upon reflection, he nodded in agreement.
"Let me see. U15, 12 patrols, sank a total of 32 British ships with a combined tonnage of 52,000 tons, making it an ace submarine! U21; U33, 9 patrols, sank 23 ships totaling 39,000 tons..."
After the officer finished listing the patrol numbers and combat records of the five submarines, Zhang Hainuo still wasn't sure. While two of them were ace submarines with over 50,000 tons sunk, the difference between them wasn't significant. He had considered calling Reder to ask which submarine would offer the most learning opportunities, but then he remembered Reder mentioning two famous super-ace submarines.
"I'd also like to ask when U9 and U21 will return to port?"
The officer glanced at Zhang Hainuo with surprise before lowering his head to flip through his thick ledger.
"Unfortunately, U9 just set sail last week and won't return for at least a month and a half. As for U21..."
"U21? That's Hessen's submarine! Lieutenant, I advise you to choose any submarine but that one, especially not this one!" Suddenly, another officer, who had been quietly writing, interjected.
"Oh, right! That's the crazy Hessen's submarine!" The officer in front slapped his forehead. "Lieutenant, steer clear of this one!"
"Why do you call the captain of this submarine crazy?" Zhang Hainuo was puzzled; Reder hadn't mentioned this to him.
"Well, where others fear to tread, Hessen dares; where others hesitate, Hessen acts. He's been through countless life-and-death situations, even though he's already a top ace submarine captain!" interrupted the officer who had been writing.
"Yes, indeed! He dares to venture into waters filled with mines and anti-submarine nets, and he even traverses the English Channel and the Strait of Gibraltar to enter the Mediterranean, encountering numerous perils along the way! U21 infiltrated heavily guarded enemy anchorages, sinking the British battleships Triumph and Dignity, but he almost got caught! Hessen's submarine hasn't sunk many ships in total, but they're either high-tonnage merchant ships or warships. His total tonnage is already 88,000 tons. Huh?"
The officer's words suddenly trailed off, his gaze fixed on his ledger.
Zhang Hainuo had to wait patiently as the officer carefully checked for a while before looking up to inform him:
"U21 is currently undergoing repairs at the port of Pola in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It seems Hessen and his submarine have encountered some trouble; their propulsion equipment needs replacement. However, the Austro-Hungarian Empire lacks the necessary equipment, so the new diesel engines can only be transported from here! Lieutenant, you're in luck. The train carrying the equipment and personnel will depart tonight. If you want to go, there's still time!"
"Of course!" Zhang Hainuo smiled and addressed the two officers who hadn't fully reacted yet:
"Please arrange it for me. I'll go to U21!"
In the early 20th century, the railway systems of various European countries were already quite developed, and even the economically lagging Austro-Hungarian Empire was no exception. Zhang Hainuo boarded a train in Wilhelmshaven, where he didn't need to transfer at all. After two days and four hours, he arrived at the most important naval base of the Austro-Hungarian Empire—Pola.
Like Wilhelmshaven, this naturally superb harbor was also guarded by numerous forts and batteries. The harbor was home to hundreds of warships, but unfortunately, due to the powerful Italian fleet guarding the exit of the Adriatic Sea and the even more formidable British and French fleets cruising in the Mediterranean, the main fleet of the Austro-Hungarian Empire could only exist as a "fleet in being" like the German High Seas Fleet.
Looking at the leisurely sailors on the docks and warships, one could easily understand what it meant to be "idle to the point of going mad."
Similar to the situation in the North Sea and the Atlantic, submarines were also the most active in the Mediterranean region for the naval forces of the Allied Powers. Although the Austro-Hungarian Empire's submarine force was considered the elite of its navy, it was limited in size and equipment. In order to maximize the impact on the Allied Powers' shipping lines in the Mediterranean, Germany dispatched submarines and excellent combat personnel. Some submarines, like U21, traveled long distances, while others were disassembled and transported by rail to be reassembled in Pola after arriving!
In Zhang Hainuo's imagination, "Crazy" Hessen should have a thick beard like many German captains, but when the real version of Hessen appeared before him, he was genuinely surprised—this so-called "madman of the sea" was only twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, with a tall and handsome figure. There was no roughness in his appearance; on the contrary, he was neatly dressed from head to toe, with even his beard cleanly shaved!
Later, Zhang Hainuo learned that German submariners gave off an unkempt vibe because freshwater was extremely limited during voyages. Freshwater was mostly reserved for drinking, and bathing or washing one's face on board was a luxury. Coupled with the cramped space and abundant oil stains inside the submarine, submariners couldn't work as neatly dressed as their counterparts on surface ships. However, once they returned to port, submarine crew members would promptly clean themselves up.
"You're Lieutenant Hainuo von Fennekschtein from the battleship Seydlitz, the great hero?" After examining Zhang Hainuo's documents and the letter of introduction issued by the naval personnel department, Hessen glanced at him indifferently.
"Yes, Captain Hessen. I served as the torpedo officer on the Seydlitz before completing a three-month course at the submarine class of the Kiel Naval School. It's an honor to work with you, and I hope you won't hesitate to teach me!" Zhang Hainuo stood at attention, trying to give the impression of a capable and earnest officer.
Unfortunately, Hessen didn't offer a friendly response. Instead, he coldly folded the letter of introduction and handed it back to Zhang Hainuo.
"Very well, Lieutenant Hainuo von Fennekschtein, I hereby appoint you as the second lieutenant of U21 submarine! Please gather your belongings; I'll have someone take you to your quarters. There are plenty of tasks waiting for you to complete."
"At your command, Captain Hessen!" Despite Hessen's cold demeanor, Zhang Hainuo regarded it as a form of initiation for new recruits. He understood that not every superior would be like Captain Lorenz, so he didn't take it to heart.
As for the position of second lieutenant, it served as the third-in-command aboard the submarine, after the captain and the first lieutenant. However, not every submarine would have such a position, especially considering the limited crew size. Essentially, Zhang Hainuo's role as second lieutenant was akin to that of a "military apprentice."
Following this, Hessen called for a non-commissioned officer from outside to give some instructions. After saluting Hessen once more, Zhang Hainuo followed the non-commissioned officer toward the dock.