What does it feel like to stay in a constantly rocking tin can? Many people probably haven't experienced it, but Zhang Hainuo has experienced this feeling more than once. Although this time wasn't the most intense shaking, the sensation was still unpleasant. It ranged from dizziness to vomiting, and there was always the risk of inadvertently coming into contact with hard objects.
If you were to ask Zhang Hainuo what he gained after coming to U171, "endurance" would definitely be at the forefront. Constant danger, the inability to speak at any moment—under such conditions, a minute feels like an hour, an hour feels like a day, and so on.
At this moment, Zhang Hainuo's greatest hope lies not with himself but with the two German submarines that are approaching the British convoy. As long as torpedoes are fired from their end, U171 will be freed from its predicament, much like the state of Zhao in the rescue operation in the Wei kingdom.
At this moment, Zhang Hainuo feels like a person with a great spirit of sacrifice, a person with a strong sense of professional ethics, much like an undercover agent in a movie, or a hunting dog for a hunter. But for the sake of victory, no matter how difficult or tiring, he is willing to endure it!
Under the prayers of Zhang Hainuo and all the crew members of U171, the turning point finally arrives. When the sound of explosions comes from the distant sea, although the British did not immediately stop dropping bombs on their heads, the frequency has noticeably decreased. Half an hour later, even the last British warship gave up attacking this "ninja submarine."
"Alright, boys, it's our turn now!" Zhang Hainuo stands up, stretching his slightly sore muscles, and confidently addresses the crew members.
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At 5:12 in the morning, with the belated arrival of U145, the outcome of this collective sea hunt was already a foregone conclusion. Black oil spills, various floating objects, sinking or capsized ships, and thousands of survivors could be seen everywhere on the sea surface, although the light on the sea had gradually brightened, people's vision was almost blocked by the thick smoke from burning materials.
The British escort formation had long since disappeared. Surviving merchant ships could only rely on their own speed to quickly leave this sea of death. The British cruisers and destroyers, like sheepdogs encountering a wolf pack, exerted all their efforts but still could not prevent the wolves from hunting down their sheep. Moreover, they had to be wary of the torpedoes that occasionally came from some corner!
After firing the last torpedo on board, Zhang Hainuo and his U171 silently observed the helpless British ships in a corner of the war-torn sea. If there were more German submarines participating in the hunt, he believed that this battle could even wipe out the entire convoy.
The battle came to an end before the sun rose, although the German submarines underwater had the upper hand, seven British merchant ships managed to escape. Five German submarines sank nearly half of the convoy's ships. Judging from their sizes, the total tonnage of the sunk ships exceeded 50,000 tons.
In the past month, the German submarine fleet's monthly record reached 850,000 tons, setting a historical record since the start of the war. On average, each German submarine sank about 5,000 tons of enemy ships. However, in the past 24 hours, Zhang Hainuo and his crew sank an average of 10,000 tons of British ships per submarine!
Perhaps frightened by the torpedoes that were darting back and forth on the sea, or perhaps worried that the escaping merchant ships would be sunk by other German submarines without naval escort, those British light cruisers and destroyers did not dare to linger here. After leaving lifeboats and lifebuoys behind, they quickly disappeared at the end of the line of sight.
"After surfacing the submarine, the deck gun crew should proceed to their positions as quickly as possible. No one is allowed to open fire without my command!" After explaining these instructions, Zhang Hainuo snapped shut the periscope, "Surface!"
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On the sea surface, some survivors had already boarded the naval vessels' lifeboats left behind before, but they did not forget their companions still floating in the sea. Therefore, they paddled the lifeboats back and forth to rescue other survivors.
When a dark behemoth emerged from the water, a wooden lifeboat capable of carrying 20 people was floating not far away on the sea surface. British sailors had just rescued a severely injured survivor from the water when the sudden appearance of the black object seemed as sharp and blinding as the blade of the Grim Reaper's scythe. A terrifying killing machine with such simple lines, the unwashed outer walls resembled the skin of a whale, smooth yet emitting a chilling light under the sun.
Most British sailors focused on the terrifying big gun, and few noticed the young German lieutenant standing on the conning tower of the submarine. He calmly watched everything on the sea.
On the lifeboat, an older British sailor clasped his hands together, silently reciting, "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life..."
"Germans are devils, more savage than beasts." This was how the British newspapers often portrayed the Germans. Over time, many British people formed a similar view unconsciously. So when the big gun was aimed at them, the sailors on this boat were dumbfounded because they had no means of resistance. It was impossible to escape at such a close distance.
"Simon, will the Navy send supply ships to the Atlantic?"
"No, Lieutenant! Our surface ships cannot pass through the Dover Strait or the British Northern Patrol Line in the North Sea!"
"So, after we run out of torpedoes, we can only return home?"
"I'm afraid so!"
"In that case, move closer and see if there are any British naval officers on board. I think we can capture one or two valuable prisoners!"
"Yes, Lieutenant!"
"Oh, and give them a jug of water, so they can at least survive until the rescue ships arrive!"
"Lieutenant, are you sure about this?"
"Yes, do as I say!"