U-039 gradually surfaced after the British convoy passed overhead.
"Quickly, send a telegram to the other submarines, informing them of the British convoy's location. This time, we must annihilate these British ships entirely," Donitz commanded.
"Yes, sir," the communications officer promptly set to work.
Subsequently, U-039 began to chase the southbound British convoy with full force. Due to the generally slow speed of the merchant ships, which was significantly lower than the surface cruising speed of the submarine, U-039 was easily able to keep up. They continually transmitted the convoy's location to other submarines, directing them to adjust their courses for interception.
A vast net formed by the German Navy's submarine fleet was descending upon the British convoy, completely unbeknownst to the British.
Hunting from a submarine often requires immense patience. Achieving a favorable attack position can sometimes take an entire day of waiting. This time, coordinating with other submarines to form a wolf pack to strike the British convoy demanded meticulous collaboration; any misstep could jeopardize their plan.
By the afternoon, the German submarine force had completed its deployment, with a total of nine submarines participating in the operation. In addition to U-039 trailing behind the British convoy, the remaining eight submarines had positioned themselves ahead, to the left, and to the right, effectively surrounding the target.
At 3:45 PM, U-048 aimed at a British merchant vessel and launched a torpedo.
The 533-millimeter heavy torpedo surged towards the merchant ship from less than five hundred meters away, striking with astonishing speed. The crew aboard the merchant ship remained blissfully unaware, oblivious to the imminent crisis bearing down upon them.
"Boom!"
A tremendous explosion erupted against the ship's side, flames shooting skyward as the enormous vessel shuddered violently, its flank appearing as if it had been savagely bitten by a monstrous beast.
The merchant ship's defenses were already inadequate, and the ferocity of the torpedo's explosion tore the ship apart.
Raging seawater gushed into the stricken vessel, making its sinking inevitable.
"What on earth is happening?" Both Major Edward and Lieutenant Martin were startled as they gazed through their binoculars at the merchant ship at the forefront of the formation.
"Is it an enemy attack? Or has there been some unfortunate incident?" Lieutenant Martin inquired.
Major Edward's countenance darkened significantly. "Prepare for battle; I fear we are in trouble. Damned German submarines have set their sights on us."
At that moment, several other merchant ships were struck, the result of hidden submarines launching their assaults.
For the German Navy's submarine fleet, the vast British convoy resembled a sumptuous feast; each submarine sought to bolster its tally of sunken vessels.
"My God! It's not just one submarine. How many damned Germans have struck in these waters?" Major Edward exclaimed, unable to contain his alarm.
Had they merely encountered a single German submarine, they could have dispatched destroyers to encircle and sink it or, at the very least, drive it away. However, the situation was far graver, with multiple submarines now emerging.
"Order the destroyers to engage and locate those German submarines. We cannot allow them to attack our merchant ships any longer!" Major Edward commanded.
The destroyers providing escort to the convoy surged forward like fierce hounds, racing towards the sites of the strikes.
Yet the German submarines had already launched their torpedoes and vanished beneath the waves, biding their time for the next opportunity to strike.
The entire convoy was thrown into chaos. Following the German submarine assault, the British merchant vessels scattered like a frightened flock of sheep. In the ensuing panic, some ships collided with one another, their hulls breached, sinking rapidly into the sea. The scene became utterly chaotic.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
The British Navy's destroyers continuously dropped depth charges into the sea, attempting to obliterate the submerged German submarines. However, their efforts proved largely futile. Submarines do not remain stationary underwater. Although the current speed of the submarines was relatively slow, they were still difficult for destroyers equipped with sonar to detect. Destroyers relied significantly on luck to sink a submarine.
A periscope rose from the depths, scanning the vicinity cautiously. Finding no immediate threats, it ascended to torpedo firing depth.
"Merchant ship ahead, six hundred meters away. Prepare tube one for launch!" Donitz commanded.
"Boom!"
A 533-millimeter torpedo shot forth from the launch tube, swiftly racing towards the British merchant vessel.
In no time, the torpedo gently struck the side of the merchant ship, and Donitz, through the periscope, clearly witnessed the ship erupting into a cloud of debris.
"Quick, dive! The British destroyers are coming!" Upon spotting a destroyer charging toward them with formidable intent, Donitz issued an urgent command to dive.
The submarine's ballast tanks began to fill, propelling them rapidly underwater. As they descended to over fifty meters and began cruising at five knots, the British Navy's depth charges detonated above.
"Boom! Boom!"
The muffled sounds of explosions resonated as shockwaves battered against the submarine's hull, creating a cacophony of cracking noises. Even the submarine began to sway under the force of the waves.
After launching their attack, the British destroyers circled the area, failing to identify any targets before ultimately departing. Only then did Donitz and his crew exhale in relief.
Submarines possess exceptional stealth capabilities. However, once confronted with an attack, they often find it challenging to retaliate, relying solely on evasion to escape enemy fire.
The chaotic skirmish concluded after more than half an hour, with the German submarines withdrawing. Although the British merchant vessels on the surface had not all been sunk, the German submarines had exhausted their torpedoes and had no choice but to retreat. The British destroyers patrolled the waters like frenzied hounds, searching for them, rendering it impossible for the submarines to surface and bombard the merchant ships.
Having managed to sink several merchant vessels, they were quite satisfied. It was far better than persisting and facing the fate of being sunk by British destroyers.