cerning the peculiar life on board a U-boat I am
writing this story. Good--therefore my log-book! Yes, why should I not
make use of it? To this I also wish to add that I not only used my own
log-book but also at many places had use of other U-boats' logs in order
to present one or another episode which is worth the while relating.
Thus, for example, the story of the many fishing-smacks, which are
spoken of in the chapter called "Rich Spoils," is borrowed, but the
happenings in the witch kettle, the adventure with the English bulldog,
and also most of the other chapters are my own feathers with which I
have adorned this little story. This is the only liberal right of an
author which I permit myself. The style of the story from a log-book is
simple and convenient, and one buys so willingly such stories. See there
two valid reasons for making use of it.

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I OUR FIRST SUCCESS 3

II AN EVENTFUL NIGHT 21

III THE SINKING OF THE TRANSPORT 46

IV RICH SPOILS 68

V THE WITCH-KETTLE 91

VI A DAY OF TERROR 115

VII A LIVELY CHASE 140

VIII THE BRITISH BULL-DOG 163

IX HOMEWARD BOUND! 189

THE ADVENTURES OF THE U-202

THE ADVENTURES OF THE U-202

I

OUR FIRST SUCCESS

_At the hunting grounds North Sea, April 12, 19--. Course:
northwest. Wind: southwest, strength 3-4. Sea: strength 3.
View: good. Both machines in high speed._

We were very comfortable in the conning tower because the weather was
fine and the sun burned with its heat our field-gray skin jackets.

"Soon we will have summer," I said to the officer on guard, Lieutenant
Petersen, who was sitting with me on the conning tower's platform. I
felt entirely too hot in my thick underwear.

Petersen, who, like me, was sitting with his legs dangling in the open
hatch on whose edge we had placed ourselves, put his hand on the deck
and loosened the thick, camel's wool scarf, twice wrapped around his
neck, as if suddenly he realized it was too hot for him, too.

"I think I'll soon discharge this one from service," said Petersen, and
pulled at the faithful winter friend as if he wished to strip it off.