U-505 page 16

 U-505 page 16 by ric gustafson

It is October 24 1943, the crew of the U-505 were dumbfounded. Skipper Zschech was up in the conning tower. The boat was cruising at only a depth of 100 meters. The periscope was useless. Then Zschech and the crew heard the loud pinging of the ASDIC. 

Before Zschech could completely get back in the boat, the depth charges began. After the first two, the boat shakes and the lights go out. Then more depth charges. The boat almost rolls over. 

A scared Zschech was hanging onto the bulkhead. He knew there was only one thing to do. He takes out his Luger. He points it at his temple. He fires.

Second in command Paul Meyer and other crew members heard the gunshot. They run over and take the wounded Skipper to his cabin. Zschech dies from the gunshot. Later in the morning, the men of the U-505 bury their Skipper at sea. Being Second in Command, Paul Meyer became the new Skipper of the U-505.

research help: ' Codename Nemo' by Charles Lachman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric