The Diary of a U-boat CommanderWith an Introduction and Explanatory Notes by Etienne
motored to a field hospital, I happened to see a battalion of Silesian troops about to go up to the front line. 

 It was rather curious feeling that one was looking at men, each in himself a unit of civilization, and yet many of whom were about to die in the interests thereof. 

 Their faces were an interesting study. 

 Some looked careless and debonair, and seemed to swing past with a touch of recklessness in their stride, others were grave and serious, and seemed almost to plod forward to the dictates of an inevitable fatalism. 

 The field hospital, where we met some very charming nurses, on one of whom I think I created a distinct impression, was not particularly interesting. It was clean, well-organized and radiated the efficiency inseparable from the German Army. 

 Back at Wilhelmshaven--curse it! 

 Yesterday morning, when about to start on a tour of the ammunition supply arrangements, I received an urgent wire recalling me at once! 

 There was nothing for it but to obey. 

 I was lucky enough to get a passage as far as Mons in an albatross scout which was taking dispatches to that place. 

 From there I managed to bluff a motor car out of the town commandant--a most obliging fellow. This took me to Aachen where I got an express. 

 The reason for my recall was that Witneisser went sick and Arnheim being away, this has left only two in the operations ciphering department. 

 My arrival has made us three. It is pretty strenuous work and, being of a clerical nature, suits me little. The only consolation is that many of the messages are most interesting. I was looking through the back files the other day and amongst other interesting information I came across the wireless report from the boat that had sunk the Lusitania. 

 It has always been a mystery to me why we sank her, as I do not believe those things pay. 

 Arnheim has come back, so I have got out of the ciphering department, to my great delight. 

 I have received official information that my application for U-boats has been received. Meanwhile all there is to do is to sit at this ---- hole and wait. 

 


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