The Battle of Britain Five Months That Changed History, May—October 1940 by James Holland (z-lib.org).epub

there suddenly silhouetted against it were four ships. In constant VHF radio
contact with one another, the S-boats now throttled back and prepared to
attack. Splitting into their pairs, Bobby manoeuvred beside S19, his
adrenalin beginning to pump. From the bridge, he could see the pale grey
forward deck stealing towards their targets. ‘You don’t actually realize the
terrible power of the S-Boote until you come in contact with an enemy
ship,’ says Bobby. ‘During the attack, the boat is literally one with her
torpedo.’
At ten minutes to midnight, on board Hartlepool, Captain Rogerson saw the
track of a torpedo pass before his starboard beam, then disappear under
Elmcrest on their right. Fortunately, it did not explode, but then Elmcrest
blew a quiet signal on her steam whistle, warning the other three in their
group of the danger. Wasting no time, Captain Rogerson once again ordered
full speed and turning sharply to starboard began to zigzag frantically. It
was too late for Elmcrest, however. S24 had fired the first torpedo and
missed, but Bobby had now lined up for a shot in turn. On the signal to fire,
the torpedo had burst out of its tube, speeding towards Elmcrest at fortyfour
knots. Immediately the boat whirled around to port with the sudden
lightening of the load, but Bobby was able to glance back and see the
torpedo had hit the large 12,000-ton vessel amidships. The ship had now
stopped in the water as Bobby curved around for a second attack. She was a
sitting duck, and Bobby made sure they did not miss. Most of the crew had
already begun abandoning the ship and as the torpedo sped towards
Elmcrest, it passed under one of the life rafts causing it to capsize. The
torpedo struck the engine room, and tore the ship in two. Captain Rogerson
watched, appalled, as the ship was silhouetted by the explosion. The tanker
sank in less than two minutes.
Meanwhile, S24 had fired another miss. Leutnant Götz von Mirbach in
S20 had also missed twice but his crew had now reloaded and was attacking
British Corporal, and this time she hit. There was no huge explosion, but a
high column of water, twisted metal, oil and debris shot into the air. Water
began pouring into the engine room, the rudder was shot away, and
although the ship was not listing, it was clear she would have to be
abandoned.
One after another, the S-boats were doing their deadly work. S19, with
S26 following, was pursuing Csarda, but it was S20 who now turned her