Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Bleichrodt, U-boat 48’s 30-year-old commander, was nicknamed Ajax. He had been in command for just two weeks, and the submarine he was commanding would become the German fleet’s most successful craft, sinking 54 merchant ships and one warship over two years. Ajax’s crew trusted and respected him, essential in an environment where orders must be followed immediately and without question. The men depended on one another; “cooperation and camaraderie” (65) were essential when living in close quarters underwater, plagued by boredom and the stench of 38 men sharing the “cylindrical hull” of the U-boat.

One of the men on board was 18-year-old Rolf Hulse, who operated the craft’s wireless radio. His family was anti-Nazi, but Rolf had been drafted and was committed to fighting for his country. In 1939, Rolf was invited to meet Adolf Hitler after his U-boat successfully sank a British battleship. Rolf shook hands with Hitler, who seemed to the young man “a nice, normal man” (67).

Now, U-boat 48 had the City of Benares in its sights. They could attack the ship with little risk since the Royal Navy escort was gone, but Ajax decided to wait until nightfall to fire.