Nervousness fills your throat as the Admiral orates his pre-campaign speech, up until now, you were a young Lieutenant-Commander who hadn't been aboard an actual Type VIIC yet. Surely your crew would be a hodgepodge of other enlisted men fresh out of training just like you were. The next morning at 0500, you boarded U-579 to assume command. The boat was weather-beaten, and rust had formed everywhere, even around the barrel of the heavily greased 8.8 cm. gun on the foredeck.

Standing on the dock you awaited the arrival of your crew, and in a twist of irony, your first crewwoman arrived presenting her transfer orders.

"Herr Oberleutnant, I beg to report aboard." she said introducing herself as junior-captain Isolde, her blond hair and blue, round eyes sparkling under the peak of her white Navy cap.

Formally, you introduce yourself as Captain ${name}, and exchanged a handshake with her. Time seemed like a blur as you continuously practiced the officialism involved in introductions and assignment of duties as your crewwomen arrived and stowed their belongings. One last head count, and a few commands later, the ropes were removed from the pillars and U-579 silently separated from the pier, then increased speed. With a seawoman and another officer to watch the bridge, you slip through the conning tower hatch down the vertical ladder into the long, narrow boat. Right into the heart and brain of the boat, the control room.

It was overloaded with pipes, ducts, valves, wires, hand-wheels, gauges, switches, meters, and control mechanisms. Its major equipment included pumps, a fresh-water producer, lower periscope, magnetic compass, chart closet, and table, as well as electrical gear to control rudder and hydroplanes.

"Our objective is to patrol the North Atlantic Routes and destroy any British ships in the area." You inform Isolde and the rest of your crew present in the control room.

"Navigator, plot a patrol route around Denmark towards the Faroe Islands." You command.