We Dive at Dawn

April 1942 marks a pause for the Sea Tiger as Lieutenant Freddie Taylor and the crew are granted a week's leave after an unsuccessful patrol. Leading Seaman Hobson goes home to save his marriage, while Corrigan departs for his wedding in London. The men brace for recall, knowing the war waits for no one.

Corrigan travels to London for his wedding, reluctant to leave the Sea Tiger crew behind. Hobson wishes him well and tries to comfort him. The journey foreshadows the looming recall and the mission to come.

Shortly after their leave begins, the Sea Tiger is recalled to duty. Corrigan is relieved to be recalled but regrets not completing his marriage.

The Sea Tiger is given a top-secret mission to sink the Brandenburg before she transits the Kiel Canal. The order arrives with urgency and the crew must put to sea immediately. The chase for the Brandenburg begins.

While crossing the North Sea, Sea Tiger rescues three shot-down Luftwaffe pilots from a rescue buoy. The submarine prevents their radio alert from reaching German forces, preserving the mission's stealth.

Entering a German minefield, an airman panics and reveals Brandenburg's location. He is attacked by a countryman and dies, adding urgency to the pursuit.

Taylor makes a desperate decision to pursue the Brandenburg into the German-controlled Baltic Sea. The crew steels themselves for a perilous chase.

The Brandenburg is spotted and Sea Tiger fires all its torpedoes, then dives as German destroyers drop depth charges. The attack is cut short, forcing a rapid escape.

To mislead the German forces, Sea Tiger expels oil and debris, including the airman’s body, giving the illusion that the submarine has sunk. The ruse works, but the vessel is left with insufficient oil to reach Britain.

With their ruse successful, Taylor orders the crew to abandon ship on the Danish island of Hågø (Baagø). Hobson volunteers to go ashore and search for oil.

Hobson and others hold off the German garrison while Sea Tiger slips into the harbour under cover of darkness and refuels with help from friendly Danish sailors.

Pincher is killed; Oxford and Lieutenant Johnson are wounded, but the crew makes it back to the refueled Sea Tiger and starts to depart.

As they leave, the tanker used for refueling is hit by German shells and catches fire. Taylor chooses to risk the Sea Tiger and press on to sea.

On the journey back to Britain, an escorting trawler informs them that Brandenburg has been sunk. The crew feels vindicated and gains relief as they head home.

Sea Tiger returns to base, flying the Jolly Roger for the first time as a symbol of their victory.