[Leoz]

Just finished up (I think I will retire him) a good 7 patrol career 26 ships and 190k tons sunk 1940-41 with a VIIC.

Now first trip with a new IXc, March 42, off the coast of the US.
Just off Spain in medium weather, ran into a small freighter. Periscope attack. Using a different method where I only count half a ships length to stopwatch speed. 1 G7e. Missed, was not going to follow up since it was not worth expending more and I had a long way to go. Otherwise I would have caught up later with it at night. Pressed on. Good weather appeared so got 1 G7a down from the overhead storage and put it below.
Great weather coming across, was able to maintain 11 knots most of the way with good fuel economy.
By luck ran into a light and medium tanker (US flag) and got them with the deck gun.
Off Norfolk (my patrol area), weather turned rainy. So tough it out and wait around until that goes away.
Surprised on the surface at night by some kind of small sub chaser or sloop. Very short range, start a dive, It was closing to ram at a good speed with lights on and gunfire. Took some damage from the gunfire. Gave a hard to port order right before impact.
The enemy ship sank right after ramming me.
Damage: flak guns aft destroyed. Attack scope destroyed. Some hull damage and various other damage that is repairable.
So, will have to sort things out. Probably submerge by day; patrol by night. Night scope was also damaged but repaired and back in action. Buy luck, no crew injured or killed.
Should be fun the rest of the patrol.