KTB Patrol 2 // U.-Gelhaar // WolvesAtWar VII Campaign

[Kapitän]

Hello Fellow-Kaleun's,

75 years ago, on 9 Oct. 1939, "U.-Gelhaar" sailed from Kiel for its second war patrol, from which it would not return: U 45 was sunk with all hands, on the same day, "U.-Prien" undertook its daring raid on Scapa Flow.

In my current Wolves at War VII Campaign, U 45 is beginning its periodic shipyard maintenance at Kiel, on this very day, 29 September 1939.

You can find more details or even join the current campaign here: http://wolvesatwar.org/radioroom/index.php

I hope, you'll enjoy the read!

[Kapitän]

29 September through 24 November 1939 - Kiel

Daily work routine.

During the shipyard maintenance, the following main jobs were carried out:
- Replacement of both engine mountings;
- Replacement of both exhaust valves and
- Testing of the complete diving system.

The crew was given vacation in two shifts.

Crew change aboard:
- Ob.Strm. Norbert Zeppenfeld disembarked for shore duties and St.Ob.Masch. Heinrich Brink was assigned to a new VIIC-Boat (U.-98, Kptlt. Robert Gysae).
- St.Ob.Strm. Erwin Bauer and St.Ob.Masch. Karl Eggert, embarked for their first Uboat assignment.

No further occurences.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.

[Kapitän]

Sat., 25.11.39 - Kiel

Left dry dock. Boat moored at charging station.

Boat charged. Putting out to sea for transfer cruise to Wilhelmshaven via K.W.K., for pre-war patrol trials and provisioning.

Sun., 26.11.39 - Wilhelmshaven

Entered Whvm. III and moored at loading dock.

No further occurences.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.

[Kapitän]

Mon., 27.11.39 - Wilhelmshaven

Beginning of pre-war patrol provisioning. Taking equipment onboard.

Torpedo and Artillery Ammunition replenishment:
- Tube I & II: G 7 e (K-b)
- Tube III, IV & V: G 7 a (K-a)
- Below forward floor plates: 1 x G 7 e (K-b) & 3 x G 7 a (K-a)
- Above forward floor plates: 2 x G 7 e (K-b)
- Below aft floor plates: 1 x G 7 a (K-a)
- Fwd and aft upper deck container: 2 x G 7 a (K-a)

B.d.U.-Order:
All boats to be loaded with torpedoes armed with Pi-1 (Contact Fuse/AZ & Magnetic Fuse/MZ; K-a=G 7 a; K-b=G 7 e), with improved MZ. Torpedo running depth for MZ-shot: Target draught +1m. No fast shot (40/44 knots) allowed with G 7 a torpedo.

- 8,8cm SK C/35: 240 rounds (200 x SpG & 40 LkG)
- M.G.-2cm FK C/30: 4000 rounds PbG

Fuel replenishment:
- Taken 130 cbm onboard.

Tue., 28.11.39 - Wilhelmshaven

Provisions replenishment.

Wed., 29.11.39 - Wilhelmshaven

Final maintenance, repair and equipping. Radio and compass check.

Left pier for trimming trials. Returned to pier.

Thu., 30.11.39 - Wilhelmshaven

Sea trials.

Fri., 1.12.39 - Wilhelmshaven

Fresh foods and provisions replenishment.

Pre-war patrol trials and provisioning completed.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.

[Kapitän]

Sat., 2.12.39 - Wilhelmshaven

0800 - Received orders during pre-war patrol briefing:

- Outgoing cruise on path 'Blue' due to Mines in the Channel. Be aware of KM surface units operating in the area.

- Observing complete radio silence until reaching initial PZ. First report upon arrival in designated PZ, new orders will follow.

- Free to attack passenger liners carrying > 120 passengers and neutral tankers, when traveling
1) in convoy
2) to and from England and
3) when armed (B.d.U.-Order from 12 Nov 39).
Enemy passenger ships carrying 120 people or less can now be sunk anytime in accordance with the Submarine Protocol or Prize Rules.

- Standing orders regarding ships traveling darkened/with dimmed lights remain valid.

- No artillery fights with merchant ships for danger of Uboat-traps (Q-Ships).

- Operation in ports and shallow water only upon special order.

Received special orders and initial PZ in sealed envelope. Not to be opened until at sea and to be kept for commanders eyes only.

1433 - Uboat base. Farewell at the pier.

1440 - Put out to sea.

1453 - Leaving port via Whvm III.

1609 - Sun Set.

1640 - Schillig Roads.

1700 - Passing Neuwerk to port.

1733 - Roter Sand.

2000 - Qu. A N 9566 - Passing Helgoland to starboard.

No further occurences.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.

[Kapitän]

Sun., 3.12.39 - Deutsche Bucht

1053-1109 - Qu. A N 6398 - Evaded an incoming steamer outside its field of view.

1200 - Qu. A N 6394 - Days Run: 201.4 sm
130 cbm. 5 Eto and 9 Ato. N2, Sea2, clear, >1000mb, good visibility, 4°C
Sunrise 0848 - Sunset 1617

2200-2207 - Qu. A N 3759 - Evaded an incoming steamer outside its field of view.

Continuing outgoing cruise.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.

[Kapitän]

Mon., 4.12.39 - North Sea

0800 - Qu. A N 3418 - Incoming F.T.: From Bd.U.:
Prien, Schultze: If weather prohibits use of weapons in front of the Irish Sea, clear to move to new operational area south of Finisterre.

1200 - Qu. A N 4393 - Days Run: 226.8 sm
126 cbm. 5 Eto and 9 Ato. N2, Sea2, clear, >1000mb, good visibility, 4.5°C
Sunrise 0941 - Sunset 1633

1428 - Qu. A N 4362 - Alarm from french marine patrol aircraft approaching from 160° true, E=2000. During diving process bombs and jolting of the boat. At A-Meter no further bombs. No damages.

Test dive to A+20 and torpedo maintenance at A-30.

1728 - Qu. A N 4338 - Surfaced.

Continuing outgoing cruise.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.

[Kapitän]

Tue., 5.12.39 - North Sea

1037 - Qu. A N 2239 - Diving from french marine patrol aircraft approaching from 180 true, E=5000. At A-Meter no bombs. Submerged cruise at A-40.

1107 - Surfaced.

1200 - Qu. A N 2236 - Days Run: 194.4 sm - ↗ 182.9 sm - ↘ 11.5 sm
124 cbm. 5 Eto and 9 Ato. SE7, Sea6, heavy swell from north, overcast, <1000mb, hazy, medium visibility, 4.1°C
Sunrise 1016 - Sunset 1628

1250 - Qu. A N 2233 - A pair of Swordfish aircraft bearing 180 true, E=6500, on heading 255. Airplanes are not approaching. Boat remains surfaced.

Continuing outgoing cruise.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.

[Kapitän]

Wed., 6.12.39 - Artic Sea

1016 - Qu. A F 7835 - Crossing Prime Meridian.

Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
No expansion of rules regarding merchants traveling with dimmed lights to the Norwegian and Spanish coasts, due to own steamers breaking through to home ports.

1200 - Qu. A F 7831 - Days Run: 169.0 sm
120 cbm. 5 Eto and 9 Ato. SE7, Sea6, heavy swell from north, overcast, <1000mb, hazy, medium visibility, 4.9°C
Sunrise 1052 - Sunset 1614

1335 - Qu. A F 7823 - Diving from a pair of Swordfish aircraft bearing 212 true, E=5500, on heading NE, own course 282.
At A-Meter no bombs. Submerged cruise at A-40.

1510 - Surfaced.

1519 - Right after surfacing and air pressure has been replenished, another pair of Swordfish aircraft sighted, bearing 225 true, E=3500, on heading 32. Planes are very close already. At A-Meter no bombs. Submerged cruise at A-40.

1830 - Qu. A F 7588 - Surfaced.

Continuing outgoing cruise.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.

[Kapitän]

Thu., 7.12.39 - North of Shetland Islands

1200 - Qu. A F 7464 - Days Run: 150.7 sm - ↗ 135.4 sm - ↘ 15.3 sm
117 cbm. 5 Eto and 9 Ato. SE7, Sea6, heavy swell from north, overcast, <1000mb, hazy, medium visibility, 4.9°C
Sunrise 1049 - Sunset 1616

Incoming F.T.:
Contact with convoy NW of Finisterre. Several torpedo failures, most likely due to old fuses. "Heinicke"

No further occurences. Continuing outgoing cruise.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.

[Kapitän]

Fri., 8.12.39 - Artic Sea

1200 - Qu. A E 9388 - Days Run: 170.9 sm
114 cbm. 5 Eto and 9 Ato. SE7, Sea6, heavy swell from South, overcast, <1000mb, hazy, medium visibility, 1.1°C
Sunrise 1057 - Sunset 1627

Incoming F.T.:
"U.-Prien" and "U.-Schultze" reporting successes in front of the north channel and south of Ireland. "U.-Liebe" commencing return cruise: 1 engl. steamer, 4400ts, 12 torpedoes used, new torpedo fuses.

B-Dienst Report:
HMS Warspite and HMS Ark Royal have anchored in Gibraltar, in preparation for breaking into the Atlantic.

Weather conditions getting worse. Continuing outgoing cruise.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.

[Kapitän]

Sat., 9.12.39 - North of Färöer

1200 - Qu. A E 9255 - Days Run: 172.0 sm
111 cbm. 5 Eto and 9 Ato. WNW7, Sea6, heavy swell from SW, overcast, <1000mb, hazy, medium visibility, 1.2°C
Sunrise 1138 - Sunset 1704

1600 - Qu. A E 9513 - Boat is 1 week at sea. Break into the North Atlantic between Färöer and Iceland.

No further occurences. Continuing outgoing cruise.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.

[Kapitän]

Sun., 10.12.39 - West of Färöer

1200 - Qu. A E 9785 - Days Run: 180.9 sm
108 cbm. 5 Eto and 9 Ato. WNW7, Sea6, heavy swell from SW, overcast, <1000mb, hazy, medium visibility, 0.0°C
Sunrise 1135 - Sunset 1745

Incoming F.T.:
B.d.U. requesting position update from "U.-Kuhnke".

No further occurences. Continuing outgoing cruise.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.

[Kapitän]

Mon., 11.12.39 - North Atlantic

0620 - Qu. A M 2355 - New heading 233.

Incoming F.T.:
"U.-Lemp" is reporting technical difficulties, faulty exhaust valves.
"U.-Kuhnke" sending position report after mine operation.

1200 - Qu. A M 2378 - Days Run: 180.4 sm
104 cbm. 5 Eto and 9 Ato. WNW7, Sea6, heavy swell from SW, overcast, <1000mb, hazy, medium visibility, -0.5°C
Sunrise 1142 - Sunset 1810

1205 - Diving for test trial at A+20 and torpedo maintenance at A-30. Afterwards, submerged cruise at A-40.

2015 - Qu. A M 2511 - Surfaced.

Even with the long shore leave, the extended submerged cruise did the crew some good, after the last storm period. However, I wanted to break into the Atlantic as soon as as possible, in order to be operational in front of the North Channel.

Continuing outgoing cruise.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.

[Kapitän]

Tue., 12.12.39 - Northeast of Rockall Bank

0800 - Qu. A M 1689 - Conning Tower constantly wet.
Incoming F.T.:
"U.-Lemp" is unable to repair the faulty exhaust valve and has to return to base.
"U.-Lott" is declared missing - 1 Star.
"U.-Prien" is returning to base, 6 torpedo failures.

1200 - Qu. A M 1853 - Days Run: 114.5 sm - ↗ 102.1 sm - ↘ 12.4 sm
102 cbm. 5 Eto and 9 Ato. WNW7, Sea6, heavy swell from SW, overcast, <1000mb, hazy, medium visibility, 1.0°C
Sunrise 1142 - Sunset 1842

2000 - Qu. A M 0126 - Diving for submerged cruise at A-40, due to sea constantly washing over the conning tower.

Continuing outgoing cruise.

Gelhaar
Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & Cmdr.