Rain Simulator 2005 or, how i scratched HMS Hood's paint

[GoldenRivet]

So i am making my way out to the North Atlantic, when i stumble across a heavily escorted task force Northeast of Scapa Flow. Centered in this task force of about half a dozen destroyers sits HMS Hood... and the bragging rights to her sinking.

I rushed to intercept as best i could, but alas, i was unable to penetrate the screen due to the speed of the group running along about 20+ knots

so, from the extreme upper end of the range of my torpedoes, i figured what the hell and let a 0° spread of 2 fish leave the tubes. Given the extreme range, i let the speed rest at "slow" and given the extreme northern latitude i opted for impact triggers.

as the fish neared impact with the stopwatch steadily counting down to within 10 seconds, Hood went ahead flank and hard port undoubtedly her lookouts spotted the wakes of the steamers fast approaching.

Both fish found their mark, but just barely, impacting Hood at the aft most limits of her stern. Hood took a slight list, and her maximum speed was reduced to about 10 knots as she zig zagged. I knew at this point i could wait out the depth charge barrage and intercept her properly now given the reduced speed.

The destroyer escorts responded in kind, driving me off to the depths where they kept me for a few hours.

Hood having ceased her ZZ course turned out 18 knots, with the slightest list to her port side.

the escorts left to join her. I surfaced to observe their smoke vanish into the horizon, there was no way my U-boat could outpace them to set up for another attack... i would have to settle for the satisfaction of having wounded her.

fast forward a couple of days; i reach my patrol grid south southwest of Ireland and run into a massive convoy. Over the next 2 and a half days, i expended my torpedoes on this group. Sinking the following:

SS Victoria City, a 4700 ton Granville freighter carrying Military Vehicles (this was a neutral flagged vessel, however taking the prize regulations into consideration: 1. she was carrying military vehicles on her forward and aft decks and 2. she was sailing in an enemy convoy with armed escorts of the Royal Navy, thus i considered her a valid target) She was sunk with 4 survivors

MV British Faith, a 10,700 ton Modern Tanker carrying crude Oil, sunk with 6 survivors

HMS Boadicea, an A&B Class Destroyer, Sunk with 79 survivors thus opening the convoy's left flank

HMS Active, an A&B Class Destroyer, which rushed to the aide of the stricken Boadicea in search of my U-boat, sunk with 22 survivors, this attack had left the convoy's left and right flanks now defenseless, only the lead destroyer remained

MV Tarascon, a 2000 ton small tanker carrying crude oil, sunk with 9 survivors

with two torpedoes remaining, i launched one against MV Hopemount, a 10,700 ton Modern Tanker carrying gasoline, the Hopemount listed hard to starboard with its propulsion knocked out.

I kept my distance from Hopemount and waited for the convoy to move on so i could finish her off. When i surfaced, i observed a trail of petrol behind the Hopemount for several hundred meters, she was burning.

I launced my final torpedo at Hopemount which caused the vessel to explode tremendously. She sank with no casualties as the boat must have been abandoned before the explosion

The lead destroyer responded to the stricken Hopemount where it loitered for about 2 hours and for unknown reasons, sailed off in a southerly direction, never rejoining the convoy. This Bernard-esque move left the convoy completely open to attack

I surfaced and stalked the convoy planning to rush in and finish them off with my deck gun but the weather continued to worsen, eventually heavy seas and rain set in before i could rejoin them.

eventually, i was however able to re-establish visual contact with the group through periodic hydrophone checks. In the storm, i remained within the lanes of the convoy undetected most of the time.

the rain persisted for 8 days as i followed the convoy waiting for a break in the weather to continue my attack. nearing Newfoundland, with no sign of improvement in the weather, and my diesel reserves almost completely expended i changed course for the Belchen supply ship off Greenland.

within 24 hours, as one might expect... the weather cleared, the wind died down, the seas calmed

but i hadnt the fuel for any lengthy chase or intercept

about a day's voyage south of Belchen i ran across the SS Twilight, a 5000 ton medium cargo carrying paper products. The ship was shelled with our deck gun for about 30 minutes before several explosions marked her end, 38 survivors.

Currently my boat and crew are taking on diesel fuel and spare torpedoes for the return to Wilhelmshaven where hopefully the weather will be better en route and the target pickings equally as rich!

tally, 43,126 GRT with the HMS Hood logged as "damaged".

Despite the frustration of stalking a convoy through 8 days of driving rain and heaving seas... it wasnt a bad haul

[Cybermat47]

Impressive, getting a hit on the Hood like that.

[banryu79]

Intresting experience GR, thanks for sharing

[RushTheBus]

Love reading these!

[danasan]

We should have a cathegory "Best Headline In 2015" in the "Best of SUBSIM 2015"

Nice read, thank you, Sir.