The first patrol of Lt Bruno Wagner.

[Telemon]

Well here I am on my first patrol in a shiny new boat. I took command in St Nazaire after extensive training (which due to a slight administrative error was completed with Luftwaffe). My patrol area is BF15 in the Western Approaches. Off we go then singing jolly sailor songs ready for battle. On the way we carry out essential drills, climbing, diving, takeoffs and landings (Damm Luftwaffe).

We sight a smudge of smoke on the horizon which turns out to be a large merchantman. I plan to carry out a classic Luftwaffe attack diving out of the sun but my No 1 persuades me an underwater approach is better. Happily we sink it and we celebrate with more jolly sailor songs.

As we continue a convoy is reported to the West of us so we plan an interception. This works out rather well and I am positioned ahead and to Port of the convoy which has at its centre a block of "Queen Anne's Mansions"; i.e. a Nelson class BB. Unfortunately there is an enemy DD close which has found me and is 'pinging' like mad. I can only get a rough estimation of speed; c7kts. Range and course are guessed with very brief looks through the 'scope. My torp loadout is two electric; tubes 1 and 4 and two steam; tubes 2 and 3. Given the now very near DD I can only select the nearest merchantman and get rid of the electric eels. Down 'scope and crash dive away from the DD. Not quick enough, fwd torp. room and crew space flooding. Time to run for torps passes. No hit! Going down then bang - an explosion. Got a hit on some thing but what? DD going away so back up to have a look. I've hit the bloody BB which appears to be slightly down by the bows. Before I can do much else the DD is back so down I go again. Damage control working like mad to get the fwd torp room back in service. The next set of depth charges finishes my aft batteries and one diesel engine with flooding in control room, aft torp room and radio compartment. Flak and main deck guns destroyed. Down to 120 mtrs fighting to level out. Flooding under control and depth stabilised. Can't run silent must get water out of boat. DD makes another pass but we avoid more damage.

It was at this point that the boats mascot, a goat, (did I mention him before?) ran amok in the aft torp room and it took a while to round him up. I do my best to encourage the men but getting around with my parachute on my back is difficult (dammed Luftwaffe).

At last I can go silent at 110 mtrs but the dammed DD won't go away. We avoid several more attacks then bang! both 'scopes destroyed along with the conning tower and several compartments flooding. Diesel oil ruins my new silk nightdress.

By this time the batteries are down to <20%.

After several hours (RL) the DD slinks off and the convoy is long gone. My max speed seems to be 2kts and it's a struggle to get back to the surface. We're a 1000ks from home. Will we make it? Time will tell. (RL took over here, it was 0240hrs).To end a perfect day the cook tells me the noise has frightened the chickens and I won't be getting a fresh egg with my cornflakes.

[Osmium Steele]

Let me get this straight. With an escort actively hunting you, you came back to PD for a looky-loo?

Perhaps General Burkhalter can find a new assignment for you.



To the Eastern Front!

[Harald_Lange]

Be LESS aggressive!

[Fubar2Niner]

Originally Posted by Harald_Lange

Be LESS aggressive!

Best regards.

Fubar2Niner