spork542
12-08-06, 10:34 PM
These are my experiences today and over the past week in my U-Boot 167. This will have a large amount of text when (if) completed. I figured I would share this, as I have not used a Type IX in a while. I wonder how I will perform.
Commander: Leutnant Z.S. Max Jewinski.
57-man crew, type IXC/40. 10 Flotille, Lorient.
21 September 1941: Undergoing commander training in Type II. I am told that I will be given command of a type IX boat. It will likely be a IXC. I have heard that they are great boats, capable of reaching distant waters, such as the East Coast of the United States and the South Atlantic.
1 July 1942: I am told that I am to take command of a new boat, U-167. This will be a IXC/40 rather than a IXC. Looking at the boat, it is larger than I expected. I am choosing a crew from the Lorient barracks for this boat. Also, I am negotiating with the men in port about outfitting the boat with Bold sonar decoys. Will receive news tomorrow.
2 July 1942: Leaving Lorient early, outfitted with Bold decoys. Submerging as ordered in Biscay.
8 July 1942: Outside of Biscay. Travelling on the surface as weather allows. Orders have been read. I am to patrol the South Atlantic south of Capetown. This will be a challenging patrol and I doubt my boat can make it that far. I am reassured by my Chief Engineer Meyer that refueling is possible at sea and that we will certainly be able to get to our patrol grid.
17 July, 8:30: Two ships spotted. Investigating.
8:47: It is an American merchant with a Liberty ship. Firing one torpedo at the smaller merchant and two at the Liberty.
8:47: Merchant detonates spectacularly, Liberty opens fire at submerged boat. Taken hit to the stern. No visible inside-hull damage.
10:30: The Liberty is not sinking. Firing a coup-de-grace. No effect.
10:37: Second coup-de-grace. Liberty ship sinks. Estimated 12000 GRT sunk so far.
21 July, 7:00: Watch crew reports a cargo ship spotted. Two torpedoes fired, ship explodes spectacularly. There cannot have been survivors. The ship is estimated at 6000 GRT.
22 July, 21:00: Convoy spotted south of Cape Verde. Stalking and sending contact reports.
0:00: Attacking in the darkest hour. Firing two torpedoes at large tanker. Visible heavy damage, diving to avoid escorts. Going back to the surface when the ships have passed; getting into position ahead for a second attack.
6:00: Second attack prepared. Three torpedoes fired at another tanker, it explodes spectacularly and snaps in two. Beer is served to all crewmembers. Surfacing out of sight and preparing for a third attack. Convoy zigzags heavily.
11:20: I had followed the convoy based on flames seen from the distance. These must have been from the first tanker. I place my boat in position for a third attack, this time to finish off the first tanker. One torpedo and the ship is at a dead stop. Another, and another, and another. Nine (!!!) torpedoes and she sinks. Three torpedoes left. Continuing on course into South Atlantic. Each tanker estimated 10-11000 GRT.
29 July: Three torpedoes fired at a large merchant, estimated 8000 GRT. Ship sinks with 85 deck gun hits. Continuing with estimated 40000 GRT under my belt.
23 August: Capetown area patrolled. No visible traffic. Returning to base, 40-50% fuel remains.
27 August: U-459 is in position near my location. I am returning to the milk cow rather than going home immediately. I am in desperate need of torpedoes.
31 August: U-459 replenishes my boat with torpedoes and ammunition. I thank the commander and I'm off.
5 September: Contact report. Small convoy. Into position, waiting.
6 September: One troop transport, one merchant. Escort is a destroyer. Preparing for attack. Destroyer detects boat on silent running, depth charges dropped. No damage, forfeiting attack for later. Stalking group, transmitting signals.
7 September: Contact lost. Travelling north.
9 September: Contact regained. Depth charged again; no damages. Continuing; contact lost due to fog.
12 September: Contact report again. Same small convoy. Positioning boat. Overcast skies, little fog; favorable weather for attack. Deciding to attack from a range.
17:00: Three torpedo fan fired at troop transport, one torpedo at smaller merchant.
17:05: Audible explosions from troop transport. Heavy flames observed on both ships. Destroyer bearing down on U-167. Diving to 180m, firing a Bold at 45m.
17:30: Escaped from destroyer. Preparing to fire coup-de-grace at troop transport.
17:34: Loud audible sinking noises. The troop transport, estimated 9000 GRT, is gone. Firing a coup-de-grace at badly damaged merchant instead.
18:30: Attempted to fire second coup-de-grace, but merchant sinks by itself. Leaving area.
To be continued...
The boat has been sunk due to the "crash dive blues." Due to the unfairness of such, I have changed status to surrendered instead.
Commander: Leutnant Z.S. Max Jewinski.
57-man crew, type IXC/40. 10 Flotille, Lorient.
21 September 1941: Undergoing commander training in Type II. I am told that I will be given command of a type IX boat. It will likely be a IXC. I have heard that they are great boats, capable of reaching distant waters, such as the East Coast of the United States and the South Atlantic.
1 July 1942: I am told that I am to take command of a new boat, U-167. This will be a IXC/40 rather than a IXC. Looking at the boat, it is larger than I expected. I am choosing a crew from the Lorient barracks for this boat. Also, I am negotiating with the men in port about outfitting the boat with Bold sonar decoys. Will receive news tomorrow.
2 July 1942: Leaving Lorient early, outfitted with Bold decoys. Submerging as ordered in Biscay.
8 July 1942: Outside of Biscay. Travelling on the surface as weather allows. Orders have been read. I am to patrol the South Atlantic south of Capetown. This will be a challenging patrol and I doubt my boat can make it that far. I am reassured by my Chief Engineer Meyer that refueling is possible at sea and that we will certainly be able to get to our patrol grid.
17 July, 8:30: Two ships spotted. Investigating.
8:47: It is an American merchant with a Liberty ship. Firing one torpedo at the smaller merchant and two at the Liberty.
8:47: Merchant detonates spectacularly, Liberty opens fire at submerged boat. Taken hit to the stern. No visible inside-hull damage.
10:30: The Liberty is not sinking. Firing a coup-de-grace. No effect.
10:37: Second coup-de-grace. Liberty ship sinks. Estimated 12000 GRT sunk so far.
21 July, 7:00: Watch crew reports a cargo ship spotted. Two torpedoes fired, ship explodes spectacularly. There cannot have been survivors. The ship is estimated at 6000 GRT.
22 July, 21:00: Convoy spotted south of Cape Verde. Stalking and sending contact reports.
0:00: Attacking in the darkest hour. Firing two torpedoes at large tanker. Visible heavy damage, diving to avoid escorts. Going back to the surface when the ships have passed; getting into position ahead for a second attack.
6:00: Second attack prepared. Three torpedoes fired at another tanker, it explodes spectacularly and snaps in two. Beer is served to all crewmembers. Surfacing out of sight and preparing for a third attack. Convoy zigzags heavily.
11:20: I had followed the convoy based on flames seen from the distance. These must have been from the first tanker. I place my boat in position for a third attack, this time to finish off the first tanker. One torpedo and the ship is at a dead stop. Another, and another, and another. Nine (!!!) torpedoes and she sinks. Three torpedoes left. Continuing on course into South Atlantic. Each tanker estimated 10-11000 GRT.
29 July: Three torpedoes fired at a large merchant, estimated 8000 GRT. Ship sinks with 85 deck gun hits. Continuing with estimated 40000 GRT under my belt.
23 August: Capetown area patrolled. No visible traffic. Returning to base, 40-50% fuel remains.
27 August: U-459 is in position near my location. I am returning to the milk cow rather than going home immediately. I am in desperate need of torpedoes.
31 August: U-459 replenishes my boat with torpedoes and ammunition. I thank the commander and I'm off.
5 September: Contact report. Small convoy. Into position, waiting.
6 September: One troop transport, one merchant. Escort is a destroyer. Preparing for attack. Destroyer detects boat on silent running, depth charges dropped. No damage, forfeiting attack for later. Stalking group, transmitting signals.
7 September: Contact lost. Travelling north.
9 September: Contact regained. Depth charged again; no damages. Continuing; contact lost due to fog.
12 September: Contact report again. Same small convoy. Positioning boat. Overcast skies, little fog; favorable weather for attack. Deciding to attack from a range.
17:00: Three torpedo fan fired at troop transport, one torpedo at smaller merchant.
17:05: Audible explosions from troop transport. Heavy flames observed on both ships. Destroyer bearing down on U-167. Diving to 180m, firing a Bold at 45m.
17:30: Escaped from destroyer. Preparing to fire coup-de-grace at troop transport.
17:34: Loud audible sinking noises. The troop transport, estimated 9000 GRT, is gone. Firing a coup-de-grace at badly damaged merchant instead.
18:30: Attempted to fire second coup-de-grace, but merchant sinks by itself. Leaving area.
To be continued...
The boat has been sunk due to the "crash dive blues." Due to the unfairness of such, I have changed status to surrendered instead.