dmlavan
08-16-07, 12:01 PM
Decided to try a polar bear patrol. Took command of U-667, a new Type VIIC out of Bergen, Norway, with a relatively green crew. Before pulling away from the pier, I decided to exchange some of my older torpedoes for newer electric FaT eels.
We sailed on 14 APR 43, and after navigating the fjords at night we were immediately set upon by allied aircraft when the sun rose. After countless crash drives, we arrived in our patrol area near the Arctic Circle. Within a few days, BdU reported a nearby convoy headed outbound from the USSR. We plotted an intercept course for our first attack.
At 1900, the lookouts reported smoke on the horizon headed towards us. We turned to shadow the convoy from a position ahead of them, and wait for nightfall to attack. Seas were rough, occasionally dousing the bridge crew with green water, but we persevered. By 2330, my watch crew was chuckling when I finally realized that there is no night in the Arctic this time of year. A quick change of tactics, and we submerged for a periscope attack.
When the convoy closed, we could see that the escorts were only old American 4-stack destroyers. U-667 easily slipped into the convoy, and set up for an attack. 5 eels away and crash dive. Numerous explosions. As we reached 180m, I turned the boat the match the convoys course and speed and we quickly reloaded. The escorts never found us... after 2hrs, back up to periscope depth. Some quick shots, another crash dive, and two more ships hit. We easily evaded the escorts, and snuck away with 5 ships for 41,000 tons sunk, and only two torpedoes left.
Heading back to Bergen, sonar reported a stationary merchant. I turned to investigate, and as we got closer, the lookouts reported an iceberg. What a sight! We ran a few circles around it to let the crew take some photos, then headed back to Bergen. We came in covered by thunderstorms which kept the allied aircraft away.
Feeling proud of our accomplishments, I strode into the Flotilla Commodore's office with my report. To my surprise, I was thrown out... no Iron Cross, no awards for my crew, no promotions for my well-deserving Sailors. It seems that by swapping torpodoes, I had forfeited all credit for the patrol. I had heard of this pitfall from other Kaleuns, but in my excitement to go hunting I forgot. Thankfully, through this new "wonder weapon" called SH3Commander, I was at least able to give my crew the rewards they deserved.
We sailed on 14 APR 43, and after navigating the fjords at night we were immediately set upon by allied aircraft when the sun rose. After countless crash drives, we arrived in our patrol area near the Arctic Circle. Within a few days, BdU reported a nearby convoy headed outbound from the USSR. We plotted an intercept course for our first attack.
At 1900, the lookouts reported smoke on the horizon headed towards us. We turned to shadow the convoy from a position ahead of them, and wait for nightfall to attack. Seas were rough, occasionally dousing the bridge crew with green water, but we persevered. By 2330, my watch crew was chuckling when I finally realized that there is no night in the Arctic this time of year. A quick change of tactics, and we submerged for a periscope attack.
When the convoy closed, we could see that the escorts were only old American 4-stack destroyers. U-667 easily slipped into the convoy, and set up for an attack. 5 eels away and crash dive. Numerous explosions. As we reached 180m, I turned the boat the match the convoys course and speed and we quickly reloaded. The escorts never found us... after 2hrs, back up to periscope depth. Some quick shots, another crash dive, and two more ships hit. We easily evaded the escorts, and snuck away with 5 ships for 41,000 tons sunk, and only two torpedoes left.
Heading back to Bergen, sonar reported a stationary merchant. I turned to investigate, and as we got closer, the lookouts reported an iceberg. What a sight! We ran a few circles around it to let the crew take some photos, then headed back to Bergen. We came in covered by thunderstorms which kept the allied aircraft away.
Feeling proud of our accomplishments, I strode into the Flotilla Commodore's office with my report. To my surprise, I was thrown out... no Iron Cross, no awards for my crew, no promotions for my well-deserving Sailors. It seems that by swapping torpodoes, I had forfeited all credit for the patrol. I had heard of this pitfall from other Kaleuns, but in my excitement to go hunting I forgot. Thankfully, through this new "wonder weapon" called SH3Commander, I was at least able to give my crew the rewards they deserved.