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Foghladh_mhara
09-02-07, 04:33 PM
Oh yes U-53's has come!!

We have a large convoy at our mercy

June 1941 and we came across a large convoy right in our patrol grid BE37. 8 knots and headed out into the Atlantic. Six columns with five ships per column. 4 escorts front, back, left and right.

I wont deny that luck has had a major part in our endeavours this far. I was very careless.

It is my way to close to within 800 metres before taking a shot because using manual targeting I worry about the ranges I get from the stadimeter. The closer I am the better my odds. This time however I left the scope up that bit too long. There was a large merchant looming in my sights and I was licking my lips at the target. I then remembered to look around and nearly dirtied myself to see the nearest escort steaming directly towards me on my starboard side.

Ahead flank and left full rudder!

It was one of those times when you know that a stern shot is the only escape. Diving would have only got me to 20m before the depth charges started falling. Left the scope up, set up the solution, fired and dived. 10 seconds later a big bang. Didn't see it as I was passing 20 metres at this time.
My log indicated a C & D type destroyer being sank. I kept going down to 100m and stayed quiet. After 20 mins or so the hydrophone was placing the convoy to my left and no warship screws to be heard. I ordered periscope depth and put on the gramaphone. Up scope and what do I see? A second destroyer stationary about 500 metres in front of me. Quick solution and another C & D goes down!

Leapfrogged the convoy to see the remaining escorts have taken up position front and back of the convoy. Being in the escort killing mood by now I laid in wait for the first destroyer to pass me and then put him down.

1 escort left, 11 eels and 3000 miles to America. MUAHAHAHHA:arrgh!:

sunvalleyslim
09-02-07, 04:50 PM
Outstanding, the wolf is at the sheep. Just don't get too cocky.........You'll soon have the whole flock, er I mean convoy........:arrgh!: :arrgh!:

Brag
09-02-07, 05:03 PM
Give my regards to that last escort before you begin massacring the poor merchies. :up:

Kpt, Otto
09-02-07, 05:37 PM
the nearest escort steaming directly towards me on my starboard side.


A real Das Boot moment there I believe! :arrgh!:
:()1:

Lafferty
09-02-07, 10:33 PM
Sounds like you had an intresting patrol.

Shelton
09-03-07, 05:38 AM
LOL - the last time I made a stern shot at a destroyer I missed!! lucky you!

Canovaro
09-03-07, 05:56 AM
1 escort left, 11 eels and 3000 miles to America. MUAHAHAHHA:arrgh!:



:lol: Well done! Good luck, sink as much as possible!

headcase
09-03-07, 06:43 AM
Oh yes U-53's has come!!
1 escort left, 11 eels and 3000 miles to America. MUAHAHAHHA:arrgh!:

Is it dark and are you wearing sunglasses?

Hit it.

Foghladh_mhara
09-03-07, 09:20 AM
Job done :up:

Not quite the slaughter I had anticipated though. I had imagined myself knocking off the remaining destroyer, using one torp per merchant and generally cruising up and down the columns finishing them off. Not to be however for a number of reasons.

Firstly that last escort was a slippery customer. Fired an eel at him and missed, after that we reached an accomodation. He took up station at the rear of the convoy and didn't bother me so I didnt try to sink him.
Secondly the weather turned really crappy so I would not have been able to use my deckgun had I tried and thirdly I noticed that the merchants were now armed so cruising on the surface in the middle of the convoy was plainly not a good idea.

It was a turkey shoot really. The hardest part was regaining contact in the fog, lots of diving to get sound checks. They never altered their mean course after all the zigzags. The escort never stood a chance of catching me from the back of the convoy. I was long gone from position by the time he arrived.

Final tally 1 whale factory,2 medium tankers, 2 medium cargoes, 1 large merchant and 3 destroyers for 59000 tons. I'm happy with that :arrgh!:

sunvalleyslim
09-03-07, 09:41 AM
Great hunting Fm..............:up::up::up:

papa_smurf
09-03-07, 10:46 AM
Exellent patrol:up:

That last destroyer was a slippery one. Shame you missed it, but at least it didn't depth charge you.

The hardest part was regaining contact in the fog, lots of diving to get sound checks
I never attack convoys it that kind of weather - I find its too risky. Good job tho.

Brag
09-03-07, 04:12 PM
Excellent job, Fogh! The drinks are on you :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: