GoldenRivet
12-10-07, 02:11 AM
Kriegsmarine U-Boats Draw First Blood in Opening Hours of War Against England!
Kiel, Germany - Leutnant z.S. Jon Wintergarten and the crew of U-45 returned early this morning from a 19 day mission off the East coast of England. The crew departed Kiel on September 2nd, 1939 for a patrol that would carry them as far north as the Shetland islands, then back south along the coastal waters of England where they held orders to sink merchant ships operating in those areas. "At first I thought we were going to experience a typical autumn in the north sea" Wintergarten said of the poor weather. "But, as luck would have it the skies cleared giving way to a rough sea". By the 5th day of the patrol, lookouts aboard U-45 sighted smoke on the horizon, and hastily intercepted the S.S. Oneida, a 1550 ton British tramp steamer. "The crew reacted well, we had only hours before received warning from high command advising against the use of magnetic pistols, we were able to sink the merchant with one shot". From that moment on, the patrol of U-45 was a "slaughter" as Wintergarten recalled. "We had found a good location at the 40 meter line where merchants run north and south to various ports" Wintergarten reported. "Gathering target data was a challenge in the rough waters, but I trust the talents of my crew, they have proven themselves in the opening engagement". Within a matter of hours, U-45 intercepted and attacked the 4700 ton S.S. Slinger, a granville type freighter, sinking her with a grand explosion at dusk. "Our next kill was taken right from under Tommy's nose" remarks Leutnant Gerhard Henke, Chief Engineer of the U-45. It was a night attack against an 8300 ton Ore Carrier sailing under British escort. The escort was unable to locate U-45 and, as a result made no retaliation for the sinking. After claiming a 4th victim on the return leg of the patrol, U-45 returned to Kiel. Upon the closure of September, U-45 had claimed 19,177 tons in her opening patrol, nearly 3,000 tons more than the next highest grossing U-boat of the month, U-38 which sent nearly 17,000 tons to the bottom. "The Tommies were clearly unprepared for such an agressive Kriegsmarine presence, i think they have underestimated the strength of the U-boat," Leutnant Wintergarden said of British tactical readiness. "However, it is most unwise to underestimate any foe" Wintergarten adds... "I think the Brits will have a tighter hold of their eastern coastal frontier within a few months after experiencing the devistation U-boats will undoubtedly be handing out this winter". Lets hope the enemy continues to make such mistakes! From us here at the Signal! - Good luck to Wintergarten and his U-45, and to every other U-boat taking the fight to the enemy shores!
Kiel, Germany - Leutnant z.S. Jon Wintergarten and the crew of U-45 returned early this morning from a 19 day mission off the East coast of England. The crew departed Kiel on September 2nd, 1939 for a patrol that would carry them as far north as the Shetland islands, then back south along the coastal waters of England where they held orders to sink merchant ships operating in those areas. "At first I thought we were going to experience a typical autumn in the north sea" Wintergarten said of the poor weather. "But, as luck would have it the skies cleared giving way to a rough sea". By the 5th day of the patrol, lookouts aboard U-45 sighted smoke on the horizon, and hastily intercepted the S.S. Oneida, a 1550 ton British tramp steamer. "The crew reacted well, we had only hours before received warning from high command advising against the use of magnetic pistols, we were able to sink the merchant with one shot". From that moment on, the patrol of U-45 was a "slaughter" as Wintergarten recalled. "We had found a good location at the 40 meter line where merchants run north and south to various ports" Wintergarten reported. "Gathering target data was a challenge in the rough waters, but I trust the talents of my crew, they have proven themselves in the opening engagement". Within a matter of hours, U-45 intercepted and attacked the 4700 ton S.S. Slinger, a granville type freighter, sinking her with a grand explosion at dusk. "Our next kill was taken right from under Tommy's nose" remarks Leutnant Gerhard Henke, Chief Engineer of the U-45. It was a night attack against an 8300 ton Ore Carrier sailing under British escort. The escort was unable to locate U-45 and, as a result made no retaliation for the sinking. After claiming a 4th victim on the return leg of the patrol, U-45 returned to Kiel. Upon the closure of September, U-45 had claimed 19,177 tons in her opening patrol, nearly 3,000 tons more than the next highest grossing U-boat of the month, U-38 which sent nearly 17,000 tons to the bottom. "The Tommies were clearly unprepared for such an agressive Kriegsmarine presence, i think they have underestimated the strength of the U-boat," Leutnant Wintergarden said of British tactical readiness. "However, it is most unwise to underestimate any foe" Wintergarten adds... "I think the Brits will have a tighter hold of their eastern coastal frontier within a few months after experiencing the devistation U-boats will undoubtedly be handing out this winter". Lets hope the enemy continues to make such mistakes! From us here at the Signal! - Good luck to Wintergarten and his U-45, and to every other U-boat taking the fight to the enemy shores!