piersyf
04-19-08, 08:17 PM
OK, I know this guy has been mentioned elsewhere, but I checked the threads and the links that were still active and I didn't see this one, so am sharing for all those who appreciate skill and daring.
Sept 16 1941 a troop convoy sets sail for Tripoli comprising the transports Oceania, Neptunia and Vulcania. HM Submarines Unbeaten, Upholder, Upright and Ursula set an ambush along the expected route, spaced between 10 and 30 miles apart. The transports had an escort of 5 DD's.
3.30am Sept 17 HMS Unbeaten spots the convoy but is too far away for an attack, but sends a sighting report. Wanklyn, as skipper of Upholder, receives the report, surfaces his boat and races to intercept. The liners were a fast convoy, and Wanklyn was unable to get ahead of them, and was also forced to make a surface attack (still before dawn). Just as they were getting into range, the gyro-compass packed it in. Also they were running through a choppy sea, so bad that the helmsman was having problems staying on course, and the boat was yawing from side to side. Wanklyn decided to attack anyway, giving the command to fire from the bridge as the boat yawed across the track. He had to time his commands to allow for the lag between his order and the actual launch of the torps. A 4 fish spread was sent out on a track 5000yds long. He still managed 3 hits, one on the Oceania wrecking her props scoring a mobility kill, and 2 on Neptunia, sending her to the bottom. The third transport, Vulcania, beat it with one DD escort.
Not finished, Wanklyn dived the boat and moved in closer. He then surfaced IN AMONGST the escorts to survey the situation then decided to wait until dawn to kill the stricken Oceania, moving up-sun. (playing with his food. Wait for them to take the ship in tow, then sink it). At dawn he put 2 more fish into Oceania and sent her to the bottom.
Sept 16 1941 a troop convoy sets sail for Tripoli comprising the transports Oceania, Neptunia and Vulcania. HM Submarines Unbeaten, Upholder, Upright and Ursula set an ambush along the expected route, spaced between 10 and 30 miles apart. The transports had an escort of 5 DD's.
3.30am Sept 17 HMS Unbeaten spots the convoy but is too far away for an attack, but sends a sighting report. Wanklyn, as skipper of Upholder, receives the report, surfaces his boat and races to intercept. The liners were a fast convoy, and Wanklyn was unable to get ahead of them, and was also forced to make a surface attack (still before dawn). Just as they were getting into range, the gyro-compass packed it in. Also they were running through a choppy sea, so bad that the helmsman was having problems staying on course, and the boat was yawing from side to side. Wanklyn decided to attack anyway, giving the command to fire from the bridge as the boat yawed across the track. He had to time his commands to allow for the lag between his order and the actual launch of the torps. A 4 fish spread was sent out on a track 5000yds long. He still managed 3 hits, one on the Oceania wrecking her props scoring a mobility kill, and 2 on Neptunia, sending her to the bottom. The third transport, Vulcania, beat it with one DD escort.
Not finished, Wanklyn dived the boat and moved in closer. He then surfaced IN AMONGST the escorts to survey the situation then decided to wait until dawn to kill the stricken Oceania, moving up-sun. (playing with his food. Wait for them to take the ship in tow, then sink it). At dawn he put 2 more fish into Oceania and sent her to the bottom.