Tell us what you are upto in your current campaign [Archive] - Page 12

sublynx

06-11-11, 04:54 PM

Lt.z.s. Alfons Dietzmann
U-552, type VIIC
11. Flotille, Bergen
Orders. Patrol grid CG11

Action report.
13.6.1943
1059 BE39 cloudy, visibility 8 – 9 km, wind 15 m/s. A ship sighted. Submerged, course estimation 64 degrees, speed 5 knots. Two ships identified, one 1800 BRT freighter followed by a 4700 BRT freighter. At 1243 hours two TIII G7e's launched against the first one at a range of 1000 meters. Both missed. At 1244 one TIII G7e and one FAT II launched against the latter ship. Speed estimation now 7 knots. Both torpedoes hit and the ship was observed sinking by 1252.

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/9986/sh3c2hit2.png (http://img13.imageshack.us/i/sh3c2hit2.png/)

1701 BE39 clear, visibility 8 – 9 km, wind 8m/s. A TIII G7e torpedo launched against the 1800 BRT freighter. The calmer seas made using magnetic pistol possible, depth setting 5 meters. Shot at a range of 1250 meters, speed estimation 4 knots. The ship was hit under the bridge and was observed sinking by 1708.

14.6.1943
1030 AM78 cloudy, visibility 4 – 5 km, wind 15 m/s. Two TIII G7e's launched at a Hunt class destroyer, course 254, speed 12 knots, range 900 meters. One torpedo aimed just in front of the ship, one just after the stern. Impact pistol, depth 1.5 meters. The first torpedo missed, the second hit, but only a thud was heard in the hydrophone. Possibly a depth of 1 meters would have been a better choice in the rough sea conditions. No torpedoes left. Evaded at periscope depth.

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/8094/sh3hunt.png (http://img64.imageshack.us/i/sh3hunt.png/)

Enemy sightings.
10.6.1943
AM46 0808 Metox warning. Dived. Two Mosquitoes observed in the periscope.
AM46 1313 Metox warning. Dived.

11.6.1943
AM73 0220 Metox warning. Dived.

13.6.1943
BE39 0548 Metox warning. Dived.

14.6.1943
BE33 2020 Metox warning. Dived. A warship moving away, 92 RPM.

16.6.1943
AM73 0703 Metox warning. Dived. A warship on a southerly course, speed 11 – 18 knots.
AM73 0945 Metox warning. Dived.
AM73 1046 Metox warning. Dived.
AM73 1150 Airplane, bearing 357, crash dived.
AM73 1721 Metox warning. Dived. While still at periscope depth, an explosion shattered some glass off the meters of the boat. Bold launcher was initally reported as knocked out of action and the hull damaged. Continued with a crash dive to A+20. Explosions heard at 1724, 1725 and 1727 hours, but no further damage.
AM49 2022 Metox warning. Dived.

17.6.1943
AM51 1002 Metox warning. Dived.

19.6.1943
AN11 1307 A two- or four-engined airplane, bearing 73, long range. Crash dived. Two explosions on the port side of the boat when at a depth of 77 and 79 meters. No damage to the boat.

20.6.1943
AN11 0316 Metox warning. Dived.
AN12 0919 Metox warning. Dived.

21.6.1943
AF 75 0457 A radar contact, long range. Dived. Nothing heard. Possibly an air plane, although the weather was rainy and visibility low.

Boat status
22.6.1943 1317
Back in Bergen I heard that a whole American convoy GN-7 was decimated. The damage to the boat's pressure hull from the air attack of 16.6.1943 was worse than we had thought and took 5 days to repair. I managed to promote Bootsmann Wolfgang Koch for his outstanding work when repairing the damage and gave LI Reinhold Wild an EK2 for his part in keeping the boat in control while damaged and crash diving.

Patrol observations.
1. Enemy airplanes don't seem to have a radar, that Metox doesn't see. However the airplane patrols around the British Isles make movement very slow and surfacing very dangerous.
2. There were lots of single merchants on our patrol route and even a single U-boat can wreak havoc.
3. Bold type 2 lasts for seven and a half minutes, one and half minute longer than the previous versions.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/3233/sh3bold2w.png (http://img221.imageshack.us/i/sh3bold2w.png/)

Dietzmann

Snestorm

06-11-11, 04:55 PM

17.aug.41
BF61
0935: Underway from Lorient.
Orders: Recon Area W of Gibralter, as far as DJ11.
U39 is free to attack single targets of opertunity enroute.
All convoy contacts to be reported and shadowed, until relieved.
U39 will be acting as scout for a patrol line of 7. Flotilla boats covering Gibralter - UK commerce.
Upon completeing a thourough search of said grid, U39 is to join a 2. Flotilla patrol line, N of Freetown. Target grid will be updated as needed, after completion of original objectives.

1.sep.41
DU47 (U39 has asumed her position in the 2. Flotilla patrol line.)
Location between Cape Verde & Canary Islands.
1332: Radio dispatch: "Convoy. DT61. S. 6 knots."
2345: While attempting a night surface attack, U39 was detected by an enemy destroyer. As she was diving, U39 was struck in the upper portion of the conning tower by artillary fire. All hits were of the 5 inch variety, and all hit above the watertight compartment. However the force of the impacts caused damage to a frame. The dive was halted at 100 meters, under strong advice of the CE. U39 managed to avoid submerged detection, and slip away in spite of many blindly laid DC patterns.

2.sep.41
0300: U39 surfaced to conduct external repairs, and head for home with nothing to show for her time.

15.sep.41
BF55
2200: "Uboat sighted. 345. Medium range."
One of the new IXCs turned out to be Kaleun VONHARRIS, driving his brand new U505.

16.sep.41
BF61
0300: Docked at Lorient.

(Dug back in the posts for matching dates).
Hessler is preparing for his first patrol as CO of U65, which is scheduled for 1.okt.41.
Scheide (Sublynx) in U456 is being kept busy on the convoy lanes, by the 7. Flotilla. Wonder if he was part of the patrol line we scouted for.

Patrol results:
No ships sunk this patrol.
Crew Integrity 100%.
Hull Integrity 82%.
No torpedoes expended.
Although BDU was not thrilled with the patrol, he wasn't angry either, as U39 neither shirked nor cowered.

U39's history to date:
9 war patrols completed.
21 ships sunk for 118.652 GRT.

maxextz

06-12-11, 07:14 AM

ahh Gibraltar i was cornered trying to sneak through to see what all the noise was about on my hydrophones;).got depth charged and managed to sink one of the two annoying boats before the second one killed both my diesels.:down:

i sank both of them but the trip home was a very long one at 1knot having to surface for the crew till the batteries gave up.
so being helpless i decided to sink the boat :Da depth of 187 meters did the trick:nope:

i will continue the campaign anyway but will have to be more careful around the area.

sublynx

06-12-11, 03:53 PM

Leutnant. z.s. Alfons Dietzmann
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotille, Bergen
Orders: Patrol BE33

18.7.1943
0809 AM33 clear, visibility 8 – 9 kilometers, wind 8 m/s from 283 degrees. The weather has just cleared after two days of mostly bad weather. Good weather means we will continue submerged by daytime. We left Bergen on the 12th of July. Just off the coast of Norway we had to dive because of a four – engine airplane, relative bearing 331, long range. It might have been one of our FW-200 Kondors.

BdU has been told by our own airplanes, that U-boats still keep diving regardless of the orders to stay surfaced if the airplane is too close for a safe dive. I have no desire to fight airplanes either, but I wish I don’t have to: BdU’s orders allow us to travel submerged in heavily air patrolled areas. I’ll just keep my boat submerged when the weather is good enough for flying. This has been working so far. Only one Metox warning (AF78) and one airplane (AN11) besides the probable Kondor yet.

I just hope we don’t have any torpedoes left when we meet our next convoy. The convoy would mean we would have to surface to try to catch it. If we get a contact report, I’ll try to intercept it with a wide enough berth, to make the final approach submerged if possible. BdU tells us that the route of the America – Gibraltar convoys have been swept clear by an escort carrier and A/S groups before the convoy has arrived, so it might be that we will have to stay and fight the airplanes, anyways. Then we get damaged, if we are lucky, and try to limp back. If the enemy pilots are any good, we won’t come back.

So far on our patrol we heard an A/S group of 2 – 3 destroyers in grid AM32 on the 17th and sunk a small 1500 BRT tanker in grid AM33 today at 0554 hours. Spotted and shadowed the tanker with radar in bad visibility, course 308, speed 7 knots. Shot two TIII’s with identical settings (range 800 meters, impact time AOB 90 degrees, Schusswinkel 0) except that the first one’s depth setting was 5 meters and the second one’s setting was 1 meters. I didn’t trust the new pistol of our torpedoes in 15 m/s winds, but both torpedoes hit the target and exploded nicely. Two torpedoes at such a small ship caused a lot of damage and probably made the sailor’s chances of surviving slim. The chances of our survival don’t look too good either, but I heard that the first 20mm Flak vierlings have arrived and are a formidable weapon. There’s room for one on the front deck, where the now useless 88 mm deck gun used to be. If we get one or two of those new Flak guns, we might be able to keep the planes at bay.

Fish In The Water

06-12-11, 04:32 PM

i will continue the campaign anyway but will have to be more careful around the area.

Way to hang in there, better luck next time! :up:

gazpode_l

06-12-11, 07:29 PM

Pat2,Rpt3, From R.Hessler U-65 (IXB)

23/10 4pm
Radio report recieved: LG CONVOY, GRID AM53, SPD 7knts!!!

23/10 5pm
plotted intercept course and find we can easily get into position

23/10 7pm
first intial sighting of outer protection of convoy.

23/10 7:30PM
U-65 in good position and is awaiting decent firing range in order to open up on convoy - Also discovered HMS Nelson is a part of this convoy too.

23/10 7:45pm
Hessler taking soloutions at both Nelson and Lg Whale ship

23/10 8pm
Tubes 1&4 fired against Nelson using G7e set at 12m depth and magnetic fuses.

23/10 8:03pm
Torpedos run directly underneath Nelson but fail to detonate and carry on going.

23/10 8:04pm
Tubes 2&3 fired, using 1-2m depth. Containing G7a torpedo's these were set using impact fuses.

23/10 8:06pm
Torpedo's detonate on target!! Nelson is hit badly, and seconds later it was seen & heard that the ammo container underneath gun turrett nearest bridge was detonating, which sets off a large chain reaction with a series of secondary blasts right across entire hull. Nelson grinds to a halt.

23/10 8:12pm
Nelson is observed sinking!!! :Kaleun_Party:
CREDIT: HMS Nelson 36,000 GRT

23/10 8:20pm
After diving to reload, Hessler brings U-65 upto Periscope depth. Quick soloution readied upon F.W.S and tube two fired Using G7a - set to 2m depth, impact fuse. :Kaleun_Periskop:

23/10 8:22pm
U-65 crash dives to 120m.

23/10 8:25pm
As U-65 nears 100m a torpedo detonation is heard. A small steamer is observed on hyrophone as being stopped dead, but no breakup sounds are heard as yet.

SAVE & EXIT @ 01:10hrs R/L Time :Kaleun_Sleep:

IN THE NEWS:-
Commander Snestorm with U-39 has been busy and has bagged at least three more ships in a recent patrol, altough had to curtain his latest one due to damages.

u-552 contines to do well against the british and has another 1 or 2 ships to his name.

U505 (formerly U103) is currently in lorient (last we heard) and is undergoing repairs/refit.

A new commander in U-336 has logged a patrol report recently as well. Good luck to them in their planned attacks against a nearby convoy - would be nice to know exact what type of boot she is though! :hmmm: :Kaleun_Salute:

VONHARRIS

06-13-11, 03:02 AM

Patrol 14
Good news and bad news came in.
U-65 has managed to sink a British Nelson class Battleship , BdU sent a message to all Ubooten for that.
U-39 has managed to sink more than 100.000 tons of shipping
These are two very good reasons for raiding the bars of Lorient.
A drink would be very good for Kaluen Snestorm as he returned from his last patrol empty handed , badly damaged but alive.
U-552 had some success against enemy convoys.

07 June 1942
U-505 left Lorient for grid CA79. Orders were not to engage anything until reaching operations area

11 June 1942
Grid BE38
08:20 hours Moving to intercept convoy after BdU new order
08:54 hours Sound contact with convoy , moving away. Tried to use the active sonar to get a range but failed. It seemed possible that the escorts had heard the ping. Fired 2 bow torpedoes completely blind
08:55 hours Diving to 100m
08:59 hours Two explosions heard followed by sinking noises. We had sunk something.
Grid BE37
17:57 Surfaced the boat , moving the externals inside.

20 June 1942
Grid BC93
18:19 hours Aircraft spotted , single engined Avenger torpedo bomber
18:20 hours My gunner shot the aircraft down during its initial approach.
18:22 hours Dived to PD to hear for a possible TF. Nothing heard
18:50 hours Another Avenger attacked
18:51 hours It was shot down. There must be a carrier near. Dived to PD to listen. No contacts

02 July 1942
Grid CA89
23:47 hours Merchant spotted , dived to PD
23:50 hours Two ships seen , a repair ship and a passenger/cargo moving away at 10kts , abandon attack

03 July 1942
Grid CA89
02:09 hours Surfaced
Grid CA87
21:27 hours Aricraft spotted , crash dived
22:23 hours Surfaced

04 July 1942
Grid CA79
09:21 hours Reached patrol area , decided to stay at deep waters
11:05 hours Aircraft attack Heavy 4 engined bomber
11:06 hours Crash dived , 5 - 6 explosions heard , damaged by DCs
11:58 hours Surfaced
15:40 hours Aircraft attack PBY Catalina , crash dived
15:41 hours Two explosions heard , no damages
20:13 hours Surfaced

05 July 1942
Grid CA79
00:13 hours Aircraft attack , crash diving
00:14 hours 6 explosions heard , damages and flooding
00;15 hours more explosions
01:00 hours Surfaced to check for damages.
14:15 hours Warship spotted Fletcher class DD dived to PD
14:33 hours Fired 2 bow torpedoes
14:40 hours Torpedoes missed , the destroyer was looking at the wrong place for us.
17:11 hours Surfaced
17:55 hours Aircraft attack , crash dived no damages
21:10 hours Surfaced
22:29 hours Aircraft attack , crash dived no damages
22:53 hours Surfaced
23:11 hours Sailing boat spotted flying US colors. Could it be a trap or some idiot who decided to take his boat in a war zone?
23:26 hours No trap, boat sunk by 20mm flak guns
23:36 hours Merchant spotted , dived to PD
23:34 hours 2 ships seen : Small freighter and a coal freighter closing in

06 July 1942
Grid CA79
00:03 hours 1 bow torpedo fired
00:04 hours Small freighter hit and sunk
00:09 hours 1 bow torpedo fired
00:10 hours Nothing seen at the estimated time 1 bow torpedo fired
00:11 hours Coal freighter hit and sunk
00:19 hours Surfaced
00:29 hours Aircraft attack , crash diving
00:30 hours More than 10 explosions around U-505 Damages. vonHarris decided to leave the area
02:48 hours Still submerged picked up sound by a merchant closing.
03:10 hours Two ships indentified Heavy merchant 01 and an ore carrier unescorted.
03:34 hours 2 bow torpedoes fired on the heavy merchant
03:35 hours 2 hits , 2 bow torpedoes fired on the ore carrier
03:36 hours 2 hits
03:37 hours Ore carrier sunk. Turning to use stern tubes
03:45 hours 1 stern torpedo fired on the heavy merchant
03:46 hours 1 hit , ship caught fire and started listing 1 stern tube fired
03:47 hours 1 hit , ship is DIW , waiting to reload stern tubes. Fortynateky the sea was calm.
03:50 hours Ship sunk before the tube was loaded. Stayed down to reload all tubes and then surfaced
06:39 hours Large cargo spotted , dived to PD setting up stern shot attack
06:53 hours 2 stern torpedoes fired
06:55 hours 2 hits a star shell was fired by the merchant turning to use bow torpedoes as no signs of sinking could be seen
07:09 hours 1 bow torpedo fired
07:11 hours 1 hit , nothing else observed so 2 bow torpedoes launched
07:12 hours 1 hit , ship broke in two and sunk
07:18 hours Surfaced , and left the area for Lorient , 2bow and 2 stern torpedoes remaining in external canisters. Moving them in.

18 July 1942
Grid BC94
23:26 hours Merchant spotted , dived to PD for stern shots
23:47 hours 2 stern torpedoes fired
23:49 hours 2 hits , ship on fire DIW

19 July 1942
Grid BC94
00:00 hours Surfaced at 2500m from burning ship , engaged it with the deck gun
00:01 hours Ship sunk after 2 105mm rounds

30 July 1942
23:00 hours U-505 docked at Lorient.

54 days at sea
8 ships sunk
41458 tons sunk
2 aircraft shot down
62 % hull integrity

1. Don't try to engage the B24 heavy bombers with flak guns.
2. I didn't had the chance to use the Bold decoys
3. A new piece of equipment was intalled : Meteox radar warning device.

Kip336

06-13-11, 05:49 AM

Nice logs guys!!

Is it me, or do we always seem to sink the Nelson, and not another battleship? I sunk her last week too :D

sublynx

06-13-11, 06:13 AM

Is it me, or do we always seem to sink the Nelson, and not another battleship? I sunk her last week too :D

I haven't even seen a battleship yet, so I think it's you :DL Just keep sinking it!! :arrgh!:

gt_magnus

06-13-11, 07:13 AM

I haven't come that far in my career because of having to reinstall the game a few weeks ago because the GWX mod had partly stopped working when I enabled some optional mods (I found no warnings about my enabled mods in the GWX manual). I noticed this when leaving for my first patrol in a new career. I couldn't compress time more than 8x in the kiel canal (In Stock SH3 you can't compress time more than 8x when close to land :damn:).

Ok, back to what this thread is about... After re-installing the game I started a new career with the 1st Flotilla in 1939. I was on my 9th patrol still in my IIA boat having sunk only 1 ship in my career until then!:oops: Mainly because I had got patrol grids near neutral Norway some times. But I was on my 9th patrol, I was patrolling in AN55 when I spotted a huge convoy with only two escorts! I dived as soon as I saw the convoy. I rised my attack periscope and slowed the boat down to reduce the periscope wake. I targeted some of the ships, selected a salvo shot, checked where the escorts were and... WHAT?:o NO!! A huge Warship headed straight towards me! I dived to about 10m above the sea bed and rigged my boat for silent running. Dammit!:damn: All the warships were equipped with ASDIC. two hours later... I was lying at the bottom of the sea, still being attacked, still alive, but running out of air. I had to do something but, the warships would never stop dropping depth charges at me so I thought : Screw it, and I went for a crazy surfacing at ahead flank and surprisingly, the warships had trouble hitting me, but then, one of them hit me with their biggest gun and Hans Fischer went down with his boat :dead: R.I.P. Hans Fischer

Starting a new career today :)! One question though : Why won't your boat change number when changing from for example, a Type II to a Type VII? Is this a GWX bug or a SH3 bug?

sublynx

06-13-11, 02:54 PM

Leutnant. z.s. Alfons Dietzmann
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotille, Bergen
Orders: Patrol BE33

Statusbericht 22.7.1943
0809 AM51 clear, visibility 15 – 16 kilometers, wind 15 m/s. No ships sighted or heard. Air traffic is heavy, just like U-505 has reported. Four contacts despite running submerged when possible. Metox warnings in grids AM33, AM26 and AM51. Night time from about 2300 to 0400 hours has been clean so far and we have been able to run surfaced at that time.

At 19.7. 0800 hours grid AM26 surfaced and was immediately strafed with heavy machine gun or 20 mm gun fire. In the confusion I ordered a crash dive. Afterwards I realised that in a situation like that my orders are to stay surfaced and fight the aircraft. There were leaks in aft torpedo room and aft rest areas. Conning tower was damaged. At 0802 an explosion heard while at a depth of 80 meters, but apparently that did not cause damage. The boat was repaired by 0939 hours and a test dive to depth of 150 meters was made.

I now start every surfacing by a periscope scan that starts looking straight up and only after that scanning the perimeter.

Hessler was mentioned by name in the news report, because he managed to sink a British battleship. Sadly, the radioman also intercepted a distress call from Fischer in grid AN55 and his type II must be presumed sunk now.

Dietzmann

Fish In The Water

06-13-11, 03:02 PM

I now start every surfacing by a periscope scan that starts looking straight up and only after that scanning the perimeter.

A wise precaution kaleun... :up:

VONHARRIS

06-13-11, 11:43 PM

Patrol 15
8 September 1942
18:14 hours U-505 left Lorient for Grid CC21. U-39 was still under repairs after that attack she suffered. They will be back to sea soon , I hope. There is always place for a good Kaleun out there.
No news from U-65 after sinking the HMS Nelson.
U-552 reported a surprise air attack agoinst her but she survived.
On the other hand , commander Fischer and his type II were lost by gunfire after trying a daring escape by surface running.

18 September 1942
Grid BD86
14:48 hours Merchant spotted , big ship probably a converted whale factory ship , dived to PD
15:10 hours 2 bow torpedoes fired , ship was flying a US flag
15:11 hours 2 hits , ship on fire slowing down
15:24 hours Ship DIW , surfaced at 1500m from the burning and now listing ship. Opened fire with the deck gun (I can't get rid of that habit)
15:26 hours Ship sunk after 19 105mm rounds

19 September 1942
Grid BD85
05:35 hours Merchant spotted , dived to PD
05:39 hours A second merchant was heard , up scope : Two ships a heavy merchant and a medium merchant 01 unescorted but heavily armed
05:53 hours 2 stern torpedoes fired , turning to use bow tubes
05:55 hours 1 hit on the heavy merchant
06:05 hours 2 bow torpedoes fired
06:06 hours 2 hits on the medium merchant 01
06:07 hours Ships are burning DIW but they stay afloat , surfaced to finish them off
06:08 hours Medium merchant 01 sunk after 2 105mm rounds. Minor damages by machine gun fire. Moving back to 2000m from the heavy merchant
06:10 hours Heavy merchant sunk by 19 105mm rounds

26 September 1942
Grid CC21
14:57 hours Reached patrol area

27 September 1942
Grid CC21
05:33 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
05:46 hours Warship sound closing at slow speed
06:02 hours More sound contacts : a convoy is approaching. The weather is bad , visibility no more than 300 from the attack scope and it rains.
06:50 hours Distant pinging
06:57 hours Stern torpedo launched against escort with no luck
07:01 hours DCed at PD serious damages flooding. The conning tower must have been hit very badly, Three men died being hit by a broken pipeline Diving to 120m at flank speed , bold launched
07:18 hours Depth 120m silent running at 1 kts
07:25 hours Pinging and DCs that explode above us
07:29 hours More DCs but no damage done
15:03 hours After almost 8 hours we surfaced. The turm was out of action: Both scopes destroyed , radio antenna off and the Meteox receiver was damaged but repairable. My radioman was able to make temprorary repairs to the antenna just enough to radio BdU of our condition and that we were heading to U-461

29 September 1942
02:09 hours Reached the U-461 Milchkuh
They were waiting for us and they had lences to fix the scopes plus a new radio antenna. Our three men that died were buried at sea after a small ceremony.
22 days at sea
3 ships sunk
28295 tons
95% hull integrity
3 casualties

Kermit the Frog

06-14-11, 09:06 AM

8th June 1942 Morning
-What's the visibility?- I ask Johann, my 1st WO.
-About 5 km...- Johann paused his sentence in the middle. I know what he wants to ask about, but I go down to command room.
-What's the repair status Chief?
-We need a yard- It's not the type of an answer I like to hear, but I'm not going to push. I Can't blame him. It's he's second patrol. We barely know each other, and I'm not quite trusting him. Maybe his predecessor could bring some sensor back to life? -We're unable to repair anything more. Structure damage is serious. We shouldn't go deeper than 25m- That makes my decision.
-Helm, set a course 185. Igor, take us here- I've pointed a place on map -What do you think?
-That's quite far from dangerous bay, and still there's very big chance to meet some lone merchant, travelling along the coast. We have a chance.

16:37 local time, same day
-ALAAAAAAARM!!!!!!!!- Jesus Christ what happened? I jumped into bridge. Heavy rain surprises me completely. Not more than 1 km visibility. Johann points me the threat: armed tugboat, 800m, bearing ~20, approximately 30 deg AOB, left bank.
-Flank ahead! Dive! Dive! Dive!- Our bow disappears under water when I hear first shot. I hold my breath, will he hit us? I feel that my boat is fragile like an eggshell. Another shot missed us, we just passed 13m, and I'm about to release the air from my chest, when I hear noise of Tugboat's propeller and her rattling diesel -Hard starboard!- Boat is lazily turning. Propeller sound is louder and louder. Somehow we avoid ramming, but there goes DC's. Explosions shakes my nerve. First one dandles us slightly, but second one reaches us.
-Port propeller destroyed! Major leakage in stern compartment!- Helm looks at me and it's a face of a murder. Before other explosions outworn I shout necessary commands:
-Chief, go there and check if you can help. After this check hull integrirty.
-Ay, ay Sir!- Boat is still turning, and we're doing 5kt, and if they have no ACDIC we should survive this. Clock ticking measures leaking time.
-All stop! What's the situation in stern compartment?
-We need more time Sir!
After some time I start hearing sound of propellers again. What's worse, boat starts loosing her trim.
-Helm, keep 15m!
-We need to move sir!- I'm waiting. Sound of propellers comes from larboard, estimate bearing 225~270. Sound of propellers are quite loud now, it's time.
-Rudder amidships, full ahead, maintain depth!
-Leakages in stern compartment sealed Sir!
-Good, now remove all the water, and lets get out of here- In the meantime Tugboat passes behind our stern. DC explosions shakes our boat, but that's all the effects. Without ASDIC they look not so scary.
-Rudder 5 deg larboard, silence run!- Now it's up to enemy's experience. Did they hear us? Boat is holding 13-14m depth. But there they go again. It seems that this time they came faster than before. I'm going to take a risk, and keep silence. Helm is looking at me again and his eyes are telling: "If you damage my boat again, I kill you by my bear hands". This time it seems, that boat dropped all available DC, because explosion is tremendous! But except damaging my ear drums, they only shakes our boat nervously and... That's all. After traumatic adventures couple nights before, this one looks almost like a joke. And finally it appears to be one. We're spending another day under water heading ENE. Let's go home. One hour after sunset I decided to surface the boat:
-Flank ahead!- And when boat reaches 6 kts -Blow ballast!- Boat is pointing nose up, and after a while we're breathing fresh air. Visibility about 5 km, no visible enemy. But something isn't right. Our speed is dropping down. 4 kts... 3 kts... 2 kts... -What's going on Chief?
-Looks like we completely lost port propeller, and we can recharge batteries only with stern engine sooo....
-Then stop recharging batteries immediately!
Situation is not good, 13 kts is all we have on flank ahead. Our standard speed drops down to 8 kts. 7-5 with rough see. That's not all the bad news. We have only one propeller working, but second engine is working anyway all the time without much sense, and I can't do anything with this. Bulls**t!
I set a course directly to Lorient. There's U-461 Milchkuh is on our way, but we need something more than fuel and greetings.
-Navigator, I need to know if we can reach Lorient with this fuel!
-I already did some calculations, there should be no problem Sir!
-Ok then, Johann- Weather report every 4 hour, I need some sleep.

Minutes seems like hours, hours seems like days, and days...

Weather is going worse. Wind at the beginning is steady, but after 8 hours starts turning right, and blows stronger, 15 m/s. After another 4 hour wind turns 90 deg, and visibility drops down to 1 km. Heavy rain. I decide to go under water. We still are blind there, maybe even more than on surface, but we all feel safer knowing, that any radar track us here. We're doing 200 rpm, and surfacing to check weather every 4 hours. After 16 hours rain stops, and we can continue our travel. Visibility 9 km makes me confident, and I order to load the batteries. We look stupid, both engines working, but we're not even slightly moving. I like to ask BDU about this, but we don't have even radio, to call help. Other part of journey isn't much better. Good weather holds only for two days. After this wind turns right, goes stronger and then comes the rain and bad visibility. Every part of boat seems to be damaged. Every single one, but one torpedo in stern tube, and reserve one. After 11 days we're right in the middle of our way home. Usually weather doesn't spoil us, wind turns, and visibility drops from 9 to 5 km, but this night is unique. 16 km visibility makes my good mood. I decide to spend couple hours on bridge. But there comes surprise:
-Merchant! Bearing 143- I grab binoculars immediately... Is it... God she's huge! ...
-Heeelm! Turn 90 starboard, flank ahead!- I grab binoculars again. There's no doubt, it's large two pipes ex-ocean liner converted to troop ship. Estimated course 80, estimated speed 14 kts. Very soon we find ourself in firing range.
-Hard larboard! Heading 350- And after half turn I ordered flank back! I can't wait when boat stops turning, and when it finally happens I drop down speed to slow back. Data set into TDC, shooting range 2500m. I'm shooting when second funnel enters crosshair. Impact pistol, 2m depth of run. Now there's no time to loose. -Flank ahead!- After a while torpedo reaches the target. I'm expecting searchlights, but apparently they have no such thing. Large ocean liner travels fast for some time, but he's loosing speed very fast. I'm preparing boat to repeat attack and finish them, but even before we can load last stern torpedo, giant stops completely. They stern is sinking fast. We overtake them easy to see last moments of our victim, and... To shoot photos. We can see evacuation of soldiers and crew. Some of them see us already, and is swimming in our direction. I can't allow that, we have direct orders. Besides, we have no room for prisoners. Only aircrews, they seem to have some special value for BDU.
Large ocean liner sunk very fast. From torpedo explosion to bottom of an ocean 5 min. Very soon there's only large number of rafts and dead bodies in the water. I seriously doubt if anyone of them survive until morning. It's terribly cold. -Flank ahead! Restore main course- After this patrol there's no sign of mercy in us, maybe later.

We're still long way from home. We're tired, but I can see a smile in crew faces.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6137/sh3img136201115554812.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/155/sh3img136201115554812.jpg/)

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VONHARRIS

06-14-11, 12:09 PM

Kermit the frog
Nice story and a nice catch here
What is your U-boot , number and type please?

Kermit the Frog

06-14-11, 12:22 PM

U-93 Type VIIC "Steigendes Pferd"
42 men aboard, well... At a start of patrol. And I swear, number is random. But looks for me, it's a lucky one.

Jimbuna

06-14-11, 12:54 PM

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6137/sh3img136201115554812.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/155/sh3img136201115554812.jpg/)

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Great picture http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif

Osmium Steele

06-14-11, 12:56 PM

Kapitanleutnant Wilhelm Oster
Patrol 8
U-126, 2nd Flotilla
Left at: November 3, 1942, 1843 hours
From: Lorient
Mission Orders: Patrol grid DN16

Transit to patrol area.

CD66
13.11.42 - Attacked small, British flagged merchant of 3500 tons, with a single T1 torpedo, magnetic pistol, tube 2. Torpedo detonated under the keel and the ship broke in two. No survivors. Cargo appeared to be military vehicles.

Continuing to patrol area.

DN16
18.11.42
- 0123 - Arrived at assigned operating area.

20.11.42
- 0000 - Leaving oparea. No contacts noted.

DC87
24.11.42
- 0742 - Metox warning. Single source. Evaluating.
- 0927 - Sonar contact. Multiple screws. Evaluating.
- 0947 - Moving to intercept likely convoy.
- 1100 - Large convoy sighted with a single Somers class DD escort.
- 1139 and 1140 - Loosed single T1s, tubes 5 and 6 with magnetic pistols, at a US flagged Large tanker, 11000 tons, and a Panamanian flagged "Modern" tanker 7100 tons. Flat seas, clear skies.
- 1141 - Simultaneous detonations. Both targets broke up and sank within minutes. Life rafts spotted. Evading.
- 1310 - Surfaced, moving around convoy to the south-west. Tracking by Metox.
- 1600 - Weather deteriorating. Overcast, no precip, visibility moderate, winds 9m/s from 277.

DC73
24.11.42
- 2059 - Attacked the escorting Somers class DD with a single T2, tube 1 with impact pistol. Torpedo missed ahead.
- 2100 - Attacked again, same setting T2 from tube 3.
- 2101 - Impact! Somers class DD destroyed. Moved ahead of convoy to give them time to cease zig-zig.
- 2200 - Wind speed increased to 13m/s. Rough seas. Visibility roughly 9km. Occasional tracking by sonar.

DC72
25.11.42
- 0340 - Attacked 2 modern tankers with 1 T1 each and and a whale factory ship with 2 T2s. All ships Panamanian flagged. All torpedos impact intended targets. One tanker and factory ship sink. The other tanker continuing at speed.
- 0419 - Attacked US flagged modern tanker with a single T2. Tube 5. Hit at the bow. Ship sinks at 0437. Moving around convoy to the north-east.
- 0510 - Sighted convoy! They've turned northerly, coming right to us.
- 0518 - The modern tanker hit earlier is not in formation.
- 0538 - Attacked 2 Granville freighters, US flagged, with a single T1 each. One ship sunk at 0544. The other is slowing. Sonar reports a large merchant along the convoys trail. Investigating.
- 0620 - Attacked the previously damaged modern tanker, with a single T1. The ship sunk almost immediately.
- 0628 - Debated leaving the lone remaining intermediate tanker as it would be a long haul to overtake her, and the Americans must be sending help by now. Then I remembered the words of my old teacher... "SINK 'EM ALL!" ..."Suface the ship, ahead flank. We're going after her."
- 0827 - Sonar reports merchant contact along the tanker's last known course, but about 15% further along than estimated. Tankers speed now estimated at 11 knots. Going to be a long haul in these seas. We're barely making 13 knots ourselves.

DC45
25.11.42
- 1536 - Attacked Panamanian flagged intermediate tanker with a single T1. Impact at the bow. Ship sunk at 1604. An entire convoy destroyed, estimated at 64000 tons. No sign of allied assistance. Beautiful. Returning to DC87. Need to reload, all internal torpedos expended.

DC87
30.11.42
- 1800 - There has been no rain, but these winds will not stop. Cannot reload external torpedos in these seas. Moving to DM35, the lee side of Andros Island. Hopefully the wind is cut a bit there.

DM35 & 38
31.11.42
- 0710 - Weather is clear and wind is 7m/s from 256. Borderline at best, but I don't think conditions will improve. Commencing loading of external torpedos.
- 1413 - Loading of external torpedos is complete. No incidents. 7 hours on the surface, in allied waters, in beautiful weather and no sea or air contacts. But, then again, who would ever look for a submarine this close to Andros?

DB95 & 98
3.12.42
- 0559 -Contact with a two ship convoy, no escorts. moving to intercept.
- 0645 - Loosed one T1, magnetic pistol, at US flagged factory ship. Missed forward. Repositioning.
- 0829 - Sunk US flagged intermediate tanker with a single T1, impact pistol, range 800 meters. Repositioning again for the factory ship.
-0926 - Sunk whale factory ship with a spread of two T1s, impact pistols.

DB98
4.12.42
- 0351 - Sunk US flagged small freighter with a single T1, impact pistol.
- 0600 - Winds 1m/s from 247.
- 0754 - Sonar contact, two merchants. Investigating.
- 0900 - Attacked US flagged large cargo ship and Empire freighter, one torpedo each, T1s with magnetic pistols, tubes 5 & 6. First torpedo detonated on the other side of the Empire, and the second missed forward due to target maneuvering. Turned 180 degrees to port at ahead flank to set up for a quick shot with remaining torpedo on the large cargo. Torpedo missed forward. Empire freighter slowing to 6 knots.
- 0910 - Opened distance to 3700 meters and surfaced. Attacked the large cargo with the 105mm. Numerous hits. Not hit by cargo ship's return fire.
- 0924 - Large secondary explosions seen on target and it goes dead in the water. 34 105mm rounds left. Maneuvering to attack the Empire with the 105mm.
- 0928 - Large cargo ship going down by the bow.
- 0948 - Expended all 105mm ammunition on freighter causing numerous fires. Return fire too hot for close range 20mm attack. Submerging.
- 1052 - Empire freighter sinks.

Surfacing and going home... No torpedos, no 105mm ammo.

16 ships sunk, estimated tonnage: 101000

16.12.42
- Received orders to the Marinekriegsschule Murwik. Looks like it is a desk job for me. Ordered to turn the U-126 over to my XO, Heinrich Runte.

POST SCRIPT: After his duty at the front, Wilhelm Oster became a department leader at the Marinekriegsschule Murwik (Naval War College), where he served until the end of the war. In 1956, Wilhelm Oster joined the Bundesmarine and was from 1959 to 1961 commander of the U-boat training unit. Later, he served several staff positions and retired in 1974. He was decorated with the Bundesverdienstkreuz (Federal Merit Cross). He died on 3 March 1993.

Gerald

06-14-11, 01:04 PM

:()1:

sublynx

06-14-11, 05:14 PM

Leutnant. z.s. Alfons Dietzmann
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotille, Bergen
Orders: Patrol BE33

Statusbericht 22.7.1943
1738 AM54 cloudy, visibility 8 – 9 kilometers, wind 15 m/s. Two attacks against an inbound large convoy, 5 - 6 escorts. Easterly course, speed slow. No reliable estimate on the course. The first attack failed to get in shooting range because we didn't have a good enough estimate of the course of the convoy. On the second attack I failed to get close enough and decided to launch four torpedoes from a distance of maybe 4000 - 5000 meters, 15 seconds between launches. Rough seas and long range made rangefinding and targeting an individual ship impossible. Two of the torpedoes were FAT torpedoes and one of those hit a 12000 BRT freighter stopping it dead in water. When the escorts were gone I finished her with a FAT II torpedo, depth 10 meters, range 1000 meters.

Other boats have had both successes and losses. U-129 was sunk, U-39 critically damaged, but survived. U-93 had an excellent patrol and Oster got a desk job after wiping out a convoy. We continue our patrol, with four torpedoes loaded in the front and one in the aft tubes. With those we might be able to cause a lot of damage in a single attack, but we have lost the convoy and it is now on shallow waters.

Dietzmann

Kip336

06-14-11, 05:46 PM

My new mods broke my game save :(

Departing Lorient again, January 30, 1941 ....

gazpode_l

06-14-11, 06:08 PM

VONHARRIS

06-15-11, 01:08 AM

Patrol No 16
U-93 has passed away from U-461 on her way to Lorient. During her return passage she intercepted on the surface a 24.000 tons troop ship and sunk her with 2 torpedoes.
U-552 has succesfully attacked an enemy convoy sinking a 12.000 tons freighter.
U-65 has not reported yet and she is thought to be under attack
U-39 is still in Lorient according to our last info.

30 September 1942
21:36 hours
After repairs were done , U-505 left for an other attack run

03 October 1942
15:00 hours
BdU orders : Go to grid CA79 and then proceed to the oilfields of Curacao. Freedom of attack is granted

10 October 1942
Grid CA79
01:51 hours Reached patrol grid
08:34 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
09:04 hours Warship sound contact closing
09:34 hours Clemson DD spotted
09:40 hours 2 stern torpedoes fired
09:41 hours 2 hits , ship sunk , surfaced
09:57 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
11:10 hours Nothing heard , surfaced
11:17 hours Aircraft spotted , crash dived
12:54 hours Surfaced
21:10 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
22:35 hours Nothing heard , surfaced

12 October 1942
Grid DC14
00:04 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
00:17 hours Warship sound closing
00:25 hours Fletcher class fleet destroyer spotted
00:41 hours 2 stern torpedoes fired at 600m - 1 hit - ship sunk

13 October 1942
Grid DB66
01:24 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
01:39 hours Warship sound closing
01:52 hours Somers class destroyer identified
01:58 hours 2 bow torpedoes fired
02:00 hours 2 hits - ship sunk

08:39 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
12:22 hours Nothing heard , surfaced

14 October 1942
Grid DB98
15:03 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
15:07 hours Merchant sound closing in
15:50 hours repair ship indentified
16:03 hours 2 bow torpedes fired
16:09 hours 2 hits - ship slowing down
16:24 hours Ship DIW
16:46 hours 1 stern torpedo launched
16:48 hours Hit - ship on fire
16:49 hours 1 stern torpedo launched - ship sunk quickly before the last torpedo hit her.
23:40 hours Surfaced

15 October 1942
Grid DM23
06:23 hours Merchant spotted , moving closer
06:34 hours Opened fire from 3000 m
06:38 hours Ship sunk by 34 105mm rounds but with a heavy price. With their dying breath the enemy gunners fired their last shell. It landed some 5 m from the conning tower. Minor damage was done but the IWO was killed by splinters. He was a highy decorated officer and he was ready to take his own command

Grid DM26
17:21 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
20:24 hours warship closing
20:32 hours merchant closing fast
20:59 hours Ship indetified as large tanker
21:06 hours 3 bow torpedoes fired
21:08 hours 3 hits - ship exploded and sunk
21:09 hours A new sound contact , merchant moving slow
23:32 hours Ship indetified as Naval oiler 1 , heavily armed

16 October 1942
00:13 hours 3 bow torpedoes fired from 900m - 3 hits - ship exploded and sunk
06:25 hours Surfaced
Grid DM29
15:36 hours Meteox warning dived to PD

17 October 1942
Grid DM 53
07:48 hours Surfaced

18 October 1942
Grid DM66
04:29 hours Merchant seen , dived to PD
04:31 hours Ship indetified as large tanker
04:38 hours 3 bow torpedoes fired
04:40 hours 3 hits - ship exploded and sunk

20 October 1942
Grid DN52
02:16 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
02:45 hours Warship moving away medium speed
06:00 hours Surfaced

25 October 1942
Grid DE58
10:32 hours Merchant spotted , dived to PD
10:40 hours Two ships identified , medium merchant 01 and tramp steamer
10:44 hours 2 bow torpedoes fired
10:45 hours 1 hit on medium merchant 01 - ship on fire DIW
10:47 hours 1 bow torpedo from 400m - hit on tramp steamer
10:49 hours Tramp steamer sunk by the stern
10:50 hours No torpedoes left , surfaced to engage the crippled merchant
10:52 hours medium merchant 01 sunk after 11 105mm rounds

8 November 1942
23:02 hours Docked at Lorient
40 days at sea
10 ships sunk
51380 tons
1 man dead

http://img864.imageshack.us/img864/1263/patrol16.jpg

Fish In The Water

06-15-11, 03:02 PM

My new mods broke my game save :(

Bad mods! :damn:

Always enable in port (and hope for the best)... :03:

Kermit the Frog

06-15-11, 03:02 PM

6-7-1942, Bay of Biscay, U-93 "Steigendes Pferd"
We're so close to Lorient... Dramatic patrol cames to an end. Today is special day. Not because tomorrow we finally came home. Let's calculate a little bit. We left Lorient at 15-05-1942, after 14 days we reached U-461 to refuel our small boat. 29-05-1942 we left U-461 heading sector CA28, bay of New York.
We came there, and at 6-6-1942 we fought our epic battle for survive. Among other damages we also lost radio, so we wasn't reporting our position. Because of this every day, BDU was sending the same message to us:
"U-93. Report your current position and status". Without an answer of course.
But today BDU sends "three star" message:
"U-93 isn't reporting his position for 30 days. They are considered as missing, and probably lost with all hands."
I'm officially Davie Jones, and my boat's name is "Flying Dutch".

7-7-1942, Lorient, U-93 "Steigendes Pferd"
We're entering harbour. Nobody recognizes us. Bridge is so destroyed, that emblem is invisible, and since we have no radio,we're not announced. I take aldis to send our recognition code to curious ones. No big ceremony, no champaign. We took too much damage to show ourselves to everyone, the view is too depressing.

Repairs will continue to 14 October 1942. Comendantur asks if I want to take command over newly built, type IXC/40 boat. I refused, instead I submitted an application for transfer to 11th U-boat flotilla, Bergen.
Approved one.

sublynx

06-15-11, 04:03 PM

Leutnant. z.s. Alfons Dietzmann
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotille, Bergen
Orders: Patrol BE33

31.8.1943 Bergen
Action report. Just before midnight 23.7.1943 an attack was made against a convoy with 4 - 6 guards. In heavy seas and with only a hasty guesstimation of the course I got into a firing position perpendicular against a 12000 BRT tanker, speed estimated at 10 knots, course 266, range 4200 meters. Two TIII's and two FAT I's shot. After about nine minutes two of the torpedoes hit something, judging by the hydrophone sounds. An aft torpedo was shot at an Isles class patrol boat, range 2200 meters, but missed. Evasion in periscope depth. Afterwards the Kriegsmarine Radio intelligence reported that an S-type sub and a 8000 BRT tanker were reported sunk that night and since ours was the only boat attacking the convoy, we got credited by the sinkings. Later we estimated the convoy's course as 271 degrees, speed 9 knots. The sinkings show the power of FAT torpedoes. Wrong course, wrong speed, very long range, 15 m/s winds - and yet again the FAT's hit hard and unpredictably.

Enemy sightings.
24.7. 1225 AM45 Metox warning. Dived.
27.7. 1932 AF75 Metox warning. Dived. 5 - 7 fast warships heard on a southerly course.

Boat status. The boat took 6 days of repairs. Matrosengefreiter Richard Sturm was promoted and Stabsbootmann Wolfgang Koch got an EKII for their efficiency in emergengy repairs during the air attack that caused the damage to the boat. Leutnant Reinhold Wild got an order to report to Kiel. That probably means he will start training for commanding a boat of his own.

I managed to talk FdU Norwegen to let me have a better Turm for my boat and at last we have the room for a 20 mm Flakvierling. We also have a C/38 Flakzwilling. We now have a chance against the airplanes, but I still hope to avoid them if possible. We can carry only a limited amount of ammunition and a submarine can't be armored against bombs, while keeping it's maneuverability.

The base has also it's first acoustic torpedoes, TIV Falkes, but there are only a few and FdU wouldn't let me carry those. I didn't press the issue, since he already let me have the necessary changes that makes U-552 a lot more dangerous against aircraft.

In port I heard rumours about Hessler's U-65 probably being in trouble. U-505 has had a very successful patrol and sunk three destroyers and a whole lot of merchants in the US coast. I also heard that U-93 has been transferred to the 11. Flotilla. A very welcome addition to our small U-boat arsenal here in the North.

The repairs and the modifications have thankfully taken a lot of time and have kept us from the battle. However I have just had orders to report to FdU Norwegen and I guess it can only mean yet another patrol for us.

Dietzmann

Gerald

06-15-11, 04:05 PM

Good work, :up:

Snestorm

06-15-11, 08:57 PM

Starting a new career today :)! One question though : Why won't your boat change number when changing from for example, a Type II to a Type VII? Is this a GWX bug or a SH3 bug?

Documents - SH3 - Careers - current career name - Patrols_0.

Scroll down to the last patrol. (Your next patrol).
Change the boat number to whatever you like.
(Reboot between doimg this and playing SH3).

There's also a folder where Time Compression settings can be customixed.

Snestorm

06-15-11, 10:11 PM

News: U552 sunk 20.000+ GRT from a heavily escorted convoy, AND an S Class Submarine!!! Wow! Well done, and congrats on the new AA setup.
U93 had to slip back into port with heavy damages, and no radio notification. He lives!
After some well documented heavy action off USA's east coast & The Carribean, U505 has lost some valuable crew members, including the IWO. They'll be missed by U39 in Lorient.
U65 has met with some determined hunters after sinking HMS Nelson, and is clinging to life.
U126 has had a Tanker Party off USA's east coast sinking over 100.000 GRT in a single patrol. It took U39 8 patrols to break that same mark.
Kaleun Fischer was lost while trying to outrun RN surface units.

Underway from Lorient 11.nov.41, Bound for the rolling patrol line along the Freetown - UK shipping lines.

CG19 (W of Spain)
15.nov.41
0148: "Ship spotted! 012. Long range." Sea is dead calm.
0159: Hydrophone speed and course estimation. 322 at 9 knots.
0202: Surface. The chase is on!
0252: Target IDed as Coastal Merchant, with a stern gun mount.
0257: Fire 3 (G7A), from 1100 meters. Diesels making under 2 knots.
0258: Impact. Target disintigrates.
(Our deck gun had been manned, just in case).

EK14
24.nov.41
2200: On station at turn around point. (E of Cape Verde Islands).

25.nov.41
0032: Convoy located by patrol line.
Radio: "Convoy. EJ39. N. 6 knots." (1 grid SW of U39).
U39 moving at high speed to EJ36.
Overcast. Light Fog. Wind 12 m/s.

EJ36 & EJ33
25.nov.41
All torpedoes are expended in three attacks.
2 freighters are sunk, with a third left DIW.
U39 remained with the cripple until a IXC showed up with torpedoes, to finidh the job, and take the tonnage credit. Oh well.

U39 acted as Contact Holder all the way into DT35, where BDU released her due to heavy fog.

BF61
10.dec.41
2030: Docked at Lorient.

Patrol results:
3 ships sunk for 14.938 GRT.
Crew & Hull Integrity 100%.
12 of 12 torpedoes expended.

U39's history to date:
10 war patrols completed since 1.sep.39.
24 ships sunk for 133.590 GRT.

Gerald

06-16-11, 02:12 AM

133.590 GRT,Good work my friend :DL

Kip336

06-16-11, 03:01 AM

Weather
DATE/Time Location Log
30 Jan - 1941
12:30 Lorient Departed. Escorted by minesweeper untill Point 1
13:00 Minesweeper dismissed, course 310

18:00 Position fixed, continued to operations area.

20:32 Crash dive practice. Hydrophone listen
21:30 Surfaced

31 Jan - 1941

10:30 BF19 Radio message. Large convoy BF15, WSW 8 knots.
Set course to intercept
14:30 Smoke on the horizon. An L Class AA Destroyer shows up
14:46 Destroyer turns towards us, he is enaging me!. Dive, silent running
15:40 Destroyer is getting inaccurate. Periscope Depth
Tube V, 550m, brg 160 AOB 35red, Speed 15 knots. Los!
15:41 Hit! She sinks! Continued along intercept track for convoy
16:40 BF13 I see flames on the horizon, must be the convoy. I continue along the track, before noticing I'm already past the convoy and am following a straggler. Turned around and backtracked for an attack run from the other side
16:48 Tube IV; Distance 1600, bearing 350, 8 knots. Angle on bow 60 red. Los! 1 minute later; Tube III, distance 800, bearing 345, 8 knots, angle on bow 50 green. Los! Torpedo's should arrive at the same time
16:51 One ore carrier hit. She starts to list, but continues to go on. Tube III hits a merchant for 5000T. She breaks up and sinks rapidly.
17:04 Destroyers come to show their frustration
22:07 BF1369 No destroyers in periscope sight, surface the boat, commence repairs
Wind 4ms/0, mod. Vis
23:59 All internal tubes reloaded.

01 Feb - 1941
0:48 BF13 Smoke on the horizon! Soon followed by a est. 10.000 ton freighter out of the fog, brg 355, aob 20 green
Decks awash ordered, prepare for surface attack
0:59 BF13 Tube II + III, 450 meter, brg 0 deg Aob 90 green, 6 knots, 3 deg. spread. 1 hit, 1 dud.
0:05 Surface the boat, coup de grace with 22 88mm shells. Their gun fired about 4 rounds in 4 minutes
0:17 Picked up a lifeboat. Gave them a compass heading to land, and took her papers. .
She's the SS. Manchester, a 10,620GRT merchant. Headed for Bristol, bringing in iron ore. She sunk very fast!

AAlso Available on google docs, as a public to all spreadsheet;
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Au82RpJrSbcJdFUwMDRMN1VYckJDd3hyTm56Qnhoc FE&authkey=CM_Lw_4O&hl=en_US&pli=1#gid=1

Bernhard Bernard

06-16-11, 05:26 AM

Patrol number 1.
Commander: Berhard B. Bernard
U-57
May 6, 1939.
1. 0600: Ship sighted off port bow; it was big and shiny. I sailed at it until it sailed away. I think it was faster than me.
2. 0630: Sunk ship flying a red flag with white circle in the middle by ramming it.
3. 0640: Recieved fire from dolphin off the port bow, AOB 30 degrees. Opened fire with deck gun.
4. 0641: Dolphin sunk, no survivors.
5 0642: Slipped over and hit head on deck. Ordered abandon of ship in case of damage to deck.
6. 2200: Still waiting for someone to pick me up actually. Nobody else wanted to abandon ship. Fools! Good thing I kept my log book or it would have sunk too!

gazpode_l

06-16-11, 06:28 AM

Kermit the Frog

06-16-11, 06:36 AM

14-10-1942, U-93 "Steigendes Pferd", Bergen
Finally we're leaving for patrol. I can't wait to try this new "Metox" receiver. Anyway, Bergen looks beautyfull. Millions of lights, and green hills makes me feel like acting in fairy tale. Unfortunately I can't disrupt myself, because of three troubles. First one is because my helm is transferred to other boat, and the new one is purely green. The second one: More and more u-boats isn't returning from patrols. Something doesn't fit here. What happened? Finally third one: when I swam here last time, it was operation "Weserubung", and I was having my old VIIB. There's lot of changes since then.
Well we'll see... but now:
-Manoeuvre stations! standard ahead!- But honestly there's not much to manoeuvre, because from our bunker to harbour gate leads straight line. Watch crew is fascinated with beautyful sights in fiord, But I feel myself insecure. Two and half hours of shallow water, remands me times of operation Weserubung when I was setting a trap in fiord. Suddenly I feel myself like a target on shooting range. I feel much better when we're entering an open see. Now I can focus on task. My orders: patrol in sector CG88. I look at the map, and immediately I have in front of my eyes pictures of old times, when I was based at Keel. When I was sneaking through North See to Atlantic, or through Canal to hunt down Gibraltar heading convoys. Very quick I decide to travel around the West British coast. It's maybe a little longer way, but I believe that Canal is to hard way for the beginning.
-Weather report every 2 hours!- I decide to stay surface in daylight.

15-10-1942
Very soon we see, that nothing is like in old times. Radio reports lot of DD patrols at North See, but through all the day nobody troubles us. The see is calm, visibility 9 km makes our journey safe.

Two hours after sunset, same day.
-Radar signals detected!- And after a while -Multiple radar signals detected!
I stand up immediately, and go to bridge. I don't see anything in given direction, but it means nothing. Signals are very clear, bearing 320~310, and seems to move along our larboard.
-What's the visibility?
-9 km- says Johann -change course?
-No... I need to know if they can detect us from that range.
-Battle stations?
-Of course, but quiet...
We don't have to wait long. Very soon we see them. Four destroyers, on parallel course, but opposite direction. I feel the need to hide myself under water, but I resist this idea. Instead I watch them carefully through binoculars, but they not changing course. After 20 minutes I'm going to go back to command room, when another time we get warning:
-Detecting single radar signal, on course.
I grab my Binocular, but Johann is faster:
-Alaaaarm! Dive! Dive!! Dive!!!- The hatch is closed and locked when he starts talking -It's Lancaster bomber. Heading straight on us.
-Periscope depth! Watch periscope up! Hard starboard! Flank ahead!- Almost immediately I see him. He just dropped DC's. Missed one :)
I'm afraid that destroyers may came back, so I order change course, standard ahead. We're staying under water for 30 min. After that time I carefully raise periscope up, and after assuring that we're alone, I order to surface the boat.
Next couple of days we spend without further adventures. We're on latitude of London. From three days we have constantly heavy clouds above us, but visibility keeps its 9 km and no sign of rain. We're on Atlantic and I'm already missing North See. I don't know why...

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/8089/sh3img156201123233880.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/231/sh3img156201123233880.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

VONHARRIS

06-16-11, 07:02 AM

Patrol 17
U-39 returned to Lorient safe after a nice patrol. Kaluen Snestorm was unhappy for having to leave a target DIW due to lack of torpedoes
U-552 has upgraded her AA armament to fight th ever increasing aircraft threat.
U-93 and Kaleun Kermit were transferred to Bergen to team up with U-552
U-93 has departed and already has reported contact with a heavy RAF bomber
U-336 is on patrol sinking ships

08 December 1942
03:27 hours U-505 left Lorient for grid DN78 , Cuba. I might bring back some Bacardi

05 January 1943
Grid DN78
09:57 hours Naval oiler sunk in convoy battle

09 January 1943
Grid EC68
09:48 hours Naval oiler sunk in convoy battle
09:59 hours Naval oiler sunk in convoy battle

14 January 1943
Grid EC68
11:12 hours Large tanker sunk in convoy battle
11:14 hours Turbine tanker sunk in convoy battle
12:39 hours Turbine tanker sunk in convoy battle
All torpedoes fired

11 February 1943
14:27 hours U-505 docked at Lorient
66 days at sea
6 ships sunk
65549 tons (all tankers)
No casualties or damages, The Americans have a lot to learn!

Installed the FuMo - 30 radar set.
The T1 FAT1 torpedoes are available. I have reqeusted for 4 of them to put them into use following the example of U-552.

I didn't have time to file a full scale report this time!

gazpode_l

06-16-11, 07:06 AM

Pat2,Rpt4, From R.Hessler U-65 (IXB)

Hessler has recently sunk the HMS Nelson. However, the latest news is that despite depth changes and running silent, and flank speed when in baffles of the enemy, he has yet to evade the three persuing enemy corvettes which are hitting back.

The enemy have been pounding U-65 for one hour solid now and no letup in sight.

The sub has sustained light damages during the attacks but have said that they appear to be winning the battle to escape.

More reports to follow soon....hopefully! :06:

SAVE & EXIT: 12;15am R/L time for bed
GAME TIME TODAY: 1hr (no time compression used due to persistant attack)
Hope to do more tomorrow nt.

R Hessler, Pat2, Rpt5
Last report as above mentioned R Hessler, was under attack from convoy escorts.

23/10 - 8pm
We have sunk the Nelson and a detonation is heard far away, but no other sounds are heard to confirm the hit. Enemy escorts are beginning to Ping us! :ping:

23/10 8:15pm
We are now being chased by 2x enemy escorts (possibly ASW trawlers or Flower class corvettes") Depth Charges are exploding around us, causing minor damages to our sub.

23/10 - 8:30pm
U-65 is in serious bother now! We've got three escorts around us as three separate warship signatures are heard, all the same type (unconfirmed) Minor damages are repaired and we are diving deeper to between 90-100m

23/10 9pm
PING! PING! PING! PING!
Rapid pinging from above, followed by more detonations! we are getting D/C dropped on us every 2-5 minutes at the moment and despite changing depth and direction, it appears to be difficult to shake of our persuers.

23/10 9:30pm
The convoy can no longer be heard on hydrophones, the escorts have allowed them to escape! distance between us and the escorts appear to be greater now. We've not been pinged for a little while and no D/C have been dropped for past five minutes

23/10 9:45PM
I order us to crawl slowly upto Periscope depth. I need a quick look to regain situational awareness. It's gone quiet from above - I think the escorts are leaving to catch backup with the convoy, and more-so could be out of depth charges as the attacks lasted around 90 minutes.

23/10 9:50pm
A periscope sweep shows 1x flower class, 1x asw trawler, one at 3km and the other at 5km. They appear to be heading away - we must now be careful not to allow them to re-aquire us, otherwise we will be under attack again!

SAVE & EXIT: 01:00hrs R/L time (thursday am)
Time for bed!

General comments:
U-boats U-552 & U-126 have been engaging tankers & convoys and have sent dozens of british & other merchants to the bottom, they are looking like they will be some of our best commanders out there with the amounts they have sunk thus far.

U-93 took major damage, but arrived in lorient alive, with a broken radio meaning she was unable to make any contact and BDU presumed she was lost at sea! Since then it took months to repair her, but has been out & returned from another patrol, during which she sunk 3 ships for just under 15k GRT.

Kaluen Kip (I think that's his name) has returned to sea in his U-boat. However we suspect he's been given a different boat because his old one was broken and was unable to put to sea.

sublynx

06-16-11, 10:55 AM

News: U552 sunk 20.000+ GRT from a heavily escorted convoy, AND an S Class Submarine!!! Wow! Well done, and congrats on the new AA setup.

Thanks Snestorm, I did manage to get the boat to a barely adequate firing position, but the results were pure luck combined with the excellent capabilities of long ranged FAT torpedoes. :O:

@Bernhard: Excellent first mission! Keep up the good work! :arrgh!:

@Kaleun Kermit: Great screenshot and nice to have another boat operating from Bergen! Gute Jagd!

@gazpode: Congrats on escaping the revenge of Royal Navy!

@everyone else: Excellent patrol results here :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

sublynx

06-16-11, 03:00 PM

Leutnant. z.s. Alfons Dietzmann
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotille, Bergen
Orders: Patrol BE34

Statusbericht 20.8.1943
1301 AF76 clear, visibility 8 – 9 kilometers, wind 15 m/s. Continuing towards our patrol grid with a full load of 12 torpedoes.

Sightings.
18.8.1943
2121 AF87 A Catalina on a northeasterly course, range 6 – 7 kilometers. Flak guns readied, dived when estimated that a dive to A+20 could be made safely.

19.8.1943
0838 AF76 Two Whitleys coming straight at us initially at a range of 4 – 5 kilometers. Flak guns readied, no chance for a safe dive. The stern of the boat turned towards enemy, speed AK. Enemy attacked line astern at a dive of 30 – 40 degrees, no jinking attempts by the attacker noticed. Flak crew opened fire on the leading airplane at medium range. The plane was hit soon as no deflection shooting was necessary, and started to disintegrate in the air and hit water approximately 150 meters from the port side stern of the boat. The pilot made no attempts to crash land and the plane was smashed to little pieces, when it hit the water. The second plane strafed the pressure hull with machine gun fire and turned to our starboard side. Watch officer’s estimation is that the second plane was hit slightly. The plane gathered height and range, and enough distance was gained for a safe dive. A test dive to A+70 was made. 273 20 mm rounds were used.
1310 AF76 a U-boat sighted, turned out to be U-93 returning to Bergen.
1933 AF76 Metox warning. Dived.

20.8.1943
0118 AF76 Metox warning. While diving an airplane was sighted. It was night time, but very light.
1158 AF76 One twinengined airplane coming straight us. The range was estimated as long enough for a safe dive. The range turned out to be badly misestimated, and at 1200 hours while the boat was still at a depth of 51 – 56 meters, three explosions rocked the boat. Luckily, no damage was caused.

Assessment. The enemy Whitleys were badly underarmed with their ten light machineguns altogether against our eight 20 mm guns. Their no-deflection slow attack approach was quite senseless. I can only assume that they were sure that we would try to dive and there would be nothing shooting back at them, and they would then accurately drop bombs on us from a very low level. The attack approach they made against our firepower would have only been sensible, if the enemy had been armed with 20 mm guns or rockets and the noses of the planes had been armoured, not made of glass. We surprised them this time and the morale of the crew is very high.

Dietzmann

Snestorm

06-17-11, 01:42 AM

4.feb.42
BF61
0520: Underway from Lorient.
Orders: Commence operations in CA63.
Assigned area therefrom: Grid CA, in it's entirety.
Special instructions: Firing upon submarines is prohibited.

Biscay was passed submerged by day, and Ahead Standard by night.

26.feb.42 (The following times ar local Zone Time).
CC15 (S of Skt Lawrence Seaway)
1918: Hydrophone operator reports medium speed merchant closing, just prior to our nightly surfacing. Course & Speed are guesstimated at 086 making 9 knots, based on a New York origin and our position as destination.
1924: Surface. Both diesels Full Ahead, with a 30 degree lead on target's guesstimated course. TDC preset to 90 degree port AOB, 9 knots, 3 meters impact (magnetic pistols removed per BDU), 2 degree spread on tubes 1, 2, 4 (TII G7E).
1951: "Ship spotted! 288. Long range."
Turn bow on. Ahead Slow. We slightly outran him, confirming his estimated course. AOB setting reversed to 90 degrees starboard.
1952: Set turns for 2 knots. Target IDed as a C2 Cargo.
1953: Stern gun mount noted. (Too rough for our deck gun at 8 M/S).
The range closes fast, but if I slow the boat can't lead the target.
2000: Fire 1, 2, 4 (TII G7E). Spread opened to 5 degrees. Range 700 meters.
Back Slow. Impact! Impact! Miss!
2101: Fire 3 (G7A).
2102: Impact! On the bow. C2 sunk for 6.446 GRT. Torpedo run 55 seconds.
Area departed at high speed. All tubes reloaded following pre-sunrise dive.

7.mar.42
CB41
2227: Med speed merchant picked up on sound.
Moving away. Heavy Fog & Rain. No persuit given.

8.mar.42
CA63
1500: On station at assigned entry grid.
Overcast. Medium Fog. 15 m/s.

12.mar.42
CA37
0400: Overcast. Medium Fog. 8 m/s.
Total depth: 93 meters.
Location: 70 miles SW of Montauk Light, Long Island.
No encounters in US coastal waters thus far.
U39 closing Long Island's south shore in hopes of locating New York - Boston, or New York - Halifax trafik.
Secondary search area is to be New Jersey's coastline, if neccesary.

Gerald

06-17-11, 05:23 AM

sublynx

06-17-11, 01:29 PM

Leutnant. z.s. Alfons Dietzmann
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotille, Bergen
Orders: Patrol BE34

Statusbericht 22.8.1943
1432 AF75 clear, visibility 8 – 9 kilometers, wind 15 m/s. Continuing towards our patrol grid with a full load of 12 torpedoes.

Sightings.
21.8.1943
1501 AF75 Metox warning. Dived.
2103 AF75 Metox warning. Dived.

Dietzmann

gazpode_l

06-17-11, 06:27 PM

Pat2, Rpt6 - R Hessler U-65 (IXB)
23/10 9:50pm
A periscope sweep shows 1x flower class, 1x asw trawler, one at 3km and the other at 5km. They appear to be heading away - we must now be careful not to allow them to re-aquire us, otherwise we will be under attack again!

23/10 10pm
OH NO! Looks like they have re-acquired us again! the nearest one is now 1km away direction of bow towards us! :doh:

23/10 10:30pm
Enemy is observed making several passing runs at us, but no charges are ever dropped! :o TIME TO GET NASTY! P/D is ordered! :88)

23/10 10:40pm
@ P/D we notice we are being tailed by an ASW trawler as we are ahead flank ATM. time to rid us of this Menice! LOS tube 5!

23/10 10:41pm
DETONATION! Torpedo explodes on target and she's dead in the water immediately. She slips below the surface in minutes!

23/10 10:50
The other enemy vessel is running astern of us, coming right onto our path! Next time he jinks to S/board, we will shoot our torpedo! OH! THERE HE GOES!!! LOS!!!!!

23/10 11pm
WE ARE ALONE AT LAST! :rock: the other "Corvette" Was eliminated in the exact same way as it's counterpart and finally we are alone on this sea, which the guys are thankful for, and we can now get some rest!!!! NAH! not a chance! Whilst the weather is good, time to bring in the external reloads!

MIDNIGHT 23-24 OKT
Involving alot of officer power, we bring in the external's very quickly and within an hour all of them are in (some six torpedoes) with five reloads for'ard and two aft, leaving one reload both sides.

24/10 - 1am
Watch crew is on deck,all other hands are ordered to bed, other than essential navigational and engine staff, who will hand over after a few hours. those who manned the battery rooms during the attacks are also sent for rest.

24/10 7am
First light observed with all officers on the bridge, tea in hand, raising mugs of tea to the sun, in a salute to our foes, and the brave men who were lost at sea last night! :O:

SAVE & EXIT: 23:50hrs R/L time (Friday!)

General comments:
U-39 had to pass-up a recent convoy attack due to being out of torpedoes from earlier combat. She was last heard of on the far side of the atlantic. sinking small american vessels on her newest patrol.

U-552 continues to be harrased by aircraft

No recollection of any other news from other u-boat crews. Let's hope they are safe & well and are merely resting if they are not in action...if they ARE, STAY SAFE guys! :up:

@ sublynx: Thanks for your kind words recently. Two more enemy escorts felt my wrath tonight! man it was good sinking those...now im back to empty seas but the conditions are beautiful. might have to watch the brudge crew dont get sunburnt!!!!

VONHARRIS

06-18-11, 12:09 AM

U-505 was ready to sail from Lorient to EE71. A new radar was installed plus 4 of the new TI FaT I torps were loaded

U-39 is on her way to the US East coast , having already success against enemy ships.
News are good for U-65: She has managed to sink her attackers and she is all in one piece to celebrate her success of sinking the HMS Nelson
The new AA configuration of U-552 has proved effective as she shot down an enemy aircraft.
Nothing new on U-93. She is on patrol.

13 March 1943
19:30 hours
U-505 left Lorient

Several Meteox warnings when crossing the Bay of Biscay but no sightings or attacks
17 March 1943
Grid BE99
04:18 hours Merchant seen , dived to PD
04: 22 hours Ship indentified as coastal freighter flying Greek colors
04:44 hours 1 bow torpedo fired
04:48 hours Nothing observed so 1 more bow torpedo fired
04:51 hours Impact , ship on fire slowing down and listing heavily
04:55 hours Surface and engaged enemy from 3000m
04;56 hours Ship sunk after 5 105mm rounds

19 March 1943
Grid CG44
02:36 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
02:57 hours Sound contacts : warships and merchants closing
03:51 hours After calculations were done 4 torps were fired : 1 T1 FaT1 and 3 TIs
03:57 hours 1 explosion heard
04:03 hours 2 stern T1s fired
06:32 hours After nothing was heard nor contacts were on hydrophones ,
U-505 surfaced

20 March 1943
Grid CF93
12:37 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
12;54 hours Warship sound contact closing
12:57 hours Merchant sound contacts closing
13:45 hours Small convoy flying US colors , one Somers class escorting calm seas 1 bow torpedo fired
13:46 hours 2 more bow torpedeos fired
13;48 houts Impact on passenger/cargo , 2 impacts on large merchant
13:57 hours Having turned around the stern tubes are brought to action. 2 torpedoes fired on the large merchant , diving to 100m no pinging
13:59 hours 2 impacts heard followed by sinking sounds. Large merchant sunk
14:18 hours Depth 90m no pinging
16:57 hours surfaced

Current position : 25 March 1943 Grid DG94 sailing south west for EE71

sublynx

06-18-11, 12:25 AM

Two more enemy escorts felt my wrath tonight! man it was good sinking those...

I can imagine that :DL Those escorts sure didn't know when to call it a day and down they went as punishment. Most excellent! :arrgh!:

VONHARRIS

06-18-11, 01:49 AM

07 April 1943
Grid EE72
01:35 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
02:07 hours Warship moving away
05:12 hours Surfaced

Grid EE71
10:04 hours Reached patrol grid
19:42 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
19:56 hours Warship moving away
20:29 hours Surfaced

09 April 1943
Grid ED91
22:39 hours moving to intercept convoy
22:58 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
23:13 hours Multiple sounds convoy approaching
23:50 hours 2 T I FaT I fired + 2 T I fired
23:52 hours Impact - sinking sounds - impact Turbine tanker sunk
23:53 hours Impact
23:57 hours Pinging - 2 TI stern torpedoes fired - down to 100m silent running

10 April 1943
06:05 hours Surfaced 2 T Is + 1 TI FaT I remain - return

28 April 1943
Grid CF98
07:59 hours Meteox warning PD
08:12 hours Multiple warships sounds - enemy task force
08:51 hours All torpedoes fired agianst enemy CVE USS Long Island
08:52 hours 3 impacts - CVE sinking
08:53 hours Diving to 100m - silent running - Bold launched
08:55 hours Constant pinging DCs explode ................

U-505 is no more!

Total Career results
18 patrols (+)
669 days at sea
86 ships sunk (77 merchants + 9 warships 1CVE included)
583.303 tons sunk (554.548 merchant + 28755 warships)
5 aircrafts shot down

Snestorm

06-18-11, 02:47 AM

It is pretty good for ya now,:up:

It sure is.
Thanks, pal.

Snestorm

06-18-11, 02:50 AM

12.mar.42 (All times given as local Zone Time)
CA37 (Medium Fog. Wind 8 M/S.)
1025: Sound. Medium speed warship. Closing.
Total depth is 71 meters. Remained at 25 meters.
Contact presented no threat.

1148: Sound. Slow merchant. Closing.
1224: Guesstimated course and speed, 292 making 6 knots.
1227: Surface for interception. Total depth is 73 meters.
1307: 15 meter sound check. Total depth is 56 meters.
1312: Sound reports contact maintaining constant distance.
1313: 10 minute surface sprint.
1329: New estimations, 268 making 7 knots.
1339: Target (wrongly) IDed as a C2 Cargo. Bow gun mount noted.
1341: Target course correction to 266.
1343: Fire 1, 2, 4 (TII G7E). 3 meters depth. 5 degree spread.
1344: 3 impacts. C3 Refrigerated Cargo sunk for 7.923 GRT.
Range was 1.000 meters. Torpedo run was 68 seconds.
Sinking took place 50 miles SE of Montauk Light (Long Island).
1355: New course 266. Following target's track toward New York City.

13.mar.42
CA29
0450: Predawn dive. Total depth is 73 meters.
27 miles S of Montauk Light.

14.mar.42
CA29
0440: Predawn dive. Total depth is 43 meters.
14 miles S of Long Island.

CA28
1750: 10 miles off Long Island. 20 miles ESE of Long Beach.
Total depth is 30 meters. Making for deeper water.

1900: Nightly surface. Medium Rain. Heavy Fog. Wind 7 M/S.

15.mar.42
0210: Sound. Medium speed warship. Total depth is 49 meters.

0704: Sound. Medium speed warship.

1544: Sound. Slow Merchant closing. (Heavy Fog remains).
1559: Guesstimated course 280, making 6 knots.
1714: Fire 1, 2, 4. Depth 3 meters. Spread 3 degrees.
Target (wrongly) IDed as a C2 Cargo. (All I saw was her stack).
1715: 3 impacts. C3 Refrigerated Cargo sunk for 7.924 GRT.
Range was at (or under!) 300 meters. Torpedo run time 19 seconds!!!
U39 was put into Full Back upon firing for collision avoidance.
Trim was no longer an issue!
Following a hard rudder, the boat was again righted in a forward direction.
All bow torpedoes expended.
External stern tubes presenting a problem due to dark nights.
Vacating the area eastward.

1732: Sound. Med speed warship closing. Total depth is 30 meters.
Due to his late arrival, evasion was non-problematic.

16.mar.42
0059: Sound. Fast merchant closing. 10 minute surface sprint, head on.
Heavy fog remains.
0122: Fire 5, 6. (TI G7A) on sound. 3 meter depth. fired individualy with a pause.
Guesstimated course 090, making 15 knots.
0126: Single impact. Target speed was under 15 knots.
Torpedo run time unknown, as tube 5 missed.
Extremely lucky hit. The calculated torpedo missed, while the paused torpedo hit.
All 12 torpedoes expended.
0129: Following target on sound.
0154: Target reclassified from Fast to Slow.
0601: Target lost. U39 remaining submerged, ommitting the predawn recharge.

17.mar.42
CA61
0432: "Depth under keel over 1.000 meters", sounded realy good.

18.mar.42
CA62
0420: New orders. "U39 to proceed til Kiel. Report to training flotilla."

Save & Exit.

Watch crew to keep a sharp eye open for U552 in the area of Bergen.

U65 had a further surprise for Tommy. The hunted, became the hunter, sinking 2 RN vessels, in addition to previousely sinking HMS Nelson. Getting pushy with U65 is not a good idé!
What year is/was that?

The crew is saddened to hear of the loss of U505, after doing everyone a big favor, in sinking an enemy Escort Carrier.
What will become of our days and nights in Lorient?

BigK

06-18-11, 05:14 AM

Patrol 29
U-123, 2nd Flotilla
Left at: April 12, 1942, 01:23
From: Lorient
Mission Orders: Patrol grid CA28 Our patrolgrid was located 1 grid east of New York Harbor. We set a course across the atlantic and steamed ahead ! We encountered a lone large merchant and sank it with about 60 shots from the deck gun.

13.4.42. 1231 Grid BE 65 Large Merchant, 10615 tons

A good start always helps so with high morale we continued westwards. We installed a new radar before this patrol so we used it to monitor ships coming out of the harbor. These were all small fish however. I called the senior officers together and revealed my plan; we were going to sneak into the harbor itself. It can't all be small fish swimming in the pond right? :rock:

Patrol were surprisingly light and we got in the harbor without trouble, also because of the bad weather and low visibility. We went down to periscope depth in the morning to get as much out of our oxygen as possible.

http://i54.tinypic.com/2yzbmed.jpg

We mapped the harbor and anchored ships and determined the order in which to attack. Our first attack run resulted in the following kills:

24.4.42.

1057 Grid CA 28 Large Tanker, 9677 tons
1102 Grid CA 27 Clemson class, 1190 tons
1202 Grid CA 27 Large Tanker, 9858 tons
1208 Grid CA 27 Liberty Cargo, 7373 tons
1254 Grid CA 27 Large Troop Ship, 25007 tons

After this attack all our internal torpedoes were spent. It was too dangerous to sneak out and back in so we waited till night and surfaced in a small bay inside the harbor. We took all of our external torpedoes inside and reloaded our tubes before setting out to kill some more.

Over the night some of our marked ships had lifted anchor and left so we had to do some more recon before engaging. It paid off because we found some more big ships anchored to the north of the harbor in the river.

25.4.42.
1129 Grid CA 27 Liberty Cargo, 7351 tons
1350 Grid CA 27 Ceramic-type Ocean Liner, 14534 tons

This was our most succesfull patrol yet, sinking little over 85000 tons. We left the harbour but got detected about 25k out. We were deptcharged and our propellors were damaged. Our newly installed bold system saved our asses and we managed to rendezvous with U-461, a milkcow sub. Currently retanking and reloading to go at it again.

BdU had a sad message, U-505 has been sunk. She and her crew will be remembered as heroes.:salute:

Kip336

06-18-11, 06:23 AM

Patrol 12 Log

U-336 VIIB

DATE/Time Location/Weather Log
30 Jan - 1941
12:30 Lorient Departed. Escorted by minesweeper untill Point 1
13:00 Minesweeper dismissed, course 310

18:00 Position fixed, continued to operations area.

20:32 Crash dive practice. Hydrophone listen
21:30 Surfaced

31 Jan - 1941

10:30 BF19 Radio message. Large convoy BF15, WSW 8 knots.
Set course to intercept
14:30 Smoke on the horizon. An L Class AA Destroyer shows up
14:46 Destroyer turns towards us, he is enaging me!. Dive, silent running
15:40 Destroyer is getting inaccurate. Periscope Depth
Tube V, 550m, brg 160 AOB 35red, Speed 15 knots. Los!
15:41 Hit! She sinks! Continued along intercept track for convoy
16:40 BF13 I see flames on the horizon, must be the convoy. I continue along the track, before noticing I'm already past the convoy and am following a straggler. Turned around and backtracked for an attack run from the other side
16:48 Tube IV; Distance 1600, bearing 350, 8 knots. Angle on bow 60 red. Los! 1 minute later; Tube III, distance 800, bearing 345, 8 knots, angle on bow 50 green. Los! Torpedo's should arrive at the same time
16:51 One ore carrier hit. She starts to list, but continues to go on. Tube III hits a merchant for 5000T. She breaks up and sinks rapidly. She ID's herself with light signals as the Queen of the Seas.
17:04 Destroyers come to show their frustration
22:07 BF1369 No destroyers in periscope sight, surface the boat, commence repairs
Wind 4ms/0, mod. Vis
23:59 All internal tubes reloaded.

01 Feb - 1941
0:48 BF13 Smoke on the horizon! Soon followed by a est. 10.000 ton freighter out of the fog, brg 355, aob 20 green
Decks awash ordered, prepare for surface attack
0:59 BF13 Tube II + III, 450 meter, brg 0 deg Aob 90 green, 6 knots, 3 deg. spread. 1 hit, 1 dud.
0:05 Surface the boat, coup de grace with 22 88mm shells. Their gun fired about 4 rounds in 4 minutes
0:17 Picked up a lifeboat. Gave them a compass heading to land, and took her papers. .
She's the SS. Umengi, a 10,620GRT merchant. Headed for Bristol, bringing in grain. She sunk very fast!
0:43 BF13
Good weather, mod vis Left the area, continued on course to intercept the convoy

12:00 Days run: /\343 KM -- \/58km
15:12 BF15 Destroyer off our port bow, headed away, making about 8 knots. Turned hard away to avoid being seen. Must be the rear escort of the convoy
15:18 Can now clearly see the destroyer, AOB about 80 green. His course must be about 160-170. Made neccesary course change to intercept
16:15 Passing the destroyer on bearing 270. I can now clearly see the masts from the convoy on front of it.
16:52 Periscope depth, turned towards the convoy, filled tubes for underwater attack. Strangely, I find myself in exactly the same position as our last attack. Might not be the best idea, but no time to change position.
The front Ore carrier is gone. Either in the back of the convoy, or dropped out.
17:08 Firing position!
I - IV; 1300m, brg 350, AOB 70 green,8 knots. 2 degree spread. 5m deep, IMP pistol.
Both torpedoes hit the 5083 "SS Empire Curlew"
All torpedo's expended, dived deep and turned away. Hydrophone reports the destroyers searching in the other direction. Life's good.
18:03 Surfaced. Visual contact with convoy lost

02 Feb - 1941
0:38 Watch spots a small, 4000 ton freighter. headed towards us. Periscope depth and waited
0:49 Now clearly visible, at about 2000 meters.
0:52 She gradually gets bigger, must be further away then I first expected.
Another freighter is trailing behind her. they must be 6000m away, and about 2000 - 2500 GRT
1:01 All torpedo's expanded... The crew is itching for a last freighter before we head back. Listened on the hydro at 30m, but no escorts to hear
1:03 Time to suprise them. Blow all ballast, gun crews ready at the hatches!
1:08 Opening fire with the 88mm
1:19 Both of them go down after about 20 grenades
Listened to their radio traffic.By the high amount of it, there must be someone close
SS Inari, 2229grt
SS Inger Toft, 2230 grt

12:00 Days run
Days run: /\380 KM -- \/23km

03 Feb - 1941
1:00 Reached Lorient, docked in Pen

TOTAL SHIPS SUNK
BF13 L Class AA Destroyer, 1690 grt
BF13 SS Queen of the Seas, 5081 grt
BF13 SS Umengi, 10620 grt
BF15 SS Empire Curlew, 5083grt
BF15 SS Inari, 2229 grt
BF15 SS Inger Toft, 2230 grt

Or Check;

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Au82RpJrSbcJdFUwMDRMN1VYckJDd3hyTm56Qnhoc FE&hl=en_US&authkey=CM_Lw_4O

sublynx

06-18-11, 10:38 AM

Leutnant. z.s. Alfons Dietzmann
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotille, Bergen
Orders: Patrol BE34

3.10.1943, Bergen

Action report.
On 23.8.1943 0328 hours, grid AF77 two twinengined airplanes sighted coming straight at us at a range of 3000 - 4000 meters. No time for a safe A+20 dive, so Flak guns were readied. They made their approach at a dive of 45 - 55 degrees, making accurate hitting hard. Bombs dropped very close to the stern of the boat killing Matrosengefreiters Ernst Gusdorf and Kurt Weidenhammer. The boat was very badly damaged and I ordered the boat to dive to A-50. The bodies of Gusdorf and Weidenhammer were unfortunately swept to the sea as there was no time to haul them in. The boat slowly sinked to A-20, out of control, water flooding in as damage reports were collected. Four departments flooding, electrical engines knocked out, one of the batteries knocked out, malfunctioning equipment everywhere. Main bilge pump damaged, but working. Prepared the boat for surfacing and scuttling. Blowing ballast tanks raised the boat to periscope depth. I decided to stop there and let the boat sink again since at that point it started to look possible to control the flooding. This time I let the boat sink to A-30 and then ordered the ballast to be blown. This time we surfaced, prepared for surrendering if there were any enemies in sight. To our great relief the aircraft had left.

Took a northeasterly course, away from the air bases in Scotland and back to base. At first we were only able to make 6 knots and diving would have been impossible, because the electrical engines were out. By 0607 hours starboard diesel was repaired and we headed NE at 14 knots. By 0828 hours port electrical engine was repaired and by 0831 hours there was a Metox warning. At this point there were still small leaks, water flooding to central room, but I ordered periscope depth anyways. At this point our 20mm Flakvierling was still not repaired, so fighting would have been even crazier. The boat was now able to keep periscope depth. At 1047 hours we surfaced and to our great joy found out that the weather had changed. It was now raining and the visibility had dropped to 800 - 1000 meters. Changed course back to home, speed AK. By 1358 stern batteries were repaired and leaking on the boat was stopped. By 1709 starboard electric engine was repaired and the boat's pressure hull looked terrible, but everything was functioning again.

Situation report.
Returned to Bergen 25.8.1943 0208 hours. The mechanics at the port looked at our poor boat and said that they had never seen anything in that condition and still floating.

In the port we heard that U-505 has been lost after sinking an escort carrier. The loss feels even heavier than all of the previous losses of our waffenbrüders, since we were so close to death ourselves and lost two of our own crewmen. If our boat had had just a little more damage or if the crewmen would have been three minutes slower in repairing the electrical engine, or if the weather hadn't turned too bad for flying, we would have joined U-505 in the depths. Other boats have had great runs, but their victories give little consolation.

I talked with my officers and we decided to break BdU's Standing war order 481 from now on. When we see airplanes, no matter how close or far, we dive and hope the pressure of water takes some power off of the explosions. We can't stop an airplane diving at us from a high enough angle. Even if we shoot it down, it has enough time to drop it's payload, and the plane might even hit our boat if we kill the pilot or the plane loses it's maneuverability.

I managed to convince FdU Norwegen to accept my decision to give EK2 to everyone on the crew for their immense effort in repairing the boat. In spite of this some of the crewmen look extremely shaken and reluctant to go to sea again.

Dietzmann

Kaptain Schlag

06-18-11, 02:39 PM

After a several week layoff, U-46 and Kaptain Schlag are back patrolling the Atlantic.

Patrol 10

Ordered to patrol grid DH77

Mid Feb. 1940- On station in and around DH77

Bdu sends contact report for large convoy several grids to the west.

Ahead flank ordered and intercept made. As this was the first convoy contact U-46 was able to engage in this war. excitment was high.

Seas were mildly rough, but skies were overcast and foggy and manual visual contact was made with convoy while submerged. Bow torpedo tubes were expended. It was then realized that no warship contacts were heard. Surface the boat, man the deck gun, we have an unescorted LARGE CONVOY!!!

All torpedoes and deck gun shells were then expended.

50 000 tonnes of enemy shipping, primarily British were sunk.

Return to Wilhelmshaven

:arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::a rrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arr gh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh !::arrgh!:

sublynx

06-18-11, 04:31 PM

Leutnant. z.s. Alfons Dietzmann
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotille, Bergen
Orders: Patrol AN43

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/6725/sh3bergenairraid1.png (http://img811.imageshack.us/i/sh3bergenairraid1.png/)
Left Bergen 3.10.1943 1905 hours during an air raid. The port is well defended with heavy Flak and spotlights.

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/1522/sh3bergenairraid3.png (http://img190.imageshack.us/i/sh3bergenairraid3.png/)
Spotted at least five 4-engined bombers, probably Wellingtons. One was hit in the engine.

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/3077/sh3bergenairraid2.png (http://img607.imageshack.us/i/sh3bergenairraid2.png/)
Our escort opened fire and was slightly damaged. Otherwise the attack seemed to cause very little damage.

Patrol results.
At 2351 hours, 4.10.1943 a Metox warning. By 0021 5.10.1943 an A/S group of five destroyers seen on the periscope. Course estimated at 202 degrees (quite sure), speed 16 knots (unsure). At 0045 hours two FAT I and one Zaunkönig torpedo shot at a destroyer, which sank by 0053 hours. Because the Zaunkönig was shot from a bow tube we had to dive deep and don't know what torpedo hit the destroyer. Afterwards we were hunted by four A/S destroyers, which were very hard to lose. Intense pinging three times and some less intense pinging frequently. I had to launch seven BOLD's and it took an hour before they lost track of us. One destroyer seemed to stop and listen, while the others dropped DC's. I'm not sure how I managed to shake them from me, but I tried to figure out who was listening and avoid it, while at the same time trying to make sure I was aware if the attacking destroyer was sailing over me. Changing depth and course seemed to help and keeping RPM's at 70, but these destroyers were absolutely much better than anything we've yet countered. Slight damage to the pressure hull while scraping the sea bottom, at about 130 meters. Nine torpedoes left and continuing our patrol.

Snestorm

06-18-11, 07:34 PM

19.mar.42 (Times given ZT - Zone Time).
CA62 (Heavy Fog. Wind 8 M/S.)
Immediately following our last report (here).
0421: Ahead Standard. New depth 48 meters.
0422: (Passing 10 m). "Sound contact! Warship! 153! Medium speed & range! Closing!"
0423: New depth 98 meters. Silent speed.
0426: "Warship lost on 161!"
0427: (Passing 50 m). Depth charges. No damage, as charges fell astern.
0429: (Passing 60 m). Active ASDIC pinging heard.
0432: (Passing 70 m). Depth charges. No damage. "Warship lost on 159."
0437: Distant depth charges heard. "Warship lost on 199."
0525: All contact with enemy warship lost.

6.apr.42
AL44
2123: "Ship spotted! 335! Long range!"
2124: New depth 100 meters. Ahead full. (No torpedoes).
2126: "Contact! Warship! Constant distance! Medium Speed!
2209: All contact with warship lost.
U39 remained undetected.

13.apr.42 (Medium fog. Wind 15 M/S.)
AE97 (180 miles W of Færøerne.)
1606: "Ship spotted. 346. Long range." Dive.
1608: Ship IDed as merchant, who will also pass N of Færøerne.
No action taken.

18.apr.42
AN23
0800: Passing Bergen. No sign of U552.

23.apr.42
AO77
1910: Docked at Kiel. U39 boarded by Commander Training Flotilla.

Patrol results:
Crew & Hull Integrity 100%.
12 of 12 torpedoes expended. (9 TII G7E, 3 TI G7A).
3 ships sunk for 22.293 GRT.

U39's history to date:
11 war patrols completed between 1.sep.39 and 23.apr.42.
27 merchants sunk for 155.883 GRT.
Retired from frontline status, to schoolboat 23.apr.42.
End U39 IX(A) boat career.

Begin U171 IXC boat career.

U171 is scheduled to depart Kiel for fronline service, with the 2.Flotilla, on or about 17.jun.42.

(Having internal stern tubes is going to be a nice step up.)

Kaptain Schlag

06-18-11, 10:32 PM

11th patrol
U-46
Kaptain Schlag
-----------------

Patrol Grid AN 68-- Ignored due to idiocy of Krigsmarine Commanders :har:

Instead patrolled west of Scapa Flow down to the northern edge of the Irish Sea.

Southwest of Loch Ewe, contact was made with a task force consisting of the HMS Hood and three destroyers.
Could not get a firing angle on the HMS Hood so it was left to a later fate.

U-46 then engaged a Convoy in the shallow depths north of the Irish Sea where one Granville-Type Freighter was sunk. Two Black Swan's then pursued U-46.

Numerous depth Charge attacks resulted in moderate flooding and destruction of the coning tower, periscope, and flak gun.
Black Swan escorts were dispatched via stern torpedoes as they circled behind at 90 degree angles to stern tubes.
This seems an effective tactic in taking out escorts.

Upon further thought, Kaptain Schlag thought a better approch would have been to engage the leading Swan escort before merchants, hopefully to eliminate one of the escorts. Then the other swan may have been dispatched at a later time. If this was accomplished, U-46 may have had a narrow window with which to surface and engage convoy freely.

Kaptain Schlag then set sail for home sinking one small merchant on the way home and dodged several destroyers on patrol.

Results:
2 Black Swan
1 Small Merchant
1 Granville-Typer Freighter
total tonnage ~ 10.000 tonnes
:arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::a rrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arr gh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh!::arrgh !::arrgh!:

VONHARRIS

06-19-11, 02:08 AM

New career begins
01 December 1939
U-105 IXB sailed from Wilhelmshaven for her shakedown cruise.
Test dives , crash dives and other procedures tested
Crew qualificartions were given.
In the afternoon , U-105 docked in port.
Some rest for the crew as the first war patrol will start tommorow , 2 December 1939.

VONHARRIS

06-19-11, 01:31 PM

Patrol No2
Willi Framm and his crew were ready to sail off.
02 December 1939
16:12 hours U-105 left the friendly waters of Wilhelmshaven to engage the enemy for the first time. Orders are to patrol gord AM77

10 December 1939
Grid AM57
17:24 hours
The first kill of the war : Medium merchant 01 sunk by 30 105mm rounds

16 December 1939
Grid AM52
13:19 hours.
A RN fleet auxiliary vessel spotted. She was a repair ship , heavily armed.
U-105 was armed with 22 TIs torpedoes all set at impact fuses. Kaleun Framm never trusted nor he ever will trust the magnetic exploders despite all BdU orders.
Staying submerged 2 bow TIs fired hit the ship. She sunk after 5 minutes. All the training had results.

20 December 1939
Grid AM52
18:00 hours
A small merchant was spotted in bad weather. U-105 dived to PD and set up a stern shot attack. The fisrt TI was a dud but the second split the target in half.

21 December 1939
Grid AM52
13:55 hours.
A big enemy freighter spotted. Submerged to attack by the book. 2 bow TIs did the job perfectly. The large merchant was left burning DIW. 2 stern torpedoes finished her off. 14m/s winds made the use of the deck gun impossible.

22 December 1939
Grid AM52
19:00 hours. An other succeful attack by 2 TIs sunk an enemy ore carrier

25 December 1939
Grid AM52
22:48 hours
An enemy coastal freighter was attacked by 2 stern TIs. The explosion that followed didn't match the size or the type of the ship. She turned out to be an infamous Q-ship.

26 December 1939
Grid AM52
07:31 hours
The very fisrt convoy attack. Of 4 bow and 2 stern torpedeos fired we had 4 impacts and a large merchant was sunk. We were pinged by the enemy and DCs were dropped. U-105 dived to 150m and escaped unharmed. The men were a little afraid during the attacks but this is normal.

28 December 1939
Grid AM52
16:33 hours
Enemy medium merchant 06 unescorted sunk by 2 bow TIs

29 December 1939
Grid AM35
13:19 hours
U-105 came across a rare sight. 2 RN destroyers steaming in a steady course at 10kts.
1 bow TI was fired at each DD. Both took evasive actions when the eels were seen but they didn;t evade them.
A V&W and a A&B class DDs sunk

02 January 1940
U-105 docked at home port.
32 days at sea
10 ships sunk
52665 tons
no damages or casualties

Fish In The Water

06-19-11, 02:00 PM

Patrol Grid AN 68-- Ignored due to idiocy of Krigsmarine Commanders :har:

Poor BdU don't get no respect... :nope: :haha:

sublynx

06-19-11, 02:16 PM

Leutnant. z.s. Alfons Dietzmann
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotille, Bergen
Orders: Patrol AN43

Statusbericht 11.10.1943
0800 AF77 clear, 15 - 16 km visibility, wind 7 m/s. Four torpedoes left. Finished patrolling AN43 and continuing free hunt towards the Faroes.

Patrol results.
9.10.1943
At 2123 hours, grid AF78 two freighters seen at a range of 16 kilometers. Course estimated from sighting bearings as 75 degrees, speed 7 knots. On 10.10.1943 0024 hours one FAT I, one TIII and one Zaunkönig launched. The first ones hit a 10000 BRT freighter, stopping it eventually dead in water. A depth setting of 10 meters was used. The Zaunkönig hit a 1800 freighter at an approximate AOB of 130 degrees at impact time. A depth setting of 4 meters was used. The torpedo was heard hitting it's target, but not detonating. The 10000 BRT freighter was finished with a Zaunkönig, setting MZ, depth 4 meters, bearing 180, schusswinkel 0, range 2000 meters, speed of target 0, AOB 90 degrees port. After a run of 2 minutes 20 seconds impact and detonation. The ship sunk by 0157 hours.

10.10.1943
At 0333 hours, grid AF78 a frigate was seen at a range of 14 kilometers. In order to experiment with the new acoustic torpedoes I decided to attack. An approach was made surfaced until the frigate, misidentified as a Black Swan, noticed us and turned towards us at a fast speed. We submerged and turned for an aft torpedo shot. At 0353 hours a Falke was launched. Schusswinkel 0, bearing 180, range estimation 2800 meters, speed estimation 16 knots, depth setting 4 meters. The range and speed were very rudimentary guesses. However at 0355 hours an explosion was heard followed by secondary explosions and immediately the sounds of a sinking ship. Kriegsmarine Radio intelligence service later informed us that the ship was not really a Black Swan, but a Captain II class.

Radar warnings.
8.10.1943
1214 AF76

9.10.1943
0622 AF75
1016 AF75

10.10.1943
1212 AF78

11.10.1943
0556 AF77

Observations.
The acoustic torpedoes seem to work perfectly against fast targets and can be used as regular torpedoes against targets slower than the acoustic setting demands. However, if shot as a regular torpedo, the AOB needs to be good, or a dud might follow. U-105 and U-46 report successes against destroyers as well.

Dietzmann

Kaptain Schlag

06-19-11, 02:59 PM

@Fish In The Water

I loaded SH3 Commander and it popped up with a message saying Kaptain Schlag had been executed for treason.
Death groans were later heard over my speakers.:wah:

Snestorm

06-19-11, 03:58 PM

18.jun.42
AO77
2120: Underway from Kiel.

24.jun.42
AN24
0510: Docked at Bergen for a brief topping off of fuel reserves, prior to commencing our first war patrol. U171 will remain until 25.jun, due to a backup at the fuel reserves.

On enquiring about U552, we were informed that Kaleun Unger (I'm still in '42) was last heard from on 21.jun, when he sunk a ship in AE86.

Snestorm

06-19-11, 10:08 PM

25.jun.42
AN24 (85 miles N of Færøerne).
0020: Underway from Bergen, enroute to DA86 (Gulf Of Mexico, S of Galveston).
0840: Exiting Fjords, via northern route (2 X longer than the southern ferry route).

29.jun.42
AE93
2243: "Aircraft spotted! 284! Medium range!" A L A R M ! Crash dive.
Weather is Overcast, Light Fog, Wind 15 M/S.
Torpedo Tube damaged.
Aft Torpedo damaged, and flooding!
Empty Decoy Launcher damaged.
Flak Gun Damaged.
Hull damaged!
2250: CE advises not to pass 70 meters.
2300: Set course for Lorient.

30.jun.42
0120: Surface and conduct repairs. Ahead Standard (10 - 11 knots)

1.jul.42
AE97
1048: "Aircraft spotted! 068! Medium range!"
"We're under attack, sir!"
Ahead Flank! Full Right Rudder!
Following his strafing run U171 crash dived, without further damage or injury.
1049: "Sound contact! Medium speed merchant. Moving away. Long range."
1120: "Sound contact lost."

1300: Surface. Ahead Standard.

9.jul.42
BF61
0325: Docked at Lorient.

Patrol results:
0 of 14 torpedoes expended.
No ships sunk.
Crew Integrity 100%.
Hull Integrity 59%.

Tinman764

06-20-11, 10:56 AM

Lt z.s. Hans Kramer
U32 Type VIIb
Personal diary.

A rather ignominious start to our war, unfortunately.
We sailed from Wilhelmshaven during the early morning of 21 August 1939 with orders to patrol the Atlantic entry to the English Channel.
All was well and various drills were carried out to a high standard.
Radio communications kept us informed of the situation and I'm pleased to report that on the outbreak of hostilities with Britain, we were ideally placed to announce U32's entry into the war.

Our success, however was blemished when a malfunction sent us on an uncontrolled decent to over 100 metres, where we collided with the sea floor.
Moderate internal damage was sustained and subsequently repaired in good time and we were able to make for the surface.

Not knowing the state of the pressure hull it was decided to immediately return to port.

I regret that we docked with 8 serviceable torpedoes remaining.

The boat is now due for service and should be seaworthy again within a month or two.

Patrol ends with 9012GRT in the form of 2 Trawlers, 1 medium cargo vessel and a freighter.

* I managed to dive into the sea floor at x128 TC... doh!

sublynx

06-20-11, 12:17 PM

Leutnant. z.s. Alfons Dietzmann
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotille, Bergen
Orders: Patrol AN43

Statusbericht 23.10.1943
Back in Bergen, having seen no ships at all since our last report. In the officer's mess I hear that U-171 and U-37 have had no chance of launching their torpedoes during their last patrol. U-171 was badly damaged in an air attack, while U-37 had a diving accident with slight damages. We came back with four unused torpedoes. I was awarded the Ritterkreuz for having sunk 100 000 BRT of enemy shipping during my eight patrols. Times have really changed. In the happy times a type IX could have come back from just one patrol with that kind of tonnage. Now most of the experienced commanders are either at desk jobs or dead and new commanders have a tough time to collect the experience they need.

Enemy report.
We sailed around the Faroe islands and saw no ships. Air activity was very heavy. We got Metox warnings in grids AF77 (one warning), AE99 (six), AE98 (one), AE94 (one, and got bombed once just after surfacing, but got away with no damage), AE91 (one), AE64 (three), AE62 (one) and AE38 (one). Only one of the warnings came during night time, but evenings and mornings can be dangerous.

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/8396/sh3oneenginedive.png (http://img651.imageshack.us/i/sh3oneenginedive.png/)

Apparently the enemy is now flying single-engine airplanes from a base at the Faroes. It looks like there is a more quiet route to the North Atlantic in the northernmost AE grids. The route is not totally free of air patrols, so caution is needed in there as well.

Dietzmann

VONHARRIS

06-20-11, 12:40 PM

My current career with U-105 just crashed.
I decided to raise vonHarris from the dead.
I will start a new career in May 1943 with a IXC.

sublynx

06-20-11, 01:00 PM

I will start a new career in May 1943 with a IXC.

It sure is different playing in 1943 than in 1939. I was just thinking about how nice it would be playing in 1939 or 1940, with the possibility of safely using a deck gun to rack up the tonnage, and far less aircraft activity, and the possibility of spotting a convoy with only one escort.

However those acoustic torpedoes of late 1943 are a welcome change to the diffculties of hitting zigzagging fast speed escorts.:Kaleun_Periskop:

VONHARRIS

06-20-11, 01:24 PM

28 April 1943
Grid CF98
13:00 hours
U-150 was returning to her base when the IWO spotted the bodies on the water.
U-150 stopped to investigate.
They found Kpltnt vonHarris and two men his crew from U-505 which had been lost earlier this day. How did they ever make to the surface was unknown. The crew of U-150 fished them out of the water. They were unconsious but alive.

30 April 1943
U-150 docked at Lorient and noone could believe their eyes: vonHarris was coming out of the Uboot.

A month later , June 1943 vonHarris was in command of U-507 IXC Uboot and ready to go out to sea despite all pieces of advice givem to him. The other two men followed him as well.
More to come .......

Kaptain Schlag

06-20-11, 03:00 PM

Note: Tonnage Numbers for this career will be unrealistic as map contacts are enabled and use of weapons officer assistance in setting torpedo solutions is used.
-----------------
Kaptain Schlag
U-46 Type VIIB
from Wilhelmshaven
Left Port June 6th, 1940
Ordered To Patrol Grid DH71

U-46 left port and proceeded south through the english channel with relative ease with the invasion of France taking place. It would be a great idea for bdu to establish bases along the French west coast.

U-46 reached its patrol grid with no incident. In fact no contacts were made with any vessels for several days in and around grid DH71.

To ensure U-46 had enough fuel to patrol effectively, it sailed to the supply ship Corrientes in the Canary Islands.

Ten days later, U-46 left for the Strait of Gibraltar where some 30.000 tonnes of enemy merchant shipping were sunk.

Most were individual merchants however a three ship convoy consisting of two large merchants and one medium cargo was sunk by three torpedoes and around 80 88mm rounds.

The U-46 then sailed to supply ship thalia where it resupplied.

Kaptain Schlag then informed his crew of his plans to raid Gibraltar.

U-46 entered along the western edge of the harbor

1 elco tp was spotted and a slow moving merchant contact later id'd as a tugboat was heard at the time.

U-46 safely entered and although no visual contact was made, a Nelson Class Battleship was manually spotted i the harbor. Without aid of a map contact, Kaptain Schlag maneuvered his boat into a straight bow shot on hte Nelson. Four torps were fired of which two hit. This set off the port alarms and an armed trawler came in pursuit.

Kaptain Schlag lured the Trawler into a trap by running silent towards shore and once close purposely increasing speed to flank. The trawler pursued and U-46 then turned north along the shore at 2 knts while the trawler ran aground a few meters behind.

Kap'n Schlag then lined up two more torps for the coup de grace on the Nelson.

Patrolling to the east of the harbor, two Southampton class cruisers and several destroyers were docked. One cruiser was sunk by 2 torps. On the way out one stern torp was put into a medium cargo but no sinking was observed.

U-46 then sailed out of Gibraltar semi-casually as no warship contacts were unaccounted for and therefor no depth charge bearing vessels were present.

The U-46 then sailed for the Thalia.

Ten days later, U-46 set course for Wilhelmshaven. Bdu reported a task force leaving the strait of gibraltar for the Atlantic, but U-46 was unable to intercept as it was too far to the north. Contact was made with a large convoy which U-46 engaged in passing. Two torps sank one Granville-type freighter for ~5000 tonnes and one torp hit/missed an ore carrier leading to no sinking. U-46 was not discovered nor pinged !?!?! and despite safe precautionary descent to 93 meters, U-46 later ascended to p-depth and sent an astray torp at what was believed to be the previously hit ore carrier. It was noticed some escorts/merchants were severely on fire when we arrived. Glad to see someone else is fighting in this war too.

No further contacts were made during the return trip and U-46 docked in mid-august 1940.

Rough estimate for total tonnage sunk ~80-100.000 tonnes.

Total tonnage this war ~218.000 tonnes.

Kaptain Schlag
----------------------
PS: To other U-boat commanders, I am having trouble sending contact reports. I have tried sending them on surface while spotting an enemy vessel, however in the radio log no record appears of a message being sent. Any help would be appreciated greatly!:help:

Fish In The Water

06-20-11, 03:48 PM

@Fish In The Water

I loaded SH3 Commander and it popped up with a message saying Kaptain Schlag had been executed for treason.
Death groans were later heard over my speakers.:wah:

Unlucky break that... I guess BdU doesn't share our sense of humor! :haha:

Jimbuna

06-20-11, 04:10 PM

BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!! http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

Kermit the Frog

06-20-11, 04:32 PM

U-93 "Steigendes Pferd", 11 flotille Bergen
The weather isn't changing much. Visibility 9 km, wind 15 m/s, clouds: overcast.

18.10.1942, British West coast, 19:52
-Detecting radar signals! Bearing 260!- I enter the bridge, and grab binocular. But I couldn't see anything in given direction. The signal maintains bearing 260 +/- 5 deg through 1,5 hour. After this we're loosing contact.

19.10.1942 5:59
I'm on the bridge, when Johann suddenly points something on the sky:
-Plane! Closing!
-Alaaaarm! Dive! Dive! Dive! Flank ahead! Hard larboard!- In couple seconds we are under water. I stopped diving at 25 m. After a minute I ordered to turn back to main course, and reduce speed to one third ahead. I look straight into Johann's eyes: THERE WAS NO METOX WARNING. This event only confirms my distrust to this device. It surely helps, but we can't allow ourselves to let our life depend on this new tool. So it means that we're diving every time when rain drops down the visibility to 1 km.
Next day weather breaks down. Medium rain, 1 km visibility. I'm not going to take a risk:
-Dive, 25m. Everyone without work lies down. Raise to periscope depth every 4 hours to check weather.
After 24 hours there's still rain, and we used about 50% of oxygen. Finally we're surfacing to refresh air in boat, and dive immediately after this. After another 8 hours I decide to change course to W. After 16 hours of full ahead run on surface, we're leaving rain storm behind us.
25.10.1942 10:34 Two sectors from designated patrol grid
-Merchant! Bearing 303! Shouts Johann- I enter the bridge and grab binoculars: Large C3 type merchant, over 9000GRT.
-Approximate course 327, Helm! Course 60! Flank ahead!- Boat jumps ahead like a real horse. Before she stops turning I order a dive to periscope depth.
-Hatch closed and locked!
-Full ahead! What's his position hydro?
-No contacts sir!
-Bull****! Clean your ears and tune up the headphones!
...
-Contact! 65 deg!
-Better... Distance?
-6500m
-Helm, what's our speed?
-6 kts
God! Teaching new hydro and sonar operators is too much for me. They have a lot to learn, and there's no time for this now. Quick calculations 6kts + 5500m ~ 29.7min submerged run.
I look on TDC: AOB set, Distance... Lets set about 800m, torpedo: Tube IV: TIII G7e, impact pistol, 6.9 depth of run, Tube I : TIII G7e, magnetic pistol, 12,4m depth of run. Good, there's only lack of speed in this. Now... Patience. Time slows down, minutes after minutes are passing by. Hydro is tracking him down. Target seems to be exactly where he should. But anyway I feel the need to raise periscope. I know I can't, I'm too fast for this now. Patience...
Finally 29 minutes passes by.
-One third back!- I need to slow down before I raise periscope. -All stop! Open torpedo tube IV and I (just in case)!- I raise periscope up to confirm range, and check speed. There she is! Very close. I check the speed with stopwatch... 37 seconds gives 8 knots for this ship, double check the speed... Confirmed. Range ~1000m. I turn periscope to the point where I have 0 deg gyroangle, Last corrections in TDC: 800m range, 8 kts speed
Now ship enters the sight, bow... first mast... second... bridge...there it is, stern mast, FIRE FOUR! Now turn periscope to 0 deg, and prepare number one, but first torpedo reach its target. Periscope down, I continue tracking target by hydrophone. After 20 min. ship sinks by the stern.
After 11 hours we enter patrol grid.

3.11.1942
Nothing happens all the time. 9 days of boredom. I'm about to decide to change patrol grid to some AM sector. I dream about some juicy convoy.

4.11.1942
We're on way to AM sectors. I hope to find some convoy from New York or Halifax. The trip is hard. High see all the time, up and down. Visibility drops down to 5 km. I'm afraid, that this weather may make hunting too hard. Besides, new part of the crew got see sick. To be honest, it's not so strange. Living in dark, stuffy and claustrophobic u-boot's hull may brake the strongest man. What's worse... In Bergen we got great thing (as We thought in first moment). Salt herrings in large (compared to amount of place inside u-boot) barrels. Very quickly we discovered a weak spots in this innovation. Firstly: appears, that our salt herrings doesn't contain salt
Secondly: in this hot climate, once opened barrel starts to stink terribly after 12 hours.
Thirdly: unsalted herrings used to spoil very fast.
Anyway, there's also a good thing: despite the bad weather, people are going on watch very willingly. Guess why.

10.11.1942
Boat stinks... That's terrible truth. Entering the command room right after watch on bridge is like entering toilet on railway station: traumatic experience. The stink is even bigger, because people forced to eat not fresh food have gastric problems. They simply produce large amount of... Gases. I was even forced to remove food from second toilet, because having only one place to making s**t cause aggression among the crew.

Weather isn't changing a bit. 5 km visibility, overcast, 15m/s wind, no rain.

10.11.1942 15:46 Grid: AM53
Couple hours ago radio reported large convoy from Liverpool. We're diving every half an hour, to check situation by hydrophone. We're under water from about a minute.
-Bearing 70, multiple contacts sir! Looks like a convoy to me.
-Surface the boat! Flank ahead!
Because we're on quite shallow waters (is 100m really that deep?) I'm not willing to attack. Patience. I found Metox as genius device. In this condition tracking convoy without it seems impossible.
Next day we enter deep water, so it's time for attack. The only thing that troubles me, are high waves. How to make submerged attack in such condition?

11.11.1942 17:58
We're under water, in front of convoy. It's hard to maintain periscope depth. I can't see anything through periscope. We sink below 15m.
-Standard ahead! depth 11m!
Now situation seems to look better, but only as long as I keep my engines running. Right after I ordered full stop boat is pushed on surface.
Finally I found one ammunition ship, and one modern tanker worth of torpedo. Except this ships there are only three more worth of torpedo, depressing. Anyway, I'm going to attack two ones mentioned before. Two torpedos. First shoot from 1900m distance, second after 40s from 1000m. Both torpedos TI G7a impact pistol. Explosions are simultaneous. I'm diving deep expecting heavy counter attack, but there's not even single ping. Couple times frigate runs over our heads, but they drop DC's very far from our position.
After 30 min of silent run I surface the boat. We're recharging batteries and waiting for results of attack, but in this visibility it's possible that we won't see them.

2:37 local
We spot damaged ammunition ship. Finished with one torpedo. Unfortunately, no sign of second ship. He's fate is unknown.

2:50
Surprised by three enemy frigates. The most dangerous one, River class detects me beyond 5km visibility range. What's the effectiveness of their radar? At least 6 km. I don't see a chance to perform surface attack in this conditions. Very soon all the frigates seem to heading my direction. No doubt they fix on me. I can't escape on surface, so decision: dive. Right after entering the deep I eject bold and rapidly change direction. With the speed of 5kts, on 80m we successfully escape the chase. I'm amassed by low skills of the escorts. After 10km submerged run I order to surface the boat, and recharge batteries. All the time we seem to get closer to Island and further from Bergen. Fuel reserves drops below 25%. What's worse, the speed of convoy, 9kts in such waves forces us to to use 70~80% of maximum power, to keep their speed. Taking position in front of convoy takes bloody ages. Another attacks are full of torpedo malfunctions. Only two ships: medium cargo C2 type, and large merchant are sinking as planned, with one torpedo. The others costs a lot of our precious torpedoes. The last attack begins from sinking leading corvette. First torpedo set on surface run, and impact pistol doesn't explode. Second, set 1,5m under keel with magnetic pistol brings effect. Last torpedo aimed to medium tanker explodes, but there's no sign of significant effect. We're shadowing convoy next 12 hours, but she didn't leave formation.

14.11.1942
Because of low amount of fuel I decide to return to Bergen. When the tension of fight leaves us all there's left is stink. Constant shaking and terrible smell, that's the summary of our way back home.

gazpode_l

06-20-11, 06:44 PM

U65 had a further surprise for Tommy. The hunted, became the hunter, sinking 2 RN vessels, in addition to previousely sinking HMS Nelson. Getting pushy with U65 is not a good idé!
What year is/was that?

It was october 1940

gazpode_l

06-20-11, 07:07 PM

Pat2, Rpt7 - R Hessler U-65 (IXB)

OCTOBER 24, 1940
Forgot to include on my last report that we had also engaged a small steamer at aprox 2am on 24/10/1940. We decided to attack on the surface using deck gun due to ideal conditions.

Vessel was sunk after aprox 20 rounds.

Later at aproximately lunchtime we encountered a pair of torpedo boats, for the second time this patrol. Also on the horizon, Our sonar operator detected a merchant, possibly a large one. We turn our boat toward and head a best speed, but submerged.

2PM
We are now in somewhat of a firing position. Tube's 2 & 3 are fired and are heard to detonate, but the ore carrier we are now chasing seems to shrug them off...

2:15PM
The ore carrier now has a noticable list to S/Board

2:30PM
The ore carrier sunks, and we estimate we can add another 6-7,000 BRT to our total!

5PM 24/10/1940
We are continuing on in AM53. Occasional contacts being regained by the menace of the torpedo boats. ALARM! Aircraft spotted, at long distance and a dive to periscope depth is undertaken.

5:30PM 24/10/40
We re-surface and begin re-charging the batteries. No contacts at present, although those elco's can't be too far away....

7PM 24/10/1940
The torper's are now closing the distance. We dive before they notice us any further and will sit out a few hours here.

SAVE & EXIT 12:45hrs R/L Time

IN THE NEWS:-
U-39 has been retired as a frontline boat and given to a training instructor. It's kaluen Snestorm, has been given a new boat, another IX from what i remember hearing...Possibly U-171.

Sad news regarding U-505 & Kaleun V.Harris. It appears they may be lost at sea after last being heard as under attack from british escorts. However the shocking news later on is that one of the U-100's apparently has picked up Von Harris and another officer from U-505.

U-552 is still going strong and is reporting good successes on their missions out of bergen.

U-336 has also contacted recently, just when we were all wondering where they were. apparently out of radio range across the atlantic somehere.....

U-93 continues to battle low pressure systems out in the atlantic, which we've yet to see...she's finding it tough to process any contacts at the moment.

FINALLY
U-46 has done well in a harbour raid and has managed to bag a convoy too....perhaps they should have taught a lesson to another old friend of Kaleun Hessler's - Walter Suhr who was lost recently aboard his VII.

RPT ENDS............

sublynx

06-20-11, 09:29 PM

PS: To other U-boat commanders, I am having trouble sending contact reports. I have tried sending them on surface while spotting an enemy vessel, however in the radio log no record appears of a message being sent. Any help would be appreciated greatly!:help:

This is a major flaw in SH3. Single ships can not be reported at all and convoys can only be reported when they are very close. I don't know how close one needs to be, but someone once said that you need to have three ships in visible range. Most of the time the difficulties of sending contact reports means, that if I want to send a contact report I have to surface inside the enemy's radar range and possibly visible to them. A couple of times I have surfaced, hit send report as soon as it becomes an option, and then dived back immediately and haven't been noticed. The range to the nearest escorts has been something like five to six kilometers (in a visibility of 9 kilometers). I would like to see an air attack on the convoy, but most of the time I just haven't reported the convoy, because of the risk of getting spotted.

Kaptain Schlag

06-20-11, 11:47 PM

Thanks for the info.

sublynx

06-21-11, 02:30 AM

Lt.z.s. Alfons Dietzmann
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotille, Bergen
Orders: Patrol grid BF27

10.1.1943
0102 AN24 While leaving Bergen, about 1 km from the port, several fourengined enemy bombers spotted on a westerly course. Joined the air defense effort of the port's Flak guns. 188 20 mm rounds used.

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/1879/sh3bergenairraid.png (http://img801.imageshack.us/i/sh3bergenairraid.png/)

After the raid fire and smoke was seen on a ship on the port. The enemy air raids on port seem to be quite harmless, if one is able to get far away from the port. The bombers seem to have the port as their target and ignore sea traffic.

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/1052/sh3bergenshiphit.png (http://img585.imageshack.us/i/sh3bergenshiphit.png/)

14.1.1943
1031 AF17 Metox warning. Dived. 700 kilometers from the Faroes, 900 kilometers from Jan Mayen, 750 kilometers from the Shetlands.
1233 AF17 Metox warning. Dived.

15.1.1943
0044 AE39 Airplane sighted, bearing 279, long range. Fast dive to 20 meters, then back to PD. An airplane, probably single-engine loaded with bombs on a southerly course.
0718 AE39 Airplane sighted, bearing 254, long range. Fast dive to 20 meters, then back to PD. A twinengined airplane, probably an Anson on a southerly course.
0916 AE39 Metox warning. Dived.
1248 AE39 Metox warning. Dived.
1613 AE39 A report sent to BdU informing of heavy air traffic in AE39. Possibly clearing a route for a convoy to Murmansk.
1621 AE39 Metox warning. Dived.

16.1.1943
0835 AE62 Airplane sighted, bearing 273, long range. Crash dive to A+20.
1609 AE62 Airplane sighted, bearing 250, long range. Crash dive to A+20.
2113 AE62 Metox warning. Dived.

17.1.1943
2113 AE64 Metox warning. Dived.
1319 AE64 Metox warning. Dived.

18.1.1943
0203 AE67 Metox warning just after surfacing. While diving an airplane sighted. Crash dive to A+20.

19.1.1943
0417 AE86 Metox warning. Dived. Continuing towards our grid, submerged daytime, running on the surface nighttime.

Snestorm

06-21-11, 02:46 AM

My current career with U-105 just crashed.
I decided to raise vonHarris from the dead.
I will start a new career in May 1943 with a IXC.

A IXC, in '43 means,
Be less aggressive!

Good luck with the new career, my ghostly friend.

Snestorm

06-21-11, 02:49 AM

21.sep.42 Times given will be ZT (Zone Time).
BF61
Underway from Lorient, for a start point of DC87

22.okt.42
DC87
2230: On station. Calm & Clear. Moon approaching full.
New orders: DM17, followed by freedom of action in DA8 & DA9.

29.okt.42 (Clear & Calm. Full moon.)
DM26 (Florida Strait. 20 miles E of Southern Florida.)
0623: Heavy warship trafik.
Batteries & Oxygen must be replenished during brief gaps.
Most warships travaling too fast to be effective, while boat is submerged.
No merchant contacts to date.

VONHARRIS

06-21-11, 04:10 AM

01 June 1943
Lorient , vonHarris had a lot of catching up to do.
It looks like that his friends are doing well
Kaluen Snestorm and U-171 after a traumatic first patrol because of those damned airplanes are out to sea one more. Sink them all!
U-93 had a succesfull but "stinky" patrol as they had "gas" problems , tough situation
U-65 had sunk two more ships and had contact with enemy torpedo boats which she evaded.
U-46 pulled off a daring harbor attack on Giblartar and U-552 is still in one piece fighting the enemy.

14:06 hours vonHarris was on the conning tower of U-507 leaving Lorient
Orders were to patrol ET51 but to stay far form convoys since there was no anti-sonar coating on U-507 yet.

17 June 1943
Grid Ek75
13:30 hours Merchants seen , that FuMo 29 is useless. Dived to PD
13:40 hours Ships identified as Granville type freighter and medium merchant 06
2 bow torpedeos fired
13:42 hours Impact , the merchant took evasive actions as soon as they spotted the TIs
13:43 hours 1 Bow torpedo fired at the Granville
13:44 hours Impact
13:45 hours Sinking sounds the Granville freighter was going down
13:48 hours 1 stern torpedo fired at the medium merchant
13:49 hours Impact but ship was still afloat and on fire
13:50 hours 1 stern torpedo fired
13:51 hours Impact ship was DIW
13:53 hours Ship sunk

9 July 1943
Grid CG97
10:51 hours Meteox warning dived to PD Multiple sound contacts indicate convoy
11:53 hours 4 bow torpedoes fired (1 TI FaT I) at long range. All failed. U-507 was not detected.

16 July 1943
Grid CG76
10:26 hours Moving to intercept convoy
13:24 hours Sound contact
14:06 hours 4 bow torpedoes fired (1 TI FaT I) at long range.
14:17 hours 2 impacts no sinking noises
19:13 hours Surfaced

20 July 1943
Grid BE98
13:31 hours Moving to intercept convoy
16:17 hours Sound contact convoy moving away , abandoned approach

23 July 1943
Grid BE98
04:48 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
05:14 hours Sound conatcts , convoy closing in
06:10 hours 2 bow torpedoes fired (1 TI FaT I)
06:11 hours 1 bow torpedo fired
06:12 hours 1 bow torpedo fired
06:19 hours Impact - sinking sounds Medium merchant 01 sunk
06:20 hours Impact
06:49 hours 2 stern torpedoes fired , the convoy doesn't move away
09:46 hours Sound contact indicate a ship falling behind
10:16 hours 1 bow torpedo fired (TI FaT I) on hydrophone readings
10:26 hours Nothing heard so 2 stern torpedoes were fired
14:00 hours Surfaced

25 July 1943
15:58 hours U-507 returnrd to Lorient
55 days at sea
3 ships sunk
15545 tons
No damages or casualties

An Alberich antisonar coating and Bold 2 decoys installed.
It was more than obvious that the Meteox warning system had saved us. We had more than 15 warning during the patrol.

Fish In The Water

06-21-11, 02:22 PM

This is a major flaw in SH3. Single ships can not be reported at all and convoys can only be reported when they are very close. I don't know how close one needs to be, but someone once said that you need to have three ships in visible range.

Also only one report per 24 hours... :hmmm:

Missing Name

06-21-11, 03:22 PM

September 5, 1939. About 0600.

We were directly west of Scapa Flow, listening to a nearby merchant.

Unheard, a destroyer approached from behind. It struck the conning tower, completely wrecking it and eliminating any means of seeing the outside world. The destroyer apparently suffered damage and it steamed away, towards the harbor.

Now a dilemma was presented. Should I go North and then East to go around the Orkney Islands, the same way I came in? It would be a long journey with an unusable bridge.

Or should I go through the Pentland Firth submerged? It would be filled with enemy patrols, and I was already running low on batteries and oxygen.

Sound contacts revealed more enemy movement to the west. East was the only way to go.

Creeping along at about 2 knots, we kept absolutely silent. No cooking, no torpedo maintenance, nothing. Just south of the entrance of Scapa Flow, a destroyer came towards us. Engines stopped, nobody even breathed. The destroyer went west.

By 1800,, CO2 levels were quite high, the batteries nearly drained. The nearest contact was quite far away and getting fainter. We surfaced only long enough to refill the boat with fresh air and get the batteries back to half charge. Then more silent creeping.

Finally, at around 0100, we were only 5 km northeast of Duncansby Head. A storm was forming - the wind could be heard even when submerged - and rough waters meant nothing could be heard more than a kilometer away.

On the surface, the diesels were put to the test. For five hours, they were forced to go beyond design specs as we sped away from Scotland. The storm covered our escape.

We arrived back at Wilhelmshaven on the afternoon of the 8th. We are in for repairs and possible engine overhaul. 5 merchants sunk for an estimated 1500 tons.

Snestorm

06-21-11, 11:54 PM

Continued from our last report from DM26 (Florida Strait), on 29.okt.42. kl. 0623.
Calm & Clear. Nearly full moon.

Times given are ZT (Zone Time).

Warship trafik, up to this time, has been very heavy.

29.okt.42
DM26
1510: Went to periscope depth for a medium speed, closing, merchant, sound contact, at very long range.
Target soon after was reclassified as "moving away".
Target was deemed too far, and too fast, for a long distance daylight overhaul.

30.okt.42
DM28
0406: Predawn dive, following 8 hours on the surface.
Location 75 miles W of Key West Naval Base.
Working toward our newest objective of Grid DA, with a focus on Galveston - East Coast trafik.

0548: "Sound contact. Medium speed merchant. Closing. Long range."
0713: Guesstimation of target course is 247, making 9 knots.
0714: TDC set for a bow on shot. Speed 9 knots. AOB 90 starboard. 2 degree spread.
0715: Surface. Both diesels Ahead Flank.
0720: Dead calm sea, and U171 is making 18 knots!
0726: Coming to attack course of 157.
0731: C2 Cargo (?) spotted 8.000 meters. VCS (Variouse Courses & Speeds).
0740: New depth 15 meters.
0741: New course 157.
0742: Ahead Silent Speed. Periscope depth.
0743: Contact bearing 284 R, approximated range 7.400 meters.
0746: Open tubes 1, 2, 4 (TIII G7E). Running depth 4 meters. Confidence high.
(Since the introduction of the TIII, and torpedo problems resolved, all torpedoes again retain magnetic pistols, which are no longer removed, or disabled - per BDU.)
0806: Spread opened up to 6 degrees, for a very close shot.
0807: Fire 1, 2, 4! Impact X 3. Torpedo run time 16½ seconds! 250 meters!
0808: Liberty Cargo (Surprise) sunk for 7.367 GRT.
Location DM2872.
72 miles WSW of Key West Naval Base.
37 miles SW of Key Largo (I think that's the name).
60 miles N of Cuba.
1318: "No sound contact". Begin reload.
Remaining torpedoes: Bow 6 G7E - 1 G7A. Stern 2 G7E - 2 G7A.

31.okt.42
DM27
0414: Predawn dive. Remained surfaced throughout the night.
All ASW surface units seem to have been concentrated in the narrows of Florida Strait.
Present position, 27 miles S of Key West Naval Base.
Will proceed surfaced by night, until/unless conditions change.

1.nov.42
DM18
0435: Predawn dive. U171 has entered The Gulf Of Mexico.

8.nov.42
DA94
0425: Preparing for predawn dive.
Medium Fog. Wind 10 M/S.
Location 240 miles SW of Galveston, Texas, Naval Base, and closing.
No trafik, of any kind, encountered since entering The Gulf Of Mexico.
Moving to search the shallows nearer the coast.
Galveston itself is protected by an extremely wide stretch of sea, with a depth of roughly 15 meters, which negates any operations there.

Save & Exit.

Snippets from our Radioman:
U507 has retutned safely from her first patrol, with 3 ships sunk for 15.545 GRT.
Well done Kaleun VONHARRIS!
U552 & U93 are still defending Norge from threat of invasion, in addition to surviving the brutal Arctic weather, and even more brutal threat presented by enemy aircraft. The area around Førøerne is percieved by me as the most dangeriouse. Well done, kaleuns!
Kaleun Hessler and U65, are believed to be safely docked at Lorient, and awaiting orders. They certainly earned a good rest period.
Kaleun Missingname's unidentified boat arrived safely back in Wilhelmhaven, after taking being rammed by a Destroyer, and taking heavy damage to the tower.

Special request to U93 & U552:
If you ever encounter it, please sink the Aircraft Carrier stationed near Færøerne. Though I've never seen her, she's there, someplace.

sublynx

06-22-11, 01:59 AM

Special request to U93 & U552:
If you ever encounter it, please sink the Aircraft Carrier stationed near Færøerne. Though I've never seen her, she's there, someplace.

I occasionally use SH3Gen to get more varied patrol orders and reconnaissance info on air bases. SH3Gen unfortunately seems to list carriers as air bases and I'm pretty sure I know where the carrier is. (It has been stationary in two reports.) However, I can't go and sink it, because it would be very unrealistic for a carrier to just stay parked in one spot. If I bump into it, while chasing a convoy, then I'll do my best!

Snestorm

06-22-11, 02:29 AM

I occasionally use SH3Gen to get more varied patrol orders and reconnaissance info on air bases. SH3Gen unfortunately seems to list carriers as air bases and I'm pretty sure I know where the carrier is. (It has been stationary in two reports.) However, I can't go and sink it, because it would be very unrealistic for a carrier to just stay parked in one spot. If I bump into it, while chasing a convoy, then I'll do my best!

Understood, and agree.
And thanks for the info.

VONHARRIS

06-22-11, 08:08 AM

Patrol No3
U-171 has radioed the sinking of Liberty cargo. Well done as these ships are tough and heavily armed
Missing name has retured to port heavily damaged. (Can you please state the number and type of your boat? Thank you)
25 August 1943
03:53 hours U-507 sailed of Lorient under the cover of darkness

30 August 1943
Grid CF63
08:24 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
08:38 hours Multiple warships sound contacts possible TF
08:55 hours Abandon approach as the targets are moving very fast

25 September 1943
Grid EC69
18:16 hours Ship spotted , dived to PD
18:20 hours Ship identified : US medium cargo
18:27 hours 2 bow torpedoes fired
18:29 hours 2 impacts - ship on fire - pursuing submerged
http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/5650/mediumcargo25091943.jpg
19:52 hours 1 bow torpedo fired
19:55 hours Pursuit abandoned as ship was not slowing down

27 September 1943
Grid EC93
21:34 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
21:42 hours Multiple warship contacts closing fast
22:14 houts Target ID : Bogue class CVE range 700m 3 bow torpedoes fired
2 impacts 1 dud
22:15 hours 1 bow torpedo fired(TI FaT I) - impact CVE is manouvering as U-507 is turning to present her stern tubes The escorts are in chaos running all over the place
22:16 hours 1 stern torpedo fired - dud
22:18 hours 1 stern torpedo fired - impacts
http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/2439/boguecve270943.jpg

22:21 hours Explosions heard - sinking sounds - diving to 100m - no pinging
23:08 hours Depth 140m silent running

28 September 1943
01:02 hours Merchant sound contact - ignored since tubes were empty
01:57 hours Tubes reloaded - merchant was still there - rising to PD
01:59 hours 3 bow torpedoes fired at a large shadow
02:00 hours diving to 100m - leaving the area
16:57 hours Still submerged - multiple sound contacts merchants and warships
17:14 hours Diving to 160m as no torpedoes left
19:35 hours Rising to the surface , at 40m sound contact warship closing
21:21 hours Surfaced because the oxygen was running out and the batteries were almost empty. We had been some 24 hours underwater

14 October 1943
Grid DF65
05:27 hours The storm finally stopped beating U-507. Time to bring the external inside

19 October 1943
Grid CF88
17:56 hours Ahead flank to intercept convoy - failed

23 October 1943
Grid CG75
15:34 hours Ahead flank to intercept convoy
15:50 hours Meteox warning , dived to PD
16:07 hours Sound contacts - only 3 escorts
17:08 hours After targets have been tracked by hydrophone 4 bow torpedeos were fired (1 TI FaT I)
17:12 hours 2 impacts heard follwed by 2 more explosions
17:23 hours 2 stern torpedoes fired
17:26 hours 2 impacts - no sinking sounds - diving to 150m - moving away
19:04 hours After all sound contacts were lost U-507 returned to the attack site
21:11 hours Ceramic type ocean liner spotted DIW
21:41 hours 2 stern torpedoes fired
21:42 hours 2 impacts - ship on fire - star shell fired - sinking sounds. Liner observed sinking (forgot to take screenshot)

27 October 1943
04:22 hours U-507 docked at Lorient
64 days at sea
2 ships sunk
29985 tons
No damages or casualties
There were several other Meteox warnings through the whole patrol
The patrol report
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/2918/patrolreport.jpg

sublynx

06-22-11, 08:09 AM

Enclosure to 2 Naval War Staff / B.d.U. Operations.
Group Command. Secret 539 Ing.

Enclosure to II (Losses in detail).

U 211 Veteran boat. Last report 11.11 west of Biscay area. Cause of loss unknown.

U 226 Veteran boat, new Commanding Officer. Last report on 17.10. West of Biscay area. Cause of loss unknown.

U 274 First trip. Last report on 22.10. west of Ireland. Cause of loss unknown.

U 280 First trip. Last report on 16.11. from Atlantic west of Biscay area. Loss probably by aircraft attack.

U 282 1st trip. Last report on 24.10. west of Iceland. Cause of loss unknown.

U 405 Veteran boat. Last report on 30.10. from the Atlantic east of Newfoundland. Cause of loss unknown.

U 420 2nd trip. Last report on 20.10. from Biscay area. Cause of loss unknown.

U 508 Veteran boat. Last report on 12.11 from Biscay area.

U 533 Veteran boat. Last report on 13.10. from the Indian Ocean. Cause of loss unknown.

U 536 Veteran boat. Last report on 19.11 N.E. of the Azores. Cause of loss unknown.

U 542 1st trip. Last report on 26.11. E. of the Azores. Loss probably through aircraft attack.

U 552 Veteran boat. Experienced Commanding officer. Last report on 21.11. grid AM13 after attacking a convoy with slight damages. Loss probably off a convoy.

U 600 Veteran boat. Last report on 23.11. east of the Azores. Loss probably off a convoy.

U 707 Veteran boat. Last report on 9.11. west of Spain. Loss probably through aircraft attack.

U 842 1st trip. Last report on 6.11. N.W. of the Azores. Loss probably through aircraft attack.

U 848 New boat, experienced Commanding Officer. Last report on 5.11 from South Atlantic, loss by aircraft attack.

U 966 1st trip. Destroyed on 10.11. by aircraft on the Spanish north coast. (This boat was already reported missing in October).

flag4

06-22-11, 01:15 PM

...thank you for your letters of concern, i recieved them just before we left. unfortunatly i am in grid area BF13 south of Ireland, so i write this brief note now. maybe i could bring this letter myself upon my return - you could read it to me!
i think some of my crew should go back to school - kindergarten. i feel the creeping reality of our situation has not been told to them - but i am only joking, no? some are like babies in their cradles: kampfen kampfen kampfen!

our current patrol is not good at all. the weather is raining all the time. we have no wind only rainings. it is as though we are being followed by a bowl above us it is grey and all the water is only falling on our heads.

i can see nearly no things at all. i can only urinate off the front of the boat and this is as far as i can see!

and it is so still. the waves lick the sides of our boat. i have the feelings something big is coming. i have ordered many dives today to see if there are merchants or destroyers out there - we can see no thing. as we move the rain is following. a grey forest of cloud is beyond at all times.

we have left Williamshaven over two weeks ago - nearly three now. and we have seen no thing. we have heard the distant cutting of screws through the water, but these boats are many leagues from us. we are in a ghosts town i feel. the men do not like it, some of them have cried, the youngest is 17. he broke yesterday in his sleep. my watch officer heard him crying in his dreams somewhere far away. i have ordered that no one will laugh at him. we have all been here. i have spoken some words to him and put in the watch crew in the conning tower for a short time only. at least he can breathe up there.

now i will order another dive to periscope depth to listen for the churning screws and also for some relief, before we all go Fog Blind.

i will look for this interesting radio programme, you speak of, on my return - if i am lucky.

i whish you many sleepfull nights

Heinrich Von Baino U46

sublynx

06-22-11, 04:20 PM

Ob.lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
U-10, type IIA
2.Flotille, Kiel
Orders: Patrol grid AN18

Left Kiel 28.8.1939 knowing that the patrol started in peace time and that we we would return to port in war time.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2111/sh3polesmz.png (http://img221.imageshack.us/i/sh3polesmz.png/)

On the second war day a Polish 2600 BRT frachter was sunk with three TI's of which one missed. MZ, depth 5, speed 40 knots.

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/8868/sh3britpg.png (http://img841.imageshack.us/i/sh3britpg.png/)

The British joined the Poles on the 3rd of September and on the same day we hit a 7900 BRT passagiersfrachtschiff with two TI's. MZ, depth 10, speed 40 knots.

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/3080/sh3polepg.png (http://img651.imageshack.us/i/sh3polepg.png/)

While returning to Kiel after shooting all of our a torpedoes a Polish 2400 BRT frachter was spotted. As there was almost no risk of airplanes or destroyers the ship was shot to pieces with over 1700 20 mm rounds.

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/2285/sh3sink.png (http://img860.imageshack.us/i/sh3sink.png/)

The North Sea will soon be our sea, says my boatswain, Stabsoberbootsmann Hans Rappold. The start of this war has really been good to us. Five torpedoes, five days since the war started and 13000 BRT of sunk shipping to U-10's name.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7586/patrol2.png (http://img6.imageshack.us/i/patrol2.png/)

Wiebus

VONHARRIS

06-23-11, 12:37 AM

21 November 1943
Lorient
Otto Herman , the radioman of U-507 was doing some testing in his equipment
when he received a very bad message.
U 552 Veteran boat. Experienced Commanding officer. Last report on 21.11. grid AM13 after attacking a convoy with slight damages. Loss probably off a convoy.
We were shocked as we knew that Kaleun Alfons Dietzmann was one of the best.
They will be missed but not forgotten.

U-10 out of Kiel had a very succesful patrol.
Nothing elese is known of U-171 and U-65 so far

Jobs done :
1 Changed radar to FuMo - 30
2 Changed Hydrophones to Balcongerat
3 Took 1 TIV Flake homing torpedo in tube No5

27 November 1943
01:58 hours U-507 left Lorient
Grid BF64
07:33 hours Meteox warning , stayed on the surface sice it was to shallow to crash dive.
07:38 hours Welligton shot down. The pilot was so confident that he didn't take any precaution while attacking , he just flew in a straight line. Easy target for the Flakvierling

04 December 1943
Grid CF53
13:58 hours Diving to PD as BdU informed us of convoy coming our direction
15:08 hours Sound contact with the convoy
16:37 hours 2 bow torpedoes fired (1 TI FaTI)
16:38 hours 2 bow torpedoes fired
16:40 hours 2 impacts
16:41 hours 2 stern torpedoes fired (1 TIV Falke homing) - diving to 100m
16:42 hours Sinking sounds - Repair ship. Distant pinging - Bold launched
17:21 hours Depth is 150m running silent - no pinging
20:05 hours Surfaced.

11 December 1943
Grid CE77
00:23 hours Nice weather and full moon , moving the externals inside

27 December 1943
Grid DO74
05:58 hours Meteox warning dived to PD
06:20 hours Enemy warship ID : Evarts DE sailing in a non evasive course
06:51 hours 1 bow torpedo fired
06:53 hours Impact - explosions - sinking sounds. DE seen sinking by the bow

28 December 1943
Grid ED11
01:01 hours Ship seen , no meteox warning , dived to PD
01:06 hours Ships ID : Turbine tanker and motor tanker unescorted but armed to the teeth.
01:11 hours 3 bow torpedoes fired
01:17 hours 3 impacts but no sinking sounds , following submerged
02:27 hours Can not obtain favorable firing position - surfacing. Range was kept from 2500 to 3000 m and course parallel to the general direction of the zigzagging tankers. They couldn't see us.
03:07 hours Ships stopped zigzagging - turned and fired 2 stern shots
03:11 hours impact - impact nothing else observed. In a very foolish and daring act U-507 stayed on the surface shadowing the tankers in order to reload.
03:18 hours Turned to fire bow tubes 2 torpedoes launched
03:20 hours Impact turbine tanker on fire followed by explosions
03:21 hours Ship sunk by the bow
03:27 hours 1 stren torpedo fired
03:30 hours Impact - motor tanker DIW
03:47 hours 1 bow torpedo fired
03:49 hours Impact - what were these tankers made of?
03:50 hours 1 bow torpedo launched (TI FaTI used as normal TI)
03:52 hours Impact - series of explosions - ship sunk even keel
It took 4 torpedoes for the turbine tanker and 5 for the motor tanker to sink.
It was time to return.

24 January 1944
06:53 hours
U-507 docked at Lorient
59 days at sea
http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/1807/patrolreport4.jpg

Snestorm

06-23-11, 01:22 AM

News from our Radioman:
The veteran boat, U552, was lost in AM13, following a convoy engagement.
U507 has been busy sinking enemy shipping, including an Aircraft Carrier!
Well done! U171 sends many thanks, for easing our days at sea.
U10 has managed to sink 3 ships, for 13.000 GRT, on her very first patrol.
The crew realy worked miracles with their flak gun.

Last reported 0425, 8.nov.42, from DA94
One Liberty Cargo had been sunk for 7.367 GRT.
Remaining torpedoes are: Bow 6 G7E - 1 G7A. Stern 2 G7E - 2 G7A.

Times given are ZT (Zone Time - Local)

9.nov.42
DA9172
0424: Predawn dive. 67 miles S of New Orleans.
Nearest land is 45 miles. Total depth is 26 meters.

10.nov.42
DA8387
0414: Predawn dive. 150 miles SW of Galveston.
Nearest land is 60 miles.
No trafik of any kind encountered during nightly forays into the shallows.
Fuel dictates departing the area.

11.nov.42
DA89
2015: Surface. Overcast, Light Fog, 9 M/S.

15.nov.42
DM71
2040: "Ship spotted! 240. Long range."
Dived to avoid detection by a Medium Speed Trawler.

2209: "Sound contact! Medium speed merchant. 004. Closing. Long range."
2214: Suraface and close.
2224: New depth 15 meters. Target will pass to the North, moving West.
Set TDC: AOB 90 Port. 9 knots. 2 degree spread. Depth 4 meters.
Preliminary estimate is 287, making 9 knots.
2242: New course 017. Open tubes 1, 2, 4 (TIII G7E).
2300: Surface. Very dark night.
2305: Fire 1, 2, 4! One premature! Tanker!!!
2306: Impact X 2! Surface reloading approved.
2307: Fire 3 (TI G7A). Target slowed - torpedo missed.
2309: Target listing heavily to Port.
2325: Coming to targets course for an angled shot, angled at 90 degrees.
2330. Target appears stopped, or nearly so.
2356: Fire 6 (TI G7A, depth 6 meters!
2358: Target is not DIW, and the torpedo missed.
16.nov.42
0011: Fire 6 (TI G7A). Stern on textbook shot. Depth 6 meters.
0013: Impact below the bridge, with lots of fireworks.
Torpedo run 78 seconds. Just over 1.000 meters.
T3 Tanker sunk, for 11.673 GRT.
6 torpedoes spent! 3 hits, 2 misses, 1 premature.
Current position DM7111. 28 miles S of westernmost Cuba.
3 bow, and 2 stern torpedoes remain. All TIII G7E.

0353: "Ship spotted! 093. Long range." Turn nose on to another Tanker!
0401: Set TDC: 9 knots. AOB 90 Port. Depth 4 meters. 2 degree spread.
0403: Visual contact lost.
0406: Submerge for a quick listen, and information gathering.
0419: Surface! All Ahead Flank!
0512: Target on 260, making 9 knots.
0520: Open tubes 1,2, 4.
0528: Turning nose on to target. AOB is 45 degrees.
0530: VCS (Variouse Courses & Speeds).
0533: New course 170 for final attack.
0535: Stern gun mount noted. Range 1.300 meters. Fire 1, 2, 4! Back slow.
0536: Impact X 3! Torpedo run, 64 seconds.
0537: T2 Tanker sunk, for 10.841 GRT. 2 G7E torpedoes remain aft.

1808: "Ship spotted! 295. Long range." Yet another Tanker!
It's day, and this attack will have to be made submerged.
Not so easy with stern tubes.
1816: Again, targets course is 260, and making 9 knots (I'm betting).
1830: Turning nose on to target, at Flank Speed.
1832: Range to target is 3.200 meters. New depth 15 meters.
1833: New course 080 (for Port to Port shot). Periscope depth.
1836: Turning for a textbook stern on shot. Open tubes 5 & 6.
1839: Fire 5 & 6!
1841: One impact. Torpedo run 1 minute & 57 seconds. About 2.000 meters.
1842: Little Tanker sunk, for 4.276 GRT. 14 of 14 torpedoes expended.

17.nov.42
DM73
0001: Status report sent to BDU:
"14 of 14 torpedoes expended.
3 Tankers, and 1 Freighter, sunk for 34.157 GRT.
Galveston bound tanker trafik is running just S of Cuba, unladen.
All 3 tankers US flagged. 2 of 3 on course 260, at 9 knots.
Farthest West tanker had already turned northward, on course 287."

Save & Exit.

VONHARRIS

06-23-11, 05:05 AM

24 February 1944
Lorient
U-171 had reported sinking 3 more enemy tankers. That means less fuel for those TFs and aircrafts that make our lige a living hell in the Atlantic.

Jobs done:
1 Change batteries for more capacity
2 Installed Naxos RWR system
3 Took TV homing torps

05:59 hours U-507 left Lorient for GR59 Capetown
17:42 hours Engines are behaving strange , cruising speed is down to 3kts and flank speed is no more than 10kts.
Aborting patrol to Lorient

25 October 1944
03:48 hours U-507 docked back in port

Requested transfer to Bergen - approved

Patrol No6
27 March 1944
16:35 hours U-507 left Bergen to patrol AN13
16:40 hours Naxos warning - man the flak guns
16:42 hours The port is under air attack.
Enemy Halifax bomber shot down and crashed on port installations

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/4332/heavybomber.jpg

A flaoting dock was destroyed by the air raid
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/9532/flaotingdock.jpg

30 March 1944
Grid AF77
12:42 hours Naxos warning dived to PD
12:47 hours Multiple warship sounds indicate enemy TF
12:55 hours 3 bow torpedoes fired (1 T I FaT I)
12:56 hours DCs exploding , possible aircraft circling
13:06 hours Impact
13:08 hours Diving to 70m bold launched
13:15 hours 102 m , distant pinging , bold launched
13:20 hours More warship sounds approaching
14:14 hours Fired 2 bow torpedoes at KGV class BB with visual targeting (1 x TV)
16:43 hours As nothing was heard we surfaced. BdU informed us that we had damaged a Dido class CL

3 April 1944
Grid AF77
00:15 hours Moving to intercept convoy
01:15 hours Naxos warning dived to PD
01:19 hours Sound contact with convoy
02:35 hours 2 bow TIs fired at single target
02:36 hours 2 bow TIs fired at single target
02:40 hours 2 impacts - sinking noises Repair ship sunk
02:55 hours 2 stern torpedoes fired (1 x TV) - silent running - diving to 140m
14:59 hours Surfaced

5 April 1944
Grid AE92
10:07 hours Weather is good 1m/s winds , time to move the externals in
10:28 hours Naxos warning - man the flak guns
10:30 hours Sunderland flying boat destroyed
11:27 hours Naxos warning - man the flak guns
11:30 hours RAF B-17 bomber destroyed

9 April 1944
Grid AE76
10:04 hours Ship seen no Naxos warning
10:05 hours Ship ID : Repair ship
10:10 hours Dived to PD
10:23 hours 1 bow torp fired
10:56 hours After submerged chase , 1 stern torp fired - impact - ship DIW
10:58 hours Turning to fire bow torp
11:10 hours 1 bow torp fired
11:11 hours Impact - sinking noises - ship observed sinking
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/3103/repair941944.jpg

10 April 1944
Grid AE75
19:03 hours While submerged , picked up warship sound closing
19:07 hours Ship ID : River class DE
19:42 hours 1 stern torp (TV homing) fired
19:44 hours Impact
19:45 hours Ship sunk by the stern

11 April 1944
Grid AE74
21:08 hours Naxos warning dived to PD
12 April 1944
00:20 hours Warship sound closing
00:51 hours Ship ID : Captain II class DE will pass some 500m from our bow
00:57 hours 1 bow torp fired - impact - ship observed sinking
http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/61/captainii1241944.jpg

13 April 1944
Grid AD83
08:36 hours Aircraft attack - NO WARNING - Welligton shot down - minor damages
09:06 hours Aircraft attack - NO WARNING - Welligton shot down - more serious damages - dived as soon as flooding was stopped
Grid AD59
11:01 hours Sound contacts - convoy
11:42 hours 3 Bow torps (1 x TI FaT I)
11:50 hours Impact - sinking noises - 2x impacts Ammunition ship sunk

20 April 1944
Outside the Fjords of Bergen
Playing chicken with German minesweeper
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/3056/playingchicken.jpg

21 April 1944
15:58 hours Docked at Bergen
26 days at sea
5 ships sunk
20143 tons
4 planes shot down
75% hull integrity
no casualties

vonHarris left U-507 at the hands of the IWO.
He took command of the most valuable asset of the U-boot fleet :U-2511 XXI electroboot

Snestorm

06-23-11, 09:15 PM

Since our last report from DM73, on 17.nov.42.

20.nov.42
DM76 (E of Cuba.)
1839 (Local Time): "Ship spotted! 001. Long range." Tanker!
No torpedoes left.
New depth 20 meters.
Tagets course estimated at 220.

2030: Surface. Send message:

To: BDU
From: U171
Tanker route to Galveston observed.
East of Cuba, on course 220.
South of Cuba, on course 260.
South West of Cuba, on course 287.
Very heavy westbound trafik.
No eastbound trafik observed.
Snestorm

22.dec.42
BF61
0700: U171 docked at Lorient. Commander 2.Flotiila boards for inspection.

Patrol results:
14 of 14 torpedoes expended.
Crew & Hull Integrity 100%.
3 Tankers, and 1 Freighter sunk, for 34.157 GRT.

U171's history to date:
2 war patrols completed between 25.jun.42 and 22.dec.42.
4 ships sunk, for 34.157 GRT.

Upon leaving the boat, we were informed that The Ghost Of VONHARRIS would be attending training school, for future command of a new type uboat. No details were available about the boat's capabilities.
Looking forward to hearing of his future exploits.

VONHARRIS

06-24-11, 09:22 AM

Patrol 1 (7th for the crew)
22 May 1944
13:32 hours U-2511 left Bergen for her first war patrol. The first XXI ever to sail for patrol
Orders were to patrol AN28 for testing the boat

After reaching AN28 and patroling there for 24 hours , U-2511 left for grid AN11. The whole cruise was done submerged using the snorkel. In a crash dive U-2511 reached the speed of 20kts submerged.

26 May 1944
Grid AN11
While snorkeling U-2511 came under attack probably by aircraft. That new RWR on the snorkel needs a lot more job. Major damages to the watch tower destoyed radio , radar and the snorkel which remained locked in the raised position.
18:36 hours
A warship was heard approaching.
A TV was launched and down she went , a Black Swan frigate.
The tube was reloaded in less than a minute thanks to that new hydraulic system.

27 May 1944
Grid AN12
09:51 hours Sound contact warship approaching depth was 60m , rising to PD
10:18 hours Ship ID: Colony class DE
10:20 hours T V homing torpedo fired
10:21 hours Impact - sinking sounds

28 May 1944
Grid AF75
06:15 hours Sound contact warship approaching
06:29 hours Ship ID: Captain class II frigate
06:30 hours T V homing torpedo launched
06:32 hours Impact - sininking sounds

U-2511 started her return passage submerged
31 May 1944
18:05 hours
U-2511 docked at Bergen
3 ships sunk
4080 tons
83% hull integrity
no casualties.
This was a small sample of the XXI's capabilities. The patrol is dedicated to U-552 and her crew who were lost in this war.

U-171 and Kaleun Snestorm returned safe to Lorient.
Welcome back.
Kaluen Snestorm reported heavy tanker traffic in those waters. I might take U-2511 there in the next patrol

VONHARRIS

06-24-11, 12:54 PM

Oberleutnant z. S. von Harris and U-2511 were lost sometime on 16JUL44.
U-2511 attacked a very heavily escorted convoy - 8 escorts at least.
She sunk a large troop ship and a large tanker but she sufferred a direct hit from an enemy hedgehog.

She imploded at a depth of 240m

Fish In The Water

06-24-11, 02:10 PM

Oberleutnant z. S. von Harris and U-2511 were lost sometime on 16JUL44.

Gone but not forgotten, thank you for your gallant service and especially for the ultimate sacrifice! :salute:

Snestorm

06-24-11, 03:39 PM

gazpode_l

06-24-11, 06:02 PM

R. HESSLER - U65 - FINAL SUMMARY PATROL no2.
OCTOBER 24, 1940 - 8pm
After sitting dormant & quiet for some time, it now appears we've shrugged off the torpedo boats - another sound signature is heard feigntly ahead. Let the chase begin! SURFACE!

8:30pm
We are nearing the merchant that is in front of us, which is a fairly large coastal frieghter. Typically these arent worth alot in BRT but worth sinking anyway.

9:10pm
1x standard torpedo fired, 2m depth, impact fuse - from tube 2.

9:11pm
DETONATION heard on target!

9:12pm
Breakup sounds are heard

9:20pm
The merchant slips beneath the waves

9:30pm
Re-surfaced, we get the heck out of dodge and head west, towards the atlantic.

25th Oktober 1940
in the morning, once the sun was fully up, Kln Hessler asks the engines to be stopped and the chief engineer is summoned to the deck....A sharp-eyed rating has noticed our hull is looking quite beat-up and expressed concern. Upon seeing the damage the kaluen also became concerned.

Chief engineer looks at the damage and confirms that we have taken a much more severe beating than first suspected and advices an immediate cease of the patrol and to make for Lorient ASAP. Kaluen Hessler agree's and course is set for home.

27th Okt 1940
U65 docks at lorient
Days @ sea: 6
Total Tonnage Sunk 39880 GRT
No of Warships: 3
No of Merchants: 2

SAVE & EXIT 12:45hrs R/L Time (friday am)

IN THE NEWS:-
kaluen Snestorm, has been giving the british even more batterings, in his new boat, another IX from what i remember hearing...Possibly U-171.

Sad news regarding Kaleun V.Harris. It would appear that they were given a type XXI to play with, but ran into a well escorted convoy. All contact has been lost and we can only assume the worst. A great Kaluen, one of the best is now lost to the sea. :wah:

We also understand that the former kaluen of U-552 has also failed to make contact recently.

No further news of late from U-93, whom we can either assume is moored somewhere undergoing repairs or is out of radio range. Hopefully they are still alive!

FINALLY
We've been given the verdict on our u65. Another encounter with a destroyer and we've a had it! our hull rating was down to just 21% when we returned, which now means that we won't be going out again this year.

U65 will have to undergo a major refit & restoration which is likely to take months.

RPT ENDS............

R/L News: I've only had time recently for 1hr sessions, some of the time this week i've not been able to play much at all, and have only logged 2x sessions this week hence the lack of reports. I am hopeful to be enjoying more game time during the weekend and early next week....during which I will be putting u65 back to sea after our refit.

Regards,
Gazpode (Kln R. Hessler - U65)

Snestorm

06-24-11, 09:04 PM

27th Okt 1940
U65 docks at lorient
Days @ sea: 6
Total Tonnage Sunk 39880 GRT
No of Warships: 3
No of Merchants: 2

Very impressive! Good to see back again.
And glad to see U65 made it back in one piece.

U171 in drydock with a "program error".

VONHARRIS

06-25-11, 02:01 AM

01 August 1939
An eager young Kaleun stands on the turm of U-83 VIIB Uboot in Vilhemshaven. His orders are clear: Test the boat , the crew and then make a recce pass through the English Channel to check the shipping lanes.

19 August 1939
U-83 returned to base with all the valuable information. The war seems very close now.

gazpode_l

06-25-11, 05:55 PM

Very impressive! Good to see back again.
And glad to see U65 made it back in one piece.

U171 in drydock with a "program error".

Awww... I do hope u get your issues resolved soon mate. :salute:

Snestorm

06-26-11, 01:43 AM

1.sep.39
AN98
0237: Underway from Willy.

3.sep.39
AN31
1332: Radio message: Commence hostilities against Britain.

5.sep.39
AF76
0800: Save & Exit.

sektor2006

06-26-11, 05:20 AM

Orders: Patrol Grid AN16 for 24 h
Date: Dec 16, 1939
U-Boat: Type IIA, crew 23 men, 5 torpedoes total

Left Wilhelmshaven on Dec 16, 1939 in early morning. Grid AN16 is 1200 km away. Nothing interesting until we passed almost half the way. Encountered a big and heavy British C2 cargo ship - one shot, one kill. I was lucky this time - I did not need two or more torpedoes to sink this beast.

A few days later - grid AN16 reached. In a single day - three British coastal merchants sunk. Weather - terrible - strong wind, coming from north-west, heavy fog, heavy rain, very low visibility. Next day - another British coastal merchant sunk.

5 torpedoes - 5 kills for nearly 15 000 GRT.

This time however some bad luck. On way to Germany, some 20 km away from last kill, unexpected encounter with undetected British C-class destroyer 300 m away. U-Boat under fire, minor damage to radio, stern quarters, no one injured or killed. Dived to 50 m depth, slow course straight south for 6 hours. In the bad weather the destroyer gave up. Hull integrity - 86%.

26 Dec 1939 - U-boat close to Germany. Another success I guess, although I have to admit that each patrol gets more and more dangerous. First three were pieces of cake - I had to shoot at sitting ducks. Fourth patrol I was bombed by a British bomber (no damage, no injured or killed, just stressed), now shot at by a British destroyer. The Brits are getting smart.

VONHARRIS

06-26-11, 02:01 PM

Patrol No2
19 September 1939
War has started , U-39 Kaluen Snestorm is already out to sea from September 1st
U-65 has returned to port after a succesful patrol.
12:43 hours
U-83 left Wilhelmshaven with orders to patrol BF18

03 October 1939
23:19 hours Grid BF17
Sound contact , multiple sounds , convoy approaching.

04 October 1939
00:02 hours
The convoy was closing fast and visibility was just enough to let us see.
Ships ID: HMS Nelson , large tanker , converted whale factory ship
00:07 hours 3 TIs fired at the Nelson
00:09 hours 1 TI fired at the large tanker
00:10 hours 3 impacts
00:12 hours 1 impact
00:16 hours Sinking sounds , up scope, HMS Nelson wasd still there listing and the whale ship was gone. The TI aimed at the tanker missed but hit the whale ship.
00:21 hours 1 TI (stern) fired at the HMS Nelson
00:23 hours Impact but no sinking sounds. She seemed DIW
00:24 hours Pinging diving to 100m silent running
00:41 hours Depth 70m no pinging heard. The convoy was moving away.
01:00 hours Raised to PD. Tube 1 loaded
01:04 hours Tanker 04 spotted trailing behind the convoy. 1 TI fired
01:05 hours HMS Nelson spotted DIW with a heavy list. A destroyer was circling to provide protection.
01:06 hours Impact on the tanker , ship on fire, staying at 1500m away to reload. The destroyer was not able to hear us.
01:13 hours 1 TI (bow) fired at HMS Nelson
01:15 hours Impact , the battleship was now on fire with her stern in the water
01:17 hours Sinking sounds , HMS Nelson was going down , observed through the attack scope. The destroyer left leaving the tanker alone.
01:33 hours 1 TI (stern) fired at the tanker
01:34 hours Impact
01:35 hours Sinking sounds , tanker 04 sunk.
05:30 hours Surfaced and celebrated our victory. Beer for all.

06 October 1939
18:00 hours grid AM54
Moving to intercept convoy after BdU message.
18:31 hours Sound contact
18:43 hours 2 TI (bow) fired
18:44 hours 2 TI (bow) fired
18:45 hours 3 impacts followed by sinking sounds. vonHarris COuldn't confirm the sinking by visual observation.
18:46 hours Diving to 100m undetected.

07 October 1939
03:36 hours Surfaced. BdU confirmed the sinking of a repair ship.

15 October 1939
06:51 hours
U-83 docked at home
4 ships sunk
62011 tons
No damages or casualties.
We were not able to use the extenal reloads due to bad weather throughout the patrol.

We learned that sector2006 in his IIA had sunk some 15000 tons
Wel done for such a small boat.

Snestorm

06-26-11, 07:45 PM

Continued from last report from AF79, at 0800 5.sep.39.

By order of BDU, we are bound by the restrictions imposed by Prize Law.
Further, magnetic pistols will remain enabled on all torpedoes.

5.sep.39
AF76
1528: "Ship spotted! 033. Long range." New course 340.
U37 making a nose on approach for the purpose of conducting an inspection of ship, papers, and cargo. (Wind 7 M/S. Too rough for the deck gun).
1532: Ahead Full.
1536: Open tube 2.
1537: Target IDed as a Small Merchant, flying british colors.
1539: Target has begun evasive and agressive maneuvering.
1543: Fire 2 (TII G7E), from 800 meters. Premature detonation!
1551: Fire 5 & 6 (TI G7A). Submerged attack at 500 meters.
Imapact on the stern! Torpedo run 25 seconds.
1555: Surface. Target going DIW.
1622: Fire 1 (TII G7E). Impact! Torpedo run 36 seconds.
1623: Small merchant sunk for 2.343 GRT.
Location: 165 miles NW of The Shetlands.
1631: Radio report sent to BDU. 8 torpedoes remaining in the bow.
1700: Report acknowledged.

Note: Submerged attack was not for purposes of stealth, which was already lost. The external stern tubes can only be fired while submerged, and I wanted them used as soon as possible. As much as the G7As are only to be used at night, the decision was sound in that we had already been detected, and the target was already taking evasive action. Both VII(A) and IX(A) have a peculiar situation with external stern tubes, and the type torpedo which must be carried in them.

7.sep.39
AF71
1743: "Aircraft spotted!" A L A R M !

8.sep.39
AE93
0822: "Aircraft spotted!" A L A R M !

11.sep.39
AM23
0400: Report: Transitting south through AM23, per BDU's orders.

13.sep.39
AM49 (W of Ireland)
0700: Save & Exit.

U? IIA under Sektor2006, and U83 VIIB under VONHARRIS, have been sweeping the sea clean. Wonder if there'll be any targets left for U37?

Gerald

06-26-11, 07:54 PM

Snestorm

06-26-11, 08:35 PM

Aircraft, was it dull and slow Swordfish...:03:

They came from an A/C Carrier near Færøerne.
I never got to see them. A L A R M !
I try to avoid sticking around for the show.

Wasn't it dull and slow Swordfish that crippled KM Bismarck, without taking any damage?

Gerald

06-26-11, 08:54 PM

They came from an A/C Carrier near Færøerne.
I never got to see them. A L A R M !
I try to avoid sticking around for the show.

Wasn't it dull and slow Swordfish that crippled KM Bismarck, without taking any damage? Sandt nok, men hun havde taget et bankende, de andre både, og en hel hvepserede af "fisk" ... ikke kun af en lille flyvemaskine ..... alarm kaptajn, vi ser en flyvemaskine i 20 km, dykke ned til 250 fødder .... det kan arrangeres, hvis du ønsker sikkerhed .....men du kan spise frokost, når man er kommet ned til en sikker dybde!

Lord_magerius

06-26-11, 09:04 PM

But what if I want to eat my food at a dangerous depth? :O:

Snestorm

06-26-11, 09:11 PM

Sandt nok, men hun havde taget et bankende, de andre både, og en hel hvepserede af "fisk" ... ikke kun af en lille flyvemaskine ..... alarm kaptajn, vi ser en flyvemaskine i 20 km, dykke ned til 250 fødder .... det kan arrangeres, hvis du ønsker sikkerhed .....men du kan spise frokost, når man er kommet ned til en sikker dybde!

Vi spiser godt på 70 metre.

Gerald

06-26-11, 09:16 PM

But what if I want to eat my food at a dangerous depth? :O: Du kan skrive et net til at fange nogle fisk, når du kommer ned til en "god" dybde, at du føler er passende, :haha:

Osmium Steele

06-27-11, 08:20 AM

The crew of U-126 took a brief shore leave while the kaleun went on holiday to Chicago.

I got 4 or 5 pics of the U-505 bow area when my battery died!!! :damn:

*sigh* Oh well, I'll post those anyway. Should be going back that way at the end of July. I'll get some great pics then.

Back at sea, patrolling Long Island Sound.

Report to follow.

VONHARRIS

06-27-11, 12:29 PM

Patrol No3
15 November 1939
U-83 left Wilhelmshaven for her 3rd patrol for grid AN13

18 November 1939
Grid AN41
16:09 hours Merchant seen
16:15 hours Positive ship ID: Small trawler
16:27 hours Ship sunk with 2cm Flak
16:54 hours Aircraft spotted medium range engaged with flak gun
16:55 hours Avro Anson shot down

19 November 1939
Grid AN14
06:53 hours Warship spotted dived to PD
10:00 hours Surfaced
15:38 hours Aircraft spotted medium range engaged with flak gun
15:39 hours Avro Anson shot down

27 November 1939
Grid AM52
19:25 hours Merchant seen
19:35 hours Ship ID: Small merchant or freighter
19:44 hours Opened fire with the deck gun
19:45 hours Merchant returned fire - Qship
19:48 hours Ship sunk after 48 88mm rounds. The enemy fired 10 or 11 rounds all of them were way off aimed

30 November 1939
Grid AM52
05:24 hours Merchant seen
05:27 hours Ship ID: medium merchant 01 - dived to PD
05:41 hours TI fired at close range - impact - ship slowing down
05:42 hours Surfaced to finish the target with the deck gun
05:44 hours Ship sunk after 12 88mm rounds

14 December 1939
Grid AN11
19:39 hours Merchant seen
19:47 hours Positive ID : Coastal freighter - dived to PD
19:53 hours TI fired
19:54 hours Impact - ship seen sinking

15 December 1939
Grid AN11
05:02 hours Warship seen - dived to PD
05:03 nours Multiple warship sounds - TF approaching very fast
05:13 hours 4 TIs fired at HMS Hood at close range
05:14 hours 4 Impacts the HMS Hood went down after a series of explosions.
05:33 hours Pinging by the escorts diving to 100m DCs fell no damages.
05:54 hours Depth 100m no pinging no DCs
06:13 hours Depth 157m no pinging
12:00 hours Surface , the glory is ours.

16 December 1939
Grid AN14
16:01 hours Merchant seen
16:08 hours Positive ID: Sailing ship
16:29 hours Ship sunk by 2cm flak

19 December 1939
16:29 hours U-83 returned to port.
6 ships sunk
58371 tons
2 aircraft shot down
No casualties or damages

vonHarris left U-83 to the hands of his IWO and took command of the U-111 IXB U-boot
U-126 is in dry dock and the crew on leave.
No news of the other Kaleuns so far.

sublynx

06-27-11, 04:34 PM

Ob.lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
U-10, type IIA
2.Flotille, Kiel
5.10.1939

Back from a leave in Berlin. I very much prefer the sea and the battle to some lazy days doing pretty much nothing in Berlin - although seeing Ilse Werner singing in die Konzerthalle was quite something. What a beautiful voice and what a beautiful woman!

Sunk one Polish 2000 BRT freighter escaping from Poland on the 30th of September and a British 1800 BRT freighter heading towards Norway on the 2nd of October, grids AN35 and AN 61. Winds of 15 m/s but G7a's worked fine, ranges 650 and 800 meters, gyro angle 0, impact time AOB 90, depth 5 meters, MZ pistol, torpedo running speed 40 knots.

The hydrophone man swears that the Polish ship changed it's RPM's a few seconds before impact. It is possible that the bubble streams of the torpedoes were noticed, despite the heavy seas.

Lots of neutral ship traffic, no enemy air activity.

Our boats have wreaked havoc and the Royal Navy is in deep trouble. Especially U-83 has made an impression. Kaleun Vonharris was interviewed in Time after sinking two capital ships.

Snestorm

06-28-11, 06:11 AM

Continued from our last report from AM49 on 13.sep.39

13.sep.39 - 20.sep.39
BF11 - BF12 - BF13
Numerouse contacts with ASW Patrols.
No merchant contacts in area to date.

20.sep.39
BF13
1610: Radio dispatch: "Convoy. BF15. W. 6 knots."
1611: Full Ahead for BF14.
1640: "Ship spotted! 354. Long range." Dive to evade Destroyer.
1656: Destroyer passed to port. Short range. Undetected.
1830: Surface and resume.

21.sep.39
BF14
0751: "Ship spotted! 315. Long range." Corvette.
Commence an end run, in hopes he is an escort.
0807: Contact report sent. "Convoy. BF145. 259. 6 knots."
0855: Turning bow on to lead escort. Destroyer.
0856: Diving for attack on convoy.
0913: U37 breeches surface, and has attracted the lead escort.
0914: New depth 99 meters.
0945: Convoy over head. DD was unable to locate us submerged. Wind 15 M/S.

KM 1. Contact report sent.
RN 1. Foiled torpedo attack. No merchants lost.

1120: Surface and commence end run.
1338: Lead DD sighted. Bow on, and dive for attack.
1420: Fire 2 (TII G7E). 4 meters depth. All magnetic pistols active.
1421: Fire 4 (TII G7E). 4 meters depth.
1422: Impact! 90 second run. Impact! 30 second run. New depth 100 meters.
1422 - 1423: 2 Small Merchants sunk for 4.681 GRT.
4+ escorts. 1+ Destroyer. 1+ Corvette. 1+ Trawler.

KM 3. RN 1.

1728: Status report sent:
3 Freighters sunk for 7.024 GRT.
6 of 12 torpedoes remaining.

2102: Save & Exit.

Snestorm

06-28-11, 06:21 AM

Back at sea, patrolling Long Island Sound.

Report to follow.

Long Island Sound?! You're crazy!

Stay safe.

Gerald

06-28-11, 06:23 AM

Yes,go,go

Osmium Steele

06-28-11, 07:37 AM

1 February 1943

From: BdU

To: All U-boats

Subject: U-126

After an impressive patrol of the American east coast and Greater Antilles, racking up 12 kills and approximately 55,000 tons of shipping, on 27 January, U-126 reported contact with a convoy northwest of Puerto Rico, and was maneuvering for an attack.

BdU has had no contact with U-126 since that time.

Report all contacts with U-126 since 27 January.

End

Kaleun's Note:

While loading external torpedos, we had a run-in with a PBY off the coast of Virginia and took some damage. Evidently, it was worse than I thought.

While diving, after an unsuccessful attack on the above mentioned convoy, (three torpedos missed at under 2000 meters :damn:), U-126 had a catastrophic hull failure at 105 meters.

There was the sound of glass breaking, I gave the order to raise to 40 meters, more glass, then... MISSION SUMMARY.

Osmium Steele

06-28-11, 07:46 AM

Long Island Sound?! You're crazy!

Stay safe.

It was pretty boring, actually. The air traffic kept us at 2 knots at PD, even at night. No commercial traffic to speak of.

Did manage to sink a Fletcher class which stumbled into our lair! :yeah:

sublynx

06-28-11, 10:42 AM

Ob.lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
U-10, "die Elster", type IIA
2.Flotille, Kiel
15.11.1939

Patrol report 25.10.-3.11.1939.

Patrolled grid AN59. Spotted two 4000 - 5000 BRT freighters, heard one more and sighted one armed trawler. No airplane sightings. Three G7a torpedoes shot surfaced at a freighter, gyro angle 35, depth 7 meters, MZ pistol, range 500 - 800 meters. One missed, two early detonations. The weather was stormy, wind 22 m/s, heavy rain. Hydrophone bearings were not reliable. Collided with an armed trawler, escaped submerging for a few minutes and then running away surfaced, contact lost soon in low visibility.

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/6518/sh3armedtrawler.png (http://img405.imageshack.us/i/sh3armedtrawler.png/)

Two internal G7a's could not be loaded because of the high winds and the fact that our patrol grid was too shallow to dive to 30 meters for a reload. Returned to base with a very low moral and then we hear U-126 has been lost. Our boat's pressure hull was badly damaged in the collision and took almost two weeks to repair. I let the men paint a magpie on the conning tower. We need all the luck we can get.

Wiebus

Kermit the Frog

06-28-11, 10:59 AM

24.12.1942 Visibility 9km, no clouds, wind 1 m/s, early morning, 150km West from Scapa Flow.

-"Sooooomwheeeeere oooover the raaainbow..."- Johann surely has strong lungs, but his voice is far from perfect. He doesn't have an ear for music too. Since he has no idea how bad he is in singing, we have serious situation here. Unfortunately, he likes to sing very much. Anyway... I can't think about Johann's passion for music, because after very tensed night we gain contact with convoy. I'm terribly tired, but like most part of the crew I'm in good mood. It's just like in happy times, hunting Tommys. Let's start from events from last night.

Yesterday evening, we gather information about large convoy travelling along NE British coast, heading Scapa Flow, 5kt. I suspected, that they're not going to finish their journey in Scapa. Rather I expect them to sneak through the pass between South Ronaldsay - Swona - Hoy islands, and Stroma island.
This knowledge gave me the opportunity to intercept the convoy. All I need is to find myself on the West side of the pass just before convoy came there. To do this I need to sail around north side of Orkney: North Ronaldsay, Sanday, Westray and West side of Orkney Mainland. I ordered "flank ached" and we start our adventure. Very soon North Ronaldsay island came into visibility range. I was very curious in differences between 09.39 and 12.42 here. How strong is the defence? In '39 I was able to infiltrate the harbour of Scapa Flow (not sinking any ships), but now? I was too scared to sail between Orkneys and Scotland. Maybe my fear is unjustifiable? I'm about to leave the bridge when Metox gives us radar signal warning. Two contacts bearing 350 and holding. Are they closing or sailing away? I grab binoculars, and so is the watch. After 5 minutes it looks like our contacts are moving into same direction as we are. I decide to stay surface, otherwise I can forget about catching convoy. They seem to keep their heading, but that's not all the troubles. Very soon we get another Metox warning. This contact seems to sail in opposite direction, but for from our starboard, but with the next contact we don't have so much luck. They seem to run straight on us. In this situation, and with hostile activity on starboard we have no choice:
-Johann, we need to get closer to the land.
-If we do this we may won't be able to dive
-I take that risk, change course.
And again, minutes full of tension, when we observe Destroyers sailing on maximum range of visibility. We spend all the night circling around, many times surrounded by radar signals from every direction. All in purpose of reaching targeted waypoint on time. There's almost morning, and we're 15 km from suspected convoy route, when we receive multiple radar signals from expected direction. Is this our convoy?
-Dive to periscope depth- I need to confirm this, and after a minute I have confirmation of convoy presence. -Surface the boat!
We came just in time, and honestly I can't imagine how could I wait for convoy here with all these boats around. Thankfully there's the free way to go to the West. No radar signals from this direction.

-Two planes, direction 240! Alaaaaaarm! Dive! Dive! Dive! Sound of alarm breaks my meditations. We were travelling quite fast, so boat hides herself under the surface of water very fast.
We're reaching 24m when large KABOOOM! shakes my boat! Firstly I thought about hitting a ground so I ordered to stop the engines, Kaboom! and boat shakes again. That's surely not the ground. I memorize that the see here has far more than 25m deep. So that are DC's! From planes!
-Hull slightly damage, minor leakages, no serious damage to the boat- CE calms me down, I start to like this guy. After training he become valuable part of the crew.
-What's the situation on our larboard hydro?
-They keep their course, seem that convoy escort isn't wiling to chase us.
-Keep 25m depth, we're staying submerged for 30 minutes, both engines 200rpm chief!

30 minutes of peace. Now I have time to go back to events from last night...

to be continued...

gazpode_l

06-28-11, 03:42 PM

10th January,1941
Word from Lorient harbour-master was passed to Kln Hessler that his boat (U65) is now ready to be victualed and loaded ready for patrol, following major repairs and a re-fit to the pressure hull. Hessler had the Lorient admin staff write to his crew to summon them for duty as of January 15th, ready for departing at some stage during the following 24 hours.

15th Jan 1941
Crew of U65 begin to arrive in Lorient, as harbour staff continue to load on food, torpedoes and gun ammunition. The pace of his improved in the afternoon five-fold once the crew realised what was going on and jumped in to assist.

15/1/1941 8pm
By dinner-time U65 is provisioned, loaded and ready to depart for sea. All of the staff from U65 have arrived bar, two "ratings" one of which we are informed won't be returning. Dinner is taken by the whole crew in the mess-hall before they all formally board U65, the ratings prefering to spend the night sleeping in thier quarters with other officers and staff
sleeping on shore, appart from Hessler, who occupies his bunk within U65.

16/1/1941 5am
All of the staff are up and about, and the formal pagentry begins. As the band plays, Hessler formally issues his first commands and orders the engines started, which start first time. Engine is put into gear and propulsion test succesful, the lines are slipped and finally, for the first time in months U65 slips from her berth and is steered for sea.

16/1/1941 6:30am
West of the Island of Lorient another two U-boats are sighted returning, a VII/C and a IX/B

16/1/1941 6:30pm
A quiet day thus far with calm seas and winds and no contacts to speak of.
Various hydrophone sweeps turned up no sounds at all.

16/1/1941 11pm
another hdyrophone sweep is made with the vessel at 13m depth (periscope depth). As the sweep is clear, Kaluen Hessler orders all non essential personnel to rest and "light's out" is ordered.

17/1/1941 8am
Back underway again, and now we are about a day's motoring away from our designated patrol grid. Our last hydrophone sweep turned up nothing but marine life & various kinds of fish, which were obviously feeding, due to some surface disturbances detected by our soundman, which made for some very interesting listening. As we surfaced, and re-started running on
diesels, we could actually see what was going on - obviously a big fish or mammal was feeding down there, but it stayed submerged.

17/1/1941 1pm
Lunch is taken whilst performing another hydrophone sweep. Shortly after lunch an intelligence radio message comes in sighting two merchant vessel's line astern. the position is marked on the map and an estimate means they are around 30km away from us at present - we can get to thier area in acouple of hours!

17/1/1941 3pm
We are in hydrophone contact with the enemy - they are still some distance off, but thier fiegnt distinct propulsion sounds are audiable on a hydrophone sweep.

17/1/1941 4pm
The Kaluen is having a lye down when he hears a muffled "ship spotted" cry from the bridge, followed by "Kapitan, report to the bridge!"request....Kaluen hessler arises from his bunk and climbs the ladder to see what the comotion is about - sure enough there are two sets of smoke trails, indicating there are two vessels out there. our speed is already
"ahead flank" and we should be in firing position soon.

[/FONT]

VONHARRIS

06-29-11, 01:38 AM

19 January 1940
vonHarris was just ready to put U-111 to sea when his radioman came on the turm with the news.
U-126 had been lost with all hands. A sad event but is there a war with no casualties? Great men of U-126: Your death will not be unavenged!
U-93 was on the process of attacking a convoy.Good luck
U-37 had succesfully attacked a convoy sinking two merchants
U-10 on the other hand was unlucky and suffered serious damages after a collision with an enemy armed trawler.
U-65 was already at sea ready for action.

23:38 hours U-111 left port

10 February 1940
After almost a month of doing nothing but drills we finally had some action
Grid CG94
21:03 hours Sound contact two merchants - A storm was raging on the surface
21:31 hours 4 TIs fired , 2 at each target
21:32 hours 4 impacts but no sinking sounds
22:15 hours following the sound signatures of the merchants - no sinking sounds
22:29 hours Surface in the storm , fired 1 TI , impact.
22:35 hours Ships lost in the fog. 5 torpedoes wasted!

24 February 1940
Grid AM52
11:43 hours Sound contact merchant approaching
11:50 hours contact still closing
12:02 hours Positive ID : Tramp steamer
12:23 hours 1 TI (stern) fired at close range - impact - ship sunk in seconds

29 February 1940
Grid AM02
01:40 hours Moving to intercept convoy
02:12 hours Sound contact with convoy - 4 escorts and a big warship within the columns of the convoy
02:25 hours Positive ID : Revenge class BB in a perfect position.
02:38 hours 3 TI (bow) fired at close range - 2 impacts - 1 TI (bow) fired all at the battleship
02:39 hours Impact
02:41 hours 1 TI (stern) at a small merchant
02:42 hours 1 TI (stern) at a tramp steamer - sinking sounds
02:43 hours Impact - sinking sounds - diving to 100m undetected
06:32 hours Surfaced , no damages

7 March 1940
Grid AM32
09:09 hours Warship seen - diving to PD
09:21 hours Positive ID : 1 DD 1 AUx cruiser 1 Armed Merchant Cruiser
09:28 hours 2 TI (bow) fired at the Aux cruiser
09:29 hours Impacts - ship sunk in seconds - AMC started evasive actions
09:30 hours 2 TI (bow) fired at the AMC
09:31 hours Impact - ship cut in half
11:00 hours Surface
11:10 hours ALARM - AIRCRAFT - CRASH DIVE
21:37 hours Surface

11 March 1940
01:14 hours U-111 docked at port
53 days at sea
5 ships sunk
63063 tons
no damages - casualties

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/7948/patrolmap.jpg

We took revenge for U-126.
vonHarris had been promoted to Kapitanleutnant and received the Knight's Cross
Promotions and medals for the crew as well plus a 25 days leave to rest and visit their families.

Snestorm

06-29-11, 05:25 AM

Continued from last report, from BF14, 0n 21.sep.39, at 2102

22.sep.39
BF15
1643: "Ship spotted! 035. Long range."
1644: Coastal Merchant. New course 114 (Bow on).
1649: Man the deck gun.
1654: Target, IDed as english, and evading inspection.
1657: Warning shot fired across the bow.
1658: Target turning away, and continueing evasive maneuvering.
1659: Open fire with deck gun.
1700: Fire tube 2. Impact! Target sunk. BF1533. New depth 50 meters.

2302: Status report sent: BF1611. 4 sunk. 5 torpedoes remaining.

23.sep.39
BF13
0231: "Ship spotted! 358. Long range." Dive for Destroyer.
0233: Multiple sound contacts. Convoy!
0234: Clear & Calm. ½ moon. Total depth 130 meters. Night submerged.
0315: Fire 3 (TI G7A) at T2 Tanker - Long range.
0317: Fire 2 (TII G7E) at Small Merchant - Short range. 2 impacts!
0319: Small Merchant sunk for 2.340 GRT.
0324: Active ASDIC at 214. Short range.
0326: Passing 60 meters.
0329: Passing 70 meters. More ASDIC heard.
0337: 3 warships now searching. Undetected.
0443: Surface! Cargo ship and Corvette visible.
0444: Tube 2 to be reloaded during end run. No reloads for tube 3.

BF129
0619: Depth under keel 102 meters.
0629: Dive for attack. Total depth 99 meters.
0704: Sunrise.
0711: Fire 1, 2, 4 (TII G7E) at T2 Tanker - Long range. New depth 87 meters.
0715: No hits!
0747: Rear escort concluded port to port passage at short range. Undetected.

1114: Status report sent: 5 sunk. 0 torpedoes remaining.
1138: BDU to U37: Return to base.

BF12
1303: A L A R M ! Crash dive for A/C.

28.sep.39
AE93 (NW of Færøerne)
2129: A L A R M ! Crash dive for A/C.
2245: Surface. Ahead Standard (11 knots).

3.okt.39
AN98
1930: Docked at Willy.

Patrol results:
5 merchants sunk for 11.414 GRT.
12 of 12 torpedoes expended.
Crew & Hull Integrity 100%.

Gerald

06-29-11, 05:28 AM

You and the crew, seems to be in the form now,but BdU expect more GRT!

sublynx

06-29-11, 04:36 PM

Ob.lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
U-10, "die Elster", type IIA
2.Flotille, Kiel
5.12.1939

Patrol report 23.11.-5.12.1939.
Patrolled grid AN21. Three destroyer sightings in the grid, no merchants. A single 1800 BRT coastal freighter was sunk in grid AN28. A night surface attack made against a convoy with two destroyers as escorts in grid AN41. Very dark night, wind 6 m/s, cloudy. The escorts did not see us at an approximate distance of 2700 meters. Three G7a's launched at very distant ships. One hit after a run of five minutes and 20 seconds, indicating a run of 5 kilometers. No ship sunk, however. The merchant and the convoy were between Aberdeen and Glasgow. Possibly there is a route between those ports.

STEED

06-29-11, 06:25 PM

June 22nd 1941

From Bdu to U-125 IXB

Get your boat up to Northern Russia and sink there commie ships.

I'm on it. :salute:

Fish In The Water

06-29-11, 09:07 PM

Get your boat up to Northern Russia and sink there commie ships.

Just be sure and dress warm! :03:

VONHARRIS

06-29-11, 11:55 PM

Patrol No5
11 April 1940
Wilhemshaven, U-111 was ready to leave port. U-10 was coming in after a short patrol with a single pennant flying on her scope and U-37 returned as well with 5 pennants and some 11K tons. U-125 had left for the Northen Atlantic and those cold seas.
08:28 hours U-111 departed for grid AN84(!)

15 April 1940
Grid AN84
12:04 hours Moving to intercept convoy after BdU message
Grid AN76
12:56 hours Sound contact with convoy - foggy weather - low visibility
13:44 hours 1 TI(bow) fired
13:45 hours 1 TI(bow) fired
13:46 hours Impact
13:47 hours Sinking sounds - not confirmed visualy
15:25 hours Surface , BdU confirmed the sinking of a coastal freighter

24 April 1940
Grid AM52
07:53 hours Moving to intercept convoy after BdU message
09:13 hours Visual contact with convoy
09:27 hours 1 TI (bow) fired
09:29 hours Impact - 1 TI (bow) fired
09:30 hours 1 TI (bow) fired - impact
09:32 hours Impact - sinking sounds - small freighter sunk
09:35 hours 1 TI (stern) fired - impact
09:37 hours Sinking sounds - Black swan class sunk - not the intented target
09:41 hours 1 TI (stern) fired
09:43 hours Diving to 100m - impact - sinking sounds - S class submarine unintended, the torpedo was aimed at a medium cargo
09:53 hours Depth 65m - pinging
09:55 hours Depth 70m - DCs Damages - flodding in the whole forward part of the boat
09:59 hours Depth 208m - diving uncontralable
10:01 hours Depth 246m - hull still holds but descending couldn't be stopped
10:03 hours Depth 265m - hull still in one piece - flooding stopped

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/7093/depth260m.jpg

Various leaks were still active

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/4274/leakincommandroom.jpg

10:06 hours Depth 245m - flooding stopped - silent running - hull still holding
10:08 hours DCs exploding
10:16 hours DCs exploding
10:23 hours DCs exploding
10:27 hours Depth 229m - silent running - maintain depth
11:10 hours Sound contacts indicated that the convoy and its escorts were moving away - raising to PD
11:58 hours Up scope - heavy merchant 01 spotted DIW
12:26 hours Surfaced - aft baterries - radio antenna destroyed
12:27 hours Opened fire with the deck gun
12:28 hours Ship sunk after 16 105mm rounds

18:05 hours Warship spotted - diving to PD
18:08 hours Multiple sound contacts - convoy coming close
18:34 hours Leading escort spotted our scope and turned. Her course and speed should place her some 350m behind our stern
18:36 hours 2 TIs (stern) fired - impact
18:38 hours sinking sounds - Black swan sunk
18:56 hours 2 TIs (bow) fired
18:57 hours Impacts
19:02 hours 2 TIs (bow) fired
19:03 hours Diving to 70m - impacts
20:07 hours PD - upscope - 2 ships DIW
21:00 hours Surface since battery capacity was limited
21:01 hours Opened fired with the deck gun
21:03 hours Empire type freighter sunk
21:04 hours Opened fire against the other target
21:10 hours Heavy merchant 01 sunk - 56 105mm rounds used for both ships

30 April 1940
04:43 hours
U-111 returned to port.
8 ships sunk
32465 tons
no casualties
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/7948/patrolmap.jpg

vonHarris wrote a letter to AG Weser in Bremen thanking them for building such a strong U-boot.
It turned out the small freighter sunk at 09:32 on 24 April 1940 was a Q-ship.
vonHarris received the Oak leaves for his Knight's Cross and medals plus promotions were given to the repair crew. The LI received the German cross in gold.

Snestorm

06-30-11, 04:05 AM

28.nov.39
AN98
1000: Underway from Wilhelmshaven.
Orders: Proceed to SW of England (BE39).
Long range boats assembled in the area are to proceed to the W of Gibralter.
U37 will be in the position of SOPA, and will act accordingly.
(SOPA = Senior Officer Present Afloat).

U83 left about 2 weeks before us, and was last heard from in AM52.
U11 was last heard from in AN21.

Traveled at most economical speed northward, along the Norge.
Upon turning westward, went to Ahead Standard (10 - 11 knots) until the danger area, around Færøerne, had been passed. No incidents on this passing.

Arived in BE39, and began the southward trek at most economical speed.

14.dec.39
BE96 (W of NW Spain)
Medium Fog. Wind 9 M/S.
0400: One of our number found a convoy.
Radio dispatch: "Convoy. BE92. S. 5 knots."

Proceeded at Ahead Flank, for a short distance, to the BE95 border.
Upon reaching BE95 slowed for a cautiouse search consisting of 50 minute dashes, followed by 10 minute hydrophone checks.

1100: New depth 20 meters. Hydrophone reports 2 warships with a wide gap.
1101: Multiple merchant contacts reported.
1102: New course 270. Periscope depth.
1107: New course 265 (Based on constant bearing of lead escort).
1108: Escort moving away at 351. Escort closing at 111. All contacts Long Range.
1118: 4+ warship sound contacts counted.
1120: Merchant reported at Medium Range.
1128: Fire 2 (TII G7E).
1129: Fire 4 (TII G7E). Both targets are Small Merchants.
1129: New depth 100 meters. 5 degrees Right Rudder.
1130: 1 premature detonation. 1 impact. Small Merchant sunk for 2.341 GRT.
1230: U37 remained undetected.

U11 still last heard from in AN21.
U83 last heard from in AN11.
(on this date in your careers).

1852: Save & Exit (Well astern of the convoy).

sublynx

06-30-11, 04:54 PM

Ob.Lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
2. Flotille, Kiel
Orders: Patrol grid AN47

25.12.1939 Kiel
The morale of some of the crewmen seems to be a bit low right now. Perhaps it would be better not to start patrols on Christmas day, unless the situation absolutely dictates it. We are taking a course on Danish territorial waters, to avoid any British mines. When past Denmark, I am planning on turning to a westerly course, trying to intercept any enemy traffic coming from the direction of Oslo and Sweden.

27.12.1939 AN35
At 0045 hours a 2000 BRT passenger freighter sighted, under 120 passenger seats. Westerly course, speed slow. Our surfaced approach was not noticed until we shot a warning shot with the 20 mm Flak gun, but the ship didn't stop. Opened fire at 1200 meters, first at the bridge and deck to suppress any light weapons fire, then engine room and cargo and any weak points to slow the ship down. The idea was to slow the ship and then make a safer torpedo shot. However, the ship carried something on the deck that caught fire and started small explosions. By 0111 hours the ship's fuel reserves caught fire and the ship sunk. 500 20 mm rounds used, another 500 rounds left. Excellent shooting by Lt.z.s. Hanschmann and Stabsbootsmann Müller.

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/1007/sh3pg2000flak500.png (http://img21.imageshack.us/i/sh3pg2000flak500.png/)

31.12.1939 AN47
At 0020 hours Stabsoberbootsmann Böhm reported a radio message located 36 kilometers NNE. At 0301 another 2000 BRT passenger freighter sighted. I decided to attack the ship in spite of gale force winds. Surface attack was just possible, submerged the ship would have been extremely hard to track. The visibility was medium. Ships course 196 degrees was established by keeping a constant bearing, speed 6 knots had to be calculated on paper, because the fixed wire method could not be used reliably (in the extremely heavy winter storm waves the ship looked at times like it didn't make any forward motion). Rohr 1 and Rohr 2 were launched, aimed at bow and stern masts. MZ pistol, depth 5 meters, range 980 meters, gyro angle 0, impact time AOB 90 degrees. Torpedo speed 40 knots, running time estimated at 46 seconds. For some reason the first torpedo didn't hit. The second torpedo hit perfectly aimed after a run of 48 seconds. The fact that the first torpedo missed is very strange, considering the second hit so well. Perhaps the depth keeping failed in heavy seas or the pistol failed to detonate. By 0516 Rohr 3 was launched at the ship that stood dead in water. MZ pistol, depth 5 meters, hit the keel of the ship after a run of 50 seconds. The ship exploded two minutes later. May this be our new year gift for BdU and may 1940 be lucky to the Kriegsmarine!

Luck - and skill - certainly has been on U-111's side. They sunk a Black Swan and an S-class submarine accidentally, then survived a dive to a depth of 265 meters! Incredible. We haven't yet dived deeper than 50 meters. U-37, from Wilhelmshaven as well, has been very succesful as well. It's hard for us Kiel based short range submarines to compete with those long range boats. I'm hoping for a chance for a bigger boat, but as for now, those boats are only given to the best commanders. I am continuing patrol with two G7a's left, and hoping for a chance to show what my crew can accomplish.

Wiebus

Gerald

06-30-11, 04:58 PM

Good work,:salute:

sublynx

06-30-11, 05:01 PM

Good work,:salute:

Thanks, Vendor :DL I'm happy with the mission so far. :salute:

Gerald

06-30-11, 05:06 PM

Thanks, Vendor :DL I'm happy with the mission so far. :salute: You are welcome, there seems to be going well for you, :DL

Snestorm

07-01-11, 04:44 AM

Continued from 14.dec.39. BE95
All torpedoes fired with magnetic pistols enabled.

15.dec.39
CG11
1648: T2 Tanker sunk, in convoy.
Daylight submerged attack.
3 torpedoes (TII G7E) fired at close range, with an 8 degree spread.
Torpedo run was 25 seconds.
1 external stern (TI G7A) fired at secondary target, at close range.
Torpedo struck target. No indication of sinking or slowing.
Convoy on course 003, making 6 knots.
4 known escorts. 2 confirmed, and 2 suspected to be Destroyers.
Medium Fog. Wind 9 M/S.

BE98
2322: Night surface attack. Fire 3 (TI G7A). Fire 2 (TII G7E).
2 targets. Dive. New depth 100 meters.
2326: G7A strikes main target. G7E deemed a miss.
No indication of sinking or slowing.

16.dec.39
BE98
0216: Night surface attack.
3 torpedoes (TII G7E) are fired from just inside convoy, to the far side.
Full Ahead. New depth 102 meters.
1 premature. 2 lacked the range required.
Escorts answered with loose DC paterns. No damage incurred.

0355: Surface for end run on convoy.
0401: A L A R M ! Crash dive. Destroyer gunning.
Heavy damage to Tower. Frame developed cracks. Hull damage.
70 meters is as deep as we go.
Active pinging and DC attacks continue.
No flooding, but Damage Control was kept very busy with repairs.
0730: Surface, and commence heavy repairs.
0747: Status report sent to BDU.
0800: Return to base.

25.dec.39
Passing Færøerne on the longest night of the year, at Standard speed.
No airctaft encounters. A gift from Frigg!
Radio reports U10 underway from Kiel.

27.dec.39
Radio reports of a sinking by U10.

31.dec.39
Radio reports of a second sinking by U10.
Well done, U10!

2.jan.40
AN98
0900: Docked at Wilhelmshaven.

Patrol results:
11 of 12 torpedoes expended.
2 merchants sunk for 13.212 GRT.
Crew Integrity 100%.
Hull Integrity 69%.

U37's history to date:
2 war patrols completed.
5 merchants sunk for 24.626 GRT.

gazpode_l

07-01-11, 07:18 PM

Last report had us chasing a pair of merchants, on January 17/18th.

17th Jan 1941
As weather was good, Kaluen decided to use deck gun operations rather than torpedoes. The gun was readied and within an hour the ships were being fired upon. Accurate gunning, meant that by 17:30hrs, both vessels were heading to the bottom.

18/19th January 1941
The patrol grid is reached (BE67) on January 18th, and a large area of the grid is searched both running surfaced & also submerged, using the hydrophones. more than the required 24 hours are spent in the grid without any contact with any other vessel.

20th January 1941
Very soon after setting course for Spain and Gibraltar, an excited radio operative calls out to say he's recieved a radio report of a large convoy, just some 50km north of our position, apparently on a southerly heading.

A few hours of running ahead flank follows before U65 reaches the convoy position and relay's this onto BDu.

Several torpedo's are fired, scoring a large hit on a medium cargo, and also a small tanker is damaged. U65 is then detected by enemy escorts and is persued for some hours by two "Black Swan" class

One Escort leaves, and U65 climbs to periscope depth, where the dead-eyed dick of a commander is able to claim another escort using the stern tubes. U65 manages to pick-off a further two escorts in this fashion, before they are once again alone on the seas.

The battle with the enemy has left U65 badly damaged (not quite as badly as last time, but hull integrity still is below 50%, and therefore orders are given by the kaluen to return to Lorient, which she does some time a few days later.

Days @ Sea: 1 week
Crew Lost: None
Ships Sunk: 6 (3m,3w/s)
Total tonnage: 13,495 tons

Later the crew is informed that HMS Starling (famed vessel of Cmdr Walker) was sunk by U65.

News: U10 has sunk many ships, despite her small size. Other kaluen's contine to press home the early-war advantages.

Status: Apparently U65 is once again out of the water - this time the repairs are scheduled to take two months, with the next departure looking to be sometime mid-march, 1941.

Kermit the Frog

07-01-11, 08:30 PM

-What's the situation on larboard hydro?
-No changes, they keep their course.
"Then it's time for my nap" I thought. But the more I wanted to sleep the more I was awake. You know what it's like. I go back to events from the night.

As you know we got contact with convoy, when they tried to sneak between Orkneys and Scotland. To do this we needed to dodge between destroyers around Orkneys. We had radar contacts in front of us, behind us, and on larboard. Because all of them were moving, we needed to act quickly.
-Heading 250, expect visual contacts in bearing 260~300 deg- I also grab binoculars, and after 15 min. We found them. Firstly we saw Evarts class destroyer, and when we got closer we saw also first column of merchants, a big ones! -Change course, heading 270- I wasn't going to came to close. We had excellent position to shadow convoy. On their starboard, a little bit in front of them. After some time of peaceful travel, I started to get bored:
"We're shadowing them from about an hour, there's still two hours to sunrise..."
-Let's try to blow up this destroyer, we have special weapon on board, Two FAT I torpedos. They seem to be created to attacks from far distance.- I set data in TDC. The only trouble is with the distance. I set 7800m but it's more like a guess.
- Course 180, open torpedo tube three!- I double check the search pattern, and being completely sure of settings I took the DD's funnel into crosshair, and released torpedo. -Course 300! Flank ahead!- Now the only thing is to wait. Will it work? One minute, two, three, four... Seems we missed. No sign of hit. We get back to our previous position on starboard front corner of convoy. I need to find another way to attack. I need to kill that DD first, but how to do this without going submerged in this shallow waters? My thoughts are broken by watch officer
-Sir, it's time to surface the boat
-Periscope depth, watch periscope up!- I'm not going to get surprised with pants down while surfacing the boat.
Checking all the area takes some time, but after this, I'm pretty sure, that surfacing the boat is secure.

About 30 minutes later
-Alaaaarm! Dive! Dive! Dive!- Johann has open eyes as always.
-Two planes Sir! Bearing 250- Johann is reporting right after closing the hatch.
-hard larboard- I'm not going to make the same mistake twice, and I keep flank ahead as long, as I hear DCs explosions far behind me.
-return to main course, both engines 150 rpm, we're staying under water for another 30 minutes.

After that time I raise the boat to periscope depth, to check the perimeter for the presence of enemy planes, and surface the boat right after this. We're staying on the surface for another 5~10 minutes, and after this there's another aircraft in visible range. This time I can see him through observation periscope before we disappear under the waves. It's just the Swordfish!
Son of a ...[censored] This fuc***g piece of s**t, wood, bedsheet, and piano chord won't force us to hide every 10 minutes under water any more. After 20 minutes of submerged run I surface the boat previously checking the perimeter by the observation periscope. Right after surfacing the boat I order to man both double 20mm flack guns. Fire at will, medium range.

Indeed, after 30 minutes of peace, both barrels are turning to larboard-tail hemisphere, and open rapid fire after couple seconds.
-Hard Larboard! Flank ahead!- I know, that avoiding Swordfish DC's is possible, but the problem is, that he's coming from the tail. He's getting closer and closer... God it's one ugly son of a ...

KABOOM!!!

He's more accurate than I thought. DC's are exploding pretty close to the hull. Both gunners dies immediately, Johann is saved by the bridge's cover.
-Take them inside! Maintain the flack guns! Keep fire!- After short brake both guns returns fire. They're accurate enough to damage the biplane, and keep him away from us. After two rounds around us, he escapes to his base I guess.
-Man the flack guns! I'm sure he'll returns- Repair commando appears almost immediately on the bridge, together with chief engineer.
-Moderate damage to the hull, over a dozen rivets are broken mostly on three ribs between diesel room and stern quarters. Stern batteries are damaged, also some damages in command room. We're able to fix this by ourselves.
-Make it quick chief, I feel he'll come back.

24.12.1942 12:20
It becomes quite clear, that if I want to think about attacking a convoy by night, I need to stay on surface and shoot down this damn Swordfish. We don't have to wait long, RAF is punctual.
-Alaaarm! Two planes bearing 330.
-Hard larboard, flank ahead!- I need to turn the boat to face to face with planes. I grab binoculars to see... Two Mosquitoes! Mother of god, what have I done! It's to late to dive the boat. We're on head to head with them, maybe thy miss us? Next second looks like my last one, Mosquito suddenly enters into a deep dive. I order hard starboard, but I know it's too late, we won't avoid this punch.

To be continued.

PS. All the best wishes to Kaleun VONHARRIS and his U-111. Sink them all!

Snestorm

07-02-11, 03:52 AM

27.feb.40
AN98
2210: Underway from Wilhelshaven for the waters SW of England and W of Spain.
Magnetic pistols retained on all torpedoes. 9 G7E. 3 G7A.

4.mar.40
AF72
0500: Ahead Standard (10 - 11 knots).

7.mar.40
AM22
0700: Ahead One Third (6 - 7 knots).
Færøerne well astern.
No incidents with enemy aircraft.

9.mar.40
AM51
0810: "Ship spotted! 238. Long range." Freighter.
Turning bow on for inspection under Prize Law.
Ship IDed as C3 Cargo. Nationality determined to be english.
Target attemps to ram. Too rough for deck gun.
U37 dives, monitors target on hydrophone, and waits.

0920: Surface. Estimated course of target is 268. making 9 knots.
1213: New depth 15 meters.
1214: New course 177. Open tubes 5 & 6 (TI G7A). New depth 12 meters.
1223: Fire 5 & 6 (TI G7A) individualy. Depth 4 meters.
1224: 2 impacts! 1 bow hit, 1 midships hit.
1225: New course 267.
1229: Target speed reclassified from medium to slow.
1235: Surface. Target lies 1500 meters ahead, at 045 R.
1243: Speed estimate 6 knots.
1259: Targets speed at, or below 5 knots.
1320: New course 002. Back Full. Open tube 2 (TII G7E).
1322: Ahead Slow (3 knots).
1323: Fire 2, without speed setting, depth 4 meters.
Impact! just aft her funnel. Torpedo run 45 seconds.
AM393
C3 Cargo.

1327:
From: U37
To: BDU
1 freighter sunk this day for 7.000+ GRT.
8 G7E, and 1 G7A remaining.

1417:
From: BDU
To: U37
1 freighter sunk in all for 7.909 GRT.

12.mar.40
BE38
0857: "Ship spotted! 357. Long range." Corvette, broadside.
New depth 15 meters.
0858: Convoy detected on hydrophones.
0917: Open tubes 1, 2, 4 (TII G7E). Set depth 4 meters. AOB 90 Stb.
Our heading 265. Estimated enemy course 155, at 6 knots.
0924-0925: Fire 2! Fire 4! Fire 1! (Target = T2 Tanker).
0925: Premature! Premature! New depth 100 meters. 5 degree Left Rudder.
We have a Corvette astern!
0928: Impact! Torpedo run 2 minutes, and 45 seconds.
1002: 4+ escorts in all. 1+ Destroyer. 1+ Corvette.
1033: Straggler detected at 330 R (We are following on convoy's track).
Begin reloading tubes.
1036: At Silent Speed, we are gaining! Contact at 328 R.
1050: Tanker in periscope. ID changed from T2 to T3 Tanker.
1134: Target declared to be stationary by Hydrophone-man.
1142: Fire 2! Depth set at 6 meters.
1144: Explosion! Torp run 1 min, and 53 sec. No apparent effect. Surface!
1145: "We've been detected!"
1149: Fire 4! Depth set to 4 meters. Target at 90 degrees, stopped DIW.
1151: Explosion! Torp run 2 min, and 5 sec. No apparent effect.
1152: Dive! Resume course 255.
1158: "Sound contact! Warship. 359. Medium speed. Long range. Closing."
1159: New depth 100 meters.
1209: Starboard to starboard passage with warship, at short range.
1213: He's at the tanker, and coming back.
1221: He passed our port side at short range, and continued toward the convoy.
1251: New approach. 15 degrees off his bow. Depth set to 11,6 meters.
1252: Fire 2! (TII G7E).
1254: Explosion! Torp run 2 min, and 6 sec. Target showing a heavy bow.
1316: Fire 4! (TII G7E). Same setting as last shot. Impact!!!
1319: T3 Tanker finaly sinks! And it "only" took 7 G7Es?!!!

1337:
From: U37
To: BDU
T3 Tanker sunk for 11.000+ GRT.
7 elctric torpedoes expended.
2 prematures. Simple bow on shot.
2 exploded without apparent effect. Simple bow on shot.
1 brought target to a stop. Simple bow on shot.
1 exploded with unknown effect. 15 degree AOB, 0,9 meters below target.
1 exploded with great effect. 15 degree AOB, 0,9 meters below target.
(or perhaps struck target, as she laid low in the water.)
Wind 9 M/S.
1 G7E, and 1 G7A remaining.

1406:
From: BDU
To: U37
T3 Tanker credited at 11.653 GRT
Continue patrol into CF3000, and CF6000.

BE62
2110: Save & Exit.

Gerald

07-02-11, 04:15 AM

BdU,want to you work harder,... so back to the field now :03:

Snestorm

07-02-11, 04:20 AM

BdU,want to you work harder,... so back to the field now :03:

Me and BDU both want these crumby torpedoes to work a-little harder too.
I think by next patrol, I can fix them.

Hi, pal!

Gerald

07-02-11, 04:23 AM

Me and BDU both want these crumby torpedoes to work a-little harder too.
I think by next patrol, I can fix them.

Hi, pal! Hi my friend! Yes eels need some rest.

Kaptain Schlag

07-02-11, 12:29 PM

First of all, Kaptain Schlag is glad to be back on the hunt after some layoff (real life), as such dates on this log are unavailable.

After the previous patrol, Kaptain Schlag was given command of the U-93-VIIC
Summer 1940
Orders- patrol along all of CF
-----------------------------------

No contact was made along CF so U-93 headed northweat towards the Belchen supply ship off of Greenland. Southeast of Greenland contact was made with a large convoy probably from Halifax.

Waves were rough aiding U-93's run on convoy. A modern tanker and a large tanker were spotted in the convoy and both were dispatched with two torps apiece. Boy did they light up like a candlestick!

U-93 reloaded torps while in the midst of the convoy and eventually got off one torpedo at a large cargo. One aft torpedo was fired at an ore carrier to no effect.

The large cargo went diw. and then sunk without need for further torps 30 min later.

U-93 then broke of contact and reported to the Belchen.

Following a ten day layoff, U-93 left Belchen headed for lorient.

On the return trip contact was made with a small merchant which was dispatched with two torpedoes. U-93 then made contact with an enemy tramp steamer which she tried to take on with deck gun. Ship was ablaze when Kaptain Schlag and U-93 were maliciously and without morals, rammed by the tamp steamer (this is not fair :har:) U093 sustained its heaviest damages thus far in the war by a merchant lol.

U-93 dispatched the merchant with several more 88mm shells and promptly returned to base.
-----------------------------------------

VONHARRIS

07-02-11, 02:43 PM

PS. All the best wishes to Kaleun VONHARRIS and his U-111. Sink them all!

Thank you.
U-111 is docked in Wilhelmshaven for major refits.
Obligations in R/L will not allow me to play at this point.
I will catch up later , I think.

sublynx

07-02-11, 04:30 PM

Ob.Lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
2. Flotille, Kiel
Orders: Patrol grid AN47

1.1.1940
At 0040 hours a new year's gift from BdU: three contact reports of single ships. I picked one, the closest one, distance 150 kilometers and close to the port of Aberdeen, grid AN44. We didn't manage to locate it at 1021 hours we sighted a 7000 BRT ore carrier at a range of 8000 meters. Got closer surfaced while evaluating it's speed and course. After making an estimation of 212 degrees, speed 7.2 knots, we submerged to to observe the ships engine RPM's. At 1053 hours two G7a's launched, aiming at the front and stern masts. MZ pistol, depth 7 meters, impact time AOB 90 degrees, gyro angle zero, range 700 meters. Both torpedoes hit and the ship was observed sinking keel first at 1105 hours. No changes in RPM's notified during the torpedo run. The heavy seas probably kept the bubbles of the G7a's invisible to the merchants crew.

4.1.1940 evening
We passed Wilhelmshaven, where U-111 and U-37 were refitting, but did not have the chance of stopping by and visit the commanders.

5.1.1940
0414 Back at Kiel after having sunk three ship for 11000 BRT. It seems Aberdeen is a busy port, possibly iron ore from Norway is being shipped there. I was given the Deutsches Kross, but not a bigger boat. What do I have to do, to get a type VII or a type IX!

In the officer's mess I hear hair raising reports about patrols U-93 and U-65, lots of success, but lots of damage too. It's not easy out there in convoy battle areas, where the bigger boats go. U-37 reports torpedo problems again. I haven't had too much of those, but so far our type II's have mostly had G7a's and none of the new G7e's. I would be curious to try those anyways.

Fish In The Water

07-02-11, 06:23 PM

Obligations in R/L will not allow me to play at this point.
I will catch up later , I think.

Hope you can get back at 'er soon... :sunny:

Snestorm

07-02-11, 09:58 PM

Continued from 12.mar.40 BE62.
Magnetic pistols enabled for all torpedoes.

14.mar.40
BE94/BE86
1641: Destroyer sighted, broadside. at 4300 meters.
New course 253 (bow on). New depth 15 meters.
1643: Second warship, and multiple merchant sound contacts reported.
1645: Nearest warship moving away. New depth 12 meters.
1659: Ne course 291, based on Destroyer's constant bearing.
Slow Merchants at 270 to 326 R. Course estimation reinforced.
We will be inside the convoy box.
Convoy's estimated course 021, making 6 knots.
TDC set for a bow on attack. AOB 90 Stb. 6 knots. 4 meters running depth.
1706: Merchants at 261 to 332 R. Very confident in solution.
1708: Open tube 1 (TII G7E), and 3 (TI G7A).
BE8666.
1713: Fire 3! Coastal Merchant. Leading farthest column.
1714: Fire 1! Small Merchant. Leading, one column nearer.
1716: Passing 20 meters. 5 Degree Left Rudder. Impact! Ship sunk!
1717: Impact! Ship sunk! G7A run time was 3 minutes, 30 seconds.
G7E run time was quite a bit shorter.
Clear sky. Light Fog. 9 M/S.
1731: Steadying up on 246.
1733: Passing 90 meters.
1735: 3 escorts counted. Nearest at 218 R, moving astern. Medium Speed, and Range.

2122:
From: U37
To: BDU
BE866.
In contact with convoy.
Course 021, making 6 knots.
3 escorts, at least 1 being a Destroyer.
2 2000 tonners sunk.
All torpedoes expended.

2135:
From: BDU
To: U37
Return to base.

31.mar.40
AN98
0016: Docked at Wilhelmshaven.

Patrol results:
1 Tanker, and 3 Freighters sunk, for 23.954 GRT.
12 of 12 torpedoes expended.
Crew & Hull Integrity 100%.

U37's history to date:
3 war patrols completed.
9 ships sunk, for 48.580 GRT.

It has come to our attention that the commander of U10 is being looked at, for command of one of the new IXB boats, which will begin leaving out for patrols in april.
A very able and cunning commander. But first his relations with the dock workers must be looked into. It would seem that in spite of all Type II boats being fitted out with G7Es only, he has managed to leave port with a full load of the superior G7As.

Missing Name

07-03-11, 09:23 AM

From the diary of Paul Bartelsen, commander of U-108...

September 1st, 1939

We have been scrambled upon hearing news that war has been declared on Poland. It is still dark and the men are somewhat upset at having been woken up so abruptly. The harbor is quiet.

We are still not done fitting out quite yet. We expected to have a few more days to complete trials. The boat is still at a 2 degree list to port and down somewhat by the stern. We will have to correct this while at sea. Chief engineer Horst says this shouldn't take much effort but is simply a nuisance.

The boat is packed with cuts of meat and crates of produce. It is hard to maneuver. The aft head is being used as a lemon closet. Two of the bunks are filled with extra deck gun shells. My bunk is currently covered in apples. What a mess.

Fish In The Water

07-03-11, 08:52 PM

Two of the bunks are filled with extra deck gun shells. My bunk is currently covered in apples.

Given a choice between the two, I'd probably rather sleep with the apples. :03:

VONHARRIS

07-03-11, 11:21 PM

31 May 1940
U-111 was ready to depart for grid DJ11
U-108 had already left and U-37 had returned after a succesful patrol despite those faulty TIIs with their magnetic pistols. Kaleun Snestorm still uses these.
U-10 sunk some 11K tons during her last patrol , a considerable sum for a type IIA Uboot. Kaleun Wiebus must be given command of a large IXB U-boot
U-65 returned with heavy damages but also 13K tons at her account while U-93 radioded in that she was under air attack.

07:44 hours U-111 left port

4 June 1940
Grid AN14
17:41 hours Ship seen
17:50 hours Positive ID: Small merchant - dived to PD
18:15 hours 1 TI(stern) fired
18:16 hours Impact - ship DIW
18:21 hours 1 TI(stern) fired - impact - ship sunk

5 June 1940
Grid AN14
00:17 hours Warship seen - dived to PD
02:53 hours Surface with no further problems

14 June 1940
Grid CG16
11:48 hours Ship seen - dived to PD
12:06 hours Positive ID: Medium cargo
12:11 hours 2 TIs (stern) fired
12:12 hours 2 impacts - no damage seen
12:42 hours Submerged hunt fruitless - surfaced
12:47 hours 1 TI(bow) fired - impact
12:48 hours 1 TI(bow) fired - impact - ship sunk

22 June 1940
Grid CG95
06:33 hours Ship seen
06:37 hours Positive ID: Small merchant + large merchant
06:43 hours Opened fire upon the small merchant
06:45 hours Changed target - large merchant
06:51 hours Changed target - small merchant
06:52 hours Small merchant sunk - re-engaged large merchant
06:55 hours Cease fire
06:59 hours Large merchant sunk - 85 105mm rounds used.

23 June 1940
Grid CG95
04:31 hours Warship seen - dived to PD
04:38 hours Multiple warship sound contacts -TF
04:46 hours Positive ID: Battlecruiser of the Renown class + CV of the Illustrious class , 2 TIs(bow) fired at each target
04:50 hours 2 impacts - 2 impacts - CV exploded and sunk - confirmed visualy
http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/2452/cvsinking.jpg

04:58 hours 2 TIs(stern) fired - diving to 100m - no pinging
07:34 hours No sound contact - surfaced.

5 July 1940
Grid BE39
11:14 hours ALARM - shells landed ahead of us - fast dive to PD
11:16 hours Multiple sound contacts - convoy
11:23 hours The attacking escort couldn't get a fix on us with ASDIC. She would pass some 350m ahead of our bow with no sign of turning or changing speed - rather strange behaviour.
1 TI(bow) set at 1m fired - impact - ship sunk
11:42 hours 2 TIs(bow) fired at a large tanker
11:43 hours 2 impacts
11:44 hours 1 TI(bow) fired at the same tanker - impact
11:46 hours There was no other escort - party time -surfaced and engaged with the deck gun
11:47 hours Large tanker sunk
11:51 hours Second large tanker sunk
11:54 hours Medium merchant 06 sunk - 59 105mm rounds used
11:56 hours ALARM - Aircraft - crash dived - the merchants had called the cavarly in.

9 July 1940
Grid AM52
04:42 hours Ship seen
04:49 hours Positive ID:Small merchant
05:03 hours Opened fire
05:05 hours Ship sunk - 20 105mm rounds used

14 July 1940
00:29 hours U-111 docked at port
45 days at sea
10 ships sunk
71784 tons
no damages or casualties

The CV sunk was the HMS Victorious and the battlecruiser was the HMS Renown en route to Giblartar.

VONHARRIS

07-03-11, 11:35 PM

A very able and cunning commander. But first his relations with the dock workers must be looked into. It would seem that in spite of all Type II boats being fitted out with G7Es only, he has managed to leave port with a full load of the superior G7As.

If this requires an investigation , then I must be sent to the Eastern front. I leave with a IXB filled up with TIs (G7a) only! :DL

Oh , I forgot...... vonHarris is a relative of Karl Doenitz. :D

Snestorm

07-04-11, 07:11 AM

If this requires an investigation , then I must be sent to the Eastern front. I leave with a IXB filled up with TIs (G7a) only! :DL

Oh , I forgot...... vonHarris is a relative of Karl Doenitz. :D

So that's why I can't get any G7As.

Snestorm

07-04-11, 07:12 AM

26.maj.40
AN98
2030: Underway from Wilhelmshaven.
Orders: Disrupt trafik to, and from, Gibralter.
All torpedoes set to AZ (impact), and 3 meters depth.

5.jun.40
AM27
0104: "Ship spotted! 041. Long range." Destroyer!
Turn bow on, and dive to 15 meters.
Undetected. No convoy.
0248: Surface, and continue southward.

7.jun.40
AM73
0738: "Ship spotted! 297. Long range." Destroyer! 6800 meters.
Turn bow on, and dive to 20 meters.
0742: "Warship moving away. Fast."
Undetected. No convoy.

8.jun.40
BE36
1652: Radio dispatch: "Convoy. BE39. WSW. 6 knots."

9.jun.40
BE38
0033: "Ship spotted! 002. Long range." Corvette! Dive to 15 meters.
0035: Multiple merchant contacts. New depth 12 meters
0107: Lead escort passed almost over our bow.
0108: 3+ escorts. U37 at center of convoys track. (256, at 6 knots?)
0118: Prepare (external) tube 5. (257, at 6 knots.)
0121: Fire 5 (TI G7A). New depth 100 meters. Target = Small Merchant.
0123: Impact! Ship sunk!

0336: Status report: U37 to BDU
1 2000 tonner sunk.
Convoy on course 257, making 6 knots.
Weather shifted to Medium Fog, Wind 14 M/S.
No longer in contact with convoy.
9 G7E, and 2 G7A remaining.

0428: Radio message: BDU to U37
Unless contact has been re-established, continue toward original objective.

12.jun.40
CG18
1756: Radio dispatch: "Convoy. CG17. NNW. 6 knots."

13.jun.40
CG14
0310: Diving for Heavy Fog.
0905: Convoy unfounded.

15.jun.40
CG42
1944: Radio dispatch: "Convoy. CG17. S. 5 knots.

16.jun.40
0224: "Ship spotted. 309. Medium range." Destroyer! New depth 20 meters.
0228: New depth 15 meters. Keeping bow on to Destroyer.
0234: New depth 12 meters.
0247: Open tubes 1, 2, and 4 (TII G7E). 5 degree spread for C2 Cargo.
0248: Fire 1, 2, 4. New depth 101 meters.
(Note: This was the only target fully visible in periscope).
0249: 39 seconds run time. 3 impacts! ship sunk!

0503: Surface.
0506: Status report: U37 to BDU
3 G7E fired. 3 perfect impacts. 1 6000 tonner sunk.
Convoy on 181, making 5 knots.
4+ escorts. 1+ Destroyer.
6 G7E, and 2 G7A remaining.

0539: BDU to U37
Continue persuit.

0632: Convoy changed course eastward (163. 5 knots?). Closing for new estimations.
0647: Contact report: U37 to BDU:
Convoy now on course 169, making 5 knots.
Escort closing - U37 diving.

0702: Open tube 3 (TI G7A) for long range shot at C2 Cargo.
0703: Fire 3! New depth 101 meters.
0706: Run time 2 min and 40 sec. Impact!

1140: Status report: U37 to BDU
1 G7A fired. 1 hit. No sinkings.
Weather shift to Medium Rain, Heavy Fog, Wind 15 M/S.
Contact with convoy lost.
6 G7E, and 1 G7A remaining.

1222: BDU to U37
Continue southward.

1420: Save & Exit.

VONHARRIS

07-04-11, 08:28 AM

So that's why I can't get any G7As.
Ok , I have blown my cover!
BUT , as a fellow Kaleun I can see that you get a full load of TIs! :D

Osmium Steele

07-04-11, 09:39 AM

To: BdU
From U-51

Subj: Status

Received your message regarding the wondrous acheivement of the Graf Spee, with all of her guns and armor plating. Four merchants ships in one day!

At the time of receipt, this ship has sunk 6 merchant vessels in the previous 24 hours, northwest of Scapa Flow, and we have yet to loose a single torpedo. We carry a single 8.8cm gun and a flak gun.

Never send a surface ship to do a U-boat's job.

Best regards from the captain and crew of the U-51 to the surface ships of the Kreigsmarine!

Heil... well, you know who.

Osmium Steele

07-04-11, 12:47 PM

Snestorm

07-05-11, 03:32 AM

:damn::damn::damn::damn::damn::damn::damn::damn:

2 Aux cruisers, inline, 2600m

2 torpedos each

Spread 5 degrees...... 5 degrees?!?! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO:o

Perfectly bracketted both targets.

They sailed right through the goalposts without a clue.

:wah::wah::wah::wah::wah::wah::wah::wah::wah::wah: :wah:

Ouch!
Fire 3 per target next time! (Just kidding [although I do]).

We've all had our "NOOOOOOOOO" moments.
But your choice of reactionary words is much more polite than mine ever were.

sublynx

07-05-11, 05:06 PM

Ob.Lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
1. Flottille, Kiel
Orders: Patrol grid AN81
31.1.1940

A rotten patrol in heavy rain and heavy seas behind. Five G7e's shot surfaced, guessing the speed of a 2000 BRT freighter. Maybe one hit or might have been a close early detonation. MZ pistol, depth 5. Morale of the crew seems bad after the mission. However I managed to talk to Snestorm and Vonharris, who have good connections and they say I have a good chance of getting a bigger boat in a few months.

Wiebus

(RL takes a lot of time now, so not much playing time or time to write patrol reports...)

Snestorm

07-05-11, 05:20 PM

Continued from 16.jun.40

Last contacts with U37:

19.jun.40
CG8479 (W of Gibralter)
1552:
Enemy task force. 2 Battleships. 8+ Destroyers.
CG8479. Course 097. Speed 21 knots.
Unable to gain firing position.

21.jun.40
CG97
0350:
Contact with Gibralter bound convoy lost in Heavy Fog.
Attempting to regain contact.

0751:
B-Dienst enemy radio intercept:
Large Uboat sunk with gunfire and depth charges while attempting to aproach convoy from a forward position.
Much wreckage and oil on the sea surface. No survivors.

Fish In The Water

07-05-11, 09:53 PM

(RL takes a lot of time now, so not much playing time or time to write patrol reports...)

Bad old RL, always getting in the way! :D

sublynx

07-06-11, 12:37 PM

Bad old RL, always getting in the way! :D

One of these days I'm gonna torpedo RL :/\\x:

VONHARRIS

07-06-11, 12:50 PM

Patrol 7
14 August 1940
Wilhelmshaven , U-10 has returned form her last patrol empty handed because of the terrible weather.
Sad news had shocked us: U-37 has been lost with all hands during her last patrol during a convoy interception operation in CG97
Crew morale wasn't the highest but we had to leave.
00:32 hours With a heavy heart U-111 left port

17 August 1940
Grid AN41
20:03 hours Ship seen
20:09 hours Positive ID: Harbour tugboat
20:39 hours Opened fire from 320m - ship sunk after 1 105mm round

18 August 1940
Grid AN14
09:02 hours Ship seen
09:07 hours Positive ID: Large merchant - dived to PD
09:30 hours 2 x TIs(stern) fired
09:32 hours 2 x impacts - ship on fire
09:34 hours Break up noises - ship seen sinking by the bow
09:35 hours Surfaced
09:46 hours ALARM - Aircraft seen - crash dived
Grid AN13
23:31 hours Warship seen - fast dived to PD
23:38 hours Positive ID: Illustrious class fleet carrier sailing UNESCORTED! (This is the first time I saw an unescorted capital ship since 2006)
23:39 hours 3 TIs(bow) fired
23:44 hours 2 impacts - carrier slowing down
19 August 1940
00:13 hours 3 TIs(bow) fired - DCs exploding - flooding. As no pinging was heard this was certaintly an air attack by the carrier.
00:15 hours 3 impacts - the carrier was doomed listing with a heavy bow
00:16 hours Ship sunk - visually confirmed
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3064/cvheavybow.jpg

00:18 hours Surfaced , this sinking is dedicated to U-37 and her brave crew who were killed in action. This didn't soften our pain for their loss but at least we took revenge.

21 August 1940
U-111 returned to port with 66% hull integrity and her heavy flak destroyed
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/1650/u111aftertheairattack.jpg

8 days at sea
3 ships sunk
34037 tons
No casualties
66% hull integrity.
Edit: The CV was the HMS Implacable
From the SH3 commander: Ship sunk! HMS Implacable (Illustrious class), 23000 tons. Crew: 1242. Crew lost: 1117

gazpode_l

07-06-11, 06:00 PM

U-65 Patrol #4 - report 1

15/3/1941
U-65 formally handed over from site engineers @ Lorient to shore-crew for
loading and provisioning. Crew contacted and informed to report for duty on
evening of March 17th

17/3/1941
All crew of U-65 is accounted for with two exceptions. One torpedo officer
has been transferred to another U-boat being the most obvious missing
person, with another "rating" also transferred.

18/3/1941 - 11am
U-65 formally departs Lorient estuary having slipped lines @ aprox
10:30hrs. Orders are to patrol area AM78 for a period of 24hrs with the
kaluen advised to persue targets of opportunity in transit.

19/3/1941 9am
Barely 24hrs into it's forth patrol, IWO reports a ship being spotted at
long range, aproximately 30' to the port side of U-65. Course changed and
ahead flank ordered so vessel can be persued.

19/4/1941 - 10:30am
In position to fire, from submerged depth of 12m, Tube 1 released set to
depth of 2m, impact pistol used. Detonation on target after a run of
aproximately 2.5 minutes. Little effect on target. Second torpedo is fired
from Ruhr 2, depth set to 4m. Detonation, followed by rapid series of
secondary explosions. Vessel sinks quickly by 10:37hrs.

19/3/1941 - 11am
U65 surfaces to recharge batteries, reload tubes and bring in one external
torpedo due to calm seas.

19/3/1941 2pm
Watch officer reports shells falling around U-65 from distant, unknown
vessel. U-65 turns bow towards attacker to persue, again at flank speed.
Attacker later identified to be an empire class frieghter, with deck gun
loaded astern. Pursuit continues submerged.

19/3/1941 3pm
U-65 in position to fire at empire class. Tube 1 fired with magnetic fuse
torpedo G7E set to depth of 7.5m on a vessel draft of 7m. Detonation on
target after aproximate run of a few minutes. Vessel sinks slowly some
eleven minutes later.

19/3/1941 4pm
U-65 now resuming course, continuing towards designated patrol grid AM78

19/3/1941 11:330pm
U-65 recieves radio message stating that U-105 has sunk a 6,000GRT steamer!

20/3/1941 3:30am
"Message recieved" Radio report of Large convoy, making 6knts on a course
of E.S.E. Position plotted in the chart and it is established U-65 is very
much in position to attack, as they are only 30 odd NM away from the
convoy's reported position. Flank speed ordered to persue convoy.

20/3/1941 4am
"Warship" spotted at long-range - suspected convoy escort. Persicope depth
ordered to establish hydrophone contact with enemy.

20/4/1941 4:30am
Save & Exit (out of time in R/L :damn:)

Gerald

07-06-11, 06:03 PM

Good work, :up:

Fish In The Water

07-06-11, 07:59 PM

00:15 hours 3 impacts - the carrier was doomed listing with a heavy bow
00:16 hours Ship sunk - visually confirmed

Very nice, a great prize! :salute:

Osmium Steele

07-07-11, 07:15 AM

Patrol 700:15 hours 3 impacts - the carrier was doomed listing with a heavy bow
00:16 hours Ship sunk - visually confirmed

Edit: The CV was the HMS Implacable
From the SH3 commander: Ship sunk! HMS Implacable (Illustrious class), 23000 tons. Crew: 1242. Crew lost: 1117

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a384/Chiisai2/drooling-emoticon.gif

WOOT!! Sorry, sometimes the MMOgamer still breaks free.

VONHARRIS

07-07-11, 09:20 AM

Patrol 8
24 September 1940
The news bulletin came in: U-65 reported two sinkings. No other news up to date.
Orders came in: Patrol grid DH34 and then return to Lorient France.
10:32 hours U-111 left port

02 October 1940
Grid AN52
15:11 hours Ship seen - dived to PD
15:14 hours Positive ID: Coastal freighter and small merchant
15:35 hours 1 TI(bow) fired - impact - coastal freighter sunk
15:41 hours 1 TI(stern) fired - impact - small merchant sunk

16 October 1940
Grid CG94
22:59 hours Moving to intercept convoy after BdU message
17 October 1940
00:05 hours Sound contact with convoy
01:40 hours 2 TIs(stern) fired at repair ship
01:42 hours 2 TIs(bw) fired at medium merchant 02 - 2 impacts on repair ship - 2 impacts on medium merchant - ship sunk
01:50 hours Overrun by enemy escort - no pinging - never heard him coming - damages and flooding. The LI screamed that we had lost our fuel tank.
01:52 hours 2 TIs(bow) fired at large cargo - impact - ship sunk
02:59 hours Depth 95m silent running - breakup sounds - repair ship sunk

07:03 Surfaced and radioded BdU of status - ordered to find the SS Thalia at Cadiz , Spain

23:02 hours Docked at SS Thalia , shaked up but safe
24 days at sea
5 ships sunk
22918 tons
no casualties
95% hull integrity

sublynx

07-07-11, 11:21 AM

Ob.Lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
1. Flottille, Kiel
Orders: Patrol grid AN81

24.2.1940

Not much of a patrol, one 1800 freighter sunk. Two misses, two duds, one hit in trying to master a 60 degree AOB attack. All 20 mm Flak ammunition used. AN82 seems to be a busy grid, probably lots of traffic between Holland and England. U-37 has been lost and the other boats have seen tremendous action, U-111 sinking Implacable. U-65 is amidst a convoy battle, hope they get out safely.

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/8395/sh3hit.png (http://img851.imageshack.us/i/sh3hit.png/)

Wiebus

Snestorm

07-08-11, 02:46 AM

1.sep.39
AO77
0355: Underway from Kiel.
Orders: Patrol Grid AN56.
Observe Prize Law.
Neutrals exiting England are to remain unmolested.
Armament: Five TII G7E torpedoes, set to MZ (Magnetic Trigger).

Arived on station 7.sep.39.
Departed grid 13.sep.39 (Heavy Fog).

One warship detected on hydrophone.
2 separate departing neutrals (Norge) chased, and allowed free passage.

21.sep.39
AO77
0920: Docked at Kiel.

Returning dockside news:

U10's completed her first war patrol 2 days ahead of us, on 19.sep.39.
She sunk 3 ships for 13.000 GRT.

U83 departed Wilhelmshaven on 19.sep.40 for her first war patrol.
She had just completed a peacetime shakedown cruise prior.
(You haven't got U111 yet).

From a future crystal ball:
The families of U37's crew are grateful to the brave captain and crew of U111.

Note: I'll try my best to back through the reports, and include as much as possible in relation to my current date. It should prove interesting, I hope.

Paul Riley

07-08-11, 04:35 AM

Fantastic to see my thread going strong after all this time!
Just to let you know that I will be joining you all again soon for a new campaign I have planned,only I have had family issues lately that needed attending to.
See you all soon,and sink em all! the filthy rotten swine! :arrgh!:

VONHARRIS

07-08-11, 09:06 AM

See you all soon,and sink em all! the filthy rotten swine! :arrgh!:

Looking forward to seeing you again.
I hope everything is OK with your family.

From Snestorm:
Note: I'll try my best to back through the reports, and include as much as possible in relation to my current date. It should prove interesting, I hope
Snestorm , doing this can be very time consuming but very good for immersion. Good luck.

sublynx

07-08-11, 03:22 PM

Fish In The Water

07-08-11, 07:54 PM

Fantastic to see my thread going strong after all this time!

Welcome back Paul, can't wait to read about your latest exploits! :yep:

ijnfleetadmiral

07-08-11, 08:52 PM

U-46 got into the Firth of Forth on her last patrol...sighted one C-class DD, a C3 cargo ship, a small merchant, and a T3 tanker in an impossible firing position. WTH? Where are the major warships in this game? This is my second campaign and the biggest warship I've sighted thus far has been a CVE. As of right now, it's 16 March 1940, and I'm about to embark on another patrol. Anyone got any ideas as to where I might find AT LEAST a CL to try my luck at?

- OLzS Albert Weber

Snestorm

07-08-11, 10:06 PM

Snestorm

07-08-11, 10:29 PM

VONHARRIS

07-09-11, 02:16 PM

Patrol No9
18 October 1940
After refitting at the SS Thalia U-111 depatarted for her next patrol , which was at Grid AD59
U-10 has returned home with one sinking but the flak gunner on that boat should be an expert by now.
U-56 has completed her first patrol and was away on her second.
Best of luck for all U-booten at sea.

27 October 1940
Grid CG19
06:37 hours Ship seen
06:39 hours Positive ID: Tramp steamer
06:46 hours Opened fire
06:50 hours Ship sunk after 27 105mm rounds

12 November 1940
Grid AM18
23:20 hours Moving in to intercept convoy after BdU message
13 November 1940
00:26 hours Sound contact with the main convoy and visual with the escort screen
00:38 hours 4 x TIs(bow) fired
00:41 hours 2 impacts - 2 impacts large tanker sunk
00:50 hours 2 x TIs(stern) fired - diving to 100m
00:52 hours impact
00:54 hours Sinking sounds - heavy merchant 01 sunk

25 November 1940
Grid AD59
12:02 hours Multiple sound contacts indicated convoy approaching
12:16 hours 3 x TIs(bow) fired at slow speed based on hydrophone readings
12:25 hours Impact
22:49 hours Surfaced

27 November 1940
Grid AE77
07:03 hours Multiple warship contacts at high speeds
01:10 hours Ships were moving away at high speed - abandoned approach.

08 December 1940
11:46 hours Docked at Lorient France. We had no news of U-65 yet.
52 days at sea
3 ships sunk
20737 tons
no damages or casualties

Snestorm

07-09-11, 10:00 PM

19.okt.39
0010: Underway from Kiel.
Orders: Patrol grid AM13, with freedom of action into AM15.

29.okt.39
AM13
2140: Heavy Fog. Wind 15 M/S.

AM15 and the W entrance to Scapa has been reconned.
Heavy ASW patrols.
No contacts with heavy units or merchants to date.

Moving NW to avoid ASW patrols and await more favorable weather.
5 G7E torpedoes remaining.

8.nov.39
AO77
0540: Docked at Kiel.
Weather dictated a return to port.
Visiblity remained poor due to Heavy Fog.
U56 was unable to hold at periscope depth due to 15 M/S winds.

No ships sunk this patrol.

2 war patrols completed.
0 ships sunk for 0 GRT.

Dockside news:

U10 was last heard from on 3.nov.39.
She was returning to port, following a collision with an Armed Trawler.

U83 returned to Wilhelmshaven on 15.okt.39, following her sinking of HMS Nelson.

gazpode_l

07-10-11, 03:00 PM

From: R Hessler (U-65, IXB)
To: Bdu
Time: 06:43 - 20/3/1941
Location: BF11
Torpedoes: 14
2x Cargo Ships sunk
1x Warship sunk
Total Tonnage thus far: 12,675 GRT

Notes: Have survived encounter with convoy with minor/little damages, despite depth charges. Unable to confirm any hits on merchants, but sunk 1x V&W destroyer.

Large convoy beyond visual range heading S/W at aprox 9knts.

Continuing progress towards assigned grid, with plans to recon an area off "Rockall banks" once 24hrs in assigned grid is complete.

END OF MESSAGE

Snestorm

07-10-11, 10:05 PM

6.dec.39
AO77
1245: Underway from Kiel.
Orders: Patrol grid AM36.
Darkened ships, traveling at night, may be sunk without warning within the declared zone.
Armed ships, traveling anywhere, may be sunk without warning.
All torpedoes to retaine the MZ (Magnetic) setting.

13.dec.39
AN14
0750: Predawn dive, 8 miles N of Orkney Islands (Sunrise 0950).
0754: "Sound contact! Medium speed merchant closing. Long range." New course 230 (Bow on).
0800: Preset TDC. AOB 90 port. Speed 9 knots. Depth 4 meters. Spread 3 degrees.
0803: New Course 180! Surface! Both Ahead Flank!
0805: "Ship spotted! 4800 meters. 036 R." (Target's course on/near 090). Open tubes 1, 2, 3.
0808: Target IDed as a Coastal Merchant. Target ship is darkened.
0812: British merchant flagged. Close tubes 1 and 3. Ahead slow (3 knots).
0813: Fire 2! Range 1300 meters.
0815: Impact! Dead center hit. Target sunk almost immediately.
0816: Full Ahead! Return to course (270).
0820: New depth 50 meters.

1526: Long range warship sound contact.
1807: Surface to Medium Fog and wind 15 M/S.
From: U56
To: BDU
1 cargo sunk for about 2.000 GRT.
Was AN14. 0815. 8 miles N of Orknies. 270. 9 knots.
4 electrics remaining.
Weather report included.
1850:
From: BDU
To: U56
Well done on your first.

14.dec.39
AN13
0600: Weather: Medium Precipitation. Heavy Fog. 15 M/S.
0800: Slow merchant sound contact. No attack posible, due to weather.

2203: Save & Exit.

Paul Riley

07-11-11, 04:27 PM

Fish In The Water

07-11-11, 08:28 PM

Well,here we go,finally,a new campaign after almost a year away from the game,and I can tell you right now it feels good to have the bowspray back in my face again.

Good hunting! :arrgh!:

Snestorm

07-11-11, 08:38 PM

So,with the onset of war with Poland we set off from Kiel in our snug type IIA for an assigned patrol in AN21 just east of the Shetlands.

Welcome back!

From: BDU
To: U10 & U23
Your IIAs are actualy IIBs.
Enjoy the "upgrade".
Good hunting.

Snestorm

07-11-11, 08:57 PM

Continued from 14.dec.39

18.dec.39
AN13
1820: Heavy Fog finaly lifted. Now Light Fog, and 9 M/S.

19.dec.39
AM36
0300: On station.
1705: Slow Merchant sound contact. Periscope depth. New course 281.
1707: Target IDed as a C2 Cargo.
1711: Surface to stop target.
1713: Target evading.
1714: Fire 1, 2, and 3. Range under 900 meters. British flagged.
1715: 2 prematures and 1 hit, to no effect. Dive.
2000: Surface to Heavy Fog. 9 M/S. Return to base.

29.dec.39
AO77
0540: Docked at Kiel in Heavy Fog.

Patrol results:
4 of 5 torpedoes expended.
Crew & Hull Integrity 100%.
1 Freighter sunk for 2.043 GRT.

U56's history to date:
3 war patrols completed.
1 ship sunk for 2.043 GRT.

After docking news:

19.dec.39: U83 returned to port after sinking HMS Hood.
VONHARRIS will be leaving U83, and has been assigned U111, a IXB.
The boat wasn't anticipated to leave on her first patrol until 5.maj.41, but VONHARRIS is a very influential kaleun.

5.jan.40: U10 returned to Kiel after sinking 3 merchants for 11.000 GRT, near Aberdeen!
Well done, U10!

VONHARRIS

07-11-11, 11:36 PM

Patrol 10
08 January 1941
U-56 returned from her 3rd patrol having encountered rough weather. She sunk a freighter and damaged a medium cargo. They had some problems with their TIIs.

U-65 was safe after the convoy battle and was on the way to her patrol grid

U-23 has left for her first patrol

17:37 hours U-111 left port for grid AK27

25 January 1941
Grid AD82
12:43 hours ALARM Aircraft seen medium range - no time to dive - engage target
12:44 hours Aircaft shot down - RAF Hudson
15:44 hours ALARM Aircraft seen medium range - no time to dive - engage target
15:45 hours Aircaft shot down - RAF Hudson - took minor damage from machine gun fire.

28 January 1941
Grid AD59
09:34 hours Multiple warship sound contacts
09:38 hours Positive ID: US TF 1x Nevada BB 1x New Orleans CA 5x DDs - let them go - they passed just 950m from our bow tubes.

14:33 hours ALARM - Airraft seen - Crsh dived
14:42 hours Dive uncontrolable - depth 142m and diving - Ordered ahead flank and surface the boat. Fortunately she complied.
14:46 hours Surfaced, the LI checked the dive planes which seemed to work fine at the time

31 January 1941
Grid AD58
04:19 hours Ship seen - dived to PD
04:25 hours Positive ID: Passenger/cargo and small merchant
04:44 hours 3 TIs (bow) fired
04:45 hours 3 impacts
04:49 hours 1 TI (bow) fired - Small merchant sunk - impact
04:50 hours Passenger/cargo sunk after violent explosion

Grid AD82
18:37 hours Iceberg seen,

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/5702/icebergka.jpg

As we passed next to it , I let the men fire off some rounds with the MGs just for fun (not possible in game , what a pity)

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/9981/iceberg2w.jpg

03 February 1941
Grid AD83
07:33 hours Multiple sound conatcts indicated convoy approaching
07:39 hours Positive convoy closing - our current position will put us exactly in the middle of the convoy
08:29 hours 2 TIs (bow) fired
08:30 hours 2 impacts - 2 TIs(bow) fired
08:31 hours Impact
08:35 hours 2 TIs (stern) fired - diving to 100m
08:36 hours 2 impacts - sinking sounds - (ore carrier sunk)
10:12 hours Sinking sounds far away - (converted whale factory ship sunk)
14:02 hours Surfaced in awful weather with rain and 15m/s winds.

09 February 1941
Grid AM43
13:44 hours Weather still awful , the storm kept following U-111's course.

16 February 1941
Grid BF18
02:44 hours Moving to intercept convoy with 2 bow and 2 stern tubes loaded.
04:42 hours 1 TI(bow) fired - impact - 1 TI(bow) fired
04:43 hours Impact
04:44 hours 2 TIs(stern) fired
04:45 hours Impacts
04:50 hours Diving to 100m - no sinking sounds

17 February 1941
13:33 hours U-111 docked at LOrient
41 days at sea
4 ships sunk
24748 tons
2 aircrafts shot down
no casualties
96% hull integrity
No casualties

sublynx

07-12-11, 01:37 AM

From: BDU
To: U10 & U23
Your IIAs are actualy IIBs.
Enjoy the "upgrade".
Good hunting.

Thanks Snestorm, I was beginning to feel a little bit bored with the IIA. :DL I just hope I had some more time to play so that I would be able to upgrade from IIB to VII or IX...

Paul Riley

07-12-11, 02:20 AM

Welcome back!

From: BDU
To: U10 & U23
Your IIAs are actualy IIBs.
Enjoy the "upgrade".
Good hunting.

Thanks for the reminder hehe
Thanks also Fish In The Water

Paul Riley

07-12-11, 02:25 AM

Continued from 14.dec.39

18.dec.39
AN13
1820: Heavy Fog finaly lifted. Now Light Fog, and 9 M/S.

19.dec.39
AM36
0300: On station.
1705: Slow Merchant sound contact. Periscope depth. New course 281.
1707: Target IDed as a C2 Cargo.
1711: Surface to stop target.
1713: Target evading.
1714: Fire 1, 2, and 3. Range under 900 meters. British flagged.
1715: 2 prematures and 1 hit, to no effect. Dive.
2000: Surface to Heavy Fog. 9 M/S. Return to base.

29.dec.39
AO77
0540: Docked at Kiel in Heavy Fog.

Patrol results:
4 of 5 torpedoes expended.
Crew & Hull Integrity 100%.
1 Freighter sunk for 2.043 GRT.

U56's history to date:
3 war patrols completed.
1 ship sunk for 2.043 GRT.

After docking news:

19.dec.39: U83 returned to port after sinking HMS Hood.
VONHARRIS will be leaving U83, and has been assigned U111, a IXB.

5.jan.40: U10 returned to Kiel after sinking 3 merchants for 11.000 GRT, near Aberdeen!
Well done, U10!

Quite a costly patrol ,better look for next patrol

:salute:

Snestorm

07-12-11, 03:01 AM

Quite a costly patrol ,better look for next patrol

:salute:

Nah.
Considering all the restrictions I play with, we're doing OK.

The real U56 IIC:
12 war patrols completed.
3 ships sunk for 8.860 GRT.
1 Auxilary Warship sunk for 16.923 Tons.

I don't think I'll be able to compete in warships but, hopefuly I can at least equal the merchants (I hope!).

Prize Law + Crappy Torpedoes = Low Tonnage.
It realy changes ones outlook on things.
(And my single merchant spawn rates are are only ½ Stock.)

Snestorm

07-12-11, 03:08 AM

Thanks Snestorm, I was beginning to feel a little bit bored with the IIA. :DL I just hope I had some more time to play so that I would be able to upgrade from IIB to VII or IX...

The IIC is getting a-little dull too BUT, it's a great way to get past the crappy torpedo stage.

If we were to match our real counterpart's actual number of patrols, you'd be first in line for a bigger boat.
U10 = 5 patrols
U23 = 16 patrols!!!
U56 = 12 patrols. (Should I?)

Paul Riley

07-12-11, 06:57 AM

Nah.
Considering all the restrictions I play with, we're doing OK.

The real U56 IIC:
12 war patrols completed.
3 ships sunk for 8.860 GRT.
1 Auxilary Warship sunk for 16.923 Tons.

I don't think I'll be able to compete in warships but, hopefuly I can at least equal the merchants (I hope!).

Prize Law + Crappy Torpedoes = Low Tonnage.
It realy changes ones outlook on things.
(And my single merchant spawn rates are are only ½ Stock.)

Prize law,as in restrictions on attacking neutral shipping?,yep,I have to agree with you there it does limit your potential tonnage,but also adds that extra dimension of realism to the game which is what we're all about :03:
I was never aware of the reduction in ship respawning rates,cant say it really bothered me to be perfectly honest,interesting to know though.
Good luck mate in the meantime.

VONHARRIS

07-12-11, 12:39 PM

Patrol 11
We received no news of other U-booten
U-56 must be refitting , U-23 and U-65 on patrol.

20 March 1941
04:06 hours U-111 left Lorient for Grid ET26

24 March 1941
Grid CG27
01:51 hours Ship seen
01:56 hours Positive ID: Empire type freighter
02:06 hours Opened fire
02:07 hours She returned fire - range kept at 2500m
02:09 hours Ship sunk - 24 105mm rounds

07 April 1941
Grid ET29
10:59 hours Sound contact - convoy approaching
11:25 hours Positive ID: US troop transport - turbine tanker - large merchant + British ceramic type liner
The liner was zigazging between the other ships
11:42 hours 3 TIs(bow) fired
11:43 hours 3 impacts - Liner on fire
11:48 hours 1 TI (bow) fired
11:49 hours Impact - ship sunk

10 April 1941
Grid ET29
22:50 hours Moving in to intercept convoy
11 April 1941
00:03 hours Sound contact with convoy
01:33 hours 2 TIs (stern) fired
01:35 hours Impact - tramp steamer sunk - wrong target. The explosion gave away the attack.
01:36 hours Impact - Tanker 04 sunk
01:37 hours 1 TI (bow) fired
01:38 hours Impact - Ore carrier sunk after series of explosions
01:46 hours 3 TIs (bow) fired - pinging - diving to 100m
01:47 hours Impact - explosions heard
01:49 hours Hit by DCs - flooding
02:04 hours Depth 90m - flooding under control - pinging
05:01 hours Surfaced - Conning tower + flak guns destroyed
Decision : Return to Lorient at ahead standard and hope that we would have any contact

18 April 1941
Grid CG19
12:02 hours Smoke seen
12:06 hours Ship seen : Coastal freighter
12:09 hours Opened fire
12:15 hours She returned fire - range kept at 3200m
12:20 hours 1 TI (bow) fired
12:21 hours Ship sunk after 70 105mm rounds. The torpedo didn't reach the target in time

20 April 1941
12:18 hours U-111 docked at Lorient
32 days at sea
6 ships sunk
42073 tons
No damage to hull despite the destroyed turm and flak guns

Paul Riley

07-12-11, 12:45 PM

VONHARRIS

07-12-11, 01:24 PM

Fruitful patrol,nice one :up:

Thank you for that.

Paul Riley

07-12-11, 01:36 PM

Thank you for that.

No problem mate.

gazpode_l

07-12-11, 05:55 PM

Latest status of U-65
14 Torpedoes remain
Current tonnage as per previous report - no further sinkings or significant action.

Encountered a distant task force heading through designated patrol grid of AM78 during early hours of 22/03/1941. This appeared to consist of a number of british battleships. Decided not to attack due to heavily escorted plus the feeling of danger amongst the crew.

As the T/F passed, U-65 remained undetected throughout - an achievement the crew later toasted.

Since sighting the T/F on Mar 22, there has been no further sighting of ANY vessel for some three days.

We have patrolled an area of Rockall Banks to no avail, and are now just north of AM53, a fruitful hunting ground from the past.

End of report, Dated 25 Mar 1941
From: R Hessler, U-65 (IXB)

Fish In The Water

07-12-11, 08:48 PM

Thanks also Fish In The Water

You're welcome, and thanks for the reports! :salute:

Snestorm

07-13-11, 02:42 AM

26.jan.40
AO77
0340: Underway from Kiel.
Orders: Patrol grid AN18 (Aberdeen).
All 5 torpedoes (TII G7E) set to MZ (Magnetic Pistol).

1.feb.40
AN44
1058: "Sound contact! Slow merchant. Closing."
1200: Contact IDed as Fishing Boat. No action taken.

AN18
1700: On station.
1744: "Sound contact! Medium speed merchant. Closing."
1745: Periscope depth! New course 333!
1816: New course 063! Targets estimated course 153, making 9 knots.
1817: TDC preset. AOB 90 Stb. 9 knots. 4 meters running depth. 3 degree spread.
1821: Open tubes 1, 2, and 3. Uncommitted ID as C2 Cargo.
1825: Target ID committed as C2 Cargo.
1835: British flagged. 3 TII G7E torpedoes to be fired individualy.
1837: Fire 1! Fire 3! Fire 2!
1838: Premature x 1. Impact x 2. Torpedo run 42 seconds. Range about 700 meters.
1839: New course 150 (Now known course of target). New depth 50 meters.
1840: Target moving away slow.
1930: Surface! Tubes 1 & 3 loaded.
1939: Target resighted. She has a fire forward of the bridge.
2010: Open tubes 1 & 3.
2011: Target speed 6 knots. AOB 90 Stb. Depth 8,8 meters.
AN44
2050: Fire 1! Fire 3! Back slow.
2052: Impact x 2. Bow & Stern. Torpedo run 76 seconds. Range about 1.200 meters.
2053: Target sunk. Vacating the area at All Ahead Full.
2055:
From: U56
To: BDU
One freighter sunk for about 6.000 GRT.
All torpedoes expended.
2 attacks. 1 premature. 4 good hits.
Clear. 9 M/S.

2210:
From: BDU
To: U56
Return to base.

7.feb.40
AO77
1445: Docked at Kiel, beside U10.

Patrol results:
All torpedoes expended.
100% Crew & Hull Integrity.
1 ship sunk for 6.446 GRT.

U56's history to date:
4 war patrols completed.
2 ships sunk for 8.489 GRT.

Dockside News:

U10 returned to Kiel on 31.jan.40.
She had a rough patrol around AN81, plagued with bad weather, and torpedo problems.

U111 departed Wilhelmshaven for her first war patrol on 19.jan.40. Good hunting, Kaleun VONHARRIS.

Snestorm

07-13-11, 03:22 AM

Prize law,as in restrictions on attacking neutral shipping?,yep,I have to agree with you there it does limit your potential tonnage,but also adds that extra dimension of realism to the game which is what we're all about :03:
I was never aware of the reduction in ship respawning rates,cant say it really bothered me to be perfectly honest,interesting to know though.
Good luck mate in the meantime.

Prize law, as in restrictions on attacking anything, including english.
Inspection of shipping papers first.
I'm at the stage now where it's gradualy shifting to unrestricted submarine warfare but, through 1939 is rough. Nobody complies, but I have to wait for them to attempt evasion before attacking. (A deck gun would be a realy thing to have.) By next patrol BDU should have it all straightened out with Ræder.

The reduction in single ship contacts is my own self modding.
About one half of Stock SH3's trafik, and about one third of GWX's.
It's a whole different game. My tonnage won't even come close to yours, but it's a realy good incentive to stay in contact with convoys, and value every target.

Gerald

07-13-11, 05:01 AM

Good work, :up:

Snestorm

07-13-11, 05:14 AM

Good work, :up:

Hi, pal.
Thanks.

sublynx

07-13-11, 03:12 PM

Snestorm

07-14-11, 02:07 AM

Ob.Lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
1. Flottille, Kiel
Orders: Patrol grid AN28

Statusbericht 15.3.1940

I have arrived to my grid in clear weather, wind 1 m/s. Not much fuel used, no enemy sightings. Continuing patrolling.

Wiebus

We would have been in the same grid, at the same time but, I read the applicable KTBs and Messages to U56 for The Norwegian Campaign, and applied them all, including the recall of U56 in marts.

Good hunting, my friend.

Snestorm

07-14-11, 02:09 AM

6.mar.40
AO77
0200: Underway from Kiel.
1400: Radio Message:
From: BDU
To: U56
"Return to base.
Boat to remain ready to sail at 12 hours notice."
(True event).

3.apr.40
AO77
2100: Underway from Kiel.
Preliminary orders: Patrol grid AN28 (Norge).

9.apr.40
AN28 (SW of Bergen)
0240: On station.
0853: "Ship spotted! 081. Long range.
0859: Northbound german Small Merchant.

10.apr.40
AN28
0600: Radio Message:
From: BDU
To: U56
"Proceed to AN2330 at utmost speed." (True event).
0605: Ahead Flank!

10.apr.40 (still)
AN2330 (WNW of Bergen).
1330: On station.

14.apr.40
AN2330
1010: Radio Message:
From: BDU
To: U56
"Occupy grid AF7830." (True event).
1015: Ahead Full!

15.apr.40
AF7830 (NE of Shetlands).
1030: On station. Targets limited to Large Naval Vessels, and Transports.

16.apr.40
1406: "Ship spotted! 335. Long range." Destroyer!
1406: Preliminary dive to 15 meters.
1408: "Single contact. Closing fast. Medium range." New depth 100 meters.
1411: He passed just ahead of our bow. Undetected.
1415: Estimated course 330, making 27 knots.

17.apr.40
0034: "Ship spotted! 117. Long range." Destroyer! New depth 97 meters.
0035: "Single contact. Medium range. Closing fast."
0045: Undetected.

18.apr.40
0030: Radio Message:
From: BDU
To: U56
"Reoccupy grid AN2330."
0035: Ahead Full!

18.apr.40 (still)
AN2330
2110: On station.

22.apr.40
1200: Returning to Kiel, due to fuel constraints.

28.apr.40
AO77
1140: Docked at Kiel.
No ships sunk this patrol.

U56's history to date:
5 war patrols completed.
2 ships sunk for 8.489 GRT.

sublynx

07-14-11, 02:34 AM

We would have been in the same grid, at the same time but, I read the applicable KTBs and Messages to U56 for The Norwegian Campaign, and applied them all, including the recall of U56 in marts.

Good hunting, my friend.

U-10 seems to have a small part in the Norwegian campaign too, but very little (trying to intercept traffic between Scapa Flow and Norway). For my next U-boat I think I'll choose a number that is mentioned a lot in BdU's KTB, so that I too could play according to historical lines. That would be very interesting.

Gute Jagd Snestorm!

Salvadoreno

07-14-11, 02:36 AM

Snestorm

07-14-11, 03:06 AM

Are those self made rules you guys playing with? Or did u modify ur campaign files to reduce ship spawns? I wanna know!

Mine is heavily self modded.

sublynx

07-14-11, 11:38 AM

Ob.Lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
1. Flottille, Kiel
Orders: Patrol grid AN28

Statusbericht 25.3.1940

Returned back to Kiel. Two 1800 BRT freighters sunk in grid AN28. The other had a speed of 9 knots, course 65, the other probably 8 knots, course 55. Five torpedoes used at approximately 90 AOB angle, depth 5 meters, MZ. One dud in 9 m/s winds, two misses, two hits which were quite enough in sinking the ships. The port traffic to Bergen seems quite heavy.

Wiebus

Paul Riley

07-14-11, 12:57 PM

Well,here we go,finally,a new campaign after almost a year away from the game,and I can tell you right now it feels good to have the bowspray back in my face again.Also I may need to point out that I have still yet to finish the game even after all these years (best so far is early 1943 with a respectable campaign tonnage of well over 1 million tonnes,with 4 careers I think it was),so hopefully this campaign could be the one.Please,no corrupt career files this time please? (fingers crossed)

Sept 1st 1939

So,with the onset of war with Poland we set off from Kiel in our snug type IIA for an assigned patrol in AN21 just east of the Shetlands.We dont expect much action this early in the war,however we could pick up a few loners in and around the area due to the fact that we have an extensive copy of previous captains ship co-ordinate logs from old campaigns.But with only a meagre supply of 5 torps this could be a short journey indeed,therefore we must employ the 'one ship one torpedo' philosophy to its fullest!.
I will need to get the men into a VII as soon as possible for I fear cabin fever may set in before long if I dont.

May the gods guide us safely on our mission.

Latest report from U-23

2nd Sept
uneventful

3rd Sept
day 3 at sea

making our break into the North Sea from the SE tip of Norway we sighted a lone vessel heading 246,speed approx 5-6 kts.
followed for around 2 hrs,vessel clearly indicating it was a Norwegian medium cargo
broke off and sent contact report back to base
earlier in the day we recieved reports of a German UBoat attacking a Polish sub in AO94,which was finally sunk

4th Sept
day 4

no major events other than a radio message at 0846 reporting that HMS Courageous had been dispatched on ASW mission with destroyers Anthony,Acasta,Amazon,Ardent
1430
second radio message,Royal Oak departed Scapa Flow on patrol in North Sea.If only I knew where

5th Sept
day 5

1000
arrived in assigned grid AN21.patrol ends at 1000 on 6th Sept
dived to 20m

6th Sept
day 6

0400
surfaced,co2 at 50%,14hrs submerged (smd)
1000
set new patrol grid AN14-AN16 on an 80km corridor between the Shetlands and the Orkneys
1723
radio report from U-38
fired at by steamer in CG5553
steamer sunk for approx 7.000 GRT
1730
dived to 20m
will remain in area for 1-2 weeks depending on current situation
2100
surfaced,4.5hrs smd,approx 15km covered,recharging
0000
D20m,RC time 3hrs
0002
sound contact,merchant bearing 50,speed slow
0330
broke off from chase,visibility extremely poor with 15mps waves,target pulling away
0638
sound contact
0715
visual on target,British vessel,rough course 151,speed unknown
0750
broke off due to poor vis and rough sea,cannot afford to attack in such uncertain conditions due to our meagre supply of 5 torps
1008
sound contact
1300
gave chase for a good 3hrs,no visual,target must have been faster than our mean speed of 9-10kts at full
1500
D20m
1741
radio message,convoy OA1 departed from Thames estuary for Halifax
1806
sound contact,visibility improving,wind still 15mps
2025
visual contact,target ID British Granville
got well ahead of target and set up for a submerged perpendicular shot fired from 1000m
fired 1,impact tip set to fast,depth 3m.torpedo aimed at foremast
torpedo impacted directly at intended spot.target still afloat yet secondary fires observed below front mast
2100
blew ballast,keeping parallel with target mean course we got in position for a second 90 degree shot fired from the surface at 2000m,light fading,decent cover
torpedo passed literally inches from the bow
fired a 3rd,same
fired a 4th,same (incorrect torpedo setting) :damn:
2116
target slowed to 3kts and still burning slightly
prepared our final fifth torpedo aimed slightly aft of first damage site
torpedo hit perfectly
target finally sank on even keel for 4707 GRT
report sent in to BDU,returning to Kiel
end of report
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Conclusion

below average performance,I think mainly due to impatience,after all,this is my first patrol in almost a year away from the game and was eager for a kill,which after all said and done we did get ;)
Why on earth I left in a type II i'll never know,the only thing I like about it is its cramped space which lends a sense of coziness.
Two weeks back in Kiel and we should be ready for our 2nd patrol,or I may give the men 1 month bringing us closer to 1940...1939 is so slow

VONHARRIS

07-14-11, 11:34 PM

Patrol 12
21 May 1941
04:17 hours U-111 left Lorient for grid ET29 ,Freetown

05 June 1941
Grid EK47
04:03 hours Warship seen - fast dive to PD
12:31 Surfaced

12 June 1941
Grid ET29
11:39 hours Warship seen - fast dive to PD
11:45 hours Positive ID: Hunt I class DD
11:51 hours 2 x TI(stern) fired - impacts - ship sunk
12:00 Surfaced

14:24 hours Aircraft spotted - engaged
14:25 hours Aircraft damaged - minor damages from machine gun fire
14:27 hours Crash dived as aircraft was moving away
16:26 hours Surfaced - attacked by aircraft - engaged
16:27 hours Aircraft shot down - PBY Catalina

16 June 1941
Grid ET29
01:12 hours Warship seen - fast dive to PD
03:09 hours Surfaced
19:49 hours Moving to intercept convoy
20:48 hours Ship seen - US Somers class DD - convoy neutral

18 June 1941
Grid ET38
18:19 hours Warship seen - fast dive to PD
19:41 hours Surfaced

22 June 1941
Grid ET29
18:30 hours Warship seen - fast dive to PD
18:38 hours Positive ID: Tribal class DD
18:43 hours 2 x TI(stern) fired
18:44 hours Impacts - ship sunk

11 July 1941
Grid BF77
21:37 hours Ship seen
21:45 hours Positive ID: Medium cargo unarmed
21:58 hours Opened fire
22:02 hours Ship sunk after 31 105mm rounds

12 July 1941
Grid BF72
21:58 hours Ship seen dived to PD
22:03 hours Positive ID: Medium merchant 01 armed
22:17 hours 2 x TI(bow) fired from 600m - both duds
22:18 hours 2 x TI(bow) fired from 500m - impact
22:20 hours Sinking sounds - ship went down

This was not looking like a good patrol.
14 July 1941
08:34 hours U-111 docked at Lorient.
55 days at sea
4 ships sunk
13594 tons
94% hull integrity
no casualties

U-23 returned after her first patrol (Nice report Paul)
U-10 also returned safely having sunk two ships. Commander Wiebus must be given a bigger boat. I will see to it. I must talk to Karl about it!
U-56 is also at port with no sinkings this time but she evaded two enemy destroyers.
U-65 is enroute to her patrol grid , hopefully.

Snestorm

07-15-11, 03:14 AM

26.maj.40
AO77
1040: Underway from Kiel, bound for AM36.
All torpedoes set to AZ (Impact Pistol), running depth 3 meters. Finaly!

1.jun.40 (Clear & Dead Calm)
AN14 (Shetland - Orkney Narrows)
1717: "Sound contact! Medium speed merchant. Long range. Closing."
1728: New course 180. Preset TDC for AOB 90 Port, 9 knots. (090 - 9 knots).
1735: New depth 20 meters! Ahead Flank!
1740: New depth 12 meters! Silent speed!
1741: Open tubes 1, 2, 3. Target IDed as english, C2 Cargo.
1742: Fire 1! Fire 3! Fire 2!
1745: Miss! Impact! Impact! Target was making good 8½ knots.
1746: New depth 20 meters. New course 090.
1747: Reload tubes 1 & 3.
1750: Target DIW (Dead In [the] Water).
1845: Fire 3!
1847: Hit, but no explosion. Angle is perfect. Target DIW. Dud!
1848: Fire 1!
1849: Impact! Target broke in two, and went down center first.
1850: New depth 20 meters. New course 090.

2250:
From U56
To BDU
Position AN14.
1 sunk for 6.000 - 7.000 GRT.
All torpedoes expended.
3 good impacts.
1 dud.
1 miss.
Weather clear, and dead calm.

2346:
From BDU
To U56
Return to Kiel

7.jun.40
AO77
2340: Docked at Kiel.

Patrol results:
5 of 5 torpedoes expended.
Crew & Hull Integrity 100%.
1 ship sunk for 7.909 GRT. (I had underestimated my tonnage a tad. Target turned out to be a C3 Refrigerated Cargo.)

U56's history to date:
6 war patrols completed.
3 ships sunk for 16.398 GRT. (eleventh place).

Dockside News:

U111 departed Wilhelmhaven on 31.maj.40, for a long range patrol to DJ11.
U111 transited AN14 just 3 days after our departure, and claimed a Small Merchant sunk.
Coming from Wilhelmshaven, he must have passed well south of us.

Paul Riley

07-15-11, 03:43 AM

U-23 returned after her first patrol (Nice report Paul)

If only the other 3 torpedoes had found their mark.Torpedo speed setting is SO vital even if it means taking longer than you normally would to aqquire,you cant really afford to get the speed wrong.If in doubt dont attack in 15mps seas :nope:
...we learn...even after all these years.

VONHARRIS

07-15-11, 10:12 AM

14 August 1941
U-111 left Lorient for Grid DH28
U-56 returned to port after her 6th patrol having sunk a C3 cargo , well done.

28 August 1941
Grid CG97
16:23 hours Aircraft seen - crash dived
19:00 hours Surfaced
19:22 hours Aircraft seen - crash dived
20:40 hours Surfaced

30 August 1941
Grid CG94
18:07 hours Ship seen
18:09 hours Positive ID: Empire type freighter - armed - dived to PD
18:19 hours 2 x TI(bow) fired
18:20 hours Impacts
18:24 hours Ship DIW - lining up for stern shots
18:33 hours 1 TI(stern) fired
18:34 hours Impact
18:35 hours 1 TI(stern) fired
18:36 hours Impact - started reloading stern tubes
18:46 hours Tube 6 loaded - 1 TI(stern) fired
18:47 hours Impact
18:50 hours Ship sunk
18:53 hours Surfaced

02 September 1941
Grid CG94
19:53 hours Moving to intercept convoy
22:06 hours Sound contact with convoy
22:45 hours 1 TI(stern) fired - impact - Medium merchant 06 sunk
22:50 hours 1 TI(bow) fired - impact - Small merchant sunk
22:53 hours 1 TI(bow) fired - diving to 100m silent running
22:54 hours DCs exploding away
22:57 hours Depth 30m - pinging - DCs exploding no damages
22:59 hours Depth 44m - distant pinging
23:00 hours DCs exploding in medium distance
23:02 hours Depth 56m - pinging
23:04 hours DCs exploding in medium distance
23:08 hours Depth 85m - no pinging
03 September 1941
00:45 hours Surfaced
13:35 hours Moving to intercept convoy - unsuccesful

04 September 1941
Grid CG94
19:03 hours Aircaft seen medium range - engaged
19:06 hours Shot down - Kingfisher

07 September 1941
Grid CG89
22:44 hours Moving to intercept convoy
08 September 1941
00:01 hours Sound contact with convoy
01:09 hours 4 x TIs(bow) fired
01:11 hours 2 impacts - Turbine tanker sunk - impact - Ammo ship sunk
01:40 hours Depth 90m no pinging
03:48 hours Surfaced - 2 bow torpedoes left - externals not loaded yet due to weather

09 September 1941
Grid CG49
18:52 hours Ship seen
19:00 hours Positive ID: Large cargo - armed - dived to PD
19:08 hours 2 x TIs(bow) fired
19:09 hours Impacts - no damage seen
20:17 hours Surfaced - no torps left - moving close to the Spanish coast to find better weather

12 September 1941
Grid CG21
06:44 hours Ship seen - dived to PD
06:51 hours Down to 30m
11:57 hours Surfaced
12:52 hours Ship seen - dived to PD
12:55 hours 3 merchant sound contacts + 1 warship
13:27 hours Pinging - diving to 100m
13:28 hours DCs fell - no damages

13 September 1941
02:11 hours Surfaced
19:42 hours
Grid CG23
Off Vigo - nice weather - 1m/s - moving external reloads in

14 September 1941
02:18 hours Job completed - moving to hunting grounds

19 September 1941
Grid BF42
17:53 hours Ship seen
18:01 hours Positive ID: Heavy merchant 01 - armed - dived to PD
18:14 hours 1 TI(bow) fired
18:15 hours Impact - ship on fire
18:16 hours 1 TI(bow) fired
18:17 hours Impact - more fires erupted all along her hull - heavy bow - 1 TI(bow) fired
18:18 hours Impact
18:19 hours 1 TI(bow) fired - impact - ship sunk

21 September 1941
01:18 hours U-111 returned at Lorient.
39 days at sea
6 ships sunk
41265 tons
1 aircraft shot down
No damages or casualties

TOTAL CAREER NUMBERS U-83 VIIB + U-111 IXB
Patrols: 13
450 days at sea
Start: 01 August 1939
63 ships sunk (51 merchants + 12 warships 3xBBs , 2xCVs 1xAuxiliary cruiser 1xArmed merchant cruiser)
486.299 tons (290.084 merchants + 196.215 warships)
6 aircrafts shot down
Torpedoes used: TI only on impact pistols

sublynx

07-15-11, 01:38 PM

Ob.Lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
1. Flottille, Kiel
Orders: Patrol sea area east of the Shetlands

Statusbericht 27.4.1940

A patrol in support of operation Weserübüng. However, the Brits outsmart us here badly and no enemy ships were sighted. We are now back in Kiel with the morale in the dumps. No action in our last patrol, all we did was getting reports of torpedo failures here and there. Only Vonharris had success, otherwise it has been quite miserable for the Kriegsmarine. Norway seems to be firmly in our hands, in spite of everything.

Wiebus

Fish In The Water

07-15-11, 08:58 PM

...the Brits outsmart us here badly and no enemy ships were sighted. We are now back in Kiel with the morale in the dumps.

Hang in there, it's always darkest before the dawn! :salute:

Snestorm

07-16-11, 02:50 AM

Underway from Kiel 6.jul.40, for AN21. (E of Shetlands)
Return to Kiel 21.jul.40
Finaly made Kaleun/Lieut.

No enemy contacts, and no ships sunk this patrol.

U56's history to date:
7 war patrols completed.
3 ships sunk for 16.398 GRT. (fourteenth place on BDU's list)

Dockside News:
On 23.jun.40 U111 sunk HMS Victorious. Well done! Another hazard removed.
She returned to Wilhelmshaven on 14.jul.40

The Canoe Crew, U10, U23, and U56, are still paddling along.

VONHARRIS

07-16-11, 03:22 AM

22 October 1941
New Alberich sound absorbing coating installed
10:26 hours U-111 left Lorient for grid DJ21
U-56 and U-10 have completed their patrols with no sinkings but they are home safe and sound.

30 October 1941
Grid DJ21
01:55 hours Ship seen - medium range
01:57 hours Positive ID: Medium cargo - possibly unarmed
02:13 hours In position for stern tube attack
02:14 hours 2 TI(stern) fired
02:16 hours impacts - ship on fire - maintain speed
02:20 hours Shadowing target
02:40 hours Under attack - she was armed - minor damages - dived to PD
02:50 hours Stern tubes reloaded - 1 TI(stern) fired
03:00 hours nothing seen or heard
04:12 hours Surfaced

31 October 1941
Grid DJ21
12:08 hours Aircraft seen - medium range - engaged
12:09 hours Took near miss hit aft and next to the turm - flooding - various damages
12:10 hours Shot down - Hudson
12:32 hours Flooding stopped in all damaged compartments - hull breached - unable to dive - abandon patrol to Lorient

04 November 1941
14:51 hours U-111 docked at Lorient badly damaged
14 days at sea
0 ships sunk
0 tons
1 aircraft shot down
no casualties
47% hull integrity

sublynx

07-16-11, 01:58 PM

Hang in there, it's always darkest before the dawn! :salute:

Thanks Fish, I'm planning to start another patrol tonight or tomorrow night, maybe U-10'll get lucky this time.:)

Congrats to Vonharris on returning safely though badly hit.

Jimbuna

07-16-11, 03:10 PM

BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!! http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

Paul Riley

07-16-11, 04:11 PM

Tonight U-23 set out on their 2nd patrol for assigned grid AN87.It looks like BDU wants us to probe the northern French coastline,which we look forward to doing,for we have been itching for a fight with the French for a long time.Dunkirk is our nearest enemy port to check out for a day or two then we will sail along the coast and patrol the area around the Dover Strait.We have been in this area before and will have to be extra vigilant for British warships.
Our real desire though would be to sink a capital ship,and judging by last patrol's incessant radio messages concerning Portsmouth this would be a good place to hunt for them.

sublynx

07-16-11, 04:45 PM

Ob.Lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
1. Flottille, Kiel
Orders: Patrol AN24

Statusbericht 11.5.1940

BdU has reprimanded the U-boat arm for the somewhat unimpressive results of the last patrols. "Seien sie mehr aggressive!" Anyway, he's happy with Snestorm, I guess, since he has promoted him to K.lt. and Riley is hopeful on sinking a capital ship.

When we left Kiel a squadron of He-111's flew over us, probably on their way to bomb the last resistance pockets in Norway. Luftwaffe is definetely showing a fighting spirit, sinking troop ships and damaging capital ships.

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/9795/sh3111.png (http://img685.imageshack.us/i/sh3111.png/)

So far in our patrol we have sunk a Norwegian 2100 BRT steamer east of Bergen. Probably the ship tried to escape to Britain. The ship was sunk with three torpedoes of the type G7e, depth setting 3 meters in 15 m/s winds and medium visibility. Rohr 3 missed (pistol setting AZ), Rohr 2 hit (pistol setting MZ) the front of the ship and Rohr 3 (pistol setting AZ) hit the stern of the ship. The estimated of course of the ship was 175 degrees and speed 7 knots, range 1000 meters. However the torpedoes did not hit were intended and the running time indicated a range of 1100 meters. Probably the ship's speed was misestimated. We are continuing our patrol with 2 G7e's left.

Wiebus

VONHARRIS

07-17-11, 12:10 AM

27 December 1941
The crew and Kaleun of U-111 have celebrated Christmas and they were ready to sail for their 15th patrol
U-10 was already on patrol having sunk a medium freighter and U-23 had left as well. There were no news of U-56 , probably still refitting.
14:51 hours U-111 left Lorient for grid BB99

01 January 1941
20:01 hours Radio message received from BdU
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/8757/messagedn.jpg

17 January 1942
Grid BB98
18:36 hours ALARM - Aircraft spotted - Crash dived

19 January 1942
Grid BB95
00:01 hours Multiple sound contacts - Convoy closing in
00:51 hours 2 TI(bow) fired
00:52 hours Impacts - Tanker 16 sunk in flames
00:57 hours 1 TI(bow) fired
00:58 hours 2 TI(stern) fired - impacts
00:59 hours 1 TI(bow) fired - sinking sounds - ore carrier - diving to 100m - undetected so far
01:28 hours Depth 100m - no pinging - that Alberich sonar coating seemed to be working.
01:52 hours Sinking sounds - Small tanker sunk

21 January 1942
Grid BB94
21:53 hours Moving to intercept convoy

22 January 1942
Grid BB95
01:16 hours Sound contact with convoy
02:27 hours 2 TI(bow) fired
02:28 hours Impacts - 1 TI(bow) fired
02:29 hours Impact
02:32 hours Converted whale factory ship sunk in flames
02:46 hours 2 TI(stern) fired
02:47 hours Impacts - Dido class CL sunk
05:00 hours Surface in 13m/s winds but no rain - 3 bow torpedoes remain

23 January 1942
Grid CC21
The weather cleared and we managed to move the externals inside.
12:36 hours ALARM - Aircraft spotted - medium range - engaged
12:37 hours Anson shot down

24 January 1942
Grid BB99
00:34 hours Moving to intercept convoy
04:27 hours Sound contacts showed that the convoy was moving away - abanded approach

03 February 1942
Grid BB98
13:18 hours Moving to intercept convoy
16:51 hours Convoy out of range - abandoned approach.

23 February 1942
03:53 hours Returned to Lorient
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/7948/patrolmap.jpg
59 days at sea
5 ships sunk
38432 tons
1 aircraft shot down
no casualties or damages

Took command of U-161 IXC
The whole crew came together.
Upgrades : Sonar - Bold 1 decoys - Alberich sound coating - IX1 type turm

sublynx

07-17-11, 12:16 AM

Ob.Lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
1. Flottille, Kiel
Orders: Patrol AN24

Statusbericht 22.5.1940

Back in Kiel. No enemy sightings after our last report. The battle for Norway seems to be ending.

Wiebus

sublynx

07-17-11, 02:34 PM

Ob.Lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
1. Flottille, Kiel
Orders: Patrol AN41

15.6.
1301 AN44 An airplane sighted 266 degrees, long range, in very cloudy weather. Crash dived.

16.6.
1320 AN41 A Küstenmotorschiff sighted, long range. An airplane sighted while preparing for an intercept. Crash dived. While at A-20 explosions heard on the hydrophone. Apparently the airplane was one of ours and sank the enemy ship, which after the explosions was followed sinking on the hydrophone.

17.6.
1102 AN41 An airplane sighted 276 degrees, long range. A twinengined airplane followed approaching on the observation periscope. Depth charges dropped, crash dived. Warship screws heard on the hydrophone. While at A-10, an airplane heard in the central room, then explosions, but no damage. We are now surfaced again, heading south, course 183, speed AK, trying to get closer to the warships. Light clouds, visibility 9 km, wind 7 m/s from 235 degrees. Five G7e's left.

Wiebus

Paul Riley

07-17-11, 06:50 PM

VONHARRIS

07-18-11, 01:53 AM

26 March 1942
U-161 was ready to sail for Grid ED99
U-10 had radioed in that she was safe having avoided one aircraft attack but the Luftwaffe had stolen one ship from her.
The Kaleun of U-23 had misubderstood his patrol grid and he had to abort the mission.

No news of U-56 nor U-65 so far. Let's hope they are OK.

No time to write a full report , so images are posted

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/7948/patrolmap.jpg

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/6373/patrolmap1.jpg

53 days at sea
8 ships sunk
84738 tons
2 aircraft shot down
no casualties or damages

Snestorm

07-18-11, 02:16 AM

UPDATE - our assigned grid is AF87 and not AN87.I only found this out after reaching AN87 (its quite easy to misread some grids) and had to abandon the patrol and restart.
Why BDU has sent us to the Norwegian sector is beyond me,they are currently neutral.We will probably be returning to the Shetland/Orkney gap (AN 14-16) after the usual 24hr patrol in AF87.
ALWAYS double verify your assigned patrol grids captains,you dont want to get recalled mid patrol,its a long way to come back empty handed :nope:

Abandon the patrol and restart?!?!
What's this, a new magic trick?

Snestorm

07-18-11, 02:43 AM

18.aug.40
AO77
0615: Underway from Kiel.
Orders: Patrol grid BF15.
All torpedoes preset 3 meters depth, AZ (impact only) pistols.

23.aug.40
AN79 (Straights of Dover)
2241: Light Fog. 7 M/S. Depth Under Kiel 31 meters.
Time to surface sprint.

24.aug.40
AN79 (still)
0241: "Enemy is engaging us ,sir!" New depth 20 meters!
0243: 3, seem to be, Trawlers closing. 1 heavier unit at long range.
0249: Multiple warships converging on the area, but not us.
0430: Surface!
0434: "Oxygen 100%, sir." New depth 20 meters.

Our oxygen was unable to last throughout daylight hours.
Every day required a brief daylight surfacing for oxygen.
A convoy passed N of us, but well out of reach.
One slow merchant, in the vicinity of many ASW vessels, had to be passed.

29.aug.40
BF28
0620: "Aircraft spotted! 168! Medium range!" A L A R M ! Crash dive!
Total Depth 84 meters. U56 turns out to be an extremely fast diver!!!
0631: "Sound contact! Warship. Medium speed. Long range. Closing."
No DC from Aircraft. No detection by Warship.
1000: Exiting Der Kanal. Whew.

31.aug.40
BF15
0200: On station.
1516: "Sound contact! . . ." Convoy!
1607: Convoy's estimated course 240, making 6 knots.
1614: Lead escort = Corvette.
1616: Revised estimation 242 at 6 knots.
1617: TDC preset: AOB 90 port, 6 knots.
1624: Corvettes at 000 R, and 121 R. Convoy at 038 R to 072 R.
1638: Open tubes 1, 2, 3, for T3 Tanker. (Long shot).
1645/1646: Fire 1! Fire 3! Fire 2! New depth 99 meters. (Total depth 120 meters).
1648: Impact: 2.000 tonner was romping. Sunk.
1649: Unknown! Miss!
1650: Pinging. 135 R, moving toward our stern. (passing 40 meters).
1652: 5 degrees Right Rudder.
1654: Pinging. (passing 60 meters). U N D E C T E D !
1830: Updated estimation: 257, making 6 knots.
1850: Surface and persue.
2230: Sound check. Preset TDC AOB 90 stb, 6 knots.

1.sep.40
BF15 (Same grid. Same convoy.)
0115: Revised estimation: 254, making 6 knots.
0141: Open tubes 1 & 3 for night surface attack on C3 Cargo.
0145: Range about 800 meters. Fire 1! Fire 3! New depth 100 meters!
0146: Impact! Impact! Torpedo run time 47 seconds.

Target uneffected. U56 undetected.

0736: Dive for merchant contact.
1354: Dive for warship contact.

2.sep.40
BF46
1257: A L A R M ! Crash dive for aircraft.

5.sep.40 (Full Moon).
BF61
0540: Docked at Lorient, beside the heavily damaged U111.
She had taken heavy damage after sinking an enemy Aircraft Carrier.
Quite a mess to cross over, in getting to the dock, but Kaleun VONHARRIS and crew generiousely shared their Becks with us.

Patrol results:
Crew & Hull Integrity 100%.
5 of 5 (TII G7E) torpedoes expended.
1 ship sunk for 2.047 GRT.

U56's history to date:
8 war patrols completed.
4 ships sunk, for 20.445 GRT.

Paul Riley

07-18-11, 03:12 AM

Abandon the patrol and restart?!?!
What's this, a new magic trick?

Just me being careless mate :nope:

Snestorm

07-18-11, 03:15 AM

Just me being careless mate :nope:

How was BDU with it?

Paul Riley

07-18-11, 03:23 AM

How was BDU with it?

A bit surprised actually,they told me I should have carried on with the mission and found another hunting ground,I told them I was just trying to stick to their letter,which they can wipe their arse with hahaha.
I must check the renown value in the .cfg file and make sure there is no penalty for not reaching assigned grids,I dont think there is.

Snestorm

07-18-11, 03:51 AM

A bit surprised actually,they told me I should have carried on with the mission and found another hunting ground,I told them I was just trying to stick to their letter,which they can wipe their arse with hahaha.
I must check the renown value in the .cfg file and make sure there is no penalty for not reaching assigned grids,I dont think there is.

You play GWX, right?
If so, there is no penalty or reward for doing the assigned grid.
You could have played it through at no loss.

Paul Riley

07-18-11, 03:53 AM

You play GWX, right?
If so, there is no penalty or reward for doing the assigned grid.
You could have played it through at no loss.

Of course I play GWX3.
At least I know now,thanks for that.

sublynx

07-18-11, 03:26 PM

Ob.Lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
1. Flottille, Kiel
Orders: Patrol AN41

Statusbericht 19.6.1940

Lost the warship contact we were trying to intercept in our last report. Patrol results so far - one 100 BRT trawler sunk in 1000 meter visibility, heavy rain and 9 m/s winds with 3 three G7e torpedoes of which one hit, two missed. The trawler was a hard target to hit because of it's small size and shallow keel. If the Flak gun of the boat would be in the conning tower we could have sunk the ship with it. Now the wind was too hard for the Flak gun on the deck to be used. I decided to shoot the torpedoes, since the supplies are getting low and we have to be getting back in a day or two and I wanted to know if we can hit a trawler with a torpedo - as armed trawlers have been reported frequently. Two G7e's left. Light clouds, visibility 9 km, wind 7 m/s from 235 degrees. No other enemy sightings. Continuing patrol.

Wiebus

VONHARRIS

07-18-11, 11:45 PM

Patrol No 17
17 June 1942
16:24 hours U-161 rushed out of Lorient to grid CA73.

U-56 in a daring and bold action had crossed the Canal and broke into the Atlantic where she sank a 2000 tons freighter in a convoy battle. This is something U-161 will never ever do! A salute :salute: for U-56 and her crew.

U-10 is on patrol having sunk a 1oo ton trawler with torpedoes , a strange desicion for Kaleun Wiebus.

13 July 1942
Grid CA73
17:54 hours ALARM Aircraft seen - engaged - depth under keel 23m
17:57 hours Diving to PD as aircraft flew away with one of its engines burning
21:41 hours Sound contact - warship closing
23:13 hours Nothing seen or heard - surfaced

17 July 1942
Grid DB68
14:01 hours Ship seen
14:03 hours Positive ID: US passenger/cargo + medium cargo both armed.
14:24 hours 4 TI(bow) fired
14:25 hours 2 impacts - medium cargo hit and set on fire
14:30 hours 2 TI(stern) fired - impacts - passenger/cargo sunk
14:52 hours Hunting submerged the medium cargo - merchant kept shooting at U-161's scope - abandoning chase and moving to the opposite direction
15:16 hours Range to target is some 5000m - surfaced turned around and engaged with the deck gun.
15:18 hours A lucky shot took out his stern mounted gun - moving closer to finish him off.
15:47 hours Ship sunk - 32 105mm rounds used

22 July 1942
Grid DN91
05:36 hours Shells started falling on and around U-161 - fast dive to PD
05:40 hours Extensive damages and flooding to almost all compartements - Positive ID: 2 x Somers class DDs
05:42 hours 2 TI(stern) fired at close range - impact - SOmers class DD sunk
05:43 hours 4 TI(bow) fired at the other DD
05:44 hours 2 impacts - ship sunk
05:50 hours Surfaced - Damages to hull beyond repair - we must return to Lorient avoiding any contact - safe to dive only to PD. The sonar operators on these DDs were not good enough , but the gunners did their job. It was a strange thing how did they locate us in the darkness.

11 August 1942
04:31 hours Docked at Lorient
In the morning , when we saw the damages it was clear that Lady Luck was on our side this time.

56 days at sea
4 ships sunk
11034 tons
no casualties
Hull integrity : 12%
Radar warning equipment on first priority to install.

sublynx

07-19-11, 12:32 AM

Patrol No 17
17 June 1942
U-10 is on patrol having sunk a 1oo ton trawler with torpedoes , a strange desicion for Kaleun Wiebus.

Maybe a case of "BE LESS AGGRESSIVE" would have been more appropriate that time :DL

Congratulations on escaping (and sinking) from the Somers DD's :salute:

VONHARRIS

07-19-11, 12:57 AM

Maybe a case of "BE LESS AGGRESSIVE" would have been more appropriate that time :DL

Congratulations on escaping (and sinking) from the Somers DD's :salute:

Thank you.
It was a tough situation and I was lucky.

I meant that I wouldn't have fired torpedoes against a such small target. The torpedo itself is more expensive than the target it sunk.
I am not firing against such targets even in a IXC - even more in a IIC - I keep them for a juicer target.

sublynx

07-19-11, 01:51 AM

Thank you.
It was a tough situation and I was lucky.

I meant that I wouldn't have fired torpedoes against a such small target. The torpedo itself is more expensive than the target it sunk.

Lol, very true :)

I just looked at the trawler and thought "Do I want to see that trawler go Ka-Boom or do I let it pass and wait for something more worthy of a torpedo?" Then I went for the instant gratification :/\\x:

Snestorm

07-19-11, 05:27 AM

3.okt.40
BF61
2220: Underway from Lorient, bound for BF15.
5 (TII G7E) torpedoes, preset to 3 meters running depth, AZ (Impact).

7.okt.40
BF15
2350: On station.

8.okt.40
BF15
1100: "Sound contact! Medium speed merchant. 325 R. Closing."
1101: New course 325. Periscope depth.
1108: Preset TDC: AOB 90 Stb. 9 knots.
1109: Surface. Leading target by 60 degrees. Both Ahead Flank.
1129: Periscope depth. Contact. New course 242.
1130: Ahead Silent Speed.
1135: Target course estimated at 053, making 9 knots.
1140: New course 244.
1141: Target IDed as Coastal Merchant.
1150: New course 323. English flagged. Open tube 1.
1153: Fire 1! Estimated range 700 meters.
1154: Impact! 39 second run.
1155: New depth 47 meters. New course 053. Ahead One Third.
1157: Target moving Slow.
1203: Target moving less than 2 knots.
1205: Tatget heard to sink.

1927:
To BDU
From U56
BF15. 2.000 tonner sunk. 053-9k. 4 G7E torpedoes remaining.

2010:
To U56
From BDU
Report acknowledged.

11.okt.40
BF18
0823: "Ship spotted! 009. 7.500 meters." Destroyer! New depth 20 meters.
0825: "Warship 009. closing. Medium speed. - Warship. 331. Closing. Medium speed."
0826: Both warships at long range. Convoy closing!.
0828: "Warship. 011. Slow. Closing. Long range."
0847: Course estimated at 260, making 6 knots. New course 170.
0848: Preset TDC: AOB 90 Stb. 6 knots.
0854: Variouse Coursed, Silent Speed. Bow on to lead escort.
0858: Returning to course 170.
0859: Warships at 249, 331, 004.
0909: Open tubes 1, 2, and 3.
0910: 5 degree spread. Targeting 6.000 tonner for 1.000 meter shot.
0912: Detected!!! Fire all! (22 degrees early). New depth 102 meters. Ahead Flank!
0913: Impact x 3! Target sunk! Torpedo run 54 seconds.
0914: Variouse courses, Silent Speed.
0916: New course 124. (45 degrees angle off convoy's track, rearward.)
0919: "Warship lost at 203, short range." Depth Charges astern.
0923: Depth Charges.
0926: "Warship lost at 224, short range."
0937: New course 080. (Reciprical to convoy's course.)
0944: "Warship moving slow at 139. Short range." (Toward our stern).
0951: "Warship moving slow at 071. Short range."
0955: He crossed our bow, and contact was lost at 210.

1100: Surface. Report sent. In persuit.
1641: "Ship spotted! 317. Long range." Destroyer! New depth 20 meters.
1643: DD is Stb Escort. Convoy audible at a considerable range.
1651: Surface! DD at 6.800 meters. Both Ahead Flank!
1712: Dived for long range DD.

Attempted to close with convoy submerged at high speed, as convoy had changed course southward.
Battery down considerably. No further persuit possible.
Last torpedo fired at long range, for a miss.
Report sent to BDU, with new course and speed (228-6k).

14.okt.40
BF61
0705: Docked at Lorient.

Patrol results:
Crew & Hull Integrity 100%.
5 of 5 (TII G7E) torpedoes expended.
2 ships sunk, for 9.951 GRT.

U56's history to date:
9 war patrols completed.
6 merchants sunk, for 30.396 GRT.

U111 was last heard from on 2.okt.40, when she reported sinking 2 ships in the AN grids.

The crew of U56 looks forward to the arrival of U10 & U23 in France.

Snestorm

07-19-11, 05:37 AM

Lol, very true :)

I just looked at the trawler and thought "Do I want to see that trawler go Ka-Boom or do I let it pass and wait for something more worthy of a torpedo?" Then I went for the instant gratification :/\\x:

Targets have become scarce E of England.
Something is always better than nothing.
And time was certainly running out.
Good shot. Well done!

sublynx

07-19-11, 05:49 AM

Targets have become scarce E of England.
Something is always better than nothing.
And time was certainly running out.
Good shot. Well done!

Thanks Snestorm :)

I still have two torpedoes left and am hoping for the smoke from a nice convoy or task force to show up in the horizon :arrgh!:

VONHARRIS

07-19-11, 07:47 AM

Lol, very true :)

I just looked at the trawler and thought "Do I want to see that trawler go Ka-Boom or do I let it pass and wait for something more worthy of a torpedo?" Then I went for the instant gratification :/\\x:
You did what you liked. It is a game after all.
I like the "splat" icon very much!

Jimbuna

07-19-11, 08:10 AM

Thanks Snestorm :)

I still have two torpedoes left and am hoping for the smoke from a nice convoy or task force to show up in the horizon :arrgh!:
BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!! http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

sublynx

07-19-11, 10:56 AM

BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!! http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

How about attacking Scapa Flow on the surface with those two torpedoes, 20 mm Flak gun and an aggressive mind set - I'm thinking stuff like ramming HMS Rodney on some weak spot, like an ammunition bunker. Would that be showing enough Prussian offensive spirit :Kaleun_Mad:

sublynx

07-19-11, 01:22 PM

Ob.Lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus
1. Flottille, Kiel
Orders: Patrol AN41

Statusbericht 23.6.1940

Our last two torpedoes were shot against a 800 BRT Pelagic type trawler, speed 8 knots, course 10 degrees on 19.6.1940 1932 hours, grid AN41. Pistol AZ, depth 3 meters, estimated impact time AOB 90 degrees, range 1200 meters, gyro angle 0. Both torpedoes missed, possibly because of depth keeping troubles. The results of the patrol: one 90 BRT trawler. It seems that after Norway's capitulation there's not much traffic in the North Sea and with our U-boats short range we are almost useless in the battle against the Brits now. I am hoping we'll get a transfer to the French ports and can take part on the battle on the Atlantic.

On returning to base a communique was received:

"Ob.lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus to report immediately to Kiel for reassignment to training duties. Relinquish command of U-10 to your exec.

L. Buchheim
Kapitän z.s. und Kommandant"

Wiebus

Snestorm

07-19-11, 09:54 PM

Ob.Lt.z.s. Harry Wiebus

It seems that after Norway's capitulation there's not much traffic in the North Sea and with our U-boats short range we are almost useless in the battle against the Brits now. I am hoping we'll get a transfer to the French ports and can take part on the battle on the Atlantic.

Lorient opens up in september.
Why not end a patrol there?
2. Flotilla treats guest boats very well. It gives them a chance to scope out new prospects for one of the big boats.

I used Der Kanal, due to having to patrol a grid at the north entrance.
Problem: There weren't enough hours of darkness, and we had to briefly surface during a quiet periods during the day, for oxygen.
BF coastal grids hold some realy good oppertunities, especialy in finding and reporting outbound convoys, so the big guys can pick them up in deeper water.

My last install had Brest opening sep/okt 40.
Couldn't figure why SH3 tryed sending me back to Kiel, until I checked the files.
In my newer install, Brest won't become a homeport until jun 41.
So eventualy, during the dark months, it'll be back to Kiel for me.

How did the Wiebus Career end?
(How many patrols, merchants sunk, merchant tonnage?)

VONHARRIS

07-20-11, 12:19 AM

Patrol 18
08 November 1942
After almost 3 months of repair time U-161 was ready for action.
U-10 returned from her 9th patrol with 90 tons sunk. BdU ordered Kaluen Wiebus to report to Kiel to assume training duties for new captains.
U-56 returned to Lorient from her 9th patrol with 10K tons bagged. A very good job indeed.

A Meteox RWR was installed on U-161 for better protection
Orders were to patrol grid EE74

20 November 1942
Grid DG78
07:26 hours Ship seen
07:30 hours Positive ID: Small merchant - armed - calm seas
07:34 hours dived to PD
07:57 hours 1 TI(bow) fired - impact - ship listing
08:16 hours Taken position for stern tube attack - TI(stern) fired
08:17 hours Impact - ship on fire - heavier listing
08:18 hours Ship seen sinking

01 December 1942
Grid EE74
21:57 hours Meteox warning - dived to PD
22:17 hours Warship sound contact
22:47 hours Two more warship contacts moving away

02 December 1942
01:14 hours Surfaced

03 December 1942
Grid EE74
20:28 hours Meteox warning - dived to PD
21:21 hours Surfaced
21:47 hours ALARM - Aircraft seen - no RWR - crash dived
21:48 hours DCs exploded - minor damages
22:51 hours Sound conatct - merchants closing fast
23:07 hours Positive ID: Neutral tankers

04 December 1942
Grid ED94
15:28 hours ALARM - Aircraft seen - no RWR - crash dived
16:05 hours Surfaced

09 December 1942
Grid EC92
11:48 hours Moving to intercept convoy
12:19 hours Meteox warning - dived to PD
12:22 hours Sound contact with convoy
12:47 hours 1 TI FaT I (bow) fired
12:48 hours 1 TI (bow) fired
14:58 hours Both torpedoes missed - surfaced

Several crash dives because of Meteox warnings

17 December 1942
Grid ED94
10:45 hours Meteox warning - dived to PD
10:58 hours Sound contact with convoy - not very good approach
11:40 hours 1 TI (bow) fired
11:49 hours Torpedo missed

18 December 1942
Grid ED95
13:34 hours ALARM - Aircraft seen - no RWR - engaged. We have figured out that in that case the approaching plane was a slow Kingfisher scout plane
13:36 hours Kingfisher scout plane shot down
17:10 hours ALARM - Aircraft seen - no RWR - engaged.
17:12 hours Kingfisher scout plane shot down

Several crash dives because of Meteox warnings.
Unseccesful interceptions of two convoys
Returning home

02 January 1943
Grid DG64
08:48 hours Meteox warning - dived to PD
09:01 hours Sound contact with convoy - 8 escorts + 5 warships at the port side of the convoy probably a Hunter-Killer group
09:31 hours 2 TI(bow) fired at whale ship
09:32 hours 1 TI(stern) fired at an Evarts class DE
09:33 hours Impacts - DE sunk - weather helped in being undetected so far
09:36 hours 1 TI(bow) fired at the whaler
09:37 hours Impact - 1 TI(bow) fired at same target
09:38 hours Impact - converted whale factory ship sunk after huge explosion
09:47 hours 1 TI(stern) fired at Tanker 16 - diving to 100m
09:49 hours Impact
09:51 hours Pinging - Bold launched
09:53 hours Pinging - changed course - bold launched
09:57 hours DCs exploding away
10:01 hours Depth 80m and diving - more DCs dropped inaccurately
10:06 hours More DCs
10:10 hours Depth 100m - leveled the boat
13:30 hours Convoy moved far away - no contacts - surfaced

14 January 1943
22:37 hours Returned to Lorient
68 days at sea
3 ships sunk
15604 tons
2 aircrafts shot down
no casualties
Hull intergrity: 98%

sublynx

07-20-11, 12:53 AM

Lorient opens up in september.
Why not end a patrol there?
2. Flotilla treats guest boats very well. It gives them a chance to scope out new prospects for one of the big boats.

I used Der Kanal, due to having to patrol a grid at the north entrance.
Problem: There weren't enough hours of darkness, and we had to briefly surface during a quiet periods during the day, for oxygen.
BF coastal grids hold some realy good oppertunities, especialy in finding and reporting outbound convoys, so the big guys can pick them up in deeper water.

My last install had Brest opening sep/okt 40.
Couldn't figure why SH3 tryed sending me back to Kiel, until I checked the files.
In my newer install, Brest won't become a homeport until jun 41.
So eventualy, during the dark months, it'll be back to Kiel for me.

How did the Wiebus Career end?
(How many patrols, merchants sunk, merchant tonnage?)

Thanks for the advice Snestorm. A very good idea and I would have definetely followed your advice here, but guess what, I started a new career from july of 1940 AND I decided to try a type IXB this time. I haven't played with a type IX since playing Aces of the Deep back in the good old days. I already took her a mission yesterday night, but haven’t got the notes I took right now, so can’t write a report yet. The difference to a type II is obviously quite huge. I feel like equipped with an atomic bomb cruising along with all those torpedoes and deck and Flak guns. The IX feels very fast too, compared to that U-10 I now had gotten used to. It will be interesting to see what kind of patrols I now get. The first mission has sent me near Iceland, possibly trying to intercept the Halifax convoys. And on the way there I already got a 1800 GRT coastal ship sunk for a nice start.:arrgh!: I still have 21 torpedoes left, over four times more than a type II payload :O:

Wiebus’s career details I don’t have any more, since I deleted the files already. But I think it was like 9 war patrols, one shakedown patrol, 60000 – 70000 GRT of shipping, almost all small merchants about 2000 GRT each, except one large 8000 – 9000 GRT freighter and one C2.

I chose U-103 as my new sub's number and I'm planning on trying to play following the orders they gave to the actual boat - there's some info in BdU's KTB in uboatarchive and also in uboat.net about what U-103 did historically.