View Full Version : Tell us what you are upto in your current campaign
Obltn Strand
03-14-17, 04:34 PM
Convoy action and torpedo failures:k_confused:
Patrol 8
U-452, 7th Flotilla
Left at: January 16, 1942, 02:08
From: St. Nazaire
Mission Orders: Patrol grid BB82
30.1.1942
00:27 Aircraft. Crashdive. BC4774
00:40 Surfaced
15:27 Ship sighted! Destroyer on E course. Dived to avoid contact. BB6897
31.1.1942
08:36 Aircraft. Crashdive. Heard one depth charge far to aft starboard. Lost control during crashdive and boat hit bottom. No serious damage. BB6777
09:03 Surfaced.
19:40 Arrived patrol area and informed BdU. BB8233
03.2.1942
14:33 Ship sighted! Destroyer on N course. Dived to avoid contact. BB8219
04.2.1942
02:12 Ship sighted! Some kind of patrol boat on NE course. Changed course to avoid contact. BB8211
06:27 Ship sighted! Fishing trawler. This one I let go. No need to reveal my position to the enemy.
21:37 Aircraft. Crashdive. BB5495
22:16 Surfaced.
05.2.1942
17:48 Ship sighted! Finally a freighter although small coaster. This one is heading S. BB5878
18:31 Fired tube I. G7e
Range 500, Speed 4, AoB red 90, Depth 5.
Hit stern. Hope it knocked out his propellers.
Stubborn this one. Still afloat and making one knot. Will sink it with gunfire. One magazine from 20mm AA gun was enough to send it down. Interrogated survivors who revealed it was a canadian whale chaser of 1000 tons
20:22 Radio message from BdU: /Proceed to grid CA33 if fuel permit/
After brief discussion with LI Kunze decided to continue as ordered.
06.2.1942
14:49 Ship sighted! Appears warship on collision course. BB8174
14:53 Hydrophone indicates a merchant. Damn fog. Fishing trawler on E course. Watch crew seems to be on the edge. Will stay down until dusk.
07.02.1942
00:05 Ship sighted! Fishing trawler heading E. Weather prevents any meaningful action. BB7398
07:59 Radio message from BdU: /Convoy at grid BB7648, course W, speed 9/
08:02 Radio message to BdU: /Despite unfavourable conditions will attack.
12:01 Smoke on horizon! BB7562
12:13 Spotted by sloop. Crashdive.
13:10 Eluded successfully. Resumed hunt. Sloop still looms in horizon preventing me to close the convoy.
13:39 Starboard diesel gave up. Will continue with one diesel.
13:46 Aircraft. Crashdive. BB7522
14:28 Surfaced.
14:46 Aircraft. Crashdive. Heard one depth charge way to aft. BB7537
They have air cover now. Breaking hunt.
08.2.1942
00:00 Took the boat down for several hours to make repairs. Starboard diesel operational. Resumed patrol. Not enough fuel to effectively patrol CA33. Request new orders.
02:31 Radio message from BdU:/ Move to grid BB87/
11.2.1942
10:04 Radio message from BdU:/ Enemy convoy at grid CB2335, course NE, speed 5/
Long chase but joining the hunt.
13:36 Radio message from BdU:/ Large enemy convoy at grid CB2329, heading NE, speed 5/
14:21 Driving rain and poor visibility makes it difficult to operate against the convoy. It is clearly heard by hydrophone. Racing towards it surfaced could end badly. Will try submerged attack. If unsuccessful I can always trail the convoy and wait for weather to improve.
15:14 Fired tube I against freighter. G7e
Range 1600, speed 5, AoB red 100, speed 5.
Miss.
15:17 Fired tubes II, II, IV against large freighter. G7e
Range 1300, speed 4, AoB red 90, depth 5
Two hits, one erratic runner.
Dived deep and heard several distant depth charge detonations.
16:11 Surfaced. Will trail convoy and wait for weather to improve.
17:14 Improvement in weather. I can easily observe the convoy from periscope. It has five columns and seems to lack escort cover on it's port side. If so that is where I'am going to attack.
18:02 Daring pop to surface to send contact report.
Radio message to BdU:/ Convoy at grid CB2333, course ENE, speed 5, light escort/
18:41 Radio message from BdU:/ Attack on your own. Good luck/
1939 Aircraft. Crashdive. CB3111
19:51 Surfaced.
20:04 Ship sighted! Large tanker which has trouble staying with in the convoy. Unfortunately escort destroyer looms close by. Perhaps later. Smokes from rest of the convoy are clearly visible.
22.00 Commencing surface attack against port side. I will attack large and small merchants with one torpedo and tanker with two. Still no escorts on port side.
22:09 Fired tube I at large freighter. G7e
Range 2000, Speed 5, AoB red 90, Depth 5
Miss
22.12 Fired tubes II and III at tanker. G7e
Range 1800, Speed 5, AoB red 90, Depth 5
First was erratic runner, second hit way too aft of the tanker.
22:15 Fired tube IV at small freighter. G7e
Range 1500, speed 5, AoB red 90, Depth 5
Definite dud!
22:20 Escort appeared from darkness and opened fire at 2km and I was forced to crashdive. Observed tanker sinking stern first.
23:23 Escort gave up after an hour. Damage from depth charging. Will load torpedoes and attack again.
23:48 Closer examination revealed heavy damage to pressure hull in officers quarters. LI informs me it is not safe to dive deep.Boat handled 90 meters during attack. I set it as maximum limit. Informed BdU of my situation.
12.2.1942
00:07 Ship sighted! Regained contact. BB8788
00:16 Radio message from BdU:/ Good job. Return to base./
01:11 Fired tube V at tanker, the one which has engine trouble. G7e
Range 1000, speed 5, AoB red 90, Depth 5
Definite dud. After all the hard work I would expect working torpedoes.
01:23 Fired tube I G7e
Range 100, Speed 5, AoB red 110, Depth 5
Erratic runner.
01:59 Fired tube V G7a
Range 100, Speed 5, AoB red 110, Depth 5
Another erratic runner.
Broke contact. No internal torpedoes left and weather prevents any attempt to move them in. Low on fuel. Started return trip.
14.2.1942
07:24 Took external torpedoes on board.
01.3.1942
11:09 Docked at St.Nazaire.
Damage to U-452 will keep it in drydock for almost two months. Time to celebrate freshly awarded Iron Cross 1st class.
BarracudaUAK
03-15-17, 12:22 PM
No, for the good reason that I already surrendered ... :shifty:
But the scuttling of my U-Boot has been made by a calm, cool, and methodical crew. :yep: The Enigma machine didn't fall into the Allies' hands. :up:
And 2 months later I get back to check...:nope:
Well, at least somebody was calm, cool and methodical.:D:O:
Barracuda
Got the IXc boat career on save as well as a IXb career starting December 39.
Just started a VIIc career in mid 42 out of La Rochelle. Have to remind myself it is 42 and... more dangerous.
Patrol in CF33. Quiet.
Went up to the SW region of AK, started travelling NE along the convoy route for that area.
Picked up a medium freighter moving west in the early morning while on the surface at around 15k.
Setup to roughly mimic its course in order to keep distance.
Multiple observations over 20 minutes to establish its rough course and speed. Plotted everything on the map. 6-7 knots target speed assumed.
Setup for an end run to get ahead of it for a submerged attack around mid-day.
Ship arrived roughly on time while moving toward it slow. Did a few more observations by staying ahead of it. Plot it.
Submerge with the intent of doing a periscope, target-port-side attack.
Lots of time to figure things out. Moderate seas mean that I only see a bit of smoke from the target all the way down to 6K.
Hydrophones don't indicate any change in speed.
As it gets below 6k distance I can start to do some fair angle-on-the-bow estimates.
Intend to fire at around 1200M, probably a port-80 degree attack with a type III G7e. Contact pistol, 4M depth.
A few days before, did two type III magnetic pistol shots at a medium freighter and they didn't work out so well. Lost the ship in the weather. So today, contact it is.
Target shows up pretty much on time. Ends up being a 1000M shot. Hit in the forward hold. Turn 90 degrees to port to match its course and observe.
Sinks in about 30 minutes. Surface. Keep running NE in AK. The next morning, sent in my report and then ran submerged all day at 60M just in case that report brought in some aircraft.
At the north end of AK move SE and head down toward the bottom center of BE.
Once there while on the surface in the afternoon one day, picked up a small 4 masted steamer running west 14k to the north. Keep my distance and get an initial track plotted down. Moving 7 or so knots. Next few plots shows it speeds up to 9 knots.
Figure on a 3 hour end around. 2 and a half hours it shows up. Later afternoon.Lower visibility 9k away moving west. I am facing east 0 degree angle on the bow give or take.
Submerge. Run toward it correcting course as needed to maintain zero angle on the bow, so as to confirm the ships rough course. Still west. OK.
Waves are troublesome but not impossible. Can see smoke, masts and a bit of the deck.
At around 7k hard to starboard. 90 degree turn head the boat to the south flank speed. Intent. Go to the south about 1k to the target track. 180 degree turn around for attack. Bow shot, Tube one; TIII G7e contact pistol, 80 degree Port AOB. If I miss, catch up with it later at night for a surface attack.
In the end, all works out. Big waves made the final periscope observations challenging before the torpedo shot. Looked bigger than I expected. Guessed 600M. Fired at between 85-90 port AOB. Stuck with the 9 knot assumption. Hit in the forward hold. Went down in less than 15 minutes.
Same thing again. Surface. Patrol all night. Report in;submerge for the day right after the report..
A few days later in BE... picked up a small freighter and a medium tanker in heavy seas. Daytime, mid-day off to the south about 9k. Sunny but big waves. Got a basic track coming toward me and then submerged.
Speed indicated they were going 7 knots then 8 knots, back and forth because of the heavy pitching of the ships.
I was having trouble too and they were getting away from me. Broke off did an end-round that lasted about 4 hours.
Got them coming toward me submerged. Still very unsure of the tanker's speed. Looked like it was going to get as close as 700 meters if the track I was composing on the (F5) map was worth anything.
Wanted the tanker now. Did something I never do. Setup for a salvo of 4 Type III G7e 3 degree spread. Hopefully something will hit. I was worried that the speed could be as high as 9 knots at some times. Target speed in these heavy seas like a yo-yo.
Was a little late on the setup. fired at port AOB of 100, 800 meters. Pure luck. Observed 3 hits... tanker went down.
Next day, with not many torpedoes...3 G7a's forward, 1 aft. Still heavy seas. Convoy nearby Going NE. Intercepted. Seas and solution were horrible. Gambit. Didn't think I could get closer. Fired everything I had at 9k. Guestamit solution at a collection of masts and stacks when the heavy waves would let me see them in the periscope.
Observed 1 hit but couldn't see much with the heavy seas and distance.
Got out of there and went home. 21k tons.
New at La Rochelle. When I got back to the port, I didn't know where the welcoming committee dock was, heavy rain, could hear the band off in the distance. Found the dock and parked it.
Next patrol will have a radar detector; properly organised crew. Patrol area AK11...
Current crew starting their second patrol. Headed out to AK11.
http://i.imgur.com/dYvRsOl.jpg
From the last patrol. Final target track for a periscope attack after a long end-around.
http://i.imgur.com/gwqQ6um.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/YbR4FyC.jpg
Been very lucky on this cruise.
In AK a a few days from AK11, my patrol area.
We pick up a contact report on a 5-knot convoy moving NE.
4-5 hours away in medium seas.
Get near and check the weather. Visibility worse.
Radar detector picks up spikes every few minutes. This doesn't mean that the enemy radar has detected you yet, just that it is detecting the signals.
Get to where I think we are half an hour away and submerge. Time: early morning before sunrise.
We are able to sound detect the convoy, pretty much on course.
It is 1942, so for me, more dangerous than what I am used to. Start picking up shapes in the night scope. Blobs with water splashes basically 15 mils for a starting 25 meter height... Ok we will start there. 7k meters, but I don't think the weather allows me to see that far. And bearing mark, down-scope. Put at least something on the chart (F5).
Through may observations, am able to keep to the starboard side of the lead escort. Appear to be 2 more at the 10 and 2 O'clock position of the convoy.
Start to get a better idea of what I am facing. Can now recognize ship types in the convoy. A little more work with guessing their range, bearing and angle on the bow and now I have a rough course they are running.
Intent. Attack on their starboard side. Set course 90 degrees to them. Their course roughly 42 degrees, So I will pick a course of 312.
Get safely inside the starboard...in relation to the convoy: 2 O'clock destroyer so it won't be a threat to my setup. Lead destroyer safe enough away.
Large tanker appears in the 3rd column from me. Have to get it before being blocked by a medium freighter that will close to within a 1000 meters from my left.
Target speeds timed appear to go with contact report, 5 knots. Not very good timing so will go with the contact report and roll the dice.
Attack: shot for the large tanker will be starboard 85 degrees AOB, 2200 meters, 2 type III G7e fired as a spread 1 degree apart, wing it from there.
Fired for that setup. Freighter passing from my left is pushing 150 mils on the scope. Will give it the same weapon setup spread above with 600 meters distance but probably closer. And... torpedoes for tanker hit. Must have assumed too far as they still had 20 seconds on the clock. So I must have assumed the wrong target height. Anyway, it is done for.
Back to the freighter which for some reason, either me losing track of time or it altered course, is now presenting 90 starboard angle on the bow. And is closer. 4 degree spread, fire. Full reverse.
Swing around and observe, row behind me has another medium freighter close. Down scope. Prep, stern tube for 80 degree port AOB. Upscope. Now about 95 degree port AOB. Ahead slow. Open tube, fire. I want out of here.
But I give one more observation to look around as the torpedoes for the second target hit. 1 forward hold, 1 aft hold. this would later sink. Stern torpedo hits. Must have been closer. Look back around, catastrophic hit in front of the bridge.
Now I really want out of here. Down scope. Ahead slow, set depth for 150M. Opposite course of convoy.
On the sound. I lost count at 5 or 6 destroyers in this convoy. Was very lucky and none of them got me. One was close but at about 140 meters, all stop and let the dive decay to 220 meters if need be.
No proper attacks from the destroyer. Got out of there. This is extreme luck given the circumstances and I don't expect to see that again.
Target plotting chart after making good my escape.
http://i.imgur.com/yjipVdT.jpg
Got up to AK11 and did my patrol area thing.
Weather lousy again. While leaving the patrol area going south east, picked up a 4 masted steamer off to the south running south-west(?) at 4000 meters. Got a quick fix, intercept maybe. Too close; don't want to get spotted. Dive.
Could not determine if it was running 8 or 9 knots with the weather. Recognition book said 9 was max speed for this ship.
Fire one G7e Type III for 8 knots and one for 9 knots. 1800 meter range, AOB starboard 85.
First torpedo hit the rudder/propeller. Must have slowed down violently as the 9 knot torpedo never it.
Ran parallel to it for awhile. It went dead in the water fast. No speed.
Setup for a stern tube shot with a G7a. And that was that.
http://i.imgur.com/vpsBbi1.jpg
2 G7e and 2 G7a are left forward. Weather not good enough to get the deck storage torpedoes down. And, given the threat of aircraft these days, that era may be over for me.
http://i.imgur.com/D5eVjpa.jpg
Lower left hand part of AK. Picked up another 5 knot convoy going north east.
Better weather. Periscope attack, still this late 1942 thing is new to me.
A fair few destroyers. Got some good observations toward the head of the convoy. Barely slipped by the lead destroyer. I wouldn't recommend this kind of sloppiness but kind of got into a fix with the position that I did not like.
Setup and got a whale factory ship. Very close, 2 torpedoes. One missed one hit. Fired 2 more right away as I didn't have time to stick around and observe.
Target sunk.
Again, was very lucky and escaped from the center of the convoy and home.
Once home. Transferred to the Black Sea. Removed the deck gun Chief Bosun now rated as flak not gunner. Some other reorganizations.
Got to the east part of the Black Sea and with multiple aircraft attacks, took severe damage. Lost the Chief Bosun and 4 other ratings. Got out of there and home.
Transferred out to Bordeaux, France. Now March 43 for my next patrol. That assignment to the Argentinian embassy is looking really good now.
Days are probably numbered.
So, out in the DH area. Did my patrol time there. Then moved up to Casablanca. Damage from aircraft attack. Got lots of practice in crash dives. Then moved north west for several days.
Found a convoy of of unspecified speed in nice weather during mid day.
Lots of destroyers.
Managed an attack but goofed up the target speed. Fired two G7e Type III and 2 FATs.
Nothing and had to escape.
Probably one of the FATs got a coastal freighter. That was my total tonnage for the trip.
Cleared the convoy.
Air attack, more damage after ordering a crash dive.
Limped back home.
Orders to the Argentine embassy were waiting for me.
April 1943.
Its nice to have connections in the system.
New career.
1 Oct 1939 out of Kiel.
VIIB boat.
First patrol area a few patrol boxes south east of Scapa Flow. After that, working my way down to be east off of the south British coast.
One night. Spotted a Netherlands small coastal ship running north west on the surface. About 900 tons. It was not lit at night and was moving in the direction of a British port. So I sank it with gunfire. Marked as neutral in the game but a justified sinking.
Sank about a half dozen small merchant ships in this area with gunfire, torpedo or both.
Then, two 4000-5000 toners. One running south. One running north. Both within visual distance of each other on a smooth sea. Sank both with a few rounds of gunfire at very close range into the engine-room and lower hull.
Currently at 19,000 tons with a lot of torpedoes left on board.
Basic tracking technique for this patrol is on first sighting, get a rough range, bearing and angle on the bow and put it on the F5 plotting board. And, setup my attack based on those assumptions.
Normally I don't like working in shallow water. But, it is very early war. So, we will see. Get this patrol done and hopefully not see shallow water again. Now mid November.
so far I'm on my third career since I started back. took a little remediation to get the feel of the gaming environment and settle on my mods list (mostly GWX gold) but not sailing my calm. . . ish waters. I set up my third (and most serious) career with my young dedicated kaleun Julius Nagel and was ordered to an81 for patrol when hostilities broke out. I managed to get an ore carrier and a coastal freighter for a total of just a little over 10,000 tons and was cheerily headed home with the Gramophone blaring when I ran into a destroyer that just hammered me to the bottom. and just when I thought I'd gotten away he was right back on top of me with another barrage. all I could do was sit there and watch my crew turn red.
oh well, back to the drawing board
Remainder of my first patrol did very well and got back to Kiel.
Had not used MaGUI for awhile so I decided to use it again. A well setup and clean mod. Added the Ujagd stopwatch which I had never used before. Very handy. Like it very much.
Just finished up my second patrol and am back at Kiel. Did very well on this patrol too. One of the ships I got was a small steamer of about 1800 tons that was floundering and not doing so well. Odd how the game does that sometimes.
Up to January 1940.
Two images from my second patrol.
http://i.imgur.com/EO1oDXa.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/knR1vdY.jpg
Out on a second patrol with a type VII out of La Rochelle.
Left port 14 July 42. Patrol area ET21 Northwest of Freetown.
Got down there with good fuel economy (25 percent fuel used) in 13 days.
Uneventful patrol in the area. Then went to patrol west of Freetown.
A report indicated there was a ship moving in from the west-south-west about 100km away. Intercepted the contact in the middle of the afternoon at about 8000 meters. Weather was cloudy with a storm building.
Turned out to be a small enemy convoy. 1 formation line breast. 1 destroyer leading. 1 in trail. A medium tanker; medium cargo and a large merchant. Observing it from the south.
A little close for me. Collected some target track info and plotted it. 9 knots, course 62. Turned around and got on an exit course and sent off a contact report. This being 1942 I knew this report could draw aircraft or worse.
Contact report showed as follows.
http://i.imgur.com/cJkdDpD.jpg
Plotted both my track and the contact report track.
http://i.imgur.com/ivSIq4u.jpg
Intent: do an end around and approach from the front for a periscope attack. Pick the two most available targets. for 2 torpedoes each.
An hour into the end-around: aircraft. Crash dive.
Stayed under less than a half hour and kept maximum speed knowing it would stress the batteries but I needed to not get too far behind.
Back on the surface.
Got to the end around well in front of them and picked them up at a closer range than I would prefer due to the weather.
http://i.imgur.com/bvLfYDU.jpg
Quick one observation range and bearing for the plotting board and submerge.
Time to take a seat at the attack periscope and everyone get to work.
"Auf gefechtsstationen!"
http://i.imgur.com/699PMqX.jpg
Intent: a 90 degree attack from a northerly direction. Sound observations were fairly true to the original tracks so I split the difference and assumed in between both tracks for now until I had more observations.
So. Head north-north west for about 1ooo meters. Then, a 180 degree turn to starboard to the attack course. This would be a port angle on the bow attack; targets moving right to left.
Around 1500 meters lined up on the lead ship which was a medium tanker. Fired two type 3's middle of ship point of aim. Depth 3 meters; contact pistol; assumed target speed of 8 knots for all shots. Fired at this target when it presented itself 90 degree port angle of the bow. This became my 90 degree reference for the torpedo computer. After 1 and 2 were fired, moved the scope to the right and put it over the center of a large merchant. Since the scope angle input was linked to the torpedo computer, when I moved my scope to the second target, the angle on the bow dial was relational to my first target assumption of 90 degrees port angle on the bow. I forget what the AOB for the second target was but it was somewhere in the 80-85 region. This ship was following very close to the tanker in front of it. Fire 3 and 4.
Medium tanker:
http://i.imgur.com/k1kiRrB.jpg
Larger merchant:
http://i.imgur.com/89FwUAg.jpg
Endured somewhere around 50 depth charges before getting out of there.
http://i.imgur.com/2gU0YL6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/1OF3pVv.jpg
Sometime later, back up to the surface.
http://i.imgur.com/1HemOvi.jpg
Ran all night in a normal patrol pattern and at dawn, put in a report before
diving for the day.
http://i.imgur.com/eAeptHJ.jpg
Unfortunately, a few days later, I was caught on the surface in bad weather by two destroyers. Probably radar helped them, as I did not have a radar detector on me.
So the end of that career, but a good crew and a good boat.
Using the event viewer in the game for fun.
:Kaleun_Cheers:
Zosimus
05-13-17, 12:48 PM
I returned to Lorient with 86,828 tons under my belt: 10 merchants, 1 tanker, and 1 flower class corvette, which I sank by deck gun.
It's a funny story. It was unlimited visibility and 0 winds. I was rounding a convoy when this corvette spotted me from 14-15 km away and started chasing me, firing the whole time.
Since the top speed on a Corvette is 16 knots, and my IXB can do 17-18 on the surface in excellent weather, I decided to outrun it as I rounded the convoy. It continued firing on me for about 10 minutes and then stopped.
No more ammo. So I figured I might as well sink it. I set course for it. When I hit 1,000 meters distance, I ordered full left rudder and told the gunner to aim for the waterline.
I had not counted on its anti-aircraft guns, which it brought to bear. It did some damage before I sank it.
I fired my last two torpedoes at a ship in the convoy and sank a large merchant for over 10k tons. Then I returned to Lorient with 72.38% hull integrity.
That's the first and probably last time I take on an escort with a deck gun.
Much regret to inform, that U-73 has failed to report or return to base and must assume the boat and crew are lost in grid CN66. 03MAR42
Diceman
05-17-17, 08:01 AM
Hello all,
A beginner captain here playing my first career.
I'm running SH3+GWX3.
All I've played thus far are the training mission/exams.
Realism is 90%. I have external view, so I can watch my targets sink up close. I also have map contact update.
I chose 1st Flotilla, based at Kiel in Aug. 1939. I'm given U-5 a Type IIA with a load of 5 type I torpedos.
First patrol begins 1 Aug '39. I reach patrol area off the Shetlands and patrol several days until fuel becomes an issue and I have to head home. A big goose egg for a score. The war starts a few days after my return...
Second patrol begins 6 Sep '39. I reach my patrol area and patrol 24 hours. Just at the end of the 24 hours a beautiful Ore Carrier shows up...
First time manual targeting. I fumble through and shoot 2. Both miss aft (I botched the speed I think) and I hurriedly reset and shoot 1... miss. I turn south thoroughly bummed... Reloading my last 2 torpedos.
Further south along the east coast of England I encounter a small cargo ship. I setup, shoot 2 and both hit. On the board with 2245 tons. I head to port as all 5 of my torpedos are gone. I get the U- boat front clasp., as well as some of my crew,
Third patrol begins 11 Oct '39. I reach my patrol area off the middle east coast of England. I quickly (within my 24 hour patrol time) get 2 ships totaling 9788 tons one after the other, very near to each other. Shot 2 at each with all hits. Shortly after another target showed up and I missed with my final torpedo. Still learning the manual targeting thing...
Medals were earned by my crew.
I got promoted.
Fourth patrol begins 12 Nov '39. I reach my patrol area off the Shetlands (1 block south of my first patrol area) and at the end of the 24 hours I get a contact. It's inky black and I can't see my hand in front of my face let alone some ship off in the distance. I set a intercept with hydrophone only. Track and shoot 1 torpedo without ever seeing the guy other that a darker mark in the blackness. 1 shot hits. I surface and parallel his course for over 5 hours. He's listing and catches fire over 12 times but the waves are so big they keep putting the fire out... I'm getting concerned about warships coming, so I shoot 1 more using the uzo and his fire to line up on. Hit and immediately sinks. 2396 tons in the books. I submerge and set a course to patrol gap between Orkneys and Shetland... Immediately detect 5 warships medium and high speeds. I avoid them. Patrol the gap... nothing. Head south along east coast of England. Finally get another contact. I setup and shoot blind again cause it's still inky black and high seas. Shoot 1 and I guess it misses??? Looked like a perfect run on targeting chart...
I set another quick shot and los... about halfway through that run well before it should hit the target blows up and sinks (red mark on map) but I don't get credit??? WTF??? Game glitch??? Second shot misses...
Another contact right away. I setup and shoot another blind shot. It's still total blackness out there... My first magnetic attempt ever as everything prior was impact. Ran true but no explosion... I've no idea for sure if it hit but it looked true on the targeting chart... I head for Kiel thoroughly frustrated.
My crew earned some medals.
I received the German Cross.
Currently, about to start patrol 5 around 1 Dec '39. Still in the Type IIA.
Current tonnage total 14,429.
Edit: Just looked the German Cross up... It wasn't issued until 1941. How am I getting one now in 1939??? Early access???
Diceman
05-25-17, 09:57 PM
Started patrol 5 on about 6 December, 1939. Sailed to the designated box for my 24 hour period.
At the end of the 24 hours I sighted, tracked, shot two torpedos at, hit and sunk a big 10,000 tonner!! My biggest kill to date playing this game!! I was very excited!!!
Creeping away from that kill, I came across a convoy. My first convoy. I set up an intercept and chose a medium and another smaller cargo following behind in the middle of the convoy. Two torpedos at the first ship and then a quick one at the trailer.
The convoy had destroyers, so I immediately dove and started creeping away. I heard 3 hits. The destroyers pounced and depth charged me for several hours, with no real damage suffered. External view showed 4 destroyers hunting me in teams of two. Eventually two left. Then the other two started to leave.
I crept up to periscope depth. Took a peek and there was a ship dead in the water but not sinking. I figured to creep over and shoot it up with my flak gun. Got a bit over eager and surfaced too soon... shots immediately flew in from the destroyers who pulled a u-turn and returned to kill me.
I hid under the crippled ship Til the destroyers left again. This time I waited Til I couldn't see them at all.
I surfaced near the crippled ship with it between me and the last known area of destroyers. Manned the flak gun. Shot several magazines worth into the ship which started to burn... started to move away from the ship, then... BOOM!!!!
The whole ship exploded and severely damaged my sub and killed all deck crew. I tried to do damage control but it was no bueno... I sunk. I was way to close...
A stupid mistake cost me my sub and crew...
GM_Skidjit
05-26-17, 07:48 PM
Just got on station at AM28 in Type VIIC U-762. Took a few days to get on station, had to avoid a handful of aircraft attacks getting there. Running my campaign starting in April 1940 in a VIIC with GWX.
1942 2nd of march
U-BOAT 160 reached the Caribbean sea where he patrolled around the coast of Miami first kill of the patrol.
Attacked with deck gun.
http://www.part.lt/img/fc219d353553ff5fe7b0bb3b1851852d365.bmp (http://www.part.lt/perziura/fc219d353553ff5fe7b0bb3b1851852d365.bmp)
http://www.part.lt/img/2d60e2ec4c45734bcc730225dc8ae773420.bmp (http://www.part.lt/perziura/2d60e2ec4c45734bcc730225dc8ae773420.bmp).
After 5 days
Attacked US Somers class destroyer
http://www.part.lt/img/5239438ac06761924a74d6bf0687cc7e945.bmp (http://www.part.lt/perziura/5239438ac06761924a74d6bf0687cc7e945.bmp)
8th of March my inexperienced watch crew somehow spotted aircraft before he did. After we crashed dived heard explosions after about 10 mins at periscope depth raised observation scope and saw American PBY catalina.
http://www.part.lt/img/c5d355f90dd89e397418ad1262234c26684.bmp (http://www.part.lt/perziura/c5d355f90dd89e397418ad1262234c26684.bmp)
1/3 of patrol logs were lost in the accident from the kitchen fire. The Cook got punishment for slacking on duty. His punishment was to clean filthy toilets of my U BOAT.
Returning to Lorient with 69241 tons of merchant shipping. This is the first time what I sunk so much tonnage.
Yesterday evening, in my campaign (the first one), i was in March 1941, 7th flotilla, type VII b.
I patrol near Ireland, near the convoy northern route. A few escort ships, and a lot af innocent victims... Some ASDIC pings, but no real danger at this time. This is first patrol i take down some planes (as the kept turning around like bloody flies).
An important detail: realism is low (29%), because it's my first attempt to build a carrier. I know it's less classy than the ones that play full realism, but... i'm a noob.
johnnyseven
07-10-17, 12:04 AM
U75 Kpltn Mohr on patrol off Norway. June 9,1940 Sunk one Norweigan Cargo ship 4350 tons. 1st patrol. Looking for retrating British task forces returning from Norwegan waters.
Aktungbby
07-10-17, 01:11 AM
johnnyseven!:Kaleun_Salute: after precisely a six year silent run!
THEBERBSTER
07-10-17, 05:21 AM
A Warm Welcome Back To The Subsim Community > johnnyseven
Subsim <> How To Donate <> See The Benefits <> Support The Community :salute:
(http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2027002&postcount=1)
Jimbuna
07-10-17, 06:30 AM
Welcome back to the surface johnny :salute:
Yesterday evening, 30d patrol from my vey first campaign.
It's 23 december of 1942. I'm wainting for type IX, but it's prety cool with my VIIb. my crews are a great team, as a family: seems that we gonna be at sea for Xmas.
As it's my very first campaign, i play stock SH3, no mod, and 29% realism (the lower). So it's far easiest than the way you play. But it's the best way to learn slowly. My second campaign wil be harder i think...:arrgh!:
Obltn Strand
07-28-17, 02:41 AM
Two months in drydock and:k_confused:
Patrol 9
U-452, 7th Flotilla
Left at: April 22, 1942, 01:50
From: St. Nazaire
Mission Orders: Patrol grid DC22
11.5.1942
11:45 Radio message to BdU:/Arrived patrol area. Position DC2233./
15.5.1942
03:42 Radio message from BdU:/Estimated position of enemy convoy at grid DC1625, course NW, speed 6/
03:34 Radio message to BdU:/My position DC1368. Contact in two hours./
08:16 Radio message to BdU:/Convoy at grid 1289, s 6, h NE/
09:27 Radio message from BdU:/Shadow convoy and send hourly reports./
12:04 Radio message from BdU:/Strand inform status and position of the boat/
15:12 Radio message from BdU:/Strand inform status and position of the boat/
No, no, no, no, no:wah:
starkwolf
07-28-17, 09:51 AM
Began in Wilhelmshaven with the U-21, and so far:
First mission I didn't sink anything. 1 coastal merchant damaged. Fired 3 torpedoes at that one two. First ran too shallow, second was a dud, and the last one did the damaging hit that didn't sink it.
Second mission I sank a single destroyer. I got lucky and he was headed almost straight for me, but didn't know where I was. I even killed it forgetting to set my steamy (during the day, no less) to fast. Still killed it.
Currently on my fourth, fifth, or sixth mission. Year is 1940, and up to this point every mission has been a consistent 2 merchant ships sunk, and I don't even remember how many planes shot down.
Running SH3 commander, no other mods. 54% realism.
PapaSmurf
08-01-17, 11:00 PM
I have never posted on this thread before. But since I really enjoy reading everyone's tales I thought it only fair that I contribute.
12-15-40, 9th patrol for Captain Gerhard Kupferschmidt in U-65, a well built IXB. After 3 weeks on patrol and not a torpedo fired yet the crew is getting restless and emergency diving drills and boat maintenance is all that keeps them from getting lazy. We have seen ships, but one was a hospital ship and 4 were American tankers. It's so hard to let the tankers go knowing they are supplying England but BDU is explicit..don't shoot. But if the Americans ever enter the war they will pay the price.
We are 250km northwest of Casablanca when the radio operator gets a report of a large enemy convoy just north of our position on a northeasterly heading. Franz Link-Stier, our navigator plots an intercept and announces we will make contact in 3 hours. When the crew hears this all the past monotony is forgotten as they each jump to action at their respective stations. In only mere minutes U-65 is racing towards the convoy with enough speed that the watch crew is forced to put on their full face caps to prevent frostbite in the wind. The spray is flying over the conning tower and freezing on everyone but as I look at one of the men who only has his cap over his forehead I see him smile as he hopes for contact. No one is feeling the cold. 3 hours later U-65 arrives at the intercept point and I order a dive to 20 meters to have a listen. When the hydrophone operator calls out multiple screws at long range I see the chief engineer pat the navigator on the back for doing his job so well. Now its a matter of listening and fine tuning our position for the attack. Finally at 10:57 I raise the observation scope and see smoke, lots of individual plumes of smoke. This is a big one. It also has 4 escorts, front, back left and right. This is going to be nerve wracking! Too far away to get an identification on the merchants yet but our position looks good so we go to all stop and rig the boat for silent running. Down scope and now we wait, listening to the nearest escorts. The lead escort doesn't seem like it's going to be a problem but the one on the convoys right flank could be trouble before this is all over. Finally it's time for another peek through the scope. Up scope just enough to clear the surface. Oh yes! Almost close enough now to start gathering attack information. The ship I will use to plot speed and AOB appears to be a whale factory ship but still too far away to be sure so I swing the scope to the front escort and see it's a Black Swan. Ugh! Swing the scope the other direction to look at the starboard escort. A Hunt class, not quite so bad. Down scope and wait and listen a few more minutes. Ok, raise the scope again. It's a good thing I didn't ID the ship as a whale factory because it's actually a large cargo. Check the escorts again to be sure they are still unaware. They are in their normal pattern so no problems. Lower the observation scope and raise the attack scope. Position the scope and start the stop watch. The radio report said 8 knots. Stop the stop watch. Since I use the OLC GUI mod for manual targeting I lower the rings and following the procedure I find the true speed is 7.5 knots. I enter the speed in the TDC and move on to determine range to target. Range is 2600 meters. Enter that into TDC. Now for the AOB. Just as I am adjusting the rings on the AOB finder on the scope the quiet is shattered by the sound of active sonar pinging through the submarine. "Herr Kaleun, we've been detected" shouts the hydrophone operator! I quickly scan the escorts and see that it is the starboard flank escort that found us and is picking up speed and turning towards us. I feel he is far enough away for me to finish calculating the AOB so I quickly lock onto the large cargo and get his AOB. CRASH DIVE!!!!! Lower the scope and immediately get the attack wheel out and use the bearing and AOB to plot the convoys course. This attack is foiled but if we survive we can use this information to set up for another attack later tonight hopefully. I give the command to make the depth 180 meters and the boat points down and at flank speed we plummet into the black water, all the while listening to the creaks and groans of the pressure hull and the incessant pinging of the onrushing destroyer. We reach 165 meters and I order all slow, a direction change and rig for silent running again and use our speed to take us down to 180 meters. By now the hydrophone is telling us that the Hunt class is almost on us and the Black Swan is racing over to assist in their attack. Our direction change seems to have worked because as the Hunt class goes over he drops 4 depth charges and they detonate behind us. Now the hydrophone operator reports that a 3rd escort is coming to join the attack against us! A few minutes later, after things have been quiet, pinging begins again, loud and fast. Suddenly throughout the submarine we can hear propellers racing over our heads and the sonar man is frantic as he calls out "Depth charges in the water"! FLANK SPEED AND DIRECTION CHANGE AND MAKE NEW DEPTH 200 METERS!!!!! Without warning explosions begin, 7 of them in quick succession, so close the boat is rocking almost uncontrollably. We hear noise from the aft of the boat and find out that sailor Jorg Bauer broke from the strain of the near misses and petty officer Hass had to forcibly subdue him to quiet him and prevent his panic from spreading. By now the boat has reached 200 meters depth and the depth charge attacks continued for almost 2 hours until the 3 escorts left to rejoin the convoy. In the 2 hours the attack lasted I counted 86 depth charges, none so close as the ones that rocked the boat early in the attack. When the sound of the escorts diminished enough we took the boat up to periscope depth and looked around. Safe to surface again. We will use the convoy track we were able to plot to do a flanking move and renew the attack at dusk tonight. This is a hair raising business we are in. I make a note to have sailor Bauer removed from the crew once the patrol is over but I have no bad feelings towards him because I was on the verge of panic myself. How I hid it I don't know.
I did all of this attack in real time with no time compression (yep, I sat there for over 2 hours evading DC's. It's good to be retired..LOL) and no external view and 100% realism and it sure was fun.
Islander401
08-14-17, 10:15 PM
April 5th 1940, U48 is off the coast of Bergen, Norway at the start of Operation Harmut. One contact so far, which after moving into position at periscope depth turned out to be a large merchant sailing under a friendly flag. The weather is clear and after completing my 24 hr. patrol I'm wondering where to go..
Do I stay on my assigned grid or move north to Trondheim or Narvik? Where is the best hunting during the Norway campaign? Should I play my U48 in the manner of the real U48 during Op. Harmut?
Islander401
08-18-17, 08:39 PM
So I went north to Trondheim where I was able to sink 2 tramp steamers at anchor after the invasion began. I was able to watch a few friendly warships steam into the harbor not long after. The rest of the patrol consisted of chasing task force contacts to no avail and trying to set ambushes near contested Norwegian ports.
My following patrol had me back in the waters off of Bergen. There was no action to be had so I crossed the North Sea and sailed south down the coast of England. Got a tanker off of Dover and haven't been able to play since due to work etc.
Obltn Strand
01-08-18, 09:25 AM
Managed to get DD_OH_V3.09 to work with NYGM. Now I have cozy command room for type IX. I haven't sailed with pregnant sea cow for years now. Belly full of torpedoes and fuel...us east coast there I come and you gonna get some....
Ok after playing lots of different subs (GWX Mod) I have settled on the IXC/40 as my favorite. The main reason is that with the right conning tower and AA assortment (2 twins and 1 quad AA gun) I can cruise on the surface with total impunity towards enemy aircraft. With 2 petty officers being flak qualified I can shoot down anything that comes my way before they have the chance to do any damage. This is accomplished without any cheating, you just have to configure your sub correctly.
For unrealistic fun I use a load out of Type 9 homing Torpedos. My tactic is to destroy all the escorts then attack the convoy at my leisure. I have over 600,000 tons after 5 patrols. With these torpedos you don't need any weapon officer or targeting assistance. I use the manual targeting settings to direct the torps which given time will find their target. I always stay at periscope depth so that I can let them get close enough so the homing torpedo doesn't attack a different target.
If you want to rule the seas then add the ASN torp mod which guarantees a kill on each hit and for ultimate kicks you can use the U-Gun mod which turns your deck gun into the Bismark. I can sink escorts (with one shot) at 4500 meters with no problem and merchants from the same distance with just the deck gun. An easy change to the files allows me to man the AA and Deck gun in any weather.
I liked using the type XXI but it cannot deal with the aircraft like the IXC/40 can.
When you get enough renown add a snorkel but be aware that it does not have radar detection like the one on the XXI so you can get bombed from the air with no warning.
I am going to restart with no ASN or U-Gun mod as they really over power everything but I'll keep my AA firepower and type 9 torps. That allows me to play on 90% realism. Keep in mind this doesn't make you invulnerable to destroyers. I have been cornered several times and had to creep away at depth to escape. You also have to remember that a Type 9 will go after whatever noise is the closest so launching at the big tanker 3 rows into the convoy will rarely result in hitting that particular ship. I also go to full stop after firing. In real life at least 2 U-boats were destroyed by their own homing torpedoes.
ivanov.ruslan
03-07-18, 02:49 PM
Hi,i think in GWX Late war sensors mod should have a snorkel radar for typ IX
or http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=158243
ivanov.ruslan
03-19-18, 04:08 PM
https://s6.postimg.org/gylphij41/sh3_2018-03-19_23-04-59-18.jpg
Only half the patrol :arrgh!:
ThePrody
03-27-18, 06:44 PM
April '41, finally i returned to Lorient after a 76 days patrol in the Golf of Guinea and below the Ecuator with a type VIIC . No refuel was made during he patrol, Ahead one-third at 7 knots was the norm, arrived back with under 5% fuel :) , sunk some 35k tons , a long vacation awaits the crew . (NYGM)
https://s9.postimg.org/qzjs422xb/SH3_Img_27-3-2018_19.35.51_172.png
Master Sheep5
03-30-18, 07:08 PM
I Started my new campaign Sept 1, 1939. Went out, didn't find a single thing, returned to port. 4 days later sent back out, Sink a C2 cargo and small merchant off the shore of Hartlepool. A V&W class destroyer came to investigate and a got an impact center on her starboard side and broke her back. Returned to port with no torpedoes. Next patrol I sank a small merchant and heavily damaged a c2 in the English channel and had to bugger off with no torpedoes left since a destroyer answered their distress call. Doing well so far! saving up for a Type VII to replace my IIA. Cant wait for my increased crew size and time ill be able to be out hunting!
Red Heat
04-13-18, 01:26 PM
2 Dec. 1938 After a long period of hard training in the Flotilla Weddigen
We finaly recebe orders at 2 Aug. 1939 to join the 2ª Flotilla Saltzwedel, a combat Flotilla. 3 Aug. 1939 Wilhelmshaven, i recebe my first command, the U-33 a class VIIB U-boot. After the inspection, we recebe green light to set Sail. The U-boot its full armed, full provisions on board, the Uboot its clear to Sea. My orders was to patrol grid BF18, and mean while, in my quarters, i say good bye for now, and the world can live another day in peace, waiting from the storm...
The first war patrol, better, "peace patrol", and after check all the radio messages, i give the order to my 2nd in command to proced to a full exercices program and emergency Maneuvers, testing the crew, and officiers. The weather report: The must of the time, clouds particial, precipitation none, visibility moderate, wind speed 14 knots per second, direction: variable. Note: 15 Aug. 1939, 0803.hrs Order: Return to Wilhelmshaven. Patrol tonnage: 0 tons
25 Aug. 1939, 2118.hrs, we set sail for the 2ª war patrol, the Uboot its on course. After the briefing, i open my orders and our mission was to patrol grid BF16. 3 Set. 1939, 1920.hrs contact: Merchant, enemy ship sunk: grid AM 53, 4894 tons. 5 Set. 1939, 0953.hrs contact: Merchant, enemy ship sunk grid AM 57, 4902 tons. 16 Set. 1939, 0235.hrs contact: Merchant, enemy ship sunk: grid AM 52, 5171 tons. 18 Set. 1939, 1315.hrs contact: Merchant, enemy ship sunk grid AM 35, 4903 tons. 19 Set. 1939, 0225.hrs Order: Return to Wilhelmshaven.
Patrol tonnage: 19870 tons
6 Out. 1939, 0816.hrs we left Wilhelmshaven, Mission Orders: Patrol grid BE61. 3ª war patrol, The weather report: clouds partial, precipitation none, moderate wind speed 15 per second, direction 45. 10 Out. 1939, 1503.hrs contact: Merchant, enemy ship sunk: grid AN 47, 6313 tons. 2345.hrs contact: Merchant, enemy ship sunk: grid AN 44, 5036 tons. 11 Out. 1939, 1152.hrs contact: Merchant, enemy ship sunk: AN 41, 4347 tons. 12 Out. 1939 , 0457.hrs Order: Return to Wilhelmshaven.
Patrol tonnage: 15696 tons
31 Out. 1939, 1615.hrs we left the harbour behind, and the U-33 take the Ocean. 4ª war patrol against the enemy. The crew gain some experience in this last war patrols, they earn the right to be aboard. Before the leaves, i recomend the Iron Cross, Second Class for the all crew and officiers. 12 Nov. 1939, 1925.hrs contact: SS Kilissi (Small Merchant), 2396 tons. Cargo: Timber. Crew: 78. Crew lost: 14. Enemy ship sunk: grid AM 41. 13 Nov. 1939, 1659.hrs contact: Merchant, enemy ship sunk: grid AM 41, 3516 tons. 14 Nov. 1939, 0933.hrs contact: Merchant, enemy ship sunk: grid AM 19, 3902 tons. 19 Nov. 1939, 0643.hrs contact: Medium Merchant, enemy ship sunk: AM 54, 6075 tons. 0745.hrs Rockall Bank, Order: Return to base. Note: 19 Nov. 1939, I was promoted to Kapitanleutnant, and earn the Iron Cross, Second Class.
Patrol tonnage: 15889 tons
Salute :salute:
ivanov.ruslan
04-15-18, 03:43 PM
https://s6.postimg.cc/876i9hkq9/sh3_2018-04-15_23-32-42-58.jpg
https://s6.postimg.cc/6fdjel935/sh3_2018-04-15_22-49-55-82.jpg
https://s6.postimg.cc/mdm94p8g1/sh3_2018-04-15_23-11-22-40.jpg
https://s6.postimg.cc/pkgsod36p/sh3_2018-04-15_23-12-41-16.jpg
https://s6.postimg.cc/faedp3aq9/sh3_2018-04-15_23-18-01-13.jpg
https://s6.postimg.cc/dvct0e4i9/sh3_2018-04-15_23-27-58-13.jpg
https://s6.postimg.cc/50bypuskh/sh3_2018-04-15_23-29-33-51.jpg
renthehen
04-20-18, 08:09 AM
Just started a new career after a long time! Good to be back playing SH3 - what a game!
================================================== =
Josef Reinald
Flotilla: U-Flotilla Wegener
Boot: U101
Patrol Region: BF11
Patrol 1
2nd Oct '39: Leave port with crew with great apprehension. The crew however were buoyant as we traveled down the Kiel canal. Decide to take the long route around the British Isles to arrive at patrol grid - thus avoiding the English Channel.
3rd-4th Oct '39: Quiet - all checks going well. Crew in good spirits. Spot a neutral trawler but apart from that seems that we are the only ones upon the sea.
5th Oct '39: British ship picked up by hydrophones in AN59 just off the east-coast of England. Seems to be traveling west towards Hartlepool. Ship (Clan McBean Class Merchant) intercepted and 2 torpedoes sent it to the bottom. Great jubilation on board for our first confirmed sinking. Later find out that it was the SS Idefjord which must have recently been purchased by the British from the Norwegians. Regardless, 5099 tons of shipping are sunk - it was carrying general cargo and of the 55 crew only one perished.
As night closed in, our hydrophone operator picked up another ship - this time traveling east from AN55. Again, ship (Aelybryn Class Merchant) was intercepted. Only one torpedo was used this time to send it to the bottom. Ship turned out to be SS Massis - 5090 ton ship - carrying Tobacco. 20 of its 47 crew perished.
6th Oct '39: Early morning and still in high spirits after a good days hunting yesterday when the watch crew spot a ship - again in AN55. It was another Aelybryn Class Merchant. Take the boot under and shoot one more torpedo at it - which again hits the sweet spot and down she goes. It was the SS Empire Shearwater - 5091 tons - carrying sulfur. 9 of the 39 crew were lost.
We remain under the waves for most of the remainder of the day keeping a low profile. 3 ships sunk in a short space of time was raising the alertness of the Royal Navy. We slunk away into the depths.
7th Oct '39: Everything quiet - which was a good thing after the amount of naval traffic spotted and picked up the day before. Morale was high as we continued heading north.
8th Oct '39: Weather worsened as we reached the north of the British Isles. Rough seas made the journey uncomfortable at times. However, our soaked watch crew spotted a large ship just south of the Orkney Islands and spirits and focus raised. Two torpedoes sent it to the bottom. SS P.L.M. 24 was a British Ore Carrier - 6177 tons of it. It was carrying coal. All 54 crew were lost in the rough seas.
9th-11th Oct '39: All quiet as we sailed around the northern coasts of the British Isles. We attempted to torpedo a ship on the 10th but missed it and it escaped.
12th Oct '39: Having traveled down the west coast of Scotland we reached the straight between Northern Ireland and South-West Scotland. Hydrophones picked up a ship in AM64 and we intercepted. Initial torpedo missed but the second hit and she went down with a large explosion. SS Siris (Kensington Court Class Merchant) was 5100 tons and carrying explosives. All crew died.
13th Oct '39: A large tanker was spotted though unfortunately it turned out to be an American vessel. Demoralised we worked hard to find another contact. We didn't have to wait long. Between Ireland and Wales (AM94) contact was made with another ship. One torpedo sent it to the bottom. SS Sambre (Kensington Court Class Merchant) was carrying foodstuffs. Of the 44 crew - 23 perished.
14th Oct '39: In AM97 another ship was spotted. It was a tanker and this time an enemy ship. It sunk quickly. SS Frimaire (Hallanger Class Tanker) was 8780 tons - carrying aviation fuel. Only 3 of the 57 crew survived.
15th-20th Oct '39: Patrol was quiet in BF11 with nothing seen. After 24 hours we moved to the western approach to the English channel to shoot our last torpedoes. Two ships were located and attempted to be sunk but we missed our targets. Out of Ammo we returned to Kiel.
Overall a good patrol. 7 ships sunk for 40438 tons with many crew receiving medals for their hard work, skill and bravery. Weather did not allow us to use the deck-gun much and with better weather totals can be topped. With more confidence we may try and travel through the channel to save time at patrol to give more chance of finding convoys.
Patrol 1 report end.
PapaSmurf
04-20-18, 11:26 PM
Nice report ren.
renthehen
04-21-18, 02:27 AM
Nice report ren.
Thanks! Hopefully the first of many. :Kaleun_Salute:
....now Oct 1944 out of Bergen getting jumped left right and center by aircraft when schnorkeling.
It almost makes the game unplayable -- even using just x256 and having the Obs periscope up the bombers make things uncomfortable. Best recharge so far is 75% .I've just turned south at Spitzbergen and have yet to attack a single ship.
Hopefully that changes soon. Or else back to SH IV or Shells of Fury lol
ivanov.ruslan
04-21-18, 03:30 PM
:Kaleun_Wink:http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2544464&postcount=5290
Hambone307
04-29-18, 10:43 AM
Been several moths since I last played. Figured my failed patrol would make for a good read. I was once told that "there are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but no old and bold pilots." I guess that applies to captains of a Uboot. I wish I kept a better log of how this patrol went. Will attempt to provide a decent story from memory.
Journal entry recovered from floating debris by local fishing trawler.
Aug. 13, 1943 0800hrs.
Typ-VIIC U-128 Patrolling outside Gibralter straits.
Personal Journal of KptLt. Walter Heinz.
We left Lorient a week ago to patrol west of Gibralter. Our journey to the grid was uneventful. The crew's spirits were high and everyone hoped for continuing good fortunes. If we can sink another 10,000 tons, we will win the wager back at base. I hope Albert Dietz and his old VIIB have a dry run on his patrol!
Aug 14, 1943 1900hrs.
We spotted several fishing boats and a small, coastal merchant yesterday. We were unable to attack due to the foul weather. Report was made to BDU and we continued our patrol. The weather is rapidly improving. It appears good fortunes are in our favor!
Aug 15, 1943 1000Hrs.
Today, we have set up approximately 3km north of the shipping lane. Due to our proximity to the port, air cover has been heavy during the day. The crew has expressed some concerns with the shallow water and our extended time on surface at night to replenish batteries and air. So far we have remained undetected and my command staff are in agreement that we should move further west for deep water.
2000hrs.
The hunt has been bad today. We identified a small convoy moving toward the strait. Two small merchants escorted by a pair of Black Swan class destroyers. While setting up for a shot, our periscope was spotted and strafed by a plane. No damage was sustained during the initial attack on our boat, but one of the destroyers chased us out to deep water and dropped around 50 depth charges. Several detonated in close proximity to our boat, damaging one of the seals on our drive shaft and knocking one generator loose of its mounts. He circled above us for several hours before returning to his friends. We will surface in a few hours and assess for more damage.
Aug 16, 1943 0245hrs.
The damage to our boat was moderate. The charges we took buckled some of the plates on the conning tower. Deck boards were also blown loose. Radio mast was damaged but we have been able to get it more or less operational. Hull integrity seems to be intact. One crew member suffered a broken arm. Our generator is being secured as I write this and the drive shaft seal has been repaired to the best of our ability. It is good fortune we have such competent mechanics on board. We have sent a transmission to Bdu advising them of our damage.
0400hrs.
Bdu has responded. I have been advised that there are reports of a large convoy approaching. We have been cleared to operate at our discretion.
0630hrs.
Dawn is approaching. Our doctor has splinted the arm of our injured crew member and he is able to assist our doctor. I have decided to set up south of the merchant routes. We have set course back towards the coast. I hope to stay near the Atlantic shelf and have deep water to escape to in case of another air attack.
1900hrs.
I should have listened to my officers. They wanted to dive shortly after I wrote my last entry. I refused to pull the plug. I had all hopes that we would be able to make it to our desired position without incident. Right as we arrived and prepared for dive, we were spotted and attacked by a Liberator. We made it to 25m when two depth charges detonated on either side of the hull. We began to take on water instantly. Multiple injuries were reported and my XO was knocked unconscious. Damage crews instantly began to repair our leaks. We were able to continue toward shallow water on one motor with a 15 degree up angle. Once we were in waters 50m deep, I ordered our boat to sit on the sea bed.
Flooding was under control and our damaged systems were being repaired. I was advised that both diesels were damaged, two of our torpedo tubes were leaking water and were inoperable, one of our battery banks was rendered useless. Our aft dive planes are damaged and difficult to move. Our bilge pumps have been repaired and we are slowly getting the water out of our boat. Our sonar man is currently attempting to repair the hydrophone.
While we worked on repairs, my sonarman got the hydrophone working. He called out screws closing fast. Those damn planes called in the convoy escorts. I must get back to the control room. I pray that we survive today.
U-128 failed to report in on Aug 17, 1943. British escorts reported that a pair of Liberator bombers spotted a German U boat on the surface near shallow waters and attacked with depth charges. Liberators lost sight of the German submarine and notified the nearby convoy escorts. The escorts were able to detect the submarine with passive sonar. It was assumed that the submarine was damaged and performing repairs when it was detected. The sonar operators on the British escort recounted that they heard what sounded like "hammers on metal". Active sonar was used at close range and the submarine was located near the sea floor in 50m waters. Three escorts performed multiple passes with depth charges and hedgehog ASW weaponry. After several hours had passed, the remaining escort reported debris and fuel oil in the water. The submarine was declared destroyed with all hands.
renthehen
05-02-18, 09:45 AM
Been several moths since I last played. Figured my failed patrol would make for a good read. I was once told that "there are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but no old and bold pilots." I guess that applies to captains of a Uboot. I wish I kept a better log of how this patrol went. Will attempt to provide a decent story from memory.
Journal entry recovered from floating debris by local fishing trawler.
Aug. 13, 1943 0800hrs.
Typ-VIIC U-128 Patrolling outside Gibralter straits.
Personal Journal of KptLt. Walter Heinz.
We left Lorient a week ago to patrol west of Gibralter. Our journey to the grid was uneventful. The crew's spirits were high and everyone hoped for continuing good fortunes. If we can sink another 10,000 tons, we will win the wager back at base. I hope Albert Dietz and his old VIIB have a dry run on his patrol!
Aug 14, 1943 1900hrs.
We spotted several fishing boats and a small, coastal merchant yesterday. We were unable to attack due to the foul weather. Report was made to BDU and we continued our patrol. The weather is rapidly improving. It appears good fortunes are in our favor!
Aug 15, 1943 1000Hrs.
Today, we have set up approximately 3km north of the shipping lane. Due to our proximity to the port, air cover has been heavy during the day. The crew has expressed some concerns with the shallow water and our extended time on surface at night to replenish batteries and air. So far we have remained undetected and my command staff are in agreement that we should move further west for deep water.
2000hrs.
The hunt has been bad today. We identified a small convoy moving toward the strait. Two small merchants escorted by a pair of Black Swan class destroyers. While setting up for a shot, our periscope was spotted and strafed by a plane. No damage was sustained during the initial attack on our boat, but one of the destroyers chased us out to deep water and dropped around 50 depth charges. Several detonated in close proximity to our boat, damaging one of the seals on our drive shaft and knocking one generator loose of its mounts. He circled above us for several hours before returning to his friends. We will surface in a few hours and assess for more damage.
Aug 16, 1943 0245hrs.
The damage to our boat was moderate. The charges we took buckled some of the plates on the conning tower. Deck boards were also blown loose. Radio mast was damaged but we have been able to get it more or less operational. Hull integrity seems to be intact. One crew member suffered a broken arm. Our generator is being secured as I write this and the drive shaft seal has been repaired to the best of our ability. It is good fortune we have such competent mechanics on board. We have sent a transmission to Bdu advising them of our damage.
0400hrs.
Bdu has responded. I have been advised that there are reports of a large convoy approaching. We have been cleared to operate at our discretion.
0630hrs.
Dawn is approaching. Our doctor has splinted the arm of our injured crew member and he is able to assist our doctor. I have decided to set up south of the merchant routes. We have set course back towards the coast. I hope to stay near the Atlantic shelf and have deep water to escape to in case of another air attack.
1900hrs.
I should have listened to my officers. They wanted to dive shortly after I wrote my last entry. I refused to pull the plug. I had all hopes that we would be able to make it to our desired position without incident. Right as we arrived and prepared for dive, we were spotted and attacked by a Liberator. We made it to 25m when two depth charges detonated on either side of the hull. We began to take on water instantly. Multiple injuries were reported and my XO was knocked unconscious. Damage crews instantly began to repair our leaks. We were able to continue toward shallow water on one motor with a 15 degree up angle. Once we were in waters 50m deep, I ordered our boat to sit on the sea bed.
Flooding was under control and our damaged systems were being repaired. I was advised that both diesels were damaged, two of our torpedo tubes were leaking water and were inoperable, one of our battery banks was rendered useless. Our aft dive planes are damaged and difficult to move. Our bilge pumps have been repaired and we are slowly getting the water out of our boat. Our sonar man is currently attempting to repair the hydrophone.
While we worked on repairs, my sonarman got the hydrophone working. He called out screws closing fast. Those damn planes called in the convoy escorts. I must get back to the control room. I pray that we survive today.
U-128 failed to report in on Aug 17, 1943. British escorts reported that a pair of Liberator bombers spotted a German U boat on the surface near shallow waters and attacked with depth charges. Liberators lost sight of the German submarine and notified the nearby convoy escorts. The escorts were able to detect the submarine with passive sonar. It was assumed that the submarine was damaged and performing repairs when it was detected. The sonar operators on the British escort recounted that they heard what sounded like "hammers on metal". Active sonar was used at close range and the submarine was located near the sea floor in 50m waters. Three escorts performed multiple passes with depth charges and hedgehog ASW weaponry. After several hours had passed, the remaining escort reported debris and fuel oil in the water. The submarine was declared destroyed with all hands.
Nice report! Sorry for your loss though - onto the next one!
Hambone307
05-05-18, 02:17 PM
Twas a sad day, but you win some and you lose some. This game still keeps it fresh.
BristolBrick
05-12-18, 01:28 AM
I've had better luck, found a huge convoy and sunk two escorts, the remaining flower corvet got scared and ran away after I surfaced and put two rounds into it with the deck gun.
Large convoy, and I had most of my torpedoes still left. It was at this point I also learnt how to reasonably reliably one-shot C3s and T3s, once out of torpedoes I made sure to sink every ship with guns before, beside the flower corvet so I surfaced and killed him at range with a deck gun. Then went and scored a couple more small merchants before heading home.
110k tonnage for that whole patrol.
Thought I would join the community after reading the threads for so long! Very recently got GWX - can't believe I never bothered after years of playing the vanilla game!
Started a new career from 1942 with the 10th out of L'Orient.
April 1st and I'm currently heading towards my patrol grid CA57 in U-166, my Type IXC. In real life this boat never made it back from its first full patrol, having been sunk off the Mississippi Delta with 4 confirmed kills. Made a beeline for the US Coast going across the top of BE and BD, sticking near to the HX convoy routes. Didn't encounter anything apart from terrible weather, was down to 5 or 6 knots max at 1/3 for most of the way.
Would most of you captains sailing from France for the US coast head over a similar route or would you head up past Rockall Bank and then past Iceland? I can't imagine the weather is better as a rule on that route, but this is my first trip over to the US so I can't speak from experience.
BDU sent out a report of a large convoy beginning it's journey over the Atlantic at 8 knots just east of St.Johns. Found the convoy on hydrophone and to say it was large was an understatement! Around 30 or 40 ships (although I didn't count). The convoy seemed to split into two, with one part heading south of my position and the other heading on the NE course I assumed they would all be heading.
It was looking like a day attack on the top portion of the convoy. I moved ahead at periscope depth and was preparing to give the order for all stop and let the convoy come right to me from the west.
Alas it would not be that simple! My XO tells me we are being pinged...
In my exuberance I have missed one of the escorts appearing to circle round N of me and now coming in from 20 degrees fast.
I crash dive to 90 metres and alter course. On my way down two charges catch me aft, causing minor flooding to the diesel, aft battery and stern torpedo sections, with some minor hull damage. Nothing too serious...
I evade the escort with relative ease and bring myself back up to periscope depth hoping to still be in a favourable firing position. Given the poor visibility I have decided to come up inside the columns - firing from these sorts of positions isn't something I have much practice with. I usually shoot from the outside.
My periscope comes up into Dreamland. Two modern tankers on parallel courses fore and aft of me. The fore tanker seems around 300m at around 35 starboard AOB, which seems too close for an impact pistol to detonate by the time he comes in front of me. I order back emergency to put some distance between us. I then order all stop and quickly fire four T2s, 2 forward and 2 back.
The back tanker goes straight down from the two eels. But there wasn't enough distance between me and the front target. I now regret wasting 2 torps on such an unlikely hit. In hindsight I wish I had not side shot with impact pistols and instead come up behind the front tanker and shot a magnetic down the length of it.
Opening tubes III and IV, I put a T2 and a fast T1 into a large cargo on the next column over. By this point it's clear I'm not the only Type IX at the party as I hear explosions in the distance.
After circling round to starboard and a quick reload of Tube I, I put a single T2 into another Large Cargo from less than 500m and it goes down to the depths below. A quick check of the map reveals another 6 sunk by the Wolfpack along with my 3 for around 28000 GRT.
All in all not bad for less than 20 minutes work.
Onwards to CA57!
Thought I would join the community after reading the threads for so long! Very recently got GWX - can't believe I never bothered after years of playing the vanilla game!
Started a new career from 1942 with the 10th out of L'Orient.
April 1st and I'm currently heading towards my patrol grid CA57 in U-166, my Type IXC. In real life this boat never made it back from its first full patrol, having been sunk off the Mississippi Delta with 4 confirmed kills. Made a beeline for the US Coast going across the top of BE and BD, sticking near to the HX convoy routes. Didn't encounter anything apart from terrible weather, was down to 5 or 6 knots max at 1/3 for most of the way.
Would most of you captains sailing from France for the US coast head over a similar route or would you head up past Rockall Bank and then past Iceland? I can't imagine the weather is better as a rule on that route, but this is my first trip over to the US so I can't speak from experience.
BDU sent out a report of a large convoy beginning it's journey over the Atlantic at 8 knots just east of St.Johns. Found the convoy on hydrophone and to say it was large was an understatement! Around 30 or 40 ships (although I didn't count). The convoy seemed to split into two, with one part heading south of my position and the other heading on the NE course I assumed they would all be heading.
It was looking like a day attack on the top portion of the convoy. I moved ahead at periscope depth and was preparing to give the order for all stop and let the convoy come right to me from the west.
Alas it would not be that simple! My XO tells me we are being pinged...
In my exuberance I have missed one of the escorts appearing to circle round N of me and now coming in from 20 degrees fast.
I crash dive to 90 metres and alter course. On my way down two charges catch me aft, causing minor flooding to the diesel, aft battery and stern torpedo sections, with some minor hull damage. Nothing too serious...
I evade the escort with relative ease and bring myself back up to periscope depth hoping to still be in a favourable firing position. Given the poor visibility I have decided to come up inside the columns - firing from these sorts of positions isn't something I have much practice with. I usually shoot from the outside.
My periscope comes up into Dreamland. Two modern tankers on parallel courses fore and aft of me. The fore tanker seems around 300m at around 35 starboard AOB, which seems too close for an impact pistol to detonate by the time he comes in front of me. I order back emergency to put some distance between us. I then order all stop and quickly fire four T2s, 2 forward and 2 back.
The back tanker goes straight down from the two eels. But there wasn't enough distance between me and the front target. I now regret wasting 2 torps on such an unlikely hit. In hindsight I wish I had not side shot with impact pistols and instead come up behind the front tanker and shot a magnetic down the length of it.
Opening tubes III and IV, I put a T2 and a fast T1 into a large cargo on the next column over. By this point it's clear I'm not the only Type IX at the party as I hear explosions in the distance.
After circling round to starboard and a quick reload of Tube I, I put a single T2 into another Large Cargo from less than 500m and it goes down to the depths below. A quick check of the map reveals another 6 sunk by the Wolfpack along with my 3 for around 28000 GRT.
All in all not bad for less than 20 minutes work.
Onwards to CA57!
How did you saw the wolfpacks kills?
How did you saw the wolfpacks kills?
The map showed grey "ship destroyed" markers, indicating they have been destroyed by other boats or causes other than me, rather than the usual red.
I saw a modern tanker set ablaze in the fog about 30 points off my port bow as I hit the 2nd large cargo which I definitely didn't target. Can't think what else would cause 6 ships to sink!
Hi there, been a long time since I've posted here for the last time.
This is my last patrol with the U-64 XIB in "Aces Of The Deep".
A long and sucessful patrol but without an happy end...
24 march 1941
12:10 - Leaving Wilhemshaven to patrol area CF85. Orders to maintain radio silence until PZ.
31 march
03:50 AM7977 - Ship spotted bearing 276.
04:13 - Sunk british tanker 11718T.
04 april
23:49 CF8569 - Reached patrol zone. Status report to BDU.
07 april
13:15 CF8527 - Ship spotted bearing 344.
13:53 - Sunk british merchant 7835T. Status report to BDU.
08 april
10:38 CF8544 - Ship spotted bearing 39.
11:09 - Sunk british merchant 3170t. Status report to BDU.
09 april
10:30 CF8556 - Ship spotted bearing 18
11:28 - Sunk british merchant 5000t. Status report to BDU.
11 april
17:35 CF8591 - Message from BDU. U-157 (Henne) is dispatched to hunt near us in CF86.
18 april
16:13 CF8559 - Ship spotted bearing 177.
16:46 - Sunk british tanker 11626t. Status report to BDU.
24 april
01:40 CF8571 - Ship spotted bearing 337.
01:59 - Sunk british tanker 5125t. Status report to BDU.
26 april
16:23 CF8576 - Message from BDU. U-157 spotted a small convoy in CF8647 heading 36. Had to intercept.
20:09 CF85498 - Contact with small convoy, two tankers and two escorts.
21:17 CF8548 - Engaged convoy. Sunk british tanker 11327t.
27 april
05:06 CF8547 - Surfaced after been depthcharged by the escort. Exterior fuel tanks damaged but fixable. Status report to BDU.
16:01 - CF8583 - Fuel tanks repaired. Four external torpedoes loaded in the torpedoes room. Ready to return to patrol again.
07 may
05:43 CF8575 - Ship spotted bearing 57.
06:06 - Sunk british tanker 7000t. Status report to BDU.
12 may
08:30 - CF8546 - Received new orders from BDU. Assigned to the new patrol zone AM79. U-85 (Greger) is taking our place. Heading to new PZ.
16 may
20:14 AM7949 - Reached our new patrol zone. Status report to BDU.
21 may
08:00 AM7952 - Ship spotted bearing 288.
08:50 - Sunk british merchant 2344t. Status report to BDU.
29 may
06:00 AM7923 - Terrible weather conditions and absolute no visibility in our PZ for eigt days. Status reported to BDU.
31 may
19:54 AM7983 - Weather report requested by BDU. No ameliorations.
04 june
07:00 AM7916 - Becoming low on fuel. Status report to BDU.
07:59 - New orders from BDU, we had to return to base.
The U-64 never reached Wilhelmshaven. During the afternoon of the 8th june, the submarine was spotted by a british plane and sunk by a fatal deepcharge.
:k_confused:
kenmoik
06-09-18, 12:54 AM
Been several moths since I last played. Figured my failed patrol would make for a good read. I was once told that "there are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but no old and bold pilots." I guess that applies to captains of a Uboot. I wish I kept a better log of how this patrol went. Will attempt to provide a decent story from memory.
Journal entry recovered from floating debris by local fishing trawler.
Aug. 13, 1943 0800hrs.
Typ-VIIC U-128 Patrolling outside Gibralter straits.
Personal Journal of KptLt. Walter Heinz.
We left Lorient a week ago to patrol west of Gibralter. Our journey to the grid was uneventful. The crew's spirits were high and everyone hoped for continuing good fortunes. If we can sink another 10,000 tons, we will win the wager back at base. I hope Albert Dietz and his old VIIB have a dry run on his patrol!
Aug 14, 1943 1900hrs.
We spotted several fishing boats and a small, coastal merchant yesterday. We were unable to attack due to the foul weather. Report was made to BDU and we continued our patrol. The weather is rapidly improving. It appears good fortunes are in our favor!
Aug 15, 1943 1000Hrs.
Today, we have set up approximately 3km north of the shipping lane. Due to our proximity to the port, air cover has been heavy during the day. The crew has expressed some concerns with the shallow water and our extended time on surface at night to replenish batteries and air. So far we have remained undetected and my command staff are in agreement that we should move further west for deep water.
2000hrs.
The hunt has been bad today. We identified a small convoy moving toward the strait. Two small merchants escorted by a pair of Black Swan class destroyers. While setting up for a shot, our periscope was spotted and strafed by a plane. No damage was sustained during the initial attack on our boat, but one of the destroyers chased us out to deep water and dropped around 50 depth charges. Several detonated in close proximity to our boat, damaging one of the seals on our drive shaft and knocking one generator loose of its mounts. He circled above us for several hours before returning to his friends. We will surface in a few hours and assess for more damage.
Aug 16, 1943 0245hrs.
The damage to our boat was moderate. The charges we took buckled some of the plates on the conning tower. Deck boards were also blown loose. Radio mast was damaged but we have been able to get it more or less operational. Hull integrity seems to be intact. One crew member suffered a broken arm. Our generator is being secured as I write this and the drive shaft seal has been repaired to the best of our ability. It is good fortune we have such competent mechanics on board. We have sent a transmission to Bdu advising them of our damage.
0400hrs.
Bdu has responded. I have been advised that there are reports of a large convoy approaching. We have been cleared to operate at our discretion.
0630hrs.
Dawn is approaching. Our doctor has splinted the arm of our injured crew member and he is able to assist our doctor. I have decided to set up south of the merchant routes. We have set course back towards the coast. I hope to stay near the Atlantic shelf and have deep water to escape to in case of another air attack.
1900hrs.
I should have listened to my officers. They wanted to dive shortly after I wrote my last entry. I refused to pull the plug. I had all hopes that we would be able to make it to our desired position without incident. Right as we arrived and prepared for dive, we were spotted and attacked by a Liberator. We made it to 25m when two depth charges detonated on either side of the hull. We began to take on water instantly. Multiple injuries were reported and my XO was knocked unconscious. Damage crews instantly began to repair our leaks. We were able to continue toward shallow water on one motor with a 15 degree up angle. Once we were in waters 50m deep, I ordered our boat to sit on the sea bed.
Flooding was under control and our damaged systems were being repaired. I was advised that both diesels were damaged, two of our torpedo tubes were leaking water and were inoperable, one of our battery banks was rendered useless. Our aft dive planes are damaged and difficult to move. Our bilge pumps have been repaired and we are slowly getting the water out of our boat. Our sonar man is currently attempting to repair the hydrophone.
While we worked on repairs, my sonarman got the hydrophone working. He called out screws closing fast. Those damn planes called in the convoy escorts. I must get back to the control room. I pray that we survive today.
U-128 failed to report in on Aug 17, 1943. British escorts reported that a pair of Liberator bombers spotted a German U boat on the surface near shallow waters and attacked with depth charges. Liberators lost sight of the German submarine and notified the nearby convoy escorts. The escorts were able to detect the submarine with passive sonar. It was assumed that the submarine was damaged and performing repairs when it was detected. The sonar operators on the British escort recounted that they heard what sounded like "hammers on metal". Active sonar was used at close range and the submarine was located near the sea floor in 50m waters. Three escorts performed multiple passes with depth charges and hedgehog ASW weaponry. After several hours had passed, the remaining escort reported debris and fuel oil in the water. The submarine was declared destroyed with all hands.Nice report to read Hambone307. When you go this type camping what type tool you use for self-defense? I am using the XT12GT flashlight from Klarus (https://tacticalflashlightguide.com/klarus-flashlight-review/xt12gt/). But, I don't think it is a perfet one to use.
BristolBrick
06-23-18, 04:24 AM
U-565 (VIIC) left from St Nazair mid February 1944, I decided to pull my usual late war trick of snorkelling up near Bristol, picking off lone merhants. Well I timed it right so I got off the coast of Cornwall about dawn, having torpedoed a Liberty (one shotting it, for me that's a notable patrol already) and taken two eels to down a c3. (also I rarity, I almost always sink them in one)
3 wellingtons come along, 3 wellingtons are shot down. 7 minutes later I noticed there is a river destroyer escort sailing straight at me (daylight) so I tested out an accoustic torpedo on him, it worked. I spent the next hour destroying hurricanes and sunderlands, before a corvette shows up.
I forgot why I didn't use the rear tube (it was a good reason) but he was so slow (12 knots) that it worked with bow tubes too, the tactic I'm talking about being running away ay 3-5km distance so he won't zig-zag, and shooting a torpedo at him. Only works if I'm about the same speed. So I turned straight at the corvette, and reversed, so I could pull that trick with a forward torpedo tube.
Anyway I had decided at this point I would rather be where half the royal airforce isn't, so I submerged and silent ran until I had to come up for air (snorkel had been broken by a loose bomb that also took the sub to 30% hull integrity) and battery power. I am immediatly jumped by more planes, after a 16 hour silent run, so I get the AAA guns going and shoot them down, before submerging for a bit more.
I kept that up until the batteries had simply had it, so I had to run on the surface. Where I was harrassed by planes all the way until I was past Ireland. (heading to my patrol grid to get the extra renown, just a bit short of enough to get an XXI and with this damage by the time I am repaired it will be available)
After patrolling a bit (and shooting down some loose PBYs) called it quits, returned to base. 5,000 renown. 85 aeroplanes shot down, 18.7k tons.
Got my XXI, I'm excited to go kill something! Hope I bump into a carrier!
Update: I bumped into a convoy, with a passenger liner. Guess what won't be afloat tomorrow.
Kaptlt.Endrass
07-21-18, 06:10 PM
U-50 just ran across her first convoy of the war.
Departing Kiel on 24 February 1940, U-50 laid in a roundabout course to Grid AM35. Her path would take her past the coast of the Low Countries, continuing west until two hours after passing Dunkirk, where she would then turn north and make her way up the English coast, where some very notable success had been found by the crew prior.
The patrol was quiet, for the most part. Upon getting into range of the harbor patrols around Dunkirk, U-50 submerged and ran on batteries until 2300, whereupon she surfaced and continued on her course.
Taking a chance, I modified the course to take us well into the Thames Estuary, hoping to catch a merchant or two coming out of London. Rather than that, a sizable convoy of 12 merchants was picked up just outside the estuary, escorted by two destroyers. U-50 approached the convoy at standard speed, getting into position for a surface attack while selecting targets.
After finding the marks on two ore carriers and a Granville, a full salvo was launched from the forward tubes; one torpedo for the freighter, two for the foremost ore carrier, and one for the other. All but one hit and detonated, immediately alerting the convoy.
By this time, U-50 was already submerged and reloading her tubes, counting on the escorts searching where the torpedoes had come from rather than where the U-boat was now (admittedly, the two locations weren't that different). Finding success in this matter, the U-boat maneuvered into a new position. Upon raising the scope, I noted the Granville was all but sunk, her stern resting on the shallow bottom and her crew abandoning ship. The first ore carrier, which I had fired a single fish at, was threatening to capsize, a list of 30+ degrees having been acquired. The final ore carrier, however, looked to have shrugged off the blow, only one small fire burning.
Lining up the next shot on this relatively undamaged ship, tubes 1 and 2 were both loosed, scoring another hit that caused the ore carrier's back to snap, sending her to the seabed. The second shot found its target in the form of a passenger/cargo, which promptly erupted and sank.
Shortly after, the Granville's hull gave in, and she too met her end. The final ore carrier was lagging behind,her speed reduced to a simple 3-4 knots. Confident that, even if she didn't sink, I could finish her off once the main body of the convoy was over the horizon, I lined up the next shot on a medium cargo (C2) that had wandered a little close.
Looking back now, it wasn't the best target to choose from, but the torpedo found its mark. The C2, being as well built as they all are, just kept chugging along, continuing its voyage while her crew worked the spotlights over the seas around her.
Our final internal reserve torpedo was loaded into tube three, and a calculated shot was lined up on a large merchant at the rear of the convoy. This shot disabled her engines, bringing the ship to a halt.
At this time, a V&W-class destroyer came over, searching around for the perpetrator that had come so close to the English coast. A few charges were dropped to the port side, making a lot of noise but not causing any shaking in the U-boat, much less any damage.
As the destroyer slowed to search for any signs of life, she presented the stern tube with a broadside target, less than a thousand meters away. Not wishing to pass up the chance, a wild shot was fired from tube 5, the speed and AoB being quickly input by myself rather than measuring it. U-50's luck held, and the torpedo hit the V&W in the stern. The ship stayed upright for a few more minutes, then foundered and finally detonated as she went under.
As this had happened, the large merchant had sunk, and the other destroyer (an A&B) had come over to investigate and perhaps pick up survivors of the now submerged V&W. Her tubes all empty, U-50 went silent and snuck away, hiding near the still-floating (if immobile) ore carrier. As dawn broke, the destroyer departed, as did a MBT that had come by at some point.
An hour later, U-50 surfaced, putting a few rounds into the ore carrier, which finally went down. A report was made to the BdU on the convoy, and U-50 plotted a course for home.
Along the way, another passenger/cargo, alone this time, was intercepted only a few hundred kilometers from the convoy's intercept, and was put down with the deck gun.
Upon returning to port, the crew of the U-50 was applauded and congratulated. Herbert Schultze of U-48, with whom our tonnage scores had been in close competition, grudgingly accepted the victory, which placed us at nearly 150.000 GRT sunk throughout the course of the war so far.
Despite her age, it seems U-50 will continue being an effective warrior for the foreseeable future.
jonnymorris
07-22-18, 03:36 PM
After sinking a T3 tanker in a large convoy and a prolonged destroyer engagement, submarine suffered heavy flooding and damage from multiple depth charge attacks and subsequently entered an uncontrolled dive, eventually succumbing to excessive pressure resulting in the loss of all hands. Attempts were made to evade and blow ballast but to no avail.
Third patrol of U-93
1941 3rd of January
As we left the port of Wilhelmshaven and we couldn't no longer see the lighthouses. Captain opened the safe with documents for the patrol. Captain revealed to us that we are going to patrol the BE area he didn't told us the exact locations, which is understandable. But the one concern he had that BDU ordered the U-93 to travel not further away then 350km of Scapa Flow. The Captain told us that he doesn't know why it was like that. He knows that Allied air cover in 1941 is dangerously increasing around the British Isles. Our watch officer Lietnaunt Heinz thinks that maybe BDU thinks there are precious targets or maybe they are testing the defences. Either way the u-boat sails further and further from home waters. The first two days where uneventful. Then on third morning we heard watch crew scream: enemy destroyer bearing 50 degrees. Captain jumped from the bed and ordered us to go immediately to periscope depth. It was too shallow for the crash dive. Then Josef who was our ears of the u boat siad it can't be destroyer the engines sound way too heavy. And everyone trusted him or believed him. The Josef was our old wolf. He has been in active duty from day one and racked up 7 combat patrols until he was transfered from coastal submarine to our Type VIIC. He even named our hydrophone "the donkey's kick" why? noone really knows. The captain starts to smile. Then like gentleman goes to attack periscope and says: you fools if the British destroyers were rrally that big. We would have already lost the war. It was actually not even enemy it was our light cruiser "Konigsberg" probably sailing to Norwegian ports. The captains brother was on the Konigsberg. After that embarrassing moment for our watch crew we sialed on. The closer we get to the Scapa Flow the more crew is nervoused. After nasty storm at night. In the morning our crew spotted destroyer starboard of us running parallel. Captain immediately ordered deck awash and battle stations. Weapon officer rushed with his recognition manual to the conning tower. After few minutes we heard weapon officer telling the captain which is Tribal class destroyer. Later we lost visual contact with destroyer because of the fog. After about 20 min we dived and then Josef was listening like cat and searching for destroyer on his hydrophone. Strangely no warship contact we stayed under the waves for a about and hour to make sure we are not getting ambushed. Josef shouted captain merchant dirrctly front of us, closing.
Will resume later Please correct me of any mistakes and tell me if it's interesting to read. First time writing
We waited for him to come to us. Why waste precious fuel? Then the sun started to fall and waves started to rise, finally small mast appeared over horizon. It was small bulker no bigger than 2500 tons. While the water splashes the periscope, captain and weapon officer are calculating firing solution. The word that the whole crew waited has been finally said- torpedo looss. Everyone in the bow of the u boat heard the eels flying out of the torpedo tube. In less then a minute the sound of torpedo exploding appears. Weapon officer looks through the scope and confirms we have a hit right to the stern of the ship. Our prey quickly slows down into a stop, probably we blue of the propeller. But it looked like it wasn't‘t going to sink. A wise idea would be to surface and finish it off with deck gun, but not in the middle of a day while the merchant could radio for help. It was no choice but to wait. But even waiting was risky because any destroyer from scapa flow who heard the distress call could quickly appear in our crime scene. We understood that, but we couldn‘t leave it either. We decided to risk and wait. WE dived about to 50m. So the ragging waves wouldn‘t interfere with Josef‘s listening to the sea. Then it was midnight we surfaced and started to prepare to fire the deck gun. First shots were way off, but it was expected in that kind of weather. After few shots and she is going down. Then we went full ahead and left the area. The weather was on British side, visibility horrible, huge waves and cold wind. Our newbie crew of U-96 can‘t stand the banking left to right from the waves, everyone is getting tired. But we do not stop, we go on wards to the patrol grid and sink some convoys. Then the sea calmed down, in the middle of the night, around 3:20 in the morning something buzzed from the sky and over the boat soon explosions followed just port of our ship. The whole u boat started to shake. The captain almost flew of the deck into the cold water but luckily seaman Alfred Seefeld grabbed the captain and saved him. The captain promised that he would get iron cross and promotion. Without waiting u-boat crashed dived and quickly slipped under the waves. The crew reported zero damage on the boat. The captain was shocked how in the middle of a night aircraft detected them and our watch crew didn‘t. Then surfaced and ordered the radio man to report about this incident to BDU. I heard some crew talking about thing called radar that it detected us. I didn‘t believed them because it‘s clearly British propaganda. While traveling around the British territory we met U-95. The U-95 and our U-93 were almost sister ships, they were ordered at the same date 1938 May 30. We greeted each other and went on our ways. The only good thing about the weather is the heavy clouds, aircraft will be flying in this kind of weather. 14th day of patrol we spotted a couple of ships. It was C2 and modern medium merchant both of them were juicy targets. We dived and prepared for the attack. Shot two torpedoes at C2 with spread of 2 degrees. And one for medium merchant. Only two of three detonated. Both hit just tips of bows. The medium merchant were shredded to bits. But C2 took it like it was nothing and still not stopping but slowing down. Then we followed him for 3 hours waiting for him to give up and sink. Hoping the bad weather will take care of it. But it didn‘t, what a sturdy ship! Then we decided to shoot at it with stern torpedo in order to save what's left of bow torpedoes. But the eel never hit the target. Then again we tried our luck but still nothing. Then we turned around and shot the bow torpedo finally worked. It wen’t down fast. I felt sorry for the crews of the ship, stranded in the middle of the ocean, no supplies, and in bad weather their survival chances were slim. One of the officers even suggested destroying the life boats with flak gun. But captain instead turned around and said: If I ever again hear any ideas about shooting lifeboats I will shoot you from torpedo tube myself
Obltn Strand
07-24-18, 02:27 AM
Strand's agony and possible salvation...
Extract from U-80 KTB.
21.11.1941
10:14
Radio message from BdU:/ Convoy at grid BE6225, course NE, speed 6/
14:12
Radio message to BdU:/My position BE6225. Expect contact at late afternoon U-80/
15:07
Ship sighted! Appears tanker on NW course. I will burn lots of fuel and time circling to a favourable attack position.
18:15
Target is indeed tanker and it is armed with one cannon located at aft poop deck.
Fired tube V, G7e
Range 1100, speed 4 kts, AoB green 80, depth 5m
Hit below bridge about 1/3 of target and was aimed at middle. Also it hit about 10 seconds too early. Not big fat tanker after all.
18:21
Dived to load tube V. Sea is too choppy to use deck gun or load torpedoes at surface.
19:11
Coup de Grace from tube V, G7a
Stationary target. Pistol failure.
19:25
Second Coup de Grace from tube IV, G7e
Ran too deep.
19:27
Third Coup de Grace from tube II, G7e
Ran too deep.
19:30
Fourth Coup de Grace from tube III, G7e
Finally a detonation. Tanker rolls over and sinks within ten minutes. Interrogation of the survivors reveals it was 4000 tons tanker.
Resumed hunt.
23.16
Reached calculated rendezvous point. No contact even with hydrophones.
23:23
Radio message from BdU:/ Convoy at grid BE3598, course NE, speed 6/
Will resume later Please correct me of any mistakes and tell me if it's interesting to read. First time writing
It's nice to read what other captains are up to...
stork100
07-24-18, 06:52 PM
Very nice reading Strand. Just like the real thing.
Kaptlt.Endrass
08-14-18, 04:58 PM
Commencing our 9th patrol out of our new base in Wilhemshaven, U-50 and her crew, receiving news of the commencement of Operation Hartmut, plot a course to take them off the shores of Norway in anticipation of the likely presence of both enemy merchants and enemy warships.
The first few days are very quiet...some ships are sighted, all either not worth the time or German, and U-50 plods on her course. Numerous times, word of a fleet or lone merchant comes in, and the crew gets excited for the next few hours, only to find the enemy has changed course at some point.
Finally, the third day after hostilities with Norway commenced, word comes in from the watch crew that an unidentified ship has been sighted, near midnight. The captain is roused and brought to the bridge. On first inspection, the night is too dark to observe the ship's colors, though her darkened nature marks her as a potential target. The captain orders a course change and U-50 closes the distance decks awash. Eventually, it is discerned that the ship, a coastal tanker, is Norwegian. U-50 rises from decks awash and the crew of the deck gun makes ready to commence firing.
The first shot delivers an outstanding hit to the tanker, and further firing brings the ship to a near halt. Firing is ceased, and after 30 or so minutes, the crew of the vessel abandons ship as the tanker capsizes.
With some tally on the board finally, U-50 moves north, where reports of English fleets abound from Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine sources alike. Two more days in, the crew is tracking once such report, and at long last hears the sound of warship screws over the hydrophone.
Positioning, though not quite what the captain would have preferred, was sufficient, as the torpedoes would be in range, if having to travel some way. In addition, it was daytime, and the enemy fleet was moving fast, meaning it was likely this was the only shot U-50 would have at these ships.
Raising the scope, the captain immediately notes a C&D class some 2, perhaps 3.000 metres to starboard, moving away. Further inspection of the battlegroup reveals an astounding prize: an Illustrious-class carrier, escorted by three Southhampton-class light cruisers. The crew immediately goes to full alert, and the torpedo doors are opened as the captain swiftly takes measurements. Within two minutes, three torpedoes slide out of their tubes, followed by a fourth shortly after, aimed for the cruiser to the stern of the carrier.
The next four minutes are quiet, save for the occasional muffled cough from one of the crew, and the occasional drip of condensation. Then, one, then two detonations are heard, followed by many smaller ones, and then a third. The crew briefly rejoices, only to be shushed by the officers and petty officers as the most tense portion of their hunt begins. U-50 goes to 60 meters, and, to the crew's amazement, never hears a single sonar ping. Slinking away, the crew congratulates each other on a job well done.
Later that week, another report comes in, and just as before, U-50 moves to intercept. This time, it is a much grander prize: HMS Nelson, heavily escorted. Despite a full salvo from all forward tubes, however, all but one torpedo misses due to the turns that the great battleship was doing; the one torpedo, a Type II, did not detonate as hoped, and the Nelson lived on. When the enemy was nearly out of sight, U-50 surfaced, reporting the task force's strength, course, heading, and composition, then began heading home, her torpedo stores nearly depleted.
renthehen
08-16-18, 08:26 PM
Work has made these reports a lot later than my first - but patrols 2 & 3 of U-101 are complete!
=============================================
Josef Reinald
Flotilla: U-Flotilla Wegener
Boot: U-101
Patrol Region: AN11
Patrol 2
26th Oct '39: Left Kiel with crew. All in good spirits after a successful first patrol and our patrol grid AN11 being on the route we took on said patrol. We all expected success.
27-28th Oct '39: Rough seas over the North Sea. On route towards Newcastle. No ships spotted.
29th Oct '39: Late afternoon and single British cargo vessel spotted off North English coast. Identified as a King Edgar Class Merchant vessel (SS Langleebrook). No weapons spotted on vessel and with seas calmer we prepared for a surface attack and the vessel went down quickly. 4020 tons of shipping sunk carrying general cargo. 41 of the 63 crew were lost.
We continued heading north.
30th Oct ' 39: First light and a small tugboat was spotted. Although normally against firing upon this type of ship, certain crew members were adamant it may be carrying important cargo as they believed it to be moving suspiciously. Wanting the crew to be well drilled in surface attacks, orders were given to attack. It turns out it was carrying nothing - though a 1121 ton Tugboat - MV Adherant - was sunk. Unfortunately, 27 of the 33 crew were lost. Unless intelligence suggests otherwise Tugboats will in the future no longer be fired upon due to heavy civilian losses.
Quiet rest of the day - continued north travelling up the coast of Scotland.
31st Oct '39: Reached Moray Firth and spotted a vessel in the early morning light. The seas remained kind and so another surface attack was launched - sinking the vessel after about an hour. SS Kelso (King Edgar Class Merchant) was sunk (4022 tons) carrying general cargo. Of the 30 crew - 12 were lost.
U-101 headed towards the Orkney Islands and AN14.
1st Nov '39: Still dark and early - a ship was spotted traversing the gap between Scotland's Northern Isles. Torpedoes were readied and one fired - sinking the vessel. SS Maroussio Logothetis (Dalblair Class Merchant) was sunk for 4290 tons. It was carrying coffee with half othe 35 crew lost.
Remaining beneath the waves we continued quietly for the rest of the day. When surfacing we invariably ended up diving not long after due to heavy air presence.
2nd-5th Nov '39: Little to report. Few ships spotted and all were either neutral or too small to be bothered with. Heavy air presence of Scotland's North Coast was frustrating but we had no close calls. We reached the patrol grid AN11 and patrolled for 24 hours. No contacts were reported. After consultation with crew we decided to head off the Northern Coast of Ireland/N. Ireland to try and pick up convoys. Late on 5th Nov - convoy report was radioed in. We decided to try and intercept.
6th Nov '39: A long day of travelling and hunting ensued and by early evening and our decision had proven to be the correct one. A large enemy convoy was spotted heading towards the British Isles. Having overtaken the convoy we sat in wait 1-2kms away from the edge of the convoy. Four targets were identified combining both ease of shot and tonnage. As the Black Swan class vessel passed by we held out breath - we remained unnoticed. Having worked out the order of shots we unloaded our torpedoes in order to give the lowest chance of evasion after the first had hit. Torpedoes were launched with 3 out of 4 hitting their targets. A huge success! We managed to evade the naval vessels hunting us with what seemed like ease. Two of the ships hit seemed to sink quickly - though we hung around for the naval escort to leave us, before surfacing and firing a few shells into the more robust target. After a few shells, it headed towards the depths joining its two former companions. The crew celebrated with great enthusiasm - it had been our most successful day of the war by a large margin. A couple of bottles of rum were shared between the crew.
Ships sunk were: A Medium Merchant - crew and name unknown; MV Leopold L-D (Clan MacFarlane Class Merchant) - 6937 tons - carrying aircraft with 64 of the 75 crew lost; and a naval vessel HMS Arethusa - 5240 tons.
After celebrating we headed east - hoping to catch up with the now wounded convoy.
https://imgur.com/Ho3s8yZ
https://imgur.com/9tx7t16
7th Nov '39: Crew worked hard to locate the convoy. Early evening we regained sight of it and worked to get into a good position to attack.
8th Nov '39: Still dark and early morning an attack was unleashed upon the convoy. Due to success of previous attack, the same procedure was followed - 4 targets, 4 torpedoes. Two missed their targets but two hit hard and the vessels went down quick. MV Noesaniwi (Clan MacAlister Class Merchant), a 6937 ton vessel was sunk with 42 crew members lost. Although the name sounded like a neutral vessel - it was confirmed to be an enemy merchant ship. The SS Chaucer (Cape Breton Class Merchant) was also sunk, with 34 of the 59 crew lost. Both ships were carrying textiles.
We managed to avoid the naval escorts again and decided not to try our luck on this convoy for the third time. A decision was made to travel down between Ireland and the British mainland, picking off lone vessels. Only neutrals were spotted for the rest of the day - though the morning had already meant it was been another day of success.
https://imgur.com/7azcbtK
9th Nov '39: Just past midnight and a lone vessel was spotted. It went down with ease. SS Iron Master (Petrophalt Class Ship) - 3236 tons - was sunk carrying Bauxite. 28 crew were lost. A few hours later and another ship was spotted and again sunk. SS Frans Hals (Clan MacAlister Class Merchant) - 6939 tons - lost 24 of its 65 crew whilst transporting general cargo under the British flag.
We remained submerged until the sun went down and we surfaced to recharge batteries. At around 22:00 a ship was spotted by the crew and we fired upon it from the surface. MV Chastine Mærsk (Cairnesk Class Merchant) was carrying steel and was a 5176 ton vessel. Again, confirmation was recieved that this was indeed an enemy merchant - even though the name sounded Danish to us. The relief was evident on board.
10th Nov '39: We had one torpedo left and wanted to use it wisely. Still dark and the watch crew spotted yet another ship. This was the 4th in little over 24 hours. We all wanted to get home with another success under our belts - we had pushed our luck at times on this patrol - we should have dove as soon as we had fired torpedoes at the convoy targets but our ego had led us to watch the explosions through the periscope. We could not afford to be that foolish in the future. We fired our last aft torpedo and SS Empire Falcon (Aelybryn Class Merchant) and all 5090 tons of vessel sunk into the depths. 15 crew lost and the general cargo too.
We decided to head back to home port.
11th - 15th Nov '39: We headed home with little resistance. We were spotted again by a number of planes off the Northern Scottish coasts but all were too slow to cause us any trouble. As we reached safer waters it began to hit home what a successful patrol it had been. 13 enemy vessels sunk - 12 merchant & 1 naval - for a total of 61484 tons. We couldn't have dreamed a more successful patrol. As we re-entered Kiel, we were welcomed as heroes. Medals awaited myself and the crew.
End of Patrol
Overall, an unbelievably successful patrol! Remaining on the surface to watch the ships sink is a bad habit I need to get out of but overall I am delighted with how this patrol went. Sinking HMS Aresthusa was the icing on the cake!
I was going to upload Patrol 3 but I will do it tomorrow now - as this has taken me longer than anticipated...
renthehen
08-16-18, 08:28 PM
Oh - I had some images in the report above but they do not seemed to have loaded. Could someone help me out?
They were hosted on imugr and I used the image button to upload the address.
Thanks in advance!
Aoogahman
08-17-18, 09:29 AM
I'm just about to enter the East China Sea and get to my mission objective, but am getting scrunched into a very awkward position by two medium speed convoys and an enemy Task Force. One convoy bearing about 040 is 6 miles ahead of me heading SW and the second, about the same distance, bears 310 heading NE. Coming up behind me about 10 miles back and a bit to the south, I have an enemy task force heading west. Also have land in close proximity to the north. I think I'm getting boxed in! It's also my first mission while running with limited batteries, fuel, and air.
My inkling is that this is an AI setup where I get pretty well drubbed. There's a likelihood that there may be as many as twelve destroyers in the immediate vicinity: four with each convoy, and four with the Task Group.
This might be one of those situations where it's best to slip away to fight another day, or later today or maybe tonight???
But Ooooh, the temptation...
VONHARRIS
08-17-18, 12:39 PM
23 May 1940 Grid AF 77
U-83 Type VIIB Uboot
A single M12 type merchant took 5 T1 torpedoes (all exploded) and she is still afloat with no sight of sinking.
No torpedoes left and the weather prohibits the use of deck gun.
SH3 shows its cruel face once more
VONHARRIS
08-18-18, 02:53 PM
Being unable to upload my images I decided to provide you with links to see my patrol
Update : Using tinypic.com instead of prntscr.com did the job.
Page 1 of 6
http://i66.tinypic.com/25p756r.jpg
Page 2 of 6
http://i64.tinypic.com/opscox.jpg
Page 3 of 6
http://i68.tinypic.com/4r6mox.jpg
Page 4 of 6
http://i68.tinypic.com/f4ntpz.jpg
Page 5 of 6
http://i64.tinypic.com/2w5iq0k.jpg
Page 6 of 6
http://i66.tinypic.com/1zo9aa0.jpg
Editing was made with SH3 Commander , playing LSH3 2015 edition
The month is October 1939
VONHARRIS
08-18-18, 03:27 PM
Oh - I had some images in the report above but they do not seemed to have loaded. Could someone help me out?
They were hosted on imugr and I used the image button to upload the address.
Thanks in advance!
Try using tinypic.com
No registration required and you get the correct URL format with one click.
It worked for me.
Good luck. :Kaleun_Cheers:
VONHARRIS
08-21-18, 03:40 AM
With H.sie torpedo fix activated :
I fired (submerged) 6 Tis at a lone merchant moving with 6 kts . weather 15m/sec , no rain , all 6 torps run deep. That is 100% torpedo failure. Date is November 1939
VONHARRIS
08-24-18, 07:49 AM
Page 1 of 5
http://i68.tinypic.com/24x2tkj.jpg
Page 2 of 5
http://i66.tinypic.com/29x97p4.jpg
Page 3 of 5
http://i65.tinypic.com/att660.jpg
Page 4 of 5
http://i64.tinypic.com/8yaxc2.jpg
Page 5 of 5
http://i65.tinypic.com/2iavcrp.jpg
VONHARRIS
08-26-18, 07:48 AM
Page 1 of 4
http://i66.tinypic.com/30bjt4x.jpg
Page 2 of 4
http://i68.tinypic.com/2gv1ojc.jpg
Page 3 of 4
http://i65.tinypic.com/1zv7vnm.jpg
Page 4 of 4
http://i68.tinypic.com/141tcuo.jpg
VONHARRIS
08-29-18, 10:25 AM
December 1 , 1940 16:17 hours
Lorient , occupied France
U-103 is about to start her first trans-Atlantic trip.
Patrol grid is BB91
http://i65.tinypic.com/211ujo0.jpg
VONHARRIS
09-02-18, 12:14 PM
February 28 , 1941 19:40 hours
U-103 has just docked to Lorient naval base after her last patrol.
Crew was very happy as resting was upon them.
Two high ranked Naval officers were waiting for Krvtkptn von Harris on the dock.
"Kommen Sie bitte mit uns von Harris" said one of them pointing to the open door of a black Mercedes.
The ride to Naval HQ took only 5 or so minutes.
The guards saluted as the three men entered the building.
A few steps later , the men entered the Commanders office and they immediately saluted the man in front of them : Konteradmiral Karl Doenitz.
The Konteradmiral spoke immediately : "von Harris U-103 and you have been selected for a very special mission. To raid enemy shipping in (taking a look at the papers in front of him) ED 16. Are you aware of the area?"
A moment of silence.
"Jawohl Herr Konteradmiral" von Harris answered.
"Sehr gut , you will be informed about the details by this file" said Doenitz as he passed the file filled with papers to von Harris.
The three men saluted and left the room.
An hour later von Harris was looking through his orders. He was to take U-103 across the Atlantic to unsafe waters with no support except refueling and possible reaming in mid-Atlantic , if the Milchkuh would still be there.
His crew and himself had 2 weeks to rest and finish resupplying U-103 with all things needed. At least von Harris was granted full access to the inventory due to the nature of his mission.
More to come later...…
VONHARRIS
09-04-18, 02:59 PM
March 28 , 1941 08:00
U-103 left her docks at Lorient heading for ED 16
All crew was accounted for , provisions and ammo loaded properly.
March 29 , 1941 11:10 hours
After intercepted two neutral freighters in the previous days , a small coastal merchant flying a red flag was spotted. The weather as favorable for deck action , so U-103 was closing in.
And suddenly , rounds started flying over U-103. Range was estimated to 2000m so the deck gun crew was summoned to the deck. Enemy fire proved very inaccurate so the enemy vessel was sunk easily. It was a nasty surprise though , being fired upon by a merchant.
Current position and date : April 2 , 1941 08:01 hours winds 13m/s clear sky speed 8-9 kts grid DH 61 , heading SSE.
VONHARRIS
09-06-18, 12:32 PM
Patrol completed after some 12 - 14 hours gameplay
KTB U-103 page 1 of 4
http://i66.tinypic.com/eu0jn7.jpg
KTB U-103 page 2 of 4
http://i68.tinypic.com/331q51k.jpg
KTB U-103 page 3 of 4
http://i65.tinypic.com/1t33as.jpg
KTB U-103 page 4 of 4
http://i63.tinypic.com/hve92w.jpg
Thank you for reading this.
justfun
09-09-18, 07:43 PM
Hi, currently octobre 1943 (reality 81%)
Base Lorient type X - good experienced crew.
It's terrible. Everywhere planes in my grid DH . I tried many different approachs to a big convoy with 7 destroyers + a, what's the name in english, un "porte avion". Every approach is detected. My boat is intact but i'm tired trying to sink this big "porte-avion".
On this time of war the objekt is more not to die as to sink enormous tonnage. After a while I decide to not attack for the fourth time cause it's too dangerous. I promised to my crew we drink a beer in a bar and not water in the Atlantique. Let's go searching isolated chips but also here it's not so easy... it seems like all the f.... planes search after me.
less than 6.000 tonnage sunk. A poor score but still alive. More than 5 hours with DC over my head. 230m deep and silently escape my UBoat in extra low speed (1) and stop... and (1) while explosion and stop... changing direction. With speed (2) impossible to escape. Then waiting dark night and surface. Last mission i surfaced at day and my boat was spotted by a plane while reloading the ext. torpédos. Impossible to dive i was lucky and fired and reached the plane but it's very hot and i don't want to live this again. (2 good experienced friends wounded at board)
So. Sorry Herr Donitz, i don't want to die. After 3 years on sea i'm a different man. From now on when i see a little chip, a fisher boat or something not armed I looked through periscope and let hem tranquilly go. My crew look at me and smile. I wait the end of the war.
Aktungbby
09-10-18, 12:38 AM
justfun!:Kaleun_Salute:
VONHARRIS
09-10-18, 10:21 AM
U-103 was lost in a very peculiar way when she collided with an iceberg in North Atlantic during a storm in July 1941 (tc=128)
SH3C decided that the crew was rescued by allied warships.
http://i65.tinypic.com/2iliq9x.png
What do you think I should do :
A. Escape and return to assume a new command.
OR
B. Start a career from July 1941 with a new commander name.
Thanks
CTU_Clay
09-10-18, 11:54 AM
Welcome to SubSim justfun! :Kaleun_Salute:
VONHARRIS
10-14-18, 02:08 AM
April 23 , 1940
U-64 IXB
Grid CG 9458
Weather bad , storm with poor visibility and 13m/s winds
Fuel level >90% , 8 bow and 3 stern torps left , 85 10,5cm rounds left , full AA ammo.
I have the crazy idea to go into the Med.
Ashikaga
10-14-18, 03:49 AM
Tourist trip to Narvik. Deep cover.
u-35
24-3-1940
ivanov.ruslan
11-29-18, 03:56 PM
I'm going to my favorite winter mission in quadrant EE65,in the area of which I know fat tankеrs are waiting for me :Kaleun_Party:
https://i.postimg.cc/ydS3S5SH/sh3-2018-11-29-22-36-44-79.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/15bTGVT1/sh3-2018-11-29-22-43-20-04.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/5NXTQSsm/sh3-2018-11-29-22-42-57-62.jpg
ivanov.ruslan
11-30-18, 04:57 PM
A real crash of tankers :Kaleun_Sick:
https://i.postimg.cc/KYM3Dksd/sh3-2018-11-30-22-20-33-29.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/pVZhCtqX/sh3-2018-11-30-22-23-41-18.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/1t0gLxSB/sh3-2018-11-30-23-09-24-01.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/C5mRxjzf/sh3-2018-11-30-23-13-05-33.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/cCsKWD4S/sh3-2018-11-30-23-13-23-28.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/g256hq4V/sh3-2018-11-30-23-26-14-43.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/RFx6sSkq/sh3-2018-11-30-23-26-44-54.jpg
BristolBrick
12-05-18, 06:20 AM
I'd like to preface this by saying that this is my first DID career with manual targeting. (Have external camera but nothing else)
19:30, September 8 1940
U-101 is in patrol grid BE36
10 torpedoes left, 80% fuel
https://i.ibb.co/DWw9ngF/SH3-Img-5-12-2018-19-1-40-927.png
U-101 is on her first patrol, sailing North at 7 knots to target area. Warships spotted on bearing 324, heading South at 20 knots. 6 Destroyers, 2 Revenge class battleships.
I'm actually very unsure of how to aim in manual, I have only sunk 2 ships with manual aiming and both of those were by eyeballing it at close range.
ivanov.ruslan
12-05-18, 06:54 AM
Hi,look this useful topic if you have not read it
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=226288
BristolBrick
12-05-18, 09:21 AM
Visibility good, (but a bit dark since night is approaching) 2m/s windspeed, no fog.
U-101 is attacking, flank speeding into a position in front of the British line and then submerging as the Battleships approach (1 DD in front, 5 behind)
At 20:43 U-101 fired all four frontal torpedo tubes from periscope depth at roughly 1.4 to 1.7 km range, all G7a (I would have prefered electric fish but I only had steam) set to fast speed in a 5 degree spread, set to 10m depth and magnetic pistol.
https://i.ibb.co/vkCFCHZ/sinking-the-revenge.png
Two torpedoes impacted, both hit around the area of the rear two gun turrets. The enemy battleship was destroyed and sunk within 1 minute of torpedo impact.
https://i.ibb.co/ZHmhtPJ/Untitled.png
https://i.ibb.co/CwPFLC5/sinked.png
U-101 was then put into silent running and dived to 200 meters, heading east at 2 knots. The leading destroyer circled for a short while before rejoining it's place in the zig-zagging taskforce, the very last destroyer did stay and search for the u-boat, which had taken very minor damage from one of the destroyers which had rejoined the convoy.
The trailing destroyer made one unsuccessful depth charge attack against U-101 at 21:05, which took the chance to stop moving and pretend to not exist. A second DD comes up from the convoy and searches for U-101. 1 more depth charge attack is made and fails, the second destroyer goes away again. At 21:21 another failed attack is made, and the destroyer continues searching until 21:35 when it goes home.
https://i.ibb.co/4K1n4wk/sneak.png
(Sorry if this image is too dark to see what is going on)
U-101 had just sat there doing nothing. Surfaces and continues on with the patrol.
I'm quite pleased with my first patrol with manual targeting, I had sunk a couple of lone merchants before but I thought this deserved to be posted here. Incredible luck, very first such patrol and a couple of battleships just fall into my lap!
stork100
12-06-18, 07:56 PM
Nice work, U-101!
:Kaleun_Cheers:
ArnoldR
12-07-18, 09:36 AM
I'm going to my favorite winter mission in quadrant EE65,in the area of which I know fat tankеrs are waiting for me :Kaleun_Party:
https://i.postimg.cc/ydS3S5SH/sh3-2018-11-29-22-36-44-79.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/15bTGVT1/sh3-2018-11-29-22-43-20-04.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/5NXTQSsm/sh3-2018-11-29-22-42-57-62.jpg
Wow!!!! What mod list??? :wah:
ivanov.ruslan
12-07-18, 09:48 AM
:Kaleun_Wink:http://www.subsim.com/ra8dioroom/showpost.php?p=2577322&postcount=1103 (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2577322&postcount=1103)
Wac 5.01 Widescreen gui -1366x768 -Manos, on the top
ivanov.ruslan
12-15-18, 03:03 AM
U-552 on postion http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2581593&postcount=13836
https://i.postimg.cc/x10YcmM9/sh3-2018-12-15-09-40-17-90.jpg
In the morning we did an unsuccessful attack from the stern torpedo.Missed.Possible wrong setting of the angle of the gyroscope.
The target, a wandering steamer, managed to escape.We didnt want to waste excess fuel to chase him.
Anyway, someone in our pack will meet him,hehe
At noon, the watch crew spotted on other target,big tanker.This time success.
https://i.postimg.cc/htpnxG1T/sh3-2018-12-15-09-27-32-43.jpg
Patrol continues....
I'm back playing GWX again for the first time in years and falling in love all over. I'm on my third patrol with the 2nd Flotilla, October of '39 and I'm heading towards BF17 to intercept some shipping. I've made the decision to head through the channel and while my previous trips through (one pre-war and one just as war broke out) were uneventful, this one has been anything but and I'm not even IN the channel yet!
Right off of Dover I had my first contact. A medium merchant all alone. She was sank with a single torpedo, and right after the torpedo exploded my worthless hydrophone operator informed me of warships steaming my way. I escaped easily, but while I was crawling along near the bottom at 1 knot we received another contact not far from the first one we sank. The warships had left to continue their patrol and it was just me and the small merchant. I surfaced the boat and let the deck gun unload on them until they were on their way to the bottom. The warships returned and we danced a bit before escaping without damage.
I didn't make it far, right off the coast of Calais and I began receiving warship contacts all over, but most were on routine patrols and had no idea I was even there, and then another contact popped up, a large merchant ship steaming my way. All I had to do was lay in wait. I set the torpedo to fast speed, impact pistol, and just below the water line. I aimed for the bunker but hit just ahead of it. Within an hour she was on the bottom.
I made my way to a deeper part of the channel and stayed submerged until night. Before I went to bed I surfaced and began running at 12 knots heading west, perhaps foolishly. It seems to be a target rich environment and at this rate I will run out of fish before reaching my patrol grid.
We'll see if I survive.
TL;DR: Don't go in the channel.
I made it. Once I was through the choke point between Dover and Calais it was more or less smooth sailing. Once in the channel I ignored most of the contacts I picked up unless they were warships. Steered away from them and dove to periscope depth if I needed to. On the surface at 15 knots during the day, underwater at 0630 and traveling at 2 knots silent running until 2000.
Went off without a hitch. Might be a different story in the future, but I live to tell the tale.
:Kaleun_Party:
David I
12-20-18, 04:35 PM
I began the war with a Med command. U-254's war started in Salamis, Greece in October of 1941 and ended in Toulon in September of 1944.
The Mediterranean is a very busy place and being relatively small gets you into action very quickly and often on patrol. Had many success, including 3 Aquitania Class Liners during the course of the war. There were also some very close calls with the Grim Reaper, but we managed to sailor on.
1944 in Toulon is a dangerous place to be. In July of that year a B-24 raid, which I fought out on the surface, reduced my sub to 4% Hull integrity the most damage I have ever suffered without sinking. From then on I went to periscope depth when Air raids occurred.
Now I knew that Toulon fell to the Allies in September of '44 so I was expecting a notification that my boat was captured along with myself and crew - end of career - but NO!
SPOILER ALERT!!!
What happened was I started my last patrol in the slip late Sept 1944. The band playing, nurses waving, etc. From the Conning Tower I could see that a Merchant Ship blocked the end of the slip. "That's odd, how do I get around that?" I asked myself just as the first shell hit the U-254. I was under direct fire from British destroyers just outside of the harbor! I ordered the boat to periscope depth and a turn to port to get around the Merchant even though there was not enough room. I then went to external view and watched shell after shell slam into my boat as, quite literally, the band played on. Until.....
SPOILER ALERT!!!
We all died. End of Career.
ivanov.ruslan
01-05-19, 06:31 AM
https://i.postimg.cc/jjfGvDn8/sh3-2019-01-05-13-12-07-87.jpg
U-702 returning from the patrol -quadrant BE 59,4 1943
Base St Nasare
Convoy meeting - two
Crew lost-no
Available torpedoes -3
Two in the stern, one in the bow
Escape from destroyers - twice, past many hours
VONHARRIS
02-13-19, 02:10 AM
Patrol ctd ed while off Freetown
Pity since I had sunk a Ceramic type liner and a 5k tonner merchant.
I forgot to save so all over again.
scunnygsi
03-01-19, 05:36 AM
Nov 28, 1939
In command of type IIA U19.
Just been tracking a lone merchant (in AN43) for the last hour on my way to patrol grid AN26. Whilst manoeuvring around 9000m away my first fish malfunctioned and fired on its own command, luckily the merchant cannot of observed the following detonation of the defective torpedo. At 21:20 my 2nd torpedo was fired at a range of 4800m and ran true resulting in a strike under the boiler room, the merchant is now dead in the water and slowly sinking.
With 3 fish left I hope my assigned quadrant proves fruitful.
John Pancoast
03-01-19, 06:43 AM
1940 Western Approaches. Intercepted a convoy via a radio approach and hydrophone use once at the intercept point.
Foggy, raining, but light winds, so I've been following it's course via hydrophone for hours; convoy is approx. 10k meters to my WNW.
Staying submerged until this fog lifts; visibility is terrible and don't need to have an escort pop out of the fog at close range if I was on the surface.
Convoy has zig zagged of it's original NE course, now headed due north for awhile. I'm hoping it zig zags due east right into my path but I may lose it with the fog keeping me mostly submerged.
If so, I'll try to regain contact after the fog lifts, if in a reasonable time.
NYGM mod
Hsie's and Stiebler's patches/files
Envsim 10
Hitman's optics
IABL ships
Accurate telegraph speech (gets rid of that annoying "Jawohl....." line every time you do something)
Obltn Strand
03-03-19, 09:57 AM
https://i.imgur.com/iXkqP5c.jpg
Crap!:k_confused:
Mussalo
03-03-19, 03:00 PM
SIGMUND STRAND
Simo Ranta? :arrgh!:
Obltn Strand
03-04-19, 10:09 AM
Keep quessing...
ASWarfare 255
03-06-19, 02:10 AM
It is mid-September 1939, and U-46(Type VIIB) is currently being depth charged by 3 destroyers off of Scapa Flow after attempting to enter the harbor. Been evading depth charges for an hour and plan to go back home to Kiel when the attack is over.
Currently I have 30,000 tons of shipping in this patrol
Aktungbby
03-06-19, 04:42 AM
ASWarfare 255!:Kaleun_Salute:
SonarmaatU212
03-15-19, 07:26 AM
Hello everybody. Just starting new campaign with nearly vanilla SHIII (just with H.SIE) on a weak tablet pc. Hopefully it work. Greetings Paul
Aktungbby
03-15-19, 09:44 AM
SonarmaatU212!:Kaleun_Salute:
Wolfcat
03-15-19, 02:35 PM
On patrol 5 with WAC5.2.
Ran into a huge convoy of 15+ ships with 2 escorts. Had a hard time getting into the convoy so just did a 3km surface attack with 4 torps. Unfortunately the outside column absorb all the hits. I was only managing to sink 2 small merchants. Then the escorts caught up. Somehow these early war destroyers can accurately locate me even without ADIC. I did not hear any Pinging sound. Wonder how their hydrophones can hear me when I am all stop and almost 200 meters deep.
SonarmaatU212
03-16-19, 03:20 PM
On patrol 4 north from Loch Ewe i found 10 ships: 3 tanker, 6 cargo and 1 trooper. Trooper, tanker and 1 cargo didn`t survive this meeting.:haha:
Now before 6th patrol i got a brand new type IX from bdu. Patrol from Kiel to AM54 was without any contact. Bdu will not be happy.
SonarmaatU212
03-19-19, 08:04 AM
Went towards CF32 on 7th patrol and found some ships:
Von: Kiel
Missiondbefehle: In Sektor CF32 patrouillieren
8.6.40.
2116 Planquadrat AM 31 Schiff versenkt! T3-Tanker, 11654 Tonnen
2119 Planquadrat AM 31 Schiff versenkt! C2-Cargo, 6449 Tonnen
2124 Planquadrat AM 31 Schiff versenkt! C2-Cargo, 6446 Tonnen
2133 Planquadrat AM 31 Schiff versenkt! T3-Tanker, 11655 Tonnen
2136 Planquadrat AM 31 Schiff versenkt! Truppentransporter, 8009 Tonnen
2213 Planquadrat AM 31 Schiff versenkt! T3-Tanker, 11653 Tonnen
2217 Planquadrat AM 31 Schiff versenkt! C2-Cargo, 6450 Tonnen
2219 Planquadrat AM 31 Schiff versenkt! C2-Cargo, 6451 Tonnen
2226 Planquadrat AM 31 Schiff versenkt! C2-Cargo, 6448 Tonnen
10.6.40.
2221 Planquadrat AM 51 Schiff versenkt! Kleiner Frachter, 2389 Tonnen
12.6.40.
0056 Planquadrat AM 73 Schiff versenkt! C Class Zerstörer, 1375 Tonnen
13.6.40.
0729 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! Hunt I Zerstörer, 1000 Tonnen
0734 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! Hunt I Zerstörer, 1000 Tonnen
0743 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! V&W Zerstörer, 1188 Tonnen
0755 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! T3-Tanker, 11656 Tonnen
0801 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! Kleiner Frachter, 2337 Tonnen
0802 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! Truppentransporter, 8012 Tonnen
0805 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! C2-Cargo, 6448 Tonnen
0808 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! Kleiner Frachter, 2339 Tonnen
0810 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! Kleiner Frachter, 2338 Tonnen
0813 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! C2-Cargo, 6446 Tonnen
0815 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! Kleiner Frachter, 2335 Tonnen
0817 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! T3-Tanker, 11696 Tonnen
0819 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! Küstenschiff, 2043 Tonnen
0821 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! C2-Cargo, 6447 Tonnen
0823 Planquadrat BE 64 Schiff versenkt! Kleiner Frachter, 2336 Tonnen
15.6.40.
1142 Patrouillenergebnisse
Verluste: 0
Versenkte Schiffe: 26
Zerstörte Flugzeuge: 0
Patrouillentonnage: 146600 TonnenBDU should be happy with those results. :)
Sailor Steve
03-19-19, 12:04 PM
...nearly vanilla SHIII (just with H.SIE)
Not a bad way to start. H.sie's mod is excellent.
SonarmaatU212
03-19-19, 01:57 PM
Not a bad way to start. H.sie's mod is excellent.
That´s absolutely right. I used to play with LSH 2015 but now i´m in hospital and have only a weak tablet. So no megamods. Only vanilla, h.sie and some convoys via campaign.scr :03:
Next patrol:
13.7.40.
2351 Patrouille 8
U-108, 7. Flottille
Ausgelaufen: Juli 13, 1940, 23:51
Von: Kiel
Missiondbefehle: In Sektor AK64 patrouillieren
16.7.40.
2126 Planquadrat AN 34 Schiff versenkt! Küstenschiff, 2002 Tonnen
21.7.40.
0224 Planquadrat AM 31 Schiff versenkt! T3-Tanker, 11655 Tonnen
0241 Planquadrat AM 31 Schiff versenkt! T3-Tanker, 11654 Tonnen
0319 Planquadrat AM 31 Schiff versenkt! T3-Tanker, 11653 Tonnen
25.7.40.
0230 Planquadrat AL 38 Schiff versenkt! T3-Tanker, 11673 Tonnen
0409 Planquadrat AL 38 Schiff versenkt! Flower Korvette, 950 Tonnen
0912 Planquadrat AL 38 Schiff versenkt! V&W Zerstörer, 1188 Tonnen
0926 Planquadrat AL 38 Schiff versenkt! T2-Tanker, 10871 Tonnen
0934 Planquadrat AL 38 Schiff versenkt! T3-Tanker, 11656 Tonnen
0939 Planquadrat AL 38 Schiff versenkt! Leichter Tanker, 4276 Tonnen
2.8.40.
2320 Planquadrat AL 25 Schiff versenkt! T3-Tanker, 11697 Tonnen
10.8.40.
0905 Planquadrat AN 36 Schiff versenkt! Schlepper, 1149 Tonnen
11.8.40.
0121 Planquadrat AO 45 Schiff versenkt! Schlepper, 1150 Tonnen
Patrouillenergebnisse
Verluste: 0
Versenkte Schiffe: 13
Zerstörte Flugzeuge: 0
Patrouillentonnage: 91574 TonnenStarted atack against convoy in AL38 at best weather. Plan was simple: shoot one tanker, sink the two escorts, surface and kill the convoy with 10,5. Weather killed my plan: after diving in suddenly light storm. So no deckgun and part of convoy drove away.:wah:
Randomizer
09-03-19, 01:28 AM
Hopefully this will not count as necro-posting but ever since March 2019, the vast majority of posts in the SH3 Forum have been related to questions or problems. Although I have been guilty of posting both, SH3 is really made to be played so...
Using NYGM3 6F with a bunch of minor mods and playing DiD.
U-1009 OLzS Gerhard Haas, 11th Flotilla commanding
On the afternoon of June 4th 1944 took U-1009 out of Bergen for her first patrol bound for Square AE88. The boat was fully fuelled and provisioned for sixty-days. That evening dived and the boat has run submerged since, usually snorkelling twice a day. In good weather eight or ten hours of snorting at 5-knots really helps the speed of advance otherwise it's 3-knots at 30-metres and barely 80-90 nm per 24-hours. Now it is June 16th and the boat is still days from the objective.
On June 6th a message from BdU informed that the Invasion of France had begun but no new orders were received so U-1009 continues towards her map square. Later that day a warship group was detected by hydrophone effect in Square AF79. Successive bearings provided a rough course and an intercept course was set but it proved impossible to close although did briefly spot a warship's mast at the limits of visibility. Returned to base course and after contact was lost, the boat was spotted while snorkelling by a pair of single engine aircraft, no doubt from an aircraft carrier. Quick action retracting the snort and diving to 50-metres evaded the four depth charges that were dropped.
Passing through the Iceland-Faeroe's Gap was very slow due to many Coastal Command air patrols but yesterday and today have been able to snorkel for most of the day except now the weather has deteriorated and the best speed of advance on the snort is just 3-kts. Figure four to five more days to AE88 and forty-days rations will remain allowing 2-weeks on station.
Kapitän
09-30-19, 03:22 PM
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...
After trials in the Baltic during the month of August, left W'haven on 24 August 1939 for First Patrol in Qu.AN13 (West of Orkney's).
Many enemy airplanes in the area of operation as of Sept.1 but almost no surface patrol craft. Good weather and calm seas while in area of operation, heavy storms and sea during return voyage in middle North Sea.
Returned to W'haven on Sept. 12, having sunk 4 merchants for 12560 BRT and 1 Vickers Vildebeest shut down - fished the pilot out of the water and took him prisoner.
Torpedo hits: 5
Crash dives: 2
Transfered from the 2nd U.-Flotilla to the 1st U.-Flotilla. My Diesel Warrant Machinist and one Nautical Seaman 1cl. were transfered to other boats - had to replace them with a Electric Fireman 1cl., two Diesel Fire Men 3cl. and a Seaman 2cl.
Received orders for Second War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu.AO41 (Skagerrak)
- Departure scheduled for Oct. 10 ...
John Pancoast
10-10-19, 09:04 AM
March, 1941. On the third surface attack on a convoy. Shadowed all day, sending reports but after sunset was told pack can't assemble so on my own. Sunk four ships so far. Attack, escape a short distance away, dive to reload, surface and attack again.
Light broken cloud cover, three quarter moon/stars, winds at 9 m/s. I attack around 2.5 km out. Last ship hit was just over 3k out.
Three clueless escorts. One four stacker in the lead, a corvette port and starboard of the convoy. Looks like I'll shoot all my torpedoes at this one convoy.
Last mission, sunk 66k.
Convoy carnage:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/921/EOQ9yW.png (https://imageshack.com/i/plEOQ9yWp)
Randomizer
10-10-19, 03:01 PM
@John Pancoast, Sweet! Well done, you.
On June 15th 1944 my U-1009 sank an unescorted coastal steamer for 1868 tons and a week later intercepted a heavily defended convoy in Square AE88. After spending better than five real-time hours setting up an ambush using hydrophone data I put up the scope to find that the weather had socked in with essentially zero visibility. Rather than sneaking away to attack another day I tried too hard to get into a firing position and was detected.
U-1009 was depth charged to destruction on 21 June 1944 by at least four escorts. DiD can be a real b----.
-C
John Pancoast
10-10-19, 03:45 PM
@John Pancoast, Sweet! Well done, you.
On June 15th 1944 my U-1009 sank an unescorted coastal steamer for 1868 tons and a week later intercepted a heavily defended convoy in Square AE88. After spending better than five real-time hours setting up an ambush using hydrophone data I put up the scope to find that the weather had socked in with essentially zero visibility. Rather than sneaking away to attack another day I tried too hard to get into a firing position and was detected.
U-1009 was depth charged to destruction on 21 June 1944 by at least four escorts. DiD can be a real b----.
-C
Ouch. I like the mobility that the surface provides if possible. Then again, 1944, odds are heavily against anyway.
Randomizer
10-10-19, 10:27 PM
That late in the war, being on the surface is tantamount to a death sentence. Late war approaches are a game of patience and more patience coupled with situational awareness achieved using the hydrophones and only very limited and brief periscope sweeps.
First error was that when the weather tanked and I lost visual contact with the convoy I attempted to continue an approach that should have been abandoned. Error two was going to full speed in an attempt to close the nearest merchant sound contact and determine a visual firing solution. Error three was failure to set up on the initial attacker with a T-V acoustic after the first depth charge salvo missed and instead, going deep immediately.
With 20/20 hindsight, probably should have fired the two FaT-II into the convoy using the predicted data as the patterns and depths were already programmed and then attempt to ambush any counter attack with the acoustics in Tubes I and V.
Late war careers are really merciless if you make a mistake and three of them are likely to spell doom.
-C
John Pancoast
10-11-19, 02:22 AM
That late in the war, being on the surface is tantamount to a death sentence. Late war approaches are a game of patience and more patience coupled with situational awareness achieved using the hydrophones and only very limited and brief periscope sweeps.
First error was that when the weather tanked and I lost visual contact with the convoy I attempted to continue an approach that should have been abandoned. Error two was going to full speed in an attempt to close the nearest merchant sound contact and determine a visual firing solution. Error three was failure to set up on the initial attacker with a T-V acoustic after the first depth charge salvo missed and instead, going deep immediately.
With 20/20 hindsight, probably should have fired the two FaT-II into the convoy using the predicted data as the patterns and depths were already programmed and then attempt to ambush any counter attack with the acoustics in Tubes I and V.
Late war careers are really merciless if you make a mistake and three of them are likely to spell doom.
-C
Leaving port in late war is tantamount to a death sentence for that matter.
I don't ever do the hydrophones myself anyway; not the captain's job, etc.
But everyone has their way of playing the game; options are a good thing.
Late war is tough regardless of one's tactics, even without making a mistake.
But after the (to easy, imo) early part of the war shooting gallery, it's fun to just try to survive a late war patrol.
John Pancoast
10-11-19, 06:43 PM
Few months later, Sept. 1941. Another NYGM convoy hit multiple times. Twice at night, once in the morning daylight.
These escorts weren't any more challenge than the previous ones.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/924/OW84bY.png (https://imageshack.com/i/poOW84bYp)
Randomizer
10-11-19, 08:37 PM
Was late to the NYGM game but am largely disappointed with a number of aspects of the mod version 6F. In my current 1944 career I have sailed from Bergen through the Faeroe's - Orkney gap to Rockall without a single crash dive due to aircraft. In GWX3 I would be crash-diving five or six per day on quiet days.
-C
John Pancoast
10-11-19, 10:05 PM
Was late to the NYGM game but am largely disappointed with a number of aspects of the mod version 6F. In my current 1944 career I have sailed from Bergen through the Faeroe's - Orkney gap to Rockall without a single crash dive due to aircraft. In GWX3 I would be crash-diving five or six per day on quiet days.
-C
Yeah, I've done a number of campaigns in both mods. Started at the same dates, flotillas, etc. for a good comparison.
To me, there's not much overall difference between the two gameplay wise once they're both "modded" the same*, but I feel the AI in GWX is marginally tougher.
But one thing I've learned; comparing AI responses to a given scenario is a losing proposition. To many variables in the game to do so objectively.
One can say, "Aha ! Mod X was better in this scenario than Mod Y !" Only to do the test again, and have the opposite results.
In your example, weather maybe affecting things ?
* = I.e, adding things to GWX that come stock in NYGM. Cam ship, fire damage, wolf packs, etc.
Making the two as similar as possible for comparison testing in other words.
I chose adding to GWX vs subtracting from NYGM because adding to is easy than taking out, for me anyway.
Plus, I like the NYGM features I added to GWX anyway. Although one big plus for NYGM, at least for me, is that it never crashes trying to load a save.
GWX almost always takes numerous tries before it'll finally load. Can be a pain wasting a half hour just to get the game to load at times.
Randomizer
10-11-19, 11:44 PM
GWX almost always takes numerous tries before it'll finally load. Can be a pain wasting a half hour just to get the game to load at times.
Odd, this. I do not recall ever having a loading problem with any of the super mods once the mod soup is finalized although WAC and LSH3 seem to take forever to load. GWX3 loads in about two-three minutes with NYGM a bit less. Same thing with corrupted saves, they happen but they do not appear to be more common in one mod versus another.
Presumably everybody's set ups are unique enough that individual installations are more or less prone to issues. Anyway, good hunting!
-C
John Pancoast
10-12-19, 06:02 AM
Odd, this. I do not recall ever having a loading problem with any of the super mods once the mod soup is finalized although WAC and LSH3 seem to take forever to load. GWX3 loads in about two-three minutes with NYGM a bit less. Same thing with corrupted saves, they happen but they do not appear to be more common in one mod versus another.
Presumably everybody's set ups are unique enough that individual installations are more or less prone to issues. Anyway, good hunting!
-C
I think you're right. Probably a ram amount type of thing.
Obltn Strand
10-14-19, 01:06 AM
Kapitän Küster's and U-512 journeys early 1943...
So far only mentionable events are:
Surprised by flying boat while crossing bay of Biscay.
Surprised by old four stack destroyer off coast of Venezuela. Depth charged. Moderate damage which were repaired at sea.
Sunk one 150 ton coastal transport by artillery fire.
Miserable...
John Pancoast
10-20-19, 08:14 PM
Have a couple campaigns going. This one is from an 8k env. modded vanilla that includes random mods as well as parts of GWX and NYGM.
After shadowing all afternoon in September, 1940, BdU finally gives the go ahead shortly after sunset.
Clear skies, half moon, heavy seas. Not ideal conditions.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/924/mNYZL9.png (https://imageshack.com/i/pomNYZL9p)
Had a member of the wolfpack just east of me who hit this ship while I was closing in for an attack myself.
The ship sunk about ten minutes later.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/922/12uglU.png (https://imageshack.com/i/pm12uglUp)
I saw no escorts the entire attack, but the pack member above had company engaging him.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/921/YGTdq8.png (https://imageshack.com/i/plYGTdq8p)
Results of the attack. The far right and left sinkings are mine. Others are the pack.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/vSvilv.png (https://imageshack.com/i/pnvSvilvp)
JuanLiquid
10-21-19, 09:47 AM
February 1944, things are really interesting.
I was reloading an external torpedo during day because I was chasing a convoy by radio and need to stay fully loaded. Unfortunately a group of naval bombers got me. 10 min of pure stress trying to cancel the torpedo load, all my hopes on the antiair-crew. Fortunately I had 4 man with the antiair trait, one of them RIP in this attack, but he saved us.
Aborted the convoy attack due to severe damage to the uboat.
https://i.imgur.com/0idpwra.png
John Pancoast
10-22-19, 04:03 PM
February, 1943, off to the west of the Iberian Peninsula.
Small convoy, five escorts. After probing their radar defenses throughout the night, ran ahead of them for a submerged early morning attack from their port beam. Tried a surface approach, but radar, calm seas, clear skies allowed the escorts to drive me off.
Haven't been able to radio a contact report due to their radar keeping me off the convoy.
The results. Two torpedoes each. Minor search and depth charging by one escort. Have reloaded, surfaced and back in pursuit. They should be approx. 30 kms, true bearing 185.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/924/o2UWjZ.png (https://imageshack.com/i/poo2UWjZp)
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/921/cRLakf.png (https://imageshack.com/i/plcRLakfp)
John Pancoast
10-22-19, 10:27 PM
No luck on the pursuit. Tried getting in front of the convoy again, in the dark, but an escort located me via radar and called two others over.
Convoy also now had air cover.
Tried escaping on the surface but forced to dive. Took heavy damage and flooding to all systems via depth charges but the crew saved the boat at 180 meters, made repairs, and 15 game hours later was able to surface the boat.
Hull amazingly suffered no damage, so back on patrol. To bad there wasn't a pack again; they would have had a field day with 3 of 5 escorts busy with me.
John Pancoast
10-23-19, 01:17 PM
Few game days later, been shadowing this convoy all day. Night comes and I get this.
So, to tough for them but I'm expected to give it a go !?! Thanks for nuthin' BdU. Wimps. Was really hoping for some help, as there are at least six escorts.
This attack could be interesting......
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/923/dpCTAc.png (https://imageshack.com/i/pndpCTAcp)
Randomizer
10-23-19, 03:59 PM
Let's see, a single boat verses convoy battle in February 1943. "Interesting" is probably not the adjective that I would use to describe the coming attack...
Just wondering, is this a new 1943 career or a survivor from an earlier start?
Good Hunting anyway.
-C
JuanLiquid
10-23-19, 04:07 PM
Mine (Feb 44) is a survivor from Sep 39. I almost die twice. I'm taking extreme precautions, except in some weird cases like the one I posted, returning to base without reaching my quadrant if needed.
Until 43 everything is quite boring for me. Fortunately I could bypass these years quicky adjusting SH Commander to 60 days of resting between patrols. 44 is pure action and pushing your uboat to the limit, but I think I will not survive until 45... or XXI!
John Pancoast
10-23-19, 05:46 PM
Let's see, a single boat verses convoy battle in February 1943. "Interesting" is probably not the adjective that I would use to describe the coming attack...
Just wondering, is this a new 1943 career or a survivor from an earlier start?
Good Hunting anyway.
-C
Kind of/sort of a continuation. I started the career in 9/40. After seven patrols, the captain of that career was assigned a desk job on 4/42 via SH3 Commander "Realistic Career Length" option.
But I always "continue" my careers by then taking the crew from the previous career and using it in the next with the new career Captain, with a start date of the next month after the previous career ended.
Again, via SH3 Commander.
I.e, this one started 5/42, on it's third patrol now. I'm not going to press this attack to much obviously, though the escorts don't appear to have radar.
Another clear skies, calm seas to boot. No moon though. Yet.
Randomizer
10-24-19, 03:33 PM
Mine (Feb 44) is a survivor from Sep 39. I almost die twice. I'm taking extreme precautions, except in some weird cases like the one I posted, returning to base without reaching my quadrant if needed.
Until 43 everything is quite boring for me. Fortunately I could bypass these years quicky adjusting SH Commander to 60 days of resting between patrols. 44 is pure action and pushing your uboat to the limit, but I think I will not survive until 45... or XXI!
I don't find early-war careers boring so much as void of any challenge. Two kills per patrol from 39-41 are ridiculously easy in the game although the reality was that most boats seldom saw such success. Sinking any two ships from June 1944 on and getting back to base alive is an accomplishment particularly in a Type VII patrolling the Western Approaches or a Type IX operating off North America.
So well done to you!
-C
John Pancoast
10-24-19, 06:03 PM
Was trying to figure out what to do when the watch spotted an aircraft. Crash dive. Was ahead of the convoy so I didn't want to lose it if possible.
But I would lose this position while I was submerging waiting out the aircraft, so upon submerging I immediately turned the boat into a submerged attack position as long as the convoy stayed on course, and I didn't have to stay down to long.
There was just enough daylight left when I dived so after 30 minutes I went to periscope depth and found myself in position to strike the rear of it.
The weather had picked up, so the little bit of chop would help hide the scope and deafen the escorts a bit.
Fired four, two hit including one at a target I didn't aim at (coastal freighter). Dove to 100 meters, turned the boat opposite course of the convoy.
Had one escort faintly ping at a distance, no attack.
Sneaked away, reloaded, and surfaced a couple game hours or so later. Tried to recontact the convoy but no luck. After a few more days was low on fuel, so headed back to port.
Slight damage from another air attack on the way, couple hours to fix, along with lots of other crash dives due to aircraft.
So ends the third patrol of this career.
Not a bad 1943 patrol result I don't think.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/640x480q90/921/7Bi9W2.png (https://imageshack.com/i/pl7Bi9W2p)
David I
10-31-19, 11:16 AM
For all my years playing SH3/GWX I never saw a surface ship battle, until....
1942 running my patrol North of Tunis and I get a radar warning and submerge to periscope depth. As the boat goes under I hear gun fire but see no splashes near me. I checked my external view and saw three British Destroyers moving fast and firing their bow guns. There were splashes near them from where they were taking fire. I then got hydro readings on another group of ships. Since I had their bearing I went to camera mode and flew along over the water until I found the Brit Destroyers.
From there I followed their course and there were the Italian Ships. The battle shaped up to be the three Brit destroyers vs two Italian destroyers and two Small Merchants. The Italians were heading from the North to the South. The Brits were heading in column from the East directly at them, thus allowing their T to be crossed. Many shells were exchanged and you could see the clumps of splashes from salvos coming down.
At first it looked like the Brits were going to wipe out the small convoy, but the lead destroyer slowed, listed and began to sink. The combined Italian ships shifted their targeting to the second Brit destroyer. The small Merchantmen were firing away and as the ranged closed got some hits. Finally the 2nd Brit destroyer slows and it's bow begins to go under. It and it's predecessor had also hammered one of the Italian Destroyers which began to slow.
Finally the third Brit Destroyer was on it's own and put some damage to one of the Merchants before it too went down, almost simultaneously one the battered Italian destroyers sank.
The Italian Convoy continued on it's course, with one Merchant falling behind.
End score 3 Brit Destroyers sunk, 1 Italian Destroyer sunk, one Merchant Crippled and the other ships slightly damaged.
Pretty exciting stuff.
David I
John Pancoast
11-01-19, 02:52 PM
After two frustrating patrols where I saw nothing the entire 55 day first patrol, followed by a 30+ day patrol where I was constantly chased off a convoy finally resulting in serious depth charge damage and a limp home, on the this next patrol, I've managed to intercept a convoy where one of the escorts is on fire.
It sunk half hour after I contacted the convoy, so now I'm not going to wait any longer for BdU orders; I have the entire port beam of the convoy unprotected, an opportunity that can't be passed up.
Clear night/calm seas. Again.
Just got orders from BdU to shadow. Ha ! Not passing this fox/hen house chance up. Be Aggressive !
Kapitän
11-16-19, 05:53 AM
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...
After trials in the Baltic during the month of August, left W'haven on 24 August 1939 for First Patrol in Qu.AN13 (West of Orkney's).
Many enemy airplanes in the area of operation as of Sept.1 but almost no surface patrol craft. Good weather and calm seas while in area of operation, heavy storms and sea during return voyage in middle North Sea.
Returned to W'haven on Sept. 12, having sunk 4 merchants for 12560 BRT and 1 Vickers Vildebeest shut down - fished the pilot out of the water and took him prisoner.
Torpedo hits: 5
Crash dives: 2
Transfered from the 2nd U.-Flotilla to the 1st U.-Flotilla. My Diesel Warrant Machinist and one Nautical Seaman 1cl. were transfered to other boats - had to replace them with a Electric Fireman 1cl., two Diesel Fire Men 3cl. and a Seaman 2cl.
Received orders for Second War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu.AO41 (Skagerrak)
- Departure scheduled for Oct. 10 ...
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...
Left W'haven on 10 October 1939 for Second War Patrol in Qu.AO41 (Skagerrak).
Harbour was under enemy air attack while leaving port - all enemy planes were shot down by the Naval Flak batteries protecting W'haven.
Enemy air patrols reaching all the way to the west entry of the Skagerrak. Mixed weather and seas while in area of operation, good weather and seas in the Kattegat.
Returned to W'haven on Oct. 29 via the K.W.K, having sunk 8 merchants for 12032 BRT, 5 of which were fishing vessels being sunk with the M.G.-2cm-C/30 and all of them being polish blockade runners heading for England.
Torpedo hits: 3
Torpedo failures: 2 Eto detonated prematurely.
My Chief Machinist was killed in a freak accident while on leave and had to be replaced.
During the overhaul, a new battery AFA 44 MAL 570 will be installed.
Received orders for Third War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu. AN 26 (East of Fair Isle Passage)
- Departure scheduled for Nov. 26 ...
FeatsOfStrength
11-17-19, 05:24 AM
I sunk the HMS Hood!
I wish i'd taken some screenshots as I was doing it, I had no idea which ship it was though, I made contact slightly after 2am on 8th of November 1940. A huge allied task force comprised of Battle ships with a side guard of Destroyers and Cruisers happened to be coming directly towards my allocated patrol sector of BF 15 SW of the Scilly isles. I went into silent running and sat there at periscope depth where I calculated the task force would pass.
However I ended up being much closer to the central line of battleships than I had planned, I let the 1st battleship go past as I crawled backwards then upped periscope and let loose a salvo of 4 torpedos from U-93 at 5 second intervals. All 4 hitting the same spot on the starboard rear of HMS hood. I crash dived immediately and took U-93 down to 120 metres, 4 destroyers were circling the sinking Hood pinging me and dropping depth charges.
The only place I had to hide was directly beneath the heavily listing but stationary hood at 120m depth where I waited for 4 hours, oxygen running very low, constantly looking out for the worrying message of "She's going down!" which would mean I would either lose my cover or get crushed or both. The last destroyer finally stopped circling and went to re-join the task force.
It didn't look to be sinking any further so I returned to surface and gave HMS Hood the coup de grâce with the Stern torpedo. At which point she sunk to the depths..
This is my first proper campaign run with Oxygen, batteries, fuel, Compressed air and realistic damage enabled (I'm not quite up to manual targeting or navigation yet) and I never managed anything like that even on Easy mode, I usually would act like a true noob and let off torpedo's at about 3000m distance and leg it whenever I saw a convoy or task force, or go crashing into a submarine net/mine even on easy mode. I feel like I have now truly experienced the fun of this game for the first time, when a situation seems completely dire and all odds are against you yet you prevail.
https://i.imgur.com/IM5z9hI.jpg
Fought my way thru to a Campaign, was able to obtain a Type XXI and made it to the Caribbean. Liked to hunt there due to the tanker traffic.
Anyways, down to my last 4 torps, ALL Type V accoustic's, found a nice fat T-3 tanker and hit him will ALL FOUR. Then watched him creep away at 1 knot -- why I always liked having a deck gun. Bummer.
End of campaign as by time I got back to base message announced war was over!
Started a new one, from Wilhelmshaven in a Type II (fun) but now into 1/41 in a type VII I renamed U-96 -- probably the boat I will hang onto until 6/44 when I can get another XXI. One patrol amassing 40K+ tonnes and have gotten the Knights Cross with swords/gold leaves/diamonds.
Looking forward to Drumbeat!
FeatsOfStrength
12-02-19, 01:27 PM
Fought my way thru to a Campaign, was able to obtain a Type XXI and made it to the Caribbean. Liked to hunt there due to the tanker traffic.
Anyways, down to my last 4 torps, ALL Type V accoustic's, found a nice fat T-3 tanker and hit him will ALL FOUR. Then watched him creep away at 1 knot -- why I always liked having a deck gun. Bummer.
End of campaign as by time I got back to base message announced war was over!
Started a new one, from Wilhelmshaven in a Type II (fun) but now into 1/41 in a type VII I renamed U-96 -- probably the boat I will hang onto until 6/44 when I can get another XXI. One patrol amassing 40K+ tonnes and have gotten the Knights Cross with swords/gold leaves/diamonds.
Looking forward to Drumbeat!
A while ago I tried starting a late campaign in GWX with an XXI, didn't do to well as in my first mission the base at Bergan was attacked within a minute of me leaving port by a formation of about 20 B17's, half of which decided to come for me. Water was too shallow to dive, the powerful AA guns on that thing managed to shoot one down by some miracle. Ended up having to restart about 3 times before I threw in the towel on running into shallows in the Fjords attempting to get into the North Sea!
Jimbuna
12-02-19, 02:28 PM
A while ago I tried starting a late campaign in GWX with an XXI, didn't do to well as in my first mission the base at Bergan was attacked within a minute of me leaving port by a formation of about 20 B17's, half of which decided to come for me. Water was too shallow to dive, the powerful AA guns on that thing managed to shoot one down by some miracle. Ended up having to restart about 3 times before I threw in the towel on running into shallows in the Fjords attempting to get into the North Sea!
Good to know yet another continues to enjoy the GWXperience https://i.postimg.cc/QMcDTt9v/wink.gif (https://postimages.org/)
BE MORE AGGRESSIVE! https://i.postimg.cc/ZRchwMLc/pirate-1.gif (https://postimages.org/)
Greetings, Jimbuna. Until I had to give up the game a few years ago due to health reasons. GWX was the way to go for me. I'm now awaiting arrival of a new gaming desktop so I can try some of the newer, hardware intensive mods. However, I am hoping to overhaul my gaming notebook and keep it for GWX. It needs to be disassembled, cleaned and CPU paste reapplied as it has, from they first year I owned it, eventually become prone to overheating. Even with two internal cooling fans.
As far as I know, and someone please tell me if I am wrong, GWX is the only mod that uses a flooding damage model to sink ships instead of hit points as do all the others. I would love to be wrong in this belief.
Edit: I just consulted my GWX Gold manual:
The original Grey Wolves (TGW) shared the damage model developed for “Not Your Grandmother’s
Mod” (NYGM), which focused on sinking ships through flooding effects, with a lesser emphasis on
critical hits than in stock Silent Hunter III and very little ability to destroy a ship through structural
damage.
Jimbuna
12-03-19, 06:19 AM
^ Read from page 64 onwards for Damage Model details.
http://www.silenthunter.cz/tgw/Manual_V3.0_Final.pdf
FeatsOfStrength
12-05-19, 01:21 PM
Good to know yet another continues to enjoy the GWXperience https://i.postimg.cc/QMcDTt9v/wink.gif (https://postimages.org/)
BE MORE AGGRESSIVE! https://i.postimg.cc/ZRchwMLc/pirate-1.gif (https://postimages.org/)
Considering I hadn't got passed 1941 in my previous campaign and had only run into a neutral Hurricane at that point I was completely complacent of Air attacks, jumping into 1945 to the sight of a swarm of B17's straight out the gate that i presumed was the usual ME-109's circling above the port was a shock! I only really wanted to do it to see how the XXI handled, and hadn't considered the completely different tactics required at that stage and the increase in allied power. I had a look through the museum at all the multitude of Allied aircraft and warships after that brief experience and my palms started sweating!
:k_confused:
Drakken
12-06-19, 12:22 PM
GWX Gold + H.sie's V1681 patch
I just witnessed something happening in a convoy attack a few days ago, which made my jaw dropped and left me in a state of utter shock and confusion.
Just as I opened my tube to sink a second target she instantaneously exploded and sank right in front of my sights, just when I was about to fire my eel. I was like WTF???? Right then, heavy firefight began around my scope and all hell broke loose, gunfire lighting everywhere through the pitch darkness. Utter mayhem.
From the glow from fired star shells I recognized at least two surfaced German u-boats firing their deck-gun at other merchant ships at very close range. Those that were armed fired back, while others burst into flames and sinking.
I had inadvertedly stumbled into a coordinated, surfaced wolfpack night attack. I am 99,9% certain my target was in fact torpedoed - and kill-shot - by the AI. Wow. :o
John Pancoast
12-06-19, 12:32 PM
GWX Gold + H.sie's V1681 patch
I just witnessed something happening in a convoy attack a few days ago, which made my jaw dropped and left me in a state of utter shock and confusion.
Just as I opened my tube to sink a second target she instantaneously exploded and sank right in front of my sights, just when I was about to fire my eel. I was like WTF???? Right then, heavy firefight began around my scope and all hell broke loose, gunfire lighting everywhere through the pitch darkness. Utter mayhem.
From the glow from fired star shells I recognized at least two surfaced German u-boats firing their deck-gun at other merchant ships at very close range. Those that were armed fired back, while others burst into flames and sinking.
I had inadvertedly stumbled into a coordinated, surfaced wolfpack night attack. I am 99,9% certain my target was in fact torpedoed - and kill-shot - by the AI. Wow. :o
I've seen a similar scene in both GWX and NYGM. The NYGM one I was out of torpedoes so I just retreated to a safe distance and watched the show. Went on for awhile. Saw a periscope off the port side of my sub too.
Both times were when I called in a wolfpack though. I know NYGM has separate packs attached to a few convoys that activate when the player contacts the convoy.
I think GWX has something similar, but not sure.
FeatsOfStrength
12-13-19, 10:49 AM
So i've started a new 1939 campaign, starting in a Type IIA with the highest difficulty settings i've tried so far.. The Type IIA really is a clunker, I upgraded to a IID as soon as possible and by comparison it handles so much better. My second IID patrol I was assigned AN14 north of Scapa Flow and my god... I have never seen so many Swordfish aircraft, not really thinking I powered through to the centre of the square before I started being attacked by Swordfish aircraft, coming three at a time.. I literally shot down 12 of them in the space of 14 hours before retreating into the North Sea, having to crash dive every 30 minutes when a new echelon of Swordfish flew at me until the weather thankfully turned from clear skies and sill sea to heavy fog and waves (the only time i've EVER been happy to see this weather).
Is having this many aircraft repeatedly attack you normal in January 1940? did I kick the hive by shooting so many of them down? Literally only stopped because I ran out of Ammo, I don't know how the AA gunners on the Bismark had such a tough go at it, they explode like balloons filled with hydrogen from a couple of well placed 20mm bursts.
John Pancoast
12-13-19, 11:25 AM
Running convoy battle during one night. Course 140. Called in wolf pack starting at late afternoon. Once the sun had set, received notice that the pack was assembled, attack at will.
First attack, I had to deal with escorts before and after attack. Submerged/depth charged for approx. an hour. Believe escorts had to go after rest of the pack at that time, though not sure.
Second and third attack, they were busy with the rest of the pack. Had convoy all to myself.
Out of a 15 or so ship convoy, only three left at attack's end. Two tankers and a cargo.
I bagged six for 42k tons during three separate surface attacks; two ships each attack.
Three medium cargos, two cargo steamers, one Arandona Liner.
Calm seas, 4m/s winds, clear night. Fired from 2k to 3.5k range, (hit the liner at 3.5k) 90 aob, decks awash 1-2 knots. Three torpedoes failed to hit.
Two topside torpedoes left. Broke contact with the rest of the "convoy" to reload these once daybreak arrives and if the seas remain calm.
Drakken
12-13-19, 11:49 AM
Got smashed by a chain of depth charges in October 1942.
Was 210 meters deep and felt safe at that depth, like 99% of the similar situations in the past. The escort pass over me and I heard the blasts in successive blows... boom... boom... boom... getting louder. The boat started to roll and shake... rolle and shake... then massive damage reported, with massive floods in the engine rooms. :doh: The u-boat got lost by floodingm down at a whooping 465 meters deep.
John Pancoast
01-01-20, 09:51 AM
Tracked/sent contact reports on a large convoy all day in 1942 west of Gibraltar. Night comes, and BdU tells me attack on my own anyway, no pack available.
Windy, clear night, not ideal conditions but worth a try. As I'm approaching for my attack, I see a ship get hit.
I got driven off before firing on this attack, but was able to attack later as though there was no pack I had called in, there was one attached to the convoy per NYGM, and the escorts got busy with them clearing the way for me.
I ended up sinking two ships, the pack got seven more. They hammered the convoy; saw ships getting hit, escorts fighting the pack, ships going down, etc.
Was a nice surprise to have an unexpected pack help out.
John Pancoast
01-01-20, 09:26 PM
Tracked/sent contact reports on a large convoy all day in 1942 west of Gibraltar. Night comes, and BdU tells me attack on my own anyway, no pack available.
Windy, clear night, not ideal conditions but worth a try. As I'm approaching for my attack, I see a ship get hit.
I got driven off before firing on this attack, but was able to attack later as though there was no pack I had called in, there was one attached to the convoy per NYGM, and the escorts got busy with them clearing the way for me.
I ended up sinking two ships, the pack got seven more. They hammered the convoy; saw ships getting hit, escorts fighting the pack, ships going down, etc.
Was a nice surprise to have an unexpected pack help out.
Total after a three game day running battle; 12 out of 21 ships sunk. Pack had seven, I had five.
John Pancoast
01-03-20, 12:23 PM
Pack sank ten ships this time including a carrier and all escorts including one chasing me when it was hit !
I sunk five from it over two days, total loss to the convoy of 15 ships.
More details here: https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2642854&postcount=20
Randomizer
01-03-20, 06:11 PM
Pack sank ten ships this time including a carrier and all escorts including one chasing me when it was hit !
I sunk five from it over two days, total loss to the convoy of 15 ships
Somebody wants a Knights Cross or shiny stuff to put on the one he has.
I just spent over 10-game hours, most at TC x1, and had a convoy get away. This in NYGM, September 1941 in VIIC U-264. Convoy, seemingly outbound from Gibraltar, encountered in BE96 while in transit to patrol area DH12.
After more than eight-hours shadowing from ahead it changed course from 310* to 070* and at the same time a Corvette spotted me and turned to attack. Presumably was spotted because the change in aspect from stern-on to broadside as I had been observing that escort without counter detection from the beginning of the shadow. By the time I evaded (12-depth charges dropped, none close), my DR plot had the convoy about 50 km away and night just a half-hour or so away. Given the prospect of a high-speed, stern chase towards the UK at night, with at least one escort between my boat and the convoy, decided to let it go and return to base course. BdU was not amused.
-C
John Pancoast
01-03-20, 06:50 PM
Somebody wants a Knights Cross or shiny stuff to put on the one he has.
I just spent over 10-game hours, most at TC x1, and had a convoy get away. This in NYGM, September 1941 in VIIC U-264. Convoy, seemingly outbound from Gibraltar, encountered in BE96 while in transit to patrol area DH12.
After more than eight-hours shadowing from ahead it changed course from 310* to 070* and at the same time a Corvette spotted me and turned to attack. Presumably was spotted because the change in aspect from stern-on to broadside as I had been observing that escort without counter detection from the beginning of the shadow. By the time I evaded (12-depth charges dropped, none close), my DR plot had the convoy about 50 km away and night just a half-hour or so away. Given the prospect of a high-speed, stern chase towards the UK at night, with at least one escort between my boat and the convoy, decided to let it go and return to base course. BdU was not amused.
-C
BdU says you will soon be hearing sleigh bells...............coming at you........... on the Eastern Front !
That's some course change.
The pack subs have torn these convoys up.
The career prior to this one had six patrols for just short of 180k tons. Knight's Cross, Oak Leaves, Swords, Diamonds before going to a staff job.
Current new career (same crew minus transfers/promotions) is two patrols in, 50k plus tons. Got jumped once by a destroyer group in a storm, minor damage.
Kapitän
01-05-20, 10:55 AM
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...
Left W'haven on 10 October 1939 for Second War Patrol in Qu.AO41 (Skagerrak).
Harbour was under enemy air attack while leaving port - all enemy planes were shot down by the Naval Flak batteries protecting W'haven.
Enemy air patrols reaching all the way to the west entry of the Skagerrak. Mixed weather and seas while in area of operation, good weather and seas in the Kattegat.
Returned to W'haven on Oct. 29 via the K.W.K, having sunk 8 merchants for 12032 BRT, 5 of which were fishing vessels being sunk with the M.G.-2cm-C/30 and all of them being polish blockade runners heading for England.
Torpedo hits: 3
Torpedo failures: 2 Eto detonated prematurely.
My Chief Machinist was killed in a freak accident while on leave and had to be replaced.
During the overhaul, a new battery AFA 44 MAL 570 will be installed.
Received orders for Third War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu. AN 26 (East of Fair Isle Passage)
- Departure scheduled for Nov. 26 ...
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...
Left W'haven on Sunday, 26 November 1939 for Third War Patrol in Qu.AN26 (East of Shetlands and Orkneys).
Good weather and seas while in area of operation and during outbound and return voyage.
During outbound transit, shot down one Swordfish airplane and took the pilot prisoner.
Strong enemy air patrols in area of operation. Good weather facilitated in shooting down of 6 more airplanes (2 Swordfish and 4 Vickers Vildebeest), due east of Scapa Flow.
During entering Lerwick naval base for reconnaissance, ran aground in the outer harbour basin and suffered damage to the pressure hull.
Returned to W'haven on Saturday, 9 December 1939, having sunk 2 merchants for 3553 BRT, 1 steamer of 7447 BRT damaged, 7 enemy aircraft shot down and 1 pilot taken prisoner.
Torpedo hits: 3
Torpedo failures: 2 Eto understeered and one of them misfired too late.
Crash Dives: 6
One of the two Torpedoman's Mates had to be hospitalized and was replaced by a Diesel Machinist's Mate 2cl. The Control Room Fireman 1cl. was transferred to another Uboat and had to be replaced as well.
Received orders for Fourth War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu. AN 79 (Mine laying operation)
- Departure scheduled for 11 January 1940...
Kapitän
01-11-20, 05:43 AM
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...
Left W'haven on Sunday, 26 November 1939 for Third War Patrol in Qu.AN26 (East of Shetlands and Orkneys).
Good weather and seas while in area of operation and during outbound and return voyage.
During outbound transit, shot down one Swordfish airplane and took the pilot prisoner.
Strong enemy air patrols in area of operation. Good weather facilitated in shooting down of 6 more airplanes (2 Swordfish and 4 Vickers Vildebeest), due east of Scapa Flow.
During entering Lerwick naval base for reconnaissance, ran aground in the outer harbour basin and suffered damage to the pressure hull.
Returned to W'haven on Saturday, 9 December 1939, having sunk 2 merchants for 3553 BRT, 1 steamer of 7447 BRT torpedoed, 7 enemy aircraft shot down and 1 pilot taken prisoner.
Torpedo hits: 3
Torpedo failures: 2 Eto understeered and one of them misfired too late.
Crash Dives: 6
One of the two Torpedoman's Mates had to be hospitalized and was replaced by a Diesel Machinist's Mate 2cl. The Control Room Fireman 1cl. was transferred to another Uboat and had to be replaced as well.
Received orders for Fourth War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu. AN 79 (Mine laying operation)
- Departure scheduled for 11 January 1940...
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...
Left W'haven on Thursday, 11 January 1940 for Fourth War Patrol in Qu.AN 79 (Mine Laying Operation: Contaminate harbour of Dover with TMB).
Good weather and seas while in area of operation and during outbound and return voyage. Very good aircraft visibility.
Medium enemy air patrols but heavy surface vessel patrols in area of operation and during transit.
Successfully laid 9 TMB in entrance to inner harbour basin of Dover. Southampton Class Cruiser and several destroyers in Dover harbour sighted.
Afterwards, sank two steamers with the two remaining Ato.
While on return voyage, had to crash dive from approaching aircraft during morning dawn and hit the ocean floor in shallow waters. Pressure hull slightly damaged but no further damage from the bombs dropped by the airplanes.
Returned to W'haven on Thursday, 18 January 1940, having sunk 2 merchants for 8986 BRT and a successful mine laying operation.
Torpedo hits: 2
Torpedo failures: None
Crash Dives: 1
My Chief Master Boatswain was sent to Officers Training School and was replaced by a Boatswain 1cl.
Received orders for Fifth War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu. AN 73
- Departure scheduled for 15 February 1940...
Kapitän
01-15-20, 11:44 AM
I tried a couple of things during the 3rd patrol:
1. I entered Lerwick naval base at night for reconnaissance and wanted to send a contact report via the h.sie Wolfpack Mod, to see if the harbour would be attacked by German Airplanes. However, my contact report was never sent. I guess, it actually only works with convoys in open waters. I also wonder, if the German planes would have attacked at night anyway ...
2. I torpedoed a unarmed steamer but it didn't sink. So, I positioned myself right next to it, to attract enemy airplanes to drop bombs on my position, perhaps, hitting the steamer instead and sinking it. I did this for a whole day and the planes actually scored one direct hit on the steamer but it still didn't sink. After being damaged by close falling bombs after submerging each time, I had to leave the area with darkness falling and the air attacks ceasing ...
Any of you having similar experiences?
David I
01-17-20, 10:26 AM
Kapitan,
"I positioned myself right next to it, to attract enemy airplanes to drop bombs on my position, perhaps, hitting the steamer instead and sinking it".
And your crew didn't tie you up, weight you and throw you overboard?
Lucky you.
David I:Kaleun_Cheers:
Kapitän
01-17-20, 12:38 PM
Kapitan,
"I positioned myself right next to it, to attract enemy airplanes to drop bombs on my position, perhaps, hitting the steamer instead and sinking it".
And your crew didn't tie you up, weight you and throw you overboard?
Lucky you.
Yes, for sure! I thought, I'll give it a try ... didn't really work, though ... :arrgh!:
U cruiser, U-847 8 months on patrol.
Got the order to stand down, and the message I was expecting to see, the "my u boat men, 6 years of war lie behind you, an overwhelming material superiority, bla bla bla", came in on the correct day. Then I thought, let's see how long I can stay out here...
I discovered two new things.
You can sail around the world on the sh3 vanilla map. Always wondered if that was possible. Just no harbours past Indonesia. No Tokyo Bay, no pearl harbor, etc.
And I discovered that if I was at sea, when the clock read "July 1, 1945, 00:01," hours, the game automatically kicks me back to the desktop.
Starting a new career on an older system, and we'll see how it goes...
John Pancoast
01-30-20, 11:49 PM
Intercept a convoy approx 900 kms SW of Iceland. Early afternoon. Submerged I get into the middle of it, fire all five torpedoes. Two of them after diving to thirty meters and returning to periscope depth to allow a merchant to pass overhead.
Four hits; one large cargo (two torpedoes) and one small merchant sunk, one other cargo damaged. (one torpedo each).
Get down to 80 meters when the payback starts showing up. Maneuver down to 220 meters where after a bit I'm hit.
Serious damage; flooding in the control room and bow quarters. Both scopes, rwr, deck gun, forward deck, radio and hydrophone destroyed. Minor damage forward torpedo room.
Massive hull damage; red on the Hsie colored indicator.
But engines and batteries undamaged !
Immediately blow tanks several times, ahead flank to get up before the hull gives way. Luck ! We make it.
Along the way, get flooding under control, release some BOLD, and start repairs on what can be repaired.
No need to worry about noise now. Want to abandon the boat, but can't without a radio.
So I decide to hug the surface instead. Maybe get under their detection arcs. No other choice with the hull damage.
Level off at twenty meters, silent running, one knot. Don't want to go to periscope depth even though it may be better for the hull; don't want to risk a broach.
Where I spend the next several game hours dodging a few destroyer runs as I try to escape in the opposite direction.
BOLD releases, ahead flank maneuvering, one knot ahead otherwise. I can't dive with my hull damage and I can't surface for a run from them with them so close let alone no scopes to take a look, no hydrophones to help tell where they are.
Another attack run, my last BOLDs. Still no more damage as the BOLDs and flank speed maneuvering are doing the trick, making the depth charges miss. Unable to change depth though. Alternating 90 degree port or starboard; one attack I'll do port, the next starboard.
They're also having a hard time pinpointing me; under their detection arcs ? Satisfying to hear them drop depth charges on my BOLDs.
Finally, it seems I'm in the clear. Should be dusk according to the clock. I wait a few more hours until midnight to be sure, going one knot the entire time. They have radar, but maybe they won't be able to visually see me.
With a little luck, they went back to their convoy. Or they're still overhead. Waiting.
Roll the dice.
Surface ! Be prepared for immediate ahead flank.
Nothing. I'm all alone.
Vent the boat, engines all stop while some minor internal repairs take place.
Come daylight, I'll all stop again to do some external repairs.
Assuming we make it to then; I should be at the far end of their range for any Iceland aircraft but never know.
While the diesels are undamaged, I choose no more speed than ahead slow.
Don't know how much of a pounding the hull can take, even surfaced.
Should be an interesting sail back to Lorient; can't go to crash depth in case aircraft show up.
Plan on going to twenty meters if that's the case. But with my rwr gone, visual spotting is all I have, so I work my best watch crew as much as possible.
On the way ! Long slow sail ahead. BdU will most likely assume the boat lost with us having no radio contact. But the crew is confident, morale is high after already miraculously dodging death.
Kapitän
01-31-20, 09:23 AM
Massive hull damage; red on the Hsie colored indicator. (...) Want to abandon the boat, but can't without a radio.
Wow, what a breath taking read !!!
What exactly is the "Hsie colored indicator"? I have the Hsie Mod installed but I'm not sure what you mean with that ...
And how about the "abandon boat with intact radio"? Is that some kind of mod that can be installed?
John Pancoast
01-31-20, 10:35 AM
Wow, what a breath taking read !!!
What exactly is the "Hsie colored indicator"? I have the Hsie Mod installed but I'm not sure what you mean with that ...
And how about the "abandon boat with intact radio"? Is that some kind of mod that can be installed?
Thanks Kapitan ! Very fun and interesting patrol so far. Currently 800 kms east of Brest. So far, so good. Taken twelve (!) game days to get this far.
To answer your questions:
- Hsie's colored hull integrity indicator replaces the standard percentage text that indicates your hull's status with a colored square instead, with four different colors indicating different levels of hull integrity.
However each color covers a range of damage status vs. an exact percentage like the standard number display shows.
You know your hull is damaged, but not the exact amount of damage.
Highly recommended. http://www.mediafire.com/file/onuzzwjmm1y/h.sie%2527s_Colored_Hull_Integrity_%2528DIY-Kit%2529.rar/file
- The "abandon boat" function comes with Stiebler's patch, which requires Hsie's patch.
To use, one first gives an "abandon boat" order, but then one must surface and then send an "abandoning boat" radio message and then dive again.
It can be difficult to actually use at times; i.e., if your radio is destroyed can't be done and there is rarely time to send the radio message once one surfaces before the escorts blast your boat and end the game anyway. But at least Stiebler has provided the chance.
The AOD version worked much better, but that one came with the game via it's developers.
Stiebler did an excellent job with at least providing a possible option to something that should have also come with the game in SH3 but didn't.
Hsie's patch: http://www.mediafire.com/file/27tcm2yg29gsqqc/V16B1-Patch-Kit.7z/file But I guess you already have that installed.
Stiebler's patch: http://www.subsim.com/mods1/nygm/Stiebler4C_V16B1.7z and this link gives the current patch options selector. Use this options selector, not the one in the Stiebler patch link above nor the one in Hsie's patch kit.http://www.subsim.com/mods1/nygm/HsieOptionsSelector_V16C.7z
Both patches are highly recommended as they add many great options to the game. Since you're running GWX let me know if you need help installing anything, as Stiebler also provided an easier install method for the patches for GWX. NYGM already has all the editing work done.
Here is Stiebler's GWX patch file.http://www.mediafire.com/file/430u1e6g2asicm8/GWX3_Stiebler4B_Addon_for_V16B1.7z/file
John Pancoast
01-31-20, 02:01 PM
Return voyage to Lorient going well so far. Eleven days into the return voyage.
Aircraft spotted at times, but we're able to get under before they spot us. No attacks.
900 hours. Running submerged during a storm. Glad for the storm; keeps aircraft grounded and gives the crew a much needed rest. Thank God the batteries and engines were undamaged. Twenty meters depth.
Suddenly the sound of high speed screws ! An asw patrol or a capital ship ? ! Hope it's a capital ship.....
With the hydrophones and scopes out, there was no other notice of their approach.
1030 hours. It is an asw patrol. Somehow dodge multiple depth charge runs the last hour and one half; same tactic as before, flank speed, change course. I cannot change depth with the hull the shape it's in. Out of BOLDS long ago.
Must be multiple destroyers; the attack runs happen to quickly for it to be only one.
Hope the storm is still raging to help our chances.
Then it finally happens. We're hit yet again.
One electric and one diesel destroyed, other of each bank seriously damaged. Compressor seriously damaged. Stern torpedo room has minor damage. Chief estimates 36 hours minimum to repair.
We have no means of propulsion. But there is no flooding thankfully. Repairs crew immediately put to work. Noise be damned.
Another abandon ship scenario, the order is given, but without a radio we can't. We may try anyway.
1122 hours. For some reason the enemy is no longer dropping charges. They are still doing runs, but no attack.
We're at zero knots. The repair crews are making plenty of noise. Could they not be able to hear us, or are they out of fireworks ?
Over time the ship slowly sinks due to no forward motion. Each time at 30 meters we blow tanks to get back up to 20 meters depth.
I dare not take the boat deeper.
Which will happen first ? The enemy gives up, or we run out of compressed air ?
I've always said "that being hunted is as fun as hunting"
John Pancoast
01-31-20, 03:56 PM
I've always said "that being hunted is as fun as hunting"
Yep, been a blast. I'll post more later, but it appears the escorts have left.
Continuing repairs for now. Wish I could post some shots but I have no where to host them at.
Kapitän
01-31-20, 04:39 PM
@ John Pancoast:
Wow, what an account!!! Hope you will make it back home ...
Thanks for the information on "Colored Hull Indicator" and "Abandon Ship Mod".
Sounds very intriguing but I think I will stay with what I have:
Running CCoM10.0 and GWX3.0Gold with un-moded h.sie-patch over SH3-Commander. Meaning, that I have no Hull Integrity Indicator/Display whatsoever, and I have to actually do a test dive to find out how deep I can go. With experience, I can just about guess how deep that can be, depending on what kind of damage I sustained in the past.
I have the game installation running very stable on CCoM and GWX right now, so, I don't want to risk messing things up by adding any further mods, except via JSGME.
So, for the "Abandon Ship" Option, I will just use the SH3-Commander option, after being sunk ;-)
Many thanks and Happy Hunting!
John Pancoast
01-31-20, 05:05 PM
@ John Pancoast:
Wow, what an account!!! Hope you will make it back home ...
Thanks for the information on "Colored Hull Indicator" and "Abandon Ship Mod".
Sounds very intriguing but I think I will stay with what I have:
Running CCoM10.0 and GWX3.0Gold with un-moded h.sie-patch over SH3-Commander. Meaning, that I have no Hull Integrity Indicator/Display whatsoever, and I have to actually do a test dive to find out how deep I can go. With experience, I can just about guess how deep that can be, depending on what kind of damage I sustained in the past.
I have the game installation running very stable on CCoM and GWX right now, so, I don't want to risk messing things up by adding any further mods, except via JSGME.
So, for the "Abandon Ship" Option, I will just use the SH3-Commander option, after being sunk ;-)
Many thanks and Happy Hunting!
That sounds like a good plan. Stable is good in SH3 ! I'd forgot about that surrender option in Commander. Glad you mentioned it.
I think I'll just end this patrol with it; in an actual scenario like mine above that is what really would have been attempted.
John Pancoast
01-31-20, 06:02 PM
Applied the SH3 Commander surrender option. Thanks again for the reminder Kapitan !
I play dead is dead, and I think that is a more realistic option than my reports scenarios, especially after the second round of damage.
Loss of a very experienced crew, but I got to spend the remainder of the war in Scotland, so got that going for me !
Great fun regardless !
Kapitän
02-01-20, 05:04 AM
Applied the SH3 Commander surrender option. Thanks again for the reminder Kapitan !
I play dead is dead, and I think that is a more realistic option than my reports scenarios, especially after the second round of damage.
Loss of a very experienced crew, but I got to spend the remainder of the war in Scotland, so got that going for me !
Great fun regardless !
Sounds like, you didn't make it back home :-(
Too bad!
Maybe, the German Govt. will make an exchange with an Allied Officer for you ;-)
You'll just have to take command of a new boat with a brand new crew ...
John Pancoast
02-01-20, 07:56 AM
Sounds like, you didn't make it back home :-(
Too bad!
Maybe, the German Govt. will make an exchange with an Allied Officer for you ;-)
You'll just have to take command of a new boat with a brand new crew ...
I actually did make it back as I even escaped from the second round of damage (boy, was the crew exhausted after 36 hours of repairs !), but as said, that is not the way it would have happened in reality. The boat would have been scuttled, crew tried to surrender.
So that's what I did.
Yep, have a new boat and crew (though with some experience via the SH3 commander function) to replace the loss of U-553 all set for an October, 1943 sail.
Up until then, I had used SH3 Commander's function to keep the same crew with each new skipper, hence their high level of overall experience (minus transfers, dismissals, etc.) I do all my careers this way.
U-553 was with it's third skipper (first patrol for him) when it was scuttled.
It's first patrol was from St. Nazaire iin 9/40, with a transfer to Lorient later on.
I forgot to keep the first skipper's records, but the last two had twelve ships sunk for 76,900 tons. It's first skipper had the most tonnage, over 100k, but I can't recall the exact number.
Greywolf2001ca
02-01-20, 06:45 PM
Hi! I'm new here even though I am playing SH3 for years now. Thought I tried to do a campaign with the Type II model for as long as it was available, even change fleet to keep it. This is just to see what kind of campaign it would make.
Anyone ever tried this in vanilla or GWX?
Aktungbby
02-01-20, 09:08 PM
Greywolf2001ca!:Kaleun_Salute:
Jimbuna
02-02-20, 11:32 AM
Hi! I'm new here even though I am playing SH3 for years now. Thought I tried to do a campaign with the Type II model for as long as it was available, even change fleet to keep it. This is just to see what kind of campaign it would make.
Anyone ever tried this in vanilla or GWX?
Tried in the past but soon got bored with the repetitive need to return to base for eel replenishment.
Welcome to SubSim and enjoy the GWXperience :salute:
Obltn Strand
02-03-20, 05:45 AM
Always star your career with type II :D
But as Jimbuna said after few patrols it gets frustrating . Especially when that last torpedo hits, detonates but fails to sink that 10 000 tonner....
Kapitän
02-04-20, 03:20 AM
I actually did make it back as I even escaped from the second round of damage (boy, was the crew exhausted after 36 hours of repairs !), but as said, that is not the way it would have happened in reality. The boat would have been scuttled, crew tried to surrender.
So that's what I did.
Yep, have a new boat and crew (though with some experience via the SH3 commander function) to replace the loss of U-553 all set for an October, 1943 sail.
Up until then, I had used SH3 Commander's function to keep the same crew with each new skipper, hence their high level of overall experience (minus transfers, dismissals, etc.) I do all my careers this way.
U-553 was with it's third skipper (first patrol for him) when it was scuttled.
It's first patrol was from St. Nazaire iin 9/40, with a transfer to Lorient later on.
I forgot to keep the first skipper's records, but the last two had twelve ships sunk for 76,900 tons. It's first skipper had the most tonnage, over 100k, but I can't recall the exact number.
Sounds good! I know about the Cmdr. option to select a "Crew already in Sh3" but I seem to remember, that this never really worked for me, i.e., I never saw an option of different crews to be selected ...
How should this work in theory?
Kapitän
02-04-20, 03:36 AM
Always star your career with type II :D
But as Jimbuna said after few patrols it gets frustrating . Especially when that last torpedo hits, detonates but fails to sink that 10 000 tonner....
Yep, I started my carrer posted in this thread with a type II boat as well.
With some expierence, one can figure out which type of ships can be sunk with one eel and which ones not. Bad weather can help in that as well but then, the draught of the target ship needs to be deep enough, for the torpedo to be able to run in undisturbed water. And then, there is always the risk of torpedo failures, especially, early in the war ...
Can be very frustrating. However, if one checks, e.g., on www.uboat.net, how it was historically, it is quite realistic to return from a patrol with only having torpedoed or damaged ships but not any ship actualy sunk.
Ktl_KUrtz
02-04-20, 04:30 AM
September, 1939
U-17
04.47
Off Scapa Flow,
At 15m,
Waiting for the best available target.
KUrtz
John Pancoast
02-04-20, 09:03 AM
Sounds good! I know about the Cmdr. option to select a "Crew already in Sh3" but I seem to remember, that this never really worked for me, i.e., I never saw an option of different crews to be selected ...
How should this work in theory?
The crew "Already in SH3" function won't give you an option for different crews unless one adds different crew configurations to Commander.
That just means Commander will just use the crew files of the SH3 install you have. A "stock" Commander install will only have one other choice in this function, called "Realistic". You should see this in your Commander install.
One can make different crew configurations if desired, put them in the Commander Crew folder, and then they'd show up here.
My above reference was to the "Randomize crew names and experience" function in Commander.
No u-boat went to sea with a completely inexperienced crew, so I always select this for any career.
One can also keep using the same crew (minus any other transfers, dismissals, etc.) with a new Captain (say he gets promoted to a desk job) via the "Click here for available actions" function in Commander.
I also use this function every career as it too is more how things were actually done.
Kapitän
02-04-20, 04:16 PM
The crew "Already in SH3" function won't give you an option for different crews unless one adds difference crew configurations to Commander.
That just means Commander will just use the crew files of the SH3 install you have. A "stock" Commander install will only have one other choice in this function, called "Realistic". You should see this in your Commander install.
One can make different crew configurations if desired, put them in the Commander Crew folder, and then they'd show up here.
My above reference was to the "Randomize crew names and experience" function in Commander.
No u-boat went to sea with a completely inexperienced crew, so I always select this for any career.
One can also keep using the same crew (minus any other transfers, dismissals, etc.) with a new Captain (say he gets promoted to a desk job) via the "Click here for available actions" function in Commander.
I also use this function every career as it too is more how things were actually done.
Ok, thanks for that! Very helpful!
U230, 300km SE of sable island, ocean grid CB33, heading 335° at 25 meters down, for rough weather, skies clear.
About to make contact with a loosely guarded tanker convoy, probably sailing in ballast on its way back to New York.
1 aft, and 5 forward torpedoes remain.
5 small/coastal merchants and 1 nosy JC Butler DE sunk along the way.
I'll do what I can, but expect to sink only 1 or 2 tankers in total, assuming we can even get close enough...
U230, 300km SE of sable island, ocean grid CB33, heading 335° at 25 meters down, for rough weather, skies clear.
About to make contact with a loosely guarded tanker convoy, probably sailing in ballast on its way back to New York.
1 aft, and 5 forward torpedoes remain.
5 small/coastal merchants and 1 nosy JC Butler DE sunk along the way.
I'll do what I can, but expect to sink only 1 or 2 tankers in total, assuming we can even get close enough...
After careful review of the tactical situation, it seems ole U230 is just close enough for the outer ring escorts to pound us into submission.
Attack angle too oblique to make an effective push.
If this convoy is heading to New York, then the best thing we can do is try to meet them there.
Knowing my luck, I'll run across a few stragglers or rompers along the way, and I'll be goaded into wasting more of my dwindling ammunition.
Update
Found another tanker convoy, heading in the opposite direction, only this time, the range and angle are almost perfect.
The rough, stormy weather we had about 4 hours ago had broke, and clear skies and calm seas have returned. Unfortunately, this convoy is *heavily* guarded. 12 escorts at a guess. All American.
Made contact at 14:51 hrs by sinking a small tanker. Followed it up 1 minute later by sinking a river class destroyer escort, with a homing torpedo. 11 escorts remain. Out of ammo by sinking one more small tanker at 14:57 hrs. Now trying to escape.
This is probably the most terrified I've ever been.
Half the escorts have rejoined the main body of the convoy, but they left at least 5 to keep me company.
Game time is now 16:30 hrs, 1 escort hovering around overhead, but although he has made several good passes, he has dropped nothing, which leads me to believe that he is out of depth charges. He just won't bugger off.
Minor damage to the exterior surfaces, but the hull is still tight.
I don't know how we're going to get out of this one, because they are very angry with me...
John Pancoast
02-05-20, 06:36 PM
Update
Found another tanker convoy, heading in the opposite direction, only this time, the range and angle are almost perfect.
The rough, stormy weather we had about 4 hours ago had broke, and clear skies and calm seas have returned. Unfortunately, this convoy is *heavily* guarded. 12 escorts at a guess. All American.
Made contact at 14:51 hrs by sinking a small tanker. Followed it up 1 minute later by sinking a river class destroyer escort, with a homing torpedo. 11 escorts remain. Out of ammo by sinking one more small tanker at 14:57 hrs. Now trying to escape.
This is probably the most terrified I've ever been.
Half the escorts have rejoined the main body of the convoy, but they left at least 5 to keep me company.
Game time is now 16:30 hrs, 1 escort hovering around overhead, but although he has made several good passes, he has dropped nothing, which leads me to believe that he is out of depth charges. He just won't bugger off.
Minor damage to the exterior surfaces, but the hull is still tight.
I don't know how we're going to get out of this one, because they are very angry with me...
Have any Bold decoys ? They work well.
Krauter
02-05-20, 06:40 PM
U-23, August 1st 1939.
Orders are to depart Kiel for a 5 day shakedown cruise. First command and going to get used my new crew and boat. Weather outside of Kiel is horrendous. Hoping it clears up once we pass Rostok.
Best wishes.
Have any Bold decoys ? They work well.
Nope! I used them all.
For a while, the destroyer was spotting for several different aircraft, and they picked up where he left off.
He was definitely out of ammo, the best he could do was rattle our nerves with the continuous asdic pings. Worked too.
But, after 2 and a half game hours later, he seems to have given us up, and is gone. I will wait until it is dark to surface, and then back to base with us.
John Pancoast
02-05-20, 07:42 PM
Nope! I used them all.
For a while, the destroyer was spotting for several different aircraft, and they picked up where he left off.
He was definitely out of ammo, the best he could do was rattle our nerves with the continuous asdic pings. Worked too.
But, after 2 and a half game hours later, he seems to have given us up, and is gone. I will wait until it is dark to surface, and then back to base with us.
Good job ! I hit a 1944 NYGM convoy yesterday, 8-10 escorts at least. But I got five ships out of it over two game days, three attacks.
Last one, took a few game hours to shake the escorts too.
KL-alfman
02-06-20, 01:31 PM
Reporting back to duty after many years of absence!:Kaleun_Salute:
It's great to be back in my IXB (stationed at Lorient) in September 1940, I really missed my GWXperience (nowadays even with ARB WS-mod!)
Good hunting, fellow Kaleuns!!
John Pancoast
02-06-20, 07:57 PM
My last NYGM ended via a FIDO torpedo. Had another get dropped on me in this current campaign but managed to dodge this one.
BOLD...........don't leave base without it.
Kapitän
02-07-20, 07:46 AM
Reporting back to duty after many years of absence!:Kaleun_Salute:
It's great to be back in my IXB (stationed at Lorient) in September 1940, I really missed my GWXperience (nowadays even with ARB WS-mod!)
Good hunting, fellow Kaleuns!!
Likewise and Welcome Back!
italianmarine
02-13-20, 09:36 AM
U-04 7th successful patrol with my Uboat II-D.
Started in Kiel on the 12 of March and had to patrol in front of Bergen. For 1 week I faced heavy rain and fog. As soon as I arrived in the designated Patrol point in went down to 25 Meters and started to look for ships. Was lucky. Sonar guy found one signal at long distance and I immediately went up and went after the contact. It was extremely hard since it was 10 PM and heavy rain and fog was to hard for the watchcrew.
For a day I had to surface and dive to catch up to the ship. The fatigue of the crew was extremely high. At 9.10 am I had the sonar contact really close so I surfaced. My watch crew didn`t see the ship but I spotted it at 800 M. It was an English big Merchant with camouflage on the side. Went to the UZO and fired after a small calculation 2 torps, which both hit and sank it for 6900 BMT.
For other 7 days with similar conditions I tried to find something else to shoot the remaining 3 torps, but my crew was really low on endurance so I set course to the base of Kiel and earning two Medals for my crew. On the way I encountered huge ships but all neutrals. (Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Sweden and Estonia) Tonight my 8th Patrol will start.
AutoSetup
02-14-20, 01:05 PM
I found a flaw in my plan to blockade Gibraltar in early 1941, with my IX B.
This place must have large Battleships, which will be my focus for the trip.
The area is protected by numerous aircraft and Destroyers, so surface cruising is risky, but I got tempted by juicy steamers, like you do, so by the time I got to Gib, all my remaining torps were outside on the deck.
There are 5 Destroyers above, so I can't surface to reload.
What a to do.
..
U64
Patrol 1
Kaleun : LsZ Georg Schulz
0529 = 1lt = 1lt = 168 = JSE SJX
ERZGU TYJW DLEC BMGJ WKYM WDZX PKFN TSDZ YHRR SNGE DZAZ HOAQ UIZL XHYF VORU SBYC IDQV PCQC LHPQ JTDT DPRW QTCM JNYB YBHT NUGE EMSN SJHD FDOK AKUZ ZJIQ XJKH PCXL MXHN RZGA LUVG HRIE AFCA ZTXT AQQA MDXG UBII GYW
Enigma code sheet (Kriegsmarine M3 UKW = C)
14 july 1940
Walzenlage : III VI V
Ringstellung : 17 12 20
Steckerverbindungen :CF DW GQ HX IV KZ MN OY PR SU
Kengruppen : ZGU NXZ MED DMX
Kapitän
02-15-20, 11:52 AM
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...
Left W'haven on Thursday, 11 January 1940 for Fourth War Patrol in Qu.AN 79 (Mine Laying Operation: Contaminate harbour of Dover with TMB).
Good weather and seas while in area of operation and during outbound and return voyage. Very good aircraft visibility.
Medium enemy air patrols but heavy surface vessel patrols in area of operation and during transit.
Successfully laid 9 TMB in entrance to inner harbour basin of Dover. Southampton Class Cruiser and several destroyers in Dover harbour sighted.
Afterwards, sank two steamers with the two remaining Ato.
While on return voyage, had to crash dive from approaching aircraft during morning dawn and hit the ocean floor in shallow waters. Pressure hull slightly damaged but no further damage from the bombs dropped by the airplanes.
Returned to W'haven on Thursday, 18 January 1940, having sunk 2 merchants for 8986 BRT and a successful mine laying operation.
Torpedo hits: 2
Torpedo failures: None
Crash Dives: 1
My Chief Master Boatswain was sent to Officers Training School and was replaced by a Boatswain 1cl.
Received orders for Fifth War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu. AN 73
- Departure scheduled for 15 February 1940...
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...
**
Left W'haven on Thursday, 15 February 1940 for Fifth War Patrol in Qu.AN 73 (East coast of England).
Our sister boat U 10 (Preuss) operated off the Dutch coast during the same time period.
Medium seas but very good aircraft visibility while in area of operation and during the outbound voyage. Only during the return voyage, some heavy seas and cloudy skies.
During transit, we by-passed Qu.AN 66 and AN 69 to the north, due to the British mine fields in the area north of Terschelling.
Medium enemy air patrols in area of operation and during transit, which increased the closer we got to the English coast.
Had to dive to 31m to reload the torpedoes during heavy seas and slightly damaged the battery, both diesel engines and pressure hull, when touching the ocean floor in shallow waters, due east of Skegness.
U-Preuss returned to W'haven two days before us, having sunk 2 steamers for 6356 BRT.
We returned to W'haven on Thursday, 22 February 1940, having sunk 2 merchants for 11913 BRT and damaging a large steamer of 8290 BRT.
Torpedo hits: 4
Torpedo misses: None
Torpedo failures: 1 Eto understeered
Crash Dives: None
My Machinist was transferred to another Uboat and was replaced by a Fireman 1cl.
Received orders for Sixth War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu. AN 55 (East coast of England)
- Departure scheduled for 21 March 1940...
John Pancoast
02-16-20, 06:57 AM
July 17th, 1941, BE31
Receive radio report of a convoy. Plot an intercept course only to be slowed by a trio of unrelated destroyers and an aircraft.
Over time, still manage to find the convoy in the early evening.
Call in the contact, told to shadow. Clear weather, 9 m/s winds. Am driven off a couple of times, regain contact each time.
Nights are short this time of year, not believing the pack can make it before the fast approaching sunrise, I decide to attack on my own in the meantime.
Tough convoy to get into position on; constantly zig-zagging with the related speed changes.
Finally have a perfect attack course going. Just under 3k meters away, off the starboard front beam. Decks awash, 2 knots speed. Starboard escort has peeled off in the distance for a random search pattern. Except for the clear weather, perfect.
Literally seconds before I was going to fire, convoy changes course again. Damn !
Then it happens. The pack unexpectedly attacks. No wonder the convoy had been changing course so often !
This draws the starboard escort back to the scene, and I have to get out of there before I can do my planned attack, but manage to get off two and have turned away from the escort going at flank when he spots me anyway and starts firing.
Crash dive, manage to evade over time. He doesn't spend much effort with me, but returns to the convoy to help against the pack attacking.
I'm submerged, now to far away to attack again, so not a concern in his eyes. After a bit, surface.
I won't have time for another night surface attack so I plot a general course for a submerged daylight attack.
Shortly before the sunrise finds me well ahead of the convoy, still off it's starboard beam.
The pack has continued it's attack throughout. Convoy in disarray, many ships sunk or on fire.
I see ships hit, ships going down, escorts depth charging and firing at the pack members, escorts rounding up the convoy and getting it back on course again.
Even see a distant scope of one of the pack. The convoy is decimated.
While the nearest escort is tied up with the pack, I plot a course to intercept the nearest ships who are forming up again, and starting to steam off on a course of 10 degrees.
I'll have to thread my way between two escorts to get close enough for a submerged attack.; one the attacking one mentioned above, the other leading the convoy.
I'm coming in on a 225 degrees course, with the rising sun not yet breaking the horizon. For approx. 45 game minutes, I just observe the convoy getting back into formation, to see what course it finally takes.
What's left of the convoy finally settles on a straight north course, I swing the boat around for a 270 degrees course of attack, finally close enough with help from the rising sun at my back, and submerge at around 4 - 4.5 meters away, just before the sun breaks the horizon. At point of attack, boat should be between 2 and 2. 5 meters away. Not a bad distance, would like to get closer but the increasing daylight won't allow that.
Winds are now 10 m/s; any higher I won't be able to attack.
All said and done, I manage to sink a cargo steamer which I hadn't aimed at, (the two fired during the night before the escort spotted me) and damage another freighter which I had. (the morning submerged attack.).
I fired a total of eight torpedoes at the convoy, two per target. Not the best results, but satisfactory considering the pack results.
Currently trying to make a submerged escape to the east. Have escorts hunting/depth charging the boat, but nothing to worry about.
Yet.
Kapitän
02-16-20, 11:02 AM
July 17th, 1941, BE31
Receive radio report of a convoy. Plot an intercept course only to be slowed by a trio of unrelated destroyers and an aircraft.
Over time, still manage to find the convoy in the early evening.
Call in the contact, told to shadow. Clear weather, 9 m/s winds. Am driven off a couple of times, regain contact each time.
Nights are short this time of year, not believing the pack can make it before the fast approaching sunrise, I decide to attack on my own in the meantime.
Tough convoy to get into position on; constantly zig-zagging with the related speed changes.
Finally have a perfect attack course going. Just under 3k meters away, off the starboard front beam. Decks awash, 2 knots speed. Starboard escort has peeled off in the distance for a random search pattern. Except for the clear weather, perfect.
Literally seconds before I was going to fire, convoy changes course again. Damn !
Then it happens. The pack unexpectedly attacks. No wonder the convoy had been changing course so often !
This draws the starboard escort back to the scene, and I have to get out of there before I can do my planned attack, but manage to get off two and have turned away from the escort going at flank when he spots me anyway and starts firing.
Crash dive, manage to evade over time. He doesn't spend much effort with me, but returns to the convoy to help against the pack attacking.
I'm submerged, now to far away to attack again, so not a concern in his eyes.
I won't have time for another night surface attack so I plot a general course for a submerged daylight attack.
Shortly before the sunrise finds me well ahead of the convoy, still off it's starboard beam.
The pack has continued it's attack throughout. Convoy in disarray, many ships sunk or on fire.
I see ships hit, ships going down, escorts depth charging and firing at the pack members, escorts rounding up the convoy and getting it back on course again.
Even see a distant scope of one of the pack. The convoy is decimated.
While the nearest escort is tied up with the pack, I plot a course to intercept the nearest ships who are forming up again, and starting to steam off on a course of 10 degrees.
I'll have to thread my way between two escorts to get close enough for a submerged attack.; one the attacking one mentioned above, the other leading the convoy.
I'm coming in on a 225 degrees course, with the rising sun not yet breaking the horizon. For approx. 45 game minutes, I just observe the convoy getting back into formation, to see what course it finally takes.
What's left of the convoy finally settles on a straight north course, I swing the boat around for a 270 degrees course of attack, finally close enough with help from the rising sun at my back, and submerge at around 4 - 4.5 meters away, just before the sun breaks the horizon. At point of attack, boat should be between 2 and 2. 5 meters away. Not a bad distance, would like to get closer but the increasing daylight won't allow that.
Winds are now 10 m/s; any higher I won't be able to attack.
All said and done, I manage to sink a cargo steamer which I hadn't aimed at, (the two fired during the night before the escort spotted me) and damage another freighter which I had. (the morning submerged attack.).
I fired a total of eight torpedoes at the convoy, two per target. Not the best results, but satisfactory considering the pack results.
Currently trying to make a submerged escape to the east. Have escorts hunting/depth charging the boat, but nothing to worry about.
Yet.
WOW! I had the chance to observe a pack attack a convoy once or twice so far. Makes you want to get in there and join the action, before all the nice juicy target are gone ...
John Pancoast
02-16-20, 11:17 AM
WOW! I had the chance to observe a pack attack a convoy once or twice so far. Makes you want to get in there and join the action, before all the nice juicy target are gone ...
No kidding ! With all the maneuvering the convoy was doing though, took me (game) hours.
As an update; the freighter I damaged was left behind by the convoy, so I got to sink it too.
Two stern torpedoes left. Time to start heading back to port.
Feb 19, 1945...
U230 engages moderately sized tanker convoy, heavily guarded by American and Canadian escorts. 12 tankers and a destroyer for each.
Somewhere near the coast of Nova Scotia, convoy en route to the British isles.
Slipped past the outer ring, began the attack.
Hit and sank the least capable escort with the first homing torpedo...
Hit and damaged a t3 tanker with another homer which was intended for a JC Butler DE
Hit and sank a third escort, before sinking both a light tanker, and another heavy.
Ducked and dodged for a bit, and finished off the first tanker we hit.
Damaged another escort with a homing torpedo, but it stayed afloat.
Pounced on and pounded by the remaining escorts, until so much damage rendered us incapable of further action.
U230 was ultimately destroyed by HK action, with only the captain as survivor. We were at periscope depth when the last round of hedgehogs came down. Blown free of the wreckage and forced to the surface, the captain was taken prisoner by victorious American forces.
Time to start a new career...
New career, September 1 1939
Type VIIb, U 48.
Now on the 5th patrol. Current date, April 16, 1940.
U 48 in 1st place overall with tonnage count around 150,000 tons.
Altantic war on commerce has been suspended pending an allied invasion of Norway.
U 48 to patrol ocean grid AF59, outside the fjord to Trondheim. Radio reports of German auxiliary cruiser not far from Bergen.
So far, our current location is AN36, on course 275 degrees, seas and skies calm and clear.
Nothing further to report, U48, out.
May 9, 1940.
U48 position, BF35, on course 270, 25km from the French coast.
13,000 tons of Norwegian shipping lie on the bottom. We have 6 torpedoes left, and a good supply of deck gun ammunition, so top scoring U48 is en route to the Bristol channel, looking for more kills.
U48 finished out the patrol in grid BF24, near lands end. All remaining torpedoes expended to sink medium merchant, for 6000 tons.
U48 return to base by May 11, 1940 with 20,000 tons of mostly Norwegian shipping as victims.
New patrol to grid AM32 starts June 8, 1940, which means there's a good chance we will finish our patrol in France.
Current position is AN28, on course 340 degrees, fully loaded and ready to go. Skies and seas stormy and progress is slow.
Nothing further to report.
Kpt. Lehmann
03-17-20, 11:04 PM
U48 finished out the patrol in grid BF24, near lands end. All remaining torpedoes expended to sink medium merchant, for 6000 tons.
U48 return to base by May 11, 1940 with 20,000 tons of mostly Norwegian shipping as victims.
New patrol to grid AM32 starts June 8, 1940, which means there's a good chance we will finish our patrol in France.
Current position is AN28, on course 340 degrees, fully loaded and ready to go. Skies and seas stormy and progress is slow.
Nothing further to report.
Good hunting, U-48. :ping:
4H_Ccrashh
03-19-20, 06:00 AM
I've spent a lot of time learning to use the RAOBF and other tools. Practicing four bearing plots and graduating from the Naval Academy. Ready for my first command.
My First command is the U-51, a VII-B.
Did a little checking. The real U-51 did four patrols , sank six ships (31,020 GRT).
U-51 was torpedoed by the British submarine HMS Cachelot in the Bay of Biscay 28 August 1940. Lost with all hands.
I'm hoping to do better.
4 Sept 1939 Heading to sea on my first war patrol today.
July 18, 1940.
U48 has orders to patrol ocean grid AN59.
Still departing from our base with the 7th fleet, in Kiel, but the shift to the French coast is underway.
This should probably be the last time we depart from Kiel, but we'll see.
U48 came back from her last patrol with 25,000 tons, 6000 from a British merchant while in our patrol area, and the rest from merchant shipping we found while in the north channel.
The lady here is starting to show her age, and might be retired to the training command, but up to now she's been doing good work.
So again, we shall see.
U48, out.
Kapitän
03-21-20, 05:42 AM
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...
**
Left W'haven on Thursday, 15 February 1940 for Fifth War Patrol in Qu.AN 73 (East coast of England).
Our sister boat U 10 (Preuss) operated off the Dutch coast during the same time period.
Medium seas but very good aircraft visibility while in area of operation and during the outbound voyage. Only during the return voyage, some heavy seas and cloudy skies.
During transit, we by-passed Qu.AN 66 and AN 69 to the north, due to the British mine fields in the area north of Terschelling.
Medium enemy air patrols in area of operation and during transit, which increased the closer we got to the English coast.
Had to dive to 31m to reload the torpedoes during heavy seas and slightly damaged the battery, both diesel engines and pressure hull, when touching the ocean floor in shallow waters, due east of Skegness.
U-Preuss returned to W'haven two days before us, having sunk 2 steamers for 6356 BRT.
We returned to W'haven on Thursday, 22 February 1940, having sunk 2 merchants for 11913 BRT and damaging a large steamer of 8290 BRT.
Torpedo hits: 4
Torpedo misses: None
Torpedo failures: 1 Eto understeered
Crash Dives: None
My Machinist was transferred to another Uboat and was replaced by a Fireman 1cl.
Received orders for Sixth War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu. AN 55 (East coast of England)
- Departure scheduled for 21 March 1940...
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...
**
Left W'haven on Thursday, 21 March 1940 for Sixth War Patrol. Operational area, Qu.AN 55 (East coast of England).
Other Type II boats have been sent to the south coast of Norway in anticipation of operation "Hartmut".
Moderate seas and very good aircraft visibility while in area of operation and during the outbound voyage. Only during the return voyage, some medium swell and cloudy skies.
During transit, we by-passed Qu.AN 66 and AN 69 to the north, due to the British mine fields in the area north of Terschelling.
Weak enemy air patrols in area of operation and during transit.
Intercepted a small convoy consisting of 4 unescorted and unarmed English merchants, before reaching the ordered operational area. Commenced submerged daylight attack in ideal weather and sea conditions and scored 3 hits, one of which actually was a missfire, right under the targeted merchant. Overall, we had 2 torpedo failures in this attack: 1 Eto understeered and missfired and 1 Ato understeered as well, in a 90° angle shot.
One of the three steamers hit, lost headway and settled in the water. The other two steamers hit, caught fire but continued on their easterly course, together with the one steamer not attacked.
The attempts to sink the torpedoed merchants by igniting the deck cargo with 800 rounds of the M.G.-2cm-C/30, proved to be futile. During this action, the boat had to crash dive once from approaching aircraft, that dropped bombs far off in the general area of the initial submerged attack.
We returned to W'haven on Monday, 25 March 1940, having torpedoed 2 steamers for 9234 BRT and damaging 1 motor merchant of 2835 BRT.
Upon entering the lock of W'haven III, the boat hit the lock gate and suffered some damage to the bow and the pressure hull.
Torpedo hits: 3
Torpedo misses: None
Torpedo failures: 1 Eto understeered and missfired; 1 Ato understeered during a 90° angle shot
Crash Dives: 2
On Tuesday, 2 April 1940, I was awarded with the Knights Cross! This came quite as a surprise but well received, just the same.
My Lt. (j.g.), Engineering Duties (L.I.) had to leave the boat and was replaced by a Midshipman (j.g.) Engineering Duties.
(Unofficially, my L.I. was arrested by local police for being drunk and is currently facing some disciplinary charges. I'm not sure, that leaving on the next war patrol with an inexperienced Midshipman (j.g.) as acting L.I., is a good idea but I may not have anything to say about it).
Received orders for Seventh War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu. AF82 (West coast of Norway, Farstad/Kristiansund; Defensive patrol in protection of the landing zones of Operation "Weserübung")
- Departure scheduled for Monday, 22 April 1940...
Update...
January, 25, 1941.
Oberleutnant Erich Kartmann awarded top honors for the invasion of Portsmouth harbour where he and his intrepid crew of U48 sank 40,000 tons, including 2 warships (one on patrol, one tied up).
Next mission saw the U48 in the AM52 grid, where she came across a small convoy, and finished off the torpedo payload to sink 2 tankers and a 6000 ton cargo ship. Came away with 54,000 tons in total, but the U48 suffered heavy damage which convinced me to retire the ship to the training command.
Oblt Kartmann has been assigned a new base and fleet, and is now in command of the IXb, U110.
Had about 2 months off over the winter, and back to sea on January 25, for interdiction patrol of ocean grid AL38.
So far we are 12 hours out of Lorient, en route to our patrol billet.
The hunt continues...
U110 still kicking.
May have saved the Bismarck some future grief...
May 2, 1941, came across a British task force of 8 destroyer escorts and one King George V class battleship, heading north.
4 torpedoes later, one BB lays on the bottom, 200km off the Spanish coast, u110 escaped detection and destruction, the first time I have ever found a capital unit at sea, that I was in position to intercept. Up till now, all my major victories had been against escort or fleet carriers, tied up in harbor.
The hunt continues...
Kapitän
04-22-20, 02:07 PM
U110 still kicking.
May have saved the Bismarck some future grief...
May 2, 1941, came across a British task force of 8 destroyer escorts and one King George V class battleship, heading north.
4 torpedoes later, one BB lays on the bottom, 200km off the Spanish coast, u110 escaped detection and destruction, the first time I have ever found a capital unit at sea, that I was in position to intercept. Up till now, all my major victories had been against escort or fleet carriers, tied up in harbor.
The hunt continues...
Great Job!
Kapitän
04-22-20, 02:10 PM
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...
**
Left W'haven on Thursday, 21 March 1940 for Sixth War Patrol. Operational area, Qu.AN 55 (East coast of England).
Other Type II boats have been sent to the south coast of Norway in anticipation of operation "Hartmut".
Moderate seas and very good aircraft visibility while in area of operation and during the outbound voyage. Only during the return voyage, some medium swell and cloudy skies.
During transit, we by-passed Qu.AN 66 and AN 69 to the north, due to the British mine fields in the area north of Terschelling.
Weak enemy air patrols in area of operation and during transit.
Intercepted a small convoy consisting of 4 unescorted and unarmed English merchants, before reaching the ordered operational area. Commenced submerged daylight attack in ideal weather and sea conditions and scored 3 hits, one of which actually was a missfire, right under the targeted merchant. Overall, we had 2 torpedo failures in this attack: 1 Eto understeered and missfired and 1 Ato understeered as well, in a 90° angle shot.
One of the three steamers hit, lost headway and settled in the water. The other two steamers hit, caught fire but continued on their easterly course, together with the one steamer not attacked.
The attempts to sink the torpedoed merchants by igniting the deck cargo with 800 rounds of the M.G.-2cm-C/30, proved to be futile. During this action, the boat had to crash dive once from approaching aircraft, that dropped bombs far off in the general area of the initial submerged attack.
We returned to W'haven on Monday, 25 March 1940, having torpedoed 2 steamers for 9234 BRT and damaging 1 motor merchant of 2835 BRT.
Upon entering the lock of W'haven III, the boat hit the lock gate and suffered some damage to the bow and the pressure hull.
Torpedo hits: 3
Torpedo misses: None
Torpedo failures: 1 Eto understeered and missfired; 1 Ato understeered during a 90° angle shot
Crash Dives: 2
On Tuesday, 2 April 1940, I was awarded with the Knights Cross! This came quite as a surprise but well received, just the same.
My Lt. (j.g.), Engineering Duties (L.I.) had to leave the boat and was replaced by a Midshipman (j.g.) Engineering Duties.
(Unofficially, my L.I. was arrested by local police for being drunk and is currently facing some disciplinary charges. I'm not sure, that leaving on the next war patrol with an inexperienced Midshipman (j.g.) as acting L.I., is a good idea but I may not have anything to say about it).
Received orders for Seventh War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu. AF82 (West coast of Norway, Farstad/Kristiansund; Defensive patrol in protection of the landing zones of Operation "Weserübung")
- Departure scheduled for Monday, 22 April 1940...
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...
+++
Left W'haven on Thursday, 22 April 1940 for Seventh War Patrol. Operational area, Qu.AN 82 (West coast of Norway, Farstad/Kristiansund: Defensive patrol in protection of the landing zones of Operation "Weserübung"). Heavy Cruiser Admiral Hipper and Battle Ship Bismarck in W'haven.
Received special torpedo orders due to the many torpedo failures during operation "Hartmut". Other Uboats have taken on transport roles in support of operation "Weserübung".
Moderate seas and very good aircraft visibility during outbound voyage. During return voyage, heavy seas and cloudy skies with rain and fog.
During outbound transit on Way1, we by-passed Qu.AN 66 and AN 69 to the north, due to the British mine fields in the area north of Terschelling. Also, had to evade Qu.AN 3700 and 3800 due to Mines and enemy submarines - U-Knorr (U 51) was attacked unsuccessfully with two torpedoes by the French submarine Orphée in Qu. 3751 AN.
Medium enemy air patrols during outbound voyage, virtually none during return voyage, owing to the bad weather.
In position due west of Bergen, received radio message from B.d.U., on 25 April, 2001h, that all boats of operation "Weserübung", are to break-off all operations and return to base immediately.
During return voyage, came across a small Norwegian convoy consisting of 3 unescorted and unarmed merchants and 2 small tankers. Commenced submerged daylight attack in good weather and medium sea conditions and scored 5 hits with MZ, one of which actually was a missfire right under the targeted merchant. One of the three steamers hit, had to be sunk with a coup de grâce.
In the end, 3 steamers and 1 tanker with together 6804 BRT were sunk, with each vessel being sunk in another Marqu., 2943/46/51/54 AN.
During the return voyage, the swell was so heavy, that the bridge hatch had to be closed part of the time.
We returned to W'haven on Monday, 29 April 1940, on the same day the British began evacuating their troops from Norway.
Torpedo hits: 5
Torpedo misses: None
Torpedo failures: 1 Eto missfired but right underneath the target ship
Crash Dives: 1
3 merchants and 1 tanker sunk for 6804 BRT
The Midshipman (j.g.) and acting L.I., performed well on his first assignment.
One Seaman 2cl (helmsman) had to be replaced.
(Unofficially, the helmsman was killed in a bar fight).
Received orders for Seventh War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu. AF44 (South coast of Norway, Oslo/Kristiansand)
- Departure scheduled for Sunday, 26 May 1940...
May 28, 1942
Oberleutnant Erich Kartmann has been promoted and transferred to the 10th fleet.
Highly successful prior patrol to the Caribbean and American east coast, the U 110 was badly damaged and retired to the training command.
Assigned to the type IXc, U802, with orders to patrol ocean grid EJ98, and possible orders back to the Caribbean, but we will see how it goes.
U802 clearing the bay of Biscay, crash dived for attacking aircraft, everything holding together so far, the hunt continues...
Raptor82
05-09-20, 01:30 PM
October 1939
Just set out from Willemshaven in U36 with a fresh crew that is already tired. I now am on my way to An36 I will complete my patrol there and head for Scapa Flow.
Kapitän
05-18-20, 04:40 AM
October 1939
Just set out from Willemshaven in U36 with a fresh crew that is already tired.
Probably, too much pre-war patrol drinking and partying of the crew ... is that also, one of the "Sh3-Cmdr Malfunction & Sabotage" Features? ;-)
Aquelarrefox
05-18-20, 06:49 AM
Just u-65 type ix running into 6th flotilla, nothing unusual. Taking south Ireland in late 39
It's been almost nine years since I stepped foot into a U-boat, but with the onset of a global crisis, I gladly volunteered to return to the Kriegsmarine. BdU assigned me to the U-45, a type VIIB boat of the 2nd Flotilla out of Wilhelmshaven. These boats felt very familiar, but some key upgrades made it seem like a new experience. Even the view felt wider, more expansive.
My new crew and I left Wilhelmshaven on 1 August 1939 for a short training cruise. After taking the boat on a jaunt through the English Channel and running practice target solutions on unsuspecting ships, we returned home on 12 August.
Kapitänleutnant Hähl, U-45
U-45 set sail 1 September 1939 from Wilhelmshaven in peacetime. But very soon we got word that war had begun.
We sunk two merchants for over 12000 tonnes which increased our confidence, but we were soon humbled after being caught by three trawlers in 80m water. We escaped, but not before taking significant damage.
We returned to base on 13 September for repairs.
Kapitänleutnant Hähl, U-45
U-45 departed 3 October 1939 from Wilhelmshaven, and this time took the safer northern route around the British Isles to our patrol area. The weather was brutal, and despite getting close to two different merchants, we were unable to take a shot.
The weather finally improved after we reached our patrol area and we made contact with a large convoy heading NE. U-45 moved in at dusk and sunk two merchants, but after firing, we spotted a battleship in the center of the convoy. After shaking a single persistent destroyer, we followed the convoy and set up an attack the next day, hitting the HMS Nelson with four torpedoes resulting in her sinking by the bow. After making our escape, we came across a lone merchant and sunk her as well.
With 4 kills including a capital ship for a total of 53,000 tonnes, we returned to base on 28 October with empty diesel tanks and full spirits.
Kapitänleutnant Hähl, U-45
After a very successful third patrol sinking 3 merchants and the HMS Nelson, U-45 left Wilhelmshaven with high expectations on 17 November 1939.
Unfortunately bad weather in our assigned patrol area never diminished. Even when we could get a visual on targets through the fog and heavy rain, we scored no hits. We returned to base on 16 December with only the external torpedoes left and no tonnage.
We are looking forward to a fast resupply and heading back out.
Kapitänleutnant Hähl, U-45
Kapitän
05-26-20, 03:35 AM
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...
+++
Left W'haven on Thursday, 22 April 1940 for Seventh War Patrol. Operational area, Qu.AN 82 (West coast of Norway, Farstad/Kristiansund: Defensive patrol in protection of the landing zones of Operation "Weserübung"). Heavy Cruiser Admiral Hipper and Battle Ship Bismarck in W'haven.
Received special torpedo orders due to the many torpedo failures during operation "Hartmut". Other Uboats have taken on transport roles in support of operation "Weserübung".
Moderate seas and very good aircraft visibility during outbound voyage. During return voyage, heavy seas and cloudy skies with rain and fog.
During outbound transit on Way1, we by-passed Qu.AN 66 and AN 69 to the north, due to the British mine fields in the area north of Terschelling. Also, had to evade Qu.AN 3700 and 3800 due to Mines and enemy submarines - U-Knorr (U 51) was attacked unsuccessfully with two torpedoes by the French submarine Orphée in Qu. 3751 AN.
Medium enemy air patrols during outbound voyage, virtually none during return voyage, owing to the bad weather.
In position due west of Bergen, received radio message from B.d.U., on 25 April, 2001h, that all boats of operation "Weserübung", are to break-off all operations and return to base immediately.
During return voyage, came across a small Norwegian convoy consisting of 3 unescorted and unarmed merchants and 2 small tankers. Commenced submerged daylight attack in good weather and medium sea conditions and scored 5 hits with MZ, one of which actually was a missfire right under the targeted merchant. One of the three steamers hit, had to be sunk with a coup de grâce.
In the end, 3 steamers and 1 tanker with together 6804 BRT were sunk, with each vessel being sunk in another Marqu., 2943/46/51/54 AN.
During the return voyage, the swell was so heavy, that the bridge hatch had to be closed part of the time.
We returned to W'haven on Monday, 29 April 1940, on the same day the British began evacuating their troops from Norway.
Torpedo hits: 5
Torpedo misses: None
Torpedo failures: 1 Eto missfired but right underneath the target ship
Crash Dives: 1
3 merchants and 1 tanker sunk for 6804 BRT
The Midshipman (j.g.) and acting L.I., performed well on his first assignment.
One Seaman 2cl (helmsman) had to be replaced.
(Unofficially, the helmsman was killed in a bar fight).
Received orders for Seventh War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu. AF44 (South coast of Norway, Oslo/Kristiansand)
- Departure scheduled for Sunday, 26 May 1940...
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...
+++
Left W'haven on Sunday, 26 May 1940 for Eighth War Patrol. Operational area, Qu.AN 44 (Skagerrak). Heavy Cruiser Admiral Hipper and Battle Ship Bismarck in W'haven.
When entering the lock of W'haven III during departure, hit the starboard side of the boat against the lock wall, slightly damaging the aft compartment and pressure hull. Boat deemed still seaworthy by Commander. Continued outbound voyage. Very good sea and visibility conditions.
Just five hours into the patrol, came across two Norwegian Ore II Freighters headed straight for W'haven, just 9 miles east of Helgoland. Sank both in a submerged attack for 7007 BRT combined. Scored 3 hits - had to sink one of them with a coup de grâce - 1 Eto understeered.
Headed to Helgoland with 1 Ato left, in order to replenish with torpedoes and fuel. Upon arrival in Helgoland, received orders to unload the one torpedo I had and to return to W'haven, in order to take a closer look at the damage sustained in the W'haven lock at departure. Arrived in W'haven on the evening of Monday, 27 May 1940.
(Actually, due to the fact that in CCoM, a type II boat does not receive any torpedoes in a foreign base - whilst removing the ones that are onboard - I had to "improvise")
On Tuesday, 28 May 1940, the Head Engineer of the Shipyard West determined, that the damages were minor and could be repaired upon return from this patrol. Received new orders and took 3 Eto and 2 Ato onboard and replenished with fuel and supplies.
New operational area was now Qu.AN 18, entrance to Firth of Moray.
... to be continued ...
Aquelarrefox
05-26-20, 08:51 AM
I'm screw in Mediterranean by a bug... What a pain cross Gibraltar in nygm boi
On June 8, 1940 U-93 left Wilhelmshaven in a brand new Type VIIC on my 8th patrol bound for grid AN18. On the way I intercepted an Empire Type freighter and managed to sink her with a single torpedo.
About a week later I came across two vessels heading north. An intermediate tanker and a smaller patrol vessel. Launched two torpedoes, the first one hit the patrol ship, tearing off her stern. She sank in seconds. The second impacted 10 seconds later and hit the tanker amidship tearing a large hole in her side. By the end of the hour she was on the bottom.
Once my patrol time here is finished I plan on heading off towards grid AM25.
Continuing patrol... 11 torpedoes remaining.
After celebrating the New Year, U-45 departed Wilhelmshaven with her full complement of crew on the 5th of January 1940.
We took the northern route to our patrol area BE59 in high seas and poor visibility. Encountered a convoy south of the Faroe Islands, and managed to get firing solutions on two merchants before seeing their Norwegian flags. Both ships were running dark, so perhaps we should have attacked anyway.
After reaching our assigned patrol, U-45 sunk a total of five British merchants in calm seas and clear skies using a combination of torpedoes and the deck gun. None were in a convoy.
Weather again turned bad, and despite intercepting a large convoy and getting inside the destroyer screen, scored no hits with five shots. Returned to base with only one torpedo remaining in the aft tube.
Docked in Wilhelmshaven on 7th of February 1940 with a score of five merchants totalling 23000 tonnes.
Kapitänleutnant Hähl, U-45
Aquelarrefox
05-27-20, 06:13 PM
my campaing is actualy fixing a date issue of 23th flotilla in flotillas.cfg dates...
Kapitän
05-29-20, 07:44 AM
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...
+++
Left W'haven on Sunday, 26 May 1940 for Eighth War Patrol. Operational area, Qu.AN 44 (Skagerrak). Heavy Cruiser Admiral Hipper and Battle Ship Bismarck in W'haven.
When entering the lock of W'haven III during departure, hit the starboard side of the boat against the lock wall, slightly damaging the aft compartment and pressure hull. Boat deemed still seaworthy by Commander. Continued outbound voyage. Very good sea and visibility conditions.
Just five hours into the patrol, came across two Norwegian Ore II Freighters headed straight for W'haven, just 9 miles east of Helgoland. Sank both in a submerged attack for 7007 BRT combined. Scored 3 hits - had to sink one of them with a coup de grâce - 1 Eto understeered.
Headed to Helgoland with 1 Ato left, in order to replenish with torpedoes and fuel. Upon arrival in Helgoland, received orders to unload the one torpedo I had and to return to W'haven, in order to take a closer look at the damage sustained in the W'haven lock at departure. Arrived in W'haven on the evening of Monday, 27 May 1940.
(Actually, due to the fact that in CCoM, a type II boat does not receive any torpedoes in a foreign base - whilst removing the ones that are onboard - I had to "improvise")
On Tuesday, 28 May 1940, the Head Engineer of the Shipyard West determined, that the damages were minor and could be repaired upon return from this patrol. Received new orders and took 3 Eto and 2 Ato onboard and replenished with fuel and supplies.
New operational area was now Qu.AN 18, entrance to Firth of Moray.
Left W'haven to continue with the Eighth War Patrol, on Wednesday, 29 May 1940, at 0200h.
Very calm seas and very good aircraft visibility during outbound voyage. Mixed weather and sea conditions from calm seas and clear skies to stormy seas, rain and dense fog, in operational area and during return voyage.
During outbound transit on "Way1", we by-passed Qu.AN 66 and AN 69 to the north, due to the British mine fields in the area north of Terschelling. We also, had to evade Qu.AN 3700 and 3800 due to Mines.
Weak enemy air patrols during outbound voyage, which intensified the closer we got to the operational area - during one day we had to dive 15 times from approaching aircraft and had to crash dive 9 times in total, during this part of the patrol.
During the return voyage the enemy air cover grew weaker the closer we got to Germany but still reached to Qu.9311AN.
On June 2, at 0453h, we sank a Chemical Steamer of 1889 BRT in Qu.4715AN, with 1 Eto and at 1640h, we sank a M33 Type Steamer of 5174 BRT in Qu.1866AN, also with 1 Eto. Both ships were first heard by the sound operator after having to dive from aircraft and both attacks were run submerged.
During the second attack, the first torpedo (Ato) was a miss off the bow. I suspect, that the crew of the steamer either saw our periscope and/or the bubble trail of the Ato and commenced evasive action, which reduced the speed of the ship. The second torpedo (Eto) was a hit under the forward mast.
The boat went below periscope depth to reload the torpedoes for a coup de grâce and heard several explosions and sinking sounds coming from the torpedoed steamer. Back to periscope depth, the steamer had in fact sunk and an airplane flying off to the south was seen in the B-Periscope. A Fishing Trawler that had been in the area, picked up the survivors from the steamer.
On June 3, we shot down 5 Vickers Vildebeest in Qu.1822AN and took all 5 pilots prisoner. During this action, the boat sustained some damage to the pressure hull, which turned out be 38.64%, when later checked in the Shipyard-West.
The boat was now being hunted by the enemy and on June 4, was searched for by a C&D Destroyer and a Flower Corvette, after having to crash dive from 3 to 4 pairs of twin-engine aircraft, in Qu.16AN. Several Wabos were dropped by the surface vessels in the area were the boat had dived but no further damage was sustained.
During the same day, the boat operated on a contact report sent by B.d.U. and sighted a steamer of 2279 BRT in Qu.1664AN, which it sank with 1 Ato, in a surface attack at 0955h. The torpedoed steamer sank in a huge blaze, which developed all over the after section of the ship. 3 minutes after the attack, the boat had to dive from 2 pairs of twin-engine aircraft.
Also, on June 4, the boat initially, operated on a B.d.U. contact report of a small convoy in Qu.1839AN, on course ESE, speed 7kn. However, at 1800h, the boat broke-off the action and operated on another B.d.U. contact report of a single ship in Qu.4411AN, which was heading our way.
At 1808h, the contact was sighted in QU.1699AN, a Refrigeration Ship of 4185 BRT and attacked with the last remaining torpedo (Eto), in a submerged attack at 1959h. The torpedo was a hit amidships and the steamer settled with a list to starboard in the heavy sea. However, the steamer still made headway and did not sink.
The boat stayed with the torpedoed ship submerged until 2110h and surfaced at a distance of 4000m. We then stayed with the steamer until 2230h and at a distance of 10000m, and sailed off on an easterly course.
On June 8, we shot down 3 of 4 Latecoere Reconnaissance Aircraft, in Qu.9311AN.
We returned to W'haven on Sunday, 9 June 1940, having sailed home on "Way green". Upon arrival, I was awarded with the Oak Leaves to the Knights Cross! Quite an honor!
The combined total of both parts of this 8th war patrol are:
Torpedo hits: 7
Torpedo misses: 1 Ato in daylight attack.
Torpedo failures: 1 Eto understeered.
5 merchants sunk for 16349 BRT and 1 steamer of 4185 BRT torpedoed, for a grand total of 20534 BRT.
Crash Dives: 9 - all due to enemy aircraft.
Total of 8 aircraft shot down and 5 pilots taken prisoner. During one aircraft attack, the boat sustained 38.64% damage to its pressure hull.
Received orders to take command of a new IXB boat and transferred with some of the crew of U 11, to the 2nd Training Division and the 5th Training Flotilla, for work-up's and trials of U 112.
(In fact, Sh3_Cmdr transferred my own alias of the crew, to another boat. So, I started a new career with a new boat.)
Relinquished command of U 11 to Kptlt. Georg PETERS.
The bad luck for U-45 with even numbered patrols continued on our sixth. We departed Wilhelmshaven on 27 February 1940 with orders to patrol grid AM32. Poor weather was again in play, making even the most simple tasks challenging.
We intercepted a task force in our patrol zone making 14 knots ESE. After maneuvering into firing position, we fired four torpedoes at a battleship believed to be HMS Hood. Two torpedoes hit, one fore and one aft. I gave orders to dive deep to avoid some angry destroyers. After reloading two tubes and coming back up to periscope depth, I saw the battleship moving slow and low in the water, but no sign of fire. We fired both tubes at long range, but scored no hits.
After another dive and reload period, we surfaced and attempted to overtake the task force, but the port engine seized up. Repairs were ineffective, and the engine blew entirely. We were unable to reestablish contact with the task force.
A few days later U-45 intercepted a coastal tanker in high seas and fired three forward and one aft torpedoes in succession; all missed or were duds.
As the weather began to improve, we intercepted a medium cargo ship at night and conducted a surface attack, hitting her with our last forward torpedo and sinking her with the deck gun.
Down to one aft torpedo and only the starboard engine, we began to head for base when the seas become calm enough off the coast of Norway to allow us to transfer the external torpedoes, but we found no more targets on the journey home.
With three remaining torpedoes (one forward and two aft) and a dead engine, U-45 returned to Wilhelmshaven on 19 March 1040 with only a single kill for 5000 tonnes.
Kapitänleutnant Hähl, U-45
Kapitän
05-31-20, 08:57 AM
T
After another dive and reload period, we surfaced and attempted to overtake the task force, but the port engine seized up. Repairs were ineffective, and the engine blew entirely.
Kapitänleutnant Hähl, U-45
Is this with the Sh3_Cmdr "Malfunction/Sabotage" Mod?
Texas Red
05-31-20, 09:23 AM
Eisen Ritter is the skipper of the U-123, a type IXB assigned to Wilhelmshaven.
The current date is June 13, 1940. He has sunk 130,019 tons of combined shipping, 107,533 tons being merchant shipping and 22,466 being warships. He has sunk 34 ships in total and 14 warships. His rank is an Oberleutnant zur See. He is currently at sea, destined for grid quadrant BF17.
Texas Red
06-01-20, 11:54 AM
Eisen Ritter returned to Wilhelmshaven after a 27-day patrol lasting from 13 June 1940 to July 9, 1940. He sank 43,777 tons. 11 ships in total, 10 merchants, and one warship. He has sunk a total of 173,796 tons.
He has yet to be awarded the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross.
Next patrol he hopes to be awarded the Knights Cross.
Aquelarrefox
06-05-20, 10:53 PM
18.4.40 nw thoreheim, a cv convoy with several crushes pass me in front of me, 4 torpedoes, 1 hit. I was hunted but hours. Obviously, the cv didn't sink with one hit. Is a bad camping, extremely bad luck with dubs and low ruining torpedoes, only 2 light ships in 3 patrols. In this car was a bit complex, the convoy was running like 20kt and the waves was very high. I saw the convoy some day ago going to narvik from his tail, and this from me coming back from his from intersecting from a radio data.
stork100
06-07-20, 12:31 AM
Just finished an interesting patrol with U-922 in early 1945, based out of Trondheim. Patrol lasted 2 months mostly submerged and snorkelling for short periods during the nights. Attack area was mostly around the top of AM. Boat rarely exceeded 2 knots.
Had a bit of good luck early on with an easy attack on a small unescorted convoy that sailed within my reach, with 3 ships sunk for nearly 16,000 tons. Found a lone ship travelling through a dark stormy night but I was unwilling to surface and chase it, so fired off one eel with limited target data in the hope of a lucky hit. No such luck with either a miss or malfunction. Plenty of warships getting around throughout the patrol but not too hard to keep out of their way, except for one frightening moment when a hunter killer group went straight over the top. Couldn't manoeuvre out of their way in time so just pointed the bow towards them to narrow the profile, stopped motors and quietly sank down to 200m. Sea state was rough which was an added bonus and I wasn't detected.
I was having good luck dodging aircraft and not being detected whilst snorkelling until the 6th week, when I got caught out one night and got attacked which caused a moderate amount of damage. Some minor flooding which was quickly brought under control and then repairs to various systems, which took about 15 hours before regular running and snorkelling could be resumed. Air activity was quite heavy after that for the next few days with some more attacks but no further damage. The RWR on the snorkel had been damaged by the initial attack and had a reduced level of effectiveness. By this time I'd already decided to return to port as the end of the second month was approaching and damage to the hull could not be determined. The return transit was uneventful with the boat finally surfacing one night close to Norway after nearly eight weeks submerged.
This was a really satisfying patrol which I was just having fun with really, but at the same time game me an overall impression of being quite authentic, as much as the game environment can provide anyway. A very different kind of pace and overall approach to how you do things compared with earlier in the war. A nice change. Hopefully I'll get in a couple more successful patrols and survive before wars end.
Mods: GWX, h.sie, most of the usual other stuff we're all familiar with and a few personal bits and pieces.
Kapitän
06-09-20, 02:08 AM
Just finished an interesting patrol with U-922 in early 1945, based out of Trondheim. Patrol lasted 2 months mostly submerged and snorkelling for short periods during the nights. Attack area was mostly around the top of AM. Boat rarely exceeded 2 knots.
Had a bit of good luck early on with an easy attack on a small unescorted convoy that sailed within my reach, with 3 ships sunk for nearly 16,000 tons. Found a lone ship travelling through a dark stormy night but I was unwilling to surface and chase it, so fired off one eel with limited target data in the hope of a lucky hit. No such luck with either a miss or malfunction. Plenty of warships getting around throughout the patrol but not too hard to keep out of their way, except for one frightening moment when a hunter killer group went straight over the top. Couldn't manoeuvre out of their way in time so just pointed the bow towards them to narrow the profile, stopped motors and quietly sank down to 200m. Sea state was rough which was an added bonus and I wasn't detected.
I was having good luck dodging aircraft and not being detected whilst snorkelling until the 6th week, when I got caught out one night and got attacked which caused a moderate amount of damage. Some minor flooding which was quickly brought under control and then repairs to various systems, which took about 15 hours before regular running and snorkelling could be resumed. Air activity was quite heavy after that for the next few days with some more attacks but no further damage. The RWR on the snorkel had been damaged by the initial attack and had a reduced level of effectiveness. By this time I'd already decided to return to port as the end of the second month was approaching and damage to the hull could not be determined. The return transit was uneventful with the boat finally surfacing one night close to Norway after nearly eight weeks submerged.
This was a really satisfying patrol which I was just having fun with really, but at the same time game me an overall impression of being quite authentic, as much as the game environment can provide anyway. A very different kind of pace and overall approach to how you do things compared with earlier in the war. A nice change. Hopefully I'll get in a couple more successful patrols and survive before wars end.
Mods: GWX, h.sie, most of the usual other stuff we're all familiar with and a few personal bits and pieces.
Very nice!
Kapitän
06-09-20, 02:11 AM
Left W'haven to continue with the Eighth War Patrol, on Wednesday, 29 May 1940, at 0200h.
Very calm seas and very good aircraft visibility during outbound voyage. Mixed weather and sea conditions from calm seas and clear skies to stormy seas, rain and dense fog, in operational area and during return voyage.
During outbound transit on "Way1", we by-passed Qu.AN 66 and AN 69 to the north, due to the British mine fields in the area north of Terschelling. We also, had to evade Qu.AN 3700 and 3800 due to Mines.
Weak enemy air patrols during outbound voyage, which intensified the closer we got to the operational area - during one day we had to dive 15 times from approaching aircraft and had to crash dive 9 times in total, during this part of the patrol.
During the return voyage the enemy air cover grew weaker the closer we got to Germany but still reached to Qu.9311AN.
On June 2, at 0453h, we sank a Chemical Steamer of 1889 BRT in Qu.4715AN, with 1 Eto and at 1640h, we sank a M33 Type Steamer of 5174 BRT in Qu.1866AN, also with 1 Eto. Both ships were first heard by the sound operator after having to dive from aircraft and both attacks were run submerged.
During the second attack, the first torpedo (Ato) was a miss off the bow. I suspect, that the crew of the steamer either saw our periscope and/or the bubble trail of the Ato and commenced evasive action, which reduced the speed of the ship. The second torpedo (Eto) was a hit under the forward mast.
The boat went below periscope depth to reload the torpedoes for a coup de grâce and heard several explosions and sinking sounds coming from the torpedoed steamer. Back to periscope depth, the steamer had in fact sunk and an airplane flying off to the south was seen in the B-Periscope. A Fishing Trawler that had been in the area, picked up the survivors from the steamer.
On June 3, we shot down 5 Vickers Vildebeest in Qu.1822AN and took all 5 pilots prisoner. During this action, the boat sustained some damage to the pressure hull, which turned out be 38.64%, when later checked in the Shipyard-West.
The boat was now being hunted by the enemy and on June 4, was searched for by a C&D Destroyer and a Flower Corvette, after having to crash dive from 3 to 4 pairs of twin-engine aircraft, in Qu.16AN. Several Wabos were dropped by the surface vessels in the area were the boat had dived but no further damage was sustained.
During the same day, the boat operated on a contact report sent by B.d.U. and sighted a steamer of 2279 BRT in Qu.1664AN, which it sank with 1 Ato, in a surface attack at 0955h. The torpedoed steamer sank in a huge blaze, which developed all over the after section of the ship. 3 minutes after the attack, the boat had to dive from 2 pairs of twin-engine aircraft.
Also, on June 4, the boat initially, operated on a B.d.U. contact report of a small convoy in Qu.1839AN, on course ESE, speed 7kn. However, at 1800h, the boat broke-off the action and operated on another B.d.U. contact report of a single ship in Qu.4411AN, which was heading our way.
At 1808h, the contact was sighted in QU.1699AN, a Refrigeration Ship of 4185 BRT and attacked with the last remaining torpedo (Eto), in a submerged attack at 1959h. The torpedo was a hit amidships and the steamer settled with a list to starboard in the heavy sea. However, the steamer still made headway and did not sink.
The boat stayed with the torpedoed ship submerged until 2110h and surfaced at a distance of 4000m. We then stayed with the steamer until 2230h and at a distance of 10000m, and sailed off on an easterly course.
On June 8, we shot down 3 of 4 Latecoere Reconnaissance Aircraft, in Qu.9311AN.
We returned to W'haven on Sunday, 9 June 1940, having sailed home on "Way green". Upon arrival, I was awarded with the Oak Leaves to the Knights Cross! Quite an honor!
The combined total of both parts of this 8th war patrol are:
Torpedo hits: 7
Torpedo misses: 1 Ato in daylight attack.
Torpedo failures: 1 Eto understeered.
5 merchants sunk for 16349 BRT and 1 steamer of 4185 BRT torpedoed, for a grand total of 20534 BRT.
Crash Dives: 9 - all due to enemy aircraft.
Total of 8 aircraft shot down and 5 pilots taken prisoner. During one aircraft attack, the boat sustained 38.64% damage to its pressure hull.
Received orders to take command of a new IXB boat and transferred with some of the crew of U 11, to the 2nd Training Division and the 5th Training Flotilla, for work-up's and trials of U 112.
(In fact, Sh3_Cmdr transferred my own alias of the crew, to another boat. So, I started a new career with a new boat.)
Relinquished command of U 11 to Kptlt. Georg PETERS.
++++
On 18 July 1940, U 11 was transferred after repairs, to the 21st Flotilla, where it served as a school boat, from December 1940 to May 1941.
From October 1941 to February 1943, U 11 was used as a trial boat for the testing of the "Alberich"-Anti-Sonar-Coating.
From March 1943 until 14 December 1944, U 11 served as a school boat in the 22nd Flotilla, Gotenhafen, where it was laid up.
On 5 January 1945, U 11 was towed to Kiel and decommissioned, where it was scuttled on 3 May 1945 at the Arsenal. Her wreck was broken up in 1947.
stork100
06-10-20, 10:31 AM
Unfortunately U-922 has been sunk in her 2nd patrol in March 1945. With an assigned attack area of BE36 from Trondheim, submerged and snorkelling all the way, it was always going to be a difficult challenge. I had it in my mind that there would be a heavy battle with a convoy somewhere eventually. Unfortunately even that was not the case. The boat was detected in transit off the Western Approaches by a hunter killer group. How exactly I will never know for sure. During some rough weather I was dodging these guys well it seemed, but it's possible the conning tower could have broached the surface, and given them a radar contact. Anyway, when the hydrophone relative bearing isn't changing anymore you know you have got something to be concerned about. I tried all my tricks but they found me. Some people talk about GWX being easy. Maybe I'm a lousy player, but it was amazing.
There must have been five or six on me when they got going. Bold helped a lot, and I almost broke free twice. But never enough. They could detect with their ASDIC well below my crush depth, so basic trickery was my only chance. I've previously altered the min surface values of the GWX ASDIC systems ever so slightly, so one can play some cat and mouse with the profile of the boat. But when they've got more than 5 hunters on you, what can you do? There's a limitation with the hydrophone man also, without map updates, he's a bit vague in his reporting. They got a slight hit early on but nothing serious. Every time they came over I altered course 90 or 180 degrees, ran ahead flank for 1-2 minutes and changed depth about 20m. Heard detonations behind often which was a good sign, but soon the pinging was on me again, even after a good distance at 50 RPM. I had good air and battery remaining and I became a bit complacent after 1.5 hours of continuous attacks. A mistake I think. I had three T.Vs loaded and this was to be my last resort. I was still hoping to break free and use my ordinance on a convoy in the future. Once I ran out of Bold two things were on my mind: When do they run out of charges and when do I go to periscope depth and let loose my eels for an attack? The boat was still in good condition and I wasn't too concerned.
Unfortunately this was when they landed their fatal blow. That's all it takes of course. They ruptured the bow compartment and... game over. With this result I have to analyse my performance and think where did I go wrong? But ultimately and sincerely my reaction is nothing but the highest of respect to the original developers of this game, and to the various modders whose work I have come to enjoy. As far as I'm concerned this is a very reasonable impression in certain respects of what it would have been like to be on a German U-boat in World War Two. And as always of course, onwards to the next campaign!
Kapitän
06-10-20, 10:48 AM
Unfortunately U-922 has been sunk in her 2nd patrol in March 1945. With an assigned attack area of BE36 from Trondheim, submerged and snorkelling all the way, it was always going to be a difficult challenge. I had it in my mind that there would be a heavy battle with a convoy somewhere eventually. Unfortunately even that was not the case. The boat was detected in transit off the Western Approaches by a hunter killer group. How exactly I will never know for sure. During some rough weather I was dodging these guys well it seemed, but it's possible the conning tower could have broached the surface, and given them a radar contact. Anyway, when the hydrophone relative bearing isn't changing anymore you know you have got something to be concerned about. I tried all my tricks but they found me. Some people talk about GWX being easy. Maybe I'm a lousy player, but it was amazing.
There must have been five or six on me when they got going. Bold helped a lot, and I almost broke free twice. But never enough. They could detect with their ASDIC well below my crush depth, so basic trickery was my only chance. I've previously altered the min surface values of the GWX ASDIC systems ever so slightly, so one can play some cat and mouse with the profile of the boat. But when they've got more than 5 hunters on you, what can you do? There's a limitation with the hydrophone man also, without map updates, he's a bit vague in his reporting. They got a slight hit early on but nothing serious. Every time they came over I altered course 90 or 180 degrees, ran ahead flank for 1-2 minutes and changed depth about 20m. Heard detonations behind often which was a good sign, but soon the pinging was on me again, even after a good distance at 50 RPM. I had good air and battery remaining and I became a bit complacent after 1.5 hours of continuous attacks. A mistake I think. I had three T.Vs loaded and this was to be my last resort. I was still hoping to break free and use my ordinance on a convoy in the future. Once I ran out of Bold two things were on my mind: When do they run out of charges and when do I go to periscope depth and let loose my eels for an attack? The boat was still in good condition and I wasn't too concerned.
Unfortunately this was when they landed their fatal blow. That's all it takes of course. They ruptured the bow compartment and... game over. With this result I have to analyse my performance and think where did I go wrong? But ultimately and sincerely my reaction is nothing but the highest of respect to the original developers of this game, and to the various modders whose work I have come to enjoy. As far as I'm concerned this is a very reasonable impression in certain respects of what it would have been like to be on a German U-boat in World War Two. And as always of course, onwards to the next campaign!
Yes, that is also my late war experience: Once the escorts have you located, it's just a matter of time, until it's "game over" ...
Is this with the Sh3_Cmdr "Malfunction/Sabotage" Mod?
No, it was with the "Diesel Damage Fix" enabled on the h.sie V16B1 patch.
U-45 under the command of Kapitänleutnant Hähl left Wilhelmshaven on 8 April 1940 with orders to patrol AN36 in support of the invasion of Norway. After completing our assigned mission, we headed north to intercept enemy ships in the North Sea. Once again, weather was a tougher adversary than the enemy.
Twice we managed to intercept a fast-moving task force and make hydrophone contact, but the sea state and fog prevented any visual sighting. Several times we went in close to the Scottish shoreline and did sink three small merchants while avoiding aircraft.
Finally, the fog lifted and we were able to intercept a task force and fire a full spread of torpedoes at a cruiser at long range in heavy seas. All torpedoes missed, and the task force quickly sailed out of range.
Another attempt to intercept a task force failed, resulting only in playing cat and mouse with a destroyer for half a day. We loosed our last two on-board torpedoes at the destroyer but both missed.
Low on fuel, food, and with only one aft external torpedo, U-45 returned to Wilhelmshaven on 25 May 1940 with a tally of three merchants totaling 5000 tonnes.
Kapitänleutnant Hähl, U-45
Kapitän
06-14-20, 06:36 AM
No, it was with the "Diesel Damage Fix" enabled on the h.sie V16B1 patch.
OK!
January, 1, 1944...
U802 has had many spectacular victories and close calls, but got the million dollar shot, a 7000m hole in one.
Spotter Wellingtons called us out to a nearby river class destroyer escort, and he turned about to investigate our position.
I had spanked a tribal class, a few patrols ago, and was still feeling pretty good about it, so I loaded the armor piercing rounds and went for it.
One lucky hit, sank the DE from 7km, plunging fire into a powder magazine, much like Bismarck vs Hood.
Still savoring the victory even now.
(Similarly on those rare occasion when I am successful in using the deck gun to shoot down aircraft).
U802 almost mid Atlantic, the morning, local time 11:59, January 6, 1944. En route to the Canadian East coast, the hunt continues...
UKönig,
Congratulations on your astounding victory!
:Kaleun_Cheers:
Oh, by the way, BdU would like to discuss your pattern of reckless behavior with their very expensive boat.
vanjast
06-19-20, 03:59 PM
Started out on new first patrol... Sept'39
Attacked 3x by aircraft around Scotland.
Got 2x sound contacts chased them to find out they're small trawlers - didn't bother with them.
It's been three weeks since the trawlers and ... nothing, not even a sound contact, zulch.
Placed myself in the convoy lanes and moved 3x, each time closer to Ireland north coast.
I think I'll just go sail up Liverpool and sink the whole harbour :up::D
Still got a half load of fuel, so I'll stick it out for another week or two.
:arrgh!:
Kapitän
06-20-20, 09:01 AM
No, it was with the "Diesel Damage Fix" enabled on the h.sie V16B1 patch.
So, for how long and at what speed did you run the engine, until it malfunctioned?
Startet on 12th of April '41 to the second patrol. Here is the KTB:
German only, sorry Guys.
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_001.png
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_002.png"]
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_003.png"]
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_004.png"]
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_005.png"]
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_006.png"]
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_007.png"]
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_008.png"]
IMG]https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_009.png[/IMG]"]
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_010.png"]
Downlad as a PDF: KTB-002 (https://games.a8m.de/SH3/ktb-klemz-002.pdf).
Paco.
Kapitän
06-22-20, 06:53 AM
Startet on 12th of April '41 to the second patrol. Here is the KTB:
German only, sorry Guys.
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_001.png
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_002.png"]
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_003.png"]
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_004.png"]
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_005.png"]
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_006.png"]
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_007.png"]
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_008.png"]
IMG]https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_009.png[/IMG]"]
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-20_jupiter_Auswahl_010.png"]
Downlad as a PDF: KTB-002 (https://games.a8m.de/SH3/ktb-klemz-002.pdf).
Paco.
VERY NICE!!!
Kapitän
06-22-20, 06:54 AM
++++
On 18 July 1940, U 11 was transferred after repairs, to the 21st Flotilla, where it served as a school boat, from December 1940 to May 1941.
From October 1941 to February 1943, U 11 was used as a trial boat for the testing of the "Alberich"-Anti-Sonar-Coating.
From March 1943 until 14 December 1944, U 11 served as a school boat in the 22nd Flotilla, Gotenhafen, where it was laid up.
On 5 January 1945, U 11 was towed to Kiel and decommissioned, where it was scuttled on 3 May 1945 at the Arsenal. Her wreck was broken up in 1947.
As of Monday, 10 June 1940 - AG Weser, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau, Bremen, Shipyard
Standing by during the final stages of construction of U 112.
UKönig,
Congratulations on your astounding victory!
:Kaleun_Cheers:
Oh, by the way, BdU would like to discuss your pattern of reckless behavior with their very expensive boat.
I could only imagine how many more grey hairs the Admiral or OKM would have, if some of my patrols in game were in fact, real life events.
There's not much left that I'm not afraid to try these days.
I mean, I don't like to engage fighter bombers because they're small, fast and dangerous.
I don't like to engage B24s because they're large, fast, and dangerous.
But PBYs and Short Sunderlands I invite like lambs to slaughter. If I get hit or destroyed by one of them, it's usually because I shot him down, and his flaming wreckage crashes down on top, no doubt the real way several U-boats went missing without a trace.
I worked over a tribal class destroyer a few patrols ago, I think because I hit him from almost 8 km away, and blew off the B turret immediately.
I landed a few more hits to the superstructure, taking out the port side oerlikon and motor launch, along with the forward funnel and his fire control/radar mast.
Then they turned around and headed in my direction distance now 5km and closing.
He fired one round from all his remaining cannons and we crash dived. Coming back to periscope depth, I saw they were confused, and demoralized.
I waited a little bit until he quit the search, and started heading away.
I popped back to the surface, remanned the deck gun, and continued firing. I hit the aft starboard depth charge caster, blowing it off, and put a few holes in the engine room.
He ignored us totally and streamed away at a steady 21 knots. Even though he could go faster, I assumed I had done serious damage to his powerplant, but in the end, I let them get away, to receive a lashing from the Admiralty instead.
U-45 left Wilhelmshaven on 14 June 1940 with orders to harass shipping off the southeastern coast of England in grid AN84.
Shortly after arriving on station we intercepted a fast-moving whale factory ship followed closely by an ASW trawler. We attacked the whaler with two torpedoes and heard both hit the target but no explosion. Determined to not lose our quarry, we fired our remaining two forward tubes at the trawler hoping to sink it and surface to attack the whaler with the deck gun. At least one made contact, but it was also a dud. Before we could reload both ships moved out of range, apparently unaware of our presence.
After trying unsuccessfully to intercept a reported task force, we moved in closer to the coast toward what we hoped would be a shipping lane. On 18 June U-45 intercepted a lone coastal freighter and sunk her with two torpedoes without surfacing so that the Allies would think it was the result of mines rather than a U-boat off their coast.
The following day we were stalked for hours by three ASW vessels patrolling together, which we evaded. That evening a lone ASW trawler came into range, and we fired and hit her at close range. She still had power and maneuvering, and turned to ram us. Believing that we had 25 meters under our keel, we dove to avoid contact. However, the charts were incorrect and we struck bottom while at the same time we were hit from above.
The damage was severe. My best watchman, a bootsman, was killed when equipment fell on him. Forward batteries, both periscopes, and hydrophones were destroyed. U-45 was blind and deaf. Severe flooding throughout the boat was the first priority to repair. Electric engines, aft batteries, diesel engines, forward tubes, and the compressor were severely damaged. We sat on the bottom for nearly two hours to make partial repairs, then limped away with only 15% battery power.
After moving approximately 3 km, we surfaced to survey the damage and clear out the choking smoke. Not only did we discover that the deck and flak guns were destroyed, but we were also greeted by the same ASW trawler. Although she was burning and could not move, she began to fire on us. Having no way to return fire or make speed, we submerged once again to periscope depth and moved slowly away on our last bits of battery power until the cover of nightfall.
Once we resurfaced we were able to complete repairs to diesels and make way for home. Nearing the coast we had to submerge again after being fired upon by a small ship which we did not identify.
U-45 arrived in Wilhelmshaven on 21 June 1940 in need of major repairs.
Our success was limited to only 2000 tonnes. Our failure included the loss of a fine bootsman.
Kapitänleutnant Hähl, U-45
Finished the third Patrol
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-06-23_jupiter_Auswahl_003.png (https://games.a8m.de/SH3/ktb-klemz-003.pdf)
After some very quick and questionable repairs, U-45 left Wilhelmshaven on 11 July 1940 with orders to again harass shipping off the southeastern coast of England in grid AN81.
Our crew was upbeat and welcomed our new bootsman, who hardly looked older than a schoolboy. Fortunately he was competent and quickly fit in to the routine.
Shortly after arriving on station we were snagged in a deep fog. BdU reported a large convoy coming our way, and we put ourselves in a position to intercept. We manged to get into the middle of the convoy, but only spotted two ships. We fired all five torpedoes, but only one exploded, hitting a large freighter. She quickly melted into the fog. After reloading, we attempted to make contact again, but the convoy slipped away.
The following day the weather cleared up, but that allowed us to be spotted and fired upon by a small torpedo boat. She was too quick to engage with our deck gun, and was scoring hits that were sure to do damage. Unable to fend her off, we dove to periscope depth in the shallow water and eventually made our escape. It was clear that she was not equipped with sonar.
On 17 July we were again hiding in the shipping lanes, and found a lone coastal freighter that evening, approximately 2000 tonnes. She put up a fight, and took three torpedoes to put down.
The following morning in the same area we detected a large tanker escorted by a torpedo boat. Unable to get close, we fired two spread of two torpedoes at 6.5 km. Three hit, and the tanker exploded and sunk with masts still above the waterline.
As we evaded the escort, another merchant was detected by our hydrophones. We made visual contact and were preparing a firing solution as we saw German planes make an attack and sink her.
With only two torpedoes remaining, the weather worsening, and a desire to complete repairs from our previous patrol, U-45 returned to Wilhelmshaven on 19 July 1940. Our score this patrol was nearly 12000 tonnes.
Kapitänleutnant Hähl, U-45
With orders to intercept shipping on the convoy route to the Mediterranean in grid CF99, U-45 and her crew departed Wilhelmshaven on 8 August 1940. We took the English Channel and between the fog and little luck, we avoided detection by the enemy.
En route to our assigned patrol, we intercepted a lone British merchant on the 15th and sunk her with the deck gun.
A few days after arriving on station, we were alerted to a large convoy headed our way. We plotted an intercept course and were in position to attack in the dark early morning hours of 23 August. We fired a full spread of torpedoes, and managed to quickly reload and fire three more. We sunk three ships including a large merchant and two freighters. We surfaced as soon as possible and plotted and end run to meet the convoy again while also taking the time to bring on board our external eels.
The convoy changed course during the day, but our hydrophone operator was able to maintain contact as we dove every two hours to check their position. We again were in position to ambush the convoy later that evening and fired our remaining torpedoes, sinking two more vessels. The large tanker exploded quickly and broke in two. A freighter took longer to sink, but we confirmed she was going down before we were forced to go deep and silent.
We spent the next several hours avoiding depth charges with only minor damage. We surfaced in the early evening and plotted a course for home through the channel, hugging the coast of France.
U-45 arrived in Wilhelmshaven on 29 August 1940 celebrating six sunk for a total of 34,000 tonnes.
Kapitänleutnant Hähl, U-45
vanjast
06-30-20, 03:58 PM
And after many weeks on patrol on an empty sea, we come across a few ships only to watch our torpedoes sail straight through them. :wah:
https://i.imgur.com/9di4jvN.jpg
We're now down to our last two 'front' torpedoes so I decide to surface and bludgeon this ship (above) with shells. I was desperate to improve morale.. and I was desperate.
https://i.imgur.com/ghEm7Uq.jpg
So feeling somewhat inadequately satisfied we continue, having only two front, and 3 back torpedoes left... with nothing to show for it. My crew are looking at me funny.:hmmm:
Change patrol pattern, there.. here... over there. Three days later a contact at long range. Chase this one at full speed.. You can feel the atmosphere in the sub. :ping:
Pick this ship up in the distance (~23:00) and set about tracking it... the crew are like vultures in a frenzy. It's hard to make out, and at 02:00 I change course for the attack.
I had the ship speed spot on as this first topredo hit the mark.. and the other torpedo just disappeared like the rest.
https://i.imgur.com/eFWOYUv.jpg
So at least one torpedo has worked.. and we set coursse for home, hoping to pick up single ships en route. Oct 1939
Sad to see it go down alone.:arrgh!:
https://i.imgur.com/IZix3tO.jpg
Vanjast,
First, what 1920x1080 Gui mod are you using?
Second, was the sea state (weather) bad when you fired? A 3m depth on a torpedo will miss in heavy seas depending on what mods you are using (h.sie for example).
Kapitän
07-01-20, 03:20 AM
As of Monday, 10 June 1940 - AG Weser, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau, Bremen, Shipyard
Standing by during the final stages of construction of U 112.
++++
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...
++++
Monday, 1 July 1940 - Commissioning of U 112 in Bremen.
Until Thursday, 18 July 1940 - Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN) and the 5th Training Flotilla, Stralsund (Kvt.Kpt. MOEHLE).
Torpedo-Shooting Training was done with the new firing fuse Pi-G7H, which were introduced in June 1940, due to the "torpedo crisis" in April/May 1940.
The Pi-G7H is basically, a Pi-1, which has been adapted according to the torpedoes captured from the English submarine HMS Seal (37 M) but without the magnetic fuse (MZ). So, only the contact fuse (AZ) can be used.
The differentiation between the Ato and Eto pistol, is the same as with the Pi-1:
Kopf/K-a = T-1/G7a/Ato; Kopf/K-b = T-2/G7e/Eto
vanjast
07-01-20, 08:47 AM
Vanjast,
First, what 1920x1080 Gui mod are you using?
My own mod (with some additions) made a few years ago, I think the timeline was. ;)
Second, was the sea state (weather) bad when you fired? A 3m depth on a torpedo will miss in heavy seas depending on what mods you are using (h.sie for example).
Sea state wasn't that heavy, I could get to the deck gun.
On 4 torpedoes I'd shot were alternating Impact and Magnetic torps at 3m, so if the torps ran deep the magnetic should at least get the ship - no such luck.
NYGM mod - one of the files is not the latest, not worried about changing that now.
Finished the fourth Patrol
https://games.a8m.de/ScreenShots/2020-07-01_jupiter_Auswahl_001.png (https://games.a8m.de/SH3/ktb-klemz-004.pdf)
My own mod (with some additions) made a few years ago, I think the timeline was. ;)
I missed it when I was converting my setup to 1920x1080 (I ended up using ARB). I like your design - very neat and tidy. Well done!:Kaleun_Cheers:
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