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

Paul Riley

04-25-09, 06:21 PM

I reckon this has been done loads of times before,but I think some of us should talk about their current campaigns,and whats been happening lately for them.
Well,i'll get the ball rolling with whats been happening for much of today.
As some of you may know from my earlier posts I was engaging a huge convoy somewhere in AK48,heading about 53 degrees at 9kts.the date is early October in 1942.Military presence was very high,I suspected at least 6 warships :o . In my first attack on the convoy I managed to fire 2 at a T3 from a range of about 500m inside the perimeter,and sunk it for about 11.000t.I managed to evade the Dcs with no damage and set myself up (using tactics described in my earlier 'anti convoy tactics' post) for a second attack about 5 hrs later.Again the convoy came,and I was in position to engage a T.Transport,and fired 2 from about 1000m,1 hit the other missed slightly.The Transport slowly started to lag behind the convoy as he was obviously in some trouble.Again I did all the usual maneuvers and sustained no damage.Attack 3 was coming up.Nightime was upon me,and the sea was very calm.I picked out a T2 Tanker,and prepared myself.However,my PS must have been detected and a searchlight lit up over the top of me :o . I wasted no time and went into a steep dive at flank and headed out on course 140 degrees.Dcs came very close and shook the boat violently,from about 3 attackers,yet again I managed to crawl out with no damage.I also noticed I was being pinged at 200m,so I dropped to 2kts and things fell quiet again.I then decided that effectively penetrating and weakening this convoy was too much,at least for one u-boat and decided to break off from this attack.I was slowly being pulled closer to the air zone around the UK,and I needed to break away now!.
I have now picked myself a new spot on this same track but much further to the west,and this is where I am now in my campaign.I am patrolling AK01,roughly where the 1st T3 was sunk hours earlier.On my way back I bumped into the troop transport at night,and sent 2 into it from 90 degrees abeam,and killed it in the water.It needed a final killing shot,and eventually sent it to the bottom.BDU was finally informed,and I proceeded a few hours submerged,just in case the message was intercepted,which incidentally hasnt happened to me...yet.
I am now in position,and will be patrolling this area for a maximum of 10 days,and have planned to return to base on the 13th Oct no matter what happens.I estimate a further 11 days to return to base at 8kts,and should return on the 24th.The Biscay Gauntlet will no doubt slow me down 3 - 4 days mind you :nope:
If I return,I will have been at sea about 6 weeks,my longest patrol yet.

Conclusion - enemy ASDIC has noticably increased since my last patrol,and will be given priority for next patrol,with a possible consideration of applying alberich to my u-boat.

Current Patrol Tonnage

1 x S.Merchant for about 3.000 GRT
1 x T3 Tanker for about 11.000 GRT
1 x T.transport for about 9,000t GRT
Total - around 22.000 GRT

Kpt. Lehmann

04-25-09, 08:06 PM

Though it has taken weeks in real life terms... because real life obligations have gotta come first...

May 1942,

U-153 (My current boat... Type IXC) is just NorthWest of Curacao after a slow trawl through the Bermuda Triangle and a few days hunting between Mobile Alabama and Galveston Texas.

The crew made mention of other boats sighting 'Ghost Ships' in the Triangle... but mostly I think the length of the trip and the monotony have them quite jumpy.

After a couple days off Curacao and later Port Au Prince Haiti... I'll start the trip home to Lorient.

Have sustained some minor damage from attacking aircraft near the tip of Florida... but so far we are dealing with it and pressing on.

Have sent five ships to the bottom so far. Nine eels remaining. Will save the final two for the trip home if the diesel holds out.

Lots of heavy weather.

KL

-End Transmission-

TarJak

04-25-09, 11:00 PM

U-93 is currently shadowing a convoy NE of Madeira. Weather is good for hiding but bad for spotting. We are currently abreast of the convoy which has two escorts that keep us at a distance.

Trying to run ahead of the convoy to set up an ambush if we can get some headway in the heavy seas. Have radioed in the course and spped of the convoy and am hoping to get some assistance from other boats that may be in the area.

Synthfg

04-26-09, 03:06 AM

Nov-25th 1941

U-123 (ype IX-B) Just returned to Lorient

Last Patrol #15

Ordered to patrol off the horn of Africa, sank one merchant of a 2 ship convoy W of Gib but despite eating an eel the other continued on into a heavy storm,

Then Engaged a Northbound Convoy SW of the Canary Islands in heavy seas
Took out 2 Escorts and 6 Merchants of various sizes before the eels ran out

Minor damage to the conning tower due to collision with merchant in convoy

64,725 Tonnes

So looks like Xmas in port, It's not like anything important is likely to happen in December is it

zoso791

04-26-09, 03:23 AM

December 21,1939.

U141 (IID) just docked in Kiel

Last Patrol:
Searched assigned patrol area and then swept down east coast of England. Encountered a small merchant (SS Bonifacio) and a coastal freighter (SS Adherence). Both were sunk with two torpedoes. Total tonnage: 4482.

After the last encounter rough weather proved to dangerous to continue with search and U141 returned to base with one extra fish. Crew was excited but sick from the six days of stormy weather. Damaged occurred in Kiel during docking (rough waves)

Jan

Paul Riley

04-26-09, 04:20 AM

Great reports,keep them coming in :up:

Just a quick chat with you TarJak.You mentioned you reported the convoy's position to Bdu in the hope of getting some assistance from other u-boats.If only I could have had more help the other night,trying to infiltrate and weaken a HUGE convoy (I estimated at least 50 ships plus about 6 warships and a lead escort) seemed too much,if not impossible,by one u-boat anyhow.I didnt even get the chance to report them in as doing so would have meant surfacing and I was well within the screen at that point,and running the risk of being detected with that much military presence was too much for me I felt.The safety of the boat and crew was more important at that time.Early on in the war it was easy to report contacts in,before radar became available etc.
Has anyone ever managed to actually get assistance?,as I know I have'nt,I don't even think I have seen the Luftwaffe ONCE in my campaign :damn::nope:

*bloody Goerring,all wind and piss*

Synthfg

04-26-09, 04:28 AM

1939/40 Patrols on the east coast of England, I have several times, reported convoys then dived to engage,

The Luftwaffe usually shows up after half an hour or so in random numbers and proceeds to bomb the convoy / get shot down.

Just wish the fly boys would get the idea that if there are sinking wrecks and oil slicks behind the convoy, then it indicates that I am in the area and if they take out the remaining escorts then I can deal with the rest with the deck gun.

But Noo they have to go for the biggest merchants they can find :damn:

coronas

04-26-09, 05:26 AM

February-2, 1945.

Inshore campaign against British coastal traffic.
Type XXIII is an amazing experience but too late.
Heavy seas and hard "Hunter Killer" groups presence off east coast of Scotland
Two ships sunken: a light steam and a Liberty who sailed alone.
Out of torpedoes, returning to base at snorkel navigation.

Rhodes

04-26-09, 05:36 AM

15 Of February, 1941.

U-103 (type IXB) is currently recharging the batteries. We are near the Portuguese coast and with a storm over our heads! The Kaleunt is thinking that he need to find good weather and calm seas to load the external torpedos, since there is non on board! 33,000 tons of ships sunk, 1 dido class cruiser also sent to the bottom with only one torpedo aimed at the bow!

Herr Oberleutnant Z. S Willi Baumert is getting good!

And the save game had an error, bye bye patrol!!!

Paul Riley

04-26-09, 05:45 AM

The crew made mention of other boats sighting 'Ghost Ships' in the Triangle... but mostly I think the length of the trip and the monotony have them quite jumpy.

Kpt.Lehmann , I liked that :up:

Jimbuna

04-26-09, 06:51 AM

Boo!!

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9206/43700949.jpg (http://img10.imageshack.us/my.php?image=43700949.jpg)

Oneshot/Onekill

04-26-09, 07:07 AM

Aug.24,1939. U-33TypeVIIA

Position approx. 40KM SSW. of Irish sea grid BF16.

Current mission is to provide weather reports and intelligence on English and French warships and merchant traffic.

Weather currently is partly cloudy, visibility is good, winds are at 6m per second.

I have plenty of petrol, 3/4 of a tank. Rations are good for approx. 3 more weeks. And my secret stash of rum is holding up nicely.:()1:

papa_smurf

04-26-09, 08:06 AM

U-501 (Type IX/C)

Apr 12 - 1942

Am currently about half way to assigned patrol grid - CA54, have yet to encounter enemy shipping. Weather has got worse, with high winds and heavy seas. Crew are in a good mood, and I expect to rendezvous with Milch cow U-461 in a few days to resupply.

Heinz Buder

RoaldLarsen

04-26-09, 07:45 PM

No boats at sea ATM.

1st Flotilla, May 1944, KptLt. Volker Vogel / U-632 preparing to depart for 8th patrol, to AK39.

2nd Flotilla, June 1944, Preparing to receive unspecified new boat and crew from training flotilla.

7th Flotilla, May 1944, KptLt. Ulrich Uhlig / U-266 preparing to depart for 7th patrol, to BE97.

10th Flotilla, May 1944, ObLt.zS Dieter Pohl / U-853 preparing to depart for 1st patrol, to DG21.

11th Flotilla, June 1944, Preparing to receive ObLt.zS Friedrich Niecke / U-315 from training flotilla.

12th Flotilla, April 1944, ObLt.zS Yngve Yung / U-196 preparing to depart for 3rd patrol, to BE63.

29th Flotilla, April 1944, ObLt.zS Erich Blauert / U-967 preparing for first patrol, location not yet assigned

33rd Flotilla, August 1944, KorvKpt. Georg Schewe has been instructed to establish a new combat flotilla in Flensburg.

Wicked Popsicle

04-26-09, 09:52 PM

11Nov39
I am back in Wilhelmshaven from my 2nd patrol and I am happy cause I get to see my freulin and throw back some beer. I have made it a personal vendetta to take out every destroyer I see to avenge my good friend Max Woerner who fell a few weeks ago. Managed to sink the HMS Sikh (Tribal Class). Looking forward to get back out to see tomorrow and putting a hard dent on those Bristish bastards and showing Churchill where to stick those cigars .

TarJak

04-27-09, 02:00 AM

Leg

04-27-09, 06:57 AM

15 June 1940 My IX B U-5 (so sh3cmdr called it) is 350km north of Shetland into a storm; just sunk a tramp steamer with a single torpedo, and given some foodstuff and water to a small life raft of survivors barely floating.
We've half of the fuel, and heading to the Faroe Islands area.

sharkbit

04-27-09, 08:24 AM

Captain Birdseye

04-27-09, 11:53 AM

Currently creeping through the Irish Sea with U-48 in November 1939. Spotted an Ore Carrier off the coast of Belfast and took four torps to sink her! The limeys then sent two motor vessels onto my predicted route, and I blew one of them out of the way with the deck gun, crash dived and am now waiting a few hours for the mayhem to subside.

Going to try my luck and see what I can find near Liverpool. Warships are about but don't seem to be aware of us yet.

Famous last words.

Jimbuna

04-27-09, 01:41 PM

If your intent on going to Liverpool keep a close eye on anything of value aboard your boat :DL

Captain Birdseye

04-27-09, 03:40 PM

:haha:

We tried our chances into Liverpool. We got as far as viewing the Birkenhead coastline before ASW Trawlers began to get a fix on our position.

Pleased with a bit of sight seeing, we saw a Granville Type Freighter off the coast of Wales.

It took about 10 shots with the deck gun and it was the best fireworks display i've seen in SH3. Then it hit me, imagine sailors on that ship, as it blew its own bulkheads apart.
It reminded me how terrible war is, and how relentless and unforgiving it can be, albeit this was virtual.

I did go over to the life rafts and drop supplies and directions, I felt that bad :oops:.

Lest we forget.

Jimbuna

04-27-09, 04:27 PM

Lest we forget.

Precisely http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif

Paul Riley

04-27-09, 05:06 PM

13th October 1942
33 days at sea

Returning to base after successful operations in the N.Atlantic.

Recent events
10th October
Caught by surprise by single bomber,slight cloud,good vis,wind 15,in an area previously thought to be out of Icelandic range,evidently not.Crash dived just in time as bomber opened fire with MGs,no damage.Bombs were dropped,but we were already into our dive.
Allied Air Zones now extended to 2000km.

All torpedoes expended.

Expect to arrive in S.Naz. around 24th-25th October (including 3-4 day delay in the Bay of Biscay).

Patrol Tonnage -
1.S.Merchant (British) - approx 3.000t
1 T3 (American) - approx 11.000t
1 Troop Transport (American) - approx 9000t
1 C3 (British) - Just over 5.000t

Total - 28.000t

Task Force

04-27-09, 05:49 PM

North of england. looking for ships... (unsucessfuly.):shifty:

Paul Riley

04-27-09, 06:35 PM

13th October 1942
08:40

While heading SSE through BD26 onto our final leg east for home a Light Cruiser was spotted on the Western horizon,heading our way :o . He must have picked us up on radar as no radio transmissions of any kind were made in that area,in fact I maintain radio silence as much as possible on my patrols,unless in emergencies etc.I suspect he may have been attached to a local convoy passing in the area or may have been alerted by our recent sinking of a C3 nearby,but cannot be sure.
This is the first time I have actively been detected by a lone warship,without them having no prior reason to know we were there.
I immediately ordered an emergency dive as I saw him increasing speed in our direction,and when we were under made a sharp turn in his direction,in an attempt to undercut his DC (we could'nt be certain if he did in fact carry any DCs) run,which of course didnt come,in fact we werent even pinged at all :smug:
We carried on at 100m/4kts until I decided to surface after about 1.5hrs submerged.There were no visual or sound contact in the area.We made it.
I couldnt tell what type of cruiser it was from the head on view,but a quick glance at the rec.manual identified him as a probable Fiji Class of about 10,000t.I would have loved a shot at him,if only we had some spare torpedoes :nope:

That is all for tonight's action for me,see you tomorrow :up:

zoso791

04-27-09, 10:47 PM

January 15, 1940
U-141 (IID)
Just returned from Patrol 5. Sank four ships but was only given credit for three? :wah::damn:. Eight days at sea. Total tonage 9,744.

Jan

Brer Rabbit

04-27-09, 11:14 PM

Looks like I'm off to the Briar Patch when I get home. On my third patrol of my fiest GWX3 career; it is late Oct 39. So Ijust completed my assigned patrol area, north of England, heading south to see if there are any jucy pickins near the western entrance to the channel. Lo and behold the watch spots a jucy large merchant heading NE towards NW england just noth of Ireland. Hot damn says I lets gitter done, and off we go at high speed to get ahead of her. She is traveling at 10Kns so I'm not sparing the horses.
I drew my anticipated course of the ship and placed myself at a 90 degree approach to it with a 90 deg starboard AOB. I submerged rubbing my hands with glee. Heh heh this sucker is going down.
Sonar reports the contact, I have him follow the contact----WTF his course has change and he is on a line of travel that will place him 5000 meters to my stern. No problemo, quick u-turn, flank speed still 90 degree approach but with a port AOB - change AOB entry, keep closing the distance. Alright looks like a good setup. Range 3200 m. AOB port 85 deg. Target large Granville freighter. Fire tube one. Off she goes. I decided that because this was the longest shot That I have attempted, I was going to use only one torp. and dawn was fast approaching and I was approaching shallower water. KAAABOOOM hit right under the stack, freighter slows to a stop with black smoke billowing out of the stern cargo areas. Quick surface and give the "Koop de grass" using the deck gun. Five rounds and down she goes. Submerge return to course and head out of the area, celebrating wildly every one slapping backs and cheering.
Turns out it was a neutral ship. Upon reflection the course change of the target changed its course from towards NW England to Londonderry.
I just hope I can sink enough real targets to make up for this fau paux.

I'd better go back and reread the posts and cautions to make sure of your targer before you punch the button

OH Well

Sgtmonkeynads

04-28-09, 05:07 AM

I'm was just northwest of casablanca on my third float. It was pitch black out, all I could see was my reflection in the screen. At first i thought something was wrong. Then I picked up a single contact, just about in front of me but long range. i used the uzo to get bearings and began to close. The single contact turned into two, then three, then a nice little 16 ship convoy, four deep by four abreast. "Nice" i thought seeing just a single destroyer escort plugging along ahead of the pack.

I was reloading my externals when I thought i had better get going and plot a coarse. i figured come up from behind, since I pride my self with the rear shots i make. I looked at the map to double check everything and noticed the ship in the center of the convoy had a much smaller signature than the others. I figured t must be a tug or something. I don't click on the ships with out looking at them first, I keep that rule just to keep it real, sort of.

So there I am sailing on an intercept coarse, when I finnaly get close enough to get a good look at everything. Useing my UZO still i pan across the group heading away from me. I'm just a look'n away when this big dark spot fills my view, "What!" That tug boat ends up being a Battleship!!

"CHANGE OF PLANS!!"

I ended up being able to get a perfectt shot right between it's props with three fish, then turned to fire one at a Qship that made me all of a sudden. While lined up with the Qship a modern tanker passed square behind me and got one from my bow tube. I'll admitt that was luck, nothing more. Each actually went down. Then I got the message the BB was going under. All this BEFORE the DD even got to me, so I just laid there waiting for him to begin his run on me.

He was withing the 800 range when i fired, so I thought he would turn out of theway like normal, SOOO.... trying something different I extended My periscope all the way up to see f he would spot it and try to run me over. They have done this before, but I had never gotten a shot off before, AND IT WORKED.

So within about a half hour I sank a battleship,tanker,sneaky merchant, and a destroyer. This left me two more torpedoes and since there were no escorts around I surfaced, sank an armed SCR with the two remaining torps, then two large merchants with my deck gun. Finished off two more small merchants that got hit by friendly fire durring the SCR's little shooting game. All this for little less than more than 78,000 tons in one mission. One of my records so far, i don't know if this was the place to tell that long story, but man that tug boat paid off.

Paul Riley

04-28-09, 06:29 AM

Reading that :rotfl:---> monkeynads <--- :rotfl:you were lucky,to not have been fired upon once during the whole engagement.Maybe your proximity to the convoy sort of shielded you somewhat,preventing the BB and DD from wanting to attack so close to their convoy :hmmm:

Nice one mate.

Paul Riley

04-28-09, 07:46 AM

Continued from my previous entry...(sorry about some of the useless information here,it keeps me busy.Its just a copy of my exact notes I make in game on paper) ;)

13th Oct 1942
Day 33
08:56
After our earlier sighting of the light cruiser I came to PD after 1.5hrs submerged.LC was nowhere to be seen,no sound signature either.
Surfaced.
21:45
Dark now.Weather no change.
3100km from S.Naz,about 7-9 days away.
Lowered speed to 8kts,fuel dwindling at this rate,below 25%.
14th Oct
Day 34
07:00
Light time.Nothing more to note.
15th
Day 35.
No change.
05:38
BD66.On our final leg east towards France.Approx 2700km from base,9 days away.
18:00
After a long spell of clear weather,it finally broke.
Clouds heavy,medium rain,Fog heavy,wind 15 south westerly.Decided to make regular dives during darkness in these conditions,as will be unable to see incoming threats,of any kind,plus unable to use radar in these seas,rendered blind.
21:00
Dived 50m,speed slow,attempt to ride out storm.
16th
Day 36.Surface when light,more visibility during daylight.
07:00
Surfaced.10 hrs submerged.
No change.
17th
Day 37.
Nothing more.
07:00
Surfaced,10hrs sm.
11:00
Recharge time +4hrs.
13:00
Changed speed to 9kts,seems we have slightly more reserves than previously thought.Making about 8kts in this sea.
21:00
BE54.Approx 2000km to go.
From here on will attempt a run on the surface at night,as such conditions may also affect the enemy's capabilities,except for their radar of course,but I am hoping our detector will pick up their signals giving us time to dive in advance.
18th
Day 38
No change.
07:00
Uneventful night.Will repeat from here on out.Standard anti aircraft measures to be implemented as soon as we enter the British AZ.
19th
Day 39
BE64
We have now entered the British Air Zone (BAZ),and now comes the dreaded Biscay Gauntlet :nope:
Emergency stations by everyone.Lets hope this storm lasts and shields us from the relentless air attacks.A brief moment is shared by everyone now,leaving him with his own thoughts for a few minutes.Report is sent in to HQ notifying them of our position and that we are almost home.It has been many weeks since they last heard from us,they may be thinking the worst.
Patrol Tonnage
28.116t

End of report.

UnterseeBoogeyMan

04-28-09, 09:54 AM

U-53, AM 51, January 16 1940. Calm sea state all the way through this patrol.
Cruised around, picking lone merchants off with the deck gun, doing my best impersonation of a floating Tiger tank. Jan 14, get radio report of convoy NE heading at 8 knots. Intercept it changing course heading SE. After 1 daytime and 2 night time attacks, sank 1 Ore Carrier,1 Ammo ship, 1 Granville freighter and 1 Southampton Cruiser. Total tonnage for patrol thus far is 72,000 tons.
Only light damage sustained to the deck gun so far. No aircraft sighted in this area. Time is 0200. Time enough for 1, maybe two more attacks on the convoy. It has slowed to 5 knots.

GinoC

04-28-09, 11:21 AM

Playing GWX 3 at 90% realism incl manual targetting. It's Apr of '40 and after completing my assigned patrol SW of Norway I decided to stick my head into Scapa Flow at night and see if I could find anything interesting. Since I wasn't expecting to find much (as usual), I decided I'd take on some of the patrolling DDs. I sank both a Tribal and a V&W with one eel each. I then proceeded into Scapa Flow on the surface with decks awash and to my surprise I saw the silhouette of an Illustrious class carrier. As I rubbed my hands with glee, I also saw a BC to the NE. Going for the bigger tonnage, I headed for him and let loose all four bow tubes at 3000m with shallow setting to get over his torpedo nets. I then came up to full speed and headed east for the narrow channels. There were three torpedo impacts and I was notified that the BC is going down and my log told me I've sunk HMS Hood. History is rewritten. I had to dive when star shells were fired, revealing my position to shore batteries. Once the star shells faded, I resurfaced and continued east past through the three wrecks and out into the North Sea. I escaped alive and covered with glory. Damn, that felt good.

Paul Riley

04-28-09, 01:38 PM

Continued from my earlier report ;)

19th Oct 1942
BE65
11:49
Distant merchant sound contact,heading roughly NE.Unable to attack in rough seas with all torpedoes expended.Attempting to intercept in order to radio position of contact to HQ.
12:00
Contact bearing 25 degrees,moving slow.Vis. I estimate between 300 and 500m :nope:
12:09
Vis. too poor,making hardly any ground on the contact who seems to be getting no closer.Breaking off due to very low fuel and poor chances of spotting target.Remaining on the surface in order to ride with the storm :arrgh!:
two hours have elapsed since original contact was made,absolutely futile to re-attempt an interception in these conditions.
15:27
Radar signals detected in our area,crash dived to 100m.Unable at the moment to tell what or where the signals were from.Will surface in 1-2 hrs.
Quick sound check confirms a DD is in our area at a bearing of 80 degrees,and closing.
16:30
1 hr elapsed sm.No sounds in the area,DD has passed us by,preparing to surface.
20:45
BE65
Weather,no change.
Approx 1300km to go,about 3 days at this rate.
ETA- 22nd-23rd Oct.
20th
Day 40
No sightings of anything.
Weather,no change.
21st
Nothing,no change.
22nd
BF54
No change.
Approx 500km to go.
23rd
Day 43
BF64
176km away,11hrs.
Safe to assume we are now in safe waters.Storm did in fact shield us all the way across the bay of biscay as hoped,not one aircraft sighted anywhere.
ETA- 11:00-12:00
04:55
Passing 'Noir something' island west of France.
Report sent in of our imminent arrival.
Vis.reduced to about 300m,can just make out the glare of the lighthouses ahead.
11:07
Arrived in port.

Tonnage
1 S.Merchant (British)
1 T3 (American)
1 Troop Transport (American)
1 C3 (British)
7 Hurricane fighter planes
Total
28.116t

Damage/casualties
2 watchmen dead from machine gun fire in an air attack at the beginning of the patrol.Service was held at sea and they were committed to the depths with heavy hearts.Families being notified.
No damage to U-Boat
Renown
1736.28
Total remown
2509.50
Medals
I recieved the Iron Cross 1st class and a U-boat Badge :salute:
Promotions
Diesels Officer to be promoted to C.S.W.O.He worked like a bloody trojan on this patrol!.
Quals
I sent for a WO to have extensive training in operating all manner of radio equipment aboard a U-Boat.His dedicated post will now free up our sonar man,as switching between jobs earlier was becoming time consuming and reducing our efficiency.I suspect shifting priority towards radio equipment/radar etc at this time becoming ever more important,as allied radar is slowly becoming more consistent at sea and the increased air attacks were devastating.

Coyote88

04-28-09, 02:27 PM

Just finished four weeks in November 1939, patrolling outside the Firth of Forth and picking off assorted unescorted small fry. Only a few slow surface patrols and almost no air patrols! Doesn't seem possible, even in 1939. Also three weeks without a breath of wind, which seems even less possible.

Back in Wilhelmshaven, boasting of the easy cruise, I dropped the phrase "happy times" and it seems to be catching on.

Next up is the mid-Atlantic, so I expect a very different experience this time around.

Paul Riley

04-28-09, 02:36 PM

Good luck Coyote :up:

Paul Riley

04-28-09, 05:09 PM

Captain Hans Klarholz
U-94 , VIIC
Based at S.Naz.
4th war patrol
25th October 1942

Patrol Notes
Preparing to patrol grid AL35.Looks like we are going to be operating on the same convoy lane as our last patrol,yet we are nearer to both Britain and Iceland this time,and that means high alert :nope:
There may also be opportunities against Russian shipping if we cannot attack the American shipping.Damn Ruskies,i've been itching for a fight with them!.
If we have trouble against these convoys then we can always drop south onto the merchant lane down there.We will make all endeavours to attack during the day as much as possible due to our proximity to local air bases,giving us much more time to evade then,than would be possible at night.
Air Strength
Expected to be very high,due to local air bases nearby.We had a close call by just one bomber coming out of Iceland last time,and we were on what we thought were the fringes of their coverage!.
Naval Strength
Moderate to high.Strength of previous convoy was very high,and we could expect assistance coming directly from Britain this time.Last time we were further to the west and in the 'air gap'.

Equipment Notes
Just finished fitting Alberich and Bold cannisters to the boat.We were being pinged at 200m and at 3kts last time,and its evident the allies have increased their ASW quite a bit.The bold cannisters have never been used by us before,and we hope to find good use for them on this patrol.For emergencies only,such as when unable to escape multiple Asdic pings,or prolonged pursuits lasting for more than about 1 hr.

Torpedo Layout
Main Fore
4 ETorps.For 1st daylight attack on expected convoy.Ranges not to exceed about 2000m from perimeter.
Fore Reserves
4 GasTorps.For subsequent night attack against same convoy.Ranges not to exceed about 1000m from perimeter.
2 Falkes.Reserved for any opportunities against major warships,LCs,BBs,etc.
External
3 spare GasTorps.Simply to bolster Fore Reserves.
Main Aft
1 Falke.For emergencies only.

thelawon

04-29-09, 08:52 AM

U-49, VIIB
December, 1939 Patrol.
Was assigned to patrol off the NW coast of Spain. On the way south, I was making an arc to follow the the outside of the continental shelf. Don't ask why, it just felt right. And it worked. In BE17, I got a radio report of a convoy heading SW at 8 knts, in BE17!! I was literally a stone's throw away. I was quite excited, as this was my first convoy in the game. I cut my teeth in the stock version with a IIA, and only moved into the Atlantic in a VII once I got GWX. Anyway, not really knowing what to do from personal experience, I quickly moved ahead to get into position, went to 20 meters, and waited. Turns out the convoy track was a little more south than expected, but that worked out, as the lead escort cleared me by about 1500m without me having to move. My sonarman was only reporting 2 warships, and what I counted as 21 merchants contacts. Feeling brazen, once the DD was past me, I went to periscope depth and took a peek. This being my first convoy, it was a sight to behold. And what is this?! I notice the very distinct shape of a Nelson-class BB in the middle! I know our standing orders are to ignore warships and go after merchants, but I couldn't help but feel giddy. I'll get those merchants next time around, I tell myself.

I'm now cursing my inexperienced torpedo loadout choices, as I have only one electric loaded in the fore tubes. I decide to attempt 4 magnetic shots - I'll fire the electric at an angle at the tanker following the BB, and then spread the 3 steamers set to run at 12m at the BB at 90 degrees. I didn't have to wait long for the pieces to move into place. Fired the electric, periscope down a couple meters, quickly switch to TDC and set to fire all 4 tubes (one is empty, of course), and run fast at 12m. Back to periscope, center on the middle of the three forward batteries, and Los! Then, as I was told to do by the boys back at BdU, er, subsim forums, I lower periscope, move to ahead slow, alter course to exit the rear of the convoy, and begin a slow dive. It was hard not to stay and watch, but I needed to consider the crew's safety.

As we slowly dive, we wait for the results. Boom! Boom! BOOM! All three pistols work on the Nelson! Ruhig, maenner! We wait for the torp hitting the tanker...nothing. Oh well, three hits on the beast!

And of course, the fun begins. I slip past the last line of ships, making my way down to 150m. Both escorts are in pursuit, though one doesn't stick around too long. 2 DC runs happened as I was still diving. I'm VERY inexperienced at evading destroyers, so I wasn't sure what I was doing. At one pt I tried to go to full and alter course as soon as the destoyer passed by and I was in the baffles, but he quickly reacquired me. Anyway, after the 2nd DC run, we get the "she's going down" message! More cheers, followed by the chief scolding them. I hope the convoy picked up the abandoning crew.

Now we really need to ditch this DD. We reach 150m. Then 160m. Another DC run occurs, though it doesn't sound like any got close. I can't seem to shake the guy, but he can't seem to get any closer. We just need to wait it out, I guess.

Anyway, after running the last 3+ hours at 1x, it was getting to be quite late IRL, and unfortunately, I had no option but to pause it and make the escape later.

Wow, long post. My apologies! And sorry for the unfinished story, I just needed to get it out! Now, back to the work I should be doing...

Hanomag

04-29-09, 09:27 AM

From: U-765
To: Bdu

BF4121 24 Nov 1940

Intercepted large heavily escorted british convoy heading due west. 4 eels expended. Empire and Large merchant sank for a total of 17000 tons.

Current depth: 179m

I am now successfully slipping through the cracks in the screen.

We live to fight another day. :salute:

Nothing Follows

Gaijin

04-29-09, 11:53 AM

U-589 is currently patrolling the med area around Sicily in Dec. 1941. Can't move anywhere without bumping into friendly Italian or Albanian Convoys (with cargo's that have 'Kreigsmarine' clearly written on them...nice touch GWX!)

Last night, I almost bumped into a rather large, unlit, and completely unescorted Troop Ship sailing away from Malta... the puddle of drool coming from my mouth as I watched her through the scope make my socks wet...until I saw the Italian Flag in the darkness. :-?

The med has lots of traffic, but smaller conveys. Now and then, we come across a single small merchant/cargo escorted by one or two enemy DD's. Tonnage is much lower in the med, but I'm used to it. Duing our last patrol we manageed to sink 2 light cruisers (out of a trail of four)...and thats about as big as we're going to get for a while.

Goerings Flyboys are like mosquito's around here, they turn up at almost every attack I make in the daylight, without being informed! Makes for great fireworks and distraction while we slip closer and finish them off.

A few days ago, as we were passing Malta for the western approaches, (during a spectacular sunset) we observed a flaming trail in the sky for several minutes, before realising it was a hurricane in a spot of bother. He paid no heed to us and turned back to Malta. Someone's givin them hell, I thought...

This was before we had run into two other AI VIIC's in the same waters. Three's a crowd, but then again...there's safety in numbers!

We recently expended four eels with 1 miss and three duds at a juicy looking empire freighter. :damn:

Things arn't that safe though, because, I'm now returning home with one eel left and a good man dead, all over a few seconds delay after sighting an aircraft. We were approaching a solitary spanish sloop, seemingly dead in the water, (Not a breath of wind, so no wonder she's not moving... well done again GWX!) in the hope of bartering for some *liquid refreshment*.

Aircraft was reported and I wanted to make sure it wasn't one of ours, as we have been diving needlessly a lot in the previous hours, so I told the AA to hold off for a min. A sudden rake of MG fire and he's screaming for a medic as we dive for cover. :down:

Will we ever learn?

Surfaced right beside the spanish sloop after an hour, giving her crew the fright of her life. After exchanging pleasantries in broken spanish, we discovered they were tee-totalers. :stare:

Leg

04-29-09, 12:36 PM

U-5 2030 23JUN 40

Successful attack on a convoy in AL8532, shot 2 torpedos to a Fiji class, one explosion, 1 torpedo to one ore carrier, hit; 1 torpedo to a large merchant, hit and huge explosion. Turnend and shot stern tubes to the ore carrier, another hit, and to the fiji class. Convoy light protected. After one hour underwater, surfaced and reloading tubes; waiting for the night to attack again.

Paul Riley

04-29-09, 02:34 PM

I enjoyed these last few posts :up:
I especially was impressed by yours thelawon.For someone relatively inexperienced you did great in that encounter,and you did everything normal.
My next patrol report will be coming in about a months time,as I expect real problems with aircraft in my new patrol zone,and I need to traverse most of the journey at no more than x32TC :zzz::timeout:

Synthfg

04-29-09, 05:46 PM

U123
War Patrol 16
February 26 1942,

After a refit involving the replacement of my much bedraggled conning tower with a shiny new 2 mounter we sailed from Lorient with orders to join our brothers off the American East coast to partake in the slaughter

April 1 1942, 02:00
Position SW of Ireland radio reports a large convoy to our SW heading in our direction, we plot a course to intercept, a chance to test out this new fangled radar this better not be a prank by assistant radio man bernard

11:30

Weather, millpond calm and sunny, Radar reports contacts to our SW, it soon becomes apparent that there are alot of contacts, I close hull down hoping to be able to send off a contact report before I dive, however the forward escort spots me and turns in my direction,

12:00 HMS Buldog a type AB becomes our first victim of the day,
Rapidly followed by the other forward escort a Flower Class HMCS Rimouski, my first Canadians,

I'm mobed by 3 more escorts, all small corvets, but manage to put an eel into the bows of a liberty class merchant tho she proceeds undetered, pick up one of the escorts, a black swan, before dettonating my last available eel under a Chattam Troop Ship,

with 3 escorts closing on my position I dive deep and run silent towards the rear of the convoy,

13:30 with the convoy passed I surface and commence reloading, I set off in persuit aiming to refil from externals before re-engaging,

14:00 I spy a small escort at extream range, and decide to let my deck gunners have a pop before submerging, they fire off 2 rounds and score a hit with the 2nd, leading to massive secondaries, I dive to PD and approach she's sinking but I don't get a credit :(

However 2 more small escorts approach, the first a black swan is dispatched relativly easily, the 2nd a flower the eel explodes behind her, however she slows to a stop, a 2nd eel finishes her off.

Now down to minimum torps I again chase NE after the convoy picking them up on radar and closing, finaly I get off my contact report to base, only to be told that there is no help available,

Radar is now painting in excess of 20 merchants in 5 rows, with no escorts in site, I close to within 4000 yrds of tail end charlie a coastal freighter and my gun crew brings her down, I close again to the next target another freigher and engage her with the gun, but she shoots back, thern a couple of liberty ships and an ore carrier join in too It's getting a bit hot so I dive, but so does the 2nd freighter,

I now steer for the flank of the convoy and once out of range aim to race ahead, whilst completing the loading of the externals, maintaining flank speed I bump along just outside of range of the ocnvoy occasionaly exchanging shots with a merchant wen I get too close,

16:00 I note that I have not had an engagement for over 1/2 an hour
I dive for a hydrophone sweep to find the convoy has changed course to the east,

I adjust and set off to get around them

19:00 Satisfied I am in position ahead of the convoy I submerge and pick up the hydrophone contact heading stright for me, with an abundance of targets I am for the nearest big ships, bringing down 3 Liberty Cargo's in a short space of time, with magnetic under the keel shots, 2 of them exploding with massive secondaries after 1 shot each, te 3rd requiring 2

Some quick reloading and an Ore Carrier, a Large Cargo and a Granvile quickly follow, the granvile being an admited fluke after an eel missed my primary target (the large cargo) and hit the ship in the next column

I also took a chunk out of an empire frighter, which slowed to a stop but showed no sign of sinking, with all eels expended I closed on her aiming to let the rest of the convoy move away before surfacing to finish her off,

However the last escort black swan now appeared on the sceen so I WENt deep beneith the crippled empire and waited 2 hours for her to go away,

I surfaced 50m off the empire, took out her deck gun which could not depress enough to hit me, before backing off and putting 2 shells into her guts, which did for her,

She sank in moments, and suddenly we were surrounded by life rafts, we were preparing to head off after passing out soem emergency rations when Splash, the black swan was back, and despite us being surrounded by half drowned allied merchies she was firing on us, my deck gun crew returned, and well trained boys that they are scored hits with the 2nd 3rd and 4th shots which caused large secondaries and stopped her main guns firing on us, with machine gun tracer dancing around us and the poor civies we kept firing and another 3 shots had her heading to davey jones.

With all eels and most of the deck gun ammo expended and the reuply subs not yet on station I decided that proceeding to America was pointles, so tured around and headed for Brest,

We faced no incidents on the return leg and made port on the 3rd entering the u-boat pens with our pennants streaming

Just shy of 60,000 tonnes, not a bad days work

thelawon

04-29-09, 10:45 PM

Thanks Riley. Everything I learned was either from the massive GWX manual, or from these forums. And I suppose a couple things (like turning into the baffles and running) from Das Boot as well.

To finish the first convoy attack of U-49, we made it out alive. A couple more DC runs after our last post, but nowhere near close to the ship. Escorts eventually gave up and returned to the convoy. We're left to regroup and prepare for the second round attack. With a BB notch on the belt, I might add!

sharkbit

04-30-09, 08:35 AM

5th patrol out of La Spezia, March '43.
3 ships sunk so far, mostly to the WNW of Malta, and we have 10 torpedoes, all up front:yeah:.

Took some damage from an ill advised gun battle with the last ship we sunk but we're fixed up with some hull integrity lost but not enough to turn for home.

A couple of days ago, had to dive due to aircraft. Soon after, picked up multiple warships on the hydrophone heading our way. Sighted 3 destroyers sweeping the area but we couldn't get in good position to shoot.
Went a little deeper to let them get out of the area and soon picked up another warship and 2 fast merchants closing. Went back to PD and sighted 2 troop ships escorted by a Captain Class frigate chugging along pretty quick. They were just too fast and we were not in a good position. I thought about a long range shot with about a 160 degree AOB or so but thought it wiser to save torpedoes.
We tried to surface and shadow and report in on them so the flyboys could take care of them but they kept pulling away and we never could get a message off.

Bad weather hit with zero visibility soon after and that has lasted a couple of days. Got a report of a convoy to the SE of Malta heading our way. Plotted an intercept course hoping that the weather will clear.

We are now on their track with moderate visibilty, and rough seas. We just picked up radar signals so things are going to get hot real soon.
:DL

Continued.....
We were able to penetrate the screen submerged. Due to extremely rough seas, the convoy is crawling along at 1.5 knots. Never seen that before.
Everything still happened pretty quick inside the convoy though. Shot 2 eels at a troopship and 2 eels at a ore carrier. Missed the troopship (damn this manual targeting :damn: ) but got the ore carrier. No retaliation from the escorts-they must be too seasick:doh:.

Due to clearing my firing point after shooting, we got behind the convoy and we are currently working around for another go and are debating on trying to slip in submerged while it is still light out for another submerged attack or waiting for darkness to try to slip through the escorts in the heavy seas.
:)

robj250

04-30-09, 01:40 PM

Synthfg

04-30-09, 01:55 PM

Making it out of Biscay was an achievement TBH
Should still be convoys

Jimbuna

04-30-09, 02:44 PM

Hi thought it might be a good idea to go to the Canary Island and look for some single merchants, no such luck. Now I'l going down the coastline of Africa to Freetown in hopes of finding some merchants there.

Am I wasting my time. It's July 1944.

Rob

You should find plenty of traffic around Freetown Rob http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif

Hanomag

04-30-09, 02:49 PM

You should find plenty of traffic around Freetown Rob http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif

HaH!! DD traffic.. dont fall for his tricks Rob!! You'll be doomed!! Hes probably testing out some new uber DD they have patrolling there. :yep:

Just for that I am patrolling as far from Freetown as I can get... like....
Galveston Texas!! :arrgh!:

Hanomag

04-30-09, 02:58 PM

oops... forgot my patrol report... ahem..

From: U-765
To: Bdu

AM4665 7 Feb 1941

Local time: 1807hrs

Intercepted medium size British convoy. Expended 2 eels into Fiji class. Have been ghosting convoy waiting for the bastard to sink now for 8 1/2 hrs. :damn:

Attempting 2nd attack run. Hopefully will report back in later.

Nothing Follows

:salute:

Jimbuna

04-30-09, 03:04 PM

HaH!! DD traffic.. dont fall for his tricks Rob!! You'll be doomed!! Hes probably testing out some new uber DD they have patrolling there. :yep:

Just for that I am patrolling as far from Freetown as I can get... like....
Galveston Texas!! :arrgh!:

ROFLMAO :rotfl:

Mike....ya crazy bugga :DL

robj250

04-30-09, 04:17 PM

You should find plenty of traffic around Freetown Rob http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif

Hi jimbuna:

The weather is bad. medium rain, heavy fog as I'm going down the coastline. Have about 40 hours to go yet before reaching Freetown. So, if there is DD traffic there, wish me luck.

Rob:salute:

Captain Birdseye

04-30-09, 04:22 PM

Awarding my crew with several crates of Becks after racking up a great tonnage of 21,000 tonnes and infiltrating Gibraltar harbour and sinking a Tribal class.

Shame some will be leaving to join other boats.

Jimbuna

05-01-09, 06:50 AM

Hi jimbuna:

The weather is bad. medium rain, heavy fog as I'm going down the coastline. Have about 40 hours to go yet before reaching Freetown. So, if there is DD traffic there, wish me luck.

Rob:salute:

Good Luck :D

Leg

05-01-09, 09:48 AM

getting ready to leave the port for a new patrol!

kaptkirkU4467

05-01-09, 01:32 PM

U 5..sunk a few seconds ago.
I found a small convoy in AM 75.
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/6881/screenhunter215.th.jpg (http://img57.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenhunter215.jpg)
I hit the BlackSwan that came snoopin around,but he played dead..and got me as I came up.
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/208/screenhunter224.th.jpg (http://img57.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenhunter224.jpg)http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/7585/screenhunter226.th.jpg (http://img57.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenhunter226.jpg):damn:

karamazovnew

05-05-09, 03:11 AM

From: U64
To: BdU
Location: AM92
Time: 09:00AM, 15 April 1940
Name: Status Report

BdU
Total patrol tonnage so far: 52,250 tons. 7 torpedoes remaining. Sighted verly large convoy at 3:00AM, grid AM92, heading SW, speed 8 knots. Mostly small merchants with light escort of 4 Hunt Class. Sank 2 Empire Freighters, one Ore Carrier and one pursuing Hunt Class. Premature detonation of magnetic fuse on one torpedo. Advise all boats, heavy light patrol craft screen around Irish sea. No aircraft. Weather excelent. Will atempt another pass.
Ende.

karamazovnew

05-05-09, 03:42 AM

From: U64
To: BdU
Location: AM87
Time: 08:00AM, 19 April 1940
Name: Status Report

BdU
Total patrol tonnage so far: 61,700 tons. 3 torpedoes remaining. Tell Churchill his convoy lost 2 more Medium Cargo ships. Under heavy attack on the way out. Advise all boats to stay out of sight of irish ships. Fair weather, 50% fuel, heading home.
Ende.

End of patrol Note(6 may 1940): 7'th patrol 89,597 tons, for a total of 422437 (386537/35900) (file:///C:/Users/Karamazov/Documents/Personnel%20Files/SH3/Ivan_Karamazov/Aces.html) tons. 103 days at sea. promoted to Oberleutnant Z.S. and awarded Knights Cross with Oak Leaves and swords :arrgh!:.

Bent Periscope

05-05-09, 10:06 AM

Early Jan. 1942, off the Long Island Sound. Last 2 days sank 3 C2s, a Liberty Ship and Small Merchant.

I feel like a fox in a hen house.

BP

Leg

05-05-09, 10:32 AM

U-65

8 August 1940 BF19

57000 tons, 3 torpedos left, continuing to patrol.

Captain Birdseye

05-05-09, 12:51 PM

Just on our way to patrol AL95 just south of Greenland.

Current career is U-96 as Henrich Lehmann, using realistic patrol areas for the dates.

We intercepted a convoy and fired a salvo of four torps off at a large tanker, in the middle of getting numerous reports of convoys. We'd just caught the convoy run this morning.

We heard bulkheads breaking up, but Bdu didn't credit us the kill as we didn't see him get hit or go down.

We continued the journey north, with no problems. We found another large convoy in the extreme north atlantic. Another three torps salvo fired off, no hits. This time the Royal navy wanted us dead.

Two hours of DC charges from a Flower Class Corvette and a Southampton class put the willies up my men. A mixture of novice sailors and old sea dogs. Fear was rife.

We escaped with our lives, with all torps left in the aft tube. Let's go see what we can hunt near Greenland.

Paul Riley

05-05-09, 05:52 PM

Restarting 4th patrol of current campaign,due to a minor change to realism settings (explained in other posts of mine).

Oct 30th 1942
Assigned to AL35.
Departed at 01:00

Approx 100km west of France.
Weather is very good,waves 2mps

Endured 2 air attacks already,1st attack single fighter,no damage due to perfectly executed dive in good time.
2nd attack in space of 30mins,forced to fight on the surface as multiple Hurricanes screamed out of the sun preventing crash dive.1 plane crippled,bombs landed very close to aft SB section,shaking boat,no damage due to zig-zag maneuver.
Dived to 25m,will surface in 30mins.

RoaldLarsen

05-05-09, 06:50 PM

Bronzewing

05-06-09, 03:33 AM

It's good to change course while you're under too and return to the original one after you surface again, that way they can't find you again by just following along the line you were on before.

Paul Riley

05-06-09, 03:45 AM

You might want to stay down longer. Once you have been spotted, the chance of them finding you again is increased. The chance then slowly returns to normal over time. In '43+ I stay submerged 24 hours or more after being sighted.

I think for the moment and for the current year in my game being under for no more than an hour is sufficient,mainly because there is no further added support,ie destroyers homing in on the last sighting.When I am spotted it takes them no more than about 1 hr to return to Britain,and then the gap increases as you say.
If after 30mins - 1r the skies are clear and there are no sounds nearby I will break surface at full speed,and make as much distance on the surface as I can,before the next AA.This can only be done naturally on clear days though,and any signs of cloud and I make a mandatory dive until it clears,or get as far as I can submerged,as the risk of being surprised even closer is greater in cloudy weather.
I am not sure how difficult its gonna get as soon as I hit 1943,but no doubt I will experience longer submerged times,due to either planes staying in the area longer,or added support from warships sent to the area by the aerial spotters.

:yep:

Paul Riley

05-06-09, 03:47 AM

It's good to change course while you're under too and return to the original one after you surface again, that way they can't find you again by just following along the line you were on before.

As soon as I crash dive from planes,and as soon as the UBoat is FULLY submerged I normally make a course change into the planes of about 20degs,then run at high speed until the first bombs drop.After then I slow to 1/3 and return to course.
It normally works,sometimes the DCs come close,sometimes they are way off :yep:

Paul Riley

05-08-09, 04:32 AM

Leg

05-08-09, 04:46 AM

DH42

Shadowing a convoy, only one flower class as escort... It's going to be fun....

Leandros

05-08-09, 05:36 AM

A little while back I decided to try out the XXI. First availability in the game is July '44 (which, I understand, is not historically correct), 3rd flotilla out of La Rochelle. After some time to get used to the advantages, and drawbacks, of the boat I am now on the 6th successive mission - April 1945. Since I was pretty sure this would be the last opportunity to take it out on the guys which had sent so many of my comrades to the bottom I decided this should mainly be a destroyer hunt. Since standard load-out, among others, were 6 Zaunkønigs, I "bought" 3 additional ones to be better prepared. I am now lying in the narrow entrance to Rosyth with 4 Zaunkønigs and 1 TIII left. The fjord around us is littered with 7 destroyers and A/S vessels, their bows and afts sticking out of the shallow water, together with 4 merchants, among them a large cargo and large merchant - still burning.

Presently a small carrier is entering the fjord, quite near now, escorted by 4 other vessels. The weather is nice, flat ocean, middle of the day - with only 3 meters under the keel. This could be a close call.....

continued......:

It certainly became a close call - still is.....Of course, in my eager of speeding up their approach I was a little too generous with the TC and suddenly a Hunt III was on top of me. When I sidestepped it veered off and continued straight on. The Bouge class carrier and a Black Swan was quite close now. I aimed the TIII at the carrier with magnetic depth setting and sent a Zaunkønig towards the Swan. Problem is I didn't space up enough between the Bogue and the Swan so after a little while the Zaunkønig meant for the Swan veered off towards the carrier. This one was obviously giving off a louder signal. So I had to use another Zaunkønig for the Swan. That worked out fine for the two other escorts, too - so, now I was out of torps with a Hunt III approx. 1500 meters behind.

We sped up eastwards for a few minutes, let go a Bold 5 and veered sharply northwards, cutting engine to crawl speed. For a time it seemed as if the Hunt III should pass us and go out the fjord. But, it didn't. After a few attacks it was out of D/C's. That was about 1300. It is now 2030 and while we have crawled and sprinted approx 25 miles eastwards it is still terrorizing us by crossing over us again and again. A Colony and a Town destroyer has been lingering not too close but they seem to be chasing something else. However, the Colony is now approaching us. There is a little swell starting.

Sgtmonkeynads

05-08-09, 08:59 AM

Well, to tell the truth I may be fired from my job for playing at 200% realism.

YES!!! 200% The regular 100% and then 100% extra realism.
The extra is listed below...

1. I work at a hotel, which I now only refer to as U-53.
2. I have not shaven in two weeks- I'm on patrol.
3. I have not showered in two weeks.
4. I speak only broken German, and is gibberish because I do not know German.
5. The only German that is real are U-boat commands, and that makes checking people in hard.
6. All messages sent to coworkers require an enigma to decode.
7. When ever I am outside smokeing a cigerette, "Watch Duty" and an airplane goes over, I scream "ALARM" and pull the fire alarm.

Right now I am about four days out of port on my return voyage. I have specific orders from BDU to return due to lack of ammo.
So far sank 1 bb, 1dd, 2lrg cargos. I thought I had gotten more but I think there was some freindly fire by the SCR's in the convoy and they stole a few kills. My hull is better than average since I have taken almost no damage, only a few of the shots from the SCR hit me. Most important though, all my men are alive! I had thought I sank around 78,000 tons but ended up with around 58,000 so some one must have helped me a little with one of them. I'm not complainging though, as lucky as I was, I should have died so many times before that. Those SCR's by the way may have sank eachother, yes I got one fish in the side of each, but they were shooting at everything, they may have gotten eachother. Either way less Spam for Tommy!

sharkbit

05-08-09, 12:05 PM

RoaldLarsen

05-08-09, 12:53 PM

Continued from last report

Oct 30th,1942
07:30
3rd air attack,bombs fell very close,no damage.I suspect the sun is not high enough in the sky yet,making spotting that more difficult at long range.
08:45
4th AA,multiple fighters,many bombs,no damage.
10:24
5th AA,single fighter flew past,bomb landed close again,no damage.Decided to man guns at this moment,except for when facing bombers.Better to fight back against fighters it seems.
12:10
6th AA,multiple fighters,fired back and damaged one fighter.During emergency dive one of their bombs glanced us causing minor damage to the flaks and foredeck.Apparent our guns had minimal effect on the planes,due to low calibre and poorly trained gunners.Decided to dive against all planes now,until a better refit of guns becomes available,if ever that day comes.

As you can see,I have been having lots of fun in the bay of Biscay,and am only about 150km west of France :nope:
Keep on surfacing after 30 minutes and I will lay an even money bet that, unless there is a change in the weather to medium or heavy fog, or you manage to get outside of maximum range of aircraft coverage, you will be sunk before 12:00 NOV 2. With your current approach, you have been averaging one attacking aircraft per hour. (When you say "multiple" aircraft, I assume an average of 3.) As long as you keep surfacing so quickly, this will continue. If there is only a 1% chance that any given aircraft attack will sink you, then you have a less than 50% chance of surviving 69 consecutive aircraft attacks. At your current rate, that 69th attack will occur the morning of NOV 2.

You are averaging about 12.5km/h. In the next three days you can cover about 900km and endure about 72 aircraft attacks, or one attacking aircraft per 12.5 km.

If you dive for 24 hours, run at 1.9 knots on improved batteries (you have upgraded your batteries, haven't you?), then recharge for one hour at 10 knots, you will average just over 4km/h. Even if you are attacked by an average of two aircraft after an hour of charging (on average this will not happen) you will average less than one attacking aircraft per 50 km.

So, by resurfacing every 30 minutes you are subjecting yourself to over 4 times the rate of attacking aircraft per kilometre travelled.

If you are not detected during your first 1 hour recharge then you can switch to a schedule of recharging for one hour after dawn and again for one hour before dusk, submerged at 2.9 knots during the day, and 1.9 knots during the night. This yields an average speed of 5.5 km/h. Doing this you will be attacked by an average of two aircraft, less than once every day. This gives an average of less than one attacking aircraft per 66km, less than 1/5 your current rate of attacks. Of course, once you are attacked, you should submerge for 24 hours.

Leandros

05-09-09, 03:39 AM

...continued...

2100 it was all over.....would have been the last mission, anyway. What was it to go back to other than bombed-out cities and missing family members.....:cry:

Wonder how much such sentiments influenced on the U-boot crews during the final stages. Walking through a German war cemetary in a former occupied country it was striking to see how many had died (while prisoners) after the termination of hostilities and the end of 1945.

Synthfg

05-09-09, 04:26 AM

Patrol 17, May 1942.
Crossed the Atlantic picking up a few loaners on the way, including a Liberty Ship and a Ceramic Liner

Intercepted a large convoy off Halifax, Picked up 3 Whale Factories, a medium Merchant and a Black Swan, Attempting to evade a 2nd black swan a Trash Can exploded directly above my conning tower, wrecking it,

Evaded the escort and set course to the Nearest Milk Cow,
Currently patching up the sail and refuelling

81,000 Tonnes

Paul Riley

05-09-09, 08:48 AM

Keep on surfacing after 30 minutes and I will lay an even money bet that, unless there is a change in the weather to medium or heavy fog, or you manage to get outside of maximum range of aircraft coverage, you will be sunk before 12:00 NOV 2. With your current approach, you have been averaging one attacking aircraft per hour. (When you say "multiple" aircraft, I assume an average of 3.) As long as you keep surfacing so quickly, this will continue. If there is only a 1% chance that any given aircraft attack will sink you, then you have a less than 50% chance of surviving 69 consecutive aircraft attacks. At your current rate, that 69th attack will occur the morning of NOV 2.

You are averaging about 12.5km/h. In the next three days you can cover about 900km and endure about 72 aircraft attacks, or one attacking aircraft per 12.5 km.

If you dive for 24 hours, run at 1.9 knots on improved batteries (you have upgraded your batteries, haven't you?), then recharge for one hour at 10 knots, you will average just over 4km/h. Even if you are attacked by an average of two aircraft after an hour of charging (on average this will not happen) you will average less than one attacking aircraft per 50 km.

So, by resurfacing every 30 minutes you are subjecting yourself to over 4 times the rate of attacking aircraft per kilometre travelled.

If you are not detected during your first 1 hour recharge then you can switch to a schedule of recharging for one hour after dawn and again for one hour before dusk, submerged at 2.9 knots during the day, and 1.9 knots during the night. This yields an average speed of 5.5 km/h. Doing this you will be attacked by an average of two aircraft, less than once every day. This gives an average of less than one attacking aircraft per 66km, less than 1/5 your current rate of attacks. Of course, once you are attacked, you should submerge for 24 hours.

Multiple aircraft usually means at least 3,sometimes an entire formation of fighters,or bombers,at least it looks like there are that many.I don't normally hang around long enough to count them.If they are bombers I will DEFINITELY dive at the shortest possible moment,as our guns currently have no effect on them,and if I get caught by fighters (usually when very close to the French coast) I may decide to fight back,then dive.I dive for about 1 hour now,before I would surface about every 30mins.It will take them about an hour to return,and just to come back again will surely piss the pilots off.

I really don't mind having to dive every hour or so,just as long as I get under quick enough,and even minimal damage can be repaired.Sooner or later,I will be out of the gauntlet,as before I have done.The slightest cloud cover and I dive for much longer,24 hours at least.

I have the latest batteries yes.

Its like a game of Russian Roulette,but I have the war gods on my side :arrgh!:

Redbear

05-09-09, 09:10 AM

Currently in port at Kiel. Arrived back from our second patrol on Dec. 26, 1939. The crew was hoping to be back for Christmas, but their disappointment quickly faded when they boarded the train for home. Those remaining in Kiel while the boat is re-fitted will get the chance to go into town for some holiday cheer as well. My challenge will be to make sure I can get them all sobered up and re-focused before our next patrol. My orders are to be cleared for sea by Jan. 23, 1940.

P.S. - There are rumors of talk in the KM high command of a major operation in early 1940. Wonder what they have in mind?

Jaman

05-09-09, 10:35 AM

U-5 (Type IID) back in port (Kiel) at 29 December, 1939. We sailed at 24 (damn the BdU!) and the crew were in bad mood because of it, but i promised we would be back in time to celebrate the new year, and we did after taking care of a French medium cargo (3 torpedos for 5000t) and a British large merchant (2 torpedoes for 10000t).

For this action i was awarded with an Iron Cross, Second Class.

Now lets celebrate by getting rotten drunk!! :woot::()1:

Leandros

05-09-09, 12:05 PM

U-99 - starting a new career Sep. 1st 1939 - leaving Wilhelmshafen 1000 heading for AM19 - Rockalls Bank. The plan is to proceed between Scotland and Scapa before hostilities break out. Maybe slow down a little when passing South of Scapa.....:arrgh!:

Leaving Wilhelmshafen.....

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/1Sep39leavingWilhelmsh.jpg

Paul Riley

05-09-09, 12:48 PM

I should'nt imagine a raid being too difficult,Vikings were particularly good at that (Norway) ;)

Good luck with that then :salute:

Leandros

05-09-09, 01:15 PM

I should'nt imagine a raid being too difficult,Vikings were particularly good at that (Norway) ;)

Good luck with that then :salute:
Thank you! We shall see how it works out. Met the first victim early morning Sep 3rd. Large Merchant. He wouldn't stop.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/2FirstVictimLargeM0539Sep3rd.jpg

To be on the safe side I filed the order received earlier in the morning:

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Order0210Sep3rd.jpg

Continuing towards Scapa - just observed an A&B on the horizon. Diving to let it pass. Time is 2001 Sep 3rd.

Paul Riley

05-10-09, 07:22 AM

Continued from my last report (last 4hrs real time).Just one thing,hope none of you mind these little (seemingly insignificant) reports,just gives me something to do before I go for a tea break :D

13:10
Surfaced from last emergency dive (+1hr submerged) Decided to recharge batteries at night,allowing us to run at a higher speed during the day,also enemy planes have rarely been seen at night,bringing us to the conclusion that enemy radar is not yet powerful enough to be a major problem.
17:00
Sundown,sun just dipping on the horizon,putting us in a cautious state,due to aircraft sometimes appearing a lot nearer in these light conditions,as has happened once or twice before.
17:09
Aircraft spotted on our 190 (+5hrs since last aircraft attack,strange).Immediately crash dived to 50m.Absence of any follow up attack means he either failed to spot us or it must have been a Luftwaffe reconnaissance plane?.
Distance travelled surfaced - 71km
Will try our chances on the surface tonight.
18:13
Surfaced,recharging.
18:30
Dark now,very clear night,wind 5.
Lets hope we make it tonight,hope to make as much ground as possible on the surface.
End of report.
.................................................. .................................................. .................

Regarding these last events,the aircraft spotted earlier failed to attack us,and as we are heading bang west about 250km from France it was spotted on my 190,meaning it had to be over the French mainland somewhere.Am I right in suspecting this was a Luftwaffe plane?,as it would be my first close encounter with the LW,having never seen them before.

Redbear

05-10-09, 09:02 AM

Hey Jaman, glad to see U-5 is back. Since we're both at Kiel for a while, let's go to the Flotilla's local watering hole, have a few drinks, and tell some lies!

Redbear
U-52

Paul Riley

05-10-09, 12:07 PM

Well Mr.RoaldLarsen,
Its almost 2nd Nov 1942,and I have'nt been sunk yet,in fact I have'nt seen a plane for almost 2 days now :smug:

Murr44

05-10-09, 12:19 PM

U 74 - VIIb, Hubert Gromer Oblt z S.

October 1941: Mittelmeer. 1st patrol was a bust. Sank a medium cargo & a Granville for just under 9000 tons. The rest of the time it p*ssed rain.:wah: Tried to intercept a coastal freighter near Malta & nearly got rammed by a Hunt Class I. I think that Keppler (my IWO) soiled himself then. Luckily it was so terrible out that she lost us after 1 & 1/2 hours and poor Keppler could finally change his "unmentionables". It wouldn't stop raining so we packed it in & went home.

November '41: 2nd patrol. "Disassembled" (with the deck gun) a Greek small merchant about 4 hours out of Salamis. Sank another Greek vessel; this time an armed small freighter, with 1 torpedo the next day. Said "Hi how's it going" to a Hudson patrolling just south of Crete.:nope: Got depth charged & lost 8% hull integrity with minor damage to flak gun & deck plating. Finally something good: intercepted a large merchant (8900 tons) escorted by 2 C&D class destroyers. Sank the large merchant with one eel. The second fish missed but at least we left the destroyer captains having to tell their superiors that they were really sorry but they lost :oops: the large merchant that they were supposed to be protecting.:D

At present we're still on our way to our assigned grid of CN61.

Gromer out...

Paul Riley

05-10-09, 03:08 PM

Leg

05-10-09, 03:17 PM

On my way to DT26 found a convoy and attacked it 3 times, I sunk 3 large merchants, 2 small merchants and a Black Swan class a little too close to me.

Three torpedos left, continuing to my patrol area.

Jaman

05-10-09, 09:33 PM

Just back from my 7th patrol in a brand new Type VIIB and i was lucky enough to run into a convoy, at night, in rough seas with no destroyers and a Revenge Class battleship in the middle of it.

Those were some nasty fireworks!. :D

Leandros

05-11-09, 11:35 AM

U-99 - Lt Schulz - Sep13th '39 15:49 - 1st mission.

Position: NW Hebrides - returning to base North of the Shetlands after having patrolled AM19. Mostly small fry encountered except for the early LM. Total 27.000 tons - 7 merchants, one V&W. Shall be good to get back to Wilhelmshafen and run the crew through some specialist training.

Paul Riley

05-11-09, 11:57 AM

New career
4th U-Boat
Captain Helmut Bredekamp
7th Flotilla
U-405 , VIIC
...................................

5th Nov 1942 (Guy Fawkes day)
Assigned to patrol AE87,putting us up near Iceland.Clear to us that Icelandic and Russian shipping our top priority,with a focus on the latter if possible.Following our latest disaster with U-94 I and my 'fresh' crew swear an oath to avenge our comrades,and will sail out with nothing short of bitterness in our hearts.Having learned as much as possible from all the current logs and diaries so far,we wont make the same mistake.
Air cover is expected to be high,and as the allies now have access to carriers this will be a dangerous mission,but with the promise of high tonnage.
We set sail at 09:38
.................................................. .................................................
Latest entries

left S.Naz at 09:38 as planned.Proceeding at high speed until we are over at least 50m of water.
ETA at patrol grid - 10th-11th Nov
11:57
First air attack,2 Hurricanes,manned guns,guns having little if no effect on planes.Dived,no damage.
surface time (ST) - 13:00
planes becoming ever more persistent now.
13:32
2nd AA,single Hurricane,got well under in time,no damage.
14:30
surfaced to recharge (STR)
estimated time of next incoming AA - 15:30+
15:01
batteries fully charged
15:07
3rd AA,2 bombers,performed dangerously slow dive compared to previous,bomb caught us slightly into our dive,minor flak damage.If we can keep damage to a bare minimum we will cope.
92km from port
AAs increasing significantly,I suspect their radar has improved recently.
16:05
4th AA,multiple bombers,good dive,no damage.
ST - 17:00
will risk a surface run at night,recharging also to be carried out at night.We have evaded aircraft recently at night,and will still use its apparent protection...for now.
18:15
surfaced,RCing
19:51
recharged (RCd)
almost 2 hrs to recharge from minimal use,we only have early model batteries due to lack of renown (limited renown was spent on biscay cross and bold launcher).
Nov 6th
Day 1
uneventful night,no contacts,AAs whatsoever.While on the surface at night we will man the guns,as we will have no time to crash dive if caught at close range in the darkness,then make our dive.
emergency dives to be carried out at all times in daylight.
06:00
performed mandatory dawn dive,diving just as it is coming light,have been caught in such light conditions before,and will only surface when the sun is high in the sky.
distance travelled surfaced - 242km
08:30
sunrise,sun high in the sky,weather clear,wind 2
distance submerged - 20.2km
repeat previous drills
09:00
entering deep water,800m+
11:16
5th AA,excellent dive,no damage
distance surfaced - 59.5km
ST - 13:00
13:00
surfaced
distance smd - 13.1km
13:17
6th AA,Hurricane almost on us astern screaming out of the sun,no time to man the guns,bomb landed close to foredeck during dive,minor damage only
distance sfd - 6.6km
ST - 15:00
performing deep dive test,set for 200m

end of report
.................................................. ..........................................

Leandros

05-11-09, 12:04 PM

Sept. 19th '39 10:20 - back in port......

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/BackInPort.jpg

Paul Riley

05-11-09, 12:07 PM

Good success mate? :sunny:

Leg

05-11-09, 01:47 PM

resupplying at the Ship "Corrientes" at Las Palmas

Leandros

05-11-09, 02:26 PM

Good success mate? :sunny:
Not really - off again at Sept. 27th '39 - mission: Patrol kvadrant BE31. Went through the Channel picked up an Ore Carrier and small merchant - used the deck gun. After that an ASW trawler (torp). Otherwise very little RN activity. Another Ore Carrier in the South-Western approach (torp). It is now Sept. 29th 20:24. Looking better now.

Lt. Schulz - U-99 - VIIB

Jimbuna

05-11-09, 03:04 PM

resupplying at the Ship "Corrientes" at Las Palmas

Always take advantage of resupply http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

Paul Riley

05-11-09, 05:01 PM

.................................................. .................................................
Latest entries

left S.Naz at 09:38 as planned.Proceeding at high speed until we are over at least 50m of water.
ETA at patrol grid - 10th-11th Nov
11:57
First air attack,2 Hurricanes,manned guns,guns having little if no effect on planes.Dived,no damage.
surface time (ST) - 13:00
planes becoming ever more persistent now.
13:32
2nd AA,single Hurricane,got well under in time,no damage.
14:30
surfaced to recharge (STR)
estimated time of next incoming AA - 15:30+
15:01
batteries fully charged
15:07
3rd AA,2 bombers,performed dangerously slow dive compared to previous,bomb caught us slightly into our dive,minor flak damage.If we can keep damage to a bare minimum we will cope.
92km from port
AAs increasing significantly,I suspect their radar has improved recently.
16:05
4th AA,multiple bombers,good dive,no damage.
ST - 17:00
will risk a surface run at night,recharging also to be carried out at night.We have evaded aircraft recently at night,and will still use its apparent protection...for now.
18:15
surfaced,RCing
19:51
recharged (RCd)
almost 2 hrs to recharge from minimal use,we only have early model batteries due to lack of renown (limited renown was spent on biscay cross and bold launcher).
Nov 6th
Day 1
uneventful night,no contacts,AAs whatsoever.While on the surface at night we will man the guns,as we will have no time to crash dive if caught at close range in the darkness,then make our dive.
emergency dives to be carried out at all times in daylight.
06:00
performed mandatory dawn dive,diving just as it is coming light,have been caught in such light conditions before,and will only surface when the sun is high in the sky.
distance travelled surfaced - 242km
08:30
sunrise,sun high in the sky,weather clear,wind 2
distance submerged - 20.2km
repeat previous drills
09:00
entering deep water,800m+
11:16
5th AA,excellent dive,no damage
distance surfaced - 59.5km
ST - 13:00
13:00
surfaced
distance smd - 13.1km
13:17
6th AA,Hurricane almost on us astern screaming out of the sun,no time to man the guns,bomb landed close to foredeck during dive,minor damage only
distance sfd - 6.6km
ST - 15:00
performing deep dive test,set for 200m

end of report
.................................................. ..........................................

Tonight's report

13:27
Deep dive successful,held at 200m,hull intact,suffered no damage from earlier attacks.
15:00
Surfaced,all minor damage to foredeck repaired
distance smd - 13.2km
17:00
dusk dive,sun just beginning to set.Will surface when dark to RC
distance sfd - 43.6km
18:30
surfaced,RCing.
clear night,wind still 5
batteries 50%
distance smd - 12km
21:41
RCd (+3hrs 10mins RC time)
7th Nov
day 2 at sea
weather still clear and calm
no AAs so far
approx 630km west of S.Naz.
06:15
starting to get light,dawn dive
distance sfd - 236km
ST - 08:00
08:00
surfaced
still clear
distance smd - 14.1km
almost out of the bay of Biscay now.Maintaining strict radio silence from here on until we are out of max British air coverage (observed so far as being approx 2000km from known air bases)
10:00
left the BOB
approx 820km west of base
second leg of course,proceed to BE55 keeping just on the British air coverage perimeter,heading then into AE79,then east into patrol zone (PZ) AE87.
Icelandic air cover expected to be minimal in area of operations,however extreme caution must be maintained,after all,this is a vengeance mission,and we must prevail on this one!
12:00
weather still clear,wind 5
still no AAs

end of report :salute:
.................................................. ...............................................

Murr44

05-12-09, 07:10 AM

Hit & sank a Greek small merchant (see my post in Mods Workshop about difficulties sinking a small merchant) yesterday. Got depth charged by 2 Hurricanes & lost another 2% hull integrity.:damn: Down to 90% now. G*dd*mn bees - anybody got a fly swatter!!:damn::damn: Finally reached CN61. I think that we'll stay down all day today...

Leg

05-12-09, 07:18 AM

DT35 8 Nov '40

Attacked at night two ships with lights off; both of them sunk; one was neutral!!!!!! :down::x

Leandros

05-12-09, 09:10 AM

U-99, Lt. Schulz, Oct. 3rd 1939 11:01 - Kvadrant BE3236 - 2nd mission.

Just finished patrolling BE31 - set course for Cherbourg to see if we could intercept some British troop transports to France. Received almost immediately report of a convoy approx. 100 km. South-East of us heading NNW. Went to intercept. Nice weather for hunting - if daylight:

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Excellentweather.jpg

Just sighted the lead destroyer - a C&D. Went to PD and turned towards him. And - some very nice echoes. Probably not many escorts so we shall try to take out the leader first with a TII. Now we can only wait.....

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/ConvoyApproaching.jpg

nikbear

05-12-09, 10:25 AM

L.z.S Wolfgang Muller, U-65,Leaving Wilhelmshaven for patrol 7, Saturday June 15, 1940. Wish me luck :03:

Leandros

05-12-09, 12:16 PM

L.z.S Wolfgang Muller, U-65,Leaving Wilhelmshaven for patrol 7, Saturday June 15, 1940. Wish me luck :03:
Hals und Beinbruch......:salute:

Paul Riley

05-12-09, 01:47 PM

L.z.S Wolfgang Muller, U-65,Leaving Wilhelmshaven for patrol 7, Saturday June 15, 1940. Wish me luck :03:

Best of luck mate :up:

Paul Riley

05-12-09, 02:06 PM

Tonight's report

13:27
Deep dive successful,held at 200m,hull intact,suffered no damage from earlier attacks.
15:00
Surfaced,all minor damage to foredeck repaired
distance smd - 13.2km
17:00
dusk dive,sun just beginning to set.Will surface when dark to RC
distance sfd - 43.6km
18:30
surfaced,RCing.
clear night,wind still 5
batteries 50%
distance smd - 12km
21:41
RCd (+3hrs 10mins RC time)
7th Nov
day 2 at sea
weather still clear and calm
no AAs so far
approx 630km west of S.Naz.
06:15
starting to get light,dawn dive
distance sfd - 236km
ST - 08:00
08:00
surfaced
still clear
distance smd - 14.1km
almost out of the bay of Biscay now.Maintaining strict radio silence from here on until we are out of max British air coverage (observed so far as being approx 2000km from known air bases)
10:00
left the BOB
approx 820km west of base
second leg of course,proceed to BE55 keeping just on the British air coverage perimeter,heading then into AE79,then east into patrol zone (PZ) AE87.
Icelandic air cover expected to be minimal in area of operations,however extreme caution must be maintained,after all,this is a vengeance mission,and we must prevail on this one!
12:00
weather still clear,wind 5
still no AAs

end of report :salute:
.................................................. ...............................................

Tonight's report :yep:

17:00
dusk dive
distance sfd - 190km
new ST - 19:00
19:00
surfaced
distance smd - 16.1km
weather - no change
RCing
20:50
RCd
8th Nov
day 3
1080km west of S.Naz
06:30
dawn dive
weather - no change
distance sfd - 240km
08:30
new day ST - 08:30
distance smd - 16km
17:00
dusk dive
dist sfd - 193km
ST - 19:00
19:00
surfaced
RCing
dist smd - 12km
weather - still clear,wind 5
20:47
RCd
23:37
entering middle portion of BE sector,as traffic is high in this area perfoming first sound check.I can't believe our fortunes,we have a faint sound contact,bearing 330,moving slow,sounds heavy,sound moving from right to left,possible heading of SW towards S.America
turned to bearing 310 on a 20deg intercept course to attack port side of target
sound checks every 10mins
as E-Torps are the first load in the tubes we plan to attack at 500-1000m submerged.
23:50
gaining on target.seems to be heading more west,turned to put target bang on our bow,will follow him from astern.target may be a possible lone merchant heading for Halifax.
change of plan,as Russian shipping is our top priority to aid our troops in Stalingrad we will try to sink the target with the deck gun.if target is heavily defended then will probably abort the attack and report back to base,then proceed to our main objective.
9th Nov
day 4
00:01
still gaining on target after 3rd sound check
expect visual contact by 00:30 - 00:45

end of report
.................................................. ................................................

Finally some bloody action!,wish me luck :salute:

Paul Riley

05-12-09, 04:00 PM

Leandros

05-12-09, 04:07 PM

Jaman

05-12-09, 04:09 PM

Man, when the BdU ask you to be more aggresive it doesnt mean suicide, at least not until 1943.

Leandros

05-12-09, 04:14 PM

Man, when the BdU ask you to be more aggresive it doesnt mean suicide, at least not until 1943.
He-he - it worked on the first mission.....it's the T/C thing.....:oops:

Paul Riley

05-12-09, 04:16 PM

U-99 Obl.z.S Schulz Oct. 9th 1939 01:27 - 2nd mission.

Back in Wilhelmshafen. Generated in all 74.000 tons mostly from convoy in BE32. Had to sink all 3 escort vessels to get working peace. 4 LM's. Missed a large one on the way back through the Channel. F....d up the mission by trying to sneak up on an ASW trawler from behind in the dark to waste him with the deck gun as no torps left. Was detected and lost 6 artillery crew. Went below and got off the hook. Sneaked through the Dover Straits back home.

How does one get back with 6% HI....?

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/6HI.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/CaptainsLog.jpg

Thats what happens when you try and take on the Royal Navy with just one U-Boat.They were designed to sink commercial shipping,not get blown to bits by attacking warships at every turn ;) , leave that to the big guns of the Battleships,thats their job

Still...you did well with your tonnage score :salute:

finchOU

05-12-09, 04:18 PM

300 km off of Gibraltar following a west bound sound contact for three days in the same crappy weather conditions....wondering why the weather has not changed in three days :nope: Especially since I have covered so much ground...weather should be at least a little different...same wind and direction...same vis. What to do? Cant attack because I might not get credit for sinking her in poor vis..... but not giving up yet.

Leg

05-12-09, 06:25 PM

Closing to Freetown, I hope to find some traffic in this zone... the convoy line passing near Cape Verde and Canary Islands was empty.. I've lost more than a week patrolling an empty area.

Leandros

05-13-09, 03:32 AM

U-99 - Obl.z.S. Schulz - Jan. 28th, 1940 23:25 - 3rd patrol

Have patrolled AM11 as ordered - no luck. Went back eastwards to lurk around Scapa for some heavies. A westbound convoy is now approaching through the straits. Little sign of escorts so far......

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/BetwScapaAndScotland.jpg

Synthfg

05-13-09, 05:57 AM

Summer 42 Patroling off new york in fog and high seas,
Pick up a blip on radar, close to 350m and find the rear of a Ceramic Type Liner emerging from the gloop,

Fire off 3 eels on magnetic and dive to PD turning to pass behind her. All 3 eels explode underneath her, She's going down but as the crew stop chearing the sonar operator pipes up, Warship appraoching close, fast, dead ahead,

I grap the scope and turn it just in time to see a destroyer pulling 25kts+ at 350m emerge from the gloom heading straight for me, he's too close for an eel and before I have time to do any more than utter ohh shii, bang his bow ploughs straight into my submerged conning tower my periscope is ripped from my hand and the sub is shaken with water pouring into the control room and radio shack,

looking at the damage report it appears that the tower has all but been ripped clean off the boat (red everything destroyed including flack guns)

Fortunatly my well trained repair crew is on the case, even more fortunatly the destroyers repair crew is not so on the ball, tho we barly avoid her sinking ontop of us.

With no way of aiming the eels or repairing the damage it's going to be a long cruise back to lorient:salute:

Leandros

05-13-09, 07:15 AM

U-99 - Obl.z.S. Schulz - Jan. 29th, 1940 03:27 - 3rd patrol

No heavies but here is the harvest of the convoy South of Scapa - 3 torps left - pushing homeward:

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/TheHarvestInScapaSound.jpg

Leg

05-13-09, 09:19 AM

I've sunk 57000 tons near Freetown. And a dido class approaching to defend the convoy; now I'm heading home.

Paul Riley

05-13-09, 09:45 AM

Sgtmonkeynads

05-14-09, 02:20 AM

Oh man!!!

The last two days have been the best I have ever had playng this game in years.

Mission 5: Patrol seemed pointles. Was not much going on when convoy was sighted. In the convoy was the HMS Rodney!! So after pauseing the game to jump up and down, I sank it with its one DD escort that was with it. All other ammo was put to use while surfaced agianst the convoy.

Altogether little less than 76,000 tons. Iron cross awarded to me and crew.:woot:

Mission 6: Not much at all. 20,000 tons worth of small ships and a schooner. I got the second iron cross for the Rodney though.

Mission 7: Sank a fishing boat after about a week of being skunked by weather and just lack of anything to shoot at. Neutral Convoy was spotted and it being reported as neutral almost made me skip over it.
Went to check it out and what did I see.

THE HMS NELSON!!!!!!
After an hour of getting into position I fired 4 in to her side and she went down. After that a Black Swan sang her last song. Then it was nothing but happy times on the surface. 5 large merchants, 2 modern tankers, 1 small merchant, and ohers.

15 ships sank for 105,465 tons.:rock:
I recieved the Knights Cross
My crew got so many I should have wrote them all down. It seriousley took me longer to hand out all the medals than it did the Nelson to go down.

I have had the best two days ever!!!!!
Sister ships sank by the same U-boat with in two days of each other, take that Tommy.

Leandros

05-14-09, 02:42 AM

Naughty boy.....:rock:

Jimbuna

05-14-09, 03:13 AM

Congratulations monkeynads.

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

Leg

05-14-09, 04:42 AM

Back at Lorient after 150000 tons sunk (there was the resupply at the Corrientes though).

nikbear

05-14-09, 05:24 AM

Congrats to you both :yeah: At the moment my sinkings book looks like a hermits address book :nope: Damn weather:wah:

Leandros

05-14-09, 06:39 AM

U-99 - Obl.z.S. Schulz - Feb. 14th, 1940 13:59 - 4th patrol

Patrolling off Lerwick sub base. Plan to down a few unfriendly hunters.....:yeah:

Before:

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/OffLerwick.jpg

U-99 - Obl.z.S. Schulz - Feb. 16th, 1940 23:51 - 4th patrol

After - all destroyers:

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/OffLerwick7.jpg

Now back to base - big things are brewing in the North.....:cool:.....Karl shall be mad at me.....

U-99 - Obl.z.S. Schulz - Feb. 19th, 1940 08:18 - 4th patrol

Entering the Wilhelmshafen approaches....

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/OffLerwick8.jpg

And - KM Tirpitz salutes us.......

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/OffLerwick9.jpg

Taking a few days break now. Hope to be in on the Weserübung show....:woot:

Paul Riley

05-14-09, 03:53 PM

.................................................. .................................................

Latest report

00:32
After an hour chasing the contact we seem to be falling behind,sound strength fading slightly,clear the target is faster than us,leaving us unsure of target type as we have not experienced any merchants faster than our U-Boats yet.
attack aborted,proceeding back to original course
06:30
dawn dive
dist sfd - 240km
ST - 08:30
08:30
surfaced
dist smd - 16km
16:00
BE55
finally left British air coverage zone (BACZ) (2000km radius) without incident.will radio base of our position just before upcoming dusk dive.will then shortly be entering Icelandic air coverage zone (IACZ) after a brief spell in the BE55 air gap
approx 4.5 days to reach current position,leaving us still on a good schedule to reach our patrol zone (PZ) in good time.

total air attacks - 6
total dist sfd - 1451km
total dist smd - 133km

end of report
.................................................. ................................................

:salute:

Tonight's events

12th Nov
After 3 days of pretty much the same as before,diving at dawn,dusk,working out how much distance we made surfaced etc we bumped into a small merchant in AL55 heading east,possibly from Halifax.The night was dark and very calm.We decided to give him a warm welcome on his peaceful little voyage.I swung the boat round north in order to put him just on the border of extreme visibility,about 3km.I then straddled him at 90 degrees,monitoring his position in the scope.After about 30mins he was confirmed at doing 92 degrees at 7kts.
We raced ahead of him for our first attack,which was set for a submerged attack at 500m.Approx 1 hour later he came into view,and I made all the neccessary preparations for the electric torpedo.Depth was set to 3m with an impact pistol.Fire angle set for 10 degrees to target.
05:00
fired 1,torpedo passed across his stern by about 0.5m.Was sure all settings were correct,leading me to conclude that my fire angle was wrong,and should have released the torp sooner.This was our first proper test with the electrics in the fore tubes,being so used to the faster steam torps.
Immediately swung north again and put about 2km between us.I then blew tanks at full speed and decided to engage the target in a broadside gun duel.Target managed to fire only 2 rounds in entire engagement which fell well short of us.
06:26
merchant finally sunk bow first
rds fired in engagement - 34 (unskilled gunners)
tonnage - 2.618 (a bloody waste of time in my opinion)

.................................................. .................................................

Not the best start on our maiden voyage :nope:
Hope we can ammend our poor start with sinking a huge load of Russian supplies and vodka further north in our patrol zone.

BulSoldier

05-14-09, 04:16 PM

Here is early '40 and i along with me type VIIC was sent to patrol western aproaches.It is long way there traveling around britain so i decided to move closer to the shore to find some shipping.So far so good.

By the time i get around aberdeen i got report of a convoy traveling sound (small one). I managed to attack it twice in one night.I managed to sink 2 greinvile type freighers and 2 passanger cargos. Both times i managed to slip without even being DCed so it was quite a pleasent ride. The convoy was left few tramp steamesr and another greinvile fr.

At the time i was slowly sliping away i heard report of another, larger convoy just going north this time.I surfaced and try to intercept it however the by the next night at witch time i would interecept it theere were heavy clouds and it was pitch black, really.It was so dark i couldnt see anytging apart from the absolute black blanket that covered the night view.

Anyway i had few more contacts and now i have 5 torps left and i am not even on the west side of britain and with 20k tons under my belt for this patrol .

Paul Riley

05-14-09, 04:33 PM

Well done mate :up:
Sounds like the ideal patrol to me

DaveU186

05-15-09, 01:06 PM

On 2nd Patrol, left port January 5th 1940. It appears we are equipped with a XXI. Wonder how that happened? ;)

Just having a bit of fun alongside my other careers.

Anyway, first patrol I ran into a large convoy South of Ireland, went a bit mental and only sunk six ships with my large amount of torps. This time around had a pretty quiet patrol in a similar area so decided to sneak through the Irish Sea, and sat outside Blackpool/Liverpool for a while.

Good times have been had, with only a few determined fleets of torpedo boats providing any resistence, and as we now head North West back out into the open ocean, all torps are expended and a dozen victims ranging from ore carriers, to medium and large merchants lie on the bottom.

Poor show from the royal navy. All too easy. :up:

Leandros

05-15-09, 04:30 PM

We missed the Norwegian campaign due to transfer to IXB. Now:

U-108 - Kaleu. Schulz - May 31, 1940 02:59 - 6th patrol

Was assigned kvadrant AN36 as patrol area but as soon as we had entered it a message was received from BDU informing of heavy naval traffic around Dunkirk. We set course immediately. Now approaching the French coast. Yes, there is heavy naval traffic......

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/OffDunkirk.jpg

Jimbuna

05-15-09, 05:19 PM

Be advised there have been consistent numerous reports of a CTD when in this area.

I sincerely hope this is not your experience.

It would be helpful to all if you could update of further progress.

tomfon

05-15-09, 05:29 PM

Be advised there have been consistent numerous reports of a CTD when in this area.

:yep:

Jail

05-15-09, 05:34 PM

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o110/msts/Sub/TaskForce.jpg

Patrol 15 in a IXb outside the coast of Irland I was on the way to my patrol grid.
I'm in pursuit of this task force but I think it's in vain. They are way ahead of me and I'm afraid im loosing them. :wah:

Leg

05-15-09, 05:57 PM

Dunkirk is still my chimera:nope:

I'm on my way to AK23, still a couple of days to go and the hunt will start.

Shoopzee

05-15-09, 07:28 PM

Jan 8, 1942- Nearing Long Island, IXc, beat the kettledrum!!

Leandros

05-16-09, 08:22 AM

Be advised there have been consistent numerous reports of a CTD when in this area.

I sincerely hope this is not your experience.

It would be helpful to all if you could update of further progress.
I experienced it! Has to start anew from Wilhelmshafen. Shall duplicate the route. Is it some sort of overload...?....a heck of a lot of echoes....

Edit: Strange - on restart the date was moved back from May to March. Had to skip a patrol to approach correct date but now it is early May. Guess I shall have to try Dunkirk another time. Now I am in the midst of Weserübung. Assigned AN21. Hopefully I shall find a large convoy, expend my torps and hurry bck for next patrol.

DaveU186

05-16-09, 09:46 AM

Paul Riley

05-16-09, 10:00 AM

Maybe a terrorist or sabateur onboard? ;)

Leg

05-16-09, 10:40 AM

28 January 1941; shadowing a convoy in AK52; sunk two whale factory ships and a flower class with the deck gun (self defence). Failed a second attack; i entered inside the convoy on surface, not seen; a ship, I dont know why, exploded and they spotted me; so I had to crash dive. Now I'm following the convoy waiting for the sunset.

lynard

05-17-09, 12:40 AM

Just completed an eventful patrol in AM13. (first career at 100%)
Convoy report from bdu. Good thing I spent a bit of time reading "The Hunt".
10hrs later (1100) in position, where are they. PD, sonar picks them up behind me long range.
Starboard side of convoy just visible through light fog (shadowed til nightfall). Looks to be only 1 escort. Steam ahead and set up for attack. Position looks good just inside of line of small ships. T3 tanker spotted leading the second line and WooHoo a liner just behind. More tankers and large cargo on the other side. T3 looks good but that flag doesn't look right. Next minute a noise of grinding metal, boat tips over. Sh*t just been run over by a coastal steamer. Ok no damage, back to work. Bugger, T3 is US, as are the liner and large cargoes.
Pulled out and steamed ahead for an attack on the port side of the convoy. This time ended too far in and only managed to damage a C2 with the stern tube. He's burning fairly well foward so acts like a nice little beacon in the dark.
Ahead again and manage to down 2 british T3s. Down to 1 stern torp.
Getting light now but manage to get a head again without being spotted. Line up for shot on burning C2, impacts the hold just behind the burning one. Ok the bow is starting to get lower. Escort is on the way so we go deep and wait. Back up to PD in time to see the C2 going under.
But bugger of all buggers the kill was not recorded. This would have put me over 50,000 for the patrol.:wah:

kaptkirkU4467

05-17-09, 07:04 AM

U 124 reporting in:
1 tanker and a merch sent to the locker by gun and G7e.
3/10/40 in BE86.
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8295/screenhunter237.th.jpg (http://img269.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenhunter237.jpg)

Ancient Mariner

05-17-09, 07:22 AM

Mid '42

Second Patrol

Left from "milk cow" to the Carribean.Thought some tanker hunting,glassy ocean & sun was in order,made my way toward Curacao knowing that there would be a decent amount of tanker traffic there.

Having never been this far into the carribean I soon learnt it is a deepwater port,set my depth to 100m,silent running & straight into the middle of the port.

Now I'm not sure if this is the usual Ai,but the patrolling Asw Tug,ran into the anti sub net which i had dove under and the Destroyer had somehow gone mad and kept running back and forth along a pier(bernard @ the helm).

Upon getting a fix on the surroundings i torpedoed A small tanker,modern tanker & T2 tanker not a bad haul.

Before leaving i ended up torpedoing and sinking another 2 small tankers,the destroyer,a C2 cargo and had a raging gun battle with an elco & an asw Tug that had come to hunt me,took minor damage & lost 2 crew.

Cant remember exact tonnage but it was a good haul.

nikbear

05-17-09, 09:56 AM

3rd Patrol just out of Wilhelmshaven, passing East of Helgoland on the surface. At 128TC, then BANG. Numerous damage reports start flying in, and it seems I've got most of my systems destroyed, flooding in two compartments, and four of my crew dead.

Mine? :x

Yep thats a mine alright,you do get a warning from Bdu in a radio message about it at some point If I remember correctly:hmmm:

kaptkirkU4467

05-17-09, 12:22 PM

To:BdU
From:U 124

Grid AL37
19/10/40,13:25 local

Have tracked large convoy,many tankers..2 escorts East/SE at 6 knts.
Sunk;
Large merch:6,747
Large tanker:9,553
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/3060/screenhunter241.th.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenhunter241.jpg)http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/9061/screenhunter243.th.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenhunter243.jpg)
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/7512/screenhunter245.th.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenhunter245.jpg)http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/3613/screenhunter248.th.jpg (http://img39.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenhunter248.jpg)
3 eels hit,2 miss...1 dud
At 100 meters,reloading..escorts are on me....

Fuel is 25%..batt is 75%

Kirk sends...

Paul Riley

05-17-09, 04:28 PM

Next minute a noise of grinding metal, boat tips over. Sh*t just been run over by a coastal steamer. Ok no damage, back to work

:rotfl::har:
Dont worry,i'm not laughing at you,its just the way it all sounded as you wrote it.I love reading some of the accidents people find themselves in,and an unexpected 'bump :o (or tip in your case) in the dark' is one of the best ones

lynard

05-17-09, 10:06 PM

Paul
You can picture this. Totally immersed in the game, the sound of screws all around, poping the scope up occasionally to check the target. Occasional look around then back trying to distinguish the flag on the target. Then the bang and the tilt.
Believe me, it was that big of a surprise I nearly fell off my bloody chair :)

Started new patrol. Heading through the channel, beautiful weather. So far have 40,000t mainly with the deck gun.
Last night we were sneaking up on a coastal with the intention of lobbing the last few shells into him when surprised on the surface by a TB.
Right you bastard bring it on. So there we were, round and round in circles shooting at each other. I managed to put 4 HEs into him but he still would not blow up. Only things left were 15 SS and a few AA which I wanted to hold onto.
Finally set him on fire with the SS. That was a very satisfying 10 minutes of gameplay.
Had to beat the feet real quick as a destroyer came flying up. Finally lost him. Onward to assigned patrol area.

Leandros

05-18-09, 04:59 AM

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/8patrol/Patrol8.jpg

Never got back to Dunkirk. The intermediate mission after the CTD and restart took too long time. Now East of the Shetlands after having got this message. Maybe some serious action coming up after all:

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/8patrol/Message.jpg

Arrived off Harstad morning June 9th. The Brits were gone! Wasted patrol.

Paul Riley

05-18-09, 05:17 AM

Leandros

05-18-09, 05:45 AM

Interesting encounter in The North Sea - German commerce raider returning home - floatplane aircraft on the foredeck. Well armed.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/8patrol/CommerchRaider.jpg

Edit:

Another interesting encounter 24 hours later. Do you see the little "ball" under the aft starboard side...?...Yes, a moored mine. Obviously of the contact type otherwise we would have been blown sky-high by now. Position: East of Aberdeen approaches - a convoy coming up from the South. They must be just inside the minefield......

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/8patrol/MooredMine.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/8patrol/MooredMine2.jpg

Murr44

05-18-09, 07:24 AM

January 24th 1942. Meditteranean Sea. U-74's third feindfahrt (operational patrol). Except for a PBY & a Hudson we haven't seen a thing.:damn: Heading towards Malta so hopefully something will turn up...

DaveU186

05-18-09, 08:26 AM

The continuation of my 3rd patrol in my XXI.

North of Ireland I get all these warship contacts, ten in all. Taskforce. :cool:

Nine tribal class and a revenge class Battleship. :cool:

After some very drawn-out attempts I finally get a good sight at the main target from about 2000m. Four torps on their way and I'm down to 100m as they go. Torpedo impact, torpedo impact. One of the destroyers has, it seems, heroically saved the battleship by taking two of my torps.

:down:

Torpedo impact, torpedo impact. The revenge class dips into the water at the stern, and I spend about 45 minutes evading three destroyers who come to have a look. After that time they start to do a runner North, leaving the Battleship truding along at 4 knots. Periscope depth.

Two more eels are let go from almost a 90 degree approach angle, and she's on her way down. However, her eight friends have now returned and Revenge is definitely the word.

After nearly three hours at 1 knot, 123 metres down, the buggers headed off in an Easterly direction. Job done.

:arrgh!:

kaptkirkU4467

05-18-09, 08:37 AM

U 124 arrived in Lorient today..
4 merch sunk
3 tankers sunk
37,333 GRT
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/6725/screenhunter265.th.jpg (http://img36.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenhunter265.jpg)

Not bad :arrgh!:

Leandros

05-18-09, 11:47 AM

U-108 - patrol 8 - kvadrant AN1 - Jun 19th 1940 09:31

SE Aberdeen. All inboard torpedoes and deck gun shells expended. Crew works frenetic to download new torps. All the escorts (4) and 3 merchants are down. Several of the merchants in front also already have damage. 6 torps left. That 37 mm is good for nothing. The 20 mm, however.....

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/8patrol/SittingDucks.jpg

U-108 - patrol 8 - kvadrant AN1 - Jun 19th 1940 13:12

Finally out of torps. Heading for base. Not a wasted patrol, after all.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/8patrol/JobFinished.jpg

Coyote88

05-18-09, 04:49 PM

Sliding down the NW coast of Scotland, I spot a task force outbound - battleship, battle cruiser, and half a dozen destroyers. Too fast and far away to do anything but watch the parade, which is disappointing because I'd like very much to sink a battleship.

Thirty hours later, off the west coast of Ireland, here they come again, inbound and headed across my track. Perfect! Except ... what I took to be an ESE course turns out to be E and I find myself directly in the path of the lead destroyers. Discretion is the better part of valor and I skedaddle at flank speed, but now it's too late to turn around and annoy them with anything more than the stern tube. No glory for ol' U-27 today. :oops:

Paul Riley

05-18-09, 06:27 PM

Tonight's events

12th Nov
After 3 days of pretty much the same as before,diving at dawn,dusk,working out how much distance we made surfaced etc we bumped into a small merchant in AL55 heading east,possibly from Halifax.The night was dark and very calm.We decided to give him a warm welcome on his peaceful little voyage.I swung the boat round north in order to put him just on the border of extreme visibility,about 3km.I then straddled him at 90 degrees,monitoring his position in the scope.After about 30mins he was confirmed at doing 92 degrees at 7kts.
We raced ahead of him for our first attack,which was set for a submerged attack at 500m.Approx 1 hour later he came into view,and I made all the neccessary preparations for the electric torpedo.Depth was set to 3m with an impact pistol.Fire angle set for 10 degrees to target.
05:00
fired 1,torpedo passed across his stern by about 0.5m.Was sure all settings were correct,leading me to conclude that my fire angle was wrong,and should have released the torp sooner.This was our first proper test with the electrics in the fore tubes,being so used to the faster steam torps.
Immediately swung north again and put about 2km between us.I then blew tanks at full speed and decided to engage the target in a broadside gun duel.Target managed to fire only 2 rounds in entire engagement which fell well short of us.
06:26
merchant finally sunk bow first
rds fired in engagement - 34 (unskilled gunners)
tonnage - 2.618 (a bloody waste of time in my opinion)

.................................................. .................................................

Not the best start on our maiden voyage :nope:
Hope we can ammend our poor start with sinking a huge load of Russian supplies and vodka further north in our patrol zone.

Latest Events (only important events recorded now)

13th Nov 1942
Day 8
09:30
AL24
Attacked by group of 3 PBY fighter bombers based at Iceland.Caught on the surface and unable to man guns or crash dive in time,forced to run at high speed outrunning the first attack run,managed to dive shortly afterwards,no damage.
This has forced us to change our tactics in this area now,submerging throughout the entire day,surfacing only at night to recharge.

14th Nov
Day 9
AL31
03:26
Looks like weather is starting to deteriorate as waves are picking up at 7mps,still clear however.
23:45
Finally entered our assigned patrol area.Patrol ends at 23:45 on the 15th November,after which we head for our 2nd patrol in the Denmark Strait,to intercept any traffic on its way to Russia,my primary objective.

15th Nov
Day 10
11:47
Picked up a merchant sound contact while patrolling our area.Preparing to shadow submerged in daylight,ready for a night surface attack.If waves calm down we may go in for the kill submerged at close range,if not or they worsen then it will have to be a surfaced attack at medium range (2500-3000m)
Merchant course seems steady at 335 degrees.
Will attempt to run decks awash in daylight at 10kts,with sound checks every 15mins.Merchant also appears to be moving not much faster than us as we still have good sound contact on it as sound strength (volume) still sounds quite strong.
12:59
Bomber formation suddenly appeared ahead of us while running decks awash,immediately dived without delay,bombs way off,no damage.
14:17
Another Bomber attack,this time they were almost above us,then opened up with MG fire on the rim of the conning tower,frantically dived again,no damage,bombs landing quite close this time.
There is a blessing however to all this chaos with the planes,the more we have to endure them the more we understand and begin to hate them.We are getting the better of them slowly but surely.
16:21
While stalking our current contact we pick up another contact,this time moving much slower and sounds heavier,making it our new target,breaking off from our current pursuit.
Decided to run decks awash for 30mins,then submerge for 30mins,hoping to lessen chance of air attack considerably while still allowing us to make vital ground using the diesels,taking the stress out of draining the batteries too soon...could be an excellent tactic.
Tactic is working very well,making good ground on target,who is now steady bearing east,and appears to be heading away from us.
Looks like we may have our first contact with some Russian shipping after all :arrgh!:
16:50
Almost sundown,after which we will recharge our batteries while running at high speed on the surface to intercept our new target.
The men are in high spirits now after realizing our new tactic when having to shadow targets submerged,all the while being in dangeous (air attacks) areas like this one.

End of report
.................................................. ..................................................

So far so good
:salute:

Leg

05-18-09, 06:39 PM

Sighted a 4 ships convoy in CG19, attacked a medium cargo that slowed to 4 knots.. shadowed it submerged for one hour... then surfacend and started to shoot with the 105mm gun to finish it; the DD who was escorting the convoy arrived in zone 15 mins after at full speed; I shot some shells to it too, but apparently I damaged lightly its superstructure so I crash dived when it closed dangerously. I've been 1 hour submerged then the DD faded. I surfaced and sunk the cargo with the deck gun, then headed south at full speed. Freetown is waiting for us.

Pohl

05-18-09, 10:46 PM

March 15, 1941

On my way to AL63 I came across a Tribal Destroyer range of 5.4km and traveling at 25 knts, I'm at periscoped depth trying to be at least at 3 km away from him to fire a torpedo, if It fails I'll surface, attack it with deck gun and inmediately return to periscope depth, hoping for him to run straight into me then I'll launc 1 torpedo take a hard turn and hopefully hit it.

BulSoldier

05-19-09, 01:45 AM

Well in the most recent patrol i was going to the north coast of Ireland, or atleast that was the mission.

Along the way I decided to move close to the british coast in order to pick of some coastal merchants.But that was not to be the case since an two engined aircaft came (i think it is anson but i never verified it) and well since the depth was only 29 meters i decided that going unerwater was not very good solution.The plane attacked my boat probably 5-6 times at that time we fired 800 !!! rounds with some hit but the plane just could be downed.Pretty annoying indeed.

No damage was suffered however and that was the good news.Along the way some 200 kilometers SE from scapa flow i saw what i believed to be some ocean liner.Funny though i got wrong solution and fired(and indetification) at the ship, it happen to be not a liner but empire freigher.However the torps hit beacause later when i tried to repeat the measurments with the true ship it happen to be just right :)

Later we came to a large mearchant (this time succesifuly identified) and was launched toward the bottom.

Anyway some 80 km NW of scapa flow at bright daylight i come across another airplane.First thing to do (with only 200rounds) was to dive but after i saw it was a swordfish i toldmyself "Pff a swordfish, we gonna send it to the bottom", well as you know the KMS Bismark crew probably was thinking the same.Next thing to happen was to surface the boat , fire few rounds them BANG the bombs fell just left and right of the sub barely missing us.No really major damage was done but quite scary experience.THe plane was set no fire but they managed to retreat.
There havent pass one hour after this encounter and this time 2 swordfishes came.Since we detected them early i decided to engage (i forgot that i had only 51!!! munitions left) By the time when i understood why the gun stoped firing they were almost above us (one was downed however) we dived and a bomb detoneted just behind the bridge ! The whole sub had some floodings and quite a damage to repair that we couldnt fix before we came back to Wilhemshafen.For the next 2 days i was constantly hunded by swordfishes and better yet my sub could stay at constant depth below 2 knots.

Funny though after i finaly got to the base (i though my hull integrity was below 50% because of the extensive damages to the subsystems) i saw that it was 98%. I was quite annoyed considering that with only 4 torps i sunk 16k tons i the patrol seemed to be going quite well :dead:

It seemed that the reason for the small hull damage was that beacause we were already below the water the bombed detonated at some distance (however there was quite a whole in the external steel hull)

Synthfg

05-19-09, 02:25 AM

September 42,
Sailing in Circles around the Approaches to the Straights of Gib, picked off a couple of small convoys and a lone tanker, + a couple of small float planes,

Currently submerged hiding from a pair of Hurricanes
Plenty of fuel and ammo remaining :ping:

Murr44

05-19-09, 05:44 AM

January 26th 1942. We finally sank something today!:woot:After 2 extremely boring days (the only excitement was being attacked by two Hurricanes: no damage was sustained) we got a map contact in CN63. We were 1 grid square to the east & above it (it was sailing on a north-westerly course) so I decided to go for it. We raced over there through the night, alternating between full & flank speeds, and came into visual contact with our intended victim (a 2400 ton small merchant) about dawn. Got to within 3000 meters & submerged. Reduced speed to slow and let the merchant come to us. Just then the hydrophone operator picks up a small freighter being escorted by a "Bathurst" class (never seen one of those before) corvette close behind us (within visual range). The small merchant got to within 1800m of us & I launched a TIII which detonated underneath the small merchant's bow. Because of the escort's close proximity I launched a TII set to impact to finish her off. That torpedo impacted dead center on the small merchant & she went down. Not wanting to take any chances with the escort we submerged to 120m & crept away. We wouldn't have caught the other freighter anyway as it was too far away & we couldn't make a stealthy approach on the surface as it was daylight now with clear skies and 0m waves.

U-74 out...

Sgtmonkeynads

05-19-09, 07:12 AM

Mission 8: not much 22,000 tons bad weather and crews tired. Off the coast of spain. feb 1940
recieved my knights cross with oak leaves and swords upon return.

mission 9: left port, but forgot to switch type of torpedoes so I just docked right a way. I recieved the front clasp and war badge for the first time ever while playing this game. Very happy but felt strange.

mission 10: Set out in my brand new IXB!!! No patrol grid given so I just set out for Englands east coast. Ran in to convoy, sank 4 escorts. rest were taken by gun. Ran out of ammo on the last ship, used flak gun in desperation, it went down in a fire ball.
4warships sunk, 15 cargo. triple didgit tonnage lost.
recieved my diamonds upon docking. First round was on BDU.

I feel as the British may put a price on my head before to long.

Leandros

05-19-09, 08:55 AM

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol10/DH69.jpg

Aug. 18th, 12:18 1940.

Have pulled eastwards towards the African coast after having patrolled the assigned kvadrant. Not an enemy ship or plane to see on the way down. Totally dead....

Aug. 25th, 22:17 1940.

Moved up to the Western Approaches of Gibraltar. An East-bound convoy is approaching. Looks fat...!

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol10/FatConvoy.jpg

Paul Riley

05-19-09, 01:05 PM

Latest Events (only important events recorded now)

13th Nov 1942
Day 8
09:30
AL24
Attacked by group of 3 PBY fighter bombers based at Iceland.Caught on the surface and unable to man guns or crash dive in time,forced to run at high speed outrunning the first attack run,managed to dive shortly afterwards,no damage.
This has forced us to change our tactics in this area now,submerging throughout the entire day,surfacing only at night to recharge.

14th Nov
Day 9
AL31
03:26
Looks like weather is starting to deteriorate as waves are picking up at 7mps,still clear however.
23:45
Finally entered our assigned patrol area.Patrol ends at 23:45 on the 15th November,after which we head for our 2nd patrol in the Denmark Strait,to intercept any traffic on its way to Russia,my primary objective.

15th Nov
Day 10
11:47
Picked up a merchant sound contact while patrolling our area.Preparing to shadow submerged in daylight,ready for a night surface attack.If waves calm down we may go in for the kill submerged at close range,if not or they worsen then it will have to be a surfaced attack at medium range (2500-3000m)
Merchant course seems steady at 335 degrees.
Will attempt to run decks awash in daylight at 10kts,with sound checks every 15mins.Merchant also appears to be moving not much faster than us as we still have good sound contact on it as sound strength (volume) still sounds quite strong.
12:59
Bomber formation suddenly appeared ahead of us while running decks awash,immediately dived without delay,bombs way off,no damage.
14:17
Another Bomber attack,this time they were almost above us,then opened up with MG fire on the rim of the conning tower,frantically dived again,no damage,bombs landing quite close this time.
There is a blessing however to all this chaos with the planes,the more we have to endure them the more we understand and begin to hate them.We are getting the better of them slowly but surely.
16:21
While stalking our current contact we pick up another contact,this time moving much slower and sounds heavier,making it our new target,breaking off from our current pursuit.
Decided to run decks awash for 30mins,then submerge for 30mins,hoping to lessen chance of air attack considerably while still allowing us to make vital ground using the diesels,taking the stress out of draining the batteries too soon...could be an excellent tactic.
Tactic is working very well,making good ground on target,who is now steady bearing east,and appears to be heading away from us.
Looks like we may have our first contact with some Russian shipping after all :arrgh!:
16:50
Almost sundown,after which we will recharge our batteries while running at high speed on the surface to intercept our new target.
The men are in high spirits now after realizing our new tactic when having to shadow targets submerged,all the while being in dangeous (air attacks) areas like this one.

End of report
.................................................. ..................................................

So far so good
:salute:

Events in the last 3 or 4 hrs real time

19:00
Finally black up top now,safe to make our interception proper now.Proceeding towards target at high speed while recharging.Making about 12kts,which seems adequate.We expect visual contact any time after 20:00
19:59
Finally made visual contact on target.Looks like a Coastal,heading from Iceland to GB.Making initial course observations from directly behind target for approx 30mins.
Target vessel is heading on course 115deg at about 6kts.
Proceeding to move up onto the port flank keeping at a distance of between 2500-3000m,ship just about visible through the binoculars,that is close enough.
Drew up level with ship and monitored his speed for a final 30mins.Target is confirmed at 6kts.
Prepared an ETorp for 1st attack,range 2500m,impact,depth 3.Also made meticulous preparations this time with the ETorp,due to our disappointing result with the last attack made with them.
All settings finally ready for attack.
20:52
Fired 1,AOB 90,aiming point just forward of centre.Torpedo makes its slow crawl to the ship,crew can barely look at the stopwatch,seconds later BOOM!,torpedo slams into the bow of the ship causing fires on the deck.An EXCELLENT shot! :arrgh!:
Ship however still afloat after about 30mins,meaning we will need to send another to finish it off.Will wait 1 hour for ship to finish zig zagging,allowing us another perfect opportunity.
22:00
As planned ship has returned to original course.As we have already set our speed to his crippled speed of 5kts we already have most of our settings ready for the attack.
New range - 2600m,chose steam torp in order to save our dwindling supply of ETorps,depth 1m in order to try and cause more fires nearer to the ones already blazing.
22:14
Aiming point - forward masts.Tube 2 fire! Seconds later again another huge explosion,this time ripping the ship into 3 seperate parts,going to the bottom in seconds.
Patrol report sent in just before diving to 50m and returning to previous contact spot of last engagement.We could spend a few days,even 1 week in this spot,hoping of course that ships will in fact sail past this spot again.

Tonnage - 2.620
Total so far - 2 small merchants for 5.238 tonnes.

7 torpedoes remain (5 steam,2 ETorps) + 3 Falkes for emergency/and or rare opportunities against important warships,like BBs etc,which I have yet to encounter in my career.

End of report
.................................................. ................................................

Finally a great result from the ETorp at medium range.As this was a perfect shot it has definitely lifted my confidence using them.
Shame about the low tonnage so far.
Will try our best to get as much use out of the deck gun as possible on the remainder of this mission.
:salute:

Leandros

05-20-09, 09:04 AM

Captain Birdseye

05-20-09, 09:27 AM

Currently 10/10/1939

Sunk HMS Ghurka off the coast of Ipswich. Looks like she was patrolling the eastern entrance into the channel. Our crew saw the trademark "bone in mouth" charge towards us. Two torps as she turned her stern towards us, lord alone knows why... Got one into her engine compartment, the other a dud.

Took her a whole of two minutes of frantic explosions and chaos to sink.

RIP.

Paul Riley

05-20-09, 09:59 AM

Sept 5th, 06.37 1940.

The Gibraltar-bound convoy was indeed fat. The stats below is for a later one. After having replenished at Lorient on our way back to Wilhelmshafen we met this one in the North-Western approaches. In the midst of it a Revenge-class. Took only two torps to sink him - one magnetic and one impact. Eventually we had to let the rest of it go as the weather was extremely bad and we had expended inboard torps.

Now we are ready for another one.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol10/FatConvoy2.jpg

How on earth do some of you manage such single patrol tonnage,with still 11 torps left?! was all that done with the deck gun alone?,oh I meant the RAIL GUN ;) , I mean it took me 20-30 shots from my DG a while ago before the ship sunk.If you are using GWX is the DG in GWX able to deliver more punishment to ships?.Looks more like a King Tiger tank sunk all that tonnage :o

Cheers.

Leandros

05-20-09, 10:18 AM

How on earth do some of you manage such single patrol tonnage,with still 11 torps left?! was all that done with the deck gun alone?,oh I meant the RAIL GUN ;) , I mean it took me 20-30 shots from my DG a while ago before the ship sunk.If you are using GWX is the DG in GWX able to deliver more punishment to ships?.Looks more like a King Tiger tank sunk all that tonnage :o

Cheers.
On this particular patrol - Lorient-Wilhelmshafen the deck gun haven't been used yet. The weather has been too bad. But the Revenge class weighted in heavily.....:DL.....then a couple of large tankers and merchants. I try to save the torps for the larger ones. Earlier I used a lot of effort on ASW vessels but Karl doesn't like it....:damn:

Jimbuna

05-20-09, 12:02 PM

How on earth do some of you manage such single patrol tonnage,with still 11 torps left?! was all that done with the deck gun alone?,oh I meant the RAIL GUN ;) , I mean it took me 20-30 shots from my DG a while ago before the ship sunk.If you are using GWX is the DG in GWX able to deliver more punishment to ships?.Looks more like a King Tiger tank sunk all that tonnage :o

Cheers.

I suspect one or two might be using my Additional Ammo mod http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/whistle.gif

mr chris

05-20-09, 12:10 PM

If you are using GWX is the DG in GWX able to deliver more punishment to ships?.Looks more like a King Tiger tank sunk all that tonnage :o

Cheers.

GWX actually decreases the damage a hit with the deck gun gives by around 50% over stock SH3.

Taken from the GWX website accessible from the link in my sig.

U-boat Gunnery — improvements include:

Ability to spot aircraft is inhibited by visibility conditions and size of aircraft
Destabilized gun sight views will rock up and down as your U-boat pitches and rolls.
Hits by deck guns cause about 50% less damage.
Shell hits above a target's waterline will not cause significant damage compared to shots below the waterline, which cause the ship to flood.

Sgtmonkeynads

05-20-09, 01:16 PM

I admitt that I do use the extra ammo mod. I figure that the captain, Me, would do everything in his power to get the most ammo on board. I kind of imagine my crew stealing it, poker games, and other "McHales Navy" tactics to procure the goods. If any one here has missing ammo from their stock...uh....it's in the depot.

Now I'm on my way to Bermuda.

Leandros

05-20-09, 01:55 PM

I suspect one or two might be using my Additional Ammo mod http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/whistle.gif
What is that, please...?

Jimbuna

05-20-09, 02:35 PM

What is that, please...?

It's a small mod that gives your deck gun 250 rounds instead of the standard issue 110ish.

There are reports of some U-boats carrying as many as 370 in RL....but that was the exception to the rule.

http://files.filefront.com/GWX30+Additional+Ammo7z/;12858187;/fileinfo.html

Leandros

05-20-09, 03:09 PM

It's a small mod that gives your deck gun 250 rounds instead of the standard issue 110ish.

There are reports of some U-boats carrying as many as 370 in RL....but that was the exception to the rule.

http://files.filefront.com/GWX30+Additional+Ammo7z/;12858187;/fileinfo.html
I see. That is what I liked about the VIIB - it's larger DG shell capacity.

Leandros

05-20-09, 03:15 PM

U-108, Sept. 13th. 11:11 - still 10th patrol - East of Aberdeen:

Have passed between the Orkneys and Shetland on our way home. What are these echoes...?

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol10/HomeFleet2.jpg

Gulp...!!.....the whole bloody Home fleet...!!.....do we dare this...?

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol10/HomeFleet.jpg

Jimbuna

05-20-09, 03:21 PM

SINK EM ALL!! http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

If you've still got a few shells left that is :DL

Leandros

05-20-09, 03:56 PM

SINK EM ALL!! http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/pirate.gif

If you've still got a few shells left that is :DL
Plenty of shells but no weather. Look at the picture. Some torps, though. We shall see....:03:

Paul Riley

05-20-09, 04:58 PM

Events in the last 3 or 4 hrs real time

19:00
Finally black up top now,safe to make our interception proper now.Proceeding towards target at high speed while recharging.Making about 12kts,which seems adequate.We expect visual contact any time after 20:00
19:59
Finally made visual contact on target.Looks like a Coastal,heading from Iceland to GB.Making initial course observations from directly behind target for approx 30mins.
Target vessel is heading on course 115deg at about 6kts.
Proceeding to move up onto the port flank keeping at a distance of between 2500-3000m,ship just about visible through the binoculars,that is close enough.
Drew up level with ship and monitored his speed for a final 30mins.Target is confirmed at 6kts.
Prepared an ETorp for 1st attack,range 2500m,impact,depth 3.Also made meticulous preparations this time with the ETorp,due to our disappointing result with the last attack made with them.
All settings finally ready for attack.
20:52
Fired 1,AOB 90,aiming point just forward of centre.Torpedo makes its slow crawl to the ship,crew can barely look at the stopwatch,seconds later BOOM!,torpedo slams into the bow of the ship causing fires on the deck.An EXCELLENT shot! :arrgh!:
Ship however still afloat after about 30mins,meaning we will need to send another to finish it off.Will wait 1 hour for ship to finish zig zagging,allowing us another perfect opportunity.
22:00
As planned ship has returned to original course.As we have already set our speed to his crippled speed of 5kts we already have most of our settings ready for the attack.
New range - 2600m,chose steam torp in order to save our dwindling supply of ETorps,depth 1m in order to try and cause more fires nearer to the ones already blazing.
22:14
Aiming point - forward masts.Tube 2 fire! Seconds later again another huge explosion,this time ripping the ship into 3 seperate parts,going to the bottom in seconds.
Patrol report sent in just before diving to 50m and returning to previous contact spot of last engagement.We could spend a few days,even 1 week in this spot,hoping of course that ships will in fact sail past this spot again.

Tonnage - 2.620
Total so far - 2 small merchants for 5.238 tonnes.

7 torpedoes remain (5 steam,2 ETorps) + 3 Falkes for emergency/and or rare opportunities against important warships,like BBs etc,which I have yet to encounter in my career.

End of report
.................................................. ................................................

Finally a great result from the ETorp at medium range.As this was a perfect shot it has definitely lifted my confidence using them.
Shame about the low tonnage so far.
Will try our best to get as much use out of the deck gun as possible on the remainder of this mission.
:salute:

.................................................. ................................................

Tonight's report
16th Nov 1942
Day 11

01:12
surfaced to reload tubes after previous attack.
finally in position in patrol zone.

01:51
radar signals detected! aircraft incoming! immediately dived,bomb glanced us

damage report
flak 2 damaged
minor damage to foredeck

01:54
attack ends.
will need to carefully monitor how much time we spend on the surface now,this seems to be a more dangerous area than the bay of biscay at the moment!.
current range from Rekyavik - 660km

02:30
surfaced for repairs
repairs complete
almost recharged

03:00
submerged to patrol depth
will leave area after patrol expires , then proceed to patrol 2 in the Denmark Strait.
en route to PZ2 we will run 1 hr at 7m and 1 hr submerged in the day,and make a full surface run at night to recharge.

07:00
Patrol 1 complete

08:45
proceeding to PZ2
first 7m sf run at 09:00

19:00
daylight runs passed without incident
surfaced for night surface run proper
recharging

17th Nov
Day 12
last 5 hrs passed without incident

01:30
radar signals incoming! ALARRRRRRRRRRM!! no sooner had I bellowed out the command the bomb caught us at about 15m sending my UBoat into a fierce roll!
plunged into the depths as fast as we could,levelled off at 50m

damage report
both flaks destroyed
serious damage to the watch tower
radio antenna destroyed
serious damage to the forward deck

carrying out hull test,dive set for 200m

01:43
dive successful,no damage to pressure hull

list of changes to now be implemented due to the last events
daylight
daylight must now be used to try and counter allied radar which has increased significantly recently.
we stand a better chance of evading radar if we can spot the planes further out on a clear day,but to dive as standard during even the slightest cloud cover.
night time protection is now officially at an end.
recharging to be carried out in daylight.
damage to be repaired only in daylight.
night time
this is now the critical time.
as we were running 1hr at 7m and 1hr smd during daylight it must now be done at night.
both engines to be used at night,strictly no recharging whatsoever.
*if we sustain another hit like the previous one then we will have to turn back for base.better than losing everything to a rush of blood.

03:00
1st hour of 7m sf run

end of report

.................................................. ................................................

As you can see,a lot to think about :nope:
For the moment the loss of my guns and radio antenna is not as bad as it sounds,I rarely use both,and the loss of the radio antenna just means we have no contact with base,which doesnt neccessarily mean we should turn back.As they will assume us lost in about a weeks time we hope to give them a nice surprise sometime in the new year of 1943.
We shall see.

Leandros

05-20-09, 06:02 PM

U-108 back in Wilhelmshafen Sept. 21st. A long patrol. Actually two as the Lorient-Wilhelmshafen stretch counts as Patrol 11.

Yes, we dared. Unfortunately enough HMS Hood got away - she limped away over the horizon with two T1 magnetics under her belly - escorted by, among others, 3 Southamptons. Rodney and Nelson did not pass. They joined the Revenge which was disposed of earlier on this patrol. Not with the deck gun. So, here is the score:

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol10/PatrolReport.jpg

Leg

05-20-09, 06:12 PM

ET41 28 march 1941

Received a radio report of a big convoy headed north west... ahead full to intercept.

Paul Riley

05-21-09, 12:35 AM

Leandros

05-21-09, 06:30 AM

Leandros,

I am sorry to bother you about this,but can you just tell me what version you play the game in,some of the major mods you use,realism settings,and of course the date you are currently playing?
The only reason I am asking is because of those titanic tonnage scores (compared to the measly 5000 tonnes or so in my current patrol) you present,not to mention the apparent relative ease you are dispatching major British warships :o
I am not discriminating you my friend,but in real life no single UBoat,in fact no ship (except the Bismarck,man for man) could challenge the might of British warships with such relative ease or comfort,unless they had serious issues upstairs :88);)
The only time British (English to be exact) warships ever faced such a problem against other warships was against the Spanish armada,and even then they got wasted in the end.
The most I ever sunk EVER in one patrol was no more than 30.000 tonnes if I remember,and only ever 2 destroyers.

Thankyou.
North Sea, Sept. 22nd, 1940 - patrol 12.

Dear Paul!

I have now finally found time to answer you. We came to Wilhelmshafen yesterday and it turns out our base people (2nd flotilla) have moved to Lorient with all their gear and replenishments. We did not feel very welcome in Wilhelmshafen now and was only given a quick refuelling, a standard torpedo load-up - and whisked out of the base. It seems we missed the message that our base was changed to Lorient and therefore went to Wilhelmshafen. You can surely understand how busy I got at this speedy turnaround. If we reach Lorient safely this letter shall be mailed from there. In the meantime we have some serious business to attend to enroute.

Thank you for your nice letter and your congratulations on our latest sortie. Sorry to hear about your less than totally succesful patrols. Please do not despair, I am sure your luck shall change eventually. Or, rather, your constantly improved proficiency. The important thing is to conserve your boat and crew - do not take too many risks, you are very valuable to the defense of the Reich. After all, you have already expedited much more of enemy tonnage than your own.

As for your question how my boat has achieved the result it has - this honour goes mainly to my crew. If anything, my contribution to this is my ability to pick the best men, to get the most out of them and see to that they are properly taken care of. I let them serve on various stations and when in harbour use much of the time to run them through all possible specialist courses. I constantly pester the Commander for their rightfully earned leave, promotions and decorations. My officers are very special. I have two mathematical geniuses as navigation and weapons officers. They practically dream fire solutions from all angles and, together with our sonar crew, have an uncanny abiltity to see the enemy's moves on the surface.

My torpedo officer and engineers are also very special. They have investigated much into the recent torpedokrise and have come to their own conclusions on the problem. These have been conveyed to the TVA but due to political reasons their opinions have not been followed through. In the meantime they are taking their own steps to see to that our topedoes are functioning properly. These are regularly overhauled with particular care to the correct pressure ratios in the vacum chambers. We have therefore experienced much less of the problems our comrades have. This is something you should suggest to your own torpedo crew.

While you find it frustrating that you yourself have not been able to demolish any of the enemy's capital ships history shows this shouldn't really be a problem. Günther's experience outside Narvik in April proved that he could have sunk the Warspite three times had his torpedoes functioned properly. The Brits have also shown that submarines can do this (Karlsruhe, Lützow) - so why not our own...? As for the success in this respect on our latest patrol much credit must go the fact that we ventured straight into the enemy columns (rather they run us over) - as you yourself have advised is a good tactic - and the very bad weather on both occasions which made us very difficult to detect. As a matter of fact, in the instance with the Rodney, Nelson and Hood, we weren't even detected by the escorts. They just sped off to cover the wing-shot Hood and its Southamptons.

While my boat do not have the latest upgrade (3.0) I have found that at the present I do not want to make these improvements for fear of upsetting the fine harmony of my boat and crew. However, this is bound to take place in some not too distant future.

I shall also regret the day my best officers shall be transferred to their own commands. An action that has not been sabotaged by me but rather by their own decisions to stay on as my crew. However, that day shall also not be too far away and I shall have to take over the work of these professionals as today's replacements, due to the present extreme build-up of the uboat fleet, tend to be quite inexperienced. Even if our training system is excellent. I have been quite spoiled by my present fine young officers and it shall certainly take some time for this old salt to learn the trade they way they have handled it.

If this had been a game I'd say the proficency of my men have resulted in a 65% reality score if compared with normal uboat crews.

I wish you good hunting in the future and - Hals und Beinbruch!

Your Friend

Karl Schulz - CO U-108

Jimbuna

05-21-09, 06:49 AM

Plenty of shells but no weather. Look at the picture. Some torps, though. We shall see....:03:

Perhaps it be time to unleash the secret weapon....all weather guns mod http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/greywolftail.gif

Leandros

05-21-09, 07:04 AM

Perhaps it be time to unleash the secret weapon....all weather guns mod http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/greywolftail.gif
You mean - making it even easier.....:woot:.....free showers to all crews manning the deck gun now...!!!!......come on, guys - hurry up.....

Or is there a remote control from below deck...?

Paul Riley

05-21-09, 07:58 AM

North Sea, Sept. 22nd, 1940 - patrol 12.

Dear Paul!

I have now finally found time to answer you. We came to Wilhelmshafen yesterday and it turns out our base people (2nd flotilla) have moved to Lorient with all their gear and replenishments. We did not feel very welcome in Wilhelmshafen now and was only given a quick refuelling, a standard torpedo load-up - and whisked out of the base. It seems we missed the message that our base was changed to Lorient and therefore went to Wilhelmshafen. You can surely understand how busy I got at this speedy turnaround. If we reach Lorient safely this letter shall be mailed from there. In the meantime we have some serious business to attend to enroute.

Thank you for your nice letter and your congratulations on our latest sortie. Sorry to hear about your less than totally succesful patrols. Please do not despair, I am sure your luck shall change eventually. Or, rather, your constantly improved proficiency. The important thing is to conserve your boat and crew - do not take too many risks, you are very valuable to the defense of the Reich. After all, you have already expedited much more of enemy tonnage than your own.

As for your question how my boat has achieved the result it has - this honour goes mainly to my crew. If anything, my contribution to this is my ability to pick the best men, to get the most out of them and see to that they are properly taken care of. I let them serve on various stations and when in harbour use much of the time to run them through all possible specialist courses. I constantly pester the Commander for their rightfully earned leave, promotions and decorations. My officers are very special. I have two mathematical geniuses as navigation and weapons officers. They practically dream fire solutions from all angles and, together with our sonar crew, have an uncanny abiltity to see the enemy's moves on the surface.

My torpedo officer and engineers are also very special. They have investigated much into the recent torpedokrise and have come to their own conclusions on the problem. These have been conveyed to the TVA but due to political reasons their opinions have not been followed through. In the meantime they are taking their own steps to see to that our topedoes are functioning properly. These are regularly overhauled with particular care to the correct pressure ratios in the vacum chambers. We have therefore experienced much less of the problems our comrades have. This is something you should suggest to your own torpedo crew.

While you find it frustrating that you yourself have not been able to demolish any of the enemy's capital ships history shows this shouldn't really be a problem. Günther's experience outside Narvik in April proved that he could have sunk the Warspite three times had his torpedoes functioned properly. The Brits have also shown that submarines can do this (Karlsruhe, Lützow) - so why not our own...? As for the success in this respect on our latest patrol much credit must go the fact that we ventured straight into the enemy columns (rather they run us over) - as you yourself have advised is a good tactic - and the very bad weather on both occasions which made us very difficult to detect. As a matter of fact, in the instance with the Rodney, Nelson and Hood, we weren't even detected by the escorts. They just sped off to cover the wing-shot Hood and its Southamptons.

While my boat do not have the latest upgrade (3.0) I have found that at the present I do not want to make these improvements for fear of upsetting the fine harmony of my boat and crew. However, this is bound to take place in some not too distant future.

I shall also regret the day my best officers shall be transferred to their own commands. An action that has not been sabotaged by me but rather by their own decisions to stay on as my crew. However, that day shall also not be too far away and I shall have to take over the work of these professionals as today's replacements, due to the present extreme build-up of the uboat fleet, tend to be quite inexperienced. Even if our training system is excellent. I have been quite spoiled by my present fine young officers and it shall certainly take some time for this old salt to learn the trade they way they have handled it.

If this had been a game I'd say the proficency of my men have resulted in a 65% reality score if compared with normal uboat crews.

I wish you good hunting in the future and - Hals und Beinbruch!

Your Friend

Karl Schulz - CO U-108

A fine letter Leandros.

You clearly are a bull at sea,taking the fight to the enemy head on.Prien would be proud no doubt.
I see myself as a meticulous hunter...much like a snake carefully observing its prey,holding its life in the balance until the time to strike arrives.If the prey is too strong then the hunter retreats,only to come back with stronger venom next time.There is a lot to be learnt from close calls and disasters,how else are we to learn? :know:
:salute:

Jimbuna

05-21-09, 08:14 AM

You mean - making it even easier.....:woot:.....free showers to all crews manning the deck gun now...!!!!......come on, guys - hurry up.....

Or is there a remote control from below deck...?

Simply a small switch that allows the gun to be used in any and all inclement weather conditions http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/evillaugh.gif

Leg

05-21-09, 08:43 AM

isn't the all weather gun actually "cheat"? :hmmm:

Just failed an attack on a convoy due very stormy weather...:down:
This convoy is really escorted... 6 DDs, some of them with radars; and the night is coming. Asking to myself if it's better to continue or let it go.

Leandros

05-21-09, 08:57 AM

A fine letter Leandros.

You clearly are a bull at sea,taking the fight to the enemy head on.Prien would be proud no doubt.
I see myself as a meticulous hunter...much like a snake carefully observing its prey,holding its life in the balance until the time to strike arrives.If the prey is too strong then the hunter retreats,only to come back with stronger venom next time.There is a lot to be learnt from close calls and disasters,how else are we to learn? :know:
:salute:
Thank you, Paul!

It is not that I yearn for close calls and disasters - on the last patrol we had two very lucky calls. I have also grown much wearier by time at the same time rationing my torpedoes to worthwhile targets. I also always keep my aft tubes loaded with T1's for self-defense and never empty those completely before the last part of the home journey.

Honestly, these last 11 patrols there has only been one what I would call close call - and we came back with 6% HI - how that is possible I do not know. Not counting being run over by the Home Fleet.

Kubryk

05-21-09, 09:37 AM

September 1940, flottilla's base changed from Wilhelmshaven to Brest. Patrol nr 7, first from new location. Ordered grid BF12. Wind 15 m/s, dense fog, visibility 300m. We heard something sounding like a convoy. Surfaced, max speed, TC 256 - let's speed for a couple of minutes. Suddenly I hear bullet noise - just my luck, from my port side there's a DD shooting at me from 200m, to my right I see Nelson or Fiji escaping (I had half of second to look at it before ordering crash dive).

I check hydro, seems there are 7 warships above us. After 30 minutes I hear 'merchant, slow, moving away'. Back to periscope depht, I see that fog is now a memory. Slowly we sail towards the merchant only to find that it's a DD Tribal class, some smoke coming from his deck, he's not moving. Easy shot from 1700m, magnetic trigger, he's sinking fast. Probably was injured by crazy DD who was shooting at me. I order pursuit of that Nelson/Fiji, but they must be moving extremely fast, plus we've just been attacked by 5 planes at once. Down we go, will continue patrol when it's dark again.

Murr44

05-21-09, 09:41 AM

Hit a Large Merchant in CO42 yesterday just before dawn. She was being escorted by a Town class DD & a V&W. Was detected at the last second before I launched 2 T1's at her. Both torpedos hit home and crippled her but she stubbornly refused to go down (ping-pong balls?). The escorts were very persistant & pestered us for well over an hour before they gave up. Had to wait another while until the DD's left the area. Went to periscope level & decided to finish the job with a stern shot. That one failed to detonate & bounced harmlessly away.:damn: Finally said "enough is enough", surfaced and destroyed her with the deck gun at 3100m.

U-74 out...

Jimbuna

05-21-09, 09:47 AM

[quote=Leg;1104650]isn't the all weather gun actually "cheat"? :hmmm:

quote]

That's 2,016 (at the last count) Iron Crosses that need recalling :03:

Leandros

05-21-09, 11:52 AM

U-108, Sept. 26th. 1940 17:07 - Patrol 12.

Just East of the Northern Hebrides - a strong echo..! Oops, here we go again. A Fiji class cruiser approaching straight on.....how is that for positioning...

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol12/Fiji.jpg

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol12/Fiji2.jpg

10 minutes later - what a flop! See our aft-launched "steamer" cross just behind him and past his starboard bow....some fancy maneuvering saved him from this and our first, forward-launched torp. Two wasted!

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol12/FijiFlop.jpg

Nothing could make him turn around - U-108 chased Fiji Northwards.....:damn:

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol12/FijiRuns.jpg

Paul Riley

05-21-09, 12:35 PM

Thank you, Paul!

It is not that I yearn for close calls and disasters - on the last patrol we had two very lucky calls. I have also grown much wearier by time at the same time rationing my torpedoes to worthwhile targets. I also always keep my aft tubes loaded with T1's for self-defense and never empty those completely before the last part of the home journey.

Honestly, these last 11 patrols there has only been one what I would call close call - and we came back with 6% HI - how that is possible I do not know. Not counting being run over by the Home Fleet.

Close calls and disasters,I was referring to myself there,the close calls and disasters I have had lately with air attacks,its how I am learning to cope, through hardship :smug:

Leandros

05-21-09, 01:41 PM

U-108, Sept. 29th. 1940 13:49 - Patrol 12.

In the North-Western Approaches. This A&B had to pay for the missed Fiji...a tail shot.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol12/AB.jpg

Packerton

05-21-09, 01:50 PM

Where did you find an unescorted Cruiser? I wish I was that lucky.

Leandros

05-21-09, 02:12 PM

Where did you find an unescorted Cruiser? I wish I was that lucky.
The position is described - East of the Northern Hebrides......:DL.....not much ado when it gets away.....

Pohl

05-21-09, 02:18 PM

December 19, 1939

U-99 arrived safely after completing patrol #4 still waiting for a convoy to destroy, patrol #5 will get me to grid AN18 hopefully I get a high tonnage in this patrol otherwise my renown will be very low :down:

Bronzewing

05-21-09, 06:23 PM

U128 is currently finishing a refit after it's first transatlantic patrol which was started to raid shipping leaving Halifax on 25/11/1941. On the way Hostilities with the United States broke out and the target was switched to New York to give the Yankeedoodles a freindly welcome to the second world war.
Somehow, due largely to the ineptitude of the US atlantic fleet and a medium fog, U128 penetrated New York bay and sank 5 ships including a passenger liner being refitted for war service (gun spotted aft), and two tankers.
U128 will depart shortly on her second war patrol. Now with a new mark 3 conning tower, as soon as the Alberich dries.

Captain Birdseye

05-21-09, 06:37 PM

Where did you find an unescorted Cruiser? I wish I was that lucky.
It's amazing what you can find out in the open seas!

I found a tribal class destroyer on her own patrolling the eastern mouth of the channel. This was 1939. As you know, the depth there isn't so great. So it was a fight to the death.

Shot two torps off and dived to 20m, praying for some mercy. One was faulty, the other a beauty shot straight into her ammo compartment, and she went up like a bonfire.

Paul Riley

05-21-09, 07:21 PM

You mean - making it even easier.....:woot:.....free showers to all crews manning the deck gun now...!!!!......come on, guys - hurry up.....

Or is there a remote control from below deck...?

Could they operate the guns in rough weather?.I think they would have to be strapped to the railings?.I am interested in this mod,as it would give us a bit of protection during rough conditions.

Jaman

05-21-09, 08:21 PM

Where did you find an unescorted Cruiser? I wish I was that lucky.
In Gibraltar you may find them (at least in GWX). Three times i´ve found a group of three unscorted Fiji-class Cruisers getting into the strait ahead flank. Too bad they caught me off feet one time, another without stern torpedoes and the last time a Hurricane chased me off before i could get into attack position.

Leandros

05-22-09, 03:02 AM

It's amazing what you can find out in the open seas!

I found a tribal class destroyer on her own patrolling the eastern mouth of the channel. This was 1939. As you know, the depth there isn't so great. So it was a fight to the death.

Shot two torps off and dived to 20m, praying for some mercy. One was faulty, the other a beauty shot straight into her ammo compartment, and she went up like a bonfire.
There are destroyers all over the place - particularly around the UK coast. It is just to find a central spot and they come to you - they are seemingly part of a fixed patrol pattern, using the same lanes all the time. The trick is to observe the route of one, then move cautiously over there and wait for the next one. Lay still and use the scope sparingly. 700-1500 meters range and you cannot miss. Use TIII's and they never know what hit them.

Once I positioned myself outside the Lerwick sub base. Five destroyers passed in front of our forward tubes within a couple of days. Because the water was so shallow one could see their masts sticking up (Union Jack waving) only a few hundred meters apart........

.....and Black Swans.....

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/OutsideGibraltar/YesNumberFour.jpg

Jimbuna

05-22-09, 03:40 AM

Could they operate the guns in rough weather?.I think they would have to be strapped to the railings?.I am interested in this mod,as it would give us a bit of protection during rough conditions.

Highly unlikely, the deck of a U-boat wasn't very stable at the best of times....only in pond like weather conditions.

The mod was created because some sub simmers had a requirement for it.

You'll find most of my mods on the GWX3.0 link below my sig http://www.psionguild.org/forums/images/smilies/wolfsmilies/thumbsup.gif

sharkbit

05-22-09, 08:30 AM

Where did you find an unescorted Cruiser? I wish I was that lucky.
I've seen them a couple of times by themselves out in the middle of the Atlantic, west of the Azores. I've seen them a couple of times in groups in the Med.
I was never in good position to take a shot and those things are just too damned fast. I think it is a matter of being in the right place at the right time to bag a loner cruiser in the open seas.
:)

Leandros

05-22-09, 11:50 AM

U-108 - Patrol 13 - AM32 - Oct. 1940

Have been chasing this echo for hours. Haven't been able to catch up with it due to the bad weather. Seemingly an Auxilliary Cruiser. It's a pair....

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol13/AuxCruiser.jpg

Pohl

05-22-09, 02:17 PM

July 04 1941

U-507 (Type IXC) was commisioned to Hans Linnenberg, on it's first patrol we had to roam through grid EK77, we sailed from Loriend and beyond us was a long trip.

July 07 1941

We had our first radar contact a small convoy (Grid CF95), the weather was really bad but we had great visibility (7-8km)

22:40 The convoy was conformed by 2 small merchants, 1 Large Merchant, 1 Empire Type-Freighter & JK Class protecting them, when we where 4km away from the convoy I inmeaditely ordered periscope depth

22:45 At 2.5km fired 1 Torpedo to each of the 2 larger ships and 1 to a small merchant

22:47 Hitted the 2 large ships and the small merchant got away, our cover was blown up, so the escort came after us, ordered slow ahead to keep the sound to a minimum

22:50 Fired 2 more torpedoes to each ship and all 4 hit their target, the escort is less than 900m away from us and has started to ping us

22:55 S.S. Monarch of the seas (Empire-type Freighter, 6781tons) sunk, escort has layed some deep charges but none hit, when he was coming around to start a second run fired a torpedo at 300m away from him and succesfully hit it in his ammo compartment, ordered surface boat so the crew could see the beatiful fireworks coming from the destroyed escort (HMS Jaguar, 1690tons)

22:57 S.S. Harpeley (Large Merchant, 10,616tons) sunk slowly, we left the 2 small merchants go away, ordered the man to load the outside torpedoes into the sub

July 11 1941

5:00 Got a report form a large convoy going north, ordered full ahead, visibility was very poor and had a storm on top of us, suddenly a AB Class escort appeared behind us and started shooting us, destroying both periscopes the starboard diesel engine and hull damage down to 38%, had flooding all across the sub, ordered dive to 110m and left rudder 35°, we had lot of pressure with the hull damaged so bad, we lost 10% of it, ordered new depth 60m.

5:19 After 19 minutes of dept charges decided to come to periscope depth at full ahead, used sonar to guess his path, fired 2 torpedoes into his way, the first one missed by a few meters, the second torpedo hit him in his machinery compartment, sinking inmediately (HMS Boreas, 1350tons)

5:25 After examining the sub, it was hurt really bad and I was almost out of torpedoes, had to order to return to base so I had to ignore the convoy.

Patrol#1 had a total of 20,437 tons sunk and returned home with 27% hull

Crew got 4 U-boat war badges and 1 Iron Cross Second Class

DaveU186

05-22-09, 02:55 PM

April 21st 1940

01:45 - Three warship contacts. Two auxiliary cruisers escorted by a single V&W Class. Attacked on surface, protected by the nighttime and the poor weather. Two torps directed towards each of the cruisers. Both sunk around 02:15.

:arrgh!:

Leandros

05-22-09, 03:45 PM

U-108 - Nov. 2nd 1940 20:18 - Patrol 13 - North Hebrides Channel

Boy, oh, boy - another fat convoy approaching from North.....weather is excellent - heavy seas, good visibility.....

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol13/FatConvoy.jpg

AndyW

05-22-09, 05:37 PM

Guess this is the new "Who else is holding up the honour..."-thread, so here's my last report:

Radio message from U-200, Type IX D2, Ltn. Heinrich Schonder, enroute from Lorient to Penang:

1507 AUGUST 11, 1943
TO: BDU
SURPRISED AT NIGHT BY ENEMY AIRCRAFT WITH SEARCHLIGHTS AT GRID 5487 WEST OF CAPETOWN. NO METOX WARNING. 1 BOMB HIT AFT TORPEDO ROOM CAUSING SEVERE DEMAGE. ALL SYSTEMS REPAIRED AFTER 14 HRS. PROCEEDING PATROL TO PASS CAPE OF GOOD HOPE

U-200 SCHONDER, 44TH DAY AT SEA

Cheers,

Leandros

05-22-09, 06:24 PM

U-108 - Nov. 4th 1940 14:30 - Patrol 13 - South-Western Approaches

An average "fat" convoy it was with several LM's. Very bothersome escorts. Ref. the status report - all except an earlier Medium Cargo and a large tugboat (sunk by DG) are from above convoy.

We have backtracked North-West of the Hebrides and are now South of Ireland. We need to find something on which to spend our three remaining torpedoes (and shells). Calm sea, good visibility.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol13/StatusReport.jpg

Paul Riley

05-22-09, 06:28 PM

Monica Lewinsky

05-22-09, 07:12 PM

I've been busy patrolling here and learned how to dance as a side trip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw

Pohl

05-22-09, 08:43 PM

Patrol 2 of U-507
Left Lorient on September 30, 1941
Patrol Grid CG89

06:35 October 1
Found and sunk a Liberty Cargo (S.S. Henry Ward Beecher, 7335 tons) roaming at grid BF 47

14:14 October 3
Found and sunk a Large Merchant (S.S. Major Wheeler, 10616 tons) roaming at grid BF 48

14:51
Found and sunk a Coastal Freighter (S.S Scania, 1869 tons) in same grid BF 48

03:25
Found and sunk a Tramp Steamer (S.S. Robin Locksley, 1965 tons) at grid BE 96

Total of tonnage: 21785, crew earned 4 U-boat war badges and 1 Iron Cross Second Class

Patrol #3 of U-507
Left Lorient on October 28, 1941
Patrol Grid AM-64

22:25 October 29
Found and sunk HMS Fernie part of a medium sized convoy (Hunt I class, 1000 tons) at Grid AM 64
22:30 S.S. George M. Pullman sunk part of a medium sized convoy (Liberty Cargo, 7335 tons)
22:38 HMS Vimy sunk part of a medium sized convoy (VW Classes, 1188 tons)
22:39 S.S. Harpagon sunk part of a medium sized convoy (Ore Carrier, 8038 tons)
22:41 HMS Wakeful sunk part of a medium sized convoy (VW Classes, 1188 tons)
22:43 S.S. Caswell sunk part of a medium sized convoy (Passenger/Cargo, 2253 tons)
01:35 S.S. Bengore Head sailing alone (Granvill-type Freighter, 4707 tons)
1:50 GMS Mendip sunk was part of the earlier convoy (Hunt I class, 1000 tons)
9:33 Resolute found it sailing alone (Schooner, 17 tons)
11:29 HMS Minalto was escorting a medium tanker, but I run out of torpedoes and shells so I left the tanker badly injured (Isles class, 540 tons)

Total of Tonnage: 27311 tons, crew earned 8 U-boat war badges and 1 Knight's Cross Second Class

Leandros

05-23-09, 02:46 AM

Orders are for a 5 day shakedown patrol.Exactly what BDU means when they tell us this is uncertain,what is certain is that we are at war,and we and my comrades sail out to meet our enemies in defiance,and in defence of our beloved fatherland.

Paul, please do not forget that the war hasn't started yet. Well-informed sources imply it might start end of the month (against Poland). According to our Führer England and France shall most probably keep out of it. As they have on the various incidents the last couple of years....:smug:..

Leandros

05-23-09, 02:57 AM

I've been busy patrolling here and learned how to dance as a side trip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InBXu-iY7cw

What is this...?.....a recruitment video for gays in the Navy....:rock:.....hurrah, they finally made it...! And, what could be more practical as with the confined spaces and long, lonely journeys. Problem is they are admitting all those women into the service, too. That always stir things up...:damn:.....not practical. Besides, pregnancy is no good for crew rosters....

Paul Riley

05-23-09, 04:30 AM

Paul, please do not forget that the war hasn't started yet. Well-informed sources imply it might start end of the month (against Poland). According to our Führer England and France shall most probably keep out of it. As they have on the various incidents the last couple of years....:smug:..

Lets hope so Kapt.Leandros,
Our strength is no where near capable of matching the Royal Navy in open battle.My men will nervously be tuning in to the latest events over the coming days and weeks.

Kapt.W.Werner

Leandros

05-23-09, 05:15 AM

Lets hope so Kapt.Leandros,
Our strength is no where near capable of matching the Royal Navy in open battle.My men will nervously be tuning in to the latest events over the coming days and weeks.

Kapt.W.Werner
Thank you, W!

The Royal Navy's capabilities are highly overrated, they shall eventually become over-stretched. Let us just hope our torpedoes shall work properly. There are rumours of heated discussions in the higher levels of command. The TVA (Torpedo Versuchs Anstalt) is under heavy criticism but does not accept it. Let us hope the next few months shall bring clarity in this. If the Baltic freezes over this winter the new test trials shall become difficult.

Leandros

05-23-09, 11:05 AM

U-108 - Nov. 5th 1940 19:37 - Patrol 13 - South-Western Approaches

Bumped into a small tanker. 5 rounds from the DG set it ablaze. 10 more rounds later and it is still truddling along.....

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol13/SmallTanker.jpg

Paul Riley

05-23-09, 12:26 PM

You know when BDU order 1st Flotilla UBoats to carry out "a shakedown for 5 days" is that just another way of saying a standard patrol,or reconnaisance mission? In other words,preparations for war,giving the fresh crews 5 days to get accustomed to their new UBoats and life at sea.

Thanks.

Leandros

05-23-09, 12:36 PM

Jimbuna

05-23-09, 12:45 PM

Pohl

05-23-09, 01:27 PM

U-507 was sunk in her 4th patrol, run into a Task Force convoy and between the mess above and aiming at the escorts a tanker hit us, leaving heavy hull damage and flooding.

-------------------------------------------------------------
In my cholera I decided to give the royal navy a test of the XXI u-boat, this is my new career...looks very promising :yeah:

http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt348/arleccin/patrol.jpg

Leandros

05-23-09, 01:52 PM

A XXI in 1939 is not bad...!

Paul Riley

05-23-09, 02:13 PM

On the 5th day of your patrol you'll receive a radio message telling you to return to base (if you'd chosen the 7th IIRC Flotilla out of Konigsberg you should return to base and imediately request a transfer to the 1st or 2nd operational flotillas).

Your 2nd patrol should commence on the 24th August (if using SH3 Commander set your days in port to 20) which allows you to travel in a neutral SH3 world to your assigned patrol grid in preparation for the commencement of hostilities....just like they did in RL.

Jim,
Just two things mate,
I presume I am not to open fire on any shipping whatsoever during this time?,and if that is the case,will any warships that sight us open fire?,would they be suspicious of a German UBoat sailing in the North Sea?.

Second,the current date is 1st Aug (as you will no doubt already know),5 days on patrol takes me to the 6th Aug,about 3 days return journey (thats if you still get renown for manually returning the UBoat) takes me to about the 9th,20 days in port takes me to 29th Aug.As Poland was invaded on the 1st Sept that gives me about 2-3 days to reach my next patrol before the seas become hostile.Would you agree this is correct?
Sorry for being naive here,but I need to ask all this as if I know nothing.This is far more complex now than the stock game,that I have been so used to,and rightly so.

Thanks!

Paul Riley

05-23-09, 02:21 PM

Jim,

I set my days in port for 18,that gives us a good 5 days to get in position well in advance.I think that is correct,well ive just worked it all out on paper,so... :yeah:

nikbear

05-23-09, 02:32 PM

U-64 reporting in,good patrol in the western approaches,
Kaleun Georg Willhelm Schulz

4.2.40. 1824 Grid AN 14 Ship sunk! SS Accordance (Coastal Freighter), 1869 tons. Cargo: Bauxite. Crew: 28. Crew lost: 21 1959 Grid AN 14 Ship sunk! HMS Kingston (J&K classes), 1690 tons. Crew: 243. Crew lost: 218 2231 Grid AN 14 Ship sunk! SS Sea Tarpon (Large Cargo), 8393 tons. Cargo: Coal. Crew: 48. Crew lost: 12 5.2.40. 0415 Grid AN 13 Ship sunk! SS Waroonga (Large Old Cargo), 8228 tons. Cargo: Wine/Spirits. Crew: 74. Crew lost: 56 0950 Grid AN 13 Ship sunk! SS Empire Glade (Empire-type Freighter), 6780 tons. Cargo: Trucks. Crew: 44. Crew lost: 26 6.2.40. 2123 Grid AM 52 Ship sunk! MV Beacon Grange (Fast Freighter), 13241 tons. Cargo: General Cargo. Crew: 63. Crew lost: 61 2158 Grid AM 52 Ship sunk! SS Adherence (Coastal Freighter), 1870 tons. Cargo: Aircraft. Crew: 26. Crew lost: 15 7.2.40. 0037 Grid AM 52 Ship sunk! SS St. Rosario (Medium Composite Merchant), 4669 tons. Cargo: Explosives. Crew: 44. Crew lost: 24 0512 Grid AM 53 Ship sunk! SS Sea Beaver (Large Cargo), 6338 tons. Cargo: Foodstuffs. Crew: 39. Crew lost: 4 0812 Grid AM 53 Ship sunk! SS Umvuva (Medium Composite Merchant), 4670 tons. Cargo: Foodstuffs. Crew: 66. Crew lost: 41 0814 Grid AM 53 Ship sunk! SS Barbara (Medium Composite Merchant), 4671 tons. Cargo: Trucks. Crew: 52. Crew lost: 20 1634 Grid AM 53 Ship sunk! HMS Rodney (HMS Rodney), 36000 tons. Crew: 1640. Crew lost: 1049 1637 Patrol results
Crew losses: 0
Ships sunk: 12
Aircraft destroyed: 0
Patrol tonage: 98419 tons

:yeah:Time for some beers :arrgh!:

Paul Riley

05-23-09, 02:46 PM

Nice one nik :up:

Good day to you also my friend :up:

nikbear

05-23-09, 03:15 PM

And a good day to Kaleun PR,I trust you career is going well:hmmm:I'm looking forward to some good reports:salute:All the best chap:yeah:

Pohl

05-23-09, 03:29 PM

U-3001 reporting

23.12.39.

1613 Grid AN 42 Ship sunk! S.S. Alexandra Høegh (Ore Carrier), 8190 tons

1615 Grid AN 42 Ship sunk! S.S. Epaminondas C. Embiricos (Small Merchant), 2386 tons

1622 Grid AN 42 Ship sunk! M/V Baron Scott (Medium Cargo), 4897 tons

1624 Grid AN 42 Ship sunk! M/V Floristan (Medium Cargo), 5089 tons
1828

Patrol results
Crew losses: 0
Ships sunk: 4
Aircraft destroyed: 0
Patrol tonnage: 20562 tons

I often lurk right outside ports looking for a battleship or a carrier in the middle of the night, but so far no luck or it's just that it's to early to look for those kind of ships :wah:

Jimbuna

05-23-09, 03:49 PM

Jim,
Just two things mate,
I presume I am not to open fire on any shipping whatsoever during this time?,and if that is the case,will any warships that sight us open fire?,would they be suspicious of a German UBoat sailing in the North Sea?.

Second,the current date is 1st Aug (as you will no doubt already know),5 days on patrol takes me to the 6th Aug,about 3 days return journey (thats if you still get renown for manually returning the UBoat) takes me to about the 9th,20 days in port takes me to 29th Aug.As Poland was invaded on the 1st Sept that gives me about 2-3 days to reach my next patrol before the seas become hostile.Would you agree this is correct?
Sorry for being naive here,but I need to ask all this as if I know nothing.This is far more complex now than the stock game,that I have been so used to,and rightly so.

Thanks!

You are given 1000 extra renown instead of the usual 500 for the loss of renown you will incur for firing on neutral shipping during this 'working up' period.

Your 2nd patrol will automatically commence on 24th August (don't dorget the 20 days in port setting if your using SH3 Commander).

BE ADVISED....when you fire on neutral shipping during your 1st patrol, all other nationalities being neutral will view you as an enemy for a 24 hour period.

GWX has removed all renown for travelling to and remaining in your assigned patrol grid for 24 hours. The renown for returning to base has never worked ingame, be it stock or any other version.

Leandros

05-23-09, 05:33 PM

U-108 - Nov. 9th. 1940 - 22:20 - Patrol 13

Two very strong echoes among several others arriving fast from the East. Trying to turn our stern towards them. There is our only remaining torpedo. Hood or Renown....?

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol13/HoodOrRenown.jpg

Paul Riley

05-23-09, 05:34 PM

You are given 1000 extra renown instead of the usual 500 for the loss of renown you will incur for firing on neutral shipping during this 'working up' period.

Your 2nd patrol will automatically commence on 24th August (don't dorget the 20 days in port setting if your using SH3 Commander).

BE ADVISED....when you fire on neutral shipping during your 1st patrol, all other nationalities being neutral will view you as an enemy for a 24 hour period.

GWX has removed all renown for travelling to and remaining in your assigned patrol grid for 24 hours. The renown for returning to base has never worked ingame, be it stock or any other version.

So,we actually get rewarded now for attacking neutral shipping,a bonus of 1000,I never knew that :o . Do you recommend I do this?,yet I would be seen as a ruthless renegade,something I dont see myself as,I think a valiant fight against a formidable opponent/odds is more to my taste.

A long time ago when I first started playing SHIII I could have swore people said there was a 500 bonus renown for returning to base,and others also said not so.I think since then I have been a bit confused about the actual calculation process of awarding renown.

Good idea about removing renown just for reaching your patrol sector,I mean it doesnt exactly make someone famous or infamous just to reach a grid square,unlike Prien when he managed to penetrate Scapa Flow,he should have been awarded 1 000 000 renown for pulling that stunt off!

Thanks

Paul Riley

05-23-09, 05:38 PM

And a good day to Kaleun PR,I trust you career is going well:hmmm:I'm looking forward to some good reports:salute:All the best chap:yeah:

I am just entering the Skagerrak nik,enroute to AN81.
Brr...its getting cold up here,may need to put our furs on :D

Cheer nik :up:

Leandros

05-23-09, 05:51 PM

U-108 - Nov. 9th. 1940 - 22:25 - Patrol 13

Renown! It passed only approx. 500 meters on our aft starboard side. Behind it a Dido. Hood farther off on the other side of Renown. Now remains to be seen the result of the hit and if we get away with it.....

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol13/RenownItWas.jpg

U-108 - Nov. 9th. 1940 - 23:37 - Patrol 13

Not a sign to be seen of HMS Renown. Hood we observed left the area but no credit for Renown. After some snooping around the Tribals also left while we lay dead still at PD. Now it is full ahead for Lorient.

Total tally patrol 13 - less Renown: 68.000 tons.

Pohl

05-23-09, 06:00 PM

A XXI in 1939 is not bad...!
It's actually fun, having all those torpedos makes you got happy trigger and the insane speed I can reach on it submerged is even better :rock: I will always reach a convoy way ahead of their schedule or go parallel to them then slowly turn and get them in a perfect 90°.
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt348/arleccin/sh3-20090523-154311.png

Paul Riley

05-23-09, 07:44 PM

As some of you may know this is my first patrol using GWX 3.0 Gold,having had to start again from the beginning of the war,but I KNOW it will have been worth it in the end.

Captain Willi Werner (seriously :har:) (sounds like willi warmer:har:)
U-14
Type IIA
1st Flotilla , Kiel
1st August 1939
Mission - To patrol grid AN81
.................................................. ................................................

Orders are for a 5 day shakedown patrol.Exactly what BDU means when they tell us this is uncertain,what is certain is that we are on the verge of war,and when that day comes we and my comrades shall sail out to meet all our enemies in defiance,and in defence of our beloved fatherland.
From AN81 that puts us closest to the SE tip of Great Britain,with a good selection of local ports in that area.Our choices therefore will be to either-

- Embark on a small daring reconaissance patrol just off the SE coast.
- Sail into the mouth of the English Channel and again patrol the immediate area.

Our options then are clear,all that remains is my decision.

02:55
Left Kiel on a clear crisp morning,escorted by one of our patrol craft.The view of the harbour in this light was breathtaking,we even waved to a passing merchant all lit up as he entered the harbour.We looked up in pride as units of the Luftwaffe thundered above us on a south westerly course,no doubt reconnaisance craft.
What lies ahead of us from here on is uncertain,all I know is that my men are brave and loyal,and we will do everything in our power to dent and finally smash the armour of our age old enemies.
May the fury of the old Germanic gods sail with us and carry us to victory!

end of preliminary report
.................................................. .................................................

This is it! its showtime! wish me luck men on my first GWX mission into the bowels of hell!! :arrgh!:

Tonights report

Finally exited the Kiel harbour proper after passing what looked like an Argentinian freighter.We proceed at 12 kts and should arrive on patrol on the 4th Aug.

20:14
Could have swore I saw a British Granville freighter pass on our starboard.A long look through the binoculars confirmed there was a Union Jack on the flag,and so we carry on through the narrow inlets further north.
Further on we notice a strange burning in the distance,and as we get closer we can hear a familiar noise,propellers,then lo and behold his nose is sticking right out of the water.This was a downed plane,downed by what god only knows.

2nd Aug
Day 1 at sea
Very dark night,partial cloud,moderate vis.,sea 4
Again,another burning wreck passed us in the night,a beached vessel of some sort,must have lost his bearings poor bugger.

03:15
To our surprise it started getting pretty light quite early,for this time of the year being so far north we would have enjoyed a longer night spell.

04:20
We spotted 2 vessels in the far distance heading our way.I decided to head for them and pull up along side,in order to verify their nationality.One was confirmed as a Polish vessel,the other we were unsure,but its colours suggested Litanen after a look in the rec.manual.I assumed this was a Lithuanian vessel.
The level of trade in this area is surprisingly quite high.

12:00
AO47
Just off Frederickshaven.We are sticking close to the north German coastline as we enter the area dominated by the Skagerrak,before making our final breakout into the North Sea.
Glorious blue sky with only a mild breeze.The men are taking advantage of the nice weather before we enter the North Sea,after which it will probably hammer it down for the duration of the patrol.Good old British weather.
And so this concludes the first phase of our maiden voyage.Five days on patrol then its back home for some frankfurters and cold beer.

end of report

nikbear

05-23-09, 10:11 PM

So Far:03:
6.3.40. 1502 Grid AN 53 Ship sunk! HMS Active (A&B classes), 1350 tons. Crew: 167. Crew lost: 3 1502 Grid AN 53 Ship sunk! HMCS Hudon (Tribal class), 1850 tons. Crew: 237. Crew lost: 173 1513 Grid AN 53 Ship sunk! HMCS Haida (Tribal class), 1850 tons. Crew: 225. Crew lost: 150 1516 Grid AN 53 Ship sunk! HMS Nootka (Tribal class), 1850 tons. Crew: 195. Crew lost: 62 7.3.40. 0630 Grid AN 18 Ship sunk! SS City of Oxford (Medium Merchant 11), 3129 tons. Cargo: Military Stores. Crew: 46. Crew lost: 44 1415 Grid AN 16 Ship sunk! SS Intrepido (Passenger/Cargo), 2245 tons. Cargo: General Cargo. Crew: 235. Crew lost: 91 1940 Grid AN 16 Ship sunk! SS Chilore (Large Old Cargo), 8228 tons. Cargo: Sugar. Crew: 94. Crew lost: 77 2318 Grid AN 14 Ship sunk! HMS Gurkha (Tribal class), 1850 tons. Crew: 235. Crew lost: 96 8.3.40. U-106 is having an interesting patrol,The DD thing isn't wanton dd aggression but pure bad timing,at the moment I can't seem to move for the buggers,They are everywhere:nope:Hopefully I will get some clear water and attack the merchants Properly :yeah:

Leandros

05-24-09, 04:32 AM

Good idea about removing renown just for reaching your patrol sector,I mean it doesnt exactly make someone famous or infamous just to reach a grid square,unlike Prien when he managed to penetrate Scapa Flow,he should have been awarded 1 000 000 renown for pulling that stunt off!

Thanks
I would say it makes sense to get renown for making the assigned grid. The positioning of the boats was part of the BdU's wolfpack system. Also, to better cover the total area the Allies sailed their merchants through. As the game goes it also seems probable that something shall happen in, or near by, the grid you are patrolling (only my impression). That said, after three or four days in the assigned grid without any enemy activities I usually move off to known denser target areas.....:hmmm:

Pohl

05-24-09, 05:17 AM

U-3001 didn't survived the invasion to Norway, bad weather and bad visibility lead us straight into a destroyer, later on I found my XXI had no radar and hydrophone :down: (This happens when you just load the model but not the entire gear when the sub was officially released) which now I understand why I never noticed the 3 destroyers I ran into on my way to Norway.

Blackhawk1006

05-24-09, 05:37 AM

Started a New Campaign in September 1939, U-27 in a VIIB.

Currently patrolling the mouth of the Firth of Forth, 6 Merchants and 1 Swordfish destroyed. Have not used a single torpedo yet, all targets destroyed via the deck gun.

Leandros

05-24-09, 06:36 AM

U-108 - Dec. 17th. 08:04 - Patrol 14

Just left Lorient for AM34. This can develop into a difficult patrol. Due to a mixture of sickness, regular leave and transitions I have lost my excellent weapons and torpedo officers which I have relied so much upon. These have been replaced by young green officers just out of the training flotillas. I shall have to compensate myself for this serious loss in crew efficiency till I get my old officers back or the new ones have improved on their skills.

What this means in practice is a switch to conservative tactics against merchants, avoidance of enemy ASW assets and more use of stealth instead of force. Also, I must now reckon with torpedo duds, no use of magnetic fuzes, general malfunctions and sabotage. All this could cater for an interesting cruise.

While I should think my earlier crew composition added up to a 65% diffculty for me as the boat commander - 100% is now on my shoulders.

Wish us luck!

Paul Riley

05-24-09, 08:01 AM

I would say it makes sense to get renown for making the assigned grid. The positioning of the boats was part of the BdU's wolfpack system. Also, to better cover the total area the Allies sailed their merchants through. As the game goes it also seems probable that something shall happen in, or near by, the grid you are patrolling (only my impression). That said, after three or four days in the assigned grid without any enemy activities I usually move off to known denser target areas.....:hmmm:

Yet attacking vessels before the war breaks out?.I am in two minds of what to do after the initial patrol is over.I think we may have a look around the French coastline across the channel,see if we can put the wind up the froggies :arrgh!:

Leandros

05-24-09, 09:04 AM

Yet attacking vessels before the war breaks out?.I am in two minds of what to do after the initial patrol is over.I think we may have a look around the French coastline across the channel,see if we can put the wind up the froggies :arrgh!:
Of course you shall not attack anything before the war breaks out. But you needn't worry about that because you shall get orders from the BdU all the time how to act. Also, in the beginning there were lots of restrictions as to U-boat warfare - on both sides. As they had also put limitations upon themselves in the air war. These shall be conveyed to the vessels at sea.

Paul Riley

05-24-09, 09:50 AM

Thanks for the notice Leandros.
Good to know BDU will give me and my crew updates on what actions to carry out.That doesnt mean to say my finger wont be anxiously twitching over the 'fire' button :D

nikbear

05-24-09, 11:12 AM

U-106 Kaleun Horst Meyer reporting in
5.3.40. 1158 Patrol 6
U-106, 2nd Flotilla
Left at: March 5, 1940, 11:58
From: Wilhelmshaven
Mission Orders: Patrol grid DT98 6.3.40. 1502 Grid AN 53 Ship sunk! HMS Acheron (A&B classes), 1350 tons. Crew: 168. Crew lost: 124 1502 Grid AN 53 Ship sunk! HMCS Iroquois (Tribal class), 1850 tons. Crew: 273. Crew lost: 273 1513 Grid AN 53 Ship sunk! HMS Ashanti (Tribal class), 1850 tons. Crew: 253. Crew lost: 136 1516 Grid AN 53 Ship sunk! HMS Eskimo (Tribal class), 1850 tons. Crew: 192. Crew lost: 19 7.3.40. 0630 Grid AN 18 Ship sunk! SS Capitaine Edmond Laborie (Medium Merchant 11), 3129 tons. Cargo: Coffee. Crew: 65. Crew lost: 44 1415 Grid AN 16 Ship sunk! SS Merida (Passenger/Cargo), 2245 tons. Cargo: Passengers. Crew: 166. Crew lost: 107 1940 Grid AN 16 Ship sunk! SS Vancouver Island (Large Old Cargo), 8228 tons. Cargo: General Cargo. Crew: 108. Crew lost: 89 2318 Grid AN 14 Ship sunk! HMS Bedouin (Tribal class), 1850 tons. Crew: 250. Crew lost: 70 8.3.40. 1927 Grid AM 34 Aircraft destroyed! Swordfish 1927 Grid AM 34 Aircraft destroyed! Swordfish 1928 Grid AM 34 Aircraft destroyed! Swordfish 1948 Grid AM 34 Ship sunk! SS Aeneas (Coastal Freighter), 1869 tons. Cargo: Timber. Crew: 33. Crew lost: 16 10.3.40. 0900 Grid AM 53 Ship sunk! SS Arijon (Medium Composite Merchant), 4669 tons. Cargo: Wine/Spirits. Crew: 70. Crew lost: 22 1834 Grid AM 53 Ship sunk! SS Sheksna (Passenger/Cargo), 2246 tons. Cargo: General Cargo. Crew: 181. Crew lost: 1 11.3.40. 1845 Grid AM 53 Ship sunk! SS Azerbaijan (Large Freighter), 8604 tons. Cargo: Phosphates. Crew: 60. Crew lost: 27 12.3.40. 1603 Grid AM 54 Ship sunk! SS Port Auckland (Ore Carrier), 8083 tons. Cargo: Sulfur. Crew: 70. Crew lost: 7 13.3.40. 0253 Grid AM 49 Ship sunk! Bulk Freighter, 2866 tons. Cargo: Iron Ore. Crew: 33. Crew lost: 31 15.3.40. 1051 Grid BF 17 Ship sunk! HMS Bishopdale (Fleet Tender), 16903 tons. Cargo: Crude Oil. Crew: 45. Crew lost: 41 1119 Grid BF 17 Ship sunk! HMS Abbeydale (Fleet Tender), 16902 tons. Cargo: Crude Oil. Crew: 43. Crew lost: 38 1121 Patrol results
Crew losses: 0
Ships sunk: 16
Aircraft destroyed: 3
Patrol tonage: 84494 tonsNot bad :yeah:

Leandros

05-24-09, 02:16 PM

U-108 - Dec. 25th 1940 - 20:53 - Patrol 14

The lack of my excellent old officers certainly is a strain. I didn't value them enough! First to be discovered one day out of Lorient was engine problems - we were not able to get flank speed out of them. I decided to go on with the patrol.

Then we bumped into an Empire-type freighter and a small tanker in the dark - South-East of Ireland. They went fast so we finished them off with the deck gun. There went most of the ammo. They returned our fire in the beginning but obviously couldn't see our low profile properly in the dark. As they both immediately developed fires onboard they were easy targets for us. Good thing the artillery people didn't jump ship in Lorient, too.

In the morning we followed a convoy report and turned East towards the Southern Approaches. We passed and sighted it around noon and tried to sneak on to it from its port forward side. However, under the new and unusual conditions I used the scope a little too freely and was discovered by the lead Black Swan. If I had had my old officers with me we would just have let him come, sidestepped him and sunk him with a tail-shot. Now I couldn't chance any fancy maneuvers and aimed for the deep. A little too late, he bumped our sail and straddled us with a nice D/C series. Part of the problem was that automatically flank speed was chosen but then the power went to zero. It took a few seconds before this was discovered. The aft part of the boat received some damage but it was all fixed when we levelled out at 165 meters below. Excellent repair crew! Then the carousel started. Around 1500 the ASW guys had vacated the area and we could surface.

Just recently then we picked up a C2 - still South-East of Ireland, now on our way back after having patrolled the assigned area. Worked around a little forward of it to try to get to a bow shot. In the process we got quite close. Then turned into it and fired a T1 straight ahead with a 7 degree lead - estimated its speed at 7 knots. Turned a little starboard and gave him a TII with 10 degree lead - impact fuze. Both hit aft so he probably went faster than 7 knots. It is in its final throes just now.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o129/Leandros10/Schultz/Patrol14/FirstHit-1.jpg

Paul Riley

05-24-09, 06:14 PM

Tonights latest events

Upon rounding the the NE tip of Germany dominated by the Skagerrak sea we passed a couple of Danish vessels motionless.We guessed they may have been honest fishermen simply earning their crust.There is a sympathetic mindset on board my UBoat towards such folk of the sea,and they will never be attacked by us,unless of course they attack us out of fright or retaliation.I waved them goodbye as we proceeded west along the northern coastline.

Midday Report
Entering the North Sea.
Weather excellent,medium haze on the horizon.
Range to patrol grid - 820km/1.5 days
ETA - early evening on the 4th Aug
We sent a report back to BDU notifying them of our exit from home waters.
Proceeding on course 235 towards our assigned grid.

4th Aug
Day 3
No change
08:01
Message from BDU.All UBoats in Konigsberg to return.Upon returning they are to transfer to 1st or 2nd Flot.
Midday Report
AN68
Weather - no change
315km remain
Fuel - approx 3530km/@12kts
17:00
Entered our assigned grid.Awaiting further orders.
Patrol ends at 17:00 tomorrow.
18:07
Further reminder notifying all UBoats to return to base.
22:30
Proceeding submerged at night in case we bump into any vessels travelling in the area.Patrolling on a westerly line across AN81 heading towards Lowestoft.
After our primary patrol is over we will set sail along the SE coast of England,inspecting the local harbours on the way.Then of course our next move will be directed by BDU.
22:38
We picked up a sound contact bearing 297,long range,and closing.Headed out to investigate.
Small vessel finally observed after 30mins sailing on a 60 degree course,doing approx 8kts.We recorded the neccessary co-ordinates of this shipping lane into our note book,so that if we return to this area in the near future we will already have good information on the local traffic.

5th Aug
Day 4
05:00
Surfaced to recharge our small batteries.Dive times will have to be strictly limited due to the relatively low battery power of our Type II UBoats.Future attacks to be made as much as possible on the surface at night.
Midday Report
Weather - no change
5 hrs or so left on patrol 1
13:30
We picked up another sound contact approaching in our direction.The lane we are on seems to be a lively lane indeed,and will be a good spot to intercept any shipping bound for/and leaving the SE of England.
Weather has deteriorated,overcast sky,med vis,sea 15.UBoat pitching wildly.
Minutes later I spotted smoke stacks,2 of them in the far distance,revealing to us a small 2 ship convoy also using this route...excellent.We submerged to periscope depth allowing the vessels to pass by us,giving us a good opportunity to make a positive ID on the vessels.They were confirmed as 2 British S.Merch. class ships.

End of report

.................................................. .................................................. ..........................

Well,that concludes some very interesting events over the last few hours.I am confident at the helm of my new UBoat and my crew is in high spirits after our recent contacts.All information is now at hand to make successful attacks in that area,if we pass that way of course.
My first experience of ploughing through stormy weather in GWX was a marvel to behold,the sky and sea looked absolutely brilliant,and the pitching of the UBoat looks tonnes better than before.
And not one CTD.

:woot:
:salute:

Leandros

05-25-09, 06:56 AM

U-108 - Dec. 25th 1940 - 23:00 - Patrol 14

50 below frantically leafing through the manuals.......:hmmm:.....

DaveU186

05-25-09, 09:26 AM

U-2501 - May 25th 1940 - 16:00
Heading for home after a successful patrol despite bad weather. Towards the end of the patrol observed single merchants being escorted by motor torpedo boats North of Scapa Flow. These proved ineffective escorts and two freighters were sunk. The type XXI continues to excel.

Crew seem to have rediscovered some morale after the unfortunate death of our radioman on the previous voyage.

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2895/lastradiov.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/my.php?image=lastradioc.jpghttp://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9616/area.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/my.php?image=area.jpg

Kubryk

05-25-09, 10:54 AM

Patrol 7 still in progress, our luck ended on 6th, this time it's much tougher. After unfortunate meeting with British task force we sailed north, between Ireland and Britain. We located a convoy there, but 'twas no good - dense fog, heavy rain, visibility - none, plus convoy was in a total mess, we've managed to see two T2's sailing extremely close to each other with different courses, but before we could do anything corvette emerged forcing us to go flank as far as possible. Two days later we came across lone T3, despite same weather we've managed to sink her but didn't get credit.

After this dissapointment we decided to go suicidal and visit Liverpool. We managed to get there in the same bad weather, sailing mostly on surface. Later we had to submerge and creep suprisingly slow to avoid a corvette, so it was already 5 am when we were in port. We were lucky to locate T2 inside, but it took 3 torpedoes to sink her. Damn, what a waste, normally after one in engines she should be blown to pieces. We sailed away from Liverpool, running low on torpedoes and mood.

Bad wather continues, it's been raining for 7 days now. :timeout:

Paul Riley

05-25-09, 12:20 PM

RoaldLarsen

05-25-09, 04:08 PM

How do people get to use the XXI in 1940? I thought it was towards the last few months of the war that the XXI became operational? :shifty:
And even then it was not enough :hmmm:
If you're really, really, really good, you get one earlier.

OR

It's a mod.

Paul Riley

05-25-09, 05:12 PM

Pohl

05-25-09, 05:54 PM

Ahh,there you go then,a mod,that explains it.
I didnt know they were actually constructed as early as 1940 (if you are really,really,really good I mean),didnt know the tech was available then for a true submarine.I have yet to experience the XXI,didnt even see it in stock game,but I dont care,now I have GWX3GOLD I am perfectly happy to start all over in one of the cosy little Type IIs :D (quite like em,albeit awful speed and armament)

Thanks.

There's a way to get it since 1939, but I had no hydrophone and radar, so it was useless in storms and poor visibility. I crashed against 3 destroyers in the invasion to Norway and they where only 300 meters away from me.
So far I'm able to get it as soon as the 11th Flotilla is available
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt348/arleccin/XXI.jpg

but I have the rest of the u-boats available
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt348/arleccin/all.jpg
also the conning towers, weapons & basically all the peak technology except for torpedoes....I'm still finding how their script work :arrgh!:

Leg

05-25-09, 06:38 PM

24 may 1941 heading to BE53 http://www.abclan.org/IAB/forums/Smileys/default/fisch.gif

lynard

05-25-09, 09:46 PM

Just completed an interesting patrol, my manual targeting is getting slightly better. In the earlier patrols most of my targets were sunk by surface attack and very close range. Spent more time plotting and using the map tools to get the aob which has been the main problem. Most of the time I've been getting 1 hit out of a spread of 3 and nowhere near my aiming point. Spent a bit more time on the last C2 and got 4 out of 4 from 1500. I was very pleased so maybe things are on the improve :up:

Patrol 7
U-49, 1st Flotilla
Left at: May 19, 1940, 20:34
From: Wilhelmshaven
Mission Orders: Patrol grid AF61

22 May 19401730 AN 31 Ship sunk! S.S. De Soto (Small Merchant), 2412 tons
23 May 19401926 AN 24 Ship sunk! S.S. Armanistan (Small Merchant), 2640 tons
31 May 1940 0031 AF 59 Ship sunk! S.S. African Rainbow (Coastal Merchant), 2011 tons
01 Jun 1940 0822 AF 58 Ship sunk! S.S. Port Royal (Small Merchant), 3440 tons
07 Jun 1940 0421 AN 58 Ship sunk! M/V Ocean Vulcan (C3 Cargo), 6882 tons
07 Jun 1940 0630 AN 59 Ship sunk! S.S. Temple Moat (Coastal Merchant), 2790 tons
07 Jun 1940 0703 AN 59 Ship sunk! M/V Sea Partridge (C3 Cargo), 7400 tons
09 Jun 1940 0002 AN 59 Ship sunk! S.S. Kimberly (Small Merchant), 3203 tons
09 Jun 1940 0737 AN 67 Ship sunk! M/V Carrier Dove (C2 Cargo), 3929 tons

I installed sh3 commander before this patrol, I like it. Had a quick look at the settings but was keen to get to sea. About 4 days into the patrol sonar picks up a merchant so we head off to intercept. Pop up the attack scope for a look. What the hell, can't see it's all blurry.:o
Jumped to the Obs scope, it seems ok. Thinking worst case some sort of corrupted file.
Then the brain kicked into gear and I remembered "malfunctions". :DL