View Full Version : Historical Question Regarding U-Boats
gi_dan2987
12-25-13, 07:14 PM
How long could a U-Boat stay at sea before it ran out of provisions for the crew? I'm trying to figure out a realistic time frame to RTB for my own immersion factor.
u crank
12-25-13, 08:18 PM
One example of food supply on a Type IXC for a 12 week patrol.
http://www.uboat.net/men/foodstuffs.htm
gi_dan2987
12-25-13, 08:31 PM
That's for an ocean-going IXB. They could hold enough provisions to stay at sea for months. I'm using a VIIB, and I've been seeing that 14-30 day patrols were the norm for the North Atlantic. I guess that answers my question. Thank you!
Aktungbby
12-25-13, 08:31 PM
7 months! Knight's Cross wearer, Eitel-Fredrch Kentrat; KorvettenKapitän U-196 made 9 war patrols sinking 8 vessels for total of 43,358 tons before leaving his ship at Panang for duty as staff officer in Japan(2 years a POW) and dying in 1974, age 67. His eighth patrol left Kiel 13MAR1943 and returned to Bordeaux 23OCT1943- 225 days: or 7.5 months with two sinkings. The wartime record! His subsequent patrol lasted 148 days. Wolgang Luth's patrol to the Indian ocean lasted over 6 months. The photo of Kentrat having a celebratory after-patrol Beck's beer:()1:(no Hamm's?) shows a very thin, emaciated kaleun indeed!:nope: Scurvy was not unheard of.
gi_dan2987
12-25-13, 08:32 PM
Yuck. What awful conditions. How could they stand to live that life?
Aktungbby
12-25-13, 08:51 PM
OPTION 2 was the EASTERN FRONT!:Kaleun_Sick:
the dark knight
12-25-13, 09:43 PM
The second longest patrol was conducted by Wolfgang Luth with U-181 lasting 206 days. the U-boat left on 23 Mar 1943, and returned home 14 Oct 1943. During this patrol Luth would sink 45,331 tons. U-181 returned home under radio silence, since the enigma keys had run out and rather than risk his boat by speaking in Morse Code they remained silent.
Now, U-196 and U-181 were IXD2's and were built for that kind of thing. Most patrols were between 3-4 months long depending on torpedo load and fuel remaining. Sometimes the patrols would get longer, after the Milch Cow's started operating.
gi_dan2987
12-25-13, 11:07 PM
I'm actually ordering a book from Amazon which contains the personal accounts of a Kaleun in the Monsun boats that left for the far east. I heard that run was daunting. They lost a few boats with all hands to American ASW's off the coast of west Africa. I think one of their Milchkuh's was taken out also, so they had to run on meager rations and conserve fuel even more so than usual.
I wonder what happened to the Germans who remained in Jakarta when the ceasefire was signed?
My cousin's husband's dad served on a troop ship near the Philippines, and was sunk by a German Monsun boat during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944. People like to say that the Monsun fleet only operated off the coast of India and the Indian Ocean, but there were plenty of war patrols that ventured into the Pacific theater. I often wonder how deep into the Pacific the Monsun boats would go.
I'm big into history, especially the parts of history that aren't well explained or talked about.
Marcello
12-26-13, 07:54 AM
That's for an ocean-going IXB. They could hold enough provisions to stay at sea for months. I'm using a VIIB, and I've been seeing that 14-30 day patrols were the norm for the North Atlantic. I guess that answers my question. Thank you!
I suspect that if you do not something too gamey, such as shutting off engines for a week or something a VIIB is going to run out of fuel before food should be called into question. U-70, a VIIC sunk in 1941 sailed out with 42 days worth of food supply, this could give an idea. Obviously food and fuel could be stretched a bit by rationing. Early in the wari it might be occasionally possible to seize some supplies from captured ships.
Dread Knot
12-26-13, 08:50 AM
I wonder what happened to the Germans who remained in Jakarta when the ceasefire was signed?
Like all the German crews left stranded in the Far East they likely went into internment and their boats were handed over to the Japanese. The U-boats' crews and base personnel in Malaysia were trucked to an ex-British rubber plantation at Batu Pahat in for internment. The ones in Java likely faced a similar predicament.
At the time of the German capitulation the Japanese fleet commander in Singapore politely invited some German officers to an interview before they were interned. In presence of high ranking Japanese officers he stated in all seriousness that the Japanese armed forces would reconquer Germany. This incident revealed to what extent, that either the Japanese were living in a fantasy world, or were just big into telling their guests what they thought they wanted to hear.
Sailor Steve
12-26-13, 09:40 AM
How long could a U-Boat stay at sea before it ran out of provisions for the crew? I'm trying to figure out a realistic time frame to RTB for my own immersion factor.
I don't know the actual numbers, but I don't recall ever reading about a u-boat that had to return to base due to a shortage of provisions.
My cousin's husband's dad served on a troop ship near the Philippines, and was sunk by a German Monsun boat during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944. People like to say that the Monsun fleet only operated off the coast of India and the Indian Ocean, but there were plenty of war patrols that ventured into the Pacific theater. I often wonder how deep into the Pacific the Monsun boats would go.
Can anyone else confirm this? Did your cousin's husband's dad care to say how he knew it was a Monsun boat?
gi_dan2987
12-28-13, 03:50 PM
Can anyone else confirm this? Did your cousin's husband's dad care to say how he knew it was a Monsun boat?
He said him and the remaining survivors on the lifeboats saw it surface shortly after they had abandoned ship. When the U-boat turned to move away after confirming its kill, they saw a peculiar German marking on the side. When they asked about this later they found out it was a Monsun boat.
Many people think the Germans only stuck to the Indian Ocean. Truth is they did make brief forays into the PTO.
He said him and the remaining survivors on the lifeboats saw it surface shortly after they had abandoned ship. When the U-boat turned to move away after confirming its kill, they saw a peculiar German marking on the side. When they asked about this later they found out it was a Monsun boat.
Many people think the Germans only stuck to the Indian Ocean. Truth is they did make brief forays into the PTO.
I just looked at uboat.net and there is only about maybe 6 possible boats there were even of the Monsun Gruppe during that time. None have recordings of killings in the area or near the date.
My issue is this. The guy was on a troopship, which is very large. If a boat had such a kill it would certainly be recorded. These are often escorted and are in convoys. Mind you, Leyte Gulf is the LARGEST NAVAL BATTLE IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND (tonnage). So, for just a few survivors to see the uboat, and no other vessels to, is a bit of a phenomenon. And during this very great battle, the uboat captain decided to risk his boat by surfacing.
If my troopship was sunk, I'd certainly want to believe it was done by a uboat in the middle of the Pacific. What a story! :up:
Plus, you get alot of these young GI's together, and stories change and people are influenced over time. They've forgotten, mistaken, coercion, etc..
Do you see where I'm coming from?
gi_dan2987
12-28-13, 07:18 PM
Well excuse me while I clean the saliva off my uniform.... :yeah:
He was an old man. Consider the source.
He was an old man. Consider the source.
I have, that's why I've posted four paragraphs in response.
You posted the story, pal.
gi_dan2987
12-28-13, 08:53 PM
You're correct, I did. You've made your point, thank you. The world is now a better place.
The world is now a better place.
Don't be sour.
Thanks for sharing your story!
Jimbuna
12-29-13, 07:05 AM
There is a list of all U-Boats with there patrol data here:
http://www.uboat.net/boats/patrols/
AndreasT
12-29-13, 08:28 AM
OPTION 2 was the EASTERN FRONT!:Kaleun_Sick:
I would rather have been on the Eastern Front. The chances of surviving were better.
Marcello
12-29-13, 11:23 AM
I would rather have been on the Eastern Front. The chances of surviving were better.
On the other hand
1) Better rations.
2) More frequent leaves and in better places.
3) Better pay.
4) Better chances of a quick death.
gi_dan2987
12-29-13, 12:39 PM
Don't be sour.
Thanks for sharing your story!
I see what you're trying to do. I'm not being sour, I'm just politely expressing my lack of will to continue this conversation, as you seem to be one of those individuals who has to come out on top with everything, even on a forum. To you, simply "winning" is your end game. In a discussion like this, that means having the last word, as you have done. Congratulations, I'm sure you have a sense of inflated accomplishment now. :yeah:
He was an old man, probably deranged and clouded by years on his mind. I was simply sharing something that I heard from a vet, and being the person you are, had to dive in guns blazing and shoot my thread to pieces over it. Nobody asked you to, but because you were so inclined to grace us with your presence, I felt the need to write this one final message to you in closure. Have fun interjecting on other threads! Just a fair warning though, Neal's moderators watch out for people such as yourself. You'll find yourself keelhauled before long. :salute:
I just love it when non-donating stowaways feel they have the right to bust in on a thread and tear it up as they see fit. No respect anymore these days. For being somebody that just signed up in October, you sure have a lot to say!
gi_dan2987
12-29-13, 12:44 PM
I just love it when non-donating stowaways feel they have the right to bust in on a thread and tear it up as they see fit. No respect anymore these days. :down: For being somebody that just signed up in October, you sure have a lot to say!
I see what you're trying to do. I'm not being sour, I'm just politely expressing my lack of will to continue this conversation, as you seem to be one of those individuals who has to come out on top with everything, even on a forum. To you, simply "winning" is your end game. In a discussion like this, that means having the last word, as you have done. Congratulations, I'm sure you have a sense of inflated accomplishment now. :yeah:
He was an old man, probably deranged and clouded by years on his mind. I was simply sharing something that I heard from a vet, and being the person you are, had to dive in guns blazing and shoot my thread to pieces over it. Nobody asked you to, but because you were so inclined to grace us with your presence, I felt the need to write this one final message to you in closure. Have fun interjecting on other threads! Just a fair warning though, Neal's moderators watch out for people such as yourself. You'll find yourself keelhauled before long. :salute:
I just love it when non-donating stowaways feel they have the right to bust in on a thread and tear it up as they see fit. No respect anymore these days. For being somebody that just signed up in October, you sure have a lot to say!
Wow, what just happened here?
I just thanked you for sharing.
Why all the hostility and the insults? Why so sour?
How about sitting out a few plays to regather yourself, and think about what your saying?
:nope:
Jimbuna
12-29-13, 01:12 PM
Cool heads gents...if you please.
gi_dan2987
12-29-13, 01:13 PM
Cool heads gents...if you please.
I've said all I needed to say. He came in here shooting up my thread, I've spoken my piece, and this has been reported. No skin off my back! :up:
Jimbuna
12-29-13, 01:17 PM
I've said all I needed to say. He came in here shooting up my thread, I've spoken my piece, and this has been reported. No skin off my back! :up:
Yes and my response was with reference to the post report I received.
I've said all I needed to say. He came in here shooting up my thread, I've spoken my piece, and this has been reported. No skin off my back! :up:
Look pal, if you're going to post unbelievable stories about uboats in here, then be mentally ready for some feedback. If you aren't ready for some feedback with facts, then perhaps you should take your insults elsewhere.
That's why we are here. We live the uboat life in simulation, and we know uboat nonsense when we see it. No offense. :salute:
gi_dan2987
12-29-13, 01:20 PM
Yes and my response was with reference to the post report I received.
Ok, well for the record, I've stated what I've needed to state. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Btw, the guy who started this thread seems to hold a grudge to extreme levels. He just sent me this PM:
Nobody asked you to come in here and give your opinion. Had I wanted your opinion on this story, I would've asked for it. You've insulted the deceased man behind the story, not me. For that I find you deplorable.
You may be talking about a video game, but I'm talking about a real life story, whether real or not. Try to play it off as much as you wish, but remember where you are. You are a non-donating unsubscribed member of a heavily moderated forum, with only 2 months here. Don't think for a second that that will not be considered by the moderators.
I urge you to continue flaming posts by subscribed members and see what happens.
So be weary...
He may be capable of dangerous things.
gi_dan2987
01-04-14, 08:37 AM
Btw, the guy who started this thread seems to hold a grudge to extreme levels. He just sent me this PM:
Nobody asked you to come in here and give your opinion. Had I wanted your opinion on this story, I would've asked for it. You've insulted the deceased man behind the story, not me. For that I find you deplorable.
You may be talking about a video game, but I'm talking about a real life story, whether real or not. Try to play it off as much as you wish, but remember where you are. You are a non-donating unsubscribed member of a heavily moderated forum, with only 2 months here. Don't think for a second that that will not be considered by the moderators.
I urge you to continue flaming posts by subscribed members and see what happens.
So be weary...
He may be capable of dangerous things.
Read the top post of this thread.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=210304
Jimbuna
01-04-14, 08:55 AM
A few points....
It is considered bad netiquette to make public PM's
If you have a complaint, forward on the PM to Neal, myself or any other moderator and matters will be looked into.
I detect a pattern starting to develop with regard to the worth of a member dependant on length of membership and or whether they have made a donation or not.
All members of this community are valued equally.
A stowaway is not a member and is therefore unable to post in the forum.
If my appeals for calm and civility are not to be heeded then the resulting consequences most surely will.
gi_dan2987
01-04-14, 09:09 AM
All members of this community are valued equally.
A stowaway is not a member and is therefore unable to post in the forum.
I misunderstood what it meant to be a stowaway. I also did not know that non-subscribed and subscribed members were viewed equally. I must have read over that in the FAQ and rules. I figured that if donating members received more downloads per day and more forum perks, that it somehow made them a step up from the rest. Thanks for clarifying that for me.
Jimbuna
01-04-14, 09:31 AM
I misunderstood what it meant to be a stowaway. I also did not know that non-subscribed and subscribed members were viewed equally. I must have read over that in the FAQ and rules. I figured that if donating members received more downloads per day and more forum perks, that it somehow made them a step up from the rest. Thanks for clarifying that for me.
Your interpretation of a persons worth are clearly different to mine.
Donating obviously gives an individual additional benefits but that does not mean they are valued any less in this community.
Onkel Neal
01-04-14, 10:27 AM
I misunderstood what it meant to be a stowaway. I also did not know that non-subscribed and subscribed members were viewed equally. I must have read over that in the FAQ and rules. I figured that if donating members received more downloads per day and more forum perks, that it somehow made them a step up from the rest. Thanks for clarifying that for me.
Everyone here is valued equally. New members, old members, donors, stowaways, etc. Donors do not get "favored status"; they are appreciated (greatly appreciated) and given a Subsim Navy badge and access to more downloads, custom avatars, etc. The donation system here is in place to allow people to show their appreciation for our work, to give them an opportunity to help support the site and costs. A lot of Subsim people here want to do their part to keep this thing going. Thanks to them and the work of the moderators here, Subsim is going strong. :salute:
thanks,
Neal
SUBSIM
As far as I am aware only one uboat made a patrol in the pacific and that was u862 between late 1944 and early 1945 and that was around the southern part of Australia and also around New Zealand. Most monsoon boats operated in the Indian Ocean. There is a good book about u862s voyage called uboat far from home
^Like this one? http://www.amazon.co.uk/U-Boat-Far-From-Home-Australia/dp/1864482672
That's the one it's a good read
Jimbuna
01-11-14, 08:33 AM
That's the one it's a good read
Most definitely :yep:
Grey wolf grey sea is still my favourite I have read it like 5 times, Mohr was one of the best.
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