I-50; U-50

[ninja turtle]

Hi fellow Kaleuns,

In a week today (7th February) I turn 50 years of age; that magical half a century number.

As I enjoy following certain U-boats and its history, allowing me the possibility of researching the patrol grids, the success, fate, and hopefully fairing better than the Kapitän and crew, I wondered about my age and the U-boat numbered 50.

U-50 only had two patrols in 1940. During the second patrol it was hit by a mine and sunk, unfortunately with all hands lost. I will only recreate the first patrol: 6th Feb 1940 Helgoland to 4 Mar 1940 Kiel with a historical course of Outer Hebrides, West of Ireland to NW of Spain and back.

As I am still currently (due to ill-health and work) typing up the logs of my previous proposal of following Rosenbaum and his U-73, U-50 will more than likely begin on Saturday 6th February 2016 - 76 years after its first patrol, which is a fitting memorial to Max-Hermann Bauer and his crew.

I hope you will enjoy it.

To be continued...

[Cybermat47]

I look forward to it, and I hope your health improves :up:

[Sailor Steve]

Happy upcoming birthday. Rest assured that there are still those of us here old enough to call you "kid". :D

Can't wait to read your new adventures.

[sublynx]

Happy hunting!

[ninja turtle]

I propose to follow the first patrol of: Max-Hermann Bauer.

U-Boat type: VIIB
Name: U-50
Emblem: Dolphin (not within SH3 so used Shark)
Flotilla: 7th

The following parameters/game options exist:

Dead Is Dead
Stabilize view is checked
Map updates is checked, but used sparingly; in effect as a second opinion with the WO and WE. It is active for the following reasons IMO:

Watchman and watch crew would constantly give target updates when on the bridge when weather conditions allowed
Sonar and navigator would also continually update information passed to them
When decks awash it will symbolise the crew on the bridge making observations rather than disappearing into the control room

Fatigue is unchecked
Randomised ship tonnage is checked
Malfunctions and random crush depth is checked
External view is checked for eye candy but used sparingly
TC maximum is 512
Historical route within reason will be used
Realism is at 85% (GWX and SHCmdr)
Ship spotted bearings will be as per in-game, not true bearings
Deck gun load time is 10 seconds


The patrols will be set out as a KTB, which I will endeavour to show as near as possible how they may have looked using historical examples.

Max-Hermann Bauer

Born: 24 July 1912, Rüstringen
Died: 6 Apr 1940, North Atlantic

Promotions:

1 Apr 1930 Offiziersanwärter
1 Jan 1932 Fähnrich zur See
1 Sep 1934 Oberfähnrich zur See
1 Oct 1934 Leutnant zur See
1 Jun 1936 Oberleutnant zur See
1 Apr 1949 Kapitänleutnant
1 May 1940 Korvettenkäpitan (posthumous)

Decorations:

23 Nov 1939 U-Boat War Badge 1939
23 Nov 1939 Iron Cross Second Class
3 Mar 1940 Iron Cross First Class

U-Boat Commands

1 Nov 1937 to 24 Nov 1939 U-18, Type IIB
12 Dec 1939 to 6 Apr 1940 U-50, Type VIIB


U-50 Historical Facts:

Only 2 war patrols. Four Merchants were sunk during the first patrol. Three were neutral(!) and one British; a total of 16,089 GRT. It would appear that Bauer was not reprimanded for sinking neutral ships in the first patrol; indeed he was decorated with the Iron Cross First Class.

Patrol 1: 28 days
Departure - Helgoland 6/2/1940
Arrival - Kiel 4/3/1940
Mission - Patrol area of Grid CG(?) The route took U-50 NW of the North Atlantic, around the Outer Hebrides, south to the west of Ireland, ending to the west of north Portugal and back.

Patrol 2: 2 days
Departure - Kiel 5/4/1940
Arrival - Sunk 6/4/1940
Mission - ??

Fate: Sank 6 April 1940 in AN69(?) by a mine. All hands lost.

All information is from the following sources:

http://www.uboat.net/
http://www.uboatarchive.net/
"U-Boat Attack Logs" by Daniel Morgan and Bruce Taylor. Seaforth Publishing.

[ninja turtle]

War Patrol 1

U-50, 7th Flotilla

Kommandant: Kapitänleutnant Bauer

Beginning: 6.2.1940
Ending: 4.3.1940

From: Helgoland

Mission Orders: Patrol Grid CG15

Loadout: 14 x T2 G7e torpedoes (including 2 x external reserves)

Deck Gun: 8.8cm SK C/35

Flak Gun: 2 cm FK C/30 Flakzwiling

News for January 1940: Destroyer 'Exmouth' sunk with single torpedo by U-22.

Monthly losses: 1 U-boat for 163,029 GRT.

6.2.40.

Helgoland

0800 ENE 4, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. poor, heavy rain and fog
Departed. Course: 313°. Diesels at LF.
1200 AN9523 Nothing to report.
1600 AN9357 TL "
1648 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force. AN59. SE. 8 knots."
Distance too far.
2000 AN9314 TC Nothing to report.

7.2.40.

0000 AN6391 TR [My 50th birthday. Crew - my family - presented to me a cake. Morale is good.]
0400 AN6328 Nothing to report.
0800 AN3794 LC "
1200 AN3751 "
1600 AN3478 "
2000 AN4666 "

8.2.40.

0000 AN4631 Nothing to report.
0400 AN4357 BR "
0800 AN4310 "
1200 AN2793 BC "
1600 AN2737 BC "
2000 AN2280 "
2048 AN2284 Ship spotted on bearing 130° very close to us. Fortunately it was a Norwegian Trawler as it came out of nowhere due to the weather conditions, and was no threat.
Reprimanded the watchcrew. Conditions not favourable, but continued on surface.
2105 Ship out of visual range!

9.2.40.

0000 AN22243 BL Nothing to report.
0050 Radio report: "Ship in location AF7891. SE. Slow."
157 km from our location. Changed course to 270° for possible intercept.
Anticipated target speed 7 knots. Estimated to be near target at 0750.
0400 AN2139 Nothing to report.
0530 AN2138 Course change: 314°. Submerged to 50m for hydrophone check. Electric motors at KF.
0710 Very faint contact at 10°.
0800 AN2137 Contact at 20° and growing stronger. Distinguishing propeller sound. Course change: 333°. Contact dead ahead.
0810 Periscope depth for a horizon sweep and to check visibility conditions. Weather not very favourable.
0830 Course change: 270°. Electric motors at HF.
0830 Surfaced. Course change: 290°. Diesel engines at HF. Nothing seen.
0900 Periscope depth for hydrophone check. Contact at 260°. Surfaced. Course change: 180°.
Visibility very poor. Diesel engines increased to HF.
0910 Periscope depth for hydrophone check. Contact at 10°. Surfaced immediately. Course change: 192°.
0926 Ship spotted by WO Wolfgang Eisenholtz in very poor weather conditions on bearing 358°.
0927 Fired Tube I at 357°. Minimum depth AZ. Diesel engines reduced to KF.
0930 Tube II fired at 355°. Minimum depth AZ.
0935 Both torpedoes missed. Fired in too much haste. Attempted to overlap target without being spotted. Diesel engines increased to AK. New course: 210°. Target ID: Small Freighter, 2000 GRT. Estimated speed: 7 knots.
0943 Tube I fired at minimum depth AZ. Missed. Decided to out-run the target and set up for a better attack.
1000 Target out of visual range. However steamer speed and heading known, setting up a submerged attack. Only 1 torpedo to be used as wasted 3 already. Target: Small Freighter, speed: 7 knots, target angle: green 90°, range: 500m, tube I depth: minimum due to sea conditions Ato AZ, fast, aim-point: centre stack.
1027 Tube I fired. Target zigzagging. After 17 seconds, impact.
1030 AN2164 TC Surfaced. Steamer unarmed. Damn this weather that we couldn't just use the deck gun.
1040 Target sunk. Last view was the British flag attached to the mast dipping below the surface. 2 x lifeboats seen. With no threat from aircraft attack, provisions passed to survivors and direction of nearest land.
1045 Changed course: 10°. Diesel engines at HF.
1200 AN2134 BC Radio message received from BdU: "Confirmed sinking. British Merchant HMS Kelantan. 2228 tons. Cargo: Aircraft parts. Crew: 34. Crew lost: 0."
1310 AF7899 BR Course change: 323°. DBK: 162m.
1430 AF7896 TL DBK: 162m.
1600 AF7860 Course change: 309°. DBK: 162m.
1700 AF7861 BC DBK: 152m. Submerged to 40m as visibility very poor and to give watch crew some rest. Electric motors at KF.
1800 Sound contact at bearing 230°. Possibly a trawler. As we were unable to use the deck gun due to weather conditions and it would be a waste of torpedo, continued on course.
1900 Periscope depth. Sound contact over the past hour has been running parallel to our course. Bearing: 235°.
2000 AF7861 Through the periscope: no change to the weather, visibility very poor. Sound contact at 260°.
2043 Contact lost.

10.2.40.

0000 AF7829 DBK: 173m.
0400 AF7826 DBK: 181m.
0800 AF7820 Surfaced for oxygen replenishment and battery recharge. Diesel engines at KF.
0853 Batteries recharged.
0900 Periscope depth. Continued on course. Electric motors at KF.
1200 AF7821 Nothing to report.
1600 AF7579 BR Course change: 250°.
2000 AF7813 TC Nothing to report.

11.2.40.

0000 AF7812 Surfaced.
0053 Battery recharged.
0100 Submerged to periscope depth.
0400 AF7812 Nothing to report.
0731 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force. AF77. NNE. 18 knots."
Continued on course as visibility almost at zero as we found chasing our previous target. The risk of suddenly being spotted by a destroyer was too high.
0800 AF7814 TR Nothing to report.
1200 AF7814 "
1600 AF7817 TL Surfaced.
1650 Battery recharged.
1700 AF7739 Submerged to periscope depth.
2000 AF7739 Nothing to report.

12.2.40.

0000 AF7739 BL Nothing to report.
0400 AF7762 "
0800 AF7762 BL Surfaced.
0854 Battery recharged.
0900 AF7764 TR Submerged to periscope depth.
1200 AF7764 Nothing to report.
1600 AF7764 BL "
1754 Contact report: "Ship. AF 7761. SW. Medium speed."
Approximately 32 km NE from our location. Course change: 65°. Surfaced. Diesel engines at HF.
1845 Submerged to periscope depth for hydrophone check. Contact 348°. Course change: 49°. Contact dead ahead. Surfaced.
1850 Steamer spotted on bearing 355°. Heading towards us. Submerged to periscope depth and changed course to run parallel with expected heading 240°. Electric motors at HF.
ID: British Passenger/Cargo 2000 GRT.
1905 Course change: 180°. Intention: Get out of visual range so we are able to surface and outrun the target on expected heading.
1910 Surfaced. Course change: 240°. Diesel engines at AK. Battle stations for surface torpedo attack.
Target: Passenger/Cargo, heading: 240°, speed: 6 knots, red 90°, tube I AZ, minimum depth, fast, range: 400m, aimpoint: centre.
1920 Tube I fired. Missed.
1939 Tube II fired with same settings. Hit the stern. Range was further than anticipated with both runs. Steamer not armed so observed. Target dead in water, and sinking by stern.
1955 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force. AF 74. NW. 14 knots."
1957 AF7764 BL Secondary explosives on steamer. Within seconds the ship sank from the stern to bow. 1 x lifeboat seen plus survivors clinging to debris. Provisions passed.
2010 Course change: 252°.
2030 AF7759 TR Submerged to periscope depth.
2328 Radio message received from BdU: "Confirmed sinking. British Merchant SS Sheksna. 2253 tons. Cargo: Passengers. Crew: 111. Crew lost: 18."
Radio report: Enemy Task Force. AM39. NNE. 8 knots."

13.2.40.

0000 AF7759 Nothing to report.
0400 AF7759 BL "
0800 AF7782 TC Radio report: "Enemy Task Force. AF47. NE. 14 knots."
1200 AF7782 Surfaced.
Radio report: Enemy Task Force. AM38. ENE. 8 knots."
1253 Battery recharged.
1300 Submerged to periscope depth.
1600 AF7781 BC Nothing to report.
2000 AF7784 LC "
2011 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force. AF74. SSW. 14 knots."
2200 Submerged to 60m.

14.2.40.

0000 AF7776 Nothing to report.
0400 AF7779 TL Surfaced.
0510 Increased diesel engines to LF. Estimated time to patrol area = 6 days. Concerned with the weather, travelling submerged due to poor visibility, and food consumption. Need to head further south for hopefully better weather conditions. Course change: 247°.
0610 Contact report: "AN13. NE. Medium speed."
Doubtful that we can find this target in current weather.
0800 AN1126 TC Nothing to report.
0819 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force. AN13. ENE. 8 knots."
1200 AN1143 TR Nothing to report.
1520 Contact report: "AN13. ENE. Medium speed."
Continued on our course.
1600 AN1147 BL Nothing to report.
2000 AM3297 "
2027 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force. AF74. NE. 14 knots."

15.2.40.

0000 AM3424 Nothing to report.
0400 AM3442 TL "
0800 AM3392 LC "
1200 AM3522 TC "
1600 AM3518 "
2000 AM2660 "
2100 AM2668
NE4, Sea 3, clouds clear, Vis. fairly good, light fog, still within the New Moon dates
At last the weather has improved.

16.2.40.

0000 AM2683 BL
WNW4, Sea 3, clouds clear, Vis. fairly good
Diesel engines all stop. Loaded fore external torpedo.
0105 Returned to course. Torpedo loaded.
0400 AM2679 BR
W4, Sea 3, clouds clear, Vis. fairly good
Course change: 193°.
0800 AM2849 Nothing to report.
1200 AM0218 TC Submerged to 60m. Electric motors at KF. Whilst travelling through grids AM, submerged due to high risk of enemy aircraft attack during daylight hours.
1600 AM0242 Nothing to report.
1900 Surfaced. Diesel engines at HF. Intention: to clear aircraft range as soon as possible during cover of darkness.
1925 Battery recharged.
2000 AM0248 Nothing to report.

17.2.40.

0000 AM5160 Nothing to report.
0400 AM5464 TC "
0434 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force. AM65. NW. 8 knots."
Distance too far.
0800 AM5753 TC DBK: 167m.
1030 AM5788 Contact report: "AM5784. S. Slow."
34 km from our position. Interception estimated in 1 hour. Increased diesel engines to GF. Course changed to 270°.
1128 Target spotted on bearing 18°.
1138 ID: British sailing yacht.
1150 Warning shot for crew to abandon boat with flak gun.
1155 Target destroyed using deck gun. 5 rounds.
1200 AM5787 BL Submerged to 60m. Electric motors at KF. Course: 190°. DBK: 151m.
1600 AM8121 BL Nothing to report.
1900 Surfaced. Diesel engines at HF.
Radio message received from BdU: "Confirmed sinking. British Schooner Daniel. 17 tons. Crew: 14. Crew lost: 14."
1935 Battery recharged.
1956 AM8127 BC Ship spotted on bearing 252°. Changed course to ID.
2025 Increased diesel engines to GF.
2045 AM8124 ID: Small Trawler 98 GRT. Reduced diesel engines for deck gun attack.
2051 Target destroyed. 10 rounds. No survivors seen. Returned to original course. Diesel engines at GF.

18.2.40.

0000 AM8413 TC Radio message received from BdU: "Confirmed sinking. British Trawler MV Alvis. 547 tons. Crew: 16. Crew lost: 16."
DBK: 129m.
0048 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force. AM53. NW. 8 knots."
0400 AM8712 DBK: 196m.
0800 BF1114 LC Diesel engines reduced to LF as less risk of enemy air cover and we are within the vicinity of single merchant routes.
1200 BE3396 TC Nothing to report.
1600 BE3660 TC Course change: 123°. Diesel engines increased to HF.
2000 BF1479 BR Nothing to report.

19.2.40.

0000 BF1761 BR Nothing to report.
0400 BF1878 BR "
0800 BF4264 TL "
1200 BF4378 "
1600 BF4656 TC "
2000 BF4933 TR Course change: 234°.

20.2.40.

0000 BF4958 Nothing to report.
0400 BF7320 "
0800 BF7347 BC "
1200 BF7524 BC "
1600 BF7494 TR "
1830 Contact report: "BF7276. NNE. Slow."
Changed course: 00°. Diesel engines at GF. #1
1830 Contact report: "BF7723. SW. Medium." #2
15 km from our location. Course change: 241°.
1850 Target #2 spotted on bearing 33°. Steamer.
1900 Escorted!
1915 Escort must have detected us as it started to head towards our location. Submerged to periscope depth. Electric motors at GF. Course change: 275°.
1917 Additional sound contacts at bearing 62°. Assumed it to be target #1.
1930 Escort close to us. Through the periscope, ID French Armed Trawler. Fortunately without DC capability. Cannot attempt to attack oj the surface. Changed course: 350° to shake off escort and head for target #1.
2000 BF7722 Reduced electric motors to KF. Intended to surface during hours of darkness.
2130 Surfaced. Diesel engines at KF to conserve fuel.
2330 Battery recharged. Course change: 215°.

21.2.40.

0000 BF7488 TR Nothing to report.
0105 Radio report: "Enemy small convoy. BE9936. SW. 9 knots."
Diesel engines increased to GF. Stayed on our course and hoped we outrun the convoy in BE99 and set up an attack.
0400 BF7748 Nothing to report.
0530 Course change: 235°.
0800 CG1352 TR Submerged to periscope depth for hydrophone check. Contact at 45°. Assumed it to be the Armed Trawler. Surfaced.
1000 CG1348 BR Submerged to periscope depth for hydrophone check. Contact at 100°. Surfaced. Course change: 219°.
1200 CG1533 TR Submerged to periscope depth for hydrophone check. No contact. Surfaced. Course change: 302°.
1230 Submerged to periscope depth for hydrophone check. Contact at 70°.
Surfaced. Diesel engines at LF.
1245 Diesel engines at KF.
1300 Submerged to periscope depth for hydrophone check. Contact at 65°. Surfaced. Diesel engines at HF.
1325 CG1290 Ship spotted on bearing 355°. Submerged to periscope depth to observe.
1330 Steamer and Trawler spotted through periscope. Same convoy as before. Steamer estimated 4000 GRT. Course change: 225°.
Electric motors increased to AK as we are not fast enough submerged.
When it was obvious that we could not keep up with the convoy, but still dangerous to surface completely we continued decks awash. This increased our speed sufficiently and we were out of visual range. Convoy speed: 9 knots, heading: 233°.
1340 Surfaced. Diesel engines increased to AK. Needed to outrun the convoy without being spotted as visibility was very good.
1350 Convoy changed heading to 150°.
1400 Submerged to periscope depth. Contact at 270°. Set up for a stern attack.
1430 Battle stations for submerged attack. Target: Medium Cargo 4800 GRT, speed: 9 knots, stern attack, green 90°, Tube V AZ fast, depth: 5 m, aimpoint: centre.
1437 Tube V fired. Missed. Wrong calculations.
1453 Tubes I, II, III fired in frustration, but with each torpedo steamer out-manoeuvred.
1500 Escort headed to vicinity of first torpedo launch. Decided to surface and use deck gun whilst the escort was a distance away. Damaged the steamer with 20 rounds until we had to dive to periscope depth in order to repair our boat.

Damage report:

Bow quarters
Bow torpedo room
Hull
Main pump
Fuel tank
Command room
Diesel engines
1520 Surfaced again to use the deck gun. Fired 11 rounds, damaging the steamer more before submerging to periscope depth.
1530 Assumed that the steamer's speed reduced due to the damage sustained. Tube V was fired, AZ, fast. Aimed at bow but hit stern.
1535 The stern could be seen to dip below the surface.
Radio intercepted: "SOS. SS Island Mail. U-Boat attack. Sinking. Escort still in location."
1538 Steamer slipped beneath the waves. 1 x lifeboat seen. Could not assist survivors due to presence of escort.
Course: 180°. Electric motors at KF. Distancing us from escort.
1600 CG1532 Radio message received from BdU: "Confirmed sinking. British Merchant SS Island Mail. 5293 tons. Cargo: Coal. Crew: 43. Crew lost: 14."
1615 Escort to our starboard at 20°.
Course change: 00°.
1700 New contact on bearing 320°. Warship.
1728 New contact on bearing 318°. Merchant.
1815 Multiple contacts on bearing 320°. Course change: 270°. Electric motors at HF. A few minutes later through the periscope I could see 1 x escort: Armed Trawler and 3 x Merchants in single file convoy.
1 x Granville-type Frieghter 4600 GRT #1
1 x Medium Cargo 4800 T #2
1 x Small Merchant 2000 T #3
1820 CG1530 Convoy heading: 133°. Course change: 228°.
Battle stations for a submerged attack. My intention was to fire at #2 and then #1 with the hope that both torpedoes would detonate at the same time.
Target speed: 9 knots, range: 500m, red 90°, tubes I and IV AZ, depth: 3m.
Tube I: 30 knots
Tube IV: 40 knots
1837 Tube I fired at target #2. Impact.
1840 Tube IV fired at #1. Impact.
Fortunately target #1 did not take evasive action when the first torpedo detonated and therefore was able to still hit it with eel IV. Course changed to 133° to shadow targets.
1845 Manoeuvred to the port side of the convoy as the escort was searching on their starboard and use them as a shield in order to use the deck gun. Surfaced, but under attack immediately. Managed to hit steamer with 3 rounds before diving to make repairs.

Damage report:

Bow torpedo
Bow quarters
Main pump
Fuel tank
Command room
Diesel engines
Aft batterries
Only minor damage.

Continued to shadow the steamers.
1857 Radio intercepted: "SS Coringa. Torpedo hit. Sinking."
1915 Escort out of potential threat due to the distance of search. Surfaced to use deck gun on remaining steamers. A few rounds hit steamers before diving again for repairs.

Damage report:

Torpedo tube I
Bow torpedo
Flak gun
Watch tower

Minor damage and repaired hastily.
1922 Radio intercepted: "SS Politician. Sinking."
1924 Radio intercepted: "SS Bonifacio. Under attack by U-Boat. Sinking."
1925 Submerged to periscope depth. Course: 00°. Electric motors at KF.
2000 CG1532 Radio message received from BdU: "Confirmed sinking:
British Merchant SS Bonifacio. 2595 tons. Cargo: Phosphates. Crew: 67. Crew lost: 20.
British Merchant SS Politician. 8140 tons. Cargo: Textiles. Crew: 54. Crew lost: 34.
British Merchant SS Coringa. 5294 tons. Cargo: Timber. Crew: 51. Crew lost: 45."

22.2.40.

0000 CG1298 Surfaced. Loaded aft external torpedo.
Patrol report sent to BdU: "Loadout: 1 x G7a stern torpedo. Deck gun: 134 HE rounds. Flak gun: 920 rounds. Fuel: 55%."
0030 Radio message from BdU: "Return to Kiel. Safe journey."
0115 Tube V ready.
0245 Battery recharged.
0400 CG1292 Diesel engines at LF.
0800 CG1232 Nothing to report.
1200 BE9971 Submerged to periscope depth during daylight hours. Electric motors at KF.
1600 BE9947 BC Nothing to report.
2000 BE9944 "

23.2.40.

0000 BE9941 Nothing to report.
0400 BE9917 Surfaced. Battery recharging.
0500 Battery recharged.
0800 BE9914 Nothing to report.
1200 BE9674 "
1600 BE9614 BC "
2000 BE9347 TC "

24.2.40.

0000 BE6977 Nothing to report.
0400 BE6917 "
0800 BE6647 "
1200 BE6377 "
1600 BE6317 "
1641 Ship spotted on bearing 44°. Steamer. Diesel engines increased to HF. Intercepting target.
1650 Battle stations for deck gun attack. Target: British Coastal Freighter 1800 T. Diesel engines reduced to KF.
1658 BE6311 BC Target broken in two and destroyed with 15 rounds. No lifeboats seen. Returned to original course.
2000 BE3947 Radio message received from BdU: "Confirmed sinking. British Coastal Freighter SS Bassethound. 1869 tons. Cargo: General cargo. Crew: 35. Crew lost: 35."

25.2.40.

0000 BE3677 BC Nothing to report.
0400 BE3641 TC "
0800 BE3371 TC "
1135 Ship spotted on bearing 334°. Steamer. Course chnage: 330°. Diesel engines increased to HF.
1145 Target heading West. ID: British Coastal Freighter 1800 GRT.
1200 BE3311 TC Battle stations for deck gun attack.
1215 Target destroyed with 50 rounds. No Survivors. Course change: 24°.
1600 AM7942 BC Radio message recieved from BdU: "Confirmed sinking. British Coastal Freighter SS Sprucebay. 1870 tons. Cargo: Aircraft parts. Crew: 29. Crew lost: 29."
1932 Chief Engineer Herbert Lindnor confirmed diesel fuel reserves at 50%.
2000 AM7684 LC Nothing to report.

26.2.40.

0000 AM7628 Nothing to report.
0400 AM7367 BL DBK: 235m.
0800 AM7332 DBK: 232m.
1200 AM5744 LC DBK: 316m.
1600 AM5487 TC Nothing to report.
2000 AM5427 LC "

27.2.40.

0000 AM5182 Nothing to report.
0400 AM5123 BR "
0800 AM2966 RC "
1200 AM2878 "
1500 AM2846 TL
NW4, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. fairly poor, light fog Weather change.
1600 AM2819
N4, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. fairly poor, light fog Nothing to report.
1721 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force. AM68. W. 8 knots."
2000 AM2681
E4, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. poor, light fog Weather change. Course change: 67°.

28.2.40.

0000 AM2664 Nothing to report.
0400 AM2636 "
0600 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force. AM64. NW. 8 knots."
0800 AM3512 TR Nothing to report.
1200 AM3384 LC "
1600 AM3367 BC "
2000 AM3363 "

29.2.40.

0000 AM3418 Nothing to report.
0312 AM3421 Warship spotted on bearing 106°. Destroyer followed by two larger vessels in convoy, single file. Heading: NW. Submerged to periscope depth. Crew ordered silent running. As the vessels grew closer out of the murk they were identified as three warships. Let them continue on heading without being detected.
0510 Contacts finally lost on bearing 250°.
Surfaced.
0800 AM3288 Nothing to report.
1200 AM3291 "
1520 Contact report: "AN1382 BC. NE. Medium speed."
Continued on course due to fuel level, weather conditions and lack of armament.
1600 AM3266 BR Nothing to report.
1723 Radio report: "Enemy Task Force. AM36. NE. 8 knots."
2000 AN1143 TL Nothing to report.

1.3.40.

0000 AN1120 LC Diesel engines increased to HF.
0400 AF7778 Course change: 90°.
0800 AF7788 TL Nothing to report.
1200 AF7799 Merchant spotted on bearing 105°. Changed course: 188°.
1215 ID: British Coastal Freighter.
Battle stations for deck gun attack.
1243 AF7797 BC Target seen to be sinking after 57 rounds. Sea conditions resulted in an unstable platform. No lifeboats seen. Returned to original course: 87°.
1600 AF7799 Radio message received from BdU: "Confirmed sinking. British Coastal Freighter SS Ahoy. 1871 tons. Cargo: Grain. Crew: 23. Crew lost: 23."
DBK: 128m.
2000 AF7879 DBK: 98m.
2100 WSW 5, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. poor Weather change.
2200 SSW 4, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. fairly poor Nothing to report.

2.3.40.

0000 AF7888 Course change: 126°. DBK: 116m.
0239 Merchant spotted on bearing 350°. Investigated.
0305 ID: British Small Freighter 2000 tons.
0315 AN2161 Battle stations for deck gun attack. After five rounds the target was broken in two, dead in water, on fire with secondary explosives, but still afloat. Two more rounds were fired into her, but she still refused to sink. The flak gun was used to destroy the cargo, but still afloat.
0351 After over thirty minutes, I decided to use our last torpedo. Tube V was fired and sent steamer to the bottom. No survivors.
0400 AN2161 Returned to course 127°.
Radio message recieved from BdU: "Confirmed sinking. British Steam Merchant SS Vital de Oliveira. 2245 tons. Cargo: Mail. Crew: 29. Crew lost: 29."
0800 AN2277
S4, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. fairly good Weather change.
1200 AN2754 Nothing to report.
1600 AN4232 "
2000 AN4348 "

3.3.40.

0000 AN4620 Nothing to report. DBK: 84m.
0400 AN4692 TR DBK: 70m.
0800 AN3719 BC DBK: 55m.
1200 AN3783 BC DBK: 53m.
1600 AN6329 BL DBK: 42m.
2000 AN9174 DBK: 40m.

4.3.40.

0000 AN9352 Nothing to report. DBK: 20m.
0400 AN9399 TL DBK: 16m.
Chief Engineer confirmed diesel level at 25%.
Course change: 132°.
0800 AN9646 Course change: 123°. DBK: 16m.
0845 AN9657 Land spotted at 330°.
1030 AN9686 Course change: 88°.
1110 Reduced diesel engines to LF.
1140 Brunsbüttel Diesel engines reduced to KF.
1150 Kiel Canal On approaching entrance, increased diesel engines to HF.
1515 Rendsburg Weather change: Heavy rain and fog. Visibilty poor. Watchcrew reminded to be very vigilant with lower visibility and high traffic. However, usual traffic seen thoughout Canal.
1725 Kiel Made fast.

Summary:

I wasted too many torpedoes in frustration with a couple of targets.
The weather hampered our use of the deck gun.
However, when the weather cleared it was used with good effect.
Sometimes my decision to surface within the vicinity of an escort to use the deck gun was risky, but we were successful and fortunate that we did not receive too much damage.
The CE and crew repaired the boat efficiently and quickly.

Comments of the BdU on the KTB of "U-50" (Bauer) from 6 February - 4 March 1940:

Although Bauer did waste torpedoes on some targets, he and his crew (although inexperienced) proved to be professional and had immense success during this patrol.
Surfacing near an escort could have put the boat and crew in severe danger, but Bauer controlled these attacks with a cool head being sure that the boat did not suffer too much damage.

Accredited successes confirmed sunk:

HMS KELANTAN 2228 GRT
SS SHEKSNA 2253 GRT
SCHOONER DANIEL 17 GRT
MV ALVIS 547 GRT
SS ISLAND MAIL 5293 GRT
SS CORINGA 5294 GRT
SS POLITICIAN 8140 GRT
SS BONIFACIO 2595 GRT
SS BASSETHOUND 1869
SS SPRUCEBOY 1870 GRT
SS AHOY 1871 GRT
SS VITAL DE OLIVEIRA 2245 GRT

Decorations:

Kapitänleutnant Max-Hermann Bauer awarded Iron Cross First Class

WO Wolfgang Eisenholtz awarded Iron Cross Second Class
CE Herbert Lindnor awarded Iron Cross Second Class

Deck gun crew:

Heinrich Gabelmann awarded U-Boat War Badge
Eberhard Wirtgen awarded U-Boat War Badge and gunner qualification
Ernst Heldmann awarded U-Boat War Badge and gunner qualification

[sublynx]

Thanks for the report. Jimbuna should not be demanding more aggressivity here! It would have been nice to have more info on the amount of hits your boat suffered and an estimation on the weaponry the enemy used.

[ninja turtle]

It would have been nice to have more info on the amount of hits your boat suffered and an estimation on the weaponry the enemy used.

Well the enemy Trawler only really had a 'pea-shooter' on the fore deck and was fortunately a fair distance away so wasn't too accurate. I'm not sure how many hits we received, but the damage sustained was only minor and quickly repaired. All areas of the U-Boat was deemed normal and operational by the end of the patrol. We had 33.86% hull integrity once we reached Kiel. Does that mean 33% damage or 33% left of the hull?

One thing's for sure it was nerve-racking and I certainly wouldn't have surfaced if it was a Destroyer!

:salute:

[ninja turtle]

Patrol 1


As Bauer began his patrol from Helgoland on 6th February, I travelled from Kiel to Helgoland on 1st February (the beginning of the month is the default start date with a new career) with a high TC and then waited for a suitable time when I could begin the patrol (0800) on that historical day. I was then able to adjust the date and timings using notepad within SHCmdr (I'll continue to do this with any further historical careers).

I managed to follow Bauer's patrol route fairly accurately.

Bauer sank four Merchants during this patrol; I managed to sink twelve.

At the end of Bauer's patrol he was awarded the Iron Cross First Class (he had already received the second class historically on 23rd November 1939) which I also presented to 'myself'.

Both patrols lasted 28 days.

The patrol in 1940 was a leap year. Fortunately 2016 is also a leap year so the dates tallied 100%.

As already stated in post #1 U-50 was sunk on the second patrol after only a day at sea. I'm not sure whether I will continue this career in memory of Bauer and his crew or leave U-50 in port, intact, with the crew celebrating a successful patrol and enjoying their well-earned leave.


To be continued...?

[sublynx]

We had 33.86% hull integrity once we reached Kiel. Does that mean 33% damage or 33% left of the hull?


That's 33% left. I'd say the hull was in a really bad shape. Thankfully there was no further damage to the boat :arrgh!:

[ninja turtle]

That's 33% left. I'd say the hull was in a really bad shape. Thankfully there was no further damage to the boat :arrgh!:

Cripes!! Good job I got away when I did.

[sublynx]

Yes indeed!

But you survived. I'm looking forward to your next report!