Floater
09-05-05, 08:21 AM
It's July 1940, and my VIIC is assigned a patrol in the south of the Irish Sea, sailing from Wilhelmshaven.
Last patrol, I penetrated Scapa Flow on the way out and sunk an Auxiliary Cruiser for 13+K tons. Didn't even get detected by the defences. So, I thought, I'll be passing Loch Ewe - why not have a peek in there?
The journey out past the Shetland Isles was uneventful, and I didn't meet any targets. I approached Loch Ewe, and found it heavily defended. Once I was detected, and a DD attacked with depth charges, but I managed to evade and continue into the loch unmolested.
There was a Fiji cruiser, lying at anchor. All this time I kept at periscope depth, silent running, 1kt, creeping around the defences. The weather was clear and calm, and the Fiji was a sitting duck. Four TIIs aimed at various vulnerable spots, and the cruiser was history. 10+K tons. A good start.
Creeping back out again, I was detected and repeatedly attacked by three DDs and a DE, depth-charged, rammed, my attack scope, flak and deck guns destroyed. Not looking good.
In the end, I managed to evade them again and made for open water to lick my wounds and decide what to do. Press on south for the patrol grid, using the observation scope for attacks, or call off the mission and head for home?
Then I checked the fuel levels. 25%. Huh? I always make a point of travelling slowly to conserve fuel, so where did all that diesel go? Maybe a tank had been ruptured in the attack. No chance now of making it to the patrol grid in the south and back to Wilhelmshaven - I'd be lucky just to get back home.
So, despondent, I set off north and round the Shetlands again, alternating submerged and surface running to save precious fuel. I had a few nearby enemy merchant contacts, but didn't pursue them for the same reason.
Finally, crawled into Wilhelmshaven, docked, and handed out the single qualification I was allowed. No medals, no promotions. Hardly surprising for a 10+K ton patrol. Then I headed of to the shipyard to see what upgrades were available. They wouldn't let me in.
Why? At some stage, probably while I was busy under attack, I'd been ordered to return to Brest, and hadn't noticed the message. :damn:
If I'd known, I'd have been able to sail on from Loch Ewe to my patrol grid, complete the patrol and get to Brest with no problem. Also, I'd have been crossing my favourite hunting grounds west of the Channel.
So ... I nominate myself for Moron Of The Month. Hey-ho.
Last patrol, I penetrated Scapa Flow on the way out and sunk an Auxiliary Cruiser for 13+K tons. Didn't even get detected by the defences. So, I thought, I'll be passing Loch Ewe - why not have a peek in there?
The journey out past the Shetland Isles was uneventful, and I didn't meet any targets. I approached Loch Ewe, and found it heavily defended. Once I was detected, and a DD attacked with depth charges, but I managed to evade and continue into the loch unmolested.
There was a Fiji cruiser, lying at anchor. All this time I kept at periscope depth, silent running, 1kt, creeping around the defences. The weather was clear and calm, and the Fiji was a sitting duck. Four TIIs aimed at various vulnerable spots, and the cruiser was history. 10+K tons. A good start.
Creeping back out again, I was detected and repeatedly attacked by three DDs and a DE, depth-charged, rammed, my attack scope, flak and deck guns destroyed. Not looking good.
In the end, I managed to evade them again and made for open water to lick my wounds and decide what to do. Press on south for the patrol grid, using the observation scope for attacks, or call off the mission and head for home?
Then I checked the fuel levels. 25%. Huh? I always make a point of travelling slowly to conserve fuel, so where did all that diesel go? Maybe a tank had been ruptured in the attack. No chance now of making it to the patrol grid in the south and back to Wilhelmshaven - I'd be lucky just to get back home.
So, despondent, I set off north and round the Shetlands again, alternating submerged and surface running to save precious fuel. I had a few nearby enemy merchant contacts, but didn't pursue them for the same reason.
Finally, crawled into Wilhelmshaven, docked, and handed out the single qualification I was allowed. No medals, no promotions. Hardly surprising for a 10+K ton patrol. Then I headed of to the shipyard to see what upgrades were available. They wouldn't let me in.
Why? At some stage, probably while I was busy under attack, I'd been ordered to return to Brest, and hadn't noticed the message. :damn:
If I'd known, I'd have been able to sail on from Loch Ewe to my patrol grid, complete the patrol and get to Brest with no problem. Also, I'd have been crossing my favourite hunting grounds west of the Channel.
So ... I nominate myself for Moron Of The Month. Hey-ho.