von Buelow
11-20-05, 11:32 PM
10th Flotilla -- IXD2 -- U-852
Departing Lorient 23 Nov 1943 @ 1447 hrs local
Arriving Lorient - 17 Dec 1943 @ 0110 hrs local
Assignment: Patrol Grid AM72 for 24 hours
Captains Log:
My men were in fine spirits despite my forgetfullness to add a few petty officers and sailors to our recently upgraded U-boat. Our succes to date and subsequent esprit-de-corps with the current crew proved to be enough for the mission, however. One of our team members, the hydrophone operator, nearly missed the departure, but the lipstick stained and perfume laden uniform told us that he was going to be in tip-top spirits for our trip.
A normal departure, and only one escort to be seen was a great start. And as we crossed BF17, I noticed a lot of crossing traffic, I was hoping that a clear route and continued traffic would greet me upon my return, I din't want to wait any longer than necessary to complete BdU's orders. I didn't have a clue that my prayers would be answered!
Only 3 times during our three-week patrol did enemy aircraft taunt us with lackluster attempts to hit their mark. Our sonar man definatley earned his pay with all his warnings well in time for evasive manuvers. Escorts seemed to be on vacation much to everyone's delight... maybe it was the holiday season, but we really didn't care why.
Only 2 ships were spotted in our patrol grid, a C2 and C3... both only took one fish to hit the sweet spot and send their crews to their demise. Horrid weather prevented any rescue attempts, if even their distress calls were heard. A quick 24 hours and the crew was excited to return to BF17.
The weather continued overcast and rainy for much of this leg... calm and clear weather greeting the boat near our fishing grounds. With BdU reports and the hydrophone operator's skill, we successfully encountered ship after ship, with minimal escort presence. Smaller vessles were ignored in lieu of the bigger game... a record setting patrol would buy my men a 3-day pass and the first rund upon our return... everyone stepped up to my challenge.
End result - 17 ships and 99,171 tons successfully sent to visit the tidy-bowl man.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/album119/aav.jpg
1943, a nice year. I'm wondering if 1944 will hold the same luck...
Departing Lorient 23 Nov 1943 @ 1447 hrs local
Arriving Lorient - 17 Dec 1943 @ 0110 hrs local
Assignment: Patrol Grid AM72 for 24 hours
Captains Log:
My men were in fine spirits despite my forgetfullness to add a few petty officers and sailors to our recently upgraded U-boat. Our succes to date and subsequent esprit-de-corps with the current crew proved to be enough for the mission, however. One of our team members, the hydrophone operator, nearly missed the departure, but the lipstick stained and perfume laden uniform told us that he was going to be in tip-top spirits for our trip.
A normal departure, and only one escort to be seen was a great start. And as we crossed BF17, I noticed a lot of crossing traffic, I was hoping that a clear route and continued traffic would greet me upon my return, I din't want to wait any longer than necessary to complete BdU's orders. I didn't have a clue that my prayers would be answered!
Only 3 times during our three-week patrol did enemy aircraft taunt us with lackluster attempts to hit their mark. Our sonar man definatley earned his pay with all his warnings well in time for evasive manuvers. Escorts seemed to be on vacation much to everyone's delight... maybe it was the holiday season, but we really didn't care why.
Only 2 ships were spotted in our patrol grid, a C2 and C3... both only took one fish to hit the sweet spot and send their crews to their demise. Horrid weather prevented any rescue attempts, if even their distress calls were heard. A quick 24 hours and the crew was excited to return to BF17.
The weather continued overcast and rainy for much of this leg... calm and clear weather greeting the boat near our fishing grounds. With BdU reports and the hydrophone operator's skill, we successfully encountered ship after ship, with minimal escort presence. Smaller vessles were ignored in lieu of the bigger game... a record setting patrol would buy my men a 3-day pass and the first rund upon our return... everyone stepped up to my challenge.
End result - 17 ships and 99,171 tons successfully sent to visit the tidy-bowl man.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/album119/aav.jpg
1943, a nice year. I'm wondering if 1944 will hold the same luck...