Operation: Jagd auf die Jäger (warning:many images)

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This was originally posted in another forum, but I'll put it up here, mostly for the wealth and fame :D I got the idea one day to attempt a career where I would only attack warships. And here's what happened. (Career played at 88%, externals off, manual targeting, only map contact update enabled)

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August 25th, 1939, Kiel, Germany

There is a knock at the bedroom door, shaking me out of my sleep.

"Herr Leutnant, Admiral Raeder wants to see you at once in his office"

I stumble to get dressed and follow the messenger to the Admiral's office, where he is seated behind his desk. He looks up and returns my salute.

"Hofmann", he says to me, "with the state of affairs as they are, war appears inevitable, wouldn't you agree?"

I did not answer.

"I've come from a meeting with the Fuhrer", he continued, not waiting for a reply, "and the subject of our discussion is the reason I've called you here."

"Jawohl, Herr Admiral"

"Our discussion was focused on the proper utilization of the ubootwaffe in the coming war. After much persuasion, we were succesful in convincing him of the necessity for our submarines to focus on the enemy's merchant fleet. That by depriving him of the means to wage war and to subsist, we will score a decisive strategic victory. To attempt to engage the enemy fleet, while perhaps achieving great tactical successes, would no doubt be less preferrable in the balance."

"However, the Fuhrer was not entirely accepting of our proposals, and has made one demand. He has insisted, and we have relented, that six boats, under command of our most capable officers, will be tasked with engagement of enemy warships as their sole duty. 'It is not possible', the Fuhrer told me, 'that we can permit the enemy fleet to go unchallenged'.

"I am not convinced," the Admiral continued, "that this is the best use of our proud boats and crews, but be that as it may, here are your orders. Any questions?"

"No sir."

The Admiral extended his hand and I took it with my right, the orders with my left. With a smart salute I made leave of those uncomfortable surroundings, and returned to my room where I opened the envelope containing the orders, which read:

"When in all respects ready for sea on or about September 2, 1939, U-49 will depart Kiel to conduct unrestricted warfare against enemy warships. Tactical considerations are left to the discretion of the Commanding Officer."

My mind was racing, who are the enemy? We are not at war. What is to happen? Surely the Admiral knows, and the tone of our conversation left little doubt in my mind that these questions would soon be answered.

On the morning of September 2nd, with crew aboard and U-49 ready, we left Kiel for our first patrol.

As the familiar port that has been our home for the past 4 months faded into the distance, I was uncertain of what lay ahead, but determined that U-49 would do her duty.

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Patrol 1, September 2 - October 17, 1939
U-49 Type VIIB
7th Flotilla, Kiel, Germany


Compliment 51 men

Officers:
Leutnant z. S. Wilhelm Hofmann, Captain
Oberleutnant z. S. Siegfried Rosing, Chief Engineer
Leutnant z. S. Karl Petersen, Watch Officer
Oberfähnrich z. S. Johannes Schaefer, Navigator
Oberfähnrich z. S. Gottfried Ackermann, Weapons
Oberfähnrich z. S. Carl Rahn, Torpedos/Motormac

Weapons:

(14) G7a steam torpedos
8.8cm SK C/35 deck gun
2cm FK C/30 flak gun aft

Sept 2
U-49 sets sail from Kiel.

Sept 3
Recieved radio message from BdU. Germany is at war with Britain. Turned southwest upon exiting the Skagerrat and set course for the eastern entrance to the English Channel. Our orders are to engage warships, and where better?

Sept 5
Weather closed in as we approached the Channel. Heavy rain, winds and heavy fog. Very limited visibility. Would be madness to enage warships in this weather. Will avoid or evade until weather breaks.

Sept 10
Weather unchanged. Our course has taken us well west of the Channel into the Celtic Sea. The heavy sea state and limited visibility continue to dictate our course of action, and we will continue to avoid or evade until weather breaks.

Sept 19
Weather still heavy, no sign of abating. U-49 has returned through the English Channel to the North Sea. A remarkable achievement by Johan, with no chance for stars or sunlines in two weeks. We will patrol north along the English coast in search of better conditions in which to carry out our orders. The morale of the men is still high, but the lack of action or success and the beating the boat is taking are beginning to tell.

Sept 21
U-49 north of Orkneys. If weather breaks will attempt to penetrate enemy naval base at Loch Ewe.

Sept 23
Weather broke at 7 AM. Clear skies, moderate winds and light fog.

Sept 25
Enroute southwest of Scapa Flow to Loch Ewe. At 1528 lookouts spot the first ship we have seen since Dutch tug on Sept 4. Ship is British Hunt class destroyer. Submerged attack, normal approach course. Single G7a impact pistol set to run fast at 1.5 meters on 080 port track, range 700. Impact forward of bridge after run of 33 seconds, DD explodes and sinks bow first. Gotz timed the sinking at 20 seconds.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJhunt1.jpg

Sept 27
U-49 penetrated naval base at Loch Ewe. Harbor entrance screens were avoided so as not to betray our presence. Observed coastal gun emplacements lining north side of inlet. Mines observed along northern side of entrance. At least 2 DD docked at port. Inner waters otherwise unpatrolled. No major ships found. Retired from base undetected.

Oct 1
U-49 patrolling waters west of main entrance to Scapa Flow. We hope to find a task force. 0530, hydrophone contact of warship screws. Observed C class DD with 20 degree port angle. Submerged attack, normal approach course. Single G7a from stern tube, depth 2, fast. Fired on 080 port track, range 400. Impact below stack after run of 18 seconds, DD exploded, caught fire from bow to bridge and sank in less than one minute.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJcc1.jpg

Oct 2
2330 Lookouts spot smoke from a DD with sharp starboard angle. Submerge to close. 2355. Obtained firing position, 80 degree starboard track. Single G7a from bow. DD now identified as V&W class struck between stacks, sinks on even keel in 2 minutes.

Oct 5
Weather closes in again. No rain, but thick fog limits visibility to no more than 2500 meters. Weather should not hamper attacks, but will make spotting more difficult. Prudent to conduct submerged patrol in these conditions for increased probable range of detection by hydrophone. Have maneuvered or dived to avoid several merchant ships over course of past week.

Oct 7
1330 Hydrophone contact with destroyer. Obtained firing position, single G7a from bow fired on 090 port track impacts below bridge, C class DD immediately takes a severe down angle and goes under while still making more than 10 knots.

Oct 8
Recieve radio message from BdU. U-49 is informed that a special mission intended for Prien's U-47 is to be undertaken by U-49 due to mechanical difficulties aboard Prien's boat. We are ordered to penetrate the naval base at Scapa Flow sometime on October 13 or 14. Intelligence indicates presence of major warships at anchor. In the wardroom it is decided to use western passage for submerged attack at dawn on the 13th. Set course for western entrance to Scapa Flow.

Oct 11
Weather has turned clear and calm. It is fortunate as we did not enjoy the prospects of feeling our way around Scapa in the soup. Dove to escape air attack by 4 Hurricanes just after daybreak. Bombs landed close aboard, but U-49 suffered no damage as a result. Several new hands were rather shaken, and rightly so.

1540 Approaching western entrance. Our route is patrolled by two Hunt class DDs. We submerge and at 1559 attack the first DD. A bow fired G7a from 080 port track impacts under front turret causing DD to sink quickly with her stern in the air. The other Hunt came to investigate and at

1619 we maneuvered to fire the stern tube. 090 starboard track, range 300. Impact below bridge after run of just 16 seconds. DD immediately goes up in a flash and burns brightly from bow to stern, sinking quickly with a slight down angle in a flaming sea.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJhunt2.jpg

Oct 12
2300 U-49 enters western passage to Scapa Flow. A patrolling coastal vessel forces U-49 to submerge to remain undetected and we follow her in.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJcv.jpg

When the vessel turns away we surface until the coastal battery comes into view and we submerge again. Once clear of the guns we surface into a still night on a tranquil sea. Air is exchanged and batteries recharged before first light. Submerge once secured from recharge and approach the anchorage. All preparations are made to forward torpedo tubes and the boat is rigged for silent running.

Oct 13
0501 Battleship visible through attack periscope several thousand meters west of the port. U-49 continues to close 090 starboard track for shot. In the early morning light the details of the ship can be seen. It is a Royal Sovereign class battleship, with a Tribal class destroyer anchored some 800 meters astern. Several thousand meters to the east lie two Hunt DDs at anchor, and the whole area is patrolled by 3 destroyers and either a corvette or trawler, the distance and low light prevent identification.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJRamillies.jpg

0548 Three-shot G7a salvo fired from 092 starboard track, range 2600 meters at stationary battleship. Torpedo setting fast, depth 4 meters. Zero degree deflection on spread, all torpedos aimed at forward turret as measure against possible movement should she spot tracks and get underway at last moment. Fourth torpedo fired at stationary Tribal astern. Same considerations undertaken and the forward turret is used for aimpoint. U-49 begins reload and makes for western exit.

0549 First three torpedos impact aimpoint on BB after run of one minute and 54 seconds. At once, explosions leap from the forward part of the ship as the magazines below numbers one and two turret detonate.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJbb2.jpg

The Tribal is seen to get underway, but the torpedo impacts on her stern, and she too explodes.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJtribal1.jpg

As U-49 continues to egress to the west, we are overtaken by an echo-ranging Hunt who is surely doing just that. We took two shots at this DD at minimal range, and both torpedos missed or failed to detonate. As the DD maneuvered to avoid our second shot she ran aground, caught fire and exploded, breaking in two on the beach.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJhunt3.jpg

Upon reaching the exit to the open Atlantic the men were permitted to empty several pans of 20mm into the vessel which had been our escort on the way in. It was thought this was a suitable target for training. Minus most of her rigging and with no stack, she was allowed to waddle on her way.

Oct 14
U-49 is north of Scapa and making course for the North Sea. Siggi has reminded me again of our fuel situation, and it's best we work our way homeward while looking to rid ourselves of the final two torpedos.

Oct 16
0618 U-49 lookouts spot smoke on the horizon east of Hartlepool. Submerge to close and investigate what becomes a C class DD with sharp AoB. Conduct U-49's standard normal approach, fast steamer with shallow run, 080 starboard track, 600 meters. Single torpedo impacts below stack after 22 second run and DD goes up in a fantastic flash, momentarily blinding me in the dim dawn light.

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The mangled wreck of the DD slips below the sea still burning brightly one minute after being struck.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJcc3.jpg

With one torpedo remaining, and with just enough fuel to make it back to Kiel, U-49 begins the journey home. The men have earned it.

Oct 17
Make patrol report and recieve receipt with orders to Wilhelmshaven. No doubt our sinking of the battleship has raised a ruckus. 1907 U-49 ties up at Wilhelmshaven.

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U-49 approaches Wilhelmshaven on the evening of October 17th 1939 after 46 days at sea.

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We learn at Wilhelmshaven that the battleship sunk in Scapa was HMS Ramillies. In three days time we will sail on to Kiel for refit before our next patrol.




Patrol 2, November 26 ,1939 - January 19, 1940
U-49 Type VIIB
Wilhelmshaven, Germany

No personel transfers, nor additions or installations to U-49. U-49 remained in Wilhelmshaven for duration of refit. It was intended to return to Kiel, however after a decoration ceremony on October 21st, the entire boat's company was sent on a skiing holiday in Austria, the crew were considered the guests of the entire village, and by all accounts it was a grand time indeed. The Captain remained at Wilhelmshaven to oversee the refit of U-49.

In ceremony on Oct. 21, all hands were awarded U-Boots-Kriegsabzeichen and Eisernes Kreuz II.Klasse, and Siggi, Johan, Gotz and Carl were presented with Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse. Several men were put in for promotion, but these did not come through by the time of sailing for patrol 2.

U-49 was, in every respect, provisioned as detailed in report for patrol 1.

Nov 26
1702 U-49 sets sail from Wilhelmshaven. Intend to patrol western, Ocean side approaches to Royal Navy bases at Scapa Flow and Loch Ewe. It is thought that the RN will not venture it's major ships into the North sea, so we will concentrate our efforts to the west. If weather and enemy permit, will attempt dawn periscope searches of anchorages at both bases. Routine patrol will be surfaced, with lookouts posted, with submerged sound sweeps every 30 minutes, weather permitting. In conditions of low visibility, a standard submerged patrol routine will be observed.

Siggi with Bootsman Karl Wiebe and Matrosengefreiter Günther Krey

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJsiggi.jpg

Gotz and Johan

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJjohangotz.jpg


1733 Made rendezvous with escort, Zerstörer 1934 Z6 Theodor Riedel.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJtype34.jpg

Dec 27
0440 Sent Theodor Riedel our 'Well done' by signal light and recieved her 'Godspeed' in return.

Nov 29
Weather clear and calm. Enroute Orkneys in North Sea.

Nov 31
Rounding Orkneys. 1134 Lookouts spot smoke on horizon. Close to investigate and submerge to avoid estimated 7000 ton British freighter.

Dec 1
Storm. Heavy winds, rain and fog. Will continue west to deeper water to avoid or evade until weather breaks.

Dec 4
Weather breaks to clear skies and light winds from the north. Enroute south to Loch Ewe. Will attempt dawn periscope search of harbor on December 7th. Intend daylight recon of port screens on December 6th.

Dec 5
1255 U-49 west of Durness. Area is heavily travelled merchant route. Must maneuver or dive to avoid numerous ships of all types and tonnage.

2147 Fritz on the hydrophones reports warship screws closing from north during routine sound sweep. Grid AM36, we are postioned in the bottleneck between the Highlands and Western Islands. Number of screws suggests task force. Boat lies to, while course of enemy is determined. Screws seem to be drawing to the west and at 2151 U-49 surfaces to execute surface dash to get ahead.

2203 Pull plug after 15 km surface run for sound bearing check. Screw bearings now more constant. We seem to be positoned ahead on the enemy's base course.

2205 Lead escort visible through persicope. Hunt class DD.

2207 Two battleships visible through persiscope. Lead ship appears to be Royal Sovereign class, second ship identified as Nelson class. U-49 rigged for silent, and continues to close enemy base course for normal approach torpedo attack. Further observations reveal five escorting destroyers in total, one leading, two trailing and one on either flank. For a reason known only to the Royal Navy, the flank screens are positioned on the Nelson's quarters instead of ahead where a torpedo attack is likely to occur.

2210 Range to base course 2000 meters. Setup looking good for 1500 meter port track salvo at Nelson class BB. Enemy speed determined to be 21 kts on base course of 205 true. Made preparations to all tubes.

2216 Lead escort seen to zig to suddenly. Assumed we were detected and made preparations for deep submergence and rigged boat for depth charge.

2217 Task Force observed to heel in line. It is evident we are not detected, enemy has changed course to 170 true apparently intent on heading to Loch Ewe. Course will take task force astern of U-49. Rang up ahead one-third and left full rudder in attempt to bring foreward tubes to bear against battleship.

2219 Range to task force less than 1200 meters. Due to sudden change in setup, it is decided to switch target to Royal Sovereign in order to begin deep evasion at earliest. Three-shot G7a salvo fired when gyros show 000, range 1000, AoB 80 starboard. Torpedo depth 4 meters, impact pistol, 44 kt speed. Zero degrees on spread, speed of target should spread impacts over 100 meters of length. Shudder, zing and momentary pressure on our ears from the impulse air bleedback. Fritz whispered 'all hot, straight and normal'. Fourth torpedo retained in the event it is needed for defense should we be caught before reaching depth. Began corkscrew descent to 100 meters to avoid depth charges.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJresolution.jpg

2220 After run of 45 seconds, three detonations are heard as U-49 passes through 40 meters.

2224 Breaking up noises heard by all aboard. Noises followed by several thunderous detonations that thoroughly shook U-49. It is believed the battleship's magazines detonated at depth.

2226 Corkscrew continues, with rudder changes intended to put screws further astern. At 100 meters, rudder amidship and U-49 traces the reciprocal of the task force's course to maximize separation.

2357 Screws lost on bearing 170. The escorts apparently searched for one and a half hours, but to no avail.

Dec 6
0020 U-49 Surfaced to renew and recharge, and to bring the fore external into the reserve.

1239 U-49 closes entrance to Loch Ewe for daylight observation of port screens. Is it desired to determine strength, route and timing of all patrols for intended penetration of harbor dawn, Dec 7.

1550 Observations show port more heavily defended than during previous visit in September. Approach is patrolled by 3 DD, two Hunt class and one V&W. A corvette or trawler patrols south, and one or more PT boats crisscross the area. Another V&W patrols the inlet on an east-west route. Planes are observed twice during the recon. A formidable array, no doubt. U-49 withdraws to west for renew and recharge. There is a chance that the Nelson battleship that got by yesterday is in Loch Ewe. We intend to find out.

Dec 7
0200 Aided by our afternoon recon, U-49 slips through a gap in the patrols and enters passage to Loch Ewe. 0204 Dive to avoid detection by inlet V&W. More warship screws detected in harbor. Continue submerged to close port and anchorage area.

0500 U-49 deep in harbor, no signs of being suspected. U-49 lays to submerged in empty anchorage south of main port facility. Waiting for daylight for proper look around. The port is screened by a C class DD, and 4 or more DD docked at port. A major ship is barely visible some 4000 meters toward the northern anchorage. More light will permit look into far reach of northern achorage.

0703 C class destoyer route plotted. Still unable to see farthest part of anchorage, but major ship has developed into Nelson class battleship. Plan to attack this ship when C class has reached the furthest point on her route to assist in evading her. Our close observations of this DD as she's passed our scope several times over the past two hours have shown she has no apparent depth charge racks.

0800 C class has crossed in front on the closest point it's route will take to U-49, some 350 meters ahead. Rang up ahead slow and proceeded to point we have selected for shot. It is decided to use magnetic pistols intended to detonate under the ship's keel, fired from a zero degree AoB, range 2800 meters. To attempt to shoot from starboard side of ship would place U-49 in area determined to be mined on previous visit. To attempt shot from port would take U-49 deep into the northern anchorage, lengthening and complicating exit and evasion, and causing us to cross several times the route being patrolled by the C class DD. The docked DDs cause us concern should they be manned and get underway. We will use the slowest torpedo speed to maximize the distance U-49 can move from the tracks before the fish detonate. Should the battleship spot the tracks, the zero angle should guarantee she runs over regardless of which way she might turn. To charge ahead would only hasten the meeting.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJnelsonLE.jpg

0816 C class at furthest point of route. Three-shot G7a salvo with zero degree fan angle fired from zero angle, range 2800 meters. Depth 12 meters, magnetic pistol, 30-knot speed. One torpedo retained fore and aft for defense as there is no place for deep evasion in Loch Ewe. U-49 begins reload and makes for exit at ahead standard drawing to southern side to avoid expected approach by inlet V&W as she investigates explosions.

0818 Battleship making smoke and bow wake forming. Her lookouts have spotted the tracks or soundmen have detected the torpedo props.

0819 After run of 3 minutes 4 seconds, magnetic pistol functions as designed, and water plumes observed on either side of hull. Location of plumes indicate detonations below number two turret. Battleship seems to be lifted out of the water as explosions rip the forward part of the ship. Battleship settles quickly on an even keel, grounding in the shallow water with her tops visible above.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJnelsonLE2.jpg

0820 Torpedo end-run detonation on beach. Evidently only two of our torpedos were needed. U-49 continues to make for exit. No evidence the docked DDs are getting underway. The C class DD is seen to trace the reciprocal of our torpedo tracks, but that is now far astern. Investigating V&W passes 300 meters to starboard and continues to scene of sinking. U-49 slips past, leaving Loch Ewe, the V&W and the smoke from the burning battleship in the distance.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJLEbye.jpg

0923 U-49 avoids port entrance screens and makes for open Atlantic to northwest.

1649 Surface.

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Jan 15
0440 U-49 attacks lone J class DD and sinks it with single fish fired from tube two, range 750 meters.

Jan 16
0119 Contact with C class DD. Normal approach course. With two torpedos remaining, Gotz requests we fire a spread, to check the accuracy of our angle solver and deflection of the TDC. It had not occurred to me that we have yet, in two patrols, to fire any salvos with any deflection. Permission was granted and a two-shot G7a spread was fired from tubes one and three with a deflection of 5 degrees. It was unlikely this would cause both fish to hit, but virtually assured one or the other, would. It was tube one's fish that hit, right on the aim point and the DD blew up, took a severe down angle and dissapeared beneath the sea. Now having expended all torpedos, U-49 surfaced for our return to Kiel.

Jan 17
Made patrol report. Recieved reciept with no further instructions.

Jan 19
1730 U-49 ties up at Kiel after 55 days at sea.

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Patrol 3, March 9 - April 18, 1940
U-49 Type VIIB
Kiel, Germany

Refit carried out in Kiel. No personel changes, nor additions or installations to U-49. Gotz and Carl awarded Ritterkreuz for the performance of their torpedos in sinking three enemy capital ships on U-49s first two patrols. I recieved Eisernes Kreuz I. Klasse and Eisernes Kreuz II. Klasse, along with promotion to Oberleutnant. Several petty officers advanced one rating prior to departure.

U-49 was, in all respects, provisioned as detailed in report for patrol 1, except:

When making way down gangway on morning of departure I noticed U-49s conning tower adorned with artwork which certainly had not been there on final inspection day before. As I stepped onto the boat I looked at Karl, then back at the tower to the four aces painted there. Karl met my eyes and grinned "The crew says they are for the four enemy capital ships sunk by U-49." I thought for a moment, then noticed Karl's widening smile. The Captain had the message.

Mar 9
1615 U-49 sets sail from Kiel

1718 Made rendezvous with escort, Zerstörer Z2 Georg Thiele.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Edbond41/OJ3Zerstorer.jpg

Mar 10
0700 Sent Georg Thiele our "Well done" and recieved her "Godspeed" in return.

Mar 11
Enroute Orkneys in North Sea. Patrol routine will be surfaced with sounds sweeps every 30 minutes, except in limited visibility conditions and in areas covered by air patrols. In such conditions a routine submerged patrol will be observed.

Mar 13
Barometer dropping, winds picking up and dark clouds on horizon.

Mar 15
Storm closes in. Thick fog, heavy rain, wind and sea state.

Mar 20
Northwest Scapa Flow. Light screws picked up on hydrophones at various times and bearings. None determined to be warship, so avoided. Weather still heavy.

Mar 25 Weather unchanged. Will attempt dawn periscope search of anchorage at Scapa Flow if and when weather cooperates.

Mar 30
Weather broke to clear skies, light fog and light breeze.

1800 Karl's crew spots smoke on horizon. Close submerged for look. Contact is V&W DD with sharp angle. Normal approach course for beam torpedo attack. Single G7a, set shallow at 44 kt speed impacts destroyer between stacks, causing DD to explode, burn and sink in less than two minutes.

Mar 31
Closing Scapa for daylight recon of western entrance screens for possible dawn attack in Scapa Flow. Recon again shows disposition of screens identical to previous visits in October and January.

2300 U-49 enters western passage. Our timing was not as good as previous visits. Were forced down by approaching Hunt, but were able to slip past.

April 1

0330 Surface east of coastal battery.

0535 Recharge secured, U-49 dives to close anchorage for first light look around.

0610 Large ship visible some distance west of location where Ramillies was anchored on Oct 13. Continue to close for closer look, rigged for silent running. Fritz reports minimum 4 distinct DD screws in harbor. None are in sight through scope.

0615 Ship appears to be large, 10,000 ton freighter or transport.

0618 At least seven small caliber (3-5 inch) gun emplacements visible on decks. Likely she is auxilliary cruiser, armed merchant raider or convoy escort. Certainly she has a military purpose, perhaps a Q-ship. Her north-south orientation suggests a zero angle shot as done on Nelson in Loch Ewe Dec 7. To attempt beam shot would put U-49 much closer to shoreline, confining evasion to one direction should it become necessary. Continue to close for bow shot.

0640 Roughly 2000 meters to east of this ship another major ship is visible through scope. Close to investigate.

0651 Second ship identified as fleet carrier moored east-west presenting beam to our position. Decide to attack this ship first, then auxilliary if enemy and time permit.

0700 In growing light, details confirm earlier identifications. Carrier identified as HMS Indefatigable, second ship looks in all respects as freighter or transport, but presence of guns betray her true role.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Edbond41/OJ3carrier.jpg

0712 U-49 in position on starboard beam of carrier. Prepared three-shot salvo, with considerations similar to previous when attacking stationary ship. Torpedo speed 44 kts, depth 5 meters, zero deflection with aimpoint 1/3 of distance from bow to stern. Fourth torpedo retained for defense, or for auxilliary should she get underway.

Patrols, though increased in strength since last visit, are surprisingly not covering the water where these valuable ships are moored. Evidently the western passage is not thought to navigable by submarine, and the disposition of these forces seem to be focused on southern or eastern passages. In any event, we should be able to get a good run back toward the exit before patrols can close scene.

0714 Carrier underway, but too late. All three torpedos impact near her stern. The first two detonations have little apparent effect, but when the third strikes she explodes, with flames visible from bridge to stern. She starts to capsize to starboard, but the roll is caught as she grounds in the shallow water. Begin reload and make for exit. Will deal with auxilliary on way.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Edbond41/OJ3carrier2.jpg

0820 Reload completed. Auxilliary has not moved, and patrols have closed general area of firing on previous attack. While they are occupied near the burning carrier, U-49 postions for starboard beam attack on auxilliary cruiser.

0838 Two-shot G7a salvo, 44 kt speed, 5 meter depth, zero deflection, aimed midway between foremast and bridge. In final moments of run, ship gets underway but she does not gather speed quickly. First torpedo strikes forward of bridge, second below the stack. Ship ablaze at once and U-49 turns 180 for exit.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Edbond41/OJ3aux.jpg

0901 Two DD have closed scene of latest sinking. Both lay to, perhaps assisting survivors. Setup to closest DD is too good to pass up and at

0904 Single G7a shallow runner fired from stern tube at stationary DD directly astern, range 3800 meters. DD spots track and makes steam. Torpedo assumed to miss astern.

1510 U-49 exits western passage to Scapa Flow. Guarding the exit is another of our Hunts, likely the one that forced us down on the way in. Obtain fring position for 080 starboard track range 700 meters. Again, midway through run DD executes sharp turn to port and torpedo assumed to deflect and not detonate due to insuficient angle at impact. Detonation at depth 16 seconds later suggests this theory is correct. DD swings lazily to the right and does not start echo ranging. As she crosses astern, tube five is fired and DD continues on course making 12 kts. She was a dead duck on this shot and it is unknown whether torpedo missed or failed to detonate. Lack of end-run detonation suggests dud.

DD continues on in straight line seemingly oblivious to the torpedos that just clanged off her hull. Commence reload of tube five and continue to egress west. If this DD is willing to let matters stand, then so are we.

1623 Our Hunt is back. Her course is dead on. Prepare tubes forward and aft. We plan to hit her before she can hit us. Though she still seems oblivious, torpedo fired from after tube on 080 starboard track from 400 meters. This torpedo also fails to detonate. Siggi suggests, and I agree, to get the hell out of here and call it a draw.

April 2
Enroute north of Orkneys to north sea. Intend to patrol Hartlepool Hole to expend remaining torpedos then home.

April 3
1734 Soon after surfacing from routine sound sweep, U-49 is attacked by 2 British Hurricanes. Flak gun is manned by Hartmann, who shoots one into the sea. By time second Hurricane had come around for bomb run U-49 was at 50 meters, and the explosion came well astern.

April 8-9
U-49 in Hartlepool Hole 50 km off English coast. As on previous patrol, area is heavy merchant route, both north-south along coast, and east west from port to Norway and Denmark.

2041 U-49 attacks and sinks V&W DD with single G7a

0110 U-49 sinks V&W DD with single G7a. Close scene upon surfacing and recover life ring with "HMS Wanderer" in block lettering.

April 10
1200 U-49 closes coast in search of target. Water very shallow, 20 meters at most. Make contact with screws of apparent merchant. Smoke soon in view, close to look her over. Trawler observed to have gun on fore deck and flying ensign of Royal Navy. Single G7a fired on 080 starboard track from 500 meters with magnetic pistol. Short length makes her a difficult target. After run of 19 seconds torpedo detonates under her bow and she is virtually lifted out of the sea.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Edbond41/OJ3at.jpg


She crashes down onto her bow and keeps right on going as though nothing had happened. Since her only apparent weapons were the single gun foreward, we fell in line and prepared to battle surface astern and attack with 8.8cm gun.

1205 Just as the order was about to be given to surface, trawler is seen to capsize suddenly to port and sink.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Edbond41/OJ3at2.jpg

April 12
Weather closes in with low visibility, overcast and high winds.

April 13
Patrolling eastern entrance to English channel in search of target for final two torpedos.

April 14
2300 Hyrdrophone contact of destroyer screws closing near Dover strait. V&W DD with sharp angle, normal approach for beam attack with both torpedos. As with final firing on previous patrol, a spread is used, this time 1 degree deflection in attempt to hit with both fish. 080 port track from 850 meters. First torpedo impacts below bridge, second below after turret. DD is seen to explode, catch fire and sink in short order within sight of city of Dover. Surface and set course for Kiel

April 15
Make patrol report and recieve no further instructions. Enroute Kiel.

April 18
0746 U-49 ties up at Kiel in driving rainstorm after 41 days at sea.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Edbond41/OJ3returntokiel.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/%7Edbond41/OJ3patrolreport.jpg

[Threadfin]

Kiel, Germany
June 1940

Captain's notes.

U-49 is undergoing refit in Kiel. New installations include AFA27 MAK 800 batteries for shorter recharge times and a new mechanical supercharger for marginal increase in surfaced speed. We should expect a reduction in range and endurance to a similar degree.

During this time I have had the opportunity to visit Krupp's yard in Kiel and look over the new fleet boats being built and nearing completion. The first of these are to be commisioned in the coming weeks. The new boats will be designated VIIC. An extra frame was added to the central control room providing an additional 30cm to either side of the periscope housing. This increased space is intended for the new echo-ranging equipment called S-Gerat. This also allows the conning tower to be enlarged 30cm in length and 6cm in width. Two pressure-tight negative buoyancy tanks (Untertriebzelle), one on either side, are included within the saddle tanks to enable improved diving time in combat by remaining partially flooded. The engines are also upgraded, with an oil filtration system introduced to prolong the life of diesel lubricants and increase engine reliability. Also the starboard electrical compressor is replaced by a diesel-powered Junkers model, reducing the strain on the densely packed batteries. Finally, improved AEG-designed knob-switch electrical control system is introduced to replace the archaic BBC knife-switch system used on the VIIB. Performance should be roughly the same as with the VIIB, but perhaps a bit less submerged range, endurance and speed due to the additional submerged displacement.

I've had the opportunity over the course of our stay in Kiel to speak with other Captains returning from war patrols. I find these informal discussions to be very educational. It is in general agreement that the enemy, while mostly disorganized and understrength at the outset of war, is quickly increasing the strength of the forces opposing us, and improving their antisubmarine tactics. It is evident that an increasing number of destroyers are being outfitted with radar to improve detection of our boats while surfaced, and the enemy's echo-ranging equipment is able to hold our boats at deeper depths Boats are failing to return in ever increasing numbers. Three jadgbooten are presumed lost. Schmidtke in U-45 failed to return from a patrol west of the Irish Channel. Wittmann in U-51 is overdue from a patrol near Gibraltar, and Ruppert in U-54 was most likely sunk by a combination of aircraft and escort vessels north of the Azores. Despite these losses, the Jadgbooten are judged to be a great success and the force has been been doubled to 12 boats.

In a conference of JU-boot officers at Kiel, the subject of boats for our force came up. The type VII is seen by many to be most suitable among our choices. The relatively small size of 750 tons aids in remaining undetected, both on the surface and when submerged. Maneuverability is superior to the larger long range boats, and most importantly in my view, a shorter time is require to submerge. It is evident that the type IX boat is being considered for long-range J-boot patrols, but in my view, aside from the additional torpedo tube astern, the IX boat is ill-suited for action against warships, area of operations notwitstanding. Word is the VIIC will become the primary boat of the Unterseejadgbootwaffe.

On the warfront, Chamberlain is out, Churchill is in. Our ground forces have invaded Belgium, Luxembourg and France. If the French campaign is successful in reaching the coast, it will be an enormous benefit to the ubootwaffe. Bases along the French Biscay Bay coast would allow our boats open access to the Atlantic, and reduce by at least a fortnight the time necessary to sail around the British Isles on the outbound and return trips combined.

A slight modification to J-boot orders is now included. In addtition to our duties as warship hunters, ocean liners are now a permitted target. These liners are assuredly used as troop transports, and any J-boot encountering one should consider it a valuable target. American ships remain untouchable, a subject that causes some consternation in our circle. Despite their neutrality, it is widely believed their ships are carrying war-goods to the British Isles.

We leave for our fourth war patrol in a few days.

[Threadfin]

Patrol 4, June 7 - August 7, 1940
Kiel, Germany
U-49 Type VIIB

Refit carried out in Kiel. No personel transfers. New installations, supercharger and MAK 800 battery type.

Aside from new installations, U-49 was, in every respect, provisioned as detailed in previous reports.

Jun 7
0700 U-49 sets sail from Kiel. Patrol routine as described in previous reports, with provision for submerged patrol when within 400 km of enemy territory as precaution against air attack and radar equipped patrols.

1020 Made rendezvous with escort, Z1 Leberecht Maas.

1105 As arranged with Captain of Leberecht Maas prior to departure, U-49 dives with both scopes raised to PD.

1107 Recieved string of 6 indoctrinational depth charges. They were tooth shakers, but of course not close enough to damage our boat. U-49 has not been subjected to depth charging yet in the war, and I wanted to be sure those who had heard them before would remember, and those who hadn't, would not soon forget.

Jun 8
0100 Sent Leberecht Maas our "Well Done" by signal light and recieved her "Godspeed" in return.

Jun 10
Enroute Orkneys through North Sea. Weather now stormy, heavy fog, rain, wind and sea state.

Jun 13
West of Scapa Flow enroute area west of Irish Channel. Discussions with other Captains during refit have revealed increasing strength of convoy escort. Will attempt interception to learn more of convoys, escorts, their makeup, actions and disposition. Weather still heavy.

Jun15
Weather unchanged. West of Irish Channel in grid AM02.

Jun17
Weather broke to clear skies. Winds and sea state remain unchanged.

Jun 18
0645 Recieved radio message indicating position, course and speed of enemy convoy. Position shows they had snuck past last night. Relative positions prove chase not prudent, as it would put U-49 close to enemy coast, and in shallow water.

1135 Lookouts spot smoke coming over horizon. Close surfaced for better look.

1146 Contact is C Class DD with sharp angle. Pulled plug for submerged attack.

1200 Single G7a fired on 075 port track, range 900 at fast moving DD. Clocked speed as 24 kts. Torpedo impacts DD aft of stacks, she was ablaze at once and sank quickly with a moderate down angle.

Jun 20
0101 Made contact with certain convoy during routine hydrophone sweep. Fritz reports many merchant screws with at least one ship's warscrews mixed in. Definitely a convoy with escort. Plot course and conn boat for intercept.

0320 Convoy in sight. Many ships, 20+. Lead escort is DD. Close to identify and possible attack.

0346 Convoy consists of 6 colums of 3 or 4 ships each, with V&W destroyer at van.

Single G7a fired on 080 starboard track at lead escort making 9 kts when leading stack touched the wire. No evidence through reaction that torpedo was sighted, and impact amidship. DD continued on, slowing, then took slight down angle and slipped below the sea.

0415 Convoy, now zigging mildly, but still on base course. Convoy consists of 3 tankers, one ocean liner, and remainder of small, medium and large freighters. As ocean liners are now viable targets for J-boats, close to identify and set up possible attack.

0423 Liner indentified as American, flying Stars and Stripes. Her sailing in convoy should negate her neutrality, but the orders restricting this target are clear. Dove to avoid getting run over by convoy.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ4liner.jpg

0440 Continued dive to test valves and watertight intergrity as this is first time we have been in deep water with good weather.

0450 U-49 reached 160 meters with no apparent problems. Order surface to report now-unescorted convoy for possible attack by other boats or Luftwaffe.

0509 Made contact report. Enroute Loch Ewe.

Jun 22
2100 Closing Loch Ewe for recon of port screen for possible attack inside anchorage and harbor. As on previous visits, several DD, corvettes and PT boats guarding approach.

2130 Hunt DD getting too close for comfort, and at

2135 Single G7a fired on 080 port track from tube one range 900. No detonation either on ship, or end run. Likely dud.

2137 Single G7a fired on 090 starboard track, range 650 meters from stern tube impacts DD just aft of bridge. DD takes severe down angle and goes under without appearing to lose speed.

2200 Remaining area patrols have closed scene. They have congregated at exact spot from which we fired at Hunt. How they were able to determine this position is unknown, and this is the subject of most conversation in the wardroom for the rest of the day. U-49 withdraws to west for renew and recharge.

Jun 23
0150 U-49 has entered main inlet by passing through gap in screen, which may have been partially our doing. Submerged to avoid detection by inlet V&W patrol. At this latitude and time of year the nights never become truely dark. Due to this U-49 will attempt to make attack before dawn, as light will be sufficient for proper look around harbor throughout the night.

0202 At exit to inlet as it opens into Loch Ewe, a warship that looks in all respects as DD is moored. 180 AoB prevents identification. Continue to close for better look.

0215 Contact has airplane on deck. She is not a DD but a cruiser. U-49 positioning for beam shot.

0226 Two-shot G7a salvo fired at front turrets from 090 port track at stationary Fiji class CL. With three tubes still loaded, reload can wait, maintain silent running and make for exit.

0227 Impact on aimpoint by both fish causes cruiser to catch fire and repeated explosions are observed from bow to stern.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ4fiji.jpg

She is certainly finished. Continue to make for exit. V&W showing zero angle. Getting by will prove a challenge and there is nowhere to evade either vertically or horizontally.

0229 Just as we are about to be forced to attack the V&W as she still closes with a zero angle, a quick sweep on the scope to assess the situation shows what appears to be the enemy depth charging their port. Through the high power scope I can see spouts of water, exactly as those that might come from a depth charge. I can see boats that must be dropping them. However, these are PT boats, and I know of none that carry DCs. Is this a new innovation for the British? As these thoughts and the closing V&W swirl around in my head, I can see tracer fire climbing into the sky. Sweep the scope up and see several twin engine bombers, what appear to be Junkers-88s. Those were not DCs, but the Luftwaffe, who attacked almost to the instant when the Fiji blew up. Perhaps the enemy will assume the cruiser was a target of the bombers now overhead. Perhaps they will not suspect a submarine and we can use this to our advantage. It's true! The V&W sails right on by and does not use echo ranging or a zigging search pattern. At least one of the attacking planes is shot down, and another flys off to the east, trailing smoke and fire. U-49 makes for exit.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ4junkers.jpg

01723 U-49 surfaces well west of Loch Ewe. On the way out of the inlet, the V&W returned, and was echo ranging which caused for some tense moments. But our 180 angle likely prevented returns and the rate of echo did not increase at any time during U-49s exit.

Jun 25
U-49 patrolling area where convoy was encountered several days previous.

1546 Storm appears suddenly. Heavy fog, wind, rain and sea state. U-49 turns south for seas less patrolled. This fog, and the enemy's increasingly effective use of radar, cause us to wait out the storm before resuming any more attacks. We have no way to detect these ships when surfaced aside from sight, and by then it would be too late, as visbility is less than 400 meters.

Jun 29
Recieved radio message that u-boat base in Bordeaux now open for business.

Jul 1
Well west in BE grid. Weather unchanged. Avoid or evade until weather breaks.

Jul 5
Weather unchanged. Routine unchanged. Riding out storm submerged except for recharge, with comfort of crew, increased range of search by hydrophone, and precaution against collisions and radar equipped warships dictating our actions.

Jul 6
Weather breaks to a beautiful day.

0410 With never-dark conditions it is apparent the enemy can keep his air forces up around the clock. The storm that has just cleared lasted two weeks, and I'm sure the enemy is glad to be flying again. Increasing contacts with Hurricanes carrying single bomb on centerline.

0502 Alarm! Soon after surfacing from a sound sweep U-49 is attacked by Hurricanes. Flakgun had been manned and enemy taken under fire. Both planes released their bombs. One bomb landed uncomfortably close aboard port. No damage to either side and we sought safety in the deep Atlantic.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ4closecall.jpg

0610 Back at PD. Hydrophone contact with DD. Closing on a constant bearing. Up scope and sweep to see smoke from what becomes an old four-pipe flushdecker.

0629 Slow moving four-piper fired on with single G7a from bow tube on 080 starboard track, range 1000. At the exact moment of expected impact, Fritz reports sound of dud impact. DD immediately makes steam for all she's worth and comes right at us. U-49 had been turning for stern shot if necessary since firing first shot.

0631 Tube five fired at fast moving and wildly zigging DD. Her erratic course made targeting difficult, and a mag pistol with underkeel depth setting was used as a result. After 30 seconds, DD was almost on us, and with no detonation we were sure we had missed. Deep submergence ordered along with right full rudder to begin corkscrew and U-49 started down.

0633 First of string of 6 depth charges shook U-49 and caused minor damage to the upper decking. Continue to dive to 150 meters.

0636 Second string of DCs. These were not as close. End-run detonation of 0631 torpedo.

0639 Third string of DCs further away.

0642 Fourth and last string. U-49 escapes to the southwest.

Jul 6

2056 Contact on hydrophone with fast closing DD screw on constant bearing. Normal approach course for beam attack. Speed determined to be 24 knots. Tribal DD was moving so quickly she was by before I was prepared, and the single G7a was fired from 600 meters on a 105 track, and already the gyros read 020. The short range should ensure a square enough impact provided we had her AoB, speed and range correct.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ4tribal.jpg

After run of 26 seconds impact below front turret. Shot almost missed because by the time the shot was taken the AoB had increased far beyond the 77 we had set for the when the shot was intended to be taken. No measures were undertaken to reset the AoB as should have been done, and we are lucky this torpedo hit and detonated. Tribal destroyers are very capable, and we do not wish to give them a second chance if we can prevent it. If this torpedo had missed, it would certainly have been preventable, and I would be the only one to blame for the error.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ4tribal2.jpg

Tribal DD immediately started to slow and take a down angle as her foreward compartments flooded. The flooding soon overcame her bouyancy, and she stood on her bow before slipping below the sea.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ4tribal3.jpg

Jul 9
Weather closes in. Heavy rain, fog, wind and sea state.

Jul 13 Weather unchanged. Routine submerged patrol . Recieved radio message that u-boat base in Lorient is now open for business.

Jul 17
Weather unchanged. Routine submegred patrol. Screws heard since storm began. Boat conned to avoid.

Jul 22
Weather unchanged.

Jul 27
Weather unchanged.

Jul 31
Damn the cursed weather!

Aug 2
Weather unchanged. This storm has raged for 3 weeks. Fuel is now a concern. Will attempt to extend patrol as long as possible to expend remaining ordnance. Biscay bases give option to put in there. Supercharger has apparently caused minimum two-week reduction in endurance while gaining 1-2 knots at all engine speeds.

0610 While surfaced in fog and rain recharging batteries, U-49 is attacked by sudden gunfire from charging corvette. U-49 is struck 3 times by glancing gunfire before able to submerge. Siggi goes forward and comes back to report damage relatively minor. We've sprung a few leaks, and it is certain the hull has taken damage. Leveled off at 70 meters to not put too much strain on hull until damage can be properly assesed.

0612 First of 3 strings of innaccurate DCs fall astern.

0630 U-49 clear of corvette screws.

Aug 4
Weather breaks to the finest day any on board can recall. Damage from corvette determined to be minor. The sharp angle we presented while under fire caused the rounds thats struck us to hit at such an angle they did not penetrate, or HE ammunition was used, preventing penetration of our pressure hull. In any case, will limit depth to maximum 100 meters to be certain until she can be inspected at base.

0655 U-49 attacks and sinks V&W class DD with two shot spread, range 1000. Spread was fired as insurance against dud.

Aug 5
1259 Radio report of lone, fast enemy ship heading NE through BF grid toward Bristol channel. This is just southeast of U-49. Plot course and go to ahead flank to see if we can close for attack before she gets by.

1350 Barely visible through the mist is a huge, two stack transport. Due to the separation on her stacks, we believe she is already abreast. Speed clocks at 21 kts. At ahead flank, U-49 is barely holding 18 knots, so the shot had to happen now if we were to take it. Her flag was not visible at this distance, but certainly this ship was the subject of the 1259 report, and was classified in that report as enemy.

1351 With 5 foreward, and one after torpedo remaining, and not enough fuel for more than 4 days, all foreward tubes were quickly prepared for a four-shot G7a spread, 30 knot speed with 5 degrees deflection. Some quick calculation invloving the current range, bearing and AoB meant that these torpedos, if they were to have any chance of hitting her, would have to travel a very long way indeed, likely in excess of 10,000 meters if our current range info of 7400 meters were accurate. G7a's with 44 or 40 knot setting cannot travel in excess of 10,000 meters before they end-run detonate, so that left only the 30 knot speed. With the target's speed of 21 kts, that would mean an overtake of only 9 kts. It would be quite some time before we knew if we had hit her, and certainly this point, if the highly unlikely interception occurred, would be out of our visual range. We would dive immediately upon firing, as aircraft had been sighted almost continuously since weather broke yesterday.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ4liner2.jpg

1352 With virtually no chance of success, a four shot G7a spread with 5 degrees deflection from 7400 meters, AoB 90, 30 knot speed, depth 8 was fired at this ship estimated to be 40,000 tons.

Almost at the instant the last torpedo was fired U-49 attacked by Hurricanes out of the sun. First bomb missed, but the second landed close enough to cover the bridge with water and knock some hull plates loose. Damage assesed as moderate and we dove as planned, but with with a bit more urgency than I would have liked.

1452 Ten minutes after firing the torpedos an impact is heard through the hydrophones. Fritz is grinning ear to ear. She is slowing. U-49 closes area liner expected to be if she has slowed drastically or come to a stop.

1501 Screws have stopped. She's dead in the water or sinking. Continue to close scene on last sound bearing.

1505 Liner in sight, smoking near rear stack, with small fire visible, but other wise appearing high and level. Single remaining foreward G7a fired on 090 port track, range 2100. Impact below front stack. Ship apparently unaffected, assumes no noticable angle or list. Swing for remaining stern fish.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ4liner3.jpg

1508 Final torpedo fired on 090 port track, range 2300 at back stack. Impact and ship aparently unaffected, assumes no noticable angle or list.

1630 U-49 lays to, submerged, watching liner. She does not appear to be sinking. Many aircraft overhead. When first warscrews heard closing the scene, U-49, out of torpedos, turns and sets course for Lorient. I believe a mistake was made in regards to the final firing. Evidence showed that the first spread's impact likely hit in region of back stack, as the fire and smoke were visible in that area. Second torpedo aimpoint of front stack is logical, to spread the flooding, and potentially explode fuel bunker. However, firing the third and final torpedo again at the back stack, while likely adding significantly to the damage, probably did not contribute to the flooding, having hit the same space as the first torpedo.

Aug 7
0638 U-49 ties up at Lorient after 62 days at sea.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ4report.jpg

[Threadfin]

Oct, 1940
7th Flotilla, Kiel, Germany

After putting in at Lorient, I recieved orders back to Kiel to assume command of new construction VIIC, U-94. I was to return immediately, crew was given 3 weeks leave with orders to report to Kiel no later than September 1. Learned that we were losing Leutnant zur See Karl Petersen, our watch officer. He would stay on with U-49 as her new Captain and oversee her repairs. We were sorry to lose him, but could think of no better to command our boat. 6 Petty officers and 8 ratings were also lost and would stay on with U-49, which would remain in the j-bootwaffe.

On morning of September 2, I commissioned U-94, built by Germaniawerft in Kiel, the same yard that built U-49. U-94 is type VIIC. Her keel was laid on September 9, 1939, and completed in 300 days. She passed builder's trials and now sat tied up at our familiar dock in Kiel. We would spend the next month training her and the new crew members before departing for our 5th war patrol.

In most respects U-94 is identical to U-49. Operational depth is 150 meters, with crush depth presumed to be 250 meters. Modifications include new 20mm double barreled Zwilling flak mount on after platform. Supercharger installed as standard now on all boats. The GW yard in Kiel uses mechanical gear driven superchargers, but it was forseen that the j-boots would benefit from the exhaust driven supercharger installed at other yards, which provides additional surfaced speed. Being exhaust driven, it should not require power from the engines, and therefore not reduce range or endurance. However trials show a reduced range of roughly 1/3 over non-S/C equipped boats. The additional speed should prove valuable however on evasions, end-arounds and submerging, and on trials U-94 could maintain surfaced speed of 20 kts, some 2 kts faster than we could manage with U-49. The reduction in endurance may prove unfortunate. We hope the reason for this can be found and corrected as a soon as possible. At the Kiel yard one of the superintendents remarked that the range and endurance problems were the result of "those Romanian programmers". I did not understand what he meant, and chose not to inquire further.

The additional space in the type VIIC intended for S-Gerat echo-ranging equipment would be used for other purposes, as development difficulties have resulted in delays and the apparatus is not ready for installation.

The duds we have experienced on the last three patrols appear to be a common problem, and steps have been undertaken to correct the trouble. G7e electric torpedos are now standard on most boats. These torpedos are wakeless, which should prevent a target from spotting the track to evade, and probably more importantly, not disclose the firing point of the submarine. However, these torpedos have a maximum speed of 30kts, identical to the slowest speed of the G7a, and I am unsure of which would be a better solution for U-94. The lack of tracks is certainly desired, but the slow speed significantly complicates targeting, especially against the fast ships that are our targets. Will need to make a decision before leaving on the 5th patrol.

After commisioning ceremony on September 2, another ceremony was held in which I recieved the Swords to the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves in front of the assembled ship's company. Carl, Gotz and Johan all were promoted to Leutnant zur See. After ceremony we were introduced to Karl Petersen's replacement as watch officer, Leutnant z. S. Otto Popp. Popp has 4 war patrols experience on U-24, an old type IIB boat. Seemingly comfortable called Otto or Poppi, he immediately struck me as a fine officer and shipmate, and we were glad to have him aboard. Johan reported that he had little difficulty in securing sailors for the unfilled petty officer and rating positions, and U-94 had a full compliment of 51 men. The 7th Flotilla was now operating out of St. Nazaire on the Biscay Bay coast of France.

After a training period lasting one month, U-94 was ready for war patrol. Our logs from patrol 5 have not been returned as of this writing, so a detailed report will not be provided.

U-94 left Kiel on her first patrol on Oct 12 and set course southwest through English Channel, intent on patrolling waters near Spain, Portugal, Gibraltar and Morrocco, ending in St. Nazaire. Bad weather endured for most of patrol. Aside from a few days enroute and a few days near Gibraltar, weather was fog, wind and rain for entire patrol.

U-94 was armed with full load of G7a, as I was still unsure of which torpedo to take, and decided to go with the proven quantity. A mixed load was thought undesirable, as having foreward tubes loaded with disimilar torpedos limits the salvo options.

The horrid weather, surely one of the worst storms to hit the western hemisphere in recorded time, left little chance for attacks. Weather broke for 2 days while near Gibraltar strait, and one destroyer and one motor torpedo boat were sunk, to go along with one DD sunk enroute through English channel. A final DD was sunk near the St Georges channel in the last days of the patrol when weather finally cooperated. 32 days transpired between our 3rd and final attacks due to weather. U-94 tied up at St. Nazaire on December 10, after 60 days at sea, with more than half our torpedo load onboard.

Patrol was notable for lack of targets and success, and for incredibly bad weather. Patrol also notable as it was the first time we had undertaken a surface action, sinking a torpedo boat in Gibraltar strait when it had attacked suddenly in the night. The boat was ablaze after 6-8 88mm hits and several pans of 20mm. The Captain manned the flak mount during the action. The reduced diving time of the VIIC was evident and appreciated when, as soon as the PT boat was ablaze, U-94 was straddled by 5-inch splashes from a DD intent on restitution.

Upon returning to St. Nazaire learned I was to be awarded Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds to the Golden Knight's Cross, Germany's highest military decoration.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ5log.jpg

The first five war patrols of Oberleutnant zur See Wilhelm Hofmann. Average duration of patrol, 53 days.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ5log2.jpg

[Threadfin]

Patrol 6, March 10 - May 4, 1941
7th Flotilla, St. Nazaire, France

U-94 was, in every respect, provisioned as detailed for previous report. Again, a full load of steamers, though I intend to use electrics in the next patrol. With their loss of France and the Low Countries, it is believed the Allies will rapidly move to strengthen their position in North Africa, the Mediterranean and Gibraltar. U-94 was ordered to patrol and recon the western approach to Gibraltar, and if possible, move into the Mediterranean to obtain information that might benefit expected future operations in the region.

Mar 10
1453 U-94 sets sail from St. Nazaire. No escorts are provided in these waters. Attack from the air is expected in Biscay Bay, and route and tactics are based accordingly. Set course for Spanish coast.

Mar 16
U-94 rounding Portugal, enroute Gibraltar. Weather clear and calm.

Mar 18
The western approach screens consist of several DD. Of note, one group of 3 DD patrol together in wedge formation. This group consists of 2 Hunt class, and one Tribal class DD.

0630 U-94 attempting to position for attack on patrol group. Will attempt to sink group.

0651 When group passes our scope at 12knots, range 750 meters, with a 080 starboard track, a single G7a is fired at starboard flank Hunt. Impact below after turret and DD explodes, sinking with a sharp up angle.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Edbond41/OJ6hunt.jpg

Two remaining DD start to circle and search, no echo ranging is heard. U-94 swings and at

0713 Second single G7a fired on 080 starboard track at Hunt class DD, range 750. Impact below bridge, and DD takes a moderate down angle and slips below the sea. Tribal closes scene of sinking and at

0722 Single underkeel mag G7a fired on 000 track when Tribal comes on fast with zero angle. Tribal obliges by not zigging at all, and after run of 48 seconds, runs over. With western screen eliminated, U-94 closes Gibraltar strait.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Edbond41/OJ6tribal.jpg

Mar 19
Sound picks up multiple screws in water just west of, and in, Gibraltar strait. At any given time, several DD, torpedo boats and merchant ships can be heard. Feel this is good spot for task force. Perfect choke point for forces returning to Gibraltar from Atlantic.

0056 U-94 picks up DD screw from V&W, constant bearings. Two-shot G7a fired on 075 port track, range 800, at fast moving DD, speed set at 24 knots. 3 degrees deflection on TDC, shallow steamers, with foreward stack used as aimpoint. One of two fish hit DD near stern and explosions rip the after part of the ship, blowing off the DC racks, the after turret and the men who had been standing there moments before. DD takes a severe up angle and slips backwards into the sea.

0439 While surfaced in center of strait, U-94 is suddenly illuminated by searchlight, followed immediately by light machine gun tracer fire indicative of a motor torpedo boat. Deck gun is ordered to open fire, and Captain mans flak mount. After 4-5 88 hits, and 3 pans of 20mm, the Elco boat catches fire and sinks. Order ahead flank to east and dive when first DD sighted closing scene.

0450 U-94 dives to 160m and continues east toward open Mediterranean. It's difficult to tell, because the area is in our baffles, but believe minimum 10 boats or ships have closed scene of latest sinking.

1948 U-94 Surfaces well east of Gibraltar strait in Mediterranean Sea. From sounds picked up through the transit, believe Gibraltar strait patrolled by minimum 8 DD and like number of patrol boats. No heavy screws were detected, and due to depth were unable to look into naval anchorage. As was the case with western screen, eastern approach also patrolled by 3-DD group in wedge formation.

Mar 21
Will continue east to recon western Mediteranean. Extremely heavy air coverage to 150 km east of Rock. Weather clear and calm.

Mar 29
U-94 in grid CJ75, south of Sardinia, which creates choke point with northern African coast to any east-west shipping. Conclude this is natural patrol location for submarine. This theory proves a good one when, at

2134 Multiple warscrews detected well south of us at extreme range, 22 km estimated. Screws drawing to west, and U-94 executes surface dash to get ahead. After 15 km run, plug is pulled for sound bearing check. Screws are almost ahead, but we do not seem to have closed the range significantly. Conclude enemy on southwesterly heading and not due west as presumed. Starboard screen sighted, so remained submerged.

2140 Starboard screen is Hunt class DD, providing flank security for task force consisting of 3 cruisers and minimum 3 additional escorts. Best we could manage was a 6500 090 track at very fast moving task force, speed determined to be 30 kts. Decided Expected angle of impact would prevent detonation so withheld fire. This spot seemed a good one, and if success weren't probable, we would withhold fire and hope another might come along.

2158 Task Force goes over the hill.

April 4
Nothing but merchant ships encountered in several days U-49 remained near Sardinia. Returning to Gibraltar for passage to Atlantic side.

In order to make the 16 hour passage submerged, full battery cells were a necessity. To ensure this, U-94 remained surfaced approaching strait. In retrospect we should have waited for morning, to pass through in daylight, surfacing in darkness on the other side. Instead, we were approaching in daylight, with a nighttime passage, which meant we'd have to surface in daylight. Full blame for lack of forethought belongs with Captain. Approaching Gibraltar in daylight, many aircraft contacts, most of which forced us to dive, and many of which attacked, without result. Hartmann performed admirably, shooting two of the estimated 60 contacts into the sea.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Edbond41/OJ6hurri.jpg

As darkness fell, we dove on first warship sighting to 160 meters and proceeded through the strait.

April 5
0420 Surfaced west of strait. No change in the number of screws detected patrolling strait since our passage one week before. Weather clear and calm.

0616 Lookouts spot smoke from fast moving DD with sharp starboard angle. Secure recharge and submerge for normal approach course and two-shot G7a spread, fast steamers, shallow runners, fired on 075 staboard track with 3 degree deflection. One torpedo impacted Tribal DD below after turret. DD exploded and caught fire from stack to stern, took an up angle and slid backwards below the sea. Surface to continue recharge.

1027 Have secured recharge and submerged for the day. Will continue to patrol western approach for possible task force, and to continue observation of screens. Hydrophone contact of DD screw closing with constant bearings. Hunt I DD making 12kts sails past our scope without having to issue one maneuver or propulsion command. We oblige with a single G7a fast, from 900 meters on a 080 port track. DD hit below bridge, shudders from the blow, then takes a moderate down angle and sinks.

April 6
Plan to remain here for a few more days. Believe this is likely spot for major enemy ships.

0425 Hydrophone contact. First one in many hours that wasn't going away from U-94. Prop count told she was traveling at a high rate of speed. U-94 closed bearing. Periscope look revealed smoke from Tribal making 24 kts. Single G7a fired on 070 starboard track, range 1300. After run of a little more than a minute, DD struck under foreward turret, which flew 30 meters into the air. DD continued on at high speed for 20 seconds, then dove like a submarine and was gone.

1345 Plan to remain in the area reconsidered, as heavy storm closes in. Heavy rain, fog and wind. Set course for waters southwest of Ireland.

April 13
U-94 in waters southwest of Ireland, BE grid. Storm now for one week. Avoid or evade. Several convoys have passed within hydrophone range in last week.

April 15
Weather breaks to partial overcast, high winds and light mist. Perfect submarine weather.

April 17
0730 First warship contact since weather cleared, though there have been many merchant screws. Route from general direction of Azores to general area of Bristol Channel is like a seaborne autobahn. Grid BF18.

Contact is Tribal DD with fairly sharp angle. Go to ahead standard, submerged, to close base course. DD making 24 knots and two-shot G7a fired from range of 950 meters with 3 degree deflection. One torpedo hit between after stack and after turret. DD ablaze and sinks in 35 seconds.

April 18
Weather closes in again to heavy fog, rain, wind and sea state.

April 24
Weather unchanged.

April 27
Weather unchanged.

April 30
Weather unchanged. Long range j-boot patrols in type IX are looking better.

May 1
Weather breaks to clear skies, moderate winds and sea state. Light fog limits visbility to under 5000 meters, which is good enough for attacks.

U-94 In St. Georges Channel, west of Bristol, grid AM97. The weather has made it possible that our torpedos outlast our fuel, and we have closed the coast in search of targets to prevent this. Soundings indicate means depths of 80 meters, which should provide some room for evasion should it become necessary.


0703 U-94 attacks and sinks V&W destroyer with single G7a from 080 port track, range 1100.

May2
Merchant and warscrews on all bearings. Various freighters, tankers, fishing boats, corvettes, trawlers and destroyers going in all directions.

0459 U-49 Attacks and sinks V&W class DD

0928 With our final torpedo fired from the stern tube, U-94 sinks Tribal class DD making 20+ knots from a range of 1600 meters. Our torpedos have performed well on this patrol. It appears the deficiencies have been corrected.

May 4
0340 With 5% of our diesel fuel remaining, U-94 ties up at St. Nazaire, after 56 days at sea.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ6log.jpg

[Threadfin]

Patrol 7, June 17 - August 2, 1941
7th Flotillla, St. Nazaire, France

Refit complete, and U-94 provisioned in all respects as previous report, except full load (14) of G7e electric torpedos. These torpedos are wakeless, which should prevent a target from detecting them through sight and avoiding, and leave no telltale tracks pointing at the submarine's firing position. Speed limited to 30 knots. No other additions or installations.

Jun 17
0743 U-94 departs St. Nazaire. Plan to patrol BE, BF and AM grids.

Jun 22
Recieved radio report. Germany is at war with Russia.

Jun 23
Grid BE 37, hyrdrophone detects multiple merchant and warships screws. Convoy. Plot course and conn to intercept.

1034 Convoy a large one, with 20+ ships and 6 escorts, heading north east toward UK.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ7convoy.jpg


U-94 positions on starboard flank and allows lead starboard screen, a V&W, to pass. When trailing starboard flank escort, a Clemson four-piper, crosses, a single G7e is fired on 080 starboard track aimed in center of stack group from a range on only 350 meters. Impact on aimpoint, DD catches fire and sinks. No indication through reaction that torpedo was detected. Ordered deep submergence to 150 meters, and avoided corvettes that investigated.

1454 Surfaced and made contact report on convoy giving position, course, speed and composition.

Jun 27
Weather closes in to heavy rain, fog, wind and sea state.

Jun 30
Enroute 'Convoy Alley' west of Irish Channel. Weather unchanged.

Jul 1
If weather breaks will attempt periscope patrol of Naval Anchorage at Loch Ewe.

Jul 11
Weather breaks to calm and clear conditions.

Jul 13
U-94 closing Loch Ewe for recon of port screens for possible penetration of harbor. As with our visit last June, never-dark conditions allow for good visibility at all hours. Plan overnight penetration. Weather has worsened, to overcast, with 4000 meter visibility due to fog.

0752 While closing Loch Ewe from northwest, contact with DD near spot of sinking of HMS Resolution on Dec 5, 1939. C class destroyer sunk with single G7e. Continue to close base.

2102 Nearing the port entrance, U-94 suddenly attacked by several waves of Hurricanes flying under low overcast. Dive to avoid. Every patrol within miles comes to investigate, and U-94 continues submerged toward port.

2120 Single V&W DD passes on reciprocal. Likely this DD is one assigned inner inlet patrol, and if so, will reduce complication of penetration.

2233 Can tell on hydrophones that DD is returning to patrol inlet. U-94 has penetrated entrance, and swings 90 degrees to lay ambush for returning patrol. When V&W crosses bearing 345, a single G7e is fired on 080 starboard track, target speed 12 kts, shallow runner. I can see the torpedo broaching in the heavy sea, but it runs true. Impact below bridge. DD continues on surface, going dead in water, sinking 4 minutes after being struck. Continue to close port facility and anchorages.

2335 Limited visibility prevents proper look, but port screened by C class DD, several DD and torpedo boats docked or moored in and around port. Southern anchorage contains Fiji class CL. Two-shot salvo fired at Fiji, detonating the foreward magazines and CL sinks immediately.

Jul 14
0007 Patrolling C class fired on with single G7a, range 1300. Impact below after turret and DD explodes and sinks.

0010 Rain has begun to fall, and visibility dropping to 400 meters. Fired single G7a on bearings at spot marked on chart containing J class and Hunt class DD moored in port. After run of 2 minutes, detonation and secondaries heard on sound. Believe outer J class hit by torpedo and sunk. Begin reload and make for exit.

Jul 16
Weather unchanged, heavy rain, fog, wind and sea state.

Jul 20
Weather unchanged.

Jul 23
Weather breaks to overcast with 2500 meter visibility and heavy seas.

Jul 26 -27
Weather now clear and calm.

1054 U-94 sinks Tribal DD making 20+ knots with single G7e in grid BF16. Using G7e against fast moving ships worried me as the slower speed of the torpedo meant a longer run, and that the torpedo had to be fired much earlier in attack, complicating targeting, especially in calling sharper AoBs. Results so far very encouraging however. The following morning at

0735 Single G7e fired at V&W making 12kts in grid BF13. Impact between stack and sinks.

Additional V&W DDs sunk by U-94 using G7e torpedos at

Jul 29 2038 Grid BF21
Jul 30 2049 Grid AM 98
Jul 31 1242 and 2234, both in AM 98, set course for St. Nazaire.

Latter location in Bristol Channel, a natural choke point. Was hoping for liner, but area thick with patrols, so would be productive either way. Average depth of water around 90 meters.

The July 29 V&W explodes after being struck by single stern G7e from U-94. Note foreward turret in air aft of mast.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ7vw.jpg

On Jul 30 The Captain manned the flak gun during sudden twilight air attack and managed to shoot one of the attackers into the sea.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ7flak.jpg

Results with electric torpedos very good. U-94 not subjected to counterattack, aside from aircraft, during patrol.

Aug 2
0258 U-94 ties up at St. Nazaire, after 47 days at sea.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ7log.jpg

[Threadfin]

Patrol 8, Nov 10, 1941 - January 1, 1942
7th Flotila, St. Nazaire, France

With the recent build-up of forces by both sides in the Mediterranean and North African theaters, it was desired that u-boats be deployed to the Mediterranean. Therefore, and in part due to our experience in the Med on our 6th war patrol, U-94 recieved orders to begin her next patrol from St. Nazaire, proceeding through Gibraltar into the Mediterranean Sea. Patrol was to end at the newly established base at La Spezia, Italy. The 29th Flotilla, under command of Korvkpt. Franz Becker, was to begin operations in the Mediterranean, while operating out of La Spezia. Additional bases were established at Salamis and Pola. Once at La Spezia, U-94 would be transferred to the 29th for future operations in the Mediterranean. A small force of 3 j-boots was to begin operations at La Spezia, along with U-331 and U-351 under the designation of 1./ Jadgunterseebootsflotille.

The powerful British Mediterranean Fleet, based at Alexandria, consisting of a number of battleships, cruisers, carriers and destroyers, would be our targets.

In every respect, U-94 was provisioned as detailed for 7th patrol, except anti-echo ranging coating (Alberich) had been applied to hull as measure against improving British ASDIC equipment. Due to positive experience and results with G7e torpedos on 7th patrol, U-94 equipped with full load of 14.

Nov 10
1302 U-94 sets sail from St. Nazaire. Set course for Gibraltar.

Nov 18
U-94 approaches Gibraltar in good weather, diving to 160 meters at first warship sighting. Intend transit strait deep submergence, silent running to avoid detection. We hope to delay the suspicion of u-boats in the Med until our first torpedos strike. Therefore, routine patrol will be submerged from dawn to dusk, surfaced after darkness.

Nov 19
U-94 surfaces east of Gibraltar. Approaches and strait heavily patrolled, however, 3-DD patrol groups of previous visit do not seem to be present. By all indications, U-94 successful in remaining undetected.

Nov 23
U-94 approaching area south of Sardinia thought to be likely hunting grounds when reconned on 6th patrol.

Nov 24
2045 Hydrophone detection of multiple closing warscrews from west. U-94 conned for normal approach course to expected due east course.

2101 Grid CJ74 Hydrophone contact has developed into task force consisting of two battleships, with lead and trailing escort. No flank escort can be detected on sound or periscope. Preparations are made to all tubes for attack on battleship. Four-shot G7e salvo, with 2 degree spread, depth 4.5 meters, open all outer foreward doors. Range, bearing and AoB are fed into the TDC, and after a minute or two Gotz reports a speed determination of 21kts.

2103 Lead escort is Tribal DD. Second ship in column is Royal Sovereign class BB, followed by a Nelson class BB. Intend target Nelson. U-94 closes base course rigged for silent at 3kts submerged.

2110 U-94 in position, range 800 meters on port side of enemy task force base course. With less than one minute to go, two bow wakes can be seen 2000 meters astern of Nelson BB. Assume trailing escort out of position and prepare to take shot.

2111 Another look and bow wakes determined to be Hunt class DD followed by Nelson class BB. As this BB is the last in line, decided to switch targets to this BB. Attacking her would place most of main body well ahead, and limit possibility of quick counterattack.

2113 Four-shot G7e spread fired at trailing Nelson class BB, range 700 meters on a 075 port track. Ordered deep submergence to 150 meters.

After run of 46 seconds, three impact detonations occur from superstructure to stern, somewhat aft of aiming point. Fourth torpedo assumed to miss astern. No immediate explosions or catastrophic damage. As U-94 started down, a last glimpse showed the battleship slowing, with a heavy port list.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ8nelson.jpg

2115
As U-94 passes through 20 meters, battleship is heard to sink and break up, with thunderous detonations such as those heard from HMS Resolution, and the boys in the Command Room celebrate.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ8succes.jpg

2140 The Hunt that had accompanied the straggling Nelson searched in widening circles for U-94, but to no avail. Main body determined to continue zigging on course leaving one DD to look for us. In retrospect, wished we had stayed at PD to attack this DD with after torpedo, but we could not have know this at the time.

2150 U-94 surfaces and begins reload, and foreward external is brought into the internal reserve.

Dec 1
U-94 continues to patrol Mediterranean from north-south line roughly Cagliari-Annaba west to line roughly Palermo-Tunis east. Moderate merchant traffic, with many sightings over last week. Weather clear, with moderate winds and rolling seas. No air contacts since leaving Gibraltar.

Dec 2
1530 Grid CJ87 Hydrophone contact, Fritz reporting multiple warscrews, closing from east. Short surface dash and pull plug for sound bearings, which are constant. We are right on their track. Make preparations to all tubes, foreward arranged for spread identical to one used on Nov 24.

1535 Task force in view through scope. TF comprised of four destroyers and three cruisers. May be same one that got by on 6th patrol some distance west of present location. In any event composition is the same. TF base course determined to be northwest by sharp angle presented by leading DD. Ordered all back standard to get off base course, or get run over by fast charging TF.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ8dido.jpg

1539 Have decided, as our range is short and our chance to hit therefore high, to attack leading Dido, and second in line Fiji, each with two-shot, 2 degree spreads. First spread is fired using a 3 meter depth. Second spread is fired with 2.5 meter depth, as larger Fiji has shallower draft. Range 600 meters, on 070 track with 22 knots from the TDC. Immediately swung U-94 90 degrees to attempt stern mag shot at last Fiji in line.

1540 One impact on Dido near forward turrets. No explosions, but CL takes a noticable down angle and begins to slow. Two impacts on Fiji, which exploded in a flash and starts to sink immediately.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ8dido2.jpg

1541 Stern tube fired at high speed, zigging Fiji CL with high gyro angle. This torpedo misses. Ordered deep submergence to 150 meters. Trailing J class DD goes right past without echo ranging.

1542 Fiji sinks, and Dido now with entire bow to bridge under water. The down angle slowly increases, and once vertical, she rapidly gains speed and plummets to the bottom of the deep Mediterranean Sea.

1555 Clear of screws, U-94 surfaces to renew and recharge, and to bring after external into internal reserve.

Dec 9
Recieved radio message. Germany is at war with United States.

Dec 25
Siggi reports fuel reserves down to 25% on this Christmas day. Johan calculates this will allow 3900 km of surfaced cruising at 8 knots. Decide to head toward Malta for recon, and to possibly find targets for the remaining fish, 3 foreward and two astern.

Dec 27
Grid CN34 U-94 is submerged in deep water outside of Valletta harbor. Port is patrolled by several DD and corvettes. We watch them patrol for a few hours, then, having plotted the route of the nearest Hunt DD, we wait until she passes, then position U-94 with her track 500 meters astern, and wait for her to return. 45 minutes later she obliges, running right down the same track, and at

2002 Single after G7e fired from 075 track, range 550 at Hunt class DD making 20+ knots. Torpedo almost misses, but strikes the bow, DD explodes at once and sinks. U-94 surfaces to put Valletta further astern, and to clear area for expected investigation by area patrols. Within 5 minutes the first one is seen closing, and plug is pulled while reload of after tube is completed, having put 3000 meters between U-94 and the spot of the last attack.

2040 U-94 continues to try and get shot at one of the circling corvettes and destroyers now milling about. But I am cautious with so many alerted warships, and when a suitable setup does not materialize, U-94 retires to being journey to La Spezia.

Dec 31
Any hopes we may have of further success are dashed when weather closes in to heavy fog, rain, moderate winds and sea state. Enroute La Spezia.

Jan 1
2303 U-94 ties up at La Spezia with four fish aboard, after 56 days at sea.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ8log.jpg

[Threadfin]

Patrol 9 February 14 - March 6, 1942
29th Flotilla, La Spezia, Italy

Intelligence was recieved at 29th Flotilla HQ informing that the British were intending to transport Spitfire fighter aircraft on two carriers, HMS Eagle and HMS Argus that would sail within range of Malta and launch the Spitfires, to reinforce the defending squadrons. In response, u-boats were to form a ring around the island and attempt to intercept this force.

U-94 refit included installation of FuMO29 radar, that should help with finding targets in bad weather. With a sweep of only +/- 10 degrees, it would provide little if any defensive benefit. AFA33 MAL 800 battery type installed, to provide additional submerged range and endurance, while retaining the shorter recharge times of the type AFA 27.

A second flak platform was installed on lower aft deck, with 20mm Zwilling mount. Just days before sailing a new torpedo type was delivered to La Spezia, type IV Falke, acoustic homing. Limited to a very slow speed of 20 knots, they will lock onto sounds of a target's screws and machinery and home in on the source of the sound. All three after slots would hold the acoustics, and foreward tube two took the fourth one allocated to U-94. All remaining tubes and slots were loaded with G7e.

Feb 14
U-94 sets sail from La Spezia. U-94 has been assigned a station to northwest of Malta in hopes of interdicting carriers or other enemy capital ships.

Feb 18
U-94 on station, conducting submerged patrol to reduce possiblity of detection.

Feb 19
U-94 closes port at Valetta for recon. Port screened by several Hunt and V&W class DD, plus two corvettes. Several cargo ships and a tanker in port. Very deep water to north of port, but rate of incline sharp approaching. While performing daytime periscope of port facilities, U-94 forced to lay to, or get run over by large, 9,000 ton British freighter. While viewing this ship through low power scope, it suddenly broke in two and flames shot up all along her lenght. Tilted the scope up to see two Ju-87 Stukas, with yellow cowls, leveling off after a very efficient attack.

2356 After watching a fast moving Hunt DD patrol a set course for several hours, U-94 moved in to 500 meters off base, and when DD crossed at 24 knots, fired G7e, which struck near forward turret, causing DD to sink quickly. With other local patrols sure to investigate, U-94 surfaced and cleared to northwest for recharge, and to load exeternal.

Feb 21
U-94 on station NW of Malta. Very few contacts here. A handful of merchants in past 48 hours, no sign of warships. Occasional air patrol, but we are submerged in daylight. They could be German, but we will take no chances.

Feb 24
Clear weather deteriorates to heavy storm overnight. 400m vis dictates submerged patrol except for recharge. When recharging, will set course on circles to use radar to see into the fog.

Feb 27
2103 Grid CN34 U-94 on station NW of Malta. Weather still heavy. Hydrophone picks up sounds of warscrews, closing from NW. The lane here is only 80 km wide, so they will have to come our way.

2132 Warscrews ahead, range unkown. We cannot surface to use our radar without having the enemy do the same. Several heavy screws in with DD screws. No chance of obtaining visual in poor weather. Assume best range is 4000+, and a two-shot G7e salvo is fired on sound bearings, with a 5 degree spread. These torpedos miss and enemy screws finally lost toward Valletta.

Mar 1
Weather breaks to clear and calm conditions. Intend to return to Valletta to see if any of the force that got by on the 27th are there, and to look for a target to try out the new torpedos. No major enemy ships in or around ports, but port screens provide opportunity to fire Falke in tube five.

The outer Hunt DDs are moving fast, 20+kts. That makes them a poor choice for Falke, since the torpedo could not catch up. When the torpedo, if it were on a normal intercept course, detects sound, it begins a 'turn-to', and before it can turn back, a fast moving ship is by, with no chance for the slow torpedo to overtake. Therefore we must limit our targets with this type of fish to those making 15kts or less, or to targets that are faster, but zigging, resulting in a slower base course speed.

The eastern port screen is a corvette making 12 kts, and after plotting his route for one hour, U-94 moves into position and at

2103 Falke fired from tube five on a 095 starboard track, range 1200 with underkeel mag pistol. The shot is held until after abeam to ensure it approaches from abaft, or the end making all the noise. These torpedos have a range of 7500m, so have plenty of legs to chase if it misses on the first pass. Assume that is what happens and after a run of 4 minutes the torpedo detonates below the corvette's stern, the DC racks explode and the after end catches fire. She sank one minute later, with U-94 already breaking the surface to clear expected investigation.

Mar 2
U-94 on station NW of Malta. Though our area is a good bottleneck, we are concerned we may be missing ships sailing to the south of Malta, so plot course to west, to be in position for any traffic entering or leaving the eastern Med.

Mar 4
Grid CN22 Hydropone contact of multiple warscrews closing from west. After short run at flank, plug is pulled for bearing checks that show us in position.

1927 Heavy screws mixed with DD screws. Certain task force.

1938 Task force in view. Two battleships with lead, trail and flank escort. U-94 3500 meters off base course, so move ahead standard to close range. Intend to shoot from inside port sceen. But reaching this position, and quietly, would be tight.

1940 Battleships are leading Royal Soveriegn and trailing King George. KG weaving a bit seemingly forced out of position by DD ahead. Intend target KG BB. TF speed determined to be 21 knots. Therefore, Falke in tubes two and five would be retained for defense, and a three-shot G7e spread is prepared, 4 meters depth, with zero degree deflection. The speed of the target will spread the impacts over a hundred meters if they all hit.

1947 Salvo fired at KG BB from range of 2100 meters, on a 060 port track. We made it inside the port screen by 500 meters. Immediately turned right 90 degrees to bring stern tube Falke to bear on any DD that gets too close. After run of two minutes and eleven seconds, all three torpedos impact target BB from bridge to after turret. No explosions or fires, but BB takes heavy list to port.

2000 BB still underway with heavy list. DDs milling around looking for us. At PD, conn to avoid. We hope to outwait the escort, then conduct end-around on BB, now estimated to be making 11 knots still on original base course. U-94 shadows BB, losing ground at 4 knots, while completing reload.

2032 Have lost sight of task force, and DD screws determined to be drawing ahead of BB. Surface, all ahead full. Batteries are down 1/4, so will use one engine to recharge, and U-94 is off on end around at 15 knots.

2115 BB in sight, we are on course to pass her on her port side by 5500 meters. Will then run upcourse by 20 km, to make beam periscope attack.

2118 Lookouts spot DD coming from general direction of BB, with zero angle. Plug is pulled as it seems certain they have us on radar. DD continues to come on, but after we submerged, DD began zig search.

2119 DD echo ranging and closing.

2120 Falke with underkeel mag pistol fired at closing V&W destroyer. Depth in this spot is only 73 meters. Of all the places in the Mediterranean to be caught.

2121 As DD passes close aboard to starboard, pinging and with searchlight on, the torpedo detonates and destroyer sinks. Good torpedos. Exact depth reading of 73 meters obtained by bouncing U-94 off the bottom. Minor leaks are fixed and at

2122 U-94 on surface at 15 kts to continue end around. We've lost 2000 meters to the BB while the DD forced us down. Commence reload on tube 2.

2142 In circumstances identical to previous aside from grounding, U-94 maneuvers to fire stern tube acoustic at closing, pinging, zigging Hunt class D. Again, DD gets very close before torpedo detonated under stern.

Identical circumstances occur at

2248, but with Hunt III
2306 but with C class who had been filling the sky with starshells, and G7e fired when DD presented zero angle. Down the throat underkeel mag
2344 but with American Clemson class DD. First shot missed zigging DD, and at minimum range, and maximum gyro, a desperation G7e ran under her after turret and sent her to the bottom. If this torpedo had missed we would have been in deep ****. First American ship sunk by U-94.

It is plain, that every time we surface to excute end around, we are detected by BB radar, and task force escorts are dispatched one at a time to investigate. They pick us up on radar. Each time we have surfaced, only the BB screws are in range, or 20 km. But within 10 or 15 minutes a DD is seen at zero angle with a bone in her teeth. The task force had six escorts, we've sent 5 of them to the bottom, and have one torpedo remaining. Surface and on the run. If possible, we hope to avoid the DD should it come back, and fire this fish at the ailing battleship.

In an effort to avoid similar circumstances to last encounters, U-94 swing further north. We have the BB's course plotted, and now in grid CN23, there little place for her to turn. Our 20 km buffer allows us to get ahead of where her last known speed would carry her, and we turn right to close base course.

Mar 5
0315 BB not in sight or on hydrophones. As U-94 continues to close base course at 20 knots, lookouts spot a DD showing a broad angle. Looks like we spotted him first this time. Plug is pulled to continue on closing base course, and let DD go by. Rigged for silent at 4 kts. DD does not detect us and continues on last known TF course.

0322 BB now closing. Showing very heavy port list, portside decks awash with each roll to that side. Speed has fallen to six knots, which explains why she wasn't there as expected when first closing base course. All the better, we've had plenty of time to position and get her speed, and at

0327 Final torpedo fired at foreward turrets on 090 port track from 500 meters. The ship looked huge in the scope, and I had to switch to low power to use the stadimeter for final range. After a run of 31 seconds, impact below bridge (she was likely making 7 knots). BB immediately capsized to port, rolling over completely and sinking evenly in 35 seconds.

U-94 surfaces, and rolls for the barn at 20 knots, with flak gunners posted.

Mar 6
0822 U-94 ties up at La Spezia, after just 21 days at sea.



http://home.comcast.net/%7Edbond41/OJ9log.jpg

Everything good in ths patrol happened in pitch dark, except for the Stuka attack, and that stunned me a bit. Just got one shot of a Stuka in the edge of the scope.. So there's not much that can be seen in the screenies I took. But anyway, here's the final shot that rolled HMS Anson over.

http://home.comcast.net/%7Edbond41/OJ9bb.jpg

I used gamma to brighten it up a little, but it makes it looked washed out and I don't like that :)

The attack and chase of HMS Anson lasted over 7 hours from sighting to sinking and covered 130 km of Mediterranean sea.

[Threadfin]

Patrol 10, June 14 - August 12, 1942
29th Flotilla, La Spezia, Italy

The refit of U-94 included installation of the long overdue S-Gerat echo ranging apparatus. Also, echo ranging decoys were provided, called Bold I. Torpedo loadout the same as previous patrol, 4 Falke G7es, with three of them in the stern, the fourth in tube two, and the rest type II G7e.

U-94 set sail from La Spezia, intent on patrolling near our station from patrol 9, some distance northwest of Malta. The task force that had gotten by in the storm on February 27th showed it as a likely area.

U-94 patrolled this area for three weeks. Weather changed from clear and calm, to storm, and back to calm several times over the course of those 3 weeks. Light merchant traffic, but no warscrews. Several attempts to close Valletta were met with closing storm, which prevented our recon of the port.

After three weeks of not firing a shot, we decided to sail west, to patrol south of Sardinia in our old hunting grounds, and perhaps run down to Gibraltar to find some targets.

After several unproductive days in CJ75 area, set course for Gibraltar. Certainly there would be warships there. Enroute, the weather again closed in, with medium fog and heavy seas. During a routine sound sweep in CH93 multiple warscrews detected southeast of U-94. We made a high speed surface dash to close base course, then pulled the plug for bearings checks. This showed the task force had opened the range and were travelling east. We had missed them. No chance to overtake, so U-94 surfaced and continued toward Gibraltar.

The screens and patrols of Gibraltar strait had not diminished since our most recent visit. Three DD and DE were selected as targets over the next 24 hours. On each occasion a G7es was fired. Each time the fish detonated under the stern after a long run. Two of the ships were dead in the water, but the third was still making 12 knots. Each ship required a second G7e to finish it. With 8 fish left U-94 sailed back toward Sardinia in search of major ships.

After two more weeks of unproductive patrolling there, we sailed east to Malta. While peforming a periscope recon of the port we selected a fast moving Hunt as our target, and after plotting his course for some time, moved in to 500 meters for the attack. As the DD crossed we fired a single G7e, which missed, assume ahead, but no way to know, as the lack of a track does not hint if the proper lead were taken.

35 minutes later, the unalerted DD was back. Same setup and shot. Another miss. 35 minutes later another. This one hit, but assume at such an angle that the torpedo did not detonate, and we heard the detonation several seconds later at depth. Again, the DD comes by. A fourth shot was taken, this one aimed slightly aft, since we had assumed our misses were forward, and this fish found it's mark, sending the Hunt to the bottom. U-94 surfaced and cleared the expected patrols.

With just 4 fish left after the Captain's poor shooting at Malta, U-94 patrolled west through CN23 and CN22, then some additional time in CJ74 and CJ75 with no warship contacts. Low on fuel and torpedos, U-94 returned to La Spezia with just 4 ships sunk for 5500 tons, after 60 days at sea.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ10log.jpg

The first ten war patrols of Oberleutnant Wilhelm Hofmann, average duration of patrol, 50 days.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/10patrols.jpg

[Threadfin]

Patrol 11, November 20, 1942 - January 1, 1943
La Spezia, Italy

Despite our successes in the Mediterranean, the crew of U-94 recieved orders to return overland to France, for transfer to the 1st Flotilla at Brest. The Allies had begun to deploy groups of destroyers or destroyer escorts around a small aircraft carrier. Known as Hunter-Killer groups, their sole purpose for existance was to hunt and kill u-boats. Many of these groups were patrolling Biscay Bay and it's approaches, and to counter them, the j-boats were gathered in France.

Three days before we were to proceed to France, we recieved word that an air attack had heavily damaged the boat we were to take over in France, U-553, and also any of the three which could have served as replacement. In order to fullfil our orders, we'd sail U-94 once again.

The refit of U-94 included the installation of a new radar warning device, the Metox, known throughout the ubootwaffe as the Biscay Cross. This device would give us some warning that radar emmissions were neaby.

Torpedo loadout was the same as previous patrol, except all type II G7e replaced by improved type III G7e. These new versions had an increase of 2/3 range over the type II. The 3000m restriction of the type II meant the submarine had to get relatively close, the type III, with a range of 5000m, would provide an extra margin should it be necessary.

Nov 20
U-94 sets sail from La Spezia. Enroute Gibraltar. The Allies had recently made landings in North Africa near Algiers and Oran. Two days enroute, we heard the first merchant convoy we had encountered in our time in the Med. These were some distance south of our position and drawing east toward Algiers, and we did not close. Our intentions were to make it to and through Gibraltar undetected.

Nov 23
Storm sets in, with heavy fog, rain, wind and sea state. The presence of the Cross gave us a measure of security we had not known in the fog before. We continued surfaced as a result.

Nov 25
2100 Nearing the strait, the Cross gave us warning of radar signal off our starboard bow, and the plug was pulled to 160 meters, rigged for silent, and our long transit began. Dozens of warscrews mixed with merchants, crisscrossed the stait on every possible bearing and course.

Nov 26
1300 After 16 hours submerged, U-94 surfaces west of the strait, and by all indications, undetected. The latest batteries are excellent. Capacity reduced just 1/3 on long submergence at 3kts.

2123 While continuing west, a routine sound sweep revealed multiple warscrews south and closing, heading for Gibraltar from the general area of Casablanca. In this weather it was decided to avoid. New course set slightly northward to give a wider berth.

Nov 28
Off Spanish coast. Weather still heavy.

Dec 1
Entering BE grid. Weather unchanged. First assumed contact with hunter-killer group obtained on hydrophone in grid BE99. Contact consisted of four screws, three DD and one heavy. Prop count indicated medium speed of 12kts. In heavy weather, conned to avoid and continued north.

Dec 8
Weather still heavy. As U-94 moved northward through eastern edge of BE grid, many warcrews encountered. More four-screw groups, and also three-screw groups by all indications consisting of DDs. The Allies have considerably increased their patrols of these waters.

Dec 16
Weather unchanged.

Dec 23
The storm raged for nearly one month, but today we have seen the sun. There were many among the crew who were certain the Allies had captured it.

Dec 24
0432 Contact with five-screw group in grid BE66. Screws drawing to west at medium speed and long range. U-94 surfaces to conduct end-around. Course was set slightly southward to give diverging berth to expected due-west course of enemy. Intend 45 minute run at 20 knots, then submerge for sound bearings.

0501 Cross warning of radar emissions off starboard bow. Plug is pulled. Persicope and hydrophones soon reveal 3 DD approaching. Certain we had been detected by escort radar. Most likely the group was also drawing SW, and our diverging course had actually been closing. We learn that escort radar outranges our Cross, at least in calm and clear conditions.

0602 Three DD continued to spot we had last been held on their radar displays. Depth charging of that spot was commenced. Reassuring to know they did not have us.

0637 When Tribal DD began closing, tube five's Falke was fired with an underkeel mag pistol and sent on it's way to buy us some time. One escort and what was now observed to be a small carrier continued zigging on base course. The zigging considerably slowed their speed, and allowed us a good chance of reaching a good firing position. If they had kept on once we submerged we would have stood no chance of getting a shot.

0641 Falke detonates under Tribal, which sinks stern first. Two other DD continue to search and depth charge area where we submerged, now some 4000 meters astern.

0655 The detection by the escort in many ways was beneficial, as one was sunk, two were far astern, and now none were between U-94 and the carrier. Because of this we could fire tube two's Falke, and not have to be concerned it would lock onto flank screen.

0657 Single G7es fired on 085 port track, range 1900, with underkeel mag pistol and depth setting at zigging carrier determined to be making 6 knots along base course. Single G7e with impact pistol at 4 meters fired immediately after. U-94 immediately begins dive to 220 meters and rigs for depth charge.

After a run of 4 minutes detonation of torpedo is heard. All four screws still audible as U-94 seeks safety in depth.

0710 DDs continue to mill about. Bearing on screws reveal little movement along course. Seem to be circling.

0730 DD screws fading slightly. Carrier still heard, but bearings not changing.

0843 DD screws lost to SW. Carrier still audible. She sounds as though she's going away at high speed. But range and bearing unchanged. Order periscope depth for a look.

0903 U-94 at PD. Periscope reveals carrier ahead, dead in water, no screens observed. Carrier stopped, but otherwise appears level, no noticable angle or list. Very likely the Falke blew her screws off and the impact shot missed. We did not wonder for long why she sounds on hydrophone as if she still has screws, but in any event she was dead in the water directly ahead of U-94.

0910 After ensuring that all escort screws had indeed been lost, a single G7e with 4 meters depth, impact pistol, fired on 085 starboard track, range 950, at stationary carrier, with spot below bridge selected for aimpoint. After a run of exactly one minute, torpedo impacts carrier on aimpoint, and she at once explodes. Fires leap from her decks, the aircraft she carried on deck are thrown into the sea, and the carrier goes under in two minutes.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ11bogue.jpg

U-94 surfaces for renew and recharge and to bring foreward and after externals into internal reserves.

2356 Six-screw group detected on hydrophone travelling same course as previous group. We are ahead this time, and submerge to avoid detection by radar.

Dec 25
Merry Christmas. Six-screw group determined to be hunter-killer, with escort carrier and five escort. One DD leads, with two on each flank. Leading flank escort is outside, with trailing escort some distance inside. The enemy are learning quickly.

Because of our position ahead, and because of the double-flank screen, it is decided to attempt zero-angle bow shot. If group continues on course, this should provide an opportunity to fire from long range with a high probability of a hit. The earlier we could fire, the deeper we could get before any counterattack could commence. New type III G7e range allows a shot from over 6000m, which the enemy's course and speed will reduce during the run.

Forward tubes are prepared for a four-shot salvo, with 1/2 degree spread, depth 10 meters for the 8.7 meter draft, magnetic pistol. Calm seas should allow the torpedos to keep their depth well, and reduce any chance of premature detonation. These fish should run under the lead escort, and hopefully under the carrier as well. The 1/2 degree spread should cover any slight angle she may have, though it appears zero, more by judging the lead escort than the carrier, whose blunt bow masks any slight divergence of course.

At three minutes past midnight, the salvo is fired on a 000 track, range 6000 meters. U-94 immediately begins dive to 220 meters and rigs for depth charge while changing course ahead and away of approaching enemy.

0015 No detonations are detected. It appears we missed. Perhaps they changed course, or our solution had errors.

0020 Expected the enemy to pass astern by now, but they are still in general area of firing. Appear to be circling. All screws still heard on hydrophone.

0120 U-94 continues to extend from firing postion. Distant echo ranging is heard. Depth charges or bombs are being dropped every two minutes. Two or four explsions at a time indicate aerial bombs, as depth charges tend to come in strings of six or more.

0140 DD screws astern and continuing at speed on original base course. Heavier screw seperating astern.

0150 U-94 begins to ascend to PD.

0157 Persicope sweep reveals DDs no longer in sight, and carrier is seen with a pronounced down angle, zigging, and barely making way. We must have hit her after all, and the detonation(s) were lost in our own screws as we manuevered ahead and away to present stern to possible echo ranging.

0210 Carrier speed determined to be two knots and zigging. U-94 closes base course for shot.

0212 Single G7e fired at engine spaces from a range of 700 meters. Impact on aimpoint, but no catastrophic damage evident, so second single G7e fired at bridge. Carrier takes more severe down angle and catches fire, sinking in 32 seconds.

U-94 surfaces for renew and recharge.

Jan 1
0524 After several days of unproductive patrolling, and low on fuel, U-94 ties up at Brest, France, after 43 days at sea.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ11bogue2.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ11log.jpg

[Threadfin]

Patrol 12, April 11 - July 27, 1943
1st Flotilla, Brest, France

Refit for U-94 included installation of FuMO30 radar, giving 360 degrees coverage. Whereas the FuMO29 gave virtually no defensive benefit, the FuMO30 certainly does, and is capable of detecting both surface ships and aircraft. New pattern-running torpedos are now available at Brest. Ladder run steamers and loop run electrics. We left the steamers at base, and took one of the loopers more out of curiosity than anything else and stuck it in tube five. We would not rely on it's circular pattern, but treat it as any other TIII. If it missed and happened to hit later all the better.

The ladder runners were judged to be of no benefit against fast moving warships, and since they were TI's they were better left to the skippers hunting convoys.

Much to my dismay, none of our Killer Torpedos, Falke, were available for us at the time we set sail.

U-94 set sail from Brest on April 11, 1943. Our intentions were to once again hunt the hunters in BE grid. Escort carriers would be our primary target, with any other warship on the list as well. Routine patrol would be extensively submerged, surfacing only to recharge and renew the air. We planned to run roughly 3 hours submerged, then recharge, which would limit our time on the surface to short periods, and would also prevent the battery capacity from dropping below 80% at any time to allow extended submergence in an evasion.

Flak gunners were posted and U-94 left Brest and entered Biscay Bay. After a run of a few hours U-94 began the submerged patrol. The buzzards are thick, and we hoped to avoid them by staying below as much as possible.

We began by patrolling the eastern edge of BE grid from BE39 to BE99. Over the course of the first few weeks we made many contacts, but were never able to reach a reasonable firing position. We no longer considered surfacing for end-arounds and surface dashes. Doing so would surely bring the buzzards down on us or the targets would get us on radar. Making every approach and interception submerged extensively limited our ability to reach a satisfactory position with our slow moving fish. Two Hunter-Killer groups sailed past our scope out of range. Also seen many times were groups of three or four DD/DE/frigates patrolling BE grid in column formation.

April passed, and them May. We had patrolled from the SW corner of BF grid, halfway out through BE grid, and the eastern half of CG grid without firing a shot. Hundreds of airplane contacts, mostly with enough warning by the Cross and the FuMO. Bombs and DCs had been dropped, but none came close enough to damage our boat.

In early June we finally reached a position to take a shot at a fast moving V&W, we had 25 knots dialed in. Took a two-shot G7e TIII salvo from 1500 meters and missed, assume forward and she was making 24 knots.

On June 28th we again reached a good position, this time on one of the aforementioned patrols sailing in column. This was one Tribal leading, a River in the center and a Black Swan last in line. The Black Swan looked menacing with two DC racks and six or eight DC guns. We took the shot from 700 meters at the frigate as that would let the others move further away on their course and buy some time for the evasion. Another two-shot, this time one fish hit, but didn't see where as we were already on the way down. The Black Swan exploded and sank, and we slipped off. The other two ships circled and searched, but had no clue where we were. Reloaded the stern tube and came back to PD for another attack. Only the River was in range, but before we could get the shot she gave up the search and took off at 20+ knots.

A few more weeks of inability to reach a good position and then on July 4th we were able to reach a favorable position on a Tribal making 24 knots. Another two-shot, with one hit, and she went down.

Three more weeks of no shooting followed, and we set sail for home, having fired six torpedos in three shots, hitting with two and sending two more ships to the bottom of the sea. U-94 returned to Brest on July 27, 1943, after one hundred and eight days at sea.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ12log.jpg

[Threadfin]

Patrol 13, November 4, 1943 - January 4, 1944
1st Flotilla, Brest, France

U-94 had served us well, but she was in need of overhaul. We had sailed her for 8 war patrols, since the happy days of October, 1940, U-94 having accounted for 180,000 tons of enemy warships. After the 108 day patrol, it was decided to put her up for overhaul, then a school boat.

U-553, another type VIIC, and the boat we were to have taken over back in November of '42, had been repaired and overhauled, and became ours. In most respects identical to U-94, U-553 was built by Blohm and Voss in Hamburg. The main difference lay in her bridge and flak platform arrangement. On the bridge from the leading edge of the fairwater back to the attack periscope housing the layout was the same as U-94. From that point the bridge widened to almost double the width, with two side-by-side Zwiling 20mm flak mounts on the same level as the bridge. Below near deck level aft of the bridge, was a second flak platform, mounting a 37mm SK C/30 gun.

Bold 2 decoys replaced the Bold 1. Falke were again available and we filled the three after slots with them, and all foreward slots took TIII's.

Perhaps the most important difference was the presence of a Schnorkel. This device could be extended while the boat is below the surface, drawing air in and expelling exhaust, allowing the diesels to run submerged. This allowed the air to be exchanged and the batteries to be recharged without the need to surface the boat, a tremendous advantage.

For our 13th war patrol we intended to patrol northward in AM, AE and AF grids. Allied warships had been giving our supply ships and tankers operating in northern waters a very hard time. These ships are vital to our boats operating in the western Atlantic, and U-553 would patrol with cruisers, battleships and carriers as our primary targets.

We conned our new boat out of Brest on Nov 4, 1943 and once in deeper water, submerged, not to surface again until returning to port. The Schnorkel would be raised every few hours, to always ensure high charge and a long supply of air.

In early December we were on station northwest of Loch Ewe, in grid AM33. Fast moving single destroyers were patrolling the area, and we contacted a lone cruiser making 30 knots on his way back to Scotland. His speed prevented us from reaching attack position. One day in December we recieved a radio report of a friendly task force operating north of the Shetlands, and making 20 knots on a southerly course. We set course north to see if we could find the task force and operate together. After two weeks no contact had been made and we returned to AM grid via AF grid. Three DDs were sent to the bottom of AM grid, and two more missed, and we headed south. On Christmas day, our 4th at sea in this war, we made contact with a Tribal and Black Swan patrolling in column. The Tribal was hit with a single TIII, and the Black Swan with a Falke when he started to search after seeing his partner explode and sink.

Having just three fish remaining, we set course toward home, patrolling along the way. No attacks were executed on several contacts, and U-553 tied up at Brest, having fired 11 torpedos in 7 attacks, sinking five, after 62 days at sea.

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ13log.jpg


At our 'birthday party' that night, I was informed that we were to transfer to the 7th Flotilla at St. Nazaire, our old Kameraden, to take command of a new type XXI elektroboot, U-2502.

[Threadfin]

Patrol 14, February 6 - February 21, 1944

(I tried to get a XXI and advance the date to mid-summer to represent the training and so forth, but after several attempts I finally said screw it and sailed in February, which is way too early to get a XXI, but there you go).

We took command of U-2502, a new type XXI elektroboot, outfitted with lots of fancy gadgets, and with half a load of acoustic torpedos, set sail on our fourteenth patrol. With exceptional submerged speed, 23 torpedos all stored internally, fast auto-reload, and many other nifty features we were certain we could put a serious dent in the Allied navies.

One week into the patrol we reached a good position on a River, and sank him with a type IV Falke.

Moving north a week later through AM42 we picked up a task force that eventually became one Nelson class BB with ten!! escorts. I thought about turning tail, but tried to make an attack. Reached a good position, but too good, and the starboard flank escorts began echo ranging on U-2502 before we could fire. One ran over the top of us, exploding. Several men on board U-2502 were killed, and flooding was severe. Several more escorts took turns adding to the damage and U-2502 was sunk with all hands on February 21, 1944 by ramming and depth charges.

The career of Oberleutnant z. S. Wilhelm Hofmann, and the crew of U-49/U-94/U-553/U-2502

http://home.comcast.net/~dbond41/OJ14log.jpg


Patrols=14
TonnageSunk=358009.000000
MerchantTotalTonnage=0.000000
WarshipsTotalTonnage=358009.000000
ShipsSunkNb=84
MerchantTotalShipsSunk=0
WarshipsTotalShipsSunk=84
PatrolCraftSunk=3
CorvetteSunk=1
FrigateSunk=2
DestroyerEscortSunk=4
DestroyerSunk=61
MineSweeperSunk=0
LightCruiserSunk=4
HeavyCruiserSunk=0
EscortCarrierSunk=2
AircraftCarrierSunk=1
BattleCruiserSunk=0
BattleShipSunk=5
MineLayingShipSunk=0
AuxiliaryCruiserSunk=1
PlanesDownNb=5

Career was played with all realism settings checked aside from auto-map.

[thegroo]

A real good story:up:

Regards
Dieter

[LZ_Baker]

Wow mate, I must say this is pretty good. :rock::up:

[Respenus]

Nice one :up:

With around 360k Military Tonnage sunk, that British probably had you on their black list! :yep:

[NightCrawler]

It seems that you go only out for BB's and cruizers, and DD...

Nice story!!! keep it up!!!

[Threadfin]

Thanks for the comments. In this career, yes, after only BB, CL and DD, carriers and patrol craft. But that was the idea, to attack only warships and see how well I could do, see how long we could survive. A crazy premise to be sure, but fun nonetheless. I gained alot of practice in targeting the fast moving warships. In most careers I avoid warships for the most part, aside from battleships, which I always do everything I can to get in on them.

This was the first career that I really gave electric torpedos a proper shake. I thought that my accuracy would suffer with the slower torpedos, but it just didn't prove to be the case, and we hit with roughly 90% of shots in this career.. There is no doubt using electrics goes a long way toward keeping your boat undetected. The AI certainly seems able to home in on the tracks when using steamers. Now, after April of '40, I use electrics exclusively, and frequency of counterattacks have dropped drastically.