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Kapitän 05-20-21 02:54 AM

Training of boat and crew of U 113 (IXC)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän (Post 2748629)
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Sunday, 18 May 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Beginning of Operation "Rheinübung":
Breakthrough of KMS Bismarck and Prinz Eugen into the North Atlantic to conduct merchant warfare.


Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Tuesday, 20 May 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Operation "Rheinübung":
KMS Bismarck and Prinz Eugen are deteced by Swedish Naval and Airforces in the Kattegat - the British Admirality will gain knowledge of this through informal channels the following day.

Beginning of Operation "Merkur", the invasion of Crete by German Airborne and Mountain Troops.

Kapitän 05-24-21 05:48 AM

Training of boat and crew of U 113 (IXC)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän (Post 2748734)
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Tuesday, 20 May 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Operation "Rheinübung":
KMS Bismarck and Prinz Eugen are deteced by Swedish Naval and Airforces in the Kattegat - the British Admirality will gain knowledge of this through informal channels the following day.

Beginning of Operation "Merkur", the invasion of Crete by German Airborne and Mountain Troops.



Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Saturday, 24 May 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Operation "Rheinübung":
Battle of the Denmark Strait between KMS Bismarck & Prinz Eugen and HMS Hood and Prince of Wales. HMS Hood is sunk by Bismarck at 0601h, at about 63° 22' North, 32° 17' West. Out of a crew of 1,418 men, only three survived. Prince of Wales withdraws from the battle due to heavy damage. Bismarck and Prinz Eugen do not pursue but head south.

Operation "Merkur" (Mercury):
On Wednesday, 21 May 1941, German troops have taken the strategically important Hill 107 and Maleme airfield.
An Axis convoy of around 20 caïques, escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Lupo, tried to land German reinforcements near Maleme. Force D under Rear-Admiral Irvine Glennie, with three light cruisers and four destroyers, intercepted the convoy before midnight; the convoy turned back with the loss of more than half of its boats, despite Lupo's defence.
On 22/23 May 1941, another Axis landing attempt is repelled by Force C (three cruisers and four destroyers, commanded by Rear Admiral Edward Leigh Stuart King) but is taking heavy losses from the German Luftwaffe, as is Force A1 commanded by Rear Admiral H B Rawlings.
Fighting against fresh German troops, that are being flown in by the Luftwaffe, the Allies retreat southward and on May 24, after air attacks on Allied positions in Kastelli/Heraklion, the 95th Gebirgs Pioneer Battalion advanced on the town. These air attacks enable the escape of German paratroopers captured on 20 May; the escapees killed or captured several New Zealand officers assigned to lead the 1st Greek Regiment. Fighting with the remnants of the 1st Greek Regiment will continue in the Kastelli area until 26 May, hampering German efforts to land reinforcements at Heraklion.

Kapt Z 05-24-21 08:14 PM

Hermann Schicke, Kptlt, Knight's Cross

U-53, type VIIB
7th Flot.

01Sep39-01Apr40

5 patrols

28(24 cargo/4 warship) ships sunk

154,080 tons

Alfred Hagen, Oblt, Knight's Cross

U-53, Type VIIB
7th Flot.

01May40-12Mar41

6 patrols

21(19 cargo/2 warship) ships sunk

125,831 tons

Hans-Horst Welte, Oblt, German Cross

U-53, Type VIIB
U-332, Type VIIC

01Apr41-

5 patrols

13(13 cargo) ships sunk

67,115 tons

05Apr42 Oblt. Welte and U-332 currently on 6th patrol to grid CB41

Kapitän 05-27-21 02:52 AM

Training of boat and crew of U 113 (IXC)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän (Post 2749389)


Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Saturday, 24 May 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Operation "Rheinübung":
Battle of the Denmark Strait between KMS Bismarck & Prinz Eugen and HMS Hood and Prince of Wales. HMS Hood is sunk by Bismarck at 0601h, at about 63° 22' North, 32° 17' West. Out of a crew of 1,418 men, only three survived. Prince of Wales withdraws from the battle due to heavy damage. Bismarck and Prinz Eugen do not pursue but head south.

Operation "Merkur" (Mercury):
On Wednesday, 21 May 1941, German troops have taken the strategically important Hill 107 and Maleme airfield.
An Axis convoy of around 20 caïques, escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Lupo, tried to land German reinforcements near Maleme. Force D under Rear-Admiral Irvine Glennie, with three light cruisers and four destroyers, intercepted the convoy before midnight; the convoy turned back with the loss of more than half of its boats, despite Lupo's defence.
On 22/23 May 1941, another Axis landing attempt is repelled by Force C (three cruisers and four destroyers, commanded by Rear Admiral Edward Leigh Stuart King) but is taking heavy losses from the German Luftwaffe, as is Force A1 commanded by Rear Admiral H B Rawlings.
Fighting against fresh German troops, that are being flown in by the Luftwaffe, the Allies retreat southward and on May 24, after air attacks on Allied positions in Kastelli/Heraklion, the 95th Gebirgs Pioneer Battalion advanced on the town. These air attacks enable the escape of German paratroopers captured on 20 May; the escapees killed or captured several New Zealand officers assigned to lead the 1st Greek Regiment. Fighting with the remnants of the 1st Greek Regiment will continue in the Kastelli area until 26 May, hampering German efforts to land reinforcements at Heraklion.

Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Tuesday, 27 May 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Operation "Rheinübung":
After being immobilized by Swordfish torpedo bombers from HMS Arc Royal, KMS Bismarck is sunk by the British H Force and elements of the Home Fleet at 1039 hours in the approximate position of 48° 09' North, 16° 07'. Prinz Eugen escapes to Brest.

Out of a crew of more than 2,200 officers, non-commissioned officers and men, around 800 sailors manage to abandon the Bismarck before she sinks. The rest of the crew, many of them still alive, sink with the battleship.

An hour later, the Dorsetshire pick up 86 sailors and the Maori another 25. The temperature of the water is 13° C. The British do not recover more men because they claim there are U-boats in the area.

Towards 2000 hours, U74 (Kapitänleutnant Eitel-Friedrich Kentrat) rescues three more sailors. They are Herbert Manthey, Otto Höntzsch and Georg Herzog.

Meanwhile, the Spanish heavy cruiser Canarias (Captain Benigno González-Aller) has left the port of El Ferrol at 1140 on 27 May in an attempt to rescue some survivors from the Bismarck.

Operation "Merkur":
On 26 May, in the face of the stalled German advance, senior Wehrmacht officers had requested Mussolini to send Italian Army units to Crete in order to help the German forces fighting there. On the afternoon of 27 May, an Italian convoy departs from Rhodes with the intention of landing a brigade from the 50th Infantry Division "Regina", supported by 13 L3/35 light tanks. The escort is made up of the destroyer "Francesco Crispi", the torpedo-boats "Lira", "Lince", and "Libra", two MAS motor torpedo boats, while the amphibious force is comprised of four fishing vessels, two steamships, one river boat, two reefer ships, three tugs and three tankers. The Italian commander in the "Dodecanese" had volunteered the services of his men as early as 21 May, but the request had to pass through German channels to Hermann Göring, who finally authorized the move when it became clear that the German effort was not moving ahead as quickly as planned. The Italians will land 3,000 men of the division and their equipment at Sitia on 28 May at 17:20h and advanced west mostly unopposed, rendezvousing with the Germans at Ierapetra.

During the night of 26/27 May, a detachment of some 800 men from No. 7 and No. 50/52 Commandos, as part of Layforce, landed at Souda Bay (Colonel Robert Laycock). Laycock had tried to land the force on 25 May, but had turned back due to bad weather. Although armed mainly with only rifles and a small number of machine guns, they were to carry out rearguard actions in order to buy the garrison enough time to carry out an evacuation.

Troops of the German 141st Mountain Regiment block a section of the road between Souda and Chania. On the morning of 27 May, the New Zealand 28th (Māori) Battalion, the Australian 2/7th Battalion and the Australian 2/8th Battalion clear the road by a bayonet charge (the "Battle of 42nd Street").

Command in London decides the cause is hopeless after General Wavell informs the Prime Minister at 0842h, 27 May, that the battle is lost, and orderes an evacuation. Freyberg concurrently orderes his troops to withdraw to the south coast to be evacuated. 2 hours later, KMS Bismarck is sunk in the North Atlantic.


Texas Red 05-27-21 11:01 AM

The Calm Before the Storm
 
Started a new career with Onealex 1.46

Leutnant z.s Erich Wegner, commanding officer of U-55 (VIIB)
Current Date: Tuesday, August 1, 1939
Attached to: U-Flotilla Wegener, Kiel
At sea for patrol #1
Patrol Grid: AN52
+++++++++++

Previously, the crew of U-55 was attached to the 21. Ausbildungsflottille based in Neustadt where over a period of two months they underwent rigorous sea trials and workups in navigation, naval artillery, flak artillery, and torpedoes. The final test at the end of those two months was a simulated convoy battle where U-55 "engaged enemy escorts and merchants" in the Baltic Sea, approximately 42.61 nautical miles ENE of Neustadt. These escorts and merchants were actually decommissioned warships and merchants from the Reichsmarine that were to be used as target ships. Over a period of eight hours, the crew of U-55 sank almost every ship in the convoy and exceeded all requirements and expectations in her sea trials. The crew was granted for combat operations and was subsequently attached to U-Flotilla Wegener based in Kiel.

Then on July 31, 1939 the commanding officer received his orders which read:
COMPLETE EXERCISES AND ORDERS RECEIVED OVER RADIO TRANSMISSION FROM UNIT HEADQUARTERS. YOUR STARTING GRID IS AL36
The commanding officer (Leutnant Erich Wegner) quickly arranged provisions and ordnance with the help of his Bosun, Bootsman Franz Muller.

The U-55 slipped from its moorings at Kiel on August 1, 1939 at exactly 08:15. The first patrol of the prodigy boat and its captain had officially begun.

Laden with anxiety and a mild sense of excitement, the crew watched from behind them as the naval base slowly slipped from view and the vast ocean gradually surrounded them.

Kapitän 05-28-21 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Whacko (Post 2749920)
Started a new career with Onealex 1.46

Leutnant z.s Erich Wegner, commanding officer of U-55 (VIIB)
Current Date: Tuesday, August 1, 1939
Attached to: U-Flotilla Wegener, Kiel
At sea for patrol #1
Patrol Grid: AN52
+++++++++++

Previously, the crew of U-55 was attached to the 21. Ausbildungsflottille based in Neustadt where over a period of two months they underwent rigorous sea trials and workups in navigation, naval artillery, flak artillery, and torpedoes. The final test at the end of those two months was a simulated convoy battle where U-55 "engaged enemy escorts and merchants" in the Baltic Sea, approximately 42.61 nautical miles ENE of Neustadt. These escorts and merchants were actually decommissioned warships and merchants from the Reichsmarine that were to be used as target ships. Over a period of eight hours, the crew of U-55 sank almost every ship in the convoy and exceeded all requirements and expectations in her sea trials. The crew was granted for combat operations and was subsequently attached to U-Flotilla Wegener based in Kiel.

Then on July 31, 1939 the commanding officer received his orders which read:
COMPLETE EXERCISES AND ORDERS RECEIVED OVER RADIO TRANSMISSION FROM UNIT HEADQUARTERS. YOUR STARTING GRID IS AN-52
The commanding officer (Leutnant Erich Wegner) quickly arranged provisions and ordnance with the help of his Bosun, Bootsman Franz Muller.

The U-55 slipped from its moorings at Kiel on August 1, 1939 at exactly 08:15. The first patrol of the prodigy boat and its captain had officially begun.

Laden with anxiety and a mild sense of excitement, the crew watched from behind them as the naval base slowly slipped from view and the vast ocean gradually surrounded them.


YESSS!!! :yeah:

Kapitän 05-28-21 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapt Z (Post 2749492)
Hermann Schicke, Kptlt, Knight's Cross

U-53, type VIIB
7th Flot.

01Sep39-01Apr40

5 patrols

28(24 cargo/4 warship) ships sunk

154,080 tons

Alfred Hagen, Oblt, Knight's Cross

U-53, Type VIIB
7th Flot.

01May40-12Mar41

6 patrols

21(19 cargo/2 warship) ships sunk

125,831 tons

Hans-Horst Welte, Oblt, German Cross

U-53, Type VIIB
U-332, Type VIIC

01Apr41-

5 patrols

13(13 cargo) ships sunk

67,115 tons

05Apr42 Oblt. Welte and U-332 currently on 6th patrol to grid CB41


GREAT JOB !!! :up:

Kapitän 05-28-21 04:15 AM

Training of boat and crew of U 113 (IXC)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän (Post 2749831)
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Tuesday, 27 May 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Operation "Rheinübung":
After being immobilized by Swordfish torpedo bombers from HMS Arc Royal, KMS Bismarck is sunk by the British H Force and elements of the Home Fleet at 1039 hours in the approximate position of 48° 09' North, 16° 07'. Prinz Eugen escapes to Brest.

Out of a crew of more than 2,200 officers, non-commissioned officers and men, around 800 sailors manage to abandon the Bismarck before she sinks. The rest of the crew, many of them still alive, sink with the battleship.

An hour later, the Dorsetshire pick up 86 sailors and the Maori another 25. The temperature of the water is 13° C. The British do not recover more men because they claim there are U-boats in the area.

Towards 2000 hours, U74 (Kapitänleutnant Eitel-Friedrich Kentrat) rescues three more sailors. They are Herbert Manthey, Otto Höntzsch and Georg Herzog.

Meanwhile, the Spanish heavy cruiser Canarias (Captain Benigno González-Aller) has left the port of El Ferrol at 1140 on 27 May in an attempt to rescue some survivors from the Bismarck.

Operation "Merkur":
On 26 May, in the face of the stalled German advance, senior Wehrmacht officers had requested Mussolini to send Italian Army units to Crete in order to help the German forces fighting there. On the afternoon of 27 May, an Italian convoy departs from Rhodes with the intention of landing a brigade from the 50th Infantry Division "Regina", supported by 13 L3/35 light tanks. The escort is made up of the destroyer "Francesco Crispi", the torpedo-boats "Lira", "Lince", and "Libra", two MAS motor torpedo boats, while the amphibious force is comprised of four fishing vessels, two steamships, one river boat, two reefer ships, three tugs and three tankers. The Italian commander in the "Dodecanese" had volunteered the services of his men as early as 21 May, but the request had to pass through German channels to Hermann Göring, who finally authorized the move when it became clear that the German effort was not moving ahead as quickly as planned. The Italians will land 3,000 men of the division and their equipment at Sitia on 28 May at 17:20h and advanced west mostly unopposed, rendezvousing with the Germans at Ierapetra.

During the night of 26/27 May, a detachment of some 800 men from No. 7 and No. 50/52 Commandos, as part of Layforce, landed at Souda Bay (Colonel Robert Laycock). Laycock had tried to land the force on 25 May, but had turned back due to bad weather. Although armed mainly with only rifles and a small number of machine guns, they were to carry out rearguard actions in order to buy the garrison enough time to carry out an evacuation.

Troops of the German 141st Mountain Regiment block a section of the road between Souda and Chania. On the morning of 27 May, the New Zealand 28th (Māori) Battalion, the Australian 2/7th Battalion and the Australian 2/8th Battalion clear the road by a bayonet charge (the "Battle of 42nd Street").

Command in London decides the cause is hopeless after General Wavell informs the Prime Minister at 0842h, 27 May, that the battle is lost, and orderes an evacuation. Freyberg concurrently orderes his troops to withdraw to the south coast to be evacuated. 2 hours later, KMS Bismarck is sunk in the North Atlantic.


Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Wednesday, 28 May 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Operation "Rheinübung":
The German weather observation ship Sachsenwald (Leutnant zur See Wilhelm Schütte) finds two more survivors of the Bismarck, Otto Maus and Walter Lorenzen.

Operation "Merkur":
The Germans push the British, Commonwealth and Greek forces steadily southward, using aerial and artillery bombardment, followed by waves of motorcycle and mountain troops (the rocky terrain making it difficult to employ tanks). The garrisons at Souda and Beritania gradually fall back along the road to Vitsilokoumos, north of Sfakia.

From 28 May – 1 June, Allied troops will be embarked for Egypt, most being lifted from Sfakia on the south coast, where about 6,000 troops will be rescued on the night of 29/30 May. However, the force will attacked by Luftwaffe dive bombers on the voyage back and will suffer many losses. About 4,000 men will be withdrawn from Heraklion during the night of 28/29 May. During the next night 1,500 soldiers will be taken away by four destroyers and during the night of 31 May /1 June another 4,000 men will be evacuated. In all, about 18,600 men of the 32,000 British troops on the island will be evacuated; 12,000 British and Dominion troops and thousands of Greeks will still be on Crete when the island will come under German control on 1 June.

Texas Red 05-28-21 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän (Post 2750031)
YESSS!!! :yeah:

Thanks! :salute::subsim:

Kapitän 05-30-21 09:04 AM

Training of boat and crew of U 113 (IXC)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän (Post 2750033)
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Wednesday, 28 May 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Operation "Rheinübung":
The German weather observation ship Sachsenwald (Leutnant zur See Wilhelm Schütte) finds two more survivors of the Bismarck, Otto Maus and Walter Lorenzen.

Operation "Merkur":
The Germans push the British, Commonwealth and Greek forces steadily southward, using aerial and artillery bombardment, followed by waves of motorcycle and mountain troops (the rocky terrain making it difficult to employ tanks). The garrisons at Souda and Beritania gradually fall back along the road to Vitsilokoumos, north of Sfakia.

From 28 May – 1 June, Allied troops will be embarked for Egypt, most being lifted from Sfakia on the south coast, where about 6,000 troops will be rescued on the night of 29/30 May. However, the force will attacked by Luftwaffe dive bombers on the voyage back and will suffer many losses. About 4,000 men will be withdrawn from Heraklion during the night of 28/29 May. During the next night 1,500 soldiers will be taken away by four destroyers and during the night of 31 May /1 June another 4,000 men will be evacuated. In all, about 18,600 men of the 32,000 British troops on the island will be evacuated; 12,000 British and Dominion troops and thousands of Greeks will still be on Crete when the island will come under German control on 1 June.



Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Friday, 30 May 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Operation "Rheinübung":
After a brief meeting with the German weather observation ship Sachsenwald (Leutnant zur See Wilhelm Schütte), the Spanish heavy cruiser Canarias (Captain Benigno González-Aller) finds two dead bodies floating in the sea which were pulled up aboard. These were Walter Gaszczak and Heinrich Neuschwander.

At 1000h on the next day, Saturday, 31st May, they will be given a naval burial service and their bodies will be committed to the deep.

In the end, out of a crew of more than 2,200 officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Bismarck, only 115 will have survived.

Cmdr: The Bismarck is gone! Why did Lütjens not pursue the already damaged HMS Prince of Wales and head back to Norway?

Kapitän 06-01-21 02:29 AM

Training of boat and crew of U 113 (IXC)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän (Post 2750353)


Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Friday, 30 May 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Operation "Rheinübung":
After a brief meeting with the German weather observation ship Sachsenwald (Leutnant zur See Wilhelm Schütte), the Spanish heavy cruiser Canarias (Captain Benigno González-Aller) finds two dead bodies floating in the sea which were pulled up aboard. These were Walter Gaszczak and Heinrich Neuschwander.

At 1000h on the next day, Saturday, 31st May, they will be given a naval burial service and their bodies will be committed to the deep.

In the end, out of a crew of more than 2,200 officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Bismarck, only 115 will have survived.

Cmdr: The Bismarck is gone! Why did Lütjens not pursue the already damaged HMS Prince of Wales and head back to Norway?


Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Sunday, 1 June 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Operation "Merkur":
The invasion of Crete by German Airborne and Mountain Troops, is successfully concluded, with heavy losses on both sides.

On 30 May, Colonel Campbell, the British commander at Rethymno, was forced to surrender his contingent. German motorcycle troops linked up with the Italian troops who had landed on Sitia. Today, on 1 June, the remaining 5,000 defenders at Sfakia surrender.

By the end of December, about 500 Commonwealth troops will remain at large on the island. While scattered and disorganized, these men and the partisans will harass German troops for long after the withdrawal.

Among the German paratroopers who landed on the first day was former world heavyweight champion boxer Max Schmeling, who held the rank of Gefreiter at the time. Schmeling will survive the battle and the war.

Texas Red 06-03-21 02:12 PM

The Calm Before the Storm Pt. 2
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by El Whacko (Post 2749920)
Started a new career with Onealex 1.46

Leutnant z.s Erich Wegner, commanding officer of U-55 (VIIB)
Current Date: Tuesday, August 1, 1939
Attached to: U-Flotilla Wegener, Kiel
At sea for patrol #1
Patrol Grid: AN52
+++++++++++

Previously, the crew of U-55 was attached to the 21. Ausbildungsflottille based in Neustadt where over a period of two months they underwent rigorous sea trials and workups in navigation, naval artillery, flak artillery, and torpedoes. The final test at the end of those two months was a simulated convoy battle where U-55 "engaged enemy escorts and merchants" in the Baltic Sea, approximately 42.61 nautical miles ENE of Neustadt. These escorts and merchants were actually decommissioned warships and merchants from the Reichsmarine that were to be used as target ships. Over a period of eight hours, the crew of U-55 sank almost every ship in the convoy and exceeded all requirements and expectations in her sea trials. The crew was granted for combat operations and was subsequently attached to U-Flotilla Wegener based in Kiel.

Then on July 31, 1939 the commanding officer received his orders which read:
COMPLETE EXERCISES AND ORDERS RECEIVED OVER RADIO TRANSMISSION FROM UNIT HEADQUARTERS. YOUR STARTING GRID IS AL-36
The commanding officer (Leutnant Erich Wegner) quickly arranged provisions and ordnance with the help of his Bosun, Bootsman Franz Muller.

The U-55 slipped from its moorings at Kiel on August 1, 1939 at exactly 08:15. The first patrol of the prodigy boat and its captain had officially begun.

Laden with anxiety and a mild sense of excitement, the crew watched from behind them as the naval base slowly slipped from view and the vast ocean gradually surrounded them.


Started a new career with Onealex 1.46

Leutnant z.s Erich Wegner, commanding officer of U-55 (VIIB)
Current Date: Saturday, August 26, 1939
Attached to: U-Flotilla Wegener, Kiel
In home base before patrol #2
Patrol Grid: BE96
+++++++++++

Patrol Log Entries

09:19, August 2, 1939
Radio message transcript:
From: FdU
To: Uboat commanders
2/VIII
Common Orders
During the patrols in appointed areas, improve your level of training by conducting weapon and identifying exercises
Collect information constantly of detected warships
Analyze intensity and distinctions of cargo shipping
All the tasks must be executed as secretly as possible

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
07:59, August 4 1939
Radio message transcript
From: FdU
To: Flotilla Wegener
4/VIII
Sobe
Wegener Flotilla is to be transferred to Kiel, all the commanding officers are to be transferred to Salzwedel and Weddigen flotillas
Back transfers will be considered later as necessary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
08:41, August 8, 1939
Ship spotted in grid AN13
Weather report by 2WO: Light clouds, no rain, moderate visibility, wind speed 12 m/s, direction 359
Investigating contact
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
08:48, August 8, 1939
LI dove the boat to periscope depth, NAV charted a new heading at 236 degrees
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
08:50, August 8, 1939
New hydrophone contact detected, sonarman reports the contact as an unknown merchant moving away at a medium speed. Bearing is 261 at long range in grid AN13
Hydrophone contact was not visible during periscope sweep, so the tracking of the previous contact will continue.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
09:02, August 8, 1939
Merchant contact's speed is now known to be 9.6 knots, however the class is unknown as her AOB is too severe to make any distinctions.
TDC Readings:
Speed: 9.6 knots
Range: 1,500 meters
AOB: 9 degrees to starboard
Bearing: 355
Class: unkown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
09:07, August 8, 1939
Merchant contact is identified as a British 02 Type Ore Carrier, 8500 tons
Simulated firing exercise and target analysis complete, breaking off contact
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
12:01, August 8, 1939
Surfaced the boat in grid AM15, continuing on course to grid AL36
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
19:51, August 11, 1939
Reached AL36, starting weapon and crew exercises
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
07:23, August 12, 1939
Status Report transcript:
12/08/1939 07:23
From: U-55
To: FdU
Position: Grid AL36
Torpedoes left: 14
88 mm shells left: 236
2 cm FlaK shells left: 2,000
Our provisions will last us for approximately another forty days before we are forced to return to base

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
08:29, August 12, 1939
Radio message transcript:
From: FdU
To: U-55
Message received. Continue as ordered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
01:29, August 13, 1939
Completed exercises in grid AL36, we are now returning to base. We are expected to return in ten days at a speed of nine knots.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
13:02, August 13, 1939
Radio message transcript:
From: FdU
To: 6th Flotilla
15/VIII
Finish weapon exercises, all Uboats wil return to Kiel

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
21:01, August 19, 1939
Radio broadcast transcript:

From: Lehmann Radio News, Berlin
To: On Air
19/VIII
As rumored, already fourteen German submarines are in patrols in diffrenent zones of the North Atlantic Ocean

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
09:33, August 21, 1939
Several ship contacts were made transitting through the Skagerrak and the following seas en route to Kiel. No contacts were investigated further than simply logging the contacts in the log book.

09:33, 09:42 21/VIII- Two merchant contatcs in grid AN36
16:04 21/VIII- Merchant contact in AO41
20:18 21/VIII- Merchant contact in AO41
09:26 22/VIII- Merchant contact in AO48
19:44 22/VIII- Merchant contact in AO71

-BREAK LOG ENTRY-
21:31, August 22, 1939
Radio message transcript:

From: FdU
To: Uboat Commanders
22/VIII
Operation Fritz was cancelled after recieving the signal operation Irmgard only for winter. The rest of the Uboats in the 3rd Flotilla must remain eastward from Rugen Island pending further orders

-CONTINUE PREVIOUS LOG ENTRY-

23:45 22/VIII- Merchant contact in AO74
00:14 23/VIII- Merchant contact in AO74
06:26 23/VIII- Merchant contact in AO77
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
09:37, August 23, 1939
U-55 slipped back into her moorings and the crew transferred the boat to the dockyard workers
PATROL HISTORY
Patrol Number: 1
Start Date: 1/8/1939
Start Location: Kiel
End Date: 23/8/1939
End Location: Kiel
Submarine: VIIB
Current Flotilla: U-Flotilla Wegener
Current Emblem: N/A
No ships sunk
No aircraft downed
No crew killed or wounded
U-55 returned in perfect condition, no hull damage or destroyed systems
Renown Earned: 110.6

Oberfahnrich z.s Wolfgang Eisenholtz, 2WO
Awarded: Iron Cross, Second Class
Oberfahnrich z.s Herbert Linder, LI
Awarded: Iron Cross, Second Class
Oberfahnrich z.s Adolf Kessler, 1WO
Awarded: Iron Cross, Second Class
Oberfahnrich Franz Linke-Stief, NAV
Awarded: Iron Cross, Second Class
Oberfahnrich Richard Ringlemann, Torpedo officer
Awarded: Iron Cross, Second Class

Bootsman Peter Weller
Qualified in: Torpedoman’s mate
Bootsman Jorg Kals
Qualified in: Radio Communications

KDB Hydrophone installed, 3 days install time
Current date: Saturday, August 26, 1939
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NO MORE LOG ENTRIES
+++++

And so, that concludes the first patrol of U-55 and her crew. Now, the war is fast approaching and U-55 will be leaving soon for her next patrol.

Texas Red 06-09-21 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Whacko (Post 2751001)
Started a new career with Onealex 1.46

Leutnant z.s Erich Wegner, commanding officer of U-55 (VIIB)
Current Date: Saturday, August 26, 1939
Attached to: U-Flotilla Wegener, Kiel
In home base before patrol #2
Patrol Grid: BE96
+++++++++++

Patrol Log Entries

09:19, August 2, 1939
Radio message transcript:
From: FdU
To: Uboat commanders
2/VIII
Common Orders
During the patrols in appointed areas, improve your level of training by conducting weapon and identifying exercises
Collect information constantly of detected warships
Analyze intensity and distinctions of cargo shipping
All the tasks must be executed as secretly as possible

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
07:59, August 4 1939
Radio message transcript
From: FdU
To: Flotilla Wegener
4/VIII
Sobe
Wegener Flotilla is to be transferred to Kiel, all the commanding officers are to be transferred to Salzwedel and Weddigen flotillas
Back transfers will be considered later as necessary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
08:41, August 8, 1939
Ship spotted in grid AN13
Weather report by 2WO: Light clouds, no rain, moderate visibility, wind speed 12 m/s, direction 359
Investigating contact
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
08:48, August 8, 1939
LI dove the boat to periscope depth, NAV charted a new heading at 236 degrees
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
08:50, August 8, 1939
New hydrophone contact detected, sonarman reports the contact as an unknown merchant moving away at a medium speed. Bearing is 261 at long range in grid AN13
Hydrophone contact was not visible during periscope sweep, so the tracking of the previous contact will continue.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
09:02, August 8, 1939
Merchant contact's speed is now known to be 9.6 knots, however the class is unknown as her AOB is too severe to make any distinctions.
TDC Readings:
Speed: 9.6 knots
Range: 1,500 meters
AOB: 9 degrees to starboard
Bearing: 355
Class: unkown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
09:07, August 8, 1939
Merchant contact is identified as a British 02 Type Ore Carrier, 8500 tons
Simulated firing exercise and target analysis complete, breaking off contact
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
12:01, August 8, 1939
Surfaced the boat in grid AM15, continuing on course to grid AL36
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
19:51, August 11, 1939
Reached AL36, starting weapon and crew exercises
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
07:23, August 12, 1939
Status Report transcript:
12/08/1939 07:23
From: U-55
To: FdU
Position: Grid AL36
Torpedoes left: 14
88 mm shells left: 236
2 cm FlaK shells left: 2,000
Our provisions will last us for approximately another forty days before we are forced to return to base

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
08:29, August 12, 1939
Radio message transcript:
From: FdU
To: U-55
Message received. Continue as ordered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
01:29, August 13, 1939
Completed exercises in grid AL36, we are now returning to base. We are expected to return in ten days at a speed of nine knots.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
13:02, August 13, 1939
Radio message transcript:
From: FdU
To: 6th Flotilla
15/VIII
Finish weapon exercises, all Uboats wil return to Kiel

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
21:01, August 19, 1939
Radio broadcast transcript:

From: Lehmann Radio News, Berlin
To: On Air
19/VIII
As rumored, already fourteen German submarines are in patrols in diffrenent zones of the North Atlantic Ocean

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
09:33, August 21, 1939
Several ship contacts were made transitting through the Skagerrak and the following seas en route to Kiel. No contacts were investigated further than simply logging the contacts in the log book.

09:33, 09:42 21/VIII- Two merchant contatcs in grid AN36
16:04 21/VIII- Merchant contact in AO41
20:18 21/VIII- Merchant contact in AO41
09:26 22/VIII- Merchant contact in AO48
19:44 22/VIII- Merchant contact in AO71

-BREAK LOG ENTRY-
21:31, August 22, 1939
Radio message transcript:

From: FdU
To: Uboat Commanders
22/VIII
Operation Fritz was cancelled after recieving the signal operation Irmgard only for winter. The rest of the Uboats in the 3rd Flotilla must remain eastward from Rugen Island pending further orders

-CONTINUE PREVIOUS LOG ENTRY-

23:45 22/VIII- Merchant contact in AO74
00:14 23/VIII- Merchant contact in AO74
06:26 23/VIII- Merchant contact in AO77
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
09:37, August 23, 1939
U-55 slipped back into her moorings and the crew transferred the boat to the dockyard workers
PATROL HISTORY
Patrol Number: 1
Start Date: 1/8/1939
Start Location: Kiel
End Date: 23/8/1939
End Location: Kiel
Submarine: VIIB
Current Flotilla: U-Flotilla Wegener
Current Emblem: N/A
No ships sunk
No aircraft downed
No crew killed or wounded
U-55 returned in perfect condition, no hull damage or destroyed systems
Renown Earned: 110.6

Oberfahnrich z.s Wolfgang Eisenholtz, 2WO
Awarded: Iron Cross, Second Class
Oberfahnrich z.s Herbert Linder, LI
Awarded: Iron Cross, Second Class
Oberfahnrich z.s Adolf Kessler, 1WO
Awarded: Iron Cross, Second Class
Oberfahnrich Franz Linke-Stief, NAV
Awarded: Iron Cross, Second Class
Oberfahnrich Richard Ringlemann, Torpedo officer
Awarded: Iron Cross, Second Class

Bootsman Peter Weller
Qualified in: Torpedoman’s mate
Bootsman Jorg Kals
Qualified in: Radio Communications

KDB Hydrophone installed, 3 days install time
Current date: Saturday, August 26, 1939
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NO MORE LOG ENTRIES
+++++

And so, that concludes the first patrol of U-55 and her crew. Now, the war is fast approaching and U-55 will be leaving soon for her next patrol.

__________________________________________________ ___________
A journal entry from Erich Wegner's personal log book shortly after his last patrol
+++++++++


26 August 1939
Three days’ ago, I returned from my first patrol as commanding officer of U-55, something that I am enormously proud of. Many people do not realize the immense amount of skill it takes to pilot a boat to the North Atlantic and back over a course of twenty-two days. I remember first departing on the first of this month and how anxious I felt, but when we got out into open sea that all went away. I find that being out on the ocean and hearing the waves calms me down a lot, it is a great way for me to escape anxiety and calm my mind.
First off, our orders were to gather intelligence on shipping in and around British waters. This we accomplished on 8 August when we ran into a O2 type Ore Carrier in grid AN13. We collected the intelligence we needed and conducted a firing exercise on the side, and the results from that said we needed to do better. So, when we reached our patrol grid of AL36 I drilled the crew relentlessly in torpedo firing and battle stations. Gradually we became better, as did our diving time. On August 13 we were ordered back to Kiel by FdU, and so we made our way to Kiel as quickly as possible. At a speed of 9 knots, we made it back on 23 August. I cannot describe the feeling of joy and pride I felt after stepping on to solid ground for the first time in twenty-two days.
But when I got back to homeport and I looked all around me, I saw warships being loaded with ammunition and provisions as well as busy docks where ships were being fitted out for their next deployments. I knew immediately that we were heading to something big. However, I had this suspicion when we were still on patrol because on 19 August Lehmann Radio News said on a broadcast that fourteen U-boats were patrolling different zones in the Atlantic. On 13 August trainings and simulated war patrols had ended, so I had a gut feeling that this was the real deal. Then seeing all warships in port being prepared for immediate departure I just knew that we were heading to something. I saw the cruisers Leipzig and Nuremberg being prepared for immediate departure, as well as several U-boats. Most of these, however, were small type II coastal U-boats who would barely make it to the Baltic and back.
Later that day, I was informed that the shipyard was fitting my U-Boat out with a new hydrophone: the Kristalldrehbasisgerat (KDB). This hydrophone was an improvement of the GHG (Gruppenhorchgerat) in that it was rotatable and hence able to provide more accurate readings from any direction. The disadvantage however was its extreme vulnerability to depth charges.
And then yesterday I was approved for sixteen days of leave. So today I will drive to Wilhelmshaven to see my mother and father, whom I haven’t seen since May of this year. From my parent’s letters it seems like they are both doing fine. My grandmother is going downhill quickly though. Her hearing ability is rapidly diminishing, and she seems to be very confused about some things. My parents are taking care of her as her husband died in a job accident in 1937. Personally, I fear that my parents are being overworked by taking care of her and will have a crash soon. But both of my parents are as strong as iron and will make it through.
We will see what the next two weeks will bring us.

Signed,
Leutnant z.s. Erich Wegner

Kapitän 06-22-21 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Whacko (Post 2751698)
__________________________________________________ ___________
A journal entry from Erich Wegner's personal log book shortly after his last patrol
+++++++++


26 August 1939
Three days’ ago, I returned from my first patrol as commanding officer of U-55, something that I am enormously proud of. Many people do not realize the immense amount of skill it takes to pilot a boat to the North Atlantic and back over a course of twenty-two days. I remember first departing on the first of this month and how anxious I felt, but when we got out into open sea that all went away. I find that being out on the ocean and hearing the waves calms me down a lot, it is a great way for me to escape anxiety and calm my mind.
First off, our orders were to gather intelligence on shipping in and around British waters. This we accomplished on 8 August when we ran into a O2 type Ore Carrier in grid AN13. We collected the intelligence we needed and conducted a firing exercise on the side, and the results from that said we needed to do better. So, when we reached our patrol grid of AL36 I drilled the crew relentlessly in torpedo firing and battle stations. Gradually we became better, as did our diving time. On August 13 we were ordered back to Kiel by FdU, and so we made our way to Kiel as quickly as possible. At a speed of 9 knots, we made it back on 23 August. I cannot describe the feeling of joy and pride I felt after stepping on to solid ground for the first time in twenty-two days.
But when I got back to homeport and I looked all around me, I saw warships being loaded with ammunition and provisions as well as busy docks where ships were being fitted out for their next deployments. I knew immediately that we were heading to something big. However, I had this suspicion when we were still on patrol because on 19 August Lehmann Radio News said on a broadcast that fourteen U-boats were patrolling different zones in the Atlantic. On 13 August trainings and simulated war patrols had ended, so I had a gut feeling that this was the real deal. Then seeing all warships in port being prepared for immediate departure I just knew that we were heading to something. I saw the cruisers Leipzig and Nuremberg being prepared for immediate departure, as well as several U-boats. Most of these, however, were small type II coastal U-boats who would barely make it to the Baltic and back.
Later that day, I was informed that the shipyard was fitting my U-Boat out with a new hydrophone: the Kristalldrehbasisgerat (KDB). This hydrophone was an improvement of the GHG (Gruppenhorchgerat) in that it was rotatable and hence able to provide more accurate readings from any direction. The disadvantage however was its extreme vulnerability to depth charges.
And then yesterday I was approved for sixteen days of leave. So today I will drive to Wilhelmshaven to see my mother and father, whom I haven’t seen since May of this year. From my parent’s letters it seems like they are both doing fine. My grandmother is going downhill quickly though. Her hearing ability is rapidly diminishing, and she seems to be very confused about some things. My parents are taking care of her as her husband died in a job accident in 1937. Personally, I fear that my parents are being overworked by taking care of her and will have a crash soon. But both of my parents are as strong as iron and will make it through.
We will see what the next two weeks will bring us.

Signed,
Leutnant z.s. Erich Wegner


Nice read ... also, nice personal touch on the report ...

Kapitän 06-22-21 05:58 AM

Training of boat and crew of U 113 (IXC)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän (Post 2750573)
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Sunday, 1 June 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Operation "Merkur":
The invasion of Crete by German Airborne and Mountain Troops, is successfully concluded, with heavy losses on both sides.

On 30 May, Colonel Campbell, the British commander at Rethymno, was forced to surrender his contingent. German motorcycle troops linked up with the Italian troops who had landed on Sitia. Today, on 1 June, the remaining 5,000 defenders at Sfakia surrender.

By the end of December, about 500 Commonwealth troops will remain at large on the island. While scattered and disorganized, these men and the partisans will harass German troops for long after the withdrawal.

Among the German paratroopers who landed on the first day was former world heavyweight champion boxer Max Schmeling, who held the rank of Gefreiter at the time. Schmeling will survive the battle and the war.


Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Sunday, 22 June 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Operation "Barbarossa":
At around 03:15 on 22 June 1941, the Axis Powers commence the invasion of the Soviet Union with the bombing of major cities in Soviet-occupied Poland and an artillery barrage on Red Army defences on the entire front and the ground attack at 04:00.

We are deploying 153 divisions, which include 104 Infantry, 19 Panzer and 15 Motorized Infantry Divisions in Three Army Groups, four divisions in Finland and two divisions as reserve under the direct control of O.K.H.
These are equipped with 6,867 armored vehicles, of which 3,350–3,795 are tanks, 2,770–4,389 aircraft (that amount to 65 percent of the entire Luftwaffe force), 7,200–23,435 artillery pieces, 17,081 mortars, about 600,000 motor vehicles and 625,000–700,000 horses.

Finland is contributing 14 divisions to the invasion, and Romania will deploy 13 divisions and eight brigades over the course of the operation.

The entire Axis forces, 3.8 million personnel, are deployed across a front extending over 3000 km, from "Finland to the Black Sea".

Kapitän 06-30-21 02:37 AM

AGRU-Front & 5th Training Flotilla, Danzig/Hela
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän (Post 2753875)
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Sunday, 22 June 1941: - U.A.K. and 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.), Gotenhafen -

Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division, Gotenhafen (Freg.Kpt. HARTMANN).

Operation "Barbarossa":
At around 03:15 on 22 June 1941, the Axis Powers commence the invasion of the Soviet Union with the bombing of major cities in Soviet-occupied Poland and an artillery barrage on Red Army defences on the entire front and the ground attack at 04:00.

We are deploying 153 divisions, which include 104 Infantry, 19 Panzer and 15 Motorized Infantry Divisions in Three Army Groups, four divisions in Finland and two divisions as reserve under the direct control of O.K.H.
These are equipped with 6,867 armored vehicles, of which 3,350–3,795 are tanks, 2,770–4,389 aircraft (that amount to 65 percent of the entire Luftwaffe force), 7,200–23,435 artillery pieces, 17,081 mortars, about 600,000 motor vehicles and 625,000–700,000 horses.

Finland is contributing 14 divisions to the invasion, and Romania will deploy 13 divisions and eight brigades over the course of the operation.

The entire Axis forces, 3.8 million personnel, are deployed across a front extending over 3000 km, from "Finland to the Black Sea".


Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Monday, 30 June 1941:
Arrived at the 5th Training Flotilla, Danzig/Hela (Kvt.Kpt. MOEHLE) and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. MÜLLER).

Reichminister Dr. Todt, hands over the first 3 Uboat bunkers in St.Nazaire, after just 3 months of construction.

Operation "Barbarossa":
From 23 June to 02 July, the tank battle at Dubno - Lutsk/Luzk - Brody/Rivne is taking place. It is fought between the Panzer Group 1 of the Southern Army Group under Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt and strong armored forces of the Soviet Southwest Front under Colonel General Michail Kirponos. A total of 3,298 Soviet tanks (six mechanized corps) are fighting against 808 German (five tank divisions). The high command of the Wehrmacht, has allocated an additional seven divisions - the LI. and XXXIV. Army Corps - from the front reserve as reinforcements to the beleaguered 6th Army during the fighting.

We are in progress of winning the battle, as the Soviet troops have been put back on the defensive and their tank formations have almost been wiped out (about 2,000 Russian against 95 German tanks lost). The 22nd Mechanized Corps lost 90% of its tanks, the 8th and 15th Mechanized Corps 85–90%, the 9th and 19th Mechanized Corps 70% each, and the 4th Mechanized Corps 60% of its tanks. The 9th, 19th and 22nd Mechanized Corps only have 66, 35 and 33 tanks left due to heavy losses.

Our success over the strong Soviet tank units is enabling the rapid pursuit in the direction of Zhitomir and Korosten, where new Soviet counter-attacks are making the advance more difficult. General Potapov, the commander of the 5th Army, is further holding up our advancing troops by counter-attacks in order to save his own forces from the impending encirclement and to prepare the defense of Kiev. The battle for Kiev will not begin until mid-August.

After the tank battle near Prokhorovka as part of Operation Citadel in 1943, the battle near Dubno-Lutsk/Luzk-Brody/Rivne, will have been the second-largest tank battle of the Second World War.


Kapitän 07-01-21 05:58 AM

AGRU-Front & 5th Training Flotilla, Danzig/Hela
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän (Post 2755340)
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Monday, 30 June 1941:
Arrived at the 5th Training Flotilla, Danzig/Hela (Kvt.Kpt. MOEHLE) and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. MÜLLER).

Reichminister Dr. Todt, hands over the first 3 Uboat bunkers in St.Nazaire, after just 3 months of construction.

Operation "Barbarossa":
From 23 June to 02 July, the tank battle at Dubno - Lutsk/Luzk - Brody/Rivne is taking place. It is fought between the Panzer Group 1 of the Southern Army Group under Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt and strong armored forces of the Soviet Southwest Front under Colonel General Michail Kirponos. A total of 3,298 Soviet tanks (six mechanized corps) are fighting against 808 German (five tank divisions). The high command of the Wehrmacht, has allocated an additional seven divisions - the LI. and XXXIV. Army Corps - from the front reserve as reinforcements to the beleaguered 6th Army during the fighting.

We are in progress of winning the battle, as the Soviet troops have been put back on the defensive and their tank formations have almost been wiped out (about 2,000 Russian against 95 German tanks lost). The 22nd Mechanized Corps lost 90% of its tanks, the 8th and 15th Mechanized Corps 85–90%, the 9th and 19th Mechanized Corps 70% each, and the 4th Mechanized Corps 60% of its tanks. The 9th, 19th and 22nd Mechanized Corps only have 66, 35 and 33 tanks left due to heavy losses.

Our success over the strong Soviet tank units is enabling the rapid pursuit in the direction of Zhitomir and Korosten, where new Soviet counter-attacks are making the advance more difficult. General Potapov, the commander of the 5th Army, is further holding up our advancing troops by counter-attacks in order to save his own forces from the impending encirclement and to prepare the defense of Kiev. The battle for Kiev will not begin until mid-August.

After the tank battle near Prokhorovka as part of Operation Citadel in 1943, the battle near Dubno-Lutsk/Luzk-Brody/Rivne, will have been the second-largest tank battle of the Second World War.



Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Tuesday, 1 July until Thursday, 3 July 1941:

- 5th Training Flotilla, Danzig/Hela (Kvt.Kpt. MOEHLE) and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. MÜLLER) -

Loading of Fuel, Ammunitions and Torpedoes:

Fuel: 208t = 240cbm (at 865kg/m³)

Ari and A/A ammunition:
- SK-C/32, 10.5cm: 150 x SpG; 30 x LkG
- 2 x M.G.-2cm-C/30: 8000 x PbG (1 x M.G.-2cm-C/30 instead of 1 x 3.7cm-SK-C/30)

Torpedoes:
- Tubes I-VI: G7e, K-b
- Bow above floor plates: 2 x G7e, K-b
- Bow under floor plates: 2x G7e, K-b & 2 x G7a, K-a
- Aft under floor plate: 2 x G7a, K-a
- Upper deck containers: not loaded (8 x G7a, K-a)
All with fuse Pi-G7H (only AZ / Pi-1 without MZ)


Kapitän 07-05-21 04:43 AM

AGRU-Front
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän (Post 2755555)
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Tuesday, 1 July until Thursday, 3 July 1941:

- 5th Training Flotilla, Danzig/Hela (Kvt.Kpt. MOEHLE) and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. MÜLLER) -

Loading of Fuel, Ammunitions and Torpedoes:

Fuel: 208t = 240cbm (at 865kg/m³)

Ari and A/A ammunition:
- SK-C/32, 10.5cm: 150 x SpG; 30 x LkG
- 2 x M.G.-2cm-C/30: 8000 x PbG (1 x M.G.-2cm-C/30 instead of 1 x 3.7cm-SK-C/30)

Torpedoes:
- Tubes I-VI: G7e, K-b
- Bow above floor plates: 2 x G7e, K-b
- Bow under floor plates: 2x G7e, K-b & 2 x G7a, K-a
- Aft under floor plate: 2 x G7a, K-a
- Upper deck containers: not loaded (8 x G7a, K-a)
All with fuse Pi-G7H (only AZ / Pi-1 without MZ)




Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Friday, 4 July 1941 - Hela - AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. MÜLLER).

Taking on of food supplies and fresh water.

Received operational orders for AGRU Front patrol:
Take up position in Naval Grid AO81 and patrol grid for 24h.

1430 - N2/2, clear, visibility 16000, >1000mb.
Casting off. Taking on of escort, distance 300m.

1515 - Released escort.

1620 - Lightship "Hela" to our port beam.

1730 - German type IIB boat 8000m to our stbd. beam, on course ESE.

2016 - Sundown.


Kapitän 07-05-21 05:57 PM

U 113 - AGRU-Front
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän (Post 2756234)


Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Friday, 4 July 1941 - Hela - AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. MÜLLER).

Taking on of food supplies and fresh water.

Received operational orders for AGRU Front patrol:
Take up position in Naval Grid AO81 and patrol grid for 24h.

1430 - N2/2, clear, visibility 16000, >1000mb.
Casting off. Taking on of escort, distance 300m.

1515 - Released escort.

1620 - Lightship "Hela" to our port beam.

1730 - German type IIB boat 8000m to our stbd. beam, on course ESE.

2016 - Sundown.


Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

+++++

Saturday, 5 July 1941 - Baltic Sea - AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. MÜLLER).

0240 - Wind and Sea increasing, shifting West.

0330 - Sunrise - W6/5, clear visibility 16000, >1000mb.

0621 - U 108 (Scholtz) reporting sinking of unescorted ship of 2486ts.

1130 - Qu.8199AO - Reached ordered patrol grid.

1200 - Qu.8199AO - Days Run: 270sm (21h 30') - since Danzig
219.9cbm (10.1cbm in 21h 30'); Weather unchanged in 14h 30'

1233 - Outgoing F.T.: To F.d.U.:
Reached ordered patrol grid. 219.9cbm. NW7/6, overcast, hazy, visibility 3-4sm, ~1000mb.

1800 - Incoming F.T.: From F.d.U.:
RST: Continue according to Op.-Order.

2036 - Sundown - SSW6/5, overcast, hazy, visibility 3-4sm, ~1000mb.

2100 - Qu.8155AO -

Standing up and down in ordered patrol grid.


Kapitän 07-06-21 04:49 AM

U 113 - AGRU-Front
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän (Post 2756367)
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

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Saturday, 5 July 1941 - Baltic Sea - AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. MÜLLER).

0240 - Wind and Sea increasing, shifting West.

0330 - Sunrise - W6/5, clear visibility 16000, >1000mb.

0621 - U 108 (Scholtz) reporting sinking of unescorted ship of 2486ts.

1130 - Qu.8199AO - Reached ordered patrol grid.

1200 - Qu.8199AO - Days Run: 270sm (21h 30') - since Danzig
219.9cbm (10.1cbm in 21h 30'); Weather unchanged in 14h 30'

1233 - Outgoing F.T.: To F.d.U.:
Reached ordered patrol grid. 219.9cbm. NW7/6, overcast, hazy, visibility 3-4sm, ~1000mb.

1800 - Incoming F.T.: From F.d.U.:
RST: Continue according to Op.-Order.

2036 - Sundown - SSW6/5, overcast, hazy, visibility 3-4sm, ~1000mb.

2100 - Qu.8155AO -

Standing up and down in ordered patrol grid.


Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...

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Sunday, 6 July 1941 - North of Bornholm - AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. MÜLLER).

0051 - Trial Crash Dive. At T=10 in 35Sec. Water depth 80m.

0053 - T=70. Boat reacting good.

0104 - At reception depth. 65RPM, 1.6kn, Silent Running.

0303 - O=20%.

0337 - Sunrise.

0707 - Surfaced after 10.3sm and 6h 16'.
NW1/1, partly cloudy, light haze, visibility 8-9sm, >1000mb.

0713 - Boat ventilated.

1005 - Qu.8333AO - Evaded Swedish Stella Destroyer on surface. Was on course WNW, 30sm NE of Bornholm.

1130 - Patrolled ordered patrol grid for 24h.

1200 - Qu.8411AO - Days Run: 133.1sm - 122.8sm (17h 44') - 10.3sm (6h 16')
217.4cbm (2.5cbm in 24h). 9300Ah. Weather unchanged in 4h 53'.

1323 - Qu.8419AO - Allowed a neutral steamer to cross our bows on course SSW.

1628 - Qu.8455AO -

1720 - It's becoming overcast and beginning to rain.

1801 - Report from Norddeich Radio about Operation "Silberfuchs", in an attempt to seize the Russian harbor of Murmansk. Attacks of the German 2nd and 3rd Mountain Division across the river Liza on July 6th, are repelled by the Soviet 14th and 52nd Rifle Division, reinforced by a Navy-Battalion. The battle is continuing.

Cmdr.: "Seizing the harbor of Murmansk is of strategic importance in support of Operation Barbarossa!"

2020 - Sundown - NNW7/6, overcast, rain, limited visibility, <1000mb. Have to reduce speed due to heavy swell.

2140 - It's clearing up again, wind and sea shifting to West.

2320 - WNW4/3, clear, visibility 8-9sm, >1000mb.



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