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Yes, mine is similar ... only, that my current career is on CCoM10.0 ... I feel like, it has slightly better graphics and improved game play, when compared with GWX3.0 ... but I also like GWX3.0 very much :up: |
U 113 (IXC) - 2nd War Patrol - In search of better weather for torpedo reloading
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+++++ 0350 - Qu.6855AL - Wind and sea have increased, shifting to south. 0502 - Morning Dawn - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: For Commanders eyes only: RST: Convoy HX.155 is commanded by experienced convoy commodore. Zig-zag and altering speed maneuvers expected. 0647 - Sunrise. S7/6, overcast, light haze, visibility 5-6sm, ~1000mb. 1051 - Incoming F.T.: From U 204: Have sunk the British tanker Inverlee, 9158ts. - Kell - 1200 - Qu.6866AL - Days Run: 143.4sm - (↗ 24h). 161.8cbm (2.6cbm/24h). On course 90°. 6900Ah. 8 external Ato. Weather unchanged since Sunrise. 1202 - First status and position request for U 204 (Kell). 1752 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Sunrise. 2037 - Qu.6955AL - Boat operating acc. Op.-Orders as per F.T.0502/19. RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U 113 (IXC) - 2nd War Patrol - In search of better weather for torpedo reloading
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+++++ 0402 - Incoming F.T.: From U 126: Have sunk the US Lehigh, 4983ts and the tanker British Mariner, 6996ts, Qu.ET61, off Freetown. - Bauer - 0501 - Morning Dawn - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: The boats remaining in their waiting positions for the convoy which is to leave Gibraltar, are to move away to the SW as far as necessary, in the case of heavy ASW activities. U 206 receives orders to carry out refueling from "Gata" (Cádiz) on the night of 21st to 22nd October. 0641 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged in 24h. 1200 - Qu.4754AM - Days Run: 139.0sm - (↗ 24h). 159.1cbm (2.7cbm/24h). On course 90°. 6900Ah. 8 external Ato. Weather unchanged since Sunrise, 19 Oct. 1201 - Second status and position request for U 204 (Kell). 1326 - Qu.4755AM. New course 0°. 1741 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Sunrise, 19 Oct. 2340 - Qu.4455AM - Boat not operating on ship contact report in Qu.4499AM, on course WSW, medium speed, due to lack of torpedoes and bad weather. Boat operating acc. Op.-Orders as per F.T.0502/19. RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
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November 11, 1940 1645 grid: AM43 Weather conditions have improved and U53 is now running on the surface. As soon as our batteries are reloaded we'll go down and use our sonar to check the area. 1658 Sonar reports a merchant, long range, moving slow and closing. Another prey coming our way. 1711 Ship spotted through the periscope. Coming almost straight toward us. Course slightly adjusted to get into a better firing position. Trying to establish target speed 1716 It's a medium cargo moving 7 knots. Sonar report warship, medium speed closing, long range. That changes plans somewhat. Will fire two torpedoes to be sure. 1721 One hit and one missed! Just brushed past her back...damn! I'll take a risk and pop up briefly to finish her via deck gun. 1723 She's going down but we are being engaged by a destroyer! Shells are falling awfully close and she is closing fast. Time to run and hide! 1726 Managed to dive unscathed. We are now moving at 2knots, running as silently as we can and going as down as possible. 1730 Deep charges are going off somewhere north of us, seems like they don't have a good fix of us. We'll try to crawl away. My heart is hammering so wildly I fear they can pick it up on their damn sonar. 1745 Destroyer is sniffing north of us. Came closer at one point but we got pinged very shortly and she didn't pick us up. Still crawling away at 2 knots. 1802 Destroyer still searching for us but nowhere close to our position. Perhaps U53 will manage to slip away. 1834 Back to periscope depth. Destroyer left the area a few minutes ago. We'll put some more distance between us and then surface again. I didn't realize how quickly a destroyer can run to our position. Had one of those shell hit us...better not think about it. Crew is shaken too, they now realize how risky our task is. Shall find a good target to raise morale again. November 12, 1940 0600 Uneventful night...and perhaps it's for the better. Weather got gloomy and windy but no rain yet. Let's keep our course. 2200 Wind picked up even more and sailing is now very difficult. U53 will cruise underwater and come up briefly to catch a breather every three hours. November 13, 1940 0048 grid AM52 Sonar woke me up with news of sound contact west of us, closing. Surfacing and making a quick dash toward our target. 0101 Ship spotted! She is cruising on an east-west course and will pass a bit north of us. 0107 U53 dived and is now heading north on full speed to get into firing position. No other sound contact reported. Target identified as a coastal tanker. Sea condition won't let us use the deck gun so I plan to shot one torpedo from our aft tube. 0104 waves are so high it's very difficult to mantain periscope depth...I do hope the darkness will keep us hidden from the enemy. 0105 Torpedo impact! The tanker is burning from bow to stern. Don't think she will survive this. 0106 A big explosion split her in two! I think I saw a sailor blown away by the explosion. I do hope that was a quick death. Lets' leave the area and resume our patrol. 1200 U53 is keeping on the the same pattern of 3 hours down and half an hour on the surface. Sea conditions di not improve so right now we cannot use deck gun for our attacks. We will keep cruising eastward. 1322 Sound contact! Merchant closing, moving slow. U53 will surface and make a quick dash toward it. 1331 Ship spotted! Down to periscope depth and then we will identify her and determine her speed. 1336 A coastal freighter moving 9 knots heading roughly west. U53 is already in quite a good attack position. Will use one eel, a pity we cannot use deck gun on this small vessels. 1341 Torped impact! I aimed for the bow but hit her in the back. Perhaps I underestimated her speed somewhat. Small fire on the target. Running parallel and shadowing it, I do hope this will be enough. 1402 She is low on her back and has slowed to 3 knots. Fire keeps going on and off as their damage control team tries to manage thinks. 1447 We have been hearing explosions for the last few minutes and now she is slowly sinking. It's a small one but it's still one. U53 will now go back to previous course. |
U 113 (IXC) - 2nd War Patrol - In search of better weather for torpedo reloading
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+++++ 0500 - Morning Dawn. 0641 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged in 48h. 0839 - It's beginning to rain. Wind and Sea becoming a bit less, shifting to SSE. 0920 - Qu.4155AM - SSE6/5, overcast, rain, limited visibility, <1000mb. 1200 - Qu.4128AM - Days Run: 140.7sm - (↗ 24h). 156.5cbm (2.6cbm/24h). On course 0°. 6900Ah. 8 external Ato. Weather unchanged since 0920h. Third status and position request for U 204 (Kell). Boat is presumed lost. (U 204 - VIIC, Kptlt. Walter Kell - was sunk on 19 October 1941 in the Straits of Gibraltar off Tangier, in position 35.46N, 06.02W, by depth charges from the British corvette HMS Mallow and the British sloop HMS Rochester. 46 dead, all hands lost.) 1750 - Sundown. SSE6/5, overcast, fog, poor visibility, ~1000mb. 1801 - Norddeich Radio sending a report about the French cargo ship Nivana (1,530 GRT) being bombed and damaged within French territorial waters in the Gulf of Hammamet (Tunisia) by seven British aircraft and being beached with the loss of nine of her crew. Instructions are then given by the Vichy-French Government to each ship off the French/Tunisian Coast, to provide an escort by torpedo boats and to shoot at attacking aircraft without prior warning. 1830 - Diving for submerged cruise at T=50. 65rpm, 1.6kn. 2022 - O₂ = 20%. 2100 - Lights out for the Off-Watch. Silent Running. Boat operating acc. Op.-Orders as per F.T.0502/19. RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U 113 (IXC) - 2nd War Patrol - Report of two big home bound convoys
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+++++ 0112 - O₂ = 19%. 0500 - Morning Dawn. 0629 - Sunrise. O₂ = 18%. 0635 - At reception depth. 0640 - Surfaced after 12h 10' and 17.2sm. Weather unchanged since Sundown, 21 Oct. 0649 - Boat ventilated and Compressed Air Supply filled. Battery 5900Ah. 0702 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: RST: Convoy HX.155 is approaching target patrol area. Code word is "Taskforce". Warning: Be aware of friendly units! Good luck and Happy Hunting! 0708 - Charging batteries at 5900Ah: Port-Diesel propulsion 205RPM, 4-5kn; Stbd.-Diesel charging, 496RPM. 0940 - Batteries charged: 2h 32' for 4100Ah. 1015 - New course 90°. 1200 - Qu.1779AM - Days Run: 82.6sm - ↗ 65.4 (11h 50') - ↘ 17.2sm (12h 10'). 154.7cbm (1.8cbm/24h). On course 90°. 10,000Ah. 8 external Ato. Weather unchanged since Sundown, 21 Oct. 1255 - The fog is lifting. Wind and sea are dying down somewhat, shifting to South. 1420 - SSE5/4, overcast, hazy, medium visibility, ~1000mb. 1508 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: Group "Breslau": According to an Intelligence report the expected Gibraltar convoy (HG.75) is starting about 1600h. It will pass Tarifa about 1945h, and Cape Spartel about 2025h. Cmdr.: This serves to call attention to the excellent work of the Commanding Officer in Spain. A direct attack on this convoy is only possible because of the certainty that B.d.U. has received reliable reports on the time the convoy is leaving port, what ships it consists of, and when it is to pass Tarifa. Today again, as is the rule, these reports have come in prompt and complete. Group Breslau consisted originally of 6 boats but U 204 Kptlt.Walter Kell, has already been sunk with all hands lost, on 19 October: U 71 (VIIC, Kptlt.Walter Flachsenberg) U 83 (VIIB, Oblt.Hans-Werner Kraus) U 206 (VIIC, Kptlt.Herbert Opitz) U 563 (VIIC, Oblt.Klaus Heinrich Bargsten) U 564 (VIIC, Oblt.Reinhard "Teddy" Suhren) 1742 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since 1420h. 1801 - Norddeich Radio sending report about Operation Siegfried in the Baltic: Decision in the battle for the Estonian island of Dagö (Estonian Hiiumaa). Due to strong pressure of the German 61st Infantry Division (18th Army, Army Group North), the Red Army started on 16 October, 1941, to evacuate part of the island's troops to Odensholm and Hangö. On October 21, 1941, the resistance of the Red Army ended at Cape Takhkona. During this operation, 3388 Soviet troops were taken prisoner. Boat operating acc. Op.-Orders as per F.T.0702/22. RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U 113 (IXC) - 2nd War Patrol - Convoy sighted
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+++++ 0030 - Incoming F.T.0021/23: From U 71: Have contact to convoy HG.75. - Flachsenberg - 0243 - New course 297°. 0301 - Incoming F.T.: From U 206: Convoy HG.75: Being driven off by escort. Resume pursuit of convoy. - Opitz - 0500 - Morning Dawn. 0601 - Incoming F.T.: From U 564: Convoy HG.75: Being driven off by escort. Convoy has strong protection. - Suhren - 0625 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since 22 Oct., 1420h. 0656 - Incoming F.T.0650/23: From B.d.U.: B-Dienst reporting enemy convoy in QU.1789AM, on course East, speed 7kn. 0700 - New course 217°, 1/3-Ahead. Cmdr.: "Commander to crew: Boat is operating on an enemy convoy reported by B.d.U. Estimated contact in 1h. All hands on Maneuver Stations!" 0755 - New course 270°, Slow-Ahead. "Shadow Ahead!" A Heavy Cruiser comes into sight and at 0800h, also a Clemson Destroyer, probably, the forward sweeper. Visibilty is about 5500m. 0805 - Turning boat hard to port, to new course 98°. 0808 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.: "Gustav Gelb!" Sighted convoy 0650/23 in Qu.1797AM, on course 96°, speed 7kn. 1 Heavy Cruiser. Have no internal eels. Keeping contact. 153cbm. SSW5/4, overcast, hazy, visibility 3sm, ~1000mb. - RST - 0826 - The forward sweeper runs back to the convoy. Came as close as 2400m but didn't see us. Fortunately, he doesn't have radar. The Heavy Cruiser is identified as a Dorsetshire Class Cruiser (40), runs in the port column of the convoy, and has a radar with 3000m range. 0907 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.: Convoy 0650/23 now in Qu.1798AM middle left, on course 96°, speed 7kn. 1 Heavy Cruiser is Dorsetshire Class, runs in port column, has 3000m range radar. Forward sweeper is Clemson Destroyer, has no radar. Keeping contact. SSW5/4, overcast, hazy, visibility 3sm, ~1000mb. - RST - 0923 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: RST: No other boats available. Attack if possible. Boat running to Luff-side of convoy. On course 129°. 1001 - Contact report from U 564 (Suhren) on convoy HG.75. 1004 - Contact report from U 206 (Opitz) on convoy HG.75. 1006 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.: Convoy 0650/23 now in Qu.1798AM bottom right, on course 98°, speed 7kn. Attack due to no internal eels not possible. Keeping contact. Forward stbd escort is V&W Destroyer, has no radar. SSW5/4, overcast, hazy, visibility 3sm, ~1000mb. - RST - 1028 - Contact report from U 71 (Flachsenberg) on convoy HG.75. After 2h, the forward sweeper runs back to the convoy again. 1051 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: RST: Attack if possible. Send status report after attack. The forward stbd escort (V&W destroyer) goes on a search pattern until 1105h. 1122 - At a distance of 6000m, the stbd column of the convoy comes into sight. After 30 min., the forward stbd escort goes on a search pattern again, until 1140h. 1200 - Qu.1933AM - Days Run: 152.3sm - (↗24h). 151.2cbm (3.5cbm/24h). On course 97°. 10,000Ah. 8 external Ato. Weather unchanged since 23h. Reached enemy air cover zone of England. - to be continued - |
U 113 (IXC) - 2nd War Patrol - Serving as contact keeper
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+++++ - continued from 23 October 1941, 1200h - 1214 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.: Convoy 0650/23 now at intersection point of Qu.17/18/19/01AM, on course 98°, speed 7kn. Still no attack possible due to no internal eels. Convoy consists of 5-6 columns. Keeping contact. SSW5/4, overcast, hazy, visibility 3sm, ~1000mb. - RST - 1240 - The stbd fwd escort (V&W destroyer) goes on a search pattern. Showing the destroyer our stern, going on course south. 1249 - A L-Class destroyer comes into sight, must be the stbd. rear escort, also, has no radar. Cmdr.: "We showed the V&W Destroyer our stern at the right time." 1255 - The rear escort runs back to the convoy. 1300 - Received new attack order from B.d.U. Convoy very likely is SC.49 (left Sydney on 11 Oct., arrived in Liverpool on 27 Oct.) 1303 - Contact report from U 564 (Suhren) on convoy HG.75. 1306 - Contact report from U 206 (Opitz) on convoy HG.75. 1326 - The stbd. rear escort comes into sight bearing 27°, E=5000, on search pattern. Evading on surface. 1330 - Contact report from U 71 (Flachsenberg) on convoy HG.75. 1343 - Flower Corvette ahead, also, no radar, on search pattern. Must be the rear escort. Evaded on surface. 1403 - Contact report from U 564 (Suhren) on convoy HG.75. 1413 - The stbd. rear L-Class destroyer comes into sight, bearing 298°, E=2800, turns to course east and runs off at high speed. Must have been on a search pattern. Cmdr.: "This would mean, that the convoy is now on course south." 1450 - The stbd. rear L-Class destroyer comes into sight again, E=3000, turns to course east again and runs off at high speed. Must have been on another search pattern. 1500 - Diving for sound check and trial dive. At reception depth, sound contact with the convoy in Qu.0112AM top right, on course east. At 1504h and 1507h, received contact reports from U-Suhren and U-Opitz from convoy HG.75. - to be continued - |
U53 - Type VIIb - 3rd patrol - part 5
November 14, 1939 AM53
0334 Wake up call from sonar operator: sound contact, seems like a merchant but it's still too faint to be sure. Surfacing and closing distance. 0344 Ship spotted! Seems a small cargo vessel. Bee-lining to us. U53 will stay on the surface but will run a bit lower and slower for a while. 0348 A fire started on the target! Perhaps it sustained an attack on its way here and was damaged. Identified as a british Passenger/Cargo, speed 8 knots. I guess we can finish her off with our deck gun. Man the guns and ahead flank! 0354 Down she goes! That was quick, the previous attack had her damaged quite a lot, I guess. Reported to BdU, back to previous course. 1142 grid AM53 Wind picked up to 15 meters per second, sea conditions make for difficult sailing. U53 will cruise submerged for 2 hours and surface just to recharge batteries, rinse and repeat till the wind slow down a bit. 1812 Faint sound contact detected east of our position. Surfacing and closing the gap. 1843 Contact is somewhat closer but now SSE of U53. Either it changed course or I made a mistake in guessing her course...obviously it changed course...mmm... 1907 Ship spotted! Again a small cargo. Down to periscope depth. We will determine speed and identify her properly. 1912 British small merchant crusing at 8 knots. Weather conditions won't allow deck gun usage so we will shot one torpedo. 1917 Torpedo impact! This time I got her in the bow. Huge fire burning. Running parallel. 1921 Huge secondary explosion! Target slowed down, nose almost always under the surface. Looks like it will go down soon. 1923 She is sinking! Seems like hitting them on the bow is the most effective tactic. Must offer a beer to Kapitän next time we meet at Nightclub. Back on course and leaving the area. |
U 113 (IXC) - 2nd War Patrol - Searching for convoy HX.155
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+++++ - continued from 23 October 1941, 1500h - 1510 - Commencing trial dive acc. B.d.U. Standing Order 507, 135rpm/3kn. 1535 - Boat is safe and secure at 2A-Meter. Setting reception depth. 1552 - At reception depth. The convoy can now be heard in Qu.0113AM middle left. Cmdr.: "This means, that my previous assumption that the convoy was heading south, was incorrect." 1600 - Surfaced after 1h and 2.7sm. Weather unchanged. 1609 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.: According sound contact, convoy 0650/23 at 1600h in Qu.0113AM middle left, on course east, slow speed. Has 6 escorts, 2 destroyers on each side and in front, 1 corvette in back, no radar. Have 8 external Ato and 151cbm. Torpedo loading not possible due to weather. Heading west. SSW5/4, overcast, visibility 3sm, ~1000mb. - RST - 1632 - Contact report from U-Flachsenberg from convoy HG.75. 1649 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: RST: Message received. Until further notice, further radio transmission via short wave frequency. 1753 - Sundown. Weather unchanged. 1950 - New course 297°. Boat is operating on convoy HX.155. 2114 - Contact report from U 564 (Suhren) on convoy HG.75. 2201 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: RST: Convoy HX.155 is approaching target patrol area. Code word is "Taskforce". Warning: Be aware of friendly units! Good luck and Happy Hunting! 2337 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: B-Dienst is reporting a small enemy convoy in Qu.1671AM, on course ESE, speed 5kn. Boat continues to operate on convoy HX.155. Cmdr.: U 71 made contact with convoy HG.75 at 0030 in CG 9585. A little later U 564 and U 206 also reported it. The convoy was steering on a mean course of approximately 270°. The boats maintained contact during the whole day. This was a noteworthy performance, not to be expected in this area which is within the range of aircraft operating from Gibraltar, and in face of a strong convoy escort (10 escort vessels, 3 destroyers). The last position report came from U 564, CG 8835, at 2114h. Air reconnaissance did not find the convoy in spite of the several shadowing reports which were transmitted by the U-boats. This fact is in opposition to past experience, where it has often been found that aircraft are more reliable in finding a convoy in a large area. It shows however, how dependent air reconnaissance is on the weather for results. RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U 113 (IXC) - 2nd War Patrol - Boat operating on enemy task force
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+++++ - Third week at sea completed - 0102 - Incoming F.T.: From U 563: Torpedoed one steamer and one destroyer from convoy HG.75. Sinking not observed. - Bargsten - 0500 - Morning Dawn. 0625 - Qu.1755AM - 0642 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since 22 Oct., 1420h. 0740 - Own boats of Group Reissewolf (Tearing Wolf), positioned in Qu.3666AL on course SW and in Qu.3832AL on course NNE. This Group is intended to pick up the ON-convoy which according to Radio Intercept reports, is supposed to be in this area, and it consists of the following boats: U 73 (VIIB, Kptlt.Helmut Rosenbaum) U 77 (VIIC, Kptlt.Heinrich Schonder) U 101 (VIIB, Kptlt.Ernst Mengersen) U 432 (VIIC, Oblt.Heinz-Otto Schultze) U 502 (IXC, Kptlt.Jürgen von Rosenstiel) U 568 (VIIC, Kptlt.Joachim Preuss) - formerly, Commander of our sister boat U 10 U 751 (VIIC, Kptlt.Gerhard Bigalk) 1014 - Incoming F.T.1010/24: From B.d.U.: B-Dienst reporting an enemy task force in Qu.3489AL middle right, on course east, speed 7kn. 1102 - Boat operating on enemy task force 1010/24. New course 0°, speed 2xH.F. 1200 - Qu.1713AM - Days Run: 151.3sm - ↗ 148.6 (23h 00') - ↘ 2.7sm (1h 00'). 149.5cbm (1.7cbm/24h). On course 0°. 9850Ah. 8 external Ato. Weather unchanged since 22 Oct., 1420h. 1540 - Boats of Group Reissewolf (Tearing Wolf), positioned in Qu.3666AL on course NE and in Qu.3669AL on course South. 1737 - New course 270°. Slow Ahead. 1757 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since 22 Oct., 1420h. 1801 - Norddeich Radio sending report about the French Vichy Government, allowing German naval units to be transferred to the Mediterranean, via the Seine and Rhône rivers. Also, a heavy air raid of the RAF on Kiel reported. 1825 - Diving for sound check. Nothing heard on reception depth and on T=30. 1900 - Surfaced after 35min. and 1.7sm. New course 248°, speed 2xH.F. Boat operating again on convoy HX.155. 1945 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.: On 24 Oct., 1900h, nothing found from enemy task force 1010/24, in Qu.1379AM. Running off to SW and continue Op. on convoy HX.155. SSW5/4, overcast, hazy, visibility 3sm, ~1000mb. - RST - 1950 - Boats of Group Reissewolf (Tearing Wolf), positioned in Qu.1542AM on course SE. 2004 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: RST: Message received. As of now, all further F.T. transmission on LW 20.4kHz. 2121 - New course 180°. 2220 - Boats of Group Reissewolf (Tearing Wolf), positioned in Qu.3693AL on course North. Boat operating again on convoy HX.155. RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U53 - Type VIIb - 3rd patrol - part 6
November 15, 1939 Grid Area AM53
0746 Sound contact! Possible merchant to the West. Up on the surface and dashing toward it. Cloud overcast, wind 11 meters per second, no rain. 0811 Sound contact is now SSW of us. Sounds much closer but no visual contact yet. Changing course to get into better position. 0817 Ship spotted! Looks like a large one. I'll try to establish how fast it's moving. 0822 Terget speed is 8 knots. We already are in a good position. U53 will now dive and move into firing position. 0829 Target is a British large merchant, distance 650 meters. Will shot two eels, spread 6 degrees. 0830 Hit her with both! Fires onboard, on the bow deck and around the funnel. Running parallel. No other sound contacts detected. 0849 Huge secondary explosion. Target has slowed down to 3 knots. Nose is now dipping into the waves quite often. Looking good... 0858 She is going down. Nice prey. U53 now moves away from the area. 1022 Ship spotted! Small cargo cruising West at 9 knots. Changed course to NW for a quick dash on the surface. 1035 Down to periscope depth and moving north to get as close as possible. Sea condition gives us no chance to use deck gun, so we will shot one eel. Target is a passenger/Cargo. 1052 Torpedo impact! Small fire visible on the target deck. U53 will now tail it. 1146 Fire keeps going on and off. Target slowed down to 6 knots. 1258 Secondary explosion. Target slowed down to 3 knots and much lower on her back. Waves are lapping her decks. 1330 She is sinking. I was beginning to fear I had to use another torpedo. There is a faint sound contact ENE of us. U53 will surface and move that way. 1452 Ship spotted at last! Seems like a large merchant sailing ESE. Diving and getting into firing position. 1523 Fire! Two eels, spread 5 degree, distance about 800 meters. 1524 One hit one miss! Argh! Running parallel...will that one hit be enough? it was right in the middle but it started no fire...We'll see. 1638 She is down to 3 knots and low on the water...good. 1750 Target is barely crawling at one knot but still afloat...Weather has changed: the sky is almost clear and sea seems less choppy. 1837 Can't wait anymore. Sea conditions seems good enough for a surface attack. If not so we will launch another eels, solution is ready. Up we go! 1841 No more deck gun shells and we had to use the flak gun too. She is now a sinking burning wreck. Reported to BdU. Clearing the area. 1933 Ship spotted! Possibly a Coastal tanker moving our way. Diving to avoid detection since we are quite close. 1944 Firing from stern tube at less than 500 meters. Cannot miss...I hope. 1944 Torpedo impact! big explosion, she is burning. Should be enough. 2109 She ended up with big fireworks! took long enough. Leaving the area on a SSW course, time to start our trip back home November 16, 1939 AM53 0104 Sound contact! We just submerged for a quick check and we got this. Nice. Moving West to intercept. 0126 Ship spotted! Target is a Granville type freighter crusing on a West-East course at 8 knots. U53 is now heading North for a 90° attack. 0148 A dud! A frigging dud! We are turning and accelerating as fast as we can. I'll launch our last eel from astern. Must time it well, she is zigzagging already. 0154 Got her right in the back! Hope it's enough, we just have some flak ammo left... 0157 She stopped. Probably that one hit damaged propellers or engine. Let's wait and see 0235 She is now much lower on the water, her back almost level with the waves. That's good. 0341 She is going down. No sound contact in the area. Surfacing and moving toward our base. No eels and no deck gun shells. Reporting to BdU. Time to go home. November 20, 1939 Wilhelmshaven 0441 Rain pour on U53 while docking at our base. Time to rest for a bit Patrol results Crew losses: 0 Ships sunk: 13 Aircraft destroyed: 0 Patrol tonnage: 54287 tons |
U 113 (IXC) - 2nd War Patrol - Boat operating on small convoy
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+++++ 0020 - Boats of Group Reissewolf (Tearing Wolf), positioned in Qu.1541AM on course SSW and in Qu.3698AL on course NE. 0145 - Qu.3699AL. On course 297°. Slow Ahead. 0350 - Boats of Group Reissewolf (Tearing Wolf), positioned in Qu.3698AL on course South. 0500 - Morning dawn. 0637 - Sunrise. SE7/6, overcast, hazy, visibility 3sm, ~1000mb. 0820 - Boats of Group Reissewolf (Tearing Wolf), positioned in Qu.1544AM on course SW and in Qu.3698AL on course NNE. 1200 - Qu.3656AL - Days Run: 212.2sm - ↗ 210.5 (23h 25') - ↘ 1.7sm (35'). 140.7cbm (8.8cbm/24h). On course 297°. 9500Ah. 8 external Ato. Weather unchanged since Sunrise. 1320 - Qu.3655AL - 1341 - Incoming F.T.: From U-Ferraris (I-32): While operating on convoy HG.75, attacked by Catalina aircraft, fuel tank ruptured, unable to dive. Returning to base. - Kptlt. Flores - 1510 - Incoming F.T.: From U-Ferraris (I-32): In gun battle with enemy destroyer. Preparing for scuttling of boat, because unable to dive. Please remember us. - Kptlt. Filippo Flores - (I-32 Galileo Ferraris, was scuttled when being attacked by HMS Lamerton (Hunt Class), while shadowing convoy HG.75 west of Lisbon, 5 dead, 52 survivors) 1630 - Boats of Group Reissewolf (Tearing Wolf), positioned in Qu.3663AL on course NE and in Qu.3669AL on course South. 1655 - Reaching enemy air cover zone of Iceland. 1750 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Sunrise. 2338 - Incoming F.T.2330/25: From B.d.U.: B-Dienst reporting a small enemy convoy in Qu.3412AL, on course ESE, speed 5kn. 2400 - Cmdr.: Apparently, we have missed convoy HX.155. I therefore, have decided to operate on convoy 2330/25. RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U 113 (IXC) - 2nd War Patrol - Boat keeping contact with small convoy
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+++++ 0037 - Incoming F.T.2350/25: From U 83: Made contact with 3 destroyers of convoy HG.75 in CF 6959. - Kraus - 0055 - Qu.3611AL. New course 64°, speed 2xH.F. 0500 - Morning Dawn. 0512 - F.T.0510/26: From B.d.U.: B-Dienst reporting that convoy 2330/25 is positioned in Qu.3419AL, on course 117°, speed 5kn. 0517 - On new course 0°. 0530 - Incoming F.T.: From U 83: Have torpedoed from convoy HG.75, the Catapult Ship HMS Ariguani (F105) 6746ts. - Kraus - 0621 - Slow Ahead. "Maneuver Stations!". 0624 - As plotted, the convoy comes into sight, E=4000-5000m. Turing hard to stbd., and going on parallel course 117°. Boat is positioned perfectly on the luff side of the convoy. Convoy is running in keel line and consists of from front to back: Medium Tanker 7710ts, Fish Factory Ship 5460ts, HogIsland Freighter 4687ts. 0629 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.: "Gustav Gelb!". Convoy 2330/25 sighted in Qu.3451AL, on course 114°, speed 5kn. SE7/6, overcast, hazy visibility 3sm, ~1000mb. - RST - 0644 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged in 24h. 0728 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.: Convoy 2330/25 now in Qu.3451AL bottom right, on course 117°, speed 5kn. Convoy is running in keel line and consists of from front to back: Medium Tanker 7710ts, Fish Factory Ship 5460ts, HogIsland Freighter 4687ts. SE7/6, overcast, hazy visibility 3sm, ~1000mb. - RST - 0754 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: RST: Attack if possible. Beware of escorts. Keep radio silence. 0808 - New course 110°, speed 1/3-Ahead. Running off from convoy. 0820 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.: Convoy 2330/25 now in Qu.3455AL, on course 117°, speed 5kn. Attack not possible, because of no internal torpedoes and weather not permitting loading of external torpedoes. Running off and heading south. - RST - 0856 - Incoming F.T.: From U 83: Expended all torpedoes, but still staying near convoy HG.75, as long as the state of fuel permitting. 0921 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: RST: Message received. Until further notice, further F.T. traffic via KW. 0925 - Qu.3455AL. Course 180°. 1200 - Qu.3482AL - Days Run: 166.9sm - (↗24h). 137.1cbm (3.6cbm/24h). On course 180°. 9500Ah. 8 external Ato. Weather unchanged since Sunrise, 25 Oct. - to be continued - |
U 113 (IXC) - 2nd War Patrol - Operating again on convoy HX.155
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+++++ - continued from 26 October 1941, 1200h - 1300 - Diving for trial dive acc. B.d.U. Standing Order 507. 135rpm, 3kn. 1325 - Boat is safe and secure at 2A-Meters. Setting reception depth. 1341 - At reception depth. 1345 - Surfaced after 45min. and 1.9sm. Weather unchanged. 9300Ah. 1540 - Boats of Group Reissewolf (Tearing Wolf), positioned in Qu.3666AL on course NE and in Qu.3669AL on course South. 1756 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Sunrise, 25 Oct. 1835 - Qu.3655AL - 2350 - Boats of Group Reissewolf (Tearing Wolf), positioned in Qu.3666AL on course North and in Qu.3669AL on course WSW. Boat operating again on convoy HX.155. RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U 113 (IXC) - 2nd War Patrol - Op. against convoy HX.155 is cancelled
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+++++ 0215 - Qu.3855AL - 0101 - Incoming F.T.: From U 206: Torpedoed a tanker, failed to detonate! Continuing on, as pursuit of tanker is not possible due to high speed. - Opitz - 0301 - Incoming F.T.: From U 206: Was able to engage tanker after all. Tanker 7000ts sunk. He who laughs last laughs best. - Opitz - 0500 - Morning Dawn. 0601 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: For Commanders eyes only: Convoy HX.155: Cancel operation. Great Job, Everyone! Boats that still have torpedoes, try to pursue convoy independently, but keep in mind, that enemy air cover zone will be reached soon. Be aware of enemy aircraft! As of now, released for independent hunting. Cmdr.: As the operation on convoy HX.155 has been cancelled, I decide to go on delayed transfer back to base. 0643 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since 48h. 0900 - Incoming F.T.: From U 74: "Gustav Gelb!". Have sighted convoy ON.28. About 40 ships. U.S.A. escorts, 5 destroyers and 1 naval tanker. Keeping contact. - Kentrat - 0945 - Qu.0355AL - 1200 - Qu.0385AL - Days Run: 178.8sm - ↗ 176.9 (23h 15') - ↘ 1.9sm (45'). 131.9cbm (5.2cbm/24h). On course 180°. 9300Ah. 8 external Ato. Weather unchanged since Sunrise, 25 Oct. 1755 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Sunrise, 25 Oct. 1802 - Norddeich Radio sending report about RAF air raid on Kiel. 1830 - Boat not operating on ship report in Qu.6394AL, on course ENE, slow speed, due to no internal torpedoes and weather. Boat operating acc. Op.-Orders as per F.T.0601/27. RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U 113 (IXC) - 2nd War Patrol - On delayed return cruise
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+++++ 0500 - Morning Dawn. 0642 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged in 72h. 0701 - Incoming F.T.: From U 432: Have sunk from convoy HG.75, the British steamer Ulea 1574ts. - Schultze - 1200 - Qu.6997AL - Days Run: 182.8sm - (↗24h). 127.5cbm (4.4cbm/24h). On course 180°. 9300Ah. 8 external Ato. NE7/6, overcast, light haze, medium visibility, ~1000mb, turning North. 1430 - NW7/6, overcast, light haze, medium visibility, ~1000mb, 1507 - Further contact keeping reports from convoy HG.75, from U 563 (Bargsten) and U 564 (Suhren). 1800 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since 1430h. 2323 - Last shadowing report from convoy HG.75, from U 564 (Suhren), in BE 7945. Boat operating acc. Op.-Orders as per F.T.0601/27. RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U48 - Type VIIb - 1st patrol - part 1
December 7, 1939 Kiel
0703 I've been transferred to U-flottilla Weddigen. I'm now in command of U48, a type VIIb uboat based in Kiel. The official reason for my transfer is they needed someone with more experience here...noone believed it, really. The real reason is probably me sharing my unwanted opinion about some son of an important political figure being enrolled in our flotilla but never having to sail once. (The real real reason is me installing SH3 commander and messing things up :har:) Anyway, here I'm. A new ship, new crew, same old war. Our assigned patrol area is grid AN82. Off we go. December 14, 1939 AN82 1406 Just reached our assigned patrol area. Performed some drills on the way here to get to know the boat and the crew. Weather was quite good for the most part but in the last few hours got cloudy and a bit wind. Time to dive. 1632 Sound contact! Merchant, east of our position, long range closing slowly. Hopefully our first prey. 1702 Ship spotted! It's a small cargo vessel going 6 knots. Sea conditions are not good enough for a deck gun attack. Changing course to run a 90° submerged attack. 1723 Torpedo impact! Small fire visible on the target bow, let's wait and see. 1909 She is going down! Took a while, but at least one eel was enough. Resuming previous course. December 15, 1939 AN82 1426 Patrol completed. One ship sunk. U48 is now moving SW. It's raining a lot and visibility is really poor. 1952 Ship spotted at very close range! Just in front of us a merchant is emerging from the fog less than a km away! 1953 A British passenger cargo, not much time to properly establish course and speed but we are so close it should not matter. Fire and...dive! 1953 They spotted us and begun turning just a couple of seconds before our eel struck her almost amidship. Big fire. U48 is now at periscope depth and turning as fast as she can to go on a parallel course. 2033 Target is sinking. We got lucky, were that cargo a few hundred meters off we would have not seen it, were it closer we would have had a collision. Resuming previous course, will leave the area submerged, were any warship sent to this area we could not spot it with this weather. |
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Sometimes, one has to improvise in their story telling ... :03: |
U 113 (IXC) - 2nd War Patrol - No sight of convoy HG.75
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+++++ 0500 - Mornig Dawn. 0638 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since 28 Oct., 1430h. 1200 - Qu.2337BE - Days Run: 194.5sm - (↗24h). 123.1cbm (4.4cbm/24h). On course 180°. 9300Ah. 8 external Ato. NW7/6, overcast, light haze, medium visibility, ~1000mb. 1300 - Diving for trial dive acc. B.d.U. Standing Order 507. 135rpm, 3kn. 1325 - Boat is safe and secure at 2A-Meters. Setting reception depth. 1341 - At reception depth. 1345 - Surfaced after 45min. and 2.0sm. Weather unchanged. 9100Ah. Cmdr.: Nothing seen or heard of convoy HG.75, which should be in fairly close proximity to our position. 1800 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since 28 Oct., 1430h. 2200 - Wind and Sea improving slightly, shifting East. 2400 - ENE6/5, overcast, hazy, medium visibility, ~1000mb. Boat operating acc. Op.-Orders as per F.T.0601/27. RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
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