Scapa Flow - U-52's final mission. many pics, story
 

U-52 - last mission of Type7b

In early morning of April 1940, after completing a rather short patrol off the Scandinavian peninsular, U-52 had only managed to sink a small merchant, waste a few torpedoes along the way (duds…) and really, things looked rather boring.

A mission to Scapa Flow was in my mind ever since the first patrol, and now that we are into 7th, it was about time to try something at the base of the Home Fleet… My proximity to the base was quite helpful, as I’d have enough fuel to get there and back; taking down may be a capital ship along the way…

I decided to approach the harbor from the west. The southern entrance looked way too open and should have been swarming with destroyers. A silent move through the narrow western channel, at night and during a rough weather might do the trick. And so the course was plotted to get there just by early morning – some visibility, but still dark enough to make the attack.

At 3:52 we were very close to the harbor, with the channel behind us, and amusingly shallow waters that made for some careful navigation.
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/5351/story16qk.jpg

Now though, the depth was gaining just a little, and it made me feel a little better in the circumstances – hiding from destroyers with 1m under keel worries me.

From the reports, the Scapa Flow must have a few ships this time of year on station, but the intelligence was definite only about the 23,000t fleet carrier – HMS Illustrious. Sure enough, the sonar man begun to pick up noises from the east. Corvettes, destroyers…

The next part of my story may sound strange, but see, we got this guy… He can see like a cat at night. Really. It’s still pitch dark, but he notices a silhouette on the horizon. 13km away. I kid you not!
http://img285.imageshack.us/img285/6048/story155kv.jpg

Well, I trust my men, so I trusted him this time. Plotted the location and now that I knew the approximate position, the dilemma was the time – will I get there before the morning? I mean I like my boat, but I’d rather get home 1 day sooner… In the end, I went ahead flank submerged, even though it was still quite dark…

4.24 Just half an hour it took us to get close to the career. I can’t see it, but this guy says it’s there – so we proceed, slowly this time – 3knts, submerged. Being careful. I can’t leave this place empty handed.
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2050/story25bv.jpg

Very slow we went, and I learned something new about this area… It’s deep. Very deep. 50+ meters and seems it can be even more, may be 70. And the best part it seems to get deeper towards the coast… Has to be a great place to hide.. This is where I made up my mind on the approach angle – it will be from the northern coast. I’ll be facing the exit south, while the deep waters should serve me well in case it gets hot. Something tells me there aren’t many places in Scapa that can be 70m deep so it’s a no-brainer for me at this stage.
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/7827/story218yz.jpg

I take a peek into periscope, before I begin my ‘hook’ maneuver and get behind the carrier… but wait? What the heck? That guy said nothing about an 14k tonn cruiser! … 2 of them?? Too good to be true! 2 Auxillary cruisers, nicely stacked 1km apart, side by side… but they are perpendicular to carrier…
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/1094/story240kd.jpg

Now I have to decide – I have just enough torpedoes left for the three of them, but I can’t afford more than 2 torpedoes for each cruiser… So what’s best? Take out the fat carrier, or both cruisers? I decide to get between the cruisers and simultaneously fire aft and forward torpedoes – this way if I’m lucky and have no more duds, I’ll get 28 tons. The carrier in distance will be alerted, but unlikely run away. I decide to make a little de-tour and take out the cruisers. It’s about 5:15am

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/6847/story252kd.jpg

After some final preparations, everything was double checked. I gave the order to open fire. First the aft tube, than the forward. I aimed directly below the front turrets – where the ammo bunkers are. I remember well that in training, hitting those spots often resulted in a kill-hit. 2 fast torpedoes, and 30s later, the hell will break loose. Time to make my way out from here and head for the carrier. Given the time, I think I’m looking at a full day on the bottom, waiting till the evening to take the carrier out. But that’s something I’ll have live with (or live through!).

The torpedoes hit, no duds. Thanks for that.
One to my bow got hit right where I wanted. It blew up and sunk fast.
http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/9020/story311gx.jpg

The one to my stern needed a second torpedo, that was quickly reloaded.
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1813/story324ob.jpg

3 Torpedoes, 28,000 tons. Not too bad. Now the sonar went crazy…
http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/1893/story332jl.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3007/story340xv.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/7450/story352tr.jpg

The search lights on the carrier are on and scanning the waters.
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/8213/story365we.jpg

I go deep, and slowly make my way round it, using the depth to my advantage, and proceeding at 2knts. .. To get around it, takes quite some time, but I’m finally in a position to open fire. I look at the time – yup, it’s not so dark anymore… The sun is begging to rise. Should I wait? The destroyers can’t seem to find me. They are looking at the wrong places, but haven’t even begun to ping me. I decide to take my chance – somehow the depth of this area assures me that in case of an attack, I can lie on the bottom and ride it out. I proceed to periscope depth, and according to my charts, I must be very close to it now, at a perfect 90degree attack angle. It’s 6.50am and if I have to attack – I must do it now.
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/5330/story3552js.jpg

I quick look through periscope, 900m, confirmed range, fire 1, magnetic detonation, 2m under keel, electic torpedo… Fire.

But it passes under and does not explode. Is this not my day? I have 4 torpedoes left, all fast ones. Not so stealthy. Oh well, enough is enough – I let her have it – all 4 of them, set to high speed. I fire at the bow, anticipating the probably avoidance maneuver. Naval academy taught me that firing at stationary ships is a risky thing – they often run away. I won’t make this mistake again. All are well on the way, and she has little time to run away.

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2239/story394ih.jpg

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/4936/story402mu.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/4962/story416cz.jpg

3rd hit, just catching the stern. The fourth one missed. Will this be enough?... And I don’t know what to do – run away, hide in deep water… I want to confirm the kill. But the destroyers are steaming ahead. I hear them pinging. I decide to go deep. 60m is the max in this place. I go back slow. The pinging seemed to stop. What are they doing?... For a few hours I stay still, as they scan the area. So close. Yet – nothing. Not even a depth charge. I listen in hydrophones, and a screeching noise tells the story – the carrier is down.
http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/284/story429re.jpg

On the side to be exact. The sun is rising. This was not a good day in Scapa Flow. For me – quite the opposite. Still, I have to get out alive… Once the destroyers calmed down, I decide to make my move – first at 4knts…. All of a sudden I notice that all destroyers stopped? What are they doing? Listening? I don’t know, and wasn’t intent on hanging around to ask them. May be they just went to sleep. Either way, the 3 of them just got stationary. I first thought it was to listen on any movement, but nothing happened – and I was on my way.

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/8463/story436mi.jpg

One last look at the downed carrier.
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1623/story448in.jpg

It took all day to leave Scapa Flow. Only in the evening, when the sun was setting, I took the boat up. It was relatively safe.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6654/story601pz.jpg

I made my way home, fast, on surface, eager to get my medals… Yes, we do it for the medals.. Anyway, after meeting a friendly DD, I got into port, just before the sun set.

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/8089/story725jr.jpg

And there, I got my medals.
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3275/story806uz.jpg

So long Type7B, the last patrol has ended in style, and I take command of a new boat – the Type7C. :rock: :arrgh!:

Loved the story and the screenshots. I was glad it had a happy ending - after I read the title of the thread I assumed that your boat had been lost.

I make a title of thread to drag people into it. :|\ :yep:

Bravo, Herr Kapitan........a toast to you! :up:

A most excellent read! And I am also very happy that this was not the 'sad ending' the topic had me expecting!

Three cheers for the noble Captain and Crew of the U-52!

yeah... a verrrry exciting read... the shots were great...

(a carrier... you nailed a carrier... you lucky seadog!!!! :up: :up: )



--Mike

Half a bottle of beer for each of your crew :-j

Nice pics and story! I liked the atmospheric shots from inside the sub.

I was in there with the VIIB myself once, and took out the carrier and cruiser. Many, many moons ago... :P I think I actually got a bit disappointed of how easy it was getting in and out.

Yes, it was rather easy to get out, but I just didn't expect that at the time - I thought I'd get hounded by DDs. I'm glad it went ok, and finding the deep place there was certainly a help. I was in Loch Ewe once and there - it's so shallow that sinking the Nelson was rather difficult.

Fantastic story along with great screenshots! I'm glad this game performs rather smoot despite glorious graphics. :D
You seemed to avoid the subnets, too, and I remember a map correctly, you only did so veeeery slightly.

Excellant post and pics. Makes me want to venture in there.

Beginner's luck. :up: :|\ :huh: :huh:

Great patrol and great post.

Been thinking of going to Scapa myself, but as I'm only commanding a Type II, it's probably not worth the risk.

Thanks for sharing... but alas my firewall knocks down the photos.

Enjoyed the story anyhow :up:

Some great firewall! :rotfl: