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RSColonel_131st · 01-23-09, 09:50 AM

This is not what the direct quotes from some sub captains in Patterson's Book say.

Kurt Freiwald of U181 is attributed to have written a report to BdU in August 1944, after his boat arrived in Penang, where he says that his "Bachstelze" was torn away on the first deploying during the transfer cruise due to "faulty repairs". Given that he sailed in April or May 1944, that means that as late as those dates the Fa330 was still used - singular mechanical problems not withstanding. The report as quoted in the book is from BdU documents themself, so the source should be out of question.

There's a second very interesting account from U862, Captain Heinrich Timm, who sailed on 3rd June 1944 from Narvik to the East after repairs, and used the "Bachstelze" to navigate in foggy weather (piloted by his ship's doctor, it was flown above the fog banks to help find the way into clear water while going trough the denmark strait).

At other points in the book it is written that the Bachstelze was NOT regulary used in the Atlantic for it's large radar signature, but much more suited to the Indian Ocean campaign. Especially before 1944, when radar and air threats were much lower there.

It is really surprising that most people seem to go by the wording from U-Boat.net or similar sources and argue that the Fa330 wasn't really used, yet there are accounts from "Monsun" captains who regularly deployed them. Gysae of U177 is said to have been the first captain to use the device in action, on his trip from France to Penang, deploying the thing on at least 30 occasions and ultimately with it's help sinking a greek Steamer on 5th August 1943.

"Only few were used" is insofar correct as there were only a handfull of IXD2 in the east over all. IXD2 in other Ops Areas wouldn't have used them for fear of their radar signature, and other boats in the East (like the IXC) did not have them.

But for what is simulated in game - an IXD2 in the Indian Ocean from Mid-1943 on, the Fa330 shouldn't be a rarity. It could be a fascinating addition to the german side, further highlighting differences between US and German submarine use.

Would be nice of someone picks this up for a mod.

01-23-09, 09:50 AM	#3
RSColonel_131st Medic Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 164 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	This is not what the direct quotes from some sub captains in Patterson's Book say. Kurt Freiwald of U181 is attributed to have written a report to BdU in August 1944, after his boat arrived in Penang, where he says that his "Bachstelze" was torn away on the first deploying during the transfer cruise due to "faulty repairs". Given that he sailed in April or May 1944, that means that as late as those dates the Fa330 was still used - singular mechanical problems not withstanding. The report as quoted in the book is from BdU documents themself, so the source should be out of question. There's a second very interesting account from U862, Captain Heinrich Timm, who sailed on 3rd June 1944 from Narvik to the East after repairs, and used the "Bachstelze" to navigate in foggy weather (piloted by his ship's doctor, it was flown above the fog banks to help find the way into clear water while going trough the denmark strait). At other points in the book it is written that the Bachstelze was NOT regulary used in the Atlantic for it's large radar signature, but much more suited to the Indian Ocean campaign. Especially before 1944, when radar and air threats were much lower there. It is really surprising that most people seem to go by the wording from U-Boat.net or similar sources and argue that the Fa330 wasn't really used, yet there are accounts from "Monsun" captains who regularly deployed them. Gysae of U177 is said to have been the first captain to use the device in action, on his trip from France to Penang, deploying the thing on at least 30 occasions and ultimately with it's help sinking a greek Steamer on 5th August 1943. "Only few were used" is insofar correct as there were only a handfull of IXD2 in the east over all. IXD2 in other Ops Areas wouldn't have used them for fear of their radar signature, and other boats in the East (like the IXC) did not have them. But for what is simulated in game - an IXD2 in the Indian Ocean from Mid-1943 on, the Fa330 shouldn't be a rarity. It could be a fascinating addition to the german side, further highlighting differences between US and German submarine use. Would be nice of someone picks this up for a mod.