I feel the need to write a battle report for last nights patrol, as it was my most successful in Silent Hunter IV, and also marked the passing of 300 logged hours in what is, without a doubt my favorite simulator/game
.. Since I don't have the sim in front of me, and can't remember the sub designation or the specific class designations of some of the ships sunk, I have taken a few liberties so please excuse any historical innacurracies.
Software used: SH4, Operation Monsun (latest version), OMEGU, Enemies of Germany MOD
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The Torpedo that may change the war, Patrol Report, U-2202
Commanding Officer Oberleutnant Kasey von Johan
January 24th 1945, Nazair, France
We set sail aboard the pride of Germany, our new type XXI U-boat in mid-December from our base in Norway with orders to circle north of England to a grid several hundred kilometers south west of Cornwall and intercept allied shipping.
We had on board a compliment of 1/2 load standard straight run torpedoes, as well as a half load of two experimental torpedo types. 6 'homing' torpedos which the lads from ordanence inform me can track both merchants and escorts, as well as 6 of these newfangled 'ladder formation' torpedos they want us to try. Apparently if I can master these, a comfortable desk top training future U-boat captains awaits me in Berlin.
We spent the 3.5 weeks transiting to our patrol grid surface running at night, and snorkelling by day. As we approached England, allied air patrols increased forcing us to run submerged and on battery during the day. No shipping was spotted en route but many planes. The allies seem to be dropping seeker torpedos during the day near us, leading me to believe we may have a spy on board or an intelligence leak back home. Thankfully these attempts were futile, as the torpedos cannot track us submerged and running silent. No night time patrols were spotted, thankfully, allowing us to make good progress to our target grid.
A large convoy was reported 1000km west of us. 10 days before arrival, tracking towards our destination. I decided to proceed with the mission, in the hopes command wished us to intercept this convoy at our expected arrival position. We risked a few hours of surface travel during twilight hours to ensure we arrived well ahead of the convoy. A few aircraft spootted, in all cases we dove to avoid. Depth charges and homing torpedos did no damage.
Upon arrival to our destination grid, we patrolled for three uneventful days. At dusk of the third day Sonar reported a warship sound contact 25 NM north east. we snorkelled to a closer position.
We discovered a group of 6 British Corvettes. Normally, I would avoid these but I saw an opportunity to test the Fuhrer's newest weapons. From a depth of 40 feet I lined up two firing solutions, one for two of the homing torpedos and one for two of the ladder type that would take them on a route that should pass most of the Corvette convoy.
Four fish fired. One homing torpedo misguided, the other hit and destroyed a corvette. 1 minute later both ladder torpedos made contact with targets. All 3 enemy ships sunk.
the remaining corvettes immediately started depth charging, but their sonar procedures seemed poor and we were able to move to about 1 mile separation. I ordered secure from silent running and a reload of the same torpedo types. This boat is so quick to reload her torpedos, we were ready to fire all four within 10 minutes. My commendations to my torpedo crew.
With our second attack we dispatched two more corvettes with single hits from the homing torpedos. I fired two more ladder torps at the remaining corvette as she ran. Both missed. We remain on station.
2 days later more warships on contact. 6 american frigates and a flat top in the middle heading south west - straight for us. Daylight hours and 15m/sec winds make a periscope attack impossible ..I fired all 6 torpedos on sonar bearings. 2 homers, 2 ladders, 2 standard. All miss except one ladder which makes contact with the american carrier. Again, poor ASW tactics mean we were able to exit the depth charging zone and reload.
We have now only standard torpedos remaining. We have been ordered to sink the carrier at all cost before we dove.
I order the boat to run silent into a good firing position. As luck would have it, the american convoy passes near us and the flat top directly overhead.
I order a 180 degree turn, increase to flank speed and an immediate blow ballast. Now is not the time for caution. We halt the boat at persicope depth and put up two scopes for a quick view of the field. The american carrier and two frigates are lined up right in front of us. We mark bearings and distance, scope down, and immediately dive to 55 meters. Some light machine gun fire damage to our observation scope as we dove. It could have been much worse.
At depth, all 6 tubes fired towards the last known position of the cluster of ships. Two contact the carrier, one contacts a frigate. Both ships destroyed. Glory to Germany.
Many hours of depth charging follow. Some light damage to a few compartments but we are able to escape. Empty of torpedos we now head to Nazaire, France to resupply.
En route we find a single, lone british merchant. A small vessel with a coal powered prop and two sails heading south towards france. At night, weather conditions poor but we are able to man the AA guns. I order the crew to fire upon her with both high explosive and armor piercing rounds. Several exposions aboard and crew killed. Pilothouse destroyed but her engines would not quit nor would she sink. at 25% remaining ammunition we broke off our attack and returned to course.
Many aircraft in the area en route to france, but all clear at night. Weather has improved the closer we sail to shore. We wait at the shallows for the cover of night to make our final run to the Nazair Port.
Report ends
Oberleutnant, Casey Von Johann
U-2202