I propose to follow the first patrol of: Max-Hermann Bauer.
U-Boat type: VIIB
Name: U-50
Emblem: Dolphin (not within SH3 so used Shark)
Flotilla: 7th
The following parameters/game options exist:
- Dead Is Dead
- Stabilize view is checked
- Map updates is checked, but used sparingly; in effect as a second opinion with the WO and WE. It is active for the following reasons IMO:
- Watchman and watch crew would constantly give target updates when on the bridge when weather conditions allowed
- Sonar and navigator would also continually update information passed to them
- When decks awash it will symbolise the crew on the bridge making observations rather than disappearing into the control room
- Fatigue is unchecked
- Randomised ship tonnage is checked
- Malfunctions and random crush depth is checked
- External view is checked for eye candy but used sparingly
- TC maximum is 512
- Historical route within reason will be used
- Realism is at 85% (GWX and SHCmdr)
- Ship spotted bearings will be as per in-game, not true bearings
- Deck gun load time is 10 seconds
The patrols will be set out as a KTB, which I will endeavour to show as near as possible how they may have looked using historical examples.
Max-Hermann Bauer
Born: 24 July 1912, Rüstringen
Died: 6 Apr 1940, North Atlantic
Promotions:
1 Apr 1930 Offiziersanwärter
1 Jan 1932 Fähnrich zur See
1 Sep 1934 Oberfähnrich zur See
1 Oct 1934 Leutnant zur See
1 Jun 1936 Oberleutnant zur See
1 Apr 1949 Kapitänleutnant
1 May 1940 Korvettenkäpitan (posthumous)
Decorations:
23 Nov 1939 U-Boat War Badge 1939
23 Nov 1939 Iron Cross Second Class
3 Mar 1940 Iron Cross First Class
U-Boat Commands
1 Nov 1937 to 24 Nov 1939 U-18, Type IIB
12 Dec 1939 to 6 Apr 1940 U-50, Type VIIB
U-50 Historical Facts:
Only 2 war patrols. Four Merchants were sunk during the first patrol. Three were neutral(!) and one British; a total of 16,089 GRT. It would appear that Bauer was not reprimanded for sinking neutral ships in the first patrol; indeed he was decorated with the Iron Cross First Class.
Patrol 1: 28 days
Departure - Helgoland 6/2/1940
Arrival - Kiel 4/3/1940
Mission - Patrol area of Grid CG(?) The route took U-50 NW of the North Atlantic, around the Outer Hebrides, south to the west of Ireland, ending to the west of north Portugal and back.
Patrol 2: 2 days
Departure - Kiel 5/4/1940
Arrival - Sunk 6/4/1940
Mission - ??
Fate: Sank 6 April 1940 in AN69(?) by a mine. All hands lost.
All information is from the following sources:
http://www.uboat.net/
http://www.uboatarchive.net/
"U-Boat Attack Logs" by Daniel Morgan and Bruce Taylor. Seaforth Publishing.