[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

Started a new career in August 2019, to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...

****

KTB - U 112

Friday, 30 August 1940 - North of Rockall

(...)


2012 - Incoming F.T.2010/30 from B.d.U.:
B-Dienst reports enemy convoy in Qu.1765AM, course east, 7kn.

2022 - Altering course from 135° to 270°.

2105 - "Smoke plume ahead stbd.!"

It's the forward sweeper of the convoy escorts, a V&W destroyer. Turning boat around on new heading 90°.

Cmdr.: "I position myself forward of the stbd. beam of the convoy."

2118 - Outgoing F.T.: "Gustav Gelb"! Convoy 2010/30 in Qu.1765AM, course 91°, 7kn. W2/2, clear, hazy, vis.10000, >1000mb. - RST -

2220 - Outgoing F.T.: Convoy 2010/30 in Qu.1769AM, course 100°, 7kn. 20 vessels, 1 aircraft carrier, 3 escorts. - RST -

2240 - The rear stbd. Flower Corvette goes on a southerly search pattern, rectangular to the convoy course and returns to the convoy after about 30min., and does it again at 2315h.

2318 - Outgoing F.T.: Convoy 2010/30 in Qu.1769AM top right, course 100°, 7kn. 20 vessels, 1 aircraft carrier, 3 escorts. - RST -

2340 - After about 25min., the rear stbd. Flower Corvette returns from its search pattern, only to do it again just as before, at 2349h.

Cmdr.: "Does the convoy know, that it is being shadowed?"

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.

Started a new career in August 2019, to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...

****

KTB - U 112

Saturday, 31 August 1940 - Rockall Bank

0018 - Outgoing F.T.: Convoy 2010/30 in Qu.1847AM middle, course 100°, 7kn. 22 vessels, several laden tankers, Ark Royal, 3 escorts. - RST -

0020 - The rear stbd. Flower Corvette goes on its search pattern just as before and returns to the convoy after about 30min.

0118 - Outgoing F.T.: Convoy 2010/30 in Qu.1847AM bottom right, course 100°, 7kn. 22 vessels, several laden tanker, Ark Royal, 3 escorts. - RST -

0120 - The rear stbd. Flower Corvette returns to the convoy after its 30min. search pattern and leaves again as before, at 0130h.

0155 - Moon rising in 100°true. The moment is favorable to maneuver into attack position, as the forward sweeper is returning to the convoy.

Outgoing F.T.: Convoy 2010/30 in Qu.1848AM bottom middle, course 100°, 7kn. Getting in position for submerged attack. - RST -

0218 - Incoming F.T.: RST: Free to attack! - B.d.U. -

0219 - Outgoing F.T.: Received F.T.0218/31. Convoy 2010/30 in Qu.1849AM bottom right, course 100°, 7kn. Diving for submerged attack. - RST -

0325 - Sunset - Diving for submerged attack. "Battle Stations!"

0331 - Incoming F.T.: RST: Convoy 2010/30 is B.HX.67. Beware of escorts! Keep radio silence! - B.d.U. -

0335 - Course 190°, T=14, silent running, 1.6kn,

0355 - Qu.1873AM - The forward sweeper runs back to the convoy. Altering course to 280° for submerged passing attack.

The target ships are a large tanker in Pos.1 and "Ark Royal" in Pos.2 of the middle column.

Note: A large tanker in Pos.1 of the 2nd stbd. column and a large steamer in the 1st port column are "Ami's" (US-American).

All torpedoes are G7e, K-b/Contact Fuse, running depth 4-5m, target angle 90°port, target distance 500m, target speed 5-7kn.

Tube I against the tanker in pos.1 of the middle column is a hit! The tanker breaks in two and sinks in a gigantic ball of fire within 1min.

Tubes III & IV against Ark Royal hit the stern but fail to detonate, as Ark Royal is turning away to stbd., after the attack against the tanker.

Cmdr: "I attack again with tubes V & VI, which are hits on the bow. The forecastle settles in the water but Ark Royal continues to make headway at a speed of 7kn."

Tube II against a large tanker in pos.4 of the middle column is a hit. This tanker also, breaks in two, explodes in a huge fireball and sinks within seconds.

Cmdr.: "The forward sweeper is looking for us inside the convoy, running around the zig-zagging ships, while the two rear Flower Corvettes are staying in their port and stbd. stations, looking for us outside of the convoy."

0505 - The V&W destroyer is running back to the convoy. Tubes I & II are reloaded with G7e torpedoes.

0508 - Surfaced after 1h43' and 4.3sm. Pursuing the convoy on course 100°.

0535 - Evaded the rear port Flower Corvette on a search pattern, ahead stbd., E=6000.

0540 - Tubes III & IV are reloaded with G7a torpedoes.

0547 - Corvette returns to the convoy.

0607 - Tubes V & VI are reloaded with G7a torpedoes.

0626 - Qu.1818AM - With the darkness having set-in, the boat is in position for a surface attack with the rear tubes against Ark Royal: Own course 155°, own speed 1.6kn. Two single shots from both rear tubes with G7a, K-a/Contact Fuse, running depth 4m, Vt44kn, Shooter: Ltnt.z.S. & I.W.O.Emmo MARBACH.

Both torpedoes are hits! Ark Royal explodes in a huge fireball after the first torpedo hits - must have ignited the forward magazine. The second torpedo hits, while Ark Royal is already sinking. After the attack, running off with high speed on course 55°.

0702 - Course 100°. "Dismissed from Battle Stations!"

- to be continued -