[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

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KTB - U 112

Thursday, 7 November 1940 - Southwest of Porcupine Bank

- Second week at sea completed -

0446 - Incoming F.T.0440/07 from B.d.U.:

According to B-Dienst, convoy 2340/06 now in Qu.9972AL top right, on course 271°, speed 9kn.

0455 - Qu.9947AL - N7/6, clear, light haze, visibility 4-5sm, >1000mb - "Shadows bearing 320°!"

Cmdr.: "As calculated, the first masts of the convoy come into sight. The convoy consists of several tankers and a V&W destroyer as the back stbd. escort."

0610 - Evading the stbd. back escort on search pattern.

0635 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.:

"Gustav Gelb!". Convoy 2340/06 sighted in Qu.9947AL bottom middle, on course 272°, speed 9kn. NNE7/6, clear, light haze, visibility 4-5sm, >1000mb. - RST -

0705 - Reached forward luff position. Half moon rising in the East.

0734 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.:

Convoy 2340/06 now in Qu.9869AL bottom left, on course 271°, speed 9kn. 7 steamers, 7 tankers and 2 Auxiliary Cruisers in 2 columns. Escorts: 1 destroyer in front, 2 destroyers in back to either side. NNE7/6, clear, light haze, visibility 4-5sm, >1000mb. - RST -

0816 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:

RST: Free to attack convoy 2340/06! Is very likely OB-238. Be mindful of ASW action! Keep radio silence!

1200 - Qu.9859AL - Days Run: 251.9sm ↗ (24h)

- to be continued -

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

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- continued from 7 Nov., 1200h -

1221 - Turning a full circle hard to Stbd. "Battle Stations!".

1232 - Shot with Tube IV, G7e, K-b (contact fuse); Running depth 6m; Torpedo speed 30kn.
Shooter: Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & I.W.O. Emmo MARBACH.

Target ship: Large Freighter in pos.4 of stbd. column.
Target distance 2200m; Target angle 60°Stbd.; Target speed 8kn; Firing angle 345°.

Own course 181°; Own speed 3kn.

Torpedo is a hit! The steamer explodes and sinks within 1-2 minutes.

The other fired torpedoes from tubes I-III are all misses, as the convoy turns hard to port after the first torpedo hits. Running off with flank speed on heading northwest.

Cmdr.: "Suddenly, the convoy is shooting off star shells, search lights illuminate the water and we're being attacked with surface weapons by the forward sweeper."

1238 - The port diesel malfunctions and has to be shut-down. Diving from approaching escort.

1245 - T=50. Depth charges - no damages. No Asdic.

1313 - Silent Running.

1319 - The escort is running back to the convoy, after dropping 19 Wabos.
"Dismissed from Battle Stations!".

1322 - Commencing diesel repair and torpedo loading.

1350 - Tubes I-IV reloaded with G7e, K-b and port diesel repaired.

1418 - O₂ = 20%. Surfaced.

1426 - Boat ventilated. Chasing convoy along its stbd. beam, evading the back stbd. escort, going continuously on search patterns.

1620 - The boat has just regained the forward luff position, as it is being detected at a distance of 5000m to the nearest ship. The forward sweeper and the stbd. back escort are closing in fast on our position, as the convoy is beginning to zig-zag.

1626 - Diving to T=50. Silent Running. Depth charges at the diving position. In due course of the ASW action, 21 Wabos are being counted.

1634 - S-Tiefe. Boat is in favourable position and has sufficient battery power to reach a submerged attack position forward of the convoy.

1636 - T=18. Flank Speed.

- to be continued -