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Threadfin · 10-13-06, 01:41 PM

Patrol 1, September 2 - October 17, 1939
U-49 Type VIIB
7th Flotilla, Kiel, Germany

Compliment 51 men

Officers:
Leutnant z. S. Wilhelm Hofmann, Captain
Oberleutnant z. S. Siegfried Rosing, Chief Engineer
Leutnant z. S. Karl Petersen, Watch Officer
Oberfähnrich z. S. Johannes Schaefer, Navigator
Oberfähnrich z. S. Gottfried Ackermann, Weapons
Oberfähnrich z. S. Carl Rahn, Torpedos/Motormac

Weapons:

(14) G7a steam torpedos
8.8cm SK C/35 deck gun
2cm FK C/30 flak gun aft

Sept 2
U-49 sets sail from Kiel.

Sept 3
Recieved radio message from BdU. Germany is at war with Britain. Turned southwest upon exiting the Skagerrat and set course for the eastern entrance to the English Channel. Our orders are to engage warships, and where better?

Sept 5
Weather closed in as we approached the Channel. Heavy rain, winds and heavy fog. Very limited visibility. Would be madness to enage warships in this weather. Will avoid or evade until weather breaks.

Sept 10
Weather unchanged. Our course has taken us well west of the Channel into the Celtic Sea. The heavy sea state and limited visibility continue to dictate our course of action, and we will continue to avoid or evade until weather breaks.

Sept 19
Weather still heavy, no sign of abating. U-49 has returned through the English Channel to the North Sea. A remarkable achievement by Johan, with no chance for stars or sunlines in two weeks. We will patrol north along the English coast in search of better conditions in which to carry out our orders. The morale of the men is still high, but the lack of action or success and the beating the boat is taking are beginning to tell.

Sept 21
U-49 north of Orkneys. If weather breaks will attempt to penetrate enemy naval base at Loch Ewe.

Sept 23
Weather broke at 7 AM. Clear skies, moderate winds and light fog.

Sept 25
Enroute southwest of Scapa Flow to Loch Ewe. At 1528 lookouts spot the first ship we have seen since Dutch tug on Sept 4. Ship is British Hunt class destroyer. Submerged attack, normal approach course. Single G7a impact pistol set to run fast at 1.5 meters on 080 port track, range 700. Impact forward of bridge after run of 33 seconds, DD explodes and sinks bow first. Gotz timed the sinking at 20 seconds.

Sept 27
U-49 penetrated naval base at Loch Ewe. Harbor entrance screens were avoided so as not to betray our presence. Observed coastal gun emplacements lining north side of inlet. Mines observed along northern side of entrance. At least 2 DD docked at port. Inner waters otherwise unpatrolled. No major ships found. Retired from base undetected.

Oct 1
U-49 patrolling waters west of main entrance to Scapa Flow. We hope to find a task force. 0530, hydrophone contact of warship screws. Observed C class DD with 20 degree port angle. Submerged attack, normal approach course. Single G7a from stern tube, depth 2, fast. Fired on 080 port track, range 400. Impact below stack after run of 18 seconds, DD exploded, caught fire from bow to bridge and sank in less than one minute.

Oct 2
2330 Lookouts spot smoke from a DD with sharp starboard angle. Submerge to close. 2355. Obtained firing position, 80 degree starboard track. Single G7a from bow. DD now identified as V&W class struck between stacks, sinks on even keel in 2 minutes.

Oct 5
Weather closes in again. No rain, but thick fog limits visibility to no more than 2500 meters. Weather should not hamper attacks, but will make spotting more difficult. Prudent to conduct submerged patrol in these conditions for increased probable range of detection by hydrophone. Have maneuvered or dived to avoid several merchant ships over course of past week.

Oct 7
1330 Hydrophone contact with destroyer. Obtained firing position, single G7a from bow fired on 090 port track impacts below bridge, C class DD immediately takes a severe down angle and goes under while still making more than 10 knots.

Oct 8
Recieve radio message from BdU. U-49 is informed that a special mission intended for Prien's U-47 is to be undertaken by U-49 due to mechanical difficulties aboard Prien's boat. We are ordered to penetrate the naval base at Scapa Flow sometime on October 13 or 14. Intelligence indicates presence of major warships at anchor. In the wardroom it is decided to use western passage for submerged attack at dawn on the 13th. Set course for western entrance to Scapa Flow.

Oct 11
Weather has turned clear and calm. It is fortunate as we did not enjoy the prospects of feeling our way around Scapa in the soup. Dove to escape air attack by 4 Hurricanes just after daybreak. Bombs landed close aboard, but U-49 suffered no damage as a result. Several new hands were rather shaken, and rightly so.

1540 Approaching western entrance. Our route is patrolled by two Hunt class DDs. We submerge and at 1559 attack the first DD. A bow fired G7a from 080 port track impacts under front turret causing DD to sink quickly with her stern in the air. The other Hunt came to investigate and at

1619 we maneuvered to fire the stern tube. 090 starboard track, range 300. Impact below bridge after run of just 16 seconds. DD immediately goes up in a flash and burns brightly from bow to stern, sinking quickly with a slight down angle in a flaming sea.

Oct 12
2300 U-49 enters western passage to Scapa Flow. A patrolling coastal vessel forces U-49 to submerge to remain undetected and we follow her in.

When the vessel turns away we surface until the coastal battery comes into view and we submerge again. Once clear of the guns we surface into a still night on a tranquil sea. Air is exchanged and batteries recharged before first light. Submerge once secured from recharge and approach the anchorage. All preparations are made to forward torpedo tubes and the boat is rigged for silent running.

Oct 13
0501 Battleship visible through attack periscope several thousand meters west of the port. U-49 continues to close 090 starboard track for shot. In the early morning light the details of the ship can be seen. It is a Royal Sovereign class battleship, with a Tribal class destroyer anchored some 800 meters astern. Several thousand meters to the east lie two Hunt DDs at anchor, and the whole area is patrolled by 3 destroyers and either a corvette or trawler, the distance and low light prevent identification.

0548 Three-shot G7a salvo fired from 092 starboard track, range 2600 meters at stationary battleship. Torpedo setting fast, depth 4 meters. Zero degree deflection on spread, all torpedos aimed at forward turret as measure against possible movement should she spot tracks and get underway at last moment. Fourth torpedo fired at stationary Tribal astern. Same considerations undertaken and the forward turret is used for aimpoint. U-49 begins reload and makes for western exit.

0549 First three torpedos impact aimpoint on BB after run of one minute and 54 seconds. At once, explosions leap from the forward part of the ship as the magazines below numbers one and two turret detonate.

The Tribal is seen to get underway, but the torpedo impacts on her stern, and she too explodes.

As U-49 continues to egress to the west, we are overtaken by an echo-ranging Hunt who is surely doing just that. We took two shots at this DD at minimal range, and both torpedos missed or failed to detonate. As the DD maneuvered to avoid our second shot she ran aground, caught fire and exploded, breaking in two on the beach.

Upon reaching the exit to the open Atlantic the men were permitted to empty several pans of 20mm into the vessel which had been our escort on the way in. It was thought this was a suitable target for training. Minus most of her rigging and with no stack, she was allowed to waddle on her way.

Oct 14
U-49 is north of Scapa and making course for the North Sea. Siggi has reminded me again of our fuel situation, and it's best we work our way homeward while looking to rid ourselves of the final two torpedos.

Oct 16
0618 U-49 lookouts spot smoke on the horizon east of Hartlepool. Submerge to close and investigate what becomes a C class DD with sharp AoB. Conduct U-49's standard normal approach, fast steamer with shallow run, 080 starboard track, 600 meters. Single torpedo impacts below stack after 22 second run and DD goes up in a fantastic flash, momentarily blinding me in the dim dawn light.

The mangled wreck of the DD slips below the sea still burning brightly one minute after being struck.

With one torpedo remaining, and with just enough fuel to make it back to Kiel, U-49 begins the journey home. The men have earned it.

Oct 17
Make patrol report and recieve receipt with orders to Wilhelmshaven. No doubt our sinking of the battleship has raised a ruckus. 1907 U-49 ties up at Wilhelmshaven.

10-13-06, 01:41 PM	#2
Threadfin Ace of the Deep Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,163 Downloads: 38 Uploads: 0	Patrol 1, September 2 - October 17, 1939 U-49 Type VIIB 7th Flotilla, Kiel, Germany Compliment 51 men Officers: Leutnant z. S. Wilhelm Hofmann, Captain Oberleutnant z. S. Siegfried Rosing, Chief Engineer Leutnant z. S. Karl Petersen, Watch Officer Oberfähnrich z. S. Johannes Schaefer, Navigator Oberfähnrich z. S. Gottfried Ackermann, Weapons Oberfähnrich z. S. Carl Rahn, Torpedos/Motormac Weapons: (14) G7a steam torpedos 8.8cm SK C/35 deck gun 2cm FK C/30 flak gun aft Sept 2 U-49 sets sail from Kiel. Sept 3 Recieved radio message from BdU. Germany is at war with Britain. Turned southwest upon exiting the Skagerrat and set course for the eastern entrance to the English Channel. Our orders are to engage warships, and where better? Sept 5 Weather closed in as we approached the Channel. Heavy rain, winds and heavy fog. Very limited visibility. Would be madness to enage warships in this weather. Will avoid or evade until weather breaks. Sept 10 Weather unchanged. Our course has taken us well west of the Channel into the Celtic Sea. The heavy sea state and limited visibility continue to dictate our course of action, and we will continue to avoid or evade until weather breaks. Sept 19 Weather still heavy, no sign of abating. U-49 has returned through the English Channel to the North Sea. A remarkable achievement by Johan, with no chance for stars or sunlines in two weeks. We will patrol north along the English coast in search of better conditions in which to carry out our orders. The morale of the men is still high, but the lack of action or success and the beating the boat is taking are beginning to tell. Sept 21 U-49 north of Orkneys. If weather breaks will attempt to penetrate enemy naval base at Loch Ewe. Sept 23 Weather broke at 7 AM. Clear skies, moderate winds and light fog. Sept 25 Enroute southwest of Scapa Flow to Loch Ewe. At 1528 lookouts spot the first ship we have seen since Dutch tug on Sept 4. Ship is British Hunt class destroyer. Submerged attack, normal approach course. Single G7a impact pistol set to run fast at 1.5 meters on 080 port track, range 700. Impact forward of bridge after run of 33 seconds, DD explodes and sinks bow first. Gotz timed the sinking at 20 seconds. Sept 27 U-49 penetrated naval base at Loch Ewe. Harbor entrance screens were avoided so as not to betray our presence. Observed coastal gun emplacements lining north side of inlet. Mines observed along northern side of entrance. At least 2 DD docked at port. Inner waters otherwise unpatrolled. No major ships found. Retired from base undetected. Oct 1 U-49 patrolling waters west of main entrance to Scapa Flow. We hope to find a task force. 0530, hydrophone contact of warship screws. Observed C class DD with 20 degree port angle. Submerged attack, normal approach course. Single G7a from stern tube, depth 2, fast. Fired on 080 port track, range 400. Impact below stack after run of 18 seconds, DD exploded, caught fire from bow to bridge and sank in less than one minute. Oct 2 2330 Lookouts spot smoke from a DD with sharp starboard angle. Submerge to close. 2355. Obtained firing position, 80 degree starboard track. Single G7a from bow. DD now identified as V&W class struck between stacks, sinks on even keel in 2 minutes. Oct 5 Weather closes in again. No rain, but thick fog limits visibility to no more than 2500 meters. Weather should not hamper attacks, but will make spotting more difficult. Prudent to conduct submerged patrol in these conditions for increased probable range of detection by hydrophone. Have maneuvered or dived to avoid several merchant ships over course of past week. Oct 7 1330 Hydrophone contact with destroyer. Obtained firing position, single G7a from bow fired on 090 port track impacts below bridge, C class DD immediately takes a severe down angle and goes under while still making more than 10 knots. Oct 8 Recieve radio message from BdU. U-49 is informed that a special mission intended for Prien's U-47 is to be undertaken by U-49 due to mechanical difficulties aboard Prien's boat. We are ordered to penetrate the naval base at Scapa Flow sometime on October 13 or 14. Intelligence indicates presence of major warships at anchor. In the wardroom it is decided to use western passage for submerged attack at dawn on the 13th. Set course for western entrance to Scapa Flow. Oct 11 Weather has turned clear and calm. It is fortunate as we did not enjoy the prospects of feeling our way around Scapa in the soup. Dove to escape air attack by 4 Hurricanes just after daybreak. Bombs landed close aboard, but U-49 suffered no damage as a result. Several new hands were rather shaken, and rightly so. 1540 Approaching western entrance. Our route is patrolled by two Hunt class DDs. We submerge and at 1559 attack the first DD. A bow fired G7a from 080 port track impacts under front turret causing DD to sink quickly with her stern in the air. The other Hunt came to investigate and at 1619 we maneuvered to fire the stern tube. 090 starboard track, range 300. Impact below bridge after run of just 16 seconds. DD immediately goes up in a flash and burns brightly from bow to stern, sinking quickly with a slight down angle in a flaming sea. Oct 12 2300 U-49 enters western passage to Scapa Flow. A patrolling coastal vessel forces U-49 to submerge to remain undetected and we follow her in. When the vessel turns away we surface until the coastal battery comes into view and we submerge again. Once clear of the guns we surface into a still night on a tranquil sea. Air is exchanged and batteries recharged before first light. Submerge once secured from recharge and approach the anchorage. All preparations are made to forward torpedo tubes and the boat is rigged for silent running. Oct 13 0501 Battleship visible through attack periscope several thousand meters west of the port. U-49 continues to close 090 starboard track for shot. In the early morning light the details of the ship can be seen. It is a Royal Sovereign class battleship, with a Tribal class destroyer anchored some 800 meters astern. Several thousand meters to the east lie two Hunt DDs at anchor, and the whole area is patrolled by 3 destroyers and either a corvette or trawler, the distance and low light prevent identification. 0548 Three-shot G7a salvo fired from 092 starboard track, range 2600 meters at stationary battleship. Torpedo setting fast, depth 4 meters. Zero degree deflection on spread, all torpedos aimed at forward turret as measure against possible movement should she spot tracks and get underway at last moment. Fourth torpedo fired at stationary Tribal astern. Same considerations undertaken and the forward turret is used for aimpoint. U-49 begins reload and makes for western exit. 0549 First three torpedos impact aimpoint on BB after run of one minute and 54 seconds. At once, explosions leap from the forward part of the ship as the magazines below numbers one and two turret detonate. The Tribal is seen to get underway, but the torpedo impacts on her stern, and she too explodes. As U-49 continues to egress to the west, we are overtaken by an echo-ranging Hunt who is surely doing just that. We took two shots at this DD at minimal range, and both torpedos missed or failed to detonate. As the DD maneuvered to avoid our second shot she ran aground, caught fire and exploded, breaking in two on the beach. Upon reaching the exit to the open Atlantic the men were permitted to empty several pans of 20mm into the vessel which had been our escort on the way in. It was thought this was a suitable target for training. Minus most of her rigging and with no stack, she was allowed to waddle on her way. Oct 14 U-49 is north of Scapa and making course for the North Sea. Siggi has reminded me again of our fuel situation, and it's best we work our way homeward while looking to rid ourselves of the final two torpedos. Oct 16 0618 U-49 lookouts spot smoke on the horizon east of Hartlepool. Submerge to close and investigate what becomes a C class DD with sharp AoB. Conduct U-49's standard normal approach, fast steamer with shallow run, 080 starboard track, 600 meters. Single torpedo impacts below stack after 22 second run and DD goes up in a fantastic flash, momentarily blinding me in the dim dawn light. The mangled wreck of the DD slips below the sea still burning brightly one minute after being struck. With one torpedo remaining, and with just enough fuel to make it back to Kiel, U-49 begins the journey home. The men have earned it. Oct 17 Make patrol report and recieve receipt with orders to Wilhelmshaven. No doubt our sinking of the battleship has raised a ruckus. 1907 U-49 ties up at Wilhelmshaven. __________________ What? Behind the rabbit?