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Threadfin · 10-13-06, 01:43 PM

Kiel, Germany
June 1940

Captain's notes.

U-49 is undergoing refit in Kiel. New installations include AFA27 MAK 800 batteries for shorter recharge times and a new mechanical supercharger for marginal increase in surfaced speed. We should expect a reduction in range and endurance to a similar degree.

During this time I have had the opportunity to visit Krupp's yard in Kiel and look over the new fleet boats being built and nearing completion. The first of these are to be commisioned in the coming weeks. The new boats will be designated VIIC. An extra frame was added to the central control room providing an additional 30cm to either side of the periscope housing. This increased space is intended for the new echo-ranging equipment called S-Gerat. This also allows the conning tower to be enlarged 30cm in length and 6cm in width. Two pressure-tight negative buoyancy tanks (Untertriebzelle), one on either side, are included within the saddle tanks to enable improved diving time in combat by remaining partially flooded. The engines are also upgraded, with an oil filtration system introduced to prolong the life of diesel lubricants and increase engine reliability. Also the starboard electrical compressor is replaced by a diesel-powered Junkers model, reducing the strain on the densely packed batteries. Finally, improved AEG-designed knob-switch electrical control system is introduced to replace the archaic BBC knife-switch system used on the VIIB. Performance should be roughly the same as with the VIIB, but perhaps a bit less submerged range, endurance and speed due to the additional submerged displacement.

I've had the opportunity over the course of our stay in Kiel to speak with other Captains returning from war patrols. I find these informal discussions to be very educational. It is in general agreement that the enemy, while mostly disorganized and understrength at the outset of war, is quickly increasing the strength of the forces opposing us, and improving their antisubmarine tactics. It is evident that an increasing number of destroyers are being outfitted with radar to improve detection of our boats while surfaced, and the enemy's echo-ranging equipment is able to hold our boats at deeper depths Boats are failing to return in ever increasing numbers. Three jadgbooten are presumed lost. Schmidtke in U-45 failed to return from a patrol west of the Irish Channel. Wittmann in U-51 is overdue from a patrol near Gibraltar, and Ruppert in U-54 was most likely sunk by a combination of aircraft and escort vessels north of the Azores. Despite these losses, the Jadgbooten are judged to be a great success and the force has been been doubled to 12 boats.

In a conference of JU-boot officers at Kiel, the subject of boats for our force came up. The type VII is seen by many to be most suitable among our choices. The relatively small size of 750 tons aids in remaining undetected, both on the surface and when submerged. Maneuverability is superior to the larger long range boats, and most importantly in my view, a shorter time is require to submerge. It is evident that the type IX boat is being considered for long-range J-boot patrols, but in my view, aside from the additional torpedo tube astern, the IX boat is ill-suited for action against warships, area of operations notwitstanding. Word is the VIIC will become the primary boat of the Unterseejadgbootwaffe.

On the warfront, Chamberlain is out, Churchill is in. Our ground forces have invaded Belgium, Luxembourg and France. If the French campaign is successful in reaching the coast, it will be an enormous benefit to the ubootwaffe. Bases along the French Biscay Bay coast would allow our boats open access to the Atlantic, and reduce by at least a fortnight the time necessary to sail around the British Isles on the outbound and return trips combined.

A slight modification to J-boot orders is now included. In addtition to our duties as warship hunters, ocean liners are now a permitted target. These liners are assuredly used as troop transports, and any J-boot encountering one should consider it a valuable target. American ships remain untouchable, a subject that causes some consternation in our circle. Despite their neutrality, it is widely believed their ships are carrying war-goods to the British Isles.

We leave for our fourth war patrol in a few days.

10-13-06, 01:43 PM	#5
Threadfin Ace of the Deep Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,163 Downloads: 38 Uploads: 0	Kiel, Germany June 1940 Captain's notes. U-49 is undergoing refit in Kiel. New installations include AFA27 MAK 800 batteries for shorter recharge times and a new mechanical supercharger for marginal increase in surfaced speed. We should expect a reduction in range and endurance to a similar degree. During this time I have had the opportunity to visit Krupp's yard in Kiel and look over the new fleet boats being built and nearing completion. The first of these are to be commisioned in the coming weeks. The new boats will be designated VIIC. An extra frame was added to the central control room providing an additional 30cm to either side of the periscope housing. This increased space is intended for the new echo-ranging equipment called S-Gerat. This also allows the conning tower to be enlarged 30cm in length and 6cm in width. Two pressure-tight negative buoyancy tanks (Untertriebzelle), one on either side, are included within the saddle tanks to enable improved diving time in combat by remaining partially flooded. The engines are also upgraded, with an oil filtration system introduced to prolong the life of diesel lubricants and increase engine reliability. Also the starboard electrical compressor is replaced by a diesel-powered Junkers model, reducing the strain on the densely packed batteries. Finally, improved AEG-designed knob-switch electrical control system is introduced to replace the archaic BBC knife-switch system used on the VIIB. Performance should be roughly the same as with the VIIB, but perhaps a bit less submerged range, endurance and speed due to the additional submerged displacement. I've had the opportunity over the course of our stay in Kiel to speak with other Captains returning from war patrols. I find these informal discussions to be very educational. It is in general agreement that the enemy, while mostly disorganized and understrength at the outset of war, is quickly increasing the strength of the forces opposing us, and improving their antisubmarine tactics. It is evident that an increasing number of destroyers are being outfitted with radar to improve detection of our boats while surfaced, and the enemy's echo-ranging equipment is able to hold our boats at deeper depths Boats are failing to return in ever increasing numbers. Three jadgbooten are presumed lost. Schmidtke in U-45 failed to return from a patrol west of the Irish Channel. Wittmann in U-51 is overdue from a patrol near Gibraltar, and Ruppert in U-54 was most likely sunk by a combination of aircraft and escort vessels north of the Azores. Despite these losses, the Jadgbooten are judged to be a great success and the force has been been doubled to 12 boats. In a conference of JU-boot officers at Kiel, the subject of boats for our force came up. The type VII is seen by many to be most suitable among our choices. The relatively small size of 750 tons aids in remaining undetected, both on the surface and when submerged. Maneuverability is superior to the larger long range boats, and most importantly in my view, a shorter time is require to submerge. It is evident that the type IX boat is being considered for long-range J-boot patrols, but in my view, aside from the additional torpedo tube astern, the IX boat is ill-suited for action against warships, area of operations notwitstanding. Word is the VIIC will become the primary boat of the Unterseejadgbootwaffe. On the warfront, Chamberlain is out, Churchill is in. Our ground forces have invaded Belgium, Luxembourg and France. If the French campaign is successful in reaching the coast, it will be an enormous benefit to the ubootwaffe. Bases along the French Biscay Bay coast would allow our boats open access to the Atlantic, and reduce by at least a fortnight the time necessary to sail around the British Isles on the outbound and return trips combined. A slight modification to J-boot orders is now included. In addtition to our duties as warship hunters, ocean liners are now a permitted target. These liners are assuredly used as troop transports, and any J-boot encountering one should consider it a valuable target. American ships remain untouchable, a subject that causes some consternation in our circle. Despite their neutrality, it is widely believed their ships are carrying war-goods to the British Isles. We leave for our fourth war patrol in a few days. __________________ What? Behind the rabbit? Last edited by Threadfin; 10-13-06 at 05:05 PM.