Patrol 7, June 17 - August 2, 1941
7th Flotillla, St. Nazaire, France
Refit complete, and U-94 provisioned in all respects as previous report, except full load (14) of G7e electric torpedos. These torpedos are wakeless, which should prevent a target from detecting them through sight and avoiding, and leave no telltale tracks pointing at the submarine's firing position. Speed limited to 30 knots. No other additions or installations.
Jun 17
0743 U-94 departs St. Nazaire. Plan to patrol BE, BF and AM grids.
Jun 22
Recieved radio report. Germany is at war with Russia.
Jun 23
Grid BE 37, hyrdrophone detects multiple merchant and warships screws. Convoy. Plot course and conn to intercept.
1034 Convoy a large one, with 20+ ships and 6 escorts, heading north east toward UK.
U-94 positions on starboard flank and allows lead starboard screen, a V&W, to pass. When trailing starboard flank escort, a Clemson four-piper, crosses, a single G7e is fired on 080 starboard track aimed in center of stack group from a range on only 350 meters. Impact on aimpoint, DD catches fire and sinks. No indication through reaction that torpedo was detected. Ordered deep submergence to 150 meters, and avoided corvettes that investigated.
1454 Surfaced and made contact report on convoy giving position, course, speed and composition.
Jun 27
Weather closes in to heavy rain, fog, wind and sea state.
Jun 30
Enroute 'Convoy Alley' west of Irish Channel. Weather unchanged.
Jul 1
If weather breaks will attempt periscope patrol of Naval Anchorage at Loch Ewe.
Jul 11
Weather breaks to calm and clear conditions.
Jul 13
U-94 closing Loch Ewe for recon of port screens for possible penetration of harbor. As with our visit last June, never-dark conditions allow for good visibility at all hours. Plan overnight penetration. Weather has worsened, to overcast, with 4000 meter visibility due to fog.
0752 While closing Loch Ewe from northwest, contact with DD near spot of sinking of HMS Resolution on Dec 5, 1939. C class destroyer sunk with single G7e. Continue to close base.
2102 Nearing the port entrance, U-94 suddenly attacked by several waves of Hurricanes flying under low overcast. Dive to avoid. Every patrol within miles comes to investigate, and U-94 continues submerged toward port.
2120 Single V&W DD passes on reciprocal. Likely this DD is one assigned inner inlet patrol, and if so, will reduce complication of penetration.
2233 Can tell on hydrophones that DD is returning to patrol inlet. U-94 has penetrated entrance, and swings 90 degrees to lay ambush for returning patrol. When V&W crosses bearing 345, a single G7e is fired on 080 starboard track, target speed 12 kts, shallow runner. I can see the torpedo broaching in the heavy sea, but it runs true. Impact below bridge. DD continues on surface, going dead in water, sinking 4 minutes after being struck. Continue to close port facility and anchorages.
2335 Limited visibility prevents proper look, but port screened by C class DD, several DD and torpedo boats docked or moored in and around port. Southern anchorage contains Fiji class CL. Two-shot salvo fired at Fiji, detonating the foreward magazines and CL sinks immediately.
Jul 14
0007 Patrolling C class fired on with single G7a, range 1300. Impact below after turret and DD explodes and sinks.
0010 Rain has begun to fall, and visibility dropping to 400 meters. Fired single G7a on bearings at spot marked on chart containing J class and Hunt class DD moored in port. After run of 2 minutes, detonation and secondaries heard on sound. Believe outer J class hit by torpedo and sunk. Begin reload and make for exit.
Jul 16
Weather unchanged, heavy rain, fog, wind and sea state.
Jul 20
Weather unchanged.
Jul 23
Weather breaks to overcast with 2500 meter visibility and heavy seas.
Jul 26 -27
Weather now clear and calm.
1054 U-94 sinks Tribal DD making 20+ knots with single G7e in grid BF16. Using G7e against fast moving ships worried me as the slower speed of the torpedo meant a longer run, and that the torpedo had to be fired much earlier in attack, complicating targeting, especially in calling sharper AoBs. Results so far very encouraging however. The following morning at
0735 Single G7e fired at V&W making 12kts in grid BF13. Impact between stack and sinks.
Additional V&W DDs sunk by U-94 using G7e torpedos at
Jul 29 2038 Grid BF21
Jul 30 2049 Grid AM 98
Jul 31 1242 and 2234, both in AM 98, set course for St. Nazaire.
Latter location in Bristol Channel, a natural choke point. Was hoping for liner, but area thick with patrols, so would be productive either way. Average depth of water around 90 meters.
The July 29 V&W explodes after being struck by single stern G7e from U-94. Note foreward turret in air aft of mast.
On Jul 30 The Captain manned the flak gun during sudden twilight air attack and managed to shoot one of the attackers into the sea.
Results with electric torpedos very good. U-94 not subjected to counterattack, aside from aircraft, during patrol.
Aug 2
0258 U-94 ties up at St. Nazaire, after 47 days at sea.
