[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

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Thursday, 16 April 1942 - Atlantic Ocean -

0345 - Qu.7555DF - On new course 233°.

0710 - Morning Dawn.

0815 - Sunrise. Weather and Sea unchanged in 24h.

1200 - Qu.7755DF - Days Run: 271.5sm - (↗ 24h).
160cbm (6cbm/24h). Battery 10000Ah. 14+8 torpedoes. On course 233°. Weather and Sea unchanged since Sunrise, 15 April.

1201 - Third position and status request for U 85 (Greger) and U 252 (Lerchen).

(U 85, VIIB, Oblt.Eberhard Greger, was the first "Paukenschlag" boat to be sunk, on 14 April 1942, off Cape Hatteras, in position 35.55N, 75.13W, by gunfire from the US destroyer USS Roper; 46 dead - all hands lost)

(U 252, VIIC, Kptlt.Kai Lerchen, was sunk at 2230hrs on 14 April 1942 in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, in position 47.00N, 18.14W, by depth charges from the British sloop HMS Stork and the British corvette HMS Vetch, 44 dead - all hands lost)

1220 - Qu.7755DF -

1635 - On new course 225°.

2015 - Qu.3255DQ -

2048 - Sundown. WNW1/1, clear, very good visibility, >1000mb.

- to be continued -

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

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- continued from 16 April, 2048h -

2218 - Qu.3275DD - "Commander to Bridge! Surface Vessel!".
Two shadows in relative bearing 18°, E=9000, on course East.

Ships are identified as two unarmed Englishmen, in front a Large Tanker of 18192ts, draught 10.7m, and in back a Large Freighter of 7447ts, draught 8.7m. Both are fully laden and travel on course 90°, speed 6kn.

2225 - Going on course 180°, decks awash, 105RPM/2kn.

2230 - Preparing boat and fire-control apparatus for surface attack acc. Standing B.d.U.-Order No.302. "Battle Stations!".

2241 - Flooding tubes I&IV. 75RPM/1kn.

2258 - Qu.3275DQ - Salvo Shot with tubes I & IV: G7e/G7H (K-b/AZ); Running depth 7.5m; Vt30; Angle of divergence 1.0°; Own course 180°; Own speed 1kn ahead; Shooter: Ltnt.z.S & I.W.O. Rainer SCHEUFLER.
Target ship: Large Tanker of 18192ts, draught 10.7m.
Target course 90°; Target distance 1300m; Target angle red87°; Target speed 6kn; Firing angle α 347°.

Closing tubes I&IV. Flooding tubes II&III.

2259 - Qu.3275DQ - Salvo Shot with tubes II & III: G7e/G7H (K-b/AZ); Running depth 5.5m; Vt30; Angle of divergence 1.0°; Own course 180°; Own speed 1kn ahead; Shooter: Ltnt.z.S & I.W.O. Rainer SCHEUFLER.
Target ship: Large Freighter of 7447ts, draught 8.7m.
Target course 90°; Target distance 1300m; Target angle red72°; Target speed 6kn; Firing angle α 006°.

Closing tubes II&III.

Tube I is a hit underneath the forward bridge of the tanker, tube II hits the tanker but fails to detonate (pistol failure). The tanker continues on with a slight list to port and is sending SSS.

Tube II is a hit under the bridge of the Large Freighter, tube III is a hit amidships. The Freighter explodes over its entire length, breaks in two and sinks within 1min. Flames linger on the sea for minutes after the sinking.

2301 - Blowing tanks and manning deck gun (3rd Seawatch & I.W.O.).

2303 - Distance to tanker is 1200m. "Weapons Free!".
Firing 1 Star Shell over the tanker - no response.
Firing Explosive Shells along the water line.

2305 - After 12 shots and hits, the tanker catches fire, explodes and sinks on an even keel, 1-2 minutes later.
"Secure Weapons!".

At the sinking position of the Freighter nothing found but an oil patch. At the sinking position of the tanker, questioned and supplied 10 survivors in 3 boats.

2335 - Running off at high speed on course southwest. "Dismissed from Battle Stations!".

2343 - Compressed Air Supply filled.

Continuing outbound transit acc. Op.-Orders.

Cmdr.: 30 years ago today it was reported, that the day before, RMS Titanic had struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic and sank.

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.