[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

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Left W'haven on Thursday, 22 April 1940 for Seventh War Patrol. Operational area, Qu.AN 82 (West coast of Norway, Farstad/Kristiansund: Defensive patrol in protection of the landing zones of Operation "Weserübung"). Heavy Cruiser Admiral Hipper and Battle Ship Bismarck in W'haven.

Received special torpedo orders due to the many torpedo failures during operation "Hartmut". Other Uboats have taken on transport roles in support of operation "Weserübung".

Moderate seas and very good aircraft visibility during outbound voyage. During return voyage, heavy seas and cloudy skies with rain and fog.

During outbound transit on Way1, we by-passed Qu.AN 66 and AN 69 to the north, due to the British mine fields in the area north of Terschelling. Also, had to evade Qu.AN 3700 and 3800 due to Mines and enemy submarines - U-Knorr (U 51) was attacked unsuccessfully with two torpedoes by the French submarine Orphée in Qu. 3751 AN.

Medium enemy air patrols during outbound voyage, virtually none during return voyage, owing to the bad weather.

In position due west of Bergen, received radio message from B.d.U., on 25 April, 2001h, that all boats of operation "Weserübung", are to break-off all operations and return to base immediately.

During return voyage, came across a small Norwegian convoy consisting of 3 unescorted and unarmed merchants and 2 small tankers. Commenced submerged daylight attack in good weather and medium sea conditions and scored 5 hits with MZ, one of which actually was a missfire right under the targeted merchant. One of the three steamers hit, had to be sunk with a coup de grâce.

In the end, 3 steamers and 1 tanker with together 6804 BRT were sunk, with each vessel being sunk in another Marqu., 2943/46/51/54 AN.

During the return voyage, the swell was so heavy, that the bridge hatch had to be closed part of the time.

We returned to W'haven on Monday, 29 April 1940, on the same day the British began evacuating their troops from Norway.

Torpedo hits: 5
Torpedo misses: None
Torpedo failures: 1 Eto missfired but right underneath the target ship
Crash Dives: 1
3 merchants and 1 tanker sunk for 6804 BRT

The Midshipman (j.g.) and acting L.I., performed well on his first assignment.

One Seaman 2cl (helmsman) had to be replaced.
(Unofficially, the helmsman was killed in a bar fight).

Received orders for Seventh War Patrol:
- Patrol area Qu. AF44 (South coast of Norway, Oslo/Kristiansand)
- Departure scheduled for Sunday, 26 May 1940...

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

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Left W'haven on Sunday, 26 May 1940 for Eighth War Patrol. Operational area, Qu.AN 44 (Skagerrak). Heavy Cruiser Admiral Hipper and Battle Ship Bismarck in W'haven.

When entering the lock of W'haven III during departure, hit the starboard side of the boat against the lock wall, slightly damaging the aft compartment and pressure hull. Boat deemed still seaworthy by Commander. Continued outbound voyage. Very good sea and visibility conditions.

Just five hours into the patrol, came across two Norwegian Ore II Freighters headed straight for W'haven, just 9 miles east of Helgoland. Sank both in a submerged attack for 7007 BRT combined. Scored 3 hits - had to sink one of them with a coup de grâce - 1 Eto understeered.

Headed to Helgoland with 1 Ato left, in order to replenish with torpedoes and fuel. Upon arrival in Helgoland, received orders to unload the one torpedo I had and to return to W'haven, in order to take a closer look at the damage sustained in the W'haven lock at departure. Arrived in W'haven on the evening of Monday, 27 May 1940.

(Actually, due to the fact that in CCoM, a type II boat does not receive any torpedoes in a foreign base - whilst removing the ones that are onboard - I had to "improvise")

On Tuesday, 28 May 1940, the Head Engineer of the Shipyard West determined, that the damages were minor and could be repaired upon return from this patrol. Received new orders and took 3 Eto and 2 Ato onboard and replenished with fuel and supplies.

New operational area was now Qu.AN 18, entrance to Firth of Moray.

... to be continued ...