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klh · 07-07-20, 10:27 PM

Shortly after returning to Wilhelmshaven I received orders to take command of the Type VIIC boat U-94 and transfer her to the new base in Lorient.

We departed on 18 September 1940 and took the English Channel to our assigned patrol in BF12. I am pleased not to have to make that transit again. Despite being within site of the French coast the entire way, we were harassed by British torpedo boats many times and had to remain submerged during daylight hours.

En route to our assignment we encountered a lone British cargo ship on 23 September and sunk her with torpedoes as the seas were too rough to rely on the deck gun. It took three to finish the job.

On 24 September we intercepted what was reportedly a neutral convoy heading southwest, but discovered to our delight it was flying British flags. We fired a spread of torpedoes and hit two ships, sinking a medium tanker. A pair of destroyer spent the next few hours keeping us down while the convoy made its escape. After surfacing we attempted an end run but the convoy changed course away and eluded us.

We spent the next two days in a search pattern in BF12 and were given the gift of two unescorted tankers. We submerged and waited for them to approach our position. After a fast surface we took aim with the deck gun and sunk both.

The next day we discovered another large British convoy bound for England comprising 16 ships plus escorts. We fired all five tubes and hit three ships, sinking a freighter. I immediately took the boat to 100m silent running and the escorts never picked up our scent.

With only a single aft torpedo left, we made our way to our new base in Lorient, arriving on 29 September 1940. It was a glorious first patrol in U-94, with five kills for 32000 tonnes in only 11 days.

Kapitänleutnant Hähl, U-45

07-07-20, 10:27 PM	#5502
klh Ensign Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 221 Downloads: 200 Uploads: 0	KTB-11 U-94 (klh) Shortly after returning to Wilhelmshaven I received orders to take command of the Type VIIC boat U-94 and transfer her to the new base in Lorient. We departed on 18 September 1940 and took the English Channel to our assigned patrol in BF12. I am pleased not to have to make that transit again. Despite being within site of the French coast the entire way, we were harassed by British torpedo boats many times and had to remain submerged during daylight hours. En route to our assignment we encountered a lone British cargo ship on 23 September and sunk her with torpedoes as the seas were too rough to rely on the deck gun. It took three to finish the job. On 24 September we intercepted what was reportedly a neutral convoy heading southwest, but discovered to our delight it was flying British flags. We fired a spread of torpedoes and hit two ships, sinking a medium tanker. A pair of destroyer spent the next few hours keeping us down while the convoy made its escape. After surfacing we attempted an end run but the convoy changed course away and eluded us. We spent the next two days in a search pattern in BF12 and were given the gift of two unescorted tankers. We submerged and waited for them to approach our position. After a fast surface we took aim with the deck gun and sunk both. The next day we discovered another large British convoy bound for England comprising 16 ships plus escorts. We fired all five tubes and hit three ships, sinking a freighter. I immediately took the boat to 100m silent running and the escorts never picked up our scent. With only a single aft torpedo left, we made our way to our new base in Lorient, arriving on 29 September 1940. It was a glorious first patrol in U-94, with five kills for 32000 tonnes in only 11 days. Kapitänleutnant Hähl, U-45 Last edited by klh; 08-02-20 at 06:31 PM.