[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

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KTB - U 112

Tuesday, 24 September 1940 - Bay of Biscay

0424 - Incoming SOS from Catapult Ship "Ostmark": Torpedoed by enemy submarine outside of St.Nazaire!

1200 - Qu.1855BF - Days Run: 317.5sm - ↗ 314.2sm (22h 55') - ↘ 3.3 (1h 05')

1401 - Norddeich Radio reporting on Kptlt. Schepke being awarded with the Knights Cross.

1415 - Qu.1815BF - Steamer sighted bearing 340°, on course 68°, speed 7kn. Identified as English M04B Steamer of 5650ts.

1431 - At E=8000 diving for submerged attack. "Battle Stations!"

1502 - Shot with Tube I, G7e, K-b (contact fuse), Running depth 4m, Torpedo speed 30kn.
Target distance 760m, Target angle 90°Stbd, Target speed 7kn, Firing angle 350°.
Own course 339°, own speed 1.6kn.
Hit under the bridge after 44 sec.!
Steamer continues with a list to stbd., turns away to port.

1506 - Shot with Tube II, G7e, K-b (contact fuse), Running depth 4m, Torpedo speed 30kn.
Target distance 810m, Target angle 90°Stbd, Target speed 5kn, Firing angle 37°.
Own course 339°, own speed 1.6kn.
Hit under the funnel after 55 sec.!

Cmdr.: "The torpedo hits, as the zig-zagging steamer turns to stbd., right into the torpedo path. Steamer capsizes to stbd. and sinks in less than 1 minute, with loud underwater explosions."

1511 - Surfaced and approached 3 boats with 9 occupants. Questioned and gave provisions and ran off on westerly course. "Dismissed from Battle Stations."

1615 - Sending sinking report to B.d.U.
1626 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
RST: Sinking report received.

1806 - Norddeich Radio reporting on the Battle of Dakar (Operation "Menace").

- to be continued -

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

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- continued from 24 September 1940, 1806h -

2116 - Incoming F.T.2110/24: From B.d.U.:
B-Dienst reporting enemy convoy in Qu.1465BF, on westerly heading, speed 6kn.

Cmdr.: "Very likely a OB or OA-convoy."

2121 - Turning boat around on course east.

2247 - Incoming F.T.2240/24: From B.d.U.:
B-Dienst reporting that convoy 2110/24 is now positioned in Qu.1464BF, on course 260°, speed 6kn.

Cmdr.: "Seems to be either OA.218 from Methil or OB.217 from Liverpool."

2256 - "Smoke plume ahead to port!" Own heading is 118°. It's the forward sweeper. Slowly, the other ships come into sight. Turning boat around on course 260°.

2258 - Contact message sent:
"Gustav Gelb!" Convoy 2110/24 sighted in Qu.1464BF center. Course 260°. Speed 6kn. - RST -

Cmdr.: "Convoy comprised of 18 ships in 6 columns and 3 rows. 1 forward sweeper."

2348 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
RST: Free to attack! Keep radio silence! Be careful of escorts!

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.