Quote:
Originally Posted by Kapitän
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...
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Sunday, 8 November 1942 - Gotenhafen-Oxhöft
Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.; Freg.Kpt.d.R. Ernst HASSHAGEN) and 22nd U-Flotilla (Korvkpt. Wilhelm Ambrosius):
Dry-Run Exercises with Machinery/Mechanics; Weapons; Torpedoes.
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Allied forces attack French forces at the Moroccan ports of Safi and Casablanca, and the Algerian ports of Oran and Algiers during Operation Torch, capturing the Moroccan ports and Algiers surrendering at 1800 hours. The Allies suffer heavy losses at Oran and Fehala.
U.S.A. Submarine SS Gunnel (SS-253) uses infra-red signals to guide ships to an invasion beach.
Meanwhile, Axis defenses in Egypt fall back to Sidi Barrani, and many units of the German Luftflotte 4 are transferred from Stalingrad to North Africa.
Due to the landing of Americans in French Morocco, U 155 - 515 - 103 - 411 - 572 - 108 - 173 and U 130 received orders to set course for DJ 19 at top speed. U 510 - 752 - 511 - 185 - 519 - 91 and U 86 also approached the areas sailing 200 miles during the 24 hour period. The following boats were sent southwards on course for CG 87: U 413 - 263 - 98 - 218 - 92 - 566 - 564 - 653 and U 613. Group Delphin, composed of U 595 - 755 - 407 - 596 - 259 - 617 and U 380 steered for CH 8477 at highest speed possible. U 572 received later orders to go to DJ 2524 (Fedala).
U 509 has transferred torpedoes and is sailing for DJ 19.
Boats remaining in N. Atlantic are making for the following areas at cruising speed: U 521 - AK 83; U 84 - AK 91; U 704 - AK 94; U 624 - AK 95; U 753 - AK 98; U 224 - AK 99; U 383 - BD 32; U 606 - BD 33; U 454 - BD 31. In order to extend the operation, it is proposed to refuel the boats which need it from "Milkcow" U 460 (Kptlt. Ebe Schnoor) on 17 November.
U 103 and U 108 have been supplied by U 509 (IXC; KrvKpt. Werner Witte).
U 595 (Kptlt. Jürgen Quaet-Faslem) has passed through the Straits of Gibraltar and now comes under the command of Officer Commanding U-boats in the Mediterranean.
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North African Operations:
At 0630 the head of Naval High Command was informed by B.d.U. of the large scale of the landing operations underway on the Moroccan Coast by the Americans.
Estimate of the situation: The invasion of the Algerian and Moroccan coasts must be treated as a large scale operation, for which the enemy will need an enormous amount of supplies. Operations of U-boats began too late for the first landings, since the U-boats will not appear on the scene until 9 to 11 November. U-boat activities can indeed make serious inroads on shipment of supplies. Prospects of success should not be regarded too highly for the following reasons:
a) Boats must operate in water of less than 50 meters depth when attacking troop transports and warships.
b) Heavy aircraft operations from Gibraltar using long range planes, carrier borne aircraft. Operations of fast bombers is expected from air fields installed in the meantime.
c) Heavier destroyer and corvette patrols must be reckoned with.
U-boats can make only stationary attacks. U-boat activities can be regarded as favorable by the enemy as regards their course. Each attack therefore means complete operation. Nevertheless, the importance of these supply trains calls for all-out U-boat operations. Hence: B.d.U. has ordered the following, without advice of Naval High Command. U 155 - 515 - 103 - 108 - 411 - 572 - 173 - 130 to proceed at high speed and U 510 - 752 - 511 - 185 - 519 - 91 and U 86 to average 200 miles per day and to steer for DJ 19.
An order for full speed is pointless due to heavy seas and the fact that the large consumption of fuel would limit later activities of the boats.
Incoming message No. 2291/42 Secret from Naval High Command.
1) On the basis of present situation the focal point of action for U-boats is the landing of the enemy and supply trains for which the enemy is waiting.
1.A) The Casablanca area, Safi and Port Lyautey being the most important harbors for flanking action. According to reports received, the enemy attack on Casablanca ia already underway.
1.B) Traffic from England and America to the Mediterranean comes through the Azores - Gibraltar area where boats are being sent as fast as possible. Intentions are reported with the numbers of the boats.
2) It is not contemplated sending more boats to the Mediterranean after Group Delphin has been sent in, at least not for the time being. Further operations will depend on the development of the situation.
Radio order:
1) U 413 - 263 - 98 - 218 - 92 - 566 - 564 - 653 - 613 ordered to make for CG 87, averaging 200 miles per day.
2) Action discontinued on Neumann convoy.
Purpose: To employ a large number of boats first against landing operations on the Moroccan coast. Later to attack ships W. of Gibraltar as they approach the Mediterranean with supplies.
RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115 |
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...
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Monday, 9 November 1942 - Gotenhafen-Oxhöft
Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.; Freg.Kpt.d.R. Ernst HASSHAGEN) and 22nd U-Flotilla (Korvkpt. Wilhelm Ambrosius):
Dry-Run Exercises with Machinery/Mechanics; Weapons; Torpedoes.
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Vichy French government
brakes off diplomatic relations with the United States.
The Führer informes Italy, via Galeazzo Ciano, that he
intends to occupy Vichy France soon.
German Luftwaffe combat aircraft consisting of 27 Bf 109G fighters from 1/JG53 and 24 Ju 87D Stuka dive bombers of II.StG 3 are transferred to Tunisia from Sicily, Italy. The Tunis airfields are found to be in good condition with concrete runways and revetments. Once a ground organisation has been created, relays of Ju 52/3m aircraft will commence the movement of ground troops into the region. On the front lines, Axis troops under Walter Nehring attack Vichy French positions as Vichy French forces in North Africa are apparently switching sides to aide the Allies.
American troops continue to attack the French fort of Kasbah, French Morocco. Meanwhile, in French Algeria, the French garrison at Oran surrenderes in the face of overwhelming British naval power and American airborne attack in its rear. French Admiral Darlan
signes an armistice with American General Dwight Eisenhower, but fighting will continue for two more days.
Allied troops
capture Sidi Barrani, Egypt.
Lieutenant General Kenneth Anderson is named the
commanding officer of the British First Army in North Africa.
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U 407, 596 and 617 have passed through the
Straits of Gibraltar and are now under the jurisdiction of the Mediterranean U-boat command.
The boats operating in the Gibraltar and Morocco areas have received the following
radio message:
1) The Führer sends to boats in the Mediterranean "I expect a completely victorious operation."
2) I expect the same from boats off Morocco and Gibraltar. We must relentlessly carry out the Führer's will with our tested brutal methods of attack. The sinking of transports will have great significance for the American attack and the French defence.
Commander-in-Chief.
U 155 - 515 - 103 - 108 - 411 - 572 - 173 and 130 make up Group "Schlagtot" and are making for DJ 25 at highest possible continuous speed. U 572, as the first boat, is operating against transports in DJ 2524.
U 704 (Kptlt. Horst Wilhelm Kessler) fired a 4 torpedo spread at a ship presumed to be "
Queen Elizabeth" class at 1300 in AK 6553. One hit for certain - sharp detonation heard. After 15 minutes the ship made off on a course 250°. Pursuit impossible because of high seas. She is believed to be a battleship.
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Enemy supply movements are to be anticipated on a great scale in the Western Mediterranean. B.d.U. therefore considers it imperative that Mediterranean boats, as far as possible, be equipped with type G 7a F.A.T. torpedoes.
Report of German Naval Command, Torpedo Station:
1) B.d.U. considers use of G 7a F.A.T. on boats in the mediterranean as pressing and important due to heavy protection of warships and transport groups. In many cases the firing possibilities are limited to excessive ranges.
2) Use of F.A.T. torpedoes has promise in the case of groups of ships at long range. (Supply convoys and gatherings of ships in the roads off landing areas).
3) The question of F.A.T. used with G 7a being practical only on night operations is answered by the mixed charges of G 7a and G 7e which is favorable for both day and night operations.
4) According to establishment of possibilities at hand, B.d.U. sets forth the following:
4.a) Immediate designation of 24 F.A.T. torpedoes lying ready in Kiel. 6 for Pola and 18 for Spezia.
4.b) To send out working groups from Kiel to adapt the tubes of the following boats: U 375 Pola 17 November, U 562 Spezia 22 November, U 453 Spezia 28 November, U 83 Spezia 29 November. Adaptation of 2 tubes on each boat considered enough, in case no more work can be done because of time.
4.c) To send out instruction groups from the torpedo testing stations to Italy for the purpose of instructions the Commandant regarding use of F.A.T.
5) Boats will carry 6 G 7a F.A.T. type torpedo the rest G 7e with 39 pistol. Daytime for bow tubes: 3 G 7e, 1 G 7a F.A.T. Nighttime for bow tubes 2 G 7a F.A.T. and 2 G 7e with 39 pistol. Different loadings are indeed decided by the situation.
6) Use of F.A.T. for Western boats is not foreseen because of the former mode of action.
7) Details of all action in the area must be cleared with Officer Commanding U-boats Italy.
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German Abwehr spy, Werner Janowsky, lands from a submarine on the Gaspé peninsula in Quebec, Canada. Janowsky, a thirty-eight-year-old former French Foreign Legionaire has a wife living in Canada and knows the country well. He is swiftly apprehended by the Canadian police after arousing suspicion by trying to pay a New Carlisle hotel bill with time-expired Canadian currency. Janowsky will survive the war in British captivity.
RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115