[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

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Tuesday, 5 August 1941 - Northwest of the Outer Hebrides

B.d.U.: Eastward of Qu.AM71, it is becoming unfavorable for Uboat operations, due to the constant air patrols, also, during moonlit nights.

0520 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since 4.8., 1649h.

0633 - Qu2333AM - A pair of Hurricanes in 110° true, flying off on ESE heading, E=8000.

0930 - NW3/2, partly cloudy, light haze, visibility 5-6sm, >1000mb.

1100 - N1/1, clear, visibility 8-9sm, >1000mb.

1200 - Qu.2319AM - Days Run: 279.4sm - ↗ 275.8 (22h 50') - ↘ 3.6sm (1h 10').
186.4cbm (13.2cbm/24h). 9500Ah. Weather unchanged since 1100h.

1201 - Third status and position request for U 401 (Zimmermann). Boat is presumed lost.

(U 401 was sunk on 3 August 1941 in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, in position 50.30N, 19.35W, by depth charges from the British corvette HMS Hydrangea. 45 dead, all hands lost).

2008 - Medium sized passenger steamer bearing 37, E=14000, outbound on course 283°, speed 4kn.

2033 - Running towards the steamer. At E=6000, the steamer start zig-zagging and sending "SSS". "Battle Stations!".

2051 - E=3000, target angle red93, own course 330°, own speed 1.6kn.

Shot with star shell across the bow - no reaction by the steamer.

2052 - "Weapons Free!", for the 10.5cm gun, aiming at the waterline. E=2400.

2057 - Qu.1448AM - After 28 rounds of 10.5cm SpG, the steamer sinks by the stern.

122x10.5cm SpG and 29xLkG remaining.

Running toward the sinking position. Questioned and supplied 8 survivors in 2 boats.

2122 - Running off at high speed on general course. "Dismissed from Battle Stations!".

2159 - Sundown. Midnight Twilight.
ENE1/1, partly cloudy, visibility 8-9sm, >1000mb.

2302 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
For Cmdr. eyes only!
ACHTUNG! Possible Sabotage of Uboat torpedoes! Danger of circle runners! Immediate inspection of all torpedoes and report to B.d.U.!

2312 - Qu.1393AM - Boat is attacked by 3 Catalina's approaching from 110° true, E=10000.
At first only one airplane was sighted and both flak guns manned. The flak guns are initially jammed and start firing too late.
During the first approach from bearing 195°, each airplane drops 4 bombs, even though they are hit by flak and are burning. All bombs are off to far in front and wide to stbd.
During the second approach from bearing 15°, each airplane drops another 2 bombs that straddle the boat. The flak gunners fire only at the first airplane after the flyover and are consequently wounded by gun fire from the airplanes.
Both flak guns and the 10.5cm gun are slightly damaged.

2317 - After the second flyover, "ALARM!".
At T=70 no further damages. The wounded Coxwain's are placed in the stern compartment.

2340 - T=30. Commencing torpedo maintenance.

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.

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

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Wednesday, 6 August 1941 - North of Rockall Bank

0102 - O₂=20%.

0410 - Tubes I-IV serviced and inspected together with the two Eto above the floor plates for possible sabotage - no findings. Provisionally finished torpedo maintenance and inspection, as the fwd. reserve torpedoes under the floor plates are not accessible and the stern compartment is occupied with the wounded coxwain's, that are not in condition to be moved.

0418 - Commencing trial dive. 185rpm.

0432 - Boat is safe and secure at 2A-Meter.

0445 - Surfaced after 5h 28min. and 16.5sm.
NNE5/4, partly cloudy, visibility 8-9sm, >1000mb.

0452 - Boat ventilated.

0457 - In the meanwhile, both Coxwain's have succumbed to their injuries. "All engines stop!".

0500 - Qu.1395AM bottom middle -
Sea Burial of Coxwain(AA), Wilhelm BARSCH and of Coxwain&No.3, Konrad SCHMIDT with military honors, in position 59°12'N, 014°06'W.

0530 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since 0452h.

The radio and torpedo crew are taking shifts in the third sea watch.

0945 - Qu.1524AM - Reached 15°W.

1000 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.:
Reached 15°W. Switching to Atlantic Frequency. On 5.8., 2057h, sunk steamer of 6619ts with deck gun, in Qu.1448AM. A lot of enemy air patrols in Rosengarten and further course, 3 crash dives and bombs, no damages. On 5.8., 2315h, attack by 3 Catalina's, in Qu.1393AM, attackers hit by flak and flying off burning, flak crew killed by airplane gun fire. Sea Burial of Coxwain(AA), Wilhelm BARSCH and of Coxwain&No.3, Konrad SCHMIDT with military honors, in position 59°12'N, 014°06'W. Checked bow torpedoes for sabotage, no findings. Boat safe and secure at 2A-Meter. 178.5cbm. 22 eels. NNE5/4, partly cloudy, visibility 8-9sm, >1000mb. - RST -

1029 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
RST: Message received, continue as ordered. New patrol grids for U 129 (Clausen)-AL2682, U 206 (Opitz)-AL1356, U 567 (Fahr)-AE7777, U 113 (RST)-AL3382, depth 100sm. After reaching new patrol grid, attacks only against convoys or especially valuable single traveling ships.

1200 - Qu.1515AM - Days Run: 250.3sm - ↗ 233.8 (18h 32') - ↘ 16.5sm (5h 28')
177.6cbm (8.8cbm/24h). 7900Ah. Weather unchanged since 1000h.

1306 - Norddeich Radio sending O.K.W. report about enemy air raids in West and South Germany, especially, on Karlsruhe and Mannheim, with civilian casualties. Flak and night fighters shot down 8 British bombers.

Throughout the afternoon, several special reports from Radio Berlin about the progress on the eastern front.

1818 - Qu.3655AL -

2212 - Sundown. Midnight Twilight. Weather unchanged since 1000h.

2355 - Incoming F.T.2350/6: From B.d.U.:
B-Dienst reporting small enemy convoy in Qu.3515AL, on course ESE, speed 5kn.

2400 - Boat operating on convoy 2350/6. New course 49°, full speed ahead.

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.