Quote:
Originally Posted by Kapitän
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...
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Monday, 16 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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Georg von Bismarck is promoted to the rank of Generalleutnant posthumously.
Oberfeldwebel Karl Lipp of the German Kampfgeschwader 55 wing is awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
Situation report - Moroccan Coast and Gibraltar area:
Coast of Morocco:
Boats operated first off Fedala, Casablanca and Fedala, the principle enemy landing place. Boats ordered to make for shallow waters just off the coast and attack shipping entering the harbors. The attack conditions (shallow water, heavy air and sea patrols with destroyer and land detection gear) made stationary positions just off the harbor untenable. Only quick thrusts by day or night were possible, followed by a quick withdrawal to deeper water.
On 11 November U 173 attacked a heavily guarded convoy off Casablanca harbor and scored 3 hits. On 12 November U 130 sank 3 freighters in Fedala Roads and reported about 20 freighters near the harbor.
While operating in shallow water near Casablanca during the night of 13 November U 509 reported a mine explosion. Since a minefield N. of Casablanca is unlikely and since good opportunities were available only just off Casablanca boats received orders to operate in their designated positions.
At the time of the next strike on 13 November no movements were seen off Casablanca and Fedala up to the 100 meter line and no ships were to be found in the Roads. Survey of the harbor of Safi on 12 November revealed no ships either in harbor or in the Roads, although there was a strong destroyer screen round the harbor.
On 15 November U 173 reported an outgoing group consisting of 1 carrier, 2 battleships and transports in DJ 2273 on course 30° high speed. Adir - Mogador and Mehdia Roads were proved to be empty offering no chance of success.
Overall situation on 16 November:
Landing operations finished in the West between 11 and 13 November. Attacks possible on 11 and 12 November only on ships at anchor in Fedala Roads. After the harbor of Casablanca and other small harbors were taken, only incoming and outgoing convoys offered targets. Attacks on these convoys would necessitate operations of boats in less than 50 meters of water. It is impossible to stay in this depth for any length of time because of the heavy destroyer and air patrols.
Purpose: Placement of boats somewhat removed from land in deep water. As far as possible according to numbers to join boats to Gibraltar area patrols so that a virtual blockade of the harbor of Casablanca is imposed. Strikes were possible near land in order to control harbors and roads.
Gibraltar area:
Due to heavy air and sea patrols in the sector west of Gibraltar we can reckon on no daylight attacks and only small night attacks. Placement must therefore be made in deepest water possible (depending on the number of boats). Boats will be placed in checkerboard fashion completely plastering the area, so that at least one boat will be in firing position either by day or by night. The 16 boats so disposed will be insufficient for the accomplishment of this task since the area between the boats are so great that convoys can move to and fro without being sighted by the boats.
Successes:
12 November - 1 Birmingham class cruiser and 1 destroyer sunk.
14 November - 3 torpedo hits on 3 large transports in CG 8665, course W.
16 November - ship sailing alone sunk (12,000 T) in CG 9457 course 300°.
Therefore no success against supply convoys.
In the same area from 12 - 16 November 11 attacks by English aircraft in the Gibraltar and Morocco area. U-boat reported "Very heavy air and destroyer patrols, aircraft and surface vessels depth charges". A number of boats report damage by aircraft (U 509 - 752 - 218 - 108).
U 218 returning to port since operations of boats close to land will become increasingly more dangerous. With the brightening of the moon a move to the west is imperative.
U 648 (Oblt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) concludes exercises on the Elbe river in Hamburg.
RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115
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Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...
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Tueday,
17 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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American troops capture Gafsa, Tunisia and British 36th Brigade engage German forces at Djebel Abiod, Tunisia.
German General Walter Nehring arrives in Tunis to lead a counterattack against the Allies. The Italians formally absorb the French Protectorate of Tunisia into the borders of Italian North Africa.
French Ambassador to the United States Gaston Henri-Haye arrives at Hotel Hershey, his place of internment, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States.
British Admiral Max Horton was appointed Commander-in-Chief Western Approaches Command with his Headquarters at Northways, North London, England.
U 752 (Kptlt. Karl-Ernst Schroeter) has
repaired her damage and has taken up position as ordered.
U 566 (Oblt. Gerhard Remus)
has been bombed repeatedly because of oil leaks. She is moving on according to orders.
U 86 (Kptlt. Walter Schug)
reports enemy convoy at 1817 on W. course, high speed. Contact lost immediately. This is possibly the convoy which was left after having been sighted off Gibraltar at 0300 by our boats.
U 564 (Oblt. Hans Fiedler; ex Suhren)
sighted a second convoy at 2115 in CG 8966, course W. speed up to 14 knots, 3 steamers and 2 patrol boats were seen. Boats in the Gibraltar area are to operate against this convoy during the night or early in the morning if they can get into position. U 86, U 155 and U 511 (Kptlt. Friedrich Steinhoff) reported on the convoy. U 413 (Oblt. Gustav Poel) requested bearing signal. Besides U 155 and U 511 both of which fired double shot misses, no other boat has approached because of high speed of the convoy. Pursuit was given up and boats returned to their area. Last convoy position was DJ 1311 at 0325, speed 16 knots, general course 260°. At 0407, U 86 sighted a pair of destroyers on course 90° in CG 8570.
U 103 (Kptlt. Gustav-Adolf Janssen) and
U 108 (Oblt. Matthias Brünig) encountered only a patrol boat in DJ 2163,
off Mazagan.
U 155 (Kptlt. Adolf Cornelius Piening) situation:
Strong air patrols of all types in Gibraltar area. Single destroyers and trawlers. During the night heavy air and surface bearing searches with D/C's dropped at random. Small prospects for attacks, ships well protected at night. Boat requests freedom of movements in CG 80.
The opinion that an operation just W. of Gibraltar would be impossible in a few days was confirmed by report from U 155. Boat was forced to stay submerged 20 hours per day due to heavy air, destroyer and patrol craft activity, so that recharging of batteries was virtually impossible. It is more evident that possibilities of success are even more meager. Lowest speed so far of the convoy's is between 10 and 12 knots. The screening craft are destroyers of special skill, and experience so that the boats cannot get near enough for firing.
The report of U 155 (experienced, bold Captain with Knight's Cross) is: Small possibilities of attack, due to night shipping being screened by sonic gear.
Definite attack sectors were ordered for boats in the
Casablanca area:
U 130 - DJ 2254; U 510 - DJ 2419; U 130 - 103 - 263 and 510 making sorties of opportunity on Casablanca and near coast.
U 752 and U 173 occupying CG 8585 and CG 9719 respectively for repairs.
U 118 (VIID; Kptlt. Richard Becker) is
waiting to refuel Morocco boats in DH 10.
U 518 (Kptlt. Friedrich-Wilhelm Wissmann) completed operation (
putting spy ashore) on 9 November. She has operated in BB 17 - 18 since the operation and has seen only occasional single ships sailing close to land. Slight surface patrols, no night air patrols. Meager prospects of success. According to previous orders boat is operating further in BB 70 (Halifax).
U 648 (Oblt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl)
transfers to U.A.K.-Kiel via the K.W.K.
RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115