[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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- continued from 20 Jan., 1401h -

1627 - Qu.1711BF - "Surface Vessel!". Inbound empty Standard Tanker of 8054ts and a M12-Merchant of 5143ts in keel line, bearing 28°, E=8000, on course 70°, speed 5kn. The merchant in the back has loaded 2 military trucks and a deck gun mounted on the aft section, and has "American Export Line" written on the side. Both vessels are English.

Going on parallel course. During the process of overtaking the ships, the bridge is continuously washed over by the heavy swell.

1716 - Sundown - Boat moving to the Luv-Side, E=7500.

1730 - Reached position bearing 0°. New course 250°, 1/3-Ahead.

1745 - Qu.1478BF - Dived for submerged attack. Own course 157°, own speed 3kn. All torpedoes are G7e, K-b/G7H (contact pistol), Vt30. "Battle Stations!"

1801: Norddeich Radio report about "Admiral Scheer" having seized 3 British ships with about 19000ts in the South Atlantic.

1809 - Shot with Tube I; Running depth 4m.
Target ship: The empty tanker in front.
Target distance 900m; Target angle Red90°; Target speed 5kn; Firing angle 10°.
Torpedo is a failure, understeers!

1811 - Shot with Tube II; Running depth 4m.
Target ship: The empty tanker in front.
Target distance 600m; Target angle Red90°; Target speed 5kn; Firing angle 350°.
Torpedo is a hit amidships after 42 Sec.!
A fire breaking out on the tanker and continues on zig-zagging around its general course of 70°.

1816 - Shot with Tube III; Running depth 6m.
Target ship: The steamer in back.
Target distance 500m; Target angle Red90°; Target speed 5kn; Firing angle 356°.
Torpedo is a hit in the forecastle after 31 Sec.!

At 1818h life boats are veered and at 1821h the steamer sinks by the bow.

1843 - Retreated to T=50 for torpedo reloading.

- to be continued -

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- continued from 20 Jan., 1843h -

1915 - S-Tiefe. The tanker is still burning. Turning toward the tanker for submerged attack. Own course 160°, own speed 3kn.

1919 - Shot with Tube III; G7a, K-a/G7H (contact pistol); Running depth 4m; Vt44.
Target ship: The already torpedoed tanker.
Target distance 1065m; Target angle Red90°; Target speed 4kn; Firing angle 342°.
Torpedo is a hit amidships after 48 Sec.!

Cmdr.: "At first the tanker continues on but then starts to settle in the water by the forecastle until she sinks over the stem, with the stern standing straight up in the air and the tanker turning like a cork-screw into the raging sea, accompanied by load underwater explosions. I have never seen or experienced such a thing!"

1935 - T=50. O₂ = 20%. Decision to remain submerged for reloading of tube III with Ato.
"Dismissed from Battle Stations!".

2000 - Surfaced after 2h 15' and 8.8sm.

2030 - Boat ventilated. Charging batteries at 7900Ah: Stbd.-Diesel 500RPM - Charging;
Port-Diesel 405RPM - Propulsion, 8kn.

2210 - Batteries charged: 1h 40' for 2100Ah.

2230 - Qu.1445BF - Evaded Tribal Class Destroyer on heading NNW and high speed, coming from the general direction of the last sinking. Suspecting that after taking on of survivors, she is now searching for us.

Continuing outbound transit.

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.