[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

Saturday, 31 August 1940 - Rockall Bank

(...)

0325 - Sunset - Diving for submerged attack. "Battle Stations!"

0331 - Incoming F.T.: RST: Convoy 2010/30 is B.HX.67. Beware of escorts! Keep radio silence! - B.d.U. -

0335 - Course 190°, T=14, silent running, 1.6kn,

0355 - Qu.1873AM - The forward sweeper runs back to the convoy. Altering course to 280° for submerged passing attack.

The target ships are a large tanker in Pos.1 and "Ark Royal" in Pos.2 of the middle column.

Note: A large tanker in Pos.1 of the 2nd stbd. column and a large steamer in the 1st port column are "Ami's" (US-American).

All torpedoes are G7e, K-b/Contact Fuse, running depth 4-5m, target angle 90°port, target distance 500m, target speed 5-7kn.

Tube I against the tanker in pos.1 of the middle column is a hit! The tanker breaks in two and sinks in a gigantic ball of fire within 1min.

Tubes III & IV against Ark Royal hit the stern but fail to detonate, as Ark Royal is turning away to stbd., after the attack against the tanker.

Cmdr: "I attack again with tubes V & VI, which are hits on the bow. The forecastle settles in the water but Ark Royal continues to make headway at a speed of 7kn."

Tube II against a large tanker in pos.4 of the middle column is a hit. This tanker also, breaks in two, explodes in a huge fireball and sinks within seconds.

Cmdr.: "The forward sweeper is looking for us inside the convoy, running around the zig-zagging ships, while the two rear Flower Corvettes are staying in their port and stbd. stations, looking for us outside of the convoy."

0505 - The V&W destroyer is running back to the convoy. Tubes I & II are reloaded with G7e torpedoes.

0508 - Surfaced after 1h43' and 4.3sm. Pursuing the convoy on course 100°.

0535 - Evaded the rear port Flower Corvette on a search pattern, ahead stbd., E=6000.

0540 - Tubes III & IV are reloaded with G7a torpedoes.

0547 - Corvette returns to the convoy.

0607 - Tubes V & VI are reloaded with G7a torpedoes.

0626 - Qu.1818AM - With the darkness having set-in, the boat is in position for a surface attack with the rear tubes against Ark Royal: Own course 155°, own speed 1.6kn. Two single shots from both rear tubes with G7a, K-a/Contact Fuse, running depth 4m, Vt44kn, Shooter: Ltnt.z.S. & I.W.O.Emmo MARBACH.

Both torpedoes are hits! Ark Royal explodes in a huge fireball after the first torpedo hits - must have ignited the forward magazine. The second torpedo hits, while Ark Royal is already sinking. After the attack, running off with high speed on course 55°.

0702 - Course 100°. "Dismissed from Battle Stations!"

- to be continued -

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

- continued from 31 August 1940, 0702h -

0825 - After about 1.5h, the convoy stops zig-zagging and continues on course 100°.

0830 - Qu. 1882AM - Reached forward position to the port side of the convoy. New course 190°. "Battle Stations!"

0848 - Decks Awash. Boat sliding-in between the port rear corvette and the outer port column of the convoy. Distance in both directions is about 700m.

Tubes III & IV are G7a, K-a/Contact Fuse, running depth 4m, Vt40kn, Shooter: Ltnt.z.S. & I.W.O. Emmo MARBACH.

Target ship is a Large Tramp Steamer in Pos.5 of the middle column. One torpedo is a hit, while the other is a miss for some un-identified reason.

Tubes I & II are G7e, K-b/Contact Fuse, running depth 4m, Shooter: Ltnt.z.S. & I.W.O. Emmo MARBACH.

Target ship is a Standard Steamer with military aircraft as upper deck cargo.

The result of the attack cannot be observed, as the boat is illuminated by star shells right after the torpedoes are launched. The boat is being attacked with surface weapons and is sustaining damage to the pressure hull.

0900 - "ALARM!" Boat is crash diving.

Cmdr.: "During the diving process, 3 distinct torpedo hits and sinking noises are heard. This means, that both Eto's are hits and that the other Ato, must have hit another ship as well."

Boat diving to A+70. Wabos (Depth Charges) above the boat and astern during further course.

0945 - Surfaced the boat after 45min. and 2.4sm.

0955 - Morning Dawn - The Flower Corvette returns to the convoy. New course 100° - pursuing convoy. "Dismissed from Battle Stations!"

Cmdr.: "As I am positioned on the side of the moon, I have to remain outside of the field of view of the enemy."

- to be continued -