Too close for comfort!

[GoldenRivet]

Date: January 12 1942

Location: Patrolling in grid CA81 about 170 NM east of Norfolk in search of tankers ingressing and egressing Norfolk

Time: approximately one hour before sunset.

Weather: Fair, heavy seas, no precipitation, visibility was about 3-4000 meters.

Situation: I was running on the surface recharging the batteries when all of the sudden an otherwise dull and uneventful patrol is interrupted by a Clemson Destroyer!

I thought perhaps we could dive before he spotted us, but when i got onto the watch towere i knew instantly that it was too late when i realised that the U-boat was basking in the Clemson's search light.

I ordered a crash dive, of course the water was only about 35 meters deep, the destroyer was firing shells at us the whole way down - each one missed thankfully.

I arrested the dive at periscope depth and ordered a turn directly toward the destroyer, raised the periscope and fired a quick panic spread of all 4 bow tubes - no results.

the pinging started - I order flank speed as the destroyer closes to within 300 meters i order hard to starboard. the pinging is very rapid and intense - this clemson has us. he passes over the stern dropping the depth charges in rapid succession - each of them practically exploding the minute they hit the water. we got rocked around pretty good, but for the most part were undamaged.

i raise the scope the destroyer is moving away at high speed on a bearing of about 160 degrees and about 200 - 300 meters, he starts a turn to port...

I order hard to port and fire a blind snapshot spread from the stern tubes.

the first torpedo passes off the stern of the destroyer by not even 10 meters, but the second fish ... ... it's magnetic pistol works like a sailors dream and detonates directly underneath the clemsons props blowing them both completely off.

"Yes!!! Thank God!!!

i knew that those stern shots were my only hope - there was no way i was going to last against a clemson destroyer in 30 meters of water. after tube one was reloaded i continues the port turn and lined up a text book bow shot at the now motionless and entirely helpless Clemson.

my how the tables had turned on this poor ba$tard.

the next hit was in the forward magazine and the result was a quite impressive series of explosions.

my kaluen lives to fight another day, perhaps next time he will be more patient and not probe the 30 meter water line in search of tonnage.

[AndyW]

Sounds like streusel cake and a Becks for the crew and an Iron Cross for you.

Cheers,
AndyW

[Mooncatt]

very cool lucky escape then

[robbo180265]

Nice one mate, good read

[Brag]

Congratahoochies! Destroyer bashing is good. Give the man a drink