Terror of the Black Sea

joea · 05-28-07, 09:56 AM

U-145, Type IID
Leutnant z. S. Heinz Birkhölzer and his crew had a tremendous 3rd patrol in February of 1943 sinking 36 790 tons in only 5 days in the Black Sea.

It seems the Soviets were launching a major offensive, including amphibious as part of the sucessful Operation Uranus to cut off Stalingrad and in the Black Sea area to push back the Axis and try to retake Novorossiyk.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:E...to_1943-03.png

They had already landed forces on the 5th of February...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Caucasus

The night of 15th February the watch crew spotted a small convoy including a troop ship carrying Red Army reinforcements so a full spread of 3 torpedoes was fired resulting in 3 hits (including one under the keel ...yea the magnetic exploders work!) . U-145 ran decks awash and at 2 knots fired at roughly 3400 meters distance as it seems the Black Sea fleet is not equipped with radar as our comrades in the Atlantic have to face.

Ship sunk! S.S. Xena Tabitha (Passenger Liner), 30229 tons.

Radioed in the convoy report, maybe the LW would attack the rest of the convoy and slipped away then submerged and reloaded as the two 7U DDs fruitlessly searched with their searchlights for us.

Continued on and the next day spotted another convoy headed straight for us on the surface at long range. Submerged, went to silent running and maneuvered to get into position but were unable to fire at a troop ship though we judged the convoy to be moving at 5 knots. Fired 2 TIIIs at a small tanker at close range ...one missed one hit. Then shot our least steamer at high speed at a small cargo who was now moving at about 10 knots and got another hit. We dropped a decoy and went deep..well 130 meters. The Russians launced an ineffectual counterattack and we crept away and eventually the 2 vessels sunk.

Ship sunk! S.S. Kelvinbank (Small Merchant), 2232 tons

Ship sunk! S.S. Dordrecht (Small Tanker), 4329 tons

Total for the 3rd patrol 36 790 tons, pay back for the 6th Army at Stalingrad and help for our comrades fighting on the Kerch peninsula.

Iron crosses 2nd class for the whole crew. Nothing for the Kaleun though.

Oh also saw 2 lighted Turkish vessels, neutral, on the way home as we were out of torpedoes.

Well really rediscovered the joys of the type IIs...and again impressed with GWX historical detail. If the ship types are not 100% accurate (meaning the merchies doubt there were 30000 ton converted liners in the Black Sea) well the ops with the Soviet operations to retake Novorossiyk were. Fun to run short little patrols.

My sig is correct indeed.

spork542 · 05-28-07, 10:19 AM

Good one with the liner!

bigboywooly · 05-28-07, 10:22 AM

Glad you are enjoying the attention to detail
I did try to keep the merchant sizes down due to limited torps on the typeII
Not sure about a 30k liner though but I know the Russians had at least one BB over 25,000 tons plus cruisers in that fleet

Hakahura · 05-28-07, 04:46 PM

After reading this thread I may just have to trade in my type IX, sack some crew and try out life in a "Dugout".

STEED · 05-28-07, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigboywooly

I know the Russians had at least one BB over 25,000 tons plus cruisers in that fleet

I will slip you a tenner if you spill the beans to where they are.

bigboywooly · 05-28-07, 05:23 PM

LMAO
In RL Steed
Twas an old one left over from WW1 that we dont have a model for

Sorry
:rotfl:

There will be some bigger units in 1.04 though :hmm: in the Black Sea

STEED · 05-28-07, 05:24 PM

Nice to hear that.

05-28-07, 09:56 AM	#1
joea Silent Hunter Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: At periscope depth in Lake Geneva Posts: 3,512 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	Terror of the Black Sea U-145, Type IID Leutnant z. S. Heinz Birkhölzer and his crew had a tremendous 3rd patrol in February of 1943 sinking 36 790 tons in only 5 days in the Black Sea. It seems the Soviets were launching a major offensive, including amphibious as part of the sucessful Operation Uranus to cut off Stalingrad and in the Black Sea area to push back the Axis and try to retake Novorossiyk. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:E...to_1943-03.png They had already landed forces on the 5th of February...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Caucasus The night of 15th February the watch crew spotted a small convoy including a troop ship carrying Red Army reinforcements so a full spread of 3 torpedoes was fired resulting in 3 hits (including one under the keel ...yea the magnetic exploders work!) . U-145 ran decks awash and at 2 knots fired at roughly 3400 meters distance as it seems the Black Sea fleet is not equipped with radar as our comrades in the Atlantic have to face. Ship sunk! S.S. Xena Tabitha (Passenger Liner), 30229 tons. Radioed in the convoy report, maybe the LW would attack the rest of the convoy and slipped away then submerged and reloaded as the two 7U DDs fruitlessly searched with their searchlights for us. Continued on and the next day spotted another convoy headed straight for us on the surface at long range. Submerged, went to silent running and maneuvered to get into position but were unable to fire at a troop ship though we judged the convoy to be moving at 5 knots. Fired 2 TIIIs at a small tanker at close range ...one missed one hit. Then shot our least steamer at high speed at a small cargo who was now moving at about 10 knots and got another hit. We dropped a decoy and went deep..well 130 meters. The Russians launced an ineffectual counterattack and we crept away and eventually the 2 vessels sunk. Ship sunk! S.S. Kelvinbank (Small Merchant), 2232 tons Ship sunk! S.S. Dordrecht (Small Tanker), 4329 tons Total for the 3rd patrol 36 790 tons, pay back for the 6th Army at Stalingrad and help for our comrades fighting on the Kerch peninsula. Iron crosses 2nd class for the whole crew. Nothing for the Kaleun though. Oh also saw 2 lighted Turkish vessels, neutral, on the way home as we were out of torpedoes. Well really rediscovered the joys of the type IIs...and again impressed with GWX historical detail. If the ship types are not 100% accurate (meaning the merchies doubt there were 30000 ton converted liners in the Black Sea) well the ops with the Soviet operations to retake Novorossiyk were. Fun to run short little patrols. My sig is correct indeed.

05-28-07, 10:19 AM	#2
spork542 Chief Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 328 Downloads: 18 Uploads: 0	Good one with the liner! __________________

05-28-07, 10:22 AM	#3
bigboywooly Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Swindon, England Posts: 10,151 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	Glad you are enjoying the attention to detail I did try to keep the merchant sizes down due to limited torps on the typeII Not sure about a 30k liner though but I know the Russians had at least one BB over 25,000 tons plus cruisers in that fleet __________________ My mediafire page http://www.mediafire.com/?11eoq19bq9r41

05-28-07, 04:46 PM	#4
Hakahura Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Posts: 785 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	After reading this thread I may just have to trade in my type IX, sack some crew and try out life in a "Dugout". __________________ Sir Humphey Appleby, GCB, KBE, MVO and MA. Britain's Greatest Orator, well bar that Churchill fellow.

05-28-07, 05:23 PM	#6
bigboywooly Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Swindon, England Posts: 10,151 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	LMAO In RL Steed Twas an old one left over from WW1 that we dont have a model for Sorry :rotfl: There will be some bigger units in 1.04 though :hmm: in the Black Sea __________________ My mediafire page http://www.mediafire.com/?11eoq19bq9r41

05-28-07, 05:24 PM	#7
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	Nice to hear that. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!