Scapa Flow Raid

kishmeth · 09-27-15, 11:27 PM

October 1939 . U40 , a type IXA, and her captain were getting annoyed with the slim picking on the eastern coastal aproaches to England.

After 19 days of patrol and 7 torpedoes loosed , U40 only had 6,000 tonnes sent to the bottom of the sea - including a 90 ton fishing boat that got in the way of a torpedo .

Desperate for some blood , we went towards Scapa Flow , heading at 14 knots , decks awash on a foggy afternoon .

It was decided that Holm Sound was the best path for the infiltration , so , around 2030 we managed to dodge the last escort - after encountering 3 roving escorts at the entrance and one stationary about 500 m further inside.

An underwater net inflicted some minor damage to us , but nothing that would endanger the raid. Being dark and still somewhat foggy , we moved at full speed , decks awash until at last we were in Scapa proper.

Selecting targets for our six remaining fishes took a long time . But after spotting a BC anchored behind the lone battleship in the port , we decided to go with two torpedoes for each of them , and a single one for an anchored freighter .

By 2:20 AM we were in position. Quick solution , flood tubes , fire . The battleship was hit with both torpedoes , one in the stern , one underneath the first bow turret - which promptly blew up . The ship started listing to port right away , but it would take it more than 3 hours until it sank.

The battlecruiser was luckier - one of the torpedoes was a dud , the second hit a fuel bunker and set it on fire. We knew it wouldn't be enough to sink her , so we turned our bow to it and fired the last torpedo .

3min 30s later we hear a massive explosion . The torpedo sank lower than intended , but the magnetic detonator did its job and detonated right under the main magazine - breaking the ship in one go . She sank in less than 30 seconds - no lifeboats were seen .

The escape was anticlimactic - we weren't followed by any escort , though we hear the sound of destroyer screws buzzing about when we were about 30 miles out.

All in one , a successful raid . 70.000 tones of warships sent to the bottom , with another 12000 of shipping.

Edit : Running WoS 1.04 , Real Navigation. Boat is a VIIA modified to the same stats as a IXA . Loadout was 8 T1e , 8 steamers. No deck gun .

09-27-15, 11:27 PM	#1
kishmeth Nub Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 4 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	Scapa Flow Raid October 1939 . U40 , a type IXA, and her captain were getting annoyed with the slim picking on the eastern coastal aproaches to England. After 19 days of patrol and 7 torpedoes loosed , U40 only had 6,000 tonnes sent to the bottom of the sea - including a 90 ton fishing boat that got in the way of a torpedo . Desperate for some blood , we went towards Scapa Flow , heading at 14 knots , decks awash on a foggy afternoon . It was decided that Holm Sound was the best path for the infiltration , so , around 2030 we managed to dodge the last escort - after encountering 3 roving escorts at the entrance and one stationary about 500 m further inside. An underwater net inflicted some minor damage to us , but nothing that would endanger the raid. Being dark and still somewhat foggy , we moved at full speed , decks awash until at last we were in Scapa proper. Selecting targets for our six remaining fishes took a long time . But after spotting a BC anchored behind the lone battleship in the port , we decided to go with two torpedoes for each of them , and a single one for an anchored freighter . By 2:20 AM we were in position. Quick solution , flood tubes , fire . The battleship was hit with both torpedoes , one in the stern , one underneath the first bow turret - which promptly blew up . The ship started listing to port right away , but it would take it more than 3 hours until it sank. The battlecruiser was luckier - one of the torpedoes was a dud , the second hit a fuel bunker and set it on fire. We knew it wouldn't be enough to sink her , so we turned our bow to it and fired the last torpedo . 3min 30s later we hear a massive explosion . The torpedo sank lower than intended , but the magnetic detonator did its job and detonated right under the main magazine - breaking the ship in one go . She sank in less than 30 seconds - no lifeboats were seen . The escape was anticlimactic - we weren't followed by any escort , though we hear the sound of destroyer screws buzzing about when we were about 30 miles out. All in one , a successful raid . 70.000 tones of warships sent to the bottom , with another 12000 of shipping. Edit : Running WoS 1.04 , Real Navigation. Boat is a VIIA modified to the same stats as a IXA . Loadout was 8 T1e , 8 steamers. No deck gun .