Finding Australians and or just real lucky, U-97

[Wolfram]

This I wrote to JScones in response at this thread -

http://www.subsim.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=48370

The above thread a good read about the NZ and Australian flag; but thought I would share an excerpt from my log with all of you regarding the location of Australian ships.

Again not sure the following is historically/date accurate and merely a recounting of my adventure.

Or how lucky I was one day....



Early to Mid Jan '41 low on fuel and ammo docked at Tobruk - failed to read my history books and ended mission in the then Italian held port.

Restarted with a great surprise Mid Feb 1941.

Tobruk had fell to the Australians during my resupply.

A game bug? or just something they did not account for but I am chugging from the dock at 01:00 (unaware of the change) wondering how am going to navigate the narrow little port in darkness with all this traffic. Also wondering where are the Italian nurses and the band?

Suddenly watch crew is sounding a warship spotted and the actions screen pops up.

:hmm: must be that Tribal I dodged to get here a few weeks ago, about 10 to 15 km away. Yet instinct says periscope depth and that I did. Only to my surprise to learn at up scope when I look at the harbor traffic its not my antagonist Tribal I had dodged. But its a V&W sitting not more than 3km to my starboard. I am frantic & scan the "traffic" docked/sitting around me; I realize I am in a bad bad place indeed...slow & surrounded in shallow water.

A troop ship, an LST, a tanker and a C2 all flying the Australian colors!

Not to mention now sound contacts - 2 more DD cruising about 15km away...seems we might be better to spend the duration as guests of the Royal Navy then fight.

Yet by luck and maybe a bit of skill - all silent & barely scraping the sea floor - U-97 clears out and leaves three of the four cargos at the bottom.

One of the more intense 3 hours of real time I have ever had in this great game

Pure Luck!

[JScones]

Bloody Australians. If they're not upsetting the British, they're upsetting the Germans...

Your story gives me an SH3Cmdr idea.

Anyway, what mods are you running to allow you in the Med (assuming you didn't glide by Gibraltar) in late-1940? The 29th isn't available until 12/41?

I did three patrols in the Med between 12/41 and 4/42 and saw *nothing* in Tobruk harbour. In fact, I got so bored with sinking nothing but dinghies in the Med, I couldn't wait to get back to the 'ol 7th. Are you running HT or something?

[Wolfram]

Originally Posted by JScones

Bloody Australians. If they're not upsetting the British, they're upsetting the Germans...

Your story gives me an SH3Cmdr idea.

Anyway, what mods are you running to allow you in the Med (assuming you didn't glide by Gibraltar) in late-1940? The 29th isn't available until 12/41?

I did three patrols in the Med between 12/41 and 4/42 and saw *nothing* in Tobruk harbour. In fact, I got so bored with sinking nothing but dinghies in the Med, I couldn't wait to get back to the 'ol 7th. Are you running HT or something?

Sir you honor me or shall I say my luck on that patrol. I am running IUb 1.02 and other minor mods like Das Boot music and clothes

To be brief;

Patrol was originally from St. Nazaire to BF17. After that I decided being early Dec '40 and bored with the Western Approachs and or AM19 I would after BF17 head south - LOL sick of the weather I was.

South I headed & once down near the "Rock" or straits I was near half fuel and had expended about 3/4 my eels chasing a convoy that came out of the Med. I noticed Thalia was available and went to refuel rearm. Next mission I was struck by the thought I have never before survived a crossing of that Gibraltar Strait.

BTW note here I have already been chastised this is an easy feat but for me I had lost three previous crews/boats in the attempt:

http://www.subsim.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=48303

It was Dec 31 1940 I made the run again maybe not the worst time I admit but for me the challenge.

I go through and had a feast of some assorted cargo ships, two being in CN25; the NZ/Autralia flag thread. Then I was inspired after a History Channel show about the battles of the Afrika Korps but failed to recall the dates.

So off to help Rommel I thought

I saw Benghazi and Tobruk I got near Benghazi but some British DDs made me "uncomfortable" I got away but lost three fish in that skirmish - having only 2 left & low on deck gun ammo I see Tobruk in blue or friendly colors. As I close a Tribal was afoot and then a second warship that turned out to be an Italian
- but he would be of no help turning away from the Tribal at every moment it seemed.

Eventually I dodge the DD into Tobruk early morning of Jan 10th 1941 (I think the date). The rest I have posted....

Before my detractors strike again yes I confess it pre 1942 but it still makes for a great story.

JScones sir it would be my privilege to think this inspired a mod for this great game.

[JScones]

So you sailed through the straits and out of an enemy controlled port? Mein gott! Your crew must hate you.

<laughs> 10 Jan '41 - just two days before Tobruk changed hands! Pity SH3 didn't model the port attacks or withdrawals, just to give you some inkling that something big was happening around you. I want to know how you guys missed each other for the few weeks you were there. LOL!

If you get the "urge" again, try hanging around Alexandria. If it's modelled like real life you should have some fun (both with merchants and DDs)...

[Wolfram]

Originally Posted by JScones

So you sailed through the straits and out of an enemy controlled port? Mein gott! Your crew must hate you.

<laughs> 10 Jan '41 - just two days before Tobruk changed hands! Pity SH3 didn't model the port attacks or withdrawals, just to give you some inkling that something big was happening around you. I want to know how you guys missed each other for the few weeks you were there. LOL!

If you get the "urge" again, try hanging around Alexandria. If it's modelled like real life you should have some fun (both with merchants and DDs)...

Hate me? No. Disappointed Yes! I think disappointed they never got to find those Italian nurses nor even a single bottle of wine.

2 Days! Mein Gott in Himmel! I have no idea how we evaded those Australian sand devils

Maybe we disguised ourselves as Icelandic fisherman that got lost? (Das Boot Clothing option?) I mean really lost.

And the U-97? Oh that little thing? We told them it is special whaling ship...lets us get real close to them....

:rotfl:

[Easty]

Bloody Australians. If they're not upsetting the British, they're upsetting the Germans...

Thats something similair to what what my old grandfather used to say who was with the 9th at Tobruk and El Alamain I think they liked the Germans more than the British.

Cheers
Andrew

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by Easty

Bloody Australians. If they're not upsetting the British, they're upsetting the Germans...

Thats something similair to what what my old grandfather used to say who was with the 9th at Tobruk and El Alamain I think they liked the Germans more than the British.

Cheers
Andrew

You shoot a German officer and get a medal, shoot a British officer and ...

[Wolfram]

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

You shoot a German officer and get a medal, shoot a British officer and ...

:hmm: I am sensing some issues between the Australians and British.

[bookworm_020]

Blame it on the cricket!!

Australians, New Zealanders and Englishmen have always had a curious relationship. We sling off at each other all the time and give each other a hard time. BUT here is the thing, its never malicious, its always done tounge in cheek and low an behold any1 else who puts down our fellow commonwealth comrades in arms.

Its not only the cricket (all thou, that at times would be reason enough ), nor is it rugby or any of the other international sports we 3 countries play against each other. It goes way back to the begining of the settelment of both Australia and NZ by the UK. We have all a long history between us and over the years through 2 World Wars plus many smaller conflicts we have all come to each others aide. It gives us a certain right to be "Damn Cheeky" to our fellow comrades in arms that no other country has. We (or at least I myself) admire the qualities we find in each other that stood by us through thick an thin but we also like to get 1 up over each other as many times as possible. Its all in good fun and you would really have to be either an Aussie a Kiwi or a Pom to understand it all.

[Easty]

Totally agree with you my comments were very tounge in cheek.

Cheers
Andrew