War Diary: U-189

Ducimus · 01-23-06, 12:46 AM

Patrol 1
U-189, IXC/40, 2nd Flotilla
Left at: January 5, 1942, 22:52
From: Lorient
Mission Orders: Patrol grid CA28
Remarks:
These orders are insane. Our first patrol and command in their infinate wisdom gives us a grid so close to shore we could reach out and punch Mickey mouse in the nose, and i said as much to the rest of the officers.

29 Jan 1942
0941 CA 28 Ship sunk! Small Tanker, 4316 tons
Remarks:
We have made the transatlantic trip without incident and scored our first kill in this damn sector. This is insane, echo sounds come back at 30 to 50 meters. If we are detected here, i have my doubts of being able to escape or evade. I have ordered silence in the boat at all times until further notice.

My prior Mickey mouse wisecrack has become the running joke of the boat. The men are uneasy, but morale is high. Some of them have taken to drawing mickey mouse with a black eye on the torpedo's. As soon as our alloted time is up, will move the boat further south to safer waters.

02 Feb 1942
1854 DC 12 Ship sunk! Small Tanker, 4317 tons
1859 DC 12 Ship sunk! T3 Tanker, 11672 tons
Remarks:
Have left that damnable sector, heading south to the florida keys and the carribean. Hope to find more tankers such as these. Used two torpedo's, and deck gun.

07 Feb 1942
1055 DB 98 Ship sunk! Small Tanker, 4318 tons
Remarks:
Going to loiter in DB98, as it is beleived to be a shipping route.

08 Feb 1942
1728 DB 98 Ship sunk! Trawler, 99 tons
Remarks:
Ran on surface at flank speed for end around attack on sound contact. Upon diving for hydrophone check, discovered target has zigged. Again ran at flank speed and aquired new firing position. Boat was poised and ready for another fat tanker. Instead a trawler appears in the periscopes, as if by some cruel joke made upon us by the enemy.

Being in an akward mood, i decided that i would not be outdone by this joke the fates had let upon us and instructed the flak gunners to dress like pirates. They quickly sized upon the idea and came back from the aft quarters wearing head bandannas, clinching steak knives in their teeth. U189 surfaced along side the trawler, as the flak gunners sprang out of the conning tower looking very meancing. I then shouted over in english that they had better jump ship or be ridinig it down to davy jone's locker. Flak gunners then raked the trawler with gunfire. Before the survivors approached us, my 1st WO came up to me with a makeshift eyepatch. Goign along with the joke i wore the makeshift item as we gave them directions and a small 2 man dingy to get to shore with.

Morale remains high on the boat.

10 Feb 1942
0921 DB 98 Ship sunk! C2 Cargo, 6423 tons

11 Feb 1942
0427 DB 98 Ship sunk! T3 Tanker, 11674 tons

12 Feb 1942
0409 DB 98 Ship sunk! Small Tanker, 6166 tons

13 Feb 1942
0135 DB 98 Ship sunk! T2 Tanker, 6340 tons
Remarks:
Very busy shipping lane, patrols are getting heavy, decided to leave well enough alone and find a new area to patrol. Torpedo expenditures have been kept to a minimum. With a precise idea of shipping routes we have been able to locate and position ourselves within 400 meters for optimum shots. Good hunting here.

On a side note, Unbenounced to me, some of the petty officers have painted over the 2nd flotilla stencil on the conning tower and replaced it with a skull and crossbones. I need to remember that my jokes with the crew reflect in their bearing.

06 Mar 1942
0605 DM 53 Ship sunk! Small Merchant, 3960 tons
0606 DM 53 Ship sunk! Coastal Merchant, 2246 tons
Remarks:
Have continued south, following assumed shipping lanes.

08 Mar 1942
1422 DN 47 Ship sunk! T2 Tanker, 6341 tons
1424 DN 47 Ship sunk! T2 Tanker, 6342 tons
Remarks:
The last few days clearly show a shipping route north of the jamaican/cuban coast. Have expended all torpedo's, starting trip home.

09 Mar 1942
0344 DN 47 Ship sunk! Small Merchant, 3961 tons
Remarks:
Sound contact close aboard. Without torpedos to use, decided to engage in a running gun battle. Expended remaining deck gun shells. ship sunk, crew jubulant, but tired and strained. Continuing route to home port.

02 Apr 1942
2250 BF - Docked at Lorient

Patrol 1 Summary
05JAN42 - 02APR42 (88 days at sea):
Crew losses: 0
Ships sunk: 14
Aircraft destroyed: 0
Patrol tonage: 78175 tons

01-23-06, 12:46 AM	#1
Ducimus Rear Admiral Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,987 Downloads: 67 Uploads: 2	War Diary: U-189 Patrol 1 U-189, IXC/40, 2nd Flotilla Left at: January 5, 1942, 22:52 From: Lorient Mission Orders: Patrol grid CA28 Remarks: These orders are insane. Our first patrol and command in their infinate wisdom gives us a grid so close to shore we could reach out and punch Mickey mouse in the nose, and i said as much to the rest of the officers. 29 Jan 1942 0941 CA 28 Ship sunk! Small Tanker, 4316 tons Remarks: We have made the transatlantic trip without incident and scored our first kill in this damn sector. This is insane, echo sounds come back at 30 to 50 meters. If we are detected here, i have my doubts of being able to escape or evade. I have ordered silence in the boat at all times until further notice. My prior Mickey mouse wisecrack has become the running joke of the boat. The men are uneasy, but morale is high. Some of them have taken to drawing mickey mouse with a black eye on the torpedo's. As soon as our alloted time is up, will move the boat further south to safer waters. 02 Feb 1942 1854 DC 12 Ship sunk! Small Tanker, 4317 tons 1859 DC 12 Ship sunk! T3 Tanker, 11672 tons Remarks: Have left that damnable sector, heading south to the florida keys and the carribean. Hope to find more tankers such as these. Used two torpedo's, and deck gun. 07 Feb 1942 1055 DB 98 Ship sunk! Small Tanker, 4318 tons Remarks: Going to loiter in DB98, as it is beleived to be a shipping route. 08 Feb 1942 1728 DB 98 Ship sunk! Trawler, 99 tons Remarks: Ran on surface at flank speed for end around attack on sound contact. Upon diving for hydrophone check, discovered target has zigged. Again ran at flank speed and aquired new firing position. Boat was poised and ready for another fat tanker. Instead a trawler appears in the periscopes, as if by some cruel joke made upon us by the enemy. Being in an akward mood, i decided that i would not be outdone by this joke the fates had let upon us and instructed the flak gunners to dress like pirates. They quickly sized upon the idea and came back from the aft quarters wearing head bandannas, clinching steak knives in their teeth. U189 surfaced along side the trawler, as the flak gunners sprang out of the conning tower looking very meancing. I then shouted over in english that they had better jump ship or be ridinig it down to davy jone's locker. Flak gunners then raked the trawler with gunfire. Before the survivors approached us, my 1st WO came up to me with a makeshift eyepatch. Goign along with the joke i wore the makeshift item as we gave them directions and a small 2 man dingy to get to shore with. Morale remains high on the boat. 10 Feb 1942 0921 DB 98 Ship sunk! C2 Cargo, 6423 tons 11 Feb 1942 0427 DB 98 Ship sunk! T3 Tanker, 11674 tons 12 Feb 1942 0409 DB 98 Ship sunk! Small Tanker, 6166 tons 13 Feb 1942 0135 DB 98 Ship sunk! T2 Tanker, 6340 tons Remarks: Very busy shipping lane, patrols are getting heavy, decided to leave well enough alone and find a new area to patrol. Torpedo expenditures have been kept to a minimum. With a precise idea of shipping routes we have been able to locate and position ourselves within 400 meters for optimum shots. Good hunting here. On a side note, Unbenounced to me, some of the petty officers have painted over the 2nd flotilla stencil on the conning tower and replaced it with a skull and crossbones. I need to remember that my jokes with the crew reflect in their bearing. 06 Mar 1942 0605 DM 53 Ship sunk! Small Merchant, 3960 tons 0606 DM 53 Ship sunk! Coastal Merchant, 2246 tons Remarks: Have continued south, following assumed shipping lanes. 08 Mar 1942 1422 DN 47 Ship sunk! T2 Tanker, 6341 tons 1424 DN 47 Ship sunk! T2 Tanker, 6342 tons Remarks: The last few days clearly show a shipping route north of the jamaican/cuban coast. Have expended all torpedo's, starting trip home. 09 Mar 1942 0344 DN 47 Ship sunk! Small Merchant, 3961 tons Remarks: Sound contact close aboard. Without torpedos to use, decided to engage in a running gun battle. Expended remaining deck gun shells. ship sunk, crew jubulant, but tired and strained. Continuing route to home port. 02 Apr 1942 2250 BF - Docked at Lorient Patrol 1 Summary 05JAN42 - 02APR42 (88 days at sea): Crew losses: 0 Ships sunk: 14 Aircraft destroyed: 0 Patrol tonage: 78175 tons