It's HOW deep?

Der Schatten · 01-31-07, 05:29 PM

The 4th patrol was a total washout,,,,,constant rain and high winds, low visibility and low moral. The bread went moldy in three days, and the salted bacon moved on it's own accord. Only ships spotted were friendlies and neutrals.....everyone was secretly glad to see the fuel guage work it's way down to "time to head home". U-53's ('the Black Cat") 5th patrol started on a fine spring morning, the newly recieved type VIIC hummed out of Kiel like a thorough-bred waiting to be let loose. After reaching AN55 (and sinking a tramp steamer on the way) we picked up a message of a convoy headed our way. We headed to the cut off point with high expectations. Arriving a day ahead of time, we played cat and mouse with two Armed trawlers who must have had this grid in thier patrol zone (that wont do!) and since we had on board two shiny new electric torpedos we thought we would clear the area before the convoy got there. The first shot was an easy one, set up was perfect and the trawler went down quickly after taking the torp right in the engine room. The second was more difficult (a nice way of saying "lucky") since the trawler turned into what should have been a botched shot....she exploded and broke in two. No need to say it, but the crew was in fine spirits (previous problems caused them to not like the electric torpedos much!) and ready for action. After setting up where I thought the convoy should be appearing, we transfered rested men to the vital positions, charged the batteries and put everything in order. The convoy was picked up at about 18 Kms and we made final calculations..........one of the last things I did was a quick "depth at keel", just to make sure (I'v been burned on that one before!), and you could hear the hearts drop to the deck when we all heard "Depth at Keel.....17 meters!"..........17 meters?

During the positioning for the two trawlers and getting in line for the convoy, I had moved out of that "deep spot" in AN55.
Descretion always is the better part of valor, so they say. At least that is what I said when faced with tangling with probably 4 or more escorts in 20 or so meters of water. It was nice to have the upgraded engines on the VIIC as we surfaced and got the heck out of there at flank speed. The bad mood was temporary, as this patrol already tasted blood and we were seeing targets....it should only be a matter of time till we have our chance.......and the next time we may have all the cards in our favor. The crew was singing "Lily Marlene" as we headed north to better (and DEEPER) hunting grounds.

codmander · 01-31-07, 06:00 PM

How do you hit an armed trawler ? things are tiny tdc manual?

bigboywooly · 01-31-07, 06:04 PM

Yes deeper water is a good ally
Dont think I would have risked an attack in 17m either

baggygreen · 01-31-07, 07:42 PM

sound of judgement mate, thats a particularly good call i think. although, if you're lucky the shallow-set charges may well blow off the DD's racks, or even better blow the whole thing sky-high! i've seen a few cases of that..

Brag · 01-31-07, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Der Schatten

The 4th patrol was a total washout,,,,,constant rain and high winds, low visibility and low moral. The bread went moldy in three days, and the salted bacon moved on it's own accord. Only ships spotted were friendlies and neutrals.....everyone was secretly glad to see the fuel guage work it's way down to "time to head home". U-53's ('the Black Cat") 5th patrol started on a fine spring morning, the newly recieved type VIIC hummed out of Kiel like a thorough-bred waiting to be let loose. After reaching AN55 (and sinking a tramp steamer on the way) we picked up a message of a convoy headed our way. We headed to the cut off point with high expectations. Arriving a day ahead of time, we played cat and mouse with two Armed trawlers who must have had this grid in thier patrol zone (that wont do!) and since we had on board two shiny new electric torpedos we thought we would clear the area before the convoy got there. The first shot was an easy one, set up was perfect and the trawler went down quickly after taking the torp right in the engine room. The second was more difficult (a nice way of saying "lucky") since the trawler turned into what should have been a botched shot....she exploded and broke in two. No need to say it, but the crew was in fine spirits (previous problems caused them to not like the electric torpedos much!) and ready for action. After setting up where I thought the convoy should be appearing, we transfered rested men to the vital positions, charged the batteries and put everything in order. The convoy was picked up at about 18 Kms and we made final calculations..........one of the last things I did was a quick "depth at keel", just to make sure (I'v been burned on that one before!), and you could hear the hearts drop to the deck when we all heard "Depth at Keel.....17 meters!"..........17 meters?

During the positioning for the two trawlers and getting in line for the convoy, I had moved out of that "deep spot" in AN55.
Descretion always is the better part of valor, so they say. At least that is what I said when faced with tangling with probably 4 or more escorts in 20 or so meters of water. It was nice to have the upgraded engines on the VIIC as we surfaced and got the heck out of there at flank speed. The bad mood was temporary, as this patrol already tasted blood and we were seeing targets....it should only be a matter of time till we have our chance.......and the next time we may have all the cards in our favor. The crew was singing "Lily Marlene" as we headed north to better (and DEEPER) hunting grounds.

Good judgement, Herr Kaleun

High Voltage · 01-31-07, 10:56 PM

17m is plenty deep if you really know what you're doing...

Wise move Herr Kaleun, you'll live to hunt another day.

Corrupt_File · 02-01-07, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by High Voltage

17m is plenty deep if you really know what you're doing...

Wise move Herr Kaleun, you'll live to hunt another day.

Ack, no way. Especially late war. You have a better change with your 88mm against the Hood then in 17m of water. Learned that one from a botched attack on Halifax in old IX.

Mooncatt · 02-01-07, 03:40 AM

very good judgement Kaleun i woulda done the same everytime.

Jimbuna · 02-01-07, 07:44 AM

I wouldn't have wasted a couple of eels on such 'small fry'

....but each to our own

01-31-07, 05:29 PM	#1
Der Schatten Gunner Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 93 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It's HOW deep? The 4th patrol was a total washout,,,,,constant rain and high winds, low visibility and low moral. The bread went moldy in three days, and the salted bacon moved on it's own accord. Only ships spotted were friendlies and neutrals.....everyone was secretly glad to see the fuel guage work it's way down to "time to head home". U-53's ('the Black Cat") 5th patrol started on a fine spring morning, the newly recieved type VIIC hummed out of Kiel like a thorough-bred waiting to be let loose. After reaching AN55 (and sinking a tramp steamer on the way) we picked up a message of a convoy headed our way. We headed to the cut off point with high expectations. Arriving a day ahead of time, we played cat and mouse with two Armed trawlers who must have had this grid in thier patrol zone (that wont do!) and since we had on board two shiny new electric torpedos we thought we would clear the area before the convoy got there. The first shot was an easy one, set up was perfect and the trawler went down quickly after taking the torp right in the engine room. The second was more difficult (a nice way of saying "lucky") since the trawler turned into what should have been a botched shot....she exploded and broke in two. No need to say it, but the crew was in fine spirits (previous problems caused them to not like the electric torpedos much!) and ready for action. After setting up where I thought the convoy should be appearing, we transfered rested men to the vital positions, charged the batteries and put everything in order. The convoy was picked up at about 18 Kms and we made final calculations..........one of the last things I did was a quick "depth at keel", just to make sure (I'v been burned on that one before!), and you could hear the hearts drop to the deck when we all heard "Depth at Keel.....17 meters!"..........17 meters? During the positioning for the two trawlers and getting in line for the convoy, I had moved out of that "deep spot" in AN55. Descretion always is the better part of valor, so they say. At least that is what I said when faced with tangling with probably 4 or more escorts in 20 or so meters of water. It was nice to have the upgraded engines on the VIIC as we surfaced and got the heck out of there at flank speed. The bad mood was temporary, as this patrol already tasted blood and we were seeing targets....it should only be a matter of time till we have our chance.......and the next time we may have all the cards in our favor. The crew was singing "Lily Marlene" as we headed north to better (and DEEPER) hunting grounds. __________________ Ah......I remember when I was young and dumb.........now I'm just dumb.

01-31-07, 06:04 PM	#3
bigboywooly Rear Admiral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Swindon, England Posts: 10,151 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	Yes deeper water is a good ally Dont think I would have risked an attack in 17m either __________________ My mediafire page http://www.mediafire.com/?11eoq19bq9r41

01-31-07, 10:56 PM	#6
High Voltage Chief Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: U-33. Depth Charges...sinking.. Posts: 325 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	17m is plenty deep if you really know what you're doing... Wise move Herr Kaleun, you'll live to hunt another day. __________________ The new-moon night is black as ink. Off Hatteras the tankers sink. While sadly Roosevelt counts the score-- Some fifty thousand tons--by MOHR

02-01-07, 03:40 AM	#8
Mooncatt Grey Wolf Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Keighley UK Posts: 938 Downloads: 78 Uploads: 0	very good judgement Kaleun i woulda done the same everytime. __________________

02-01-07, 07:44 AM	#9
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,499 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I wouldn't have wasted a couple of eels on such 'small fry' ....but each to our own __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

01-31-07, 06:00 PM	#2
codmander Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: cape cod mass. Posts: 678 Downloads: 59 Uploads: 0	How do you hit an armed trawler ? things are tiny tdc manual?

01-31-07, 07:42 PM	#4
baggygreen Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canberra, ACT, Down Under (really On Top) Posts: 1,880 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	sound of judgement mate, thats a particularly good call i think. although, if you're lucky the shallow-set charges may well blow off the DD's racks, or even better blow the whole thing sky-high! i've seen a few cases of that..