Mensch, that was too close!!!

Schöneboom · 06-11-07, 01:10 PM

Moin moin, Alle,

Jungs, I nearly bought it on my 5th patrol, in my Type II off the N.E. coast of Scotland. Just before dawn we intercepted a lone small freighter on the surface, nailed her in the bow at 2000 m, nicht schlecht! But the verdammte Frachter, she wouldn't sink, but turned tail and ran from us at full speed, presumably towards Inverness.

We pursued at flank -- slowly catching up... hoping I wouldn't have to use my last eel to finish off this little bugger. Then I notice a plume of smoke in the distance -- another Frachter coming towards us? Could we be that lucky?? Then I see the big white moustache (bow wake), and just like in Das Boot: "Scheisse, das ist kein Frachter, das ist ein ZERSTÖRER! ALAAARM!!!"

Then I remember, last time I checked, we had only 31 m of water under us -- Make that periscope depth! Going to Schleichfahrt as soon as the tower goes underwater. Ach, I can imagine the crew of the stricken Frachter pointing right at us: "He's that-a-way!" Only one chance to get this right!

Impact fuse, 3 m depth, high speed, Feuerlosung eingestellt! LOS!! The V&W is at bearing 300 when our last eel launches. Will it work? If it doesn't we're done for, the wake will give us away. Down scope! The seconds tick by, the tension you could cut with a knife... then...

BOOM!!! Ach, you could've knocked me over with a feather!

Happy ending: The V&W went down by the stern. I set course for home immediately; didn't chase the Frachter, but got credit for its sinking, too.

Whew!

Brag · 06-11-07, 03:21 PM

Congratz, Herr Kaleun!

No room to wiggle in situations like that. I hate shallow water.

rik007 · 06-11-07, 03:31 PM

Depth under keel is the first thing you should check before you attack as well as the wheather, sea state, time of expected encounter. But I also remember being traped near scapa flow when I wanted to enjoy the sinking of a merchant. All warnings that a warship was closing in had been neglected untill the shells came raining down...

Canovaro · 06-12-07, 01:04 AM

Schöneboom, I like the way you you tell a story

"Jungs, ...."

Schöneboom · 06-12-07, 05:33 AM

Danke Canovaro,

I'm glad to report I just got promoted, along with two of my crew. Now I think, maybe it's time for a new boat. The Type IIA has its charms, but you know...

Mach's gut!

06-11-07, 01:10 PM	#1
Schöneboom Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 651 Downloads: 36 Uploads: 0	Mensch, that was too close!!! Moin moin, Alle, Jungs, I nearly bought it on my 5th patrol, in my Type II off the N.E. coast of Scotland. Just before dawn we intercepted a lone small freighter on the surface, nailed her in the bow at 2000 m, nicht schlecht! But the verdammte Frachter, she wouldn't sink, but turned tail and ran from us at full speed, presumably towards Inverness. We pursued at flank -- slowly catching up... hoping I wouldn't have to use my last eel to finish off this little bugger. Then I notice a plume of smoke in the distance -- another Frachter coming towards us? Could we be that lucky?? Then I see the big white moustache (bow wake), and just like in Das Boot: "Scheisse, das ist kein Frachter, das ist ein ZERSTÖRER! ALAAARM!!!" Then I remember, last time I checked, we had only 31 m of water under us -- Make that periscope depth! Going to Schleichfahrt as soon as the tower goes underwater. Ach, I can imagine the crew of the stricken Frachter pointing right at us: "He's that-a-way!" Only one chance to get this right! Impact fuse, 3 m depth, high speed, Feuerlosung eingestellt! LOS!! The V&W is at bearing 300 when our last eel launches. Will it work? If it doesn't we're done for, the wake will give us away. Down scope! The seconds tick by, the tension you could cut with a knife... then... *BOOM!!!* Ach, you could've knocked me over with a feather! Happy ending: The V&W went down by the stern. I set course for home immediately; didn't chase the Frachter, but got credit for its sinking, too. Whew! __________________ Dietrich Schöneboom, U-431 "Es wird klappen, Herr Kaleun. Ganz sicher." Last edited by Schöneboom; 06-11-07 at 01:22 PM.

06-11-07, 03:21 PM	#2
Brag Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Docked on a Russian pond Posts: 7,072 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Congratz, Herr Kaleun! No room to wiggle in situations like that. I hate shallow water. __________________ Espionage, adventure, suspense, are just a click away Click here to look inside Brag's book: Amazon.com: Kingmaker: Alexey Braguine: Books Order Kingmaker here: http://www.subsim.com/store.html For Tactics visit:http://www.freewebs.com/kielman/

06-12-07, 05:33 AM	#5
Schöneboom Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 651 Downloads: 36 Uploads: 0	Danke Canovaro, I'm glad to report I just got promoted, along with two of my crew. Now I think, maybe it's time for a new boat. The Type IIA has its charms, but you know... Mach's gut! __________________ Dietrich Schöneboom, U-431 "Es wird klappen, Herr Kaleun. Ganz sicher."

06-11-07, 03:31 PM	#3
rik007 Grey Wolf Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Holland Posts: 785 Downloads: 122 Uploads: 0	Depth under keel is the first thing you should check before you attack as well as the wheather, sea state, time of expected encounter. But I also remember being traped near scapa flow when I wanted to enjoy the sinking of a merchant. All warnings that a warship was closing in had been neglected untill the shells came raining down...

06-12-07, 01:04 AM	#4
Canovaro Ace of the Deep Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,062 Downloads: 34 Uploads: 0	Schöneboom, I like the way you you tell a story "Jungs, ...."