If not "Happy Times" then what were they called?

dmlavan · 08-24-07, 10:09 AM

I've lived through the glories of the "Happy Days" with several kaleuns, racking up impressive tonnage while losing only a few boats. Now, though, it's late 1943...

We left Bergen, Norway, for our patrol just west of the British Isles. From leaving the fjord to arriving at our assigned area, I think every pilot in the RAF had a go at us. Mosquitos, Wellingtons, PBYs, TBDs, Swordfish (downed 2 of those!), Mosquitos again, and it just never stopped. Then I've been dodging hunter-killer groups. Finally found and sank three individual merchants - and one River-class escort thanks to a new acoustic homing torpedo - and I'm headed home. Seems every British pilot wants to see me off again.

So, if the good times were the "Happy Days", what did they call 1943 and beyond? I've got some choice words for it, but not sure that's what the kaleuns really called it.

GoldenRivet · 08-24-07, 10:12 AM

first you had the happy times

then came the "crappy times"" :rotfl:

mookiemookie · 08-24-07, 11:50 AM

WERNER HIRSCHMANN (Chief Engineer of U-190): "The hunters of the early years had become the hunted of the latter years. The "Happy Times" had changed to what we called the "Zauergherkinzeit" or "Sour Pickle Time." We did not have any fun out there anymore."

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/transcr...12lostsub.html

dmlavan · 08-24-07, 11:52 AM

Thanks - that's an apt description of what I'm feeling.

Jimbuna · 08-24-07, 03:56 PM

Very apt descriptive terms for sure

Heibges · 08-24-07, 05:16 PM

German seems to have such great words for things.

08-24-07, 10:09 AM	#1
dmlavan Weps Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 351 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	If not "Happy Times" then what were they called? I've lived through the glories of the "Happy Days" with several kaleuns, racking up impressive tonnage while losing only a few boats. Now, though, it's late 1943... We left Bergen, Norway, for our patrol just west of the British Isles. From leaving the fjord to arriving at our assigned area, I think every pilot in the RAF had a go at us. Mosquitos, Wellingtons, PBYs, TBDs, Swordfish (downed 2 of those!), Mosquitos again, and it just never stopped. Then I've been dodging hunter-killer groups. Finally found and sank three individual merchants - and one River-class escort thanks to a new acoustic homing torpedo - and I'm headed home. Seems every British pilot wants to see me off again. So, if the good times were the "Happy Days", what did they call 1943 and beyond? I've got some choice words for it, but not sure that's what the kaleuns really called it.

08-24-07, 10:12 AM	#2
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	first you had the happy times then came the "crappy times"" :rotfl: __________________

08-24-07, 11:50 AM	#3
mookiemookie Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,404 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 1	WERNER HIRSCHMANN (Chief Engineer of U-190): "The hunters of the early years had become the hunted of the latter years. The "Happy Times" had changed to what we called the "Zauergherkinzeit" or "Sour Pickle Time." We did not have any fun out there anymore." http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/transcr...12lostsub.html __________________ They don’t think it be like it is, but it do. Want more U-boat Kaleun portraits for your SH3 Commander Profiles? Download the SH3 Commander Portrait Pack here. Last edited by mookiemookie; 08-24-07 at 02:31 PM.

08-24-07, 03:56 PM	#5
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,770 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Very apt descriptive terms for sure __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

08-24-07, 05:16 PM	#6
Heibges Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 1,633 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	German seems to have such great words for things. __________________ U.Kdt.Hdb B. I. 28) This possibility of using the hydrophone to help in detecting surface ships should, however, be restricted to those cases where the submarine is unavoidably compelled to stay below the surface. http://www.hackworth.com/

08-24-07, 11:52 AM	#4
dmlavan Weps Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 351 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	Thanks - that's an apt description of what I'm feeling.