Guess they forgot something...

dmlavan · 10-23-07, 12:49 AM

It was late March 1942. U-163, a new Type IXC boat, was on its second Paukenschlag patrol off the East Coast of the United States. After a week of rough seas and no contacts, the crew was getting discouraged.

While doing a hydrophone check one night, the radioman detected several merchant ships closing on a perpendicular course. Surfaced the boat, and made a slow approach with decks awash. Coming towards us, only 6000m away, were two orderly columns of merchants and tankers. Did several sweeps with both binoculars and the UzO, and confirmed something was missing... the escorts. Dove again to make sure they weren't off in the distance, but the hydrophones picked up nothing.

This convoy continued to close, unaware of the danger lurking ahead. A few hours later, U-163 sped off. The final tally: 2 steamers and 6 tankers for 73,000 GRT total. Escorts found: none. Not sure if the escorts had been drawn off earlier, or if the convoy had sailed without them. Either way, it was an easy kill and a quick jump up the Aces ladder for the Kaleu.

headcase · 10-23-07, 01:17 AM

Excellent!

In early '42 an escort off the U.S. eastern seaboard was rare any distance from ports. Great hunting. Quite a few merchant vessels kept the running lights on. Considerate of them don't you think?

Huskalar · 10-23-07, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by headcase

Excellent!

In early '42 an escort off the U.S. eastern seaboard was rare any distance from ports. Great hunting. Quite a few merchant vessels kept the running lights on. Considerate of them don't you think?

I can barely wait till the US join the war.

bookworm_020 · 10-23-07, 07:47 PM

That's why they reffered to the sub campain after the entry of America into the war as the second happy time. The fact that the lighs on shore stayed lit at night for the fisrt couple of months of americas entry into the war back lit all the passing ships for the u-boat comanders.

10-24-07, 05:59 PM

I wish they did that when I see those huge ships passing me!:rotfl: Would have got alot of tonnage too if it weren't for them aggrivating destroyers and planes.

U49 · 10-25-07, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmlavan

The final tally: 2 steamers and 6 tankers for 73,000 GRT total. Escorts found: none. Not sure if the escorts had been drawn off earlier, or if the convoy had sailed without them. Either way, it was an easy kill and a quick jump up the Aces ladder for the Kaleu.

Best congratulations

!

Tankers are my favorite

10-23-07, 12:49 AM	#1
dmlavan Weps Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 351 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	Guess they forgot something... It was late March 1942. U-163, a new Type IXC boat, was on its second Paukenschlag patrol off the East Coast of the United States. After a week of rough seas and no contacts, the crew was getting discouraged. While doing a hydrophone check one night, the radioman detected several merchant ships closing on a perpendicular course. Surfaced the boat, and made a slow approach with decks awash. Coming towards us, only 6000m away, were two orderly columns of merchants and tankers. Did several sweeps with both binoculars and the UzO, and confirmed something was missing... the escorts. Dove again to make sure they weren't off in the distance, but the hydrophones picked up nothing. This convoy continued to close, unaware of the danger lurking ahead. A few hours later, U-163 sped off. The final tally: 2 steamers and 6 tankers for 73,000 GRT total. Escorts found: none. Not sure if the escorts had been drawn off earlier, or if the convoy had sailed without them. Either way, it was an easy kill and a quick jump up the Aces ladder for the Kaleu.

10-23-07, 01:17 AM	#2
headcase Sparky Join Date: May 2007 Location: The wrong side of the tracks, Neverland Posts: 157 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	Excellent! In early '42 an escort off the U.S. eastern seaboard was rare any distance from ports. Great hunting. Quite a few merchant vessels kept the running lights on. Considerate of them don't you think? __________________ It's like the Blues. You can't play em if you haven't lived em. GWX 3.0 DID

10-23-07, 07:47 PM	#4
bookworm_020 Navy Seal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sinking ships off the Australian coast Posts: 5,966 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	That's why they reffered to the sub campain after the entry of America into the war as the second happy time. The fact that the lighs on shore stayed lit at night for the fisrt couple of months of americas entry into the war back lit all the passing ships for the u-boat comanders. __________________ "There is always one person in any organization who knows whats going on, That person must be fired"

10-24-07, 05:59 PM	#5
AdlerGrosmann Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I wish they did that when I see those huge ships passing me!:rotfl: Would have got alot of tonnage too if it weren't for them aggrivating destroyers and planes.