200,000 BRT for Balz?

[Brag]

Lt. Kalb writes:

U-502
27 August 1941.

The atmosphere off Cape Sao Vicente was depressing. After I sank that large freighter, we had no further contacs and Capt. Balz would not get out of bed.
On 19 August, he entered the Zentralle wearing his burgundy bathrobe. "I need a soap box," he said.
"Herr Kaleun, Steed has a monopoly on BDU issued soap boxes."
"And custard pies," Bernard complained.
Balz frowned. "Though the resonance of great statements has less power, I guess the chart box will have to do." Balz climbed on the chart box and said, "Assemble the crew."
Soon we had the Zentralle packed with people.
"You will have noticed that in the last few days, I was in deep consultations with my pillow. We have a great submarine, carry more torpedoes than ever before. And what happens? The great Balz, misses a shot. We need 200 thousand tons on this maiden voyage and I fire a torpedo and get no boom-boom.
"Well, I have news for you. We are going to Tanker Alley where we will offset our tonnage deficit by sinking fat, oily tankers. One torpedo, one tanker hoochie woochie."

We arrived at Tanker Alley on the 25th. and sunk a large freighter, on the 26th torpedoed another one. So far, no tankers.
Meanwhile, Balz been busy sewing tonnage penants made from a bolt of gold silk he brought aboard and mumbling, "Einz zwei, hoochie woochie."

I hate to think what will happen if we don't get 200K tons.

[mstgnymike]

o but this is the magnificent balz we are talkin about...he always gets what hes lookin for...hell my great Kaleun Michael Navarre achieved the kill of two aux cruisers so i bid you the luck i got today! GOOD HUNTIN KALEUN!

[Stealth Hunter]

You're behind Ziepel's score.

[Brag]

From BDU

We need to check exact numbers and documentation. Kptlt Balz, while in command of U-53 (a type VII boat) has sunk well over one million tons prior to taking command of U-502 on 03 August 1941.

Doenitz

[Stealth Hunter]

What difficulty? I'm on 80%.

[Brag]

84, I think.

[Stealth Hunter]

[Brag]

Originally Posted by Stealth Hunter

Bwa, haha, my hero opening the doors to greatness

[Stealth Hunter]

I've saved that so many times to my computer an photobucket.:rotfl:

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Brag

84, I think.

You must educate us all in the error of our ways/claims

No way I can match your illustrious scores....and I'm playing on 110%

[Brag]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

You must educate us all in the error of our ways/claims

No way I can match your illustrious scores....and I'm playing on 110%

I need to finish this patrol to dig and post the evidence.

Balz's secret is no secret at all but a matter of strategy. If one looks at his tonnage per patrol, twice, he failed to sink 100 K. These were patrols where U-53 sustained enough damage to warrant cutting the patrol short.

Balz always goes to his assigned patrol grid. He operates under the principle of one ship, one torpedo. He won't bother with ships under 5,000 tons, unless his patrol tonnage has surpased 100 K.

When attacking convoys, he seldom attempts to hit more than two ships. Very often, he does one bow and one stern shot. just a few seconds appart. If the target is not in perfect position, he uses a magnetic torpedo.

He considers the first penetration of a convoy as a reconnaisance run and attacks only well placed targets. Once he knows the composition of a convoy, he plans his approach to zonk two fat ships. This way, a large convoy can yield 100 K after 5 attacks (2-3 day's work). Usually, it takes 2 convoys to reach the 100k goal.

Transiting to the patrol area, Balz uses known shipping lanes, and often, finds lone merchies worth zapping.

He also prowls known single merchie spawning areas like Tanker Alley and the Gibraltar-Cape Sao Vicente route. In the first half of 1940, Balz pretty much made Cadiz his base, expending torpedoes and deck gun ammunition only a few hours away from his supplies, thus achieving lots of patrols in a short period of time.

Now being September 1941, Balz is on his 14th patrol, bellowing and moaning about his low tonnage (88,000) and only 12 torpedoes left. He just missed attacking a fast moving liner, which would have given him a tonnage cushion.

Oh yes, keeping Bernard in check also helps. Nevertheless that bastard fired tube 2 when Balz was aiming a stern shot during a convoy attack yesterday.

[Jimbuna]

How ever did we lose the war ? :hmm:

You must share these spawning sites with the new conscripts so they can learn from your magnificent exploits and follow your exemplary lead

Least before everythong gets randomized in the next release

[papa_smurf]

How ever did we lose the war ? :hmm:

Think I can confidently blame Bernard on that one

Also best wishes to Balz, hope he gets his 200K ton patrol. Although if he does, how will Doenitz honour him?

[Brag]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

How ever did we lose the war ? :hmm:

You must share these spawning sites with the new conscripts so they can learn from your magnificent exploits and follow your exemplary lead

Least before everythong gets randomized in the next release

Right, Jim!

BBW has sworn he will destroy Tanker Alley and the Cadiz Milk Route. What Balz does, is to religiously follow the tactics described on my webbie. Noobs should read it. It contains good, practical advice gleaned from two carreers, which ended in 1943 And a good career that I had to scrap after first GWX instal.

[Brag]

Dear Captain Balz,

As president of the TSSFAOTOTSA (Tramp Steamers, Small Freighters and other Trash of the Seven Seas Association). I would like to thank you for your kindness and consideration in sinking the Petronella Star instead of my humble, little ship and sparing numerous ships belonging to members of our association.

With kind Regards,
Panayotis Kiprianos
Master of the SS Banana Queen.