Best ever convoy attack

papa_smurf · 06-20-09, 07:19 AM

To: BDu
From: U-501

June 12th 1942

I am reporting a successful convoy attack which occurred on the night of the 11th of June. Received contact of a enemy convoy approximately 170km to the SW of me and plotted intercept course. Sighted convoy 16hrs later dived to periscope depth to determine distance from me and estimate number of vessels. Detected 2 lead escorts which turned out to be 1 Flower corvette and 1 River class destroyer, which were evaded and was able to get myself into attack position.

I counted at least 15 ships ranging from a Tramp steamer to Ore carriers, I then chose my targets and proceeded to attack. Launched 1st salvo at a Granville freighter and ore carrier and got 1 hit on each - no sinkings. Dived to avoid detection and to re-load torpedoes. Enemy escorts started depth charge runs at my last position but was not detected. I then started my 2nd run and hit a tramp steamer, ore carrier and another granville, this time got 3 hits but still no sinkings, so I decided to head to rear of convoy to shadow it on surface.

30 minutes later I hear multiple explosions and find out that 4 ships I hit had sunk, and this is when 4 escorts found me and started to attack. sufice to say I avoided being hit, although they got very close (have the allies got better detection equipment? - please find out), and eventually broke off. I surfaced some 5 km at rear of convoy to shadow, but am unable to load my external torpedoes due to bad weather - so am breaking off attack and returning to course.

Estimated tonnage sunk - 27500 tons

Please note I have sent 2 contact reports of convoy's course/speed.

Heinz Buder.

06-20-09, 07:19 AM	#1
papa_smurf Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: High Peak, Derbyshire Posts: 2,851 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	Best ever convoy attack To: BDu From: U-501 June 12th 1942 I am reporting a successful convoy attack which occurred on the night of the 11th of June. Received contact of a enemy convoy approximately 170km to the SW of me and plotted intercept course. Sighted convoy 16hrs later dived to periscope depth to determine distance from me and estimate number of vessels. Detected 2 lead escorts which turned out to be 1 Flower corvette and 1 River class destroyer, which were evaded and was able to get myself into attack position. I counted at least 15 ships ranging from a Tramp steamer to Ore carriers, I then chose my targets and proceeded to attack. Launched 1st salvo at a Granville freighter and ore carrier and got 1 hit on each - no sinkings. Dived to avoid detection and to re-load torpedoes. Enemy escorts started depth charge runs at my last position but was not detected. I then started my 2nd run and hit a tramp steamer, ore carrier and another granville, this time got 3 hits but still no sinkings, so I decided to head to rear of convoy to shadow it on surface. 30 minutes later I hear multiple explosions and find out that 4 ships I hit had sunk, and this is when 4 escorts found me and started to attack. sufice to say I avoided being hit, although they got very close (have the allies got better detection equipment? - please find out), and eventually broke off. I surfaced some 5 km at rear of convoy to shadow, but am unable to load my external torpedoes due to bad weather - so am breaking off attack and returning to course. Estimated tonnage sunk - 27500 tons Please note I have sent 2 contact reports of convoy's course/speed. Heinz Buder. __________________