The Heroes of U-551

Captain Birdseye · 03-05-09, 03:44 PM

Thank you

After some decent R+R and TLC from the French locals, Freudenburg was transferred to tenth flotilla, based in Lorient to take command of U-634. Upon arriving at the port, Freudenburg chose his crew. Unimpressed by their laid back attitudes he soon whipped them into shape. Waking them up at 4am to do submarine checks before patrol.

A hard taskmaster. A battle weary kaleun.

Freudenburg set sail from Lorient on the 1st June 1942 in his brand new IXC. He would be one of the first to have the epic mission of patrolling the east coast American waterways. Freudenburg chose the latest torpedo advancements. The type TIII.

The journey began well. The crew noticing the kaleun was a very serious man, with many things hidden away. Especially during his sleep when the radio operator heard him shouting "Frederik! No! Frederik come back!". The crew ere out into the deepest ocaen now. Depth charge safety.

Freudenburg was writing in his journal, when, a watchman called for him at 1am. "Sir! Large convoy crossing our path! We spot five DD's!" Five DD's? this is something the allies need. Coming from the south? Food from Brazil! of course! The kaleun gives orders for periscope depth, charging directly the the middle of the passing convoy. After a few minutes of torpedo checks, a "bone mouthed" DD is seen storming towards the U-Boat. "I need tube 1 ready right now!" and as if by magic, the green bulb lit up the dark room. "Steady, steady.....Torpedo 1 LOS!" the torpedo left the boat. A last act of desperation before the hunter becomes the hunted. "Dive to 100 metres! Go go go! crash dive!". Sailors hold on to anything sturdy as the submarine dives rapidly. The clock ticks on. "Damn, dud torpedo..." Freudenburg was not in the capable hands of the Royal Navy.

"Take her down to 200 metres!". The hull creaks and groans as pressure builds. After 3 hours down at 200 metres. The men are desperate for air. To periscope depth U-634 goes.

To be continued...

Captain Birdseye · 03-05-09, 08:34 PM

The air has cleared, the convoy has disappeared. Sound contact is maintained but for now in this twilight, Freudenburg makes his men line up in order to come to the surface and breathe some sea air.

U-634 resumes course to America. This is a long voyage. Men try to preserve food. Letters start piling up to loved ones. The boredom continues through the next 3 days.

U-461. The resupply vessel. Freudenburg hooks up in stormy weather. Food and flak gun ammunition is given to U-634. The crew also enjoy a good social chat for an hour. Then it's back to work.

U-634 continues to America without incident. There is a storm in our patrol grid. CA79. Freudenburg tries to bring his men close to shore, to raise their spirits. The water is too rough. The visibility too close.

24 hours later U-634 intercepts a small freighter carrying bananas from Panama to New York. Freudenburg sends a torpedo right into its' engine. She doesn't sink.

Freudenburg now sick of the weather and the U-Boat diverts to course for home. Another boring voyage through the atlantic. Nothing happens. This is a sailors job on submarine. Boredom, or so it seems...
A small merchant is intercepted off the coast of France. The wine boat, probably from Spain is heading to England. Another great chance for some tonnage.

Freudenburg orders the deck gun to fire upon the boat. 23 rounds later, SS Tresillian is sinking into the Atlantic. The men are impressed with Freudenburg. He's quiet, but he knows what he's doing.

U-634 finally reaches port at Lorient to a brilliant reception. BdU put in for Freudenburg to meet the Fuhrer, and he and his first officer are awarded the Iron Cross for gallantry and determination.

Freudenburg doesn't expect to last this war. Two close scrapes with death. Third time lucky, or will he live to tell the tale?

bookworm_020 · 03-06-09, 05:19 AM

Great story!

BasilY · 03-08-09, 03:23 AM

Just a note, there are harbor defense maps, on the upper left corner of SH3/GWX3.0 when you are at the Navigation screen. Pull down to view. They are very handy when you are in a new base.

But if you are entering and leaving from a port not on that list, follow the tug on the surface.

nikbear · 03-08-09, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookworm_020

Great story!

Have to agree,loving it

03-06-09, 05:19 AM	#3
bookworm_020 Navy Seal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sinking ships off the Australian coast Posts: 5,966 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Great story! __________________ "There is always one person in any organization who knows whats going on, That person must be fired"

03-05-09, 03:44 PM	#1
Captain Birdseye Watch Officer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sat behind my desk at BdU tapping away on my Enigma machine. Posts: 339 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 0	Thank you After some decent R+R and TLC from the French locals, Freudenburg was transferred to tenth flotilla, based in Lorient to take command of U-634. Upon arriving at the port, Freudenburg chose his crew. Unimpressed by their laid back attitudes he soon whipped them into shape. Waking them up at 4am to do submarine checks before patrol. A hard taskmaster. A battle weary kaleun. Freudenburg set sail from Lorient on the 1st June 1942 in his brand new IXC. He would be one of the first to have the epic mission of patrolling the east coast American waterways. Freudenburg chose the latest torpedo advancements. The type TIII. The journey began well. The crew noticing the kaleun was a very serious man, with many things hidden away. Especially during his sleep when the radio operator heard him shouting "Frederik! No! Frederik come back!". The crew ere out into the deepest ocaen now. Depth charge safety. Freudenburg was writing in his journal, when, a watchman called for him at 1am. "Sir! Large convoy crossing our path! We spot five DD's!" Five DD's? this is something the allies need. Coming from the south? Food from Brazil! of course! The kaleun gives orders for periscope depth, charging directly the the middle of the passing convoy. After a few minutes of torpedo checks, a "bone mouthed" DD is seen storming towards the U-Boat. "I need tube 1 ready right now!" and as if by magic, the green bulb lit up the dark room. "Steady, steady.....Torpedo 1 LOS!" the torpedo left the boat. A last act of desperation before the hunter becomes the hunted. "Dive to 100 metres! Go go go! crash dive!". Sailors hold on to anything sturdy as the submarine dives rapidly. The clock ticks on. "Damn, dud torpedo..." Freudenburg was not in the capable hands of the Royal Navy. "Take her down to 200 metres!". The hull creaks and groans as pressure builds. After 3 hours down at 200 metres. The men are desperate for air. To periscope depth U-634 goes. To be continued...

03-05-09, 08:34 PM	#2
Captain Birdseye Watch Officer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sat behind my desk at BdU tapping away on my Enigma machine. Posts: 339 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 0	The air has cleared, the convoy has disappeared. Sound contact is maintained but for now in this twilight, Freudenburg makes his men line up in order to come to the surface and breathe some sea air. U-634 resumes course to America. This is a long voyage. Men try to preserve food. Letters start piling up to loved ones. The boredom continues through the next 3 days. U-461. The resupply vessel. Freudenburg hooks up in stormy weather. Food and flak gun ammunition is given to U-634. The crew also enjoy a good social chat for an hour. Then it's back to work. U-634 continues to America without incident. There is a storm in our patrol grid. CA79. Freudenburg tries to bring his men close to shore, to raise their spirits. The water is too rough. The visibility too close. 24 hours later U-634 intercepts a small freighter carrying bananas from Panama to New York. Freudenburg sends a torpedo right into its' engine. She doesn't sink. Freudenburg now sick of the weather and the U-Boat diverts to course for home. Another boring voyage through the atlantic. Nothing happens. This is a sailors job on submarine. Boredom, or so it seems... A small merchant is intercepted off the coast of France. The wine boat, probably from Spain is heading to England. Another great chance for some tonnage. Freudenburg orders the deck gun to fire upon the boat. 23 rounds later, SS Tresillian is sinking into the Atlantic. The men are impressed with Freudenburg. He's quiet, but he knows what he's doing. U-634 finally reaches port at Lorient to a brilliant reception. BdU put in for Freudenburg to meet the Fuhrer, and he and his first officer are awarded the Iron Cross for gallantry and determination. Freudenburg doesn't expect to last this war. Two close scrapes with death. Third time lucky, or will he live to tell the tale?

03-08-09, 03:23 AM	#4
BasilY Weps Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 359 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	Just a note, there are harbor defense maps, on the upper left corner of SH3/GWX3.0 when you are at the Navigation screen. Pull down to view. They are very handy when you are in a new base. But if you are entering and leaving from a port not on that list, follow the tug on the surface.