AoD Career: Karl Hartenstein

04-28-15, 01:14 AM

Career Summary

Patrol 2
10 Sep 1940
Late Evening

The best news source these days seems to be drunk u-boat men,
so I leave for the Bar to catch up with the latest gossip.

Alas,
after three long weeks ashore
our boat and crew is ready to leave Kiel again!

We slowly slip out of Kiel harbor while a crowd composed of locals,
military personnel and sweet flower throwing nurses wave us good bye.

After clearing the Elbe,
I order to head right for our patrol area.
The Northern Sea awaits us.

We reach AN61 the same evening and
start to patrol the area at low speed to save some fuel.

16 Sep 1940
Evening

The watch officer yells down the sub:
"Ship spotted, bearing 291°!".

A closer look confirms we found our first prey!
A small darkened tanker.

The night is dark enough to close in.
Many commanders shoot from further out but with the faulty T III torpedoes,
I want to get as close as possible.

After reaching a good position, I tap the I.WO's shoulder
and tell him to engage the vessel.
Seconds later...

...the small tanker goes up in flames.
Petrol or aviation fuel of some sorts I think to myself.

Back on course,
we receive contact reports from far, far away.

Speaking about far away...
We come across a fast troop ship that is impossible to intercept for our slow boat.
We reported the position and course, maybe the Luftwaffe is more lucky.

20 Sep 1940
Night

We spotted a merchant at slow speed.
Although it is dark enough and cloudy, I decide to attack submerged.
A possible deck gun was spotted aboard the target vessel.

While preparing to launch tube 1, I realize that I still didn't sink a ship myself.
The last submerged attack on that lucky tanker during the first patrol was a disaster,
two duds in a row... or is it me after all?
The I.WO performed the surface attacks, already sinking 3 ships.
This is it. It will work out.

And it does.
Shortly after the impact, the ship starts to capsize and sinks stern first.
It is safe to surface the boat now.

22 Sep 1940
After Midnight

Time to inform the BdU about the recent success.

Hours later, the response.

Fliegeralarm!
To my surprise, this is the first air contact on this patrol so far.
Not that I would complain about the lack of British airplanes...
We quickly escape into the Northern Sea.
No bombs dropped.

29 Sep 1940
Noon

A few days of rough weather behind us,
we spot a lone tanker and prepare to attack from periscope depth.

"Rohr 1, los!"

04-28-15, 01:14 AM	#4
Nippelspanner Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Career Summary Patrol 2 10 Sep 1940 Late Evening The best news source these days seems to be drunk u-boat men, so I leave for the Bar to catch up with the latest gossip. Alas, after three long weeks ashore our boat and crew is ready to leave Kiel again! We slowly slip out of Kiel harbor while a crowd composed of locals, military personnel and sweet flower throwing nurses wave us good bye. After clearing the Elbe, I order to head right for our patrol area. The Northern Sea awaits us. We reach AN61 the same evening and start to patrol the area at low speed to save some fuel. 16 Sep 1940 Evening The watch officer yells down the sub: *"Ship spotted, bearing 291°!". A closer look confirms we found our first prey! A small darkened tanker. The night is dark enough to close in. Many commanders shoot from further out but with the faulty T III torpedoes, I want to get as close as possible. After reaching a good position, I tap the I.WO's shoulder and tell him to engage the vessel. Seconds later... ...the small tanker goes up in flames. Petrol or aviation fuel of some sorts I think to myself. Back on course, we receive contact reports from far, far away. Speaking about far away... We come across a fast troop ship that is impossible to intercept for our slow boat. We reported the position and course, maybe the Luftwaffe is more lucky. 20 Sep 1940 Night We spotted a merchant at slow speed. Although it is dark enough and cloudy, I decide to attack submerged. A possible deck gun was spotted aboard the target vessel. While preparing to launch tube 1, I realize that I still didn't sink a ship myself. The last submerged attack on that lucky tanker during the first patrol was a disaster, two duds in a row... or is it me after all? The I.WO performed the surface attacks, already sinking 3 ships. This is it. It will work out. And it does. Shortly after the impact, the ship starts to capsize and sinks stern first. It is safe to surface the boat now. 22 Sep 1940 After Midnight Time to inform the BdU about the recent success. Hours later, the response. Fliegeralarm! To my surprise, this is the first air contact on this patrol so far. Not that I would complain about the lack of British airplanes... We quickly escape into the Northern Sea. No bombs dropped. 29 Sep 1940 Noon A few days of rough weather behind us, we spot a lone tanker and prepare to attack from periscope depth. "Rohr 1, los!"* Last edited by Nippelspanner; 04-28-15 at 08:15 AM.