OM Patrol Log

cadaha · 08-24-16, 07:08 AM

Fresh install and load of OM mods, now to start again.

First patrol very quiet (possibly because it is 1939). Sank 3 coastal vessels NW of Scapa Flow with deck gun and carried on to patrol area 1000km NW of Northern tip of Ireland. After 96 hrs and no contacts I headed NE to see if I could pick up a merchant. Finally after several days of sailing at 1/3 spd I came across a 5000 ton cargo ship. I ran ahead and set up in the ideal position, rechecked spd and course as she came within 4000m and thought all was well. I watched her cross the periscope at 350 degrees and fired 2 Ge Mk II's at her. I quickly jumped to the attack nav screen and groaned. The fish were going to pass her astern by a huge margin because (like the numpty I am) I neglected to do a final check on the attack screen to make sure the solution was dialed in correctly. I had put her as approaching on her port side instead of stbd so basically wasted 2 fish. I quickly adjusted the solution and managed to launch 2 more fish at her as she reached 10 degrees. The first broke her in two and the second slammed into her aft of the funnel (although it was really a wasted fish as the first did the job).

At this point I had 4 vessels sunk for around 6000 tons and I was unhappy at the dearth of targets. I had 3 fish left aft and 7 fwd and was not going to return from the patrol with fish left onboard.

I headed back towards Kiel knowing that the area near Kristiansand would provide opportunities for upping my tonnage count. Very bad visibility in the area meant detection of shipping was reduced to 1500m or less and I would have to be quick if I was to carry out successful attacks.

The first to come along (0300 hrs, rain and fog) appeared on my stbd bow at a range of 1300m. I quickly turned to port and flank spd to open up a gap before she spotted me. We were pretty close to land and I didn't have time to get an accurate speed so I turned to stbd and sat on the surface. The TDC was setup for 90 degrees port AOB and 9 knts (estimated from bow wave). She quickly came into view and I launched 2 fish at her resulting in another 5000+ tons.

I had just regained my breath and a hog island freighter appeared astern at 1400m. This time I managed to get seaward side of her and headed away at flank speed. I gave myself a good 8km lead on her and set up the solution, dove to periscope depth and waited patiently. Again two GeII's sent her to her watery grave.

I'm going to remain in this area for a few more days as I have 7 fish left and am hoping that the crap vis in this area will allow me to surprise some more merchants.

08-24-16, 07:08 AM	#7
cadaha Watch Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 20 Downloads: 20 Uploads: 0	Fresh install and load of OM mods, now to start again. First patrol very quiet (possibly because it is 1939). Sank 3 coastal vessels NW of Scapa Flow with deck gun and carried on to patrol area 1000km NW of Northern tip of Ireland. After 96 hrs and no contacts I headed NE to see if I could pick up a merchant. Finally after several days of sailing at 1/3 spd I came across a 5000 ton cargo ship. I ran ahead and set up in the ideal position, rechecked spd and course as she came within 4000m and thought all was well. I watched her cross the periscope at 350 degrees and fired 2 Ge Mk II's at her. I quickly jumped to the attack nav screen and groaned. The fish were going to pass her astern by a huge margin because (like the numpty I am) I neglected to do a final check on the attack screen to make sure the solution was dialed in correctly. I had put her as approaching on her port side instead of stbd so basically wasted 2 fish. I quickly adjusted the solution and managed to launch 2 more fish at her as she reached 10 degrees. The first broke her in two and the second slammed into her aft of the funnel (although it was really a wasted fish as the first did the job). At this point I had 4 vessels sunk for around 6000 tons and I was unhappy at the dearth of targets. I had 3 fish left aft and 7 fwd and was not going to return from the patrol with fish left onboard. I headed back towards Kiel knowing that the area near Kristiansand would provide opportunities for upping my tonnage count. Very bad visibility in the area meant detection of shipping was reduced to 1500m or less and I would have to be quick if I was to carry out successful attacks. The first to come along (0300 hrs, rain and fog) appeared on my stbd bow at a range of 1300m. I quickly turned to port and flank spd to open up a gap before she spotted me. We were pretty close to land and I didn't have time to get an accurate speed so I turned to stbd and sat on the surface. The TDC was setup for 90 degrees port AOB and 9 knts (estimated from bow wave). She quickly came into view and I launched 2 fish at her resulting in another 5000+ tons. I had just regained my breath and a hog island freighter appeared astern at 1400m. This time I managed to get seaward side of her and headed away at flank speed. I gave myself a good 8km lead on her and set up the solution, dove to periscope depth and waited patiently. Again two GeII's sent her to her watery grave. I'm going to remain in this area for a few more days as I have 7 fish left and am hoping that the crap vis in this area will allow me to surprise some more merchants.