Stories and Patrol Logs + Screenshots and Videos (merged)

[Kal_Maximus_U669]

[Kal_Maximus_U669]

After ten days without seeing anything finally some stragglers..uais:

[Mouse]

As many times as I've been over the Golden Gate or under it gazing up at it, I give them props for trying to replicate it. Almost as beautiful as the real thing.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Mouse

As many times as I've been over the Golden Gate or under it gazing up at it, I give them props for trying to replicate it. Almost as beautiful as the real thing.

I agree. Thanks to the modders because UBI was too lazy to add it. They left out the Panama canal also lol modders added it.

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

I agree. Thanks to the modders because UBI was too lazy to add it. They left out the Panama canal also lol modders added it.

Ahh so that is why Angel Island and Treasure Island are there but not Alcatraz.

Thank you Modders!

[Bubblehead1980]

FOTRS V1.8 with Nippon Maru, Nihon Kaigun,
vickers interiors,
plus my custom mods to FOTRS... campaign traffic
darker nights/ historical night surface attacks, wolfpack mod (in testing)

100 difficulty, cams off, map contacts on)

USS Parche SS-384 (Balao Class)
LCDR Lawson P. Ramage, Commanding.

(This is a historical engagement I added into the mod, with convoy MI-11 (See Ramages Rampage) and a pack of three US Submarines...Parche, Hammerhead and Steelhead)

This was my first real engagement in FOTRS V.1.8


Departed Pearl Harbor on July 4, 1944 for Luzon Straits, stopping at Midway for fuel.


Passage to area was uneventful, other than a few aircraft.


On 24 July, SJ radar detected what turned out to be a unidentified fleetboat, but believed to be one of our packmates, possibly Steelhead.


On 30 July received contact report on large convoy departing Takao. Positioned Parche in Luzon Straits for intercept.


At 2304 SJ contact was made on convoy at 17000 yards estimated range.

Convoy was in two large columns, estimated 18-20 ships with 6 known escorts. Convoy was plotted on a SSE course at contact making 9 knots. Went to GQ and closed to visual range, transmitting contact report at 2331.

With partial cloud cover and no moon, conditions were perfect for night surface attack.


Just after midnight on 31 July, convoy zigged to SSW, throwing Parche out of position. Increased to flank speed and maneuvered to attack from up moon of convoy.

At 0100 a escort fell out of position to "sweep", permitting to close in to just 1900 yards from port column. Targeted three Mk 14 torpedoes at a large troopship and three at a large tanker.

At 0111 Fired tubes 1-6 at troopship and tanker, turned to port for escape and to bring stern tubes (MK 18-1) torpedoes to bare.

At 0112 Torpedoes hit both targets. The troopship caught fire, and slowed, listing. The tanker erupted in a massive fireball after first hit, the next two torpedoes being redundant, somewhat.


Parche quickly came under heavy machine gun and deck gun fire , illuminated by star shells and searchlights. A escort similar to a Type C began pursuing as Parche put on flank speed. A few errant machine gun rounds hit Parche, but no damage was suffered.

As Parche fled lined up on a merchant and fired four MK 18's from tubes 7-10 from 2200 yards at 0114. Three of four torpedoes hit the target at 0116, erupted in a fireball. Bandoeng Maru 4070 tons sunk in less than two minutes.


Now Parche had a new problem, the minesweeper on her tail at 3000 yards and the now alerted escort, which fell out of formation earlier to "sweep" now alerted and barreling in towards Parche, Put 15 degrees starboard rudder to create a slow swing and change in course to avoid on rushing escort while keeping the minesweeper astern.

0118 Troopship identified as Kiturin Maru 5083 tons sunk. Some boats spotted in water.


0120 Tanker Itukusima Maru 10,020 tons sunk.

Parche continued to take fire but managed to evade both escorts and disappear into the night. After slowing, began torpedo reload on surface
(during real engagement, Ramage ordered this, which was not normal for us sub ops at time, while on surface and still in contact with enemy and not submerged, which was SOP at the time)

Noticed convoy began to regroup somewhat minus two escorts searching for Parche. Depth charge explosions were observed/heard in distance, convinced Parche submerged.


At 0300, with torpedo reload completed, closed convoy for another attack.
At 0321 fires and explosions were observed in convoy, which was 8000 yards astern to starboard, likely torpedo hits from another US sub (AI subs firing torpedoes).

"Thunder" was heard as gunfire, star shells, depth charges were plentiful from starboard side of convoy. Parche closed from port and worked inside convoy. Sighted large tanker similar to Itukusima Maru ahead to starboard, constant helming at 6 knots. Fired tubes 1,2,3, (MK 14) at 0341 from 2200 yards as tanker began swing to port. At 0342 three torpedoes hit, setting tanker on fire, causing it to slow. This southbound tanker was apparently empty of volatile fuel load and thus did not erupt in expected fashion of a loaded tanker.

With Parche, now building up speed to cross inside convoy and under fire,
adjust speed, AOB on tanker, sent new TBT bearing and fired one more torpedo from tube No.4 at 0343.

Torpedo hit tanker under aft stack at 0344, causing a large explosion, likely from her boilers. Tanker began to sink by her stern. Uknown tanker similar to
Itukusima Maru 10,020 tons sunk at 0350.


Parche was now crossing between the two columns , constant helming. Targeted tubes No.5 and No.76 at unknown merchant of estimated 5000 tons. Fired both from range of 1900 yards at 0347. One torpedo hit, other
appeared to pass below target(!). Ahead flank was ordered to avoid gunfire and the damaged but underway merchant, which appeared it would attempt to ram. (Parche was nearly rammed in real life during this engagement as well).


A destroyer believed to be of Fubuki class was spotted astern closing at high speed. Unable to outrun, prepared stern tubes for "down the throat shot".
However, this shot was proven not necessary as the destroyer lost contact with Parche. With torpedoes aft, ordered bow tubes reloaded with final four torpedoes (MK 18-1) and turned to port to come about for another surface attack before dawn.


At 0440, with bow tubes reloaded, moved in for surface attack. Set up on
large troopship for attack with stern torpedoes. A alert escort spotted Parche at 3000 yards, forcing a shot on a nearby merchant instead of troopship.At 0456 fired tubes 7,8,9,10 from 2400 yards, then increased speed to flank, put closing escort (identified as Type C) astern. Two of four torpedoes hit the merchant vessel (estimated 5000 tons) at 0459, soon large fires were observed, unknown vessel sunk at 0503.

Meanwhile, the escort and two others were in hot pursuit of Parche which was cutting through the seas at 21 knots, dodging shell splashes of gunfire. Eventually, Parche pulled away from escorts.

Although dawn was sometime away, a glow developed as a quarter moon had risen, which would prevent further night surface attacks. Secured GQ and cruised ahead preparing for dawn periscope attack.

Lost SJ contact at 0521. At 0600 SD was powered on for sweep. Just after turning SD off, APR-1 detected radar emissions. A quick SD sweep revealed a aircraft at 20000 yards and closing. Parche submerged to 100 feet at 0601 and surfaced at 0610.

Another dive at 0801 was required due to night aircraft(base time, still dark in area). Surfaced at 0830. Back on top regained SJ contact with the convoy at 0901 in the pre dawn skies.


After countering two ziggs and dodging aircraft, submerged for attack at 1145. Went to GQ and conducted approach. Due to escort screen, would have to fire from 3000 yards.


At 1214 fired MK 18-1 torpedoes from tubes 1,2,3,4 at troopship Corona Maru (12000 tons) in center column. During torpedo run, Parche was detected, possibly by aircraft overhead. Escort closed, began pinging.

At 1217 two torpedoes slammed into Corona Maru , setting it afire and slowing. One torpedo which missed the troopship, hit merchant similar to Akita Maru in far column. With a Type C escort closing in fast at just 1100 yards, ordered 500 feet, rigged for depth charge, and silent running.


As Parche passed 334 feet, large pattern of charges exploded about.
Minor leaks in piping and air lines occurred, but no serious damage.

Parche leveled off at 500 feet and endured several close patterns of depth charges. At 1402 close charges caused flooding in forward torpedo room. Flooding was quickly contained. Parche reached 550 ft. Most escorts seemed to move on but one remained in area hunting. Finally appeared to loe escort at 1600 hours. Parche secured GQ but remained deep and under silent running conditions.


At 2100 hours, came to periscope depth, all cleared, secured and surfaced.
Set course for Midway, where patrol was terminated on 19 August.


Jolly Good fun in FOTRS

[Kal_Maximus_U669]

Refuel Midway..

[Mouse]

I love it







Whoever did this... beautifully done.

[Mork_417]

I started a XXIII career last night, and of course first orders were to patrol shallow waters off the east coast of England, AN1941 Moray Firt.



Once on station spotted a lone merchant.




Caught up to her, got into position, and sent one fish her direction.



She took a while to slip beneath the surface, but one fish did the job.




U-2329
Jan 8th, 1945
Medium Modern Passenger/Freighter for 3713 tons.
One fish in the tube remaining.

[Kal_Maximus_U669]

just updated...edit my list too..
resumed my last flawless "save" patrol..
an enemy to cross only .. for the moment .. but the action should not delay any more .. !!!
testing with "DarkerNightsEnv_V2" continues all is fine so far
new HuD instrumentation is different..by Jimimadrids this modder is at the top big thanks to him..Sincerely Kal Maximus...

[Kal_Maximus_U669]

[propbeanie]

Nice screenies, Kal_Maximus_U669... other than you remind me that we have to re-do those anchors on that "medium" whatever it is ship... lol - entirely too large!

[Kal_Maximus_U669]

would the devil be a passenger??

[Kal_Maximus_U669]

[Kal_Maximus_U669]