Stories and Patrol Logs + Screenshots and Videos (merged)

[Admiral Lutjens]

17 August, 1943

It's been a long, stinky, harrowing month-and-a-half at sea. No sooner do we pass the Cape of Good Hope do we spot a PBY Catalina.

Battle stations......!

[Admiral Lutjens]

We are ready, and well aware of the Catalina's lack of speed. Besides that, Catalinas are absolutely deadly to a U-boat. The flying boat came in with guns blazing, but to our amazement, missed with every shot! However...the same could not be said about our brave, young gunners...the oldest of whom is a mere 19 years old. We scored some hits and watched as the Catalina flew out of gun range.



No sooner do I retire back to the command room, than one of the gunners bursts down the ladder and says "Captain, Captain...he went down! The Catalina went down!" and everybody in the command room and top deck cheered wildly as for the first time I can remember, a smile slowly creeped onto my face. This is our fourth aircraft victory. The hunters have become the hunted. I will plead with High Command that my crew be heavily decorated for their bravery. I don't care about receiving awards. My crew are the ones that deserve them.

[Admiral Lutjens]

Once again, first thing in the morning, many of us are awoke to the battle stations announcement and ringing bells. Oh, what I'd give to be back in my quiet little Bavarian town right now! But I don't have time to think about fantasies right now, just reality. By the time I gave the order to proceed at flank speed, the attacker was already upon us. Another Catalina, and our bridge got shot up but fortunately, we brought him down. Unfortunately, my watch officer Leutnant zur See Heinz-Deiter Glockner - whom is also my Executive Officer - was seriously wounded....as was a few of my very important Seamen. I am not going to smile for the rest of this trip...I'm not certain how much my boat or my men can take....

[Admiral Lutjens]

19 August, 1943

We've recently passed our final navigational point en route to rendezvous with our tanker, the Brake, to refuel some 2000km distant and some 900km ESE of Madagascar.

[Admiral Lutjens]

8 September, 1943

We rendezvoused with the Brake, as promised. Now, High Command has instructed us to patrol off of the East African coast of Kenya and spend a given amount of time there before we are to proceed to Penang. My men are growing tired and want to get out of this deathtrap as do I, but duty calls. In order for my men to be strong, I have to be strong.

[Admiral Lutjens]

22 September, 1943

Off of the northern tip of Madagascar, we encounter yet another Catalina. Once again, we are ready for him. While he scored some hits on us, there is some damage to a bulhead, but that should be easily fixed, no injuries and my boys chalk up another one. Leutnant zur See Glockner is back on station and will be fine, as will the other men that have been injured. Miraculously, we haven't lost a soul yet. We may be beat up, but we are certainly not beat down. Then men's spirits are high. This isn't over yet.

[Admiral Lutjens]

7 October, 1943

We've reached our patrol area, and must remain here for a few weeks. Yet another Catalina has tracked us down, this time causing moderate damage especially to the attack periscope. Scratch one more Catalina, and thankfully nobody was injured.

[Admiral Lutjens]

31 October, 1943

None of us thought that this day would ever come....we made it! All without firing a single torpedo. High Command should be most pleased. These men, and myself, welcome the thought of real beds to sleep in, chances to bath regularly, and and warm, real food and coffee. This is the defining moment of my life.

[fireftr18]

Nice ending. Well done with the old photo.

Go on over to General Topics and get in on the shenanigans that go on there.

[Overkill]

Originally Posted by Sandeu

A long time SH3 player, I have just recently took the plunge into the Pacific. This is a quick pic taken during my first mission in a Narwhal.

Resupply at sea.

Wow! Great picture, sir!

[Admiral Lutjens]

1 December, 1943

Since our arrival in Penang on 31 October, myself and my men have enjoyed some much-needed time away from the boat. What they do not know is that prior to our departure from Lorient, Korvettenkapitan Walther Ludde-Neurath - our Grossadmiral and BdU Karl Donitz' adjutant, personally gave me an envelope with sealed orders to be opened upon arrival to Penang.

These orders, typed by and signed by the BdU himself, are as follows:


1 JULY 1943

TO: U188/KAPITANLEUTNANT KARL JUNACK
FROM: BDU GR. ADM. KARL DONITZ
SUBJ: OPERATION 'TORNADO'

IF YOU ARE READING THIS, MY WARMEST THANKS AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ARRIVAL TO PENANG TO ASSIST OUR JAPANESE ALLIES IN THIS CURRENT STRUGGLE. AS YOU CAN SEE, YOU ARE NOW HEREBY PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF KAPITANLEUTNANT.

THE FUHRER WISHES TO DELIVER A SHOCKING BLOW TO THE AMERICANS NOT SEEN SINCE PEARL HARBOR. IN ORDER TO DO THIS, WE HAVE DISPATCHED OUR BEST CREWS TO THE FAR EAST AND THIS IS WHY I HAVE PERSONALLY SELECTED YOU TO SPEARHEAD THIS OPERATION.

ADDITIONALLY, YOUR UBOAT HAS BEEN OUTFITTED WITH THE LATEST IN GERMAN RADAR AND TORPEDO TECHNOLOGY. THE ZAUNKONIG V TORPEDO IS CAPABLE OF HOMING IN ON THE ACOUSTIC SIGNATURE OF ENEMY SHIPS, ESPECIALLY DESTROYERS AND ESCORTS.

THIS IS YOUR MISSION: YOU WILL LEAVE PENANG ONE MONTHS TIME FROM ARRIVAL, AND MAKE WAY TO WAKE ISLAND VIA SURABAYA, DAVAO, AND TRUK AS REFUELING POINTS. AFTER REFUELING AND TAKING ON PROVISIONS AT WAKE, YOUR MISSION WILL BE TO SCOUT AND IF POSSIBLE ATTACK THE HARBORS OF MIDWAY ISLAND AND PEARL HARBOR. JAPANESE SUBMARINES AND FLYING BOATS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO REFUEL IF NEEDED.

PRIMARY TARGETS ARE ENEMY AIRCRAFT CARRIERS. IF NONE AVAILABLE, SECONDARY TARGETS INCLUDE ENEMY BATTLESHIPS, CRUISERS, AND SUCH SMALLER SHIPS. IF NO CAPITAL SHIPS ARE AVAILABLE, DO NOT ENGAGE AND MAKE THE ENEMY AWARE OF OUR PRESENCE.

THE FAITH AND HOPE OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE LAY IN YOUR HANDS. ALL OF GERMANY AND THE FUHRER ARE WITH YOU. GOOD LUCK. FOR THE GLORY OF THE FATHERLAND!

GR. ADM. KARL DONITZ

As I read this letter, I started to tremble. I placed the letter back in the envelope and set it on the table. I took a look at myself in the mirror and mouthed what the Grossadmiral told me. The faith and hope of the German people lay in your hands.

MY hands.

I'm but one man. What about my men? They know not the emotions I am feeling at this point....and they won't. It is my job to lead them, and keep them alive.

I put my hat on, and the envelope under my arm, and walked out.

"Chief, gather the men. It is time."

"Jawhol, mein Kapitan!"

Our destiny has begun.

[SubSydney]

We and you and your shipmates are lucky you made it and us to read about it.

[Jimbuna]

Welcome Aboard SubSydney

[TG626]

FF12-10/A16-3

16 MAR 1942

CONFIDENTIAL
COMSUBPAC PATROL REPORT, SUPPLEMENTAL
U.S.S. POLLACK (SS180) - FIFTH WAR PATROL.

Subject: EVENTS OF NOTE
Enclosure: (A) Copy of Subject War Patrol.

** DATE: 26 JAN 1942
** POS: 18° 59' 51'' N, 121° 42' 5'' E
** INITIAL EVENT: 1328 hrs, encountered convoy consisting of 4 or 5 cargo ships and 3 destroyers.

"...satisfied that the freighter was on it's way down we closed on the next nearest ship as the escorts were still well out of range.

Once we had closed the distance, I ordered the observation scope lowered and switched to the attack scope, whereupon I saw open seas. Sonar confirmed that all audible traces which had been strong suddenly stopped. Crewman on the sonar stated it was as if someone had unplugged his headset.

I scanned the horizon 3 times with both scopes but the convoy was simply gone. I ordered the boat to the surface and again scanned the horizon. Neither I, nor any member of the watch could find any trace of near 50,000 tons of shipping traffic that had just been there moments before.

Sonar equipment was tested and found to be in fully working order. We are returning to our original course..."

** DATE: 28 JAN 1942
** POS: 17° 19' 49" N, 122° 46' 57'' E
** INITIAL EVENT: Encountered 2 sonar signals, found one Small Split Freighter sinking and one IJN Small Gun Boat departing.

"Though still making repairs to damage sustained from our attack on the [aforementioned] convoy we dived to periscope depth and prepared to make an attack run.

As we closed on the small gun boat previously patched leaks in the forward torpedo room ruptured flooding the compartment. The sudden flooding immediately began to drag us down by the head. By the time we had regained depth control we had blown the ballast at a depth of 340'.

At this point I expected we were done, but I was damned if they'd take us without a fight. The crew stood ready to man the deck gun as SOON as we broke the surface.

It was at this point that we were suddenly and violently thrown to the deck. Amid the sounds of screeching steel and explosions the dive officer pronounced that we had surfaced and we manned the bridge.

It was in this moment that I saw the most incredible thing I think I've ever seen, and that I came to realize the fantastic work done not only by the men in my crew this boat but by the men who built her. We had surfaced directly below the gunboat and all but split her in two while taking only cosmetic damage to the hull.

As I looked to port I was nearly eye to eye with the sailors of the IJN Small Gun Boat. One of whom, in a panic, actually leapt onto our main deck aft of the deck gun before realizing where he was and throwing himself into the sea.

Suddenly concerned that it might still take us down with it if it were to explode, I ordered full astern and watched the IJN move away and finally sink in two parts. No survivors were sighted.

In addition to the minor hull damage, the dive plane transmissions are wrecked, we are therefore setting course for Savabaya."

--------------------------------------------------------------
END REPORT

[TorpX]

You must have had an extra horseshoe in your pocket.

Too bad you didn't get any screenshots of this one.