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02-02-23, 03:27 AM
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#1 | |
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The Old Man
 Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Posts: 1,580
Downloads: 29
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4th Training Flotilla, Stettin and AGRU-Front
Quote:
+++++++ Tuesday, 2 February 1943 - Stettin Conducting tactical exercises and training together with U 648 (Stahl)*, with the 4th Training Flotilla (Freg.Kpt. Heinz FISCHER), Stettin and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. H. MÜLLER). - The construction of Graf Zeppelin is stopped in Stettin. - +++++++
The last of the Sixth Army surrender in Stalingrad. A reconnaissance aircraft is dispatched to fly over Stalingrad, confirming that all fighting has ceased. U 514 (Kptlt. Hans Jürgen Auffermann) was off Ponte Delgada and sighted a tanker with destroyers in territorial waters, outward bound on an E. course. She could not give chase owing to damage to a flange which was causing a leak. U 404 (Kptlt. Otto von Bülow) situation: 1 steamer, 2 small craft on a S.E. course heard in hydrophones P.M. 2.1 in BF 2432. Did not manage to attack. No convoy seen. After simultaneous location by 8 shore stations, 3 aircraft searched with searchlights. Radar range as far as BF 2425. Return passage, as forward hydroplane out of action due to striking a rock. Convoy No. 4 (HX.224): In heavy weather. W 8, sea 7 and variable visibility the boats continued to operate against the convoy which was in AK 6271 at 0800/2/2. The convoy was making nearly 9 knots, which confirms that it is the HX. It maintained its NNE course on the 2nd, and then changed to an E. course during the night and made for the direction of the North Channel. The convoy was shadowed continuously by U 456 (Kptlt. Max-Martin Teichert), except for short intervals. A.M. on the 2nd U 632 made contact and remained in the vicinity of the convoy until A.M. on the 3rd. She then had to break off owing to lack of fuel. U 257 also reported that she was starting on her return passage. She was informed of the possibility of refueling. U 265, coming from home, was detailed against the convoy. 4 boats are therefore still operating: U 456, 265, 614 and 257. U 456 reported sinking a 7,000 GRT tanker. The convoy was in AL 0189 at 0700/3/2. Convoy No. 5 (SG.19): At 1408/2/2 U 223( Oblt. Karl-Jürgen Wächter), the most northerly boat of Group "Haudegen", sighted a convoy, course 10°. A further 9 boats, the northern half of Group "Haudegen", were detailed to operate against it and U 223 was ordered to report strength of the convoy, as it may be a Greenland convoy. She reported 5 steamers, which fact made it clear that it was the suspected Greenland convoy. Only 5 boats were therefore operated against it: U 223, 358, 707, 268 and 186. U 223 shadowed until AM 3/2 and was then driven off by escort vessels. U 358 was also shadowing. At 0600/3 U 223 reported that she had fired 5 single shots at 0452, scored 3 hits and sunk a 6-7,000 GRT ship for certain. The convoy was in AA 3852 at 0500/3 and the operation continues. The German Consul has reported that a convoy on a N. course was sighted in the area of Group "Rochen" off Santa Cruz and the following new attack areas have therefore been ordered: U 218 : DH 9445, U 66 : DH 9548, depth 30 miles. U 43 : DH 9684, U 521 : DH 9672, U 108 : DH 9644, depth 15 miles. The special operation (off Peterhead) ordered for U 377 (Kptlt. Otto Köhler) has been transferred to U 376 (Kptlt. Friedrich-Karl Marks). The boat has been informed by radio. U 377 is proceeding to the Atlantic. The following have refueled: U 125 (Kptlt. Ulrich Folkers) from U 504 (Kptlt. Wilhelm Luis), U 266 (Kptlt. Ralf von Jessen) from U 466 (Oblt. Gerhard Thäter). U 118 (XB; Korvkpt. Werner Czygan) reported the Straits of Gibraltar fouled as ordered on 2.2. Ettore Bastico stepped down as the Governor-General of Italian Libya, succeeded by Giovanni Messe. U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts Tactical Exercises in the Baltic Sea, together with U 115 (RST)*. +++++++ KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115
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KSDII-Ace/GWX 3.0 Gold/CCoM 10.0 + h.sie-patch; Windows 7 (64-bit); NVIDIA GeForce GTX650 (310.90) |
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02-03-23, 03:57 AM
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#2 | |
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The Old Man
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Posts: 1,580
Downloads: 29
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4th Training Flotilla, Stettin and AGRU-Front
Quote:
+++++++ Wednesday, 3 February 1943 - Stettin Conducting tactical exercises and training together with U 648 (Stahl)*, with the 4th Training Flotilla (Freg.Kpt. Heinz FISCHER), Stettin and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. H. MÜLLER). +++++++
During the day, the German OKW issues an announcement to inform the German public of the defeat at Stalingrad. The message, read over the radio, is preceded by a solemn drum roll and is followed by the 2nd movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's 5th symphony. 12 He 111 aircraft, with supplies on board, fly over the northern pocket of Stalingrad, before dawn. Of the 11 aircraft that reach the intended drop zone, only 3 drop some of their cargo, as they find no friendly activity. Convoy No. 4 (HX.224): The remaining 4 boats continued the operation in favorable, calm S.W. weather. The convoy was clearly making for the North Channel at 9 knots. U 456 (Kptlt. Max-Martin Teichert) and U 614 (Kptlt. Wolfgang Sträter) continued to shadow. Towards midnight contact was lost, after U 456 had last reported the convoy in AL 6133 at 2030. Contact was not regained. U 632 (Kptlt. Hans Karpf) reported at 1400 that she was chasing an independent tanker on an E. course, 12 knots, in AL 59. At 2200 she reported the tanker Cordelia, 8,190 GRT, sunk. U 257 (Kptlt. Heinz Rahe) reported that she was returning owing to lack of fuel. A.M. on the 4th operations against the convoy were broken off. There was no boat shadowing and U 456 reported that she was 30 miles astern. The remaining 3 boats were therefore directed against a NE-bound convoy picked up A.M. on 4/2 in BD 10. In conclusion: It is thanks to U 456's excellent shadowing from midday on the 1st until the 3rd that such a small group of boats were able to operate against the convoy over this long stretch. Of 5 boats, 3 made contact. Unfortunately only U 456 was able to fire. Altogether 2 tankers and a freighter, totaling 23,190 GRT were sunk. U 265 (Oblt. Leonhard Auffhammer) was probably lost in this operation. There is a report of an attack by an English aircraft with bombs on a U-boat N. of the convoy in position 56.35N, 22.49W, by depth charges from a British Fortress aircraft of 220 Sqn RAF/N (46 dead, all hands lost). Otherwise no losses or damage. Convoy No. 5 (SG.19): No further reports were received of the convoy, and it can be assumed that the boats have not been able to get their radio messages through owing to the well-known difficulties arising off Greenland. According to dead reckoning the convoy should reach a port on the SW coast of Greenland on the 3rd. Boats were therefore ordered to press on to the coast and, if conditions were favorable, to penetrate into the fjord. Operations control does not know if boats are even in contact. The convoy cannot be discussed further until reports have been received from Group "Nordsturm". Following U 404's (Kptlt. Otto von Bülow) report of 3.2, the special operation "Lands End" ordered for U 71 (Oblt. Hardo Rodler von Roithberg) has been broken off. U 71 will join Group "Hartherz" and will occupy U 107's position in the patrol line (BE 5933), making a day's run of 180 miles. U 107 will extend the patrol line to the E. as far as BE 6832. U 156 (KrvKpt. Werner Hartenstein) and U 510 (Korvkpt. Karl Neitzel) are proceeding to ED 90 via EG 30. Operation here must be attempted at all costs, as there has been no boat there for a fortnight and the area was always a good hunting ground so far. U 105 (Oblt. Jürgen Nissen) has supplied from U 504 (Kptlt. Wilhelm Luis). Boats have again been reminded of the closing of Route A in stages. The homeward bound ship is the tanker "Hohenfriedber" ex-"Herburg". Over lunch, Dwight Eisenhower informs George Patton, that Patton has been chosen to help plan the invasion of Sicily, Italy. U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts Tactical Exercises in the Baltic Sea, together with U 115 (RST)*. +++++++ KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115
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KSDII-Ace/GWX 3.0 Gold/CCoM 10.0 + h.sie-patch; Windows 7 (64-bit); NVIDIA GeForce GTX650 (310.90) Last edited by Kapitän; 02-03-23 at 05:11 AM. |
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02-04-23, 05:11 AM
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#3 | |
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The Old Man
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Posts: 1,580
Downloads: 29
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4th Training Flotilla, Stettin and AGRU-Front
Quote:
+++++++ Thursday, 4 February 1943 - Stettin Conducting tactical exercises and training together with U 648 (Stahl)*, with the 4th Training Flotilla (Freg.Kpt. Heinz FISCHER), Stettin and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. H. MÜLLER). +++++++
In Germany, three days of national mourning begin over the disaster at Stalingrad. All theatres, cinemas and night clubs are closed. Soviet naval infantry repels our attempt to land at Malaya Zemlya. Nearby, later today, Soviet troops land near Novorossiysk, in southern Russia. As elements of the British 8th Army enters Tunisia, Winston Churchill visits Tripoli, Libya, and inspected troops of the same. U 217 (Kptlt. Kurt Reichenbach-Klinke) sank the British "Rhexenor", 7,957 GRT, from Freetown to St. Johns, on 3.2 in DR 14. One officer taken on board (4th Mate C.W.G. Allen). U 414 (Oblt. Walther Huth) was attacked by seaplanes and slightly damaged on her way to Group "Haudegen" 's patrol line. From Group "Haudegen" 's patrol line U 753 (Korvkpt. Alfred Manhardt von Mannstein) reported a corvette and an aircraft in BE 5915, on a S. course and U 575 (Kptlt. Günther Heydemann) a single corvette in BE 5825 at 1630, course SW. Air reconnaissance reported a steamer in BE 6432 and another in BE 2955, both also on a S. course. Boats operated against these sightings without intercepting the expected convoy or scoring successes against the independently-routed ships. U 632 (Kptlt. Hans Karpf) reports, that according to statements by a prisoner (Chief Engineer I.C. Bingham; sole survivor of British Motor Tanker 'Cordelia'), that Convoy No. 4 is to be followed by another large convoy from Halifax, making 6 knots, on the same route. Destination North Channel. Traffic from Curacao via New York to Halifax is to follow the shortest route. Convoy No. 6 (SC.118): At 1108/4/2 U 187 (Kptlt. Ralph Münnich), of Group "Pfeil", sighted a large convoy on a NE course in broad formation in BD 1199. Operations Control was therefore right in disposing a group on the route of the HX convoy on the assumption that the SC convoy would follow the same course. As U 187 reported that the convoy was very large (61 ships), it was assumed that it was the one reported by Radio Intelligence Service which left New York on 24.1. U 632 (Kptlt. Hans Karpf), which sank a tanker from the preceding HX convoy, reported that an officer of this tanker had said that a large convoy was to follow. It is an important convoy, part of which, according to Radio Intelligence, is destined for Murmansk. As many boats as possible were therefore detailed against it. First of all, all boats of Group "Pfeil" and other boats in the vicinity. These were the following 13: U 187, 402, 262, 609, 454, 135, 413, 266, 594, 608, 267, 465, 98. Then also 5 boats from group "Haudegen", U 438, 624, 704, 613 and 752. Operations against the "Teichers" convoy (Convoy No. 4; HX.224) were broken off and the boats U 614 and U 456 were also sent to meet the convoy. Altogether 20 boats were therefore operating against this convoy. In the course of the afternoon U 402, U 608 and U 267 made contact, and U 609 during the night. U 608 and U 609 both reported flares over the convoy. From the beginning individual boats only shadowed for short periods at a time, as they were constantly driven off and depth-charged by escort forces. At 0736/5 U 262 reported the convoy in 8442. According to shadowers' reports the convoy was making about 7 knots. At first it steered 40 degrees along the route followed by its predecessor and in the course of the afternoon altered to 10° probably by way of evasive action. The fact that the boats were constantly driven off can only be explained by unfavorable weather. The escort forces probably had good Asdic results in the calm west weather conditions and therefore had the advantage over the U-boats (British Escort Group B2; Lt Cdr Proudfoot) consisting of the 3 destroyers Vimy, Vanesa and Beverly and the 3 British corvettes Campanula, Mignonette and Abelia, the Free French corvette Lobelia and the American Coast Guard Cutter Bibb. In the convoy is the rescue vessel Toward equipped with HF/DF. The group is later enforced by three American escorts, the destroyers Babbitt and Schenk and the cutter Ingham, coming from Iceland). After the boats best off for fuel have been detailed against Convoy No. 6, the remaining 10 boats of Group "Haudegen" have been ordered to occupy the following attack areas a economical cruising speed: U 69 : 1189, U 414 : 1444, U 403 : 1737, U 201 : 1548, U 525 : 1883, U 606 : 1598, U 607 : 4347, U 226 : 1982, U 383 : 4682, U 303 : 4399. All BC. As Group "Delphin" has found nothing in its present patrol line, the boats are being disposed in an angular formation to intercept traffic approaching from the N. and W. The large distances apart of about 35 miles, which are necessary for this, will have to be accepted. The new line runs in the same order from CG 4655 via CF 9264 to DH 2556. U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts Tactical Exercises in the Baltic Sea, together with U 115 (RST)*. +++++++ KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115
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KSDII-Ace/GWX 3.0 Gold/CCoM 10.0 + h.sie-patch; Windows 7 (64-bit); NVIDIA GeForce GTX650 (310.90) |
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02-05-23, 03:24 AM
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#4 | |
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The Old Man
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Posts: 1,580
Downloads: 29
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4th Training Flotilla, Stettin and AGRU-Front
Quote:
+++++++ Friday, 5 February 1943 - Stettin Conducting tactical exercises and training together with U 648 (Stahl)*, with the 4th Training Flotilla (Freg.Kpt. Heinz FISCHER), Stettin and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. H. MÜLLER). +++++++
Benito Mussolini personally took over the Italian Foreign Ministry after firing his son-in-law Galeazzo Ciano. U 66 (Kptlt. Friedrich Markworth) sank a coastal steamer of 500 GRT by gunfire on 1.2 in DH 9665. So far only neutral shipping sighted. Medium enemy and neutral air activity. Machine gun C/38 proved satisfactory. U 590 (Kptlt. Heinrich Müller-Edzards) has been ordered to return, as both her Diesels were out of action owing to corrosion of 4 fuel pumps. After repairs 1 Diesel with 5 cylinders was serviceable again. The cause of corrosion cannot be discovered until tests have been made on the test bench. Convoy No. 6 (SC.118): Weather conditions A.M. on the 5th were reported as west 2-3, sea 2, visibility good. Wind freshened to W. 8. in the afternoon, heavy seas, snow and hail. Weather in the afternoon made it very difficult to find the convoy, and weather conditions were also largely responsible for the fact that the convoy was not attacked during the night 5/6. At 1025 U 609 (Kptlt. Klaus Rudloff) reported a steamer and a corvette in AK 8425. The same boat then found the convoy again at 1245 in 8193. She reported later that it consisted of 8 steamers, in wide formation. At 1423 she reported contact lost. As, according to 3 reports from this boat, the convoy was making 12 knots. Operations Control assumed that a small group of a few ships had succeeded in attracting the boats to itself while the large, slow section turned E.S. of this. U 609 reported only 8 ships and it was known from Radio Intelligence that the convoy was to proceed at 7.5 knots. At 2018 U 609 found the larger, slow section of the convoy in AK 8261, which had, as suspected, apparently turned E and was now going back to the convoy route proper. The boat reported 28 ships. She was seen while making an unsuccessful submerged attack. She shadowed until 0400. During the night she had contact only by hydrophone bearing. According to reports the convoy was making nearly 8 knots and steering 30 - 40°. Operations Control failed to understand why no other boats reached the convoy. It is true that various boats reported that they had been driven off by destroyers and depth-charged, but of the 16 boats which should have been in the vicinity, others should at least have sighted the convoy, especially as there was no air escort as yet. U 262 (Oblt. Rudolf Heinz Franke) reported that she had sunk a 12,000 - GRT tanker with 3 hits at 0655/5. U 413 (Kptlt. Gustav Poel) reported that she had sunk a straggling 5000 GRT steamer at 1707/5. The convoy was in AK 6488 at 1100/6 and the operation continues. After all boats of Group "Nordsturm" had reported their fuel a new disposition was ordered for Group "Haudegen". The following squares are to be occupied as attack areas: U 358 : AJ 58, U 186 : AJ 59, U 223 : AJ 83, U 707 : AJ 81, U 268 : AJ 95. From here the boats can operate as an attacking group against convoys which may be reported by "Haudegen" or against SW-bound convoys for another 2 days. U 518 (Kptlt. Friedrich-Wilhelm Wissmann) has been give freedom of action from Cape St. Roque south along the Brazilian coast to Bahia. She is free to enter territorial waters, but forbidden to penetrate into harbors or bombard them. "Milkcow" U 460 (Kptlt. Ebe Schnoor) has made her passage report and it is intended to supply U 706 (Kptlt. Alexander von Zitzewitz) and U 632 (Kptlt. Hans Karpf), from 7.2 in BD 6325. Subsequently boats of Group "Pfeil" which are short of fuel are to replenish in AK 89. "Milkcow" U 459 (KrvKpt. Georg von Wilamowitz-Möllendorf) has supplied U 160 (Kptlt. Georg Lassen), the last boat intended for the Africa operation, and is starting her return passage. U 96 (Oblt. Hans-Jürgen Hellriegel; ex Lehmann-Willenbrock) entered Kiel and will now be used as a training boat. U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts Tactical Exercises in the Baltic Sea, together with U 115 (RST)*. +++++++ KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115
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KSDII-Ace/GWX 3.0 Gold/CCoM 10.0 + h.sie-patch; Windows 7 (64-bit); NVIDIA GeForce GTX650 (310.90) |
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02-06-23, 03:02 AM
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#5 | |
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The Old Man
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Posts: 1,580
Downloads: 29
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4th Training Flotilla, Stettin and AGRU-Front
Quote:
+++++++ Saturday, 6 February 1943 - Stettin Conducting tactical exercises and training together with U 648 (Stahl)*, with the 4th Training Flotilla (Freg.Kpt. Heinz FISCHER), Stettin and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. H. MÜLLER). +++++++
Brazil, already at war with Germany and Italy, now declares war upon Japan. The Führer meets with Erich von Manstein at Rastenberg, East Prussia, Germany. The Field Marshal had been flown 900 miles from Donetsk, Ukraine to the Führer's Wolfsschanze headquarters in Hitler's personal Focke-Wulf Fw200 V3 "Immelmann III". At the four hour conference, only five days after the surrender at Stalingrad, the Army Group South commander persuades The Führer to allow him to retreat to the River Mius. U 71 (Oblt. Hardo Rodler von Roithberg) fired a triple fan at an independent corvette, course 180 degrees in BE 5963. Corvette evaded the fan, contact lost. Expected convoy not found. There is strong air activity with Radar at present in Group "Haudegen" 's area. U 414 (Oblt. Walther Huth) is returning owing to considerable bomb damage. U 403 (Kptlt. Heinz-Ehlert Clausen) was also bombed and pursued by a searching group. Convoy No. 6 (SC.118): Weather conditions were calm, visibility, good again on the 6th. At 1146 U 609 (Kptlt. Klaus Rudloff) reported the convoy in AK 6488. The boat shadowed until 1445, lost contact for a time and found the convoy again towards 1900. Three other boats then came up to the convoy before dark, U 438, U 262 and U 456. U 262 (Oblt. Rudolf Heinz Franke) acted as shadower for the night. At 0230 U 402 (Kptlt. Freiherr Siegfried von Forstner) also made contact. The convoy was steering a main course of 70 and making a bare 8 knots. Conditions were easy again for the anti-submarine forces. Several boats were driven off by destroyers. U 262 and U 267 were damaged by depth charges and had to move off for repairs. But the particularly strong air escort was far more unpleasant for the boats. 11 boats reported aircraft. 4 were bombed and U 465 (Kptlt. Heinz Wolf) had to move off owing to considerable damage. U 454, U 438 and U 135 were driven off when starting to attack and afterwards did not manage to fire again. The following successes were reported: U 266( Kptlt. Ralf von Jessen): straggler Polyktor, 4,077 GRT sunk U 402 (Kptlt. Freiherr Siegfried von Forstner): 2 large tankers and 4 freighters totaling: 45,000 GRT sunk U 262 (Oblt. Rudolf Heinz Franke): 1 large tanker of 9,000 GRT sunk and a freighter of 6,000 GRT sunk U 614 (Kptlt. Wolfgang Sträter): 1 large tanker, estimated 8,000 GRT sunk Operation against the convoy is continuing. It was in AL 4416 at 0700/7. Of the boats detailed only 11 are left fit to operate against the convoy, U 454, 613, 402, 135, 614, 438, 608, 624, 456, 609 and 89. Several of these have only few torpedoes left. 6 boats have started their return passage or are proceeding to supply: U 262, 266, 752, 413, 594 and 704. 2 boats, U 465 and 267 have moved away because of damage. U 187 (Kptlt. Ralph Münnich) has not reported since she made her first report of the convoy. U 265 (Oblt. Leonhard Auffhammer), which was previously operating against the "Teichert" convoy, has also not reported again and did not reach this convoy. U 265 (Oblt. Leonhard Auffhammer), on her first patrol, last made a short weather report on 2.2 from AL 26. As she was in a favorable position she was ordered to operate against Convoy No. 4. On her way there she was attacked by an aircraft, probably in AL 29. She has not replied to several orders to report her position. Her loss must be presumed. Changes in closing of Route A. Attack on independently-routed ships is forbidden: between 5° S and 10° N up to 10.2. From 10° N to 35° N from 7 - 23.2. From 35° N, up to the north and east from 19.2 until further notice. Present conditions do not justify allowing all independent ships in Route A to pass unhindered and boas have therefore been ordered to stick to any ships which from its type and course is probably enemy, to report and to wait for permission to attack. U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts Tactical Exercises in the Baltic Sea, together with U 115 (RST)*. +++++++ KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115
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KSDII-Ace/GWX 3.0 Gold/CCoM 10.0 + h.sie-patch; Windows 7 (64-bit); NVIDIA GeForce GTX650 (310.90) |
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02-07-23, 03:41 AM
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#6 | |
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The Old Man
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Posts: 1,580
Downloads: 29
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4th Training Flotilla, Stettin and AGRU-Front
Quote:
+++++++ Sunday, 7 February 1943 - Stettin Conducting tactical exercises and training together with U 648 (Stahl)*, with the 4th Training Flotilla (Freg.Kpt. Heinz FISCHER), Stettin and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. H. MÜLLER). +++++++
The Japanese Army completes Operation Ke, the evacuation of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, as the final 1,796 soldiers are evacuated by 18 ships. U 628 (Oblt. Heinrich Hasenschar) sighted the hospital ship "New Foundland" in BE 6588, course S., 13 knots. Boat continued on her outward passage. U 511 (Oblt. Fritz Schneewind) reported 2 escort vessels on a main course of 1200 in CG 4826. U 202 (Oblt. Günter Poser) also sighted a corvette, 95°, in DH 3146. U 183 (Korvkpt. Heinrich Schäfer) heard weak sounds bearing 60° from BE 6712. Noise at first approached, then hydrophone bearing lost. Constant air patrol. Convoy No. 6 (SC.118): Weather in the convoy area on the 7th was reported as WSW 4 - 5, good visibility deteriorating at times owing to showers. According to boats' reports the convoy was making 7.5 knots, and changing course more and more to the E. in the direction of the North Channel. Contact with the convoy was not regained until 1544 in AL 4273 by U 456 (Kptlt. Max-Martin Teichert). She lost contact an hour later and U 402 (Kptlt. Freiherr Siegfried von Forstner) found the convoy again at 1730. She too lost contact at 1900 shortly before dark. U 456 and U 402 both regained contact at 2310 and 0215 respectively. The convoy was held until 0700, when it was reported in AL 5221. Besides these 2 boats only U 608 (Kptlt. Rolf Struckmeier) came up to the convoy. U 456 was picked up by the escort twice before attacking and did not manage to fire. U 402 reported an 8,000 GRT freighter sunk with her last electric torpedo. U 605 (Kptlt. Herbert-Viktor Schütze) reported a 12,000 GRT tanker sunk. The enemy's air escort did not appear until towards evening on the 7th, whereas on the previous day there had been far more aircraft with the convoy. Although the boats must be exhausted after 4 days, the operation is being continued as 8 boats still have torpedoes left and U 402 can still give valuable service as shadower. U 456 has broken off owing to lack of fuel, and U 438 owing to damage, apparently not due to enemy action. U 454, 613, 402, 135, 614, 608, 624, 609, and 89 are still operating. U 465 (Kptlt. Heinz Wolf) and U 262 (Oblt. Rudolf Heinz Franke) had to break off pursuit of the convoy owing to damage and return. As both have fuel to spare they have been ordered to rendezvous with U 413, U 266 and U 594 in AK 9442. Several SSS and torpedo reports from an unidentified position. Probably from this convoy. Convoy No. 7 (GIB.2): U 218 (VIID; Oblt. Richard Becker) sighted a small convoy in DH 9473 at 0820, consisting of about 3 steamers and 3 escort vessels, course N, speed 10 knots. The first report of this was not received by control until 1230. The convoy was then on a NE course. Group "Rochen" and 5 boats of Group "Delphin", which are well off for fuel (U 87 - 202 - 264 - 558 - 258) were ordered to operate against the reported enemy. The 5 "Delphin" boats could arrive by 8.2. Owing to strong air patrol U 218 was constantly forced to dive and lost contact at 1523 in DH 9188 main course 45°, speed 8 knots. The following were identified 2 freighters, 1 tanker, 1 destroyer and 2 corvettes. The boats then continued to search independently along an enemy course of 45 - 55°. At 2130 U 66 (Kptlt. Friedrich Markworth) located the convoy in DH 9244. Towards 0200 U 43 (Oblt. Hans-Joachim Schwantke) took over a shadower and shadowed until morning. Convoy's last position at 0643 was DH 6885. No successes were scored. The operation is continuing. U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts Tactical Exercises in the Baltic Sea, together with U 115 (RST)*. +++++++ KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115
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KSDII-Ace/GWX 3.0 Gold/CCoM 10.0 + h.sie-patch; Windows 7 (64-bit); NVIDIA GeForce GTX650 (310.90) Last edited by Kapitän; 02-07-23 at 04:05 AM. |
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02-08-23, 03:07 AM
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#7 | |
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The Old Man
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Posts: 1,580
Downloads: 29
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4th Training Flotilla, Stettin and AGRU-Front
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+++++++ Monday, 8 February 1943 - Stettin Conducting tactical exercises and training together with U 648 (Stahl)*, with the 4th Training Flotilla (Freg.Kpt. Heinz FISCHER), Stettin and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. H. MÜLLER). +++++++
Soviet troops capture Kursk. Gefreiter Werner Wrangel of the Panzerjager Battalion 183, becomes the only person to be awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class, Iron Cross 1st Class, and the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross at the same time. Convoy No. 6 (SC.118): The last report of this convoy was from U 402 (Kptlt. Freiherr Siegfried von Forstner) at 1100/8 in AL 5236. After that it was not sighted again. Boats were constantly forced to dive by strong air activity by land-based planes, and could not get ahead. The operation was nevertheless continued during the night 8/9, as there was a chance that the boats might come upon the convoy in the dark. But as it was not sighted again and no boat appeared to be in the vicinity, the boats were ordered to move away from the convoy by first light on the 9th, as air activity by land-based planes was likely to be very strong off the North Channel. U 135 (Lt.z.S.d.R. Heinz Schütt) reported that she had been surprised by an aircraft that had 22 bombs. She reported further damage and broke off on the evening of the 8th. U 402 also had to break off prematurely owing to lack of fuel. U 187 (Kptlt. Ralph Münnich), on her first enemy patrol, sighted the convoy (No. 6) at 1108/4/2 in BD 1199 and reported it again at 1144. Since then the boat has not replied to several signals. She may have been sunk by escort forces. Convoy No. 7 (GIB.2): Strong air activity continued. Ar 0800 U 108 (Kptlt. Ralf-Reimar Wolfram) believed the convoy to be in DH 6864 according to hydrophone bearing. Contact was then lost and reestablished by U 202 (Kptlt. Günter Poser) at 1745 in DH 6667. Convoy was zig-zagging around 50°. Close escort of 2 aircraft. Boats were ordered to haul as far ahead as possible during the day so as to be able to attack at night. Boats which could not reach the convoy before first light were to break off then and move away to the W. At 1902 the convoy was in DH 6666. Visibility deteriorated badly and contact was lost, and was only regained for a short time by U 87 (Kptlt. Joachim Berger) in DJ 4446 and at 0625 by U 264 (Oblt. Hartwig Looks) in DJ 4194. U 264 fired 3 single misses at a corvette and was then driven off. According to reports received later U 43 (Oblt. Hans-Joachim Schwantke) fired a double miss at 800 meters with good data. U 521 (Kptlt. Klaus Heinrich Bargsten) attacked before first light on the 8th and sank a tanker of 10,000 GRT and a corvette in DH 6863 also torpedoed a freighter of 8,000 GRT, probably sunk. The operation was broken off at dawn as intended. By then all boats had reported and moved away to the W. No boat was lost, damage was slight, so that all boats are still fit for operations. 2 ships totaling 18,000 GRT and a corvette were sunk. The operation has shown that extensive action in the area N. of the Canary Islands is no longer possible owing to strong air patrol by land-based aircraft (altogether 44 planes, according to radio interception). According to observations from Ceuta and Tangier a convoy started to put to sea during the night as there are about 20 loaded ships with the convoy, this section may be destined for Casablanca. But there are also ships coming from Spain assembling there, which are presumably destined for England. On the assumption that at least a large section is going to England, Group "Delphin" has been ordered to form a new patrol line from CG 4652 to CF 9665. Order: U 125, 522, 511, 436, 442, 575, 381, 571, 620. The convoy is expected to arrive in the course of February 10th. Owing to low fuel stocks, this will probably be the Group's last operation, which they could only carry out on a homeward course. U 706 (Kptlt. Alexander von Zitzewitz) has supplied from "Milkcow" U 460 (Kptlt. Ebe Schnoor) and is starting her return passage. U 217's (Kptlt. Kurt Reichenbach-Klinke) supply from U 504 (Kptlt. Wilhelm Luis) has so far been interrupted twice owing to bad weather. Both boats are now in DF 6456 with course 65°. U 176 (Kptlt. Reiner Dierksen) has been ordered to take over 2 Metox sets from U 118 (XB; Korvkpt. Werner Czygan) and deliver them to U 571 (Kptlt. Helmut Möhlmann) and U 620 (Kptlt. Heinz Stein) on her return passage. U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts Tactical Exercises in the Baltic Sea, together with U 115 (RST)*. +++++++ KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115
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