Attacking a convoy in '45 - and survived

meduza · 10-28-08, 03:25 PM

March 1945. On my first patrol with Type XXI U-2528, the BdU send me to AN14.

Since this is not my favorite place to be late in the war, my plan was to do my 24 hours and get the hell out of there.

I somehow managed to sneak past the patrols and hunter killers, and arrived to my designated area. Soon after, I received a report of convoy sailing towards me. During the last few months, when I was commanding type IX, after receiving a convoy report I would run flank speed - in the opposite direction.

Eager to try my new boat, I decided to attack. The plan was to launch four TIs from 8 km and get away as fast as possible. I was in very shallow waters (60m), between Orkney and Shetland, only 10km away from land. The plan was almost spoiled by an escort who decided to do its sweep, and came very close to me. Another one was closing.

I couldn't wait for long as the convoy was moving away so I released torpedoes and started to get away slowly (that's 4kt with type XXI

), hopeing that I will open enough gap before impacts.

Eight minutes later I heard four explosions!

I couldn't believe that all torpedoes hit, because I never hit anything from that distance before. Soon, both ships sank.

The escorts were totaly puzzled. One came some 2km near me, but I wasn't detected. I guess that XXI and it's speed made all the difference.

nikbear · 10-28-08, 03:39 PM

Hopefully,fingers crossed,you finally get to the end

Task Force · 10-28-08, 03:44 PM

I would have kept on going, sunk more.

Alittle to agressive dont ya think.

Good job for 1945, so what types of ships do you think It was.:hmm:

Red Heat · 10-28-08, 03:55 PM

Outstanding...outstanding...!

meduza · 10-28-08, 04:04 PM

Danke, Kameraden.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Task Force

I would have kept on going, sunk more.

Alittle to agressive dont ya think.

Chasing the convoy 150km away from Scapa Flow is not my idea of fun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Task Force

Good job for 1945, so what types of ships do you think It was.:hmm:

They were Victory and Medium Cargo, total 15000t.

Rhodes · 10-28-08, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meduza

During the last few months, when I was commanding type IX, after receiving a convoy report I would run flank speed - in the opposite direction.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Paul_IronCoffin · 10-28-08, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Task Force

I would have kept on going, sunk more.

Alittle to agressive dont ya think.

Exactly. Kill, kill, kill! The aggressor is the winner.

Brag · 10-28-08, 08:09 PM

Excellent report!
This gives hope to those of us still stuck in 1941 and having trouble with the Brits.

bookworm_020 · 10-28-08, 08:48 PM

Well done! When you get back you can tell them that you were responsable for sink 2/3 of all tonnage sunk for that month!

The fact you survived is a big bonus in itself.

TarJak · 10-29-08, 01:52 AM

Nice work! A rare thing a successful attack on a convoy in'45

Red Heat · 10-29-08, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhodes

Quote:

Originally Posted by meduza

During the last few months, when I was commanding type IX, after receiving a convoy report I would run flank speed - in the opposite direction.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

rifleman13 · 10-29-08, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Heat

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhodes

Quote:

Originally Posted by meduza

During the last few months, when I was commanding type IX, after receiving a convoy report I would run flank speed - in the opposite direction.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Atta' boy!

Now let's see you surviving until May 5th.

BasilY · 10-29-08, 11:27 PM

The XXI is THE boat, I once run into a Hunter/killer pact in rough weather, sink the Carrier inside the TF, and left without the escort knowing where I was.

However, for this my last career, I decide I will do 100% realism, that includes NOT using the XXI (or VIIC/42). I will retire with type IXD2, or I will go down with my crew...

meduza · 10-30-08, 05:34 PM

I made two more attacks on a different convoy, this time in BE 36. Both were complete failures.

On first attempt I managed to get into firing position and launch 6 torpedoes from 5km distance. Unfortunately I was detected soon after, and the convoy zig-zaged, which resulted with 3 torpedoes missing, 2 duds, and one hit, probably causing only a minor damage. I was hit with one depth charge but managed to escape.

On second attempt I was detected before I could even launch a torpedoes. Although the depth charges shook the boat, I escaped again.

At least I'm still alive.

Next time I'll equip myself with the steam torpedoes. Hopefuly their long range will help me to avoid detection.

10-28-08, 03:25 PM	#1
meduza Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: on patrol Posts: 1,035 Downloads: 40 Uploads: 0	Attacking a convoy in '45 - and survived March 1945. On my first patrol with Type XXI U-2528, the BdU send me to AN14. Since this is not my favorite place to be late in the war, my plan was to do my 24 hours and get the hell out of there. I somehow managed to sneak past the patrols and hunter killers, and arrived to my designated area. Soon after, I received a report of convoy sailing towards me. During the last few months, when I was commanding type IX, after receiving a convoy report I would run flank speed - in the opposite direction. Eager to try my new boat, I decided to attack. The plan was to launch four TIs from 8 km and get away as fast as possible. I was in very shallow waters (60m), between Orkney and Shetland, only 10km away from land. The plan was almost spoiled by an escort who decided to do its sweep, and came very close to me. Another one was closing. I couldn't wait for long as the convoy was moving away so I released torpedoes and started to get away slowly (that's 4kt with type XXI ), hopeing that I will open enough gap before impacts. Eight minutes later I heard four explosions! I couldn't believe that all torpedoes hit, because I never hit anything from that distance before. Soon, both ships sank. The escorts were totaly puzzled. One came some 2km near me, but I wasn't detected. I guess that XXI and it's speed made all the difference. __________________

10-28-08, 03:39 PM	#2
nikbear Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northampton,UK Posts: 1,859 Downloads: 86 Uploads: 0	Hopefully,fingers crossed,you finally get to the end __________________ 'It is not surely known when the grey wolf shall come upon the seat of the gods' Ericksmal.

10-28-08, 03:44 PM	#3
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	I would have kept on going, sunk more. Alittle to agressive dont ya think. Good job for 1945, so what types of ships do you think It was.:hmm: __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

10-28-08, 03:55 PM	#4
Red Heat Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portugal Posts: 1,093 Downloads: 267 Uploads: 0	Outstanding...outstanding...! __________________ "There is three kinds of man: the living, the death, and those who are at Sea." Plato

10-28-08, 08:09 PM	#8
Brag Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Docked on a Russian pond Posts: 7,072 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Excellent report! This gives hope to those of us still stuck in 1941 and having trouble with the Brits. __________________ Espionage, adventure, suspense, are just a click away Click here to look inside Brag's book: Amazon.com: Kingmaker: Alexey Braguine: Books Order Kingmaker here: http://www.subsim.com/store.html For Tactics visit:http://www.freewebs.com/kielman/

10-28-08, 08:48 PM	#9
bookworm_020 Navy Seal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sinking ships off the Australian coast Posts: 5,966 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Well done! When you get back you can tell them that you were responsable for sink 2/3 of all tonnage sunk for that month! The fact you survived is a big bonus in itself. __________________ "There is always one person in any organization who knows whats going on, That person must be fired"

10-29-08, 01:52 AM	#10
TarJak Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 17,052 Downloads: 150 Uploads: 8	Nice work! A rare thing a successful attack on a convoy in'45

10-29-08, 11:27 PM	#13
BasilY Weps Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 359 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	The XXI is THE boat, I once run into a Hunter/killer pact in rough weather, sink the Carrier inside the TF, and left without the escort knowing where I was. However, for this my last career, I decide I will do 100% realism, that includes NOT using the XXI (or VIIC/42). I will retire with type IXD2, or I will go down with my crew...

10-30-08, 05:34 PM	#14
meduza Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: on patrol Posts: 1,035 Downloads: 40 Uploads: 0	I made two more attacks on a different convoy, this time in BE 36. Both were complete failures. On first attempt I managed to get into firing position and launch 6 torpedoes from 5km distance. Unfortunately I was detected soon after, and the convoy zig-zaged, which resulted with 3 torpedoes missing, 2 duds, and one hit, probably causing only a minor damage. I was hit with one depth charge but managed to escape. On second attempt I was detected before I could even launch a torpedoes. Although the depth charges shook the boat, I escaped again. At least I'm still alive. Next time I'll equip myself with the steam torpedoes. Hopefuly their long range will help me to avoid detection. __________________