Is this officer fit for command of a type IX ?

pampanito · 09-25-05, 06:58 AM

Please read the KTB of U-108 maiden patrol, and help me decide if I should end this career prematurely, or give OL Nissen a second chance...

U-108 / Type IXB / OL Klaus Nissen

PATROL 1

3 April 1941
09:14 Left Lorient for grid EH95.

9 April 1941
03:40 Light fog, visibility fair. Convoy reported in CF88, South of my position, course NE, speed 7.
14:03 Large ship sighted, CF89, making zigzags. Dived for submerged attack, but first spread misses and two next torpedoes are duds. Ship is finally sunk by three hits and 18 shells after expending 13 torpedoes: CAPE NEDDICK, 12,130 tons, probably a straggler from the convoy.
17:38 Convoy sighted in light fog. I run parallel to the starboard side at range 8000, when ahead of convoy I dive and turn for submerged attack, however the frigate in the van has sighted me and comes directly at mi position. I fire four bow torpedo tubes at her but miss, I dive deep to escape pings.
02:12 Surface, contact lost.

15 April 1941
01:00 Patrol area reached. Nothing sighted during the next week.

23 April 1941
04:01 On return trip, convoy reported in DH16, course NW, speed 7, directly in my path. Proceed on interception course.

24 April 1941
01:36 Two merchant ships sighted, CF83. Seas calm, visibility moderate. I approach submerged, fire two torpedoes at each ship at close range and in a good position, incredibly all miss or are duds. With just three torpedoes left I surface and engage both ships with deck gun, no return fire. First ship starts burning after several shell hits, I fire a torpedo which explodes prematurely; a second torpedo hits and stops her, ship finished-off by gunfire: MANX, 7202 tons. The second ship is hit repeatedly by gunfire but keeps going at 6 knots, my last torpedo hits amidship but ship does not stop. All gun shells are expended and ship still does not slow down, I even fire with Flak guns on her bridge expecting to force her surrender. Eventually I am forced to break-off the useless chase. With no weapons left, convoy interception is also abandoned.

28 April 1941
20:25 Lorient.

TOTAL RESULTS: 2 merchant ships sunk (19,332 tons), 1 merchant ship damaged.

View Poll Results: Is OL Nissen to be relieved of command?
Yes, these battle results are unacceptable	5	35.71%
No, he just had a green crew and bad luck with torpedoes!	9	64.29%
Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll

09-25-05, 06:58 AM	#1
pampanito Mate Join Date: May 2005 Location: Spain Posts: 59 Downloads: 12 Uploads: 0	Is this officer fit for command of a type IX ? Please read the KTB of U-108 maiden patrol, and help me decide if I should end this career prematurely, or give OL Nissen a second chance... U-108 / Type IXB / OL Klaus Nissen PATROL 1 3 April 1941 09:14 Left Lorient for grid EH95. 9 April 1941 03:40 Light fog, visibility fair. Convoy reported in CF88, South of my position, course NE, speed 7. 14:03 Large ship sighted, CF89, making zigzags. Dived for submerged attack, but first spread misses and two next torpedoes are duds. Ship is finally sunk by three hits and 18 shells after expending 13 torpedoes: CAPE NEDDICK, 12,130 tons, probably a straggler from the convoy. 17:38 Convoy sighted in light fog. I run parallel to the starboard side at range 8000, when ahead of convoy I dive and turn for submerged attack, however the frigate in the van has sighted me and comes directly at mi position. I fire four bow torpedo tubes at her but miss, I dive deep to escape pings. 02:12 Surface, contact lost. 15 April 1941 01:00 Patrol area reached. Nothing sighted during the next week. 23 April 1941 04:01 On return trip, convoy reported in DH16, course NW, speed 7, directly in my path. Proceed on interception course. 24 April 1941 01:36 Two merchant ships sighted, CF83. Seas calm, visibility moderate. I approach submerged, fire two torpedoes at each ship at close range and in a good position, incredibly all miss or are duds. With just three torpedoes left I surface and engage both ships with deck gun, no return fire. First ship starts burning after several shell hits, I fire a torpedo which explodes prematurely; a second torpedo hits and stops her, ship finished-off by gunfire: MANX, 7202 tons. The second ship is hit repeatedly by gunfire but keeps going at 6 knots, my last torpedo hits amidship but ship does not stop. All gun shells are expended and ship still does not slow down, I even fire with Flak guns on her bridge expecting to force her surrender. Eventually I am forced to break-off the useless chase. With no weapons left, convoy interception is also abandoned. 28 April 1941 20:25 Lorient. TOTAL RESULTS: 2 merchant ships sunk (19,332 tons), 1 merchant ship damaged.