Dumb Captains, sunken U-boats and a victory at sea

[Deimos01]

So there I was in the western approaches when I pick up a convoy on hydro. I get in postion ahead at periscope depth and start tracking the lead escorts movements. Daytime, but heavy fog and rain. Visibility sucks. I figure I got the escorts pattern pinned down so I surface and head straight at the convoy hoping I timed it right and that escort is on an away heading. Suddenly, out of the fog looms the bow of that escort. He's got the bone in his mouth and has me lined up. "ALARM!!!!!" I scream. "HARD TO PORT!" Alas, it was already to late. That escort rammed me directly amidships. And so, another U-boat was lost at sea with all hands.


Now for the victory.

New campaign, same area, large convoy at night with clear weather. I creep from the right flank of the convoy on the surface without being spotted by the escorts. I got as close as I dared then dived to periscope depth so that I could get into the inner columns where I knew the big fat merchies would be. Lined up my shots, 2 fish for a C3 and 2 more for a C2 set to magnetic and one from the stern at a small merchie. Both eels scored on the C3 but only one on the C2. Didnt matter though. That one blew right under the boilers. I actually saw the ship lift into the air as its spine broke. Amazingly though, the small merchie took a direct hit and kept right on . Now the escorts know the wolf is amongst their flock. I dive to 50m while my boys reload the tubes. The escorts hunt for me but cant pin me down. Soon, with all tubes loaded and the escorts hunting aft of me I come up to periscope depth. By this time the convoy is well ahead of me. I know that if I try to increase speed the escorts will hear me. What do I do? Well, theres no glory in playing it safe. I surface the boat and go ahead flank. The closest escort is about 4000m aft. It doesnt take him long to spot me and the chase is on. Another escort, comming in from 90 deg right is trying to cut me off. I see a chance though. If I can get into the convoy again, he just may have to slow down to avoid ramming any of the merchies. My ploy works, 4 more fish away scoring 2 hits on another C2. I try to swing around to bring my stern tube to bear on another ship, but by this time the escorts were closing. Not enought time. Crash dive to 150m. After 3 hours of being DCed, the escorts finally gave up on me. Ah what a glorious day.

[todd293]

Thats a hell of a story. If history had to judge such a bold move.if it hadnt worked you would be just another dead uboat in the atlantic. But since it did work a hero Youve been awarded the knights cross herr kaleun

[Crash Dive]

You got the second chance that many u-boat commanders could never get. Learn from fatal mistakes.

[U-104]

Originally Posted by todd293

Youve been awarded the knights cross herr kaleun

[Deimos01]

Originally Posted by Crash Dive

You got the second chance that many u-boat commanders could never get. Learn from fatal mistakes.

Aye, thats the last time I try to play hide and seek with a DD in the fog.

Still and all, a great day and a great story.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

The "Bone in the teeth" is a terrible thing to see up close!