(Story) Operation Rheinubung - U-64 saves the Bismarck (revised - multiple pics)

lonehawknz · 05-28-06, 07:38 AM

OK guys. Here's the better version (with the full set of screenshots!):

U-64, a Type IXB ocean boat with 7th Flotilla, 4 weeks out of Lorient on her 16th war patrol in May 1941, is returning from a long cruise along the Cape Verdes - Western Approaches convoy route taken by the Freetown bound SL convoys.

Kapitanleutnant Kris Von Leahy's crew had already sunk several large tankers and some smaller cargo vessels in and around the Rockall bank but the trip to the African coast was long, dull and very boring. Returning north, U-64, freshly painted with a smart black Viking longship, the pride and joy of bosun's mate Jens Hagen, makes a swift detour to sink a lone T2 tanker spotted steaming northeast towards Cornwall by Luftwaffe long range Condors on the 26th May.

That night, short on ammunition, torpedoes and fuel, with the boat heaving in the teeth of a sou'wester gale, nobody is surprised when the captain makes the welcome decision to head back for Lorient, the safety of the Keroman bunkers and the comforts of the old town's brothels and nightclubs. Cheering crewmen drown out the storm outside, bottles of beer stashed in the for'ard head are cracked open and for the first time in weeks, there's a real celebration onboard. Nobody much cares if there are Tommies about, in this storm they could be 5 metres away and no-one would be the wiser!

2nd Officer Ernst Rosemann approached the captain, sitting mopping his brow with his hat; "Iron Crosses all round for the Baltic Star and the Louisiana Express eh Herr Kaleun? We really hit them this time!"

"Yes, yes Rosey, just get me a damn drink man, for god's sake, before I die of thirst!"

"Old man Donitz wouldn't like it if he knew we had this on board sir!"

"Well Donitz isn't here is he?!" smiled Von Leahy. "Let's toast our gallant foe, and hope he sends us more fat oilers to sink!"

The cheering echoed round the boat. Just one beer per man, but enough to put aside the tension and boredom that had afflicted them all in equal measure.

Suddenly Fritz Loster, the radioman, races to the con with clear broadcast urgent traffic from BdU. Something serious must be afoot for U-Boat Command to be sending signals in the clear.

U-64 had received news of Bismarck and Prinz Eugen's destruction of HMS Hood 2 days previous, and the spectacular victory was greeted with joy and astonishment. The Royal Navy were not invincible, and Germany could win at sea! It was unbelievable!

Now reality struck home, Bismarck was in dire trouble. It was obvious from the signal that the wolves were closing in for the kill. At this point Von Leahy and his crew had no idea that in an even worse stroke of fate, the one hit scored on the Kriegsmarine's mighty battleship in an air raid earlier that day, had disabled her steering gear and damaged one propeller so that she made barely 7kts and was going round in circles!

4 hours from the expected point of intercept for the Royal Navy capital units stalking the crippled Bismarck, Von Leahy called for flank speed from the tired engines. A ripple of excitement and trepidation swept through the boat. A few minutes ago, they were going home. Now they were going to hell...

(pt2 to follow)

05-28-06, 07:38 AM	#1
lonehawknz Mate Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bristol, England Posts: 52 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	(Story) Operation Rheinubung - U-64 saves the Bismarck (revised - multiple pics) OK guys. Here's the better version (with the full set of screenshots!): U-64, a Type IXB ocean boat with 7th Flotilla, 4 weeks out of Lorient on her 16th war patrol in May 1941, is returning from a long cruise along the Cape Verdes - Western Approaches convoy route taken by the Freetown bound SL convoys. Kapitanleutnant Kris Von Leahy's crew had already sunk several large tankers and some smaller cargo vessels in and around the Rockall bank but the trip to the African coast was long, dull and very boring. Returning north, U-64, freshly painted with a smart black Viking longship, the pride and joy of bosun's mate Jens Hagen, makes a swift detour to sink a lone T2 tanker spotted steaming northeast towards Cornwall by Luftwaffe long range Condors on the 26th May. That night, short on ammunition, torpedoes and fuel, with the boat heaving in the teeth of a sou'wester gale, nobody is surprised when the captain makes the welcome decision to head back for Lorient, the safety of the Keroman bunkers and the comforts of the old town's brothels and nightclubs. Cheering crewmen drown out the storm outside, bottles of beer stashed in the for'ard head are cracked open and for the first time in weeks, there's a real celebration onboard. Nobody much cares if there are Tommies about, in this storm they could be 5 metres away and no-one would be the wiser! 2nd Officer Ernst Rosemann approached the captain, sitting mopping his brow with his hat; "Iron Crosses all round for the Baltic Star and the Louisiana Express eh Herr Kaleun? We really hit them this time!" "Yes, yes Rosey, just get me a damn drink man, for god's sake, before I die of thirst!" "Old man Donitz wouldn't like it if he knew we had this on board sir!" "Well Donitz isn't here is he?!" smiled Von Leahy. "Let's toast our gallant foe, and hope he sends us more fat oilers to sink!" The cheering echoed round the boat. Just one beer per man, but enough to put aside the tension and boredom that had afflicted them all in equal measure. Suddenly Fritz Loster, the radioman, races to the con with clear broadcast urgent traffic from BdU. Something serious must be afoot for U-Boat Command to be sending signals in the clear. U-64 had received news of Bismarck and Prinz Eugen's destruction of HMS Hood 2 days previous, and the spectacular victory was greeted with joy and astonishment. The Royal Navy were not invincible, and Germany could win at sea! It was unbelievable! Now reality struck home, Bismarck was in dire trouble. It was obvious from the signal that the wolves were closing in for the kill. At this point Von Leahy and his crew had no idea that in an even worse stroke of fate, the one hit scored on the Kriegsmarine's mighty battleship in an air raid earlier that day, had disabled her steering gear and damaged one propeller so that she made barely 7kts and was going round in circles! 4 hours from the expected point of intercept for the Royal Navy capital units stalking the crippled Bismarck, Von Leahy called for flank speed from the tired engines. A ripple of excitement and trepidation swept through the boat. A few minutes ago, they were going home. Now they were going to hell... (pt2 to follow)