Actually, at this point in time, Newfoundland is it's own country. Newfoundland was not incorporated into Canadian Confederation until 1949.

So, you attacked a neutral...

(I'm not sure if the Newfie gov't declared war against Germany specifically or not)

In the game map it is red so an enemy.
All targets were legit as they were flying British and Canadian colors.

Didn't Newfoundland (and Labrador) find itself back in British dominion status by 1934 due to economic difficulties? If I recall the government during WW2 was made up of a British-appointed Governor and six commissioners appointed by the Crown. I would think that would make it part of the British Commonwealth for most diplomatic purposes.

I know, I'm only pointing out that inaccuracy. Historically, Newfoundland was not part of Canada until 1949.
If it helps, just think of them as allied to England and the colonies, so, yes, they are enemies and therefore, legitimate targets.

I didn't know that history fact. Thank you for the information.

We made them (the Newfies) an offer that they could not refuse. There was a close call when it looked like they may not join, but in the end, those "economic difficulties", which had been going on for 400 years, proved to be the tipping point. Unfortunately, things have not improved a great deal for them since 1949. The grand banks are not so grand anymore. They went in for a deal in hydroelectric power with the province of Quebec, and promptly got screwed by the french. It's a bone of contention with them still today. And they pay some of the highest taxes in the country. But they are a good solid people. Friendly, dependable, but with a taste for 'the drink' that makes them resemble the average scotch-irish immigrants that made up a lot of the first wave of new settlers.

U-123 IXB
 

April 1940
Sailing on the surface in grid AM3529.
Bad weather with heavy rain but medium winds.
Listening the theme from "Das Boot" on the gramophone.

**Bootsmann Viktor Beck (Machinist) transferred out to different U-boat; Bootsmann Hellmut Rüggeberg transferred in - first post-training deployment**
**Transferred to Erprobungsstelle to acquire U-51, a type-VIIB boat**
**The following officer joined the crew (one total): Leutnant z.S. Ulrich Zapf**
**The following petty officers joined the crew (seven total): Stabsoberbootsmann Manfred Reckhoff; Stabsbootsmann Gottfried Goldbeck; Stabsbootsmann Hans Blaudow; Bootsmann Gotz Eckerman; Bootsmann Arend Zinke; Bootsmann Oskar Wittenberg; Bootsmann Burckhart Kettner**
**The following enlisted personnel joined the crew (11 total): Matrosenobergefreiter Albrecht Bahn; Matrosenobergefreiter Hermann Dobbert; Matrosenobergefreiter Ulrich Clausen; Matrosenobergefreiter Gotz Reichmann; Matrosengefreiter Helmuth Falke; Matrosengefreiter Reiner Abel; Matrosengefreiter Rolf Hauber; Matrosengefreiter Heino Rausch; Matrosengefreiter Johannes Kaufmann; Matrosengefreiter Carl Albrecht; Matrosengefreiter Philipp Ebert

19 DEC 1939 1525
Patrol Report
U-51 (Type VIIB)
Erprobungsstelle, Kaseburg
Walter Frönlich, Oberleutnant z.S.

Qualification patrol commenced 16 DEC 1738, departing Kaseburg dock at 1738 **heh - not apparently the smoothest departure, as I "may" have hammered the boat next to me with my stern - no damage to U-51**
Initial Armament
Torpedoes: (14) Type-I (G7a) torpedoes (Five loaded, nine reserve)
Deck gun: 40 rounds 88mm AP; 160 rounds 88mm HE; 40 rounds 88mm SS
AA gun: 4000 rounds 20mm AP

16 DEC 1939 1830
Cleared channel at Swinemünde lighthouse; headed northeast to target grid AO91 for 24-hour shakedown/patrol

18 DEC 1939 1732
AO84 After uneventful shakedown in AO91, returning to base, picked up warship on hyrdrophones. Went to periscope depth and set course to intercept. Identified as Soviet Malyutka-class submarine. Returned to course to RTB.

18 DEC 1939 2110
AO84 Received report of enemy ship in AO84, heading WSW, medium speed. Manuevering to intercept. Could not locate; returned to course to RTB.

19 DEC 1939 1030
Reached Swinemünde lighthouse; entering channel to dock at Kaseburg

19 DEC 1939 1155
Tied up at Kaseburg

Patrol Results

Crew losses: 0
U-Boat damage: None *despite my antics when leaving base**
Torpedoes expended: None
Deck gun ammunition expended: None
AA gun ammunition expended: None
Enemy ships sunk: None

Promotions/Awards/Qualifications

Matrosengefreiter Wolfgang Mahn promoted to Matrosenobergefreiter.

Oberleutnant z.S. Walter Frönlich awarded Knight's Cross. **WTF?**

Stabsbootsmann (Machinist) Hans Blaudow earned Machinist qualification.

**Requested and was granted transfer to 2nd Flotilla, Wilhelmshaven**

**Matrosenobergefreiter Wolfgang Mahn transferred out to different U-boat; Matrosenobergefreiter Otto Fuchs transferred in from another U-boat**
**Refitted hydrophones to type KDB**

12 JAN 1940 1200
Patrol Report
U-51 (Type VIIB)
2nd Flotilla, Wilhelmshaven
Walter Frönlich, Oberleutnant z.S.

Fifth war patrol commenced 03 JAN 1940, departing Wilhelmshaven dock at 1908
Initial Armament
Torpedoes: (12) Type-I (G7a) torpedoes (five loaded, seven reserve) (2) Type-II (G7e) torpedoes (two reserve)
Deck gun: 40 rounds 88mm AP; 160 rounds 88mm HE; 40 rounds 88mm SS
AA gun: 4000 rounds 20mm AP

03 JAN 1940 1943
Reached north lock Wilmelmshaven; cleared north lock (east channel; west channel still being constructed/dredged) at 1948.
Proceeded north towards Helgoland Hafen point to open orders.

03 JAN 1940 2208
Opened orders - proceed to BE53 and patrol for 24 hours.

05 JAN 1940 1600
AN43 Received report of enemy ship in AN43, heading NE, medium speed. maneuvering to intercept.
1703 - AN43 Ship sighted bearing 320, range 8000m - ordered periscope depth and submerged battle stations. Identified as British small merchant "Varna".
1726 - fired two torpedoes (Type-I) at merchant range 1500m
1727 - first torpedo a dud; second torpedo impacts and detonates; ships sinks - verified kill British small merchant "Varna" 2279 GRT; reloading torpedoes and bringing in one external torpedo.

05 JAN 1940 1800
AN28 Received report of enemy ship in AN28, heading SW, medium speed. maneuvering to intercept.
Failed to locate; returning to course to round north of British Isles

06 JAN 1940 1600
AF78 Submerged to 25m and slow ahead to listen for shipping activity.

06 JAN 1940 1845
AF78 Surfaced after conducting hydrophone run

06 JAN 1940 1950
AF78 Received report of enemy ship in AN12 heading ENE, slow speed. maneuvering to intercept.

07 JAN 1940 0116
AF78 Ship sighted bearing 315, range 8200m - ordered periscope depth and submerged battle stations. Identified as British merchant type L02.
0145 - fired two torpedoes (Type-I) at merchant range 900m
0146 - both torpedoes impact and detonate; merchant breaks in two and sinks -- verified kill British merchant type L02 6959 GRT; reloading torpedoes.

07 JAN 1940 0430
AF77 Received report of enemy ship in AN12 heading ENE, slow speed. maneuvering to intercept.

07 JAN 1940 0448
AF77 Two ships sighted bearing 354, range 8500m - ordered periscope depth and submerged battle stations. Identified as (2) British Great Lakes steamers.
0524 - Fired one Type-I torpedo at each steamer.
0525 - Both torpedoes hit their targets and detonate; both steamers stopping. Observing to see if more help is needed to sink them.
0527 - First steamer explodes and sinks - verified kill British Great Lakes steamer 1820 GRT. Second steamer riding very low, on verge of going under.
0531 - Second steamer explodes and sinks - verified kill British Great Lakes steamer 1821 GRT. Returning to course for target grid (eight torpedoes left)

07 JAN 1940 0817
AN12 - enemy warship popped up out of nowhere - crash dive and silent run while determining if attack possible. No attack possible - warship moved away; surfaced at 1530.

07 JAN 1940 1840
AN11 Received report of enemy ship in AN13 heading NE, slow speed. maneuvering to intercept.

07 JAN 1940 2350
AN11 Received report of enemy SAR merchant 6.5 miles SE of my position in AN11 heading NE, slow speed. maneuvering to intercept. Ordered surface battle stations.

08 JAN 1940 0010
AN11 Fired two Type-I torpedoes at merchant, range 500m - both torpedoes impact and detonate, exploding merchant - verified kill British SAR merchant 2613 GRT (six torpedoes left - three bow, three stern)

08 JAN 1940 0340
AN13 Received report of enemy ship in AN13 heading NE, slow speed. maneuvering to intercept.

08 JAN 1940 0600
AN13 Ship sighted! Bearing 015, range 6500m. maneuvering for a stern shot. Identified as British Old Tramp Steamer.
0630 - Fired one Type-I torpedo at steamer (stern shot). Torpedo impacted and detonated. Steamer exploded - verified kill British Old Tramp Steamer 3829 GRT (five torpedoes left - three bow, two stern)

08 JAN 1940 0920
AN13 Received report of enemy ship in AN13 19 miles SW of my position heading ENE, slow speed. maneuvering to intercept.
0949 AN13 Ship sighted Bearing 010, range 5600m. Diving to periscope depth and maneuvering to attack. Identified as British old reefer ship.
1002 - Fired two Type-II torpedoes at reefer range 650m; both impact and detonate.
1011 - Fired one Type-I torpedo (stern) at reefer range 500m; torpedo impacts and detonates; reefer explodes - verified kill British old reefer ship 4342 GRT (two torpedoes left - one bow, one stern)

08 JAN 1940 1015
AN13 Heading for home with two torpedoes left (one bow, one stern)

08 JAN 1940 1050
AN13 Plane spotted - crash dive. Remaining submerged until dark.

08 JAN 1940 1515
AN13 Sound contact - merchant bearing 354 long range, closing. Will attempt to attack.
1550 AN13 Two sound contacts - maneuvering for attack.
1554 AN13 Spotted two ships with periscope bearing 020. One identified as Red Cross ship. Continuing to maneuver to identify second ship.
1556 AN13 Identified second ship as Red Cross ship. Too dangerous to board and search in this area. Continuing journey home around British Isles.

09 JAN 1940 0231
AN12 Received B-dienst report small enemy convoy AN12 approximately 18 miles north of my position heading WSW slow - maneuvering to intercept
0341 Submerging to 25m to listen for convoy (directly in its path, I believe)
0342 Three sound contacts to northeast; continuing to maneuver
0357 Periscope identification: three British ore carriers; continuing to intercept for bow shot (and I hope a stern shot too)
0412 Fired bow torpedo (Type-I) at leading ore carrier range 500m; maneuvering to get stern shot set up
0413 Torpedo impacts and detonates on leading ore carrier
0415 Fire stern torpedo **last one** at leading ore carrier range 450m; torpedo impacts and detonates, splitting ore carrier in two - verified kill British ore carrier 4936 GRT; time to go home, out of torpedoes; seas too dangerous for deck gun attack

09 JAN 1940 0713
AN12 Warship sound contact dead ahead, long range; maneuvering to avoid
AN12 0950 Surfacing after losing warship contact

**Managed to get around the Shetlands, through the North Sea back to Wilhelmshaven with no trouble!**

12 JAN 1940 0739
Reached north lock Wilhelmshaven; cleared lock at 0747

12 JAN 1940 0830
Docked at Wilhelmshaven

Patrol Results

Crew losses: 0
U-Boat damage: None
Torpedoes expended: 14 (one dud, 13 hits)
Deck gun ammunition expended: None
AA gun ammunition expended: None
Aircraft destroyed: None
Enemy ships sunk: Eight
Total tonnage: 28599 total GRT
(1) "Sea Angler" - British flag - 2279 GRT (small merchant "Varna") Grid AN43 60 crew; 9 lost (grain)
(2) "Rad" - British flag - 6959 GRT (merchant type L02) Grid AF78 59 crew; 44 lost (grain)
(3) "Santa Monica" - British flag - 1820 GRT (Great Lakes steamer) Grid AF77 Crew 28; 24 lost (textiles)
(4) "Orpheus" - British flag - 1821 GRT (Great Lakes steamer) Grid AF77 Crew 25; 17 lost (tobacco)
(5) "Prince William" - British flag - 2613 GRT (SAR merchant) Grid AN11 Crew 39; 31 lost (sugar)
(6) "Sea Centaur" - British flag - 3829 GRT (old tramp steamer) Grid AN13 Crew 56; 31 lost (explosives)
(7) "Svenör" - British flag - 4342 GRT (old reefer ship) Grid AN13 Crew 84; 56 lost (textiles)
(8) "Sea Swallow" - British flag - 4936 GRT (ore carrier) Grid AN12 Crew 90; 81 lost (copper ore)

Promotions/Awards/Qualifications

Matrosengefreiter Axel Bauer promoted to Matrosenobergefreiter.

Oberleutnant z.S. Walter Frönlich awarded Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and U-Boat Badge.
Leutnant z.S. Ulrich Zapf awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Oberfähnrich z.S. Udo Hartenstein awarded Iron Cross 2nd Class.

Stabsoberbootsmann Manfred Reckhoff awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Stabsbootsmann Hans Blaudow awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Stabsbootsmann Gottfried Goldbeck awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann Gotz Eckermann awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann Arend Zinke awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann Hellmut Rüggeberg awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann Burckhart Kettner awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Bootsmann Oskar Wittenberg awarded U-Boat War Badge.

Matrosenobergefreiter Hermann Dobbert awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosenobergefreiter Albrecht Bahn awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosenobergefreiter Gotz Reichmann awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosenobergefreiter Ulrich Clausen awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Philipp Ebert awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Helmuth Falke awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Johannes Kaufmann awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Carl Albrecht awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Reiner Abel awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Rolf Hauber awarded U-Boat War Badge.
Matrosengefreiter Heino Rausch awarded U-Boat War Badge.

Oberfähnrich z.S. Otto Todenhagen earned Helmsman qualification.

So what happened? :D

A couple of questions:

In the book I read about the sinking of the Lusitania, the author said that the U-boats always headed back to base when they were down to two torpedoes left - did this rule apply in WWII?

Was the route around the British Isles always to go north around the Shetlands, or did the passage between the Orkneys and Shetlands get utilized frequently?

In the Suhrer memoirs, he stated that they always attacked on the surface at night. Were periscopes useless at night, or did they have light-gathering technology?

Back to port
 

U-123 returned to Wilhelmshaven after 37 days at sea and 75400 tons of Allied shipping sunk

1. Alongside a German tugboat

http://i62.tinypic.com/24o6es8.jpg

2. That small merchant was blocking the entrance in the port. What an arrogant ship master! It was the first time I saw that happened.

http://i60.tinypic.com/2mqkzg4.jpg


http://i58.tinypic.com/epgfag.jpg


3. Flying the colors and victory pennants and being overflown by a sea gull.

http://i61.tinypic.com/2upbhwj.jpg

4. The patrol log (not edited , just the names added by SH3C)

http://i61.tinypic.com/1zwm6pc.jpg


and page 2.

http://i59.tinypic.com/15xk74l.jpg

Now that I am back , I hope to have a more detailed KTB in my next war patrol.

So far we have sunk 2 destroyers on patrol, I am planning the best ways to strike the ships at anchor. Unfortunately for me, one of the armed trawlers is on it's way back to the anchorage to investigate the explosions...

I have to admit that, like you, I like to 'game the game': I especially enjoy luring destroyers until they run aground at the edge of such shallow waters, then pick them off or leave them safely out of the way while torpedoes are used for more important things...

I want to play something fun. If I deem attacking a major British harbour, 'fun', then that is what I will do. I too used to wander around the oceans looking for ships or convoys, but, one day I got tired of that and decided to hunt the harbours themselves. It worked. So I kept at it. I discovered submarine nets, I discovered mine fields (fortunately none the hard way, but just imagine sitting at the scope spotting those little grey globes bobbing spitefully on their anchor chains -and not telling the crew about them!), I have found sometimes it was a big mistake taking on more than I could chew, and I fail, and that is also a risk. But risking it all to the point of success or disaster is what gives me the excitement of the challenge of the game.