June 1944 IXD2 U-200 still alive and fighting down under but for me what I called the third happy times is over as more and more tankers now have escorts. Last two operations West of Australia sunk two US Balao class subs and got lucky with a small convoy with one escort, sunk the the escort and sent a Large and small tanker to the bottom along with a victory ship.
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Just added the "malfunction" to my latest campaign...waiting to see what happens..:)
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Kapitänleutnant Josef Ochner, U-93, reporting, February 26th, 1941, Bay of Biscay.
After 34 days at sea and only seeing one airplane and six Brazilian merchants we finally got a contact report for an inbound convoy in BF12. Decided to try a submerged day attack and chose a tanker and a large merchant as the targets, two torpedoes each. When maneuvering to firing position we suddenly heard pinging. The side escort had either seen our periscope or heard us. I had just enough time to turn the periscope and see the destroyer heading straight towards us from behind, at a range of less than 500 meters, when shells started landing around us. The first depth charge attack caught us at a depth of 30-40 meters, and destroyed both our periscopes, our deck gun and our flak gun, as well as caused minor flooding and knocked out the hydrophones, radio, main pump and some other equipment. With only 120 meters of water to work with and two destroyers attacking us, we tried to head towards deeper water. Luckily further depth charge attacks caused no additional damage, and we finally, after 6 hours, managed to lose the enemy at a depth of 135 meters. With no periscopes and guns and already low on fuel and provisions, U-93 heads back to St. Nazaire with all 14 torpedoes remaining and 0 tons sunk. Kapitänleutnant Joseph Ochner requesting transfer to an instructor position in a training flotilla after 13 combat patrols and 316 000 tons sunk. |
U-110 IXB 2nd patrol
January 23 1940 20:28 hours
After repairing the diesels and loading full provisions we left Wilhelmshaven. Orders were to patrol grid DT 85 January 30 1940 14:30 hours Grid AM37 IWO spoted a medium merchant in poor visibility and 13m/s winds. The didn't see us so two TIs fired and the target was sunk. In the next 24 days it seemed as we were alone in the Atlantic. We had completed our mission's objectives and requested new ordres. The Bdu sent us to patrol the entrance of the Gibraltar strait. Sink anything that goes in or out they said. February 24 1940 13:29 hours Grid CG97 The watch crew spoted an unarmed medium merchant which was sunk with gunfire. February 25 1940 06:49 hours Grid CG95 Another medium merchant was detected during a hydrophone search. She was a British ship. One TI was launched but the target remained seaworthy though doing only 2kts . A stern shot was set up and launched. She went down. 07:08 hours Grid CG95. We were still submerged when a new contact appeared. A fast moving destroyer was seen through the attack scope. I decided to shoot him. The sun hadn't risen yet so I launched a TI set at 2m. The torpedo sunk him dead center. He exploded and sunk in seconds. 18:59 hours Grid CG95 An empire-type freighter was sunk with gunfire. 21:01 hours Grid CG95. A tramp steamer was spotted and engaged with the deck gun. But this time she fired back. I ordered periscope depth with shells flying around us but luckily not on us. It was one of the Q-ships Bdienst had warned us about. By now she was zigzaging doing 6kts. I came to 800m and fired two TIs. Bye bye Q-ship. She won't bother any other Kaleun. February 26 1940 07:41 Grid CG95 A two ship French convoy was seen. A large merchant and a medium cargo were sunk with torpedoes and gunfire. When we approached to help the men in the life rafts , we were surprised. They told us to take onboard two of the floating crates. They contained some first quality French champange. We gave them food and some cigarretes and directed them to the nearest land. 10:10 hours Grid CG95 British ore carrier sunk with two torpedoes 17:30 hours Grid CG95 French medium cargo sunk with gunfire. February 27 1940 00:30 hours Grid CG95 Hydrophone search revealed an enemy convoy in a perfect position to attack. After gaining visual contact I decided ta attack. All bow tubes were fired and started turning to fire and the stern ones. 01:14 hours Breakup noises. We had sunk one 01:43 hours Another one was going down 01:45 hours One more was added to the list After we were clear of the convoy , it was time to hand that champange out and so it was done. A small award for such hard work. February 28 1940 02:08 hours GridCG95 Two ships were spotted while we were on the surface. As they seemed to be unarmed I decided to close the range. Two TI fired. They hit their targets but the ships didn't sink. We finished them off with the deck gun. 02:41 hours Grid CG95 British small merchant sunk with gunfire 20:26 hours Grid CG86 Britsh coastal freighter sunk with two torpedoes. February 29 1940 14:57 hours Grid CG81 British medium merchant sunk with torpeodoes and gun fire. By now we were out of ammo: No torpedoes , no deckgun rounds. So , I didn;t want to risk a voyage to Wilhelmshaven and radioed Bdu. I was ordered to put into Cadiz and find the SS Thalia. The Spanish don't like us , they just put up with us. March 1 1940 15:40 Cadiz harbour. In an act of fooliness , we surfaced next to the SS Thalia in middle of the day. 18 ships sunk for 81979 tons. We have some 48 hours to load ammo and food. I didn't of course mentiom anything for the crates. Our next patrol area is AE87. |
U124 IXB. Patrol 8 & start of 9.
Patrol 8. Grid ES63 (SW of Freetown).
1.dec.41 til 29.jan.42. 2 ships sunk for 14.395 GRT U124's record to date: 8 war patrols. 27 ships sunk for 177.792 GRT Patrol 9. Grid CA85 (E of Norfolk Naval Base, USA). Depatred Lorient on 26.feb.42 with our newly installed batteries. Grid BD89 (250 miles N of The Azores). Date 9.mar.42. Time of completion 1300. Encountered 2 fast tankers running 14 knots. Three T2 torpedoes fired at the first, resulting in his sinking for 11.673 GRT. One T1 torpedo at the second, resulting in his slowing to under 7 knots. My Gunnersmate finished the job for an additional 11.674 GRT. (Twin T3 Tankers. I had mistook them for T2 Tankers. Nice surprise.) Present situation. Grid = CA81. Date = 2.mar.42. Time = 0250 (Zone Time). With our grid assignment complete, I decided to (as The Uboat Commander's Handbook expresses it) "go further", and set up a patrol line 100 miles E of Norfolk, along the shallows. I think there are Gibralter convoys that originate here, but haven't seen any indication of this thus far. One aircraft encounter, well S of Sydney. |
U-110 IXB
March 2 1940 20:49 hours
After we finished with refueling and rearming we set course for AE87 30 days later: We had finished our mission as ordered with 0 tonnage sunk and we had met two US tankers on the way. As a tempting target they were we let them pass since they had their navigation lights on and their flag was well insight. I decided to move closer to the nothern Canadian coast. April 2 1940 04:20 hours grid BC77 The weather was not good. Hydrophones showed a merchant closing.A British coastal freighter was sunk with 3 torpedoes. April 3 1940 07:30 hours grid BB92 Reloading process was finished. We had stayed on the surface for some fresh air and again dived. A convoy was spotted. 6 escorts and some 30 - 35 merchants. I fired all bow tubes and turned to fire the stern ones(my standard method of attack) Two hits were heard 08:07 hours : Breakup noises: an empire freighter went down I was already moving away from the convoy when it suddenly changed course giving me the opportunity for a second submerged attack 09:47 A second attack began in the usual pattern. This time 4 hits were scored 09:53 Breakup noises Enemy Granville type freighter 09:57 Breakup noises Enemy Ore carrier We disengaged safely at 120m depth. April 4 1940 12:50 hours grid BB86 Enemy ore carrier sunk with 3 torpedoes April 6 1940 13:10 hours Enemy warship spotted: An armed British tugboat. I fired 3 times against him : 2 duds 1 missed. I ordered dive at 60m. The tugboat didn't have ASDIC so we escaped. April 10 1940 17:12 hours We found the SS Belchen supply ship to rearm and refuel. 5 ships sunk for 29529 tons Orders came in : Patrol Grid AM52 and then return home. This was a relief, We were at sea for 79 days |
The war is over, me and the boys have a long trip from down under back to Germany.
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Leutnant zur See Helmut Ziehn, U-124 (IX B), 1st combat patrol.
Left Wilhelmshaven on Aug 4th, 1940, orders to patrol DT73. Aug 7th, AF 78, north of the Shetland Islands, sank medium merchant (3200 tons). Ship had hull markings identifying it as Irish, but flew no flag and was darkened. Torpedoed without warning due to location and behavior. Allowed crew to leave ship before finishing it with the deck gun. Aug 13th, southwest of Ireland, saw large tanker. Flew American flag and had lights on, so let it go. Aug 14th, BE 56, still southwest of Ireland, saw a 12100 ton tanker, this time British. Surface attack with two torpedoes, ship stopped but didn't sink. After three hours finished it with a third torpedo, because weather didn't permit use of deck gun. Aug 16th, CF 23, west of Portugal, radio report turned out to be another British tanker, 6500 tons. Submerged attack, 1 torpedo under the engine room, sank almost immediately. Aug 18th, CF 57, east of the Azores, saw another 6500 ton British tanker. Night surface attack, one torpedo into the engine room. Finished with the deck gun an hour later. Aug 19th, CF 79, southeast of the Azores, saw 3900 ton British medium merchant, one torpedo, sank in 20 minutes. Aug 20th, northwest of Canary Islands, received radio report for convoy in DH48, some 50 miles southeast of us, heading north west. Caught up with convoy just after nightfall. 5 columns, 3 rows each, with an additional 2 ships forming 4th row. 3 escorts, a Black Swan in front and Flower corvettes at the rear corners. 10600 ton merchant in the middle of the first row, auxiliary cruiser in 4th row. All other ships medium merchants or smaller. Weather: good visibility, partial clouds, 3 m/s wind, no rain, no fog. 1st convoy attack, Aug 20th, 23.00: submerged attack from within the convoy, 3 torpedoes at the auxiliary cruiser and 1 torpedo at the merchant beside it in the 4th row. Dive to 190 meters turning towards rear of the convoy. 3 detonations, both ships sunk, 2 sets of depth charges well behind us. Reloaded front tubes, surfaced and went around for second attack. 2nd convoy attack, Aug 21st, 3.50: surface attack with stern tubes against large merchant in the middle of the front row. Range 3500-4000 meters, about 2000 meters outside the outmost column. Noticed that the stern tubes are ideal for this kind of attack, because they allow leaving the site of attack without the need to turn first. Both torpedoes hit, merchant sunk. Escaped on surface without being seen. 3rd convoy attack, Aug 21st, 6.00: submerged attack against four ships in the 2nd row. Two front tubes fired at a 5800 ton merchant, the other two at two smaller merchants. One rear tube fired at the merchant behind us. Dive to 180 meters and turn towards rear of convoy. Five detonations, two ships sunk immediately and a third one later. Again, depth charges behind us, but nowhere nearby. Reloaded two front tubes and headed back to periscope depth. Noticed the last ship we hit was smoking heavily and couldn't keep up with the convoy. Waited for the convoy to disappear behind the horizon before surfacing and approaching the straggler. Opened fire with deck gun at a range of 3000 meters. After 4 shells, the ship rapidly sank at 9 am. Left area at flank speed on surface. Saw the two Flower corvettes at the sight of sinking before leaving the area. Was not detected by them. Reloaded last external reload, now heading towards DT73 with 4 remaining torpedoes loaded in tubes 1, 2, 3 and 6. 80900 tons sunk so far. Leutnant zur See Helmut Ziehn, U-124, end report. Edit: Seems like I too am suffering from the corrupt save games bug. Pity, was a fine start for a new career. |
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U124 IXB. Patrol 9 - part 2.
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12.51 = Sound reports merchant closing at medium speed. 101 T. 13.34 = Target = C3 Cargo. Course = 270 (for Norfolk). Speed = 9 knots. Submerged daylight attack. Target at 290 R. Medium range. Shot will be under 1000 meters. 19.45 = Fire 1, 2, 4. (T2 electrics). 19.46 = Impact x 3 heard. 19.47 = Target sunk for 7.909 GRT. 7 of 14 torpedoes remaining (3 bow & 4 stern). Date = 4.apr.42. No further merchant traffik detected since last sinking but, warship patrols have become a regular occurance. Departing the area via a northerly route for Lorient. Date = 20.apr.42. Grid = BC92 (East of Canada). (These times are GMT. ZT is -4 or -5). 19.40 = Ship spotted. Long range. Small Merchant moving west to east. Periscope depth. 19.43 = Target moving eastward at medium speed. 20.03 = Target course 091. Target speed 9 knots. 20.10 = Surface & begin end around for a daylight submerged attack with stern tubes. 21.23 = Diving 8 degrees off the targets bow. (Could only make 15½ knots at Flank). 21.26 = Crossing targets bow at low speed. 21.45 = Fire 5 at midships. Fire 6 astern, to cover a reduced speed. (T1 Steamers). 21.47 = Tube fire hits, sinking target for 2.428 GRT. 3 bow & 2 stern torpedoes remaining. From here we continued north in hopes of an encounter or dispatch, to the limits of the BC grids. Neither occurrred, and we turned our bow towards Lorient. Date = 5.maj.42. Grid = BE63 (SW of Ireland) 15.08 = "Aircraft spotted! Long range!" A L A R M ! Thanks to good lookouts we avoided damages this time, and were safely below the carpet bombing that folloowed. Many, many bangs over an extended time. Tommy is quite serious about killing us. Date = 7.maj.42. Grid = BF42 (South of Ireland, and just below the shallows). 04.25 = "Ship spotted! Bearing 023! Long range!" Dive! Flank! 100 meters! Sound - "Contact! Warship! Closing! Moving fast! Long rang! over and over again. My BM and his lookouts saved our skin again. Hunter Killer Group. Many warships! We presented a narrow enough profile to avoid detection by the nearest vessel. They maintained a high speed surface search towards the south, and never detected us. Thanks Boats! Date = 10.maj.42. Grid = BF61 (Right outside Lorient!!!) 06.21 = A L A R M ! Crash dive for aircraft. Tommy didn't kill us, but he sure came close. 54% Hull Integrity on docking at 22.35. Patrol results: 4 ships sunk for 33.684 GRT. 9 of 14 torpedoes expended. Crew healthy. Hull Integrity 54%. U124's history to date: 9 war patrols completed between 2.sep.40 and 10.maj.42. 31 ships sunk for 211.476 GRT. |
U124 IXB. Patrol 10. Canada.
Departed Lorient on 25.jun.42.
Bound for patrol grid CB16. (South of Halifax. East of New York.) Date = 13.jul.42. Grid = BD84. 0704 = "Ship spotted." Go to periscope depth. 2 ships! 0731 = Course 267. Speed 6 knots. UK to Halifax. 0740 = Surface and begin end-around. 0836 = Diving ahead of target. 0856 = Track is too close. Turning for stern shot. 0906 = Turning again for bow shot. Have they slowed? 0921 = Fire 1, 2, 4 (T2 torpedoes) at the C3 Cargo. Small Merchant passed up. 0922 = Impact x 2. Target sunk for 7949 GRT. 1131 = Surface in persuit of the Small Merchant. 1226 = Target sighted. 1411 = Fire 5, 6. 1412 = Impact x 2. Target sunk for 2335 GRT. 9 of 14 torpedoes remaining. 7 bow & 2 stern. Date = 16.jul.42. Grid = BC98. 1923 = Small Merchant spotted. Go to periscope depth. 1958 = Fire 3 (T1 Torpedo). Daylight submerged attack. Course 090 at 7 knots. Impact. 2010 = Target settled and sunk for 2336 GRT. 8 torpedoes remaining (6 bow & 2 stern). Date = 21.jul.42. Grid = CC22. 2128 = Ship spotted at 2800 meters. Perscope depth. (It's daylight). 2136 = Course 090 at 9 knots (hopefuly). C2 Cargo. 2137 = Fire 1, 2, 4 (T2 torpedoes). 2138 = Impact x 2. Date = 22.jul.42. 0108 = Surface in heavy fog. Unable to locate target. Date = 23.jul.42. Grid = CB36. (350 miles SW of Halifax). 1322 = A L A R M ! Crash dive for aircraft! (Our protective heavy fog vanished). Date = 26.jul.42. Grid = CB25. 2055 = Sound contact. Fast merchant. Surfaced and gave chase, but he was too fast to even catch sight of. Date = 28.jul.42. Grid = CB16. 2050 = On station in patrol grid. 2204 = "We're under attack!" Crash dive for what turned out to be a fighter. No casualties. Date = 30.jul.42. Grid = Still CB16. 0427 = Sound contact. Slow merchant. 0446 = 10 minute surface sprint. 0516 = Submerged daylight attack. Coastal Merchant. Course 270 at 4 knots. 0518 = Fire 1 (T2 torpedo) point blank. Target sunk for 2044 GRT. 2 bow & 2 stern torpedoes remaining. All T1 torpedoes. (Best for last). Eastbound. Date = 31.jul.42. Grid = CB24. 1503 = Sound contact. Warship. Medium speed. closing. 1½ hours evading. Date = 5.aug.42. Grid = BB87/BB88 border. HEAVY FOG. 160 miles S of Sydney. 0609 = Westbound convoy, at medium speed, detected on hydrophone. Will close, against my better judgement. 0626 = Approx convoy course? 259 for New York? Or 284 for Halifax? 0634 = Lining up for New York option. Coming to 169. This is nuts! 0659 = Fire 2, 3 at unknown type of shadow. Course 262 at 9 knots. Impact x 2! Diving to 100 meters with a new heading of 127. 0747 = DIW merchant located by sound man. 0759 = Fire 5. Stern on 300+ meters. Dud torpedo. Lost sight. Around for a new approach. 0824 = Fire 6. Angled shot, angled at 90 degrees. I M P A C T, and showered with debris! C2 Cargo sunk for 6446 GRT. Luckily, he didn't take us with him. Super close. All 14 torpedoes expended. Heading for Lorient. Date = 21.aug.42. Grid = BD91. 1348 = "Ship spotted." Dive to avoid detection by a merchant. Date = 4.sep.42. Grid = BF61. 0300 = Docked safely at Lorient. Healthy crew and boat. Patrol results: 5 ships sunk for 21.110 GRT. U124's record to date: 10 war patrols completed. 36 ships sunk for 232.586 GRT. |
U-110 IXB
April 12 1940 13:00
U-110 departed from the SS Belchen to Germany. April 14 1940 19:22 Grid AM 52 Following a radio contact from BdU U-110 changed her course to intercept enemy convoy. 20:00 Visual contact made in medium fog. U-110 dived to attack. 20:20 Four TIs fired against enemy Revenge class BB in the middle of the convoy. 20:30 U-110 was sunk with all hands by an escort who came out at bearing 180 and he was not spotted until the depth charges fell. U-110 was at periscope depth to confirm the sinking of the BB. (Huge mistake) April 14 1940 23:30 From: Bdu To all uboats: No contact is possible with U-110. Boat persumed sunk. Last known position Grid AM52 reporting attack on enemy large convoy. |
U 505 IXC
January 1 1940 08:00
Wilhemshaven Deutschland Ltnt Von Harris was called to report asap to HQ 09:00 Von Harris enters the office of the Flottila commander. Several blueprints are laying on the table and 4 high ranked naval officers are already present. The commander shows the blueprints to von Harris -Herr Ltnt what type of uboat is that? -It looks like an IXB but it is larger, what is that sir ? -Well it is a prototype IXC a new type and you are about to test it in battle conditions. She was build in absolute secrecy , the British have no idea. She is ready and the crew has already completed the usual sea trials. Your mission is to take the boat to her limits and bring her home. Alles klar Herr Ltnt? - Jawohl mein Herr. - Sehr gut You sail at midnight. - Jawohl. Von Harris salutes and leaves the room. 22:00 U-505 IXC prototype The IWO salutes von Harris as he is closing to the sub. They are old friends IWO : Alles fertig gemacht Herr Kaleun von : Sehr gut we sail at 00:00 hours. Von Harris enters the sub via the conning tower..... |
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U124 is also . . . . gone. (Post to follow). Will we be meeting "again" in '39? |
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