U-552, patrol 1
 

Leutnant z.s. Helmut Unger
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotilla, Bergen
Orders: Patrol grid AK13

21.6.1942
0414 AE86, Clear, no rain, visibility 8 - 9 kilometers, wind 15 m/s. D/F contact 25 kilometers SW, course ESE.
0449 Some kind of a küstenmotorschiff spotted, range 8 - 9 kilometers, true bearing 251 degrees.
0520 Estimated course by sighting bearings as 109 degrees.
0526 Estimated speed by counting engine RPM's as 9 knots.
0601 One aft TIII G7e torpedo shot submerged at a 1100 BRT British Küstentanker. AOB estimated at 90 degrees stb, schüsswinkel 009, depth 2 meters, impact pistol, speed estimated at 9 knots, entfernung 550 meters.
0602 An explosion heard on the hydrophone. On raising the periscope again, I saw that the torpedo had hit a few meters ahead of the aiming point, blowing the bridge of the ship and it's front mast to kingdom come, flames and smoke covering the place where the bridge used to be. The speed of the ship was probably slower than I estimated.
0628 Explosions and metal twisting, sounds of a sinking ship heard on the hydrophone. On the periscope only a cloud of smoke can be seen. The ship is presumed sunk. It is questionable if my decision to attack such a small ship in 15m/s winds was correct. The waves might be able to direct the torpedo either too low or too high. The crew seems to be happy about the sinking, though.

25.6.1942
0000 AM13, clear, no rain, visibility 8 - 9 kilometers, wind 1 m/s. At last the high winds subsided and we were able to load the back external G7a torpedo. 13 torpedoes left. We radio a weather report to BDU and send thanks to the captain of U-159, who gave a hint about single merchants moving around the Faroes. A news report mentioned U-518's success in sinking a light cruiser. Our patrol has not been too successful, but we are continuing towards AK13, in hope of sighting a convoy.

Unger

SINK EM ALL!! http://www.psionguild.org/forums/ima...ies/pirate.gif

I am on patrol # 7, from 1-4 my patrols were fairly easy sinking 5-6 ships a patrol. I started in the earlier part of 1942. It is now early 1943 and i very rarely get convoy reports anymore, (last 2 patrols). All i ever do is run into 2 ship convoys sailing just west of the french bases. Doesnt seem realistic either, having these slow 2 ship convoys sailing on their own without escort so close to the french bases. By 1943 only very fast ships got to travel out of convoy. Anyway i never really enjoy sinking those ships, never much of a challenge. Any1 else run into these 2 ship convoys??

GWX 3.0

Same problem (SH3 + GWX). I am thinking of trying to modify the convoys after I manage to play the game thru to 1945 once.

Glad somebody else sees that, i was thinking it might have been a problem with my install or something. If i knew how to modify or even mod Sh3 i would do it myself! But if u get around to it let me kno sublynx!:salute:

Just "for the record":
What date?
And, what type boat?

Now, for my curiosity:
Which way in, and which way out, for you?

Good luck. It's a rough one.

U159 IXC. Patrol 4 complete.
 

Homeward bound from Capetown.

19.jul.43
Grid DU41
Diesel reserves at 25%.

25.jul.43
Grid CG79
Radio message from BDU to all available boats:
"Convoy. CG84. WNW. 8 knots. Gibralter - UK. U518 holding contact".

Time to stretch the fuel a bit further, and justify our existance.
Attack 1 was 3 G7Es fired on a T3 Tanker, and FAT (fired normaly) at a Liberty Cargo. 3 rapid detonations followed, but there was no indication of a sinking. The single FAT missed it's target entirely. All bow torpedoes expended.

Attack 2 was a classic breakout, after overhauling the convoy. A FAT torpedo (fired normaly) and a G7E were fired from the stern, at our old damaged friend the T3 Tanker. One hit was scored on the tanker, sinking her immediately. The remaining torpedo struck an unknown and unintended target 4 minutes later.

U159 attempted a third overhaul, but was unable to regain contact with the convoy.
Through both attacks U159 managed to remaine undetected.

Although fuel was tight throughout the voyage, enough remained for high speed runs across The Bay during the brief hours of darkness.
The high speed allowed for surprisingly efficiant crash dives. Three times the RAF forced her down.
The final attack occurred under 20 miles from her berth in Lorient. A real carpet bombing.

Kaleun VONHARRIS was already back from the convoy battle, and standing dockside with 2 bottles of Becks, for our arrival. A small pallet of same awaited the crew.

Patrol results:
12 of 14 torpedoes expended.
93% of diesel reserves expended.
4% of hull integrity expended (RAF).
2 ships sunk for 19.562 GRT.

U159's history to date:
4 war patrols completed between 17.apr.42 and 2.aug.43.
7 ships sunk for 71.939 GRT.
Kvt Kpt Snestorm commanding.

You are 100% on the mark.

Option 1 is to modify the RND layer.

Option 2 is to ignore them.

It's "one of those places" that's been given an overdose of traffik, for sure.

Just "for the record":
What date?

July 1941

And, what type boat?

VIIB

Now, for my curiosity:
Which way in, and which way out, for you?

I came in from the north and am exiting south. I'm still not out of the woods yet, but I had to save and exit to go to dinner last night.

I have sunk three ships in AM68 - small merchant, tramp steamer, and an empire. The weather is miserable, and visibility is nil, so all of my contacts are via hydrophone. I plot their heading then lie in wait. They have to get within 500 meters just to see them. There are sound contacts to warships constantly around but at this point of the war, they're not so good at finding me.

Good luck. It's a rough one.

Thanks. I'm not going back in there.

"Kaleun VONHARRIS was already back from the convoy battle, and standing dockside with 2 bottles of Becks, for our arrival. A small pallet of same awaited the crew."

Not only Becks but a case of the most expensive French champange was ordered at the officers club
And this is why:
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9310/usslongisland.jpg

The USS Long Island.
But first thing first
Patrol No 14

14 January 1942
U-518 got new batteries that increased the underwater range
03:15 hours U-518 left Lorient for CA28 (New York)

16 January 1942
Grid BF47
12:58 hours , calm seas
Large merchant by 2 stern torpedoes and 1(one) 105mm round

30 January 1942
Grid CC31
13:00 hours calm seas
Liberty cargo sunk by 2 bow torpedoes

9 February 1942
Grid CA28
12:48 hours heavy seas - rain
Grnaville type freighter sunk by 2 bow torpedoes
U-518's first American victim

17 February 1942
Grid BB95
01:05 hours medium seas no rain
Q&R destroyer sunk by 2 stern torpedoes
She was part of an ASW group

26 February 1942
Grid CA54
Clemson DD damaged by 1 stern torpedo
Both the DD and U-518 withdrew from the battle

7 March 1942
Grid BB97
09:19 hours medium seas rain
Clemson class DD sunk by 1 bow torpedo
Caught him off guard and he paid it.

9 March 1942
Grid BB97
Convoy attack heavy seas no rain
4 bow torpedoes
16:49 hours Large cargo sunk by 1 bow torpedo
Medium cargo damaged

12 March 1942
Grid CC23
00:01 hours BdU informed us of a possible US TF in the area
00:30 hours Contact with 6 warships : CVE + 5 Clemson DDs
Only two torpedoes in bow tubes
01:22 hours 2 TIs on impact pistols fired on the CVE
01:24 hours 1 hit scored
Took a snapshot by the attack scope to confirm the hit with BdU and dived to 200m to escape.

06:49 hours Very fade breaking up noises. Was she sinking?

20 March 1942
03:52 hours Bdu confirmed the sinking of the USS Long Island escort carrier
Took a small detour to CG84 to use our 2 last torpedoes but no luck. Gave the convoy position to Bdu and U159 was in the right spot.

26 March 1942
17:45 hours Docked at Lorient
7 ships sunk
50286 tons
72 days at sea

U159 was right behind us after attacking that convoy
Now , off to the night club. Somebody has to drink all those drinks.
U-552 has not reported in yet.

A sad end for U-518
 

5 May 1942
Grid .....
Convoy attack

Depth charged by lucky escort while at periscope depth
All engines destroyed both electric and diesels
Heavy flooding
Surface the boat to save the crew but ....
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/8514/asadend.jpg
This is a 16K ton converted whale factory ship ramming a IXC Uboat
All hands lost.

U159 IXC. Patrol 5.
 

27.sep.43
Underway from Lorient, by the light of day, at 1032.

Assigned grid is GR51.
It would seem that U159 has impressed BDU as a good Capetown boat, and the result is that we're on our way back.

Captain and crew are saddened by the loss of U518.
And so shortly after her daring exploits in The Western Atlantic.

We managed to cross The Bay surfaced by night, and submerged by day, without incident.
U159 remained on the surface while hugging the coasts of Spain and Portugal.

Our problems began after leaving those shores behind.

CG76 - CG79 - DH39 A L A R M !
Gibralter got a fix on our position, and has been sending pilots to drop in for a visit.
Weather is calm and clear. Moon is full.
Have been reduced to remaining submerged, except to recharge batteries and freshen air.
This has become a very good area to avoid, if possible. (Not possible for us on this patrol.)

Present position is north of The Canaries on the DH65-DH62 border.
Report date: 12.okt.43
Report time: 0350 (Just prior to predawn dive).

Hopefuly the situation will improve on passage through The Canaries.
Would love to "add another gear", but can't afford the fuel.

Our 1943 torpedo loadout is 1 FAT in tube 3, and 9 G7Es to fill out the bow. 1 FAT in tube 6, and 3 G7Es to fill out the stern.

Can't blame you for that.
Been there in both VIIB and IXB.

VIIB: I went in North, and out South.
Freshening the air was a major problem for me in the south, due to Elco Patrol Boats.

IXB: Took the northern route both ways, and was realy happy to reach the deep end of AM53.

They realy made you earn your paycheck this time.
Congradulations on completing the toughest grid.
Best of luck for a safe passage home.

Ouch...

Pretty much the definition of how to make a bad day even worse! :damn:

Patrol 1, U-552
 

Leutnant z.s. Helmut Unger
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotilla, Bergen
Orders: Patrol grid AK13

23.6.1942
16:08 AL29. Clear, visibility 8 - 9 kilometers, wind 1m/s. BDU informs us that a large convoy with a course NE and speed 7 knots has been spotted at AL61, 250 kilometers from us. To intercept we have to cross an area that might be reachable by the air patrols from Iceland. Intercept course 70 degrees, speed GF.

24.6.1942
02:45 AL37. Cloudy, no rain, visibility 12 - 13 kilometers, wind 3 m/s. BDU informs us that the convoy is now in grid AL39, only 40 kilometers from us, estimated course 41 degrees.

BDU also informs that U-518 has sunk an escort carrier, but that unfortunately the boat and apparently all of the crew were lost on the next patrol they undertook. My crew seems nervous, hoping success against the convoy we are trying to intercept, while knowing that what happened to U-518 could happen to us too.

I have ordered the torpedoes to readied, partly because I expect them to be needed soon, partly because I want the crew to concentrate on their tasks, and not on the sad news about U-518.

We are now on the process of estimating our new intercept course. If the contact report is even remotely accurate, we will probably attack some time today or the next night.

Unger

Her Kaleun M.Miklaszewski 3th November 1939, 3rd patrol, 7th flotilla, type VIIB, not much sunk from begining August 1st: a large Polish merchant and a British medium merchant for only about 14k tons. Went out near Gibraltar as main course, near the eastern coast of GB spotted the famous Battleship Roodney and 6 or more destroyers with him.Got myself close, periscope depth. Periscope is in line with waves.Range is 4000 meters and closing 10knots(makman and olc fantastic tools). The operation of killing Roodney and escape is surely on. :) Then I saved and went to a party ^^

Hope the party was as much fun as the game! :yep:

Patrol 1, U-552
 

Leutnant z.s. Helmut Unger
U-552, VIIC
11. Flotilla, Bergen
Orders: Patrol grid AK13

27.6.1942
Cloudy, raining, visibility 500 - 1000 meters. Getting in position to make a third attack on a large convoy now on grid AL38, west of Rockall. Convoy's speed 7 knots, course estimated 112 degrees.

Our first attack in good weather conditions didn't succeed, because the convoy made a hard turn eastwards just before I could get in range. The weather changed and the second attempt was made in lousy visibility. I managed to sneak submerged into the convoy, between two lines on the port side of the convoy. Two front torpedoes and one aft torpedoes shot. One torpedo wasted, because the weapons officer forgot to switch the AOB to starboard. One 2200 BRT frachter sunk and one 6800 BRT frachter damaged, but only slightly. Had to use another torpedo to finish the 2200 BRT frachter. Easy escape submerged, 2 knots silent running, 150 meters, no DC's dropped. The convoy is only guarded by a frigate on the front and a corvette on the back. There is a light cruiser inside the convoy. Nine torpedoes left.

I was thinking about trying to sink the escorts, but bad weather makes estimating courses and speeds uncertain, as well as potentially affecting torpedoes depth keeping. I was also hoping to attack from outside the convoy, but visibility is too low. I'm hoping that the weather clears, so I could get a decent opportunity to sink that cruiser and not just some unlucky small rustbucket that happens to wander to my sights in this awful visibility.

Unger

New Career U-36 VIIB
 

Patrol No 2 (No1 was the shakedown patrol)
U-36 was ordered to patrol BF19
No way to cross der Kanal so we had to make our way around England

8 September 1939
15:48 hours U-36 left Wilhelmshaven in clear weather

12 September 1939
Grid AN44
10:31 hours . An Anson attacked out of the sun. My flak gunner shot him down

13 September 1939
Grid AN14
07:46 hours. A second Anson decided to take us on. One more for my flak gunner

15 September 1939
Grid AM35
14:21 hours It looks like those Ansons wiil not let us alone. A third shot down. An Iron cross second class and a promotion for my flak gunner ASAP

16 September 1939
Grid AM53
Convoy attack 4 bow + 1 stern torpedoes fired
19:52 hours Coastal freighter sunk by 1 bow torpedo
19:53 hours Q ship sunk by 1 bow torpedo
19:54 hours Small merchant sunk by 1 bow torpedo

20 September 1939
Grid BF19
Convoy attack 4 bow + 1 stern torpedoes fired
19:24 hours V&W DD sunk by 1 bow torpedo aimed at a whale factory ship
Whale factory ship hit twice but escaped
The other escort of the convoy managed to get a fix on pur position but his attack didn't cause but minor damages

23 September 1939
Grid BF15
07:16 hours Coastal freighter sunk by 24 88mm rounds

25 September 1939
Grid AM55
01:30 hours Motor vesel sunk by 27 88mm rounds

03:50 hours Passenger/cargo hit by 2 bow torpedoes + 1 stern missed. She escaped as the the weather denied us the use of the deck gun

30 September 1939
18:45 hours U-36 docked at Wilhelmshaven
6 ships sunk
9810 tons
3 aircrafts shot down

Snestorm, that was a great tip and your hunting wishes brought me luck. After a quick patrol north of Trondheim, I cruised west, had some bad weather, then wandered down south to check out AN18 & AN44. I struck good weather and, still on my way to your suggestions, in AN14, I sunk 4 ships! Among them a T2 tanker and a C2 cargo. All 4 sunk between 2.00 and 20.00 on the same day, the last 3 within an area of radius 17km.

Total so far, 26000t. 5 torps left (3 torps missed). Now off to finish them and head home. I hope by my next patrol, France has fallen. I want to get to the Atlantic and to the US.

BTW, which French bases do you guys favour. I don't know why, but I always choose Lorient. Brest is too close to the English Channel, and the other three... I dunno why I don't consider them.

Snestorm, I've never had a patrol assignment to Cape Town. Did you choose it via SH3Commander or is it due to a mod? (I live in Cape Town.)