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In 1939 and 1940 I used all T1s, and all impact. I never had any problems. I set for slow and 3 meters of depth.
Of course, it all depends on the mods you're using. I just use GWX without H.Sie or Stiebler. Some mods require special depth settings on torpedoes to prevent them from prematuring. Now I just use slow everything, and 4 meters. |
07MAY41
U558, type VIIC, 1st Flot. Kiel Grid AL35 Large convoy heading-ESE, speed-7 knots Torpedoed and sunk two tankers from convoy. 23,192 tons Giebel, Herrman, Oblt. |
U-105 1st Patrol (Pt. 2)
07/09/1940
21:03 - Weather has deteriorated further. Strong gales, heavy rain, sea 8. Visibility is nil. Made the decision to dive to save fuel. 08/09/1940 07:14 - Surfaced at 07:00. No change in weather. Will continue diving at night until weather improves to preserve fuel load. 11/09/1940 08:32 - Sighted destroyer sailing SSW - suspecting convoy in vicinity. Shadowing at long range. Weather is partially cloudy, sea 8, gales direction W. Heading 250°, speed 14kn. 08:45 - Determined destroyer is acting as an escort for a convoy. Attempting to move in closer to determine size and course. 09:04 - Currently have sight of 15 merchants and 1 escort, a C&D destroyer, sailing WSW at 7kn. Attempting to leapfrog the convoy and attack from directly in front of it. 12:14 - Have successfully leapfrogged the convoy. Commencing attack in spite of poor sea state. 15:53 - Conducted attack on convoy. Fired 4 torpedoes. 2 misses and 2 hits on a small merchant, sunk for 2396GRT. Escorts carried out sporadic depth charge attacks around us. Stopped after around 45 minutes without success. Continued moving W, lost sound contact at 15:00. Surfaced at 15:45 and continued to BC62, course 276°. 14/09/1940 16:25 - Grid BC6233. Patrol grid reached. Beginning ladder search pattern ending in BC6277. Orders are to remain in area for 72hrs. Weather has improved after 9 days. Partially cloudy, light fog. Light easterly winds. 16/09/1940 21:02 - BC6277. New orders received to proceed to CC56. Course 226°, speed 11kn. Weather is clear, light breeze. Sea 1. 20/09/1940 03:49 - Arrived at grid CC5633. Adopting a search pattern to cover patrol area. Weather is poor - heavy rain, poor visibility. Sea 4. 23/09/1940 01:33 - Grid CC6412. Received new orders for CF95. Weather unchanged. 02/10/1940 03:30 - Grid CF8597. Sighted 2 merchants travelling W - A coastal freighter and large merchant. Attempted to attack both head on from 1,000m with remaining 3 fore torpedoes. All missed. Dived to periscope depth and turned 90° to attack the large merchant with stern torpedoes. Scored 2 hits at 380m, sinking it for 10660GRT. Forced to let coastal freighter continue heading W. 2 stern torpedoes remaining. Currently unable to use deck gun due to poor sea state. Fuel now below 50%. Taken the decision to start return passage to Lorient. 08/10/1940 02:09 - BF61. Awaiting escort vessel outside Lorient. 06:20 - Docked at Lorient. Patrol officially ended: 4 ships sunk for 16,883GRT. 38 days spent at sea. Received promotion to Oberleutnant zur See. |
**I will be providing better accounts in the future - being a rookie, I didn't keep track of all my actions.**
11 SEP 1939 2015 Patrol Report U-16 (Type IIA) 2nd Flotilla, Wilhelmshaven Walter Frönlich, Oberleutnant z.S. First war patrol commenced 25 AUG 1939, departing Wilhelmshaven at 1341 Ordered to grid AM18 for 24-hour patrol Received BdU radio message to get to grid AM18 by 01 SEP 1939, while maintaining radio silence and avoiding any other ship contact. Conducted diving, surface attack, submerged attack, defensive and damage control exercises during North Sea transit towards Orkney-Shetlands gap. Crew responded well to constant drilling; teamwork became the theme for this patrol. Received BdU radio message that British convoy would reach grid AM18 by about noon 03 SEP 1939. Made best speed to grid objective. U-16 never reached grid AM18, as boat was west of the Hebrides when war with Great Britain was advised by BdU radio message. 03 SEP 1939 time unknown (daylight) Intercepted merchant convoy consisting of five ships **types unknown - read, I forgot** Enemy plane forced boat to submerge, costing time and interception quality Launched three Type-I torpedoes at a range of about 4500m at chemical goods freighter - two torpedoes prematurely detonated, and one missed. Continued interception of convoy, and fearing ridicule and court-martial back home, continued submerged to reload last two Type-I torpedoes. At periscope depth, found distance to chemical goods freighter to be about 2500m - launched last two Type-I torpedoes, with one premature detonation and one striking target just aft of amidships. Verified chemical freighter sunk. 03 SEP 1939 time unknown Out of torpedoes, I was ordered to return to base by BdU. After continual enemy aerial and naval threats, reached dock at Wilhelmshaven on 11 SEP 1939 1800. Patrol Results Crew losses: 0 U-Boat damage: None Torpedoes expended: Five Type-I torpedoes (three premature detonations, one miss, one hit) Deck gun ammunition expended: None Enemy ships sunk: One Total tonnage: 1890 GRT (1) "Maiden Creek" 1890 GRT (chemical goods freighter) Grid AM35 - 20 crew, 18 lost (mail/packages) Promotions/Awards/Qualifications Oberleutnant z.S. Frönlich awarded Iron Cross 2nd Class and U-Boat Front Clasp **which I realize is inaccurate.** Bootsman (Torpedoman) Jörg Zander awarded U-Boat War Badge. Bootsman (Watchman) Otto Grau earned Watchman qualification. |
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**Pretty boring patrol, but fun nonetheless - the air attack by the British when I was departing was an interesting experience. I enjoy the challenge of the IIA boat, but obviously the torpedo performance and quantity is a pain in the ass.**
**Also, all status reports are presumed to be done at 24-hour intervals after leaving dock (i.e., at 0500) unless of special note.** **Finally, I hope you enjoy this as much as I do - what a great gaming experience!** 10 OCT 1939 1900 Patrol Report U-16 (Type IIA) 2nd Flotilla, Wilhelmshaven Walter Frönlich, Oberleutnant z.S. Second war patrol commenced 08 OCT 1939, departing Wilhelmshaven at 0500 Initial Armament Torpedoes: (5) Type-I torpedoes AA gun: 4000 rounds 20mm AP Immediately while leaving dock, a raid by British bombers (type Blenheim) attacked the base. U-16 manned its flak gun but did not expend any rounds. No official word on any friendly or enemy casualties, but it appeared that at least two enemy bombers were shot down. Things quieted down by 0505. No damage to U-16. Cleared north lock (east channel) at 0551. Proceeded north to Helgoland Hafen point to open orders. Opened orders at 0800 - proceed to grid AN36 and patrol there for 24 hours. 09 OCT 1939 0806 Proceeding north to AN36 at 9 kts. 09 OCT 1939 1110 Reached AN36 09 OCT 1939 1150 B-dienst radio msg: enemy small convoy AN36 heading ENE speed 7 kts **how convenient - thank you intel peeps** Adjusted heading to possibly intercept enemy 09 OCT 1939 1258 Ships sighted! AN36 Four enemy ships (type (2x) catapult ship; (1) coal bulker; (1) East India-type freighter) **what is a catapult ship? I couldn't tell what tonnage each ship was, even after doing some online searches** Submerged to 25m and set heading to intercept (weather perfect) - ordered submerged attack battle stations at 1315 09 OCT 1939 1335 Launched one torpedo each at coal bulker, freighter and trailing catapult ship (other catapult was leading convoy) (range of about 800m-1000m) Coal bulker set on fire after hit. Trailing catapult ship listing after hit. Torpedo aimed at freighter detonated early. Submerged to 25m to reload, following convoy. 09 OCT 1939 1346 Launched torpedo at trailing catapult ship, with a hit recorded. Enemy ship stops. Other three ships continue on, including coal bulker which is still on fire. 09 OCT 1939 1405 Launched last (fifth) torpedo at catapult ship, breaking its keel. Confirmed kill. No other enemy activity in the area, other than three enemy who continue away, and so U-16 surfaces, reports to BdU, and ordered to RTB at 1617. 10 OCT 1939 1516 Reached north lock Wilhelmshaven; cleared lock at 1524 10 OCT 1939 1610 Docked at Wilhelmshaven Patrol Results Crew losses: 0 U-Boat damage: None Torpedoes expended: Five Type-I torpedoes (one premature detonation, four hits) Deck gun ammunition expended: None Enemy ships sunk: One Total tonnage: 4269 GRT (1) "Har Zion" - British flag - 4269 GRT (catapult ship) Grid AN36 - 49 crew, 11 lost (iron ore) Promotions/Awards/Qualifications Oberfähnrich z.S. (Watchman) Adolf Karlewitz awarded U-Boat War Badge Bootsman (Torpedoman) Hasso Balke earned Torpedoman qualification. |
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28 OCT 1939 1005 Patrol Report U-16 (Type IIA) 2nd Flotilla, Wilhelmshaven Walter Frönlich, Oberleutnant z.S. Third war patrol commenced 25 OCT 1939, departing Wilhelmshaven at 2130 Initial Armament Torpedoes: (5) Type-I (G7a) torpedoes (Three loaded, two reserve) AA gun: 4000 rounds 20mm AP Immediately while leaving dock, a raid by British bombers (type Blenheim) attacked the base. U-16 manned its flak gun but did not expend any rounds. No official word on any friendly or enemy casualties, but it appeared that at least three enemy bombers were shot down. Things quieted down by 2136. No damage to U-16. Reached north lock 2205; cleared north lock (east channel; west channel still being constructed/dredged) at 2211. Proceeded north towards Helgoland Hafen point to open orders. Opened orders at 0030 - proceed to grid AN35 and patrol there for 24 hours. 26 OCT 1939 0030 Proceeding north to AN35 at 9 kts. 27 OCT 1939 0319 B-dienst radio msg: enemy small convoy AN38 heading ENE speed 7 kts Adjusted heading to possibly intercept enemy. Estimate my current position 25km northeast of reported convoy (AN38). 27 OCT 1939 0429 Ship sighted! AN38 One enemy ship (collier) Set heading to intercept (weather perfect) and submerged to periscope depth - ordered submerged attack battle stations at 0435 0436 - sonar picks up three more ships near collier **funny what happens when I ordered my radioman-qualified PO to the sonar station - I need to micromanage this more** 0455 - all four ships identified - in a line heading ENE: collier, coal bulker, East India-type freighter, small merchant "Varna" 0506 - fired two torpedoes at collier from distance of about 1500m 0507 - both torpedoes hit collier and detonate; she appears to be losing speed 0509 - collier begins sinking and then explodes - verified kill British collier 5933 GRT 0509 - fired torpedo at freighter - dud!! Torpedo room working as fast as possible to reload for more shots. 0518 - tube one ready; fired torpedo at freighter range 360m 0518 - torpedo hits freighter and detonates; manuevering while reloading last torpedo in tube two 0519 - freighter dead in water and riding very low 0522 - went to 40m depth after merchant spotted my periscope and charged; urging torpedomen to load faster 0530 - tube two ready; manuevering to attack 0541 - fired torpedo at merchant range 1200m 0543 - miss! Heading back to sinking freighter to use 20mm on it to ensure destruction (is sitting very low in water) - out of torpedoes. Coal bulker and small merchant live to see another day, continuing northeast. 0610 - engaging freighter with 20mm AP rounds range 700m 0641 - after expending 2500 (!) 20mm AP rounds, freighter was still floating; radioed its position to BdU for someone else to finish off; heading back to Wilhelmshaven **embarrassed and lesson learned...keep a torpedo to ensure target sinks** 27 OCT 1939 0711 BdU orders me to RTB 28 OCT 1939 0531 Reached north lock Wilhelmshaven; cleared lock at 0539 28 OCT 1939 0616 Docked at Wilhelmshaven Patrol Results Crew losses: 0 U-Boat damage: None Torpedoes expended: Five Type-I torpedoes (one dud, one miss, three hits) Deck gun ammunition expended: 2500 20mm AP Enemy ships sunk: One Total tonnage: 5933 GRT (1) "Executor" - British flag - 5933 GRT (collier) Grid AN38 - 65 crew, 42 lost (iron ore) Promotions/Awards/Qualifications No promotions after this patrol. Oberleutnant z.S. Walter Frönlich awarded Iron Cross First Class and German Cross. Oberfähnrich z.S. Otto Todenhagen awarded U-Boat War Badge. Oberfähnrich z.S. Fritz Friedrichs awarded U-Boat War Badge. Oberfähnrich z.S. Udo Hartenstein awarded U-Boat War Badge. Bootsmann (Machinist) Wolf Degen awarded U-Boat War Badge. Bootsmann (Machinist) Viktor Beck awarded U-Boat War Badge. Bootsmann (Flak Gunner) Herbert Andersen awarded U-Boat War Badge. Bootsmann (Machinist) Viktor Beck awarded U-Boat War Badge. Bootsmann (Radioman) Karl Kreutz awarded U-Boat War Badge. Bootsmann (Torpedoman) Hasso Balke awarded U-Boat War Badge. Bootsmann (Watchman) Adolf Conrad awarded U-Boat War Badge. Bootsmann (Medic) Konrad Schmitt awarded U-Boat War Badge. Bootsmann (Watchman) Otto Grau awarded U-Boat War Badge. Matrosenobergefreiter Carl Zahn awarded U-Boat War Badge. Matrosenobergefreiter Egon Bahn awarded U-Boat War Badge. Matrosengefreiter Ebe Fischer awarded U-Boat War Badge. Matrosengefreiter Kurt Goldbeck awarded U-Boat War Badge. Matrosengefreiter Adalbert Vowe awarded U-Boat War Badge. Matrosengefreiter Bruno Kals awarded U-Boat War Badge. Matrosengefreiter Friedrich Wissmann awarded U-Boat War Badge. Matrosengefreiter Frits Hauber awarded U-Boat War Badge. Matrosengefreiter Klaus Wolfbauer awarded U-Boat War Badge. Matrosengefreiter Adolf Thurmann awarded U-Boat War Badge. Matrosengefreiter Dieter Kimmelmann awarded U-Boat War Badge. Matrosengefreiter Axel Bauer awarded U-Boat War Badge. Matrosengefreiter Gustav Thomsen awarded U-Boat War Badge. Matrosengefreiter Wolfgang Mahn awarded U-Boat War Badge. Bootsmann (Medic) Konrad Schmitt earned Medic qualification. |
**Upgraded batteries to AFA 44 MAL 570 string**
25 NOV 1939 1810 Patrol Report U-16 (Type IIA) 2nd Flotilla, Wilhelmshaven Walter Frönlich, Oberleutnant z.S. Fourth war patrol commenced 20 NOV 1939, departing Wilhelmshaven dock at 0243 Initial Armament Torpedoes: (5) Type-I (G7a) torpedoes (Three loaded, two reserve) AA gun: 4000 rounds 20mm AP 20 NOV 1939 0317 Reached north lock Wilmelmshaven; cleared north lock (east channel; west channel still being constructed/dredged) at 0324. Proceeded north towards Helgoland Hafen point to open orders. 20 NOV 1939 0543 Opened orders - proceed to grid AN37 and patrol there for 24 hours. Proceeding northwest to AN37 at 9 kts. 21 NOV 1939 0000 AN66 Submerged to 25m and slow ahead to listen for shipping activity. 21 NOV 1939 0600 AN63 Surfaced after conducting six-hour hydrophone run 21 NOV 1939 1551 Reached AN37 - beginning search pattern at 25m depth 21 NOV 1939 2200 AN37 Surfaced after conducting six-hour hydrophone run 22 NOV 1939 1200 AN37 Submerged to 25m and slow ahead to listen for shipping activity. 22 NOV 1939 1815 AN37 Surfaced after conducting six-hour hydrophone run 22 NOV 1939 2150 AN37 Received report of enemy ship AN62 heading NNE medium speed - adjusting course to intercept. 23 NOV 1939 0423 Ship sighted! AN49 War Melody-type merchant heading NNW speed 7kts - moving to intercept on surface (ahead flank parallel to target to set up submerged attack most likely during daylight) 23 NOV 1939 0526 AN49 Found merchant again after losing her in end-around flank - setting up submerged attack; ordered submerged battle stations 0546 - fired two torpedoes at War Melody merchant range 600m 0546 - first torpedo a dud; second torpedo impacts and detonates; merchant stopping; readying tube three for firing while torpedomen reload tubes one and two 0549 - fired one torpedo 0550 - torpedo impacts and detonates; fire breaks out and merchant begins sinking - verified kill British War Melody merchant 5902 GRT Running NE while torpedoes reloaded **Random traipsing around AN quadrants** 23 NOV 1939 1430 AN46 Received report of enemy ship AN61 heading N medium speed - adjusting course to south to intercept. 23 NOV 1939 2140 AN49 Received report of enemy ship AN49 heading N medium speed - continuing on course south to intercept. 23 NOV 1939 2207 Ship sighted! AN49 Old reefer ship heading N 8kts right at me - setting up submerged attack; ordered submerged battle stations 2234 - fired two torpedoes at reefer range 1800 meters 2236 - both torpedoes impact and detonate, ship slows to 4kts 2245 - no sign of any flooding or fire **WTF? How can a ship of this size survive two torpedo impacts?**; turning to head home 23 NOV 1939 2258 BdU orders me to RTB 25 NOV 1939 1351 Reached north lock Wilhelmshaven; cleared lock at 1401 25 NOV 1939 1440 Docked at Wilhelmshaven Patrol Results Crew losses: 0 U-Boat damage: None Torpedoes expended: Five Type-I torpedoes (one dud, four hits) **Still a mystery how two torps hit that old reefer and didn't sink her** Deck gun ammunition expended: None Enemy ships sunk: One Total tonnage: 5902 GRT (1) "Polzella" - British flag - 5902 GRT (War Melody merchant) Grid AN49 - 58 crew, 9 lost (general cargo) Promotions/Awards/Qualifications Matrosengefreiter Dieter Kimmelmann promoted to Matrosenobergefreiter. No Awards Oberfähnrich z.S. Udo Hartenstein earned Machinist qualification. |
October 1939
Was ordered to patrol grid AN13. On the way there sunk 2 ships off the NE coast of England, 1 medium cargo ship and one Steamer, lost 2 torpedoes because of the high winds and not knowing of the 4*windspeed/10 rule. The strange thing happened after i finished patrolling AN13, went a bit south of it and on the way encountered another medium cargo ship. To my surprise the submarine did not want to dive and could not exceed speed of 3 knots. Sunk the ship with the guns nonetheless and returned home. I think it was a submarine net else i can't explain it. |
Where is the SS Belchen?
Grid AD6871
4 March 1940 U-123 IXB In desperate need to find the SS Belchen in the storm to resupply. I have attacked the port of St Johns in Canada. Resistance was minimal to none. Note it is only 1940 and a Uboot was not expected to show up there. |
U 802 is poised to break into Loch Ewe, where about 50,000 tons of warship lie at anchor, ready to receive my torpedoes.
So far, in attendance, we have 1 illustrious class fleet carrier, 1 bogue class escort carrier, 1 fiji class light cruiser, a whole mess of destroyers, plus one T3 heavy tanker. It's going to be glorious...:arrgh!: |
UKönig exulted:
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It's also going to be very unrealistic. :O:
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Trust me, I know it's unrealistic, but then, so is the idea of me being a U-boat captain in the first place. :har:
I like to do these kinds of things and 'game the game' so to speak. And it helps me live out the 'what if...' scenario. Besides, at this moment, we are only just slipping past the outer defenses, and we are at 65% battery, so, things are already at the white knuckle stage. And bad news for me, I have only the G7as loaded forward. If I fire at the ships on patrol (I saw 2) then they will see the wakes in the water. Ideally, I'd have to wait another hour for the sun to set, but I'm already committing the boat and crew to whatever follows. Aufwiedersehen from Valhalla... |
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