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Leandros 01-30-10 08:30 AM

Patrol 29 Kaleu Eckhardt - U-68 - Nov 6th 1943 05:31

Just left Lorient for the Caribbean. Midway Biscaya - pestered by enemy air patrols all the time. Their radars detected every time. Have finally received the self-seeking torps. Two Falke in the rear compartments and two Zaunkønigs up front.

Last patrol was a near miss. Twice pushed down by enemy escorts. Had to return to base after 3 of 4 forward torpedo tubes were destroyed. Not without 30.000 tons scored, though.

Patrol 29 Kaleu Eckhardt - U-68 - Nov 24th 1943 11:01 GMT

Arrived in the assigned patrol area - DN61 - north of Puerto Rico. Uneventful crossing except for one coastal transport which was sunk by DG. Weather nice - flat sea and clear sky. We are going down under now....

timwatson 01-31-10 12:47 PM

milch cow U461 fueling
 
Gutten Tag Herr Kaleun!

You could do a fellow Type IX/C kapitan a great service here!

How does one successfully transfer fuel from U461?

My U129 is currently standing by U461 in force 6 weather. But to no avail after being within 100 meters for a while now. So far no change in the fuel level indicator!

Helfe!

Kaleun Role Hass



Quote:

Originally Posted by papa_smurf (Post 1090943)
U-501 (Type IX/C)

Apr 12 - 1942

Am currently about half way to assigned patrol grid - CA54, have yet to encounter enemy shipping. Weather has got worse, with high winds and heavy seas. Crew are in a good mood, and I expect to rendezvous with Milch cow U-461 in a few days to resupply.


Heinz Buder


timwatson 01-31-10 01:04 PM

U129 Bound for Americas
 
May 1942, 11th mission

Attempting to refuel U129 from U461 in force 6 weather. So far have no success transfering fuel. Need advice. Help!

Hope to make it to Galveston Via New York, and then on to Curaco.

Over 10,000 tons sunk south of Ireland May 15th:

Sunk one inbound lightly armed lone coastal frieghter around midday - expended four (4) rounds of 105mm HE in 0 force weather

Sunk one inbound troop transport moving at 18 knots! (the game data indicates max. speed for this vessel to be 15 knots) later same afternoon.
Lead the target's bow by 150 meters using solo TII magnetic set 0.6 meter beneath its forward keel. Target came to stop within less than 15 minutes, then sunk by the bow

total tonnage to date: 10,000 plus

20 eels and 106 rounds of HE remain

BillCar 01-31-10 02:28 PM

HMCS Simcoe, HX72
Commander J. M. Dowling
Engagement Report
21/22 September 1941
55.68N 12.18W

23:57
Watch crew spotted U-boat on surface, bearing 330 degrees at 4000yards
Contact reported to HMCS Harbord Lake, HMS Calvin and HMS Enright
Ordered hard turn to port, A and B guns engaged but unable to find range U-boat dove

23:59
ASDIC operator detected U-boat bearing 056, HMS Calvin also made ASDIC contact at this time, relative bearings given to HMS Enright and HMCS Harbord Lake

00:02
HMCS Harbord Lake drops depth charges
HMS Enright drops depth charges

00:06
ASDIC operator reported sound of screws at bearings 012, 015 and 017 consecutively
Ordered starboard turn to 025

00:08
Dropped depth charge pattern at depth 130-150

00:10
HMCS Harbord Lake reported ASDIC contact at relative bearing 190
HMS Calvin reported loud noises at relative bearing 230
HMS Enright dropped depth charges

00:23
HMCS Harbord Lake reported ASDIC contact lost
Y gun observed large oil slick with debris
U-boat presumed sunk 55.68N 12.18W

00:45
ASDIC operator reported no contact for 22 minutes
HMS Enright rejoined HX72

01:02
ASDIC operator reported no contact for 39 minutes
HMCS Harbord Lake rejoined HX72

01:18
ASDIC operator reported no contact for 55 minutes

01:26
HMS Calvin and HMCS Simcoe rejoined HX72

***************************************
BdU
07h17 22. September 1941
To: U-84
U-172 reports large convoy, grid AM52, course E, speed 8kts. U-84 is to shadow this convoy with U-172 and await further instruction. Confirm receipt of this message.

BdU
07h50 22. September 1941
To: U-84
U-172 reports large convoy, grid AM52, course E, speed 8kts. U-84 is to shadow this convoy with U-172 and await further instruction. Confirm receipt of this message.

BdU
09h20 22. September 1941
To: U-84
U-84 report status.

BdU
13h20 22. September 1941
To: U-84
U-84 report status.

Leandros 01-31-10 02:46 PM

Patrol 32 Kaleu Eckhardt - U-68 - March 1st 1944 21:35 GMT

Departed Lorient for South Africa just now.

Both Patrols 30 and 31 had to be aborted. 30 because of engine problems, only about half speed could be attained on both surface and submerged. Also had some engine problems on Patrol 29. On Patrol 31 we were given a totally different torpedo load than the one requested.

Patrols 28 and 29 were quite successful as regard the use of the new self-seeking torpedoes. Correctly used they are very effective as self-defense and preemptive protection. Technique used - if one is able to position oneself ahead of the convoy: First sink the leader escort with a T3. They are very accurate on long range. Then fire as many you can on the convoy before the flank escort intervenes. Use the Falke on long range against these - important not to wait too long. In that way your position is not given away to the other escorts and you can keep the same position while reloading.

I often find it effective to use manual sighting on the self-seeking torps. The crux it to place its track somewhere between yourself and the oncoming enemy - the torp does the rest. Trust it! Most practical is to have them loaded in the aft tubes. Presently we have one T1 and one Falke loaded aft, with one T1 and one Falke internally stored. External store aft is also one T1 and one Falke - totally three Falkes aft. One T5 (Zaunkønig) loaded and one ready internally forward. The others T1 and T3.

We have installed all the latest gadgets: Schnorkel, Tarnmatte, RWR and the automatic twin-barreled 37 mm cannon In addition to the two twin 20 mm cannons.....

This might be a one-way journey if U-boat Brake isn't still in position east of Madagascar. No other possibility for replenishing. Proceeding at most economical speed.

KL-alfman 01-31-10 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timwatson (Post 1253846)
May 1942, 11th mission

Attempting to refuel U129 from U461 in force 6 weather. So far have no success transfering fuel. Need advice. Help!

Hope to make it to Galveston Via New York, and then on to Curaco.

Over 10,000 tons sunk south of Ireland May 15th:

Sunk one inbound lightly armed lone coastal frieghter around midday - expended four (4) rounds of 105mm HE in 0 force weather

Sunk one inbound troop transport moving at 18 knots! (the game data indicates max. speed for this vessel to be 15 knots) later same afternoon.
Lead the target's bow by 150 meters using solo TII magnetic set 0.6 meter beneath its forward keel. Target came to stop within less than 15 minutes, then sunk by the bow

total tonnage to date: 10,000 plus

20 eels and 106 rounds of HE remain


hm, never re-fueled so far.
but IIRC you just have to hit Esc in the near of the "milchkuh" and "dock" at it. it does even end your patrol and you start again with no assigned grid.
but, Jimbuna knows best.
don't rely on my diminishing brain-cells.

Leandros 01-31-10 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KL-alfman (Post 1253967)
hm, never re-fueled so far.
but IIRC you just have to hit Esc in the near of the "milchkuh" and "dock" at it. it does even end your patrol and you start again with no assigned grid.
but, Jimbuna knows best.
don't rely on my diminishing brain-cells.

That is correct - also: No possibility to select your own torpedo upload. That's what I don't like about it. T1's are a necessity for self-defense. Just my opinion.

Jimbuna 01-31-10 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KL-alfman (Post 1253967)
hm, never re-fueled so far.
but IIRC you just have to hit Esc in the near of the "milchkuh" and "dock" at it. it does even end your patrol and you start again with no assigned grid.
but, Jimbuna knows best.
don't rely on my diminishing brain-cells.

You are quite correct....simply hit the Esc key when your within rendering range of the milch cow (approx 35km) and you will be given the choice to dock or continue with patrol.

KL-alfman 01-31-10 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leandros (Post 1253971)
That is correct - also: No possibility to select your own torpedo upload. That's what I don't like about it. T1's are a necessity for self-defense. Just my opinion.


always thought TII are the better weapon concerning DDs, cause the wake will reveal your position??!!
that's why I only shot the electric eel at DDs .......

BillCar 01-31-10 06:57 PM

Leutnant z. S. Anton Jansen has commissioned his first boat, U-332, a Type VIIC operating from Brest with the 1st Flotilla.

Patrol 1: Departed Brest on the 4th of September, 1941. Bound for patrol grid BF13. Six hours out, came under air attack and sustained light damage. No casualties.

Received report of a large convoy, but did not engage, as the engagement would have necessitated a daylight attack in calm seas.

Once in BF 13, dove several times to avoid aircraft. Torpedoed one passenger cargo, which sank for 2268 tons.

Followed a hydrophone contact which turned out to be a large cargo. Observed guns on fore and aft decks and torpedoed her before American flag visible. Sailed out of area at high speed. Fate of vessel unknown, damaged for 8000+ tons.

Foolishly attacked an A&W class destroyer at close range on the surface and received accurate gunfire in return. Severe damage to tower and damage to several sections of the boat. All repaired. Evaded depth charges and sustained no damage while submerged.

Continued patrolling and gradually working way home. Encountered a small merchant and sank with one torpedo amidships. Encountered a second small merchant, and sank it with one torpedo to the bow and another to the stern.

Docked at Brest for repairs after 5 days on patrol and a meagre bag of ca. 6800GRT sunk and 8000 damaged.

Patrol 2:

Departed Brest on October 1st, 1941. Assigned patrol grid AM89. Avoided a pair of destroyers at entrance to English Channel and continued on. Constant aircraft sightings.

On reaching AM89, performed hydrophone check. On surfacing, was immediately attacked by two Hurricanes which had been missed by observation scope. Sustained one hit, leaving a divot in the aft deck. All other damage successfully repaired after resurfacing from crash dive.

Came across one tanker, the Nipiwan Park. Fired one magnetic torpedo, a miss, which detonated behind her. Before she could react, fired a second on impact which was a direct hit. Miss attributed to slightly inaccurate initial speed reading from poor timekeeping using fixed wire method.

At the close of the 24 hour patrol of AM89, spotted one freighter. Overhauled at roughly 4000m to her port, decks awash. Watch officer called out an incoming destroyer. U-332 passed smoothly between the two, on a parallel course with each, and roughly equidistant. Turned in a dog leg to get ahead of the freighter. Fixed wire showed her to be making 8 knots. She began a turn. Owing to the angle, switched to magnetic pistol and fired. Torpedo exploded underneath her, but on the far side. She developed a severe list to starboard.

Destroyer raced to scene with spotlights, but did not at any point detect U-332. Eventually left, after which point U-332 surfaced. Freighter sunk with deck gun for 4071 GRT.

After finishing patrol of AM89, headed south to BF13. Received a contact report of a merchant vessel heading east, and plotted a rough intercept course. Arrived to find only a schooner, which was sunk. Following this engagement, two American tankers appeared to the east, and a British whale factory ship appeared to the west.

Submerged and found the whale factory ship to be AOB zero at our current static position, so ordered back slow for 1000 metres. Waited.

Estimated speed to be roughly 9knots owing to bow wake and smoke. As ship crossed the bow of U-332, three torpedoes were fired. The first, roughly 20 metres in from the bow; the second, amidships. The third was aimed directly under the stack. All three torpedoes impacted directly at their respective points of aim, and she sank bow-first for 11000+ GRT.

Four Type II torpedoes left in the bow tubes, 3 Type I torpedoes left for the stern. Continuing patrol, despite harassment from enemy aircraft.

Leandros 02-01-10 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KL-alfman (Post 1254012)
always thought TII are the better weapon concerning DDs, cause the wake will reveal your position??!!
that's why I only shot the electric eel at DDs .......

That is certainly correct when you can fire from a disguised position towards a DD on a steady course. I do that, too. However, when you are discovered, the TII is often worthless because your opponent is zigzagging. Most often the slow TII shall then miss. The TI, however, when fired at minimum range, is too fast for the DD to avoid, even if it discovers it. Magnetic fuze is a necessity on those occasions. That can be a problem early in the war, particularly with the TII.

KL-alfman 02-01-10 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leandros (Post 1254526)
That is certainly correct when you can fire from a disguised position towards a DD on a steady course. I do that, too. However, when you are discovered, the TII is often worthless because your opponent is zigzagging. Most often the slow TII shall then miss. The TI, however, when fired at minimum range, is too fast for the DD to avoid, even if it discovers it. Magnetic fuze is a necessity on those occasions. That can be a problem early in the war, particularly with the TII.


thx, great explanation!
haven't considered this so far :up:

Leandros 02-01-10 10:29 AM

Patrol 36 Kaleu Eckhardt - U-68 - Sept 14th 1944 06:46 GMT

Left Lorient morning Sept. 12th. The 5 latest patrols have all been aborted due to technical problems on engines, schnorkel, AA and torpedo load-outs. Last patrol, when going out of Biscaya we were attacked by a Catalina. Had decided to take on any airborne comers with our uprated AA - twin fast-firing 37 mm's and two twin fast 20 mm's. However, when the first magazines were emptied all guns were stuck. Luckily, he didn't hit us and we were eventually able to dive. In the meantime I found that the deck gun followed my instructions to fire at the plane. That was a new one! Just assigned the target with the binoculars and the DG fired happily. From the outset I had directed the DG towards the oncoming aircraft.

All these technical problems must partly be due to sabotage. We are not going back to Lorient as that base is now given up. Our new base is Trondheim/Norway.

Dissaray 02-01-10 11:13 AM

My current patrol has been some what of a cruse, save for the ocasional bombing. It is early in '44 and the Tommies seem to have evacuated the whole of the Atlantic. BDU has seen fit to sit me down right in the middle of the shiping lains in the north west of Biscay, generaly a place full of silly little merchant ships not paying attention even after the eels bite but not so just the now.

The colsest thing to an enemy contact that wasn't a bomber was a task force that I couldn't intercept due to its unfaverable course and speed. I don't know what is wrong with the bombers realy, my "evasive manuvers" consisted of diving to parascope depth and continuing on my course. I havn't been hit once, not even close, they did manage to straif me twice though that didn't seem to do any damage. Not that I am complaining you see, just an intresting observation.

BillCar 02-01-10 01:55 PM

U-332, Patrol 2 Continued:

Continued patrolling grid BF13 and happened across yet another whale factory ship. Fixed wire method gave her speed as 8 knots. Closed to 1000metres submerged, as seas were calm and sky was sunny. Fired final four bow torpedoes, all of which impacted their points of aim. Manual targeting skills are certainly improving.

Ducked two aircraft attacks on the way towards Brest, then had change of heart and headed to Vigo to replenish at Bessel.

Refueled, rearmed, and did light repairs on the boat. Left and headed south towards grid CG85. Intercepted one Greek small merchant. Sank with two rounds from deck gun.

Attacked by aircraft following day, sustained one hit. Lack of significant shipping traffic in area, combined with damage, encouraged return trip to Brest.

Total tonnage sunk on second patrol: 34,148 GRT.

Torpedo loadout which gives the best results seems to be TII torpedoes in the bow tubes (exclusively; no other torpedo types in reserve) and TI torpedoes in stern tubes (for fast shots on rapidly closing escorts).


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