28 March 1940:
Scharnhorst departs Wilhelmshaven on another raiding mission. Results: Returned to port 2 April 1940, having sunk 24 ships for an impressive 101,528 tons. We tried twice to intercept a task force in the hopes of sinking a battleship or carrier, but no luck. However we did manage to chase down and obliterate a convoy just W of Scapa Flow. Departed the area after damage in attack by Swordfish, of which we shot down one. On a side note, my gunners and flak gunners are very popular with the ladies ashore, what with all the medals they have. But it's tit-for-tat aboard Scharnhorst...you sink a lot of ships or shoot down a lot of aircraft, your CO hands out medals like they're candy.:D 3 Large Merchants 2 Empire-type Freighters 4 Medium Cargo Ships 3 Granville-type Freighters 2 Small Freighters 1 Tramp Steamer 3 Coastal Freighters 1 Swordfish Torpedo Bomber 1 Tribal-class DD 2 A/B-class DDs 3 J/K-class DDs |
U-106 IXB
12 July 1940
03:20 hours U-106 left port for grid BE68 20 July 1940 Grid AM54 05:20 hours Spotted US heavy merchant 02 bearing 023 heading east 22 July 1940 Grid BF17 18:02 hours MV Olivia (Tanker 07), 7661 tons. Cargo: Gasoline. Crew: 47. Crew lost: 26 - submerged attack 3 bow + 2 stern shots 24 July 1940 Grid BE68 00:25 hours Reached patrol area 14:19 hours SS Empire Norseman (Large Tanker type T3), 13041 tons. Cargo: Gasoline. Crew: 48. Crew lost: 38 - submerged attack - 2 bow + 2 stern shots 26 July 1940 Grid BF17 09:15 hours Ship seen bearing 036 heading west - dived to PD 09:20 hours Sound contacts bearing 039 - convoy 09:48 hours Visual contact 10:03 hours Fired 4 bow shots at Revenge class battleship from less than 1000m 10:04 hours 3 impacts on the bow of the battleship 10:11 hours Tube No 4 reloaded and fired - missed or dud 10:32 hours Depth 97m undetected 13:08 hours Surfaced - 15m/s wind - rain and fog 27 July 1940 Grid BE36 03:16 hours Wind 0m/s - start moving external torpedoes 07:22 hours Procedure completed 31 July 1940 Grid AM52 17:54 hours US small freighter bearing 357 heading east 01 August 1940 Grid AM52 17:58 hours US small merchant bearing 024 heading east 23:27 hours SS Reliant (Large Merchant), 12049 tons. Cargo: General Cargo. Crew: 102. Crew lost: 43 - sunk by gunfire - 32 105mm rounds 04 August 1940 Grid AM02 11:58 hours MV Reliable (Small Trawler), 98 tons. Crew: 15. Crew lost: 1 - sunk by flakguns - 60 20mm rounds 08 August 1940 Grid AM52 11:54 hours SS Leopold L. D. (Medium Merchant 08), 5281 tons. Cargo: Scrap Metal. Crew: 42. Crew lost: 9 - sunk by gunfire - 25 105mm rounds 22:11 hours SS Alca (Medium Merchant 09), 3185 tons. Cargo: Sulfur. Crew: 49. Crew lost: 9 - sunk by gunfire - 26 105mm rounds 09 August 1940 Grid AM52 11:37 hours Aircraft seen bearing 241 medium range - engaged 11:39 hours Fairey Swordfish Mk I shot down - 80 20mm rounds 23:37 hours Hospital ship bearing 349 heading west 12 August 1940 Grid AM52 08:32 hours SS Manistee (Medium Merchant 08), 5282 tons. Cargo: General Cargo. Crew: 48. Crew lost: 9 - sunk by gunfire - 36 105mm rounds 13 August 1940 Grid AM52 13:34 hours MV Delaires (Medium Cargo type C2), 5678 tons. Cargo: Foodstuffs. Crew: 54. Crew lost: 10 - 2 stern shots + 18 105mm rounds 13:38 hours SS Port Denison (Ore Carrier), 6187 tons. Cargo: Coal. Crew: 61. Crew lost: 59 - 2 bow shots + 9 105mm rounds 18 August 1940 Grid AN62 17:42 hours German commerce raider seen bearing 323 heading SSW 19 August 1940 14:17 hours Docked at port 39 days at sea 9 ships sunk 58462 tons No damages or casualties Installed 20mm twin flak gun. |
"Did you guys hear about Herr Heinz Schmidt? On the way to the straits of Gibraltar he encountered a convoy sinking the HMS Glasgow, and proceeded to the straits. He then made the bold decision of entering the Gibraltar harbor, and he sunk the Battleship HMS Nelson! I heard he is going to be awarded the Knight's Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords when he arrives back in Lorient. Hopefully he will make the return journey across the straits!"
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U-106 IXB
29 August 1940
03:28 hours U-106 departed from Wilhelmshaven for grid DT73 01 September 1940 00:01 hours New orders : Report to Lorient after finishing your patrol 06 September 1940 Grid AM55 12:47 hours SS Philipp M. (Coastal Freighter), 1870 tons. Cargo: Phosphates. Crew: 31. Crew lost: 13 - submerged attack - 1 stern shot 09 September 1940 Grid BF17 08:25 hours Surfaced sound contact due to bad weather baering 310 moving away. Contact ignored 20 September 1940 Grid DT73 01:30 hours Reached patrol grid 29 September 1940 Grid ET61 18:36 hours SS Politician (Large Merchant), 10891 tons. Cargo: Iron Ore. Crew: 106. Crew lost: 48 - sunk by gunfire - 44 105mm rounds 02 October 1940 Grid ET61 02:01 hours SS Japara (Medium Merchant 40), 5926 tons. Cargo: Foodstuffs. Crew: 38. Crew lost: 26 - submerged attack - 2 bow shots 02:02 hours SS Ahoy (Coastal Freighter), 1871 tons. Cargo: Scrap Metal. Crew: 31. Crew lost: 6 - submerged attack - 1 stern shot 02:05 hours Surfaced to attack large merchant 02:28 hours SS Craftsman (Large Merchant), 10892 tons. Cargo: Military Stores. Crew: 105. Crew lost: 85 - surface attack - 2 bow + 1 stern shots 03 October 1940 Grid ET61 17:44 hours Spotted heavy cruiser bearing 292 heading south at high speed - dived to PD - interception impossible 20:28 hours Surfaced 13 October 1940 Grid ET61 15:10 hours Leaving the area 17 October 1940 Grid EK16 17:00 hours Under attack by Elco TB - diving to PD at flank speed 17:09 hours Second warship contact bearing 267 closing - diving to 100m 22:18 hours Surfaced 25 October 1940 Grid CG95 02:43 hours SS Aallotar (Passenger/Cargo), 1867 tons. Cargo: Passengers. Crew: 235. Crew lost: 61 - sunk by gunfire - 31 105mm rounds 03:33 hours Spotted large passenger/cargo bearing 318 heading ESE 26 October 1940 Grid CG82 06:16 hours MV Herma (Medium Merchant 39), 3236 tons. Cargo: Sulfur. Crew: 57. Crew lost: 4 - sunk by gunfire - 32 105mm rounds used 11:28 hours Spotted Greek small merchant bearing 028 heading SSE 27 October 1940 Grid CG27 22:48 hours Spotted darkened Japanese ore carrier bearing 098 heading SW 30 October 1940 Grid BF17 22:43 hours SS Glenroy (Heavy Merchant 01), 9091 tons. Cargo: Steel. Crew: 77. Crew lost: 43 - submerged attack - 4 bow shots 01 November 1940 Grid BF17 08:24 hours SS Van Spilbergen (Medium Merchant 09), 3185 tons. Cargo: Paper Products. Crew: 40. Crew lost: 35 - sunk by gunfire - 25 105mm rounds used 05 November 1940 22:53 hours Docked at Lorient 69 days at sea 9 ships sunk 48829 tons No damages or casualties |
Night of the long knives...
I did it Kretschmer style. At least my convoy mojo is back until radar gelds it. Patrol 8 U-55, 7th Flotilla Left at: September 14, 1940, 03:16 From: Kiel Mission Orders: Patrol grid AM51 20.9.1940 06:00 Arrived operations area. AM 5133 21.9.1940 23:19 Convoy reported at grid AM 5143. Intercepting. AM 5172 22.9.1940 00:15 Convoy spotted. Heading east, medium speed. AM 5149 00:25 In good position. Will attack immediately. 00:40 Fired tubes I and II against large merchant. G7e, range 2000m, speed 8 kts, AoB green 80, depth 4m. First malfunctioned, second hit. Fired tubes III and IV against passenger liner. G7a, same firing data. Both hit and target sunk fast. 00:44 Fired tube V against large freighter. G7e, range 2500m, speed AoB green 100, depth 4m. Miss. AM 5149 01:14 Torpedoes loaded. Convoy in visual contact. Previously hit merchant dead in the water. AM 5149 02:12 Fired tube V against straggler. G7a, range 900m, speed 0 kts, AoB red 100, depth 4m. Hit and target sunk. AM 5149 02:17 Detected by escort. Crash dive. 03:20 Depth charged. No damage. Contact with convoy regained. AM 5173 04:47 Fired tubes I and II against large merchant. G7e, range 1400m, speed 8 kts, AoB red 90, depth 4m. Both hit and target sunk. Fired tubes III and IV against tanker. G7e, range 500m, speed 8 kts, AoB red 90, depth 4m. Both hit and target sunk. Both hit and target exploded. AM 5184 05:35 Still in contact with convoy. Minor damage to deck structures from gunfire. AM 5184 06:24 Fired tubes I G7a and II G7e against large merchant. Range 900m, speed 8 kts, AoB red 120, depth 4m. First hit second malfunctioned. Out of internal torpedoes. Started return trip. AM 5188 26.9.1940 09:20 Docked at St. Nazaire Patrol results Crew losses: 0 Ships sunk: 5 Aircraft destroyed: 0 Patrol tonnage: 47420 tons Ships sunk: HMS Antonia (Auxiliary Cruiser), 13850 tons. SS Port Hardy (Large Merchant), 10042 tons. MV Tarleton (Small Tanker), 4490 tons. SS Port Brisbane (Ore Carrier), 8995 tons. SS City of Manchester (Large Merchant), 10043 http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/1386/30236096.jpg and SH3C retired me. |
"Heinz Schmidt made it back through the straits of Gibraltar, currently the only man to go back and forth through the strait! He was informed by radio that he was to receive the Knights Cross with golden oak leaves, swords, and diamonds! Lucky bugger!"
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U-106 IXB
23 November 1940
14:06 hours U-106 left Lorient for grid AM78 27 November 1940 12:16 hours Reached patrol area 28 November 1940 Grid AM78 18:28 hours Moving to intercept convoy after BdU message 20:00 hours No visual contact - awful weather - dived to PD - sound contacts bearing 045 - 054 closing 21:08 hours Visual contact bearing 135 21:14 hours SS Treminnard (Medium Merchant 06), 5173 tons. Cargo: Machinery. Crew: 43. Crew lost: 13 - 2 stern shots - disengaging - diving to 100m 21:24 hours Depth 60m - pinging 21:25 hours Depth charges - no damages 21:31 hours DCs away 21:36 hours DCs away 21:40 hours Depth 100m - ordered new depth 130m 22:38 hours No contacts - reloading tubes 23:04 houts Tubes reloaded 23:29 hours Surfaced 30 November 1940 Grid AM78 11:45 hours New orders : Proceed to grids AD83 - AD59 - heavy convoy traffic 06 December 1940 06:52 hours Reached grid AD83 07 December 1940 Grid AD83 17:09 hours Aircraft seen bearing 159 - will engage to test new twin 20mm flak - ahead flank 17:11 hours Lockheed A-29 Hudson Mk IIIA shot down - 120 20mm rounds used. The 37mm heavy flak is useless 10 December 1940 Grid AD83 09:32 hours Moving to intercept convoy after BdU message 10:12 hours Visual contact bearing 296 - dived to PD 10:28 hours Sound contacts bearing 028 closing 11:41 hours Visual contact 11:59 hours 4 single aimed shots - diving to 100m 12:00 hours SS Hektoria (Whale Factory Ship), 17332 tons. Cargo: Aviation Fuel. Crew: 114. Crew lost: 108 12:02 hours SS Empire Flint (Tanker 04), 8780 tons. Cargo: Crude Oil. Crew: 46. Crew lost: 34 12:24 hours Depth 94m - undetected 15:05 hours No sound contacts - reloading tubes 16:00 hours Tubes reloaded 16:19 hours Surfaced 11 December 1940 Grid AD59 SS Mona (Tramp Steamer), 1720 tons. Cargo: Bauxite. Crew: 34. Crew lost: 19 - submerged attack - 1 bow + 1 stern shots 16 December 1940 Grid AD59 17:46 hours Fired 1 bow shot at destroyer but missed. Escaped undetected. 19 December 1940 Grid AD82 08:24 hours Warship seen bearing 017 - dived to PD 08:28 hours Sound contacts bearing 010 - 015 closing 09:26 hours 4 bow shots - diving to 100m 09:27 hours Set speed 1 kt 09:28 hours SS Triona (Ore Carrier), 8587 tons. Cargo: Coal. Crew: 73. Crew lost: 42 09:28 hours SS Fort Coulonge (Empire-type Freighter), 5455 tons. Cargo: Trucks. Crew: 77. Crew lost: 0 09:29 hours Depth 25m - pinging - evasive manouvers 09:31 hours DCs no damages 09:32 hours Ordered new depth 140m 09:34 hours Depth 69m - pinging 09:35 hours DCs close enough - shaking - evasive actions 09:37 hours Depth 80m - pinging - DCs no damages 09:39 hours Depth 88m - more pinging - 3 warships 09:39 hours Sinking sounds MV Brand (Medium Merchant 29), 4904 tons. Cargo: Paper Products. Crew: 71. Crew lost: 31 09:44 hours Depth 100m 09:46 hours Distant pinging - closing - DCs 09:49 hours DCs - minor damages 09:52 hours DCs - close but no damages 09:55 hours DCs - closer - shaking - evasive manouvers 09:57 hours No good - more pinging and DCs - 4 warships 10:00 hours Depth 121m - more pinging - 2 warships 10:01 hours Ordered new depth : 160m 10:14 hours Depth 136m - pinging fading away 10:40 hours Depth 140m - maintaining - no pinging - convoy moving away 14:31 hours Depth 142m - no contacts 15:50 hours Surfaced - 7m/s winds - Repaired flak and deck guns - 1 stern torpedo remaining - weather not allowing moving of external torpedoes - leaving th area 29 December 1940 Grid BF61 08:44 hours Spotted German mineswepper - raised the flag 08:57 hours Docked at Lorient 37 days at sea 7 ships sunk 51951 tons No casualties or hull damages 1 aircraft shot down |
Gazpode - R Hessler
Following a hiatus, I recently had the chance to grab some hours of gameplay on SH3. However, it became plainly obvious that I had either become rusty, or had lost my luck! I present the following citation:-
2nd Flt, Lorient Base - Nov1st, 1941 From: C.i.C - Lorient docks To: A Doenitz, TWIMC Sirs We wish to report the now obvious loss of our vessel, U-111 from 2Flt. This boat was commanded by R Hessler, a well respected and experienced commander. The boat had left for her eighth patrol some three week's ago. Her last contact was made on Oct 9th, 1941 - reporting some eight vessel's sunk for and est 31,000GRT of enemy shipping, and had five serviceable torpedoes remaining plus half a tank of fuel. Orders were issued for the commander to continue with his patrol, with the hope he would find some more enemy ships to sink with the five remaining torpedoes. We've now been fed evidence to suggest that upon engaging a large convoy, U-111 was detected, depth charged and sunk by enemy escorts protecting the convoy, in a position some 200km SW of Holyhead. Lorient is tonight mourning the loss of a great commander who in his 8 patrols, sent more than 171,000GRT of enemy shipping to the bottom and was promoted twice, as well as being rewarded with the Iron Cross. A sad end to a very distinguished career which ironically was due to take a different direction upon his return to Lorient with Hessler being eyed as the new head of our Training academy. ENDS;- This was my greatest commander of all time since I began playing SH3 and I just hope that once I get back into SH3 more regularly, I can emulate the great feat's I achieved with this commander. :wah::dead:R.I.P Reuben Hessler, Commander U-65, U-111. :dead::wah: |
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Your loss will be avenged! :salute: |
"The current Commander of U-65 and her crew mourn for the loss of such a captian."
Heinz Schmidt |
U-106 IXB
05 February 1941
10:15 hours After refit and maintance on the diesels U-106 was ready to sail off again. 07 February 1941 Grid BF45 09:29 hours Spotted Irish large tanker type T3 bearing 040 heading SSW 10 February 1941 Grid BE28 19:30 hours Spotted US motor tanker bearing 328 heading NNE 19:33 hours Forward mounted open 4in gun observed on tanker 16 February 1941 Grid AK27 07:26 hours Reached patrol area 12:07 hours Warship seen bearing 035 - dived to PD 12:09 hours Contacts bearing 036 - convoy closing 12:50 hours Visual contact 13:03 hours 3 bow shots at liner + 1 bow shot at tanker 13:06 hours SS Avelona Star (Blue star liner), 15081 tons. Cargo: Troops. Crew: 1468. Crew lost: 1379 - This was for sinking U-111 Kptltn R. Hessler 13:15 hours Depth 60m - pinging - evasive actions 13:17 hours DCs - no damages 13:20 hours Depth 80m - pinging 13:22 hours DCs close but no damages 13:25 hours Depth 100m - pinging 13:27 hours DCs - minor damages 13:29 hours Ordered new depth: 150m 13:33 hours DCs exploding away 13:49 hours Depth 152m - warship bearing 148 moving away 14:11 hours No sound contacts - reloading 14:50 hours Completed 15:25 hours Surfaced - clear weather - 1m/s wind - moving externals 18:13 hours Completed 22 February 1941 Grid AD82 22:30 hours Warship seen bearing 037 - dived to PD 22:38 hours Sound contacts bearing 328 - convoy closing 22:56 hours Visual contact 23:12 hours 4 bow shots fired - diving to 100m 23:16 hours SS Marcella (Medium Merchant 25), 4347 tons. Cargo: Sugar. Crew: 60. Crew lost: 17 23:16 hours SS Albi (Medium Merchant 25), 4348 tons. Cargo: Scrap Metal. Crew: 34. Crew lost: 25 23:18 hours MV Solør (Tanker 01), 8590 tons. Cargo: Aviation Fuel. Crew: 51. Crew lost: 41 23:21 hours Depth 55m - pinging - evasive actions 23:23 hours DCs - no damages 23:25 hours Depth 70m - pinging 23:28 hours DCs close enough to shake the boat 23:30 hours Depth 80m - pinging 23:37 hours Depth 90m - DCs 23:41 hours Depth 100m 23:43 hours Depth 107m - DCs 23:47 hours Depth 113m - DCs exploding away 23:54 hours Depth 118m - DCs exploding away 23:59 hours Depth 120m - DCs exploding away 23 February 1941 00:10 hours Depth 132m - DCs exploding closer 00:13 hours Ordered new depth : 160m 00:26 hours Warship bearing 131 - moving away 00:39 hours Depth 150m 01:19 hours No contacts - reloading tubes 01:51 hours Completed 02:23 hours Surfaced - 7m/s winds - light fog Grid AD56 23:51 hours Spotted US TF: Nevada class BB + New Orleans class CA - bearing 317 heading SE - requested permission to fire 24 February 1941 00:04 hours Request denied 27 February 1941 Grid AD59 12:41 hours SS Paderewski (Turbine Tanker type T2), 8818 tons. Cargo: Coal. Crew: 67. Crew lost: 52 - 4 stern shots submerged attack 12:55 hours Surfaced 13:24 hours Aircraft spotted bearing 147 - crash dived to 70m 16:12 hours Surfaced 06 March 1941 Grid AK32 10:00 hours Warship seen bearing 008 - dived to PD 10:03 hours Sound contacts bearing 358 - 018 convoy closing 10:55 hours Visual contact 11:12 hours 3 bow shots at fleet tender + 1 bow shot at ammo ship - diving to 100m 11:14 hours HMS Echodale (Fleet Tender), 16902 tons. Cargo: Crude Oil. Crew: 40. Crew lost: 29 13:28 hours No contacts - reloading 2 bow tubes 13:45 hours Completed 14:05 hours Surfaced - clear weather - 15m/s winds 11 March 1941 Grid BE13 04:37 hours 0 m/s wind - moving externals 08:00 hours Completed - 3 bow + 3 stern torpedoes available 20 March 1941 Grid BF61 11:25 hours Spotted Commerce raider - raised the flag 11:41 hours Docked at Lorient 44 days at sea 6 ships sunk 58086 tons No casualties despite numerous DC attacks U-boat damaged (H.I. 98.52%) |
U-106 IXB
19 April 1941
17:17 hours U-106 departed from Lorient 23 April 1941 Grid CG21 01:55 hours SS P. L. M. 21 (Medium Merchant 40), 5926 tons. Cargo: Iron Ore. Crew: 46. Crew lost: 13 - submerged attack - 2 bow + 2 stern shots 28 April 1941 Grid DH58 19:24 hours Spotted armed US passenger/cargo bearing 018 heading NNE 06 May 1941 Grid EJ84 09:02 hours Reached patrol area 07 May 1941 Grid EJ84 10:10 hours wind 1m/s - moving externals 12:31 hours Completed 14 May 1941 Grid ET66 16:55 hours SS Malancha (Large Merchant), 9854 tons. Cargo: Explosives. Crew: 91. Crew lost: 88 - submerged attack - 2 bow shots 17:39 hours SS Autolycus (Large Merchant), 9853 tons. Cargo: Steel. Crew: 48. Crew lost: 46 - submerged attack - 2 bow + 2 stern shots 15 May 1941 Grid ET62 06:39 hours wind 1m/s - moving externals 09:35 hours Completed 23 May 1941 Grid EU96 22:46 hours Fired 3 bow shots at small convoy - bad visibility 22:48 hours 2 impacts - visual contact lost - surfacing 23:22 hours 2 stern shots fired at large cargo type C3 23:23 hours 2 impacts 23:24 hours SS Calibogue (Large Cargo type C3) , 6858 tons. Cargo: Aircraft. Crew: 46. Crew lost: 44 12 June 1941 Grid CG95 03:50 hours Spotted Spanish large passenger/cargo bearing 358 heading East 21:41 hours Warship seen bearing 019 - dived to PD 21:51 hours 1 stern shot at enemy DD - diving to 100m 21:59 houts Torpedo missed or dud 22:17 hours Surfaced 14 June 1941 Grid CG94 04:43 hours Diesel fuel down to 50% 10:09 hours Aircraft seen bearing 213 - crash dived to 80m 18:14 hours Surfaced 22:06 hours SS Rose Schiaffino (Medium Merchant 31), 3516 tons. Cargo: Grain. Crew: 41. Crew lost: 12 - submerged attack - 1 bow shot + 14 105mm rounds 15 June 1941 Grid CG86 06:48 hours SS Helka (Medium Merchant 31), 3517 tons. Cargo: Scrap Metal. Crew: 59. Crew lost: 58 - submerged attack - 2 bow shots Grid CG85 21:26 hours MV Hilda (Coastal Freighter), 1873 tons. Cargo: Steel. Crew: 28. Crew lost: 21 - submegred attack - 2 bow shots 22:41 hours SS Selvistan (Medium Merchant 06), 5175 tons. Cargo: Explosives. Crew: 63. Crew lost: 44 - submerged attack - 1 bow shot + 20 105mm rounds - All torpedoes expended 19 June 1941 Grid BF61 16:19 hours Spotted German small merchant bearing 357 heading NE - raised the flag 16:20 hours Docked at Lorient 62 days at sea 8 ships sunk 46572 tons No damages or casualties |
"Herr Heinz Schmidt, after arriving back at port, and receiving the Knights cross with golden oak leaves, swords, and diamonds was ordered to relinquish command of U-65, and Heinz's best friend and watch officer Wolfgang Eisenholtz was promoted to the Commander of U-65. Because of the impression Heinz Schmidt made on der Fuhrer, Heinz Schmidt was assigned the command of the newly formed 23rd flotilla based in Salamis, Greece."
"We will all miss our former Commander and my best friend Heinz Schmidt, but lets keep the spirit of him on U-65, and make him proud!" Oberleutnant z. S. Wolfgang Eisenholtz Actually what happened was I got a nasty virus on my computer the screwed up all my current campaigns, so I just started another with the name of my Watch Officer. |
U-106 IXB
06 July 1940
22:38 hours U-106 left Lorient 13 July 1941 Grid CG77 00:37 hours Reached patrol area 17 July 1941 Grid CG94 04:11 hours SS Aurora (Coastal Freighter), 1870 tons. Cargo: Military Vehicles. Crew: 26. Crew lost: 0 - surface torpedo attack - 1 bow shot Grid CG95 19:57 hours Aircraft seen bearing 157 - crash dive to 100m 20:52 hours Surfaced 19 July 1941 Grid CG94 11:46 hours Aircrafts spotted bearing 358 - 001 - crash dive to 100m - took minor damages 15:24 hours Surfaced 16:21 hours Aircrafts spotted bearing 288 - 291 - crash dive to 100m 19:20 hours Surfaced - aircrafts spotted bearing 298 - crash dive 21:03 hours Surfaced 22 July 1941 Grid CG94 08:05 hours Aircraft spotted bearing 197 - crash dive 13:44 hours Surfaced 14:08 hours Aircraft spotted bearing 178 - crash dive - maintain 100m depth 19:37 hours Sound contact bearing 050 - closing - rising to PD 20:14 hours Visual contact 20:23 hours 2 bow shots 20:25 hours 2 impacts - ship DIW 20:50 hours 1 stern shot as coup de grace 20:51 hours Impact 20:52 hours 2nd stern shot 20:53 hours Impact - SS Lynton Grange (Medium Freighter), 5363 tons. Cargo: Military Stores. Crew: 50. Crew lost: 4 (2 bow + 2 stern shots) 21:30 hours Surfaced and leaving the area 25 July 1941 Grid CG82 18:40 hours SS Marcel Schiaffino (Medium Merchant 31), 3516 tons. Cargo: General Cargo. Crew: 42. Crew lost: 18 - submerged attack - 2 bow shots 31 July 1941 Grid CG83 03:16 hours Taksang (Medium Merchant 31), 3519 tons. Cargo: Foodstuffs. Crew: 28. Crew lost: 15 - surfaced torpedo attack - 2 bow shots 01 August 1941 Grid CG85 05:07 hours SS Afiena (Coastal Freighter), 1871 tons. Cargo: Coal. Crew: 33. Crew lost: 18 - surface torpedo attack - 1 bow shot 03 August 1941 Grid CG51 16:47 hours wind 1m/s - moving externals inside 20:30 hours Completed 22:15 hours Recalled back to base (I had to end the patrol for R/L tasks) 07 August 1941 13:23 hours Docked at Lorient 33 days at sea 5 ships sunk 16139 tons No casualties U-boat damaged (H.I. 99.23%) Took command of U-502 IXC type Uboot Installed Alberich sonar coating for testing purposes Removed 3,7cm heavy flak gun Installed twin 2cm light flak gun and new hydrophones. |
U-502 IXC
27 August 1941
04:08 hours U-502 left Lorient for grid CF86 02 September 1941 Grid CF96 04:47 hours Fired 3 bow shots at small convoy 04:50 hours 2 impacts 05:00 hours Fired 1 bow shot at C2 cargo ship 05:01 hours Pinging - overrun by enemy DD - minor damages 05:03 hours Impact 05:13 hours SS Defiance (Medium Cargo type C2), 5558 tons. Cargo: Mail/Packages. Crew: 41. Crew lost: 2 until 05:20 hours Cat and mouse game with enemy DD 05:28 hours Depth 118m - pinging - doubts about the effiency of the Alberich coating 05:38 hours For 10 minutes DC explosions away 06:08 hours No more DCs - no contacts 07:24 hours Reloading 07:56 hours Completed 08:54 hours Surfaced and repaierd flak gun Grid CF95 18:08 hours Wind 2m/s - moving externals 21:00 hours Completed 03 September 1941 Grid CF86 08:28 hours Reached patrol area Grid CF83 13:24 hours Warship sound bearing 346 13:39 hours Sound contacts bearing 356 - convoy closing 14:41 hours Visual contact - Periscope spotted by the enemy 14:48 hours 4 bow shots - DCs exploding away - diving to 100m 14:50 hours Impact - SS Argun (Medium Merchant 11), 3129 tons. Cargo: Machinery. Crew: 34. Crew lost: 17 14:50 hours Impact 14:51 hours Depth 28m speed 1 kt 14:53 hours Sinking sounds - SS Bruyére (Medium Merchant 08), 5281 tons. Cargo: Aircraft. Crew: 42. Crew lost: 11 - Pinging - DCs - 3 warships 14:55 hours Hit by DCs - damages and flooding - depth 60m and sinking fast 14:57 hours Depth 100m 15:00 hours DCs close - more damages - new depth 136m 15:01 hours Flooding under control - damage report : Both diesels destroyed by sea water 15:13 hours Pinging until 15:26 hours DCs exploding away 15:54 hours Depth 130m - no DCs - contacts bearing 202 convoy moving away 17:55 hours Surfaced Sent message to Bdu U-502 Diesels destroyed by DCs - destoyed Enigma machine and rotors - Logs destroyed - Position 752Kms ESE of Porta Delgado Grid CF83 Scuttling boat - crew is good condition - awainting rescue Unfortunately the message was intercepted by the Allies and Kapitänleutnant Gerhard Belzer and his crew surrendered to the Allies on 03SEP41. U-502 was long gone under the surface for the last time. The weather was good. Gerhard Belzer was sent to a POW camp in Scotland where he spent the rest of the war. After the war Gerhard Belzer spent more than a year in British captivity, before returning home in November 1946. Then he built up a successful oil trading company and was a member of Parliament for 32 years. Total career statistics U-106 IXB boat 10 patrols U-502 IXC boat 1 patrol Start : 01 December 1939 End : 03 September 1941 441 days at sea 93 ships sunk 651171 tons Largest merchant sunk: SS Queen Mary (Cunard liner 2), 80817 tons on 17 May 1940 Largest warship sunk : HMS Indomitable (Illustrious class), 23000 tons on 16 June 1940 |
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Oberleutnant z. S. Wolfgang Eisenholtz U-65 |
U-331 patrol 3
U-331 VIIC
1. Flottille, Brest Ob.lt.z.s. Theodor Wald Orders: Transfer to Brest Patrol report 29.6.1941 Departure from Kiel 2.7.1941 0209 BF7655 a group of several warships observed on the hydrophone. A probable group of destroyers on a N - NE course, medium speed 9.7.1941 0046 BE3366 a contact report received. However, the convoy couldn't be found 10.7.1941 1453 BE6359 cloudy, good vis., wind 0 m/s A merchant heard on the hydrophone at 1023 hours. By 1440 hours four G7e torpedoes launched at an 8000 GRT ore carrier, estimated course 145 degrees, 9 knots. Due to some unexplainable carelessness the first torpedo was launched delayed because the order to open the torpedo hatch never got through to the torpedo compartment. Shaken by the mistake the next torpedo was launched at a gyro angle of 003 degrees instead of the planned 000 degrees. The last two torpedoes were launched with the correct settings. Depth 2 meters, AZ pistol, range 911 meters, bearing 342. Two hits on the ship, only one where intended. Probably there was an error in the ship's course and/or speed estimate. The ship seen sinking by 1453 12.7.1941 Arrival at Brest Observations: 1. There seems to be an airplane free route from Norway to the Atlantic. The planes from Iceland and Scotland can't reach all areas. 2. The long time spent training and refitting has made the crewmen somewhat careless. We were lucky we didn't find a convoy. With my crew making mistakes like these it would not be too good trying to evade a destroyer screen. I hope we get a new patrol order soon, in order to get the crewmen working at their full skills again Wald |
U-503 IXC
When the news of Gerhard Belzer's capture reached Wilhelmshaven his close friend ERICH HARTMANN , who was an instuctor there , demanded immediately a front line position.
His demand was met and he was given command of U-503 IXC Uboot From 01 October 1941 to 9 November 1941 U-503 did shakedown patrols , drills and various exercises. Qualifications were given to the crew. 10 November 1941 11:28 hours U-503 left Lorient. It was pay back time 14 November 1941 Grid CG19 12:12 hours Spotted Spanish medium cargo type C2 bearing 339 heading WSW Grid CG43 21:28 hours Warship spotted bearing 014 heading NNE - dived to PD 21:29 hours Sound contacts bearing 359 - convoy closing 21:47 hours 2 bow shots fired in bad visibility 21:51 hours Impacts 22:58 hours 1 stern shot coup de grace 22:59 hours SS Gudrun Mærsk (Tramp Steamer), 2239 tons. Cargo: Mail/Packages. Crew: 22. Crew lost: 14 15 November 1941 Grid CG49 17:50 hours Spotted Argentinian medium cargo type C2 bearing 034 heading ENE 23 November 1941 Grid DU78 05:08 hours Wind 1m/sec - moving external torpedoes 07:27 hours Completed 25 November 1941 Grid EJ82 23:50 Reached patrol area 28 November 1941 Grid EJ82 06:38 hours Top secret code word received: Paukenschlag 10 December 1941 Grid EE75 03:38 hours On course for US waters 11 December 1941 Grid ED95 03:23 hours Freedom of attack against all US shipping 16 December 1941 Grid EC16 03:24 hours No contacts so far 17 December 1941 Grid DN84 16:36 hours Fired 4 bow shots at fast tanker convoy - missed 16:49 hours Observed ships were unarmed - surfaced to use deck gun 17:01 hours SS Thorshavet (Converted Whale Factory Ship), 12016 tons. Cargo: Crude Oil. Crew: 104. Crew lost: 7 17:42 hours MV Eola (Small Tanker), 3471 tons. Cargo: Aviation Fuel. Crew: 25. Crew lost: 0 - total 116 105mm rounds fired 18 December 1941 Grid DN47 19:01 hours 4 bow shots at large tanker 19:02 hours 4 impacts 19:19 hours Surfaced and shelled the tanker - SS Vestfold (Converted Whale Factory Ship), 12017 tons. Cargo: Gasoline. Crew: 79. Crew lost: 22 - before the sinking was confirmed 2 stern shots fired - missed 19:22 hours RFA Blue Ranger (A 157) (Supply tanker Ranger type), 3230 tons. Cargo: Aviation Fuel. Crew: 65. Crew lost: 55 - total 25 105mm rounds used 19:25 hours Moving externals inside 23:50 hours Completed 20 December 1941 Grid DM26 23:30 hours Warship senn bearing 351 - dived to PD 21 December 1941 00:00 hours 1 bow shot fired 00:03 hours Tientsin (Armed Tugboat), 1275 tons. Crew: 8. Crew lost: 4 00:05 hours Surfaced 00:06 hours Warship seen bearing 019 - dived to PD 01:55 hours Surfaced Grid DM23 04:34 hours 3 bow shots fired at attack cargo ship 04:37 hours USS Muskingum AK-198 (Attack cargo ship 1), 7690 tons. Cargo: Military Stores. Crew: 248. Crew lost: 116 04:39 hours Surfaced 10:11 hours Warship seen bearing 314 - dived to PD 10:46 hours 1 stern shot 10:50 hours Vaillant (Armed Tugboat), 1275 tons. Crew: 11. Crew lost: 9 16 January 1942 23:13 hours U-503 docked at Lorient. 68 days at sea 8 ships sunk 43213 tons No casualties U-boat damaged (H.I. 97.68%) |
U-503 IXC
03 February 1942
12:10 hours U-503 left Lorient for her second US East Coast sortie 06 February 1942 Grid BB96 16:35 hours 2 bow shots submerged at large merchant 16:39 hours Surfaced to finish the fataly wounded ship 16:40 hours Opened fire - range 3500m 16:41 hours Return fire but way off 16:47 hours SS City of Madras (Large Merchant), 9942 tons. Cargo: Foodstuffs. Crew: 107. Crew lost: 59 17:00 hours Wind 2m/s - moving externals 19:10 hours Completed 11 February 1942 Grid BD99 14:42 hours Tanker 13, 10490 tons (unidentified) - submerged attack - 2 bow + 2 stern shots 13 February 1942 Grid BD88 06:14 hours Wind 0m/s - moving externals 10:24 hours Completed 23 February 1942 Grid CB29 04:53 hours MV Wanaka (Passenger/Cargo), 2423 tons. Cargo: Passengers. Crew: 189. Crew lost: 66 - submerged attack - 2 bow + 2 stren shots. 26 February 1942 Grid CA64 15:36 hours Warship seen bearing 037 - dived to PD 17:44 hours Surfaced 29 February 1942 Grid CA81 00:45 hours MV Hickory Brook (Medium Merchant 15), 6075 tons. Cargo: Timber. Crew: 77. Crew lost: 13 - submerged attack - 2 bow shots Grid CA73 10:19 hours Reached patrol area 13:27 hours MV Grangetoft (Coastal Tanker), 1234 tons. Cargo: Crude Oil. Crew: 21. Crew lost: 10 - submerged attack - 1 stern shot 19:37 hours MV Nacella (Motor Tanker), 9791 tons. Cargo: Crude Oil. Crew: 57. Crew lost: 33 - submerged attack - 4 bow + 1 stern shot 01 March 1942 Grid CA73 08:35 hours SS Sea Phoenix (Large Cargo type C3) , 8868 tons. Cargo: Military Vehicles. Crew: 42. Crew lost: 26 - submerged attack - 4 bow shots - all torpedoes expended 27 March 1942 13:13 hours Docked at Lorient. During the return trip several contacts were avoided by diving to PD and crash dives due to aircraft presence. 53 days at sea 7 ships sunk 48823 tons No casualties or damages |
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