U 113 (IXC) - 3rd War Patrol - Crossing the Bay of Biscay
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+++++ KTB - U 113 Thursday, 18 December 1941 - Bay of Biscay - Cmdr.: Today, U 125 (IXC), Kptlt. Ulrich Folkers, will leave for Operation "Paukenschlag". 0019 - O₂ = 20% (1h 57'). 0359 - O₂ = 19% (3h 50'). 0739 - O₂ = 18% (3h 40'). 0752 - At Reception Depth. Incoming F.T.: From U 751: Qu.8756BE. Aircraft Carrier protecting convoy HG.76. Constantly fast single engine fighters in the air. Calm wind and sea. - Bigalk - 0800 - Surfaced after 9h 38' and 21.9sm. Weather unchanged since Lorient. Battery 8700Ah. Incoming F.T.: From U 434: Convoy HG.76: Diving from airplanes! - Hyda - Cmdr.: Convoy HG.76 seems to be very well protected by air and sea! 0810 - Boat ventilated. 2xH.F. 0817 - Qu.4539BF - ALARM! One twin engine airplane in 50°true, E=10000, on a southwestern heading. 0819 - At A-20, no bombs. Cmdr: "Most likely didn't see us." 0820 - Sunrise. 0834 - At Reception Depth. 0837 - Surfaced after 20min. and 1.1sm. Weather unchanged since Lorient. Battery 8600Ah. 2xH.F. Cmdr.: The Intel Briefing about the very strong air cover in the Bay of Biscay and Qu.BF40 in particular, was not exaggerated! 0855 - Incoming F.T.: Different contact reports of convoy HG.76 0901 - F.T. from B.d.U.: To Group "Seeräuber": Operate on Convoy HG.76, according to contact reports 0855/18. Group "Seeräuber" consists of: U-67(IXC), Kptlt.Günther Müller-Stöckheim U-71(VIIC), Oblt.Hardo Rodler von Roithberg U-107(IXB), Oblt.Harald Gelhaus U-108(IXB), KvtKpt.Klaus Scholtz U-127(IXC), KvtKpt.Bruno Hansmann U-131(IXC), KvtKpt.Arend Baumann U-434(VIIC), Kptlt.Wolfgang Heyda U-574(VIIC), Oblt.Dietrich Gengelbach 1016 - Qu.4561BF - ALARM! 3 Catalina approaching from 40°true on course SW, E=11000. 1019 - At A-20, no bombs. 1031 - At Reception Depth. 1036 - Surfaced after 20min. and 1.1sm. Weather unchanged since Lorient. Battery 8500Ah. 2xH.F. 1200 - Qu.4555BF - Days Run: 146.1sm - ↗ 119.7sm (13h 02') - ↘ 26.4sm (10h 58'). 228.6cbm (3.5cbm/24h). On course 258°. Battery 8500Ah. 14 internal and 8 external torpedoes. Weather unchanged since Lorient (48h). 1201 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: First position and status request for U 131 (Baumann) and U 434 (Hyda), and third position and status request for U 557 (Paulssen), boat is presumed lost. (U 557, VIIC, KrvKpt. Ottokar Arnold Paulssen, sank on 16 December 1941 in the Mediterranean Sea west of Crete, in position 35.31N, 23.19E, after erroneous ramming by the Italian torpedo boat Orione; 43 dead, all hands lost.) 1530 - 1/3-Ahead. 1655 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Lorient. 2052 - Boat operating on ship contact report 2040/18, in Qu.4487BF, on course NNE, medium speed. 2113 - "Smoke plume ahead!". It is the ship contact report 2040/18 and is identified as a small tramp steamer type merchant. Running off on southerly heading, acc. Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". 2133 - Back to general course 259°. Boat operating acc. to Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U 113 (IXC) - 3rd War Patrol - Crossing the Bay of Biscay
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+++++ KTB - U 113 Friday, 19 December 1941 - Bay of Biscay - 0140 - Qu.6933BE - Passed Qu.BF40 and enemy air cover zone. Going on most fuel economical speed, 235RPM, 8kn. 0700 - Early Morning Dawn. 0831 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since Lorient. 1200 - Qu.6918BE - Days Run: 234.9sm - (↗ 24h). 224.2cbm (4.4cbm/24h). On course 259°. Battery 8500Ah. 14 internal and 8 external torpedoes. Weather unchanged since Lorient (72h). 1201 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: Second position and status request for U 131 (Baumann) and U 434 (Hyda). 1708 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Lorient. 1720 - Qu.6837BE. "Smoke plume bearing 68°!". Medium sized steamer running slowly on course 30°, E=16000. Boat is continuing on outbound transit, acc. Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". 1957 - Incoming F.T.: From U 574: Diving from escort of convoy HG.76. - Gengelbach - 2000 - Qu.6855BE - 2151 - Incoming F.T.: From U 574: Qu.8789BE. Torpedo hit midship on escort of convoy HG.76. Detected by second destroyer. Trying to escape on su...a...c... Boat operating acc. to Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U 113 (IXC) - 3rd War Patrol - Passed the Bay of Biscay - On outbound transit
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+++++ KTB - U 113 Saturday, 20 December 1941 - Northwest of Cape Finisterre - 0412 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.: Crossed 15°W. Switching to Atlantic Frequency. A lot of enemy air cover from Qu.4399 - 4561BF. 5 times Alarm, bombed twice, no damages. On 18 Dec., 2115h, one steamer in Qu.4484BF, on course NNE. On 19 Dec., one steamer in Qu.6837BE, on course 30°. Continuing outbound transit acc. to special Op.-Orders. 221cbm. 14+8 eels. N2/2, clear, visibility 8-9sm, >1000mb. - RST - 0433 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: RST: Message received. Continue as ordered. 0710 - Beginning Morning Dawn. 0841 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since Lorient. 1200 - Qu.6778BE - Days Run: 193.5sm - (↗ 24h). 219.8cbm (4.4cbm/24h). On course 259°. Battery 8500Ah. 14 internal and 8 external torpedoes. Weather unchanged since Lorient (4 days). 1201 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: First position and status request for U 574 (Gengelbach), and third position and status request for U 131 (Baumann) and U 434 (Hyda), both boats are presumed lost. (U 131, IXC, KvtKpt. Arend Baumann, was sunk on its first war patrol, while operation on convoy HG.76, on 17 December 1941 in the North Atlantic north-east of Madeira, Portugal, in position 34.12N, 13.35W, by depth charges and gunfire from the British escort destroyers HMS Exmoor and HMS Blankney, the British destroyer HMS Stanley, the British corvette HMS Pentstemon and the British sloop HMS Stork and by gunfire from a Martlet aircraft* (802 Sqn FAA) of the British escort carrier HMS Audacity. 47 survivors, no casualties.) (U 434, VIIC, Kptlt. Wolfgang Heyda, was sunk on its first war patrol, while operating on convoy HG.76, on 18 December 1941 in the North Atlantic north of Madeira, in position 36.15N, 15.48W, by depth charges from the British escort destroyer HMS Blankney and the British destroyer HMS Stanley. 2 dead and 42 survivors.) 1722 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Lorient. Boat operating acc. to Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
February 4, 1940 BF33 Let's play hide and seek! - part 1
0322 Dover, Calais and all those warships patrolling the area are now behind us...we made it through!...U48 is now on the surface to recharge batteries and get some fresh air. We had to keep changing course to avoid enemy ships. Most of them were probably torpedo boats...but that made it too risky to surface and move quickly through their lines. There were also a couple of cargos sailing NE but there was no way to get close enough to attack or even just establish visual contact. Weather is now overcast with little wind and moderate visibility, sea conditions are not so bad. We are sailing SW, my plan is to stay closer to the french side during the day and move toward the english side during the day. 0502 U48 just dived and we already have two sound contacts...both merchants, one NE of us and the other one West of us. Both seems to be closing. 0514 U48 is now moving WSW to intercept the cargo heading for the channel. Will attack it first to prevent her getting any closer to the Channel. Will try to make it quick and intercept the other one soon after. 0602 This seem to be a Granville type freighter...possibly French...going 6 knots...let's adjust our course slightly to the southest to have a better angle...the other target is moving at medium speed and getting closer...I planned to use our deck gun but there are three warships, possibly torpedo boats, coming this way...think I'll use two eels on this one to make it quick and then move north to intercept the other one 0611 her she is: a nice fat French Granville...will shot a salvo using tubes 2 and 3: Ato running fast, depth 4 meters, impact pistol, spread 2 degree...opening tubes...aiming at mid ship...fire!...tube 2 away...tube 3 away...running time 28 seconds...begin reloading the tubes...let's wait and see...come on...one torpedo just went off too early! A dud!...Impact!...right ahead of the structure...that started a small fire...hopefully it will suffice...were the other torpedo not be a dud she would be down already... 0617 she is already very low and slow...fire is getting on and off, they are struggling to suppress it...looks good...she is not going anywhere so we will now move north to intercept the other one...just spotted it through our periscope...hopefully it does not change course...ahead full! 0648 ahead slow!...our target is a Coastal Freighter going 9 knots on a SW course...she did not change course nor is zigzagging...weird...I would have used the deck gun on such a small target but those torpedo boats are now hollering nearby that Granville, which makes things difficult...I'll have to use a torpedo. Granville does not look very good: dead on the water and very very low...I bet she will go down very soon 0700 Granville going down right now! Which is good since there are two more warships coming our way: one from the Calais area and one from the Dover area...but we are now almost ready to attack this British Coastal Freighter Ship sunk! SS Cassequel (Granville-type Freighter), 4707 tons. Cargo: Paper Products. Crew: 107. Crew lost: 13 0702...tube 1 ready...Ato running fast, impact pistol, running depth 4,5 meters...we are about 1800 m off to the south...aiming at the bow area...open tube 1...fire!...lower periscope! Ahead flank! Hard to port! Those warships are coming straight our way and while the one coming from the French side sounds like a Trawler the one from Dover is most likely a destroyer by the sound of it. I want to move away as much as I can before they are too close, pity these torpedo boats are still in the area or I'll have surfaced and run for it. 0704 ...ahead slow...Torpedo should hit any seconds now...raise our periscope...let's check if...Impact!...almost missed her, got her right on the nose...no visible fire...searchlights are scanning the waves...let's scan around, perhaps we can spot those other two warships...Torpedo boat engaging us! Lower periscope! Ahead flank! Down to 20 meters! 0706 Torpedo boat must have been in our baffles and probably spotted our periscope! We suffered no damage...but they are not the problem now, we have a warship running fast toward us and she sounds very much like a destroyer...let's change course to north... 0711 We have now a total of 5 warships lurking overhead...we got pinged briefly and I must confess I had cold feet for a moment there...but seems like they don't have a proper fix on us and are searching a bit more to the south...changing course to north was the right choice...lucky me. Coastal Freighter slowed down to 2 knots and is zigzagging away... 0723 U48 is shadowing this freighter...she is still zigzagging at 2 knots and we can keep the contact...all 5 warships are somewhere ESE of us and still sniffing around...I'd love for them to move back to their patrol areas... 0757 U48 was able to slowly get ahead of our target but now things changed once again...Coastal Freighter changed course to west and increased speed to 3 knots...or perhaps it looks so since it's not zigzagging anymore...also, we have a new warship contact straight ahead of us and all our friends from the previous party still close back there: an A&B destroyer, an Armed Trawler and three torpedo boats...I guess we must use one more torpedo...let's increase speed a bit more and get ready to use our stern tube... 0803 all is ready: Ato running fast at 5 meters, impact pistol, distance about 700 meters...open tube 5...aiming just ahead of the funnel...fire!...ahead full! Lower periscope! 0804 Impact! And she is sinking, at last! Time to run and hide once again, warships increasing speed already. Ship sunk! SS Abinger (Coastal Freighter), 1872 tons. Cargo: Coffee. Crew: 33. Crew lost: 19 0811 Warships in the area but quite a bit south of us...the one from the west did not come our way...U48 will keep crawling away as silently as possible... 0842 All warships have left the area now...we will wait a bit more to be sure they are well gone before surfacing. Batteries are not that bad and oxygen is still good. Two attacks, two ships sent to the bottom, 5 warships succesfully evaded...on the other hand we had to use four torpedoes while two should have been enough...not very efficient...we are now down to 3 torpedoes, two Ato in the bow and one in our stern tube. |
U 113 (IXC) - 3rd War Patrol - On outbound transit
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+++++ KTB - U 113 Sunday, 21 December 1941 - WNW of Cape Finisterre - 0037 - Further contact reports by Group "Seeräuber" of convoy HG.76. 0545 - Breakfast of the Port Machine Watch. 0600 - Port Machine Watch on duty station. Wake-Up of the remaining crew and morning wash. 0630 - Breakfast for the remaining crew. 0700 - Diving for Torpedo Maintenance at Reception Depth. 0705 - T=20. 135rpm, 3kn. Beginning of Torpedo Maintenance. 0849 - Sunrise. 0859 - O₂ = 20%. 1005 - Bow torpedoes serviced. Break until 1030h. 1200 - Qu.8255BE - Days Run: 167.8sm - ↗ 153.2sm (13h 00') - ↘ 14.6sm (5h 00'). 218.0cbm (1.8cbm/24h). On course 259°. T=20. O₂ = 20%. Battery 7500Ah. 14 internal and 8 external torpedoes. Stern torpedoes serviced. Lunch Break until 1300h. 1225 - Qu.8255BE - 1249 - O₂ = 19%. 1300 - Diving for trial dive acc. B.d.U. Standing Order 507. 135rpm, 3kn. 1321 - Boat is safe and secure at 2A-Meters. 1223 - Testing of E-Engines: - 1/3-Ahead, 185rpm = 4kn - Half-Ahead, 245rpm = 6kn - Full-Ahead, 285rpm = 7kn - A.K., 296rpm = 7.5kn 1327 - 135rpm. Setting reception depth. 1343 - At reception depth. 1345 - Surfaced after 1h 45min. and 5.0sm (Total: 6h 45' and 19.6sm). Weather unchanged since Lorient (5 days). Battery: 7000Ah. 1349 - Boat ventilated. 1350 - Charging batteries: - Port Diesel, 285RPM, Propulsion, 8kn; - Stbd. Diesel, 496RPM, Charging. 1402 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: First position and status request for U 451 (Hoffmann) and second position and status request for U 574 (Gengelbach). 1620 - Battery charged = 2h 30min. for 3000Ah. 2x235RPM, 8kn. 1734 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Lorient. 2100 - Lights-Out for the Off-Watch. 2340 - Wake-Up of the First Sea Watch and the Stbd. Machine Watch. 2400 - "Mittelwächter" - Midnight Coffee for the Watch on Duty. Boat operating acc. to Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U 113 (IXC) - 3rd War Patrol - On outbound transit
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+++++ KTB - U 113 Monday, 22 December 1941 - West of Cape Finisterre - 0421 - Incoming F.T.: From U 751: In Pos.Qu.8721. On 21 Dec., 2300h, in Qu.8719BE, sunk enemy Escort Carrier of the "Formidable" Class 10,000ts, of convoy HG.76. - Bigalk - (At 21.37 hours on 21 December 1941 HMS Audacity (D 10), 11,000ts, (Cdr D.W. Mackendrick, RN) was hit at the stern by one of four torpedoes fired by U 751 while escorting convoy HG-76 about 470 miles west of Cape Finisterre 43° 45'N, 19° 54'W. U 751 reloaded two of the bow torpedo tubes as fast as possible in order to attack the stopped aircraft carrier again, firing a spread of two torpedoes at 22.55 hours and the U-boat withdrew after launching the stern torpedo too at 22.57 hours. The latter missed, but the others struck the stricken vessel and caused her to sink by the stern in less than 15 minutes. The survivors (73 dead and 225 survivors) were picked up by HMS Convolvulus (K 45) (T/Lt R.S. Connell, RNR), HMS Marigold (K 87) (Lt W.S. Macdonald, RNVR) and HMS Pentstemon (K 61) (LtCdr J. Byron, RNR) Cmdr.: The current position of Bigalk is about 70sm to the south of our current position in Qu.8179BE. In order to stay undetected, I therefore decide to continue with my outbound transit. 0730 - Early Morning Dawn. 0856 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since Lorient. 1200 - Qu.7631BE - Days Run: 181.6sm - ↗ 176.6sm (22h 15') - ↘ 5.0sm (1h 45'). 213.6cbm (4.4cbm/24h). On course 258°. Battery 10000Ah. 14 internal and 8 external torpedoes. Weather unchanged since Lorient (6 days). 1202 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: Second position and status request for U 451 (Hoffmann) and third position and status request for U 574 (Gengelbach), boat is presumed lost. (U 574, VIIC, Oblt.Dietrich Gengelbach, was sunk on its first war patrol and while operating on convoy HG.76, on 19 December 1941 in the North Atlantic east of Ponta Delgada, Azores, in position 38.12N, 17.23W, by ramming and depth charges from the British sloop HMS Stork. 28 dead and 16 survivors.) 1746 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Lorient. Boat operating acc. to Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U 113 (IXC) - 3rd War Patrol - 1st week at sea completed
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+++++ KTB - U 113 Tuesday, 23 December 1941 - West of Cape Finisterre - - First week at sea completed - Cmdr.: Today, U 123 (IXB), Kptlt. Reinhard Hardegen, will leave for Operation "Paukenschlag". 0240 - Qu.7555BE - 0740 - Early Morning Dawn. 0905 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since Lorient. 1018 - Incoming F.T.: From U 79: Diving from escort! - Kaufmann - 1200 - Qu.7491BE - Days Run: 191.4sm - (↗ 24h). 211.9cbm (1.7cbm/24h). On course 259°. Battery 10000Ah. 14 internal and 8 external torpedoes. Weather unchanged since Lorient (1 week). 1201 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: First position and status request for U 79 (Kaufmann) and third position and status request for U 451 (Hoffmann), boat is presumed lost. (U 451, VIIC, KvtKpt. Eberhard Hoffmann, was sunk on 21 December 1941, while attempting to cross the Strait of Gibraltar, north-west of Tangier, in position 35.55N, 06.08W, by depth charges from a British Swordfish aircraft (812 Sqn FAA/A). 44 dead and 1 survivor.) 1759 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Lorient. Boat operating acc. to Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
February 4, 1940 BF32 Let's play hide and seek! - part 2
1222 U48 is now in grid BF32 and quite close to the British coast. A couple of minutes ago our sonar operator picked up a new sound contact to the west: sounds like a merchant in close proximity to the Isle of Wight, south of Portsmouth. We also have multiple warships in the area, many torpedo boats but also what sounds like an ASW Trawler patrolling the area. I'm sure destroyers are in the area too. I think we may go a bit closer and take a peek, chances are we may find worthy targets in this area.
1259 Ship spotted! It's quite far ahead and barely visible through our periscope. Seems like our sound contact. She is stationary...and looks like a tanker...very tempting! ASW trawler somewhere close to it and what sounds like a destroyer further NW. Torpedo boats south and north of us... 1317 Definitely a big tanker...ASW Trawler quite close to her and another one coming from SW...destroyer still not spotted...but not so far away...if we attack we take a huge risk...lot of fire power in the area and not much water to hide us...weather is still overcast with little winds, visibility moderate... 1341 Our target is a Whale Factory ship! Range is about 2800m and we are not going any closer. There are now 2 ASW Trawler north and south of her, a destroyer NW of her and possibly one more destroyer further away. Torpedo boats are roaming the area too. U48 will launch her two remaining bow torpedoes. Both G7a will run at medium speed, depth 5 meters, impact pistol. As soon as tube 3 is empty we wil change course to the North. I expect the Brits will come here in a rush so we may surprise them moving closer to the coast. Hope so. Open tube 2...aiming at middle ship...fire! Open tube 3...aiming slightly forward...fire! Lower periscope! Increase speed to 3 knots! Change course to 005°! 1344 Impact! Let's raise our periscope and check... Impact! Both torpedoes hit! She is burning! Increase speed to 4 knots! Lower scope! 1351 We stirred up quite the chaos...2 ASW Trawler, 2 destroyers and 6 torpedo boats are searching for us. U48 is now on silent running and crawling at two knots...we changed course to 035°...one of the destroyers is going to pass quite close to us... 1359 Destroyer is getting very close now...reduce speed to 1 knot...pinging us...come on, keep going your way... is she sailing on?...did not pick us up, pinged us briefly, we may breathe again...let's wait a while and then we will be back to 2 knots 1402 Secondary explosion from the target...that destroyer is coming back...lower speed to 1 knot... 1405 ...pinging us again...and once again she sail on...increase speed to 2 knots... 1422 U48 is slowly moving away...that destroyer came back and pinged us briefly three more times but never got a fix on us...she is still doing search patterns back there...we will move away and raise our periscope when we are at a safe distance. 1504 I risked a brief glance through our periscope and what I saw is promising: our target is engulfed in flames! All those warships are still circling in the area...we will slowly move away and monitor the situation. 1525 We just raised our periscope again and a big secondary explosion went off. She is sinking now! We got a huge target so close to the British coast...I bet this is gonna hurt their morale! Let's keep moving away. 1942 U48 is now on the surface and sailing back toward Dover area. We have just one torpedo left in our stern tube and I've decided to begin our return passage without completing our assigned patrol. It would be a waste of time and fuel and I'm sure we will find a target on the way back. Last attack was perfect and a bit of luck helped us flee the area. We got a big target. Weather is getting worse, there are lightnings out there and visibility is reduced, which may help us hide ourselves when crossing the Channel. Ship sunk! SS Frango (Whale Factory Ship), 12016 tons. Cargo: Aviation Fuel. Crew: 150. Crew lost: 88 |
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Great Job! :up: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! :woot: |
U 113 (IXC) - 3rd War Patrol - Merry Christmas to All!
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+++++ KTB - U 113 Wednesday, 24 December 1941 - NNE of the Azores - - Christmas Eve - Cmdr.: Today, U 66 (IXC), KvtKpt. Richard Zapp, will leave for Operation "Paukenschlag". 0750 - Early Morning Dawn. 0915 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since Lorient. 1000 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: Merry Christmas from the B.d.U.! Commanders are obliged to keep with Uboat Protocol for Special Occasions. 1200 - Qu.9862BD - Days Run: 191.9sm - (↗ 24h). 210.1cbm (1.8cbm/24h). On course 259°. Battery 10000Ah. 14 internal and 8 external torpedoes. Weather and Sea have further decreased and shifted eastward: ENE1/1, clear, visibility 8-9sm, >1000mb. 1201 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: First position and status request for U 567 (Endraß!) and second position and status request for U 79 (Kaufmann). 1550 - Qu.9855BD - 1814 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Etmal. 1820 - Qu.9849BD. Diving for submerged cruise at A-20. 1825 - At A-20, 135rpm, 3kn. "Merry Christmas!". 2019 - O₂ = 20%. 2120 - Surfaced after 3h and 8.8sm. Weather unchanged since Etmal. Battery 9300Ah. 2130 - Boat ventilated. 2x235RPM, 8kn. Boat operating acc. to Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U 113 (IXC) - 3rd War Patrol - Continuing outbound voyage
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+++++ KTB - U 113 Thursday, 25 December 1941 - North of the Azores - 0800 - Early Morning Dawn. 0918 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since Etmal. 1200 - Qu.9777BD - Days Run: 179.7sm - ↗ 170.9sm (21h) - ↘ 8.8sm (3h). 207.5cbm (2.6cbm/24h). On course 256°. Battery 9300Ah. 14 internal and 8 external torpedoes. Weather unchanged since last Etmal. 1302 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: Second position and status request for U 567 (Endraß!) and third position and status request for U 79 (Kaufmann), boat is presumed lost. (U 79, VIIC, Kptlt. Wolfgang Kaufmann, was sunk on 23 December 1941 in the Mediterranean Sea north of Sollum, in position 32.15N, 25.19E, by depth charges from the British destroyers HMS Hasty and HMS Hotspur. 44 survivors, no casualties.) Cmdr.: Surely, Endraß has merely some problems with his radio equipment, which is not uncommon on board of Uboats ... 1801 - Norddeich Radio sending report about the Japanes Army taking Hongkong and capturing 26 ships for 52,604ts, in the harbor. The island of Jolo in the Sulu Sea of the Philippins is also being occupied by the Japanes. 1819 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Etmal, 24 Dec. Boat operating acc. to Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
February 5, 1940 AN79
0634 U48 has made it through the Channel once again. Weather got worse during the night: overcast with medium rain and poor visibility. That was helpful, our sonar operator kept alerting us about the warships movement in the area and we could easily cahnge our course accordingly and easily slip through them unnoticed. There were also a couple of merchants contact in the area but we never had a chance to hunt them. We would have had to surface and risk bumping into some warship. The risk was too high. We are now sailing northward and recharging batteries. We will dive in a while to check with our sonar. 0703 U48 just dived and we got multiple sounds contacts: warships south of us as expected but there is also a merchant NW of us which seems to be coming our way. Perhaps we have a target for our last torpedo... 0722 We are diving again after a quick dash on the surface. If we guessed her course properly we should be closer now...yes, we can hear her now...much closer but a bit more to the west than expected...she was on a SE course...perhaps she changed course to the south and is now heading for the Dover area?...mmm...no waship close enough to be an immediate threat...let's surface again and change course to WSW...Ahead flank! Surface the boat! 0734 U48 is down at periscope depth again and I think we are in a very good position! Visibility is really poor but our contact is north of us and at close range and should be visible quite soon. I expect her to be heading almost straight south, so we are slowly crawling to the West. 0737 Ship spotted! She is emerging from the fog right now...a tanker?...yes, seems like a small tanker heading south...she is going to pass behind us...we risk losing her in the fog...back full! We must close the gap...visibility is so poor I don't think they would spot our periscope... 0739 back slow! We are close enough and there is not much time...target range is about 500 meters...speed...I'll go with 9 knots...problem is depth...with this waves she is bouncing like crazy...I'll go with a magnetic set for 5 meters...Ato running fast...AoB...85° starboard...open tube 5...aiming at mid ship...fire!...torpedo is away...seems like she is somewhat slower than expected...Impact!...I love magnetics!...when they work out fine. Got her a tad forward than planned but that's good...she is burning! 0746 She dipped her nose quite often and slowed down to a crawl...now she is going down! Another good target! Time to leave the area, warships are coming from the south but I think we will be long gone when they will arrive here. Ship sunk! MV Zenith (Small Tanker), 4314 tons. Cargo: Crude Oil. Crew: 15. Crew lost: 4 February 8, 1940 Kiel 0320 U48 just entered the port area. Nothing happened on the way back, we got just a contact in grid AN84 but the weather was so horrible we couldn't have used our deck gun so I didn't try to get close. This storm followed us all the way back here and really I'm going to take a long hot bath to wash away the dirt and cold. This was a good patrol, we managed to sink 11 ships: 3 warships and 8 cargo...that Whale Factory ship was worth the risk, that's a big prize. Warships escorting cargo is going to be an issue. ASW Trawler are an hindrance but if they were destroyer it would be really risky to attack in those shallow waters. We'll see... Patrol results Crew losses: 0 Ships sunk: 11 Aircraft destroyed: 0 Patrol tonnage: 39157 tons edit: Merry Christmas fellow Kaleuns! Plenty big preys to all of you! |
U 113 (IXC) - 3rd War Patrol - Endraß lost!
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+++++ KTB - U 113 Friday, 26 December 1941 - NNW of the Azores - 0250 - Qu.2155CE - On new course 261°. 0805 - Early Morning Dawn. 0927 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since Etmal, 24 Dec. 1200 - Qu.1382CE - Days Run: 194.6sm - (↗ 24h). 204.8cbm (2.7cbm/24h). On course 261°. Battery 9300Ah. 14 internal and 8 external torpedoes. Weather unchanged in 48h. 1202 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: Third position and status request for U 567 (Endraß!), boat is presumed lost. (U 567, VIIC, Kptlt. Engelbert Endraß, was sunk while operating on convoy HG.76, on 21 December 1941 in the North Atlantic north-east of the Azores, in position 44.02N, 20.10W, by depth charges from the British sloop HMS Deptford. 47 dead, all hands lost.) 1402 - Norddeich Radio sending an O.K.W. report about Kptlt. Gerhard Bigalk and Kptlt. Klaus Scholtz being awarded with the Knights Cross, and Kptlt. Otto Kretschmer being awarded with the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves and Crossed Swords. (At this time, Kptlt. Otto Kretschmer is already a P.O.W. in Canada, in Camp 30 - often referred to as Camp Bowmanville - during which time he manages to remain in contact with B.d.U. He will return to Germany in December 1947.) 1834 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Etmal, 24 Dec. Boat operating acc. to Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". Cmdr.: The operation against convoy HG.76 is broken off by B.d.U. We have lost 4 boats on their first war patrol - plus U 567 (Endraß) - against this convoy, for only 4 ships sunk. The "Happy Days" from last year, certainly seem to be over. That the O.K.W. is announcing the award with high decorations of commanders in allied captivity, seems to be evidence of this. - to be continued - |
U 113 (IXC) - 3rd War Patrol - Endraß lost!
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+++++ KTB - U 113 - continued from 26 Dec., 1834h - In Memoriam Engelbert Endraß joined U 47 in December 1938 as Leutnant z. See. He was the I.W.O., when Günther Prien made his famous Scapa Flow attack and sank HMS Royal Oak. It was Endraß who painted the famous snorting bull emblem on U 47's conning tower before they returned. He stayed on U 47 until December 1939, and after some training courses took command of U 46, another type VIIB U-boat. After having sunk the British auxiliary cruiser Dunvegan Castle of 15,007 tons, Endraß was awarded the Knights Cross. After the seventh patrol, the Oak Leaves were added. In September 1941 he left U 46 and a month later took over the type VIIC Uboat U 567. His closest friend was Kptlt. Erich Topp, Commander of U 552, who had been the XO on U 46, before Endraß took over command. When he heard that U 567 had been sunk with all hands, he wrote the following verses, quoting Hávamál: "WHAT IS YOURS WILL be gone. Your kin will die, And you yourself will die like them. One thing, I know, will live forever: The deeds of the dead in all their glory." "I (Erich Topp) wrote these pages in the lonely wastes of the Atlantic when all hope had vanished that Engelbert Endrass might return alive from his last patrol." The O.K.W. will not inform the German public about the death of Engelbert Endraß, until 3 months later on 31 March 1942, when the daily Wehrmachtsbericht will announce: "The U-boat under the command of Kapitänleutnant Endraß, recipient of the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves, has not returned from patrol. An outstanding U-boat commander is on eternal patrol with his brave crew.". Lest we forget RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U 113 (IXC) - 3rd War Patrol - Continuing outbound voyage
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+++++ KTB - U 113 Saturday, 27 December 1941 - Northwest of the Azores - Cmdr.: Today, U 130 (IXC), KvtKpt. Ernst Kals and U 109 (IXB), Kptlt. Heinrich "Ajax" Bleichrodt, will leave for Operation "Paukenschlag". 0030 - Weather is getting worse: Wind and Sea increasing and shifting North and in due course to West, overcast and light haze. 0340 - Qu.1277CE - On new course 251°. 0400 - Weather: W5/4, overcast, light haze, medium visibility, ~1000mb. 0544 - Incoming F.T.: From U 75: Will arrive (Salamis) about 1000h, 28 Dec.! - Ringelmann - 0640 - Diving for torpedo maintenance and trial dive acc. B.d.U. Standing Order 507. 135rpm, 3kn. 0645 - T=50. 0700 - Commencing torpedo maintenance. 0839 - O₂ = 20%. 0937 - Sunrise. 1000 - Bow torpedoes serviced. Break until 1020h. 1150 - Stern torpedoes serviced. 1200 - Qu.1426CE - Days Run: 157.5sm - ↗ 142.0sm (18h 40') - ↘ 15.5sm (5h 20'). 202.2cbm (2.6cbm/24h). On course 251°. Battery 8300Ah. 14 internal and 8 external torpedoes. T=50. O₂=20%. Lunch Break until 1300h. 1219 - O₂ = 19%. 1300 - Commencing of trial dive. 1318 - Boat is safe and secure at 2A-Meters. (Critical depth begins at 158m) 1320 - 135rpm. Setting reception depth. 1335 - At reception depth. 1340 - Surfaced after 1h 40min. and 4.6sm (Total: 7h and 20.1sm). Weather unchanged since 27 Dec., 0400h. Battery: 7900Ah. 1349 - Boat ventilated. Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: According to a report from Group North, British landings have been made at Aelesund and Nordfjord. U 156, 87, 135, also U 582 which has put into Drontheim in the meantime, have been ordered to proceed as quickly as possible to square AF 8490. 1400 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: First position and status request for U 75 (Ringelmann). 1845 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since 27 Dec., 0400h. Boat operating acc. to Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
March 15, 1940 Kiel
0124 Kiel docks are slowly disappearing in the foggy rain while U48 follows our minesweeper friend out of the port area. Visibility is really poor and we often risk to lose sight of the vessel in front of us. The risk of a collison is really high. This is not the best way to start a mission. Our assigned patrol area is AN44, quite close to the Scottish coast and not so far from Scapa Flow. It will be interesting up there. On the way out we will perform some trials and once again check everything is fine on the boat. March 16, 1940 AN35 2129 Sound contact! SE of us...closing...we are close to Kristiansand, perhaps a merchant heading there? Surface the boat! New course 130°! 2216 Ship spotted! Far on the southern horizon...barely visible...ahead one third! Change course to 170°! Lower the boat to 6 meters....ahead slow!...weather is not perfect but a deck gun attack is going to work if we can get close. 2220 Target is not that big and seems to have four masts so it must be a Tramp Steamer...let's dive and get into position. 2229 British Tramp Steamer moving toward Kristiansand at 7 knots...no visible weapons...We will jump off the water close to them and use our guns 2235 We are on parallel course about 600m off to her port side...time to attack. Ahead full! Surface the boat! Lower periscope!...here we go...man the guns! Open fire! 2237 Deck gun hold fire!...she is slowing down already...let's finish her off with our Flak gun...starting even more fires on the deck should be enough. 2238 ...and she is sinking! I did not expect to find our first prey so soon. This will boost our morale. U48 will now resume the plotted course toward AN44 Ship sunk! SS Velma Lykes (Tramp Steamer), 2092 tons. Cargo: Aircraft. Crew: 21. Crew lost: 6 |
U 113 (IXC) - 3rd War Patrol - On outbound transit
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+++++ KTB - U 113 Sunday, 28 December 1941 - WNW of the Azores - 0155 - Qu.3655CD - On new course 262°. 0815 - Early Morning Dawn. 0946 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since 27 Dec., 0400h. 1200 - Qu.3583CE - Days Run: 151.9sm - ↗ 147.3sm (22h 20') - ↘ 4.6sm (1h 40'). 201.3cbm (0.9cbm/24h). On course 262°. Battery 7900Ah. 14 internal and 8 external torpedoes. Weather unchanged since 27 Dec., 0400h. 1201 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: Second position and status request for U 75 (Ringelmann). 1857 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since 27 Dec., 0400h. 1931 - Norddeich Radio sending an O.K.W. report about the English landing attempt at Narvik and Vestfjord, and Aelesund and Nordfjord, on 26 Dec., which was repelled by German Army, Naval and Air Forces. Boat operating acc. to Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
U 113 (IXC) - 3rd War Patrol - On outbound transit
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+++++ KTB - U 113 Monday, 29 December 1941 - West of the Azores - 0730 - Qu.3477CD - On new course 251°. 0830 - Early Morning Dawn. 0954 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since 27 Dec., 0400h. 1200 - Qu.2926CD - Days Run: 159.0sm - (↗ 24h). 197.8cbm (3.5cbm/24h). On course 251°. Battery 7900Ah. 14 internal and 8 external torpedoes. Weather unchanged since 27 Dec., 0400h. 1201 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.: Third position and status request for U 75 (Ringelmann). Boat is presumed lost. (U 75, VIIB, Kptlt.Helmuth Ringelmann, was sunk on 28 December 1941 in the Mediterranean north-west of Mersa Matruh, in position 31.50N, 26.40E, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS Kipling. 14 dead and 30 survivors.) 1801 - Norddeich Radio sending a report that a Soviet counter offensive on the Kerch, Crimea peninsular, was repelled by the German 72th Infantry Regiment. The counter attack by the German 42nd Infantry Regiment on the bridgehead, is still being fought off by the Soviets. 1908 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since 27 Dec., 0400h. Boat operating acc. to Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
March 19, 1940 AN44
0023 U48 just reached assigned patrol area and will now start the operations. We are already changing our course to 270°. Weather is good: clouds clear, wind 7 knots and visibility moderate. During the night we will do a 90 minutes cycle: 30 minutes submerged / 60 minutes surfaced. If the weather does not change during the day we will spend most of our time surfaced and dive just long enough to do sonar checks. 1233 Ship spotted! ENE of us...closing...Dive to periscope depth! We will approach submerged and identify her 1244 ...I'd say we have a Medium cargo sailing WSW at 7 knots...let's adjust our course slightly to the north and get closer...I guess we may use our deck gun again... 1251 A neutral! She is from Norway...let's move away unnoticed. We will let her go out of visual range than surface again. 2112 We have a faint sound contact west of us...seems like it is moving southward...we will surface and get closer 2143 Ship spotted! NW of us...range about 5000 meters...weather got worse: overcast, wind 13 m/s and visibility moderate...time to dive and get ready for a torpedo attack. 2158 Our target is a Granville type freighter sailing SSE at 6 knots...U48 is now turning and getting ready to use the stern tube. 2204 Tube 5 ready: Ato running fast, depth 4 meters, impact pistol...range 500 meters...open tube 5!...aiming at mid ship....fire!...torpedo is away and running...she is bouncing all around...I aimed at mid ship since that part is the one that is more steady....3...2...1...did I miss?...or it just went under?...ahead flank! Change course to...Impact!...I underestimated her distance...got her almost in the propellers...small fire burning...time to shadow her and see if it is enough... Ahead slow! Reload tube 5! 2209 She is dead on the water...I bet we killed her propulsion...fire still burning... 2251 She is going down at last!...slowly got lower and lower on her back... I was somewhat lucky, I underestimated her range and almost missed her, also with all that bouncing around our torpedo could have slipped under. We are now in grid AN18 and need to return to grid AN44 to complete our 24hours patrol...Surface the boat! Ahead full! Change course to 085°! Ship sunk! SS Bradfyne (Granville-type Freighter), 4707 tons. Cargo: Copper Ore. Crew: 102. Crew lost: 27 |
U 113 (IXC) - 3rd War Patrol - On outbound transit
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+++++ KTB - U 113 Tuesday, 30 December 1941 - North Atlantic - - Second week at sea completed - 0840 - Early Morning Dawn. 1002 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since 27 Dec., 0400h. 1200 - Qu.2786CD - Days Run: 157.6sm - (↗ 24h). 194.3cbm (3.5cbm/24h). On course 256°. Battery 7900Ah. 14 internal and 8 external torpedoes. Weather unchanged since 27 Dec., 0400h. 1240 - Diving for torpedo maintenance and trial dive acc. B.d.U. Standing Order 507. 135rpm, 3kn. 1300 - At T=50, commencing torpedo maintenance. 1429 - O₂ = 20%. 1600 - Bow torpedoes serviced. Break until 1620h. 1750 - Stern torpedoes serviced. Dinner until 1835h. 1809 - O₂ = 19%. 1845 - Commencing of trial dive. 1905 - Boat is safe and secure at 2A-Meters. (Critical depth begins at 158m) 135rpm. Setting reception depth. 1914 - Sundown. 1920 - At reception depth. 1940 - Surfaced after 7h 00min. and 20.2sm. Weather unchanged since 27 Dec., 0400h. Battery: 6700Ah. 2x235RPM, 6-7kn. 1952 - Boat ventilated and Compressed Air Supply filled. Boat operating acc. to Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag". RST Kptlt.&Cmdr. |
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