E.Morgersen prima della migliaio 09 Novembre 1940
 

I've also thought about it myself Herr Kapitan, also because it's actually a bit stressful to do it all by yourself and probably the next patrol will enable the navigating officer and the officer at arms. Auf Wiedersehen,Herr Kapitan.

On my third commander since war started.

Oblt. Jakob Meier (KC), retired
U-31, Type VIIA
2nd Flot.
Sep39-Jun40
5 patrols
24 ships sunk
132,035 tons

Oblt. Johannes Kramer (German Cross), retired
U-104, Type IXB
2nd Flot.
Jul40-Dec40
4 patrols
21 ships sunk
123,844 tons

Oblt. Fredrich Bos
U-104, Type IXB
2nd Flot.
Jan41-

I forgot to add: I only use the Weapons Officer's help for surface attacks, as historically, it was the XO who made the actual surface attack, while the Cmdr commanded/steered the boat.



In a submerged attack, I'm on my own, though :03:

U 112 Type IXB 1940/2020 - 3rd War Patrol - Outbound Transit
 

Started a new career in August 2019, to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...


Monday, 28 October 1940 - West of Ireland

0200 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.:
On 27 Oct., 1155h, steamer of 2181ts sunk with deck gun. Qu.7874AM. 12 internal eels. 151cbm. Continuing outbound transit. W4/3, overcast, light haze, visibility 4-5sm, ~1000mb. - RST -

0217 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
RST: Good job! Continue according to Op. orders. All other boats in front of the Northern Channel: Move to the east 15-20°W, in East-West patrol line.

0700 - Diving for torpedo maintenance at T=50.

0856 - O₂ = 20%

1200 - Qu.9611AL - Days Run: 216.8sm - ↗202.2sm (19h) - ↘14.6sm (5h)

Torpedo tubes I - VI serviced.

1305 - O₂ = 19%. Commenced trial dive at A+20.

1325 - Surfaced.

1326 - Boat ventilated.

1330 - 1455 - Charging batteries. 1h25' for 2100Ah.

1546 - Incoming F.T.: From U 32:
Have sunk the brit. Passenger Liner "Empress of Britain", escorted by 2 destroyers, with 2 torpedoes.
- Jenisch -

Continuing outbound transit.

E.Morgersen patrol 1940, November 09
 

19401109 0939am Patrol 2
U-101, 7tf Flotilla
Left at: November 9, 1940 09:39 a.m.
from St.Nazaire
Risk-free and monotonous travel. Usual crew routine.

19401111 1253 Reached the patrol grid.BF15.
Good sea and clear skies. Crews ready for action. I have a new officer Michael Marbach and I think he is a good element with three specialisations (Watchman, Helmsman and Torpedoman). Small merchant ship sighted and sunk with the cannon.

19401112 0034 Sighted and chased another small merchant ship and sunk with artillery in grid BF16. I congratulate the artillerymen.

19401112 1444 Sighted two ships travelling together. Chased to grid BF12. An oil tanker ( T2 Tanker ), gunned down and same end to an M04B 5 minutes later.
The crew is on high and morale is sky-high.

19401112 2137 We sink an MX04B into the BF12 grill while we are on our way home.

19401115 0351 We enter the base in St.Nazaire. Patrol with excellent results with 5 sinkings for a total of about 25000/26000 tons.

Received an iron cross for the head piece and 29 badges for the sailors. A qualification given to an officer. I am proud of my men.

U 112 Type IXB 1940/2020 - 3rd War Patrol - Outbound Transit
 

Started a new career in August 2019, to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...


Tuesday, 29 October 1940 - Southwest of Rockall Bank

1020 - Incoming F.T.: From U 31:
Have sunk the burning wreck of SS Matina, 5389ts. - Prelberg -

1200 - Qu.5599AL - Days Run: 244.9sm - ↗240.7sm (22h 35') - ↘4.2sm (1h 25')

Continuing outbound transit.

Oh yeah.

U69 « Laughing cow » 4th patrol
 

The laughing cow is not laughing anymore...
June 13, 4th patrol Est of America coasts ended rammed by a US destroyer in huge storm...not enough time for a crash dive.
All hands lost.
7000T Cargo was sunk just few days before.

Yep, as of beginning 1942, ASW vessels have radar!!!!

Great Job!!!!

U 112 Type IXB 1940/2020 - 3rd War Patrol - On station
 

Started a new career in August 2019, to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...


Wednesday, 30 October 1940 - West of Rockall Bank

0901 - Incoming F.T.: From U 32:
Diving from 2 destroyers. - Jenisch -

1130 - Qu.1899AL - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.:
Reached ordered patrol grid. No traffic since last sinking report. 134.9cbm. W4/3, overcast, light haze, visibility 4-5sm, ~1000mb. - RST -

1143 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
RST: Move to new patrol grid north of 57°30'W and east of 15°W. West of 15°W will be patrolled by Italian boats.

1200 - Qu.1899AL - Days Run: 252.4sm - ↗ (24h)

1201 - First position and status request for U.-Jenisch.

On transit to new patrol grid.

U 112 Type IXB 1940/2020 - 3rd War Patrol - Transit to new patrol grid
 

Started a new career in August 2019, to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...


Thursday, 31 October 1940 - South of Iceland - First week at sea completed -

0630 - Weather and sea conditions getting worse: By 0800h, W7/6, overcast, rain showers, poor visibility, <1000mb.

0817 - Diving for trial dive on A+20 and torpedo maintenance on T=50.

1135 - O₂ = 20%. Torpedo tubes I-IV serviced.

1200 - Qu.2864AL - Days Run: 220.7sm - ↗214.6sm (20h 17') - ↘5.4sm (3h 43')

1400 - O₂ = 19%. Torpedo tubes V&VI serviced.

1410 - Surfaced.

1416 - Boat ventilated.

1502 - Second position and status request for U.-Jenisch.

1510 - Boat has to be turned athwart, to prevent the heavy swell to continuously wash over the bridge.

1801 - Norddeich Radio report about British Troops landing on the Mediterranean Island of Crete.

2400 - Diving for submerged cruise on T=50. Silent running, 2kn.

U 112 Type IXB 1940/2020 - 3rd War Patrol - Third steamer sunk
 

Started a new career in August 2019, to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...


Friday, 1 November 1940 - West of Rockall Bank

0236 - O₂ = 20%.

0825 - O₂ = 19%. Sound contact steamer bearing 33, E=18000, on course 260°, speed 5kn.

0834 - Surfaced. Ran towards estimated interception point on course 150°. Visibility is very poor, about 500m, due to strong wind, heavy swell and fog.

0908 - Compressed air supply filled. Diving for sound check. Steamer bearing 13°, E=4000, therefore, speed must be 6-7kn.

0910 - Surfaced and running toward estimated interception point.

0935 - Qu.3951AL - Steamer comes in sight, E=500. Big Standard Freighter of 8372ts, on course 260°, speed 7kn. "Battle Stations!"

0943 - Angle shot in running attack with Tube I, G7e, K-b (contact fuse); Running depth 5m; Torpedo speed 30kn; Shooter: Ob.Ltnt.z.S. & I.W.O. Emmo MARBACH.
Target distance 450m; Target angle 93°Stbd.; Target speed 7kn; Firing angle 271°.
Own course 260°; Own speed 6kn.
Torpedo is a hit after 33sec.!

Cmdr.: "These poor souls don't even know what hit them: The steamer breaks in two with a huge explosion - both half's of the ship sink within 30 seconds. We run to the sinking position, nothing found. Running off on an easterly course. 'Dismissed from Battle Stations'"

1001 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.:
At 0943h sunk single steamer of 8373ts on course west, with 1 Eto. Qu.3951AL. Moving to the east according new Op.-Order. Internal eels, 7 Eto and 4 Ato. 127.8cbm. W7/6, overcast, fog, visibility 500m, <1000mb. - RST -

1102 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
RST: Sinking noted. Report any survivors immediately.

1108 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.:
About F.T.1001/01: At sinking position nothing found. - RST -

1200 - Qu.3955AL - Days Run: 114.7sm - ↗91.8sm (13h 14') - ↘22.9sm (10h 46')

1201 - Third position and status request for U.-Jenisch. Boat is presumed lost.

1800 - Charging batteries. 1h 20' for 1700Ah.

Continued transit to new patrol grid.

U 112 Type IXB 1940/2020 - 3rd War Patrol - New patrol line reached
 

Started a new career in August 2019, to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years ago ...



Saturday, 2 November 1940 - West of Rockall Bank

0700 - Incoming success report from U 31 (Prelberg).
Diving for torpedo loading and submerged cruise on T=50.

0720 - Tube I reloaded with G7a, K-a.

0856 - O₂ = 20%.

1200 - Qu.1944AL - Days Run: 184.9sm - ↗170.3sm (19h) - ↘14.6sm (5h)

1304 - O₂ = 19%.

1315 - Surfaced.

1316 - Boat ventilated.

1402 - First position and status request for U.-Prelberg.

1501 - Norddeich radio sending O.K.W. success report of the Uboat warfare for the month of October.

1730 - Rockall Bank. Water depth 65m.

1921 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.:
Reached ordered patrol area. 120.7cbm. W7/6, overcast, fog, visibility <100m, <1000mb. - RST -

1958 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
RST: Hold current position. As of 3 November, go on search pattern south of 57°30'N.

2007 - Charging batteries. 1h 10' for 1500Ah.

2400 - The fog is lifting. Wind is shifting to NNW.

Standing up and down in ordered patrol line.

My current patrol, first of the career. I've sunk 3 ships:

1. Small sailboat (used the AA gun).
2. 500 ton tugboat (used the deck gun).
3. Revenge-class Battleship.

I like to imagine after the first two my crew is whispering about how we'll be the laughing stock of the sub pen; using our mighty TypeIX to bully tiny costal vessels. And then we intercepted a huge North-Atlantic convoy and weaved four torpedos 3 columns deep to cripple a battleship, got depth charged for a few hours by her escorts, then returned to deliver the coup de grace. Hopefully the crew has a little more pride in themselves now!