Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinsue
Third reposition this "Atlantic Air Gap" patrol (AK6662) and haven't fired a single shot in anger.  I can't believe that not a single ship has wandered into our path for this entire patrol. Last patrol was the same until a radio contact had us doing a 10 hour run at flank speed to intercept a large convoy which we managed to sink 9 large merchants and a Dale class oiler for a total of 66,980 tons.  |
Well..saved again by the radio! 35 hour run to intercept a large convoy and during the run I fell asleep at the wheel and awoke to the sounds of shells whistling overhead and the crew yelling and screaming about us taking damage! We were on the surface at 16 knots and under attack by four Destroyers which had broken away from the convoy to intercept us.
After such a rude awakening and a panicked crash dive, we found that we weren't hurt too badly. Hours of "cat and mouse" followed and during that time, we managed somehow to dispatch three of them to Davey Jones locker with lucky high speed short range shots! The smoke screen from the first hit which was slowly burning was very helpful when trying to take a sneaky look through the periscope.
Eventually the remaining warship decided to break off the attack and head back to the convoy which seemed to us, to have disappeared completely from visual and hydrophone contact. After he was far enough away from us to avoid being spotted, we surfaced and set in for the long haul back to find the convoy, keeping his smoke on the horizon. During this time the crew transferred the external torpedoes inside so that we could throw every spear when we finally made contact. The skipper of the Destroyer was in no hurry to take his position back in the convoy and was merrily sailing along with a closure rate of about one knot!
Eventually with Christmas fast approaching, we made hydrophone contact again with the convoy. The only problem now was that with us approaching from the rear and the warship between us and the convoy, it would take eternity to overhaul them at the current closure rate.
I decided to close the gap and try for a long shot at his stern. Needless to say, I missed! Because it was near dark, no one apparently spotted the G7a bubbles because they just continued on at the same speed and direction. Reluctant to waste another torpedo, but thinking that if I didn't get him out of the way, I would never catch the convoy, I decided to take another shot. At flank speed we closed the gap between us an the Destroyer, staring through the UZO and not daring to take my eyes off him for a second in case he turned to attack. When we were at a range where I thought the watch on the Destroyer would have to be blind not to see us, I took the shot and then hurried below and ordered periscope depth. Taking up a position at the attack scope, I watched for what seemed like forever then all of sudden those words that brings music to your heart..."Torpedotreffer!". We actually managed to hit the damned thing!
With that obstacle out of the way, we proceed at high speed until we caught sight of the convoy's smoke then turned to start the tedious task of overhauling. When I figured we had enough lead, we turned into the convoy for the attack. We must have been spotted at some stage because the leading escort made a high speed run towards us with searchlights blazing. We went to "all stop" and he made a wide arc around us and then stopped, probably to listen, right behind our stern tube at the perfect range!
I can assure you that he will never make that mistake again!
With nothing to keep the wolves from the sheep, we ventured into the convoy. I set up four good shots from the forward tubes and managed two hits! Goddamned duds!
As soon as those ships were hit, all hell broke loose with merchants heading in every direction! Ahead flank, Back emergency and crash dive was used a number of times to avoid collisions with these wayward vessels! It was like being in the "Dodge em Cars" at the local show!
The four remaining torpedoes were fired as they were loaded and we managed another two hits. Not sure if the last duds were because of the range being too short for the torpedo to arm but I suspect that this was the case. We didn't hang around to watch the carnage, as soon as the last eel left the tube, we dived down to fifty meters and set course for Lorient. Not as much tonnage as the last patrol because of the Fleet oiler, but we managed five warships and four merchants for a total of 31,635 GRT.
Just thought I would share this short story in appreciation of the all the work and dedication done by the modders that allow us to experience the immersion that we enjoy because of their selfless labours.
