Quote:
Originally Posted by gap
As noted by kapuhy, in case of necessity or when the circumstances made it fit, any long-range U-boat could be used as support vessel for other U-boats. Just as an example, during their long passage from Europe to the Far East, several type IX U-boats of the so called 'Monsun Gruppe' were diverted to fuel other boats.  |
Yes, due the loss of a U-tanker.
The
Monsun Gruppe had a complex refueling plan. First, the IXC40s and IXCs were to refuel on the outbound leg from the Type XIV U-tanker U-462, which sailed from France. Second, all boats were to replenish from the German tanker Brake in the Indian Ocean, then proceed to patrol areas. On the return voyage, the boats were to refuel again from Brake in the Indian Ocean and from another XIV U-tanker near the Azores on the final leg..
The U-462 mentioned was forced to abort his mission and therefore not could refuel the Monsun boats. This vital task was reasigned to the type XIV U-487 which sailed from France, but this U-tanker was lost before the refueling operation.