[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

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Friday, 8 January 1943 - Stettin

Conducting tactical exercises and training with the 4th Training Flotilla (Freg.Kpt. Heinz FISCHER), Stettin and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. H. MÜLLER).

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General Rokossovsky issues a surrender ultimatum to the 6th Army, which guaranteed their lives and safety until their return to Germany after the war. Paulus refuses the ultimatum.

Axis convoys between Italy and Tripoli, Libya are suspended after a British force of two cruisers and four destroyers sank 14 ships trying to reinforce and supply Erwin Rommel's troops.

With a load of 72 USAAF P-40F fighters, USS Ranger departs Norfolk, Virginia bound for North Africa.

On 8.1. U 507 (KrvKpt. Harro Schacht) reported that she had sunk "YORKWOOD" (5,401 tons) course 270°, speed 10 knots in FC 7416. In ballast from Durban to Trinidad. Captain taken on board (Frank Herbert Fenn). Moderate air activity during the day, location at night.

U 167 (Kptlt. Kurt Neubert) of Group "FALKE" reported Warrant Quartermaster overboard (Obersteuermann Walter Schliephake) and Commander badly injured during heavy storms while saving the I WO (Ltnt. Günter Zahnow). Boat has been instructed to return under command of the I WO.

Convoy No. 2 (TM.1):
Group "DELPHIN" moved up towards the convoy at 1000. At 1600 U 381 sighted the convoy in DG 8495. U 511 and U 522, who were outward bound, and U 181 and U 134, who were homeward bound were also put onto the convoy along with Group "DELPHIN". During the night U 571, 575, 442, 436, 522 contacted the convoy. At 2237 U 436 (Kptlt. Günther Seibicke) torpedoed 3 large tankers in DG 8565, very heavy explosion; no further observation possible because of anti-submarine measures. At 0003 U 575 (Kptlt. Günther Heydemann) scored 3 hits in line abreast. 0636 one hit, 0638 3 hits on 3 tankers. No sinkings observed. U 571 (Kptlt. Helmut Möhlmann) was forced to submerge when she attacked, she was depth-charged. Operation continues.

U 105 (Oblt. Jürgen Nissen) and U 214 (VIID; Kptlt. Günther Reeder) have been ordered to return to their former attack ares (U 214 Curacao, U 105 Trinidad) after they have met and transferred gyro-sphere. They are to operate off these harbors according to the moon. They have been informed of convoy traffic and favorable possibilities of night attacks because of inexperienced patrolling.

U 182 (IXD2; Kptlt. Asmus Nicolai Clausen) is to meet U 177 (IXD2; Kptlt. Robert Gysae) on 11.1 in EJ 2225. U 177 is homeward bound and will inform U 182 of conditions in the Capetown operational area and hand over "Eisbär" order.

The escort of "Spichern" from El Ferrol to Brest is being prepared for 9.1.43 as ordered by key-word.

Walter Dornberger and Wernher von Braun meet with Albert Speer. During the meeting, Speer informs the rocket research leaders that construction of a rocket launching site along the English Channel coast will soon commence.

U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts exercises with the AGRU-Front Hela.

RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

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

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Saturday, 9 January 1943 - Stettin

Conducting tactical exercises and training with the 4th Training Flotilla (Freg.Kpt. Heinz FISCHER), Stettin and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. H. MÜLLER).

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U 124 (Kptlt. Johann Mohr) reported that she had contact with the convoy (TB.1) from 0300 to 0600, 9 ships, 4 destroyers from EO 5235 to 5269, 160°, 8 knots. She sank 1 tanker and 4 freighters, totaling 28,000 GRT.

Convoy No. 2 (TM.1):
After temporary loss of contact U 181 (IXD2; Kptlt. Wolfgang Lüth) sighted convoy of 3 tankers in DG 9517 at 1320. Last report from U 134 at 1530 from DG 9278.
Following reports of success have been received:
U 522 (Kptlt. Herbert Schneider): sank 2 tankers 16,000 GRT; probably sank 1 tanker 8,000 GRT.
U 436 (Kptlt. Günther Seibicke): torpedoed tankers on 8.1, 3 were sunk 31,000 GRT.
U 511 (Kptlt. Fritz Schneewind): sank "William Wilberforce" in DG 9116 (ship was not part of convoy) 5,004 GRT.
U 442 (Korvkpt. Hans-Joachim Hesse): sank 1 large tanker (heard to sink); sank 1 large fleet tanker and sank 1 abandoned tanker - both tankers probably torpedoed by U 575 (Kptlt. Günther Heydemann) 28,000 GRT; saw 1 tanker sink.
U 134 (Kptlt. Rudolf Schendel): sank 1 tanker with 3 hits at 1533. Tanker was in convoy. 8,000 GRT.
The last convoy formation is still being stalked (it probably consists of 2 convoy formations of 3 tankers each).

U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts exercises with the AGRU-Front Hela.

RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115