Dark Waters
U-409 Type VIIC
100 difficulty, cam on, contacts off.
Left Lorient on Feb 24 1943
In Grid BD 255 en route to patrol assigned Grid AK 87 in North Atlantic convoy lanes. Spotted convoy on course 080 8 kts.
Attempted to approach on surface for attack, but enemy escorts got me on radar, forcing a dive.
Underwent intense depth charging and hedgehog attack. Between four escorts....at least 300 depth charges and 4 rounds of hedgehogs.
After four hours under attack and boat at depth of 230 meters, a close depth charge caused serious leaks in all compartments in addition to battery and pump damage. Boat went to 267 meters before could regain control. Blew tanks and went to 75 meters, survived a hedgehog attack at that depth somehow. Escorts seemed to lose me once went to shallow depth.
After stopping leaks and pumping water, judged by sound was inside convoy. Rose to periscope depth...attacked three freighters and fired a down the throat shot on a corvette. Sunk three merchants, crippled corvette. Went
back to 180 meters, endured more depth charges and hedgehog.
Close depth charge sprung leaks in propulsion room and stern torpedo room. Sunk to 180 meters before under control.
More depth charges followed. Eventually lost contact. Surfaced after a submerged time of 21 hours.
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