[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

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- continued from 4 October 1941, 1200h -

1203 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
For Cmdr. eyes only of boats operating in the Mediterranean!
Unloading of aircraft in Gibraltar noticed by agents, possibly for transfer to Malta. Boats to make preparations for special operations in Marqu.CH9.

1301 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
During the night no contact was made with the convoy going to the south.

1302 - First status and position request sent by B.d.U. to U 111 (Kleinschmidt).

1313 - T=50. O₂=20%. Commencing reloading of bow torpedoes.

1348 - Bow tubes reloaded:
Tubes I&II: G7e/G7H (K-b/AZ);
Tubes III&IV: G7a/G7H (K-a/AZ).

1355 - S-Tiefe.

1400 - Surfaced after 2h 30' and 7.4sm. Weather unchanged. Battery 9000Ah. 2x1/3-Ahead.

1403 - Boat ventilated.

1450 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
Two inbound neutral steamers on morning of 5.10., in Qu.6300BE.

1500 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
(F.T. could not be heard.)

1500 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
Two inbound neutral steamers on morning of 5.10., in Qu.3900BE.

1504 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
Air reconnaissance picked up the convoy again and reported its position in AL 8836 at 1500h.

1505 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
5 boats are now operating on the convoy. They are instructed to search in different sectors, on courses of 1700 to 2200 from the position of the convoy reported from the air. Renewed air reconnaissance is fixed for the 5th October.

1805 - Sundown. 3/4-Moon rising in SE. Weather unchanged since Etmal, 3 October.

2200 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.:
On Point Kern three suspicious fishing vessels, remained undetected. Deep dive trial acc. Op.-Orders successful. 4.10., 1115h, four single Eto on two steamers on opposite course in Qu.4283BF, three understeered, one missed. Two Ju88 attacked same steamers, bombs missed. Current position Qu.18BF. 221cbm. 10 internal eels. SSE6/5, clear, visibility 8-9sm, >1000mb. Continue outbound transit acc. Op.-Orders. - RST -

2228 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
RST: Message received. Continue acc. Op.-Orders.

Boat continuing outbound transit acc. Op.-Orders.

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.

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

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Sunday, 5 October 1941 - Bay of Biscay -

0530 - Morning Dawn.

0558 - Qu.6333BE - Sighted the two inbound neutral steamers according B.d.U.-F.T.1450/4, bearing 341, E=11000, on course ENE, in keel line.

0600 - As the boat is turning north to evade the two steamers on the surface, another inbound steamer is sighted in Qu.1777BF.

0618 - The steamer is identified as a small merchant of 2180ts (later identified as a steamer of 2279ts), draught 5.6m. Is on course 68°, speed 8kn. Boat is overtaking steamer with G.F. on the stbd. side, along the max. field of view.

0643 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since Etmal, 3.10.
Reducing speed in steps every 5min., to allow the diesel engines to cool down, before diving for a submerged attack.

0700 - Boat is on course 270°, approaching steamer with small silhouette and in ideal attack position: Windward and the rising sun in the back. At E=7000, diving for submerged attack.

0705 - S-Tiefe. "Battle Stations!". Flooding tube III. Altering course to 339°.

0721 - Qu.1774BF - Single Shot with tube III: G7a/G7H (K-a/AZ); Running depth 4m; Vt30. Own course 339°; Own speed 1.6kn.
Target ship: Inbound Small Merchant, draught 5.6m.
Target course 68°; Target distance 715m; Target angle green90°; Target speed 7kn; Firing angle α 350°.

=> The torpedo is a hit under the forward mast, after 39 Sec.!
At first, the steamer continues on but sinks by the stem at 0723h. Some load underwater boiler explosions.

One life boat with 3-4 survivors is seen through the periscope. Boat is staying submerged, as the two neutral steamers are approaching.

0730 - Running off at reception depth and course 270°. "Dismissed from Battle Stations!".

0800 - T=50. Reloading of tube III with G7e/G7H (K-b/AZ) until 0810h.

0830 - Surfaced after 1h 30min. and 3.6sm. Weather unchanged. 2xH.F.

1135 - Qu.3994BE - Sighted the two inbound neutral steamers according B.d.U.-F.T.1500/4, bearing 60, E=16000, on course ENE, in keel line.

1200 - Qu.3994BE - Days Run: 224.6sm - ↗ 215.2 (20h 30') - ↘ 9.4sm (3h 30').
223.6cbm (7.9cbm/24h). 8400Ah. 9 internal torpedoes (6xEto, 3xAto). On course 270°.

1201 - Second status and position request sent by B.d.U. to U 111 (Kleinschmidt).

1301 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
Inbound USA Steamer reported for Qu.2990BE until noon 6 October. Avoid all contact!

1318 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
Inbound USA Steamer reported for Qu.2980BE for late afternoon on 6 October. Avoid all contact!

1819 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since Etmal, 3 Oct.
3/4-Moon rising in the East.

Boat continuing outbound transit acc. Op.-Orders.

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.