[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

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KTB - U 113

Thursday, 5 February 1942 - Southeast of Nova Scotia -

0151 - ESE1/1, clear, light haze, good visibility, >1000mb.

Intercepted open F.T. on the 600m-Frequency:
SSS SSS SSS Montrolite SSS SSS SSS
torpedoed. Position 35° 14' N, 60° 05' W

Cmdr.: The position given corresponds with Marqu.9713CB, which is about 345sm Northeast from Hamilton, Bermuda and 155sm Southwest from our current position. The steamer could have been torpedoed by U-Bleichrodt or U-Kals.

0226 - Incoming F.T.: From U 109:
Op.-East Coast not possible due to fuel. Since 3 Feb., delayed return cruise together with U-Kals, via Qu.CC80. Fuel transfer not possible due to weather. Just sunk the Canadian Tanker Montrolite. 2 Eto, 58cbm, Qu.CB9713. To Kals: Please send radio beacon as of 1100h. - Bleichrodt -

0356 - Qu.6894CB - 570sm Southeast of Halifax. Right before the watch change, the boat is being attacked by a twin engine airplane. Direct approach in complete darkness. Increasing speed to A.K. 3-4 bombs astern. The 1st Sea Watch is fending off the airplane with both Flak guns. Airplane is flying off burning on course Northwest.

Cmdr.: Apparently, the air cover zone of Nova Scotia has been expanded during our Op. at the East Coast.

0406 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U., U 109, U 130:
In Qu.6894CB, at 0356h, attacked by land-based airplane, direct approach, 3-4 bombs astern, no damage. Airplane set on fire by Flak, flying off on course NW. ESE1/1, clear, light haze, visibility 3-4sm, >1000mb. - RST -

0432 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
RST: Message received. Remain vigilant!

0720 - Early Morning Dawn.

0838 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged since 0151h.

0832 - Qu.6972CB - 570sm Southeast of Halifax. Visibility is 5-6sm. Boat is being attacked by 2 pair of twin engine airplanes from 310°true. Increasing speed to A.K. The 3rd Sea Watch is fending off the airplanes with both Flak guns, one airplane is burning. The bombs are way off. Airplanes fly off on course Northwest.

1038 - Qu.6981CB - 580sm Southeast of Halifax. Boat is being attacked again by 2 pair of Bristol Beaufort bombers from 310°true. Increasing speed to A.K. The bombs are way off.
The 3rd Sea Watch is shooting down one of the attackers.
The remaining three airplanes fly off on course Northwest.
Boat continues with return voyage.

Cmdr.: I decide to not search the crash site for survivors, as I want to reach a safe area before the weather and sea conditions become worse again, preventing the loading of the external torpedoes.

1200 - Qu.6982CB - Days Run: 183.3sm (↗ 24h).
109.0cbm (1.8cbm/24h). On course 82°. Battery 10000Ah. 8 external Ato. 136x10.5cm-SpG. 7676xM.G.-2cm-C/30-PbG. Weather unchanged since 0151h.

1201 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
To all Biscay-Boats: Occupy Marqu.BF35 by 12 Feb., 0600h, and clear area of all enemy warships.

Cmdr.: The Op.-area ordered by B.d.U. is in the English Channel. There must be a big operation of some kind be planned.

1255 - Qu.6983CB - No airplanes for nearly 2.5h.
"All Engines Stop!". Commencing loading of external torpedoes.

1502 - Both external stern torpedoes loaded under deck and slight damage to forward upper deck repaired. Commencing loading of forward external torpedoes.

1805 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since 0151h.

1901 - Incoming F.T.: From U 103:
Sunk the U.S.A. Steamers India Arrow, 8327ts, and China Arrow, 8403ts, off the U.S.A East Coast.
- Winter -

1910 - Evening Dusk. Loaded 4 external bow torpedoes under deck. Continuing on course 81°, 2x235RPM/8kn.

Boat operating acc. to Op.-Orders "Paukenschlag".

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.

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

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KTB - U 113

Friday, 6 February 1942 - Southeast of Nova Scotia -

0355 - Qu.4755CC - On new course 75°.

0502 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
To U 67 (Müller-Stöckheim), 129 (Clausen), 156 (Hartenstein), 161 (Achilles) and 502 (von Rosenstiel): Prepare to reach the area of the South Caribbean by mid February. Await new Op.-Orders under Codeword "Neuland".

Cmdr.: The preparations for commitment of the next boats type IXc to Trinidad and Aruba, has begun.

0700 - Diving for torpedo loading.

0750 - T=30. 135rpm/3kn. Commencing torpedo loading.

0800 - All four bow tubes reloaded. Commencing loading of stern tubes.

0831 - Sunrise. O₂ = 20%. Both stern tubes reloaded.

0835 - Surfaced after 1h 35min. and 4.6sm.
Weather unchanged since 5 Feb., 0151h.

0845 - Boat ventilated. "All Engines Stop!". Commencing loading of remaining external torpedoes.

0901 - Incoming F.T.: From U 106:
Sunk the British Opawa, 10354ts, in Qu. CB 5682. - Rasch -

Cmdr.: U-Rasch, who belongs to the second "Paukenschlag"-Wave, must also be already on its return voyage, as it is a IXB type boat.

1050 - Two external bow torpedoes loaded under deck.
Continuing on with 2x235RPM/8kn.

1106 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
B-Dienst intercepted an enemy radio transmission, that in Qu.DD3174, the Panamanian Steam merchant Halcyon is being attacked by an enemy merchant raider, and that an American Cruiser has left Hamilton, Bermuda, in order to assist.

Cmdr.: The position given is about 325sm southwest from us and about 380sm from Bermuda. I'm not aware of any friendly merchant raiders operating in this area.

1200 - Qu.4733CC - Days Run: 118.8sm - ↗ 114.2sm (22h 25') - ↘ 4.6sm (1h 35').
107.3cbm (1.7cbm/24h). On course 75°. Battery 9700Ah. 8 internal Ato. 136x10.5cm-SpG. 7676xM.G.-2cm-C/30-PbG. Weather unchanged since 5 Feb., 0151h.

1200 - First Position and Status Request for U 82 (Rollmann).

- to be continued -