[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

Monday, 26 January 1942 - South of Cape Hatteras -

0037 - O₂ = 20%.

0222 - Sound contact of steamer in Qu.7997CA, at medium speed on course 232°, E=20000. Is too far away, also, it is still dark.

0230 - On new course 0°, 105rpm/2kn.

0436 - Sound contact of steamer bearing 38°, E=21000, approaching at medium speed, on course 205°.

0449 - On new course 90°. Second sound contact of steamer bearing 306°, E=20000, at medium speed, on course 240°.

0505 - The first sound contact now bearing 317°, E=10000. Full Ahead.

0513 - S-Tiefe. Darkness, overcast, sea has subsided somewhat.

0515 - Surfaced after 7h 15min. and 13.0sm.
Weather: N5/4, overcast, hazy, limited visibility, ~1000mb.

0517 - "Shadow bearing 325°, E=3500m!". Boat ventilated. On new course 115°.

0520 - "Battle Stations!". Flooding tube I. Ship is identified as a Supply Tanker of 3150ts, draught 6.0m.

0524 - Qu.7998CA - Single Shot with tube I: G7e/G7H (K-b/AZ); Running depth 3.5m; Vt30. Own course 115°; Own speed 2kn ahead; Shooter: Ltnt.z.S & I.W.O. Rainer SCHEUFLER.
Target ship: Supply Tanker of 3150ts, draught 6.0m.
Target course 205°; Target distance 1300m; Target angle green63°; Target speed 11kn; Firing angle α 356°.

=> Torpedo is a hit amidships after 73 Sec.!

Tanker starts to zig-zag, continues on and is sending "SSS". Going on parallel course 205°.

0530 - The tanker doesn't sink. Manning deck gun. Distance to tanker is 1000m. "Weapons Free!".

0535 - After the second shot, the tanker is pointing a search light at the boat. After 6 shots and hits with the deck gun, the tanker sinks in a sea of fire. Running off with Full Ahead on course 300°.

0551 - Compressed Air Supply filled.

0555 - The second sound contact comes into sight at the plotted position and time. Ship is identified as a Small U.S.A. Merchant of 1667ts, draught 6.8m. Going to new course 330°. Small Ahead.

0559 - Qu.7998CA - Single Shot with tube II: G7e/G7H (K-b/AZ); Running depth 4.5m; Vt30. Own course 330°; Own speed 6kn ahead; Shooter: Ltnt.z.S & I.W.O. Rainer SCHEUFLER.
Target ship: Small U.S.A. Merchant of 1667ts, draught 6.8m.
Target course 240°; Target distance 2000m; Target angle red69°; Target speed 9kn; Firing angle α 002°.

=> Torpedo is a hit in the forecastle after 1 min. 58 Sec.!

The torpedo hit is followed by a huge explosion, debris are flying through the air. After 1-2 minutes the steamer sinks on an even keel. Spotted 3 boats with 9-12 survivors.

0605 - Running off at high speed on course 58°.

0636 - Incoming F.T.: From U 123:
Sank the armed steamer "Culebra", 3044 BRT, after a gun battle in CC 79. Ship was loaded with aircraft parts. - Hardegen -

0700 - Diving for submerged cruise at T=20, 105rpm/2kn.

0703 - Sound contact turbine, bearing 125°, E=8000, slowly on course 235°.

0808 - Lost sound contact 0703/25, bearing 155°, E=18500, in position Qu.7998CA.

0857 - O₂ = 20%.

0920 - S-Tiefe. Morning Dawn. Weather and Sea unchanged. Back to Reception Depth.

0956 - Incoming F.T.: From U 106:
Sank the British "Traveller", 3963 BRT. - Rasch -

Cmdr.: U-Rasch belongs to the second wave of "Paukenschlag" boats, which have already left the Western bases.

1010 - Sunrise.

1015 - Surfaced after 3h 15min. and 7.8sm.

1020 - Boat ventilated. Charging Batteries (7700Ah):
- Port Engine Propulsion 285RPM/6-7kn;
- Stbd.Engine Charging, 496RPM.

1200 - Qu.8772CA - Days Run: 83.3sm - ↗ 50.6sm (7h) - ↘ 32.7sm (17h).
131.9cbm (2.6cbm/24h). On course 62°. Battery 9700Ah. 3 internal Eto and 2 Ato. Weather unchanged since 0515h.

- to be continued -

- continued from 26 January, 1200h -

1220 - Batteries charged (2h for 2300Ah). 2x235RPM/7kn.

1608 - On new course 306°.

1845 - Water depth 162m.

1900 - Water depth 100m.

1915 - Water depth 63m.

1930 - Water depth 50m.

1951 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since 0515h. Water depth 45m.

2100 - Diving just before dark, for submerged cruise at Reception Depth.

2104 - Sound contact with steamer, bearing 200°, E=14000, on course SSW, medium speed.

2110 - Surfaced after 10min and 0.5sm. Boat operating on sound contact 2104/25. On course 158°. "Estimated contact with sound contact in about 45 min. All hands on Maneuver Stations!".

2200 - Now on course 201°. Diving for sound check. Steamer heard bearing 11°, E=5000. Speed of steamer must therefore be about 10kn.

2203 - Surfaced directly from T=20, after 3min. and 0.6sm.

2241 - Now on course 215°. Diving for sound check. Steamer heard bearing 318°, E=4500. Course of steamer must therefore be about 205°.

2244 - Surfaced directly from T=20, after 3min. and 0.3sm.

2306 - Now on course 203°. "Shadow Ahead Port! Distance 4000m!". It is the sound contact 2104/25! A Large U.S.A. Tanker of 18192ts, that appears to be empty, with a draught of 6.0m, on course 205, speed 11kn.

Cmdr.: I suspect, that the tanker is on its way to the oil refineries of Aruba-Trinidad, for loading of precious cargo destined for England. I sound "General Quarters!", as we are overtaking the tanker along its stbd. beam.

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

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.