[Bubblehead1980]

Went over to Dark Waters U Boat mod for SH 4. Have to say, had a blast on first patrol. Read a few reports available from German Skippers and tried to write this in their style. Still learning lol

Dark Waters
100 difficulty, contacts on, cams on.

U-48 Type VIIB U Boat
2nd Flotilla, Wilhelmshaven.

Used the name Xavier Marche (familiar with the book or movie Fatherland? The character was a U Boat commander during the war)



Kriegstagebuch of the Kommandanten of "U-48"
for the period from 03.09-07.10.1939.

Kommandant: Oberleutenant zur See Marche





03.09.39
------------

15.00 Departed Wilhelmshaven for assigned patrol grid.
Skies clear. Sea State:2 Winds 11 kts direction 000

22.00 Test Dive. Depth below keel 34 meters.
Dive time: 30 seconds.

2201 Leveled off at 17 meters.

2220 Surfaced. Set course for Grid AM 01




04.09.39
------------

Transit to area.

Weather Clear, Cool. Sea State:3




05.09.39
-------------

Weather Clear, Cool. Sea State:3

16.40 ALARM drill. Dive time 24 seconds.

1655 Surfaced.



06.09.39-10.09.39
-------------------

Transit to assigned grid. Uneventful.

Sea State 3-4. Skies mostly clear.


11.09.39
-----------

00.00 Entered assigned patrol Grid AM01



12.09.39
-----------

Uneventful. Sea State: 4


13.09.39
-----------


Uneventful. Sea State: 4



14.09.39
-----------


Uneventful. Sea State: 5


15.09.39
-----------


Uneventful. Sea State: 2


16.09.39
-----------

Patrol in grid. Sea State:1

01.31 Received orders to converge on reported convoy
in Grid BE 3350. Set course at best speed.

12.14 Spotted vessel bearing 026 20km. Set pursuit course for
attack.

1252 Target identified as Steam Trawler 330 tons.

1253 Prepared for Gun Action.

1319 Opened fire with deck gun.

1329 Ceased fire. Vessel burning, adrift.

1341 Trawler sunk Grid AM 81. 330 tons.

1345 Secured and set course for convoy intercept.

1700 Determined unable to reach convoy. Convoy reported already
attacked. Returned to previous area.


17.09.39
-----------


Uneventful. Sea State: 1


18.09.39
-----------


Uneventful. Sea State:2


19.09.39
-----------


Uneventful. Sea State:0



20.09.39
-----------

Uneventful. Sea State: 1


21.09.39
-----------

Uneventful. Sea State:0



22.09.39
-----------

Sea State:0


06.24 Received report of Large Enemy Convoy
Grid AM 76 Course NNW 7 kts.

Set course for intercept. Estimated
time to contact 12 hours.

17.30 Submerged for sound sweep.

17.32 Sound contacts long range 017.

17.35 Surfaced for intercept.

17,45 Spotted convoy bearing 341 18 km.
Action Stations!


17.48 Submerged for attack.


18.38 Observation. Convoy zigged to Northeast.

UBoat now off port side of convoy. Closing for attack.

18.39 At 70 meters as Destroyer raced 1200 meters across
bow at high speed to resume station. Did not detect boat.

18.45 Observation. Trailing convoy to port about 1500 meters
spotted a battleship of Queen Elizabeth Class. Began
tracking for attack.

19.01 Fired tubes 1,2,3,4 at Battleship. Range 1200 meters.

19.02 Torpedo No.1 exploded prematurely, followed by Torpedo No.2 and No.3

Battleship alerted, made hard evasive turn towards U-48,
likely causing fourth torpedo to miss ahead.
U-48 was already into swing to bring stern tube to
firing position. Lowered cope as battleship secondary batteries
were opening fire.

19.06 Observation: Battleship bearing 180 AOB 175 900 meters.

19.06: Fired Tube No.5
15

19.06: Torpedo impact! Torpedo hit stern of Battleship. Large
56 fired and explosion visible.

19.07 Began torpedo reload for follow up attack.

19.10 Battleship slowed, fire was raging, slight list to starboard by stern.

19.11 Spotted destroyer closing bearing 162 4000 meters.

19.13 Pinging. Stopped Reload. Ordered Silent Routine
and Rig for Depth Charge.

19.15 Enemy above. Splashes! Boat depth 90 meters.

19.16 Explosions-Above. One at level, boat shaken. No damage.

19.20 Depth 120 meters.

19.24 Splashes above.

19.25 Many detonations, above. Enemy charges set too shallow.

19.37 Enemy bearing 032, closing fast, short range. Closing for attack.

19.40 At 140 meters. Explosions above. Charges too shallow.


19.41 Rigged for Red. Depth 150 meters. Pinging, enemy
searching.

19.46 Very large depth charge pattern exploded above.

19.51 Depth:166 meters.


19.58 175 meters.


20.01 Lost contact with one enemy destroyer, believed to be
"sleeping", listening. Other departed area high speed.

20.30 Enemy engines roared to life on sound gear
bearing 200 short range. Pinging began.

20.31 Enemy above, splashes. Boat depth 175 meters.


20.32 Many depth charge explosions, above. One was closer
than rest. Small leaks sprung in control room, quickly
stopped. (See Damage Section)


20.34 Enemy departed area high speed.


21.03 Secured from Action Stations. Maintained Silent Routine.

21.40 Sound contact/ bearing 270 medium range. Enemy engines
starting up.

22.46 25 meters depth.

22.50 Periscope depth. All clear. End Silent Routine.
Prepared to surface.

22.54 Surfaced. Set course for pursuit and follow up attacks.


23.51 Spotted destroyer bearing 005 4500 meters. Avoided.



23.09.39
-----------

00.01 Spotted damaged Battleship, large smoke plume visible on horizon bearing 005 6000 meters.
Called Action stations.

00.06 Moved for attack position while torpedo reload completed.

00.07 A destroyer was spotted, patrolling area near damaged battleship
which appeared dead in water or adrift.

00.11 Flashes from battleship main guns and secondary guns. Appears we were
detected. Splashes in distance. Turned away, did not submerge.

00.12 Enemy destroyer spotted closing position at high speed.

00.16 Fired Tube No.5 "Down the Throat" shot at DD.

00.18 DD slowed, evaded torpedo. This period of slowed down
permitted us to escape.

0030 Convoy changed course to East.

01.19 Submerged to listen for Battleship..

01.30 Surfaced.


01.54 Spotted battleship bearing 143 10 km.
Continued to shadow convoy, recharge batteries, waited for moon
to set for attack.

02.23 Moon set. Action Stations called.


02.27 Flooded down to decks awash.

02.49 Submerged to periscope depth. 6500 meters from Battleship.

03.19 Fired salvo...Tubes 1,2,3,4 Range 1000 meters.

03.20 During torpedo run, scope spotted by Battleship, fired at scope.

03.20: Four torpedo impacts on battleship.
25


03.21 Large explosions and fires.


03.22 Battleship began listing to port.

03.23 DD spotted, bearing 040 2500 meters, closing high speed.
Pinging. Ordered 150 meters. Rigged for Silent Routine and
Depth Charge!

03.25 Enemy above. Splashes

03.26 Explosions, close, boat shaken.


03.28 Second enemy destroyer arrived on scene, pinging.

03.30 Splashes, explosions, above. One close. Boat shaken.
Minor damage. Depth 115 meters.(See Damage)

03.31 Massive series of explosions from bearing
of battleships.

03.35 Queen Elizabeth Class Battleship sunk. Sounds of ship breaking up
with many explosions.

03.37 Pinging. Enemy close, passed above with splashes.
Many depth charges. None close.

03.55 150 meters depth.

03.58 Pinging. More depth charges, not close.

04.08 160 meters depth.

04.33 Many depth charge explosions astern, no close.
Boat depth 170 meters. Leaks stopped.

04.47 More pinging, More charges.


04.54 Depth 175 meters.

05.00 Enemy hunting in area.

05.09 Depth charges, not close.

05.25 Lost sound contact with enemy.

06.03 Secured from Action Stations. Maintained Silent Routine.

09.00 Periscope depth. All clear. Secured Silent Routine.

09.20 60 Meters for torpedo reload.

18.30 Surfaced. Sea State:0


24.09.39
----------

Sea State: 0 Clouds light.

04.18 Trawler spotted bearing 269 9 km.
Turned to intercept.

04.20 Action Stations! Prepared for Gun Action.


04.30 Opened fire with deck gun. Range 1200 meters.

04.36 Trawler turned to ram! Ordered ahead flank, continued firing.

04.38 Trawler burning, went dead in water.

04.42 Steam Trawler. British flagged. 330 tons sunk. Grdi AM 18

04.45 Secured from action stations. Resumed patrol in Western Approaches.




26.09.39
----------

Uneventful. Sea State:1





27.09.39
----------

Uneventful. Sea State:1




28.09.39
----------

Uneventful. Sea State:5




29.09.39
----------

Sea State: 5


00.29 During routine submergence for sound check,
detected screw noises bearing 355-000. Ordered to close.

00.35 Surfaced to close contact.

00.58 Convoy sighted! Bearing 359 8200 meters.
Course 342 Speed 8 knots. Grid AM 73.
Contact Report Sent.

01.53 Targeted 10500 ton tanker in center column.


02.05 Fired tubed 1,2,3 at tanker. All bow torpedoes expended.

02.06 Torpedoes 1,2,3 prematurely detonated in succession, roughly 5 seconds apart.

02.07 Ordered speed to work closer to tanker fire final torpedo
from stern tube.

02.25 Inside convoy 3500 meters from large tanker.

02.34 Fired tube 6. Range to target 3000 meters!. All torpedoes expended.

02.35 Torpedo prematurely exploded after broaching in heavy seas.

02.36 Merchant vessel bearing 260 1400 meters closing fast!
Vessel attempted to ram. Ordered flank speed and evaded ramming.

02.42 Enemy Destroyer astern 4000 meters searching.

03.00 Shadowing convoy. Secured Action Stations. Sent updated
contact report.

03.10 Received reply to second contact report. Ordered to break contact and return
to base.

03.15 Broke contact, set course for Wilhelmshaven.


30.09.39
-----------

Transit to base. Sea State:5




01.10.39
-----------

Transit to base. Sea State:5


02.10.39.
------------

Transit to base. Sea State:0


03.10.39.
------------

Transit to base. Sea State:1


04.10.39.
------------

Transit to base. Sea State:3


05.10.39.
------------

Transit to base. Sea State:3


06.10.39.
------------

Transit to base. Sea State:1



07.10.39.
------------

Transit to base. Sea State:1

09.00 Entered Wilhelmshaven.




Ships Hit
-----------------

1. Battleship-Queen Elizabeth Class 36450 tons. Possibly HMS Warspite.
Sunk in Grid AM 49 at 03.35 23.09.39 by torpedo.

2. Steam Trawler 330 tons
Sunk in Grid AM 81 16.09.39 by gunfire.

3. Steam Trawler 330 tons sunk in Grid AM 18 25.09.39
by gunfire.


Damage
----------

No serious damage incurred on patrol. All damage repaired at sea.

1. Leaks sprung in Bow Torpedo Room and Control room
after depth charge attacks.

2. Hydraulic Pump damaged.

3. Batteries damaged.

4. High Pressure Air lines leaking.

5. Lights shattered.

6. Radio Antenna damaged by machine gun fire.

7.Main Deck Planking damaged by light machine gun fire.


Weather, Seas, Tides, Sun, and Moon Data
------------------------------------------

Skies were mostly clear or had light cloud cover for most of patrol.
Sea state varied between 0 and 5, with average state of 4.

Tides were normal for Western Approaches.


Average Sunrise time was 07.30-08.15.

Average Sunset time was 19.30-20.20

Average Moonrise time was 20.00-21.00

Average Moonset was 04.00-05.00

Nights were dominated by full or half moons.



Navigational and Travel Data
--------------------------------

No Aides to Navigation were spotted. Buoys
and aides appeared to have been removed in order to not aid our forces.


Route followed was through North Sea, North of England to
assigned areas in Western approaches. Similar route was followed for transit home.Average transit speed was 9 kts. 11,550 kilometers were traveled during patrol, including
transit to and from base and in patrol grids.



Attacks
-------------

U-48 War Patrol One
Torpedo Attack No.1
September 22, 1930
19.01
Grid AM 8158
Sea State: 1
Moon-None


Attack No.1
Target Data
______________

Description:

Large convoy of 15+ merchant vessels. Escorted by Three destroyers,
and one Battleship. Original set up was on center column of tankers from inside convoy,
but a zig to the North East put U-48 outside on port side. Shortly after the Battleship
was observed and thus selected as target.


Result of attack.

Three torpedoes malfunctioned, prematurely detonated. One missed
ahead due to evasive movement by alerted target.

Verification-

Observed visually and heard three premature explosions.




Attack No.1
Target and Torpedo Data (At Firing)
______________________________________

Target No.1
--------------

Type Battleship
Class/Name Queen Elizabeth Class. Possibly HMS Warspite.
Tons 36,450
Draft 8.9 M
Mast 48.0 M
Length 195 M
Course 346
Speed 7 kts
Range 1200 M
AOB 80 P
Bearing 010
Note
Convoy escort.




Torpedo Data (At Firing)
--------------
Tube No. 1
Type TII G7e
Serial No.2551
Pistol Magnetic
Gyro 0
Course 081
Track 355 P
Depth 9.5 meters
Power Normal
Spread 0
Salvo Yes
Aim Point-Midships
Hit No
Impact Point-None
Note
Premature detonation.



Tube No. 2
Type TII G7e
Serial No.2552
Pistol Magnetic
Gyro 0
Course 081
Track 355 P
Depth 9.5 meters
Power Normal
Spread 0
Salvo Yes
Aim Point-Midships
Hit No
Impact Point-None
Note
Premature detonation.



Tube No. 3
Type TII G7e
Serial No.2553
Pistol Magnetic
Gyro 0
Course 081
Track 355 P
Depth 9.5 meters
Power Normal
Spread 2 degrees Starboard of center
Salvo Yes
Aim Point-Midships
Hit No
Impact Point-None
Note
Premature detonation.





Tube No. 4
Type TII G7e
Serial No.2554
Pistol Magnetic
Gyro 0
Course 081
Track 355 P
Depth 9.5 meters
Power Normal
Spread 2 degrees Port of center
Salvo Yes
Aim Point-Midships
Hit No
Impact Point-None
Note
Missed ahead when target conducted evasive movement after
alarted by premature detonations.



U-Boat Data
-------------

Depth: 13 Meters
Course 140
Speed 2 kts
Angle-0-Up-Down



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


U-48 War Patrol One
Torpedo Attack No.2
September 22, 1930
19.06
Grid AM 8158
Sea State: 1
Moon-None

Attack No.2
Target Data
______________

Description:

Follow up to Attack No.1 on battleship with stern tube.


Result of attack.

One torpedo impact in stern of target. Large explosion
and burning fire visible. Likely steering and propulsion damage to target.



Verification-

Observed via periscope one hit on stern, clearly audible to all as well.



Attack No.2
Target and Torpedo Data (At Firing)
______________________________________

Target No.1
--------------

Type Battleship
Class/Name Queen Elizabeth Class.Possibly HMS Warspite.
Tons 36,450
Draft 8.9 M
Mast 48.0 M
Length 195 M
Course 340
Speed 4 kts
Range 800 M
AOB 80 P
Bearing 010
Note
Target zigging.




Torpedo Data (At Firing)
--------------

Tube No. 5
Type TII G7e
Serial No.2565
Pistol Magnetic
Gyro 180
Course 091
Track 177 P
Depth 6 meters
Power Normal
Spread 0
Salvo No
Aim Point-Stern
Hit Yes
Impact Point- Stern
Note
Fire visible after hit, list port to stern. Possible
steering/propulsion damage to target.




U-Boat Data
-------------

Depth: 13 Meters
Course 261
Speed 2 kts
Angle- Up-Down-O


__________________________________________________ ________________
U-48 War Patrol One
Torpedo Attack No.3
September 23, 1939
00.12
Grid AM 8158
Sea State: 0
Moon-None


Attack No.3
Target Data
______________

Description:

Fired torpedo "down the throat" from stern tube at pursuing destroyer.


Result of attack.

Torpedo missed.


Attack No.3
Target and Torpedo Data (At Firing)
______________________________________

Target No.1
--------------

Type Destroyer
Class/Name Unidentified, British
Tons 1500 tons
Draft 5 M
Mast
Length
Course
Speed 30+ kt
Range 3500 M
AOB 0
Bearing 180
Note
Missed, target slowed when
observed wake in moonlight.




Torpedo Data (At Firing)
--------------

Tube No. 5
Type TI (G7a)
Serial No.11990
Pistol Magnetic
Gyro 180
Course 200
Track 180
Depth 3 meters
Power High
Spread 0
Salvo No
Aim Point-Bow
Hit No
Impact Point -None
Note
"Down the Throat" shot on pursuing destroyer.

Missed, but visible wake caused destroyer to evade. This slow down
permitted U-48's escape.



U-Boat Data
-------------

Depth: Surfaced
Course 005
Speed 18 kts
Angle-1-down-bow

__________________________________________________ ________



U-48 War Patrol One
Torpedo Attack No.4
September 23, 1930
03.19
Grid AM 49
Sea State:0
Moon-None


Attack No.4
Target Data
______________

Description:

Follow up attack on Battleship damaged by torpedo in Attack No.1

Result of attack.

Queen Elizabeth Class Battleship sunk.
36,450 tons. Grid AM 49.


Verification-

Observed four torpedoes hit target. Large explosions and fires,
in addition to existing damage from previous torpedo hit in Attack No.2.

Target began to list. Haerd many explosions and breaking up noises from target bearing.
Very close range.


Attack No.4
Target and Torpedo Data (At Firing)
______________________________________

Target No.1
--------------

Type Battleship
Class/Name Queen Elizabeth Class.Possibly HMS Warspite.
Tons 36,450
Draft 8.9 M
Mast 48.0 M
Length 195 M
Course 050
Speed 7 kts
Range 1000 meters
AOB 85 P
Bearing 012
Note
Damaged in previous attack.




Torpedo Data (At Firing)
--------------

Tube No.1
Type TI G7a
Serial No.2580
Pistol Magnetic
Gyro 0
Course 135
Track 15 P
Depth 6 meters
Power High
Spread 2 degrees
Salvo Yes
Aim Point- Midships
Hit Yes
Impact Point- Midships
Note



Tube No.2
Type TI G7a
Serial No.2581
Pistol Magnetic
Gyro 0
Course 135
Track 15 P
Depth 6 meters
Power High
Spread 2 degrees
Salvo Yes
Aim Point- Midships
Hit Yes
Impact Point- Midships
Note



Tube No.3
Type TI G7a
Serial No.2582
Pistol Magnetic
Gyro 0
Course 135
Track 15 P
Depth 6 meters
Power High
Spread 2 degrees
Salvo Yes
Aim Point- 2 degrees port of midships.
Hit Yes
Impact Point- Aft
Note


Tube No.4
Type TI G7a
Serial No.2583
Pistol Magnetic
Gyro 0
Course 135
Track 15 P
Depth 6 meters
Power High
Spread 2 degrees
Salvo Yes
Aim Point- Port 2 degrees port of midships.
Hit Yes
Impact Point- stern
Note


U-Boat Data
-------------

Depth: 13 Meters
Course 140
Speed 2 kts
Angle-0-up/down




__________________________________________________ ______________________


U-48 War Patrol One
Torpedo Attack No.5
September 29, 1939
02.05
Grid AM 73
Sea State: 5
Moon: Full


Attack No.5
Target Data
______________

Description:

Attack on large convoy in heavy seas and full moon. Fired on large
tanker in center column from 2000 meters outside convoy.

Result of attack-

Torpedoes prematurely detonated.


Verification-

Observed torpedoes explode one minute after firing.


Attack No.5
Target and Torpedo Data (At Firing)
______________________________________

Target No.1
--------------

Type Tanker
Class/Name Aft stack Tanker, Large. Name Unknown. British flagged.
Tons 10500
Draft 8.2 M
Mast 22.5 M
Length 154 M
Course 342
Speed 6 kts
Range 5900 M
AOB 70 P
Bearing 025
Note






Torpedo Data (At Firing)
--------------

Tube No.1
Type TI G7a
Serial No.2586
Pistol Magnetic
Gyro 15 L
Course 085
Track 10 S
Depth 5.5 M
Power Medium
Spread Divergent
Salvo No
Aim Point Amidships
Hit No
Impact Point- None
Note
Torpedo prematurely detonated.



Tube No.2
Type TI G7a
Serial No.2587
Pistol Magnetic
Gyro 15 L
Course 085
Track 10 S
Depth 5.5 M
Power Medium
Spread Divergent
Salvo No
Aim Point Amidships
Hit No
Impact Point- None
Note
Torpedo prematurely detonated.


Tube No.3
Type TI G7a
Serial No.2588
Pistol Magnetic
Gyro 15 L
Course 085
Track 10 S
Depth 5.5 M
Power Medium
Spread Divergent
Salvo No
Aim Point Amidships
Hit No
Impact Point- None
Note
Torpedo prematurely detonated.


U-Boat Data
-------------

Depth: Surfaced
Course 085
Speed 2 kts
Angle 2-Down-Bow


__________________________________________________ ___

U-48 War Patrol One
Torpedo Attack No.6
September 29, 1939
02.34
Grid AM 73
Sea State: 5
Moon: Full


Attack No.6
Target Data
______________

Description:

Second attack on 10500 ton tanker.


Result of attack-

Torpedo broached and prematurely detonated.


Verification-

Observed torpedo prematurely detonate after broaching.


Attack No.6
Target and Torpedo Data (At Firing)
______________________________________

Target No.1
--------------

Type Tanker
Class/Name Aft stack Tanker, Large. Name Unknown. British flagged.
Tons 10500
Draft 8.2 M
Mast 22.5 M
Length 154 M
Course 342
Speed 6 kts
Range 3000 M
AOB 80 P
Bearing 170
Note



Torpedo Data (At Firing)
--------------

Tube No.6
Type TI G7a
Serial No.2589
Pistol Magnetic
Gyro 11 R
Course 091
Track 13 S
Depth 5.5 M
Power Medium
Spread 0
Salvo No
Aim Point Midships
Hit No
Impact Point- None
Note
Torpedo prematurely detonated en route to target.



U-Boat Data
-------------

Depth: Surfaced
Course 260
Speed 4 kts
Angle 2-Down-Stern


Gunnery Attacks

No.1
16.09.39

Expended 14 rounds 8.8 cm High Explosive Rounds
for 12 hits. 330 ton steam trawler sunk.


No.2
25.09.39

Expended 12 High Explosive Rounds and four illumination rounds
for 12 HE hits. 330 ton steam trawler sunk.


100 2 cm AP rounds from 2 cm machine gun expended on target for 50+ hits

------------------------------------------

Enemy Anti-Submarine Countermeasures
--------------------------------------

British appear to have adapted convoy system as two large convoys
were encountered in area. Each convoy was well protected, the first
included the battleship sunk by torpedo and three destroyers.

Enemy "ASDIC" seemed adequate to detect and track the boat
up to around 100-140 meters. After reaching this depth the enemy
appeared to have trouble tracking. Enemy depth charge attacks were
persistent.

Enemy depth charges appeared to produce large and powerful explosions
but in nearly all cases they were set too shallow. This was likely due
to believing our U-Boat could not operate beyond certain depths
along with their ASDIC's trouble in tracking beyond certain depths.



Enemy merchant vessels encountered were not armed. However, these vessels displayed a penchant for attempting to ram our U-Boat as
this occurred, twice in two separate attacks. First, in a gunnery attack
on a 330 ton steam trawler, after several gun hits, the trawler turned as best speed to ram.

On the next occasion, after firing final torpedo from inside convoy,
a large merchant vessel of 5000 tons increased speed and turned towards
our U-Boat to ram. Increase to flank speed and application of rudder got us
out of danger but was challenging given the heavy sea state and close range
of vessel.



Torpedoes
------------

All fourteen torpedoes aboard were expended.

Eight torpedoes prematurely detonated
One torpedo missed target, alerted by premature detonations.

Five torpedoes hit target as aimed.



Remark
--------

Repeated torpedo failures prevented further success and waste of torpedoes.
A valuable 10500 ton enemy tanker was saved only by torpedo malfunctions.
However, crew and boat persevered in sinking a valuable enemy warship.