[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

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Wednesday, 3 September 1941 - West of Ireland -

0125 - Qu.9555AL -

0542 - Sunrise. Weather unchanged in 48h.

1200 - Qu.9753AL - Days Run: 226.2sm - (↗ 24h).
63.3cbm (3.5cbm/24h) +1.3 Reserve. 14 internal torpedoes. 10.5cm: 81xSpG+28xLkG; M.G.-C/30-2cm: 7820. 9100Ah.

1245 - Qu.9755AL - NNE5/4, partly cloudy, light haze, good visibility, >1000mb.

1600 - NW7/6, partly cloudy, light haze, good visibility, >1000mb.

1640 - The "Rosenbaum" convoy has not been found. However, outward bound U 98 (Gysae), contacted an outward bound convoy in AL 9656. Course 240°. It is probably the "OG" convoy that was inadequately reported by Air reconnaissance on 2.9. Group "Seewolf" should be about 100 to 180 miles W.S.W. of the convoy and we are also in position to intercept. Gysae was only able to distinguish a cruiser and 8 steamers. However, we have at least an exact enemy position to work on again. Data on inward convoys are old (in BD 3661 at 0016 on 2.9.). Even if we still succeed in picking up the "Rosenbaum" convoy, little time will remain for attacking, as it is already in the rendezvous area. Weather and especially visibility, is expected to be more favorable in the south than in the north during the next few days. B.d.U. therefore, decides to give up all idea of attacking the inward bound convoy and to commit all boats in an operation against the outward convoy.

2107 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since 1600h.

Boat operating on convoy "Gysae".

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.

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

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Thursday, 4 September 1941 - West of The Channel -

0145 - Qu.1355BE -
New course 180°.

0600 - Sunrise.
Weather unchanged since 3.9., 1600h.

0601 - Neither Air reconnaissance nor other boats succeeded in finding the "Gysae" convoy. The search is being continued in the sector from 180° to 220° based on the last known enemy position. Two boats are being allocated to each sector.

0835 - Qu.1655BE -

0903 - L.I. reporting that we have 60cbm fuel left (25%).

1200 - Qu.1922BE - Days Run: 208.4sm - (↗ 24h).
57.1cbm (7.5cbm/24h). 9100Ah. 14 internal torpedoes.
10.5cm: 81xSpG+28xLkG; M.G.-C/30-2cm: 7820.

1520 - Qu.1955BE -

1837 - The U.S.A. destroyer "Greer" reports that she was unsuccessfully attacked with torpedoes by a submarine at noon today. A query put to the most likely submarines showed that U 652 (Fraatz) had encountered the destroyer and had been attacked with 3 depth charges. She reported that she had been forced to sheer of. Double miss observed. Moderate depth charge pursuit.

Further investigation will reveal that a British bomber had signaled the American destroyer USS Greer (DD 145) that U-Fraatz (part of Group "Markgraf") was in the vicinity (Qu. AD 8550, Southwest of Icland). "Greer" picked up a sonar contact at close range and started to track the boat. The aircraft dropped four depth charges and then left the scene. Shortly afterwards, Fraatz fired a torpedo at Greer, believing she was responsible. Greer then went on the attack and a two hour battle followed, during which she dropped 19 depth charges and Fraatz fired another torpedo - no damage to either side. US President Roosevelt will use this event in his campaign to convince the US to go to war against Germany and the "undeclared war" between German U-boats and US escorts will escalate dramatically from this point onward.

2058 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since 3.9., 1600h.

2210 - Qu.4355BE -

Boat operating on convoy "Gysae".

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.