Dark Waters-OM mod with darker nights mod enabled.
100 difficulty external cam on, map contacts off.
August 21, 1940
12.55
U-47, responding to a contact report located a Large Eastbound convoy in Grid AL 82. A contact report was sent and convoy was shadowed. A report was received ordering immediate attack.
U-47 infiltrated the forward screen of convoy submerged and set up on center column with large tankers. At 14.32 fired two TI G7a torpedoes on a 8500 ton tanker range 1700 meters, fired one TI at large merchant at 900 meters and one at a large merchant at 1000 meters.
Torpedoes 1 and 2 hit the tanker. Tanker assumed not loaded with fuel as did not burn nor explode, but a noticeable list to starboard quickly developed. Torpedo 3 hit the large merchant but failed to explode...torpedo was a dud!
Torpedo 4 missed its intended target as its visible wake allowed vessel to slow enough to avoid, torpedo passed just ahead perhaps 2 meters. Per orders magnetic pistols were not active.
However, torpedo 4 would hit a 5000 ton merchant in next column which went up in a impressive fireworks show, most likely ammunition ship. At this point, enemy corvette was closing fast. A hard dive to 100 meters was ordered, rigging for silent routine and wasserbombe.
After twenty minutes and a few close wasserbombe, enemy lost contact once reached depth of 120 meters. After some time, eased to periscope depth.
Observed tanker sinking by the bow, but not burning. A oil slick and debris field visible from the ammunition ship sunk. A Hog Island Type freighter was passing astern, opened aft tube and fired from 1500 meters.
Torpedo missed target but impacted a Modern Passenger/Freighter 4500 tons, leaving a large visible hole admiships, vessel burning profusely. Enemy destroyer immediately closed out position. Resumed silent routine and went to 120 meters. A somewhat intense attack with several close wasserbombe occurred but after one hour and a depth of 160 meters, slipped away.
The modern passenger freighter sunk at 15.42
Surfaced several hours later after all clear and raced ahead, conducting torpedo reload.
Plans for a night surface attack inside the convoy were spoiled by the near full moon. Instead, opted for attack down moon from outside convoy flooded down to reduce visibility.
August 22, 1940
01.50 Targeted 9000 ton freighter in center column range 7500 meters. Fired tubes 1,2,3 TI G7a set to low power. Fired Tube No. 4 TI G7a at 4600 ton tanker range 6500 meters.
Two of three torpedoes hit freighter. Torpedo 4 hit the tanker. Large fires and explosions visible. Torpedo which missed target failed to hit anything and reached its end of run.
With decks awash U-47 turned to fire stern tube at outside column not just 3000 meters away. However, a enemy corvette suddenly emerged from the night firing, turned for down the throat shot.
A round from her forward gun found its mark, hitting U-47 in the stern, holing the sub. Stern tube disabled, compartment began to flood. Ordered boat to surface and manned guns. However, the flooding soon caused boat to sink to 8 meters, those on deck gun and AA gun aft were washed overboard. Boat maintained depth at 8 meters, with conning tower exposed.
A British destroyer arrived on scene at high speed and closed in, outrunning the corvette. While her main guns missed, her machine guns scored hits killing some on bridge. Continued attempts to blow tanks and surface briefly brought sub to 6 meters, but it soon sunk back to 8 meters.
Enemy destroyer rammed U-47, crippling the vessel, killing or knocking all remaining topside overboard. U-47 disappeared beneath the waves within seconds.
