[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

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- continued from 24 April, 0439h -

0442 - Surfaced after 1h 30min. and 4.3sm.
Weather and Sea unchanged. The steamers are about 4000m ahead. Boat is moving back to the darker luff side of the convoy. Battery 9500Ah, Compressed Air Supply 5.5Atü.

0446 - On Course 60°. 2x1/3-Ahead.

Cmdr.: The plan is to engage the steamers with the deck gun one-by-one from the rear, as they are positioned in front of the halfmoon.

0455 - Light damages to the Flak repaired. The steamers are now back in keel-line, on course 98°.

0515 - Approaching with a narrow angle, first on course 118°, and now on course 96°. Back to "Battle Stations!". "Manning Deck Gun!".

0520 - Qu.8968DO - The steamers are postioned in front of the halfmoon in relative bearing 006°, E=2000. Small-Ahead/7kn. At E=2000, "Weapons Free!".

0523 - After 18 shots and 16 hits (101 remaining), the rear Coastal Freighter sinks, all the while, firing with her stern gun. 1 boat with 3-4 survivors is seen, while chasing after the Side-Wheeler.

0524 - After 5 shots and 4 hits (96 remaining), the Side-Wheeler sinks, also, firing a deck gun during the engagement. In total 22 shots and 20 hits were scored on her. 1 boat with 3-4 survivors is seen.

0530 - "Weapons Free!", on the Coastal Tanker. E=1500.

0532 - After 15 shots and 14 hits (81 remaining), the Coastal Tanker sinks, all the while exploding and burning but sinking only after a total of 16 hits. 1 boat with 3-4 survivors is seen.

0533 - Compressed Air Supply filled. The boat has to chase down the lead Coastal Freighter, that is zig-zagging and senden "SSS".

0540 - "Weapons Free!", on the lead Coastal Freighter. E=2000.

0544 - After 17 shots and hits (64 remaining), the Coastal Freighter sinks under very thick smoke (had heavy smoke all along). Approached the sinking position and questioned and supplied 7 survivors in 2 boats.

0600 - Running off with high speed on southerly heading.
"Dismissed from Battle Stations!".

- to be continued -

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

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- continued from 24 April, 0600h -

0735 - Qu.2332ED - Reached ordered patrol grid!
On new course 218°. Small-Ahead, 205RPM.

0835 - Morning Dawn. "All Engines Stop!".

0840 - Commencing of loading 2 external torpedoes under deck.

0900 - Incoming F.T.: From U 154:
Sank 3 tankers and 2 freighters in the area of the Greater Antilles, 28715ts. - KKpt. Kölle -

0918 - Sunrise. Weather and Sea unchanged since 23 April, 1300h.

1000 - 2 Ato loaded in the bow compartment above the floor plates. 6 internal Eto, 8 internal Ato and 4 external Ato.

1015 - Incoming F.T.: From U 459:
The following have been supplied: U-Scholtz - 35 cbm and provisions for 12 days. U-Cremer - 40 cbm and provisions for 14 days. U-Suhren approximately 25 cbm and provisions for 10 days. - von Wilamowitz-Möllendorf -

1019 - 2x325RPM/11.5kn(1/3-Ahead).

1030 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.:
Status report: On 20 April, 1417h, Alarm from single Catalina in 230°true, on course NE, no bombs, Qu.9844DP.
On 24 April, from 0307h until 0544h, destroyed coastal convoy 2340/23 on course 98° with 2 Ato and deck gun, Qu.8959DO to Qu.8968DO, 1 patrol boat, 1 tanker, 4 freighters, 8991ts. Reached ordered patrol grid and have taken 2 external Ato under deck. 14 internal and 4 external eels. 192cbm. NNW1/1, partly cloudy, light haze, good visibility, >1000mb. Continuing acc. Op.-Orders. - RST -

1038 - Incoming F.T.: From U 553:
"GUSTAV GELB!". Convoy sighted in BE 7317, on course 20°, 8 knots, 12 ships, so far 2 destroyers distinguished. - Thurmann -

1059 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
RST: Sinkings recorded. Report imediately in case of any survivors. - B.d.U. -

1102 - F.T. from B.d.U.: To U 553:
Thurmann: Do not attack and continue outward passage.
- B.d.U. -

1111 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.:
On 24 April, 0545h, questioned and supplied 7 survivors in 2 boats from Small Coastal Steamer Santa Teresa, in Qu.8968DO. - RST -

1200 - Qu.2353ED - Days Run: 241.1sm - ↗ 236.8sm (22h 30') - ↘ 4.3sm (1h 30').
192cbm (9cbm/24h). Battery 9500Ah. 14+4 Torpedoes. 10.5cm: 64xSpG, 29xLkG. On course 219°. Weather and Sea unchanged since 23 April, 1300h.

1216 - Small Ahead.

1255 - Qu.2355ED - On new course 135°.

1807 - Norddeich Radio sending report about successes of the 4th Wave of Paukenschlag boats: U 552 (Kptlt.Topp) 7 ships for 45,731ts; U 754 (Kptlt.Oestermann) 4 ships for 29,309ts, and a Canadian convoy of steam tugs for 2,759ts; U 203 (Kptlt.Mützelburg) 2 ships for 14,232ts, plus the tankers Harry F Sinclair and Stanvac Melbourne torpedoed; U 571 (Kptlt.Möhlmann) 3 ships for 24,319ts; and U 572 (Kptlt.Hirsacker 2 ships for 9,532ts, and the British tanker Ensis damaged.

1843 - On newe course 270°.

2134 - Sundown. Weather and Sea unchanged since 23 April, 1300h.

Boat patrolling ordered patrol grid.

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.