[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

+++++

- continued from 30 October 1941, 1200h -

1210 - Boat is being attacked by a HuntI destroyer, approaching the boat with zero angle and 28kn, bearing 287°.

1211 - At E=2800m, ALARM!

Cmdr.: Just before closing the conning tower hatch, I see a second destroyer bearing 270°, running in at our position at high speed with zero angle. The visibility is about 5500m. This means, that the escorts must have a radar range of well over 3000m, I suspect, at least twice that range.

1214 - While diving, the convoy can be heard in the sound gear, in Qu.5399BE top left.

1215 - At 2A-Meter, Silent Running. ASDIC and Wabos behind the boat, at the last ASDIC contact position.

1234 - One of the destroyers is running back to the convoy and almost overruns our position in doing so but doesn't detect the boat. The other destroyer keeps dropping Wabos.
In all, 75 Wabos are being dropped on the boat! No damages.

1237 - Setting A-Meter.

1250 - A-Meter. Setting reception depth.

1257 - T=20. Suspended silent running.

1259 - S-Tiefe. The second destroyer, a Clemson/Town Destroyer, is dropping Wabos about 3500m astern. Has a radar range of 7000m.

1300 - The convoy briefly comes into sight in the A-Periscope, ahead to port, E=5500. Seems to be zig-zagging around a mean course of WSW, consisting of about 16 steamers and 4 escorts.

1325 - According to sound contact, the convoy is running again on course SSW.

1330 - Surfaced after 1h 19min. and 3.9sm.

Cmdr.: I must try to locate the convoy and send a contact report, before being detected again by the escorts.

1337 - On course 180°. The convoy comes back into sight, E=5500.

1338 - Sending contact report:
"Gustav Gelb!". Convoy 0940/30 in Qu.5398BE middle, on course 200°, speed 7kn. 16 steamers and 4 escorts with 7000m radar range. - RST -

- to be continued -

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

+++++

- continued from 30 October 1941, 1338h -

1340 - Running off at high speed on course 245°. The Clemson/Town destroyer comes back into sight, bearing 113°. Running at high speed toward the position from where we sent the contact report but then turn toward the boat and approaches with zero angle and high bow wave.

1341 - Diving at E=3600.

1349 - At A-Meter, ASDIC but no detection. Silent Running and diving deeper.

1351 - AT A+20, Wabos at our diving position. In all, 45 Wabos are being dropped on the boat. No damages.

1414 - Back at A-Meter. Setting for reception depth.

1422 - T=20.

1423 - S-Tiefe. The Clemson/Town destroyer is sniffing around for us 4500m astern.

1438 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
RST: Convoy is OG.76. Attack independently if possible. Send report after attack.

Cmdr.: This means, that there are no boats available, that could be guided towards this convoy. I therefore decide, to run-off and continue with the delayed return cruise to base.

1507 - Incoming F.T.: From U 106:
U-Rasch reporting that it also sank a single ship, altogether 13000ts.

1520 - Surfaced after 39min. and 4.9sm. Weather unchanged. On course 290°.

1525 - Compressed air supply filled.

1535 - Outgoing F.T.: To B.d.U.:
According to sound contact, convoy OG.76 positioned at 1520h, in Qu.5633BE bottom middle, on course 200°, speed 6kn. Had to dive twice from directly approaching HuntI and Clemson/Town destroyer. Came with zero angle at high speed out of the haze, visibility 5500m. Suspect radar range of 7000m. Attack on convoy not possible due to no internal eels and weather. Running off and setting for delayed return voyage. 8 external Ato. 117cbm. ENE6/5, overcast, hazy visibility 3sm, ~1000mb. - RST -

1537 - Boat is running off in a circle to stbd. and astern of the convoy. After 5.5h, "Dismissed from Maneuver Stations!".

1554 - Incoming F.T.: From B.d.U.:
RST: Load external torpedoes under deck at first possible opportunity.

1601 - Incoming F.T.1559/30: From U 81:
"FL, FL, FL, BF 1887, U-81"! U-Guggenberger reporting that it is unable to dive and that it was attacked by a British Flying boat, American type Martin PBM 1. "From U-81 request fighters!".

1806 - Sundown. Weather unchanged since 29 Oct., 2400h.

Boat operating acc. Op.-Orders as per F.T.0601/27.

RST

Kptlt.&Cmdr.