Quote:
Originally Posted by Kapitän
Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...
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Saturday, 7 November 1942 - Gotenhafen-Oxhöft
Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.; Freg.Kpt.d.R. Ernst HASSHAGEN) and 22nd U-Flotilla (Korvkpt. Wilhelm Ambrosius):
Dry-Run Exercises with Machinery/Mechanics; Weapons; Torpedoes.
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"Milkcow" U 462 (Oblt. Bruno Vowe) reports ship sailing alone in EH 6199 on S. Westerly course. She was given orders to keep contact for U 128 (Kptlt. Ullrich Heyse) which is nearby. At 2016 hours the ship was in EH 6461. No further reports.
Rather than to worry about the former area, which was at best unproductive, U 161 (Kptlt. Albrecht Achilles) and U 126 (Kptlt. Ernst Bauer) moved E. and W. (Former area off Lagos and Takoradi).
Vichy French General Antoine Béthouart attempts a failed coup d'etat in North Africa, which alarms defenses.
U 620 (Oblt. Heinz Stein) has been standing off Lisbon on the 3 mile limit for 3 days. Sightings: 8 - 10 neutral ships per day, each having a red cross insignia but no flag. Clarification of this unusual procedure will be requested from France.
In the morning, British 7th Armoured Division clashes with our 21st Panzer Division about 24 kilometers southwest of Sidi Haneish, Egypt. British tanks win the engagement, but fail to prevent our troops from withdrawing to Mersa Matruh.
In view of the situation in the Mediterranean, Group Delphin U 755 (Kptlt. Walter Göing) and U 595 (Kptlt. Jürgen Quaet-Faslem) were ordered to try and break through the Straits of Gibraltar as soon as possible. Boats are to sail course 5° W. without further orders on Mediterranean circuit and come under Officer Commanding U-boats Mediterranean.
The Führer departs the Wolfsschanze headquarters at Rastenburg, Ostpreußen (now Ketrzyn, Poland) for München, traveling aboard his private train "Amerika".
RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115
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Started new career in August 2019 to commemorate the beginning of WWII, 80 years before ...
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Sunday, 8 November 1942 - Gotenhafen-Oxhöft
Work-up's and Trials with the U.A.K. (Kpt.z.S.R. BRÄUTIGAM), the 2nd Training Division (U.L.D.; Freg.Kpt.d.R. Ernst HASSHAGEN) and 22nd U-Flotilla (Korvkpt. Wilhelm Ambrosius):
Dry-Run Exercises with Machinery/Mechanics; Weapons; Torpedoes.
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Allied forces attack French forces at the Moroccan ports of Safi and Casablanca, and the Algerian ports of Oran and Algiers during
Operation Torch, capturing the Moroccan ports and Algiers surrendering at 1800 hours. The Allies suffer
heavy losses at Oran and Fehala.
U.S.A. Submarine SS Gunnel (SS-253) uses
infra-red signals to guide ships to an invasion beach.
Meanwhile,
Axis defenses in Egypt fall back to Sidi Barrani, and many units of the
German Luftflotte 4 are transferred from Stalingrad to North Africa.
Due to the landing of Americans in French Morocco, U 155 - 515 - 103 - 411 - 572 - 108 - 173 and U 130 received orders to set course for DJ 19 at top speed. U 510 - 752 - 511 - 185 - 519 - 91 and U 86 also approached the areas sailing 200 miles during the 24 hour period. The following boats were sent southwards on course for CG 87: U 413 - 263 - 98 - 218 - 92 - 566 - 564 - 653 and U 613. Group Delphin, composed of U 595 - 755 - 407 - 596 - 259 - 617 and U 380 steered for CH 8477 at highest speed possible. U 572 received later orders to go to DJ 2524 (Fedala).
U 509 has transferred torpedoes and is sailing for DJ 19.
Boats remaining in N. Atlantic are making for the following areas at cruising speed: U 521 - AK 83; U 84 - AK 91; U 704 - AK 94; U 624 - AK 95; U 753 - AK 98; U 224 - AK 99; U 383 - BD 32; U 606 - BD 33; U 454 - BD 31. In order to extend the operation, it is proposed to refuel the boats which need it from "Milkcow" U 460 (Kptlt. Ebe Schnoor) on 17 November.
U 103 and U 108 have been
supplied by U 509 (IXC; KrvKpt. Werner Witte).
U 595 (Kptlt. Jürgen Quaet-Faslem) has
passed through the Straits of Gibraltar and now comes under the command of Officer Commanding U-boats in the Mediterranean.
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North African Operations:
At 0630 the head of Naval High Command was informed by B.d.U. of the large scale of the landing operations underway on the Moroccan Coast by the Americans.
Estimate of the situation: The invasion of the Algerian and Moroccan coasts must be treated as a large scale operation, for which the enemy will need an enormous amount of supplies. Operations of U-boats began too late for the first landings, since the U-boats will not appear on the scene until 9 to 11 November. U-boat activities can indeed make serious inroads on shipment of supplies. Prospects of success should not be regarded too highly for the following reasons:
a) Boats must operate in water of less than 50 meters depth when attacking troop transports and warships.
b) Heavy aircraft operations from Gibraltar using long range planes, carrier borne aircraft. Operations of fast bombers is expected from air fields installed in the meantime.
c) Heavier destroyer and corvette patrols must be reckoned with.
U-boats can make only stationary attacks. U-boat activities can be regarded as favorable by the enemy as regards their course. Each attack therefore means complete operation. Nevertheless, the importance of these supply trains calls for all-out U-boat operations. Hence: B.d.U. has ordered the following, without advice of Naval High Command. U 155 - 515 - 103 - 108 - 411 - 572 - 173 - 130 to proceed at high speed and U 510 - 752 - 511 - 185 - 519 - 91 and U 86 to average 200 miles per day and to steer for DJ 19.
An order for full speed is pointless due to heavy seas and the fact that the large consumption of fuel would limit later activities of the boats.
Incoming message No. 2291/42 Secret from Naval High Command.
1) On the basis of present situation the focal point of action for U-boats is the landing of the enemy and supply trains for which the enemy is waiting.
1.A) The Casablanca area, Safi and Port Lyautey being the most important harbors for flanking action. According to reports received, the enemy attack on Casablanca ia already underway.
1.B) Traffic from England and America to the Mediterranean comes through the Azores - Gibraltar area where boats are being sent as fast as possible. Intentions are reported with the numbers of the boats.
2) It is not contemplated sending more boats to the Mediterranean after Group Delphin has been sent in, at least not for the time being. Further operations will depend on the development of the situation.
Radio order:
1) U 413 - 263 - 98 - 218 - 92 - 566 - 564 - 653 - 613 ordered to make for CG 87, averaging 200 miles per day.
2) Action discontinued on Neumann convoy.
Purpose: To employ a large number of boats first against landing operations on the Moroccan coast. Later to attack ships W. of Gibraltar as they approach the Mediterranean with supplies.
RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115