U-36 Lost at Sea

GoldenRivet · 12-27-10, 06:41 PM

(based on in game events)

2 January 1941

1241 hours

U-36 sighted an approaching ship and submerged.

The vessel was identified as the 2200 ton S.S. Melbourne Star of British registry.

Observing that the vessel was armed, the commander elected to attack from a submerged position.

U-36 fired a spread of 2 torpedoes at the merchant. The first struck aft killing the stern gun crew. The second struck the bow.

The Melbourne Star developed a heavy list to port and its crew took to lifeboats.

In keeping with the previous commander's tradition of dispersing a small ration of water and food to lone survivors, U-36 was ordered to the surface and approached the stranded men.

two life boats were observed, each containing 4 sailors. U-36's commander ordered the flak guns armed and sent armed men forward to the deck gun as a precaution.

2 metal canisters of water were dispersed to the survivors and U-36 began a hard to starboard turn at approximately 2 knots to distance the boat from the half sunken Melbourne Star.

The commander went below to confer with the Navigator.

Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the u-boat. Upon finding his footing, the commander rushed back up to the bridge.

The watch officer lay obviously dead on the deck with horrifying wounds. The stern of the Melbourne Star was seen to vanish beneath a flame covered sea. The Flak gunner was badly burned but alive. The three petty officers on the forward deck were seen floating in the water face down. the lifeboats had been reduced to floating bits of rubber and cloth and the 8 survivors of the Melbourne Star were nowhere to be found.

Damage reports poured in. Heavy flooding fore and aft. Within minutes the stern torpedo room was evacuated and sealed. It became apparent that U-36 would soon succumb to her wounds.

The order to abandon ship was given and a short radio message was sent to BDU

"U36 BE39 BLAST :: SINKING :: 36 MEN REQ RESCUE"

of the 40 crew aboard U-36, 4 were dead, 1 badly burned, several suffered minor injuries. the 36 survivors took to rafts.

six hours later, the men were taken aboard U-29 and returned to Lorient. The severely burned crewman died in route.

U36 sank at 1313 hours after 13 months in the war, on her 13th patrol. (seriously

)

10 patrols under the command of KptLt. Josef Vogler, and 3 under the command of Lt z.s. August Akermann.

the boat had claimed just over 359,000 tons of allied shipping since heading to combat in December of 1939

Gargamel · 12-27-10, 09:39 PM

Dang explosive lifeboats!

Guess I'll start waiting a little longer to help them tommies out.

Condolences GR!

GoldenRivet · 12-27-10, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gargamel

Dang explosive lifeboats!

Guess I'll start waiting a little longer to help them tommies out.

Condolences GR!

explosive merchant.... she blew on the way down in a big way with only a margin of about 100-200 meters between us.

this sank a boat or two in real life.

Arnold · 12-28-10, 12:04 AM

^
Good information to know. Thanks! I'll give every ship a wide berth after taking a shot at them.

kapuhy · 12-28-10, 05:57 AM

I've lost my first boat this way. Now I have a habit of turning away and going to full speed as soon as I notice that the enemy ship is about to sink.

12-27-10, 06:41 PM	#1
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,717 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	U-36 Lost at Sea (based on in game events) 2 January 1941 1241 hours U-36 sighted an approaching ship and submerged. The vessel was identified as the 2200 ton S.S. Melbourne Star of British registry. Observing that the vessel was armed, the commander elected to attack from a submerged position. U-36 fired a spread of 2 torpedoes at the merchant. The first struck aft killing the stern gun crew. The second struck the bow. The Melbourne Star developed a heavy list to port and its crew took to lifeboats. In keeping with the previous commander's tradition of dispersing a small ration of water and food to lone survivors, U-36 was ordered to the surface and approached the stranded men. two life boats were observed, each containing 4 sailors. U-36's commander ordered the flak guns armed and sent armed men forward to the deck gun as a precaution. 2 metal canisters of water were dispersed to the survivors and U-36 began a hard to starboard turn at approximately 2 knots to distance the boat from the half sunken Melbourne Star. The commander went below to confer with the Navigator. Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked the u-boat. Upon finding his footing, the commander rushed back up to the bridge. The watch officer lay obviously dead on the deck with horrifying wounds. The stern of the Melbourne Star was seen to vanish beneath a flame covered sea. The Flak gunner was badly burned but alive. The three petty officers on the forward deck were seen floating in the water face down. the lifeboats had been reduced to floating bits of rubber and cloth and the 8 survivors of the Melbourne Star were nowhere to be found. Damage reports poured in. Heavy flooding fore and aft. Within minutes the stern torpedo room was evacuated and sealed. It became apparent that U-36 would soon succumb to her wounds. The order to abandon ship was given and a short radio message was sent to BDU "U36 BE39 BLAST :: SINKING :: 36 MEN REQ RESCUE" of the 40 crew aboard U-36, 4 were dead, 1 badly burned, several suffered minor injuries. the 36 survivors took to rafts. six hours later, the men were taken aboard U-29 and returned to Lorient. The severely burned crewman died in route. U36 sank at 1313 hours after 13 months in the war, on her 13th patrol. (seriously ) 10 patrols under the command of KptLt. Josef Vogler, and 3 under the command of Lt z.s. August Akermann. the boat had claimed just over 359,000 tons of allied shipping since heading to combat in December of 1939 __________________

12-27-10, 09:39 PM	#2
Gargamel Lucky Sailor Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Rome Posts: 4,272 Downloads: 81 Uploads: 0	Dang explosive lifeboats! Guess I'll start waiting a little longer to help them tommies out. Condolences GR! __________________ Luck is a residue of Design.

12-28-10, 12:04 AM	#4
Arnold Gunner Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: 44.26'N 83.20'W Posts: 100 Downloads: 22 Uploads: 0	^ Good information to know. Thanks! I'll give every ship a wide berth after taking a shot at them.

12-28-10, 05:57 AM	#5
kapuhy Grey Wolf Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Poland Posts: 874 Downloads: 72 Uploads: 3	I've lost my first boat this way. Now I have a habit of turning away and going to full speed as soon as I notice that the enemy ship is about to sink.