Tell us what you're up to in current campaign (lets get this one going lol)

[Kapitän]

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

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Monday, 18 January 1943 - Stettin

Conducting tactical exercises and training with the 4th Training Flotilla (Freg.Kpt. Heinz FISCHER), Stettin and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. H. MÜLLER).

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Operation Spark, which commenced 6 days earlier, successfully openes a corridor into Leningrad. The Soviet government announces the end of the siege, although that state will still continue until 27 Jan 1943.

The Soviets capture Cherkessk in the Caucasus region.

Late in the day, three He 111 transport aircraft of unit III./KG 55 attempt to land at the small Gumrak Airfield at Stalingrad. The first lands but will not be able to takeoff again, the second makes ten failed attempts at lining up with the wreck-strewn short runway but ultimately pushes its cargo of 20 sacks of bread out of the bomb bay doors without landing, and the third follows suit.

British submarine Thunderbolt departed Malta for Tripoli, Libya, with two Chariot manned torpedoes. The two Chariot teams discover the harbor to be empty of ships and become stuck far behind enemy lines. One team is captured and the other escapes and eventually finds the advancing British 8th Army.

From 1030 groups "Falke" and Habicht" approached the convoy at 1030 at a speed of 4 knots in bad weather conditions and remained in position line reached at 1400 as patrol lines. U 594 (Oblt. Friedrich Mumm) and U 226 (Kptlt. Rolf Borchers) were attacked in the afternoon by "Consolidated" and wheeled aircraft.
At sunset both groups again proceeded at a speed of 6 knots to the W. and slow up at 1130 in patrol lines from AD 7926 to AK 6142 also AK 6181 to AK 9317. If the convoy has not yet passed the lines, a one to one and a half days postponement must have taken place. It is intended to remain in patrol lines during the day and if the convoy is then not intercepted to be redisposed in another area.

U 614 (Kptlt. Wolfgang Sträter) and U 456 (Kptlt. Max-Martin Teichert) who were both detailed to operate on the HX convoy broke off operations at dawn and steered a course for AL 94 at economical cruising speed.

Group "Delphin" proceeded on a course of 285°, with a speed of 6 knots at 1100 and remained as patrol from CE 7162 to DF 3669 at 2030. Passage further to the W. is not intended. The passing of the convoy can still be expected.

In order to intercept another convoy expected on 20.1 and yet another on 21.1., Group "Jaguar" is to take up the following patrol lines from AJ 7915 to BC 2135. Order: U 337 - 413 - 598 - 594 - 96 - 266 - 123 - 706 and 622.

US government bannes the sale of sliced bread by commercial bakers; they must sell their bread in entire loaves in order to save wrapping material. The ban will be lifted on 8 Mar 1943 after officials realized the ban was ineffective.

U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts exercises with the AGRU-Front Hela.

RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

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

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Tuesday, 19 January 1943 - Stettin

Conducting tactical exercises and training with the 4th Training Flotilla (Freg.Kpt. Heinz FISCHER), Stettin and AGRU-Front, (Kvt.Kpt.-Ing. H. MÜLLER).

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Aircraft Carrier USS Ranger (CV-4) launched 72 USAAF P-40F fighters off Casablanca, French Morocco, to reinforce Allied forces fighting in North Africa. Ranger began withdrawing toward Norfolk, Virginia almost immediately.

As the expected convoy was not found during the day, its appearance must no longer be anticipated. The groups "Falke" and Habicht" will be relieved of their duties and each redistributed according to their fuel supply. The boats form the group "Haudegen". Boats with less fuel will be disposed in reconnaissance lines from AL 4447 to BE 2136.
Southwestward bound convoy is expected on 24.1. Boats arriving early in position are to submerge during the day in order to avoid interception by English air reconnaissance.

According to a Radio Intelligence report received a north bound convoy close to the Newfoundland coast is expected sooner than was first presumed. Group "Jaguar", therefore received orders to take up position in new reconnaissance lines from AJ 7561 to AJ 8827 at 0000 on 20.1. From 1200 on 20.1. to proceed at a speed of 4 knots on a reconnaissance line, course 200°. The strip from AJ 7565 to AJ 8818 is to be narrowed owing to the temporary breakdown of U 96 (Oblt. Hans-Jürgen Hellriegel; ex Lehmann-Willenbrock) .

U 43, 521, 218 and 518 proceed at economical cruising speed to DU 72. U 66 is to occupy grid DU 72 and 73 as temporary operations area after execution of the special duties. According to agents reports there is strong north-south traffic in this area. For this reason the boats are not taking up the intended reconnaissance channels to the S.

U 109 (Kptlt. Heinrich 'Ajax' Bleichrodt) has taken the Warrant Quartermaster from U 558 (Kptlt. Günther Krech) on board and continues the return passage.

U 507 (Korvkpt. Harro Schacht) reported convoy in FB 5643 on 13.1. It received orders to attack. In spite of repeated requests boat has not reported since then. It must be presumed to have been sunk by the convoy escort, and considered lost (along with Master Donald MacCallum of the Baron Dechmont, sunk on 3 Jan., and taken prisoner).

U 648 (Ltnt.z.S.d.R. Peter-Arthur Stahl) conducts exercises with the AGRU-Front Hela.

RST
KorvKpt.& Cmdr. U 115