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

Kapitän · 09-30-22, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

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Tuesday, 29 September 1942 - Paris, Avenue Maréchal Maunoury

In the area around Route "Kernleder", searching for missing men from U 165 (FrgKpt. Eberhard Hoffmann).

U 202 (Kptlt. Günter Poser): Spread missed a large tanker in ED 9839. Detonation against own side, probably an explosive float. At night bombs were dropped, cooperation suspected, moderate damage.

U 177 and U 181 have been given GR 80 as approach point. It is intended that they shall operate in the area East of the Cape of Good Hope.

Distribution of attack areas for new boats arriving in the Freetown area is as follows:
Sectors with reference point Freetown: U 87, 145° - 80°; U 333, 80° - 30°; U 107, 30° - 330°. U 590 in ET 7235 to a depth of 400 miles.

U 217 refueled in DE 8299 sufficiently to return at economy speed.
U 507 did likewise in DT 74.

RST
KvtKpt.& A I op
(convoy staff officer)

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

+++++++

Wednesday, 30 September 1942 - Paris, Avenue Maréchal Maunoury

Our Luftwaffe Ace "Jochen" Marseille has fallen:
After a dive bomber escorting mission, the engine of Hauptmann Hans-Joachim Marseille's Bf 109G-6 fighter caught fire southeast of El Imayid, Egypt. Unable to make it back to his airfield due to black smoke entering the cockpit, our 22-year-old "Star of Africa" attempted to bail out, but while doing so he struck the vertical stabilizer across his chest and hip. He fell to his death 7 kilometers south of Sidi Abdel Rahman, Egypt at 1142 hours. For a moment, a horrific blow to our morale, which however, only strengthens our determination and resolve in seeing through our war effort until final victory.

+++++++

Briefing and hand-over of my duties as 1. Admiralstabsoffizier operativ (A I op) 'Geleitzugs-Asto' (convoy staff officer) to my successor Kptlt. Adalbert Schnee (formerly, commander of U 201).
In his new role, Kptlt. Adalbert ("Adi") Schnee, will take over my task of planning and organising operations against Allied convoys:

Submarine situation and intended operations.

Note: Submarine situation reports will be sent to Naval War Staff at pre-set intervals. They will set out a summarized assessment of the situation and the intentions of B.d.U.

1) Convoy situation in the North Atlantic:
Contrary to convoy methods during the first six months of 1942, convoys are no scattered over a wider area. Even so, the spacing out is not nearly so great as in Autumn 1941, and remain within certain limits on either side of the Great Circle. Information gathered through Radio Intercept Intelligence and experienced gained on the timing of convoys have made it possible to track down convoys, especially when westbound. Prospects are still considered favorable on this respect. The successes scored against the convoy from 9-13 Sept. and the failure from 20-22 Sept. clearly show the decisive role played by the weather. When operating against North Atlantic convoys the medium sized submarines have the advantage.

2) St. Lawrence and Belle Isle Straits:
The operations carried out by 3 boats have been very successful. Defences proved comparatively weak and were limited to direct convoy escorts. Further boats are to be sent out to make the most of this situation.

3) East coast of North America:
Operations ongoing for some time; busy shipping well defended convoys close inshore in shallow water; good successes, but also caused several losses. Air patrolling is particularly strong. But when occasion arises it is planned that single boats shall lay mines.

4) Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea:
Comparatively high losses have been suffered, probably through air attacks.
Radar interception gear can certainly protect the boats at night, but it cannot facilitate attack. Thus it is intended to station at most single boats in this area if the occasion offers. The area concerned is that of Old Bahama Channel - Windward Passage - Jamaica, where the majority of convoys pass through. Climatic conditions and the necessity for lengthy submersion result in strain for the crew, so that a lengthy stay offers little chance of success.
U 202 (Kptlt. Günter Poser) has been ordered to operate East of 52° West, off Trinidad, as electric compressor has broken down.

5) Area round Trinidad:
West of Trinidad the conditions are rather similar to the above. The likelihood of contacting convoys is of course, greater near the port of departure. On the other hand, the area East of Trinidad has proved exceptionally favorable. Convoys have not yet been observed here, air patrolling is less, naval anti-submarine measures (destroyers) have been observed for the first time recently. The difficulty lies in picking up the obviously frequently varied approach courses of the single ships, and this accounts for the patchy nature of successes.
It is striking that so far only a little eastbound shipping has been contacted. It is possible that this is only exceptionally routed via Trinidad.
With the Freetown area, the area East of Trinidad will continue to be the focal point for large submarines. Medium sized boats can and will be employed there, provided previous refueling from submarine tankers is possible.

6) North - South Convoy Route ("SL" and "OS" convoys):
It has been repeatedly possible to pick up "SL" convoys according to plan, though admittedly so far north pursuit could not be continued very long because of the appearance of air escorts. The drawback of operating against these convoys is that when a convoy has been missed the next one does not pass for about 10 days.
Thus these operations are worth while only when carried out by submarines en route for the Freetown area, i.e. for medium sized boats only if they can be refueled.
Accordingly Group "Iltis", which is at present operating here, is to proceed farther into the Freetown area after refueling.

7) Freetown area:
Has again proved very fruitful. Despite numerous successes, a major change of the shipping route or a soft-laid reaction by the enemy in reply to the sinkings has not been noticed. A major change of route would not be possible either here or in Trinidad.
It is intended that Group "Iltis" shall operate after refueling with other large boats.

8) Harbors in the Gulf of Guinea:
No experience is yet available for these harbors. 2 large boats have left for this area, two Italian boats will also operate.

9) Intended operations for Cape Town and East Africa:
Are given separately, also opinion on sanctioning attacks on the coast of Brazil.
Group "Eisbär" (U 68, 172, 159, 504) U 179 and U 178 have been given operational freedom in the area bounded as follows, once the first surprise attack has been carried out:
FE 9179 - GZ 1599 - coast of Africa. Southern boundary 40° South. U 179 has been ordered to wait in left half of GR 40 until attack is sanctioned.

10) Off Iceland:
At present the first attempt to operate with submarines against Murmansk convoys. Light nights and powerful air patrolling prevent successful operations here during the summer. Despite this, it has been possible for single ships to remain off Reykjavik for a long time.
It is intended to send out single boats here when there is an opportunity during the new moon period. When more reliable news that a "PQ" convoy will shortly leave port, several boats should also be available, providing they put out from home waters.

11) The situation in Coastal Waters and in the Bay of Biscay:
Is governed as before by the danger of air attacks and mines.

Although U 165 (FrgKpt. Eberhard Hoffmann) announced that she was entering on 28 Sept., she has not yet arrived. Air reconnaissance yielded no information. The loss of the boat must be assumed, probably through bombing attack. There was a reliable sounding radio announcement of submarine sinking by the R.A.F. in the Bay of Biscay.
The repeated requests regarding the air forces and the naval forces under Admiral Western Defences can merely be emphasized once again.

Luftwaffe bombers attacked Lancing and Colchester, England.

RST
KvtKpt.& A I op
(convoy staff officer)

Kapitän · 10-01-22, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

+++++++

Wednesday, 30 September 1942 - Paris, Avenue Maréchal Maunoury

Our Luftwaffe Ace "Jochen" Marseille has fallen:
After a dive bomber escorting mission, the engine of Hauptmann Hans-Joachim Marseille's Bf 109G-6 fighter caught fire southeast of El Imayid, Egypt. Unable to make it back to his airfield due to black smoke entering the cockpit, our 22-year-old "Star of Africa" attempted to bail out, but while doing so he struck the vertical stabilizer across his chest and hip. He fell to his death 7 kilometers south of Sidi Abdel Rahman, Egypt at 1142 hours. For a moment, a horrific blow to our morale, which however, only strengthens our determination and resolve in seeing through our war effort until final victory.

+++++++

Briefing and hand-over of my duties as 1. Admiralstabsoffizier operativ (A I op) 'Geleitzugs-Asto' (convoy staff officer) to my successor Kptlt. Adalbert Schnee (formerly, commander of U 201).
In his new role, Kptlt. Adalbert ("Adi") Schnee, will take over my task of planning and organising operations against Allied convoys:

Submarine situation and intended operations.

Note: Submarine situation reports will be sent to Naval War Staff at pre-set intervals. They will set out a summarized assessment of the situation and the intentions of B.d.U.

1) Convoy situation in the North Atlantic:
Contrary to convoy methods during the first six months of 1942, convoys are no scattered over a wider area. Even so, the spacing out is not nearly so great as in Autumn 1941, and remain within certain limits on either side of the Great Circle. Information gathered through Radio Intercept Intelligence and experienced gained on the timing of convoys have made it possible to track down convoys, especially when westbound. Prospects are still considered favorable on this respect. The successes scored against the convoy from 9-13 Sept. and the failure from 20-22 Sept. clearly show the decisive role played by the weather. When operating against North Atlantic convoys the medium sized submarines have the advantage.

2) St. Lawrence and Belle Isle Straits:
The operations carried out by 3 boats have been very successful. Defences proved comparatively weak and were limited to direct convoy escorts. Further boats are to be sent out to make the most of this situation.

3) East coast of North America:
Operations ongoing for some time; busy shipping well defended convoys close inshore in shallow water; good successes, but also caused several losses. Air patrolling is particularly strong. But when occasion arises it is planned that single boats shall lay mines.

4) Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea:
Comparatively high losses have been suffered, probably through air attacks.
Radar interception gear can certainly protect the boats at night, but it cannot facilitate attack. Thus it is intended to station at most single boats in this area if the occasion offers. The area concerned is that of Old Bahama Channel - Windward Passage - Jamaica, where the majority of convoys pass through. Climatic conditions and the necessity for lengthy submersion result in strain for the crew, so that a lengthy stay offers little chance of success.
U 202 (Kptlt. Günter Poser) has been ordered to operate East of 52° West, off Trinidad, as electric compressor has broken down.

5) Area round Trinidad:
West of Trinidad the conditions are rather similar to the above. The likelihood of contacting convoys is of course, greater near the port of departure. On the other hand, the area East of Trinidad has proved exceptionally favorable. Convoys have not yet been observed here, air patrolling is less, naval anti-submarine measures (destroyers) have been observed for the first time recently. The difficulty lies in picking up the obviously frequently varied approach courses of the single ships, and this accounts for the patchy nature of successes.
It is striking that so far only a little eastbound shipping has been contacted. It is possible that this is only exceptionally routed via Trinidad.
With the Freetown area, the area East of Trinidad will continue to be the focal point for large submarines. Medium sized boats can and will be employed there, provided previous refueling from submarine tankers is possible.

6) North - South Convoy Route ("SL" and "OS" convoys):
It has been repeatedly possible to pick up "SL" convoys according to plan, though admittedly so far north pursuit could not be continued very long because of the appearance of air escorts. The drawback of operating against these convoys is that when a convoy has been missed the next one does not pass for about 10 days.
Thus these operations are worth while only when carried out by submarines en route for the Freetown area, i.e. for medium sized boats only if they can be refueled.
Accordingly Group "Iltis", which is at present operating here, is to proceed farther into the Freetown area after refueling.

7) Freetown area:
Has again proved very fruitful. Despite numerous successes, a major change of the shipping route or a soft-laid reaction by the enemy in reply to the sinkings has not been noticed. A major change of route would not be possible either here or in Trinidad.
It is intended that Group "Iltis" shall operate after refueling with other large boats.

8) Harbors in the Gulf of Guinea:
No experience is yet available for these harbors. 2 large boats have left for this area, two Italian boats will also operate.

9) Intended operations for Cape Town and East Africa:
Are given separately, also opinion on sanctioning attacks on the coast of Brazil.
Group "Eisbär" (U 68, 172, 159, 504) U 179 and U 178 have been given operational freedom in the area bounded as follows, once the first surprise attack has been carried out:
FE 9179 - GZ 1599 - coast of Africa. Southern boundary 40° South. U 179 has been ordered to wait in left half of GR 40 until attack is sanctioned.

10) Off Iceland:
At present the first attempt to operate with submarines against Murmansk convoys. Light nights and powerful air patrolling prevent successful operations here during the summer. Despite this, it has been possible for single ships to remain off Reykjavik for a long time.
It is intended to send out single boats here when there is an opportunity during the new moon period. When more reliable news that a "PQ" convoy will shortly leave port, several boats should also be available, providing they put out from home waters.

11) The situation in Coastal Waters and in the Bay of Biscay:
Is governed as before by the danger of air attacks and mines.

Although U 165 (FrgKpt. Eberhard Hoffmann) announced that she was entering on 28 Sept., she has not yet arrived. Air reconnaissance yielded no information. The loss of the boat must be assumed, probably through bombing attack. There was a reliable sounding radio announcement of submarine sinking by the R.A.F. in the Bay of Biscay.
The repeated requests regarding the air forces and the naval forces under Admiral Western Defences can merely be emphasized once again.

Luftwaffe bombers attacked Lancing and Colchester, England.

RST
KvtKpt.& A I op
(convoy staff officer)

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

+++++++

Thursday, 01 October 1942 - On transit to Bremen, AG Weser, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau

Hans-Joachim Marseille is buried at the Heroes Cemetery in Derna, Libya. Albert Kesselring and Eduard Neumann each deliver an eulogy.

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I depart Paris for Bremen, where I will meet the newly assigned crew of U 115, which is undergoing final construction at the AG Weser, Bremen, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau.

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Chief of the Department of Naval Operations, Admiral Kurt Fricke, is awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

U 202 sank an independently-routed ship of 3,000 GRT in EO 1465, course 300°. Slow aircraft on a west course in EO 1432. Boat is proceeding to EP 47.

U 175 bombed in EO 1485. No casualties.

U 584 dived in AL 7498 because of a destroyer. Radar observed.

U 253 (Kptlt. Adolf Friedrichs) has not reported despite several calls. She may be lost. Boat made her last report north of Iceland on 24.9. She was then ordered to make for the Atlantic via the Denmark Straits in deep water. Nothing is known of the cause of her loss.
(We will later learn, that U 253 was sunk on 25 September 1942 in the Denmark Strait north-west of Iceland, by a British mine. 45 dead, all hands lost).

Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weißenfeld, is named the commanding officer of the 1st Group of the Nachtjagdgeschwader 3 wing.

RST
KvtKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

Kapitän · 10-02-22, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

+++++++

Thursday, 01 October 1942 - On transit to Bremen, AG Weser, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau

Hans-Joachim Marseille is buried at the Heroes Cemetery in Derna, Libya. Albert Kesselring and Eduard Neumann each deliver an eulogy.

+++++++

I depart Paris for Bremen, where I will meet the newly assigned crew of U 115, which is undergoing final construction at the AG Weser, Bremen, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau.

+++++++

Chief of the Department of Naval Operations, Admiral Kurt Fricke, is awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.

U 202 sank an independently-routed ship of 3,000 GRT in EO 1465, course 300°. Slow aircraft on a west course in EO 1432. Boat is proceeding to EP 47.

U 175 bombed in EO 1485. No casualties.

U 584 dived in AL 7498 because of a destroyer. Radar observed.

U 253 (Kptlt. Adolf Friedrichs) has not reported despite several calls. She may be lost. Boat made her last report north of Iceland on 24.9. She was then ordered to make for the Atlantic via the Denmark Straits in deep water. Nothing is known of the cause of her loss.
(We will later learn, that U 253 was sunk on 25 September 1942 in the Denmark Strait north-west of Iceland, by a British mine. 45 dead, all hands lost).

Egmont Prinz zur Lippe-Weißenfeld, is named the commanding officer of the 1st Group of the Nachtjagdgeschwader 3 wing.

RST
KvtKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

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

+++++++

Friday, 02 October 1942 - On transit to Bremen, AG Weser, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau

On transit from Paris to Bremen, where I will meet the newly assigned crew of U 115, which is undergoing final construction at the AG Weser, Bremen, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau.

+++++++

The new 1. Admiralstabsoffizier operativ (A I op) 'Geleitzugs-Asto' (convoy staff officer), Kptlt. Adalbert ("Adi") Schnee, holds his first B.d.U. briefing in his new role:

Convoy action in the North Atlantic:

a) Anti-submarine conditions being as they are (large number of enemy destroyers and corvettes, surface radar sets) and our own developments not keeping apace, it is essential to have the necessary large number of U-boats onto the convoys, if effective action is to be taken, enemy anti-submarine forces split up and continuous shadowing maintained. The convoy routes are uncertain, the sea areas are so extensive that the few boats which are still all that are available, have to be disposed in lines of no depth at all, so that, the weather conditions being bad on average, it takes a very long time before remaining boats have come up to the convoy on the basis of a sighting report. This means:
First requirement:
Convoy operations lasting several days must be possible.

b) Experience of several convoys has shown that a successful action can only be fought as a rule in sea area outside the range of the enemy air force.
Second requirement:
Action in sea area without enemy air escort.

c) Both requirements combined show that the most important condition is: To pick up the convoy early on the side of the Atlantic from which it starts (i.e. ON and ONS convoys in AL, HX and SC convoys in BB and AJ, lower third).

d) The boats have so far been disposed to meet this requirement and they will continue to be so disposed. It has been found best to form U-boats leaving home ports and Western France at once into a disposition against ON convoys; after picking up a convoy they then proceed southwest, operating against it, and, after breaking off the operation (in the area of the Newfoundland Bank), the boats supply in about DC 90. This supply is necessary, because the boats' fuel stocks after the first operation would not permit a second operation. These refueled boats then form a patrol line northeast of the Newfoundland Bank, the distance off the Bank being determined by fog conditions, to pick up SC or HX convoys.

e) U-tankers alone have made this procedure, which has already been used several times, possible. In practice a few U-tankers mean the same as considerably more U-boats.

Mediterranean: The general situation in the Mediterranean has again made it necessary to send U-boats from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean to bring up the reduced numbers. Altogether 6 boats are to break through into the Mediterranean (U 438, U 660, U 605, U 89, U 593, U 458). They are to pass through the Straits of Gibraltar during the new moon period in October.

The British codebreaking establishment at Bletchley Park and the US Navy's codebreaking department (OP-20-G), agree to a relationship of "full collaboration".

The troopship Queen Mary collides with (and sinks) one of her escorts, the light cruiser HMS Curacoa, off the Irish coast with the loss of 239 lives.

RST
KvtKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

Kapitän · 10-03-22, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

+++++++

Friday, 02 October 1942 - On transit to Bremen, AG Weser, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau

On transit from Paris to Bremen, where I will meet the newly assigned crew of U 115, which is undergoing final construction at the AG Weser, Bremen, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau.

+++++++

The new 1. Admiralstabsoffizier operativ (A I op) 'Geleitzugs-Asto' (convoy staff officer), Kptlt. Adalbert ("Adi") Schnee, holds his first B.d.U. briefing in his new role:

Convoy action in the North Atlantic:

a) Anti-submarine conditions being as they are (large number of enemy destroyers and corvettes, surface radar sets) and our own developments not keeping apace, it is essential to have the necessary large number of U-boats onto the convoys, if effective action is to be taken, enemy anti-submarine forces split up and continuous shadowing maintained. The convoy routes are uncertain, the sea areas are so extensive that the few boats which are still all that are available, have to be disposed in lines of no depth at all, so that, the weather conditions being bad on average, it takes a very long time before remaining boats have come up to the convoy on the basis of a sighting report. This means:
First requirement:
Convoy operations lasting several days must be possible.

b) Experience of several convoys has shown that a successful action can only be fought as a rule in sea area outside the range of the enemy air force.
Second requirement:
Action in sea area without enemy air escort.

c) Both requirements combined show that the most important condition is: To pick up the convoy early on the side of the Atlantic from which it starts (i.e. ON and ONS convoys in AL, HX and SC convoys in BB and AJ, lower third).

d) The boats have so far been disposed to meet this requirement and they will continue to be so disposed. It has been found best to form U-boats leaving home ports and Western France at once into a disposition against ON convoys; after picking up a convoy they then proceed southwest, operating against it, and, after breaking off the operation (in the area of the Newfoundland Bank), the boats supply in about DC 90. This supply is necessary, because the boats' fuel stocks after the first operation would not permit a second operation. These refueled boats then form a patrol line northeast of the Newfoundland Bank, the distance off the Bank being determined by fog conditions, to pick up SC or HX convoys.

e) U-tankers alone have made this procedure, which has already been used several times, possible. In practice a few U-tankers mean the same as considerably more U-boats.

Mediterranean: The general situation in the Mediterranean has again made it necessary to send U-boats from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean to bring up the reduced numbers. Altogether 6 boats are to break through into the Mediterranean (U 438, U 660, U 605, U 89, U 593, U 458). They are to pass through the Straits of Gibraltar during the new moon period in October.

The British codebreaking establishment at Bletchley Park and the US Navy's codebreaking department (OP-20-G), agree to a relationship of "full collaboration".

The troopship Queen Mary collides with (and sinks) one of her escorts, the light cruiser HMS Curacoa, off the Irish coast with the loss of 239 lives.

RST
KvtKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

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

+++++++

Saturday, 03 October 1942 - On transit to Bremen, AG Weser, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau

Traveling from Paris to Bremen, where I will meet the newly assigned crew of U 115, which is undergoing final construction at the AG Weser, Bremen, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau.

+++++++

Group "Eisbär" intends to make the first attack early on 8 Oct., in accordance with operations order.

The first successful A4 test flight reaches the altitude of 84.5 kilometers (52.5 miles). The rocket is launched at Peenemünde, Germany.

During heavy fighting, the 6.Armee pushes the Soviet 62nd Army back to the Volga River at Stalingrad.

RST
KvtKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

Kapitän · 10-04-22, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

+++++++

Saturday, 03 October 1942 - On transit to Bremen, AG Weser, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau

Traveling from Paris to Bremen, where I will meet the newly assigned crew of U 115, which is undergoing final construction at the AG Weser, Bremen, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau.

+++++++

Group "Eisbär" intends to make the first attack early on 8 Oct., in accordance with operations order.

The first successful A4 (V2) test flight reaches the altitude of 84.5 kilometers (52.5 miles). The rocket is launched at Peenemünde, Germany.

During heavy fighting, the 6.Armee pushes the Soviet 62nd Army back to the Volga River at Stalingrad.

RST
KvtKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

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

+++++++

Sunday, 04 October 1942 - On transit to Bremen, AG Weser, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau

Traveling from Paris to Bremen, where I will meet the newly assigned crew of U 115, which is undergoing final construction at the AG Weser, Bremen, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau.

+++++++

A US Navy PBY-5A aircraft is the first aircraft to land at Bluie West Four in western Greenland.

Operation 'Basalt': Last night, a British commando raid took place on the Channel Island of Sark, resulting in three of our soldiers dead and one German POW (Ob.Gfr. Hermann Weinreich), being taken back to England for interegation.

Our XIV. Panzer Korps attacks the Stalingrad Tractor Factory.

RST
KvtKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

Kapitän · 10-05-22, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

+++++++

Sunday, 04 October 1942 - On transit to Bremen, AG Weser, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau

Traveling from Paris to Bremen, where I will meet the newly assigned crew of U 115, which is undergoing final construction at the AG Weser, Bremen, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau.

+++++++

A US Navy PBY-5A aircraft is the first aircraft to land at Bluie West Four in western Greenland.

Operation 'Basalt': Last night, a British commando raid took place on the Channel Island of Sark, resulting in three of our soldiers dead and one German POW (Ob.Gfr. Hermann Weinreich), being taken back to England for interegation.

Our XIV. Panzer Korps attacks the Stalingrad Tractor Factory.

RST
KvtKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

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

+++++++

Monday, 05 October 1942 - Bremen, AG Weser, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau

Arrived at AG Weser, Bremen, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau, for meeting and joining the new crew for the final construction of U 115 (IXD2).

Technical information for the type IXD2 boat:
(sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower).
Displacement (tons): 1616 (sf); 1804 (sm); 2150 (total)
Length (m): 87,60 oa; 68,50 ph
Beam (m): 7,50 oa; 4,40 ph
Draught (draft): 5,40 m
Height: 10,20 m
Power (hp): 4400 (sf); 1000 (sm)
Speed (knots): 19,2 (sf); 6,9 (sm)
Range (miles / knots): 31500/10 (sf); 57/4 (sm)
Torpedoes: 24 (KSDII: 25) - 4/2 (bow / stern tubes)
Mines: 48 TMA
Deck gun: 105mm - 150 rounds (KSDII: 150xSpG; 80xPbG: 20xLkG)
Crew: 55-63 men
Max depth: ca. 230 m (755 feet)

Boat is equipped with FuMB-1/Metox600A ('Biscay-Cross') and SBT 'Bold-1'.
By the end of the year, front Flotillas will be supplied with Short Range Radar FMG 41G (gU) FuMO 29 Seetakt equipment.

Standing by during the final stages of construction of U 115.

+++++++

English aircraft several times reported attacks or sightings of German U-boats in probably AL 10 and 20 as well as in Biscay. Positions were not resolved, as the code for latitude and longitude data has changed.

RST
KvtKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

Kapitän · 10-06-22, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kapitän

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

+++++++

Monday, 05 October 1942 - Bremen, AG Weser, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau

Arrived at AG Weser, Bremen, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau, for meeting and joining the new crew for the final construction of U 115 (IXD2).

Technical information for the type IXD2 boat:
(sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull, oa = overall, hp = horsepower).
Displacement (tons): 1616 (sf); 1804 (sm); 2150 (total)
Length (m): 87,60 oa; 68,50 ph
Beam (m): 7,50 oa; 4,40 ph
Draught (draft): 5,40 m
Height: 10,20 m
Power (hp): 4400 (sf); 1000 (sm)
Speed (knots): 19,2 (sf); 6,9 (sm)
Range (miles / knots): 31500/10 (sf); 57/4 (sm)
Torpedoes: 24 (KSDII: 25) - 4/2 (bow / stern tubes)
Mines: 48 TMA
Deck gun: 105mm - 150 rounds (KSDII: 150xSpG; 80xPbG: 20xLkG)
Crew: 55-63 men
Max depth: ca. 230 m (755 feet)

Boat is equipped with FuMB-1/Metox600A ('Biscay-Cross') and SBT 'Bold-1'.
By the end of the year, front Flotillas will be supplied with Short Range Radar FMG 41G (gU) FuMO 29 Seetakt equipment.

Standing by during the final stages of construction of U 115.

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English aircraft several times reported attacks or sightings of German U-boats in probably AL 10 and 20 as well as in Biscay. Positions were not resolved, as the code for latitude and longitude data has changed.

RST
KvtKpt.& Cmdr. U 115

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

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Tuesday, 06 October 1942 - Bremen, AG Weser, Deutsche Schiff und Maschinenbau

Meeting and joining the new crew for the final construction of U 115 (IXD2).

3,7cm Flak gun SK C/30U (Single Shot) is not installed (KSDII: Turm4 needed for installation); Instead installed Twin-M.G.-2cm/C30.

Standing by during the final stages of construction of U 115.

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U 333 (Kptlt. Peter-Erich Cremer) was located by a corvette (HMS Crocus) in about ET 2989 and fired on with guns and machine guns at ranges from 1500 - 0 meters. 1 officer and 3 ratings killed (Ob.Ltnt.z.S. Hermann-Karl Bernhardt, Bts.Mt. Heinz-Kurt Kurtze, Mtr.Ob.Gfr. Ernst Thiel, Masch.Ob.Gfr. Erwin Levermann), 1 petty officer missing, C.O. and First Watchkeeping Officer wounded. Boat badly damaged, but can dive. A rendezvous is being arranged with "Milk Cow" U 459 (KrvKpt. Georg von Wilamowitz-Möllendorf), which is nearby (M.O. on board), and sighted a light carrier-borne aircraft in FD 6463.

U 575 (Kptlt. Günther Heydemann) lost a man overboard (Oberbootsmaat Herbert Gühler).

U 172 (Kptlt. Carl Emmermann) reported at 2219h that Capetown Roads were empty when she reconnoited them. Boat requested freedom of action. It is assumed that this absence of shipping is only temporary and, as it is hoped to heighten the effect of operation "Eisbär" as a whole by a surprise coup against Capetown Roads, the time for attack was postponed from 10th to the 11th October.
U 68 (KrvKpt. Karl-Friedrich Merten) also penetrated as far as the roads and reported a searchlight barrage. Success in the roads very doubtful. Heavy transit traffic. Boat suggests attack at discretion from 0000/8/10.
Facts are as follows:
1) Capetown is empty and it is not certain that the roads will be occupied within the next few days.
2) Even if they were occupied, prospects of success are doubtful, on account of searchlight barrage.
3) Submerged attack not possible because of shallow water.
4) In the circumstances the boats would be running to great risk.
5) Reports show that both C.O.'s, after their first reconnaissance regard success as doubtful, and think an attack at discretion would be better.
Both C.O.'s are fully aware of the "strategic, propaganda and prestige" effect that the first attack on Capetown Roads was intended to create, and they are in the best position to judge the situation, it was decided to accept their views and they received the order: Attack at discretion from 0000/8/10. The chances of a big surprise coup are very much reduced now that the roads are empty. Possibly the appearance of Japanese U-boats off Madagascar and in the Atlantic has contributed towards the evacuation and defence of Capetown Roads.

Our III.Panzer Korps captures Malgobek on the Terek River in the Caucasus. Far to the west, our troops also captured Novorossiysk. Luftwaffe unit I./KG 100 (flying He 111 bombers) is transferred from Morozovskaya to Saki, to support our offensive.

RST
KvtKpt.& Cmdr. U 115