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Post by blaird on Jun 22, 2016 14:46:34 GMT
Patrol Results are due no later than: July 2nd at Midnight your time. 1900 January 1, 1940 On PatrolU-38 Parzival - Still at Sea from December 1939 (Type IX U-Boat)U-100 Eisbar U-102 Gelber Vogel U-31 Hungrig Sägefisch U-41 Das Gespenest U-75 Raschke U-83 Schildkröte U-86 R'an RefitU-73 Werewolf - February 40 U-85 Seehexe - February 40 Good evening Gentleman, I won't take much of your time, as I know that, you have to prepare for tomorrow morning.Special Instructions:KptLt Horst Beckmann, as per your request, the Das Gespenst will be assigned to the Spanish Coast.Historic NotesJANUARY 1940
Atlantic
30th - Attacking Thames-out convoy 0A80 to the west of the English Channel, “U-55” was destroyed in a joint action by an RAF Sunderland of No 228 Squadron, sloop “Fowey“ and destroyer “Whitshed”. This was the first successful air/sea attack which would not be repeated for another five months.
Monthly Loss Summary - 9 British, Allied and neutral ships of 36,000 tons in the Atlantic from all causes. - 1 German U-boat.
Europe
21st - Searching for a reported U-boat off the Moray Firth, destroyer “EXMOUTH” was torpedoed by “U-22” and lost with all hands.
Merchant Shipping War - U-boats were particularly active in the Moray Firth area off the Scottish coast and in the rest of the North Sea through until March 1940. In January alone they sank 14 ships - all neutrals.
Monthly Loss Summary 64 British, Allied and neutral ships of 179,000 tons in UK waters.AssignmentsSpanish CoastU-41 Das Gespenest British IslesU-100 Eisbare U-102 Gelber Vogel U-31 Hungrig Sägefisch U-75 Raschk U-86 R'an British Isles (M)None West African CoastNone AtlanticU-83 Schildkröte NOTE SO THAT WE DO NOT LOSE U-BOAT'S TO THE MEDITERRANEAN, I AM RE-ROLLING ANY MEDITERRANEAN RESULTS!Important InformationU-Boat Name and ID Number Successful Patrol – Number of Freighters Sank Number of Tankers Sank Number of Capital Ships Sank Total Tonnage Destroyed Refit Time Standard Award Requests
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falto
Komandant
Posts: 11
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Post by falto on Jun 23, 2016 0:16:31 GMT
U-Boat Name and ID Number U-31 Hungrig Sägefisch Successful Patrol – Yes Number of Freighters Sank 1 Number of Tankers Sank 0 Number of Capital Ships Sank 0 Total Tonnage Destroyed 2000 Refit Time Standard Award Requests: None
We set sail for the British Isles, and had no encounters sailing out of the bay. Then, we made it all the way around the island, with the daily duties becoming very tedious. Then on the final few days of our journey, January 18th we spotted something on the horizon, it was a small freighter. We gave chase, and saw it was the small freighter Caribou. We neared and surfaced, firing our deck guns but our gunner missed. We were forced to give chase. on the evening of January 19th we once again came in close range, and fired our deck guns. We were rewarded by seeing fires break out on the deck and the crew taking to their life boats.
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Post by silentwolf on Jun 24, 2016 2:53:20 GMT
U-Boat Name and ID Number: Das Gespenst U-41 Successful Patrol: Yes Number of Freighters Sank: 3 Number of Tankers Sank: 2 Number of Capital Ships Sank: Total Tonnage Destroyed: 31,400 Refit Time: 2 months (Ready in May) Award Requests: KptLt Horst Beckmann Iron Cross 1st class,Crew U-Boat War Badge
Patrol Assignment: Spanish Coast
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January 5th 1300 hrs - Crew members stand on the deck of Das Gespenst and wave goodbye to their friends and loved ones on a cold but clear winter day.
January 16th 0140 hrs - Sank unescorted LF76 Fairport 6200t with the deck gun.
January 21st 1030 hrs - Fired two G7a from aft at close range to sink unescorted T25 Athelcrest 6800t
January 25th 0850 hrs - Spotted a convoy and shadowed throughout the day.
January 25th 2200 hrs - surfaced and fired a spread of 4 G7a from the forward tubes and a second salvo of 2 G7e from aft, at medium range. T70 Cairndale 8100t went down almost immediately and LF12 Clan Chisholm 7200t was heavily damaged.
We managed to remain undetected after the attack. I decide to follow the damaged freighter.
January 26th 0300 hrs - Sank the now abandoned freighter with the deck gun.
February 2nd 0030 hrs - Fired 4 eels at escorted SF27 Clintonia 3100t from medium range. The crew cheer for a moment as the sonarman reports a massive explosion and sounds of the old sea hag breaking up.
Increased depth, several meters below test depth.
The escort was unable to detect us.
February 10th 1230 hrs - Lookouts spot an enemy aircraft and we dive before they are able to spot us.
February 14th 1500 hrs - Das Gespenst sails into port with 5 victory pennants hanging from the conning tower.
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Post by haplo02 on Jun 24, 2016 4:06:41 GMT
U-Boat Name and ID Number U-102 Gelber Vogel Successful Patrol – Very Much - Yes Number of Freighters Sank 4 Number of Tankers Sank 2 Number of Capital Ships Sank 0 Total Tonnage Destroyed 43,000 Refit Time Standard Award Requests
We set sail on the Gelber Vogel's maiden voyage. We had an uneventful trip to the British Isles.
January 8th We quickly ran into a convoy, we let loose five eels striking the Duffield, Bancrest, Cadillac, and Cassequel. But 4 of the five eels were duds. We got lucky and the one that did blow took out the Duffield. We evaded the escort and then in the afternoon came around for a second pass. We let lose and missed, the Bancrest, and Cadillac, but the Cassequel was struck and started to sink. Once again we evaded the escort. January 9th We gave chase, and despite their best efforts, we had the Bancrest and the Cadillac in our sights a little after midnight. We let loose with 4 more eels, this time the Bancrest was sank and 2 duds struck the Cadillac.
As the sun came up, we let loose with 1 G7e which struck the Cadillac which quickly dipped beneath the waves. This time the escort dropped some charges on us, and we took some minor damage. We then evaded the escort and escaped with only 3 eels left on board.
January 14th We spotted a large freighter, we closed in on the Cassequel and fired an eel and our deck guns, but we missed. Later in the afternoon we came back in and let loose again this time we hit with both our deck guns and a G7a. The Cassequel went under the waves.
January 19th We spotted a few ships on the horizon, we neared and let loose with our last eel, which hit the Corrientes which sank.
January 21st We came upon the unescorted Triglav, we surfaced and fired our deck guns onto the large freighter, we got lucky and the Triglav started to break up.
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Post by crushedhat on Jun 24, 2016 17:20:36 GMT
Only 6 tons sunk! Must've been some small ships.
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Post by blaird on Jun 24, 2016 21:09:03 GMT
Only 6 tons sunk! Must've been some small ships. row boats even, I'll shoot a pm.
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Post by silentwolf on Jun 27, 2016 2:05:17 GMT
U-Boat Name and ID Number: Schildkröte U-83 Successful Patrol: Yes Number of Freighters Sank: 1 Number of Tankers Sank: Number of Capital Ships Sank: Total Tonnage Destroyed: 18700 Refit Time: 2 months Award Requests: 2WO Ernst Thurmann - Wound Badge in Black
Patrol Assignment: Atlantic ________________________________________________________________
January 2nd - Sailed from Wilhelmshaven on a cold winter night.
January 9th - We spot and follow an enemy convoy throughout the day.
At 2200 hrs we surface and fire a spread of five G7a at medium range,from the forward and aft tubes at the massive LF37 Laurentic 18700t. We score several hits and she begins sinking before the second salvo torpedo hits.
We are quickly detected by one of the convoy's well trained escorts. Fortunately, evasive maneuvers are effective and we receive no damage from the depth charges that explode several meters to our port side.
I decide to take the boat down below test depth. She holds fast.
The clever escort zeroes in on our location and launches another attack.
A second barrage of wasserbomben explode near the boat, and while evasive maneuvers more than likely save U-83 from total destruction, Diesel engine #2 is heavily damaged.
I order the boat deeper, the hull creaks but the shell of Schildkröte is strong.
Unable to slip away from the escort above, a 3rd wave of blasts rock U-83 violently. The hull takes some damage from the nearby explosions. 2WO Ernst Thurmann and a crew member receive light wounds.
I raise our depth above test depth and we run silent.
January 10th - The escort has lost us. Diesel engine #2 is rendered inoperable, forcing me to abort the patrol. We set a course for Wilhelmshaven.
January 22nd - U-83 sails into port with 1 victory pennant on display.
The hull and engine will take some time to repair. Schildkröte should be ready for sea in April.
LI Heinrich Schafer achieves Experte status during this refit phase.
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Post by crushedhat on Jun 28, 2016 15:27:09 GMT
U-86 enters Wilhelmshaven harbor, four pennants flying from the periscope.
U-Boat Name and ID Number: U-86, Ra’n Successful Patrol: Yes Number of Freighters Sank: 4 Number of Tankers Sank: 0 Number of Capital Ships Sank: 0 Total Tonnage Destroyed: 20,500 Refit Time: 1 month, ready for patrol Mar 1940 Award Requests: None
Narrative: U-86 left on its 3rd war patrol on a cold windy January 2nd. The trip across the North Sea was uneventful, other than for the usual problems caused by the winter storms. I was glad to have a new set of oilskins.
U-86 arrived off the north coast of Scotland on the 10th, and on the 11th, the lookouts reported smoke on the horizon. Investigating, we encountered an unescorted freighter of 6,400 tons displacement. After ordering the crew to abandon ship I gave the order to fire and the deck gun took the target under fire. Despite repeated hits from the 8.8cm, the ship refused to sink. Being close to the Scottish shore I decided to finish the target off with two torpedoes rather than continue the gunfire. Both eels hit true and the freighter split in two, quickly sinking. After ensuring that the merchant’s crew was headed in the right direction we departed the area.
Continuing to cruise westward, we received word on the 15th from a Luftwaffe reconnaissance plane of a lone ship transiting the Hebrides. Making haste, we caught up to a small freighter (3,600 tones displacement) in the early afternoon. I again approached on the surface and ordered the crew to abandon ship. This time the deck gun did the job and U-86 had another ship to our credit.
The evening of the 17th off the Atlantic coast of Ireland masts were sighted against the setting sun. Shortly after nightfall I had a 5,700 ton freighter and Swan Class Sloop in sight. Choosing a surface attack from medium range, I used the UZO to fire a four torpedo spread. We were rewarded with at least two explosions, one quite spectacular, that sent the target to the bottom. The escort must have focused on rescuing survivors as it did not bother us.
Heading north out of the English Channel on the night of the 21st we caught another lone freighter (4,800 tons). The target being unescorted, I approached to short range and ordered the crew to abandon ship before sinking her with gunfire.
The remainder of our patrol and the cruise home were uneventful. The general euphoria over a successful cruise was heightened by news that the Russians were having a hard go of it in Finland. The longer they’re tied up elsewhere, the less likely they are to break the truce with Germany. U-86 tied up to the pier in Wilhelmshaven the 28th of January, four pennants flying from the periscope.
Respectfully submitted, Kplt Viktor Radel, Kommandant U-86
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Post by crushedhat on Jun 28, 2016 15:29:15 GMT
Vignettes from U-86's January 1940 War Patrol
11 January 1940, mid-morning, the North Sea off Scotland
One explosion follows the other in rapid succession, though the strength of the first almost obscures the second. “Must have hit the boiler,” U-86’s 1WO, Leon Schmidt comments to the man beside him.
“Yes,” KptLt Viktor Radel repsonds. Watching the scene before him, Viktor sees the men in the whaleboat pull frantically at the oars as they seek to clear the roiling sea under which the broken-back freighter disappears. “May God watch over you.” The last line of Jutte’s letter comes unbidden into Viktor’s thoughts. No doubt, someone has written or spoken the same prayer for each of the men in that boat; for all the men Viktor has targeted, and will target in the future. While the decisions he must make as a U-Boat kommandant can sometimes be tough, Viktor is thankful that at least he doesn’t need to sort out competing claims for divine protection. With Scotland just over the horizon, the merchantmen should have no problem getting home safely.
With Scotland just over the horizon, the RAF and RN cannot be far away either. “Let’s get U-86 away from here, Schmidt,” Viktor instructs his 1WO before heading below.
17 January 1940, night, the Atlantic off Ireland
U-86 has been steadily closing on the masts first sighted against the setting sun. Now, the view through the night glass clearly reveals a large freighter and her escort, a Swan class sloop. With more than enough guns to sink U-86, and 40 depth charges, KptLt Viktor Radel would rather not draw the attention of the escort. “Ahead slow,” he calls into the speaking tube to the engine room seeking to minimize any telltale wake.
With the escort present, there is no prospect of warning the target before firing. Recalling his thoughts several days earlier Viktor muses, “God may be watching over them, but let’s just hope the escort’s lookouts aren’t.” Turning to his 1WO, LtzS Leon Schmidt, Viktor informs him, “We will attack from 1,500 meters. Prepare tubes one through four.” Radel then leans down to take a bearing through the UZO.
A minute later Schmidt announces, “Tubes one through four ready, Herr Kaleun.”
“Fire!” Viktor counts off five seconds then repeats the command, following the same sequence until all four eels are on their way. “Now we’ll see who God is watching over,” Viktor comments to no one in particular.
“Number 1, time!” Schmidt states, his attention focused on the stopwatch in his hand. Disappointingly, there is no explosion to accompany the announcement. Five seconds later the 1WO’s calling of “Time,” produces similar results. Announcement of the next mark is drowned out by the roar of an explosion as night temporarily becomes day. It is followed by another as the stricken ship quickly begins to settle by the stern, her deck ablaze.
Viktor can see dark shapes, men, jumping from the burning vessel, there being no time to lower lifeboats. “The escort?” he asks over his shoulder to the lookouts above him.
“She is moving to the aid of the survivors, Herr Kaleun,” comes the response.
Viktor breathes a sigh of relief. Calling down the hatch to the man at the helm Viktor says, “Come to course on-nine-five. Ahead slow.” The last is said into the speaking tube to the engines. The burning ship creating a false sunset behind them, U-86 slips away into the dark.
23 January 1940, night, North Sea
KptLt Viktor Radel is taking in the night air on U-86’s conning tower. With him is the U-Boat’s LI and Radel’s friend, Lt (Ing) Jordan Volke. “Four ships, not a bad cruise,” Viktor reflects on the patrol they have just completed. “Maybe I’ll have similar luck with the hunt ashore.”
While Jordan knows to what Viktor is referring, he prefers not to discuss his friend’s pursuit of a married woman, especially one with an influential husband. Instead, Volke seeks to redirect the conversation. “As will Germany. It is good news that the Russians are having such a hard time in Finland. It means they’ll be less inclined to break the non-aggression treaty.”
“You don’t trust the Russians, do you?” Viktor replies. Not waiting for an answer he continues, “The Fuhrer doesn’t like the communists either. Rather than worrying about them breaking the truce, I wonder when he will.” To Jordan’s silence Viktor adds, “It’s only a question of time. Perhaps once the French and British capitulate.”
“If,” Jordan cautions his friend, mindful of his earlier references to how wars never seem to be as short as the people who start them expect.
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Post by wizalou on Jun 28, 2016 16:51:01 GMT
Important Information
U-Boat Name and ID Number U-75 Raschke Successful Patrol – Yes Number of Freighters Sank 2
Number of Tankers Sank 0
Number of Capital Ships Sank 0
Total Tonnage Destroyed 5800 Refit Time Standard Award Requests Wounded Badge in Black - Horst Hoffman Promotion Roll
Small Freighter 18 (Merisaar) (2100)
Small Freighter 30 (Kyleglen) (3700)
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Post by blaird on Jul 1, 2016 3:40:03 GMT
Only 6 tons sunk! Must've been some small ships. row boats even, I'll shoot a pm. I added up the totals.
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Post by blaird on Jul 3, 2016 14:03:37 GMT
February 2nd 1940Gentleman, From my quick glances at the reports you did well this month, sinking 121,400 tons of shipping, and 15 hulls. The first round tonight is on, while the second round will be on the crew of the Hungrig Sägefisch. AwardsU-Boat War BadgeIron Cross 1st ClassKpLt Horst Beckmann Iron Cross 2nd ClassKpLt Oskar Zaehr Wounded Badge in Black2WO Ernst Thurmann 2WO Horst Hoffman Expert RollsU-75 Raschke wizalou Crew Skill Increases one levelU-83 Schildkröte silentwolf LI "Experte" (All repair rolls receive favorable -1 Modifier)U-86 R'an crushedhat Crew Skill Increases one level
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