|
Post by silentwolf on Nov 6, 2021 17:34:58 GMT
August, 1944 -
Fkpt Tobias Hopf and the crew of U-47 are under attack! A barrage a depth charges reign down and explode near the boat.......
"We're taking on water from the periscope shaft!", 1WO Ackner loudly exclaims, "Get your asses over here! NOW!".
Several men rush to help. Within 90 seconds, the flooding is under control.
U-47 has been taking a beating, and is in bad shape. Hopf has an intense sense of fear, but holds himself together for the sake of his crew.
"More Splashes! Wasserbomben!", the sonarman shouts....
Tap tap tap tap tap.
Hopf is startled and wakes from a deep slumber. It takes him a moment to realize that he is not on his boat, but in his apartment.
Tap tap tap tap tap.
Someone is knocking at the door.
He takes a look at his watch, it is 4 AM.
"Who now?" Hopf thinks to himself as he gets out of bed and makes his way to the door.
Tap tap tap tap tap.
Hopf opens the door.....
"What do you want....", Hopf stops speaking mid-sentence when he realizes that man standing before him is an SS officer.
"Tobias Hopf?" , the officer inquires.
Hopf hesitates for a moment and answers,
"Yes. What is this all about?"
"Gather your things. You are to be escorted to Wilhelmshaven, immediately. I'll wait by the door."
The officer enters the apartment uninvited and boldly stands in the foyer.
"Wait a minute. I can't go to Germany. I have orders to sail tomorrow. My boat is going to Norway. What exactly is going on here?", Hopf anxiously asks.
"You have quite an impressive record, Hopf. The Fuhrer has selected one of his most well decorated officers for a special assignment.
You are to undergo an extensive amount of training with new, top secret equipment.
Then, You will be given command of a new boat - A very special boat, Hopf.
Gather your things, we are to leave France, right away."
|
|
|
Post by silentwolf on Nov 14, 2021 20:19:58 GMT
Hopf traveled to Wilhelmshaven and was promoted to the rank of Kapitan zur See.
He then trained to use cutting edge technologies including "Zaunkonig II" accoustic-homing torpedoes, the Balkon-Garat advanced hydrophone, Nibelung Active Sonar and a new system that would greatly assist the crew and quicken torpedo reload time.
Soon, KptzS Hopf was given command of a Type XXI Elektroboote - A new, top secret, highly advanced submarine.
Hopf used his rank's influence and had most of the crew from U-47, his previous command, transferred to serve on board his new boat, U-2503.
"Neuer Horizont" would began her first war patrol on the morning of April the 7th, 1945.....
U-Boat Type: XXI U-Boat ID and Name: U-2503 "Neuer Horizont" Kommandant: KptzS Tobias Hopf
Crew Status: Veteran, Experte LI, Experte Medic
Patrol: # 1 Patrol Assignment: British Isles Successful Patrol: Yes Number of Freighters Sank: 4 Number of Tankers Sank: 2 Number of Warships Sank: 2 Number of Capital Ships Sank: 0 Total Tonnage Destroyed: 43,680
From the Kriegstagebuch -
April 7, 1945
02.30 hours
We have sailed from Wilhelmshaven under the cover of darkness. Orders are to patrol the British Isles and then report to the sub base in Bergen.
April 12, 1945
Now on station. No Contacts thus far.
April 18, 1945
Aircraft spotted while running on the surface. It is possible that U-2503 was seen, however no enemy engagement occurred following a swift crash dive.
April 22,1945
At 01.00 hours, Contact was made with 5300 ton freighter, "Anadyr". I brought U-2503 to close range and attacked both the freighter and her escort vessel, a 1850 ton Tribal Class Destroyer.
"Anadyr" was destroyed in the successful attack. The Destroyer escort, H.M.S "Cossack", was damaged but pressed on with a counterattack.
One round of depth charges failed to damage "Neuer Horizont". I ordered evasive maneuvers and we quickly departed the area.
April 25, 1945
At 23.00 hours, we were running on the surface when the lookouts spotted a convoy moving eastward.
I submerged the boat and moved into medium range for an attack.
A full spread of eels was launched, targeting two freighters with the G7a and G7e torpedos, and two acoustic homing torpedoes targeting the Destroyer.
I utilized active sonar to assist the Zaunkonig IIs.
The attack was a success, sinking 4700 ton "Clan Macinnes", and damaging "Melville E. Stone".
A 1,630 ton Gleaves Class Destroyer, USS "Bristol", was also sunk in the attack.
I was certain that the 3 loud pings from the Nibelung unit had given the enemy my location. To counter, I released a decoy and took the boat below test depth. To my delight, "Neuer Horizont" remained undetected.
I soon brougt the boat back to periscope depth and prepared to finish off the damaged freighter. This vessel was still under escort so I made a submerged attack from medium range with two steam torpedos.
Both eels hit and 7200 ton "Melville E. Stone" quickly sank.
Once again, I took my boat well below test depth and avoided detection.
April 28, 1945
At 16.00 hours, U-2503 intercepted and sank unescorted, 3600 ton freighter, "Oregon Express", with two G7e torpedoes, fired from close range.
May 1, 1945
A convoy was intercepted in the afternoon. We quietly stalked our prey and waited until after sunset to attack.
At 21.00 hours, a spread was launched targeting two tankers and a Tribal Class Destroyer escort. This was yet another successful attack. Multiple hits sank 9200 ton tanker "Daylight II", damaged tanker "Touchet" and sank the escort vessel HMS "Matabele".
I took the boat deep and avoided detection, in spite of broadcasting my presence moments earlier with active sonar.
The convoy's escorts did not spend much time searching for U-2503. They quickly pressed on and abandoned the damaged and slow moving, 10,200 ton tanker.
U-2503 surfaced and moved in for the kill. Our last 2 eels were used to send "Touchet" to the bottom of the sea.
May 4, 1945
I am out of torpedos but have continued to patrol for the purpose of reconnaissance.
May 7, 1945
We had been submerged and running at 5 knots for about 60 hours. I raised the snorchel to fire up the diesels and to get a recharge. It was at this time that I sent out a radio message requesting resupply.
Soon after, we received a shocking response.
The war is over. We are to sail to Norway and surrender immediately.
U-2503 "Neuer Horizont" surrendered in the port of Bergen, Norway on May 12th, 1945.
|
|
|
Post by silentwolf on Nov 27, 2021 18:45:26 GMT
October 15th, 1940
Norfolk, Virginia A local bar
LCDR Charles Cooper is celebrating his new command with his Executive Officer and friend, Thomas Smith.
Smith makes a toast,
"Congratulations on your new command. She's one hell of a boat. All the bells and whistles. You've earned it."
The two raise their glasses and take a drink.
"I'm glad they didn't give me an S-Boat." Cooper laughs and sets his glass down.
He continues,
"I was certain they were going to ship me off to the Aleutians."
"When are we leaving?", Smith ask.
"Next Wednesday. We'll head down to the Caribbean for sea trials and routine drills. Then a nice holiday in the sun before we make our way to the Panama Canal. After that, it's San Francisco."
"Ah, California...nice weather I've heard. This will be my first time out West, Chuck. Furthest I've been is Des Moines, Iowa."
"Just wait untill you see Pearl, Tom. It's perfect weather year 'round. Absolutely gorgeous, and the Hula girls over at the Grass Skirt are really something else."
|
|