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Post by crushedhat on Jan 29, 2022 20:26:10 GMT
September 1939 Patrol Status
Sep Events: 1st, Germany invades Poland 3rd, Britain and France declare war on Germany 4th, RAF bombs Admiral Scheer in Wilhelmshaven 6th, Krakow captured 7th, French Army invades near Saarbrucken 16th, French pull out of Germany 17th, Soviet Union invades Poland 25th, Food rationing begins in Germany 30th, French retreat to Maginot Line
Special Rules for Sept 39 Patrols:
1. Beginning of War: As the high command knows the planned date for the invasion of Poland, all boats start this month’s patrol already at sea, meaning: a. Skip the Transit Boxes on the beginning (Left side) of the Patrol Track. b. For those using dates for RP purposes, no ships may be attacked until after the Allies declare war on 3 Sep.
2. Prize Rules: The Prize Rules require that a commerce raider, including U-Boats, must warn a merchantman and allow her crew to safely evacuate ship before attacking. While Germany started finding workarounds as early as October and completely abandoned adherence to the Prize Rules by November, the Kriegsmarine did initially ty to abide by this rule. Therefore, for this month’s patrol when encountering an unescorted merchantman automatically roll for one round of Additional Combat (rules 9.4.3 – 9.4.6), even if the target is sunk on the first round, to reflect the possibility of the merchantman radioing their situation and the time taken for the crew to abandon ship allowing a nearby aircraft/escort to arrive.
U-Boat Status for Sep: (Type IX patrols are two months long, Reports due the end of the second month)
U# Type Rank Kommandant Player Patrol Assignment
37 IXA KptLt Siegmund von Margur Siegmund Sep-Oct British Isles
39 IXA KptLt Luka Borchers Arianus Sep-Oct British Isles
45 VIIB KptLt Georg Horst Andy Sep British Isles
46 VIIB KptLt Willi Gering Donitz Sep British Isles (Mining)
48 VIIB KptLt Til Werthner silentwolf Sep British Isles (Mining)
50 VIIB KptLt Joachim Helmert crushedhat Sep British Isles
Required information for end of Patrol Report:
U-Boat # Patrol Month(s) Patrol # for this Kommandant Patrol Location Successful Patrol (Y/N) Number of freighters sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant) Number of Tankers sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant) Number of Capital Ships sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant) Tonnage sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant) Refit Time Award Requests
Optional information for End of Patrol Report: Patrol narrative
End of Patrol Reports for Sep 39 due no later than Midnight, 5 February 2022 your time.
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Post by Donitz on Feb 2, 2022 0:10:03 GMT
September 1939 – Patrol Report U-Boat 46 Patrol Month(s) September 1939 Patrol # for this Kommandant Patrol 1 Successful Patrol Y Number of freighters sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant) – 1/1 Number of Tankers sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant) - 0/0 Number of Capital Ships sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant) – 0/0 Tonnage sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant) 4,200/4,200 Refit Time - One Month Award Requests – Iron Cross 2nd Class
We are at sea when the coded message comes to say the Britain has declared war following our glorious attack on Poland. We head to the west coast of Britain near the Bristol Channel to lay our mines.
Cautiously moving in the shallow waters we are not detected and lay our mines without incident. With our torpedo tubes clear of the mines we start to look for our first target.
Some days later, in the early morning, we detect a single ship someway to the north of our position. I plot an interception course and we head towards our first engagement. Several hours past but the target maintains its heading and speed on 16 knts. All torpedo tubes are loaded with Steam powered torpedoes but it appears that this ship has no escort. As we close I raise the periscope and observe the target. Flicking through profile books of large freighter this appears to be the Santa Rita. Since there is no escort we close and surface. Rushing to the conning tower I raise my binoculars and can clearly see the Stars and Stripes of the USA.
Disheartened I order the boat to submerge. The Santa Rita is safe for now.
My crew is keen to see action. The laying of mines was seen as a distraction by my men although I appreciate the importance of such actions it will be good to get a first kill for the boat.
Three days later we again can hear the screws of another vessel which appears to be on its own. We once again plot an interception course and I pray this is not another American ship. 4 hours past and we are within range of our target and I peer through the scope at a small freighter which I identify as the Marcrest. I double check the registration and confirm that this ship is 4,200 tonnes and sails under the Yugoslavian flag. Making sure that there are no escorts I order the boat to surface and we close on the target advising all crew to abandon the ship.
There is lots of activity on deck as people rush to prepare the lifeboats and I order our Deck Gun to be readied. Confirming that the crew are now in the life boats I give the fire order. The first salvo hits the freighter causing significant damage but the second salvo rips into the hull of the Marcrest and the ship starts to list. Cheers ring around U46 and we clean the deck and submerge. We confirm that the Marcrest sinks and we continue our patrol.
We get no further contacts and head back to the base in Kiel. The voyage home is uneventful and we arrive safely at the end of September. I stand the first round of drinks for the crew before some well-earned shore leave for them. I will remain on the base to over see the re fit. We will head out again in November
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Post by crushedhat on Feb 3, 2022 4:23:36 GMT
23 Sep 1939 U-50 enters the harbor of Wilhelmshaven, two pennants flying form the periscope.
Patrol Report U-Boat #: U-50 Patrol Month(s): Sep 39 Patrol # for this Kommandant: 1 Patrol Location: British Isles Successful Patrol (Y/N): Yes Number of freighters sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 1/1 Number of Tankers sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 1/1 Number of Capital Ships sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 0/0 Tonnage sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 18,500/18,500 Refit Time: 1 Month, ready Nov 39 Award Requests: Iron Cross 2nd Class
Narrative:
3 Sep 1939 off the Atlantic coast of Ireland “Have you heard?” ObFzS Wilhelm Stieg asks breathlessly as he interrupts his Kommandant and LI who are sharing coffee in U-50’s tiny wardroom. The two older men look up at Stieg’s excited face. Taking that as a cue to continue, Stieg exclaims, The British and the French have declared war! You know what that means?” In his excitement, Stieg doesn’t pause to consider that both KptLt Joachim Helmert and Lt (Ing) Karl Ludlow have more experience than he.
“Yes,” Ludlow replies calmly, setting his mug down on the table. “Men are going to die.” The Engineer’s somber tone takes some of the wind out of Stieg’s sails. Helmert’s response completes the job.
Fixing his young 2WO with a stern gaze, Helmert tells Stieg, “Let us do our best not to be among them.”
Only now does Stieg consider what the news may mean for him, visions of medals and adoring young frauleins replaced by a dark wave of cold water. “Yes…Herr Kaluen,” the young man quietly replies.
Putting his own mug down, Helmert rises. “Well, I guess we have a war to win.”
4 Sep 1939 off the Atlantic coast of Ireland “Smoke columns!” The lookout, Mechanikergefreiter Gunther Schoen, makes no effort to hide the excitement in his voice As he points to the southwestern horizon.
1WO, LtzS Rudolf Mann, turns his glasses in the indicated direction, a low whistle escaping his lips as the number of columns increases. “Inform the Kommandant!” he snaps at the nearest man, who quickly disappears down the hatch. A moment later, KptLt Joachim Helmert is standing beside his 1WO.
The two men continue to observe, tasking measurements as the smoke columns grow closer. Satisfied that he has determined the heading and speed of the approaching convoy, Helmert inform his 1WO, “We will position ourselves to intercept them after nightfall, as our steam torpedoes will leave a telltale wake if fired in this daylight.
Shortly after nightfall The UZO inplace, KptLt Hemert takes aim at the larger two vessels in the near column, a pair of 4,600 ton steam merchants, while the loookouts maintain a tense but purposeful watch for any escorts. The firing data passed to the forward torpedo room, four G7a eels are loaded into the tubes. His voice low, Helmert leans into the speaking tube. “Los!” U-50 shudders slightly as four deadly eels make their way toward their unsuspecting victims.
However, all does not go as planned, it never does in war. Funkobergefreiter Friedrich Radener reports two distinct thuds, duds! And while it seems that another torpedo completely missed, at least one ell found the mark, the black night lit up with a huge explosion. As the stricken ship begins to sink, U-50 slips beneath the waves to avoid detection.
Later that night U-50 once again lying off the convoy’s side, KptLt Helmert focuses his full attention on a true prize, a 13,900 ton oil tanker. Mindful of the two duds earlier, he decides to fire all four torpedoes at this one target. It proves to be a wise decision as Funkobergefreiter Radener again reports at least one dud. However, at least two eels find their mark and detonate. Once more U-50 evades detection as her victim sinks into the depths. Unfortunately, the convoy manages to slip away. And, the rest of U-50’s patrol produces no more targets despite searching both the Celtic Sea and the Channel Islands.
21 Sep 1939 Food and fuel running low, KptLt Helmert turns U-50 for home. Three days later, 23 Sep, she enters the harbor at Wilhelmshaven, two pennants flying from the periscope.
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andy
Komandant
Posts: 52
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Post by andy on Feb 4, 2022 12:44:18 GMT
U-45 Will be late for the return No comms until Tuesday. Will file report as soon as possible after that Radio silence imposed following this.
U-45 Patrol Month: September 1939 Patrol #1 for Kommandant KptLt Horst Patrol Assignment:British Isles Successful Patrol:No Freighters sunk: 0/0 Tankers sunk: 0/0 Capital Ships sunk: 0/0 Tonnage sunk: 0/0 Refit Time: 1 month, ready November 1939 Award Request: None
Mission report: Where is the enemy? We were buzzed by an aircraft on the way out from port and then nothing. Literally no ships seen. No sightings at all. Most disappointing for the crew. Still there is always next patrol.
Horst
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Post by silentwolf on Feb 4, 2022 17:31:09 GMT
U-48 Patrol Month: September 1939 Patrol 1 for Kommandant KptLt Til Werthner Patrol Assignment:British Isles (Mining) Successful Patrol:Yes Freighters sunk: 0/0 Tankers sunk: 0/0 Capital Ships sunk: 0/0 Tonnage sunk: 0/0 Refit Time: 2 months, ready December 1939 Award Request: EK2
Narrative:
"We were running on the surface, approximately 60 km west of Ireland when the radio transmission came through.
The mission was a go."
- KMDT Til Werthner
3.September.1939 13.00 hours
The orders were to mine the shipping lane and then head north in search of prey.
Werthner keeps his boat on the surface while approaching the designated mining area. The boat's vigilant lookouts spot an enemy patrol aircraft. A crash dive is performed, U-48 remains unseen.
The mining operation commences after sunset. U-48 quickly deploys all of her mines without incident.
The torpedo tubes are then loaded with steam powered eels.
U-48 begins the hunt!
A few days later at 15.00 hours...........
"Come left to course 0 - 3 - 0.
Slow her down to 1/3.
Raise periscope."
Werthner makes a periscope sweep.
"Well, well....she's a CV....Moving fast...
Lower periscope.
Make turns for 0 - 2 - 0.
Flank Speed."
In a bold and aggressive move, Werthner maneuvers U-48 into close range and prepares to attack the capital ship, CV Ark Royal.
"We're not going to have much time, need to get in close and fire, right away.
Steady on course 0 - 2 - 0, ahead 2/3s.
Raise periscope."
Werthner peers through the periscope at the target.
"All stop.
Flood Tubes 1 - 4.
Target bearing...."
Sonar operator Julius Niemeyer interrupts, loudly shouting, "screws closing fast, bearing 0 - 8 - 0!"
Wake from the periscope has been spotted by one of the capital ship's many escorts.
Werthner quickly shifts the periscope to 0 - 8 - 0.
He sees an escort steaming towards U-48 at full speed!
"Verdammt!
Periscope down!
Take her to 80 meters!
E-motors full speed!
Make turns for 2 - 7 - 0 !"
U-48 increases depth while rapidly changing course and speed.
Werthner attempts to elude the escort..........
Sonar operator Niemeyer exclaims, "They're changing course! Moving this way!"
"Steady on course.
100 meters, chief."
Niemeyer shouts, "Splashes! Wasserbomben!"
"Evasive maneuvers! Rudder hard right!"
The attempt to evade is somewhat effective, however, U-48 suffers some damage from the attack.
"I want a damage report, right now!"
LI Benedikt Hettinger soon answers, " We are taking on water in the E-motor room. Flooding has been slowed but not brought to a stop, crew is working on it."
"Any injuries?"
Medic Johan Rader answers, "a crew member has been lightly wounded with a concussion. He will be OK."
"Take her deeper....."
U-48 descends further into the depths, her hull creaks but holds up against the increasing pressure......
Niemeyer reports, "Contact fading fast, I think she's lost us."
Next, LI Hettinger reports, "flooding has been stopped, Herr Kaleun."
"Gud. Gud.
Raise depth to 60 meters.
Bring her to course 3 - 6 - 0 .
Ahead 1/3."
U-48 continues to hunt for another two weeks. To the dismay of her Kommandant and crew, zero contacts are encountered.
U-48 returns to Wilhelmshaven on 24.September.1939.
She will spend the next two months undergoing refit.
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