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Post by crushedhat on Mar 20, 2022 17:14:41 GMT
April - May 1940 Patrol Status
Since there are no Boats on patrol in April, April and May are being combined.
Apr-May Events: Apr: 9th, Germany invades Norway, Denmark surrenders 11-12th, 1st Naval Battle of Narvik ends in German defeat: DD battle 13th, 2nd Naval Battle of Narvik ends in German defeat: 50% of German DD force is lost May: 1st Allies begin evacuation from Norway 10th, Germany invades the ‘Low Countries:’ Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg, France 15th, Dutch surrender 19th, British invade Iceland 25th, Russia accuses Lithuania of kidnapping soldiers 26th, Evacuation from Dunkirk begins – lasts until 3 June 28th, Belgium surrenders
U-Boat Status for month (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 Refit 41 IXA KptLt Wilhelm Schultze ChefEd May-Jun British Isles (M) 45 VIIB KptLt Georg Horst Andy Refit 46 VIIB KptLt Willi Gering Donitz Refit 48 VIIB KptLt Til Werthner silentwolf May Atlantic 50 VIIB KptLt Joachim Helmert crushedhat May British Isles (M) is a mining mission.
Lost Boats: U-39, did not return from Dec 39- Jan 40 patrol (British Isles (M))
Required information for end of Patrol Report: U-Boat # Patrol Month(s) Patrol Location Patrol # for this Kommandant 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 Apr-May 40 due no later than Midnight, 26 March 2022 your time.
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Post by ChefEd on Mar 20, 2022 18:18:29 GMT
U-Boat 41 Patrol Month(s): May/Jun 1940 Patrol Location: British Isles (M) Patrol # for this Kommandant: 3 Successful Patrol: Yes Number of freighters sunk: 1 / 7 Number of Tankers sunk: 0 / 2 Number of Capital Ships sunk: 0 / 0 Tonnage sunk: 2,700 / 59,200 Refit Time: One month Award Requests: None
Arrived on station to deploy our mines. No enemy encountered, enabling a successful deployment of the mines.
Three days after deploying our mines, we sighted a large freighter, the SS Fairport (6,200 tons) with escort. We fired two G7es from medium range, and missed with both. The escort was unable to locate us. We were unable to maintain contact with the freighter.
Five days later we spotted the SS Vingaland (2,700 tons) with escort, around midnight. We made a surfaced attack, firing two G7as. Both struck the ship, sending her to the bottom. The escort located us, and made its attack. We suffered some minor injuries to the crew, and the aft torpedo doors were damaged. We were able to elude the escort, and made off for repairs. We were unable to repair the aft torpedo doors.
The rest of the patrol was uneventful, empty seas.
Attributed tonnage sunk: None. [DR6, on “The Hunters” table, from “TONNAGE OF SHIPS SUNK WITH MINELAYING MISSIONS”, by tsadik1977, posted to BGG.]
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Post by crushedhat on Mar 24, 2022 23:15:45 GMT
U-50 enters the harbor at Wilhelmshaven, 2 pennants flying from the periscope.
Patrol Report U-Boat #: U-50 Patrol Month(s): May 40 Patrol Location: British Isles Patrol # for this Kommandant: 5 Successful Patrol (Y/N): Y Number of freighters sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 2/7 Number of Tankers sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 1/4 Number of Capital Ships sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 0/0 Tonnage sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 16,900/86,900 Refit Time: 1 month, ready July 1940 Award Requests: None
Narrative:
1 May 1940, Wilhelmshaven Spring is most definitely in the air as U-50 slips her moorings and sets sail amid the cheers and well wishes of those on the dock to see off their loved ones. KptLt Joachim Helmert turns over the helm to his 1WO LtzS Rudolf Mann; partly to give him the experience, and partly to allow Joachim to focus his attention on one particular person standing on the pier. When he catches her eye, she smiles.
12 May 1940, Irish Atlantic Coast “It would appear that what the Tommies have labeled ‘The Phoney War’ is over. Lt (Ing) Karl Ludlow comments dryly as he and his Kommanmdant, KptLt Joachim Helmert share coffee in U-50’s cramped wardroom. His observation coming upon the news that Germany has invaded France, Belgium, Luxemburg, and the Netherlands.
“I doubt it seemed phoney to the crews of the nine vessels we’ve sunk thus far,” Joachim replies. Then, a hint of frustration showing through, “Though if we continue at this pace, it might as well be. Almost two weeks and no targets.”
“Patience, Mein Kaleun,” Karl seeks to calm his friend. “Patience.”
16 May 1940, Early Evening, Celtic Sea KptLt Joachim Helmert stood hunched over, his arms draped across the handles of the periscope. “A lone steam Merchant,” he announced, raising the level of excitement in the control room.
“And the second set of screws?” 1WO Rudolf Mann ventured.
“As Funkobergefreiter Radener surmised, an escort.”
Joachim’s pronouncement brings a satisfied grin to the Hydrophone operator’s face, though it dampens the spirits of the others present. Still, they become strictly businesslike when he orders, “Torpedo Stations.”
***
“This Tommie certainly is persistent,” Joachim forces a casual joviality to his voice as U-50 undergoes another round of depth charges. Partly to bolster his crews’ spirits, and partly to keep from thinking about the failure of half the eels to detonate.
***
The assault finally stopping, U-50 goes in pursuit of the damaged freighter. To Joachim’s disappointment, it is still under escort. He is further disappointed when again, half the torpedoes fail to detonate. His anger is only slightly mollified by the fact that the remaining two eels are sufficient to send the freighter to the bottom, and that the escort fails to find them this time.
20 May 1940, Channel Islands “I can’t believe it!” 1WO LtzS Rudolf Mann says as he looks at the lone ship.
“We had best make the most of this opportunity, Hew Rudy?” KptLt Joachim Helmert replies. “This close to England, help can’t be far off.”
Not wishing to take nay chances, all torpedo tubes, bow and aft, are loaded as the gun crew scrambles onto deck. It proves a wise precaution as once more, 50% of the torpedoes prove to be duds. Even so, it is not enough to save the unfortunate freighter.
26 May 1940, Wilhelmshaven U-50 enters the harbor with two pennants flying from the periscope.
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Post by silentwolf on Mar 25, 2022 2:24:53 GMT
U-48 Patrol 4 for Kommandant KptLt Til Werthner Patrol Assignment:Atlantic Successful Patrol:Yes Freighters sunk: 1/3 Tankers sunk: 0/1 Capital Ships sunk: 0/0 Tonnage sunk: 7,200/29,500 Refit Time: 2 months, ready August 1940
Awards Requested: none
"Patrol number four began on May 3rd. It was windy, but sunny morning. A large group had gathered on the pier to see us off. Most of the boys had loved ones there. The crew waved goodbye as the e-motors engaged. The boat quietly slipped away from the dock and advanced into the Harbor.
I waved farewell to Ingrid. I missed her so much whenever we were apart....
We saw some action early on. We were in transit to the patrol area when a Sunderland came in low and attacked.
The boat took some damage. There was a moderate amount of flooding and damage to the periscope. A crew member was also injured with a light wound.
After submerging I changed course as a precautionary measure - if any destroyers were in the area, they would be hastifully moving to intercept. I needed my boat to make it to the patrol area in one piece!
Fortunately, we would see no more combat on this day. I surfaced the boat a few hours later and water was pumped out. The periscope was repaired and U-48 was ready for the hunt.
On the evening of the 12th, a convoy was intercepted.
A surface attack was made from medium range. I targeted a freighter and tanker with 2 eels each.
The tanker took a hit, but the damned torpedo was a dud!
A few moments later, a hit was scored on the freighter. This torpedo exploded and a brilliant fire illuminated the night!
Taking full advantage of my boat's fast surface speed, I quickly maneuvered U-48 away from the enemy escorts who were now aware of my presence.
I then attacked the damaged freighter once more. This was another surface attack from medium range.. Two G7a were fired from the forward tubes. Both hit, but only one detonated!
Quite frustrating, but it was enough to get the job done.
The burning and heavily listing freighter, "Alexander Macomb", began to break up. Satisfied with the kill, I quickly disengaged, leaving the frantic escorts far behind.....
Late at night on the 15th, a second convoy was intercepted. The reminder of my torpedos were expended, targeting multiple freighters and a tanker. Several hits were scored but most were duds! The two that detonated damaged the tanker, but did not sink her.
There was a close call with an enemy escort after the attack - depth charges were dropped within close proximity of my boat. After diving well below test depth, we evaded and avoided the counterattack."
- KptLt Til Werthner
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andy
Komandant
Posts: 52
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Post by andy on Apr 2, 2022 20:31:44 GMT
Patrol Report
U-Boat #: U-45 Patrol Month(s): May 40 Patrol Location: British Isles Patrol # for this Kommandant: 5 Successful Patrol (Y/N): Y Number of freighters sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 1/6 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): 3,700/77,800 Refit Time: U-45 Lost most likely cause implosion on board. All crew believed lost. Award Requests: None
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