|
Post by crushedhat on Apr 2, 2022 20:52:36 GMT
July 1940 Patrol Status
NOTE: With the fall of France, BdU will be moving operations into French ports. The 15th Flotilla will be based out of St. Nazaire. Any Boats currently in Wilhelmshaven, as well as any new Boats entering the game, will begin their patrol in Wilhelmshaven but end their patrol in St. Nazaire (Last patrol box will be ‘Bay of Biscay’). Once a Boat is in St. Nazaire, future patrols will begin and end there (First and last patrol box will be ‘Bay of Biscay’).
July Events: 3rd, British attack and sink the French Fleet in Mers el Kebir French Algeria 10th, Battle of Britain begins
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 Jun-Jul British Isles 41 IXA KptLt Wilhelm Schultze ChefEd Refit 46 VIIB KptLt Willi Gering Donitz Refit 48 VIIB KptLt Til Werthner silentwolf Refit 50 VIIB KptLt Joachim Helmert crushedhat Jul Atlantic 99 VIIB KptLt Fritz Rathke Andy Jul British Isles (M) is a mining mission.
Lost Boats: U-39, did not return from Dec 39- Jan 40 patrol (British Isles (M)) U-45, did not return form May 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 Jul 40 due no later than Midnight, 9 April 2022 your time.
|
|
|
Post by crushedhat on Apr 7, 2022 22:44:34 GMT
U-50 enters the harbor at St. Nazaire, 2 pennants flying from the periscope.
Patrol Report U-Boat #: U-50 Patrol Month(s): Jul 40 Patrol Location: Atlantic Patrol # for this Kommandant: 6 Successful Patrol (Y/N): Y Number of freighters sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 1/8 Number of Tankers sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 1/5 Number of Capital Ships sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 0/0 Tonnage sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 10,700/97,600 Refit Time: 1 month, ready July 1940 Award Requests: Crew Advancement - sCwINXt01-6 1WO Experte
Narrative:
2 Jul 1940, Wilhelmshaven As U-50 leaves the dock at Wilhelmshaven, KptLt Joachim Helmert has mixed feelings. On the one hand, the war is going well, the Low Countries and France having all surrendered and the British forced into a disastrous evacuation back to their home islands. That success means that this will be the last time for some while before U-50, and Joachim, see Wilhelmshaven again; their new post being St. Nazaire France. As a result, last night was also Joachim’s last night with the pretty schoolteacher.
As if reading his commandant and friend’s thoughts, Lt (Ing) Karl Ludlow claps Joachim on the shoulder. “Do you think the mademoiselles are as pretty as they say?”
“We’ll find out soon enough,” Joachim replies, forcing a smile. “In the meantime, we’d best prepare for that forecast storm.”
***
While some would choose to ride out the storm submerged, Joachim Helmert relishes the feel of the rain hitting his face. Additionally, it provides fresh air for the crew below, there will be time enough on the patrol to breathe stale air.
“Herr Kaluen!” and excited voice breaks in on Joachim’s thoughts. Mechanikergefreiter Gunther Schoen, on lookout duty, points at the top of the periscope where a glowing ball has formed. “St. Elmo’s Fire, Herr Kaluen! Luck will be with us!”
“Yes,” Joachim answers, smiling.
10 July 1940, Atlantic Ocean, shortly before dawn “Smoke!” Matrosengefreiter Kurt Wehinger announces, pointing in the distance.
“Kommandant to the bridge,” LtzS Rudolf Mann calls down the hatch.
A moment later, KptLt Joachim Helmert is standing beside his 1WO. Rudolf hands Joachim his binoculars and points. Focusing, Joachim lets out a small oath. “The man must be a fool, traveling alone. Then, to confirm the fact he calls down to Funkobergefeiter Friedrich Radener on the hydrophone, “How many ships do you hear, Freddy?” When Radener confirms, “One,” a predatory smile forms on Helmert’s lips. “Action Stations!”
***
Shortly after sunrise, the remains of the unfortunate tanker are lost in the fire ablaze on the ocean’s surface. “Toss them some food,” Joachim instructs ObFhzS Wilhelm Stieg, indicating the tanker’s crew in a lifeboat. “Then we had best be on our way.”
19 July 1940, Atlantic Ocean, Night As the 4,100 ton steam merchant slips beneath the waves, KptLt Joachim Helmert is reminded of
Mechanikergefreiter Gunther Schoen’s comments about the St. Elmo’s Fire that appeared during U-50’s transit from Wilhelmshaven. It indeed seemed that luck was smiling on U-50, two unescorted ships in the middle of the Atlantic within a week! But, that luck was tempered by the fact that two of the four eels fired at the most recent target were duds. “Still,” Joachim reflected, “I am only one small freighter away from a Knight’s Cross. And, we still have plenty of torpedoes.”
24 July 1940, Atlantic Ocean, Night After spending hours maneuvering, U-50 was now off the flank of a large convoy. KptLt Joachim Helmert studied the ships of the nearest column, three freighter of 5,00 tons or less and a tanker of at least 10,000 tons. Joahcim debated; the tanker, or one of the smaller prey? With only only four eels in the bow, as well as the two in the stern, and mindful of the dud rate, He chooses one of the freighters. The calculations made, the order is given, “Los!”
The sole hit proves to be a dud! At least it seems the escort is unaware of their presence as U-50 slips away.
***
Having regained the convoy, KptLt Helmert tries again. With only the stern torpedoes, and a single shot available, Joachim once more forgoes the 12,000+ ton freighter to fire at a more modest 4,000 ton target. Once more the eel misses. And, once more the convoy and its escort remain blissfully unaware they are being stalked.
***
This is U-50’s last chance, only one torpedo left. As with the two previous attempts, this one also results in failure. At least U-50 suffers no retribution. However, the crew gives their Kommandant a wide berth as KptLt Joahcim Helmert fumes over the lost opportunity to secure a Knight’s Cross.
27 July 1940, St Nazaire By the time U-50 is pulling into her new home, the frustrations of the encounter with the convoy are all but forgotten. The fact remains that there are two pennants flying from the periscope, and both U-50 and her crew are unhurt. It seems luck did smile upon them after all. Besides, there are the mademoiselles to discover.
(OOC – Rolled a Random Event – Hal und Beinbruch during Transit to the patrol station, then two ‘3s: unescorted ship’ on the Atlantic table. So, even though KptLt Helmert fell short of his KC, it was a lucky patrol overall. And, No Damage or injuries!)
1-6
|
|
andy
Komandant
Posts: 52
|
Post by andy on Apr 9, 2022 16:05:46 GMT
Patrol Report U-Boat #: U-99 Patrol Month(s): Jul 40 Patrol Location: British Isles Patrol # for this Kommandant: 1 Successful Patrol (Y/N): Y Number of freighters sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 0/0 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): 0/0 Refit Time: 1 month, ready September 1940 Award Requests: None.
Report:
U-99 carried out a succsesful mission in British waters laying a mine field to the north west of Scotland. Only encountered one sole ship. Attacked it with deck gun on two independent occasions. Failed to sink the large freighter and were eventually interrupted in our attack by an aircraft flying over our vessel. Dived away and made distance between location and aircraft. Attempted to relocate target but failed. Remainder of mission quiet and no further contacts made.
No casualties sustained to crew and no damage to U-99.
|
|
Siegmund
Komandant
https://gyazo.com/02a30ba9c4d6048eb8d7f26644bfa8a2.png
Posts: 50
|
Post by Siegmund on Apr 15, 2022 15:15:32 GMT
02.06.1940 After a great holiday, we return to the harbor again. 07.06.40 Our advance in the patrol area was successful. 15.06.40 Countless days pass in boredom. As it turned out, not a single ship. 16.06.40 21:30 A lone ship was discovered in the sunset, accompanied by a corvette. 2250 Went out to block to attack. We managed to get very close to the enemy. I ordered to give the hall with both stern tubes. 2155 The first torpedo hit the target, but the second missed. The corvette roamed, but worked uncertainly and we managed to escape with ease. Now the most important thing is not to miss the wounded game. 17.06.40 2215 We've been chasing discovery all day. Due to the interception of detainees, it is Bancrest with a displacement of 4400 tons. Here we are again ready to attack. 2228 Both bow tube torpedoes hit the target. The ship lost its course and caught fire. The team releases him. 2330 Again, the corvette is not natural. We thought we reloaded the tubes and continue hunting. 21.06.40 When reloading a torpedo, an accident occurred and three sailors received serious consequences. 27.06.40 And again the searchers of fruitless days reached out. 30.06.40 1145 Single ship detected! Fullest forward! Prepare the weapon! 1215 After a short chase, we managed to overtake the prey. They gave a warning shot and the team, having stalled the course, begins to leave the ship. Our gunners hit the ship with several well-aimed shots, and it began to sink. 04.07.40 2106 An enemy ship was detected escorting an escort ship. Let's wait for darkness and try to attack from close range. 2145 Damn! The escort frigate team was on the alert and now we need to make an effort to hide from the enemy. 2210 Depth charges fall like rain. The hull was damaged. 2215 We go to extreme depth, in an attempt to break away from the escort. 2230 It seems that we managed to escape, but the enemy ship disappeared without a trace 08.07.40 1930 An enemy tanker was discovered and again, accompanied by an escort. 2215 We managed to approach the minimum distance. Launch of all four torpedoes from bow tubes. 2223 Two torpedoes missed and two didn't explode! Terrible failure! Again I command a dive to extreme depth. 2248 It looks like the enemy didn't even notice our attack. Well, we'll take advantage of this and continue the hunt! 09.07.40 0235 And again managed to get close to the enemy for a pistol shot. And again, the launch of all four torpedoes. 0242 One torpedo missed, but the rest hit the target and a terrible fire rages on the tanker. 0320 Instead of hunting us down, an escort ship tries to rescue the drowning sailors. We managed to leave the scene of the attack undetected. 15.07.40 1840 An enemy vessel was discovered accompanied by a corvette. Let's wait for the night and repeat the proven tactics. 2025 Of the three torpedoes, one missed, two did not work, and after hitting one, the ship literally flew into the air. Looks like it was carrying ammunition. 2145 The explosion so shocked the escort ship that it rushed to look for us in a completely different place, and we quickly left the place of attack. 20.07.40 We safely reached our native harbor. U-Boat: # 37 Type: IXa Patrol: # 3 Patrol Assignment: British Isles Successful Patrol: Yes Number of Freighters Sank: 2 (Bancrest 4400, E. Barracuda 5000) Number of Tankers Sank: 1 (Bulysses 7500) Number of Capital Ships Sank:0 Total Tonnage Destroyed: 16900 (87800) Refit Time: 2 months Crew Capitan: KLt Siegmund von Margur 1WO LtzS Otto Schulz 2WO ObfzS Andreas Abracham (Eng)Lt (Ing) Hans Braun Doctor Sanitatsmaat Andreas Holzmann
|
|