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Post by crushedhat on Nov 26, 2022 20:43:54 GMT
Jun 1943 Patrol Status
Beginning with July 1943 patrols we will switch to “The Hunted” rules.
NOTE: The 15th Flotilla is currently based out of St. Nazaire, France. 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’).
Jun Events: 8th, Japanese evacuate Kiska 21st, Allies land on New Georgia, Solomons 30th, Operation Cartwheel launched against Rabaul
New Weapons: While we will switch from “The Hunters’ rules to ‘The Hunted’ rules with patrols beginning July 1943, some systems become available before then. Here are the projected systems/timelines (rules references are to ‘The Hunted’): BOLD Decoys(Rule 9.6.7) – Now Available FAT pattern running torpedoes (Rule 9.2.4) – Now Available Falke homing torpedoes(Rule 9.2.5) – Now Available Deck Gun removal (Rule 10.11.8) - any boat sent to Refit after June 1943 will have its Deck Gun removed. Those Boats already in Refit prior to June 1943 will be modified upon their next time in Refit. Zaunkonig homing torpedoes(Rule 9.2.5) – August 1943 Balkon-Gerat improved hydrophones(Rule 10.11.9) – starting January 1944 Schnorchel (Rule 10.11.10) – beginning February 1944 Alberich anti-sonar coating (Rule 9.6.8) – available starting June 1944
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 30 VIIA KptLt Peter von Agstein Nenva Jun Atlantic 37 IXA KptLt Rudiger Bauer siegmund Refit 66 IXC KKpt Vinzenz von Meyer silentwolf Refit 97 VIIC KptLt Otto Waldner silentwolf Refit 98 VIIC KptLt Patrick Pedersen ChefEd Refit 507 IXC KptLt Sander Rohrbach ChefEd May-Jun Atlantic 509 IXC KptLt Gunter Hartman crushedhat May-Jun Atlantic 512 IXC KptLt Ulrich Khan Flotilla 6 Jun-Jul Atlantic (M) is a mining mission. (A) is agent insertion mission. (W) is a Wolfpack patrol.
Lost Boats: U-39, did not return from Dec 39- Jan 40 patrol (British Isles (M)) U-41, replaced with U-504 after Dec 41-Jan 42 patrol U-45, did not return from May 40 patrol (British Isles (M)) U-46, sunk on Jun 42 patrol (Atlantic) U-48 sunk on Jan 41 patrol (Atlantic) U-50 sunk on Dec 42 patrol (Atlantic) U-99 did not return from Feb 41 patrol (British Isles) U-116 sunk on Dec 42 patrol (Atlantic) U-136 sunk on May 43 patrol (Atlantic) U-177 sunk on Jan-Apr 43 patrol (Indian Ocean) U-214 sunk on Apr-May 42 patrol (North America) U-504 sunk on Aug-Sep 42 patrol (Atlantic)
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 June 43 due no later than Midnight, 2 Dec 2022 your time.
Reminder: If you have a two-month patrol, unless completing it early, submit your Patrol Report when the second month is due.
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Post by ChefEd on Nov 27, 2022 1:01:15 GMT
MAY-JUN 1943 Patrol Atlantic
U-507 Type VIXC
Patrol # for this Kommandant: 2 Successful Patrol: Yes Number of freighters sunk: 0 / 2 Number of Tankers sunk: 1 / 1 Number of Capital Ships sunk: 0 / 0 Tonnage sunk: 6,100 / 32,500 Refit Time: Two ( 2 ) Month(s) Award Requests: None Kommandant: Kapitanleutnent Sander Rohrbach Erster Wachoffizier: Oberleutnent zur See Adam Jellinghaus Zweiter Wachoffizier: Leutnent zur See Eitel Prien Doktor: Stabsgefreiter Richard Werner Leitender Ingenieur: Maat Lorentz Bohlscheid Date | Ship | Flag | Tonnage | Fate | 13 May 1943 | SS George Cleeve | United States | 7,200 | Damaged | 27 May 1943 | SS Gylfe | Norway | 6,100 | Sunk |
3 MAY 1943 - Departed St Nazaire3 MAY through 11 MAYNo Enemy Encountered 12 MAY0905 Hours Sighted convoy with three small freighters, SS Cornish City (5,000T), SS Coral (600T), SS Vital de Oliveira (1,700T), and a tanker, SS Solfonn (9,900T), with escort. At medium range, fired two aft G7es at the SS Solfonn, both missed their target. Escort located us, causing moderate flooding. We went deep and deployed a BOLD decoy, escaping the escort. 13 MAY0130 Hours We maintained contact with the convoy. Sighting two small freighters, SS Ashmun J. Clough (1,800T), SS Mont Viso (4,500T), a large freighter, SS George Cleeve (7,200T), and a tanker, SS Rapana (8,000T), with veteran escort. At medium range fired a Gy1 and a G7e Falke each at the large freighter and at the tanker. One hit and detonation against the Cleeve, two misses against the Rapana. The Cleeve was slowed, and she maintained steerage. Escort located us, causing minor flooding, damaged the batteries, dive planes, and periscope, and damaging the hull. We went deep and deployed another BOLD decoy, escaping the escort. Without a periscope we did not try to pursue the damaged ship. Spent the day assessing and repairing damage. The periscope was beyond our ability to repair. The dive planes were repairable, but the damaged batteries were not. I decided to continue the patrol, hoping to catch a lone ship or two. 14 MAY through 21 MAYNo Enemy Encountered 22 MAYSpotted a convoy. Dove and steered clear. 23 MAY through 26 MAYNo Enemy Encountered 27 MAY0505 Hours Diligence paid off. A foolish or unlucky ship, a tanker no less, SS Gylfe (6,100T), crossed our path. Surfaced at close range and fired two G7es at the unlucky ship. Maybe not so unlucky, as both torpedoes missed the target. I ordered the deck gun to fire at the enemy tanker, this time striking and damaging the ship, slowing her. We maintained pursuit, while keeping a look out for enemy escorts and aircraft, no doubt summoned by the damaged ship. We fired two G7as at the target, another miss, however the second torpedo hit and detonated, sinking the target. 29 MAYSighted another convoy, and again steered clear. 30 MAY through 9 JUNNo Enemy Encountered 10 JUNAnother convoy sighted and avoided. 11 JUN through 30 JUNNo Enemy Encountered 30 JUNArrived St Nazaire Two month(s) for repairs and refit.
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Post by crushedhat on Nov 27, 2022 3:07:09 GMT
19 June 1943. U-509 enter the harbor of St. Nazaire, five pennants flying from the periscope. The mangled deck gun, battered hull, and numerous injured among those standing on her deck attest to the cost of earing those five pennants.
Patrol Report U-Boat #: U-509 Patrol Month(s): May-Jun 43 Patrol Location: Atlantic Patrol # for this Kommandant: 1 Successful Patrol (Y/N): Y Number of freighters sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 3/3 Number of Tankers sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 2/2 Number of Capital Ships sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 0/0 Tonnage sunk (This Patrol/Cumulative for this Kommandant): 36,300/36,300 Refit Time: 1 month standard +2 months for 4 Hull damage, ready Oct 43.
Award Requests: WWB for injured crew, WBG for Lt( Ing) Harald Prien
New LI: Lt (Ing) Rudolf Niemar
Narrative:
1 May 1943, U-Boat pens, Wilhelmshaven The day has finally come, and KptLt Gunter Hartmann has to admit to harboring mixed feelings. For the past two months he and his crew have worked to meld a disparate group of strangers into an effective fighting team. While Gunter is sure they are ready, the true test is now upon them, and fifty men are now relaying upon him to get them through it safely. No easy task given what Gunter has learned about the changes in the Atlantic war; changes not in Germany’s favor.
More important even than the fifty men onboard U-509, Giselle is relying upon Gunter as well. At Giselle’s insistence, they married after learning of Gunter’s promotion to kommand. While he wanted to wait, not to leave her a war widow, Giselle had argued that they should enjoy the time they had together.
To that end, she had insisted on accompanying Gunter to Wilhelmshaven, rather than remaining with her parents in the country, despite the growing threat of Allied bombing day and night. Selfishly, Gunmter has to admit he is glad to see his wife among those on the dock to see U-509 off. “Hopefully these weren’t our ‘last days together,’” Gunter reflects, recalling Giselle’s argument for staying with him.
Turning to his Number One, LtzS Johann Thurmann, Gunter instructs the 1WO to get the Boat underway.
11 May 1943, Atlantic, Night “It’s a big one’” LtzS Johann Thurmann comments as he hands the night glasses over to KptLt Gunter Hartmann.
“Indeed it is, Number One,” Hartmann agrees as he studies many smoke columns on the horizon. Handing the glasses back to his 1WO, Gunter tells Johann, track it so that we may plot an intercept.”
“Yes, Herr Kaleun,” Thurmann acknowledges, leaving Gunter top go below to the plotting board.
Later that night The near column of the convoy presents several lucrative targets, including a tanker of around 6,600 tons and a steam merchant that tips the scales at 5,300 tons. Hartmann decides to fire two FATa’s at each. Recalling the recent reports he’s read about improved Allied ASW capabilities, Gunter decides to attack submerged, from medium range. As the eels race toward their targets, Hartmann orders the release of one of the BOLD decoys and the Boat pushed below her safe limits.
The evasive measures prove to no avail, the sound of high-speed screws clearly audible even as the hydrophone operator announces the sounds of a ship breaking up. The next moment, men and equipment is violently thrown about as the waserbombs rock U-509. While the Boat survives, a number of the crew are injured, including the LI, Lt (Ing) Harald Prien, who suffers a debilitating head injury. The Allies fail to follow up on their initial attack and U-509 is soon in hot pursuit of the convoy, albeit less her LI and 10.5 cm deck gun.
Shortly before midnight With the convoy once more in the periscope albiet at long range after the previous encounter, KptLt Gunter Hartmann evaluates his targets. There are three tankers and a large motor merchantman. Selecting the largest, a tanker of 9,900 tons, Gunter orders all four bow tubes loaded with the remaining forward FATa’s. It proves a wise choice as two of the eels prove to be duds. Still, the other two torpedoes are more than enough to break the tanker’s back.
Once more BOLD is employed, as is pushing U-509 deep. This time the escort is not as proficient and U-509 slips away.
Early morning, 12 May 1943 Once more U-509 sits off the convoy’s flank. And once more, KptLt selects the largest target, a 9,500 ton freighter. With no more FATa’ forward, he decides to fire his two Falke eels as well as two FATb’s. And, as before, the attack will take place from long range to minimize an encounter with the escorts.
There is a loud explosion followed by the sounds of a ship breaking up. Based upon the timing, it was one of the Falkes. As the boat goes deep, another series of explosions indicates a pattern running FATb found another target.
Once more U-509 avoids detection by the escort and, once the coast is clear, surfaces to confirm the nature of her second victim, a 5,500 ton merchantman.
23 May, Atlantic, night “Do you think it’s a trap?” 1WO Johann Thurmann asks KptLt Gunter Hartmann. The object under discussion being a 6,700 ton tanker seemingly travelling on her own.
“Do you see anything else?” Hartmann asks the lookouts clinging to the periscope.
“No, Kaleun,” comes the reply.
Leaning into the speaking tube, Gunter asks, “Sound, are there any other screws?” The hydrophone operator replies as did the lookouts. “I wish we had the 10.5 cm,” Gunter grumbles. But, since the deck gun was knocked out in their first encounter, he orders the forward tubes loaded. With no escorts in sight, he moves in close for a good shot.
Once more it proves wise to fire all four eels as two veer wide of the mark, even at this close range. Still, the other two are more than enough to send the tanker to the bottom.
4 Jun, Atlantic, day With another convoy in sight, KptLt Gunter Hartmann decides to bide his time until nightfall. Fortunately for the Allied sailors, U-509 loses the convoy before being able to get into attack position.
6 Jun, Atlantic, night The men working in U-509’s cramped control room try to hide their surprise at the string of oaths issuing from their Kommandant. The cause of KptLt Gunter Hartmann’s invective is the 31,000 ton battleship in his periscope. Much as he would enjoy earning a Knight’s Cross, Gunter does the quick risk analysis and realizes that it will do him little good lying on the bottom of the Atlantic. With only three torpedoes remaining forward, All of the FATb variety, he decides to fire his tow remaining FATa’s located in the stern. And, in keeping with not wishing to be a dead hero, Gunter opts to make a submerged attack from long range, knowing full well it will likely fail. But, it gives his crew the best odd of going undetected.
The two eels miss, and the BB’s escort makes a half-hearted attempt to sink the ZU-Boat before racing off to rejoin their charge. Of course, there is no chance that u-509 can catch up.
19 Jun, Bay of Biscay “ALARM!”
The lookout’s cry brings everyone on deck instantly to life, The patrol bomber drawing so near before being detected the price of focusing on the pleasures of France rather than the task at hand. U-509 was so near St. Nazaire.
As the Flak gun crews race to bring their weapons to bear, .50 caliber bullets shred their bodies. Several bombs explode alongside U-509 as the bomber zooms low overhead. Below deck, the concussion from the nearby explosions knock the #1 Electric off its mount, and the wounded LI out of his bunk where he is recuperating form his earlier injury. The fall inflicts more head trauma and Lt (Ing) Harald Prien meets his end.
The damaged electric makes maneuvering under water difficult and soon the Hydrophone operator reports the sound of approaching high-speed screws, arriving escorts. Fortunately for U-509, these crews are not as skilled as their earlier cohorts ands U-509 manages to avoid detection.
19 Jun, St. Nazaire U-509 enters the harbor with her five victories on full display. Also on display is the extent of her injuries, both to Boat and crew. Recalling how they were caught unawares by the patrol aircraft, KptLt Gunter Hartmann resolves that the time spent in harbor will be devoted to training, not pursuing pleasure. Time will tell if that will prove to be the case.
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Nenva
New Recruit
Posts: 11
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Post by Nenva on Nov 28, 2022 10:26:33 GMT
U-Boat: U-30 "Poseidon" Type VII-A Patrol Month(s): June 1943 Patrol Location: Atlantic Patrol: 8 for KMDT ObLt Peter von Agstein Successful Patrol: (Yes) Number of freighters sunk: 0/11 Number of Tankers sunk: 0/6 Number of Capital Ships sunk: 1/3 Tonnage sunk: 34,000/183,200 Refit Time: 2 months (1 month + 1 months 2 hull damage) ready September 1943 Award Requests: YES - KC with Oakleaves q39BMLKU1-6 - Veteran Crew
The departure of U-30 from the port was fairly smooth. The crew members of the Poseidon were calmly operating in the waters of the Bay of Biscay and preparing to watch for the arrival of submarine chaser planes. The visibility of June and summer made it possible to dodge a lone RAF plane and it was possible to reach the waters of the Atlantic without further complications.
They patrolled for three days without finding any prey to hunt, while a zig-zag search pattern was followed in the area of passage of allied convoys. A communication from another u-boat gave a warning, there was a large group of allied ships in the vicinity. The "Poseidon" headed towards them, arriving in the vicinity at night.
Once there, the group was found to be the escort of a Nelson-class battleship, displacing 34,000 tons. What a succulent prey for the German submarine. Commander von Agstein quickly indicated periscope depth and a medium distance, ordered countermeasures and the submarine's 4 forward torpedoes to be readied. He launched all 4 with a few seconds interval, all aimed at the flagship of that fleet. Immediately, without waiting to hear the result through the hydrophones, he submerged, exceeding the safe level and releasing BOLD DECOY. Time passed. The chronometer advanced, 3, 2, 1... the first two torpedoes hit, clearly hearing two large explosions and what the operator said was the rupture of the superstructure of the British ship. The third torpedo missed, and the fourth misfired, but the submarine, having accomplished her objective, was now seeking to flee. The operator indicated that it seemed that it had sunk, at the same time that he said that the allied escort was not succeeding in the pursuit.
When the danger passed, with the U-30 already on the surface, the commander sent the news to port. He continued the search, coming across a convoy, of which he was unable to sink any ships, expending all the torpedoes but avoiding all the damage.
They returned to port with no more (nor less) sinking than the 34,000 tons of the gigantic British battleship.
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