Oberleutnant Ralf
Thomsen
Patrol # 1
| Duration: | 19.10.1939 - 31.10.1939 , 13 days on sea |
| Patrol Area: | AN62 |
| Ship: | U-113, The Laughing Sawfish |
| Type: | II C |
| Flotilla: | 1. Flotille, Kiel |
19.10.1939 04.35
Departure from Kiel harbour
Poor weather conditions, visibility below 5.000m, AA-guns manned for safety
purposes.
We are out for our first patrol. The boat and the crew fresh from the training
flotilla of Pillau assigned to the 1. flotilla.
I order drill and dive exercises to practise my crew and me, because we are
very green and a litlle bit nervous.
20.10.1939 14.25
Patrol Area reached
beginning up and down search course, Medium weather conditions, visibility
on 10.000m, AA-guns secured.
We are, more or less, in the middle of the wet triangle of the North-Sea.
I'm wondering what we shall do here, away from the normal shipping lanes.
20.10.1939 23.15
The I WO is reporting a contact, bearing 275 degree, no lights set. The contact
is identified as british medium sized merchant. I decide to begin a Over-surface
(OS) attack.
20.10.1939 23.45
We have reached a good position, angle 90 degrees, distance 600m, double
shot with T III Mark G7e one magnetic, one kontakt igniter.
The kontakt torpedo exploded after 300m, the magnetic torpedo hit the ship
whitout exploding although depth was set for 5m below surface. We can't believe
our eyes. What is going on here? Preparing for a new run.
20.10.1939 23.55
Again we are in a perfect position, as learned by the book, angle 90 degress,
distance 400m, one shot with TII Mark G7e kontakt igniter.
A heavy explosion midship with black and white smoke, very fast sinking watched,
no survival boats or survivals sighted. Retreated from sinking position.
21.10.1939 04.15
Radio message: British merchant sunk 7.000 BRT, name could not be
identified.
Torpedos reloaded, new calibrated and tested. I orderd the LI and his men
to a sharp inspection of the remaining eels.
Going back on up and down search course
23.10.1939 06.35
Suprised by a Sunderland due to poor weather conditions. With that fog it
must be a hit bei chance, that they spotted us.
Emergency dive to 155 m, we received two depth charges with no damage.
I decided to stay submerged for two hours for safety purposes.
27.10.1939 12.00
Days of boring routine, ship is going up and down on our course. Nothing
in sight, except us and our dirty necks.
 |
I commanded intesive maintenance work inside the boat. So that ,the crew is getting not too sleepy. |
30.10.1939 02.45
Again a contact sighting from the crew of the I WO! Bearing 189
degree, no ligths set and identified as british medium sized tanker.
In the night an OS-attack is the best manouveur. We reached a postion with
an angle of 70 degree, distance 500m. Double shot with T I Mark G7a magnetic
and T III G7e kontakt igniter.
Hell, G7a did not explode, G7e exploded after 300m!
We are notified by ship, it begins intensive evasive manouvering.
30.10.1939 03.20
New OS-run. With a position with an angle of 120 degree, distance 350m we
shot our last T III G7e kontakt igniter torpedo.
We see a little explosion on bridge level, the ship comes slowly to a stop.
Survival boats are set out. The ship sinks after 1/2 hour.
We are driving towards the survivals and donate maps, food and drinking water
in exchange for the ship's name.
30.10.1939 05.10
Radio message: British tanker "Maria Stuart" sunk 5.741 BRT.
With no torpedoes left we are returning to base.
31.10.1939 16.45
Save return to Kiel harbour. The escorts welcomed us with their typhoons.
With two success pennons hoisted we are approaching the pier.
Strategic issues:
No convoy messages and very low flying activities are a sign that the
enemy is not ready. We should use the chance. The type IIC with only 6 torpedos
should not be used for wide area operations. It should be better placed in
front of enemy harbours.
The bad weather conditions this month hampered sightings. More help from
Luftwaffe is needed.
Private commentary:
The crew is very agressiv and eager to fight. The problem with the torpedos
gives them a furour against the "Silberfische" in port.
We will celebrate our first patrol in flotilla casino.
PATROL RESULTS
Merchants |
Escorts |
Warships |
BRT |
|
| Patrol results: | 2 |
0 |
0 |
12.741 |
| Total career results: | 2 |
0 |
0 |
12.741 |