Oberleutnant Ralf
Thomsen
Patrol # 4
Duration: | 29.01.1940 - 04.02.1940 , 7 days on sea |
Patrol Area: | AN67 |
Ship: | U-113, The Laughing Sawfish |
Type: | II C |
Flotilla: | 1. Flotille, Kiel |
29.01.1940 12.10
Departure from Kiel harbour. Medium weather conditions visibility up to
10.000m
Leaving the escorts behind, my head aches still from my birthday party three
days ago! Hopefully the crew does not notify my weakness.
But good news have also to be reported: A squadron of Blohm & Voss BV
138 reconaissance planes openend their base right in the near of our flotilla
to support us!
A very funny looking plane! But a good help to increase our chances. |
30.01.1940 07.46
Patrol Area reached
beginning up and down search course. I extended the area to the british
coast to increase our chances.
01.02.1940 07.59
Very poor visibility below 1.000m. AA guns mannned
03.02.1940 12.27
The fog is lifting and thanks to good visibility, we are sighting a small
british tanker, bearing 283 degree, 2 knots speed.
An easy prey! We begin an OS-attack.
03.02.1940 12.47
During the phase to ge in a good position we notify a second contact, a small
freighter, bearing 175 degree, 6 knots
03.02.1940 13.17
In superb position we shot a G7e, kontakt ingniter, with 0 degree, range
440m. But that damned thing exploded after half of the distance.
03.02.1940 13.24
Fearing to loose the second contact, we shot the second torpedo out of a
bad position with G7e kontakt ingniters,190 degree from behind, range 350m.
The torpedo hits the ship is climbing nearly a meter up and is sinking down!
03.02.1940 13.26
First tube reloaded
03.02.1940 13.56
Shot G7e, kontakt initial, with 0 degree, range 320m. Again the torpedo did
not explode, although we saw him hitting the ship! The crew in the british
ship must hold their stomaches for laughing about us!
03.02.1940 14.10
Second tube reloaded
03.02.1940 14.15
Fourth attempt! Shot G7e, kontakt ingniter, with 350 degree, range 320m.
Torpedo exploded after 100m, although safety distance is 300m! What shall
we do, for god's sake!
03.02.1940 14.30
Fifth run!! Shot G7e, kontakt ingniter, with 0 degree, range 310m. What a
surprise! The torpedo hit the ship and exploded. I turned immediately to
the second contact which is now over 10.000m away, bearing 41 degree, speed
6 knots.
03.02.1940 16.07
During the attack on the second ship, the third tube was reloaded and the
sinking of first contact watched.
We are in good shot position 20 degrees. Firing our last eel, a G7a, kontakt
ingniter, range 310m.
The torpedo left the tube but the engine does not start!
We leave this coursed place with full flank ahead. I'm setting course to
base immediately.
03.02.1940 18.57
Radio message: British tanker sunk 2.300 BRT
04.02.1940 00.25
Escorts ordered, Safe return to Kiel Harbour
Private commentary:
What a mess. We returned feeling that we have lost a great battle. The
morale is on ground, although we are on second rank in the list of the aces
with 48.900 BRT....
But then as the CO came on board in the harbour, what for good news for us:
U-54, a VIIB type is available for us! I will take command on that ship,
taking as many of man of my crew with it as I can!
PATROL RESULTS
Merchants |
Escorts |
Warships |
BRT |
|
Patrol results: | 1 |
0 |
0 |
2.295 |
Total career results: | 8 |
0 |
0 |
48.900 |