Oberleutnant Ralf
Thomsen
Patrol # 7
| Duration: | 06.08.1940 - 17.08.1940 , 12 days on sea |
| Patrol Area: | AL34 |
| Ship: | U-54, The Laughing Sawfish |
| Type: | VII B |
| Flotilla: | 7. Flotille, St. Nazaire |
06.08.1940 12.55
Departure from St.Nazaire.
Medium weather conditions, visibility up to 10.000m. What a nice place here.
St. Nazaire is not so nice, but the surroundings, especially La Baule are
very beauty.
10.08./12.58 AL3834
Enemy airplane spotted, two engines, probably a Lockheed Hudson. Crash dived.
It seems that the plane did not recognize us.
/19.05 AL3484
Operational area reached, beginning up and down searchcouse
12.08/08.26
Received radio message from BDU: Set course to AK34 immediately, convoy expected
/15.48 AL1528
The Obersteuermann reports a convoy sighting. Main course 360 degree, 5 knots.
We are shadowing the convoy and sending Kontaktmeldung.
/16.05
We see only one korvette as an escort. The convoy is consisting of 12 ships,
4 columns ,4 rows, it seems the convoy met some of our boats before.
I decide to to attack at daylight, to force the korvette to engage.
/17.15
The korvette is turning towards us. We are submerging for a P-attack. Having
the persicope up only for a few moments and waiting for the approach.
600m distance, angle 0 degree, double shot with G7e k.i., both missed.
300m distance, angle 0 degree, double shot with G7e and G7a k.i., one torpedo
hits, the other misses.
The korvette is slowing down with active ASDIC on,
it is passing us in 150m distance. In 300m
distance, angle 180 degree aft torpedo shot. Korvette is blowing up and shattered
in pieces.
/18.06
 |
We are beginning an OS-Attack on 10.000 BRT tanker with shells to force other remaining escorts to engage. |
Pumping shells into the tanker we are coming nearer and nearer towards
the convoy. At 400m distance we are firing additionally one torpedo G7e m.i.,
with an angle out of 20 degree. An enourmos blow up of gasoline (I assume)
with a high flame. The tanker stopps and is sinking totally in flames.
A destroyer (1.000 to) in 3.400m is turning to us. We are going on periscope
depth to attack.
With the destroyer only 1.700m away we are turning to silent drive, destroyer
is pulsing ASDIC.
Out of 600m distance, angle 0 degree, we fire adouble shot with G7e and G7a
both m.i., one torpedo misses, the other one hits, with only little fire
midship.
Turning the boat around and firing the aft torpedo. The destroyer is blown
in pieces.
We are provocating any more attacks by staying in the visibility of the convoy,
but no escorts appear. It seems that the slaughterhouse is ready!
We are sending the Kontaktmeldung of that unescorted convoy. We will retreat
a litlle to bring the torpedoes from the deck down.
/20.30
With the first eels in, we star the canon attack. Opening fire out of 500m
distance.
First target tanker 3.000 BRT, sinking after 11 shells.
/20.39
Second target tanker 2.000 BRT, sinking after 9 shells
/20.45
Third target tanker 13.000 BRT. This one is too big for only a cannon
attack.
410m distance, angle 10 degree, single shot G7e m.i., dud. Rats! We are breaking
up the attack, we will come back with torpedoes in the tubes.
/21.14
New target, freighter 4.000 BRT, exploding after 1 shell! I assume this ship
had a load of ammunition which we hit!
/21.26
New target, freighter 7.000 BRT, sinking after 27 shells
/21.36
We are returning to our first big ship with two tubes loaded.
Distance 450m, angle 0 degree, single shot G7a m.i., dud!
Distance 370m, angle 0 degree, single shot G7e m.i., hit. Only low explosion
effects, after 34 shells ship is sinking
/22.05
Kontaktmeldung wired. We are retreating from convoy to reload the last deck
torpedoes.
13.08/01.36
The last two torpedos are in the tubes. We are attacking the convoy. Why
don't they break up the convoy?
/01.54
Reached postion for target troop ship 12.000 BRT, 410m, 0 degree, single
shot G7a m.i., dud! Engaging gain, 370m distance, angle 0 degree, single
shot G7e m.i., hit, ship stops and is burning and sinking after 34 shells.
We are out with torpedos and only 111 shells remaining, we have to look for
our targets carefully.
/2.16
Target freighter 6.000 BRT, sinking after 12 shells
/2.20
Target tanker 8.000 BRT, sinking after 39 shells
/2.40
Target freighter 8.000 BRT, after 28 shells we are out of ammunition, breaking
up attack
/2.50
Radio message: 9 merchants sunk 64.426 BRT, 1 korvette, 1 destroyer, contact
with undefended convoy, out of ammunition, send u-boat to take over.
/3.40
Radio message from BDU: U-51 on the way, stay with convoy until boat arrives.
/06.15
Radio message from U-51: Convoy in sight. It is ours. Thank you and good
return
Set course to St. Nazaire.
/14.15
Radio mesaage received: U-51 has sweeped the seas. The convoy is totally
destroyed!
17.08./17.58
Returned safe to St.Nazaire
PATROL RESULTS
Merchants |
Escorts |
Warships |
BRT |
|
| Patrol results: | 9 |
2 |
0 |
64.426 |
| Total career results: | 24 |
3 |
0 |
178.140 |
DECORATIONS
U-boat badge |
Knights Cross |
Knights Cross |
Knights Cross with |
 |
 |
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