SHAKEDOWN CRUISE; U-181
MODS: GWX + S3C (I think)
Realism was default
Maximum time Compression was x128
Type: IXd2; 1942
Dates: 01Aug1942 to 18Aug2942
Training Flotilla to 10th Flotilla; Lorient
Our Orders were to report to 10.U-Flotille, Lorient/Frandreich on or before February 15, 1942. This was not possible and assumed an error in the partol orders, since the missions began on August 01, 1942. We were ordered to report to the shipyard indicated and gather our crew and perform an initial shakedown training and delivery of our new U-Boot.
Goal 1) Ensure U-Boot readiness for service. Proceed to Baltic Sea and carry out complete evaluation of the boats performance.
Goal 2) Once satisfied with Goal 1, proceed to the torpedo training Area indicated on the map. This was a long journey. Fire all torpedoes at small target vessels. When all torpedoes are expended, move on to Goal 3.
Goal 3) Once finished training, proceed directly to new base. Do not engage traffic enroute.
Upon arrival at new base, report in to the Flottillenchef in my kommandant thread.
The crew of U-181 has arrived Lorient; Below is our report:
01Aug1942; 08:00
VON: U-181
AN: BDU
POSITION: AN 9824
Weather; Clouds clear; Precipitation None; Visibility Moderate.
Stores included 24 torpedoes (4-T3, 10-T2 and 10 T-1’s); 110 rounds of 10.5 HE and 8000 rounds of 2cm AP.
We cleared position and headed out NNE.
0831 Dove to test seals and scopes; discovered scoped do not focus above 4 kts.
We traveled around the horn and headed east to position. There were numerous friendly ship sightings and multiple opportunities to practice dive and evade. There were also numerous radio messages received during our travel to the training area.
We arrived in the training area 04Aug1942 and was approached by a convoy of British tugboats. We proceeded to periscope depth and dispatched of a few of them.
We then proceeded to training Area #2, which was rich with target tugs, which we dispatched of until we only had 3 torpedoes remaining, which we transferred on the surface traveling slowly. Once reloaded, we headed for Training Area #3 and arrived on 05Aug1942 and dispatched 2 more target tugs with our last 3 torpedoes. In total we dispatched 13 ships for a total of 14,809 tons. We experienced 3 duds, 4 premature explosions and 4 complete misses.
We left Training Area #3 05Aug1942 at 1014; Grid AO94; Clouds clear; Precipitation none; Visibility Unlimited; wind speed 0 mps; Direction 266
We retraced our path until we approached the North Sea and headed north along the western coast of Denmark.
From the 6th to the 17th, we made our way around the northern edge of Great Brittan and past the western side of the Rockall Banks and headed south. We received numerous messages about world events as well as sinking of several U-boots.
On 17Aug1942, mid-afternoon, we turned east into the Bay of Biscay. The weather was sever as was the sea state. We were experiencing severe weather. This continued all the way into port which we accomplished on 18Aug1942.
We tried to park in almost every pen in the place, but never were able to get the mission objective met. We have multiple screen shots to verify our accomplishment and completion, and also the good skill of our crew in parking U-181 in the pens….
The journey was an extremely long one. We have about had enough of each other and most of us want a hot bath, a hot meal and a smokin hot woman for companionship.
I have given the crew 2 day passes in shifts and am keeping 2 squads onboard to help the dock crew refit and resupply. For the most part everything went well.
Anticipate being operational and ready for sea in 1 to 2 weeks.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
Lt.z.s. Heinrich Liebe
U-181
Heading out to sea.
Friendlies along the way
More friendlies
Our chief is pretty good at parking
Final Status Report
The BOSS is happy, so are we!!!
Final totals
