Deutsche Kriegsmarine
Unterseebootsflottille, Frontflottille
2. Unterseebootsflottille "Saltzwedel"
Lorient, Frankreich
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Departure: on or after 01-APR-1942
Return: by 31-AUG-1942-----------------------------------------
Commanding Officer: Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote Vizeadmiral Karl Dönitz
Flottillenchef: Kkpt.z.S. Olaf Bertler
Stabschef(Chief of Staff): Kptlt.z.S Heinrich Whetsel
“Operation Paukenschlag” Phase II
Date: 27 March 1942
Read the instructions for this mission very carefully.
This is a 5-month operation featuring re-supply, spanning two normal patrol periods; however you will only submit one final patrol report.
I. Situation The declaration of war against the United States on 11 December 1941 by Germany, may not have been as much of a surprise to America, as the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor 4 days before it - but the resulting damage may have been much greater.
Type IX boats were sent on short notice to the US East Coast and operated admirably despite the poor weather, and resistance that was stiffer than expected. Still, the Americans' lack of experience in fighting U-Boote cost them dearly.
The 2.UFlottille has struck with deadly efficiency, at last count sinking over 58 unsuspecting ships off the American coast with the loss of one boat, U-111, to American defenses.
The task facing the U-Flottille now is to follow up our first success with an even more devastating operation. Though the Americans will have had time to prepare, all conditions are right for it, the spring weather, knowledge of traffic lanes and patrol tactics, and of course far superior experience will all be on our side.
Having considered the results of the previous operation, it should be important to continue attacks off Cape Hatteras, New York, and the straight North of Miami. These are three strategic points on the coast that simply cannot be avoided by enemy traffic without going way out of their way.
However it is always crucial to maintain surprise, and there will be plenty of opportunities for that with operations extending into the Gulf of Mexico. This and the seas surrounding will be a primary area for our operation, with significant tanker traffic expected. The oil from this area is key to the enemy war effort. This is the last reliable supply of it for the British. Cut it off, and they will no longer be able to face us!
You have no doubt noticed the sailing date has been pushed back one month from March to April. This is because of the logistics required to make this extended length operation possible. This operation is being supported by new re-supply U-Boote known as Milchkow.
Our U-Flottille has been allocated U461 and U463 to support our operations. In addition one torpedo carrying boat will in turn supply these two boats with enough torpedoes for success.
The U461 and U463 are new to you all but, their role will be crucial to us supplying fuel, fresh water, food, and ordnance.
Their positions or zones of operation will be in your documentation including coded signals for rendezvous.
(ooc: U461 will be in CC61 starting on 10 April, U463 will be in BD35 starting on 05 June. This is using GWX 3.0)
II. Orders: 1. You will depart from Lorient and sail west on or after April 1, 1942. I expect you back in Lorient by end of August. Not later.
2. You may attack single ship/small convoy traffic enroute. If you encounter large convoys, you are recommended to contact BdU before proceeding with an attack. Convoy attacks are discouraged unless position is favorable.
Operational areas:
Report your initial Patrol Zone selected on departure. You will patrol this selected Patrol Zone for at least 2 weeks. Thereafter, you are free to move between Patrol Zones. Report when you move between Patrol Zones to BdU.
III. Important Guidelines: -Do not attack any warships for the duration of this patrol. Avoid contact with patrols at all costs. Likewise, do not engage in any but last-resort action against enemy aircraft.
-Take extreme caution if operating in shallow waters. You are recommended to avoid them entirely in daytime, in particular when surfaced. In many areas the waters are barely deep enough to submerge. If there proves to be significant traffic in such areas, you are recommended to attack it on the surface by night.
-Do not enter enemy harbors. Since a great deal of traffic is expected in the areas outside of them, this is an unjustified risk. On the other hand, it may force the enemy to improve harbor defenses, which would be detrimental if we do eventually decide to commence a special operation against an enemy port.
IV. Re-supply Limits: Re-supply is limited. Be sure that you have a significant need for re-supply before requesting it - the U-Tankers are not nearly of the same capacity as our previous surface supply ships.
For the same reasons, available rearmament will be limited to a maximum of 8 torpedoes per each boat. Each U-Boot is only allowed to use a maximum of 30 torpedoes during the entire 5-month length of the patrol. You should attach the number of expended torpedoes to your radio messages!
SH3 Commander automatically recognizes when you are docked at a U-Tanker or other friendly base and will automatically adjust the number of days spent in base to 1 without you needing to manually change via the SH3 Options screen. *Note that extra days will be added if damage needs to be repaired, this is a limitation imposed by Silent Hunter III.
(ooc: You must not use any more torpedoes than you are assigned. Once you are assigned more torpedoes than this, simply do not reload them.)
V. Upgrades: A. Mandatory Upgrades:
New batteries have to be installed before departure if not already installed. 124 cells 44 MAL 740 (11300 Ah) will improve your submerged range.
B. Optional Upgrades:
1. A sonar dampening material called “Albereich” is in stock in sufficient quantity for all.
2. There are 4 FuMo-29 radar units available with more on order. Contact the Hafenmeister if you want one installed on your boat.
The latter 2 are up to the commanders’ discretion to install.
You may have heard about a new decoy unit, Bold 1, that will confuse the enemy hydrophone operators as to your location. Unfortunately our first shipment of these units has been delayed, so these units may not be available for this patrol.
VI. TorpedoesT1 and T2 available in large numbers. Remember only T1 in the external storage containers.
VII. ConclusionBe sure that you have read and understand all the orders above.
Good hunting on the American coast my wolves! I hope that we will see you all back in Lorient safely in a few months.
By order of:
KKpt Olaf Bertler,
2.Unterseebootsflottille Kommandant
Planning and assistance by:
KptLt Heinrich Whetsel
2.Unterseebootsflottille Stabschef
