ARCHiVE: The Adventures of "33lima"

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

13 June

12:30    Second torpedo hits amidships.



            Freighter slows to 4 Knots and is down by stern but still does not sink.



           Repositioned and fired another torpedo.



           This passes under target...



           ...and explodes on the other side.



           Target is armed and with seas remaining too heavy for deck gun in any event, a further submerged torpedo attack will be necessary.


 

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

13 June

13:25          Manouevred to bring stern tube to bear.



                  Fired last loaded torpedo from Tube 6 at 600 metres.



                  No detonation, so dived to enable tubes to be reloaded in the heavy seas.



                  While submerged and manoeuvring into position for fresh attack, sounds of sinking were heard. Surfaced and observed that target was slowly sinking by the stern.



                  Freighter finally went down, releasing some cargo but crew appeared unable to launch lifeboats or rafts in the poor conditions. No survivors observed.



                  Intention - resume course, dive to enable reloading to be completed, then proceed on surface. Status report confirming success and location will be sent once clear of area of sinking.
   

[33lima]

KTB, U-105


13 June

14:50     Stayed submerged until all tubes reloaded, then surfaced.



15:50    Increased speed and altered course to NE to intercept a small fast convoy reported 18Km to E in EK79.   



16:40    Lookout spotted large aircraft approaching from starboard. Crash dive.



            Machine-gunned by aircraft as we dived. No casualties or apparent damage.



           Went to 60 metres, changing course to starboard as we left surface. Bombed but not close enough to rock boat and no damage caused.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

13 June

16:50   While at 60m, hydrophones detected merchant ships closing on port bow. To periscope depth.



            Small convoy spotted, consists of four freighters in a single column, crossing ahead from port to starboard.



            Hydrophones report warship at head of column. Appears to be a small destroyer or corvette. Aircraft which attacked us is likely to be still around. Decision - stay submerged but increase speed and try to get into range for a submerged torpedo attack.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

13 June

17:05    While stalking column of freighters, suddenly noticed escort had turned towards us and was closing rapidly. Fired 1 torpedo to put him off at 400m then crash-dived.



              Escort evaded torpedo but had to circle around to make his first depth-charge attack.



              Dived to 140m making evasive manoeuvres. Escort dropped only pairs of depth charges on each run and none came close.



              Dived to 160m and continued manoeuvring, generally to SW.



              Depth charging continued, but no damage so far.



17:13     Hydrophones lost contact with escort.



             Despite this, I believe the enemy is still close by and that we have not yet escaped.   Creeping away on silent running.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

13 June

18:50      After many more depth charges, finally lost enemy astern. No damage, seemed safe at 160m. To periscope depth, all clear, surfaced, recharging batteries.



               Set course to hook around convoy onto its estimated mean track.



               Weather slightly improved. Increased speed and sent contact report.



               Crew are to be complimented on steadiness after two heavy depth charge attacks and bridge watch on alertness in spotting aircraft just in time, despite indifferent visibility. Unfortunately, enemy in this area is equally alert and very determined.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

14 June

01:15     Proceeded to NNE on surface at high speed. Dived at intervals for Hydrophone check. Freighter screws at long range off starboard bow, unable to close.



             Wind increased after darkness, visibility poor.



             After midnight, continuous rain, wind increasing, visibility very poor.



             Hydrophone contacts getting fainter. Intention - if convoy not located by daylight or sea state not suitable for torpedo attacks, abandon search and resume course to patrol area. Recent rate of fuel usage makes it certain we will require refuelling with Corrienties at Palma to get home.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

14 June

03:05      In near zero visibility, nearly ran into a freighter which suddenly appeared off the starboard bow at very close range.



               Dived immediately, but unable to see any ships in periscope.



               Came quickly back to surface, but could no longer see any ships.



               Dived and picked up warship and several freighters on hydrophones. Likely same convoy. Turned to place contact on bow, then checked and adjusted for drift to port or starboard.



               Surfaced and ran towards contact at full speed. Visibility still very poor.



04:10       Wind eased somewhat and rain stopped. Still running at full speed towards hydrophone contact.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105


05:30      Spotted convoy of freighters, with last ship just off starboard bow.



               Turned onto parallel course and dived.



                Convoy steaming at 9 knots so unable to overhaul submerged. Came back to surface and took up parallel course at limit of visibility.



                When about level with last ship, decided to attack now rather than risk being detected.



                 Fired one torpedo, hit amidships.



                 Target loses way and sinks slowly on an level keel.



                  Engaged next freighter ahead with deck gun. Illuminates us with searchlights and returns inaccurate fire with light weapons.



                  Alarm! Crash dive to avoid destroyer approaching angle zero off starboard bow. Turned into attack and easily evaded depth charges



                  Turned away to E and continued evasive manouevres. Soon lost contact with escort astern.
                  Intention - escape pursuit and then resume hunt. Only three torpedoes now available as we have been unable so far to transfer deck stowage into boat!

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

14 June

05:20      Sound contact faded astern. Surfaced after daybreak following periscope check. Proceeded W then NNW to regain contact with convoy, loading three torpedoes from deck stowage
               with flak manned.



               Then proceeded at full speed after convoy.



16:20       Bridge watch reported mastheads to north.

     

               Ship is single steamer, zig-zagging. Turned to put her mean course (south) fine off our starboard bow. Intention - submerged attack.



16:35       Dived to periscope depth and commenced attack.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

16:50       Attacked steamer from port, firing from 600m.



               First torpedo hit amidships. Target down by bows and losing way but does not sink.



               Second torpedo swerves suddenly at last second, passing astern of target.



              Fired two further torpedoes from bow tubes at close range. Both heard to hit, but do not detonate.



               The steamer is now dead in the water. Manoeuvre to bring stern tubes to bear and shoot with tube 5, at target's starboard side.



                Hit amidships.



                Gun crew at stern seen to have abandoned position. Ship very slowly sinks by the bows.

17:10         Surfaced.



17:15      Steamer finally sinks.



              Eight torpedoes left, including three fore and two aft deck reserves. Intention - resume course to patrol area at economical cruising speed, staying well out to sea and taking
              advantage of calm seas to bring in external torpedoes. Patrol until fuel requires topping up at Corrienties, then request further orders.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

16 June

07:05      Sea calm so able to complete transfer of external torpedoes. All six tubes now loaded plus two spare eels for stern tubes.



16:00       Running at economical speed to SE towards patrol area. Intermittent showers, winds picking up.



23:19       Now in patrol area. Plotted and commenced search pattern off Freetown. Intention - continue patrol as long as fuel state allows, then request refuel at Corrienties and fresh orders.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

20 June       After four days patrolling assigned area, attempted to intercept a contract reported heading north, near the coast off Freetown. Unable to make contact. Resumed search pattern.



21 June       

14:55          Bridge watch spotted ship dead ahead.



                  Changed course and submerged to commence attack.



                  Through attack periscope, ship seen to be a neutral, under Japanese flag. Possibility remains she could be a Q Ship.



                  Surfaced to tempt her but no reaction and no sign of guns on steamer. Resumed search pattern.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

30 June

09:15       Bridge watch spotted funnel smoke and mastheads fine off starboard bow.



                Two small steamers crossing diagonally ahead.



                Changed course in pursuit.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

30 June

10:20      Both freighters start shelling us.



              Both are fitted with a single gun mounted at stern.



             To periscope depth. We now have only 4 meters of water under the keel, decreasing to and remaining steady at 3 metres.



             Freighters are heading at full steam towards coast. Torpedo shot at hindmost ship runs into seabed almost immediately after leaving tube and explodes.



             In view of this and the risk of operating in very shallow water so close to enemy coast, abandoned attack and withdrew submerged to west.



             Once out of sight of freighters, surfaced and proceeded to W at speed, before resuming search pattern in deeper waters.