ARCHiVE: The Adventures of "33lima"

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

2 July

09:49       Plotted course to intercept single ship reported headed NW in ET37.



10:30        Unable to make contact. Resuming NW-SE search pattern to western side of ET37.

3 July

09:03        Large, slow convoy reported to S, course WSW, at boundary ET37 and ET29.



10:58        Without warning, shelled from escort approaching at high speed from port, angle zero. Enemy must be using radar. Crash dive. No damage.



                 Hydrophone operator detects large convoy to SE.



                 Dived to 140m and started evasive manoeuvres. Depth charged, no damage.



11:10        Now three escorts above us.



                  Repeated depth charge attacks.



                 Increased depth to 190m and evading to NNE, silent running. No damage yet.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

3 July

18:05    Continuously depth-charged all afternoon. One escort remained above, others eventually returned to convoy.



             Maintained 185 meters and evaded to north, increasing speed briefly and turning, each time depth charges dropped. Convoy escapes to SW.



             Crew under great strain but maintain discipline and efficiency throughout.



19:41      Contacts fade astern. After a further hour at silent revolutions, ordered boat to periscope depth.



19:50       Nothing seen in periscope but on surfacing, immediately bombed and machine-gunned by a small twin-engine aircraft.



               Proceeded submerged for half an hour then surfaced again after thorough periscope check. All clear. Radio antenna, 2 cm flak and casing near deck gun all damaged.



               Commenced repairs while proceeding northward. Intention - try to regain contact with convoy during darkness. If unsuccessful, refuel at Corrienties and request further orders.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

3 July

21:40        Damage from aircraft attack repaired. Unable to regain contact with convoy. Fuel now below 35%. Plotted a course to Corrienties to refuel. Informed BdU.



                Will request new orders when reporting arrival. Air and naval defences off Freetown appear inexperienced, but well equipped, aggressive and determined.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

10 July

03:10         Approaching Palma. Ship believed to be Corrienties dead ahead.



                 Steered slightly to port so as to come alongside to starboard, seaward side.



                 Final check confirms steamer is Corrienties.



03:15           Came alongside Corrienties. All engines stopped and made fast.



                    Confirmed arrival to BdU and requested fresh orders.

[33lima]

19410711, 23:45
VON: U-105
AN: BdU
POS: DH9461
TORPs: 22
HULL: 100%
FUEL: 100%

KTB, U-105

11 July

23:45        Refuelling and rearming at Corrienties complete.



                Cast off and proceeding out of harbour to NE under cover of darkness. Awaiting new orders.

[Viktor Schuetze]

OOC-Note: We lack written orders for sets 2 and 3 of 19410601, i.e. sets 19410601_2 and 19410601_3, so if there is anybody willing to help, join in.



19410711, 23:58
VON: FdU
AN: U-105

REPORT RECEIVED. TOUCH UP AND MEET WITH CORRIENTES HAS BEEN GRANTED.

USE COVER OF DARKNESS TO LEAVE PORT UNDETECTEDLY AND RELOCATE TO YOUR NEW PATROL AREA:


ET26, 34, 29, 37, 53, 61

KEEP RADIO SILENCE AND AVOID DETECTION UNTIL YOU ARRIVE. REPORT IN STATUS, LOCATION AND WEATHER WHEN YOU DO.

GOOD LUCK!
FdU Heinz Fischer / Viktor Schuetze

[33lima]

19410711, 23:59
VON: U-105
AN: BdU
POS: DH9461
TORPs: 22
HULL: 100%
FUEL: 100%

Orders received and understood. Proceeding to assigned area after feint to NE, radio silence begins.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

14 July

16:30          Due W of Dakar in EK45, en route to patrol area off Freetown. Weather fine, winds light from SSE, visibility good. No sightings of ships or aircraft since leaving Palma.

[33lima]

19410714, 20:20
VON: U-105
AN: BdU
POS: ET2612
TORPs: 22
HULL: 100%
FUEL: 80%

Arrived in assigned area and commencing patrol. Wind ENE 1 m/s, no rain, visibility very good. No air or sea contacts en route, alles in ordnung.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

July 17

12:02      Altered course to intercept large convoy reported to N in ET29.



               Conditions very clear. Increased speed.



13:30      Well short of convoy, spotted large freighter and a tanker proceeding ENE together towards Freetown.



 13:40     Dived to periscope depth on observing a destroyer coming down from N as if to RV with the two ships.



14:10      Ships now believed to be US-flagged.



               Destroyer identified as US Somers Class. Forms up ahead and leads ships towards Freetown.



                Ships confirmed as US-flagged. Abandoned pursuit and re-set course to locate convoy.

[33lima]

19410717, 14:45
VON: U-105
AN: BdU
POS: ET2865
TORPs: 22
HULL: 100%
FUEL: 80%

Contact - British convoy. Shelled by escort. At least 20 freighters. Crash dived!

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

17 July

14:30        While in pursuit of convoy, was shelled from long range by escort at limit of visibility, likely using radar.




                  Crash dived. To 140m. Repeatedly depth-charged, set too shallow, no damage.



                  Hydrophones report screws of many steamers. Maintaining contact submerged, while evading depth-charges.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

17 July

14:50        Warship sound contact recedes towards convoy. To periscope depth. All clear, surfaced boat.



                  Proceeding at high speed to WSW, on parallel course to estimated mean track of convoy and just out of sight.



14:53          Spotted corvette at limit of visibility.



                   Turned away to show her our stern.



                   No reaction from corvette. Resumed course after she slipped back over horizon.



17:01          Re-plotted course to hook around convoy. Intention - gain position ahead of it and make submerged attack if daylight or bright moonlight, surface attack if dark.

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

17 July

17:45           Adjusted dog-leg course to intercept convoy by reaching a point ahead on its mean track then turning ENE.



                    Running just N of W at high speed in fine and clear conditions. Crew resting, to be called to battle stations only when contact is imminent.

     

[33lima]

KTB, U-105

17 July

19:50          Maintaining full speed in calm conditions before turning towards convoy.



20:35           Running ENE toward convoy. Dived for hydrophone check. Detected propeller sounds over 15 degree arc ahead and turned towards it.



20:40           Surfaced and proceeded towards convoy at reduced revolutions. Visibility fair, fog limits range of vision, full moon rising, scattered clouds.