[Ducimus]

Preface:
Ok for too many reasons to explain here, i gravitate towards IX Uboats, and long range patrols to distant waters. Late war it gets hard to survive in these boats. My challenge to myself, and if anyone cares to surpass it once i set a "record" is thus:

1.) Spend the most amount of days at sea with the least amount of patrols.
2.) Set a record for the longest patrol without the use of a milk cow in SH3.
3.) Survive the war.

The plan:
My plan is to go to all the major distant theaters. US east coast, Gulf of Mexico, the Caribean, South America, South Africa, the Indian ocean, and maybe even poke my head around the Pacific ocean near Austrila. To accomplish this, i would need an IXD2 Uboat that started in the 10th flotilla, transfer to the 12th flotilla, and later to the 33rd.

Rather then use a famous Uboat like U-181, i chose a not so famous uboat that started in the 10th, transfered to the 12th, but didnt surive long enough to make it to the 33rd. That boat is U-178. I however, intend on making it to the 33rd and to the end of the war, and sink ships doing it.

Rather then update this patrol log at the end of the patrol, ill try and update it, as i go, while the details are still fresh in my mind, with screenshots when i remember to grab them. So this is a log in progress, and will not be completed for some time, as i wont be finished for some time, because.. well.. ill be at sea... ALOT.

[Ducimus]

Patrol 1
U-178, IXD2, 10th Flotilla
Left at: Feb 05, 1942, 06:00
From: Lorient
Mission Orders: Patrol grid CA76


09 Feb 1942

05:00 BE91
Recieved Convoy report while enroute to station. Estimated to cross our position in 5 hours. Opportunity too good to pass up, as already in intercept position. Sea's rough at 14 kts winds. Submerging to 25 meters and wait.


10:45 BE91
Have made sonar contact with large convoy. 4 high speed screws can be heard amonghst the slower ones. Estimated to cross our bow at close range. Winds estimated at 14 KT's, mediem fog, visiblity poor, despite bad weather, will commence attack.

12:20 BE91
Brought boat to periscope depth. Hard to maintain depth without broaching. Observed one heavy cargo ship cross our bow. Unable to observe long enough to take a shot. Have entered esitmated data into TDC, will wait for next ship in column. Fear of being too close to convoy and being rammed. Maintining constant periscope lookout .

12:30 BE91
Observed light cargo ship. Not visible long enough to take a shot. Again target not in view long enough to take a shot. Entered esitmated data into TDC. Fairly confident of a good firing solution based on these two observations. More contacts approaching, will make good next sighting.

12:47 BE91
Ship sunk! Fired two torpedo's, 0 depth, impact pistol, 3 degree spreed angle, 44 kts.

Ship Beleived to be C2 cargo, estimated at 4800 tons. Heavy fog obscured visiblity. Fired from solutions based on two prior observations. Boat conning tower has broached on the surface. Have lost contact with side escort of convoy, fear he is coming up behind us. Crash diving to 150 meters. Rough sea's should make less then ideal sonar conditions for escorts. .




14:00 BE91
Convoy contact fading. Confident we have lost destroyers.

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27 Feb 1942

11:00 CA93
Approching US seaboard. In the intrest of avoiding any aircraft, conserve fuel, and to not advertise our presense - Have decide to submerge at approximately 0600, and surface at 00:00 to recharge batteries and bring in external stores. This shall be the daily SOP for the boat unless the need arises for an end-round approach on a sound contact. Still 2 days out from assigned patrol grid.

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03 March 1942

0700 CA84
Entering continental shelf at 25 meters depth.. Echo soundings indcate 70 meters under the keel.

1400 CA76
Entering patrol grid submerged at 14 meters. Soundings indicate 16 meters under keel. Ordered complete silence onboard until further notice. If we are discovered here, our demise is certain.





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04 March 1942

0800 CA76
Sound reports merchant sound contact, closing.

0910 CA76
Sound contact determined to be tugboat through periscope observation. Allowing him to pass. Target not worth the risk of being detected.


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05 March 1942
1400 CA76
Alloted 24 hours onstation accomplished. Leaving grid submerged. Will surface at night for surface run off of shelf.

2200 CA84
Destroyer heard on hydrophone check before surfacing. Will stay down.

2342 CA84
Destroyer sounds faint. no other sound contacts. Nothing observable in periscope. Batteries at 40%. Surfacing. Delaying battery recharge in favor for high speed run to get off shelf.

0100 CA84
Depth soundings indicate boat is off shelf. Setting course south. Will follow shore, just off shelf. Recharging batteries, will submerge again at 0600.


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06 March 1942

23:20 DC14
Ship sunk! Coastal merchant, roughly 2000 tons. Engaged on surface with single stern torpedo. 1900 meters, 44kt, 0 depth, impact pistol.



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07 March 1942


11:20 DC14
Sound reports merchant contact.

11:34 DC14
Sound bearings taken, surfacing to gain position.


12:33 DC14
Dived, sound regained contact. Target has zigged from previous course. Boat is now far off track. Taking new sound bearings to establish new course and will continue pursuit on surface.



13:05 DC14
New position obtained, diving.

13:43 DC14
Engaged target, submerged attack. Used aft torpedo tubes. 0 depth, contact pistol, 44kt, at 800 meters. Both impacted.



13:50 DC14
Target ship is listing to port. Am following, waiting to see if another torpedo is needed or not.

14:18 DC14
Ship speed remains constant, despite port list. Waited for target to gain 2000 meters distance, then surfaced for gun action. Decided to save on torpedo's.



14:25 DC14
Ship sunk! Liberty cargo ship. estimated at 7000 tons. Departing area, target most likey sent off an SOS and a report on our position.



14:41 DC14
Dived for remainder of day. Continuing south towards florida keys. Will bring in aft external stores at 0 hour surfacing. CE reports boats fuel reserves are at 3/4's capacity.


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10 March 1942

18:55 DB65
Sonar reports merchant contact. Getting bearings.

19:42 DB65
Surfaced for night surface attack

19:45 DB65
Used two forward torpedo's, both impacted. Target shot starshell in our vacinity. Illuminated uboat. Gun battle ensued.

19:49 DB65
Ship sunk. Liberty cargo, estimated 7000 tons


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11 March 1942

02:45 DB68
Bridge looksouts spotted ship off port bow, at 2000 meters. Started to quickly Manuvered boat to present low profile before we are spotted.

03:01 DB68
Convinced ship did not spot us. Maunvering for attack on surface.

03:08 DB68
Shot two bow torpedo's. Good hits. Target immediatly shot a starshell off our starboard bow. Another gunbattle ensued. Reversed engines to back out, returned gunfire with deckgun. Several enemy rounds came dangerously close to boat.


03:13 DB68
Ship sunk! Liberty cargo, 7000 tons.
Leaving area, continuing south.


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12 March 1942

08:30 DB95
Sound reports merchant at bearing 205. Coming up from behind us. Brought boat up to periscope depth for a look.


08:30 DB95
Shot one forward torpedo, using magnetic pistol owing to extreme gyro angle. Torpedo exploded prematurely. 11 kit winds are suspect as to cause.


08:34 DB95
Surfaced to engage target with deck gun. Expended all remaining HE rounds.

08:43 DB95
Ship sunk! T2 tanker, estimated 7000 tons.

Gave a nice fireworks show for crew when sudden explosion occured when passing close by looking through debris for survivors.


10:44 DB95
Dived to avoid destroyer. No further incident.


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13 March 1942

18:24 DM23
Another merchant came up our baffles. Same situation from prior patrol entries.

18:28 DM23
Manuvered for a stern tube shot. 1 torpedo, magnetic due to extreme gyro angle. Rough sea's. caused premature detonation.


18:36 DM23
Before surfacing to give chase, Observed planes through periscope. Staying down. Letting merchant pass. Continuing south submerged. Plan to round the florida keys and reconnoiter Gulf of Mexico.



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14 March 1942

18:30 DM26
Ship sunk! C3 cargo,
Fired two bow torpedo, on night surface attack. 5 depth, 44 kt, impact pistol. Target continued, shot 3rd torpedo after zeroing gyro angle, target zigged widened the angle and cause torpedo to bounce off hull. Backed out, manuvered for end round attack, shot 4th torpedo from aft tubes which finished the target.


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22 March 1942

1706 DB45
Proceeded inland for photo recon of American shoreline. Been in Gulf of mexico for a week now. Weather has been unusually clear, and a slight 3 kt breeze. Optimal sonar conditions, but have had no contacts since entering these waters. Hence, deemed photo reconnisance an acceptable risk. As expected, waters here are unusually shallow. If weather was rougher, do not think submerged transit to shore would be possible.






1800 DB45
Photo recon complete, departing area. Will surface between 2100-2200 hours for high speed run into deeper water.


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23 March 1942

0217 DB48
Ship spotted. Investigating.

0240 DB48
Ship sunk! Tug boat 100 tons
Under normal circumstances would have let such a small vessle go by. WIthout any contact for over a week, decided it was needed as a moral booster for crew. Used approximatly 19 AP rounds to destroy a tugboat! AP rounds are definatly not satisfactory. Continuing to leave area at flank speed for deeper water.

0310 DB48
Ship spotted! Investigating.

0315 DB48
Target idendfied as costal merchant. Moving estimated 9kts. Running ahead of target at flank speed for firing position.

0340 DB48
Ship sunk!
Costal merchant 2000 tons. Used 1 forward torpedo, magnetic pistol, depth 8, speed 44kt.
Continuning to leave area.

0426 DB48
Aircraft spotted!
Crash dived. Depth under keel 200 meters. Depth charged. Depth charges fell close aboard while diving, damaging after torpedo room, and moderate flooding. No damage to pressure hull. Repairs underway, after torpedo room should be operational again in a few hours.

Boat's presense here is definatly known now. Will stay submerged for the day. Will surface in between 2200 hours and 2300 hours instead of the usual 0 hour for battery chage.


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25 March 1942

2019 DB75
Double Sonar contact, merchants. Gathering sound bearings.

2029 DB75
Surfaced to gain firing position. Wind 0 kts, skies clear. Visiblity good, maybe too good.

2100 DB75
Visual contact. Bridge watch reports ships sighted. On perpendicular course to targets tracks. Cannot clearly identify ships, can only see bow wake and smoke. Moving in closer at Full speed.

2105 DB75
Targets identified. Two C2 cargo ships.

2107 DB75
Launched first two torpedo salvo at lead ship. range 1900 meters, magnetic, depth 9, speed 30 KT. Bringing boat to starboard to 0 gyro angle on secondary target.

2108 DB75
Launched second savlo at trailing ship. Range 1800 meters, magnetic, depth 9, speed 44 kt. Salvo should catch up with, and impact around same time as first savlo.

2109 DB75
Lead ship struck with 2 torpedos, Target, C2 cargo, destroyed.

2110 DB75
No detiontion from 2nd salvo. assumed they both missed.
Bringing boat around for a stern tube shot.

2112 DB75
Boat has been spotted, we are being shelled. Target ship has us bracketed. Based on firepower send out way, now assuming ship is a liberty cargo ship. Adjusting solution. Firing aft torpedo's and moving away.

2113 DB75
Uboat has been hit in the stern by merchant shelling.

2114 DB75
Ship sunk! Liberty cargo.



2120 DB75
Moving from scene at flank speed. Fear allied air strike. Boat has suffered minor damage to the hull and superstructure. No internal machinery was damaged. Fuel status is good, just under 3/4's capacity. Deck gun ammunition is depleated. Remaining torpedo's are 3 forward, and 1 aft. Will dive at dawn as per usual. This sector active, Unsure if will continue to loiter here or not. Enemy shipping activity, but our presence here is by now, known.


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26 March 1942

0000 DB75
Have decided to depart area, heading wesward along coast towards Galvastan port areas. FIrst daylight fluctuates around 0530. Still maintaning 05:30-0600 dive, and 0000 hour surfacing for battery charge.

(First light at 0:530)


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28 March 1942
2043 DA93
Soundroom reports merchant contacts. Have gathered bearings. Tracks intersect close to our position.

2122 DA93
Surfaced for night attack. Weather still, a dead calm, 0 wind, no clouds, good visiblity.

2128 DA93
Bridge watch has spotted targets.

2131 DA93
Starting attack run, moving in at flank speed. Cannot clearly identify targets. Must get closer.

2134 DA93
Ordered all engines stopped, gliding boat in last stretch of this run. Bow and stern wakes can clearly be seen. Smoke originating from stern of ship. Believed to be tankers. Type unknown. Setting up for torpedo attack. Will fire tubes 1 and 2 at leading ship, range 1800, speed 40kt, impact pistol, 2 meters depth. Then fire tube 3 at trailing ship, 1900 meters, depth 2, at 44 kt. Exact draft of target ships unknown so opting for contact hits.

2135 DA93
Torpedo 1 has struck lead ship. Torpedo 2 has missed, or was a dud.

2136 DA93
Torpedo 3 has struck trailing ship.



2141 DA93
Have brought stern to bear on leading ship, and fired the last torpedo on the boat. Good hit.

2142 DA93
Ship sunk! Tanker.

2144 DA93
Have brought bow around to bear on trailing ship to employ deck gun. 20 AP rounds remain left on board. Have no choice but to use them. Considering it took 20 rounds to sink a tugboat. Finishing this tanker is unlikely, however, have no other ordinance left to use except harsh language.


2146 DA93
Ship sunk! Tanker. Leaving area at flank speed. Feel airstrike is onway. Ships had amble time to radio our position.


2148 DA93
Sent BDU status report as follows:
0 torpedo's, 0 ordinance , 68-70% Fuel reserves,
estimated 71,000 tons - captains decision, return to Lorient.

Informed crew that we are returning home.


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31 March 1942

1800 DC39
New daily routine. Surface at dusk, submerge at first light. Plan to spend all night on surface to expedite transit home. Starting now.

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5 April 1942

2221 DB95
Have rounded florida, begining tranist eastward towards lorient. Now leaving US waters, intend to stay on surface for atlantic transit and only submerge unless forced to.

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27 april 1942

1240 BE95
CE reports 50% fuel.

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1 May 1942

0020 BF61
Arrive Lorient.


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Patrol results
86 days at sea
H.I : 90%
Crew losses: 0
Ships sunk: 13
Aircraft destroyed: 0
Patrol tonage: 71710 tons

[Ducimus]

reserved

[Ducimus]

reserved

i think 3 is enough.. will take me awhle.

[Keelbuster]

Nice - give er. Look forward to seeing how far you make it. The D2 is a wicked boat - a floating arsenal. I didn't last long with mine, i enjoyed launching fat salvos off the healthy stockpile.

Kb

[Ducimus]

Me, sink?

Not this time! Not this time! :hulk:

Ive quite a few hard learned lessons from previous careers

[Sailor Steve]

Good job, good report. Especially sinking one merchant in very heavy seas. Better than a whole convoy in dead calm. Well, not better, but more satisfying sometimes.

[Keelbuster]

I'm loving this. Nothing like photo-journalism in SH3! Give er harder, but stay cautious - I want to see you survive the war!

Great pics. Nice tonnage too. I'm amazed by your deck gun efficiency. I might have to try the 10.5 again. The 88 has been a bit disappointing lately.

Btw - why set torpedoes to zero depth? Why not like 3m?

Kb

[Ducimus]

[Ducimus]

Good greif. Im out of torpedos! Patrol 1 is... almost over..

All i gotta do now is.... get home :8

[Keelbuster]

Damn- hairy patrol - what kind of plane was it that bombed you? Lucky there - no major flooding or damage. Also, hit by the liberty! I can't wait to find out what your hull integrity is. If you get a fuel leak out there you could have a long paddle ahead of you.

Tug boats are the worst - somehow they are so tough; I stopped engaging them because they drain ammo so badly.

Sweet tonnage. 71k is a great start. Gotta get yer crew all decorated and trained-up.

Kb

[Threadfin]

[Ducimus]

Yeah, poor wording on my part. Extreme approach angle.

Or, In other words, a contact pistol would have been impossible to use. Too much angle. Torpedo would have deflected off the hull and not detonated.

[Ducimus]