What if 2 ?

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

September 1942

U-Boat HQ

Admiral Donitzs rec'd top secret Directive 21 Summery -

In the event of not taking the Soviet Union by the end of 1942 as a safe guard measure all effort must be made to destroy any convoys sent to Russia suppling war material this is the responsibility of the Naval Section to deal with this issue we must take full control of the Arctic Sea and totally dennie the Soviet Union supply's to insure this two Battle cruisers are to be constructed and ready for operations in the spring of 1943 there mission is to disrupt convoys to the Soviet Union by forcing convoys to redraw or by destruction under no circumstances should they be put to sea and attack a heavy guarded convoy if the ratio is 2 to 1 we must use these ships with great skill and avoid contact with the British Navy at all cost to safe guard the operational use of these ships for this reason the following is to be put in place -

1. Long rang FW 200'S to move to Norway there mission re-con to check the size of the convoys and the level of protection and report back to Central Command Norway Convoy Special Attack Force One (WHICH FOR SECURITY REASONS WILL BE KNOWN AS CODE NAME EAGLE-SHARK 1) in the event of contact with a small convoy the FW200'S are free to attack.

2. In bound convoys are more important than out bound convoys.

DIRECTIVE 21 UPDATE JULY 1942

3. Top of the line U-Boats are to be moved Trondheim two packs each group has 12 U-Boats and 4 in reserved total 28 U-Boats

4. U-Boat pens to be constructed at Narvik and ready for no latter than late 1943.

5. A Group of 14 E-Boats to operate from Narvik in coastal operations.

6. If the situation on land reaches a point where more war material is needed for land operations it be necessary to cut back the Naval Budget a review of this will be carried out in the spring of 1943.

7. when both ships are ready the R.H.S.A will hand over to the Navy it is your responsibly to insure they remain secret as long as possible.

A.H. 2ND SEPTEMBER 1942


Richard

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Aug. - Oct. 1942:

On the research front work continues on FAT torpedoes and with Radar and Radar detection. A problem has developed with flip up snorkels that are fitted on existing u-boats that do not telescope from the conning tower. If the boat travels faster than 8 knots the snorkel will bend or break away at the base of the snorkel. engineers are looking into the problem. Flip up snorkel production is on hold. 30 u- boats are affected mainly VIIC and a few IXB boats. Conning tower mounted snorkels are unaffected and perform at 11-12 knots as designed with no break off or bending.

In the Med. the Germans are holding their own. During the 3 month period 5 more IID boats arrive at La Spezia. 10 merchants sunk during the period with 1 u-boat lost. E-boats sink a additional merchant and damaged a light cruiser they ambushed in late Sept.

On the u- boat front 20 u-boats completed with 10 loses. U-boat commanders report improved ASDIC detection by the British and a new type of depth charge called the "Hedge Hog" is first seen in late Aug. Could be responsible for a u-boat sinking. Aug is a slow month with only 12 merchants sunk. Convoy protection is much improved. Early Sept. 6 IXC u-boats start operation "Drumbeat" with 2 additional IXC uboats sent to the Caribbean. Excellent results during a 6 week period ending in mid Oct. as all 8 U-Boats head back to port. 56 Merchants are sunk with the 2 Caribbean u-boats bagging 8 Tankers between them. 7 Additional u-boats are on their way in Mid Oct. for wave two.
The 10 XXI boats continue to impress covering large areas day or night due to their fast underwater speed and short recharge time for their batteries. 7 Merchants are sunk by the Electro boats in air patrol areas in Sept and Oct.
In the English channel e-boats continue to harass merchant shipping . However the allies have stepped up air patrols in the channel area. 2 boats sunk in Sept. One other in Oct. 3 merchants and 1 armed trawler sunk in Sept and Oct.
The last Type VII u-boat is launched in late Sept. All remaining shipyards are now converted to IX series or Electro boat production. The U-boat fleet now stands at 192 active combat u-boats.

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Late Oct- early Dec. 1942:

Admiral Dornitz meets with his senior staff to inform them that new operations are to begin in the Arctic region ASAP. 28 IXC and XXI u-boats are to be transfered to Trondheim to begin patrol operations. Dornitz stresses that this operation is Ultra secret even the senior staff is not given full details.
2 squadrons of FW200 bombers along with Naval ME-109 and Stuka dive bombers are transfered to Narvik. 5 Squadrons in total. 7 e-boats are transferred to Trondheim with 7 more going to Narvik in late Dec.
Manpower is short for the sub pen construction and Dornitz informs Hitler of the shortage. Hitler contacts the SS and has 9000 concentration camp prisoners transferred to Norway for construction work. The prisoners arrive on Dec. 7th to start work. Hitler wants the sub pens operational by Sept. of 1943.
Early Nov. the 2nd wave of Operation "Drumbeat arrive on station in American waters.

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

September - December 1942

The Atlantic

The Allies start to see a turn around in there favor for the four period a grand total of 29 U-Boats sunk for the lose of 33 Merchant ships 19 damaged 4 Destroyers sunk 1 damaged but the battle is not won yet the U-Boats are still a danger in the Atlantic.

September 1942

London

The Cabinet War Rooms

Churchill has decided to help Starlin out the first convoy sets sail at the end of the month some of Churchill's cabinet Members are concerned at over stretching the already desperate situation Churchill points out the R.A.F is pounding the German war production and they are not doing it for the fun of it. The latest news from Bletchley Park Naval section they have started to understand the new U-Boat four drum codes but still not broaken them yet it could take some time. The Navy reports that most of the damage ships are almost repaired and none lost that month all has been quite.

Russia

Sixth Army and the Fourth Panzer Army reach the river Volga next objective to take the city of Stalingrad.

North Africa

Rommel stops and regroups the British also do the same.

America

The war with Japan is slow and costly but its going there way. On the home front war material production is up again and more American units are on there way to England.


October 1942

London

Churchill reads a report from the U.S President it has now been confirmed U-Boats are now attacking the Eastern sea Board of U.S.A also there have been losses in the Caribbean as well counter measures are under way.

America

The re-introduction of the Blimps has started caring Ariel mines checking U.S Waters and keeping a eye on convoys. The American Navy has not seen the reports from England due to they think they can handle the situation it soon comes clear they can not and start to read the reports.

Russia

Murmansk

The first British Convoy arrives safe and sound second convoy due late October Starlin is pleased by the news.

Second convoy arrives 4 ships lost due to bad weather third convoy set for mid November but due to dreadful weather returns to England. In January 1943 an opportunity weather calm and in mid Jan third convoy makes it but this time they were watched by a German force that will be starting operations in the spring.

November 1942

Russia

Location Vinnitsa Hitlers forward H.Q The Wehwolf Hitler broadcasts the news 90% of Stalingrad has fallen to the Sixth Army.

North Africa

The Battle of El Alamein is over Rommel has been defeated and is withdrawing.

The Med

American units have landed in French Morocco.

Russia

The Soviets in the south have outflanked the Germans in two giant pincer movements and meet on the 23rd Nov. Stalingrad has been cut off.

December 1942

Southern Russia

Manstine fails to breakthrough to Stalingrad.

Over View....

German forces in North Africa start to withdraw in to Tunisia North Africa is lost its only a matter of time. Stalingrad the Sixth Army is running short of supplies and further south Army Group A withdraws from the Caucasus. As the new year opens Hitler remarks "It will be a year of clenched teeth"

Germany is now on the defensive as 1943 opens.....


Richard

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Nov 1942 - Jan. 1943:

On the research front FAT torpedoes making good progress the first operational guidance system will be ready for testing by the end of Jan. The sound based system should be ready by spring. Engineers have no solution for the flip up snorkels due to stress at the Base or (fulcrum) of the shaft. No matter how much the area is strengthened bending and breakage still occurs around 8 knots or higher. Dornitz is informed and allows the units to be installed , if individual u-boat commanders request it. All new IX boats are fitted with the Telescoping conning tower. Non snorkel u-boats stand at 133. Radar development continues.

In the Med. the end is near in north Africa. Naval operations fall back to northern Med. Slow period with only 3 merchants sunk. 2 E-boats sunk by aircraft. Only bright spot is that on Nov 15th U-155 sinks the Escort carrier HMS Avenger and 2 troop transports bound for North Africa near Gibraltar on the Atlantic side. Over 1200 troops and 500 sailors are lost.

In the Arctic Eagle-Shark 1 continues to gear up. 10 u-boats on patrol starting in Dec. But the weather is so bad that no contacts are made in Dec. or Jan. E-boats remain in port and all aircraft grounded due to the bad weather.

On the U- boat front air patrols are starting to increase again. Convoy tactics continue to improve and Allied ASDIC detection continues to be refined. 25 u-boats are completed but 19 are lost during the period. However all lost u- boats are non snorkel and mainly type VII boats. Only 33 merchants sunk during the period in and around England. However it is a different story in American waters. The 2nd wave of "Drumbeat" has had great sucess. 40 merchants are sunk including 3 US destroyers. The Caribbean continues to be Tanker heaven as 6 more tankers are sunk by the 2 u-boats sent to the area. Wave 2 is heading home in Late Jan. with wave 3 and 12 U-boats on their way to staging areas.
Dornitz meets with senior u-boat construction and plant managers. He is concerned of increased Allied air raids against German war production. A few XXI sub-assembly plants have been damaged so far . Dornitz orders that all manufacturing is to go underground or in secure bomb proof buildings. Anti aircraft batteries are increased around manufacturing plants, until plants are able to make the necessary changes.

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

January 1943

The Atlantic

Due to a bad month of weather no merchant ship is lost to U-Boats but 4 are lost to the weather or so no U-Boat lose a flat month for both sides.

February 1943

North Africa

As Rommel falls back in to Tunisia he shows that a battle still can be won as American forces take a beating at the The Battle of the Kasserine Pass.

Stalingrad

The last elements of the Sixth Army surrender 910.000 troops pass in to captivity less than one third will return home after the war most will die in Soviet prison camps. The German army will never advance any further Hitler has lost the gamble to take Russia.

The Atlantic

The air gap closes a bit more the merchant loses have gone up this month another black month 27 ships lost a number of them sailing with no escorts they counted for 15 of the total only 3 U-Boats are sunk.

The Arctic Sea

Two convoys sail to wards Russia one convoy a large one sees German Planes but no engagement the second Convoy is a small one and is attacked 3 ships are sunk 2 damaged.

The North Sea

Two Axis merchants sunk by S Class Sub

The Med

Convoys get heavy protection but single ships have been sunk 9 that month due to U-Boats.

March 1943

England

Build up of Large Convoy PQ19 due to set sail mid month to Russia

Germany

British naval codes broken PQ 19 will suffer as the Germans take advantage of this.

U-Boat H.Q.

SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU are ready for action Admiral Donitz has planed to destroy convoy PQ 19
and sets the trap as soon as he heres word that the Convoy has set sail.

U.S.A Jan to Mar 1943

The first two months U-Boats have had it there way but in March the the situation has started to change 4 U-Boats are lost.

Mid March 1943

Convoy PQ 19 sets sail 42 Merchants 14 Destroyers One Captured Light Jap Cruiser from 1941 refitted the Cruiser to act as watch ship ahead of convoy.

U-Boat H.Q.

Admiral Donitz plan is to sink the cruiser with U-Boats to make it look like a normal attack and to draw off as many of the Destroyers as possible by transmitting false S.O.S messages and other type messages as well also a air attack on the Destroyers and the SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU to destroy and damage as much as possible of the convoy in a hit and run any remaining damaged ships are to be sunk by air attacks and U-Boats.

Code given Operation Thor's Hammer.


Richard

PS I bet your going to have a field day shooting up PQ19 looking forward to your post.

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Jan. -March 1943:

On the research front operational testing of FAT pattern guidance system goes very well. The system performs as designed. New guidance system is made available on a limited basis starting in March. Sound based system is still on line to begin testing in late March. Radar and Radar detection work continues.

In the Med the situation is stable for now as German troops continue to put up a fight in North Africa. 1 u -boat is lost in Feb. with 8 merchants and 1 free French destroyer sunk during the period. La Spezia is bombed again in March. 2 sub pens are damaged along with 1 u-boat. British lose 10 aircraft in the attack. Sub pens will take 2 months to become operational once again.

On the u-boat front British naval codes are broken in late Jan. Jan. weather has been so severe in the Atlantic and Arctic regions that no shipping has been sunk. One u- boat is damaged by severe weather and is forced to return to port for repairs. U-189 has been missing for over 2 weeks and may be lost to the weather. In Mid Feb u- boat commanders report increased air patrols farther out into the Atlantic. American and British long range bombers and Flying Catalina Boats have been spotted double the range of existing air patrol areas. All Uboat commanders are notified by German U-Boat command. In Feb and March Merchant sinking are up again around 25 ships a month. 9 U-boats are lost in the 2 month period.

In American waters Operation Drumbeat is in it's 3rd wave. The US has stepped up air patrols and are doing a better job of protecting merchant shipping. End of March the 3rd wave head for home 36 merchants are sunk in the 3rd wave. However 4 uboats are lost to Air attacks. The Caribbean continues to be a Tanker happy hunting ground as 8 more Tankers are sunk out of the 36 ship total.

In the Arctic all German assets are in place and Construction is in full swing on the sub pens at Narvik. Jan. weather is so bad in the Arctic that all German Naval forces including u-boats are ordered back to port until the winter storm passes. In Feb 2 convoys are sighted, large convoy is harassed by 2 uboats with 2 merchants sunk. Smaller convoy is attacked 6 days later by u-boats and aircraft 3 ships sunk and 2 damaged. In early March Dornitz calls a meeting of his Arctic Senior commanders. Code breakers have discovered that a British convoy PQ19 is to sail for Russia around the middle of March this large convoy has 42 ships and is protected by 12-14 destroyers and 1 light cruiser. Dornitiz and his Arctic staff formulate a plan that will include all German assets in the attack, including the 2 new Pocket battleships that just came into service. The code name for the attack is operation "Thor's hammer". The plan is ultra secret and little is said to the front line commanders except to prepare for major action soon. The convoy should be in attack position around the 29th of March.

MORE TO FOLLOW later today or tomorrow.

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

March 29th to April 2nd 1943:

In early March Dornitz meets with his Senior Arctic commanders. Code breakers have passed on information that a large convoy is to sail from England for Russia around the 15th of March. The convoy is 42 ships with 12-14 destroyers and 1 light cruiser as escorts. Operation "Thor's hammer" is finalized and will go into effect once the convoy sails. All arctic German assets will be used including the 2 new pocket battleships that were just completed 1 week ago. The plan is for a wolf pack of 5 u-boats to attack the cruiser and destroyer escorts. damage as many as possible and dive deep, the Destroyers will attack the u-boats to keep them away from the convoy, then have 2 squadrons of condor bomber to attack the Destroyer hunting the u-boats. Meanwhile the surface force consisting of 5 e-boats 3 destroyers and the 2 pocket battleships are to intercept the convoy from the NW where Dornitz expects the convoy to change coarse to to avoid the u-boats. They will attack hit hard and run. A 2nd group of 5 u-boats will be stationed 25KM north of the attack zone and to be used as Mop up and Harassment. On March 20th German spy's report that PQ-19 has sailed. Depending on Weather the convoy should reach the attack zone around the 29th or 30th .
On March 27th U-692 makes contact with PQ-19 and reports heading and speed. The u-boat is ordered to trail the convoy and continue to report speed and position of the convoy. Narvik Naval command receives reports from U-692 every 6-8 hours. According to reports the convoy should be in position on the 30th in the late afternoon. The surface attack group sail on the 29th and arrive at their staging area the morning of the 30th.
At 5 PM the strike wolf pack sights the convoy. 20 Min's later they attack. the first spread of torpedo's hits the cruiser and 3 destroyers. one destroyer sinks in 3 Min's and the cruiser is dead in the water. The u-boats dive for cover as 4 destroyers peel off to attack the u-boats . 10 Min's later the bombers attack the destroyers and crippled ships. Their attack sends the cruiser and 2 destroyers to the bottom and damages 2 other destroyers. As expected the convoy turns to the NW to open water. A watchman on one of the lead destroyers spots the convoy 8KM away and signals the action group. The attack order is given and the e-boats and destroyers close on the convoy. The 2 battleships open fire with their 12 inch guns. The first few volleys surprise the British as 1 destroyer is hit and a small merchant disappears in ball of fire. The e-boats press home their attack and finish off the stricken destroyer with torpedoes. However 1 e-boat gets too close and is blown out of the water by British gunfire. A few minutes go by and the 4 surviving destroyer realize that they are in a hopeless situation. They turn and head south at full speed with the e-boats in pursuit. The 4 destroyers escape and leave the convoy to its fate. The lead German destroyer signals to the convoy to cut their engines or be destroyed. The 37 remaining ships comply. The surface group escorts the captured convoy back to Narvik. U-boats and aircraft sink 2 more Destroyers. but 1 escapes to the North unharmed and avoids the 2nd wolf pack during the night.
2 days later Churchill receives the dreadful news and fate of PQ-19. Only 5 destroyers survive and Churchill is not sure if the Merchants were captured or sunk. He will learn 1 month later that they were captured and that the supplies helped the Germans to solidify their position at Narvik. Churchill is unsure of reports if the surface force had battleships or lighter ships that gave supporting fire. Could some surviving elements of the German surface fleet escaped detection in the North sea and broke out??

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

April 1943

England

The Naval Department

Report on PQ19 Summery as follows -
It is the conclusion on the sinking of convoy PQ-19 was due to the following situation poor number of escorts a lack of proper up to date Radar and a act of cowardliness by the Destroyer Captains it is the duty of all Captains to stand and fight not to flee the Scene it is the finding that the Captains in question to be reduced in rank and under go retraining.

A few days latter

Churchill reads the report and mutters to himself " There's more to this than meets the eye"

U.S.A

The war with the U-Boats has now turned into there favor merchant ships lose on the Eastern Seaboard are now under control they now focus on the Caribbean and start to sort the problem out there.

The Atlantic

23 Merchants lost 5 damaged and only 3 U-Boats sunk another bad month.

The North Sea

S Class sub sunk on patrol.

May 1943

The Baltic Sea

Two small Convoys attacked by aircraft each convoy lose a ship each.

North Africa

The allies now control North Africa and plan there next move

Russia

Army group Center taken a beating the situation has caused a salient Hitler plans a great offensive to regain control.

England

Churchill is informed of long waited good news from Bletchley Park Naval section has broken the U-Boat four drum settings. Three days latter Churchill meets his staff operations against U-Boats to be stepped up as soon as possible.

The Atlantic

11 Merchant ships sunk 2 damaged 5 U-Boats sunk a better month for the allies

England

Leigh Light invented and goes in to full production to be fitted to Catalina and sunderland planes.

Germany

Information passed to Admiral Donitz convoy PQ-23 to set sail for Russia on May 28th total number 50 Merchants 22 Destroyers 1 French Battle cruiser 2 Light Cruisers Donitz shows no interest until latter that day weather forecast for that period Rain and Fog if this is the case possible chance of another attack and starts to plan a possible operation.

Late May

Admiral Donitz's reads a transcript Convoy PQ-23 delayed still 2nd of June. Sea conditions moderate to heavy light rain patchy fog for that time.

June 1943

England

Convoy PQ-23 sets sail unknowing to Donitz's British Battleship Lion and her escort are on movements north of the planned area of attack as far as Donitz's is concerned the weather will work in there favor but air operations question mark they could be grounded.


Richard

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

Update

U-Boat H.Q

48 Hours latter weather report handed to Admiral Donitz

Sea conditions for attack area moderate to heavy Convoy will be forced to slower speed due to passing in to fog banks or so moderate rain.

Donitz sees a chance if the U-Boats can cause panic the convoy will break up he decides on high level bombing even the conditions are not suitable hopefully this will start a bit of a panic there is a small window of opportunity for the bombers some where in the region of two hours before they have to break off lose rate could be high never the less a opportunity.

The Baltic Sea and Arctic Sea

Battleship Lion and her escort will be north of attack area anywhere from 12 to 26 miles exact location unknown.

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

April - June 1943:

On the research front sound based guidance system is complete and testing is underway. Radar and radar detection work continues.

In the Med the Germans continue to fall back. Naval operations are mainly in the Northern Med. Now that the allies are in full control of North Africa. Dornitz orders that preparations are to be made to withdraw from La Spezia if the allies invade Italy.

On the u-boat front 31 boats are completed with 9 boats sunk during the period. 30-35 Merchants are sunk along with 3 warships. In June u-boat commanders report air attacks at night with air Craft fitted with huge search lights. Air attacks continue to increase and Dornitz realizes that it will only get worse. He orders that ALL uboats are to be fitted with the snorkel including the flip up version. All u-boat losses except 1 were non snorkel boats since Jan. Ship yard managers inform Dornitz that all u-boats can be fitted by Jan. 1944.
In American waters the next wave of "Drumbeat" enters it's patrol area's in late April. 5 u-boats are sent to the Caribbean and good results are made with 18 Tankers sunk in the period. 1 heavy cruiser and 5 other merchants are sunk off the American coastline. 2 u-boats are lost out of the 10 that were sent. All American merchants are now armed and the US navy continues to improve with merchant protection. Air patrols are increasing, and more night attacks from air craft are reported. For the next wave Dornitz is ordering that only snorkel fitted boats are to be deployed .
Code breaker have intercepted that another convoy PQ-23 is to sail from England to Russia in Mid to late June. Convoy is 50 merchants and is heavily escorted. Also the term "Leigh Light " is referred to in several naval transmissions. Even more disturbing is German Naval positions in the Atlantic for the month of May!! Dornitz is informed and orders all uboats at sea code name "Discovery". The Code word is a signal to all u-boats to break off and proceed to their secondary patrol area that was given to them in port.

In the Arctic the weather is bad, e-boats are forced to stay in port. When info on PQ-23 is received the long range weather forecast calls for moderate seas and overcast conditions. Dornitz consults with his arctic commanders and it is decided to use u-boats and aircraft . The surface fleet is to stay in port. With such a large convoy Dornitz figures this is the prefect opportunity to test out the new FAT torpedoes. He orders 15 u-boats mainly XXI 's to be fitted with the new torpedoes by early June. On June 19 German spy's report that PQ-23 has set sail. Operation "Far Reach" is put into effect.

MORE TO COME TOMORROW.

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Late June 1943:

PQ-23 sails on the 19th heavy seas slow the convoy to 4-5 knots. Convoy is not expected in attack area until the 28th at the earliest. On the 25th 2 small wolf packs of 6 XXI subs each set sail for their staging areas. Each sub has 8 FAT torpedoes on board. The 2 wolf packs arrive the evening of the 27th and are about 30KM apart. 2 other u-boats are sent in the direction of the incoming convoy to make contact and track their approach. Morning of the 28th the weather worsens and a heavy fog is on the sea in the attack area. It is decided to keep the aircraft on the ground. This will be a u-boat only operation unless the weather clears. In the afternoon no contact is made with the convoy. Early evening the 2nd wolf pack 30 KM to the North picks up a contact from the NW heading their way. 1 hour later the contacts are ID'ed as warships at least a Medium action group. The lead u-boat surfaces and radios the contact to Narvik command. requesting what action to take. 15 Min's later Narvik command signals back to hold position and only attack if the action group comes into your attack zone. The u-boats continue to track the warships for the next hour. However the warships only close to 10KM before moving off to the SE. So the wolf pack lets them pass as ordered.
Another 12 hours pass and no convoy contact. Both Wolf packs start to zig-zag their staging area in the direction of the convoy desperate to pick up a sound contact. However after another 24 hours no contact is made. 12 hours later Narvik command breaks up the Wolf packs and each sub sails to their assigned patrol area.
Dornitz learns a week later from code breakers that 3 days out PQ-23 ran into a very Violent freak storm that sunk 4 small merchants and 1 warship. several other ships were damaged to the point that the convoy was forced to return to port for repairs. PQ-23 is to attempt to sail again in Mid to late July.

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

June 1943

The Atlantic

Aircraft carriers dubbed the Woolworth's by the Americans now sail with Medium to Large Convoys making it much more difficult for U-Boats caught on the surface U-Boat Captains now face a bad situation do they crash dive and get bombed from the air or slug it out on the surface the Allies found a simple way solving the danger of a U-Boat using its AA Guns they fly just out of reach and signal the U-Boat position to the nearest Destroyers for the U-Boats the tide is turning in favor of the Allies as 12 U-Boats are sunk that month for the lose of 7 Merchants sunk 3 Damaged and 2 Aircraft shot down.

July 1943

England

The Naval codes are now changed and the introduction of the H2AS Radar which could not be picked up by the U-Boats MEXTOX.

London

Churchill is pleased the war on the U-Boats is to be stepped up.

The English Channel

The situation is now in favor of the British with more patrols making things harder for the German E-Boat attacks which have fallen off.

The Baltic Sea

Battleship Lion has been attacked by two German surface ships at night the engagement lasted only fourteen minutes two of her escort Destroyers are sunk and the Battleship Lion suffered moderate damaged the raiders escaped undamaged. Battleship Lion and the remainder of her escort set sail back to England as they sail pass Norway they are spotted by an air patrol and are attacked. Near by is a U-Boat the Captain sees a golden opportunity the Destroyers are busy with the aircraft the U-Boat moves in to position and fires a spread of four torpedo's one explodes and alerts the destroyers the other three slam in to the Battleship two detonate the third failed the U-Boat slipped away and survived the depth charge attack suffering 67% damage and puts in to port for repair. Battleship Lion limps back home and will be out of action for well over eight months.

France

U-Boat HQ

Admiral Donitzs is informed of the nights engagement and is not to pleased and asks why did they attack. The reason SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU were on a night excise and almost ran in to the enemy ships and open fire for a short time before moving off at high speed and escaping back home. Donitzs warns we were lucky don't ever do that again as now the Allies may now know what we have operating in that area and orders re-double there protection from possible detection and attack.

The North Sea

H.M.S Belfast is under going sea trails after her refit.

Bay of Biscay

Allied air patrols have greatly increased and making it much more difficult for U-Boats retuning home and setting out 5 U-Boats sunk 11 Damaged.

The Atlantic

July is a bad month for the U-Boats 15 sunk 9 damaged for the lose of 10 Merchants sunk 3 Damaged 1 Destroyer sunk 1 Damaged Destroyer 3 Aircraft shot-down.

Germany

The Naval Budget has been slashed by 33%

Russia

The greatest Tank battle in history has been fought at Kursk ends with a victory for the Soviet army from this point on they will drive forward and drive the German invaders out of Russia.

The Med

The Allies land on Sicily. U-Boat activity fallen off reason not known by the Allies as only 2 U-Boats have been sunk.

America

The eastern seaboard is now safe but the Caribbean the U-Boats are putting up a real fight and sinking any enemy ships even fishing boats are shot at.

August 1943

England

The Build up for a major operation continuals.

London

Churchill meets with the Naval Dept and is looking at re con photos of Norway on the last picture there is a portion of what looks like another capital ship. Churchill orders a major air photo re con mission this information must be confirmed before they can act they have suspected this after the Battleship Lion incident.

The North Sea

After a long delay Convoy PQ-23 sets sail total 64 Merchants 25 Destroyers 2 Light Cruisers speed 12 Knots max.

The Med

Sicily has fallen.


Richard

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Been very busy last day or so, hope to post sometime tomorrow.

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

June -Aug. 1943:

On the research front, sound based guidance systems are completed and system works as designed. The new T-V torpedoes are to start production in Sept. radar and radar detection continues.

In the Med. Sicily is invaded, remaining u-boats are sent to cause as much damage as possible to shipping supporting the landings. 3 ships sunk and 1 damaged. 2 uboats are sunk. La Spezia is in final stages of withdraw when Sicily falls in late Aug. The Italian mainland could be invaded at any time. U-boat crews are withdrawn to bases in France and the remaining 7 IIA and 1 VIIb boats are scuttled. The port is withdrawn of all German u-boat support personnel in early Sept. Sub pens are destroyed.

On the u-boat front 30 boats are completed but 35 boats are sunk during the period. The worst fears of Dornitz are realized as ASDIC and air patrols cause great damage to the u-boat fleet in the Atlantic and Americian waters. The mid Atlantic air gap is closing and non snorkel u-boats are taking a beating from air attacks. The Bay of Biscay is fast becoming a u-boat grave yard as air patrols attack incoming & outgoing u-boats day and night. Dornitz orders all non snorkel boats back to port until they are fitted with a snorkel. 62 boats are affected. Snorkel boats able to patrol stand at 71 for all operational areas. U-boat commanders report that the MEXTOX radar detector no longer works against allied aircraft. Radar research teams are informed. The only bright spot is in the Caribbean where air patrols are few and Tankers are many. 11 tankers are sunk during the period including 1 light cruiser and 1 destroyer.

In the Arctic the attack on the British action group was not what Dornitz wanted to hear, even though German forces were not damaged. This alerts the British and soon re con aircraft will be combing the region looking for possible capital ships. He fears his 2 pocket raiders will not remain a secret much longer. During the period the weather is much improved and merchant sinking's are up once again. 19 merchants are sunk during the period with no u-boat losses. The new FAT torpedoes were tested in combat in July against a small convoy. 6 Torpedoes were firing ahead of the convoy. All 6 had hits on ships with 3 sunk and 2 damaged. the torpedoes were fired from 2500 meters and the convoy escorts focused their hunting areas in the 1500 meter range. The torpedoes performed as designed.
Dornitiz is informed in late Aug. that PQ-23 has sailed again for Russia. The convoy is larger and more heavily defended than before. Dornitz weighs his options to attack or not. In the meantime 2 small wolf packs are readied for possible staging areas in the convoys path.