What if 2 ?

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Sept 2-3 1943:

On Aug 28th Dornitz orders 2 small wolf packs of 6 subs each to staging areas in PQ-23's path, each sub carries 12 FAT torpedoes each. Weather is clear and seas are light to moderate. The air wing is to conduct air attacks on the convoy using Condor bombers, ME-109 Torpedo planes and Stuka dive bombers. The 109's and Stukas are at the edge of their fuel limit and can only stay over the attack area for 5 Min's max before having to return to base. 6 Squadrons of 109's and Stukas and 3 squadrons of Condors are to be used in the attack. Night of the 30th U-951 makes contact with the convoy and radios that there are 60-65 Merchants escorted by at least 20 warships ranging from cruisers to corvettes. No capital ships sighted.
Dornitz is informed and the surface fleet is ordered to a staging area 50KM north of the u-boat attack zones. Depending on the amount of damage to convoy warships the surface force may engage the convoy. Morning of Sept. 2nd 3 squadrons of Condor Bomber attack the convoy followed 5 minutes later by 6 squadrons of ME-109's and Stuka's. 20 minutes later the attack is over 5 merchants are sunk with 3 ships damaged, 2 destroyers damaged in the attack. 10 aircraft total shot down. 10 hours later the convoy approaches the first wolf pack. The subs attack 15 mins later launching 14 FAT torpedoes into the path of the convoy. 12 torpedoes hit a target All torpedoes are launched from 2600 meters away. 1 light cruiser explodes into a fire ball as a torpedo ignites its shell magazine. The explosion launches it forward 8 inch gun turret which strikes the bow of a corvette 800 meters to port sheering off 15 feet of the bow, the corvette sinks 2 mins later. 5 other merchants are hit and damaged. 6 destroyers from each side race to attack the subs 1000-1500 meters from the convoy. the subs move off undetected. 3 hours later the convoy approaches the 2nd wolf pack. again the subs launch 14 torpedoes with 10 hitting targets. 3 merchants sunk with another 6 ships damages. The subs move off undetected , as the destroyers again focus hunting for the subs 1000-1500 away from the convoy. At 10 PM the subs lose contact with convoy and radio results to base the damaged ships not able to keep up fall prey to several trailing u-boats. With the convoy still having 20 warships operational Dornitz does not risk the surface fleet. they are ordered to hold position until the convoy passes. Morning of the 3rd a final wave of Condor bombers attack the convoy sinking 3 more merchants. The final talley that arrives on Dornitz's desk 1 week later shows 19 merchants sunk 1 light cruiser, 1 destroyer, 1 corvette. with the loss of 12 German aircraft. No uboat losses and 85% ship hits with the FAT torpedoes.

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

September 1943

England

The Naval Department

Full report of convoy PQ-23 has been put together and is sent to Churchill

The Cabinet War Rooms

Three days after seeing the report Churchill asks whats the U-Boat situation like and is told the Battle of the Atlantic is now well in the favor of the Allies as U-Boat loses are getting higher they think Admiral Donitz's will be forced to withdraw from the Atlantic. The Med is now under there control decoded-coded reports shows all U-Boat operations have stopped and air re-con missions over U-Boat pens show these pens have been blown up and abandon. The Bay of Biscay is under heavy patrols by air and next month Destroyers will start patrols stepping up the pressure. The North and Arctic Seas little activity by the U-Boats only one area shows they are still a major threat The Baltic Sea on the subject Churchill asks about the air re-con missions over Norway the news is not good three aircraft were intercepted and shot down Churchill is not happy and demands a major operation for late September.

The Atlantic

Another good month for the allies which saw the end of the Wolf Pack threat in mid September a large inbound convoy of 75 Merchants 28 Destroyers was engage for three nights by the largest Wolf Pack some 20 to 30 U-Boats after the third night the U-Boats withdrew 15 U-Boats sunk to the lose of 11 Merchants sunk 17 Damaged and 1 Destroyer sunk 3 Destroyers damage. A new Torpedo is being used by the U-Boats it follows a weaving patton and can cause problems.

U.S.A

The Caribbean

At long last the situation is now under control there the U-Boats are forced to look else where
but they now have a supple problem. A joint British and American operation has successfully hunted down and sunk all the Supplie U-Boats.

France

U-Boat H.Q

The Bad news keeps coming and Admiral Donitz's must make a decision about U-Boats operating in the Atlantic. In The Baltic Sea the only place of good news remains stable for now Donitz's decides to play his last trump card. Up to now there has been little U-Boat activity off the coast of Africa and South America the plan now is to send all remaining long range U-Boats and the new Type XXI U-Boats to these areas and strike as hard as possible before the Allies are forced to act. The plan is drawn up and is to be put in to operation by October and in one clever move by Donitz's no information is transmitted its all done by word of mouth and when the strike force is ready a total radio black out to limit there detection.

Late September 1943

Norway is heavily bombed main targets airfields a week long campaign has resulted in crippling German air power for a month.

Italy

The Allies have landed at Salerno and are bogged down for the moment.

Early October 1943

Massive air re-con missions fly over Norway.

Mid October 1943

The Cabinet War Rooms

Churchill meets with his staff "Gentlemen we now have the proof we need there are two German Battle Cruisers based in Norway and I don't need to tell you what to do"

The Naval Department (a day latter)

Churchill has given the order sink those ships what ever the cost.


Richard

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Sept. - Nov. 1943:

On the research Front, Work continues on Radar and radar detection. Little progress is being made.

On the U-boat front in the Atlantic and American waters the Allies are gaining the upper hand. With improved radar and now Carrier escorts assigned to large convoys, U-boat operations are almost at a stand still. The Caribbean is still offering some good results but even that area is now being better protected by the allies. During the period 30 u-boats are completed with 38 losses ( 8 of those are the scuttling of 8 boats in the Med.) 15 of the 62 non snorkel boats have been converted. Fat Torpedoes are being installed in many long range boats that could face convoys to combat against better ASDIC detection. During the period in Atlantic and American waters, only 22 merchants sunk and a few war ships.

Dornitz has received word that a steady steam of supplies are flowing from Africa and South America. Dornitz makes arrangements to send several long range boats to these area to look for better hunting grounds. The Bay of Biscay is becoming Very dangerous to u-boats, One U-boat captain suggested to Naval command to have the u-boats to hug the coast and make their break out off the tip of Spain. Dornitz sees the suggestion has merit and strongly suggest that u-boat commanders try the new route. First boats start taking the route in Nov.

In the Arctic allied air re cons have been many, several planes have been intercepted and shot down, but several more have gotten through. Dornitz figures by now the British know or will know shortly that there exist 2 Pocket battle ships. A massive allied bombing raid in Oct has crippled the air wing for a 3 week period. Most hangers are now being converted to old mining areas Near Narvik where Iron ore was once produced. This should provide better cover for Air operations for now on. During the period 15 merchants are sunk and only 1 u-boat lost to depth charges. A slow period in the region as the weather hampers operations off and on.

XXI and XXIII production are ramped up once again in the ship yards as 2 more ship yards are converted to electro boat production. So far no Electro boat has been lost in action. XXI operational boats now stand at 45 and XXIII and XXVII coastal boats are at 19. The u-boat fleet is now at 179 operational boats overall.

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Dec. 1943:

On the research front a giant break through has been made with U-boat radar. Since 1942 Researchers have worked with FuMO 61 & 65 Radar system, they work well with aircraft and ships but the system was too large for uboats, and the antenna was easily damaged to depth charge attacks and to weather. FuMo 83 Berlin has been in the testing phase for months but a problem with Freq, hampered problems. Those problems have now been solved and successful testing of the system is to begin. The system has a retractable mast , rotates 360 degrees and has a range of 12 KM for surface ships and 25 KM for aircraft. The scope is a 360 degree circular design that shows contact location relative to contact from the antenna mast. The system is installed on a XXI boat just completed and testing to be done during the boats sea trials, testing effectiveness to aircraft and surface ship contacts. U-boat begins her trails 12/21/43.

Dornitz has learned through spy contacts that the 2 pocket battleships have been found, and that plans are underway for hunting down and sinking the 2 ships. Dornitz decides to use the ships while he can , he does not want the same fate to happen to him as did to Admiral Readar in being too timid to use the ships . He consults with his surface fleet commanders in Narvik and devises a plan to assault the docks at Murmansk. If the fleet can damage the port enough then supplies will be stalled for 6 months or more from the allies. Operation "Russian Hammer" is launched on Dec 19th. The strike fleet consist of both battleships 3 cruisers and 6 destroyers. 2 IX uboats are sent ahead to provide long range re con of the path ahead. The weather on the 19th was in favor of the Germans as well with overcast skies and Medium fog. Conditions should hold for the 3-4 day trip.
On Dec 23rd the fleet approaches Murmansk. The IX re con u-boat reports a medium Convoy of 15 ships had just arrived and was to begin off loading cargo. Only 4 destroyers 1 armed trawler and a light cruiser is present in the area. The fleet sweeps in and opens fire crippling the light cruiser and 2 destroyers. Meanwhile the 2 IX boats move in and launch several torpedo's at several merchants anchored in the harbor waiting their turn to dock. 15 Min's go by 2 destroyers are sinking 2 others on fire, the light cruiser is burning but still able to return fire. 6 merchant ships have been stuck by torpedoes and are sinking. The 6 German destroyers move in and finish off the 2 remaining destroyers and light cruiser. The armed trawler is also sunk. The German cruisers and destroyers start to work on the remaining merchants already docked and soon the remaining ships are burning and beginning to sink. After that the fleet starts to pound the dry dock areas and loading areas. 2 hours later the German fleet withdraws and heads for base . 85% of the ports infrastructure is destroyed and the port is non functional for the next 5-7 months. 4 other cruisers and destroyers under repair in the dry docks were destroyed.
The German fleet returns back to port on Jan 3rd with only slight damage to 1 cruiser. The attack caught the Allies napping plus a medium action group had just left dock 3 days earlier, so a bit of luck also played a part. Dornitz informs Hitler of the results and that the Allies know of the existence of the battleships. Hitler figured it was only a matter of time before the ships were discovered. But regardless Hitler is pleased and it should greatly help the war effort on the eastern front.

In the Atlantic and American waters a slow month only 5 merchants sunk and 4 U-boats lost attacking a carrier escorted convoy. 10 Long range uboats are on their way to African and South American waters.

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

December 1943

The North Sea and The Baltic Sea

The Navy is now ready to attack and set course to there destination. Spy's in Norway report the Battle Cruisers are soon to leave port the attack fleet see this as there opportunity but the impossible happens. The German raiders used the aid of the night and foggy conditions they successfully escape. The attack force starts to search for them and start looking in the wrong areas for a period of 17 hours they are forced to return home on arrival the news breaks the German raiders have attacked and coursed massive damage to the port of Murmansk this action and been a embarrassment the the Allies. All convoys to Russia now have to take a longer route to the port of Archangel.


Richard

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

January 1944

Italy

The Allies have broken out Salerno and Anzio and now fallen on the first German strong defensive position The Gorthic Line and the strong position of Monte Cassino it will take the Allies four months to breakthrough.

Germany

The Bombing raids are on the increase day and night and with the introduction of the P51D Mustang now able to protect the bombers for a longer time the situation for Germany is now looking bleak.

Russia

The Soviet Army continues to liberate the Motherland and after over 900 days Leningrad has been liberated from the strangle hold of the invaders.

U.S.A

The war against Japan is slow but going there way and war production back home goes well.

England

The Naval Department

It has been decided the Battleship Hood and her escort will shadow all convoys to Russia up to April 1944 in the mean time a number of plans are to be drawn up in the planing how to deal with these raiders.

The Atlantic Sea

Number of U-Boats sunk are down but the number of damage U-Boats is up.

The Bay of Biscay

Damage inflicted on U-Boats are up no sooner they leave port they are forced back for repair only a small number slip in the Atlantic.

Spain

A second U-Boat has been in-pounded U-760 after she was attacked by PBY-5 aircraft.

February 1944

The Bay of Biscay

All the U-Boat bases have been bombed for three straight days and more to follow heavy damage inflicted but no damage to the U-Boat Pens. And the Allies have stepped up there patrols and attacks U-Boat Captains dub it the grave yard and they also try to find ways not to sail out delaying as long as possible. Admiral Donitz's holds talks with his Captains and staff the hard fact is the Atlantic is lost and with the threat of the Allies to land on main land Europe plans are drawn up to start abandoning the Biscay ports and pull back to German waters in the mean time Admiral Donitz's abandons the Atlantic and focus his attention else where further south and warmer waters for his last trump card.

U.S.A

All U-Boats have now withdrawn as they are now needed else where

The Atlantic

The best month yet for the Allies not a single ship is lost or damage to the U-Boats

The Baltic Sea

Convoy PQ-26 sails safely in to the port of Archangel. The Hood and her escort have been a successful deterrent and a week later on the way home no movement by the Germans.



Richard

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Jan. - March 1944:

On the research front Field testing with the FuMO 83 Berlin radar is a success. Surface contacts and more importantly air contacts are detected as designed. In fact Air detection is closer to 30 KM than 25 KM. Giving a uboat a full 2 Min's to dive before the aircraft can close in. Dornitz is informed and he orders full production to start and that all Electro boats are to have the new Radar installed first , then the IX boats. Development has started on the new LUT Torpedo and a New FAT1 version that has a circular Pattern design to be used against attack escorts. FAT1's should be ready by April for testing. LUT Torpedoes will not be ready until fall.

On the u-boat front Jan . and Feb are slim months for merchant sinking due to bad weather and ever improving air patrols. Only 10 merchants sunk with no sinking's at all in Feb.. U-boat losses for the period stand at 21 boats , however another 23 were damaged and were forced to return for repairs before arriving at their patrol areas. Another 25 u-boats are completed during the period. These boats are delayed so that the new FuMO 83 radar can be installed. The only good news is that the new T-V torpedo has claimed it first few victims. In March U-983 used 3 T-V torpedoes to sink the US Block Island and one other destroyer. The torpedoes homed in on the stern section of both ships stopping them dead in the water. Both sank 1 hour later. FAT torpedoes continue to have limited success in the Atlantic and American waters.

In African and South American waters the first u-boats arrive on station near Freetown , Rio, and Curacao. A fertile Tanker hunting ground is found in South American waters. Limited success off Africa as the air patrols are still there but not as bad . The 10 boats account for 6 tankers and 12 other merchants. One u-boat was damaged during a air attack and forced to return home from Africa.

It the Arctic weather in Jan. and Feb. Hamper u-boat operations one large convoy was sighted by a patrolling u-boat, but the boat could not get into a good attack position. In March a XXI boat contacts a Med. action group off Bergen 5 FAT torpedoes are fired at the group with 2 ships hit a light cruiser and the Battleship HMS Belfast. Both ships are heavily damaged and are able to move off. The Belfast is sunk 2 days later by another sub patrolling in the area, as she was limping back to port at only 4 knots. The surface fleet remains in port for the period as weather is too bad for operations. during the 3 month period 1 bombing raid was intercepted by German aircraft. 15 British bombers shot down . Light damage done to Narvik. During the period 8 merchants are sunk with no u-boat losses.

In Late March Dornitz meets with his senior staff. Most air attacks in the Bay of Biscay are involving boats from Brest and Lorient, because of their bases being closer to England and a longer route they must take to clear the bay. Long range plans call for both bases to be abandoned by June. Also it is decided to cease operations in American waters and in the Mid Atlantic. No decision is made to give up on the Atlantic as a whole . Dornitz is waiting to see if the new FuMO 83 radar may turn the tide of the stinging air attacks on his boats. He should know in the next 3 months. As the first group of newly fitted u-boats should be able to report the combat effectiveness of the new radar.

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

March 1944

Allie bombardment of Germany is stepped up the German industries are under heavy attacks the round the clock bombardment has caused major problems for Germany.

London

Churchill complains to General Franco in letting German U-Boats to use there water ways and if Franco lets this continual there could be war. Churchill knows this is a bluff as the Allies must concentrate on Germany.

Spain

General Franco decides to agree and tells the German Navy to stop as from April any U-Boats caught will be treated as pirates. This is a blow to the U-Boat Captains.

Bay of Biscay

The Bay comes under heavy attacks that month 9 U-Boats are sunk 17 Damaged and to add to the ever growing problems aerial mines are dropped in great numbers in all the entrances to the bay causing a half a month of U-Boats being stuck in there bases waiting for the all clear.

The Atlantic

All convoys for that month are intact and getting through.

The Baltic Sea

Heavy Air attack on Narvik puts the docks out of action and the two Battle Cruisers suffer moderate damage but still operational with the control of the Atlantic more destroyers now start to sweep the Baltic in that month 9 U-Boats are sunk the situation is becoming bleak.

London

Late in the Month Churchill is informed of the U-Boats attacks in West Africa and South America and is not that surprised Churchill comments "Donitz's is a clever man he gets beaten in one area and pops up in another clever there's not much we can do it's down to are American Allies to sort this out."

April 1944

France

The bombing now hits France as major road and rail net works are smashed this causes problems for the U-Boats being repaired as spare parts are now taking longer amount of time getting through and the French Resistant steps up there operations.

The Baltic Sea

U-Boats are being hunted down night and day and in the middle of the month a surprise air raid by the Soviet Air Force hits Narvik two days latter the Allies bomb the surrounding area causing transport problems and vital spare parts destroyed. Donitz's decides to try and break out to safer water for the Battle Cruisers before they are lost to air attacks.

May 1944

France

U-Boat H.Q

Donitz's starts the withdraw of the Biscay ports and in late May the breakout in the Baltic. The U- Boats are doing well in the south.

The Baltic Sea

The weather turns bad and the breakout is put back to early June.

June 1944

The English Channel

The date is the 6th of June the Allies have invaded Europe and after 24 hours the Normandy Beaches are under Allie control. Hitler has now got a second front to face.

The Baltic Sea

The Royal Navy is tipped off by spys as the two Battle Cruisers breakout they come face to face with Battleships Hood and King George V and Renown and a slugging night battle takes place in a incredibal lucky shot by Scharnhorst has hit Renowns bridge and is hit again this time by both Scharnhorst and Gneisenau Renown is cripped but the Hood and King George V close in Scharnhorst comes under heavy attack Gneisenau trys to surport her sister ship but falls under fire from six Destroyers Gneisenau returns fire on the Destroyers and sinks 2 of them cripples anouther one suddenly there is a massive explosion Scharnhorst suffers massive damange and is put out of action in the confussion Gneisenau trys to make a break but is soon caught in the cross fire like the Scharnhorst her fate is sealed and by day break its all over both Battle Cruisers are destroyed as the Royal navy departs falls under air attacks the Renowne is hit time again a easy target and sinks from the heavy bombing and is destroyed Hood orso suffered heavy damaged but escapes with King George V which suffered only light damange both ships head for home with the remaining Destroyers.

France

U-Boat H.Q

The lost is a blow to Donitz's but at lease they went out fighting.

England

After the good news of the D-Day landings more good news the sinking of the last two German capital ships.

Italy

The Allies are on the move again.

Russia

22nd June The Soviet Army hits the Germans with a sledge hammer blow Operation Bagration will destroy Army Group Center and inflicts massive damage on Army Group North.

Germany

War Production is hit hard and all arm forces suffer the Navy suffers the most.



Richard

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

March - June 1944:

On the research front LUT torpedoes continue to be developed. FAT1 guidance system is tested in April and performs as designed. By late May several are on u-boats. The U-boat commanders Nickname the new torpedo "The escort Killer" several attacking destroyers are sunk or damaged using the new torpedo.

On the u-Boat front 23 boats are completed with 29 losses. First batch of FuMO 83 radar boats have good results with the new radar. Aircraft detection is superior and allows up to 2 Min's for the u-boat to dive to avoid attack. The new radar will be standard equipment for all Electro boats, and IX boats, however the observation scope must be removed to install the retractable antenna mast. Dornitz orders the change to be done. The radar cannot be installed on VII series due to the conning tower being too small. Dornitz orders all 41 VII series boats be pulled from long range duty and become coastal or training boats.. This reduces the fleet to 142 boats.
In the Atlantic few merchants are sunk, Germany continues to scale back Atlantic operations. In June Brest and Lorient are shut down as u-boat bases. boats and supplies are transferred to the 3 remaining bases on the French coast.
In the Arctic Merchant sinking's are up a bit as the weather has improved with 23 ships sunk. The Surface fleet breaks out in June but is discovered by the British. The naval battle sees the sinking of both battleships, but the British force had severe damage to 3 battleships with one being finished off by Condor bombers. 9 u-boats are lost during the period including the first XXI boat.
In South American & African waters 29 merchants are sunk during the period with 1 u-boat loss. 7 Tankers sunk near Curacao in a Tanker convoy. Air patrols are increasing off West Africa.
In late June Dornitz meets with his senior staff and takes stock of the naval situation overall. American & most Atlantic waters have been shut down to u-boat operations. Surface fleet is no more except for e-boats. Arctic, African & South American waters are still fertile hunting grounds , but the allies are starting to respond in the Arctic. U-Boat fleet has been reduced by one third. Spare parts and new construction is starting to suffer due to increasing Allied air attacks on German industry. Dornitz figures that at this rate the u-boats can be a effective weapon for one more year max. The new radar will help to extend the life of the fleet from air attacks.
As the meeting ends, Dornitz realizes that the war is lost, however duty to the fatherland keeps him fighting.

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

July 1944

Normandy

The Allies finally breakout after a month of dead lock.

Russia

The Soviet Army continuous to liberate the Motherland.

The Atlantic & North Sea

All Quite no U-Boat activity.

The Arctic Sea & Baltic Sea

3 Destroyers sunk and a Light Cruiser damaged there is talk of a new kind of torpedo.

West Africa & South America

U-Boats still have the upper hand as they take atoll on selected targets top of there hit list Oil Tankers.

East Prussia

The Wolfs Lair

July 20th 12.42pm

A bomb goes off at Hitlers conference and fails to kill Hitler the plot has failed.

August 1944

France

The German army collapses and the Allies make good progress. Southern France has been invaded by the Allies.

The Bay of Biscay U-Boat Ports

Brest & Lorient along with St Nazaire are besieged and sealed by American forces. Days before all remaining U-Boats breakout 9 of them sunk 2 Surrender after depth charge attack. Another 3 are sunk as they sail around England to home waters.

France

Paris is liberated latter that month.

West Africa & South America

Still a good hunting ground for the U-Boats.

The Atlantic & North Sea

Quite.

The Arctic Sea & Baltic Sea

U-Boats sink 9 Merchants 2 Destroyer for the lose of 1 U-Boat

England

The Naval Department

Information rec'd from spy's has proved the new German Type IV Torpedo homes in on ships screws which make a noise and there is a Type V being tested. Research is under way to counter act this problem.


Richard

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

July - Sept. 1944:

On the research front LUT torpedoes still being developed. On schedule for testing to begin sometime in the fall.

On the U-Boat front operations continue to be scaled back in the Atlantic, all u-boats are now out of American waters. Caribbean still being partly covered by South American u-boat patrols. A record 53 u-boats completed during the period, 29 u-boats lost. All shipyards are now converted to Electro boat production by Sept. Last IX boat is completed in early Oct. Allies have occupied Brest and Lorient and briefly had St. Nazerine before a German counter offensive pushed them back. Dornitz contacts Hitler and tells him if French ports fall then all South Atlantic u-boat operations are lost. Hitler informs Army general staff to hold the French ports at all coat. 9 Merchants are sunk during the period in the Atlantic.

In South American & African waters, another good period with 26 merchants sunk, 12 of those being tankers. No u-boats lost during the period. 1 escort destroyer also sunk off the African coast.

In the Arctic a slow period overall 12 merchants sunk along with a light cruiser and 3 destroyers sunk using the new FAT1 and TV torpedoes. The new torpedoes are causing big problems for warships and escorts. 2 U-boats are lost during the period.

Snorkel refit is 2 months away from being completed , due to u-boat sinking's and the VII series boats being pulled from combat operations. Only 20 u-boats remain to be refitted. New FuMo 83 radar is now installed on 60 XXI boats. XXI & XXIII combat electro boats now stand at 73. More would be active, but a back log of training electro boat crews is slowing the process. U-boat commanders report a slight problem with the new T-V torpedoes. A u-boat commander fired a T-V at a slow moving C3 cargo ship, however the torpedo homed in on a faster moving escort destroyer . The escort was hit by the torpedo in the stern section as expected. Dornitz is informed and the information is passed to torpedo research to look into the problem.

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

September 1944

On the 19th September U-Boat base Brest surrenders to the Americans. Lorient along with St Nazaire hold out to end of the war.

Poland

The Warsaw uprising is finally crushed by the German Forces late September.

America

The Naval Department sends out six hunter killer groups to West Africa & South America three groups in each area to start operations in October sweeping the patrol areas of U-Boats. The situation in the Caribbean is now well under control 2 U-Boats sunk that month.

England

Operation Broad sweep lasting a whole month has been a success in the Atlantic and North sea along with the Arctic and Baltic Seas. Hunter Killer groups hunted down and sunk 22 U-Boats along with 3 that Surrendered a black month for the U-Boats. Operation Broad sweep Two is planed for October.

Italy

Allie forces reach Northern Italy and another strong deceive line.

Belgium

Operation Market Garden fails to break in to Germany a set back for the Allies. But further south Patton does well against Manteuffel in the SAAR LORRAINE area.

Russia

The Soviet army has liberated the Mother Land and pauses for a while for the next operation.

October 1944

The German starts to stiffen there defensive positions in Europe a slow slogging fight for the Allies.

Southern England

In a surprise move by Donitz's U-Boats start operating in the English Channel one U-Boat is spotted and sunk in the Thames Estuary they are trying to hit supple ships sailing to Europe this is a very dangerous move by Donitz's the U-Boat Captains regarded it as Suicidal.



Richard

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

October 1944

West Africa & South America

American Hunter Killers start operating in South America the other three groups later in the month in West Africa.

Southern England

19 U-Boats are sunk Donitz's calls off the operation and wonders what options are open to him if any.

England

Operation Broad sweep Two lasting two and half weeks has been a moderate success in the Atlantic and North sea along with the Arctic and Baltic Seas. Hunter Killer groups hunted down and sunk 14 U-Boats at a cost of 6 Destroyers. U-Boat Captains in a deperate act are firing off as many Torpedos they can but in some other cases they have had anouth and surrender 4 U-Boats that month they feel its better to sit out the war as a prisoner than going to the bottom of the sea.

Late October West Africa

The American Hunter Killers start operating.

November 1944

Weather conditions at sea are bad for most of the month. Both sides reflect on the situation and there next move.

December 1944

Operation Autumn Mist errups in the Ardennes three German Divisions surge forward in a suprice move.


Richard

[MarshalLaw]

Hey Richard,

Sept. - Dec. 1944:

On the research front LUT torpedoes are tested in Oct. Units work as designed, however are more complex to program than the FAT series torpedoes. Production to start in Dec. Researchers have found out that the T-V guidance system will home in on the loudest sound that it hears. The faster the ship the more noise it makes. Research recommends T-V units to be used against escorts or single targets only.

On the U -Boat front u-boat losses continue to mount 43 losses to 32 u-boats completed during the period. A brief English channel operation is a complete failure with the loss of 19 boats, mainly VII series boats that were assigned to coastal duties. Dornitz calls off the operation after 1 month.

In the Arctic, South American and African waters the allies have dispatched Hunter Killer groups to all 3 areas in 2 phases. 12 u-boats are sunk in all 3 areas during the period. 10 merchants and 8 warships sunk. In Nov. the weather turns very bad , hampering operations on both sides. Only 1 u-boat lost in Nov. along with 4 merchants.

In the French ports most u-boats have been transferred to German waters. Only u-boats left using the bases are the African and South American u-boats. In Jan. Operations are stopped in Africa, and South America due to increasing air patrols and Hunter killer groups. The 3 remaining bases are to used for the remainder of the war as refueling stations for u-boats operating in the western approaches, mainly XXI boats.

By Dec. all u-boats have been fitted with a snorkel and all electro boats that are operational are fitted with the New FuMO 83 radar. Combat operational Electro boats stand at 89 by Dec. Total combat fleet boats are at 188.

In late Dec. Dornitz is fast running out of options. Africa, and South America operations are to end in Jan. Most u-boat operations have pulled back to North sea, Arctic and the western approaches, conducted mainly with Electro Boats. The U-boat fleet is being squeezed by German production that is taking a heavy beating from allied air raids. Almost all industry is now under ground. These are bleak times for the u-boat fleet, and the future is even darker.

[richard]

Hi MarshalLaw,

January 1945 - May 1945

With the end of the final big German offensive ending remaining units move east for the final offensive in the East location Hungary which will fail. Eastern Europe falls to the Soviet Army as they sweep west wards, and Hitler moves in to his last H.Q The Furhrer Bunker from here he will conduct the final battle. The situation is with out hope as the months go by and in April the final act takes place. The Battle of Berlin in early May the Soviet Army is yards away from Hitler, at this point Hitler's life ends. For the duration of the last three days of war Admiral Donitz's takes over as The Reich President and brings about the end of all action, one such action all U-Boats at sea are to surface and surrender.

The U-Boat War

The Allies now have total control of the sea as U-Boat loses continual and to add to there problems hardly any spare parts left to repair the remaining U-Boats and fuel and torpedo's are become rare. On the last day of the war U-Boats are ordered to surrender this is good news to the remaining captains and there crew they have survived.

Richard