UBOOT-Patrol 16

I missed this game, but it sounds like there was a ton of action.

PATROL 16

After successful HIT and BOOM on the labship, Captain holds quick conference with Officers and decides to fire remaining 2 torpedoes to the warship in anchor. 

Both torpedoes HIT and EXPLODE with devastating noise and rumble… the old watery warhorse is not likely to come out of anchor any time soon... 

but the enemy does not just sit by quietly… hydrophone reports fast MOTOR TORPEDO BOAT approaching from direction of Hoxa Sound… UBOOT dives to 50 meters and Captain decides to circle around with evasive maneuvers and head out through Hoxa route, the way we came in… 

well, not so fast, says the enemy… UBOOT gets tagged by several fast MTB which drop a single depth charges every now and then… in addition 2 Corvettes with proper depth charge racks enter Scapa Basin and start PING-searching UBOOT, cross-scanning from different directions and no doubt using their radios to synchronize observations…

in addition 1 Destroyer enters the Basin from direction of Hoxa Sound…

BLACK = MTBs, 1 and 2 = CORVETTES, RED1 = Destroyer

Captain orders torpedoes to be loaded, and 1 torpedo manages to find its way into forward tube until UBOOT is forced to start maneuvering and loading is aborted…

Captain considers the idea of trying to reach the deepest 150m center area and laying low at the bottom… but that is not going to happen, UBOOT is forced to maneuver itself toward Gansta shoreline, where Captain settles the boat at the bottom at about 35 meters of depth… shut down engines… minimize noise… and wait…

Enemy keeps PING-searching the basin but since UBOOT is stationary at bottom, they cannot get proper fix from movement. Enemy keeps dropping depth charges, quite a few around the deepest central area which would be logical place to hide… they also seem to get some idea about the shoreline because MTBs and Corvettes make couple of passes and drop depth charges close to the UBOOT location if not exactly on top… depth charges seem to have been set to explode around 50 meters of depth, which is logical considering the Basin environment. UBOOT at 35 meters is not exactly the most critical  level … 

but still few close shaves create results:

twice the blast shockwave hits against the outer hull, first HULL DEFORMING result  brings maximum depth diving level to 130 meters, crew can hear the hull creaking and moaning as the metal bends under pressure but it holds… another similar HULL DEFORMING result brings the maximum diving depth to 65 meters, but still the hull holds… one blast knocks out the lights and electrical circuits in the Control Room - Watch Officer turns on emergency lighting adn Control Room bathes in red light...

one really close hit created lots of noise observations from deck outside: by the metallic noises it sounds like the 20mm AA-gun took a bad hit, propably not is any usable condition, might even be loose from its mounting… pressure from one explosion damages the hatch on #1 torpedo tube which remains unusable for now, but repairable.

Hull damage cannot be properly assessed until UBOOT can surface and crew can get outside the boat to check it out. Repairing the hull damage will require dry dock conditions at harbor. At least UBOOT is still operational. At the moment 1 torpedo in forward tubes, 1 torpedo in rear tube, 2 more in storage… all torpedoes are bubble torpedoes.

All together, enemy dropped around 100 depth charges, most of them around the central Basin area with no threat to UBOOT, approximately 25 bombs were dropped somewhere around the vicinity of UBOOT.

Apparently enemy did not get a verified fix on UBOOT location. After somewhat 2 hours the depth charging stops. Hydrophone still reports lots of propellor noises and vessel movements and PING-searches around the Basin area, even patrolling shoreline with fast boats… around midnight the traffic seems to quiet down… at few minute intervals you can hear several PINGS from multiple directions, now these PING-sources are not moving, they are stationary … most likely enemy has places sonar buyos into water around the Scapa Basin and the outgoing main routes, they will feed signal changes into central radio receiver somewhere in the area.

Around 0200 in the morning hours, hydrophone reports increased smaller vessel traffic FROM harbor area AND from few locations on the shoreline, TOWARD both Hoxa Sound and the Western route. Even a distant low rumble of larger aircraft taking off can be heard. By 0300 the Basin area is totally quiet - except for the multiple PINGS ringing out at steady intervals.

Captain has decided to keep UBOOT down at sea bottom for rest of the night and through the next day and into next night.

 

UBOOT-Patrol 15

 

PATROL 15

After laying low and quiet at the bottom seabed of Scapa Basin,

UBOOT hydrophone operators reported following events during the day:

in the morning about 0930, a small patrol boat came in from south (RED), along the coastline to harbor, then back out to the west… few hours after that, a merchant vessel / freighter  (GREEN) took off from Holm area and went the same route west.

Around 1600 a single patrol vessel or possibly small corvette came out from harbor area, wnet past UBOOT position and out south.

at 1720, a larger group of bigger and smaller vessels came out from harbor area, headed south past UBOOT position, following the route of previous patrol vessel.

1815 hours, with sunset coming closer and the fleet of vessels having passed further south into Hoxa Sound, UBOOT rises slowly up to periscope depth, to take a look.

First observation, toward south to Hoxa SOund, reveals following:

Aircraft carrier with fleet of smaller escort and few Torpedo Boats holding the rear, sailing out to south.

Next observation comes when periscope is turned toward Scapa Harbor:

First vessel is clearly a warship… with further examination Officers seem to identify her either as HMS Hood or as HMS  Royal Oak. Further examination reveals there are men climbing up and down on scaffolds on the side of the warship, there seem to be maintenance, reparations and refitting going on. Apparently not much chance of the warship moving from its anchorage.

Vessel behind warship look very much like some type of merchant / freighter vessel… superstructure tower in the back of the ship… not clear if that belongs to the ship on is behind it at the dock. Further examination reveal a single man coming up to have a smoke at the front deck of the ship… the smoker is wearing a white labcoat. Consensus opinion decides this must be the primary target of this mission - chemical warfare floating labratory HMS Arborath… although no flag or name identification is clearly visible… can also be some countermeasure in trying to disguise the true purpose of this vessel.

UBOOT starts to approach Harbor at periscope depth… a patrol boat seems to pick up some signal and comes out from the shoreline… but eventually seems to lose interest and disappears south

UBOOT arrives at effective torpedo range… Captain orders to fire 2 silent  electric torpedoes, both aimed at the labship

WAtch Officers counts seconds on his stopwatch, waiting for confirmation that torpedoes hit… the moment of truth approaches…  extending 2, 3, 4, 5 seconds… nothing happens - first torpedo gives no result, perhaps went under the vessel or went off course or otherwise failed to detonate...

BUT Second torpedo hits - explosion seems to be much more than anticipated, there must have been something special that blew up in the labship.

2 bubble torpedoes still in front tubes, one in rear tube… 

before Captain comes to order reloading, hydrophone picks up signal from the south: PING  clearly rings out in the water, someone is coming…

The asymmetric cat-and-mouse game begins with UBOOT and surface vessels… hydrophone operator is glued to his headphones, trying to hear clearly…

As final result, UBOOT crew manages to get clear fix on 7 search signals,

so UBOOT gains  +7 BONUS POINTS for following torpedo shots.

Enemy search vessels manage to get 3 clear fix signals on UBOOT position,

so enemy gains 3 POINTS for upcoming DEPTH CHARGE attack. 

When the next phase begins, UBOOT has still some local tasks to be managed  with, Captain needs to decide when to deal with these, there was a small fire which was successfully put out… there still remains minor water leakage and escalating shortcircuits in electrical systems. Crew ALSO has in storage one FREE TOOL to be chosen for repairs. ENGINEER crew already has ELECTRICAL CABLES & TOOLS in their possession, they can be used freely to give +3 BONUS POINTS for repairs. FREE TOOL choice could be WATER PUMP for anyone that Captain orders to deal with the water situation, that would provide +3 BONUS POINTS for that operation.

to be continued...

UBOOT-Patrol 14

Patrol 14

Starting at 0400 hours at night, overcast clouds with little light and slight rain, UBOOT hitched a ride through the shipping lane into south entry point into Scapa Flow Naval Base, around Lythe Point.

Following 400 meters behind the propellor wake of a cargo carrier coming in from NORTH EAST, UBOOT advanced at 20 meters periscope depth, for almost 2 hours at slow speed without being detected.

UBOOT crew handled all the tight internal situations admirably, with Captain doing his fair share in burning the midnight oil with keeping up the morale. Gameplay advanced using the new Cooperative Decision Making Gameboard.

Just before Hoxa Sound, small patrol boat arriving for escort, apparently got some idea of UBOOT because suddenly a single PING could be heard clearly in the sea.

UBOOT officers decided to do a high-risk maneuver: UBOOT dropped down to 50 meters, and continued under the ingoing cargo vessel, using its engine and propellor noises to mask own advance. Torpedo boats could be heard running search pattern behind with occasional PING. UBOOT advanced through Hoxa Sound underneath the cargo vessel, and a corvette-class smaller Sub-Hunter passed onto the other direction. 

Inside Scapa Basin things got quiet again, cargo vessel continued toward Scapa Flow harbor area up NORTH, UBOOT took position in the middle of the basin with water at 180 meters deep, ventilated for 30 minutes, then closed hatches and dropped down to rest at sea bottom for the day that was just starting to arrive.

 

UBOOT-Patrol 13-Recon

This past Thursday we got together for our session of UBOOT. This game was a little different as the stress of the voyage has now gotten to our Captain, who had to retire to his bed with a bottle of Schnapps ) I am hoping it is not that horrible peach flavoured one).

Out games master Heikki, decided that we would gather 24 hours of reconnaissance and then he would present it to us and we could make a recommendation to our Captain, Eero, when he came out of his bunk on how to proceed. As you know we had planned a eastern approach to to Scarpa Basin, but we were all questioning the prudence of this plan.

So Kemppoff (First Officer), Kasparov (Chief Engineer) and Mikalov (Navigator) got together and reviewed 24 hours of surveillance information, this included both hydrophone and periscope data. Heikki really did a fun job on this as we had our Lloyd's Registry of ships as well as him putting together a video with encapsulating 24 hours of data collection.

PATROL 13

UBOOT takes observation position off eastern approach to Scapa Flow Naval Base.

Periscope depth, water under keel measured around 180 meters.

Hydrophone and periscope operators active.

VIDEO OF ENEMY ACTIVITY - 24 hours, general presentation

DETAILED ANALYSIS OF OBSERVED ENEMY ACTIVITY

TIME 0800

#1 - Periscope sighting of small vessel coming towards land from NE; Watch Officer draws in periscope and takes UBOOT down to 100 meters. Hydrophone keeps listening and tracking the vessel: slow sleep, one slow screw, passing north of UBOOT position, no sign of alarm. Vessel continues toward land and disappears into narrow sound (salmi) between SOUTH TOWN and RUMLEY POINT.

SPOTTING MARK #1 TARGET identified as Fishing Boat Diesel, 1 screw

TIME 0900

#2 - same time as fishing boat is going into narrow sound, Hydrophone picks up another observation in direction SW from UBOOT position, at distance of maybe 8 NM (nautical miles). Fast small vessel… appearing from behind the LYTHE point… then suddenly slows down and continues to arc slowly…

Sea is quiet all around. 

UBOOT comes back up to periscope depth (20m)

TIME 1000

#3 - ... small vessel continues in halfcircle and goes back, accelerates to fast speed again, ata same time Hydrophone picks up signal of slow big screw… large vessel, heading toward NE somewhere maybe 10 NM distance.

TIME 1015

#4 - soon after, Hydrophone picks up yet another similar slow single screw, large vessel, heading toward NE behind the previous spotting.

No periscope sighting yet of either one.

TIME 1100

PERISCOPE SIGHTING of lighthouse coming to light south of LYTHE point, light stays on for 20 minutes.

Hydrophone can hear vessel #3 changing speed and adjusting course around somewhere close to LYTHE point.

#4 still coming on behind vessel #3.

TIME 1115

ship #3 moves toward EAST and slowly accelerates.

ship #4 can be heard changing speed and course close to LYTHE point.

TIME 1215

AIR#1 - Periscope sighting of airplane coming out from the direction of Scapa Flow Naval Base. 

Officers identify Airplane as 

SPOTTING MARK AIR#1 TARGET identified as Blackburn Botha  Coastal Recon / Torpedo Bomber ARMAMENT: 3 HMG 1-2 torpedoes

Watch Officer takes UBOOT down to 150 meters, so as not to be spotted from air.

Airplane can be heard flying wide circles around the outgoing vessels: ship#4 moves toward NE, ship#3 moves EAST.

at 1245 Airplane flies back toward Scapa Flow Base and disappears over land.

TIME 1300

UBOOT comes back up to periscope depth.

PERISCOPE SIGHTING lighthouse comes into light NE from UBOOT  position, light stays on for 15 minutes. 

PERISCOPE sighting of ship#4 from behind, going toward NE.

Browsing through Lloyd’s Ship Register, Officers identify ship as

SPOTTING MARK #4 TARGET identified as Bulk Carrier AMSTELLAND appears to be armed cargo ship with deck gun on forward deck

TIME 1315 vessel can be observed to change course slightly and heard to accelerate speed.

TIME 1330

Hydrophone reports sound of LARGE VESSEL GROUP at direction NE from UBOOT position, at distance more than 60 NM. Possible convoy formation.

TIME 1400

HYDROPHONE starts cranking up and breaking sound. 

Needs readjusting. Watch Officer orders repairs, adjustments estimated for 60 minutes.

TIME 1410

Hydrophone still under adjustments. 

PERISCOPE sighting of lighthouse at NE coming to light.

TIME 1420

PERISCOPE sighting of Coastal Patrol Airplane

TIME 1425

#5 - PERISCOPE sighting of large vessel coming toward land., at direction EAST from UBOOT position, distance 3 NM.

Vessel estimated to be most likely TOWN CLASS destroyer…

TIME 1420

PERISCOPE sighting of Coastal Patrol Airplane.

Watch Officer takes UBOOT down to 150 meters.

Hydrophone still under adjustments..

TIME 1500

Hydrophone adjusted and operational.

#6 - Hydrophone picks up sound of one big screw going north, at distance 7 NM, approximately NE from UBOOT position.

Coastal Airplane flies wide circle and disappears below LYTHE point.

#5 - Hydrophone can hear ship#5 moving toward LYTHE point.

PERISCOPE sighting of warship from behind, and Officers recognize vessel most likely as:

SPOTTING MARK #5 HMS Roxborough, destroyer engine: steam turbine, 2 screws sound signature: small, noisy speed 35 knots ARMAMENT: 4 guns 12 torpedo tubes 1 depth charge rack at back               (syvyyspommiteline)

TIME 1550

periscope sighting of lighthouse coming to light SOUTH of LYTHE point, for 20 minutes.

TIME 1600

Hydrophone can hear #5 decreasing speed and making slight course change close to LYTHE point. Vessel disappears behind landmass around 1700 hours.

TIME 1745

Hydrophone malfunctions. Checkup reveals broken wires which need to be replaced. Watch Officer orders repairs underway.

TIME 1810

Weather: starts to rain, slightly. Sea state calm.

UBOOT floating at periscope depth.

TIME 1830

#7 - PERISCOPE sighting of fast small boat. 

Officers identify boat as:

SPOTTING MARK #7 TARGET identified as Coast Patrol Boat

Course heading toward UBOOT position - but quick course change at 2 NM from UBOOT position, continues toward land and disappears into narrow sound between SOUTH TOWN and RUMLEY POINT.

TIME 1915 - Hydrophone repaired and in good working order.

TIME 1940 - Sunset

TIME 2000

#8 - periscope sighting of small boat coming out from narrow sound.

Course heading directly toward UBOOT position.

SPOTTING MARK #8 TARGET identified as Fishing Boat Diesel, 1 screw              … engages 2.screw                   = Twin Diesel engine ?!

Watch Officer draws in periscope and takes UBOOT down to 120 meters.

Hydrophone keeps following vessel… one slow screw… as it comes directly toward UBOOT.

Vessel passes approximately  0,5 NM NORTH of UBOOT position,

Hydrophone can hear second diesel screw engaging - so small vessel with twin diesel engine… boat accelerates to 8 knots and disappears toward NE / NORTH

TIME 2230

UBOOT floating at periscope depth 20 meters.

Sea is calm, and quiet all around

REWARDS FOR SUCCESSFUL IDENTIFICATIONS:

ID REWARDS: FIRSTOFFICER, NAVIGATOR and ENGINEER get 2 FREE ACTIVATIONS next session.

ENEMY CONTACT SHEET

Based on observations of enemy movements, 

OFFICERS WRITE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CAPTAIN:

Officer’s Recommendation: In respect to a eastern approach to the basin, the southeastern approach appears to be used by smaller boats. No ships observed going through the Northeastern approach. Enemy appears to use lighthouses on rocky outcrops to guide what appears to be convoys east of the Scapa Basin.  Movement of large vessels is covered by probable torpedo-armed aerial surveillance craft. Our conclusion is that the best approach would be from the south, by following in larger ships’ wakes.