SH3 SDN Campaign.....

[MKSheppard]

I'm thinking of doing a SH3 Campaign in the same vein as Ando's B-17 2 Campaign:

Soo.....

There are about 4 to 5 officer positions open on a U-boat:
Engineer (CHARDOK!)
Watchman (WeeMadAndo)
Helmsman/Naviguesser
Weapons Man (Ace Pace)
Torpedoman (Captain Tycho)

And a bunch of specialized Petty Officer Rates:
D/C man (MRDOD)
sonar man (Losonti Tokash)
radio man (mr Bean)
torpedo mate
machinist's mate

etc...

So what kind of Boat do you guys want, and what time period?

EDIT: Also, SH3 allows you to put unique emblems on your boat:

Got any images that you think would be poifect for the SDN U-boat?

[weemadando]

Watchman!

[MKSheppard]

Watchman!

Figures; I have to manually drag you up to the bridge after each surfacing....typical Anders.

[Losonti Tokash]

The sonar calls to me. Kindly shove some oversized headphones at me and I shall be quite content.

[Duckie]

D/C for me!

I'm not making any promises about about damage controlling, though, as the base didn't give us nearly enough chewing gum or plywood to maintain hull integrity under heavy combat situtations.

[Mr Bean]

Radioman, heck I'm acutaly quailed out for that position in an emergancy.


As for time, 39 of course.
(Joseph Adler)

[Chardok]

ENGINEER HERE!

[MKSheppard]

For those of you wondering how it'll be carried out:

My Last Completed Career in SH3

[Captain tycho]

I'll be your torpedo man.

[Ace Pace]

Shep, you know me. WEAPONS OFFICER STAT!

Oh, and if anybody wants in after all positions are filled, I'll also open a campaign.

[MKSheppard]

Have you ever seen a bunch of more shifty basitches in your life?

Will go out later today, but for now; some PICTURES!

DATE 1 September 1939

PLACE Type VIIB U-45.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE


Lieutenant (j.g.) WeeMadAndo


Ensign Ace Pace


Ensign Chardok


Chief Petty Officer Mr Bean


Warrant Officer MRDOD


Petty Officer 1cl. Losonti Tokash


Midshipman Tycho

[Mr Bean]

Yaar I need an eyepatch. Good rundown.

[MKSheppard]

From the Dock, Young Frauleins wave their goodbyes.


Our Mission: Patrol in the area indicated.


I give the order for both engines ahead slow; and we're off!


30 Minutes or so later, leaving behind Wilhelmshaven's Docks....

[MKSheppard]

As we are leaving port, CPO Bean hands me the latest radio message hot off the Enigma Decrypt:

OKM
1 September 1939
OVERT MILITARY OPERATIONS HAVE COMMENCED AGAINST POLAND. ALL POLISH VESSELS ARE TO BE CONSIDERED HOSTILE AND VALID TARGETS WHICH MAY BE ATTACKED AT THE COMMANDER'S DISCRETION.

VESSELS OF OTHER NATIONS ARE CONSIDERED NETRAL AND ARE NOT TO BE ATTACKED.

I nod to Mr Bean and file this information away in my head.

--------

September 1st, 23000 Hours


The First Night of Our Patrol as we move into the North Sea; Lt JG Anders keeps watch on the bridge.

ANDO: "Fuck, I'm bored, when do I get a break?"

SHEP: "Never, Mr Anders; you stay on bridge for the entire patrol; due to time compression, you will never get tired."

ANDO: "Fuck me."

----

September 3rd, 0126 Hours

"Ship Spotted, Long range! Bearing 007!"

I increase speed to Flank, soon we're pushing 17 knots.

Soon, we're close enough to Visually Identify the ship. I identify it as a C3 Cargo with my ship ID Book.

I call Ensign Pace to the periscope to see if he can ID it. He identifies it as a C2 Cargo. I immediately demote him to Cleaning boy. THE CAPTAIN IS ALWAYS RIGHT!

I think again, and decide not to demote him, as I need him to lay out the TDC plot for the ship. While waiting for Mr. Pace to do his job, I briefly reconnoiter the ship's mast; and spot the accursed Norwegian Flag. Damned Neutrals. I order the watch to calm down and rig a course away from the target at standard.

-------

September 3rd 0652 Hours


Conditions up top have worsened to the point where the watch is wearing their oilskins.

At 1256 Hours, Mr Bean interrupts my Crossword puzzle, with another OKM message:

OKM
03 September 1939
U-BOATS ARE ORDERED TO COMMENCE HOSTILITIES WITH BRITAIN FORTHWITH. AT PRESENT, U-BOATS OF THE FIRST WAVE ARE INSTRUCTED TO WAGE WAR AGAINST MERCHANT SHIPPING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REVISED ISSUE OF THE PRIZE REGULATIONS. AS LONG AS WAR AGAINST MERCHANT SHIPPING IS GOVERNED BY THE PRIZE REGULATIONS, ATTACKS ARE TO BE AIMED AT SHIPS WHICH, BY THE PROTOCOL, MAY BE SUNK WITHOUT WARNING.

Excellent. Now we can sink verdamnet Britischers!

-----

September 3rd 1355 Hours

Mr Bean once more interrupts me with a long stream of transmissions from OKM. I put on my reading glasses and begin reading them.

OKM
03 September 1939

U-BOAT WARFARE AGAINST SHIPPING IS AT PRESENT TO BE CARRIED OUT IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL RULES. AS LONG AS WAR AGAINST MERCHANT SHIPPING IS GOVERNED BY THE LONDON SUBMARINE PROTOCOL, ARTICLE 22, ATTACKS ARE TO BE AIMED AT SHIPS WHICH, BY THE PROTOCOL, MAY BE SUNK WITHOUT WARNING. THESE ARE:

1. TROOPSHIPS, I.E. VESSELS WHICH ARE OBSERVED TO BE CARRYING TROOPS OR WAR MATERIAL, OR WHICH MAY BE IDENTIFIED IN OTHER WAYS.

2. ANY VESSEL ESCORTED BY ENEMY WARSHIPS OR AIRCRAFT.

3. VESSELS TAKING PART IN ENEMY ACTIONS OR ACTING IN DIRECT SUPPORT OF ENEMY OPERATIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, BY PASSING INTELLIGENCE TRANSMITTING THE "SSS" SIGNAL IDENTIFYING AN ATTACK BY SUBMARINE. PARTICIPATION IN OPERATIONS IS PRESUMED IF A MERCHANT SHIP PREPARES TO RESIST OR TAKE ANY ACTION CALCULATED TO JEOPARDISE THE U-BOAT. THE CURRENT INTERNATIONAL LAW GOVERNING THE CONDUCT OF NAVAL WARFARE IS INCLUDED IN THE BATTLE ORDERS FOR THE GERMAN NAVY. THE ORDERS ENJOIN THE STRICT OBSERVANCE OF ALL RULES OF NEUTRALITY ISSUED BY THE INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES AND OBSERVANCE OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENTS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. OPERATIONS AGAINST SHIPPING ARE TO BE GOVERNED BY THE REVISED EDITION OF THE PRIZE REGULATIONS. OBSERVANCE OF THE PRIZE REGULATIONS IS ONLY OBLIGATORY IF THE ENEMY SHIPS ARE UNARMED.

I mutter to myself. "Damned regulations."

---

September 3rd 1552 Hours

Once More, Bean bursts forth with yet another coded message for my eyes.

FdU
03 September 1939
OPEN HOSTILITIES AGAINST ENGLAND IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT WAIT TO BE ATTACKED FIRST.

"Well, that was obvious."

-------

September 3rd 1753 Hours

I begin to think about the Luger stored in the safe next to my bed as CPO Bean once more interrupts me with YET ANOTHER message.

FdU
03 September 1939
FRANCE CONSIDERS HERSELF AT WAR WITH GERMANY AS FROM 1700. DEFENSIVE ACTION ONLY IS TO BE TAKEN WHEN ENCOUNTERING FRENCH WARSHIPS OR SHIPPING. BOATS ARE TO TAKE NO HOSTILE ACTION AGAINST FRENCH MERCHANT SHIPS FOR THE PRESENT, EXCEPT IN SELF DEFENSE.

[MKSheppard]

September 4th 1202 Hours

Another Message. At least they waited until the next day...

FdU
04 September 1939
BY ORDER OF THE FÜHRER: NO HOSTILE ACTION IS TO BE TAKEN AGAINST PASSENGER SHIPS SAILING INDEPENDENTLY OR IN CONVOY. OPERATION ORDERS PARA VIA REMAIN IN FORCE AGAINST MERCHANT SHIPPING.

----

September 4th 2330 Hours

We're finally rounding the Shetland Islands; soon we'll be out of the North Sea.

------

September 6th 1142 Hours

Bean Shows up with a message; Two days between messages, a MIRACLE!

FdU
06 September 1939
SITUATION REGARDING FRANCE STILL UNCLARIFIED. DEFENSIVE ACTION ONLY IS TO BE TAKEN WHEN ENCOUNTERING FRENCH FORCES OR SHIPPING.

SHIPS IDENTIFIED AS FRENCH ARE NOT TO BE STOPPED. AVOID INCIDENTS WITH FRANCE AT ALL COSTS.

Checking topside, it appears that the rough seas of the past few days have calmed down. Mr. Anders can now remove his oilskins.

----

September 6th 1700~ Hours

We've reached our assigned patrol grid, AM32, some 200 kilometers north of Scotland.

[Chardok]

And the lonely enginner sits Astern, idly humming and making sure all goes well with the diesels. Ahh, the life. *Lies down in his hammock

[Captain tycho]

Midshipman Tycho spends his time shaving off that fugly beard.

[Mr Bean]

Sir! Message traffic, I like pie.... message repeats. I dunno the OKM boys are playing message games agian.

[weemadando]

Message from OKM:
U-45 is to launch an attack on British Naval vessels in Scapa Flow. The Fuhrer says its because he hates you all.

[MKSheppard]

September 7th 0839 Hours

I order a practice dive; to test out our sonar, and to get that git Anders down here so I can beat his attempted mutiny out of him.

September 7th 1200 Hours



Sonarman reports no contacts after almost three hours of waiting at 40 meters. I order the boat to the surface.

-----

September 8th 0752 Hours

We've spent the required 24 hours in our patrol grid. Where to next? Topside watch reports seas have roughened. I think about having the oilskins sent up, but decide not to; make that mutineer learn the error of his ways!

Checking with ChEng Chardok, I discover we have 75% fuel left; I order a course to just off the Rockall Banks; we'll hunt there.

September 8th 1141 Hours

Chief Bean shows up with a message.

FdU
08 September 1939
TORPEDO DIRECTORATE ADVISES THAT MAGNETIC PISTOLS BE SET BACK TWO ZONES TO REDUCE SENSITIVITY. EXPERTS ADVISE IMPACT PISTOLS ON SHIPS LESS THAN 3000 TONS.

Right. So our torpedoes may suck? Damn.

September 8th 1159 Hours

Bean interrupts again; looks like FdU likes bothering us. Only this time it's actually revelant.

FdU
08 September 1939
To: U-45, 46, 48, 52, 40, 45, 47, 48

A) BETWEEN ICELAND AND THE FAROES:
NORTH THIRD U 45
CENTER THIRD U 46
SOUTH THIRD U 48/52

B) BETWEEN THE FAROES AND THE SHETLANDS:
NORTH THIRD U 47/37
CENTER THIRD U 38/41
SOUTH THIRD U 39/40

C) BETWEEN THE SHETLANDS AND NORWAY:
WEST THIRD U 37, 38, 39, 41
CENTER THIRD U 40, 45, 46
EAST THIRD U 47, 48, 52.

Damn. Looks like we'll be paying a visit to the cold near-arctic soon. A shame we didn't pack extra heavy warm clothes for our topside watches.

September 9th 0220 Hours

Bean interrupts my sleep with a message. I scan it. It's to a different U-Boat instructing them to lay mines. I tell bean not to bother me with bullshit like that unless he'd like some Pistole 08.

---

September 10th 0523 Hours

We've reached the assigned point between Iceland and the Faroes. Topside watch is already bitterly complaining. I rebuke him for his plan to mutiny and sail to Barbados. Checking with the ChEng; I find that we still have high fuel levels; I lay in a 4,000 km long search course.

----------

September 10th 1317 Hours

Inside his little shack, Bean decodes the latest message:

FdU
10 September 1939
CONVOYS NORTH OF BREST MAY BE ATTACKED IF ESCORTED BY FRENCH OR BY FRENCH AND BRITISH FORCES.

Thinking about it; he decides to trash it; no sense in getting the Kaleun upset over events off France when we're in the near-arctic.

-------

September 12th 1947 Hours

Bean shows up with a message:

FdU
12 September 1939
ATLANTIC BOATS ON RETURN PASSAGE ARE ORDERED TO REPORT WHEN OFF NORDERNEY OR ABELÖ.

----

September 13th 1510 Hours

After three days of patrolling, I get bored and decide to penetrate the port of Torshaven. We should be there by tomorrow.

----

September 14th 1253 Hours

We're just off the coast of wherever Torshaven is. I decide to begin the run in at slow speed; so it is dark when we are at the port.

September 14th 1952 Hours

Two hours away from our target; I snap a photograph of our watch officer, Mr. Anders on the bridge as the sun sets.

[MKSheppard]

2044 Hours
Topside watch reports land



2122 Hours
Lights of harbor in sight; order dive to periscope depth




Mr. Chardok Reports everything is A-Okay.

2216 Hours
Raised the observation scope. Too far to tell. Lowered.

2256 Hours



Raised the attack scope; observe and take pictures of harbor. No ships in harbor. I sadly lower the scope and tell my helmsman to come about.

----

September 15th 0328 Hours
Surfaced outside harbor. Dejectedly set course for home. Food supplies are running low.

--------

September 16th 1258 Hours

While listening to the radio in the wardroom on the way home, it was announced that:

"YESTERDAY MORNING, FRITZ-JULIUS LEMP AND THE U-30 SCORED A VICTORY OVER THE ARK ROYAL BY SHOOTING DOWN TWO OF HER AIRCRAFT. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF EVERY LOYAL GERMAN DOING HIS DUTY."
RADIO BERLIN

-------

September 17th 0500 Hours

While listening to the radio in the wardroom during breakfast, it was announced that:

"YESTERDAY NIGHT OTTO SCHUHART AND THE U-29 SCORED A MAJOR VICTORY OVER THE BRITISH BY SINKING THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER COURAGEOUS. THE JEWEL OF THE ROYAL NAVY IS NOW AT THE BOTTOM. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF EVERY LOYAL GERMAN DOING HIS DUTY.
Radio Berlin

Upon announcing this, a cheer went up throughout the entire boat.

----

September 17th 1200 Hours

Radio Berlin announced that: "THE RUSSIANS HAVE JOINED US IN THE STRUGGLE TO LIBERATE POLAND".

----

September 17th 2049 Hours

Watch spotted ship. Manuevered to identify it; Mr. Pace promptly identified it as a British Coastal Merchant. My intention is to sink it via a two-torpedo salvo with contact detonators.

2103:
Matched bearings, tubes open. Shooting two G7a torpedoes with 1 minute run time.

2104:
First torpedo struck bow. Fires on forecastle. Second missed entirely. Third torpedo fired.



2105
Torpedo Impact. Ship begins breaking up.



2106:
Ship goes beneath the waves.



-----------------

September 19th 0545 Hours

Docked at Wilhelmsaven; crew immediately released for shore leave. Recieved the Iron Cross 2nd Class for sinking that 1,900 tonner. Mr. Anders recieves the Medic qualification; he likes to help people

SH 3 Commander Generated Patrol Logbook

[weemadando]

Meanwhile, bored with watching the crew flee the burning, sinking wreck, Lt of the watch Anders takes a longing look at the passing pleasure craft filled with topless beauties.

[Captain tycho]

Midshipman Tycho orders a round of drinks for our victory against the imperialist English. Down the hatch!

[Ace Pace]

Why is it that Shep allways gets things wrong, unlike me?

[MKSheppard]

September 21, 1939

After some time in the yards to add GHG hydrophones, we head off again. Our grid is BE61; a 4,000 km distance.

September 24, 1939

1403 Hours:
Message from BDU
NAVAL OPERATIONS AGAINST FRANCE ARE NOW TO BE CARRIED OUT AS AGAINST BRIAIN, FRENCH SHIPS ARE TO BE TREATED IN THE SAME WAY AS BRITISH SHIPS.

1527 Hours:
Message from BdU:
BY ORDER OF THE FÜHRER, ALL MERCHANT SHIPS MAKING USE OF RADIO ON BEING STOPPED ARE TO BE EITHER SUNK OR TAKEN IN PRIZE. EFFORTS ARE TO BE MADE TO SAVE THE CREWS.

September 25, 1939

1355 Hours:
Ship spotted; upon inspection it's a norwegian ship. Cursed Neutrals.

September 26, 1939

1726 Hours:
Left the North Sea.

September 28, 1939

0307 Hours:
Spotted a british merchantman. Not a very large target. Rough seas prevent use of deck gun; so will use torpedo shot.

0310 Hours:
Stern shot fired; scored a hit.

0321 Hours:
Bow Shot, missed

0323 Hours:
Bow Shot, Hit; breaking up.

1058 Hours:
Mr Bean has RDFed a ship. Set intercept Course.

1436 Hours:
Lookout spots ship

1456 Hours:
We're spotted. Ship begins zig-zagging. Increase to flank speed.

1502 Hours:
Bow Shot

1503 Hours:
Hit, another bow shot

1504 Hours:
Hit, breaking up

1506 Hours:
Patrol Report sent to BdU, 2 ships sunk for 3,987 tons and 9 torpedoes remaining.

September 29, 1939

1914 Hours:
RDFed another ship

2327 Hours:
Search for ship futile. Returning to normal course.

October 4, 1939

1036 Hours:
Reached BE62; 75% fuel remaining.

October 6, 1939

1036 Hours:
Ship found thanks to location provided by BdU

1039 Hours:
Submerged for approach run.

1051 Hours:
Stern magnetic shot; hit and blew up instantly.

October 8, 1939

1247 Hours:
Began downloading topside torpedoes.

1434 Hours:
Recieved report of convoy just 44 km east of location. Set off at flank speed.

1522 Hours:
Convoy spotted; submerged for attack; at 6 knot speed.

1538 Hours:
All four bow tubes fired at a freighter in the middle of the convoy in 10 degree spread pattern.

1539 Hours:
Ordered dive to 100+ meters and rig for silent running.

1543 Hours:
All torpedoes apparently mised. Called off silent running.

1544 Hours:
A HIT! We have breaking up noises; called off reloading and went back to silent running.

1702 Hours:
All three bow tubes have been reloaded with torpedoes; am surfacing to give chase to convoy.

October 9, 1939

0039 Hours:
Decided to give up the chase. Fuel down to 50% percent. Return course plotted in.

October 12, 1939

0003 Hours:
Spotted Enemy Merchant.

0024 Hours:
Enemy Merchant Spotted us, began evasive action; decided at this point to man the deck gun. Mr. Bean, MrDod, and Losoth Takoth were selected to form the deck gun crew.

0026 Hours:
Deck Gun Opened Fire

0028 Hours:
Order given to target waterline.

0033 Hours:
Target begins sinking; Main gun locker down to 33 HE shells in first locker.

October 16, 1939

0003Hours:
Docked at Wilhelmshaven

-----------

Patrol Roundup

We were out for 23 days, and sank five ships for 10,385 tons, for a two patrol total of 12,377 tons.

I recieved the Iron Cross, 1st Class and was promoted to Lt. Jg.

Mr Bean and Mr Anders both recieved the Iron Cross, 2nd Class. Everyone on board recieved the U-Boat War Badge for two completed War Patrols.

BdU Suggested that I release Mr Anders;

"It may be time to replace this officer so that he can gain command of his own U-Boat."

I of course vehemenently refused.

Patrol Logbook for SDN Crew