1916 Campaign - Kaiserliche Marine

saddletank

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12 JAN

8.IV Half-Flotilla ordered to patrol from Emden to Rotterdam and return. British cargo ships are the target.

IV SG returned to the Jade at 0300. The unit was stood down to rest and Hamburg sent into dock for repair.

II BS returned to the Jade at 0700, the battleships were stood down to effect repairs but III SG was immediately earmarked for a further offensive patrol and was sent to refuel and rearm forthwith.

Now that zu Lichtenfels' report has been submitted it seems likely that Harwich Force has been removed as a threat for the time being. Any ships that survived the action off the Texel yesterday evening should be under extensive repairs for some time - two weeks at minimum. With this hindrance obviated I have decided to release our scouting groups to conduct offensive patrols of the southern English east coast forthwith. Each Scouting Group to be escorted by a half-flotilla of torpedoboats. Consequently, while III and IV SGs take on stores and fuel, V SG (Stuttgart, Danzig, Munchen - Commodore Rebensburg in Stuttgart commanding) and 12.VI Half-Flotilla of four boats is to make for our usual rendezvous off the Humber and sweep SE to Great Yarmouth.

Zeppelin L.14 sent a W/T report at 1120 of a French cargo ship heading north off Harwich. Commander Hoppe's experienced 8.IV Flotilla was then currently off Den Helder, on a course south for their patrol area off Rotterdam. Hoppe was ordered west to investigate the vessel which was captured at 1445.

At 1809 Commander Wünsche in G.193 was leading his 7.IV Half-Flotilla due west towards Berwick-upon-Tweed and was approximately 53km off the coast when two shapes were observed dead ahead on the same course. They were British destroyers of a large type, bigger than the usual River class we encounter on patrol but not as large as 'L' or 'M' Class fleet boats. Wünsche immediately ordered his flotilla to reverse course, exchanging fire with the British as his boats turned. Four other enemy boats were seen beyond the first two and Wünsche knew he had blundered into a major formation. Though shots were exchanged for two minutes no hits were observed and our boats were not hit either, Wünsche successfully breaking off and heading east, his intention being to steam away from the coast for two hours and then set a south-westerly course to make landfall at Hartlepool away from the enemy.

At 2100 Zeppelin L.15 reported a British cargo ship off the Dutch Bight entrance. Steaming NE it appeared to be attempting to enter through the minefields. Possibly it was an auxiliary cruiser or even a minelayer. The 1st Ems Defence Flotilla of four 'A' Class boats which had just completed a night mine-laying sortie on the barrier and was returning to Emden, was ordered to reverse course and investigate.

At 2158 40km WNW Rotterdam, Commander Hoppe's 8.IV Flotilla had a brief encounter with two 'L' Class British destroyers. Hoppe had begun the return leg of his night's patrol when the two enemy boats were observed astern. Both sheered away and turned south but then turned back to pursue our boats. Hoppe increased revolutions to full and hoped to out-distance the enemy boats which are known to be good for only 29 knots. A detached section of the forces operating out of Harwich has been encountered before comprising four or five 'L' Class boats and an Arethusa class cruiser. While this unit is still operating in the narrow seas our small torpedoboat flotillas cannot operate freely. One of our Scouting Groups is required to deal with these enemy ships.

2240 U-Boat U.24 off Scapa Flow reported torpedoing and sinking an enemy patrol destroyer, Syren.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

German cargoes lost to the enemy:

One - Swedish Goteborg 35km SW Stromness (destroyer Cheerful)

British cargoes captured:

One - Amiral Courbet (Fr) 38km SE Great Yarmouth (8.IV Flotilla based at Emden: G194, G195, G196, G197, V163)

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
 

saddletank

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13 JAN

This morning our agent in London advised that he had heard reports that the monitor Prince Eugene had struck a mine off Dover yesterday afternoon. Whether she was sunk or not was not recorded in the message.

At 0319 approximately 35km ENE of Spurn Head, Commodore Rebensburg leading V SG in Stuttgart with 12.VI Flotilla escorting (V.45, V.46, V.69 and S.52) while on course 090 at 20 knots made contact with a British River Class destroyer, Rother which was astern of our line ahead formation on a bearing of 255 at 3000m on course 000. Our torpedoboats turned away together to 052 but Rebensburg led V SG around in a 180 degree turn to attack. The action was over in six minutes, V SG pounding the target as each ship passed her at under 1000m. Leaving Rother ablaze and listing heavily astern, Rebensburg reversed his course to 270 to return to the English coast in search of more victims.

At 0445 when 56km E Hull and steering 225 Rebensburg encountered a second British patrolling destroyer, Wolf and sank her just as quickly.

At 0700 while steaming a course of 225 30km off Spurn Head, a British destroyer was observed on Rebensburg's port quarter. The enemy boat opened fire and made off on course 036 at 25knots. The enemy was not visible from any of our light cruisers and by the time S.52 had signalled it's presence the enemy had vanished in the pre-dawn gloom.

A further enemy destroyer was seen distantly at 0830, she made off to the east and being at a range of 14000m it was out of the question to pursue her. Our only fast cruisers are in II and III SG, with the slow cruisers of V SG and the weak torpedoboats of IV Flotilla our best possible opportunity of sinking the enemy destroyer patrols is at night. Commodore Rebensburg therefore elected to head south east to sweep the shipping lanes of the East Anglian coast during daylight and return to the area of the Wash at dusk.

1410, 56km SE Lowestoft, V SG heading S sighted Undaunted and four 'L' Class destroyers coming N 18km distant. V SG turned to course 090 and had the torpedoboats form up several thousand metres on the disengaged beam, before engaging the approaching enemy.

The British force came north at high speed and were soon within 7500m. Danzig and Munchen engaged Undaunted while Stuttgart engaged Laertes.

V.45 and S.52 both launched torpedoes but no hits were observed. S.52 on the end of the line was now being engaged by Undaunted's port 4" battery and she hauled out of line to the north to open the range.

At 1441 Rebensburg ordered V SG to reverse course together onto 325 while the torpedoboats moved away on course 088. All the enemy boats had been damaged to some degree by now while we had taken hits on Munchen and S.52.

The action now descended into an unseemly close range brawl, with V SG generally heading north of west in line ahead across the line of advance of the enemy who was disposed abeam, Undaunted on the western or port end of his line. Danzig for a time fired upon the destroyer Lance and hit it several times. This boat and Laertes which Stuttgart fired at briefly were soon losing way and down to 20 knots. Torpedoboat half-flotilla 12.VI was led by Commander Laks and he kept his boats away from the short range fight, making passes at 6000m range and turning about as targets allowed his boats clear shots.

All of our ships were hit now to some degree apart from Laks' own boat, V.45 though our cruisers held up extremely well to the 6" fire of the enemy cruiser. As Rebensburg passed across the enemy line of advance and he passed under our stern, he brought Stuttgart around to starboard in a text-book turn to use his undamaged broadsides and all three of our boats pounded Undaunted at ranges under 2000m, Danzig almost ramming her stern at one point. The enemy being disposed on a line of bearing his farthest destroyers were unable to significantly assist their cruiser.

By 1500 the British were turning away to 129, both Lance and Laertes now crippled and making only 16 knots. Undaunted, despite being peppered with shot holes was still making 26 knots and Rebensburg held his course of 089 to open the range and allow his torpedoboats to come up from his port quarter.

Laertes sank at 1516 and Lance was by then dead in the water. Rebensburg had turned to 115 at 1510 but turned away again together to 084 three minutes later when Undaunted still showed some fight. Rebensburg now elected to withdraw. He had expended much ammunition and Undaunted appeared to be more damaged than any of his ships, plus he had sunk two destroyers.

Rebensburg signalled all ships to cease fire at 1522. The enemy were still within 7500m but were largely leaving us alone. The crews commenced what repairs and damage control work they could. Undaunted however rejoined battle at 1537, attacking again in company with one destroyer. 12.VI Flotilla was now out of ammunition and torpedoes and was ordered away on a course of 065. Rebensburg turned his three cruisers to 350 to engage.

The most extraordinary charge now occurred with Undaunted leading the destroyer Legion right through our line, Undaunted passing between Stuttgart and Danzig and Legion between Danzig and Munchen. Both enemy ships were shot to pieces and Danzig hit Undaunted with her last torpedo at about 500m range. By 1600 it was all over, the final enemy destroyer, Lark reduced to 14 knots and left burning astern. Rebensburg shook his head in amazement and turning up the collar of his heavy coat, lit his pipe and stomped down to his office muttering, "Is not war, is madness. Are they men or automatons?"

* * *

With the elimination of both the formations known to operate out of Harwich two new offensive patrols were mounted. IV SG with 11.VI Half-Flotilla (4 boats) and 18.IX Half-Flotilla (5 boats) attached would again sweep the area between the Humber estuary and Great Yarmouth. III SG with 4.II Half-Flotilla (4 boats) and 17.IX Half-Flotilla (6 boats) would proceed down the Dutch coast, patrol the narrow seas between Zeebrugge, Dunkerque and Dover then cross the Thames estuary and return up the East Anglian coast past Harwich. The two forces would be led by Commodore von Reuter in Stettin and Commodore Michelsen in Rostock respectively. In both cases destruction of enemy light forces and interdiction of trade was the intention.

At 2100 Rear Admiral Hipper passed the latitude of Stavanger with no enemy forces contacted.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

German cargoes lost to the enemy:

Two - American Caloria, 55km SE Scapa (destroyer Cheerful)
- Norwegian Berwind, 150km NW Lerwick (AMC Virginian)

British cargoes captured:

Three - Ango, 45km SE Whitby (7.IV Flotilla based at Emden: G193, G169, G170, G172, V164)
- Aalborg (Den) 90km WSW Esbjerg (1.Ems Defence Flotilla: A7, A8, A9, A10)
-Bougainville (Fr) 10km W of Lowestoft (V SG & 12.VI Flotilla)

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
 

saddletank

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14 JAN

At 0320 Hipper was at the latitude of Bergen and turning to a course of WNW to pass north of the Shetlands. Nothing to report.

At 0435 Commander Hoppe's 8.IV Flotilla anchored to the buoys in Emden roadstead, a long and difficult patrol completed. The unit was stood down to rest and conduct repairs and maintenance.

At 0715 V Scouting Group and 12.VI Flotilla, much battered, though still Undaunted, came to anchor in the Jade. Both formations were stood down to rest and conduct repairs. Commodore Rebensburg will be nominated for the Pour le Merite for his sterling work in the Kaiser's name in sinking the enemy cruiser Undaunted and four destroyers without losing a ship.

* * *

At 0858 III SG was conducting it's assigned patrol 45km NNW Zeebrugge, the three cruisers disposed on a line of bearing course 225 7000m apart, G.101s flotilla astern of Stralsund on the port wing and V.26s flotilla astern of Regensburg on the starboard wing. The Zeppelin L.15 was over-flying the Straits of Dover and with crisp clear daylight and excellent visibility several groups of enemy ships were seen by her crew and reported by W/T. There was a single patrolling destroyer to WNW near Harwich and Regensburg took three torpedoboats with her to investigate this vessel. Ahead two more small vessels were on patrol, perhaps French torpedoboats. Michelsen in the Rostock set a course to investigate and ordered the rear three boats of 17.IX Flotilla to support him. Stralsund led the G.101s flotilla south west to investigate some enemy ships the Oostende shore batteries were engaging.

At 0938 Regensburg was in range of the destroyer to the WNW. This was Mallard and Regensburg opened fire steering a course of 219 while the enemy closed on course 142. Mallard was hit at 0942 when the range had fallen to 6800m. At 0947 the enemy turned away. Regensburg and 17.IX Flotilla went in pursuit on course 324.

4.II Flotilla (G.101, G.102, G.103, G.104) had been directed inshore towards Oostende but the force the artillery there had been engaging withdrew. G.101 led her flotilla around to the NW back towards Stralsund.

A small old French torpedoboat in mid-channel which was identified by crewmen rescued later as Nr.345 was engaged by Rostock. Visibility was excellent with pin-sharp range-finding and shooting was good with three hits soon after fire was opened at 10000m, the enemy boat sinking soon after. Mallard, Regensburg's target sank at 1005.

At 1010 when in pursuit of other scattered patrolling destroyers, a larger formation of light craft was observed approaching from the direction of Dover. Aware that strong flotillas were based there, Commodore Michelsen called off the sweep and ordered all ships to course 047 back towards home waters, breaking contact with the enemy at 1025.

Michelsen then chose to continue his sweep towards Harwich and British torpedoboat Nr.28 was seen skulking off the Thames at 1140. Our formation steered for Harwich and the enemy patrol boat would approach and then sheer away, then approach again until at 1235 it got close enough to send some ships to attack and Stralsund, and the G.101 class boats went to intercept, and after a short exchange Nr.28 was left sinking as Stralsund's flotilla departed the scene towards the north east.

* * *

The long range raider Wolf was released for duty today. I have spoken with her captain, Commander Karl August Nerger and assured him that whatever he does, even if he does not sink a single enemy ship, if he can stay afloat and be seen in the enemy shipping lanes, they will send cruisers after him and his efforts will aid us greatly. With a sharp salute and a toast to the Kaiser, he departed. My understanding is Nerger intends to take his ship around Scotland and begin operating in the Irish sea, particularly off Liverpool, one of the busiest sea lanes in the world, all of the traffic there helping our enemy in one form or another.

* * *

At 1613, IV SG with 11.VI Half-Flotilla and 18.IX Half-Flotilla in company was on course 180, 13km SE of Flamborough Head when they encountered the destroyer Griffon in fading light to the S of them 5500m distant. Griffon turned onto 212 to retire, our ships increasing speed in pursuit, both Berlin on the starboard wing of our formation and Stettin in the centre opening fire.

The enemy boat was soon in trouble, being hit several times and slowing to 16 knots. Berlin and Stettin overhauled her with ease and sank her, resuming their patrol by 1640.

Ninety minutes later von Reuter was approaching Spurn Head when his starboard torpedoboat flotilla led by Berlin identified a single small ship off the starboard beam of the stern torpedoboat, V.36. The unknown target was heading directly for the flank of our column of boats on course 090, 2500m away. Our whole starboard column switched on lights and opened fire.

This was a messy fight. The enemy came on at us fast, the assumption we feel is that they knew they would not get away so they charged and inflicted the most damage they could, which was considerable.

Our torpedoboats reversed course together to pass across the enemy's front while Berlin turned to starboard to manoeuvre astern of him and cut his line of withdrawal. The enemy brought our boats under rapid and accurate fire; we had no less than four of the five boats of 18.IX Flotilla damaged: S.36, the leader, had 2 8.8cm guns and a torpedo tube disabled, S.35 had three torpedo tubes disabled, S.34 was not hit, S.33 had four torpedo tubes disabled and minor flooding, S.32 had two torpedo tubes disabled and minor flooding. All our boats had their searchlights rendered inoperative.

The enemy boat which we learned from survivors was Swale was most gallantly fought but in the end we sank her and we are pleased to report that we saved twenty eight of her crew of seventy.

* * *

Commodore Michelsen had cruised off the Harwich coast in the afternoon but met nothing further. At 1710 Zeppelin L.15 sent a W/T report that a British merchant ship was heading NE in the middle shipping lanes between Harwich and Rotterdam. Michelsen received an encrypted transmission from the Jade at 1750 to this effect and set a course east from Harwich.

At 1819 his force was in mid-channel with Stralsund leading G.101, G.102, G.103 and G.104 as a port column, Rostock (Michelsen's flagship) leading V.29, V.30 and V.47 as a centre column and Regensburg leading V.26, V.27 and V.28 as a starboard column, all columns disposed 5000m apart.

Regensburg spotted a destroyer, on course 000, less than 1500m on the starboard beam. At the same time Rostock and her escorting torpedoboats also saw a destroyer on their starboard beam on the same course. This second boat must have got between our columns by passing close ahead of Regensburg without either ship seeing the other.

The sightings were made within seconds of each other and several ships put their lights on and opened fire almost at the same instant. Our torpedoboats maintained station but Regensburg and Rostock hauled out of line to starboard and went back to engage the enemy closely who had turned away onto course 270. Both enemy boats were pursued by our cruisers and sunk by 1828.

At approximately 1827 Stralsund and her column of destroyers met a third patrolling enemy destroyer - Quail. This opponent was also despatched after a fierce fight. Some ammunition exploded on board the destroyer's deck at 1834 as there was a heavy explosion and the wreck had vanished two minutes later.

Suddenly at 1837 a heavy explosion rocked V.26 and the boat shuddered and slowed. Within seconds she had a 5 degree list and sank within a minute by the head, her propellers still turning. Whether she was hit by an enemy torpedo or struck a mine is unknown. We saved only twenty one of her crew from the icy water.

* * *

At 1900 while on course 028 15km E of Spurn Head, IV SG encountered the destroyer Seal astern of S.36, last boat in 18.IX Half-Flotilla's formation. The destroyers increased speed to get away from the enemy in our usual tactic and Berlin, heading the column turned about to starboard to engage, disabling the enemy boat within seven or eight minutes. Stettin from the centre of our formation now also arrived to assist and the enemy was sunk at 1918.

Much to our surprise and in strangely similar circumstances to the loss of V.26 of Michelsen's force 250Km to the south an hour earlier, S.36 sank shortly after Seal did. Our last communication with S.36 indicated light damage but nothing serious. It is possible that Seal fired a torpedo that was not observed or that an enemy submarine was active in the area.

The loss of two torpedoboats in quick succession in similar circumstances is most odd.

* * *

At 2157 about mid-way between Harwich and Rotterdam III SG was steering 270 when they encountered the destroyer Stag which appeared from the darkness directly ahead of Regensburg. Stag turned away but was chased by our cruisers and torpedoboats V.27 and V.28 and sunk.

III SG and escorting destroyers then continued during the night to enjoy a bonanza of captured enemy cargo ships, no less than three vessels falling prey to our sweeps up and down the sealanes in the three hours after 2200, our most successful trade interdiction effort yet.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

German cargoes lost to the enemy:

Two - American Geifon, 75km WNW Lerwick (AMC Moldavia)
- Norwegian Nordland, 75km NE Lerwick (AMC Patia)

British cargoes captured:

Three - Arabian, 45km W Rotterdam (III SG)
- Algiers, 70km SE Harwich (III SG)
- Benedict, 68km NW Oostende (III SG)

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
 
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saddletank

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I'm currently fighting a very long and odd battle between Frankfurt and Wiesbaden and the entire GF and BCF... Hhehe, due to a bug (see the Tech Help forum). I want to end it just to see if I can get my cruisers away but its taking ages and I only have time at the moment to play it in small chunks. Due to the odd bug that caused it, if I do carry on from this save I'll describe the battle as starting in a different (i.e. unbugged) location, but we'll see.
 

martin worsey

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I’m enjoying your reports; long may they continue.

Would it be fair to say that you are having an easier time than in your British campaign?
 

saddletank

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I think the campaign is easy whichever side you play because the AI doesn't really test your wits or skill much. If you bump into a bigger force it is usually possible to get away, even if the AI force has faster ships.

In my RN campaign I have suffered many more losses but then I think I've sunk more German ships than I have in my KM campaign. Playing as the RN I started out by acting very offensively and sweeping the Bight and sinking lots of German defensive units, however the AI has mined the Bight quite heavily I think and I've lost quite a lot of fleet DDs to mines and had a couple of CLs damaged. My RN defensive patrols have also suffered heavily from enemy subs... I am unsure what the answer is except to simply not stand coastal patrols at all. The patrolling DDs do not seem to be much good at sinking or deterring submarines and the German surface fleet has only been out once in a month so the patrols are not that much use as an early warning tripwire either.

However my RN side is winning the trade blockade war at a crushing rate so loss of warships does not seem to be an issue.

In my KM campaign I am avoiding all surface encounters with anything bigger than a light cruiser if I can and I'm concentrating on sinking patrol craft and capturing British merchant ships. This is a pretty easy job since the east coast is liberally sprinkled with lots of weak DDs to stamp on and a lot of British cargo ships go up and down this coast and the BCF and GF are too far north to do anything about it. I have managed to destroy Harwich Force in one of those rather unsatisfactory suicide charges that TF seems prone to so now there's almost nothing to stop me sweeping the British coast clean of trade traffic. I'd really like to sink more AMCs from 10th CS but they are elusive since the AI seems to send them out on wide patrol areas. I've sunk about 5 or 6 of the 25 so far and I'm guessing about half are kept in port at any one time by the AI area patrol system so Hippers BCs have a vast area of sea to cover looking for about 10 targets.

The frustrating thing is though that they still just keep capturing my blockade runners. Maybe I should try actually escorting merchants through? Its possible but takes lots of fiddling about. AMC hunting also puts you in waters where the GF is going to find you sooner or later and I'm dreading bumping into it in the middle of the night. What I have found is that even modest damage, if it involves propulsion or flooding takes ages to repair. In my RN campaign I've had 2 BCs in the dockyard for the best part of three weeks now and looking at the status on the TF screen I think they'll be there a lot longer too so you do need to consider carefully each battle before you commit to it as to whether you stand a good chance of doing more damage to the enemy that he might do to you.

I think on balance the RN task is easier if you adhere to what I consider to be the correct strategy but that generates a pretty boring game. On the other hand the German task is perhaps a little harder but as you are being proactive all the time it is more fun - with of course the added risk.
 
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bill44

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Whole heartly agree with all you've said mate.
In my KM campain I activley went after the AMC's with my BCF, I sent them out as single units, they still had enough fire power to defeat the AMC's and the speed to get away from the GF, I also used my Zepplins for spotting the GF, and simply changed course.
I also heavily mined the area around Scarpa which I think bottled up the GF.
Tell me how you manage to escort the merchants as the KM.
 

saddletank

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I haven't tried it yet but as they show on the map I'd place a 5.9" gunned CL with them and just keep patrolling back and forth through the map squares the cargo ship is travelling through. Very fiddly to do but I can't see another way. One German 5.9" CL is enough to defeat an AMC and if a battle spawns with your CL close enough the cargo ship won't surrender as long as it's escort is there.

I'll have to try it and see if its practical.

Sinking all the AMCs is the optimal solution but as you sink each one you're chasing fewer and fewer needles in the haystack.

You also have to kill off all the RN patrol DDs that operate out of Scapa. Dratted things are like roaches. You stamp on one and next time there's two there. Too many neutral try to use the Pentland Firth.
 

saddletank

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15 JAN

This morning our agent in Dunkerque reported that the French torpedoboat Nr.365 was mined and sunk yesterday morning at about 0300 off the port. This would have been on the barrier of 72 mines our UC type submarines laid on the 4th.

Report received from Oostende Commander of Artillery. Yesterday morning two French destroyers of the Francis Garnier class were sunk by the gunfire of the Tirpitz, Cecile, Besler, Antwerpen and Aachen batteries, all sited to the west of the port.

* * *

Operations today were focussed on two widely separated groups - III and IV Scouting Groups patrols in the narrow seas intended to weaken enemy patrol capabilities and capture cargo ships and I and II Scouting Groups long-range sweep north of Scotland intended to sink vessels maintaining the blockade in northern waters. The day's events of the two forces will be described in turn.

III Scouting Group's night sweep of the Narrow Seas continued to be full of contacts.

At 0015 we encountered the small French torpedoboat Nr.346 some 65km NNW Oostende. The enemy was quickly sunk.

Shortly after 0200 III SG was fired upon by an unseen ship astern of G.104. The cruiser leading the port column, Stralsund led her flotilla around in a turn and she too came under fire for about a minute from an enemy she could not see. Stralsund was hit more than once though fortunately not seriously.

Soon the old British destroyer Cynthia was sighted and brought under fire from the guns of Stralsund as well as the four large G.101 series boats. Cynthia was wrecked within minutes and was left sinking in the darkness astern at 0225.

* * *

At 0556 40km NW Oostende IV SG was proceeding on course 270 23km SE Harwich when Stettin, cruising in the centre of the formation saw a small British destroyer lying to starboard between herself and Berlin, heading the starboard column. Stettin and Berlin both engaged the enemy boat which was quickly disabled, although Berlin suffered a damaged 10.5cm gun in this encounter.

By 0605 the British boat, which was identified later by lifebelts recovered from the water as Coquette, was sinking.

At the same time, 65km to the SE III SG, patrolling on course 225 35km off Oostende encountered the French torpedoboat Nr.344 astern of the formation, crossing from S to N. Torpedoboats V.29, V.30 and V.47 reversed course to starboard to engage and Rostock, heading the centre column turned about to port.

Stralsund, the lead ship of III SG's port column now sighted another French boat, Nr.341 directly ahead and she and the four G.101 class boats of 4.II Flotilla engaged, quickly hitting the small target at 2000m. The enemy launched two torpedoes which passed astern of Stralsund, G.101 and G.102 both also having to take evasive action.

It was becoming a busy morning.

III SG's gunfire and searchlights had attracted, like moths, other patrolling enemy vessels and as V.47, V.30 and V.29 returned at high speed towards the main formation from a position astern they saw on their port quarter a third French boat, Nr.342 which they turned to engage on course 137.

Nr.341 was now disabled and sinking and Stralsund therefore reversed course to 029 to assist V.29's flotilla in the chase after Nr.342 which had turned away and was fleeing towards Oostende.

Rostock sank Nr.344 at 0632 and returned to catch up with the other ships of the formation. It was 0633 and four enemy patrol craft had been sunk in half an hour. The icing on the cake was Berlin sighting and capturing the British cargo ship City of Benares between Harwich and Southend at 0640.

It was now 0646 and the port column of IV.SGs formation, the torpedoboats G.37, G.41. V.43 and V.44 of 11.VI Half-Flotilla saw yet another enemy patrol craft astern. This was the small and old British torpedoboat Nr.26 and our four boats turned about to attack. Stettin turned too and this enemy was very evasive, turning this way and that to escape. It took 45 minutes of chasing before Stettin's gunnery officer saw she was sinking. The time was 0732 and IV Scouting Group's morning had hardly even started.

At 0743 with Hamburg leading the port column comprising 11.VI Half-Flotilla, Stettin in the centre 4000m to starboard and Berlin leading the starboard column with 18.IX Half-Flotilla astern, IV Scouting Group was making course 035 at 19 knots some 35km SE Harwich when out of the morning gloom 4500m bearing 352 and at 25knots appeared the Royal Navy cruiser Aurora with a column of M Class destroyers astern. Commodore von Reuter in Stettin ordered Hamburg to turn and form on his ship while he turned to guide on Berlin which was to maintain course. 11.VI Flotilla also turned to 130. Hamburg opened fire.

III SG's Raiding Force was 80km SSE off Oostende and von Reuter sent a W/T message requesting assistance. Commodore Michelsen in Rostock turned to course 305 with his whole force and made his best speed to IV.SG's assistance.

Aurora and her destroyers reversed course to 304 and von Reuter therefore ordered Hamburg to do likewise with Stettin and Berlin now ordered to form on the port flank ship.

Hamburg and Aurora had hit each other once in the first few minutes but Hamburg's damage control parties soon patched up the damage. Aurora was now making all speed off to the NW at 28 knots, Hamburg in pursuit at 22. The range opened quickly to 8500m and soon the British squadron was swallowed up in the mist. 11,VI Half-Flotilla though had turned to conform with Hamburg and at 33 knots went in pursuit of the enemy.

At 0755 6" shells fell near G.37 leading 11.VI Half-Flotilla though we were quite unable to see the enemy. We kept on course towards Harwich which was the direction in which the enemy was last seen. G.37 then sighted Aurora again at 8500m bearing 318, the enemy ship on course 302. She was shooting with only her stern 6" gun. G.37 cut back revolutions to 27 knots to keep the enemy in sight without exposing herself to enemy fire. By 0800 visibility was 12km and Aurora came into sight again from Hamburg. It was noted that there were four M-Class destroyers with the British cruiser.

Unfortunately the enemy had now reached the safety of Harwich harbour and some shore batteries began to shoot at our torpedoboats so we turned to the eastward and broke off the action.

* * *

At 0230 when some 170km N of the Outer Hebrides and therefore W of the Scottish mainland, Hipper had still not contacted any enemy. He therefore separated his four screening cruisers into two roving pairs and gave them orders to sweep back towards the Orkneys and Shetlands. Hipper would proceed further NW before turning back E and rendezvousing with his cruisers 100km NE of Lerwick.

Morning had brought no contacts. It was not until 1100 when Derfflinger was leading Seydlitz on course 090 323km NNW Stromness that smoke was sighted on the horizon bearing 047. Hipper ordered all ships to make best speed towards the unknown vessel, 30km distant.

Soon masts and then a single tall funnel and upper works came into view with a fore-and-aft crane rig. It was a mercantile vessel and making 19 knots, a liner of some kind. By 1215 the British ensign could be made out at her sternpost and both battle cruisers opened fire with their forward turrets and whatever 5.9" guns would bear at a range of 12000m. It was a fine bright day with a calm sea and visibility was crystal clear.

The enemy was steering 053 and Hipper set course 072 to enable more of his secondary guns to bear and it was these which began to score hits from 1217. By 1233 both battle cruisers full broadsides would bear and a ferocious fire was opened, Derfflinger getting the first heavy calibre hit at 1234 at a range of 8700m, Seydlitz hitting with two shells a minute later. Heavy calibre hits proved decisive and the target's speed began to fall off. Heavy fires broke out astern and soon the after part of the enemy ship was enveloped in smoke and flame.

Fire was checked at 1243 when the target was obscured and apparently making only 7 knots. With a heavy list to starboard the enemy rolled over and sank at 1252.

This was an extremely successful day, particularly in regards to the number of enemy cargo ships captured.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

German cargoes lost to the enemy:

Nil

British cargoes captured:

Six - Benledi, 15km E Great Yarmouth (IV SG)
- Blenda, 23km ESE Harwich (IV SG)
- City of Benares, 30km S Harwich (IV SG)
- Bergenhus, 43km E Lowestoft (IV SG)
- Benmachdui, 10km W of Rotterdam (III SG)
- Dover, 50km NNW Great Yarmouth (IV SG)

Blockading Ships Sunk:

One - AMC Victorian, 340km NNW Stromness (I SG)
(Running total = 5)

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
 

saddletank

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16 JAN

Hipper continued his long range sweep of the seas north of Scotland; Derfflinger, Seydlitz and 3.II Half-Flotilla working to the north-west, west of the Outer Hebrides and II.SG working in pairs north of the Shetlands, patrolling back and forth in the freezing wastes.

In the south IV.SG was recalled from patrol due to lack of fuel and ammunition among the escorting torpedo boats and battle damage. Von Reuter's force docked in the Jade at 0725 and was stood down to rest and refit. Between Rotterdam and Harwich Michelsen's III.SG and accompanying torpedo boats fell in company with the American steamer Missourian which was bound for Sept Iles in Canada. Michelsen escorted her north past Great Yarmouth, intending to at the least see her safely beyond the Humber estuary where British destroyers were doubtless still patrolling.

Apart from maintaining the minefields in the bight and running regular patrols into the Skagerrak and off the Dutch coast with IV and VIII Flotillas, all was quiet in the Jade and Ems.

A plan was being formulated to attack and sink the Dover Monitor Squadron with zu Lichtenfels' pre-dreadnoughts but before such a sortie could be made the various scouting groups and torpedo boat flotillas needed to return and undertake the necessary repairs. II.BS' sortie would be supported by Scheer and the main body which would cruise in support off the Dutch coast.

* * *

At 0900 Commodore Michelsen with III.SG was in company with the Missourian which was steaming 10km ahead of his deployed ships on course 316 some 35km NNE of the English Norfolk coast at Cromer. 25km ahead of Missourian smoke from a single small vessel was sighted and III.SG worked up to maximum speed to investigate. The other ship turned away onto the same heading and made to escape, though her speed was slightly less than the 27 knots of our cruisers. Michelsen chose to send some torpedoboats in fast pursuit and V.29, V.30 and V.47 of 17.IX Half-Flotilla and G.101, G.102, G.103 and G.104 of 4.II Half-Flotilla were sent on ahead.

The two damaged boats of 17.IX Half-Flotilla, V.27 and V.28 were detailed off to close escort Missourian and fell in with her at a leisurely 10 knots, soon being left far astern.

The crews, other than the black gangs, settled down to a long chase.

The enemy boat headed steadily NNW towards Flamborough Head and at 1100 a second British boat was observed close inshore south of the headland. Stralsund was detailed to approach the second boat and engage it while V.29, V.30 and V.47 began to fire upon the first boat which was now identified as Garry, a River Class destroyer.

By 1210 Garry was reduced to 14 knots and was limping along on fire close to the shore. 17.IX Half-Flotilla under Commander von Bothmer however was running low on ammunition so he broke off the combat and Michelsen himself in Rostock went closer to finish off the enemy but before she was in range the enemy boat heeled over and sank in shallow water at 1225.

Further south beyond Flamborough Head, Stralsund engaged and disabled the second boat which was identified as Cherwell, setting her on fire. Cherwell beached herself off Hornsea at 1220.

During the afternoon III.SG chased two more distant ships but both made off before we could catch them, however at dusk, at 1620 as Michelsen was returning on a south-westerly course to meet up with Missourian a British destroyer appeared out of the gloom 5000m on Regensburg's starboard beam. The cruiser turned to engage on course 280 as the enemy sheered away, running for cover in the gathering dusk. While the enemy destroyer which appeared to be another River Class attempted to use the growing dark to hide, towards the north-west the sky was bright and he was clearly silhouetted, even 50 minutes after the sun had set. Hits were scored and soon the enemy was within 3000m and slowing.

After numerous hits at ranges down to 1800m the enemy was seen to be sinking. After stopping to rescue survivors Regensburg turned back to rejoin her squadron.

Unfortunately Michelsen lost contact with Missourian in the dark and a W/T report was picked up at 1732 that he was being boarded by British sailors from the destroyer Teviot. Despite making all speed towards the position given, nothing was found. III SG with its accompanying torpedo boats low on ammunition and fuel, set course for the Jade. Missourian's valuable cargo had been lost, but the English had paid a price of three destroyers to secure it.

* * *

At 1545 repairs to Commander Hoppe's boat, G.194 of 8.IV Flotilla were finally completed at Emden and his unit was declared cleared for operations.

* * *

During a long day and into the night, the three separated elements of Hipper's patrolling force found nothing. There were ten or fifteen enemy merchant cruisers out there somewhere but none could be found.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

German cargoes lost to the enemy:

One - American Missourian, 45km SE Hull (destroyer Teviot)

British cargoes captured:

One - Albert Watts, 100km NNW Lemwig (15.VIII Flotilla based at Helgoland V152, V153, V155, V156, V159)

Blockading Ships Sunk:

Nil
(Running total = 5)

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
 

saddletank

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Yes, this was two or three separate battles going back to the strategic map each time and when that happens you can't escort a merchant. The game dumps the escorts back in the TF they are with and since I'd chased those two destroyers up north almost as far as Whitby when III.SG was put back on the strat-map they were about 50km N of Missourian. This was a test of whether its possible to give a merchant ship an escort and using this tactic I failed. There's another neutral ship coming onto the N edge of the map right now near the Shetlands and two of Hippers CLs are with it already so I'll try again.
 

bill44

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This should be something SES should try and fix if at all possible. Like myself with alsatian, there should be a order to dump the current mission for a new one, ie, shadow TF, escort merchant.
This would make the game even more challenging and realistic.
 

saddletank

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Escorting merchants should be hard because it wasn't done in 1916 so by trying to do it, effectively we're cheating. I don't mind the way the merchants are run and it is fun trying to see if you can escort them but I hardly think it is realistic.
 

bill44

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Ok, I'm happy then.
BTW I just created a game with Brummer in it and 3 CL's. I had AC's, sank em all, but when I looked at the log analyzer, Brummer showed no events, and the other 3 showed just one hit each.
Could this be a bug or what ?
 
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