saddletank
Forum Conscript
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.
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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)
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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)
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