General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
Re: U-582 & Schulte
Posted by:
Rainer
()
Date: September 27, 2011 08:49PM
Hi Eric
The BdU mentioned in his commentary to the unsuccessful patrol of U-582 that they were simply unlucky and it wasn't the fault of the commander that the boat returned without success.
The U-boat was first ordered to escort the blockade runner RIO GRANDE through the Bay of Biscay, but waited in vain because the ship did not meet U-582 as planned and continued alone to Bordeaux. The U-boat then crossed the Atlantic to her first patrol area north of Bermuda and only spotted a neutral ship before they had to leave to refuel from U-459. The refueling itself was delayed due to other U-boats and rough seas and when U-582 finally arrived in the patrol area off Cape Hatteras in early May 1942 it was discovered that the boat had received provisions for only about 9 days and not for 18 as expected. That’s why U-582 could only operate in the patrol area for a few days before they had to leave for their return voyage. On the whole patrol they only encountered enemy ships twice: the unsuccessful attack on the fast passenger vessel you already mentioned and an encounter with a convoy while returning on 15 May, but Schulte was ordered by the BdU not to attack.
Now to your other question: Prior to the attack on HONOLULAN the BdU had ordered U-582 to refuel from U-116 and to get provisions for 4 weeks, so Schulte probably avoided to take prisoners from this ship as he expected to be on patrol for several more weeks and as you mentioned, the space aboard a VIIC was already very limited without additional guests that had to be guarded. However, U-582 then fired all remaining torpedoes and almost all ammunition for the deck gun during the attack on STELLA LYKES so on this occasion Schulte took prisoners because the U-boat was returning to France anyway.
On request of the SKL (High Command of the Kriegsmarine), the following order was radioed by the BdU to all U-boats on 5 June 1942: “Captains of all ships sunk are to be taken on board as prisoners, with the ship's papers, provided getting them aboard does not endanger the boat or reduce her fighting power by raising the consumption of provisions.”
Best regards
Rainer
Crew member of uboat.net
The BdU mentioned in his commentary to the unsuccessful patrol of U-582 that they were simply unlucky and it wasn't the fault of the commander that the boat returned without success.
The U-boat was first ordered to escort the blockade runner RIO GRANDE through the Bay of Biscay, but waited in vain because the ship did not meet U-582 as planned and continued alone to Bordeaux. The U-boat then crossed the Atlantic to her first patrol area north of Bermuda and only spotted a neutral ship before they had to leave to refuel from U-459. The refueling itself was delayed due to other U-boats and rough seas and when U-582 finally arrived in the patrol area off Cape Hatteras in early May 1942 it was discovered that the boat had received provisions for only about 9 days and not for 18 as expected. That’s why U-582 could only operate in the patrol area for a few days before they had to leave for their return voyage. On the whole patrol they only encountered enemy ships twice: the unsuccessful attack on the fast passenger vessel you already mentioned and an encounter with a convoy while returning on 15 May, but Schulte was ordered by the BdU not to attack.
Now to your other question: Prior to the attack on HONOLULAN the BdU had ordered U-582 to refuel from U-116 and to get provisions for 4 weeks, so Schulte probably avoided to take prisoners from this ship as he expected to be on patrol for several more weeks and as you mentioned, the space aboard a VIIC was already very limited without additional guests that had to be guarded. However, U-582 then fired all remaining torpedoes and almost all ammunition for the deck gun during the attack on STELLA LYKES so on this occasion Schulte took prisoners because the U-boat was returning to France anyway.
On request of the SKL (High Command of the Kriegsmarine), the following order was radioed by the BdU to all U-boats on 5 June 1942: “Captains of all ships sunk are to be taken on board as prisoners, with the ship's papers, provided getting them aboard does not endanger the boat or reduce her fighting power by raising the consumption of provisions.”
Best regards
Rainer
Crew member of uboat.net
| Subject | Written By | Posted |
|---|---|---|
U-582 & Schulte
|
Eric Stone | 09/26/2011 05:18PM |
|
Re: U-582 & Schulte
|
Rainer | 09/27/2011 08:49PM |
|
Re: U-582 & Schulte
|
Eric Stone | 09/27/2011 11:22PM |