ubootwaffe.net

[Siri]

Howard, I just noticed you had credited me for the corrections to Arcturus, but I really had nothing to do with that. It was Jan-Olof who pointed my attention to the fact that a Norwegian book gives the exact time for the attack on Arcturus, which helped decide who the "culprit" must have been (or could NOT have been), and I corrected my text for Arcturus accordingly.

Siri

[Howard]

Hi Siri,

Well, technically I thanked you for your 'assistance' since it was covered on your site. I just like to make sure I don't forget anyone, and when in doubt I thank people. I'll adjust the entries for Arcturus though.

cheers
Howard

[Jan-Olof]

Hello there,

the original inspiration in this case came from Bob Bairds book 'Shipwrecks of the North of Scotland'. The book contains a detailed description about the loss of the Mercator, and the rescue of her crew. The author argues convincingly that she was sunk by U 21. I just worked from there. Anyway, in order to double check things I needed help and in this case Siri (and a fellow researching Finnish merchant shipping) provided it.

One learns new things all the time. An example:
A few days ago I discussed the Norwegian Bisp with your super expert Roland Berr. He argued, very convincingly, that the Bisp was sunk by U 18 and not by U 23 as claimed by this site (and Siri's btw).

Regards Jan-Olof Hendig

[Siri]

Interesting! Is there any way you (or Roland) could provide more details on the Bisp case, so that I can correct my text?

Siri

[Roland Berr]

Hi Siri

BISP left SOUTHEND on January 20th and was destinated to ANDALSNES as you know allready. So her way should be going northeast I guess, not west. U-18 sighted a steamer at 00.50h on 23.01.40 in position AN 4183 (~58°29'N - 00°10'W). The steamer was zigzagging and had no positionlights. Mengersen started to shadow this ship, he wrote it was too bright for an attack at this time. At 06.49h he fired a single torpedo in position AN 4224 (~58°59'N - 01°13'E) with no result. At 07.01h a second torpedo followed ion Position AN 4221 (~59°05'N - 01°13'E) with the result of sinking this ship. Now tak a map and draw in this three positions. This steamer sailed northeastern course!

VARILD left HORTEN on January 22nd and was destinated to SOUTHEND. She crossed the northern Northsea at the narrowest part about a line BERGEN - ORKNEYS. U-23 sightet a steamer on January 23rd at 20.20h in position AN 2623 (~59°59'N - 00°10'W). A first immediately attack failed, the torpedo remained in the tube. At 22.13h a second attack again faild, the torpedo became a KREISLÄUFER (circle runner). The next day at 18.15h U-23 sighted the ship again an dived for a third attack in position AN 2658 (~59°29'N - 00°22'W). At 19.08h she sank VARILD with a single torpedo. Now draw this positions again on a map. Definately a southern course!

So for me there is no doubt which boat sent these ships to the bottom. I hope you can point out what I tried to explain in my poor english. I fear I shouldn't have used my english lessons in my school days for sleeping a while!

Best regards
Roland Berr

[Siri]

There's nothing at all wrong with your English, Roland - as usual it's my 3 brain cells that have become disconnected after a long day at the computer. I will have to study your posting again in the morning, after a good night's sleep, and hopefully I can draw the right conclusion then!

Thank you so much!

Siri

[Siri]

Aha - I've got it!

This is great, Roland - thanks again. Hopefully, Rohwer will be presented with this, so that (if he turns out to believe in your reasoning in this case) he can correct it in his next edition.

Siri