ubootwaffe.net

[Siri]

I'm sorry for being such a pest, but I keep running into these little mysteries while working on my site, and my curiosity gets the better of me. Besides, I'd like to get my text as correct as possible. Also, I'm hoping that the great replies I've received here so far might help others as well.

This time it concerns the Norwegian M/T Storaas. As far as I can see, Rohwer mentions only one attack on this ship on May 28-1943, but surviors' reports indicate she was torpedoed twice - one report even mentions a 3rd explosion - ref. http://www.warsailors.com/singleships/storaas.html

You have such great documents, Roland - can you help yet again?

Siri

[Guest]

Hi Siri

You have some luck again. I have the KTB of U-177. Ok lets see what is written there:

(GR 6752)
21.25 h Sread of two on a big and a small steamer (AGWIMONTE)
21.27 h Spread of two on a big Tanker (STORAAS)
Both spreads shot on great range (25 hm, thats 2500 Meters!!!). Heard detonations after 7 and 8 minutes. No success observed. None of the ships seems to be hit. CO GYSAE assumed one surface runner and the remaining torpedos detonated an end of running time. After this attack the boat took a new attempt to get a good attack position and reload torpedos, managed just to load two tubes.

(GR6764)
22.10 h U-177 sighted a hospitalship in the opposite direction the convoy goes


(GR6769)
23.53 h U-177 fired a further spread of two against the big frighter (AGWIMONTE), turned around and fired a second spread of two (Backward torpedoes) against the tanker at 23.55 h. 24.00 h U-177 obsered a hit in the maschinery of the tanker and another on the frighter. Whilst the convoy continous the journy one escort and one BLUE FUNNEL steamer going to the hidden ships for rescue duty. As there is no attack on U-177, GYSAE decided to reload and try to sinkt the tanker with a coupe de grace.

29.05.1943
(GR 6769)
00.40 h After reloading tube VI U-177 starts a further attempt to attack. As both hidden ships are circled by escorts the CO of U-177 decides to wait some more time. At this time the boat is just 2000 Meters away from its victims.

00.46 h U-177 fired a single torpedo against the AGWIMONTE hitting her in the machinery

01.10 h coupe de grace against the tanker (single torpedo). The torpedo struck the STORAAS again with the result of sinking a little deeper

01.25 h AGWIMONTE is sinking

(GR 6766)
Because there is allready no attempt by the escorts to hunt U-177, GYSAE decides to try a third attempt to sink the tanker.
01.53 h U-177 fired a further torpedo which hit STORAAS after 2'14 min and sink her.

Best regards
Roland Berr

[Siri]

I am greatly indepted to you Roland! Thank you so much - I know this has required a lot of time and work on your part, translating the info etc.

This shows that survivors' reports can be quite trustworthy in some cases. Strangely, in this case (for a change) the times are even almost the same. The captain's report says there was a violent shaking very close to the ship at about 21:30. He thinks this must have been from depth charges, but may, in fact, have been the unsuccessful attack you mention. Then at 23:51 they could see and "feel" an explosion on their starboard side (he doesn't mention the name, but this must have been Agwimonte) and Storaas was struck in the engine room shortly afterwards. The fellow who was trapped in the engine room for a while estimates it took him about 1 hour to get out, then thinks he had been waiting on the ship for another 2 hours when the 2nd torpedo hit, and about 10 minutes later the 3rd, so this doesn't quite fit, but I would imagine in his situation the minutes dragged by very slowly, so it may have seemed a lot longer than it actually was.

Thanks again - if ever I can repay the favour, you know where I am!

Siri

[ekrumrei]

Hi Roland,

I read in your posting that you have the KTB of the U-177. My grandfather's merchant ship, the Pierce Butler, was sunk in 1942 by U-177. He and his fellow crewmates survived by the grace of the capitan Gysae who provided them with lifeboats, cigarettes and alcohol. Gysae also sent out a distress signal...they were later rescued by the HMS Fortune.

I am curious, do you have any information/Eintraege for 19.11.1942 and 20.11.1942? I speak German, so you wouldn't have to translate anything. How did you get a hold of the Tagebuch anyway?

Thanks!


Erin Krumrei