The "Sinking" of the Ranger.

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tigre
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The "Sinking" of the Ranger.

#1

Post by tigre » 19 Aug 2020, 00:55

Hello to all :D; from a period magazine................................

He sank the Ranger.

After 43 days and covering 6,442 nautical miles, U 404, under Kapitänleutnant Otto von Bülow, returned to St. Nazaire on May 3, 1943, thus ending its sixth Patrol. The BdU synthesized the result of it in the following way: Excellent patrol. The successes are due to the aggressive spirit and skill of the proven commander. Recognized successes: 1 freighter - 4,500 GRT sunk, 1 freighter - 6,000 GRT sunk, 1 freighter 6,000 GRT sunk, 1 freighter 10,000 GRT sunk, 1 freighter 8,000 GRT sunk, 1 US aircraft carrier (Ranger) sunk. According to the CO, U 404 fired two FATs and two G7e at a "Ranger" type aircraft carrier, heard four weak detonations and observed two flashes. Then two strong vibrations and several weaker ones were perceived later. In fact, the torpedoes were aimed at the British escort carrier Biter (12,850 ts) but detonated before hitting the carrier without reaching it "

For this reason, mainly due to the sinking of an aircraft carrier, on April 26, 1943, Kplt. von Bülow was awarded the Oak Leaves to his Knight's Cross (being, according to propaganda, the youngest to receive such an award in the U-Bootwaffe - Der Jüngste Eichenlaubträger der U-Bootwaffe). However, reality showed that U 404 was able to sink 3 ships for a total of 17,736 GRT in said patrol and none was an aircraft carrier. U 404 attacked HMS Biter on April 25, 1943 and was identified as a Ranger-class carrier. On the other hand von Bülow reported having damaged the aircraft carrier.

Sources: https://www.forum-marinearchiv.de/smf/i ... ic=22460.0
http://www.ubootarchiv.de/ubootwiki/index.php/U_404
https://wartimeline.com/1939-1945-wwii- ... fault.html

Cheers. Raúl M 8-).
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image014.jpg
Successful return home of U 404...............................
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image016.jpg
Kapitänleutnant Otto von Bülow with the red pennant (denoting warship) with the word Ranger.........
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dgfred
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Re: The "Sinking" of the Ranger.

#2

Post by dgfred » 19 Aug 2020, 16:30

Extra 'fog' of war.


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Andy H
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Re: The "Sinking" of the Ranger.

#3

Post by Andy H » 19 Aug 2020, 21:48

Hi

Though its a moot-point as the TR regime didn't thankfully last, but I wonder if any UBoat KC winners did have their awards rescinded
once the truth like this came out?

Regards

Andy H

stevebecker
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Re: The "Sinking" of the Ranger.

#4

Post by stevebecker » 22 Aug 2020, 03:53

Mate,

This type of over claiming has been around since Jerus worn short pants and played fullback for Jeruslem.

And not just on the German side British, and US and others, claims can in the light of day been seen to be over over optermistic?

As stated the fog of war where the other side just does not print of report there losses in papers and else where to cross check claims?

No gun cameras

S.B

Axel N
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Re: The "Sinking" of the Ranger.

#5

Post by Axel N » 22 Aug 2020, 09:50

Hi Steve,

well spoken!

Best

Axel

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tigre
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Re: The "Sinking" of the Ranger.

#6

Post by tigre » 22 Aug 2020, 15:00

Hello to all :D; just to add that von Bülow was truthful, he in fact fired upon an aircraft-carrier (misidentified) and heard explosions, besides he report the ship was damaged......the propaganda? did the rest. Cheers. Raúl M 8-).

Felix C
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Re: The "Sinking" of the Ranger.

#7

Post by Felix C » 23 Aug 2020, 23:24

Reminds me of the Italian submarine that claimed a Texas class BB. Even propaganda art created for it.

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