O.K.M. - 1.SKL

Daily Situation Report

14-31 December 1944

PG31752

These records were made available by Aaron S. Hamilton

 

The daily reports for 1 - 13 December are missing

	Secret Command Document   ........................................................ Naval Intelligence Service Received Next to Day Time Via                           From                Via   14.12.44       Delay note                                             xxx  To:  OKW/WFSt/Op/M. - Kapt.z.See Junge to present. Teletype from..................................................................................................                                     Führer Main Headquarters - Adm. Voss to present.
	1.) Atlantic:   a) U-1228 reports position from BD 14, return transit.  Sank:  25 November in BB 5512 a destroyer.   Did not penetrate actual operations area (St. Lawrence River) due to snorkel and gyro compass damage.  Was positioned in BB 52 to 83, only fishermen and small vessels.  After success light untrained defenses.   b) U-312 departed Trondheim for carrier warfare off Scapa Flow; U-825 departed Horten for snorkel training.       2.) Norwegian Sea:   a) Day air reconnaissance brings no results.  From morning aircraft attacks, approaches and aircraft sightings, also including land-based aircraft were reported from U-boats.  Getting ahead was very difficult for the boats.  The only indication of the suspected convoy location was by U-995 at 18.43 hours loud convoy voice message traffic in AB 8958 was observed.     Evening and night reconnaissance aircraft with radar at 22.41 hours in AB 8894 and afterwards sighted convoy at 01.40 hours in AF 2546, course south, U-boats operating on convoy report, as much as aircraft situation allows.   b) U-310 and U-965 return transit for fuel supply.       3.) Gulf of Finland:  Nothing to report.       4.) Group Mitte:   U-994 departed Kristiansand South, proceeding as escort with own convoy to the north.                                                                                                      B.d.U. Situation Report       708
	- 1 -

 

	Secret Command Document   ....................................................... Naval Intelligence Service Received Next to Day Time Via                           From                Via   15.12.44       Delay note                                             xxx  To:  OKW/WFSt/Op/M. - Kapt.z.See Junge to present. Teletype from..................................................................................................                                     Führer Main Headquarters - Adm. Voss to present.
	1.) Atlantic:   a) U-978 Bergen, U-1003 Stavanger reported arrival.   b) From deciphered radio messages a U-boat hunter and salvage vessel received orders on 11 December to carry out search for survivors probably coastal area northeast of Cape Landsend until next morning.  Unknown ship broken in two parts, both probably sunk.  In another radio message on 12 December wreckage was reported at Nab Lightship (Isle of Wight).       2.) Norwegian Sea:   Group "Stier" (all boats without snorkels) operating on convoy on 14 December ordered to break off at lightness due to the presence of strong air at the convoy.  Return transit on suspected convoy route to detect stragglers or returning offset carrier group.   Intention:  Boats run into Narvik to supply and overhaul, afterwards operation off Murmansk coast.  Air reconnaissance Murmansk anticipated evening 15 December.       3.) Gulf of Finland:  Nothing to report.                                                                                                      B.d.U. Situation Report       709
	- 2 -

 

	Secret Command Document   ....................................................... Naval Intelligence Service Received Next to Day Time Via                           From                Via   16.12.44       Delay note                                             xxx  To:  OKW/WFSt/Op/M. - Kapt.z.See Junge to present. Teletype from..................................................................................................                                     Führer Main Headquarters - Adm. Voss to present.
	1.) Atlantic:  Nothing to report.       2.) Norwegian Sea:   Group "Stier" with 6 boats on suspected convoy route to the east, on 17 December at midday passed position line from AC 4567 to 4864.  Remainder of boats run in to Harstadt for supply.       3.) Gulf of Finland:   There is concern for U-479 (Sons).  Boat was positioned since 29 October in operations area north of "Worms".  Last report on 25 November since then asked to report three times in vain.                                                                                                      B.d.U. Situation Report       710
	- 3 -

 

	Secret Command Document   ....................................................... Naval Intelligence Service Received Next to Day Time Via                           From                Via   17.12.44       Delay note                                                        1.) OKW/WFSt/Op/M. Teletype from..................................................................................................                                  2.)  Führer Main Headquarters
	1.) Atlantic:  Nothing to report.       2.) Norwegian Sea:  7 boats Group Stier continued on advance to Murmansk coast, passed position line AC 5578 to 5883 on 18 December at 06.00 hours.       3.) Gulf of Finland:  U-481 reported 16 December at 20.30 hours convoy in A-Otto 3547, afterward fired three-fan on large barge.  3 detonations after 4 minutes, no further observations due to searchlight blindness and strong protection.  2 hits with [illegible word] accepted.                                                                                                      B.d.U. Situation Report       711
	- 4 -

 

	Secret Command Document   ....................................................... Naval Intelligence Service Received Next to Day Time Via                           From                Via   18.12.44       Delay note                                             xxx  To:  OKW/WFSt/Op/M. - Kapt.z.See Junge to present. Teletype from..................................................................................................                                     Führer Main Headquarters - Adm. Voss to present.
	1.) Atlantic:   U-396 reported arrival Trondheim, U-1233 departed Bergen again.       2.) Norwegian Sea:   From Group "Stier" U-956 reports 09.30 hours warship formation in AC 4852, course 250°, high speed.  Boat broke off pursuit at 12.00 hours because due to higher enemy speed contact lost since 09.00 hours.   Disposition Group "Stier":  1 boat north of Fischer Peninsula, 3 boats off Kola Estuary and 2 boats western part of the entrance to the Gorlow Strait.       3.) Gulf of Finland:  Nothing to report.                                                                                                B.d.U. Situation Report       712
	- 5 -

 

	Secret Command Document   ....................................................... Naval Intelligence Service Received Next to Day Time Via                           From                Via   19.12.44       Delay note                         Teletype from..................................................................................................
	1.) Atlantic:  U-907, 1017, 1051 departed Kiel for the Atlantic via Horten.  U-278 again ran into bergen due to failures.       2.) Norwegian Sea:  U-737 on return transit due to engine and periscope damage, was sunk today in Vestfjord due to collision with a mine sweeper in 40 meters water.  Half of the crew still on board.  Salvage operations initiated.       3.) Gulf of Finland:  In AO 0293 eastward steering mine search formation was attacked by U-481 and U-679, both boats reported T 5 misses.  U-481 has begun return transit for torpedo supply.  At the moment there are still 2 boats in the operations area, Departing and sea trials for shipyard complete boats are delayed due to strong danger from mining in Danzig Bay since 16 December.           Loss of U-479 (Sons) must be accepted, boat has not answered despite many requests since since 25 November.  No indications concerning the reason for loss.                                                                                                      B.d.U. Situation Report       713
	- 6 -

 

The daily report for 20 December is missing

 

	Secret Command Document   ....................................................... Naval Intelligence Service Received Next to Day Time Via                           From                Via           Delay note                               21.12.44 Teletype from..................................................................................................                     xxx  1)  OKW/WFSt/Op/M. - Kapt.z.See Junge to present.                            2)  Führer Main Headquarters - Adm. Voss to present.
	1.) Atlantic:   a) "U-285" and "U-1233" departed Bergen.   b) According to a report by Hetzsender Atlantic [smear broadcaster - apparently an enemy broadcast station] early on 18 December "U-1209" ran onto Wolf Rock (BF 2435), afterwards ran into deep water, crew took to rubber boats, boat sunk.  Loss of the boat must be accepted because by plotting it was in the area.  Capture accepted.       2.) Norwegian Sea:   "U-997" reports sinking an escort from convoy: 3 steamers, 5 escorts in AC 8574, course 310°.  Boat began return transit for torpedo supply.   "U 387" ordered to return.  With this there are 4 boats in the operations area, 2 directly off Kola Estuary, 2 others at the entrance to the Gorlow Straits.  AW 2120 and 2160.       3.) Gulf of Finland:  Nothing to report.                                                                                                      B.d.U. Situation Report       715
	- 8 -

 

	Secret Command Document   ....................................................... Naval Intelligence Service Received Next to Day Time Via                           From                Via   22.12.44       Delay note                                             xxx  To:  OKW/WFSt/Op/M. - Kapt.z.See Junge to present. Teletype from..................................................................................................                                     Führer Main Headquarters - Adm. Voss to present.                                           "       "              :           - Ob.d.M. present immediately
	1.) Atlantic:   a) U-1233 entered Bergen again due to snorkel damage.   b) U-248 (plotted about southwest of Ireland, designated for Channel operation) must be assigned as southern weather boat because previously assigned boat (U-877) has not reported.       2.) By report of Seekommandanten Kanalinseln:  During the night of 20 December in squares BF 2660, 3540, 35410 normal operations of warships and aircraft, muzzle fire, searchlights, light anti-aircraft fire from the sea upward, fire was observed.  Assumption:  heavy U-boat hunting activity.  Asked the Seekommandanten if in the case of recurrence fire is he to free on located targets, he answered affirmatively.       3.) Norwegian Sea and Gulf of Finland:  Nothing to report.                                                                                                      B.d.U. Situation Report       716
	- 9 -

 

	Secret Command Document   ....................................................... Naval Intelligence Service Received Next to Day Time Via                           From                Via   23.12.44       Delay note                                             xxx  To:  OKW/WFSt/Op/M. - Kapt.z.See Junge to present. Teletype from..................................................................................................                                     Führer Main Headquarters - Adm. Voss to present.                                           "       "              :           - Ob.d.M. present immediately
	1.) Atlantic:  Nothing to report.       2.) Norwegian Sea:   No reports from boats.  The loss of U-365 must be accepted, last report 11 December (Destroyer sinking and strong sound bearing suspected QP-convoy).  Requests to return and for position reports remain without results.   From short report of U-318 on 5 December 06.32 hours off Kola Estuary certain sinking of a patrol vessel from a patrol group was seen.  Up to now not reported by a boat.   U-318 on 6 December at 22.53 hours in AC 8825 destroyer from search group torpedoed.       3.) Gulf of Finland:   U-637 shifted attack area from south of Hangö to AO 3547 and 3548.   U-745 departed Danzig, advanced via Libau into operations area.  Operation east of Nashorn barrier intended                                                                                                      B.d.U. Situation Report       717
	- 10 -

 

	Secret Command Document   ....................................................... Naval Intelligence Service Received Next to Day Time Via                           From                Via   24.12.44       Delay note                                                   1.) OKW/WFSt. op. M. Teletype from..................................................................................................                             2.) Führer Main Headquarters
	1.) Atlantic:   a) U-296 for Stavanger, U-1223 for Kristiansand reported arrival.  U-244 again arrived Bergen due to snorkel damage.   b) According to B-Dienst report a ship was torpedoed and sunk off Cherbourg (clearly a U-boat success).   c) As weather report area (depth 200 nm) receive:  U-248 BD 5664, U-1009  AK 6164. No report from U-877.   d) U-313, 315 departed Trondheim for carrier warfare.  U-682 departed Kiel, initially for Horten, U-1172 Kristiansand for patrol       2.) Norwegian Sea and Gulf of Finland:  Nothing to report.                                                                                                      B.d.U. Situation Report       718
	- 11 -

 

	Secret Command Document   ....................................................... Naval Intelligence Service Received Next to Day Time Via                           From                Via   25.12.44       Delay note                         Teletype from..................................................................................................                                    1.)  O.K.W./WFSt. Op. M.  Kapt.z.S. Junge to present                                    2.)  Führer Main Headquarters - Adm. Voß to present.
	1.) Atlantic:   a) U-1233 and U-278 departed Bergen for patrol.   b.) Yesterday under 1b reported ship on route Isle Wight - Cherbourg 09.42 hours hit on the port side and sank within 3 minutes.  40 survivors.   c.) 24 December 17.57 hours according to B-Dienst report unknown ship torpedoed. (Probably Channel area).       2.) Gulf of Finland:  Nothing to report.                                                                                                      B.d.U. Situation Report       719
	- 12 -

 

	Secret Command Document   ....................................................... Naval Intelligence Service Received Next to Day Time Via                           From                Via   26.12.44       Delay note                         Teletype from..................................................................................................                                    1.)  O.K.W./WFSt. Op. M.  to present                                    2.)  Führer Main Headquarters - Kapt.z.S. Junge to present
	1.) Atlantic:   a) U-991 English or Bristol Channel reported after 10 week patrol with out of service snorkel in Bergen.  Details still not known.   b) U-195 reported arrival Jakarta.   c) From torpedo short report from U-1223 it is clear that the boat on 14 October in addition to reported destroyer had torpedoed 1 steamer in BA 3589.  Sinking probable because sinking sounds were heard in the boat.       2.) Norwegian Sea:  U-310 and U-636 departed Harstadt.  Boats occupy attack areas in Kola Bay.  Thus 2 boats are positioned off Kola Estuary, each 1 boat north and west of Fischer Peninsula and 1 boat in Gorlow Straits.  U-299 return transit for fuel supply.       3.) Gulf of Finland:  U-637 reported 55 December in the morning sinking of 2 patrol vessels in A-Otto 5547 afterwards depth charge pursuit, no damage.  U-745 occupies for reconnaissance and attack on enemy warship movements operations area east of Nashorn barrier.                                                                                                      B.d.U. Situation Report       720                  From the report it is clear that the boat in the St. Lawrence River sighted a total of 3 convoys and independents and sound bearings from vessels 7 to 10 times.  The boat approached only 1 convoy and 1 independent.  With a type XXI boat with higher speed one could approach all sighted vessels with certainty and most probably all heard targets, in addition attack opportunities at convoys can be exploited in completely different forms.  With a type XXI in these conditions a large success may be expected.
	- 13 -

 

	Secret Command Document   ....................................................... Naval Intelligence Service Received Next to Day Time Via                           From                Via   27.12.44       Delay note                                             xxx  To:  OKW/WFSt/Op/M. - Kapt.z.See Junge to present. Teletype from..................................................................................................                                     Führer Main Headquarters - Adm. Voss to present.
	1.) Atlantic:   a) U-1227 arrived Bergen.  Return transit from CG 9595 due to depth charge damage.  No report due to radio failure.   b) U-1228 reported arrival.   c) According to B-Dienst reported 26 December at 14.14 hours 2 ships on route Isle of Wight - Cherbourg were torpedoed.  Further reports concerning numerous wounded and survivors.  Casquete reports further at 16.19 hours drifting lifeboat without occupants from steamer "Leopoldville" (11,509 GRT).   d) U-991 sank on 5 December in AM 8883 from convoy 1 Liberty ship (7000 GRT) and torpedoed on 27 November in BF 3528 (off Cherbourg) one passenger ship of 14000 GRT.       2.) Norwegian Sea:   U-995 sank off Cape Tachemy (Kola Peninsula) 1 patrol vessel fishing trawler and fishing cutters.   U-299 reported arrival.   U-387 was reported as missing.  Boat operated against PQ 35.  Was bombed on 7 December.  Last position report on 9 December.  Thereafter did not answer repeated requests.  Loss was suspected by English U-boat hunt off Kola Bay.       3.) Gulf of Finland:  Nothing to report.                                                                                                      B.d.U. Situation Report       721
	- 14 -

 

The daily reports for 28 and 29 December are missing

	Secret Command Document   ....................................................... Naval Intelligence Service Received Next to Day Time Via                           From                Via   30.12.44       Delay note                                             xxx  To:  OKW/WFSt/Op/M. - Kapt.z.See Junge to present. Teletype from..................................................................................................                                     Führer Main Headquarters - Adm. Voss to present.
	1.) Atlantic:   a) Departed Horten for patrol:  U-864 (Monsoon boat), 825, 1017, 1051. Of these U-864 ran into Farsund due to snorkel failure, in so doing ran aground.  U-722 (transport boat coming from St. Nazaire) arrived Bergen.   b) U-1202 gave situation report from the sea area at Milford and Irish Sea.  Heavy traffic from Gibraltar and independents.  Boat had achieve success probably 4 ships sunk in sea area between AM 9575 and 9255.   c) By aircraft attack on 28/29 December off Horton U-753 is a total loss, U-682 heavily damaged.       2.) Norwegian Sea:   U-995 reports sinking well escorted 2000 GRT steamer full of munitions at Swjatoinoss (entrance to Gorlow Straits).       3.) Gulf of Finland:  Nothing to report.                                                                                                      B.d.U. Situation Report       724
	- 15 -

 

The daily report for 31 December is missing