U-boat Archive - R-184 - Interrogation Report

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COPY No.

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C.B. 4051 (48)

German R-Boat

"R 184"

Interrogation of Survivors

September, 1942

This report is not to be considered accurate in all respects, having been prepared before complete information was available. It is therefore not to be taken as historically correct.















	CONFIDENTIAL

	This book is the property of His Majesty's Government.

	It is intended for the use of the Officers generally, and may in certain cases be communicated to persons in His Majesty's Service below the rank of Commissioned Officer who may require to be acquainted with its contents in the course of their duties. The Officers exercising this power will be held responsible that such information is imparted with due caution and reserve.



	CONFIDENTIAL

	Attention is called to the penalties attaching to any infraction of the
	Official Secrets Acts.







	C.B. 4051 (48)



	German R-Boat

	"R 184"

	Interrogation of Survivors







	September, 1942










	NAVAL INTELLIGENCE DIVISION,
	N.I.D. 04506/42.
















	The following report is compiled from information derived from prisoners of war. The statements made cannot always be verified; they should therefore not be accepted as facts unless they are definitely stated to be confirmed by information from other sources.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
FRONTISPIECE
A recent photograph of later type German E-Boats
I.	Introductory Remarks	5
II.	Complement of "R 184"	5
III.	Early History of "R 184"	5
IV.	Earlier Sorties of "R 184"	6
V.	Last Sortie of "R 184"	6
VI.	Sinking of "R 184"	6
VII.	Details of "R 184"	7
	(i) Complement; (ii) Length; (iii) Maximum Beam; (iv) Displacement; (v) Draught; (vi) Maximum Speed; (vii) Cruising Speed; (viii) Depth Charges; (ix) Hull; (x) Armament; (xi) Torpedoes; (xii) Mast; (xiii) Search Gear; (xiv) Engines; (xv) Fuel; (xvi) Generator; (xvii) Air Compressors; (xviii) Armour Plating; (xix) Watertight Bulkheads; (xx) Scuttling Charges; (xxi) Searchlight; (xxii) Batteries; (xxiii) Camouflage; (xxiv) Degaussing; (xxv) Recognition Signals ("Erkennungssignale"); (xxvi) Minesweeping Gear; (xxvii) Communications; (xxviii) W/T Guard on Aircraft Wave; (xxix) V.H/F Call Signs; (xxx) Elektrolot (Sounding Device); (xxxi) D/F; (xxxii) Mines; (xxxiii) Badge; (xxxiv) Smoke Screen Apparatus; (xxxv) Steering.
VIII.	Bases and Training Establishments, etc.	11
	A. France	11
	(i) Boulogne; (ii) Brest; (iii) Caen; (iv) Calais; (v) Dieppe; (vi) Le Harve; (vii) Oadres (near Bayonne); (viii) Ouistreham; (ix) St. Malo; (x) St. Nazaire.
	B. The Netherlands	12
	(i) Bergen-Op-Zoom; (ii) Breda; (iii) Roosendahl; (iv) Steenvik and Wezep.
	C. Germany	12
	(i) Aurich; (ii) Borkum; (iii) Brake; (iv) Bremen; (v) Buxtehude; (vi) Cuxhaven; (vii) Flensburg; (viii) Hage (East Fisla); (ix) Norden; (x) Wangerooge; (xi) Wesermünde; (vii) Wilhelmshaven.
	D. Denmark	13
	Esbjerg.
	E. Belgium	13
	Ostend.
	F. Italy	13
	Naples.
IX.	General Remarks on R-Boats	13
	(i) 10th R-Boat Flotilla; (ii) Construction of R-Boats; (iii) Location of Flotillas; (iv) Number of Flotillas in Existence; (v) Sub-division of Flotillas; (vi) Sea Conditions for Operations; (vii) Reaction to British Aircraft; (viii) Co-operation with Fleet Sweepers; (ix) Minelaying; (x) R-Boats in Black Sea; (xi) Escort of Ships for R-Boats; (xii) R-Boat Tactics; (xiii) R-Boat Badges; (xiv) Protector of R-Boats ("Sicherengsboote"); (xv) Types of R-Boats; (xvi) Watch-keeping in R-Boats; (xvii) S.B.A.s; (xviii) Supply Assistants; (xix) Parent Ships.
X.	Other Ships	15
	(i) "Königin Luise"; (ii) "Kaiser"; (iii) "Cobra"; (iv) "Schwarzes Meer"; (v) "Gneisenau"; (vi) "Monte Pascoal"; (vii) Two-man U-Boats; (viii) "Ostmark"; (ix) Harbour Defence Vessels ("Hafenschuteboote"); (x) Hannomag E-Boats.


APPENDICES

I.	Crew List of "R 184"	17
	(i) Survivors; (ii) Casualties; (iii) Not Aboard at Time of Sinking.
II.	Profile and Plan of "R 184"	18
III.	Minesweeping Gear Used in R-Boats	18
IV.	Translation of Extracts from Diary of Maschinenmaat Herbert Naumann	19

(C46570) B













	A RECENT PHOTOGRAPH OF LATER TYPE OF GERMAN R-BOATS













	Frontispiece


	5

	REPORT ON INTERROGATION OF SURVIVORS FROM THE GERMAN
	R-BOAT "R 184," SUNK ON 16th AUGUST, 1942.
	______________________

	I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

	It should be noted that the Survivors from this boat are the first from this class of vessel to be interrogated, and hence this report contains information hitherto unpublished.
	Fifteen prisoners from "R 184" were landed at Dover between 2115 and 2315 B.S.T. on 16th August, 1942. Their boat had been sunk in approximate position 105 South Foreland 9 miles. On the following day another 10 survivors were recovered from a dinghy. Of these 25 survivors, 13 were so badly wounded that they were taken to hospital and it has not been found possible to interrogate all of them.

	II. COMPLEMENT OF "R 184"

	"R 184" had a complement of 28 at the time of her sinking, although she sometimes carried 30. She should have had 29 on her last patrol, but one man did not sail as he was serving a six days prison sentence for drunkenness. The ship's company consisted of two Chief Petty Officers, four Petty Officers and 21 other ratings. One Chief Petty Officer was being carried as a supernumerary for training as a commanding officer. Of this total, 13 belonged to deck personnel (including one mine rating), two were telegraphists, two signalmen, nine engine-room personnel (including one C.E.R.A.), one supply assistant and one S.B.A. There was no commissioned officer on board.
	"R 184" was commanded by Obersteuermann (Chief Quartermaster) Welzer, who was severely wounded in action. Survivors had a poor opinion of him and described him as lacking in leadership. He was not on good terms with his men, with whom he was only friendly when drunk. He was aged 35 and wore a small beard. He had previously served in an auxiliary cruiser.
	The commanding officer under training, Obersteuermann Eberhard Reiners, had served in Raider 16. He complained that his training for promotion to Chief Petty Officer had been inadequate, consisting only of instruction from an army officer. He had been drafted to "R 185" just before making his last patrol, but "R 184's" captain had insisted on his making one more trip with him. He was due shortly for his own R-Boat command.
	Most of the crew were in their early twenties, though one was only 17. They were of lower morale than U-Boat men, several saying that they were fed up with the sea and never wanted to go back to it. Those that were recovered from the dinghy, when only a few miles from the French coast, were particularly depressed by the reflection that, despite their nearness to home, it was the British and not the Germans who had rescued them. One was clearly a communist and several were anti-Nazi.
	The only survivors who had done much sea time were a petty officer who had been a deep sea fisherman before the war, one ordinary seaman who had served in a raider and two who had been in minelayers.
	One prisoner said that the son of Kapitänleutnant (Lieutenant-Commander) Schewe, late of "U 105" and now holding a shore appointment, had once put to sea with them.

	III. EARLY HISTORY OF "R 184"

	"R 184" was built by the Burmester Yacht und Bootsbau A.G. at Bremen. During her construction the crew were accommodated at a neighbouring inn. She was launched on 11th April, 1942, and commissioned on 18th April, when she proceeded to do her engine trials on the Weser. A few days later she left for Cuxhaven and then sailed for Kiel, where she ran further trials every day until early in May. While at Kiel, civilian engineers came on board for half-a-day and tested her engines for two hours at full speed. She afterwards tested out her technical equipment, again supervised by experts, and one day proceeded to sea in company with a U-Boat to test her K.D.B. (search) gear.
	Towards the beginning of May, "R 184" returned to Cuxhaven en route for Wilhelmshaven, where she drew a number of charts, afterwards back to Cuxhaven. On 10th May she returned to Kiel, this time in company with "R 183" and "R 105," and was joined there by "R 186" and "R 187" a few days later. The first four boats constituted the second group of the 10th R-Boat Flotilla, based on Cuxhaven. One survivor said that there were then about 25 R-Boats in Kiel.
	"R 184" and the other boats were then fitted with gun shields and bridge armour-plating at the Howaldt yard of the Kriegsmarinewerft, Kiel, and on 21st June she went over the Kiel D.G. range. During her stay she lay in the E-Boat harbour at Kiel-Garden, in the Wik harbour at the Lützow Bridge and at Moeltenort.
	From this stage it was possible to check the movements of "R 184" from a captured diary (see Appendix IV).

	(C46570) B2



	6

	On 24th June all five boats returned to Cuxhaven, in which neighbourhood all except "R 187," which had developed engine trouble, carried out further exercises. These included manoeuvres in line ahead and line abreast, both by day and night. A number of sweeping exercises with the various gears were also carried out. They visited Heligoland on 28th June till 30th June, when they returned to Cuxhaven, sailing again to Heligoland on 1st July and staying there until 3rd July, when they left for Wesermünde. While at Heligoland, all boats lay in the shelter in the northern corner of the submarine harbour.
	They arrived at Wesermünde lock at 0740 on 4th July and at the timber harbour at 0755. The next evening they cast off and returned to Heligoland by night, arriving at 0555 on 6th July. On 7th July they returned to Cuxhaven and the next day "R 183," "R 184," "R 185" and "R 186" left for Rotterdam, where they arrived on 9th July at 0708. At 2145 they cast off and proceeded to Ostend, where they arrived on 10th July at 2200. While at Ostend they lay variously at the Quai des Paquebots, Seegers yard and in the E-Boat shelters. They saw E-Boats in the Bassin à Marèe and six or seven blockships, consisting of old fishing boats, near the harbour entrance. "R 185" fell out here owing to an engine defect.
	On 21st July they sailed for Dunkirk at 0400, thence proceeding to Boulogne at 0130 the following morning, arriving at 0425.
	On 25th, July at 2055, they left with a small convoy of three unarmed tugs for Dieppe, whence they sailed at 2115 the next day for Le Harve, which they reached at 0400 on 27th July. Here they lay near the wreck of the liner "Paris". They left Le Harve at 2100 on 30th July, proceeding in formation for sweeping practice. They made Ouistreham the same evening.
	Throughout the passage from Cuxhaven to Ouistreham the group was under the orders of its Senior Officer, Oberleutnant zur See (Lieutenant) Gottwalles, commanding "R 186."

	IV. EARLY SORTIES OF "R 184"

	At Ouistreham, "R 184" and the other boats of her group joined "R 182," which belonged to the first group of the same flotilla.
	The group remained at Ouistreham for four days, during which they made two night sorties for exercises in formation in the vicinity of Le Harve. These included the laying of dummy mines.
	On 4th August, at 0730, "R 184" proceeded up the canal to the yards at Blainville, where she spent the day, returning at 1710 and leaving Ouistreham for Le Harve at 1815. They left Le Harve again at midnight on 5th August for a night exercise, returning at 0552 the same morning. At 2100, on 5th August, they cast off from Le Harve for another night exercise, returning to Ouistreham on 6th August at 0540. Minor repairs were then carried out on the port engine and "R 184" cast off the same night at 2130 for Boulogne, where she arrived about 2300.
	In the course of the next few days they carried out minesweeping exercises in the Channel.
	On the afternoon of 14th August they went over the D/G range. They embarked 12 mines at 1800 and at 0408 on 15th August sailed on a large-scale defensive minelaying operation in the Channel. Boats of the 2nd, 4th and 12th R-Boat Flotillas took part in this operation, when it was claimed that some 300 mines were laid, mostly on a straight line parallel to the coast between Dover and Dieppe. "R 184" returned to Boulogne at 0730 the same day, during an air raid alert.
	At 2300 on 15th August "R 184" and the remainder of her flotilla left Boulogne for Calais where they arrived at 2400. It was intended to make another minelaying sortie the following night, thus completing the operation which had just been begun.

	V. LAST SORTIE OF "R 184"

	On arrival at Calais, "R 184" proceeded to the Quai du Rhône, where she and other boats of her flotilla each embarked 12 mines.
	At about 2000 on 16th August she left Calais with about 30 other R-Boats of the 2nd, 4th, 10th and 12th Flotillas. This force, prisoners asserted, was divided into two groups, each about 15 boats. The laying formation of these groups was in two divisions each of six boats and a sub-division of three boats. These two groups appear to have separated after leaving Calais, each group being detailed to lay a field in a south-easterly direction from Dover and parallel to the coast. Each group was stated to have subsequently laid about 180 mines, the divisions laying two parallel lines each of 72 mines and the sub division a line of 36.
	"R 184" was the fifth boat of one of the two divisions of the easterly group and was led by "R 179," Commanded by the senior officer of the 10th Flotilla, Kapitänleutnant (Lieutenant-Commander) Nau. On leaving Calais this group proceeded north-west for about half an hour and subsequently altered course several times before reaching the position in which the mines were laid (See IX (ix) for minelaying procedure.)

	VI. SINKING OF "R 184"

	At 2040 on 16th August R.D/F plotted about 15 enemy craft, probably R-Boats, from a position 8 miles north-west of Calais on a north-westerly course at 15 knots.
	Survivors said that at 2100 their course was 170-180° and that their group then began to lay its mines at half speed (about 11 knots) on a course of 280°. At No. 2 buoy, in position 105° South



	7

	Foreland 9 miles, this group, according to the plot, split into two positions, which steered north-east and south-west respectively, "R 184" being in the latter portion.
	M.G.B.s "10" and "6" were at sea proceeding on patrol from Ramsgate and steered for the enemy as soon as positions were broadcast, despite defective steering in M.G.B. "10," Meanwhile M.G.B.s "330," "331" and "669" were despatched from Dover.
	At about 2125, about five minutes after "R 184's" group had finished laying its mines, the two M.G.B. forces each made contact with and engaged at close range five or six craft of the south-westerly portion of this group. British coastal artillery had previously (at about 2100) fired 26 rounds of 6-in. shell which had not been noticed by the R-Boats.
	A fierce action followed, during which "R 184's" captain was severely wounded in the stomach. Her wireless operator made a signal to the flotilla medical officer asking for assistance and received an acknowledgement.
	The first hit sustained by "R 184" went through her bridge and the second penetrated her engine room, putting both engines and steering gear out of action and starting a fire which, a prisoner stated, was due to the ignition of oil fuel. "R 184" continued to fire all her guns until her ready ammunition was expended. Survivors said that she had fired over 3,000 rounds in this action.
	Her smoke screen apparatus was hit, and the acid poured out, burning some of the crew. An attempt had been made to make a smoke screen, but the air supply had failed.
	A telegraphist set fire to the captain's cabin with newspaper and three hand grenades into the vulnerable part of the boat, having previously smashed up the W/T with a hammer.
	"R 184" was then stopped by M.G.B.s "6" and "10" and was boarded and taken in tow by M.G.B. "10". The fire in her engine room, however, began to get out of control and meanwhile two of her crew had fired the scuttling charges, with the result that the boarding party and some enemy survivors had to be taken off. "R 184" thereupon sank. The ship's dog, which no one had bothered to rescue, went down with her. The boarding party were of the opinion that the fire and explosion were caused by fuel vapour or ammunition and not by the scuttling charges.
	The attack on "R 184" came as a complete surprise to her crew, most of them were caught without their steel helmets. A wild scramble for them ensued. Her cook had left his in the galley, but had lost the key and could not find it in time to get the helmet out.
	Survivors were considerably disappointed at the lack of team spirit shown by the other R-Boats, who dispersed for home the moment they realised they were being attacked, instead of coming to "R 184's" assistance.
	They greatly admired the armour plating of British M.G.B.s, which they thought their guns were unable to penetrate.
	At 2130, five minutes after the first sighting and engaging, both portions of the enemy's easterly group were reported to have retired southwards, the north-eastern portion having passed through a position 080° South Foreland 14' before doing so.

	VII. DETAILS OF "R 184"

	(i) Complement
	The usual complement of "R 184" was between 28 and 30. This was stated to be normal in all R-Boats.

	(ii) Length
	She was about 35 m. (115 ft.) long.

	(iii) Maximum Beam
	"R 184's" maximum beam was about 6 m. (19.5 ft.).

	(iv) Displacement
	100 tons.

	(v) Draught
	Approximately 1.50 to 1.70 m. (4.9 to 5.6 ft.).

	(vi) Maximum Speed
	20.7 knots.

	(vii) Cruising Speed
	14.8 knots.

	(viii) Depth Charges
	Depth charges (W.B.D.) were sometimes carried and when fired would be simply rolled overboard. There was a stowage for about eight of these, but they were all landed, except one, owing to excessive topweight, before entering the Channel. Their place was taken by two "Schrockbomben" (literally terror bombs), which are similar in size to depth charges but have a much lighter casing. They have four red buttons on the top. These charges have the following time settings: 20, 50, 70 and 100 seconds. One prisoner believed these to be "W.B.F." (buoyant depth charges).
	(N.I.D. Note. The "Schreckbomben" are believed to be the buoyant depth charges described in C.A.F.O. 2359/41.)

	(C46570) B*3

(ix) Hull

The hull was stated to be very lightly constructed of double-skinned wood on light metal framing. It was thought that the keel was of oak and that the outer skin was diagonally built. Prisoners said that a kick would have been sufficient to stave in the sides and that they had a saying that "the whole thing was only held together by paint." One prisoner stated that the firm of Rasmussen, at Swinemünde, is the principal S-Boat builder and that this firm also built R-Boats.

(N.I.D. Note. It is known that the firm of Abeking & Rasmussen, of Lemwerder-Bremen, construct light craft.)

(x) Armament

"R 184" mounted a 20 mm. (0.79-in.) gun forward and another aft and had two machine-guns on the bridge. Each of the 20 mm. guns required a crew of four men, only one of whom had received gunnery training.

Tracer ammunition fired by the 20 mm. guns was either red or yellow. This was supplied in magazines of 20 rounds each. The 20 mm. gun could fire 20 rounds in 30 seconds and in all 3/4,000 rounds were carried. Some 2/3,000 rounds of M.G. ammunition were carried. On landing the crew said that the guns were Mausers. In addition she carried four "Maschinenpistolen" manufactured by Walter, with clips of 20 rounds each.

It was stated that a 3.7 cm. (1.45-in.) gun would be too heavy for the boat's construction and that the 20 mm. guns shake the boat considerably when fired.

(xi) Torpedoes

None.

(xii) Mast

None.

(xiii) Search Gear

She carried K.D.B. (Kristalldrechbasis) and S-Gear. The receivers were fitted in the gangway on the approach to the bridge, behind the W/T office. A dome is lowered from the bottom of the ship and is housed on entering harbour. Survivors did not think it could be removed without docking. One prisoner said that the K.D.B. was sensitive up to six miles for M.G.B.s and up to ten for destroyers. When sounds are picked up, the K.D.B. gives a bearing correct to within one degree. Attention is then directed to the S-Gear, a cathode ray tube on which a scale is marked horizontally and from which a range can be read up to six miles. One survivor thought that the wheel operating the K.D.B. gear operates the S-Gear at the same time. Two seamen had been trained as listeners.

(xiv) Engines

The two main engines were six-cylinder M.W.M. (Maschinenwerke Mannheim) Diesels, each of 900 h.p. and having individual cylinder injection. The auxiliary engine, mounted amidships, was a four-cylinder M.W.M. Diesel, developing 75 h.p. at 1,000 r.p.m.

The stroke of the main engine was about 450 mm. (17.7-in.) and the cylinder bore 350 mm. (13.8-in.). The following are the main engine revolutions and corresponding speeds:

	Revolutions/min		Speed
	Ahead.	Astern.	Knots.
Utmost Speed ("A.K.")	600	350 or over	20.7
Extra Full Speed (2 X Alle)	575	---	20.4
Full Speed (Alle)	525	---	18.3
4/5 Speed (2 X Grosse)	480	---	17.8
Cruising Speed (Grosse)	415	---	14.8
Half Speed (Halbe)	320	300	11.2
Slow (Langsam)	230	---	8.6
Dead Slow (Kleine)	200	200	7.3

Utmost speed may be as high as 21.7 knots in other R-Boats of this class.

The engine room telegraphs are marked as follows:

Stop	(Stop.)
Achtung	(Stand By.)
Kleine Fahrt	(Dead Slow.)
Langsam Fahrt	(Slow.)
Halbe Fahrt	(Half Speed.)
Grosse Fahrt	(Cruising Speed.)
Alle	(Full Speed.)
A.K.	(Utmost Speed.)

On the reverse side are the same positions astern.

The intermediate speeds of "4/5 Speed" and "Extra Full Speed" are registered by ringing twice on "Cruising Speed" and "Full Speed" respectively.



	9

	(xv) Fuel
	The three fuel tanks, midship, port and starboard, situated below the bridge at the fore end of the engine room, each have a capacity of 4,000 litres (3.4 tons). Two ready-use gravity tanks above the engine each contain 200 litres (44 gallons). There is a 225-litre tank for lubricating oil for each engine and one reserve tank to each holding 275 litres, making 1,000 litres (220 gallons) of lubricating oil in all.

	(xvi) Generator
	A generator developing 60 amperes at 110 volts is coupled immediately above the auxiliary Diesel engine.

	(xvii) Air Compressors
	An air compressor is coupled to each main engine. Two bottles, each of 30 atmospheres and 150 litres (5 cubic ft.) capacity, are carried in the engine room for air starting. They are tested to 60 atmospheres. They are fitted on the waterline and admitted to be vulnerable to attack. An auxiliary air compressor is coupled behind the generator.

	(xviii) Armour Plating
	Armour plating from 10 to 12 mm. (0.39 to 0.47-in.) thick is fitted around the wheelhouse and bridge, situated abaft the wheelhouse on a raised platform. Gun shields of the same thickness are fitted and plates extend 6 in. on either side of the guns. Survivors were of the opinion that their armour was too thin.

	(xix) Watertight Bulkheads
	There are five watertight bulkheads, the foremost of which is constructed as a collision bulkhead (see Appendix II).

	(xx) Scuttling Charges
	One scuttling charge weighing 5 lb. is fitted in the Diesel room, one in the W/T office, one in the men's quarters aft, and one in the petty officers' quarters forward. They are operated by driving in a piston and once primed cannot be rendered safe. There is a five minute delay on the fuses.
	(N.I.D. Note. This is in general conformity with C.A.F.O. 2358/41.)

	(xxi) Searchlights
	Fitted above the wheelhouse.

	(xxii) Batteries
	12-cell 24-volt battery is carried. Charging is by transformer. The battery is described as most unsatisfactory as its capacity is too small. It was stated that the W/T equipment would function on the battery alone.

	(xxiii) Camouflage
	"R 184" was camouflaged black and white in triangles.

	(xxiv) Degaussing
	She was degaussed by wiping or flashing. It was stated that R-Boats and other small craft were fitted with M.E.S. Gerät ("Minen-Eigen-Schutz-Gerät" meaning "Self-protection against mines"). Although it was stated that there were no cells round the ship the M.E.S. gear produced current at 110 volts.

	(xxv) Recognition Signals ("Erkennungssignale")
	The recognition signal changes every 24 hours. One prisoner stated that "E.S. Patrone 7" (Recognition Signal Cartridge No. 7) emitted three white and three red stars, whereas another stated that this cartridge was used to follow the recognition signal of the day and emitted a blue-purple light.
	(N.I.D. Note. Until recently it was known that the "E.S. Patrone No. 7" contained three white and three red stars. The reference to blue-purple light cannot be confirmed.)

	(xxvi) Minesweeping Gear
	Three main types of minesweeping gear are used in R-Boats:
	(a) The M.P.G. or "Motoren Pinass Gerät (Motor Pinnace Gear).
	(b) The K.R.G. or "Korb Räum Gerät" (Basket Sweeping Gear).
	(c) The S.D.G. or "Scheer Dracen Gerät" (Sheer Kite Gear).
	Of these, the first two are normal forms of sweep following the pattern of our "A" sweep. When the M.P.G. is used, the ships proceed 100 metres apart and in the case of the K.R.G. 50 metres apart. The M.P.G. uses kites, but the K.R.G. uses a form of iron basket for depth keeping. Both sweeps are armed with explosive cutters ("Sprenggreifer"). (See Appendix III, figures 1 and 2.)

	(C46570) B*4

The S.D.G. is a double sweep covering a small area and is a searching sweep towed by one ship. It consists of two searching wires attached to paravanes running first of all to a kite ("Drachen") about 1.20 metres long, towed astern of the sweeper. Above the paravanes are floats of Types "C" and "Ca". Cutters are attached to the cable and there are no explosive charges. The end of the cable is supported by one buoy.

When "R 184" first arrived in Kiel she did trials independently with an electric minesweeping gear ("Schleppspulgerät") consisting of three to four small cables each 300 metres (328 yards) long, enclosed in rubber tubing and supported by a cylindrical buoy. All R-Boats can sweep with electrical or other gear as required. A portable Diesel generator can be fitted aft for electrical sweeping.

(N.I.D. Note. It is doubtful if weight would permit of an effective sweep.)

(xxvii) Communications

The W/T set was manufactured by Telefunken. "R 184" operated on 4,850 kc/s. This set could be used also for R/T but in practice never was.

There was also a V.H/F R/T set working on 32 channels and "R 184" was using channels 9 and 13 at the time of her sinking. This set is situated on the bridge and is used soley for inter-ship communication on account of its short range. Current at 24 volts is supplied from the generators and is stepped up to 1,500 volts for the transmitter. Communication with the base is maintained on the main set by W/T. Two aerials are carried each about 12 metres (39 ft.) long.

One of the boats carried a special civilian operator to intercept British R/T.

(N.I.D. Note. Although a frequency of 4,850 kc/s. was in use some months ago, it is no longer employed. As far as is known there are only 18 V.H/F channels (see C.B. 4106 (2/42).)

(xxviii) W/T Guard on Aircraft Wave

When at sea , one boat is detailed to act as W/T Guard on Aircraft Wave. For this she employs the main set on R/T but does not communicate with aircraft.

(xxix) V.H/F Call Signs

The following V.H/F call signs were given:

"R 179"	KONSTANZ.
"R 184"	FREIBURG.
"R 185"	KEHL.
"R 186"	RASSADT.
S.O. of 12th Flotilla	ERNA.

These call signs, said prisoners, never vary.

(xxx) Elektrolot (Sounding Device)

"R 184" carried no Electrolot (Echo Sounder), but used Electrolots. The captain threw the charges overboard.

(xxxi) D/F

None.

(xxxii) Mines

R-Boats normally carry 12 mines when minelaying. They are mounted on "U"-shaped rails aft, six on either side. Each mine carried by "R 184" had five horns. The box containing the horns was marked with the letters U.M.A. (Underseeboot-Minen Type A). The mines were embarked direct from railway trucks at Boulogne or Calais into the boats.

Survivors are agreed that all the mines laid by "R 184" on her last patrol were moored type, the mooring wire being 8-10 mm. (0.39-in.) in diameter and without sheathing. Although one prisoner was emphatic that half of them were magnetic the rest agreed that all were contact. It was stated that the mines become live very shortly after laying.

(N.I.D. Note. It is known that these mines were small moored contact mines and probably German Type "R".)

(xxxiii) Badge

"R 184" carried as her badge the Zodiacal sign of Virgo.

(xxxiv) Smoke Screen Apparatus

Two smoke screen canisters are carried, one on either side aft. A white smoke is produced.

Air pressure is required to operate this gear and some form of electro-magnetic starting is employed.

(xxxv) Steering

Maximum rudder angle is 30°.



	11

	VIII. BASES AND TRAINING ESTABLISHMENTS, ETC.

	A. France
	(i) Boulogne
	A large number of Marinelandungstruppen (Naval Landing Troops) and Marinestosstruppen (Naval Shock Troops) arrived at Boulogne during summer, 1942. One prisoner said he had seen three boats of the 8th M-Boat Flotilla (Fleet Minesweepers) at Boulogne recently. R-Boats lie in front of the Gate Maritime quay. Mines are embarked at the quay between the Port de Marée and Bassin à Flot. Fuel is taken by R-Boats from tankers, one of which was stated to have been the French "Janadre" (500 tons).

	(ii) Brest
	A prisoner who served in the shore staff of the 2nd Vorpostenboot (Patrol Boat) Flotilla at Brest for three months from October, 1941, said that the staff at that time was:
	Senior Officer: Fregattenkapitän d.R. (Senior Commander Reserve) Diederiches;
	Maintenance Commander: Korvettenkapitän (Junior Commander) Arp;
	Flotilla Engineer Officer: Oberleutnant (ing.) (Lieutenant (E) ) Herring.
	The staff of this flotilla was accommodated in a small village nearby. The prisoner only knew the name of one commanding officer in this flotilla - an Oberleutnant zur See (Lieutenant) Schnelle - who was promoted to this rank for having claimed the sinking of two M.G.B.s He was recently killed.
	It was confirmed that Rear Admiral Friedrich Ruge is the "Befehlshaber der Minencuschboote" (B.d.M.) (Senior Officer Minesweepers). This officer is responsible for the minesweeping flotillas operating from occupied European ports and has his headquarters at Brest (see C.B. 4051 (39), page 15).

	(iii) Caen
	The 2nd Vorpostenboot (Patrol Boat) Flotilla is said to be now based on Caen. Its sign is a wooden triangle painted black, nailed to the mast and pointed downwards. No. 1 boat has only the triangle, No. 2 has the triangle and one strip of wood, No. 3 the triangle and two strips of wood and so on.

	(iv) Calais
	R-Boats lie in the canal just behind the locks. They do not normally use the harbour proper. There are two nets, one in front of the locks and one outside the harbour.

	(v) Dieppe
	Survivors said that when they were at Dieppe there were 7-8 R-Boats lying at the Gare Maritime quay. In April, 1942, part of the Le Harve Hafenschutz (Harbour Defence) Flotilla was in Dieppe, under Leutnant zur See (Sub-Lieutenant) Albrecht. The crews, numbering about 50 men, were accommodated in the Rue Verdun.

	(vi) Le Harve
	The 38th Minesweeping Flotilla is based here. One of the officers is a Leutnant zur See Brasch. Their sign is a black figure eight, either on the mast or the bridge.
	It was stated that two-man U-Boats lay in the inner part of Harbour Basin "A" while "R 184" was there from 27th to 29th July, 1942.
	(N.I.D. Note. No confirmation of this report has been received and reconnaissance reports have never mentioned the boats described.) (See also Section X (vii.)

	(vii) Ondres (near Bayonne)
	A naval anti-aircraft school is located here, under the command of Oberleutnant zur See (Lieutenant) Dormeier. Other officers are Leutnant (M.A.) Swqanzig, Leutnant zur See Zuko and Oberleutnant zur See von Trotha, a son of the admiral, who is stated to be the most unpopular officer in the establishment. Two companies of the school are situated a few miles away at Mermizian. (Information as at January, 1942)

	(viii) Ouistreham
	Ouistreham is the base of the 10th R-Boat Flotilla under Kapitänleutnant (Lieutenant-Commander) Nau. (See Section IX for further details.) R-Boats here usually lie to the north of the canal behind the locks. When in need of repairs, they ascend the canal to the yards at Blainville, where eight to ten minesweepers were building in August, 1942. Some of the boats of the 38th Minesweeping Flotilla lie at Ouistreham. Its headquarters are at Le Harve.

	(ix) St. Malo
	"R 184's" supply assistant was at St. Malo in April, 1942, serving with the 2nd Patrol Boat Flotilla, where the staff was accommodated in Paramé. The administrative officers were in the Hotel Thérèse and the Hotel Margarete at St. Malo. There is said to be an R-Boat school at St. Malo.

	(x) St. Nazaire
	The harbour master at St. Nazaire is stated to be Kapitan zur See (Captain) Knobloch.

B. The Netherlands

(i) Bergen-Op-Zoom

Oberleutnant zur See (Lieutenant) Müller is in command of a company of the 16th Manning Division at Bergen-Op-Zoom. (Information as at December, 1940.) Another company, housed in Block "C", is commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Wolltes. (Information as at September, 1941.)

(ii) Breda

The 14th Manning Division is located here. (Information as at January, 1941.)

(iii) Roosendahl

Two companies of the 16th Manning Division are located here. This establishment is subsidiary to that at Bergen-Op-Zoom, where the remaining companies are stationed. The companies at Roosendahl are commanded by Leutnant zur See (Sub-Lieutenant) Harscheid and Oberleutnant zur See (Lieutenant) Rathke. At Roosendahl, "B" block is a barracks, "D" block a kitchen and armoury and "E" block a hospital and canteen. (Information as at September, 1941.)

(iv) Steenvik and Wezep

The 2nd and 3rd companies of the 6th Manning Division, with headquarters at Steenvik are located in that town, while the 1st and 4th companies are 15 kilometers distant at Wezep. The division is commanded by Kapitänleutnant (Lieutenant-Commander) Bornmers. The recruits are accommodated in barracks taken over from the Dutch. The whole of the 3rd company consists of trainees for supply appointments. (Information as at June, 1941.)

C. Germany

(i) Aurich

Oberleutnant zur See Beckmann is in command of the 7th Company of the Telegraph School at Aurich. (Information as at March, 1941.)

(ii) Borkum

Kapitänleutnant von Loom was succeeded by Kapitänleutnant Rittmann as head of the W/T station at Borkum in March, 1942. Oberleutnant zur See Blasig remained. There were then 150 people on the staff. Most of the traffic is with coastal shipping and occasionally there is co-operation with the German Air Force for air-sea rescue. The garrison on Borkum consists of about 4,5000 men.

(iii) Brake

The whole training organisation at Brake is under the direct control of the much larger establishment at Beverloo (Belgium). (Information as at mid-1941.)

(iv) Bremen

The yards of the Burmester Yacht und Bootsbau A.G. were "R 184" was built, lie on the left bank of the River Lesum at Lesum, looking seawards, between the railway bridge and the road bridge. These yards were stated to build only R-Boats and to have four slipways.

(v) Buxtehude

The following are the officers of the 18th Manning Division:

In Command	Kapitänleutnant (Ing.) Peters.
(Relieving Kapitänleutnant zur See Schroeder.)
1st Company	Kapitänleutnant (M.A.) Eiben.
2nd Company	Leutnant (M.A.) s.R. Friedrich.
3rd Company	Kapitänleutnant (M.A. Reiter.
4th Company	Oberleutnant zur See Banisch.
5th Company	Oberleutnant zur See Thilow.
(Information as at December, 1941.)

(vi) Cuxhaven

Stabootsmann Brunke commands the 1st Company at the Neue Schule, Cuxhaven, which houses the Minesweeping School. (Information as at March, 1942.)

Oberfunkmeister Stoppel is one of the senior W/T instructors. (Information as at May, 1942.) In April, 1942, the 14th Patrol Boat Flotilla was here and some of the boats of the 21st Minesweeping Flotilla (converted trawlers).

(vii) Flensburg

The 4th Company of the Naval Wireless School at Flensburg is commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Vellgut. (Information as at November, 1940.)

(viii) Hage (East Frisia)

Hage is the headquarters of a drafting depot, two sections of which are at Berum and one in Halbemond. The Commanding Officer of the 6th Company at Halbemond is Oberleutnant zur See Hoffmann. (Information as at June, 1942.)

(ix) Norden

Korvettenkapitän (Junior Commander) Massmann is in command of the 4th Company of the drafting depot. (Information as at March, 1942.)

(x) Wangerooge

The 1st and 2nd Companies of the drafting depot are accommodated in the Jahreskaserne and the shore artillery and other units in the Friedrich August Kaserne.

(xi) Wesermünde

The Commanding Officer of the Naval School is Korvettenkapitän (Junior Commander) Patin. (Information as at December, 1941) Kapitänleutnant (Ing.) Weller is in command of the 1st Company taking the advanced electrical course. (Information as at June, 1942.) There are four companies of the 10th Manning Division here, the 3rd of which is commanded by Kapitänleutnant Knobloch. (Information as a June, 1940.)

(xii) Wilhelmshaven

There is a cookery training school here for 250-300 cooks under Kapitänleutnant (V) Leu. (Information as at end of 1941.)

D. Denmark

Esbjerg

About June, 1942 there was said to be a harbour defence flotilla of small boats here, each fitted with one torpedo tube forward.

(N.I.D. Note. No previous information has been received that this harbour defence flotilla is fitted with torpedo tubes.)

E. Belgium

Ostend

The E-Boat shelter at Ostend is in the vicinity of the lighthouse and is not protected in front. It has three or four pens, each large enough for two boats. It is also used extensively by R-Boats, which can enter at any state of the tide. There is one shelter here full of torpedoes.

(N.I.D. Note. The E-Boat shelters are at the south end of the Bassin de la Marine and contain six pens.)

F. Italy

Naples

There is a W/T station under the control of the German Navy in Naples at the Albergo Bellavista, commanded by Leutnant zur See (Sub-Lieutenant) Zug, who is termed the M.N.O. Neapal (Marine-Nachrichten-Offizier or Naval Communication Officer). Traffic is mostly with surface craft proceeding to Africa and has no connection with U-Boats. (Information as at January, 1942.)

IX. GENERAL REMARKS ON R-BOATS

(i) 10th R-Boat Flotilla

The composition of the 10th R-Boat Flotilla is as follows:

"R 179"	Kapitänleutnant Nau.
"R 180"	Stabsobersteuermann Pallasch.
"R 181"	Leutnant zur See Schelling.
"R 182"	Leutnant zur See Kohn.
"R 183"	Leutnant zur See Coenert.
"R 184"	Obersteuermann Welzer.
"R 185"	Leutnant zur See Boehmers.
"R 186"	Oberleutnant zur See Gottwalles.
"R 187"	Varied.
"R 188"	Leutnant zur See Schenk.
"R 189"	Varied.
"R 190"	Not known.

The flotilla was reformed at Cuxhaven in March, 1942, and transferred to Ouistreham, its present headquarters, in June. The flotilla Engineer Officer is Leutnant (Ing.) Ruhstein and the flotilla Adjutant, Leutnant zur See Brate. The flotilla operates under the orders of the Befehlshaber der Sicherung West (Admiral Commanding, Western Defences), who is represented by Kapitan zur See (Captain) Schliemann, whose headquarters is at Le Harve.

"R 187" to "R 190" were in Kiel in August, 1942, and are expected to join the others in September, 1942.

(ii) Construction of R-Boats

According to one prisoner, a series of 50 R-Boats takes eight months to build. Another prisoner said that the Burmester yard at Bremen was turning out R-Boats at the rate of three every 11 weeks. One man said that their engines were sometimes built in Göttingen.

(iii) Location of Flotillas

About the middle of August, 1942, the 2nd Flotilla was stated to be based on a Channel port, the 3rd in the Black Sea, the 4th in the Channel, the 8th in Norway, the 10th based on Ouistreham and the 12th at Ostend. There was some evidence from survivors that the 2nd and 4th Flotillas were based on St. Malo. The 2nd was previously based on Boulogne and Le Harve, and visited Kiel in June, 1942. One survivor mentioned that there were one or more flotillas in the Mediterranean.

(iv) Number of Flotillas in Existence

Some survivors stated that there are 12 R-Boat flotillas in existence, others that there are only eight.

(v) Sub-division of Flotillas

Each flotilla is sub-divided into three groups of four boats. The senior officer of each group is termed the "Gruppenführer."

(vi) Sea Conditions for Operations

R-Boats do not usually operate if the state of the sea is over 6.

(vii) Reaction to British Aircraft

All prisoners admit that they are scared by Spitfires. It is principally for this reason that they generally put to sea at night in the Channel. They had often been attacked by Spitfires, and stated that aircraft cannon and 0.303 machine-guns easily penetrated their bridge armour.

(viii) Co-operation with Fleet Sweepers

E-Boats sometimes co-operate with M-Boats (Fleet Sweepers). When they do, they feel quite safe from M.G.B.s, who they think dare not attack the M-Boats.

(ix) Minelaying

Mines are laid by flotillas in line ahead. Boats lay in succession, commencing from aft, the distance between boats in line being 100 metres (328 ft.). When the laying boat is about to lay her penultimate mine, she makes a signal with a shaded blue light to her next ahead. This she repeats and sounds her siren after laying her last mine, and immediately hauls out of line, continuing when clear of the line on her original course. The next boat then starts to lay. Prisoners stated that during the operation on 16th August, mines were laid at half speed, about 11 knots, at intervals of 17 seconds and about 120 yards apart.

All survivors said that R-Boats can easily pass over their own minefields.

(x) R-Boats in Black Sea

The 3rd R-Boat Flotilla is now based on a Black Sea port. It was sent there recently, sailing up the Rhine and being transported farther by rail and road. The purpose of sending it there is to sweep mines and to lay them along the Russian coast. According to survivors, mines so laid would thwart a favourite Russian practice of returning to stretches of coast in enemy hands to bombard the occupying troops from the sea.

(N.I.D. Note. It is confirmed that R-Boats are operating in the Black Sea and it is possible that the Rhine-Danube Canal was used for transportation.)

(xi) Escort Ships for R-Boats

The 10th R-Boat Flotilla is due to be provided in October, 1942, with an escort ship mounting 10.5 cm. (4.1-in.) guns. Each flotilla will eventually have an escort ship attached to it, with the object of engaging M.G.B.s while the R-Boats disperse.

(N.I.D. Note. New escort vessels are known to be under construction. Details of their intended armament are not yet available.)

(xii) R-Boat Tactics

R-Boats have standing orders to withdraw if attacked.

(xiii) R-Boat Badges

The badges of the 10th Flotilla boats are all zodiacal signs. Individual boats bear the following:

"R 179"		(Ram).
"R 180"		(Bull).
"R 181"		(Twins).
"R 182"		(probably Crab).
"R 183"		(Lion).
"R 184"		(Virgin).
"R 185"	Will take over "R 184's badge

They are painted in black on either side of the bridge. The badges of the 12th R-Boat Flotilla are formed by dice. Each boat carries a die with dots on it corresponding to the boat's number in the flotilla. These are painted in red.



	15

	(xiv) Protector R-Boats ("Sicherungsboote")
	It is usual for two boats of a flotilla to be detailed as guard for the remainder while minelaying. They are known as "Sichrungsboote". The duties change on each sortie. One survivor said that in the action on 16th August "R 184" mistook British forces for their own "Sicherungsboots."

	(xv) Types of R-Boats
	There are three main types of R-Boats:
	(a) The old 30-40-ton class, which is no longer used operationally. These are all at the Minesweeping School at Kiel and are not large enough to carry electric sweeps.
	(b) The 100-ton type to which "R 184" belonged. The 10th and 12th Flotillas are all this type.
	(c) R-Boats of the same type as (b) but with a different drive, enabling them to turn in their own length. The propellers are enclosed in a kind of vane and are not visible. Only a few of this type had been seen at Cuxhaven.
	(N.I.D. Note. This probably refers to the Voigt-Schneider propeller.)

	(xvi) Watch-keeping in R-Boats
	Each of the two upper deck watches consists of six men, having duties, at sea, as follows:
	One petty officer for forward 20-mm. gun.
	One ordinary seaman for after 20-mm. gun
	One ordinary seaman for after bridge lookout, starboard.
	One ordinary seaman for bridge lookout, port.
	One ordinary seaman for helmsman.
	One ordinary seaman for telegraphs.
	There is always one petty officer manning the forward 20-mm. gun, who keeps a lookout ahead. There is also one lookout on either side of the bridge, having lookout sectors from right ahead to about 100°. The rating manning the after 20-mm. gun keeps a lookout from the stern to 100 on either beam. The lookouts remain at the same stations throughout their watch. The captain is continually on the bridge, there being no such thing as an officer of the watch.
	In the engine room there are one stoker petty officer and three stokers to each watch.
	If sweeping gear is out, a man is detailed aft to watch it.

	(xvii) S.B.A.s
	One S.B.A. is carried to each group of four boats.

	(xviii) Supply Assistants
	Each boat carries a supply assistant, who acts as cook.

	(xix) Parent Ship
	Interrogation has not revealed the existence of any R-Boat parent ship.

	X. OTHER SHIPS

	(i) "Königin Luise"
	The minelayer "Königin Luise" (2,400 tons) left Wilhelmshaven in March, 1941, and proceeded to Stavanger, Bergen and finally Helsinki, where she ran on a mine in September, 1941, and sank. During this period the captain changed twice; one of then was Kapitänleutnant Winning. She carried about 150 mines and had a complement of 150-180.

	(ii) "Kaiser"
	In March, 1941, the auxiliary minelayer "Kaiser" (1,900 tons), accompanied the "Königin Luise" from Wilhelmshaven to Norway. She was commanded by a reserve officer, Korvettenkapitän Schultz; another reserve officer, Kapitänleutnant Fischer, was her First Lieutenant. She carried 190 mines.

	(iii) "Cobra"
	In March, 1941, the minelayer "Cobra" (2,100 tons) also accompanied the "Königin Luise" from Wilhelmshaven to Norway.
	(N.I.D. Note. "Cobra" was damaged during an air attack on Rotterdam on 27th August, 1942.)

	(iv) "Schwarzes Meer"
	The 3,400-ton tanker "Schwarzes Meer" (Kapitänleutnant Wetzel) left Wilhelmshaven in September, 1940, for Brest via Den Helder, Rotterdam, Boulogne and Le Harve. Thereafter her duties were to carry oil fuel from Cherbourg to Brest every two months or so.

	(v) "Gneisenau"
	A chief petty officer confirmed that the battleship "Gneisenau" was heavily damaged in Kiel by British aircraft soon after the Channel dash. He said that she was now being rebuilt and that this will take another six months to complete. She has been moved from Kiel to Gdynia for rebuilding. Most of the damage was caused by a bomb forward in her magazine, killing 130.

(vi) "Monte Pascoal"

The depot ship "Monte Pascoal" (13,800 tons) was burnt out at Kiel on the same night as "Gneisenau" was hit.

(vii) Two-man U-Boats

One prisoner said that he had seen seven two-man U-Boats in Le Harve when "R 184" was there between 27th-29th July, 1942. Their sterns were square, they are fitted with a conning tower, and have two torpedo tubes forward. On the flare of either bow is a curved plate about 1-1/2 m. broad whose purpose is unexplained. They are apparently steered from within. He added that Blohm & Voss were building such boats.

(N.I.D. Note. No sign of the building of midget submarines has been seen in German building yards, neither has any craft of this type been seen in a German port.)

Some Italian submarines are known to be fitted to carry two-man human torpedoes outside the hull. It is known that the Italian submarine "Giuliani" (1,036 tons) was recently in the Baltic and returned to a Biscay port in May, 1942. It is possible that the above report, although referring apparently to midget submarines, has some connection with the movement or trials of "Giuliani." (See also Le Harve in Section VIII (vi).)

(viii) "Ostmark"

The catapult ship "Ostmark" (1,280 tons) was lying in the Germania yards in Kiel in June, 1942.

(ix) Harbour Defence Vessels ("Hafenschutzboote")

Harbour defence flotillas have no numbers but are simply named after the ports to which they belong, having been requisitioned and converted for naval use. A flotilla might consist of eight to 16 boats. There are about six men to a boat, but the numbers vary. Their duties are to keep a lookout and prevent smuggling. The following are average details:

Length	15 m. (49 ft.).
Beam (max)	4.0 to 4.50 m. (13.0-14.7 ft.).
Speed	4 to 5 knots.
Engines	One 36 h.p. Diesel amidships.
Armament	One 20 mm. gun and one machine-gun, both mounted forward. The 20 mm. gun is mounted on a raised platform approached by three steps on either side.
Ammunition	About 20 full magazines each containing 20 rounds and four additional boxes are carried. Ammunition is stored below the gun which is served by three men.
Hull	Wooden, with a raised cabin aft.
Fuel	Fuel is carried in two tanks, starboard and port, abreast the engine.

(x) Hannomag E-Boats

A prisoner, who was certainly telling what he thought to be the truth, said there were six Hannomag E-Boats doing trials at Hela, Danzig, Pillau, Kiel and Gdynia. Hannomag E-Boats were described as the latest type of E-Boat. They were said by prisoners to be capable of very high speeds, producing a bow wave which obscures them from view. They are constructed by the Hannoversche Maschinenbau A.G., commonly known in Germany as the "Hannomag."

(N.I.D. Note. This type of craft has previously been reported, but few details are known. It is not thought that any are in service.)

__________________________

APPENDIX I

Crew List of "R 184"

(i) Survivors

Name.	Rank.	English Equivalent.	Born.
Welzer, Helmut	Obersteuermann	Chief Quartermaster, 1st Class	4.07.13
Reiners, Eberhard	Obersteuermann	Chief Quartermaster, 1st Class	21.06.15
Hiller, Erich	Bootsmannsmaat	Boatswain's Mate, 2nd Class	4.02.20
Schmidt, Wilhelm	Bootsmannsmaat	Boatswain's Mate, 2nd Class	8.05.14
Naumann, Herbert	Maschinenmaat	Mechanician, 2nd Class	26.08.18
Schlichg, Willi	Maschinenmaat	Mechanician, 2nd Class	25.11.16
Rüttinger, Georg	Signalobergefreiter	Signalman	2.02.22
Herrig, Franz	Funkobergefreiter	Telegraphist	23.05.22
Klautzsch, Erich	Matrosengefreiter	Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class	10.04.21
Kirstan, Wilhelm	Matrosengefreiter	Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class	20.02.23
Wendt, Siegfried	Matrosengefreiter	Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class	19.09.20
Plester, Hubert	Matrosengefreiter	Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class	14.04.21
Landsberg, Helmut	Matrosengefreiter	Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class	6.07.23
Gauer, Horst	Matrosengefreiter	Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class	18.11.22
Wanner, Walter	Maschinengefreiter	Stoker, 2nd Class	3.04.23
Flache, Horst	Maschinengefreiter	Stoker, 2nd Class	31.03.23
Griffel, Wilhelm	Maschinengefreiter	Stoker, 2nd Class	28.0.23
Halsch, Manfred	Maschinengefreiter	Stoker, 2nd Class	16.11.22
Fuchs, Walter	Maschinengefreiter	Stoker, 2nd Class	5.09.23
Heeger, Walter	Steuermannsgefreiter	Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class (Navigation Personnel)	26.06.22
Ochs, Hans	Funkgefreiter	Ordinary Telegraphist, 1st Class	20.03.21
Wortmann, Wilhelm Walter	Mechanikergefreiter	Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class (Mining Branch)	23.02.20
Zwelacker, Helmuth	Verwaltungsgefreiter	Supply Assistant, 2nd Class	14.02.23
Karges, Alfred	Sanitätsgefreiter	S.B.A.	24.01.20
Barsch, Alfons	Matrose	Ordinary Seaman, 2nd Class	28.09.24

Total 25

(ii) Casualties

Krause	Obermaschinist	Chief Engineroom Artificer
Jakob	Signalobergefreiter	Signalman
Gehler	Maschinengefreiter	Stoker, 2nd Class

Total 3

(iii) Not Aboard at Time of Sinking

Peter

Matrosengefreiter

Ordinary Seaman, 1st Class

APPENDIX IV

Translation of Extracts from Diary of Maschinenmaat (Stoker Petty Officer) Herbert Naumann, ex "R 184".

Period Covered: 21.6.42 - 16.8.42.

	Page		Page
Sunday, 21.6.12 (at Kiel)	7	Friday, 3.7.42	27
Degaussing		0910 Secure for sea.
		1545 Made fast. Heligoland.
Monday, 22.6.42	8	2340 Secure for sea.
0815 Ready for sea.
0840 Deutsche Werke		Saturday, 4.7.42	29
0900 Dockyard on board.		Proceeding by night.
		Gear operated when under way.
Monday, 22.6.42	9	0740 Arrive Wesermünde lock.
0930 Compass adjustment		0750 Cast off Wesermünde lock.
1040 Cast-off dockyard.		0755 Arrive Wesermünde timber harbour.
1315 Compass adjustment complete.
1400 Made fast. Deutsche Werke.		Sunday, 5.7.42	33
1735 Cast off. Deutsche Werke.		2020 Cast off. Timber wharf, Wesermünde.
1800 Made fast. Wik. Examination of the diving gear.		2030 Secure in lock.
		2045 Cast off. Lock.
Tuesday, 23.6.42	11
0940 Secure for sea.		Monday, 6.7.42	35
1045 Out gear.		Proceed to Heligoland by night.
1130 Stow gear.		0555 Heligoland. Made fast.
1145 Ship at anchor.		1504 Heligoland. Cast off.
1405 Secure for sea.
1510 Anchored at Möltenort.		Tuesday, 7.7.42	36
1720 Secure for sea.		V - for'ard	37
1800 Made fast at Lützow Bridge.		0207 Heligoland. Cast off.
		0210 Full astern. On account of a collision on leaving shelter.
Wednesday, 24.6.42	13	0600 Made fast at Senz Bridge (Cuxhaven).
1015 Secure for sea.
1030 Secured in lock.		Wednesday, 8.7.42	39
1100 Cast off from lock.		1330 Secure for sea. Destination (sic).
1555 Secured in lock.		Cast off. Senz Bridge. Rotterdam
1615 Cast off from lock.
1720 Made fast at Senz Bridge (Cuxhaven).		Thursday, 9.7.42	41
		Secure for sea. Destination Ostend.
Thursday, 25.6.42	15	0708 Alongside, Rotterdam.
Senz Bridge Cuxhaven.		2145 Cast off. Rotterdam. Proceeding Ostend

Friday, 26.6.42	16	Friday, 10.7.42	43
1130 Secure for sea.		2200 Ostend. Secure for sea
1215 Make fast at covered fish wharf.
		Tuesday, 14.7.42	45
Sunday, 28.6.42	18	2100 Secure for sea. Delayed.
1115 Secure for sea.
2025 Made fast, Heligoland.		Saturday, 18.7.42	50
		Ostend.	51
Tuesday, 30.6.42	22	1100-1130 Warped from Seegers yard to the harbour.
0230 Secure for sea. (Proceed with gear "He").		1300-1330 Fueled.
Full speed.
0710 Made fast up Senz Bridge.		Monday, 20.7.42	53
		2300 Secure for sea.
Wednesday, 1.7.42	24	0130 Anchored.
0830 Secure for sea (30). Gear operated under way		1230 Weighed anchor.
1125 At anchor off Heligoland.		0330 Full astern.
1150 Under way again.		0400 Made fast. Proceed to Dunkirk.
1250 At anchor again.
1345 Secure for sea.		Tuesday, 21.7.42	55
1400 Out gear.		0130 Secure for sea. Proceeding to Boulogne.
0050 Made fast at Heligoland, 11 o'c.		0425 Boulogne. Made fast.
1230 Stb. engine on shaft.
		22.7.42-25.7.42	56
Thursday, 2.7.42	25	Boulogne.
1105 Secure for sea. Cast off. (Heligoland East Harbour.)
1140 Operated gear under way.		Saturday, 25.7.42	59
1240		2055 Secure for sea. Proceeding to Dieppe.
1830 Made fast. Heligoland.		Convoy

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