U-109 - 4th War Patrol

Translation by Rainer Kolbicz with the help of Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Lorient	27 December 1941	Lorient	23 February 1942	59

 

Click the icon to download a KMZ file displaying the U-boat track, significant events and locations for this patrol.  You must have Google Earth loaded on your computer to view this file.  Download Google Earth here

 

Ships Hit
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
23 Jan 42	08.12	43°23'N, 66°03'W	THIRBY	4,887	British	SC 66
1 Feb 42	03.30	38°47'N, 64°12'W	TACOMA STAR	7,924	British
5 Feb 42	01.42 - 02.32	35°41'N, 60°20'W	MONTROLITE	11,309	Canadian
6 Feb 42	00.07 - 07.45	34°05'N, 59°24'W	HALCYON	3,531	Panamanian
			Total = 27,651
Note:  The positions in the table above and in the Google Earth patrol summary are derived from the KTB and in many cases do not match those set forth in authoritative references such as Jürgen Rohwer, Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two or the Uboat.net website.  The goal here is to present the picture relative to the U-boat and not the absolute position that the ship was attacked or sank.

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	- 1 -
				K  r  i  e  g  a  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				=======================
				des Unterseebootes  " U  109  "
				======================
				(4th War Patrol)
				beginning:    20.11.1941
				ending:         23. 2.1942
			Kommandant:	Kapitänleutnant Bleichrodt.
			Copies to:	2 x O.K.M.
				1 x B.d.U.
				1 x 2.A.d.Uboote
				1 x 2. U.-Flottille
				Original for the boat
				All times:  MESZ/CEST
				All positions:  Marine Quadrant.
		boat made 26.2.42	2.Ufl.
		5x
		. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
				© U-boat Archive 2024 - all rights reserved

Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB

	- 2 -
		1941	Dockyard period from 20.11.1941 to 27.12.1941
		20.11.41	Lorient	Beginning of overhaul work.  Berth -A 4-.
		21.11.41		First leave group:  1 Unteroffiziere mit Portepee, 6 Unteroffiziere, 8 men, home leave to Germany.
		22.11.41		Moved from berth "A 4" with assistance of tug to "S 4".
		24.11.41		First training group:  2 Unteroffiziere, 10 men to Carnac for training led by IWO.
		02.12.41		Entered "Dock II".  Movement from berth "S 4" to dock assisted by 3 tugs.
		04.12.41		Return of the first leave group and the first training group.
				Second leave group:  1 Unteroffiziere mit Portepee, 4 Unteroffiziere, 9 men, home leave to Germany.
		06.12.41		Second training group:  2 Unteroffiziere, 10 men to Carnac led by LI
		13.12.41		Left dock, moved to berth "S 4" assisted by 2 tugs.  Return of the second training group.
		15.12.41		Loaded fuel and lubricating oil at berth "S 4".
		16.12.41		First test run at berth "S 4".  Broken off due to hot cylinder head.
		17.12.41		Return of second leave group.  Entered "Dock II" to install bow caps for torpedo tube I, with assistance of tugs left dock again and moved to berth "B 6" by tug.
		22.12.41		Loaded torpedoes.  Repetition of test run.  At berth "B 6".
		23.12.41		Degaussing loop.  Turned after each run with the help of a tug.  At 11.45 hours grounded during ebb tide.  Held fast as water receded.  At 19.30 hours freed with own power and assistance of tug during flow tide.  Moved to berth "S 2".
		24.12.41		Last test run.  Charging batteries.   At berth "S 2".
		25.12.41		Last pass through loop.  Sea trials, test dive.  Moored at berth "E 1".
		27.12.41		In the morning moved to berth "A 3" to leave under own power.

	- 3 -
		1941
		27.12.41
		15.00	Lorient	Put out to sea from ISERE.  Left under escort with U-130 for 4th war patrol.
		17.03	"L 2"	Released by escort at the rendezvous point "L 2".  Course 146°.
		18.11	"Rosabella"	Course 177° (route Cedernland)
		20.41	"Ceder	Course 238° (route Tannennadel)
		22.43	"Tanne"	Evaded several illuminated fishing vessels.
		23.38	BF 5533	Sighted submarine to port ahead (German), Type IX, inbound.
		28.12.41	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 5833
			NW 3, Sea 2, 4/10, slight swell, bright moonlight
		04.00	BF 5843
			Weather as before
		08.00	BF 5786
			W 3, Sea 3, 7/10, rain showers, poor visible horizon, dark clouds
		08.59		Dived to continue submerged (test dive).  Deep dive trial.  At A +45 meters crackle noises in the hull. At A +50 meters a strong dull bang in the hull.  At the same time as the crackling, the diesel exhaust pipe pressure gauge showed full pressure.  It is assumed therefore that the diesel exhaust pipe is ruptured.  More precise investigations can only be done when we have access to the upper deck again.
		10.00		One detonation.  Perhaps an aircraft bomb.  Far away.
		12.00	45°33'N, 06°27'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 219 nm
			BF 8202	submerged =   10.7 nm = 229.7 nm.
		14.00		Again one detonation far away. Could have been a torpedo hit.
		16.00	BF 8136
		19.02		Surfaced.
		20.00	BF 8138
			NW 3, Sea 2, 7/10, Vis. medium, bright night
		21.00		Set course 270°.
		29.12.41	Western Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 8141
			NW 3, Sea 2-3, 8/10, rain, misty, slight swell

	Sun and Moon Data 27.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 28.12.41

	- 4 -
		29.12.41
		04.00	BF 7351
			NW 3, Sea 2, 3/10, rain showers, Vis. medium
		08.00	BF 7261
			Weather as before
		09.14		Dived to continue submerged (test dive).
		12.00	45°15'N, 09°58'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 126 nm
			BF 7243	submerged =   30 nm = 156 nm.
		16.00	BF 7241
		20.00	BF 7162
		20.10		Surfaced.
		30.12.41	Western Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 7141
			NNE 3, Sea 2, 4/10, bright moonlight, Vis. good
		02.37		Radio message from BdU:
				“New signature for 'U-109':  OH.”
		04.00	BE 9351
			Weather as before
		08.00	BE 9262
			Weather as before
		09.33		Dived to continue submerged (test dive).
		12.00	45°15'N, 13°45'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 127 nm
				submerged =   33 nm = 160 nm.
		16.00	BE 9243
		20.00	BE 9241	Surfaced. Changed to "Ireland" Circuit.
		21.59		Sent radio message: "Passed 15°W".
		31.12.41	Western Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BE 9146
			ESE 4, Sea 4, 10/10, bright night, Vis. medium
		04.00	BE 8364
			SSE 4, Sea 4, 10/10, Vis. medium, swell from the SW
		08.00	BE 8344
			S 4-5, Sea 4, 7/10, bright night,
			wind shifting to the south, long swell from the SW
		10.00		Dived to continue submerged (test dive).
		12.00	45°06'N, 18°01'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 132 nm
			BE 8256	submerged =   28 nm = 160 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 29.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 30.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 31.12.41

	- 5 -
		31.12.41
		16.00	BE 8255
		19.55		Surfaced.
		20.00	BE 8246	Radio message from BdU:  "At 08.00 hours on 1 January change to 'Greenland' Circuit."
		1  9  4  2  .
		01.01.42	Western Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BE 8164	Set course to 255°.
			SW 3, Sea 3, 10/10, medium swell, Vis. good	Small New Year celebration.
		01.11	BE 8167	Sighted illuminated vessel ahead to starboard.  Headed towards it.  It is a small vessel of 500-800 GRT.  Assume small coastal steamer on a course towards the Spanish coast.  Evaded at high speed.
		04.00	BE 8176
			SW 2-3, Sea 2, 6/10, bright night, visibility poor in rain showers, swell from the SW
		08.00	BE 7632	Changed to "Greenland" Curcuit in accordance with radio message 1958/31/152.
			SW 3, Sea 2, 7/10, Vis. medium, swell from the SW
		10.34		Crash-dive for drill (test dive).  Firing procedure exercises.
		11.30		Surfaced.
		12.00	44°40'N, 21°10'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 118 nm
			BE 7623	submerged =   26 nm = 144 nm .
			SW 3, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. medium
		16.00	44°33'N, 21°43'W	The wind gets stronger.  Boat is running on one engine at LF against the sea and high swell from SW and is making little headway.  This does not fit with our plan to proceed on our long approach to the patrol area as economically as possible.
			BE 7314
			SW 3-4, Sea 4, 10/10, Vis. medium
		20.00	BE 7538
			SW 4, Sea 4, 10/10, Vis. medium, rain showers, swell from the SW
		02.01.42	Western Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BE 7551
			SW 4-5, Sea 4, 10/10, Vis. poor, high swell from the SW
		04.00	BE 7544
			SW 6, Sea 5-6, 10/10, bright night, Vis. medium, rain showers
		08.00	BE 7468
			SW 6, Sea 5-6, 10/10, bright night, Vis. medium, rain showers

Sun and Moon Data 01.01.42

	- 6 -
		02.01.42
		10.48		Crash-dive for drill.  Dive test.  Dive exercises.
		12.00	44°05'N, 24°17'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 123 nm
			BE 7482	submerged =     4 nm = 127 nm.
			SW 5-6, Sea 5-6, 10/10, heavy rain showers, Vis. poor, high swell from the SW
		12.48		Surfaced.
		16.00	BE 7475	The upper deck is still not accessible, that's why we still can't locate the cause for the crackling during the deep dive trial.
			SW 5, Sea 4-5, 6/10, Vis. medium, swell from the SW
		20.00	BD 9923
			SW 5-6, Sea 5, 10/10, Vis. poor, rain, swell from the SW
		21.38		Radio message 2114/2/241:   "At first continue to the longitude of BC 5889."
				So as not to get too far to the south I change course to 270° at 00.00 hours.
		03.01.42	Western Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BD 9916
			WSW 5-6, Sea 5, 5/10, rainshowers, Vis. occasionally poor, swell from the WSW
		04.00	BD 9835
			SW 5, Sea 5, 10/10, Vis. medium, bright full moon, long swell from the W
		08.00	BD 9825
			WSW 5, Sea 5, 10/10, mist poor visible horizon, Vis. poor, high swell from the SW and the W
		10.57		Crash-dive for drill.
		11.00		Surfaced.
		12.00	BD 9815	Day's run:  surfaced = 124 nm
			43°39'N, 27°56'W	submerged =     8 nm = 132 nm.
			WSW 5, Sea 4, 7/10, Vis. good, long swell from WSW
		12.06		Crash-dive for drill.  Test dive.  Firing procedure and dive exercises.  Serviced torpedoes, because the boat is rolling too badly to do it on the surface.
				While submerged a muffled banging is observed in the aft section.  Cause can not be determined.  Perhaps this sound is related to the crackling during the deep dive trial.
		16.00	BD 9736
		16.50		Surfaced.
		20.00	BD 9725
			W 3-4, Sea 3, 4/10, Vis. good, long swell from the W

	Sun and Moon Data 02.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.01.42

	- 7 -
		04.01.42	North of the Azores
		00.00	BD 9714
			W 2, Sea 1-2, 10/10, Vis. medium, slight swell from the W
		04.00	BD 8934
			E 2-3, Sea 2, 8/10, bright night, Vis. medium, long swell from the NNW
		08.00	BD 8924
			E 2-3, Sea 2, 10/10, rain, Vis. medium to poor, long swell from the NNW
		11.21		Alarm!  Crash-dive for drill.  Test dive.
		12.00	43°39'N, 31°05'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 121 nm
			BD 8836	submerged =   18 nm = 139 nm.
		12.54		Surfaced.
		14.34		The wind gets much stronger.  The seas are rolling very often from astern over the conning tower.  Have to change course to protect the men on watch on the bridge, went to course 290°.  Bridge watch strapped down.
		16.00	BD 8823
			E 6-7, Sea 6, 10/10, Vis. poor, rain and fog, heavy sea from the ENE
		20.00	BD 8579
			ENE 7, Sea 7, 10/10, Vis. moderate, rain squalls, heavy long swell from the ENE
		05.01.42	North of the Azores
		00.00	BD 8492
			ENE 7, Sea 6, 10/10, rain, Vis. poor, heavy sea from ENE
		04.00	BD 8459
			NE 6-7, Sea 6, 10/10, rain showers, Vis. poor, long swell from the NE
		08.00	BD 8446	Barometer is falling fast and sharply.
			NNE 7, Sea 7, 10/10, Vis. moderate, bright night, low clouds, long swell from the NNW
		1130		Dived.  Test dive.  Serviced torpedoes.
				Proceeded submerged on course 180° to get more to the south again.  Boat is still rolling badly at a depth of A -40 meters, up to 10 degrees to each side; at the same time we notice a muffled swoosh and gurgling above the diesel room.

	Sun and Moon Data 04.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.01.42

	- 8 -
				Searched for the cause almost two hours while submerged, but nothing located.  Furthermore the submerged rolling showed a light rattling of a trim weight in the keel underneath the diesel control stand.
		12.00	44°21'N, 34°02'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 135 nm
			BD 7663	submerged =     4 nm.
		16.00	BD 7669
		19.07		Surfaced.  The wind reached strength 10-11.  Heavy high seas from NNE.  Have to heave to in order to recharge.  Boat is lying badly in the sea.  Diving tank 7 is not yet flushed, that’s why the boat is lying deeper by the bow and is taking much water over it.  Bridge watch is strapped down. Visibility gets worse, less than 500-300 meters.
		20.00	BD 7696
			NNE 10-11, Sea 8-9, 10/10, rain and fog, heavy storm from NNE, Vis. bad
		06.01.42	North of the Azores
		00.00	BD 7696
			ENE 10-11, Sea 8-9, 10/10, heavy rain showers, dark night, Vis. bad, long swell from ENE
		00.05		Dived to continue submerged to the west.
		04.00	BD 7694
		08.00	BD 7686
		12.00	BD 7684	Day's run:  surfaced =    5 nm
			43°55'N, 34°40'W	submerged =  57 nm = 62 nm.
		12.40		Surfaced.  Went to course 200°.  Wind turned to SE and calmed down a bit.  Crossing seas.  Can not steer to the west due to the high seas that are rolling over the bridge from astern.
		16.00	BD 7836
			SSE 6, Sea 6, 6/10, Vis. medium, high swell from ESE
		17.00		Went again to course 240° in longer and weaker seas.
		20.00	BD 7829
			SSE 6, Sea 5, 4/10, Vis. bad in rain squalls, high swell from ESE
		07.01.42	North of the Azores
		00.00	BD 7849	Wind calmed down further.  Seas get weaker.  Went to course 260°.  From 23.00 to 02.00 hours, the receiving conditions on the "Greenland" Circuit are very bad essentially not available at all.  The same phenomenon appeared on the last patrol in these longitudes.  However, very good conditions on the "Ireland" Circuit.
			SSE 5, Sea 4-5, 3/10, Vis. medium, rain squalls, dark night, long swell from ESE

Sun and Moon Data 06.01.42

	- 9 -
		07.01.42
		04.00	BD 7769
			W 5, Sea 3-4, 8/10, rain showers and fog banks, Vis. medium to poor, high swell from ESE
		08.00	BD 7783
			W 4-5, Sea 3, 4/10, no changes
		11.30		Dived.  Test dive.  Serviced torpedoes.  Firing procedure and dive exercises.
		12.00	43°06'N, 38°01'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 149 nm
			BD 7784	submerged =     4 nm  =  153 nm.
		16.00	BD 7772
		16.05		Surfaced.
		17.20		Received radio message from BdU:  New patrol areas!  Assigned to BB 47 and 71, but I am still 1020 nm to the east because my advance to the west had been delayed by the prolonged bad weather and I had to proceed submerged to conserve fuel.
		20.00	BC 9962
			SSW 6, Sea 6, 10/10, Vis medium, occasional rainstorms, swell from the SW
		22.30		Course 290°
				The wind gets stronger again.  Wind shifts from SW to W.  Boat is making only a little headway with one engine at LF and is moving against the sea but not moving over the ocean floor.
		08.01.42	Northwest of the Azores
		00.00	BC 9929	Bridge watch strapped down.
			WSW 7, Sea 6-7, 10/10, Vis. bad, dark night, heavy seas from the SW and W
		01.33		Dived to continue submerged.  Wind reached strength 10-11 again.  Sea 9-10.  Visibility worsens to about 300-400 meters.  Ongoing rain showers.  Went to course 280°.  Submerged I can get more to the west than surfaced.
		04.00	BC 9924
		08.00	BC 9915
		12.00	BC 9836	Day's run:  surfaced =  50 nm
			43°42'N, 40°01'W	submerged =  46 nm =  96 nm.
		12.44		Surfaced.  Course 260°.
		16.00	BC 9834
			WNW 5-6, Sea 5, 10/10, Vis. medium, long swell from the W
		20.00	BC 9855
			WNW 5, Sea 3-4, 6/10, Vis. good, long swell from WNW

	Sun and Moon Data 07.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.01.42

	- 10 -
		09.01.42	Northwest of the Azores
		00.00	BC 9842
			ESE 4-5, Sea 3-4, 7/10, no changes
		04.00	BC 9738	Bridge watch strapped down.
			SE 7, Sea 6, 10/10, Vis. medium, dark night, high swell from the SE
		08.00	BC 9729
			SSE 8-9, Sea 7, 10/10, Vis. poor, rain showers, heavy sea from the SSE
		10.32		Dived to continue submerged.  Hurricane force winds up to strength 11.  Heavy long seas, strength 9.  Heavy rain and very bad visibility, 400-500 meters.  Went to course 270° while submerged.
		12.00	43°34'N, 42°27'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 100 nm
			BC 9727	submerged =     7 nm = 107 nm.
		12.45		Noticed hissing noise outside of the boat, for about 30 seconds.  Air bottles are tight.  Cause can not be determined.
		16.00	BC 9719
		19.25		Surfaced.  Went to course 260°.  Diving tank 7 flushed.  Bridge watch strapped down.
		20.00	BC 9717
		23.30		Received radio message from BdU:  New patrol areas.  For me area IV and V are assigned.  BdU assumes that all boats will reach the patrol areas on 13 January.  I am still about 700 nm east of the ordered area, due to the weather conditions during the last week we proceeded only very little and slowly westwards.
		10.01.42	Western North Atlantic
		00.00	BC 9717	Dived to continue submerged.  Course 270°, because the boat makes no headway on the surface.
			W 8-9, Sea 8-9, 10/10, Vis. medium to bad, dark night, high and steep swell, from the WNW
		04.00	BC 8939
		08.00	BC 8937
		12.00	43°35'N, 43°42'W	Day's run:  surfaced =     0 nm
			BC 8928	submerged =  55 nm  =  55 nm.
		12.07		Surfaced.
		16.00	BC 8917
			WNW 4-5, Sea 3, 10/10, Vis. good, long high seas from the NW
		20.00	BC 8733
			SSW 5, Sea 4, 7/10, Vis. medium, long swell from the SW

	Sun and Moon Data 09.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.01.42

	- 11 -
		11.01.42	Western North Atlantic
		00.00	BC 8722
			SSW 6, Sea 5, 10/10, Vis. medium, freshening wind from the S by SW, seas and swell from the SSW
		04.00	BC 8711
			S 8, Sea 6, 7/10, Vis, poor, dark night, high swell from the S
		08.00	BC 7923
			SSE 10, Sea 7, 10/10, Vis. medium, dark night, rain squalls, steep swell from the SSE
		08.31		Dived.  Test dive.
				Adjusted the bearing of the starboard diesel's water cooling pump.  Serviced engines and torpedoes.
		12.00	43°44'N, 48°28'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 157 nm
			BC 7921	submerged =    11 nm  =  168 nm.
		14.54		Surfaced.  Hove to.  Recharged batteries.  Hazy weather.  Visibility sometimes only 500-800 meters.
		16.00	BC 7913	Course 230°.
			S 10, Sea 8-9, 10/10, Vis. poor, very long high swell from the S
		16.30		Received radio message from BdU:   For information:  About 04.30 hours on 11.01.42 collision and call for help from several merchants, which probably belong to one convoy in BB 7694.  I am still too far east.  Course 250°.
		20.00	BC 7915	Wind gets weaker, proceeded with one engine at LF.
			WSW 8-9, Sea 7, 10/10, fog, rain showers, Vis. poor, long heavy sea from the SW
		12.01.42	Western North Atlantic
		00.00	BC 7839	Wind turned northwards and got very weak.  Crossing seas.
			WNW 6-7, Sea 5-6, 5/10, misty visible horizon, Vis. medium, long swell from the SW
		04.00	BC 7852	Gyrocompass is no longer working reliably.  The dial of the main compass and the repeater sometimes get stuck and moves jerkily thereafter.
			W 4, Sea 3, 4/10, Vis. medium, dark night, high swell from the W
		08.00	BC 7847
			W 5, Sea 3-4, 10/10, Vis. poor, misty, swell from the WSW
		12.00	43°07'N, 50°48'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 102 nm
			BC 7794	submerged =     7 nm = 109 nm.
			SSW 3-4, Sea 3, 6/10, Vis. S, dark night, slight swell from the WSW
		12.41		Test dive.  Steering exercises.  Maintenance on the gyrocompass.  Searched for the cause of the malfunction

	Sun and Moon Data 11.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.01.42

	- 12 -
		12.01.42
				without success.
		15.00		Surfaced.
		16.00	BC 7785, SW 4, Sea 4, 8/10, Vis. medium, rain squalls, medium swell from the W	Gyrocompass still gets stuck.
		19.50		Dived again to repair the transmission system for the gyrocompass.  Shut down the system to remove the motor.  Found a loose contact.  Let the gyroscope adjust itself for 1½ hours.
		23.55		Surfaced.
		13.01.42	Newfoundland Bank
		00.00	BB 9995	My neighboring-boat U-130 reports that it was noticed. What a pity, unfortunately the Canadians are now aware of German U-boats operating off their coast.
			SW 4, Sea 3-4, 10/10, dark night, Vis. medium to poor, slight swell from the SW
		04.00	BB 9976
			SSW 3-4, Sea 2-3, 10/10, no changes
		08.00	BB 9894
			W 3, Sea 2-3, 10/10, low hanging clouds, Vis. poor, slight swell from the SW
		12.00	43°05'N, 54°41'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 148 nm
			BB 9875	submerged =   17 nm = 165 nm.
			No change, Vis. medium, dark night, light swell from the WSW
		12.26		Test dive.  Depth keeping exercises.
		14.47		Surfaced.
		16.00	BB 9796	Finally calm weather and sunshine!
			W 3, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. good, slight swell from the SW	Sent one man on upper deck to close hatches that came loose.
		20.00	BB 9776	There is no crack or break in the diesel exhaust pipe that could explain the crackling noise heard during the deep dive trial.
			SW 3, Sea 3, 10/10, Vis. changing good to poor, medium swell from the SW
		14.01.42	Southeast Coast of Nova Scotia
		00.00	BB 8995
			WSW 5-6, Sea 4-5, 10/10, Vis. changing from good to poor, medium swell from the W
		04.00	BB 8984	Large drop in temperature.  Icing up.  -10°C.  Driving snow.
			NW 8, Sea 6-7, 10/10, Vis. poor, hail and snow, swell from the W
		08.00	BB 8976
			WNW 8, Sea 8, 10/10, Vis. poor, hail storms, high swell from the W

	Sun and Moon Data 13.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.01.42

	- 13 -
		14.01.42
		11.11		Dived.  Test dive.  Due to icing the starboard diesel air intake valve did not close completely.  Water in the air intake.  Serviced torpedoes.
		12.00	42°59'N, 57°48'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 112 nm
			BB 8978	submerged =  10 nm = 122 nm.
		16.00	BB 8899
		16.48		Surfaced.
		20.00	BB 8889
			WNW 4, Sea 4-5, 7/10, Vis. medium, shimmering air, medium swell from the NW
		15.01.42	Southeast Coast of Nova Scotia
		00.00	CB 3231
			SW 5, Sea 4, 8/10, Vis. good, medium swell from the W
		04.00	CB 3213
			WSW 7, Sea 6, 6/10, Vis. medium, rain showers, swell from the W
		08.00	CB 3132
			WSW 4-5, Sea 5, 7/10, dark night, Vis. medium, swell from the SW
		10.30		Radio message from BdU:   "Report fuel status when using radio for other reasons."
		12.00	42°50'N, 60°10'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 114 nm
			CB 3122	submerged =   14 nm = 128 nm.
			SW 5, Sea 4, 10/10, dark night, Vis. poor, rain showers, slight swell from the W
		12.25		Test dive.  Serviced torpedoes.
		16.00	CB 3112
		16.30		Surfaced.
		20.00	CB 2332
			WSW 5, Sea 4, 10/10, Vis. good, medium swell from the W
		16.01.42	Southeast Coast of Nova Scotia
		00.00	CB 2313
			WSW 5, Sea 5, 10/10, dark night, Vis. medium, medium swell from the W
		04.00	CB 2232	Arrival in the designated attack area.  Decided to continue to the west to operate in the southern part of the attack area first.  Because U-130 had been sighted the northern part will no longer be unprepared.
			W 5, Sea 5, 10/10, Vis. good, dark night
		08.00	CB 2221
			W 5, Sea 5, 8/10, dark night, Vis. medium, driving snow, swell from the W
		12.00	42°47'N, 63°09'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 144 nm
			CB 2133	submerged =  12 nm  = 156 nm.
			WNW 6, Sea 5, 7/10, dark night, Vis. medium, swell from the W
		12.52		Dived.  Test dive.  Serviced torpedoes.
		16.00	CB 2126

	Sun and Moon Data 15.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.01.42

	- 14 -
		16.01.42
				At periscope depth, heavy driving snow .  Visibility 300 meters.
		19.50		One detonation heard far away, probably depth charge.
		20.00	CB 2124
		20.20		5 detonations heard, again far away. - depth charges -
		20.27		Surfaced.  Still driving snow.  Visibility at times only 500 to 300 meters.
		17.01.42	Southeast Coast of Nova Scotia
		00.00	CB 1336
			WNW 6-7, Sea 6, 10/10, Vis. changing medium to poor, 200 m in driving snow, swell from the N
		01.22		Radio message from BdU:   "At 23.26 hours DSZ a westbound U-boat was sighted in square BB 7528."  Because I am about 100 nm more to the south, it can't be me.  Either it is Kals who was observed entering the area or it was a wishful observation of the Canadians.  Anyway the area is no longer undisturbed.
		01.37		Dived, due to the low visibility caused by driving snow.  Again iced up.
		02.26		Six depth charge detonations heard north of us.
		02.45		Two depth charges a bit closer.  Went to course 210° to avoid the area.
		04.00	CB 1338
		08.00	CB 1364
		08.20		Dull enduring detonation, probably close to the shore.  Apparently a hunt for the supposedly sighted U-boat.
		10.07		Surfaced.
		12.00	42°16'N, 64°53'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 42 nm
			CB 1832	submerged = 48 nm = 90 nm.
			NNW 5, Sea 5, 10/10, dark night, Vis very poor in driving snow, swell from the N	Radio message from BdU:
				1.)  Report situation
				2.)  Allowed to shift attack area on own initiative, if shipping or defense situation makes it necessary.
				Wait to send radio message until midnight because the sending conditions are better then.
				The sighting of U-130 on 13.01.42 and the sighting report of a U-boat off Halifax led to anti-submarine operations in attack area V, so I decide to stay in the southern part of attack area IV until they calm down up there.
		16.00	CB 1616
			NNW 5-6, Sea 5, 10/10, Vis. medium to poor, weak driving snow, swell from the W
		20.00	CB 1534
			W 5, Sea 5, 8/10, Vis, good, sea and swell from the W, very cold wind from the W-NNW

Sun and Moon Data 17.01.42

	- 15 -
		17.01.42
		22.34		Sent radio message FT 2216/17 on circuit Bruno 3 frequency 8 (alternative frequency)
				Since 16 January in attack area IV.  No experience in area V yet.  Up to now no traffic.  An continuing period of bad weather made weapons use difficult.  Driving snow, bad visibility, -10°C.  Heard submarine hunt close to the shore, 115 cbm, square CB 12.
				The error in the gyrocompass appears again.  Cause of the malfunction is not found.
		22.45		On course 14° towards the coast.  Dived to avoid of being surprised by reconnaissance in the twilight.
		18.01.42	Southeast Coast of Nova Scotia
		00.00	CB 1527
		01.07		Surfaced after dawn to head north during the night.
		04.00	CB 1522	Bridge watch strapped down because the seas are running from astern over the conning tower.
			SW 7, Sea 7, overcast, dark night, Vis. good
		08.00	CB 1256
			WSW 7, Sea 7, 6/10, Vis. good, heavy swell from the SW
		11.34		Dived to continue submerged.
		12.00	CB 1231	Day's run:  surfaced = 140 nm
			42°49'N, 65°56'W	submerged =     7 nm = 147 nm.
		15.40		Four detonations far away, probably depth charges.
		16.00	BA 9989
		20.00	BA 9988
		19.01.42	Southeast Coast of Nova Scotia
		00.00	BA 9997
		00.47		Surfaced to advance in the area close to the shore off Cape Sable.  Assume there the crossing point of the shipping lanes in N-S and E-W directions.
		01.07		Radio message FT 112/18/264:  BdU assumes that I am off Halifax.  So it seems my situation report on the alternate frequency was not understood.
		04.00	BA 9965
			WSW 6, Sea 5-6, 10/10, dark night, Vis. medium, long swell from the WSW
		03.46		Sighted white light on port side ahead.  Headed towards it. – fishermen.
		04.00		At action stations!
		04.06		Sighted second white light on starboard ahead.  Headed towards it.  Red side lights and stern light are visible.

	Sun and Moon Data 18.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.01.42

	- 16 -
		19.01.42
				Turned to run parallel to it.  Steamer is steering 260-280° at a speed of about 7-8 knots.  It is a freighter of about 4000-5000 GRT, heavily loaded.
		04.53		Approached to fire multiple shots from tubes II and III.
				Fired torpedo from tube II and III:
				Enemy speed:  8 knots
				Target angle:  bow left 80°
				Distance:  800 meters
				Tube III did not fire because the firing lamp did not light up and the command transmission failed.
				Missed!
				During comparison of the UZO settings with the torpedo data computer a transmission error of 5° was noticed which had to be considered by the aimer when firing.  The T.O. erroneously corrected this error to the wrong side.
				The UZO mechanism had been iced up in the last days and had to be moved with force for the aiming procedure, probably causing this 5°error.
				Turned away again.  Enemy has slowed down.  Steamer asks the radio station at Yarmouth on the 600 meter and 36 meter frequencies for a position fix.  Name of the steamer can’t be found on the list of call signs.
		05.30		Approached again to fire tube III (Ato)
		05.40		Fired torpedo from tube III:
				Enemy speed:  6 knots
				Target angle:  bow left 60°
				Distance:  800 meters
				Missed!
				After 6 minutes 58 seconds a torpedo detonation was heard in the boat, probably the torpedo exploded at the end of its run in shallow waters.
				Steamer must have slowed down further during our approach.  When turning away we immediately made tube VI ready, it looks like the steamer stopped.
		05.42		Fired torpedo from tube VI:
				Enemy speed:  0 knots
				Target angle:  bow left 90
				Distance:  500 meters
				Missed!

Sun and Moon Data 19.01.42

	- 17 -
		19.01.42
				The torpedo was fired with the wrong target angle because it was not yet adjusted after switching to the stern tubes.
				Headed away again to calculate the exact firing data. Steamer still talks with Yarmouth.
				Enemy seems to change his speed constantly; probably he waits here at low speed for the position fix from Yarmouth.
				I overtake him to fire a stern torpedo from tube V and then wait with one engine at KF to let him run slowly into my line of fire.  Enemy is approaching very slowly, running at 4 knots at most.
		06.24		Fired torpedo from tube V:
				Enemy speed:  4 knots
				Target angle:  bow left 100°
				Distance:  1500 meters
				Depth:  2 meters
				This shot missed as well, despite exactly calculated firing data.  In this approach we fired with a fixed target angle from the UZO.  Later we realized that the T.W.L. read off a wrong value for the side from the torpedo data computer and reported it to the T.O.
				To top it all the torpedo detonated apparently at the end of its run because one could hear a detonation in the boat after about 6 minutes.
				I've lost all confidence in the torpedo data computer and decide to fire the next shot directly aimed with the net deflector on a fixed target angle and side of 0°.
				Headed off a bit to overtake for the next approach.  Sighted a white light on port side ahead, comes closer fast.  After recognized a slim silhouette we have to turn fast for the attack.  This steamer has to fall!
		06.47		Fired torpedo from tube I aimed with the net deflector:
				Went closer to the steamer to a distance of 500 meters.
				Enemy speed:  4 knots
				Target angle:  bow left 90°
				Distance:  500 meters
				Depth:  3 meters, due to high and long swell
				After 100 m the torpedo comes out of the water, runs a distance as surface runner and dives shortly before reaching the steamer.

Sun and Moon Data 19.01.42

	- 18 -
		19.01.42
				This torpedo missed the target as well.  Assume that it passed underneath the steamer.
				The vessel from the port side ahead is approaching fast, heads for the steamer and blinks now and then with a lamp.  Have to turn away to avoid being seen and departed southwards.  Doing so I pass the vessel at a distance of about 300 meters. It is a small, slim, fast running vessel, bow right at 40°.  Could be a pilot boat or a customs cruiser.
		07.30		Get a bit too close to the vessel and have to turn hard at high speed towards south-east.  It is possible that they have noticed me.  My old steamer soon moves out of sight.  Steamer and side lights are no longer visible.
		08.00	BA 9993
			SSE 4, Sea 3-4, 6/10, Vis. good, sea and swell from the S
		08.30		Lights of the small vessel move out of sight.
		08.40		Sighted two small white lights to port ahead.  Headed towards them.  Recognized as fishing vessels and avoided.
		12.00	CB 1352	I head still further to the south-east to be in deeper water at dawn.
			42°34'N, 64°52'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 75 nm
			SSE 4, Sea 3-4, 6/10, very dark night, misty horizon, Vis. medium	submerged = 39 nm = 114 nm.
		13.00		Dived to continue submerged.
		16.00	CB 1364
		20.00	CB 1367	During the day we continually hear single depth charge detonations.
		20.01.42	Southeast Coast of Nova Scotia
		00.00	CB 2145
		00.26		Surfaced.
		04.00	CB 1383
			SSE 3-4, Sea 3, 10/10, dark night, Vis. medium
		04.08		Received radio message from BdU on 19.01.42:  Bleichrodt report situation.
				Because I have planned a second foray to the coast for the next night, there is no way to send a long radio message now without possibly disclosing my presence in the area.

	Sun and Moon Data 19.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.01.42

	- 19 -
		20.01.42
		05.45		Dived. Dense fog.  No visibility.
		08.00	CB 1375
		10.17		Surfaced.  Visibility still bad.  Rain showers.
		12.00		Overhauled the UZO and checked the torpedo data computer.
			41°58'N, 65°51'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 77 nm
			CB 1531	submerged =  48 nm = 125 nm.
			SSE 4, Sea 3-4, 10/10, very dark night, Vis. poor 3-500 m, heavy rain, swell from the SSE
		12.38		Dived.  Bad visibility.  Continued submerged.  Course 300° towards the coast.
		16.00	CB 1288
		20.00	CB 1284	Surfaced.  Again checked the UZO with the zero marker on the bow.  In so doing noticed:  UZO aims in the amidships direction when in the neutral position.  The error has to be in the transmission from the UZO to the torpedo data computer.  The equipment is ready except the side transmission.
		22.33
		21.01.42	Southeast coast of Nova Scotia
		00.00	CB 1254
			WNW 4-5, Sea 3-4, 2/10, Vis. good, red sunset, long swell from the W
		01.58		Received radio message from BdU 1317/20:  Bleichrodt report immediately position, situation and successes.
				Can not report before tomorrow due to the reasons mentioned above.
		04.00	BA 9997	Outer beacons of Seal and Cape Sable in sight.
			NNW 4, Sea 3-4, 10/10, Vis. medium, swell from the NW	No traffic along the coast.
		06.31		Sighted light 10° on port side aft.  Head towards it on course 270°.  Forward light and green side lights of a steamer are visible.
				To battle stations!
				Steamer is approaching fast and I have to turn to starboard to get on a parallel course.  Doing so the steamer moves into a favorable firing position and on the spur of the moment I give the order to fire.
		07.11		Fired torpedo from tube III:
				Enemy speed:  8 knots
				Target angle:  bow right 80°
				Distance:  800 meters
				Missed!

	Sun and Moon Data 20.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.01.42

	- 20 -
		21.01.42
			long swell	After firing the torpedo I saw that we had underestimated the speed of the enemy which was running at a very high speed.  While turning away after firing the steamer moves ahead fast.  I had to go to GF. to overtake him again.
				After 11 minutes a torpedo detonation could be heard in the boat.
				It was a heavily loaded steamer of approximately 6000 GRT on a general course of 40°.  I get ahead slowly.
				Steamer suddenly turns away to port and heads towards a bright, high and permanent shining light from the direction of Shelburne.  I turn with him, but have to evade two fishing vessels and I am now further away from the steamer.  Have to give up the hunt, because the coast is only 8 nm away and I could no longer reach a favorable firing position.
		08.00	BB 7747	Headed southwards to get enough distance from the coast, because I have to send a situation report to the BdU on the U-boat frequency.
			NNW 4, Sea 3, 6/10, dark night, Vis. medium, swell from the NNW	It should be noted that all coastal lights were burning and in the vicinity of Shelburne a wide, high light into the sky was shining.  Probably approach point for an airfield or searchlight barrage.
		12.00	42°35'N, 65°04'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 136 nm
			CB 1327	submerged =   25 nm = 161 nm.
			SW 5-6, Sea 5-6, 10/10, heavy rain, Vis. poor, high swell from the SW
		12.37		Dived.  Test dive.  Continued submerged and serviced torpedoes.
		16.00	CB 1357
		20.00	CB 1376	While submerged again continually heard depth charge detonations at regular intervals.  It is remarkable that only single depth charges are dropped and sometimes are far away and then again much closer.  Assume depth charges dropped by patrol aircraft.
		22.01.42	Southeast Coast of Nova Scotia
		00.00	CB 1377
		00.02		Surfaced.
		04.00	CB 1537
			W 3-4, Sea 2, 6/10, Vis. medium, swell from the W
		05.15		Sent radio message:  No experience yet in Area V.  Since 16 January in Area IV.  To date the use of weapons constricted by bad weather.

	Sun and Moon Data 21.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.01.42

	- 21 -
		22.01.42		6 misses.  No success.  Average traffic close to the coastline.  Single ships proceeding illuminated.  Navigational lights are burning.  100 cbm, square CB 15.
				Radio message was sent in good conditions on the Ireland frequency, understood and confirmed.
		08.00	CB 1277	Went to 340° to get closer to the coast again in the northwest. Planned a new foray at night to the coast near Seal Island.
			NW 3-4, Sea 2-3, 4/10, Vis. medium, starry sky, slight swell from the west
		12.00	42°26'N, 67°00'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 109 nm
			CB 1164	submerged =   32 nm = 141 nm.
			NW 2-3, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good, slight swell from the W	Gyrocompass is again not working properly.  Compass roses hang often for 1 to 2 minutes, causing strong course divergence.
		13.05		Dived to continue submerged at depth A -40 meters.
				Turned off gyrocompass for inspection.
		16.00	CB 1126
		18.00		Heard propeller noises at 40°
		18.04		At periscope depth.
				Sighted two masts of a steamer on starboard ahead.
				On port side abeam a very dark column of smoke.  Run at high speed towards the steamer.  Funnel and bridge are now visible.  Bow left, angle 60°.  Course of enemy approximately 240°. Went to 20 meters and headed with both engines at G.F. towards the steamer for an attack.
		20.00	CB 1122	Back to periscope depth after 10 minutes.  Steamer now on course 120-140 at about 8000 meters distance.  The dark column of smoke to port is out of sight.  I am too close to the steamer to surface and overtake, so I turn on parallel course and have to wait.  Steamer gets smaller but propeller noises still clearly heard.
		20.35		While taking an all around sweep two masts with sail in sight directly astern.  Heard propeller and engine noises.  Turn away to port but masts stay at angle 0°.  Sailing vessel turns 180° and leaves.  I still can't surface to overtake the steamer.
		21.14		Sailing vessel with auxiliary engine slowly moves out of sight.  The propeller noises of the steamer are still barely audible.
		21.15		Surfaced.  Steamer is out of sight, the dark column of smoke on port side is in sight again.  The mast tips of the sailing vessel are barely visible.  Turned to port towards the column of smoke.  It has to be a very fast vessel because it pulls the smoke fast astern.  Masts could not be seen yet.  Enemy slowly shifts to port, apparently steering a westerly course.

Sun and Moon Data 22.01.42

	- 22 -
		22.01.42
		21.38		Sighted aircraft ahead to port.  Large land-based aircraft just over the horizon, then turns towards us.
		21.40		Dived for aircraft.  At periscope depth.
		21.55		Aircraft no longer in sight.  Sighted a black cloud of smoke and mast tips on port aft, gets quickly bigger.  Destroyer, angle 0°.  It is coming at high speed towards me.
		22.05		Destroyer passed at high speed on course 270° above us. Noises soon get weaker.  Went to course 120°.
		22.30		Turned to 180°, abreast of the course of the enemy.  Have to go to a depth of A -20 meters.
		22.45		At periscope depth.
				Sighted again a dark cloud of smoke on port side ahead.  Heard propeller noises of a fast running vessel from the same direction.
		22.48		Several depth charges, close to us!
		22.50		They can't mean us with them, because the aircraft could not have seen me.
		23.30		We can no longer hear the propeller noises.  Changed course to 70° to be closer to the coast for the planned foray.
				Dived to a depth of A -40 meters.
		23.01.42	Southeast Coast of Nova Scotia
		00.00	CB 1122
		00.40		A series of depth charges, far away.
		01.00		Surfaced and headed towards Seal Island.
		04.00	BA 9974
			WNW 3, Sea 2, 6/10, bright night, Vis. good
		05.40		Sighted a white light on port side ahead.  Headed towards it and recognized as fishing vessel.  Evaded to starboard and went on closer to the coast.  Lights on Seal Island and Cape Sable are burning.
		06.10		Sighted a white light on port side ahead.  When getting closer a red side light can be seen and a silhouette of a steamer is recognized.  Turned on a parallel course.  Steamer is heading about 240°, running at 7-8 knots; the forward and side lights are lit.  About 4-5000 GRT, heavily loaded.
		06.30		Steamer turns to starboard, so I turn with him.  Estimated by the light of Seal Island he is steering on course 320°, probably heading for Yarmouth.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.01.42

	- 23 -
		23.01.42
		06.50		Sighted a white light on port side ahead.  Shortly thereafter a green side light is visible.  I'm heading towards it and turn on a parallel course.  Steamer is steering about 70° and only gets closer slowly.  Matched speed exactly and let him come closer slowly for a stern attack.
				Steamer is passing very close to me.
		08.00	BA 9959
			WNW 2-3, Sea 1-2, 6/10, Vis. good to medium, smooth sea
		08.12	BA 9956	Fired torpedo from tube V:
				Enemy speed:  7 knots
				Target angle:  bow right 80°
				Distance:  800 meters
				After a running time of 28 seconds:  hit!
				Close behind the funnel.
				High detonation cloud.  Steamer immediately settled on an even keel, then slowly by the stern.  Crew is abandoning ship in lifeboats; their lights are clearly visible on the water.
		08.20		Steamer sends SSS on the 600 meter frequency and a radio message to the "Camperdown" station.  He asks the station to hold, but he can't continue because the steamer sinks by the stern and raises the bow high out of the water.  Depth of water at the sinking position is 40 meters.  It is the Greek ANDREAS (6566 GRT), heavily loaded.
				Departed at high speed to the southeast.  The first steamer is no longer in sight.
		09.30		Observed directly behind us a high darting flame.  Sighted a white light on port side ahead which turns out to be a fishing vessel.  Evaded.
				Continued to the southeast to have passed the shallow waters at dawn and to be in deeper waters.
		12.00	42°02'N, 65°50'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 135 nm
			CB 1267	submerged =   34 nm = 169 nm.
			WNW 2-3, Sea 1-2, 4/10, Vis. good, slight swell from the W

Sun and Moon Data 23.01.42

	- 24 -
		23.01.42
		12.45		Dived to continue submerged.
		16.00	CB 1374	Have to turn off the gyrocompass again because the compass rose still hangs badly.  Inspected turning engine and cooling water pump, but the cause of the malfunction is not found.
		20.00	CB 1379	Departed to the east and turn later to northeast.  Planned another foray in the area of Liverpool during the night on 24 to 25 January.
				While submerged continually heard depth charge detonations from the coast.  They are apparently searching for us.
		24.01.42	Southeast Coast of Nova Scotia
		00.00	CB 1385
		01.00		Surfaced.
		04.00	CB 1363
			SW 4, Sea 3-4, 10/10, Vis. medium, dark night
		08.00	CB 2121
			SW 5, Sea 4, 10/10, Vis. poor, inky black night, swell and sea from the SW
		12.00	43°08'N, 63°28'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 95 nm
			BB 7881	submerged = 35 nm  =  130 nm.
			SW 3, Sea 2, 10/10, Vis. poor, very dark night, long swell from the SW	Visibility sometimes only 300-400 meters.
		13.00		Dived to continue submerged.  Test dive.  Course towards the coast.
		16.00	BB 7857	While submerged tested the deviation of the magnetic compass, because the gyrocompass had to be turned off again.  Magnetic compass swings up to 40° to each side.
		20.00	BB 7851	Dismantled the turning engine of the gyrocompass.  Finally the cause of the malfunction is found.  The anchor of the engine slipped and the wheels of the gear box are very dirty.  After 9½ hours of work the malfunction is fixed, the gyroscope adjusted itself and is ready again.
				While submerged again heard continually depth charge detonations.

Sun and Moon Data 24.01.42

	- 25 -
		25.01.42	Southeast Coast of Nova Scotia
		00.00	BB 7827
		00.37		Surfaced for the foray towards the coast between Liverpool and Halifax.
		03.51		Sighted a cloud of smoke to starboard ahead.  Headed towards it. Slim silhouette recognized, not illuminated.  Bow left.  Turn again on parallel course.  Vessel turns away to starboard and quickly moves out of sight.  Apparently a patrol vessel, type not identified.
		04.00	BB 7577
			WNW 4, Sea 2-3, 4/10, bright moonlight, Vis. good. long and slight swell from the W
		04.20		Sighted a white light on port side ahead.  Headed towards it.  Green side light is visible and slowly the silhouette of a steamer can be seen.  Bow right abeam, is passing fast to starboard.  Turned to starboard and have to go to highest speed to maintain position.  It is a big steamer with high and long superstructure.  Can't get ahead, bearing is clear.  Steamer zigzags around course 50 to 70°.  After a turn to port I am again wide behind the vessel.
		05.59	BB 7541	Sighted a slim shadow to starboard ahead.  Is coming closer fast, a destroyer with bow left, angle 20 to 30°.  I turned away to starboard; the steamer moves out of sight fast.  The destroyer turned away to starboard on a parallel course to the steamer.  Changed course again towards coast to continue my search.  Steamer is out of sight.  Pity, this would have been a good target.
		06.40		Sighted a shadow on port side ahead.  Looks like an old German torpedo boat.  Patrol vessel with two funnels, gets bigger quickly.  Bow left, angle 40-50°.  Have to turn away and leave at high speed on course 180°.  The distance slowly increases.  The destroyer turns after me but he can't have seen me because I am in the dark horizon in the bright moonlit night with good visibility.
		07.00		I head a bit to the east to get closer to the coast again behind the patrol vessel that steers a changing course.  Have to turn to the south again because he gets closer.
		07.30		Patrol vessel is out of sight.  Headed again towards the coast and then followed the coast parallel to the southwest at a distance of about 10 nm.  No traffic.  This area is much better guarded than the other off Cape Sable to the south.

Sun and Moon Data 25.01.42

	- 26 -
		25.01.42
				Unfortunately nothing more was sighted after the single steamer.
		08.00	BB 7579	Sighted a bright searchlight to starboard aft at the horizon.
			W 4, Sea 2-3, 2/10, no changes	Observed a bright searchlight barrage over Liverpool .  The navigational light of Ironbound Island was burning.
				The bright moonlit nights make it difficult to operate in guarded areas.
		12.00	43°07'N, 63°38'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 107 nm
			BB 7873	submerged =   21 nm = 128 nm.
			WSW 3-4, Sea 3, 2/10, Vis. good, starry night, slight swell from the W
		12.35		Dived to continue submerged.  Test dive.
				Went on west course to be in a position to head north towards the coast to operate off Seal Island again in the following night.
		16.00	CB 2125
		20.00	CB 2124	While submerged we continually hear depth charge detonations again.
		26.01.42	Southeast Coast of Nova Scotia
		00.00	CB 2115
		00.53		Surfaced for our foray to the coast near Cape Sable and Seal Island.
				Moonlit night as bright as day.  Good visibility.
		01.50		Sighted a shadow on port side ahead.  Headed towards it. Recognized as patrol vessel.  Evaded, then continued to the northwest.
		04.00	CB 1321	Navigational lights on Cape Sable and Seal Island are dimly visible.  I'm heading towards the lights of Cape Sable.
			WNW 4, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good, bright moonlight
		08.00	BA 9965	Sighted brightly illuminated vessel to starboard ahead.  Headed towards it.  Vessel shows four very bright white lights, each two of them one below the other.  No side lights visible.  It is steering a changing course and is a small vessel. Probably a fishing vessel or a trap.  No escorts can be seen nearby.  Continued to the coast.  No traffic.  The lights of Seal Island and Cape Sable are clearly visible.
			WNW 3, Sea 2-3, 5/10, no changes
		09.30		Headed off to the southeast.
		12.00

	Sun and Moon Data 25.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.01.42

	- 27 -
		26.01.42
		12.00	42°32'N, 66°00'W              CB 1253	Sighted many flashes at a time for three hours to starboard ahead.  Assume heat lighting.
			WSW 4, Sea 2-3, 4/10, no changes	Day's run:  surfaced = 121 nm
				submerged =   37 nm.
		12.40		Dived to continue submerged.
				The area has become better guarded in the last few days.  The bright moonlit nights make successful attacks on escorted steamers difficult.
		15.00		I decide to change the patrol area to area III.  Perhaps I can get 20 cbm of fuel from U-130 and stay a bit longer in area III.  Can not imagine that there will be no traffic.
		16.00	CB 1282
		20.00	CB 1289
		27.01.42
		00.00	CB 1534
		00.43		Surfaced.  The wind increases.  Completely overcast.  Vis. moderate.  Hazy horizon.  Went to southerly course 189°.
		04.00	CB 1564
			NE 6, Sea 5-6, 10/10,  Vis. moderate to medium, rain, swell from the E
		05.16		Sent radio message to BdU:  "On 23 January sank Greek ANDREAS off Cape Sable.  Since then improved defenses, aircraft and destroyer patrols close to the coast.  On 26 January, no more traffic found off Cape Sable.
				Change to area III.  8 Etos left, 85 cbm.  Ask for 20 cbm fuel from Kals.  ENE 6, 1014 mb, square CB 15."
		08.00	CB 1589
			NNE 6, Sea 6, 10/10, Vis. poor, rain, fog, high swell from the NNE
		11.26		Radio message from BdU:   "To Kals and Bleichrodt:
				1.)  Carry out transfer of fuel in CB 4845 at night on 29.01.42.  Deliver plenty.
				2.)  For this purpose be at the meeting point from 20.00 hours on 29.01.42.
				3.)  Afterwards, Bleichrodt is allowed to attack at will in all coastal areas."
				Headed towards meeting point.
		12.00	40°40'N, 66°03'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 77 nm
			CB 1855	submerged =  35 nm = 112 nm.
			NW 5-6, Sea 5, 10/10, dark night, Vis. medium, long swell from the N

	Sun and Moon Data 26.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.01.42

	- 28 -
		27.01.42
		13.10		Dived. Test dive.
		14.30		Surfaced.
		16.00	CB 1885
			NW 6, Sea 5, 10/10, Vis. medium, swell from the NNW
		20.00	CB 4252
			WNW 6, Sea 5, 8/10, Vis. medium to good, long swells from the NNW
		28.01.42	North of Bermuda
		00.00	CB 4527	Course 180°.
			WNW 3, Sea 3, 10/10, Vis. medium, slight swell from the WNW	From 27 to 28 January, the water temperature increased from 8°C to 18°C.  The influence of the Gulf Stream.
		04.00	CB 4584
			WNW 2-3, Sea 3, 10/10, dark night, Vis. good, swell from the W
		08.00	CB 4851
			WNW 3, Sea 3, 4/10, bright moonlight, Vis. good, swell from the W
		12.00	37°38'N, 66°12'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 157 nm
			CB 4884	submerged =     5 nm = 162 nm.
			SW 4, Sea 3, 0/10, bright moonlight, Vis. medium, sea and swell from the W
		13.12		Dived.  Test dive.
		14.25		Surfaced.  Course 42°.
		16.00	CB 4872
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, 2/10, Vis. good, sea and swell from the SW
		17.25		Radio message from BdU:  For Bleichrodt and Kals:
				If the meeting does not take place until 21.00 hours, then Bleichrodt should send bearing signals per War Order 211 paragraph 1a without signal on 852 meter wavelength.
		20.00	CB 4842
			SW 5, Sea 3-4, 8/10, no changes
		29.01.42	North of Bermuda
		00.00	CB 4846	Course 60°
			SSW 6, Sea 5, 10/10, rain showers, Vis. sometimes under 2 nm, high swell from the SSW	The wind changes to south and gets stronger.  Hove to.
		04.00	Position unchanged

Sun and Moon Data 28.01.42

	- 29 -
		29.01.42
		04.00	S 7-8, Sea 7, 10/10, heavy rain, Vis. poor, long swell from the SW	Let’s hope that the weather calms down soon, so that the transfer of fuel can be carried out.
		06.38		Radio message from Kals:  "D/F inoperable.  If necessary I will send bearing signals on the 852 meter frequency for Bleichrodt at 21.00 hours on 29.01.42."
		08.00	Position unchanged
			SSW 7, Sea 7, 8/10, bright moonlight, Vis. good, high swell from the S, heavy rain showers
		12.00	Position unchanged	N o  p o s i t i o n  f i x  b e c a u s e  i t  i s  c o n s t a n t l y  o v e r c a s t    !
			SSW 7, Sea 7, 10/10, Vis. poor, occasional heavy rain showers, high sea and swell from the SW	Heavy rain showers, visibility sometimes as low as 100 meters.
				Day's run:  surfaced = 26 nm
				submerged =  18 nm = 44 nm.
		13.06		Test dive.  Engine inspection.  Refilled battery cells with water.
		16.00	Position unchanged
		19.10		Surfaced.
				Wind reaches hurricane strength in gusts.
		20.00	Position unchanged	Hove to, strapped down the bridge watch.
			NNW 11, Sea 8-9, 10/10, rain showers, heavy seas from the NW	Fuel transfer is impossible.
				To keep Kals from sending unnecessary bearing signals:
				Radio message to Kals at 20.16 hours:   "No bearing signals needed, wait until 30.01.42, NNW 11, Sea 9-10, 998 mb, had to heave to, CB 4840 inaccurate."
		30.01.42	North of Bermuda
		00.00	Position unchanged
			NW 10-11, Sea 8-9, 10/10, Vis. poor, low hanging clouds, sea from the NW
		01.03		Dived.  Course west.
		08.00	Position unchanged
		12.00	"             "
		12.42		Surfaced.  The wind only calmed down a bit.
		16.00	"             "	Because it's still not possible to transfer fuel:
			NW 9-10, Sea 8, 10/10, Vis. medium, high swell from the NW	Radio message to Kals:   "Please wait for weather improvements. 78 cbm, CB 48."
		20.00	Position unchanged
			NW 9-10, Sea 8, 9/10, no changes

	Sun and Moon Data 29.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.01.42

	- 30 -
		31.01.42	North of Bermuda
		00.00	Position unchanged
			NNW 7, Sea 7, 10/10, no changes
		02.00		Dived to continue submerged to southeast.
		08.00	Position unchanged
		12.00	"             "
		12.56		Wind and seas have calmed down.
				Surfaced.  A position fix shows a great shift to the northwest; despite heading submerged to the southeast we are almost 32 nm northwest of the meeting point.
		16.00	38°06'N, 66°44'W
			CB 4842
			NNW 2, Sea 2-3, 6/10, Vis. medium, moderate swell from the NNW
		16.20		Sighted cloud of smoke to starboard ahead.  Headed towards it.
				Sighted U-boat to starboard abeam.  U-130.  I'm heading at high speed towards Kals to inform him that I will chase the steamer first and that he should wait at the meeting point for me.
				Headed again towards the cloud of smoke.  Wide and high funnel and two high masts.  Course east.  Steered changing course to get ahead.  Progress is slow despite both engines running at GF.
				Steamer is running fast and zigzags.
		17.30		Radio message from Kals:   "Enemy in sight, CB 4842, course east, slow speed."
				Because we listened to the "Africa" frequency we heard this signal, previously sent at 15.42 hours on "Greenland" frequency, only now when it was repeated on the "Africa" frequency.
		17.55		Radio message from Kals:   "Steamer is in CB 4827 m., speed 10 knots, course 50°."
				Also this signal arrives too late due to the reason above.
				The steamer was sighted before the radio messages were received.  While overtaking we notice that the steamer is steering on a base course of 60-80° zigzagging 40° to each side.
		20.00	CB 4829
			No changes
		20.10		I’m ahead of the steamer.  Measured speed is 12-13 knots. Enemy follows a zigzag course of about 40°-80° around the base course every 8-10 minutes.
		20.43		Dived for submerged attack.  Heading towards the steamer.

Sun and Moon Data 31.01.42

	- 31 -
		31.01.42
		21.00		Turn to base course of 70°.  Steamer quickly comes closer.  Painted grey.  Guns on the forecastle and stern.  Wide and high funnel.  Pole masts behind bridge and cruiser stern.
		21.22		Steamer is at bow left, angle 20°, steering 130°.  Distance about 6000 meters.  I'm getting closer.
		21.31		Steamer turns now to port, bow right and angle 20°, course about 90°. Reached transverse distance of about 2000 meters.
		21.37		Enemy continues the turn to port, bow left, angle 60°.
				Turn around for stern attack.  Distance increases rapidly.  At an angle of 80° the distance is about 3000 meters.  Decide not to fire because the distance is too great.
				Turn to 60° with both engines at GF.  The steamer has to turn to starboard soon.  But the enemy stays on this course for about 20 minutes and passes.
		21.59		Steamer turns now to starboard, bow right and angle 140°.
		22.15		Turned on a course to the south and waited until I could surface to overtake him again.
		22.42		Surfaced.
		23.00		Radio message to Kals:   "Still chasing steamer.  New rendezvous point in CB 4965 at 13.00 hours on 01.02."
		23.16	Bright moonlit night, Vis. good and far	Sighted steamer again on port side ahead.  Headed northwards to overtake on the suitable side again.  Swell from northwest gets higher, can only run both engines at GF.
		01.02.42	North of Bermuda
		00.00	CB 4687
			N 3, Sea 2, 5/10, Vis. good, high swell from the N
		02.30		Steamer is abeam, still zigzagging along the base course 70°.
				Single clouds promise an approach at a good shooting distance despite the bright moonlight.
		02.50		Steamer is now behind us.
		03.00		Turned around for an attack.  At this moment the steamer turns to starboard about 20° and is now bow left, angle 80°.
				Overtake again at full speed.
		03.20		Turned for a bow attack.  Enemy has now bow left, angle 70°.  Distance about 2000 meters.  Suddenly the moon shines through the clouds.  Continued my approach to the enemy

	Sun and Moon Data 31.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.02.42

	- 32 -
		01.02.42
				with both engines at HF.
		03.30	38°46'N, 64°17'W	Fired a spread of three torpedoes from tube I, III and IV:
			CB 5447	Enemy speed:  13 knots
				Target angle:  bow left 90°
				Distance:  1200 meters
				Depth:  3 meters
				After 2 minutes 45 seconds and 2 minutes. 49 seconds: 2 hits!
				First hit at the forward hold
				Second hit amidships in the engine room.
				Steamer is covered by the detonation clouds for a long time.  Turnned to starboard on opposite course and then settled fast by the bow.  The stern lifts high out of the water and the ship sinks after 4 minutes.
				Steamer sent a radio message with its name and an incorrect position, perhaps the position about 12 hours earlier.  It was the refrigerator ship TACOMA STAR (7924 GRT), heavily loaded.  Crew abandoned ship in lifeboats
				Turned away on a southerly course to a new rendezvous point with Kals.
		03.50		Sighted 5 illuminated lifeboats on port side abeam.
		04.00	CB 5447	Because it gets windier again, I decide to ask Kals by radio message for an earlier rendezvous point to transfer fuel as soon as possible.
			S 4, Sea 3-4, 6/10, Vis. good, long swell
		05.11		Radio message to Kals:   "Just sank TACOMA STAR.  Please meet me earlier in CB 4965 at 09.00 hours."
		08.00	CB 4962
			S 6, Sea 4-5, 10/10, Vis. good, medium swell and seas from the S, night of a full moon
		09.25		Radio message from Kals:  "Can't reach rendezvous point before 15.00 hours."
				In the meantime the weather worsened again.
		12.00	37°58'N, 64°30'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 196 nm
			CB 4965	submerged =     5 nm = 201 nm.
			Vis. medium, rain showers, high seas from the S	It gets windy fast.  I calculate with a deviation to the northwest and steer a southeasterly course.
				Hove to.  I'm at the arranged rendezvous point in CB 4965.  Boat is lying well with one engine at KF.
				Again no opportunity to transfer fuel.
		16.00	Position unchanged
			SSW 8, Sea 7, 10/10, Vis. medium, rain showers, high short sea and swell from the SSW

Sun and Moon Data 01.02.42

	- 33 -
		01.02.42
		20.00	Position unchanged	Heavy storm from SSW with gusts as strong as 12, heavy rain, banks of fog.  Visibility several times reduced to less than 150 meters.
			SSW 10, unchanged
		02.02.42	North of Bermuda
		00.00	Position unchanged
			WSW 5-6, Sea 6, 10/10, heavy rain showers, Vis. poor, high swell from the SW
		04.00	Position unchanged
			SW 4-5, Sea 6, no changes, Vis. medium, bright moonlight, very high swell from the SW
		08.00	WSW 5, Sea 6, no changes,
		12.00	38°05'N, 64°30'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 0 nm
			CB 4962	submerged = 0 nm.
			WNW 4-5, Sea 5, 10/10, heavy rain, Vis. poor, swell from the SW
		16.00	CB 4965	Nothing to see from U-130.  No fix yet, position is approximate.  This way a rendezvous is not possible; have to ask Kals by radio message for bearing signals.
			WNW 1-2, Sea 2
		17.10		Radio message to Kals:   "Start sending bearing signals at 18.00 hours."
				The bearing signals are heard well at 345°.  Went to course 340°.  Bearing signals pass to port at 332° at 22.15 hours.  Then again to starboard.
		20.00	CB 4992
			WNW 5-6, Sea 4-5, 8/10, Vis, medium, heavy rain squalls, swell from the W
		22.25		Radio message to Kals:   "Please head for me on course 140°."
				A position fix with the help of the stars shows that I am about 50 nm southeast of the rendezvous point.  Therefore no deviation to the northwest as on 30.01.42, but one to the southeast.
		03.02.42	North of Bermuda
		00.00	CB 5778
			WNW 3-4, Sea 3, 10/10, no changes
		00.15		It is remarkable that there is a deviation to the south and southeast at the southern border of the Gulf Stream.

Sun and Moon Data 02.02.42

	- 34 -
		03.02.42
		02.33		Radio message from Kals:   "At the moment a meeting is hopeless.  I wait and send bearing signals after 13.00 hours."
				Last bearing was at 353°, went to course 350°.
		04.00	CB 5748	During the night the diesel engine's water cooling pumps had to be inspected.  The bearings of the connecting rods have to be scraped out almost every 8 days.  A curse that gets worse from patrol to patrol, despite a complete overhaul during the shipyard period.
			NW 4, Sea 3, 10/10, very dark night, Vis. poor, heavy rain, sea and swell from the NW
		08.00	CB 5742
			N 4, Sea 3, no changes in the weather, heat lighting
		12.00	38°03'N, 64°07'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 106 nm.
			CB 5742
			N 4-5, Sea 3-4, 10/10, rain, Vis. medium, swell from the NNW
		13.14		Bearing signals from U-130 can be heard clearly at 175°.  Went to course 180° towards U-130.
		16.00	CB 5787
			N 5, Sea 4, 10/10, Vis. poor, heavy rain, swell from the N
		16.12		Radio message to Kals:   "I hear you at 170°."
		16.33		Sighted U-130 on port side ahead.  Went closer to hailing distance.  Because transfer of fuel is not yet possible due to the weather, we agree to head together to the southeast until the weather improves.
		20.00	CB 8168	It gets windy.  I only have 58 cbm of fuel left and because Kals can only hand over 20 cbm, it is no longer possible to operate closer to the coast.
			NW 6, Sea 5, 10/10, rain squalls, Vis. medium, swell from the N
		04.02.42	North of Bermuda
		00.00	CB 8279
			NNW 7, Sea 6, 10/10, rain, Vis. poor, sea and swell from the NW
		04.00	CB 8535
			NNW 6, Sea 6, 10/10, Vis. poor, heavy rain and thunderstorms, high swell from the NNW
		08.00	CB 8654
			NW 5, Sea 5, 6/10, Vis. medium, occasional rain squalls, high swell from the NW
		12.00	35°54'N, 60°47'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 182 nm.
			CB 8693
			NW 5, Sea 5, 10/10, no changes

	Sun and Moon Data 03.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.02.42

	- 35 -
		04.02.42
		16.00	CB 9476	Still strong wind and high seas prevent the transfer of fuel.
			NW 5-6, Sea 5, 6/10, Vis. good, long swell from the NW
		20.00	CB 9728	It gets windier again.  I suggest Kals to head south to get out of this area of bad weather.  Went together on course 180°.
			NNW 6, Sea 6, 5/10, Vis. good, Sea and Swell from the NNW
		21.22		Sighted mast tips to starboard ahead.  Informed U-130 and asked him to wait for me.  Headed towards the steamer.  It gets closer fast.  It's a tanker with two high masts in the first third.  Turned on parallel course and overtake him.  Tanker is steering a base course of 320-330° against the seas.  I get ahead well against the heavy seas with both engines at LF x 10.  Boat is taking much water over the conning tower.  Bridge watch has to be strapped down.
		05.02.42	North of Bermuda
		00.00	CB 9724	At dusk I am well ahead of the tanker.  Turn to 170° towards him so as not to lose him.
			NNW 6, Sea 7, 10/10, rain showers, Vis. medium, high swell from the NNW
		00.15-00.50		Steamer moves out of sight in a heavy rain squall.  Turn to 280° to pass his course.
		01.00		Sighted tanker again on port side abeam.  It is a very dark night and the visibility bad due to the rain showers.
				I position myself directly ahead of the tanker at low speed and let him come closer, so that I can turn away for a stern attack.
				Tanker is slowly coming closer.
		01.37		Turn to starboard for a torpedo spread from the stern tubes.
		01.42	35°38'N, 60°20'W	Fired torpedo from tube V, after 15 seconds fired torpedo from tube VI:
			CB 9713
				Enemy speed:  6 knots
				Target angle:  bow right 80°
				Distance:  1000 meters
				Depth:  3 meters
				The torpedoes are running across the seas and are thus less influenced by depth changes within the high waves.

Sun and Moon Data 05.02.42

	- 36 -
		05.02.42
				Hit aft after 90 seconds, between the mast aft and funnel.  A high darting flame and thick black detonation cloud.
				Now the crew gets active on deck, boats were lowered.  The tanker turns to port and remains afloat.
				The second torpedo missed.
				The tanker turns further to port and stops athwart to the seas.
				Tanker sends SSS and position on the 600 meter frequency.  It is the British tanker MONTROLITE (11,309 GRT).
				Tanker is now drifting in the seas.  It seems that some boats are returning to the torpedoed ship.  I decided to fire a coup de grace because the steamer is not settling.
		02.25		Approached for a single torpedo shot from tube I.
		02.32		Fired torpedo from tube I:
				Enemy speed: 0 knots
				Target angle: bow left 90°
				Distance: 800 meters
				Depth: 3 meters
				Hit after 110 seconds.  High, lasting darting flame, black cloud of smoke. Torpedo also hit between mast aft and funnel, but this time on the port side.
				Initially the tanker settled slowly, then more over the stern.  The bow rises steeply and is gone after about 5 minutes.
		02.40		Turned towards the rendezvous point with U-130.
		04.00	CB 9752
			NNW 6, Sea 5-6, 7/10, Vis. medium, rain squalls, swell from the N
		05.23		Radio message to BdU:  "Patrolling off the coast is no longer possible due to fuel shortage.  Since 03.02.42 on slow return journey with Kals towards CC 80.  Until now bad weather prevented the transfer of fuel.  Just sank tanker MONTROLITE.  2 Etos, 58 cbm.  Grid CB 9713.
				To Kals:  Please send bearing signals after 11.00 hours."
		08.00	CB 9752
			NNW 6-7, Sea 6, 7/10, rain squalls, Vis. moderate, sea and swell from the NNW

Sun and Moon Data 05.02.42

	- 37 -
		05.02.42
		11.19		Bearing signals from U-130 are heard at 248°, went to course 240° because signals passed to port side.
		12.00	35°19'N, 60°09'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 162 nm.
			CB 9728
			NNW 5-6, Sea 6, 6/10, rain showers, Vis. medium, high swell from the NW
		12.20		Sighted U-130 ahead.  After exchange of experiences sailed on a course to the east at low speed because transfer of fuel still not possible.
		16.00	CB 9738
			NNW 4, Sea 4, 5/10, Vis. good, rain squalls, medium swell
		20.00	CB 9819
			7/10, NNW 4, Sea 3-4, otherwise no changes
		20.25		Sighted a cloud of smoke on port side aft.
				Informed U-130, afterwards headed towards the cloud of smoke.  Two masts and a wide, high funnel became visible.
				Overtaken at high speed.  Steamer is steering approximately on course 180°.  Visibility very good.  Steamer can be seen at a distance of 8 nm.  Steamer seems to zigzag, but yaws and sometimes leaves the course up to 20°.  Measured the speed of the enemy at 10-11 knots.
		23.20		I’m ahead of the steamer.
		23.21		Dived for a submerged attack in the twilight.
		06.02.42	North of Bermuda
		00.00	CB 9878	Head towards the enemy at GF and then directly into a favorable attack position.  It gets darker quickly.
			NNW 4, Sea 3, 7/10, Vis. good, medium swell	Steamer is passing ahead of a dark rain cloud, but can still be seen clearly in the periscope.  I'm in attack position and let him run into my line of fire.  Angle and distances are difficult to estimate.
		00.07		Fired torpedo from tube I:
				Enemy speed:  11 knots
				Target angle:  bow left 90°
				Distance:  2000 meters
				Depth:  3 meters

Sun and Moon Data 05.02.42

	- 38 -
				Because nothing more can be seen at 1/16 magnification, deliberately set a longer distance.  Missed!
				It was already too dark, I wouldn't shoot anymore.
				As we noticed later the enemy was running at 8-9 knots and in ballast.
				The propellers of the torpedo were heard for 10 minutes.
		00.29		Surfaced. I'm about 4000 meters behind the steamer.  Estimate its size at approximately 5-6000 GRT.
				Turn on parallel course and run alongside of the steamer at a distance of about 4-5000 meters to measure its speed.  Steamer runs at 8.5 knots and is in ballast.
				Overtake him again for an attack on the surface.
		02.35		Turn around for a shot from tube IV.
		02.41		Fired torpedo from tube IV:
				Enemy speed: 8.5 knots
				Target angle: bow left 90°
				Distance: 1200 meters
				Again missed. Torpedo ran well.
				The miss is unexplained. Possible is only that the torpedo passed underneath the target.
		04.00	DD 3117                         NNW 4, Sea 2-3, 8/10, dark night, Vis. medium, swell from the NNW	Passed behind the steamer in a northerly direction and overtake him slowly on his starboard side.  I order the boat to be prepared for an artillery attack.
				The 105 mm, 37 mm and 20 mm were made ready.
				It is still very dark, so that I have to wait for the moon to rise for the gunfire attack.  Stay in contact on the favorable side.
		05.30		Gave the order to open fire with the 105 mm deck gun.
				I'm behind the steamer, bow right at 150°.  Initial distance was 3500 meters.  The target was bracketed with a double salvo and we began to fire for effect after the fourth salvo.  The fourth round was a hit amidships underneath the funnel.  Sixth and eighth salvos hit the bow and stern.  We initially fired with incendiary rounds and a fire was started on the stern of the steamer.  Seven minutes after opening fire, the steamer sends on the 600 meter frequency:  name, position and "bombarded".
				It is the steamer HALCYON (3531 GRT) registered in Panama.

Sun and Moon Data 06.02.42

	- 39 -
		06.02.42
				Steamer turns away to port with bow left.  Turn with it, get a bit closer and continue the gunfire attack on changing course from distances between 2000 and 1200 meters.  The long swell from NW makes aiming difficult.  Despite that we observed 28-30 hits on the ship, 5-6 hits into the engine room.  Ship released steam amidships and stopped.
				We could not observe the crew abandon ship.  The fire in the stern gets bigger, bright flames are visible.
		06.33		Fired 100 rounds. Gave the order to cease fire to get closer. Doing so we sighted a raft with two men aboard.  No lifeboats can be seen and we evaded the raft.
				HALCYON had a heavy list to starboard.  The blaze in the stern gets bigger.  The stern settled a bit, but the steamer does not sink despite the many hits.  Opened fire again with the 105 mm and 37 mm guns.  List to starboard increases.
				Ceased fire and change to the starboard side of the steamer.  While passing the stern we notice a list of about 25-30°.  The bridge is completely smashed.  The hold cover aft is destroyed.
				Ladders on the side and missing lifeboats indicate that the crew must have abandoned ship.  At a distance of about 4-500 m we now fire the last rounds (20) into the steamer, mainly into the slowly settling stern.  Doing so we fire 50 rounds from the 37 mm gun from aft to the bow into the side along the waterline.
				Steamer looks very bad.  The upper deck with a list to starboard is completely devastated.  I circle the steamer one more time.  The fire in the stern is still getting bigger.  The list to starboard is increasing and the ship is settling by the stern, but remains afloat.  Due to the starboard list the holes on the port side are now over the waterline and work as vents.
				The side plates on the port side of HALCYON are holed from bow to the stern like a sieve.  I wait for half an hour.  Steamer is settling aft very slowly and the list is increasing more and more.

Sun and Moon Data 06.02.42

	- 40 -
		06.02.42
				Now has a list of 40-45° and will capsize soon.
		07.35		Turn away on a course for the rendezvous point with U-130, to use the good weather as soon as possible to transfer the fuel.
		07.45		The fire and cloud of smoke from the stern of the steamer suddenly go out.  Steamer capsized.  We fired 200 rounds of 105 mm with about 50-60 hits and 37 mm rounds.
				Steamer HALCYON was not loaded.  His draft may at the most have been 2.5 meters.  Both torpedoes apparently passed underneath the target.
		08.00	DD 3171	Weather stays good.  Finally we will be able to transfer fuel.
			NNW 4, Sea 2-3, 8/10, Vis. medium, swell from the NNW
		12.00	35°01'N, 59°00'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 199 nm
			CB 9881	submerged  =     7 nm =  206 nm.
			N 3, Sea 2-3, no changes, rain squalls
		12.02		Radio message to Kals:
				"Please send bearing signals after 13.00 hours."
		13.20		Hear U-130 at 270°, went to 270° to head for Kals - at high speed.  After two hours, the radio operator reports that he made a mistake in the determination of the side and the correct bearing signal is at 90°.  We ran two hours in the wrong direction.  Turned around and went to course 90°.
		16.00	CB 9843
			N 3, Sea 2, 5/10, Vis. good, light swell from the N
		16.32		Radio message from BdU:
				"At 07.00 hours, a US unit was ordered to go to DD 3145, where steamer HALCYON was fired upon by unknown raider."
		20.00	CB 9943
			NE 3, Sea 2, 5/10, no changes
		22.28		Sighted U-130 ahead.
				Went to hailing distance and immediately started the transfer of fuel.  Connected the hoses.  U-130 gave two hoses to us and we lengthened it with one.  Both boats are turning into the wind respectively to the seas.  U-130 is running a straight course with both engines at KF and I follow behind a bit to the port side, to let the hoses loose.
				U-130 delivers the fuel at 2 Atm.

Sun and Moon Data 06.02.42

	- 41 -
		06.02.42
				Both boats are lying well and after two hours we had received 18.3 cbm by 00.26 hours.
		07.02.42	Western Atlantic
		00.00	CB 9937
			Swells from the NE, otherwise no changes
		01.00		Boats separated and began return journey.
		04.00	CC 7711
			E 2, Sea 2, 5/10, dark night, Vis. good, long swell
		05.20		Radio message to BdU:
				"Just finished transfer of fuel in CB 9937.  On 06.02.42 sank HALCYON in BD 3174 after two misses with artillery, enemy course 180°.  On 05.02.42 sank MONTROLITE in CB 9713, enemy course 320°.  On 01.02.42 sank TACOMA STAR in CB 5447, base course 80°.  Altogether sank 4 steamers totaling 29,330 GRT.  Out of torpedoes and ammunition.  Return journey.  NE 2, Sea 1, low swell, 1024 mb, 64 cbm, square CB 9937."
		08.00	CC 7484
			E 2, Sea 2, 10/10, Vis. good, bright night
		12.00	36°05'N, 56°06'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 205 nm.
			CC 7468
			S 2-3, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. good, light swell
		13.16		Dived.  Test dive.
		14.00		Surfaced.
				U-130 no longer in sight.
				To not reach the bad weather zone too early, I turn on course 77°.
		16.00	36°16'N, 55°31'W
			CC 7542
			SSW 5, Sea 4, 6/10, medium swell, Vis. good
		18.17		Sighted a mast tip on port side abeam.  After 10 minutes another smaller mast and a funnel becomes visible. Recognized a bridge, a destroyer bow right, angle 100-120°.
		18.22		Dived.  Could not hear propeller noises.  Through the periscope nothing can be seen, because it is difficult to stay at periscope depth in these seas.
		19.02		Surfaced.  Nothing more in sight.
		20.00	CC 7614
			SSW 5, Sea 4, 5/10, Vis. good, sea and swell from the SW

Sun and Moon Data 07.02.42

	- 42 -
		08.02.42	Western Atlantic
		00.00	CC 7623	Course 77°
			SW 6, Sea 5, 10/10, Vis. good, otherwise unchanged
		04.00	CC 8174
			SW 5, Sea 4-5, 5/10, dark night, Vis. good, long swell from the SW
		08.00	CC 8183
			SSW 4-5, Sea 3-4, 3/10, unchanged
		12.00	37°00'N, 52°11'W	With sunshine, wind and seas from astern to the east.
			CC 8248	Day's run:  surfaced = 166 nm
			WSW 4, Sea 3, 4/10, bright moonlight, Vis. good, light swell from the SW	submerged =   30 nm = 196 nm.
		16.00	CC 8261
			WSW 4, Sea 3, 3/10, Vis. very good, sunshine, light swell from the WSW
		20.00	CC 8318
			WSW 3, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good, light swell from the W
		09.02.42	Western Atlantic
		00.00	CC 8334
			WSW 2, Sea 2, 4/10, unchanged, swell from the WNW
		04.00	CC 9113
			WSW 2, Sea 1, 7/10, Vis. medium, light swell from the W
		08.00	CC 6794
			WSW 2, Sea 1, 5/10, dark night, occasional misty visual horizon, Vis. medium, light swell from the W
		12.00	37°46'N, 48°22'W
			CC 6873	Day's run:  surfaced  = 183 nm.
			NNE 2, Sea 2, 10/10, Vis. good, swell from the WNW
		12.46		Dived. Test dive.
		13.18		Surfaced.
		16.00	CC 6868
			NE 3, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. good, light swell from the NE
		20.00	CC 6946
			SE 3, Sea 2, 10/10, otherwise unchanged

	Sun and Moon Data 08.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.02.42

	- 43 -
		10.02.42	West of the Azores
		00.00	CC 6939
			ESE 4, Sea 2-3, 10/10, freshening wind from the E to SE, otherwise unchanged
		04.00	CD 4725
			ESE 3, Sea 2, 4/10, dark night, Vis. medium, swell from the E
		08.00	CD 4812
			E 4, Sea 3, 3/10, unchanged
		12.00	38°30'N, 44°11'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 200 nm
			CD 4595	submerged =     2 nm = 202 nm.
			E 6, Sea 4, 8/10, Vis. good, swell from the ENE
		12.33		Dived. Test dive.
		13.05		Surfaced.
		16.00	CD 4673
			E 5, Sea 4, 7/10, Vis. good, medium swell from the ENE
		16.45		Radio message from BdU to Zahn and Folkers:   "From now on complete radio silence in a circle of 400 nm around rendezvous point (CE 4184)."
				I'm in this area.
		20.00	CD 5447
			E 4, Sea 3, 8/10, unchanged, swell from the E
		11.02.42	West of the Azores
		00.00	CD 5453
			SSE 3, Sea 2, 6/10, Vis. good until darkness, then misty horizon, swell unchanged
		04.00	CD 5519	Strong marine phosphorescence.
			SE 3-4, Sea 3, 10/10, Vis. medium, long swell from the E
		08.00	CD 5535
			ESE 6, Sea 4, 10/10, very dark night, Vis. poor, strong heat lightening, rain, swell and sea from the SE
		12.00	39°19'N, 39°42'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 212 nm
			CD 5388	submerged =     2 nm = 214 nm.
			SSE 5, Sea 4, 10/10, unchanged
		12.37		Dived.  Test dive.
		13.12		Surfaced.  Course 63°.
		16.00	CD 6171
			SSE 3, Sea 3, 10/10, Vis. medium, rain showers, medium swell from the SE

	Sun and Moon Data 10.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.02.42

	- 44 -
		11.02.42
		20.00	CD 6152
			SSE 3, Sea 3, 7/10, Vis. medium, rain showers, heavy thunderstorms, swell from the SE
		12.02.42	West of the Azores
		00.00	CD 6214
			SSE 3, Sea 3, 7/10, Vic. medium, swell from the SE
		04.00	CD 3835, SSW 4, Sea 3, 7/10, dark night, Vis. medium, strong heat lightening, swell from the S
		08.00	CD 3947
			SSW 5, Sea 4, 5/10, isolated rain showers, otherwise unchanged
		12.00	40°50'N, 36°00'W	With one engine at HF and wind and seas from astern we make good progress to the east.
			CD 3929	Day's run:  surfaced = 192 nm
			WSW 5, Sea 4, 5/10, Vis. medium, rain squalls, swell from the SW	submerged =     2 nm = 194 nm.
		12.43		Dived.  Test dive.
		13.12		Surfaced.
		16.00	CE 1712
			W 7, Sea 5-6, 3/10, Vis. good, heavy swell and sea from the WSW
		20.00	CE 1491
			W 6, Sea 5-6, 6/10, rain squalls, otherwise unchanged.
		13.02.42	North of the Azores
		00.00	CE 1546
			W 5-6, Sea 6, 7/10, Vis. medium, high swell from the W
		04.00	CE 1535, WSW 5, Sea 4, 6/10, very dark night, Vis. poor, rain showers, swell from the SW
		08.00	CE 1387
			WSW 4, Sea 3, unchanged, Vis. medium
		11.27		Dived.  Test dive.
		12.00	42°19'N, 31°58'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 194 nm
			CE 1369	submerged =     4 nm = 198 nm.
			WSW 4, Sea 3, 5/10,Vis. very good, long swell from the WSW
		12.45		Surfaced.
		16.00	CE 2152	Set both engines at HF to proceed faster.
			SW 3, Sea 3, 4/10, unchanged
		20.00	CE 2212
			WSW 4, Sea 3, 7/10, unchanged

	Sun and Moon Data 12.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.02.42

	- 45 -
		14.02.42	North of the Azores
		00.00	BD 8995	Wind turns again to S and gets stronger.
			S 5, Sea 4, 10/10, very dark night, Vis. poor, swell from the WSW
		04.00	BD 9758
			S 6, Sea 5, 10/10, Vis. medium, swell from the SW
		08.00	BD 9842
			SSE 7, Sea 6, 10/10, dark night, rain shower, Vis. poor
		12.00	BD 9837	Have to slow down again, because we are using too much fuel for the progress we are making.
			43°36'N, 26°58'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 228 nm
			S 6, Sea 6, 10/10, Vis. medium, rain showers, swell from the SSE	submerged =     3 nm = 231 nm.
		15.02	BD 9915	Sighted mast tips to starboard ahead.  Seems to be a big steamer, the two masts are wide apart; high thick funnel and bridge amidships.  Steamer is steering on course 50-60°.
				Turned away.  Steamer moves out of sight quickly.  Went again to old course.  Not reported, because I am on route "Anton".  Perhaps a prize on a dummy course.
		16.00	43° 46'N, 26° 23'W
			BD 9677
			S 6, Sea 6, 10/10, unchanged
		20.00	BD 9685
			SSE 7-8, Sea 7, 10/10, Vis. medium, rain showers, long swell from the S
		15.02.42	North of the Azores
		00.00	BD 9693
			S 7, Sea 7, 10/10, Vis. moderate, rain showers, sea and swell from the SSE
		04.00	BE 7473	Boat is working in the seas and doesn't make much progress.
			SSE 7, Sea 7, 10/10, steady rain, Vis. poor, very dark night, marine phosphorescence, swell from the SSE	Because fuel consumption is too high I decide to continue submerged during the day.
		08.00	BE 7467
			SSE 7-8, Sea 7, 10/10, heavy rain, Vis. poor, dark night
		11.30		Dived to continue submerged.
		12.00	44°17'N, 23°19'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 171 nm
			BE 7545	submerged =     2 nm = 173 nm.
		16.00	BE 7542	Refurbished the bearings of both cooling water pumps.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.02.42

	- 46 -
		15.02.42
		20.00	BE 7552
		21.10		Surfaced.
		16.02.42	Western Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BE 7375
			S 5, Sea 5-6, 5/10, Vis. good, high swell from the S
		04.00	BE 7383
			S 4, Sea 3, 4/10, Vis. good, dark night, high swell from the S
		08.00	BE 7369
			SSE 2-3, Sea 3, 6/10, Vis. poor, occasional fog
		12.00	BE 8154	Course 90°.
			ESE 4, Sea 3, 10/10, thick fog, Vis. poor, misty horizon	Water entered cylinder I in the port diesel engine.  Feed lines were disconnected and the piston raised, doing so noticed that the cylinder bushing is ruptured.
				Port diesel engine can only do 320 RPM right now.
				Day's run:  surfaced = 102 nm
				submerged =   32 nm = 134 nm.
		13.34		Radio message 1218/16 from BdU:   "At 16.00 hours on 16 February change to "Ireland' Circuit."
		14.24	BE 8164	Sighted two vessels on port side abeam, bow right, angle 50-60°.
				They appear suddenly out of the hazy horizon.  Turned away!
				A motor merchant with high forecastle, clipper bow, short funnel and high bridge.  The second vessel is a steamer with usual silhouette and is a bit further ahead to port of the motor merchant.
		14.28		Dived.
				Went back on a course of 90°.  Due to the fog, the vessels are only vaguely seen and are soon out of sight.
		15.15		Surfaced.  The motor merchant can still vaguely be seen to starboard ahead.  Went to a northeasterly course.  Vessel soon drops out of sight behind us.  Both steamers steered about 120-130°.  We did not report them because I was still on route "Anton" and we had to reckon with homebound prizes.
		16.00	BE 8164	Changed to "Ireland" Circuit.
			SE 4, Sea 3, 10/10, rain showers, fog, Vis. poor, long swell from the S

Sun and Moon Data 16.02.42

	- 47 -
		16.02.42
		20.00	BE 8246
			SE 4, Sea 3, 10/10, dark night, Vis. poor, swell from the SSW
		17.02.42	Western Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BE 8264
			SE 4-5, Sea 3, 10/10, dark night, rain showers, Vis. poor, short swell from the SSW
		04.00	BE 8346
			SSE 5, Sea 3, 10/10, dark night, rain showers, Vis. medium, swell from the S
		08.00	BE 8364	It gets windy.  Heavy short seas.
			ESE 7, Sea 6, unchanged	Boat does not make much speed with one engine at LF  I have to save fuel.
		11.09		Dived to continue submerged.
		12.00
			45°11'N, 16°05'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 155 nm
			BE 8366	submerged =     9 nm = 164 nm.
		15.37		Heard three series of depth charges at an interval of 4 minutes.  Far away.
		16.00	BE 9145
		20.00	BE 9146	The flooding valve of the negative buoyancy tank on port side leaks.
		21.09		Surfaced.
				Weather is still the same.  Just here where at this time of the year the westerly winds are prevalent, we have ESE wind.
				Have to go on a course of 70° to make at least a little progress on one engine at LF.
				Due to this lousy weather actually get in serious fuel trouble.
		18.02.42	Western Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BE 9153
			SE 6, Sea 7, 10/10, Vis. medium, heavy rain, high short swell from the ESE
		04.00	BE 9183
			ESE 6-7, Sea 6-7, fogbank, otherwise unchanged
		09.32		Dived to continue submerged.
		12.00	45°32'N, 13°52'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 62 nm
			BE 9291	submerged = 35 nm = 97 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 17.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.02.42

	- 48 -
		18.02.42
		15.42		One detonation, far away.
		16.00	BE 9223
		19.40		One detonation, far away.
		20.00	BE 9232
		20.38		Surfaced.  Still the same lousy weather.  The sea has turned to southeast.  Changed course again to 90°.
		20.46		Radio message 0930/18 from BdU:   "Port of arrival is Lorient ."
		19.02.42	Western Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BE 9311
			SE 8, Sea 7, 10/10, dark night, Vis. poor, heavy rain squalls, up to 10, short high seas from the SE
		04.00	BE 9321
			ESE 7-8, Sea 6-7, 10/10, dark night, Vis. poor to medium, light rain showers, otherwise unchanged
		08.00	BE 9323
			ESE 6, Sea 6, 10/10, Vis. moderate, occasional rain showers, high swell from the SE
		09.25		Dived to continue submerged.
		12.00	BE 9332	Day's run:  surfaced = 56 nm
			45°32'N, 11°44'W	submerged = 35 nm = 91 nm.
		14.20		Two detonations, probably aircraft bombs.
		14.22		''                                "
		16.00	BF 7111
		20.00	BF 7113
		20.37		Surfaced
		20.02.42	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 4786	Still the same weather.
			ESE 6-7, Sea 5-6, 10/10, Vis. medium, high swell from the ESE
		04.00	BF 4871
			ESE 6, Sea 6, 3/10, unchanged
		08.00	BF 4858
			ESE 6. Sea 5, otherwise unchanged
		09.13		Dived to continue submerged.
		10.25		Aircraft bombs, a bit closer as yesterday.
		10.28		"                               "
		12.00	46°03'N, 08°54'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 79 nm
			BF 4864	submerged = 46 nm = 125 nm.
		15.05		Detonation, far away.

	Sun and Moon Data 18.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.02.42

	- 49 -
		20.02.42
		16.00	BF 4866
		18.48		Two detonations, far away.
		20.00	BF 4945	Depth keeping is difficult due to slow flooding of the negative buoyancy tank.
		20.24		Surfaced.  Weather unchanged.
		21.02.42	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 4954
			E 7, Sea 6, 10/10, Vis. medium, bright night, high swell
		04.00	BF 4964
			E 7, Sea 6, unchanged
		08.00	BF 4966	No position fix!
			E 7, Sea 6, 2/10, unchanged
		08.36		Dived to continue submerged with the negative buoyancy tank completely flooded.
		12.00	46°05'N, 06°56'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 52 nm
			BF 5744	submerged = 32 nm = 84 nm.
				While submerged heard several detonations, probably aircraft bombs.
		16.00	BF 5746
		20.00	BF 5754
		20.37		Surfaced. No position fix!
		21.53		Radio message to BdU short signal:   "I'm 36 hours away from arrival port."
				Changed to coastal frequency.
		22.48		Radio message from BdU (confirmation of short signal): 'Bleichrodt arrives off Lorient at 10.00 hours on 23.02.42."
		22.02.42	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 5764
			ENE 6, Sea 5-6, 7/10, Vis. medium, short sea and swell from the E
		04.00	BF 5844	Finally the weather improves.
			ENE 5, Sea 4, 10/10, dark night, Vis. poor, swell from the E
		08.00	BF 5854	No position fix!
			E 4, Sea 4, 10/10, occasional rain, otherwise unchanged
		08.31		Dived to continue submerged.
		12.00	46°05'N, 04°34'W	Day's run:  surfaced = 62 nm
			BF 5856	submerged = 36 nm = 98 nm.
		16.00	BF 5865

	Sun and Moon Data 21.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.02.42

	- 50 -
		22.02.42
		18.12		Heard propeller noises on starboard abeam.  Fast running vessel, which soon disappears astern.
		20.00	BF 6744
		20.27		Surfaced.  No position fix.
		21.02		Radio message 2042 to BdU:
				"Request bearing signals from St. Nazaire after 23.00 hours and from Bearing Station 2 from 01.00 hours."
		21.45		Radio message 2111 from BdU:
				"For Bleichrodt: from 01.00 hours, Bearing Station 2 will be working."
		22.50		Radio message 1125 from BdU:
				"Escort for Bleichrodt at Point "L.2" at 11.30 hours on 23.02.42"
		23.10	Point "Tanne" about 10 nm abeam
		23.30		Position fix by bearing signals.
				Continued on route "Tannennadel"
		23.02.42
		01.08	Point "Ceder"	Route "Cederland"
		04.05	Point "Rosabella"	Route "Rosabella"
		04.38		Radio message 0435 to BdU:
				"Will put the boat on the bottom at "L 2" at 06.00 hours."
		06.00	Point "L.2"
		06.27		Dived. Lay on the bottom at a depth of 51 meters with 30 cbm negative buoyancy.
				Boat is rolling badly, moves to each side and hits the bottom hard.
		11.15		Heard slow propeller noises on port side.
		11.25		Surfaced.  Escorts in sight.
				Entered port behind the escorts.
		13.24	Lorient	Moored at berth "A 4".
				Kapitänleutnant
				und Kmdt. "U 109".

	Sun and Moon Data 22.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.02.42

 

	Enclosures to U-109's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Chart A	Track chart covering entire war patrol	27 December 1941 to 23 February 1942
Chart B	Track Chart covering movements	16 January 1942 to 27 January 1942
Chart C	Track Chart covering movements	31 January 1942 to 4 February 1942

	Commentary of the BdU
	to the KTB of "U-109" from 20.11.41 to 23.02.42
	1.) The success was affected by personnel failure during the first attacks.     2.) The frequent departures from the coast, where the boat itself had observed heavier traffic, is not completely understandable.     3.) The later, successful attacks were carried out well.
	Signed in draft: Dönitz
	Validized:
	Leutnant z.S and Adjutant

---

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