U-147 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with the help of Andi Forster

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Ships Hit
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
2 Mar 41	22.15	59°39'N, 7°24'W	AUGVALD	4,811	Norwegian	HX-109
			Total = 4,811
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.

			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
			for "  U  147  "
			Commander:  Kptlt.  H  a  r  d  e  g  e  n
			Beginning:   9.   February 1941
			Ending:      12.  March     1941
				© U-boat Archive 2024 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		09.02.41	Kiel, Tirpitzmole	Cast off from the Tirpitz Mole.
		08.00	Wind SW 4, misty, ice
		08.30		Made fast in the Holtenau lock.
		09.00		Departed the lock.
				Towed by ice-breaker through the Kaiser-Wilhelm Canal.  As a result of heavy ice, the fairing at the front of the external fuel tanks is torn or dented in several places.
		18.00		Made fast at Brunsbüttel. Crew is accommodated in the barracks of the DAF (Deutsche Arbeitsfront-German Labor Front)-warehouse
		10.02.41	Brunsbüttel	Departed Brunsbüttel.  Towed to the lock.  Heavy ice.
		08.00	SW 1-2, fog, light drizzle, Vis. 800 m.
		09.00		Made fast in the lock.  Delayed departure because of fog.
		14.00	Visibility improving	Departed the lock.  Towed through the ice by auxiliary ice-breaker "MARIE S. MÜLLER"  Later transit continued behind SPERRBRECHER 36.  Made fast Cuxhaven. (Minesweeping harbour).  Front of the boat is raised with a crane to free the dive planes.  The following ice damage was discovered:  starboard dive plane guard with wire pennant broken off, port wire pennant broken off the dive plane guard.  On both sides the fairings at the front of the external fuel tanks are torn or dented.  They were removed and new plates cut in the workshop.
		11.02.41	Cuxhaven	In the morning new plates were welded to the outer skin.  The forward diving plane and location of the fracture of the starboard diving plane guard was examined by a diver.
			NW 3-4, Sea 1-2, Vis. 5 nm
		13.30		Sailed from Cuxhaven behind "SPERRBRECHER 36"
		18.30		Made fast at Helgoland U-boat base.
		12.02.41	Helgoland	In the mornings education service at the pier.  Crash-dive and fire control exercises.  Calibration of radio direction finder bearings monitored by NEK.  [Nachrichtenmittel-erprobungskommando]
			SW 1-2, Sea 1-2, Vis. 200 m, fog
		15.30		Sailed for final trim test after shipyard period.
		15.30		Returned to Helgoland.  After discussion with the Commander of the U-boat chaser flotilla, telephoned B.d.U. - Op - and B.S.N. [Befehlshaber der Sicherung der Nordsee] departure delayed until 13 February at 15.30 hours, because convoy is impossible due to fog.

	- 2 -
		13.02.41	Helgoland
			E 4-5, Sea 3-4, Vis. 800 m, driving snow	In the morning training exercises on the bridge.
		15.15		Departed Helgoland.  Proceeded to Point Anton with SPERRBRECHER 32, U-BOAT CHASER 26 and U-69.
		16.45	Driving snow, Vis. 600 m	Released from convoy at Point Anton.  Course 270°.  Both engines 410 RPM.
		19.01		Point Hans, came to course 342°.
		24.00	German Bight
			AN 6693 center-right edge
			E 5, Sea 4, Vis. 1000 m, driving show
		14.02.41	German Bight
		04.00	AN 6397 upper-right	Course 0°, 11 knots.
			ESE 4-5, Sea 3-4, cloudy, Vis. 1500 m
		08.03	AN 6361 center-right edge	Dived.
			As above
		08.30		Put the boat on the bottom.  Depth T = 23 meters. [actual depth 46 meters].
		12.00		Day's run:  Surfaced 170 nm.
		19.00		Boat off the bottom.  Surfaced, 3/4 speed with charging.  Course 0°.
		20.06	Little Fisher Bank
			ESE 2-3, cloudy, 10/10, Sea 2-3, Vis. 1-2 nm, very dark
		15.02.41
		00.00	AN 3848 center
			West exit of the Skagerrak
			Weather as for 20.00
		01.44		Came to course 318°.
		04.00	AN 3732 upper-right
			ESE 3-4, 10/10, Sea 3, Vis. 2-3 nm
		08.47	AN 3418 lower-right corner	Dived on course 345°.  Deep dive test to 47 meters [94 meters].  No special occurrences.  Continued at T = 20 meters [40 meters].
			ESE 4-5, 10/10, Sea 4, Vis. 5 nm
		12.00	Square 3416 upper-right.  Navigation check by sounding series.
				Day's run 120 nm.
		16.00	AN 3413 upper-center edge
		19.10	West coast of Norway	Surfaced, both engines 3/4 speed with charging, course 345°.
			SE 7-8, Sea 7, Vis. 5 nm, cloudy, 10/10, medium S-swell
		20.00	AN 3172 center
		21.15		20° to starboard German visual signalling being sent.  Shortly afterward an aircraft with required lights 200-meters above the boat.  Likely own aircraft  returning from a sortie.

	Sun and Moon Data 13.02.41
	Sun and Moon Data 14.02.41
	Sun and Moon Data 15.02.41

	- 3 -
		16.02.41
		00.00	AN 3111 center-left edge
			Wind waning, SE 6-7, 10/10, Sea 6, Vis. 5 nm, very dark
		01.00		Changed course to 0°.
		04.00	SE 5-6, Sea 5, medium S-swell, 10/10, light driving snow, Vis. 1-2 nm
		06.24		Changed course to 90°.
		08.00	AN 2479 upper-center edge
			SE 5, Sea 4, 10/10, Vis. 3 nm, rain
		08.30		Marstein (lighthouse) in sight dead ahead, dived.  Continued submerged, course 255°.
		10.00		Surfaced.  Sent short signal:  "Position 12 hours from entering port."  Continuing submerged.
		12.00	AN 2476 center	Day's run:  142 nm.
		13.00		Proceeding on general course 75°.
		15.00		6 nm west of Marstein heavy propeller sounds bearing 20°.  At periscope depth nothing seen.  Sounds growing louder.  Located with S-Gerät d and at 200 meters a distinct echo.  At the same moment sounds disappeared.  Continued at silent speed.
		15.20		Distinct propeller sounds heard again bearing 50° and sounds from auxiliary machinery in the GHG.  Loated with S-Gerät at 400 meters.  Sounds disappeared.  Nothing further heard from then.  I suppose that it was an enemy submarine which was repulsed by my transmission.
		16.50		Surfaced abeam Marstein.  Visual recognition signal fired.  Subsequently dove in the Korsfjord.  Half way inside 2 patrol boats.  Surfaced and from there brought to Börnestangen.  There waited for darkness.
		20.00		Proceeded from Börnestangen to Bergen in convoy.
		22.30		Made fast alongside "UNITAS" in Bergen.  Total distance 465 nm.
		17.02.41	Bergen	Supply of fuel, lubricating oil, fresh provisions. All torpedoes pulled and regulated. Repor to Admiral West Coast and Naval Commander. Allocation of a training area for exercises in the Nord-By-Fjord and provision of a patrol vessel to present a target.

	Sun and Moon Data 16.02.41
	Sun and Moon Data 17.02.41

	- 4 -
		18.02.41	Bergen
		09.00		Departed for own ship exercises in the North-By-Fjord.  Crash diving exercises, deep keeping exercises and attack exercises.  An oil trace was discovered.  We finally determined that both external fuel tanks were leaking.  On both sides DWK [Deutsche Werke AG Kiel] had pre bored holes which were poorly welded up and then painted over.
				In addition, 2 manholes were leaking.
		16.00		Returned to Bergen.  Made fast near "UNITAS".  Discharged oil from the starboard external fuel tank to "UNITAS" which can take only 10 metric tons, so that we must empty bunkers one after another to facilitate welding.
		19.02.41	Bergen
				Boat towed from the pier to Marineholm.  There external fuel tanks were welded and new gaskets were used in the manholes.
		20.02.41	Bergen	Fuel loaded.  Battery charged.
		12.00		Departed for own ship exercises in the North-By-Fjord with patrol boat "HORNISSE".
		18.00		Decided to return to Marineholm.  The Conning Tower hatch is warped.  Spindle of the catch was broken and repaired by the base workshop.  The Conning Tower hatch had been continuously worked on Kiel, without finding the cause.  It is harder to close after each dive, because it is warped.  Likely due to tension.
		21.02.41	Bergen
		09.00		Departed for own ship exercises with "HORNISSE" in the North-By-Fjord.
		16.30		Made fast to "UNITAS".  Remainder of oil, fuel and provisions taken.  Torpedoes serviced.  Notice of departure with Admiral der norwegischen Westküste and Seekommandant.
		22.02.41	Bergen
		00.30	SE 3, 0/10, Sea 0, Vis. 10 nm, no moon	Departed Bergen as ordered.  Brought to Börnestangen in convoy.
		03.35		Released from convoy.
		04.30		Marstein abeam, on course 291°, 11 knots.  Proceeding to operations area.
		07.47	AN 2369	Dived.
		09.00		Surfaced.  Continued transit.
				12.00 hours

	Sun and Moon Data 18.02.41
	Sun and Moon Data 19.02.41
	Sun and Moon Data 20.02.41
	Sun and Moon Data 21.02.41
	Sun and Moon Data 22.02.41

	- 5 -
		22.02.41	Northern North Sea
		12.00	AN 2318	Day's run:  95 nm.
			SE 3-4, 4/10, Vis. 10 nm, medium S-swell
		12.40		Sent Short Signal "Have passed 2°E"
		16.00	AN 2225 upper-right	1 drifting mine sighted with white cross.  Fired at with MG 30 and machine guns.  Mine sank after multiple hits.  Continued transit.
			Weather as before
		17.56		Drifting mine 800 meters to port.  Fired with MG C30 and sank it.
		20.00	AF 7977 center
			SE 4, 6/10, Sea 4, Vis. 10 nm
		21.00		30° to port a bright flash as from a detonation.
		23.02.41	North of the Shetlands
		00.00	AF 7857 lower-right corner
			E 5, 8/10, light rain and snow showers, Sea 4, Vis. 5 nm
		02.00		Came to course 251.  Starboard diesel HF, port diesel stopped.
		04.00	AF 7847 lower-right
			ENE 4, 9/10, light driving snow, Sea 3-4, Vis. 10 nm
		08.22		Dived.  Torpedoes in tubes 1 and 2 withdrawn for charging.
		12.00	AN 1212 upper-center	Day's run:  180 nm.
		16.37	West of the Shetlands
			AN 1243	(correction after 2 sights)
			NEbyE 4, 9/10, Sea 3-4, Vis. 15 nm
		19.20	AN 1248 center	Ahead to starboard a two-engined land-based aircraft.  Alarm.  Dived
			NE 6, 10/10, Sea 5, Vis. 5 nm, snow showers
		20.13		Surfaced.  Back and forth in the operations area on one engine HF.  Focal point south of 59° 50'N.
		24.02.41	West of Fair Isle Passage
		00.00	AN 1333 upper-right corner	Course 200°.
			NE 7, 9/10, occasional snow and rain showers, Sea 6, Vis. variable between 1-8 nm, no moon
		02.44		Came to course 280°.
		04.00	AN 1337 lower-right
			Weather as before
		08.00	AN 1319 upper-right
			NE 6, 9/10, Sea 6, Vis. 10 nm
				08.23 hours

	Sun and Moon Data 22.02.41
	Sun and Moon Data 23.02.41
	Sun and Moon Data 24.02.41

	- 6 -
		24.02.41
		08.23		Dived.
		09.52		Surfaced.  50° to starboard, 2 nm distant, a fishing trawler.  Alarm, dived to 15 meters.
		10.40		Surfaced, came to course 200°.
		12.00	AN 1317 lower-right	Day's run:  135 nm.
			NNE 4, 8/10, Sea 3-4, Vis. 15 nm
		14.30		Course 65°.
		17.44		Aircraft ahead to starboard.  Alarm.  dived to T = 20 meters [40 meters].  Biplane, wheeled aircraft.
		18.48		Surfaced.
		20.00	AN 1325 upper-right	Because up to now no traffic is observed and airborne reconnaissance is weak, I decide to advance towards the Pentland Firth on course 180°.
			NNE 3-4, 6/10, Vis. 10 nm, Sea 3-4
		22.00		3 Strich [33.75°] to port star shell shooting.  Approximately 20 star shells were shot in half an hour, in addition, searchlights in the direction of Scapa Flow.
		24.00	AN 1385 center-right edge
			NNE 3, 4/10, Sea 3, Vis. 10 nm, bright night
		25.02.41	Uncertain
		00.30		By dead reckoning our position is AN 1388 lower right. Well outside the 100-meter line.  However, the depth sounder already indicates 60 meters.  Searchlights are abeam to port.  I suppose that I am to the south of my dead reckoning position.  The navigation is complicated very much hereby the strong current; to the west I am constricted by the suspected minefield.  No traffic is to be observed off the Pentland Firth.  I decide to turn to the north.  Course 325°.
		04.00	AN 1346 lower-left
			SW 5, Sea 4, 10/10, Vis. 8 nm
		08.19	AM 3436	A smoke cloud is ahead and to starboard.  Maneuver for surface attack.  While closing I recognize a small fishing trawler of approximately 300 GRT.  Not worth a torpedo.  Because it is dawn, I dive at 800 meters distance, depth T = 15 meters [30 meters].
		08.30		Torpedoes in tubes 1 and 2 are withdrawn for charging.
		11.13		Surfaced.
		12.00	AM 3298 center	Day's run:  142 nm.
			SW 6, 10/10, rain, Vis. 10 nm
		13.00		Turned to course 130°.
		16.00	AN 1314 upper-left	Two English drifting mines sighted.  Firing is impossible in the weather.
			SW 8-9, 10/10, Sea 7-8, Vis. 10 nm
		20.00	AN 1351 center
			SW 7-8, 10/10, light driving snow, Sea 7, Vis. 5 nm
		23.30		Depth sounder indicates under 100 meters.  Came to course 0°.  No traffic observed.

	Sun and Moon Data 24.02.41
	Sun and Moon Data 25.02.41

	- 7 -
		26.02.41
		00.00	AN 1367 lower-left	Wind wanes suddenly and shifts. We seem to be in the center of a low-pressure area.
			Wind shifting to the north 2-3, 10/10, heavy blowing snow, Vis. 2-3 nm
		00.40	AN 1334 center-left edge
			Wind shifts between N and NE 6-7, 10/10, blowing snow, Vis. 2 nm, Sea 5	Wind freshens again.  No traffic, use of weapons impossible in this weather.
		08.00	AN 1191 upper-left
		08.18		Submerged at dawn.  The diesel and port clutch are in need of repair.  Work could not be conducted on the surface because of the high seas.
		10.35		Underwater detonation approximately 15 nm distant.
		10.50		Surfaced.  Strong smoke trail 20° to starboard.  Followed at GF and then maneuver ahead at the limit of visibility.  Enemy is on SW course.  Smoking suspiciously strongly.  I approach nearer and again recognize that it is only a small fishing trawler, likely a patrol vessel, about 300-500 GRT.  An underwater attack in the heavy sea is impossible.  Maintaining contact for night attack was not worthwhile.  I turn away on course 130°.
		12.00	West of the Fair Isle Passage	Day's run 133 nm.
			AN 1181 upper-left
			NE 4, 10/10, Sea 4, Vis. 10 nm
		14.00		English drifting mine sighted.  Crash dive.
		14.31		Aircraft abeam to port.  Depth T = 20 meters [40 meters].
		15.15		Surfaced.
		16.00	AN 1189 lower-right	Came to course 195°.  Short signal delivered:  "No traffic, only patrols."
		17.58		Crash dive, aircraft abeam to starboard, depth T = 20 meters [40 meters].  Surfaced at 18.35 hours.  AN 1325, ahead 2 smoke clouds in sight.
		19.30	SE 6, 10/10, rain showers, Sea 5, Vis. 3 nm	Closed at 2 x GF.  In the twilight I recognize again that it is 2 escorts of the same type.  Course 350°.  Then I see 2 shadows astern.  I stand in the middle of 4 escorts who morse together with blue lamps.  Range 800 meters.  They proceed in echlon.  Because I suppose that perhaps they want to catch up with a convoy, I hold on to the last and maintain contact.  Astern searchlights in the direction of Scapa Flow. Because the escorts are making approximately 11-12 knots, I lose contact at 22.00 hours.  Continued on the same course but saw nothing.
		27.02.41
		00.00	AN 1179 upper-right corner
			SE 6-7, 10/10, rain and hail showers, Sea 6, Vis, 3 nm
		04.00	AM 3269 lower-right corner
		08.00	AM 3253 center
		08.25		Dived at dawn.  Torpedoes withdrawn, ventilated etc.  Depth T = 20 meters [40 meters].

	Sun and Moon Data 26.02.41
	Sun and Moon Data 27.02.41

	- 8 -
		27.02.41
		10.30	SE 10, 10/10, rain showers, Sea 8-9, Vis. 5 nm	Surfaced.  Heavy seas (8-9) on the surface.  The bridge is continuously pooped.  Visibility 300 meters, heavy rain or driving snow.  Because maintaining a lookout is only a limited possibly, particularly with the new, unseasoned crew and the boat labors with great difficultly in the sea (Once the bridge was completely flooded by a wave from astern) I decide to dive and to wait.
		10.50		Dived to depth T = 20 meters [40 meters].  The boat still labors at this depth.
		12.00	AM 3255 center	Day's run:  105 nm.   Heard a few distant underwater detonations.
		16.40	SE 9, 10/10, Sea 8, Vis. 5 nm, heavy SE-swell	Surfaced.  The storm has abated somewhat.  Visibility continues to be poor.  Barometer 960 millibars.  Intend to advance to the south to the Butt of Lewis to determine traffic off the Minch.
		20.00	AM 3274
		28.02.41
		00.00	AM 3332
			SE 7-8, 9/10, Sea 6, Vis. 5 nm
		04.00	AM 3352 upper-left corner	Came to course 180°.
		08.00	AM 3358 center-left edge
		12.00	AM 3388 center	Day's run:  105 nm.
			Wind jumped from the S to SW 7-8, 9/10, Sea 6, Vis. 5 nm	Unfortunately, up to now no traffic is observed.  Per B.d.U.'s message that in AM 2221 lie several damaged vessels I advance at GF to the north and announce by short signal, that I am shifting my operations area to the north.  If the weather holds, however, the use of weapons will not be possible.
		16.00	AM 3349 lower-left
			SW 7-8, 10/10, Sea 7, Vis. 5 nm
		20.00	AM 3317 upper-left	Course 334°.
			Weather same as for 16.00 hours
		01.03.41	Faroes Bank
		00.00	AM 2291 lower-right
			SW 6, 8/10, Sea 6, Vis. 10 nm
		04.00	AM 2228 center	No vessels seen up to now.
		08.00	AE 9785 center	For the first time we succeeded in shooting stars.  Getting an exact location what was particularly important for us, because the Echo-Lot depth sounder is out of service, correction after fix of 22 nm to the NE, after 2-day storm, plotting inaccuracy is to be expected.  I now come to course 180°.
		08.55		Dived.  Torpedoes withdrawn from tubes I and II.
		10.45		Surfaced.
		12.00	AE 9785	Day's run:  159 nm.
			Weather as before
		16.42	AE 9793	Crash dive.  An "airship" is sighted ahead.  In the periscope a torn off barrage balloon (English) was recognized.   The rope dragged behind in the water.

	Sun and Moon Data 27.02.41
	Sun and Moon Data 28.02.41
	Sun and Moon Data 01.03.41

	- 9 -
		continued
		01.03.41
		20.00	AE 9797	A multi-engined land-based aircraft sighted directly ahead.  Could not see us, however, due to his course.
			Weather unchanged
		02.03.41		This Sunday brought us bitter disappointments from which we still could learn.  For 1 week we had seen nothing but aircraft and escorts.  For 3 days weather so bad that the use of weapons would not have been possible.  Finally, it abated tonight, even if quite a swell still exists.
		00.00	AM 2234
			SW 4, 5/10, Sea 4, Vis. 10 nm
		04.00	AM 2237 lower-left
		08.00	AM 2267 center
			SSW 3-4, 5/10, Sea 3, Vis. 10 nm
		08.09		A shadow to port.  I immediately recognize a big steamer, coming towards us bow left, target angle 10°.  A rare opportunity for a small boat.  Unfortunately, it is already getting very light, I had wanted to dive just because of the dawn.  We had the dark west horizon behind us.  I had to try to get him on the surface and because it was already quite light, I wanted to get going.  Maneuvered with both engines 2 x GF.  Still he had not seen us.
		08.16		At target angle 90° I fired at 600 meters.  I estimated his speed at 12 knots.  It was a completely modern motor ship of the "Dorset" type 10,900 GRT of note, he flew a 5-figure signal forward.  A pennant, with 4 flags underneath.  Now, however, he saw us and turned to starboard.   Also, he seemed to increase speed, because he made heavy propeller wake.  I approached to within 300 meters of his stern and recognized his stern armament was being made ready.  Because it was already almost completely light and I showed my broadside, I crash dove.
		08.20		We could hardly believe that at this low range the torpedo did not hit and this 11000 tonner slipped through our fingers.  The speed was probably underestimated, his turning away was decisive.  If only he had come half an hour earlier.
		09.09		Surfaced.  The steamer was already gone.  Unfortunately, I could not chase him with the low speed of the small boat.

	Sun and Moon Data 01.03.41
	Sun and Moon Data 02.03.41

	- 10 -
		02.03.41
		09.20		A cloud of smoke directly ahead.  Could this be compensation? Soon we recognize that it is a 5000 GRT freighter which runs ahead of us.  With 2 x GF we chase him and attempt to maneuver ahead.  He runs at 10 knots, therefore we have too little speed advantage.  He heads for the Minch.  General course 140°.
		12.00	AM 2295 center	Day's run:  95 nm.   Around 15.00 we were already a good ways in front and closing slowly.  At nightfall I would be in good attack position.
			SSW 3, 3/10, Sea 2, medium SW-swell, Vis. 5 nm
		15.32		10° to port a cloud of smoke.   Soon a mast and smokestack were recognized.  Now I was in a dilemma between two steamers.  I turned toward the first one, because from him only the mast was to be seen and I could still continue.  The new one seemed to be smaller and suddenly turned toward us.  I took him as a fishing trawler.  If he paid attention, he had to see us.  Now only boldness helped.  I had struggled so hard to get into a forward position, now this scoundrel wanted to spoil it.  I made directly for the steamer.  It seems to be ok when suddenly the small vessel turns toward us again at high speed.  It seems to be an escort.  At a distance of 35 meters [probably a typo for 350 meters] it signals with him. The dog shoots.  Now something must be done soon.  There exactly in the wake 50 meters behind an impact.  A yellowish-green explosive pillar.  I had not thought him capable of this.
		15.51		Crash dive.  I wanted to go to T =  30 meters [60 meters].  The exhaust gas outboard flap valve however, does not hold.  We settle through.  At the moment we had 5 tons of water in the boat.  At the Diesel everything is under water.  Neither bilge pump can take suction from the Diesel bilge, because they are quickly blocked.  The regulating tanks were empty.  At a depth T = 65 meters [130 meters] we succeed in catching the boat dynamically with high speed and rise higher.  The starboard Diesel is inoperative. The escort went away above us.  Astonishingly there were no depth charges.  We could not have endured them.  Because the water rose and we could not pump out any more, we had to surface.
		16.42	AM 3367 center	Surfaced.  The exhaust gas valve was ground in well.  Abeam to starboard lay the steamer and near him the escort.  An aircraft circled about that point.
			SSW 1-2, 5/10, Sea 2, Vis. 15 nm
		16.46		I dove.  The exhaust gas valve stays tight.
		16.58		Surfaced.  Both steamers still seem stopped.  The aircraft is gone.  Because the starboard Diesel is inoperative (must perform oil test) I try to get at them using the port diesel and starboard E-motor.  Unfortunately, however, range is large.

Sun and Moon Data 02.03.41

	- 11 -
		continued
		02.03.41
				The escort ahead of him seems to proceed as mine escort and because we are close to the restricted area in naval quadrant AM 34, I must take leave of him.  The farewell was difficult for us; since we had hunted him so beautifully.  The only positive was the good training in maintaining contact.
		18.02		We dive and reload tube I.  The starboard inner exhaust gas flap valve was repaired.  Due to a lose bolt the spindle had fallen out (See the KTB Maschine).  The starboard Diesel is under repair and oil testing is complete.
		21.55	AM 3353 lower-right	I surface to catch the broadcast time, although the starboard Diesel is still inoperative.  A shadow is directly ahead.  The tables are turning.  After a while tanks are blown.  With port Diesel and starboard E-motor GF we close the shadow which grows into a big steamer target angle 40°.  Now the orders come quickly.  Bring out the UZO.  3 torpedo tubes ready.  Blow with Diesel etc.
		22.15	SSW 1-2, 3/10, Sea 1-2, Vis. 4 nm, faint moon	This time he will not escape from us again.  The moon stands behind him, we are on the dark horizon.  When range was less than 400 meters, I fire, target angle 80° G7a.  Both engines AK back.  After 28 seconds a hit at the forward cargo hatch.  A very violent detonation.  The explosive debris hits all around the boat, such that I believe at first he is firing.  But he slips into the deep.  After 60 seconds he was gone.  Shortly before the stern rose sharply.  I estimated at about 8000 GRT.  Among the debris and upturned boats people still swam.  The name could not be understood.  They gave 9000 GRT as a size, the steamer was heavily loaded, course 170°, appears like "Peshawur" in accordance with merchant vessel pictures.  He was particularly long.  New course 320°.  After all this, it was still Sunday.
		03.03.41
		00.00	AM 3353 upper-left
		04.00	AM 3313 upper-right
		04.37		Abeam to port a steamer approximately 7000 GRT motor ship which approaches at high speed from astern on a parallel course at a transverse distance of 1000 meters.  The stern lookout had not paid attention.  With the bright horizon he should have seen him a lot earlier, so that I would still have time to reach attack position.  I still attempt to approach with AK to attack position.  However, the target angle becomes hopelessly large.  He runs at 15 knots.

	Sun and Moon Data 02.03.41
	Sun and Moon Data 03.03.41

	- 12 -
				I move off on the old course 320°.
		03.03.41	Between the Faroes and Herbrides
		08.12	AM 3147 lower-left corner	Dived.  Torpedoes reloaded
			Wind calm, Sea 0, Vis. 20 nm, light confused swells
		10.07		Surfaced.  Smoke cloud bearing 340°T.  I make for it and recognize that a Sunderland circles about the steamer.  Still he has not seen us and I try to position myself.  As I do, a second aircraft approaches us from the steamer and forces us to submerge.
		10.56		Crash dive.  Depth T = 15 meters [30 meters].  Then at periscope depth I can see that the aircraft which may have noted us has.  Went to depth T = 20 meters [40 meters].
		11.48		Surfaced.  There a cloud of smoke is again sighted bearing 260°, soon 2 masts.  He lies at target angle 0° coming directly towards us.  His course is 130°.
		12.00	AM 2265 center-right edge	Day's run 145 nm.
			SSW 0-1, 3/10, Sea 0, Vis. 20 nm
		12.15		I let myself settle and because the sea was mirror smooth and the opportunity favorable, decide I on a submerged attack.  Above him an aircraft circles as an escort.  He zigzags before the shot from 175° by which the target angle became 80° and the range 1000 meters.  Target speed was estimated at 12 knots.
		13.12		Nevertheless, unfortunately, I decided to fire with a target angle of 90° and estimated range 1000 meters.  The target was a 5000 ton cargo steamer.  Miss.  The speed was estimated too high.  If he ran at only 10 knots, a miss was certain.  Lesson learned.  Never attack submerged.  I can't chase steamers in the same way as a big boat with my low speed and am dependent on favorable situations.
		13.53		Surfaced.
		14.02		Crash dive for aircraft, depth T 15 meters [30 meters].  Torpedo reloading.
		15.15		Surfaced.  To save fuel I want to lie stopped in the calm seas and wait for steamers, because I have found the main route.
		15.43		Astern a wisp of smoke in sight.  Shortly after there was an aircraft there.
		15.46		Crash dive.  Depth T = 15 meters [30 meters].
		17.18		Surfaced.
		17.33		Two smoke trails in sight astern.  An aircraft, but far off.
		18.44		Ahead to port a wisp of smoke.  With the great visibility the steamers were all approximately 20 nm distant.  A chase with my small speed would be senseless.  I had to wait for one to come to me.  At night I planned to stand off on the route moving back and forth.
		20.00	AM 2265 center	Came to course 140°.
			NE 2, 5/10, Sea 1-2, faint moon

Sun and Moon Data 03.03.41

	- 13 -
		04.03.41
		00.00	AM 3313 center-left edge
			NE 2-3, 5/10, Sea 2, Vis. 10 nm, Moonlit
		04.00	AM 3327 center
			NNW 2-3, 9/10, Sea 2, Vis. 5 nm, isolated rain showers, no moon	Ahead to port a shadow.  It is a fast motor ship, running out approximately 7000 tons.  I'm in an extremely favorable position and commence the attack.  Because I'm positioned just before a rain squall and aware of my invisibility,
		04.05		I shoot an Eto at a distance less than 300 meters.  Target angle 45°, target speed 14 knots;  I turn away hard to starboard.  The torpedo had to hit.  We were so close that in the UZO only a part of the steamer was to be seen at the shot.  Nothing happens.  It turned out that target angle 25° was entered due to an order error in the device.  However, given the short distance, this mistake might not have led to the miss.  At 200 meters the distance was such that the pistol had to be armed and also the torpedo had to have kept the depth of 2 meters.  I go below and try to clarify the failure, the Watch Officer calls from above "Action Stations".
		04.19		Astern a big long shadow.  Very flat.  At first I believe it ito be a warship.  Ideal attack position.  My last torpedo in the tube, must hit.  I recognize two stacks, low, a big passenger steamer which comes on quickly.  I estimate target speed 17 knots.  The shadow is extremely large and long.  We identified him perfectly as Cunard-Line "Britannic" or "Georgie" of 27000 tons.  Inbound.  Certainly full of troops.  It is a shame that we do not have any more torpedoes for a spread, but this last torpedo must suffice.  I get to less than 500 meters.  Unfortunately, the target angle at the shot already 100° degrees.  However, the Watch Officer aims at the forward stack, because we believe these steamers actually run at 18 knots.  The target is so big, 228 meters long that one can hardly miss, particularly when I regard my firing data as correct.  Again nothing happens.  We can only watch how closely before us this giant runs to England.  Eto failure must have occurred.  Which kind is unexplainable.  One is easily crushed, because probably never has a small boat had the chance to sight five steamers totaling over 60000 tons in 48 hours and succeeded in getting in the line of fire and then in getting only one of 9000 tons under water and that with a G7a which lay 12 days in the tube.  I come to 320° degrees and send a radio message to B.d. U.

Sun and Moon Data 04.03.41

	- 14 -
		04.03.41
		08.00	AM 3312 center	Dived.
		09.27		Surfaced.
		12.00	AM 2293 lower-left	Day's run:  97 nm.
			NNW 2-3, 9/10, Sea 2, Vis. 15 nm, light rain showers
		12.17		A destroyer to port, 2 funnels W Class.  Crash dive.  Depth 15 meters.
		12.39		4 detonations heard, however, no depth charges.  Sounds like the impact of grenades.  Far distant. The enemy estimated the location of my radio message as AM 3346, true location of the transmission was AM 3174 = 40 nm away.
		14.51		Surfaced.  Return transit directly to Kiel, because we still have more than two thirds fuel supply.  Course 90°.  Operating from Bergen, we had hoped to be able to make a second trip to these beautiful hunting grounds.
		17.58		Crash dive for aircraft.  Depth T = 15 meters [30 meters].
		19.09		Surfaced.
		20.00	AM 3181 upper-left
			NE 2, 5/10, Sea 2, Vis. 15 nm, moonlit
		05.03.41
		00.00	AM 3271 upper-left
			NE 2, 5/10, Sea 2, Vis. 10 nm, isolated rain showers
		04.00	AM 3292 upper half
			Weather as before
		08.00	AN 1183 upper-left	Came to course 40°.  Aircraft sighted in the distance.
			Weather as before
		09.30	AN 1214 upper-left	Aircraft sighted in the distance.
		12.00	E 2, 3/10, Sea 1-2, Vis. 15 nm	Day's run:  183 nm.
		12.45		Drifting mine 400 meters distant.
		15.20		Crash dive for aircraft.  Depth T = 15 meters [30 meters].
		15.47	AF 7786 center	Surfaced.  During the day several drifting mines and aircraft sighted.
			ESE 2, 9/10, Sea 1-2, Vis. 10 nm, individual rain showers and hail squalls
		20.00	AF 7841 upper-left
		06.03.41	North North Sea
		00.00	AF 7852 upper-right
			ESE 2-3, 9/10, Sea 2, Vis. 10 nm
		04.00	AF 7942 upper-center edge
			Weather as above
		06.25		Came to course 144°.
		08.00	AF 7964 lower-center edge
		12.00	AN 2316 lower-center edge	Day's run:  222 nm.
			SE 2-3, 10/10, Sea 2, Vis. 10 nm
		15.00		Course 167°.
		16.00	AN2391 lower-left
		20.00	AN 2838 lower half
			SE 3, 10/10, Sea 2, Vis. 10 nm
		07.03.41
		00.00	ESE 5, 10/10, Sea 4, Vis. 5 nm, rain showers

	Sun and Moon Data 04.03.41
	Sun and Moon Data 05.03.41
	Sun and Moon Data 06.03.41
	Sun and Moon Data 07.03.41

	- 15 -
		continued
		07.03.41
		00.00	AN 4333	Sent Short Signal  "In the North Sea have passed 59° N east of 2° E"  Was not understood.
		04.40	AN 3175 center	Came to course 138°.  Due to increasing wind and difficult head sea, I must slow to HF later to LF.
			ESE 8-9, 10/10, Sea 7-8, Vis. 5 nm
		07.35	AN 3421	Dove.  Depth T = 15 meters [30 meters].  Continued transit.
		12.00	AN 3428	Day's run:  180 nm.  Several distant depth charge detonations.
		18.55		Surfaced.  Due to difficult seas I can run at only 3 knots.  Course 150°.
		20.00	AN 3467 center	Sent Short Signal "Passed 57°30'N".
			E 8-9, 10/10, Sea 8, Vis. 5 nm
		08.03.41	West of the Skagerrak outlet
		00.00	AN 3496 center
			E 8-9, 10/10, Sea 8, Vis. 5 nm
		04.00	AN 3736 center
		07.42	AN 3841 upper-left	Dived.
		12.00	AN 3848 center	Day's run:  90 nm.
		19.15	AN 3872	Surfaced, because for 2 days severe easterly storm during which I could make only 3 knots, I request by Short Signal "Radio beacon Naval North Sea for navigation control.  Proceeding on Route Blue".
			EbyN 7-8, 10/10, Sea 6-7, Vis. 5 nm
		09.03.41
		00.00	AN 6334	Have plotted my position by radio direction finding and can run athwart the seas at GF.
			EbyN 7, 10/10, rain showers, Sea 6, Vis. 5 nm
		03.00		2 fishing cutters with navigation lights set, came on course 0° on Route Blue.
		04.00	AN 6391
			Weather as before
		06.58		1 fishing cutter to starboard with navigation lights set.
		08.00	AN 6638	Short Signal:  Position 24 hours from entering port.
			Weather as before
		08.58		Dived.
		12.00	AN 6638	Day's run:  95 nm.
		13.49		Put the boat on the bottom.  Depth T = 23 meters [46 meters].
		18.45	ENE 7, 10/10, snow and driving hail, Sea 6, Vis. 2 nm	Surfaced,  continued transit.
		20.00	AN 6669
		10.03.41
		00.00	AN 9518	From 02.00 hours sudden changes in the weather.  Wind wanes.  Stars and moon clear.
			ENE 4-5, 10/10, Sea 4, Vis. 3 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 07.03.41
	Sun and Moon Data 08.03.41
	Sun and Moon Data 09.03.41
	Sun and Moon Data 10.03.41

	- 16 -
		10.03.41
		03.30	ENE 3, 0/10, Sea 2-3, Vis. 10 nm, moonshine	Green flashing buoy at "Hans" 1000 meters abeam to port.  A convoy of 6 smaller vehicles with navigation lights set overtakes us to port.  From 06.00 hours thick fog arises.
		06.20	ENE 2-3, fog, Sea 2, Vis. 100 meters	At "Anton" came to course 9°.
		07.38		100 meters ahead black cone buoy.  Came to course 200°.  Anchored because the visibility continued to be below 100 meters.
		07.54	Weather as at 06.20 hours	Anchored after reaching buoy "Hoog Stean".   Guided to the U-boat harbour by a fishing boat. Visibility 50 meters.
		11.00
		12.10		Made fast in the U-boat harbor.  Day's run:  115 nm.  Escort delayed about 24 hours because of continued thick fog.
		11.03.41	Helgoland
		17.10	ESE 1-2, 0/10, Sea 102, Vis. 20 meters	Departed Helgoland behind Speerbrecher XII.
		22.15		Made fast in the lock at Brunsbüttel.
		12.03.41	Kaiser-Wilhelm Canal
		00.50	Bright moon, ESE 1-2, 0/10, Vis. 20 meters	Departed the lock.
		03.50		Stopped in the canal due to an aircraft alarm.
		06.45		Continued transit.
		10.55		Made fast in the Holtenauer Lock.  Day's run:  110 nm.
		11.40		Made fast at the Tirpitz Pier.
				Total distance 2588 nm.  Of that 172 nm submerged.

	Sun and Moon Data 10.03.41
	Sun and Moon Data 11.03.41
	Sun and Moon Data 12.03.41

	Enclosures to U-147's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Chart	Track chart covering entire war patrol                13 February to 10 March 1941
Radio	Excerpt of radio log

	U-147  7. U.Flotille
	Operation from 14.02.41 -
	11.03.41
	Comments of the BdU
	1.) A good enterprise which would have been a big success if the Torpedoes had hit.  Also, given the recent experiences of other boats, is not to be doubted that among the misses or apparently clear shots there were several failures. 2.) The lesson learned, that the Kommandant took from his experience on 3 March:  Never attack under water, is wrong.  One must also be able to shoot under water or one may not capitalize on attack opportunities during day when it is not certain or when one may be driven off or lose contact due to the night. 3.) It would seem that the Kommandant tends to underestimate distance.  A thorough check on oneself is appropriate.
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		- The Chief of the Operations Department -

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