TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Chapter 1. Introductory Remarks
     
  2. Crew of U-203
     
  3. Early History
     
  4. First War Cruise
     
  5. Second    "
     
  6. Third    "
     
  7. Fourth    "
     
  8. Fifth    "
     
  9. Sixth    "
     
  10. Seventh    "
     
  11. Eighth    "
     
  12. Ninth    "
     
  13. Tenth    "
     
  14. Eleventh    "
     
  15. Twelfth    "
     
  16. Sinking of U-203
     
  17. Details of U-203
     
  18. Flotillas
     
  19. U-boat Bases
     
  20. General Remarks on U-boats
     
  21. Miscellaneous
     
  22. Other U-boats
     
  23. Officers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
CHAPTER I.  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
 
 
 
RYDZY to MACHON   Boat made 11 patrols.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
     
 
Chapter II.  CREW OF U-203
 
     
 
WEBER (KUERT'S report)   KOTTMANN stowed away in a Danish ship to Japan and back to Germany via Russia.  KOTTMANN made Klt. day before sinking.  WEBER had made 4 trips in this boat.
     
WEBER   January '41 eingetreten.  Erckenförder until May '41.  Then in Neustadt for 1 month and 3 weeks in Lazarette with sprained leg and belly ache.  Fall of '41 to France where he remained until joining U-203 a day before she sailed.  Had leave Nov '41; Nov. '42; Mar. '43.
     
FUCHS   Only on this boat, cruiser in peacetime and teacher on shore during war.  Very security conscious.
     
GERNHARDT   Bootsmaat 21 years old.  Has made all cruises with the boat except when MÜTZELBURG dies when he was on shore for high blood pressure, and Bblg. Pillau U-Schule.
     
KARSCH   Oct. '39 eingetreten.  Rekrutenausbildung in Glückstadt, about 12 weeks.  Then to Nachrichtenschule at Aurich (?), early Jan. '40.  Stayed there three months.  Then was given his first Bordkommando.  Sept '41 to Maatenschule at Flensburg, for 8 weeks.  Then to U-Schule in Gotenhafen until end December '41.  Then Durchgangskompanie in Plön.
     
BERKENHAGEN   Bootsmaat.  Joined Navy in October '40.  Rekrutenausbildung Wesermünde 3 months.  Durchgangskompanie Gotenhafen 6 weeks, U-Schule Pillau, mid-Feb. to mid-June the Durchgangskompanie in Plön 8 weeks then joined U-203 as Matrosengefreiter in St. Nazaire.
    P/W has E.K.I. and II and U-bootsabszeichen.
    Was quartermaster on the bridge and action station was diving rudders.
    Engineer Officer who was killed was Olt.(Ing.) ALBUTAT.
    KOTTMANN possibly took over as C.O. when the boat was brought back.
     
GERNHARDT to SCHÖENFELDER   KOTTMANN made three patrols.  Was promoted to Klt. on the first Osterfeiertag.
     
KOTTMANN   Was SS before joining the Navy.  Father old time army officer.  Saw HMS Seal as training boat.  Has taken merchant navy prisoners aboard U-boat.  Claims his Oberfeldwebal to be hopeless individual and a disgrace to the German Navy.
    Was skiing with wife in Austria this winter.
    Father has large farm with Ps/W working on it.
    Was present when Ark Royal was sunk.
     
RYDZY   Entered Navy August 1, '41 at Stralsund where he did Rekrutenausbildung.  No U-Schule but straight to Brest late '41 where un U-Stammabteilung.  L.I. had only joined for last patrol.
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
CHAPTER II.  (Cont'd)
 
     
 
RYDZY to MACHON   No. Bblg.  No U-Schule.  Joined boat in Brest.  Made 6 war cruises with U-203.  Has E.K.II. and U-bootsabszeichen.  Was on 2nd watch.  Battle Station was tiefenruder.
    RYDZY joined Sept. '41.
    2,W.O. was with Mützelburg, and with KOTTMANN did surface firing because I.W.O. was new.
     
BROCKMANN   Obermaschinenmaat.  Was in DD Thiler ? at Narvik where he got E.K.II. and Narvik shield.  After in Hafenschutz boat in Norway 1/2 year leaving December '40.  4 months Unteroffizierschule Kiel.  Pillau 8 weeks U-Schule.  Joined U-203 in Brest, made 6 patrols with MÜTZELBURG and now on third with KOTTMANN, boat sunk on 11th patrol.
    SEIDEL and present one only I.W.O.'s they ever had.
     
RYDZY to MACHON   P/W joined boat on 6th patrol.  KOTTMANN was 1.W.O. under M. except on death cruise when he was at Kommandantenschüler and SEIDEL was 1.W.O.  KOTTMANN was to receive 750-ton boat after finishing the school.  This was his 3rd cruise as C.O.
    SCHMIDT, now 1.W.O., in Sept. '41 was Oberfähnrich in Neustadt and was Zugführer of the 3rd Company.
    HEEP was L.I. under M. on the death cruise.
     
WEBER (via KUERT)   He was a gefechtsrudefganger.
     
GRÜNEWALD   Eingetreten April 1, 1941.  Rekrutenausbildung at Leer for 8 weeks.  The Mechanikerschule at Mürvik-Flensburg.  Then to U-Schule at Pillau for 6 weeks.  Then served 4 months in a French base before joining this boat.  Served under M., after M. had received the KCIC and before Xmas '42.  Hein ZÖNNER was a Mechaniker.
    P/W knew HEEP but not HAUPT.  Was in H.J., his father was in S.A.
    The P/W has E.K.II., got it before Xmas after his first patrol.
    The P/W came to the boat in May 42.
     
SCHÖNFELDER (report)   FUCHS was a trouble-maker, complained about way things were run, argued with officers etc.  Was very unpopular with crew.
    Crew: 49 in all.  3 Fähnrich (1 Fähn.(Ing.)) - 2 Fähn See).  Obersteuermann named HAIN.  Among those not saved were Obermaschinenmaat NEUKIRSCH and 2 Centralegäste.  Had a Verwaltungs Obergefreiter on board last trip.  This is the first man received who had been replaced on land by a "wave".
     
OXFORT   October '41 eingetreten.  Last Urlaub, Xmas '42.  Sats he never knew SEIDEL or SCHMIDT.
     
NEANDER   Oct. '41, eingetreten.  The only students on board were Fähnrich.
     
FUCHS   Was on Leipzig before the war.  Served on battleship when war broke out and was in the Norwegian campaign.  Made only 2 patrols and did not know M.
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter II.  (Cont'd)
 
     
 
HESSE   April '41 eingetreten, Freiwillig.  Rekrutenausbildung at Sassnitz.  Served under M.  Knew SCHMIDT when he was 1.W.O.  Also knew HEEP, HAUPT, PICKERT, but not WALLBAUM.  WEBER made three or more trips.
     
BRANDT   Jan 1, '41 eingetreten.  This was his 1st boat.
     
WEBER   Came to the boat in March '42 and made six trips.
    Bootsmaat BÖHM, Matrosengefreiter RABENAU were on watch positions.  WEBER had been a mason for four years before joining the Navy; three years as apprentice and one year as journeyman.  He earned up to 60 R.M. per week.  His parents are living at home and his brother is in the Luftwaffe.  His Rekrutenausbildung was at Erkenförde, whence he went to Neustadt to his Durchgangskompanie.  There he was hospitalized for a month with an injured foot (sport, says he).  His first assignment was a post in France, which he refused to name.  He arrived there about the beginning of Oct. '41.  He claims it was not a Schiffsstammabt. or Durchgangskompanie, but a regular post or station (ein unabhangiges Kommando).  He had leave in Nov. '41 and became Gefreiter on Jan. 1, '42.  He claims he stayed right there until he was assigned to this boat.  Jan 1, '43 became Obergefreiter, and had leave again in March '43, whence he returned directly to U-KOTTMANN.  He had volunteered for the U-Waffe in Jan. '43, he says, and protests he never had any U-Schule.  Because of his good sight, he was assigned as Aussguck, although only a "Lehrlihg" on board - more or less the "Moses".  He claims he had no Gefechtstation, lived in the Bugraum, shared two bunks with two other men (2:3), had 4 hours watch, 8 hours off.
     
GERNHARDT to SCHÖNFIEDER   The P/W was in St. Naz. and Bordeaux.
     
GERNHARDT   Crew:  P/W volunteered for Navy Jan. '40.  Rekrutenausbildung, Stralsund 6 months Jan. to June '40.  11th Schiffsstammabteilung.  F.K. SCHÜLER, C.O.  P.O. was in 2nd Company under Klt. KONTE.  Volunteered to U-boats June '40, direct to U-Schule, Pillau.  6 months at Pillau to just after New Years 1941.  F.K. ZERPKE, C.O.  Lived and had classes on Robert Ley.  Visited school boats at dock but made no trips on them.  Training entirely in seamanship as P/w in seaman division.  Only 3 or 4 small school boats in use at that time.
    P/W has E.K.II. and E.K.I., presented by Flotillenchef, also U-bootsabzeichen.  The latter was generally presented to crew members, by the Flotillenchef after their second war cruise.
    Stammbesatzung (original crew) was feted in Patenstadt, Essen, Jan. '42.
    KOTTMAN was 1.W.O. under M. from the time he came to the boat in Jan. '42 until the end of the 7th cruise.  He was absent at the time of M.'s death.
    SEIDEL came to the boat in early summer '42.  P/W is hazy about date.  He was 1.W.O only on 8th cruise, when M. died.
    KOTTMANN took over as C.O. on 9th cruise.
    P/W confirmed that WEBER mad at least 4 or 5 cruises with the boat and was a competent crew member.  P/W had leave after 3rd cruise, Oct. '41; again at time of 8th cruise; again in Feb. '43 before 11th and last cruise.
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter II.  (Cont'd)
 
     
 
NAHORN   Dec. 1, '41 freiwillig eingetreten.  Rekrutenausbildung in Memel.  Maschinist - and U-Schule at Pillau.  Lived on Robert Ley.  P/W served only under KOTTMANN.  Was Zentralgast.  This was his first boat.
     
MEISSEN   Joined Navy Oct. 1, '41.  Rekrutenausbildung in Bake (5th Kompanie) for 6 months, 3 months of which only were training.  U-Schule in Gdynia 1/4 year.  Sent to Brest but developed stiff rheumatic knees en route and taken to Landerneaux hospital near Brest where remained 5 months.  Dec. 2 to Dec. 23 on leave.  Returned Brest, worked in office till 3rd April when he joined U-203 on sailing.  Ordinary watch-keeping.  No Befechstation.
     
RYDZY   P/W confirmed making 6 cruises.
     
FUCHS   Volunteered to the Navy in June '35, at the time when compulsory military service came in.  Rekrutenausbildung at Emden, 3 months.  Another Rekrutenausbildung course at Wesermünde 9 months.  On cruiser Leipzig 1 year, making 2 foreign cruises, during which they touched at the Canary Islands, Cadiz, Algeciras, Algiers and Portugalete (near Bilbao).  In summer 1937, to Meatenschule, Wesermünde.  Then 2-1/2 years on battleship (would not give name) to New Years 1942.  Then to Kiel for Oberfeldwebelschule.  Then abkommandiert to U-Waffe and sent to U-Schule, where P/W says there were other men of his rank in school.  Then to Stamm at Brest, from which he was abkommandiert to U-203 just before the 10th cruise.
    There were two Obermaschinists on board - the other was lost - who under the L.I. divided responsibility for all the machines in the boat.  P/W was the senior petty officer on board, Obermaschinist being 2 Dienstgraden higher that Obermaat, which is of Feldwebel rank.  P/W is a wise old soldier, extremely security conscious, plainly proud of his two stars and "mit porte eppe" status.  P/W was not with the L.I. when the boat went down, though that is normally where he would have been.  The L.I. gave him the order to abandon the ship.  P/W comes from Silesia.  His wife comes from Wesermünde, where she and their 2-year old daughter are now living.
     
WILBERTZ   Jan. '41, eingetreten.  Rekrutenausbildung at Stralsund.  Funkschule at Aurich.  Had land station in Frankreich.  Served under M.  Made Obergefreiter 1-1/4 years ago.  M. already had KCIC when P/W came to the boat.
     
BROCKMANN   M got KCIC after 4th patrol.  Eichenlaud after sinking 150,000 tons.  HEYDA was I.W.O. on P/W's 1st trip.  MOSER was I.W.O. before KOTTMANN, and before that was 2.W.O.  KOTTMANN left boat before the death cruise.
     
WEBER (Via KEURT)   Ausgasklappe broken.  Caused them to surface.
     
GRÜNEWALD to MACHON   P/W had Fu.M.B. ausbildung.  P/W came to personnel reserve in Brest.
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter II.  (Cont'd)
 
     
 
SCHÄFER   Rekrutenausbildung, Wesermünde 10th S.St.A. October, '41.  Then shortly Breda under Klt. SCHAFER of 3rd Company few weeks to Xmas.  The Aurich Funkschule.  The end May, Gdynia U-Schule about 8 weeks after which were two weeks course in U-boat radio, etc. which is special course taken by U/B Funkers.  It has now been lengthened.  Then Neustadt in 2 UAA U-bootsausbildungabteilung.  Then Funkstelle Brest for half a year.  March 15, 1943, joined U-203.
     
SCHUBERT   Oct. '38, eingetreten.  Served on Blücher when she was sunk off Norway.  Then served in Schule Flotillas on 250-ton boat with Olt. Jansen, U-151.  Served as Funker in Norway and in France.  Came to U-203 for 8th patrol.
     
GRÜNEWALD   SCHMIDT made only 1 trip.  ALBUTAT abgesofen.  HEER was L.I. when he came on board.  He made 1 patrol with HEEP.  DÄRROLD followed HEEP; ALBWTAT followed DÄRROLD and thus made only 1 trip.
     
GERNHARDT   Sequence of L.I.'s on U-203:  Olt.(Ing.) HEEP from 1st through 8th cruise.  Lt.(Ing.) DÄRROLD (uncertain of spelling) 9th and 10th cruises.  Olt.(Ing.) ALBUTAT made only last cruise.
    Sequence of I.W.O.'s:  Lt.z.S. MOOS (uncertain of spelling) from 1sr through 3rd.  HAUPT was II.W.O. on 1st three cruises, becoming I.W.O. on 4th cruise only.  KOTTMANN 5th, 6th and 7th cruises.  SEIDEL, 8th cruise only.  BÖTTGER or RÜGER (P/W uncertain) thought to be about 25 years old, 9th and 10th cruises.  SCHMIDT last cruise only.
     
BROCKMANN   KOTTMANN returned to Germany via Chile and Russia, just before beginning of war with Russia.  Presumably on Japanese ship.
    Was on U-203 with M. on all cruises except first two.
    Civilian occupation of BROCKMANN is "Maschinen-Schlosser" - machinist.  Had worked in shops of a Westphalian distributor for International Harvester Company's German plant at Neuss.  Is anxious to get back to his civilian trade and hopes that he will be permitted to do agricultural work during captivity, possibly even running a tractor.
    Prior to joining U-203, he served on a destroyer.  This destroyer was scuttled in the Fjord at Narvik when its ammunition was exhausted.  Next BROCKMANN attended U-Schule and was drafted to the U-203.  He had never attended Bblg., as he was considered sufficiently experienced.  At the U-Schule he attended there was no cut up U-boat for instructional purposes, but the machinery of a U-boat was arranged in operating groups.  At another school, however, he stated that there was a 500-ton U-boat that had been cut into sections.
     
BERKENHAGEN   Joined Navy Oct. 1, '40.  Rekrutenausbildung at Wesermünde for 3 months.  Durchgangskompanie at Gotenhafen from 7-8 weeks.  U-boat School at Pillau from mid-Feb. '41 to mid-May '41.  Leave of 2 wks. and returned to Pillau end of May.  Rekrutenausbildung at Plön beginning June '41, for 8 wks.  Ordered to Brest to join Flot. beginning of August.  Assigned to U-203 after few days in Brest as a Gefreiter.  Never was Obergefreiter.  Ausgück and at diving rudders in action.
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter II.  (Cont'd)
 
     
 
RYDZY   7th S.St. A. at Stralsund, for 8 weeks starting Aug. 1, '41.  In 3rd Kompanie under Klt. STEFFEN.  Durchgangsk. in Neustadt for 4 weeks, then direct to Brest without any U-Schule about Nov. 1.  Was Wache in Brest at the 1st Flot. Headquarters until Mar. '42, when he was assigned to U-203 in preparation for the 6th cruise.
     
GRÜNEWALD   DÖRRLODT L.I. on two first KOTTMANN cruises.
    Two others also had Fu.M.B. course.  Before P/W - in February.
     
BROCKMANN   Rekrutenausbildung in Stralsunk, starting early 1938.  Was in 2nd Komp. (Olt. DILZ) of 7th S.St.A. (KK. BRAUN was Kommandeur).  In Stralsund six months, then direct to DD until ship was scuttled in Narvik (has Narvik Shield).  Edelweiss Abzeichen is officially worn only by Gebrigsjaeger.  Then to Vorpostenboot in Trondheim until Dec. 1940.  Then to Maatenschule in Kiel-Wik, this school located in vicinity of Wik barracks, back of the Tirpitz Mole.  This lasted from Dec. '40 to Mar. '41.
    Then in 4th Durchgangsk. in Plön for six weeks.  Then to Pillau at end of May for eight weeks to ULD.  Was in 2nd Div. (technical) under ZERPKE.  IBBEKEN was head of the whole school at that time.  Only about 10 350-ton boats were in use at that time.  Classes in Pillau were held in the barracks opposite the Bahnhof.  The school boats berthed in the Fischerhafen, near the Robert Lay, near the south end of Pillau I.  HAUPT was never I.W.O.  Was Obersteuermann on 3rd cruise, becoming II.W.O. and Lt.d.R. after the 3rd cruise.  He was about 30 years old and left the boat after the 5th cruise.
    FUCHS was disliked by all on board, used to give men dirty jobs to do during the liberty period.  Was formerly on Scharnhorst (and made "Channel Dash"?).
     
BRANDT   Born in Hamburg, of Hbg. family, but moved to Berlin as child.  Father is director of Dahmler-Benz.  Brandt had 6 months of engineering studies at a University.  Enlisted in Navy.  Served on surface ships.  Then sent to Naval Engineering School.  Was given 2 semesters credit by University for Naval cruises.  Wants to continue studies towards engineering degree.  Leaving in May if possible.
     
BROCKMANN   SCHMIDT joined U-203 on 11th cruise.  War führer auf Uberwasserschiff.  ARP 6th Fahrt, April.  (might have been 7th)?.
    BROCKMANN E.K.II. Sept. '40 Trondheim auf Vorpostenboot.  E.K.I.
     
RYDZY   Joined Navy 8/1/41.  Rekrutenausbildung, Stralsund approx. 2 months.  Durchgangsk. a few weeks.  To Brest, 1st Flot. (W. WINTER Chef), where he did Watch Duty for several months.  Joined boat end(?) of Feb. '42, about 2 weeks before its 7th patrol.  His job was Ausguck, took turn at wheel, and Gefechtstat.  Was in Bugraum.  He also served the 2 cm. Flack.  His watch was 4 on and 8 off.  P/W made six trips in all.
 
 
     
     
     
     
     
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter III.  EARLY HISTORY
 
     
 
SCHÖNFELDER (report)   UAK was made in February.
     
GERNHARDT   Bblg. 6 weeks at Kiel starting soon after New Year '41 and according to P/W definitely before launching, which took place in mid-January.  Commissioning mid-February, '41.  M. was at Bblg.  Crew lived in barracks near wharf.
    U.A.K. Kiel.  2 to 3 weeks.  Not clear on definite dates.  Crew lived on old World War 1 cruiser.
    Schiessflotille, Gotenhafen, mid-march to May 1, '41.  Here the boat did all its working up exercises.  No distinct Agrufront nor Takische Übungen.  P/W was in hospital in Gotenhafen for 3 weeks with rupture, joined boat at Restarbeiten, Kiel in May '41.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter IV.  FIRST WAR CRUISE
 
     
 
WEBER (KUERT's report)   Didn't touch Norway on first patrol.
     
GERNHARDT   Sailed from Kiel end of May '41.  Through Great Belt and Kattegat.  Did not touch at any Norwegian port but followed coast until turning West into N. Atl., where their Quadrat was.
    Sank 4 M/V's from East bound convoy, totaling 24,000 T.  Put into base at St. Naz. after 4 weeks cruise about end of June '41.  Stayed in St. Naz. only about 8 or 9 days.
    The USS Texas was sighted on the 1st cruise in middle north Atlantic in June 1941.  Four ships were sunk on the 1sr patrol.  P/W does not recall how many torpedoes were used.
    P/W has vague recollection of Stanvac Palembang.  Is certain of having sunk Sam Houston and Cape Verde.  No recollection whatever of other ships mentioned.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter V.  SECOND WAR CRUISE.
 
     
 
GERHARDT   Confirms leaving St. Naz. July 6 or 7, '41.  Confirms sinking 5 M/V's and British destroyer from convoy exactly as we have it (first 2 and then 3 plus destroyer).  Confirms but without conviction, that sinking was in vicinity of Gib.  Returned to St. Naz. early in August.  P/W's recollection of D/C attacks is as follows:  2nd cruise about 70 D/C's.
    On return from the 2nd or 3rd cruise an English two-motored land plane, flying parallel and in opposite directions, passed them and was mistaken for a German plane.  The plane turned and attacked them from the rear with 4 bombs, which were all misses.  This occurred in the Bay of Biscay.  P/W confirms that DD and 5 ships were sunk in the vicinity of Gibraltar on the second cruise.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter VI.  THIRD WAR CRUISE.
 
     
 
GERNHARDT   Starting mid-Sept., '41.  Lasted only 10 days.  Sank 1 tanker, 1 freighter, total 20,000 T. and hit 2 more without sinking them from East bound convoy.  Returned to Brest early in October and remained there for about 3 weeks or until Nov. 1, '41.  P/W got leave at this time.
     
WEBER (Via KUERT)   Early '42 patrol to Capetown.
     
BROCKMANN   3rd patrol:  Sank 2 and torpedoed 2 more.
     
GERNHARDT to SCHÖENFELDER   42,000 T. sank on cruise which ended at Lorient.  Walter in E-Raum at sinking.
     
GERNHARDT   Quadrat on 3rd patrol was middle North Atlantic, as it was on most of the other cruises.  This was the 1st patrol from which they returned to Brest.  P/W's recollection of D/C attacks is as follows:  3rd cruise about 20-30 -- ineffective from escort ship.
     
BERKENHAGEN   1st patrol (boat's 3rd) mid-Sept/early Oct. '41, approx. 10 days.  Sank 2 ships of about 20,000 T., may have hit two more.  Had a/c attack, "was usual".  Early return laid to depletion of torpedo supply.  Remained at Brest about 3 weeks.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter VII.  FOURTH WAR CRUISE.
 
     
 
RYDZY to MACHON   On the fourth patrol they sank an empty tanker.
     
GERNHARDT   Left Brest beginning Nov. '41.  Operated in Middle N. Atl.  Scored 3 or 4 hits but could not observe results.  P/W says it is "ganz unmöglitch" that 50,000 T. as reported were sunk on this trip.
     
BROCKMANN   On 4th patrol, sank 2 ships.
     
GERNHARDT   On the 4th cruise they scored 3-4 hits on ships in convoy.  Could not observe results because of fog.  P/W again emphatically denied that any such total as 50,000 T. was sunk on this cruise.
    Three or four bombs were dropped without doing any damage by a Sunderland in mid-N.Atl., during the 4th cruise.
    The Stammbesatzung, i.e., original crew of about 15 men, visited Pattenstadt Essen for 3 days in Jan. '42.  They were met and greeted and entertained by the Mayor and leading citizens of Essen.  They lived in a hotel, and were entertained at an official dinner in this hotel.  During this evening there was dancing and a floor show; beer apparently was the drink of the evening, at least for the ratings.  P/W disclaims any wild orgies during their stay in Essen.  One of the days they visited an abandoned coal mine, 800 meters underground, which had been turned into a museum.
     
BERKENHAGEN   2nd patrol (boat's 4th).  Left Brest early Nov. '41.  4 sinkings, approx. 20,000 T. all smaller ships.  Operational area mid-N. Atl.  Returned Brest early Dec. '41.  Xmas in Brest.  Very sure that "50,000 T." out of question on that trip.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter VIII.  FIFTH WAR CRUISE.
 
     
 
GERNHARDT   Left December 28, 1941.  Operated in N. Atl.  Sank 3 or 4 freighters, totaling 20,000 T.  Out about 3 weeks, returning soon after middle of January.  At base (Brest) about 6 weeks.
     
BROCKMANN   Jan. '42 sank 8,000 T. boat.  Sank munitions carrier off Newfoundland.
     
GERNHARDT   Turtle was caught on 5th cruise in mid-Atl.  A crew member who later left boat to become P.O., dove overboard and caught it somewhere north of the Azores.  This occurred 14 days out from base and on the 1st Newfoundland cruise.
    The turtle Abzeichen was adopted upon completion of this cruise. 
    The 5th cruise was the 1st Newfoundland cruise.  The 6th was also to this area.  These were the only two cruises made to this area.
    P/W stated that U-203 was grounded during the Probesahrt in the Vorhafen at Brest preceding the 6th cruise.  There was a very heavy fog at the time.  No damage was done to the boat, and the boat was easily freed.  P/W denied that U-203 was ever grounded on the American coast, or any other place during any of the cruises.
     
BROCKMANN   U-203 was off Newfoundland in Jan. '42.  Very cold.
     
BERKENHAGEN   3rd patrol (boat's 5th).  Left Brest Dec. 26/28, '41.  Out approx. 3 weeks.  Sank 3/4 freighters of approx. 20,000 T.  Went near Newfoundland this trip.  Back to Brest mid-Jan.  Devices:  Turtle caught this trip.  P/W broke right index finger boxing for fun while ashore after his 3rd patrol (boat's 5th).  He was invalided Feb. through June.  In this time had 4 weeks leave at Rome, viz. month of April.  Knew nothing of 6th and 7th patrols of the U-203.
     
BROCKMANN   Newfoundland.  1 Bewacher versenkt, nicht Zerstörer.  2 freighters - 8,000 & 5,000 = 13,000 tons.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter IX.  SIXTH WAR CRUISE.
  
     
 
RYDZY to MACHON   M. was C.O. at time M. and B.d.U. on intimate terms (du).  M. had KCIC at time.
     
BROCKMANN   The only time the boat was ever versorgt was about two patrol before M. died i.e. about 6th of boat.  It was also the longest lasting 8 weeks.  M. never came back with more than one torpedo.
     
GERNHARDT   Left Brest near end of Feb., '42 for 6-7 week cruise.  Operated off coast of N. America.  Sank 3 tankers and 2 freighters, totaling 43,000 T., none in convoy.  Met 1,000 T. Versorgungsboot and took on fuel oil only.  P/W does not know name of C.O. of V-boot.  Returned to Brest end April, '42.  Remained at base about 4 weeks.  Part of crew got leave.
     
WEBER   First trip, left early in March from Brest for mid-Atl.  Lasted 6-7 weeks and sank 5 M/V's., 40,000 tons.  HEEP was L.I.
    On P/W's 1st cruise attacked a convoy and were attacked by Wabos.
    Versorgt on 1st cruise.
     
RYDZY   The Hatteras cruise was RYDZY's first one.  P/W's 1st cruise - would not definitely confirm having met a Versorgungsboot - but said that he did not remember the name of the C.O.
    They were depth charged on R's first Fahrt - His Gefechtsstation at that time was in the Bugraum.
     
BROCKMANN   On the 42,000 T. patrol, sank SS Scottsburg and Stanvac Palenbang.  Also sank SS Putnyhull (June 26, 24.20 N - 63.16 W) after an argument between M. and the Obersteuermann as to her speed.  She was sunk with 1 torpedo.
     
GRÜNEWALD   6th trip from Mid-May to end July.
     
BROCKMANN   Caught the turtle two trips before the death trip.
     
GERNHARDT   The 5th cruise was the first Newfoundland cruise.  The sixth was also to this area.  These were the only two cruises made to this area.  A tanker was sunk on the sixth cruise, considerably north of New York.  U-203 on this trip turned south from the vicinity of Newfoundland but never got as far south as New York.
    P/W's recollection of D/C attacks is as follows:  6th cruise about 70.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter IX.  (Cont'd)
  
     
 
RYDZY   Confirms meeting Versorger on this cruise, he thought it to be about 1,200 tons; only oil (Brennstoff) was supplied to them.  This happened 4-5 weeks after leaving base.  Confirms sinking 5 ships on this cruise, of which 1-2 were tankers.  HAUPT was II.W.O. on this trip, and HEEP L.I.  Said he had 3rd watch with the Obersteuermann on this trip.  About 14 days from base while attacking convoy, they received a numbers of Wabos, which caused no damage.
     
BROCKMANN   Hatteras (6th cruise).  The crew was told that this trip was to be in the vicinity of Hatteras, but P/W couldn't definitely say that they were there.
    Most successful, 42,000 tons.  3 tankers (13,000 T, 10,000 T, and 8,000 T).  2 freighters (5,000 T apiece.).
     
RYDZY   P/W's 1st patrol (boat's sixth).  Cape Hatteras.  Left Brest approx.  2nd week Mar. '42.  Out approx. 7 weeks.  Sank approx. 40,000 tons, 4 freighters and 1 tanker.  Returned May.  2-3 weeks lay over.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter X.  SEVENTH WAR CRUISE
 
     
 
BROCKMANN   Had sunk 200,000 tons while he was on board.  Highest tonnage in one patrol 42,000 tons on his 5th (7th of boat) 2 freighters, 3 tankers all einzelfahrer near Trinidad about July '42.
     
GRÜNEWALD   His 1st patrol lasted 8 weeks and ended before Xmas.
    On his first cruise, sank 5 ships.
     
GERNHARDT   Left Brest beginning June, '42 Südreise.  P/W recalls seeing island of Tobago.  Sank 4 or 5 vessels, totaling 31-32,000 T.  (1 tanker and 4 freighters).  None were in convoy.  One freighter was named "Cap Verde".  On completion of this trip about end of July entire crew had leave.  KOTTMANN, who came to boat as 1.W.O. in January, '42, left the boat after this trip and was replaced by SEIDEL, who had been with boat since early summer.
    It is not clear whether on this or the previous cruise boat received "eine schöne Serie" of depth charges.  No damage was done to the hull, though some instrument glasses were broken.
     
WEBER   Second trip, began end of May or early June and returned end of July.  M. got KCIC on this trip.  Sank 5 ships, 32,000 T.  On return, remained in port 3-4 weeks.
    Versorgt on 2nd cruise.  Took on only oil.
     
RYDZY   P/W's 2nd cruise - in the summer - 5 ships sunk.
     
GRÜNEWALD to MACHON   Patrol from Dec. to Jan. 4.  Ran on rock.  Failure of echolot, which registered 70 metres.  Damaged to starboard rudder, port rudder and keel.  Sea heavy, 12.
     
GRÜNEWALD   Came to boat May '42.  P/W's 1st trip was Südreise.  Bagged 5 Stück. 
    Turtle taken before this.  Shot all torpedoes on 7th.
    Saw C.O.'s from sunken boats in life rafts, and some were on board.
    About 10 Stück Wabos on this trip.  Had 2 Fleugzug attacks.
     
GERNHARDT   The Sam Houston was the only ship on which gun fire was used, she was hit first by a torpedo, and after the crew had taken to the boats she was finished off by gun fire.  This was the next to the last boat sunk on this cruise, the last one being a tanker.
     
BROCKMANN   Off Trinidad July '42.  Very hot.  Did not go into Caribbean nor below Trinidad towards Mouth of Orinoco.  Has not been off Cape of Good Hope. 
    Met a supply U-boat once - took oil but no torpedoes.
     
RYDZY   Left base kurz nach Pfingsten.  Sank 5 ships, including 1 tanker.  Confirmed final sinking of a ship with artillery fire on this trip, and has hazy recollection of doing the same to the tanker sunk on this cruise.  Had a/c attack in Biscay on way out, no damage done.
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter X.  (Cont'd)
  
     
 
RYDZY   P/W's 2nd patrol (boat's 7th):  Südfahrt.  Left Brest after Pfingsten.  Sank 5 ships of approx. 30,000 T.  Out 6/7 weeks.  Returned Brest.  2-3 weeks layover.  Had leave.  U-Abzeichen from Flot. Chef. WINTER.
     
BROCKMANN   Südreise.  1 tanker (10,500 T. - this is accurate); 2 freighters (10,000 approx. & 5,000 approx.); 1 Putney Hill (5,000 T. approx.); 2 freighters (5,000 T. approx. & 3,000 T. approx.).
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Chapter XI.  EIGHTH WAR CRUISE
  
     
 
BERHENHAGEN   Present when MÜTZELBURG dies confirmed that boat was taken in by 1st Lieut.  Doctor attended him from another large FRONT boat (not supply boat).  Spent Xmas '42 at base.  Xmas party officers and men together.  Last leave just before last cruise.
     
RYDZY   His first patrol was when MÜTZELBURG dies.  KOTTMANN took over - his first command - and out again in about 3 weeks.
    On patrol when MÜTZELBURG killed, nothing sunk; had just left Brest and were out only about 20 days.
    HEEP, former L.I., left when M. died succeeded by DERHOLDT.
    Doctor came from Versorger but M. already dead.
     
RYDZY to MACHON   M. running on boat, slipped and cracked head on pressure hull.  Was dead when Versorger was met - pronounced dead by Artz of Versorger.  Sewed up in canvas and buried at sea.  Versorger stood by to fire a salute.
  &nb