Excerpt of the Kriegstagebuch of "U-25"
 
   
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    12.02.40      
    11.18 AN 1146 Continued transit 60°, 9 knots.  
      (Navigation uncertain)    
      Light wind from the N, calm sea, Vis. very good    
           
    16.30 AN 1134 (No navigation fix for the past 3 days)  
      N wind 2, slight Sea, Vis. partly very good, occasional shower squalls A three-masted steamer in sight, probably a tanker course 30°.  Approached by using a rain squall.  
           
    18.13 AN 1212 The celestial navigation fix is inaccurate and results in a correction of approximately 10 nm to the north.  Shifted.  Initiated attack under the cover of darkness.  Neutrality markings cannot be recognized.  
      NE 1-2, Vis. medium  
           
    20.10 AN 1227 On course for stern attack.  
    20.29   Surface shot with TUZA, missed.  
        Target angle 90°, speed 8 knots.  Afterwards turned for a bow shot taken over the net-cutter.  Approximately 1400 meters, target angle 110°.   
        Hit astern. Effect could not be determined after a heavy detonation, high water column and bright light took place.  
        Steamer continued on.  
        Because I have no more torpedoes, I must rely on the artillery.  However, can be used only at dawn, because at the night there is no impact observation.  
           
    13.02.40 West of the Shetlands    
    00.00 AN 1232 With courses changing to the east U-25 takes position ahead of the tanker steamer, around daybreak at approximately 5000 meters off.  
      Light NE breeze, Vis. medium, dark  
           
    05.00 AN 2131    
      Clearing, light breeze, Vis. improving Turned to stop the enemy, recognized as Danish.  
           
    07.16 AN 2211 Fired ahead of the bow and sent Morse.  The order to send the papers is implemented only after twice repeating the shot.  Boat comes alongside.  Steamer" CHASTINE MAERSK " (5177 GRT) on the way from Safi (French Morocco) to Kalundborg, with cargo of phosphate.  
      Good weather  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 12.02.40
Sun and Moon Data 13.02.40
 
 
           
           
           
           
        The Captain brought out the crew list, the bill of lading and the manifest but no papers, offered to get them.  The impression of an intentional delay had to be aroused.  During the examination of the papers the entire crew of the steamer went over board and into the boats without being ordered.  The Captain also said that he was operating for the office Chérifien des Phosphates, a French firm.  I have decided to sink.  
        1.)  Because the steamer had passed through zone A, and, also, had already been hit by a torpedo without fatal effect.  
        I believed a final measure of destruction was necessary.  
        2.)  Because I stood in a danger area for the U-boat and an apparently deliberate delay was caused.  
        3.)  Because the steamer operates, according to the Captain, under orders from (in charter to) a French Moroccan firm.  
        4.)  In the pursuance of the paragraph 226 c from "Practice of International Law" (Vanslow) in cooperation with England December, 1939 adopted regulations concerning confiscation of goods exported from Germany.  
        5.)  The steamer was sunk with artillery because no torpedo was available (otherwise sinking without warning would have taken place if necessary), after 3 boats which, according to the Captain, were equipped well enough and rowed by all crew members.  
    08.36   Begin firing for effect from approximately 500 meters (28 shots)  
    08.54   Steamer sank.  
    09.00 Good weather, Vis. good Continued transit, 90°, cruising speed.  
                                                            
                                                           Korvettenkapitän  
                                                           February 25  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 13.02.40