U-556 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

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Ships Attacked
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
6 May 41	23.00 - 04.00	62°45'N, 7°07'W	EMANUEL	166	Faroese
10 May 41	04.42	59°15'N, 35°12'W	AELYBRYN (damaged)	4,986	British	OB-318
10 May 41	07.52	59°15'N, 35°48'W	EMPIRE CARIBU	4,861	British	OB-318
10 May 41	20.37	57°45'N, 38°48'W	GAND	5,086	Belgian	OB-318
20 May 41	14.48	57°33'N, 41°48'W	DARLINGTON COURT	4,974	British	HX-126
20 May 41	14.50	57°33'N, 41°48'W	BRITISH SECURITY	8,470	British	HX-126
20 May 41	15.06	57°33'N, 41°48'W	COCKAPONSET	5,995	British	HX-126
			Total = 34,538
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
				= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
				of
				U  n  t  e  r  s  e  e  b  o  o  t  e  s  "U-556"
				= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
				Beginning:   6.2.41 (Commissioning)
				Ending:      30.5.41
				1st War Patrol.
			Kommandant:      Kapitänleutnant  W  o  h  l  f  a  r  t  h
			Distribution:	2 x O.K.M.  Skl.U.
				1 x B.d.U. Op.
				1 x B.d.U. Org.
				1 x 1.U.Flottille
				1 x Boot.
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		1941	Kriegstagebuch "U-556"
		06.02.41
		10.00	Hamburg	Reich War Flag and Commander's Pennant set.  Boat placed in commission at Blohm und Voss, Hamburg.
		07.02.41	Hamburg	Work service.  Occupying the boat, role exercises.  Because of ice situation delayed departure to Kiel for the present.
		08.02.41	Hamburg	Work service.  Testing by the U.A.K.
		09.02.41	Hamburg	Sunday service.
		10.02.41	Hamburg	Morning and afternoon driving exercises with E-motors and diesels in Hamburg Harbor.
		11.02.41	Hamburg	Work service.  Educational service.
		12.02.41	Hamburg	Prepared for transfer cruise to Kiel.
		12.30		Cast off.  Made fast to tug "MAAKENWÄRDER" at the Landungsbrücken.  Difficult ice conditions.
		20.40	Brunsbüttel North lock	Made fast.
		21.30	Brunsbüttel	Made fast.
		13.02.41	Brunsbüttel	Ready for sea.
		07.50		In tow of "FÖHN" through the K.W. Canal.
		17.17	Holtenau	Through the lock.
		18.10	Kiel, Tirpitz Mole	Made fast.  Subsequently to Wik.
		17.02.41	Kiel	U.A.K. testing.
		14.00		1st trim test by U.A.K.
		18.02.41 to	Kiel	U.A.K., N.V.K., N.E.K. testing in Kiel Harbor.
		21.02.41
		22.02.41	Kiel, Deutsche Werke
		10.10		Dry docked.  Adjusting of ballast weights, repairs to the outer fairing doors of the forward torpedo tubes.
		24.02.41	Kiel, Deutsche Werke	Moved to dock No. 1.
		13.10		Undocked.
		14.00		Dry docked.
		20.15		Undocked.  Moved to Tirpitz Mole.
		25.02.41 to	Kiel	U.A.K. testing and educational service in Kiel Harbor.
		27.02.41
		28.02.41 to	Kiel	Fitting out, torpedo loading, munitions loading for planned training time in Norway.
		01.03.41		Torpedo offload, because now further training in the east has been ordered.
		02.03.41 to	Kiel	Remaining U.A.K. testing, last trim test by U.A.K.
		03.03.41	Kiel

	- 2 -
		04.03.41 to	Western Baltic	Transit to the east in mine and ice convoy behind "Sn".  Due to fog and frequent very difficult ice conditions nights anchored.
		05.03.41
		from 19.30	Eastern Baltic	After release by mine escort with improving ice conditions continued transit to the east alone.
		06.03.41	Eastern Baltic	On the transit to the east AK, cruise and measured cruise.
		13.56	Neufahrwasser [Gdansk Nowy Port ]	Made fast.  Offloaded the training torpedoes for the planned training in Norway.
		07.03.41 to	Neufahrwasser,	Educational service by the 25.U.Flottille.
		08.03.41	Danzig Bay
		09.03.41 to	Danzig Bay
		10.05		Dry docked.  Repairs to forward diving planes.
		11.03.41
		09.20	Danziger Werft	Undocked.  Transit to Gotenhafen.
		11.25 to	Gotenhafen	Made fast at "PELIKAN".  Torpedo testing by T.E.K.
		13.03.41
		14.03.41	Gotenhafen
		10.30		T.E.K. testing ended.
		12.30	Danzig Bay	Transit to Neufahrwasser.
		14.40 to
		25.03.41	Danzig Bay	Torpedo firing, artillery firing and independent training of the boat by the 25. U.-Flottille.  Crash dive training.
		12.05	Danzig Bay	Transfer to Gotenhafen to 27. U.-Flottille.
		15.45	Gotenhafen	Made fast at "WEICHSEL".
		26.03.41	Gotenhafen, Danzig Bay, Eastern Baltic
		12.15 to		Departed for deep diving test, followed by tactical training with the 27. U.-Flottille.
		02.04.41		Tactical training.
		03.04.41	Gotenhafen, North Mole
		01.24		Made fast
		13.00	Danzig Bay	Artillery firing.
		16.10	Gotenhafen	Made fast.
		20.00	Central Baltic	Return transit to Kiel begun.
		04.04.41	Western Baltic	Return transit to Kiel on the ordered route.
		17.50	Kiel, Tirpitz Mole	Made fast.

	- 3 -
		05.04.41 to
		27.04.41	Kiel, Deutsche Werke	Final overhaul.
		28.04.41 to	Kiel, Tirpitz Mole	Occupy the boat, munitions loading, torpedo loading, provisions loading, deperming, magnetic compass calibration, direction finder calibration, outfitting the boat, trim test.
		30.04.41
				Kapitänleutnant.
		01.05.41
		13.40	Kiel, Tirpitz Mole	Put to sea.
		14.07	Holtenau Lock	Made fast.
		14.26	Holtenau Lock	Cast off, through the K.W. Canal.
		17.12	Rendsburg	Made fast.
		20.20	Rendsburg	Cast off.
		02.05.41	Brunsbüttel
		01.00		Made fast.
		12.15	Brunsbüttel Lock
		13.00	Brunsbüttel Lock	Exited the lock.
			Elbe	Behind the Sperrbrecher and "U-67" down the Elbe initially the convoy heads for Helgoland Roads.
			NE 3-4, Sea 3, cloudy, Vis. good
		19.03	Helgoland Control Buoy	Test dive, then with Sperrbrecher alone to Point H.
		23.10	Deutsche Bay	Released Sperrbrecher.
		03.05.41
		00.00	N 2-3, cloudy, Vis. medium	Proceeded on the ordered route at GF.
		04.22		Crash dive for aircraft.
		04.30		Boat put on the bottom depth 47 meters, because with the low cloudiness, poor visibility due to overwashing water and in view of the still untrained lookouts, the danger from aircraft.  Submerged cruise is not appropriate due to mine danger.
		10.45		All around periscope sweep, surfaced, because the weather is clear, continued on the surface at GF.
		12.00	NW 3, Sea 2-3, nearly cloudless, Vis. good	Day's run:  188.6 nm.
				No events.
		16.00	Mine passed
		16.48		Dived for aircraft.
		17.06		Boat put on the bottom depth 50 meters.
		19.15		Surfaced.  Continued on the surface at GF.

	Sun and Moon Data 01.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 02.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 03.05.41

	- 4 -
		continued
		03.05.41
		21.38		Dived for aircraft.  During twilight remained submerged.
		22.38		Surfaced.
		04.05.41
		00.00	AN 3429
			NW 5-6, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. medium, moon first quarter
		04.22		Dived during the twilight.
		08.00	AN 3422	No events.
		12.00	AN 3185	Day's run:  Surfaced    160.7 nm
			NbyW 1-2, partly overcast, light swell, Vis. good	Submerged  25.9 nm = 186.6 nm.
				No events.  Running submerged at LF.
		12.37		Surfaced.  Continued on the surface, because the visibility is good, to get out of the air danger zone.  During the short nights where it is almost always twilight I regard day transit as safe if weather conditions are perfect. i.e. clear visibility. Also, otherwise the speed of advance is too low
		16.00	AN 2978
		18.18		Dived for aircraft.
		18.34		Surfaced.
		20.00	AN 2917
		20.25		Dived for aircraft.
		22.31		Surfaced.
		22.54		Dived for aircraft.
		23.04		Surfaced
		05.05.41
		00.00	AN 2392
			NbyW 4, Sea 3-4, partial overcast, Vis. good, starry night
		04.00	AN 2337
		04.21		Dived in the twilight.
		05.03		Surfaced.
		08.00	AE 8776 [typo should be AF]
		12.00	AF 8717	Day's run:  Surfaced    182.8 nm
			NWbyW 5, Sea 4, partial overcast, Vis. good	Submerged  18.1 nm = 200.9 nm.
		12.10		Dived for aircraft.
		13.37		Surfaced.
		16.00	AF 7656
		17.02		Dived for aircraft.  I was probably sighted before the dive, because the aircraft was in the area for a long time.
		19.35		Surfaced.  The boat takes over a lot of water as a result of which the lookout is heavily impaired, can only run at HF.
		20.00

	Sun and Moon Data 03.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 04.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 05.05.41

	- 5 -
		06.05.41
		00.00	AF 7535
			NNE 4-5, Sea 2-3, starry night, Vis. good
		04.00	AF 7245
		06.48	Heavy visibility deterioration	Dived for a shadow identified as a steamer.
		07.07		Because nothing heard, surfaced.
		08.00	AL 4787
		12.00	AE 6982	Day's run:  Surfaced    243.8 nm
			NE 1-2, Sea 1, cloudless, Vis. good	Submerged  12.9 nm = 256.7 nm.
		13.02		Dived for aircraft.
		14.40	Vis. moderate	2 destroyers in sight on northerly course.
				Dived.  Probably patrol military forces on the Iceland-Faroe Islands line.
		15.08		Surfaced, destroyers out of sight.
		16.00	AE 6899	3-masted gaff-rigged schooner sighted ahead to port, making about 8-10 knots in the slight wind with motor.  I maneuver ahead at the limit of visibility.  Enemy course SE.
		21.54	Vis. very good, Faroe Islands in sight at 80 nm
		20.00	AE 9245
		22.40		Drifting mine sighted.
		23.09		Dived for the sailing vessel.  Viewed from close up.
				Considerations:  too poor for a torpedo.  Favorable time for an artillery attack, because the night lies before us.  A trap would not be expected here.  Believe that the vessel is for coastal shipping Iceland-Faroe Islands.  I inform the crew of my intention and behavior if it should be a trap.  In the forecastle behind the lowered sail there is no view.  If he has there his cannon there.   I let him come to target angle 160°. On surfacing and opening fire range = 1500 meters.  People run forward, probably a cannon was there after all.  The 1st shot immediately hits at this point and then cleared away there.  Quick fire, explosive and incendiary shells, enemy soon burns.  He has set the English War Flag, therefore a patrol vessel.   Three men still reach the lifeboat.
				Gas or something similar goes up over there.  He is ablaze.  sailing vessel was about 500 tons.  In the beginning of twilight I first run on a false N-course.   Burning patrol vessel can still be seen from afar.  Ran off before a narrow shadow at AK to the S.
				This first operation has had an excellent effect on the whole mood of the boat.  During the night I pass the patrol line of the Northern Patrol.  Now a repetition of the

Sun and Moon Data 06.05.41

	- 6 -
		06.05.41
				maneuver is too dangerous for me in the daybreak; besides, I would have the whole pack at my neck.  Marking consists of particularly strongly smoking steam trawlers, separately and/or in groups. (Smoke brothers)
		07.05.41
		00.00	AE
			SSW 1-2, swell, clear, cloudy, Vis. good, 3/4 moon, increasing	Operating on Radio Message 7/196 setting forth the operations area.
		04.00	AE 9482
		08.00	AE 8938
		09.39		Dived for aircraft.
		11.05		Surfaced.
		11.25		Dived for aircraft.
		12.02		Surfaced.
		12.00	AE 8955	Day's run:  Surfaced    245.4 nm
			W 1-2, shallow swells, clear, partly cloudy, Vis. very good	Submerged  11.5 nm = 256.9 nm.
				In the course of the afternoon I pass a 2nd patrol line.  Several times I happen upon smoke clouds of these vessels.  I would like to destroy one or another with artillery, but the nights are unpleasantly short here.  The smoke brothers should be forced to get out of the profession.
		16.00	AE 8836
		20.00	AE 8843	No events.
		08.05.41
		00.00	AE 8759	The high latitude together with the longitude difference makes it seem as if we will soon see the "Midnight Sun".  The entire night is only about 2 hours and then it is still light with the moon.
			NW 3, Sea 2, clear, cloudy, Vis. good
		04.00	AE 8744
		08.00	AE 7954	No events.
		12.00	AE 7865	For the North Atlantic, the weather is astonishingly good.  Nothing in sight. Something has to happen again soon.
			NW 2-3, Sea 1-3, clear, partial overcast, Vis. medium to good
				Day's run:  Surfaced  242.0 nm.
		16.00	AE 7876
		20.00	AL 2113
		20.40		At last.  Operating on convoy on the U-201 contact keeper report at 2 x GF.

	Sun and Moon Data 06.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 07.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 08.05.41

	- 7 -
		09.05.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	AL 1219
			W 2-3, Sea 1-2, clear, partly cloudy, Vis. good
		04.00	AL 1144	No events.
		08.00	AK 3193
		12.00	AK 2298	Day's run:  Surfaced  320.4 nm.
			WSW 5, Sea 3, clear, cloudless, Vis. good
		16.00	AK 2330	Operating on the convoy according to contact keeper reports of U-110 and U-201 at 2 x GF.
		20.00	AK 1450	Dive now and then perhaps to receive sound bearings.
		10.05.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	AK 1470	Dive at least every hour to listen.  Operating on sound bearings.   With the bad visibility I am probably frequently passed.   I often hear a ticking, probably sound gear. Operating on weak sound bearing.
			SW 2-3, Sea 2, clear, partly cloudy, Vis. medium
		04.00	AK 1470
				Dived.  Distinct sound bearing detected.
		04.20	AK 1470	On surfacing enemy convoy in sight.  After surfacing according to the last sound bearing I am directly to starboard of the convoy.
				The enemy steers a westerly course, speed 7-8 knots.  A destroyer ahead.
				Attack on the surface.  The night is very bright, it is fortunate that there is some rough sea and occasional cloudiness before the moon.
		04.42	AK 1470	2 steamers torpedoed, 1 torpedo hit each in the center.  The larger steamer about 8000 tons.  By monitoring the 600-meter wave determined that the smaller steamer is "HERCULES" 2085 tons.  Was initially estimated at 5000 tons.  Due to haze poor observation possibility.
			SW 4, Sea 3, partly hazy, clouds breaking up, Vis. poor to medium, bright moon, nearly full
				Ran off, to reload.
				With Signal:  502/10/185 contact keeper report sent.
				New approach.  It has already become too bright for night attack.   I want to retreat during the day hold contact and maneuver ahead for attack. With the bad visibility I missed that the convoy probably dissolved soon after the attack.  In twilight turned from a narrow shadow, then continued again.
		07.17		Suddenly an independent steamer closing from astern comes in sight.  Dived.
				General course 240°.

	Sun and Moon Data 09.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 10.05.41

	- 8 -
		continued
		10.05.41		I let him come.
		07.52	AK 1390	Submerged attack.  Double shot.
				Hit forward 20 and aft 20 meters.  Steamer sinks in a short time, about 1 minute.
				Name not determined, about 7000 tons.
		08.00	AK 1390	Reloaded.
		08.50		Surfaced.  I run in the identified course direction behind the disbanded convoy.  Soon ahead a zig zaging steamer in sight. Maneuvered ahead at the limit of visibility.  Steamer steers wild zigzags.
		11.17		Dived for attack.
		12.04	AK	1 torpedo miss.  At the last minute when I had already shot, I saw that steamer lay high in ballast.  Torpedo at depth 3 meters has probably under steered.
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. poor to medium
		12.00	AK 1501	Day's run:  Surfaced     226 nm
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. poor to medium	Submerged  17.8 nm = 243.8 nm.
				Reloaded submerged.  Replacement parts case for E-compressor taken out.  This work cannot be executed with a running diesel.
		13.25		Surfaced.  Started to pursued on the recognized general course line (240° leads exactly to the Belle Isle Strait).
		16.00	AJ 3390
		17.30		Ahead a steamer comes in sight, belongs to the disbanded convoy.
				Contact held and maneuvered ahead.  By plotting the steamer steers 245°, 10 knots zig-zagging.  To port a second steamer in sight, steering a straight course.  We stay with the first.  A bird in hand.   Maneuvered ahead and matched course and speed at course 240° and 11 knots.
		19.54	Still only a light swell	Dived to attack.
		20.37	AJ 4640 [typo should be AJ 3640]	Single shot from tube 2.  Hit beneath the bridge, which is demolished at the impact of the torpedo.  The steamer probably didn't get any further radio message out, because the radio shack must be in a shambles.   Hole of 6 x 6 meters.  Steamer "GAND" 5000 tons.  He takes a list very rapidly on the engaged side, however, does not want to sink. The crew goes to the boat.  Initially I drive submerged around the ship.  It has a cannon on the raised rear platform.
		21.20		Surfaced.  Shoot the steamer in flames with artillery and sinking quickens.
		21.55		Steamer sunk.
				On surfacing it was not possible to run on the diesel because the clutch can not be engaged.

Sun and Moon Data 10.05.41

	- 9 -
		continued
		10.05.41
				The reason for this malfunction was not immediately recognized because it may have had different causes.  As can be seen from the Engineering Officer's report, it was caused by a failure of the bolts within the clutch.  It is a malfunction which also appeared few days later in the other clutch.
				Now another pursuit of the independently proceeding steamer which had still been in sight before diving and by plotting had the same course and same speed was no longer possible.  Therefore I decided to run back along the recognized route perhaps to intercept latecomers to the convoy.
		11.05.41
		00.00	AJ 3670	No events.
			S 2, Sea 0-1, clear, cloudless, Vis. medium, slight swell
		04.00 08.00	AJ 3530 AJ 3290	I get on the route in accordance with 8/134/8/135 ordered point of departure to the north, to check on the traffic there which I suspect farther to the northwest.
				Nothing sighted.  Fog.
		12.00	AJ 3340	Day's run:  Surfaced  253.3 nm.
			S 3-4, Sea 2-3, overcast, occasional rain, Vis. low
		16.00	AJ 3360	Operating on convoy on Radio Message 11/133 from U-201.
			Vis. very bad, occasional fog
				Dived hourly to listen.
		20.00	AJ 3380
		12.05.41
		00.00	AK 1770	I dive every half hour to listen.  Often I have a bearing of ticking which sounds like a sonar.  I operate without success on this sound bearing.  Very bad visibility.
			SW 3, Sea 2, overcast, low clouds, occasional fog
		04.00	AK 1770	Again and again this ticking.  Sometimes it can be resolved as a perfect bearing, also sometimes heard over the entire dial, sometimes it pauses completely.
		08.00	AK 1770	I give up the search.  Ticking can no longer be heard.  It would be interesting to find out whether other boats also heard this sound bearing.

	Sun and Moon Data 10.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 11.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 12.05.41

	- 10 -
		continued
		12.05.41
				According to Radio Message 11/145 U-201 has also lost contact.
		12.00	AJ 3920	Day's run:  Surfaced     200.7 nm
			W 3, Sea 1-2, overcast, hazy, Vis. poor	Submerged     8.0 nm = 208.7 nm.
		14.10		Sound bearing without result.
				Transit to initial position (AK 1815).
		16.00	AK 1770
		20.00	AK 1750	From time to time dived to listen, because the visibility is still very poor. Unsuccessful.  But in this area it is always something!
		13.05.41
		00.00	AK 1810	Boat is in position.  Back and forth in position with 1 engine at LF.  Depth 20 nm.
			WNW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, occasional haze, fog, Vis. poor
		04.00	AK 1815
		08.00	AK 1810
		12.00	AK 1815	No events.
			N 3, Sea 2-3, clear, Vis. good	Day's run:  Surfaced     203.8 nm
				Submerged     2.0 nm = 205.8 nm.
		16.00	AK 1810
		20.00	AK 1815
		14.05.41
		00.00	AK 1820	Back and forth in position.
			W 2, Sea 1-3, clear, partly cloudy, Vis. good	During the twilight dived to listen.
		04.00	AK 1815
		08.00	AK 1810	No events.
		12.00	AK 1815	Day's run:  Surfaced     158.5 nm
			S 0-1, Sea 0, clear, Vis. good, swells	Submerged     4.5 nm = 163.0 nm.
		16.00	AK 1810
		16.35		Destroyer target angle 0°.  Crash dive!  I have probably been detected.  The lookout did not function for a moment, and the destroyer is already up to bridge over the horizon! Sound pursuit.  1 depth charge.  It simulates a torpedo detonation, so that I will show periscope.   I succeed, at LF at 15 meters depth

	Sun and Moon Data 12.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 13.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 14.05.41

	- 11 -
		continued
		14.05.41
				in running off gradually.  Unfortunately, tube 5 is out of service so I cannot take advantage of the opportunity to attack.  The outer door cannot be opened.  The outer door connection rod assembly is broken.
				Gradually I get rid of the destroyer.  He listened repeatedly, but LF seems to be a very favorable driving setting.  Sound device was not noted.  The destroyer came in sight on course 250°.  There must be something going on here, otherwise why would the destroyer be here?
		20.00	AK 1820
		20.35		Surfaced.  Destroyer is still distinguished at the limit of visibility.
				Ran on northeasterly course on the surface.  In accordance with Radio Message 14.24 attack area moved up 215°T, 240 nm.  Transit to new operations area.
		15.05.41
		00.00	AK 1820	Transit to new operations area.
			S 3, Sea 1-2, partial overcast, Vis. medium
		04.00	AK 1870
		08.00	AK 1930
		12.00	AK 1940	Day's run:  Surfaced     193.0 nm
			SWbyW 3-4, Sea 2-3, clear, cloudy, Vis. medium	Submerged    14.0 nm = 207 nm.
		16.00	AK 1970
		20.00	AK 4230	No events.
		16.05.41
		00.00	AK 4520	Often dived in the darkness to conduct sound search.
		04.00	AK 4520
		08.00	AK 4460	No events.
		12.00	AK 4720	Boat in position.  For fuel conservation holding into the sea with E-motor at KF.
			WbyS, Sea 1-2, cloudy, Vis. good	Day's run:  Surfaced     195.6 nm
				Submerged     4.0 nm = 199.6 nm.
		16.00	AK 4470
		20.00	AK 4470	Dived.
			Fog, occasionally only 30 meters visibility

	Sun and Moon Data 14.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 15.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 16.05.41

	- 12 -
		17.05.41
		00.00	AK 4470
			ESE 1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. very poor
		04.00	AK 4470	I dive often to get sound bearings.  The ticking is heard again.  Once and for all, I would like to determine what this actually is.  Bearing 115°T this sound is distinguished perfectly as a bearing.  It shifts.  On course 120° I operate on the bearing.  I dive more often (half-hourly) to check the bearing.  If only the visibility was better.  The last time I dive at 08.00 hours nothing is heard.  It is a mystery.
				I have different assumptions about what this could be. Convoy with screen by vessels with sound device.
				Perhaps Americans driving around here who want to annoy us.
		07.53		Surfaced.  While emerging an oil trace is sighted running in 230°.   I run behind at GF.  If the counter bearing was correct, I have been unlucky.
		08.00	AK 4470
		09.45	AK	Sound bearing without success.  Search abandoned.
		12.00	AK 4710	Day's run:  Surfaced      64.2 nm
			SE 1, Sea 0-1, overcast, occasional rain, Vis. poor	Submerged     9.0 nm
				73.2 nm.
		16.00	AK 4480	Operating in accordance with 17/190/191.
		20.00	AK 4480	Because of bad visibility I dive at the turn around points in order to listen.   No result.
		18.05.41
		00.00	AK 4480	On diving cylinder head of the port diesel is replaced while proceeeding submerged.
		04.00	AK 4480	Dive often in order to listen.  Back and forth in position.  The biggest problem is the fuel.  Something must happen soon, otherwise I must actually go home empty handed with my torpedoes.  My only hope is that something else crosses my bow on the way.  Now the boats are really numerous and no one sights anything.  Once again the weather is on the side of the Englishmen.
		08.00	AK 4480

	Sun and Moon Data 17.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 18.05.41

	- 13 -
		continued
		18.05.41
		12.00	AK 4480	Day's run:  Surfaced     122.1 nm
			SEbyS 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, rain, hazy, Vis. poor	Submerged   13.5 nm = 135.6 nm.
		16.00	AK 4480
		20.00	AK 4480	In accordance with Radio Message 18/115 operating on Radio Message 18/20.
		19.05.41
		00.00	AK 4460	I have 35 tons of fuel.  I cannot wait any longer if I still want to use possible attack opportunities on the return transit. Originally I would still have gladly undertaken an advance to the north up to the ice limit, because I suppose that traffic runs there.  But then there would have been a wide gap after the failure of U-201 in the patrol line.   Now I no longer have enough fuel for this operation.
			S 1, Sea 1, overcast, occasional fog, Vis. moderate
				I start the transit home at HF only to retreat from the other boats and then want to run at LF farther along the blockade line.  I want to report only tomorrow night, so that the position of the boats will not be betrayed.
		04.00	AK 4460
		08.00	AK 4590
		12.00	AK 4680	Day's run:  Surfaced     104.3 nm
			SW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, occasional rain, Vis. poor	Submerged     2.0 nm = 106.3 nm.
		16.00	AK 5710
		18.36		Radio Message 19/142 at last!  Kuppisch has a convoy.  Short discussion with the Engineering Officer.  If afterwards I return at one engine at KF, it will still be just okay.  So back.  I have set off one day too early, because the convoy comes along exactly in the vicinity of my position.  Operating on the convoy on course 330° at 2 x GF.
		20.00	AK 4660
		20.11		Radio Message:  Kommandant receives the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross.  Now more than ever!  If only the convoy would turn sharply to the east.  But it proceeds on course 310°.  To get there is almost hopeless, because in so doing I am also further and further from base.

	Sun and Moon Data 18.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 19.05.41

	- 14 -
		20.05.41
		00.00	AK 4340
			WbyS 3-4, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. 20 nm	It becomes thick again!  Hopefully he holds contact. Can operate very well on bearing signals.
		04.00	AJ 3980
		05.45		Radio Message.  Contact lost by U-94.  Just as we depend on it.
		08.00	AJ 3820
		09.00		Radio Message.  Kuppisch has him again.
				If only it would clear.
		12.00	AJ 3490	Dived several times from 10.00 hours in order to listen. Detonation heard.  Then quite weak sound bearings in 250°T.  Operating on it.
			EbyS 1-2, Sea 1, overcast, occasional rain, Vis. poor
				Day's run:  Surfaced     341.8 nm
				Submerged     0.5 nm = 342.3 nm.
				When next diving at 1215 hours nothing is heard.  Have I been deceived, it was only a sound bearing of the U-boat.  Now I must have a clue.  Just 1 hour and I must let the convoy go.  I request bearing signals.
		12.45		Kuppisch bears 250°T.  So there.  It clears in the bearing from which I must sight the convoy!  He's been fooling us for so long, now his number is up!
		13.10		Convoy in sight.
		13.22		I am positioned exactly ahead of the formation on the course line.  Dived to attack.
				I intend to let myself lag into one of the middle columns because the biggest and most valuable ships usually go there.  Shortly ahead of the convoy moving in line abreast is an auxiliary cruiser of approximately 15000 tons which I want to attack first with a double shot.
				Attack initiated on this and the 3 quite fat tankers behind him.
				In the periscope I can not make out any destroyers.
				Shortly before the formation is near enough to attack, the auxiliary cruiser moves back to an outside row, so that I can no longer reach it.
		14.48	AJ 3482	Tubes 1 and 2 shot (double shot) at a tanker of about 8000 tons.  Both torpedoes hit.  Running time 38 and 42 seconds.  The hit was not observed, because the attack on an even larger tanker driving behind had already begun.  However, later this ship was seen to sinking in a sea of flames, so that the sinking
			NW 2, Sea 1-2, partial overcast

Sun and Moon Data 20.05.41

	- 15 -
		continued
		20.05.41
				can be reported.
		14.50		3rd shot (shot g) G 7a on a tanker of about 14000 tons.  In the rush of combat the G7a was shot with a torpedo velocity of 30 knots set in the fire control computer.  This mistake did not have any effect at all, because I shot at such short range that even large mistakes could not result in a miss.  The tanker was hit in the center and was immediately engulfed in bright flames.
		14.54		A third tanker in the column, To the left of the first two.  Target angle was already 90-100°.  Shortly before the shot noticed that target angle had not been running continually, because with a periscope sweep the target angle had already become more than 140°.  While setting up later target angle became 110°.
				Shot anyway, because the torpedoes must go now.  With the fuel I cannot maneuver ahead any more.
				The motor tanker probably also turned.  The G7e went past.  (shot h)
				The convoy was now wildly confused and one must pay close attention that one was not run over.  I allow the last Eto to be loaded.
				The ships of the convoy partly came to a reciprocal heading and threw fog buoys overboard everywhere.  I am a little suspicious of these things because it is easy to hang something just below the buoys.  The oil of both tankers has poured over the water.  The whole sea burns.  Within this burns the gigantic tanker.   It looks horrifically beautiful.
				The forward tube is loaded within 15 minutes.
		15.06	AJ 3482	I arrive at the shot on a fine 5000-ton freighter, which has a deck cargo of large boxes, probably automobiles or aircraft.
			NW 2, Sea 1-2
				Hit aft 10 meters.  (shot i)
				Rapid settling was observed after the hit and later the steamer sank with a light detonation (boiler explosion?) in white smoke.
				Now I haul myself away from the mess at periscope depth, because now another boat has attacked nearby.  Torpedo tracks are heard occasionally, also 4 hits.  The fourth torpedo hit coincided with a very heavy explosion.  In the boat this explosion was felt so strongly that the conning tower hatch drew water.  Some ammeters failed.  The impact was not so sharp as the detonation

Sun and Moon Data 20.05.41

	- 16 -
		continued
		20.05.41
				of a depth charge.  Presumably, a munitions steamer or a tanker is blown up.  If the boat has been positioned close to the ships, it may have suffered considerable damage because I was several of thousand meters away, and the explosion was felt extremely strongly.
				I run off at periscope depth on southerly courses initially at LF then at HF.  The entire northern horizon is on smoke and fire.
		17.38	AJ 3482	Surfaced.  Ran off at GF.  The smoke cloud of a burning tanker is still seen as a mushroom.    At about 1800 an enormous thick cloud rises all of a sudden from this mushroom, then the smoke disappeared.   The tanker has still probably blown up or has sunk.
				Initially I want to run off at GF approximately one hour, then during the night run at LF then at KF, I can only run on one screw due to the fuel situation, and also must run there at KF, I estimate 10 days for the return transit!  Because upper deck containers are still not loaded and rear tube is out of service, I am out of torpedoes.  I report this and give success report by Radio Message
		17.38	[Nicknames: Löwe = Lion = Dönitz, Parcival = Pervical one of King Aurthor's Knights = Wohlfarth]	20/188:  Löwe from Parcival:
				"From Kuppisch-convoy 2 tankers 22000 GRT, 1 steamer 5000 GRT.  Total 7 steamers, 1 patrol vessel, 49900 GRT.  Including  on 10 May "HERCULES" and "GAND".  Out of torpedoes.  Return transit 21 cbm.  After the attack steamers throw many fog buoys.  Position square AJ 3485.  Require engine liner for the diesel compressor."              "U-556".
		20.00	AJ 3730
		23.40		Sent Radio Message 20/186:  To B.d.U. steers 30° for dispersal at 15.00 hours.           "U-556".
		21.05.41
		00.00	AJ 3840
			W 1, Sea 1, clear, partly cloudy, swell
		04.00	AJ 3890
		08.00	AJ 3970
		12.00	AK 4210	Day's run:  Surfaced     166.5 nm
			EbyS 1, Sea 0, hazy, rain, light swell	Submerged    13.5 nm = 180.0 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 20.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 21.05.41

	- 17 -
		continued
		21.05.41
		16.00	AK 4360
		20.00	AK 4340
		22.05.41
		00.00	AK 4390
			NNW 3, Sea 2-3, clear, overcast, Vis. good
		04.00	AK 5420
		08.00	AK 5510
		12.00	AK 5550	Day's run:  Surfaced  181.0 nm.
			WNW 6-7, Sea 4-5, dim, rain, Vis. moderate
		16.00	AK 5670	No events.  Running one diesel KF.  My enormous speed [speaking ironically] is already enough to drive one mad and [will go on] until the end of next week.  The heavy rough sea also slows more than it pushes.  It is fortunate I am not going against it, but then I would not make it home.
		23.05.41
		00.00	AK 5930
			WbyS 4-5, Sea 5, occasional rain squalls, otherwise clear and cloudless
		04.00	AK 6710
		08.00	AK 6760
		12.00	AK 6870	Day's run:  Surfaced  145.1 nm.
			WbyS 5-6, Sea 5, Vis. changing, rain showers
		16.00	AK 6880
		20.00	AK 6890	It is boring.  Only good that one already has something in the bag.
		24.05.41
		00.00	AK 9310
			W 3, Sea 4, clear, Vis. good
		04.00	AK 9360
		08.00	AL 7170
		12.00	AL 7430	Day's run:  Surfaced  159.6 nm.
			NW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. medium to good

	Sun and Moon Data 21.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 22.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 23.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 24.05.41

	- 18 -
		continued
		24.05.41
		16.00	AL 7510
		20.00	AL 7560
		23.40		Incoming Radio Message.
				24/113:  U-556 square BE 5620 occupy as reconnaissance.  U-138 on 26 May 02.00 hours be in the ordered position.
				"B.d.U."
		25.05.41
		00.00	AL 8470
			W 5-6, Sea 4-5, clear, partly cloudy, Vis. good	In accordance with Radio Message 24/113 operating on square BE 5620.  I can not travel any faster, otherwise I will not make it home.
		04.00	AL 8730
		08.00	AL 8870
		12.00	BE 1320	Day's run:  Surfaced  183.2 nm.
			WNW 7, Sea 6, bright, partially hazy, Vis. medium
		16.00	BE 1380	Incoming Radio Message: 25/128
				U-73, U-556, U-97, U-98, U-48.
				Form patrol line square BE 6155 to BF 7155 depth 20 nm.  U-74 head for attack area square BE 5350"      "B.d.U."
		20.00	BE 2410	Operating in accordance with Radio Message 25/128.
				I can be there at the earliest on 27 May.
		26.05.41
		00.00	BE 2461
			NWbyW 6-7, Sea 4-5, clear, partly cloudy, Vis. moderate
		04.00	BE 2572
		08.00	BE 2823
		12.00	BE 2944	Day's run:  Surfaced     179.0 nm
			NW 6-7, Sea 5, clear, partial overcast, Vis. medium to good	Submerged     2.0 nm = 181.0 nm.
		15.31		Dived for aircraft.  Submerged several detonations like artillery fire were heard.
		16.00	BE 2982
		19.48 20.00	BE 5332	Crash dive.  Out of the haze from astern a battleship of the "KING GEORGE" class and an aircraft carrier probably ARK ROYAL come in sight.  Bow right target angle 10°.  If I only had torpedoes now! ! ! !  I not even needed to start any more, but I am positioned exactly correct for an attack. Without destroyer without zig-zagging courses! !  I could sit down in between and attack both at the same moment.

	Sun and Moon Data 24.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 25.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 26.05.41

	- 19 -
		continued
		26.05.41
				The carrier has aircraft operations by torpedo aircraft.  Perhaps I could have helped "BISMARCK".
		20.39		Surfaced.
		20.43		Radio Message 26/171 Signal:  Enemy in sight, 1 battleship, 1 aircraft carrier, course 115, high speed, BE 5332.
				"U-556".
		20.52		Sent Radio Message 26/172:  To B.d.U. square BE 5332 KING GEORGE, ARK ROYAL.  Aircraft operations.
				"U-556".
		21.07		Sent Radio Message 26/173:  Contact lost in rain squall.
				"U-556".
		21.47		Sent Radio Message 26/176:  Position square 5336 center-right, sound bearing formation 90°T.
				"U-556".
		22.06		Sent Radio Message 26/177:
				In pursuit in direction of sound bearing, sending bearing signals.
				"U-556".
		21.32		I try to pursue with my last available drop of fuel.
				Dived to listen.  Sound bearing reported in Radio Message 26/176.
		22.00		Sent bearing signals.
		23.30		Crash dive.  Out of the haze a destroyer is suddenly near.  When I am just at depth 30 meters, he rushes by overhead.  In the boat the screws can be heard.  Luck was with us again.   No depth charges.
		27.05.41
		00.00	BE 6124	What can I do for "BISMARCK"? !  I observe star shell shooting and defensive fire of "BISMARCK".  Artillery attacks.   It is a terrible feeling to be nearby and do nothing, because I have neither torpedoes nor fuel.  Now I can only do reconnaissance and bring up torpedo carriers.  I send bearing signals to bring up the other boats.
			NW 5, Sea 5, rain squalls, Vis. moderate, very dark night
		03.36		Radio Message 27/192:  Radio bearing "BISMARCK" 200, own position is square BE 6153.
				"U-556".
		03.51		Radio Message 27/193.  Artillery combat 230°T, 15 nm, own position square 6164 upper-left, sending bearing signals.
				"U-556".
				I put myself on the eastern side to the south; to be in the direction of driving for fuel reasons to do what I can still do. Otherwise, I can no longer make it home.
		04.00	BE 6164	BISMARCK still fights.
			The seas are always higher

	Sun and Moon Data 26.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 27.05.41

	- 20 -
		continued
		27.05.41
		04.45  05.00		Incoming Radio Message 27/194:  "To U-73, U-556, U-97:  Immediately report weather for the Luftwaffe, add cloud height.
		05.11		Weather reported with Radio Message 27/196:
				Weather report:  NW 6, post cold front weather, 3/4 overcast, rain squalls, cloud height 500 meters, 1012 mb, falling.  U-566.
		06.30		With Radio Message 27/198:  "Star shell firing bearing 270°T own position square 6192.    U-556."
				final contact keeping report given.
				Recognition signals exchanged with U-74.  Transferred contact keeper task to U-74 optically.  I can hold in position with E-motor at KF.   I need fuel to run on the surface and must return transit.
				Long wave reception submerged in the high seas is not possible.  Surface again however, am soon forced to submerge again by aircraft.
		08.00	BE 6193
				About 10.00 hours artillery fire heard while submerged and shortly before 10.00 hours a heavy detonation (Torpedo?)
		10.00		Surface and start return transit at KF.
		11.29		Only now I receive Radio Message 27/200:
				"U-556" go to "BISMARCK" and pick up Fleet Kriegstagebuch."      B.d.U.
				I can not complete the task, because I can no longer get back to BISMARCK against the sea with my fuel.
				With Radio Message 27/106:
				Retrieving Kriegstagebuch not possible, because of return transit due to fuel.  Have optically transferred contact keeper to U-74 at 06.30.
				"U-556".
				reported that I can not complete the task.
		12.00	BE 6272	Day's run:  Surfaced     157.4 nm
			NW 6-7, Sea 6, clear, partial overcast, rain squalls	Submerged     8.4 nm = 165.8 nm.
		16.00	BE 6285	No events.
		20.00	BE 6295
		28.05.41
		00.00	BE 6374
			NW 3-4, Sea 4, overcast, rain squalls, dark night, high swells

	Sun and Moon Data 27.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 28.05.41

	- 21 -
		continued
		28.05.41
		04.00	BE 6384
		08.00	BE 6383
		12.00	BF 4171	Day's run:  Surfaced  116.9 nm.
			NW 2, Sea 3-4, clear, partial overcast, Vis. good
		16.00	BF 4187
		20.00	BF 4276	No events.
		21.45		Radio Message to B.d.U. 28/163:  Request Route "Bogenlampe" due to fuel situation for 30 May positioned 18.30 hours Point Lucie 2.                  "U-556".
		29.05.41
		00.00	BF 4522	23.20 hours received Radio Message:  (28/164)
			NW 1-2, Sea 0-1, clear, Vis. very good, starry night	"U-556:  Return on Route "Bogenlampe", for U-97 position escort 30 May 08.00 hours at Point Nanni 1."     "B.d.U."
		04.00	BF 4611	01.22 hours Radio Message to B.d.U.:  Position on 30 May as early as 07.30 hours Point Lucie Two.    "U-556."
		08.00	BF 4629
		12.00	BF 5442	Day's run:  Surfaced  189.6 nm.
			SbyE 1, Sea 0-1, clear, Vis. very good, slight swell	10.30 hours received Radio Message from B.d.U. 29/174:
				U-556 escort positioned on 30 May at 07.30 hours Point L 2.                                                  B.d.U.
		16.00	BF 5464
		20.00	BF 5527
		30.05.41
		00.00	BF 5299
			S 1, Sea 0-1, slight swell, clear, Vis. very good
		00.15		Put the boat on the bottom depth 71 meters.
		06.55		Surfaced.
		07.30		Taken under escort at Point 2.
		09.30	Lorient	Made fast at Lorient U-boat base.
				Kapitänleutnant

	Sun and Moon Data 28.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 29.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 30.05.41

	Enclosures to U-556's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Chart	Track chart covering entire war patrol                1 - 30 May 1941
Torpedo	Torpedo firing reports
Radio	Excerpt of Radio Log

Comments of the B.d.U.
A war patrol carried out prudently, energetically and with much initiative, with great success especially attributed to the excellent performance of the Kommandant.
Signed in draft:  Dönitz
	For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
	The Chief of Operations.

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