U-564 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Kiel	17 June 1941	Brest	27 July 1941	41

 

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Ships Attacked
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
27 Jun 41	01.55	59°57'N, 30°24'W	MAASDAM	8,812	Netherlands	HX-133
27 Jun 41	01.55	59°57'N, 30°24'W	MALAYA II	8,651	British	HX-133
27 Jun 41	01.55	59°57'N, 30°24'W	KONGSGAARD (damaged)	9,467	Norwegian	HX-133
29 Jun 41	19.58	59°21'N, 37°48'W	HEKLA	1,215	Iceland
			Total = 28,145
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.

 

This KTB uses the depth notation "depth T = xx meters"  Under this scheme, the actual depth was twice the depth given after T = so for example, if the KTB entry read "depth T = 50 meters, the actual depth was 100 meters.  This was intended to hide the actual depth for security purposes. This notation was used from about January 1940 to December 1941.  In these KTBs, depths written without using "T =", for example "dived to depth 35 meters" were not so disguised.

 

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			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
			======================
			"U 564"
			Kommandant:        Oblt.z.S.  S  u  h  r  e  n.
			Beginning:              3.4.41.
			Concluded:            16.6.41.
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		03.04.41	Hamburg, Blohm und Voß	Commissioning.
		04.04.41	"             "              "	Boat taken over.
		05.04.41	"             "              "
		08.00		Ready for sea.  Transit to Kiel.
		19.13	Kiel, Tirpitz Mole	Made fast alongside "Lech".
		06.04.41	Kiel, Tirpitz Mole	Baggage given over.
		07.04.41	Kiel	Gave over the ice protector in the Deutsche Werke.  While uninstalling rammed the quay wall with the bow.  As a result of failure of the automatic battery switch the E-motors did not go to "AK Reverse".
				Ships construction testing in the harbor.
		08.04.41	Kiel	Sound testing, radio direction finder calibration.
		09.04.41	Kiel	Trim test, piston firing [shooting with just the piston in the tube]
		10.04.41	Kiel	Exercise torpedo loading.  Testing of the sound gear.
		11.04.41	Kiel	Free time.
		12.04.41	Kiel	Radio direction finder calibration, during which "U-83" rammed us in the port side of the stern.  Shot the exercise torpedoes.  Replacement of the air search periscope.
		13.04.41	Kiel	Boat taken over.
		14.04.41	Kiel
		08.00		Ready for sea.  Transit to Rönne/Bornholm.
		20.30	Rönne	Made fast.
		15.04.41	Rönne
		11.00		Ready for sea for sound testing.  However, the sound testing had to be broken off due to bad weather.  Transit to Gotenhafen with 8 hour full throttle and fuel consumption measurement cruise.
		16.04.41	Gotenhafen
		01.30		Made fast alongside the sailing ship "ALBERT LEO SCHLAGETER".
		07.00		Shifted to the steamer "PELIKAN" for torpedo testing by the TEK.
		17.04.41	Gotenhafen	TEK testing.
		18.04.41	Gotenhafen	TEK testing, followed by artillery fire.
		19.04.41	Gotenhafen	Completion of TEK testing.
				Transit to Danzig.  Made fast alongside "IBERIA".
		20.04.41	Danzig	Weapons cleaning.  Kommandant's muster.

	- 2 -
		21.04.41	Danzig	Independent training.  Detection test with patrol boats.
		22.04. - 26.04.41	Danzig	UAK testing.
		27.04.41	Danzig	Tour of the city
		28.04.41	Danzig	Mine loading in Hela.  Submerged mile.  Machinery maneuvers.
		29.04.41	Danzig	Oil trace test.  Mine firing.  Transit to Rönne for sound testing.
		30.04.41	Rönne
		06.30		Made fast.
		07.30		Ready for sea for sound testing off Hasle.
		17.30		Sound testing ended, made fast in Rönne.
		01.05.41	Rönne
		04.00		Ready for sea.  Transit to Danzig.
		17.30	Danzig-Neufahrwasser	Made fast alongside "NEISSE".
		02.05.41	Danzig-Neufahrwasser	Independent training by Kaptlt. Müller.
		03.05.41	Danzig-Neufahrwasser	Torpedo loading, independent training.
		04.05.41	Danzig-Neufahrwasser	Torpedo loading.  B 3 attempt.
		05.05.41	Danzig-Neufahrwasser	Fuel consumption cruise, clearing the boat, cannon cleaning.
		06.05.41	Danzig-Neufahrwasser	Torpedo loading, day and night firing.
		07.05.41	Danzig-Neufahrwasser	Conclusion of the independent training.  Torpedo loading.  Shifted to the "HAMBURG".
		08.05.41	Danzig-Neufahrwasser	Day firing at the "SAAR".  Day and night attack training at the "BISMARCK".
		09.05.41	Danzig-Neufahrwasser	Torpedo loading, cannon exercises.
		10.05.41	Danzig-Neufahrwasser	Clean ship.  Cannon exercises and weapons cleaning.
		11.05.41	Danzig-Neufahrwasser	Clean ship.
		12.05.41	Danzig-Neufahrwasser	Transit to Gotenhafen.  Ammunition loading for small and main caliber test firing.  Made fast "HAMBURG".
		13.05.41	Danzig-Neufahrwasser
		10.00		Ready for sea.  Transit to Pillau for artillery firing.
		16.30	Pillau	Made fast alongside "PRETORIA".
		14.05.41	Pillau	Small and main caliber firing.

	- 3 -
		15.05.41	Pillau	Transit to Danzig.
		16.05.41	Danzig	Boat cleared.
		17.05.41	Danzig	Transit to Gotenhafen.  Torpedo loading.  Conference for tactical training.
		18.05. - 24.05.41	Gotenhafen	Tactical training.
		22.05.41		Fished out the crew of a Ju 88 (4 men) drifting in a lifeboat.
		25.05.41	Gotenhafen	End of tactical training.  Final conference.
				Transit to Danzig.
		26.05.41	Danzig	Transit to Kiel.
		27.05.41	Kiel
		13.30		Made fast alongside "LECH".
		17.30		Dry docked at Deutsche Werke.
		28.05.41	Kiel	Experiment with Nah-Sonder-Gerät. [mine detecting sonar]
		29.05.41		Undocked.  Shipyard meetings for final adjustments and overhaul.
		30.05.41		Testing of the Nah-Sonder-Gerät.  Made fast in the shipyard for final adjustment and overhaul.
		31.05. - 11.06.41	Kiel	Final adjustment and overhaul.
		06.06.41		Dry docked.
		09.06.41		Undocked.
		11.06.41		Sea trial.
		12.06.41		Final adjustment day.
		13.06.41		Torpedo loading, pressure dock.
		14.06.41		Degaussing, medical examination, magnetic compass calibration, radio direction finder calibration, provisions and ammunitions loading.
		15.06.41	Kiel	Boat taken over.
		16.06.41		Replacement of the air search periscope, oxygen, freshwater and provisions loading.  Final trim test.

			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h    "  U  5  6  4  "
			Kommandant:  Oblt. z.S. Suhren.
				Beginning on:  17.6.1941.
				Concluding on:  27 7.1941.

	- 1 -
		17.06.41	Kiel Bay	Cast off from the U-boat tender "LECH".
		05.50	Sea 1-2, lightly cloudy, Vis. good	Transit with "U-137, U-143, U-202, U-372" under escort by Sperrbrecher 13 through the Great Belt to the Kattegatt.
		08.00	AO 7432
		12.00	AO 7544	Day's run:  Surfaced 58 nm.
		16.00	AO 7299
		20.00	AO 7244
		18.06.41	Skagerrak
		00.00	AO 4796
			Slight Sea, Vis. good, high Cirrus clouds
		04.00	AO 4737
		08.30	AO 4469	Mail given to "U-372".
		09.20	Skagen	Division of the convoy.  "U-372" transit to Horten, the other boats under escort from 3 patrol boats for Kristiansand South.
		10.25		Test dive.
		12.00	AO 4451	Day's run:  Surfaced     285.4 nm
			Freshening wind and Sea, lightly misty, gradual visibility deterioration	Submerged     1.6 nm
		16.00	AN 3637
		19.25	Off Kristiansand South	Dissolution of convoy.  "U-137 and U-143" continue on, "U-202 and U-564" enter Kristiansand South to form new convoy.
			Slight abating, Vis. good
		20.45	Kristiansand	Made fast at the pier, Matrosen Freude put ashore (heavy swelling of both feet)
			Vis. clear, lightly cloudy
		21.45	Kristiansand	Cast off, with 2 patrol boats for Feiestein.
		19.06.41	West of Norway.
		00.00	AN 3537
			Vis. heavily changing in fog
		04.00	AN 3513	"U 137" and "U-143" in convoy with 2 patrol boats in sight.  Course along the Norwegian coast to the NW at 9 knots.

	Sun and Moon Data 17.06.41
	Sun and Moon Data 18.06.41
	Sun and Moon Data 19.06.41

	- 2 -
		continued
		19.06.41
		08.00	Vis. good, medium high broken cloud deck
		08.30	Feiestein	Escort by patrol boats ended.  Intention:  longest possible surface transit in NNW direction.
		12.00	AN 2949	Day's run:  Surfaced     231 nm
				Submerged     0 nm
		13.20		Test dive.
		16.00	AN 2398
			Extensive cloud deck with a few holes, Vis. good
		20.00	AN 2329
		20.06.41	European North Sea
		00.00	AF 8747
			Freshening wind and Sea, Vis. good, no night.
		04.00	AF 7923
			Growing Sea, Vis. slowly deteriorating
		06.45		Sent Short Signal:  Have passed 62°N.
				Nothing heard.
		08.00	AF 7648	Short Signal concerning passing sent once again.
			Sea 4, misty, low, extensive cloud deck	Understood.
		09.00		Due to unfavorable and changing visibility proceeded submerged at depth T = 20 meters [actuallt depth 40 meters]. +) [see next page]
		12.00	AF 7633	Day's run:  Surfaced     210.6 nm
				Submerged     9.4 nm
		14.10	Weather unchanged with somewhat better visibility	Surfaced, transit continued on course 315°.
		16.00	AF 7523	Came to course 280°.
		20.00	AF 7278
		21.06.41	North of the Faeroes
		00.00	AF 7186
		02.00		Radio Message from B.d.U. whereby American warships in the blockade area are not to be attacked.
		04.00	AF 7175
			Gradual visibility improvement
		08.00	AE 9395
			Cloud deck breaking up, abating wind and Sea
		12.00	AE 9265	Day's run:  Surfaced     196.4 nm
				Submerged     5.6 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 19.06.41
	Sun and Moon Data 20.06.41
	Sun and Moon Data 21.06.41

	- 3 -
		continued
		21.06.41
		14.50	AE 9257	1 three-masted schooner, probably Danish fishing cutter with SE-course, avoided.
		16.00	AE 9273
			Sea 2, broken cloud deck, Vis. good
		20.00	AE 9434
			Vis. sometimes bad in rain showers
				+)  On 20 June at 09.00 hours:  and assuming that location was betrayed by sending the Short Signal twice.  Utilized submerged transit to check the propulsion system.
		20.47		Radio Message from B.d.U. "U-564" reported by Short Signal position AE 37.
				On the assumption that large square AE was confused for AL in the radio message nothing sent.  Further to Radio Message: Short Signal received at 20:08 hours with the signature "U-564" was incomprehensible, the sender will transmit again since nothing was sent here.
		22.06.41	Between Iceland and the Faroes
		00.00	AE 9445
		00.36		Assignment of the attack area (Point "Rolf" in 209°T, 112 nm) by radio message. [AK 1150 from BdU KTB]
		04.00	AE 8659
			Vis. good, across the entire horizon extensive cloud deck
		05.30		Reading of the Proclamation of the Führer and the Note presented by the Soviet Union.
				State of war with Russia.
		05.55	AE 8649	Avoided a sailing vessel.
		08.00	AE 8592
			Sea 1-2, Vis. medium
		12.00	AE 8573	Day's run:  Surfaced     240 nm
				Submerged     0 nm
		12.30	AE 8572	Steamer in sight on course 67°.  Maneuvered ahead.
			Sea 1-2, Vis. medium, hazy horizon
		14.40	AE 8551	Dived, because a large patrol vessel with cannon and depth charges.
		15.41		At range 250 meters 1 torpedo with depth setting 2 meters fired.  Missed, probably passed behind or went under.

	Sun and Moon Data 21.06.41
	Sun and Moon Data 22.06.41

	- 4 -
		continued
		22.06.41
		15.48		Ran off submerged to 2000 meters, surfaced with cannon and machine gun ready.
				Opened fire.  4-5 hits achieved, of which 1 in the waterline.  MFC/30 failed immediately after the first shots, because the bottom of the magazine came off.
				At first the patrol vessel turned away and showed a small silhouette, then turned toward us at target angle 0° and returned cannon fire.  He homed in as usual from the short side and at the 5th shot lay short 50 meters.  Then secured cannon.  Dived.  Order:  periscope depth.
				Forward diving plane jams hard down.  Therefore I deemed it correct to go immediately to depth T = 60 meters. [120 meters]
				Propeller sound are distant, 3 depth charges were thrown at great range.  Went to periscope depth.
				In the GHG new sounds were heard, coming from two 4-smokestack destroyers.  Because the destroyers were 6-8000 meters apart, went between them and ran off at high speed.
		xx.03	AE 8543	Nothing more heard and seen; surfaced.
		xx.04	Hazy horizon, closed cloud deck	During blowing crash dive for a "Sunderland".
		xx.56		Nothing in sight.  Surfaced.
				Transit into the operations area.
		20.00	AE 8544
		xx.34		Crash dive for a "Sunderland:.  Went to depth T = 40 meters.  [80 meters] One bomb.
		xx.24		Surfaced.  continued transit.
		xx.50		Crash dived for an aircraft.
		xx.37		Surfaced.
		xx.15		While blowing crash dive for "Sunderland".  Proceeded submerged at depth T = 35 meters [70 meters]believing that the "Sunderland" would conduct reconnaissance in this area despite the 3-4 hours of twilight.
		23.06.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	AE 8492	Proceeded submerged.  At great range 18 depth charge detonations, at regular intervals.
		03.37	AE 8497	Surfaced.  Continued transit to the operations area.
		04 25	AE 8727	Radio signal:  Enemy convoy in sight square AL 1627.  Enemy runs at low speed, enemy steers easterly course.  "U-552".
			Vis. changing, light swell
				Operating on the reported convoy.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.06.41
	Sun and Moon Data 23.06.41

	- 5 -
		continued
		23.06.41
		08.00	AE 8773
			Patches of fog
		12.00	AE 3166	Day's run:  Surfaced     123 nm
				Submerged    27 nm
		16.00	AL 3145
			Vis. now good, heavily cloudy
		17.50		Crash dive for a flying boat.
		18.35		Surfaced.
		20.29	AL 2287	Crash dive for a flying boat (probably Sunderland).
			Vis. very good, few clouds
		20.51		Surfaced.  Crash dive for a flying boat.
		21.02		Surfaced.
		21.27		Dived for a flying boat.
		22.04		Surfaced.  While blowing crash dive for a flying boat.
		22.37		2 detonations, very far off.
				Because there are always flying boats searching in our direction, I believe that we must be on the general course of the convoy.  I attempt to close on course 189° submerged.
		23.13		Surfaced.  Will still make one more attempt to approach the convoy on the surface.
				One masthead in SE-direction, propeller sounds heard in S-direction.  Hold on to propeller sounds, in order to first get contact on the convoy.
		23.33		One masthead in sight bearing 215°.  Quickly comes closer,  Turned stern to, attempt to run off on the surface.
		23.37		Dived.  At silent speed came to course 35°.  The vessel which approached us at medium-speed and target angle 0° was a destroyer of the Alfredi-class which closed to 3000 meters, then to zigzagged to 1000 meters.  A 2nd destroyer remained at some distance from him.
				Now I assume we were already seen in the evening by the flying boat and that it summoned a hunting group positioned with the convoy here.  I remain at periscope depth and at silent running always put the now searching destroyer astern.  S-gear [active sonar] was not heard properly.  For us at periscope depth sound conditions are very bad, believe the same for the enemy.

Sun and Moon Data 23.06.41

	- 6 -
		24.06.41
		00.30	AL 2416	Boat was over flown by a flying boat.  Destroyer gave with searchlight 3 times "Richard".  Then the destroyer and the flying boat ran off to the south.
				Ran off at silent running on course 345°.
		xx.46	AL 2213	Because thereafter nothing more was seen and heard, surfaced dynamically with a brief blow of main ballast tank 3.  2 destroyers are still recognized astern.  They seemed to be stopped, but then get underway and approach us. Put them exactly astern.
			Vis. clear, few clouds, bright twilight
				Dived again.  At silent running again ran off at periscope depth.
		xx.40		Nothing to see and to hear.
		xx.16	AL 2279	Again surfaced dynamically with a brief blow of main ballast tank 3.  Nothing seen.  Initially continued on with E-motors, after 10 minutes blew and ran with diesels.
			Weather unchanged
				After a short time stopped to deceive the destroyers with their sound bearings, then, at high speed operated on the convoy reported by "U-203", as I believed that catching up to the convoy reported by "U-552" was hopeless and questionable and in the best case could get there before 11-12°W.
		08.00	AL 2337
			Vis. good, clear horizon, few connected clouds, slight Sea
		xx.40	AL 2344	Surfacing U-boat in sight.  Recognition signals exchanged.  It was "U-202".  He had tried to approach to the same convoy; and according to his statement had been raked as well.  Then left behind, had sighted an approximately 14 knot fast banana boat. [illegible hand written sentence]
		12.00	AL 1468	Day's run:  Surfaced     156 nm
			Light rain	Submerged    26 nm
		16.00	AL 1475	Continued on diesel-electric because the port outer cooling water pump leaked one ton in an hour.
			Drizzle, light Swell
		20.30	AL 1517	Cooling water pump probably remains out of service, continued to run on one diesel.
		25.06.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	AK 3646
			Freshening NW wind and Sea
		04.00	AK 3581
			Wind NW 6, Sea NW 4

	Sun and Moon Data 24.06.41
	Sun and Moon Data 25.06.41

	- 7 -
		continued
		25.06.41
		08.00	AK 2685
		12.00	AK 2733	Day's run:  Surfaced     310 nm
				Submerged     0 nm
		16.35	AK 2318	A German U-boat in sight bearing 120°T.  Held on intending to discuss a coordinated operation on the convoy.  However, the boat suddenly dived.
			Slowly abating Sea and wind
		20.00	AK 1853	Reached the supposed intersect point with the convoy.  Nothing in sight.  The convoy can only have shifted his main course north or east. I assume the former, since in the northern area near Greenland and Iceland escort can be done by flying boats and the convoy knows it has been discovered.   In addition, the other boats are sure to search the southeastern sector, because they are deployed there.
		21.00		Came to northerly course.
		26.06.41	North Atlantic, southeast of Greenland
		00.00	AK 1688
			Vis. very good, cloudy
		04.00	AK 1628
		08.00	AK 1455	Crash dive for flying boat.  It is unclear if it is flying regular reconnaissance or belongs to the escort of a convoy.  If it belongs to a convoy then that can only be located to the south or as I initially thought to the east of us based on our previous courses, the area searched to the west and the movements of the aircraft.
		11.28		Therefore came to northwesterly course to the operations area.
		11.22		Radio message:  Suspect convoy square AK 1420.  Several destroyers and a Sunderland sighted.  Patches of fog.  "U-556"
				That is our exact square.  I believe now that we are to the west and about 10 nm north of it.  Came to course 70°.
		12.00	AK 1287	Day's run:  Surfaced     294.9 nm
			Wind NE 6, Sea NE 5, cloudy, Vis. good	Submerged      5.1 nm
		14.25		Contact keeper report:  Convoy line abreast, speed about 9 knots.
		15.49		Sent position by Short Signal, to prompt further contact keeper reports.  We can only be north of it, therefore gradually changed course to the south.

	Sun and Moon Data 25.06.41
	Sun and Moon Data 26.06.41

	- 8 -
		continued
		26.06.41
		15.43	AK 2179	A steamer and 4-5 smoke trails in sight bearing about 150°T, course about 80°.
			Sea and wind unchanged, Vis. good, occasional rain showers
		15.59	Rain showers	Flying boat in sight bearing 0°T.  The same from this morning.  Comes very close, dived.  Immediately after surfacing set off to the NE of the convoy.  In my view the convoy steers an easterly course.  Blind, I position myself 18-20 nm ahead of the convoy.  Every 70 minutes the flying boat returns, seems to fly one small then one large circle of about 18 nm radius around the convoy.
				From 19.00 hours the flying boat has appeared regularly three times
		20.00	AK 2274
		22.18	Wind and Sea slowly abating	German U-boat in sight between us and the convoy.  Go close by, such that the convoy bears 245°T.  Convoy has steered 85°.
				The U-boat, U-79, gives the formation and escort of the convoy.  Continued to move ahead.
		23.41		Dived for flying boat.
				Am positioned directly ahead on the main course line of the convoy.
		27.06.41	North Atlantic, southeast of Greenland
		00.00	AK 2432	The first steamer in the periscope.  A gun boat is ahead of the convoy which proceeds in three columns.  A large auxiliary cruiser at the northern tip.  Intend to shoot 5 torpedoes, and maneuver between the center and southern column, because I am to the south.
		01.55		Two detonations heard, suspect scare depth charges from the escorts.
				The convoy zig zags 20° to starboard and thus greatly complicates the situation because the center column approaches me at target angle 0°.
				1st shot on a 4 master set off somewhat from the southern column with 8 cargo hatches at a broad target angle (105°), range 1000 meters.
				2nd and 3rd shots on the 3rd and 4th steamers, because the 2nd was smaller.  Range = about 600 and 400 meters.  A water column is seen at the 4-master. When I want to shoot the 4th torpedo at a tanker, a steamer, which must have been loaded with ammunition, flies completely

	Sun and Moon Data 26.06.41
	Sun and Moon Data 27.06.41

	- 9 -
		continued
		27.06.41
				into the air.  For a long time the periscope is shrouded in the detonation cloud.  Heavy cracking and boiler explosions typical of a sinking steamer are heard.
				Ran at high speed at periscope depth to the south, to get out of the thick smoke.
				This hit must have resulted from the 3rd shot; since in the boat a 2nd torpedo detonation was heard at all stations while shooting the 3rd torpedo. The steamer fired at 3rd was therefore closest to the boat.  The range could have been at most 300 meters; I suppose that I overestimated the range in the twilight.
				I did not observe the results from the 2nd shot with the periscope, I was blinded for a long time by the detonation cloud. When the boat was out of the cloud, I saw that the convoy proceeded completely confused.
		01.59		I still attempted to shoot with the stern tube, 2 tankers, which apparently stopped with their bows opposite to each other, but the boat cut under.   Back at periscope depth only hazy shadows were visible, since the boat had run off at high speed. The shadows steamed off to the north and south.
				From the three detonations to now depth charges were thrown by the escorts in series of up to 6, however, these were far off.
		02.10		10-15 minutes had passed from the 1st shot when I saw a destroyer with target angle towards me at high speed. I went to high speed, so that the destroyer passed astern, so that a shot with the stern tube was questionable. I did not shoot, because the destroyer, drove past at 100 meters.
				After that 6 heavy depth charge detonations rocked the boat.  Both E-motors stopped and we soon hung at depth 25 meters.  As practiced in training, the automatic battery switches were checked for transfer. The pointers of the automatic switch indicated "On", so nothing was done by the assigned combat post.  The E-motors were still stopped and the boat settled (to depth 30 meters).  The time up to restarting the motors is no longer ascertainable, however, seemed eternal.  It must have been between 2 and 5 minutes.
				The situation was very unfavorable, since the listener reported approaching propeller noises.  In the control room I heard

Sun and Moon Data 27.06.41

	- 10 -
		continued
		27.06.41
				a vessel coming over the stern from port at about 12 knots.  An ugly moment. At the same time the Obermaschininst had personally checked the No. 1 automatic battery switch and found that this was popped, without changing the display device at the same time.
				From the motors now came the report that both E-motors to were ready for 190 RPM.  At last at this RPM the slowly falling boat was finally able to go deep quickly and flooding, which can be the worst thing in such a situation was avoided, so now it could even be pumped out.
				At depth T = 60 meters [120 meters] both diving planes were up, but the boat was only caught by blowing main ballast tank 3 at depth T = 80 meters [160 meters]with a stern down angle of 15°.
			[presumably 100-160 meters]	From depth 50 to 80 meters about 200 liters was pumped out of a regulating and reserve fuel oil tank under a pressure of 11 atmospheres above datum.  At depth 80 meters [160 meters], the pressure in the regulating tank was reduced to 8 atmospheres above datum. Now the main drain pump was used to draw from this regulating tank below 8 atmospheres above datum.  The rubber gasket of the filter cap was pushed out by the pressure on the suction side of the pump so that the pump drew air through the filter cover, and thus failed.  A pressure of 14 atmospheres above datum pressure was applied to the regulating tank now at 2.5 atmospheres above datum, so that now could it be pumped out effectively at depth T = 65 meters.  [130 meters] The boat was only controlled by an air bubble in the main ballast tank 3 for depth T = 70 meters.  [140 meters] We proceeded at that depth at silent running.
				An escort or destroyer often went past in our vicinity and over us at slow speed.  The sound pursuit continued up to about 08.00 hours.
				From 07.00 hours it was determined in our sound gear that the listening conditions were unfavorable due to the rising seas.  Until then no depth charges were thrown.  The reason for this behavior of the enemy is still puzzling to the boat's leadership, he obviously listened to us, but perhaps his results were inaccurate.
				I then waited an hour and then could surface.
		09.20	AK 2432	In summary I determined the following during  the attack on this convoy:
			Light mist, Sea 2-3, freshening wind
				In general, boats with new crew on their first war patrol should, especially during attacks on convoys,

Sun and Moon Data 27.06.41

	- 11 -
		continued
		27.06.41
				avoid difficult situations such as letting themselves settle.  The boats should accept shooting multiple torpedoes at a greater range from the outside the convoy - even if one or another passes.
				The boat must conduct the attack so that after shooting it has enough time get to sufficient depth calmly and be controlled there with defense by the escorts.  Because if there is a proper sound and depth charge persecution, and a boat is in the state as it was mine, namely semi-mobile and also loud from pumping and much rudder movement, the enemy will encounter more favorable prosecution conditions.
				Even a skilled and perfect Engineering Officer can not devote 100% of his attention to depth control because he does not know how the men will behave in the control room during enemy action, and thus must divide his attention.  Only once it has really banged; will peculiarities and the most likely recurring failures arise, while simultaneously highlighting the most reliable war soldiers, which can then be assigned in the right place.
				In general, most of the crew were not aware of the seriousness of the situation, as they took their cue from us. So it was here, the attitude of the crew was good and calm.  And though most were faced with a situation which they themselves did not understand, but only after overcoming the scary moments and calm instructions.
		09.32		Ran off to the SW, to move away from the convoy and the possibly attached hunting group.  I thought a pursuit was inappropriate and wrong for the very tired boat.  In addition, our speed was reduced by a malfunction in the port diesel for about 6-8 hours (broke a push rod).
		12.00	AK 2287	Day's run:  Surfaced     105 nm
			SW 4, Sea 3, lightly misty	Submerged   30 nm
		16.07	AK 2277	Dive to proceed submerged to rest and for diesel repairs.
		20.00	AK 2198
		22.32	Freshening	Surfaced.  Transit to ordered attack area.
		28.06.41	East of Greenland
		00.00	AK 2187
			Vis. good, wind and sea increasing.

	Sun and Moon Data 27.06.41
	Sun and Moon Data 28.06.41

	- 12 -
		continued
		28.06.41
		04.00	AK 1299
			Slowly abating
		08.00	AK 1288
		12.00	AK 1195	Day's run:  Surfaced     115.2 nm
			Sea S 3, heavily cloudy, light mist, however Vis. good	Submerged   18.8 nm
		16.00	AK 1173
		20.00	AD 9468
			Clearing
		29.06.41	East of Greenland
		00.00	AD 9443
		04.00	AD 9355	Came to course 140° intending to strike out in an arch to the SE to search the determined traffic route.
			Gradual Vis. deterioration
		08.00	AD 9396
		12.00	AD 9872	Day's run:  Surfaced  180 nm
			Freshening
		13.15		Test dive.
		16.00	AD 9852
		18.25		Radio Message from B.d.U. to report position, fuel and successes.
		18.50	AD 9855	1 smoke cloud in sight.
			NNE 3, Sea NNE 2, extensive cloud deck, Vis. good
		18.59		Dived to attack.
		19.58		Shot on a 3500 GRT size merchant steamer with conspicuously high mast and smokestack.  From periscope observation estimate about 110 meters, 32 meters high.  On the hull was the Icelandic flag, painted for camouflage, because it was perfectly fresh and the name illegible.  The steamer ran at 12 knots.  A lookout position with binoculars was located on the upper bridge.
				Hit amidships.  Steamer traveled in ballast and sank in 5 minutes.
		20.45	AD 9891	Surfaced and continued on course 140°.
		30.06.41	Southeast of Greenland
		00.00	AD 9899
			Sea NE 2, few clouds, Vis. very good
		04.00	AK 1543
		04.49		Sent Radio Message to B.d.U., the boat is in AK 15

	Sun and Moon Data 28.06.41
	Sun and Moon Data 29.06.41
	Sun and Moon Data 30.06.41

	- 13 -
		continued
		30.06.41		with 72 cbm fuel and has sunk a steamer of 3500 GRT.
		08.00	AK 1544
			Gradual Vis. and weather deterioration	Allocation of a new attack area by Radio Message.  Initially continued to run ob the old course to intersect the NE/SW steamer lane several times.   [AJ 3785 depth 150 nm BdU KTB]
		12.00	AK 1739	Day's run:  Surfaced     139.1 nm
			Wind shifting heavily counterclockwise.	Submerged     8.9 nm
		14.54	AK 17	Steamer in sight.  Comes closer quickly at target angle 20°.  Attempt to maneuver ahead on the surface; spoiled due to heavy smoking of the diesels.
			Sea SE 3-4, Vis. good often limited in rain squalls
		14.56		Dived for submerged attack, attempted to reach shooting position at AK, however the steamer zig zags heavily away, it is possible he saw us however not likely.
				Steamer was followed in the periscope, until just the mast and smokestack are seen.
		15.34		Surfaced.  Steamer out of sight in a rain squall.  With the assistance of plotting searched all courses of the steamer from 240° - 250°.  Nothing found.
		16.00	AK 1766
			Vis. heavily limited by rain showers, seas increasing
		20.29	AJ 3691	Dived, to listen for the steamer.  Nothing found.  Pursuit broken off.
		21.04		Headed for the assigned attack area.
		01.07.41	North Atlantic southeast of Greenland
		00.00	AJ 3686
			NE 8, Sea NE 6, heavy rain showers
		04.00	AJ 3917
			Slowly abating
		08.00	AJ 3867
		12.00	AJ 3881	Day's run:  Surfaced     186.9 nm
			rain	Submerged    13.1 nm
		16.00	AJ 3878
		19.13		Test dive.
		20.00	AJ 6318
			Vis. bad due to rain and over coming seas, heavily cloudy

	Sun and Moon Data 30.06.41
	Sun and Moon Data 01.07.41

	- 14 -
		02.07.41	North Atlantic south of Greenland
		00.00	AJ 6256
		04.00	AJ 6272	Back and forth in position in attack area.
			Sea 3, Vis., changing
		12.00	AJ 3787	Day's run:  Surfaced     146.9 nm
			SW 4, Sea SW 4-5, Vis. medium	Submerged    1.8 nm
		1x.00	AJ 6227
			Freshening
		16.00	AJ 3756
		20.00	AJ 3732
		20.29	Sea abating somewhat, few clouds, Vis. medium, misty	Came to course 154°, to operate on the convoy reported by U-108 in accordance with Radio Message from B.d.U.  Although the convoy is far away, I will go even though perceive a small chance of success, as I see by the Radio Messages of the other boats that the traffic detected is very meager due to the poor visibility conditions.
		03.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	AJ 3818
			Vis. changing, rain showers
		04.00	AK 4141
		08.00	AK 4422
			Vis. diminished in rain
		08.34		Because there are no further contact keeper reports, reduced speed to save fuel.
		12.00	AK 4496	Day's run:  Surfaced  250 nm
			Rain, Vis. low
		16.00	AK 4889
			Freshening
		20.00	AK 7219
			SE 6, Sea SE 4, weather improving
		23.04		Main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank 2 converted for use as a ballast tank.  Test dive.

	Sun and Moon Data 02.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 03.07.41

	- 15 -
		04.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	AK 7285
			Increasing seas
		04.00	AK 7537
			Sea SE 5, thunderstorms, hail, rain, Vis. entirely bad.
		08.00	AK 7593
		12.00	AK 7918	Day's run:  Surfaced  186 nm
		16.00	AK 7985	Absolutely no other contact keeping reports. I suppose now that I'm the only boat that is searching for the convoy reported by U-108.   Believe further search is pointless.  Since I have gone far from the old attack area, this is reported by Short Signal.
			Sea increasing again
		20.00	BD 1263
		21.06		[probably a test dive]
		05.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	BD 1611
			SW 6, Sea SW 4-5, clear
		04.00	BD 1699
		08.00	BD 1925
			extensive cloud deck, Vis. medium to good
		12.00	BD 1991	Day's run:  Surfaced  200 nm
		16.00	BD 1955
		20.00	BD 1924
			SW 7, Sea SW 6, few clouds, Vis. good
		21.36		Test dive.
		06.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	BD 1675
			Sea abating 4-5, occasional rain
		04.00	BD 1671
		08.00	BD 1566
			Wind shifting to the west, short steep seas, extensive cloud deck
		12.00	BD 1534	Day's run:  Surfaced     96.5 nm
				Submerged   3.5 nm
		16.00	BD 1281
		19.02		Dived.

	Sun and Moon Data 04.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 05.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 06.07.41

	- 16 -
		continued
		06.07.41
		20.00	BD 1216
		23.13		Surfaced.
		07.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	BD 1214
			Slowly abating
		04.00	BD 1135
		08.00	AK 7899
			Abating further, misty, Vis, medium
		12.00	AK 7849	Day's run:  Surfaced       80 nm
				Submerged  13.5 nm
		16.00	AK 7736
			Slight wind and sea, misty, Vis. bad
		20.00	AK 7726
		08.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	AK 7446
			Slight Sea Vis. bad
		04.00	AJ 9622	Back and forth in position in attack area.
		08.00	AK 7444
			In general Vis. bad, changing in fog and rain
		12.00	AK 7742	Day's run:  Surfaced  160 nm
		16.00	AK 7784
		20.00	BC 3325
			Gradually clearing
		20.17		Test dive.
		23.24		Short Signal sent:  To possibly obtain a shift of attack area, because for 4 or more days there has been no traffic, the current area was very unfavorable due to the poor visibility and to the south and east promised more success.
		09.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	BC 3367
		04.00	BD 1117
		08.00	AK 7884
			Vis. good limited occasionally in mist, slowly freshening
		12.00	AK 7896	Day's run:  Surfaced       159 nm
				Submerged       1 nm
		16.00	AK 7951
		20.00	AK 7916
			Vis. very good, Sea 3-4, cloudy

	Sun and Moon Data 06.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 07.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 08.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 09.07.41

	- 17 -
		10.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	AK 7598
			Slight Sea, cloudy, moonshine
		04.00	AK 7576
			Lightly misty
		08.00	AK 7468
			No Sea, Vis. good
		12.00	AK 7456	Day's run:  Surfaced       144 nm
				Submerged      16 nm
		16.00	AK 9662
			Freshening, Vis. changing
		20.00	AK 9692
			Misty, Vis. low, slight wind and sea
		21.44		Test dive.
		11.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	AK 7717
			Vis. limited heavily by rain
		02.06		Dived. because of very unfavorable visibility, however found good listening conditions.
		04.00	AK 7745
		07.34	AK 7763	Surfaced.
			Misty
		12.00	BG 3321	Day's run:  Surfaced       128 nm
			Vis. greatly changing due to fog from 0.1 to 8 nm	Submerged   14.5 nm
		16.00	BC 3355
			Fog
		20.00	BC 3322
			Vis, changing due to fog
		12.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	AK 7755
		01.52		Dived, because sound range is greater then visibility.
		04.00	AK 7725
		08.16	AK 7722	Surfaced.
			Wind WSW 4-5, Sea WSW 3, misty, Vis. changing from 100 meters to 5 nm
		12.00	AK 7482	Day's run:  Surfaced       110 nm
			Unchanged bad Vis. at tomes below 100 meters	Submerged     13 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 10.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 11.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 12.07.41

	- 18 -
		continued
		12.07.41
		15.00	AK 7429	Dived, because there was no visibility.  Shortly after diving a rhythmic beating heard in the GHG.  72 beats per minute.  Believe that it is a steamer proceeding in ballast, whose propellers were out.
			Fog, slight Seas
		16.54		Surfaced and operated on the sound bearing of the steamer however, nothing seen.
				Dived.  Again the same sounds.  True bearing remains the same when turning the boat.  Sometimes the beating stopped for a short time, jumped over to the other side, was heard all over the horizon, but to always came back in the same direction,
		18.16	Misty, slight Sea, Vis. low to medium	Surfaced, proceeded at high speed in the direction of the sound bearing.  Nothing seen.
		19.04		Dived.  Sounds first found after a long search.  Again in the same direction.
		19.48		Surfaced.  Pursued at 2 x GF.  Nothing seen, however
		20.00
		22.08		submerged sounds were very loud.
		22.26		Surfaced, with visibility still very bad, nothing seen.
		23.27		Dived one more time, however nothing more heard.
		13.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	AK 7585
		01.05	Slight Sea, misty, fog in places	Surfaced and continued on the surface, because there is slight visibility improvement.
		03.29	AK 7831	Dived to proceed submerged, because visibility is very bad again.  Submerged these beating sounds are heard again.  Now it was clear, that it was not a vessel but probably was fish. This sound was also heard during the attack on the convoy at 27 June after perfect destroyer sounds were heard before. This noise was then believed to be destroyers at listening speed.  It is likely that there had also been fish at that time, so the actual listening pursuit lasted only until about 4:00 hours.
			Fog
		08.00	AK 7881
		12.34	AK 7841	Day's run:  Surfaced       115 nm
			Slight Sea, Vis. medium to good, extensive cloud deck	Submerged     35 nm
		16.00	AK 7763
			Visibility improving.
		20.00	BC 3313
			Sunshine

	Sun and Moon Data 12.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 13.07.41

	- 19 -
		14.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	BC 3263
			Vis. clear
		04.00	BC 3552
			Dark night and Vis. clear, slight Sea, overcast, misty in places
		08.00	BC 3363
		12.00	BD 1152	Day's run:  Surfaced  167 nm
			Overcast, very slight Sea, light drizzle, Vis. medium to good
		16.00	BD 1241
		20.00	BD 1218
			Despite rain Vis. good
		21.44		Dived for tightness test at great depth.
		23.29		Surfaced.
		15.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	BD 1133
			Heavily overcast sky, Vis. medium
		04.00	AK 7859
		08.00	AK 7819
			Overcast, drizzle, Vis. good, slight Sea
		12.00	AK 7496	Day's run:  Surfaced       154 nm
			Wind E 3, Sea E 2, overcast, Vis. good	Submerged       6 nm
		16.00	AK 7456
		20.00	AK 7415
			Weather unchanged
		16.07.41
		00.00	AK 7448
			Wind freshening to NE 5, rain, at times misty, Vis. medium
		04.00	AK 7479
		08.00	AK 7818
			Abating and clearing, Vis. good
		12.00	AK 7858	Day's run:  Surfaced       190 nm
				Submerged       0 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 14.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 15.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 16.07.41

	- 20 -
		continued
		16.07.41
		16.00	BD 1133
			Freshening, few clouds, Vis. good
		20.00	BD 1252
		17.07.41
		00.00	BD 1376
			Clear, Vis. good
		04.00	BD 1637
		08.00	BD 2475
			Completely low Sea, cloudless, Vis. very good
		09.20	BD 2488	German U-boat in sight.  After exchanging recognition signals got together.  It was "U-97" situation and intentions exchanged.  "U-97" goes on easterly course to waiting position for the reported convoy.
		12.00	BD 2735	Day's run:  Surfaced  215 nm
		16.00	BD 2846
		20.00	BD 2897
			Clear, slight sea, Vis. good
		18.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	BD 5322
			Vis. clear with dark night
		04.00	BD 5334
		04.25		Test dive.
		05.06		Surfaced.
		08.00	BD 6117
			Cloudy, slight sea, wind calm, Vis. good
		12.00	BD 5365	Day's run:  Surfaced       183.2 nm
				Submerged     1.8 nm
		15.04		By Radio Message from B.d.U. assigned deployment in a patrol line to catch the convoy reported by the Luftwaffe.
		16.00	BD 5381
		20.00	BD 6144
		19.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	BD 6129
		04.00	BD 6212
			Dark night, slight Seam Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 16.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 17.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 18.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 19.07.41

	- 21 -
		continued
		19.07.41	North Atlantic
		08.00	BD 3894
			Overcast, slight Sea, Vis. good
		12.00	BD 3946	Day's run:  Surfaced  215 nm
		16.00	BD 3935
			Sunshine, Vis. very good
		20.00	BE 1719
		20.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	BE 1729
			Very dark night
		01.20		Test dive.
		04.00	BE 1841
		08.00	BE 1864	Back and forth in position in patrol line.
			Overcast, Vis. very good
		12.00	BE 1853	Day's run:  Surfaced       164 nm
			Freshening	Submerged       1 nm
		20.00	BE 1828
		21.07.41	North Atlantic
		00.00	BE 1867
			Cloudy, dark night, heavy marine phosphorescence
		04.00	BE 1853
		08.00	BE 1867
			Cloud deck breaking up
		12.00	BE 1852	Day's run:  Surfaced  161 nm
		15.00		Radio Message from B.d.U. whereby there are no boundaries to the attack areas.  Intention:
			.	Because there is only a small fuel inventory to stay in the existing operations area, will advance to the north and in the area of "U-203" to the limit of fuel inventory, because there is a reasonable prospect of success on the narrowing routes. Also, I assume that "U-203" will not be in his position before my return transit.
		16.00	BE 1892
			Abating, clear, sunshine
		20.00	BE 8135

	Sun and Moon Data 19.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 20.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 21.07.41

	- 22 -
		22.07.41
		00.00	North Atlantic, west of Ireland
		00.00	BE 1671
			Clear dark night
		03.39		Test dive.
		04.00	BE 1619
		08.00	BE 1382
			Changing cloudiness, Vis. good, Sea 1
		10.10	BE 1364	A U-boat in sight bearing 280°T.  Recognition signal exchanged, closed the boat, "U-331".  He had been underway three weeks, however had seen no steamers, only three German U-boats.  Then ran on course 87° at LF to his ordered area.
		12.00	BR 1337	Day's run:  Surfaced       166 nm
				Submerged     0.8 nm
		16.00	AL 8896
			Slight Sea, sunshine, light mist, Vis. good
		20.00	AL 9742
		23.07.41	North Atlantic west of Ireland
		00.00	AL 9485
			Dark night, extensive cloud deck, increasing wind and Sea
		04.00	AL 9461
		08.00	AL 9199
			Vis. and weather deteriorating
		09.45		Dived, due to bad visibility.  Submerged transit to carry out propulsion system check.
		12.00	AL 9246	Day's run:  Surfaced       168 nm
				Submerged    11.9 nm
		14.08	Only slight Vis. improvement	Surfaced.
		16.00	AL 9221
		20.00	AL 6858
			Fog, rain, slight gradual Vis. improvement
		24.07.41	North Atlantic, west of Ireland
		00.00	AL 6823
			Heavily cloudy, occasional rain, dark night
		04.00	AL 6562
		08.00	AL 6675
			Extensive cloud deck with few holes,

	Sun and Moon Data 22.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 23.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 24.07.41

	- 23 -
		continued
		24.07.41
			slowly freshening, Vis. changing due to rain showers
		12.00	AL 6925	Day's run:  Surfaced  185 nm
		16.00	AL 6989
			Changing cloudiness, rain in places
		20.00	AL 9363
		22.51		Convoy reported by B-Dienst.  Course changed towards it in the hope that the convoy will be reported at dawn by another boat and that we will be in the vicinity, because large search courses are no longer feasible due to fuel.
		25.07.41	West of Ireland
		00.00	AM 7172
			Few clouds, Vis. medium
		04.00	AL 9651
		08.00	AL 9651
			Heavily overcast, Vis. changing due to rain showers
		12.00	AL 9569	Day's run:  Surfaced  175 nm
		15.40		Heard bearing signals from aircraft tasked on a southbound convoy.  Impossible to operate due to fuel situation.
		16.00	AL 9914
			Heavily cloudy, Vis. medium to good
		17.37		Reported starting return transit by Radio Message.
		20.00	AL 9958
			Vis. low due to mist
		22.05		A flying boat in sight bearing 220°T. probably a "Consolidated", in about 5000 meters range.  Course 0°.  Flies past without seeing us.  Perhaps a convoy lies behind him.  Therefore came to SSW course.
		22.23		After 30 minutes dived, to possibly find something out by listening.
		23.00		Nothing heard, surfaced.  Came to old course.
		26.07.41	Southwest of Ireland
		00.00	BE 2332
			Overcast, misty, very dark night, heavy marine phosphorescence, slight Sea
		04.00	BE 3519
		08.00	BE 3674
			Overcast, Vis. medium
		12.00	BE 3674	Day's run:  Surfaced       247.7 nm
				Submerged      2.3 nm
		16.00	BE 3861
			Extensive cloud deck with holes, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 24.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 25.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 26.07.41

	- 24 -
		continued
		26.07.41	South of Ireland
		20.00	BF 1764
			Slight Sea, overcast, Vis. good
		2x.55		1 aircraft in sight bearing 135°T, range 9 nm.  Flies away without seeing us on course 250°.
		27.07.41	West of Brest
		00.00	BF 1881
			Overcast dark night
		04.00	BF 1973
		0x.50	BF 2782	1 aircraft in sight bearing 130°T.  Was only seen for a short time in the clouds.
		08.00	Heavily cloudy, Vis. good
		12.00	BF 2881	Day's run:  Surfaced  203 nm
		12.25		1 aircraft in sight, recognition signals exchanged.
		14.05		1 aircraft in sight bearing 50°T, course 260°.
		16.00	Brest	Entered Brest.
			Few clouds, Vis. very good

	Sun and Moon Data 26.07.41
	Sun and Moon Data 27.07.41

	Enclosures to U-564's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Torpedo	Torpedo firing reports

	Comments of the B.d.U.  :
	A patrol borne by a great fighting spirit whose resolute and courageous execution deserves every recognition. The judgment of the Kommandant's artillery attack on the patrol vessel and his experiences during the attack on the convoy are fully approved, the success of the patrol is good.
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		The Chief of the operations Department

---

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