U-564 - 4th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason

Departed
Date
Arrived
Date
Days at Sea
La Pallice
18 January 1942
Brest
6 March 1942
48

 

Click the icon to download a KMZ file displaying the U-boat track, significant events and locations for this patrol.  You must have Google Earth loaded on your computer to view this file.  Download Google Earth here

Ships Hit
Date
KTB Time
Position
Ship
Tons
Nationality
Convoy
11 Feb 42
01.43 - 03.24
36°09'N, 67°18'W
VICTOLITE
11,410
Canada
16 Feb 42
20.38 - 21.30
37°39'N, 66°46'W
OPALIA (damaged)
6,195
British
     
 Total = 17,605
   
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  
                                     = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =  
           
        "U-564"  
           
                           Kommandant: Kaptlt.  S  u  h  r  e  n.  
           
           
                
           
           
                              Beginning: 1. 11.1941.  
                              Ending: 6.   3.1942.  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
                              
           
           
           
        © U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved  
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
 
- 1 -
 
           
           
           
           
    01.11.41 to   Shipyard period.  
    06.01.42 Lorient The flooding mechanism and a KDB were fitted, the port diesel engine was replaced.  
    06.01.42 Lorient Torpedo and munitions loading.  
    07.01.42      " Shipyard sea trial and trim test.  
    08.01.42      " Provisions loading.  
    09.01.42      " Degaussing, magnetic compass calibration, radio direction finder calibration.  
    10.01.42      " Radio direction finder calibration, boat taken over.  
                                                             
    11.01.42      
    09.30   Radio direction finder calibration.  
    13.30   Departed.  Transit from La Pallice in convoy to L 2, then independently on the route.  
    23.38   Test dive.  
                                                               
    12.01.42 Off Western France    
    00.00 BF 5863    
      Lightly freshening SE-wind, few clouds, clear    
    00.15   Surfaced.  
    04.00 BF 9132 Outer half of the route many fishing vessels as usual.  
    04.50 Point Dach Entered on Route Dachgiebel.  
    08.00 NE-wind jumping    
    10.15 Point 36 At convoy intake point.  No escort in sight.  Hung on to 2 patrol boats.  
    16.20 Lock at La Pallice Entered.  
    17.04 La Pallice Made fast Box 5.  Standby for Special Task Order "Göttingen".  Day's run:  262 nm.  
                                                               
    13.01.42 to La Pallice    
    15.01.42   Standby.  
    16.01.42 La Pallice    
    02.00   Order to be ready to sail at 02.30 hours was cancelled.  
    17.01.42 La Pallice Gave Special Task "Göttingen" to U-432.  
    15.40   Dry docked, because main ballast tank 5 blew.  
                                                               
    18.01.42      
    16.25 La Pallice Cast off for departure.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 11.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 12.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 18.01.42
 
- 2 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    18.01.42      
    17.42 Barrier at La Pallice Departed under escort of a Sperrbrecher and two patrol boats with an Italian U-boat to Point 36.  Then independent transit via Point Dach to ordered square BC 56 on the Great Circle route.  
    20.00 WNW 4, Sea 3, few clouds, murky  
    23.00 Point 36    
                                                               
    19.01.42 Off Western France    
    00.00 Slowly abating, clearing    
    06.53 Point Dach    
    08.00 BF 9135    
      Cloud deck breaking up    
    08.50   Dived to proceed submerged in accordance with Standing Orders.  
    12.00 BF 9123 Day's run:  Surfaced     139.3 nm  
                         Submerged     8.7 nm.  
    16.00 BF 9122    
    16.49 Vis. changing in fog from 3-6000 meters Surfaced to shoot the sun.  
    16.58   Continued submerged transit.  
    20.00 BF 9121 Surfaced.  
      Wind and Sea WNW 4, Vis. bad, rain    
                                                               
    20.01.42 Off Western France    
    00.00 BF 5885    
      Extensive cloudiness    
    04.00 BF 5847    
    08.00 BF 5756 Due to very good visibility conditions continue transit on the surface.  
      Few very high clouds, Vis. very good, slight wind and Sea from the WNW  
    12.00 BF 4962 Day's run:  Surfaced     131.5 nm  
                         Submerged    24.5 nm.  
    16.00 BF 4919    
      Weather unchanged.    
    20.00 BF 4825    
                                                               
    21.01.42 Bay of Biscay    
    00.00 BF 4811    
      Wind freshening shifting to the W, increasing cloudiness with rain    
    04.00 BF 4488    
    08.00 BE 6696    
      Heavily cloudy, Vis. medium    
    09.29   Dived to proceed submerged.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 18.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 19.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 20.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 21.01.42
 
- 3 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    21.01.42      
    12.00 BE 6694 Day's run:  Surfaced     192.2 nm  
                         Submerged      7.8 nm.  
    13.37   Surfaced, continued transit on the surface.  
    16.00 BE 6681    
      Low solid cloud deck with rain, increasing wind    
    20.00 BE 6671    
                                                               
    22.01.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 BE 6568    
      Few clouds, clear, N 5, Sea N 5    
    04.00 BE 6558    
    08.00 BE 6544    
      Wind abating and shifting to the W, increasing cloudiness, Vis. very good    
    09.18   Passing report "BE 64" sent, incorrectly confirmed. (BE 79)  
    12.00 BE 6451 Day's run:  Surfaced     143.5 nm  
                         Submerged         5 nm.  
    16.00 BE 5639    
      Overcast, long W-Swell    
    20.00 BE 5628    
                                                               
    23.01.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 BE 5615    
      Medium W-Sea, overcast, hazy    
    04.00 BE 5532    
    08.00 BE 5523    
      Low hanging rain clouds, murky, Vis. medium, W 4-5, Sea W 4    
    12.00 BE 5521 Day's run:  Surfaced     125 nm  
                         Submerged      1 nm.  
    16.00 BE 5277    
      Still isolated rain showers    
    20.00 BE 5194    
                                                               
    24.01.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 BE 5184    
      Wind and Sea freshening, Vis. low    
    04.00 BE 5171    
    08.00 BE 4392    
      Overcast    
    12.00 BE 4383 Day's run:  Surfaced     108 nm  
                         Submerged      - nm.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 21.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 22.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 23.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 24.01.42
 
- 4 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    24.01.42      
    16.00 BE 4349    
      Cloud deck breaking up    
    20.00 BE 4366    
                                                               
    25.01.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 BE 4256    
      Abating, overcast, rain Short Signal weather report sent, no confirmation.  
    04.00 BE 4246    
    08.00 BE 4162    
      Again freshening    
    10.36   Test dive.  
    12.00 BE 4152 Day's run:  Surfaced     127.3 nm  
                         Submerged     2.7 nm.  
    16.00 BE 4152    
      SW 6, Sea 5, overcast, misty to foggy    
    20.00 BD 6363    
                                                               
    26.01.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 BD 6361    
      Slowly abating, rain, Vis. medium    
    04.00 BD 6351    
    08.00 BD 6342    
    12.00 BD 6238 Day's run:  Surfaced     100 nm  
                         Submerged     0 nm.  
    16.00 BD 6229    
      Vis. medium to good    
    20.00 BD 6227    
                                                               
    27.01.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 BD 6242    
      W 8, Sea 6, heavily cloud with rain, Vis. bad    
    04.00 BD 6241    
    08.00 BD 6162 Test dive.  
      Abating    
    12.00 BD 6153 Day's run:  Surfaced     78 nm  
                         Submerged  1.2 nm.  
    16.00 BD 6142    
      Long NW-Swell, Vis. good    
    17.57   Received freedom to maneuver by Radio Message, therefore will advance as far to the west as possible.   I intend initially to head for Cape Race  
    20.00 BD 5365    
                                                               
           
Sun and Moon Data 24.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 25.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 26.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 27.01.42
 
- 5 -
 
           
           
           
           
    28.01.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 BD 5355    
      Abating further, heavily cloudy, Vis. good    
    04.00 BD 5344    
    08.00 BD 5259    
      Wind shifting to the W    
    12.00 BD 5248 Day's run:  Surfaced     149 nm  
                         Submerged      0 nm.  
    16.00 BD 5167    
      Rain, fog, Vis. bad    
    20.00 BD 5172    
                                                               
    29.01.42 Laura Ethel Bank    
    00.00 BD 4391    
      Vis. improving    
    04.00 BD 4373    
    08.00 BD 4245    
      W 6, Sea 5, dawn    
    11.50   Test dive.  
    12.00 BD 4150 Day's run:  Surfaced     195.5 nm  
                         Submerged      0.5 nm.  
    12.20   Surfaced.  
    16.00 BD 4159    
      Vis. good    
    20.00 BD 4148    
                                                               
    30.01.42 East of Newfoundland    
    00.00 BC 6368    
      Slight wind and Sea from the SSW, Vis. good    
    04.00 BC 6381    
    08.00 BC 6293    
      Freshening, slight Vis. deterioration    
    12.00 BC 6283 Day's run:  Surfaced     141 nm  
                         Submerged   0.8 nm.  
    16.00 BC 6273    
      Long SSW-Swell, heavily cloudy    
    20.00 BC 6197    
                                                               
    31.01.42 East of Newfoundland    
    00.00 BC 6425    
      Wind abating    
    04.00 BC 6442    
    08.00 BC 5665    
      Few clouds    
    11.47   Test dive.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 28.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 29.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 30.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 31.01.42
 
- 6 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    31.01.42      
    12.00 BC 5681 Day's run:  Surfaced     147 nm  
                         Submerged     1 nm.  
    16.00 BC 5676    
      SSE-Swell    
    16.13 BC 5676 1 small sailing vessel with 1 mast and 1 brown sail in sight, perhaps a lifeboat.  Turned away.  
    20.00 BC 5833    
                                                               
    01.02.42 East of Newfoundland, Flemish Cap    
    00.00 BD 5823    
      S 3, Sea 2-3, heavy cumulus clouds    
    04.00 BC 5575    
    08.00 BC 5495    
      Slight Swell, heavily cloudy, Vis. good    
    12.00 BC 5484 Day's run:  Surfaced     140 nm  
                         Submerged   0.6 nm.  
    16.00 BC 5484    
      Somewhat freshening, Vis. good, in places driving snow    
    20.00 BC 4694    
                                                               
    02.02.42 East of Newfoundland, Virgin Rocks    
    00.00 BC 4681 Intend to approach close off Cape Race in case traffic still runs there.  
      NW 4, Sea 3, overcast, full moon  
    04.00 BC 4593    
    08.00 BC 4581    
      Fog, Vis. very low    
    12.00 BC 4467 Day's run:  Surfaced     164 nm  
      Dawn, Vis. unchanged bad                  Submerged     - nm.  
    12.25   Test dive.  
    16.00 BC 4459 Remained submerged, because with the bad visibility sound conditions are very favorable.  
    20.00 BD 4457    
    23.38 Dusk Surfaced.  
                                                               
    03.02.42 South of Newfoundland, Cape Race    
    00.00 BC 4448 Approached close off Cape Race, believe it is hopeless, because I suspect that if traffic still runs at all here, which does not seem to be the case according to the latest Radio Messages of the other boats, it will not run close to shore due to the poor visibility conditions.   Also as a result of bad weather the past few days I have no exact navigation fix,  
      Overcast, misty  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 31.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 01.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 02.01.42
Sun and Moon Data 03.01.42
 
- 7 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    03.02.42   so that also without the sounder one can form no picture.  For the most part, the difficulty of U-boat navigation results from the fact that not every opportunity to shoot stars can be exploited.  Increased cloud cover often occurs in the twilight hours in the northern latitudes, then returns again especially at night.  The creation of a sextant with an artificial horizon for observing would suit this fact and ensure even more accurate submarine navigation. The presence on different boats of a bubble sextant is a start and further development must be accelerated so that it can be operated on a rapidly moving platform.   The still prevailing bias among the navigators would then be easier to eliminate.  
    04.00 BB 6682  
    08.00 BB 6942  
      Nearly calm and no Sea, rain, misty, Vis. bad  
         
    12.00 BB 6898 Day's run:  Surfaced     133.3 nm  
                         Submerged    36.7 nm.  
    12.40 Vis. unchanged Dived because of bad visibility with favorable sound conditions.  
    16.00 BB 6897    
    19.30 BB 6889 Confused sounds distinguished in the GHG, shifting away slowly.  
    20.00 Completely calm, misty, Vis. 4 nm Surfaced, Proceeded in the direction of the sounds.  Nothing found.  
    21.00   Dived.  Sounds no longer heard.  
    22.47   7 depth charges at very long range.  Apparently scare depth charges.  
                                                               
    04.02.42 South of Newfoundland    
    00.00 BB 6882 Surfaced.  
      Freshening, overcast, Vis. bad, dusk    
    04.00 BB 6768    
    08.00 BB 6746 Gradually building ice formation.  
      Light driving snow, air temperature below 0°    
    12.00 BB 5952 Day's run:  Surfaced     138.9 nm  
                         Submerged    34.1 nm.  
        Because nothing was met here, intend to advance in the Gulf of St. Lawrence  
    16.00 BB 5977    
      NW 4, Sea 3, Vis. medium to good    
    20.00 BB 8375 Icing was heavier.  Therefore I gave up my advance in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, because the boat is no longer fully ready to crash dive (icing of the diesel air head valve and danger that the vents for main ballast tank I and V will also ice up in the calm seas.  
           
    05.02.42 South of Nova Scotia, Sable Island    
    00.00 BB 8562    
      Driving snow, Vis. low    
           
Sun and Moon Data 03.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 04.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 05.02.42
 
- 8 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    05.02.42      
    04.00 BB 8585    
    08.00 BB 8842    
      Wind and Sea somewhat freshening, driving snow lessened    
    12.00 BB 8798 Day's run:  Surfaced     229 nm  
                         Submerged      0 nm.  
    12.57 Dawn Test dive.  Diesel air head valve deiced submerged, after blowing with warmer air remained unsuccessful.  
    14.00   Surfaced.  Diesel air was now sucked through the ventilation air intake shaft, operating with one diesel at transit speed was just possible.  
    15.13 CB 3129 Crash dive for a flying boat.  
      SW 5, Sea 4, few Cumulus clouds, Vis. very good    
    15.31   Surfaced.  
    15.57   Flying boat comes in sight once again, however does not see us.  
    20.00 CB 3173    
                                                               
    06.02.42 Southeast of Nova Scotia off America    
    00.00 CB 2633    
      Cloudy, calm, Vis. good    
    04.00 CB 2664    
    05.45 CB 2659 Light in sight bearing 330°T.  Turned towards it.  Attempt to close from the moon side of the steamer.  Steamer makes little speed, but turns. Tried to break through behind the stern and approach from the other side.  Steamer turns from the previous North Course to the NE and at the same time increases speed.  Despite maximum speed I can not keep up.  Steamer has a great many dazzling lights set so that it can not be identified.  Let the steamer go, because other boats already reported an illuminated U-boat trap here.  
      Nearly calm, bright moonshine, few clouds, Vis. very good with completely slight Sea  
    07.00 CB 2656 Continued transit to the west.  
    08.00 CB 2682    
    12.00 CB 2913 Day's run:  Surfaced     166 nm  
                         Submerged    6.2 nm.  
    1.50 CB 2868    
      Wind jumping from N to S, freshening, increasing cloudiness    
    18.36   Winter reported starting return transit by Radio Message.  I am positioned nearby, give a situation report requesting fuel transfer from Winter, with which the B.d.U. concurred.  
                                                               
    07.02.42 South of Nova Scotia off America    
    00.00 CB 5246    
      SE 4-5, Sea 3-4, overcast, rain, black night with lightening    
    04.00 CB 5271    
    08.00 CB 5299    
      Abating    
           
Sun and Moon Data 05.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 06.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 07.02.42
 
- 9 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    07.02.42      
    12.00 CB 5437 Day's run:  Surfaced  172 nm, Submerged  - nm.  
    12.48   Test dive.  
    13.16   Surfaced.  
    16.00 CB 5457    
      Vis. good    
    20.00 CB 5533    
    20.28   The weather is favorable for fuel transfer, I suggest carrying this out already tomorrow by Radio Message.  
                                                               
    08.02.42 Off America, south of Nova Scotia, north of Bermuda    
    00.00 CB 5555    
      Freshening of the S wind with heavy rain    
    04.00 CB 5575    
    08.00 CB 5736    
      Heavily cloudy, Vis. good, S 6, Sea 5    
    12.00 CB 5738 Day's run:  Surfaced     168 nm  
                         Submerged   1.4 nm.  
    16.00 CB 5756    
      Somewhat abating    
    18.09   Because my position is not exact, I send the following radio message:  Position inexact, probably 70 nm north of the meeting point.  Will send bearing signals from 18.15 hours.  Request bearing report.  
    20.00 CB 8123    
    21.46   Winter send by radio Radio Message that he has heard no bearing signals, and suggests radio silence, until transfer is possible according to weather.  
                                                               
    09.02.42 Off the American coast north of Bermuda    
    00.00 CB 8116    
      Rain showers    
    04.00 CB 7339    
    08.00 CB 7362    
    12.00 CB 7361 Day's run:  Surfaced  100 nm, Submerged  - nm.  
      NW 7-8, Sea 6    
    12.42   Positioned close to the meeting point.  Due to the heavy seas a transfer is not possible, to save fuel I dive.  
    15.06   Surfaced to shoot the sun.  
    15.52   Dived.  
    16.00 CB 7353    
    19.52   Surfaced to shoot the sun.  
    20.00 CB 7296 Dived.  
      Weather unchanged, bad    
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 07.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 08.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 09.02.42
 
- 10 -
 
           
           
           
           
    10.02.42 Off America at the level of Chesapeake Bay    
    00.00 CB 7296    
      Abating, nearly clear, Vis. good    
    00.43   Surfaced.  
    04.00 CB 7296    
    08.00 CB 7296    
      W 5, Sea 4, closed cloud deck    
    09.14   B.d.U. sends by radio message:  Winter continue return transit.  Suhren free to maneuver after Winter reported that transfer is not possible due to weather and only 4 cbm still available.  
    12.00 CB 7294 Day's run:  Surfaced  20 nm, Submerged  30 nm.  
    16.00 CB 7276    
      Slowly abating, lightly misty    
    20.00 CB 7251    
    20.25 CB 7251 1 smoke cloud in sight bearing 286°T.  Maneuvered ahead and distinguished a tanker on course 210°.  
      NW 4, Sea 3, heavily cloudy, abating  
                                                               
    11.02.42      
    00.19   At dusk closed on the tanker at target angle 60°.  Waited until darkness and then attacked.  
    01.43 CB 7429 Shot from tube I.  Miss due to overestimation of the speed.  
        Matched the speed of the tanker unhurriedly.  The enemy maintained speed and course the entire time, no zig zag was observed.  
    03.24 CB 7455 Shot from tube II with exact data.  Hit amidships, running time 25 seconds.  Tanker transmits on the 600 meter wave:  SSS VICTOLITE position 36r12N 67r14W torpedoed.  Position checks exactly.  Size 11410 GRT.  
        Crew goes immediately into the boats.  I wait a moment and then shoot the stern and bridge of the tanker with artillery, which lies stopped with a slight list to starboard.  No signs of life.  
        Close up and shoot this time with machine guns the stern and bridge.  Nothing stirs.  The tanker is completely abandoned.  Rubber boat launched, to determine if the tanker has diesel oil for supply on board.  However, what is found is completely unusable because it is very thick and must first be heated to atomize.  
        Sought after secret documents, but the lockers were empty. Found that tanker was proceeding from Montreal to Venezuela. The tanker was armed with a 10.2 cm cannon on the stern and a 4 cm antiaircraft gun on the top deck, but no ammunition was found. 4 explosive cartridges were places in the engine room. Despite this the tanker did not sink.  With a total of 98 8.8 cm shots  
           
Sun and Moon Data 10.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 11.02.42
 
- 11 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    11.02.42   shot all tanks and the over deck.  
    05.05   Tanker settled slowly, in burning condition, left with the bow bridge and smokestack cap still out.  
    06.03   Flames extinguish suddenly, after the boat had moved off 6 nm.  
    08.00 CB 7455 Intend to head for Cape Hatteras now to attack steamers by night close under the coast in the belief that the time available to me will be best utilized.  
        Fuel 67.4 cbm.  
    12.00 CB 7444 Day's run:  Surfaced 180.5 nm, Submerged  1.5 nm.  
    12.50   Test dive.  
    13.22   Surfaced.  
    16.00 CA 9648    
      Totally slight NW wind and Sea, rain, Vis. bad    
    20.00 CA 9648    
                                                               
    12.02.42 East of Cape Hatteras    
    00.00 CA 9559    
      Weather unchanged    
    04.00 CA 9571    
    08.00 CA 9486    
      Freshening    
    12.00 CA 9477 Day's run:  Surfaced 175 nm, Submerged  0 nm.  
    16.00 CA 8923    
      End of the rain, misty    
    20.00 CA 8915    
                                                               
    13.02.42 East of Cape Hatteras    
    00.00 CA 8931    
      Freshening wind up to NW 6, Sea 5, in places rain    
    04.00 CA 8921    
    08.00 CA 8914    
      Slowly abating    
    12.00 CA 6835 Day's run:  Surfaced 71 nm, Submerged  0 nm.  
    13.08   Test dive.  
    15.15   Surfaced.  
    16.00 CA 6853 A U-boat in sight, "U-107".  
      Vis. good    
    20.00 CA 8846 Closed Gelhaus to discuss the traffic conditions at Cape Hatteras.  In so doing rammed him on the starboard aft side at the level of the diesel engine room due to over-estimation of the distance and rudder angle.  The latter, because the boat turned with difficulty in the seas. Own damage: Forestem pushed to starboard about one meter so that the starboard tubes can not be opened.  Tubes I and IV flood from overboard, tubes II and IV will not open due to bending of outer tube door fairings, watertight bow can not be closed.  
      NNW 5, Sea 4  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 11.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 12.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 13.02.42
 
- 12 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    13.02.42      
        Still have only the stern tube ready and begin return transit in the hope of still taking 2 steamers on the way back with the stern tube.  On Gelhaus the starboard external bunker was dented and emptied.  Since he was short of fuel for the return transit, it was agreed to transfer 10 cubic meters to him.  
                                                               
    14.02.42 East of Cape Hatteras    
    00.00 CA 8847    
      Abating, dusk    
    01.20   Met with "U-432".  Had completed in accordance with Special Order "Göttingen" and intended to pause in this area for several days.  
    04.00 CA 8846    
    08.00 CA 8853    
      Weather unchanged.    
    12.00 CA 8836 Day's run:  Surfaced 126.3 nm, Submerged 0.7 nm.  
    13.04   Test dive.  
    16.00 CA 8914    
    17.20   Surfaced.  
    18.01   Gave meeting point for fuel transfer to Gelhaus by Radio Message.  
    20.00 CA 8913 Crash dive for a flying boat.  
      Heavily cloudy, Vis. medium    
    22.00   Surfaced.  
    22.26 CA 8913 1 steamer with course 230° in sight.  Maneuvered ahead.  Steamer was also sighted by Gelhaus and reported.  
      NW 5-6, Sea 4-5, high Swell, very dark night  
    22.57   Dived.  Boat scan be held only with difficulty due to the sea state and abeam the sea.  
                                                               
    15.02.42 Cast of Cape Hatteras    
    00.08

CA 8679

Shot from range = 700 meters, depth 3 meters, with tube V.  Miss.  Speed somewhat overestimated, torpedo must have passed barely ahead of the bow, because I shifted the aimpoint aft.  It was a small 2500 GRT British freighter of the 3 Island type.  
        Matched speed of the steamer submerged, speed 6 knots.  Reloaded.  
        In the twilight surfaced, maneuvered ahead to target angle 0° and moved off a bit.  
    02.03   Shot with tube V at a range = 500 meters, depth 2 meters, with exact shooting data.  
        Miss.  Torpedo must have under steered, because shooting data agreed perfectly.  A breakthrough of the surface was not observed with the strong marine phosphorescence.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 13.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 14.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 15.02.42
 
- 13 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    15.02.42 Off America north of Bermuda    
    04.00 CA 8672    
    08.00 CA 8668    
    12.00 CA 9445 Day's run:  Surfaced     52.6 nm  
                         Submerged   37.4 nm.  
    13.37 CA 9451 1 smoke cloud in sight bearing 150°T, quickly comes closer.  A tanker with target angle 0°.  
      NW 4-5, Sea 4, heavily cloudy, Vis. good  
    15.05   Dived.  Attempted to open one of the two port tubes by force. Unsuccessfully.   Tanker goes by in the direct vicinity, it is a quite new American of approximately 9000 GRT.  
        When he is abeam, I am positioned directly into the sea, such that gun operation in the prevailing sea state is not possible. The operator would have been washed overboard after the first shot.  
    16.00 CA 9428    
      Wind and sea unchanged, freshening of the cloud deck    
    16.33   When the tanker comes out of sight, surfaced and ran after in the hope that the weather will improve.  
    17.10   Tanker reports by radio message.  
    18.10 CA 9421 Tanker does not come in sight again.  Apparently he made more speed than the estimated 7 knots.   
        I cannot proceed at higher speed, because the boat already vibrates very strongly as a result of the deformed bow at HF against the sea. Therefore, gave up the pursuit, particularly as the weather does not improve.  
    20.00 CA 9197    
                                                               
    16.02.42 East of America    
    00.00 CA 9273    
      Few clouds, clear, SW 4, Sea 3    
    04.00 CA 9268    
    08.00 CA 9355    
      Wind jumps to the NNW    
    12.00 CB 7264 Day's run:  Surfaced     223 nm  
                         Submerged     0 nm.  
    14.15   Gelhaus give a new meeting point for the transfer by Radio Message.  
    15.57 CB 7242 A smoke cloud in sight bearing 67°T, a tanker.  Maneuvered ahead with the intention of attacking him with the remaining 83 shots of ammunition.  
      NNW 3, Sea 2-3, abating, clear sky  
   

19.45

20.38

 

CB 4998

Dived.  Surfaced when the tanker was abeam, at a range of 1500 meters and began artillery combat.  Tanker was armed with 3 cannons.  Running battle with E-supplement [use of E-motors and diesels together].  The tanker turned away after the first salvo and shot back with his stern cannon.  His first impacts were short about 200 meters.  With the help of the E-supplement, his subsequent shots, as usual with the English, were on the short side  
           
Sun and Moon Data 15.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 16.02.42
 
- 14 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    16.02.42   without regard to the E-supplement.  
        Own impacts were all long, even though after the 7th shot a range of 0 was set.  Even when No. 1 aimed with the top gun sight there were no short shots.  Only at a distance of about 500 meters was the first hit achieved, but also the ammunition ran out.  
    21.30 CB 4796 Must let the still shooting tanker go.  
      A later examination of the range wheel revealed that it had shifted by 6000 meters against the graduated rim, while still stuck so it couldn't be moved, not even by force. During shooting there must have been a continuous maladjustment, because upon departure from the base graduated rim and range wheel rim still matched and were checked by witnesses.
 
        At the beginning of the combat the tanker transmitted the name "OPALIA" and that it was being shot at by a U-boat.  
    xx.19   Reported situation by Radio Message.  
    xx.45   Tanker out of sight on SE course to Bermuda.  
                                                               
    17.02.42 South of Nova Scotia    
    00.00 CB 4887    
      ESE 2, Sea 1    
    01.25   I am at the meeting point for transfer however, nothing is seen of Gelhaus.  I shot a recognition signal cartridge then dive, possibly to hear something.  Without success.  Also no bearing signals heard.  
    02.50   Give Gelhaus position, course and speed.  
   

03.50

04.00

 

CB 4894

Because the weather is favorable, I decide to download the stern torpedo [from the upper deck], to have at least one tube ready to shoot.  Unfortunately I can not get to the outer tube doors of the forward tubes because the boat pounds too heavily in the swell.  Downloading was only possible in the swells and overcoming seas only because the crew worked well and despite the dark night the transfer gear was assembled correctly and properly.  
    06.15   Downloading ended.  
    08.00 CB 4972    
      Freshening    
    12.00 CB 4955 Day's run:  Surfaced 198.6 nm, Submerged 5.4 nm.  
    12.45 Dawn Test dive.  
    13.10   Surfaced.  
    14.53   Received a new meeting place with Gelhaus by Radio Message.  
    16.00 CB 4965    
      SSW 7, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. very low    
    20.00 CB 5745    
                                                               
           
Sun and Moon Data 16.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 17.02.42
 
- 15 -
 
           
           
           
           
    18.02.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 CB 5753    
      Weather unchanged, bad    
    04.00 CB 5763    
    08.00 CB 5827    
      Slowly abating    
    12.00 CB 5924 Day's run:  Surfaced     162.2 nm  
                         Submerged      1.8 nm.  
    16.00 CB 6449    
      Overcast, WNW 6, Sea 5    
    20.00 CB 6514    
                                                               
    19.02.42      
    00.00 CB 6582    
      Vis. low    
    04.00 CB 6565    
    08.00 CB 6618    
      Gradually abating    
    12.00 CB 6623 Day's run:  Surfaced     180 nm  
                         Submerged      0 nm.  
    12.13   Test dive.  
    12.35   Surfaced.  
    16.00 CB 6399    
      Freshening cloud deck    
    20.00 CC 4173    
                                                               
    20.02.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 CC 4157    
      WNW 4, Sea 3, heavily cloudy    
    04.00 CC 4138    
    08.00 CC 4215    
      Increasing cloudiness, freshening    
    12.00 CC 1887 Day's run:  Surfaced     126.7 nm  
                         Submerged      3.3 nm.  
    16.00 CC 1891    
      Rain    
    20.00 CC 1953    
                                                               
    21.02.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 CC 1938    
      NW 3-4, Sea 2-3, abating    
    04.00 CC 2487    
    08.00 CC 2492    
      Slight cloudiness and Sea    
    11.55   Test dive.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 18.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 19.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 20.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 21.02.42
 
- 16 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    21.02.42      
    12.00 CC 2551 Day's run:  Surfaced     116 nm  
                         Submerged    x.x  nm.  
    12.23 Light wind and Sea from the SE, rain, Vis. 4-5 nm, changing Surfaced.  
    13.04   A tanker with target angle 0° in sight bearing 94°T, course 280°.  Ran to attack with the stern tube.  Tanker comes closer quickly, dived.  
        Estimated speed exactly determined at 10.5 knots from range and speed of screw revolutions (188).  Exact target angle by "running bearing" because the tanker is not zig zagging due to the poor visibility.  Depth 2.5 meters.  
    13.46

CC 2543 

Shot with tube V.  Miss. Passed astern, because the coarse needle of the torpedo shot angle receiver indicated 10° too low.  In the periscope it was also observed that the torpedo steered to the left with a shooting angle of 186°.  
        [the shot angle of the torpedo was 10 higher than set on the lead angle calculator]  
        With a new check of the system the same discrepancy was very rarely seen again, so it was not discovered during the daily check of the stern tube by the operators.  In addition, the match light was illuminated despite the mismatch of the coarse pointer system, thus preventing the discovery of the defect before the shot.  When the shooting angle was compared to the angle at the tube before the shot it agreed with the result on the lead angle calculator.  The error is still unexplained.  
        Ran off submerged.  
    14.09   One detonation heard far off.  
    14.10   Surfaced.  On 600 meters the tanker "NULIMA" transmits that at 13.41 it was attached by a torpedo, torpedo however missed us by 6 feet.  
    16.00 CC 2528    
      Freshening.  Vis. again bad    
    16.32   A tanker in sight bearing 30°T, course SW.  
    16.35   Dived, to have a look at the tanker submerged.  It is an old 5000 GRT tanker with a high smokestack.  
    17.10   Set off submerged, surfaced.  
        Reported both tankers by Radio Message.  They were among five tankers that traveled far apart and are now reported by Gelhaus.  
    20.00 CC 2531    
      Suddenly freshening to E 8, Sea 6, heavy rain    
                                                               
    22.02.42 South of the Newfoundland Bank    
    00.00 CC 2299    
      Abating    
    04.00 CC 2376    
    08.00 CC 2357    
      E 3, Sea 3, heavily cloudy    
    12.00 CC 2364 Day's run:  Surfaced 84 nm.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 21.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 22.02.42
 
- 17 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    22.02.42      
    16.00 CC 2313    
    17.50 Vis. very good, slightly cloudy, Swell Suggest by Radio Message that transfer to Gelhaus be carried out since I believe the weather will be favorable tomorrow.  Gelhaus gave meeting point for 23 February.   
    20.00 C 3312    
                                                               
    23.02.42 Southeast of the Newfoundland Bank    
    00.00 BC 7898    
      Slight wind and Sea.    
    04.00 BC 7933    
    08.00 BC 7956 Met with Gelhaus.  
      SE 3, Sea 2, Swell, few clouds    
    12.00 BC 7963 Day's run:  Surfaced     132 nm  
                         Submerged     0  nm.  
    16.00 BC 8718    
      Increasing cloudiness, Vis. very good    
    20.00 BC 8719    
      SE 3, Sea 2-3, Swell, rain in places    
    23.15 BC 8725 Begin fuel oil transfer to Gelhaus.  
        Steamed into the light breeze with both E-motors KF, Swell abeam, both boats parallel, the bows connected with a cross line.  Oil transferred with the spare lubricating oil pump through drinking water hose and fuel oil hose, 11 cbm transferred.  
                                                               
    24.02.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 BC 8725    
      Rain, Vis. low    
    02.20 BC 8726 Oil transfer ended, continued return transit.  
    04.00 BC 8731    
    08.00 BC 8575    
      Overcast, Vis. low    
    11.18 BC 8558 Test dive.  
    11.40   Surfaced.  
    12.00   Day's run:  Surfaced     108.3 nm  
                         Submerged     1.7  nm.  
    15.48 BC 8239 6 mastheads in sight bearing 145°T.  1 large freighter with 3 double masts distinguished, belonged to an already detected convoy.  Was apparently confirmed by Radio Message from Gelhaus a little later.  
    16.00 BC8239    
      Breaking up cloud deck    
    20.00 BC 8613    
                                                               
    25.02.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 BC 8397    
      Bright moonlit night with little wind and Sea    
    04.00 BC 9172    
    08.00 BC 9158    
      NW 3, Sea 2    
    12.00 BC 9163 Day's run:  Surfaced  168 nm.  
    16.00 BC 9227    
      Vis. good    
    20.00 BC 9235    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 22.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 23.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 24.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 25.02.42
 
- 18 -
 
           
           
           
           
    26.02.42 South of the Laura Ethel Bank    
    00.00 BC 9313    
      Overcast, calm    
    04.00 BC 6997    
    08.00 BD 4772    
      Rain and totally low Vis.    
    12.00 BD 4782 Day's run:  Surfaced     164 nm  
                         Submerged     0  nm.  
    16.00 BD 4766    
      SWS 5, Sea 4, rain, freshening    
    20.00 BD 4845    
                                                               
    27.02.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 BD 4853    
      S 8, Sea 6, abating, rain, Vis. low    
    04.00 BD 4917    
    08.00 BD 4921    
      WSW 6, Sea 4, heavily overcast    
    12.00 BD 4931 Day's run:  Surfaced     146 nm  
    16.00 BD 5478                  Submerged     0  nm.  
      Vis. improving    
    20.00 BD 5488    
    xx.45   Test dive.  
    xx.02   Surfaced.  
                                                               
    28.02.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 BD 5571    
      Further abating, still high Swell    
    04.00 BD 5558    
    08.00 BD 5647    
      Wind shifting to the S    
    12.00 BD 5655 Day's run:  Surfaced     172.5 nm  
                         Submerged     0.95  nm.  
    16.00 BD 6444    
      SW 2, Swell, Vis. good    
    xx.25   Crash dive for training.  
    20.00 BD 6452    
                                                               
    01.03.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 BD 6461    
      SSW 4, Sea 3, few clouds, Vis. good    
    04.00 BD 6518    
    08.00 BD 6529    
      Freshening, overcast, rain, Vis. low    
    12.00 BD 6617 Day's run:  Surfaced     171 nm  
                         Submerged     0  nm.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 26.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 27.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 28.02.42
Sun and Moon Data 01.03.42
 
- 19 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    01.03.42      
    16.00 BD 6637    
      SSW 5, overcast, misty, rain, Vis. totally low    
    20.00 BE 4421    
                                                               
    02.03.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 BE 4439    
    02.07 Vis. improving Submitted experience gained concerning favorable cruise settings to reach far distant areas by Radio Message.  Favorable cruising settings for Type VII C with Germaniawerft engines.  
    04.00 BE 4529    
    08.00 BE 4618    
      Abating Diesel-electric one diesel 240 RPM, the other 155 RPM.  On westerly transit average consumption of 15 liters/1 nm. Over ground, average day's run 134 nm, buoyancy condition "B".  On easterly transit 12.0 litters and 150 nm buoyancy condition "A", with mainly NW-SW wind.   
    12.00 BE 4664 Day's run:  Surfaced     224 nm  
                         Submerged     0  nm.  
    16.00 BE 5451    
      Further abating, rain in places with Vis. changing    
    20.00 BE 5463    
                                                               
    03.03.42 North Atlantic    
    00.00 BE 5553    
      Weather unchanged    
    04.00 BE 5643    
    08.00 BE 5662    
      Decreasing cloudiness    
    09.09   Test dive.  
    09.23   Surfaced.  
    12.00   Day's run:  Surfaced       273 nm  
                         Submerged    0.8  nm.  
    16.00 BE 6543    
      Lightly freshening    
    20.00 BE 6563    
                                                               
    04.03.42 Bay of Biscay    
    00.00 Wind and Sea from the WSW    
    04.00 BF 4455    
    08.00 BF 4546    
      NW 2, Sea 1 increasing, clear, Vis. very good    
    12.00 BF 4647 Day's run:  Surfaced      282 nm  
                         Submerged     0  nm.  
    16.00 BF 4692    
      High clouds    
    17.53 BF 5472 1 drifting mine  
           
Sun and Moon Data 01.03.42
Sun and Moon Data 02.03.42
Sun and Moon Data 03.03.42
Sun and Moon Data 04.03.42
 
- 20 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    04.03.42      
    20.00 BF 5486    
                                                               
    05.03.42 Off Western France    
    00.00 BF 5584    
      Abating wind and Sea from the NNE, in places misty    
    04.00 BF 5595    
    xx.00 Point Tanne Ran on the prescribed Route ([illegible 5 named points starting with Tannenadel ending in Rose])  
    xx.40 Point 34 Taken in convoy by 2 patrol boats.  
      Swell, cloudy, misty    
    12.00 Between Point 33c and 33x Day's run:  Surfaced      266 nm  
                         Submerged      0  nm.  
    16.00 Between Point L8 and 33j    
      W 1, Sea 1, heavily cloudy    
    20.00 On Route Rosa    
    xx.45 BF 5282 Dived to put the boat on the bottom.  
    xx.52   Because the boat does not lay calmly, again surfaced and anchored in 78 meters water.  
                                                               
    06.03.42      
    00.00 BF 5252    
      Wind and Sea from the NNW    
    04.00 BF 5252    
    xx.00 BF 5252 Raised anchor, headed for Point 32.  
    xx.10 Point 32 Taken in convoy by 2 patrol boats.  
      Freshening, cloudy    
    xx.15   Escorted by Sperrbrecher.  
    xx.30   Made fast Brest.  
                                                               
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 04.03.42
Sun and Moon Data 05.03.42
Sun and Moon Data 06.03.42

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

 
 
     
                              Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote  
                              on the Kriegstagebuch of "U-564" from 1.11.41 - 6.3.42.  
 
 
 
1.)        The patrol had to be broken off early because the outer tube doors were not operable due to the ramming with "U-107"
2.)        The ramming was the result of incorrect behavior of the Kommandant during the approach of both boats.  As a result he spoiled the great success that might have followed.
3.)        The demolition of ships promises the greatest success when the explosive charge is mounted on a line outboard below the waterline of the ship to be blown up.
4.)        The requirement to create a usable U-Boat sextant is known. So far, however, all such attempts have been unsuccessful.
 
     
 

Signed in draft:  D  ö  n  i  t  z

 
 
        For correctness:  
            
  Leutnant z.S. and Adjutant      
     
     
 


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