Excerpt of the Radio Log of "U-564".
     
 
22.01.42 0918 Position square BE 64.        U-564.
1050 0958 "Suhren" reports by Short Signal position in naval square BE 79.
1120 1004 To Rollmann, Greger, Bigalk, Heydemann, Borchert, Suhren, Gysae, Zahn:
    1)  Operation in the coastal area of the large square EJ, VB intended.
    2)  Rollmann, Greger, report fuel inventory by Short Signal.
23.01.42    
1140 1040 Spanish and French steamer traffic to and from the North American harbors is to be expected.  Do not attack.
24.01.42    
0119 2203 Gysae, Suhren and Schultze 24 January 08.00 hours switch to Greenland Circuit.
2249 2121 Mannstein and Suhren give weather on 25 January between 01.00 and 05.00 hours
25.01.42    
0330   48°N, 25°W, steady 1032 mb, +12°C, W 1-2, light rain, Vis. 2 nm, high W-Swell.        U-564.
27.01.42    
1757 1701 1)  Attack areas:  Bigalk and Borchert via area SA 00 further to the SW.  Shuren, Gysae free to maneuver as far west as possible.
    2)  Traffic situation:  See current situation reports.
29.01.42    
0233 0021 To Suhren:  Overhaul of removed diesel revealed that crankshaft was completely contaminated inside.  Supercharger clutch spring was defective and all bolts demolished.  Inspection of diesel remaining on board is required.
1744 1702 Occasional French neutral traffic must be expected between French Antilles and New York or Casablanca.
1932 1905 American passenger steamer "SANTA LUCIA" (Panama or USA markings) departed on 21 January from "Buenaventura" for New York via Panama Canal.  German prisoners on board, do not attack.
31.01.42    
1942 1842 Do not heat ETOs, because of explosive gas danger with ordered stopping of continuous ventilation. Observe reduced run track of 3000 meters and speed to 28.5 knots with unheated ETO.
2039 1651 On 24 January, "Laguaria" departed steamer "MAUA" to transit in accordance with the last announcement via "Curacao" to New York. Appearance: Black hull, white upper deck, white smokestacks, 2 crane masts at the bow, an M in black.  German diplomats on board, not attack.
2055 1657 All boats operating off America:  My fullest recognition of the first 300000 GRT on the American coast.  Continue the outstanding success.
                                                                       Oberbefehlshaber.
 
     
     
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
     
 
- 2 -
  
     
 
03.02.42    
0515 1533 General experience from the Western Area:
0620 1643 1)  Area BC and CC 80 intermittent northeast-southwest bound traffic.  Coastal traffic mostly nights from BB 63 to 68, was stopped temporarily.  Air and destroyer patrols, illuminated U-boat traps.  Heavy ground swell on the 50 meter line in bad weather.
    2)  In the area BB 70 coastal traffic, patrol, U-boat trap with cable laying stern.  BB 8480 was occasionally headed to from the south.  Traffic on connecting line between CA 52 and CB 31.
    3)  Between CA 38 and 98, for all between 27 and 79 and to the south heavy, mostly tanker traffic.  No experiences concerning patrols but they are likely.
    4)  All squares are naval square.
06.02.42    
1836 1807 Position FU 52.  Area IA was low visibility and heavy icing.  Nothing seen.  There air reconnaissance.  85 cbm.  Request fuel from Winter.  SE 2, Sea 1, overcast, Altostratus, 1025 mb, +17°C, Vis. good.
                                                                               From Suhren.
2257 2155 To "Winter" and "Suhren":
    Complete fuel transfer on 9 February by night in square RK 7355.  Give generously.  In addition be at meeting place on 9 February from 20.00 hours.  If up to 22.00 hours meeting is not successful, "Suhren" send bearing signals in accordance with Kriegsmarine Standing Order 211, paragraph Ia without radio signal on 852 meters.
07.02.42    
0128 1515 1)  Tube ventilation again authorized.
    2)  ETO heating still not authorized.
    3)  Daily venting of the depth keeping mechanism in accordance with regulating information sheet paragraph 3 must be carried out to ensure depth keeping. When diving in bad weather establish normal atmospheric pressure in the boat.
1325 1227 American mine warning:  All entrances to the Narragansett Bay are mined.
2028 2012 To B.d.U.
    Suggest supply 8 February, because weather is favorable.        Suhren.
2133 2108 To Winter:
    Report if meeting point can be reached as early as 8 February without excessive fuel consumption.  If yes, conduct fuel transfer at this time.
08.02.42    
0052 0008 "Winter" reports yes by Short Signal.
1809 1746 Suhren to Winter:
    Position inexact, probably 70 nm north of meeting point.  Sending bearing signals from 18.15 hours.  Request bearing report.
2146 2056 Suhren from Winter:
    Nothing heard.  Am still located 70 nm NE of the meeting point.  Suggest radio silence until transfer possible in moderate weather.
09.02.42    
0516 0115 Save fuel when crossing the Atlantic.  Therefore not on the "Loxodrome", instead proceed on the Great Circle.
1235 0600 From Winter:
    SE 8, increasing, 1000 mb, falling.  Believe waiting for weather improvement is hopeless.  Presently only give of 10 cbm is possible, because own requirement of 58 cbm.  ZR 9658, 69 cbm.
1524 1118 To Winter and Suhren:  If early transfer is not possible due to weather situation, conduct fuel transfer on 9 February or 10 February.  Winter report if transfer appears possible on 10 February.
 
     
     
     
 
- 3 -
  
     
 
10.02.42    
0914 0822 "Winter" continue return transit.  "Suhren" free to maneuver.
1545 1442 Hardegen operating off the America coast significantly benefited by frequent observation of the 600-meter wave, detecting and determining steamer locations, as well as determining steamer courses and SB [special observation?]- measures.
2354 2214 Concerning Pistol failure:
    As noted in two cases, pistols were not properly inserted into the warhead. Pay attention to the following: turn set screw all the way back before inserting the pistol into the warhead. Insert pistol so that an almost continuous transition can be seen from the head to the pistol. Set screw tight.  Consider pulling the pistol if the pistol is stuck in the warhead, otherwise failure is possible in the following ways. When loading the pistol impacts the outer tube door and is damaged, firing pins are sheared, or pistol is lost before shot with opened outer tube door.
14.02.42    
0259 0209 From Suhren:
    1)  Gelhaus rammed.  Square GH 8844.  Bow tubes out of service.  New forestem and outer tube door plating required.  Tubes probably undamaged.
    2)  "VICTOLITE" naval square CB 7455.  Here nothing seen.  No air.
    3)  Return transit requested, 62 cbm.  NW 3, Sea 3, Cumulus, 1024 mb, +7°C.
0733 06.24 From Gelhaus:
    1)  Square QK 7938 and 39 days very heavy independent traffic.  There nights no traffic, only illuminated fishermen.  Only under the coast air and patrol vessels.  Continuous traffic in the vicinity of the 200-meter line.
    2)  3 February double miss on fast freighter 12 February one miss on tanker.
    3)  3 ETOs, 55 cbm, starboard outer bunker dented and opened.  Together return transit with Suhren.  In good weather take over 10 cbm.
1907 1801 Suhren to Gelhaus:
    Heading for square MP 7155 at 5 to 7 knots.  Request report own position and when you can be there.  Position square 8912.
15.02.42    
0328 2258 To Suhren:
    Meeting 16 February 15.00 hours.  Position 8696.  One steamer 8693 course 330°.  NNE 6, Sea 4, 8/10, 1035 mb, falling.        Gelhaus.
1710 1634 Tanker 9000 tons square CA 9428, course 335°, 7 knots.        Suhren.
16.02.42    
1415 1402 Gelhaus from Suhren:
    Position square 7166, course 70°, 4 knots.  From 15.12 hours hourly bearing signals on 852 meters.  Request report position and bearing immediately.
1725 1630 To Suhren:
    Nothing heard, position 7156, course 80°, 12 knots.        Gelhaus.
1848 1838 Gelhaus to Suhren:
    Square 7135, hunting tanker on NW course.
2219 2129 From Suhren:
    1)  Armed tanker "OPALIA" shot during artillery combat square 4798, only 3 hits, because gun sight out of service.  Tanker evades.
 
     
     
     
 
- 4 -
  
     
 
    2)  Intend oil transfer to Gelhaus tonight square 4888.  Gelhaus send bearing signals from darkness.
17.02.42    
0236 0217 Square 4888 no radio and sound bearings.  Going to course 70°, 5.5 knots.  Gelhaus take control of meeting.  ESE 2, Sea 1, 4/10, 1028 mb, +10°C, Vis. good.        Suhren.
0250 2155 1)  Gelhaus continue return transit with economical transit speed.
    2)  Suhren continue tanker hunt.  Will provide fuel supply.
0723 2359 Suhren from Gelhaus:
    Position 7252, course 70°, 3 knots, send hourly at 10 and 40 on 781 meters.
0812 1958 Suhren from Gelhaus:
    Require 14 cbm to get home.  Square 7245, course 70°, 2 knots.
1224 0923 Gelhaus to Suhren:
    1.)  Bearing signals ended position square 7314.
    2.)  Meeting point 17.00 hours square 4997.  If up to 18.00 hours meeting is unsuccessful, proceed on course 70° and 5 knots and send bearing signals on 781 meters hourly at 10 and 40.  Request report my bearing.
    3.)  Radio Message 1820 settled.
1453 1430 Gelhaus to Suhren:
    Heading for square 6629 at 5 knots.  Position square 4988.  SW 5, Sea 4, overcast, rain, 1027 mb, falling, +16.5°C, 46 cbm.
18.02.42    
0050 2015 Suhren to Gelhaus:
    Transit vis naval square CC 1830, 2330, BC 8560, 9317 at 5 knots through the water.  Position naval square CB 6452.  Wind WNW 4, Sea 3, overcast, 1022 mb, steady.
21.02.42    
0937 0849 To Schultze:
    Radio Message 0541/21/291 received very much incomplete, request send again.  Serial No. 270 of 15 February was repeated.
                                                                        M.N.O. B.d.U.
1842 1400 From Suhren:
    Naval square CC 2543 tanker course 280°, 17.00 hours square 2526 tanker course SW, both 10 knots, SE 3, increasing, Sea 2, rain, 990 mb, Vis. 5 nm.
1856 1453 From Gelhaus:
    Naval square CC 2490 5 tankers widely spaced, course SW.
                                                              (U-564 radio repeater)
22.02.42    
1750 1730 Suhren to Gelhaus:
    Suggest meeting today, because of good navigation fix.  Position square 3117 course 63°, 5 knots, SE 2, 6/10, 1006 mb, steady, +6°.
2214 2058 Suhren from Gelhaus:
    Meeting point 23 February 12.00 hours square 7963.  Head from there 67° if up to 13.00 hours no meeting I send bering signals hourly at 15 and 45 on 781 meters.  Position square 3168.
24.02.42    
05.35 03.57 From Suhren:  11 cbm transferred to Gelhaus, enough for return transit.  Square 8731, SSW 2, Sea 0, 1004 mb, Vis. 2 nm, +8C.
26.02.42    
2242 2204 To Schröter, Mohr, Suhren, Wattenburg on 27 February between 01.00 and 05.00 hours report weather.
 
     
     
     
 
- 5 -
  
     
 
27.02.42    
0337   46°N, 36°W, steady, 1006 mb, +12°C, Alto cumulous, Vis. 4 nm, SW 5, SW 4-5.        Suhren.
1452 0418 The Short Signal weather report received from Suhren at 03.37 hours on 54 meter was heard at volume 4.  Control.
02.03.42    
2320 . . . . 1.)  Varendorff, Scholtz, Flachenberg, Liebe, Ites, Degen, report weather between 01.00 and 05.00 hours.
    2.)  On 2 March at 00.00 hours, Suhren, Gelhaus, Borchert, Dietrich, Scholtz switch to Ireland Circuit.  Flachenberg switch to Greenland Circuit.
0207 0005 From Suhren:
    1.)  Favorable transit setting for Type 7C with GW engines diesel-electric one diesel 240 RPM, the other 155.
    A.)  Westerly transit:  Average fuel consumption 15.1 liters/1 nm over ground, average day's run 134 nm.  Buoyancy condition B.
    B.)  Easterly transit:  12.0 liters/1 nm and 150 nm.  Buoyancy condition A.
    C.)  Prevailing SW-NW wind.
    2.)  Position naval square BE 4439, wind SW 3, Sea 3, 1/10, Vis. good, 1009 mb rising, +12°C
08.30 07.47 Radio Message 0005/2 from Suhren up to group 3 recorded.  If thereafter is important send again.  Control.  B.d.U.
1531 1520 Return harbor for Suhren, Borchert, Dietrich is Brest.
04.03.42    
1716   Position in 36 hours off return harbor.        U-564.
1741 1733 Suhren positioned on 6 March 0530 hours off Brest.
1952 1834 1. U.-Flottille to Suhren:
    On 6 March at 08.30 hours be at Point 32 for convoy intake.  Be alert for fighter escort.
0126 1832 Entry route for Suhren is Route Tannennadel.  Intake by escort follows by 1. U.-Flottille.