U-boat Archive - U-boat KTB - U-564 6th War Patrol

02.07.42
13.53 10.27	In the night of 13 July sortie on Kernleder with M.-Boat and Trawler. These come about at 02.00 hours at 47°N. Witte enters Lorient 13 July on Kernleder, Suhren and U-654 depart Lorient 11 July on Kernleder.

04.16	Position square BE 68.
	U-564.

14.07.42
08.05	My position is naval square BE 91
	U-564.

09.38 09.21	Suhren reports by Short Signal on frequency 36 meters my position is BE 91. Received at volume 4-5.

15.07.42
20.07	48°N 59°W 1018 mb falling, +7°, altostratus. Vis. over 10 nm, SE 7-8, southerly low swell.
	(Joined as radio relayer)

17.07.42
22.07 21.46	Kr Kr
	Convoy naval square BD 6979 course 250°, medium speed.
	Linder.

22.58	My position is CE 20.
	U-564.

23.25 22.58	From Linder.
	BD 9313 general course 210°, speed 7 knots.

23.28	Square CE 4750
	PI.

23.41 22.27	Linder hold contact on convoy as long as possible with fuel supply. Suhren, U-654 go.

18.07.42
00.01 23.29	Enemy steers southerly course.
	U-202.

00.13 00.05	Enemy steers southeasterly course.
	U-202.

01.14 00.06	Forced off by destroyer. Last convoy location square BD 9327, course 130°, speed 8 knots. In pursuit.
	Linder.

02.39 01.30	From Linder:
	Convoy by sound bearings naval square BD 9354 southerly zig zag. No wind, Sea 0, up to 1, low clouds, Vis. bad, 1030 mb, +19°.

04.55 03.46	Last sound bearing falls from naval square ED 9375. Therefore, initial course of 215° was taken up again. [initial course 210° was transmitted]
	Linder.

07.30 06.39	Continue operating on Linder-convoy, even when contact is broken.

08.07 07.44	Enemy convoy in sight, naval square BD 9563, course 210°.
	U-202.

09.47 09.27	Linder hold contact without regard to fuel inventory. Supply from outbounder anticipated.

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- 2 -

18.07.42
11.54 11.06	Enemy position BD 9566.
	U-202.

12.20 12.02	Convoy naval square BD 9592, attacking.
	Suhren.

15.23 14.48	From Linder:
	Was hunted by corvette and fired upon at long range with artillery. Last convoy position 9598.

15.42 15.20	BD 9839, SE course.
	Suhren.

16.14 13.55	BD 9831, course 130°, 7 knots.
	Bauer.

16.12 13.17	Patrol vessel course 255°, speed 12 knots. Position BD 9594.
	Linder.

16.19 14.34	From Bauer:
	Vis. 1 nm.

17.20 17.04	From Suhren:
	Square 9869, southeasterly course.

16.45 16.30	To Suhren:
	Check NE course report and submit again.

16.57 12 55	Bauer hold contact without regard to fuel inventory.

16.54 11.57	Convoy naval square BD 9591, Question contact holding.
	Bauer.

19.10 18.35	From Scholtz:
	Have contact square BD 9942, 130°, 8 knots.

19.37 1915	Forster has contact. From Suhren. Convoy position square 9972.

18.50 18.22	Scholtz has contact.
	from Bauer.

20.36 19.30	Convoy square BD 9946, course 130°, speed 8 knots.
	Scholtz.

21.35 15.51	Square 9863, course 130°, 8 knots, made out : 16 vessels in widely scattered line ahead. Heavily changing visibility.
	Bauer.

22.51 21.33	From Scholtz:
	BD 9982, 160°.

21.26 22.12	Was forced away by aircraft. Naval square CE 3226
	Forster.

19.07.42
00.47 00.17	Convoy located naval square CE 3343. Night bomber.
	Suhren.

00.48 00.25	From Scholtz:
	Forced to submerge by aircraft. In pursuit.

01.17 00.31	Convoy CE 3343, course 130°.
	Bauer.

- 3 -

19.07.42
03.31 00.42	Forced to submerged by night bomber. Contact lost. Last convoy position square CE 3343, from inexact observation convoy course 130°.
	Bauer.

06.20 05.00	3391 light rockets, searchlights, depth charges, if Foster's position of convoy is correct, convoy probably divided.
	Bauer.

05.52 02.30	Square CE 3355 4 steamers torpedoed. Depth charged by 2 corvettes. Contact lost. Last convoy course 130°.
	Suhren.

10.31 09.50	Suhren immediately report position.

11.22 10.50	From Suhren:
	Position square CE 3648. 9 plus torpedoes. Have searched sector from square 3355 from 210° up to this position. 117 cbm.

14.27 13.35	From Scholtz:
	CF 1529 convoy in sight southeasterly course. Position inexact.

15.33 12.57	Suhren, Bauer, Wattenberg, U-108, U-654 from own position operate on convoy course south to southeast out from convoy position 02.00 hours square CE 3354. Use enemy speed 7 to 8 knots.

17.52 12.57	Square 3659 mast in sight briefly, not identified further lost sight in bad visibility.
	Bauer.

19.59 19.30	Suhren from Wattenberg:
	Question convoy formation and escort positioning last night own experiences.

21.41 21.12	From Suhren:
	Three widely spaced columns, no sweepers, weak forward screen. Approached from target angle 5 between flank escort and steamers.

22.37 22.06	To boat at Linder-convoy:
	Not a Gibraltar convoy. Course change to the south probable. Continue searching on course about 180 to 150° starting from convoy position at 14.30 hours.

23.35 23.17	From Forster:
	Positioned with Suhren naval square CF 1924. Nothing seen. Seacrching on course 170°. Suhren 210°.

20.07.42
02.48 01.16	Continue search in same sectors between 180 and 150° starting from convoy position at 14.30 hours. Order from west to east Suhren, Wattenberg, Forster. Enemy speed 7.5 knots up to 9 knots. Scholtz free to maneuver, report intentions.

20.54 20.14	Wattenberg and U-108 head for naval square 81 in the large square east of disguised square HI. Suhren and U-654 stop further orders follow presumably tomorrow afternoon.

21.52 20.05	From Suhren:
	Officer-Only

21.07.42
08.55 08.34	Convoy naval square CF 8272, course south, medium speed, hold contact.
	Forster.

- 4 -

21.07.42
00.40 23.59	[Illegible line] with 2 smokestacks and high superstructure thrown into the air. Possible auxiliary cruiser. Total estimated at 23000 GRT. Position naval square CF 4880. Sea and wind E 2, overcast, +19°, 1036 mb, Unchanged.
	Suhren.

09.25 09.10	Suhren and Wattenberg operate on U-654 convoy report.

11.20 10.16	Convoy square CF 8512, 160°, 8 knots. NE 4, Vis. good. Far offset escort.
	Forster.

13.18 12.45	From Forster:
	Up to now have distinguished 3 heavy smoke clouds and 1 destroyer. Forced off several times. Enemy located square 8543, 90°.

15.16 13.50	SSD
	From Forster:
	No convoy, 3 vessels type trawler and 1 destroyer, course east, ran off. Square 8541.

16.34 15.25	1.)
	Suhren and U-654 head for naval square 90° of the large square east of disguised square to supply.
	2.)
	Wattenberg go to naval square BE and EO operate in accordance with experience.

17.36 17.04	Have severe case of rheumatoid arthritis on board. Request transfer as soon as possible. Naval square CF 7679.
	Suhren.

22.07.42
00.53 00.08	Meeting point Mützelburg and Suhren to deliver patient in square DG 4627, 23 July 1942 from 10.00 hours. Bearing signals from Suhren if meeting fails up to 15.00 hours. Mützelburg after completion report "Yes" by Short Signal.

05.47 05.12	Suhren to Mützelburg:
	Position square CF 7598, suggest meeting point 22 July from 1500 hours square DG 3635.

09.55 09.32	Enemy in sight, 2 battleships, square CF 7875, speed 17 knots, course 325°.
	U-564.

10.43 11.15	Suhren hold contact for Wattenberg. Wattenberg report position by Short Signal if operation is not possible.

11.45 11.15	From Suhren:
	Enemy position square 7844, course 0°, 15 knots.

11.55 11.40	Suhren hold contact for Forster.

12.29 11.31	Last sighting square 7847 zig zagging to the NW. Main course 340° doubtful. Escort 3 destroyers.
	Suhren.

13.28 12.54	Enemy square 7577 speed of advance 15.5 knots. Main course north. Have dropped astern.
	Suhren.

13.30 13.22	Forster continue transit. Likewise Suhren is no contact.

14.35 13.46	From Suhren:
	Formation out of sight bearing 350°T. Position naval square 7578. "RAMILLES-Class, 120 RPM. Position tomorrow DM 5175.

- 5 -

22.07.42
15.49 08.32	Final meeting point Mützelburg and Suhren square 3846, on 25 July from 10.00 hours. No further messages.

162x 15.47	Heading for final meeting point.
	Suhren.

25.07.42
20.15 19.05	1.) Thurmann, Mützelburg, Achilles weather, Bleichrodt, submit radio bearing signals.
	2.) Wattenberg, Suhren, U-654 26 July 08.00 hours switch Greenland Circuit.

28.07.42
10.51 09.57	To Suhren:
	At next opportunity report if sighted battleships were recognized with certainty as "RAMILLES", or as suspected up to now "NELSON" and "RODNEY" possible.

30.07.42
20.35 19.57	Occupy the following attack areas:
	1) U-654 DP 20.
	2.) Suhren, DE 70
	3.) Supply orders follow.
	4.) All naval squares.

01.08.42
17.30 16.40	Supply square for Senkel, Holtorf, for Mühlen, Neitzel, Suhren, U-654, U-129 from Wolfbauer is naval square 9455 of the large square east of the disguised square XW. All boats immediately head for this square; wait as appropriate in a circle of 100 nm. Wolfbauer after leaving report Uphoff arrival by Short Signal. After that order about supply initiation.

00.55 21.54	1.) Begin supply ordered today supply from Wolfbauer from 14.00 hours on 3 August. No bearing signals. Waiting boats in full zone at limit Waiting boats establish a full ring at the limit of signal range. Sharp lookout. Be alert for enemy U-boats.
	2.) No unnecessary radio messages. Only boats, which will arrive after dawn on 6 August, report possible arrival time immediately.
	3.) Take over: Senkel, Holtorf each 65 cbm, for Mühlen, U-654 each 60, Suhren 50, Neitzel 80, U-129 only economical return transit. Distribute 12 weeks provisions accordingly.
	4.) Last supplied boat after setting off 200 nm total inventory of the tanker and inventory of the boats that are not completely filled.
	5.) Wolfbauer after transfer remain in area with depth 150 nm.

04.08.42
07.58 07.48	Request supply of torpedoes from Kölle Suhren naval square 33.

09.53 08.49	Incoming 0748/4 on 36 meters: Requesting supply of torpedoes from Kölle Suhren naval square 33.

13.55 12.22	1.) Suhren take over torpedoes from Kölle. Meting point is naval square DP 1455 on 5 August at 17.00 hours. If a boat can not be at the meeting point 2 hours before darkness provide new meeting point by Short Signal. Time of later arrival time is considered to be the meeting time. No bearing signals. Kölle thereafter arrive at Wolfbauer and report execution with Suhren with "Yes" by Short Signal.
	2) Suhren after transfer head for naval square EE and EO and operate in accordance with Lassen, Peining and U-108 situation reports

- 6 -

10.08.42
09.20 18.09	Suhren contrary to previous orders go to square YS-10 and operate on east-west traffic during the new moon off and to the west of the main harbor. Move off to the east in the previously ordered operations area around the full moon or earlier, if after careful searching the attack situation is not favorable. Situation report prior to advance to the east.

16.08.42
01.51 23.27	1.) Schug, U-505, U-129 report further.
	2.) Suhren, Beucke submit situation report.

01.25 10.56	1.) Diggens, Lohmann report weather.
	2.) Ölrich, Auffermann, [illegible name Haike?] 17 August 08.00 switch Ireland Circuit.
	3.) Suhren, Ostermann report situation.

01.37 23.52	1.) Since 12 August in area between square 9417, 9883, 9527, 9892 with focal point main harbor except for medium air patrol nothing.
	2.) Here in retrospect, it might have been the battleships "NELSON" and "RODNEY" except for the third turret.
	3.) Position square 9849, 105 cbm, 13 torpedoes, E 2, Sea 1, Vis. medium, 1015 mb. All naval squares.
	Suhren.

05.15 11.45	Attack areas:
	Wattenberg, Suhren west of the longitude of [ED] 9880. Each according to defense situation approach the focal point. Immediately report sightings and sinkings. All naval squares.

18.08.42
10.43 10.21	Boats in naval square [ED 98 - from other boats KTBs] including Suhren and Wattenberg, operation on traffic lane reported by U-108 . . . . U-173 optional.

19.08.42
03.15 03.30	Kr Kr
	Convoy naval square 9468 northwesterly course, slow speed.
	Wattenberg.

08.06 07.22	Enemy convoy in sight square 9452, 320°.
	U-564.

10.35 09.51	Enemy in sight square 9427, course 315°, 7 knots.
	U-564.

10.35	Square 9427, 2 tankers, 2 large freighters torpedoed, 2 sunk, 2 sinking heavily, 28000 GRT. Hunted by destroyers and aircraft.
	Suhren.

20.08.42
	After hard aerial battle against a flying boat and destroyer and stuck down diving plane made a day attack with both of the last Eto's. The first "cold hit" after 59 seconds, second "cold hit" after 70 seconds, heard perfectly in the sound gear, conning tower and control room and stopped from two different locations. Run distance matches exactly with estimated range. Impact angle 73°, depth setting 3 meters. Pistol number 27908, 32077, both from sealed containers. Was driven flooded for 45 minutes. Of that 30 minutes duration with open outer doors and only submerged once 5 minutes and at depth 25 meters. Short metallic impact, afterwards no torpedo sounds in the sound gear, a steamer stopped shortly. Still 2 Ato's, moved off to reload in "Scholz" area, 98 cbm. Contact broken off. Last position at 16.00 hours naval square ED 8392, course 315°, 7 knots. Still 11 ships. Position naval square ED 9424.
	Suhren.

- 7 -

26.08.42
04.32 03.25	From Wattenberg:
	Heavy traffic observed in EE 5773 and 81. Halts. Yesterday 2 fast ships in EE 57 southwest course hunted in vain. Diesel again in service, 81 cbm. Position EE 73. All naval squares.

27.08.42
21.24 20.24	1.) U-98, Struckmeier, Sobe and Auffermann report weather.
	2.) Suhren short situation report.

29.08.42
03.09 01.00	Position naval square EE 7340. Late. Going to naval square ED 90 to search new gold vein.

30.08.42
08.39 07.50	From Suhren:
	1.) Just now naval square ED 9923 tanker with torpedo and artillery left burning and sinking. Course 230°, 12 knots.
	2.) Total of 9 ships 60000 GRT. Because the location of the recent torpedoing was reported after 6 hours nothing more except for a patrol vessel and wreckage.
	3.) Out of torpedoes, return transit. Situation report follows. Main transmitter out of service.

31.08.42
00.53 1013	Suhren, Thurmann and Krech in the coming night report: Experience and intention concerning operations in the Caribbean and in the narrows.

07.36 01.20	From Suhren:
07.53 04.42	1.) Traffic always goes via main harbor. In the Caribbean as convoys. On the Atlantic side still independents. Convoys departing the Caribbean possibly every 6 days, 16 to 20 ships. Atlantic traffic on changing traffic lanes. Outbound following the narrows. Inbound stragglers.
	2.) With favorable moon boats position at dusk between squares HH 1487 to 1469 to detect the convoys apparently always departing in the mornings. Submerged by day to remain unseen there at all costs.
	3.) Convoys had poorly executed screens. Use of radar uncertain. Found no night flying out of here.
	4) With unfavorable moon try to detect Atlantic traffic from the main harbor and try to set off in the detected direction.
	5.) If a traffic lane is discovered, other boats operate on this as soon as possible.
	6.) Danger from land-based bombers determined up to 180 nm from the coast. Therefore later always dived by day.
	7.) Operating several boats in this area promises continued success.

11.40 11.09	From Suhren:
	Meeting point with Wattenberg at 1 September 12.00 hours in naval square EE 5718.

01.09.42
01.22 01.00	Suhren to Wattenberg:
	Was not heard. Request Headquarters facilitate. Hold EE 49, can not send bearing signals.

03.18 02.30	Suhren to Wattenberg:
	Meet 1 September in square 6966 [EE 4966] of the large square east of disguised square IO at 20.00 hours. Send bearing signals from 22.00 hours.

02.09.42
02.14 01.32	From Suhren:
	2 cbm heavy oil provided to Wattenberg. Position EE 57xx. E 3, Sea 2, 3/10, rain showers, Vis. good, 1017 mb.

11.09.42
12.20 10.xx	For outbound U-904 to 907 from now to 12 September at 24.00 hours monitor 600 meter wave, permanent connection. Schug and Thurmann from now to 12 September at 24.00 hours.

- 8 -

11.09.42
	[illegible name - Feuken?] and to Mühlen afterwards up to 14 September 24.00 hours. Suhren and Rosenberg thereon afterwards up to 16 September 24.00 hours.

12.09.42
12.41 11.36	To Suhren:
	In view of your always proven heroism I award you as the 18th of soldier of the German Armed Forces the Oak Leaves with Swords to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
	Adolf Hitler.
	Heartiest congratulations.
	Befehlshaber.

20.20 19.09	Return harbors are:
	Brest for Horn, Suhren, Baur, Höltring.
	Lorient for Thilo, Kals.
	Nazaire for Thurmann, Rudolff.

xx.09.42
01.58 00.39	Ob.d.M. to Suhren:
	For the award of the Oak Leaves with Swords I transmit to you in grateful acknowledgment of the outstanding success you and your crew have accomplished, my warmest congratulations. With comradely greetings
	Your Oberbefehlshaber,
	Congratulations for high honors,
	O.d.West.

05.25 03.40	To Suhren:
	Congratulations for high honors.
	Your proud Flottille.

xx.09.42
01.24 00.54	To Suhren:
	Type "AUSTRALIAN STAR" naval square DC 7943, 280°, speed of advance 14 knots.

10.09.42
19.46 19.04	1.) Köpke, Trojer, Mässenhausen and Thurmann report weather.
	2.) Schug, Suhren, Thurmann, Beucke and to Mühlen from 9 August at 08.00 hours switch Ireland Circuit.

11.09.42
10.45 09.43	To Suhren:
	I am pleased to be able to announce to you your promotion to Korvettenkapitan because of very special achievements before the enemies. My warmest congratulations.
	Oberbefehlshaber.
	Heartiest congratulations. Heil and Sieg.
	B.d.U.

13.57 13.26	O.d.West to Suhren:
	I am pleased.

21.47 21.21	To Suhren:
	Heartiest congratulations on promotion.
	O.d.M.

12.09.42
20.21 18.12	Report weather:
	Giessler, Suhren, Mengersen and U-440.

13.09.42
02.31	Weather:
	42°N, 29°W, rising 1022 mb, +24°, Vis. 4 nm, N 1, NW-swell low.
	Suhren.

- 9 -

13.09.42
19.27 18.22	Suhren, Mengersen, Sturm weather. Blechrodt report radio bearing signals.

14.09.42
03.26 weather	43°N, 25°W, 1025 mb rising, +24°, SW 2, altocumulous, Vis. 2 nm, low SW-swell.
	U-564.

12.45 11.58	Suhren and Mengersen report weather immediately.

13.34 13.05	From Suhren:
	Position naval square BE 7557. ESE 3, Sea 2, 2/10, Vis. very good, 1027 mb rising.

15.09	Emergency signal: FFF
	Square AL 1964 am clear to dive.
	(Signature unclear)

15.32 15.16	SSD
	From naval square AL 1965 Radio Emergency a boat clear to dive due to aircraft bombing.
	from Suhren.

15.09.42
07.47 06.00	1.) For Giessler healthy Sunday boy arrived.
	2.) U-86 for Masch.Maat Peters healthy boy arrived.
	3.) U-411 for Fk.Ob.Gefr. Doch son Peter born.
	4.) U-564 for Masch.Maat Hummel our Heinz arrived.
	5.) All healthy and doing well.

17.09.42
17.59 17.04	From Suhren:
	Position 18.09.42 15.00 hours Point 346.

20.34 19.39	Serial No. 110 completed. Encoding failure from boat contents: Suhren position 18 September 15.00 hours Point 346.

18.09.42
09.18 08.32	U-564 from 1. U.-Flottille:
	Escort positioned 14.00 hours Point 346. Enter with U-203.