U-604 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with the help of Ken Dunn and Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Kiel	4 August 1942	Brest	8 September 1942	36

 

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 Attacked
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
25 Aug 42	03.45 - 03.56	52°15'N, 30°15'W	ABBEKERK	7,906	Netherlands
			Total = 7,906
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  604  "
			Kommandant:	Kapitänleutnant     H  ö  l  t  r  i  n  g
				Beginning:  4.8.1942
				Ending    :  8.9.1942.
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		04.08.42
		10.42		Cast off from Kiel-Wik.
		10.53		Steered by the instructions of the Kommandant to the Kiel Lightship.
		12.23		Anchored, Kiel Lightship bearing 289°T, 0.7 nm.  50 meters of chain, 18 meters water.  Fine gray sand.
		13.00	Kiel Lightship
			W 0-1, overcast, occasional rain, Sea 0-1
		14.00 - 16.30		5 detonations observed on Route 1 (ground mines?)
		16.00	Kiel Lightship
			W 2, overcast, Sea 1
		17.48		Weighed anchor.  Proceeded to Position "Red 16" by the Kommandant's instructions.
		20.00	AO 7498
			W 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast
		20.04		Taken in convoy.
		05.08.42
		00.00	55° 19.5'N
			11° 2.3'E
			W 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, occasional rain
		04.00	AO 7169
			W 2-3, Sea 2, cloudy, occasional rain
		05.52		Change of escort at "Red 27".
		08.00	AO 7214
			WbyN 2-3, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. clear
		12.00	AO 4764	Day's run:  183 nm.
			W 1-2, Sea 1, few clouds, Vis. good
		16.00	AO 4486
			W 2, Sea 0-1, heavy rain showers, Vis. sometimes good
		20.00	AO 4452
			WbyS 3, Sea 2-3, sparse clouds, clear, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 04.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.08.42

	- 2 -
		06.08.42
		00.00	AN 3638
			WbyS 2-3, Sea 2, clear, cloudless weather, Vis. very good
		04.00	AN 3624
			W 2-3, Sea 2, clear, cloudless weather, Vis. very good
		05.26		Released from convoy.
		05.43		In Kristiansand made fast at Silokaia.
				Supply of fuel, provisions and water.
				Day's run:  150 nm.
		07.08.42
		04.58		Cast off from Kristiansand.
		05.32		Taken in convoy.
		08.00	AN 3539
			NW 2, Sea 1-2, clear weather, scattered clouds, Vis. very good
		12.00	AN 3514	Day's run:  52.8 nm.
			NW 2-3, Sea 2, clear, few clouds, Vis. very good, 1020 mb, +11°C
		16.00	AN 3274
			NW 2, Sea 1-2, overcast sky, clear air, Vis. very good, 1021 mb, +17°C
		20.00	AN 3137
			NW 1-2, Sea 0-1, overcast, Vis. very good, 1020 mb, +17°C
		20.35	58° 51.7'N	Test dive.  Afterwards pressure test to depth A +40 meters.
			5° 14.0'E
		21.56		Surfaced.
		22.00		Released from convoy.  Independent transit to the operations area.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.08.42

	- 3 -
		08.08.42
		00.00	AN 3113
			NW 1-2, Sea 0-1, overcast, heavy haze, occasional rain, in some places Vis. bad, 1018 mb, +12°C
		04.00	AN 2895
			NW 2, Sea 1, heavy haze, occasional dust rain, hazy, Vis. bad, 1017 mb, +8°C
		05.35	AF 8743	Drifting mine sighted.
		05.50		Dived due to bad visibility.  Continued transit at depth 40 meters.
		08.00	AN 2865
		12.00	AN 2838	Day's run:  145.6 nm.
			SbyE 4, Sea 3-4, hazy, Vis. 3 nm, 1013 mb, +10°C
		12.32 - 12.52		Surfaced, ventilated the boat.
				Afterwards dived due to weather situation.
		16.00	AN 2831
		20.00	AN 2391
		22.40		Surfaced.  Afterwards continued transit on the surface.
		09.08.42
		00.00	AN 2361
			SE 4-5, Sea 3-4, hazy, Vis. bad, rain showers, 1010 mb, +9°C
		04.00	AF 8749
			SE 5, Sea 3-4, long swell, hazy, Vis. bad, rain showers, 1008 mb, +7°C
		06.30		Dived.  Continued tactical movement at depth 40 meters.
		08.00	AF 8715
		12.00	AF 8474	Day's run:  132 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 08.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.08.42

	- 4 -
		continued
		09.08.42
		13.04		Surfaced.  Boat ventilated.
		13.29		Due to bad visibility (2-3 nm) dived.  Tactical movement submerged.
		16.00	AF 8447
		20.00	AF 7663
		23.18		Surfaced.  Tactical movement on the surface.
		10.08.42
		00.00	AF 7398
			SbyE 2-3, Sea 4, rain, Vis. 2 nm, 1010 mb, +11°C
		04.00	AF 7323
			SSE 2, Sea 2-3, overcast, low clouds, rain showers, Vis. 1-2 nm
		06.47		Dived due to bad visibility.  Tactical movement submerged.
		08.00	AF 4955
		12.00	AF 4946	Day's run:  95.3 nm.
		13.40		Surfaced.  Boat ventilated.  Transit on the surface.
		14.45		Dived due to bad visibility.
		16.00	AF 4839
		20.00	AF 4834
		23.51		Surfaced.  Boat ventilated.  Charging engaged.  Tactical movement on the surface.
		11.08.42
		00.00	AF 4813
			SEbyS 2, Sea 2, overcast, scattered rain squalls, Vis. 2 nm, 1005 mb, +8°C
		04.00	AF 4483
			SE 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, scattered clearing, shredded low Stratus, Vis. 4-5 nm, 1006 mb, +7°C
		05.11		Dived due to bad visibility.

	Sun and Moon Data 09.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.08.42

	- 5 -
		continued
		11.08.42
		08.00	AF 4457
		09.22		Surfaced.  Transit by day on the surface.
		12.00	AE 6669	Day's run:  141 nm.
			NE 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, rain showers, Vis. 8 nm, 1005 mb, +12°C
		12.33	AN 6669	Drifting mine sighted.
		13.04		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  147.5°T, 24 nm (position from two altitudes).
		16.00	AE 6934
			NE 3, Sea 2-3, changing cloudiness, Vis. 8-10 nm, 1006 mb, +14°C
		20.00	AE 6951
			NEbyE 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. 6 nm, 1008 mb, +12°C
		12.08.42
		00.00	AE 6868
			NE 2-3, Sea 2-3, overcast, rain showers, Vis. 6-8 nm, 1008 mb, +7°C
		04.00	AE 6884
			NE 2-3, Sea 2-3, overcast, low clouds, Vis. 6 nm, 1008 mb, +8°C
		04.57		Dived.  Due to poor visibility continued transit submerged.
		08.00	AE 6878
		12.00	AE 9133	Day's run:  150.2 nm.
		12.50		Surfaced.  Surface transit with charging.
		16.00	AE 9142
			NE 3-4, Sea 3, partial overcast, rain squall, Vis. 4-12 nm, 1008 mb, +12°C
		20.00	AE 8621
			NE 3-4, Sea 3, partial overcast, Vis. 10 nm, 1010 mb, +11°C

	Sun and Moon Data 11.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.08.42

	- 6 -
		13.08.42
		00.00	AE 8583
			NE 2-3, Sea 2, cloudy, rain squalls, Vis. 10-12 nm, 1011 mb, +7°C
		04.00	AE 8813
			NE 2-3, Sea 1-2, cloudy, Vis. 10 nm, 1012 mb, +8°C
		05.51		Heavy smoke cloud bearing 140°T.  Turned towards it.  Ran on the surface against the dark horizon.  At range = about 10000 meters dived, because by now it is too bright.  Gained the impression that the enemy runs against us on course 320°.  After about 1 hour always only the smoke cloud in the periscope, apparently course 140° after all.
		06.46		Surfaced.  Ran behind on the surface, up to the masts out,  Apparently a small trawler with 2 different height masts, rolling in the heavy swell.  Therefore let go in view of fuel.
		07.49	AE 8818	Dived for aircraft.
		08.00	AE 8841
			S 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. 10-14 nm, 1009 mb, +8°C
		08.38		Surfaced.
		12.00	AE 8767	Day's run:  245 nm.
			SbyW 2-3, Sea 2, partial overcast, light rain showers, Vis. 8-12 nm, 1008 mb, +12.5°C
		16.00	AE 8787	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 76°T, 15.4 nm.
			SW 3, Sea 2-3, partly cloudy, showers, Vis. 12-14 nm, 1007 nm, +15°C
		20.00	AE 3213
			W 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, 1007 mb, +10°C
		14.08.42
		00.00	AE 3129
			NW 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. very good, 1007.5 mb, +9°C
		04.00	AE 3173
			W 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. very good, 1008 mb, +7°C

	Sun and Moon Data 13.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.08.42

	- 7 -
		continued
		14.08.42
		08.00	AE 2432
			W 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good, 1009 mb, +7.5°C
		12.00	AE 2451	Day's run:  167 nm.
			W 3, Sea 3, overcast, rain showers, Vis. very good, 1010 mb, +12°C
		13.10		Test dive.
		13.28		Surfaced.
		16.00	AE 2447	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  83°T, 20 nm.
			S 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, rain showers, Vis. very good, 1011 mb, +13°C
				While sending the Short Signal at 22.41 hours a winding of the power supply transformer of the selector panel overheated.  It burned due to a partial overload of the insulation. As a result, the overall life span of the transformer, which can not be replaced, is only slight.  From now can transmit only in the most pressing cases.
		20.00	AE 2474
			E 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. very good, occasional rain, 990 mb, +15°C
		15.08.42
		00.00	AL 2533
			E 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, rain, Vis. bad, 1004 mb, +13°C
		03.43		Radio Message:  "Jahn, Göing, Hötring join group "Lohs".  Operate on the convoy reported by "Löwe" in square AL 4493."  Position AL 2543, came to course 252°.  Plotting the Löwe convoy, reported on NW course.
		04.00	AL 2543
			NW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, (rain), Vis. good, 996 mb, +12°C
		08.00	AL 1691
			NW 4-5, Sea 4, cloudy, Vis. good, 998 mb, +11°C
		12.00	AL 1599	Day's run:  181 nm.
			NW 5, Sea 4-5, cloudy, Vis. very good, 1002 mb, +12°C	Came to course 124°, because from further reports from Horn the convoy is presumed to be in square 4527 on NE course.  Speed GF.
		16.00	AL 1856
			NWbyW 5, Sea 4-5, cloudy, (passing showers), Vis. good, 1002 mb, +13°C

	Sun and Moon Data 14.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.08.42

	- 8 -
		continued
		15.08.42
		16.28 - 17.28	AL 4256	Test dive.
		17.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  80°T, 24 nm.
		20.00	AL 2787
			NW 5, Sea 4-5, cloudy, Vis. good, 1008 mb, +14°C
		22.00	AL 2938	Came to course 235°.  Operating on convoy broken off.  Transit to attack area in square AL 6915.
		16.08.42
		00.00	AL 2956
			W 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. good, 1008 mb, +13°C
		04.00	AL 2975
			Overcast, rain, Vis. good, 1009 mb, +10°C
		07.14	AL 5113	Dived.  Test dive.  Afterwards torpedoes pulled, because this is not possible on the surface.
		08.00	AL 5115
		12.00	AL 4239	Day's run:  126 nm.
		16.00	AL 4261	Propeller sounds quickly growing louder bearing 76°T.  Shifting astern.  Probably a piston engine.  110 RPM.  At periscope depth nothing seen.
		16.12		Surfaced.  A corvette bearing 85°T range = 6000 meters.  In rain squall.  Bow right target angle 160°.  Dived unnoticed, ran off submerged.
		16.56		Surfaced.
		20.00	AL 4255	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  307.5°T, 12 nm.
			W 6, Sea 6, isolated clouds, Vis. very good, 1006 mb, +13°C
		17.08.42
		00.00	AL 4423
			WbyS 6, isolated clouds, Vis. good, 1004 mb, +12°C

	Sun and Moon Data 15.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.08.42

	- 9 -
		continued
		17.08.42
		04.00	AL 4441
			WSW 6, Sea 6, isolated clouds, Vis. very good, 1004 mb, +12°C
		08.00	AK 6683
			WSW 6, Sea 6, isolated clouds, Vis. very good, 1003 mb, +12°C
		10.06		Course 300°.
		11.43		Course 144°, 2 x HF.
		12.00	AK 6678	Day's run:  172 nm.
			WSW 5-6, Sea 6, isolated clouds, Vis. very good, 1004 mb, +13°C
		16.00	AK 6991	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  133°T, 1.1 nm.
			WSW 4, Sea 4, isolated clouds, Vis. very good, 1007 mb, +15°C
		20.00	AL 7143
			WbyS 3, Sea 2, heavy swell, isolated clouds, Vis. very good, 1006 mb, +14.5°C
		18.08.42
		00.00	AL 7435
			NW 3, Sea 3, overcast, occasional rain, Vis. quite good, 1005 mb, +13°C
		04.00	AL 7579
			NW 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, rain, Vis. good, 1004 mb, +8°C
		06.40		In square AL in patrol line back and forth in position.
		08.00	AL 7853
			NW 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, rain, Vis. good, 1003 mb, +9°C
		12.00	AL 7853	Day's run:  241 nm.
			NW 7, Sea 6-7, overcast, rain, Vis. good, 1002 mb, +10°C
		13.43	AL 7853	Crash dive.  A corvette comes out of a rain squall with target angle 0°, behind it a steamer about 6-8000 tons.  Bow right, target angle 50°.  Speed 12-14 knots.  Was not noticed.

	Sun and Moon Data 17.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.08.42

	- 10 -
		continued
		18.08.42
		14.22		Surfaced.  Followed at GF, steamer could still be seen.  Failure of the gyro compass rectifier, later port diesel stopped, fuel leak.  Steamer out of sight.
		15.38		Dived for repairs and for scheduled torpedo work.
				No report by Radio Message, because the transmitter tuning panel is out of service.
		16.00	AL 7853
			NW 7, Sea 6-7, isolated clouds, rain showers, Vis. good, 1001 mb, +14°C
		20.00	AL 7853
			NW 6, Sea 5-6, overcast, occasional rain, Vis. good, 1005 mb, +11°C
		22.43		Surfaced.
		19.08.42
		00.00	AL 7853
			NW 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, occasional rain, Vis. good, 1006 mb, +10°C
		04.00	AL 7857
			NE 5-6, Sea 6, cloudy, occasional rain, Vis. good, 1008 mb, +11°C
		07.30		Back and forth in position at ordered location.
		08.00	AL 7759
			W 4-5, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. very good, 1009 mb, +12°C
		12.00	AL 7756	Day's run:  143.4 nm.
			W 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. very good, 1010 mb, +13°C
		16.00	AL 7763
			W 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. very good, 1011 mb, +15°C
		18.04	AL 7763	Dived.  Balanced the boat.  Torpedoes pulled.
		19.30	AL 7763	Surfaced.
		20.00	AL 7763
			W 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good, 1012 mb, +15°C

	Sun and Moon Data 18.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.08.42

	- 11 -
		continued
		20.08.42
		00.00	AL 7763
			W 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, 1010 mb, +13°C
		04.00	AL 7763
			W 2, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. very good, 1008 mb, +10°C
		08.00	AL 7763
			S -3, Sea 2, cloudy, rain, Vis. good, 1007 mb, +12°C
		12.00	AL 7763	Day's run:  141.7 nm.
			S 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, rain, Vis. moderate, 1006 mb, +12°C
		13.06	AL 7763	Dived.  Torpedoes pulled.  Balanced the boat.
		16.00	AL 7763
		20.47		Surfaced.
		21.08.42
		00.00	AL 7763
			W 5-6, Sea 5, cloudy, Vis. very good, moonshine, 1000 mb, +13°C
		04.00	AL 7763
			W 6-7, Sea 6, cloudy, Vis. good, 998 mb, +10°C
		06.15		Dived.
		08.00	AL 7763
		12.00	AL 7763	Day's run:  91.5 nm.
		16.00	AL 7763	Surfaced.
			W 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. good, 1000 mb, +13°C
		20.00	AL 7763
			WbyN 5 Sea 5, overcast, Vis. good, 1010 mb, +13°C
		22.08.42
		00.00	AL 7763
			WbyN 3-4, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good, 1011 mb, +13°C
		03.00		Course 0°, transit speed.

	Sun and Moon Data 20.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.08.42

	- 12 -
		continued
		22.08.42
		04.00	AL 7729
			WbyN 3-4, overcast, Vis. good, 1014 mb, +15°C
		09.28	AL 7483	Enemy in sight.  Enemy bears 338°T.  Course 260°, speed AK.  Enemy speed 18 knots, enemy course west, bearing shifts ahead continually.
		11.18		By heavy zig zags out of sight on northerly course.
		12.00		Day's run:  139.2 nm.
		16.00	AL 7544	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  140.5°T, 40 nm (3 days).
			WbyW 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. very good, 1018 mb, +16°C
				Course 360°, speed 6 knots.
		20.00	AL 7438
			WbyN 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. very good, 1017 mb, +15°C
		23.08.42
		00.00	AL 7188	Course 259°, GF (operating on convoy reported by Prätorius)
			SW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. very good, 1012 mb, +14°C
				Kr. Kr. AK 9654 convoy course west, medium speed.
		04.00	AK 9624
			S 2-3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good, 1011 mb, +12°C, moonshine
		04.33		Course 239°, speed LF (new position of the convoy)
		08.00	AK 9558
			S 1-2, Sea 0-1, overcast, rain, Vis. bad, 1010 mb, +12°C
		08.35	AK 9581	Test dive.
		09.28		Surfaced.  Nothing heard.
		09.50		Course 270°, GF.
		10.33	AK 9575	Dived to listen.  Heard:  sound gear, propellers.  Destroyer.
		11.35		Surfaced.
		11.56		Course 220°, GF.
		12.00	AK 9496	Day's run:  218 nm.
			S 0-1, Sea 0-1, overcast, fog, Vis. bad, 1007 mb, +19°C
		12.40		Course 250°, GF.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.08.42

	- 13 -
		continued
		23.08.42
		14.00		Course 220°, GF	(Maneuvered ahead of supposed convoy position in fog)
		15.06		Course 180°, GF
		16.00	AK 9748
			W 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast, fog, rain, Vis. sometimes better, 1007 mb, +18°C
		16.22		Course 90°, HF.
		16.39 - 16.56		Dived.  (propeller and sound gear sounds bearing 340°T).
		16.54		Course 60°, speed HF.  Towards the plotted position and supposed convoy sounds.
		18.12		Meeting of 3 U-boats in square AK 9781.
		18.13		Course 180°, LF  )	Search courses, because by plotting am ahead of the convoy.
		20.00	BD 2321	Course 225°, GF  )
		21.40	W 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, fog, Vis. moderate, 1007 mb, +16°C	Course 320°, GF  )
		23.03		Course 347°, HF.
		24.08.42
		00.00	AK 8985
		01.45	W 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, fog, rain, Vis. moderate, 1006 mb, +14°C	Meeting with Kaptlt.  H  a  h  n  .
		03.17		Depth charge detonation heard in boat.  Direction not determined.
		04.00	BD 2222
			WbyS 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, rain, Vis. moderate, 1006 mb, +14°C
		08.00	BD 2166
			W 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good, 1012 mb, +14°C
		09.17 - 10.10	BD 2168	Test dive, all around listening, sound gear heard, direction not determined.
		10.04		Course 136°, speed HF, ran off 4 search sectors.
		12.00	BD 2512	Day's run:  275.5 nm.
			NW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. very good, 1012 mb, +14°C
		13.09		Operating on Kr. Kr. from "Baur":  "Convoy naval square BD 2433, westerly course, stand by for bearing signals."
				Message came too late for bearings, because it was sent at 09.04 hours and was first received at 13.09 hours.
				Followed on course 270° and GF.

	Sun and Moon Data 23.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.08.42

	- 14 -
		continued
		24.08.42
		14.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  27°T, 13 nm.
		14.52		While hunting for the convoy a large 12000 ton freighter in sight directly ahead, bow right, target angle 90°.  With hard to port turned off and put astern.  Then came to the determined general course of 360°.  Both diesels ahead AK.  Steamer makes large legs around general course 20° with zig zags to both sides of 20-90°.  At first the bearing is steady, after 30 minutes bearing begins to decrease. Decision:  Because of the low speed advantage pursuit continued, because steamer is in sight, while the convoy location is still uncertain.  Kommandant maintains contact on the control room periscope. Advantage:  The greater height of eye.  The bridge watch sees just the tips of the mastheads in the periscope the upper  edge of the smokestack and tips of the cargo masts are seen, therefore, better estimate of target angle and exact bearings are possible.
		16.00	BD 2242
			NW 4-5, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. very good, 1013 mb
		20.00	AK 8945
			NW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. very good, 1013 mb, +14°C
		22.00		Boat is positioned on the general course ahead of the steamer.  Because a moonlit night with few high clouds is anticipated, decide to attack submerged.  While the boat runs submerged, the steamer changes general course to 80°, probably a leg at twilight.  Can not get to a shooting position, because the steamer zigs away 100° degrees.
		23.55		Surfaced.  Pursued.
		25.08.42
		00.00	AK 8684	During the night the steamer zig zags heavily.  Therefore, at darkness angled in to attack.
			NW 3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. very good, 1012 mb, +11°C
		03.45	AK 9458	In shooting position.  At range = 1500 meters 3-fan hit amidships.  High explosion column.  In sound gear 2-3 seconds before detonation a metallic impact heard.  Pi failure possible, because a target length of 150 to 120 meters was set in the device.  Steamer loses speed immediately and heels to starboard.  No Radio Message use, no defensive measures.  Enemy course before the shot estimated 70°.  Speed matched at 16 knots.
		03.56	AK 9458	Coup de grace.  Hit under smokestack, after 53.6 seconds.  Steamer settles over the starboard bow, later over the port bow, heavily down by the bow

	Sun and Moon Data 24.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.08.42

	- 15 -
		continued
		25.08.42
		04.20	AK 9458	Steamer sunk, 2 heavy explosions, probably boilers, afterwards sound of the crushing of the steamer were heard.
			W 2, Sea 2, with NW-swell, overcast, Vis. very good, 1012 mb, +11°C
				At the sinking location a destroyed lifeboat and much wreckage, no manned boats.  Therefore no name possible.  Size estimated at 12000 GRT.  At the shot the steamer completely filled the U.Z.O., with a part of the foreship and as well the aftership no longer in the field of view.  By sound the propulsion was turbine.
				During the pursuit, at the suggestion of the Engineering Officer, converted main ballast and reserve fuel oil tanks 2 and 4 for use as ballast tanks.  The remaining fuel oil, 1 ton, was transferred from the ballast tanks to the regulating and reserve fuel oil tank.  At the same time the negative buoyancy tanks were blown.  Thereby gaining about 1 knot.  With the high enemy speed of 16 knots these measures were decisive.
				During the sending of the sinking report the transformer winding of the transmitter tuning board burned on 14 August had to be cooled with compressed air from the tool connection, because otherwise, they would probably have burned through completely.
		06.49		Course 250°, HF.  Intention:  Continue operating on the Group Lohs convoy.
		08.00	AK 8694
			WbyS 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, 1022 mb, +15°C
		10.30 - 12.30	AK 8689	Dived.  Torpedoes reloaded.
		12.00	AK 8922	Day's run:  278 nm.
			SW 2, Sea 2, overcast, fog, Vis. moderate, 1022 mb, +16°C
		12.55		Radio Message:  Höltring do not operate on the convoy any longer.  Head for naval square AK 39.
		15.14		Course 25°, transit speed.
		16.00	AK 8862	Course 21°, transit speed.
			SW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, fog, Vis. moderate, 1022 mb, +16.5°C	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  168°T, 16.6 nm.
		20.00	AK 8671
			SW 1-2, Sea 2, overcast, fog, Vis. moderate, 1022 mb, +16°C

Sun and Moon Data 25.08.42

	- 16 -
		continued
		25.08.42
		20.35		Radio Message:  New patrol line naval square AK 3765 - 6629.
		26.08.42
		00.00	AK 8616
			SW 2, Sea 2, overcast, fog, Vis. bad, 1018 mb, +15°C
		04.00	AK 8358
			SW 2, Sea 2, overcast, fog, Vis. bad, 1017 mb, +15°C
		08.00	AK 8331
			SW 2, Sea 2, overcast, fog, Vis. bad, 1017 mb, +15°C
		12.00	AK 5966	Day's run:  189 nm.
			SW 2, Sea 2, overcast, fog, 1016 mb, +15°C
		12.55 - 13.13	AK 5966	Dived.  (While cruising submerged heavy sound gear bearing 40°R.
		13.10		Course 250°, HF, to avoid the enemy.
		13.45		Course 310°, HF  )	Avoidance maneuver.
		14.45		Course 0°             )
		15.18		Course 26° transit speed.
		16.00	AK 5695
			SW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, fog, Vis. bad, 1016 mb, +16°C
		20.00	AK 6441
			W 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, fog, Vis. bad, 1016 mb, +16°C
		27.08.42
		00.00	AK 6187
			W 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, fog, Vis. bad, 1016.5 mb, +16°C
		04.00	AK 6153
			W 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, 1016 mb, +15°C, moonshine

	Sun and Moon Data 25.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.08.42

	- 17 -
		continued
		27.08.42
		08.00	AK 3875
			overcast, Vis. very good, W 3, Sea 2-3, 1016 mb, +15°C
		12.00	AK 3952	Day's run:  201 nm.
			W 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. very good, 1017 mb, +14°C	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  205°T, 18.5 nm.
		16.00	AK 3923
			W 5, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. good, 1017 mb, +15°C
		19.11 - 19.33	AK 3791	Test dive.
		20.00	AK 3767
			W 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. good, 1016 mb, +13°C
		21.10 - 11.27	AK 3765	Back and forth in position on course 90° and 270°.
		28.08.42
		00.00	AK 3765
			W 5, Sea 4-5, cloudy, rain, Vis. good, 1017 mb, +14°C
		04.00	AK 3765
			W 4-5, Sea 4, cloudy, 1018 mb, +14.5°C, moonshine
		08.00	AK 3764
			W 4, Sea 4, cloudy, Vis. good, 1018 mb, +15°C
		12.00	AK 3765	Day's run:  153 nm.
			W 3, Sea 3-4, cloudy, Vis. very good, 1020 mb, +14.5°C
		12.52 - 14.15	AK 3764	Test dive.
		16.00	AK 3764
			W 2, Sea 2-3, cloudy, 1019 mb, +15°C
		20.00	AK 3756
			W 2, Sea 2-3, cloudy, Vis. very good, 1019 mb, +14.5°C

	Sun and Moon Data 27.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.08.42

	- 18 -
		29.08.42
		00.00	AK 3755
			W 1-2, Sea 1, cloudy, Vis. very good, 1019 mb, +14°C
		04.00	AK 3761
			W 1-2, Sea 1, cloudy, Vis. very good, 1020 mb, +15°C
		08.00	AK 3753
			SSW 2, Sea 1-2, cloudy, Vis. very good
		12.00	AK 3755	Day's run:  241 nm.
			SW 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. very good, 1020 mb, +15°C	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  57°T, 6 nm.
		16.00	AK 3765
			WSW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. very good, 1020 mb, +15°C
		15.40		Radio Message Order:  Group Vorwärts from 24.00 hours advance as reconnaissance line on course 250° and day's run 120 nm.
		20.00	AK 3766
			SW 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good, 1018 mb, +14°C
		30.08.42
		00.00	AK 3765	Course 250°, speed 6 knots.
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good, 1018 mb, +14°C
		04.00	AK 3758
			SW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, 1015 mb, +14°C
		08.00	AK 3775
			S 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good, 1010 mb, +15°C
		12.00	AK 0222	Day's run:  146 nm.
			SbyE 3, Sea 3, overcast, rain, Vis. sometimes bad, 1018 mb, +15°C
		16.00	AK 0221
			SE 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. very good, 1005 mb, +14°C
		19.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  217°T, 17 nm.
		20.00	AK 2963
			S 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, +15.4°C, Vis. very good, 1006 mb

	Sun and Moon Data 29.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.08.42

	- 19 -
		31.08.42
		00.00	AK 2959
			NW 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good, 1008 mb, +16°C
		04.00	AK 2973
			NNW 3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good, 1009 mb, +15°C
		07.55		Rudloff reports convoy naval square AK 2914.  Group Vorwärts Go, Rudloff report course.
		08.00	AK 0916   [typo AK 0196]
			NNW 2-3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good, 1010 mb, +13.5°C
		09.28		Went on probable enemy course 90°.  Speed still LF, because still no exact indication of enemy course.
		12.00	AK 2976	Day's run:  155 nm.
			NNW 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good, 1001 mb, +12°C	Course 66°, speed GF.
				Radio Message from B.d.U.:  "Convoy probably course east" set off.
		11.59 - 12.26	AK 2976	Test dive.
		12.28		Speed GF.
		14.30		Course 47°.
		16.00	AK 0218	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  245°T, 21 nm.
			NNW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. very good, 1008 mb, +12°C
		17.11		Convoy in sight, smoke clouds bearing 327°T from bearing enemy drives northeastward.
		18.22		Mast in sight bearing 354°T.  Turned away hard to starboard and put astern.  Course 174°.  Bearing steady.  Came to AK.  Bearing steady.  Mast was larger.
		19.05	AK 0227	Crash dive, because upper edge of the smokestack and bridge came out, submerged ejected Bolde, sidestepped, then propeller sounds put astern.
				Course 170°.
		19.30		10 depth charges at a distance, apparently based on the Bolde echo.
		20.00	AK 0227	Boat held at depth A +70 meters.
		20.20		Went to periscope depth, because sounds had died away.
		20.40		At periscope depth.
		20.47		Surfaced.  Pursued.

Sun and Moon Data 31.08.42

	- 20 -
		continued
		31.08.42
		21.20		2 corvettes out of a rain squall to port abeam, turned away, put astern.  Was undetected up to 21.44 hours evaded, then pursued.
		22.25		Smoke clouds bearing 10°T again in sight.  As darkness fell approached the convoy more and more and maneuvered ahead.  Convoy was positioned against the very bright and clear NW-horizon and easy to make out, while the boat itself was positioned against the pitch black horizon.  Blanket of clouds from ENE across the S to the NW, as a result this horizon is dark.  Cloud breaks in northern horizon in sharp contrast, there a starry sky with scattered cloud banks.
		01.09.42
		00.45		Closed to attack, because the moonrises bearing 62°T.
				Convoy proceeds with about 45-50 ships in 3 columns, course 60°, speed 8 knots.
				Screen all around, forward 3 corvettes, and on the starboard flank 2-3, astern 2, boat gets through behind the starboard forward screen, distance from corvette about 1000 meters.
				Shot was intended on the 5th and 6th steamers in the first column from ahead because these were the largest.  Flank screen positioned from bow right target angle 10°, range = 1500 meters, with hard starboard to bow left target angle 30°.  Therefore switched to 4-fan, to shoot at the corvette if necessary.  Corvette turns away again after about 5-10 minutes to bow right target angle 120-140°.  Approached the starboard column further at LF, because the flat sea coupled with faint marine phosphorescence there is the danger that the bow and stern wake will be noticed by the corvette.  Also in the mean time the moon has risen, the starboard side of the boat is illuminated from the cloudless horizon.  As the boat approaches to range = 2000 meters, the foremost ship of the column begins to turn from bow right target angle 120 to 170°.  Therefore decided to shoot immediately.  Three-fan on 5000-6000 GRT sized freighter with smokestack astern, however apparently not a tanker.  This vessel appeared the most favorable in spite of the large target angle and the great range.
		01.55	AK 2898	Three-fan.  Afterwards turned to approach the steamer running behind.
		01.57		Single shot at 4-5000 GRT sized freighter.

	Sun and Moon Data 31.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.09.42

	- 21 -
		continued
		01.09.42
				The steamer shot first turned away after the shot, the second steamer turned away at the moment of the shot.  Therefore, it would have been correct to shoot a four-fan at the first steamer with turning to be expected to raise the accuracy by the fourth torpedo.  Miss due to turning after the shot in both cases.  Boat is not detected.  For a long time the starboard stern corvette runs towards the boat with target angle 0°, giving the impression that the boat has been seen.  Ran into the convoy at GF, so that the boat silhouette is covered by the last steamer of the right hand column.  The corvette turns away.
				As a result of turning after the shot and the zig zagging of the convoy the boat is positioned behind the convoy.
				The 2 reserve torpedoes still available were reloaded on the surface immediately.  During the reloading period the boat followed behind the convoy at HF.  Intend to attack the last steamers with the reloaded tubes 3 and 2, because maneuvering ahead of the convoy did not appear advisable because of the lighting conditions and the limited time before it gets light.
				Because in the mean time the boat hangs on behind the last steamer of the middle column, the lighting conditions continually becomes more unfavorable, the moon has risen out of a cloud bank, so that the boat can easily seen by the port stern corvette as a silhouette, cannot wait any longer for the reload on of tube 3. Besides, the convoy zigzags very favorably on course 75° at speed 8 knots.
		03.28	AK 2839	Single shot, while turning the boat receives well placed artillery fire of about 7.6 cm from the last steamer in the left column.  Initial impacts lie alongside exactly 30 meters short beside the conning tower.  Then a burst of fire from automatic weapons.  Turned away hard to starboard.
		03.29		Crash dive.  Ordered conning tower cleared.  Two more artillery impacts are heard, bright sharp cracks.  Immediately after the 2nd artillery impact, torpedo detonation after exactly 75 seconds running time.  Heard above all in the boat.  That equates to a running distance of 1125 meters.  Steamer was a normal freighter with 2 large lowered areas of the ship's side where the gunwale is at the same height as the deck, 5 hatches, straight forestem, kingpost forward edge of the bridge and smokestack, fully loaded.

Sun and Moon Data 01.09.42

	- 22 -
		continued
		01.09.42
				Went to depth A +70 meters, silent running.
				Course 100°.  To take the corvette probably positioned nearest to the attack which was positioned astern at the attack, astern.  Then Bolde expelled and sidestepped, because of Asdic location.
		03.37		6 depth charges lying far off.
		03.55		2 depth charges lying far off.
		04.00	AK 2839
		04.07		1 located in the distance,  no effect on the boat.
		06.08		Surfaced.  Pursued and maneuvered ahead for day attack.
		07.10		Smoke clouds in sight bearing 20°T.  Up to 11.15 hours maneuvered ahead, then the compressor fails.  Began return transit, because both compressors can not be repaired with on board means.
		08.00	AK 3714
			NNW 3, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good, 1000 mb, +12°C
				Contact keeper reports were not sent, because the transmitting side is only in limited service.  On 14 August a winding of the power transformer for the transmitter selector panel overheated so that the insulation was partially burnt.  As a result the total lifetime of the transformer is limited.  Because Rudloff, Ölrich, Harney and Walkerling are in contact, no message to save the transmitter."
		12.00	AK 3841	Day's run:  236 nm.
			NNW 2-3, Sea 3, cloudy, Vis. very good, 999 mb, +12°C
		14.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  266°T, 4.4 nm.
		14.23		Crash dive for aircraft.  Attempted to repair the compressor submerged.  Can not be brought into operating condition with on board means.
		16.00	AK 3849
			NW 2, Sea 1-2, cloudy, Vis. very good, 996 mb, +12.5°C
		20.00	AK 3872
			NW 2-3, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. good, 995 mb, +11°C
		22.34		Surfaced.  Course 140°, speed LF.
				To conserve compressed air must surface dynamically.

Sun and Moon Data 01.09.42

	- 23 -
		02.09.42
		00.00	AK 3879
			W 2-3, overcast, rain, Vis. good, 990 mb, +12°C
		04.00	AK 0364
			W 3, Sea 2, overcast, rain, Vis. good, 988 mb, +13°C
		08.00	AL 4113
			WbyS 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, rain, Vis. good, 984 mb, +12°C
		12.00	AL 4167	Day's run:  181 nm.
			SSW 3, Sea 2-3, cloudy, rain, Vis. good, 980 mb, +14°C
		15.00		Course 77°.  Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  75°T, 8 nm.
		16.00	AL 4279
			SbyW 4, Sea 3, cloudy, rain, Vis. moderate, 978 mb, +15°C	The transfer of E-compressor spare parts from U-609 can no longer be completed due to the onset of bad weather.
		20.00	AL 5173
			SbyW 5-6, Sea 5, cloudy, Vis. good, 978 mb, +15°C
		03.09.42
		00.00	AL 5277
			overcast, Vis, good, 980 mb, +13.5°C, SbyW 6-7, Sea 5-6
		04.00	AL 5551
			SSW 6, Sea 7, overcast, Vis. good, 980 mb, +13.5°C
		08.00	AL 5583
			SSW 7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. moderate, 982 mb, +13°C
		12.00	AL 5836	Day's run:  233 nm.
			SW 8, Sea 7, overcast, 993 mb, +14°C
		16.00	AL 6749	The entire crew stays well.
			Sea 7-8, overcast, Vis. good, WbyS 8, 998 mb, +15°C	At no time falling out by seasickness, in spite of the strong motion of the boat with rough sea 7-8.
		20.00	AL 6787
			WbyS 9-10, Sea 9, overcast, Vis. good, 1000 mb, +15.5°C
		04.09.42
		00.00	AL 9152
			WbyS 9-10, Sea 8, cloudy, Vis. good, 1001 mb, +15°C
		04.00	AL 9191
			WSW 8-9, Sea 8, overcast, Vis. good, 1001 mb, +14°C
		08.00	AL 9435
			WSW 7-8, Sea 7, overcast, Vis. moderate, 1002 mb, +14°C

	Sun and Moon Data 02.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.09.42

	- 24 -
		continued
		04.09.42
		12.00	AL 9469	Day's run:  143 nm.
			SW 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. moderate, 1002 mb, +15°C
		16.00	AL 9577
			SW 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. good, 1002 mb, +16°C
		20.00	AL 9818
			SW 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. good, 1002 mb, +17°C
		05.09.42
		00.00	AL 9881
			SW 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. good, 1006 mb, +16°C
		04.00	BE 2222
			SW 4-5, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. good, 1010 mb, +15°C
		08.00	BE 2256
			W 4, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good, 1015 mb, +16°C
		12.00	BE 2294	Day's run:  144 nm.
			WbyN 3-4, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. very good, 1018 mb, +16°C
		16.00	BE 2555	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  245°T, 29 nm.
			WNW 3, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. very good, 1020 mb, +16.5°C
		19.00 - 19.50	BE 2889	Spare parts for the E-compressor were taken over from "U-609".  Placing the parts in an empty Pistol-container banded together with a second as a float, as "U-609" did proved itself.
		19.00		Course 125°, speed HF.
		20.00	BE 2597
			WNW 2-3, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. very good, 1024 mb, +17°C
		06.09.42
		00.00	BE 2954
			NW 2, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. good, 1026 mb, +17°C
		04.00	BE 3777
			NW 1-2, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. good, 1027 mb, +17.5°C
		08.00	BE 6164
			NW 1-2, Sea 2, cloudy, Vis. very good, 1028 mb, +17°C

	Sun and Moon Data 04.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 06.09.42

	- 25 -
		continued
		06.09.42
		12.00	BE 6513	Day's run:  191 nm.
			W 2, Sea 2, clear sky, Vis. very good, 1028 mb, +17°C
		14.05 - 15.04	BE 6529	Test dive.
		16.00	BE 6562
			W 2, Sea 2, clear sky, few clouds, Vis. very good, 1030 mb, +18.5°C
		17.05		Course 90°, HF.
		18.00		Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  0°T, 1.3 nm.
		20.00	BE 6667
			S 2, Sea 2, clear sky, few clouds, Vis. very good, 1030 mb, +18.5°C
		21.55		Begin submerged transits.
		07.09.42
		00.00	BF 4449
		04.00	BF 4458
		08.00	BF 4467
			SE 2, Sea 1-2, clear sky, Vis. very good, 1025 mb, +18°C
		08.18	BF 4467	Surfaced.  Proceeded on the surfaced.
		10.00 - 10.45	BF 4547	Crash dive for aircraft.
		12.00	BF 4549	Day's run:  205 nm.
			SE 2, Sea 1-2, clear sky, Vis. very good, 1025 mb, +18°C
		12.53 - 13.12	BF 4559	Crash dive for aircraft.
		13.53	BF 4567	Smoke cloud in sight bearing 340°T.  Evasive maneuver, because a hunting group is suspected.
		15.13	BF 4569	Schooner in sight.
		16.00	BF 4647
			SE 2, Sea 1-2, clear sky, Vis. very good, 1030 mb, +18.5°C

	Sun and Moon Data 06.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.09.42

	- 26 -
		continued
		07.09.42
		16.03 - 16.44	BF 4647	Crash dive for aircraft.
		18.24 - 18.52	BF 4658	Crash dive for aircraft.
		18.55 - 19.23	BF 4659	Crash dive for aircraft.
		20.00	BF 5447
			SE 2, Sea 1-2, clear sky, few clouds, Vis. very good, 1030 mb, +18°C
		21.40	BF 5448	Dived to proceed submerged by night.
		08.09.42
		00.00	BF 5456
		04.00	BF 5465
		06.43		Surfaced to proceed on the surface.
		08.00	BF 5465
			SE 1-2, Sea 1, clear sky, Vis. very good, 1027 mb, +17°C
		08.25 - 08.54	BF 5466	Crash dive for aircraft.
		09.20		Course 55°, GF.
		12.00	BF 5534	Day's run:  218.1 nm.
			SE 1-2, Sea 1, clear sky, Vis. very good, 1026 mb, +18°C
		12.13		Course 0°. GF.
		14.15		Course 299°, GF.
		16.00	BF 5254
			SE 1-2, Sea 1, clear horizon, Vis. very good, 1026 mb, +19°C
		16.51		Taken in convoy.
		16.52		Course 46°, HF.
		18.47		Course 85°, LF.
		20.50		Made fast Brest.

	Sun and Moon Data 07.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.09.42

	Enclosures to U-604's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Sketch	Combat sketch of attack on convoy from 31 August 23.45 to 1 September 03.32
Chart	Track chart for the period 7 August to 8 September 1942

	Commentary of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	to the Kriegstagebuch of "U-604" from 4.8 - 8.9.1942.
	First patrol of the Kommandant with a new boat.  It is a pity that his skillful approach on the convoy attacked on 1 September at 00.45 hours did not lead to success.
	Otherwise nothing to note.
		Signed in draft: D  ö  n  i   t  z
		For correctness:
	Oberleutnant (MA) and Adjutant.

---

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