U-609 2nd War Patrol

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

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			2nd Patrol	Copy No.
			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				"  U  609  "
			Beginning:       11.9. 1942.
			Conclusion:     22.10.1942.
			Kommandant:	Oblt.z.S.    R  u  d  l  o  f  f
			Distribution:     O.K.M. Copy No. 1 - 2 B.d.U.       " 3 2. A.d.U.-Boote       " 4 6. U-Flottille       " 5 27. U-Flottille       " 6 Agru-Front for Kaptlt. Jebsen       " 7
			Enclosures:     1 Track chart for Copy No. 2 - 5 1 Radio Message Excerpt   "         " 2 - 5 3 Barograph strips   "         " 3
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		11.09.42 to
		02.10.42	St. Nazaire	Shipyard period.
		01.10.42	St. Nazaire	Sea trial.
		03.10.42 to
		05.10.42	St. Nazaire	Outfitting.
		06.10.42	St. Nazaire
		17.15		Ready for sea.  Departed for second war patrol.
		17.45	W 1-2, Sea 0-1, lightly overcast, 1018 mb, Vis. 12-15 nm	Taken in convoy by Sperrbrecher.
		20.00	BF 6463
			W 1-2, Sea 0-1, lightly overcast, 1018 mb, Vis. 4-5 nm
		20.15		Test dive.
		20.38		Surfaced.
		20.45		Released from convoy.
		07.10.42	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 6726
			W 1-2, Sea 0-1, light overcast, 1018 mb, Vis. 4-5 nm
		02.37		Dived for diving plane check, because plane suddenly jammed hard up
		02.59		Surfaced.
		04.00	BF 6779
			W 1-2, Sea 1, cloudless, strong marine phosphorescence, 1018 mb, Vis. 3-4 nm
		07.32		Dived.  Deep diving test.
		08.00	BF 5879
			W 1-2, Sea 1, lightly overcast, 1018 mb, Vis. 5-6 nm
		12.00	BF 5878	Day's run Surfaced      179.5 nm
				Submerged   10.7 nm
				Total           190.2 nm
		16.00	BF 5877
		20.00	BF 5797
		20.33		Surfaced.
		22.24		Crash dive for training.
		22.41		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 06.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.10.42

	- 2 -
		08.10.42	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 8133
			NW 1, Sea 0-1, overcast, Vis. changing, at times rain and strong marine phosphorescence, 1018 mb, Vis. 1-2 nm
		00.15		In accordance with Radio Message 1148/7/80 new objective for Rudloff is square AK 93.
		04.00	BF 7333
			NW 1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. changing, at times rain and strong marine phosphorescence, 1018 mb, Vis. 1-2 nm
		07.50		Dived.
		08.00	BF 7233
			NW 1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. changing, rain, 1018 mb, Vis. 4 nm
		12.00	BF 7231	Day's run Surfaced      146.3 nm
				Submerged   29.6 nm
				Total           175.9 nm
		16.00	BF 7223
		20.00	BF 7221
			NW 1, Sea 0, overcast, at times fog, 1024 mb, Vis. 3-4 nm
		20.46		Surfaced.
		09.10.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	BF 7123
			NW 1, Sea 0, overcast, rain and fog squalls, at times faint marine phosphorescence, 1028 mb, Vis. 2-3 nm
		04.00	BE 9332
			NW 1, Sea 0, overcast, at times hazy, 1030 mb, Vis. 2-4 nm
		08.00	BE 9311
			NW 1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. changing, 1030 mb, Vis. 4-5 nm
		08.22		Dived.
		12.00	BE 6898	Day's run Surfaced      132.8 nm
			NW 1, Sea 0, 1029 mb, Vis. 6-8 nm	Submerged   31.7 nm
				Total           164.5 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 08.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.10.42

	- 3 -
		continued
		09.10.42
		13.05		Surfaced.
		13.22		Crash dive for training.
		16.00	BE 6894
			NW 2, Sea 1, overcast, 1028 mb, Vis. 8-10 nm
		20.00	BE 6883
		21.03		Surfaced.
		10.10.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	BE 6843
			W 3, Sea 3, lightly overcast, rain, 1024 mb, Vis. 5-6 nm
		04.00	BE 6497
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, faint marine phosphorescence, 1020 mb, Vis. 2-3 nm
		04.47		Test dive.
		05.17		Surfaced.
		08.00	BE 6482
			W 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, 1020 mb, Vis. 4-5 nm
		12.00	BE 6446	Day's run Surfaced      103 nm
			NW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, rain squall, 1020 mb, Vis. 4-5 nm	Submerged   20 nm
				Total           123 nm
		13.20		Crash dive for training
		15.16		Surfaced.
		16.00	BE 6417
			NW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, at times fog, 1021 mb, Vis. 10-12 nm
		17.35		Crash dive for aircraft.
		20.00	BE 5632
			NW 3-4, Sea 2-3, lightly overcast, 1020 mb, Vis. 12 nm
		21.10		Surfaced.
		11.10.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	BE 5382
			NW 2-3, Sea 3, overcast, 1021 mb, Vis. 4-6 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 09.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.10.42

	- 4 -
		continued
		11.10.42
		04.00	BE 5317
			NW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. changing, faint marine phosphorescence, 1023 mb, Vis. 3-4 nm
		08.00	BE 5331
			NW 3, Sea 3, overcast, 1023 mb, Vis. 10 nm
		10.17		Crash dive for training.
		10.31		Surfaced.
		10.42		Crash dive for training.
		11.04		Surfaced.
		12.00	BE 2882	Day's run Surfaced      120.4 nm
			NW 3, Sea 3, lightly cloudy, 1023 mb, Vis. 10-12 nm	Submerged   22.2 nm
				Total           142.6 nm
		13.37		Crash dive for aircraft.
		14.06		Surfaced.
		16.00	BE 2845
			SW 3, Sea 2, overcast, at times rain, 1020 mb, Vis. 10 nm
		20.00	BE 2835
			SW 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, at times rain, 1017 mb, Vis. 8-10 nm
		21.00		Beta Beta:  My position is naval square BE 2731.
				- U-609 -
		12.10.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	BE 2485
			SW 3, Sea 3, lightly cloudy, 1010 mb, Vis. 5-6 nm
		04.00	BE 2445
			NW 2-3, Sea 1-2, Vis. changing, heavy rain squalls, 1021 mb
		08.00	BE 1635
			NW 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. changing, 1021 mb, Vis. 1-4 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 11.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.10.42

	- 5 -
		continued
		12.10.42
		10.49		Test dive.  Boat settles to 40 meters, rises, then surfaces despite large bow down angle and high speed.  Boat is 3.5 tons light.  Air bubble in 1 internal, 2 port, 2 starboard, air entered when expressing the regulating bunker and after it was emptied through the delivery line into the newly selected bunker.
		11.21		Surfaced.
		12.00	BE 1388	Day's run Surfaced      146.3 nm
			NW 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast, 1024 mb, Vis. 12 nm	Submerged     3.5 nm
				Total           149.8 nm
		16.00	BE 1373
			NW 3, Sea 1-2, overcast, 1024 mb, Vis. 12 nm
		16.58		Test dive.
		17.30		Surfaced.
		20.00	BE 1266
			NW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, 1024 mb, Vis. 10-12 nm
		13.01.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	BE 1226
			NW 2-3, Sea 2-3, overcast, 1018 mb, Vis. 4-5 nm
		04.00	AL 8776
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, 1008 mb, Vis. 2-4 nm
		08.00	AL 7869
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, 1003 mb, Vis. 1-3 nm
		11.30	[AK 3395 - AL 7211]	In accordance with Radio Message 1001/13/109 Rudloff joins Group "Panther".  Group "Panther" tomorrow at 08.00 hors is to be in patrol line from ZT 5395 to CO 9211, next westbound convoy expected from morning.
		11.31		Dived.
		12.00	AL 7853	Day's run Surfaced      141.4 nm
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, 1003 mb, Vis. 5-8 nm	Submerged     3.5 nm
				Total           144.9 nm
		13.06		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 12.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.10.42

	- 6 -
		continued
		13.10.42
		16.00	AL 7821
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, at times rain, 1001 mb, Vis. 2-7 nm, high Swell
		20.00	AL 7549
			NW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, rain squalls, misty, 1001 mb, Vis. 1-5 nm, high Swell
		14.10.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	AL 7512
			NW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, rain squalls, 1000 mb, Vis. 1-3 nm
		04.00	AL 7248
			W 6, Sea 5, overcast, rain squalls, 100 mb, Vis. 1-3 nm
		08.00	AL 7211
			W 6, Sea 5, overcast, rain squalls, 1000 mb, Vis. 1-3 nm, high Swell
		11.31		Beta Beta:  My position is AL 7211.
				- U-609 -
		12.00	AL 4799	Day's run Surfaced  158 nm
			W 8, Sea 7, overcast, to lightly cloudy, rain squalls, 1000 mb, Vis. 6-8 nm
		16.00	AL 4783
			W 8, Sea 7, overcast, rain squalls, 1000 mb, Vis. 1-4 nm
		19.27		Dived.
		20.00	AL 4799
			W 8, Sea 7, overcast, rain squalls, 1000 mb, Vis. 1-5 nm
		20.55		Surfaced.
		15.10.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	AL 7211
			W 8, Sea 7, overcast, 1011 mb, Vis. 1-3 nm
		04.00	AL 7211
			SW 8, Sea 7, overcast, rain squalls, 1017 mb, Vis. 1-3 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 13.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.10.42

	- 7 -
		continued
		15.10.42
		08.00	AL 7212
			SW 8, Sea 7, overcast, rain squalls, 1017 mb, Vis. 1-2 nm
		11.20		Dived.
		12.00	AL 4877	Day's run Surfaced      125.0 nm
			SW 7, Sea 6, overcast, 1016 mb, Vis. 5-8 nm	Submerged     7.3 nm
				Total           132.3 nm
		13.04		Surfaced.
		16.00	AL 7135
			W 7, Sea 5-6, overcast, rain squalls, 1018 mb, Vis. 8-9 nm
		20.00	AL 7133
			W 7, Sea 5-6, overcast, rain squalls, 1018 mb, Vis. 8-9 nm
		16.10.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	AL 7211
			W 7, Sea 5-6, overcast, rain squalls, 1019 mb, Vis., 3-4 nm
		04.00	AL 7212
			SW 5, Sea 4, overcast, 1021 mb, Vis. 3-4 nm, faint marine phosphorescence
		08.00	AL 7211
			SW 4, Sea 4, overcast, 1021 mb, Vis. 3-4 nm
		10.02		U-boat in sight astern (bearing 70°T).  Ran to meet.
		10.15	AL 7136	Convoy in sight , bearing 30°T.  5 steamers, course 250°.
		10.40		Beta Beta:  Convoy square AL 7136.
				- U-609 -
		11.38		Beta Beta:  Convoy square AL 7134, course 230°, 14 knots.
				- U-609 -
				Holding contact is made more difficult by the arising fog, broken temporarily."

	Sun and Moon Data 15.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.10.42

	- 8 -
		continued
		16.10.42
		11.43		Radio Message 1054/16/193:
				Group Panther:  Southern part up to and including Freyberg operate on Kessler report, these boats immediately switch to America I Circuit.
		12.00	AL 7156	Day's run Surfaced      155.5 nm
			SW 2-3, Sea 3, fog, Vis. changing, 1021 mb, Vis. 2000-3000 meters	Submerged        3 nm
				Total           158.5 nm
		12.42		Beta Beta:  Convoy located AL 7137, course 210°, 10 knots.
				- U-609 -
				Fog was thicker, visibility 3000-4000 meters.  Am positioned ahead.  While contact keeping in fog came within 2000 meters of a corvette.  Turned away unsighted on the surface.
				I decide to attack, because of further visibility deterioration and the danger that I will be forced off or will lose contact in fog.
		13.38		Beta Beta:  Convoy square AL 7153, course 190°.
				- U-609 -
		13.45		Dived to attack.  Intend to shoot by sound bearings if the visibility is too bad.
		13.48		Medium strength sound bearing in 255°T.  Turn towards, nothing is seen in the periscope.
		14.22		Strong sound bearing in 60°T.  Destroyer attacking.  Before I can go deep 8 depth charges very close.  Shock very strong concussion in the boat, boat springs back and heels sharply.  Everything that can fail fails.  We marvel that we can still float.
				Failed:
				Automatic battery switch, both diving plane motors, rudder motor, all daughter gyro compasses [repeaters], entire order and reporting system, lights and magnetic compass,

Sun and Moon Data 16.10.42

	- 9 -
		continued
		16.10.42
				attack periscope and speed measurement system.  Diving planes were immediately switched to hand operation and the rudder to emergency steering.  Malfunctions will be repaired by the E-Group as quickly as possible in the course of the listening pursuit.  The automatic battery witch was turned back on immediately.
		14.30		8 depth charges close by at depth A meters.  Went deep in the direction of the convoy.  Water intake through 2 cooling water hull valves in the diesel and E-motor rooms.  Several studs on the flanges of the hull valves torn.  Boat settles through to depth A +90 meters, 15° stern down angle.  Boat is held at GF and blowing main ballast tank 3.  Blowing 1 is unsuccessful, probably damaged.  Slowly went to depth A +30 meters to level the boat and be able to pump better.  At HF the boat settles through again to depth A +90 meters.
		14.55		6 depth charges, harmless.
		15.10		Depth charges from 2 destroyers, close.
				Because of the sound pursuit by 2 destroyers I take refuge remaining at depth A +30 meters for the moment.  Cycling every 1-1/2 hours between depth A +30 and A +90 at GF.  Starboard stuffing box was very hot after the depth charges and smokes heavily.  Was repaired by cooling externally and loosening the packing flange.  Hull valves and in the stern room are reinforced by support braces, thereby reducing flooding.

Sun and Moon Data 16.10.42

	- 10 -
		continued
		16.10.42
				Because the suction valve from the stern room is inconveniently exposed at 15° stern down angle , water is conveyed with emergency hand pump and bailers into the diesel room.  Both compressors had their bases broken and were supported by shoring and straps.
		15.30		Depth charges further off.
				Because battery capacity decreases rapidly with continued pumping and GF and is no longer enough to darkness, I decide to go to depth A meters, to reduce water intake and level the boat.  Succeeded in pumping all bilges, the boat can be held at KF.
		18.35		Surfaced.  Determined that main ballast tank 1, 3 and 5 and the water tight stern are leaking.  Emergency vent valves main ballast tank 3 were closed.  Quick vents remain open.  To have more buoyancy at darkness fuel oil was blown out of main ballast tank 4 port and starboard and were converted to buoyancy condition A.  Sealing compound in the cell covers of the batteries is cracked, additionally 7 cells of battery II have cracked cases, were bridged.  Fuel oil bunker 2:  leaks at the top.  All torpedoes in the tubes are out of service, also tubes I, II, III and V are out of service.  Over deck canisters are dented and flooded.  Also while pumping at depth A +90 meters filter cover leaked for 15 minutes, no possibility of pumping.

Sun and Moon Data 16.10.42

	- 11 -
		continued
		16.10.42
		18.50		Radio Message 1800/16/242: During submerged attack in fog at depth 13 meters severe depth charges, sound pursuit, extent of damage still not surveyed, convoy position 13.45 hours naval square AL 7156, course 190°, 10 knots.  Repairing.
				- Rudloff -
		20.00	AL 7137
			SW 3-4, Sea 4, overcast, fog, rain squall, Vis. 3-5 nm (barometer out of service from depth charge effects)
		21.19		Radio Message 2100/16/245:  Out of service:  attack periscope, flooding mechanism, main ballast tank 1, 5, 3 starboard, 7 torpedoes, both compressors torn free from their bases, both battery covers torn, starboard shaft stuffing box and two hull valves leak heavily at pressure hull flanges, clear to dive, depth A -20 meters.  Return transit.  Naval square AL 7164, SSW 4, Sea 3, fog and rain.
				- Rudloff -
				All but 7 cells of battery 2 out of service.  Water tight forecastle and stern leak.  Both diesel clutches grind.  All tubes and probably all torpedoes out of service.  Because no further combat operations are possible, I decide on return transit.
		17.10.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	AL 7167
			SW 3-4, Sea 4, overcast, rain, fog, Vis. 2-3 nm
		04.00	AL 7436
			S 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, fog, Vis. 1 nm
		08.00	AL 7575
			S 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, fog, Vis. 1-2 nm
		08.30		Dived to top up the battery.
		12.00	AL 7579	Day's run Surfaced      138.0 nm
			S 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, at times fog, Vis. 6-8 nm	Submerged   25.6 nm
				Total           163.6 nm
		13.10		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 16.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.10.42

	- 12 -
		continued
		17.10.42
		16.00	AL 7829
			S 3, Sea 3, fog, overcast, Vis. 1-4 nm
		20.00	AL 8747
			S 4, Sea 3, fog, Vis. 1-2 nm
		21.39		In accordance with Radio Message 2019/17/266:  Rudloff report weather tomorrow between 03.00 and 06.00 hours and switch to Coastal circuit from 18 October 08.00 hours.
		18.10.42	North Atlantic
		00.00	AL 8784
			SW 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, misty, Vis. 2 nm
		04.00	BE 1235
			S 6, Sea 5, overcast, at times fog, 1018 mb, Vis. 3-4 nm
		04.49		Short Signal weather report ww Latitude 51°N, longitude 22°W, rising, 1020 mb, +18°C, S 5-6, cloudy to continuously overcast, Vis. 10 nm, SW-Swell.
				- U-609 -
		08.00	BE 1342
			S 6, Sea 5, overcast, at times fog, 1018 mb, Vis. 2-3 nm
		12.00	BE 2178	Day's run Surfaced       159 nm
			SW 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, at times rain and fog, 1024 mb, Vis. 2-3 nm	Submerged   2.1 nm
				Total         161.1 nm
		16.00	BE 2178
			SW 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, at times rain and fog, 1024 mb, Vis. 10 nm
		17.45		Test dive.
		18.16		Surfaced.
		20.00	BE 2437
			SW 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, rain squalls and fog, 1024 mb, Vis. 3 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 17.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.10.42

	- 13 -
		19.10.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	BE 2581
			SW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, at times fog, 1024 mb, Vis. 1-2 nm
		04.00	BE 2914
			S 4, Sea 3, overcast, 1022 mb, Vis. 10 nm
		08.00	BE 2956
			S 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, fog and rain squalls, 1022 mb, Vis. 1-3 nm
		10.30		Dived.
		12.00	BE 3775	Day's run Surfaced       240 nm
			S 3, Sea 2, overcast, murky, at times fog, Vis. 6-8 nm	Submerged   6.2 nm
				Total         246.2 nm
		16.00	BE 3787
		20.00	BE 6123
		20.12		Surfaced.
		20.10.42	Central Atlantic
		00.00	BE 6251
			S 3, Sea 1-2, overcast, at times rain, 1026 mb, Vis. 2-3 nm, at times faint marine phosphorescence
		04.00	BE 6373
			S 2, Sea 1, overcast, at times rain, 1026 mb, Vis. 1-2 nm
		08.00	BE 4415
			NW 2, Sea 1, overcast, at times light rain, 1026 mb, Vis. 1-3 nm
		08.32		Beta Beta:  Position 48 hours off meeting point with escort.
				- U-609 -
		09.34		Dived.
		12.00	BF 4461	Day's run Surfaced       192.8 nm
				Submerged    32.5 nm
				Total           225.3 nm
		16.00	BF 4462
		20.00	BF 4544
		20.01		Surfaced
		21.10.42	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 4649

	Sun and Moon Data 19.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.10.42

	- 14 -
		continued
		21.10.42
			NE 2-3, Sea 2, cloudy, moonshine, 1030 mb, Vis. 4-6 nm
		01.00		Radio Message 1528/20:  U-boat base to Rudloff and Troyer.  Escort positioned on 22 October at 11.30 hours at Point Herz 438.
		03.13		Dived (radar detection).
		04.00	BF 4695
			NE 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, at times rain squalls, 1030 mb, Vis. 4-5 nm
		05.23		Surfaced.
		08.00	BF 5713
			NE 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, rain showers, 1030 mb, Vis. 4-5 nm
		09.03		Dived.
		12.00	BF 5726	Day's run Surfaced      130.4 nm
				Submerged   36.0 nm
				Total          166.4 nm
		15.00		Surfaced.
		15.30		Dived.
		16.00	BF 5737
		20.00	BF 5817
			NE 1-2, Sea 1, lightly overcast, 1030 mb, Vis. 8 nm
		20.04		Surfaced.
		22.10.42	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 5892
			NE 1, Sea 1, lightly cloudy, 1030 mb, Vis. 6 nm, faint marine phosphorescence, moonshine
		00.38		Dived (radar detection).
		04.00	BF 6771
			NE 1-2, Sea 1, cloudy, 1031 mb, Vis. 6 nm, marine phosphorescence, moonshine
		05.15		Surfaced
		08.00	BF 6731
			NE 1-2, Sea 1, lightly cloudy, 1030 mb, Vis. 6-8 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 21.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.10.42

	- 15 -
		continued
		22.10.42
		11.31		Convoy intake by Sperrbrecher 21 at Point "Herz" 438.
		12.00	BF 6468	Day's run Surfaced       136 nm
			NE 2, Sea 1, 1030 mb, Vis. 6-8 nm	Submerged   37.4 nm
				Total          173.4 nm
		17.00	St. Nazaire	Made fast.
			Total distance covered Surfaced      = 2404.4 nm
			Submerged  =   271.3 nm
				Total           = 2675.7 nm
				= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Sun and Moon Data 22.10.42

	Enclosures to U-609's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Chart	Track Chart covering the entire patrol from 6 - 22 October
Radio	Excerpt of the Radio Log

	Commentary of the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
	On the Kriegstagebuch of "U 609" from 11.9. - 22.10.1942
	The boat had to begin return transit early because of severe depth charges.
	Nothing of note as to the execution of the patrol.
		Signed in draft:    D  ö  n  i  t  z
		For correctness
		Oberleutnant (MA) and Adjutant

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