UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
	HEADQUARTERS OF
	THE COMMANDER FOURTH FLEET
	C/o FLEET POST OFFICE, NEW YORK, N.Y.
	S-E-C-R-E-T	8 December 1943.
	P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L
	Dear Comdr. Riheldaffer:
	Two months have elapsed since my last report. This time lag was not due to any indifference on my part, but on the day to day hope that I would have something of major importance to pass on to you. This past week I had my chance but unfortunately it was very short lived. This is the report promised in our dispatch of December 6.
	On November 5, 1943, a Navy plane on a sweep out of Ascension sighted a fully surfaced U-boat in position 10-09 S, 18-00 W and immediately attacked it (1125Z). From then until the U-boat was sunk at 1900Z, it was subjected to 10 attacks by 6 planes (2 Army and 4 Navy) during which time 33 depth bombs and 12 demolition bombs were expended. About 20 survivors in three life rafts were seen shortly after the sinking but these were never sighted thereafter. Attempts to have a merchant ship diverted to the scene of action to pick up the survivors proved to be unsuccessful.
	On 3 December 1943 at 1800Z in position 08-00 S and 31-32 W, the U.S.S. Marblehead picked up a lone survivor from an Army life raft. There was little doubt that this man was a survivor of the sub sunk 5 November. His condition was very critical and when the Marblehead stood in at Recife on 4 December he was immediately taken to the Navy hospital. I was at the hospital waiting for him, being there ostensibly as a patient under observation. There was little need for this ruse however as the man was delirious or in a stupor most of the time. Everything possible was done to bring him to and for a brief period of ten or fifteen minutes he was somewhat rational. It was then that I obtained a little information from him and I shall try to reconstruct our conversation as exactly as possible.
	Mullen:   What's your name? Schade:   Hans-Schade. Where am I? M:   In an American hospital in South America. Where is your home? S:   Dusseldorf. M:   Yes, I know Dusseldorf, it is a lovely city. Are you married? S:   Yes. M:   Do you have any children? S:   Yes. (Schade did not say how many). M:   How old are you? S:   30 - I've been in the Navy since 1927
	- 1 -

 

	UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
	HEADQUARTERS OF
	THE COMMANDER FOURTH FLEET
	C/o FLEET POST OFFICE, NEW YORK, N.Y.
	S-E-C-R-E-T	8 December 1943.
	P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L
	Mullen:   What's your rank? Schade:   Chief Boatswain (Oberbootsmann).?
	Schade then began to talk spasmodically about a number of things as he began to lapse again into a semidelirious state. He mentioned something about being topside (at the time of the attacks, I presume) and I then heard him say "IIWO". I couldn't ascertain if he was actually the IIWO.
	S:   Then there was a direst bomb hit on the starboard bow. Diving tanks number 6 and 7 were "destroyed". (pause) S:   Were returning to our base now (Schade was becoming more delirious now). M:   That's right! Where will be return? To Brest, Lorient, La Pallice, St. Nazaire, Bordeaux? S:   Bordeaux - to Bordeaux M:   Have you been in Bordeaux long? S:   Yes, my wife and children live there. M:   Fine! We'll return to Bordeaux. And we have a fine 1200 ton boat too, don't we? S:   Yes, a fine "U-boat cruiser" M:   Its one of the "190's" isn't it? (Knowing the story of U-199, I tried this shot in the dark). S:   Yes - 195 (Very distinctly). M:   That's right - and who is the C.O.? S:   (No answer). M:   The "old man" sends you his greetings. Don't you want to send him your greetings? S:   Nods his assent. M:   To whom shall I send your greetings - Rollmann? S:   Nods his assent. Schade then mumbled something about "der Wehrman" (phonetic).
	- 2 -

 

	UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
	HEADQUARTERS OF
	THE COMMANDER FOURTH FLEET
	C/o FLEET POST OFFICE, NEW YORK, N.Y.
	S-E-C-R-E-T	8 December 1943.
	P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L
	Marblehead to identify the survivor's boat. The Commanding Officer's report reads: "Schade was a survivor from the German submarine OLMAND; he was the only survivor and his submarine had a big hole in it caused by aerial bombs". Olmand certainly sounds enough like Rollmann to have been so understood.
	One time Schade mumbled something about a 3000 ton ship sinking "so beautifully." (Note: The Baron Semple is considered lost by Cominch. She was last seen by a plane from the U.S.S. Cincinnati November 2 1540Z at 05-23 S., 21-11 W. The Baron Semple, a British merchantman of 4567 tons, was enroute from Rio Focwaf November 10. Nothing further has been heard about this ship. It is my own opinion that the Baron Semple was sunk by Shade's U-boat as the whole story fits together very well and Schade's delirious reference to a "3000 ton ship sinking so beautifully" may have been a recollection of the sinking of the Baron Semple by his U-boat.)
	I had immediately inquired of responsible parties if any effects had been found on the survivor. Fortunately a paddle was recovered and this reached me a little later. On it Schade had scratched some interesting notes. On one side he had written; "ICH BIN OB.BTSM SCHADE VON U.848" and on the other side: "14 TAGE WAR ICH HIER IM BOOT." (Note: This paddle is being sent under separate cover.) But there my luck ran out for I obtained this information shortly after Schade's brief period of "sanity" and he was in such a stupor thereafter that any questioning relative to U-848 was impossible. It doesn't seem likely to me that he had enough presence of mind to deliberately give me false information during our brief period of conversation. He was definitely delirious most of the time and I want to point out that the conversation which I set forth was by no means as orderly and logical as it reads on paper. So everything he said then must be taken with reserve, yet if he was delirious or even semi-delirious, it also seems true that whatever he said would be that most strongly in his mind. If so his U-boat was U-195 commanded by Rollmann. But one can't explain away the U-848 scratched on the paddle. One argument - and it is somewhat farfetched - is that he scratched that message on the paddle while still fairly sane and was therefore capable of deception. The counter argument is that it doesn't seem likely he would falsify that which he perhaps intended to be his last testament. However it is certain that a U-boat was sunk out there on Nov. 5 and it will be up to Op-16-Z now to find out if it was U-848
	- 3 -

 

Click on this text to view an impression of the paddle recovered from Hans Schade's life raft

 

	UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
	HEADQUARTERS OF
	THE COMMANDER FOURTH FLEET
	C/o FLEET POST OFFICE, NEW YORK, N.Y.
	S-E-C-R-E-T	8 December 1943.
	P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L
	(under Rollmann?) or U-195 under Rollmann. Perhaps the excellent photos of this sub (ref a.) might be of some assistance in solving this puzzle. We down here are very anxious to know if it was a 1200 or 750 ton U-boat. May I point out that Schade's sub appears to be almost identical with the sub photographed (ref b.) during an attack on "U-Achilles" on 27 September 1943 which I discussed in my last report. This could mean then that Achilles also has (or had) a 1200 ton U-boat.
	A few photos (Ref. c.) were obtained during the very accurate single and fatal attack on a sub 25 November 1943 in position 06-30 S, 05-40 W. The best of these photos shows a fairly good frontal view of this sub. Comparing this photo with those noted in Reference (b), one can note certain points of similarity. If they are of the same type probably another 1200 U-boat has gone to Davy Jones' locker. Twenty-five survivors were seen after this attack and you can imagine how anxiously I'm awaiting some news of the rescue of a few of these "gentlemen". Its possible but not too probable.
	Hans Schade was buried 6 December 1943 at Recife in the Santo Amara Cemetery, Quarteirao 3, Lance 14, Septultura 14 (Plot 3, Street 14, Tomb 14). The plot was leased for two years by the U.S. Navy and the documents regarding this transaction are held by the Disbursing Officer, U.S. N.C.F. 120. Photographs of Hans Schade in full face view, and in profile, and photographs of his burial are herewith enclosed (Enclosures A, B, C, D). His wedding ring is also sent under separate cover as Enclosure "F".
	I recall just how while reviewing my notes that Schade also repeated several times that his brother was also on this U-boat and is therefore presumably lost. A third brother he said was killed in France.
	References: (a) Photos made by FAW-16 Recife, found in ASW-6 report number 10 made from a VB-107 by Lt.(jg) Baldwin, USNR 644B pictures number 2 and 13 (of 22 taken) of attack on sub 5 Nov. 1943, 10-09 S, 18-00 W.   (b) Photo No. 160-1, 27 Sept. 1943, Unit FAW-16, Recife, made for VP-74, Subject: Sub attack 74-P-2, 9-27-43 - 1105P, 12-30 S, 35-35 W.   (c) Photos made by FAW-16, Recife, found in ASW-6 report number 14 made by VB-107 during attack on sub 25 Nov. 1943 at 06-30 S, 05-40 W.
	- 4 -

 

	UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
	HEADQUARTERS OF
	THE COMMANDER FOURTH FLEET
	C/o FLEET POST OFFICE, NEW YORK, N.Y.
	S-E-C-R-E-T	8 December 1943.
	P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L
	Enclosure: (A) Full view of Hans Schade.   (B) Profile View of Hans Schade.   (C) Burial of Hans Schade .   (D) Burial of Hans Schade.   (E) Wedding ring of Hans Schade.   (F) Paddle used by Hans Schade with inscription "ICH BIN OB.BTSM SCHADE VON U.848 --- 14 TAGE WAR ICH HIER IM BOOT".
	- 5 -

 

	UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
	HEADQUARTERS OF
	THE COMMANDER FOURTH FLEET
	C/o FLEET POST OFFICE, NEW YORK, N.Y.
	S-E-C-R-E-T	8 December 1943.
	P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L
	The P/W weeklies arrive regularly and I can't tell you how anxiously I await their receipt. The realization that they bring me up to date on our work keeps me buoyed up and ever hopeful that sooner or later I'll have the opportunity once again of doing the job I'm so anxious to perform as my sole opportunity so far was rather abortive. The P/W weekly number 60 is the last one I received. Thank you Commander for sending me P/W weekly number 51 which I requested in my last report. I also wish to acknowledge the receipt of the new U-boat Officers and U-boat List; the revised Groups and Gatherings List of 15 October 1943; and the O.N.I. 250-G Serials 23,24,25 and 26.
	With reference to O.N.I. 250-G/Serial 25, U-662, some light can be shed on the O.N.I. note on page 28 (Chapter X) "From available information it is not possible to identify these reported attacks." On 19 July 1943 an Army B-18 out of Zandery Field, Dutch Guiana, attacked a surface sub, no doubt the same plane described by the prisoners of U-662 as the twin motored aircraft which attacked them 19 July 1943. AA fire was encountered but the plane was not hit. On the same day an Army Liberator out of Zandery Field attacked the same sub. This plane was badly damaged by AA fire, two of its motors being shot away, but it managed to reach its base. This is undoubtedly the attack described by prisoners of U-662 as occurring 20 July 1943. The prisoners story of driving off a slow moving plane on 19 July 43 actually occurred on 20 JUly 43, when a Catalina of Squadron VP-94 attacked U-662 at 1640 GCT. The Catalina though driven off by AA fire was not damaged and stayed in the vicinity of the sub for several hours as the latter remained on the surface until an escort vessel came up which had been homed to the position by the Catalina. The second O.N.I. note on page 28 thus refers to the action of the Catalina, not that of the "four motored plane".
	The O.N.I. 250-G/Serial 26 on U-185 and U-604 was one of the most interesting reports compiled, and the men down here who took part in the action against these two submarines were particularly enthused with the report.
	On page 62 of the mimeographed copy of this report, there is an O.N.I. note stating "There is no record of the loss of a bomber on this date in this area". The facts of this incident are that a PB4Y attacked U-185 on the night of the 12th of July, not the 8th as the survivors reported. The plane was not equipped with searchlights, but did turn on its landing light during the
	- 6 -

 

	UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
	HEADQUARTERS OF
	THE COMMANDER FOURTH FLEET
	C/o FLEET POST OFFICE, NEW YORK, N.Y.
	S-E-C-R-E-T	8 December 1943.
	P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L
	attack. The plane was damaged but managed to return to its base and was not therefore shot down by U-185.
	The attack about 9 August on a British ship as described on page 63 most probably refers to the attack on, and the sinking of the British ship Fort Halkett (7133 tons) on 6 August in position 09-30 S, and 26-50 W.
	On page 64 an attack by a Liberator on 10 August is described. No attacks by planes were made on this date. This attack seems to have occurred on 3 August which is described in the O.N.I. note on page 27 and 28 of this report. What happened is that a B-24 at 1025Z 3 August 1943 attacked U-604 and sighted another U-boat probably U-185. Though not stated in the report the fact that the two U-boats were so close together implies that they were to rendezvous on that day but were prevented from doing so by constant air attacks. At 2040Z 3 August the same B-24 attacked a U-boat which was more likely U-185 than U-604. It is this second attack on 3 August that is probably meant by the prisoners account of an attack on 10 August.
	Note that Emmermann was a member of the rendezvous with U-604 and U-185. Note also that there were at least 3 ships sunk in the Brazilian area which can not be ascribed to any given U-boat:  (1) Vernon City, British, 4748 tons, sunk 28 June in 04-20 S and 27-20 W.  (2) Harmonic, British, 4588 tons, sunk 15 July in 23-00 S and 33-00 W.  (3) Bage, Brazilian, 8235 tons sunk 1 August in 11-28 S, 36-52 W (Note: the Barge may easily have been the ship sunk by U-185 near Bahia as described on page 63 of the O.N.I. 250-G/Serial 26. If so that leaves the Fort Chilcotin unaccounted for). These facts lend some credence to the contention that U-Emmermann may have been operating off South America late June to early August. It is however almost certain that there was at least one other submarine in this area at that time, unidentified as yet.
	One particularly interesting experience was the opportunity presented me for interviewing the survivors of the Norwegian ship Siranger sunk 24 October 1943 in position equator and 38-45 W. (Ref. a.) There isn't much I can add to this report other than a few personal experiences.
	To get to the Sao Luiz I took the NATS plane as far as Fortaleza. I wasn't there five minutes before they bundled me into a Ventura and off we went. I thought I was an "experienced" air traveler by then but that ride in the Ventura convinced me that all planes
	- 7 -

 

	UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
	HEADQUARTERS OF
	THE COMMANDER FOURTH FLEET
	C/o FLEET POST OFFICE, NEW YORK, N.Y.
	S-E-C-R-E-T	8 December 1943.
	P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L
	do not fly as smoothly as the good old DC's. Someone facetiously made the remark that the Venturas have wings for decoration only. How true! Because when we took off, we made a non-stop flight straight up to several thousand feet. I've never seen the ground drop away so quickly in all my life. The racket was unbearable and everyone had to put a cotton plug in their ears to maintain some semblance of sanity. There is no room in those planes for extra passengers so I just sat on the floor and held on for dear life as we rolled and pitched for about two hours. Was I glad when the wheels again kissed terra firma. But even then our landing wasn't peaceful, for the tail wheel blew out and we skidded along precariously for a while, but finally came to a stop top side up.
	Sao Luiz is a quiet little town, its entire social life consisting of promenading around the main square every evening from 7 to 10 PM at which time all the lights go out and the sidewalks are rolled up. But that didn't bother me too much for I had plenty to do.
	The first real problem was to reach the survivors. They were located in the "phonetically" beautiful but "scenically" drab town of Cururupu (accent on the "pu") some 60 miles NW of Sao Luiz by air. Our only trouble was that we had no air transportation. After much dickering which included any number of cablegrams to Rio, we leased a small Brazilian local transport plane, which seated 6 passengers, for a day. An emergency air field was noted on the maps as being located at Cururupu so we decided to try our luck.
	One bright morning at 0700 we took off. We knew we should arrive at the place within an hour at the most. When the hour was up it was obvious we had overshot the mark so we headed back, moved inland and started a zig-zag course. By luck we finally sighted the village but that airfield looked mighty small! So the pilot came in for a try with a lovely cross wind helping him out - but suddenly realized he couldn't make it. So he gunned the motor and up we zoomed. It was beginning to be great sport by then. In we came again, as close to the tree tops as I ever want to be in a plane, and finally the wheels hit the ground, but didn't stay there. We bounced - but hard - and after nearly ground-looping several times (the field was so smooth) we all heaved a sigh of relief as we came to a stop a few feet from the forests.
	The whole village was there to greet us - including the
	- 8 -

 

	UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
	HEADQUARTERS OF
	THE COMMANDER FOURTH FLEET
	C/o FLEET POST OFFICE, NEW YORK, N.Y.
	S-E-C-R-E-T	8 December 1943.
	P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L
	mayor in his Sunday best. We had imagined many language difficulties, but the general strangeness of the situation turned into outright amazement when two American women, missionaries, came to our assistance. One of the women was married, and she and her husband and the other woman had lived (existed) there for more than three years. I can't imagine how they did, for the village was the next thing to utter desolation.
	The questioning then took place and this was completed in about three hours. Everyone was very hospitable and cooperative and everything went smoothly. After our work was done we were invited to "lunch". What we ate I'll never know, but I'm still living to tell the tale so it couldn't have been too bad.
	We made arrangements to have the survivors sent from there to Sao Luiz by small boats. Eventually all arrived safely. But we took back with us in the plane two women, one child, one British Businessman, and the master of the Siranger - all survivors of the Siranger. The plane was overloaded by then and how the pilot ever managed to get that plane off that short bumpy field - even my imagination balks at that one. After a short rough ride we sighted Sao Luiz again and a regular runway sure did look good. But the story isn't complete yet, We had to land in a cross wind again, and this time the pilot skillfully righted her again and brought her safely to a stop. What a story for my grandchildren!
	I wasn't able to identify the U-boat which sank the Siranger. Perhaps you have more information on the coat-of-arms conning tower insignia. It is also possible that this same sub was attacked on the surface on 21 November 1943 at 1550Z by a plane from VB-130 based at Fortaleza in position 01-17 S, 41-50 W, and was hone-bound by 29 November, for a good DF was then obtained in the area 07 N, 40 W. If so, the attacker of the Siranger was in the area off Fortaleza from about 24 October to at least 24 November, which means he left port early October and returned mid to late Dec. 1943.
	These experiences come ever so often to break the routine of things. Presently we are maintaining a 24 hour watch, for all efforts are being expended to get a few more "Anneliese Essbergers". I should really have a report for you then.
	That about covers the official matters, Commander. I hope they will be of some benefit to Op-16-Z for I certainly want to do a good job. It is our hunch down here that there will be a little submarine activity henceforth. Right now we have only
	- 9 -

 

	UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
	HEADQUARTERS OF
	THE COMMANDER FOURTH FLEET
	C/o FLEET POST OFFICE, NEW YORK, N.Y.
	S-E-C-R-E-T	8 December 1943.
	P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L
	one "possible" U-boat off the north coast. He may and may not be there for there have been no actual contacts. All of which, of course, makes me more eager than ever to do my regular job. I hope that some day in the not too distant future I'll be doing it again.
		Very truly yours,
		Robert J. Mullen.
		Lieut.(jg), USNR
	Reference: (a) NNI-142 (Revised) from Alusnop at Sao Luiz, Brazil, 3 November 1943. Subject: Sinking of M/V Siranger.
	Copy to :     Commander Riheldaffer (2)   Combat Intelligence           (Fourth Fleet).   Robert J. Mullen
	- 10 -

 

	UNITED STATES ATLANTIC FLEET
	HEADQUARTERS OF
	THE COMMANDER FOURTH FLEET
	C/o FLEET POST OFFICE, NEW YORK, N.Y.
	S-E-C-R-E-T	December 11, 1943.
	ADDENDA
	In the P/W Weekly Number 61 just received U-161 was said to have been under Klt. Achilles in mid-August 1943. THis statement brings one to several tentative but interesting conclusions.
	If Achilles was C.O. of U-161 in mid-August then it is probable that he was still C.O. of U-161 during September 1943 when U-Achilles sunk the ST. USK and was himself attacked by a plane on 27 September 1943. (Discussed in my report of 7 October 1943.) I say this because if Achilles was C.O. of U-161 in mid-August it doesn't seem likely he would be off South America in a "new" boat as early as mid-September.
	Presuming then that it was U-161 which was attacked by a plane on 27 September 1943 we then have a pretty good photo of a 750 ton U-boat. (Ref b on page 4 of this report.) Compare it now with the photos (ref a and c) of the U-boat sunk off Ascension 5 November 1943. I've studied these photos long and carefully and I can't help come to the conclusion that they are both the same type, ie. - 750 ton U-boats.
	Admitting that argument, then Schade's U-boat sunk on 5 November 1943 was more likely U-848 than U-195, for U-848 is possibly one of the 750 ton series beginning with U-841.
		ROBERT J. MULLEN
	- 11 -