U-boat Archive - BDU KTB PG30310B

F.d.U./B.d.U.'S War Log

16 - 31 August 1942

PG30310b

16.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	Op(EE)	U 164	-	EC 62	U 463	-	DE 71	U 593	-	BE 52
	86	-	Op(CA)	165	-	AL 27	464	-	AE 69	594	-	Op(CF)
	89	-	BE 18	171	-	Op(DB)	505	-	CE 74	595	-	BF 50
	91	-	AO 40	173	-	Op(EO)	506	-	EK 77	596	-	AL 44
	92	-	AF 80	174	-	AL 45-Op	507	-	Op(FC)	597	-	BF 50
	94	-	DE 25	175	-	AO 40	508	-	Op(DM)	598	-	Op(DM)
	98	-	Op(CA)	176	-	AL 18-Op	509	-	ED 92	600	-	Op(DM)
	107	-	BF 50	179	-	AO 40	510	-	Op(EO)	604	-	AL 41
	108	-	Op(EE)	214	-	Op(CF)	511	-	DO 45	605	-	AL 42-Op
	109	-	Op(DF)	217	-	DO 76	512	-	AO 40	607	-	BF 60
	116	-	DH 22	254	-	BF 40	513	-	AL 27	609	-	Op(AE)
	125	-	EJ 99	256	-	AL 45-Op	514	-	AF 80	653	-	Op(CF)
	129	-	BE 94	333	-	BE 62	515	-	AF 80	654	-	Op(EB)
	130	-	Op(ET)	373	-	Op(AL)	516	-	AF 80	658	-	Op(DN)
	132	-	BF 90	406	-	CF 56	517	-	AE 84	659	-	AO 40
	134	-	DE 57	407	-	AO 40	553	-	DN 64	660	-	Op(AL)
	135	-	AL 78	432	-	BF 30	558	-	DD 63	704	-	BE 60
	154	-	CE 43	438	-	Op(AL)	564	-	Op(EE)	705	-	Op(AL)
	155	-	Op(EO)	454	-	BF 57	566	-	Op(CF)	752	-	Op(ET)
	160	-	DG 51	458	-	BC 46	569	-	AL 54-Op	754	-	Op(CA)
	162	-	Op(EE)	461	-	BF 40	572	-	Op(ET)	755	-	AL 41
	163	-	DN 69	462	-	DD 63	590	-	BE 94	756	-	AD 40

	On Return Passage: U 89 - 116 - 129 - 134 - 154 - 160 - 254 - 454 - 458 - 505 - 593 - 595 - 132 - 461 - 607 - 704 - 597.
	Entered Port: U 132 - La Pallice; U 461 - 607 - 704 - St. Nazaire; U 597 - Brest; U 516 - Bergen.
	Sailed: U 69 - St. Nazaire.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 41 no further reports. Operation is completed.
		2)	Convoys Nos. 42 and 43 see para. IVa.
		3)	U 569 sank the Swedish ship "Suecia" (730 GRT) in AL 4189. Cargo from Baltimore to Liverpool.
		4)	U 89 sighted several clouds of smoke in BE 1895 at 0932 and reported at 0600/17 that she had been forced to dive 4 times by air and sea patrol. No contact since 1030. Convoy's course possibly south, 8 clouds of smoke. Boat was ordered to continue on her passage.
		5)	U 752 sank an 8,000-tonner on 13.8. in ET 7317, course 130⁰, 10 knots.
		6)	U 109 has sighted nothing in the sea area ES since 11.8. Bad visibility at times owing to frequent showers of rain.
		7)	U 654 situation: nothing sighted in the area off Colon, though lay immediately off the harbor for 2 nights. No sea or air patrol. Calm, visibility good. Lightening without thunder.

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		8)	U 564 situation: Since 12.8. nothing sighted in area between ED 9417 - 9527 - 9883 - 8992, concentration off Port of Spain, except medium air patrol. Boat also reports that, except for the third turret, the battleships sighted on 22.7. might have been "Nelson" and "Rodney".
		9)	U 510 sighted a large freighter in EO 3858, course NW, medium speed. Lost contact.
		10)	U 600 reported 2 tankers, 3 escort vessels, course 40⁰, in DM 5158.
		11)	U 658 attacked convoy No. 44 in DN 7895, 15 ships medium escort, course 30⁰, 8 knots. 2 freighters of 8,000 and 6,000 GRT respectively, sunk in a surface attack.
		12)	U 155: no traffic in the W. sector of EE 90, air activity once. Requests attack area off EP 72, because of damage, as traffic along the coast is suspected there.
		13)	U 254 evaded a triple fan in BE 6686.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	U-boat sightings: AM 4277 - EO 38/62 - DM 51 - EE 44 - DN 76 - EB 91 - AL 4531.
			Sighting by a/c: BF 1922 - BE 6934 - BF 4660 - BF 1450.
		2)	A/c attacking U-boat with d/c's in BF 8488.
			Further attacks in BF 5477 - BE 5137.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 42:
		At 0820 U 174 reported that the enemy unit reported by U 176 consisted of 2 steamers and 1 destroyer. Boat was driven off, pressed on, but did not regain contact. Last position AL 4529, course N.E. Boat asks if this could be a special group intended to draw U-boats to itself.
		U 605 was chased by destroyers in AL 4284 and reported at 1115 that there was probably a convoy in AL 4521, course E. 3 smoke clouds were sighted at the same time with an aircraft flying over them. Group "Lohs" was ordered to take action. As no further shadower's report had been received by about 1800 and U 605 had been driven off, the operation was broken off. Reasons: 1) Contact lost. 2) Uncertainty as to whether there really was a convoy. 3) Boats can only operate on E-bound convoys for tonight.
		Group "Lohs"will join a new patrol line from AK 6344 to AL 7436. U 604 attack area AK 9125. U 755 - AK 9215. U 596 - AK 9275. Depth 25 miles. U 605 reported at 2400 that she had seen nothing, except one patrol vessel as far as AL 5270. Was chased S.E. by a destroyer, as was also U 174 in AL 5413.


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U 256 sighted a thick smoke plume twice by day, but could not make contact even at maximum speed. She also assumed that there was a group of destroyers and fast ships steering varying courses to shake off U-boats. Operation against this convoy is thus ended.

Convoy No. 43:

U 653 sighted several smoke clouds at 1710 in CF 7357, N. course. Boat driven off to the N.E. According to dead reckoning, this could be an SL convoy and Group "Blucher" was therefore ordered to take action. U 333 joined this group and was directed against the convoy. U 653 maintained contact. The convoy's route was via CF 7319 and 4987. At 0310, U 594 reported 2 destroyers in CF 4951 and flares. U 566 requested beacon signals at 0345. At 0337, U 653 reported that her only contact was with the W. escort forces in CF 4927. Subsequently contact was lost altogether. No further reports were received by morning. The operation is being continued.

New attack areas:

U 553 between DM 10 - DM 60 and DN 80 including (Windward Passage).

U 163 area round DL 6855. Depth 150 miles.

U 217 ED, lower third. There are small convoys with weak escort between EC 9280 and ED 9890.

U 155 EP 72.

U 108 sea area off EO 4620.

U 155 and 173 area S. of the latitude of ED 9930. To patrol the approaches to ED 9950 and EN 3340 and 70.

U 509, 66, 510 N. of the latitude of ED 9930. To patrol the approach to ED 96.

U 162 and 564 W. of the longitude of ED 9880.

None.

With immediate effect it is forbidden to attack sailing vessels up to about 50 GRT in the sea area E. of 30⁰ W and S of 48⁰ N, including Biscay. The reason is an important undertaking of our own by a sailing vessel.

A Radio Intelligence report gives rise to the suspicion that English aircraft cooperate with submarines. For instance, a unit was located in BE 6945 in a position about 10 miles W. of a German U-boat reported by an English aircraft. In addition there are several sighting reports of English submarines from areas in which aircraft are constantly observed.

Reports of Success:

U 596	1 ship	3,730 GRT	Sunk
U 752	1 ship	8,000 GRT	Sunk
U 658	2 ships	14,000 GRT	Sunk

VI.

General: None.

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17.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	Op(ED)	U 163	-	DN 91	U 462	-	DD 63	U 590	-	CF 34
	69	-	BF 80	164	-	Op(ED)	463	-	DE 57	593	-	BE 64
	86	-	Op(CA)	165	-	AK 03	464	-	AE 83	594	-	Op(CF)
	89	-	BE 51	171	-	Op(DA)	505	-	CE 57	595	-	BF 50
	91	-	AN 30	173	-	Op(ED)	506	-	ET 16	596	-	AK 68
	92	-	AF 72	174	-	Op(AL)	507	-	Op(EJ)	598	-	Op(DN)
	94	-	DE 43	175	-	AN 35	508	-	Op(DM)	600	-	Op(DM)
	98	-	Op(CA)	176	-	Op(AL)	509	-	Op(ED)	604	-	AK 69
	107	-	BF 40	179	-	AN 30	510	-	Op(EO)	605	-	Op(AL)
	108	-	Op(ED)	214	-	Op(CF)	511	-	DN 68	609	-	Op(AE)
	109	-	Op(ES)	217	-	ED 48	512	-	AN 30	653	-	Op(CF)
	116	-	CF 95	254	-	BF 48	513	-	AK 03	654	-	Op(EB)
	125	-	ET 14	256	-	Op(AL)	514	-	AF 72	658	-	Op(DN)
	129	-	BE 93	333	-	BE 85	515	-	AF 73	659	-	AN 30
	130	-	Op(ET)	373	-	Op(AL)	517	-	AL 33	660	-	Op(AL)
	134	-	DE 56	406	-	Op(CF)	553	-	DN 54	705	-	Op(AL)
	135	-	Op(AL)	407	-	AN 30	558	-	DD 63	752	-	Op(ET)
	154	-	CE 29	432	-	BF 80	564	-	Op(ED)	754	-	Op(CA)
	155	-	Op(EP)	438	-	Op(AL)	566	-	Op(CF)	755	-	Op(CA)
	160	-	DG 34	454	-	BF 60	569	-	Op(AL)	756	-	AN 30
	162	-	Op(ED)	458	-	BC 68	572	-	Op(ET)

	On Return Passage: U 89 - 116 - 129 - 134 - 154 - 160 - 254 - 454 - 458 - 463 - 505 - 593 - 595.
	Entered Port: U 454 - St. Nazaire.
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 165 sighted searchlights, red light, tracer firing at 0400 in AL 5117, apparently destroyers hunting U-boats.
		2)	U 173 reported a steamer, course 290⁰, 12 knots, short legs in EO 2163.
		3)	U 108 sank petrol tanker "Louisiana", 8,587 GRT, main course 120⁰, in EP 4410. Heavy NW - SE traffic on the latitudes of EO 35 and 38. Frequent air activity.
		4)	U 507 sank a passenger freighter of 6,000 GRT and a freighter of 3,500 GRT on 16.8. in FJ 8288, a passenger freighter of 5,000 GRT in FJ 8495, all course 35⁰. Ships were showing navigation lights. 17.8. sank 2 freighters totaling 3,000 GRT, in FJ 8749, course 10⁰. Brazilian coastal traffic.
		5)	U 116 reported 6 vessels on a N. course, medium speed in CF 6158.
		6)	U 333 was forced to dive in BE 8522 by 3 destroyers and was chased with d/c's for 10 hours.
		7)	U 658 again attacked Convoy No. 44 and probably scored a hit on a corvette. Lost contact, pressed on. Dived at 2124 in DN 7668 because of an escorting destroyer on a SW course, 12-15 knots. Boat requested to return, but

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			was ordered to re-load and remain in operation's area. U 598 reported that she was on her way to DM 65 to pick up the convoy.
		8)	Convoy No. 45 see IVa.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: DM 43, EP 1444, DA 9191, CA 2847, EB 8369, ED 69, EO 63, EE 76, CH 5893, DN 78, EO 3675.
		Sighting by aircraft: BF 4674.
		U-boat attack: DN 78, EP 41, EO 36, DN 79, EG 3913, EP 4266.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 43:
			At 1120 U 594 reported the convoy in CF 4617, course N, 7-8 knots, high smoke clouds. At the same time U 214 made contact and was driven off by destroyers. Contact was maintained until 2200 in CF 5141. The following reported: U 594 at 1300 in 4611. U 406 at 1350 in 4376. U 653 at 2200 in 5141. At 1745 U 566 attacked and sank the Norwegian ship "Triton", 6,710 GRT, and 1 5000-tonner in CF 4353. Boat was depth charged, driven off and pressed on. Convoy consists of about 21 merchant ships, 1 auxiliary cruiser and 3 destroyers. One after the other all boats were driven off, contact was lost. Long-range escort again proved very effective. At 0450 U 214 again sighted flares in CF 2844 at 0819. The operation is continuing.
		2)	Convoy No. 45:
			U 553 sighted a convoy on a W. course at 2300 in DN 7571, 8 knots. Constant strong air escort. Boat attacked in DN 7472 and sank 3 freighters and 1 tanker totaling 22,000 GRT. Convoy was in DN 7471 at 0715, course 280⁰, 7 knots, consisting of over 20 ships, 2 destroyers, and 2 corvettes. At 0505, U 163 reported that she was operating against the convoy from DN 7682.
	b)	1)	U 130, U 109, U 752 and U 572 have been ordered to look for traffic off Freetown if there is none in their present operations area.
		2)	U 517 to steer for AH 96 (Belle Isle Straits).
		3)	U 755, U 596, U 604 are to extend Group "Loss" 's patrol to the south as far as AL 7853, in the order named.
		4)	U 94 and U 558 to make for DN 79 after supplying.
		5)	U 462 to wait in about DE 40 after supplying.

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Reports of Success:

U 108	Tanker	8,557 GRT	Sunk
U 507	5 ships	19,200 GRT	Sunk
U 658	Corvette		Probably hit
U 566	2 ships	11,710 GRT	Sunk
U 553	4 ships	22,000 GRT	Sunk

VI.

General: None.

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18.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	Op(ED)	U 163	-	DN 99	U 462	-	DD 63	U 590	-	CF 10
	69	-	BF 80	164	-	Op(ED)	463	-	DE 53	593	-	BF 57
	86	-	Op(CB)	165	-	AL 65	464	-	AE 84	594	-	Op(CF)
	89	-	BE 61	171	-	Op(DB)	505	-	CE 52	595	-	BF 40
	91	-	AN 28	173	-	Op(EO)	506	-	ET 55	596	-	AL 74
	92	-	AE 69	174	-	Op(AL)	507	-	FJ 88-Op	598	-	Op(DM)
	94	-	DD 63	175	-	AN 28	508	-	Op(DM)	600	-	Op(DN)
	98	-	Op(CA)	176	-	Op(AL)	509	-	Op(ED)	604	-	Op(AL)
	107	-	BE 60	179	-	AN 28	510	-	Op(ED)	605	-	Op(AL)
	108	-	EP 41	214	-	Op(CF)	511	-	DN 82	609	-	Op(AE)
	109	-	Op(ES)	217	-	Op(ED)	512	-	AN 28	653	-	Op(CF)
	116	-	CF 61	254	-	BF 40	513	-	AL 61	654	-	Op(EB)
	125	-	ET 54	256	-	Op(AL)	514	-	AE 69	658	-	Op(DN)
	129	-	BF 70	333	-	BE 87	515	-	AE 69	659	-	AN 28
	130	-	Op(ET)	373	-	Op(AL)	517	-	AE 69	660	-	Op(AL)
	134	-	DE 38	406	-	Op(CF)	553	-	Op(DM)	705	-	Op(AL)
	135	-	Op(AL)	407	-	AN 28	558	-	DD 91	752	-	Op(ET)
	154	-	CE 35	432	-	BF 70	564	-	Op(ED)	754	-	Op(CA)
	155	-	Op(EP)	438	-	Op(AL)	566	-	Op(CF)	755	-	AL 74
	160	-	CF 78	458	-	BD 48	569	-	Op(AL)	756	-	AN 28
	162	-	Op(ED)				572	-	Op(ET)

	On Return Passage: U 89 - 108 - 160 - 116 - 129 - 134 - 154 - 254 - 454 - 458 - 463 - 505 - 593 - 595.
	Entered Port: U 595 - Brest.
	Sailed: U 411 - 409 - 606 - Kiel; U 459 - St. Nazaire.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	Convoy No. 43 and 45 see para. IVa.
		1)	U 508 made contact on 18.8. with a convoy in DM 2747, course W, about 20 ships. Attacked and heard 2 hits. Forced to submerge by aircraft.
		2)	U 510 situation: heavy steamer traffic east and west from EO 3942 to EP 5217. 4 misses at a fast freighter in EP 5213, course east, good data.
		3)	U 162 sighted a convoy No. 46 at 0330 in ED 9468, course north-west, slow speed. At 0505 she reported a last hydrophone bearing in ED 9464. U 564 is in the same area and made contact at 0720 in ED 9452. Enemy steering 320⁰. Chase is being continued.
	b)	None.

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	c)	U-boat sightings: DN 7475, EB 32, FQ 21.
		Aircraft attacked U-boat in CG 1427 with d/c's and reported a hit, boat badly damaged (U 653 in CF 2614).
		U-boat attack: DM 9680 and attack on a ship at the entrance to Willemstad (Curacao), which failed.
		S.O.S. and torpedo report from "West-Felma" in ED 94.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 43:
			At 0900 convoy altered course to 45⁰. U 214 maintained contact until 1518 in CF 2529. Further reports from other boats point to considerable errors in estimated position. U 566 sighted the convoy at 1135 in 2591. At 1350, U 406 requested beacon signals. At 1735, U 214 reported a new convoy position in CF 2592. U 566 was fired on in CF 2280 and driven off. In her place U 594 came up to the convoy at 2345 in CF 2624. Course approximately 30⁰. Weather: variable visibility, rain showers. U 214 attacked in CF 2569 and, in a daylight attack, sank 4 steamers totaling 22,000 GRT. At 0237, U 406 sighted several flares in CF 2633. Then contact was lost, no further boats came up. Reason: bad visibility and probably inexact convoy positions.
			U 653 was attacked by aircraft at 1942 in CF 2614 and reported considerable damage. The operation is continuing.
			Convoy No. 45:
			U 553 reported the convoy's last position at 0930 in DM 9691, course 270⁰, 7 knots. In a second attack the boat sank a further 3 freighters, totaling 16,000 GRT. After that she was forced under water by destroyers. Convoy had night air escort. At 2255, U 163 sighted the convoy in DM 9456 on a westerly course. U 553 reported her experiences on this convoy: Air escort was numerous and assiduous but little effective. Night air escort is not dangerous if the proper action is taken. It is best to steer the same course as the convoy at low speed, and not to alter course or speed if aircraft are near or approaching. There is no evidence of radar location by air or sea escort. The convoy stopped off Santiago and waited 2 hours for a part convoy coming from there, apparently ore ships.
	b)	1)	U 533 has been given freedom of action. Boat is at present in DM.
		2)	Boats in the sea area off Trinidad are free to operate against traffic reported by U 108 on 17.8.
		3)	Group "Loss" have received orders to move off at 2400, course 260⁰ and speed of advance 7 knots, and to be in patrol line from AK 6271 to AL 7759. At 1908 west-bound convoy is expected.

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c) -

None.

Reports of Success:

U 508			2 hits heard
U 214	4 ships	22,000 GRT
U 553	3 freighters	16,000 GRT

VI.

General: None.

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19.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	Op(ED)	U 164	-	Op(ED)	U 464	-	AL 24	U 596	-	Op(AL)
	69	-	BF 70	165	-	AK 55	505	-	CE 35	598	-	Op(DN)
	86	-	Op(CB)	171	-	Op(DB)	506	-	ET 68	600	-	Op(DN)
	89	-	BE 65	173	-	Op(DB)	507	-	Op(EJ)	604	-	Op(AL)
	91	-	AF 80	174	-	Op(AL)	508	-	Op(DM)	605	-	Op(AL)
	92	-	AE 83	175	-	AF 80	509	-	Op(ED)	606	-	AO 48
	94	-	DD 66	176	-	Op(AL)	510	-	Op(ED)	609	-	Op(AE)
	98	-	Op(CA)	179	-	AF 80	511	-	Op(EC)	653	-	Op(CF)
	107	-	BE 65	214	-	Op(CE)	512	-	AF 80	654	-	Op(EB)
	108	-	EP 11	217	-	Op(ED)	513	-	AK 54	658	-	Op(DN)
	109	-	Op(DF)	254	-	BF 50	514	-	AE 91	659	-	Bergen
	116	-	CG 12	256	-	Op(AL)	515	-	AE 83	660	-	Op(AL)
	125	-	ET 59	333	-	Op(AL)	517	-	AK 37	705	-	Op(AL)
	129	-	BF 40	373	-	Op(AL)	553	-	Op(DM)	752	-	Op(AL)
	130	-	Op(ET)	406	-	OP(CF)	558	-	DD 85	754	-	Op(CA)
	134	-	CD 72	407	-	AF 80	564	-	Op(ED)	755	-	Op(AK)
	135	-	Op(AL)	409	-	AD 48	566	-	Op(CF)	756	-	AF 80
	154	-	CF 13	411	-	AD 48	569	-	Op(AL)
	155	-	Op(EP)	432	-	BE 69	572	-	Op(ET)
	160	-	CF 81	438	-	Op(AL)	590	-	Op(CF)
	162	-	Op(ED)	458	-	BD 57	593	-	BF 60
	163	-	Op(DM)	459	-	BF 50	594	-	Op(CF)
				462	-	DE 40
				463	-	DE 39

	On Return Passage: U 89 - 108 - 116 - 129 - 134 - 154 - 160 - 458 - 463 - 505 - 593 - 254 - 454.
	Entered Port: U 593 - St. Nazaire; U 254 - Brest.
	Sailed: U 504 - 172 - Lorient; U 516 - Bergen.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy Nos. 43, 45 and 46 see para. IVa.
		2)	U 510 sank a steamer type "Orthum Berlam", 11,600 GRT, in EP 6162, course east. Heavy traffic continues, little air activity. Moving off to repair aircraft bomb damage. Has been ordered to remain in the present area after reloading.
		3)	U 155 was bombed twice in EP 41. One rating overboard.
	b)	None.

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	c)	U-boat sightings: DM 65, DM 26, ED 74, ED 59-67, DM 43, CA 3551, CA 54, CA 29, EO 6639, DM 8541, EP 44.
		Sighting by aircraft: ED 74, (bombed), BE 9467, BE 9673, BE 7850, BE 8840 and a further 3 reports from BE with uncertain data.
		U-boat attack: ED 94 9459.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 43:
			At 0817, U 214 reported the convoy in CF 3171, course 70⁰, air escort, good visibility. U 406 sighted several smoke clouds at 1215 in CF 3163 and an hour later reported the convoy in CF 3217, course 60⁰, 8 knots. Boat's starboard Diesel is unserviceable and she can only make 10 knots. Towards 1500, U 214 reported that she had been prevented from hauling ahead by a Sunderland and a Liberator. U 566 was located by 2 shore-based aircraft and attacked with bombs. Slight damage, pressed on. U 590 picked up the last shadower's report with a defective radio set at 2333/18/8 and at 1035 was forced to dive in BE 8843 by destroyers. Boat reported towards evening that her radio set could not be repaired on board. Was ordered to continue the convoy operation. Very long wave is working day and night. Reception with D/F set, short wave with Radione. At 1809, U 594 made contact with smoke clouds in CF 2158 and at 1950 in CF 2156 sighted the convoy, course northeast, 8 knots. Was driven off by destroyers and at 2215 reported new position in CF 2244, course east. Shortly afterwards she was fired on and again firmly driven off. It was first assumed that there was a mistake in the square in U 594's report, but this proved wrong, and it is to be assumed that the convoy divided in about CF 2580 and this western part was picked up by U 594. U 594 is only partially fit to dive, as she has only 100 KG air left and the electric compressor is out of order. Boat was ordered to move away to the west. U 214, equipped with Radar interception gear, dived after she had picked up a radar location transmission, without having seen the aircraft. She was attacked with well-aimed aircraft bombs at 60 meters (sic). Tolerable damage. Impossible to haul ahead by day or night owing to location by aircraft. U 333 also reported at 0107 that she could not press forward owing to aircraft and destroyers. Boat is returning home because 1) she is heavily damaged and 2) she can no longer catch up with the convoy as her speed is too slow. During the night U 406 reported that she had attacked at 1620 in BE 8977 and torpedoed a 6,000-tonner. Convoy consisted of 15-20 steamers. There were destroyers ahead of the convoy and 2 more acting as long range escort. Afterwards she was hunted and severely depth-charged. Damage and casualties. As the boat's chances of success are small at present owing the the strong air activity and the convoy will be too far inshore tomorrow, Group "Blucher" received the following order: Boats which have not been able to attack by first light, break off operation and steer for CF 84.

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Convoy No. 45:

U 163 lost contact at 0300 in DM 9457, course north, driven off by destroyer. Is searching on in the general direction of Yucatan.

Convoy No. 46:

U 162 was constantly forced to submerge by aircraft. Lost contact, pressed on. At 0437 attacked in ED 9467 and sank a freighter of 6,000 GRT. At 0952 U 564 reported the convoy in ED 9427, course 315⁰, speed 7 knots. Torpedoed 2 tankers and 2 large freighters. Of these 2 sank and 2 had heavy lists, altogether 28,000 GRT. Subsequently hunted by destroyer and aircraft. U 164 and 214 were given permission to operate against the convoy at their own discretion. U 564 regained contact. Attacked by day and 2 of her shots were unmistakable pistol failures. Hits heard in the conning tower and control room, torpedo's run interrupted from 2 places, consistent with estimated range. Convoy's last position at 1600 in ED 8392, course 315⁰, speed 7 knots. 11 ships are left.

U 464 has been allocated square AJ 60, upper third, as a waiting position for the supply of group "Loss".

b) -

None.

3 boats on their way out were directed against the English landing attempt near Dieppe. U 107, U 69 and U 432 were ordered to make for BF 19 at maximum speed. In general it must be noted that the use of boats in areas endangered by mines and in this case heavily patrolled by aircraft can only be considered in cases of extreme urgency, as for instance a major landing. Towards 1600 the order was cancelled, as the landing had been definitely beaten off.

Mines are suspected in the area off Hatteras. Boats have been warned accordingly.

U 754 last reported on 31.7 from BB 7775. She had sunk a modern trawler by gunfire on 28.7. in BB 7768. On 31.7. she was ordered to operate in the sea area off Boston. It is not known whether she even reached this area. The boat has not reported again since then, although ordered. Several sighting reports point to her having been seen. Her loss must be accepted. There are no clues.

Reports of Success:

U 510	1 ship	11,600 GRT	Sunk
U 406	1 ship	6,000 GRT	Torpedoed
U 162	1 freighter	6,000 GRT	Sunk
U 564	2 tankers &	28,000 GRT	Sunk
	2 freighters

VI.

General: None.

- 114 -

20.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	Op(ED)	U 164	-	Op(ED)	U 459	-	BF 40	U 569	-	Op(AK)
	69	-	BE 90	165	-	AK 48	462	-	DE 46	572	-	Op(ET)
	86	-	Op(CB)	171	-	Op(DA)	463	-	DF 15	590	-	Op(CF)
	89	-	BF 40	172	-	BF 40	464	-	AL 16	594	-	Op(CF)
	91	-	BF 75	173	-	Op(ED)	504	-	BF 40	596	-	Op(AL)
	92	-	AE 87	174	-	Op(AK)	505	-	CF 13	598	-	Op(DN)
	94	-	DD 91	175	-	AF 72	506	-	EU 71	600	-	Op(DN)
	98	-	Op(CA)	176	-	Op(AK)	507	-	Op(FJ)	604	-	Op(AL)
	107	-	BE 94	179	-	AF 79	508	-	DM 32	605	-	Op(AK)
	108	-	EF 71	214	-	Op(BE)	509	-	Op(ED)	606	-	AN 30
	109	-	Op(DF)	217	-	Op(ED)	510	-	Op(EP)	609	-	Op(AE)
	116	-	BF 74	256	-	Op(AK)	511	-	Op(EC)	653	-	Op(CF)
	125	-	ET 96	333	-	BE 89	512	-	AF 75	654	-	Op(EB)
	129	-	BF 40	373	-	Op(AK)	513	-	AK 47	658	-	Op(DN)
	130	-	Op(ES)	406	-	Op(BE)	514	-	AE 88	659	-	Bergen
	134	-	CD 54	407	-	AF 72	515	-	AE 87	660	-	Op(AK)
	135	-	Op(AL)	409	-	AN 30	516	-	AF 75	705	-	Op(AK)
	154	-	BE 87	411	-	AN 30	517	-	AK 29	752	-	Op(DH)
	155	-	Op(EP)	432	-	BE 60	553	-	Op(DM)	755	-	Op(AL)
	160	-	CF 56	438	-	Op(AK)	558	-	DO 22	756	-	AF 75
	162	-	Op(ED)	458	-	BD 67	564	-	Op(ED)
	163	-	DM 86				566	-	Op(BE)

	On Return Passage: U 89 - 108 - 116 - 129 - 134 - 154 - 160 - 333 - 458 - 463 - 505 - 508 - 572 - 752.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: U 608 - Kiel; U 68 - Lorient.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No 43 see para. IVa.
			U 162 is continuing to operate along Convoy No. 46's last observed northern course. No further report. Convoy is probably proceeding via Windward Passage. Boat has been ordered to press on only if prospects seem good.
			U 163 did not pick up Convoy No. 45 again and has broken off the search. Returning home as evaporating plant is out of action and stocks of drinking water are low.
			U 217 situation: A few large tankers with fast escort off Willemstad (Curacao) by day. Constant air activity. 18.8. probably sank tanker (8,000 GRT) off the harbor entrance. 19.8. destroyed a British cargo sailing vessel (150 GRT) by gunfire in ED 75. Working together with aircraft. 50 troops on board. Moved off to repair bomb and d/c damage.
			U 511 sighted a convoy in EC 1561 at 2130, course west, 12 knots, about 5-6 steamers. Boat forced to submerge by flying boat and lost contact. It was useless to press on.
			U 654 situation: Nothing seen for 10 days in operation's area (off Colon) except fast motor vessel in EL 3410. Medium air activity.

- 115 -

U 66 operated against the line of traffic to Trinidad reported by U 108. Nothing seen in EE 79 except a Vichy-French ship.

U 558 requested operation's area EE, lower third during full moon period. HAs been ordered to continue passage to Windward Passage.

U 164 situation: 17.8. 2 tankers in Oranjestad harbor. 18.8. traffic of medium-sized tankers by day from Cape Roman to Curacao and presumably Aruba. 19.8. nothing seen. Submerged by day on account of strong air activity. Operating against convoy No. 46.

U 506 sighted a fast convoy with 2 destroyers and a large vessel in ET 6114. Possibly cruiser or battleship. Main course 305, 16 knots, contact lost.

U 155 ability to dive reduced because of damage to battery. Requests a rendezvous with U 510 to take over a bridging cable. Rendezvous fixed for 21.8. in EP 26.

None.

U-boat sightings: CA 3249, EO 62, DM 19, ED 5991, DN 5259, CA 2953, DM 6594.

Sighting by aircraft: AE 7343, AE 8843. D/c attack in AL 2953 and AL 2282.

None.

IV.

Current Operations:

Convoy No. 43:

No boat was able to attack again. In the course of the morning all boats reported their damage and stocks of fuel, from which the situation emerged as follows:

U 566	85 cbm	9 + 2 torpedoes	- fully operationally effective
U 214	140 cbm	7 + 2 torpedoes	- fully operationally effective
U 406	95 cbm	11 + 2 torpedoes	- fully operationally effective from 2108, after repairing certain damage
U 594	73 cbm	12 + 2 torpedoes	- will be ready again about 30.8., when electric compressor has been repaired (spare parts coming by boat from home.
U 590	returning home owing to break-down of radio (not enemy action)
U 333	returning home as starboard Diesel out of action (not enemy action from convoy)
U 653	90 cbm	- returning home because of bomb damage.

Results from this convoy can be regarded as good. 5 boats made contact with the enemy. 2 boats (U 333 and U 590) were operationally defective before they reached the convoy. 3 boats attacked and scored successes, i.e. U 566 - 2 ships totaling 20,000 GRT sunk, U 406 - 1 ship 6,000 GRT torpedoed. Only one

- 116 -

boat was so badly damaged that she had to return.

This boat will proceed via CF 1825 and will there deliver her remaining fuel to U 566 and 406, both of which will then be fit for distant operation.

None.

The following have supplied from U 462:

U 94 - 57 cbm - 10 days' provisions

U 558 - 43 cbm - 10 days' provisions

Tanker's stocks: 485 cbm, 156 days, 4 torpedoes.

U 107 reports her experiences with Radar interception gear: According to it, boat was located 4 times by day and twice by night. Tuning 40⁰ - 169 cm. wavelength (T.N. note: sic). Dived for every location transmission and was not attacked the whole way. A very satisfactory result.

Reports of Success:

U 217	Tanker	8,000 GRT	Probably sunk
U 217	Cargo sailing vessel	150 GRT	Sunk

VI.

General: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

21.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	EO 39	U 162	-	Op(ED)	U 458	-	BD 69	U 564	-	Op(ED)
	68	-	BF 58	163	-	DM 77	459	-	BF 71	566	-	CF 25
	69	-	BE 83	164	-	Op(EC)	462	-	DE 46	569	-	Op(AL)
	86	-	Op(CB)	165	-	AJ 92	463	-	CD 88	572	-	ES 35
	89	-	BF 60	171	-	Op(DB)	464	-	AK 37	590	-	BE 95
	91	-	AE 93	172	-	BF 80	504	-	BF 80	594	-	CF 10
	92	-	AL 33	173	-	Op(ED)	505	-	BE 87	596	-	Op(AL)
	94	-	DD 85	174	-	Op(AL)	506	-	Op(ET)	598	-	Op(DN)
	98	-	Op(CA)	175	-	AE 69	507	-	Op(FJ)	600	-	Op(DN)
	107	-	BE 89	176	-	CF 30	508	-	DN 12	604	-	Op(AL)
	108	-	EF 41	179	-	Op(ED)	509	-	Op(ED)	605	-	Op(AK)
	109	-	Op(DF)	214	-	Op(AL)	510	-	Op(ED)	606	-	v. Bergen
	116	-	BF 70	217	-	BE 95	511	-	Op(EC)	608	-	AO 48
	125	-	EN 79	256	-	Op(AL)	512	-	AE 69	609	-	Op(AE)
	129	-	BF 40	333	-	BE 95	513	-	AJ 91	653	-	CF 49
	130	-	Op(ET)	373	-	Op(AL)	514	-	AL 33	654	-	EB 45
	134	-	CD 62	406	-	CF 30	515	-	AL 33	658	-	Op(DN)
	135	-	Op(AL)	407	-	AE 69	516	-	AE 93	659	-	Bergen
	154	-	BE 86	409	-	AN 30	517	-	AK 42	660	-	Op(AK)
	155	-	Op(EP)	411	-	AN 30	553	-	EB 38	705	-	Op(AK)
	156	-	BF 58	432	-	BE 53	558	-	DN 66	752	-	ET 43
	160	-	BE 89	438	-	Op(AL)				755	-	Op(AL)
										756	-	AE 68

	On Return Passage: U 89 - 108 - 116 - 129 - 134 - 154 - 160 - 333 - 458 - 463 - 505 - 508 - 572 - 752 - 155 - 163 - 590 - 653.
	Entered Port: U 89 - Brest; U 129 - Lorient; U 606 - Bergen.
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

- 117 -

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 658: Sighted a single ship on a northern course, medium speed in DN 5746. As she was behaving in an obvious manner, a trap was suspected. Requests protracted return passage via DO 90 and EE 30. Reloading as soon as possible.
			U 598: Submarine hunt in DM 64 and 65 on 18 and 19.8. by aircraft. 21.8. DN 84 bombs and d/c's. Damage to periscope and Diesels.
			U 98 situation: 14.8. convoy in DC 1423, course 230⁰. Was located before attack, forced to dive by sea escort and strong air activity. Suspects south-bound convoys between 40 and 200 meter lines. Only 2 patrol vessels seen off Hatteras since 19.8. outside the 200 meter line.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: CA 2965, EE 71, GA 8492 (?), DN 8448, AH 5963, BB 41/42, DM 6582, CA 73, DM 18, DN 84, DC 12, DM 65.
		Sighting by aircraft: AL 2393, AE 7249.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 46: No further report.
	b)	1)	U 654 has encountered no further traffic off Colon. She has been given EB 30, EC 10 and the sea area north of this as new operations area.
			Other attack areas:
		2)	U 558 - area around DL 6855. Depth 120 miles. (Yucatan Straits).
		3)	U 165 - AH 9596, concentrating between AH 9585 and 9594.
		4)	U 513 - AH 9899 concentrating in AH 9830.
		5)	U 517 - freedom of action in the area named (off Belle-Isle Straits). Outward bound traffic of independently-routed ships and small convoys is suspected here.
		6)	Group "Loss" has been ordered to form a new patrol line from AK 3927 to AL 7423, at cruising speed. Reason: SC and ON(S) convoys are probably diverted northwards.
	c)	U 155 has taken over the bridging cable requested from U 510 in EP 26. As further cells have become defective she is still unable to dive. Has been ordered to return home in company with U 510. Spare parts for battery will be brought by a boat putting to sea.
	d)	1)	U 69 has had the same good experience with her Radar interception gear as U 107. Boat also dived every time a location transmission was picked up and avoided all attacks. The set also picked up dashes of 6 to 10

- 118 -

			seconds duration, pitch 800. VH/F or surface (radar) transmission suspected.
		2)	From 0000/22/8 until further notice attack on single ships in route A will also be permitted north of 20⁰ N.
		3)	U 464 (U-tanker) left Kiel on 4.8. for her first enemy patrol and on 9.8. put into Drontheim to repair a trace of oil. Apart from a report saying she had sailed, no further radio message has been received from the boat, in spite of several calls. Several radio intelligence reports have been received of aircraft attacks in the Iceland Passage and it is suspected that the boat was destroyed there. There are no exact details as yet. Her loss must be accepted.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

VI.	General:
	a)	The following must be made on the subject of the enemy air situation in the East Atlantic:
		Number of enemy aircraft have increased, a great variety of aircraft types have appeared, aircraft are equipped with an excellent Radar set against U-boats: all these factors have made the conduct of the U-boat war in the East Atlantic very difficult. Outward and inward-bound boats in the North Sea and Biscay are exposed to grave danger by daily, even hourly, hunts by aircraft. Apart from heavy losses (total losses from aircraft in the approach routes in July and August probably 4 boats so far), several boats have suffered severe damage and an number slight damage. The enemy's daily reconnaissance covers as far as about 20⁰ West and U-boat dispositions have therefore to be made far out to the center of the Atlantic, as, if the dispositions were discovered, the convoys would be re-routed. Besides daily air reconnaissance, it is now known that there are some types of aircraft of particularly long range which are used for convoy escort. Air escort has been flown over convoys chased by U-boats nearly 800 miles away from English bases and England itself. As the War Log of 20.7. shows, this has made the operation of boats very difficult and in some cases no longer worth while. If development continues at the present rate these problems will lead to irreparable losses, to a decline in successes and consequently to a decline in the chances of success of the U-boat war as a whole.
		In view of this situation, I must once more demand the use of the only aircraft which has a range and fighting power capable of combating the enemy aircraft (HE 177) in Biscay and in the Atlantic against convoys.
		As a defensive measure against enemy Radar, the fitting of Radar interception gear seems to be successful, as far as can be seen at present. Further experiences will however have to be collected.
	b)	In a general view of the operation against Convoy No. 40, radio messages received from U-boats show positively that convoy operations are perfectly possible even against heavily escorted convoys in the Atlantic and a verbal discussion with several C.O.'s who took part has confirmed this to the full.

- 119 -

		It appears that weather conditions (fog, poor visibility, at times very variable visibility) present the greatest difficulty and, as already suspected, led to severe d/c hunts. Nevertheless most of the boats managed to attack once. If the success was not really great, it was because false settings were sometimes made in the excitement of the first attack. All the boats learnt a lot and from personal impressions of C.O.'s and crews, it can be expected that the new boats will be quite capable of dealing with the situation in another convoy operation.
		All C.O.'s and crews give the same impression: "In spite of very heavy depth-charging, morale is determined and assured and confidence in victory is unshakable".

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

22.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	Op(ED)	U 165	-	AJ 82	U 462	-	DE 46	U 572	-	EJ 94
	68	-	BF 80	171	-	Op(DB)	463	-	CD 92	590	-	BF 40
	69	-	BE 81	172	-	BF 70	504	-	BF 70	594	-	CE 34
	86	-	Op(CB)	173	-	Op(ED)	505	-	BE 86	596	-	Op(AL)
	91	-	AE 83	174	-	Op(AK)	506	-	Op(EN)	598	-	Op(DN)
	92	-	AL 18	175	-	AE 83	507	-	Op(FJ)	600	-	Op(DN)
	94	-	DD 23	176	-	Op(AK)	508	-	DC 88	604	-	Op(AL)
	98	-	Op(DC)	179	-	AE 59	509	-	Op(ED)	605	-	Op(AK)
	107	-	CF 37	214	-	CF 56	510	-	Op(EP)	608	-	AN 30
	108	-	EF 11	217	-	Op(EC)	511	-	Op(EC)	609	-	Op(AE)
	109	-	Op(DF)	256	-	Op(AK)	512	-	AE 91	653	-	CF 18
	116	-	BF 40	333	-	BF 70	513	-	AJ 81	654	-	EB 92
	125	-	EU 79	373	-	Op(AK)	514	-	AL 25	658	-	Op(DN)
	130	-	Op(ET)	406	-	CF 18	515	-	AL 25	659	-	AF 71
	134	-	CD 41	407	-	AE 91	516	-	AE 91	660	-	Op(AK)
	135	-	Op(AL)	409	-	AE 80	517	-	AJ 66	705	-	Op(AK)
	154	-	BF 57	411	-	AF 80	553	-	Op(DM)	752	-	ET 12
	155	-	Op(EP)	432	-	BE 27	558	-	DN 63	755	-	Op(AK)
	156	-	BF 80	438	-	Op(AK)	564	-	Op(ED)	756	-	AE 83
	160	-	BE 96	458	-	BE 58	566	-	CF 18
	162	-	Op(ED)	459	-	CE 34	569	-	Op(AK)
	163	-	DN 79
	164	-	Op(ED)

	On Return Passage: U 108 - 116 - 134 - 154 - 155 - 160 - 163 - 333 - 458 - 463 - 505 - 508 - 510 - 572 - 590 - 653 - 752.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: U 380 - Drontheim; U 455 - St. Nazaire.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 47 see IVa.
		2)	U 508 hunted in DM 60 by constant aircraft. Bombs and d/c's. Return passage via DN 58.
		3)	U 506 in addition to fast convoy reported, sighted a freighter on 21.8. in ET 5360 and in ET 5328 sank a freighter of 7,000 GRT. Both ships main course 45⁰.

- 120 -

D/c's and bombs from surface craft and aircraft.

None.

U-boat sightings: CE 32, EB 86, DM 45, DB 9766, ED 9957, DM 4135, CA 7384.

None.

IV.

Current Operations:

Convoy No. 46: No fresh reports. Operation is concluded.

Convoy No. 47: U 135 sighted several smoke clouds at 1700 in AK 9683. She made contact with a corvette and was driven off to the southwest. Unfortunately, owing to a cyphering error on the part of the boat, the report was not received by control until the second transmission at about 2000. Group "Loss" was ordered not to take action on the convoy report for the present, as details did not seen sufficient and besides the expected ON (S) 122, according to experience so far, would be steering further to the north. At 2250, U 135 reported the convoy in AK 9654 on a westerly course, medium speed. As this could only be the expected convoy and for reasons unknown it had skirted the patrol line to the south and was only picked up because one boat was outside the line, Group "Loss" received the order: "at 'em", operate on U 135's report. The furthest boat was about 300 miles away from the convoy. At 2355 the convoy was in AK 9641, course west, 8 knots, about 15 ships. Misty weather and drizzle made shadowing extremely difficult. Convoy's last position reported AK 9592 at 0330, course southwest. After that contact was lost and was not regained by morning. The southwest course is very bad for the boats which are such a long way away. They were ordered to continue the operation, regardless of fuel.

U 658 is to start protracted return passage as requested.

After supplying, U 406 and 566 will make for CF 84.

According to our traffic chart, the La Plata - Freetown traffic is concentrated in about FK 30, right half, and FL 10, left half. U 507 is permitted to attack as far as 10⁰ South, east limit 20⁰ West.

U 406 and 566 have refueled from U 653.

Boats have been informed of the sailing of a Japanese U-boat (cover name Kirsch-Blute).

Reports of Success:

U 506

Freighter

7,000 GRT

Sunk

VI.

General: None.

- 121 -

23.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	Op(EE)	U 164	-	Op(FC)	U 455	-	BF 50	U 566	-	CF 10
	68	-	BF 70	165	-	AJ 75	458	-	BE 67	569	-	Op(AK)
	69	-	BE 72	171	-	Op(DA)	459	-	CF 35	572	-	EJ 66
	86	-	Op(CB)	172	-	BE 95	462	-	DE 46	590	-	BF 50
	91	-	AE 88	173	-	Op(EE)	463	-	CE 47	594	-	CE 30
	92	-	AK 03	174	-	Op(AK)	504	-	BE 90	596	-	Op(AK)
	94	-	DO 19	175	-	AE 87	505	-	BE 92	598	-	Op(DN)
	98	-	Op(CA)	176	-	Op(AK)	506	-	ET 65	600	-	Op(DN)
	107	-	CF 58	179	-	AE 85	507	-	Op(FJ)	604	-	Op(AK)
	108	-	DQ 71	214	-	Op(CF)	508	-	DN 81	605	-	Op(AK)
	109	-	Op(ES)	217	-	EC 61	509	-	Op(EE)	608	-	AN 30
	116	-	BF 50	256	-	Op(AK)	510	-	EF 96	609	-	Op(AE)
	125	-	EU 89	333	-	BF 70	511	-	Op(EC)	653	-	CF 16
	130	-	Op(ET)	373	-	Op(AK)	512	-	AE 88	654	-	Op(EB)
	134	-	CE 24	380	-	AF 57	513	-	AJ 74	658	-	DN 56
	135	-	Op(AK)	406	-	CF 10	514	-	AL 19	659	-	AE 68
	154	-	BF 50	407	-	AE 85	515	-	AL 19	660	-	Op(AK)
	155	-	EF 96	409	-	AF 72	516	-	AE 88	705	-	Op(AK)
	156	-	BF 50	411	-	AF 72	517	-	AJ 59	752	-	EK 72
	160	-	BF 70	432	-	BE 11	553	-	Op(DN)	755	-	Op(AK)
	162	-	Op(ED)	438	-	Op(AK)	558	-	DN 59	756	-	AE 87
	163	-	DN 83				564	-	Op(ED)

	On Return Passage: U 108 - 116 - 134 - 154 - 155 - 160 - 163 - 214 - 333 - 458 - 463 - 505 - 508 - 510 - 572 - 590 - 653 - 658 - 752.
	Entered Port: U 154 - Lorient; U 590 - St. Nazaire; U 116 - Lorient.
	Sailed: U 404 - St. Nazaire.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 47 see para IVa.
		2)	U 752 reported a convoy in DT 9439, course 170⁰, speed 10 knots. Although her fuel stocks are low, boat was ordered to take action, as was also U 572 which should have been in the vicinity according to dead reckoning. When told however she reported her position as DT 4728, about 360 miles further west. An operation by this boat is therefore out of the question. U 752 attacked a searching group by day in DT 9891 in vain and reported towards 2400 that the convoy now only consisted of several corvettes and escort vessels. Contact lost, returning home.
		3)	U 507 sank the Brazilian cargo sailing vessel "Jacyra" (150 GRT) on 19.8. in FQ 1330 and on 23.8. in FJ 8710 a freighter of 6,000 GRT.
		4)	U 600 situation: Nothing seen 15 - 17.8. except a small convoy. Strong air activity, no sea patrol. 18 - 21.8. off Havana - one fast independently-routed ship, 108⁰. On 21.8. a tanker in DM 1954, otherwise nothing. According to experience, aircraft locate with accuracy at night, by day aircraft and destroyers work together, very good asdic, accurate d/c's. Considerable damage,

- 122 -

			which cannot be repaired, make it necessary to return home.
		5)	U 572 sighted a ship type "Monarch of Bermuda" in DT 6476, main course 20⁰, 18 knots, no contact.
		6)	U 164 saw nothing in EC 64 and 61 except a motor vessel, course 315⁰ on 21.8. (probably neutral).
		7)	U 506 sank a loaded English freighter of 5,000 GRT in ET 5973, course 35⁰. Boat is continuing to operate against La Plata - Freetown traffic.
		8)	U 98 situation: Came upon a convoy in DC 1352 on 22.8., a bright moonless night. Course northeast, 10 knots. Driven off by destroyers and night air escort and could not get near again. Boat suspects north-bound traffic in the Gulf Stream. Moved away, as the battery temperature was too high.
		9)	U 86 situation: Nothing seen since 13.8. in DC 30, CB 70, CA 60 and 90 except a Portuguese ship and on 20.8. in CB 72 a destroyer, course south, high speed.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: CA 8741, FG 43, DM 4277, AK 9697.
		Aircraft sighted a U-boat diving in BE 9873.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 47:
		U 432 reported from BE 15, that she too was operating against the convoy. Weather reports received showed very variable visibility and fog in patches. At 2059, U 705 sighted a destroyer, course 320⁰, in AK 9771 and soon after reported that so far she had seen one steamer and one destroyer, course west, 7 knots. According to dead reckoning this must be the convoy. At 2302, U 705 sighted it in AK 8993, course 230⁰, 7 knots. U 373 saw flares and tracer shots in AK 8998 at 0020 - 0055, and again at 0153 in BD 2235. Boat suspected destroyers were hunting U 705. At 0321, U 596 requested beacon signals. By morning however no further shadowers' reports had been received. Visibility was good in the beginning of the night, but very soon deteriorated to 2 miles. Operation is being continued.
	b)	1)	U 214, U 107, U 566 and U 406 will form a new group, "Blucher", and have been ordered to be in reconnaissance line from CF 7655 to CF 8656 at 2000/24/8, course 180, day's run 150 miles. Purpose: To move south to pick up an SL-convoy. Later individual operation off Freetown and refueling.
		2)	U 92 will occupy squares AK 62 and 63 as a temporary attack area.

- 123 -

New approach points: U 175, U 512, U 516 - DE 50.

U 91, U 756, U 407 and U 659 - AK 39.

None.

We are at war with Brazil since 22.8. In order to clear up various points U 507 has been told, by order of Naval War Staff, to report further details on the sinking of the Brazilian ships. The report showed that all the ships were sunk outside the territorial waters and the C.O. had acted only in accordance with orders received.

As the Brazilian declaration of war has had a very unfavorable effect on the attitude of the Argentine and Chile. Boats have been instructed to avoid incidents with ships belonging to these countries at all costs. All measures of war as applicable to the other enemy states are permitted against Brazil and Uruguay.

Reports of Success:

U 507	Cargo sailing vessel	150 GRT	Sunk
U 507	Freighter	6,000 GRT	Sunk
U 506	Freighter	5,000 GRT	Sunk

VI.

General: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

24.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	EE 99	U 165	-	Op(AH)	U 455	-	BF 49	U 564	-	Op(ED)
	68	-	CG 16	171	-	Op(DB)	458	-	BF 47	566	-	CF 49
	69	-	BD 95	172	-	CF 36	459	-	CF 56	569	-	Op(AK)
	86	-	Op(BC)	173	-	Op(ED)	462	-	DE 46	572	-	DT 17
	91	-	AL 14	174	-	Op(ED)	463	-	CE 43	594	-	CE 34
	92	-	AK 02	175	-	AL 24	504	-	BE 98	596	-	Op(BD)
	94	-	DN 66	176	-	Op(AL)	505	-	BF 50	598	-	DO 58
	98	-	Op(DC)	179	-	AL 31	506	-	ET 91	600	-	DL 63
	107	-	Op(CF)	214	-	Op(CF)	507	-	FK 86	604	-	Op(AK)
	108	-	DQ 41	217	-	Op(ED)	508	-	DN 67	605	-	Op(AK)
	109	-	ES 53	256	-	Op(AK)	509	-	Op(EE)	608	-	AF 87
	125	-	EU 98	333	-	BF 60	510	-	EG 48	609	-	Op(AE)
	130	-	ES 46	373	-	Op(RD)	511	-	Op(EC)	653	-	CF 23
	134	-	CE 31	380	-	AF 48	512	-	AL 33	654	-	Op(DN)
	135	-	Op(BD)	404	-	BF 50	513	-	Op(AH)	658	-	DN 69
	155	-	EG 47	406	-	CF 49	514	-	AK 64	659	-	AE 83
	156	-	BE 99	407	-	AL 33	515	-	AK 65	660	-	Op(AK)
	160	-	BF 50	409	-	AE 69	516	-	AL 33	705	-	Op(BD)
	162	-	Op(ED)	411	-	AE 69	517	-	AJ 54	752	-	DT 95
	163	-	DN 68	432	-	Op(BD)	553	-	Op(DN)	755	-	Op(BD)
	164	-	Op(EC)	438	-	Op(AK)	558	-	DN 76	756	-	AL 24

	On Return Passage: U 86 - 108 - 134 - 155 - 160 - 163 - 333 - 458 - 463 - 505 - 508 - 510 - 572 - 598 - 600 - 653 - 658 - 752 - 171.
	Entered Port: U 160 - Lorient; U 333 - La Pallice.
	Sailed: U 584 - Brest; U 159 - Lorient; U 96 St. Nazaire.

- 124 -

II.

Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.

Reports on the Enemy:

Convoy No. 47 see para. IVa.

U 175, on her way out, sighted a patrol vessel, 3 trawlers and altogether 5 aircraft in AL 2329.

U 657 sighted a chain of patrol vessels with aircraft in AE 87, east half, on her passage through Iceland Passage. North-south courses.

U 515 sighted a 2-funneled ship in AL 7780, course 60⁰, 19-20 knots.

U 509 situation: 15.8. thick periscope seen in ED 5625. Air patrol in EE 41 - 81 on 17 and 18.8., in EE 88 on 19.8. and in EO on 20.8. Since 20.8., boat has been operating on the line of traffic between 8 and 10 North as far as EP 52. Bombs and d/c's.

U 162 sank a steamer, estimated at 5,000 GRT, northeast course, in EE 5745. Probably a transport, as 6 overcrowded life-boats were seen. Subsequently air activity. Heavy northeast to southwest traffic passes through a line EE 72 - 82.

U 217 is transferring to operations area ED 90 (west of Trinidad).

None.

U-boat sightings: EO 11, BD 22, ED 68 - 92, EG 3663, EP 42, DN 78, EC 96, DO 77, BD 1398, BD 1637, EL 33, EM 11, GA 82 (?).

English aircraft sighted a U-boat diving in AE 8331.

None.

IV.

Current Operations:

Convoy No. 47:

U 705 reported at 0915 that at 2400/23 she had shadowed the convoy in BD 2222, course 230⁰, speed 7 knots. The boat should have reported this as soon as possible, as her previous radio message did not make it clear that the enemy unit reported was the convoy. At 0940, U 660 sighted the convoy in BD 2433. As the weather was clear, it was possible to shadow it without gaps of any length until 0100. The convoy was in BD 2455 at 1458, BD 1636 at 1755, BD 1673 at 0016 and BD 1671 at 0105.

The following boats reported the convoy's position, or that they were shadowing it:

1458	-	U 605,	1641	-	U 569,	1646	-	U 438,	1615	-	U 176,
1640	-	U 373,	1940	-	U 755,	1945	-	U 596 ,	2130	-	U 174,
2302	-	U 705.

U 256 requested beacon signals at 1918. One after the other several boats were driven off by the apparently

- 125 -

		very strong escort. At 2230, U 755 was observed and lost contact. U 256 was depth-charged at 0105 and had to move away to repair damage in several quarters. U 373 was forced to submerge at 0213 by destroyers, and pressed on. U 596 was depth-charged for a short time at 0313. U 174 was also driven off at 0208.
		U 135 reported that she had been located at 0130 in BD 2297 by a group of destroyers probably with Radar and seen by the light of flares. Subsequently fired on by Flak guns and heavily depth-charged. Necessary to move away to repair damage.
		U 438 attacked at 0145 in BD 1672 and sank a freighter of 7,000 GRT, also scored a hit each on a freighter of 6,000 and one of 3,000 GRT. Afterward chased for a short time by a destroyer with red searchlight. U 605, which is also operating against the convoy, reported from AK 9454 one independently-routed ship (12,000 GRT) sunk, course 80⁰, 16 knots. Boat was ordered to cease operation against the convoy, to make for AK 39.
		As no reports of shadowing had been received for some hours, Group "Loss" was ordered to report the convoy's position. Short weather reports asked for show that visibility had deteriorated again and there was fog. This explains why contact was lost entirely and not re-established by morning. The operation is continuing.
b)	1)	U 86 protracted return passage via DC 20, 50, 90 and DC 70 - 80 and 90.
	2)	U 94 has been allocated an operations area between 16 and 27⁰ North and 71 to 89⁰ West.
	3)	U 164 freedom of action via EC 14 to DL 68.
	4)	Attention of U 109 and U 130 has been called to the traffic reported by U 506.
	5)	U 462 is making for CD 4655 at economical speed to supply Group "Loss".
	6)	Group "Blucher" has been ordered to be in reconnaissance line from CF 8774 to 8975, course 180⁰, day's run 150 miles, at 0800/25/8. A north-bound convoy is expected.
c)	1)	U 462 reports total stocks 510.5 cbm (of which 25 cbm cannot be reached). Lubricating oil 14.98 cbm, 4 torpedoes, 150 days' provisions.
	2)	U 516 has laid weather buoy in north position (Rockall Bank).
d)	1)	As we are not yet at war with Uruguay, ships flying this flag are not to be treated as enemy.
	2)	For political reasons, U 507 is still forbidden to penetrate Brazilian harbors or bombard them.

- 126 -

Reports of Success:

U 162	1 ship	5,000 GRT	Sunk
438	1 ship	7,000 GRT	Sunk
438	1 ship	6,000 GRT	1 hit
438	1 ship	3,000 GRT	Sunk (assumed)
604	1 ship	12,000 GRT	Sunk

VI.

General: None.

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25.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	EE 99	U 164	-	Op(EC)	U 455	-	BF 70	U 566	-	Op(CF)
	68	-	CG 41	165	-	Op(AH)	458	-	BF 46	569	-	Op(BD)
	69	-	BD 86	171	-	Op(DB)	459	-	CF 82	572	-	DT 12
	86	-	CB 74	172	-	CF 61	462	-	DE 28	584	-	BE 54
	91	-	AK 38	173	-	Op(ED)	463	-	CE 29	594	-	CE 34
	92	-	Op(AK)	174	-	Op(BD)	504	-	CF 34	596	-	Op(BD)
	94	-	DN 59	175	-	AK 38	505	-	BF 50	598	-	DO 64
	96	-	BF 83	176	-	Op(BD)	506	-	EU 74	600	-	DM 73
	98	-	DC 67	179	-	AL 02	507	-	Op(FJ)	604	-	Op(AK)
	107	-	Op(CF)	214	-	Op(CF)	508	-	DO 44	605	-	Op(BD)
	108	-	DQ 71	217	-	Op(ED)	509	-	Op(EP)	608	-	AE 72
	109	-	Op(DF)	256	-	Op(BD)	510	-	EG 51	609	-	Op(AE)
	125	-	Op(EU)	373	-	Op(BD)	511	-	Op(EC)	653	-	BE 97
	130	-	Op(ET)	380	-	AE 68	512	-	AL 17	654	-	Op(EB)
	134	-	BE 77	404	-	BF 80	513	-	Op(AH)	658	-	DO 73
	135	-	Op(BD)	406	-	Op(CF)	514	-	AK 83	559	-	AE 79
	155	-	EG 51	407	-	AE 79	515	-	AL 77	660	-	Op(BD)
	156	-	CF 63	409	-	AE 91	516	-	AL 63	705	-	Op(BD)
	159	-	BF 57	411	-	AE 94	517	-	AJ 72	752	-	DT 68
	162	-	Op(EE)	432	-	Op(AK)	553	-	Op(DM)	755	-	Op(BD)
	163	-	DO 45	438	-	Op(BD)	558	-	DN 77	756	-	AL 23
							564	-	Op(ED)

	On Return Passage: U 86 - 108 - 134 - 155 - 163 - 256 - 458 - 463 - 505 - 508 - 510 - 572 - 598 - 600 - 653 - 658 - 752 - 98.
	Entered Port: U 218 - Kiel.
	Sailed: U 505 - Lorient.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy Nos. 47 and 48 see para. IVa.
		2)	U 162 reports persistent heavy traffic in EE 57, 73 and 81. 25.8. chased 2 fast ships on a southwest course, in vain.
		3)	U 98 saw nothing in DC 28, 29, 52 and 53 since 23.8. 25 cbm remaining. Boat has been ordered to return.
		4)	U 511 intended to operate in ED, north third. Has been ordered to remain in present operations area.

- 127 -

		5)	U 130 sank S.S. "Viking Star" (6,445 GRT), course 10⁰, in ET 6446.
		6)	U 509 is returning, as the C.O. is ill.
		7)	U 609 situation: Nothing seen in AE 4797 up to 22.8., except a convoy of small vessels, course 170. Increased night patrol by aircraft, destroyers and MTB's.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: EE 4983, EC 14, EC 27, ED 9641, CC 56, CA 63, EE 74.
		U-boat attack: ED 14, EC 2761.
		"Empire Breeze" (7,457 GRT) reported from BD 1642 that the crew were taking to the boats. (Ship belongs to convoy No. 47).
		English aircraft reported U-boat in AE 8557.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 47:
			In the course of the morning reports of attacks and successes during the previous night were received from several boats. U 605 fired 5 single shots, each at one medium-sized tanker, at 0140 in BD 1676. Three hits were observed, one explosion heard. One steamer observed to sink. Convoy was proceeding in double line abreast, about 15 steamers, 2 destroyers on the starboard wing. Boat was picked up by Radar by destroyers and depth-charged U 373 reported the convoy's last position at 0214 in BD 1676, course 230⁰. U 605 ran up against a destroyer in the fog and received bursts of fire from all guns. Coning tower shot through, boat is no longer operationally efficient.
			U 176 also attacked and scored hits with a double fan at a 6,000-tonner. 2 explosions heard. Single miss from the stern tube at a destroyer. Subsequently d/c's. U 438 was forced to dive, while pressing on, at 0710 in BD 1586 by destroyers. Unable to dive for 6 hours because of damage. Moved away to make repairs. Weather continues misty and foggy. As however there was a chance that it would improve, Group "Loss" was ordered to stick with it and continue the operation. At 1112, U 705 sighted several independent ships in DB 1578 and 1576. She suspected that the convoy had scattered. Above-water attack in fog failed. U 174 was picked up by hydrophone in BD 1677, probably by a stationary escort vessel, and fired on at minimum range with machine guns. Afterwards hydrophone hunt for 5 hours and well-placed d/c's. Boat reported considerable damage and was given freedom to attack at her own discretion. U 605 is returning via BD 15 and 16 as soon as she is ready and has been ordered to search the area for torpedoed steamers. Damaged as she is, it will not be worthwhile for U 438 to continue operating and then refuel. She is returning. U 432 reported a radio message, not repeated, from U 705 at 0922, according to which the convoy was in

- 128 -

BD 78 at this time, course 230⁰, speed 9 knots. Contrary to the forecast, bad visibility continued. Odd boats kept coming up against destroyers in the fog and were fired on with guns and machine guns and then depth-charged. At 2400, U 705 reported several casualties. It is intended to let the boats continue the operation tonight and wait and see how visibility conditions are on the following day. No further shadowing reports were received by morning.

Convoy No. 48:

U 214, a Group "Bluecher" boat, on her way south, sighted the expected convoy, SL 119, at 1908 in DH 1543. Group "Bluecher" was ordered to take action. U 172 reported it in CF 56. At 2105, U 107 in DH 1523 also made contact and then operations' control decided to direct Group "Eisbär", stationed in the vicinity, against the convoy as well. Convoy was steering 45⁰, 9 knots. It consisted of 3 destroyers and about 15 steamers. At 0030, U 566 made contact in DH 1292, also U 406 in DH 1291, both boats were driven off after about an hour. Convoy altered course to 75⁰. From this it would seem that it was trying to get near its own air reconnaissance as quickly as possible, or it might be making for Gibraltar. No clear idea of its course could be formed, owing to inaccuracies in boats' estimated positions. U 214 was shadowing the whole time, but was driven off to the north. Towards 0300 and at 0322 reported the convoy out of sight in DH 1622, southeast course. Contact was thus lost and was not regained by morning. Operation is continuing with both groups.

U 125 and U 506 were directed to suspected supply traffic of small convoys close inshore in the Gulf of Guinea.

U 459, U 504, U 172, U 156, U 68 form Group "Eisbär". Boats will proceed in that order in reconnaissance line from CF 7645 to 8566 on 27.8., course 180⁰, day's run 150 miles. (This order is cancelled by operation against the convoy).

U 604, U 92, U 91, U 756, U 407, U 659, U 409 and U 411 form Group "Vorwaerts". They have been ordered to take up a patrol line in that order at economical speed from AK 3765 to AK 6629, depth 20 miles. Purpose: to take to the west to pick up England-America convoy traffic.

c) -

None.

Reports of Success:

U 130	1 ship	6,445 GRT	Sunk
U 605	1 ship	5,000 GRT	Sunk
U 605	1 ship	5,000 GRT
U 605	2 ships		Torpedoed
U 176	1 ship	7,454 GRT	Presumed sunk.

VI.

General: None.

- 129 -

26.August. 1942.

I.	U 66	-	Op(ED)	U 165	-	Op(AH)	U 455	-	BE 90	U 569	-	Op(BC)
	68	-	CF 68	171	-	Op(DB)	458	-	BF 90	572	-	DG 92
	69	-	BD 87	172	-	Op(CF)	459	-	CF 82	584	-	BF 40
	86	-	DC 34	173	-	Op(EE)	462	-	DE 34	594	-	CE 30
	91	-	AK 39	174	-	Op(BD)	463	-	CE 32	596	-	Op(BC)
	92	-	Op(AK)	175	-	AK 61	504	-	CF 55	598	-	DP 17
	94	-	Op(DN)	176	-	Op(BC)	506	-	Op(EO)	600	-	DM 88
	96	-	BF 80	179	-	AL 93	507	-	Op(EJ)	604	-	AK 67
	98	-	DC 28	214	-	Op(CF)	508	-	DO 43	605	-	Op(BD)
	107	-	Op(CF)	217	-	Op(ED)	509	-	Op(EP)	608	-	AE 69
	108	-	DQ 46	218	-	AO 40	510	-	EG 26	609	-	Op(AD)
	109	-	Op(ES)	256	-	BD 52	511	-	Op(EC)	653	-	BF 70
	125	-	Op(EV)	373	-	Op(BC)	512	-	AK 62	654	-	Op(EC)
	130	-	Op(ET)	380	-	AE 83	513	-	Op(AH)	658	-	DO 86
	134	-	BE 76	404	-	BF 72	514	-	AK 79	659	-	AL 23
	135	-	Op(BD)	406	-	Op(CF)	515	-	BD 34	660	-	Op(BC)
	155	-	EG 26	407	-	AL 23	516	-	Al 67	705	-	Op(BC)
	156	-	CF 67	409	-	AE 91	517	-	Op(AH)	752	-	DT 38
	159	-	BF 40	411	-	AE 88	553	-	Op(EB)	755	-	Op(BD)
	162	-	Op(EE)	432	-	Op(BC)	558	-	DM 97	756	-	AL 17
	163	-	DO 52	438	-	Op(BD)	564	-	Op(ED)
	164	-	EB 36				566	-	Op(CF)

	On Return Passage: U 86 - 98 - 108 - 109 - 134 - 155 - 163 - 438 - 458 - 463 - 508 - 509 - 510 - 572 - 598 - 600 - 605 - 653 - 658 - 752.
	Entered Port: U 458 - St. Nazaire.
	Sailed: U 211 - Bergen.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy Nos. 47 and 48 see para. IVa.
		2)	U 411 was bombed by aircraft in AE 8535 on 25.8. and subsequently sighted 2 patrol vessels working together with aircraft.
		3)	U 658 is starting on direct return passage owing to fuel.
		4)	U 109 has observed no traffic in the sea area off Freetown. Only 2 Italian tankers sighted. Intended to return on account of fuel. Boat was promised supply and ordered to remain in her operations area.
		5)	U 510 sighted a large passenger freighter in DR 5475, course north, high speed. No attack as boat was not able to haul ahead.
		6)	U 130 sank "Beechwood", with a cargo of potash from Lourenco-Marques, in ET 6715, course 10⁰. Heavy traffic in ET 6467, left third, on northern courses. Slight air activity. Boat has used all her torpedoes, total: 7 ships, 51,718 GRT.
			Secret instructions for "Beechwood" show the following route for Capetown - Freetown: from CR 6748 - 4868 -

- 130 -

			GH 3519 - FO 6999 - FG 9669 - FF 3757. From here to FE 3153 during the period 21.8. - 30.8., between 30.8. and 9.9. to FF 1166, then on to port.
		7)	U 156 sank "Clammac Whirter" (5,941 GRT), course 35⁰.
		8)	U 558 was depth-charged and bombed on 24.8. in DN 7825 by a fighter group with flying boat and destroyer(s). In EC 1196 sank a freighter of 3,500 GRT, course west.
		9)	U 171 situation: 17.8. sighted a small convoy with strong escort. Since 15.8. nothing at night. Traffic apparently little and far between.
		10)	U 162 sank a tanker of 10,000 GRT in EE 7312, course 140⁰.
		11)	U 516 fired a quadruple fan miss at S.S. "Port Jackson", 9,687 GRT, and in a subsequent gun action scored 2 hits, steamer returned fire. Got away in the fog, course 70⁰, speed 19 knots.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: ED 63 - EE 49 - DD 79 - CA 33 - EE 77 - BB 53 - CD 35 - EC 1961 - BC 1488 - DC 3167 - FB 95.
		SSS - report from English motor vessel "Port Jackson" (U 516).

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 47:
			Towards 1000 U 176 reported fog, visibility 200 meters, no hydrophone bearing. U 755 had also been in fog since 2400. Operations' Control then decided to break off the operation. Boats were told to report position and fuel. Supply order see para IVb. General remarks on convoy see para. VI. U 605, which had been ordered to proceed via BD 15 and 16, reported wreckage in square 1670, heard propeller noises at times in the hydrophones and heard 3 series of d/c's at some distance. Boat is remaining in the area until visibility improves.
			Operation against this convoy is thus completed.
		2)	Convoy No. 48:
			U 566 sighted the convoy again at 1000 in DH 1338, course northeast, speed 9 knots. Boat reported that she was shadowing constantly until 2140 in CF 8686. Convoy was steering via CF 8835 and 8922. Group "Eisbär" was ordered towards 1500 to continue the operation only if conditions were favorable, and not to press on to the north, to report position as soon as they were starting south. By about 0200 all boats had reported and the operation was thus broken off. Positions showed that all 4 boats had been immediately ahead of the convoy. The convoy made a sharp leg to the east and prevented an attack.
			Order for Group "Eisbär" see para. IVb.
			U 406 encountered a destroyer at 1530, was forced to submerge and was subjected to a minor d/c hunt for 2 hours.

- 131 -

Misty weather again made it difficult to find the convoy. U 506 was driven off to the north at 2325. At 2400 U 107 reported that she had been hunted with d/c's and hydrophones for 8 hours in DH 2110. Boat repaired her damage and pressed on. Contact seemed lost for good. It was not until 0703 that U 406 reported smoke clouds and a destroyer in CF 8664; at 0825 she reported the convoy in CF 8638, course 20⁰, speed 9 knots. The operation is continuing.

Group "Eisbär" received orders to form a reconnaissance line, which is to proceed from DH 1444 to 1664 at 0800/28/8, course south, day's run 150 miles. Order: U 459, 172, 68, 156 and 504.

U 609 will join Group "Vorwaerts" and will occupy AK 3734 at cruising speed, depth 20 miles.

U 511 and U 654 have been given freedom of action within a radius of 300 miles of Kingston.

The following boats are to make for the following squares:

U 514 and U 175 - DN 76, U 515 and 512 - ED 90.

U 509, U 98, U 108, U 598 and U 600 return passage via supply square CD 80. U 154 return passage via CE 40.

U 432 and U 660 will supply from U 174 in BD 7355 from 28.8., the remaining boats of Group "Loss" will proceed to CD 5155 to supply from U 462.

None.

Reports of Success:

U 130	1 ship	4,897 GRT	Sunk
U 156	1 ship	5,941 GRT	Sunk
U 558	1 ship	3,500 GRT	Sunk
U 162	1 ship	10,000 GRT	Sunk

VI.

General:

Review of Convoy operation No. 47:

In the disposition of the boats of Group "Loss", the disadvantages of having such a long line of 13 boats (300 miles) without any depth were realized and accepted. Their main task first of all was to find an ON or ONS convoy; it was known from Radio Intelligence reports that these convoys had been re-routed to the north or to the south after the last U-boat attacks. The convoy was picked up south of the patrol line by a boat which was not in her correct position owing to an error. Although the furthest boats of Group "Loss" were over 300 miles away from the convoy, the whole group was given the order: "at 'em".

U 660, which was furthest away, regained the broken contact after a 33 hour passage at maximum speed.

Boats have reported total results as follows:

Sunk: 5 ships totaling about 26,000 GRT

Torpedoed: 3 ships

To balance this, the losses were nil.

- 132 -

Damaged:	U 256	return passage necessary
	U 605	slight damage which would not have necessitated returning (lack of fuel)
	U 438	" " " " " " " " " " " "

Temporary damage in 5 boats.

The results look small by comparison with number of boats which took part. But it must be remembered that the fog which came up during the night 24/25.8., just at the moment when 9 boats were shadowing, spoilt the best chances of success.

Again the fog meant:

Defeat of the U-boat attacks

Loss of contact

Serious danger to boats continuing the operation.

Several boats were fired upon by guns out of the fog, which points to the fact that the English destroyers used their (Radar) location gear to hunt U-boats in the fog. As long as the U-boats have no Radar sets themselves they will be at a disadvantage in fog against enemy units equipped with radar or even with a good listening set. In this convoy operation again the boats were heavily depth-charged as soon as bad visibility set in and the damage cited was thus caused. Moral of this convoy: the experience, that convoy operations are still possible as long as enemy aircraft are not constantly flying escort, is confirmed.

Requirement: Equipment of the U-boats as soon as possible with a combined Radar and Radar interception set.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

27.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	Op(ED)	U 165	-	Op(AH)	U 455	-	BF 64	U 572	-	DG 66
	68	-	CF 92	171	-	DA 84	459	-	DH 12	584	-	BE 93
	69	-	BD 77	172	-	CF 92	462	-	CD 77	594	-	CE 33
	86	-	DC 52	173	-	Op(ED)	463	-	CF 12	596	-	BC 92
	91	-	Op(AK)	174	-	BD 49	504	-	CF 92	598	-	DP 24
	92	-	Op(AK)	175	-	AK 58	506	-	Op(EU)	600	-	DM 98
	94	-	Op(DN)	176	-	BC 68	507	-	Op(FJ)	604	-	AK 39
	96	-	BF 72	179	-	AL 94	508	-	DO 29	605	-	BD 15
	98	-	DC 38	211	-	AF 87	509	-	EF 98	608	-	AE 91
	107	-	Op(CF)	214	-	Op(CF)	510	-	DR 55	609	-	Op(AK)
	108	-	DO 28	217	-	Op(ED)	511	-	Op(EC)	653	-	BF 73
	109	-	Op(ET)	218	-	AN 36	512	-	AK 83	654	-	Op(EB)
	125	-	Op(EU)	256	-	BD 62	513	-	Op(AH)	658	-	DS 47
	130	-	ET 51	373	-	BC 95	514	-	BD 14	659	-	AL 18
	134	-	BE 82	380	-	AE 87	515	-	BD 64	660	-	BD 41
	135	-	BC 68	404	-	BE 96	516	-	AL 88	705	-	BC 68
	155	-	DR 52	406	-	Op(CF)	517	-	Op(AH)	752	-	DH 78
	156	-	CF 92	407	-	AL 17	553	-	Op(DM)	755	-	BC 95
	159	-	BF 74	409	-	AL 33	558	-	Op(EB)	756	-	Op(AK)
	162	-	Op(EE)	411	-	AL 35	564	-	Op(ED)
	163	-	DO 37	432	-	BD 44	566	-	Op(CF)
	164	-	Op(ED)	438	-	BD 29	569	-	BC 92

	On Return Passage: U 653 - 705 - 256 - 163 - 109 - 98 - 600 - 108 - 463 - 155 - 658 - 510 - 598 - 130 - 86 - 752 - 572 - 508 - 509 - 134.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: UD 5 - 410 - Kiel; U 203 - Brest; U 460 - 590 - St. Nazaire.

- 133 -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 48 see para. IVa.
		2)	U 553 situation: Nothing seen from 21 - 25.8. in EC 10 and 20. Also nothing in DO 78 - 97. Constant air activity in Mona Passage by day. Return passage without refueling.
		3)	U 507 has encountered no further traffic except neutrals. Constant air activity by day, patrolling destroyers off "Pernambuco". Protracted return passage via sea area off "Freetown".
		4)	U 165 sighted a small convoy of 3 steamers and 4 destroyers in AH 9823, course 20⁰. Boat attacked and fired a four-fan and a double fan. 3 explosions were seen in 2 steamers each of 5,000 GRT and altogether 5 explosions were heard. Boat then forced to submerge. Sinking not observed.
		5)	U 94 made contact at 2030 with a convoy in EC 1927, course 330⁰, slow speed. Flying-boat escort. At 2215 convoy was in EC 1912, at 2358 in EC 71 and at 0432 in EC 1614, course 0⁰, speed 11 knots.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: CA 54, EO 62, DA 91, BB 42, EC 16, EB 36, EO 3799, EO 3519, CA 32, BB 48.
		English aircraft reported U-boat in AL 3430.
		An unidentified vessel reported from about 40 miles northeast of Trinidad that she had sighted a U-boat and attacked with d/c's.
		U-boat attack: AH 95 and AH 9831.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 48:
		U 406 continued to shadow and at 0914 reported the convoy in CF 8633. Course 40⁰, 9 knots. Boat's lubricating oil is badly contaminated and can only make half speed. At 1145 the convoy was steering 0⁰. U 214 also gained contact at 1130 in CF 6778, but was driven off during an attack. Convoy then zig-zagged away and steered 0⁰, changed to 20⁰ again at 1430 and, according to U 406, was in CF 6786 at 1505. U 406 moved away to discover the reason for contamination of her lubricating oil. At 1701 she reported that the enemy unit was undoubtedly the convoy, as 12 silhouettes and 2 destroyers were seen at dawn. Boat was still shadowing smoke clouds. Convoy was then in CF 6792, main course 50⁰. U 107 was ready for action again and pressed on. U 214 had lost contact. U 566 was forced to submerge by air escort and hunted with hydrophones for 2 hours. Pressed on. Convoy's position at 1930 was CF 6763, speed 10 knots. U 406 tried an underwater attack towards 2400, but was

- 134 -

located. The convoy again zig-zagged away to 0⁰. Composition: about 20 steamers in double line ahead. Position at 2130 CF 6842. Boat moved away to the west. Contact was then lost. U 107 reported at 0445 that she had been shadowing a destroyer in CF 6565 for 1 1/2 hours. Suspects this is the port outer escort. Boat had apparently a leak in her port compensating tank and moved off to investigate. No further reports were received by 0800. The operation is continuing.

U 404, 594, 584, 96, 308 and 608 are to steer for AL 74. It is planned to form a patrol line with these boats at about the level of the square to be steered for. U 159 is to make for ET 50 via CF 70 - DG 90, U 516 for ED 98.

U 171 has been given freedom of action via DK 50 or DL 68, EB 30 and DN 84.

U 516 reported the firing data for the unexplained fan-miss in her attack on "Port Jackson". Boat estimated the range at 1500 meters. After the safety range had been covered the bridge watch observed a column of water 2 - 3 meters high on the bow. Presumably the pistol fired and the torpedo did not explode.

Reports of Success:

U 165	2 ships	10,000 GRT	Sunk
U 165	1 ship		Torpedoed.

VI.

General: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

28.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	Op(ED)	U 165	-	Op(AH)	U 432	-	BD 73	U 564	-	Op(ED)
	68	-	DH 15	171	-	Op(DA)	438	-	BD 65	566	-	Op(CF)
	69	-	CD 22	172	-	DH 17	455	-	BE 55	569	-	CD 22
	86	-	DC 59	173	-	Op(ED)	459	-	DH 14	572	-	DG 36
	91	-	Op(AK)	174	-	BD 73	460	-	BF 91	584	-	BE 91
	92	-	Op(AK)	175	-	AK 76	462	-	CD 72	590	-	BF 91
	94	-	EC 13	176	-	BC 98	463	-	BE 79	594	-	BE 74
	96	-	BE 92	179	-	AL 87	504	-	DH 19	596	-	CD 21
	98	-	DD 14	203	-	BF 50	506	-	Op(EU)	598	-	DP 23
	107	-	CF 62	211	-	AF 72	507	-	Op(FJ)	599	-	AD 87
	108	-	DF 31	214	-	Op(CF)	508	-	DO 36	600	-	DN 78
	109	-	Op(ES)	217	-	Op(ED)	509	-	EF 69	604	-	Op(AK)
	125	-	Op(EU)	218	-	AN 28	510	-	DR 31	605	-	BD 16
	130	-	ET 16	256	-	BE 44	511	-	Op(EC)	608	-	AE 88
	134	-	BE 91	373	-	CD 24	512	-	AK 84	609	-	AK 34
	135	-	BC 98	380	-	AL 35	513	-	Op(AH)	653	-	BF 80
	155	-	DR 26	404	-	BE 82	514	-	BC 63	654	-	Op(EB)
	156	-	DH 19	406	-	Op(CF)	515	-	BD 82	658	-	DP 54
	159	-	BE 98	407	-	Op(AK)	516	-	BE 14	659	-	Op(AK)
	162	-	Op(ED)	409	-	AL 28	517	-	Op(AH)	660	-	BD 48
	163	-	DO 36	410	-	AO 47	553	-	Op(DO)	705	-	BD 47
	164	-	Op(ED)	411	-	AL 29	558	-	Op(DM)	752	-	DH 49
				D 5	-	AD 47	756	-	Op(AK)	755	-	CD 21


- 135 -

	On Return Passage: U 86 - 98 - 109 - 134 - 155 - 163 - 256 - 438 - 463 - 507 - 508 - 509 - 510 - 572 - 598 - 600 - 605 - 653 - 658 - 705 - 752.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 48 see para. IVa.
		2)	U 511 gained contact with U 94's convoy at 0615/28 in EC 1298. Boat attacked and scored 5 hits. An 8,000-tonner seen to sink. Tanker of 9,000 GRT was hit twice, sinking probable. After surfacing boat driven off and lost contact. Moved away to EC 1679 to repair damage.
		3)	U 108 sighted a passenger freighter zig-zagging around 300⁰ in DE 8315, speed 15 knots. Fired a miss, lost contact.
		4)	U 173 situation: Nothing seen in 9 days in EO 20 and 30. Bombs on 27th in EO 36. 4 deck containers with torpedoes smashed. 5 torpedo tubes and one periscope also unserviceable. Moving away to repair.
		5)	U 564 encountered no traffic in EE 73. Is proceeding to ED 90 to search for a new line.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: EN 33, BA 9793, CA 87, DN 84, ED 21, CA 3775, DN 79, CA 32, ED 9853, EC 1370 (U-boat, probably U 94, attacked by escort ship).
		English aircraft reported a U-boat in BF 4646 and AF 7660. A ship torpedoed in AH 98 was reported sunk. Italian tanker "Alcolo" had taken survivors from a steamer belonging to the "Larinaga" shipping company, on board and had seen 2 more boats drifting in ER 21.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 48:
		1)	U 214 was forced to submerge the whole night long by aircraft with radar. She was in CF 6831 and was pressing on.
		2)	U 107 had a loud knocking noise in her port compensating tank above 300 revolutions. No leak was found and she pressed on. As contact had been completely lost and, according to dead reckoning, the boats must have been about 80 miles in the rear of the convoy, Operations Control decided to break off the operation. Boats were ordered to move away to the west, unless they were in a favorable position.

- 136 -

At 1659 however U 566 sighted the convoy again in CF 6343, northeast course, speed 10 knots. The convoy must therefore either not have maintained its previous speed or have made a long leg to the southeast. U 566 and U 107 were to continue the operation, also U 214 if in a favorable position. The latter boat however reported her position in CF 6484 and could not carry out the order. U 159 was operating against this convoy from CF 3534. U 406 sighted a destroyer in CF 5677 and several smoke clouds, but soon lost contact again as visibility deteriorated. She and U 214 were ordered to remain in their present areas. U 566 attacked at 1900 in CF 6315 and sank a 7,000-tonner. A ship of 5,000 GRT was torpedoed. Boat was depth-charged and rammed. She moved off to the southwest and reported the following damage: Bridge rammed away as far as the pressure hull, forward periscope, d/f gear and U-boat aiming sight torn away. Attack periscope entirely unserviceable, bent backwards at an angle of 60⁰. As there was no further contact, U 159 was ordered to continue on her outward passage. U 107 reported that she was fully operationally effective. The following are therefore still operationally effective: U 214, 107, 406. U 406 is probably restricted, as the cause of contamination of the lubricating oil has not yet been discovered. U 566 is returning.

Operation against this convoy is now closed.

Boats will proceed as follows after supplying: U 432 - AJ 94. Group "Loss", with U 373, 755, 596, 569, 176 and 135, also AJ 94.

U 508 delivered 1.5 cbm of drinking water to U 163 and took over 20 cbm fuel from her.

An east or west-bound convoy is expected in Group "Vorwaerts" area, i.e. about AK 30 and 60, on 29.8.

Reports of Success:

U 511	2 ships	17,000 GRT		Sunk
U 566	2 ships	11,000 GRT		Sunk.

General: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


- 137 -

29.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	Op(ED)	U 171	-	Op(DA)	U 455	-	BE 55	U 572	-	CF 79
	68	-	DH 55	172	-	DH 44	459	-	DH 44	584	-	BE 61
	69	-	CD 16	173	-	EF 75	460	-	BE 91	590	-	BF 82
	86	-	DC 95	174	-	BD 73	462	-	CD 51	594	-	BD 66
	91	-	Op(AK)	175	-	AK 79	463	-	BE 81	596	-	CD 51
	92	-	Op(AK)	176	-	CD 27	504	-	DH 46	598	-	DE 79
	94	-	Op(DM)	179	-	BE 84	506	-	Op(EU)	599	-	AL 36
	96	-	BE 67	203	-	BF 46	507	-	Op(FK)	600	-	DN 82
	98	-	DD 24	211	-	AF 47	508	-	DO 36	604	-	Op(AK)
	107	-	Op(CF)	214	-	Op(CF)	509	-	EG 14	605	-	BD 29
	108	-	DE 34	217	-	Op(ED)	510	-	DF 94	608	-	AL 28
	109	-	Op(ET)	218	-	AF 87	511	-	Op(EC)	609	-	Op(AK)
	125	-	Op(EU)	256	-	BE 54	512	-	BD 15	653	-	BF 80
	130	-	EK 71	373	-	CD 51	513	-	Op(AH)	654	-	Op(EB)
	134	-	BF 71	380	-	AL 02	514	-	BC 57	658	-	DP 61
	135	-	CD 27	404	-	BE 54	515	-	CE 41	659	-	Op(AK)
	155	-	DF 94	406	-	Op(CF)	516	-	BD 62	660	-	BD 73
	156	-	DH 46	407	-	Op(AK)	517	-	Op(AH)	705	-	BD 49
	159	-	CF 33	409	-	Op(AK)	553	-	DP 72	752	-	DH 19
	162	-	Op(ED)	410	-	AN 36	558	-	Op(DM)	755	-	CD 51
	163	-	DO 36	411	-	Op(AK)	564	-	Op(EE)	756	-	Op(AK)
	164	-	Op(EC)	432	-	BD 73	566	-	Op(CF)	D 5	-	AL 36
	165	-	Op(AH)	438	-	BE 45	569	-	CD 51

	On Return Passage: U 86 - 98 - 108 - 109 - 134 - 155 - 163 - 256 - 438 - 463 - 507 - 508 - 509 - 510 - 553 - 572 - 598 - 600 - 605 - 653 - 658 - 705 - 752.
	Entered Port: U 460 - St. Nazaire.
	Sailed: U 216 - 617 - 259 - Kiel.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 164 sank a freighter of 6,000 GRT in EC 2728, course 110⁰. Boat's cooling-water pump is damaged and cannot be repaired with own resources.
		2)	U 509 fired a quadruple miss at a Q ship. Depth 2 meters, good data, suspects that torpedo ran under.
		3)	U 66 situation: Nothing seen along the shipping route to Trinidad reported by U 108. Persistent air activity in EO 38. 29.8. sank the American "Topa-Topa" (5,356 GRT), carrying petrol, aircraft and motor cars from Trinidad to Freetown.
		4)	U 564 attacked a tanker with torpedoes and gunfire in ED 9923. Left her on fire and sinking. Course 230⁰, speed 12 knots. Total sunk: 9 ships, 60,000 GRT. Return passage.
		5)	U 517 sank an auxiliary ship of 3,000 GRT in AH 9823 on 27.8. and on 28.8. a freighter already hit by U 165. Little traffic in operations area. Air and sea patrol. Boat requests permission to proceed on through the Belle Isle Straits to BB 20.
	b)	None.

- 138 -

U-boat sightings: EC 15, CA 33, EE 7755, DN 7916, CA 73, AH 62, EE 81, BB 17/41, AH 9764, DN 5884.

Sighting by aircraft in BE 6983, attack with d/c's in AF 7296.

None.

IV.

Current Operations:

None.

U 608, U 594, U 380, U 404, U 584 and U 96 were ordered to take up positions in patrol line at cruising speed from AL 7128 to AL 7851, depth 15 miles. Boats will form Group "Stier".

Group "Eisbär" will make a day's run of 190 miles from 2000/29/8.

Group "Vorwaerts" will proceed in reconnaissance line, course 250⁰ and day's run of 120 miles from 2400.

U 155 and U 510 are waiting in CD 60 for a boat which has sailed with spare parts for U 155.

U 174 has delivered fuel to U 432 and U 660.

For political reasons, actions are forbidden for the present inside a strip 20 miles wide off the Brazilian coast.

Reports of Success:

U 164	Freighter	6,000 GRT
U 564	Ship	9,000 GRT
U 517	2 ships	5,500 GRT
U 66	1 ship	5,356 GRT
U 701	3 ships	15,000 GRT	(Mining result, as known from later information. Tonnage assumed).

VI.

General: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

30.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	Op(EO)	U 172	-	DH 74	U 462	-	CD 51	U 596	-	CD 51
	68	-	DH 75	173	-	Op(EF)	463	-	BE 95	598	-	DE 81
	69	-	CC 38	174	-	BD 82	504	-	DH 76	599	-	AN 31
	86	-	DD 74	175	-	BD 14	506	-	Op(EU)	600	-	DN 92
	91	-	Op(AK)	176	-	CD 51	507	-	Op(FK)	604	-	Op(AK)
	92	-	Op(AK)	179	-	CF 24	508	-	DP 21	605	-	BD 39
	94	-	Op(DN)	203	-	BF 46	509	-	DQ 68	608	-	AL 54
	96	-	BE 52	211	-	AE 92	510	-	DF 64	609	-	Op(AK)
	98	-	DD 23	214	-	CF-Op	511	-	Op(EC)	653	-	BF 54
	107	-	CF-Op	217	-	Op(EC)	512	-	BD 95	654	-	Op(EB)
	108	-	DE 36	218	-	AF 72	513	-	Op(AH)	658	-	DP 39
	109	-	Op(ET)	256	-	BE 65	514	-	BC 76	659	-	Op(AK)
	125	-	Op(EU)	373	-	CD 51	515	-	CD 68	660	-	BD 82
	130	-	EK 41	380	-	AL 54	516	-	BD 60	705	-	BD 59
	134	-	BF 73	404	-	BE 15	517	-	Op(AH)	752	-	CF 88
	135	-	CD 51	406	-	CF 55	553	-	DP 88	755	-	CD 51
	155	-	DF 64	407	-	Op(AK)	558	-	Op(DL)	756	-	Op(AK)


- 139 -

156	-	DH 76	409	-	Op(AK)	564	-	Op(ED)	D 5	-	AN 31
159	-	CF 59	410	-	AN 31	566	-	CF 39	216	-	AO 70
162	-	Op(ED)	411	-	AN 31	569	-	CD 51	259	-	AO 70
163	-	DD 98	432	-	BD 48	572	-	CF 57	617	-	AO 70
164	-	Op(EB)	438	-	BE 54	584	-	BE 28
165	-	Op(AH)	455	-	BD 44	590	-	BE 92
171	-	Op(DL)	459	-	DH 74	594	-	BD 39

	On Return Passage: U 86 - 98 - 108 - 134 - 155 - 163 - 174 - 256 - 438 - 463 - 508 - 509 - 510 - 553 - 564 - 566 - 572 - 598 - 600 - 605 - 653 - 658 - 705 - 752.
	Entered Port: - . -
	Sailed: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 66 has apparently discovered a new traffic line via Trinidad. She sank "Sir Juan", 5,200 GRT, towards 1000 in EE 9840, proceeding from Australia to Trinidad via Capetown, course 270⁰, and about 2000 in EE 9586 a freighter of 4,500 GRT. Is operating against further smoke plumes in 9820.
		2)	U 508 sighted a large independently-routed ship in DE 4726. Main course 310⁰, 18 - 20 knots. Did not shadow.
		3)	U 162 sank a modern three-masted
		4)	U 173: Both periscopes unserviceable due to aircraft bombs. Not fit for deep diving. Has been ordered to make a protracted return passage according to fuel situation.
		5)	U 514, on her way through Iceland Passage, sighted a gunboat and fishing vessels in AE 8816 and 8812. 21.8. sky-search periscope unserviceable owing to aircraft d/c's.
		6)	U 705 fired a quadruple fan in BD 6852 at a large tanker with 2 guns. Main course 210⁰, 16 knots. 1 explosion heard. No effect observed on tanker.
		7)	U 516, which was in the vicinity, operated against the ship reported and sank her after chasing her for 18 hours in CE 2695, main course 190⁰, 15 knots. Ship was tanker "Jack Carnes", 10,600 GRT, was proceeding in ballast and sank after 7 finishing shots.
			Situation in the Caribbean: In reply to a query, boats reported.
		8)	U 553: Area south of Cuba and Jamaica continues to be promising in the present state of anti-submarine activity.

- 140 -

Odd fast land-based aircraft. PC-boats are numerous and a nuisance, but no danger if a good look-out is kept. Suspects traffic through Windward Passage only.

U 558: Caribbean empty because of compulsory convoy system, anti-submarine activity centered on convoy routes, not dangerous if care is taken. West coast of Yucatan no traffic, no patrol, land-based aircraft on east side. Disposition in Straits unfavorable. Suggests sweeping the convoy routes with small groups in loose formation.

10)

U 564: Traffic always via "Port of Spain", in convoys in the Caribbean. Independently-routes ships still to be found east of Trinidad, west of this convoys of 16 - 20 ships every 6 days.

None.

U-boat sightings: DM 71, BB 42, BB 1795.

U-boat attack: In EE 97. SSS report from tanker "Jack Carnes" BD 6768 and CE 2646.

English aircraft reported U-boats in BE 6718, BE 9243 and AE 9893.

None.

IV.

Current Operations:

None.

U 179 has been ordered to continue via CF 70, DG 90, EH 30, FE 50, to GR.

U 590, U 209 are making for CF 85, U 214, U 107 for CG 5580. U 406 has been allocated CF 76 - 84 - 85 as temporary attack area.

It is planned to form a reconnaissance line with these boats and 3 more which are sailing on 1st September, to proceed south from CF 80. Until then U 214 and U 107 will operate off Lisbon. Ships go in and out here alone or in small part convoys with a corvette. 3 mile zone is to be observed.

U 517 is permitted to enter the Belle Isle Straits if the moon is favorable. According to U 132 and U 553, there are promising operations areas in BB 14 and the squares joining it in the west and southeast. U 513 will continue to operate in her present area. If the traffic situation there is not favorable, she is to go to Conception Bay. There are anchorages here east of Bell Island and a loading jetty for ore ships on the east side of the Island.

U 516 has laid a weather buoy in the south position.

None.

Reports of Success:

U 66	2 ships	9,700 GRT
U 162	1 ship	7,735 GRT

- 141 -

U 705	1 ship		Torpedoed
U 516	1 ship	10,600 GRT

VI.

General: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

31.August 1942.

I.	U 66	-	Op(EE)	U 172	-	DT 26	U 455	-	BD 67	U 590	-	BE 89
	68	-	DT 34	173	-	Op(EE)	459	-	DT 26	594	-	BD 39
	69	-	CC 28	174	-	BD 91	462	-	CD 51	596	-	CD 51
	86	-	DD 76	175	-	BC 65	463	-	BF 74	598	-	DE 56
	91	-	Op(AK)	176	-	CD 51	504	-	DT 36	599	-	AF 87
	92	-	Op(AK)	179	-	CF 51	506	-	Op(EU)	600	-	DO 44
	94	-	Op(DN)	203	-	BE 59	507	-	Op(FK)	604	-	Op(AK)
	96	-	BE 52	211	-	AF 86	508	-	DE 77	605	-	BD 39
	98	-	DD 32	214	-	CF 66	509	-	DQ 63	608	-	Op(AL)
	107	-	CF 66	216	-	AN 36	510	-	DF 37	609	-	Op(AK)
	108	-	CD 79	217	-	Op(ED)	511	-	Op(EC)	617	-	AN 36
	109	-	Op(ET)	218	-	AE 69	512	-	CE 22	653	-	BF 50
	125	-	Op(EU)	256	-	BF 47	513	-	Op(AH)	654	-	Op(EB)
	130	-	EJ 33	259	-	AN 36	514	-	BC 77	658	-	DQ 16
	134	-	BE 82	373	-	CD 51	515	-	CD 86	659	-	Op(AK)
	135	-	CD 51	380	-	Op(AL)	516	-	CF 26	660	-	BD 91
	155	-	CF 31	404	-	Op(AL)	517	-	Op(AH)	705	-	BE 47
	156	-	DT 35	406	-	Op(CF)	553	-	EE 35	752	-	CF 67
	159	-	CF 76	407	-	Op(AK)	558	-	Op(DL)	755	-	CD 51
	162	-	Op(EE)	409	-	Op(AK)	564	-	EE 49	756	-	Op(AK)
	163	-	DE 71	410	-	AF 87	566	-	CG 13	D 5	-	AF 87
	164	-	Op(EB)	411	-	Op(AK)	569	-	CD 51
	165	-	Op(AH)	432	-	BC 63	572	-	CF 53
	171	-	Op(DL)	438	-	BE 64	584	-	BE 16

	On Return Passage: U 86 - 89 - 108 - 130 - 134 - 155 - 163 - 173 - 174 - 256 - 438 - 463 - 508 - 509 - 510 - 553 - 564 - 566 - 572 - 598 - 600 - 605 - 658 - 705 - 752 - 653.
	Entered Port: U 653 - Brest.
	Sailed: U 87 - St. Nazaire.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy No. 49 see para. IVa.
		2)	U 511 situation: Fast land-based aircraft in Windward Passage as far as Nawassa. Southeast of this slight to heavy air activity according to traffic. Convoy routes changed frequently. No enemy independently-routed ships. Air escort with convoys.
		3)	U 600 sighted a freighter, course 320⁰ in DO 1582 (on the Spanish route), navigation lights, no markings. In reply to her query, she was ordered to sink the ship only if there were quite definitely no neutrality markings.
		4)	U 66 sank a tanker of 7,000 GRT, course 45⁰, in EE 9590.

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		5)	U 217 situation: Lively neutral traffic along a line from the main ports of Curacao and Aruba, and north and south of the Archipelago. Slight air activity.
		6)	U 125 encountered no traffic in EV 70. Slight sea and air patrol. Boat is continuing operation in EV 60.
		7)	U 513 reports medium air patrol, no sea patrol off the Belle Isle Straits. Boat is proceeding to the operations area allocated to her yesterday.
	b)	None.
	c)	U-boat sightings: BB 5182, BB 83, DL 93.
		English aircraft was flying over a diving U-boat in BF 4560.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 49:
		U 609 reported a convoy in AK 2914 at 0755/31. Group "Vorwaerts" was ordered to operate against it. As, according to dead reckoning, there should be an HX convoy in this area, boats were informed that the convoy's course was probably east. At 1234 U 92 gained contact in AK 2933. She reported 18 smoke clouds, course 70⁰, speed 9 knots. Contact was maintained. From about 1500 - 1600 the convoy steered 20⁰ and after that 70⁰ as before. At 1755 it was in AK 2868 on a main course of 50⁰. U 609 attacked as soon as the convoy was in sight and sank 2 steamers totaling 8,000 GRT. Strength of convoy 30 - 40 ships, escort all round. At 1738 U 91 gained contact. At 1728 U 756 reported smoke clouds in AK 0213 and attacked at 2104 in AK 2686. At 2208 U 91 was driven off and lost contact. U 407 and U 409 requested beacon signals at 0229 and 0556 respectively. U 756 was driven off by a destroyer while making a day attack. Convoy steered a main course of 70⁰ until 2400, speed 7 knots, about 20 steamers, 8 destroyers and escort vessels. U 609 also regained contact in the course of the night. She fired 2 single shots at the convoy in AK 3729 at 0600. One probable hit. Convoy steered approximately via AK 2868 - AK 3743 and was in 3737 at 0800. The convoy seemed to have separated into a fast and a slow group, which were proceeding approximately along the same route at 8 - 9 and 6 - 7 knots respectively. It is still being shadowed. The operation continues.
	b)	U 217 has been given permission to operate against the line of traffic reported in the sea area off Trinidad if prospects are not good in her present operations area (between Aruba and Curacao). The same order applied to U 654 according to fuel situation. U 558 has also been ordered to proceed to the area off Trinidad via EC 10 and ED 40.
	c)	None.
	d)	U 94, an old experienced boat, sighted a convoy, course 330⁰ at 2030/27 in EC 1927. Escort by flying-boat. She reported it for the last time at 0432/28 in EC 1614. After that the

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boat did not reply to repeated calls. An American broadcast report says that 2 German U-boats were sunk on 29.8. on the west coast of Cuba. 2 members of the crews are said to have been saved. These must be U 94 and U 654. U 654's last report was on 21.8. As the boat was near the convoy, she will have operated against it and been lost.

There are no further clues. The loss of both boats must be accepted.

Reports of Success:

U 66	1 ship	7,000 GRT
U 609	2 ships	8,000 GRT
	1 ship		1 probable hit.

VI.

General: None.

(Signed): DÖNITZ.














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B.d.U.			6 August 1942.

Most Secret 3219 A3			Copy No. 5.

Enemy situation in East Africa.

Merchant Shipping.

Lourenco Marques, Durban, Beira and Mozambique are the most important ports on the East African coast. Of these Durban is said to be closed as a war-time port for merchant shipping. Traffic in the ports of Lourenco Marques, Beira and Mozambique amounted during the period beginning of March to end of May 1942 to 284 ships totaling 1,641,231 GRT.

Distributed over individual ports:

	Lourenco Marques	Beira	Mozambique
March	56 ships	29 ships	5 ships
April	51 ships	36 ships	3 ships
May	67 ships	28 ships	9 ships

With the closing of Durban traffic may be expected to increase, especially in Lourenco Marques.

Traffic from these ports mainly goes to England, U.S.A. and India.

In addition lively coaling traffic has been observed between these ports. Because of the Japanese offensive in the Indian Ocean the enemy powers have been forced to station fairly strong units of warships in the East African coast to protect their supply traffic. In previous months traffic had consisted mainly of independently-routed ships, but now it is mainly composed of convoys. The routes they use are not known. So far as has been observed, independently-routed ships steered comparatively close inshore.

There are large convoys in this area, carrying troops and war material to India, Australia and the Suez Canal. They are escorted mainly by heavy units and destroyers. There seems to be fairly heavy traffic in the Mozambique Channel.

Harbor traffic Mombassa - Kenya.

There is no detailed information as to the amount of traffic. The English plan to store material from India in these ports and to transport it away as required, making the best use of shipping space.

There is no precise information on traffic in East London, Port Elizabeth, Dar-Es-Salam and Zanzibar.

II.

Defences.

Nothing is known of the strength of sea and air patrol. Barrages are likely immediately off the individual ports, and may be assumed for certain off Durban, Lourenco Marques and Beira.

(Signed): GODT.

Chief of Operations Department

for B.d.U.

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Distribution.

U 179	Copy No.	1
177		2
189		3
5th U-Flotilla		4
War Log		5 - 8
Spares		9 - 10











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