U-223 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Kiel	12 January 1943	St. Nazaire	6 March 1943	54

 

Click the icon to download a KMZ file displaying the U-boat track, significant events and locations for this patrol.  You must have Google Earth loaded on your computer to view this file.  Download Google Earth here

 

Ships Hit
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
3 Feb 43	04.52	58°21'N, 2°24'W	DORCHESTER	5,649	American	SG-19
23 Feb 43	09.51	46°51'N, 36°05'W	WINKLER	6,907	Panamanian	ON-166
			Total = 12,556
Note:  The positions in the table above and in the Google Earth patrol summary are derived from the KTB and in many cases do not match those set forth in authoritative references such as Jürgen Rohwer, Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two or the Uboat.net website.  The goal here is to present the picture relative to the U-boat and not the absolute position that the ship was attacked or sank.

---

			Commissioning	Copy No. . . 4 . .
			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				"  U  223  "
			Kommandant:  Oblt. z. See Wächter (Karl-jürg)
				Beginning:        6.6.1942
				Concluding    12.1.1943
			Distribution:       O.K.M. Copy No. 1 - 2   B.d.U.        " 3   2. A.d.U.-Boote        " 4   6. U-Flottille        " 5   27. U-Flottille        " 6   Agru-Front   7                   Enclosures:       None.
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

		06.06.42	Kiel	Commissioning in U-boat Base Kiel.
		07. - 09.06.42	Kiel	Independent training in Kieler Bucht.
		10. - 23.06.43	Kiel	U.A.K.
		24.06.42		Ready for sea to Rönne.
		25. - 27.06.42	Rönne	Sound trials.
		28.06.42	Rönne	Transit to Danzig.
		03. -07.07.42	Danzig	U.A.G.1 measured mile.
		08. - 12.07.42	Gotenhafen	Torpedo shooting with T.E.K.
		13.07.42	Gotenhafen	Transit to Hela.
		14. - 31.07.42	Hela	Training with the Agru-Front, service for the Chief Engineer School.
		01. - 07.08.42	Danzig	Holmwerft Danzig, forward diving plane and rudder binding.
		08.08.42	Danzig	Ready for sea to Pillau.
		09. - 21.08.42	Pillau	Shooting training with the 26.U-Flottilla.
		21 08.42	Gotenhafen	Transit to Gotenhafen to the 27.U-Flottille.
		22.08. - 04.09.42	Danzig	Reserve boat for tactical training, independent training, repair and overhaul at the Holmwerft.
		05.09.42	Danziger Bucht	Transit to Gotenhafen to the 22.U-Flottille.
		06.09. - 01.11.42	Danziger Bucht	School boat with the 22,U-Flottille.
		02.11.42	Gotenhafen	Conference with the 27.U-Flottille.
		03. - 14.11.42	Western Baltic	Tactical training with the 27.U-Flottille.
		15. - 16.11.42	Danzig	Work service, reloaded.
		17. - 30.11.42	Pillau	Shooting of the failed torpedo runs with the 26.U-Flottille.
		01.12.42	Danziger Bucht	Transit to Danzig.
		02.12.42	Danzig	Boat cleared.
		03.12.42	Danzig	Ready for sea to Kiel.
		04.12.42	Kiel	Made fast Kiel U-boat Base.

 

			1st Patrol	Copy No.  . . 1 . .
				K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				"  U  223  "
			Beginning:    12.1.43
			Concluding:    6.3.43
			Kommandant:	Oblt.z.S.    W  ä  c  h  t  e  r
			Distribution:       O.K.M. Copy No. 1 - 2   Komd.Adm.der U-Boote   4   B.d.U.        " 3   6. U-Flottille        " 5   27. U-Flottille        " 6   Agru-Front   7   F.d.U.-West   8
			Enclosures:       1  Track chart for Copy No. 2 - 5 and 8   1  Excerpt of the Radio Log            " 2 - 5 and 8       Firing reports            " 2 - 5 and 8       Barograph strips            " 3

	- 1 -
		12.01.43
		08.00	Kiel	Cast off Kiel
			ESE 4, Sea 1-2, overcast, misty	Transit to Rot 15 with U-358, U-187, U-486, U-267 and U-707.
		11.40		Reached Rot 15.
		12.00	Western Baltic
			ESE 4-5, Sea 3-4, 8/10, Vis. 8-10 nm	Day's run:  Surfaced 35 nm
			Lat.:      54°41.3'N
			Long.:    10°44.7'E
		15.10		Taken in convoy.  Transit in convoy in accordance with Outbound Orders.
		16.00	Great Belt	Transit in convoy.
			AO 7493
		20.00	AO 7514	Transit in convoy.
		13.01.43
		00.00	AO 7244	Transit in convoy.
		04.00	AO 7213	Transit in convoy.
			ESE 4, Sea 4, Vis. medium
		08.00	AO 4843	Transit in convoy.
		12.00	Kattegat	Transit in convoy.
			AO 4493
			Lat.:      57°34.2'N	Day's run:  Surfaced 213 nm
			Long.:    11°13.5'E
		16.00	AO 4464	Transit in convoy.
		20.00	AO 4443	Transit in convoy.
			ENE 1, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. medium
		14.01.43
		00.00	AN 3624	Transit in convoy.
		01.20		Released from convoy.
		03.30		Made fast Kristiansand South.
		04.00		Fuel oil supply.
		08.40		Departed Kristiansand.
		10.05		Taken in convoy.

	Sun and Moon Data 12.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 13.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 14.01.43

	- 2 -
		continued
		14.01.43
		12.00	Skagerrak	Transit in convoy
			AN 3538
			Lat.:      57°57'N	Day's run:  Surfaced 131 nm
			Long.:    6°24.2'E
			ENE 1, Sea 1, light Swell, snow
		16.00	AN 3274	Transit in convoy.
		16.55		Made fast Egersund.
		20.00		Egersund.
		24.00		Egersund.
		15.01.43
		04.00		Egersund.
		08.00		Egersund.
		10.00		Cast off Egersund.
		12.00	Northern North Sea	Transit in convoy.
			AN 3168
		[typo 58° 33N]	Lat.:      58°12.8'N	Day's run:  Surfaced 75 nm
			Long.:    5°36.4'E
			NNW 1, Sea 0, overcast, Vis. medium
		14.45	AN 3131	Released from convoy.  Course 290°, 2 x HF, to get clear of other boats.
		16.00	AN 2988
		16.57		Test dive.
		18.19		Surfaced.  Transit speed 1 diesel LF (diesel-electric)
		19.20		Course 350°.
		20.00	AN 2863
		21.54		Crash dive for training.
		22.14		Surfaced.
		16.01.43
		00.00	AN 2334	Transit speed.
		04.00	AF 8746	Transit speed.
		08.00	AF 8746	Transit speed.
		08.25		Crash dive for training.  Proceeded submerged at depth A -20 meters.
		12.00	AF 8718
			Lat.:      61°32.5'N	Day's run:  Surfaced       191.4 nm
			Long.:    3°9.0'E	Submerged      14.0 nm
			SE 3, Sea 3-4, 8/10, Vis. good	Total                               205.4 nm
		14.24		Surfaced.  Ventilated the boat.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 15.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 16.01.43

	- 3 -
		continued
		16.01.43
		14.40		Dived. Proceeded submerged.
		16.00	AF 8712
		18.15		Surfaced.
		19.36		Incoming Radio Message:  1809/68
				. . . Tomorrow at 08.00 hours switch to Ireland Circuit.
		20.00	AF 8443
		17.01.43
		00.00	AF 7392	Transit submerged course 345°.
		04.00	AF 7337
		08.00	AF 4959	Switched to Ireland Circuit.
		08.50		Crash dive for training.  Repair of the main blow valve ( was reground).
		11.10		Surfaced.  Proceeded on the surface. course 295°.
		12.00	AF 4943
			Lat.:      64°03'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         154 nm
			Long.:    1°14'E	Submerged     23.8 nm
			SE 3-4, Sea 3-4, 7/10, overcast, Vis. clear	Total                               177.8 nm
		16.00	AF 4823
		20.00	AF 4571
		21.00		Course 259°.
		22.20	AF 4495	First Watch Officer give Alarm.  Small shadow bearing 245°T suddenly came out of a squall, range 500-1000 meters.  Listening gear out of service.  When again in service faint sound bearing 210°T, southerly course.  Probably it was a German U-boat.
		22.46		Surfaced.  Proceeded on the surface.
		18.01.43
		00.00	AF 4486
		04.00	AF 4477	Proceeded on the surface.
		08.00	AE 6922
			E 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, rain
		09.20		Crash dive for training.  Proceeded submerged at depth A -20 meters.
		12.00	AE 6915
			Lat.:      64°26'N	Day's run:  Surfaced        171.7 nm
			Long.:    6°15'W	Submerged        9.4 nm
				Total                               181.1 nm
		16.00	AE 6836
		17.21		Surfaced.  Proceeded on the surface. (course 259°).
		20.00	AE 6829

	Sun and Moon Data 16.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 17.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 18.01.43

	- 4 -
		19.01.43
		00.00	AE 6763
		03.00		Course 218°.
		04.00	AE 6757
		08.00	AE 9112
			NE 3-4, Sea 3, bright moonlit night, Vis. goos, 5/10
		09.30		Test dive.
		10.22		Surfaced, proceeded on the surface.
		10.45		Crash dive for single-engine land-based aircraft, course SE, range 5000 meters, was unseen.
				Proceeded submerged, depth A -20 meters.
		12.00	AE 8339	Day's run:  Surfaced         132 nm
				Submerged       26 nm
				Total                               158 nm
		16.00	AE 8365
		17.16		Surfaced, proceeded on the surface.
		20.00	AE 8388
		20.01.43
		00.00	AE 8642
		02.51		Incoming Radio Message:  0041/153
				New objective for . . . Wächter AE 38.
		04.00	AE 8595
		08.00	AE 8825
		09.00		Course 235°.
		12.00	AE 8848
			Lat.:      61°15'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         148 nm
			Long.:    14°56'W	Submerged       16 nm
			E 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, misty	Total                               164 nm
		15.22	AE 8798	Crash dive for 2-engined, land-based aircraft, course 170°, range 4000 meters, was unnoticed.
		16.00	AE 8794
		16.13		Surfaced.
		20.00	AL 3229	Proceeded on the surface.
		21.01.43
		00.00	West of the Hebrides
			AL 3241
			E 6-7, Sea 6, Vis. bad
		04.00	AL 3198
		08.00	AL 3314
		12.00	AL 2453
			Lat.:      59°38'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         160 nm
			Long.:    19°53'W	Submerged         2 nm
				Total                               162 nm
		16.00	AL 2472	Proceeded submerged, course 235°.
		20.00	AL 2398

	Sun and Moon Data 19.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 20.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 21.01.43

	- 5 -
		22.01.43
		00.00	AL 2528
		04.00	AL 2545
		08.00	AL 1692
		12.00	West of the Hebrides
			AL 1688
			Lat.:      58°16'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         142 nm
			Long.:   23°52'W
			SSW 5, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. medium
		16.00	AL 1759
		16.05		Crash dive for training.  Torpedo and diesel work.
		18.00		Surfaced.
		20.00	AL 1781
		20.24		Incoming Radio Message:  1855/186:
				Report weather  . . . Wächter . . .
				In the course of the night send 3 x Short Signal weather report on Ireland, Coastal, Hubertus Circuits.  Nothing heard.
		23.01.43
		00.00	AL 1773
		04.00	AL 1775
		08.00	AL 1777
		11.25		Incoming Radio Message 1020/195:
				. . . Wächter report weather.
		11.35		Incoming Radio Message 1030/190:
				Wächter head for BC 25.
		12.00	North Atlantic
			AK 3899
			Lat.:      57°23'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         72.8 nm
			Long.:   26°35'W	Submerged       5.0 nm
			SE 6, Sea 7-8, Vis. medium, 8/10, high SW-Swell, 974 mb, rising	Total                               77.8 nm
		16.00	AK 0326
		17.06		Sent Short Signal weather report.
		20.00	AK 0351	After three days finally a navigation fix:  difference between dead reckoning and actual position 73°T, 33 nm.
		23.24		Incoming Radio Message 2146/101:
				. . . Wächter not BC 25 instead head for AJ 34
		24.01.43
		00.00	AK 6239	Came to course 282°.  Proceeded on the surface 1 diesel LF.
		04.00	AK 6224
		08.00	AK 6133
		12.00	AK 6183
			Lat.:      56°27'N	Day's run:  Surfaced   139 nm
			Long.:   30°44'W
			S 9, Sea 8, Vis. bad, hail, snow showers, 956 mb
		16.00	AK 0298
		20.00	AK 0284
		20.19		Incoming Radio Message 1856/112:
				Wächter switch to Hubertus Circuit.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 23.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 24.01.43

	- 6 -
		25.01.43
		00.00	AK 0274
		04.00	AK 2991
		08.00	AK 2958	Switched to Hubertus Circuit.
			NNW 7-8, Sea 7, hail, rain, Vis. bad	Speed of advance barely 4 knots.
		09.06		Crash dive for training.  Proceeded submerged at depth A -20 meters.
				Torpedo work.
		12.00	Atlantic south of Greenland
			AK 2949
			Lat.:      56°44'N	Day's run:  Surfaced          97 nm
			Long.:    33°12'W	Submerged        9 nm
				Total                               106 nm
		14.00		Surfaced.
		16.00	AK 2947
		20.00	AK 0164
		20.01	NNW 5-6, Sea 4-5, Vis. good, high NW-Swell	Mastheads bearing 350°.  It is a steamer, short smokestack (motors-ship).  By the swell was often raised out up to the bridge.  It already has target angle 100°.  I turned towards him, then it was dark quickly.  2 x HF.  I cannot run at more in the swell.  Boat threatens to cut under.  The bridge is very wet, speed measurement system indicated 9-10 knots.
				Bearing shifts quickly to starboard and also was quickly smaller, he runs a minimum of 16 knots.
		20.30		Out of sight.
				It is a hopeless case.  In this weather I will not get in sight again.
		21.15		Came to course 282°.
		21.46		Steamer reported to Leadership by Radio Message.
		26.01.43
		00.00	AK 0127
		04.00	AK 1936
		08.00	AK 1922
		10.57		Crash dive for training.
		11.37		Surfaced.
		12.00	North Atlantic south of Greenland
			AK 1777
			Lat.:      57°16'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         130 nm
			Long.:    37°21.5'W	Submerged        2 nm
			NW 3, Sea 3, medium Swell, 7/10, 989 mb	Total                               134 nm
		17.20		Crash dive for 2-engines land-based aircraft, course 20°.  Was unnoticed.
		17.48		Surfaced, proceeded on the surface 1 diesel LF (diesel-electric).
		18.50		Incoming Short Signal:
				Square AJ 3438 a destroyer, course 110°.
				[U-266 reported a destroyer on an easterly course at 18.54 in AJ 3443 this is probably the correct position for the above Short Signal.]

	Sun and Moon Data 25.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 26.01.43

	- 7 -
		continued
		26.01.43
				I suppose:  Remote escort of the Poel-convoy.  I can continue to steer my old course and in 5-6 hours be at the level of the convoy.
		20.00	AJ 3567
		20.40		Incoming Radio Message 1925/891:
			[These positions were never occupied by U-223]	Concerning new disposition for Group Haudegen.  At 27 January at 08.00 hours I must be in  AJ 3577.  On 28 January at 08.00  AJ 6315.
		23.00		Came to course 206°.  1 diesel LF.
		23.52		Dived to listen.  Propeller sounds bearing 190°T - 240°T.
		27.01.43
		00.00	AJ 3571	Surfaced.
		00.20	N 1-2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good, 984 mb	Continued on course 206°.
		00.55		Dived to listen. Bearing in 225°.
		01.15		Surfaced.  Course 225°.
				AK ahead.
		01.45		Incoming Radio Message 2133/899:
				Group Haudegen operate at highest speed on destroyer and sound bearing.
		02.57		Dived to listen.
				Sounds in 0°T to 120°T.
				I have passed him by, while the visibility is good.
		03.17		Surfaced, chased after at highest speed on search courses between 30° and 50°.
		04.00	AJ 3836
		04.14		Dived to listen.  Listening gear shows sounds around the entire scale.  Cannot get a bearing on the maximum, however it seems I have passed him by again.
		04.50		Surfaced.  Search courses between 300° and 240°.
		06.45		Dived to listen.
				Sounds are now again perfectly in 40°T to 140°T.
		07.10		Surfaced.
				Search courses between 70° and 110°.
		08.00	AJ 3814
		10.06		Dived to listen. Faint sound bearing in 10°T to 40°T.
		10.30		Surfaced.
				Pursued in 30° then 40°.
		10.45		Outgoing Radio Message:  Position square 3821.  Faint sound bearing in 20°T.  (Not acknowledged).
		11.35		Dived to listen.  Nothing.
				At 06.00 hours convoy located in AJ 3730 and steers NE, as is evident from sound bearings. At 12.00 hours with a speed of advance of the enemy of 7-8 knots I should be at the same level.
				I hope to get him again on search courses between 0° and 40°.

	Sun and Moon Data 26.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 27.01.43

	- 8 -
		continued
		27.01.43
		12.00	AJ 3586
			Lat.:      57°30'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         227 nm
			Long.:    39°44'W	Submerged          9 nm
			NNE 2-3, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. good, 975 mb	Total                               236 nm
		13.12		Radio Message 10.45 hours repeated.
		14.30		Dived to listen, nothing.
		14.47		Surfaced.
		15.30		German U-boat bearing 90°T.  Heydemann.  Navigation exchange.  (20 nm difference).  Hew will continue searching to the south.  I will go again on course 40°.
		16.00	AJ 3553
		17.00		Course 0°.
		17.25		Outgoing Radio Message 1612/814:
				Position square AJ 3567.  Last faint sound bearing 10.00 hours 3821 bearing 20°.  Continuing to operate to the NE.
		18.10		Dived.  Nothing heard.
		18.34		Surfaced.
				Search courses between 0° and 40°.
		20.00	AJ 3372
		21.45		Incoming Radio Message 2031/820:
				If no contact break off operation.
				1.  . . . .
				2.  Group Haudegen on 30 January 12.00 hours in new patrol line . . . .
				My new position is AJ 2442.
		22.48		Incoming Radio Message from Gretschel:
				Position AJ 3398.  Sound bearing in 350° to 60°.
				Operated on Gretschel bearing course 130°.
		28.01.43
		00.00	AJ 3327
		00.33		Dived to listen.  Nothing.
		00.54		Surfaced.
				Outgoing Radio Message 0052/0118/823:
				Position AJ 3328, no bearings.
				Funkmaat forgets the signature and before encrypting sets square naval square xx, although came correct into the radio room.
		04.00	AJ 3358
		04.06		Dived to listen.  Nothing.
		04.30		Surfaced.  Search broken off.
				Course 260°, LF (diesel-electric).
		05.11		Because after sending 823 was questioned by Leadership,
				Outgoing Radio Message 0500/825:
				AJ 3320 and 3360 no bearings, Serial No. 823 was from here.
		08.00	AJ 3345
		12.00	North Atlantic.

	Sun and Moon Data 27.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 28.01.43

	- 9 -
		continued
		28.01.43
		12.00	AJ 3265
			Lat.:      58°20'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         188 nm
			Long.:    39°30'W	Submerged       3.5 nm
				Total                               191.5 nm
		16.00	AJ 3275
			NE 4, Sea 4-5, Vis. changing, hail, rain, 963 mb, falling
		17.50	AJ 3241	Crash dive.  Fu.M.B. sounds.  Sustained steady tone on 234 cm, 1200 Hz, polarization not determined.
		18.53		Surfaced.
		20.00	AJ 3271
		29.01.43
		00.00	AJ 3191	Proceeded on the surfaced course 260°, LF (diesel-electric).
		04.00	AJ 3182
		08.00	AJ 3175
		09.20		Crash dive for training.  Work on the torpedoes.
		12.00	North Atlantic
			AJ 2396
			Lat.:      58°19'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         102 nm
			Long.:    42°44'W	Submerged        8 nm
			N 7, Sea 6-7, [ illegible weather], 957 mb	Total                               110 nm
		12.06		Surfaced.
		16.00	AJ 2xxx
		20.00	AJ 2xxx
		30.01.43
		00.00	AJ 25xx
			N 7-8, Sea 7, snow, [rest of weather illegible]
		04.00	AJ 25xx
		08.00	AJ 2512
		12.00	AJ 2445     [AJ 2445 does not match the Lat./Long. perhaps a typo AJ 2454]
			Lat.:      57°48.5'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         110 nm
			Long.:    47°28'W	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 223°T, 32 nm.
		14.10		Crash dive for training.
				Proceeded submerged at depth A -40 meters.  In the diesel bilge found a lot of oil.  4 cooking oil canisters were smashed by tin cans.
				Lesson:  As little provisions as possible behind the diesels.
				Major propulsion system check.
				Since the beginning of the patrol the exhaust gas spaces have run full of water, probably through leaks in the exhaust gas piping.  Inner exhaust gas valve leaks quite heavily at times.
		14.00		In position in patrol line.
		16.00	AJ 2442
		18.24		Surfaced.
		20.00	AJ 2445	In patrol line with 1 diesel 240 RPM back and forth

	Sun and Moon Data 28.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 29.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 30.01.43

	- 10 -
		continued
		30.01.43
		20.00	NW 7-8, Sea 7-8, overcast, bad weather clouds, Vis. changing 500 meters - 2 nm, 978 mb	in position.  Every 4 hours dived to listen.
		31.01.43
		00.00	AJ 2445	In patrol line.
		04.00	AJ 2452
		08.00	AJ 2451	I gave the Radio Message of the B.d.U., our new Oberbefehlshabers, to his U-boat men.
		12.00	North Atlantic south of Greenland
			AJ 2451	Day's run:  Surfaced         39.3 nm
			Lat.:      57°48'N	Submerged     18.0 nm
			Long.:   47°41'W	Total                               57.3 nm
		16.00	AJ 2442	In patrol line.
		18.00	AJ 2447	"
		20.00	AJ 2447	"
		01.02.43
		00.00	AJ 2442
		04.00	AJ 2442	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 168°T, 10 nm
		08.00	AJ 2441	Radio Message of Herrn Grossadmiral Raeder to the Kriegsmarine announced.
		11.31		Incoming Radio Message 1056/886:
				Group Haudegen today 12.00 hours proceed with speed of advance of 3 knots and SW-course as reconnaissance line.
				2 February 12.00 hours position line I  AJ 1956 - AJ 9633
				3 February 12.00     "         "         "  II AJ 4381 - AJ 9911
		12.00	North Atlantic south of Greenland
			AJ 2441	Day's run:  Surfaced         57.5 nm
			Lat.:      57°50'N	Submerged     19.5 nm
			Long.:   48°06'W	Total                               77.0 nm
		12.36		Dived to listen.  Nothing.
		13.00		Came to course 206°.
		13.20		Surfaced, 1 diesel KF.
		16.00	AJ 2447
		20.00	AJ 1933	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 225°T, 18 nm.
		02.02.43
		00.00	AJ 1935	In reconnaissance line.  Every 4 hours dived to listen.
			SW 4-5, Sea 4, Vis. 4-6 nm, 8/10, 994 mb, isolated snow showers
		04.00	AJ 1957
		08.00	AJ 1959
		12.00	North Atlantic southwest of Greenland
			AJ 1956	Day's run:  Surfaced         74 nm
			Lat.:      56°50'N	Submerged     3.5 nm
			Long.:   48°47'W	Total                               77.5 nm
		12.15	SW 3, Sea 3, medium NW-Swell, 6/10, Vis. good, snow showers

	Sun and Moon Data 30.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 31.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 01.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 02.02.43

	- 11 -
		continued
		02.02.43
				Faint smoke cloud bearing 270°T.  Turned towards it.
		13.10		Masthead bearing 280°T already high out, bearing shifts to starboard therefore northerly course.  Both AK course 80°.
				Closed further.  Perfectly 6 mastheads, 3 smoke clouds, estimated course 0-20°.
		14.05		Beta Beta.  Convoy square AJ 1943, course 10°.
				Maneuvered ahead.  In so doing the bearing shifts very slowly, because I must close in often because of the many snow showers.  In a squall I get in closer.  I see 3 steamers and 2 escorts.
		15.20		Outgoing Radio Message 1450/832:
				Convoy AJ 1921 course 0°, 10 knots.  Up to now only 3 steamers, 2 corvettes distinguished.
		16.00	AJ 1689	Holding contact on smoke clouds, which are easily seen, distance 14-16 nm.
			SW 3-4, Sea 1-2, slight SW-Swell, 997 mb falling
		16.16		Manke has contact, navigation difference 10-15 nm, Yesterday I had a perfect navigation fix.
		16.29		Outgoing Radio Message 1606/834:
				Convoy AJ 1687, course 0°, SW 3-4, Vis. good, snow showers.
				After geting closer only 3 steamers.
		17.20		Beta Beta convoy up to 3 steamers AJ 1682.
		17.16		Incoming Radio Message 1651/836:
				Question from Leadership, is it a larg England or a small Greenland convoy.
				I believe the question is settled by my last Short Signal.
		18.57		Beta Beta.  Enemy position AJ 1654.
				Enemy steers course 10-20°.
		19.32		Beta Beta convoy AJ 1625.  Intend to attack.
				In a thick snow squall I advance in 290°.  On sighting again he bears 200°T.
		19.34		Dived for submerged attack.  The wind has died completely.  The sea is mirror flat like a duck pond.
				By sound bearings he now steers 30-40°.
				I take him ahead.
				It is snowing.
		20.00	AJ 1389
		20.10		Visibility is good again.
				Abeam to port an escort, 1000 meters, target angle 80°, forward screen.
				Type watch boat KING FISCHER, just one cannon aft and one mast, painted all gray.

Sun and Moon Data 02.02.43

	- 12 -
		continued
		02.02.43
				According to the listening gear he stops now and then to listen, no Asdic.
				I still see nothing of the steamers.  It begins to snow again.
				By sound bearings he must be very close.  The can be heard over the entire horizon.
		20.20		Again an escort.  Exactly ahead target angle 0°.  He comes closer quickly, he cannot have seen me.  At range = 400 meters he turns to port.  If I were an English lookout, I would watch the gulls in this weather, because when I show my periscope, they pounce on the asparagus.
		20.20		The escort vessel is now well clear, I can extend the periscope again.  It still only snows lightly.  Now I finally see the steamers to starboard.  They have a minimum target angle of 40° to port. Zigzagged.  Course 0°, with a target angle of 100°, 6000 meters away, shooting is senseless.
				3 steamers, 2 small 4000 tonners in line ahead, 1 fatter between 6000-7000 ton passenger freighter, in echelon to starboard.  Also it is painted light gray, nearly white.  Probably protective colors for Greenland.  Forward and aft has high deck cargo.
				Port abeam and astern still one each escort of the same type.
		20.40		I run off.
		21.31		Surfaced.  In the twilight the convoy is still easily seen.  Followed at AK.  The sea is still like a duck pond.
		22.19		Outgoing Radio Message 2142/848:
				Convoy 3 steamers, 4 torpedo boats, AJ 1389 zigzags between 0° and 50°.  During submerged attack too great shooting range due to a zigzag.
		22.10		Visibility was worse, misty.  In long-lasting snow squalls the convoy passes out of sight.
				Search courses.
		23.10		Dived.  Sound bearing 330 to 340°T
		23.25		Surfaced.  Pursued.
		03.02.43
		00.00	AJ 1353
		00.25		Outgoing Radio Message 2321/854:
				Contact lost 22.00 hours.  Convoy located naval square 1386, course 20°.  Strong visibility deterioration.  Snow.
		00.27		Dived.  Sound bearing 300°T.
		00.41		Surfaced.  Pursued course 310°.
				Visibility is 1-2 nm.
		01.26		Dived.  Sound bearing 300°T.
		01.34		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 02.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 03.02.43

	- 13 -
		continued
		03.02.43
		01.35		Outgoing Radio Message:
				AJ 1325, sound bearing in 300°T. (not acknowledged)
		02.19		Convoy in sight bearing 330°T.
				Maneuvered ahead.
		02.45		Beta Beta enemy located AJ 5887 (not acknowledged).
		03.07		Beta Beta (on request)
				Stand by for bearing signals (not acknowledged).
				Gave bearing signals 4 times.
		04.00	ÄA 3883
			ENE 4-5, Sea 3, Vis. strongly changing, snow squalls, 985 falling
		04.43		Convoy is now going faster, runs at 12 knots, however does not zigzag so that it is not lost in snow squalls.
				Outgoing Radio Message 0355/855:
				Enemy located naval square ÄA 3882, speed 12 knots, course 20°.
		04.50		Enemy bears now 220°T.  I am attacking because at the moment the steamers are positioned before a bright Northern Lights line.  Ahead and behind him it is pitch dark.  New snow squall during the approach.
				I take the fat steamer ahead.
				I see the starboard forward escort first, when he has target angle 100°, and is only 1500 meters away.  Escorts are positioned as during the day set far off.  Suddenly to port in 20°T and 30°T one escort each, therefore three to starboard.
				I cannot get through in any circumstances, therefore I give permission to fire, although I estimate range = 4000 meters.  I have good data and the first two steamers, the thick one is closest, overlap.  The two are now in line abreast.
		[04.52]		Tubes I to III single shots on the forward group, target speed = 12 knots, target angle green 70°, range = 4000 meters.
				Tube IV and V single shots on the third steamer with the same data.
				I carefully turned away to starboard at KF.  Ran with a small silhouette from the second escort.  He still saw me, turns towards me with a white mustache, distance 1200 meters.  Both 3 x AK ahead.  Distance increases slowly, I run towards the dark horizon.  After 5 minutes 20 seconds (5300 meters) and 5 minutes 24 seconds 2 hits on the fat steamer, forward mast and after edge of the smoke stack.  Engine hit, very high smoke pillars.  Settle equally and stretch skyward astern.
				10 - 20 smaller detonations - ammunition going high order.

Sun and Moon Data 03.02.43

	- 14 -
		continued
		03.02.43		3rd hit after 5 minutes 30 seconds on steamer proceeding behind in the forward cargo hatch.  Bright fiery glow, Immediately burns fiercely.  Also here a series of minor detonations.  The escort is still behind me.  His bow can be seen clearly.
				I go to KF and turn hard to starboard to course 180°.  He continues on his easterly course.
		05.20		20 minutes after the hits three escorts first fire star shells.  Lie in my initial general direction.
		06.10		Driving snow, visibility 500 meters.
		08.00	ÄA 3862
			ENE 5-6, Sea 4-5, overcast, low clouds, Vis. bad 1000-2000 meters, snow, hail, ice fields and small ice bergs, 983 mb	Ran to the shooting location, nothing found.  Visibility is so bad, continually in snow.  In so doing was forced away twice because ahead escorts with high bow seas were sighted.  Only on the third time I realized the bow seas were ice bergs.
				I am now 15-20 nm behind the convoy.  When I can next get in his vicinity the enemy will have reached the coast.  With my uncertain navigation and in the bad visibility I do not want to go close off the coast.  Therefore I report to Leadership:
		06.04		Outgoing Radio Message 1400/859:  Naval square ÄA 3852 04.52 hours 5 single shots, 3 hits, one determined sunk, 6000-7000 tons.  Hunted by escorts.  Star shells.  Position 3864, contact lost, breaking off pursuit.  64 cbm.
				It was wrong not to add the weather, which had changed.
		09.30		Dived. torpedo in tube 3 jammed.  Reloaded.
		11.50		Surfaced.
				In naval square 3860 back and forth in position, waited on orders.
		12.00	North Atlantic southwest of Greenland
			ÄA 3864	Day's run:  Surfaced        230 nm
				Submerged      13 nm
				Total                               243 nm
		14.52		Incoming Radio Message 1114/854:
				To Group Nordsturm.  Pursuit up to the coast,  penetration if the opportunity is favorable.
		15.00		Came to course 0°.
		16.00	ÄA 3851	Course 10°.
		20.00	ÄA 3511
		22.48		Incoming Radio Message 2224/865:
				To Nordsturm.  If there are no further attack opportunities, set off to the south, head for naval square AJ 56 and after setting off report fuel inventory.
		2300		Course 180°.

Sun and Moon Data 03.02.43

	- 15 -
		04.02.43
		00.00	ÄA 3395
		04.00	ÄA 3859
		08.00	ÄA 3892
		12.00	North Atlantic south of Greenland
			AJ 1335
			Lat.:      59°00'N	Day's run:  Surfaced  121 nm
			Long.:    48°30'W
			ENE 7, Sea 6-7, 10/10, snow squalls, 987 mb, Vis. 4-5 nm
		20.00	AJ 2174
		05.02.43
		00.00	AJ 2412	Proceeded on the surface.
		04.00	AJ 2415
		08.00	AJ 2457
		11.16		Crash dive for training.
		12.00	North Atlantic south of Greenland
			AJ 2455
			Lat.:      57°24'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         89 nm
			Long.:    47°14'W	Submerged       3 nm
			NW 5, Sea 4-5, high NE-Swell, 7/10, 1002 mb rising, Vis. 8-10 nm	Total                               92 nm
		12.25		Surfaced.
		16.00	AJ 2719	Proceeded on the surface., 1 diesel 240 RPM.
		1x.xx		Incoming Radio Message 1800/8xx:
				Occupy the following temporary attack areas at economical speed:  . . . Wächter AJ 83. . .
		20.00	AJ 27xx	Course 187°, 1 diesel 240 RPM.
		06.02.43
		00.00	AJ 5223	Proceeded on the surface.
		04.00	AJ 5257

	Sun and Moon Data 04.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 05.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 06.02.43

	- 16 -
		continued
		06.02.43
		08.00	AJ 5265	Proceeded on the surface.
		10.45		Crash dive for training.  Proceeded submerged at depth A -30 meters.
		12.00	North Atlantic south of Greenland
			Lat.:      55°47'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         93.5 nm
			Long.:    46°16'W	Submerged       6.5 nm
			AJ 5292	Total                                100 nm
			S 5- Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. bad, rain showers, 985 falling
		16.00	AJ 5298	Surfaced.
				Proceeded on the surface.
		20.00	AJ 5611
		07.02.43
		00.00	AJ 5617	Proceeded on the surface.
		04.00	AJ 5645
		08.00	AJ 5672
		11.25		Crash dive for training.
		12.00	North Atlantic south of Greenland
			AJ 5913
			Lat.:      54°34'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         62 nm
			Long.:    45°36'W	Submerged     22 nm
			W 4, Sea 4, overcast, Vis 2 nm, Vis. 1000 meters	Total                               84 nm
		12.55		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 06.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 07.02.43

	- 17 -
		continued
		07.02.43
		16.00	AJ 5919
		20.00	AJ 5957	First navigation fix in six days, difference between dead reckoning and actual position 130°T, 5x nm.
				Reached position.
				1 diesel KF back and forth in position.
		08.02.43
		00.00	AJ 8353
		04.00	AJ 8352
		08.00	AJ 8327
		10.27		Incoming Radio Message 1003/827:
				Group Nordsturm from 12.00 hours course 225°, economical transit speed.
		12.00	North Atlantic south of Greenland
			Lat.:      53°04'N	Day's run:  Surfaced      73 nm
			Long.:   45°48'W	Submerged     2 nm
			SSE 4, Sea 3, 10/10, Vis. medium, rain showers, 995 mb	Total                              75 nm
				Course 225°, 1 diesel 240 RPM.
				Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 170°, 8 nm.
		16.00	AJ 8345
		20.00	AJ 8371
		09.02.43
		00.00	AJ 8295	Proceeded on the surface.
		04.00	AJ 8526
		08.00	AJ 8551
		12.00	North Atlantic northeast of Newfoundland
			AJ 8548

	Sun and Moon Data 07.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 08.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 09.02.43

	- 18 -
		continued
		09.02.43
			Lat.:      52°18'N	Day's run:  Surfaced 89 nm
			Long.:   47°18'W
			SSW 2, Sea 1-2, 10/10, Vis. medium, 989 mb
		16.00	AJ 8495
		16.33		Crash dive for 2-engined land-based aircraft course 150°, into the clouds range = 8000 meters, was unnoticed.
		17.00		Surfaced.
		20.00	AJ 8726
		20.21		Incoming Radio Message 1902/838:
				Group Nordsturm is dissolved.  Boats join group Haudegen and occupy the following positions with depth 40 nm . . .   Wächter BC 1255
		10.02.43
		00.00	AJ 8751	Course 218, 1 diesel 240 RPM.
		04.00	AJ 8748
		08.00	AJ 7999
		10.23		Incoming Radio Message 1004/846:
				Group Haudegen course 70° with economical transit speed.

	Sun and Moon Data 09.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 10.02.43

	- 19 -
		continued
		10.02.43
		11.14	AJ 7999	Crash dive for training.
				Course 70°.
		12.00	Atlantic northeast of Newfoundland
			BC 1252
			Lat.:      50°39.5'N	Day's run:  Surfaced       118 nm
			Long.:   49°50'W	Submerged        2 nm
			NNE 4-5, Sea 4, Vis. bad, rain, 978 mb falling	Total                              120 nm
		12.00		Surfaced.
		12.42		Döhler reports a destroyer in BC 1912 course 40°.
		13.14		Incoming Radio Message 1304/850:
				To Group Haudegen.
				1.)  . . . .
				2.)  . . . .
				3.)  Remaining boats course 45°, speed 7 knots.
		13.45		Came to course 45°, 7 knots.
		16.00	AJ 8775
		20.00	AJ 7757
		23.10		Incoming Radio Message 2231/856:
				Group Haudegen.
				1.)  If up to 23.00 hours no contact course 45°, economical transit speed.  On 11 February 12.00 hours stop.  Remain in reached position.
				2.)  . . . .
				3.)  . . . .
		11.02.43
		00.00	AJ 8755
		04.00	AJ 8734
		08.00	AJ 8735
		12.00	Atlantic
			AJ 8574
			Lat.:      52°01'N	Day's run:  Surfaced       95 nm
			Long.:   47°21'W
			NNW 5-6, Sea 4, medium NW-Swell, 7/10, Vis. good, 998 mb rising
		16.00	AJ 8493	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 250°T, 20 nm
		19.35		Destroyer bearing 10°T.
				The port aft lookout had not paid attention.  The destroyer was already very far out and had seen me a long time.  Quickly growing at target angle 0°, despite running at AK.
		19.59		Crash dive.
		20.00		Ran off at 90° from the diving location.  Destroyer comes closer, stops, then gets underway.  No Asdic.
		20.20		At periscope depth.  Destroyer (type PERKINS) 4000-5000 meters away.  Drives in zigzags around the diving location and

	Sun and Moon Data 10.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 11.02.43

	- 20 -
		continued
		11.02.43
				stops now and again.  However he does not come so close that I can shoot.
		21.00		He suddenly shoots with artillery, 6 shots in the water and runs off at high speed, on course 220°.
		21.30		Surfaced, nothing to see.
		21.47		Outgoing Radio Message 2132/866:
				Destroyer contact reported.
				Incoming Radio Message 1951/864:
				Boats of Group Haudegen occupy:
				. . . . Wächter AJ 7685
				2.)  . . . .
		12.02.43
		00.00	AJ 0732
		01.00		Course 280°, 1 diesel 240 RPM to new square.
		04.00	AJ 8731
		08.00	AJ 8722
		11.25		Crash dive for training.
		12.00	North Atlantic northeast of Newfoundland
			AJ 8479
			Lat.:      51°55'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         82 nm
			Long.:   48°31'W	Submerged       6 nm
			SSW 6-9, Sea 7, 10/10, Vis. bad, hail, snow, rain, 993 mb	Total                                88 nm
				Proceeded submerged depth A -20 meters.
				Tonight a further 5 pairs of binoculars are flooded so that I now have only 3 perfect binoculars for the bridge watch.  We now take them from each other.
		16.00	AJ 8477
		18.00		Surfaced.
		20.00	AJ 7698
		13.02.43
		00.00	AJ 7697	Proceeded on the surface.
			SW 8, Sea 7, Vis. medium, showers, 989 mb, rising
		04.00	AJ 7689
		08.00	AJ 7689
		12.00	North Atlantic northeast of Newfoundland
			AJ 7685	Day's run:  Surfaced         49 nm
			Lat.:      51°55'N	Submerged       6 nm
			Long.:   48°31'W	Total                                55 nm
				Back and forth in position on course 190° and 10°, 1 diesel KF.
		16.00	AJ 7685
		20.00	AJ 7686

	Sun and Moon Data 11.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 12.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 13.02.43

	- 21 -
		14.02.43
		00.00	AJ 7685	Back and forth in position.
		04.00	AJ 7682
		08.00	AJ 7659
		10.58		Crash dive for training.
		11.51		Surfaced.
		12.00	North Atlantic northeast of Newfoundland
			AJ 7685
			Lat.:      52°04'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         77 nm
			Long.:   49°44'W	Submerged      1 nm
			WSW 1-2, Sea 1-2, medium W-Swell, 10/10, Vis. good, 1010 mb	Total                               78 nm
		16.00	AJ 7922
		20.00	AJ 7688
		15.02.43
		00.00	AJ 7658
		04.00	AJ 7658
		08.00	AJ 7682
		11.14		Crash dive for training.
		12.00	Atlantic northeast of Newfoundland
			AJ 7658
			Lat.:      52°15'N
			Long.:   49°48'W
			SSE 7, Sea 6-7, 10/10, Vis. 2-3 nm, rain showers, 985 mb rising
		12.20		Surfaced.
		16.00	AJ 7686
		16.50		Incoming Radio Message 1616/892:
				Occupy as attack area. . . . Wächter BC 21
				Boats form Group Taifun.
		19.00		Course 130°, 1 diesel LF.
		20.00	AJ 7697
		16.02.43
		00.00	AK 7933	Transit to new attack area.
		04.00	AJ 8242
		08.00	AJ 8758
		12.00	Atlantic northeast of Newfoundland
			AJ 8754
			Lat.:      51°07'N	Day's run:  Surfaced  101 nm
			Long.:   47°50'W
			SSW 3-4, Sea 3, clear, 2/10, Vis. good, 998 mb
		16.00	BC 2111	In position.
		20.00	BC 2151	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 160°T, 12 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 14.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 15.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 16.02.43

	- 22 -
		17.02.43
		00.00	BC 2185	In attack area on changing courses.
		04.00	BC 2158
		08.00	BC 2142
		11.40		Destroyer bearing 10°T, bow left, course 10°, out of a squall.  Dived unnoticed.
				At periscope depth.  Nothing seen, no sound bearings.
		12.00	North Atlantic northeast of Newfoundland
			BC 2154
			Lat.:      50°28'N	Day's run:  Surfaced 114 nm
			Long.:   46°51'W
			WSW 4-5, Sea 3-4, 10/10, misty, Vis. 4-6 nm, 1019 mb
		12.09		Surfaced.  Destroyer bearing 350°T, 2-3 nm away.
		12.10		Crash dive.
				In the periscope nothing is seen.
		13.11		Surfaced, destroyer bearing 210°T, 9 nm away.
		13.30		Out of sight.
				According to the bearings must be 10-12 nm away, course 200°, ran along with.  In the listening gear nothing was heard.
				Advanced to both sides on his course, nothing seen.
				It was again the duty destroyer which has often been reported here.
		15.41		Incoming Beta Beta:
				Convoy AJ 9982, course 225°. Gräf.
		16.00	BC 2157	Course 90°, AK ahead.
			WSW 3-4, Sea 2-3, Vis. good	Operated on the convoy.
		16.28		Incoming Radio Message 1610/817:
				Group Taifun operate on convoy.
		20.00	BC 2259	It freshens.
		23.00		I must reduce speed quickly.
		18.02.43
		00.00	BC 2359	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 30°T, 10 nm
			SE 7, Sea 6-7, 8/10, rain, Vis. 4 nm, 998 mb falling quickly
				I now run at LF.
				22.07 hours last contact keeper report from Rosenberg.
				Convoy BC 3136, course 220°, 8 knots.
				Search courses between 180° and 60°.
		03.20		Incoming Radio Message 0311/834:
				Group Taifun and . . . report position.
		04.00	BC 3175
		04.45		Outgoing Radio Message:
				Naval square BC 3175, S 8-9, Sea 8, 986 mb, falling.  Vis. 3 nm, 34 cbm.  (Was not acknowledged).
				I have bad reception on all circuits.
		05.00	South storm, Sea 9, Vis. 100 meters, rain, 989 mb falling

	Sun and Moon Data 17.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 18.02.43

	- 23 -
		continued
		18.02.43		I run on convoy course with 1 diesel KF.  I barely make way.
		08.00	BC 3177
		12.00	Atlantic northeast of Newfoundland	Day's run:  Surfaced  149 nm
			BC 3177	I search on courses 220° to 230°.
			Lat.:      50°09'N
			Long.:    42°56'W
			W 10, Sea 8-9, Vis. very bad
		13.55	BC 2633	Reported position by Short Signal (was not solved by Control).
		16.07	BC 2633	Reported position again.
		17.17		Search courses between 260° and 280°.
				Clausen gets contact again on 1 destroyer and 1 steamer BC 3472, course 270°.
				(Probably partial convoy).
				By this the convoy is faster than I believed.
		19.36		Incoming Radio Message 1910/852:
				Operate on Clausen report. . .
		20.00	BC 2634	Came to search course, 2 x HF.
			W 6, Sea 5-6, Vis. good
				The bearings requested from Drewitz were not heard here. My direction finder works well.
		19.02.43
		00.00	BC 2683
		01.00	BC 2697	I am positioned at the reported convoy position.  Back and forth in position.  Good visibility.
		02.00		Dived.
		02.10		Surfaced.  No sound bearings, no bearing signals.
		03.00		I believe that I have been offset to the north by the storm and continue searching on courses 210° - 250°.
		04.00	BC 2925	Without navigation fix and without bearing signals I cannot make gain anything from the Clausen report.
		06.00	BC 2947
			S 3-4, Sea 3, 10/10, Vis. moderate, 999 mb	Continued search between 310° and 270°.
		10.32		Clausen's LF transmitter is out of service.  He breaks off.
		11.05		Crash dive for training.  No sound bearings.
		11.40		Surfaced.
		12.00	Atlantic east of Newfoundland
			BC 2853
			Lat.:      48°48.75'N	Day's run:  Surfaced  177 nm
			Long.:    45°00'W

	Sun and Moon Data 18.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 19.02.43

	- 24 -
		continued
		19.02.43
				Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 230°T, 22 nm.
		14.44		Incoming Radio Message 1429/889:
				1.)  If up to the beginning of darkness there is no contact, break off search and go to supply square naval square 4255.
				2.)  . . . .
		15.54		Drewitz has contact naval square BC 2938, course 230°, 7 knots.
				Came to course 90° and HF.
		16.00	BC 2765
				Operating on Drewitz.
		16.55		Incoming Radio Message 1635/892:
				Concerning supply Taifun and Haudegen.  After supply all boats return transit to France.
		17.29		Drewitz corrects position from naval square 2938 to 2629, course 260°, 6 knots.
		18.00		Came to course 25°, 2 x HF.  Bearing signals heard.  I have Drewitz in 40-50°T. Matches his position.
				15.20 hours last bearing signals from Drewitz.
		20.00		Incoming Radio Message 1859/895:
				Wächter and Mengersen report weather between 03.00 and 06.00 hours.
		22.00	BC 2591	With course 250° I am positioned exactly ahead of the convoy which now must be in 2646.  Because there are no further reports and bearing signals from Drewitz, I run to meet the convoy in large legs from 40° to 130° and with enemy speed of 3-4 knots must be at the enemy at 02.00 hours.
		22.14		Received last report from Drewitz.
				19.50 hours enemy position BC 2652, course 240°, 4 knots.  Drewitz breaks off due to fuel.
		20.02.43
		00.00	BC 2593
			SW 4-5, Sea 4, Vis. 4-6 nm, high Swell
		01.00		Back and forth in 2645 and 2672.
		03.53		Dived to listen.  Nothing
		04.00	BC 2648
		04.06		Surfaced.
				Continued searching between 40° and 130°.
		05.43	BC 2657
			SW 7-8, Sea 6, W-Swell, 1002 mb rising, +1°C, Vis. good, scattered showers	Sent Short Signal weather report.

	Sun and Moon Data 19.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 20.02.43

	- 25 -
		continued
		20.02.43
		08.00	DC 2586
		09.27	BC 2559	Search broken off with report.
		09.58		Incoming Radio Message 0943/808:
				To Taifun:  If at lightness there is no contact, break off operation, report fuel and go to supply.
		12.00	Atlantic, east of Newfoundland
			BC 2953
			Lat.:      49°09'N	Day's run:  Surfaced  191 nm
			Long.:   43°00'W
			WSW 4, Sea 4, 10/10, Vis. medium, scattered rain showers, 1000 mb, steep high W-Swell	Course 105°, 1 diesel LF.
		14.25		Reported fuel by Short Signal, in so doing in the radio room tons were sent instead of cbm.
				Signal was confirmed at 15.32 hours.
		15.34		Crash dive for training.
		16.00	BC 3729	Transit to supply.
		17.12		Surfaced.
		20.00	BC 3732
		21.02.43
		00.00	BC 3842	Transit to supply.
		04.00	BC 3859
		08.00	BC 3869
		12.00	Atlantic
			Lat.:      48°30'N	Day's run:  Surfaced  179 nm
			Long.:   39°32.5'W
			SW 4, Sea 3-4, 10/10, Vis. 10 nm, 1008 mb steady	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 305°T, 14 nm.
		16.00	BC 3985
		20.00	BC 3999
		20.09		Incoming Radio Message 2006/832:
				Supply Group Schnoor.  New meeting point in BD 4595 . . .
		22.00		Course 123°, 1 diesel LF.
		22.02.43
		00.00	BD 4116	Proceeding on the surfaced.
		04.00	BD 4156
		08.00	BD 4198
		12.00	North Atlantic
			BD 4515
			Lat.:      47°14.5'N	Day's run:  Surfaced  159 nm
			Long.:   36°41'W
			NW 4, Sea 3-4, 9/10, 1006 mb steady, Vis. good
		16.00	BD 4553

	Sun and Moon Data 20.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 21.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 22.02.43

	- 26 -
		continued
		22.02.43
		19.18		Incoming Radio Message 1837/848:
				Supply meeting point shifted to 4355.
		20.00	BD 4553	With economical transit speed operated on Holtring convoy.
			SW 4, Sea 3-4, Vis. good, high SW-Swell
				Reported operations intention.
		21.25		Crash dive for training.
		21.30		Surfaced.
				Bearing signals from Hasenschar were not heard.
		22.45		Star shells bearing 60°T still far off.
				Both diesels GF, course 60°T.
		23.02.43
		00.00	BD 4634	I must be at the level of the convoy.  Dark night, lightly misty.
				Back and forth in position on course 0° and 180°.
		00.30		Dived to listen.  Sound bearing in 40°T to 50°T.
		00.48		Surfaced.
				Course 40°.
		01.45		Dived to listen, sound bearing, steamer sounds in 310°T to 350°T.
		01.50		Surfaced to pursue.
		02.15		Continued searching on westerly course.
		02.20		German U-boat in sight,  Course 300°.
		02.46		Destroyer bearing 290°T very close.
				Bridge very wet.  Often only 1 pair of binoculars on the bridge, while the other two are cleaned.
		02.55		Pursued and searched in 240° to 270°.
		04.00	BD 4642
		04.55		Convoy in sight.
		05.08		Convoy BD 4641.
				I am positioned exactly behind the convoy.
		05.40		Beta Beta.  Convoy BD 4566, course 230°, 8 knots.
				Maneuvered ahead.
		06.53		Bright fiery glow on a tanker, hit (probably Hasenschar).  Afterwards star shell firing.  The entire forward sector from 90° to 270° is brightly illuminated.  Without binoculars I had not seen these escorts at all.
				I am positioned at the level of the last column and turn to attack.  Target is a tanker 8000 GRT.  Superstructure on aftership, seems to be fully loaded.
				At the same level a hit tanker.  Whose aftership can not be seen already.
				The tanker had seen me and drives in a circle.  Shoots wildly with star shells.
				Suddenly he shoots with artillery, shots lie very well.  Moved off.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 23.02.43

	- 27 -
		continued
		23.02.43		A destroyer is coming to him to assist.
		07.50		I move between the tanker and the convoy and want to attack him at twilight.
		08.00	BD 4569
		09.06		Dived to attack submerged.
		09.51		Three-fan from tube I, III and IV on the tanker.
				Enemy values:
				Depth 3 meters, target speed = 10 knots, target angle = 90°, spread = 7°, range = 600 meters.
				The destroyer proceeds in port echelon 1000 meters away.  Immediately after shooting the fan he stops and shows target angle 0°.
				After 26 seconds (400 meters) 3 hits on tanker in fan rhythm.  First below the bridge, second aft 10 meters, third after edge of the forward mast.  3 medium-high mushrooms of smoke and fiery glow.  From the hit locations, on the basis of the spread angle the ship was 125-130 meters long.  He immediately lists to port and settles aft.
				When the destroyer gets underway, I go deep and turn hard.  Flooding mechanism set in operation.
				At depth A -30 meters 6 depth charges.
				At depth A +10 meters 6 more depth charges.
				In the entire boat strong sinking sounds are heard.
		10.05		To depth A +50 meters.
				Destroyer runs off after each series and works with Asdic (double impulse like pistol shots).
		10.15		At silent running course north.
				Up to 11.03 hours every 4-10 minutes 6-8 depth charges.  Now further off.  Boat raised.  I want to be a bit higher.
		11.15		At depth A +0 meters they lie better again.
				Again went to depth A +50 meters.
				There are now 3 destroyers, they throw series quickly after on another.  All lie astern and range is always further away.
		12.00	North Atlantic
			Lat.:      46°50'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         215.6 nm
			Long.:   35°38'W	Submerged         8.3 nm
			BD 4559	Total                               283.6 nm
			SSW 2-3, Sea 1-2, clear, Vis. good
				A total of 126 depth charges in the vicinity of the boat.
				"          93 depth charges further off, probably not meant for us.
		14.16		Surfaced.
				Fuel-wise pursuit is possible, however I only have 2 sets of binoculars, I decide to go to the supplier.
		15.35		Outgoing Radio Message 1506/897:
				Reported tanker sinking and supply intentions
				Course 40°, LF.

Sun and Moon Data 23.02.43

	- 28 -
		continued
		23.02.43
		16.00	BD 4539
		20.00	BD 4373
		20.25		In position, request bearing signals by Short Signal.  Nothing was heard.
		24.02.43
		00.00	BD 4329
		04.00	BD 4351
		08.00	BD 4352
		12.00	North Atlantic
			BD 4353
			Lat.:      47°56'N	Day's run:  Surfaced          114 nm
			Long.:  34°44.5'W	Submerged       6.7 nm
			SSW 2-3, Sea 2, Vis. good, sunny, 1010 mb	Total                               120.7 nm
				Since dawn I have been at the meeting point.  Nothing seen.
		15.06		By Radio Message requested bearing signals once more.
		15.50		Bearing signals heard.  Course 326°, LF.
		16.00	BD 4355
		16.16		Destroyer bearing 175 BD 4383.  Bearing shifts quickly.  Moved off.  At the same moment Schnoor comes in sight ahead.
		15.39		Kremser reports the same destroyer, BD 4359.
				Therefore I gave up pursuit.
		16.30	WSW 3-4, Sea 3, high SW-Swell, clear 5/10, Vis. good, 1014 mb rising
				At Schnoor.  Take over postponed to tomorrow due to weather conditions.
		19.22		Incoming Radio Message 1834/882:
				1.)  Wächter . . . take over fuel from Schnoor . . . afterwards all three boats return transit.
				2.)  . . . .
		19.00		Hesemann joins.
		20.00	BD 4356	Conserved fuel in the square.
		25.02.43
		00.00	BD 4356	Conserved fuel in the square.
		07.30		Forward Ato was downloaded.
		08.00	BD 4356
		10.30		15 cbm fuel oil taken over from Schnoor.  Afterwards 5 day's provisions.
		12.00	North Atlantic
			BD 4356
			Lat.:      47°52'N	Day's run:  Surfaced 5 nm
			Long.:  34°36'W
			Light SW-Swell, Vis. good, 1028 mb steady

	Sun and Moon Data 23.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 24.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 25.02.43

	- 29 -
		continued
		25.02.43
		15.00		Transfer ended.
		15.10		Began return transit.  Course 92°, 1 diesel LF.
		16.00	BD 4668
		17.15		Trim test.
		18.00		Surfaced.
		20.00	BD 5149	Proceeded on the surface.
		26.02.43
		00.00	BD 5176	Proceeded on the surface.
		04.00	BD 5248
		08.00	BD 5267
		12.00	North Atlantic
			BD 5348
			Lat.:      47°42'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         158 nm
			Long.:   30°47'W	Submerged        3 nm
			SW 3-4, Sea 3-4, 7/10, 1017 mb, Vis. 10 nm, medium Swell	Total                               161 nm
		16.00	BD 5359	Proceeded on the surface.
		20.00		"
		20.35		Crash dive for training.  Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 322°T, 11 nm.
		20.55		Surfaced.  Proceeded on the surface.
		27.02.43
		00.00	BD 6154	Proceeded on the surface.
		04.00	BD 6114	"
		08.00	BD 6248	"
		12.00	North Atlantic
			BD 6269
			Lat.:      47°48'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         124 nm
			Long.:   26°34'W	Submerged        1 nm
			SW 4, Sea 3-4, sunny, 5/10, Vis. good, 1018 mb steady	Total                               125 nm
		16.00	BD 6357
		20.00	BD 6392	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 132°T, 5 nm.
		28.02.43
		00.00	BE 4176	Proceeded on the surface.
		04.00	BE 4198
		08.00	BE 4513
		10.55		Crash dive for training.
		11.24		Surfaced.
		12.00	North Atlantic
			BE 4531
			Lat.:      47°48'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         175 nm
			Long.:   22°20'W	Submerged        1 nm
			SSE 2-3, Sea 2, medium SW-Swell, sunny, 3/10, Vis. good, 1023 steady	Total                               176 nm
		16.00	BE 4619	Proceeded on the surface.
		20.00	BE 4673

	Sun and Moon Data 25.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 26.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 27.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 28.02.43

	- 30 -
		continued
		28.02.43
		21.55		Crash dive Fu.M.B. sounds (73°, 1200 Hz. polarization not determined)
		22.27		Surfaced.  Proceeded on the surface.
		01.03.43
		00.00	BE 5419
		04.00	BE 5453
		08.00	BE 5466
		12.00	North Atlantic western Bay of Biscay
			BE 5546
			Lat.:      46°56'N	Day's run:  Surfaced 148 nm
			Long.:   18°36'W
			E 5-6, Sea 4-5, 7/10, Vis. good, 1026 mb steady
		12.42	BE 5554	Abeam to port out of the clouds 1000 meters Boeing (4-engined) in approach.  Good behavior of the Second Watch Officer.  He opened fire immediately on all machine guns and forced the aircraft to turn away a bit, so that the 5 aircraft bombs all fell to starboard and too far away.
				Crash dive while flying away.
				Except for a few momentary light no failures.  No further approaches.
		13.57		Surfaced, transit on the surface.
		16.00	BE 5555
		17.30		Crash dive Fu.M.B. sounds.
				(0°, 115 cm, 500 Hz. horizontally polarized).
		18.53		Surfaced.  Proceeded on the surface.
		20.00	BE 5562	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 109°T, 15 nm.
		02.03.43
		00.00	BE 5683	Proceeded on the surface.
		04.00	BE 6472	"
		08.00	BE 6494	"
				Dived to proceed submerged.
		12.00	Atlantic Bay of Biscay
			BE 6499
			Lat.:      46°35'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         134 nm
			Long.:   14°38'W	Submerged      30 nm
			E 3-4, Sea 3, medium E-Swell, 10/10, 1016 mb falling	Total                               164 nm
		12.38		Surfaced.
		12.40		Dived.  Proceeded submerged.
		16.00	BE 6578
		19.55		8 depth charges far off.
		20.00	BE 6579
		20.16		Surfaced.  Proceeded on the surface., LF.

	Sun and Moon Data 28.02.43
	Sun and Moon Data 01.03.43
	Sun and Moon Data 02.03.43

	- 31 -
		03.03.43
		00.00	BE 6832	Proceeded on the surface.
		04.00	BE 6912
			ESE 5-6, Sea 5, Vis. medium, 1018 mb falling
		08.00	BE 6935	Dived to proceed submerged depth A -30 meters.
		11.05		3 depth charges far off.
		12.00	Bay of Biscay
			BF 4714
			Lat.:      46°15'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         100 nm
			Long.:   11°27'W	Submerged       34 nm
				Total                               134 nm
		12.45		Surfaced. Ventilated the boat.
		13.00		Dived.
		16.00	BF 4719
		16.35		Surfaced.
		17.02		Crash dive for land-based aircraft bearing 260°T, was unseen.
				Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix 230°T, 10 nm.
		19.57		Surfaced, proceeded on the surface.
		20.00	BF 4743
			E 3-4, Sea 2-3, 8/10, Vis. medium, 1005 mb, steady
		23.50	BF 4844	Crash dive Fu.M.B. sounds.
				Fluctuating tone about 1000 Hz., 178 cm, polarization not determined.  Horizontal cable broken.
		04.03.43
		00.00	BF 4844
		00.27		Surfaced.
		00.57		Crash dive Fu.M.B. sounds.
				First a fluctuating tone, then steady about 800 Hz, 204 cm.
		01.21		Surfaced.  Proceeded on the surface.
		04.00	BF 4855
		07.15		Dived to proceed submerged.
		08.00	BF 4973
		12.00	Bay of Biscay
			BF 4983
			Lat.:      45°53'N	Day's run:  Surfaced         128 nm
			Long.:   7°40'W	Submerged       44 nm
			SE 3-4, Sea 3, light E-Swell, sunny, 4/10, Vis. good, 1002 mb	Total                               172 nm
		12.35		Surfaced.  Ventilated the boat.
		12.44	BF 4983	Crash dive for flying boat bearing 210°T, was unnoticed.
		16.00
		19.10		Surfaced, proceeded on the surface.
		20.00	BF 4993	Proceeded on the surface.

	Sun and Moon Data 03.03.43
	Sun and Moon Data 04.03.43

	- 32 -
		05.03.43
		00.00	BF 5786	Proceeded on the surface.
		04.00	BF 5867	"
		06.10		Dived, proceeded submerged.
		08.00	BF 5897	Surfaced.
		11.15		Dived.
		12.00	BF 5899
			Lat.:      45°31'N
			Long.:   4°06'W
			Wind calm, sunny, 5/10, 1018 mb
		14.21		Surfaced.
		14.31		Dived.
		16.00	BF 6781
		20.00	BF 6781
		20.30		Surfaced, proceeded on the surface.
		06.03.43
		00.00	BF 6728	Proceeded on the surface.
		04.00	BF 6731	"
		07.00	BF 6492	"   convoy intake.
		14.29		Made fast St. Nazaire.
			1.) The position of the boat was often inaccurate due to the mostly unfavorable weather, often went for 3-4 days without a navigation fix, which was particularly evident in the convoy operation from 17 to 19 February 1943. The requested bearing signals were only heard in one case (Drewitz) on 19 February around 16.00 hours. 2.) Only immediately opening fire from all machine guns on 1 March in BE 50 during the surprise attack prevented serious damage to the boat. Even in far-flung sea areas, shot-ready weapons. 3.) Although the crew was greatly stressed by the weather conditions, not a single difficulty or failure occurred in the morale and attitude of the soldiers, also with the depth charges and aircraft bombs well.
				10 March 1943
				Oblt.z.S. and Kommandant

	Sun and Moon Data 05.03.43
	Sun and Moon Data 06.03.43

	Enclosures to U-223's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Chart	Track chart covering entire war patrol
Radio	Excerpt of the Radio Log

 

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	on the Kriegstagebuch "U 223" from 21.1. - 6.3.1943.
	First patrol of the Kommandanten with a new boat!
	The Kommandant led his boat with confidence, deliberation and good tactical sense to a beautiful initial success!
	The resolute handing of the Second Watch Officer on 1 March is noteworthy.
	Otherwise nothing to note.
	Accredited Success:	For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
	3 ships of 16000 GRT	- The Chief of the Operations Department -

 

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