"  U-333  "
 
 
Outgoing
 
     
 
02.01.42 1450  
        Own position O M 5475, was forced off by aircraft.
                                                 U-333
     
02.01.42 2018  
        Large square A M 26, still have 100 tons fuel oil aboard.
                                                 U-333
     
11.01.42 1713  
        My position is large square AK 50.
                                                 U-333
     
24.01.43 2336  
        18 January large freighter 8000 tons square I A 94, 22 January "BURDWAN" 6069 tons square H B 23, 24 January typical passenger-freighter and freight steamer Type "PORT TOWNSVILLE" only larger superstructure.  Morse name B L W G 11000 tons square IF 77.  Total 25069 tons sunk.  Independent traffic, air surveillance, much bad weather, 40 cbm, return transit.
                                                 U-333
     
26.01.42 0206  
        1.  square U X 8755 freighter probably a U-boat trap 7000 ton works together with destroyer.  Speed 5 knots, stops occasionally, course 230°, miss.  2.  To Serial No. 243:  square P F 94, square Q R 23, square D R 77, square E S 79
                                                 U-333
     
30.01.42 0207  
        45° 33'N, 32° 05'W, rising, 1020 mb, +13°C, NW 3-4, overcast, Vis. up to 10 nm, low NW-Swell.
                                                 U-333
     
31.01.42 2206  
        Square I A 63 just now with last Atos typical passenger-freighter 8000 tons sunk.  2 hits, probably loaded with munitions, because after 2nd hit large detonation.  Appearance:  Dark gray hull, white superstructure, one smokestack, 2 slender masts without crosstrees, 5 large hatches, 2 pole masts ahead of the bridge, round stern, no flag, no neutrality markings, one cannon on stern, zig zagging on general course 60°, shot at 350 meters by stopwatch as exact enemy character determined.  Sank in accordance with operational orders.  Total 33069 tons.  
                                                 Cremer
 
     
     
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
     
 
- 2 -
 
     
 
01.02.42 0215  
        To B.d.U. and Schuch:  Position naval square BE 7230, heading to square BE 7142.
                                                 Cremer
     
01.02.42 0330  
        45° 26'N, 22° 26'W, steady, 1032 mb, +14°C, S 3-4, overcast, Vis. up to 5 nm, low NW-Swell.
     
01.02.42 0324  
        Naval square B D 93 at 18.33 hours.
                                                 Cremer
     
01.02.42 1145  
        Located exactly at sinking location.  After 1st hit no launching of boats, after 2nd hit not observed due to fog, however probably the ship was not sunk immediately.
                                                 Cremer
     
01.02.42 1221  
        Sinking location very large oil slick, no wreckage, no boats, run initially 200° for 25 nm, in case boats sail and head for the Azores, then back and 0°, in case boats  without sails are driven to the south.  Position 45° 25'N, 24° 15'W, Vis. up to 12 nm, Sea 2-3.
                                                 Cremer
     
01.02.42 1944  
        1 destroyer square BE 7121, high speed, course 270°.
                                                 U-333
     
01.02.42 2112  
        Advances to the S, from S via SE to N, from N via NW to W without success.  New course 100° from sinking location, to be at the position at dawn that the boats would reach heading for the Spanish coast at 3 knots.  Vis. 10 nm, Sea 2, S 2-3, occasional rain showers.
     
02.02.42 2230  
        No search results except for life ring with letters H.M.S. in naval square BE 7337.  1st hit 16.50 hours, 2nd hit 18.33 hours, Sinking not observed due to arising fog, however certain.  Last situation on even keel, stern below the surface.  Square BE 8169, 19 cbm, Vis. day up to 15 nm, S 2, Sea 1.
                                                 Cremer
 
     
     
     
 
- 3 -
 
     
 
03.02.42 2312  
        To B.d.U. and Schuch:  Search line 5780 from east to west completed, because by getting light square given by Schuch could not be reached.  Intend morning same search line beginning from 4988 to the east.  Vis. up to 15 nm, SSW 2-3, Sea 1, 1000 mb.
                                                 Cremer
     
04.02.42 1906  
        Still have 15 cbm fuel.
                                                 U-333
     
07.02.42 2307  
        Position 36 hours off meeting point with escort, request Radio Beacon Group 6.
                                                 U-333
     
08.02.42 0906  
        Position Monday at 10.00 hours at Point 36.
                                                 U-333
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
     
     
     
     
 
"  U-333  "
 
 
R A D I O    M E S S A G E S.
 
  that are directed to the boat or the associated Group:  
     
 
30.12.41 0120 and 0230  
From 1 January 00.00 hours for Short Signals and Weather Reports the following signatures are to be used:
(designations follow)
     
30.12.41 1946  
"Cremer" report by Flottilla Short Signal passing the latitude of 60°N.
     
01.01.42 1952  
Degen and Cremer after passing square LC 60 report fuel inventory by Short Signal.
     
02.01.42 2050  
Cremer reports position from square AM 26 fuel 100 tons.
     
02.01.42 2055  
Degen and Cremer proceed via square N J 56, F L 57, P K 26 to square F H 84.
     
04.01.42 1350 and 1525  
Instructions:  1.  Approximate positions of medium boats:  Hardegen and Cremer square OK 60, Prätorius and Berger square A A 20, Thurmann square E Y 90 named boats head for square K T 84.  Schug square W C 70 and heads for square K T 86, Topp, Mützelburg and Uphoff located about square I E 70 and head for square Z N 00.  2.  Approximate positions of large boats:  Winter and Rasch naval square BF, Zapp and Hardegen square L L 00.  Named boats head for naval square N V 90.  Bleichrodt and Kals square S I 00 and proceed initially to longitude of square K J 8889.  Folkers remains initially at the longitude of square Y M 2671.
     
11.01.42 1748  
Cremer reports position by Short Signal in naval square A K 50.
     
17.01.42 17.40  
Cremer occupy Berger attack area.  With that boat joins Group "Ziethen". [BB 98 and 99]
     
19.01.42 0330  
 
     
     
     
 
- 1 -
 
     
 
19.01.42 0330  
1.  Topp, Degen:  If reloading is not possible begin return transit and report.  2.  Uphoff free to maneuver in Ziethen area.  3.  The following attack areas are occupied:  Prätorius square 22 and 23, Cremer square 25 and 26, Schulte square 28 and 29.  4.  Thurmann and Forster square 00 focal point of traffic in square 0520.  Bleichrodt is located in the same area.  5.  All squares D P.
     
21.01.42 1748  
In existing attack area of square A K 98, 99, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29 occupy:  Ostermann the upper third, Cremer the middle third, Schulte the lower third.
     
22.01.42 1020  
To Group Ziethen:  Free to maneuver.
     
23.01.42 1632  
To Ziethen:  On 22 January 04.45 hours square K P 1676 torpedoed American steamer still floats and attempts to reach the nearest harbor.
     
25.01.42 0651  
To Cremer in Radio Message 2307/24 the squares give are incorrect.  Check.  Give new squares again.
     
25.01.42 1745  
1.  Group Ziethen:  If situation in area Green square U F does not seem promising, delayed return transit, in area K T 80, 90, 10, 20, from 16 to 22 January enemy traffic.  2.  Rollmann, Greger:  Operations free in both named areas.  3.  Regard stated limit in accordance with Operations Order 46 Paragraph III 2 and 50, 48.
     
26.01.42 0758  
1.  To Cremer:  Well done.  2.  Rollmann, Greger:  free to maneuver in named area KP and M H.  3.  Winter initially head for area E J 68, 69, 92, 93 if there is no traffic, search for traffic up to south of square 09 in coastal area to the west.
     
28.01.42 1328  
Return harbor for Mützelburg, Uphoff Brest, Hardegen, Zapp Lorient.  Thurmann, Mannstein, Degen Nazaire.  Cremer Pallice.  Entry route Lorient is still via Point Tanne and Ceder.  Route Bogenlampe is still mined.
 
     
     
     
 
- 2 -
 
     
 
29.01.42 2025  
Degen, Cremer, Löwe on 30 January between 01.00 and 05.00 hours report weather by Short Signal.
     
01.02.42 2235  
On 1 February between 01.00 and 05.00 hours report weather:  Vogelsang, Cremer, Hirsacker on if position west of the longitude of naval square C G 4699.
     
31.01.42 1918  
To Degen, Uphoff, Cremer:  Head for naval square BE 7141, if still west thereof.
     
01.02.42 0127  
1.  Cremer:  Immediately report time and position of the sinking by naval square.  2.  Uphoff:  continue return transit.  3.  Heydemann:  free to maneuver in square K T and in the large square east of X C.  Regard Operations Order 50 Section 1.
     
01.02.42 0453  
1.  Sinking is reported by Cremer.  2.  Schuch and Cremer head for naval square B E 7142 as ordered and search.
     
01.02.42 1025  
1.  To Degen, Uphoff, Schute:  Head for naval square Bruno Emil 7142 and report arrival.
2.  Cremer report, if crew at torpedoing took to the boats.
     
01.02.42 1455  
To Cremer:  B.d.U. suspects that if boats had sails they would head for square BF 79 speed 3 knots.  If advance to the south ended, search on corresponding search curve at sinking location in sector from SE to N before darkness.  Later after darkness report weather and situation.
     
01.02.42 2353  
1.  Schuch:  search from brightness in long W-E lines from sinking location to the north, under the assumption that boats are drifting and not sailing.  High speed.
2.  Remaining boats search in sectors out from sinking location.  Uphoff:  sector 80-90°, Cremer:  90-100°, Liebe:  100-115°.  Under the assumption that in this area boats sail to the east., speed 1-3 knots.  Origin of the search each according to position at brightness.
     
02.02.42 1656  
 
     
     
     
 
- 3 -
 
     
 
02.02.42 1656  
To Cremer:  With situation report report time of the 1st and 2nd hits plus the sinking.
     
02.02.42 1730  
1.  Schulte:  Continue search north of the stated area.
2.  Schuch:  Immediately give weather report.
3.  All boats report situation in the SPREEWALD rescue action search area after the beginning of darkness.
     
02.02.42 2335  
To boats in the SPREEWALD search action:  All immediately assemble on Schuch.
     
03.02.42 0028  
To boats in the SPREEWALD rescue action:  Sinking of the steamer by a German U-boat is not to be told to the steamer crew.
     
03.02.42 2349  
To SPREEWALD search group:  1.  Boats run in assigned sectors 140 nm from origin from 2.  Thereafter occupy reconnaissance line from naval square BE 1994 to BE 4364 in named order:  Östermann - Hardegen - Schulte - Degen - Schuch - Cremer - Liebe.  Continue search in reconnaissance line in direction 90° with SE and NE courses.
                                                 Schuch
     
04.02.42 01.30  
To SPREEWALD search group:  In Radio Message Serial No. 269 delete Paragraph 2.
     
04.02.42 01.50  
To Cremer:  At brightness 4 February take up search line from naval square 4895 to the east, afterwards disregard ordered position in reconnaissance line.
     
04.02.42 1644  
1.  Take note:  Boats with survivors from SPREEWALD proceeded on 1 February from naval square BE 4788 on easterly course.  In reconnaissance line from square 1944 to square 7364 Östermann - Hardegen - Degen - Schuch - Cremer - Liebe search in legs to the east.
2.  Lehmann - Feiler - Zahn on 5 February evening continue westerly transit, if search is unsuccessful.
3.  Shipwrecked are not to be told the sinking was by a German U-boat.  4.  Liebe report fuel.
 
     
     
     
 
- 4 -
 
     
 
04.02.42 2032  
"Kremer" reports by Short Signal that the boat still has 15 cbm.
     
04.02.42 0134  
1.)  Boats in SPREEWALD search action return transit in ordered line.
2.)  "Schuch":  Highest speed.
3.)  "Zahn", "Feiler", "Lehmann": as ordered in Radio Message 1641/4/297.
     
07.02.42 1328  
        Entry Route "Pallice" is Route "Dachgiebel" to Point 36, where convoy intake takes place.  Route "Eisenplatte" and "Centralplan" still mined.
     
08.02.42 1655  
        Escort for "Cremer" positioned 9 February 10.00 hours at Point 36.  Ensure time because otherwise entry is not possible until 10 February.
     
08.02.42 1736  
"Cremer" be at Point 36 Monday 10.00 hours.  From today from 20.00 hours to 9 February 07.00 Radio Beacons run:  "Ile d' Yeu", "Les Baleines", "La Coubre".
     
08.02.42 1930  
Cremer:  On Route "Dachgiebel" via Point 36 tonight expect Italian U-boat returning on same route.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
     
     
     
 
 
 
"  U-333  "
 
 
R A D I O    M E S S A G E S.
 
  Received directly from other boats:  
     
 
18.01.42 0419  
        Area 2 initially as in peacetime, after sinking outer beacons extinguished, traffic stopped, up to line square WO 5793 to 5849 mine free.  Here pilots and fishermen, medium air, destroyer surveillance.  4 aircraft bombs.  Square FO 84 mine free.  5 Etos.  90 cbm.  Square PN 1145.
                                                 Hardegen
     
21.01.42 0527  
First on 18 January in operations area, all dimmed.  Otherwise situation as "Hardegen".  18000 GRT.  135 cbm.  Serial No. 42,44, 90 missing.
                                                 Zap
     
22.01.42 1537  
1 steamer 9000 GRT, 81 cbm.  Square DV 1777.  Heavy seas.
                                                 Greger
     
25.01.42 06.20  
"BARON HAIG" sunk.  2 Pistol failures, 3 unexplained misses on 7000 tonner, both 6 January square MD 58 northeast course.  Traffic stopped in "Kapren" tarea, positioned as close as 2 nm under land.  Patrol vessels throw individual fright bombs. Steamer sets lanterns for reciprocal heading
                                                 Degen
     
26.01.42 0734  
Square FH 7831 brightly illuminated steamer alongside it a dimmed destroyer, course W, heavy sea, W 8-9.
                                                 Degen
     
27.01.42 0444  
21 January square HD 06 5 misses on a small freighter in Ballast.  26 January naval square CC 22 2 misses on freighter in ballast "MARIPOSA", course W.  Artillery defense.  1 stern + 2 torpedoes.  40 cbm.
                                                 Schulte
     
27.01.42 0450  
Advance route and operations area not found.  22 January square TT 2167 freighter 5000 tons sunk.  Still 10 + 2 torpedoes, 16 cbm.  Position square WQ 7212, W 3, +9°C, 1004 mb, overcast, rain showers, medium Swell, Vis. 3 nm.
                                                 Prätorius
 
     
     
     
 
- 6 -
 
     
 
27.01.42 06.55  
        Just now in square 16 of the large square east of BO armed "PAN NORWAY" sunk in artillery combat.  Out of torpedoes.  Total: 66000 GRT.  Survivors of "MOUNT AETNA" taken over.  SE 1, 1/10, 1022 mb, air 19°C, 5°C, bright moon.
                                                 Hardegen
     
26.01.42 1547  
1.)  From 21 January to 26 January operated in square XK 93, 95, 96.
2.)  Situation:  Lighthouses St. Mary to Caliou illuminated.  Since 24 January sometimes weak.  By day no traffic, night heavy traffic, from directly under land, to the north somewhat offset with and without steaming lights.  2 steamers sunk, once sighted by 2 patrol vessels.  Since then traffic stopped.  Later two times U-boat hunting groups observed, 3 torpedo boats.  Aircraft only 22 January at St. Johns, searchlights.  Weather mostly favorable.
3.)  Successes:  22 January square 9628 and 82 2 steamers 7000 tons.  25 January square 9359 "MOUNT KITHERON" 3876 tons.  27 January square 9958 1 steamer 6000 tons.  Total:  16876 GRT.  38 cbm.  3 +2 torpedoes, return transit.  TF 9992, SSE 1-2, 1030 mb, 0°C, Vis. good.  Am missing serial numbers 274, from 22 January and Serial No. 291 from 23 January.
                                                 Östermann
     
31.01.42 2150  
        To B.d.U.:  On Route Amsterdam no surveillance, drifting mine square DX 6284, Periscope conditionally clear, Blowing and vent piping forward in main ballast tank 6 leaking, air surveillance, square CK 5399.
                                                 U-213
     
31.01.42 2227  
        30 January at 23.30 hours at position.  Enemy periscope, afterwards motor sounds heard.  Could not have been "Hardegen", met today.  Another meeting has not occurred.  80 cbm, SE 3, misty, 1012 mb.
                                                 Heydemann
     
31.01.42 0036 (01.02.)  
        Kals:  Still hunting steamer.  New meeting point 1 February 13.00 hours square MN 7965.
                                                 Bleichrodt
     
31.01.42 0443 (01.02.)  
        Shipyard work:  Starboard supercharger, replace exhaust channel between supercharger and exhaust valve, spark arrestor and exhaust piping diesel air compressor loud.  2. A.d.U.-Boote G 3800 from 31.12.41.  Removal rod antenna, linkage negative buoyancy tank.  Additionally:  send luggage from U-boat base Kiel to 3. U.-Flottille.  Square OY 1995
                                                 Vogelsang
 
     
     
     
 
- 7 -
 
     
 
01.02.42 1424  
        Position 14.00 hours KM 7585.  Position 22.00 hours in DT 0142. [BE 5585 BE 7142]
                                                 Schuch
     
01.02.42 2037  
        Correct position of convoy 2581, zig zag 50°.
                                                 Rollmann
     
02.02.42 0812  
"Rollmann" question situation.
                                                 Borchert
     
02.02.42 1026  
12.00 hours in position, search sector 70 to 80°.
                                                 Schulte
     
02.02.42 1133  
Borchert:  Enemy position 3518, speed 14 knots, course 80°.
                                                 Rollmann
     
02.02.42 1628  
Convoy located 3631, general course 85°.
                                                 Rollmann
     
02.02.42 2021  
Convoy 1423, Sea 2, light Swell, 1020 mb, rising.
                                                 Rollmann
     
02.02.42 2124  
Convoy 1432 , stand by for bearing signals.
                                                 Rollmann
     
03.02.42 0213  
Transports 1347, 60°, 13 knots.
                                                 Rollmann
     
03.02.42 0259  
Have contact to starboard ahead.
                                                 Schug
 
     
     
     
 
- 8 -
 
     
 
03.02.42 0408  
Enemy located 1351 and steers 80°.
                                                 Rollmann
     
03.02.42 05.10  
To Liebe:  Not sector 0-20°, instead occupy Uphoff sector.
                                                 Schuch
     
03.02.42 0442  
1.)  Boats head for naval square 4787.  From there not before brightness search in following sectors:  "Liebe" 0 to 20°; "Schulte" 20 to 40°; "Degen" 40 to 60°; "Schuch" 60 to 80°; "Cremer" 80 to 100°; "Uphoff" 100 to 120°.
2.)  From the statements of the rescued the captain's boat with about 20 men set off from the other boats in an easterly direction on 1 February evening.
3.)  Will be located in origin square when sending bearing signals at 10.45 hours.
                                                 Schuch
     
03.02.42 0715  
        Stand by for bearing signals.  Convoy 2118, course 80°.
                                                 U-82
     
03.02.42 0837  
        Just now three fan on transport 2 detonations after 10 minutes.  No hits observed.  Bright moonlit night, SW 2, light Swell, 42 cbm, square PF 2787
                                                 Schug
     
03.02.42 0933  
        Transport located naval square CD 2126, course east.
                                                 U-82
     
03.02.42 1038  
        Arriving N 2 at dawn.  Naval square FR 24.
                                                 Hardegen
     
03.02.42 1111  
        Up to 12.00 hours bearing signals, convoy located 2215.
                                                 U-82
 
     
     
     
 
- 9 -
 
     
 
03.02.42 1613  
        Kals:  Bearing points 170°T.
                                                 Bleichrodt
     
03.02.42 1711  
        Convoy located 2331, course W.
                                                 Rollmann
     
03.02.42 1927  
        Contact lost due to visibility deterioration, last position 3112, pursuing.
                                                 Rollmann
     
04.02.42 1246  
Broke off, search courses around 90°, no success.  E 3, 1018 mb, misty, Vis. 5 nm, 34 cbm, 3 + 2 torpedoes, Square HL 7935, request orders.
                                                 Schug
     
05.02.42 0955  
        Square XP 9310, 1 destroyer, 1 heavy cruiser.  Enemy steers zig zag course, runs at medium speed.
                                                 U-586
     
05.02.42 1014  
        Square WW 5375, course 280°. [AL 0375]
                                                 U-136
     
05.02.42 1555  
        Have lost contact square HI 9232, enemy steers southerly course, speed 16 knots.
                                                 U-586
     
05.02.42 1515  
Convoy lost, last sighted square WN 8996, 270°, 10 knots, NNE 2, Sea 2, misty, Vis. changing.  [AL 3996]
     
05.02.42 1821  
        Square 6138 hold contact, positioned northeast from convoy.
                                                 U-136
     
06.02.42 x134  
[illegible line]
     
 
     
     
     
 
- 10 -
 
     
 
08.02.42 0630  
        Miss on destroyer square NE 9435, contact lost.  Convoy located 17.15 hours 9424, course 260°, transit to attack area, position 9187.  83 cbm, 8 + 2 torpedoes, SE 4, Sea 4, misty, 1031 mb.
                                                 U-136
     
08.02.42 0711  
        From Lehmann:  108.5 cbm, naval square BD 8539.
     
08.02.42 1534  
        Position tomorrow 09.30 hours Point N 1.  On 7 February at 21.20 hours Coastal Circuit acknowledged Short Signal not confirmed up to now.
                                                 Degen