U-352 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Kiel	15 January 1942	Bergen	19 January 1942	5
Bergen	20 January 1942	St. Nazaire	26 February 1942	38

 

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

None

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.

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			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
			=======================
				des
			U  n  t  e  r  s  e  e  b  o  o  t  e  s    "  U  3  5  2  "
			==================================
			Kommandant:  Kaptlt.  R  a  t  h  k  e
			Beginning on:                  15.1.1942         Ending on:                       26.2.1942
			Distribution:                   "U 352" Copy No. 1         "3. Unterseeflottille     "      " 2         Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote"     "      " 3         2. Admiral der Unterseeboote     "      " 4         O.K.M.     "      " 5 + 6
			Enclosures:             1 Track chart for Copy No. 1 - 5         1 Torpedo firing report for     "      " 1 - 3         Excerpt of the General Radio Log     "      " 2 - 5         Original of the General Radio Log for     "      " 1         1 Combat sketch     "      " 1
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Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB

	- 1 -
	K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h  "  U  3 5 2 "
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		15.01.42	Western Baltic
		06.30	NNE 0-1, Sea 0, lightly cloudy	Cast off Kiel
				From rot 15 Sperrbrecher escort.
		19.30		Escort change.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		16.01.42	Kattegat, Skagerrak	Extended, thin ice fields.
			NEbyE 2-3, Sea 1
		10.20 - 11.30		Test dive
			AO 4464	Day's run:  15/16.  Surfaced        287.5 nm
				Submerged        3.5 nm
				Day total           291 nm
		19.30		Made fast Kristiansand.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		17.01.42	Southern Norway
		03.00	ESE 1-2, Sea 0, hazy	Cast off Kristiansand.  Transit in convoy along the Norwegian coast.
				Day's run:  16/17.  Surfaced        169 nm
				Carried over   291 nm
				Total               460 nm
		13.30	AN 3121	Released escort.  Transit into operations area.
		14.02 - 19.30		Proceeded submerged.
		14.30		Deep dive test to depth A +40 meters.  All clear.
		21.00		Low shadow, suspect German U-boat, course south, passed at the limit of visibility.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		18.01.42	North Sea
		09.08	Wind and Sea 0	Proceeded submerged.  Headed for ordered points on changing speeds and courses.
				Day's run:  17/18.  Surfaced      186 nm  Carried over 460 nm
				Submerged     17nm
				Day total      203 nm  Total            663 nm
		18.30		Knocking sounds heard by the listener.

	Sun and Moon Data 15.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.01.42

	- 2 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		continued
		18.01.42
			EbyS 2-3, Sea 2, overcast	Knocking sounds on the boat.  Determined to be at the after edge of the port diving plane.  Then also heard in the boat.  The port diving plane pennant had been broken [previously] while crash diving.  Apparently damaged while mooring in Kristiansand on 16 January.  Knocking is heard clearly at all diving plane positions
				Decision:  Short repair in Bergen, remove the pennant.  Not possible at sea.
		19.30		Surfaced to proceed to Bergen.
		19.35		Short Signal U-352:  Going to Bergen.
				Reported reason on request (Alternate frequency 65-meter wavelength). Am lightly damaged.  Arrival Bergen reported to B.d.U.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		19.01.42	Entrance to Bergen
		10.45		Off Marstein (Korsfjord) fired Recognition Signals.  Dived in the entrance.  Escort intake off Tekslo.
		14.20		Made fast Bergen.  A diver first arrived at the beginning of darkness.  Work could first begin on the morning of 20 January.  Fuel and provisions supplied.  Had replaced Masch.Gfr. Sailer for a new unproven Heizer [Fireman - diesel mechanic] of the U-boat Base [in Kiel], because Sailer had to be disembarked due to a Doctor's findings.  The new Matrose Esser ordered on board in Kiel was exchanged for another unproven Mtr.Gfr., since E. was incapable of performing the least task on a U-boat.
				Day's run:  18/19.  Surfaced      131 nm  Carried over 663 nm
				Submerged    26 nm
				Day total      157 nm  Total            820 nm
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.

	Sun and Moon Data 18.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.01.42

	- 3 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		20.01.42	Bergen
		13.00		Departed after removal of the pennant for the port diving plane.
				Day's run:  19/20.  Surfaced         19.7 nm
				Carried over    820 nm
				Total             839.7 nm
		13.30 - 14.00		Test dive in the harbor.
		17.10	North exit Hjeltefjord	Moved away from the coast on the surface at high speed.  18.00 hours crash dive for training.  Proceeded submerged until 19.30 hours.
			ESE 5-6, Sea 5
				21.00 hours Short Signal U-352:  Position naval square AF 87
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		21.01.42	Northern North Sea
		09.30	EbyS 5-6, Sea 4-5, hazy	At day break Crash dive for training, afterwards proceeded submerged.
		12.00	AF 7513	Day's run:  20/21. Surfaced     128.5 nm Carried over 839.7 nm
				Submerged   14. 5 nm
				Day total     143.0 nm Total           982.7 nm
		19.30	SbyE 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, low clouds	Surfaced.  Night transit on the surface, to pass through the Iceland Passage in the night of 23 January.
		20.00	AF 7276
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		22.01.42	North of the Faroes
			EbyS 7-8, Sea 6	05.00 hours reached Point 1.  Headed for Point 2.
		10.05		Test dive, afterwards proceeded submerged.  Program Time no reception, despite depth 18 meters.
		12.00	AE 9339	Day's run:  21/22. Surfaced    134.3 nm Carried over  982.7 nm
				Submerged  29.6 nm
				Day total    163.9 nm Total           1146.6 nm
		19.30		Surfaced to proceed on the surface.
		20.00	AE 9318
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		23.01.42	Between the Faroes and Iceland	Morning navigation fix showed an offset of 50 nm to the SE.  [illegible line of text]

	Sun and Moon Data 20.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.01.42

	- 4 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		continued
		23.01.42
			Sea 5-6, clouds breaking up	Attack periscope is full of water.  Attempted to dry out the periscope during darkness in the morning, no success.  After a test dive proceeded submerged until the periscope was dried out.  At the same time the torpedoes were ventilated and pulled.
		12.00	AE 9137	Day's run: 22/23. Surfaced    126.5 nm Carried over 1146.6 nm
				Submerged    6.5 nm
				Day total       133 nm Total           1279.6 nm
		15.32	High S-Swell	Surfaced to proceed on the surface.
		20.00	AE 8339
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		24.01.42	West of the Faroes
		10.28 - 11.58	Bright night, greatly changing cloudiness, SbyE 2-3, Sea 1-2	Test dive.
				On surfacing enemy patrol vessel abeam to starboard 5000 meters away sighted on opposite course speed estimated at 10 knots.  Crash dive.  Moved off until 13.00 hours.  Continued to attack area.
			AE 8586	Day's run: 23/24. Surfaced    124.0 nm Carried over 1279.6 nm
				Submerged  17.2 nm
				Day total    141.2 nm Total           1420.8 nm
		13.00	EbyS 4, Sea 3	Surfaced to proceed on the surface.
		17.43 - 20.15		Proceeded submerged, tube IV ventilated.
		21.10		Radio Signal over the rod antenna from U-455:
				Main transmitter failed.  My position is naval square AL 31.
		22.xx	AE 8541	U-352 repeated the signal, without acknowledgment by the Control Station.  Later Control reported own transmitter interference.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		25.01.42	NWbyx 6-7, Sea 5
		03.26	AL 3217	Radio Message:  1)  Group Robbe, Giessler, Rathke, v.Mannstein, Zetsche, v.Bülow, Rehwinkel, Kröning expidite heading for French harbors.
				2)  Ites, report situation, add weather.
				3)  Rathke report observations in accordance with outbound orders paragraph 3

	Sun and Moon Data 23.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.01.42

	- 5 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		continued
		25.01.42
				"U-352" Radio Message:  Outbound route 1 patrol vessel, no air reconnaissance.  Return transit.  Position naval square AL 7217.  109 cbm (square was incorrect, must mean square 3217).
		10.38-13.43	WbyN 8, Sea 6-7	Test dive.  Tubes I and III ventilated.
				Day's run:  24/25.  Surfaced     167.7 nm  Carried over 1421 nm
				Submerged   17.1 nm
				Day total      184.8 nm  Total         1605.8 nm
		14.44	AL 3451	Radio Message:
				1) Strelow head for naval square AE 55.
				2)  Rathke, Giessler head for naval square AE 55.  Esch, v.Mannstein remain in northern part of square AM.  Previous order for named boats is canceled.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		26.01.42	North Atlantic
		04.27	WbyN 3, Sea 3, rain squalls	Reported weather on request.
			AL 3282	16°30'W, 60°16'N, Pressure rising 1005 mb, Temp +16°C, Clouds 3/10, Vis. 5 nm, wind NWbyN 3-4, Swell WbyN, Sea 4-5.
		10.25 - 11.35	AE 8827	Test dive.  Tube III reloaded.
				Day's run:  25/26. Surfaced      156 nm Carried over 1605.8 nm
				Submerged      9 nm
				Day total   165.5 nm Total            1771.3 nm
			SbyW 5, Sea 4, medium Swell	Radio Message:  Mannstein reports convoy in naval square AM 4641.  Convoy speed 5-7 knots, course 250°.
				Plot calculated.  Enemy course 250°, estimated speed 6 knots.  Own calculated course 191°, own speed 14 knots.  Due to torpedo rearrangement can first come to calculated course at 16.27 hours.  We are now over 600 nm from the intercept point, however can be there in 4 days.  I accept a Gibraltar convoy.
		16.12	AE 8496	Radio Message 1)  Mannstein hold contact and continue to report with naval squares.  For contact keeper

	Sun and Moon Data 25.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.01.42

	- 6 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		continued
		26.01.42
				reports no encoding and no Short Signals.   Attack free.
				2)  Returning boats operate on it as far as position is favorable and report this by Short Signal.
				Because the transmitter was out of service for 2 hours, Short Signal with position first sent at 20.01 hours.  By this time we had already run at GF for 3 1/2 hours against the sea.
				Short Signal "U-352": My position is naval square AE 87.
		21.07	AE 8768	Radio Message:  Rathke reports position in naval square AE 87.  Continue transit to naval square AE 55.
				Broke off operation on convoy and came to old course 15°.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		27.01.42	South of Iceland
		10.40-12.05	SEbyS 3-4, Sea 3, medium Swell, choppy seas	Test dive.  Torpedo rearrangement
			AE 8231	Day's run: 26/27. Surfaced  206.4 nm  Carried over 1771.3 nm
				Submerged     5 nm
				Day total     211 nm  Total            1982.7 nm
		20.00	AE 5859
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		28.01.42	Southern tip of Iceland	Entire gyro-compass system (mother and daughters) out of service.  Steered by magnetic compass.  Due to strongly overcoming seas work on the gyro-compass was not possible during the night.  During the day test dive extended, to work on the defect.  For two days there has been no navigation fix plus this failure.  Continual soundings to check ship's position.
		03.00	NW 3-4, Sea 3, confused Swell
			AE 5853
		09.10 - 14.20	AE 5673	Test dive.  Tubes II and III ventilated.
				Steered in the control room by the mother gyro-compass.
				Day's run: 27/28. Surfaced    128.5 nm Carried over 1982.7 nm
				Submerged  17.3 nm
				Day total    145.8 nm  Total           2128.5 nm
				While proceeding submerged moved back and forth at the coast. Dalatangi Lighthouse burns.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.

	Sun and Moon Data 26.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.01.42

Excerpt from U-435 and U-455 KTBs for 27 January

		27.01.42
		19.40/18.39		Incoming Radio Message:
			[Point A = Seydisfjord]	Occupy as attack areas.  Sectors based on Point A in square 5531 center.
				Strelow:  Point A in 210 to 260°,
				Giessler:  Point A in 260 to 310°,
				Rathke:  Point A in 310 to 360°.
				Depending on the defense situation close or withdraw.  West  of Point A is presumed to be a convoy assembly point for the Norwegian Sea convoys.

 

	- 7 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		29.01.42	East coast of Iceland
		06.05 - 07.42	NbyE 4, Sea 3	Crash dive for training.  Intention:  Exploring the area west of Point A from up close must be dropped for the time being, because there is no Nautical Handbook on board and the gyro-compass is not in order.  Up to now no traffic, no surveillance.  No indications found of the mine situation.
			AE 5539
		10.45 - 11.50		Test dive.
			NW 3, Sea 2-3, choppy Swell	Day's run: 28/29. Surfaced    143.2 nm Carried over 2128.5 nm
			AE 5530	Submerged  10.8 nm
				Day total    164 nm  Total             2392.5 nm
		12.17 - 17.20		Proceeded submerged for gyro-compass repairs.
		17.28	AE 5530	Surfaced to proceed on the surface, back and forth at the coast on changing courses.  Nothing in particular noted.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		30.01.42	East coast of Iceland
		06.50 - 07.48	NE 2, Sea 1-2	Crash dive for training.
		10.02 - 10.52	Seydis Fjord	Ran into Seydis Fjord submerged at dawn.  Inside 4 patrol vessels sighted.  2 at anchor, 2 underway, no steamers.  Apparently changing of the watch.  No torpedo use.  Error by Torpedo Mechanikersmaat flooded tube I and IV by opening the outer tube doors rather than flooding from the compensating tank.  As a result, the boat went to depth 40 meters.  At the last moment noticed that the patrol vessel had turned towards me.  The channel was 1500 meters wide.  Turned submerged.  A patrol vessel overtook me on my port side about 200 meters away.  No locating, no defenses, Depth sounder impulses heard.  No mine barrier.  Apparently unnoticed.
			AE 5531
				Day's run: 29/30. Surfaced    122.6 nm Carried over 2392.5 nm
				Submerged  24.7 nm
				Day total    147.3 nm  Total           2539.8 nm
		18.55		Surfaced to proceed on the surface, charge the battery.  At the coast no traffic, 3 drifting English mines sighted, probably

	Sun and Moon Data 29.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.01.42

	- 8 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		continued
		30.01.42
				from the Shetlands-Faroes barrier.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		31.01.42	East coast of Iceland
		10.43 - 16.20	NbyE 1, Sea 1, light Swell	Test dive.  Afterwards observed the coast from close range.  No traffic.
		10.32	AE 5530	Radio Message received:
				1)  Brelow, Giessler, Rathke form Group "Hecht".  Varendorf, Zetsche, Esch Group "Schlei"
				2)  Return harbor for both groups, if no major repairs are necessary is Bergen.
				3)  Varendorf occupy AE 60 as attack area.
				2 destroyers were reported by Radio Message.  Course about for our position.  Because of that flooded the tubes and moved back and forth in position 600 meters from the coast for the night.  No traffic.
		21.40 - 22.40		Test dive to balance with the flooded tubes.
				Day's run: 30/31. Surfaced    128.6 nm Carried over 2539.8 nm
				Submerged  24.5 nm
				Day total    155.1 nm  Total          2692.9 nm
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		01.02.42	East coast of Iceland
		02.00	Off Seydis Fjord	Brought up strengthened lookout.
		04.05	EbyN 2, Sea 1, lightly cloudy	U-435 in hailing range.  Experience exchange.  Contrary to Radio Message from U-435 have seen no barrier and strong patrols.
			AE 5530
			NEbyE 1-2, Sea 1	Day's run: 31/1.  Surfaced    101.9 nm Carried over 2692.9 nm
				Submerged  19.2 nm
				Day total    121.1 nm  Total             2814 nm
		14.35 - 15.58		Crash dive for float plane.  Was unnoticed.  Checked compass deviation, time and again the compass is not in order.  Replaced the gyro-compass globe.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.

	Sun and Moon Data 30.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 31.01.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.02.42

	- 9 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		02.02.42	East coast of Iceland
		11.05 - 11.41	Off Seydis Fjord	Test dive.
		12.15 and 15.40	NNE 1, Sea 1	Crash dive toe float plane.  Was unnoticed.  Drifting English mine sighted.
			AE 5563	Day's run: 1/2.     Surfaced    155.1 nm  Carried over 2814 nm
			ENE 0-1, Sea 1	Submerged    5.4 nm
				Day total    160.5 nm  Total           2974.5 nm
		from 20.00	AE 5530	No traffic.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		03.11.42	East coast of Iceland
		12.55 and	Off Seydis Fjord	Crash dive for Boeing bomber.
		14.33	ENE 2, Sea 1-2	Day's run: 2/3.     Surfaced     96.5 nm  Carried over 2974.5 nm
			AE 5615	Submerged  10.7 nm
				Day total    107.2 nm  Total           3081.7 nm
		from 20.00	AE 5530	No traffic.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		04.11.42	East coast of Iceland
		00.30, 04.20	NNW 2, Sea 1-2	U-455 sighted.  From 02.00 hours beacons extinguished.
		12.43 - 14.18	AE 5530	Crash dive for training, at the same time test dive.
			NW 4, Sea 3	Day's run: 3/4.    Surfaced     100.5 nm Carried over 3081.7 nm
				Submerged     9.2 nm
			AE 5619	Day total    109.7 nm  Total           3191.4 nm
		16.58		Received Radio Message:
				Rathke occupy AE 4840 as attack area.  Free to set off to the west.  [Reykjavik]
		17.00		Transit to the west coast of Iceland.
		24.00	AE 5569
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		05.11.42	South coast of Iceland
		10.34 - 12.00	SWbyW 3, Sea 2	Test dive.
			AE 8217	Day's run: 4/5.    Surfaced     142.6 nm Carried over 3191.4 nm
				Submerged     9.5 nm
		20.00	AE 8174	Day total    152.1 nm  Total           3343.5 nm
		24.00	AE 7399	Radio Message from U-136 convoy . . .
				Did not operate on it because the meeting point with

	Sun and Moon Data 02.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.02.42

	- 10 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		continued
		05.02.42		the convoy is 600 nm away.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		06.02.42	South coast of Ireland
		10.50 - 12.45	WbyN 4-5, Sea 3	Test dive
			AE 7296	Day's run: 5/6.    Surfaced     159 nm Carried over 3343.5 nm
				Submerged     4 nm
				Day total    163 nm  Total            3506.5 nm
		20.00	AE 7164
		24.00	AE 7117	No traffic
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		07.02.42	West of Iceland
		11.25 - 12.15	WSW 4, Sea 4,	Test dive.
			(Lat. 63°06N, Long. 25°00W)	Day's run: 6/7.    Surfaced     167 nm Carried over 3506.5 nm
			AD 8366	Submerged   4.5 nm
			WSW 4, Sea 2-3	Day total  171.5 nm  Total            3678 nm
		19.22		Radio Message received:
				To Rathke.  Report experience in area naval square AE and AD, also the position of the patrol vessels sighted on the Oslo Route.
		20.00	AE 4745
		21.32		Radio Message received:
				Occupy as attack areas:  Rathke naval square AE 70.
				On course 75° advanced to the coast, in the direction of Reykjavik, no beacons, no traffic observed.
			AE 4756	From 23.40 hours transit to attack area.
				No traffic
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		08.02.42	South of Iceland
		04.33	SWbyW 3, Sea 2	Radio Message sent:
			(Lat. 62°52N, Long. 23°26W)	1)  Searched area naval square AE 5531 as far as the inner fjord, no defenses.  In the fjord 4 patrol vessels, no ships.  From 1 February daily 2 times air surveillance.  Beacons extinguished from 4 February.  U-boat presence apparently noticed.
				2)  Position naval square AE 4758, no beacons, up to now no traffic observed.
		12.00	AE 7453	3)  Proceeding to new attack area.
				4)  Route Oslo patrol vessel sighted 24 January naval square AE 8556, course NE.

	Sun and Moon Data 05.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 06.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.02.42

	- 11 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		continued
		08.02.42
				5)  Replacement of all diesel piston rings is necessary.  New port lubricating oil pump, holds no pressure.  Gyro-compass transmitter failed.  64 cbm.  WbyS 3, Sea 2, 6/10, 1050 mb.
		11.36 - 12.51	SW 2, Sea 1	Test dive.
				Day's run: 7/8.    Surfaced     215 nm Carried over 3678 nm
				Submerged     3 nm
		20.00	AE 7733	Day total     218 nm  Total            3896 nm
		22.41		Radio Message received:
				Rathke and Zetsche until further notice 3 times daily report weather by Short Signal between 02.00-05.00, 09.00-12.00 and between 14.00 and 17.00 hours, changing locations within assigned attack area in accordance with Radio Message of 7 February.  Begin 9 February at 02.00 hours.
		24.00	AE 7816	Nothing of note.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		09.02.42	South of Iceland
		04.07 and 09.19	(Lat. 61°09N, Long. 19°47W)	Sent Short Signal weather report.
			SW 2-3, Sea 2
		10.43 - 11.53		Test dive.
			AE 7895	Day's run: 8/9.    Surfaced     168.5 nm Carried over 3896 nm
				Submerged     3.6 nm
			WSW 3, Sea 2	Day total    172.1 nm  Total           4068.1 nm
		15.08		Short Signal weather report sent.
		20.00	AE 7955
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		10.02.42	South of Iceland
		04.07 and 08.45	(Lat. 61°20N, Long. 21°40W)	Short Signal weather report sent,
			EbyN 3-4, Sea 2-3, light rain
		10.30 - 11.45		Test dive.
			AE 7853	Day's run: 9/10.  Surfaced     144 nm Carried over 4068.1 nm
				Submerged   2.3 nm
				Day total    146.3 nm  Total           4214.4 nm
		14.24	SSE 2, medium-Swell	Short Signal weather report sent.
		16.00		Greased Vent 5 in the over deck.
			AE 7843	Training all bridge watches on the MG C/30.
		24.00	AE 7764
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.

	Sun and Moon Data 08.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.02.42

	- 12 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		11.02.42	South of Iceland
		04.08 - 09.26	Sea 4-5, medium-Swell	Short Signal weather report sent.
		10.49 - 11.35	AE 7516	Test dive.
				Day's run: 10/11. Surfaced     146 nm Carried over 4214.4 nm
		12.00	AE 7614	Submerged    2.3 nm
				Day total    148.3 nm  Total           4362.7 nm
		13.15 - 14.14	(Lat. 62°30N, Long. 21°28W)	Crash dive for training with failures.
		15.35	W 6, Sea 4-5	Short Signal weather report sent.  Nothing in particular.
		24.00	AE 7669
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		12.02.42	South of Iceland
		04.08, 10.07	NEbyN 4, Sea 3	Short Signal weather report sent.
		10.47 - 11.50	AE 7599	Test dive.
				Day's run: 11/12. Surfaced     92.5 nm Carried over 4362.7 nm
				Submerged    8.6 nm
		12.00	AE 7581	Day total    101.1 nm  Total           4463.8 nm
		15.08		Short Signal weather report sent.
		24.00	AE 7469
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		13.02.42	South of Iceland
		04.07, 09.07	ENE 2, Sea 2	Short Signal weather report sent.
		10.30 - 11.12		Test dive.
				Day's run: 12/13. Surfaced    160.5 nm Carried over 4463.8 nm
				Submerged    2.1 nm
				Day total    162.6 nm  Total           4626.4 nm
		11.13	SbyE 3, Sea 2, Vis. changing up to 10 nm, rain showers	On surfacing smoke cloud sighted in 170°T at the limit of visibility.  Ran towards it.  Convoy distinguished, 1 steamer, 2-3 escort vessels.  Steamer about 5000 GRT.  Maneuvered ahead at the limit of visibility.  Course and speed of the convoy determined to be 120° and 9-10 knots.  Light zigzags of 20-30° around 120°.
			AE 7521
		16.12	SbyW 4-5, freshening, misty, Sea 5	Radio Signal sent.  Am ahead of the convoy, ran to meet on course 300°.
		16.42	AE 7568	Dived.  Due to rain squalls initially no target distinguished.  Sound bearing in 350°T.  At 17.12 hours reluctantly turned towards.  Sound bearing was confirmed.  I came to the unfavorable side of the convoy and had to use the

	Sun and Moon Data 11.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.02.42

	- 13 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		continued
		13.02.42
				periscope against the high seas.  Should have steered 300° from the beginning.  At 17.16 hours turned to course 300°.
		17.26		Corvette (forward port escort) sighted 300 meters away ahead 10° to starboard in target angle left 10°.  Believe that my periscope was sighted or the stern came out.  Quickly went to depth A +20 meters.  Corvette was not heard.  Seems to have stopped.  Shortly afterwards ran off to the north, then at 17.34 hours turned to the south, to shoot at the steamer.  Went quickly to periscope depth.  Listened at 50 meters. Only unclear sounds.  4-fan ready.  With the first all around sweep corvette 200 meters away target angle left 20°, had seen me, had red flag set.  Quickly went to depth A +60 meters.  At depth A -40 meters the first depth charge.  Strong concussion, initially no damage noticed, on the same approach 3 depth charges follow.  Proceeded at AK on course 180°, then moved off on course 190°, with this the corvette cannot hear against the seas.  On the 2nd approach only one depth charge.  Continued to run at GF and HF.  At 18.50 hours went to LF.  Listened.  Propeller sounds in 312° relative bearing.  From 19.50 hours no sounds.
		19.55		Surfaced.  Boat examined.  Junkers compressor has one tube broken.  Boat is operable,  Echolot sounder out of service.
		20.00	AE 7677
				Pursued on course 105° (by plotting) on the basis of a further general course of 120°.
		20.50		Radio Message sent: Convoy 1 steamer 4 corvettes naval square AE 7671, course 120°, 9 knots.  Forced to turn away before the shot. Depth charges!  In pursuit.  SbyW 4, rain showers, Vis. greatly changing, rain showers, misty.
		22.58	[AE 4840 = Reykjavik]	Radio Message received.  Rathke occupy area west of naval square AE 4840.
			Up to 08.30 hours continued to search on changing courses.
				No success.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.

Sun and Moon Data 13.02.42

	- 14 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		14.02.42	South of Iceland
		00.40	SSW 5-6, Sea 5, rain, misty	Broke off pursuit.  Transit to the west coast of Iceland.
		02.47		Sent Radio Message:  Contact lost.  Position of convoy 20.00 hours naval square AE 7675, course 120°, speed 9 knots, 43 cbm.
		08.00	AE 7688
				No navigation fix.
		11.10 - 12.14		Test dive.
			SbyW 4, Sea 3	Day's run: 13/14. Surfaced    170 nm Carried over 4626.4 nm
			(Lat. 62°51N, Long. 21°18W)	Submerged 20.7 nm
			AE 7593	Day total    190.7 nm  Total           4817.1 nm
				No navigation fix.  Sounder indicated incorrectly, large depth changes.
		20.00	AE 7559
		24.00	AE 7541
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		15.02.42	SW of Iceland
		11.17 - 13.00	SEbyS 3, Sea 3, Vis. 1/2 nm	Test dive.
			AE 7179	Day's run: 14/15. Surfaced    145 nm Carried over 4817.1 nm
			(Lat. 63°08N, Long. 24°23W)	Submerged   2.8 nm
				Day total    147.8 nm  Total           4964.9 nm
		12.00	AD 8367	No navigation fix.  By explosive sounding steered to 200 meters, then along the 200-meter line.  Ship's position inexact.
		20.00	AD 8361
		24.00	AD 5994
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		16.02.42	West of Iceland
		01.06	S 3-4, Sea 3-4, medium S- Swell, Vis. 1/2 nm	Short Signal weather report sent.
		10.46 - 11.45		Test dive.
			AD 5962	Day's run: 15/16. Surfaced     128 nm Carried over 4954.9 nm
				Submerged   6.4 nm
		16.00	AE 4741	Day total    134.4 nm  Total           5099.5 nm
			SbyE 7, Sea 6	Again no navigation fix.  No weapons use possible.  Ship's position inexact.
			(Lat. 63°14N, Long. 24°50W)
		24.00	AE 4779
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		17.02.42	West of Reykjavik
		04.07	SW 2, high Swell, heavy seas rain	Must send Short Signal weather report.  Will certainly have bearings taken.  Do not know exactly where I am.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.02.42

	- 15 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		continued
		17.02.42
		09.00	Cloud deck broken, Vis. greatly changing	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix not very large.
		11.10 - 12.20		Test dive.
		12.50	AE 4745	Crash dive for 4-engined land-based aircraft.  Apparently searched for us.
				1 aircraft bomb as the boat was at depth A -50 meters, close by the stern.  Strong concussion.  No damage.  Went to depth A +20 meters.  Water depth 150 meters.  Moved off at GF on course 240°.
		13.38	SSW 4, Sea 4, misty	Surfaced and moved off at HF.  Assume that I will be searched for further.
		14.50		Crash dive.  Aircraft is back, searches for us.  Was unnoticed.
				Day's run: 16/17. Surfaced    141 nm Carried over 5099.5 nm
				Submerged    2.5 nm
				Day total    145.5 nm  Total          5242.8 nm
		15.20		Surfaced, moved off until evening twilight.  Good ship's position.
			AE 5983
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		18.02.42	West of Reykjavik	19.00 hours advanced unnoticed to the coast.  Beacons burn.  No steamer traffic observed.  Spent the night moving back and forth 1-2 nm off the coast until 07.00 hours.  Numerous fishing vessels, brightly illuminated.
			SSE 6, Sea 5
		04.00	AE 4756
		10.55 - 13.15		Test dive.
		13.25	AE 4774	Crash dive for 4-engined land-based aircraft, altitude 300 meters, course straight for us, difficult to pick up.  5 aircraft  bombs falling closely after one another at depth A -40 meters.  No damage. In the over deck strong rattle determined.  Proceeded submerged until 21.00 hours, because I am still in a fishing area and further searching is assumed.
				Day's run: 17/18. Surfaced    163.2 nm Carried over 5242.8 nm
				Submerged   12.9 nm
				Day total    176.1 nm  Total          5418.9 nm
		21.00	AD 8388	Surfaced.  Began return transit.

	Sun and Moon Data 17.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.02.42

	- 16 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		continued
		18.02.42
		22.02		Sent Radio Message:
				1)  Due to weather up to now no weapons use.
				2)  Strong air, aircraft bombs on 17 and 18 February.
				3)  Beacons burn, outside of the barrier no patrol vessels.
				4)  No steamer traffic, many fishermen day and night.
				5)  Outfitted only until 26 February.  Fuel 28 cbm.
				6)  Position naval square AE 7114 (error in transmitting).
				7)  Have begun return transit, no successes, SE 8, high Swell, 1030 mb, +7°C, completely overcast, Vis. 4 nm.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		19.02.42	South of Iceland
		10.40 - 11.45	SE 7, Sea 7	Test dive.
			AE 7171	Day's run: 18/19. Surfaced    96.7 nm Carried over 5418.9 nm
				Submerged   31.5 nm
			SEbyS 7-8, Sea 7, rain showers	Day total    128.2 nm  Total          5547.1 nm
			AE 7466	Received Radio Message:
				Begin return transit to western France.  Report immediately, if this is possible with regard to fuel.  Report by Short Signal "Yes".
		15.30	AE 7575	Periscope of an English U-boat sighted bearing 220°T, 100 meters away.  Own course 160°.  Turned towards, attempted to ram the periscope.
				Short Signal:  1 U-boat square AE 75.
				Began return transit to France 1 diesel LF, due to high Sea State. After completely emptying the main ballast and reserve fuel oil tanks (converting not possible due to Sea State) we still have 28 cbm.  Due to the high Swell the boat only makes 4 knots with one diesel LF at 135 liters/hour fuel consumption.  The fuel is not sufficient, if unfavorable weather conditions persist.  Therefore
		20.00	AE 7859

	Sun and Moon Data 18.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.02.42

	- 17 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		continued
		19.02.42		asked what the weather to the south is.  I still count on the possibility of going to Bergen.
		20.02.42	North Atlantic
		07.15	EbyS 4-5, Sea 5	Sent Radio Message:
			AL 2218	Continual SE 8, heavy seas, inventory 28 cbm, without reserve. Question weather naval square AL center and south therefrom.  Position square AL 2248.
		10.30		Test dive.
				Day's run: 19/20. Surfaced    116.8 nm Carried over 5547.1 nm
				Submerged     3.4 nm
				Day total    120.2 nm  Total          5667.3 nm
		12.00	ESE 6-7, Sea 6	Alternated with one diesel LF and diesel-electric propulsion.  The fuel consumption is extraordinarily high.
			AL 2279
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		21.02.42	South of Iceland
			ESE 3-4. Sea 3-4
		04.00	AL 2665
		08.00	AL 2696
		10.42 - 11.35		Test dive.
				Day's run: 20/21. Surfaced    115.6 nm Carried over 5667.3 nm
				Submerged       7 nm
		12.00	AL 3715	Day total    122.6 nm  Total          5789.9 nm
		20.00	AL 3924
		24.00	AL 3967	Nothing in particular.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		22.02.42	West of Ireland
			ESE 3, Sea 2
		04.00	AL 6236
		08.00	AL 6547
		10.00 - 10.35		Test dive.
			ENE 3, Sea 3	Day's run: 21/22. Surfaced    171.3 nm Carried over 5789.9 nm
			AL 6926	Submerged    1.6 nm
				Day total    172.9 nm  Total          5962.8 nm
		13.25		Received Short Signal from U-154 concerning convoy in naval square AK 6823.  Unfortunately the convoy is over 400 nm away.  There is not enough fuel for me to operate.  I now expect to have a fuel inventory of about 700 liters on

	Sun and Moon Data 19.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.02.42

	- 18 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		continued
		22.02.42		arrival, if the weather remains favorable.
		20.00	AM 7117
		24.00	AM 7184
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		23.02.42	West of Ireland
			EbyS 1-2, Sea 1-2
		04.00	AM 7453
		08.00	AM 7733
		09.45 - 10.20		Test dive.
			NE 2-3, Sea 1-2	Day's run: 22/23. Surfaced    203.1 nm Carried over 5962.8 nm
			AM 7848	Submerged       2 nm
				Day total    205.1 nm  Total          6167.9 nm
		20.00	BE 3289
		16.30	BE 3251	A masthead sighted out of the sun bearing 250°T, about 6000 meters away.  Thought to be a steamer by the Watch Officer, target angle 0°.  16.32 hours Crash dive.  Bad observation due to the sun, aperture of the periscope has been unusable since the beginning of the patrol.  Initially the bearing did not shift. Continued to run on old course 155°.  16.37 hours slow bearing shift ahead was reported.  Came to course 110°, to maintain a position ahead and properly identify the enemy.  Maintained speed.  All tubes ready.  Still did not see the enemy.  16.47 hours cane to course 160°.  Reports from the listener indicated the enemy ran at about 90 RPM.  That corresponded to a steamer running at 12 knots.  I believed that the enemy ran faster, because the bearing shifted strongly.  16.47 hours recognized as a destroyer of the V and W Class.  Target angle 70-80°, speed not determined.  Just then the enemy zigzagged  20-30° away.  16.35 hours shot a 4-fan from 2000 meters with target angle 120°, speed 15 knots, spread angle 2°.  No detonation heard.  Periscope undercut shortly before, so that the shot could only be taken at this target angle.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.02.42

	- 19 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		continued
		23.02.42		The enemy filled 1/3 of the periscope.  The torpedo in tube III was a tube runner.  Boat came to depth A -40 meters due to water intake through the air vent of tube III.  Two attempts, to eject the tube runner immediately failed.  To eject the boat had to be put bow down, so that a depth of A +30 meters was reached.  With strong measures went to depth A -60 meters.  No listening possibilities because the boat had to be held with GF and the tube runner was still running.  Moved off on course 210° and 260°, to gain distance before possible listening pursuit.  At first the bilge pump did not suck out of the bow room.  Water was at the level of the floor plates.  The air vent on tube III was closed.
		18.00		Surfaced.  Destroyer was not seen. Tube runner had slipped forward in the tube, the outer tube door could not be closed, so the torpedo was fired out on the surface.
		19.34		Sent Radio Message (Time group 1645) Destroyer naval square BE 3251, high speed, course east, four-fan miss.  One tube runner.  I believe that the destroyer ran at more than 15 knots and that the entire fan lay behind the destroyer, otherwise he would have to have noticed the U-boat.
		20.00	BE 3289
		24.00	BE 3562
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		24.02.42	Southeast of Ireland
			NNE 2, Sea 2
		04.00	BE 3911
		08.00	BE 3973
		09.20 - 10.15		Test dive.

	Sun and Moon Data 23.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.02.42

	- 20 -
		Date  Time	Location, Wind, Weather	Events
		___________________________________________________________________________________
		continued
		24.02.42
			NNE 3-4, Sea 2-3	Day's run: 23/24. Surfaced    196.6 nm Carried over 6167.9 nm
			BE 9337	Submerged      7.9 nm
				Day total    204.5 nm  Total          6372.4 nm
		13.30		Dived to proceed submerged.
				15.30 hours detonation of several depth charges at great range about 10-20 nm.  In about 320°T locating impulses were picked up.
				Course changed by 75°, moved off for an hour.
		20.00	BF 4127
		21.00		Surfaced.  Ran at GF.
				Charged the battery.
		24.00	BF 4161
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		25.02.42	Bay of Biscay
		04.00	NNE 3, Sea 3
			BF 4258
		08.00	BF 4626
		09.00		Dived.  Proceeded submerged by day.
		12.00	BF 4638	Day's run: 24/25. Surfaced   175.3 nm Carried over 6372.4 nm
				Submerged     43 nm
				Day total    218.3 nm  Total          6590.7 nm
		20.00	BF 5451
		20.15		Surfaced.
		24.00	BF 5468
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.
		26.02.42	Bay of Biscay
			NNE 2-3, Sea 2-3
		08.00	BF 6445
		10.20		Convoy intake at Point N 1.
				Day's run: 25/26. Surfaced   185 nm Carried over 6590.7 nm
				Submerged   26 nm
				Day total    211 nm  Total           6801.7 nm
		13.00		Made fast St. Nazaire.
				Kptlt. and Kmdt.

	Sun and Moon Data 24.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.02.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.02.42

 

	Enclosures to U-352's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Radio	Excerpt of the radio log
Chart	Track chart covering the entire patrol

 

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
	on the Kriegstagebuch of "U-352" from 15.1.42 - 26.2.42.
	-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
	First patrol of the Kommandanten with a new boat.
	1.)            The decision of the Kommandanten on 26 January to operate on the convoy reported by"U-752" showed attack spirit, but was not thoughtful enough.  To operate on an outbound convoy when only one boat is on it and the initial distance is already 400 nm, so that the Kommandant must chase for a minimum of 4 days, promises very little chance of success, especially since the operation must take place in air-surveiled area.
	2.)            When calculating the fuel consumption for the return transit one must not expect the prevailing bad weather conditions for the entire return.  In bad weather dive and proceed submerged.
	3.)             In the verbal report of the Kommandanten it came out that on 13 February, after receiving the order to head for a new area, it was not clear if he should break off the operation then existing on the convoy at that time.  Own enemy contact always comes first.  If the B.d.U. wants the current operation to be broken off, this will be ordered expressly.
	4.)              On 24 February the course change and one-hour running off made on the basis of presumed locating gear, without any self-observation, was too cautious.
		Signed in draft:    D ö  n  i  t  z  .
		For correctness:
		Leutnant z.S. and Adjutant

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