U-38 - 3rd War Patrol
Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster
Departed |
Date |
Arrived |
Date |
Days at Sea |
Wilhelmshaven |
26 February 1940 |
Wilhelmshaven |
5 April 1940 |
40 |
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 |
9 Mar 40 |
21.13
|
55°24'N,
8°26'W |
LEUKOS |
216 |
Irish |
|
17 Mar 40 |
23.25 |
60°47'N,
0°30'W |
ARGENTINA |
5,375 |
Danish |
|
21 Mar 40 |
01.05 |
60°17'N,
3°10'W |
ALGIER |
1,654 |
Danish |
|
21 Mar 40 |
03.26 |
60°135'N,
2°56'W |
CHRISTIANSBORG |
3,270 |
Danish |
|
26 Mar 40 |
02.20 - 02.57
|
60°18'N,
5°16'W
|
COMETA |
3,794 |
Norwegian |
|
2 Apr 40 |
00.21 |
59°21'N,
1°17'W |
SIGNE |
1,540 |
Finnish |
HN-23A |
Total = 15,849 |
||||||
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. |
K r i e g s t a g e b u c h U 38 . | |||||
Kommandant: Kapitänleutnant L i e b e , | |||||
Beginning: 16.12.39 | |||||
Ending: 5. 4.1940. | |||||
© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved | |||||
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB |
- 1 - |
|||||
16.12.39 | Wilhelmshaven | ||||
14.12 | Made fast 1st Entrance. | ||||
15.00 | Made fast U-boat Base | ||||
17.12.39 | U-boat Base. | ||||
18.12.39 | Torpedo offload, cleared the boat. | ||||
19.12.39 | |||||
13.45 | Cast off U-boat base. | ||||
14.12 | Made fast Westwerft. | ||||
20.12. - 17.02.40 | Shipyard period. | ||||
17.02.40 | Boat shifted to the U-boat Base. | ||||
18.02. - 22.02.40 | Outfitting. | ||||
23.02.40 | |||||
24.02.40 | |||||
08.00 | Wilhelmshaven | Cast off from the U-boat Base for sea trial. | |||
SW 2 | In convoy down the Jade to Schillig Roadstead. Ice free there. | ||||
14.50 | Lightship "F" | Passed outbound. | |||
SW 2-3 | Came about on Radio Message orders from B.d.U., to complete sea trials off Schillig Roadstead. | ||||
15.17 | Lightship "F" | Passed inbound. | |||
Sea trial off Schillig Roadstead and inner Jade. | |||||
Ice conditions worsen. Visibility bad, therefore returned to Wilhelmshaven. | |||||
19.43 | Wilhelmshaven | Made fast U-boat Base. | |||
W 2 | |||||
25.02.40 | |||||
06.00 | Wilhelmshaven | Cast off from the U-boat Base for sea trial on the Jade. | |||
SE 2 | |||||
- 2 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
25.02.40 | |||||
With ebb passage possible, with flood and SE wind stopped against hard ice. | |||||
13.30 | Wilhelmshaven | Made fast to the stern of "GNEISENAU". | |||
SE 2 | |||||
15.30 | Freed. Continued sea trial. However ice conditions worsen. | ||||
20.00 | Wilhelmshaven | Made fast U-boat base. | |||
26.02.40 | |||||
08.00 | Wilhelmshaven | Cast off to complete radio direction finder calibration. | |||
10.15 | Cast off U-boat Base. Departed for sea trial. Down the Jade with ice escort by Sperrbrecher 8. | ||||
13.50 | Lightship "F" | Passed outbound. Sea trial in direction Elbe I southeast of Heligoland. Ice fields. | |||
ENE 2 | |||||
17.15 | Heligoland | Entered, came alongside "SAAR". Terminated sea trial. Oil loading overnight, final adjustments. | |||
27.02.40 | Day's run 124 nm | ||||
08.30 | Heligoland | Cast off, departed via Point A.K. | |||
SSW 2 | 12.33 - 15.14 Dived. | ||||
12.00 | 54°02'N | ||||
7°16'E | |||||
Misty, rain | |||||
16.00 | 53°09'N | Course 269°, 12 knots. Thick fog. | |||
7°16'E | 19.32 Entered Route I. | ||||
SSW 2 | |||||
20.00 | 53°58'N | No events. Course 300°, 12 knots. | |||
5°56'E | |||||
SW 2-3, fog | |||||
24.00 | 54°25'N | No events. Course 300°, 12 knots. | |||
4°40.5'E | |||||
WSW 2, fog | |||||
28.02.40 | Day's run 153 (277) | ||||
04.00 | 54°57'N | 01.30 Course 320°. | |||
3°41'E | Course 320°, 12 knots | ||||
SW 1, fog | 06.30 Course 340°, 9 knots. | ||||
08.00 | 55°31'N | Course 340°, 9 knots. | |||
3°02'E | 10.30 Several small fishing vessels sighted in the east, Avoided to the west. Visibility is better. | ||||
SW 2, fog | |||||
10.46 Dived | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 26.02.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 27.02.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 28.02.40 |
- 3 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
28.02.40 | |||||
12.00 | 55°49'N | Proceeded submerged, course 340°, 2 knots. | |||
2°48'E | 17.08 Surfaced, course 340°, 5 knots | ||||
20.00 | 56°12'N | Weather has cleared. Wind and Sea State has increased. The boat lies very low in the water with supplementary main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank 4 and despite closed watertight forecastle and goes into each sea, already at Sea State 3. Bridge is rather wet as earlier, lookout is hindered as a result. For heavy seas an unfavorable loading condition. Speed loss about 4 knots. | |||
2°32'E | |||||
NNE 4 | |||||
24.00 | 56°31'N | Course 340°, 5 knots. | |||
2°31'E | |||||
N 6-7 | |||||
29.02.40 | Day's run 152 (429) | ||||
04.00 | 56°49'N | Course 340°, 5 knots. | |||
2°08'E | 07.31 Dived. | ||||
N 6-7 | |||||
08.00 | 57°08'N | Proceeded submerged, course 340°, 5 knots. | |||
1°56'E | |||||
12.00 | NE 5-6 | 12.40 Surfaced. In the south two aircraft in sight on westerly course. Nationality unknown. | |||
12.55 5 aircraft over the boat, nationality unknown, course west. Crash dived. | |||||
15.45 Surfaced. | |||||
16.00 | 57°25'N | Course 340°, 6.5 knots. | |||
1°45.5'E | |||||
N 3-4 | |||||
20.00 | 58°08'N | 21.15 Incoming Radio Message from "U-32": | |||
0°50'E | Alfa Alfa 1500/29/23 | ||||
N 2 | Enemy convoy in sight, square E 1238 [interwar grid] 20 vessels, 12 torpedo boats, course 250°. | ||||
Operating on the convoy is no longer possible, therefore maintained course. | |||||
24.00 | 58°45'N | Course 340°, 11 knots. | |||
0°20'E | |||||
NW 2 | |||||
01.03.40 | Day's run 131 (560) | ||||
04.00 | Shetlands | Course 340°, 10 knots. | |||
59°12'N | 07.17 Dived. | ||||
0°0.3'E | |||||
NW 5 | |||||
08.00 | 57°25'N | Course 340°, 3 knots, proceeded submerged. | |||
1°45.5'E | Intention: Dived to be in the Fair Isle Passage by day, after the evening navigation fix run through the Fair Isle Passage. | ||||
NW 5 | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 28.02.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 29.02.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 01.03.40 |
- 4 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
01.03.40 | |||||
09.50 - 11.15 Attack on steamer, which was identified by listening. In the vicinity still further sounds, however nothing seen at periscope depth. Bad steering submerged. Attack on steamer given up due to too great range. Surfacing not possible due to suspected destroyer and patrol vessel sounds. 5 depth charges at great range. | |||||
12.00 | 49°40'N [typo 59°40'N] | No events except for sound observations, which were not confirmed at periscope depth. | |||
0°24.5'W | |||||
NW 5-6 | |||||
16.00 | 59°57.3'N | A fishing trawler (patrol vessel?) sighted to the SW. | |||
0°25'W | Passes out of sight again. | ||||
18.00 Surfaced, course N. | |||||
20.00 | 60°09.5'N | Navigation fix in comparison with soundings uncertain, therefore decided to go around north of the Shetlands. In so doing determined that the chart depths east of Skerries are not correct, they are less than 100 meters. Therefore expected uncertain navigation. | |||
0°28'W | |||||
WSW 6-7 | |||||
24.00 | 60°46'N | Northeast, later also north of the Shetlands at a distance of 10-30 nm patrol vessels, in turn sighted fishing trawlers, they have set lights and sometimes a red light over the whole horizon. They’re usually in pairs, perhaps they’re actually fishing. | |||
0°6.5'W | |||||
WSW 6 | |||||
02.03.40 | Day's run 150 (710) | ||||
04.00 | 60°03'N | ||||
1°02'W | |||||
W 5-6, Sea 4-5 | Except for the mentioned fishing trawlers no particular observations. | ||||
07.20 Dived before fishing trawler. | |||||
08.00 | 60°53'N | Submerged fishing trawlers are still heard and observed at periscope depth (bad depth keeping of the boat). They do not notice us. No further observations. Course 220°. | |||
2°06'W | |||||
W 5-6, Sea 4-5 | |||||
12.00 | 60°46.5'N | 15.34 Surfaced, continued on the surface. No good attack weather. Much water comes over. Sea 5-6, no observations. | |||
2°17.0'W | |||||
16.00 | 60°31'N | No observations. | |||
2°37'W | |||||
20.00 | 60°21'N | No navigation fix, therefore initially did not follow the north Scottish coast any longer. No observations. | |||
3°14'W | |||||
24.00 | 60°06'N | No observations. | |||
4°25'W | |||||
WSW 5 | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 01.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 02.03.40 |
- 5 - |
|||||
03.03.40 | Day's run 119 (829) | ||||
04.00 | 59°49.5'N | In the course of the night only lights of fishing trawlers or small vessels sighted. Attack weather is always not very favorable. At lightness no navigation fix possible. By soundings position 06.30 hours either on the 90-meter bank off Sule Skerry or at Rona. Initially held course. 06.30 Dived. 07.45 Sounds to port. Shifted astern, very faint. Nothing seen in the periscope. Sounds like already encountered fishing trawlers. | |||
4°25'E [typo W] | |||||
08.00 | 59°37.5'N | 09.50 Surfaced. No possibility of a navigation fix. | |||
4°53'W | 11.36 Crash dive for flying boat, shortly thereafter 5 bombs far off. By soundings I believe that I am south of the Rona Rocks, therefore initially steered 270°. | ||||
W 5 | |||||
12.00 | 59°24.5'N | By later navigation correction the aircraft must have thrown the bombs in the area in which "U-32" reported the three early detonators. | |||
5°25'W | |||||
12.43 | 6 depth charges at great range, sound bearing, vessel bearing 290°T. The bombs could not be meant for "U-38", therefore continued on. | ||||
Nothing seen in the periscope. | |||||
14.43 Once 5 depth charges, a bit closer. | |||||
14.17 Once 4 depth charges. Steered changing courses. It now gives the impression as if it were intended for "U-38", which could not be rejected out of hand at Sea State 6 and the great distance. | |||||
16.00 | 59°36'N | Sounds disappeared astern, came back once more, in the periscope a fishing trawler distinguished. | |||
5°47'W | |||||
18.37 Surfaced, moved off to the west. | |||||
A presence off the north coast of Scotland was not promising because weather conditions are getting worse. The assumption that "U-38" was positioned south of Rona Rocks, off the North Minch has not been confirmed, 2 days later a navigation fix was possible, according to that we were south of Rona. The depth charges were attributed to U-boat hunt for "U-32", which had been south of Rona a day earlier and was probably reported. The surveillance here is not very numerous, however still very steady. | |||||
20.00 | 59°25.5'N | Course 270°, 6 knots. | |||
6°00'W | |||||
W 6, Sea 5-6 | |||||
24.00 | 59°27'N | Course 270°, 6 knots. | |||
6°20'W | Increasingly bad weather. Weapons use is questionable. Nothing is seen of the strong traffic density reported in the previous days by "U-32". | ||||
WSW 9 | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 03.03.40 |
- 6 - |
|||||
04.03.40 | Day's run 155 (984) | ||||
04.00 | West of the Hebrides | Course 250°, 6 knots. | |||
59°21'N | Major engine repairs to the starboard diesel were necessary, because the 3rd cylinder blows. | ||||
6°47'W | |||||
NW 8-9 | Boat lies quite well diagonally to the sea so that work on the diesel can begin. | ||||
08.00 | 59°12'N | Course 230°. No particular events. | |||
7°16'W | |||||
NW 8-9, Vis. good | |||||
12.30 | 58°12'N | First navigation fix for three days. | |||
7°54'W | |||||
NW 5-6 | |||||
16.00 | 58°30'N | No events. | |||
8°10'W | |||||
NW 6 | |||||
18.30 | Passed St. Kilda Rocks at a distance of 10-12 nm. | ||||
20.00 | 57°56'N | Course 210°, 8 knots. | |||
8°58'W | |||||
NW 4 | |||||
24.00 | 57°28'N | Course 210°, 8 knots. | |||
8°58'W | Starboard diesel in service again after about 17 hours work. | ||||
N 5 | |||||
05.03.40 | Day's run 179 (1163) | ||||
04.00 | Southwest of the Hebrides | Course 210°, 9 knots. | |||
56°58'N | 07.24 Dived. | ||||
9°58'W | |||||
W 3 | |||||
08.00 | 56°33'N | Course 180°, 3.5 knots, proceeded submerged. | |||
10°20'W | 11.30 Surfaced. | ||||
N 3 | |||||
12.30 | 56°20'N | Course 180°, 9 knots. No events. | |||
10°24'W | |||||
N 3, Vis. good | |||||
16.00 | 55°50'N | Very good attack weather, no observations. At darkness 1 1/2 hours work on the exhaust gas valve on the over deck. | |||
10°24'W | |||||
NE 3, Vis. good | |||||
20.00 | 55°00.7'N | 21.50 Illuminated steamer ahead. | |||
8°24'W | Closed to attack. On getting closer recognized as Italian, about 1500-2000 ton sized steamer. Turned away. Steamer steered course 21°, therefore north around England. | ||||
NNW 2, Vis. good | |||||
24.00 | 55°00.1'N | No observations. | |||
10°55'W | I expected traffic from the west to the North Channel, nothing was found. I intend to go to the southwest around Ireland. | ||||
Sun and Moon Data 04.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 05.03.40 |
- 7 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
06.03.40 | Day's run 208 (1371) | Nothing. | |||
04.00 | West of Ireland | 07.17 Dived, test dive. | |||
54°28'N | |||||
11°16'W | |||||
ESE 2-3, light Swell | |||||
08.00 | 53°57'N | Course 200°, 9 knots. | |||
11°32'W | 08.50 Surfaced. | ||||
12.00 | 53°24'N | Nothing. | |||
11°52'W | |||||
SE 3 | |||||
16.00 | 53°00.1'N | ||||
12°00.7'W | |||||
SSE 2-3 | |||||
20.00 | 52°32'N | 20.15 2 vessels, fishing trawlers in sight. | |||
12°23'W | Course 180°, 8 knots. | ||||
SSE 4 | Incoming Radio Message concerning operations areas near Ireland. | ||||
24.00 | 52°00.3'N | Nothing. | |||
12°20'W | |||||
SSE 4 | |||||
07.03.40 | Day's run 200 (1571) | ||||
04.00 | Southwest of Ireland | Nothing. Test dive. | |||
51°31'N | |||||
12°22'W | |||||
SE 5 | |||||
08.00 | 51°00.1'N | Nothing. | |||
12°22'W | I intend to remain at the SW corner of Ireland, expecting that Fastnet as an objective point will draw traffic into this area. | ||||
S 4 | |||||
Course 140°, 7 knots. | |||||
12.00 | 50°40'N | No events. | |||
11°38'W | Course 90°, 8 knots. | ||||
S 4 | |||||
16.00 | 50°25'N | No events. | |||
11°20'W | Course 55°, 8 knots. | ||||
S 3-4 | |||||
20.00 | 50°40'N | 20.03 Incoming Radio Message concerning shift of the operations area to the north. | |||
10°38'W | |||||
Southwest of Ireland | Course 340°, 7 knots. | ||||
I expect to work together with the still remaining U-boats. | |||||
Encountered individual fishing vessels, as well as a patrol vessel with a red top light that only illuminates in the forward sector | |||||
24.00 | 51°12'N | ||||
11°10'W | |||||
S 2-3 | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 06.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 07.03.40 |
- 8 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
07.03.40 | Course 340°, 7 knots. | ||||
Since departing still no vessels have been sighted, although good visibility always prevailed. | |||||
West of the Hebrides and Ireland no steamer traffic at 100-120 nm from the coast. No aircraft surveillance. On the 200-meter line individual fishing trawlers, which were generally not taken as patrol vessels, apart from the vessel stationed south-west of Ireland. | |||||
08.03.40 | Day's run 228 (1799) | ||||
04.00 | West of Ireland | Fishing trawler traffic. | |||
51°58'N | No events. | ||||
11°25'W | |||||
S 3, freshening | |||||
08.00 | 52°18'N | Test dive. | |||
11°42'W | I intend to run still closer offshore and according to the situation, pass close-by the North Channel. | ||||
W 3-5 | |||||
12.00 | 52°52'N | No events. | |||
11°54'W | |||||
S 5 | |||||
16.00 | 55°27'N | Course 25°, 10 knots. | |||
11°26'W | |||||
S 4-5 | |||||
20.00 | 54°02'N | No events. | |||
10°58'W | |||||
SW 4 | |||||
24.00 | 54°40'N | No events. | |||
10°50'W | |||||
SW 4 | |||||
09.03.40 | Day's run 157 (1956) | ||||
04.00 | 55°02'N | No events, 07.50 Dived. | |||
10°50'W | |||||
SW 4, Vis. changing | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 07.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 08.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 09.03.40 |
- 9 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
09.03.40 | |||||
08.00 | 55°17'N | 09.50 Surfaced. | |||
9°10'W | 10.25 Dived (Vis. very bad). | ||||
E 3, Vis. medium, fog in places | |||||
12.00 | 55°20'N | 13.20 Propeller sounds. | |||
8°48'W | 15.12 Surfaced. | ||||
E 3, Vis. bad, fog, rain | Due to the bad visibility, I decide to continue transit to the north, and not as intended, to remain in this area over night. | ||||
16.00 | 55°25'N | In a tear in the cloud deck a fishing trawler sighted. Moved off to the south and then to the west. | |||
8°26'W | |||||
ENE 2, misty, rain | 17.03 Dived before fishing trawler, that came out of the fog ahead. | ||||
Later several fishing trawlers (3) passed close-by at periscope depth, in so doing determined armament on one of the trawlers. | |||||
Remained submerged until darkness. Apparently no pursuit. | |||||
20.00 | The visibility has gotten better | 20.03 Surfaced, after detecting fishing trawlers in the area with the listening gear and periscope. After surfacing 6 trawlers with lights were detected, which appear to a patrol line on a NS course. I intend to give one of them a lesson with the cannon. | |||
21.13 1 shot from 200 meters on one of the fishing trawlers. Hit in the engine room, trawler disappears in smoke and fumes. Moved off. Later determined, that the steamer had not sunk, as initially thought. Did not try once more because of the nearness of the others, who had partly extinguished lanterns, who seem to have seen nothing of the shot. | |||||
24.00 | 55°43'N | No events. | |||
9°29'W | |||||
W 2, Vis. medium | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 09.03.40 |
- 10 - |
|||||
10.03.40 | Day's run 217 (2173) | ||||
04.00 | 56°43'N | No events. | |||
9°42'W | |||||
W 3, Vis. medium, fog in places | |||||
08.00 | 56°50'N | Work on the over deck. Inserted the grating next to the cannon, which had been knocked out by the seas. Already there is sea damage on the over deck. | |||
10°04'W | |||||
W 3, misty, fog | |||||
12.00 | 57°21'N | 14.40 Avoided fishing trawlers. | |||
10°06'W | |||||
WNW 3, misty | |||||
16.00 | 57°43'N | 16.45 Smoke cloud in sight. On maneuvering ahead distinguished as fishing trawler. 18.30 Turned away. | |||
10°30'W | |||||
WSW 4, Vis. changing, later Vis. good | Course 0°, 9 knots. | ||||
20.00 | 58°02'N | Lights of the fishing trawler are still seen, he seems to be heading north. After 20.33 came to course 30°, they pass out of sight astern. | |||
10°21'W | |||||
E 2, Vis. good | |||||
24.00 | 58°34'N | No events. | |||
9°52'W | |||||
NW 3 | |||||
11.03.40 | Day's run 220 (2393) | ||||
04.00 | North of the Hebrides | No events. | |||
59°02'N | 07.45 Test dive. | ||||
9°20'W | |||||
NW 3, Vis. good | |||||
08.00 | 59°23'N | 08.45 Surfaced. | |||
9°20'W | 09.10 Dived for an aircraft in the south. | ||||
NW 5, Vis. good | 09.33 Surfaced. | ||||
12.00 | 59°37'N | 14.00 Incoming Radio Message concerning disposition Utvaer. | |||
7°54'W | |||||
NW 3, Vis. good, later misty, snow | Came to HF (12 knots). | ||||
[Operation Weseruebung - Occupation of Norway & Denmark] | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 10.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 11.03.40 |
- 11 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
11.03.40 | |||||
16.00 | 59°56'N | 18.00 Smoke feather in sight. | |||
6°55'W | While attempting to maneuver ahead determined that given the target angle the steamer could no longer be reached. | ||||
NE 3, abating, Swell, Vis. good | |||||
13.16 Turned away, came to course 60°. | |||||
20.00 | 60°21'N | 21.30 Small motorboat with set lights sighted on southerly course. | |||
6°08'W | |||||
24.00 | 60°21'N | No events. | |||
4°50'W | |||||
NE 1, Vis. good | |||||
12.03.40 | Day's run 190 (2583) | ||||
04.00 | North of the Hebrides | 02.00 North Sea Circuit. | |||
61°02'N | From 02.00 hours sudden change in the weather, snow and hail squalls, Vis. changing, wind freshening to NE. | ||||
3°36'W | |||||
NE 5-6, snow, hail | |||||
08.00 | 61°14'N | Set clocks to M.E.Z. | |||
2°42'W | Test dive, unclear conning tower hatch. | ||||
NE 5, Vis. changing | 11.50 Crash dive for aircraft. | ||||
12.30 Surfaced. | |||||
12.00 | 61°22'N | 15.50 To the south at the Shetlands 2 patrol vessels (fishing trawlers) seen. | |||
2°14'W | |||||
NNE 5 | 15.55 Land (Shetland Islands) in sight. | ||||
16.00 | 61°18'N | 16.37 Crash dive for aircraft. | |||
1°38'W | 17.07 Surfaced. | ||||
NNE 3-4, Vis. changing | |||||
20.00 | 61°18'N | Nothing. | |||
0°32'W | |||||
N 2-3 | |||||
24.00 | 61°11'N | Nothing | |||
0°32'E | In the area of the Hebrides-Shetlands on the return transit, deliberately steered a northerly course, however no traffic observed. The Message from U-32 concerning heavy | ||||
N 2 | |||||
steamer traffic was not confirmed. The impression of good surveillance of the Shetlands-Hebrides route was given by numerous deployed fishing trawlers about 20 nm south of the 200-meter line. The vessels smoke heavily so that the report from U-32 could possibly be these patrol vessels. Air surveillance only south of the 200-meter line and very weak. First in the vicinity of the Shetlands aircraft in the direction of the Faroes. The frequently encountered fishing trawlers are very disturbing, and they hold up the transit a lot because one always believes that one has a steamer in before them and operates on it. | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 11.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 12.03.40 |
- 12 - |
|||||
13.03.40 | Day's run 146 (2729) | ||||
04.00 | Latitude 61° between the Shetlands and Norway | Course 100°, 9 knots. | |||
61°05'N | Nothing. | ||||
1°46'E | |||||
ENE 3, Vis. changing, snow showers | |||||
07.43 | Dived. Proceeded submerged. | ||||
08.00 | 61°05'N | Nothing. | |||
2°51'E | |||||
NE 3-4 | |||||
12.00 | 60°57'N | 12.20 Surfaced. | |||
3°13'E | 12.57 Crash dive for aircraft. Proceeded submerged. | ||||
NE 3-4 | |||||
16.00 | 60°55'N | Nothing. | |||
3°44'E | |||||
NE 3-4 | |||||
20.00 | 60°52.5'N | 19.30 Surfaced, course 100°, 9 knots. | |||
4°07.5'E | 21.30 2 large steamers in sight. | ||||
NNE 3, Swell | Departing out of the Fedge Osen entrance, set lights, illuminated flags. Course 240°. Hung on. The 2nd about 5000-6000 ton size is Danish. Did not follow the first one further, because according to orders nothing can be done to him. Both ships obviously have course for England. They cannot be troop transports because of the neutral flag and lighting. Such vessels will always get through. | ||||
Incoming Radio Message concerning disposition for U-30 and U-34. | |||||
24.00 | 60°42'N | Occasionally a steamer is sighted just offshore, otherwise no observations. | |||
4°21'E | |||||
NE 3 | The Fedge Osen entrance seems to be the most utilized. | ||||
14.03.40 | Day's run 137 (2866) | ||||
04.00 | Northwest coast south of Utvaer | Except for coastal traffic no particular observations. | |||
06.00 Dived. | |||||
08.00 | 60°47.5'N | No events. | |||
4°20.0'E | The entire day submerged in position off Holmengra. | ||||
Observations: Fishery protection boat entered. In the course of the late afternoon light steamer traffic within territorial waters. | |||||
Overnight no observations. About 24.00 hours a steamer with NW course departed Holmenra. Illuminated nationality markings. Incoming Radio Message concerning disposition of U-boats in Vestfjord. | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 13.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 14.03.40 |
- 13 - |
|||||
15.03.40 | Day's run 139 (3005) | Set off about 12 nm off the coast, because from here aircraft going to sea are better observed. Additionally proceeding on the surface is possible by day. However, the boat remained | |||
12 nm abeam Holmengra | |||||
submerged for the most part out of consideration that if the enemy's intended to leave the coast from here, prior reconnaissance must be expected, possibly also by submarines. Proceeded at periscope depth. With good visibility an overview of about 6000 to 8000 meters is ensured. | |||||
NE later SE 6-8, about evening abating to 2, light Swell, Vis. good | No particular observations. | ||||
16.03.40 | Day's run 107 (3121) | ||||
Holmengra | Submerged back and forth in position in the Holmengra area. Periscope depth. No observations. 2 times in the course of the day surfaced to renew the air and for an all around sweep. Night 4 vessels sighted on southerly or northerly courses within territorial waters. In the morning and afternoon occasionally (3-4 times) detonations at great range were perceived. Always 3-4 one after another aircraft bombs or depth charges. | ||||
NE 2-3, in the course of the afternoon freshening, Night S 5-6, Vis. good | |||||
17.03.40 | Day's run 256 (3368) | ||||
Holmengra | Due to the maned lighthouses on Hellisøy and Utvaer proceeding on the surface is not possible within 12-15 nm of the coast. Therefore stayed submerged at periscope depth. If the weather is quite calm a sure overview, otherwise relied on sound bearings. | ||||
S 5 | |||||
12.00 | 60°41'N | 12.00 Incoming Radio Message concerning occupation of operations area west of the Orkneys. | |||
4°08'E | |||||
SE 5-6, freshening | Course 285°, 14 knots. | ||||
My decision to go north around the Shetlands was strengthened by the wind and Sea State, because otherwise lookout is greatly hindered and GF is in question. | |||||
16.00 | 60°41'N | No events. | |||
4°08'E | |||||
NE 7-8, freshening | |||||
20.99 | 61°02'N | ||||
1°20'E | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 15.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 16.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 17.03.40 |
- 14 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
17.03.40 | SSE 8-9 | 22.00 Illuminated steamer to port. Flag was illuminated however not recognized at 400 meters. | |||
Area A | |||||
60°47'N | 23.25 2-fan. 1 torpedo hit. | ||||
0°30'W | Steamer sank within 10 minutes. Unnoticed shot. It is gratifying that the torpedoes ran despite the heavy Sea State (7). Name unknown. Size 4000-5000 tons. | ||||
24.00 | 61°10'N | ||||
0°30'W | |||||
S 8-9 | |||||
18.03.40 | Day's run 190 (3558) | ||||
04.00 | Shetlands | No events. | |||
60°58'N | 00.45 Incoming Radio Message concerning disposition of the boat. | ||||
2°09'W | |||||
SSE 8 | |||||
08.00 | 60°30'N | Abominable weather, wet, low visibility, heavy seas. Submerged attack is hardly possible. | |||
2°59'W | |||||
SE 8 | 08.00 Dived to reload. | ||||
12.00 | 60°18'N | 11.58 Surfaced. Due to weather ran at LF, by this lookout was maintained. | |||
3°08'W | |||||
SE 7 | |||||
16.00 | 60°00'N | No events. | |||
3°38'W | |||||
20.00 | 59°39'N | No events. | |||
4°06'W | 22.00 In position. | ||||
SE 6-7 | |||||
24.00 | 59°26'N | No events. | |||
4°58'W | |||||
SE 6-7, Vis. medium | |||||
19.03.40 | Day's run 199 (3757) | ||||
04.00 | Northwest Sule Skerry | No events. | |||
Vis. moderate, rain | Changing courses in apportioned operations area. When attempting to head for Sule Skerry enterance quite shallow water (40 meters), therefore turned to the north. Bad weather, no navigation fix since Norway. | ||||
59°44'N | |||||
4°36'W | |||||
SE 7, about evening abating and Vis. improving | |||||
13.00 | Incoming Radio Message - Signal from U-47 concerning sighting of 3 battleships. | ||||
Course 30°, AK. | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 17.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 18.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 19.03.40 |
- 15 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
19.03.40 | |||||
20.00 | 59°45'N | Message from U-47 that he cannot hold on. | |||
4°49'W | Enemy is located 42 nm east of own position. It is not possible to come up by the reconnaissance signals. Therefore operated on the possibility that the 10° course was a deceptive course in twilight. If the enemy comes to a NW course at darkness, an encounter is still possible. | ||||
SE 2, Swell | |||||
Therefore came to course 30°, HF. | |||||
22.15 | Radio Message from B.d.U.: Old positions. Ahead a light, on coming closer distinguished as a patrol vessel or fishing trawler. 22.30 hours at the old position. | ||||
24.00 | 61°02'N | Over night courses in apportioned operations area. | |||
4°30'W | |||||
SSE 4, slowly freshening | |||||
20.03.40 | Day's run 216 (3873) | ||||
08.00 | North of Sule Skerry | Steered changing courses in the operations area. In the course of the day occasionally encountered fishing trawlers which were avoided on the surface. Most were avoided to the north. | |||
59°06'N | |||||
4°41'W | |||||
SE 3, Vis. good | |||||
With clearing of the weather conditions I can finally take a navigation fix, for 4 days it has not been possible determine position. Offset gives a position 45 nm northeast of the assumed position. | |||||
20.00 | Navigation improvement to | From the determined position shift it follows that up to now the boat has not been in its operations area. In the last days navagated by soundings. By plotting and soundings (depths down to 50 meters) a position near Sule Skerry is assumed. | |||
60°06'N | |||||
3°08'W | |||||
NE 2, Vis. good | |||||
As it turns out again, the surveying in this area is useless. One cannot proceed by soundings. | |||||
Came to course for Sule Skerry. | |||||
21.45 | Sighted a steamer on northeasterly course. Reaching it is not possible, runs too fast. | ||||
50 nm northeast of Fair Passage. | 23.24 Missed shot. Submerged stern shot on illuminated steamer. Speed set too low. Maneuvered ahead once again. | ||||
SW 2-3, light Swell, moonlit, very bright | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 19.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 20.03.40 |
- 16 - |
|||||
21.03.40 | Day's run 161 (4134) | ||||
60°17'N | 01.05 Submerged stern approach. Steamer sunk. Probably the Danish steamer C.F. FIETGEN. Detonation observed in the periscope. Surfaced under the assumption that the steamer had already sunk. Range about 800 meters. Steamer lay listing strongly to port, boats were lowered to the water. Within 10 minutes steamer sank over the stern. Sinking was in area A. | ||||
3°10'W | |||||
Course 215°, 12 knots. | |||||
About 02.00 hours 3 steamers in sight. Initiated attack. | |||||
02.56 Submerged stern attack. Miss | |||||
Speed set too high (11 instead of 8 knots). | |||||
Afterwards surfaced and sank at 03.26 in surface attack despite bright moonshine. | |||||
Hit forward, foreship broke off, aftership remained afloat. Moved off under the assumption that the aftership would still go under. | |||||
Unknown steamer, about 4000-5000 ton sized freighter, which showed no neutrality markings except for lights and deck illumination. | |||||
60°13'N | Course 215°, 12 knots. | ||||
2°56'W | There is the possibility that U-38 was sighted, because the night was very bright and the shot was taken from a range of 400 meters. Additionally, after the sinking went in the immediate vicinity of the lifeboats of the steamer sunk first. No second torpedo shot, so as not to weaken the suspicion of a mine hit if we were still not seen. | ||||
08.00 | Sule Skerry | In the course of the morning 3 patrol vessels in sight, steering NW courses. Went around to the south. 11.05 hours Skerry in sight. | |||
59°28'N | |||||
3°52'W | |||||
SW 1-2, rain | Due to bad visibility and the nearby patrol vessels dive and remained submerged. | ||||
20.00 | 59°16.5'N | 19.00 Surfaced. | |||
4°36'W | |||||
SW 2 | |||||
24.00 | 59°17'N | No events. | |||
4°27'W | |||||
SW 2 | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 21.03.40 |
- 17 - |
|||||
22.03.40 | Day's run 165 (4299) | ||||
04.00 | Northwest of Sule Skerry | 03.40 Avoided a patrol vessel. | |||
59°18'N | 05.40 Avoided a patrol vessel. | ||||
4°31'W | 06.24 Avoided a patrol vessel. | ||||
SW 2 | 07.45 Aircraft in sight, dived. | ||||
08.00 | 59°34'N | 09.53 Surfaced. | |||
4°57'W | 10.30 3 heavy smoke clouds in sight in the SW, pursued. | ||||
SW 2, at times broken cloud deck | 11.30 Made out as a heavily smoking patrol vessel. | ||||
11.38 Surprised by aircraft, dived. | |||||
1st bomb at depth 28 meters, ) | |||||
2nd bomb at depth 50 meters ) quite close. | |||||
12.30 | 59°18'N | Moved off submerged, later north course. | |||
4°46'W | 13.00 Surfaced, aircraft still in sight. Dived. Remained submerged. In the course of the afternoon aircraft bombs or depth charges heard three more times at very great range. | ||||
19.32 Surfaced. Several patrol vessels in sight again in the SW. | |||||
20.00 | 59°40'N | Afterwards back and forth in area 50 nm north of Sule Skerry (evasion operations area) | |||
4°53'W | |||||
NE 2-3 (rain), bright moon | 23.30 Shadows in sight. We are positioned in the moon. Ran to the favorable horizon, in so doing the shadows were lost. Obviously they were patrol vessels. One showed a red, then white light, the other was darkened. | ||||
24.00 | 59°48'N | Continued to steer changing courses. | |||
4°40'W | |||||
ESE 2-3 | |||||
23.03.40 | Day's run 200 (4499) | ||||
08.00 | 50 nm north of Sule Skerry | 06.45 First knowledge of the Radio Message for the formation of a patrol line north of the Shetlands. 20 hours late, an entire night lost. Course 41° to ordered position. In summary concerning the operations area at Sule Skerry: | |||
One continually encounters patrol vessels, that in the typical good visibility can be avoided in time. Even if they are not dangerous, they always force one off. Their strong smoke entices one to operate on them. They do not seem to have fixed courses. They were found at Sule Skerry and north therefrom to the 200-meter line. Aircraft surveillance is present, however just observed heavy in the last 3 days, which is related to the calm weather. | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 22.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 23.03.40 |
- 18 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
23.03.40 | |||||
At night the patrol vessels are partly dimmed, some with lights. Nearly always two together. Type: fishing trawlers. Through navigation offset operated one night in the area west of Fair Passage. Very heavy neutral traffic, from the south coming on course 10-20°. | |||||
12.00 | 60°35'N | In the course of the morning forced to submerged two times, without being noticed. | |||
4°06'W | |||||
ENE 5-6 | 11.25 Patrol vessel in sight. | ||||
It was detected by its smoke feather. | |||||
While closing did not turn away in time so that the boat was noticed. Moved off ahead of him to the NW. He follows and shoots several salvos, however which lay short. Was able to escape behind several rain squalls. Patrol vessels were larger fishing trawlers. | |||||
Radio Message from B.d.U., that a U-boat was reported. Position given agrees exactly. After out maneuvering the patrol vessels steered course 50°. | |||||
16.00 | 61°02'N | 19.30 Radio Message from B.d.U. concerning new operations area. Without having reached position in the patrol line, came to course 240°, to head for square 3200. | |||
3°35W | |||||
ENE 5-6 | |||||
20.00 | 61°20'N | Nothing. | |||
2°48W | |||||
ENE 4-5, abating a bit, rain, Vis. good, however sometimes hindered by rain squalls. | |||||
24.00 | 61°15'N | Nothing. | |||
3°18W | |||||
ENE 4-5 | |||||
24.03.40 | Day's run 185 (4684) | ||||
04.00 | 59°52'N [typo 60°52'N] | 07.00 Steamer in sight on westerly course. | |||
4°43W | 08.00 Stopped with shot ahead of the bow and searchlight signal. Cannon operation must be called off due to the heavy seas. Boat of the steamer comes alongside. Papers brought aboard in a throwing bag. Steamer hails from Denmark, home port Esbjorg, Came from Sarpsborg with pulp (wood pulp) (cellulose)? for Genoa for receiver in Rome. Size 1500 tons. Steamer Captain claimed to have deliberately gone far north around the British control ports. Ship was not suspicious. Continued steering changing courses in the operations area. | ||||
ENE 4-5, rain | |||||
24.00 | 60°43'N | Nothing. | |||
5°40W | |||||
NE 7, rain squalls | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 23.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 24.03.40 |
- 19 - |
|||||
25.03.40 | Day's run 185 (4869) | ||||
08.00 | 60°17'N | Steered changing courses in square. | |||
6°05'W | 07.50 2 patrol vessels in sight. | ||||
NE 6 | 18.00 Dived. | ||||
19.15 Surfaced. | |||||
19.45 Crash dive for patrol vessel. | |||||
20.30 Surfaced. | |||||
23.40 Illuminated steamer, course for the Faroes. | |||||
Orkneys in sight. Initiated attack. Steamer is very difficult to distinguish due to his lights. As I ran in I thought it was a destroyer which intentionally set misleading lights. Matched speed. Torpedo shot was a miss. Ship stopped the moment I turned towards to shoot, missed ahead. Steamer probably saw us, now that he stopped, was recognized as Norwegian. With searchlight boat and papers ordered. Captain comes aboard, at night and in the prevailing seas (4-5) the situation was not very pleasant. Steamer COMETS from Oslo to Santos (Brazil). Captain reports, that he was angered by English and ordered to Kirkwall. He did not want to follow the instructions to go to the boats by noting the great distance from the coast and the fact that he had passengers on board, but was very quickly convinced of the necessity. Papers were handed over. Destruction of the ship on the basis of the approaches to Kirkwall. | |||||
26.03.40 | Day's run 252 (5121) | ||||
Square 3200 | |||||
02.20 | 60°18'N | A coup de grâce, depth 6 meters. | |||
5°16'W | Steamer breaks apart slowly, then the stern breaks off, foreship floats. Nothing remains but to sacrifice one more torpedo. | ||||
AM 3268 | |||||
NNE 4 | |||||
02.57 | 2nd coup de grâce. Steamer sinks. 3800 tons. Crew has had time to get out. It is assumed that they will be found by the fishing trawlers-patrol boats by day. | ||||
04.00 | 60°15'N | Moved off to the west. | |||
5°45'W | 07.20 Dived to reload, work on the battery. Depth charged at great range. | ||||
NNE 4-5, strong rain squalls | |||||
14.45 Surfaced, weather deteriorating. | |||||
17.00 Patrol vessel in sight. | |||||
19.00 Dived, because 3 patrol vessels are in sight. Avoiding on the surface unseen is questionable? Changing courses in the operations area. | |||||
24.00 | 60°41'N | ||||
5°`10'W | |||||
NNW 5-6 | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 25.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 26.03.40 |
- 20 - |
|||||
27.03.40 | Day's run 146 (5267) | 00.30 Incoming Radio Message from B.d.U. concerning new operations are square 3400. Began transit thereto. | |||
04.00 | 60°11'N | Weapons use no longer possible due to bad weather. Boat cannot be held at periscope depth. Therefore 07.45 Dived, proceeded submerged. | |||
5°41'W | |||||
NNW 7-8, Sea 7 | |||||
08.00 | 59°42'N | Weather was worse. | |||
6°10'W | 13.55 Surfaced. Storm has increased still more. | ||||
NNW 8-9, Sea 7-8 | Boat lies best nearly athwart the seas. | ||||
16.00 | 59°38'N | 15.00 Came to course 60°. | |||
6°30'W | 19.00 Incoming Radio Message from B.d.U. concerning extending operations area to Orkney. | ||||
NNW 9 | |||||
Weather conditions very bad. | |||||
19.08 2 patrol vessels in sight. | |||||
19.38 Dived for patrol vessels. | |||||
21.17 Surfaced, continued transit to the east to work in area A as soon as the weather calms down. | |||||
24.00 | 59°54'N | The weather still makes it impossible to use weapons. | |||
5°02'W | |||||
NNW 10-11 | |||||
28.03.40 | Day's run 136 (5403) | ||||
04.00 | West of Orkney | Came to course 250°, because in this weather nothing can be done for now. | |||
59°59'N | |||||
4°10'W | 07.00 Dived. Boat still lurches up to 6° from side to side at depth 30 meters. Nothing can be done at periscope depth. | ||||
NW 10-12 | |||||
08.00 | 59°50'N | ||||
4°55'W | |||||
N 10 | |||||
12.00 | 59°50'N | 13.48 Surfaced. | |||
5°23'W | Weather has calmed quickly, also Sea State is low. | ||||
N 2-3 | Came to course 80° with the intention to operate in the vicinity of Orkney at night because on 21 March lively ship traffic was observed there at night. | ||||
16.00 | 59°44'N | 20.58 Surfaced. | |||
5°30'W | Course 90°, 9 knots. | ||||
SE 3, light Swell | |||||
24.00 | 59°41'N | ||||
4°26'W | |||||
SE 3 | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 27.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 28.03.40 |
- 21 - |
|||||
29.03.40 | Day's run 146 (5549) | To starboard lighthouse at Nous Head apparently seen. Only shines weakly. | |||
West of Orkney | |||||
01.45 Dimmed patrol vessel in sight. | |||||
02.51 Dimmed patrol vessel in sight. | |||||
03.24 Dimmed patrol vessel in sight. | |||||
All patrol vessels were bypassed, one was a small vessel, Schnellboot or R-Boot. No steamer traffic. | |||||
04.00 | 59°53'N | Moved off to the west because I want to be out of this patrol vessel zone at lightness. | |||
4°00'W | |||||
06.06 Dived before a patrol vessel (fishing trawler) which came in sight astern at lightness. It is not known if he was following U-38. | |||||
08.00 | 60°00'N | Weather gets bad quickly, wind and Sea State increasing. | |||
4°38'W | 10.29 Surfaced. Immediate crash dive again, because a patrol vessel is in sight. | ||||
SW 6-7 | |||||
12.00 | 59°53'N | Wind abated briefly about noon. | |||
4°57'W | 15.00 Surfaced. Moved off to the south, to go once more vicinity of Orkney in the coming night, however at the southern part. | ||||
SW 2-3 | |||||
16.00 | 59°40'N | 18.15 Came to course 90°. | |||
4°59'W | |||||
20.00 | 59°23'N | The weather seemed to remain calm. | |||
4°44'W | Favorable for observation in this area. | ||||
SbyW 2-3 | 21.20 one patrol vessel avoided to the north. | ||||
21.30 Course 45°. | |||||
24.00 | 59°42'N | ||||
3°25'W | |||||
S 2 | |||||
30.03.40 | Day's run 151 (5700) | ||||
02.00 | Reached the northern limit of the operations area. Also in this night no ship traffic. I intend to run to the west to the limit of the operations area, to pass through the entire operations area one more time, thereafter return transit will be necessary due to fuel consumption. The hope of meeting vessels in this are is slight, because in the last weeks only patrol vessels have been seen. The ship traffic, especially large steamers, no longer runs through here. | ||||
04.00 | 59°50'N | 05.20 Crash dive for a small vessel emerging from the seas quite close (400 meters). R-Boot, that is dimmed. Proceeded submerged. Boat had seen us, however in the prevailing seas could not do anything. | |||
3°26'W | |||||
W 7, freshening, heavy Swell | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 29.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 30.03.40 |
- 22 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
30.03.40 | |||||
08.00 | 59°47'N | Proceeded submerged to the west. | |||
4°03'W | 13.00 Surfaced. | ||||
W 7-8 | 13.14 Patrol vessel astern to starboard, Crash dive. | ||||
16.00 | 59°47'N | Patrol vessel astern, avoided on the surface. | |||
4°46'W | |||||
SW 5-6, freshening | |||||
20.00 | 59°51'N | 21.00 Incoming Radio Message concerning operations area east of the Shetlands. | |||
5°57'W | |||||
SW 6-7, strong rain | Course 65°. Intend to go north of the Shetlands, because of inexact ship's position, and due to the heavy rain visibility is reduced to 2000-3000 meters. In the same night nothing will come through the Fair Passage. | ||||
24.00 | 60°08'N | Boat lies badly before the seas. Seas run up and onto the conning tower. | |||
5°15'W | |||||
SW 10-11, rain, Vis. bad | |||||
31.03.40 | Day's run 171 (5871) | ||||
04.00 | West of the Shetlands | 00.26 Radio Message to B.d.U. that am setting off. | |||
60°27'N | Radio Message transmitter out of service, cause unknown. | ||||
3°54'W | 03.30 Order from B.d.U. to send Short Signal. | ||||
SW 7-8 | 04.10 Sent however not confirmed. | ||||
06.26 Dived. | |||||
Bad visibility above. Proceeding at periscope depth is not possible. No overview due to high Sea State. | |||||
08.00 | 60°41'N | Nothing. Course 65°, proceeded submerged. | |||
2°55'W | |||||
SW 8 | |||||
12.00 | 60°45'N | 13.27 Surfaced. | |||
2°30'W | 14.45 Dived. | ||||
SW 7-8 | |||||
16.00 | 60°54'N | 19.31 Surfaced. | |||
1°50'W | |||||
20.00 | 61°07'N | Course 10°, 10 knots. | |||
1°27.5'W | 22.40 Order from B.d.U. concerning Short Signal. | ||||
NW 5-6, north of the Shetlands | 21.15 Course 110°. | ||||
23.25 Course 160°. | |||||
23.30 Clocks set ahead 1 hour. | |||||
24.00 | 61°11'N | ||||
0°09'W | |||||
01.04.40 | Day's run 186 (6057) | ||||
04.00 | East of the Shetlands | 03.50 Short Signal sent, that again remained without confirmation. Everything examined, no explanation. | |||
60°36'N | |||||
0°19'W | |||||
NNW 4-5 | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 30.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 31.03.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 01.04.40 |
- 23 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
01.04.40 | 05.40 Dimmed vessel. | ||||
Initiated attack. Because it is already too bright, submerged attack. Boat is difficult to hold. Attack fails because also the visibility is bad. It was probably a destroyer. | |||||
08.00 | 60°17'N | Submerged transit in operations area. | |||
0°14'E | Various strong detonations heard, however nothing heard or seen in the periscope. | ||||
12.00 | 60°12'N | Weather calming. | |||
0°38'E | 12.43 Surfaced. | ||||
13.05 Smoke cloud to the NE. | |||||
13.30 Aircraft with the smoke cloud. | |||||
Dived and continued to run in that direction. | |||||
It turned out to be a large convoy of about 30 steamers on SW course. 2 destroyers distinguished as escort, that are set quite far off as flank screen 6000-7000 meters. Boat does not get there, the convoy ran past. Both destroyers pass by quite close. Ran at the second destroyer, but was overrun. | |||||
Afterwards went to periscope depth again, however the steamers could not be reached. The large distance between the steamers and the escorts is striking. I suspect that in the vicinity of the steamers and astern there is still a second screen line of escort vessels but this observation cannot be completely justified. Likewise, a sweeper was observed astern, which was put on by an escort and hindered me from surfacing. Therefore moved off to the SE. | |||||
16.00 | AN 2272 | 17.00 Surfaced. | |||
60°18'N | Radio Message sent and maneuvered ahead on SW course. | ||||
0°37'E | About 19.00 hours the weather was very bad. NE 6-7, snow and hail, very bad visibility. However contact was still held. | ||||
NE 4, freshening quickly | |||||
21.00 Radio Message sent, the enemy is out of sight. | |||||
With the very bad and low visibility weather a pursuit from behind into the convoy seems impossible. I still try to get in contact again during the transition to night, therefore at 21.00 hours came to 300°, later 280° to close. 21.49 hours to course 245°, because that is convoy course. Initially pursued, later came about. Up to 22.45 hours pursued at 16 knots, then gave up pursuit because the visibility is too poor and am in the vicinity of the mined area. Enemy course cannot be held due to heavy rain and overcoming seas. Therefore came to course 100°. I expect that may suddenly come upon the convoy with the very bad visibility weather (500 meters). An attack is out of the question, Sea State 7-8. | |||||
23.32 | Suddenly a shadow is ahead of us, we turn hard to port. By chance he also [turned], so nothing happened. Destroyer. In the next moment we are inside. No shadows are recognized, only stern lights, as soon as the steamers pass by. We are between the two columns falling back. Let the steamers pass, hung on and at 00.21 hours shot the steamer astern to port, which we had clamped onto. Range 350 meters, hit center. Afterwards ran off to the east. No further attack because the over view is so poor. Positioning of the escorts is unclear. It was amazing that it went so well. | ||||
AN 2671 E 814 | |||||
59°21'N | |||||
1°17'W | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 01.04.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 02.04.40 |
- 24 - |
|||||
02.04.40 | Day's run 97 (6154) | ||||
East of the Shetlands | No events. | ||||
59°37'N | From bearings on the southern tip of the Shetlands (lighthouses burn) determined that my position is offset about 20 nm to the north. As a result, the sinking location of the steamer can also be shifted to the north. However, it is also possible that the strong current caused the dislocation to be higher, because only 4-5 knots could be made against the heavy seas. | ||||
0°34'E | |||||
06.17 Dived. | |||||
08.00 | 59°40'N | Submerged heard several detonations, some close, some far off | |||
0°01'W | |||||
N 6-7 | |||||
12.00 | 59°46'N | In the course of the afternoon violent bombing,but always further away. | |||
0°23'W | |||||
N 4 | 14.55 Surfaced. | ||||
15.20 Aircraft sighted in the south. | |||||
Crash dive. | |||||
The detonations continue to be heard. All in all about 100 bombs. There was probably a U-boat hunt, especially since the weather was also very calm. | |||||
16.00 | 59°54'N | Vessels were not seen or heard. | |||
0°35'E | |||||
NW 2, Swell | |||||
20.00 | AN 2190 | 20.35 Surfaced. | |||
20.37 Aircraft astern. | |||||
Crash dive. | |||||
21.30 Surfaced. | |||||
21.45 Patrol vessel observed in the south. These are probably the U-boat hunters which are working together with aircraft. | |||||
Moved off to the north, in the course of this a dimmed vessel in sight astern. Ran towards to attack. The night is very bright. Northern Lights, however not bright enough for a periscope approach. On coming closer the vessel was distinguished as a torpedo boat or a destroyer. Attack broken off. Because the prerequisites for a destroyer shot are not met the light night. | |||||
23.45 | Received return transit order. Course 14°, 12 knots. | ||||
24.00 | 60°12'N | Smoke cloud and shadow to starboard, between also smaller boats (R-Boote) observed. It is probably a U-boat hunting formation. | |||
0°20'E | |||||
NE 2, Swell | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 02.04.40 |
- 25 - |
|||||
03.04.40 | Day's run 166 (6320) | ||||
04.00 | 59°26'N | Avoided 2 fishermen. | |||
1°30'E | 07.12 Dived. Proceeded submerged. | ||||
SE 3 | |||||
08.00 | 59°26'N | 09.56 Surfaced. | |||
2°10'E | 10.15 Dived. | ||||
E 1-2 | |||||
16.00 | 58°42'N | In the course of the afternoon very many aircraft bombs or depth charges heard. It was probably an attack on a convoy by German aircraft, as was picked up in the news the next day. | |||
2°32'E | |||||
20.00 | 58°32'N | ||||
2°56'E | |||||
24.00 | 58°16'N | No events. | |||
3°22'E | |||||
SE 5-6, freshening quickly | |||||
04.04.40 | Day's run 170 (6490) | ||||
04.00 | 57°58'N | No events. | |||
3°52'E | |||||
SE 7, rain | |||||
08.00 | 57°42'N | No events. The very bad weather forces us to proceed at LF to maintain lookout. | |||
4°27'E | |||||
SE 7-8 | |||||
12.00 | 57°33'N | No events. | |||
5°14'E | |||||
SSE 7-8 | |||||
16.00 | 57°19.5'N | No events | |||
5°35'E | |||||
20.00 | 56°50'N | In the course of the night passed over Route Blau into the Deutsche Bucht. Weather calms so that we can run at higher speed again. | |||
5°49'E | |||||
SE 7 | |||||
05.04.40 | |||||
13.30 | Lightship "F" | Passed Lightship "F". | |||
15.35 | Made fast in the lock. | ||||
16.10 | Made fast Westwerft. | ||||
Sun and Moon Data 03.04.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 04.04.40 | |
Sun and Moon Data 05.04.40 |
Enclosures to U-38's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document | |
Chart | Track chart covering entire war patrol |
Sketches | Combat sketches |
Torpedo | Torpedo firing reports |
Combat sketch for the period 13-17 January 1942 | |
Radio | Combat sketch for the period 18-19 January 1942 |
Comments of the BdU to the KTB of |
|||
Recall and operation of the boats in the area northwest of Scotland and off Norway was due to the preparations for Weserübung. In both areas, success in the trade war was not to be expected. |
|||
The attack on the convoy in the North Sea was carried out with the tenacity inherent in the Kommandanten under the prevailing difficult conditions was especially noteworthy. | |||
Signed in draft: D ö n i t z |
|||
For the Befehlshaber | |||
The Chief of the Operations Department | |||
Click the icons to view the associated records |
||
Return to the U-boat KTB page | ||