U-43 - 9th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

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
29 Nov 41	04.10	41°51'N, 29°58'W	THORNLIEBANK	5,569	British	OS-12
30 Nov 41	19.24	37°21'N, 29°50'W	ASHBY	4,868	British	OS-12
2 Dec 41	09.24	35°45'N, 24°06'W	ASTRAL	7,542	American
			Total = 17,979
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
				======================
				of the
				U  n  t  e  r  s  e  e  b  o  o  t  e  s   "U  43"
				=============================
				Beginning:    23 September 1941.
				Ending:         16 December 1941.
			Kommandant:	Kapitänleutnant    L  ü  t  h  .
			Distribution: 2 x O.K.M. SKL.U. Copy No. 1 and 2   1 x B.d.U.         " 3   1 x 2.AdU         " 4   1 x 2.U.-Flottille         " 5   Boot Original
		Drafted 20.12.1941 Scha
		2.Ufl.
				© U-boat Archive 2024 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		1941
		23.09.41	Lorient	Arrived in Lorient.
		24.09.41		Began shipyard period.
		10.10.41		Dry-docked.
		28.10.41		Un-docked.
		06.11.41		Shipyard complete, boat outfitted for war patrol.
		10.11.41
		09.00	Lorient	Put to sea.
		11.15	SW 5, freshened to SW 7-9	Reached L 2, released from convoy.  Continued on prescribed exit route.
		11.11.41
		00.10	W 6, Sea 6	Passed an inbound German U-boat.  Avoided.
		00.30	Point Tanne
		04.00	BF 6714
		08.50	BF 5859	Test dive.  Deep dive attempt broken off due to leaks in the inner and outer exhaust gas valves.
		11.00	BF 5858	Surfaced.
		12.00	BF 5857	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 133 nm
			W 4-6, high Swell, Vis. good	Submerged =     5 nm = 138.0 nm
		13.40		Deep dive, depth T = 65 meters. [actual depth 130 meters]
		16.28	BF 5849	Surfaced, all clear.
		19.14	BF 5767	Aircraft to the west, course southeast.
				Dived.
		19.33		Surfaced.
		23.16		Sent Short Signal:  Position BF 49.
		24.00	BF 4996
			WNW 5, Vis. medium
		12.11.41
		04.00	BF 4987
		08.00	BF 7313	Each morning a test dive and/or crash dive was carried out, in so doing worked on the torpedoes, as far as the Sea State necessitates.
		12.00	BF 7211	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 200 nm
			NW 5, Vis. good	Submerged =    15 nm = 215 nm
		16.00	BF 7111	Switched to Ireland Circuit.
		20.00	BE 9321
		24.00	BE 6947
			NW 3-5
		13.11.41
		04.00	BE 6856
		08.00	BE 6739
		12.00	BE 6475	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 232 nm
			N 3, high Swell	Submerged =      6 nm = 238 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 10.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 11.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 12.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 13.11.41

	- 2 -
		continued
		13.11.41
		16.00	BE 5665
		20.00	BE 5655
		22.54		Incoming Radio Message 2236 hours:  Head for BC 47.
				Proceeded on the Great Circle.
		24.00	BE 5618
			N 3
		14.11.41
		04.00	BE 5638
		08.00	BE 5528
		12.00	BE 5518	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 133 nm
			S 4-6, low clouds	Submerged =     2 nm = 135 nm
		12.23	BE 5518	2-engined aircraft approaching.  Crash dive.
		12.50		Surfaced.
		16.00	BE 5436
		20.00	BE 5426
		24.00	BE 5421
			WSW 3-5
		15.11.41
		04.00	BE 5411
		08.00	BE 4397	Switched to Greenland Circuit.
		12.00	BE 4387	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 111 nm
			SSW 3-5	Submerged =     2 nm = 113 nm
		13.43		Incoming Radio Message to Group Störtebecker:
			[U-43 was not in Group Störtebecker]	. . . . . on 16 November occupy patrol line from BD 3641 to BE 4561.  Air reconnaissance against outbound convoy intended tomorrow.
				On 16 November the boat will be at the south end of the patrol line.  That fits well.  I want to run along it on a NW-course to the south of it.
		16.00	BE 4378
			WNW 4-6
		20.00	BE 4295
			NW 7-9
		24.00	BE 4294
		16.11.41	550 nm southwest of Ireland
		04.00	BE 4288
			WNW 8-10
		08.00	BE 4287
			WNW 8
		12.00	BE 4434	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 801 nm
			WNW 7	Submerged =     4 nm = 84 nm
				Manned aircraft bearing frequency.
		15.21		Radio Message from "U-575":  BD 3258, bearing 80°T.
				Unfortunately this was the single aircraft bearing.  The convoy must be at least 200 nm north of us.  I calculate a course of 245° and a speed of advance of 6 knots, then by continuing with a northwesterly course, and be in its vicinity on 18 November.
		16.00	BE 4188
			W 6, high Swell, Vis. very good
		20.00	BE 4181
		24.00	BE 4146
			WNW 3, rain showers

	Sun and Moon Data 13.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 14.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 15.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 16.11.41

	- 3 -
		17.11.41
		04.00	BE 4142
		08.00	BE 4115
			NNW 5-7
		12.00	BD 6333	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 86 nm
				Submerged =    2 nm = 88 nm
		14.28		Incoming Radio Message 0944 hours:  . . . . Continue transit to BC 47.  Named boats (5) form Group Steuben.
				Turned to the west.
		16.00	BD 3989
		20.00	BD 3979
		24.00	BD 3899
			NW 3-5
		18.11.41
		04.00	BD 3889
		08.00	BD 3879
			SSW 4-6
		12.00	BD 3796	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 109 nm
			S 8, Vis. good	Submerged =    3 nm = 112 nm
		16.00	BD 3786
			S 8-10
		20.00	BD 3776
		24.00	BD 2996
			SW 6
		19.11.41
		04.00	BD 2997
		08.00	BD 5329
		12.00	BD 2994	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 110 nm
			W 8,Vis. good	Submerged =    4 nm = 114 nm
		16.00	BD 2985
			W 8-10
		20.00	BD 2987
		24.00	BD 2977
			WNW 5-7
		20.11.41
		04.00	BD 2899
		08.00	BD 2897
		12.00	BD 5231	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 95 nm
			W 6	Submerged =    4 nm = 99 nm
		16.00	BD 5219
		20.00	BD 5218
			W 8-10, hail
		24.00	BD 5139
			W 5-7, Vis. bad
		21.11.41
		04.00	BD 5162   [U-43 = St. Johns Newfoundland - U-105 = Bell Island Newfoundland - see BdU KTB 20 Nov]	Incoming Radio Message 0155 hours and Officer-Only 0313 hours:  Lüth and U-105 try in the night of 26 November to arrive by surprise in the following anchorages:  Lüth BB 6385.  There is an important assembly place here.  U-105 BB 6381, there is an anchorage east of the largest Island . . . .
				4)  From 26 November all Steuben boats operate in BB 63 and 66.  Area seems most promising in all of the coastal area.
		08.00	BD 5153
			WNW 8-10
		08.50		Radio communications are bad.  Just now first sent . . .

	Sun and Moon Data 17.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 18.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 19.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 20.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 21.11.41

	- 4 -
		continued
		21.11.41		Officer-Only Radio Message 0700 hours to B.d.U.:
				Position BD 51.  For days high Sea State from the west.  Can be in BC 41 earliest 27 November midday.  Request postponement.  Navigation by square chart.  Otherwise no navigation documents.
			Reason:  the distance to my operations area is 780 nm.  I must make a minimum day's run of 175 nm, which means over 7 knots over the ground.  In the weather conditions engine PRM for 14 knots is necessary.  The fairings for the outer torpedo tube doors can be damaged by this (as already happened once before) and the possibility of undercutting increases, because main ballast tank 7 can still not be carried empty.  Safety is not taken into consideration with this day's run.  Also, the right bay would have to be found immediately without coastal or harbor observation with little navigational aids.
			The report concerning missing navigational documents was made so that follow on boats can be outfitted accordingly.
		12.00	BD 5148	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 100 nm
			WSW 7	Submerged =     4 nm = 104 nm
				In direction 270° the speed of advance is only 90 nm instead of 104 nm, because it is into the high seas from ahead.
		13.20		"U-575" reports his position in BC 63, is therefore over 200 nm closer to the objective.
		13.46		Officer-Only Radio Message 1317:  "U-575" take over Lüth task.  Ordered date remains valid.
		15.50	BD 4392
			WNW 8-10	Radio message 08.00 from U-105:  Have only Chart D 383 and G 1870 for the task .  No Handbook.  BD 16.
				U-105 is located at nearly the same level as us.
		19.00		Officer-Only Radio Message 1746 hours: saying the task for U-105 is canceled.
		20.00	BD 4382
			NW 9-11
		24.00	BD 4375
			NW 5-7
		22.11.41
		04.00	BD 4295
		08.00	BD 4257
		12.00	BD 4345	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 123 nm
			WSW 6, high Swell	Submerged =     2 nm = 125 nm
		16.00	BD 4131
			W 8-10
		20.00	BD 1785
			SSW 11
		24.00	BD 1768
			W 8
		23.11.41
		04.00	BD 1741
			W 9-11
		08.00	BC 3936
		12.00	BC 3934	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 118 nm
			W 8
		16.00	BC 3941
			WNW 6-8

	Sun and Moon Data 21.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 22.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 23.11.41

	- 5 -
		continued
		23.11.41
		20.00	BC 3869	Radio message 1359 hours:  To Steuben.  Cancel previous task.  Head for CG 90.  Transit speed.  [Strait of Gibraltar]
			NW 7
				Came to southerly course.  Due to high seas a more easterly course is not possible.  Pity, first the beautiful task at the anchorage fell out and now the promising operation close under the coast.
		24.00	BC 6233
		24.11.41	550 nm east of Newfoundland
		04.00	BC 6317
			NW 8
		08.00	BC 6349
		12.00	BC 6387	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 128 nm
			W 5, high Swell	Submerged =     2 nm = 130 nm
		13.20		Radio Message 0005 hours to B.d.U.:  Condition of the battery has deteriorated further, gets warm while charging.  Battery replacement after return necessary.  110 cbm, BC 62.    U-43.
				Radio Message was sent unsuccessfully at 04.16 hours, 05.07 hours and 10.23 hours.
			Reason:  boat had orders to go to the homeland after the patrol for a major overhaul and above all to replace the battery.  The capacity testing in Lorient gave 60%, however at sea it does not get so high because it gets warm while charging.  A further decrease in capacity must be assumed.  Because Lorient is questionable in case a battery change is necessary, however the boat no longer has enough fuel to reach Bergen from the new operations area, the report was made so that Leadership may take this into account with new orders under certain circumstances.
		16.00	BC 6625
		16.23		Fire in the control room from a short in auxiliary switchboard 3.  The fire was extinguished with carbon-dioxide fire extinguishers.  The main drain pump was out of service for 3 hours.  The short circuit was caused by moisture.
		20.00	BC 6661
		24.00	BD 4447
			W 9
		25.11.41
		03.08		Short Signal weather report sent, transmitted at 02.19 hours, was not acknowledged.
		04.00	BD 4476
			W 12, Sea 9
		08.00	BD 4721
			SSW 11, rain
		12.00	BD 4728	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 108 nm
			SW 10-12, misty	Submerged =     2 nm = 110 nm
		16.00	BD 4756	Dived due to weather.
			W 10-12
		20.47	BD 4764	Surfaced.
		24.00	BD 4791
			WSW 7

	Sun and Moon Data 23.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 24.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 25.11.41

	- 6 -
		26.11.41
		04.00	BD 7131
			W 11
		08.00	BD 7129
			NW 7
		12.00	BD 7156	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 130 nm
			NW 10-12	Submerged =   10 nm = 140 nm
		16.00	BD 7167
			NW 7, rain
		20.00	BD 7194
			NW 7, Hail
		24.00	BD 7438
			NW 4, Vis. good
		27.11.41
		04.00	BD 7542
		08.00	BD 7559
		12.00	BD 7598	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 124 nm
			NW 1, Vis. good	Submerged =     1 nm = 125 nm
		16.00	BD 7952
			S 2
		20.00	BD 7992
		24.00	BD 8786
			SSE 2-4
		28.11.41
		01.09	BD 8794	Short Signal weather report sent on orders.
		04.00	CE 1323
			S 5
		08.00	CE 2177
			S 6
		12.00	CE 2155	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 180 nm
			SSW 4-6	Submerged =     2 nm = 182 nm
		16.00	CE 2169
		20.00	CE 2273
			S 7
		24.00	CE 2285
			Rain squalls
		29.11.41	200 nm north of the Azores
		01.20	CE 2286	Destroyer 30° to port on collision course, 600 meters away.
			SW 5, rain squalls, Vis. bad	Because the boat is only running on one diesel, it turns badly.  Crash dive, several propeller sounds draw over the boat.
		02.15	Moonshine, half overcast, Vis. changing	Surfaced when sounds could not be heard in the conning tower.
				To the north one steamer and one destroyer in sight, to the south one steamer, southerly course.
				Pursued.
		03.10	W 5, mostly good visibility, moonshine, half overcast	The situation becomes clear with visibility improvement.  The convoy drives in line ahead and we surfaced in the last part and have alreay broken through from behind.  Vessels are in sight ahead and to both sides.  Astern there are still individual steamers and destroyers.
		04.00	CE 2526	Took position in the wake of a steamer driving in the middle row, until the distance became less than 1000 meters.  A steamer is positioned to starboard against the moonlight over 1500 meters away, but with target angle 100° and to port an even larger steamers about 800 meters
			WNW 5, Vis. good, moon covered by the clouds

	Sun and Moon Data 26.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 27.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 28.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 29.11.41

	- 7 -
		continued
		29.11.41		away, target angle 80° and some larger and some smaller.  Intention:  4 bow shots, then 2 stern shots on the steamers driving in echelon to port.
		04.09		Turned to port for bow shot, was noticed by by the steamer which turned towards the boat.  Turned away to starboard for a stern shot.
		04.10		Double shot from the stern tubes on an 8000 tonner with 2 G 7e.
				Range = 900 meters, target angle 80°, enemy speed 7 knots, aim point aft 25 and forward 25 meters.
				Appearance of the steamer: similar to type "CLAN MACARTHUR", camouflage paint, especially thick and long smokestack, several pole masts and cargo hatches, raked bow, cruiser stern, bridge separate from smokestack.
				After 58 seconds - 860 meters hit in the aftership, immediately afterwards second hit in foreship.
				An ammunition ship flies in the air!  Strong concussion in the boat, the night is brightly illuminated.  Over the entire length of the steamer brightly lit several hundred meters high explosive phenomenon.  Explosive pieces fall around the boat in the water.
				Boat ran off at AK to the north.  All 20 steamers of the convoy are seen all around.  Nearly every one shoots light rockets.  A second steamer is hit by the explosive pieces and burns.
				Boat received a hit on the bridge, by a 10 cm shell (found by day in the conning tower structure, it had been thrown without fuse and over 1200 meters by the explosive force).
				The Obersteuermann was wounded insignificantly in the upper arm.  Otherwise only damage was to the conning tower cladding and the antennas.
		04.15	Moon breaks through the clouds	Destroyer to starboard with target angle 90°, 800 meters away.  Turned away, boat was seen in the ray of moonlight.
				The destroyer shot one star shell, however so badly that it must have blinded him.  He comes closer in target angle 10°.
		04.19	The clouds move in front of the moon	Finally radio communications.  Sent Radio message 0330 hours:  Convoy southerly course, low speed, CE 2294.
				Boat turned to the west in a dark cloud, because the destroyer shots a well placed star shell.
		04.20		He comes at high speed towards the boat,  Distance 500-600 meters.  Crash dive !
				When the boat is at depth T = 10 meters, [actual depth 20 meters] the destroyer overran.

Sun and Moon Data 29.11.41

	- 8 -
		continued
		29.11.41
		04.22		Boat steered to depth T = 55 meters. [actual depth 110 meters]
				4 well-placed depth charges.  The gyro compass fails, otherwise no damage.
		04.28		Boat steers at depth T = 70 meters [actual depth 140 meters], all auxiliary machinery is shut off, rudder by hand.  Only the listening converter runs.
				Depth charges!
				Stern propeller shaft stuffing box leaks heavily.  The water was pumped by hand pump and hoses from the E-motor room into the bow room bilge.
				Until 06.00 hours  still 5 times badly placed depth charges.  Before the runs small detonations were heard, similar to distant Elektrolote bangs, which preceded a long whistling hiss.
				At 05.00 hours the noisy listening converter was shut off.  Waived the listening results because sometimes depth charges fell without the destroyer being heard, sometimes heard during approach without bombs falling.
		06.35		Via the port regulating tank the internal fuel bunker came under pressure at depth = 70 meters.  [actual depth 140 meters] With the blowing of the safety valve lost of 3-4 cbm fuel.  The regulating and reserve fuel oil tank was vented, the boat went to depth T = 30 meters. [actual depth 60 meters]
		07.15	CE 2529
			NW 4, lightly cloudy, moonset	Surfaced, because for an hour nothing more was heard.
				Pursued, course for the time being by the stars.  No radio communications.
		10.11	CE 2559	Radio Message 0720 hours:  1 large ammunition steamer, for 3 hours depth charges.  Correct position of convoy 04.20 hours CE 2526, course south, 7 knots, 20 ships, line ahead formation.
		10.14		Short test dive, to get the boat back in hand again.
		12.00	CE 2586	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 1051 nm
			N 2, Vis. good	Submerged =     7 nm = 112 nm
		13.02	CE 2589	Smoke cloud in the south.
				Assume, that the convoy had zigzagged after the attack and it may be a straggler here.
		15.00		Several smoke clouds in sight.
		16.10	CE 2867	Radio Message 1500 hours: CE 2861 smoke clouds bearing 200°T, N 5, Vis. good.
		16.50		Destroyer bearing 220°T in target angle 0°.
				Boat ran off at highest speed to the northeast.
		17.47		Destroyer (distance 7 nm) turned away.  Boat turned back towards the convoy.

Sun and Moon Data 29.11.41

	- 9 -
		continued
		29.11.41		In this hour the boat was forced 14 nm from the convoy, during this it went 7 nm further.  Therefore we have lost 21 nm.  If one could have guessed that the destroyer would follow so tenaciously, diving would have been better,
		18.24		Radio Message 1700 hours:  CE 2897 convoy.  Course about SSE.  Forced off by destroyer.  Weather fair.
		19.57	CE 5232	Smoke cloud in 215°T.
				Pursued was not seen.
		21.42		Radio Message 2100 hours:  Position CE 5238 to the east in the vicinity of the convoy, no contact, bright moonlit night.
		23.37	CE 5285	Boat must be ahead of the convoy and searched on southerly general course in long legs.
		30.11.41	Azores between the Islands of Flores and Fayal
		04.00	CE 5553
		08.00	CE 5589	U-574 and 434 have reported that they are east of us and have not seen anything.
		05.09	CE 5834	Radio Message 09.00 hours:  Back and forth in position 5834 to 5849, Vis. good.
				If the convoy steers to the east it must be seen by the other boats.
		12.00	CE 5829	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 207 nm
			NW 3, Vis. good	Submerged =     1 nm = 208 nm
		12.05		Steamer to the NW on southerly course.  Maneuvered ahead.
		12.32		Short Signal sent on order:
				CE 5829, still have 85 cbm fuel.
		14.55		Radio Message 13.30 hours from "U-574":   One smoke cloud in sight 5913.
				That is 50 nm north of the boat.  The convoy must be between our steamer and the smoke cloud.  Therefore transmitted:
		15.37	CE 5886	Radio Message 1507 hours: One steamer in 5858, course south.  Navigation fix from 10.00 hours.
				To avoid misunderstanding, the accuracy of the navigation fix was pointed out.
		17.33		Radio Signal 16.30 from U-575:  Was not understood by Control two times, therefore repeated:  Convoy 5954, southerly course.  It must be the same from U-574.
		18.34	CE 8234	Dived to attack.
		19.24		Double shot from the bow tubes on 5000 ton with 2 G 7e.
				Range = 900 meters, target angle 80°, enemy speed 9 knots, aim point forward 30 meters, aft 30 meters.

	Sun and Moon Data 29.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 30.11.41

	- 10 -
		continued
		30.11.41		Appearance of the steamer:  similar to type "AINDERBY". color warship gray, astern one cannon, 4 lifeboats swung out, 5 cargo hatches, 2 masts, 2 pole masts, one each lowered area of the ship's side where the gunwale is at the same height as the deck fore and aft.  Cargo hatch between the bridge and the smokestack.
				Hit after 62 seconds - 915 meters behind the bridge.  Steamer sank in 4 minutes over the after stem.
		19.45	CE 8234	Surfaced, operated on the convoy on an easterly course.
		21.35		Radio Signal 1800 hours from U-574:
				Have contact in 5983.
				That is 60 nm northeast of us.
		22.10		Radio message 2115 hours:  Position 8238.  Just now steamer from 15.07 hours sunk, its course 160°.  Advancing on course 115°.
			I believe it was a steamer which scattered from the convoy which proceeded approximately in the course direction of its convoy.
		22.25		Incoming Radio Message 2138:  from B.d.U.:  . . . search in sectors between 180° and 120° starting from the last convoy position and at 10.00 hours be on the arc that the enemy would reach at 8 knots.
				For the boat that means the sector 165° to 180°.
		23.16		U-575 reports an independent at 18.30 hours in 5986, course east.
		24.00	CE 8358
			NW 4, Vis. good, moonlit night
		01.12.41	100 nm south of the Azores
		00.10		Radio Message from U-574:  Lost contact in 5988.
		05.30	CE 9171	Course changed from east to south.
		06.26	CE 9414	Illuminated steamer to the SE.
				Pursued.
		08.06	CE 8662	Steamer runs at 17 knots, course 270°.  Boat cannot maintain contact
				Headed for position in arc again.
		09.00		Incoming Radio Message 0756 hours:  . . . . establish patrol line for 12.00 hours in sector from 140° to 195°.
		10.10		Radio Message 0711 from U-105:  In 9441 an illuminated steamer, with it 2 dimmed destroyers course 270°, 18 knots.
				That must be the same steamer that we had.  Now already the third independent, which

	Sun and Moon Data 30.11.41
	Sun and Moon Data 01.12.41

	- 11 -
		continued
		01.12.41		proceeds in the vicinity.  Possibly they all come from the convoy.
		11.45	CE 8689	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 206 nm
			N 5, drizzle, otherwise Vis. good	Submerged =     3 nm = 209 nm
				Smoke clouds in the east.  Pursued.  Nothing seen.
		14.14		Finally better communications, sent
				Radio message 1145:  Position 8689.   In 90°T momentary smoke clouds.  N 5, drizzle, otherwise Vis. good.
				Continued to pursue on an ESE course.
		15.02	CE 9712	Tanker in sight ahead in SE, course east.  Maneuvered ahead.  Because he often smokes, it must have a steam engine.
		16.00	CE 9722
			E 5, Vis. good
		18.30		Incoming Radio Message 1730 hours:  On 3 December reconnaissance line from CF 7877 to 7271, course 90°, speed of advance 6 knots.  . . .
		20.00	CE 9816
		20.40	CE 9822	Dived for submerged attack, because the full moon first sets at 09.07 hours.
			Twilight
				Starboard E-motor is out of service for 20 minutes.
		21.59		Four-shot on tanker:  Range = 3000 meters, target angle 80°, speed = 9 knots.
				M  i  s  s  e  d    s  h  o  t  !
				Can only be explained by an underestimation of the range through the periscope with the full moon.  The tanker was first found again in the periscope late, because it had zigzagged away from the boat.
				Apparently he was again on his old course and so had increased the range to the boat.
				After 10 minutes a torpedo detonation was heard.  End of run detonation was presumed.
		22.27		Surfaced, pursued.
		24.00	CE 9598
			ESE 2-3, bright moonlit night
		02.12.41	60 nm south of the Azores
		04.00	CE 9689	The moon set in an hour, a half hour afterwards the dawn begins.  In this period the surface shots must fall.
		08.00	CF 7579
		08.50		Boat is ahead of the tanker.
		09.24	CF 7588	Double shot from stern tubes with G 7e.
			Moonset, Vis. good	Range = 1100 meters, target angle 70°, speed 9.5 knots, aim point ahead 40 meters, aft 40 meters.
				Appearance of the tanker:  Type "SAN MELITE" . . .

	Sun and Moon Data 01.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 02.12.41

	- 12 -
		continued
		02.12.41		12300 GRT.  The half high center mast was equally high as 3rd mast, shaped like the other two.  Pretty even distance between the masts, between the center and forward mast a bit greater.  The bridge was also there.  Canted long smokestack.  Normal stern.
				2    H  i  t  s  after 72 seconds - 1080 meters amidships and astern in the engine room.  Tanker burns and sinks in a few minutes.  The water surface is in flames for an hour longer.  The black smoke cloud covers 6/10 of the sky.
				Moved off to the west.
		11.07	CF 7571	Dived to fill the battery with water.
				Tube III cannot be closed, leaks at the valve for converting from torpedo to mine shooting at depthT = 20 meters [actual depth 40 meters] and at this depth makes about 1/2 ton of water each hour.  Leakage cannot be repaired with on board means.  Finally succeed in closing the outer tube door.  The tube was unloaded, because it is assumed that after the next shot the outer tube door will not close tight.  Boat still has 3 bow torpedoes and 1 reserve.
				Day's run:  Surfaced    = 248 nm
				Submerged =     2 nm = 250 nm
		14.01	CF 7577	Surfaced.  Proceeded to reconnaissance line.
		16.00	CF 7578	Met U-575.  Encoding material and Recognition Signals for January 1942 were give to U-575.
			ESE 5
		18.52		Incoming Radio Message 1811:  Supply "Gata" not possible.  Continue to operate as long as fuel allows for return transit to France.
		20.00	CF 7871
		24.00	CF 7877	Boat is in position in reconnaissance line.
			E 4, Vis. good, bright moonlit night
		03.12.41
		02.07		Short Signal sent on orders.
		04.00	CF 7888
		08.00	CF 7899
		12.00	CF 7976	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 161 nm
			ENE 3-5	Submerged =     7 nm = 168 nm
		16.00	CF 7994
		20.00	CF 8771
		24.00	CF 8782
			ENE 4, full moon

	Sun and Moon Data 02.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 03.12.41

	- 13 -
		04.12.41
		04.00	CF 8793
		08.00	CF 8881
		12.00	CF 8868	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 147 nm
			E 5, Vis. good	Submerged =    3 nm = 150 nm
		16.00	CF 8949
		20.00	CF 8983
		24.00	CF 9747
			NE 3, moonlit night
		05.12.41
		04.00	CF 9758
		08.00	CF 9792
		12.00	CF 9848	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 156 nm
			NE 5	Submerged =    2 nm = 158 nm
		16.00	CF 9859
		20.00	CF 9866
		24.00	CF 9957
			NNE 3
		06.12.41
		04.00	CF 9992
		08.00	CG 7784
		12.00	CG 7789	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 153 nm
			NNE 3	Submerged =    5 nm = 158 nm
		16.00	CG 7869
		20.00	CG 7882
				Incoming Radio Message 1845 hours:  Attack area CG 81, 82 and 83 western third.  Focal point in the east.
		24.00	CG 7885
			NE 3
		07.12.41
		04.00	CG 7942
		08.00	CG 7961
		12.00	CG 8714	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 170 nm
			NNE 3	Submerged =    2 nm = 172 nm
		12.40		Steamer in sight to the NE, course 25°.  Maneuvered ahead, despite the course for Lisbon because a deceptive course is possible.
		16.00	CG 8443
		18.38	CG 8431	Dived to attack
		19.20		Recognized as a Portuguese steamer of about 1500 GRT.
		19.52	CG 8431	Surfaced.
		22.45	CG 8193	Reached the operations area.
		24.00	CG 8272
			NNW 2
		08.12.41	Sea area off Cape St. Vincent
		04.00	CG 8265	5 fishing trawlers and one small coastal steamer in sight.
		06.00	CG 8347	The beacons on Cape St. Vincent and Sagres are in sight.
		08.00	CG 8295
		12.00	CG 8284	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 183 nm
			N 5, low Cumulus clouds	Submerged =    3 nm = 186 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 04.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 05.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 06.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 07.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 08.12.41

	- 14 -
		continued
		08.12.41
		12.24		Flying boat approaching from the south.  Dived.
		13.06		Surfaced.
		13.46	CG 8286	Flying boat to the east, when in a low cloud dived.
		14.20		Surfaced.
		16.00	CG 8258
		20.00	CG 8245
		24.00	CG 8256
			SE 3-5
		09.12.41
		04.00	CG 8251
		08.00	CG 8133
		12.00	CG 8122	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 151 nm
			NE 2	Submerged =     3 nm = 154 nm
		16.00	CG 8211
		20.00	CG 8223
		24.00	CG 8311	Small Portuguese steamer in sight.
			NNE 2
		10.12.41
		04.00	CG 8229	Destroyer of the "JERVIS" Class in sight 30° to port with sharp target angle, distance 1500 meters.  Course SE, speed 20-25 knots.
			Moonlit night, Vis. changing
				Turned away, pursued, then searched on opposite course, nothing found.
		08.00	CG 8216
		08.50		Dived to refill the batter with water.
		11.14		Surfaced.
		12.00	CG 8217	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 155 nm
			N 0-1	Submerged =     3 nm = 158 nm
		14.00	CG 8137	Incoming Radio Message 0925 hours:  As attack area occupy strip at the level of CG 8520 and 8550 to the east up to the longitude of 9560
				Proceeded on SE-course.
		16.00	CG 8166
		20.00	CG 8279
		21.00	CG 8521	Reached operations area.
		24.00	CG 8553	Proceeded to the east.
			SSE 0-1, Vis. moderate
		11.12.41
		04.00	CG 8642
		07.00	CG 8532	Began return transit due to fuel.
		08.00	CG 8294
		09.00	CG 8294	Flying boat to the NE.  Dived, at depth T = 25 meters [actual depth 50 meters]worked on the diesel, to reduce smoking.
			Twilight
				Shortly before surfacing an aircraft over the boat on southerly course seen through the periscope.
		11.00	CG 8286	Surfaced, nothing more seen.
			W 1, Vis. moderate, Cumulus clouds
		11.31		Dived, to continue work on the diesel.

	Sun and Moon Data 08.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 09.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 10.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 11.12.41

	- 15 -
		continued
		11.12.41
		12.00	CG 8258	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 174 nm
				Submerged =     5 nm = 179.0 nm
		13.00		Went to periscope depth for Program Time.
		13.x0		Incoming Radio Message 0958 hours from U-434:
				Convoy in 5588, course 160°, 6 knots.
				The convoy is 90 nm north of the boat, it must be at the level of Cape St. Vincent at around midnight.
				I want to be just ahead of him an hour before darkness and make a night attack, because the condition of the battery makes a day attack difficult now.  It can only be charge with very low current and despite this gets warm.  Additionally it is the opinion of the Chief Engineer that the capacity of the battery has continued to drop to about 40%.
		14.15	CG 8257	Work on the diesel ended.
				Surfaced, charged the battery.
				I operate on the convoy so that at 19.30 hours the boat will be on the accepted general course of 170°.
		14.50		Radio Message 1333 hours from U-434:  Contact on aircraft escort in 5828
				The plot gives 180° and just 6 knots speed of advance.
		16.00	CG 8257
			NW 2, 3/4 overcast, low Cumulus clouds, Vis. changing
		18.09	CG 8229	Aircraft to the east, course south.
				Dived.
		18.30		Surfaced.
		18.32		"Sunderland" to the north, course SW.
				Dived.
		19.11		Surfaced.
		19.24		Aircraft to the NE.
				Dived.
		19.30	Twilight, black clouds in the east, bright horizon in the west	Surfaced, moved off to the east, then searched to the north, I was held up too much by the aircraft.
		20.00	CG 8229
		20.30	CG 8226	Destroyer to the east, southerly course, target angle 100°.  Came to parallel course, to maneuver ahead to attack.  With zigzagging the destroyer disappears into a black cloud band in the east.  It is a dark night with partly black clouds on the horizon.  Boat steer search course to the east.
			Darkness falls
		21.10	CG 8229	The destroyer is in sight to the NE with a sharp target angle.  He has in 40 minutes barely made 3 knots speed of advance!
			Flat sea, marine phosphorescence

Sun and Moon Data 11.12.41

	- 16 -
		continued
		11.12.41		Ran in on the hound's curve to attack
		21.18	CG 8229	3-shot on destroyer of the JERVIS-Class.
				Target angle 80, range = 1500 meters, speed 1x knots, lead angle 20°.
				Aim point just before the bow, amidships and just behind the stern.
				Miss!
				Target angle was actually only 50-60°, considering the speed was 12-13 knots.  In any case one torpedo should still have hit.  2 torpedoes broached after the shot.
				Turned away after the shot, then pursued in so doing reloaded the last torpedo.
		22.35	CG 8262	Destroyer lost from sight in a rain squall with a zigzag to the west.
				Incoming Radio Message 1710 hours from U-434:  Correct position of the convoy in 5895, course 170°, 6 knots, apparently 2 groups.
				and
				Radio Message 1817 hours:  Convoy in 5898.
				By this the convoy is 9 nm to the south and 10 nm more to the east than accepted.  Possibly the destroyer belonged to another group.
				Steered search course to the SE.  To the north and east it is so dark that the convoy would pass at 1000 meters unseen.
				Outgoing Radio Message 2118 hours:  square 8229 miss on destroyer, suspect forward escort.
				A total of 3 steamers 25000 GRT, of these type "SAN MELITE".  Still one torpedo, return transit in 6 hours due to fuel.
		22.50		Incoming Radio Message 2212 hours from "U-434":  Position just behind the convoy 8262.
				That is east of us.
		24.00	CG 8265	Cape St. Vincent is about 10 nm east of us and brightly illuminated.  Because the convoy must be seen in the glow of the beacon, it must be close under the coast and a bit to the south.
			NW 1-2, Vis. changing, Cumulus clouds
		12.12.41
		01.45	CG 8348	Boat is 3 nm from land east of Cape St. Vincent.  Continued searching to the south and southwest.

	Sun and Moon Data 11.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 12.12.41

	- 17 -
		continued
		12.12.41
		02.40	CG 8374	Incoming Radio Message 2358 from "U-434":  Went around the screen to port.  Since darkness probably southerly course.  Waiting station  8268 to the southwest.
				Therefore the convoy must be to the west of us.
		04.00	CG 8295	Broke off the search.  Began return transit due to shortage of fuel.
				The convoy must have made a zigzag to the southwest.
		08.00	CG 8232
		11.01	CG 5869	Aircraft to the east, course north.
				Avoided on the surface.
				Aircraft just turning to southerly course.
		11.15		Smoke cloud in sigh bearing 60°T, under land.  Closed.
		12.00	CG 5866	Smoke clouds recognized as fishing trawlers.  Proceeded on.
				Day's run:  Surfaced    = 162 nm
				Submerged =     2 nm = 164 nm
		16.00	CG 5828	2 coastal steamers in sight on southerly course.
		20.00	CG 5581	Boat  is positioned off Lisbon, only small coastal steamers and fishing trawlers in sight.
		24.00	CG 5559
			N 1
		13.12.41
		04.00	CG 5287
			High long NW-Swell
		08.00	CG 5219
		12.00	CG 2873	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 167 nm
			SE 1	Submerged =   1.0 nm = 168 nm
		16.00	CG 2576
		20.00	CG 2513
		24.00	CG 2219
			SSW 2-3, Vis. moderate
		14.12.41	Bay of Biscay
		04.00	BF 7885
		08.00	BF 7917
			S 5-6
		10.10	BF 7913	Dived.
		12.00	BF 7913	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 174.0 nm
				Submerged =   4.0 nm = 178.0 nm
		14.55	BF 7687	Surfaced.
		16.00	BF 7683
		19.17	BF 7683	Surfaced.
		23.35	BF 8417	Outgoing Short Signal:  Position 36 hours off return harbor.
			SSW 5	Switched to Coastal Circuit.

	Sun and Moon Data 12.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 13.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 14.12.41

	- 18 -
		15.12.41	Bay of Biscay
		04.00	BF 8192
		08.00	BF 8225
		09.36	BF 8331	Dived.
		12.00	BF 5798	Day's run:  Surfaced    = 148 nm
				Submerged =   17 nm = 165 nm
		12.50		Surfaced.
		15.15		Dived.
		16.00	BF 5796
		19.13	BF 5793	Surfaced.
		24.00	BF 5824
			SW 3, rain
		16.12.41
		04.00	BF 5823	30 fishermen in sight.
			Rain	Took bearings on Bearing Transmitter I, boat had no navigation fix since the Spanish coast.
		06.33	Point Tanne
		09.21	Point Ceder
		12.00		Day's run:  Surfaced    = 164 nm
				Submerged =   18 nm = 182 nm
		14.30	Point Luzie 2	Ran in behind escort.
		16.30	Lorient	Arrived Lorient.
				Kapitänleutnant
				Kmdt. "U-43".

	Sun and Moon Data 15.12.41
	Sun and Moon Data 16.12.41

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
	on the Kriegstagebuch of "U-43" from 23.9. - 16.12.41.
	-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
	A very well executed patrol with a beautiful success.
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		- The Chief of the Operations Department -

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