U-47 - 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
8 Nov 40	13.58	52°44'N, 17°32'W	GONÇALO VELHO (damaged)	1,595	Portuguese
2 Dec 40	04.09	54°50'N, 19°15'W	VILLE D'ARLON	7,555	Belgian	HX-90
2 Dec 40	05.25	54°57'N, 18°50'W	CONCH (damaged)	8,376	British	HX-90
2 Dec 40	06.06	54°58'N, 18°50'W	DUNSLEY (damaged)	3,862	British	HX-90
			Total = 12,749
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    4  7  "
				=========
			Kommandant  :  Kaptlt.    P  r  i  e  n  .
			Beginning :  24.10.1940
			Ending     :    6.12.1940
				© U-boat Archive 2024 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		29 10.40	Lorient
				Shipyard work.
		30.10.40	Lorient
		31.10.40	Lorient	Torpedo loading.
		01.11.40	Lorient	Provisions loading.
		02.11.40		Trim test in the harbor.
		xx.50
		03.11.40	Lorient
		xx.50	SW 8, rain showers, overcast, Vis. medium	Departed.
		xx.20		Passed La tourelle des Trois Pierres.
		xx.10	Point V	Released escort KFRG.  Further escort position not clear, therefore continued alone in accordance with Orders via Point II to Point 33.
		20.00	BF 6173 upper-center
			SW 8-9, Sea 7, overcast
		04.11.40
		00.00	BF 5299 upper-right corner
			SW 9, Sea 8
		04.00	BF 5538 upper-right
			WSW 9, partial overcast
		08.00	BF 5528 upper-right
			WSW 9, Sea 8
		10.25		Dived.
		10.52		Surfaced.
		12.00	BF 5516 lower-right	Day's run = 85.5 nm , 7.5 nm
			WSW 9-8, Sea 8
		1x.40		Dived due to weather conditions.
		1x.46	BF 5514 lower-right	Surfaced.
			WSW 8, Sea 7
		20.00	BF 5435 center	Due to weather conditions speed over ground is only 4.5 knots!!!

	Sun and Moon Data 03.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 04.11.40

	- 2 -
		05.11.40
		00.00	BF 5425 center
			WNW 5, long and high W-Swell
		04.00	BF 5177 lower-left
			WNW 4, Vis. very good
		08.00	BF 4382 left edge upper
			SSW 3, lightly cloudy
		08.20 - 08.57		Test dive.
		12.00	BF 4344 upper-left	Day's run = 133 nm , 14 nm (218.5 + 21.5)
			SW 5, freshening
		12.42		On the horizon for a short time something similar to a U-boat sighted, which was not exactly distinguished and did not come in sight again.  For that reason zigzagged until 16.00 hours in general direction 250°.
		16.00	BF 4256 center
			W 6, clear, Vis. good
		20.00	BF 4245 right edge upper	Due to the weather conditions ran on westerly courses because with the short seas against the wind and sea so much water comes over that keeping a lookout is no longer possible.
			WNW 7-8
		06.11.40
		00.00	BF 4136 lower-center
			W 7-6
		04.00	BF 1785 upper-center
			W 6
		08.00	BF 1745 upper-left
			WNW 6-7 freshening
		08.28 - 09.23		Test dive.
		12.00	BE 3965 upper-center	Day's run = 152 nm , 2 nm (370.5 + 23.5)
			NW 7
		16.00	BE 3958 center-left
			NW 9, rain showers

	Sun and Moon Data 05.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 06.11.40

	- 3 -
		continued
		06.11.40	BE 3948 center-right
			NW 8, bright moon
		07.11.40
		00.00	BE 3865 lower-right
			NNW 6-5, long N-Swell
		04.00	BE 3851 upper-left
			N 3
		08.00	BE 3732 center
			Wind shifting to the S, clear, Vis. very good
		08.51 - 09.36		Test dive.
		12.00	BE 3455 center	Day's run = 162 nm , 1 nm (532.5 + 24.5)
			S 2, lightly cloudy, Vis. very good	Incoming Radio Message 1030/7/149:  U-47 operations area west of the North Channel, no limits.  U-137 line at the level of square AM 52, U-138 line at the level of AM 29.  Small boats focal point east of 11°W.  Free to move off to the west with strong defenses.  B.d.U.
		14.38	BE 3178 center	Incoming Radio Message 1408/7/154:  Kr. Kr. aircraft report 13.00 hours square AM 7223 1 battle ship, 3 heavy cruisers, 2 destroyers, main course SW, 18-22 knots.  B.d.U.
			SW 3-4, cloudy
				Came to course 300°, GF.
		16.26	BE 3174 lower-left corner	Engines cannot maintain GF, starboard diesel fuel oil pump does not function correctly.  Went to 2 x HF.  Intend to make repairs this evening.  I expect enemy contact in the period from 23.00 to 01.00 hours.  I estimate that on this course I can be 20-30 nm ahead of the enemy at this period.
			SW 5
		20.00	BE 2354 center
			SW 6, cloudy

	Sun and Moon Data 06.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 07.11.40

	- 4 -
		continued
		07.11.40
		20.30		Starboard diesel stopped for repairs.
		21.50		Starboard diesel is in service again.
		08.11.40
		00.00	BE 2232 upper-center edge	Nothing seen of the enemy.  Advanced on changing courses in general direction initially up to 02.00 hours in 45°, thereafter in 0°.
			SW 7-8, cloudy, Sea 6, rain showers
		04.00	AL 9863 lower edge left
			SW 8, heavy rain showers
		08.00	AL 9596 lower-left
			SW 7, overcast
		09.15 - 09.59		Test dive.
		12.00	AL 9532 lower-left	Day's run = 234 nm , 1 nm (766.5 + 25.5)
			SW 6, Sea 6, lightly cloudy, Vis. very good
		12.21		Steamer in sight bearing 18°T.  Maneuvered ahead.
		12.58		Dived.  Enemy course varies from 161° to 165°, enemy does not zigzag.
		13.42		Range = 800 meters.  It is the unarmed Portuguese steamer "GONÇALO VELHO" 1595 GRT.  I decide to stop him, because I fear the torpedo would not hit in the prevailing seas given the small size of the steamer.
		13.45		Surfaced.  Range = 1000 meters, enemy target angle 110° bow right.
		13.47		One shot over the steamers path.  Steamer stopped, due to an order error a second shot was made just before the bow of the enemy.  By signaling a boat with papers was requested.  While launching the boat the steamer maneuvered so awkwardly that I suspected an attempt to ram.  Therefore another 2 shots were taken the second of which hit in the forestem.
		13.58	AL 9533 lower-right
			φ =  52°44'N
			λ = 17°32'W

	Sun and Moon Data 07.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 08.11.40

	- 5 -
		continued
		08.11.40
		14.14		Boat with Captain alongside. Captain taken aboard, he reported:  Departure port Reyjkavik, cargo 1800 tons codfish, destination harbor Porto.  To improve understanding because the Captain barely speaks English, the First Officer of the steamer came aboard.  Because the papers were not in the boat, a boat was sent back to fetch the papers.  The First Officers explained the apparent ramming maneuver as follows:  To get the boats clear , the ship was put into the sea. As a result of clumsiness the ship was turned towards the U-boat.
		14.38		The papers come aboard.  The ship was bought in England in 1938 (ex. "BALBOA") Portuguese since then.  Bill of Lading and Manifest came from Reykjavik, all information was correct.  Referring to the blockade area I warned the Captain to run on course 270° to 20°W and then remain outside the area on a southerly course.  Radio transmission forbidden.
		14.47		Boats released.  Moved off to the north.
		15.28		Steamer assumed a west course.
		16.10	AL 9296 center-right	Steamer out of sight.
			WSW 5, rain squalls
		20.00	AL 9233 upper-left
		09.11.40
		00.00	AL 6829 center-right edge
			W 4-3, clear
		04.00	AL 6554 lower-center
			NW 3, freshening, rain showers
		08.00	AL 6275 lower-left
			NbyW 5, cloudy
		10.07 - 11.00		Test dive.

	Sun and Moon Data 08.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 09.11.40

	- 6 -
		continued
		09.11.40
		12.00	AL 6169 center-left edge	Day's run = 210.5 nm , 4.5 nm (977 + 30)
			NbyW 7	Incoming Radio Message 0943/9/175:  To U-47.  Send weather reports daily about 02.00 and 14.00 hours, no restriction to the operations area by this.    - B.d.U. -
		16.00	AL 6151 center
			NbyW 8, overcast, Sea 6
		17.41		Incoming Radio Message 1712/9/181:  13.00 hours in square AL 6652 wounded steamer.  2 tugs called up.
				- B.d.U. -
				Began transit to square AL 6652.
		20.00	AL 6156 upper edge left
			Weather steady
		10.11.40
		00.00	AL 6273 center-left edge	Incoming Radio Message 1625/9/180:  Distribution of operations area:  - - - U-47 in circle of 150 nm from Rockall, focal point in the west.  - B.d.U. -
			NNW 7, overcast
		04.00	AL 6532 upper-right
			NNW 6
		08.00	AL 6628 lower-center	Nothing is seen of the steamer.
		09.12 - 10.02		Test dive.
				Searched the area on SW-courses.
		12.00	AL 6664 center-left edge	Day's run = 184 nm , 2 nm (1161 + 32)
			NW 5, abating, overcast
		12.30		Broke off the search because there is no prospect to correct own position with an celestial navigation fix and the exact position of the reported steamer is uncertain.  Began transit into the new operations area.
		16.00	AL 6633 center
			NW 4, overcast, rain showers
		20.00	AM 4148 center-right
			NW 3, Vis. medium

	Sun and Moon Data 09.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 10.11.40

	- 7 -
		11.11.40
		00.00	AM 4124 center-right edge
			NW 2, lightly cloudy, moonshine, Vis. very good
		04.00	AM 1948 lower-right
			Wind calm, cloudy
		08.00	AM 1915 upper-left
			E 6-7, heavy rain, Vis. 1000 meters
		09.31		Dived due to weather conditions.
		10.09		Surfaced.  Visibility 500 meters, dived again.
		10.20		Dived.
		12.00	AM 1912 center-left edge	Day's run = 138 nm , 6 nm (1229 + 38)
			E 10, Sea 7-8, rain, Vis. up to 1000 meters
		14.48		Surfaced to send weather report.
		16.02	AM 1777 left edge upper	Dived.
		19.45	AL 3896 upper-right	Surfaced.
			NE 10, Sea 9, rain, Vis. greatly changing
		12.11.40
		00.00	AL 3859 lower-left
			NE 8-7, abating, Sea 8, Vis. 5 nm
		04.00	AL 3845 upper-right
			N 3, Sea 3, Vis. good
		08.00	AL 3817 center-right edge
			NNW 3-4, long heavy NE-Swell
		09.30 - 10.14		Test dive.
		12.00	AL 3843 upper-right	Day's run = 80 nm , 10 nm (1379 + 48)
			N 4, clear, Vis. very good

	Sun and Moon Data 11.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 12.11.40

	- 8 -
		continued
		12.11.40
		16.00	AL 3822 upper-left corner
			N 5, lightly cloudy
		20.00	AL 3659 center-left
			NNE 6, moonshine
		13.11.40
		00.00	AL 3628 center-left
			NE 7-8, Northern Lights
		04.00	AL 3479 lower-right
			NE 8, Sea 7
		08.00	AL 3396 upper-right corner
			NE 6, Sea 6, clear
		09.37 - 10.36		Test dive.
		12.00	AL 3396 center-left	Day's run = 135 nm , 2 nm (1514 + 50)
			NNE 6, Sea 6
		13.13	AL 3641 upper-right	Outgoing Short Signal: No traffic.  - U-47 -
		16.00	AL 3641 upper-right
			NNE 5, Sea 3, clear, Vis. very good
		20.00	AL 3676 lower-edge left
			Weather unchanged
		21.04		Converted main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank IV.
		14.11.40
		00.00	AL 3824 upper-center
			NE 4, abating, full moon
		04.00	AL 3859 upper-center
			NE 2, lightly cloudy
		08.00	AL 0332 upper-right
			Shifting wind
		09.26 - 10.19		Test dive.
		12.00	AL 0328 lower-right	Day's run = 162.5 nm , 1.5 nm (1676.5 + 51.5)
			SSE 4, Swell NE 5, overcast, Vis. very good, rain band in the west, falling air pressure

	Sun and Moon Data 12.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 13.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 14.11.40

	- 9 -
		continued
		14.11.40
		16.00	AL 0317 lower-center
			SSE 3
		20.00	AL 3929 lower-left	I now believe the enemy has his convoys run on the Great Circle in the direction of the Faroe Islands and then to the west of these Islands in the protection of the newly laid barrier between the Faroes and the Hebrides through the North Minch into the Irish Sea.  The reason for this assumption is:
			SSE 2-3. weather unchanged
				1.)  All boats report: "No traffic".
				2.)  The laid barrier seems to me too large to only be against outbound German surface forces.
				3.)  The enemy must proceed.
		15.11.40
		00.00	AL 3982 lower-right
			Weather unchanged
		04.00	AL 3971 lower-center
			SE 4, overcast, rain showers
		08.00	AL 3917 upper-center
			ESE 8, Vis. good, Sea 7
		19.46 - 10.50		Test dive.
		12.00	AL 3779 lower-left	Day's run = 157.5 nm , 2.5 nm (1834 + 54)
			ESE 7, squalls, rain
		12.18		Just when I am about to send the following Radio Message:  To B.d.U.:  Request expanding operations area to square AE 84.
				Received Radio Message 1155/15/152 U-47 from B.d.U.  No limit to the operations area.
		14.25		Incoming Radio Message 1358/15/154:  Convoy square AM 4713 course 14°, 8 knots.  - B.d.U. -
				That is 240 nm against the wind and sea.  Therefore I remain on course 0°.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 15.11.40

	- 10 -
		continued
		15.11.40
		16.00	AL 3742 right edge upper
			ESE 7-8, rain showers
		20.00	AL 3575 lower-left
			ESE 6, lightly overcast
		16.11.40
		00.00	AL 3541 upper-center
			ESE 5, moonshine
		04.00	AL 2496 center-right
			E 4-5, rain squall
		08.00	AL 2462 upper-right
			E 4, Vis. very good
		09.50 - 10.50		Test dive.
		12.00	AL 2436 center-right	Day's run = 157.5 nm , 1.5 nm (1991.5 + 55.5)
			ENE 5-6, cloudy
		14.38		Incoming Radio Message 1415/16/175:  U-47 occupy line at the level of AM 15, focal point 16°W. . . . . . .  - B.d.U. -
		16.00	AL 3313 center
			ENE 7, weather stubbornly the same
		20.00	AL 3355 upper-left
			NE 6, rain
		17.11.40
		00.00	AL 3392 center
			NE 5, overcast
		04.00	AL 3478 center-right
			ENE 5
		08.00	AL 3626 center-left
			NE 5, rain showers, Vis. very moderate
		09.02 - 10.55		Test dive (visibility and twilight).
		12.00	AL 3638 lower-right	Day's run = 134.5 nm , 5.5 nm (2126 + 61)
			N 3, rain, Vis. medium

	Sun and Moon Data 15.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 16.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 17.11.40

	- 11 -
		continued
		17.11.40
		16.00	AM 1544 right edge lower	Went to E-motors KF to save fuel.
		20.00	AM 1571 upper-right corner
			NNE 2
		18.11.40
		00.00	AM 1574 center-right edge
			NNW 3, overcast
		04.00	AM 1577 center-right edge
		08.00	AM 1716 center-right
		09.29 - 10.17		Test dive.
		12.00	AM 1764 upper-left	Day's run = 89 nm , 2 nm (2215 + 63)
			NW 3, clear Vis. good
		16.00	AM 1847 upper-left	Rockall bearing 131°T, 4 nm away.
		19.45	AM 1766 upper-left	Incoming Radio Signal 1840:  Enemy convoy square 5131, westerly course, medium speed.    - U-137 -
			NW 2, clear, moderately cloudy
				Came to course 180°.
				Operating on contact keeper reports from U-137.
		19.11.40
		00.00	AM 1962 upper edge left
			SSW 2, overcast, moonlit
		02.35	AM 1995	On Radio Signal 0209:  Convoy square 0182, course 270°.
				- U-100 -
				initially came to course 90°, then to 30°.
		03.00		On course 90°, LF to meet the enemy.  All tubes are flooded, boat is ready for action, all men at stations.
		03.21		Enemy in sight bearing 128°T.  Closed.
		03-44-10	AM 1966 center-left	Shot three-fan from tubes I, III, II.  Tube III was a tube runner.  All missed.  Reason is probably too great range, estimated at 2000 meters was probably 3000 meters and over estimated the target angle.
			φ = 56°33'N
			λ = 14°05'W
			S 5, thin cloud deck, Vis. about 1-10 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 17.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 18.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 19.11.40

	- 12 -
		continued
		19.11.40
		03-49-14	AM 1936 center-left edge	Shot from tube V.  Miss.  This time the data was correct.  Range = 2000 meters.
			φ = 56°33'N
			λ = 14°06'W
		04-04-57	AM 1995 center	Shot from tube IV.  Surface runner, apparently was sighted by the enemy, who turned away hard at 04-05-07.  Two destroyers, among them an American with 4 smokestacks came out to my side.
			φ = 56°34'N
			λ = 14°11'W
		04.20		Convoy takes up its old course.
		05.00		Convoy had target angle 120° and shifted out quickly.  Tubes were still not reloaded, tubes II and III were not ready.  Because in these circumstances a new approach is not expected and U-100 holds contact, moved off from the convoy and came to a calm course to reload the torpedoes.
		05.15		Outgoing Radio Message 0405/19/   :  To B.d.U. square AM 1995 at convoy 1 tube runner, 1 surface runner, 3 misses. Convoy located 9 nm further west than contact keeper reports.    - U-47 -
		08.00	AM 4214 upper-center
			S 6-7, drizzle, Sea 5
		09.16 - 10.30		Test dive, as a result of a flooding error with the torpedo tubes the boat settled to depth T = 54 meters. [actual depth 108 meters]
		11.57		Dived again due to fog.
		12.00	AM 4138 center-left	Day's run = 171.5 nm , 4.5 nm (2387 + 67.5)
			S 7, fog
		12.57		Surfaced.
		13.29		Incoming Radio Message 1522/19/162:  Wounded steamer located 19 November 10.00 hours AL 9333, drifting NE, 2 knots.
				I will operate on it.
		16.00	AM 4247 right edge upper
			S 4, clear, Vis. good

Sun and Moon Data 19.11.40

	- 13 -
		continued
		19.11.40
		20.00	AM 4512 upper-center edge
		22.30		Incoming Radio Message 2127/19/176:  Occupy line at the level of the square: AM 48 U-47.  Focal point in this square. . . . B.d.U.
		20.11.40
		00.00	AM 4541 lower-center edge
			SSW 4, moonlit, overcast
		04.00	AM 4496 lower-left
			SW 6, rain
		08.00	AM 4757 center-right
			W 8, cloudy, Vis. good
		09.25 - 10.16		Test dive.
		12.00	AM 4756 lower-right corner	Day's run = 131 nm , 4 nm (2318 + 71.5)
			W 8, cloudy, Vis. good
		12.30		Two closely spaced underwater detonations heard in the boat.
		16.00	AM 4784 center-right	From 15.00 hours all kinds of smaller wreckage was passed, an empty tin can whose paper is still adheres very cleanly to the can. Nothing is found of the damaged vessel.
			W 6, abating, cloudy, Vis. very good
				After 17.00 hours the boat passed drifting pieces of cork in large numbers.  In the assumption that the enemy drifted quickly, or had already been towed, I advanced further to the NNE.
		20.00	AM 4794 center	Nothing is found of the enemy.  To conserve fuel proceeded on E-motors KF.
			Circling wind at times NE 2, rain, quite dark
		20.15		Incoming Radio Message 1955/20.196:  Position damaged "FISCHPOOL" was 10.00 hours AM 4759.  - B.d.U. -

	Sun and Moon Data 19.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 20.11.40

	- 14 -
		continued
		20.11.40		I was in the square at 12.30 hours.  However, because nothing was seen, it must have exploded there.  At the time, my navigation fix was 2 hours old therefore good.
		21.11.40
		00.00	AM 4793 left edge lower
			NNW 2, steady rain
		04.00	AM 4871 lower-center
			NW 3, rain showers
		08.00	AM 4873 upper-center
			NNW 3, moonshine, Vis. very good
		09.26		Test dive.  Shortly after the dive locating sounds from 3 transmitters were heard, two tickers, one canary.  For a short time propeller sounds bearing 270°T.
		09.36		Surfaced, ran on NW course in the suspected advance direction, nothing found.
		12.00	AM 4849 upper-center edge	Day's run = 98 nm , 1 nm (2616 + 72.5)
			W 2, cloudy, Vis. very good	Because nothing was found, also no fishermen encountered, I believe that by chance sounds were from far away.  However continued to search the area.
		16.00	AM 4884 center-right edge
			W 2
		20.00	AM 4889 right edge upper
			W 2, clear, Vis. very good
		22.11.40
		00.00	AM 4979 left edge upper
			SW 3, lightly cloudy
		04.00	AM 4973 right edge upper
			SSW 4, overcast
		08.00	AM 4947 upper-right corner
			SSW 5, Sea 4

	Sun and Moon Data 20.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 21.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 22.11.40

	- 15 -
		continued
		22.11.40
		09.27 - 10.06		Test dive.  The locating sounds were observed again from 09.35 hours.  When I want to pass them off as boat noises, depth charges fall far away bearing 180°T.
		12.00	AM 4863 lower-center edge	Day's run = 107.5 nm , 1.5 nm (2723.5 + 74)
			SSW 6, overcast
		16.00	AM 4837 center-left
			SSW 7
		20.00	AM 4825 center-left edge
			SSW 8, Sea 6, overcast
		2x.43		Incoming Radio Message 2125/22/142:  Italian U-boat reports 17.30 hours convoy 20 steamers, 1 auxiliary cruiser, course 100°, 8 knots in AL 3743.    - B.d.U. -
				Proceeded on course 340°.
		23.11.40
		00.00	AM 4573 center-right edge	Incoming Radio Message 2348:  Enemy convoy square 4568 easterly course.    - U-100 -
			SW 8, Sea 6
				Course 90° both diesels GF.  Towards!
		04.00	AM 4645 lower-center
			SW 8, moonshine, Sea 6-7
		04.28		U-100 reported convoy in square 4642 at 04.12 hours.
				Star shells bearing 70°T.  Held onto them.  Now our positions are diverging significantly so there must be a navigation error.  My position is wrong by 8-10 nm to the west.
		05.19		A destroyer bearing 185°T coming towards us at target angle 0°.  Turned away to course 50°.
		05.24		Destroyer changed course, we closed again.
		05.35		From the reports of U-100 the enemy must now be about 30 nm behind me.  Because I assume that I am north of the enemy came to course 140°.
			AM 4638 center-left	2 destroyers seen bearing 170°T, no

	Sun and Moon Data 22.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 23.11.40

	- 16 -
		continued
		23.11.40		convoy.  U-100 reported at 06.08 hours enemy out of sight square 4619.  Now after all, I must assume I'm south and ahead of the convoy.
		06.35	AM 4638 lower-center edge	Came to course 0° and at 07.15 hours to 2x0°.  I suspect these 2 destroyers were detached hunters, which were to force off the contact keeper and were ahead and to starboard.
		07.31		Incoming Radio Message Signal 0731:  Have contact square 4638, 8 knots, course 85°.    - U-100 -
		08.00	AM 4637 upper-right	Now the position is completely unclear to me.  Unfortunately, though requested, U-100 has sent no bearing signals so this method also fails.  Since I must be far behind the convoy now, there is no possibility to attack, with the increasing Sea State a submerged attack could not be carried out.  That is why pursuit was broken off.
			SW 8, Sea 7, lightly cloudy
		09.16 - 10.08		Test dive.  The morning navigation fix shows an offset of 312°T, 11 nm, therefore as suspected I must have passed by astern.
		11.59		Crash dive. Destroyer out of a rain band!  2000 meters.  The fellow had not seen us!
				No shooting opportunity due to weather conditions and was overrun by destroyer.  Despite ticking he did not find us.
		12.00	AM 4373 center-right	Day's run = 197 nm , 1.5 nm (2920.5 + 75.5)
			WSW 8, Sea 7, rain squalls
		13.30		Surfaced.  I will now search for the other convoy from the Italian.
		16.00	AM 4347 center-left
			SW 8, lightening squalls
		20.00	AM 4269 upper edge left

Sun and Moon Data 23.11.40

	- 17 -
		24.11.40
		00.00	AM 0179 center-left edge
			SW 7, rain showers
		04.00	AM 1999 center-right
			SW 6, rain
		08.00	AM 1989 center-right
			SW 5, strong rain squalls
		09.13 - 10.05		Test dive.
		12.00	AM 4138 upper-left corner	Day's run = 108 nm , 4 nm (3028.5 + 79.5)
			SW 4, clear, Vis. good	Incoming Radio Message 1051/24/188:  2 Halifax-convoys are expected in the area of square AL 36 northern part.  Focal point U-52 occupy square 18, U-47 instead of previous operations area square AL 01 and 43.  - B.d.U. -
		16.00	AM 1987 center
			SW 6, Vis. moderate
		20.00	AM 1967 center-right
			SW 7, misty
		25.11.40
		00.00	AM 0117 lower-left
			SW 7-8
		04.00	AM 0116 center-right
			SW 8, rain
		08.00	AM 0137 upper-left
			SW 9, Vis. 1 nm
		09.22 - 10.29		Test dive.
		11.00		Dived again due to low visibility.
		12.00	AM 0162 center	Day's run = 123 nm , 4 nm (3151.5 + 83.5)
			SW 10, Vis. 1000 meters
		13.12		Depth charges, a sound bearing appears in 185°T, coming closer quickly.
				There is a regular listening hunt in my diving square.
		16.00	AM 0164 upper-right
			SW 12, Vis. 1 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 24.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 25.11.40

	- 18 -
		continued
		25.11.40
		18.50		Listening hunt apparently ended.  Propeller sounds far off.
		19.00		Surfaced.
		20.00	AM 0156 upper-right
			SW 12, Vis. 1 nm
		26.11.40
		00.00	AM 0151 center-left edge
			SW 8, rain, Vis. 2 nm
		04.00	AM 0141 upper-left
			WSW 5, rain showers
		05.14		Outgoing Radio Message 0455/26     :  B.d.U. from U-47.  Up to now no success.  Several times defense beginning about 2 hours after sending weather reports.
		08.00	AM 0147 center
		09.47 - 10.11		Test dive.  Once again the listeners.  Despite low visibility weather moved off on the surface to the S.
		12.00	AM 4223 center-right edge	Day's run = 87.5 nm , 9.5 nm (3239 + 93)
			SW 5-6, fog and rain
		15.14		Out of a mist band steamer range = 5000 meters, target angle 70°, bearing 130°T.  Came about, moved off to maneuver ahead.
				Due to the long Swell much water comes over.  Steamer is out of sight.  Came to course 230°.
		15.21	Wind jumps around to the N
		16.00	AM 4261 center	Because the steamer is not in sight again came to course 250°.
			NW 5, rain squalls of great intensity, Vis. changing greatly, wild cross sea
		16.20		Came to course 180°.
		16.31		Steamer in sight bearing 155°T.  Range = 5000 meters.  Crash dived.
				A rain band pushed between the steamer and the boat.  In the listening gear nothing heard due to the Sea State.

	Sun and Moon Data 25.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 26.11.40

	- 19 -
		continued
		26.11.40
		16.38		Steamer in sight with target angle 140°, range = 6000 nm.
		17.24		Surfaced.  It is pointless.  Due to the visibility a maneuver ahead cannot be completed, in addition, the enemy runs as fast as I do and at the wild sea I do not trust the torpedoes.
		20.00	AM 4266 center-right edge
			NE 2, clear, lightly cloudy, Vis. medium
		27.11.40
		00.00	AM 4355 center-left
			Circling wind.
		04.00	AM 4322 center-left
			NNW 4, cloudy, rain shower
		07.09		Steamer in sight bearing 330°T.  Closed.  Matched speed.
				Course 250-260° (yawing strongly) speed 8 knots.
				Maneuvered ahead, attacked from the north out of a hail squall.
		07-40-40	AM 0192 upper-center	Shot from tube II.  G 7a, range = 300 meters, target angle 80°, speed 9 knots, depth 3 meters.  Nothing.
			φ = 56°41'N
			λ = 12°23'W
		07-58-54	NNW 6, cross sea	Shot from tube I.  G 7e, depth 2 meters, range = 350 meters, speed 8 knots.  Nothing  !  !
		08-48-12	AM 0191 center-right	Shot from tube V, textbook stern approach. Range = 500 meters, speed 6.5 knots, depth 2 meters.  Also nothing  ?
				Checking showed the following:
				With the set lead angle at the low range the first shot must hit at enemy speed between 4 and 13.5 knots.  With the second shot between 4 and 12 knots.  With the third between 4 and 11 knots.
				The ship was of 4000-5000 GRT, apparently was the steamer "WEST WALES" which already reported a U-boat yesterday evening 100 nm east of us.  At least the silhouette matched him.  Estimated draft of the empty ship 3.5-4 meters.  The target angle and range

	Sun and Moon Data 26.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 27.11.40

	- 20 -
		continued
		27.11.40		were perfect.  I must assume that due to the wild cross sea the torpedo depth was not held correctly or due to the long storage possibly the igniter failed.  The latter assumption I believe is less likely.
		09.40 - 10.26		Test dive.
		10.30		Incoming Radio Message 1009/27/159:  U-47 occupy line at the level of square AM 44.  Focal point this square.
				- B.d.U. -
		12.00	AM 0138	Day's run = 134.5 nm , 5 nm (3375.5 + 98)
			NNW 5, Vis. very good
		13.16 - 13.50		Crash dive, aircraft.
		15.30 - 16.46	AM 4214 upper-center edge	Crash dive, aircraft.  Sound bearing in 10°T, shifted to the east.  Fast sounds.  On surfacing nothing seen.
			NNW 4
		20.00	AM 4263 center-left edge
		28.11.40
		00.00	AM 4254 upper-right	At 23.30 and at 01.30 hours a bright glow was seen. Despite advancing twice in the direction of the glow nothing was determined.  I believe that it was an emergency signal from a life raft.
			S 1-2, overcast
		04.00	AM 4243 lower-left corner
			S 2, Vis. good
		08.00	AM 42xx upper-right
		09.23		Shadow bearing 218°T.  It was a steamer on a westerly course.  Could not reach shooting position for a night attack.  Thereafter maneuvered ahead.
				Enemy speed matched at 10.5 knots and course 225°.
		12.00	AM 4xxx center	Day's run = 154 nm , 4 nm (3529.5 + 102)
			SSW 4-5, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 27.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 28.11.40

	- 21 -
		continued
		28.11.40
		12.47		I am positioned ahead of the enemy.  At this moment he made a zigzag to the south.
		13.x0		Enemy zigzagged back.
		13.25		Dived.
		13.x5		Enemy zigzagged to 253°.
				It is a ship of about 6000 GRT.  Raised forecastle and stern.  Three-deck central superstructure.  Arched bunker with two ventilator pole masts just before the smokestacks.  Smokestack is at the center of the ship and is higher than the bridge.  4 boats on the superstructure deck behind the smokestack, with then 6 ventilators, two further boats on the central superstructure.  On the poop a rudder house, on top of it a cannon of caliber 7.5 - 10.5 cm.  Forward of it a 3.7 cm cannon.  One quad anti-aircraft gun on the bridge.  Bridge protected with sandbags. Painted brown or black, smokestack black with dark brown broad stripes.  Two masts, 5 hatches.  Vertical forestem, cruiser stern.  At the foremast a heavy cargo boom.  Ship was unloaded.
		13-55-39	AL 6368 lower-center edge	Shot from tube III.  Range = 1200 meters, speed 10.5 knots, target angle 85°, depth 2 meters.  Nothing happens.  In the listening gear the torpedo was heard.  It ran in the same bearing as the propeller sounds of the enemy.  Suddenly after 2 minutes 10 seconds the torpedo sounds suddenly disappeared.  The enemy course was at the moment of the shot 243°.  Torpedo course 138° at 118°T.
			φ = 55°48'N
			λ = 16°16'W
			SSW 5-6, overcast, Vis. good, Sea 4-5, no Swell
		14.00		Enemy zigzagged to 283°.
		14-04-59	AL 6392 upper-center edge	Shot from tube IV.  Miss.  Range = 1000 meters.  The missed shot was explained by the burning through of the fuse of the torpedo shooting system, so that the lead angle was set 10° too great.  Unfortunately this error occurred shortly after comparing the values from the lead angle calculator and the torpedo shot receiver, so that no suspicion was raised.

Sun and Moon Data 28.11.40

	- 22 -
		continued
		28.11.40		The data was good.  It must be accepted that with the first shot an under steer or an igniter failure took place.
		15.10		Surfaced.  Chief Engineer reported that the starboard diesel was losing oil such that high speed settings could only be maintained with caution.  The result is a large oil trace.
		16.00	AL 6392 lower edge left	I gave up the attempt to attack again at night with regard to the diesel and the weather.
			SSW 6, overcast
		20.00	AL 6631 right edge upper
			SSW 5, overcast
		29.11.40
		00.00	AL 6634 upper edge right
			SbyW 4, overcast, SW-Swell
		04.00	AL 6616 upper-center edge
		08.00	AL 6535 upper-center edge
			S 4, Vis. good
		09.44 - 10.31		Test dive.
		12.00	AL 6539 lower-left	Day's run = 151 nm , 10 nm (3680.5 + 112)
			S 4-5, overcast, Vis. moderate
		14.25		Incoming Radio Message 1400/29/108:  Kr.Kr.  Air reports convoy square AL 6589, course 60°, medium speed.
				- B.d.U. -  Towards.
		15.30	Fog
		16.00	AL 6646 upper edge right
			Vis. medium
		20.00	AM 4178 lower-left
			S 4, Vis. good
		22.07	AM 4134 left edge lower	One man of the watch claimed to have seen a green star bearing 110°T.  Closed.

	Sun and Moon Data 28.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 29.11.40

	- 23 -
		continued
		29.11.40
		22.45	AM 4198 center-left	Now another man thought he saw a star bearing 90°T.  Again closed.  All nothing  !
		30.11.40
		00.00	AM 4278 center-left edge
			S 4, Vis. changing
		01.00	AM 4287 center	Came to course 45°, to look to the north.
		02.00	AM 4282 lower-right corner	Came to course 0°.
		03.00	AM 4255 lower-right corner	Came to course 270°.
		04.00	AM 4254 lower-center edge
		08.00	AM 4164 lower edge right
			SSQ 4, Vis. good
		09.47 - 10.27		Test dive.
		12.00	AM 4181 left edge lower	Day's run = 235 nm , 1.5 nm (3915.5 + 113.5)
		14.20		Incoming Radio message 1358/30/     :  Kr.Kr.  Aircraft report 13.00 hours square AM 4474 convoy of 18 large, 6 medium ships, 6 destroyers.  - B.d.U. -
				Advanced on course 110° in the suspected course of the enemy.  I believe that he will run on course 80°.
		16.00	AM 4198 upper-center	Chief Engineer reports that the fuel inventory amounts to 35 cbm.  I intend to request of B.d.U. to proceed to the homeland due to the general condition of the boat.
			SSW 4, Vis. good
		20.00	AM 4529 lower-center edge
		21.50		Outgoing Radio Message 2135/30/149:  B.d.U. square AM 4565 return transit due to fuel.  10 misses, of these 5 unexplained, under steer likely.  Request return transit to the homeland for overhaul.    U-47
		22.48		Incoming Radio Message 2231/30/150:  U-47 return transit Lorient.    - B.d.U. -
		23.55		Outgoing Radio Message 2315/30/151:  B.d.U.  Failed main drain pump, trim and port cooling water pump entire shooting system, command system.  Leaking:  all exhaust gas valves, conning tower hatch, camshaft

	Sun and Moon Data 29.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 30.11.40

	- 24 -
		continued
		30.11.40		passage.  At higher speed settings heavy oil loss. Major overhaul work to torpedo tubes, diesel, electrical systems, compressed air and diving systems, minimum repairs 6 weeks.    U-47.
		01.12.40
		00.00	AM 4557 center	Nothing seen of the convoy.
			SW 4, Vis. good
		04.00	AM 4458 lower-left
		08.00	AM 4448 center-right
			W 3-4, heavily cloudy
		10.42 - 10.52		Test dive.
		12.00	AL 6664 left upper edge	Day's run = 206.5 nm , 1.5 nm (4122 + 115)
			W 3, overcast	Blew out main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank II.
		16.00	AL 6643 upper-right
			W 3, completely overcast, long W-Swell
		16.xx		Incoming Radio Message 1556/1/165:  Damaged destroyer 09.40 hours square AL 6955.  - B.d.U. -    Towards  !
		18.45		Incoming Radio Message 1800/1/169:  Convoy square AL 5883, course 50°, 9 knots.  - U-101 -
				Came about, operated on it.
		20.00	AL 66xx
			W 4, long W-Swell
		02.12.40
		00.00	AL 6xxx center-right edge
			W 3, long W-Swell
		02.12		Because there is still no enemy information sent Radio Message 0201/2/181:  U-101 send bearing signals.
				- U-47 -
		0x.xx		Received Bearing Signals from U-101 in 357°T.
		03.xx		Bearing xx°T - convoy in sight.

	Sun and Moon Data 30.11.40
	Sun and Moon Data 01.12.40
	Sun and Moon Data 02.12.40

	- 25 -
		continued
		02.12.40		Examined the convoy for valuable targets.
				One vessel stands out, has set 2 red lights and proceeds with enemy bow left opposite to the advance direction [of the convoy].
		04.00	AL 6492 center	Enemy is a large steamer of BEAVER-type.  Lies stopped.  Because I do not trust it, observed the steamer for a while, then initiated attack.
			W 3, long W-Swell, starry night, Vis. good
		04-09-24	AL 6493 center	Shot from tube I.  Hit after edge of superstructure.  Running time 1 minute 4 seconds.
			φ = 54°50'N
			λ = 19°15'W	Chased after the convoy.
				Combed through the convoy.  In the second column from the left in position No. 2 there is a tanker.
				Initiated attack. During the attack the ship in position No. 1 of the left wing column is blown up by a torpedo apparently shot from U-101.  When turning away the boat gets into ramming position, which was avoided by turning hard to port and loud call to the other boat.
		05-25-06	AL 6548 center	Shot from tube II.  Running time 42 seconds.  Tanker of 7000 GRT.  Hit between bridge and smokestack below the after mast.  Smokestack topples over forward.
			φ = 54°57'N
			λ = 18°50'W
				Because there are no more torpedoes I decide on an artillery attack.  Surprise attack.
				Target is an approximately 5000-6000 GRT freighter trying to halp both sinking ships. Incendiary ammunition was prepared on deck, M.G. C/30 was prepared.
		06.06	AL 6548 upper-left corner	Attack carried out from range = 700 meters.  The first shot is already a hit.  Enemy shoots back once, then he is so covered by the M.G. C/30 that no men stir on deck.  With three shots of the 8.8 cm the sight fails.
			φ = 54°58'N
			λ = 18°50'W
				The reserve sight was installed and it too failed.  A total of 11 shots were taken, of these there were 5 good hits.  The enemy lay stopped.  On the 11th shot a shell jammed in the chamber.
				[the shell case failed to eject]

Sun and Moon Data 02.12.40

	- 26 -
		continued
		02.12.40
		06.xx		Attack broken off, because the cannon is out of service and suddenly star shells were fired from an unknown direction.
				The cannon cannot be unjammed, moved off to the location of the first sinking.
		07.38	AL 6432 center	The steamer is no longer there, It must have sunk.
		09.xx		Star shells were still continually fired in 45°T.
		12.00	AL 6768	Day's run = 264 nm (4386 + 115)
			SSW 2, overcast, rain showers
		16.00	AL 9158 center-left
			SSW 3
		20.00	AL 9574 lower-center edge
			SSW 4, rain showers
		03.12.40
		00.00	AL 9556 upper edge left
		04.00	AL 9677 center-right edge
			SW 2
		08.00	AL 9956 center-right
			W 3-4, overcast, Vis. good
		09.46 - 10.20		Test dive
		12.00	AL 9996 center	Day's run = 219 nm , 2 nm (4605 + 117)
			W 4-5 clear
		16.00	BE 3452 center-left edge
			W 4, Vis. very good
		20.00	BE 3498 lower-center
			W 3, cloudy, Vis. good
		04.12.40
		00.00	BE 3556 center-left
			Weather unchanged

	Sun and Moon Data 02.12.40
	Sun and Moon Data 03.12.40
	Sun and Moon Data 04.12.40

	- 27 -
		continued
		04.12.40
		04.00	BE 3855 upper-right corner
			WSW 3, drizzle
		08.00	BE 3981 upper-right
			W 3, Vis. good
		08.46 - 09.05		Test dive.
		12.00	BF 4141 left upper edge	Day's run = 263 nm , 2 nm (4868 + 119)
			W 3 Vis. moderate
		13.15 - 17.58	BF 4184 center	Dived due to fog.
			Fog
		18.23 - 19.26		Dived due to fog.
		20.00	BF 4423 center
			W 2, drizzle, Vis. moderate
		05.12.40
		00.00	BF 4547 right edge upper
			NNW 3, rain shower
		04.00	BF 4591 center-left	Sent Short Signal:  Position in 24 hours off return harbor.
		08.00	BF 4681 center-left
			NW 2, drizzle
		09.12 - 09.42		Test dive.
		12.00	BF 4693 center	Day's run = 196.5 nm , 13.0 nm (5064.5 + 132.0)
			W 2, drizzle
		16.00	BF 5483 center
			W 4, drizzle
		20.00	BF 5581 center
			WSW 6
		06.12.40
		00.00	BF 6471 center
			SW 7-8, overcast
		04.00	BF 6463 upper-center
		08.00	BF 6181 center-left edge
			SW 9

	Sun and Moon Data 04.12.40
	Sun and Moon Data 05.12.40
	Sun and Moon Data 06.12.40

	- 28 -
		continued
		06.12.40
		09.25	Point 3	Taken in convoy.
				Day's run = 202.5 nm
		09.55		Escort changed.
		10.05	Tourelle de la Truie abeam
		11.17		Made fast Lorient
				Total distance covered  :  5267.0 + 132 nm
				Success:  2 steamers 17000 GRT.

Sun and Moon Data 06.12.40

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseboote.
	1.) An patrol which took place under a very bad omen.     2.) The possibility, that the noted unexplained misses were failures, remains open.  It is not confirmed by the simultaneous experience of other boats in torpedo shooting.     3.) The use of artillery in convoy is a daring decision, which is approved in this case but otherwise must remain an absolute exception, because the risk and possible success are a mismatch.
		Signed in draft  :  Dönitz
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		The Chief of the Operations Department.

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