U-48 - 5th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Kiel	3 April 1940	Kiel	20 April 1940	18

 

Click the icon to download a KMZ file displaying the U-boat track, significant events and locations for this patrol.  You must have Google Earth loaded on your computer to view this file.  Download Google Earth here

 

Ships Hit

None

Note:  The positions in the table above and in the Google Earth patrol summary are derived from the KTB and in many cases do not match those set forth in authoritative references such as Jürgen Rohwer, Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two or the Uboat.net website.  The goal here is to present the picture relative to the U-boat and not the absolute position that the ship was attacked or sank.

 

This KTB uses the depth notation "depth T = xx meters"  Under this scheme, the actual depth was twice the depth given after T = so for example, if the KTB entry read "depth T = 50 meters, the actual depth was 100 meters.  This was intended to hide the actual depth for security purposes. This notation was used from about January 1940 to December 1941.  In these KTBs, depths written without using "T =", for example "dived to depth 35 meters" were not so disguised.

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				K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				Unterseeboot  "U  48"
				Kommandant:  Kaptlt.    S  c  h  u  l  t  z  e
				Beginning:  27.2.1940
				Concluding:  20.4.1940
				Distribution:     "U 48" Copy No. 1 7. U-Flottille     "      " 2 B.d.U.-Op.-     "      " 3 O.K.M.     "      " 4 + 5
				Enclosures: 1) 1  Track chart (for Copy Nos. 1-4) 2) Torpedo firing reports (only for Copy Nos. 1-3) 3) General and Officer-Only Radio Messages (only for Copy No. 1)
				© U-boat Archive 2024 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
			Shipyard period from 27.2. - 25.3.1940
		27.02. - 25.03.40		Germania Werft.  Overhaul of the boat.
		26.03.40		Sea trial Kieler Bucht, afterwards made fast Tirpitz Mole.
		27.03.40		Radio direction finder calibration, magnetic compass calibration.  GHG testing Strandler Bucht.
		17.00		Made fast Tirpitz Mole.
		28.03.40		Tirpitz Mole.  Fuel loading.
				Work service.
		29.03.40		Tirpitz Mole.  Provisions loading.
		30.03.40		Tirpitz Mole.  Torpedo loading.
		11.15		Departed for measured mile Eckernförde Bucht.  Test dive.
		16.20		Made fast Tirpitz Mole.
		31.03.40
		10.10		Cast off Tirpitz Mole for Kriegsmarinewerft.  Attack periscope replaced.
		11.50		Made fast Tirpitz Mole,  Sunday service.
		01.04.40		Fuel loading.
		10.30		Cast off Tirpitz Mole for Kriegsmarinewerft.  Periscope replaced again.
		15.30		Made fast Tirpitz Mole.
		02.04.40		Tirpitz Mole.  Morning work service.
				Afternoon gear service.

	- 2 -
				5th remote patrol from 3.4. - 19.4.1940.
		03.04.40
		10.00		Cast off Kiel Tirpitz Mole for 5th remote patrol.
		10.08		Light collision with a Vorpostenboot of the 19.Minensuchflottille.  The Vorpostenboot only touched on the forestem and only bent the net deflector slightly because I had already gone to back AK for 3 minutes with both diesels.  The behavior of the Kommandanten of the Vorpostenbootes was poor seamanship and against the Nautical Rules of the Road.  I went back AK on both diesels, realizing the danger of colision in time, despite the fact that I was not the give way vessel in accordance with the Nautical Rules of the Road.  The reversing of my engines was indicated by three short blasts and waving of the speed change change flag.  At first the Vorpostenboot held course and speed and brought about the collision at the last moment when it turned towards my boat!
		10.35		Made fast Holtenau Lock.
		11.15		Cast off Holtenau.  Proceeded through the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal.
		17.10		Made fast Brunsbüttel Lock.
				Ice protector handed over.
		18.20		Cast off Brunsbüttel.  Transit to the Elbe under anti-aircraft escort.
		20.00	Elbe	Position:  Elbe 2 Lightship.
			E 2, Sea 1, overcast, clear, Vis. medium-good	Transit into the North Sea on Route Green!
		24.00	Deutche Bucht
			SE 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, clear, Vis. good	Position : AN 9559
		04.04.40
		04.00	Deutsche Bucht	Position : AN 9349
			ESE 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, clear, Vis. good
		06.17		Dived.  Proceeded submerged with testing.
		08.00	Deutsche Bucht	Position : AN 9311.
			Weather not observed, because
		10.20		U-34 overhauled us on the surface.  Distance 600 meters.

	Sun and Moon Data 03.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 04.04.40

	- 3 -
		continued
		04.04.40
		10.55		Surfaced.  Continued transit.
		12.00	Deutsche Bucht	Position : AN 9147
			SE 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, at times misty, Vis. medium	Day's run from 3. - 4.4.  205 nm
		13.42		U-34 in sight again,  Recognition Signal exchange.
		14.50		U-34 abeam to port 500 meters.
		16.00	Deutsches Bucht	Position : AN 3857
			SE 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, misty, Vis. medium-bad
		20.00	Central North Sea	Position : AN 3494 center-right edge
			SE 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, at times misty, Vis. medium
		20.45		Drifting mine abeam to starboard 30 meters φ = 57°36'N
				λ =   5°24'E
		24.00	Central North Sea	Position : AN 3413
			SE 6, Sea 6, overcast, misty, snow showers, Vis. bad
		05.04.40
		04.00	Central North Sea	Position : AN 4361 upper-right corner
			SE 3, Sea 4, overcast, clearing, Vis. medium
		07.53		Dived!  Proceeded submerged.  Deep dive test to depth T = 55 meters! [actual depth 110 meters]
		08.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AN 2873
			SE 2, Sea 1, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good
		12.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AN 2844 center-right edge
			SE 2, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good	Day's run from 4. - 5.4.  267 nm
		12.22		Surfaced.  Continued transit.
		13.24		Drifting mine sighted.
		16.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AN 2282
			SE 2, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good

	Sun and Moon Data 04.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 05.04.40

	- 4 -
		continued
		05.04.40
		20.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7977 lower-left corner
			SE 2, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good
		24.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7826
			SSW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, clear, Vis. good
		06.04.40
		01.45		Reached ordered position : AF 7585
		04.00	Northern North Sea	Back and forth in position on east-west courses on one diesel LF in AF 7580
			SSW 5, Sea 5, overcast, clear, Vis. good
		08.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			S 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, misty, Vis. bad
		11.37		Dived, visibility of too bad.
		12.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			SSE 7, Sea 7, overcast, misty, Vis. bad	Day's run from 5. - 6.4.  225 nm
		16.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			SSW 5, Sea 5, overcast, misty, Vis. medium
		20.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			SSW 5, Sea 5, overcast, at times misty, Vis. medium
		23.40		Illuminated steamer in sight in easterly course.  Did not attack in accordance with orders.
		24.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			SSW 4, Sea 4-5, overcast, misty, Vis. medium
		07.04.40
		01.15		2 illuminated steamers in sight on westerly course.
		04.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			SSW 4, Sea 4-5, overcast, misty, Vis. medium
		08.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			SSW 5, Sea 4-5, overcast, misty, Vis. medium

	Sun and Moon Data 05.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 06.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 07.04.40

	- 5 -
		continued
		07.04.40
		12.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			SSW 4, Sea 4, overcast, misty, rain, Vis. bad	Day's run from 6. - 7.4.  88 nm
		15.44		Surfaced.
		16.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			SSW 6, Sea 6, cloudy, overcast, misty, Vis. medium
		20.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			SSW 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, misty, Vis. medium-bad
		24.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			SSW 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, rain showers, Vis. medium-bad
		08.04.40
		00.15		Dived due to weather conditions.
		04.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			Weather not observed, because
		08.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			Weather not observed, because
		09.02		Surfaced.
		12.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			WSW 7, Sea 7, overcast, misty, Vis. medium	Day's run from 7. - 8.4.  61 nm
		16.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			W 7, Sea 7, cloudy-overcast, clearing, Vis. medium
		20.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			NW 7, Sea 7, cloudy-overcast, clear, Vis. medium
		24.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			NNW 6, Sea 6, cloudy, clear, Vis. medium

	Sun and Moon Data 07.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 08.04.40

	- 6 -
		09.04.40
		04.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			NNW 4-5, Sea 4, cloudy, clear, low rain clouds, Vis. medium
		08.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			NNW 3-4, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. good
		12.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			N 3-4, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good	Day's run from 8. - 9.4.  96 nm
		10.20 - 12.20		Steamer in sight.  Dived.  Danish freighter.  Did not attack in accordance with orders.
		16.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7580 back and forth in position.
			N 3-4, Sea 3. cloudy, clear, Vis. very good
		18.15		Incoming Radio Message from U-49:  αα 3 battleships in sight 2238 and αα 1 battleship, 1 light cruiser, 2 destroyer in sight 2236.    [square AN]
				I decide to leave waiting station and search for contact, run on course 49 at GF.              [nonsensical course]
		20.00	North of the Shetland Islands	Position : AF 7553
			N 3-4, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good
		20.35		Because no further contact keeper reports are received, return transit to waiting station 7580.  I realize that the probable course changes of the enemy and the night, etc. reduce the likelihood of meeting and attack opportunities to such an extent that the abandonment of the waiting station at night can not be justified.
		24.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7586
			NNW 3-4, Sea 3, cloudy-overcast, clear, Vis. good
		10.04.40
		03.14	[U-49 had reported a damaged ship in AN 2338]	Incoming Radio Signal αα 0255/10/96 from B.d.U.:  U-48, U-50, U-52 attack square 2338.   [square AN]
		04.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7585
			NNW 3-4, Sea 3, cloudy-overcast, clear, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 09.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 10.04.40

	- 7 -
		continued
		10.04.40
		08.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7919
			NNW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, clear, Vis. good
		07.45 - 09.04		Dived before patrol vessel (fishing trawler).
		12.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7999
			NW 4, Sea 3-4, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good	Day's run from 9. - 10.4.  251 nm
		11.58		Incoming Radio Message from B.d.U. to U-38, U-47, U-48, U-49 go to Narvik at highest speed.
				Began transit to Narvik at GF.
		16.00	North Atlantic	Position : AF 8479
			NW 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, clear, Vis. good
		15.40 - 16.05		Dived for aircraft.
		20.00	North Atlantic	Position : AF 8422
			NW 5, Sea 4, cloudy-overcast, clear, Vis. good	Starboard diesel must be stopped, cooling water pump and vibration damper out of service.
		24.00	North Atlantic	Position : AF 8193
			N 3-4, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. good
		11.04.40
		04.00	North Atlantic	Position : AF 8216
			NE 3-4, Sea 3, cloudy-overcast, clear, Vis. good
		07.10		Starboard diesel in service again.
		08.00	North Atlantic	Position : AF 5883
			ESE 3, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good
		10.20		Heavy cruiser of the CUMBERLAND Class in sight abeam to starboard further warships with it.
		10.38		Dived to attack.  Following warships recognized:
				3 battleships "QUEEN ELIZIBETH" Class,
				1 heavy cruiser "CUMBERLAND" Class,
				1 light cruiser as escort with the battleship 5 destroyers.
				Changing courses.  Medium speed.  Attack on the heavy cruiser!
		11.15		Surfaced for 5 minutes because still nothing recognized in the periscope.
				Sent Radio Signal:
				4 heavy cruisers in  AF 5863
				Initially 4 heavy cruisers reported because 3 of the ships were still not recognized.

	Sun and Moon Data 10.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 11.04.40

	- 8 -
		continued
		11.04.40
		12.30	North Atlantic west of Trondheim	Position : AF 5863
				Day's run from 10. - 11.4.  233 nm
			S 4, Sea 3-4, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good, light Swell
				Three-fan on the heavy cruiser.  Range estimated:  about 2000 meters, running time not observed, torpedo velocity 30 knots, depth 7 meters.
				Run of all three torpedoes heard. One end of run detonation after 7 minutes 28 seconds running time.
				Heavy cruiser ran off at high speed.
		14.35		Surfaced.
				Radio Signal αα 1429/11/56:  The sighted warships consist of:
				3 battleships, 1 heavy cruiser, 1 light cruiser, 5 destroyers. AF 5830.  Enemy steers changing courses, runs at high speed, positioned back and forth.
				Afterwards weather reported by Short Signal.
				Because contact is lost, continued transit to Narvik.
		15.30		Incoming Radio Message from B.d.U. 1511/11/57:  Kr U-38, U-52 attack heavy ships at  AF 5831.
				Came about.  Searched for new contact.
		16.00	North Atlantic west of Trondheim	Position : AF 5838
			S 4-5, Sea 4, cloudy-overcast, clear, Vis. good	2 smoke clouds in sight ahead.
		16.25		Dived before 3 destroyers.  At periscope depth.  Heard an aircraft attack on the reported warships.  Numerous bomb detonations.
		17.15		Surfaced.  Detonation clouds of the aircraft defense ahead.  Held onto it.  Heavy cruiser "YORK" Class in sight drifting before the seas.
		19.02		Dived to attack.
				At the drifting heavy cruiser another heavy cruiser and 3 destroyers arrived.  The heavy cruiser turned away again after a short time and passed out of sight.
		21.15	West of Trondheim	Position : AF 5672 lower-center
			SW 5, Sea 4-5, overcast, clear, Vis. medium, low clouds, medium Swell	Three-fan on the drifting cruiser.  Fan detonates after 16 seconds.
				Torpedo velocity 30 knots, range estimated at 3000 meters, depth 7 meters.
				Boat broached after the shot.  Destroyer 200-meters abeam.  Quickly went to depth T = 50 meters.  [100 meters] Propeller noises grew weaker.  No depth charges.  The destroyer had detected the boat with search gear for about 1 minute just before the shot.

Sun and Moon Data 11.04.40

	- 9 -
		continued
		11.04.40
		22.00		Surfaced.  Searched for contact once again.
				αα: 2158/11/64
				Heavy cruiser unable to maneuver for a long time  AF 5675
		22.26		Radio Message to B.d.U.
				Report concerning failures.  Time Group 2115- set incorrectly.
				Correction in radio message 2355/11/73 at 12 April 01.12 hours.
		12.04.40
		00.15	West of Trondheim	Continued transit to Narvik.  No further contact found, because of bad visibility.
			SSW 5-6, Sea 5, overcast, misty, Vis. bad
		02.35		Position : AF 5656
				Sighted 2 destroyers, 2 heavy cruisers S-course, medium speed.
				Came to opposite course,  However, contact lost again, because only 2 x HF is possible due to the heavy Swell and visibility is only 1 nm.
		02.50		Continued transit to Narvik.
		04.00	Northwest of Trondheim	Position : AF 5637
			SSW 6, Sea 5-6, overcast, misty, Vis. bad, rain showers
		08.00	Northwest of Trondheim	Position : AF 6172
			SSW 6, Sea 6, overcast, misty, Vis. medium
		12.00	Northwest of Trondheim	Position : AF 6122
			SSW 6, Sea 6, overcast, misty, Vis. medium	Day's run from 11. - 12.4.  230 nm
		12.51 - 13.36		Dived before destroyer.  Sent Radio Signal.
		16.00	Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 67°30'N  λ = 13°17'E
			SW 7, Sea 7, overcast, clear, Vis. good
		16.15 - 16.45		Dived before aircraft.
		20.00	Vestfjorden	φ = 68°00'N  λ = 14°45'E
			SW 7, Sea 7, overcast, clear, Vis. good
		20.24		2 destroyers in sight abeam to starboard.  NE-course.  Radio Signal sent.
		22.33		Dived, because an exact ship's position is no longer possible.

	Sun and Moon Data 11.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 12.04.40

	- 10 -
		continued
		12.04.40
		24.00	Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 68°10'N  λ = 15°14'E
			Weather not observed, because
		13.04.40
		04.00	Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 68°11'N  λ = 15°23'E
			Weather not observed, because
		07.18		Surfaced.
		08.00	Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 68°13'N  λ = 15°35'E (Nero 3)
			SE 2, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good	Reached ordered position.
		09.50		Dived before destroyer.  The type of destroyer was not exactly recognized.  I suspect that it was a German destroyer, because I am not informed of the situation in Narvik.
				The destroyer had apparently seen us before the dive, then it Morsed continually at my periscope.
		11.50		Surfaced to give Recognition Signal.
				The Recognition Signal call also the Underwater Telegraphy Recognition Signal given at the same time was answered with unclear characters.
				Crash dive, I now suspect enemy.  The destroyer turned towards us.  Went quickly to depth T = 35 meters. [70 meters]
		12.15 - 12.55		13 depth charges. Went to depth T = 68 meters. [136 meters]
		13.05		Surfaced.
		13.12		Dived before aircraft.
		13.20		Surfaced.
		13.22		Radio Message to B.d.U.:  Depth charge pursuit Nero 3.  Question are own destroyers still in Narvik?
		13.22		U-46 between Nero 2 and 3 wanted to get a situation report.
		14.21		Incoming Radio Message 1233/13/50 to U-48
				Clearing along the coast off Tranøy, Brenneset to Helligvær etc.
		14.23		Dived before 6 aircraft.  Biplanes, apparently carrier aircraft.
		14.52		Incoming Radio Message 1436/12/53 Kr. B.d.U. to Narvik boats.
				Go to Narvik.  English warships have broken in.
		15.05		Surfaced.  Began transit to Narvik.
		16.20	Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 68°16'N  λ =   15°46'E
			SE 1-2, Sea 1, cloudy-overcast, clear, Vis. good	Dived for aircraft.

	Sun and Moon Data 12.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 13.04.40

	- 11 -
		continued
		13.04.40
		16.25		Surfaced.
		16.48		Dived before aircraft.
		17.30		U-46 sighted.
		17.40		U-46 within hailing range.  I learn from the Kommandant of U-46 that own warships were annihilated in Narvik, an English battleship and 12 destroyers broke in and sank 12 ships in the harbor entrance.
		17.45		Dived before destroyer.  Destroyer went into Tysfjord.
		18.50		Destroyer in sight again.  Maneuvered to attack.
		19.15		Destroyer shoots artillery at my periscope and turned hard towards the boat.
				Went quickly to depth T = 55 meters.  [110 meters] Locating pursuit.
		19.40		Went to periscope depth again.  Already at the first showing of the periscope again shot at with artillery.  Again quickly to depth T = 55 meters. [110 meters]
		19.40 - 21.00		Locating pursuit by destroyer.  Once again the destroyer drove exactly over the boat.  No depth charges.
		21.10		Went to periscope depth.  Still several propeller sounds heard.
		21.30		Surfaced.  Astern 5 destroyers.  2 destroyers at target angle 0°.
				Moved off at high speed on the surface.  Proceeded under the coast to charge the batteries.
		23.50		Continued transit.
				Strong destroyer surveillance off Ofotfjord.  Gave up passing through to Narvik for today.
		23.52		Incoming αα from U-46.  Battleship and 6 destroyers departing Ofotfjord.  Because battleship has still not passed my position, ran back to Nero 3, to get contact.
		24.00	Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 68°41'N  λ = 16°01'E
			SE 1-2, Sea 1, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good
		14.04.40
		00.49		Radio Message to B.d.U.:  Situation report!
		04.00	Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 67°55'N  λ = 14°35'E
			SE 1-2, Sea 1, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good
		06.00		Return transit to Narvik.
		07.30		Dived before fishing vessel.  The vessel was initially distinguished as a U-boat by the Watch Officer.
		08.00	Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 67°55'N  λ = 14°25'E
			SSW 2, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good, light Swell

	Sun and Moon Data 13.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 14.04.40

	- 12 -
		continued
		14.04.40
		09.12		Dived for destroyer.  Attack not executable due to too high speed (30 knots).
		10.10		"WARSPITE" Class battleship in sight in the periscope.  Target angle 0°, high speed.  5 destroyers recognised as escort.  Carried out attack.
		10.34		Battleship zigzagged shortly before the two-fan, so that I cannot reach shooting position for the bow tubes.
		10.35	Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 68°07'N  λ = 15°07'E
			SSW 2, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good, light Swell
				Shot from tube V, range 3000 meters, torpedo velocity = 30 knots.  Miss.  Once more turned for a bow shot, however the target angle was already too broad.
		11.02		4 destroyers sighted in the periscope.  Driving a search strip.
		12.00	Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 68°04'N  λ =   15°04'E
			SSW 2, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good	Day's run from 13. - 14.4.  142 nm
		13.00		Surfaced.  The 4 destroyers are still very easily recognised.
		13.02		Dived again.
		16.00	Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 68°04'N  λ = 15°00'E
			Weather not observed, because
		16.40		No further sounds heard.
		17.20		Surfaced.  Returned to Narvik.
		20.00	Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 68°11'N  λ = 15°32'E
			SE 2, Sea 1-2, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good
		22.30		Radio Message to B.d.U. from U-48:
				1 "WARSPITE" with escort leaving  AF 3620 10.35 hours attacked unsuccessfully.  Reconnaissance up to Måløy-Skarholmen.  Within Vestfjorden to Narvik numerous destroyers.  Still 5 torpedoes ready.  Very calm clear weather.
		23.05		U-46 sighted.  Continued to Ofotfjord.  Shortly after arriving in Ofotfjord 2 destroyers sighted on outbound course.  Turned away.  Lay in waiting station off the Ofotfjord.  It is still too bright for night attack, additionally the boat is positioned in bright moonlight.
		23.15		U-46 in sight again.  Went in hailing distance.
		23.40		Again went off Ofotfjord in waiting station.  Charged the batteries.

Sun and Moon Data 14.04.40

	- 13 -
		15.04.40
		00.15		One destroyer sighted departing Ofotfjord.
		00.25	Vestfjorden	Position:  Entrance to Ofotfjord, corner Rotvær-Barøy.
			ESE 2, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good, moonlight	68°21'N  λ =   16°00'E
				Three-fan on the destroyer.  Miss.  The destroyer turned shortly after the shot about 20° to port, range = 3000 meters, torpedo speed = 30 knots.
		00.28		Dived, because the destroyer came too close.
		00.37		Surfaced.  2nd destroyer outbound in sight.
		00.48		Position as for 00.25 hours.
				Torpedo shot from tube IV G 7a on the destroyer.  No bubble track sighted and torpedo run was not heard in the listening gear.
		00.50		The destroyer had sighted us and turned towards us.  Crash dive.
			[40 meters]	1st depth charge at depth T = 20 meters.
			[64 meters]	2nd   "          "     at depth 32 meters.
				Then 3 further depth charges.
				Went to depth T = 70 meters.  [140 meters] In the boat various failures of the order elements, 6 diesel foundation bolts broken, fixed line in the periscope broken etc.   Listening and locating pursuit.
		02.15		Surfaced, to move off on the surface in the protection of the archipelago.
				However the destroyer always  turns with the boat and lies off the exit.
		03.15		Dove again, to run out submerged.  Listening pursuit by the destroyer.
		04.20		Propeller sounds of the destroyer were fainter.
		06.00	Vestfjorden	No further sounds heard.  Surfaced.  The destroyer still lies ahead of us.
			SES 2, Sea 1, cloudy, clear, Vis. very goo06.01d
		06.01		Dove again.  Am located again.
		07.30		The destroyer ran exactly over the boat at high speed.  No depth charges.  Sounds pass slowly out of listening range.
		09.10		At Tranøy Lighthouse hit the bottom in depth 50 meters.  [100 meters] Blew to depth 20 meters, [40 meters] continued on.
		09.17		Surfaced.
		09.57		Dived for aircraft.  Continued on at depth T = 20 meters. [40 meters]
		10.30		One destroyer inbound heard and sighted in the periscope.  Range 10000 meters.

Sun and Moon Data 15.04.40

	- 14 -
		continued
		15.04.40
		11.00		2nd destroyer sighted outbound.
				Went to depth T = 30 meters. [60 meters] Proceeded submerged.
				A few hours of rest for the crew.
		12.00	Weather not observed, because	Position: φ = 68°02'N  λ = 15°00'E
				Day's run from 14. - 15.4.  68 nm
		16.00	Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 67°56'N  λ = 14°36'E
			SSE 2, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good	Surfaced.  Main ballast tank 1 always slowly runs full.  Mut be re-blown hourly.
		17.40		Radio Message to B.d.U. from U-48:
				2nd attempt to go to Narvik failed due to heavy depth charge and locating pursuit.  Misses and torpedo failures on 2 destroyers.  Leaving Vestfjorden  Still one Ato ready.  Very calm and clear weather.  Question return transit.
		20.00	Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 67°42'N  λ = 13°33'E
			SSE 3-4, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good
		21.13		Incoming Radio Message 2018/15/53 from B.d.U. to U-48 and U-51:
				Begin return transit.
		22.51		Radio Message to B.d.U.:
				Have begun return transit.  AF 3610.
		24.00	Exit Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 67°29'N  λ = 13°03'E
			ESE 2, Sea 2, cloudy. clear, Vis. very good
		16.04.40
		00.24		Radio Message 2007/15/  kr kr repeated on "ku" because it was s not herd by Control.
				U. . . . to B.d.U.
				Troop landing with fishing trawlers in Lavangen and Gratangen,  Transports at south end of Bygden at anchor.  4 misses.
		00.43 - 01.15		Test dive.  Main ballast and reserve fuel oil tanks 2 and 4 blown.
		04.00	Exit Vestfjorden	Position: φ = 66°51'N  λ = 11°21'E
			SE 2-3, Sea 2, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good
		08.00	West coast of Norway	Position: φ = 66°08'N  λ = 09°43'E
			ESE 3, Sea 3, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good

	Sun and Moon Data 15.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 16.04.40

	- 15 -
		continued
		16.04.40
		09.50		Radio Message 2100/15/64 from U-46 to B.d.U. repeated on "sa"
		12.00	West coast of Norway	Position : AF 5375
			ES 3-4, Sea 3, cloudy-overcast, clear, Vis. very good	Day's run from 15. - 16.4.  69 nm
		16.00	West coast of Norway	Position : AF 5559
			EbyS 4-5, Sea 4, cloudy, clear, Vis. very good
		20.00	West coast of Norway	Position : AF 5844
			NE 6, Sea 6, overcast, clear, Vis. very good
		24.00	West coast of Norway	Position : AF 8127
			NE 6, Sea 6, overcast, clear, Vis. very good
		17.04.40
		04.00	West coast of Norway	Position : AF 7637
			NE 5, Sea 4-5, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good
		08.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AF 7939
			NE 2, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good
		09.30		4 enemy destroyers in sight.  Avoided on the surface.
		12.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AN 2327
			S 2, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good	Day's run from 16. - 17.4.  259 nm
		12.27		Dived for aircraft.  Waal?  [Dornier Do J Wal]
		13.04		Surfaced.
		13.06		Dove again because the aircraft was still not out of sight.
		13.52		Surfaced.
		13.56		Dove again because the Waal is still in sight.  Additionally 2 other aircraft were sighted.
		14.09		Surfaced.  Aircraft are always still in sight.  Continued return transit.
		16.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AN 2388
			S 3, Sea 3, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good
		19.50		Drifting barrage balloon sighted.  Destroyed with M.G.C/30.

	Sun and Moon Data 16.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 17.04.40

	- 16 -
		continued
		17.04.40
		20.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AN 2889
			S 3-4, Sea 3, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good
		20.35		Dived for aircraft.
		20.43		Surfaced.  Continued transit.
		22.01		Dived for aircraft.
		22.11		Surfaced.  Continued transit.
		24.00	Northern North Sea	Position : AN 3148
			SSE 2, Sea 2, overcast, clear, Vis. good
		18.04.40
		04.00	Central North Sea	Position : AN 3468
			SSE 2, Sea 2, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good
		06.35		Position : AN 3496 center-left edge
				Enemy U-boat sighted ahead to starboard.
		16.43		Dived.
		08.00	Central North Sea	Position : AN 3812
			SSE 2, Sea 2, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good
		10.00		Surfaced.  Continued transit.
		10.35		Dived for aircraft.
		11.10		Surfaced.  Continued transit.
		12.00	Deutsche Bucht	Position : AN 3857 upper-center
			E 2, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good	Day's run from 17. - 18.4.  261 nm
		12.05		Through Route Green.
		12.18		Dived for aircraft.
		12.35		Surfaced.  Continued transit.
		16.00	Deutsche Bucht	Position : AN 9171
			EbyS 2, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good
		20.00	Deutsche Bucht	Position : AN 9327
			EbyS 2, Sea 1, few clouds, clear, Vis. very good

	Sun and Moon Data 17.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 18.04.40

	- 17 -
		continued
		18.04.40
		24.00	Deutsche Bucht	Position : AN 9565
			EbyS 4, Sea 3-4, overcast, clear, Vis. medium
		19.04.40
		02.55		6 nm west of Lightship "Fritz" put the boat on the bottom, depth T = 15 meters. [30 meters]
		06.35		Boat raised from the bottom.  Surfaced.
				Transit to Wilhelmshaven under anti-aircraft escort of a Vorpostenbootes.
		09.25		Made fast Wilhelmshaven III Entrance, South Lock.
		09.47		Cast off from the lock.
		09.58		Made fast Wilhelmshaven U-boat base.
				Work service.  Afternoon free time.
		20.57		Cast off Wilhelmshaven U-boat Base.
				Transit to Kiel.
		21.22		Cast off  Wilhelmshaven III Entrance.
		20.04.40
		03.20		Made fast Brunsbüttel Lock.
		03.40		Cast off Brunsbüttel.  Transit through the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal.
		08.40		Made fast Holtenau Lock.
		09.05		Made fast Kiel, Tirpitz Mole.

	Sun and Moon Data 18.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 19.04.40
	Sun and Moon Data 20.04.40

 

	Enclosures to U-48's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Torpedo	Torpedo firing reports

 

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote.
	1)        The attack opportunity on the damaged cruiser should have been pursued further.
	2)        Torpedo failures - as with all boats in the northern area in this period.  Even the most capable Kommandanten were robbed of their success.
	The Radio Message 0751/9/72, with the order to shift position 90 nm in direction 120°T, was received by the boat however not decoded, because the Radioman had already decided a Radio Message with Serial No. 72.
	With the ordered continual monitoring of Very Long Wavelength, the radio messages of both traffic groups were of course received on Very Long Wavelength at the respective program times.
	The Radioman ignored this, otherwise he would have noticed the different time groups of the two radio messages with Serial No. 72.
	Similar errors will be prevented in the future by introducing different Serial Nos. on the two circuits.
		Signed in draft    D  ö  n  i  t  z  .
		For the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
		- The Chief of the Operations Department -

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