U-515 - 6th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with the help of Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
St. Nazaire	9 November 1943	Lorient	14 January 1944	67

 

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 Attacked
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
18 Nov 43	16.24	39°45'N, 19°50'W	HMS CHANTICLEER  (U 05) (torpedoed)	1,350	British	MKS-30
17 Dec 43	20.20 - 20.28	5°57'N, 1°45'E	KINGSWOOD	5,080	British
20 Dec 43	00.00	4°57'N, 0°21'W	PHEMIUS	7,406	British
24 Dec 43	21.37	4°27'N, 7°03'W	DUMANA	8,427	British	STL-8
			Total = 22,263
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.

---

	- 1 -
			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
			=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
			of
			Unterseebootes  " U  5 1 5 "
			=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
			Commander        :	Kapitänleutnant  H  e  n  k  e
			Beginning            :	14.  September 1943.
			Ending                :	14.  January 1944.
		=-=-=-=-=-=
			Copies to            :
			Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine, Copy No. 1 and 2 O.K.M., 2.Abt.Sk1./B.d.U.-Op.,     "      " 3 Kommandierender Admiral der Unterseeboote     "      " 4 Führer der Unterseeboote West,     "      " 5 Führer der Unterseebootsausbildungsabteilung     "      " 6 27. Unterseebootsflotille,     "      " 7 10. Unterseebootsflotille,     "      " 8
			Enclosures           :
			1 Track chart To     "      " 2, 3, 4, 5, 8. 1 Sketch "     "      " 3, 4, 8. 1 Summary of the radio log "     "      " 2, 3, 4, 5, 8. 8 Torpedo firing reports "     "      " 3, 4, 5, 8. 10 Barometer records "     "      " 3. 1 K.T.B. - Machine "     "      " 3.
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Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB

	- 3 -
		14.09.43 -
		22.10.43	Lorient	Shipyard period - Installation of new battery in Keroman bunker.
		23.10.43 -
		31.10.43	Lorient	Final adjustments and overhaul, loading the boat for the 5th war patrol.
		01.11.43	Lorient	Taken in outbound convoy with U-508.
		15.15
		02.11.43
		07.50 - 09.45		Deep dive test, afterwards transit to St. Nazaire for loading with 6 T5 torpedoes and Wanze 2 as well as final adjustments.
		03.11.43	St. Nazaire
		09.30		Made fast.
		04.11.43 -
		09.11.43	St. Nazaire	Final adjustments and loading the boat.
		09.11.43	St. Nazaire
		1x.x0		Left port in outbound convoy.
		10.11.43
		07.22 - 08.08		Deep dive, afterwards proceeding to BE 85 in accordance with outbound orders.
		11.01	BF 9153	Dived.
		12.00	BF 9156
		19.28	BF 9182	Surfaced, decided to take the coastal route because the Wanze 2 is temporarily inoperative.
		11.11.43
		00.00	BF 9444
		02.46	BF 8698	Dived, Naxos enemy radar detection.
		10.42 - 10.56	BF 8688	Surfaced to ventilate the boat.
		12.00	Bay of Biscay
			BF 8921	Day's run surfaced       74 nm
			SE 2, Sea 1, 7/10, Vis. good, 1028 mb	submerged    35 nm
				109 nm
		16.00	BF 8913
		19.34	BF 8912	Surfaced.
		21.35	BF 8835	Dived, Naxos enemy radar detection.
		23.43	BF 8834	Surfaced.
		12.11.43
		02.50	BF 8818	Naxos enemy radar detection Volume 5, aircraft distant 3000 meters, circling, boat has not yet been noted, remained on the surface, ran off towards land in the direction of a lighthouse.  Dove when aircraft turned away momentarily.
		06.39 - 07.36	BF 8817	Surfaced to ventilate the boat.
			NbyW 3-4, Sea 3, light NW-swell, 8/10, Vis. medium, 1024 mb
		12.00	Bay of Biscay
			BF 8734	Day's run surfaced       43 nm
				submerged    46 nm
				89 nm
		16.00	BF 8726
		19.00	BF 8722	Surfaced.
		21.26	BF 8477	Dived.
		13.11.43
		00.00	BF 7932
		04.58	BF 7934	Surfaced.
		07.45	BF 7946	Dived.
		12.00	Bay of Biscay
			BF 7944	Day's run surfaced       57 nm
				submerged    46 nm
				103 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 01.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 02.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 03.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 09.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 10.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 11.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 12.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 13.11.43

	- 4 -
		13.11.43
		16.00	BF 7869
		19.03	BF 7868	Surfaced.
		20.58	CG 2232	Dived, Naxos enemy radar detection.
		23.05		Surfaced.
		23.06	CG 2235	Dived, Naxos enemy radar detection .
		14.11.43
		02.58	CG 2239	Surfaced.
		07.49	CG 2286	Dived.
			NW 3-4, Sea 3, NW-swell 1, 8/10, Vis. medium, 1025 mb
		12.00	Outer Bay of Biscay
			CG 2284	Day's run surfaced       73 nm
				submerged    35 nm
				108 nm
		16.00	CG 2276
		18.46	CG 2275	Surfaced.
		15.11.43
		00.00	CG 2178
		04.00	CG 1388
		08.19	CG 1297	Dived.
		12.00	West of Spain
			CG 1289	Day's run surfaced      126 nm
				submerged    22 nm
				148 nm
		16.00	CG 1288
		19.05	CG 1287	Surfaced.
			N 4-5, Sea 4, medium NW-swell, 4/10, Vis. good, 1024 mb	Proceeding to CF 21 to operate on northbound convoy.
		16.11.43	West of Spain
		00.00	CG 1188
		04.00	CF 3624
		08.00	CF 3612
		10.29	CF 3534	Dived, corrected ship's position after obtaining fix 23 nm, 128°.
			NNE 4, Sea 3, Vis. medium, N-swell, 4/10, 1025 mb
		12.00	CF 3534	Day's run surfaced      144 nm
				submerged    17 nm
		16.31	CF 3525	Surfaced.
		16.34		Dived for 4-engine land-based aircraft.
		17.18	CF 3525	Surfaced.
		19.17	CF 3515	Dived for 2 aircraft.
				Proceeding as ordered to position in patrol line CF 3746 in group "Schill 1".
		17.11.43	West of Portugal
		00.00	CF 3434
		04.00	CF 3419
		08.44	CF 3465	Dived.
			N 2-3, Sea 2, N-swell 1, overcast, Vis. medium to poor, 1022 mb
		12.00	CF 3472	Day's run surfaced       93 nm
				submerged    24 nm
				117 nm
		13.42 - 13.53	CF 3473	Surfaced to ventilate the boat, aircraft observed flying off.
		16.00	CF 3476
		19.27	CF 3487	Surfaced.
		21.00		Proceeding as ordered to new position in patrol line CF 5297.

	Sun and Moon Data 13.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 14.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 15.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 16.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 17.11.43

 

There is a gap in entries of about 15 hours although the page numbers do not indicate a page is missing.

 

	- 5 -
		18.11.43	West of Spain	Ran off to the west.
		15.02	CF 5344	Surfaced in order to send contact keeper message.  Convoy distant 12 nm.  A fast land-based aircraft approached.
		15.16		Dived, was able to send radio message, 2 frigates on searching courses observed from periscope depth.
		15.36		Shot T5 from tube V.  Depth 5 meters, speed 12 knots, bow left, target angle 110°, estimated range 1000 meters.  Miss as a result of speed estimate, stops constantly and turns, after 15 minutes 1 second detonation heard in the direction of convoy, a thick cloud of smoke, apparently a burning vessel, observed in the periscope.
				Because both escorts obviously want to keep me submerged.
		16.24		Shot T5 from tube II on frigate, depth 5 meters, speed 12 knots, bow left, target angle 5°, estimated range 1000 meters.  Depth charges immediately after the shot, at first farther away, then very well placed.  Torpedo is obviously damaged by the depth charges.  Went quickly to depth 2A +25 meters.
				Numerous failures:  Both compressors torn from their mounts, both exhaust gas valves and diesel head valves leaking heavily, gyroscope ball torn, auxiliary coolant and auxiliary engine oil pumps out of service.  Severe depth charge pursuit by both escorts until 20.40 hours.  Suspect an oil trace, because I cannot shake off the enemy.
		21.02	CF 5344	Surfaced, star shells in the direction of the convoy., apparently from a search group.  Ran off to the south.
				Further damage:  Heavy oil trace, ballast tank No. 1 and water-tight stern torn, the boat settles very quickly by the stern, and must be blown out constantly with a diesel.  Heavy acid loss in both batteries, later determined 2/3 of all battery cells are cracked.
				Sent radio message about convoy location as of 13.00 hours which is repeated 4 times by Norddeich with the wrong time in spite of the most careful Morse technique and is corrected 4 times by us.
		22.30		In a new radio message sent the correct time and plotted position of the convoy.  With a heavy heart I decide to break off the operation for repairs, most importantly to weld ballast tank No. 1, the only possible location is the Canary Islands.  Intention: after repairs operate in EK to EV, because the boat is no longer capable of convoy operations.
		19.11.43	West of Spain
		00.00	CF 5615
		04.00	CF 5672
		08.25	CF 5918	Dived.

	Sun and Moon Data 18.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 19.11.43

	- 6 -
		19.11.43	West of Spain
		08.25	CF 5918
			NNE 3-4, Sea 3, N-swell 1, 8/10, Vis. medium, 1028 mb
		12.00	CF 5945	Day's run surfaced       96 nm
				submerged    32 nm
		16.00	CF 5948
		19.31	CF 5972	Surfaced.
		20.11.43	West of Spain
		00.00	CF 8341
		01.13 and
		02.51	CF 8371	Dove unnecessarily after false Naxos indication.
		08.00	CF 8617
		11.40	CF 8671	Dived.
		12.00	CF 8671	Day's run surfaced      100 nm
			NNE 6, Sea 4, medium NE-swell, 7/10, Vis. medium, 1028 mb	submerged    24 nm
		14.57	CF 8677	Surfaced.
		16.00	CF 8911
		20.00	CF 8947
		21.11.43	Northwest of the Canary Islands
		00.00	DH 2114
		04.00	DH 2171
		08.00	DH 1639
		12.00	DH 1696	Day's run surfaced      164 nm
			NNE 5, Sea 4, high NE-swell, 6/10, Vis. medium, 1015 mb	submerged       9 nm
		16.00	DH 2742
		20.00	DH 5116
		23.44	DH 5182	Dived, Naxos enemy radar detection.
		22.11.43
		01.15		Surfaced.
		04.00	DH 5426
		08.00	DH 5491
		12.00	DH 5739	Day's run surfaced      175 nm
			NNE 5, Sea 4, long NE-swell, 4/10, Vis. good, 1015 mb	submerged       5 nm
		16.00	DH 5875
		20.00	DH 8227	Headed for the southwest side of Palma for repairs to the boat.  Many leaks in ballast tank No. 1 and the watertight stern.  Ballast/fuel oil tanks Nos. 2, 3, and 4 are also leaking, leaving a heavy oil trace.  Both ducts for operating linkage for the outboard diesel air intakes torn.  Acidity of the battery drops heavily.  Begin welding work on ballast tank No. 1 and the watertight stern.
				The crew turns to repairs with an excellent attitude, most notably, the technical staff.
		23.11.43	Canary Islands
		00.00	DH 8286
		08.22	DH 8286	Dived, set off from Palma Island headed for Hierro Island for the continuation of welding work.
		12.00	DG 8529	Day's run surfaced      113 nm
			NE 5, Sea 4, medium NE-swell, 3/10, Vis. good, 1018 mb	submerged     21 nm
		15.19 - 16.27		Surfaced to ventilate the boat.
		20.00	DH 8582	Surfaced, proceeding to the south side of Hierro Island

	Sun and Moon Data 19.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 20.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 21.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 22.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 23.11.43

	- 7 -
		23.11.43	Canary Islands
		23.00 - 01.50		Welding work, watertight stern continues to leak, evidently ballast tank No. 1 leaks vents into there, ballast/fuel oil tank No. 2 changed over to a diving tank.  Disadvantages, that on diving both exhaust gas valves and both diesel air intake masts with a total of 4.3 metric tons volume have to drain into the boat are accepted.  Ballast tank No. l is blown out every hour with the diesel, because otherwise the boat settles too heavily by the stern.
		24.11.43	South of the Canary Islands
		04.00	DH 8855	Request freedom to maneuver from EK to EU, boat is no longer capable of convoy operations.
		08.00	DU 1235
		12.00	DU 1297	Day's run surfaced      142 nm
			ENE 4, Sea 3, NE-swell 1, 3/10, Vis. good, 1013 mb	submerged     14 nm
		16.00	DU 1558
		17.34 - 20.10	DU 1588	Dived for a land-based aircraft.
		25.11.43	South of the Canary Islands
		00.00	DU 1851
		04.00	DU 1878
		08.00	DU 4165
		12.00	DU 4435	Day's run surfaced      170 nm
			N 4, Sea 3, NE-swell 1, 5/10, Vis. medium to moderate, 1014 mb	submerged     10 nm
		12.26 - 14.54		Dived for land-based aircraft.
		16.00	DU 4465
		20.00	DU 4734
		26.11.43	Mauritania
		00.00	DU 4783
		04.00	DU 7125
		08.00	DU 7181
		12.00	DU 7443	Day's run surfaced      197 nm
			NE 4, Sea 3, 4/10, medium N-swell, Vis. medium to moderate, 1012 mb	submerged       7 nm
		16.00	DU 7478
		20.00	DU 7747
		27.11.43	Mauritania
		00.00	EJ 3333
		04.00	EJ 3367
		08.00	EJ 3627
		11.54	EJ 3687	Dived for a land-based aircraft.
			NE 4, Sea 3, medium NE-swell, 7/10, Vis. medium, hazy, 1013 mb	Day's run surfaced      203 nm
				submerged       1 nm
		14.09	EJ 3921	Surfaced.
		16.00	EJ 3927
		20.00	EJ 3937
		28.11.43	West of Dakar
		00.00	EJ 6354
		04.00	EJ 6621
		08.00	EJ 6676
		11.35	EJ 6934	Dived.

	Sun and Moon Data 23.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 24.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 25.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 26.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 27.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 28.11.43

	- 8 -
		28.11.43	West of Dakar
		12.00	NE 3, Sea 2, NE-swell 1, 6/10, hazy, 1013 mb	Day's run surfaced      183 nm
				submerged       5 nm
		16.00	EJ 6962
		18.10	EJ 6963	Surfaced.
		29.11.43	South of Dakar
		00.00	EK 4789
		04.00	EK 7136
		08.36	EK 7246	Dived.
		12.00	EK 7257	Day's run surfaced      73 nm
			NE 3, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. medium, 1013 mb	submerged   30 nm
				Intentions:  Operate on convoy traffic in EK 79 which passes through there on the 30th and 1st of every month from the experience of Trotha.
		14.03-14.25		Surfaced to ventilate the boat.
		19.00	EK 7286	Surfaced.
		19.56	EK 7297	Dived for aircraft.
		21.00	EK 7298	Surfaced.
		30.11.43	Port of Guinea
		00.00	EK 7613
		04.00	EK 7654
		07.55	EK 7649	Dived.
		12.00	EK 7657	Day's run surfaced      83 nm
			NW 3, Sea 2, NW-swell 1, 2/10, Vis. good, 1015 mb	submerged   32 nm
		14.05		Surfaced.
		14.07		Dived for aircraft.
		16.48 - 17.02		Surfaced to ventilate the boat.
		19.52	EK 7648	Surfaced.
		01.12.43	French Guinea
		00.00	EK 7913
		04.00	EK 7955
		07.58	EK 7998	Dived.
		12.00	ET 1335	Day's run surfaced      87 nm
			NNW 3, Sea 2, 3/10, Vis. medium, hazy, 1011 mb	submerged   28 nm
		14.00 - 14.07	ET 1336	Surfaced to ventilate the boat. Aircraft seen.
		19.50	ET 2117	Surfaced.
		22.30	ET 2149	Dived for enemy radar detection in 170 cm.
		23.30	ET 2157	Surfaced.
		02.12.43	Freetown
		04.00	ET 2431
		07.52	ET 2544	Dived.
		12.00	ET 2548	Day's run surfaced      78 nm
			N 1, Sea 1, 2/10, Vis. moderate, 1013 mb	submerged   26 nm
		14.10 - 14.22	ET 2528	Surfaced to ventilate the boat.
		19.45	ET 2584	Surfaced.
		03.12.43	Freetown
		00.00	ET 2836
		04.00	ET 2954
		08.06	ET 2995	Dived.

	Sun and Moon Data 28.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 29.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 30.11.43
	Sun and Moon Data 01.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 02.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 03.12.43

	- 9 -
		03.12.43	Freetown
		12.00	ET 2999	Day's run surfaced      95 nm
			NE 2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. medium, 1014 mb	submerged   24 nm
		13.59 - 14.12		Surfaced to ventilate the boat.
		19.45	ET 6113	Surfaced.
		23.01	ET 6162	Dived for enemy radar detection on 170 cm.
		04.12.43	Freetown
		00.10		Surfaced.
		04.00	ET 6281
		08.01	ET 6532	Dived.
		12.00	ET 6533	Day's run surfaced     103 nm
			SE 2, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. moderate, 1014 mb	submerged   21 nm
		14.02 - 14.12	ET 6611	Surfaced to ventilate the boat.
				Aircraft sighted.
		16.00	ET 6615
		19.30	ET 6619	Surfaced.
		05.12.43	Liberia
		00.00	ET 6667
		04.00	ET 6693
		07.48	EU 5475	Dived.
		12.00	EU 4471	Day's run surfaced     94 nm
			E 2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. medium, 1015 mb	submerged  21 nm
		14.26 - 14.36	ET 6669	Surfaced to ventilate the boat.
		19.35	EU 4449	Surfaced.
		06.12.43	Liberia
		00.00	EU 4488
		04.00	EU 4752
		07.47	EU 4847	Dived.

	Sun and Moon Data 03.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 04.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 05.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 06.12.43

	- 10 -
		06.12.43	Liberia
		12.00	EU 4848	Day's run surfaced    122 nm
			S 2, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. medium, 1014 mb	submerged     6 nm
		13.51	EU 4873	Surfaced.
		20.00	EU 7311
		07.12.43	Cape Palmas
		00.00	EU 7352
		04.00	EU 7369
		08.00	EU 8184
		11.31	EU 8198	Dived.
			SSE 2, Sea 2, 3/10, Vis. good, 1018 mb	Day's run surfaced    159 nm
				submerged     6 nm
		13.52	EU 8515	Surfaced.
		16.00	EU 8525
		20.00	EU 8615

	Sun and Moon Data 06.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 07.12.43

	- 11 -
		08.12.43	Ivory Coast
		00.00	EU 8635
		04.00	EU 9421
		08.00	EU 9511
		12.00	EU 9289	Day's run surfaced    202 nm
			S 2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, 1018 mb	submerged     6 nm
				208 nm
		12.17		Dived for aircraft.
		13.55	EU 9598	Surfaced.
		16.25	EU 9379	Dived for aircraft.
		18.14	EU 9387	Surfaced.
		09.12.43	Ivory Coast
		00.00	EV 7184
		04.00	EV 7196
		08.00	EV 7286
		11.26	EV 7377	Dived.
		12.00	EV 7378	Day's run surfaced    183 nm
			S 1, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, 1016 mb	submerged   12 nm
				195 nm
		14.05	EV 7612	Surfaced.
		14.46		Dived for aircraft.
		16.27	EV 7621	Surfaced.
		16.42		Dived for 2 aircraft.
		18.34		Surfaced.
		20.09	EV 8414	Dived for enemy radar detection on 170 cm.
		21.22		Surfaced.
		22.33	EV 8419	Dived for enemy radar detection on 170 cm.
		23.58		Surfaced, going south of Lagos
		10.12.43	South of Togo
		04.00	EV 8491
		07.36	EV 8811	Dived for aircraft.
		12.00	EV 8816	Day's run surfaced    138 nm
			S 2, Sea 1, 4/10, Vis. good, 1018 mb	submerged   15 nm
				153 nm
		xx.54		Surfaced.
		16.00	EV 8855
		20.00	EV 8869
		11.12.43	South of Lagos
		00.00	EV 8982
		04.00	EV 9771
		08.00	EV 9759
		12.00	EV 9849	Day's run surfaced    173 nm
			S 2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, 1016 mb	submerged     5 nm
				178 nm
		16.00	EV 9863
		20.00	EV 9954
		12.12.43	Nigeria
		00.00	EV 9535
		04.00	EV 9933
		08.26	EW 7479	Dived for land-based aircraft.
		12.00	EW 7484	Day's run surfaced    126 nm
			S 2, Sea 1, 5/10, Vis. good, 1018 mb	submerged     8 nm
				134 nm
		13.03 - 13.22		Surfaced to ventilate the boat.
		17.20	EW 7486	Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 08.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 09.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 10.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 11.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 12.12.43

	- 12 -
		13.12.43	Nigeria
		00.00	EW 7558
		04.00	EW 7525
		06.44	EW 7515	Dived.
		12.00	EW 7433	Day's run surfaced      86 nm
			SW 2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. medium,. 1016 mb	submerged   23 nm
				109 nm
		13.13 - 13.35		Surfaced, ventilated the boat.
		16.00	EW 7198
		17.50		Surfaced.
		20.00	EW 7194
		14.12.43	Lagos
		00.00	EW 7119
		04.00	EV 6967
		06.51	EV 6953	Dived.
		12.00	EV 6927	Day's run surfaced     111 nm
			W 2, Sea 1, 2/10, Vis. good, 1016 mb	submerged   24 nm
				135 nm
		13.01 - 13.17		Surfaced, ventilated the boat.
		17.03	EV 6951	Surfaced.
		20.00	EV 6956
		15.12.43	Lagos
		00.00	EV 6991
		04.00	EW 4776
		08.00	EW 7124
		10.05		Dived.
		12.00	EW 7128	Day's run surfaced     125 nm
			SW 2, Sea 1, 7/10, Vis. good, 1014 mb	submerged   22 nm
		14.54		Surfaced.
		16.00	EW 7119
		20.00	EV 9327
		16.12.43	Lagos
		00.00	EV 6987
		04.00	EV 6944
		06.35	EV 6935	Dived for flying boat.
		07.30	EV 6834	Sound bearing, 300°T, far distant.
		07.54 -
		08.12		Surfaced, nothing found.
		12.00	EV 6831	Day's run surfaced     125 nm
			SW 2, Sea 1, 7/10, Vis. medium, 1017 mb	submerged   28 nm
				143 nm
		13.30 - 13.41		Surfaced, ventilated the boat.
		18.06	EV 6594	Surfaced, going off Lagos harbor.
		19.50 -
		20.30		Was detected by Naxos locating close off the harbor, ran off to the south.
		17.12.43	Togo
		00.00	EV 6599	Intention:  operate approximately 80 nm west of the harbor along the 200 m line.
		04.00	EV 6733
		07.06	EV 6723	Dived.
		12.00	EV 6722	Day's run surfaced      93 nm
			W 2, Sea 1, 4/10, Vis. good, 1017 mb	submerged   24 nm
				117 nm
		13.27		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 13.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 14.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 15.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 16.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 17.12.43

	- 13 -
		From
		17.12.43	Togo
		15.38	EV 6715	2 aircraft astern on coastal route, apparently air escort.  Dived.
		18.27	EV 6714	Surfaced, steamer bearing 50°, course west.
		18.43		Dived for aircraft.
		18.57		Surfaced.
		19.08		Dived for aircraft.
		19.15		Surfaced, contact on steamer.
		20.20	EV 7611  [typo 6711]	Began the attack.
		20.28		2 fan from tube I and IV, speed 11 knots, depth 5 meters, bow left, target angle 90°, estimated range 1200 meters, running time 61 seconds, 1 hit forward 20.  The ship transmits, coup de grâce from tube III, depth 6 meters, running time 39 seconds, hit aft 30 meters.  Steamer capsizes and sinks.  It is "KINGSWOOD" 5100 GRT.  and loaded from Lagos to Lome.
				Ran off to the west.
		18.12.43	Gold Coast
		00.00	EV 5953
		04.00	EV 5869
		07.00	EV 5858
		12.00	EV 5881	Day's run surfaced     124 nm
			W 2, Sea 1, 2/10, Vis. good, 1016 mb	submerged   14 nm
		13.15		Surfaced.
		14.07		Dived for land-based aircraft.
		18.34	EV 5873	Surfaced.
		19.12.43	Gold Coast
		00.00	EV 8126
		04.00	EV 8145
		07.07	EV 7368	Dived.
		11.02	EV 7392	Sound bearing, seen to be a 5000 GRT freighter in the periscope, zig zagging heavily with changing speeds, air escort, distant 4000 meters, shot with T5 not possible because of shallow water depth.
		12.00	EV 7392	Day's run surfaced     114 nm
			W 0-1, Sea 1, 5/10, Vis. medium, 1016 mb	submerged   12 nm
				126 nm
		12.25		Surfaced.
		12.32		Dived for aircraft.
		12.50		Surfaced, hurried after, steamer runs at 14 knots.
		16.21	EV 8167	Dived for aircraft.
		16.46		Surfaced.
		18.20	EV 8214	Dived, because steamer suddenly stops and proceeds on reciprocal course, aircraft observes.
		18.34		Surfaced.
		18.35		Dived for aircraft.
		19.06	EV 8214	Surfaced, pursued.  Above the steamer an aircraft, sends light signals.  Ship proceeds at very high speed, heavy zig zagging.
		20.45		Contact lost in dark rain squall.  Search courses, operating on enemy course of 60°.

	Sun and Moon Data 17.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 18.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 19.12.43

	- 14 -
		From
		19.12.43
		21.16	EV 5878	Contact on a large freighter steering 240°, speed 14-15 knots, must be another ship.  Maneuvered ahead.
		20.12.43	Gold Coast
		00.00	EV 8134	Initiated attack.  Shot from tube III.  Speed 14 knots, bow right, target angle 80°, estimated range 800 meters, depth 5 meters, running time 30 seconds, hit forward 10 meters.  The steamer sinks slowly and transmits, finishing shot from tube V, with T5, to test Zaunkönig after heavy depth charges.  Running time 59 seconds hit center, particularly violent detonation, ship breaks in the center, it is "PHEMIUS" 7406 GRT from Lagos to Takoradi, loaded with palm oil, cocoa beans.  1 radioman taken prisoner.
		04.17	EV 8173	Dived, enemy radar detection on 170 cm.
		06.00		Surfaced.
		06.30	EV 7175	Dived, enemy radar detection on 170 cm.
		12.00	EV 8174	Day's run surfaced     184 nm
			SW 2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, 1016 mb	submerged   17 nm
				201 nm
		13.50 -
		15.40		Depth charges, far distant.
		16.00	EV 8177	Decide to shift operations area to the Freetown area.
		19.18		Surfaced.  Deployed Aphrodite.
		20.00	EV 8411	Dived, parachute flare seemingly over Aphrodite.
		21.59	EV 7683	Surfaced.
		21.12.43	Gold Coast
		00.00	EV 7623	New Aphrodite deployed.
		02.08	EV 7387	Dived, enemy radar detection on 170 cm.
		03.55	EV 7379	Surfaced, parachute flare in the direction of the Aphrodite.
		05.05		Escort course 150°, high speed, suppose that bearings were taken on my radio message.
		07.03	EV 7377	Dived.
		12.00	EV 7296	Day's run surfaced      69 nm
			SW 2, Sea 1, 4/10, Vis. moderate, 1014 mb	submerged   28 nm
				97 nm
		16.00	EV 7295
		18.59	EV 7168	Surfaced.
		22.12.43	Ivory Coast
		00.00	EV 7143
		04.00	EU 9362
		07.42	EU 9353
		12.00	EU 9353	Day's run surfaced      105 nm
			SW 2, Sea 1, 2/10, Vis. good, 1018 mb	submerged     16 nm
				121 nm
		13.25		Surfaced.
		16.00	EU 9352
		20.00	EU 9262
		23.12.43	Ivory Coast
		00.00	EU 9243
		04.00	EU 9165

	Sun and Moon Data 19.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 20.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 21.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 22.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 23.12.43

	- 15 -
		From
		23.12.43
		07.34	EU 9183	Dived.
		12.00	EU 9182	Day's run surfaced      151 nm
			SW 1, Sea 1, 5/10, Vis. good, 1018 mb	submerged       8 nm
				139 nm
		13.32		Surfaced.
		15.45	EU 9172	Dived for aircraft.
		17.03	EU 8396	Surfaced.
		17.06		Dived for aircraft
		17.57	EU 8395	Surfaced.
		24.12.43	Ivory Coast
		00.00	EU 8379
		04.00	EU 8526
		07.46	EU 8524	Dived.
		12.00	EU 8515	Day's run surfaced      116 nm
			SW 2, Sea 1, 5/10, Vis. medium, 1016 mb	submerged     11 nm
		13.23		Surfaced.
		14.32	EU 8512	Large steamer in sight bearing 345°T, distant 12 nm, course 120°, speed 10-15 knots.  Smoke clouds observed ahead and behind the ship, apparently a convoy.
		16.55	EU 8516	Dived for aircraft.
		18.00		Surfaced.
		18.05		Dived, aircraft above the ship.
		18.45	EU 8534	Surfaced.
		18.50		Dived for aircraft.
		19.00		Surfaced, hurried after at AK, steamer's course approximately 60°, along the 50 meter line.  While maneuvering ahead an escort is noted steering search courses
		21.18	EU 8373	I decide to shot a T5 at the escort, in spite of the calm water, because the condition of the boat does not allow a any further depth charging.
				Shot from tube V:  depth 5 meters, estimated range 2500 meters, bow left, target angle 10°, torpedo course 242°T.  Miss
		21.37		Initiated attack on steamer, 3 fan from tube I, III and IV, depth 5 meters, estimated range 600 meters, bow right, target angle 80°, speed 9 knots, running time 13 and 15 seconds, 2 hits forward 20 meters and amidships.  Particularly violent detonation, Ship quickly sinks over the bow.  It is type "Madura" 9050 GRT and loaded.  Ran off the SW at AK, escort appeared to shoot star shells boat was not detected in spite of the low distance of 200 meters by the steamer, because of the tower's completely white-grey color.
		25.12.43	Cape Palmas
		00.00	EU 8539
		04.00	EU 8525
		07.50	EU 8436	Dived.
		12.00	EU 8435	Day's run surfaced      180 nm
			SW 2, Sea 1, 7/10, Vis. good, 1017 mb	submerged     10 nm
				Decide to begin return transit due to the condition of the boat.
		14.59		Surfaced.
		17.00	EU 8416	Dived for aircraft.
		19.59	EU 8416	Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 23.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 24.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 25.12.43

	- 16 -
		26.12.43
		00.00	EU 7625
		04.00	EU 7536
		08.01	EU 7524	Dived.
		12.00	EU 7515	Day's run surfaced      149 nm
			S 2-3, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good, 1016 mb	submerged     13 nm
		15.33	EU 7515	Surfaced.
		20.00	EU 7185
		27.12.43	Liberia
		00.00	EU 7144
		04.00	ET 9329
		08.00	ET 6975
		11.33	ET 6864	Dived.
		12.00	SW 2, Sea 1, 4/10, Vis. medium, 1016 mb	Day's run surfaced      162 nm
				submerged     11 nm
		13.27		Surfaced.
		16.00	ET 6819
		20.00	ET 6495
		28.12.43	West of Liberia
		00.00	ET 6446
		04.00	ET 5639
		08.00	ET 5388
		11.57	ET 5269	Day's run surfaced      184 nm
			SE 2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. medium, rain showers, 1016 mb	submerged       3 nm
		14.03		Surfaced.
		16.00	ET 5253
		20.00	ET 2879
		29.12.43	Freetown
		00.00	ET 2754
		04.00	ET 1923
		08.00	ET 1569
		12.02	ET 1524	Dived
			N 2, Sea 1, 2/10, Vis. good, 1018 mb	Day's run surfaced      178 nm
				submerged       5 nm
		13.26		Surfaced.
		16.00	ET 1271
		20.00	ET 1128
		30.12.43	West of French Guinea
		00.00	EK 7775
		04.00	EJ 8962
		08.00	EJ 9687
		11.00		Dived for aircraft.
		12.00	EJ 9644
			NNE 3, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good, 1018 mb	Day's run surfaced      168 nm
				submerged     11 nm
		12.57		Surfaced.
		14.22	EJ 9536	4-engine bomber at high altitude, did not dive, boat was not sighted.
		15.00		Dived for aircraft.
		17.55		Surfaced.
		20.00	EJ 9278
		31.12.43	West of Portuguese Guinea
		00.00	EJ 9162
		04.00	EJ 6787
		08.00	EJ 6741

	Sun and Moon Data 26.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 27.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 28.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 29.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 30.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 31.12.43

	- 17 -
		31.12.43
		12.00	EJ 5686	Day's run surfaced      196 nm
			N 2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, 1018 mb	submerged       9 nm
		13.10	EJ 5616	Aircraft sighted at high altitude.
		17.24		Dived.  Proceeding to Santiago, to weld watertight stern.  Condition not sustainable, the boat must constantly be blown up.
		20.26	EJ 5615	Surfaced.
		22.15 -
		01.00	EJ 5532	Welding work in the watertight stern closes all leaks above the waterline.  However, air continues to leak from tears below the waterline.
		01.01.44	North of the Cape Verde Islands
		04.00	EJ 5259
		08.00	EJ 2898
		12.00	EJ 2839	Day's run surfaced      171 nm
			N 2-3, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good, 1019 mb	submerged       6 nm
		12.07		Dived.
		16.22	EJ 2836	Surfaced.
		20.00	EJ 2569
		02.01.44	North of Cape Verde Islands
		00.00	EJ 2299
		04.00	DT 8836
		08.00	DT 8866
		12.00	DT 8593	Day's run surfaced      190 nm
			N 3, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good, 1019 mb	submerged       7 nm
		16.00	DT 8611
		20.00	DT 8341
		03.01.44	West of Oro
		00.00	DT 5972
		04.00	DT 5679
		08.00	DT 5619
		12.00	DT 5340	Day's run surfaced:  232 nm
			EbyS, Sea 1, 2/10, Vis. good, 1020 mb
		16.00	DT 2984
		20.00	DT 2925
		04.01.44	West of Oro
		00.00	DT 2629
		04.00	DT 2367
		08.00	DH 7789
		12.00	DH 7726	Day's run surfaced:  237 nm
			E 2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, 1024 mb
		12.00 -
		13.15		Test dive.
		16.00	DH 7491
		20.00	DH 7195
		05.01.44	West of Madeira
		00.00	DH 4799
		04.00	DH 4736
		08.00	DH 4544
		12.00	DH 4248	Day's run surfaced      248 nm
				submerged       3 nm
		16.00	DH 1887
		20.00	DH 1838

	Sun and Moon Data 31.12.43
	Sun and Moon Data 01.01.44
	Sun and Moon Data 02.01.44
	Sun and Moon Data 03.01.44
	Sun and Moon Data 04.01.44
	Sun and Moon Data 05.01.44

	- 18 -
		05.01.44
		21.45	DH 1677	Dived.
		06.01.44	Madeira
		05.06	DH 1675	Surfaced.
		08.00	DH 1652
		12.00	DH 1393	Day's run surfaced      185 nm
			S 2-3, Sea 2, light SE-swell, 8/10, Vis. medium to moderate, rain showers, 1023 mb	submerged     10 nm
		12.00 -
		14.11		Dived to top up the battery.
		16.00	DH 4118
		20.30	CF 8964	Dived.
		07.01.44	West of Gibraltar
		00.00	CF 8962
		06.00	CF 8962	Surfaced.
		08.00	CF 9476
		09.14	CF 9454	Dived for 2 4-engine bombers.
		09.57		Surfaced.
		12.00	CF 9434	Day's run surfaced      163 nm
			W 2-3, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good, 1025 mb	submerged     13 nm
		16.00	CF 9227
		19.58	CF 6866	Dived.
		08.01.44	West of Portugal
		00.00	CF 6863
		04.00	CF 6941
		07.09	CF 6915	Surfaced.
		09.30	CF 6684	Sighted 4-engine bomber, course 320°.
		12.00	CF 6661	Day's run surfaced      172 nm
			NE 2, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good, 1025 mb	submerged     16 nm
		16.00	CG 4154
		19.32	CG 1871	Dived.
		09.01.44	West of Portugal
		00.00	CG 1847
		04.00	CG 1845
		08.44	CG 1843	Surfaced.
		12.00	CG 1832	Day's run surfaced      156 nm
			S 2, Sea 1, variable cloudiness, Vis. medium, 1025 mb	submerged     19 nm
		16.00	CG 1634
		18.48	CG 2148	Dived.
		10.01.44	Finisterre
		00.00	CG 2149
		01.55 -
		02.15		Surfaced, aired the boat.
		04.00	CG 2154
		09.06	CG 2152	Surfaced.
		09.22		Dived for 4-engine land-based aircraft, certainly radiating, otherwise the boat could not have been detected at such a great distance.
		10.17	CG 2152	Surfaced.
		10.51		Dived for 4-engine land-based aircraft.
		11.19		Surfaced.
		11.54		Dived for aircraft type "Lerwik".
		12.00	CG 2129
			S 2-3, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. medium, 1025 mb

	Sun and Moon Data 05.01.44
	Sun and Moon Data 06.01.44
	Sun and Moon Data 07.01.44
	Sun and Moon Data 08.01.44
	Sun and Moon Data 09.01.44
	Sun and Moon Data 10.01.44

	- 19 -
		10.01.44
		12.00		Day's run surfaced      120 nm
				submerged     23 nm
		17.38	CG 2136	Surfaced.  Intention: in any case to fill the empty battery to the point where we can reach the coast at the slowest possible speed.
		18.40	BF 7878	Dived for aircraft.  (the boat had certainly not been seen by the aircraft).
				Proceeding to the coast, charging batteries at night because detection on Naxos-scope can not be relied upon.  There is little confidence in the Naxos receiver because of low range and the bright moonlit night.
		11.01.44	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 7884
		04.00	BF 7886
		08.00	BF 7894
		12.00	BF 7894	Day's run surfaced      18 nm
				submerged   37 nm
		16.00	BF 7895	Put the boat on the bottom with empty batteries.
		19.15		Surfaced.  Proceeding on the coastal route.
		12.01.44	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 7932
		02.00	BF 8477	Dived.
		08.00	BF 8478
		09.13	BF 8475	Surfaced.
		12.00	BF 8465	Day's run surfaced      122 nm
			S 2, Sea 1, 5/10, hazy, Vis. partly good, 1026 mb	submerged    19 nm
		15.34	BF 8297	Dived for fast land-based aircraft.
		17.03		Surfaced in order to send arrival message.
		18.07	BF 8292	Dived.
		13.01.44	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 8266
		04.00	BF 8239
		08.18	BF 8314	Surfaced.
		11.15	BF 5844	Dived.
		16.00	BF 5817
		18.08 - 18.19	BF 5814	Surfaced to ventilate the boat.
		14.01.44	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 5811
		08.50		Taken in convoy (2 M-boats).
		09.35		Convoy comes under attack by 1 "Mosquito" and 1 "Beaufighter".  Repulsed aircraft with machine guns.  After 3 attempts aircraft turn away.
		11.00		Subsequently air escort by 4 Ju-88's.
		18.00	Made fast Lorient.	In the west, on 14 January 1944.
				Kapitänleutnant and Kommandant

	Sun and Moon Data 10.01.44
	Sun and Moon Data 11.01.44
	Sun and Moon Data 12.01.44
	Sun and Moon Data 13.01.44
	Sun and Moon Data 14.01.44

	Enclosures to U-515's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Track Chart	Track chart  9 November 1943 to 14 January 1944
Radio	Excerpt of Radio Log

	Commentary of the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
	On the K.T.B. of "U-515"  (Henke) from 14.09.43 - 14.01.1944.
	The proven Kommandant has again fought hard on this patrol and continued in spite of damage to the boat.  By sound deliberation and an experienced "nose" for targets he found and sank them with proven ability.  The conduct of the crew in the elimination of the depth charge damage and the lookout for aircraft earns special recognition.   Accredited successes:  3 ships 21486 GRT sunk.
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		- The Chief of Operations -

---

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