U-533 - 1st War Patrol
Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster
Departed |
Date |
Arrived |
Date |
Days at Sea |
Kiel |
15 April 1943 |
Lorient |
24 May 1943 |
40 |
Click the icon to download a KMZ file displaying the U-boat track, significant events and locations for this patrol. You must have Google Earth loaded on your computer to view this file. Download Google Earth here |
Ships Hit |
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None |
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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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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of | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unterseebootes " U 5 3 3 " | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kommandant : | Oberleutnant zur See H e n n i g . | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning : | 25 November 1942. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Concluding : | 24 May 1943. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Distribution : | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Enclosures : | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB |
- 3 - |
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25.11.42 | Hamburg | ||||
11.30 | "Deutsche Werft" | Commissioning. | |||
26.11.42 | Hamburg/Elbe | Sea trial - Damage control exercises. | |||
27.11.42 | Hamburg/Elbe | Sea trial - Damage control exercises. | |||
28.11.42 | Hamburg/Elbe | Training cruise - damage control exercises. | |||
29.11.42 | Hamburg | Took over the boat. | |||
30.11.42 | Hamburg - Brunsbüttel | Transit to Kiel through the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal. | |||
01.12.42 | |||||
09. - 22.12.42 | Kiel | Boat with U.A.K. for testing. | |||
10.12.42 | Boat in dry-dock for ballasting. | ||||
22.12.42 | Western Baltic | AK cruise from Kiel to Arkona. | |||
(8 hours full speed) | |||||
23. - 27.12.42 | Stettin | Boat with the 4. U-Flottille. | |||
Part of the crew away on brief leave. | |||||
28.12.42 | Stettin-Swinemünde | Transit to Swinemünde. | |||
Shooting exercises with S.A.S. | |||||
29.12.42 | Western Baltic | Transit to Rönne, | |||
29..- 30.12.42 | Bornholm | Sound trials in Rönne off Bornholm. | |||
31.12.42 | Western - Eastern Baltic | Transit to Danzig. | |||
31.12.42 - | |||||
-04.01.43 | Danzig | Boat with U.A.G. 1 Danzig for testing and measured mile. | |||
05.01. - 07.01 43 | Gotenhafen | Boat with T.E.K. for testing of the torpedo installation. | |||
08.01. - 16.01.43 | Danzig | Boat with U.A.G. 1 for testing and afterwards in the "Holmwerft" to exchange the Fu.M.G. cables. | |||
- 4 - |
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17.01. - 08.02.43 | Hela | Boat with Agru-Front for testing and breaking in of the crew. | |||
Special comments: | |||||
On 18 January during a test dive to depth 45 meters the outer shutoff cock of the speaking tube was forced out. Water intake into the conning tower. | |||||
Damage: None. | |||||
Conning tower was cleared immediately and the boat blown. | |||||
09.02. - 15.02.43 | Danzig | Boat with the 25. U-Flottille - torpedo shooting. | |||
16.02. - 27.02.43 | Eastern Baltic | Boat with the 27. U-Flottille for tactical training. | |||
28.02. - 07.03.43 | Danzig | Boat with the 25. U-Flottille for completion of the remaining torpedo shooting. | |||
07.03. - 08.03.43 | Eastern - Western Baltic | Transit to Kiel. | |||
09.03.43 | Kiel - Hamburg | Transit through the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal to Hamburg to complete final adjustments and overhaul. | |||
10.03. - 11.03.43 | Hamburg | Boat at the U-boat Base to clear the boat for Hamburg. | |||
12.03. - 04.04.43 | Hamburg | Boat at the "Deutscher Werft" Finkenwärder for final adjustments and overhaul. | |||
05.04.43 | Hamburg | Boat at the U-boat Base for outfitting. | |||
12.04.43 | Hamburg - Kiel | Transit to Kiel through the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal. | |||
Boat with the 5. U-Flottille for outfitting. | |||||
15.04.43 | |||||
08.00 | Kiel | Put to sea for the first patrol | |||
- 5 - |
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15.04.43 | |||||
08.00 | Kiel - Eastern Baltic | Put to sea from Kiel for 1st patrol. | |||
NW 1, Sea 0, 8/10, 1018 mb, Vis. good | |||||
09.09 | Passed the Kiel Lightship. | ||||
11.00 | Great Belt | At Point Rot 15 taken in convoy by Sperrbrecher. | |||
12.00 | Great Belt | Transit in convoy on prescribed route. | |||
16.00 | Great Belt | Transit in convoy on prescribed route. | |||
20.00 | Great Belt | Transit in convoy on prescribed route. | |||
16.04.43 | |||||
00.00 | Great Belt | Transit in convoy on prescribed route. | |||
NW 3, Sea 2, 0/10, 1017 mb. Vis. good | |||||
04.00 | Great Belt | Transit in convoy on prescribed route. | |||
08.00 | Skagerrak | Transit in convoy on prescribed route. | |||
12.00 | Skagerrak | Transit in convoy on prescribed route. | |||
Day's run: 295.6 nm | |||||
16.00 | Skagerrak | Transit in convoy on prescribed route. | |||
18.00 | Kristiansand | Made fast Kristiansand for fuel supply. | |||
17.04.43 | |||||
07.00 | Kristiansand | Put to sea from Kristiansand. Transit on prescribed route behind escort vessel. | |||
08.00 | Kristiansand | Transit on prescribed route behind escort vessel. | |||
12.00 | AN 3524 | Transit in convoy on prescribed route. | |||
Lister abeam | Day's run: 113.6 nm | ||||
WNW 5, Sea 4, 8/10, 1008 mb, misty, Vis. bad | |||||
14.30 | Recognition signal exchanged with German aircraft (B.V. 138) | ||||
16.00 | AN 3193 | Transit in convoy on prescribed route. | |||
20.00 | AN 3134 | Transit in convoy on prescribed route. | |||
21.05 | AN 3131 | Convoy ended. Began transit to operations area. | |||
08.04.43 | |||||
00.00 | AN 2985 | ||||
NW 6, Sea 5, 8/10, 999 mb, misty, Vis. medium | |||||
04.00 | AN 2896 | Nothing. | |||
05.30 | AN 2895 | Test dive. | |||
06.16 | AN 2895 | Surfaced. | |||
06.34 | AN 2895 | Crash dive for training. - transit. | |||
Sun and Moon Data 15.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 16.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 17.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 18.04.43 |
- 6 - |
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continued | ||||||
18.04.43 | ||||||
08.00 | AN 2895 | Nothing. | - transit. | |||
12.00 | AN 2891 | Nothing. | ||||
φ = 59°26'N | Day's run: 192.7 nm | |||||
λ = 3°41'E | ||||||
12.34 | AN 2891 | Surfaced to ventilate. | ||||
12.46 | AN 2891 | Crash dive for training. | ||||
16.00 | AN 2892 | Nothing. | - transit, course 0°. | |||
20.00 | AN 2892 | Nothing. | - transit, course 0°. | |||
20.20 | AN 2892 | Surfaced. | ||||
19.04.43 | ||||||
00.00 | West of Bergen | Nothing. | - transit, course 0°. | |||
SW 6, Sea 5-6, overcast, rain, Vis. medium, 985 mb | ||||||
04.00 | AN 2338 | Nothing. | - transit, course 0°. | |||
06.34 | AN 2335 | Dived | - transit. | |||
08.00 | AN 2335 | Nothing. | ||||
12.00 | AN 2335 | Day's run: 99 nm | - transit. | |||
φ = 61°10'N | ||||||
λ = 3°40'E | ||||||
16.00 | AN 2332 | Nothing. | - transit, course 340°. | |||
20.00 | AF 8787 | Nothing. | - transit, course 340°. | |||
20.36 | AF 8782 | Surfaced. | ||||
Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 34°T, 16 nm. | ||||||
- transit, course 320°. | ||||||
20.04.43 | ||||||
00.00 | AF 8715 | Nothing. | - transit, course 340°. | |||
West of Stavanger | ||||||
W 4, Sea 4, 4/10, 1001 mb, Vis. good | ||||||
04.00 | AF 7669 | Nothing. | - transit. | |||
08.00 | AF 7635 | Nothing. | - transit. | |||
11.50 | AF 7635 | Dived due to bad flier visibility | ||||
12.00 | AF 7635 | Day's run: 95.3 nm | - transit. | |||
φ = 62°33'N | ||||||
λ = 2°18'E | ||||||
16.00 | AF 7397 | Nothing. | - transit, course 337°. | |||
20.00 | AF 7394 | Nothing. | - transit. | |||
20.39 | AF 7394 | Surfaced | - transit, course 337°. | |||
21.04.43 | Northeast of the Faroes | |||||
00.00 | AF 7328 | - transit, course 337°. | ||||
SW 3, Sea 3, 9/10, 997 mb, Vis. medium | ||||||
04.00 | AF 4893 | - transit, course 294°. | ||||
Sun and Moon Data 18.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 19.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 20.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 21.04.43 |
- 7 - |
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continued | ||||||
21.04.43 | ||||||
05.22 | AF 4867 | Dived due to bad flier visibility | ||||
08.00 | AF 4867 | Nothing. | - transit. | |||
10.34 | AF 4867 | Surfaced. | - transit, course 294°. | |||
12.00 | AF 4855 | Day's run: 129.6 nm | ||||
φ = 64°04'N | - transit, course 294°. | |||||
λ = 0°33'W | ||||||
16.00 | AF 4732 | Nothing. | - transit. | |||
20.00 | AF 4488 | Nothing. | - transit, course 277°. | |||
Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 15°T, 11 nm. | ||||||
22.04.43 | ||||||
00.00 | North of the Faroe Islands | Nothing. | - transit, course 270°. | |||
AE 6699 | ||||||
W 1, Sea 1, 9/10, 1004 mb, Vis. good | ||||||
04.00 | AE 6679 | Nothing. | - transit, course 242°. | |||
05.16 | AE 6911 | Test dive. | ||||
08.14 | AE 6914 | Surfaced | - transit, course 242°. | |||
12.00 | AE 6852 | Day's run: 195.8 nm | ||||
φ = 64°08'N | - transit, course 242°. | |||||
λ = 7°20'W | ||||||
16.00 | AE 6847 | Nothing. | - transit, course 240°. | |||
Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 358°T, 1 nm. | ||||||
20.00 | AE 6789 | Nothing. | - transit. | |||
23.30 | AE 9121 | Encounter with approaching German U-boat (probably "U-71"). Recognition signal was not answered. Passing distance 2.5 nm | ||||
NE 3, Sea 2, 9/10, 1001 mb, Vis. changing | ||||||
23.04.43 | ||||||
00.00 | "Rosengarten" | Nothing. | - transit. | |||
AE 9121 | ||||||
NE 3, Sea 2, 9/10, 1000 mb, Vis. medium | ||||||
04.00 | AE 8358 | Nothing. | - transit. | |||
05.57 | AE 8376 | Dived due to bad visibility. | ||||
- transit, course 242°. | ||||||
06.30 | AE 8376 | Passed a patrol vessel to starboard. Course 30°, medium speed, distance 1500 meters, no locating. | ||||
08.00 | AE 8376 | Nothing. | - transit, course 242°. | |||
12.00 | AE 8532 | Nothing | Day's run: 188.8 nm | |||
φ = 62°40'N | ||||||
λ = 13°26'W | ||||||
16.00 | AE 8532 | Nothing. | - transit, course 242°. | |||
18.29 | AE 8532 | Surfaced. | ||||
20.00 | AE 8527 | Nothing. | - transit, course 242°. | |||
Sun and Moon Data 21.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 22.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 23.04.43 |
- 8 - |
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24.03.43 | Iceland Passage | |||||
00.00 | AE 8468 | - transit. | ||||
S 4, Sea 4, 8/10, 981 mb, Vis. medium | ||||||
04.00 | AE 8487 | - transit, course 242°. | ||||
05.43 | AE 8712 | Test dive. | - transit. | |||
08.00 | AE 8714 | - transit, course 242°. | ||||
12.00 | AE 7936 | Surfaced, - transit. | Day's run: 140 nm | |||
φ = 64°39'N | ||||||
λ = 17°28'W | ||||||
13.46 | AE 7936 | Crash dive for aircraft ("Stirling"). Approaching had apparently not seen us. Aircraft course: 170°, coming from Iceland. Altitude 300 meters. | ||||
16.00 | AE 7963 | - transit, course 242°. | ||||
19.03 | AE 7694 | Crash dive for aircraft ("Lerwick"). Approached from ahead to starboard out of the sun. 3 aircraft bombs at depth 30 meters, damage still not noted, glass damage. | ||||
20.00 | AE 7964 | - transit, course 242°. | ||||
Repaired aircraft bomb damage. | ||||||
23.31 | AE 7981 | - transit, repair of aircraft bomb damage. The air search periscope could no longer be extended. Pivot socket of the Uzo column came off. Port diesel out of service. | ||||
25.03.43 | South of Iceland | |||||
00.00 | AE 7981 | - transit. | ||||
E 7, Sea 5, 9/10, 980 mb, freshening, Vis. medium | Sea runs up from astern, therfore came to course 200°. | |||||
04.00 | AL 2225 | - transit, course 200°. | ||||
07.00 | AL 2249 | Dived to repair aircraft bomb damage. | ||||
08.00 | AL 2276 | - transit, course 242°. | ||||
12.00 | AL 2275 | - transit. | Day's run: 156 nm | |||
φ = 60°08'N | Damage was repaired by on board means, the crew worked well. | |||||
λ = 20°55'W | ||||||
NNE 8, Sea 7, overcast, rain, 984 mb, Vis. bad | Remained submerged to listen for the "Throtha-convoy". | |||||
16.00 | AL 2199 | - transit, course 275°. | ||||
17.53 | AL 2195 | Crash dive for aircraft (Stirling), course: 120°, altitude 600 meters, range: 7000 meters. | ||||
20.26 | AL 2195 | Surfaced and dived again due to bad flier visibility. | ||||
23.00 | AL 2195 | Surfaced. | - transit. | |||
23.29 | AL 2322 | Approach of a "Sunderland" from ahead to port out of a cloud bank, too late to dive. Ordered M.G. ready. The bridge watch immediately took the approaching aircraft under fire with MG C/38 and MG 15. Sunderland turned away and approached again from astern. Our MG C 38 fire was well placed, the aircraft replied with on board weapons | ||||
Sun and Moon Data 24.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 25.04.43 |
- 9 - |
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continued | |||||
25.04.43 | AL 2322 | and threw 4 bombs (250 kg) about 100 meters alongside the boat at the level of the conning tower. Strong concussion in the boat. After the bombs were thrown immediately crash dived. Boat got under quickly and turned away hard. Wounded by the Sunderland fire were: | |||
1.) Btsmt. Buttkus, upper thigh shot through, | |||||
2.) Mtr.Gefr. Fekken, lower thigh shot through, | |||||
3.) Mtr.Gefr. Ludwig, Lower arm shot through. | |||||
The wounded were still able to join the crash dive and were then treated immediately. They distinguished themselves by this behavior. | |||||
26.04.43 | South of Iceland | ||||
AL 2325 | - transit (treated the wounded). | ||||
NW 7, Sea 7, 9/10, 999 mb, Vis. good | |||||
04.00 | AL 2345 | - transit. | |||
06.25 | AL 1495 | - transit. Test dive. | |||
Treatment of the wounded. | |||||
08.00 | AL 1495 | - transit. | |||
12.00 | AL 1489 | - transit. Day's run: 118 nm | |||
φ = 59°22'N | |||||
λ = 23°54'W | |||||
16.00 | AL 1488 | - transit. Based on the experience gained over the past three days, with the close air surveillance and poor flier visibility I believe it is correct to continue transit on the surface only if no further surprises could occur. The Fu.M.B. has not given any indication of localization. Nothing was seen in the magic eye nor was any tone heard. | |||
20.00 | AL 1481 | - transit. Course 270°. | |||
27.04.43 | Southwest of Ireland | ||||
00.00 | AL 1472 | - transit. Course 270°. | |||
02.30 | AL 1393 | According to incoming Radio message 1293/26/176: "New attack area for "Wenzel", "Rabenau", "Kandler", square VV 72 [AK 22], "Carlowitz", "Witzendorf", "Hennig" square HD 29 [AD 79]", came to new course 300°. | |||
04.00 | AL 1358 | - transit. Course 300°. | |||
07.13 | AL 1345 | Test dive. Fu.M.B. aircraft detection determined in magic eye. After repairing a loose contact, it seems the gear is in operation again. | |||
08.00 | AL 1345 | - transit. Course 300°. | |||
12.00 | AK 3438 | - transit. Course 300°. | |||
φ = 59°43'N | Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 15°T, 11 nm. | ||||
λ = 26°46'W | |||||
Day's run: 120 nm | |||||
Incoming Radio Message 1038/27/191: As new Group "Star": "Carlowitz", "Witzendorff", "Hennig", "Kandler", "Rabenau", "Wenzel", "Junker", "Mäder", "Pückler", "Happe", "Mässenhausen", "Popp", "Löwe", "Stahl", "Brodda", "Pöl" on | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 25.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 26.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 27.04.43 |
- 10 - |
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continued | |||||
27.04.43 | |||||
AK 3438 | 28 April at 08.00 hours be in patrol line from AD 8431 [typo AD 8731] via AK 3523 to AK 0329. | ||||
12.30 | AK 3436 | Came to new course = 320°. | |||
15.31 | AK 3288 | Dived for Fu.M.B. detection (aircraft). | |||
16.00 | AK 3282 | - transit, course 316°. Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 24°T, 5 nm. | |||
19.16 | AK 3246 | Crash dive for aircraft (Catalina), altitude 900 meters, range 7000 meters. Went to depth 80 meters, no bombs. | |||
20.00 | AK 3245 | - transit. | |||
20.56 | AK 3241 | Crash dive for aircraft (Catalina), altitude 800 meters, range 6000 meters. Course 100°. Went to depth 80 meters. No bombs. | |||
28.04.43 | Southwest of Ireland | ||||
00.00 | AK 3241 | - transit into operations area. | |||
04.00 | AD 8795 | Back and forth in position in patrol line, course 176° and 356°. | |||
07.17 | AD 8764 | Crash dive for destroyer, that suddenly came out of the morning mist. Course 45°. Afterwards was run over and located by a search group (3 vessels). | |||
08.00 | AD 8764 | - cruise. Turns and silent running before search group. | |||
10.20 | AD 8764 | Surfaced. | |||
11.39 | AD 8791 | Crash dive for aircraft (Sunderland). Installed start valve for the port diesel. | |||
11.49 | AD 8791 | Surfaced. | |||
Between Island and Greenland | On receipt of Radio Message 1040/28/12x: Forced to submerge by Sunderland. Convoy position AD 8731. Witzendorff. Operated on convoy by plotting. | ||||
12.52 | AD 8764 | Crash dive for Sunderland. Day's run: 141.0 nm | |||
φ = 61°19'N | |||||
λ = 29°30'W | Visibility deteriorating, low hanging clouds. | ||||
13.31 | AD 8756 | Surfaced. | |||
13.36 | AD 8756 | Crash dive for Sunderland. | |||
14.02 | Surfaced. | ||||
14.31 | AD 8755 | Crash dive for Sunderland. Fu.M.B. (magic eye) proved itself well. Without Fu.M.B. we would be in a fix with the visibility about 1000 meters. | |||
16.10 | AD 8754 | Surfaced. Pursued convoy at GF, course 260°. | |||
19.43 | AD 7959 | Dived to listen. No bearings. | |||
20.10 | AD 7959 | Surfaced. | |||
20.45 | [typo AD 7922] | On receipt of Radio Message 2043/28/140: Witzendorff sighted convoy 20.40 hours naval square AD 7922. | |||
Came to course 300° and 2 x GF. | |||||
21.50 | AD 7924 | 2 Destroyers come out of the mist at 1000 meters. Turned away hard and ran off against the sea. Destroyers give up the chase after 1/2 hour. After 3/4 hours again angled in towards the screen. A new advance by a destroyer. Ran off against the sea. However this time the destroyer comes up. At 2000 meters crash dived and went to depth A +40 meters. At depth A +20 meters 7 depth charges, no damage. | |||
Sun and Moon Data 27.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 28.04.43 |
- 11 - |
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continued | |||||
28.04.43 | |||||
AD 7924 | Due to an operating error water intake in the control room via the main drain pump. About 7 tons of water got into the bilge. The Engineering Officer has the boat well in hand and soon balanced for LF. | ||||
29.04.43 | Between Iceland and Greenland | ||||
00.45 | AD 7947 | After correcting damage and moving off from the destroyer, surfaced. Pursued at 2 x GF. | |||
02.05 | Shadow to starboard (destroyer). Ran off and slowly angled in. | ||||
02.15 | "To Action Stations!" | ||||
Approach on a destroyer. Ran towards at LF. Visibility 2000 meters, dark rainclouds in my background. The boat cannot be seen. Shortly before the shot the destroyer turns towards the boat and runs toward at medium speed. I must turn away at AK. The destroyer follows in the wake for 25 minutes and then turns back to the convoy. | |||||
03.59 | AD 7945 | 2nd approach on the convoy. Attempt to break through behind the forward destroyer screen. Even though the boat is not seen the forward sweeper turns toward the boat. At a distance of 2000 meters I must turn away, the destroyer follows in the wake and comes up quickly. At range 1000 meters crash dive. 7 depth charges at depth A +10 meters, no damage. Destroyer remains lying in the vicinity of the boat until the astern search group comes up then runs off. Search group (2 vessels) searches with listening gear. 45 depth charges, no damage. I can withdraw from the group at silent running at depth A +40 meters. | |||
08.14 | AD 7945 | Surfaced. Pursued the convoy. Course 290°. | |||
12.00 | AD 7855 | Day's run: 201.5 nm | |||
φ = 61°18'N | |||||
λ = 34°20'W | |||||
16.00 | AD 7761 | Course 290°. Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 0°T, 11 nm. | |||
1x.38 | AD 7746 | Dived: 1.) To treat the three gun shot wounded. Mtr.Gefr. Fekken worries me. Infection seems to have come into the wound. 2.) To balance the boat. The port negative buoyancy tank has failed, and new fillings must be determined. | |||
20.00 | AD 7749 | - transit. Course 270°. | |||
21.18 | AD 7749 | Surfaced. - transit. Course 270°. | |||
30.04.43 | East of Greenland | ||||
00.00 | AD 6993 | At 22.48 hours came to course 170°; suspect the convoy is located to the south. | |||
SW 7, Sea 7, 8/10, 989 mb, high Swell, Vis. medium | |||||
01.00 | AD 6996 | Convoy in sight ahead to port. Course 240°. Was forced off by a destroyer, angled back towards the convoy again. Due to the high swell can only run at LF. Beta Beta Signal was not heard by Control, likewise no radio message. | |||
05.25 | AD 9428 | Dived to listen. Sound bearing in 60°T. | |||
05.45 | AD 9428 | Surfaced. Came to course 60°. | |||
Sun and Moon Data 28.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 29.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 30.04.43 |
- 12 - |
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continued | |||||
30.04.43 | |||||
06.20 06.35 |
AD 9494 | Advanced towards the forward convoy screen, ran off before a destroyer. Could not get away and had to dive: Crash dive. | |||
Was located, scare depth charges. | |||||
Convoy ran over me. | |||||
07.20 | AD 9424 | To Action Stations! Tubes I - IV were made ready, in so doing a operation error in the bow room. 5 tons flooded into the torpedo compensating tank. The boat was only held at GF and by pumping. After correcting this the convoy is past us! At periscope depth only the aft screen is recognized, which detects us the same moment and holds us submerged. | |||
12.42 | AD 9442 | Surfaced. Pursued convoy at GF. | |||
φ = 60°36'N | Course: 240°. Day's run: 218 nm | ||||
λ = 38°36'W | |||||
13.42 | AD 9442 | Aft screen of the convoy in sight. I set off to port at the limit of visibility. | |||
16.00 | AD 9445 | By plotting the convoy should be in sight again. Seems to have zigzagged. | |||
20.00 | AD 9444 | - transit. Course 240°. It is freshening, later up to 7-8. Ran against the sea. | |||
20.54 | AD 9369 | Dived to listen. No sound bearings. | |||
22.40 | AD 9169 | Came to course 190°. Operated on the "Pückler-convoy" to the south. Transit speed only 7 knots against the sea. | |||
SW 8, Sea 8, clear, 996 mb, rising, Vis. good | |||||
01.05.43 | Southeast of Greenland | ||||
00.00 | AD 9396 | - transit. Course 180°. | |||
SW 8, Sea 8, clear, 998 mb, Vis. good | |||||
02.43 | AD 9733 | Dived before destroyer. | |||
- transit. 7 depth charges. | |||||
04.00 | AD 9735 | - transit. Course 220°. | |||
08.00 | AD 9737 | Went to periscope depth. Destroyer is astern to port. Range: 1100 meters, target angle bow right 15°, is turned athwart the sea. Went to silent running. Submerged attack in the high seas and Swell is not possible. | |||
W 10, Sea 10, 9/10, 1003 mb, high and long Swell, Vis. bad | |||||
12.00 | AD 9756 | ||||
φ = 59°37'N | Day's run: 201.5 nm - transit. Course: 220°. | ||||
λ = 39°46'W | |||||
15.23 | AD 9764 | Surfaced. - transit. Course: 160°. | |||
Continued to operate on the "Pückler-convoy". | |||||
16.00 | AD 9767 | - transit. Course: 160°. It freshens further. Wind 10 from the SW. | |||
20.00 | AJ 3232 | - transit. Course: 160°. | |||
21.42 | Incoming Radio Message 2011/1/880: Group Star: If by the beginning of darkness no boat of the group has contact, break off operations. Remain in reached area. More to follow on 2 May. | ||||
02.05.43 | Southeast of Greenland | ||||
00.00 | AJ 3237 | ||||
SW 10, Sea 10 | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 30.04.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 01.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 02.05.43 |
- 13 - |
||||||
continued | ||||||
02.05.43 | ||||||
Vis. bad, hail showers | - transit. | Course: 160°. | ||||
02.15 | AJ 3264 | Dived to top up the batteries | ||||
04.00 | AJ 3264 | - transit. | Course: 270°. | |||
08.00 | AJ 3256 | - transit. | Course: 270°. | |||
09.00 | AJ 3255 | Surfaced. In waiting station. Steamed back and forth on 1 motor LF on course 150° and 330°. | ||||
12.00 | AJ 3283 | - waiting station. | Day's run: 95 nm | |||
φ = 58°32'N | ||||||
λ = 39°29'W | ||||||
16.00 | AJ 3252 | - waiting station. No new orders up to now, because Radio Message reception on short wave is not possible. At the moment is it not possible to send a Radio Message to Control. | ||||
18.10 | AJ 3252 | Incoming Radio Message 1033/2/95: 1. Group "Star" at highest speed considering fuel operate on "Hasenschar-convoy", which at 01.00 hours is in naval square AJ 8896, northerly course 8 knots. Immediately including Neckel switch to "America I" circuit. Supplier positioned XH 32. 2. Group "Star" consists of 14 boats. | ||||
18.30 | AJ 3252 | Operated on convoy by plotted intercept. New course: 250°. | ||||
20.00 | AJ 3282 | - transit, course 250°. Highest speed against the high sea and swell only 9 knots. | ||||
03.05.43 | Southeast of Greenland | |||||
00.00 | AJ 3274 | - transit. | Course: 250°. | |||
SW 9, Sea 9, 10/10, 1006 mb, Vis. bad | ||||||
04.00 | AJ 3423 | - transit. | Course: 250°. | |||
07.33 | AJ 2639 | Crash dive before destroyer. Came in sight ahead 20° to starboard out of a rain cloud. | ||||
11.30 | AJ 3418 | Surfaced. On Radio Message 2215/2/243: | ||||
" . . . by sound bearing Hasenschar convoy continues to run on course 30° and 7.7 knots from square AJ 8896. | ||||||
Operated on new course = 156°. Suspect convoy has not held a northerly course, because up to now none of the boats has found the convoy on this course. | ||||||
12.00 | AJ 3418 | |||||
φ = 57°55'N | Day's run: 206 nm | - transit. Course 156°. | ||||
λ = 42°27'W | ||||||
13.53 | AJ 3445 | Incoming Radio Message 1143/3/261: "Hasenschar-convoy" 1.) "Specht" and "Star" 18.00 hours in reconnaissance line located from naval square AJ 5333 via 6348 to naval square AK 4449. Named Order: Group "Specht" in preciously named order without "Ölrich", after that from naval square AJ 6340 Group "Star" in named order: Mäder, Happe, Stahl, Hennig, Neckel, Löwe, Poel, Pückler, Wenzel, Popp, Brodda, Mässenhausen, Witzendorff. . . . | ||||
14.00 | AJ 3449 | Attempt to run against the sea on new course = 180° is not successful. So much water comes over that pumping can no | ||||
Sun and Moon Data 02.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 03.05.43 |
- 14 - |
||||||
continued | ||||||
03.05.43 | AJ 3449 | longer keep pace. | ||||
16.00 | AJ 3476 | - transit. | Course: 156°. | |||
20.00 | AJ 3819 | - transit. | Course: 156°. | |||
Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 70°T, 40 nm. | ||||||
04.05.43 | Southeast of Greenland | |||||
00.00 | AJ 3515 | - transit. | Course: 180°. | |||
SW 9, Sea 9, 10/10, 1024 mb, Vis. medium, high Swell | ||||||
00.50 | AJ 3881 | Steamer in sight ahead 10° to port. Bow right. Course 270°. Turned away and maneuvered ahead. Steamer seems to have seen us. Angled back in after 20 minutes, Steamer is no longer seen. Dived 2 times to listen. Faint sound bearing in 260°T. Pursued. After 1-1/2 hours gave up because I can only run at 7 knots against the high Swell. Continued transit to reconnaissance line. | ||||
04.00 | AJ 3879 | - transit. | Course: 196°. | |||
08.00 | AJ 6329 | - transit. | Course: 196°. | |||
12.00 | AJ 6384 | - transit. | Course: 205°. | |||
φ = 55°34'N | Day's run: 172 nm | |||||
λ = 40°50'W | ||||||
16.00 | AJ 6619 | Back and forth in position in reconnaissance line with 1 engine LF on course 135° and 315°. | ||||
20.00 | AJ 6619 | - waiting station. | ||||
21.02 | AJ 6618 | Incoming Radio Message 2029/4/289: Hasenschar has detected a convoy at 20.17 in AJ 6271. | ||||
Operated on convoy by plotted intercept and came to course 343°. After corrected Short Signal by Hasenschar came to course 245°. | ||||||
24.00 | AJ 6614 | - transit. | Course: 343°. | |||
05.05.43 | Southeast of Greenland | |||||
00.00 | AJ 6614 | - transit. | Course: 343°. | |||
W 4, Sea 4, 6/10, 1039 mb, high Swell, Vis. good | ||||||
03.05 | AJ 6553 | Crash dive for aircraft. Approaching and locating with searchlight. | ||||
03.43 | AJ 6553 | Surfaced. | ||||
04.03 | AJ 6554 | Crash dive for aircraft. | ||||
04.40 | Surfaced. | |||||
05.24 | AJ 6546 | Crash dive for aircraft. | ||||
05.38 | Surfaced. | |||||
08.00 | AJ 6466 | - transit. Course: 0°, evasion before aft screen. | ||||
12.00 | AJ 6453 | |||||
φ = 53°00'N | - transit. Course: 180°. Day's run: 186 nm | |||||
λ = 43°40'W | ||||||
16.00 | W 1, Sea 1, 2//10, 1032 mb, clear, Vis. good | - transit. Course: 180°. Maneuvered ahead. Convoy located to starboard. Distance 15 nm. | ||||
20.00 | AJ 9147 | - transit. Course: 220°. Position ahead of the convoy with 8 boats. Visibility deteriorating. | ||||
Sun and Moon Data 03.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 04.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 05.05.43 |
- 15 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
05.05.43 | |||||
23.30 | AJ 8639 | Search course athwart convoy course 180°. Visibility 200 meters, rain. Based on bearing signals came to course 60°. After 1/2 hour came to course 270°. | |||
06.05.43 | East of Newfoundland | ||||
00.00 | AJ 8639 | - search course 270°. Visibility 50 meters. At any moment a destroyer or corvette with "Dete" [radar] can detect the boat and ram; sharpest lookout. | |||
SE 2, Sea 2, overcast, misty, rain, 1030 mb, Vis. bad | |||||
01.34 | AJ 8639 | Dived to listen. No sound bearings. Only Asdic sounds and depth charges not too far away. | |||
01.44 | Surfaced. Course: 270°. | ||||
04.00 | AJ 9447 | - search course 270°. Nothing seen. | |||
06.55 | AJ 8683 | Brief illumination of a small searchlight to starboard directed beam at the boat, immediately turned away hard to port and came to GF. A minute later a destroyer came out of the fog towards the boat at target angle 0° and highest speed. The destroyer turned with and shot at the boat with automatic weapons (2 cm). When crash diving the abeam distance was about 50 meters. The boat gets under well and quickly. At depth 8 meters 5° bow down the boat was solidly rammed. Immediately afterwards one depth charge directly alongside the boat; no failures. The Chief Engineer has the boat well and surely in hand. Afterwards depth charges, depth A +40 meters, no damage. | |||
08.00 | AJ 8691 | - silent running. Depth charges. | |||
11.17 | AJ 8669 | Surfaced. From the ramming the starboard net deflector is torn away, canister 1 dented, starboard exhaust gas manifold is crushed. Bunker 2 port is apparently torn. The boat has a light oil trace. | |||
12.00 | AJ 8669 | - transit, course 90°. Moved off to the east at 2 x GF for repairs. Day's run: 232 nm | |||
φ = 52°14'N | |||||
λ = 44°32'W | |||||
16.00 | AJ 9462 | - repairs as far as Sea State allows. The boat is again operable except for the oil trace, which will be also eliminated soon. | |||
18.00 | AJ 9513 | - transit, course 90°. Oil trace corrected. | |||
20.00 | AJ 9534 | - transit, course 90°. | |||
07.05.43 | East of Newfoundland | ||||
00.00 | AJ 9624 | - transit, course 90°. | |||
W 4, Sea 4, 10/10, 1026 mb, Vis. medium | |||||
04.00 | AJ 9368 | - transit, course 35°. | |||
08.00 | AK 7115 | - transit, course 35°. | |||
08.50 | AK 7112 | Dived to work on the starboard diesel. | |||
12.00 | AK 4779 | - transit, course 35°. Day's run: 209 nm | |||
φ = 53°34'N | |||||
λ = 39°40'W | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 05.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 06.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 07.05.43 |
- 16 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
07.05.43 | |||||
16.18 | AK 4781 | Surfaced. - transit, course 35°. | |||
20.00 | AK 4757 | Incoming Radio Message 1201/7/269: As new Group "Elbe" in named order Dahlhaus, Heydemann, etc. on 8 May 08.00 in patrol line from naval square AJ 9421 to BC 6246. Boat interval 20 nm, More to follow. | |||
20.30 | AK 4757 | Came to opposite course = 215°. Cannot be in position at the appointed time because range = 230 nm. | |||
08.05.43 | North Atlantic, east of Newfoundland | ||||
00.00 | AK 7111 | - transit, course 215°. Incoming Radio Message 2259/7/285: New patrol line for 8 May 12.00 hours. Group "Elbe" without Jessen from BC 3141 to 6859. Interval 20 nm. No reports concerning late arrival. From tomorrow at midday an eastbound convoy is expected. | |||
NW 2, Sea 2, 10/10, 1027 nm, rising, Vis. moderate | |||||
04.00 | AK 9373 | - transit, course: 215°. | |||
07.35 | AJ 9562 | Dived to listen. Fog, visibility 200 meters, no sound bearings. | |||
09.00 | Surfaced. | ||||
12.00 | AJ 9829 | Dived to listen. No sound bearings. | |||
φ = 54°38'N | Day's run: 241 nm | ||||
λ = 42°09'W | |||||
12.16 | Surfaced. - transit, course: 180°. Fog, visibility 100 meters | ||||
16.00 | BC 3153 | - transit, course: 180°. Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 12°T, 9 nm. | |||
20.00 | BC 3426 | - transit, course: 180°. | |||
09.05.43 | North Atlantic, southeast of Newfoundland | ||||
00.00 | BC 3489 | Incoming Radio Message 0025/9/878: . . . 2.) Group "Elbe" from 01.00 hours, course 120°, speed of advance 10 knots. | |||
SW 3, Sea 4, 10.10, 1009 mb, Vis. medium | |||||
00.35 | Came to course 120°. | ||||
04.00 | BC 3819 | - transit, course: 120°. | |||
07.15 | BC 3867 | Dived to listen. No sound bearings. | |||
08.50 | BC 3868 | Surfaced. - transit, course: 120°. | |||
12.00 | φ = 48°22'N | Day's run: 277 nm | |||
λ = 39°32'W | |||||
13.25 | BC 6322 | Incoming Radio Message 1311/9/885: Convoy in naval square CD 3598, medium speed, course 90°, 13.06 hours reported by Förster. | |||
By plotting that is 600 nm for us to the intercept point. Therefore we receive no order to operate. Therefore we must wait. | |||||
16.00 | BD 6363 | - transit, course: 140°, diesel-electric. | |||
17.30 | BD 4141 | Incoming Radio Message 1632/9/891: To Group "Elbe": 1.) On 10 May in the evening patrol line absolutely must be reached from BD 8111 to CE 1849. A further convoy following along behind the one detected today is expected. Tomorrow by day in transit and by night in the patrol line sharpest lookout. | |||
2.) . . . | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 07.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 08.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 09.05.43 |
- 17 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
09.05.43 | |||||
18.00 | BD 4145 | Came to course 142. | |||
20.00 | BD 4184 | - transit, course: 142°. Diesel-electric 11 knots. Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 308°T, 25 nm. | |||
10.05.43 | North Atlantic, southeast of Newfoundland | ||||
00.00 | BD 4425 | - transit, course: 140°. | |||
SW 4, Sea 3, 10/10, 1004 mb, Vis. medium | |||||
04.00 | BD 4496 | - transit, course: 140°. | |||
08.00 | BD 4854 | - transit, course: 140°. | |||
12.00 | BD 7235 | - transit, course: 140°. | |||
φ = 45°29'N | Day's run: 264 nm | ||||
λ = 35°44'W | Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 338°T, 21.5 nm. | ||||
16.00 | BD 7314 | - transit, course: 145°. | |||
20.00 | BD 7388 | - transit, course: 145°. | |||
21.41 | BD 7668 | Incoming Radio Message 2000/10/814: As new Group Elbe I Dahlhaus, Heydemann, Deeke, Witzendorff, U-752, U-614, Weber, Hennig etc. . . . 11 May 10.00 hours be in patrol line from BD 5711 to 8747. . . . | |||
22.45 | BD 7693 | Came to course 10°. Am 42 nm away from my new position. | |||
11.05.43 | North Atlantic, west of the Azores | ||||
00.00 | BD 7666 | - transit, course: 10°. One diesel LF. | |||
W 2, Sea 1, 10/10, 1008 mb, Vis. medium | |||||
04.00 | BD 8414 | - transit, course: 10°. | |||
07.35 | BD 8174 | Dived to listen. No sound bearings. | |||
09.10 | BD 8411 | Surfaced. Back and forth in position in patrol line with one diesel LF. The visibility is good. Therefore we must definitely see the convoy if he comes through here. | |||
12.00 | BD 8174 | - transit, course: 0° and 180° in patrol line. | |||
φ = 44°50'N | Day's run: 179 nm | ||||
λ = 33°53'W | |||||
16.00 | BD 8414 | - transit, course: 0° and 180°. | |||
18.50 | BD 8414 | Incoming Radio Message 1840/11/119: Convoy 18.35 hours naval square CE 1543 reported from Luis. | |||
19.06 | BD 8414 | Operated on "Luis-convoy". Came to course 140°. Both diesels LF. | |||
20.00 | BD 8417 | - transit, course: 140°. | |||
12.05.43 | North Atlantic, northwest of the Azores | ||||
00.00 | BD 8489 | - transit, course: 140°. | |||
SW 6, Sea 6, 10/10, 1008 mb, Vis. bad | |||||
04.00 | BD 8878 | - transit, course: 180°. | |||
06.50 | CE 1367 | Dived to listen, no sound bearings. | |||
08.00 | CE 135x | Surfaced. - transit, course: 180°. Must be at the convoy now. | |||
Sun and Moon Data 09.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 10.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 11.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 12.05.43 |
- 18 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
12.05.43 | |||||
12.00 | CE 2182 | Day's run: 245 nm Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 310°T, 30.8 nm. | |||
φ = 42°12'N | |||||
λ = 31°15'W | - transit, course: 333°, both diesels GF. | ||||
16.00 | BD 8881 | - transit, course: 0°. | |||
17.00 | BD 8857 | Encounter with "U-Janssen". Navigation comparison gives a difference of 310°, 10 nm. Pursued to the east. Course 100°. | |||
20.00 | BD 8893 | ||||
21.30
22.20 |
BD 8976
BD 8976 |
2 U-boats abeam to starboard come towards us at highest speed. Therefore they must have been at the convoy. As a precaution came to the same course and to GF. After 1/2 hour destroyer masts come in sight behind the boats. Went to AK. The two other boats are quicker than me. The destroyer comes out further and opens cannon fire at 7000 meters. After 20 minutes the fire is so accurate that I must dive. Afterwards for 7 hours well-placed depth charges, locating and listening pursuit. | |||
13.05.43 | North Atlantic, northwest of the Azores | ||||
00.00 | BD 8971 | Silent running, depth charges, explosive locating, Asdic. | |||
NW 2, Sea 2, 2/10, 1014 mb, Vis. good | |||||
04.00 | BD 8957 | Silent running, depth charges. | |||
07.58 | BD 8955 | Surfaced. Set off to the east to repair depth charge damage. Port outer exhaust gas valve can only be closed with difficulty, over deck canister 8 dented, fuses and glass damage. Torpedo-flooding mechanism out of service. Port outer exhaust gas valve warped. Heavy oil trace. | |||
12.00 | BD 8963 | Day's run: 186 nm Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 184°T, 17 nm. Pursued the convoy on course 90°. | |||
φ = 43°26'N | |||||
λ = 29°34'W | |||||
1x.00 | BD 9743 | Failures corrected except for the port outer exhaust gas valve and oil trace. At GF am only limitedly ready to crash dive. Came to course 40°. | |||
16.00 | BD 9754 | - transit, course: 40°. | |||
20.00 | BD 9726 | - transit, course: 40°. Broke off search and attempted to correct the oil trace. All test lines were flushed without results. Main fuel bunker 3 starboard was emptied with a hand pump to 7 starboard. Oil trace remains. | |||
14.05.43 | North Atlantic, northwest of the Azores. | ||||
00.00 | BD 9495 | - transit, course: 40°. | |||
N 2, Sea 1, 4/10, 1031 mb, Vis. good | |||||
04.00 | BD 9544 | - transit, course: 40°. | |||
08.00 | BD 9516 | - transit, course: 40°. Last attempt. | |||
Main ballast tank 4 port was emptied by hand pump to 6 starboard, oil trace is corrected. By this main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank 2 and 3 starboard and 4 port are torn. | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 12.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 13.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 14.05.43 |
- 19 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
14.05.43 | |||||
12.00 | BD 9516 | - transit, course: 270°. Day's run: 145 nm | |||
φ = 44°35'N | Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 208°T, 3 nm. | ||||
λ = 27°31'W | |||||
16.00 | BD 9524 | - transit, course: 270°. Dived 3 times to flush the main ballast and reserve fuel oil tanks. | |||
20.00 | BD 9298 | Crash dive for training. Diving time increased by the port outer exhaust gas valve to 59 seconds. Boat was reported fully operational by Radio Message. | |||
15.05.43 | North Atlantic, northwest of the Azores | ||||
00.00 | BD 9289 | - transit, course: 320°. | |||
04.00 | BD 9242 | - transit, course: 320°. | |||
00.00 | BD 9214 | Came to course 58 based on Incoming Radio Message 0102/15/891: 1.) On the course of 15 May give up fuel from: Auffermann to "U-752" in 1546 . . . Hennig to Kruschka in 1868, Janssen to Heydemann in 1866, all BD. 3.) Thereafter type IX-Boats economical return transit . . . | |||
By plotting am 60 nm from the meeting point. | |||||
08.00 | BD 6879 | - transit, course: 58°. | |||
12.00 | BD 6869 | Back and forth in the square, nothing seen. | |||
φ = 45°58'N | Day's run: 199 nm | ||||
λ = 26°56'W | |||||
16.00 | BD 6868 | Had incorrect navigation fix. Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 210°T, 29 nm. | |||
16.05 | BD 6868 | Came to course 30°, both diesels HF. It is freshening to Wind 5, Sea 5. | |||
20.00 | BD 6868 | Am positioned in ordered square. | |||
16.05.43 | North Atlantic, northwest of the Azores | ||||
00.00 | BD 6868 | Positioned at meeting point, nothing seen of Kruschka. | |||
NE 4, Sea 4, 3/10, 1034 mb, Vis. good | |||||
04.00 | BD 6868 | Search courses in square. Vis. good, nothing seen. | |||
08.00 | BD 6868 | Search courses in square. | |||
08.15 | BD 6868 | U-Kruschka seen abeam to port 10 nm away in the morning mist, closed. | |||
09.40 | BD 6882 | In hailing range from Kruschka. Fuel transfer delayed by the weather conditions. At Sea 4, NE 5 freshening connection with the light transfer gear is not possible. I have him give me three drinking water hoses for the transfer. Thereafter moved off to the south at 1 diesel LF. | |||
12.00 | BD 6892 | - transit, course: 180°. Day's run: 70 nm | |||
φ = 45°48'N | |||||
λ = 26°50'W | |||||
16.00 | BD 9231 | - transit, course: 180°. | |||
20.00 | BD 9264 | The wind has abated somewhat. The visibility is 1000 meters. We begin the fuel transfer. The passing of the hose is made difficult by the prevailing swell. | |||
Sun and Moon Data 14.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 15.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 16.05.43 |
- 20 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
16.05.43 | BD 9264 | In addition, both boats are equipped with different sized water hoses so that at the connecting point a new coupling hasto be placed, which however had no holding power. The hose broke twice at this location and each time had to be laboriously taken in for repairs. Also Kruschka's two drinking water hoses are so poor that much oil is lost through leakage. The work on deck is made difficult in the high Swell. | |||
17.05.43 | North Atlantic, northwest of the Azores | ||||
00.00 | BD 9264 | Both boats proceed in starboard echelon before the sea, both E-motors KF. | |||
NE 2, Sea 2, 10/10, 1018 mb, misty, Vis. bad | |||||
02.30 | BD 9264 | Fuel transfer broken off when the hose breaks for the third time. Additionally of the 20 tons delivered 12 were pumped into the Atlantic. We have a considerable oil trace. Gear taken in, flushed and stored under the deck. In the mean time set off to the south at HF, to get away from the oil trace. | |||
04.00 | BD 9294 | - transit, course: 180°. | |||
07.45 | BD 9526 | - course: 300°. Fuel transfer continued. | |||
With the nice weather it comes off much better today. The hoses are wrapped so that very little is lost. During the transfer we could work on the over deck. Sea damage and depth charge damage was corrected. | |||||
12.00 | BD 9521 | Day's run: 70 nm Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 270°T, 9 nm. | |||
φ = 44°39'N | |||||
λ = 27°19'W | |||||
13.45 | BD 9521 | Fuel transfer ended. Hawser taken over from Kruschka. We gave 50 cbm. He received 37 cbm. | |||
Came to course 180°, to get clear of the oil trace and to carry out a test dive. | |||||
13.55 | BD 9521 | Test dive. | |||
15.32 | BD 9521 | Surfaced. Began return transit. Course 90°. | |||
20.00 | BD 9554 | - transit, course: 90°. Diesel-electric. | |||
21.30 | BD 9556 | Crash dive for aircraft. Type not distinguished. In approach to the boat. Range = 7000 meters, altitude = 1000 meters, course = 40°. No bombs. No locating determined. | |||
22.00 | BD 9556 | Surfaced. | |||
18.05.43 | North Atlantic, northeast of the Azores | ||||
00.00 | BD 9566 | - transit, course: 70°. | |||
W 2, Sea 2, 3/10, 1020 mb, Vis. good | |||||
04.00 | BD 9627 | - transit, course: 70°. | |||
08.00 | BD 9636 | - transit, course: 70°. | |||
08.09 | Test dive. | ||||
08.39 | Surfaced. | ||||
Sun and Moon Data 16.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 17.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 18.05.43 |
- 21 - |
|||||
continued | |||||
18.05.43 | |||||
12.00 | BE 7421 | - transit, course: 70°. Day's run: 171 nm | |||
Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 107°T, 17 nm. | |||||
16.00 | BE 7278 | - transit, course: 70°. | |||
20.00 | BE 7283 | - transit, course: 70°. | |||
19.05.43 | North Atlantic, northeast of the Azores | ||||
00.00 | BE 7269 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
NW 2, Sea 2, 4/10, 1022 mb, Vis. changing | Anti-aircraft weapons repaired and fired, ammunition prepared. The magazines in the pressure-proof containers are all unserviceable, the ammunition is soaked. | ||||
04.00 | BE 7358 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
08.00 | BE 7386 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
12.00 | BE 8158 | - transit, course: 90°. Day's run: 175 nm | |||
φ = 45°04'N | Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 180°T, 5.5 nm. | ||||
λ = 19°49'W | |||||
16.00 | BE 8159 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
20.00 | BE 8258 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
20.05.43 | North Atlantic, northwest of Spain | ||||
00.00 | BE 8347 | - transit, course: 84°. | |||
SW 3, Sea 2, 6/10, 1025 mb, Vis. medium | |||||
04.00 | BE 8355 | - transit, course: 84°. | |||
08.00 | BE 9144 | - transit, course: 84°. | |||
08.30 | BE 9145 | Crash dive for "Sunderland". Approached out of a cloud deck abeam to port, range = 4000 meters, altitude 800 meters. At depth 30 meters 4 aircraft bombs, no damage. Locating not observed. | |||
12.00 | BE 9151 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
φ = 45°12'N | Day's run: 191 nm Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 73°T, 7 nm. | ||||
λ = 15°25'W | |||||
13.50 | BE 9151 | Surfaced. - transit, course: 90°. | |||
16.00 | BE 9161 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
17.00 | BE 9163 | Dived due to bad flier visibility. | |||
20.00 | BE 9243 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
23.30 | BE 5251 | Surfaced. - transit, course: 90°. | |||
21.05.43 | Western Bay of Biscay | ||||
00.00 | BE 9251 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
S 2, Sea 1, 10/10, 1022 mb, Vis. medium | |||||
03.24 | BE 9263 | Dived for locating by aircraft. | |||
04.15 | BE 9341 | Surfaced. - transit, course: 90°. | |||
05.05 | BE 9342 | Dived, because Fu.M.B. is out of service. | |||
09.14 | BE 9351 | Surfaced. Fu.M.B. in service again. | |||
09.58 | BE 9352 | Dived for locating by maritime reconnaissance. | |||
Sun and Moon Data 18.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 19.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 20.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 21.05.43 |
- 22 - |
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continued | |||||
21.05.43 | |||||
12.00 | BF 9352 | - transit, course: 90°. Day's run: 140 nm | |||
φ = 45°15'N | Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 38°T, 6 nm. | ||||
λ = 12°10'W | |||||
13.30 | BF 9353 | Surfaced. - transit, course: 90°. | |||
13.47 | BF 9353 | Dived for detection. | |||
15.47 | BF 9361 | Surfaced. - transit, course: 90°. | |||
16.23 | BF 9362 | Crash dive for "Stirling", approaching from abeam to port, no locating determined. | |||
20.00 | BF 7142 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
22.39 | BF 7151 | Surfaced. - transit, course: 90°. | |||
22.05.43 | Bay of Biscay | ||||
00.00 | BF 7152 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
S 3, Sea 3, 10/10, 1023 mb, Vis. bad | |||||
02.58 | BF 7243 | Dived for detection. | |||
04.12 | BF 7251 | Surfaced. - transit, course: 90°. | |||
06.12 | BF 7253 | Dived. - transit, course: 90°. | |||
08.00 | BF 7262 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
12.00 | BF 7341 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
φ = 45°15'N | Day's run: 130 nm Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 78°T, 16 nm. | ||||
λ = 9°04'W | |||||
13.46 | BF 7342 | Surfaced. - transit, course: 90°. | |||
Short Signal arrival report, meeting point with escort reported. | |||||
16.34 | BF 7352 | Dived due to visibility deterioration. | |||
20.00 | BF 7362 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
23.05.43 | Bay of Biscay | ||||
00.00 | BF 8127 | - transit, course: 90°. | |||
S 2, Sea 1, 8/10, 1017 mb, Vis. bad | |||||
02.43 | BF 8139 | Dived due to bad visibility towards the moon lee. | |||
04.00 | BF 8219 | - transit, course: 32°. | |||
08.00 | BF 8214 | - transit, course: 32°. | |||
09.40 | BF 8212 | Surfaced. Two patrol vessels ahead 70° to starboard, range = 7000 meters, bow right target angle 50°, course: SW. In Fu.M.B. detection on 132 cm determined. Ran off on course 300° at GF. | |||
10.40 | BF 5776 | Dived due to visibility deterioration. | |||
Sun and Moon Data 21.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 22.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 23.05.43 |
- 23 - |
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continued | |||||
23.05.43 | |||||
12.00 | BF 5784 | Proceeded submerged, course 32°. | |||
φ = 45°46'N | |||||
λ = 6°28'W | |||||
14.55 | BF 5758 | Surfaced. Proceeded on the surface, course 32°. | |||
16.15 | BF 5761 | Dived before detection. | |||
20.00 | BF 5738 | Proceeded submerged, course 36°. | |||
23.15 | BF 5733 | Surfaced. Proceeded submerged, course 36°. | |||
24.05.43 | Bay of Biscay | ||||
00.00 | BF 5574 | Proceeded submerged, course 36°. | |||
SW 3, Sea 2, 9/10, 1012 mb, Vis. bad | |||||
02.30 | BF 5571 | Dived. Positioned at Point "Kern" submerged until morning. | |||
04.00 | BF 5571 | Proceeded submerged, course 270° and 90°. | |||
07.58 | BF 5571 | Surfaced. On prescribed route "Kernleder" ran with 2 diesels GF to Point "Laterne". | |||
15.16 | Taken in convoy at Point "Laterne". | ||||
16.50 | Made fast Lorient, Keroman III Box 13. | ||||
On board, 24 May 1943. | |||||
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | |||||
Oblt.z.See and Kmdt. | |||||
Sun and Moon Data 23.05.43 | |
Sun and Moon Data 24.05.43 |
Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote | |||
on the K.T.B. of "U-533" (Hennig) from 25.11.42 - 24.5.43 | |||
First patrol of the Kommandanten with a new boat. | |||
The anti-aircraft defense on 25 April was good and soon more effective ammunition will also lead to more certain shoot downs. The operation on the "Witzendorff-convoy" pitted the boat against strong air and sea defense which the Kommandant bravely outmaneuvered without reaching attack position. 2 bad operating errors with depth charges on 28 April and while preparing the torpedo tubes on 30 April which could easily have been disastrous for the boat ruined a promising attack opportunity for the Kommandant. | |||
The operation on the "Pückler-convoy" and "Hasenschar-convoy" lead to no success - but instead a very strong contact (ramming) with a destroyer, which the boat escaped by a hairsbreadth. | |||
During operation on the 'Luis-convoy" the boat encountered only defenses. | |||
The first patrol was very rich in events of all kinds and was a harsh baptism of fire. Kommandant, boat and crew have welded together well. | |||
For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote |
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- The Chief of the Operations Department - | |||
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