U-636 - 13th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

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			G  e  h  e  i  m  e    K  o  m  m  a  n  d  o  s  a  c  h  e
			K r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
			"U 636"
			Kommandant  :	Oberleutnant zur See Schendel
			11th  Patrol
			Beginning on  :	16.  11.  44.
			Ending on  :	16.  12.  44.
			D  i  s  t  r  i  b  u  t  i  o  n  !
			1st Copy  B.d.U. for O.K.M. Copy No. 1 2nd    " B.d.U. for O.K.M         " 2 3rd    " B.d.U.         " 3 4th    " Kom. Adm. U.-Boote         " 4 5th    " F.d.U. Nordmeer         " 5 6th    " F.d.U. Ausbildung         " 6 7th    " 27. U.-Flottille         " 7 8th    " 13. U.-Flottille         " 8
			2         Enclosures.
				© U-boat Archive 2023  - all rights reserved

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	- 3 -
		16.11.44	Bogenbucht
		18.00		Made fast at KAMERUN to for overhaul work.
		17.11.44		Dry-docked.
		18.11.44
		25.11.44		Dry-docked.
		27.11.44
		28.11.44		Torpedo loading.
		29.11.44	Ofotenfjord
		12.30		Departed Bogen for Ramsund to load T V.
		14.30		Made fast Ramsund.
		17.00		Departed Ramsund for KÄRNTEN for provisions loading.
		20.10		Made fast at KÄRNTEN.
		30.11.44
		08.00		Cast off KÄRNTEN for Narvik.
		10.00		Made fast Narvik.
		12.00		Day's run:  Surfaced:
		15.30 - 16.48		Deep diving attempt, radio direction finder and outboard valve in the forward W.C. leak heavily.
		20.00		Made fast at KAMERUN in Bogen.
				Liner on the port diesel leaks.
		04.12.44	Ofotenfjord
		08.30		Shipyard work ended, cast off for Narvik for radio direction finder calibration and deep dive attempt.
		14.30		Made fast Narvik.  Am ready to depart.
		17.25		Cast off for KÄRNTEN to take over a rubber boat with motor.
		19.00		Made fast KÄRNTEN.
		20.00		Cast off from KÄRNTEN for U-boat base Harstad.
		22.47		Outgoing Radio Message 2240/59
				Passed Lödingen.
				Schendel

Sun and Moon Data 04.12.44

	- 4 -
		continued
		04.12.44	Archipelago Route
		23.45		Incoming Radio Message 2319/636/63
				Schendel:  Boat delay at U-boat Base Harstad.  There 1 day rest.  Departure intended on 6 December.
				F.d.U.
		05.12.44
		02.15		Made fast "BLACK WATCH".
		06.12.44
		13.30		Cast off "BLACK WATCH" for 11th patrol.  Objective AB 3261 for the delivery of batteries and equipment.  After implementation report from AB 62 Operations Order 15.
		16.00	AB 9897
			ENE 1-2, Sea 1, 5-6/10, 5.5°C, 995 mb, Vis. 5 nm
		18.10		Passed Schwarz 25.
		20.00	AB 9851
			SSE 2, Sea 1-2, 2/10, 4.5°C, 995 mb, Vis. 4 nm
		07.12.44
		00.00	AB 9528
			SE 2, Sea 1, 2-5/10, 5.0°C, 998 mb, Vis. 6 nm
		04.00	AB 9255
			SE 2, Sea 0-1, 1-3/10, -4°C, 999 mb, Vis. 6 nm
		08.00	AB 6858
			SE 2, Sea 1-2, 2/10, 999 mb, Vis. 4 nm
		08.30		Twilight.
		09.15	AB 6852	Quick dive.
		12.00	AB 6828	Day's run:  Surfaced       260.0 nm
				Submerged       5.5 nm
				265.5 nm
		15.11	AB 6825	Surfaced.
		16.00	AB 6588
			SE 2, Sea 1, 3-5/10, 6.0°C, 1001 mb, Vis. 4-5 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 04.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 05.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 06.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 07.12.44

	- 5 -
		continued
		07.12.44	Norwegian Sea
		20.00	AB 6528
			E 3, Sea 2, overcast (rain), 5°C, 1000 mb, Vis. 1-2 nm
		08.12.44
		00.00	AB 6255
			SSE 3, Sea 2, overcast (rain), 5°C, 1002 mb, Vis. 2-5 nm
		04.00	AB 5882
			ESE 2-5, Sea 1-2, 8/10, 3°C, 1003 mb, Vis. 4 nm
		08.00	AB 3822
			ESE 3, Sea 2, overcast, 3°C, 1004 mb, Vis. 3-4 nm
		09.15		Twilight.
		09.32	AB 3582	Quick dive.
		12.00	AB 3582	Day's run:  Surfaced       183.0 nm
				Submerged     10.0 nm
				193.0 nm
		14.45	AB 3558	Surfaced.
		16.00	AB 3552
			SSE 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast (rain), 2°C, 1005 mb, Vis. 3 nm
		20.00	AB 3258
			ESE 3, Sea 2, overcast (snow), 2°C, 1007 mb, Vis. 1000-1500 meters
		21.15		Spitzbergen in sight.
				Because there has been no navigation fix since leaving, intend to wait until morning.
		22.50	AB 3256	Quick dive.
		22.52		Boat put on the bottom depth 45 meters.
		09.12.44
		00.00	AB 3256
		04.00	AB 3256
		07.58	AB 3264	Surfaced.
		08.00	AB 3264

	Sun and Moon Data 07.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 08.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 09.12.44

	- 6 -
		continued
		09.12.44	West coast of Spitzbergen
		08.00	AB 3264
			SE 1, Sea 0-1, overcast (fog), 1007 mb, Vis. 0.5 nm
		10.00		Head for the Südkap to get an attack position.
		11.50		Südkap in sight.
		12.00	AB 3292	Day's run:  Surfaced       138.0 nm
			SE 1, Swell, 9/10, 1°C, 1007 mb, Vis. 1-2 nm	Submerged        7.5 nm
				145.5 nm
		15.10		Boat is positioned in Sturmbucht.
		15.15		Recognition signals exchanged with Station "Landvik".
		15.25	AB 3264	Anchored in the bay.
			Vis. very bad	Intend to offload the property in the morning because today the visibility is too bad and I have anchored too far from land due to the reefs.
		10.12.44
				Very difficult landing due to the quickly increasing wind.  The motor is not working.
		11.00		Rubber boat is back.  The people want some fresh vegetables. At the moment, the rubber boat can no longer be driven due to heavy surf.  Intend to wait until 15.00 hours, to see if the wind and surf subsides, if not move off.
		12.00	AB 3264	Day's run:  Surfaced  27 nm
			SSE 4, Sea 3, -0.5°C, 993 mb, Vis. 1-2 nm, individual small ice floes
		15.05		Weighed anchor.
		16.00	AB 3256
			SE 3-4, Sea 3, overcast (snow), 1°C, 991 mb, Vis. 100-200 meters
		20.00	AB 3522
			SE 4-5, Sea 4, overcast (rain), 3°C, 986 mb, Vis. 1-2 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 09.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 10.12.44

	- 7 -
		11.12.44	West of Bäreninsel
		00.00	AB 3558
			SSE 3, Sea 2, overcast, 4°C, 985 mb, Vis. 2 nm, misty
		04.00	AB 3825
			SE 3-4, Sea 2-3, 6/10, 4°C, 983 mb, Vis. 3-4 nm
		08.00	AB 3885
			S 3-4, Sea 2, overcast (rain), 3°C, 983 mb, Vis. 2-4 nm
		09.00		Twilight.
		10.28		Outgoing Radio Message 1028/15
				Have completed task.
				U-636
		11.45	AB 6228	Came to 110° and operated on QP convoy.
		12.00	AB 6228	Day's run:  Surfaced  160.0 nm
			S 2, Sea 2, 7/10, 4°C, (rain), 983 mb, Vis. 2-7 nm
		12.38		Incoming Radio Message 1155/754
				Schendel:  Operate on convoy from square AB 62 in Group Stier.  Position 06.00 hours AC 5766 plotted course 280°, 10 knots.
				F.d.U.
		16.00	AB 6357
			S 3-4, Sea 3, 6-8/10 (rain, snow), 4°C, 984 mb, Vis. 2-4 nm
		17.16	AB 6358	Test dive.
		18.18	AB 6392	Incoming Radio Message 1911/764
				Schendel:  Extend search fan to the south.
				F.d.U.
		19.35	AB 6392	Came to course 180°.
				Radio direction finder cannot be extended and leaks heavily.
		19.51 - 20.12	AB 6398	Dived to repair radio direction finder.
		22.10		Incoming Radio Message 2241/767
				3)  Group Stier newly expanded search fan with Ley and Schendel in the south from 270° to 340°.
				F.d.U.
		22.10	AB 6632	Came to course 110°.

Sun and Moon Data 11.12.44

	- 8 -
		continued
		11.12.44	Bärenenge
		23.59		Incoming Radio Message 2218/769
				Unverzagt in second place from the south, from 270° to the north Ley, Unverzagt, Schendel, Lehmann etc.
				F.d.U.
		23.30	AB 4417	Came to course 85°.
		12.12.44
		00.00	AC 4419
			SSW 3-4, Sea 3, 8 (rain, hail) 3.5°C, 993 mb, Vis. 2-3 nm
		02.00	AC 4434	Boat positioned in search fan, came to course 312°.
		02.11		Incoming Radio Message 0125/775
				Stier:  If there is no contact by 06.00 hours occupy patrol line from AC 1277 to 4844. Old named order.
				F.d.U.
		04.00	AC 4176
			WSW 4, Sea 3, 7/10, 3°C, 995 mb, Vis. 1-3 nm, light Swell
		06.00	AB 6365	Came to course 128° to patrol line.
		08.00	AC 4173
			WSW 3-4, Sea 3, 6-8/10 (rain, snow), 1°C, 999 mb, Vis. 1-4 nm
		11.08		Incoming Radio Message 1029/778
				Air reports 09.16 hours AC 4775 locating 4 targets.  09.45 hours AC 4754 8 merchant ships course 250°.  Group Stier operate on it at highest speed.
				F.d.U.
		11.10	AC 4438	Came to course 220°.
		12.00	AC 4464	Day's run:  Surfaced       265.0 nm
			WSW 3-4, Sea 2, 7/10, 3°C, 1002 mb, Vis. 7 nm	Submerged       4.0 nm
		14.45		Incoming Radio Message 1417/781
				Air reports 13.26 hours AC 4742 QP convoy.
				F.d.U.
		15.13	AC 4479	Came to course 254° intend to maneuver ahead to the north by plotting.
		16.00	AC 4711
			SW 2-3, Sea 2, 2-4/10, 3°C, 1003 mb, Vis. 3-5 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 11.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 12.12.44

	- 9 -
		continued
		12.12.44	Bärenenge
		16.12		Incoming Radio Message Officer-Only 1346/753
				Luftwaffe torpedo attack intended in the twilight.  Boats in the rear operate on damaged ships.
				F.d.U.
		16.20	AB 6935	Came to course 210°.
		16.42		Incoming Radio Message 1558/756
				9 Ju 88 with air torpedoes took off against convoy.  Ley, Schendel, Emde monitor emergency frequency.
		19.35		Incoming Radio Message 1907/786
				17.10 hours AB 6983 several targets located by reconnaissance.
				F.d.U.
		19.55	AB 6985
			SSE 2, Sea 0-2, 4-6/10, 4°C, 1002 mb, Vis. 1-4 nm, long Swell
		21.00	AB 9321	Came to course 235°.  Nothing heard on emergency frequency, switched off.
		13.12.44
		00.00	AB 9268	Search courses between 235° to 255°.
			S 2, Sea 0-2, 4-6/10, 4°C, 1002 mb, Vis. 1-4 nm
		02.50		Incoming Radio Message 0144/788
				Stier:  Convoy plotted 13 December 08.00 hours in square AB 9410.  If no other indications boats pass a line between AB 8330 and 9450.
				F.d.U.
		04.00	AB 9169
			NE 2, Sea 1-2, 7/10, 4°C, 1002 mb, Vis. 2 nm
		04.08	AB 9196	Dived to listen.  Nothing heard.
		08.00	AB 9176
			S 2-3, Sea 1-2, 4-6/10 (rain), 4°C, 1003 mb, Vis. 1-4 nm
		08.45		Twilight

	Sun and Moon Data 12.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 13.12.44

	- 10 -
		continued
		13.12.44	Norwegian Sea
		10.55		Incoming Radio Message 1001/712
				During torpedo attack two hits on ships.  Convoy altogether 20-30 ships, 1 large carrier, 1 auxiliary carrier recognized.
				F.d.U.
		11.35	AB 8354	Aircraft type "Swordfish" bearing 190°T, range 4000-5000 meters, comes out of the clouds in direct approach.  No locating determined.  Put aircraft astern.  At 3000 meters opened fire.  Aircraft flies serpentine course after 3.7 cm fires.  3.7 and several 2 cm hits observed.  At 3.7 cm hits brief plume of smoke, turns away after hits.  4 men of the 3.7 crew wounded by an early detonator on the starboard twin.
		11.38		Outgoing Radio Message 1138/714
				Was attacked by aircraft.  AB 8354.
				U-636
		11.40		Crash dive, aircraft bearing 200°T, range 6000 meters.
		12.00	AB 8354	Day's run:  Surfaced       309.0 nm
				Submerged       2.5 nm
				311.5 nm
		12.10		Diesel bearing 250°T (U-boat).
		12.30		Went to depth 20 meters.
		12.32		2 aircraft bombs, medium range.
		14.35	AB 8357	Surfaced.
		15.00		Twilight.
		15.45	AB 8382	Aircraft.  Aircraft type Swordfish in approach bearing 160°T range 4000-6000 meters.  On sighting throws 2 parachute flares, turns away and passes out of sight.  Parachute flares continue to burn on the water surface.  Put these astern and continued on zigzag course.  Aircraft area no locating determined, Tunis was not on the bridge.  Aircraft no longer distinguished.
			SW 2, Sea 1-2, 6-8/10 (rain), 1011 mb, Vis. 1-3 nm
		15.47		Outgoing Radio Message 1547/720
				Was attacked by aircraft.  AB 8355.
				U-636
		15.50		Crash dive, went to depth A +20 meters.
		16.35		2 aircraft bombs bearing 140°T.
		17.26	AB 8381	Surfaced.  Continued on course 230°.
		17.30-1810		Strong parachute flares thrown bearing 230° to 280°.  Range 3-8 nm.  Suspect U-boat search.

Sun and Moon Data 13.12.44

	- 11 -
		continued
		13.12.44	Norwegian Sea
		18.20		Incoming Radio Message 1603/721
				Convoy suspected 24.00 between AB 5755 to 8882.  Stier strive for this as position line for 23.00 hours.
				F.d.U.
		19.30	AB 8616	Incoming Radio Message 1913/723
				Group Stier operate at highest speed on Hess report of convoy voice near AB 8950.
				F.d.U.
		20.00	AB 8616
			SW 3, Sea 2-3, 9/10, 3°C, 1015 mb, Vis. 2-4 nm
		21.39		Outgoing Radio Message 1730/726
				Twice fended off Swordfish. 4 wounded by early detonator.
				Schendel
				Radio Message just sent now due to previous U-boat hunt by aircraft.
		14.12.44
		00.00	AB 8952
			SE 3, Sea 2, 6-8 (rain, snow), 4°C, 1018 mb, Vis. 1-4 nm
		00.05		Incoming Radio Message 2341/730
				Air 22.41 hours detected convoy AB 6894.  Stier [operate] on it.
				F.d.U.
		00.06	AB 8952	Course change to 240°.
		03.10		Incoming Radio Message 0211/735
				Group Stier break off at lightness.  Begin return transit submerged from convoy.
				F.d.U.
		04.00	AB 8897
			SSW 3-4, Sea 2-3, 5.6°C, 1018 mb, Vis. 5 nm
		06.57	AF 2243	Incoming Radio Message 0553/737
				Air reports 01.40 hours AF 2546 after radar visual detection convoy course 180°.
				F.d.U.
		07.00		Came to course 180°.
		08.00	AF 2249
			SSW 3, Sea 2, 4-6/10, 5°C, 1017 mb, Vis. 1-4 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 13.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 14.12.44

	- 12 -
		continued
		14.12.44	Southeast of Jan Mayen
		08.40		Twilight.
		08.45	AF 2276	Broke off, came to course 55°.
		08.54	AF 2273	Quick dive, proceeded submerged depth 60 meters.
		12.00	AF 2258	Day's run:  Surfaced       217.0 nm
				Submerged      17.0 nm
				234.0 nm
		16.00	AF 2256
		18.48	AF 2256	Surfaced.
		19.15		Incoming Radio Message 1303/743
				Group Stier position line 1 until 14 December 24.00 AB 8858 to AF 2354.
				F.d.U.
		20.00	AF 2262
			S 3, Sea 2, 5/10, 5°C, 1017 mb, Vis. 2 nm
		22.30		Passed position line 1.
		22.50		Incoming Radio Message 2128/748
				Group Stier:  Position line 2 from AB 6776 to 9519 until 16 December 04.00 hours.  Afterwards return transit.  Todenhagen, Schendel, Will, Klingspor, Wiebold.
				F.d.U.
		15.12.44
		00.00	AB 8978
			S 3, Sea 2, 5/10, 1017 mb, Vis. 2 nm
		04.00	AB 8953
			S 3, Sea 2, 5/10, -5.5°C, 1017 mb, Vis. 2 nm
		07.51	AB 9474	Quick dive, proceeded submerged depth 60 meters.
		08.00	AB 9474
		12.00	AB 9472	Day's run:  Surfaced       116.0 nm
				Submerged      20.0 nm
				136.0 nm
		16.00	AB 9473
		16.48	AB 9449	Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 15.12.44

	- 13 -
		continued
		15.12.44	Norwegian Sea
		20.00	AB 9426
			S 3, Sea 2, 8/10, -5°C, 1016 mb, Vis. 5 nm
		23.00	AB 9194	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  37°T, 19.4 nm.
		23.20	AB 9168	Reached position line 2.  Came to entry course.
		23.53		Outgoing Radio Message 2335/771
				Seven hours off objective point.
				U-636
		16.12.44
		00.00	AB 9193
			SSW 3-4, Sea 3, 5-8/10, -5°C, 1016 mb, Vis. 2-4 nm
		02.10		Incoming Radio Message 0012/15/679
				Schendel:
				1)  Radio beacons for entry.
				3)  Off and in Andfjord expect increased U-boat and carrier aircraft danger.
				4)  Until Toppsund enter submerged.
				5.)  Passing Harstad give Morse call sign.
				U-boat base Harstad.
		04.00	AB 9357
			SSW 4-5, Sea 3, 7/10, -3°C, 1018 mb, Vis. 0.5 - 2 nm
		08.00	AB 9868
			SSW 3-4, Sea 3, 1/10, -2°C, 1018 mb, Vis. 4-5 nm
		08.15	AB 9868	Passed Schwarz 25.
		08.47	AB 9892	Crash dive for training.
		12.00	AB 9897	Day's run:  Surfaced       174.0 nm
				Submerged      25.0 nm
				199.0 nm
				On board 19.12.44
				Obltn. z.See and Komdt.

	Sun and Moon Data 15.12.44
	Sun and Moon Data 16.12.44

	Enclosure 1 to F.d.U. Nord. Gkdos - 14 -
	Comments of the "F.d.U. Nordmeer"
	on the K.T.B. of "U 636" from 16.11. - 16.12.44
	1)  Landing according to plan.  At convoy no contact due to no indications. 2) To 13 December 17.26 hours:  When diving before the "Swordfish" if necessary at night, certainly 30 minutes was too long.  Do not be too strongly impressed by parachute flares.

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