U-74 - 4th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

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Ships Hit
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
19 Sep 41	06.03	60°21'N, 38°12'W	HMCS LEVIS (K 115)	925	Canadian	SC-44
20 Sep 41	01.13	61°27'N, 34°37'W	EMPIRE BURTON	6,966	British	SC-44
			Total = 7,891
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.

				Copy No.  . . . . . 1. . . .
				K  r  i  e  g s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
				"U  74"
				Kommandant:  Kaptlt.    K  e  n  t  r  a  t
			Beginning:    13.8.1941     Ending:        26.9.1941
				Distribution:     "U 74" Copy No. 1 7. U.-Flottille         " 2 B.d.U.-Op. -         " 3 2. A.d.U.         " 4 O.K.M.         " 5 + 6
				Enclosures: 1.) 1 Track chart for Copy No. 1-5, 2.) 1 Excerpt of the General Radio Log for Copy No. 2-5. 3.) 6 Torpedo firing reports for Copy No. 1-3.
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
			St. Nazaire
		13.08.41		Cleared the boat.
				Married soldiers on leave.
		14.08.41		Began the shipyard period.
		19.08.41		Dry-docked the boat.
		27.08.41		Re-floated the boat.
		28.08.41		Shifted with tugs to the repair pier.
		30.08.41		Pier-side trials.
		01.09.41
		08.00		Sea trial.
		11.30		Degaussing
		13.30		Magnetic compass calibration.
		02.09.41		Torpedo and ammunition loading.  Took over the boat.
		03.09.41		Provisions loading.
		05.09.41		Shifted the boat to the outfitting pier.
		08.09.41		Outfitting (departure delayed in accordance with Outbound Orders).
		08.09.41
		17.30		Departed St. Nazaire for 4th war patrol.  (AL 77).
		18.15		Under mine and anti-aircraft escort.
		21.00		Fighter escort by 2 Messerschmitt.
		21.04		Test dive in convoy.
		22.11		Surfaced.  Released escort.  Set off from the coast on changing courses to the SW.
		09.09.41
		04.00	BF 5834 upper-right
			EbyN 2-3, Sea 3, 6/10, bright moonlit night, Vis. 5-7 nm
		06.55		Fishing vessel sighted 40° to starboard.
		07.15		Test dive.
		08.00	BF 5766 lower-left	Proceeded submerged.  Course 270°.  Starboard clutch readjusted (slips again).
			ENE
		09.30 - 11.00		Crash dive for training.
		12.00	BF 5766 lower-left	Day's run:  Surfaced 135.5 nm, Submerged 5.5 nm
			ENE 3, Sea 2-3, sky partly overcast, Vis. good, 8 + 12 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 08.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 09.09.41

	- 2 -
		continued
		09.09.41
		16.00	Bay of Biscay	General course 270°.
			BF 5746 lower-right
			EbyN 2, Sea 2-3, cloudless, Vis. good, 8-12 nm
		20.00	BF 4928 lower-left	Course 20°.
			NEbyE 2-3, Sea 2-3, cloudless, a bit misty, Vis. 5-8 nm
		23.45	Sailing vessels abeam to port.
		24.00	BF 4862
			NEbyE 2-3, Sea 2-3, misty, Vis. 4-6 nm
		10.09.41
		04.00	BF 4849 upper-right corner	Moved off to the west.  General course 270°.
			NEbyE 2-3, Sea 2, 4-6/10
		07.14		Test dive.
		08.00	BF 4794 lower-right	Deep dive to depth T = 75 meters. [actual depth 150 meters] Minor leaks were corrected.
			NEbyE 3-4, Sea 3-4, 10/10, Vis. 5-8 nm
		10.47		Surfaced.
		12.00	BF 4788 lower-right	Day's run:  Surfaced 207 nm, Submerged 9.2 nm
			ENE 2-3, Sea 2, a bit misty, Vis. 5-8 nm
		14.22 - 14.45		Crash dive for training and to proceed submerged, depth control training.  Clutch was readjusted.
		16.00	BF 7112 center-right edge	Proceeded submerged at depth 16 meters.  Depth control training, fire control training.
			EbyN 2-3, lightly misty, Vis. 5-7 nm
		20.00	BF 7111 center	Proceeded submerged.  General course 270°, clutch was readjusted.
		23.00		Sent new position Short Signal.  Was not understood by Control.
		24.00	BF 6958	General course 290°.
			ENE 2, Sea 1-2, 4/10, moonshine, Vis. 3-4 nm
		11.09.41
		03.00		Proceeded submerged.  Course 290°.
				Repeated the position Short Signal (BE 69).
		03.46		Confirmation by Control.
		04.00	BE 6883 center-left	Proceeded submerged.
			ESE 2-3, Sea 2-3, 7/10, moonshine, Vis. 3-5 nm
		07.31		Test dive.
		08.00	BE 6824 center-right edge	Proceeded submerged, fire control training.
			ESE 2, Sea 1-2, 7-8/10, moonshine, Vis. 6-8 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 09.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 10.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 11.09.41

	- 3 -
		continued
		11.09.41
		09.56	North Atlantic	Surfaced.  General course 290°.
		12.00	BE 6811 center-right edge	Proceeded submerged, general course 290°.
			EbyN 1-2, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. good clear 10 nm	Day's run:  Surfaced 150.5 nm, Submerged 11.7 nm
		16.00	BE 6485 center-left	Course 290°.
		20.00	BE 5664 upper-right
			ENE 1-2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. clear 10-12 nm
		24.00	BE 5614 lower-left	Course 290°.
			ENE 1-2, Sea 1, quite dark night, Vis. up to 3 nm
		12.09.41
		04.00	BE 5288 center-right	Proceeded on the surface, course 290°.
			Very bright night, moonshine
		07.54		Test dive.  Depth control training.  Repairs to the cooling water piping in the E-motors.
		08.00	BE 5193	Course 290°.
			Wind calm, Sea 0-1, sky cloudy, Vis. about 8 nm
		11.10		Surfaced.  Continued surface transit.
		12.00	BE 5167 lower-left	Day's run:  Surfaced 122.5 nm, Submerged 4.8 nm
		16.00	BE 5119 center	Proceeded on the surface.  Course 300°.
			ENE 1, Sea 1, 2/10, Vis. good, Vis. 10-12 nm
		20.00	BE 1956 lower-left	Course 310°.
			SE 1, Sea 0-1, 7/10, Vis. clear 10-12 nm
		22.00		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  U-74 report weather between 01.00 and 05.00 hours.
		24.00	BE 1912 center-left	Course 310°.
			9/10, quite dark night, Vis. 9-10 nm
		13.09.41
		03.00		Sent weather report.
		04.00	BE 1559 center	Proceeded on the surface (course 310°).
			SE 2, Sea 1, 9/10, quite bright night, moonshine, Vis. 3-5 nm
		08.00	BE 1515 center-left	Course 310°.
			SE 1-2, Sea 1-2, 10/10, Vis. clear, 6-8 nm
		09.10		Test dive.  Depth control training.  Repair to the cooling water piping of the diesel.
		11.42		Surfaced.  Continued surface transit.  Course 310°.
		12.00		Day's run:  Surfaced 192.5 nm, Submerged 5.5 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 11.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 12.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 13.09.41

	- 4 -
		continued
		13.09.41	North Atlantic
		14.20 - 16.00	BE 1195 center-left edge	Crash dive for training.  Fire control and depth control training.
			SE 1-2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. 8-10 nm
				Proceeded on the surface.  General course 310°.
		18.10		Radio Message from B.d.U. concerning objective square AK 27.
		20.00	BE 1154 center-right	General course 325°.
			SE 1-2, Sea 2, 10/10, Vis. clear 10-12 nm
		24.00	AL 7766 lower-right	Course 325°.
			SEbyE 1-2, Sea 1-2, 9/10, quite dark night, quite strong marine phosphorescence, Vis. 2-3 nm
		14.09.41
		04.00	AL 7485 lower-half	Headed for square in accordance with orders.
			SEbyS 1-2, Sea 1-2, 10/10, moonshine, quite strong marine phosphorescence, Vis. 3-4 nm
		08.00	AL 7419	Course 325°.
		08.23		Test dive.
		09.00 - 09.40		Fire control and depth control training.
		12.00	AK 9396	Day's run:  Surfaced 202.5 nm, Submerged 5 nm
			Wind calm, S-Swell, 9/10, Vis. 8-10 nm
		15.00		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  On 15 September at 08.00 hours switch to Greenland Circuit.
		16.00	AK 9322	Proceeded on the surface.  Course 325°.
			SE to S 1-2, Sea 1-2, cloudy, Vis. clear good
		20.00	AK 6987 center	Transit into ordered objective square.
			SEbyS 1-2, Sea 1-2, 10/10, somewhat misty, Vis. 7-9 nm
		24.00	AK 6833 lower-center	Course 325°.
			SEbyS 2-3, Sea 2, 10/10, quite dark night, Vis. 2-3 nm
		15.09.41
		04.00	AK 6555	Transit into ordered objective square.
			SEbyS 3, Sea 3, 10/10. Vis. 3-4 nm
		08.00	AK 6278 center	Course 325°.
		08.33		Test dive.  Proceeded submerged.  Depth control training.
		09.00		Sound bearing of 2 fast running engines.  Asdic.  irregular chirps.  Suspect 2 American destroyers.  In the periscope and after

	Sun and Moon Data 13.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 14.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 15.09.41

	- 5 -
		continued
		15.09.41	North Atlantic
				surfacing nothing in sight.
		09.55		Surfaced.  Continued on the surface.  Fire control training.
		10.40		U-boat ahead 40° to starboard.  After distinguished as own, broad silhouette sighted.  Passed out of sight on southerly course.
		12.00	AL 6165	Day's run:  Surfaced 191 nm, Submerged 0.8 nm
			SSE 4, Sea 3-4, 10/10, Vis. 10-12 nm
		14.30		Test dive.  Depth control training.
		15.49 - 16.24	AK 0297	Crash dive training.
			SSE 4, Sea 3-4, 10/10, Vis. good, 8-10 nm
		16.00	AK 0297	General course 320°.
			SSE 4, Sea 3-4, 10/10. Vis. good 9-10 nm
		20.00	AK 0219 upper right edge	Transit on the surface into ordered objective square.
			SSE 4, Sea 4, misty fog, Vis. greatly changing 3-4 nm
		24.00	AK 2792	Transit into objective square.
			S 4-5, Sea 4, 10/10, quite dark night, Vis. clear 1-2 nm, medium S-Swell
		16.09.41
		04.00	AK 2752 upper right edge	General course 310°.
			SSW 4, Sea 3-4, 10/10, about 13.00 hours quite strong Northern lights, Vis. clear 2-3 nm
		08.00	AK 2711 upper right edge	Reached NW edge of the objective square.
		08.51		Test dive.  Depth control training.
		09.48		Surfaced.  Proceed on the surface in ordered square.  Course 120°.
		12.00	AK 2726	Day's run:  Surfaced 182.5 nm, Submerged 5 nm
			SSW 3-4, Sea 3, 9/10, Atlantic-Vis. 10-12 nm
		16.00	AK 2792 right edge lower	In ordered square.  Course 130°.
			S 3, Sea 2-3, 8/10, Atlantic-Vis. 10-12 nm
		20.00	AK 2795 lower-center	In ordered square.  Course 275°.
			SEbyS 3-4, Sea 2-3, 9-10/10, somewhat misty, Vis. 8-10 nm
		24.00	AK 2776 lower-left	Proceeded on the surface.
			E 4-5, Sea 4-5, misty, Vis. greatly changing in rain,1-2 nm, strong barometer fall

	Sun and Moon Data 15.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 16.09.41

	- 6 -
		17.09.41	North Atlantic
		04.00	AK 2715 upper-left	Proceeded on the surface.  Course 350°.
			SE 4-5, Sea 4-5, rain, dark night, strong marine phosphorescence, Vis. 1-2 nm, strong barometer fall, in the last 8 hours from 1016 to 996 mb
		05.45		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  U-74, U-94, 575, 372, 373, 552, 69, 562, 572 form patrol line from AD 9564 to JD [AJ] 3986.  Boats bear the designation Group Brandenburg.
				2)  Each boat begins on arrival in position moving back and forth in the direction of the patrol line.  From 00.00 - 04.00 hours NW course, from 04.00 - 08.00 hours on SE course, etc.  02.00 and 06.00 hours etc in the center point of the attack area.  Economical transit speed.  Course changes up to 30° from general course due to weather conditions allowed.
				3)  Attack free also on independents.  Observe regulations for Americans.
		08.00	AK 1669 upper-center	Proceeded on the surface to position in the patrol line.  Strong barometer fall in the last 18 hours from 1020 to 990 mb.  However the boat lies quite well in the heavy swell coming from approximately 10° to port astern and Sea State 7.  Course 285°.
			SE 7, Sea 6-7, rain, Vis. greatly changing 3-4 nm, further barometer fall to 990 mb, heavy Swell
		09.05		Test dive.  Proceeded submerged at depth 20 meters.  Depth control training.
		10.52		Surfaced.  Continued transit.  Course 285°.
		12.00	AK 1654 center-right edge	Day's run: Surfaced 168.5 nm, Submerged 3 nm
			S 7, Sea 6-7, 6-10/10, somewhat misty, Vis. 3-5 nm, heavy SE-Swell
		16.00	AK 1533 center-left	Course 300°.
			W 7, Sea 6-7, a bit misty, 10/10, Vis. changing 4-6 nm, heavy Swell
		20.00	AK 1368 center	Transit into the ordered attack area.
			Misty, rain squalls, Vis. changing 4-6 nm, quite heavy Swell
		24.00	AK 1372 center	Course 270°.
			WSW 7, Sea 6-7, 4/10, dark night, heavy W-Swell, Vis. 1-2 nm
		18.09.41
		04.00	AD 9891 center	Course 270°.
			WSW 7, Sea 6-7, 3-4/10, dark night, heavy W-Swell, faint Northern Lights, Vis. 2-3 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 17.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 18.09.41

	- 7 -
		continued
		18.09.41	North Atlantic
		08.00	AD 9873 center-left	Transit to position in patrol line.  Course 270°.
			SWbyW 6-7, Sea 5-6, 4/10, strong Northern Lights, Vis. good 4-5 nm, strong W-Swell
		09.33		Dived.  Depth control training.
		10.30		Surfaced.
		12.00	AD 9793 center-right	Day's run: Surfaced 154.5 nm, Submerged 1.5 nm
			SWbyW 5-6, Sea 5, 1/10, Vis. good 8-10 nm
		16.00	AD 9847	Proceeded submerged.  Course 270°.
			W 6, Sea 5-6, 2/10, Vis. 6-8 nm, heavy Swell
		20.00	AD 9792 upper-left
			WbyS 5-6, Sea 5, 9/10. Vis. 8-10 nm
		21.00	AD 9758	Ahead 30° to starboard a smoke feather in sight.  On closing it is distinguished as an east-bound convoy.  Widely spaced.
		23.30		Alpha, alpha.  Enemy convoy in sight square AD 9761, NE-course, medium speed.    U-74
		24.00	AD 9764 lower-right	Since 18 September at 05.30 hours reception on Short Wave is very bad and gradually stopped altogether.  All possibilities were tried without success.  I hope that I am heard by the rest of the Brandenburg boats.
			WbyS 3-4, Sea 4, 1-2/10, quite bright night, Northern Lights, Vis. 4-6 nm
				At the beginning of evening twilight I went closer to the convoy and slowly moved ahead on the starboard side.  The convoy consists of about 20 steamers.  Line ahead, two columns.
		19.09.41		Large ship spacing - screen 4 corvettes and 2 destroyers.
		02.00		Alpha, alpha.  Enemy convoy.  Course 60°, speed medium, square AD 9739.    U-74.
				Shortly after the evening twilight strong Northern Lights set in.  Visibility was about 10-12 nm, at times nearly bright as day. The screen moved far out.  While attempting to attack at night was forced off several times by a corvette.  In this visibility one can be seen at about 6000 meters.
		04.00	AD 9813 upper-center	Corvettes follow but not for long.  Now I go around the convoy to the port side, because there the Norther Lights are reduced.
			WbyS 3, Sea 3, 2/10, very strong Northern Lights, Vis. up to 7 nm, light SW-Swell
				Because since up to now no Brandenburg boats have reported, I first sent the following Radio Message to the next boat in the patrol line - U-94 - and later to all Brandenburg boats because at all costs I want to know if I was

	Sun and Moon Data 18.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 19.09.41

	- 8 -
		continued
		19.09.41		heard and if my reports to B.d.U. were forwarded by other boats in the vicinity.
		04.25		Alpha alpha.  "U-94"  Position of convoy square AD 9479.    U-74.
		04.50		Brandenburg boats report immediately.    U-74.
		06.03		I shot a four-fan at about 3000 meters on the 5th ship, an approximately 8000-10000 GRT steamer and a large steamer overlapping him of about 6000-7000 GRT.
				While turning away a stern shot on the port forward destroyer of the flank screen.
				4 detonations.  Observed on the large steamer a hit amidships.  About 50-meter high explosion column in mushroom shape.
				Steamer disappeared shortly thereafter.  The 2nd steamer received a hit aft of the bridge, blinked a few times green and Morsed shortly "Help".  Sinks.
				I ran off at high speed on the surface. At first the destroyer does nothing at all, then shows a small silhouette, however hardly comes closer.  Still for a short time excited Morsing between the escort vessels, then calm.
		06.23		Heard 22 depth charge detonations while running off .
		06.31		Detonation was heard on the bridge.
		08.00	AD 9565 upper-center
		08.10		Now I maneuvered ahead on course 60° and once more give a contact keeper report.
		09.35		alpha, alpha:  Position of convoy AD 9468, easterly course, medium speed.    U-74.
		09.00 and 11.02 09.47		Further depth charge detonations were heard.  After I had maneuvered ahead enough to eventually attack submerged I dove.
				After about an hour sounds which slowly shifted ahead to port.  Nothing was distinguished in the periscope.
		12.00	AK 1142 lower-right	Day's run: Surfaced 171 nm, Submerged 2 nm
			NE 2-3, Sea 3, a bit misty, Vis. 8-9 nm
		12.21		Surfaced again and pursued by plotting and sound bearings.
		12.50		A U-boat was distinguished ahead to starboard.  I ran at high speed towards him, now an then showed my broad silhouette as a Recognition Signal.  The other boat holds his course at high speed so that I had to go to GF to close.
				Odd behavior!
				So 1 hour after sighting I am able to establish signal traffic.  It is U-575,

Sun and Moon Data 19.09.41

	- 9 -
		continued
		19.09.41		Kaptlt. Heydemann.  The behavior of this boat in signal traffic was a bit odd.  To my question if he received my radio signal and had already had contact with the convoy came the answer:  "Searching for the convoy just as you."
		14.06		The convoy came in sight again (as expected) to port.  After passing this on to U-575, I informed him of the strength of the convoy, expected favorable submerged attack periods (immediately after evening twilight of from 2 hours before morning twilight) and ask him once more if he had received my radio signals.  Again no answer.  I informed him that I had received no homeland traffic on Short Wave, assuming a malfunction with me and asked him to forward the report of the convoy immediately to B.d.U.  Now after asking once more he finally agrees to inform B.d.U. of the convoy immediately.  Now suddenly he finally admits, that he had heard my radio messages well.  Then I reproach him that he should have stepped in as radio repeater immediately and ask him again to inform B.d.U. immediately about the convoy.  Then I tell him that I will maneuver ahead of the convoy in its port side to tear the screen apart during the night attack and and ask him to remain on the starboard side.  When the answer "Let's see" came,
				I moved off slowly ahead. U-575 came behind me again and passes that he also has no Short Wave traffic.  I passed whoever gets traffic immediately send a radio message and moved off again.
		16.00	AD 7798 lower-right corner	When U-575 was still behind me, I asked him if he will go to the other side.  When no answer followed I went to GF to get away from him and maneuver ahead of the convoy angling slowly out to port.
			NNE 2, Sea 1-2, 5/10, Vis. good, 8-10 nm
		20.00	AD 7744 center-left	I found the entire behavior of Kaptlt. Heydemann towards the contact keeper, and by the way far more senior Kommandanten, very strange and above all uncalled for and was really annoyed by it.  I have to assume some tactical understanding with every U-boat Kommandanten.
			NE 2, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good 8-10 nm
		20.40		Radio Message from Zahn:  Topp and Kentrat immediately report latest observation of convoy position.  Position AK 1134.
		20.20		Because U-575 now reported convoy position:
				The correct position of the convoy is AD 7841, course 45°,
				I give no position report to U-69, instead from 23.00 hours reported every 2 hours to eventually bring the rest of the Brandenburg boats up.

Sun and Moon Data 19.09.41

	- 10 -
		continued
		19.09.41
		21.14		2 detonations and
		21.18		3 further detonations were heard.
		22.50		Alpha, alpha:  Square 7845.    U-74.
		24.00	AD 7843 center-right
		20.09.41
		00.56		Alpha, alpha.  Square 7843.    U-74.
				This night the screen is deployed differently.  It seems 1-2 additional destroyers have arrived.  The formation is more closely spaced.  1 destroyer each was positioned ahead set out about 1000-2000 meters to each side.  Astern I could distinguish 2-3 destroyers and corvettes on each side.  Today I want to attack immediately after dawn.  During twilight the convoy zigzagged once briefly and by day the widely spaced ships (about 1000 meters) closed up.  Due to the short zigzag I am now positioned ahead to starboard of the convoy.
				Visibility is about 6000-8000 meters.  While running in the starboard forward destroyer interfered with me a bit.  I went behind him passing at about 800 meters.  Then again I took a 4-fan at the center of two steamers proceeding together of about 7000-8000 and 5000-6000 GRT and a stern shot while turning away on a 3rd steamer.
				The larger steamer received 2 hits, the one to the right 1 hit.  Both burned briefly at the detonation and were not seen thereafter (internal detonation).  Because 4 detonations were heard the torpedoing of the 3rd steamer was expected.
		01.25		While running off I passed on the starboard side an own boat at about 3000-4000 meters.  In the convoy star shells were now fired, most were failures.
		01.50		Continuous detonations were heard.  At times torpedo detonations were also heard.
				(about 01.50 hours 3 about 02.10 hours 1)
		02.45		Alpha alpha:  Square 7827.    U-74.
				The star shells fire and depth charge detonations were uninterrupted up to 04.45 hours.  In between torpedo detonations.
		02.55		A steamer burns.
		03.29		Tanker torch (05.00 hours).
				After reloading my last two torpedoes I angled in again, then when the tanker torch flared up moved off a bit because it was very bright.  Northern Lights rarely occurred this night.

	Sun and Moon Data 19.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 20.09.41

	- 11 -
		continued
		20.09.41
		04.00	AD 7853 upper-center	Lost contact.  While pursuing I sighted a broad silhouette, which quickly sharpened and then was broad again.  I ran in.  About a 5000 GRT ship.
			NE 2, Sea 1-2, 2/10, Vis. good 2-3 nm, light N-Swell
		04.50		I shot one after another from tubes II and IV with enemy speed 2 and 4 knots from 1000 meters and 800 meters at target angle 80° and 90°.  The first went behind, the second passed by ahead.  The vessel seemed to have reduced speed significantly.  The situation seemed suspicious to me. I had the cannon and the machine gun made ready and ran from astern at LF.  The vessel ran ahead of me strongly zigzagging and in so doing even increased the distance.  Because now the sea comes over my bow, the visibility improved and gradually I grasped that it was a U-boat trap I gave up my intention.
		05.30		Turned away and now ran on a southerly course, to serve as radio repeater for boats still at the convoy.
		06.12		AD 7827.  Contact handed over.  Out of torpedoes.  Return transit.  Here Brandenburg is everywhere.   U-74.
		06.47		Brandenburg.  Expect U-boat trap at convoy.    U-74.
		08.00	AD 8x86 lower-left	After hearing no contact keeper reports up to 14.00 hours, I sent the following Radio Message:
			NE 2-3, Sea 1-2, rain, Vis. changing 6-9 nm, N-Swell
				1.  With - Ja - who is at the convoy.
				2.  With Short Signal - XYZ - who has contact.    U-74.
		12.00	AK 1296 upper-left	Day's run:  Surfaced      235.5 nm
			SE 2-3, Sea 2, 10/10, rain squalls, Vis. 6-8 nm	Submerged         1 nm
		16.00	AK 23x3 upper-left	I ran to the south and went between 59 and 58°N on an easterly course.
			SE 3-4, Sea 3, 10/10, rain squalls, Vis. 8-10 nm
		20.00	AK 2516 center-left
			SE 4-5, Sea 3-4, misty, drizzle, Vis. changing 3-4 nm
		21.36		First opportunity for Radio Message to B.d.U.:
				1.  Since 18 September at convoy from square AD 9791
				2.  Position today 04.00 hours AD 7827.
				3.  Contact handed over to other Brandenburg boats.
				4.  No Short Wave north of 59°22'N
				5.  Out of torpedoes, return transit.
				6.  I am serving as radio repeater.
				7.  From convoy 4 steamers of about 26000 GRT.
				U-74.
				Request by B.d.U. to all boats in AL AK and BE to repeat Brandenburg Radio Messages.
				Brandenburg boats attempt on all Radio Circuits.
				Because there are still no reports, I sent the Radio Message once more.

Sun and Moon Data 20.09.41

	- 12 -
		continued
		20.09.41
		23.30		Brandenburg boats immediately report latest observation of the convoy.  Positioned in AK 2554 as radio repeater.
				U-74.
		24.00	AK 2553 upper-left
			SSE 2-3, Sea 3, 3/10, dark night, Vis. 2-3 nm, quite strong Northern Lights
		21.09.41
		01.31		To inform B.d.U.  sent Short Signal weather report without request.
				To finally get clarity, if I can still make any connection, I send
		03.30		Brandenburg boats who hear me report immediately.
				U-74.
		04.00	AK 2612 lower-center	Thereupon I only heard an answer from U-94:  "Heard", while I only received further Radio messages from the control center.  I came to a southerly course because have absolutely no traffic from boats to the north and also reception from B.d.U. was always bad.  Apparently there are completely unpredictable radio conditions up here.
			SSE 3-4, Sea 3, 4/10, strong Northern Lights, Vis. 3-4 nm
				Now I finally begin the return transit.
		08.00	AK 2637 center-left edge
			S 3-4, Sea 3, 3/10, Vis. good 8-10 nm, quite strong SE-Swell
		09.00 - 09.33		Test dive.
		12.00	I am convinced that with proper Radio Message use all Brandenburg boats could have been at the convoy.  The boats which operated on it from my reports were obliged to jump in as radio repeater.  From sighting the convoy - my first Alpha report 18 September at 23.30 hours -  until sighting U-575 on 19 September 12,50 hours I did not hear or see any boat, and so it remained, except for the request of Zahn, with answer from U-575 until the end.  It seems every boat is embarrassed to press the button.  Even if everyone expected not to be heard by the B.d.U. they should have repeated my Radio Signals for the other boats, as they were somewhere in transit to the ordered position.
			Why no one responded to my request on 19 September at 04.50 hours remains to be determined.
			It is completely not understandable to me that none of the at least 2 boats that attacked after me during the night of 19-20 September held contact.  I must honestly confess that after 30 hours of contact holding with attacks and attack attempts during 2 nights my crew and I were quite exhausted.
			Of course it is a fantastic thing, to get caught up in a convoy, shoot out its tonnage and if possible, disappear unnoticed and silently!
			Enough!  I've been angry enough.
		12.00	AK 3712 upper-center	Day's run: Surfaced 219.5 nm, Submerged 0.7 nm
			S 3-4, Sea 3, 10/10, Vis. clear, 8-10 nm, medium S-Swell

	Sun and Moon Data 20.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 21.09.41

	- 13 -
		continued
		21.09.41
		16.00	AK 3712 upper-center	Return transit.  Course 160°.
			S 3-4, Sea 3, 10/10, rain squalls, somewhat misty, Vis. changing 6-7 nm
		20.00	AK 3959 lower-right	"       "             "        "
			S 2-3, Sea 2-3, medium Swell, rain, misty, Vis. 3-5 nm
		24.00	AK 6264 lower-center
			S 2-3, Sea 2-3, 10/10, rain, Vis. changing 2-3 nm
		22.09.41		Return transit.  Course 160°.
		02.04		Sent Short Signal weather report.  The weather was increasingly worse, barometer fell very quickly from 1014 mb to 994 mb in 16 hours.  Wind shifted from S 3 to SE 5-6.  Heavy Swell.
		04.00	AK 6236 center
			SE 4-5, Sea 4, rain, faint Northern Lights, Vis. greatly changing 2-3 nm
		08.00	AK 6566 lower-left
			SE 5-6, Sea 5, rain, Vis. 4-6 nm, strong SE-Swell
		08.38 - 09.12		Test dive.
		09.43	SW 8-10, 996 mb	After surfacing the wind came from the SW, heavy rain squalls to wind strength 10, very heavy seas, strong Swell from the SW and at the moment also still from the S.
		10.30	SW 8-10, 1002 mb
				Because the wind shifted to the right and the barometer is not rising quickly again, I hoped to get out of the typhoon quickly on the surface.
				3 hours still have to be really fought over.  Boat was always ready to blow and was blown once when the green seas overcame too heavily.
				Naturally the bridge watch was belted in.  But then comes the reward
		12.00	AK 6921 upper-center	It cleared quickly and 2 hours later it at times there was bright sunshine.
			SW 5-6, Sea 5, 8/10, 1006 mb, Vis. 8-10 nm, heavy SW-Swell
				Day's run: Surfaced 128.3 nm, Submerged 0.8 nm
				Sea and swell remain ahead still quite heavy.  Wind has abated to 4-5, still blows from the SW.
		16.00	AK 6933 center-right edge	Barometer has already climbed to 1010 mb in 6 hours.
			SW 6-7, Sea 6-7, 5/10, Vis. good, 8-10 nm, heavy SW-Swell	For the education and the hardening of the crew, such weather is excellent.  And my good boat was able to prove itself once again
				Return transit.  Course 130°.
		20.00	AL 4758 center
			SSW 5, Sea 5-6, 7/10, SW-Swell, Vis. 6-8 nm	Return transit, course 130°.

	Sun and Moon Data 21.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 22.09.41

	- 14 -
		continued
		22.09.41
		24.00	AL 7211 lower-center edge	Course 130°.
			SSW 4-5, Sea 5, 5/10, dark night, Vis. clear 2-3 nm
		23.09.41
		02.12		Radio Message concerning Short Signal weather report.
		04.00	AL 7291 center
			S 4, Sea 3, 6/10, dark night, Vis. 2-3 nm
		08.00	AL 9419 center	Return transit, course 130°.
			S 3-4, Sea 3, 5/10, Vis. 6-8 nm
		08.34		Test dive.
		09.03		Surfaced.
		09.48 - 10.31		Crash dive for training.
		12.00	AL 8456 lower-left	Day's run: Surfaced 248 nm, Submerged 1.7 nm
			SSE 4, Sea 3-4, 5/10, quite heavy SE-Swell, Vis. 7-9 nm	Return transit.
		16.00	AL 8811 right edge	Course 130°.
			SSE 5, Sea 4, 5/10, heavy S-Swell, Vis. good 8-10 nm	Again quite high Swell.
		20.00	AL 8868 lower-left	Return transit, course 130°.
			SSW 5-6, Sea 5-6, very strong rain squall, 10/10, Vis. changing 1-5 nm
		24.00	BE 2152 upper-left	Course 130°.
			SSW 2-3, Sea 2, rain, dark night, Vis. 2-3 nm
		24.09.41
		02.00		Sent Short Signal weather report.
		04.00	BE 2513 center	Course 130°.
			SW 2-3, Sea 2, 2/10, dark night, Vis. 2-3 nm
		08.00	BE 2568 upper-left	Return transit.
			SW 2, Sea 2, 2/10, Vis. clear 6-8 nm
		08.27 - 08.40		Test dive.
		12.00	BE 2934 lower-left	Day's run: Surfaced 272 nm, Submerged 2.5 nm
			SW 2, Sea 2, 10/10, Vis. good, 8-10 nm	Course 120°.
		16.00	BE 3782 lower-left	Course 120°.
			SSW 3, Sea 2, long Swell, 10/10, Vis. good 8-10 nm
		20.00	BE 6215 center-right	Return transit.
			SSW 2-3, Sea 2-3, 9/10, Vis. 6-8 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 22.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 23.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 24.09.41

	- 15 -
		continued
		24.09.41
		23.00		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  Return harbor U-74 St. Nazaire.
		24.00	BE 6265	Return transit St. Nazaire
			S 2-3, Sea 2-3, long Swell, a bit misty, light drizzle, Vis. 1-2 nm, quite strong marine phosphorescence
		25.09.41
		04.00	BE 6397	Return transit St. Nazaire, course 110°.
			Dark night, Vis. greatly changing, drizzle, strong marine phosphorescence
		07.28 - 08.18		Test dive.
		08.00	BF 4425 lower-center
			S 3, Sea 2-3, 10/10, Vis. clear, 6-8 nm
		10.18		Vessel abeam to port.  Turned away.  After it was out of sight came to old course.
		12.00	BF 4554 upper-right	Day's run: Surfaced 349.1 nm, Submerged 0.8 nm
			S 3, Seas 2, 8/120, Vis. 8-10 nm
		14.00		Radio Message from B.d.U.:  U-74 join U-98 convoy.
		15.13 - 15.28		Crash dive for an aircraft to port (range approximately 4000 meters altitude 1000 meters) probably a German aircraft.
		16.00	BF 4676 lower-left	Return transit to St. Nazaire.
			SbyW 3, Sea 2-3, 3/10, Vis. 10-12 nm
		20.00	BF 5713 upper-left	Course 90°.
			S 2, Sea 1-2, Vis. good, 3/10, Vis. 10-12 nm
		24.00	BF 5579 center-right
			S 2, Sea 1-2, Vis. 2-3 nm
		26.09.41
		04.00	S 2, Sea 0, Vis. 2-3 nm	Ran into St. Nazaire.
		06.14	Heavy fog.
		08.00	Fog, Vis, up to 300 meters	Ran into St. Nazaire.
		10.39		Due to heavy fog made fast to the stern of the anti-aircraft escort.
		12.00	Fog	Day's run: Surfaced 316 nm
		13.30		Ran in with the Speerbrecher to N 3.
		14.45		Entered with the Speerbrecher.
				Made fast in the lock.

	Sun and Moon Data 24.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 25.09.41
	Sun and Moon Data 26.09.41

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote.
	- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
	A short, well executed patrol with a beautiful success.
	The attempt by the Kommandanten assume control of Group Brandenburg after Radio Message contact with the Homeland was broken was correct.  It lead to no success because even with boats of the own group there were bad receiving conditions. However on 19 September the Kommandant should have given continuous contact keeping reports.
	The criticism of another boat surpasses the permissible level substantially and does not belong in the Kriegstagebuch, especially without clarification of the circumstances.
		For the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
		The Chief of the Operations Department.

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