U-766 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed
Date
Arrived
Date
Days at Sea
Bergen
23 March 1944
St. Nazaire
16 April 1944
25

 

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

Ships Attacked
None
Note:  The positions in the table above and in the Google Earth patrol summary are derived from the KTB and in many cases do not match those set forth in authoritative references such as Jürgen Rohwer, Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two or the Uboat.net website.  The goal here is to present the picture relative to the U-boat and not the absolute position that the ship was attacked or sank.

 
 
           
           
           
           
                                 1st War Patrol               Enclosure to 6.Ufl.Gkdos _545__ of _20.4.44__  
           
                                                                 Copy No.   
           
           
           
                 Geheime-Kommandosache !  
           
        K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h    "U  766"  
           
                  Kommandant: Oblt.z.S.d.Res. W  i  l  k  e  
           
                  Beginning:   9.3.1944  
                  Concluding: 16.4.1944  
           
     
             Distribution:    
Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine Copy No. 1 - 2
Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote    "       " 3
Kommandierender Adm. der U.-Boote,    "       " 4
Führer der Unterseeboote - West -,    "       " 5
Führer der Unterseeboote - Ausb. -,    "       " 6
27. Unterseebootsflottille,    "       " 7
6. Unterseebootsflottille,    "       " 8
 
           
     
                        Enclosures:    
Track chart For Copy No. 2 - 8
Radio Messages - Excerpt   "       "      " 2 - 8
Barograph strips   "       "      " 5
K.T.B. Maschine   "       "      " 3
 
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
        © U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved  
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
 
- 1 -
 
           
           
           
           
    09.03.44 Kiel    
      NW 1, Sea 0, thick fog, 1032 mb, +6°C    
    08.00   Departed Kiel in accordance with Outbound Orders on 1st war patrol together with U-993.  
    09.40 Kiel Lightship Anchored due to thick fog.  
           
    10.12   Outgoing Radio Message: 0934/78 to 5. U.Fl. U-993 and U-766 anchored at Point 01 due to fog.  
    12.00 Kiel Lightship Day's run:  Surfaced      -.-  
      Unchanged                  Submerged    -.-  
    17.22 Wind calm, Sea 0, Vis. 2 nm, 1028 mb, +10°C Weighed anchor, taken in convoy.  
    17.56   Outgoing Radio Message:  1735/84 to 5. U.Fl.  
        U-993 and U-766 taken in convoy began transit.  
        Transit under escort Speerbrecher 172 and M-boats through the Great Belt.  
    23.00   M-boats released.  
           
    10.03.44      
    00.00 Great Belt Transit in convoy.  
      NW 2, Sea 1, 10/10, 1021 mb, +8°C    
    08.00 WbyS 3, Sea 1, 10/10, 1015 mb, +10°C    
    12.00 W 2, Sea 2, 3/10, 1011 mb, +5°C Day's run:  Surfaced     180 nm  
                       Submerged   - - nm  
                                            180 nm  
    16.45 NW 2, Sea 2, 3/10, 1007 mb, +6°C Change of escort at Point Schwarz 19 a.  
    20.00 Kattegat Released from convoy at Point "Knospe".  
      W 3, Sea 3, 4/10, 1005 mb, +6°C    
    22.16   Dived for deep diving test to depth A +70 meters.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 09.03.44
Sun and Moon Data 10.03.44
 
- 2 -
 
           
           
           
           
    11.03.44 Kattegat Transit to Kristiansand South.  
    00.00 AL 3652 Deep diving test.  
    01.10   Surfaced.  Continued transit together with U-993.  
    06.00   Made fast Kristiansand (Marviken).  
        Boat remains lying at 6-hours readiness in accordance with Outbound Orders.  
        Day's run:  Surfaced     180 nm  
                         Submerged      7 nm  
                                            187 nm  
        From 11 March to 21 March boat lies in Kristiansand at 6-hours readiness.  
           
    21.03.44      
    18.15 Kristiansand South Boat proceeds to Bergen in convoy with U-473.  
      NbyE 3, Sea 3, Vis. good, 10/10    
    20.00 NNE 3, Sea 3, 10/10, 1015 mb, +13°C, Vis. good, heavy Northern Lights Transit on prescribed Route to Bergen.  
           
    22.03.44      
    00.00 NNW 3, Sea 1-2, 10/10, 1016 mb, +3°C, Vis. good    
    05.55   Aircraft!  According to the escort vessel an enemy reconnaissance.  No approach.  
    08.00 NNE 1, Sea 1, overcast, 1020 mb, +3°C, Vis. very good    
    12.20   Boat made fast Bergen.  
        Day's run:  Surfaced     213 nm  
                         Submerged   - -  nm  
                                            213 nm  
           
    23.03.44      
    16.00 Bergen Departed Bergen.  
      NbyW 1-2, Sea 1, 10/10, 1011 mb, +7°C, low hanging clouds, Vis. medium After putting to sea the watertight stern vent can not be opened.  Damage to linkage in the over deck was repaired by own means in 3/4 hours.  
    17.05   Carried out test dive in the UAS deep diving area.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 11.03.44
Sun and Moon Data 21.03.44
Sun and Moon Data 22.03.44
Sun and Moon Data 23.03.44
 
- 3 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    23.03.44      
    20.00 AN 2424    
      NbyW 2-3, Sea 1-2, 4/10, 1013 mb, +8.5°C, Vis. good, Northern Lights shining    
    20.20   Abeam Hellesøy released escort.  
        Boat runs at 2 x HF on course 295° until out of sight of land and then on course 324°.  
           
    24.03.44      
    00.00 AF 8781    
      NW 4, Sea 4, 1015 mb, +8°C, Vis. good    
    01.25 AF 8746 Dived.  Boat proceeded submerged at depth A +10 meters.  
    04.00 AF 8742    
    08.00 AF 8717    
    12.00 AF 8711 Day's run:  Surfaced        88 nm  
                         Submerged  26.5  nm  
                                            114.5 nm  
    16.00 AF 7699    
    20.00 AF 7695    
    20.50 AF 7695 Surfaced to charge.  
    22.10 AF 7683 Detection reported in "Wanze" and "Metox".  
        Crash dive.  Detection was later recognized as a malfunction.  
    23.05 AF 7682 Surfaced to charge.  
      SSE 2-3, Sea 2, 1020 mb, +13°C, Vis. medium    
           
    25.03.44      
    00.00 AF 7682 Transit to the Atlantic.  
      SWbyS 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, 1026 mb, +13°C, Vis. medium, rain    
    00.53   Incoming Radio Message: 1823/24/25  On 25 March at 08.00 hours "Wilke" switch to "Ireland" Circuit. "Rudolf" to "America II".  
    01.10 AF 7649 Dived.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 23.03.44
Sun and Moon Data 24.03.44
Sun and Moon Data 25.03.44
 
- 4 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    25.03.44      
    04.00 AF 7648    
    04.30 AF 7648 Surfaced, charged the batteries.  
    05.17 AF 7644 Dived.  
    08.00 AF 7566    
    12.00 AF 7565 Day's run:  Surfaced      38.0 nm  
                         Submerged  48.0  nm  
                                             86.0 nm  
    16.00 AF 7561    
    20.00 AF 7553    
    21.25 AF 7553 Surfaced to charge batteries.  
      WSW 2, medium swell, 0/10, 1021 mb, +7.5°C, Vis. medium    
           
    26.03.44      
    00.00 AF 7518 Transit on the surface to the Atlantic  
      WbyS 2. Sea 2, 3/10, 1021 mb, +8°C    
    00.10 AF 7518 Dived.  
    04.00 AF 7514    
    04.35 AF 7514 Surfaced.  
    05.17 AF 7439 Dived.  Astronomical navigation fix gives difference between dead reckoning and actual position of 15 nm, 260°T.  
    08.00 AF 7453    
    12.00 AF 7456 Day's run:  Surfaced      32.0 nm  
                         Submerged  43.6  nm  
                                             75.6 nm  
    16.00 AF 7458    
    20.00 AF 7481    
    21.35 AF 7484 Surfaced.  Brightly illuminated hospital ship (4 masts 1 smokestack) proper markings.  Ahead 20° to starboard, distance 2500 meters.  
    21.37   Course 70°. . .  
        due to twilight avoided submerged.  
    21.44   Surfaced.  
    23.00 AF 7779 Steamer in sight bearing 300°T.  Bow right target angle 40°.  Hull and smokestack brightly illuminated.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 25.03.44
Sun and Moon Data 26.03.44
 
- 5 -
 
           
           
           
           
    27.03.44      
    00.00 AF 7715 Between the Shetland and Faroe Islands  
      SW 2-3, Sea 2-3, 7/10, 1020 mb, strong Northern Lights On the surface.  
    00.19 AF 7715 Dived.  
    04.00 AF 7717    
    04.18 AF 7717 Surfaced.  
    05.10 AF 7741 Dived.  
    08.00 AE 9966    
    12.00 AE 9968 Day's run:  Surfaced      30.8 nm  
                         Submerged   45.5 nm  
                                             76.3 nm  
    16.00 AE 9992    
    20.00 AE 9997    
    21.25 AE 9997 Surfaced.  
    21.40   Dived for detection (Borkum).  
    22.40 AN 1111 Surfaced.  
           
    28.03.44 Shetland-Faroes    
    00.00 AM 3236 Transit into the Atlantic.  
      WSW 2, Sea 2, overcast, 1021 mb    
    01.10 AM 3262 Dived to proceed submerged.  
    01.30   Ahead in the GHG fast approaching propeller sounds on a steady bearing.  Boat is at depth A +10 meters, so it is too late to surface.  
    02.00   Boat was over run by several vessels (3 steamers and 3 escort vessels).  Course about NE, medium speed.  
    04.00 AM 3264    
    05.00   New faint sound bearing ahead.  
    05.10 Weather unchanged Surfaced and continued transit.  Nothing seen.  
    05.10   Outgoing ßß:  Convoy with 5 steamers in naval square AM 3236, course 50°.        "U-766"  
        No confirmation, there was another transmitter near the frequency.  
    05.40 AM 3267 Dived.  
    08.00 AM 3259    
    12.00 AM 3282 Day's run:  Surfaced      30.5 nm  
                         Submerged  44.8  nm  
                                             75.3 nm  
    16.00 AM 3284    
    19.30   Several depth charges at great range.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 27.03.44
Sun and Moon Data 28.03.44
 
- 6 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    28.03.44      
    20.00 AM 3276    
    21.30 AM 3276 Surfaced.  
      NW 2, Sea 2, 7/10, 1020 mb, +5°C, in places bright moon, Vis good    
           
    29.03.44      
    00.00 North of the Herbrides Transit into the Atlantic.  
      AM 3197    
    00.40 AM 3188 Dived.  
    04.00 AM 3187    
    04.36 AM 3321 Surfaced.  
      NW 3, Sea 2, 5/10, 1020 mb    
    05.40 AM 3312 Dived.  
    08.00 AM 3311    
    11.05   Piston sounds bearing 174°T.  
        Boat goes to periscope depth.  In the periscope nothing is seen.  Boat can not be held at periscope depth at "LF" and broaches.  Went to depth A +10 meters and continued transit.  
    12.00 AM 2433 Day's run:  Surfaced      45.4 nm  
                         Submerged  41.6  nm  
                                             87.0 nm  
    16.00 AM 2435    
    20.00 AM 2426    
    21.48 AM 2426 Surfaced.  
      N 3, Sea 2, 7/10, 1019 mb, +6°C, in places bright moon, Vis. good    
           
    30.03.44      
    00.00 North Atlantic    
      AM 2418    
      NW 4, Sea 3, 8/10, 1018 mb, Vis. good    
    01.00 AM 2339 Dived.  
    04.00 AM 2338    
    05.00 AM 2362 Surfaced.  
    06.00 AM 2362 Dived.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 28.03.44
Sun and Moon Data 29.03.44
Sun and Moon Data 30.03.44
 
- 7 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    30.03.44      
    08.00 AM 2361    
    12.00 AM 2352 Day's run:  Surfaced      32.4 nm  
                         Submerged  45.8  nm  
                                             78.2 nm  
    14.05   In the periscope:  A motor sailer bearing 114°T (fisherman) with southerly course, range = 1500 meters.  
    16.00 AM 2351    
    20.00 AM 2346    
    22.00 AM 2345 Surfaced.  
      N 5, Sea 3, 5/10, 1010 mb, in places bright moon, Vis. good    
           
    31.03.44 North Atlantic    
    00.00 AM 1468    
    01.00 AM 1459 Dived.  
    04.00 AM 1458    
    04.58 AM 1458 Surfaced.  
    06.02 AM 1449 Dived.  
    08.00 AM 1472    
    09.55   8 depth charges at very great range.  
    12.00 AM 1471 Day's run:  Surfaced      41.2 nm  
                         Submerged  44.0  nm  
                                             85.2 nm  
    16.00 AM 1393    
    20.00 AM 1394    
    21.20   Diesel sounds bearding 280°T.  
        Sounds shift slowly ahead.  
    21.30   At periscope depth.  Nothing seen.  
    22.00 AM 1394 Surfaced.  
      ENE 3, Sea 1, 7/10, 1021 mb, +8°C, bright moon, Vis. good    
           
    01.04.44      
    00.00 AM 1394    
      NE 2, Sea 1, 7/10, 1021 mb, +8°C, bright moon, Vis. good    
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.03.44
Sun and Moon Data 13.03.44
Sun and Moon Data 01.04.44
 
- 8 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    01.04.44      
    04.00 AL 3634    
      NE 2, Sea 1, 4/10, 1015 mb, +13°C, in places bright moon, Vis. good    
    05.40   Dived after Naxos detection.  
    06.xx   Several detonations very far off.  
    08.00 AL 3652    
    08.15   Detonations at great range.  
    12.00 AL 3646 Day's run:  Surfaced       74.3 nm  
                         Submerged   36.0  nm  
                                             110.3 nm  
    13.08 AL 3737 Surfaced.  
      NE 3, Sea 2, 5/10, 1015 mb, +13°C, Vis. good    
    13.43 AL 3774 Dived.  
    16.00 AL 3648    
    20.00 AL 3672    
    22.00 AL 3672 Surfaced.  
      NNE 3, Sea 2, 10/10, 1005 mb, +15°C, light NE-Swell, bright night    
           
    02.04.44      
    00.00 AL 3597    
      NNE 3, Sea 1-2, 4/10, 1003 mb, +14°C, bright moon    
    00.25   Outgoing ßß:  0025/2/171:  Naval square AL 35 still have 110 cbm fuel.        U-766.  
    02.37   Incoming Radio Message:  0216/2/772:  To "Wilke" as attack area occupy square AL 50.  Switch Diana Circuit.  
    04.00 AL 3727    
      NNE 3, Sea 1-2, 9/10, 1010 mb, medium NE-Swell, in places moonshine    
    06.00 AL 3746 Dived.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 01.04.44
Sun and Moon Data 02.04.44
 
- 9 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    02.04.44      
    08.00 AL 3745    
    12.00 AL 3771 Day's run:  Surfaced      64.5 nm  
                         Submerged   35.2  nm  
                                             99.7 nm  
    16.00 AL 3737    
    18.50   Several detonations at very long range.  
    20.00 AL 0233    
    22.00 AL 0232 Surfaced.  
      NbyW 3-4, Sea 3, N-Swell, 9/10, 1000 mb, Vis. good    
    22.38 AL 0261 Dived after detection.  
           
    03.04.44      
    00.00 AL 0261    
    00.18   Incoming Radio Message:  1728/2/788:  Hilbig, Wilke, Ketels and Knackfuß immediately return to Western France.  
        New course 200°.  
    00.43 AL 0261 Surfaced.  
      NbyE 3, Sea 2-3, medium N-Swell, 999 mb, +13°C, Vis. good    
    04.00 AL 0282    
      NbyE 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, rain showers, 990 mb, +13.5°C,  Vis. medium    
    07.45 AL 6114 Dived.  
    08.00 AL 6117    
    12.00 AL 5263 Day's run:  Surfaced       70.9 nm  
                         Submerged   31.9  nm  
                                             102.8 nm  
    16.00 AL 5266    
    19.00   Rhythmic knocking sounds bearing 121°T.  Not own sounds, 80-90 impulses per minute.  Sounds were put directly astern.  Bearing remains steady.  (Wind ESE) volume pauses at regularly from 20 seconds up to 4 minutes.  Came to old course 200° gradually shifts astern.  Proceeding at periscope depth not possible due to sea state.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 02.04.44
Sun and Moon Data 03.04.44
 
- 10 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    03.04.44      
    20.00 AL 5292    
    22.46 AL 5295    
      SE 5, Sea 3, overcast, 985 mb, +15°C, Vis. moderate Sounds are still heard with changing volume.  It is recognized that it probably does not come from ships' propellers and sounds like an alarm clock with hard beats.  Surfaced with bright twilight, nothing seen.  Pursued and searched for 40 minutes with both diesels LF.  Nothing found.  
           
    04.04.44      
    00.00 AL 5531    
      EbyN 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, rain showers, 985 mb, +11°C, bright night, medium Swell    
    00.37   Incoming Radio Message: 1652/3/708  Standing Order No. 18 Edition April 44.  Sound buoys.  
        This Order seems to apply to the noise heard yesterday.  
    04.00 AL 5555    
      WNW 5, Sea 4, 10/10, 985 mb, +10°C, rain showers    
    07.50 AL 5821 Dived.  
    08.00 AL 5821    
    12.00 AL 5816 Day's run:  Surfaced       71.6 nm  
                         Submerged   32.7  nm  
                                            104.3 nm  
    16.00 AL 5842    
    20.00 AL 5845    
    22.25 AL 5848 Surfaced.  Astronomical navigation fix:  difference between dead reckoning and actual position = 65 nm, 285°T.  
           
    05.04.44      
    00.00 AL 4865    
      NNW 7, Sea 5, 4/10, 1010 mb, +9°C, bright moon, long Swell    
    04.00 AL 7231    
      WbyN 5, Sea 5, overcast, 1016 mb, +10°C, in places bright moon, Swell    
           
Sun and Moon Data 03.04.44
Sun and Moon Data 04.04.44
Sun and Moon Data 05.04.44
 
- 11 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    05.04.44      
    09.00 AL 7258 Astronomical navigation fix:  no correction.  
      NWbyN 4, Sea 4, 8/10, 1017 mb, +9°C, Vis. good, medium Swell    
    08.25 AL 7258 Dived.  
    12.00 AL 7281 Day's run:  Surfaced       73.9 nm  
                         Submerged   31.1  nm  
                                            105.0 nm  
    16.00 AL 7287    
    20.00 AL 7513    
    22.35 AL 7516 Surfaced.  
           
    06.04.44 Atlantic    
    00.00 AL 7543    
      SE 6, Sea 5, overcast (rain), 1013 mb    
    04.00 AL 7499    
      SbyE 6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. good, medium Swell    
    08.00 AL 7845 Dived.  
      SE 5, Sea 4, 9/10, 1010 mb, +9°C, Vis. good    
    12.00 AL 7848 Day's run:  Surfaced       78.7 nm  
                         Submerged   31.9  nm  
                                            110.6 nm  
    16.00 AL 7876    
    16.20   Incoming Radio Message:  1120/6/757:  Knackfuß, Hilbig, Wilke, Fischer, Ketels run at high speed during submerged transit.  
        I assumed that due to encoding error this must mean surface transit.  Later, in the same instruction to another boat in Serial No. 2109/6/764 it meant "surface transit".  
    20.00 AL 7879    
    20.30   In the sound gear the same rhythmic beating described on 3 April is occasionally heard very loudly again.  Only slight shifting.  Again it was determined that it cannot be from the boat.  Proceeding at periscope depth is not possible due to the seas.  
        Just before surfacing the sounds are quite strong.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 05.04.44
Sun and Moon Data 06.04.44
 
- 12 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    06.04.44      
    22.30 BE 1121 With good visibility surfaced before the beginning of twilight.  Nothing seen.  
           
    07.04.44 Atlantic    
    00.00 BE 1128    
      SSW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, 1011 mb, +11°C, bright night, Vis. medium    
    04.00 BE 1435    
      SSW 2, Sea 2, 7/10, 1011 mb, bright night, Vis. good    
    08.00 BE 1816    
      SbyW 3, Sea 2, 8/10, 1011 mb, Vis. good    
    08.20 BE 1819 Dived.  
    12.00 BE 1851 Day's run:  Surfaced      130.8 nm  
                         Submerged   31.1  nm  
                                            161.9 nm  
    16.00 BE 1854    
    16.20   Incoming Radio Message:  1014/7/141:  Return harbor for Kruschka and Knackfuß is Brest, Liesburg and Wilke Nazaire, for Cremer, Ketels Pallice.  
    20.00 BE 1852    
    20.35   Turbine sounds bearing 260°T.  Boat goes to periscope depth.  Nothing seen.  Boat can not be held at periscope depth and briefly broaches.  Submerged transit continued.  
    22.35 BE 1822 Surfaced.  
      SSE 5, Sea 4, overcast, rain showers, 1001 mb, +13°C, Vis. moderate    
           
    08.04.44      
    00.00 BE 4423    
      SbyW 4, Sea 4, overcast, rain, 999 mb, +12°C    
    04.00 BE 4345    
      SbyE 6, Sea 5, overcast, 997 mb, +12°C, Vis. xx, faint marine phosphorescence    
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 06.04.44
Sun and Moon Data 07.04.44
Sun and Moon Data 08.04.44
 
- 13 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    08.04.44      
    08.00 BE 4393    
      SW 5, Sea 3, overcast, 997 mb, +12°C, rain, Vis. bad, confused Swell    
    08.25 BE 4399 Dived.  
    08.40   Distant detonation.  
    12.00 BE 5411 Day's run:  Surfaced      112.3 nm  
                         Submerged   31.0  nm  
                                            143.3 nm  
    16.00 BE 5412    
    20.00 BE 5416    
    22.40 BE 5424 Surfaced.  
      WbyS 5, Sea 3, overcast, 1006 mb, high W-Swell, in places moonshine, Vis. bad    
           
    09.04.44 Atlantic    
    00.00 BE 5429    
      WbyS 5, Sea 5, 7/10, 1012 mb, bright moon, Vis. good, W-Swell    
    04.00 BE 5572    
      WSW 7, Sea 6, 9/10, bright night, high Swell, rain showers    
    06.58 BE 5576 Dived.  
    08.00 BE 5589    
    12.00 BE 5832 Day's run:  Surfaced       87.8 nm  
                         Submerged   34.4  nm  
                                            122.2 nm  
    16.00 BE 5836    
    16.07   Incoming Radio Message: 1453/9/717  On 10 April switch to Coastal Circuit:  Kruschka, Wilke, Just.  
    20.00 BE 5914    
    22.33 BE 5918 Surfaced.  
      S 6, Sea 5, overcast, 1006 mb, high SW-Swell, Vis. moderate    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 08.04.44
Sun and Moon Data 09.04.44
 
- 14 -
 
           
           
           
           
    10.04.44      
    00.00 BE 5943    
      SW 6, Sea 5, overcast, 1006 mb, bright night, Vis. medium, high SW-Swell    
    04.00 BE 5993    
      SW 6, Sea 5, 6/10, 1008 mb, +15°C, bright night, Vis. medium, high SW-Swell    
    06.35 BE 6787 Dived for detection.  
    08.00 BE 6787    
    12.00 BE 9122 Day's run:  Surfaced       85.9 nm  
                         Submerged   35.2  nm  
                                            121.1 nm  
    16.00 BE 9123    
    20.00 BE 9134    
    22.30 BE 9135 Surfaced.  
      SW 3, Sea 2, 1/10, Vis. good, 1018 mb, medium SW-Swell    
           
    11.04.44 Bay of Biscay    
    00.00 BE 9241    
      SW 3, Sea 2, medium SW-Swell, 3/10, 1018 mb, Vis. good    
    00.35   Incoming Radio Message:  1337/10/17:   
        Hilbig, Wilke, Fischer, Knackfuß, Ketels, Stark, Sternberg, conduct return transit to Western France with full attention to the ordered precautions.  Only run at high speed if proceeding on the surface anyway.  
    01.30 BE 9255    
    04.00 BE 9255    
    06.20 BE 9256 Surfaced.  
      W 3, Sea 2, 5/10, medium SW-Swell, bright moon, Vis. very good    
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 10.04.44
Sun and Moon Data 11.04.44
 
- 15 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    11.04.44      
    07.25 BE 9536 Dived.  Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  35 nm, 178°T.  
        Finally a navigation fix after 11 days.  
    08.00 BE 9536    
    12.00 BE 9614 Day's run:  Surfaced       54.5 nm  
                         Submerged   44.0  nm  
                                              98.5 nm  
    16.00 BE 9615    
    20.00 BE 9621    
    22.00 BE 9622 Surfaced.  Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  6 nm, 75°T.  
      SW 4, Sea 3, 4/10, 1014 mb, +16°C, medium SW-Swell, Vis. good, faint marine phosphorescence  
           
    12.04.44      
    00.00 BE 9632    
      SW 3, Sea 2-3, 1/10, 1010 mb, Vis. good, faint marine phosphorescence    
    01.30 BF 7178 Dived.  
    04.00 BF 7197    
    04.22 BF 7197 Surfaced.  
    04.28   Dived after detection.  
    05.18 BF 7187 Surfaced.  
    06.35 BF 7198 Dived.  
      SW 4, Sea 3, 3/10, 1010 mb, +14°C, bright moon, medium SW-Swell, Vis. good    
    08.00 Bay of Biscay    
      BF 7197    
    12.00 BF 7198 Day's run:  Surfaced       58.9 nm  
                         Submerged   42.3  nm  
                                             101.2 nm  
    16.00 BF 7274    
    20.00 BF 7275    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 11.04.44
Sun and Moon Data 12.04.44
 
- 16 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    12.04.44      
    21.50 BF 7276 Surfaced.  
      W 2, Sea 2, 1/10, 1016 mb, bright night, long W-Swell, Vis. very good, medium-strong marine phosphorescence Before surfacing it was determined that Naxos had failed. (high-pass broken).  Only Borkum is still operable.  
    23.37 BF 7272 Dived.  Astern a searching searchlight below the horizon.  After diving no sound bearings.  
           
    13.04.44 Bay of Biscay    
    00.00 BF 7292    
    00.15 BF 7293 Surfaced.  
    01.50 BF 7373 An aircraft with a pinkish light on the tail approaches from port at 100 meters altitude, passes at a distance of 500 meters.   
      I suspect that the enemy is searching with red light, either decided not to locate with radar in the good visibility, or whose locating we did not detect because the Naxos was out of service.  
        Because the aircraft rushed past and apparently had not detected us exactly, dived with "Crash dive".  
    04.00 BF 7381    
    08.00 BF 7383    
    12.00 BF 7367 Day's run:  Surfaced       49.4 nm  
                         Submerged   45.6  nm  
                                             95.0 nm  
    16.00 BF 7369    
    20.00 BF 8147    
    21.50 BF 8148 Surfaced.  
      SSW 3, Sea 3, overcast, 1007 mb, rainy, Vis. medium, marine phosphorescence In the Fliege the broken high-pass was replaced by a brass link.  The device responds to the test transmitter again.  I hope it is operable again.  
           
    14.04.44 Bay of Biscay    
    00.00 BF 8156    
      S 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, 1007 mb, Vis. bad, marine phosphorescence    
           
Sun and Moon Data 12.04.44
Sun and Moon Data 13.04.44
Sun and Moon Data 14.04.44
 
- 17 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    14.04.44      
    00.44 BF 8165 Dived after detection.  
    04.00 BF 8166    
    04.25 BF 8166 Surfaced.  
    04.28   Outgoing ßß:  0428/14/172 (Ireland)  
        Positioned 48 hours off objective/escort intake point.  
                                                                   "U-766"  
    05.25 BF 8245 Dived.  
      SE 3, Sea 3, rain, 1003 mb, Vis. medium, marine phosphorescence    
    08.00 BF 8246    
    12.00 BF 8252 Day's run:  Surfaced       44.6 nm  
                         Submerged   40.0  nm  
                                             84.6 nm  
    14.11   Incoming Radio Message: 1010/14/77  "U-766: from 6.-U.Fl.
        Escort stands on 17 April at 03.00 hours at Herz 439.  
        1152/14/78 in Radio Message 1010/14/77 must mean on 16 April, not 17 April from 6.-U.-Fl.  
    16.00 BF 8253    
    20.00 BF 8262    
    21.40 BF 8263 Surfaced.  
      SE 2, Sea 1, 1002 mb, Vis. changing, marine phosphorescence    
           
    15.04.44 Bay of Biscay    
    00.00 BF 8327    
      SSE 2, Sea 2, overcast, 1002 mb, Vis. changing, marine phosphorescence    
    01.15 BF 8337 Dived for detection.  
    02.50 BF 8338 Surfaced.  
    03.30 BF 9117 Dived.  
    04.00 BF 9117    
    08.00 BF 9119    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 14.04.44
Sun and Moon Data 15.04.44
 
- 18 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    15.04.44      
    12.00 BF 9124 Day's run:  Surfaced       54.3 nm  
                         Submerged   43.4  nm  
                                             97.7 nm  
    16.00 BF 9126    
    17.00   Reached Point Wasser.  
    20.00 BF 9132    
    22.00 BF 9132 Surfaced.  
      SE 1, Sea 1, overcast, rainy, 999 mb, Vis. bad, marine phosphorescence    
    23.50 BF 6761 Detection on the Fliege.  Due to the glare of marine phosphorescence I went to "KF" and put the bearing reported by the Radio Room directly astern, aircraft is heard once in the low hanging clouds as he flies over us.  
           
    16.04.44 Bay of Biscay    
    00.00 BF 6761 3 Aphrodite started.  
      SE 1, Sea 1, overcast, low clouds, Vis. bad, heavy marine phosphorescence    
    00.20   Detection gradually disappeared.  It was determined that the gyro compass is out of service.  Continued steering by the magnetic compass on old course.  
    01.00 BF 6737 New detection.  Aircraft seems to fly around us.  
      SE 1, Sea 1, overcast, low clouds, Vis. bad, heavy marine phosphorescence    
    01.09 BF 6737 Detection reported as very loud to starboard.  6 parachute flares at about 800 meters.  A large 4-engined aircraft is seen [by the light of the flares] and is shot [by us] at the same moment.  Despite the great brightness no new approach.  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 15.04.44
Sun and Moon Data 16.04.44
 
- 19 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    16.04.44      
    01.09   Outgoing ßß:  01.09/16/98 (Coastal)  Was attacked by aircraft.       "U-766".  
    01.56   Aircraft has held contact up to now.  Detection weakened and disappeared slowly.  
    03.50   Taken in convoy.  
    07.40 St. Nazaire Boat made fast in St. Nazaire.  
           
        Day's run:  Surfaced       2023.7 nm  
                         Submerged    892.6  nm  
                                             2916.3 nm  
           
                                      on board 16 April 1944             
                                 Oblt.z.S. and Kommandant  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 16.04.44

Enclosures to U-766's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Radio Excerpt of the Radio Log
Chart Track chart covering entire war patrol

     
     
 

                            Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote

  
                              to the K.T.B. of "U-766" (Wilke) from 9.3. - 16.4.1944.  
 

 

  
 
        The first patrol of the boat was broken off on orders of Control.
  
          Nothing remains to note.  
     
   

For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote

  
    - The Chief of the Operations Department  
 
                          
                                                
     
     
 

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