U-953 - 8th War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason

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			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				U- 953
				7th War Patrol.
				Kommandant:
				Ob.Lt.z.S.  W  e  r  n  e  r
				Beginning:  23.7.44.
				Ending    :  25.10.44.
			Distribution:
			2 x O.K.M.
			2 x B.d.U. Op.
			1 x Kom. Adm.Uboote
			1 x F.d.U. West
			1 x F.d.U. Ausbildung
			1 x 27. Uflottille
			1 x 33. Uflottille
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		23.07. - 08.08.44		Shipyard period in Brest.
		08. - 10.08.44		Equipping.  Final trim test.
		10.08.44
		21.00		Ready for sea.  14 extra men on board.
		22.00		Cast off A 2.
		23.00		Passed barrier outbound.
		23.10	NW 1, Sea 0-1, Vis. good, starry clear	Taken under escort.
		11.08.44
		00.25	Misty	Boat positioned at Point B 2.
				Ahead to port star shells.  Escort has located the enemy.  Defensive fire ahead.  English E-boats lay smoke screen at range 1500 meters.   Point Saint Mathieu also fires.
		00.50		Escorts advance again.  I hang on.  Can not take action.  Again star shells.  Patrol boats shoot vigorously.  A nasty situation.
		01.40		Escort turns back again and runs in.
		03.00		Outer barrier passed.
		03.10		3 mine detonations in the harbor.
		05.45		Boat made fast in A 2.
		16.30 - 18.00		Aircraft alarm.  The area of the 1. U-Flottille and U-boat Bunker is attacked.
		12.08.44
		00.30	NW 1, Sea 0-1, starry night, Vis. good	Ready for sea.
		01.20	Point Route	Passed the mole outbound.
		01.40		Taken under escort.
		01.45		Passed the barrier outbound.
				On the Point Route the escort detects multiple enemies, am groping slowly ahead.  Today we must succeed, and if I am on the Point Route will have to dive.
		03.20	B 1	Released by escort.  Dived.
			Creep along with the current still running out from the bay.  Do not want to snorkel, to remain undetected.
		06.00		Put the boat on the bottom.  Depth 88 meters.
				Snorkel round antenna flooded.
		08.40		Aircraft bombs.
		12.00		Day's run:  Surfaced     20 nm
				Submerged   9 nm
				29 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 10.08.44
	Sun and Moon Data 11.08.44
	Sun and Moon Data 12.08.44

	- 2 -
		continued
		12.08.44	Point Route
		13.00		Boat raised from the bottom.
				Course 230°.
		16.00	Point 346	Course 185°.  Transit on Route "Eisbar".
		16.50		Several aircraft bombs.
		17.20		The boat creeps slowly but surely out of the enemy cordon. Several sound bearings which quickly grow loud then quieter again.  Also saws.  Drive as far as possible with the E-motors.
		13.08.44
		00.00	Sea 2, Vis. good	Begin snorkeling.
				Long wave reception not acceptable.
		00.40		Sound bearing to port.
		01.30		Continued snorkeling.
		04.00		Snorkeling ended.  Course 180°.
		12.00		Day's run:  56 nm.
		16.50		Aircraft bombs.  At the same time as yesterday.
		17.20		Every 20 minutes aircraft bombs fall ahead to port up to 21.00 hours.
		22.40		Boat positioned on the 200-meter line.
				New course 115°.
		23.36		Begin snorkeling.
		14.08.44
		00.00	BF 5545
			Sea 2, Vis. good, starry clear
		01.25		Sound bearing (destroyer) volume 1-2.
		04.12		End of snorkeling.
		06.00		New course 131°, both E-motors LF.
		12.00	BF 5597	Day's run:  63 nm.
		18.00		Sound bearing to port (destroyer) volume 1-2.
		22.00		Several aircraft bombs to port.
				Have Very Low Frequency receiver overhauled.
				System is operable.
		23.10		Begin snorkeling.
		15.08.44
		00.16	BF 6741	Incoming Radio Message:  "Werner" and "Faust" do not return to Bordeaux but instead to La Pallice."
			Sea 1, overcast, very dark
		05.00		End of snorkeling.
			Intend to be off the return harbor about noon 16 August, with full battery to get an overview of the situationn and determine our position. Suppose an enemy blockade. Want to remain submerged until taken under escort.

	Sun and Moon Data 12.08.44
	Sun and Moon Data 13.08.44
	Sun and Moon Data 14.08.44
	Sun and Moon Data 15.08.44

	- 3 -
		continued
		15.08.44
		05.00	BF 6741	Course 131°.  Both E-motors LF.
		12.00	BF 6788	Day's run:  70 nm.
		16.00	BF 9219	Course change to 52°.
		20.00 - 20.15		Several aircraft bombs close by to port.
		24.00		Begin snorkeling.
			Want to be off Point "Pumpe" at high water (04.00).
		16.08.44
		02.25		End of snorkeling.
				No day roll call, because strength of the Coastal Circuit Very Low Frequency transmitter is too weak.
		05.20		Put the boat on the bottom, because of the counter current in depth 120 meters.
		11.26		Raised the boat off the bottom.
		12.00	NW 2-3, Sea 2, clear, Vis. good	Reached Point "Pumpe", crept at LF and with the current under the coast.
				Day's run:  50 nm.
		15.00		Coast not in sight.  Both E-motors HF.
		17.00		Still positioned off the coast.  Ahead a small town.  To port bearing 350°T a lighthouse.  Guesswork.  Île de Ré?
		17.20		Bearings:  Les Baleines        172°T
				Wassertrurm           7°T
				Kirchturm           44.5°T
				Bastille                48.5°T
		18.50		On the bottom, depth 60 meters, waiting for program time and the illumination of the lighthouse.  (6 tons negative buoyancy, strong current).
		20.00		Again several aircraft bombs to starboard.
		21.50		Raised the boat off the bottom.  Receiving depth, course 110°, LF.  Still no Radio Message concerning convoy intake.
		17.08.44
		00.00		Day roll call.  Very bad reception.  Volume too faint.  Intolerable state of affairs.
			Boat lies 3 nm west of PA.  Must hear the escort when they get in position.
		01.00		Nothing heard.
		03.00	Surfaced.  No lighthouse.
		03.05		Dived.  Begin snorkeling.
		04.06		Incoming Radio Message 2001/16/12:  For boats whose return harbor is La Pallice be at "PA" for convoy intake 17 August at 01.00.
		06.05		Crash dive for light (searchlight).
				End of snorkeling.

	Sun and Moon Data 15.08.44
	Sun and Moon Data 16.08.44
	Sun and Moon Data 17.08.44

	- 4 -
		continued
		17.08.44
		07.45		Position determined.
				Cross bearing    Les Baleines  330°T
				Chassiron      150°T.
		10.40		Boat put on the bottom.  Depth 22 meters.  Chassiron lighthouse bearing 128.7°T, 3.5 nm.
			Position exact.  Remained below until 24.00 hours.  Afterwards received the day roll call, to get thte convoy intake time.  Am positioned 2 nm from the intake point.
		12.00		Day's run:  50 nm.
		18.08.44
		00.00		Program depth.
			Because there is no Radio Message concerning convoy intake. decide to enter.
		01.00	NW 0-1, cloudless, misty	Surfaced.  Navigation aids are not illuminated.  Can not check my ship's position.  See land and proceed by sounding.  Come to the La Pallice entrance.
		04.00		Positioned in the morning twilight off the La Pallice Roads.
		07.00		Huge disappointment!  Am not positioned off La Pallice, instead off the harbor a Saint Martin on the Île de Ré.
				Ship's position determined again.
		08.00	NW 0-1, clear	Dived.  Put the boat on the bottom.  Depth 15 meters.
			Decision:  Surface after darkness, with charging transit head for "PA".  If escort is not at convoy intake point at 01.30 hours enter independently with E-motors.
		22.10		Surfaced.  Both diesels HF charging.  Transit around Île de Ré for PA.
		19.08.44
		00.10		Strong searchlight from land catch the boat.  At the same time passing by low a large aircraft.  Mine layer.
		00.20		Reached "PA".  Entered on E-motors.
		01.20		Taken under escort.
		03.20		Boat made fast in the lock at La Pallice.
			Experiences:	1)  Heading for the coast in the snorkel era is very difficult.
				2)  Coastal Circuit Very Low Frequency transmitter is too weak.  Transmission muddled.

	Sun and Moon Data 17.08.44
	Sun and Moon Data 18.08.44
	Sun and Moon Data 19.08.44

	- 5 -
		20. - 30.08.44		Shipyard period "La Pallice".
				Equipping.
		31.08.44
		22.30	W 2, Sea 1, 1024 mb, light swell, 7/10, Vis. good	Ready for sea.
		23.08		Taken under escort.
		01.09.44
		01.30	Bay of Biscay	Released from escort (PA).
				Course 220°.  Proceeding at LF to the SW, to have deep water.
		02.20		Dived.
		02.30		Boat put on the bottom.  Depth 45 meters.  Because of counter current I wait for high water to arrive, when the tide runs out will run on E-motors LF to gain ground.
		05.40		Raised the boat from the bottom.  Course 220°.
				Proceeded submerged 14 hours LF, 10 hours KF.
		12.00	BF 9234	Day's run:  38 nm               45°46'N
				1°48'W
		22.00		Boat passed the 100-meter line.
		02.09.44
		00.00	W 2, Sea 1-2, 1024 mb, Swell 2, 7/10	Boat steered to program depth.
		01.00		Begin snorkeling.
				Have now hauled myself far enough away to the southwest and believe I have passed the blockade.
		06.35		End of snorkeling.
				Proceeding submerged at depth 40 meters, 80 RPM.
		09.30		Boat passed the 200-meter line.  New course 270°.
			Intend, to reach ordered square undetected, through the southern Bay of Biscay with a large arcing advance.
		12.00	BF 9249	Day's run:  60 nm               45°05'N
				2°48'W
		21.00		Program depth (all around sweep).
		23.30		Beginning of snorkeling.
		03.09.44	Bay of Biscay
		00.00	BF 6169
			WNW 2, Sea 1, 0/10, light swell, Vis. good, full moon
		06.45		End of snorkeling.  Proceeded submerged.
		12.00	BF 9148	Day's run:  60 nm               45°05'N
				4°04'W

	Sun and Moon Data 31.08.44
	Sun and Moon Data 01.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 02.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 03.09.44

	- 6 -
		continued
		03.09.44
		16.20 - 17.30	BF 9148	Deep diving test.
		21.00		Program depth (all around sweep).
		23.15		Begin snorkeling.
		04.09.44
		00.00	BF 8364
			Sea 1, moonlight, Vis. good, 0/10
		06.50		End of snorkeling.
				Course 280°, proceeded submerged.
		12.00	BF 8342	Day's run:  63 nm               45°15'N
				5°20'W
			Sound bearings are not recorded unless of major importance.
		21.00		Program depth.
		23.00		Begin snorkeling.
		05.09.44
		00.00	BF 8229	Day roll call was received every night.
			WSW 4, Sea 3-4, 5/10, starry clear
		07.04		End of snorkeling.
				Submerged transit.  Course 280°.
		12.00	BF 8133	Day's run:  64 nm               45°30'N
				6°50'W
		21.00		Program depth.
				Due to sound bearing 50°T (1 saw) snorkeling delayed.
		06.09.44
		00.00	BF 4989	Begin snorkeling.
			NW 2, Sea 1, medium Swell, 10/10, Vis. bad
		07.30		Snorkeling ended.
				Submerged transit.  Course 290°.  Continuing to steer to ordered square approaching from the south.
		12.00	BF 4899	Day's run:  65 nm               45°41'N
				8°40'W
		21.00		Program depth.
		22.12		Beginning of snorkeling.
		07.09.44
		00.00	BF 4882
			NW 3, Sea 2, 6/10, Vis. moderate
		07.30		End of snorkeling.
				Proceeding submerged.
		12.00	BF 4785	Day's run:  66 nm               46°04'N
				10°12'W

	Sun and Moon Data 03.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 04.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 05.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 06.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 07.09.44

	- 7 -
		continued
		07.09.44
		21.00	BF 4765	Program depth.
		22.15		Begin snorkeling.
				Interrupted due to sound bearing for 1 hour.
		08.09.44
		00.00	BF4752	No reception on Very Low Frequency.  Transmitter [station ashore] must be out of service.  My power supply also fails.  Tube heater voltage is produced by batteries.
			NW 3, Sea 2, 5/10, Vis. good
		07.30		End of snorkeling.
		12.00	BE 6935	Day's run:  64 nm               46°20'N
				11°42'W
				Today received during every program time to find a new transmitter.  Goliath transmits Coastal Circuit on Very Low Frequency.
		22.10		Begin snorkeling.
		09.09.44
		00.00	BE 6688	New course 320°.
			NW 2, Sea 1, 9/10, heavy, Vis. moderate	Since the beginning of the patrol the snorkel air head valve has not worked completely.  Often admits much water.  Now stayed up to ventilate the boat to save the valve.
		07.30		End of snorkeling.
				Proceeded submerged.
		12.00	BE 6641	Day's run:  66 nm               47°02'N
				12°52'W
		21.00		All around sweep.
		22.12		Begin snorkeling.
		23.10		Incoming Radio Message 1736/9/7:  New objective for "U-953" is square BE 47.
		10.09.44
		00.00	BE 6532
			NW 4, Sea 3-4, 8/10, later clearing
		03.00		New course 290°.
		07.30		End of snorkeling.  Proceeded submerged.
		12.00	BE 6272	Day's run:  65 nm               47°38'N
				14°12'W
		21.00		All around sweep.
		22.20		Begin snorkeling.
		11.09.44
		00.00	BE 6158
			E 5, Sea 4, Swell, overcast, Vis. medium

	Sun and Moon Data 07.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 08.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 09.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 10.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 11.09.44

	- 8 -
		continued
		11.09.44
		07.40	BE 6188	End of snorkeling.
				Proceeded submerged.
		12.00	BE 6118	Day's run:  66 nm               48°05'N
				15°46'W
		21.00		All around sweep.
		22.37		Beginning of snorkeling.
		23.48		Incoming Radio Message 1656/11/34:
				1)  The separate connecting lines of the points square 5522 [1588], square 5773 [1973], square 8254 [4454], square 0936 [7136] (all squares Green Ida Sophie [AM]) with square 9072 [5272], east there from form from the north the sectors 1-3.
				2)  Occupy:  "Schimmelpfennig", "Kandzior" Sector 1.  "Boddenberg", "Wolf" Sector 2.  "Löder", "Werner" Sector 3.
				3)  Operate in the west or eastern part according to defensive situation.  In the east sector border only indications.
				4)  "Schäfer, "Emde", "Reckhoff" free to maneuver in the total area.  Focal point per Serial Number 196.
		12.09.44
		00.00	BE 5331
			SE 3, Sea 2, light Swell, 10/10
		05.00		New course 0°.
				Will approach the operations area from the west. Intend to comb the operations area in legs and to advance to the east where there is definitely something to be had (according to "Matuschka" report.)
		07.47		End of snorkeling.  Proceeded submerged.
		12.00	BE 2954	Day's run:  66 nm               48°43'N
				16°52'W
		21.00		All around sweep.
		22.30		Beginning of snorkeling.
		13.09.44
		00.00	BE 2925	Day of the sound bearings!
			Sea 2, medium Swell, Vis. good	Snorkeling often had to be interrupted because of sound bearings. Asdic locating over the whole scale, origin to port.   Search group-propeller noises to starboard.  Snorkeled cautiously.
		07.50		End of snorkeling.
				Propeller noises have no end.  Must have already passed the cordon, because search groups are positioned from abeam to astern.

	Sun and Moon Data 11.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 12.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 13.09.44

	- 9 -
		continued
		13.09.44
		12.00	BE 2655	Day's run:  63 nm               49°42'N
				16°46'W
		16.00		Broad sound band arises bearing 310°T.  Convoy.  Only at volume 1.  2 destroyers zig zag past.  Volume 3-4.
		18.00		Sound band  disappears bearing 90°T.
		21.00		All around sweep.  There after propeller sounds.  Bearing steady 100°T.  Search group.
		22.30		Disappears bearing 100°T.
		14.09.44
		00.00	BE 2388
			Sea 1, light Swell, 10/10, Vis. clear
		00.40		Begin snorkeling.
		01.05		Crash dive from searchlight, there after search group again bearing 100°T.  Disappears slowly.
		07.50		End snorkeling.
		12.00	BE 2325	Day's run:  63 nm               50°49'N
				16°46'W
		22.50		Begin snorkeling.
		15.09.44
		00.00	AL 9982
			NW 3, Sea 2, light Swell, 10/10, Vis. good
			Would like to check my position, but for days no stars have been seen.
		07.50		End of snorkeling.
				Proceeding submerged.
		12.00	AL 9689	Day's run:  67 nm               51°55'N
				16°36'W
		21.00		All around sweep.
		22.30		Beginning of snorkeling.  New course 70°.
			Consideration: my attack area is too large for snorkel conditions.  Additionally, monitoring by sound bearing (Asdic) seems strong. Limit of the attack area is free to the east.  According to Matuschka report there are good opportunities for success in the North Channel. Defense there quite unsuccessful.  However, attack is definitely possible because convoy can not evade there.   Because I must expect the snorkel air head valve to fail at any time, shallow water operation is more favorable. (With crash dive valve does not keep tight.)
			Decision:  Want to creep under the Irish coast into the North Channel.  Hope not to be bothered by Tommy with this maneuver (approaching from the south).  Expect greater attack opportunities.
			The boat is readied for shallow water operations.

	Sun and Moon Data 13.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 14.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 15.09.44

	- 10 -
		16.09.44
		00.00	AL 9668
			NW 2, Sea 1-2, 9/10, Vis. good
		07.30		End of snorkeling.
		12.00	AM 7452	Day's run:  67 nm               52°30'N
				15°18'W
		21.00		All around sweep.
		22.45		Beginning of snorkeling.
		17.09.44
		00.00	AM 7436
			SW 3, Sea 2-3, 9/10, long Swell
		06.02		All around sound sweep.  Suddenly when opening the snorkel air head valve a sharp bang. Guesswork. When opening again very strong and fast water intake. (4 tons) boat can be held only with difficulty. After pumping attempted again. Again strong water entry in the ventilation and diesel air intake mast.  Snorkel is out of service.
				Went to depth 40 meters, one E-motor 80 RPM.  Only speculation.  No exact indication of the damage.  Probably dome snorkel air head valve torn.  Then must weld!
			Decision:  Surface to proceed to the coast.  In a bay at night make repairs.
		08.00		New course 90°.
			Still have 180 nm to the coast.  Am forced to surface and charge on the surface.  My initial decision to go to the coast is now advantageous.
		12.00	AM 7522	Day's run:  60 nm               52°48'N
				13°44'W
		22.32	WSW 5, Sea 5, 10/10, Vis. moderate, heavy Swell, dark night.	Surfaced.  Transit with charging.  High charging after topping off acid level.  Both diesel 2 x HF.
		18.09.44
		00.00	AM 7597	Two men work on the diesel air head valve with green lights.  Devilish situation. But must be certain.  Floor plates must first be unscrewed.
				Damage:  Cover of the snorkel air head valve torn open. This interrupted supply and allowed the intake mast to fill while snorkeling. Cover is repaired in a new 3-hour job, new screws and a second sealing ring were made.

	Sun and Moon Data 16.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 17.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 18.09.44

	- 11 -
		continued
		18.09.44
		03.00	AM 7957	Work ended.
		03.07		Dived.
		04.50		Beginning of snorkeling.
			In this case the damage had a good side.
			1)  While snorkeling no water in the boat.
			2)  Boat is well ventilated.
			3)  Cleaning parade.
			4)  Large day's dun.
			5)  High charging.
		07.40		End of snorkeling.
				Proceeded submerged.  New course 70°.
		12.00	AM 7695	Day's run:  Surfaced      56 nm           52°04'N
		[Position is in error more like AM 7392  53°04'N, 11°42'W]		Submerged  42 nm           11°42'W
				98 nm.
		22.25		Begin snorkeling.
		19.09.44
		00.00	AM 8449
			WSW 5, Sea 4, 5/10, Vis. moderate, Swells
		00.25		Incoming Radio Message 2247/18/170:
				1.)  On 20 September at 08.00 hours switch to Diana Circuit:  "Rasch", "Schimmelpfennig", "Kandzior", "Emde", "Reckhoff, "Schäfer", "Boddenber", "Wolf", "Löder", "Werner", "Feindt", "Schwebke", "Widuwilt", "Nollmann", "Matuschka", Davidson".
				2.)  On 19 September at 14.00 hours switch to America II "Riesen", Steinfeld", "Burghagen".
		07.25		End of snorkeling.
				Proceeded submerged.
		09.00		New course 0°.
		12.00	AM 8137	Day's run:  68 nm
		21.00		All around sweep.
				Can take no land bearings, because it is misty.  Have no exact ship's position, because the coast is not good for sounding.
		22.00		Begin snorkeling.
				Course 0°, to get to 100-meters.  Sounding series.
		20.09.44
		00.00	AM 5719
			WSW 4, Sea 4, 10/10, dark night
		01.00		Sounding series suddenly gives very varying depths when crossing 50 meters.  I must be over a reef.  New course 270°.  After half an hour again on course 0°.
		03.30
				The first lighthouse!  The first ship's position after nearly three weeks.
				Navigation shift practically zero.

	Sun and Moon Data 18.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 19.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 20.09.44

	- 12 -
		continued
		20.09.44
		03.40	AM 5789	Black Rock (Ireland) bearing 58°T.
		04.40		Black Rock (Ireland) bearing 78°T.
				Sound bearing.  Vessel behaves very oddly.
				No propeller sounds.
		07.56		End of snorkeling.
		12.00	AM 5738	Day's run:  70 nm               54°20'N
				10°15'W
				Land bearings.  Position 8 nm abeam "Eagle Island".
		22.00		Beginning of snorkeling.  After the day the above mentioned vessel could be heard faintly, it becomes louder now. Guessing games. Strange behavior. Come, finally to the conclusion that it is a sound buoy with independent movement.
		21.09.44
		00.00	AM 4813
			W 2, Sea 1-2, 9/10	Continued snorkeling.  Sound lost.
		04.37		Rathlin O'Birne bearing 105°T.
				Rathlin O'Birne bearing 130°T.  End of snorkeling.
		12.00	AM 5568	Day's run:  70 nm               55°00'N
				8°45'W
			Southwest current seems slight.  Position from bearings always somewhat advanced.
		17.30		Land bearing.
		21.50		Beginning of snorkeling.
		22.10		Get perfect cross bearing.
				"Tory Island" bearing 92°T.
				"Aran Island" bearing 177°T.
		22.09.44
		00.00	AM 5614	Fishermen, because lantern are seen.  They are annoying, because often lanterns are hidden by sail, vessel are also not heard.
				My battery is full.
				Torpedo tubes are flooded.
				Positioned at the entrance to the North Channel.
		15.00		Crash dive for illumination on the [Fu.M.B.] CRT screen bearing 340°.  Because all remains calm, and later in the periscope at great enlargement determined, I believe a set of three lanterns.
		06.20		Two destroyers (14 knots) pass to port.  Coming from sea.  No convoy.  Steamers must be there.
		03.00		Boat put on the bottom.
				Determine current direction, peace for the crew after three weeks of snorkeling.

	Sun and Moon Data 20.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 21.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 22.09.44

	- 13 -
		continued
		22.09.44
			Belief that so far I am unnoticed. Snorkeled with caution used the proximity to land. Good navigation by the lighthouses which can be recognized in the periscope from 6-8 nm.
		12.00	AM 5611	Day's run:  55 nm               55°24'N
				8°26'W
		22.00		Again two destroyers coming from sea.
		23.00		Boat raised from the bottom.
		23.30		Beginning of snorkeling.
		23.09.44
		00.00	AM 5613
			W 4, Sea 3-4, 10/10, Vis. moderate
		03.30		End of snorkeling.
				New course 250°.  Drive the entire day with one E-motor at 80 RPM.
		06.30		Two destroyers (14 knots) coming from sea to port.  No convoy.  Do not attack, so as not to betray myself.  Want to have a steamer.
		12.00	AM 5612	Day's run:  32 nm               55°26'N
				8°10'W
		13.00		Sound buoy runs over the boat to the east with the current.  Periscope depth.  Nothing seen.  Aircraft bearing 200°T.  Caution!  During the day isolated bombs fall.
		23.00		Begin snorkeling.
				Bearing on 'Tory Island".
		24.09.44
		00.00	AM 5613
			SW 5, Sea 3-4, 10/10, Swell, Vis. moderate
		01.40 - 05.50		Put the boat on the bottom for repairs of the port diesel clutch.
		07.20		End of snorkeling.
				Beat about during the day on various courses between land and the mined area.
		12.00	AM 5378	Day's run:  43 nm               55°32'N
				8°20'W
		21.00		Periscope depth.
		23.00		Beginning of snorkeling.
				Bearing on "Tory Island".
		25.09.44
		00.00	AM 5376
			W 4, Sea 3-4, 10/10, Swell
		01.30 - 06.15		Interrupted snorkeling.
				Both E-motors 80 RPM.
		07.10		End of snorkeling.
				Proceeded submerged.  Search legs.
		12.00	AM 5375	Day's run:  41 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 23.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 24.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 25.09.44

	- 14 -
		continued
		25.09.44
		23.00		Beginning of snorkeling.
				Bearing on "Tory Island".
		26.09.44
		00.00	AM 5612
			W 4, Sea 3-4, 5/10
		01.00 - 06.30		Snorkeling interrupted.
		07.25		End of snorkeling.
				Proceeded submerged, changing courses.
		12.00	AM 5299	Day's run:  40 nm               55°35'N
				8°32'W
		22.48		Beginning of snorkeling.
		23.30		2 aircraft bombs to starboard.
		27.09.44
		00.00	AM 5615
			NW 6, Sea 5-6, 10/10, heavy Swell
		01.40		End of snorkeling.  Heavy seas.
		02.15		Boat on the bottom (depth 93 meters).  Heavy seas arising.
		12.00	AM 5614	Day's run:  26 nm               55°22.5'N
				8°26'W
		22.15		Raised the boat from the bottom.
		22.45		Begin snorkeling.
				Have still not detected a convoy.
		28.09.44
		00.00	AM 5536
			NW 4, Sea 3-4, 7/10, Swell
		02.14 - 04.15		Snorkeling interrupted.
				1 destroyer arriving (volume 1-2).
		04.25		End of snorkeling.
		05.00		Boat on the bottom (depth 100 meters)
		12.00	AM 5535	Day's run:  22 nm               55°22'N
				8°43'W
		21.50		Beginning of snorkeling.
		23.45		After a running bearing on "Tory Island" set off to give a situation report.
				New course 310°.
			Reason:
			1.) No convoy traffic in the North Channel.  Boat has been at the entrance to the North Channel for 8 days.  Search courses.  Convoys must concentrate here. 2.) Enemy shifted convoys to the south.  For show, a U-boat hunt in the sea area off the North Channel. (heard depth charges, aircraft bombs)  However, withdrawing own search groups.  Defense is light in the entrance to the North Channel. 3.) Still no situation report from Control despite request.

	Sun and Moon Data 25.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 26.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 27.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 28.09.44

	- 15 -
		29.09.44
		00.00	AM 5615
			W 4, Sea 4, 6/10, heavy Swell, misty
		07.10		End of snorkeling.
				Proceeded submerged.
		12.00	AM 5258	Day's run:  57 nm               55°50'N
				9°16'W
		20.00		All around sweep.
				Periscope must be dried out daily.
		21.50		Beginning of snorkeling.
		22.00		New course 350°.
		30.09.44
		00.00	AM 5219
			W 4, Sea 3-4, 5/10, moonlit, Vis. good
		02.15 - 06.00		Snorkeling interrupted for repair of connection in electric system (starter, forward diving plane).
		07.10		End of snorkeling.
		08.00		New course 0°.  Proceeding submerged.
		12.00	AM 0273	Day's run:  60 nm               56°40'N
				9°43'W
		20.00		All around sweep.
		22.20		Begin snorkeling.
		01.10.44
		00.00	AM 0216
			W 4, Sea 4, 8/10, Vis. good
		02.00 - 06.00		Interrupted snorkeling.  Do not want to get too far to the north.  Schäfer reports situation today.
		07.20		Snorkel can not be lowered.  Strong banging in the over deck.  Lowering pennant broken.  Several attempts.  In the process loud banging.  Left the mast standing, as a result of attempts the the raising pennant probably jumped from the roller.  Am concerned about failure.  Repairs access and work on the over deck is not possible due to air and sea situation.  Am consequently not ready for attacking.  Today receive situation report from Reckhoff.  Surfacing with raised mast to send a Radio Message is not required.  Will send a Short Signal tomorrow night. Proceeded submerged.
		08.00	Began return transit.
		12.00	AM 2849	Day's run:  60 nm               57°40'N
				9°43'W
		22.45		Begin snorkeling.
		02.10.44
		00.00	AM 2816
			W 2, Sea 2, 10/10, Vis. clear, later misty
		03.00	DSZ	Clocks put back 1 hour.
		02.05	MEZ	Outgoing Short Signal:
				No steamer traffic in North Channel.  Return transit to homeland needed badly due to the condition of the ship.  Beginning return transit immediately.

	Sun and Moon Data 29.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 30.09.44
	Sun and Moon Data 01.10.44
	Sun and Moon Data 02.10.44

	- 16 -
		continued
		02.10.44		Short Signal was not acknowledged.
		06.46		End snorkeling.
				Proceeded submerged.
		08.00		Sound bearing 140°T (Asdic).
		12.00	AM 2643	Day's run:  70 nm               58°47'N
				9°43'W
				Sound bearing now 240°T.  Peculiar Asdic.
				Has Tommy detected my Signal?
		14.07		Sound bearing disappears bearing 260°T.
		20.10		Begin snorkeling.
				Can not hold [the boat at depth].  High sea.  Broaching often.  Sending a Radio Message is not possible, because surfacing with the upright mast is dangerous.
				(Homeland does not appear to have received my Short Signal)
				Intend to pass through between the Faroe and Shetland Islands.
		03.10.44
		00.00	AM 2485
			NW 6, Sea 6, 5/10, heavy Swell, moonlit
		01.00		Snorkeling interrupted due to the high seas.
		04.20		Snorkel air head valve is worrying.  After splitting it often leaks, so that one must go from great depth to snorkel depth to become tight.
		06.20		End of snorkeling.
				Proceeded submerged.  New course 0°.
		12.00	AM 2461	Day's run:  60 nm
		20.18		Begin snorkeling.
		04.10.44
		00.00	AM 2289	Course 0°.
			NE 3, Sea 3, 8/10, occasionally moonlit, Vis. good
		01.05		Snorkeling interrupted.  Sound bearing to starboard.
		01.26		Shifts very slowly away ahead (volume 1).
		06.45		Snorkeler?
				End of snorkeling.  Proceeded submerged.
				Want to check position at the Faroe Bank (200-meter line).
		12.00	AM 2256	Day's run:  67 nm               60°28'N
				9°14'W
		20.00		20 [typo 200]-meter line on the south side of the Faroe Bank.
		20.20		Begin snorkeling.
				Determined ship's position by soundings.
		21.15		New course 90°.

	Sun and Moon Data 02.10.44
	Sun and Moon Data 03.10.44
	Sun and Moon Data 04.10.44

	- 17 -
		05.10.44
		00.00	AM 2235
			W 2, Sea 2, 10/10, light Swell
		01.40		East side of the 200-meter line.
		03.45		New course 130°.
		06.29		End of snorkeling.
				Proceeded submerged.  Break through of the English barrier.
		12.00	AM 3152	Day's run:  72 nm               60°32'N
				7°32'W
		19.00		All around sweep.
		20.15		Beginning of snorkeling.
		06.10.44
		00.00	AM 3196
			W 2, Sea 1-2, 10/10, hazy
		03.30		Depth 430 meters.  New course 90°.
		06.30		End of snorkeling.
				Proceeded submerged.
		12.00	AM 3289	Day's run:  72 nm               60°02'N
				5°32'W
		19.00		All around sweep.
		20.20		Beginning of snorkeling.
				Boat has passed the English barrier.
				New course 45°.
		07.10.44
		00.00	AN 1182
			W 3, Sea 2, 10/10, Vis. changing, occasional fog
		06.30		End of snorkeling.  Proceeded submerged.
		12.00	AN 1214	Day's run:  71 nm               60°44'N
				3°00'W
		19.15		All around sweep.
		20.23		Begin snorkeling.
		08.10.44
		00.00	AF 7791
			W 3, Sea 2, 10/10, fog patches, Vis. changing
		06.10		End of snorkeling.
				Snorkel air head valve again troublesome.
				Proceeded submerged.  Course 45° along the 200-meter line.
		12.00	AF 7854	Day's run:  70 nm               61°22'N
				0°58'W
		14.35 - 15.34		Sound bearing (volume 1-2) destroyer course 190°.
		19.30		All around sweep.
		20.10		Begin snorkeling, new course 90°.
		09.10.44
		00.00	AF 7837
			W 3, Sea 2, 10/10, Vis. changing
		06.15		End of snorkeling.
		06.12 - 07.25		Sound bearing (2) destroyer groups course 230° proceeding to AF 82, 84.  Destroyer from yesterday and today on course to Lerwik.  Proceeded submerged.
				Intend to head for Marstein from the west.
		12.00	AF 7946	Day's run:  71 nm               61°20'N
				1°12'E
		19.15		All around sweep.

	Sun and Moon Data 05.10.44
	Sun and Moon Data 06.10.44
	Sun and Moon Data 07.10.44
	Sun and Moon Data 08.10.44
	Sun and Moon Data 09.10.44

	- 18 -
		continued
		09.10.44
		20.00		Begin snorkeling.
		21.25		Sound bearing 265°T.
				Behaves strangely.  I keep still.  Search group?
		10.10.44
		00.00	AF 7986
			SSE 2-3, Sea 2, 10/10, Vis. moderate
		00.15		Continued snorkeling.
		06.25		End of snorkeling.
				For two weeks the snorkel air head valve must be opened and closed with a crow bar.  Proceeded submerged.
		07.40		200-meter line.  New course 132°.
				Took a significant lead [to the south] because of the offset from the predicted northerly current. Must be in position promptly to bring about the escort on 11 October.  Snorkel mast must be lowered to take bearings.  Battery must be full.
		12.00	AN 2328	Day's run:  72 nm               60°40'N
				3°12'E
		19.00		Sound bearings 125°T and 75°T.  Both shift astern.  Observation.  Fishermen?
		21.00		Begin snorkeling.
				Correct.  Fishing lights!
		11.10.44
		00.00	AN 2474
			S 2, Sea 2, 10/10, Vis. medium
		03.00		Propose a hitch to the northeast 35° to get excellent sounding series.  (correct angle).
				Good intake point.
		07.00		Position despite a good lead am positioned 5 nm too far to the north.  Therefore escort not met.  Difficult land bearings.  Ship's position.  Land remains completely in fog.  Southerly course.
		12.00		Shrouded in fog.
		16.00		Positioned 3 nm off Marstein.  Fog slowly dissipates.
		17.00		Steering submerged in the entrance to Korsfjord, running to meet the escort.  Fog again.  Both E-motors KF.  It is dark.  Land is only indistinct.  Despite bearings.
				Escort heard bearing 350°.  Proceed to the escort submerged.
		18.10	SE 2, Sea 1-2, fog, rain	Surfaced at the escort.  4 nm in Korsfjord.
				Boat has neither -Gema- or -Hohentwiel-.
		18.15		Convoy intake.
				Made fast Bergen.
		16.10 - 25.10.44		Transit from Bergen to Flensburg.
		25.10.44
		09.00		Made fast Flensburg U-boat base.

	Sun and Moon Data 09.10.44
	Sun and Moon Data 10.10.44
	Sun and Moon Data 11.10.44

	- 19 -
			1) Enemy search groups positioned set off from the coast because of favorable locating (Western French Reich, Ireland) 2) Full cordon (Brest, La Pallice, North Channel, Norway) avoided by wide hook, North Channel by using the coastal route. 3)  Enemy cordon sanitaire in BE 19, 29, 39. 4) Convoy route via BE 16, 36. 5) Sea area west of Ireland light defenses. 6) No convoy traffic in the North Channel.  Light defenses.  Defended area AM 40. 7) Advance along the coast of Ireland is safe.  Lighthouses as in peacetime. 8) Fishermen in the North Channel. 9) Bluff by sound buoys with movement.  Shifted by current and wind.  Observed endurance 2 days.  Various volumes by changing frequency. 10) No defense between Shetland and Faeroe Islands.  Therefore the existence of a mine barrier is guaranteed. 11) Submerged transit with both E-motors 80 RPM. 12) Ship's navigation only by soundings.  (crossing of shallows etc.).  Coastal navigation always difficult. 13) Snorkel system after several patrols very delicate.  Consider K.T.B. Maschine. 14) The journey was characterized by totally submerged war.  During the entire patrol no navigation fix was taken.  Navigation by feel and luck.
				Ob.Lt.z.S. and  Kommandant.

	Enclosures to U-953's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Summary	One page summary of the KTB

	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote
	on the K.T.B. of "U-953" (Werner) from 23.7. - 11.10.1944.
	The boat operated in the North Channel.  Convoy traffic was not detected without blame.  After numerous patrols the snorkel had become delicate, adversely affecting the patrol, after a while compelling the boat to surface in a noteworthy way for several hours under the coast so the snorkel could be repaired.   Another time in the operations area the snorkel mast could not be lowered, finally making the boat not ready for attack and thus preventing further operations in the coastal operations area. The Kommandant faced difficult tasks which he handled well and boldly.
	K.T.B. - guidance:  too broad, be succinct.  Distinguish between conjecture and objective observations.
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		- The Chief of the Operations Department -

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