Excerpt of the Radio Log of   "  U  96  "
 
 
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
  
                                                                                 
  Kr Kr  
  From Marbef. Kanalküste:  
  In 51°28.3'N, 3°14.5'E by radar detection vessel detected on easterly course speed 20 knots.  
     
  Kr KR  
  From Ubootsjäger 179:  
  Square 3561 upper-center edge,  U-boat alarm.  Have attacked.  
     
  Kr Kr  
  Square AN 8264 mine danger.  
     
  Mine message.  
  Mines suspected square 9393, 9396, 9471, 9474 rescinded.  
     
  - SSD -  
  All from Nord-Gruppe.  
  Mine danger clarification square AN 8264 in Gruppe Nord area invalidated by Gruppe West.  Mine hit "PARANAGUA" caused by a drifting mine.  
     
  Mine message:  
  Baltic from Route Green 07 to Green 08 closed.  
     
  B.S.N.  
  Off Norderney and Juist drifting mines.  
                                                                                  U-Jäger A.  
     
  Short Signal:  
  Have passed 59°N east of 2°E in the North Sea.  
                                                                                  U-96.  
     
  To U-96  
  Short Signal at 08.52 and 10.17 received and forwarded.  
                                                                                  MFS Nord.  
     
  From Nord:  
  Nautical message:  
  Buoy Richard 1 missing from 53°40.2N, 6°33.4E.  Buoy Otto 4a missing and not seen.  
     
  From Stavanger:  
  Kr Kr  
  AF 8116 suspicious U-boat.  
     
  Kr Kr  
  Fluws "Uthira" reports:  20.20 hours square AN 2981 lower-center diving enemy U-boat course northwest.  
                                                                                  Seekmdt. Stavanger.  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  Position BE 34 return transit, torpedoes exhausted.  2 further steamers "CALABRIS" and "EMPIRE JAGUAR" total about 15000 GRT.  
                                                                                  U-103.  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  00.00 MGZ WNW 6, +9°C, 988 mb, Vis. 5 nm, showers without lightening during the last hour (hail etc. possibly mixed with rain), Cumulonimbus, with high and medium-long southwest-Swell.  Square AM 26.  
                                                                                  U-96.  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  Square DG 58.  
                                                                                  U-37.  
     
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
     
 
- 2 -
  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  11.00 MGZ  NW 7, +8°C, 1006 mb, Vis. 5 nm, no fog or precipitation in the last hour, no special phenomena, lightly cloudy, sea water 8°C, Cumulonimbus, medium-high and medium-long NW-Swell.  Square AM 25.  
                                                                                  U-96.  
     
  Alpha Alpha - Signal  
  Enemy convoy in sight square AM 2379, enemy steers southeasterly course.  
                                                                                  U-96.  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  Convoy scattered.  Two steamers about 18000 GRT sunk.  Pursuing course 130°.  AM 2618  
                                                                                  U-96.  
     
  Alpha Alpha - Signal  
  Own position square AM 2862, pursuing course 180°.  
                                                                                  U-96.  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  2 further steamers about 12000 GRT sunk.  Still 6 Etos.  Position square AM 3914.  
                                                                                  U-96.  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  Two steamers among then "ASHCROFT" Bark "KARHILL" total 15742 GRT.  Have begun return transit to Bergen.  Position AM 5157.  
                                                                                  U-140.  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  Return transit for fuel.  1 further steamer 6000 GRT.  Capacity test, new piston rings, fuel tank dented.  Square AL 8874.  
                                                                                  U-43.  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  01.00 MGZ, S 4, +12°C, 993 mb, Vis. 5 nm, heavily cloudy, no fog or precipitation in the last hour, sea water +12°C, Stratocumulus, medium-high and medium-long S-Swell, Square AL 57.  
                                                                                  U-100.  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  BE 2442 "ORARI" torpedoed.  Still runs course 30°, low speed, out of torpedoes.  
                                                                                  U-43.  
     
  To B.d.U.:  
  Return transit slowly little lubricating oil.  In operations area low traffic fast steamers.  Square BE 2459.  
                                                                                  U-43.  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  02.00 MGZ, WSW 5, +10°C, 1010 mb, Vis. 2 nm, heavily cloudy, no fog or precipitation in the last hour, sea water 11°C, thick Altocumulus, medium-high and medium-long SW-Swell.  BE 24.  
                                                                                  U-43.  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  02.00 MGZ, W 3, +6°C, 988 mb, Vis. 5 nm, precipitation during the last hour (rain without showery character), 10°C water temperature, thick Altostratus, low and short W-Swell, Square AL 51.  
                                                                                  U-100.  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  Between 59° and 60°N independently proceeding steamer "WESTERN PRINCE" sunk.  Square AL 3334.  
                                                                                  U-96.  
     
 
     
 
- 3 -
  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  Return transit at low speed little lubricating oil in accordance with Serial No. 181.  
                                                                                  U-43.  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  19.00 MGZ, S 8, +5°C, 970 mb, Vis. 1/2 nm, thick snowfall, water +9°C, thin Altostratus, high and long SW-Swell, Square AL 01.  
                                                                                  U-100.  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  "IMPERIAL VALLEY" and "EUPHORBIA".  Still 5 torpedoes.  
                                                                                  U-100.  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  Position Al 34.  
                                                                                  U-96.  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  13.00 MGZ, SW 9, +7°C, 995 mb, Vis. 1/2 mn, showers of frost sleet possibly mixed with rain, Sea water 9.5°C, bad weather clouds, medium-high and medium-long SW-Swell, square AL 36.  
                                                                                  - U-96 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  11.00 MGZ, SW 5, +4°C, 983 mb, Vis. 10 nm, totally overcast, no fog or precipitation in the last hour, sea water +9°C, light Altostratus, medium-high and medium-long W-Swell, square AL 16.  
                                                                                  - U-100 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  11.00 MGZ, SSW 3, +3°C, 1021 mb, Vis. 5 nm, moderate rain, (not of a showery character), Sea water +10°C, Stratocumulus, low and short SW-Swell, square AL 27.  
                                                                                  - U-100 -  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  3 tankers course 240°, square AL 3532.  
                                                                                  - U-96 -  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  "PENDRECHT" torpedoed, out of torpedoes, still runs course 90°, square AL 3479.  
                                                                                  U-96.  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  15.00 MGZ, S 6, +7°C, 1016 mb, Vis. 10 nm, rain during the last hour, however no precipitation at the moment, 10°C water temperature, thick Altostratus, medium-high and medium-long S-Swell.  Square AL 27.  
                                                                                  - U-100 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  02.00 MGZ, S 6, +8°C, 1000 mb, Vis. 2 nm, heavy drizzle, water +10°C, bad weather clouds, medium-high and medium-long S-Swell, square Al 25.  
                                                                                  - U-100 -  
     
  Signal:  
  1 battleship, 6 destroyers, enemy steers southerly course.  Square AM 1693.  
                                                                                  - U-96 -  
     
  Signal:  
  Enemy out of sight, compass bearing 290°, square 1692.  
                                                                                  - U-96 -  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  "NAPIERSTAR" still 2 Etos.  
                                                                                  - U-100 -  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  A x B.M. concerns Serial No. 101.  
                                                                                  - U-37 -  
     
 
     
 
- 4 -
  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  11.00 MGZ, S 6, +10°C, 1016 mb, Vis. 2 nm, heavily cloudy, no precipitation or fog in the last hour, water temperature 11°C, Altocumulus, medium-high and medium-long S-Swell.  Square AL 32.  
                                                                                  - U-100 -  
     
  To Kptl Schepke  
  Following Führer Telegram:  
  In grateful appreciation of your heroic action in the fight for the future of our people I give you on the occasion of the sinking of 20000 GRT of hostile merchant ships as the seventh officer in the German Armed Forces, the "Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross".  
                                                                                  Adolf Hitler.  
  Additionally:  Congratulations B.d.U. and Staff.  
     
  From Ob.d.M.  
  O.K.M. redirects for U-100:  
  On the award of the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross I transmit to the Kommandant my warmest congratulations.  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  13.00 hours MGZ, S 5, +8°C, 1018 mb, Vis. 5 nm, totally overcast, no fog or precipitation in the last hour, water temperature 11°C, thick Altostratus, medium-high and medium-long S-Swell, square AL 35.  
                                                                                  - U-100 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  17.00 hours MGZ, SSE 6, +9°C, 1020 mb, Vis. 3 nm, no precipitation, summer lightening on the horizon, water temperature +3°C, a couple of stable Altocumulus decks, S-Swell low and short, square AL 37  
                                                                                  - U-100 -  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  Eto on type "KOBAD" was a circle runner, hit probable "Amphitrite U-boat" in echelon tanker.  Tanker burned out.  "SAN CARLE" 300 GRT without markings.  Armed attack.  9 torpedoes, 80 cbm.  
                                                                                  - U-37 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  17.00 hours MGZ, SSE 5, +9°C, 1016 mb, Vis. 5 nm, totally overcast, no fog or precipitation during the last hour, water temperature 12°C, stable tier of Stratocumulus, medium-high and medium-long S-Swell, square AL 37.  
                                                                                  - U-100 -  
     
  From Control:  
  On 22 December the following Serial Nos. were retransmitted until 14.30 hours:  181, 183 to 189, 191 and 192.  
     
  Alpha Alpha  
  Enemy convoy in sight square Anton Lucie 4798 with southerly course, low speed.  
                                                                                  - U-52 -  
     
  Enemy lost out of sight, square AL 7168, enemy steers S-course, enemy runs 8 knots.  
                                                                                  - U-52 -  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  Out of torpedoes.  Only 3 steamers total 18069 GRT.  Return transit to Kiel requested.  
                                                                                  - U-100-  
     
 
     
 
- 5 -
  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  19.00 MGZ, ESE 6, +9°C, 1018 mb, Vis. 1/2 nm, totally overcast, no fog or precipitation during the last hour, water temperature +11°C, towering Cumulus with Stratocumulus, high and long SE-Swell.  Square AL 37.  
                                                                                  - U-100 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  02.00 MGZ, ESE 6, +12°C, 1020 mb, Vis. 1/2 nm, moderate rain, water temperature +10°C, towering Cumulus, medium-high and medium-long SE-Swell.  Square AL 36.  
                                                                                  - U-100 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  13.00 hours MGZ, SE 7, +13°C, 1020 mb, Vis. 1 nm, no precipitation, summer lightening on the horizon, water temperature +2°C, a single stable Altocumulus deck, SE-Swell (long and high).  Square AL 62.  
                                                                                  - U-38 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  17.00 hours MGZ, SSE 9, +13°C, 1024 mb, Vis. 5 nm, lightly cloudy, no fog or precipitation in the last hour, 11°C water temperature, towering Cumulus, high and long SE-Swell.  AL 62.  
                                                                                  - U-38 -  
     
  Short Signal:  
  No traffic.                                                                 - U-124 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  01.00 MGZ, W 2, +12°C, 1027 mb, Vis. 5 nm, cloudless, sea water temperature +12°C, no clouds, low and short S-Swell, square AL 52.  
                                                                                  - U-38 -  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  Return transit Lorient.  
  25500 GRT, 3 torpedoes.  Docking, beating propeller.  Renew one high pressure air cooler.  Renew extraction tubing battery A 9.  Renew diesel and periscope work.  Square BE 13.  
  Request luggage from Kiel to Lorient.  
                                                                                  - U-52 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  13.00 hours MGZ, SSW 4, +13°C, 1028 mb, Vis. 5 nm, heavily cloudy, no fog or precipitation in the last hour, sea water temperature +11°C, Stratocumulus, medium-high and medium-long SE-Swell.  Square Al 29.  
                                                                                  - U-38 -  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  Transit Lorient.  Air intake motor, G.H.G. power supply.  Radio direction finder.  To Serial No. 122:  "RODNEY" type.  
                                                                                  - U-96 -  
     
  Position square AL 29                                              - U-96 -  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  SSD  
  Position already square AE9625, transit speed 14 knots.  Still 35 cbm.  Request orders.  
                                                                                  - U-100 -  
     
  Kr KR  
  To Group West.  
  At convoy square BE 77 pushed off by destroyer and heavy cruiser.  Ran off to the northwest.  Serial No. 169 was "other than local".  
                                                                                  - Hipper -  
     
 
     
 
- 6 -
  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  03.00 MGZ, SW 3, +12°C, 1031 mb, Vis. 2 nm, heavily cloudy, no fog or precipitation during the last hour, sea water temperature +11°C, towering Cumulus with "bad weather clouds".  Medium-high and medium-long SE-Swell.  Square AL 23.  
                                                                                  - U-38 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  13.00 hours MGZ, S 3, +11°C, 1037 mb, Vis. 10 nm, lightly cloudy, sea water temperature 11°C, Cumulonimbus, medium-high and medium-long SW-Swell.  Square AL 33.  
                                                                                  - U-38 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  17.00 hours MGZ, S 3, +10°C, 1028 mb, Vis. 8 nm, no precipitation, water temperature +3°C, thick Altostratus, NW-Swell low and short.  Square AL 35.  
                                                                                  - U-38 -  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  "WAIOSIRA".  AL 2813.  12800 GRT.  
                                                                                  - U-95 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  13.00 MGZ, S 4, +11°C, 1026 mb, Vis. 5 nm, totally overcast, no fog or precipitation during the last hour, water temperature 11°C, Cumulonimbus, medium-high and medium-long S-Swell.  Square AL 33.  
                                                                                  - U-38 -  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  Return transit Lorient.  A total of 4 steamers 24340 GRT.  4 torpedoes.  UZO out of service.  Renew intake fan, otherwise no work.  Position AM 75.  
                                                                                  - U-94 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  17.00 hours MGZ, SE 5, +12°C, 1027 mb, Vis. 2 nm, totally overcast, no fog or precipitation during the last hour, sea water temperature +10°C, Cumulonimbus, medium-high and medium-long SE-Swell, Position square AL 35.  
                                                                                  - U-38 -  
     
  Position in 36 hours off return harbor.  
                                                                                  - U-96 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  03.00 hours MGZ, SSE 4, +12°C, 1019 mb, Vis. 1/2 nm, totally overcast, no fog or precipitation during the last hour, water temperature +11°C, Cumulonimbus, low and short SE-Swell, position AL 26.  
                                                                                  - U-38 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  13.00 hours MGZ, SSW 3, +11°C, 1018 mb, Vis. 2 nm, fog drifting at the station, water temperature +12°C, thin Altostratus, no Swell, square AL 28.  
                                                                                  - U-38 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  17.00 hours MGZ, SSE 3, +11°C, 1018 mb, Vis. 2 nm, fog drifting at the station, +11°C, water temperature, thin Altostratus, no swell.  Square AL 28.  
                                                                                  - U-38 -  
     
 
     
 
- 7 -
  
     
  To B.d.U.  
  Heavy fast southbound traffic square E Jota 69.  Up to now 45974 tons, still 2 Etos, 4 Atos.  
                                                                                  - U-65 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  MGZ 03.00, S 2, +12°C, 1015 mb, Vis. 1/2 nm, fog during the last hour was light, however still persists, +10°C water temperature, clouds not distinguished due to fog, medium-long and medium-high S-Swell.  AL 29.  
                                                                                  - U-38 -  
     
  Short Signal weather report:  
  13.00 MGZ, SSE 1, +12°C, 1016 mb, Vis. 2 nm, totally overcast, +10°C water temperature, Cumulonimbus, S-Swell low and short, square AL 19.  
                                                                                  - U-38 -