U-96 - 2nd War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Lorient	9 January 1941	Lorient	22 January 1941	14

 

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 Hit
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
16 Jan 41	03.56 - 05.59	56°33'N, 13°00'W	OROPESA	14,118	British
17 Jan 41	07.45 - 09.55	58°15'N, 13°36'W	ALMEDA STAR	14,936	British
			Total = 29,054
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.

---

				K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				======================
				of the
				U  n  t  e  r  s  e  e  b  o  o  t  e  s    "  U  96  "
				===============================
				Beginning:    30 December 1940.
				Ending    :    22 January 1941.
			Kommandant:    Kapitänleutnant  Lehmann - Willenbrock.
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		1940
		29.12.40	Lorient, Harbor
		Sunday
		16.13		Made fast Lorient Harbor alongside the gun boat "AUDACIOUS".
				Greeting of the crew by the Flottille Chef Korv.Kpt. Fischer.
		30.12.40
		Monday
		09.00 - 11.30		Torpedo and provisions offload.  Shipyard meeting.
				Began the shipyard overhaul.
				Overhauled were:  Seals of of the flood valves, negative buoyancy tank (in the dry-dock), repair of the ventilation fans, cooling system, radio direction finder (dried out and sealed), sealed the antenna contacts.  Diesel intake and exhaust valves checked.  G.H.G. power supply checked and shorts corrected.  Conning tower hammered out.  Removal of the breakwater on the gun platform.
		13.30 - 16.00		Work duty.
				Went through the degaussing lock.
		31.12.40
		Tuesday
		09.00		Order announcement.
		09.30 - 11.30		Work duty, while received clothing
		15.00		Iron Cross award by Korv.Kpt. Fischer
				2 Iron Cross I, 12 Iron Cross II.
		16.00		Departure of the crew by minibus to Carnac for New Year's Eve party.
		1941
		01.01.41
		Wednesday		Sunday routine.
		02.01.41
		Thursday
		09.30 - 11.30		Work duty.
		14.01		With the assistance of a tug cast off and shifted for over charging.
		14.32		Made fast in the shipyard alongside U-52.
		16.00		Work duty.
				Award of the U-boat War Badge to 5 men of the crew.

	- 2 -
		03.01.41	Lorient, shipyard
		Friday
		09.00 - 11.30		Work duty.  From 10.00 hours fuel loading.
		13.30 - 16.00		Work duty.
		04.01.41	Lorient, shipyard
		Saturday
		09.00 - 11.30		Work duty.  Dry-docked.
		05.01.41		Sunday routine.
		06.01.41
		Monday
		10.30		Un-docked.
				Made fast for outfitting.
		13.30 - 16.00		Outfitting.  Work duty.
		07.01.41	Lorient, shipyard
		Tuesday
		09.00 - 11.30		Work duty.  Loaded dry provisions.
		14. - 16.00		Funkmaat Schaadt and Matr.Gefr. Zeising ordered away.  Funkmaat Zesch ordered on board.  Matr.Gefr. Gorning ordered on board.
		08.01.41	Lorient, shipyard
		Wednesday
		09.00 - 11.30		Work duty.  Torpedo and fresh provisions loaded.
		14.00 - 17.30
		17.31		Cast off.
		18.07		Made fast alongside gun boat "AUDACIOUS"
				Ob.Masch Zaiser ordered to "U-94".
				Kaptlt. Dommes ordered on boat for training cruise.
		09.01.41	Lorient, shipyard
		Thursday
		09.00 - 11.30		Work duty and personal effects brought on board.
		13.30 - 14.30
		15.00		Sendoff by Flottille Chef K.Kapt. Fischer.
		15.05		Cast off

Sun and Moon Data 09.01.41

	- 3 -
		continued
		09.01.41
		15.32 - 15.50		Trim test in the harbor
				Departed in convoy to Point 2.
		16.00	BF 6173	Began transit into the operations area west of the North Channel.
			NE 4, Sea 2, 3/10, (mist), Vis. bad, Swell 1
		17.03		Main course 130°.
				Zigzag course at HF.
		18.08		Course 230°.
		18.15		Crash dive for training.  In daylight outside the 50-meter line remained submerged due to U-boat danger.
		20.00	BF 6187
			No observation
		20.21		Surfaced.
		24.00	BF 5531
			ENE 6, Sea 4, blue sky, Vis. good, Swell 3
		10.01.41
		00.24		Course 301°.
				Transit speed 1 diesel LF.
		04.00	BF 5272
			ENE 5, Sea 3-4, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
		08.00	BF 5152
			ENE 4, Sea 3-4, overcast (rain), Vis. good, Swell 3
		10.24		Aircraft sighted course 270°.  Sea plane.
		12.00	BF 1999	Day's run:  Surfaced      = 200 nm
			ENE 7, Sea 5, 6/10, Vis. good Swell 3	Submerged   = 3 nm = 203 nm
		16.00	BF 1983
			NEbyE 7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 4
		20.00	BF 1945
			NEbyE 7, Sea 5-6, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 4
		24.00	BF 1838
			NEbyN 7, Sea 5-6, Vis. good, Swell 4
		11.01.41
		04.00	BF 1587
			EbyN 6, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. good, D 4
		07.19		Position Short Signal square BF 14 sent passing 10°W.
		08.00	BF 1571
			EbyN 6, Sea 4, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 4
		08.35		Short Signal confirmed.
		10.00	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  225°T, 3.8 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 09.01.41
	Sun and Moon Data 10.01.41
	Sun and Moon Data 11.01.41

	- 4 -
		continued
		11.01.41
		10.40		Radio Message from B.d.U. with allocation of operations areas.  Occupy as attack area a strip at the level of square U-96 square AM 41, U-94 square AM 44, focal point at 15°W. . . . .
		11.11		Crash dive for training.
				Etos ventilated and charged.
		12.00	BF 1468	Day's run:  Surfaced      = 179 nm
			EbyN 6, Sea 4, Vis. good, Swell 3	Submerged   =    1.6 nm
				= 180.6 nm
		13.14		Surfaced.
		13.30		Crossed an oil trace, apparently a steamer, direction 250-70°.
		13.40		Crash dive for training.  Charged the torpedoes.
		15.05		Surfaced.
		15.07		Kr.Kr.  from B.d.U.
				Square AM 7142 at 12.00 hours 5 steamers, 1 destroyer probably inbound.
				Operating on the reported steamers is pointless.  Distance is 300 nm.  Distance from the reported square to the North Channel is 250 nm.  "U-124" is the nearest boat.  No contact keeper reports follow.
		16.00	BF 1456
			EbyN 6, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 3
		20.00	BF 1415
			EbyN 4, Sea 2-3, overcast, mist, Vis. medium, Swell 3
		22.00		Course 341°.  Course for the focal point of the alloted attack area.  Direct distance from the Irish coast remains 70 nm.
		24.00	BE 3399
			NEbyN 4, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2
		12.01.41
		04.00	BE 3361
			NEbyE 4, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2
		08.00	AM 7989
			NEbyE 5, Sea 3, Vis. medium, Swell 3
		12.00	AM 7951	Day's run:  Surfaced      = 149 nm
			E 4, Sea 2-3, Vis. good, Swell 2	Submerged   =    1.4 nm
				= 150.4 nm
		16.00	AM 7679
			E 4, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2

	Sun and Moon Data 11.01.41
	Sun and Moon Data 12.01.41

	- 5 -
		continued
		12.01.41
		20.00	AM 7645
			EbyN 3, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
			Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  237°T, 12 nm
		24.00	AM 7531
			EbyN 3, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		13.01.41
		04.00	AM 7259
			NEbyN 2-3, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		08.00	AM 7222
			N 2, Sea 1, 7/10, (rain), Vis. good, Swell 1
		10.30	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  2.4 nm, 130°T
		12.00	AM 4857	Day's run:  Surfaced      = 169 nm
			NNW 3, Sea 1, 8-5/10, Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged   =    0 nm
				= 169 nm
		13.30		Raft sighted.
				Maneuvered to determine the name.  No name painted on.
		14.58		Crash dive for aircraft.
		15.06		1 aircraft bomb far off.
		15.26		Surfaced.
		16.00	AM 4819
			NNW 3, Sea 2-3, 9/10, Vis. goos, Swell 2
		20.00	AM 4575
			NNW 4, Sea 4, 4/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
		24.00	AM 4463
			NNW 5, Sea 4, 9/10, (rain, hail), Vis. good, Swell 3
		14.01.41
		04.00	AM 4432	Reached assigned attack area.  Continued with 1 diesel LF in 340° (athwart the suspected steamer track).
			NNW 5, Sea 4, 8/10, (rain, hail), Vis. good, Swell 4
		06.55		Alpha Alpha:  from U-105:
				Convoy in sight.  Square AL 6746 steers SW-course.
				Distance from the convoy is 200 nm.
				It had already reached 20°W.  Dispersing is to be expected.  "U-38" and "U-124" are positioned closer.  Operating is pointless for me.  "U-105" reports after 2 hours:  "Contact lost.,  Square AL 6772 upper-center."
		08.00	AM 4161
			NNW 5, Sea 4, 9/10, (rain, hail), Vis. changing, Swell 3
		12.00	AM 6126   [typo AM 4126]	Day's run:  Surfaced      = 254.5 nm
			NNE 6 (8), Sea 5-6, 5/10, Vis. good, Swell 4	Submerged   = 0.0 nm = 154.5 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 12.01.41
	Sun and Moon Data 13.01.41
	Sun and Moon Data 14.01.41

Pages 6-7 are missing

	- 8 -
		continued
		16.01.41
		12.00	AM 0195	Day's run:  Surfaced      = 183.5 nm
			NbyW 3, Sea 2, Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged   =     4.5 nm = 188.0 nm
		13.00	Course 260°
		14.44		4 lifeboats under sail from "OROPESA" in sight bearing 270°T.
		15.10	Course 0°
			Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  40 nm, 80°T
		14.55		Kr.Kr.  from B.d.U.
				Convoy 13.00 hours square AM 2813, westerly course, speed 8 knots.
				U-96 search for contact.
		16.00	AM 2949
			N 5, Sea 3, 5/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
		15.27		Radio Message from B.d.U.
				Occupy attack disposition by 17 January at 12.00 hours.
		16.30	Course 335°	U-106 square AL 3620, U-94 square AL 3680, U-93 square AL 3850.
		16.30		By plotting ran to meet the convoy.
				At about 23.30 will be on the general course of the convoy, distance about 8 nm.
		20.00	AM 2911
			N 4, Sea 3, Vis. good, Swell 3
		17.32		Radio Message from B.d.U.:
				Convoy course was 270°.
		23.32 - 23.57		Dived to listen.
				No sounds.
		21.38		Radio Message from B.d.U.
				If no contact is gained, at 12.00 hours occupy attack disposition square AL 3850.
		24.00	AM 1861
			N 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1	Intend to search for contact until 05.00 hours.  Must then proceed to AL 3850 to reach this by 12.00 hours.
		22.48		Radio Message from B.d.U.
				Condor aircraft tasked with reconnaissance.  From dawn stand-by for bearing signals on wavelength 551.9 meters, equals 586 KHZ.
		17.01.41
		01.10	Course 0°.
		02.01- 02.17		Dived to listen.  No sounds.
		03.18 - 03.34		Dived do listen.
		03.22		Sounds (piston engine) bearing 130°T. Shifting to 120°T.
		03.24	Course 130°.	Ran towards on the surface.
		03.47		Steamer in sight, sharp target angle, high speed, zigzag course, main course 280°, estimated

	Sun and Moon Data 16.01.41
	Sun and Moon Data 17.01.41

	- 9 -
		continued
		17.01.41
				size 12000-14000 GRT.  Silhouette like "TUSCAN STAR".
				Closed to attack.
		04.22		1 double shot on the surface.  (2 G 7e)  Steamer turned 10° to starboard at the shot.  Probably was sighted.
				Shooting data:
				1st torpedo, lead angle 27°, target angle bow left 90°, speed 14 knots, range = 900 meters.
				2nd torpedo, lead angle 25°, target angle bow left 100°, speed 14 knots, range = 900 meters.
				Once again maneuvered ahead to the south and prepared to attack submerged.
		04.00	AM 1832
			ESE 3, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		04.40		Dived for submerged attack with the control room periscope.
		04.45		1 G 7e shot.  Miss, because steamer slowed strongly.  Apparently running on changing speed settings.
				Shooting data:
				Lead angle 27°, target angle bow left 95°, speed 14 knots, range = 800 meters.   (Steamer filled the periscope completely at the shot.)
		04.50		Surfaced.  Maneuvered ahead again.
		05.08		A 2nd steamer in sight bearing 220°T.  Suspect that this is a steamer belonging to the convoy.  Intend to deal with the first steamer.
		07.10		Maneuvered for a shot on the surface.
				1 G 7e miss because the steamer suddenly backed at AK.
				Shooting data:  lead angle 27°, target angle bow left 80°, speed 14 knots, range = 1200 meters.
				Steamer maned cannon.
		07.12		Crash dive.
		07.24		Surfaced.  Reloaded 1 torpedo.
				First steamer is far off.  Attacked the second steamer because was in a favorable attack position.  Steamer is very large, 2 smokestacks, zigzag course.
		07.45		1 G 7e.  Hit center.
				Shooting data:  Lead angle 23°, target angle bow right 90°, speed 12 knots, range = 800 meters.
				Running time 24 seconds = 360 meters.  Steamer stopped and made boats ready.
		07.46 - 07.56		Dived, because I was too close to the steamer.
				Moved off submerged.
		07.55		Radio Message received on 600-meter wavelength:
				"SSS - ALMEDA STAR" torpedoed 58°16'N, 13°40'W.

Sun and Moon Data 17.01.41

	- 10 -
		continued
		17.01.41
				The stern tube is still ready to shoot.  Immediate coup de grâce with the stern tube on the surface, before the steamer can get underway again.
		08.00	AM 1678
			ESE 4, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		08.05		1 G 7e (stern shot).  Hit under the after mast.  Shooting data:
				Lead angle 0°, target angle bow right 90°, range = 800 meters, running time 58 seconds = 870 meters.
				ALMEDA STAR remains floating, boats were put to the water.
				Remained in the vicinity.  The remaining torpedoes were reloaded on the surface.  Still 1 Eto, 1 Ato astern.
		08.54		Dived and initiated a coup de grâce with the stern tube.
		09.07		Shot 1 coup de grâce G 7a with the control room periscope.  Hit center.  Aft of the bridge.  Started a small fire, soon extinguished.  Steamer continues to float without a list on an even keel.
				Shooting data:
				Lead angle 0°, target angle bow right 90°, range = 400 meters, running time 25 seconds = 375 meters.
		09.10		Surfaced.  4 boats have launched.  There are still people on deck.  Flashlights are visible.
		09.32 - 09.48		Steamer shot with 28 rounds of incendiary ammunition.  There were 15 hits, mostly in the waterline.  Isolated small fires, which went out again.
		09.55		1 G 7e coup de grâce shot.  Hit forward between the 2nd and 3rd cargo hatches.  Steamer sank at 09.58 hours over the forestem.
				Shooting data:  lead angle 0°, target angle bow left 90°, range = 400 meters, running time 28 seconds = 420 meters.
				All torpedoes except for the over deck canisters fired.  Downloading is not possible due to the beginning of twilight and the Sea State.
		10.00	Course 252°.	Went to the assigned waiting position AL 3856 at GF.
		10.30		Radio Message to B.d.U.
				"ALMEDA STAR".  Out of torpedoes.  No contact on convoy.  Square AM 1678.    U-96.
		12.00	AM 1731	Radio Message was apparently not received completely.
			EbyS 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 2	After 3 hours radio message from control station:
				Radio Message 1003/17/141 not solved here.  Received with Volume 0/2.  Control station.
				Day's run:  Surfaced      = 93 nm
				Submerged   = 7.7 nm = 100.7 nm

Sun and Moon Data 17.01.41

	- 11 -
		continued
		17.01.41
		14.12		Radio Message of 10.30 sent again.
		14.30		Radio Message from B.d.U.
				To U-94, U-96, U-106:
				Course 45°, transit speed air has no contact.
				Have still not reached my waiting station due to long delay at ALMEDA STAR.  Proceeded by plotting on new course 45° with accepted set off time of 15.00 hours from the center of the [waiting station] square.
		15.41	Course 290°.
		15.41		Radio Message from B.d.U.
				To U-96.  Return transit via square AL 3850 and AL 9350.
				Radio Message to B.d.U.:
				Return transit 29000 GRT, square AL 3861.   "U-96"
		15.51	Course 245°.	Began return transit via the ordered squares.
		16.00	AL 3837
			SSE 4, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 3
		16.55	Course 180°.
		20.00	AL 6322
			E 6, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 3
		24.00	AL 6331
			EbyN 6, Sea 4, overcast, (rain), Vis. medium, Swell 3
		18.01.41
		04.00	AL 6628
			EbyN 6, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 3
		08.00	AL 6697
			EbyN 6, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 3
		12.00	AL 6991	Day's run:  Surfaced      = 309 nm
			NEbyE 7-8, Sea 6-7, overcast, Vis. low, Swell 6	Submerged   =    - nm
				= 309 nm
		12.04 - 13.14		Dived to have lunch.
		15.25		Aircraft, German Condor in sight.
		16.00	AL 9337
			NE 6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 4
		17.15	Course 140°.
		20.00	AL 9399
			NE 6, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 4
		24.00	AM 7457
			NE 5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 4

	Sun and Moon Data 17.01.41
	Sun and Moon Data 18.01.41

	- 12 -
		19.01.41	AM 7735
		04.00	NE 5, Sea 4, 9/10, Vis. medium, Swell 4
		08.00	AM 7881
			NEbyN 5, Sea 5, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 5
		10.10	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  54 nm, 302°T
		12.00	AM 7793	Day's run:  Surfaced      = 290 nm
			NEbyN 4, Sea 2-3, 6/10, Vis. good, Swell 2	Submerged   = 2 nm = 292 nm
		14.45		Radio Message from B.d.U.
				Greek steamer "KAPITAN STRETIS" 12.00 hours BE 2349.
		15.00	Course 290°.	Distance from steamer, whose course is assumed to be 45° (for the North Channel) speed 8 knots, is 78 nm at 15.00 hours.
				Because in the good visibility a meeting is possible from plotting hunted the steamer.
		16.00	BF 5212	On meeting I believe artillery use is possible, because the Greek can hardly be armed.  Additionally, "U-124" must be in the area on return transit.
			NEbyE 2-3, Sea 2, 8/10, (rain), Vis. good, Swell 1
		20.00	Course 270°	Am ahead on the suspected course of the Greek.
			AM 7772
			N 4, Sea 3, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		20.02 - 20.27		Dived to listen.  No sounds.
		21.25	Course 116°.	Came to easterly course and operated on steamer course for the English Channel.
		21.32 - 22.18		Dived to listen, no sounds.
		24.00	AM 7775
			N 4, Sea 3, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		20.01.41
		02.01 - 02.12		Dived to listen, no sounds.
		03.59 - 04.21		Dived to listen, no sounds.
		04.00	BF 3139
			NE 3, Sea 2, 7/10, Vis. good, Swell 1	Gave up the search, continued return transit to Lorient.
		04.07		Gyro-compass failed, remained out of service.
		08.00	BE 3288
			NE 3, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good, Swell 1
		12.00	BE 3569	Day's run:  Surfaced      = 291.8 nm
			NE 2-3, Sea 1, 9/10, Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged   =     4.5 nm = 296.3 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 19.01.41
	Sun and Moon Data 20.01.41

	- 13 -
		continued
		20.01.41
		13.15 - 13.41		Circled to determine [magnetic compass] deviation by sun azimuth. (see Special Experiences)
		16.00	BE 3925
			NEbyE 2-3, Sea 1, 8/10, (rain), Vis. good, Swell 1
		20.00	BF 1745
			N 2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
			Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  26°T, 32 nm
		21.45	Course 116°.
		24.00	BF 1841
			NE 2, Sea 1, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 1
		21.01.41
		04.00	BF 1894
			NE 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 1
		08.00	BF 4327
			NE 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 1
			Course 110°.
		11.10		Check fired MGC 30.
		12.00	BF 5144	Day's run:  Surfaced      = 205 nm
			SW 3, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 1	Submerged   =    0 nm
				= 205 nm
		14.03 - 20.20		Dived.
		16.00	BF 5127
			No observation
		20.00	BF 5164
			W 5, Sea 3-4, 8/10, Vis. good, Swell 3
		24.00	BF 5199
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. medium, Swell 2
		22.01.41
		02.00	Course 154°.
		04.00	BF 5551
			WbyS 3, Sea 2-3, 3/10, Vis. medium, Swell 2
		08.00	BF 5539
			W 3, Sea 1-2, 3/10, Vis. good, Swell 2
		09.00	Course 38°	From 09.00 hours zigzag course around 38°.
		10.34 - 11.24		Dived, because both diesels are out of service, water in the fuel.
		12.00	BF 6178	Day's run:  Surfaced      = 218 nm
			WbyS 3, Sea 2, 3/10, Vis. medium, Swell 2	Submerged   =  11.5 nm = 229.5 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 20.01.41
	Sun and Moon Data 21.01.41
	Sun and Moon Data 22.01.41

	- 14 -
		continued
		22.01.41
		12.17		Taken in convoy.
				Entered with U-124 and U-58.
		14.11		Made fast Lorient.
				Kapitänleutnant
			Summary.
			The boat was at sea 14 days.  Duration on the surface 280 hours, 21 minutes, submerged 23 hours, 54 minutes.
			Ran at AK for 4 hours 55 minutes.
			Expended were:
			12 torpedoes (10 G 7e, 2 G 7a)
			Of these 6 were attack shots, 6 coup de grâce.  There were 7 hits, 1 G 7a was a failure (circle runner), 4 misses.
			Sank were:
			2 steamers:
			"OROPESE"	= 14,118 GRT and
			"ALMEDA STAR"	= 14,936 GRT
				= 29,054 GRT
				==========
			28 shots of 8.8 cm incendiary ammunition were fired.
			Consumed were:
			Fuel oil               =	66.9 cbm
			Lubricating oil     =	750 kg
			Drinking water    =	1,635 cbm
			Covered were:
			Surfaced             =	2624 nm
			Submerged         =	41 nm
			Total                   =	2665.7 nm
				========
				Kapitänleutnant

Sun and Moon Data 22.01.41

	- 15 -
			Special Experiences:
			I.  Listening to search for steamers.   Corresponding to the good experience with the GHG during tactical training in the Baltic, contact was regained by diving and listening at night, also repeatedly dived during the patrol at night, to gain contact on a reported convoy by listening.  In one case by so doing a steamer was heard at a range of about 11-15 nm.  After surfacing ran at GF for 12 minutes on the sound bearing, when at a distance of about 5000 meters the steamer came in sight at a sharp target angle, which ran at about 14 knots.  Heard were the sounds of the piston engine.  Propeller sounds were not heard.  The sea was calm, Sea State about 2-3. II. Breakwater on the gun platform.   During this patrol, the breakwater was removed on either side of the gun platform.  The results were favorable.  There was significantly less spray hurled on the bridge, the lookout can take an all around sweep even at higher speeds   However more and harder breakers go over the upper deck, against the cannon and the lower part of the conning tower.  However damage did not occur.  The result in storms and very heavy weather remains to be seen. III. Change to the deviation curve of the magnetic compass due to the falling off of degaussing.   With the failure of the gyro-compass a deviation determination by sun azimuth was carried out and, as a result, a maximum deviation of 44° was determined.  The largest compensation value immediately after the degaussing was 4°.  Time duration since degaussing was 55 days.  Continuous checks and determination of the values on all courses for errors is therefore necessary because the deviation appears to be constantly changing.
				Kapitänleutnant

 

	Enclosures to U-96's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Torpedo	Torpedo firing reports

 

	C  o  p  y  .
	Comments of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote.
	1.) An excellently carried out patrol.  The sinking of two fast, zigzagging steamers proves the capability and skill of the Kommandanten. 2.) The report "out of torpedoes" was not justified.  The boat still had over deck torpedoes.  This should have been expressed. 3.) Concur with the experiences of the Kommandanten.  Of course you should never rely too much on the listening device.  Is is an auxiliary means.
		Signed in draft:    D  ö  n  i  t  z  .
		For the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote.
		The Chief of the Operations Department.
		Signed:    G  o  d  e  .

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