U-boat Archive - BDU KTB PG30305a

F.d.U./B.d.U.'S War Log

1 - 15 March 1942

PG30305a

1.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	U 128	-	Op(Florida)	U 404	-	CC 12	U 587	-	Op(BB-BC)
	68	-	Op(Freetown)	129	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	405	-	Helgol.	588	-	BB 99
	69	-	Op(BC)	135	-	AL 69	432	-	CB 71	592	-	Helgol.
	71	-	BE 49	136	-	BF 60	502	-	DO 81	653	-	Op(BB-CB)
	87	-	AL 69	154	-	BF 60	503	-	AF 87	656	-	Op(BB-BC)
	94	-	CB 33	155	-	CB 64	504	-	Op(DB 90)	701	-	BE 62
	96	-	CB 15(Op)	156	-	DO 49	505	-	EJ 92	752	-	Op(AM 19
	103	-	BF 60	158	-	CB 62	553	-	AM 74	753	-	BF 40
	105	-	BE 91	160	-	Helgol.	558	-	CC 33
	107	-	BD 59	161	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	564	-	BD 67
	108	-	CE 26	162	-	CC 19	566	-	BD 97
	124	-	BD 83	213	-	Op(AM)	569	-	BE 62
	126	-	Op(DB 90)	332	-	BC 89	578	-	CA 58(Op)

	On Return Passage: U 558 - 154 - 136 - 432 - 502 - 156 - 564 - 566 - 108 - 107 - 103.
	Sailed: U 202 Brest; U 373 La Pallice.
	Entered Port: U 154 - 103 - Lorient; U 136 - St. Nazaire.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Convoy by U 135 (No. 14) see para. IVa.
		2)	U 213 reports: On 1.3 in AM 1970 submerged submarine sighted (Possibly U 752).
		3)	U 158 sank 8,000 BRT tanker by gunfire after 2 misses and 2 hits in CB 66.
		4)	U 129 reported in reply to yesterday's order concerning operation off Georgetown and Paramaribo that boat had already been in position for 3 nights, but considered the peculiarities of the inshore waters unfavorable for operations.
			On 28.1 in EO 2991 sank freighter of 4,000 BRT. 8 torpedoes left, 112 cbm.
		5)	U 128 position off Bermudas middle of February out of range of observation or searchlight. No day or night traffic for 3 days in this area.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	English aircraft reported attack on submarine in BE 3826 claimed 2 possible hits.
		2)	Submarine warning (American) for DN 95.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	Convoy No. 16: At 1555 hours U 135 sighted convoy in AL 6862 on westerly course, speed 8 knots. Conditions were favorable for an operation on this convoy: U 87 - 553

- 105 -

and further away U 753 - 701 and 569. As all these boats were en route for the Iceland-Norway area would necessarily be diverted by an operation on the convoy a general attack was out of the question. But in order to give each boat a chance in case they happened to be in the immediate vicinity, they received permission to attack if given favorable opportunity. They were to break off before daylight and continue journey northwards.

U 135 was shadowing and reported heavy decline in weather conditions. In spite of the bad weather an attack was made in the evening, a 4 spread which missed. As no further attack was possible resumed journey northwards (southeast 8, sea 7).

U 332 received attacking area CA 50 (off New York).

None.

U 564 reports conditions:

Favorable speed for type VIIe with (GW) - motors 240 revolutions or 150 as the case may be. Daily fuel consumption in floating condition and average day's run 134 miles on westward passage is 2.02 cbm. On eastward passage, day's run of 150 miles 1.8 cbm. Prevailing wind SW to NW.

Success Reports:

U 158 reports 1 ship of 8,000 BRT sunk.

U 129 reports 1 ship 4,000 BRT sunk.

VI.

General:

Submarines on 1.3.1942

Total number in service (German):

On 1.2.1942	256	(incorrectly given as 258 on 1.2)
Put into service in February	17	(One of these on 31.1.1942)
	273
Losses in February plus	2
Total 1.3.1942	271	boats i.e. 15 more than in previous month plus) losses in February.

U 581 Lt.(s.g.) Pfeifer, 2nd operation, rammed by destroyer off Horta after the boat had been forced to the surface by a long hunt. Lt.(jg) Sitek was saved by swimming ashore, the rest of the crew were probably lost.
U 82 Lt.(s.g.) Rollmann, experienced boat, probably lost while hunting a convoy west of Finnisterre. Fate of crew not yet known.

II.

Boats distributed as follows: (boats in Heligoland included under operational)

- 106 -

III. (type)	II	VIIa	VIIb/c	VIId	IXb/c	IXD2	Xb	XIV

Op.	-	-	81	1	28	-	-	-	110 plus UA
Trials	-	-	70	5	22	1	3	3	104
Training	40	4	11	-	2	-	-	-	57

	40	4	162	6	52	1	3	3	271

In February
	total number of boats increased by	15	boats
	number of operational boats "	10	"
	Number of boats on trials	5	"

IV.

Number of boats in training remained the same. On 1.2 it was incorrectly given as 59 instead of 57, of which 11 boats were type VIIb/c instead of 13. Of the 111 operational boats on 1.3.1942 there were:

1)	In operation area
	North Atlantic	14	boats
	South Atlantic	1	boat
	Mediterranean	2	boats
	Arctic	2	"

2)	En route to operations area
	North Atlantic	23
	South Atlantic	1
	Mediterranean	0
	Arctic	4

3)	Returning from
	North Atlantic	11
	South Atlantic	0
	Mediterranean	2
	Arctic	0

4)	Total number at sea 60 boats, including Mediterranean and Arctic.
	In dock for repairs 51 boats.

1)	The 23 boats mentioned in a) 2) en route for the North Atlantic are as follows:
	12 boats en route for the North American coast, of which 3 type IXc and 1 type VIIc have just carried through an operation on a convoy during which 50% of their torpedoes were fired, and the scope of attack in the west is also limited by fuel supplies.

- 107 -

	3 boats lay in Heligoland, 2 of which were detailed for duty in the Arctic,
	1 boat was still outward bound in the North Sea,
	1 boat was en route for area off Freetown,
	6 boats en route for operations area northwest or east, according to circumstance, off the Herbrides under Command of Special Operations Group North.

Estimate on daily average, of boats in Atlantic during month of February:

a)	Average at sea each day	50	boats
	" on return "	13.6	"
	" in ops. area each day	13.8	"

b)	Total number of sailings in February	36	boats

	From Mother country	13	"
	west coast of France	23	"
		1.3	boats

c)	Days with the lowest number of boats at sea were 10th and 11th February with 45 boats of
	which:	13	were on return journey
		20	outward bound
		1	on escort duty
	leaving	11	in operational duty.

of the 11 boats mentioned in operational area above 8 were off the American coast between Florida and St. Johns, among them 3 type IX's; 2 south and east of Iceland and one in AL 55.

Of the 13 returning boats 11 were from the American area and 2 from the Azores.

The 20 outward bound were as follows: 9 boats; 4 type IXc among them, en route for coast of North America (Cape Hatteras to St. Johns) the 4 type IXc were still in the North Sea and 2 of these out of order, one boat for escort duty and one for convoy operation west of the Herbrides (U 154 100% misfires on account of deficient fire control system) leaving 7 for above-mentioned operational area:

5 type IXc boats en route for Caribbean Sea

2 type IXc boats en route for Florida Straits

3 type VIIc and 1 type VIId (U 213) en route for operational area northwest of Herbrides under command of Special Operations Group North.

The day with the highest number of boats at sea was 3rd February with 56 boats of which:

15 were on return journey

22 were outward bound leaving

19 on operational duty.

Of the 19 boats in operational area mentioned above:

9 were off the east coast of North America, some at a distance of 1,200 miles on account of fuel supplies.

- 108 -

			4 northwest of the Herbrides and
			3 east of Iceland under command of Special Operations Group North;
			3 in the Azores, placed under Mediterranean command by order of German Naval Staff.
		2)	22 outward bound boats were as follows:
			5 en route for Caribbean Sea;
			3 en route for Florida Straits;
			2 en route for area northwest of Herbrides, of which one was still in Brunsbüttel;
			12 en route for coast of North America, among them one type IXc and 2 type IXb, one again of which was still in Heligoland.
	e)	Day with lowest number of boats on operational duty was 14th February with 8 boats.
			5 of these were type VIIc off coast of North America,
			2 a good way off on account of fuel supplies;
			1 type IXc off Florida Straits
			1 type VIIc northwest of Herbrides
			1 type VIIc east of Iceland.
	f)	The highest number of boats on operational duty was on 3rd February with 19 -- see para. d)1).

VI.	1)	The total number of boats at sea and on operational duty remained on the whole unchanged for the month of February. See para. Va.
	2)	The ratio of 60 boats at sea to 51 in port under para. IVa is under the desirable ratio of 74 at sea to 37 in port. The reason for this lies in the limited capacities of Mediterranean docks.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	U 128	-	DB 68	U 373	-	BF 50	U 569	-	BE 31
	68	-	Freetown(Op)	129	-	EO 62(Op)	404	-	Op(CB)	578	-	Op(BB-CB)
	69	-	Op(BC)	135	-	AL 65	405	-	AN 66	587	-	Op(BB-BC)
	71	-	BD 69	155	-	CB 58	432	-	CB 49	588	-	BB 97
	87	-	AL 60	156	-	DO 52	502	-	DO 67	592	-	Helgoland
	94	-	Op(CB)	158	-	CB 64	503	-	AF 75	653	-	Op(BB-CB)
	96	-	BB-CB	160	-	AN 66	504	-	Op(DB 90)	656	-	BB-BC(Op)
	105	-	BE 58	161	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	505	-	Op(Freetown)	701	-	BE 24
	107	-	BD 68	162	-	CC 41	553	-	AL 60	752	-	Op(AM)
	108	-	BF 72	202	-	BF 50	558	-	BC 89	753	-	BE 35
	124	-	BD 81	213	-	Op(AM 15)	564	-	BE 45
	126	-	Op(DB 90)	332	-	CC 33	566	-	BD 96

- 109 -

	On Return Passage: U 558 - 432 - 502 - 156 - 566 - 108 - 107.
	Sailed: U 123 - Lorient; U 593 - Kiel; U 506 - Hamburg.
	Entered Port: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 162 reports broken shutters on tubes 1 and 2. Firing field of all bow tubes at present obscured. Proposes to remove the shutters as soon as possible. Requests CB 60 and 90 for operational area. 5 electric torpedoes ready in stern. 120 cbm. Boat sank fast 4 mast freighter over 8,000 BRT ("Astronomer" class) in grid position BD 41.
	b)	None.
	c)	Swedish ship "Sveadrott" (position according to dead reckoning DC 30) picked up 10 survivors from Norwegian motor vessel "Lief" (1,582 tons).
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	1)	In carrying out orders of German Naval Staff to the effect that 8 boats should always be stationed in area between Norway and Iceland the following re-distribution has been ordered:
			U 135 in AE 93 and AF 71 as well as area southwards as far as latitude of AM 3655. Focal point in south.
			U 701 in AE 50 and 60 with occasional advances inshore.
			U 87 east-west strip in latitude AM 11
			U 569 " " " " AM 13
			U 213 " " " " AM 15
			U 752 " " " " AM 17
			U 753 " " " " AM 19
			U 553 free to operate in entire area.
			These boats together form Group "Westwall". W/T silence to be maintained.
		2)	U 162 was detailed to attacking area grid position CB 60 and 90.
	c) -	d)	None.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 162 reports sinking ship of 8,000 BRT.

VI.	General: None.

- 110 -

3.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	U 128	-	DC 44	U 404	-	BB 77	U 578	-	Op(BB-CB)
	68	-	Op(Freetown)	129	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	405	-	AN 34	587	-	BB/BC-Op
	69	-	Op(BC)	135	-	AM 19	432	-	CB 64	588	-	CB 89-Op
	71	-	BD 67	155	-	CB 72	502	-	DP 47	592	-	Helgol.
	87	-	AL 36	156	-	DO 38	503	-	AM 32	593	-	Br'büttel
	94	-	Op(CB)	158	-	CB 57	504	-	Op(DB 90)	653	-	Op(BB-CB)
	96	-	Op(amerik. Küste)	160	-	AN 34	505	-	Op(Freetown)	656	-	Op(BB-BC)
	105	-	BE 87	161	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	506	-	Br'büttel	701	-	AL 95
	107	-	BE 48	162	-	CC 18	553	-	AL 03	752	-	Op(AM 17)
	108	-	BF 50	202	-	BF 48	558	-	BC 67	753	-	AM 74
	124	-	BD 75	213	-	Op(AM 15)	564	-	BE 55
	123	-	BF 50	332	-	CC 23	566	-	BE 73
	126	-	Op(DB 90)	373	-	BE 69	569	-	AL 99

	On Return Passage: U 558 - 432 - 502 - 156 - 564 - 566 - 108 - 128 - 107.
	Sailed: - . -
	Entered Port: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 432, homeward bound sighted a freighter on northeasterly course at 1442 hours in CB 6934. U 162 asked for D/F bearings. Last position CB 6931 at 1530 hours, sharply zigzagging 14-16 knots. U 432 followed in pursuit until 2100. Lost touch.
		2)	U 161 reported on demand position off Aruba. On 25.2 2 spread at freighter missed. Bombs, practically no damage. Made off to re-load on account of weather. Back in area 200 miles northwest of main port. Operations in the vicinity of the island not possible at present on account of the moon. Traffic seems to lie further to the east. 6 plus 0 torpedoes, 115 cbm.
	b)	None.
	c)	British steamer "Beaconsfield" sighted submarine in ET 66 (U 68 or 505)
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a) -	b)	None.
	c)	U 162 received orders to make for CD 66 immediately on special duty (convoy Osorno) and to lie there on 7.3 0800 hours.
	d)	None.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

VI.	General: None.

- 111 -

4.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	U 128	-	DC 43	U 404	-	Op(CB)	U 578	-	Op(BB-CB)
	68	-	Op(Freetown)	129	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	405	-	AF 84	587	-	BB 63-Op
	69	-	Op(BC)	135	-	AM 16	432	-	CC 42	588	-	Op(CB)
	71	-	BD 58	155	-	CA 99	502	-	DP 43	592	-	AN 66
	87	-	Op(AM 11)	156	-	DP 11	503	-	AM 24	593	-	Helgol.
	94	-	Op(CB)	158	-	CB 74	504	-	Op(DB 90)	653	-	Helgol.
	96	-	Op(amerik. Küste)	160	-	AN 28	505	-	Freetown-Op	656	-	BC 48
	105	-	BE 75	161	-	Kar.Meer(Op)	506	-	Helgol.	701	-	AL 68
	107	-	BE 57	162	-	CC 42	553	-	Op(AM)	752	-	Op(AM 17)
	108	-	BF 60	202	-	BE 69	558	-	BD 51	753	-	AM 44
	123	-	BF 49	213	-	Op(AM 15)	564	-	BE 64
	124	-	BC 98	332	-	CC 13	566	-	BE 83
	126	-	Op(DB 90)	373	-	BE 67	569	-	AL 69

	On Return Passage: U 558 - 432 - 502 - 107 - 564 - 128 - 566 - 156 - 108.
	Sailed: - . -
	Entered Port: U 108 - Lorient.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	Position report U 587:
		2 torpedo hits heard among shipping in inner harbor St. Johns. Nothing observed on account of defense. No traffic observed on route BC 78 - 74 - BB 96 - 92 to 66 and close inshore. Strong sea and air reconnaissance especially south of Cape Race. No fishing boats. Main radio beacon and - as in peacetime. Ice only north of BB 66. Plan: Operations in BB 67 and then CC 20.
	b)	On demand U 67 reports position:
		On 21.2 sank armed Norwegian ship of "Bralanta" class (9,699 BRT). Otherwise no traffic, in EC 78 practically no traffic. No attack made on account of weather. Operating in EC 67. (Attacking activity of boats in Caribbean Sea is apparently suffering on account of moonlight)
	c)	American passenger steamer "Yarmouth" (5,043 BRT) sighted a submarine in CA 9965 and sent SSS.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a) -	b)	None.
	c)	U 162 reports earliest time of arrival at meeting point as hour ordered - 7.3 0800. All torpedo tubes ready except 1 and 2 and boat in order for diving to all depths. 11 torpedoes, 115 cbm.
	d)	None.

- 112 -

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 67 reports one ship or 9,600 BRT sunk.
	U 587 reports 2 hits on shipping in St. Johns Harbor.

VI.	General: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

5.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	EC 67 Op	U 128	-	DC 28	U 373	-	BE 65	U 566	-	BE 53
	68	-	Freetown(Op)	129	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	404	-	Op(CB)	569	-	AL 03
	69	-	Op(BC)	135	-	AM 24	405	-	AF 83	578	-	Op(BB-CB)
	71	-	BD 73	155	-	Op(CA)	432	-	CC 52	587	-	BB 68-Op
	87	-	Op(AM 11)	156	-	DP 21	502	-	DP 29	588	-	Op(CB)
	94	-	Op(CB)	158	-	Op(CA)	503	-	AM 16	592	-	AN 34
	96	-	Op(BB-CB)	160	-	AF 76	504	-	Op(DB 90)	593	-	AN 93
	105	-	BD 96	161	-	ED 50-Op	505	-	Op(Freetown)	653	-	Op(BB-CB)
	107	-	BE 65	162	-	CC 62	506	-	AN 93	656	-	Op(BB-BC)
	123	-	BF 48	202	-	BE 68	553	-	Op(AM)	701	-	AL 03
	124	-	BC 81	213	-	Op(AM 15)	558	-	BD 62	752	-	Op(AM 17)
	126	-	Op(DB 90)	332	-	CC 15	564	-	BF 46	753	-

	On Return Passage: U 558 - 432 - 502 - 156 - 564 - 566 - 128 - 107.
	Sailed: - . -
	Entered Port: U 405 - Drontheim.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 213 sighted a large transport with 1 destroyer in AM 1558 at 1416 hours. Course 110⁰, low speed. Boat not able to shadow on account of heavy sea (ESE 7, sea force 7 short and high).
		2)	U 69 heard a number of propeller noises at 1030 in CC 3556, course 270⁰. Followed in pursuit, sighted steamer at 1330 speed 6 knots, but lost contact and bearing in fog.
		3)	U 94 reports from CB 4535 nothing seen since 25.2. Plan to operate in CA 50.
		4)	U 504 reports position: sank petrol tanker of 7,000 BRT in DC 7210 on 26.2. On 4.3 a spread which missed at 4,000 BRT freighter, probably submarine decoy ship (?). Operations inshore not at the moment possible on account of the bright nights. Traffic between Florida-Bermuda confirmed. A lot of bad weather. Postponed return passage on account of damage. 3 plus torpedoes, 119 cbm.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	Torpedoing report from ET 59.
		2)	English patrol boat sighted submarine in ET 6619.
	d)	None.

- 113 -

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	1)	U 160 and 506 detailed to new position grid CA 79.
		2)	As fuel supply of U 332 (85 cbm.) was proportionally low, boat detailed to new area in CB and northwards to the coast. Free to operate in CA according to fuel situation.
		3)	In order to get a picture of traffic in area south of Nova Scotia, U 94 and 404 were asked to report.
	c)	U 162 received precise instructions for convoy "Osorno".
	d)	None.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 504 reports 1 tanker of 7,000 BRT sunk.

VI.	General: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

6.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	U 128	-	DC 23	U 373	-	BE 59	U 569	-	Op(AM 13)
	68	-	Freetown(Op)	129	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	404	-	Op(CB)	578	-	Op(BB-CB)
	69	-	CC 35-Op	135	-	Op(AE-AF)	432	-	CC 38	587	-	Op(BB-BC)
	71	-	BC 93	155	-	Op(CA)	502	-	DQ 14	588	-	Op(CB)
	87	-	Op(AM 11)	156	-	DE 75	503	-	AL 03	592	-	AN 24
	94	-	CB 45(Op)	158	-	Op(CA)	504	-	DC 72	593	-	AN 31
	96	-	Op(BB-CB)	160	-	AN 11	505	-	Op(Freetown)	653	-	Op(BB-CB)
	105	-	ED 98	161	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	506	-	Helgol.	656	-	Op(BB-BC)
	107	-	BF 46	162	-	CD 54	553	-	Op(AM)	701	-	AL 34
	123	-	BE 64	202	-	BE 56	558	-	BE 42	752	-	Op(AM 17)
	124	-	CC 22	213	-	AM 15-Op	564	-	BF 60	753	-	Op(AM 19)
	126	-	Op(DB 90)	332	-	Op(CB)	566	-	BE 62

	On Return Passage: U 558 - 504 - 432 - 502 - 156 - 564 - 566 - 128 - 107.
	Sailed: - . -
	Entered Port: U 564 - Brest.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Position report U 404: coast of Nova Scotia medium air activity, off Halifax

- 114 -

			a little traffic, apparently sporadic. A great deal of fog, freighter "Collamer" (5,190) sunk off Halifax.
		2)	U 578 - area off New York - on 1.3. observed furious anti-submarine hunt. Off Hatteras from 4. - 6.3. up to 20 meter line in good weather no traffic, only fishing boats.
		3)	U 128: grid DM 33 lights burning as in peace. Sunk tanker "O.A. Knudsen" (11,517 BRT) all torpedoes fired, return passage. Total: 26,517 BRT sunk.
		4)	U 68 fired a spread which missed at destroyer on 7.2. On 15.2 in CD 43 freighter left steering course 150⁰ after 7 hours of shadowing. Otherwise no traffic. No successes, return passage.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	Submarines reported in EC 5560 - DN 1160.
		2)	Dutch motor vessel "Brastagi" attacked without success in EC 5530.
		3)	American tanker sent SSS from area 10 miles east of Georgtown Lighthouse.
		4)	Unknown steamer called for immediate help. Position DT 9828.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a) -	b)	None.
	c)	1)	U 202 received order to be in position CD 36 on 10.3 at 1000 hours in order to escort homeward bound German steamer.
		2)	U 162 en route for meeting point.
	d)	On demand of Group North U 405 (boat in readiness at Drontheim) and U 592 (boat in readiness entering Bergen) are immediately placed under Group North for operational disposal. (According to General Instructions of German Naval Staff Book Number 417/42.
		Admiral Arctic has ordered a pack of submarines for convoy sighted in area around Jan Mayen, in which the two boats U 134 and U 584 on return passage are taking part. Altogether therefore at the present time 10 boats are at the disposal of Admiral Arctic, a 2 Group North.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 404 reports steamer "Collamer" (5,112 BRT) sunk.
	U 128 reports tanker "O.A. Knudsen" 11,007 BRT sunk.

VI.	General: None.

- 115 -

7.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	U 128	-	DC 85	U 373	-	BE 57	U 578	-	CA 86
	68	-	Op(Freetown)	129	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	404	-	CB 14-Op	587	-	Op(BB-BC)
	69	-	CD 12	135	-	Op(AE-AF)	432	-	CD 18	588	-	Op(CB)
	71	-	BD 71	155	-	Op(CA)	502	-	DE 88	593	-	AF 79
	87	-	Op(AM 11)	156	-	DE 49	503	-	AL 64	653	-	Op(BB-CB)
	94	-	Op(CB)	158	-	Op(CA)	504	-	DC 72	656	-	Op(BB-BC)
	96	-	Op(BB-CB)	160	-	AM 33	505	-	Op(Freetown)	701	-	AE 85
	105	-	BD 89	161	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	506	-	Heligol.Op(AM)	752	-	Op(AM 17)
	107	-	BF 50	162	-	CD 66	553	-	BE 51	753	-	Op(AM 19)
	123	-	BE 55	202	-	BE 49	558	-	BF 42
	124	-	CC 16	213	-	Op(AM 15)	566	-	BF 42
	126	-	Op(DB 90)	332	-	Op(CB)	569	-	Op(AM 13)

	On Return Passage: U 558 - 578 - 69 - 504 - 432 - 502 - 156 - 566 - 128 - 107.
	Sailed: U 507 - Hamburg; U 552 - Nazaire; U 754 - Brest.
	Entered Port: U 107 - Lorient.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	U 67 reports position:
		EC 55 right half and 56 left half traffic junctions Yucatah-Aruba-Windward, Colan-Mona. Heavy traffic, no defense, 6 misses at 2 ships, 3 inexplicable, 1 failure. Postponed return passage via ED 60.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	English aircraft reported and attacked subs in BF 5441 (U 156) and AL 3876.
		2)	Dutch ship "Bodegraven" (5,593 BRT) sent SSS and reported sub in ET 69.
		3)	USA turbine ship "Cardonia" (5,104 BRT) was hunted by submarine in Windward Passage and fired on.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a) -	b)	None.
	c)	1)	Convoy U 162 probably according to plan.
		2)	U 202 received more precise instructions for escort on homeward passage of tanker "Germania". Boat does not need to be in CD 3646 lower right hand corner until 12.3 1000 hours.
	d)	1)	Consider refuelling of U 332 by U 128 will not be possible on account of U 128's short food supply.

- 116 -

		2)	No reply from U 656 in area south east of Newfoundland, after 5 calls to report position and weather. As there are no known proofs of a submarine sinking it is possible that U 656 is at the time unable to transmit, or unable to get through on account of bad radio conditions. Loss of the boat is however, not out of the question.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

VI.	General:
	Operations of boats on the coast of N. America are considerably hindered at present by weather conditions. In the area east and south of Newfoundland as far as coast of Nova Scotia very low temperatures prevail which at times lead to heavy icing-up of submarines. Visibility is bad on the whole, with a lot of fog and stormy weather.
	Along the coastal area between New York and Hatteras stormy weather has been reported. The traffic, which at first continued to proceed regularly along the American coast and adjacent stretch of sea regardless of sinkings, now seems to stop at intervals. The outlook for success of the medium boats (type VIIc) in American operations area is limited by these two facts, but is improving again now as the presence of a submarine tanker will enable them to remain longer close to the coast in exact operational area.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

8.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	EC 64	U 129	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	U 404	-	Op(CB)	U 569	-	Op(AM 13)
	68	-	Op(Freetown)	135	-	Op(AE-AF)	432	-	CD 25	578	-	CA 95
	69	-	BC 98	155	-	Op(CA)	502	-	DE 94	587	-	Op(BB-BC)
	71	-	BC 95	156	-	DE 55	503	-	AL 48	588	-	Op(CB)
	87	-	Op(AM 11)	158	-	Op(CA)	504	-	DC 58	593	-	AF 79
	94	-	Op(CB)	160	-	AM 16	505	-	Op(Freetown)	653	-	Op(BB-CB)
	96	-	Op(BB-CB)	161	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	506	-	Helgol.	701	-	Op(AE)
	105	-	CE 12	162	-	CE 18	553	-	Op(AM)	752	-	Op(AM 17)
	123	-	BE 45	202	-	BD 93	558	-	BF 40	753	-	Op(AM 19)
	124	-	CB 39	213	-	Op(AM 15)	566	-	BF 50	754	-	BF 50
	126	-	Op(DB 90)	332	-	CB 55-Op
	128	-	DC 58	373	-	BD 63

	On Return Passage: U 558 - 752 - 578 - 69 - 504 - 432 - 502 - 156 - 67 - 566 - 128.
	Sailed: - . -
	Entered Port: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	Position reports: U 587 west of Newfoundland, sighted destroyers and patrol vessels 10 times in 9 days, but no steamers. On 6.3 sank

- 117 -

		Greenland ship "Hawse-Guda"(?). Probably camouflaged patrol boat.
		U 96 in operations area south and southeast of NOva Scotia since 4.3. Traffic apparently very spread out. Much fog and bad weather. 5 torpedo shots missed, one air driven torpedo a circle-runner, 3 electric torpedo with depth settings of 2, 1.5. and 1 meter at laden ship of 5,000 BRT. Misses in spite of exact firing data. Impact of third torpedo heard after 25 seconds. Return passage.
		Sunk by U 129: Tanker "Mary" (5,104 BRT) in EO 3655 tanker "Steel Age" (6,188 BRT) in EO 6625. Very little traffic, obviously only coaling ships en route for Trinidad. Weather report: stiff trade wind, strong westward current, day's run 48 miles.
	b)	None.
	c)	Submarines reported in AE 8298 - BB 7577 (U 96 and Windward Passage).
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a) -	b)	None.
	c)	1)	Escort duty of U 162 probably according to plan.
		2)	U 202 en route for meeting point.
	d)	None.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 587 Hawse Guda (?) unknown
	U 129 tanker Mary USA 5,104 BRT
	" " Steel Age 6,188 "

VI.	General: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

9.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	ED 42	U 129	-	Op(ED 66)	U 404	-	Op(CB)	U 569	-	Op(AM 13)
	68	-	Op(Freetown)	135	-	Op(AE-AF)	432	-	CD 31	578	-	CB 48
	69	-	BD 74	155	-	Op(CA)	502	-	DP 71	587	-	Op(BB 91)
	71	-	BC 91	156	-	DE 62	503	-	AL 71	588	-	Op(CB)
	87	-	Op(AM 11)	158	-	Op(CA)	504	-	DC 56	593	-	AE 99
	94	-	Op(CB)	160	-	AL 39	505	-	Op(Freetown)	653	-	Op(BB-CB)
	96	-	BB 78	161	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	506	-	Heligoland	701	-	Op(AE)
	103	-	BD 77	162	-	BD 85	507	-	dto.	752	-	AM 47
	123	-	BD 66	202	-	BD 98	552	-	BF 40	753	-	Op(AM 19)
	124	-	CB 61	213	-	Op(AM 15)	553	-	Op(AM)	754		BF 40
	126	-	Op(DB 90)	332	-	Op(CB)	558	-	BF 40
	128	-	DD 51	373	-	BD 53	566	-	BF 60

	On Return Passage: U 558 - 752 - 578 - 96 - 504 - 432 - 502 - 156 - 67 - 566 - 128.
	Sailed: - . -
	Entered Port: U 566 - Brest.

- 118 -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	Position reports: U 126 in Windward Passage - heavy traffic. Traffic proceeding via junctions Cape Maisi and Cape Dumelo close inshore on zigzag course at high speed. Only small escort, no air. Traffic ascertained in DN 50 and 60. Steamers steering course 310⁰. Boat continuing to operate in DN 70. 1 plus 4 torpedoes, 125 cbm.
		2)	Sea area around Freetown: U 68 in operations area since 27.2. No traffic west and south of Freetown, medium traffic entering and leaving port from the southeast up to 200 meter line and close inshore. Heavy neutral traffic 60 miles from Cape Palmas, course 110⁰. Plan to operate in EU 70 and 80.
			Sunk: On 2.3 in ET 6685 "Blue Funnel" freighter 6,000 BRT and on 8.3 in EU 8192 "Beluchistan" (6,992 BRT). 2 spread miss at submarine decoy ship and small tanker, 142 cbm, 7 air driven and 3 electric torpedoes.
		3)	U 505 operating since 4.3 in ET 50-60-80 has sunk in ET 6480 on 5.3 "Benmohr" (5,920 BRT), on 6.3 in ET 8320 a petrol tanker (8,000 BRT) of "British Confidence" class, laden en route for Freetown. Otherwise no traffic. Presume that steamer route to Freetown from the south runs via ET 83, as regular air patrol of medium strength is carried out there by flying boats. Boat operated a few days in ET 90. 10 plus 4 torpedoes, 155 cbm.
			The supposition that the submarine attacks in the former Pan-American safety zone would lead to the return of single-ship traffic, which used to go via Freetown from Capetown to America, to this area and via this port from the coast of South America, has been confirmed. Presumably further successes will be scored here.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	Unknown steamer sighted submarine in CA 5973 and sent SSS.
		2)	Steamer "Charles Racine" (9,957 BRT) torpedoed twice in DO 63 (Italian?). Submarine warning for this area.
		3)	A submarine penetrated Castries Harbor (St. Lucia/English) and torpedoed shipping lying there. (U 161)?
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a) -	b)	None.
	c)	1)	Escort duty U 152 probably according to plan.
		2)	U 202 en route for meeting point.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 68 reports 2 ships together 12,992 BRT sunk.

- 119 -

	U 505 reports 2 ships together 13,920 BRT sunk.

VI.	General: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

10.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	ED 41	U 129	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	U 404	-	Op(CB)	U 578	-	CB 39
	68	-	EU 85-Op	135	-	Op(AE-AF)	432	-	BD 79	587	-	Op(BB-BC)
	69	-	BD 55	155	-	Op(CA)	502	-	DF 57	588	-	Op(CB)
	71	-	BC 79	156	-	DF 18	503	-	AK 76	593	-	AL 24
	87	-	Op(AM 11)	158	-	Op(CA)	504	-	DC 63	653	-	Op(BB-CB)
	94	-	Op(CB)	160	-	AL 55	505	-	ET 88-Op	701	-	Op(AE 50-60)
	96	-	BB 88	161	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	506	-	AN 91	752	-	BE 63
	105	-	CD 22	162	-	BE 47	507	-	Helgol.	753	-	Op(AM 19)
	123	-	BD 56	202	-	CE 22	552	-	BE 65	754	-	BE 66
	124	-	CB 57	213	-	Op(AM 15)	553	-	Op(AM)
	126	-	DN 40-Op	332	-	Op(CB)	558	-	BF 50
	128	-	DD 61	373	-	BD 51	569	-	Op(AM 13)

	On Return Passage: U 558 - 752 - 578 - 96 - 69 - 504 - 432 - 502 - 156 - 67 - 128.
	Sailed: U 571 - La Pallice.
	Entered Port: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	Position reports:
		Area CA and CB: from shipping reports of 3 boats the supposed traffic situation off New York and Newfoundland area has been confirmed.
		Sinkings:
		U 653 on 28.2 in CA 9971 freighter of 7,000 BRT.
		U 587 on 2.3 in BB 8382 sub-chaser with cruiser stern 9.3 in BB 9812 freighter of 5,800 BRT.
		U 588 on 1.3 in CC 41 "Carperley" of 4,890 BRT. 2.3 CB 62 "Consuela" of 4,847 BRT. 10.3 CA 5765 petrol tanker "Canadolite" class 11,300 BRT.
		U 94 on 7.3 CB 4498 freighter of 6,000 BRT. 9.3 CA 5654 Brazilian freighter (see para. IVd). 11.3 CA CA 54 89 freighter of 5,000 BRT.
		West Indies: U 161 sank ammunition freighter of 6,000 BRT on 7.3 in ED 6891. On 10.3 boat penetrated inner harbor of Port Castries (British island of St. Lucia) and torpedoed a passenger freighter of 8,000 BRT and another freighter of 5,000 BRT. Steamers lay alongside jetty in 9-10 meters of water. Detailed observation was not possible on account of machine gun fire. On last sighting both ships were on fire and under water astern. Total loss probable.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	SSS report from English motor vessel "Orari" (10,350 BRT) in EE 5884 (U 161?).
		2)	Submarine sighting by aircraft in AE 5560 off Seydisfjord (U 701).
	d)	None.

- 120 -

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	Sighting reports of heavy English fleet units north east of the Faroes and Norwegian area compel the stationing of submarines in Shetlands-Faroes area:
		Attacking areas: U 569 - AE 99; U 553 - AF 77 and AF 78, westerly third.
	c)	Escort duty U 162 probably according to plan. U 202 en route for meeting point.
	d)	Brazilian steamer sunk by U 94 was probably that announced in the press as "Arabutan" (7,878 BRT). According to submarine's report steamer was cruising without lights and steering zigzag course. Sinking was therefore made without warning and rightly so.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 161 reports 3 ships together 19,000 BRT sunk.
	U 94 " 2 ships " 11,000 " sunk, as well as one ship without tonnage report.
	U 587 reports sub chaser as well as one ship of 5,800 BRT sunk.
	U 588 reports 3 ships together 21,046 BRT sunk.
	U 653 reports 1 ship of 7,000 BRT sunk.

VI.	General: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

11.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	ED 55	U 129	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	U 404	-	Op(CB)	U 571	-	BF 50
	68	-	Op(Freetown)	135	-	Op(AE/AF)	432	-	BD 99	578	-	CC 16
	69	-	BD 61	155	-	Op(CA)	502	-	BD 99	587	-	CC 16(Op)
	71	-	BC 77	156	-	DF 24	503	-	AK 77	588	-	CA 61
	87	-	Op(AM 11)	158	-	Op(CA)	504	-	DD 42	593	-	Op(AM 18)
	94	-	CA 57-Op	160	-	AK 86	505	-	Op(Freetown)	653	-	CC 74
	96	-	BB 97	161	-	ED 60-Op	506	-	AN 34	701	-	Op(AE 50u.60)
	105	-	CD 12	162	-	BE 48	507	-	Helgol.	752	-	BF 46
	123	-	BD 57	202	-	CE 12	552	-	BE 55	753	-	Op(AM 19)
	124	-	CB 72	213	-	Op(AM 15)	553	-	AM 33	754	-	BE 65
	126	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	332	-	Op(CB)	558	-	BF 52
	128	-	DE 14	373	-	BD 45	569	-	AM 31

	On Return Passage: U 588 - 558 - 752 - 578 - 96 - 653 - 69 - 504 - 432 - 502 - 156 - 67 - 128.
	Sailed: U 154 - Lorient; U 209 - 376 - 378 - 655 - Kiel.
	Entered Port: U 558 - Brest.

- 121 -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 593 reports convoy No. 15 on northerly course in AM 2734 at 2120. As boat was on first war cruise, and had had no tactical training in home waters on account of ice conditions, he received orders to attack when given favorable opportunity and to break off engagement before dawn. Operation on convoy with other boats not possible for reasons given para. IVd. Boat was contacted by red search light (see para. IVd), forced off and depth charged. Last position of convoy AM 2734 at 2130, course 300⁰, medium speed. Convoy consisted of 14 steamers and 5 destroyers. At 0230 submarine reported from AM 2587 bearing on 240⁰, rain showers, visibility 1000 meters.
			Position reports:
			U 155: Cape Hatteras position as reported by U 578 on 6.3. On 10.3 First Watch Officer Lt.(j.g.) Oentrop washed overboard and drowned. On 11.3 2 spread miss at freighter. 3 bombs dropped in spite of pitch darkness. Freighter and aircraft worked together by means of blue signal lights. Believed to have been submarine decoy ship. Sank freighter of 6,000 BRT on 7.3 in CA 8786.
			U 578 reports having been bombed (light caliber) on 7.3 and sighting vessel about an hour later (Probable identical with submarine decoy of U 155). (For details see IVd).
			U 588 sighted fast tanker with 2 destroyers at 1530 in CA 63, course 180⁰.
			U 96 sank Norwegian ship "Tye" in BB 7965, 4,265 BRT. Total sinkings: 29,101 BRT.
			U 432 sighted smoke clouds and destroyer at 1536 in BE 7818 and 7841. Course 200⁰, 8 knots. 1803 smoke clouds in BE 7847. Probably convoy with escort some distance ahead. Boat had to continue homeward passage on account of fuel supply.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	Admiralty submarine warning for AM 2734 (U 593).
		2)	SSS report by USA cargo ship "Parismina" (4,732 BRT) in CA 5425. An interrupted message later indicated that ship was being attacked.
			Torpedoing reports:
			Steamer "Destro" 3,553 BRT in DN 4440
			" "Texan" 7,005 BRT in DN 4770. Both reports north of Cuba (U 126).
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a) -	b)	None.

- 122 -

	c)	1)	U 162 reports no meeting with "Osorno". Return passage.
		2)	U 202 at meeting point for tanker "Germania".
	d)	U 593 requested to give details about red searchlight (possibly infra red rays). The great number of reports recently of submarine decoy ships must be treated with great reserve. These reports have been made in most cases by commanders with little operational experience, who suspect any vessel behaving in an unusual manor of being a submarine decoy ship. Ensuing defensive measures and miss fires are not in most cases attributable to the special observance and expedients of submarine decoy ships, but to their own clumsy tactics and lack of firing dexterity. It is scarcely to be expected that the enemy who is so short of shipping should employ vessels which must be valuable to him as submarine decoy ships, especially so as the chances of success for these craft in this war have shown themselves to be very small. Submarine commanders are requested to take note of this.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 155 reports 1 ship of 6,000 BRT sunk.
	U 96 reports 1 ship of 4,265 BRT sunk.

VI.	General:
	According to German Naval Staff Book No. 570, Most Secret, S.O. only, the 8 boats in Iceland-Herbrides area, U 701 - 135 - 87 - 213 - 753 - 553 - 569 - 593 are transferred to command of Group North.
	Reason: In order to attack enemy fleet units operating in the Arctic, and to cover the movements of "Tirpitz".

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	ED 62	U 154	-	BF 58	U 376	-	Br'büttel	U 571	-	BF 49
	68	-	Op(Freetown)	155	-	CB 45	378	-	dto.	578	-	CC 25
	69	-	BD 63	156	-	CE 31?	404	-	Op(CB)	587	-	Op(BB-BC)
	71	-	CC 13	158	-	Op(CA)	432	-	BE 76	588	-	CB 42
	87	-	Op(AM 11)	160	-	BD 21	502	-	BD 99	593	-	Op(AM 25)
	94	-	Op(CB)	161	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	503	-	BC 38	653	-	CC 46
	96	-	BC 78	162	-	CE 53	504	-	DD 28	655	-	Br'büttel
	105	-	CD 51	202	-	CD 36	505	-	Op(Freetown)	752	-	BF 50
	123	-	BD 48	209	-	Br'büttel	506	-	AN 28	753	-	Op(AM 16)
	124	-	CA 98	213	-	AM 19	507	-	AN 66	754	-	BE 56
	126	-	Op(DB 90)	332	-	Op(CB)	552	-	BE 42
	128	-	DE 16	373	-	BC 66
	129	-	CC 32

	On Return Passage: U 588 - 162 - 155 - 752 - 578 - 96 - 653 - 69 - 504 - 129 - 213 - 432 - 502 - 156 - 67 - 128.
	Sailed: U 203 - Brest.
	Entered Port: - . -

- 123 -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 578 reports 2 spread fired at 2,000 BRT freighter. 1 hit heard. Position CC 2645. Target continued passage at reduced speed. Another submerged attack was frustrated by heavy swell. (NW 8).
		2)	Position and success report of U 126: Total sinkings - 9 ships, together 52,312 BRT in following positions:
			DO 12 - DN 56 - DN 84 - DN 84 - DN 79 - DN 73 - DN 47 - DM 69 - DA 55.
			For names of ships see para. V. Sinking of 3 of the ships not observed, but total loss very probable. Calm weather on the whole, medium visibility. Transmitting and receiving conditions very bad inshore. All torpedoes fired, 115 cbm. Homeward bound.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	American steamer "Marjory" sent SSS in vicinity of Cape Hatteras.
		2)	Submarine sighting report by aircraft in AM 1681. Aircraft had attacked submarine, and probably scored one hit. (U 593?).
		3)	Submarine warning for area DB 3636.
	d)	Between 14.3 and 19.3, 26-30 steamers sailed in convoy from Chesapeake Bay to Panama.
		Escorting vessels (probably South American) arrived at Baltimore on 10.3.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	U 124 freedom of action in entire coastal area from CA 50 - DM 29.
	c)	Escort duty U 202 probably according to plan.
	d)	Report from U 593: Contacted by bright red light at range of 4,000 meters. Accurate gunfire at range of 2,000 meters. It was probably only a colored searchlight. A more detailed explanation must wait till return of the commander.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 126 reports as sunk:
			Norwegian ship "Gunny" (23,602 BRT)
			USA "Mariana" 3,110 BRT.
			freighter of 8,000 BRT.
			USA "Hanseat" 7,932 BRT.
			USA "Texan" 7,005 BRT.
			USA "Olga" 2,496 BRT.
		Probably sunk:
			freighter of 5,500 BRT.
			USA "Esso Bolivia" 10,389 BRT.
			USA "Colabee" 5,518 BRT.
	U 578 reports one hit on freighter of 2,000 BRT.

- 124 -

VI.	General:
	Group North has asked for the 4 boats U 135, 701, 553, 569 placed under his command according to German Naval Staff 572 Most Secret, S.O. only, and stationed them in area between the Shetlands and Faroes. U 753, U 593 and U 87 remain for the time being west of the Herbrides.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

13.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	EE 61	U 155	-	CB 57	U 378	-	Helgol.	U 588	-	CB 27
	68	-	Op(Freetown)	156	-	CF 13	404	-	Op(CB)	653	-	CC 53
	69	-	BE 42	158	-	Op(CA)	432	-	BE 86	655	-	Helgol.
	71	-	CB 36	160	-	BD 18	502	-	BE 79	752	-	BF 60
	94	-	Op(CB)	161	-	Op(Karib. Meer)	503	-	BC 64	753	-	Op(AM 19)
	96	-	BC 87	162	-	CF 15	504	-	DD 32	754	-	BE 54
	105	-	CD 41	202	-	BD 87	505	-	Op(Freetown)	593	-	Op(AM 18)
	123	-	BC 93	203	-	BF 50	506	-	AF 77	587	-	Op(AM 11)
	124	-	Op(CA)	209	-	Helgol.	507	-	AN 93
	126	-	DM 65	213	-	AM 01	552	-	BD 63
	128	-	DE 23	332	-	Op(CB)	571	-	BF 47
	129	-	EE 86	373	-	BC 91	578	-	CC 34
	154	-	BF 46	376	-	Helgol.	587	-	Op(BB-BC)

	On Return Passage: U 588 - 162 - 155 - 752 - 578 - 126 - 96 - 653 - 69 - 504 - 129 - 213 - 432 - 502 - 156 - 67 - 128.
	Sailed: - . -
	Entered Port: U 752 - La Pallice.

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	1)	U 161 sank tanker of 5,000 BRT with last torpedo. Heavy shipping in spurts since 13.3 in area around Trinidad. Promises success as a permanent operations area for submarine up to distance of 500 miles from Port of Spain. Homeward bound.
		2)	U 67 sank armed tanker "Penelope" (6,559 BRT) in ED 5345. All torpedoes fired. Homeward bound.
		3)	U 404 reports sinking of 6,000 BRT freighter in CA 5242. Ship was darkened and zigzagging sharply. Lit up after being hit, and illuminated Chilean colors on ship's side. Probable cargo cellulose.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	Submarines reported by ships or aircraft in AM 1471 - AM 1166 - AM 7645 - ED 69 - DB 3636.
		2)	USA tanker "Esso Bayonne" (7,698 BRT) sent SSS in DN 81. Likewise an unknown steamer in DM 48.
		3)	USA tanker "Mecury Sun" reported exploding ship in DC 2443 (probably another ship).

- 125 -

	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	U 124 detailed to convoy (see para. IIId on 12.3).
	c)	Escort duty U 202 according to plan.
	d)	None.

VI.	General:
	a)	Situation in Norwegian area: The sighting of further English formations in Norwegian area and the necessity of supporting land operations in north Norway by increased attack on the England-Murmansk-Arkangel convoy route lead to German Naval Command's order for 4 boats formerly belonging to Iceland group to be placed under command of Admiral Arctic. Other boats concerned are those west of Herbrides, as these are next available - U 87 - 753 - 593 - (U 213 on return passage). Nevertheless it would not be practical to send these boats to the Arctic for the following reasons:
		a)	Boats have no Arctic equipment
		b)	None of the ciphers
		c)	and their equipment in French ports.
		The following is therefore planned: U 378, U 209, U 376 ready to sail Heligoland 14.3. U 655 ready to sail Heligoland 15.3. These will be sent to Arctic and placed under command of Group North. These boats possess Arctic equipment. In order to clear up conditions in Norwegian area and hasten readiness for operational duty of four boats in Trondheim and Bergen (at present U 405 - 592 - 591 - 586) it is proposed to place them permanently under command of Group North, German Naval Command.
	b)	American area:
		After exactly 2 1/2 months of submarine warfare in American waters, the following picture presents itself:
		1)	Sea defense measures so far met with (except area off Halifax and Cape Race) are small, badly organized and untrained.
		2)	Air defense in many areas (Aruba, Hatteras and Halifax) is there in sufficient strength it is true, but inexperienced, and in comparison to the English air escort service can only be described as bad.
		3)	There can be no question of a closely knit, well considered organization of merchant shipping, able to make allowance and adjustments according to the prevailing submarine operations. Now and then certainly a stoppage of

- 126 -

shipping was observed after submarine successes (Aruba, Port of Spain, Hatteras - Florida Straits), and yet one got the impression this was the result of momentary fright rather than a considered defense measure.

Examples of this are partly contradictory instructions to merchant shipping in the Caribbean Sea.

Even in grid square CB on e continually meets with single ship traffic. This is an indication that even in this area which comes directly in the main line of communications between England and America, the allies find it impossible to organize a regular escort service embracing all shipping on account of lack of material.

The enormous number of tankers employed in purely American import traffic remains surprising. It is an indication of the extent of America's own oil requirements, and gives some idea of the difficulties confronting American shipping according to foreign reports in the matter of giving up oil shipping space to England.

On the whole operation in American waters has become more difficult. These difficulties however, would be raised immediately by the presence of a submarine tanker. This would make possible:

a)	Simultaneous attack on a number of busy focal points of shipping.
b)	Quicker removal of boats to an especially favorable shipping junction at any given time. (for example, Mona-Windward-Antilles Straits -Florida Straits.)
c)	Extending of attack to the furthermost areas in Middle and South America, not only by large, but also by the medium-sized boats, and thereby enabling surface and special operations.

The formation of convoys as a defense measure is to be expected sooner or later. Even so, apart from already mentioned reasons, the length and disparity of the shipping lanes to be protected, as well as lack of suitable escort craft will not permit a really workable safeguard for some time to come.

The verbal report of the commander of U 558 on his return confirmed his message concerning presence of anti-torpedo nets. During attack on convoy he distinguished without doubt in the light of illuminating rockets A/T nets on steamer and tanker, which were hung from thick poles 10-15 meters in length and wide in diameter. It is an astounding fact that these ships were making 10 knots with lowered nets, even though the weather was good. It is a matter of doubt whether it would be possible to construct a corresponding torpedo head with net cutter to counter this defense measure. But a panacea even in this case would be a working non-contact pistol!

- 127 -

14.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	ED 61	U 129	-	BE 82	U 332	-	Op(CB)	U 552	-	BD 37
	68	-	Op(Freetown)	154	-	BF 44	373	-	BC 84	571	-	BE 67
	69	-	BE 52	155	-	CB 65	404	-	Op(CA 55)	578	-	CD 14
	71	-	CB 36	156	-	BE 88	432	-	BE 92	587	-	CC 25
	87	-	Op(AM 11)	158	-	Op(CA)	502	-	BE 86	588	-	CB 37
	94	-	Op(CB)	160	-	BC 63	503	-	BC 82	593	-	Op(AM 18)
	96	-	BC 89	161	-	ED 88	504	-	CC 79	653	-	CC 63
	105	-	CC 62	162	-	CF 25	505	-	Op(Freetown)	753	-	Op(AM 19)
	123	-	BC 94	202	-	BD 91	506	-	AF 77	754	-	BD 63
	124	-	Op(CA)	203	-	BF 57	507	-	AN 34
	126	-	DN 45	213	-	AM 48
	128	-	CD 77

	On Return Passage: U 588 - 162 - 578 - 126 - 96 - 653 - 69 - 504 - 129 - 213 - 161 - 432 - 502 - 156 - 67 - 128.
	Sailed: U 594 - Kiel; U 572 - Brest; UA - Lorient.
	Entered Port: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	Situation reports:
		1)	From U 94 off New York: Shipping inside 200 meter line and about 50 miles eastwards of it. Only fishing boats on 200 meter line. Medium air defense made up of large and slow land machines.In area CA 50 inside 40 meter line reconnaissance duty by airship in cooperation with patrol vessels. Was hunted effectually for 3 hours by such a formation. Air patrol only off Cape Hatteras.
		2)	Freetown: U 68: No shipping for a week. Requests operational area FC 70 and 80 (north of Pernambuco)
			U 505 4 days from 7.3 in ET 80 and 4 days ET 90. No shipping, no air activity. Boats will receive instructions.
			U 68 on lookout for eastbound traffic on Guinea coast. Focal points Lagos and Tocaradi.
			U 505 to close further into Freetown on lookout for shipping. A removal of attacking area to waters off the Brazilian coast would not be practical because fuel consumption would be too high (a passage of 1,300 miles, 66 miles of which lies on route "A" - attacking operations forbidden) as well as on account of the long return passage against strong trade wind and unfavorable currents. It must also be realized that after 8 days observation in a certain limited area, one still possesses no clear picture of the shipping situation in this important port.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	Tanker "British Resource" (7,209 BRT) sent SSS from CB 7567.

- 128 -

		2)	Aircraft sighting report from AE 7249. (Not one of our boats, probably English).
	(X)	3)	Attacking report in DN 71 (possibly Italian submarine).
		4)	Warning of 2 enemy submarines vicinity of Nantucket Lightship during night 13.-14.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a) -	b)	None.
	c)	Escort duty U 202 according to plan.
	d)	None.

V.	Reports of Success: None.

VI.	General: None.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

15.March 1942.

I.	U 67	-	EE 11	U 128	-	CD 52	U 213	-	AM 79	U 552	-	BD 45
	68	-	EU 85(Op)	129	-	EE 19	332	-	Op(CB)	571	-	BE 58
	69	-	BE 61	154	-	BE 93	373	-	BC 75	572	-	BF 50
	71	-	CB 26	155	-	CC 41	404	-	Op(CB)	578	-	BC 95
	87	-	Op(AM 11)	156	-	BE 97	432	-	BF 57	587	-	Op(BB-BC)
	94	-	CA 86	158	-	Op(CA)	502	-	BF 57	588	-	CC 14
	96	-	BC 96	160	-	BC 68	503	-	BC 87	593	-	Op(AM 18)
	105	-	CC 53	161	-	ED 62	504	-	CC 89	594	-	Br'büttel
	123	-	BC 88	162	-	CF 32	505	-	EU 74-Op	653	-	CD 18
	124	-	Op(CA)	202	-	BE 47	506	-	AM 31	753	-	Op(AM 19)
	126	-	DN 52	203	-	BF 48	507	-	AN 23	754	-	BD 61
										A	-	BF 50

	On Return Passage: U 94 - 588 - 162 - 155 - 578 - 126 - 96 - 653 - 69 - 504 - 129 - 213 - 161 - 432 - 502 - 156 - 67 - 128.
	Sailed: - . -
	Entered Port: - . -

II.	Air Reconnaissance: None.

III.	Reports on the Enemy:
	a)	Situation reports:
		U 158, Hatteras Lighthouse functioning as usual.
		Favorable attacking area between CA 39 and DB 61. Heavy shipping traffic on 20 meter line. Mainly tankers medium patrol activity, small unnoticeable air activity up to 200 meter line, flares at night. On return passage.
		Sunk:
			11.3 coastal patrol vessel in DC 1136.
			13.3 petrol tanker 12,000 BRT in DB 3399 (exploded)
			15.3 "Olean" 7,118 BRT in DC 1146
			15.3 "Ario" 6,952 BRT in DC 1159 (see "intercept" reports.)
		U 504: On strength of report from U 126 proceeded from DN 51 to DO 47. Fast freighter hunted 3 times without success. Otherwise nothing sighted.

- 129 -

		U 161: sunk "Acadia" on 15.3 in ED 2955 by gunfire.
		U 753 reports from west of Herbrides by short signal: No shipping, patrol only.
	b)	None.
	c)	1)	Torpedoing reports of "Ario" and "Acacia" (see report of U 158).
		2)	Submarine warning for CA 54.(Submarine sighting by "Sachario" and "Berwindglen"). Submarine warning CB 7583 and DN 1130.
	d)	None.

IV.	Current Operations:
	a)	None.
	b)	U 71 given freedom of movement to attack in coastal area CA 50-CA 79.
	c)	Escort duty U 202 according to plan.
	d)	None.

V.	Reports of Success:
	U 158 3 ships 26,070 BRT sunk.
	U 158 1 coastal patrol vessel sunk.
	U 161 "Acacia" 1,130? BRT sunk.

VI.	General: None.

- 130 -