U-124 - 1st War Patrol
Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster
Departed |
Date |
Arrived |
Date |
Days at Sea |
Wilhelmshaven |
19 August 1940 |
Lorient |
16 September 1940 |
29 |
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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 |
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Date |
KTB Time |
Position |
Ship |
Tons |
Nationality |
Convoy |
25 Aug 40 |
23.50 - 23.56 |
58°39'N,
6°24'W |
STAKESBY (damaged) |
3,900 |
British |
HX-65A |
25 Aug 40 |
23.50 - 23.56 |
58°39'N,
6°24'W |
HARPALYCE |
5,169 |
British |
HX-65A |
25 Aug 40 |
23.50 - 23.56 |
58°39'N,
6°24'W |
FIRCREST |
5,394 |
British |
HX-65A |
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Total = 14,463 |
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| 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. | ||||||
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| K r i e g s t a g e b u c h "U 124" | |||||
| Kommandant: Kapitänleutnant S c h u l z . | |||||
| Beginning: 11.6.1940. | |||||
| Ending: 16.9.1940. | |||||
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| © U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved | |||||
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Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB |
- 1 - |
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| "U-124" On 11 June 1940 in Bremen | |||||
| placed in service.. | |||||
| 11. - 12.06.40 | Bremen | Took over the boat. | |||
| 13.06.40 | Departed Bremen | 16.00 hours ready for sea. | |||
| 10.00 | Passed Brake. | ||||
| 20.30 | Bremerhaven | Made fast in Bremerhaven alongside a Sperrbrecher. | |||
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| 14.06.40 | |||||
| 07.30 | Ready for sea. With mine escort on the way from Bremerhaven to Kiel. | ||||
| 11.46 | Passed Elbe I position buoy. | ||||
| 15.40 | Boat made fast in the Brunsbüttel lock. | ||||
| 21.28 | Boat went into the Holtenau Lock. | ||||
| 22.05 | Boat made fast at Blücherbrücke. | ||||
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| 15.06.40 | |||||
| to | |||||
| 29.06.40 | in Kiel | U.A.K. testing. | |||
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| 29.06.40 | |||||
| to | |||||
| 30.06.40 | Transfer cruise to Danzig for U.A.G. 1. | ||||
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| 01.07.40 | |||||
| 01.24 | Boat made fast in Danzig. | ||||
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| 01. - 03.07.40 | Testing at U.A.G. 1. | ||||
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- 2 - |
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| 04.07.40 | Sound trials off Kahlberg. | ||||
| 5. - 9.07.40 | TEK in Gotenhafen. | ||||
| 10.07.40 | Independent training, transit to Memel. | ||||
| 11. - 16.07.40 | 2. U.A.G. in Memel torpedo shooting. | ||||
| 17.07.40 | Independent training in Memel. | ||||
| 18.07.40 | Transit to Gotenhafen, prebriefing on "WILHELM BAUER" for tactical training. | ||||
| 19. - 25.07.40 | Tactical training in the sea area south of Gotland to Bornholm. | ||||
| 25.07.40 | Final conference off Könne and afterwards transit to Saßnitz. | ||||
| 26.07.40 | Artillery firing off Arkona. | ||||
| 27.07.40 | Transit to Point 14 rot, there joined convoy ("AMMON" - "GRILLE") | ||||
| Continued transit to Kiel in convoy. | |||||
| 28.08.40 | |||||
| 08.00 | Entered Kiel. | ||||
| 11.00 | Continued transit to Brunsbüttel. | ||||
| 18.00 | Made fast Brunsbüttel inner harbor. | ||||
| 29.07.40 | |||||
| 03.30 | Departed the Brunsbüttel lock and proceeded to Wilhelmshaven with 3 destroyers behind a Sperrbrecher. | ||||
| 12.30 | Arrived Wilhelmshaven. | ||||
| 30.07.40 | |||||
| 06.30 | Departed Wilhelmshaven behind a Sperrbrecher for Bremen. | ||||
| 16.30 | Made fast Deschimag, Bremen. | ||||
| 31.07. - 11.08.40 | Final adjustments and overhaul in Bremen (Deschimag). | ||||
| 12.08.40 | |||||
| 07.30 | Departed Bremen for Wilhelmshaven. | ||||
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- 3 - |
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| continued | |||||
| 12.08.40 | |||||
| 18.00 | Made fast Wilhelmshaven U-boat Base. | ||||
| 13. - 18.08.40 | Outfitting and minor repairs in Wilhelmshaven. | ||||
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| 19.08.40 | |||||
| 17.30 | Ready for sea. Departed for patrol behind Sperrbrecher 5. | ||||
| 21.00 | NW 5-6, moderate Sea, bright moonlit night | Continued transit with 2 M-Booten. | |||
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| 20.08.40 | AN 6638 |  Crash dive, aircraft. Threw 4 bombs. |
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| 09.48 | |||||
| 10.24 | Boat pounds heavily in the large NW-Sea and Swell |  In the vicinity of the M-Boote, continued transit. |
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| 10.55 | Crash dive . Aircraft in sight. |
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| 11.42 | . |
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| 12.02 | Crash dive , aircraft in sight. |
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| 13.45 | While surfacing several bomb detonations were heard. Boat remained submerged. There followed 3 more bomb detonations. Because the position of the boat was betrayed by the M-Booten from the first sighting in the morning, the boat remained submerged. | ||||
| Kommandant intended to first surface at darkness. | |||||
| 21.14 | AN 6369 | Transit continued on the surface. Nothing more is seen of the accompanying M-Booten. Contact lost since 12.02 hours. |
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| S 4, Swell lets up, at times drizzle | |||||
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Sun and Moon Data 19.08.40 |
| Sun and Moon Data 20.08.40 |
- 4 - |
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| 21.08.40 | Wednesday AN 3548 | Continued transit submerged. |
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| 05.50 | Wind shifts to NW 5 | Course 315°. | |||
| 12.00 | AN 3463 | ||||
| 15.30 | AN 3463 lower edge | One detonation was heard. Quite far off. | |||
| 17.30 | Once more one detonation, also very far off. | ||||
| 21.30 | AN 3434 | Course 315°. Continued transit. |
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| NW 5, quite large Swell, overcast, | |
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| 22.08.40 | Thursday | Course 315°. Continued transit. |
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| 05.50 | AN 4339 | ||||
| N 5-6. quite high Swell | During the entire morning and early afternoon far distant depth charge detonations were heard. | ||||
| 21.50 | AN 2884 | Because the boat lies badly against the seas and does not get ahead, came to course 0°. |
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| Stiff NW 7, large Sea and Swell | |||||
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| 23.08.40 | Friday AN 2315 | Boat gets ahead badly against the seas. Low hanging clouds now and then the cloud deck breaks up a bit. Lookouts greatly hindered from strong spray, therefore course 290°. |
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| 05.45 | Squalls, NNW 7, wind increasing, cloudy | ||||
| 14.15 | AN 2232 | Cloud deck is breaking up. Partly sunny. Tried to dive against the sea. Strong visibility reduction due to spray. |
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| Heavy Sea NNW 8-9 | |||||
| 15.00 | Dove again. Continued transit submerged. Course 300°. | ||||
| 21.40 | AF 7987 | Course 300°. |
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| NNW 7, large Sea and Swell | |
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| 24.08.40 | Saturday | Course 240°. |
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| 07.52 | AF 7819 | ||||
| N 4-3, abating, moderate NW-Swell | |||||
| 13.37 | AF 7841 | ||||
| W 2-3, long | |||||
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Sun and Moon Data 21.08.40 |
| Sun and Moon Data 22.08.40 | |
| Sun and Moon Data 23.08.40 | |
| Sun and Moon Data 24.08.40 |
- 5 - |
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| continued | |||||
| 24.08.40 | |||||
| Swell | Course 240°. |
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| 23.00 | AN 1142 | Enemy patrol vessel in sight, bypassed. | |||
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| 25.08.40 | Sunday | Course 230°. |
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| 07.05 | AM 374 | ||||
| W 3-4, moderate Swell | |||||
| 15.17 | From Radio Messages at hand a convoy steers in the direction of Cape Wrath. |
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| 16.00 | AM 3326 | Changed course to 170°. Am attempting to cut off the convoy at the Butt of Lewis. | |||
| 17.00 | Changed course to 160°. | ||||
| 17.15 - 17.45 | Avoided a fishing trawler. | ||||
| 19.14 | Crash dive, aircraft course 300°. |
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| 20.06 | . |
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| 21.43 - 22.05 | Avoided a fishing trawler. | ||||
| 22.17 | AM 3617 | Enemy convoy in sight, abeam to starboard. It is getting dark. Because it is still too bright changed course to 80°. Boat will be positioned ahead of the convoy. | |||
| 22.43 | Changed course to 170°. Boat moves away [from the convoy] on the land side. | ||||
| 23.37 | Forward destroyer turns sharply towards the boat, changed course to 190°. The boat angled away from the destroyer. | ||||
| 23.43 | At target angle 60 stern shot on the destroyer. Shortly thereafter the destroyer turned away. Missed. | ||||
| Now shooting direction towards the steamers is clear. Turned towards for a bow shot. | |||||
| Detonation heard, | |||||
| 23.50 | AM 3645 | 1st shot 23.52 | |||
| 23.51 | 2nd " 23.55 | ||||
| 23.53 | 3rd " 23.56 | ||||
| 23.56 | 4th " 23.57 | ||||
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Sun and Moon Data 24.08.40 |
| Sun and Moon Data 25.08.40 |
- 6 - |
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| continued | |||||
| 25.08.40 | |||||
| The steamer shot at second was hit first forward 40 meters. Range = 1500 meters. | |||||
| The 2nd detonation was the first shot. Sinking observed. Range = 2000 meters. | |||||
| The 3rd detonation was seen as a water column. Range = 1500 meters. | |||||
| 4th shot range = 700 meters. Hit center. Sank immediately. | |||||
| Tonnage sunk: about 28000-30000 tons. | |||||
| Crash dive. A destroyer of the stern screen ran towards the boat at a sharp target angle. |
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| 26.08.40 | Monday AM 3645 | ||||
| 00.02 - 00.30 | W 6, large W-Sea and Swell, at times moonshine | 12 depth charges thrown. Boat touches bottom at depth 90 meters. | |||
| 01.20 | Course 340°. At the shooting location a bright burning steamer. Otherwise nothing seen, only a small searchlight. |
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| In the heavy Sea State, which is still increasing, ran off athwart the seas at high speed. | |||||
| 05.55 | AM 3392 | Changed course to 270°T. The tubes were reloaded during the day. |
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| 21.47 | AM 3375 | Transit to AM 3450. |
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| 27.08.40 | Tuesday | ||||
| 00.30 | AM 2492 | 2 fishing trawlers with set lights. | |||
| 10.00 | Test dive, re-trimmed with ballast weights. Checked negative buoyancy tanks. |
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| 11.40 | Continued transit to AM 3450. |
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| 12.00 | AM 2358 | ||||
| N 3-4, long moderate W-Swell, Vis. very good | |||||
| 16.00 | AM 1468 | ||||
| 20.30 | AM 1444 | Changed course to 242°T (Received orders to operate between 60°N and 55°N.) | |||
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Sun and Moon Data 25.08.40 |
| Sun and Moon Data 26.08.40 | |
| Sun and Moon Data 27.08.40 |
- 7 - |
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| continued | |||||
| 27.08.40 | |||||
| 24.00 | AM 1385 | ||||
| NE-Swell, SSW 4, overcast | |
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| 28.08.40 | Wednesday | ||||
| West of the Hebrides | |||||
| 04.00 | AM 1512 | ||||
| W 4 | |||||
| 08.00 | AL 3637 | ||||
| 12.00 | AL 3643 | Torpedoes reloaded. Day's run 199 nm |
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| W 6, increasing Sea | |||||
| 16.50 | AL 3640 | |
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| 20.00 | AL 3646 | ||||
| 24.00 | AL 3568 | ||||
| WNW 3-4, Sea abating, weather clearing | Nothing seen. | ||||
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| 29.08.40 | Thursday | ||||
| 350 nm west of the Hebrides | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 3713 | ||||
| 08.45 | AL 2838 | . |
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| Fog, Vis. 800 meters, South 2-3 | |||||
| 12.00 | Day's run= 102 nm |
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| 13.20 | AL 2861 | Course 180°. |
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| 14.14 | AL 2864 | . |
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| 18.00 | AL 2891 | Fog the entire day. |
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| 24.00 | AL 2886 | Nothing seen. | |||
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| 30.08.40 | Friday | ||||
| West of the Hebrides | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 2879 | ||||
| 08.00 | AL 2878 | Visibility is very bad. |
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| SSW 5-6, at times drizzle, fog, Vis. 1000 meters | |||||
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Sun and Moon Data 27.08.40 |
| Sun and Moon Data 28.08.40 | |
| Sun and Moon Data 29.08.40 | |
| Sun and Moon Data 30.08.40 |
- 8 - |
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| continued | |||||
| 30.08.40 | |||||
| 12.00 | AL 0245 | Day's run: Carried forward 245 1181 nm |
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| 29/30 August 28 44 " | |||||
| To 30 August 273.5 1225 nm | |||||
| 13.20 | . |
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| 16.00 | AL 2939 | ||||
| W 2-3, clearing, medium W-Swell, Vis. 6 nm | After 2 days of fog reasonable visibility. | ||||
| 20.00 | AL 2988 | Shortly after 20.00 hours light water intake in the aft W.C. due to faulty repair work. | |||
| Weather clearing further | |||||
| Damage was corrected quickly. | |||||
| 24.00 | AL 5163 | Nothing seen. | |||
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| 31.08.40 | Saturday | ||||
| 350 nm west of the Hebrides | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 5135 | ||||
| 08.00 | AL 0153 | After 3 days a ship's position again. | |||
| 12.00 | AL 1879 | Day's run: Carried forward 273.5 1225 nm |
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| WSW 4-5. Vis. moderate (5 nm), medium-long SW-Swell | 30/31 August 3.0 129 " | ||||
| To 31 August 276.5 1354 nm | |||||
| 16.00 | AL 1855 | ||||
| 20.00 | AL 1834 | Nothing seen. | |||
| 24.00 | AL 1689 | |
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| 01.09.40 | Sunday | ||||
| 400 nm west of the Hebrides | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 1639 | ||||
| 08.00 | AL 1496 | ||||
| Wind and Sea increasing again, WSW 6-7, SW-Swell quite large, Vis. 5-6 nm | |||||
| 12.00 | AL 1466 | Day's run: Carried forward 276.5 1354 nm |
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| 31 August/1 September 1.0 142.5 " | |||||
| To 1 September 277.5 1496.5 nm | |||||
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Sun and Moon Data 30.08.40 |
| Sun and Moon Data 31.08.40 | |
| Sun and Moon Data 01.09.40 |
- 9 - |
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| continued | |||||
| 01.09.40 | |||||
| 13.37 | AL 1463 | Received orders to operate to 56°N. Came to course 170°. | |||
| 16.00 | AL 2347 | ||||
| Wind and Sea abating, SW 4-3 | |||||
| 20.00 | AL 2378 | ||||
| 24.00 | AL 2542 | Nothing seen. | |||
| Wind abates further and shifts to the SE | |
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| 02.09.40 | Monday | ||||
| 500 nm west of the Hebrides | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 2713 | ||||
| 08.00 | AL 2781 | ||||
| SE 3-4, mist to fog, NW-Swell | Visibility varies between 2 nm and 400 meters. | ||||
| 12.00 | AL 2928 | Day's run: Carried forward 277.5 1496.5 nm |
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| 1/2 September 2.0 172.0 " | |||||
| To 2 September 279.5 1668.5 nm | |||||
| 16.00 | AL 5212 | Received orders for 6 September by Radio Message. | |||
| 20.00 | AL 5256 | Reached 56°N. Moved pack and forth in position. | |||
| 22.36 | AL 5267 | An independent steamer course 230°. Came with entire superstructure out on the dark horizon. Boat is positioned unfavorably. Had to dive. Darkness comes on slowly. Nothing is seen in the periscope. |
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| 23.47 | AL 5267 | Nothing more is seen of the vessel. |
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| Steered course 290°. | |||||
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| 03.09.40 | Thursday | ||||
| 500 nm west of the Hebrides | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 5252 | ||||
| 08.00 | AL 5217 | ||||
| SW 6, quite large Sea and Swell, Vis. 10 nm | |||||
| 12.00 | AL 5134 | Day's run: Carried forward 279.5 1668.5 nm |
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| 2/3 September 6.0 143.5 " | |||||
| To 3 September 285.5 1812.0 nm | |||||
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Sun and Moon Data 01.09.40 |
| Sun and Moon Data 02.09.40 | |
| Sun and Moon Data 03.09.40 |
- 10 - |
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| continued | |||||
| 03.09.40 | |||||
| 16.00 | AL 5121 | ||||
| 17.00 | Changed course to 320°. | ||||
| 20.00 | AL 0167 | ||||
| High long SW-Swell, SSW 7-8, squalls | |||||
| 20.40 | Received orders to go NW of the position given Friday. Changed course to 0°. | ||||
| 24.00 | AL 0131 | |
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| 04.09.40 | Wednesday | ||||
| 500 nm west of the Hebrides | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 1861 | ||||
| 08.00 | AL 1689 | ||||
| Wind shifts to NW 5, SW-Swell, squalls, Vis. 10 nm, at times sunny | |||||
| 10.25 - 11.55 | Dived. | ||||
| 12.00 | AL 1659 | Day's run: Carried forward 285.5 1812.0 nm |
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| 3/4 September 3.0 155.5 " | |||||
| To 4 September 288.5 1967.5 nm | |||||
| 16.00 | AL 1637 | ||||
| 18.37 | Standing orders to go to square AL 13 and 14 to report weather. | ||||
| 20.00 | AL 1631 | ||||
| 24.00 | AL 1486 | Course 270°. | |||
| NNW 5-6, completely overcast, at times rain, N-Swell | |
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| 05.09.40 | Thursday | ||||
| 500 nm west of the Hebrides | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 1476 | ||||
| 08.00 | AL 1395 | ||||
| WSW 4-5, overcast, Vis. 5 nm, NW-Swell | |||||
| 10.07 | Dived. | ||||
| 12.00 | AL 1385 | Surfaced. Changed course to 70°. | |||
| Day's run: Carried forward 288.5 1967.5 nm |
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| 4/5 September 5.0 106.5 " | |||||
| To 5 September 293.5 2074.0 nm | |||||
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Sun and Moon Data 03.09.40 |
| Sun and Moon Data 04.09.40 | |
| Sun and Moon Data 05.09.40 |
- 11 - |
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| continued | |||||
| 05.09.40 | |||||
| 16.00 | AL 1369 | ||||
| 20.00 | AL 1455 | ||||
| 22.45 | Changed course to 300°. | ||||
| 24.00 | AL 1461 | ||||
| Wind and Sea increasing WSW 5-6, rain showers | |
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| 06.09.40 | Friday | ||||
| 500 nm west of Hebrides | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 1428 | ||||
| 08.00 | AL 1416 | Changed course to 210°. | |||
| W 9, large Sea and Swell, squalls | |||||
| 12.00 | AL 1419 | Day's run: Carried forward 293.5 2074.0 nm |
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| 5/6 September -- 108.0 " | |||||
| To 6 September 293.5 2182.0 nm | |||||
| Storm from the west. Boat lies hove to. | |||||
| 16.00 | AL 1442 | ||||
| 17.46 | W 8-9, large Sea | Received orders to report weather. Report was sent 3 times, because no understanding was reached. | |||
| 20.00 | AL 1444 | ||||
| 23.30 | W 7-8, large long Sea | The starboard aft over deck canister for torpedoes goes over board. | |||
| 24.00 | AL 1471 | |
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| 07.09.40 | Saturday | ||||
| 500 nm west of the Hebrides | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 1396 | ||||
| 08.00 | AL 1398 | ||||
| Wind and Sea abating, WNW 7-6 | |||||
| 10.18 | Received orders to go to AL 19 to 52. | ||||
| Changed course to 180°. | |||||
| 12.00 | AL 1562 | Day's run: Carried forward 293.5 2182.0 nm |
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| WNW 5, squalls | 6/7 September -- 67.5 " | ||||
| To 7 September 293.5 2249.5 nm | |||||
| 16.00 | AL 1735 | ||||
| 16.24 | Dived. | ||||
| 16.44 | Surfaced. | ||||
| 20.00 | AL 1794 | ||||
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Sun and Moon Data 05.09.40 |
| Sun and Moon Data 06.09.40 | |
| Sun and Moon Data 07.09.40 |
- 12 - |
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| continued | |||||
| 07.09.40 | |||||
| 24.00 | AL 1964 | Changed course to 110°. | |||
| WSW 4, at times rain squalls | |
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| 08.09.40 | Sunday | ||||
| 500 nm west of the Hebrides | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 0148 | ||||
| 08.00 | AL 0184 | ||||
| W 3, lightly cloudy, NW-Swell | |||||
| 12.00 | AL 0194 | Day's run: Carried forward 293.5 2249.5 nm |
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| 7/8 September 0.5 218.0 " | |||||
| To 8 September 294.0 2467.5 nm | |||||
| 13.20 | Changed course to 140°. Filled the battery with water. |
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| 16.42 | AL 2974 | Changed course to 110°. |
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| 20.00 | AL 5132 | ||||
| 21.55 | AL 5214 | Independent steamer in sight, course 250°, - - to attack. |
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| Outer tube doors of tubes 1 and 2 can only be opened with difficulty. Tube 1 was closed again and does not close completely. | |||||
| 22.45 | AL 5214 | Shot with tube 2 on a freighter which proceeded darkened. | |||
| Range = 1000 meters, Speed = 8 knots, target angle 90° | |||||
| Miss. Apparently speed was lower. | |||||
| 23.05 | Steamer was still in sight. Tried to maintain contact at 2 x HF. In the quickly gathering darkness the steamer was lost from sight shortly thereafter. Maneuvered ahead of the steamer by plotting and then steered changing courses. Nothing more seen. |
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| 01.55 | AL 5126 | Changed course to 300°. | |||
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Sun and Moon Data 07.09.40 |
| Sun and Moon Data 08.09.40 |
- 13 - |
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| 09.09.40 | Monday | ||||
| 500 nm west of the Hebrides | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 0199 | ||||
| 08.00 | AL 5122 | Main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank VII emptied of residual oil. |
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| W 6, quite large Sea and Swell, Vis. good | |||||
| Examined the torpedo tubes. | |||||
| Tube 1. Outer tube door can only be opened 4 turns, then strong forces on the linkage until it stops completely. Outer tube door was closed again and then holds tight after several hard turns. | |||||
| Tube 2. Outer tube door can only be moved with strong force. Door cannot be completely opened or closed. Believe the boat is only clear to dive to 40 meters. | |||||
| Tube 3. Outer tube door cannot be opened past 10 turns. Door was closed. Tube holds tight. | |||||
| Tube 4. Operable. | |||||
| Stern tubes. Operable. | |||||
| As cause Sea State is suspected. The outer tube door fairings of tube 2 can be seen from the bridge. It sticks out overboard and seems chopped off by the seas. | |||||
| 13.45 | AL 5112 | Course 180°. |
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| W 6-7, quite large Sea | Day's run: Carried forward 294.0 2467.5 nm |
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| 8/9 September 20.0 75.0 " | |||||
| To 9 September 304.0 2542.5 nm | |||||
| 16.00 | AL 5118 | ||||
| 17.14 | Radio Message concerning condition of the tubes is repeated. | ||||
| 20.00 | AL 5142 | ||||
| W 5 | |||||
| 21.48 | AL 5127 | A steamer in sight bearing 40°T, 5 nm away in square AL 5127. | |||
| Boat angled off to the south. | |||||
| At the beginning of darkness angled in. | |||||
| 22.34 | Last sighting. Boat changed course towards the steamer. The enemy was lost in the quickly gathering darkness. | ||||
| On sighting the steamer the boat was positioned on the bright | |||||
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Sun and Moon Data 09.09.40 |
- 14 - |
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| continued | |||||
| 09.09.40 | |||||
| west horizon. | |||||
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| 10.09.40 | Thursday | ||||
| 500 nm west of the Hebrides | |||||
| 01.12 | AL 5115 | After several search courses the boat came to course 70°. Broke off the search. | |||
| From the experiences so far with 3 steamers, further traffic is to be expected. | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 5121 | ||||
| 08.00 | AL 5133 | ||||
| NW 3, light NW-Swell, beautiful weather | |||||
| 09.30 | AL 5212 | A steamer bearing 122°T, 7 nm away. Course 250°. | |||
| 09.30 - 11.12 | Maneuvered ahead. | ||||
| 11.12 | , |
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| 12.35 | AL 5137 | Shot from tube V. | |||
| Target speed = 8 knots, target angle 80°, range = 800 meters | |||||
| Miss. | |||||
| Shot from tube VI. | |||||
| Target speed = 6 knots, target angle 120°, range = 1000 meters | |||||
| Miss. | |||||
| Day's run: Carried forward 304.0 2542.5 nm |
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| 9/10 September 5.0 134.5 " | |||||
| To 10 September 309.0 2676.0 nm | |||||
| 13.55 | Began new maneuver ahead. |
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| 14.22 | Vent for main ballast tank VII leaks. Stopped to examine. A bolt was removed from the over deck valve. | ||||
| 14.26 | Rudder failure. | ||||
| 16.00 | AL 5146 | ||||
| 17.33 | AL 5145 | Steamer in sight bearing 270°T, 11 nm away in square AL 4266. Steers 250°. | |||
| 20.00 | AL 4288 | ||||
| SW 2, beautiful weather, Vis. very good | |||||
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Sun and Moon Data 09.09.40 |
| Sun and Moon Data 10.09.40 |
- 15 - |
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| continued | |||||
| 10.09.40 | |||||
| 20.30 | Fog | Fog comes up. Occasionally clears again. Last steamer bearing 2°T. As the fog set in again reached the enemy course line on a northerly course. Came to course 250° there. | |||
| 22.17 | At 23.00 hours the fogs lits a bit, visibility 1500 meters. After searching on changing courses up to 01.00 hours gave up the search. | ||||
| to | |||||
| 01.00 | on 11 September AL 4197 | ||||
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| 11.09.40 | Wednesday | ||||
| 500 nm west of the Hebrides | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 4274 | First weather report from U-47. Own course 70°, Began transit to the steamer route to the North Channel. | |||
| 08.00 | AL 4281 | ||||
| WSW 4, Vis. up to 5 nm, clearing | |||||
| 12.00 | AL 4265 | Radio Message orders to go to Lorient. | |||
| Day's run: Carried forward 309.0 2676.0 nm |
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| 10/11 September 3.0 242.0 " | |||||
| To 11 September 314.0 2918.0 nm | |||||
| 16.00 | AL 5152 | Came to course 100°. | |||
| W 5 | |||||
| 17.10 | . |
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| 17.35 | . |
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| 20.00 | AL 5253 | ||||
| 24.00 | AL 6146 | Came to course 150°. | |||
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| 12.09.40 | Thursday | ||||
| 400 nm west of Ireland | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 6423 | ||||
| 08.00 | AL 6571 | ||||
| W 6, quite large Sea and Swell | |||||
| 12.00 | AL 6826 | Day's run: Carried forward 314.0 2918.0 nm |
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| W 7, wind increasing | 11/12 September 1.0 240.0 " | ||||
| To 12 September 315.0 3158.0 nm | |||||
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Sun and Moon Data 10.09.40 |
| Sun and Moon Data 11.09.40 | |
| Sun and Moon Data 12.09.40 |
- 16 - |
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| continued | |||||
| 12.09.40 | |||||
| 14.08 | AL 6855 | A steamer in sight bearing 150°T, 11 nm away course 250° in square AL 6883. A maneuver ahead must be given up after an hour as hopeless. The large Sea State does not allow the boat to come forward. | |||
| 16.00 | AL 6846 | ||||
| 20.00 | AL 6889 | ||||
| 24.00 | AL 6269 | ||||
| WNW 7, long W-Swell | |
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| 13.09.40 | Friday | ||||
| 200 nm west of Ireland | |||||
| 04.00 | AL 9613 | ||||
| 08.00 | AL 9683 | ||||
| Squalls, NW 6, long W-Swell | |||||
| 11.08 - 11.24 | . |
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| 12.00 | AM 7741 | Day's run: Carried forward 315.0 3158.0 nm |
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| 12/13 September 0.5 228.5 " | |||||
| To 13 September 315.5 3366.5 nm | |||||
| 16.00 | AM 7779 | ||||
| 20.00 | BE 3167 | ||||
| NW 5, squalls, long W-Swell | |||||
| 24.00 | BE 3541 | ||||
| Changing cloudiness, squalls, long W-Swell, NW 6 | |
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| 14.09.40 | Saturday | ||||
| 200 nm west of Ireland | |||||
| 03.13 | BE 3821 | A light seen bearing 240°T. While closing disappeared in a squall and was not seen again. | |||
| Shortly thereafter on old course 150°, 2 independent dimmed white lights, a bit later a third was seen. Closed the latter and recognized 3 destroyers course 270°. In so doing got too close. Cloudiness was greatly changing, at times bright moonshine. A | |||||
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Sun and Moon Data 12.09.40 |
| Sun and Moon Data 13.09.40 | |
| Sun and Moon Data 14.09.40 |
- 17 - |
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| continued | |||||
| 14.09.40 | |||||
| 05.00 | destroyer turned to a sharp target angle. Moved off at 14 knots on course 170°. After 1 hour the destroyer remained astern and disappeared in the mist. No further contact. | ||||
| 08.00 | BE 3899 | ||||
| Misty, drizzle, Vis. 2 nm | |||||
| 08.35 | BE 6311 | ||||
| 10.50 | BE 6341 | Avoided fishing cutters. | |||
| 12.00 | BE 6345 | Day's run: Carried forward 315.5 3386.5 nm |
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| 13/14 September -- 261.5 " | |||||
| To 14 September 315.5 3648.0 nm | |||||
| 14.42 | BE 6376 | Avoided fishing cutters. | |||
| 16.00 | BE 6622 | Came to course 120°. | |||
| Wind abating, WNW 4-5 | |||||
| 20.00 | BF 4446 | ||||
| 24.00 | BF 4733 | |
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| 15.09.40 | Sunday | ||||
| Bay of Biscay | |||||
| 02.25 | BF 4827 | One fishing cutter. | |||
| 04.00 | BF 4856 | Came to course 90°. | |||
| 08.00 | BF 4955 | ||||
| 10.08 | BF 4962 | ||||
| 11.44 | BF 5743 | ||||
| 12.00 | BF 5743 | Day's run: Carried forward 315.5 3648.0 nm |
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| Misty, at times clear, heavily cloudy | 14/15 September | ||||
| To 15 September | |||||
| 15.02 | . |
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| 16.00 | BF 5844 | ||||
| 20.00 | BF 5845 | ||||
| 21.40 | Two sailing vessels on the horizon. |
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| 24.00 | BE 5854 | Came to course 35°. | |||
| Bright moonlit night, Vis. very good, WNW 2 | |||||
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Sun and Moon Data 14.09.40 |
| Sun and Moon Data 15.09.40 |
- 18 - |
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| 16.09.40 | Monday | ||||
| Bay of Biscay | |||||
| 02.30 | A dimmed sailing vessel. | ||||
| 04.00 | BF 5592 | ||||
| 05.30 | BF 6441 | Several fishing trawlers with set lights. | |||
| 07.03 | BF 6416 | . |
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| 14.00 | Course 0°. Headed for Point 2. |
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| 14.50 | Isle de Groix in sight. | ||||
| 15.20 | Recognition Signal exchanged with U-boat escort. | ||||
| 15.45 | Taken in convoy with "U-101". | ||||
| 18.30 | Made fast in Lorient. | ||||
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Sun and Moon Data 16.09.40 |
| Enclosures to U-124's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document | |
| Radio | Excerpt of the Radio Log |
Comments of the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote. |
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For the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote |
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- The Chief of the Operations Department - |
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