U-boat Archive - U-boat KTB - U-138 1st War Patrol

U-138 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with the help of Robert Derencin and Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Kiel	10 September 1940	Lorient	26 September 1940	17

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
20 Sep 40	21.20	55°57'N, 7°15'W	NEW SEVILLA	13,801	British	OB-216
20 Sep 40	21.23	55°57'N, 7°15'W	BOKA	5,560	Panamanian	OB-216
20 Sep 40	21.26	55°57'N, 7°15'W	CITY OF SIMLA	10,138	British	OB-216
21 Sep 40	02.27	56°09'N, 8 °15'W	EMPIRE ADVENTURE	5,145	British	OB-216

			Total = 34,644
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
===========================

__" U 138 "__


	Kommandant:	Oblt.z.S. L ü t h









	Beginning: 27.6.1940
	Ending: 26.9.1940










		© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

- 1 -




	27.06.40
	10.00	Kiel, Blücherbrücke	Commissioning held.
			Joined the 1st U-Flottille.
			Temporarily at the direction of UAK-Kiel
	26.06.40 to	Kiel	UAK testing.
	08.07.40
	09.07.40
	17.00	Kiel	Ready for sea, transit to Swinemünde and 8-hour AK-sea trial.
	10.07.40
	16.00	Swinemünde	Entered port to disembark UAK.
	19.00		Departed for Gotenhafen.
	11.07.40
	17.00	Gotenhafen	Entered Gotenhafen.
	12.07.40 to		TEK-testing
	17.07.40
	18.07.40 to	Central Baltic	Central Baltic.
	24.07.40		Tactical exercises with the 27. U-Flottille.
	25.07.40
	07.00	Rönne, Roadstead	Rönne, Roadstead
			Made fast alongside "WILHELM BAUER" for training conference.
	14.00		Ready for sea, transit to Danzig.
	26.07.40
	09.00 to	Danzig	Testing by the UAG 1.
	01.08.40
	14.00	Danzig	Transit to Memel.
	02.08.40
	02.00	Memel	Entered Memel.
	02.08.40 to	Memel	Torpedo firing with the 25th U-Flottille.
	05.08.40
	06.08.40 to	Memel	Torpedo firing with the 24th U-Flottille.
	24.08.40
	27.08.40
	22.00	Memel	Ready for sea, transit to Kiel.
	29.08.40
	18.00	Kiel	Entered Kiel, made fast Tirpitz Mole.
	30.08.40 to	Kiel	Shipyard period, Deutsche Werke.
	05.09.40
	06.09.40	Kiel	Sea trial, practice torpedo firing, degaussing.

- 2 -




	xx.09.40	Kiel	Radio direction finder calibration, measured mile, U-boat sound testing.
	xx.09.40 to	Kiel, Tirpitz Mole	Boat supplied for 5 weeks remote patrol.
	10.09.40
	10.09.40	Kiel	Ready for sea.
	19.00
	20.30	Kiel, Lightship
	21.00	Point "Rot 1"	Am with "Sperrbrecher 13" ready to proceed in convoy, waiting on supply ship "UCKERMARK".
			Radio message from BSO [Befehlshaber der Sicherung der Ostsee = Commander of Maritime Security in the Baltic Sea] "UCKERMARK" is registered for 11.09.40 at 06.00 hours. "U-138" is ordered to wait.
	22.00	N 3-4, Vis. good	Made fast near the stern of "Sperrbrecher 13".

	11.09.40
	00.00 to		English aircraft over Kiel.
	05.00
	11.00	WNW 3, Vis. good	"UCKERMARK" meets us.
			Proceeding through the Great Belt in convoy with "Sperrbrecher 13" astern "UCKERMARK".
	12.00		Day's run: 13 nm.
			Transit through the Kattegatt.

	12.09.40
	06.00	Kattegatt	Released from "Sperrbrecher 13".
		Anholt	Continued escorted by 2 torpedo boats.
		NNE 3-4, Sea 3-4
	12.00		Day's run: 233 nm.
	14.00	Kattegatt	Released from convoy.
		Point "Schwarz 25"	"UCKERMARCK" continued in convoy with both T-boats at maximum speed.
		W 3, Vis. good
			T-boats asked by Morse [Aldis lamp] for the Oksøy lighthouse near Kristiansand to be lit at 24.00 hours.
			Transit to Kristiansand. Drifting mine at the ship's side.
	20.27	AN 3633
		W 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, rain showers, Vis. bad
	24.00	AN 3616	Boat position by plotting - off Kristiansand.
		S 4, rain, misty, Vis. bad
	13.09.40
	00.40	AN 3616	Oksøy lighthouse in sight at 4 nm.
			Entered Kristiansand at LF trimmed down.
	01.37	Oksøy Lighthouse	Inbound passed abeam. The inner beacon off Kristiansand comes into view.
			Proceeding around Flekkerøy Island.
	03.24	Oksøy Lighthouse	Outbound on bearing 57°T. Transit through the German mine warning area in the Skagerrak.
		SW 5, Sea 4-5, rain showers

	Sun and Moon Data 10.09.40
	Sun and Moon Data 11.09.40
	Sun and Moon Data 12.09.40
	Sun and Moon Data 13.09.40

- 3 -



	continued
	13.09.40
	06.30	Skagerrak	Dived after passing the mine warning area, continued transit in the North Sea.
	08.00	AN 3564 upper-left
	12.00	AN 3555 center-right	Day's run: = 138 nm.
			12 nm.
			= 150 nm.
	12.30		Surfaced to ventilate the boat.
	13.23		Dived.
	16.00	AN 3527 lower-center
		WSW 3, Vis. moderate
	17.00		Surfaced to ventilate the boat.
	17.35		Dived.
	21.55	AN 3516 center-right	Surfaced, transit to operations area.
		WSW 1, Sea 1, light swell
	24.00	AN 3199

	14.09.40
	04.00	Northern North Sea
		AN 3146 center-right
		WSW 3, rain, misty
	06.00	AN 3115 center-right	Dived.
	08.00	AN 3112 lower-right
	12.00	AN 2978 center	Day's run: = 92 nm.
			29 nm.
			= 121 nm.
	12.30	NNW 3, Sea 3	Surfaced.
	12.45		Crash dive for aircraft.
	16.50	AN 2974	Surfaced.
	17.34		Dived.
	20.00	AN 2947
	2x.x0	AN 2866	Surfaced
		NE 2, Vis. good, bright moonlit night
	23.07		Short Signal: Have passed 59°N.
	24.00	AN 2839

	15.09.40
	02.10		Short Signal repeated because there was no confirmation.
	04.00	AN 2559
	06.14	AF 7998	Dived.
	12.00		Day's run: = 80 nm.
			= 29 nm. = 109 nm.
	12.20	AF 7991	Surfaced.
	13.42	AF 7964	Short Signal: "Have passed 60° 50'N", since there was no confirmation.
		NW 2, Sea 1, Vis. good
	16.00	AF 7954
	18.43	AF 7866	Aircraft to port at the limit of visibility.
		NW 2, Vis. good, high clouds

	Sun and Moon Data 13.09.40
	Sun and Moon Data 14.09.40
	Sun and Moon Data 15.09.40

- 4 -



	continued
	15.09.40
	19.26	AF 7865	Crash dive for aircraft to starboard.
	19.52	AF 7864	Surfaced.
		NW 2, Sea 2
	24.00	AF 7828

	16.09.40
	04.00	Northwest of the Shetland Islands
		AF 7793
		NNW 2, light swell
	08.00	AN 1217	Dived, so as not to be surprised by morning reconnaissance aircraft from the low clouds.
		Low clouds
			Depth keeping practice.
	10.50	AN 1139	Surfaced.
	12.00	AN 1165	Day's run: = 202 nm.
			= 6 nm.
	15.17		Aircraft to port in the direction of the Shetland Islands
	16.00	AN 1181
		NW 2, Sea 2
	17.00	AN 1175	Course changed to Cape Wrath, so that the boat can pass the exit of the Minch during the night on a westerly course and be positioned at dawn again out of sight of the Hebrides.
	17.10	AN 1178	2 masts bearing 270°.
			Maneuvered ahead at the limit of visibility.
			Steamer running on course 190°, 7-8 knots.
	18.10	AN 1178
		SE 3, Sea 3, Vis. moderate changing	Crash dive for aircraft.
	18.30		Surfaced.
	20.00	AN 1315
	20.25		Crash dive for aircraft.
	20.45		Surfaced.
	21.28	Between the Shetland and Orkney Islands	Dived, boat positioned ahead of the steamer on opposite course.
		AN 1318	I prefer to fire submerged because the prevailing full moon nights are bright and do not allow a surface shot.
		SE 4-5, Sea 3-4, twilight, cloudy
	22.03	Darkness	Miss on the steamer.
			Target angle 90°, speed 7 knots, estimated range 900 meters.
			Steamer had 2 masts forward, smokestack and bridge astern.
			Navigation lights were set shortly before the shot. Of the contours of the steamer nothing more was to be seen.
			It fit just once in the periscope at large enlargement.
			I believe I had sufficient plotted firing data to have shot.

	Sun and Moon Data 15.09.40
	Sun and Moon Data 16.09.40

- 5 -



	continued
	16.09.40
	22.33	SE 4-5, Sea 4, rain	Surfaced, again maneuvered ahead for attack.
	24.00	AN 1318	Steamer steaming at 3-5 knots, course 180°, steamer has lights set.
		At times hazy

	17.09.40
	01.00	AN 1317	Closed to 600 meters for attack.
			Did not shoot because as we neared the size was estimated at only 700 tons. Now he lies almost stopped. It is assumed that he wants to head for the Pentland Firth only in daylight.
			Ran off to the 200-meter line on course 270°.
	04.00	AM 3429
	08.00	AM 3366	Dived, depth keeping practice.
		SW 2, Sea 2, medium swell, low clouds
	11.50	AM 3369	Surfaced.
	12.00		Day's run: = 144 nm.
			= 11 nm.
			= 155 nm.
	12.05	WNW 4, Sea 4, long swell, Vis. medium	Smoke feather in sight to the south on southerly course, maneuvered ahead.
	14.15	AM 3396	Land came in sight bearing 122°.
			It must be the north tip of the Hebrides or the Sulisker Rocks
			The vessel is made out as a fishing trawler which steers frequently changing courses to the south, therefore, ran off to sea on a westerly course.
	16.00	AM 3394
		WNW 5, long high swell
	20.00	AM 3379
		NW 7-8, Sea 6-7, Vis. bad
	24.00	AM 2434
		NW 8, Sea 7

	18.09.40
	04.00	West of the Hebrides
		AM 2627
		NW 6, Sea 6, moonlit
	08.00	AM 2563	The rough sea has caused dirt from the external fuel tanks to get into the diesels and has clogged the fuel pump and fuel valves.
			Boat dived for repairs.
	12.00	AM 2568	Day's run: = 122 nm.
			= 12 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 16.09.40
	Sun and Moon Data 17.09.40
	Sun and Moon Data 18.09.40

- 6 -



	continued
	18.09.40
	13.14	AM 2568	Surfaced.
	13.15	NW 3-4, partly overcast, Vis. good	Smoke cloud bearing 100°.
		NW 3-4, partly overcast, Vis. good	Held on.
			The diesels are still not right, they falter momentarily one after the other.
	16.00	AM 2822	I do not get closer. The bearing is steady. Saint Kilda come in sight.
	16.30		Smoke cloud out of sight.
			A second smoke cloud in sight to the south on a northerly course.
			Maneuvered ahead.
	18.15	AM 2853	Dived to attack.
	20.00	AM 2864	In firing position on a steamer of only 500 tons, did not fire.
		Sea 3, light swell
	20.51		Surfaced.
	24.00	AM 2898	Reached the limit of the operations area.
		SE 4, Sea 3, Vis. good

	19.09.40
	04.00	AM 3941	Transit to the SE-corner of the operations area:
		SE 5, Sea, overcast, rain	AM 5394, 2927, 2723, 3968
			Barra Head abeam, burning normally.
	08.00	AM 3971	Dived.
	09.29	AM 3971	Surfaced.
		SSW 4, Sea 3-4, rain, Vis. moderate
	12.00	AM 5317	Day's run: = 164 nm.
			= 9 nm. = 173 nm.
	16.00	AM 5382
		SW 5, Sea 4
	18.00	AM 5354	Dived, depth keeping practice.
			Deep dive test to T = 50 meters.
			Sea water density measurements at various water depths, flood, drain, and trim tests at deep depths.
	21.00	Off the North Channel	Surfaced.
		AM 5354	Back and forth in position at the southeast part of the operations area.
		NNE 3, Sea 3, rain, Vis. bad
	24.00	AM 5382	Lighthouse on Inishtrahull burning normally.

	20.09.40
	04.00	AM 5382	Courses so arranged that during darkness we are apositioned within the 100-meter line. During the day I want to be positioned further from land to have more room to determine course and speed, maneuver ahead and be in deeper water in case of pursuit.
	06.17	AM 5357	Crash dive for destroyer shadows 500 meters astern
		NW 5, Sea 4, misty	Boat gets under poorly into the sea, was overrun, when at depth 15 meters.

	Sun and Moon Data 18.09.40
	Sun and Moon Data 19.09.40
	Sun and Moon Data 20.09.40

- 7 -



	continued
	20.09.40
	08.00	AM 5346
	09.25	AM 5346	2 large passenger steamers with 2 smokestacks and 2 escorts in sight in the periscope at 4000 meters, target angle 30°.
		NW 6, Sea 6, swell, Vis. good
	09.41		Course 20° into the Barra Passage.
			Steamers out of sight, submerged at depth 10.5 meters hardly more than the next wave crest colud be seen in the periscope
			Surfaced, steamer in sight to the west, target angle 60°, estimated range 10000 meters.
			Steamers turn to starboard towards the boat, target angle 0°, course 80°.
	09.46		Dived.
	10.20		Steamer again lost from sight. Surfaced.
			Steamers remain out of sight, they must be making more than 15 knots, came to a NE- course and chased after the steamers.
	12.00	AM 5343	Day's run: Surfaced 98 nm.
			Submerged 16 nm.
	12.56	AM 5351	Crash dive for aircraft.
	13.30		Surfaced.
	15.15	AM 5353	Crash dive for aircraft.
		NW 2-3, Sea 2-3, swell, Vis. good
	15.40		Surfaced.
	16.00	AM 5352	Smoke cloud bearing 30°T, above that point 2 aircraft, maneuvered ahead, general course 130°.
	17.49	AM 5353	Crash dive for aircraft.
		W 2-3, Sea 2-3, swell, Vis. good
	18.11		Surfaced.
	18.50	AM 5356	Crash dive for aircraft. Northern tip of Ireland in sight. I can not get ahead of the convoy in time. Come to course 90° and want to try to operate on the last of the 10 smoke trails.
			Running submerged at GF.
	19.14		Surfaced.

- 8 -



	continued
	20.09.40
	19.14		Boat runs on course 90° perpendicular to the convoy at maximum speed.
	19.27	AM 5364	The superstructures of the middle ships area in sight. Dived, continued submerged at GF, after plotting I estimate I will reach the last steamer in just under an hour.
	20.00	AM 5365	Steamer passes at 2000 meters, target angle 70-90°. A moment later 2 steamers with target angle 0° in sight, then the convoy in 8 columns, distance 400-500 meters between rows, irregular ship distances in the columns, approximately 30 steamers. Course 270°, speed 7 knots.
			2 aircraft over the convoy, 1 escort on each flank, likely gunboats recognized.
			Every steamer zigzags on its own or in groups. The boat takes position between the middle columns, in which the largest steamers are positioned.
	21.18	Off the North Channel	Aircraft approaches periscope - briefly retracted.
	21.20	AM 5365	Shot on 1st steamer in the 3rd column, target angle 95°, speed 6 knots, range 460 meters, running time 28 seconds, depth 3 meters, hit 20 meters aft, very loud detonation. Probably a boiler explosion. A high black explosion column, stern settles in seconds up to the bridge.
		W 2, Sea 2, twilight, light swell
			Appearance: about 6 hatches,
			2-3 masts,
			2 pole masts,
			vertical bow, normal stern.
			The whole periscope was filled at low magnification by the length of the ship, at high magnification only the central nave round the bridge could be seen.
			Size estimated at approximately 8000 tons.

- 9 -



	continued
	20.09.40		Just before the boat turned to port for the first shot, the first steamer of the 4th column approached the boat at target angle 0°. After shooting turned further to port to approach the 2nd steamer of the 4th column to shoot. Boat cut under to depth 15 meters. Went to HF to get back to periscope depth, as a result the boat got within 300 meters.
	21.23	AM 5365	Shot at the 2nd steamer in the 4th column.
			Target angle 100°, enemy course 280°, speed 7 knots, range 300 meters.
			Torpedo running time 19 seconds, depth 3 meters, hit amidships.
			Especially loud detonation, high explosion column, stern settles immediately.
			Appearance: about 5 hatches,
			2 masts,
			4-6 pole masts,
			vertical bow, normal stern.
			More than the whole periscope was filled at low magnification by length of the ship.
			Size estimated at approximately 7000 tons. The 2nd steamer of the 3rd column swerved to course 330°.
			Boat turned to starboard to counter him.
	21.26	AM 5365	Shot on the 2nd steamer in the 3rd column.
			Target angle 85°, enemy course 330°, speed 7 knots, range 400 meters, torpedo running time 24 seconds, torpedo depth: 3 meters. Hit amidships. Ship buckled amidships. A moment later, two depth charges.
			Appearance: about 5 hatches,
			2 masts,
			2-3 pole masts,
			vertical bow, normal stern.
			At high magnification only the bridge and surroundings were to be seen. Ship was smallest of the three and is estimated at approximately 6000 tons.

- 10 -



	continued
	20.09.40		A part of the convoy turns to the north, the smaller part to the SW, 2 steamers rescue the survivors.
	22.00	AM 5365	Surfaced.
		Approaching darkness	The 3rd shot steamer lies stopped of 500 meters astern with a broken keel. Amidships deep in the water, foredeck and stern tower high from the water. Nothing more is seen of the first two torpedoed steamers.
			In the direction of the North Channel lively Morse signalling is observed. Boat departs to the north, then to the west, after the larger part of the convoy. This part ran off approximately 3 nm to the north into a dark bank of clouds and has turned to the west again. Some steamers which had broken out to the SW try to rejoin on a northwesterly course. The moon just rises, however, it is still covered by clouds, this will only last an hour, until it shines fully. Until then the boat maneuvers ahead far enough to the west that the convoy is now abeam to the north.
	24.00	AM 5355	Meanwhile the last torpedo is reloaded. Boat maneuvers ahead of the convoy and then to the north to attack the steamer on the far right wing from the lee of the moon on the surface. Convoy is arranged in 7-8 columns. Separated by 1000 meters, the biggest ships are in the center in front. Course 270°, speed 7 knots.
		W 2, Sea 2, bright moonlit night

- 11 -




	21.09.40
	02.00	AM 5318	Begin the attack. Convoy is positioned exactly in the moonlight.
		Calm weather, bright moonlight, Vis. good
		Calm weather, bright moonlight, Vis. good	Escort, (probably a gunboat) approaches the boat at target angle 0°.
			Crash dive.
			Initiated attack on the outermost steamer, which is set back slightly.
	02.27	AM 5318	The first 3 steamers of the center column move so closely in line that they overlap and for practical purposes provide one target ship width of approximately 300 meters. Because 3 steamers are substantially bigger than the outermost steamer, I shot at them in spite of the greater distance.
			Shot at the 2nd steamer of the center column.
			Target angle 70°, enemy course 275°, speed 7 knots, range 2800 meters.
			Torpedo running time 3 minutes 7 seconds. Torpedo depth 3 meters. Hit aft 30 meters.
			Stern settles deeper. The third steamer in the column stops and lowers lifeboats. Work lights and flash lights are seen. The steamer was particularly long and broad, substantially larger than the outermost steamer which passed the boat within 500 meters after the shot and was estimated at 5000-6000 tons.
			Target width at target angle 80° approximately 3/16° at low magnification of the periscope.
			Size estimated at 8000 tons.
			Convoy scatters wildly.
			Most of the convoy runs slowly in a NW direction, a part to the south. The moon shines from east. The boat departs to the north.

- 12 -



	continued
	21.09.40		A larger tanker approaches to 400 meters in shooting position, only there are no torpedoes.
			The high-speed engines of warships are heard twice.
	03.00	AM 5318	Surfaced, ran off to the north.
			2 patrol boats - 3000 meters distant - search for the boat.
			Observed Morse signaling to the south. The torpedoed steamer lies with her stern deep in the water, a second steamer lies with her. Lifeboats and lights are seen.
	03.30	AM 5318	Patrol boats have 3 green lights in a triangle set in the masthead and in the course of the next hour throws 15 depth charges.
			Range is about 4000 meters.
			He seems to steer a north-northwesterly course.
			Boat goes to AK.
	05.00	AM 5311 lower-center	Bearing to the patrol boat is still always astern. However, the distance has become greater. Barra Head is illuminated, bears 40°T. Nothing more is seen of the convoy. It must have again run to the west. I want to deliver a reconnaissance report first by day when the situation has clarified, particularly as none of our boats are close by.
		NW 2, Sea 1, bright moonlit night
	05.44	AM 5311 upper-left	Proceeding on northwesterly course.
	08.00	AM 0259	Proceeding on westerly course.
	12.00	AM 2966	Day's run: Surfaced 116 nm.
			Submerged 13 nm.
			Began return transit on southwesterly course.
			Delivered reconnaissance report:
			"Enemy convoy in sight AM 5318. Enemy out of sight in direction 270°. Enemy speed 7 knots."

- 13 -



	continued
	21.09.40
	16.00	AM 2989	Crash dive for aircraft.
		SE 2, Sea 1, some low clouds	Crew given rest.
	19.44		Surfaced.
	20.00	AM 5113
		SW 3, Sea 1-2, overcast
	24.00	AM 4365

	22.09.40
	04.00	AM 4638
		SSE 5, Sea 4, rain, Vis. bad
	08.00	AM 4695	Dived.
	09.15		Surfaced.
	12.00	AM 4935	Day's run: Surfaced 144 nm.
		SW 4, Sea 4, overcast	Submerged 12 nm.
	16.00	AM 4992
		W 4-5, Sea 4, long swell
	20.00	AM 7362
	24.00	AM 7398

	23.09.40
	04.00	West of Ireland
		AM 7492
		WNW 2, Sea 3, Vis. good
	08.00	AM 7968
		South of Ireland
	12.00	BE 3338	Day's run: Surfaced 223 nm.
			Submerged -- nm.
	14.10	BF 1173	Radio message concerning distress case of He 111 in BF 17, turned to close at HF.
			Distance 90 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 21.09.40
	Sun and Moon Data 22.09.40
	Sun and Moon Data 23.09.40

- 14 -



	continued
	23.09.40		Sent position by Short Signal to B.d.U.
	14.30	BF 1173	Crash dive for aircraft.
		NNW 1, long swell
	14.47		Surfaced.
	16.00	BF 1413
	20.00	BF 1473
		NW 1, Vis. good
	22.45	BF 1746	Reached the area of the distress case, search started at GF.
		NE 2, light swell, Vis. moderate	Sent position by Short Signal to B.d.U.
	24.00	BF 1718

	24.09.40
	01.00	BF 1742	In the east a white star is shot, boat also shoots a white star. Turned to the east. Exchanged recognition signals with U-100 which is also searching for the airmen.
			Afterwards continued to steer search curve.
	04.00	BF 1743
		NE 2
	08.00	BF 1754
		Light swell
	09.15	BF 1757	Search broken off. On course to Lorient.
	11.25	BF 1786	Crash dive for aircraft.
		Rain showers
	11.52		Surfaced.
	12.00	BF 1786	Day's run: Surfaced 219 nm.
			Submerged 2 nm.
	16.00	BF 1877
		NNE 3, Sea 3
	20.00	BF 4237
	20.47		Avoided a sailing vessel bearing 130°T. During the afternoon avoided 4 sailing vessels (French fishermen).
	24.00	BF 4373
		NNE 4, Vis. bad

	Sun and Moon Data 23.09.40
	Sun and Moon Data 24.09.40

- 15 -




	25.09.40	Western Bay of Biscay
	01.10	BF 4385	Recognition Signal call 1000 meters ahead.
		Vis. bad, low black clouds	Responded with Aldis lamp no answer, Recognition Signal shot, otherwise nothing further observed.
	04.00	BF 4399	Avoided 3 sailing vessels during the night.
		NNE 5, Sea 4
	08.00	BF 5427
	12.00	BF 5493	Day's run: Surfaced 231 nm.
			Submerged -- nm.
			Avoided 4 sailing vessels in the morning.
	12.30		Received orders to be off Lorient on 26 September at 12.00 hours.
	12.50		Dived, because there was enough of time to reach Lorient.
	16.00	BF 5575
		NNE 5, Sea 4, overcast, large swell
	20.00	BF 5584 left half
	20.30	NNE 5, Vis. moderate	5 sailing vessels sighted in the periscope during the afternoon.
			Surfaced, to proceed on the surface.
	24.00	BF 5586 left half

	26.09.40
	04.00	BF 5599 upper-center
		NE 4, large swell
	08.00	BF 6418 center-left	7 fishing vessels seen with lights set during the night.
		NE 5-6, Vis. good
	09.00		"U-47" in sight astern 180°.
			Boat steers zigzags.
	11.55	BF 6173 lower-center	Torpedo wake in sight course 100° from 240°.
		6 nm southwest of lighthouse Pen Men on Ile de Groix	Hard to starboard, port diesel ahead AK.
		6 nm southwest of lighthouse Pen Men on Ile de Groix	Starboard diesel astern AK.
			Track passes under the boat at the forward edge of the MG C/30.

	Sun and Moon Data 25.09.40
	Sun and Moon Data 26.09.40

- 16 -



	continued
	26.09.40		2nd track passes 10 meters ahead of the boat.
			Tracks visible in direction 240° for about 2000 meters. U-boat [enemy submarine] not seen. Boat continued at AK.
	11.58		4 torpedo detonations heard.
	12.00		Day's run: Surfaced 117 nm.
			Submerged 14 nm.
	12.25	On the mine route to Lorient	Boat runs behind mine escort and "U-47" to Lorient.
		Northwest of Pen Men	1 flying boat with German markings and 4 engines, foreign design, approaches us. Is fired on from land. Boat opens fire from MG C/30, target is covered, aircraft turns away to the NW.
			A light single-engine aircraft approaches us from the SE. Opened fire, target is covered, aircraft turns away. Afterwards continued with the mine escort.
	13.35	Lorient	Made fast.

Enclosures to U-138's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document

Chart Track chart covering entire patrol 13 - 26 September 1940

Torpedo Torpedo Firing Reports

Commentary of the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote

        A very good patrol for a small boat. Excellent performance during the attack on the convoy.

        The achievement of the Kommandanten was even greater, because it was made with a boat on its first war patrol.

Signed in draft:    D ö n i t z

For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote.

- The Chief of the Operations Department -

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	Enclosures to U-138's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document

Chart	Track chart covering entire patrol 13 - 26 September 1940

Torpedo	Torpedo Firing Reports