U-boat Archive - U-boat KTB - U-186 1st War Patrol

Excerpt of the Radio Log

Patrol of "U-186" from 31. 12. 42 to 5. 3. 43.

04.01.43 01.29 "Coastal"Circuit

"Hesemann", "Borchers", "Heine" morning 08.00 hours switch to "Ireland" Circuit.

09.01.43 03.45 "Ireland" Circuit

On 9 January 08.00 hours "Borchers", "Hesemann", "Heine", "Mengersen", U-69, U-20 switch to "Diana" Circuit, U-563, U-664, switch to "Coastal" Circuit.

09.01.43 18.16 "Diana" Circuit

Convoy naval square AK 3338, course 150°, Karpf reports.

09.01.43 20.00 "Borchers", "Hesemann", "Heine" operate on Karpf-convoy.

09.01.43 20.37 14.00 hours forced to submerge by destroyer, sound bearings several destroyers and steamers, out of sight again in a rain squall.

09.01.43 20.44 "Hesemann", "Borchers", "Heine" continue transit to objective.

10.01.43 22.49 "Borchers", "Hesemann", "Heine", "Kremser", "Soden", "Keßler" at economical transit speed occupy patrol line from AL 7411 to 7849. Boats form Group "Habicht".

11.01.43 04.40 Naval square AL 2882 easterly course steering independent sunk, 6000 GRT. Going to position. SSE 2, abating, 984 mb, Vis. medium. U-186.

14.01.43 18.42 Group "Habicht" 16 January 00.00 hours be in patrol line from AL 4841 to 8489.

14.01.43 22.26 Take up of patrol lines of Group "Falke" and "Habicht" for 16 January not at 00.00 hours instead at 08.00 hours.

15.01.43 10.26 New named order of Group "Habicht" from NW to SE: U-226, "Hesemann", "Kremser", "Heine", "Keßler", "Franzius", "Soden", Köppe", U-752.

15.01.43 12.27 Radio silence except for tactically important reports for Group "Habicht" still in effect. Only report aircraft sightings if seen with certainty, or if behavior suggests close escort for convoy. Thorough monitoring of the assigned area. Do not get tired in lookout. Better times are coming.

16.01.43 10.46 Group "Habicht" 11.00 hours, 330°, 6 knots.

16.01.43 12.26 Group "Falke" and "Habicht" stop tomorrow at 04.30 hours. Occupy reached position line "Falke" from square AD 8835 to AK 6362, "Habicht" from square AL 4171 to 7229.

17.01.43 10.50 If no contact up to evening "Falke" and "Habicht" from 19.00 hours as reconnaissance line with course 270° and speed 6 knots. On 18 January 10.30 hours come about, course 90°, 6 knots.



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17.01.43 12.08 "Falke" and "Habicht" at 13.00 hours course east, speed 6 knots, Orders concerning westerly advance etc. from darkness remain in effect.

18.01.43 09.25 Group "Falke" and "Habicht" from 10.30 hours contrary to first order only 4 knots.

18.01.43 13.23 Group "Falke" and "Habicht" 14.00 hours remain in reached position as patrol line and monitor.

18.01.43 18.50 Group "Falke" and "Habicht" 19.30 hours course 270°, 6 knots.

18.01.43 20.45 "Falke" and "Habicht" on 19 January 11.30 hours remain in position in reached position line from naval square 7926 to 6142 and 6181 to 9317.

19.01.43 17.47 If there is no contact up to 20.00 hours patrol line Group "Falke" and "Habicht" dissolved. Boats carry on in the following disposition: 1) Group "Haudegen" in named order Huth, U-286, "Clausen", "Drewitz", "Gräf", U-201, "Döhler", "Mengersen", "Borchers", "Hesemann", "Kremser", "Heine", "Franzius", "Soden", "Kessler", "Köppe", U-752 on 22 January at 13.00 hours be in reconnaissance line from AJ 3141 to AL 4691 [typo AK 4691], course 210°, speed of advance 5 knots.

20.01.43 03.11 "Steter", "Teichert", "Münnich", "Tinschert" and "Forstner" 20 January 08.00 hours switch to "Diana" Circuit, same circuit for Thurmann, "Wolf", "Franke" and "Maßmann 12 hours after giving passing report. Group "Haudegen" switch to "Hubertus" Circuit from 20 January 20.00 hours.

22.01.43 12.58 "Hubertus" Circuit

"Haudegen" 1) U-201, Grewitz, Gräf at highest speed pursue Gräf-report. 2) Remaining boats remain in position line at 13.00 hours as patrol line.

22.01.43 14.33 Kr Kr Convoy naval square AK 7422                         "Hellriegel"

22.01.43 16.39 Haudegen 1) immediately course southeast, speed 10 knots. Operation on "Hellriegel"-convoy. 2) Gräf, Drewitz, U-201, continue pursuit. If no contact by darkness, course 210°, transit speed disposition at Group "Jaguar" intended.

22.01.43 17.15 Sighted formation apparently a U-boat hunting group. Position naval square AK 7419.                                                               "Hellriegel"

22.01.43 18.20 Group "Haudegen" in old named order without "Drewitz" "Gräf" and "Rosenberg" on 23 January at 12.00 hours be in reconnaissance line from AK 4313 to 8379 and proceed on course 235°, and speed 6 knots.

22.01.43 18.34 Suspicion confirmed. Search group, southerly course, no convoy, question continuing return transit.                        "Hellriegel"

23.01.43 12.37 Haudegen remain in ordered position line from 12.00 hours as patrol line

23.01.43 21.20 Group "Haudegen" immediately course 300°, speed 9 knots.

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23.01.43 22.54 Group "Haudegen" without boats 2 and 3. Disposition to detect "Jaguar"-convoy intended. Convoy located by garbled report 10.00 hours about naval square AJ 7990.

24.01.43 11.45 1) Group "Haudegen" from "Huth" to U-752 on 25 January at 11.30 hours be in patrol line from AJ 23 to AK 4178. 2) To lengthen the line Heidemann occupy naval square 0389 of the large square west of disguised square UB, "Gräf" square AJ 2235. Both boats rejoin Group "Haugegen".

25.01.43 13.54 Group "Haudegen" from U-268 to U-752 on 26 January at 08.00 hours in new patrol line from AD 9533 to AK 4183.

25.01.43 16.50 Group "Haudegen" if contact holder reports are received from Poel-convoy operate on your own without operational orders from Leadership.

26.01.43 12.31 "Haudegen" monitor faultlessly. Convoy must pass the line during the day.

26.01.43 18.42 1 destroyer, AJ 3438, course 110°.                            U-186.

26.01.43 19.45 Because not heard by the homeland (sent on CA) sent on PY and

20.06 sent on KV, without being heard.

20.39 If no contact "Rosenberg, Drewitz, Gretschel, Wächter, Thäter" join old group "Haudegen", currently in named order "Heydemann", "Gräf", "Huth", "Clausen", "Döhler", "Mengersen", "Borchers", "Hesemann", "Kremser", "Heine", "Franzius", "Soden", "Kessler", "Köppe", U-752 in patrol line from AD 9533 to AJ 4183 interval 20 nm. Up to 27 January 08.00 hours insert: "Rosenberg" between "Mengersen" and "Borchers" "Drewitz" between "Borchers" and "Hesemann" etc. "Gretschel, Wächter and "Thäter" each between the two next boats, so "Thäter" between "Heine" and "Franzius".

New Group "Haudegen" on 27 January at 08.00 hours proceed on 28 January in new position line from AJ 2214 to AK 4816 with uniform intervals.

21.44 Position naval square AJ 35, broad sound band from 260-290°, in pursuit.

                                                                                   Thäter.

23.00 Kr Kr Destroyer square 3195, easterly course, second heard, suspect escort.

                                                                                   U-226.

27.01.43 01.00 Kr Kr Naval square AJ 3443 noticed by destroyer, dived. No "Asdic". Destroyer runs off on easterly course.                          Jessen.

01.08 Broad sound bearing naval square AJ 3439, bearing 180-150°T.

                                                                                   Jessen.

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27.01.43 01.52 Group "Haudegen" at highest speed operate on destroyer report and sound bearings. Suspect awaited convoy. Assumed course NE to E.

04.09 Position naval square AJ 3465, broad sound band 0-40°, destroyer and steamer sounds. Pursuing at highest speed.

                                                                                   Thäter.

10.18 02.30 hours in AJ 3546 destroyer sounds in 0-320°T and 260°T, NW 0-1, +16°C, 8-10/10, cloudiness and Vis. changing, bright moon, slight Swell, 1002 mb, operation [broken off] due to fuel, going to supply.

                                                                                   Jessen.

21.58 If no contact break off operation. Group "Haudegen" on 30 January 12.00 hours be in new patrol line from AJ 2442 to AK 7132. Named order: "Wächter, Manke, Thäter, Gretschel, Hesemann, Heyedemann, U-69, Huth, Rosenberg, Clausen, Drewitz, Döhler, Mengersen, Borchers, Kremser, Heine, Franziuos, Soden, Keßler, Köppe and U-752.

Passing of a NE-bound convoy is expected on 30 January.

28.01.43 06.18 Group "Haudegen" do not operate further on unsighted, unconfirmed sound bearings. Begin transit to patrol line.

30.01.43 12.12 "Hesemann, Struckmeier, Forstner, and Lohmann" report weather by Short Signal by 17.00 hours.

16.30 57°N, 6°W, rising, 990 mb, +4°C, NW 9-10, Vis. up to 10 nm, Cumulonimbus, NW high.                                          U-186.

31.01.43 12.58 Passing of 3 north and NE steering and a SW steering convoy can be expected by 2 February. Monitor well, however generally more economical fuel consumption.

01.02.43 11.43 Group "Haudegen" today at 12.00 hours proceed as reconnaissance line with speed of advance 3 knots and SW course. On 2 February be in position line from 1956 to 9633, on 3 February in position line from 4381 to 9911 each at 12.00 hours. Both AJ.

02.02.43 14.03 Convoy in naval square AJ 1943, course 10°.           Wächter.

15.22 Kr Kr Convoy FW 1921, course 0°, speed 10 knots, to now only 3 steamer. 2 corvettes distinguished.

15.26 Group "Haudegen" Northwest wing of the group up to and including "Drewitz" without "Gräf" operate on Wächter-report in square 1943.

16.16 Have contact on Wächter-convoy naval square AJ 1929.

                                                                                   Manke.

16.28 Convoy AJ 1687, course 0°, SW 3-4, Vis. good, snow showers.

                                                                                   Wächter.

17.56 Convoy AJ 1932, northerly course, speed 10 knots.

                                                                                   Manke.

17.22 Convoy up to 5 steamers, square AJ 1682.               Wächter.

18.38 Enemy position square AJ 1654.

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02.02.43 19.38 Convoy naval square 1667, course 15°, speed 10 knots, Greenland possible, 5 steamers, 2 escorts distinguished, light snow showers.

                                                                                   Manke.

21.57 Boats operating on Wächter-convoy form Group "Nordsturm".

22.31 Convoy 3 steamers 4 torpedo boats, AJ 1189 [typo 1389?], zigzags between 0° and 50°, 10 knots. During submerged attack too great shooting range due to zigzag away. In pursuit Wächter.

23.38 Enemy naval square AJ 1392, northerly course, speed 10 knots, snow showers.                                                                   Manke.

03.02.43 00.36 Contact lost 22.00 hours. Convoy position 1386, course 20°, strong visibility reduction due to snow.                               Wächter.

02.10 Enemy position AJ 3887 [typo ÄA 3887], course 0°.                           Wächter.

04.30 Enemy located naval square AA 3882, speed 12 knots, course 20°.

                                                                                   Wächter.

06.43 Naval square ÄA 3852 04.52 hours 5 single shots 3 hits, 1 certainly sunk, 6000-7000 GRT. Hunted by escort. Star shells. Position 3864. Contact lost. Broke off pursuit. 62 cbm.                                Wächter.

12.51 Group "Nordsturm" pursue up to the coast. Penetrate if opportunity is favorable.

22.45 To "Nordsturm" if there are no further attack opportunities, set off to the south. Report fuel inventory.

04.02.43 17.00 Naval square ÄA 3861 trap 200 GRT motor ship, initially with Danish flag, forward cannon disguised as gangway. Was shot at, no hits. 94 cbm. If there is an opportunity, discharge of a patient requested, crushed finger.

                                                                                   Hesemann.

05.02.43 18.22 Group "Nordsturm" with economical speed occupy the following squares as temporary attack area: "Manke" 58, "Hesemann" 59, "Wächter" 83, "Gretschel" 91, "Heyedemann" 95, all AJ. Operation on NE-bound convoy intended.

13.24 Group "Nordsturm" from 3 February there are English attack reports from about ÄA 3930 and 0382 relevant boats report if attacked or attacked themselves.

08.02.43 12.40 Group "Nordsturm" from 12.00 hours course 225°, economical transit speed.

09.02.43 20.28 Group "Nordsturm dissolved. Boats join Group "Haudegen" and occupy with depth 40 nm the following positions: "Manke" 7849, "Hesemann" 7972, both AJ, "Wächter" 1255, "Gretschel" 1384, "Heydemann" 1695 all BC.

10.02.43 12.15 "Haudegen" with economical transit speed course 70°.

12.20 Group "Haudegen" passing of a NE-steering convoy in same area as the group suspected from today.

13.16 To Group "Haudegen"

1) "Döhler" pursue.

2) "Gretschel" operate on "Döhler" report.

3) Remaining boats course 45°, 7 knots.

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10.02.43 23.23 Group "Haudegen": If there is no contact by 23.00 hours, course 45°, economical speed. Stop on 11 February at 12.00 hours. Remain in reached position.

12.25 NE-steering convoy was expected in your area. Don't go soft.

17.45 To contract the disposition of Group "Haudegen" named boats occupy the following positions: Hesemann 7595, "Gräf" 8716, "Clausen" 8887, all AJ, 2433, "Drewitz" 2813, both BC, "Mengersen" BC 5218. Depth for all 30 nm. Begin return transit first at 20 cbm.

11.02.43 20.51 Boats of Group Haudegen occupy the following positions depth 40 nm:

"Manke" 7574 "Clausen" 1356

"Wächter" 7685 "Gretschel" 2156

"Hesemann" 7838 "Döhler" 2419

"Gräf" 7995 "Borchers" 2549

"Rosenberg" 8764 All AJ "Drewitz" 2725

"Heine" 2848

All BC

"Mengersen" 5152

"Kremser" 5514 All BC

If longer than 2 days of fog and bad visibility "Mengersen" report weather.

15.02.43 17.37 Occupy the following attack areas:

"Manke"
Square 87

"Hesemann"
88

Both AJ

"Wächter"
21

"Clausen"
22

Both BC

"Gretschel"
25

BC

Boats form Group "Taifun".

15.02.43 17.43 To "Haudegen" group dissolved.

17.02.43 15.41 Convoy square AJ 9982, course 225°.                        "Gräf".

16.07 Convoy naval square AJ 9982, course 225°, reported from "Gräf".

16.23 Naval square AJ 9986, course 230°, speed 9 knots. "Gräf".

16.32 Group "Taifun" and returning Haudegen boats, as far as possible, operate on "Gräf"-convoy. Supply for return transit is available in BD 42.

17.15 Over 20 steamers, widely separated. No remote escort. Naval square AJ 9988, course 115°, 9 knots, 36 cbm.                  "Gräf".

20.22 U-201 sighted convoy 20.00 hours naval square BC 3211, course 220°.

20.37 Correction Lambda, Convoy naval square BC 3228, course 210°, 9 knots.

                                                                              "Gräf".

21.37 U-69 reports 20.57 hours naval square BC 3252, course 210°.

21.43 BC 3136, course 220°, speed 8 knots.                      "Rosenberg".

22.33 Rosenberg reports 22.07 hours convoy naval square BC 3136, course 220°, speed 8 knots.

22.50 Request bearing signals from contact holder.             "Mengersen".

23.02 To former Haudegen boats and "Taifun". Utilize your last chances. If necessary supply point will shift to the southwest.

18.02.43 02.48 Last received report from 22.07 hours. Suspect speed of advance of Gräf-convoy 9 knots, general course 220-230°.

03.22 Group "Taifun" and all boats, operate on the Gräf-convoy, report position.

04.02 My position is square BC 3417.                                 U-186.

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18.02.43 06.52 Reported positions:

"Borchers" 3799 14 cbm

"Clausen" 3415

"Heine" 3483

"Gretschel" 2563

"Hesemann" 3433

"Drewitz" 6231 All naval square BC

"Kremser" 4278 BD

Additionally: Volume up to 3, mostly garbled.

Pointer: All circuits are available as transmitting frequencies.

17.16 1 destroyer, 3 steamers, square BC 3473, course 270°.   Clausen.

18.26 2 destroyers, 3 steamers, square BC 3472, weapons use not possible due to weather conditions.                                                 Clausen.

22.20 Naval square BC 2693, course 230°, speed 6 knots. Clausen.

22.34 Operate on "Clausen" report. There are still more. As long as getting there is possible, shoot. Possibly across the sea. The destroyers are powerless.

22.48 Enemy report: "Clausen" naval square BC 3447, course 270°. Speed less than 4 knots. Mengersen requests bearing signals from contact holder.

23.43 Naval square BC 2696, course 250°, 6 knots.          Clausen.

19.02.43 00.28 Enemy located square BC 2695, speed 5 knots.          Clausen.

02.38 10 steamers naval square BC 2692, transmitting bearing signals since 21.00 hours.                                                                      Clausen.

02.57 Convoy BC 3794, course 230°.                                 U-226.

04.39 Forced to submerge by locating, naval square BC 3786, course 260°, low speed, 10 cbm.                                                       Borchers.

05.01 My position naval square BC 2657, up to now no bearing signals heard.

                                                                                  U-186.

05.06 Convoy square BC 2682, course 270°, speed 6 knots, stand by for bearing signals.                                                                      Clausen.

05.25 Convoy square BC 3785, course 240°, 8 knots.         Borchers.

05.40 "Kremser" position 3788, "Hesemann" position 2657, naval square BC, according to Serial No. 870 Clausen transmits.

Breaking off patrol due to fuel shortage.                       U-226.

06.30 Clausen-convoy 06.07 hours naval square BC 2685, course 240°.

07.54 Convoy square BC 2676.                                          Clausen.

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19.02.43 10.33 10.30 hours, broke off, 10 cbm, low frequency transmitter out of service since 06.00.                                                             Clausen.

10.23 To Group "Taifun" "Haudegen" and "Clausen": attack.

13.24 "Clausen" reports convoy naval square BC 2647, course 260°, 6 knots.

14.45 Group "Taifun" if there is no contact by the beginning of lightness, break off search and go to supply square naval square 4255.

15.54 Convoy up to 5 steamers, BC 2938, course 250°, speed 7 knots.

                                                                                   Drewitz.

16.05 Request bearing signals from contact holder.

                                                                                   U-186.

16.39 Operate on "Drewitz" report. "Drewitz" attack and hold contact as long as possible. Send bearing signals.

17.29 New position of the enemy is BC 2629, course 260°, speed 6 knots.

                                                                                   Drewitz.

17.40 Boats of Group "Taifun" and "Haudegen" after breaking off operation run to supply square at economical speed. Arriving boats drift. Lowest fuel consumption. A total of 11 boats to supply. 9 medium at most 28 cbm, 2 large boats fill to 35 cbm. No hidden reserves because otherwise the entire supply is in question. Each third boat after setting off report completion. All boats including "Schnoor" after supply return transit to France.

17.45 New enemy position from "Drewitz" 17.29 hours naval square BC 2629, course 260°, speed 6 knots.

18.37 To Serial No. 893:

Suspect naval square 2929. "Drewitz" immediately correct, if assumption is incorrect.

19.56 Beginning of my last Short Signal is incorrectly interpreted and must mean: BC 2629, course 240°, speed 4 knots.                   Drewitz.

19.29 2 destroyers naval square BC 2595, course NE, dived unnoticed, still 30 cbm, W 9, snow showers, Vis. 2 nm, 990 mb, steady. Gretschel.

22.11 19.50 hours three-miss. W 8, high sea, convoy located naval square BC 2652, course 240°, 4 knots, must supply.                   Drewitz.

22.30 Serial No. 893 and 894 settled.

Correct position is BC 2629, course 240°, speed 4 knots.

20.02.43 12.31 "Drewitz-convoy" searched for without results. Began return transit to naval square BC 2591, 31 cbm, WSW 7, overcast, snow, Vis. 1-6 nm, 1014 mb.

                                                                                   Hesemann.

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20.02.43 12.16 To "Taifun" if by dawn no contact no further operations, report fuel and go to supply place.

22.22 "Hesemann" and "Riegle" tonight report weather by Short Signal.

23.52 50°N, 44°W rising, 1022 mb, +12°C, Vis. up to 2 nm, Stratus, 3-4/10, SW-Swell high.                                                           U-186.

21.02.43 Supply group "Schnoor", new meeting point is BC 4595 [typo BD 4595]. Supply is to be completed at darkness. SW-bound convoy at the moment in naval square BD 37. Group "Ritter" and "Knappen" are operating on it. Information concerning ongoing operation for any short-term operation follows.

22.02.43 09.37 Boats at "Schnoor", as far as possible operate on convoy. Efficient fuel consumption, in 5 days "Vowe" will be in BD 91 for further supply. Operating boats switch to "Diana" Circuit and on this Circuit report operational intentions by Short Signal.

19.20 To Supply Group "Schnoor". Due to westerly convoy course meeting point shifted to naval square 4355.

20.04 Convoy BD 5441.                                                      Döhler.

20.20 BD 4630, course 250°.                                              Hasenschar.

20.29 Stand by for my bearing signals.                               Hasenschar.

21.22 My position is BD 4278. Operating on west-bound convoy.

                                                                                   U-186.

22.56 Enemy located naval square BD 4653, course 240°, speed 7 knots. Star shells over convoy.                                                    Hasenschar.

22.46 Convoy naval square BD 4665.                               Ölrich.

23.02.43 04.39 Convoy square BD 4641.                                           Wächter.

05.22 Enemy located naval square BD 4675, course 250°.   Hesemann.

05.37 Convoy square BD 4566, course 230°, speed 8 knots. Wächter.

05.54 Convoy square BD 4566, course 240°, speed 7 knots. Hasenschar.

12.32 Freighter 7000 GRT sunk, steamer 6000 GRT probably sunk, stern already awash, hit on 2 further vessels, effects not observed. Contact lost. Last position of convoy BD 4835.                                      Hesemann.

15.47 Naval square BD 4835 wounded tanker "EULIMA" sunk. 1 Eto 6 Ato below over deck, 20 cbm, going to supplier.

24.02.43 18.52 Positioned at ordered meeting point, to rendezvous send bearing signals in accordance with War Orders.                                    U-186.

19.35 Wächter and Heine should take over the rest of the fuel from "Schnoor" afterwards all three boats return transit. "Hesemann, Manke, Hackländer, Gretschel" and further boats breaking off go to BD 4111 to supply from "Vowe".

20.48 Am already at "Schnoor" request exchange with "Heine".

                                                                                   Hesemann.

22.18 Hesemann and Wächter supply at "Schnoor", Heine go to Vowe.

28.02.43 15.19 Return harbors: Lorient for Schwandke and Hessemann.

03.03.43 06.00 Am 48 hours off meeting point with escort.

17.01 Escort positioned on 5 March 06.30 hours at Point Laterne.

                                                                                   10. U-Flottille