U-boat Archive - U-boat KTB - U-242 3rd War Patrol

Excerpt of the Radio Log of U-242

for the patrol from 11 July 1944 to 11.10.1944

1530/14/0191 (FS)	[FS = secure teletype]
Immediately report if torpedo mine mechanism is on board and what gear is necessary for deploying torpedo mines. Intend to forward missing parts with U-250.
		Kom.Abm.U-Boote MFS Reval

1514/18/0102
	Pancke
Today 21.00 hours be south of Pitkäpassi. Relief by Andersen 24 hours later at same location.
		9.S.D.

2143/18/0115
At relief point Nielsen not in sight. Going to Bengalen.
		Pancke

2237/18/0118
Relief is effected.		Pancke

1238/20/0175
	Sons
Today 23.30 with 3 AFP on archipelago route be south of Oriteaari to relieve Nielsen. 24 hours later Pancke be at the same point.
		9.S.D.

2032/20/0185
Before entrance into operations area wait return of the positioned boats. If it does not return on time, wait for one hour. Then report to 9.S.D. and await further orders.
		9.S.D.

1528/21/0107
	Pancke
Today 23.30 with 3 AFP be south of Oriteaari. Relief there 22 July 23.00 hours by Andersen anticipated. In Trinidad free to sink towed or self propelled magnet [not understood term] barges.
		9.S.D.

2048/21/0110
	Sons
Afterwards go to Koulukrok.
		9.S.D.

2028/21/0113
	Pancke and Stöffler
According to Finnish B-Dienst report 4 Russian S-boats have orders between 22.00 and 01.00 hours to be in the Ristniemi area. 2 Watch Boats at 23.00 hours are at 60°28.5'N, 25°21.5'E [typo 28°29.5'E]. AF-Gruppe notified accordingly.
		MVO.Finn.Flotte

1543/22/0137
	Group Schäcke
Today U-Anderson at 23.00 hours be south of Pien-Kalastaja and accompany Pancke back. New advance route is southeast of Pitkäpassi on course 70° on route south of Pien-Kalastaja. Confirm Radio Message.

0247/23/0155
19.20 hours at depth 16 meters depth charge attack by patrol vessel group. Little trained behavior of the enemy. At relief point S-Boats and artillery fire.
		Pancke

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- 2 -

1542/23/0167
	Sons
Today 23.30 hours be south of Pitkäpassi. Relief by Pancke anticipated.

2159/24/0105 kr.	2216/24/0107 kr.
	Stöffler
Task search south exit Koiviston and between Kiuskari and Nali to the southeast and make sure that Position 43 D 2 and 3 are occupied about from midnight. Return transit at own discretion. Report experiences by Radio Message. Bengalen remains unoccupied. Sons initially proceed to Grand Hotel, then go to Koukukrok.

2334/24/0111
On receiving Serial No. 0107 was already submerged off Bengalen. Revocation of intention in Serial No. 0107 previously requested. Am on return transit to Grand Hotel.
		Pancke

0053/25/0112 kr.
To clarify positions:
1.) Stöffler carry out task Koivistonsund.
2.) Pancke to Trinidad.
3.) Breckwoldt report position and return.
		9.S.D.

0129/25/0116
Position 142 A 37. Anticipate arrival Ristniemi 03.45 hours.
		Pancke

2248/24/0109 kr.
	Pancke
With escort 06.00 hours be south of Pitkäpassi for Trinidad relief. Breckwoldt leave observation position 02.00 hours. Go to new berth in Korkiasaari. Report experience concerning this place and the route there by Radio Message.
		9.S.D.

1429/25/0125
	Group Lindenberg
Today Nielsen escort, Pancke return. For this 06.00 hours be at Pittkäpasi. Confirm Radio Message.
		9.S.D.

0624/26/0144
Nielsen met.
		Pancke

0854/26/0148
Heavy operations of Russian aircraft is expected against Grand Hotel.
		Finn.Flottenstab

0946/26/0149
Pancke, Breckwoldt report departure time. Finnish Jäger requested as escort. Pancke for Risholm, Breckwoldt for Borgholm-Musholm, Schmidt to Pancke for Risholm.
		9.S.D.

1036/26/0152
10.30 departed Grand Hotel.
		Pancke

- 3 -

0916/26/0147 kr.
Grand Hotel and Miramare leave immediately to the west.
		9.S.D.

1237/27/0187
Risholm lying condition not better, as reported by Schunk and Nielsen.
		Pancke

1507/28/0129
Pancke 29 August 06.00 hours with escort be at Pitkäpassi for Trinidad. Sons for Esplanade.
		9.S.D.

1535/29/0175
	Schmidt
Today 24.00 hours with escort at Pien-Kalastaja for Trinidad. Pancke to Grand Hotel.
		9.S.D.

1449/31/0137
	Pancke
Get bearings from boats lying there and go to Helsinki West Harbor.
		9.S.D.

1240/23/0163
Pancke this evening go into operations area according to verbal instructions on Route 28 x via square 143 D 11.
		9.S.D.

2014/24/0103	Urgent
	U-Pancke
Two Finnish S-Boats advance by night to square 143 D 2 and 3, type Russian prize vessel.
		MVO Finn.Flotte

1150/31/0135
	Pancke
Night of 31 August to 1 September return transit on outbound route.
		9.S.D.

1927/31/0145 kr.
23.00 hours 7 Finnish S-Boats from west of Kiuskari at highest speed in area Narvi, from there 3 boats at silent running for square 119 A 3. Remaining 4 boats briefly to distract with loud engine noises at Narvi, then return.
		MVO. Finn.Flotte

1846/2/0161 kr.
All vessels of the 9.S.D. lying in Finland immediate readiness from 24.00 hours.
		9.S.D.

- 4 -

0336/2/0165
1.) von Rothkirch occupy Narviwatch Position 1.
2.) Nielsen, Pancke go to Reval for special task Adm.östl.Ostsee. Nilsen MVO Finn.Flotte bring radio troops and gear to Reval.
3.) Breckwoldt, Schunk, go to Masholm east edge, 60°20.6'N, 26°27.7'E put to sea to transit to Reval with U-Nielsen.

0525/3/0167 kr.
	All
All Finish ships. Put to sea under pretext, especially important steamers "GOTTFRIED", "NAJOJES", "OTTO" with war material in free travel to Finland.
		NOK Ost.

0830/3/0169
	9.S.D.
Departed 08.30 hours with U-Pancke and Nielsen. Radio troop Hamina embarked U-Nielsen. All patients taken from Finnish hospital ship .
		MVO on U-Pancke.

1248/3/0181
	All
Finnish have pledged full support. Under protection honorary German flag, avoid incidents, report difficulties.
		Adm.östl.Ostsee.

1150/25/0118	1158/25/0119 Urgent
1.) Pancke in the night of 25 to 26 return on Route 28 x. Advantageously with lightness on archipelago route.
2.) Stöffer depart at darkness on Route 28x and south of Narvi, then via square 143 D 11 into operations area. Be at Schepel 60°N 29°E 3 nm to the east and west.
3.) Breckwoldt at darkness on same route go into square 143 D 23 and 25.
4.) M.V.O. Finn.Flotte ordered measures.
5.) East of Seeigel attack on U-boats forbidden.

1541/25/0122 kr.
	Pancke, Stöffer
From the beginning of darkness, southeast of Pikkänen 2 Finnish gun boats with patrol vessel at the beginning of searchlight activity at Narvi, shot by K-Boats. From direction west of Hatti 6 S-Boats. Advance to square 119 A 29 and back.
		MVO.Finn.Flotte

1955/25/0142
25 August 10.11 hours in 144 C 75 stopped special vessel, type like dispatch ship "ASTRONOM" or "KOMPASS" about 600 tons with alongside positioned barge sunk. Depth 4 meters, MZ on, range 600 meters.
		Pancke

1938/25/0195
Finnish report B-Dienst 142 B 6 report at 19.04 hours one drifting mine in 143 A 41, at 19.13 hours one drifting mine in 142 B 38.
		MFS Reval

0914/26/0195
	U-Pancke
Good
		Kom.Adm.Östl.Ostsee.

- 5 -

1118/26/0148
	Pancke
Great, keep it up.
		Chef 9.S.D.

1127/29/0107
	Pancke
Tonight at the beginning of darkness depart into operations area "Schepel". Transit as with last operation.
		9.S.D.

1532/3/0186 kr.
From now use only German Recognition Signals.
		Adm.östl.Ostsee.

2356/3/0195	0013/4/0195
Contrary to previous orders only German Recognition Signals are valid in entire MGK Ost area. If still in the area Adm.östl.Ostsee for German coast defense Luftwaffe Recognition Signal cartridges apply, these contents remain valid. All positions from now given only in German Naval Squares or Jägertrapez chart.
		MGK Ost

0053/18/0167
	Pancke, Blaudow by Nohmann.
Torpedoes to the local emergency depot and load TMB. Pancke report completion.
		9.S.D.

1307/19/0178
	9.S.D.
1.) With Blaudow each 15 TMB loaded.
2.) Given up to load mines 1 T3 Fat 2, 4 T3a Fat 2, 1 T3, 3 T1 Fat 1.
3.) To MFP 866; 3 Pi 3, 1 Pi 1, 7 Pi 2, of these 6 unpacked.
4.) Both provisioned up to 30 September.
5.) Torpedo inventory: Blaudow 2 T 5 and 3 T3a Fat 1, Pancke 3 T5.
		Pancke

1148/20/0101
	9.S.D.
With "Blaudow" informed by "Brummer" concerning "Aquarius".
		Pancke

1149/20/0102	1155/20/0106 Urgent
	Pancke and Blaudow
Tonight depart for Kuckucksei [cuckhold eggs] 1 and 2. Nilhorn 1 has been laid according to plan, Nilhorn 2 will be laid tonight by 2 Minsch, 2 T and 2 U-Boats. The armistice conditions announced today saw the lease of Porkalla by the Russians. When departing report, why more than 10 torpedoes were offloaded and whether their safety is ensured.
		9.S.D.

1510/21/0119
	9.S.D.
First of Kuckucksei laid. Serial No. 0110 not solved. Last Serial No. 0111. Position AO 3517, going initially to Baltisch Port.
		Pancke

- 6 -

1853/21/0134 kr.
Pancke go to Nashorn-watch Position 1. Square 0236, 3514, 0239 and 3517 upper half. "Blaudow" to Position Ratte 2952 and 2953. All naval square AO.
		9.S.D.

0346/22/0150
	Pancke
Request position report.
		9.S.D.

0510/22/0131
Position AO 3547 in transit to operations area.
		Pancke

1322/26/0147
1.) Nilesen immediately to Memel, Pancke after relief go to Libau.
2.) Herglotz occupy Position 1 from Pancke.
		9.S.D.

0159/27/0153
Adm.östl.Ostsee announces:
1.) Finnish Russian armistice agreement obliged Finnish to help with the clearance of German minefields.
2.) Such activity means support for the enemy, against which force can be used even without a German - Finnish state of war.
		9.S.D.

1310/27/0156
	Pancke
Come to Windau to embark U-boat Operations Leader to Libau. Report arrival.
		9.S.D.

1628/27/0158
Arrival Windau 28 September 10.00 hours.
		Pancke

0900/2/0106
	Operations Leader
Arrived Pillau.
		Pancke

1509/2/0114
If operations area does not border other occupied operations area, the border is not unconditionally binding. For navigational or situational reasons abandonment is allowed, if necessary.
		Adm.östl.Ostsee.

1700/5/0152
	U-boat Operations Leader
Departed Pillau with 12 TMB. Request measure Libau from 03.00 hours.
		Pancke

1500/8/0188
	Operations Leader
1) Kuckucksei III laid.
2) Suspicion of traffic via this route is confirmed by a passing tug.
3) East side of "Makilucto" AO 3513 2 beautiful stopped steamers. Opportunity for flying boat.
4) Anticipated arrival Libau 9 October 14.00 hours.
		Pancke

- 7 -

1925/8/0192
3 fast small vessels in AO 0256, southerly course.
		Pancke


2032/8/0195
Reported vessels patrolling on north-south courses.
		Pancke


0800/11/136
	Operations Leader
Made fast Danzig, Radio off, teletype communications via U-boat Base.
		Pancke