U-355's KTB covers the period from August 25, 1942 to March 6, 1943 and the operational patrol in Northern Waters from February 2, 1943 to March 6, 1943

Other U-boats encountered in the course of the patrol are listed below:

U-boat Commander Departed Returned Successes U-302 Kptlt. Herbert Sickel Kaafjord 2 Feb 43 Narvik 21 Feb 43 None U-251 Kptlt. Heinrich Timm Narvik 18 Mar 43 Narvik 21 Apr 43 None U-255 Kptlt. Reinhart Reche Narvik 22 Feb 43 Narvik 15 Mar 43 2 ships from RA-53 U-622 Kptlt. Horts-Thilo Queck Skjomenfjord 9 Feb 43 Narvik 15 Mar 43 None U-629 Oblt. Hans-Helmuth Buggs Bergen 24 Feb 43 Trondheim 29 Apr 43 None U-657 Kptlt. Heinrich Göllnitz Hammerfest 15 Feb 43 Narvik 15 Mar 43 None

Convoys encountered on this patrol are listed below:

Convoy Ships Escorts Departed Arrived Losses JW-53 28 47 Loch Ewe 15 Feb 43 Kola Inlet 27 Feb 43 None RA-53 30 36 Kola Inlet 1 Mar 43 Loch Ewe 14 Mar 43 4 ships

 

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	OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE
	W A R   D I A R Y
	OF
	GERMAN SUBMARINE U "355"
	Commanding Officer:  Lieutenant La Baume
	From:  25 August 1942
	To:        6 March 1943
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	OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE
	NAVY DEPARTMENT
	Foreword
	The following pages contain the log of a mission of Lt. La Baume, Commanding Officer of German Submarine U "355".  Lt. La Baume is not a successful commander, and the mission described here is of interest not for its results but for the particular conditions under which it was carried out.  The log is noteworthy because of its varied observations on weather and operating conditions in Far Northern waters during a season when both are extremely severe.  It should be valuable as a study of how men and material were affected by the arctic winter.
	The translation was made a the request of the Commanding Officer, U.S. Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut.
	Washington, D.C.
	1947
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           25 Aug. '42   Narvik   Refuelling.           26 Aug.   Vest Fjord     1350       Left Narvik on cruise to Bergen.  Nothing to report.           27 Aug.   North Atlantic     0910   AF 3781   Test dive.           1200   6112,                               SW8, sea 7, cloudy, moderate visibility   Day's run:  224.5 miles surfaced; 1.5 miles submerged.                                             Nothing to report.           28 Aug.         1200   5793   Day's run:  194.2 miles surfaced.     SSW 3, sea 4, cloudy, rain, poor visibility.   Nothing to report.           29 Aug.         1130   Hellisoe   Rendezvous with escort.           1430   Bergen   Tied up at Marineholm.           30 Aug.         to   Bergen   Overhaul in shipyard. 5 Oct.                   3 Oct.         to   Bergen   Shipyard test run and outfitting. 5 Oct                   6 Oct.   Bergen     1700       Left base on cruise to Narvik.  Nothing to report.           7 Oct.   North Atlantic     1200   AF 8446   Nothing to report.     SSE 6, sea 6, cloudy, poor visibility   Day's run:  159 miles surfaced; 7.0 miles submerged.           8 Oct.         0353   8776                                 SW 6, sea 6, cloudy, moderate visibility,   Belated receipt of Radiogram 1404 of 7 October from Admiral, Arctic Ocean; "Proceed to Trondheim immediately, report arrival at Grip."           0715       Set Radiogram 0450:  "Did not receive Radiogram 1404 of 7 October until now.  We are located in AF 5624.  Will arrive at Grip 1900.           1200   5911                                  SSE 4; sea 4, cloudy, moderate   Day's run:  264.2 miles surfaced; 7.8 miles submerged.           1905   Griphoelen   Rendezvous with escort.           9 Oct.         0217   Trondheim   Tied up in the Navy Yard.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           10 Oct.         to   Trondheim   On alert for open water torpedo firing exercise off Grip. 10 Nov.                   11 Nov.   Trondheim   Left base on cruise to Bergen. 0930       Nothing to report.           12 Nov.   Northern North Sea   Nothing to report. 1200   AF 8424, SSW 6, sea 5, cloudy, good visibility   Day's run:  130.3 miles surfaced; 15.2 miles submerged.           13 Nov.         0845   Hellisoe   Rendezvous with escort. 1245   Bergen   Tied up at Marineholm.           14 Nov.         to   Bergen   On alert for open water torpedo firing exercise off Marstein. 7 Dec.                   8 Dec.         to   Bergen   Overhaul in shipyard. 18 Jan. '43                   19 Jan. '43         to   Bergen   Shipyard test runs, outfitting, and training of personnel 25 Jan.                   26 Jan.   Bergen     1430       Left base on cruise to Narvik.  Nothing to report           27 Jan.   North Atlantic     1200   AF 8412   Nothing to report.     W 7, sea 6, cloudy, moderate visibility.   Day's run:  166.0 miles surfaced; 5.7 miles submerged.           28 Jan.         1200   5368   Nothing to report     SE 5, sea 4, cloudy, good visibility.   Day's run:  215.6 miles surfaced; 6.2 miles submerged.           29 Jan.   Vest Fjord     1200   3529, SE 4, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility   Day's run:  186.8 miles surfaced; 16.0 miles submerged.           1800   Narvik   Tied up alongside of GRILLE.           30 Jan.         to   Narvik   Repair ship KAMERUN replaces the damaged Junkers compressor. 1 Feb.                   2 Feb.         0800   Narvik   Left base on third mission against the enemy.           0845   Ofot Fjord   Trim test.           1800   And Fjord   Passed Andenes on our way out.  According to our departure orders I am to head for AB 5580.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           2 Feb.         2300   AB 9466                           W 2, sea 1, cloudy, visibility 3-5 miles.   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "Report your location 0800, 3 February by short-code signal."           3 Feb.   North Atlantic     0400   AB 9184   Nothing to report.     NW 4, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.               0800       Despite repeated transmission our short-code location signal is not being picked up.           0940   8339   Submerged to lay ship on an even keel.           1008   NNW 4, sea 4, showers, moderate visibility.   Surfaced.           1200   5988                                   N 5, sea 4, hail shower, moderate visibility.   Day's run:  274.6 miles surfaced; 1.9 miles submerged.           1356       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "Head for AB 6148; then take up position in AB 6320 and AB 6350, which will be your zone of operations."           1710   5943                                   N 4, sea 4, cloudy, moderate visibility   We submerge, because ice forming on the antenna has stopped short-wave reception.               In view of the low temperatures prevailing at present (around -10° C) it is necessary to submerge several times a day.  This will guarantee constant readiness to dive and uninterrupted communications.           1900   5927   Surfaced.     N 4-5, sea 4, cloudy, good visibility.               2400   5685   Nothing to report.     NNW 5, sea 5, cloudy, moderate visibility.               4 Feb.         0031   5685   Submerged.           0114       Surfaced.           0320   5684   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "Report your location."     W 4, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility   Since the short-code signal does not carry this time either, we report our location and the weather via normal radio communication.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           4 Feb.         0800   Vicinity of Bear Island.    AB 5632   Nothing to report.     NNW 4, sea 3, cloudy, moderate visibility.               1000   5398   Submerged           1100       Surfaced.           1200   5393                                    NW 3, sea 3, cloudy, snow flurries.   Day's run:  124.3 miles surfaced; 7.1 miles submerged.           1600   6183         WNW, sea 3, cloudy, snow flurries.               2000   6247   Nothing to report.     NW 4, sea 3, cloudy, misty, snow flurries.               2400   6267         NNW 4, sea 3, cloudy, moderate visibility.               5 Feb.         0115   6325   We have reached our zone of operations.  Bear Island comes into sight on a true bearing of 050°.           0400   6355   Nothing to report.     WNW 4, sea 3, cloudy, snow squalls, good visibility otherwise.               0800   Vicinity of Bear Island.  6352                                   NW 3, sea 3, cloudy, fog and showers.   Submarine U "302" is sighted in 180° true.  Recognition signals are exchanged.  U "302" asks for code material for the month of March, since they do not have it on board.           1015   6334   We threw a line and passed a bag with the code material to "U 302".  We did so in the lee of Bear Island and close to the ice border, which runs west and southeast of Bear Island.           1200   AB 6325                             NW 3, sea 4, cloudy, moderate visibility, light drift ice.   I intend to shuttle north and south along western limit of my operational zone, as there is deep water there and I will not be hampered by ice.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           5 Feb.         1417   6324   Submerged.           1531   NNE 2, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.   Surfaced.           2000   6354   Nothing to report.     NE 2, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.               2350   6321   Practice crash-dive.           2400   NNE 3, sea 3, cloudy, moderate visibility.   Surfaced.           6 Feb.         0400   6357   Nothing to report.     N 2, sea 2, cloudy, good visibility.               0800   6324                                  NE 3, sea 2, cloudy, moderate visibility.   The northerly wind pushed the drift ice border as far south as Quadrant 6325.           1007   6327   Submerged.           1115       Surfaced.           1200   6354                                  NE 4, sea 3, cloud 6/10, fog patches, visibility 1 mile.   Day's run:  161.0 miles surfaced; 6.6 miles submerged.           1500   6354   Submerged to use listening gear.     NNE 3, sea 3, cloudy, fog, visibility 100 meters.               1909   Vicinity of BEar Island, 6327   Surfaced.  Better visibility cannot be expected while this northerly wind prevails.     NNE 2, sea 1, cloudy, frosty fog, poor visibility.               2200   6357   Submerged to use listening gear.     NNE 3, sea 2, cloudy, fog, visibility 100 m.               7 Feb.         0215   AB 6357   Surfaced.  The drift ice border has moved south up to 6354.     NE 4, sea 3, frosty fog, visibility below 100 m.               0347   6384   Submerged to use listening gear.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           7 Feb.         0721   6387                                  NNE 3,  sea 4, cloudy, frosty fog, visibility 100 m.   Surfaced.  My short-code signal:  :Hampered by ice, shifting position to AB 6380" is not picked up in spite of the fact that it is sent repeatedly and over several wave lengths.           1200   6357                                 NNE 6, sea 4, cloud 7/10, frosty fog, visibility 100 m.   Day's run:  73.5 miles surfaced; 21.3 miles submerged.           1333   6354   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "5620 and northern half of 6650 your new zone of operations beginning 0800, 8 February."           1530   6357   Submerged to use listening gear.     NNE 5, sea 3, cloud 6/10, frosty fog, poor visibility.               1930   6384   Surfaced.           1946   NNE 4, sea 3, cloudy, frosty fog, visibility 50 m.   Submerged to use listening gear.           8 Feb.         0035   6621   Surfaced.     N 5, sea 4, cloudy, fog, poor visibility.               0142   6624   Submerged to use listening gear.           0753   6551   Surfaced.     NNE 3, sea 2, cloudy, fog, poor visibility.               1106   6655                                 NNE 4, sea 3, cloudy, fog patches, greatly varying visibility.   Submerged to use listening gear.  In view of the extremely low visibility which has been prevailing without letup, use of the listening gear appears to be the only effective means for keeping our operational zone under control.           1308   Vicinity of Bear Island 6655.   Surfaced.         Day's run:  42.2 miles surfaced; 29.6 miles submerged.           1700   6621   Submerged to use our listening gear.     NNW 4, sea 3, cloudy, fog, visibility 1000 m.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           8 Feb.         1753   AB 6621   Surfaced.           2000   6625   Nothing to report.     N 3, sea 3, cloudy, poor visibility.               2215   6654                                 NNE 3, sea 2, cloudy, fog, visibility 1000 m.   Submerged to use listening gear and check the Diesel engines.           9 Feb.         0133   6646   Surfaced.           0400   6616   Nothing to report.     N 3, sea 2, cloudy, fog, visibility 1000 m.               0716   6623   Submerged to use listening gear.     N 2, sea 2, cloudy, misty, moderate visibility.               0805       Surfaced           1200   6657                                 SSE 2, sea 1, cloud 5/10, good visibility   Day's run:  128.9 miles surfaced; 12.9 miles submerged.           1500   6621                                 E 2, sea 2, cloud 7/10 good visibility.   The first decent fix in four days; set 13.5 miles on 208°.           2000   6648         SE 3, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.               2400   6631   Nothing to report.     ESE 4, sea 4, cloud 4/10, good visibility.               10 Feb.         0400   6621         ESE 7, sea 6, cloudy, good visibility.               0800   6624   Nothing to report.     ESE 7, sea 6, cloudy, Moderate visibility.               1200   Vicinity of Bear Island  AB 6651   Day's run:  145.5 miles surfaced.  Use of weapons limited.     ESE 8, sea 8, cloudy, good visibility.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           10 Feb.         1600   6627   Nothing to report.     ESE 7, sea 7, cloudy, moderate visibility.               1715   6624   Submerged to repair the Junkers compressor.           2000   6621   Surfaced.     SE 5, sea 5, cloudy, good visibility.               2400   6627   Nothing to report.     SE 5, sea 5, cloudy, fog, visibility 1 mile.               11 Feb.         0210       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "New operational zones beginning 1700, 11 February:         Sickel        AB 6390         La Baume    "   6620         Goelinitz      "   6660         Queck         "   6680"           0400   6627   Nothing to report.     E 6, sea 6, cloudy, rain, moderate visibility.               0907   6627   Practice crash-dive; depth maneuvers.     ENE 3, long swell, cloudy, good visibility.               1117       Surfaced.           1200       Day's run:  103.0 miles surfaced; 10.2 miles submerged.           1600   6624   Nothing to report.     WSW 4, sea 5, swell, snow flurries, varying visibility.               2000   6621   Nothing to report.     WSW 3, sea 3, good visibility.               2400   6627         E 0, slight swell, cloud 4/10, good visibility.               12 Feb.         0400   Vicinity of Bear Island.         AB 6613         NE 2, sea 2, cloud 6/10, good visibility.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           12 Feb.         0800   6627   Nothing to report.     NE 4, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.               1200   6624   Day's run:  153.4 miles surfaced.     NE 7, sea 6, cloudy, good visibility.               1335       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "Submarines 'Sickel' to 'Queck' will shift their operations zones nine miles north."           1600   6624   Submerged to use listening gear.     NE 8, sea 8, cloudy, fog, visibility 200 m.               2155   6627                                 NE 8-9, sea 8, cloudy, dense fog, visibility 30 m.   Surfaced.  No action is possible in this kind of weather.           13 Feb.         0200   6651   Submerged to use listening gear.     NNE 8, sea 8, cloudy fog, visibility 100 m.               0400   6627               0805   6624   Surfaced.     NNE 7, sea 7, cloudy, fog, visibility 200 m.               1035   6612   Submerged to use listening gear.     NE 7, sea 0, cloudy, visibility 100 m.               1200       Day's run:  52.5 miles surfaced; 23.9 miles submerged.           1604   6621   Surfaced.     NE 5, sea 7, cloudy, dense fog, visibility 50 m.               1804   6621   Submerged to use listening gear.     NNE 5, sea 6, cloudy, dense fog, visibility 50 m.               2155   AB 6388   Surfaced.     NE 7, sea 7, cloudy, fog, visibility 50 m.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           13 Feb.         2400   6307   Submerged to use listening gear.     NE 7, sea 7, cloudy, fog, visibility 50 m.               14 Feb.         0556   Vicinity of Bear Island, 6388   Surfaced.     NE 5, sea 5, cloudy, fog, visibility 50 m.               0800   6388   Submerged to use listening gear.     NE 5, sea 4, cloudy, fog, visibility 50 m. - 300 m.               0900   6388   Surfaced.     NE 4, sea 4, cloudy, fog lifting, visibility up to 1000 m.               1200   6623                                 NE 6, sea 4, cloudy, moderate visibility.   Day's run:  63.7 miles surfaced;  25.4 miles submerged.           1506   6384   Submerged to use listening gear.     NE3, sea 4, cloudy, fog, visibility 100 m.               1609   6387   Surfaced.     NE 5, sea 4, cloud 6/10, visibility less than 1000 m.               2000   6623   Nothing to report.     ENE 4, sea 4, cloud 6/10, moderate visibility.               2400   6388   Nothing to report.     NE 3, sea 4, cloud 3/10, good visibility.               15 Feb.         0400   6622         ENE 3, sea 3, cloud 6/10, good visibility.               0800   6622   Nothing to report.     ENE 3, sea 3, cloud 6/10, good visibility.               1200   AB 6382   Day's run:  156.8 miles surfaced.     NE 5, sea 4, cloud 4/10, snow flurries, otherwise good visibility.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           15 Feb.         1600   6625         NE 3, sea 3, cloud 8/10, good visibility.               2000   6385   Nothing to report.     NE 4, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.               2400   Vicinity of BEar Island  6388         NE 3, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.               16 Feb.         0400   6625         N 2, sea 2, cloud 8/10, good visibility.               0800   6622   Nothing to report.     N 3, sea 2, cloud 6/10, good visibility.               1048   6622   Practice crash-dive.           1130   6368   Surfaced.     N 4, sea 3, cloud 8/10, good visibility.   Day's run:  153.1 miles surfaced; 2.3 miles submerged.           1256   6385   Submerged to use listening gear.     N3, sea 3, cloudy, mist, visibility 500 meters.               1306       Surfaced.           1320       Sickel reports:  "Chasing a single ship, AB 6363, easterly course, speed 12 miles."               By now that steamer has a lead of about 60 miles, so that I cannot expect to catch up with her until approximately 0100, 17 February, my own speed being 16 miles.  Considering the poor visibility prevailing near the ice border, it would not be very promising to operate against this ship.  Since Sickel is not sending any D.F. signals, I take it for granted that he will be able to handle the ship by himself.  I remain in my own operations zone.           1600   6625   Nothing to report.     N 2, sea 2, cloudy, moderate visibility.               2000   AB 6622   Nothing to report.     N 3, sea 3, cloudy, fog, snow, poor visibility.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           16 Feb.         2400   6388   Nothing to report.     N 3, sea 2, Fog, visibility one mile.               17 Feb.         0400   6622         NW 3, sea 3, cloud 8/10 moderate visibility.               0800   6625   Nothing to report.     W 2, sea 2, cloudy, good visibility.               1200   Vicinity of Bear Island  6358   Day's run:  166.7 miles surfaced;  1.0 miles submerged.     W 3, sea 2, cloudy, snow flurries, varying visibility.               1337   6352                                 S 3, sea 1, cloudy, snow flurries, varying visibility, drift ice.   Reached the edge of the ice.  Submerged because our antennas are covered with ice.           1406       Surfaced.           1526   6358   Queck reports enemy contact in AC 2856.     SSW 6, sea 4, cloudy, snow flurries, otherwise good visibility.               1710       Sickel reports two unsuccessful attacks.  He had to discontinue the pursuit because one of his Diesel engines broke down.           1828       Queck reports that he too had to discontinue the pursuit, because the steamer fled into the drift ice.           2000   6387   Submerged to use listening gear.     SE 8 sea 7, cloudy, fog, poor visibility.               2400   6621   Nothing to report.           18 Feb.         0147   Vicinity of Bear Island, AB 6622   Surfaced           0403   SSW 7, sea 8, cloudy, rain, poor visibility.   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "Your operations zones will be as follows:
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           18 Feb.         0403 cont'd       Sickel        AB 6360         La Baume   "    6380         Queck        "    6630         Goellnitz      "    6650"           0409       Submerged to use listening gear.           0805   6631   Surfaced.     W 8, sea 7, cloudy, good visibility.               0943       One of our crew members is seriously ill.  Since this man cannot be treated aboard this ship, we send a radio message to the Commanding Admiral, Submarines, requesting his transfer to some other ship.           1200   Vicinity of Bear Island, 6383   Day's run:  75.4 miles surfaced; 19.6 miles submerged.     W 6, sea 7, cloudy, good visibility.               1433       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "Transfer the patient to Sickel's ship at 0800, 19 February.  Sickel is returning to base."           1703   6383   Submerged to use listening gear.     NE 2, sea 4, snow flurries, poor visibility.               2000   6383   Surfaced.     WSW 3, long swell, snow flurries, poor visibility.               2400   6383   Nothing to report.     SW 2, long swell, cloudy, good visibility.               19 Feb.         0300       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines: "Beginning 0800, 19 February, your zones of operations will be as follows:         La Baume        AB 6360         Queck              "    6380         Goellnitz           "    6630"           0400   6638   Nothing to report.     N 2, sea 3, cloud 7/10, good visibility.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           19 Feb.         0800   6355                                 NW 3, sea 3, long swell, good visibility.   Did not meet Sickel at the rendezvous point; I suspect there is a considerable discrepancy in reckoning.           0900   AB 6365                        NW 3, sea 3, long swell, good visibility.   I follow Sickel's D/F/ signals, which lead me to believe he is northeast of me near the ice border where the water is quiet.           1200   AC 1771                           NNW 2, long swell, good visibility, drift ice.   Visibility is good and the D.F. signals came in clearly; nevertheless U "302" is nowhere to be found.  I come to the conclusion that the sense finding of my D.F. gear is wrong.  Course reversed.                   Day's run:  159.6 miles surfaced; 5.2 miles submerged.           1600   6365   Met U "302" and transferred the patient.     0, sea 0, long swell, cloudy, moderate visibility.               2000   Vicinity of Bear Island.  6262   Nothing to report.     NNW 3, sea 2, cloudy, moderate visibility.               2400   6365         N 4, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.               20 Feb.         0400   6368         N 3, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.               0800   6368   Nothing to report.     NNW 2, sea 2, cloudy, good visibility.               0900   6365                                 N 4, sea 2, blizzard, visibility 2 miles.   Submerged to de-ice the ship and compensate equipment.           1046       Surfaced.           1200   6365                                  NNW 3, sea 2, cloudy, good visibility.   Day's run:  168.3 miles surfaced; 5.1 miles submerged.  The drift ice border is now in Quadrant 6362.           1600   6360   Nothing to report.     NW 3, sea 3, Cloud 3/10, good visibility.
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	11829a

 

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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           20 Feb.         2000   AB 6365   Nothing to report.     N 1, sea 0, cloud 1/10, good visibility.               2400   6368         0, sea 0, cloudy, fog-banks, moderate visibility.               21 Feb.         0400   AB 6368         W 1, sea 0, cloud 1/a0, good visibility.               0800   6365   Nothing to report.     W 1, sea 1, cloud 5/10, good visibility.               1200   6365   Days run:  105.4 miles surfaced.     MW 2, sea 1, cloud 5/10, good visibility.               1322   6369   Submerge for compensation of equipment.           1358       Surfaced.           1600   Vicinity of Bear Island, 6369         N 2, sea 1, cloud 4/10, good visibility.               2000   6369   Nothing to report.     NNE 2, sea 1, cloud 4/10, good visibility.               2400   6368         NE 2, sea 1, cloudy, good visibility.               22 Feb.         0400   6368   Nothing to report.     N 3, sea 1, cloudy, good visibility.               0800   6392                                 NNE 2, sea 1, cloudy, good visibility.   Parallel belts of loose drift ice running east and west now cover our entire zone of operations.  Hence I must with draw to the south at night to keep the boat from being damaged by the ice.           0940   AB 6392   Submerged to lay boat on an even keel.     N 2, sea 1, cloudy, light fog, visibility 3 miles.
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	11829a

 

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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           22 Feb.         1051       Surfaced.           1100   6366   Redistributed and flushed ballast tanks 2 and 4.           1200   6366                                 N 2, sea 1, cloudy, visibility 3 miles.   Day's run:  186.5 miles surfaced.  4.0 miles submerged.           1300   6365   Reached the border of the solid ice.  The loose drift ice south of it does not present much of an obstacle to steamers sailing alone.           1320       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "Make daily thrusts to the north to determine the ice border.  Report changes."           1357   6392                                 NW 2, sea 1, cloudy, snow flurries, moderate visibility.   We submerge because the ship has become covered with ice.           1558       Surfaced; sent Radiogram 1332:  "Solid ice border in upper part of AB 6365, running east and west.  Light drift ice down to lower edge of 6360; slowly drifting southward.  N 2 sea 1, cloud 6/10, visibility 3 miles."           2000   Vicinity of Bear Island, 6392   Nothing to report.     NNW 2 sea 1, cloudy, good visibility.               2400   6362         NNW 2, sea 1, cloudy, fog-banks, moderate visibility.               23 Feb.         0400   6392   Nothing to report.     N 1, sea 1, cloud 8/10, moderate visibility.               0750   6367   Submerged for compensation of equipment.     NNW 2, sea 0, cloudy, moderate visibility.               0808       Surfaced; made a northward thrust to reconnoiter ice conditions.
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	11829a

 

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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           23 Feb.         1000   6368   Sighted a Junkers 88 plane on a true bearing of 30°, distance 5 miles.  Exchanged recognition signals when it came closer.           1200   AB 6365                            0, sea 0, cloudy, heavy drift ice, good visibility.   Day's run 171.5 miles surfaced, 2.5 miles submerged.         The drift ice was light as late yesterday, it is now heavier, so that even powerful steamers can no longer get through here.  I turn southward again in order to find and report the present ice border.           1415   6395   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "(1) At 1125 a convoy was in 5866 on an easterly course.  (2)  By 0000 you will have formed a patrol line extending from AB 6435 to AB 6816.  Line up in the following order:         La Baume, Queck, Goellnitz, Timm, Reche."           1615   6394                                 NE 3, sea 1, cloudy, drift-ice, moderate visibility.   Light drift-ice fields force me to make a detour to the south.  Though I proceed at half speed, I do not arrive at my position in time.           1656       Message from the Air Commander, Loften Islands:  "The reported convoy consists of 25 merchant vessels and a surrounding screen of 20 escorts.  It is proceeding on course 100° in a widely dispersed cruising formation.  Airplane contact discontinued, because there is no visibility."           2000   Vicinity of Bar Island, 6531   Nothing to report.     SSE 5, sea 5, cloudy, rain, visibility 1 mile.               2400   6435                                 SE 5, sea 5, cloudy, rain, visibility 1 mile.   Reached our position in the patrol line.  Submerged to use listening gear, visibility being insufficient.           24 Feb.         0045   6435                                 SE 4, sea 6, cloudy, rain, moderate visibility.   Surfaced.  Up to now nobody is in contact with the convoy.  From 0100 on, therefore, I am beginning to head for the patrol line which we are ordered to occupy by 0600.
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	11829a

 

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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           24 Feb.         0335   6522                                  S 5, sea 6, cloudy, rain, moderate visibility.   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "If enemy is not sighted by 0800 the patrol line will proceed forward on a 90° course, speed 10 miles.           0630   AB 6377                            S 6, sea 7, cloudy, rain and hail showers, varying visibility.   Reached our position in the patrol line.  Rain and the heavy seas keep coming over render observation difficult.           0800   AB 6377                           SSW 6, sea 6, cloudy, rain and hail showers, moderate visibility.   Changed to a 90° course, since the enemy has not been sighted.  After 0800 attention is to be paid to D.F. signals           0925   6387                                 SW 6, sea 8, cloud 6/10, showers, otherwise good visibility.   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "For the time being weather conditions will not permit attacks by our air forces."           1035       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "Three Junkers 88 planes are on their way to reconnoiter the area between 15° and 21°."           1200   6398                                  WSW 6, sea 8, cloud 5/10, some few snow flurries otherwise good visibility.   Day's run:  230.4 miles surfaced; 1.8 miles submerged.           1300   AC 4177   Received D.F. signals from shadower "B" on a true bearing of 150°.  Headed in that direction at maximum cruising speed.           1424       Queck reports the convoy in AC 6632 on a easterly course.  There are heavy snow squalls.           1513   AC 4416                           WSW 7, sea 7, cloud 5/10, otherwise good visibility.   Queck reports the convoy in AC 4179, course 90°, speed 9 miles.               Vicinity of Bear Island.                   According to the reports from Queck the convoy should be north of my position and I should have been able to sight it long ago, considering the good visibility.  The D.F. beam is clearly pointing in a 140° direction, gradually moving over
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	11829a

 

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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences               to port; the D.F. signals are very loud and clearly audible, and the sense-finding is clear.  In view of all this I assume that there must be a considerable discrepancy between Queck's reckoning and mine, and choose to rely on the D.F. bearing.           24 Feb.         1522       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "Report position and latest bearing of aerial contact."           1650   4456                                  WSW 7, sea 6, high swell, cloud 5/10, good visibility.   Considering the excellent visibility I should have contacted the convoy long ago, even if our reckonings differ considerable.  Under these conditions I must assume that our D.F. sense-finding was 180 off.  I report the true bearing by radio.  From now on I will base my movements on the reports from Queck exclusively.           1900   AC 4436                           S 4, sea 4, swell, cloudy, good visibility.   A star fix shows that we are 20 miles east of our estimated position.  It is now apparent that I was cruising southeastward east of the convoy and that I was moving away from the D.F. signals.           1908       Two star shells in 280° true.           1939       Three star shells in 290° true.  Distant depth charge explosions are likewise audible in the ship, which means that we are getting closer.  I continue to be guided by Queck's current reports.  Apparently he has corrected his reckoning.           2200   4285                                 W 3, sea 3, cloudy, snow squalls, varying visibility.   Three depth charge detonations are audible on the surface; I must be in the immediate vicinity, but visibility has deteriorated so much that I cannot see a thing.           2320   4259                                 W 3, sea 3, cloudy, snow flurries, poor visibility.   Queck reports that he attacked a destroyer with several torpedoes around 2200, but missed his mark; lost contact; last known position of convoy is AC 4169.               Vicinity of Bear Island.
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	11829a

 

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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           24 Feb.         2320 cont'd   On the basis of the reports thus far received, I should have made contact with the convoy by 2300 at the latest.  I now suspect that the convoy made a northward tack, probably as a result of the attack made by Queck.           2400   4264                                 SW 4, sea 4, cloudy, snow flurries, poor visibility.   Since nobody is in contact at the moment and since visibility has become considerably worse, I decide to proceed eastward with the convoy along its probable mean course.           25 Feb.         0039   4264                                 SW 5, sea 6, snow flurries, fog, poor visibility.   Submerged to use listening gear.  Nothing to be heard of the convoy.           0129       Surfaced; continued on eastward course.  Visibility is not improving.           0320       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "If you have no contact, and have no reliable clues, form a new patrol line by 0800 extending from AC 2787 to AC 5187.  Line up in the following order:  La Baume, Queck, Reche, Timm, Goellnitz."           0346   AC 4344                   Submerged to use listening gear.     W 6, sea 6, clouds, heavy snowstorm, visibility 200 meters.               0409       Surfaced; headed for our position in the patrol line.           0435   4342                                 WSW 5, sea 5, cloudy, hail and snow flurries, otherwise moderate visibility.   Reche reports that the convoy was in AC 4269 at 0300, proceeding on an 80° course.  Visibility is improving slowly, to the south the horizon is clear already.  Since nothing is sighted in that direction I am inclined to believe that the convoy is located north of me.           0730   4355                                 SW 4, sea 3, high swell, cloud 5/10, some few hail showers and snow flurries, otherwise good visibility.   The search in a northerly direction brings no result.  A report giving the position of the convoy as of 0700 proves without question that the convoy must be farther to the south.
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	11829a

 

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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           25 Feb.         0800       Reche reports every hour; Goellnitz and Queck are in contact too.           0805       A Junkers 88 plane is sighted on a true bearing of 215°; course W, distance 6 miles.           0905   5141                                 SSW 3, long swell, cloud 4/10, visibility good and clear.   A Junkers 88 plane is sighted on a true bearing of 340; distance 5 miles, approaching.  Exchange of recognition signals.  The airplane passes us at low altitude, heading in the direction of the convoy.               Vicinity of Bear Island.               0907       Several depth-charge detonations are heard by us.  0913       Clouds of smoke are sighted in 210° true.  That is the convoy.  A junkers 88 overhead is drawing anti-aircraft fire now and again.  I report by radio that I have established contact in AC 4369.  I change to maximum cruising speed, in order to head off the convoy.           1005   5143                                 SSW 3, long swell, cloud 4/10, very good visibility.   Since none of the other boats is reporting any longer, I decide to send contact signals every hour.  It is announced that an attack by 15 Junkers 88's is planned for 1130.           1200   5199                                 SE 2, long swell, cloud 4/10, very good visibility.   The Junkers 88's are bombing the convoy; the whole sky above the convoy is covered with antiaircraft shrapnel puffs.               The mean course of the convoy is in a southeasterly direction, hence I still am only in contact with the rear.  A wing screen operating a considerable distance from the convoy makes it very difficult to move up alongside; again and again destroyer masts come in sight, from which I have to run away.  Moreover, the danger of our being discovered is increased by a long high swell and a condensation trail which, owing to a following sea, is particularly high.  The smoke clouds are clearly visible all the time, so that I do not have to draw any closer.           1400   AC 5199                          NE 2, sea 1, swell, cloud 5/10, a few hail showers, otherwise good visibility.   Contact is lost at times due to a number of hail squalls from a southeasterly direction; we keep pressing on promptly, however, thus managing to reestablish contact every time.
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	11829a

 

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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           25 Feb.         1610   5517                                 S 1, sea 1, swell, cloudy, hail showers and snow flurries, greatly varying visibility.   Timm and Goellnitz report that their underwater attacks failed.  One of our own submarines, most likely Timm's, is sighted on a true bearing of 170°, distance 5 miles.               Unfortunately the enemy did not make another tack in my direction, hence I did not get ahead of him on his mean course until now.  It is too late for an underwater attack now, since visibility has become a great deal worse and dusk will set in before long.  Hence I decide that I will not submerge; I will stay on the surface and launch a night attack.           1633   Barents Sea                       5542                                  S 2, swell, cloudy, snow flurries, poor visibility.   With darkness setting in now, we lose sight of the smoke clouds in a snow squall of more than usual duration.  We push on in the direction of the last visual bearing, so as not to lose contact.           1705   5517                                 S 3, sea 1, swell, cloudy, snow flurries, poor visibility.   A destroyer on a fine angle emerged suddenly from the haze, converging at a sharp angle.  She is on a true bearing of 20°, her distance being 3 miles.  I turn away sharply, running right into the snow squall at maximum speed; the destroyer gets out of sight again.           1730   5541                                 S 3, sea 1, swell, cloudy, snow flurries, visibility 200 meters.   Our search receiver indicated horizontal location on the 149 cm frequency.  Submerged, so as to evade surprises.  The destroyer approaches, searches the area where we are with Asdic, then throws a depth charge not far from us.           1815   AC 5541   Sound location shows that the destroyer is moving away from us.  The convoy is audible as a noise spread, on a true bearing of approximately 70°.           1856   5542                                  N 2, sea 2, cloudy, snow flurries now and then, otherwise good visibility.   Surfaced; pressed forward in the direction indicated by the sound locator.  I report by radio the latest observed position of the convoy.
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	11829a

 

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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           25 Feb.         1957   5543                                 N 3, sea 3, cloudy, moderate visibility.   Submerged to use listening gear once more since we have not sighted anything yet, in spite of the fact that we are pressing forward at high speed.  In the sound locator the convoy is now represented by a spread 150° in width, which means that I must be in its immediate vicinity.           2025       Surfaced; pushed forward again.           2048   5551                                 N 3, sea 3, cloudy, fog, snow flurries, visibility 500 m.   We are again picked up by enemy radar.  This fact as well as deteriorating visibility compel us to submerge again.  The sound locator does not record the slightest trace of the convoy now.  I suspect that it was the remote escort ahead of the convoy that located me by radar.  I remain submerged for the time being, so as to let the convoy catch up with me.           2205   Barents Sea   Weal acoustic pulse on a true bearing of 30°, very likely a destroyer escort.  No trace of the convoy as yet.           2307   5551                                 N 4, sea 3, cloudy, moderate visibility.   Surfaced; pushed forward on a 30° course.  Visibility has improved in the meantime.           2332       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "(1) It is presumed that the convoy will proceed on a southeasterly course during the night.  (2)  Who is in contact?  (3)  All submarines will report their position by short-code signal at 2300."                   Reported position by short signal, adding the statement, "Contact lost".           26 Feb.         0059   AC 5525                           N 4, sea 3, cloudy, moderate visibility.   Submerged to use listening gear.  No acoustic pulse.  Hence it would serve no purpose to push farther to the northeast.           0131       Surfaced; proceeded on the assumption that the convoy will follow a southeasterly course.
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	11829a

 

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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           26 Feb.         0216   5553                                 W 3, sea 3, cloudy, moderate visibility.   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "Occupy a patrol line extending from AC 6749 to AC 8342 by 0700.  Line up in the following order:  Goellnitz, Reche, La Baume, Queck, Timm."           0300   5561   Reche reports that he is in contact with the rear escort in Quadrant 5658.  This would place me astern of the convoy now.  I am trying to catch up with it again at high speed.           0515   5672                                 W 3, sea 3, cloudy, moderate visibility.   Reche reports every hour; the convoy's mean course is still to the southeast.  This means that there is no longer any chance for me to get at the convoy under cover of darkness.  Reche reports that he lost contact in a snowstorm, and Goellnitz was driven off by enemy forces.  Latest known position of the convoy:  5939, at 0500; at that time it was on a southerly course.           0820   5925                                 W 3, sea 3, cloudy, moderate visibility.   Reche reestablished contact in 6747.  The convoy is now proceeding on a 280° course.  This tack is advantageous for me.           0900   Barents Sea         5928   Reche reports the convoy in 6747 on a southerly course.  Thus the westward tack was only a short one.           1020   5956                                 W 3, sea 3, cloud 8/10, good visibility.   A land-based airplane is coming in out of the sun on a true bearing of 180°.  Flying at low altitude, distance approximately 3 miles, type cannot be recognized.                   Crash-dive.           1036       Three aerial bombs are dropped a considerable distance from us.           1133   5956                                 WNW 4, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.   Surfaced; my movements are based on the latest report from Reche, no further reports being available.  Day's run:  216.4 miles surfaced; 12.6 miles submerged.
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	11829a

 

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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           26 Feb.         1405   5983                                 NW 3, sea 4, cloudy, good visibility.   Queck reports that he lost contact in a snowstorm at 0800.           1458       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "(1)  The line from AW 2215 to AT 7455 will be your southern limit.  (2)  Continue the pursuit until you reach that line, take advantage of your final opportunity to attack.  (3)  Watch out for steamers damaged as a result of aerial attacks."           1532   AC 5989                           WNW 3, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.   Message from Air Commander, North - East:  "Carried out attack, no results observed, lost contact."           1619       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarine:  "If there is no contact, you will occupy the following quadrants beginning 1830:         La Baume AC 9440, Queck AC 8690, Reche AC 9470, Goellnitz AC 9480.  Head for your zone of operations."           1745       Queck reports the convoy in AC 8634 on a 220° course.  He is being driven off by a destroyer, and visibility is poor.  This means that the convoy has more than 50 mile lead on me and that I will no longer be able to catch up with it before it reaches the coast.           2018   8356   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "Do not cross in a southwesterly direction, the line extending through 8544-8555-8593-8915-8948."           2238   8386                                 WSW 2, sea 2, cloudy, snow flurries, visibility 1-3 miles ice sludge.   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "(1)  If you have any data as to the possible destination of the convoy, carry on operations accordingly.  (2)  In the absence of evidence to the contrary, it is to be assumed that the convoy is bound for Murmansk.  (3)  After you break off the pursuit, make for the following quadrants:     Barents Sea
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	11829a

 

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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           26 Feb.         2238 con't       La Baume                AC 8640         Goellnitz                    "    8670         Queck                       "    8680         Reche                        "    8920"           2313   8386                                 WSW 2, sea 2, cloudy, snow flurries, poor visibility, ice sludge.   Queck reports that he was pursued by two destroyers; their radar and depth charges drove him off as far as Quadrant 8668, and he lost contact.         Thus they have managed to shake off the last boat that was still in contact.           2316   8386   Reported position by short-code signal, in compliance with an order from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines.           27 Feb.         0337   8628                                 N 1, sea 1, cloudy, moderate visibility.   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "(1)  The boats will remain in their operational zones to attack possible stragglers.  (2)  It is not impossible that a west-bound convoy will put to sea."           0800   AC 8643   Nothing to report.     NW 2, sea 2, cloudy, good visibility.               1200   8643   Day's run:  209.0 miles surfaced.     NW 2, sea 2, cloud 5/10, hail showers, otherwise good visibility.               1403   8645                                 W 2, sea 1, cloud 4/10, hail showers, otherwise good visibility.   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "Beginning 1500 you will occupy the following new operational areas:         La Baume                AC 8670         Goellnitz                    "    8680         Queck                       "    8920         Reche                        "    8930"           1600   8672         W 2, sea 1, cloud 5/10, hail showers, otherwise good visibility.               2000   8673   Nothing to report.     W 2, sea 1, cloud 3/10, moderate visibility.
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	11829a

 

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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           27 Feb.         2400   Barents Sea         8673         N 1, sea 0, cloudy, misty, visibility 4 miles.               28 Feb.         0400   8673         N 2, sea 2, cloud 4.10, moderate visibility               0729   8673   Submerged for compensation of equipment.     N 4, sea 4, cloud 5/10. good visibility.               0829       Surfaced.           1200   8673                                 NNW 5, sea 4, cloudy, good visibility.   Day's run:  183.6 miles surfaced; 2.6 miles submerged.           1600   8676         NW 5, sea 5, cloudy, good visibility.               2000   8676   Nothing to report.           2400   8673               1 Mar.         0400   AC 8673         ENE 2, sea 1, cloudy, moderate visibility.               0800   8673   Nothing to report.     NW 3, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.               0938   8676   Submerged for compensation of equipment.           1050       Surfaced.           1200   8673                                 NE 3, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.   Days run:  168.3 miles surfaced; 3.9 miles submerged.           1243       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines: "Beginning 1700, 1 March, attack areas 14 miles in depth will be occupied in the following locations:         Bugs            8569 bottom center         La Baume    8672 center of upper edge
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           1 Mar.         1243 con't       Goellnitz     8678 upper right hand corner         Queck        8925 lower left hand corner         Reche         8919 lower left hand corner"           1600   Barents Sea   Nothing to report.     8672         NE 5, sea 4, cloudy, good visibility.               1611       My short-code signal "29 cubic meters of fuel left" is not acknowledged.  I intend to repeat this signal some time during the night while communications are good; I would like to avoid sending a radio message, if I can possibly help it.           1759       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "The Mountain Corps reports that 17 ships sailed from Kola Bay at 1435 on a northerly course.  This may well be the west-bound convoy."           1915   8673                                 NE 4, sea 4, cloud 6/10, good visibility   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "If there is no report on the enemy by 2200, proceed to a patrol line extending from 8317 to 9127; be there at 0800, 2 March, in the following order:  Bugs, La Baume, Goellnitz, Reche, Queck."           2121   8648   In 170° to 190° true, there are several powerful search lights, which search the area in different directions for about 10 minutes.  I push southward to find out what is going on.           2300   AC 8673                           NW 4, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.   We have sighted nothing thus far, nor does the search receiver indicate anything.  Since the other boats south of us do not report anything either, although they are obviously closer to it than we are, I decide to set course for my position in the patrol line again.  I cannot believe that anything so conspicuous could have had any connection with the convoy; it probably was an offshore searching group.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           2 Mar.         0252   8619   Sent short-code signal:  "27 cubic meters of fuel left."  Acknowledged.           0400   8613   Nothing to report.     NE 3, sea 2, cloudy, moderate visibility.               0625   Barents Sea         8373   Reche reports the convoy in 8625 on a northwesterly course.  In response to Reche's report, I move against the convoy at maximum cruising speed, expecting to make contact around 0900.           0829   8359                                 N 3, sea 2, cloudy, fog, snow flurries, visibility 2 miles, thin drift ice.   Reche reports that the convoy was in 8389 at 0715; course 40°, speed 9 knots.  FOr a short while one of our own submarines is in sight on a 320° bearing.           0909   8366   Nothing sighted thus far.  Submerged to use listening gear.  Nothing is heard of the convoy, but three submarines can be distinguished, on what appear to be northerly courses.           1003       Surfaced.  I suspect that the convoy is making a tack to the north.  I proceed accordingly.  Unfortunately visibility has not yet improved.           1113       One of our own submarines (Reche's) is in sight in 150° true.  Recognition signals exchanged.  Reche signals that he has not had contact since 0730 and that he thinks the convoy may be steering a northerly course.           1133   8337                                 N 4, sea 3, cloudy, fog, visibility 2 miles.   Submerged to use listening gear as visibility continues to be poor.               The convoy is clearly distinguishable in the sound locator; it is on a true bearing of 180°.  Since the acoustic pulse does not change its bearing but keeps getting louder and Reche, moreover, was expecting the convoy to move in a northerly direction, I decide to remain submerged, so as to be able to stage an underwater attack.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           2 Mar.         1230   AC 8337   The acoustic bearing of the convoy moves over towards 160° true.  I run on an easterly course in order to remain as far ahead as possible.  The propeller noises are getting very loud, steamers and escort vessels can be clearly distinguished.          Day's run:  186.6 miles surfaced; 2.1 miles submerged.           1253       A destroyer (A to J class) is in sight.  She zigzags, making long irregular tacks.  I presume that she belongs to the advance escort.           1305   Barents Sea   There is another escort vessel present besides the destroyer.  She is of the British AUCKLAND type, has one stack, and is painted for camouflage.  Their movements appear to be without any system whatever and do not permit any conclusions as to the course of the convoy.           1400       Though loud steamer noises are now loud enough to be heard throughout the boat nothing is sighted except the two escort ships.  I cannot raise the periscope any higher, because the two escorts are remaining in the area and do not move away.  The acoustic bearing of the steamers is now moving through east towards north; I am now coming to the conclusion that the convoy has been running on something like a northeasterly course and that it is not approaching me any longer.  Since there appears to be no noticeable change in the position of the escorts, I am led to assume that the convoy is changing course to port at this time and that the port screen is marking time meanwhile.  I am trying to fire at one of the two escorts at least, but in doing so I get caught in heavy drift ice which forces me to pull in my periscope.           1510   AC 8338   After I have maneuvered clear of the ice I make an all-round search.  I find that the two
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           2 Mar.         1510 con't       escorts have moved north and are now beyond range of attack.  According to sound location the convoy is in 350° true; the periscope is raised a little higher, and I can make out the smoke plumes.           1556   8338   Surfaced.  The smoke plumes are still in sight.  I report the unsuccessful attack by radio, then press forward so as to reestablish contact with the convoy for tonight.           1705   8329   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "Report your positions by short-code signal as of 1900."           1908   Barents Sea         8322   Reported position.     NNW 3, sea 2, cloudy, snow flurries, moderate visibility.               1913   5987   Queck reports the convoy in 5959 on a 310° course.           2001   5976   A star shell in 250° true.           2044   5973                                 NNW 3, sea 3, cloudy, misty, snow flurries, varying visibility.   Queck reports the convoy in 5935 on a 310° course, speed 9 miles and is ordered to send D.F. signals.  I am searching the vicinity of the reported course of the convoy; no D.F. signals are heard.  There are depth-charge detonations in the distance.           2127   5948                                 NNW 3, sea 3, cloudy, misty, snow flurries, varying visibility (mostly poor).   There are several depth charge detonations in our immediate vicinity; I must be close by the vessel dropping them; large circles on the surface of the water are still marking the explosion areas.           2131       It is clearing up slightly and several shadows, apparently destroyers, are visible on the port side.  The leading vessel carries a blue stern light, but owing to poor visibility its contours and heading cannot be made out.  And yet I am quite close to her.  I am proceeding on the course and with the speed of the convoy.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           2 Mar.         2131       hoping that it will clear up somewhat and that I will get a better view of the situation.           2235   5942                                 NNW 3, sea 2, snow flurries.   The shadows have disappeared again in a blizzard.  Submerged to use listening gear.  Weak pulses from the convoy are audible on a true bearing of 270°.  The bearing does not change; I assume that it is now running on a westerly course.           2318   AC 5918                           NW 3, sea 2, snow flurries, poor visibility.   Surfaced; Queck reports that at 2150, two destroyers chased him away from the convoy with radar and depth charges.  He believes that the convoy changed its mean course to 280.               Barents Sea                   It thus appears that the depth charges I heard at such short distance were meant for Queck.  I made contact with the starboard escort at the moment when the convoy was changing its course to 280°; the starboard escort was protecting this movement against attacks from the east.  I am pushing forward again in a westerly direction.           3 Mar.         0123   5829                                 N 5, sea 4, cloudy, fog, snow flurries, visibility 1-2 miles.   Submerged once more in order to use listening gear, since visibility remains poor.  The true bearing of the convoy is now around 0°.  This bearing remains unchanged, it looks as if it made another tack to the north.           0229   5828   Surfaced.  Reported position and acoustic bearing by radio.           0325   5817   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "If you are not in contact, and have no reliable clues, you are to occupy a patrol line extending from 5279 through 5482 by 0600, 3 March.  Line up in the following order:  Goellnitz, Queck, Reche, La Baume, Bugs."               Considering the poor visibility, it appears to me rather unpromising to operate against the convoy all by myself with nothing but a weak acoustic pulse to go by.  I therefore set course for my position in the patrol line, so as to be ahead of the convoy when we get hold of it again in the daytime.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           3 Mar.         0900   5467                                 N 5, sea 8, cloud 8/10, snow flurries, poor visibility.   Reached the patrol line.  There are no clues as to the position of the convoy.           1017   5464   Submerged to use listening gear.           1057       Surfaced.           1237   5459                                 N 5, sea 5, cloudy, fog, snow flurries, moderate visibility.   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "If you are not in contact, you will depart at 1400 for a position line extending from 4266 to 4569, crossing that line at 2300."         Day's run:  174.3 miles surfaced; 12.6 miles submerged.           1255         to       Heard distant depth-charge detonations. 1330                   1335   Barents Sea                       AC 5459                           NW 6, sea 6, cloudy, misty, varying visibility.   Submerged to use listening gear.  There is a very weak pulse on a true bearing of 30°, presumably from a submarine.           1405       Surfaced; set course for the new position.           1552   5448   Goellnitz reports that he was pursued with depth charges in AC 5542 at 1210.  According to him the convoy is on a 280° course.           1800   4665                                 NW 4, sea 4, cloudy, moderate visibility.   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "If you are not in contact, you will occupy a patrol line extending from AC 4337 through AC 4629; same line-up."           2000   4837   Nothing to report.           2143   4623                                 NNW 3, sea 2, cloud 8/10, moderate visibility.   Submerged to use listening gear.  The convoy is head very loud and very clearly in the sound locator.  It is represented by a spread approximately 150 wide and must be in our immediate vicinity.  I am trying to observe what happens to the bearings of the individual ships in the convoy; their movements bring me to the
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           3 Mar.         2143       conclusion that I am immediately ahead of the convoy and that the remote escort has already passed me.           2219   4623                                 NNW 2, sea 2, cloudy, visibility good and clear.   Surfaced.  While the tanks are still being blown, the convoy is sighted north of us.  As we are heading for it, I recognize a group of large steamers, with another steamer some distance behind them on the far side.  Between the steamers and ourselves there is a wing escort of four destroyers.  The convoy is running on a northwesterly course.  I report the position and course of the convoy by radio.               During the past few nights visibility always deteriorated around this time of night.  This is why I decide to attack at once.  I head in the direction of the two forward destroyers, with the intention of breaking through the screen behind them, thus getting at the steamers.  The destroyers are zigzagging in a quite irregular pattern, so that the situation keeps changing all the time.  I am now only 4,000 meters away from the steamers when suddenly the destroyer nearest to me makes a tack in my direction, approaching rapidly.  Considering the good visibility prevailing, I no longer stand a chance of getting past her unnoticed.  I am compelled to fire now.  The destroyer is only 1,500 meters away from me now, and I decide to fire a long-range spread.           2236   Barents Sea   Spread of four, fired at the steamer in the center of the group, the largest one of them all target angle 70°, enemy speed 10, range 3,500 meters.         After this spread had been fired, we turn away sharply and escape with maximum surface speed.           2239   AC 4623                          NNW 2, sea 2, cloudy, good visibility.   While withdrawing, we fire a single torpedo from tube V at the escort destroyer nearest to us.         Target angle 60°, enemy speed 13 miles, range 1,500 meters.                   We succeed in getting away above water without being seen.  No detonations are observed.  It is believed that the spread missed its target because the electric torpedoes used were of insufficient
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           3 Mar.         2239 con't       range, not having been warmed up previously; the destroyer probably was missed because she changed course after the shot had been fired.               Since the weather is quiet, I decide to have the tubes reloaded at once on the surface.  It is my plan to go around the escort from behind, hang onto the steamers, finish reloading, then push forward inside of the screen and attack once more.           2300   4623                                 NNW 2, sea 1, cloudy, moderate visibility.   Visibility is getting slightly worse, so that I lose sight of the steamers while making my turn around the rear escort.  I remain close to one of the destroyers lest I lose contact altogether.           2324       The destroyer is heading straight toward me, they must have seen me.  There is no evidence that location devices are being used.  I turn away at maximum speed.  The destroyer emits heavy clouds of smoke and approaches rapidly out of a misty horizon.           2327       Crash-dive.  Went to a depth of twice regulation depth rapidly, changed course by 90°, crawled underwater.           2331       Pattern of eight depth charges,no damage.           2348       There are propeller noises directly overhead, apparently from a second destroyer passing us from astern.  This destroyer does not know where we are.           4 Mar.         0008   Barents Sea   3 depth charges.  The destroyer remains in the vicinity.           0046       1 depth charge.  The destroyer is moving away.           0138   4623                                 NNW 2, sea 1, cloudy, moderate visibility.   Surfaced.  Sound location shows that the convoy is to the west of us.  I report the unsuccessful attack by radio, as well as my belief that the convoy is moving on a westerly course.  I follow the convoy in a westerly direction.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           4 Mar.         0328   AC 4612   Queck is in contact in Quadrant 4354.  The convoy is running on a 280° course.           0408   4611                                 NNW 2, sea 1, cloudy, moderate visibility.   Several star shells in 315 true; depth charge detonations are heard aboard.           0639   4526   Reche reports smoke clouds in 4243, moving in a westerly direction.  I operate on the basis of Queck's and Reche's reports, expecting to catch up with the convoy again by 1000.           0800   4516                                 N 3, sea 3, cloud, 6/10, snow flurries, moderate visibility.   Reche reports every hour.  For a daytime chase, the weather is as unfavorable as it can be.  There are snow flurries, and the horizon is hazy and indistinct.           1005   4195   Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "If you are not in contact, occupy a patrol line extending from 4154 to 4454 by 1300."                   Being the boat with the smallest fuel reserve, we are to occupy the southernmost position.           1116   4189                                 NNE 5, sea 4, cloudy, snow flurries, visibility 3-4 miles.   A destroyer is sighted on a true bearing of 300°, at once raising high out of a misty horizon.  They must have picked us up by some kind of location device.  We crash-dive, going the regulation depth plus 90 meters.           1130       The destroyer approaches at high speed and drops 5 well-aimed depth charges.  No damage.           1139       Another approach; one depth charge dropped.  A number of other destroyers are audible in the sound locator.  It looks as if we ran into the remote escort.  Nothing is heard of the convoy itself.  Day's run:  210.6 miles surfaced; 10.2 miles submerged.           1331   4431                                 N 5, sea 4, cloudy,misty horizon, visibility 4 miles.   Surfaced.  I report by radio that we had been pursued.  Then we head for the patrol line from 4117 through 4417, which we were ordered to occupy by 1600.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           4 Mar.         1600   Bear Island                        4122                                 N 3, sea 3, cloudy, sea mist, snow flurries, visibility 1-3 miles.   An accurate survey of our fuel reserve shows that there is not enough for another night's operations.  We have to start on the return voyage.           1702   AC 4118                           N 3, sea 3, cloudy, visibility 2-3 miles.   Radio message to the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "We are in Quadrant 4116, must break off pursuit due to lack of fuel.  9 cubic meters left."           1831       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "La Baume will return to Narvik by way of And Fjord."           2000   4417   Nothing to report.     N 2, sea 2, cloud 4/10, moderate visibility.               2400   AB 6696   Nothing to report.     NW 4, sea 3, cloudy, light fog, visibility 3-4 miles.               5 Mar.         0400   6961         NNE 2, sea 1, cloud 7/10, moderate visibility.               0705   6985   Sighted a Junkers 88 on a true bearing of 100°, distance 3 miles.           0813   6988                                 NNE 2, sea 2, cloudy, snow flurries, otherwise good visibility.   Radio message to the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "We are 24 hours from point 'Schwarz 7'.  Request replenishment at Harstad."           1200   9319                                 ENE 4, sea 3, cloudy, good visibility.   Day's run:  168.9 miles surfaced; 1.0 miles submerged.           1600   9377   Nothing to report.     ENE 6, sea 5, cloudy, good visibility.               1720       Message from the Commanding Admiral, Submarines:  "(1)  The radio beacons at Andenes and Lingee will be in operation beginning 0000, 6 March.
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	Date and time of day.   Position, wind, weather, sea, light, visibility, moonlight, etc.   Occurrences           5 Mar.         1720 con't       (2)  Pick up the pilot at Harstad; arrive at Narvik not later than 6 March."           2000   9538         NE 4, sea 4, cloud 4/10, good visibility.               2400   North Atlantic   Nothing to report.     9594         NE 4, sea 3, cloud 4/10, good visibility.               6 Mar.         0400   AB 9822   Nothing to report.     E 3, sea 2, cloudy, moderate visibility.               0810   And Fjord   Passed Andenes on our way back.           1200   Harstad roadstead   Picked up pilot.  Day's run:  202.9 miles surfaced.           1450   Loedingen   Loedingen.  Dropped the pilot.           1620   Narvik   Tied up alongside the GRILLE.
	______________
	Final comment.
	The current season is characterized by unfavorable weather and visibility, and the greater part of our mission was dominated by these factors.  Rapidly varying and usually poor visibility made it extremely difficult to establish and maintain contact with the enemy.  There were few good opportunities for attack.
	We found the enemy using radar location, which made it practically impossible for us to get within range for surface attacks at night.  It would be desirable to develop some technical device that would enable the boats to jam the enemy's radar.  Radar equipment was evidently used by the remote advance escort only.  There is no evidence that any location devices were used by the close escort.  Only two ways are left in which an approach at night may still be possible:  One may either submerge in time and pass underneath the remote escort - provided one is ahead of the convoy along its general course - or else it may be possible to break into the convoy from astern.  However, either method depends purely on luck.
	The radar interception set, which we had with us for the first time on this mission, proved to be valuable.  When visibility is poor, it presents certain clues as to whether or not one is in the vicinity of a convoy.  Under very poor visibility conditions it keeps the submarine from being surprised at short ranges by escort vessels using radar.
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	When a convoy is heavily escorted it may not always be possible to get within close firing range.  I consider it advisable to take along four to six air-driven torpedoes against opportunity, so as to be able to make the most of any opportunity for attack that may present itself, since such torpedoes will make it possible to fire at long as well as at close range.  This holds especially for the winter months during which darkness predominates.
	The cooperation of the crew was excellent throughout this thirty day mission.  In spite of the recently far-reaching changes in personnel, the men showed themselves capable of handling every situation with which they were confronted.  Foul weather, which was so frequently encountered, low temperatures, as well as difficult visibility conditions made this cruise particularly hard for the men on the bridge.  During the two convoy operations the endurance of these men was taxed to the limit; this is especially true of the best of our lookout men, whose services had to be called upon to a greater extent than usual.
	Aboard U "355", 6 March 1943
	(signed) La Baume,
	Lieutenant and Commanding Officer
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	Critique of the Commanding Admiral, Submarines
	Subject:  War Diary of Submarine U "355", Commanding Officer Lt. La Baume, from 25 August 1942 to 6 March 1943.
	Experienced in the Atlantic Ocean bring out the following facts:
	The enemy's method of surface location must not be overestimated.  The enemy cannot fight anything he does not see.  Radar does not respond at ranges of less than about 1,000 meters.
	Even under bad visibility conditions it will therefore be wrong to submerge just because one knows one has been located.
	No comment otherwise.
	By direction of the Commanding Admiral, Submarines;
	Signed) Godt
	Chief of the Operations Division.
	Annex to Gkdos. 830 of 2 April, 1943,
	Commander of Submarines, Norway
	Critique of the Commander of Submarines, Norway
	Subject:  War Diary of Submarine U "355" from 25 August 1942 to 6 March 1943.
	(1)  The attack of 3 March was probably made from too great a distance.
	(2)  The following remarks are made with reference to the Commanding Officer's final comment:
	A submarine making a night attack does not necessarily have to submerge on finding that it has been located by enemy escort forces.  A compelling reason for doing so exists only when visibility is less than about 3,000 meters.  As long as visibility is satisfactory, visual observation should be relied upon and attempts should be made to outmaneuver the enemy vessels carrying on radar location.  It appears inexpedient to try to jam enemy radar location by means of counter-radiation, nor would such a thing be technically feasible at this time.  If such a method were used, the danger of giving oneself away would appear to outweigh any advantage possibly derived therefrom.
	(signed) Peters
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