U-445 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
Marviken	8 November 1942	St. Nazaire	3 January 1943	57

 

Click the icon to download a KMZ file displaying the U-boat track, significant events and locations for this patrol.  You must have Google Earth loaded on your computer to view this file.  Download Google Earth here

 

Ships Hit

None

Note:  The positions in the table above and in the Google Earth patrol summary are derived from the KTB and in many cases do not match those set forth in authoritative references such as Jürgen Rohwer, Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two or the Uboat.net website.  The goal here is to present the picture relative to the U-boat and not the absolute position that the ship was attacked or sank.

---

			Commissioning	Copy No . . . 1. . .
			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				"  U  445  "
				========
			For the period from 30 May 1942 to 2 November 1942.
			Kommandant:  Oblt.z.S.    F  e  n  n
			Distribution:
			O.K.M.	Copy No. 1 - 2
			B.d.U.	"       3
			2.  A.d.U.-Boote	"       4
			6. U-Flottille	"       5
			Enclosures:
			None
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		30.05.42		C  o  m  m  i  s  s  i  o  n  i  n  g
				at the Schichauwerft in Danzig
		31.05.42		Boat chops to U.A.G. I.
				Berth "IBERIA".
		01. - 21.06.42		Testing with the U.A.G. I in Danzig.
		22. - 25.06.42		Testing with the T.E.K. Gotenhafen.
		26.06. - 01.07.42		Schichauwerft to measure the propellers because the boat did not reach the guaranteed speed.
		02. - 05.07 42		U.A.G. testing.
		06. - 07.07.42		Transit to Rönne.
				Sound trials in Rönne, afterwards transit to Kiel.
		08. - 15.07.42		U.A.K. testing in Kiel.
		16.07.42		Transit to Danzig.
		17. - 20.07.42		Schichauwerft (periscope out of service).
		21.07. - 09.08.42		Agru-Front.
		10. - 20.08.42		25. U-Flottille.
		21. - 30.08.42		Boat chopped as reserve boat to the 27. U-Flottille.  During this period independent training and artillery shooting.
		31.08. - 08.09.42		Tactical training with the 27. U-Flottille.
		08.09.42		Collision with the tanker "TERRA" off Nidden.
		09. - 11.09.42		Made fast Danzig U-boat Base.

	- 2 -
		12.09.42		Transit to Lübeck for final adjustments.
		13.09. - 27.10.42		Final adjustments at the Flenderwerken Lübeck.
		27.10.42		Transit to Kiel
		28.10. - 02.11.42		Outfitting for the Front in Kiel U-boat Base.
				Oblt.z.See

---

 

			I. Patrol	Copy No.  . . . 1. . .
			K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				"U 445"
			Beginning:     3 November 1942    Concluding:   3 January 1943
			Kommandant:    Oblt.z.S.   F  e  n  n .
			Distribution:         O.K.M. Copy No. 1 - 2     B.d.U.        " 3     2. A.d.U-Boote        " 4     6. U-Flottille        " 5     27. U-Flottille        " 6     Agru-Front for Kptlt. Jebsen        " 7
			Enclosures:         1 Track chart for Copy No. 2 - 5     1 Excerpt of the Radio Log   "         " 2 - 5

	- 1 -
		03.11.42	Kiel	Departed Kiel U-boat Base.
		08.00	NE 3, Sea 2, overcast, misy Vis. 2 nm	With "U-264" in convoy up to Point Rot 13.
		xx.xx		At "Rot 13" changed escort.
		xx.xx	Entrance to the Great Belt	Proceeded in convoy.
		12.00	Great Belt
			AO 7495
		16.00	Great Belt	Boat is outfitted with Operations Order No 5x.
			AO 751x
		20.00	Exit of the Great Belt
			AO 716x
			[illegible weather]
		24.00	Entrance to the Kattegat
			AO 721x
			[illegible weather]
		04.11.42
		04.00	Kattegat
			AO 4846
			NE 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. 2 nm
		08.00	Exit of the Kattegat
			AO 4571
		12.00	Entrance to the Skagerrak	Day's run:  225 nm
			AO 4465
			NE 2-3, Sea 3, 9/10, Vis. 4 nm
		12.20		Convoy leaves the route and takes course for Kristiansand (took Route 42).
		16.00	Skagerrak
			AO 4427
		20.00	AO 3629
		24.00	Kristiansand Fjord	Ran into Kristiansand
		05.11.42	Kristiansand
		01.00		Made fast Marvikken.
		01.00 - 02.00		Lay alongside tanker "NATTE" to supply.
				Doctor requested for Kommandant.  Hernia determined.  Hospital treatment necessary.  Boat cannot continue as ordered on 5 November 1942 at 08.00 hours.

	Sun and Moon Data 03.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.11.42

	- 2 -
		continued
		05.11.42		After hospital treatment departure is possible.  Intend further transit with Schröder and Bertelsmann 7 November 1942.
		06.11.42	Kristiansand	Fast.
		07.11.42	Kristiansand	Convoy did not go because Schröder and Bertelsmann did not arrive
				Boat remained fast.
		08.11.42	Kristiansand
		07.00		Ready for sea, ran out of Kristiansand.
				Transit in convoy with Schröder.
		08.00	WSW 3, Sea 2, abating Swell, 3/10, Vis. 7 nm	Exit of Kristiansand Fjord.
		12.00	South Coast of Norway
			WSW 4, Sea 3, Swell abating, 4/10, cloudy, Vis. greatly changing 1-5 nm in rain and hail squalls
		16.00	Egersund	Ran into Egersund.
		17.00		Made fast Egersund.
		09.11.42	Egersund
		12.00	SSW 4, Sea 3, overcast, misty, Vis. up to 2 nm	Ready for sea.  Transit in convoy with Schröder.
		16.00	AN 2980
			South Coast of Norway
			SW 4, Sea 3, overcast, Vis. greatly changing 1-3 nm, rain showers
		16.45	Island Bako [Kvitsøy]	Convoy dissolved.  Hove to, over deck checked.
		17.55	[about 59°03'N, 005°24'E]	Course 270°, economical transit speed.
		20.00	AN 2130 [position in error]
		21.00		Set off from the coast in accordance with orders.  Course 352°.
		24.00	SSW 4, Sea 3, overcast, light Swell, Vis. up to 2 nm
			AN 2x90

	Sun and Moon Data 08.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.11.42

	- 3 -
		10.11.42
		04.00	AN 2840
		07.20	SSW 4, Sea 4, overcast, low Swell, Vis. 2 nm	Test dive, proceeded submerged at depth A -30 meters.
		08.00	AN 2390
		12.00	AN 2390	Day's run:  152 nm
		16.00	AN 2390
		18.15	AN 2330	Course 352°, economical transit speed.
			NW 3, Sea 4, overcast, heavy Swell, rain showers, Vis. 1 nm
		20.00	AN 2330
		22.00	AF 8780	Course 342°, economical transit speed.
		24.00	NW 2, Sea 2-3, overcast, rain showers, Vis. up to 2 nm
		11.11.42	South Coast of Norway
		04.00	AF 8780
		07.28	AF 8470	Proceeded submerged at depth A -30 meters.
		08.00	AF 8470
		12.00	AF 7630	Day's run:  121 nm
		16.00	Entrance to the Norwegian Sea
			AF 7390
		18.04	AF 7390	Course 264°, economical transit speed.
		20.00	WSW 5, Sea 4, 5/10, medium Swell, Vis. up to 2 nm
		24.00	AF 7370
			WSW 6, Sea 5, overcast, heavy Swell, rain, Vis. up to 2 nm
		12.11.42	AF 9790
		04.00	SW 7, Sea 6, overcast, heavy Swell, rain, Vis. 1 nm
		07.35	SW 7, Sea 6-7, overcast, heavy Swell, low cloud deck, Vis. 2 nm	Proceeded submerged, course 270°.
				Since released from convoy no ship's position.  Going around the Faroes.
			AF 7280
		09.30	AF 7270	Course 290°.
		12.00	AF 7270	Day's run:  112 nm
		16.00	AF 7270

	Sun and Moon Data 10.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.11.42

	- 4 -
		continued
		12.11.42	AF 7190
		16.25	WSW 5, Sea 4, overcast, medium Swell, Vis. 3, later 1 nm	Course 290°, economical transit speed.
		20.00	AF 7190
		24.00	AF 7150
			WSW 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, medium Swell, rain, Vis. up to 1 nm
		13.11.42	AF 7150
		04.00	WSW 4-5, Sea 6, overcast, medium Swell, Vis. up to 2 nm
		07.25	W 5, Sea 6-7, overcast, medium Swell, Vis. up to 2 nm	Proceeded submerged at depth A -30 meters
			AF 7140
		12.00	AE 9360	Day's run:  90 nm
		16.00	AE 9360
		18.30	AE 9320	Course 290°, economical transit speed.
		20.00	Norwegian Sea
			AE 9320
			W 5, Sea 6-7, overcast, heavy Swell, rain, low cloud deck, Vis. up to 1 nm
		22.45	AE 6890	Incoming Radio Message:  2110/13/230
				(Excerpt):  Jacobs, Franke, Schmid, Fenn, Dangschat, Schröder at highest speed head for TF 75 [AK 55] and except for Schmid and Franke report position immediately.
		24.00	AE 6890
			W 7, Sea 6, overcast, rain, Vis. up to 1 nm
		14.11.42
		00.18		Course 270° due to weather highest possible speed is only 7 knots.  Watertight forecastle cannot be closed.
		02.30		Course 235°.
		04.00	AE 9130
			W 7, Sea 6-7, overcast, heavy Swell, rain, Vis. up to 1 nm
		08.00	AE 9150
			SW 7, Sea 6-7, overcast, heavy Swell, rain, Vis. up to 1 nm
		10.10		Test dive, torpedo work.
		12.00	AE 9140	Day's run:  115 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 12.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.11.42

	- 5 -
		continued
		14.11.42
		14.30	SW 7, Sea 6-7, overcast, heavy Swell, rain, Vis. bad	Boat can no longer hold course to the ordered objective, because of overcoming seas. Because the watertight forecastle cannot be closed the boat takes over very much water, no use of binoculars, lookout not guaranteed.
				Course 180°.
		15.03		Course 190°.
		16.00	AE 9170
			SW 8-9, Sea 7-8, overcast, heavy Swell, rain, Vis. up to 2 nm
		16.55		Course 185°.
		16.56		Course 195°.
		17.27		Incoming Radio Message:  1001/14/237
				Fenn and Schröder head for ordered square at economical transit speed.  Order for highest speed is canceled.
		20.00	AN 9410	Course 195°.
			SW 8, Sea 7, overcast, high Swell, rain, Vis. bad
		24.00	AE 9440
			SW 9, Sea 7-8, overcast, very high Swell, rain, Vis. very bad
		15.11.42
		00.05		Fu.M.B. reception on 235 cm steady tone. with rising tone.
				Depth charges at great range.  Remained submerged due to weather, because we are steering against the seas and therefore proceeding submerged is more economical.
		04.00	AE 9440
		08.00	AE 9440
		12.00	AE 8660	Day's run:  72 nm
		14.45	AE 8620	Course 230°.
		15.52	WNW 9, Sea 8, 3/10, heavy Swell, Vis. good	Course 235°, economical transit speed.
			AE 8620
		16.00	AE 8620
		20.00	AE 8920
		20.50		Swede, prescribed markings and illumination, passed to starboard course 55°.
		24.00	W 6, Sea 6, overcast, heavy Swell, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 14.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.11.42

	- 6 -
		16.11.42
		04.00	AE 8940
			WNW 6, Sea 5-6, rain, 9/10, heavy Swell, Vis. up to 3 nm
		08.00	SW 4, Sea 5-6, 3/10, medium Swell, Vis. good
			AE 8860
		11.30		Test dive, torpedo work.
		12.00	W 4, Sea 3, 4/10, medium Swell, Vis. good	Day's run:  121 nm
			AE 8970
		15.37		Course 235°, economical transit speed.
		16.00	AE 8890
			SW 5, Sea 4-5, overcast, light Swell, Vis. medium to bad
		17.00		Course 242°.
		19.00	AM 1210	Fu.M.B. reception, steady tone on 235 cm.
		20.30		Course 242°, economical transit speed.
		21.00		Fu.M.B. reception.  Steady tone, initially steady, the quickly rising.
		24.00	AM 1130
		17.11.42
		00.55		Course 242°, economical transit speed.
		03.05		Incoming Radio Message:  1813/16/296
				(Excerpt) New objective for Fenn and Schröder is AK 66.
		04.00	AM 1140	Course 229°.
		08.00	AL 3420
		11.34		Test dive, torpedo work.
		12.00	AL 3410	Day's run:  142 nm
		15.34		Course 229°, economical transit speed.
		16.00	AL 3440
		20.00	AL 3580
			WSW 4, Sea 3-4, 8/10, medium Swell, Vis. medium to good
		24.00	AL 3510
		18.11.42
		01.32		Crash dive for flying boat.  Direct approach.  Nothing heard in the Fu.M.B.
		03.00		Course 229°, economical transit speed.
		04.00	AL 3540
		08.00	AL 2660

	Sun and Moon Data 16.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.11.42

	- 7 -
		continued
		18.11.42
		11.32	WSW 5, Sea 4, overcast, medium Swell, Vis. medium	Test dive, torpedo work, depth control training.
		12.00	AL 2810	Day's run:  140 nm
		15.30		Course 229°, economical transit speed.
		16.00	AL 2810
		20.00	AL 2760
		24.00	AL 2750
			SSW 6, Sea 5, overcast, medium Swell, Vis. medium to bad, rain showers
		19.11.42
		04.00	AL 2770
			SSW 5, Sea 4, overcast, medium Swell, Vis. medium to bad, rain showers
		08.00	AL 2910
		10.43	SW 2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good	Hove to to work on the over deck.
		11.30		Continued transit.
		12.00	AL 0160	Day's run:  124 nm
			SW 2, Sea 1, overcast, light Swell, Vis. good
		16.00	AL 0180
		16.02		Test dive, torpedo work, depth control training.
		17.22		Course 229°, economical transit speed.
		20.00	AL 4220
		20.05		Incoming Radio Message 1544/19/242
				(Excerpt) Schmid, Fenn, Schröder operate at highest speed on Schwantke-convoy.  Position naval square AJ 9164, 13.25 hours, NE-course.
		20.15		Course 253°, 15 knots.
		21.35		Incoming Radio Message: 1952/19/253
				Convoy 6737, course North, E 4, Vis. good, 23 cbm.
				- U-43 -
		21.35		Believe course reported by Schwandtke is not the main course, operated further on NE-course.
				Course 260°, 15 knots.
		24.00	AL 4120
			SW 1-2, Sea 1, overcast, light Swell, Vis. moderate to bad, rain showers

	Sun and Moon Data 18.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.11.42

	- 8 -
		20.11.42
		04.00	AK 6350
		08.00	AK 6240
		09.40		Because no new contact keeper reports have been received, turned with to the north.  Course 276°.
		10.05		Course 280°.
		11.14		Incoming Radio Message 0445/20/269
			[same position as previous report]	Convoy last detected 20.30 hours, right zigzag, AJ 6737, searching in 60°.  SE 4 after NE-storm, Vis. 1 nm, 98 cbm, steady now 1021 mb.    - U-43 -
		11.45		Operated on last Schwandtke Radio Message.  Course 270°.
		12.00	AK 6140	Day's run:  270 nm
			SE 4, Sea 3, 9/10, medium Swell, Vis. medium
		14.23		Incoming Radio Message 1244/20/279
				Schmid, Schröder, Fenn continue to operate on Schwandtke-convoy at transit speed.
				Transit speed 12 knots.
		15.41		Incoming Radio Message 1508/20/285
				Boats operating on Schwandtke-convoy, expect general course of the convoy between 45° and 65°.
		16.00	AK 5380
			SE 5, Sea 4, overcast, medium Swell, Vis. medium
		16.28		On Radio Message Serial No. 285, course 280°.
		17.00		Test dive, torpedo work.
		19.17		Course 280°, 12 knots.
		20.00	AK 5340
		22.53		Incoming Radio Message 1726/20/289
				1.)  Operate on intercept course for the following convoy courses:  Schmid 45°, Schröder 55°, Fenn 65°.  If convoy not met, tonight do not search back to the NE, instead report position and continue transit to naval square BC 24.  Set speed so that position is reached on 23 November at 08.00 hours.
				2.)  Schwandtke, Schneider search until boats have reported to 1.), then supply or return transit.
				Held course and speed to reach the general course line on 21 November at 07.00 hours.  Intend to search counter to convoy course.
		24.00	AK 5227
			SE 4, Sea 3, overcast, medium-Swell, Vis. moderate

Sun and Moon Data 20.11.42

	- 9 -
		21.11.42
		04.00	AK 5123
			SE 3, Sea 2, overcast, low Swell, Vis. xxx, misty, strong marine phosphorescence
		07.00		Reached course line, new course 245°, [illegible few lines concerning searching for the convoy]
		08.00	AK 4323
			SSE 2-3, Sea 3, overcast, misty, Vis. moderate to bad
		12.00	AK 4258	Day's run:  235 nm
		14.00		Broke off search, course to ordered objective 219°, 10 knots.  Reported results by Radio Message.
		16.00	AK 4139	Test dive, work on the port diesel (smoothed a bearing).
			SSE 2, Sea 3, overcast, medium Swell, Vis. up to 1/2 nm, misty, rain
		20.00	AK 4435
		21.00		Course 219°, 10 knots.
		24.00	AK 4433
			SSE 5, Sea 4, overcast, medium Swell, rain showers, Vis. bad
		22.11.42
		04.00	AJ 6930
		08.00	AJ 695x
		12.00	AJ 6978	Day's run:  183 nm
			NE 5, Sea 4, overcast, medium Swell, misty, Vis. bad
		15.00		Incoming Radio Message (Excerpt)
			[AJ 8789 to BC 2571]	Following boats form Group "Drachen" and occupy by 25 November 08.00 hours in listed order patrol line from YZ 0789 to DO x571:  Schmid, Fenn, Schröder, Franke, Jacobs and Dangschat.
		15.25		Test dive, depth control training, damage control exercises.
		15.30		Course to ordered position 235°.
		16.00	AJ 9262
		20.00	AJ 9269	Course 235°, economical transit speed.
		24.00	AJ 9258
			SW 3, Sea 3, 6/10, low Swell, Vis. good

	Sun and Moon Data 21.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.11.42

	- 10 -
		23.11.42	AJ 9258
		04.00	SW 4, Sea 3, 4/10, Vis. greatly changing, snow squalls
		08.00	AJ 9x1x
		0x.xx		Due to navigation offset after a navigation fix new course 238°.
		10.36		Incoming Radio Message 0954/23/264
			[AJ 8845 to BC 2529]	Group "Drachen" in old order on 24 November at 08.00 hours be in new patrol line from BL 0825 to DW 4529.
		11.50		Course 239°, 10 knots.
		12.00	AJ 9439	Day's run:  106 nm
			W 3, Sea 2, overcast, hail squalls, Vis. greatly changing
		16.00	W 4, Sea 3, overcast
			AJ 9458
		17.48		Test dive, depth control training.
		15.43		Course 239°, economical transit speed.
		20.00	AJ 8xxx
			W 3, Sea 2-3, 6/10, Vis. good, hail showers
		24.00	AJ 8927
			W 2, Sea 1-2, low Swell, 3-7/10, Vis. good, hail squalls
		24.11.42	AJ 8896
		04.00	W 3, Sea 2, 4-7/10, low Swell, Vis. good
		08.00	AJ 8885	Boat is positioned at the initial point in the patrol line.  Course 230°, economical transit speed.  Opposite course 50°.
			W 2, Sea 1, 4-7/10, moonlit, Vis. good, hail squalls
		12.00	AJ 8885	Day's run:  206 nm
		16.00	AJ 8885
		17.19		Test dive.
		18.22
		20.00	AJ 8885
			NW 3, Sea 2, 4-7/10, Vis. good, snow squalls
		24.00	AJ 8885
		25.11.42
		04.00	AJ 8885
			WNW 4, Sea 3, overcast, medium Swell, Vis. moderate to bad, misty

	Sun and Moon Data 23.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.11.42

	- 11 -
		continued
		25.11.42
		08.00	AJ 8885
			NW 5-6. Sea 4-5, overcast, medium Swell, snow and hail showers, Vis. moderate to bad
		12.00	AJ 8885	Day's run:  125 nm
			NW 6, Sea 7, overcast, medium Swell, hail showers, Vis. moderate to bad
		17.00		Test dive, torpedo work.
		20.00	AJ 8885
		20.30
		20.31		Crash dive.  There was a corvette astern to port 2500 meters away.  Due to weather not seen in the periscope.  No sound bearings.  Boat was not observed.  Enemy course 230°.
		21.20
		22.20	NW 10, Sea 8-9, overcast, rain, hail, misty, Vis. very bad	Crash dive.  Corvette in sight at 1000 meters with target angle 0°.  No detection noted in the Fu.M.B.  No defense.  Corvette overran and then steered strongly changing courses.  No Asdic.
		24.00	AJ 8885
		26.11.42
		04.00	AJ 8885	No more sound bearings.
		06.40
		08.00	AJ 8885
			NW 10, Sea 9, overcast, high Swell, hail, fog, Vis. bad
		12.00	AJ 8885	Day's run:  90 nm
		16.00	AJ 8885
		19.40		Incoming Radio Message 1900/26/213
				1.)  Group "Drachen" patrol line settled.  Advance on course 160°, day's run 120 nm.
				2.)  Intention is loose disposition between BC 86 and CD 21 to detect independent traffic for England.  After supply in same area attempt with further boats on America-Gibraltar convoy traffic.  All naval squares.
				3)  Franke return transit without supply.
		20.00	AJ 8887
			W 8, Sea 7, high Swell, overcast, misty, Vis. bad

	Sun and Moon Data 25.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.11.42

	- 12 -
		continued
		26.11.42
		21.00		New course 160°, economical transit speed.
		24.00	BC 2128
			W 7, Sea 6, overcast, high Swell, misty, Vis. bad
		27.11.42	BC 2191
		04.00	SSW 7, Sea 6, overcast, medium Swell, misty, Vis. bad
		08.00	BC 2432
		08.08		Test dive, torpedo work, depth control training.
		12.00	BC 2435	Day's run:  125 nm
		15.15		Course 160°, economical transit speed.
		15.47		Incoming Radio Message 1137/27/230:
				To Drachen boats:  Order concerning southern transit canceled.  Free to maneuver without commitment to patrol line in area at the moment traffic is running.  Report screen and successes.  See Schmidt and Franke reports.
		16.00	BC 2436
			SSW 6, Sea 5, overcast, medium Swell, misty, Vis. bad
		20.00	BC 2574
			SW 5, Sea 4, overcast, medium Swell, misty, Vis. bad
		21.15		Diesel-electric 6 knots.
		22.00
				On Radio Message Serial No. 230:
				Search courses at economical transit speed in named area.  Course 114°.
		24.00	BC 2816
			SW 3, Sea 2, 6-1/10, low Swell, misty, Vis. bad
		28.11.42
		04.00	BC 2829
			SW 2, Sea 1-2, overcast, low Swell, misty, Vis. bad
		08.00	BC 2862
			SW 3, Sea 2, overcast, low Swell, misty, Vis. bad
		08.05		Test dive.
		09.40		Course 114°
		10.00		Course 90°.

	Sun and Moon Data 26.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.11.42

	- 13 -
		continued
		28.11.42
		12.00	BC 2945	Day's run:  114 nm
			WNW 3-4, Sea 3, misty, overcast, medium Swell, Vis. medium
		16.00	BC 2955
		20.00	BC 2966	Course 0°.
			NW 2, Sea 1, occasionally misty, Vis. 1-4 nm
		24.00	BC 2933
		29.11.42
		04.00	BC 2666
			SE 2, Sea 1, 8-10/10, misty, Vis. moderate
		08.00	BC 2633
			SSE 2, Sea 1, 9/10, misty, Vis. moderate
		08.08		Test dive.
		09.07		Course 0°
		09.30		Course 325°.
		12.00	BC 2691	Day's run:  141 nm
			S 2, Sea 1, medium Swell, 9/10, Vis. medium to good
		16.00	BC 2353
			SSW 3, Sea 2, medium Swell, misty, Vis. medium to bad
		20.00	BC 2313
		24.00	AJ 9747
			Rain showers
		30.11.42
		04.00	AJ 8938
		08.00	AJ 8937
		08.09		Test dive.
		09.07		Course 350°.
		09.22		Fu.M.B. reception,  (Long dashes)
				to listen.  Nothing.
		10.35		Course 325°.  Vis. good except for misty sector 10-30°T.  New course 20°.
		12.00	AJ 8934	Day's run:  100 nm
			SW 3-4, Sea 3, rain, medium Swell, Vis. moderate

	Sun and Moon Data 28.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 29.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.11.42

	- 14 -
		continued
		30.11.42
		15.00		On Radio Message (Excerpt)
			[BD 7415]	Schmid, Schröder, Fenn, Jacobs go to NZ 2415 to supply from Schnoor.  Economical transit speed.
				Course 146°.
		16.00	AJ 8696
		20.00	AJ 9714
			SW 4-5, Sea 3-4, 7/10, rain squalls, Vis. medium to moderate
		24.00	AJ 9746
		01.12.42
		04.00	AJ 9757
		07.15		Test dive, torpedo work.
		08.00	AJ 9789
			S 5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. medium, misty
		12.00	BC 2323	Day's run:  100 nm
		13.00		Course 146°, economical transit speed.
		16.00	BC 2338
			SSW 7, Sea 6, overcast, medium Swell, Vis. medium to bad
		19.05		Due to turned off 10°, course 136°.
		20.00	S 8, Sea 7, overcast, medium Swell, Vis. moderate
			BC 2366
		24.00	BC 3172
		02.12.42
		00.15	SW 5, Sea 4, medium Swell	After abating, course 150°.
		04.00	BC 3179
			Rain squalls
		08.00	BC 3427
			SW 4, Sea 3, overcast, medium Swell, Vis. moderate
		08.19		Test dive.
		09.18		Course 150°, economical transit speed.
		12.00	BC 3459
			W 3, Sea 2, 8/10, Vis. good
		16.00	BC 3733

	Sun and Moon Data 30.11.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 02.12.42

	- 15 -
		continued
		02.12.42
		20.00	BC 3641
		24.00	BD 3876
			NW 2, Sea 2, 8/10, light Swell, Vis. moderate
		03.12.42
		04.00	BC 6224
		08.00	BC 6259
			E 2, Sea 1, light Swell
		08.29		Test dive.
		08.53		Course 150°, economical transit speed.
		12.00	BC 6683	Day's run:  150 nm
			SE 3, Sea 6-10/10, Vis. good
		13.15 - 14.30		Hove to to work on the over deck.
		16.00	BC 6935
			E 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. medium
		17.00		Offset after a navigation fix results in new course 167°.
		20.00	BC 6986
		24.00	SSE 4, Sea 3, light Swell, overcast, Vis. medium
		04.12.42
		04.00	BD 7141
		08.00	BD 4141
			S 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, 8/10
		08.47		Test dive.
		09.09		Course 167°, economical transit speed.
		12.00	BD 7415	Day's run:  125 nm
			SSE 2, Sea 1, light Swell, 9/10, Vis. good	Am at supply place.  Search courses.
		16.00	BD 7464
			SSE 1, Sea 1, light Swell, 8/10, Vis. good
		16.03		On bearing signals from Schnoor, course 31°.
		18.00		Schnoor and Jacobs in sight ahead.
		19.40		Loeser and Schmid come in sight from the west.

	Sun and Moon Data 02.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.12.42

	- 16 -
		continued
		04.12.42	BD 7443
		20.00	SSW 3, Sea 2, low Swell, 6-8/10, Vis. good
		23.00		By agreement with Schnoor let drift over night.
		24.00	BD 7445
			SSW 2, Sea 1, low Swell, 3/10, rain showers
		05.12.42	BD 7443
		04.00	SW 2, Sea 1, overcast, medium Swell, Vis. bad
		08.00	SW 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, rain showers, Vis. bad
			BD 7443
		11.00		At dawn no boats in sight.
		11.30		Schmid in sight astern on westerly course, After meeting together course 300°, 5 knots.
		12.00	BD 7224	Day's run:  45 nm
			SW 6, Sea 7, high Swell, overcast, Vis. medium
		16.00	BD 7413
			SSW 7, Sea 6, high Swell, overcast, strong rain, Vis. bad
		18.45		Course 0°.
		20.00	BD 7174
			W 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, 8/10, Vis. good
		21.00	BD 7172	By agreement with Schmid stopped for the night in visual range.
				(after navigation improvement).
		24.00	WSW 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, overcast, Vis. medium
		06.12.42	BD 7172
		04.00	WSW 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, overcast, Vis. bad
		08.00	W 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, 3/10, Vis. good, Summer lightening
			BD 7172

	Sun and Moon Data 04.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 06.12.42

	- 17 -
		continued
		06.12.42
		09.00		Continued search with Schmid course 170°. Transit speed.
		10.35		Because Schnoor is still not in sight after lightness requested bearing signals.
		12.00	BD 7421	Day's run;  53 nm
		14.29		New course 120°.
		16.00	BD 7452	Up to now no bearing signals from Schnoor, probably because the weather is unfavorable for supply.
			W 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, 5/10, Vis. good
		17.17		New course 180°.
		20.00	BD 7483
			W 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, 8/10, Vis. good
		20.03		New course 300°.
		21.06		Stopped in visual range of Schmid.
		24.00	BD 7455
			W 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, 7/10, misty, rain showers, Summer lightening
		07.12.42
		04.00	BD 7455
			W 4, Sea 3-4, medium Swell, 8/10, Vis. bad
		08.00	BD 7458	Course 320°, economical transit speed.
			WSW 2, Sea 1, low Swell, overcast, Vis. medium
		11.00		Schnoor and Loeser in sight.
		12.00	BD 7446	Day's run:  65 nm
			W 3, Sea 2, low Swell, overcast, misty, Vis. medium
		14.30 - 17.15		Took over fuel oil, 50 cbm.
		16.00	BD 7446
			W 4, Sea 2-3, low to medium Swell, 8/10, Vis. good
		18.10 - 20.05	[According to U-Schnoor's KTB U-445 received provisions for 10 days]	Took over provisions.  Last of the supply inventory was given to Loeser.  From [Schnoor's] own inventory received enough for 4 days. However, the most important items, bread and potatoes, only for 2-3 days.

	Sun and Moon Data 06.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.12.42

	- 18 -
		continued
		07.12.42
		20.00	BD 7446
			W 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, 2/10, rain showers, Vis. moderate
		20.30		Course 30°.  Transit speed.
			[NL 81 = BC 31]	Last orders for objective after supply (NL 81) is from 3 December.  Because Loeser had orders for NE-course, I await similar orders.
		24.00	BD 7184
			W 4, Sea 3, low Swell, 6/10, misty, rain, Summer lightening, Vis. moderate
		08.12.42
		04.00	BD 7155
			W 3, Sea 2, medium Swell, overcast, rain, Vis. bad
		08.00	BD 4797	Because still no new objective is ordered, operated on old orders (NL 81).  Course 263°, economical transit speed.
			W 3, Sea 2, medium Swell, 4-8/10, hail and rain squalls, Vis. medium to bad
		10.42		Test dive, work on the torpedoes.
		11.00		On Radio Message 0953/8/222:
			[HJ = AJ 90]	Loeser, Fenn and Schmid head for HJ at economical transit speed.
				Course 330°.
		12.00	BD 4798	Day's run:  90 nm
		16.00	BD 4794
		17.16		Course 330°, economical transit speed.
		20.00	BD 4783
			NW 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, 9/10, hail and snow squalls, Vis. greatly changing 1-5 nm
		24.00	BD 4728
			NW 2, Sea 1, medium Swell, overcast, rain and hail squalls, Vis. bad
		09.12.42
		04.00	BD 4479
			WNW 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, 6/10, rain squalls, Vis. medium to bad

	Sun and Moon Data 07.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.12.42

	- 19 -
		continued
		09.12.42
		08.00	BD 44x8
			WNW 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, 8/10, rain squalls, Vis. medium to bad
		08.32		Test dive.
		09.54		Course 330°, economical transit speed.
		12.00	BC 6663	Day's run:  100 nm
			W 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, 9/10, Vis. medium
		16.00	BC 6652
		20.00	BC 6683
			N 4-8, Sea 2-4, medium-high Swell, hail and rain squalls, Vis. bad
		24.00	BC 6352
			NW 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, 8/10, rain, Summer lightening, Vis. moderate
		10.12.42
		04.00	BC 3926
		08.00	BC 3975
			NNW 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, overcast, rain, hail, Vis. bad
		08.50		Course 350° for improved lookout.
		09.00		Test dive, work on the torpedoes.
				Course 350°, economical transit speed.
		11.00		Due to weather course 0°.
		12.00	BC 3948	Day's run:  100 nm
			NW 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, overcast, misty, Vis. bad
		16.00	BC 3942
			WNW 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, overcast, hail squalls, Vis. bad
		20.00	BC 3912
			N 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, overcast, hail, rain, Vis. moderate to bad
		24.00	BC 3672
			NW 5, further shift to the left

	Sun and Moon Data 09.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.12.42

	- 20 -
		11.12.42
		00.45		Incoming Radio Message 2202/10/266:
			[AJ 9274 to AJ 9538]	(Excerpt):  Schmid, Loeser and Fenn on 13 December at 08.00 hours be in patrol line from MM 4274 to 4538.  NE-bound convoy expected from 10.00 hours.
		04.00	BC 3642
			SW 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, 9/10, hail squalls, Vis. bad
		08.00	BC 3378
		09.00		Course to position 330°.
		09.25		Test dive, work on the torpedoes.
		10.17		Course 330°, economical transit speed.
		12.00	BC 3347	Day's run:  110 nm
			NNW 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, 8/10, Vis. good
		16.00	BC 3262
		18.30		Incoming Radio Message 1627/11/278:
			[AJ 9167 to AJ 9522]	Contrary to previous orders Schmid, Loeser and Fenn in this order from PA 4167 to 4522.
		20.00	BC 3231
			NW 3, Sea 2, medium Swell, 8/10, hail squalls, Vis. bad
		24.00	AJ 9934	On Serial No, 278 to course 314°.
			NNW 3, Sea 2, medium Swell, overcast, hail showers, Vis. bad
		12.12.42	AJ 9687
		04.00	NNW 3, Sea 2, medium Swell, 8/10, snow, hail, Vis. bad
		08.00	AJ 9672	Test dive, work on the torpedoes.
			W 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, 6-8/10, snow squalls, Vis. bad
		10.50		Course 314°, economical transit speed.
		12.00	AJ 9644	Day's run:  118 nm
			W 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, snow squalls, overcast, Vis. bad
		16.00	AJ 9562

	Sun and Moon Data 11.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.12.42

	- 21 -
		continued
		12.12.42
		20.00	AJ 9523
			W 6, freshening further
		22.00		Reached position for patrol line.
		22.30		Course 210°.
		24.00	AJ 9524	Course 70°.
		13.12.42
		02.15	W 7, Sea 6, medium to high Swell, sustained snow and hail	Due to the weather to listen.
		03.00		Course 315°.
		04.00	AJ 9523
		07.00		Course 135°.
		08.00	AJ 9522
		10.55		Course 30°.
		12.00	AJ 9289	Day's run:  82 nm
			NW 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, 9/10, snow squalls, Vis. changing 1-6 nm
		13.50		Radio Message 1108/13/298:
				Convoy AJ 9275, course 40°.  In twilight forced to submerge by forward close escort.  In pursuit.
				- Loeser -
				On Loeser-report course 10°, 12 knots.  Higher speed settings not possible.  No lookout.
		14.50		On Radio Message 1355/13/299:
				Convoy AJ 9257, speed 6-7 knots.  NW 6, Sea 4, 1003 mb, Vis. good, 82 cbm.
				- Loeser -
				Course 0°.
		15.15		Radio Message 1415/13/301:
				1.)  Loeser, Schmid, Fenn form Group "Büffel".
				2.)  Pursue, attack.
		16.00	AJ 9261
			WNW 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, 6-9/10, snow squalls, Vis. greatly changing 1-8 nm
		17.15		Reached the main course line of the convoy.
				Came to speed 4 knots for lookout.
		17.55		2 smoke clouds in sight bearing 150°T.  Immediately covered by a snow squall.  Destroyer emerged from a snow squall, had to move off.

	Sun and Moon Data 12.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.12.42

	- 22 -
		continued
		13.12.42
		18.20		Destroyer turned away and ran out of sight in 50°T.  Turned to close course 30°.
		19.25		Course 40°.
		20.37	AJ 6896	Convoy must be close by by plotting.  Visibility good at the moment apart from the SE-horizon.  Course 120°.
		21.51		Because up to now nothing found, accept twilight zigzag to the east.  New search course 180°.
		23.05		Search unsuccessful.  to listen.
		24.00	AJ 6912
			NW 4, Sea 4, medium Swell, 8/10, snow squalls, Vis. greatly changing 1-3 nm, moonshine
		14.12.42
		03.15		Faint sound bearing in 30°T.
		03.36		Pursued.  Course 30°.
		04.00	AJ 9312
		08.00	AJ 6955
			NW 5, Sea 4, freshening, shifting right
		08.14		to listen.
		09.10		Faint sound bearing in 30°T.  Sounds unclear, convoy possible.
		09.33		Pursued.  Course 30°.
		12.00	AJ 6929	Day's run:  143 nm
			NW 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, overcast, Vis. 3-6 nm
		13.45	Shifting right, freshening	To search in misty sector:  course 45°.
		15.10		Crash dive for land-based aircraft, 4-engined.  Aircraft bombs at depth A meters.  No damage.
		15.33		Turned in a circle to listen.
		16.00	AK 4475
		16.17		Faint propeller sounds bearing 50°T.
		16.43		Sounds make slight shift to the east.
		17.32		Course 100°.
		18.18		Outgoing Radio Message 1533/14/821:  (aircraft report)
				On surfacing determined that the attack periscope is flooded because during the crash dive with the drying apparatus on valves were broken out, for the time being it can not be dried out.
		18.50		Course 90°, because sounds were shifting out.
		20.00	AK 4484
			NE 6, Sea 4-5, high Swell, rain squalls, overcast, Vis. medium

	Sun and Moon Data 13.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.12.42

	- 23 -
		continued
		14.12.42
		20.42		Because pursuit of the sound bearing was unsuccessful, again operated on B.d.U. accepted convoy route.
			Abating	Course 55°, 2 x HF (highest speed due to weather).
		24.00	AK 4519
			NE 3, Sea 2, medium Swell, 8-9/10, rain showers, Vis. medium to moderate
		15.12.42
		02.50	NE 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, rain showers	To get the bridge dry, course 60°.
		04.00	AK 4298
		08.00	AK 4357
		11.00		Must be ahead of the enemy by plotting on the accepted B.d.U. convoy route.  Changing courses athwart the enemy course.  General course 330°.
		12.00	AK 4361	Day's run:  186 nm
		15.11		Course 100°.
		16.00	AK 1989
			NE 7, Sea 6, high Swell, 6-8/10, Vis. medium
		16.30		Course 80° in misty sector.
		17.20		Encountered "Ungestüm" reconnaissance line at Strelow.  Recognition Signals exchanged, navigation comparison.
		18.10		Radio Message 1718/15/834:
				If no contact is gained by 19.00 hours, Group "Ungestüm" opposite course 8 knots.
		19.10		Course 58° like "Ungestüm".
		19.35		Radio Message 1901/15/838:
				"Ungestüm" and "Büffel" reconnaissance line settled, course 70°, 12 knots over ground.
		19.40		Course 70°.
		20.00	AK 1998
			NE 3, Sea 4, medium Swell, 8/10, Vis. medium
		20.45		Radio Message 1955/15/841:
			[AK 2842 - AK 6434]	"Ungestüm", Loeser and Fenn tomorrow 11.00 hours be in patrol line from naval square 2842 to 6434.  Loeser and Fenn take up southernmost positions and join "Ungestüm".  Timely arrival is crucial.
		20.50		Course 110°, 14 knots.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.12.42

	- 24 -
		continued
		15.12.42
		24.00	AK 9126
			NNW 4, Sea 5, medium Swell, 7/10, Vis. medium
		16.12.42
		04.00	AK 5263	Attack periscope in service again.
			NNE 4, Sea 3, abating
		08.00	AK 5381
		11.00		By special instructions for Höltring change of the disposition in the patrol line.  Course 10°.
		11.40		Several smoke clouds ahead.
		11.42		Radio Message 1047/16/849:
				Several smoke clouds naval square AK 6421.  Probably convoy.        - Loeser -
		12.00	AK 6413	Mastheads and smoke clouds from about 10 vessels visible.  Mastheads show target angles between 60° and 120°.  Shifting to the south.  Decreased range on course 180°.  Enemy course about 190°.  Day's run:  239 nm
			NNE 3, Sea 2, light Swell, 5/10, Vis. very good
		12.17		Outgoing Radio Message 1132/16/851:
				Several smoke clouds naval square 6421.
		12.52		Outgoing Short Signal:  Enemy steers southerly course.
		13.10		Convoy proceeds in broad formation, steers southwesterly course.  Am positioned to starboard ahead of the convoy.  Maneuvered further ahead.  In these weather conditions day attack is possible.
		13.56		Outgoing Radio Message 1329/16/861:
				Convoy 6443 southwesterly course.
		14.20		Am positioned about 12 nm ahead of the convoy.   Sudden visibility deterioration, rain, nothing distinguished of the convoy.  A broad sound band in the direction was the last seen.  By listening destroyers on changing course come closer.  No steamers heard.
		16.00	AK 5661
		16.16	W 4, Sea 3, low Swell, misty, rain showers	Convoy should have reached my position at 7 knots if it maintained general course, several destroyers were heard in the vicinity.  No piston engines.  Nothing in the periscope.  Surfaced.
		16.32	AK 5661	Destroyer comes in sight out of a rain squall from ahead to port with target angle left 30°, turned away, attempted to get away on the surface.
				Rain squall ended, range 3000 meters, had to , was not noticed.
				Sounds of fast runners in 240° and 120°T.  No steamers detected.  Shifted to the SW.
		18.26		Pursued in the direction of the sound bearings, course 230°.

	Sun and Moon Data 15.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.12.42

	- 25 -
		continued
		16.12.42
		19.13		Outgoing Radio message 1853/16/874:  (Destroyer report).
		20.00	W 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, 6/10, Vis. moderate to bad
			AK 5834
		21.38	W 6, freshening, shifting right	To have the bridge dry for the lookouts due to weather conditions course change to 220° is necessary.
				In addition to Loeser, sighting reports were heard from Steinaecker and Kapitzky, [illegible 6 words], all reports concern the same convoy.  There are position differences due to navigation errors.  Believe Loeser's positions are correct so synced my navigation to his contact keeping reports.
		24.00	AK 5533
			WNW 7, Sea 6, high Swell, overcast, rain, Vis. moderate
		17.12.42
		04.00	AK 5x35
			WNW 9, Sea 8, high Swell, overcast, rain
		04.42		Course 210° due to weather.
		05.40		Course 200° due to weather.
		07.50		Further weather and visibility deterioration.
				Believe that during the night we got ahead of the convoy.
				to listen and work on the torpedoes.
		08.00	AK 5884
			WNW 10, Sea 6-9, high Swell, misty, rain, Vis. very bad
		12.00	AK 5879	Day's run:  152 nm
		16.00	AK 8213	An Eto recharging converter failed, therefore significant delay in the torpedo work.
		17.02		Course 200°.
		18.37		Radio Message 1449/17/893:
				"Ungestüm":  With current weather also the convoy cannot move much from the position.  Continue searching and gain ground to the SW.  Report position immediately.
		19.20		Radio Message 1848/17/897:
				According to weather conditions expect low speed of the convoy.  Continue searching to the south to southwest.
		20.00	AK 8242
			NW 7, Sea 6, high Swell
		24.00	AK 8274

	Sun and Moon Data 16.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.12.42

	- 26 -
		18.12.42
		04.00	AK 8438
			S 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, overcast, rain, Vis. bad
		08.00	AK 8487	New search course 260°.
			SE 3, Sea 4, high Swell, overcast, misty, rain, Vis. very bad
		12.00	AK 84xx	Day's run:  108 nm
			WSW 8, Se 7, very high Swell, rain, overcast, Vis. bad
		14.30		New search course 150°.
		16.00	AK 8484
			WSW 10, Sea 9, very high Swell, overcast, rain showers
		19.25		Radio Message 1856/18/812:
				"Ungestüm".  Break off search.  Remain in reached area.  Possibly to strike dispersed steamers tomorrow during lightness.
		19.41	SW 10-11, Sea 8-9, very high Swell, misty, Vis. bad	At twilight due to weather and bad visibility.
		20.00	AK 8722
			SW 10-11, Sea 8, very high Swell, rain, hail, Vis. very bad
		20.10		To gain space to the SW, course 230°.
		24.00	AK 7825
		19.12.42
		04.00	AK 8727
		05.23	SW 10-11, Sea 8, very high Swell, rain, hail, Vis. very bad	to report weather.
		05.46		continued submerged.
		08.00	AK 8719
		12.00	AK 8742	Day's run:  35 nm
		13.52		Course 160°.
		14.32		Radio Message 1009/19/825:
				"Ungestüm".  It is assumed that in these weather condition the convoy has proceeded at most 2-3 knots in the last days.  Therefore remaining reached area and continue searching according to weather conditions as well as possible.
		14.50		Course 180°.

	Sun and Moon Data 18.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.12.42

	- 27 -
		continued
		19.12.42
		16.00	AK 8748
			SW 9, Sea 7, high Swell, 8/10, Vis. medium
		18.15		Type VII U-boat abeam to starboard, Recognition Signals exchange not doable due to weather.  Boat lay on opposite course and only came in sight briefly a few times in the high swells.
		20.00	AK 8778
			W 7, Sea 6, high Swell, 8/10, snow, hail
		20.15		Radio Message 1841/19/819:
				B.d.U. suspects convoy on 20 December midday about in square AK 74, 75, 77, 78, BC 33, BD 11.
		24.00	BD 1318
			WSW 7-8, Sea 7, very high Swell, 9/10, Vis. medium
		20.12.42
		01.15		The square given in Serial No. 819 cannot be reached by midday due to weather.  The only possibility to gain ground to the west is to proceed submerged.
				Course 270°.
		04.00	BD 1362
		08.00	BD 1281
		12.00	BD 1263	Day's run:  68 nm
		13.57
		14.08		Changing search courses 170°.
		14.50		Course 180°.
		15.00		Course 320°.
		16.00	BD 1261
			W 7, Sea 6, high Swell, hail squalls, Vis. bad
		18.25		Radio Message 1427/20/829:
				"Ungestüm".  B.d.U. suspects that independent  reported by "Hunger" came from the convoy.  Therefore the convoy is further back than assumed.  Search in the direction of the reported independents, the convoy must be in the vicinity.
		18.45		Course 340°.

	Sun and Moon Data 19.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.12.42

	- 28 -
		continued
		20.12.42
		20.00	BD 1226	Because nothing was found up to the beginning of darkness for the night on the suspected course of the convoy, to gain ground and continue searching by day.
			W 7, Sea 7, high Swell, hail and snow squalls, overcast, Vis. bad
		21.06		Course 200°.
		21.35		Course 210°.
		21.55		Radio Message 2035/20/836:  (Independent in naval square 7899)
				By this the convoy is more to the northwest than assumed.
		22.08		Course 325°.
		24.00	AK 7984
			WSW 8, Sea 7, high Swell, overcast, hail squalls
		21.12.42
		04.00	AK 7945
		08.00	AK 7839
			W 3, Sea 4, medium Swell, overcast, Vis. medium
		10.00		Course 210°.
		12.00	AK 7891	Day's run:  120 nm
		13.32		Course 300°.
		16.00	AK 7881
			SW 6, Sea 5, medium Swell, snow and hail showers, Vis. moderate
		17.20		Course 210°.
		17.53		Course 190°.
		18.19		Course 180.
		20.00	AK 7879
			SW 7, Sea 6, medium-high Swell, hail and snow squalls
		21.19		Diesel repairs (cylinder head port 2 removed and repacked).
		21.42		Course 235°.
		24.00	BD 1113
		22.12.42
		04.00	BD 1115
		08.00	BD 1117
		12.00	BC 3339	Day's run:  70 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 20.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.12.42

	- 29 -
		continued
		22.12.42
		14.31		Course 235°.
		14.45		Course 220°.
		15.35		Radio Message 1144/22/856:
				1.)  Group "Ungestüm" break off operation.
				2.)  In order Zetsche, Hunger, Scheibe, Fenn, Strelow, Loeser, Steinaecker, Hasenschar, Kapitzky on 25 December at 08.00 hours be in patrol line from HR 7272 to 0334.  [BD 2272 to BD 5334]
				3.)  Intention:  Catch a SW-bound convoy, expected on 25 December about in RM 31 [AL 81].  With that previously tasked group "Spitz" with 11 boats.
		15.49		Course to position 105°.
		16.00	BC 3365
			SW 3, Sea 2, medium Swell, overcast
		16.45		Hove to to work on the over deck.
				Dingy is completely smashed, threw the remains overboard.
		18.48		Continued transit to position.  Course 105°, HF.  Proceeded at HF because time is needed for diesel repairs.  (Cylinder head 2 port replacement, at the same time several exhaust valves.)
		20.00	BD 1151
			NW 3, Sea 2, low Swell, rain showers
		24.00	BD 1192
			NW 6, Sea 5, medium Swell, overcast, rain showers
		23.12.42
		00.06		Course 95°.  In the course of the day and following night changing courses and speed settings, to lay as calmly as possible for diesel repairs.  Work not carried out submerged due to a shortage of alkali cartridges.
		04.00	BD 1277
			WNW 8, Sea 7, high Swell, hail and snow squalls
		07.09		Outgoing Radio Message 0327/23/875:
				Serial No. 822 and 823 not picked up.  Attack periscope in service again.  4 binoculars remaining.  Provisions up to 5 January, because from Schnoor's remaining inventory only 4 days received.  48 cbm.
		08.00	BD 1541
			WNW 8, Sea 7, high Swell, overcast, hail and rain showers

	Sun and Moon Data 22.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.12.42

	- 30 -
		continued
		23.12.42
		12.00	BD 1552	Day's run:  160 nm
			W 7, Sea 6, overcast, high Swell, hail, snow, Vis. bad
		16.00	BD 1611
		20.00	W 6, Sea 5, medium Swell, moon, rain and hail squalls, Vis. medium to moderate
			BD 1624
		24.00	BD 1666
			SW 5, Sea 4, medium Swell, overcast, moonlit, Vis. medium
		24.12.42
		04.00	BD 2476
			SSW 7, Sea 6, medium Swell, rain
		08.00	BD 2497
			SW 6, Sea 5, high Swell
		12.00	BD 2822	Day's run:  172 nm
			WSW 7, Sea 6, high Swell, 5/10
		16.00	BD 2822
			WSW 7, Sea 6, high Swell, overcast, misty, Vis. moderate
		20.00	BD 2853
			W 4, Sea 3, abating
		24.00	BD 2921
			Drizzle
		25.12.42
		04.00	BD 2688
		08.00	BD 2675
			W 3, Sea 2, abating, overcast, rain	Findings from the diesel:
				Cylinder heads 1, 2, 5 port and 5 starboard cracked.
				Port diesel out of service at the moment, starboard diesel clear for at most HF.
		11.35		Outgoing Radio Message 0922/25/892:
				1.)  After cleaning intake and exhaust valves:  cylinder head 1, 2, 5 port and 5 starboard cooling water side leak.  2 port replaced.  Limitedly clear for higher speed settings and after stoppage not immediately operational.

	Sun and Moon Data 23.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.12.42

	- 31 -
		continued
		25.11.42
		11.35		2.)  For 7 days with Seem. No. 2 [Seemännische Nr.2 - a Bootsmannsmaat or Oberbootsmannsmaat] increasingly painful facial swelling, probably jaw sepsis.  Up to now tincture of iodine, Aminophenazone, heating pad discontinued due to increase in pain.
		12.00	BD 2592	Day's run:  125 nm
			NW 3-4, Sea 2-3, low Swell
		21.41		Incoming Radio Message 1049/25/893:
				1.)  Group "Ungestüm" from 25 December 12.00 hours course 20° and speed 4 knots as reconnaissance line.
				2.)  Strelow give Fenn 8 day's provisions.  For this meet on 25 December 16.00 hours in HR 7566.  Fenn report completion by Short Signal "Yes".  Boat boats afterwards integrate into reconnaissance line again.  Radio silence if possible.
		13.09		Course 106° to meeting point with Strelow.
		15.07		Incoming Radio Message 1414/25/894:
				"Ungestüm".  Fenn if as suspected, cylinder covers  are cracked, return transit.  In this case no provisions supply and report return transit immediately by Short Signal.
		16.00	BD 2672
			N 3, Sea 2, medium Swell, 6/10
		16.07		Sent Short Signal:  Have begun return transit.
				Return transit at economical transit speed.
		20.00	BD 2686
			NW 3, Sea 2, low Swell
		20.05		Radio Message 1768/25/897:
				(Excerpt) 2.) Fenn return transit.  Seem. No. 2 mouth rinse with hot chamomile solution, in case of not subsiding, if necessary, moist, warm poultice.
		24.00	BD 3721
			NW 4, Sea 3, low Swell, 8/10, Vis. medium to good
		26.12.42
		04.00	BD 3735
			WNW 2, Sea 1, low Swell, 5-8/10
		08.00	BD 3827
		08.48		Test dive.
				Propeller sounds, piston engine shifting to the SW.
		11.25		Course 225°.  Pursued sound bearing.

	Sun and Moon Data 25.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.12.42

	- 32 -
		continued
		26.12.42
		12.00	BD 3829	Day's run:  173 nm
			W 2, Sea 1, light Swell, shifting left
		16.00	BD 3875
			S 3, Sea 2, medium Swell, Vis. good
		16.10		Search broken off, course 104°.
		20.00	BD 3189
			SSE 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, overcast, Vis. medium
		20.05		Due to new diesel work.
		20.30		Faint propeller sounds, bearing 100°T, slowly coming closer.
		23.30		1 piston engine, 2 fast runners distinguished, coming closer on changing courses.
		24.00	BE 4123
		27.12.42
		00.05		Locating sounds from several vessels, about 3 second dash (high chirps) increasing and decreasing.
		00.45		3 fast runners distinguished.  Piston engine changes speed setting frequently.
		03.13		Distant depth charges.
				Thought of the vessels nearby as a U-boat hunting group or sham convoy.
		04.00	BD 3894	Formation stays in the vicinity with strongly changing courses.  Repeatedly fast runners, continually operating locating, distributed around the boat.
				At depth A +20 meters faint locating.  Showed each vessel the stern in turn.
		04.15		Distant depth charges.
		06.20		Formation ran off to the south.
		07.07		Distant depth charge series.
		07.38		Course 100°.
		08.00	BD 3892
			SW 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, overcast
		12.00	BD 9372 [typo 3972]	Day's run:  134 nm
		13.33		Outgoing Radio Message 0920/27/726:  (Reported patrol vessel group on southerly course).
		16.00	BD 3989
			SW 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, overcast, misty, Vis. bad

	Sun and Moon Data 26.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.12.42

	- 33 -
		continued
		27.12.42
		20.00	BE 1777
			SW 3, continued abating
		23.50		Incoming Radio Message 2236/27/758:
				(Orders to switch to Coastal Circuit).
		24.00	BE 4123
		28.12.42
		04.00	BE 4214
			WNW 2, Sea 1, low Swell, 3-5/10, Vis. moderate
		08.00	BE 4214
		12.00	BE 4225	Day's run:  145 nm
		16.00	BE 4317	Port diesel remains out of service with 3 cracked cylinder heads.  Starboard diesel with 2 cracked cylinder heads clear for transit speed LF, briefly at most HF.
			NE 2, Sea 1, low Swell, 8/10, Vis. medium to good
		20.00	BE 4364
			NE 3, Sea 2, low Swell
		24.00	BE 5185
		29.12.42
		04.00	BE 5199
			NNE 1, Sea 0, low Swell
		08.00	BE 5522
		10.26		Proceeded submerged.
		12.00	BE 5299	Day's run:  191 nm
		15.00		to ventilate.
		15.12		Continued submerged.
		16.00	BE 5377
		19.10		Course 100°, economical transit speed.
		20.00	NE 3, Sea 2, low Swell, 8/10, Vis. medium
			BE 5613
		24.00	BE 5643
		30.12.42
		03.00	BE 6461
			NNE 3, Sea 1, low Swell, Vis. good
		04.00	BE 6419
		09.45		Proceeded submerged.
		12.00	BE 6541	Day's run:  132 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 27.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 29.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.12.42

	- 34 -
		continued
		30.12.42
		16.00	BE 6542
		18.25		Course 100°, economical transit speed.
		20.00	BE 6555
			NW 2, Sea 1, low Swell
		24.00	BE 6569
			NW 3, Sea 2, low Swell, overcast, Vis. medium
		31.12.42
		04.00	BE 6583
		08.00	BF 4474
		09.09		Proceeded submerged.
		12.00	BF 4475	Day's run:  142 nm
		16.00	BF 4487
		18.18		Course 100°, economical transit speed.
		20.00	BF 4497
		22.26		Incoming Radio Message 0954/31/68:
				(Excerpt)  To Fenn:  Return harbor is St. Nazaire as ordered on 27 December with Serial No. 81/174.
				Radio Message was not received with old Serial No. because the boat was still on Hubertus Circuit.
		24.00	BF 4813
		01.01.43
		03.38	BF 4834	Detection.
		04.00	BF 4834
		05.17		Course 101°, economical transit speed.
		08.00	BF 4918
			NW 3, Sea 2, low Swell, overcast, Vis. medium
		09.25		Proceeded submerged.
		12.00	BF 4952	Day's run:  140 nm
		16.00	BF 4993
		18.11		Course 101°, economical transit speed.
		18.40		Detection.
		19.36		Course 101°, economical transit speed.
		20.00	BF 4965
			WNW 5, Sea 4, 9/10, Vis. medium
		20.30		Detection.
		21.28		Course 101°, economical transit speed.

	Sun and Moon Data 30.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 31.12.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.01.43

	- 35 -
		continued
		01.01.43
		24.00	BF 5757
			NW 6, Sea 5, 6/10, medium Swell, marine phosphorescence, Vis. moderate, misty
		02.01.43
		04.00	BF 5872
			NW 4, Sea 3, medium Swell
		08.00	BF 8332
		08.38		Course 110°.
		11.15		Course 77°.
		12.00	BF 8333	Day's run:  138 nm
		16.00	BF 9112
		20.00	BF 6777
		20.08		Course 77°, economical transit speed.
		21.12		Course 32°.
		24.00	BF 6759
			NNW 4, Sea 3, medium Swell, Vis. bad, marine phosphorescence
		03.01.43
		04.00	BF 6731	Zigzag course on Route Morgennebel.
		08.00	BF 6792
		08.26		Escort in sight, boat is offset 8 nm to the east, despite good Radio Bearings.
		08.51		Convoy intake.
				Entry delayed by air attack on St. Nazaire.
		15.05		Made fast in the St. Nazaire Lock.
			Total day's run:  =  6393 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 01.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 02.01.43
	Sun and Moon Data 03.01.43

 

	Comments of the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
	on the Kriegstagebuch of "U-445" from 3.11.42 to 3.1.43
	First patrol of the Kommandanten with a new boat.  It offered the Kommandanten no attack opportunities.
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		- The Chief of the Operations Department -

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