Translated by
	OP 20 GI-A
	9 September, 1944

	(German Classification)
	SECRET
	War Diary
	Command "U-505"
	Commanding Officer: Ob. Lt. z. See Harald Lange
	7th War Cruise from 25 December 1943 to ((4)) June 1944
	All Squares Naval Squares
	All times German Standard Time
	Contains pages Nr. 1 - ((60))
	As appendix copies of Radio messages page 1 - _____:*
	((*TRANS. NOTE: Not included))

 

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Page 1

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
		Lorient Harbor
	8/11/43 to	Lorient	Refitting
	20/12/43
	20/12
	1530	Skorff shelter berth Lorient	Cast off.
	1600	SSW 1-2, sea 1, overcast,	Under escort by barrage breaker.
		rain. 1017
	1745	Point "Leben"
	1815		Under outer escort.
	2000	BF 5533
	2400	SSW 1-2, sea 1, 3/4 overcast,1015
	21/12
	0200	BF 5549
	0213	BF 5549	Deep-diving test.
	0455	BF 5548	Return begun on account of leak in flange. "Lead-in of multiple hydrophone cables. Faulty welded joint."
	0800	BF 5552
		SSW 4, sea 3-4, half overcast, 1011
	0905	BF 5529	Submerged.
	1016	BF 5529	Surfaced.
	1200	BF 5530
	1425		Under inner escort.
	1650	Skorff shelter berth	Made fast.
	Up to
	25/12	Lorient	In dockyard.
	1630	Skorff shelter berth	Cast off.
	1650	Lorient Harbor	Submerged for trimming test.
	1711		Surfaced.
	1857	Point Leben
	1900		Released from inner escort.
	2000	BF 6177
		WNW 2-3, sea 2, overcast, misty, 1039
	2132		Message received:
			2110/25/45.

 

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Page 2

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	1943	Inner Biscay
	25/12
	2400	BF 5546
		WNW 1-2, sea 1-2, overcast, 1039
	26/12
	0000	BF 5546
	0009	BF 5549	Reached 200 meter line.
			Deep-diving test.
	0200		Deep diving test ended.
	0400	BF 5548
	0610	BF 5547	Surfaced.
	0625		Fire in the starboard Diesel. By 0636 fire put out with extinguishers.
	0730		Submerged.
	0800	BF 5468
		W 1-2, sea 1, overcast, 1039
	0811		Beginning of daylight.
	1200	BF 5467	Day's run 103 19
	1600	BF 5459
	1834		End of daylight.
	1836	BF 5459	Surfaced.
	2000	BF 5459
		WNW 1-2, sea 1, A quarter overcast, 1039
	2059	BF 5447	Submerged.
	2400	BF 4669
	27/12
	0000	BF 4669
	0400	BF 4668
	0615	BF 4668	Surfaced.
	0730	BF 4658	Submerged.
	0800	BF 4658
		WNW 1-2, sea 1, 3/4 overcast, 1038
	0818		Beginning of daylight.
	1200	BF 4655	Nautical miles: 103 19 *25 - 26/12 51 30 Total 154 49
	1600	BF 4651
	1828	BF 4651	Surfaced.
	1845	BF 4615	End of daylight.
	1948	ENE 2, sea 2-3 overcast 1036
			*Evidently 26 - 27/12 is intended.

 

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Page 3

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	1943	Inner Biscay
	28/12
	0000	BF 4614
	0400	BF 4536
	0604	BF 4536	Surfaced.
	0800	BF 4522
		ESE 3, sea 2-3, overcast, 1036
	0802		Submerged.
	0827		Beginning of daylight.
	1035		From 1035 to 1107 7 D/C explosions heard at a considerable distance.
	1200	BF 4522	Nautical miles: 154 49 27 - 28/12 44 31 Total 198 80
	1400	BF 4521	From 1400 to 1610 on bearing 220° to 240° true heard artillery explosions and explosions of A/C bombs in near to medium distance (41 A/C bombs).
	1836	BF 4521	Surfaced.
	1848		End of daylight.
	1916	BF 4513	Submerged.
	1940		Message received: 1712/28/6.
	2000	BF 4513
		ENE 2, sea 1-2, overcast, 1034
	2004		Surfaced both Diesels 4/5 speed.
	2042		Message received:
			1733/28/98.

 

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Page 4

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	1943	Inner Biscay
	28/12
	2042		Continuation of message
			1733/28/98.
	2048		Message received:
			2208/28/6.
	2400	BF 4482
		E to N 2-3, sea 2, overcast, 1033, poor visibility
	29/12
	0000	BF 4482	At 0015 "Wanze" motor out of order.
	0140	BF 4478	Sighted red distress signal (star signal) bearing 177° true.
	0400	BF 4745	Picked up occupants of 7 life-rafts which were bound together. Among them the CO of T-25 and 28 men.
	0500	BF 4745	On bearing 223° true distress signal, not repeated. Until 0545 searched without results.
	0610	BF 4745	Submerged.
	0800	BF 4745
	0930	BF 4741	Went to periscope depth.
		E 5-6, sea 5-6, swell, low-lying nimbus under 200 meters.
	0940		One flying-boat (Sunderland) at low altitude about 2000 meters. Remained unobserved.

 

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Page 5

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
		Inner Biscay
	29/12
	1200	BF 4741	Nautical miles: 198 80 28 - 29/12 130 18 Total 328 98
	1600	BF 4745
	1838	BF 4745	Surfaced.
	1845		End of daylight. Distress signals bearing 274° true.
	1915 to 1930	BF 4744	Rescued 5 men from two singly-floating rafts. several distress signals sighted bearing 250° to 295° true.
	1913	BF 4744	Messages received: 1527/29/21.
	2000	BE 6966
		ENE 5, sea 4, overcast, misty, 1033
	2010	BE 6965	Identified sighted steamer lights as those of the Irish steamer (Message 1527/29/21). Steamer looking with searchlights for survivors. Own U-boat apparently not seen.
			Since the steamer is now searching in #BE 6965, it is assumed that #6921 has already been thoroughly searched. Course altered. Running at high speed toward #BE 6932.
	2215	BE 6932	Search cruise in BE 6932 and 6933. Search without results.
	2243	BE 6933	Message transmitted:
			C.O. and 33 men of T-25 rescued. Returning BE 6933. Lange.
	2342	BF 4714	Submerged.
	2321	BE 6936	Message received:
			1107/29/18.
	2400	BF 4714
		ENE 4-5, sea 4-5, overcast, misty 1033.

 

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Page 6

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
		Inner Biscay
	30/12
	0000	BF 4714
	0400	BF 4714
	0550		2 A/C bomb explosions at medium distance.
	0630	BF 4716	Surfaced.
		ENE 3-4, sea 4, overcast, 1033
	0702	BF 4716	Crash dive because of searchlight bearing 265°. Distance about 800-1000 meters. Apparently A/C.
	0800	BF 4724
	0834		Beginning of daylight.
	1200		Nautical miles: 328 98 29 - 30/12 66 26 Total 394 26
	1600	BF 4725
	1846	BF 4726	Surfaced.
	1853		End of daylight.
	1907	BF 4734	Message received:
			11736/30/48.
	2000	BF 4738
		NE4, sea 3-4, overcast, 1038
	2100	BF 4817	Message received:
			1258/30/38.
	2120	BF 4818	Submerged.
	2400	BF 4818
	31/12
	0000	BF 4818
	0400	BF 4819
	0629	BF 4827	Surfaced.
	0800	BF 4829
		NNE 4, sea 3-4, overcast, 1038
	0803		Submerged.
	1200	BF 4834	Nautical miles: 394 124 30 - 31/12 52 31 Total 446 155

 

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Page 7

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	1943	Inner Biscay
	31/12
	1600	BF 4835
	1842	BF 4836	Surfaced.
	1856	BF 4836	Crash dive. Ortung 169 cm.
	2000	BF 4836	Surfaced.
	2029	BF 4914	Crash dive. Light, bearing 120° true, shifting quickly 35° to the left.
		NNE 2-3, sea 2, overcast, 1037
	2237	BF 4914	Surfaced.
	2329	BF 4914	Submerged.
	2400	BF 3913 (sic)
	1944
	1/1
	0000	BF 4913
	0400	BF 4922
	0558	BF 4922	Surfaced.
	0800	BF 4698
		NNE 2, sea 1, overcast, 1036
	0810	BF 4899	Submerged.
	0818		Beginning of daylight.
	1200	BF 5477	Nautical miles: 446 155 31 - 1/1 50 31 Total 496 186
	1206	BF 5477	Surfaced. (Fix)
	1208		Submerged.
	1600	BF 5477	Surfaced.
	1838	BF 4665	Surfaced.
	1845	BF 5455	Correction of plot
			316° 30 m.
	1850		End of daylight.
	2000	BF 5455	Submerged. 2134.
	1858		Message received:
			1543/1/90
	2105	BF 5454	Message transmitted:
			2105/1/97.
	2400	BF 5456

 

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Page 8

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	1944	Inner Biscay
	*2/2/44
	0000	BF 5456
	0400	BF 5544
	0245	BF 5464	Surfaced.
	0315		Message received:
			2304/1/98.
	0420	200 meter line
	0811	NNW 3, sea 1, half overcast	Beginning of daylight.
	0945	Point 344 (Eisbaer)	Picked up by escort.
	0935		Fire in the electric motor because of inrush of water and resultant short circuit. 0945 put out with fire extinguishers.
	1210	Brest outer harbor	Released from escort.
	1235	Nautical miles: 496 186 Up to 2/2 155 28 Total 651 214
*Sic: evidently error for 2/1
			On board 2 Jan., 1944
			Ob. Leutnant z See U.Kmdt.

 

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Page 9

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
		Brest Harbor
From 2 January to 16 March, 1944 refitting in Brest.
	March
	16/3
	1835	Brest	Cast off.
	1905	Brest roadstead	Submerged for trimming test.
	1925		Surfaced.
	2000		Picked up by escort.
	2400	BF 5265
		SSW 2, sea 1-2, C 2. 1020
	17/3
	0000	BF 5265
	0400	BF5278
		SSW, sea 1-2, C 4. 1022
	0640		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	BF 5547
	0752		Submerged. Deep-diving test.
	0926		Surfaced.
	1025	BF 5547	Released from escort.
			Beginning of war cruise.
	1135	BF 5498	Submerged.
		N 1. sea 1, 1023
	1200	BF 5498	16-17/3 Nautical Miles 135 7
	1600	BF 5497
	1611		1 A/C bomb heard in middle distance.
	2000	BF 5731
	2010		End of daylight.
	2257	BF 5723	Surfaced.
	18/3
	0000	BF 5727
		SE 2, sea 1-2, C 3, visibility good, 1023
	0046		Submerged.
	0400	BF 5743
	0513	BF 5743	Surfaced.
		SE 2, sea 1-2, C 2, good visibility, 1024
	0536	BF 5742	Submerged.
	0650		Beginning of daylight.

 

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Page 9

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	18/3/44	Inner Biscay
	0800	BF 5745
	1200	BF5744	Nautical miles carried over: 135 7 17-18/3 26 23 Total 161 30
	1600	BF 4969
	2000	BF 4993	2024 end of daylight
	2300	BF 4992	Surfaced.
	2400	BF 4994
		ESE 2-3, sea 2, C 2
		visibility good, 1025
	19/3
	0015	BF 4986
	0400	BF 4889
		ESE 1-2, sea 1, C 2 1025
	0453	BF 4989	Surfaced.
	0549	BF 8111	Submerged.
	0650		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	BF 7333
	1200	BF 7336	Nautical miles carried over: 161 30 18-19 26 33 Total 187 63
	1600	BF 7338
	2000	BF 7337
	2030		End of daylight.
	2247	BF 7353	Surfaced.
	2332	BF 7352	Crash dive. Ortung "Naxos".
	20/3
	0000	BF 7352
		NE 2-3, sea 2, C 8
		visibility medium, strong phosphorescence. 1023
	0100	BF 7354	Surfaced.
	0210	BF 7349	Crash dive. Ortung "Naxos".
	0311	BF 7348	Surfaced.
		NE 2-3, sea 2, 0
		visibility poor, 1029
	0400	BF 7371
	0454	BF 7293	Crash dive. Ortung "Naxos".
	0653		Beginning of daylight.

 

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Page 11

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	20/3	Inner Biscay
	0800	BF 7296
	1200	BF 7295	Nautical miles carried over: 187 63 19-20/3 37 31 Total 224 94
	1600	BF 7297
	2035		End of daylight.
	2251	BF 7522	Surfaced.
	2346	BF 7524	Crash dive. Ortung "Naxos".
	2400	BF 7524
		ESE 4, sea 3, C 6
		visibility medium. 1023
	21/3
	0322	BF 7519	Surfaced.
	0400	BF 7542
		ESE 4, sea 3-4, C 8.
		Visibility poor, 1020
	0445	BF 7541	Submerged.
	0700		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	BF 7466
	1200	BF 7465	Nautical miles carried over: 224 94 18-19 28 34 Total 252 128
	1600	BF 7467
	2000	BF 7483
	2045		End of daylight.
	2218	BF 7483	Surfaced.
	2332	BF 7484
		ENE 3, sea 1-2, C 3
		Visibility medium 1015
	0400	BF 7711
	0447	BE 9936	Submerged.
	0700		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	BE 9938
	1200	BE 9938	Nautical miles carried over: 252 128 18-19 38 33 Total 290 161

 

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Page 12

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	22/3	Outer Biscay
	1600	BE 9961	Propeller noises, presumably piston engines, bearing 165° true - very soft.
	1900	BE 9953	Went to periscope depth, saw nothing.
	1920	Sea 3	Established by diverging courses that the source of the bearing is not moving.
	2234	BE 9953	Surfaced. Saw nothing. Moved off at 3/4 speed on course 300° true for 30 minutes.
	2304	SE 1, sea 0, C 9
		Visibility medium 1012
	23/3
	0000	BE 9949
	0007	BE 9949	Submerged.
	0400	BE 9971
	0306	BE 9949	Surfaced.
		W 1-2, Sea 0, 0
		Visibility poor. 1012
	0505	BE 9896	Submerged.
	0705		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	BE 9899
	1200	BE 9898	Nautical miles carried over: 290 161 18-19 47 33 Total 337 194
	1600	CG 1221
	2000	CG 1221
	2218	CG 1216	Surfaced.
	24/3
	0000	CG 1245
		W 1-2, sea 1, B
		Visibility medium, 1018
	0042	CG 1271
		SW 1, sea 0-1, b
		Visibility poor, 1020
		Strong phosphorescence
	0258	CG 1193	Surfaced.
	0400	CG 1198
	0543		Submerged.
	0710		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	CG 1456

 

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Page 13

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	22/3	Outer Biscay
	1200	CG 1455	Nautical miles carried over: 337 194 23-24/3 72 29 Total 409 223
	1600	CG 1458
	2000	CG 1481
	2100		End of daylight.
	2240	CG 1484	Surfaced.
	2400	CG 1715
		S 2, sea 1-2, C 3
		visibility medium. 1022
	25/3
	0149	CF 3969	Submerged.
	0400	CF 3969
		S 3, sea 2, 0,
		visibility medium. 1021
	0406	CF 3969	Surfaced.
	0434		Message transmitted:
			0436/24/42 "My position is:
			CG 17 U-505".
	0509	CF 3995	Submerged.
		S 3, sea 2, 0
		visibility poor, 1021
	0715		Beginning of daylight.
	1200	CF 3997	Nautical miles carried over: 409 223 24-25/3 59 30 Total 468 253
	1600	CF 6323
	2000	CF 6326
	2226	CF 6329
		ESE 5, sea 4-5, C 5.
		visibility medium, 1024.
		Strong phosphorescence
	26/3/44
	0000	CF 6354
	0157	CF 6376	Submerged.
	0400	CF 6378
	0457	CF 6612	Crash dive. Ortung "Wanze 169 dm."
		ESE 5-6, sea 4-5
		c 7, 1015

 

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Page 14

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	26/3	Middle Atlantic
	0720		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	CF 6612
	1200	CF 6615	Nautical miles carried over: 468 253 25-26/3 48 29 Total 516 282
	1600	CF 6618
	2000	CF 6642
	2257	CF 6645	Surfaced.
		SE to E 5, sea 4-5, c 2,
		1010, Visibility good
	27/3
	0000	CF 6672
	0123	CF 6678	Submerged.
	0343	CF 6912	Surfaced
	0400	CF 6915
		SSW 6, sea 5-6, o/p, visibility
		medium, weak phosphorescence
	0430	CF 6915	Submerged.
	0720		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	CF 6918
	1200	CF 6942	Nautical miles carried over: 516 282 26-27/3 31 30 Total 547 312
	2000	CF 6948
	2105		End of daylight.
	2245	CF 6948	Surfaced.
	28/3
	0000	CF 6978
		SW 3, sea 2-3, b, 1018, visibility good
	0108	CF 9315	Submerged.
	0331	CF 9318	Surfaced.
	0400	CF 9342
		S 3, sea 2-3, c 2, 1016,
		visibility medium
	0510		Submerged.
	0717		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	CF 9375
	1200	CF 9378	Nautical miles carried over:* 601 342 27-28/3 54 30 Total 601 342
			*sic: error for 547 312

 

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Page 15

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	28/3	Middle Atlantic
	1600	CF 9612
	2000	CF 9615
	2104		End of daylight.
	2331	CF 9615	Surfaced.
	2358	CF 9618	Message received:
			1719/28/22
	29/3
	0000	CF 9618
		SW 6-7, sea 5-6, overcast,
		rain, 1006. Visibility medium
	0128	CF 9646	Submerged.
	0400	CF 9649
	0429	CF 9649	Surfaced.
	0530	CF 9673	Submerged.
		SW 6-7, sea 5-6, c 3, 1006
		Visibility good
	0715		End of daylight.
	0800	CF 9675
	1200	CF 9678	Nautical miles carried over: 601 342 28/29.3 27 33 Total 628 375
	1600	CF 9677
	2000	CF 9833
	2103		End of daylight.
	2307	CF 9833	Surfaced.
	30/3
	0000	CF 9833
		WSW 4, sea 3-4, c 4, 1010,
		visibility medium
	0610	CF 9884	Submerged.
	0719		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	CF 9884
	1200	CF 9879	Nautical miles carried over: 628 375 29/30.3 46 29 Total 674 404

 

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Page 16

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	30/3	Middle Atlantic
	1600	CF 9878
	2000	DH 2312
	2107		End of daylight.
	2235	DH 2311	Surfaced.
	31/3
	0000	DH 2311
		WSW 3-4, sea 2-3, overcast,
		1017, visibility medium
	0203	DH 2252	Submerged.
	0400	DH 2252	Surfaced.
		WSW 3-4, sea 3, c 8, 1017
		visibility good
	0640	DH 2244	Submerged.
	0720		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	DH 2244
	1200	DH 2169	Nautical miles carried over: 674 404 30-31/3 61 27 Total 735 431
	1600	DH 2169
	2000	DH 2192
	2104	DH 2192	Surfaced.
	2110		Correction of plot:
			292° 10m.
	2115		End of daylight.
	2309	DH 2191	Submerged.
		S 4-5, sea 4, c 8
		1014; visibility medium
	1/4/44
	0000	DH 2181
	0406	DH 2176	Surfaced.
		SW to W 5-6, sea 5,
		overcast, 1011
		visibility medium
	0614	DH 2178	Message transmitted:
			0614/1/85 (short signal)
	0628	DH 2178	Submerged.
	0725		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	DH 2178
	1200	DH 2177	Nautical miles carried over: 734 431 31/3-1/4 31 30 Total * 736 461
			*Sic: error in addition which apparently was never rectified.

 

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Page 17

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	1/4/44	Middle Atlantic
	1600	DH 1633
	2000	DH 1633
	2103	DH 1632	Surfaced.
	2220	DH 1623	Beginning of darkness.
			Observed explosion of machine gun shells bearing 280° true. Distance 10 m.
	2323	DH 1628	Message received:
			1015/1/92.
	2/4
	0000	DH 1628 SSW 5-6, sea 5, overcast, rain, 1610, visibility medium.
	0400	DH 1645 WSW 6, sea 5-6, c 7, 1011. Visibility medium.
	0633	DH 1593	Submerged.
	0730		Beginning of daylight
	0800	DH 1592
	1200	DH 1595	Nautical miles carried over: 736 461 1/4-2/4 69 21 Total 805 482
	2000	DH 1589
	2010		Hydrophone bearing 205° true. Bearing disappeared by 2040 in 120° true. (noise of a Diesel engine) Apparently a U-boat.
	2046		Surfaced. Saw nothing.
	2110		End of daylight.
	3/4/44
	0000	DH 1824 W 5-6, sea 5, c 8, 1011, visibility medium
	0200		Set ship's clocks 1 hour ahead.
	0400	DH 1818 W 5, sea 4 c 8, visibility good

 

---

 

Page 18

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	3/4/44	Middle Atlantic
	0800	DH 1767
	0829	DH 1768	Submerged.
		W 5, sea 4, overcast, 1012, visibility medium
	0840		Beginning of daylight.
	1200	DH 1791	Nautical miles carried over: 805 482 2/4-3/4 62 20 Total 867 502
	1600	DG 1783
	2000	DH 1785
	2219	DH 1785	Surfaced.
	2230		End of daylight.
	4/4/44
	0000	DH 1787
		SSE 3, sea 1-2, overcast, rain 1013, visibility medium
	0141	DH 4113	Message received M. Offz.
			0027/4/301.
	0730	DG 6364	Distance from assigned rendezvous 580 m.
	0732	DG 6364	Short signal transmitted twice, not heard.
	0800	DG 6359
		SSW 3-4, sea 2-3, c 4, 1013, visibility good
	0836	DG 6383	Submerged.
	0843		Beginning of daylight.
	1200	DG 6385	Nautical miles carried over: 867 502 3/4-4/4 79 21 Total 946 523
	1600	DG 6388
	2000	DG 6387
	2226	DG 6621	Surfaced. Correction of plot: 169° 15 m.
	2237		End of daylight.
	2313	DG 6651	Crash dive: Ortung (Naxos)

 

---

 

Page 19

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	5/4/44
	0000	DG 6654
		W 4, sea 3, c 7, Rain shower, 1013. Lightening
	0003		Surfaced.
	0400	DG 6911
	0008	DG 6675	Message transmitted:
			short signal 0008/5/315.
	0213	DG 6675	Received message:
			0121/5/317.
	0800	DG 6865
		WNW 4-5, sea 4, c 4, 1015, visibility good. Lightening
	0839	DG 6864	Submerged.
	0846		Beginning of daylight.
	1200	DG 6864	Nautical miles carried over: 946 523 4/4-5/4 90 22 Total 1036 545
	1600	DG 6859
	2000	DG 6858
	2230	DG 6857	Surfaced.
	2241	*DG	End of daylight.
	6/4/44
	0000	DG 6873
		WNW 7-8, sea 6, c 2
		1021, visibility good.
	0035	DG 6873	Received message: Offz.
			1206/5/326
	0230	DG 6875	Alteration of course to 222° true. Distance to rendezvous 183 m.
	0400	DG 9133
		NW 6-7, sea 4, c 4
		1021, visibility medium
	0800	DG 9159
	0850		Correction of plot 32° 2 m.
	0850		Beginning of daylight.
		*Sic

 

---

 

Page 20

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	6/4/44	Middle Atlantic
	0857	DG 9182
		WNW 6-7, sea 5-6, half overcast, 1021, visibility good
	1200	DG 9184	Nautical miles carried over: 1066 545 5/4-6/4 88 21 Total 1154 566
	1600	DG 9187
	2000	DG 9179
	2230	DG 9179	Surfaced.
	2246		End of daylight.
	2400	DG 8636
		NNW 2-3, sea 2, half overcast, 1025
	7/4/44
	0400	DG 8658
	0857	DG 8675	Beginning of daylight.
	0908		"U-123" in sight bearing 010° true.
	0915	DG 8675	"U-123" alongside. Keyword order transferred by 1st WO in rubber boat.
	0940		Moved off.
	0945	DG 8675	Submerged.
	1200	DG 8678	Nautical miles carried over: 1154 566 6/4-7/4 82 20 Total 1236 586
	1600	DG 8911
	2000	DG 8914
	2239	DG 8917	Surfaced, Carried out test firing of A/A armament.
	2251		End of daylight.
	8/4/44
	0000	DG 8863
		NNE 1-2, sea 1, overcast, visibility good
	0400	DG 8899
	0800	DS 3356
		NNE 1-2, sea 2, half overcast, visibility good
	0859		Beginning of daylight.
	0908	DS 3359	Beginning of daylight.
			Submerged.

 

---

 

Page 21

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	8/4/44	Middle Atlantic
	1200	DS 3383	Nautical miles carried over: 1236 586 7/4-8/4 77 20 Total 1313 606
	1600	DS 3386
	2000	DS 3389
	2241	DS 3623	Surfaced.
	2250		End of daylight.
	2400	DS 3629
		NE 2, sea 2, overcast, 1024
		Visibility good
	9/4/44
	0400	DS 3686
		NE 2, sea 2, overcast, visibility good
	0800	DS 3929
	0911	DS 3953	Submerged.
	1200	DS 3956	Nautical miles carried over: 1313 606 8/4-9/4 76 20 Total 1389 626
	1430-1959		25 A/C Bomb detonations heard in medium to far distance.
	1600	DS 3959	1614-1730 24 A/C bomb detonations at medium distance.
	2000	DS 3983
	2241	DS 3983	Surfaced.
	2248		End of daylight.
	10/4
	0000	DS 3989
		NE 2-3, sea 1, overcast.
		Visibility moderately good. 1023
	0400	DS 6353
	0449		Message transmitted:
			0449/10/394.
	0913	DS 6626	Submerged. Correction of plot 0° 9 m.
	0800	DS 6389	0901 Beginning of daylight.
	1200	DS 6626	Nautical miles carried over: 1389 626 9/4-10/4 72 20 Total 1461 646
	1600	DS 6629

 

---

 

Page 22

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	10/4/44	Middle Atlantic
	2000	DS 6653
	2226	DS 6656	Surfaced.
	2247		End of daylight.
	11/4
	0000	DS 6659
		NE 3, sea 2-3, half overcast, 1023
	0400	DS 6926
	0725		Message received:
			0904/10/396.
	0800	DS 6983
	0901		Beginning of daylight
	0915	DS 6994	Submerged.
	1200	DS 6997	Nautical miles carried over: 1461 646 10/4-11/4 74 20 Total 1535 666
	1600	DS 9332
	2000	DS 9335
	2228	DS 9335	Surfaced.
	2246		End of daylight.
	12/4
	0000	DS 9339
		NE 3-4, sea 3, overcast,
		1021, visibility medium
	0400	DT 7175
	0800	DT 7427
		NE 4, sea 3, overcast,
		1020, visibility medium
	0858		Beginning of daylight.
	0915	DT 7449	Submerged.
	1200	DT 7418	Nautical miles carried over: 1535 666 11/4-12/4 60 18 Total 1595 684
	1600	DT 7445
	2000	DT 7449

 

---

 

Page 23

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	12/4/44	Middle Atlantic
	2228	DT 7449	Surfaced.
	2244		End of daylight.
	2400	DT 7484
		NE 3, sea 2-3, 1/4 overcast, 1016, visibility good
	13/4
	0400	Dt 7729
		NE 3-4, sea 2-3, 3/4 overcast, 1016, visibility good
	0800	DT 7791
	0858		Beginning of daylight.
	0913	DT 7798	Submerged. Correction of plot 250° 14 m.
	1200	DT 1123	Nautical miles carried over: 1595 684 12/4-13/4 72 20 Total 1667 704
	1600	DT 1123
	2000	DT 1134
	2234	DT 1137	Surfaced.
	2400	DT 1162
		NE 3-4, sea 3, 3/4 overcast, 1016
	14/4
	0215		Message received:
			1253/13/340.
	0400	EJ 1278
		NE 3-4, sea 3, 3/4 overcast, 1016
	0800	EJ 1527
	0857		Beginning of daylight.
	0910	EJ 1554	Submerged.

 

---

 

Page 24

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	14/4/44	Middle Atlantic - West of Cape Verde Islands
	1200	EJ 1558	Nautical miles carried over: 1667 704 13/4-14/4 74 20 Total 1741 724
	1600	EJ 1558
	2000	EJ 1583
	2221	EJ 1586	Surfaced.
	2239		End of daylight.
	15/4
	0000	EJ 1597
		NE 3-4, sea 3, clear sky, 1016, phosphorescence
	0400	EJ 1863
	0800	EJ 1875
		NE 3, sea 2, 1016, 3/4 overcast
	0906	EJ 4312	Submerged.
			0855 Beginning of daylight.
	1200	EJ 4342	Nautical miles carried over: 1741 724 14/4-15/4 80 25 Total 1821 749
	1600	EJ 4343
	2000	EJ 4354
	2218	EJ 4354	Surfaced.
	2233		End of daylight.
	16/4
	0000	EJ 4382
		NE 3, sea 3, 1017, half overcast, visibility medium.
	0400	EJ 4633
		NE 4, sea 3-4, half overcast
	0800	EJ 4546
	0855		Beginning of daylight.
			Correction of plot
			270° 10 m.
	0859	EJ 5446	Submerged.
	1200	EJ 5449	Nautical miles carried over: 1821 749 15-16/4 66 20 Total 1887 769
	1600	EJ 5457
	2000	EJ 5482
	2228		End of daylight.

 

---

 

Page 25

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	16/4/44	West of Cape Verde Islands
	2223	EJ 5482	Surfaced.
	17/4/44
	0000	EJ 5494
		NE 4, sea 3-4, 1/4 overcast,
		1018, moderate swell. Phosphorescence
	0400	EJ 5812
	0800	EJ 5829
		NE 3, 2-3, sea, half overcast, 1015
	0846		Beginning of daylight.
	0850		Correction of plot
			100° 5 m.
	0854	EJ 5862	Submerged.
	1200	EJ 5865	Nautical miles carried over: 1887 769 16/4-17/4 76 20 Total 1963 789
	1600	EJ 5864
	2000	EJ 5944
	2222	EJ 5947	End of daylight.
			Surfaced
	18/4/44
	0000	EJ 5973
		NE 3, sea 2-3, half overcast, 1016, Visibility medium, Phosphorescence
	0400	EJ 5997
	0800	EJ 9115
		NE 3, sea 2-3, overcast, 1015
		Phosphorescence
	0841		Beginning of daylight.
	0850		Correction of plot
			315° 5 m. Submerged.
	1141	EJ 9119	Heard explosion of 1 A/C bomb.
	1200	EJ 9119	Nautical miles carried over: 1963 789 17-18/4 68 20 Total 2031 809
	1240		Hydrophone bearing 110° true - weak. Went to Periscope depth - nothing to be seen.
	1434		Hydrophone bearing 045° true.
	1450	Cloudiness 7/10. Height of clouds 1500 meters.	Hydrophone bearing 040° true - disappearing. Nothing visible at periscope depth.
	1600	EJ 9127

 

---

 

Page 26

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	18/4/44	West of Cape Verde Islands
	2000	EJ 9152
	2214	EJ 9152	End of daylight.
			Surfaced.
	19/4/44
	0000	EJ 91668
		NNE 2-3, sea 2, half overcast, 1015, phosphorescence
	0800	EJ 9253
		NE 2, sea 1-2, overcast, 1014
	0836		Beginning of daylight.
	0840	EJ 9538	Submerged.
	0940		Correction of plot:
			160° 12 m.
	1200	EJ 9538	Nautical miles carried over: 2031 809 20-21/4 79 22 Total 2110 831
			From 1227 to 1340 heard 24 explosions, probably A/C bombs at medium to fairly great distance.
	1600	EJ 9563	1653 to 1818 9 A/C bomb detonations in middle distance.
	2000	EJ 9641
	2208	EJ 9645	Surfaced.
	2211		End of daylight.
	20/4/44
	0000	EJ 9646
		NE 2, sea 1-2, 1/10 overcast, 1016
		Moderate phosphorescence
	0400	EJ 9695
	0800	EK 7713
		N to E 1-1, Sea 1, overcast, 1015
	0830		Beginning of daylight. Correction of plot 123° 11m.
	0837	EK 7719	Submerged.
	1200	EK 7728	Nautical miles carried over: 2110 831 21-22/4 82 21 Total 2192 852
	1600	EK 7752
	2000	EK 7753
	2155	EK 7753	Surfaced.

 

---

 

Page 28

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	23/4/44	Off Freetown
	0400	1st day after the new moon.
		ET 2556
		NW 1-2, sea 1, half overcast, strong Phosphorescence
	0800	ET 2672
		NW 1-2, sea 1, almost entirely overcast. Strong Phosphorescence
	0805		Correction of plot:
			282° 2.5 m.
	0813	ET 2672	Beginning of daylight.
	1000 to 1030		At periscope depth.
	1200	ET 2676	Nautical miles carried over: 2352 892 22-23/4 81 19 Total 2433 911
			Port-propeller is making excessive noises even at lowest r.p.m. Noise similar to that of empty iron drum on stone pavement. Assume: Plating loose on one side.
	1600	ET 2684
	2000	ET 2685
	2138	ET 2685	Surfaced
	2144		End of daylight. Attempted to sheer off suspected loose plating by high speed astern with both shafts. There after no more foreign noises made by the port propeller at low speed.
	2400	ET 2933
		WNW 3-4, sea 3, 3/4 overcast. Strong phosphorescence.
	24/4	2nd day after the new moon.	Entered into op. area assigned by radio message.
	0037	ET 3711	Cruise through harbor entrance sector as far
		WNW 4, sea 2-3, detached clouds. Visibility good.	as St. Ann's Shoals at slow speed on south course. Middle shallow water echo sounder not working from time to time.
	0400	ET 3773	Course altered to 220° Cruised along known
		NW 2. 3/4 overcast 1013 mb.	entrance lane to Freetown noted in St. W.O. 481. Intention: in these first nights after the new moon to take up position for intercepting traffic in the southeast sector between ET 3781 and 6162 up to 100 meter line.

 

---

 

Page 29

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	24/4/44	Off Freetown
	0800	ET 6117	Correction of plot
		W to N 5, sea 3, overcast	270° 9.3 m.
		1014 mb., clear horizon
	0810	ET 6117	Submerged.
	0811		Beginning of daylight.
			Underwater listening sweep at A-50. Every two hours at periscope depth.
	1200	ET 5362	Nautical miles carried over: 2433 911 23-24/4 104 22 Total 2537 933
	1600	ET 5338
		W 1, medium swell, overcast
	2000	ET 5336
	2127	ET 5336	Surfaced. Correction of plot 151° 17 m. after 13.3 hours.
	2135		End of daylight.
	2141		Cruised at slow speed on east course in search triangle.
	2400	ET 6152
		WNW 2, sea 1, 3/4 overcast. 1814 mb.
		phosphorescence	The radar set cannot be used as protection.
			At time of delivery the set was established bythe Naval Dockyard engineers at point Eis as having the following maximum effective ranges:
			Sea targets: 35-3800 meters
			Air   "   : (according to tests with Aphrodite)
			2500 meters.
			Practical tests during the cruise to op. area have not reached the ranges given.
	25/4/44
	0140	Off Freetown	Sounding 88 meters. Cruised along 100 meter line toward N.W.
	0400	ET 6152
		NW 2, sea 1-2, half overcast, 1016 mb.
		Phosphorescence medium.
	0730		Sounding 50 meters.
	0740		Sounding 40 meters.
	0800	ET 3776	Correction of plot 335° 5 m. after 10.4 hours
		WNW 2-3, sea 1-2, 1013 mb.
		3/4 overcast
	0803	ET 3776	Submerged. Underwater listening sweep at A-50.
	0811		Beginning of daylight.
			Bow-cap of tube 2 will not quite shut. Cause for the present unknown. Connecting rods show in closing position, nevertheless the tube floods quickly and strongly. The U-boat able to dive to a maximum of A + 20 meters.
			T-V in tube cannot be ventilated and serviced.

 

---

 

Page 30

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	25/4/44	Off Freetown
	1200	ET 3776	Went to periscope depth every two hours.
		overcast NW 2, sea 1	Nautical miles carried over: 2537 933 24/4-25/4 90 20 Total 2627 953
	1600	ET 3778
	2000	ET 6112
		W1, sea 0, half overcast
	2129	Et 6115	Surfaced.
	2135		Correction of plot 223° 1 m. after 13.6 hours.
			By running at high speeds tried to wash away the presumed jamming substances from bow cap of tube 2. No success. Condition the same.
	2141		End of daylight.
			2342 moon set. At low speed on Se course in southwestern part of entrance sector.
	2400	ET 6154	Course altered at 270°.
		WNW 2, sea 1, 1015 mb.
		2/10 overcast, visibility good; weak Phosphorescence
	26/4/44
	0206		Moon set.
	0400	ET 5364
		WNW 3, sea 1, slightly overcast, visibility good, 1012 mb.
	0800	ET 6154
		WNW 2, sea 1, 2/10 overcast, 1012 mb.	Correction of plot 89° 6 m. after 10.4 hours.
	0807	ET 6155
	0809		Submerged.
			Underwater listening sweep at A-50. Beginning of daylight. Condition of tube 2 with T-V unaltered. Forenoon at periscope depth once an hour, afternoon every two hours.
	1200	ET 6156	Nautical miles carried over: 2627 953 25-26/4 101 29 Total 2728 982
	2000	ET 6165

 

---

 

Page 31

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	26/4/44	Off Freetown
	2124	ET 6165	Surfaced. Correction of plot 104° 5 m.
	2137		End of daylight. Left area off Freetown. Intention: In sweeping zig-zags to cut through the shipping channels from Cape Palmas and Monrovia.
	2400	ET 6273
		WNW 2, sea 1, half overcast, 1014 mb.
	27/4/44
	0400	ET 6297
		N 2, sea 1, 1014, overcast, vigorous lightning in SE 0032 to 0655.
	0535	ET 6299	White light ahead on bearing 092° true about 20,000 meters distant. Put light astern. Two masthead lights coming into sight.
			Course of steamer 310° true, slowed down to 14 knots.
			Approached on dog's curve.
			Steamer proved to be a neutral passenger steamer with lighted Portuguese national colors. Name plate could not be read at 1500 meters. Tonnage about 9000.
			Y-boat does not approach any nearer because of the violent lightening.
	0702		Steamer passed. U/B moved off at 3/4 speed.
	0740	ET 6296	White light out of sight.
			Measurements with radar set. No results produced at distance of 3500 meters.
	0800	ET 6378
		NNE 3, sea 1-2, slightly overcast, 1014 mb.
	0806	ET 6378	Submerged. Underwater listening sweep at
		NE 5, sea 3, overcast, heavy rain clouds	A-50.
			Beginning of daylight. Every two hours at periscope depth.
	1200	ET 6379	Nautical miles carried over: 2728 982 26-27/4 98 24 Total 2826 1006
	1600	ET 6387	Condition of tube 2 with T-V unaltered.
	2000	ET 6388	At 2030 sounding 85 meters.
			At 2050 sounding 86 meters.
	2121	ET 6389	Surfaced.
		ENE 3, sea 1-2, overcast
	2130		End of daylight. Proceeded at slow speed in shallow zigzags along shipping route.

 

---

 

Page 32

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	27/4/44	Freetown Monrovia
	2400	ET 6635
	28/4/44
	0128		Moon set.
	0220	ET 6397	Sounding 86 meters.
	0400	EU 4444
		NE 1, half overcast, medium Phosphorescence, 1013 mb.
	0746	EU 4464	Correction of plot 220° 4 m.
			Bearing Cape Mount 232° true 20 m. away. Proceeded underwater at A-50; listening sweep. Course for Monrovia roadstead.
	0759		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	EU 4464
		Dead calm.
	1040	Monrovia lighthouse bearing 104° true about 12 m. away	Lerwik flying boat bearing 045° true 8000 meters away. Course 120°. Altitude 400 meters. 1105-1130 at periscope depth.
	1200	EU 4468 Dead calm	Nautical miles carried over: 2826 1006 27-28/4 98 24 Total 2924 1030
			Condition of tube 2 and TV unchanged.
	1220		Lerwik flying-boat bearing 080° true 4000 meters away. Course 300°. Altitude 600 meters. U/B unobserved. Presumably the same aircraft that was on reconnaissance flight at 1040 along and close to the coast.
	1300	EU 4548
		Monrovia lighthouse bearing 100°. Distance about 2 m. Sounding 46 meters.	The roadstead is full open to view. No steamers or escort vessels lie at anchor. In the northern part about 20 single-masted fishing boats with white sails fishing close to shore north and south of the lighthouse. The roofs of the houses lying within the field of vision-mainly tin roofing painted red-shine brightly in the sun. U/B is being carried by current toward SSE at a rate of about 0.7 knots.
	1600	EU 4571	Distance from Monrovia lighthouse about
		SSE 1, sea 1, lightly overcast	2.8 m. Sounding 72 meters.
	2000	EU 4574

 

---

 

Page 33

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	28/4/44	Off Monrovia
	2120	EU 4577
		Monrovia lighthouse on bearing 040°. Distance 7.5 m.
	2131		End of daylight. Monrovia lighthouse is not burning. The white lights of the locality are easily seen, at 2156, disappearing from range of vision. Cruised southward in order to cut across the presumed steamer lanes on and outside of the 200 meter line. Intention: The conditions encountered off Freetown and the entire absence of escort vessels at the roadstead of Monrovia permit the conclusion that there is at present no traffic moving. This is indicated also by the extremely weak air patrol. Intend to continue cruise with slight zags via EU 4884 (Army transport sighted by V. Schroeter) and back to the 100 meter line, proceeding slow ESE toward Cape Palmas, where it is hoped that opportunities will be more favorable.
	2400	EU 4815
		S 2, sea 1, no clouds, visibility good.
	29/4/44
	0206		Moon set.
	0400	EU 4884
		S 2, sea 1, half overcast.
		Medium Phosphorescence
		Violent lightening
	0745		Correction of plot 115° 4 m.
	0755		Beginning of daylight.
	0756	EU 7236	Submerged. Underwater listening-sweep at A-20.
	0800	EU 7236
		W 3, sea 1, overcast
		Rain, 1013 mb.
	1200	EU 7314
		SW 3, sea 1, half overcast.	Nautical miles carried over: 2924 1030 28-29/4 96 24 Total 3020 1054
			Condition of tube 2 with TV unaltered. Every two hours at periscope depth.
	1600	EU 7315
	2000	EU 7319
	2116	EU 7319	Surfaced. End of daylight.
	2400	EU 7355
		NW 2, sea 1, rain, 3/4 overcast, visibility medium.
		Strong Phosphorescence

 

---

 

Page 34

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	30/4/44	Off Monrovia
	0100	EU 7383	U-boat stopped. Ballast tank 1 flooded, boat tilted 3 down by the stern, drifting before the sea. Mech. Ob. Mt. went overboard with escape breathing apparatus to test the bow cap of tube 2. Findings: 1) Rim of tube opening is equally smooth all over. 2) Rubber of the bow cap is likewise undamaged. 3) Bow cap opens completely, covering flap moves all the way back, so that the torpedo can be freely ejected if it becomes necessary. 4) Bow cap is not fast to the rim when closed, and the covering flap does not fit closely into the ship's side. Assumption: apparently the connecting rod has become twisted somehow or other, for when the bow cap was first opened, on 25/4, the connecting rod was exceedingly difficult to move at first. Measures taken: 1) Connecting rod disconnected inside the U/B, crank set back one half revolution. The connecting rod could then be further closed by one half revolution. Bow cap continued to leak. Then crank was set again in original position so that in any case the bow cap can be opened to the limit. 2) Since the TV torpedo stored in tube 2, having remained unserviced for several days in the flooded tube, appears to be out of order, at least as a TV, the TV in tube VI will be replaced by a Fat II.
	0252		Moon set.
	0400	EU 7393
		NE 1, calm sea, 3/4 overcast, rain. Visibility 4000 meters.
	0750	Off Cape Palmas	Beginning of daylight.
	0752	EU 8158	Submerged for under-water listening sweep A-50.
	0800	EU 8158
		NE 1, smooth sea, 3/4 overcast, rain.
	0930	Point Kaba bearing 008° true, 8 m. away	Correction of plot 120° 6.5 m. Clear, excellent visibility. The surf can be easily made out in extended periscope. No shipping traffic close to coast. Scattered single-masted fishing sailboats.
	1200	EU 8192	Point Subabo on bearing 036° true, 9 m. away.
			Nautical miles carried over: 3020 1054 29-30/4 96 23 Total 3116 1077

 

---

 

Page 35

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	30/4/44	Off Cape Palmas
	1600	EU 8192
	2000	EU 8278
	2104	EU 8278	Surfaced.
	2111		End of daylight.
		A very clear moonlit night. Visibility about 7 m. on all sides.	Swept area off the cape in long shallow zags. Harper Village can be made out by scattered lighted houses. The light of Palmas is not burning.
	2400	EU 8523
		SSE 2, sea 1, 1014, slightly overcast
	1/5/44	Off Cape Palmas
	0200	Violent lightning, increasing cloudiness, thunderstorm. Violent lightning.
	0400	EU 8526
		SSE 2, sea 1, 1014
		3/4 overcast
	0745		Correction of plot 118° 9 m.
	0800	EU 8557
	1200	EU 8586	Nautical miles carried over: 3116 1077 30/4-1/5 138 28 Total 3254 1105
	2000	EU 8567
	2055	EU 8565	Surfaced. Correction of plot 103° 12 m.
	2109		End of daylight.
	2400	EU 8652
		WSW 2, slightly overcast, sea 1, 1014 mb.
		Visibility 6 m.
	2/5/44
	0255	EU 8618
	0311		Crash dive. Ortung Naxos (rattling noise, pitch 300).
	0400	EU 8614
		WSW 2, sea 1, visibility 6 m. 1/4 overcast.
	0745		Beginning of daylight.
	0749	EU 8523	Submerged for underwater listening sweep at A-50.

 

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Page 36

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	2/5/44	Off Cape Palmas
	0800	EU 8523
	0830		The coast is visible through the haze. Distance about 10 m.
	1100	Cape Palmas bearing 345 true 6 m. away	Off the roadstead cruise fishing boats with brown sails, on the roadstead not a ship to be seen.
		Strong westerly coastal current sets in.	Correction of plot 5° 8 m.
		ENE wind.
			Condition of tube 2 and TV unaltered.
	1200	EU 8289
		ENE 6-7, sea 6, ground swell, 3/4 overcast	Nautical miles carried over: 3254 1105 1-2/5 104 26 Total 3358 1131
			Every hour at periscope depth.
	1600	EU 8523
	2000	EU 8526
	2058		Surfaced. Correction of plot 256° 9 m.
	2110		End of daylight.
			For a limited time Naxos not working clearly. Cable pulley in the forward periscope shaft broken underneath. Broken pulley in shaft replaced by pulley from spreader for hoisting signals. Pulley from the torpedo-transfer apparatus was put in as a substitute pulley for the spreader.
	2400	EU 8532
		Dead calm. Visibility 6 m.
	3/5/44
	0400	EU 8614	At 0452 moon set.
		NNE 2, sea 1, 1/3 overcast, 1012. Lightning. Medium Phosphorescence
	0735		Correction of plot 188° 12 m. after 10 hours.
	0742	EU 8378	Beginning of daylight.
			Submerged for underwater listening sweep A-50
	0800	EU 8375
		NW 2, sea 1, half overcast.
	1100	Village of Grand Tabou on bearing 308° 2.8 m.
	1200	EU 8371	Nautical miles carried over: 3358 1131 2-3/5 82 25 Total 3440 1156
			Point Tabou lighthouse on bearing 268° true 3.5 m. Details on land can be made out with great clarity. Coastal radio station visible from a great distance. No ships or boats in the roadstead. Ran along the 50 meter line. Nowhere does any traffic appear.

 

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Page 37

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	3/5/44	Off Cape Palmas
			Went to periscope depth every hour. Condition of tube 2 with TV unaltered.
	1600	EU 8374
	2000	EU 8533
	2050	EU 8533	Surfaced.
	2109	EU 8533	End of daylight.
		Clear moonlight night with good visibility	4 days of patrolling off Cape Palmas, despite the best of visibility, resulted in no observations of traffic. Swept in zags from the 50 meter line out to 54 miles from land, taking as a basis all possible courses on which shipping might pass. The roadsteads of the towns, Roecktown, Harper, Half Cavalla and Tafou were inspected. I intend to move off southwards during the coming night for the duration of the full moon, in order to intercept any possible outgoing traffic from Capetown or Ascension and to clear up the trouble with bow cap of tube 2.
	2400	EU 8556
		SSW 2, sea 1
	4/5/44
	0400	EU 8816
		SSW 2, sea 1, 1/2 overcast
	0530		Moon set.
	0745		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	EU 8793
		SSW 2, sea 1, 3/4 overcast.
		Horizon misty in east.
	1200	EU 8793	Nautical miles carried over: 3440 1156 3/5-4/5 100 26 Total 3540 1182
			Condition of tube 2 with TV unaltered. Every two hours at periscope depth.
	1600	EU 8795
	2000	EU 8786
	2048		Surfaced. 2109 end of daylight.
	2400	EU 8784
		SSW 2, sea 1, half overcast, strong Phosphorescence

 

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Page 38

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	5/5/44	Off Cape Palmas
	0400	EU 7998	From 0200 to 0630 Bow cap of tube 2
		SSW 1, calm sea. Swell from SW, 3/4 overcast. Visibility 7 miles.	cleared. Rubber boat with two men in the water. Ballast tank 1 flooded to 4 positive buoyancy, U-boat heeled to +7. Because of the pitching of the boat, the work had to be conducted under 1 to 1 1/2 meters of water most of the time. The bolts through the bow cap arm were loosened and thus the covering flap was detached from the bow cap. After that the bowcap was closed. The connecting rod moves very easily and the bow cap remains tight. The roller bearings of the covering flap move with great difficulty - apparently faults due to interference - and the plates cannot slide out of the bearing.
	0753		Beginning of daylight.
	0755	FF 1322	Submerged for underwater listening sweep at A-20. Went to depth to test tube 2 for pressure tightness. Tube remains tight.
	0800	FF 1322
		SW 2, sea 1, 9/10 overcast.
	1200	FF 1321	Nautical miles carried over: 3540 1182 4/5-5/5 63 20 Total 3603 1202
			Every three hours at periscope depth.
	1600	FF 1316
	2000	FF 1319
	2054	FF1319	Surfaced.
	2100		Correction of plot 85° 23 m. after 61.4 hours. TV was drawn out of tube 2. Findings: The torpedo was flooded from 2000/25/4 until 0700/5/5 (227 hours), and was exposed to a maximum depth of A-40. Torpedo only lightly corroded externally. Loss of air 20 Kg., loss of power due to dampness = 65 volts. No short in the M installation, inside of torpedo dry, Pi receptacle dry. Faults cleared up by adjustment after drying out the short due to dampness. The torpedo can continue to be used as a TV.
	2400	FF 1349
		SW 1, calm sea, 1/4 overcast.

 

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Page 39

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	6/5/44	Southwest of Cape Palmas
	0400	FF 1377
		SW 1, calm sea, clear moonlit night, visibility excellent, 1010mb.
	0757		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	FF 1561
		SSW 0-1, smooth sea, 9/10 overcast, 1011 mb.
	0807	FF 1553	Submerged for underwater listening sweep at A-50. At periscope depth U-boat causes a strongly foaming eddy on the smooth sea over the A/A armament platforms.
			The napp tide swell is running 4-6 meters. For underwater listening sweep went 10 meters deeper.
	1003	FF 1556	From periscope depth A/C sighted bearing 071° true. A/C course: 011° true. Altitude: 300 meters. Distance: 3-4000 meters. Type: Very broad double tail unit, compact shape. Probably a Lockheed "Hudson". A/C steering a snake course at lower edge of clouds.
	1200	FF 1556
		Entirely overcast, smooth sea	Nautical miles carried over: 3603 1202 5/5-6/5 84 21 Total 3687 1223
			On the assumption that ships announced by message as proceeding northward from Annonbon utilize the Guinea current in order to reach Freetown and northern ports, set towards NNE on slight tack. Forenoon hourly, afternoon every two hours at periscope.
	1600	FF 1564
	2000	FF 1565
	2044	FF 1565	Surfaced.
	2110		Correction of plot 275° 34 m. after 24 hours. (Guinea current)
	2116		End of daylight.
	2400	FF 1538
		SSE 1, calm sea, 8/10 overcast, visibility good.
	7/5/44
	0400	FF 1625	In the course of the night passed three
		Dead calm, smooth sea, moonlight, excellent visibility. 1013 mb.	distinctly visible steamer wakes. 80° - 260°, 0° - 180°, 120° - 300°.
			Confusion with wind streaks seems excluded. These wakes and the "Hudson" sighted yesterday permit the conclusion that there is traffic in this sector. Will cruise here for two more days.
	0755		Beginning of daylight.

 

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Page 40

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	7/5/44	Southwest of Cape Palmas
	0800	FF 2412	Correction of plot 32° 5 m. after 10.8 hours.
		SE 1, calm sea, half overcast, 1013 mb.
	0804		Submerged for underwater listening sweep at A-35 meters. Until 1400 every hour at periscope depth, after that every two hours.
	1200	FF 2187
		Dead calm, smooth sea, half overcast, low-hanging rain clouds.	Nautical miles carried over: 3687 1223 6-7/5 82 20 Total 1236 586
	1600	FF 2179
	2000	FF 2175
	2047	FF 2175	Surfaced.
		S 1, half overcast
	2100		Correction of plot 62° 40 m. after 23.8 hours.
	2112		End of daylight.
	2400	FF 1371
		SSW 1, calm sea, half overcast, clear moonlit night.
	8/5
	0400	FF 1371
		SE 2, Sea 1, half overcast; night of full moon	The air-extracting apparatus of the water-tight stern was dismantled on the upper deck and a knee-joint repaired.
	0440		Going through streaks of oil about 1 1/2 miles long bearing 340° - 160°. Streaks dispersed at both ends and can no longer be followed
	0756		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	FF 1267
		SSE 2, sea 1, 2/10 overcast, misty in the east, SSE thick squalls.
	0810	FF 1267	Submerged for underwater listening sweep at A-25.
	1200	FF 1193	Nautical miles carried over: 3767 1243 7/5-8/5 106 22 Total 3873 1265
		Completely overcast, height of clouds about 1500 meters.
			Every two hours at periscope depth.
	1600	FF 1169
	2000	FF 1166
	2053	FF 1163	Surfaced.
		NE 2, sea 1, completely overcast
	2120		End of daylight.
	2400	FF 1228
		ENE 2, sea 1, 9/10 overcast, clear visibility 1012 mb.

 

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Page 41

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	9/5/44	Southwest of Cape Palmas
	0400	FF 1315
		NE 1, calm sea, half overcast, clear moonlit night, 1009 mb.
	0754		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	EU 7998
		ENE 1, calm sea, half overcast, good visibility. 1009 mb.
	0802		Submerged for underwater listening sweep at A-35. Every two hours at periscope depth.
	1200	EU 7899	Nautical miles carried over: 3873 1265 8/5-9/5 100 26 Total 3973 1291
	1600	EU 8778
		Dead calm, completely overcast.
	2000	EU 8779
	2040	EU 8779	Surfaced.
	2105		Correction of plot 242° 8 m.
	2113		End of daylight.
	2125	FF 2112	Surfaced.
	2135		Surfaced.
	2400	FF 2122
		SE 3, sea 1-2, half overcast, clear night with bright moon.
	10/5/44
	0023		Crash dive. Ortung on 169 cm. (Wanze).
	0100		Surfaced.
			Since radar permits the assumption of possible shipping, cruised in long SE and NE zigzags.
	0400	FF 2217
		SSE 4, sea 2, completely overcast, cirrostratus, moon shines through, clear visibility. Strong Phosphorescence
	0746		Beginning of daylight. Correction of plot 252° 7 m.
	0756	FF 2221	Submerged for underwater listening sweep at A-35. Every two hours at periscope depth.
	1200	EU 8888	Nautical miles carried over: 3973 1291 9/5-10/5 80 20 Total 4053 1311

 

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Page 42

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	10/5/44	Off Cape Palmas
	1600	EU 8886
	1605	EU 8888	Smoke plume in sight bearing 170° true. About 4 m. away.
			EU 8889
			To battle stations. Smoke plume straight ahead. Masts coming up clearly bearing 184° true. 11 m. away, enemy course 310° true. For 15 min. (1.5 m.) ran at 3/4 speed on attack course for target angle 90. We won't make it. Distance of passage remains 5-6 miles too far for run of electric torpedo. Appears to be a fat morsel of 8-9000T. 4-mast type like "Cambridge". Funnel "Royal Mail" color.
	1647		Am turning off on parallel course. Smoke plume out of sight bearing 287° true
	1750		Surfaced. 1814
	1814	EU 8885	Smoke plume bearing 282° true, about 14 m.
		SE 3, sea 2, high southerly swell. 4/10 overcast, clear visibility.	away. By hauling off toward the north, attempt to put myself at range of visibility.
			Speed of enemy plots at 14.5 knots. We are making 15.2 knots. I can therefore be abeam at 0200 tonight and at dawn be ahead of him. The weather is very clear, with good visibility; for the first time in a week we feel the sun. The motors run well, the starboard Diesel leaves behind a dark exhaust.
	1856	EU 8881	Destroyer mast in sight bearing 230° true. Held towards it, since too late for turning aside. The mast is coming up rapidly. Vessel bears bow left, target angle 20/ course 160° true.
	1858	EU 8888	Smoke plume 271° true about 16 miles away. Destroyer mast 335° true about 10 miles away.
			Crash dive. The new enemy is coming up quickly and is identified in the periscope as a swift escort vessel. Not a destroyer. Enemy now bears bow right, target angle 10. Silhouette; "Atherstone" class. Very well marked signal yards. Radar mattress.
			Is steering bow left and right at a distance of about 5 miles from us. Escort vessel seems to be listening, distinct stopping and starting up again of screws can be heard in our hydrophones. TV in tube 2 cleared for WS shot.
	2004		However enemy comes no nearer than 4-5 miles and suddenly goes at high speed and proceeds on bearing 70° true, target angle 160° right. Out of sight bearing 90° true. Assumption, that escort vessel intended to strike toward the steamer which is steering on bearing 310° but was diverted by the sight of the film of smoke from our Diesel engine.

 

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Page 43

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	10/5/44	Off Cape Palmas
	2004		The listening and the sudden cutting off to the east show that he was not certain of his facts, however that he conjectured our presence. The attack maneuver is spoiled since the steamer has more than a 20 m. start which we cannot overtake. Conclusions of our Balkon hydrophone gear: Steamer spotted coming at 80 revolutions from an acute angle, distance 7 miles. Signal strength 3. It was heard at an obtuse angle up to 13 miles with signal strength 2.
	2042	EU 8881	Surfaced.
			Zigzagged along the reciprocal course of the escaped steamer. Still hope to catch something here.
	2400	FF 2231
		SE 2, sea 1, half overcast, good visibility, moonlight 1012 mb.
	11/5/44
	0400	EU 8987
		SE 2, sea 1, 3/4 overcast, moonlight, good visibility.
	0636	FF 2334	Crash dive. Ortung 169 cm. (Wanze) Saw nothing at periscope depth.
	0704		Surfaced.
	0742		Beginning of daylight.
	0753	FF 2335	Submerged for underwater listening sweep at A-35 meters.
	0800	FF 2335
		SE 2-3, Sea 1, overcast, thunderstorm, 1012 mb.	Every hour at periscope depth.
	1200	FF 2336	Nautical miles carried over: 4053 1311 10-11/5 100 20 Total 4153 1331
	1600	FF 2333
	2000	FF 3111
	2038	FF 3112	Surfaced. Correction of plot 270° 9 m. after 37 hours.
	2103		End of daylight.
	2400	EU 9749
		SE 2, sea 1, 2/10 overcast, visibility clear, 1012 mb.	Zigzagging eastward in order to return gradually to the coast near Grand Bassan.

 

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Page 44

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	12/5/44	Southeast of Cape Palmas
	0400	EU 9731
		SE 2, sea 1, half overcast, visibility clear because of moonlight, 1010 mb, violent lightning
	0736		Beginning of daylight.
	0745	EU 9541	Submerged for underwater listening sweep at A-35.
	0800	EU 9542	Every two hours at periscope depth.
		SE 2, sea 1, 2/10 overcast, good visibility.
	1200	EU 9547	Nautical miles carried over: 4153 1331 11-12/5 100 24 Total 4253 1355
	1600	EU 9546
	2000	EU 9557
	2040		Surfaced.
	2100		End of daylight.
	2400	EU 9695
		S 2, sea 1, half overcast, 1010 mb. Medium Phosphorescence
	13/5/44
	0400	EU 9651
		S 2, sea 1, 3/4 overcast, moonlight, good visibility, 1011 mb.
	0730		Beginning of daylight. Correction of plot 0° 8 m. after 46.8 hours.
	0800	EU 9395	Every two hours at periscope depth.
		ESE 3, sea 2, half overcast, visibility clear. Lightning in the north.
	1200	EU 9396	Nautical miles carried over: 4253 1335 12-13/5 100 24 Total 4353 1379
	1600	EU 9393
	2000	EU 9369
		SSE 2, sea 1, 3/4 overcast, thunderstorm, 1011 mb.
	2130	EU 9369	Surfaced.
			Correction of plot 118° 5 m. after 13.1 hours.
	2055		End of daylight.
	2400	EV 7146	On course for "Three Points" in order to be off the roadstead of Grand Bassam at dawn.

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Page 45

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	14/5/44	Southwest of Three Points (Gold Coast)
	0400	EV 7143
		SW 2, sea 1, half overcast, clear moonlit night, good visibility, medium Phosphorescence, 1013 mb.
	0725	EV 7114	Submerged for underwater listening sweep at A-40 meters.
	0729		Beginning of dawn.
	0800	EV 7114	Boat is east of Grand Bassam roadstead. Cannot yet make out details.
	0940		Steered for the roadstead. Sounding 38 meters. Not a ship to be seen. The roofs of the factories shine with a glaring red. The light house looms high.
	1200	EU 6999	Lighthouse bears 348° true. We are about 1 1/2 m. to seaward off the head of the long jetty. All details are clearly discernable. The most important harbor of the Ivory Coast lies before us, unfortunately oil tanks are nowhere to be seen. Since no mastheads appear before these peacefull villages, one feels tempted to look for other possibilities. Going westwards toward Port Bouet.
			Nautical miles carried over: 4353 1379 13-14/5 96 20 Total 4449 1399
	1600	EU 6998
		Lighthouse of Port Bouet bearing 330° true 6 m. away.
	2000	EU 6989
	2032	EU 9323	Surfaced. The coast stands out clearly. Distance 10 m.
	2055		End of daylight. Decide to send out a situation report today since 1) The presence of U-boats is apparently known from transmissions Rudolf and Wintermeier, and 2) The risk of being D/F'd here off shore is slighter.
	2302		Message transmitted:

 

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Page 46

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	2400	EU 9236
		NW 2, sea 1, overcast, rain, strong Phosphorescence, 1017 mb.
	15/5/44
	0140	EU 9223	Submerged.
			Heavy squalls. Am within the 200 meter line off Grand Lahou. Decided upon underwater listening sweep until the visibility is favorable again.
	0400	EU 9222
		Completely overcast, strong Phosphorescence
	0505	SW 3, sea 1, half overcast, clear visibility, lightning in the north.	Surfaced. In the brightness of the lightning the coast can be seen. Distance about 8 miles.
			Message received
			0349/15/372.
	0721	EU 9212	Crash dive. Ortung 169 cm. (Wanze).
	0736		Beginning of daylight.
			Underwater listening sweep at A-30 meters. At periscope depth once an hour.
	0800	EU 9212
	1200	EU 9214	Off Fresko roadstead. No vessel to be seen.

 

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Page 47

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	15/5/44	Off Fresko
	1200	EU 9214	Nautical miles carried over: 4449 1399 14-15/5 96 20 Total 4545 1419
	1600	EU 9136
	2000	EU 9135
	2043		Surfaced. The coast looms high; turned off on 180 in order not to be seen.
	2055		Correction of plot 158° 10 m. after 28.9 hours.
	2101		End of daylight.
	2300	EU 9192	Set off on new zigzag course along the 200 meter line with course for Point Drewis.
	2400	EU 9191
		SW 2, sea 1, 8/10 overcast, rain clouds from NE through S to W. Lightning in the south, Phosphorescence
	16/5/44
	0300	EU 9145	It is dark along the coast; still one can make out contours by the flashes of lightning. Pt. Drewis bearing 300° true. No shipping here. Putting out to seawards in order to reconnoiter once more the presumed escort pick-up point of 10 May in EU 8881 and thereafter to follow up on a zigzagging course in direction 310°. According to incoming message Control received the situation report garbled. In my opinion the main defect lies in the fact that the message could not be sent as one transmission, since Control ordered an interruption after the sending of the first half of the situation report for the purpose of a change in frequency.
	0400	EU 9147
		SW 2, sea 1, 3/4 overcast, rain in NE, visibility good, 1013 mb, strong Phosphorescence
	0731		Beginning of daylight.
	0745	EU 8635	Submerged for underwater listening sweep at A-40 Once an hour at periscope depth.
	0800	EU 8635
	1200	EU 8637	At periscope depth sighted A/C. Altitude 600 meters Distance 4000 meters Course 230°.
			Mid wing monoplane, presume Wellington. Assume normal reconnaissance since A/C's course is seawards.

 

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Page 48

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	15/5/44	Southeast of Cape Palmas
	1200	EU 8637
		3/4 overcast	Nautical miles carried over: 4545 1419 15/5-16/5 102 28 Total 4647 1447
	1600	EU 8629
	2038	EU8655	Surfaced. Correction of plot 153° 2.5 m. after 17.9 hours.
	2106		End of daylight.
	2400	EU 8679
		SSE 2, sea 1, 3/4 overcast, good visibility, medium Phosphorescence
	17/5/44
	0354	EU 8866
	0400	EU 8866
		SSE 2, sea 1, overcast, strong Phosphorescence
	0429		Surfaced.
	0446		Beginning of daylight.
	0746	FF 2231	Submerged. Underwater listening sweep at A-50.
	0800	FF 2231	Am again on the course line of the steamer which I chased in vain on 10 May, zigzagging over it in direction 130°
	1200	FF 2234
		Completely overcast.	Nautical miles carried over: 4647 1447 16-17/5 94 28 Total 4741 1475
	1600	FF 2235
	2000	FF 2235
	2039	FF 2236	Surfaced. Correction of plot 268° 7 m. after 41.7 hours.
	2107		End of daylight.
	2400	FF 2348
		S 3, sea 2, 3/10 overcast, medium phosphorescence.
	18/5/44
	0100	FF 2373	Putting about and zigzagging over the course in the opposite direction.
	0400	FF 2341
		SW 2, sea 1, half overcast, rain showers, good visibility, 1014 mb.
	0746		Beginning of daylight.
	0756	EU 8885	Submerged for underwater listening sweep at A-50. We are now near conjectured place of escort pick-up. Nothing to be seen or heard.

 

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Page 49

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	18/5/44	South of Cape Palmas
	0800	EU 8885
		SW 2, sea 1, 3/4 overcast, good visibility, 1013 mb.	At periscope depth once an hour. The mean of the inside temperature of the boat remains at about 32 during the day's submerged cruise. This inconvenience, caused by the shallow depth of A-50 meters for listening sweep, must be tolerated, since with increased depth the layering here in the Guinea current is very strong and a greater diving depth would be prejudicial to the results on the hydrophone apparatus.
	1200	EU 8884
		S 6, sea 4	Nautical miles carried over: 4741 1475 17-18 98 22 Total 4839 1497
	1600	EU 8873
	1810	EU 8873	A/C sighted in periscope.
		3/4 overcast, sea 4	Altitude 500 meters.
			Distance 5000 meters.
			Course 110°.
			Type: Flying Boat Lerwik.
	1906	EU 8873	A/C sighted in periscope.
			Altitude 600 meters.
			Distance 9000 meters.
			Course 300°. Type: Flying Boat Lerwik.
	2000	EU 8873
		W 2, sea 2, 3/4 overcast, good visibility, 1015 mb.
	2049	EU 8848	Surfaced. Correction of plot 270 12 m. after 13.1 hours.
	2109		End of daylight.
	2400	EU 8731	In spite of the aircraft sightings which surely
		W 1, sea 1, half overcast, dark night, medium Phosphorescence, 1015 mb.	indicate traffic, nothing heard or seen. In the dark nights which are now coming radar service is again lacking. I will follow this steamer track until off Freetown.
	19/5/44
	0400	EU 8473
		W 2, sea 1, half overcast.
		Thunder squalls in SE, medium Phosphorescence, 1013 mb.
	0752		Beginning of daylight.
	0759	EU 7638	Submerged for underwater listening sweep at A-50.
	0800	EU 7638
		W 2, sea 1, 9/10 overcast, rain in west, 1015 mb.
	1004	EU 7637	A/C sighted in periscope.
			Altitude 600 meters
			Distance 5000 meters
			Course 150° "Lerwik".

 

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Page 50

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	19/5/44	South of Cape Palmas
	1200	EU 7637	Nautical miles carried over: 4839 1497 18-19/5 100 24 Total 4939 1521
	1600	EU 7626
	2000	EU 7625
		NW 3, sea 2, 8/10 overcast, lightning
	2050	EU 7624	Surfaced.
	2110		Correction of plot 322° 8 m.
	2118		End of daylight.
	2400	EU 7347
		NW 1, sea 1, half overcast, moderate Phosphorescence, lightning. 1017 mb.
	20/5/44
	0400	EU 7251
		NNW 2, sea 1, 9/10 overcast, strong Phosphorescence Night very dark, visibility good.
	0612		Searchlight bearing 125° true below the horizon about 15 m. away Searchlight is sweeping, its brightness changing. Disappears suddenly on 112° true - in view of the distance can only be an A/C.
	0614	EU 7213	Crash dive. Naxos Ortung. Very loud. Assumption: A/C after searching with the searchlight has turned on its radar.
	0715	EU 7213	Surfaced.
	0753	EU 4878	Submerged for underwater listening speed at A-50 meters.
	0755		Daylight.
	0800	EU 4878	At periscope depth once an hour.
		NNW 1, sea 0, 8/10 overcast, medium Phosphorescence, 1015 mb.
	1200	EU 4877
		Rain	Nautical miles carried over: 4939 1521 19-20/5 90 25 Total 5029 1546
	1600	EU 4796
	2000	EU 4795
		Rain

 

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Page 51

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	20/5/44	Southwest of Monrovia
	2054	EU 4795	Surfaced
	2127		End of daylight.
	2400	EU 4755
		WNW 3, sea 2, 1017 mb. lightning , medium Phosphorescence, St. Elmo's fire strong on water and weapons.
	21/5/44
	0030	EU 4754	Decided upon underwater listening sweep
		Continuous rain. Visibility under 1000 meters. No lightning.	since under present conditions of visibility there is no sense in merely running along.
	0400	EU 4721
		Rain
	0704	EU 4719	Surfaced.
	0759		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	EU 47 21	At periscope depth once an hour.
		N 3, sea 2, half overcast.
		Moderate visibility.
	1200	EU 4713	Nautical miles carried over: 5029 1546 20-21/5 36 31 Total 5065 1577
	1600	EU 4478
	2000	EU 2079
	2102	EU 4777	Surfaced.
	2120		Correction of plot 225° 10 m. after 48 hours.
	2132		End of daylight.
	2400	ET 6682
		S 2, sea 1, half overcast, dark night, strong Phosphorescence
	22/5/44
	0340	Night of the new moon.	Steamer lights bearing 340° true 12 miles away. Approach on dog-curve in order to establish nationality.
	0400	ET 6616
		SSW 2, sea 1, 3/10 overcast, very dark night, visibility 3000 meters. Clear horizon for silhouettes.
	0510	ET 6616	Spanish steamer of about 3500 tons passing on course 125° true at a distance of 600 meters.
	0525		Steamer lights bearing 270° true 12 m. away. Ran up on dog-curve.

 

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Page 52

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	22/5/44	Off Monrovia
	0600	ET 6615	Portuguese steamer of about 4500 tons is passing on course 125° true at a distance of 800 meters.
	0800	ET 6535	Beginning o daylight. Correction of plot 53° 2 m. after 11 hours.
	0806	ET 6535	Submerged underwater listening speed at A-50.
	1200	ET 6514	Nautical miles carried over: 5065 1577 21-22/5 106 24 Total 5171 1601
	1600	ET 6526
	2000	ET 6522
	2111	ET 6521	Surfaced. Correction of plot 350° 7 m.
	2139		End of daylight.
	2400	ET 6247
		SW 2, sea 1, half overcast, visibility varying considerably, damp fogs from time to time, medium Phosphorescence
	23/5/44	1st night after the new moon. Visibility very poor, dark night.	30th day in operation area. Will once more sweep up to the 200 meter line of St. Ann's Bank and then begin the return westwards.
	0326	ET 6153	Crash dive. Submerged because of Naxos Ortung (Rotterdam gear). High-speed propellers (Turbine) in the hydrophone bearing 230° true, gradually disappearing astern. A further hydrophone bearing 50° true. Nothing to see in the periscope. Night pitch black, horizon dim
	0421	ET 6152	Surfaced. Nothing to be seen on either bearing. Visibility 12-1800 meters sharply changing. Ortung while still blowing (tanks).
	0424		Crash dive. Submerged because of Naxos Ortung (Rotterdam). Presume A/C as source. Noise of propellers to starboard is becoming alternately louder and weaker. Vessel is zigzagging and turning, have no clue as to course and distance, since the noises vary so greatly. Am discharging no TV since there are no firing data. Screw noise to starboard gradually disappears, then comes in again on a forward bearing. Stops repeatedly and runs at listening speed. Am going at a snails pace and drawing the boat gradually to A-40 meters. Both propeller noises pass off astern. Went quickly to periscope depth but saw nothing. Conditions of visibility unchanged.

 

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Page 53

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	23/5/44	Southwest of Freetown	Following-up is pointless in this visibility without radar and Fliege. Probably I have encountered a search group of two destroyers or escort vessels which are working with support from A/C radar. No merchant ship screws were heard. The result of the hydrophone bearings shows that the Balkon hydrophone gear is very late in picking up vessels at sharp angles.
	0720	ET 6152	Surfaced.
		SW 1, calm sea, half overcast, horizon misty
	0757	ET 6143
	0800	ET 6143
	1200	ET 6118	Nautical miles carried over: 5171 6117 (sic) 22-23/5 70 26   Total 5241 1627
			I intend to leave the op. area this evening and to begin return passage. Today I have been 61 days at sea - require about 35-40 days for the normal return passage.
			Summary
			Passed the bounds of the op. area to the west. Am beginning return passage. Amount of fuel remaining: 91 cbm.
	2120	ET 5339	Surfaced
	2135		Correction of plot 270° 11 m.
	2144		End of daylight.
	2400	ET 5313
		WSW 2, completely overcast; thunder-showers from time to time, strong Phosphorescence 1015 mb.
			Summary of the time spent in the operation area of Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Ivory Coast from 24/4 to 23/5/44.
			A) Sierra Leone Freetown:
			During several successive dark nights the St. Ann's Shoals was reconnoitered up to and inside of the 200 meter line. No traffic appeared; no air or sea defense was encountered. No ortung.
			The entrance lane steered according to standing War Order 481 B XI 2 from ET 5386 appears to be used very little.
			Four weeks later in ET 6153, likewise on a dark night with unfavorable visibility

 

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Page 54

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	23/5/44		the U/B was run over by 2 escort vessels using sound gear just off the 200 meter line. Presumably they were working together with radar fitted A/C, for the U/B was forced to submerge twice because of Naxos ortung (Rotterdam-gear).
			B) Liberia-Monrovia:
			Inside of and along the 200 meter line no traffic, no air or sea reconnaissance. Neutral traffic was observed in ET 6610 on 125 and 310 In all, 3 ships.
			Monrovia harbor was examined at a distance of 2 miles from the lighthouse. A Lerwik was flying over the harbor on a course following the coast.
			The roadsteads of Harper, Rocktown, and Half Cavalle were examined. Except for a few fishing boats nothing was observed.
			C) Ivory Coast:
			Here too the harbors of various ports were examined. Grand Bassam, Port Boue, Fresko, Grand Lahou, and Tafou showed no traffic. In EU8618 a new kind of Naxos ortung was picked up once, which presumably came from a shore installation.
			In EU 9212 normal Wanze ortung on 169 cm. The connecting lane Cape Palmas - Cape Three Points was repeatedly combed on basis of the most likely enemy courses.
			D) Off shore up to 250 miles SW of Cape Palmas:
			During daylight on 10 May in EU 8889 chased a fast freighter on course 310. Forced under water in EU 8881 by an Atherstone class escort vessel which appeared from the north. Presume this location, 100 miles from Cape Palmas, is escort pick-up point for fast independents. Frequent ortung in this sea area; A/C seen several times in periscope. (1 Lockheed Hudson, 1 Wellington, 2 Lerwiks.
	24/5/44
	0400	ET 2894
		N 2, sea 1-2
	0800	ET 2847
	0811		Daylight.
	0813	ET 2847	Submerged.

 

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Page 55

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	24/5/44	Northwest of Freetown
	1200	ET 2769	Nautical miles carried over: 5241 1627 14-15/5 100 30 Total 5341 1657
	1600	ET 2765
	2000	ET 2761
	2136	ET 2761	Surfaced.
	2145		Correction of plot 140° 10 m.
	2153		Daylight.
	2400	ET 2725
		S 3, sea 2, 1/10 overcast, 1014 mb.
	25/5/44
	0400	ET 4271
		NNW 3, sea 2, half overcast, medium Phosphorescence
	0800	ET 1629
	0815		Daylight.
			Correction of plot 90° 11 m.
	0818	ET 1634	Submerged.
	1200	ET 1634	Nautical miles carried over: 5341 1657 24-25/5 82 20 Total 5423 1677
	1600	ET 1623
	2000	ET 1388
	2140	ET 1388	Surfaced.
			Correction of plot 180° 1.5 m.
	2200		Daylight.
	1400(Sic)	ET 1373
		NW 3, sea 1-2, 3/4 overcast, strong Phosphorescence
	26/5/44
	0400	ET 1234
	0810	EK 7873	Submerged.
	0815		Daylight.
	1200	EK 7848	Nautical miles carried over: 5423 1677 24-25/5 98 20 Total 5521 1697

 

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Page 56

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	26/5/44	Southwest of the Cape Verde Islands
	1600	EK 7845
	2000	EK 7842
	2151	EK 7852	Surfaced.
	2207		Twilight.
	2400	EK 7811
		NNE 2, sea 1-2, 2/10 overcast, poor visibility, Phosphorescence
	27/5/44
	0400	EK 7463
		N 2-3, sea 2, half overcast, 1015 mb.
	0800	EK 7192	Submerged.
	0814		Daylight.
	1200	EK 7178	Nautical miles carried over: 55 21 1697 26-27/5 92 20 Total 5613 1717
	1600	EK7192
	2000	EK 7161
	2208	EK 7168	Surfaced.
	2212		Twilight.
	2400	EK 4798
		NNW, sea 3-4, 1/4 overcast, medium Phosphorescence
	28/5/44
	0400	EK 4498
	0755		Submerged.
	0800	EK 4432
		NE 3-4, sea 3, 1/4 overcast, strong Phosphorescence
	0809		Daylight.
	1200	EK 4198	Nautical miles carried over: 5613 1717 27-28/5 124 20 Total 5737 1737
	1600	EK 4195
	2000	EK 4192
	2212	EK 4138	Surfaced.
	2218		End of daylight.
	2400	EK 4138
		NW 4, sea 3, moderate Phosphorescence 1015 mb.

 

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Page 57

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	29/5/44	East of the Cape Verde Is.
	0400	EK 1768
		NNW 5, sea 4, 3/10 overcast, visibility good, 1016 mb.
	0800	EK 1736	Correction of plot 180° 12 m.
	0804	EK 1499	Beginning of daylight.
	1200	EK 1499	Nautical miles carried over: 5737 1737 28-29/5 84 20 Total 5821 1757
	1600	EK 1496
	2000	EK 1493
	2010	EK 1493	Surfaced.
	2015		Correction of plot 313° 6 m.
	2021		End of daylight.
	2016	EK 1468	Crash dive. Naxos ortung.
	2258	EK 1468	Surfaced.
	2400	EK 1465
		WNW 4, sea 3, 1015 mb. 1/10 overcast, clear moonlit night, visibility excellent.
	30/5/44
	0002	EK 1462	Crash dive. Naxos ortung.
	0045		Surfaced.
	0102	EK 1462	Crash dive. Naxos ortung. Ortungen come in with staccato effect. Immediately after the dive nothing to be seen at periscope depth.
			Bright moonlight.
	0301	EK 1462	Surfaced. Still blowing tanks --
	0302		Crash dive! Naxos ortung.
			The radar operator is obstinate; I cannot believe that it is a plane from the continent at a distance pf 180 m. from the base it could scarcely maintain contact here for 5 hours. Will surface again once more after two hours - after the moon has set.
	0400	EK 1435
	0534	EK 1438	Surfaced. Dark night with bright stars. Ortung at once.
			A/A guns manned.
			Ortung increasing rapidly from signal strength 3 to 4 and 5. Ortung stops for a short time, then suddenly roars loudly in again. After blowing tanks, went off at high speed. Steered deceptive courses in NW part of square.
	0540	EK 1435	Two distant receptions in Naxos gear and Wanze! Both very loud, at times stopping.

 

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Page 58

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	30/5/44	East of the Cape Verde Islands
	0540		Believe there is now a third radar being heard in the receiver.
	0549	EK 1435	Crash dive. Submerged to A-10. No bombs. I suspect carrier A/C - Possibly a carrier search group. Nothing in hydrophones. Determine to set off eastward toward the coast. On opposite courses to those steered for deception.
	0400	EK 1435
	0800	EK 1436
	0803		Beginning of daylight.
	1200	EK 1514	Nautical miles carried over: 5821 1757 29-30/5 16 36 Total 5837 1793
			Since there is clear visibility have decided to surface for an hour to charge batteries, so that in the coming night I will not be forced to come up.
	1428	EK 1514	Surfaced.
		N to E 5, sea 3, 2/10 overcast. Clear visibility.
	1520	EK 1516	Submerged.
	1600	EK 1516
	2000	EK 1521
	2015		Heard 6 A/C bombs in the far distance.
	2224		End of daylight.
	2400	EK 1522
		N to E 3, sea 2, overcast, 1013 mb.
	31/5/44
	0400	EK 1523
	0800	EK 1297
	1200	EK 1298	Nautical miles carried over: 5837 1793 30-31/5 11 34 Total 5848 1827
	1600	EK 1299
	2000	EK 1374
	2224		End of daylight.
	2339	EK 1375	Surfaced.
	2400	EK 1376
		N to E 3, sea 2, overcast. 1013 mb.

 

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Page 59

		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	1/6/44	Northeast of the Cape Verde Islands
	0330		Correction of plot 245° 23 m.
	0400	EK 1343
		NNW 2, sea 1-2, overcast, 1014 mb.
	0553	EK 1312	Ortung. Crash dive.
	0800	DU 7979
	0802	DU 7979	Daylight.
	1200	DU 1312 (sic)	Nautical miles carried over: 5848 1827 31/5-1/6 60 14 Total 5908 1841
	1600	DU 7973
	2000	DU 7949
	2235		End of daylight.
	2322	DU 7949	Surfaced.
	2400	DU 7945
		NNE 2, sea 2-3, 1/4 overcast, good visibility
	2/6/44
	0035	DU 79 42	Crash dive. Ortung Naxos.
	0330	DU 7918	Surfaced.
	0346	DU 7914	Crash dive. Ortung Naxos.
			Continuous A/C night patrol - here under Cape Blanco!
	0400	DU 7911
	1200	DU 7911	Nautical miles carried over: 5908 1841 1-2/6 14 34 Total 5922 1875
	1600	DU 7677
	2000	DU 7674
	2214	DU 7672	Surfaced.
	2226		End of daylight.
	2328	DU 7644
	2400	DU 7641
		N to E 5 - sea 4
		moderate phosphorescence
		1016 mb.
	3/6/44
	0115		Heard 1 A/C bomb in the far distance.
	0400	DU 7641
	0710	DU 7539	Surfaced. Crash dive. Ortung naxos.
	0753		Daylight.

 

 

Page 60

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		Account of Position,
		Wind, Weather, Sea,
	Date	Light, Visibility of
	and	the Atmosphere, Moon-
	Time	light, etc.	Events
	3/6/44	Northeast of Cape Verde Is.
	0800	DU 7539
	1200	DU 7536	Nautical miles carried over: 5922 1875 2-3/6 14 34 Total 5936 1909
	1338	DU 7533	Surfaced.
		High cirrus screen.	Day's surface run for charging.
		Horizon clear.
	1540	DU 7285	Submerged.
	1600	DU 7285
	2000	DU 7282
	2210	DU 7281	Surfaced.
	2231		End of daylight.
	2400	DU (sic)
		N 2-3, sea 2, 1018 mb.
		overcast, medium visibility
	4/6/44
	0213	DU 4796	Submerged.
	0400	DU 4795
	0754		Beginning of daylight.
	0800	DU 4792
	1200		Nautical miles carried over: 5936 1909 3-4/6 78 24 Total 6014 1933
	1600	DU 4767
	2000	DU 4756
	2236		End of daylight.
	2400	DU 4756
		NE 3-4, sea 3, overcast.
		Horizon misty, moderate
		phosphorescence.
	5/6/44

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