U-515 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with the help of Andi Forster

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 Attacked
Date	KTB Time	Position	Ship	Tons	Nationality	Convoy
12 Sep 42	05.57 - 07.33	52°21'N, 12°35'W	STANVAC MALBOURNE	10,013	Panamanian
12 Sep 42	02.15	53°45'N, 12°55'W	WOENSDRECHT (torpedoed)	4,668	Dutch
13 Sep 42	05.57 - 07.33	52°21'N, 12°35'W	OCEAN VANGUARD	7,174	British
13 Sep 42	02.15	53°45'N, 12°55'W	NIMBA	1,854	Panamanian
14 Sep 42	05.57 - 07.33	52°21'N, 12°35'W	HARBORIUGH	5,415	British
15 Sep 42	02.15	53°45'N, 12°55'W	SØRHOLT	4,801	Norwegian
17 Sep 42	05.57 - 07.33	52°21'N, 12°35'W	MAE	5,607	American
20 Sep 42	02.15	53°45'N, 12°55'W	REEDPOOL	4,838	British
23 Sep 42	05.57 - 07.33	52°21'N, 12°35'W	LINDVANGEN	2,412	Norwegian
23 Sep 42	02.15	53°45'N, 12°55'W	ANTINOUS (damaged)	6,034	American
			Total = 52,034
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.

	- 1 -
		K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
		=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
		of
		Unterseebootes  " U  5 1 5 " .
		=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
			Commander        :	Oberleutnant z. See   H  e  n  k  e
			Beginning            :	21.  February 1942.
			Ending                :	14.  October 1942.
		=-=-=-=-=-=
			Copies to            :
			Oberkommando der Kriegsmarine, Copy No. 1 and 2 Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote     "      " 3 2. Admiral der Unterseeboote     "      " 4 10. Unterseebootsflottille,     "      " 5 27. U.-Fl.  for 2. U.L.D. and 25. U.-Fl.     "      " 6 A.Gru.-Front, Kptlt. Jebsen for 26. U.-Fl.                                     1. U.L.D. and 24. U.-Fl.     "      " 7
			Enclosures           :
			1 Track chart To     "      " 1, 3, 4, 5. 11 Torpedo firing reports "     "      " 3, 4, 5. 1 Summary of the radio log "     "      " 3, 4, 5.
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 3 -
		21.02.42	Hamburg	U-515 in Hamburg - Placed in commission at the Finkenwärden Yard.
			Deutsche Werft
		22.02.42 to
		20.04.42	Kiel	Training service and begin U.A.K.-trials
		21.04.42 to
		09.05.42	Kiel	U.A.K.-trials
		06.05.42 to
		21.05.42	Hela	Training by the AGRU-Front.
		22.05.42 to		Torpedo firing period by 25. U-Flottille, at the same time damage to the clutch.
		28.05.42	Baltic
		29.05.42 to
		06.07.42	Stettin	Final adjustments and overhaul.
				Completion of torpedo firing by 25. U-Flottille.
		07.07.42 to
		12.07.42	Baltic
		13.07.42 to
		22.07.42	Baltic	Tactical exercises.
		23.07.42 to
		09.08.42	Kiel	Shipyard work and arming the boat for the first war patrol.
		10.08.42 to
		11.08.42		Final preparations for war patrol.
		12.08.42	Kiel
		07.00		Put to sea.  Proceeding to Kristiansand-South in convoy.
		13.08.42	Kristiansand-South
		17.00		Entered port.
		14.08.42	Kristiansand-South	In Kristiansand-South
		15.08.42	"             "
		05.00		Put to sea in convoy.  Test dive.
		12.00		Day's run surfaced   :   58 nm.
				"      submerged:  2.3 nm.
		18.56	Feistein	Released from convoy.  Test dive and depth keeping practice.  Proceeding in accordance with outbound orders to naval quadrant AF 49.
		16.08.42	North Sea
		12.00	AF 8776	Day's run surfaced   :   243 nm.
				"      submerged:   3.7 nm.
		17.08.42	North Sea	Proceeding to naval quadrant AF 44.  Diesel-electric.

	Sun and Moon Data 12.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.08.42

	- 4 -
		17.08.42
		12.00		Day's run surfaced:   203 nm.
		18.08.42	North Sea-Faroes
		12.00	AE 6962	Day's run surfaced:   136 nm.
		19.08.42	North Sea-Faroes
		12.00	AE 8332	Day's run surfaced   :   163 nm.
			SW 5-6, Sea 5, 4/10, Vis. medium	"      submerged:    15 nm.
				Crash dive practice.
		20.08.42	South of Iceland
		12.00	AE 8760	Day's run surfaced   :   167 nm.
			NE 6, Sea 5-6, overcast, Vis. medium	"      submerged:    5.8 nm.
		12.24		Crash dive for aircraft, type Lockheed-Hudson.
				Boat was not discovered.
		13.13		Surfaced.
		16.22		Aircraft at the limit of visibility, type not determined.
		21.08.42	Southeast of the Faroes
		06.50	AL 2293	Crash dive for Lockheed-Hudson.  4 aircraft bombs, 50-100 meters astern, no damage.
		11.15		Surfaced.
		12.00	AL 2293	Day's run surfaced   :   144 nm.
			NE 2-3, Sea 2, Vis. good, low ceiling, 1019 mb	"      submerged:    14 nm.
		12.15		Radio message from BdU:  "Auffermann report weather by short signal, Henke report fuel.  Both boats proceed to naval quadrant 30 in the large square east of DC."
		15.10		Radio message to BdU:  "My position is naval quadrant AL 3310, 210 cbm."
				I decide, not to proceed on the great circle, but to take the southern route around Flores, because currents and weather conditions their are far more favorable and fuel is certainty saved.
		22.08.42	West of the Herbrides
		12.00	AL 2931	Day's run surfaced:   192 nm.
			WbyS, Sea 1-2, Vis. good
		23.08.42	North Atlantic
		12.00	AL 4862	Day's run surfaced:   198 nm.
			WSW 2, Sea 1-2, Vis. good
		24.08.42	North Atlantic
		00.12 - 00.52		Crash dive practice and test dive.
		12.00	AL 7541	Day's run surfaced   :   116 nm.
			Winds shifting SW-SSE, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. good	"      submerged:    2.3 nm.
		25.08.42	North Atlantic
			AL 7783	Shadow bearing 160°T, bow left, target angle 90°, estimated range 5000-6000 meters.  Seen to be a 2 stack passenger liner, turned at GF, then attempted to maneuvered ahead at AK, steamer runs at

	Sun and Moon Data 17.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 20.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 23.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.08.42

	- 5 -
		25.08.42		19-20 knots, settled astern.
		01.00		Radio message to BdU:  "2-stacker naval quadrant AL 7780, 19-20 knots, course 60°.    - Henke -"
		01.30		Steamer out of sight.
		02.00		Gave up pursuit.  Continued transit.
		12.00	BD 3369	Day's run surfaced:   192 nm.
			WbyS 1-2, 5/10, Vis. good, 1018 mb
		26.08.42	North Atlantic
		12.00	BD 3860
			NW 2, Sea 1-2, Vis. good, 6/10, 1019 mb
				Radio message from BdU:  "New objective for Henke and U-512 is ED 90."
				On the great circle heading for EE 30 to take advantage of the traffic reported by Wattenberg at the same time.
		27.08.42	North of the Azores
		00.20 -		Test dive and crash dive practice.
		02.24	BD 3640
		12.00	BD 9120	Day's run surfaced   :   197 nm.
			NW 2, Sea 1, Vis. good, 2/10, 1021 mb	"      submerged:      9 nm.
		28.08.42	Northwest of the Azores
		12.00	CE 1380	Day's run surfaced:   204 nm.
			W 2, Sea 1, Vis. good, 3/10, 1020 mb
		16.00	CE 1350
		20.00	CE 1530
		29.08.42	West of the Azores
		00.00	CE 1550
			WbyS 2-3, Sea 2, Vis. good, 2/10, 1019 mb
		00.15 - 00.48		Test dive and crash dive practice.
		04.00	CE 1570
		08.00	CE 1750
		12.00	CE 1770	Day's run surfaced   :   188 nm.
				"      submerged:    2.3 nm.
		16.00	CD 6330
		20.00	CD 6350
		30.08.42	West of the Azores
		00.00	CD 6370
			SW 2-3, Sea 2, Vis. good, light swell, 3/10, 1019 mb
		04.00	CD 6560
		08.00	CD 6580
		12.00	CD 6810	Day's run surfaced:   180 nm.
		16.00	CD 6760
		20.00	CD 6780

	Sun and Moon Data 25.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 29.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.08.42

	- 6 -
		31.08.42	West of the Azores
		00.00	CD 9120
			Winds shifting from S-W 3-4, Sea 3, heavy swell, Vis. good, 5/10, 1019 mb
		04.00	CD 8310
		08.00	CD 8630
		12.00	CD 8650	Day's run surfaced:   132 nm.
		16.00	CD 8670
		20.00	CD 8830
		01.09.42	Azores
		00.00	CD 8870
			SW 2-3, Sea 2, Vis. good, 3/10, 1018 mb
		04.00	DF 1330
		08.00	DF 1350
		12.00	DF 1370	Day's run surfaced:   213 nm.
		16.00	DF 1530
		20.00	DF 1550
		02.09.42	Southwest of the Azores
		00.00	DF 1820
			S 2-3, Sea 2, Vis. good, 2/10, light SW-swell, 1021 mb
		04.00	DF 1840
		08.00	DF 1790
		12.00	DF 4120	Day's run surfaced   :   149 nm.
				"      submerged:    2.7 nm.
		16.00	DF 4140
		20.00	DE 6390
		03.09.42	Atlantic
		00.00	DE 6650
			SE 2, Sea 2, light S-swell, Vis. good, 5/10, 1019 mb
		00.46 - 01.14		Test dive and crash dive practice.
		04.00	DE 6670
		08.00	DE 6830
		12.00	DE 6860	Day's run surfaced   :   176 nm.
				"      submerged:    1.5 nm.
		16.00	DE 6880
		20.00	DE 9210
		04.09.42	Atlantic
		00.00	DE 9160
			SE 2, Sea 1-2, light SE-swell, 9/10, Vis. good, 1023 mb
		04.00	DE 9410
		08.00	DE 9440
		12.00	DE 8690	Day's run surfaced:   178 nm.
		16.00	DE 8950
		20.00	DE 8970

	Sun and Moon Data 31.08.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 02.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.09.42

	- 7 -
		05.09.42	Atlantic
		00.00	DQ 1320
			SE 2, Sea 1-2, light SE-swell, 5/10, Vis. good, 1026 mb
		04.00	DQ 1340
		08.00	DQ 1290
		12.00	DQ 1550	Day's run surfaced:   170 nm.
		16.00	DQ 1570
		20.00	DQ 1730
		06.09.42	Atlantic
		00.00	DQ 1750
			E 2-3, Sea 1-2, light E-swell, 2/10, Vis. good, 1032 mb
		01.33 - 03.10		Test dive and crash dive practice.
		04.00	DQ 4110
		08.00	DQ 4140
		12.00	DP 6630	Day's run surfaced   :   173 nm.
				"      submerged:    5.2 nm.
		16.00	DP 6650
		20.00	DP 6830
		07.09.42	Atlantic
		00.00	DP 6850
			NE 2-3, Sea 2, light NE-swell, rain showers, few clouds, 1019 mb
		04.00	DP 6880
		08.00	DP 9160
		12.00	DP 9180	Day's run surfaced:   184 nm.
		16.00	DP 9440
		20.00	DP 8950
		08.09.42	Atlantic - East of the Antilles
		00.00	DP 8950
			NE 2-3, Sea 1, 1/10, Vis. good, 1019 mb
		00.34 - 01.49		Test dive and crash dive practice.
		04.00	DP 8970
		08.00	EE 22.20
		11.55		Crash dive for Catalina aircraft, approaching, long range, boat remained undetected.
		12.00	EE 2240	Day's run surfaced   :   178 nm.
				"      submerged:    6.2 nm.
		13.23		Surfaced.
		16.00	EE 2190
		20.00	EE 2450
		09.09.42	East of the Antilles
		00.00	EE 2470
			SE 3, Sea 2, light swell, 3/10, Vis. good, 1018 mb
		04.00	EE 1930
		08.00	EE 1950
		12.00	EE 4310	Day's run surfaced:   174 nm.
		16.00	EE 4250
		20.00	EE 4270
		21.23		Radio message from BdU:  "Auffermann and Henke free to maneuver in the area east of ED 9980.  Focal point there, try to detect incoming and outgoing ships and operate on them.

	Sun and Moon Data 05.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 06.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.09.42

	- 8 -
		Continued from
		09.09.42
		21.23		Expect moderate to strong air patrol."
		10.09.42	Antilles
		00.00	EE 4460
			SE 2, Sea 2, light swell, 3/10, Vis. good, 1016 mb
		04.00	EE 4760
		08.00	EE 4770
		12.00	ED 9330	Day's run surfaced:   225 nm.
		16.00	ED 9330
			Puerto Rico and Port of Spain alerted to U-boats (sighting by Army aircraft) in naval quadrant ED 4470 and ED 9450, apparently Reichenbach or Krech.  It is advisable to constantly monitor the 600-meter wave.
		20.00	ED 9350
		11.09.42	West of Grenada
		00.00	ED 9680
			SE 2, Sea 2, 7/10, Vis. medium, 1017 mb
		04.00	ED 9950	Peacetime navigation lights off Trinidad and Tobago, searchlight exercises in Port of Spain
		08.00	ED 9960
		11.28	ED 9991
			7000 ton freighter in sight bearing 150°T, course 310°, 14 knots, distance 6 nm. Approximately 1 hour before 1 floodlight bearing 150°T shown from Trinidad, probably on demand of the steamer.  I attempt to position ahead in the already breaking dawn, however, steamer is undertaken by an escort who was positioned on my side.  Cannot get any further ahead in spite of AK.  Must let steamer pass with a heavy heart.
		11.48		Dived and put the boat on the bottom.  Depth 60 meters.
		12.00		Day's run surfaced   :   184 nm.
				"      submerged:    2.8 nm.
		12.09.42	North of Port of Spain
		00.30 -	E 2, Sea 1, 1/10, Vis. good, 1019 mb	Surfaced, steering search courses.
		04.00	ED 9992
		04.59	Aircraft with navigation lights set, approaching, short range, came to KF, machine guns ready, aircraft turns away, did not detect the boat.
		08.00	ED 9992
		09.28	ED 9996
			Shadow in sight bearing 130°T.  Bow right, target angle 10°, estimated range 3-4 nm, determined to be a large tanker.  Positioned boat on the dark horizon, began the approach from there.
		10.01	ED 9992
			Double fan from tubes I and IV, enemy speed 12, bow left target angle 70°, depth tube I = 3 meters, tube IV = 4 meters, steering angle 5°, estimated range 800 meters.  2 hits, forward 20 and aft 30 meters.  Very heavy detonation.  Ship lists to starboard, however does not sink, crew abandons ship, 3 lifeboats.
		10.20		Coup de grâce from tube V, depth 5 meters, range 500 meters, no detonation, torpedo apparently passed under.
		10.24		Coup de grâce from tube IV, range 500 meters, depth 3 meters

	Sun and Moon Data 09.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.09.42

	- 9 -
		Continued from
		12.09.42          10.24	Hit in engine room, tanker sinks slowly by the stern, capsizes, sank after 20 minutes, water depth 75 meters.  From statements by the crew it was the "STANBACK MELBOURNE" 10000 GRT.
		10.25		New shadow in sight bearing 140°T, bow right, target angle 30°.  Determined to be a tanker, initiated attack.
			Double fan from tube II and III, speed 14, bow right, target angle 80°, range 900 meters, hit forward 50 meters, running time 81 seconds.  Part of the crew abandons ship, the gun crew readies artillery, fires at the boat.
		10.50	Dived.  Coup de grâce from tube I, estimated range 1000 meters, depth 3 meters, hit in engine room, tanker does not sink.
		1136	Coup de grâce from tube V, depth 3 m, estimated range 500 meters, after 30 seconds impact heard in the boat, no detonation, apparently a Pi failure.
		11.48	Coup de grâce from tube III, range 400 meters, depth 3 meters, hit in engine room, heavy detonation, stern breaks off, tanker "WOENSDRECHT" 4668 GRT sank immediately, water depth 75 meters.
		11.55	Set off to the east in deep water.  An escort recovers survivors of both tankers.
		12.00		Day's run surfaced   :   72 nm.
				"      submerged:   24 nm.
		13.09.42	East of Tobago
		00.03	EE 7777
			NE 2-3, Sea 2, Vis. good, 2/10, 1019 mb	Surfaced.
				Smoke cloud bearing 260°T, distance 12 nm, maneuvered ahead, closed, determined to be a very large freighter.
		02.24	EE 7772	1. Shot, tube II, depth 3 meters, bow right, target angle 75°, estimated range 1000 meters, speed 11 knots.  Undetermined miss.
		02.27		2. Shot, tube III, depth 3 meters, target angle 127°, estimated range 800 meters, speed 9 knots, hit aft 25 meters, heavy detonation.
		02.38	Steamer transmits, does not sink.  Therefore a coup de grace tube V, depth 3 meters, estimated range 600 meters, steamer "OCEAN VANGAURD", after statements by the crew 8000 GRT, sank immediately.  Intend to move off now and reload 4 upper deck torpedoes.
		05.40	EE 7779	Shadow in sight bearing 210°T, broke off torpedo transfer, got underway immediately, determined to be a small freighter.
		06.43	EE 7778
			Shot from tube II, depth 3 meters, enemy speed 9 knots, estimated range 400 meters, bow right, target angle 80°, hit amidships.  Sank within 12 seconds, few survivors, give the name "SENTA" 3785 GRT.
		07.30 -
		11.00		4 Atos transferred below.
		12.00	EO 1116	Day's run surfaced   :   100 nm.
				"      submerged:    2.5 nm.
		12.07		Dived for aircraft, proceeding to the NE, remained submerged.
		14.09.42	West of Trinidad
		00.03	EO 1115	Surfaced, search courses on the presumed entry route.  Headed for Trinidad for a navigation check.
			E 1-2, Sea 1, 4/10, Vis. good, 1019 mb
		12.00	EO 1121	Day's run surfaced   :   104 nm.
				"      submerged:     27 nm.
		12.02		Steamer bearing 110°T, course 320°, maneuvered ahead.
		13.34	EE 7784	Dived for submerged attack.
		14.18		Shot from tube VI, depth 3 meters, bow left, target angle 110°,

	Sun and Moon Data 12.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.09.42

	- 10 -
		14.09.42	estimated range 1000 meters, enemy speed 10, running time 63 seconds, hit amidships.  Steamer begins sinking slowly over the stern.  6 hatches, numerous warship lifeboats on deck, 2 cannons, several automatic weapons.
		from 14.18
		14.25		Surfaced.
			With 10.5 cm and 3.7 cm holed hatches and ship's sides, set superstructure afire with incendiary ammunition.  Ran off on the surface, the whole length of the ship is burning.  Estimated 6000 GRT.
		14.55		Dived.  Remained in deep water.
		23.33	BE 1114	Surfaced.  Headed for Trinidad to check navigation.
		15.09.42	West of Trinidad
		01.19	EE 7774, E 1-2, Sea 1, Vis. good, 2/10, 1016 mb	2 shadows in sight, determined to be a destroyer, evaded to the east.
		02.17		Begin search courses.
		07.03	EE 1129	Shadow in sight, estimated range 300 meters, bow on, began attack immediately .
		07.19	Double fan from tubes I and IV, depth 4 meters, estimated range 900 meters, bow right, target angle 80°, enemy speed 13 knots, 2 hits aft 40 and aft 50 meters, running time 32 seconds.  The steamer does not sink.
		07.34	Coup de grâce from tube II, depth 4, estimated range 400 meters, running time 17 seconds.  Norwegian "SÖRHOLD" 4800 GRT.  Sank with detonation.  Proceeded to the south.
			Radio message to BdU:  "1. on 14 September in EE 7776, British steamer 6000 tons, course 320° left sinking and burning.  Just now in EO 1129, Norwegian "SÖRHOLD", course 310° from Buenos Aires for New York via the main harbor for bunkering, both loaded.  2.  Heavy independent traffic on SE courses for the main harbor.   3.  120 cbm, 0 + 5 torpedoes, request supply with torpedoes.
		10.05 -
		10.50	EE 1165	Test dive.
		12.00	EO 1248	Day's run surfaced   :   235 nm.
				"      submerged:    13 nm.
		12.08	Smoke cloud in sight bearing 150°T, at first the steamer steers a straight course, around 12.36 hours U-boat warning for Trinidad area on 600 meter wave, suddenly the ship began to zig zag wildly. (Auffermann's "KIETO"), maneuvered ahead.
		15.03	Crash dive for aircraft, medium altitude, approaching.  Initiated attack.  A difficult attack because of the mirror flat sea and aircraft remaining with steamer.  Had to go to 25 meters after every periscope sweep so as not to be seen.
		16.03	EO 1156
			Shot from tube III, depth 3 meters, enemy speed 10 knots, bow right, target angle 80°, estimated range 1500 meters, miss because of the heavy zig zag of the steamer.  The aircraft flies over the periscope, went to 50 meters and ran off.
		23.10		Surfaced.  Steering for the Trinidad navigation channel on search courses.
		16.09.42	West of Trinidad
		12.00	EO 1270	Day's run surfaced   :   235 nm.
			SE 3, Sea 2, light SE-swell, Vis. good, 2/10, 1013 mb	"      submerged:    18 nm.

	Sun and Moon Data 14.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 15.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 16.09.42

	- 11 -
		16.09.42
		15.56	EO 1510	Steamer bearing 290°T, 10 nm distant, maneuvering ahead.
		17.34	EO 1550
			Crash dive for fast land-based aircraft, 3 well-placed aircraft bombs at 20 meters, no damage.  Because I am positioned ahead of the steamer, I hold contact for approximately 1-1/2 hours.
		21.05	EO 1570	Surfaced.
			Hurried in pursuit, steamer again in sight after 80 minutes, held off attacking until after moonset.
		17.09.42	British Guiana Coast
		06.25	EO 4320	Closed.  Shot from tube IV, depth 3 meters, enemy speed 10.5, bow left, target angle 80°, estimated range 800 meters, running time 66 seconds.  Hit aft 30 meters, forward of the after mast,
			NE 2, Sea 1, Vis. medium, 2/10, 1014 mb
			heavy detonation, steamer begins sinking by the stern.  Astern two medium cannons, forward and aft of the bridge machine guns.  Fired at bridge and forecastle with 10.5 cm.  Holed ship's sides, hatches and end plates.  Left ship only when the burning bow was jutting from the water, depth 25 meters.  Based on questioning the 1st officer, British steamer "MARY" 7000 GRT in ballast from Port of Spain to Paramaribo.
		07.00	Set off to the NE to load torpedoes, and also to give the crew a day of peace (water temperature 45-50°) and, at the same time, monitor the area of Wattenberg-Markworth.
		12.00	EO 2870	Day's run surfaced   :   267 nm.
				"      submerged:    16 nm.
		13.49	EO 2870	Dived.
		18.25	EO 2840	Surfaced to air the boat.
		19.47		Dived.
		23.35	EO 2840	Surfaced, begin loading torpedoes.
		18.09.42	British Guiana Coast
		03.50	E 1-2, Sea 1, light E-swell, Vis. good, 1019 mb	Finished loading torpedoes.
		04.06	EO 2810	Trim test.  In Wattenberg area back and forth, nothing seen.
		12.00	EO 2410	Day's run surfaced   :   139 nm.
				"      submerged:    19 nm.
		16.00	EO 2270
		20.00	EO 2270
		21.14		Dived for aircraft.
		23.10	EO 2510	Surfaced.
		19.09.42	British Guiana Coast
		04.00	EO 2420
			E 1-2, Sea 1, Vis. good, 1014 mb
		08.00	EO 2120
		12.00	EE 8770	Day's run surfaced   :   265 nm.
				"      submerged:      7 nm.
		20.02	Operating on Wiebe-convoy, I hope to find independents along the coast.  Met with Reichenbach.

	Sun and Moon Data 16.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 17.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 18.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 19.09.42

	- 12 -
		20.09.42	British Guiana Coast
		04.20	EO 2790	Shadow in sight, estimated range 7 nm, closed.
			E 1-2, Sea 1, Vis. good, 1019 mb
		08.15	EO 2740
			Shot from tube I, depth 3 meters, enemy speed 9, bow right, target angle 80°, estimated range 1000 meters, running time 59 seconds.  Hit amidships.  The steamer does not sink.
		08.38	Coup de grâce from tube IV, estimated range 400 meters, depth 3 meters, hit aft 15 meters.  British steamer "REEDPOOL" 4867 GRT.  Sank immediately.  Captain taken aboard.  Ship was proceeding from Cape Town to Trinidad in ballast.  Captain states that area of Wattenberg-Markworth will not be frequented any more.  Ship had survivors of British steamer "MENDON" aboard which was torpedoed by a submarine on the African coast and had spent 35 days in a lifeboat.
		08.39	There was an accident while removing a jam in the MG C-30.  Matrosengefreiter Biazza was killed.  He had positioned himself in front of the muzzle while breaking down the barrel and the cartridge in the chamber ignited killing him on the spot.
				Radio message to BdU:  1.  Sank British freighter "REEDPOOL" EO 2470, course 310°, from Cape Town to main harbor.  Area Markworth-Wattenberg will not be frequented according to the Captain.
			2.  Matrosengefeiter Biazza was killed while removing a jam in the MG C-30.
			3.  84 cbm, 2 torpedoes.
			With the delivery of this radio message the main transmitter failed.
		12.00	EO 2740	Day's run surfaced   :   278 nm.
		16.44	EO 5510	Put the boat on the bottom, 82 meters.
		22.41		Surfaced, searched the area off the coast between the 30 and 100-meter line.
		24.37	EO 1990	Funeral for Matrosengefreiter Biazza.
		21.09.42	British Guiana Coast
		04.00	EO 1910
			E 2, Sea 1, Vis. medium, rain showers, 8/10, 1016 mb
		08.00	EO 1830
		12.00	EO 1540
		12.06		Dived.  Put the boat on the bottom in 90 meters.
		22.50		Boat off the bottom and surfaced.
		22.09.42	Venezuelan Coast
		00.00	EO 1430
			NE 2-3, Sea 2, light E-swell, Vis. medium, 8/10, tropical rain showers, 1015 mb
		04.00	EO 1150
		08.00	EO 1120
		12.00	EO 1150	Day's run surfaced   :   175 nm.
				"      submerged:    12 nm.
		12.24	EO 1150	Dived.
		17.45	EO 1140	Boat on the bottom in 86 meters.
		22.40		Surfaced.

	Sun and Moon Data 20.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 21.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 22.09.42

	- 13 -
		23.09.42	West of Trinidad
		03.17	EO 1140	Shadow bearing 65°T.  Determined to be a medium sized coastal steamer.  Matched speed, maneuvered ahead.
			NE 1-2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, 1017 mb
		05.48	EO 1410	Dived for submerged attack using the search periscope.
		06.19	Shot from tube II, depth 3 meters, enemy speed 10.5, estimated range 1500 meters, bow left, target angle 100°, running time 45 seconds.  Hit amidships.  Steamer sank in just a few seconds.
		06.20		Surfaced.  Ship was the Norwegian "LINDVANGEN", 2412 GRT.  Few survivors.
		10.20	EO 1490
			Shadow in sight bearing 290°T, estimated range 7 nm, bow left, target angle 30°.  Lighting is unfavorable, I decide to start the attack on the surface in the short time between moonset and sunrise.  On attack course at AK, up to now the horizon is dark behind us but it is getting light slowly, approached to 600 meters at KF.
		11.03	Shot from tube III, enemy speed 13, depth 3 meters, bow left, target angle 70°, estimated range 1000 meters, running time 34 seconds, hit forward 10 meters, heavy detonation, after the impact artillery bombardment from the stern cannon of the steamer at close range.
		11.04	Crash dive, at periscope depth determined that the ship ship lists strongly to port, the periscope is fired at violently.
		11.20	Surfaced, 3500 meters distant.  Crew abandons ship that is now heavily down by the bow. Propellers and rudders put of the water.  No artillery employment because of the danger from air, leave the sinking ship.  Estimated 4500 BRT.  American fruit steamer (similar to type " WEST-COHAS").
		12.00	EO 1570	Day's run surfaced   :   112 nm.
			NE 1-2, Sea 1, 3/10, Vis. good, 1017 mb	"      submerged:    25 nm.
		12.24	Dived, set off to deep water, hoping that the steamer expires.  During the approach I tried on all frequencies to position boats in the operation area on the new steamer route, was not successful using the emergency transmitter because of bad transmission and receiving conditions.
		23.48	EO 1520	Surfaced.
		24.09.42	Venezuelan Coast
		00.00	EO 1520	Radio message from BdU:  "KR KR - heavy in and outbound traffic in EO 1440-1490.  Main transmitter inoperative, request radio repeater. "
			NE 3-4, Sea 3, medium swell, Vis. good, 3/10, 1016 mb
		04.00	EO 1340
		08.00	EE 7990
		12.00	EE 8740	Day's run surfaced   :   148 nm.
				"      submerged:    36 nm.
		16.00	EE 8480
		20.00	EE 8430
		25.09.42	Atlantic
		00.00	EE 8240	Radio message to BdU:  "1.  Yesterday in EO 1440 sank Norwegian "LINDVANGEN", course 300°, from Paramaribo for main harbor, also in EO 1496 left an American fruit steamer sinking, estimated 4500 GRT, course 130°, 13 knots, position EE 7360.
			NE 4, Sea 3, medium NE-swell, 4/10, Vis. good, 1016 mb
			2.  Out of torpedoes, total 10 ships 56000 GRT.
			3.  70 cbm, request return transit without resupply."
		04.00	EE 8230
		08.00	EE 5970

	Sun and Moon Data 23.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 24.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 25.09.42

	- 14 -
		25.09.42
		12.00	EE 5950	Day's run surfaced   :   189 nm.
				"      submerged:    1.5 nm.
		16.00	EE 5930
		20.00	EE 5660
		26.09.42	Atlantic
		00.00	EE 6410	U-512 reports sinking my last steamer (American 4500 GRT) with a coup de grâce during the attempt to tow it in.
			EbyN, Sea 1, light swell, Vis. good, 2/10, 1017 mb
		08.00	EE 6130
		12.00	EE 3870	Day's run surfaced:   199 nm.
				Radio message from BdU:  "U-515 well done.  Return without resupply."
				Great joy in the boat.  Began return transit.
		16.00	EE 3820
		20.00	EE 3590
		27.09.42	Atlantic
		00.00	EE 3620
			EbyS 2, Sea 2, light swell, Vis. good, 2/10, 1017 mb
		00.34 - 00.58		Test dive.
		04.00	EF 1140
		08.00	EF 1120
		12.00	DQ 7790	Day's run surfaced   :   208 nm.
				"      submerged:   2.2 nm.
		16.00	DQ 7820
		20.00	DQ 7590
		28.09.42	Atlantic
		00.00	DQ 7620
			EbyN 4, Sea 3, E-swell, 6/10, Vis. good, 1015 mb
		04.00	DQ 8140
		08.00	DQ 8120
		12.00	DQ 5790	Day's run surfaced:   214 nm.
		16.00	DQ 5730
		20.00	DQ 5580
		29.09.42	Atlantic
		00.00	DQ 5560
			EbyN 3, Sea 3, medium swell, 3/10, Vis. good, 1021 mb
		00.28 - 01.03		Test dive.
		04.00	DQ 5620
		08.00	DQ 5360
		12.00	DQ 6110	Day's run surfaced   :   197 nm.
				"      submerged:      4 nm.
		16.00	DQ 3750
		20.00	DQ 3810
		30.09.42	Atlantic
		00.00	DQ 3560
			E 3-4, Sea 3, medium NE-swell, 3/10, Vis. good, 1021 mb
		04.00	DQ 3530
		08.00	DQ 3340

	Sun and Moon Data 25.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 26.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 27.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 28.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 29.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 30.09.42

	- 15 -
		30.09.42
		12.00	DF 7780	Day's run surfaced:   204 nm.
		16.00	DF 7720
		20.00	DF 7490
		01.10.42	Atlantic
		00.00	DF 7510
			EbyN 2, Sea 1-2, 5/10, Vis. good, 1024 mb
		04.00	DF 7290
		08.00	DF 7340
		12.00	DF 7320	Day's run surfaced:   191 nm.
		16.00	DF 6960
		20.00	DF 5470
		02.10.42	Atlantic
		00.00	DF 5450
			ENE 1, Sea 0-1, 2/10, Vis. good, 1026 mb
		04.00	DF 5430
		08.00	DF 5280
		10.05 - 10.30		Test dive.
		12.00	DF 5250	Day's run surfaced   :   193 nm.
		16.00	DF 5310	"      submerged:      1 nm.
		20.00	DF 2950
		03.10.42	Southwest of the Azores
		00.00	DF 2930
			NE 1, Sea 1, light swell, 2/10, Vis. good, 1027 mb
		04.00	DF 3470
		08.00	DF 3450
		12.00	DF 3430	Day's run surfaced:   188 nm.
		16.00	DF 8280
		20.00	DF 3230
		04.10.42	South of the Azores
		00.00	CE 7770
			Wind shifting from NE-SW, Sea 1-2, 2/10, Vis. good, 1025 mb
		04.00	CE 7750
		08.00	CE 7810
		12.00	CE 7570	Day's run surfaced:   176 nm.
		16.00	CE 7550
		20.00	CE 7610
		05.10.42	Azores
		00.00	CE 7380
			NNE 3-4, Sea 3, medium NE-swell, 8/10, Vis. medium, 1023 mb
		04.00	CE 8140
		08.00	CE 8120
		12.00	CE 5780	Day's run surfaced:   183 nm.
		13.25	CE 5760	Crash dive for flying boat, probably a Clipper, Azores-South America.

	Sun and Moon Data 30.09.42
	Sun and Moon Data 01.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 02.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 03.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 04.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 05.10.42

	- 16 -
		05.10.42
		17.05		Surfaced.
		20.00	CE 5850
		06.10.42	Azores
		00.00	CE 5940
			NEbyE 3-4, Sea 3, medium NE-swell, 6/10, Vis. good, 1025 mb
		04.00	CE 5950
		08.00	CE 6740
		12.00	CE 6730	Day's run surfaced   :   166 nm.
				"      submerged:      7 nm.
		16.00	CE 6810
		19.00 -		Submerged to conserve fuel.
		22.37	CE 6580
		07.10.42	Azores
		00.00	CE 6640
			NW 2-3, Sea 2, 4/10, Vis. good, 1020 mb
		08.00	CF 4510
		12.00	CF 4280	Day's run surfaced   :   155 nm.
				"      submerged:      8 nm.
		16.00	CF 4260
		20.00	CF 4340
		08.10.42	Azores
		00.00	CF 4310
			NE 4, Sea 3, medium swell, 4/10, Vis. good, 1022 mb
		04.00	CF 2770
		08.00	CF 2760
		11.24		Dived.
		12.00	CF 2840	Day's run surfaced   :   174 nm.
				"      submerged:      1 nm.
		18.22	CF 2820	Surfaced.
		19.35 - 07.45		Remained submerged due to heavy head winds.
		09.10.42	Atlantic
		12.00	CF 2650	Day's run surfaced   :   38 nm.
			NE 4, Sea 3, medium swell, 5/10, Vis. good, 1023 mb	"      submerged:   43 nm.
		12.50		Dived.
		17.51	CF 2630	Surfaced.
		20.00	CF 2630
		10.10.42	Atlantic
		00.00	CF 3180
			NNE-E 4, Sea 3, cross swell, 5/10, Vis. good, 1024 mb
		04.00	CF 3160
		08.00	CF 3230

	Sun and Moon Data 05.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 06.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 07.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 08.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 09.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 10.10.42

	- 17 -
		10.10.42
		12.00	BE 9770	Day's run surfaced   :   109 nm.
				"      submerged:      9 nm.
		16.00	BE 9750
		20.00	BE 9490
		11.10.42	West of Spain
		00.00	BE 9560
			N 2-3, Sea 1, light swell, 2/10, Vis. good, 1022 mb
		04.00	BE 9620
		08.00	BF 7140
		11.10		Crash dive for aircraft.
		12.00	BF 7130	Day's run surfaced   :   265 nm.
				"      submerged:    1.5 nm.
		14.56		Surfaced.
		15.10		Crash dive for aircraft.
		17.x4		Surfaced.
		20.41	BF 4870	Dived.
		12.10.42	Bay of Biscay
		08.10	BF 4880	Surfaced.
		10.02		Steamer in sight to port, estimated range 3-4 nm.  Thought to be a German auxiliary cruiser.
		11.07	BF 4940
		12.00	SW 2-3, Sea 2, 9/10, Vis. poor, light rainfall	Day's run surfaced   :   73 nm.
				"      submerged:   38 nm.
		18.36	BF 4920	Surfaced.
		20.06	BF 4930	Dived.
		13.10.42	Bay of Biscay
		07.50	BF 5470	Surfaced.
			NW 2-3, Sea 2, Vis. good, 5/10
		09.52	BF 5480	Crash dive for aircraft, 2 aircraft bombs far astern.
		12.00	BF 5480	Day's run surfaced   :   64 nm.
				"      submerged:   37 nm.
		1x.x1	BF 5460	Surfaced.
		18.24		Crash dive for 2 flying boats.  Type not determined.
		14.10.42	Bay of Biscay
		07.45		Surfaced.
		13.00		Taken in convoy.
		15.00	Lorient	Made fast.
				Oberleutnant z.S. and Commandant

	Sun and Moon Data 10.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 11.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 12.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 13.10.42
	Sun and Moon Data 14.10.42

	- 18 -
			S  i  t  u  a  t  i  o  n     f  o  r     T  r  i  n  i  d  a  d (Atlantic side).
			=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
			1.)	Suhren's situation report is fully confirmed.  Heavy in and outbound traffic in changing, narrow shipping channels, up to now only independents, no zig zaging; light, untrained defence.  Ships always try to pass through the dangerous waters off Trinidad by day, from there, based on experience operate in traffic lanes 80 - 100 nm offshore.
			2.)	Armament of all English and American steamers 2 medium cannons, as well as 3-4 automatic weapons, gun crew and lookout, therefore, stay away after the shot.
			3.)	1 hour before darkness to 1 hour before dawn light air surveillance noted, by day fast dangerous land-based aircraft on shipping lanes, some very high, some flying low, therefore, proceed on the surface in clear cloudless weather, 6-man lookout, MG C/30 always ready for firing.  In no case allow yourself to be seen, because, traffic is then rerouted.  At night good visibility.  No night air patrol with radar detected.
				Oberleutnant z.S. and Commandant

	Enclosures to U-515's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Track Chart	Track Chart for the 1st War Patrol - 12 April to 14 October 1942

	Commentary of the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
	On the K.T.B. of "U-515" from 21.02. - 14.10.42.
	On his first patrol the Kommandant took advantage of numerous chances for success under easy circumstances, and achieved a very beautiful success.
		Signed in draft: Dönitz
		Validized:
	Oberleutnant M.A. and Adjutant.

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