U-74 - 2nd War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Robert Derencin and Andi Forster

Departed	Date	Arrived	Date	Days at Sea
St. Nazaire	8 May 1941	Lorient	30 May 1941	23

 

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

 

Ships Hit

None

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

 

This KTB uses the depth notation "depth T = xx meters"  Under this scheme, the actual depth was twice the depth given after T = so for example, if the KTB entry read "depth T = 50 meters, the actual depth was 100 meters.  This was intended to hide the actual depth for security purposes. This notation was used from about January 1940 to December 1941.  In these KTBs, depths written without using "T =", for example "dived to depth 35 meters" were not so disguised.

 

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				K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h
				= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
				of
				U  n  t  e  r  s  e  e  b  o  o  t  e  s  "U-74"
				= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
				Beginning:    12.4.1941
				Ending:        30.5.1941
			Kommandant:    Kapitänleutnant  K  e  n  t  r  a  t  .
			Distribution: 2 x O.K.M. Skl.U.     1 x B.d.U. Op.     1 x B.d.U. Org.     1 x 7. U.-Flottille     1 x Boot
				© U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved

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

	- 1 -
		1941	Kriegstagebuch "U-74"
		12.04.41 to
		05.05.41	St. Nazaire	Shipyard period.
		23.04.41		Dry docked by tug.
		27.04.41		Warped to shipyard pier by tug.
		04.05.41		Pier side testing.
		05.05.41		Sea trial.
		11.25		Trim test.  Afterwards surfaced AK run.
		12.45		Radio direction finder calibration.
		14.50		Deperming.
		17.15		Magnetic compass calibration.
		06.05.41		Torpedo loading.
		07.05.41		Provisions loading and take over the boat from the shipyard.
		08.05.41
		08.00 - 15.00		Taking over the boat.
		16.00		Cast off.
		16.25 - 16.55		Through the lock.
		17.05		Proceeding in convoy.
		19.51		Test dive.
		20.32		Surfaced.  Proceeding on various courses from the coast.  Avoided numerous fishermen during the night.
		21.13		Crash dive for training.
		21.40		Surfaced.
		24.00	ENE 4, Sea 3, cloudy, bright night
		09.05.41
		04.00	BF 5597	Due to favorable weather proceeded with slight course changes into the operations area.
		08.00	BF 5739	Surface transit.
		12.00	BF 5742 center-left edge	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 219.5 nm
			NEbyN 5-6, Sea 5, Vis. 10-15 nm	Submerged =      3.3 nm = 222.8 nm.
				Crash dive training.
		16.00	BF 4928	Transit into the operations area.
		16.20		Crash dive for training.
		20.00	BF 4596 lower-left	Transit into the operations area.
			NNE 4-5, Sea 4, sky partially overcast, Vis. 10-15 nm
		24.00	BF 4555 center-left edge
			Bright moonlit night, Vis. 3-5 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 08.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 09.05.41

	- 2 -
		10.05.41	North Atlantic
		04.00	BF 4434	Surface transit.
			Wind shifting to N 3-4, Sea 4, bright moonlit night, light swell
		07.21		Test dive.
		08.00	BF 4175 upper-left
			N 5, Sea 3, sky lightly cloudy, Vis. 3-4 nm
		08.33		Surfaced.
		11.00		On receiving Radio Message from [J 15 (Italian U-boat) handwritten] came to course 270°.  100 nm detour I accept for the 10% possibility of meeting the reported convoy.  Distance is approximately 420 nm.
		12.00	BE 6355	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 251.3 nm
			NW 2-3, Sea 2, Vis. good 10-15 nm	Submerged =     5.2 nm = 266.5 nm. [typo 256.5 nm]
		16.00	BE 6237 lower-center	Difference between actual and dead reckoning position after a navigation fix:  325°T, 20 nm.  Transit into operations area.
		20.00	BE 6125 lower-center
			Wind NW 2-3, sky partly cloudy, Sea 2, Vis. good, light swell
		24.00	BE 5326 lower-left corner	Surface transit into attack area.
			WbyN 1, lightly cloudy, Sea 0, bright moonshine, Vis. 5-6 nm
		11.05.41	North Atlantic
		04.00	BE 5226 lower-right corner
			Westerly wind 1, Sea flat, very bright night
		07.45		Test dive.
		08.00	BE 5135 left edge lower
		08.05		Surfaced.
		08.15		Smoke cloud ahead to starboard.  Maintained contact.  Several smoke trails and soon masts in sight.  Could this be the convoy from J 15?
		12.00	BE 5158 lower-center	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 323.7 nm
			SSE 2-3, Sea 1-2, overcast sky, Vis, 10-15 nm	Submerged =     1.0 nm = 324.7 nm.
		16.00	BE 5413	In the course of the day determined course and speed and maneuvered ahead for day attack.
			SSE 4-5, Sea 3-4, cloudy, Vis. changing greatly 5-8 nm, medium swell
				Course 190°, speed 8-9 knots.
				Unfortunately, it is freshening more and more.  When diving at 16.33 hours Sea State is 3-4, swell slowly becoming stronger.
				Convoy is barely seen, because swell and rough sea has become much stronger.

	Sun and Moon Data 10.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 11.05.41

	- 3 -
		continued
		11.05.41	North Atlantic	Convoy runs in echelon line abreast, inner 2-3 steamers in a group together, zigzag independently, ahead 1 destroyer as sweeper.
				It is the first submerged attack of the boat.  The boat can just be held at LF.  Boat frequently cuts under.  The attack is complicated by yawing and zig zagging points of the independent group.   Although I occasionally extend the periscope out to 2 meters, I never have a full all around view because of the ever increasing wave crests.
		18.55 and 18.56		Tube I and II were shot as independently aimed shots on 2 steamers each of 5000 tons.  Speed is certain, target angle is carefully determined.  Nothing sighted.
		09.03		Also the third single shot from tube IV at 19.03 hours brings no success.
				Because the data was determined for all 3 shots with extreme care, I can explain the misses only as underruns.
				Steamers had an estimated draft from 4-5 meters.  Half loaded.
		20.00	BE 5415 lower-left	After the 3rd shot on left wing steamer I turned away.  Shortly after the shot the boat broke the surface of the water, however, was successfully brought with AK and all-hands-maneuver [all men to the bow] quickly submerged again.  The enemy had apparently not seen anything.
				Intention: reload submerged and initiate a new attack.
		20.50		On surfacing at 20.50 hours the intention had to be given up, because swell by SbyE were so heavy that pursuit was hopeless.  Additionally, visibility has become much worse.
		21.27		Transit to the attack area is resumed again.  It is a pity that no visible success occurred, however both the depth control parties and I learned a lot during this first underwater attack of the boat.
		24.00	BE 4391 upper-right corner	Course 320°.
			SE 5, Sea 5, Vis. changing 1-2 nm, foggy dark night
		12.05.41	North Atlantic	Transit to operations area.  Course 320°.
		04.00	BE 1979 lower-center
			SE 4, Sea 3-4, fog and rain, cloud height 100-200 meters, Vis. bad 1000 meters, dark night

	Sun and Moon Data 11.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 12.05.41

	- 4 -
		continued
		12.05.41	North Atlantic
		08.00	BE 1837 center
			Rain, Vis, changing
		12.00	BE 1548 center-right	Surface transit.  Course 320°.
			ESE 4-5, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 217.5 nm
				Submerged =   14.5 nm = 232.0 nm.
		16.00	BE 1186 center-left	Course 320°.
			EbyS 4, Sea 3, rain, Vis. 1 nm, medium swell
		20.00	BE 1115 center-left	Course 320°.
			E 5, Sea 5, rain, cloud height 100 meters, Vis. bad up to 1000 meters, medium-heavy swell
		22.56		Test dive.
		23.36		Surfaced.  Transit continued.  Course 320°.
		24.00	AL 7791 right edge
			E 4, Sea 4, overcast, dark night, Vis. 1 nm, light swell
		13.05.41
		04.00	AL 7478 center-left	Surface transit.
			Wind abating, Sea 2-3, occasional rain, foggy, Vis. 1 nm
		08.00	AK 9629 center	Transit into the attack area.  Course 320°.
			Wind shifting to E 2, Sea 2-3, fog, overcast sky, light swell, Vis. 500 meters
		12.00	AK 9347 upper-left	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 284 nm
				Submerged =   2.5 nm = 286.5 nm.
				Course 320°.
		16.00	AK 9223 lower-left	Transit into the operations area, course 315°.
			NE 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, misty, Vis. 3-8 nm
		20.00	AK 6859 lower-center	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  90°T, 24 nm.
			Vis. 6-10 nm
		24.00	AK 6815 lower-right corner	Course 315°.
			NE 3, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. 10-15 nm
		14.05.41
		04.00	AK 6495 lower-left corner	Transit into the attack area.
			NNE 2, Sea 1-2, from 01.00 hours to 03.30 hours dark night, Vis. good 3-6 nm
		05.30	AK 6455	A U-boat in sight to starboard.  While avoiding

	Sun and Moon Data 12.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 13.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 14.05.41

	- 5 -
		continued
		14.05.41	North Atlantic
				to port a steamer sighted ahead to port.  Visibility now about 5000 to 6000 meters.  Too bright for surface attack.
		08.00	AK 6463	While diving for underwater attack the boat falls to 25 meters and does not come quickly enough to attack depth.
			NE 2-3, Sea 2, overcast sky, Vis. 10-15 nm, 1028 mb
				Surfaced.  Ran behind the steamer until 08.00 hours at AK.  Steamer runs about 16-18 knots.  Although he zig zags, he is slowly lost from sight.
				Recognition signals exchanged with a U-boat which is quickly lost from sight.
				Transit into operations area continued.
		12.00	AK 6416	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 216.2 nm
			NE 3, Sea 2, overcast sky, light swell, Vis. good, 1030 mb	Submerged =     0.4 nm = 216.6 nm.
		16.00	AK 5396 center-right edge	Back and forth in the attack area.  Difference between dead reckoning and actual position 16 nm.
		20.00	AK 6417 center-left edge
			E 2, light seas, partial overcast, Vis. good
		24.00	AK 6415 center	In operations area.
		15.05.41
		00.15		On Radio Message from B.d.U. transit into new attack area.  Course 215°.
		04.00	AK 5691 center-right	Transit to ordered operations area.
			SE 2, Sea 1, overcast, misty, very dark night, Vis. up to 500 meters
		08.00	AK 5927	Course 215°.
			SSE 2, Sea 1, overcast, dark night
		12.00	AK 5929 lower-left	Day's run:  Surfaced  = 196 nm.
			SSE 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good, 10-25 nm
		16.00	AK 5948 center-right	In operations area.
			W 1, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. good, light swell
		20.00	AK 8252 upper-center	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix: 238°T, 15 nm.
		21.44		Crash dive for training.
		22.15		Surfaced.  Continued transit.
		24.00	AK 8196
			WbyS 2, Sea 2, overcast, Vis. good
		16.05.41
		04.00	AK 8437	Course 208°.
			WSW 1, Sea 1, overcast, dark night, Vis. up to 1000 meters

	Sun and Moon Data 14.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 15.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 16.05.41

	- 6 -
		continued
		16.05.41	North Atlantic
		08.00	AK 8485	Course 208°.
			SW 2, Sea 1, dark night, Vis. changing
		10.16		Dived.
		12.00	AK 8467	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 174.2 nm
				Submerged =     3.5 nm = 177.7 nm.
		12.17		Surfaced.
		13.30 to 16.30		Crash dive for training and education duty.
		16.00	AK 8476
		20.00	AK 8476	In operations area.
			WSW 2, Sea 1, overcast, clear Vis. clear good
		22.30		3 destroyers come in sight from the east, apparently in transit formation.  Dived to let the destroyers pass ahead at about 1500 meters, they are American destroyers of the "DUNLAP"-Class, course SW, speed 12 knots.
		24.00	AK 8485 upper right corner	After the destroyers passed from sight at 23.50 hours a battleship also came in sight from the east.  On approaching recognized the American battleship "New York", also course SW.  Speed 8 knots.  I let him pass at about 3500 meters and then surfaced.
		17.05.41
				The battleship, has still set no lights, is still easily distinguished in the twilight.  Range = about 12000 meters.  I run behind with port KF.
				After approximately 3/4 hour floodlight lights ahead, then 3 vessels set lights.  Night exercises of the American formation later pass out of sight, after it has extinguished lights again.
				Radio Message to B.d.U. concerning the sighting in attack area.
		04.00	AK 8485	In operations area.
			SW 1, light Sea and light swells, dark night, Vis. up to 1 nm
		08.00	AK 8485

	Sun and Moon Data 16.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 17.05.41

	- 7 -
		continued
		17.05.41	North Atlantic
		12.00	AK 8488	In operations area.
			SW 0-1, light sea state and slight swell, Vis. 10-15 nm	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 92.5 nm
				Submerged =    8.4 nm = 100.9 nm.
		12.30 - 13.45		Torpedo transfer from the over deck containers.  Especially favorable weather, entire time very low swell.
				No Sea State.
		14.49 - 16.00		Test dive and depth control training.
		16.00	AK 8482
			SW 1, slight swell, somewhat misty, Vis. 5-10 nm
		20.00	AK 8485 center	In ordered patrol line.
			SSW 2, light Sea, fog, Vis. bad up to 500 meters
		20.22 - 23.00		Crash dive for training.
				Proceeding submerged due to fog.
		23.03		Surfaced.
		24.00	AK 8485
			S 1, light Sea, overcast, Vis. heavily changing 3-4 nm
		18.05.41	North Atlantic
		04.00	AK 8485	In ordered patrol line.
			SbyW 1, Sea 0, overcast, misty, Vis. moderate.
		08.00	AK 8485
			S 2, Sea 1, overcast
		12.00	AK 8485	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 150 nm
			S 2, Sea 2, overcast, rain, Vis. heavily changing 4-8 nm	Submerged =     6 nm = 156 nm.
		16.00	AK 8489
			SE 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, misty, Vis. 5 nm
		19.15 - 19.37		Test dive.
		20.00	AK 8431
			SSW 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, misty, Vis. moderate
		20.55		Proceeding submerged due to fog.
		24.00	AK 8486

	Sun and Moon Data 17.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 18.05.41

	- 8 -
		19.05.41	North Atlantic
		02.00		Surfaced.
		02.30		Due to fog continued to proceed submerged.
		04.00	AK 8485
		04.09		Surfaced.
		04.14		Due to fog continued to proceed submerged.
		06.03		Surfaced.  Continued on the surface in the patrol line.
		08.00	AK 8457
			SW 2-3, Sea 2-3, cloudy, Vis. changing 2-5 nm
		12.00	AK 8731	In ordered patrol line.
			SWbyW 2-3, Sea 2, cloudy, misty, Vis. changing 2-10 nm	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 128.2 nm
				Submerged =   15.6 nm = 143.8 nm.
		16.00	AK 8449
		20.00	AK 8437	On Radio Message report U-94 came to northerly course and am operating on convoy.
			SSW 2-3, Sea 2, overcast, misty, Vis. changing 2-6 nm
		24.00	AK 8137 lower-left corner	Course 0°.  Operating on U-94 convoy.
			Rain, Vis, heavily changing
		20.05.41
		04.00	AK 5734	Operating on U-94 convoy.  Course 0°.
			SW 4, Sea 4, medium swell, overcast, dark night, Vis. changing heavily by fog 1/2 - 1 nm
		08.00	AK 5434
		12.00	AK 5122	Day's run:  Surfaced  = 307 nm.
			SW 5-6, Sea 4, overcast, medium swell, Vis. 5-10 nm	Operating on convoy.
		16.00	AK 0154	Course 350°.  Operating on U-94 convoy.
			WSW 5, Sea 4-5, overcast, medium to heavy swell, Vis. 8-10 nm
		19.38		Test dive.
		20.00	AK 1873
			WSW 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. changing up to 8 nm
		20.04		Surfaced.  Operating on convoy.
		24.00	AK 1731	Course 300°.
			W 3, Sea 2-3, medium swell, Vis. 5-10 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 19.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 20.05.41

	- 9 -
		21.05.41	North Atlantic
		04.00	AJ 3366	Operating on U-94 convoy.
			NW 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, rain, Vis. heavily changing, dark night
		08.00	AJ 3323
		08.30		Smoke cloud ahead.  Two high masts were distinguished.  To starboard ahead the mast of a vessel (escort?) was distinguished.  On approaching it was determined that a large tanker lies ahead with a smoke cloud.  The vessel to starboard approaches at high speed on the same course as the tanker.  I want to approach the tanker for surface attack, the speed is very slow.  At GF, then at AK I attempt to approach.  Vessel to starboard is apparently a large gun boat, opens fire at about 8000 meters.  The first hits are short, the rest good.
		10.50		1.        - 800
				2.        - 600
				3.        - 200
				4.        - 30?
		11.01		I crash dive at a distance of 5000 meters from the gun boat which approaches at high speed, in order not to endanger the boat uselessly and to attack submerged.  Distance to the tanker is still about 3000 meters.  At a range of about 1000 meters I am ready to shoot, at that moment the gun boat approached me at target angle 0°.  Due to the quite heavy swell and Sea State, I first see him at only about 600 meters.  Periscope was always kept under the surface.  Depth keeping was very good.  He probably saw me by gulls which continually flew over the periscope.
				I order:  "Go deep quickly".
		11.35		The first set of depth charges (4) come at depth about 25 meters.  Very well placed.  Boat shakes heavily.
				Damage from the individual depth charge attacks to equipment.
		11.45		I go deep.  The next 10 depth charges fall at about depth 90 meters.  Now there were three vessels detected (sound bearings) probably destroyers.  Asdic and sounding gear.  The 3 vessels work very well.  In spite of all attempts, the boat only rarely gets away from the sound device which I always put astern.  When the two other vessels run in I turn away at high speed.  In spite of all attempts all depth charge attacks are well placed, a total of 10 with approximately 125 depth charges, well to very well placed.
		12.00	AJ 3255	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 279.8 nm
				Submerged =    3.5 nm = 283.3 nm.

Sun and Moon Data 21.05.41

	- 10 -
		continued
		21.05.41	North Atlantic
				An aircraft also seems to participate.  Different types of detonations in one attack - course betraying -.
			[actually depth 120 meters]	The third attack lies especially close.  Depth T = 60 meters.
		11.10		From then on I hold between depth T = 70 [140 meters] and depth T = 90 meters [180 meters].  Once I am for a short time at depth T = 95 meters. [190 meters]
				Attack:  Begins at 11.10 hours.
				Last attack 15.20 hours.
				For my entirely young crew this first depth charge attack was a great ordeal.  Boat and crew proved themselves very well.  The appearing faults were continually removed, and attempted by all means to keep the boat operable.
				Most unpleasant fault: the emergency vent valve in the control room broke off 3 of 5 bolts.  Supported firmly only little water entered.
				Stupidest fault:  The forward Marcks life buoy container leaked and water entered the boat via the forward W.C.  Bulkhead from W.C. was jammed, so that quite a lot of water entered.
				The fault was eliminated by opening the bulkhead.
		15.30		At last, I succeeded at 15.30 hours to creep away from the sound bearings of the enemy.  Unfortunately, I can no longer think about an attack on the tanker.  First some peace for the crew, after the most important faults were removed.
		16.00	AJ 3246
		20.00	AJ 3285
		24.00	AJ 3523
		22.05.41
		04.00	AJ 3259
		04.13		With darkness at about 04.00 on 22 May I surface.
				Clear visibility.  About 05.00 and 06.00 hours star shell firing in the direction of the previous day.  I ran off on southerly courses.
		08.00	AJ 3657
			W 3-4, Sea 3, overcast, medium swell, Vis. 8-10 nm
		12.00	AJ 3936	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 71 nm
			W 3-4, Sea 3, cloudy, Vis. changing, medium swell	Submerged = 54.3 nm = 125.3 nm.
				When on 22 May at about 11.00 hours the gnawed forward Marcks lifebuoy rose with quite a bang, so that this would not happen again, it was disassembled into small parts, which I let them throw overboard.

	Sun and Moon Data 21.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 22.05.41

	- 11 -
		continued
		22.05.41	North Atlantic
		16.00	AK 1972	Return transit 150°.
			WSW 4, Sea 3-4, cloudy, medium swell, Vis. changing 5-8 nm
		19.37		Test dive.
		19.59		Surfaced.
		20.00	AK 4328	Return transit course 140°.
			SW 4-5, Sea 4, overcast, Vis. changing heavily in rain, medium swell
		24.00	AK 4399	Return transit course 140°.
			WbyS 4-5, Sea 4, misty, overcast, Vis. 3-6 nm, medium swell
		23.05.41	North Atlantic
		04.00	AK 5455	Return transit course 140°.
		08.00	AK 5817
			WSW 3-4, Sea 3-4, overcast, rain, Vis. changing heavily, medium swell
		12.00	AK 5897	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 257.7 nm
			WSW 3-4, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. 3-8 nm	Submerged =        1 nm = 258.7 nm.
				Return transit course 140°.
		16.00	AK 8293	Return transit course 130°.
			SW 3-4, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. 5-8 nm, heavy swell
		20.00	AK 8629	Return transit course 130°.
			SWbyS 3, Sea 2-3, overcast, Vis. 6-10 nm, light swell
		24.00	AK 9475	Return transit course 130°.
			SE 1-2, light swell, fog, Vis. 1/2 nm
		24.05.41
		02.25	S 1-2, Sea 1, light swell, overcast, fog, Vis. bad up to 300 meters	Dived due to fog.  Proceeding submerged.
		04.00	AK 9474	Proceeding submerged course 130°.
		05.30 to 07.30		Sound bearings, probably convoy and presumably a northerly course.  Due to fog not determined.  Sound gear only partially operable.
		08.00	AK 9729	Proceeding submerged.  Course 130°.
		11.27		Surfaced.  Continued return transit.

	Sun and Moon Data 22.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 23.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 24.05.41

	- 12 -
		continued
		24.05.41
		12.00	AK 9765 upper-left corner	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 170.6 nm
			WSW 1-2, Sea 1, light swell, gusty, Vis. 20-30 nm	Submerged =   13.2 nm = 183.8 nm.
		16.00	BD 3122 lower-center	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position 240°T, 8 nm.
			WbyN 1-2, Sea 1, light swell, misty, rain, Vis. 10-15 nm
		20.00	BD 3275	Return transit to Lorient.  Course 130°.
			W 3, Sea 3-4, overcast, Vis. good 10-15 nm
		24.00	BD 3569 upper-center	Return transit.
		25.05.41
		04.00	BD 3929 upper-right corner	Return transit Lorient.
			W 3, Sea 3-4, dark night, Vis. 1-2 nm
		08.00	BE 1773 lower-right
			WNW 4-5, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 1-2 nm
		12.00	BE 4242 upper-left	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 342.7 nm
			NW 4-5, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 5-10 nm	On Radio Message from B.d.U. proceeding to new attack area.  Course 100°.
		16.00	BE 4341	Course 90°.
			NW 5, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 10-15 nm	Difference between dead reckoning and actual position after a navigation fix:  256°T, 30 nm.
		20.00	BE 4345 center	Transit into operations area.
		24.00	BE 5145 center	Surface transit course 90°.
			NW 4-5, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 8-12 nm, medium swell
		26.05.41
		04.00	BE 5244 center	Course 90°.
			WNW 5, Sea 5, overcast, dark night, Vis. 1-2 nm, medium swell
		08.00	BE 5266	Surface transit, course 90°.
			NNW 5, Sea 5, overcast, medium swell, Vis. 5-10 nm
		12.00	BE 5353	Surface transit, course 90°.
			Very gusty, Vis. changing 8-12 nm, medium-high swells	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 291 nm
				Submerged =   0.5 nm = 291.5 nm.
		16.00	BE 5364
			WNW 5, Sea 5, overcast, Vis. 10-15 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 24.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 25.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 26.05.41

	- 13 -
		continued
		26.05.41	North Atlantic
		17.13		Crash dive for approaching aircraft.
		18.32		Surfaced.
		20.00	BE 5356	On Radio Message from B.d.U. came to course 98° and then 105°.
			NW 5, Sea 5, heavy swell, Vis. changing
		24.00	BE 6148 center
			WNW 3, Sea 4-5, overcast, Vis. changing 8-12 nm
		27.05.41
		00.05		Artillery firing about 40° degrees to port.
		01.45		Thereafter star shells.
		02.58		Held on.
		04.00	BE 6155	In the ordered square very dark night with heavily changing visibility.  Frequent rain squalls.  Wind freshens more and more.  Swells become much higher.  From time to time still some firing and star shells.  With course 250° and 50° I try to approach closer.  Against the swell I can hardly go and above all the bridge is continually under water, so that no observation is possible.
			WNW 4, Sea 4-5, overcast, dark night, Vis. 1-2 nm, high swells
				For a moment at about 04.30 hours on the opposite side of BISMARCK (I suppose that BISMARCK is located in the direction of the star shells) at approximately 8000-10000 meters a silhouette is seen. (of large cruisers or a battleship with sharp or blunt target angle).  I turn 20° to close, however, immediately lost sight again with the changing visibility.
				Stay on this side now to possibly attack oncoming enemies from here.  It is a terrible night.  With this swell no torpedo can run.  U-556 must be in my vicinity.  I receive now and again bearing signals of U-556, from BISMARCK nothing.  Additionally, I make the same observations as U-556 reports.
		04.30		About 04.30 hours again three powerful detonations felt in the boat, one of them particularly violent.
		04.33		Shooting is seen again one more time bearing 290°T.
		06.30		At about 06.30 hours optical communications with a U-boat, which hands over contact on BISMARCK bearing 270°T.
				I can only start up to 250° against the still higher growing swells from approximately 300° and 320°.
		07.26		I must crash dive for 2 vessels (1 cruiser and 1 destroyer), with target angle 0° from 180°T in approximately 5000 meters from a rain squall.   At the same time, continual sound bearings are taken with the however not fully

	Sun and Moon Data 26.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 27.05.41

	- 14 -
		continued
		27.05.41		operable G.H.G.
		09.22	WNW 7, Sea 6-7, overcast, Vis. changing 8-12 nm, heavy swell	From 09.00 to 09.40 continual heavy and medium detonations are heard to port.  I steer submerged northerly course to make way against the swell.  On surfacing at 09.22 nothing is seen.  I held the detonations for bombs our reported combat formation.  (It must have been the final combat of the BISMARCK)
		12.00	BE 6156	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 181.7 nm
			WNW 7, Sea 7-8, overcast, heavy squalls, rain, very heavy swells	Submerged =     6.5 nm = 188.2 nm.
				Retrieving the BISMARCK's K.T.B. can no longer be carried out.  By Radio Message to B.d.U. I report my last observations on the possible sinking of BISMARCK.
		16.00	BE 6147	Began the search for survivors, however, always in the hope of seeing BISMARCK.
			Weather situation unchanged
		19.30 -20.20		3 survivors were found in a dinghy and taken on board.  Transfer is quite difficult in the swell and sea.
				The names of the 3 survivors:
				Matr.-Gefr. Herzog,
				Matr.-Gefr. Manthey,
				Matr.-Gefr. Hoentzsch,
				Herzog has a light flesh wound in the left leg.
		20.20 20.00	BE 6142 center-right	Just as the last man is being stowed in the conning tower hatch, an aircraft passed to starboard.  Waited it out, it flew off astern.
			NW 6-7, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. changing 5-10 nm, heavy swell	These 3 belonged to medium anti-aircraft defense, they abandoned ship at 08.00 hours apparently with the entire upper deck staff (anti-aircraft operations) because of the bombardment begun since about 06.30 hours by "KING GEORGE", heavy cruisers and destroyers on the order:
				"Secure phones!  Ready in life jackets".
		24.00	BE 6181	Quite exhausted, I gave the 3 some peace, so that I will receive correct information from them. With the prevailing NW-wind 6-7 I accept approximately 1-2 nm drift speed and continue searching accordingly.
			NW 6, Sea 6, overcast, Vis. changing, heavy swell
				At night I go to 1 x LF on course 320°, to head for the sinking location at lightness, and then search to leeward.
		28.05.41
		00.45		At about 00.45 hours strong oil smell is perceived.
		03.00		At about 03.00 hours a red star is seen astern (still below the horizon according to information of the Watch Officer).

	Sun and Moon Data 27.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 28.05.41

	- 15 -
		continued
		28.05.41	Bay of Biscay
				This message is not received by me, because I am exhausted.  It is a pity, perhaps we could still have saved some companions.
		04.00	BE 6141	Further search is without success.  Bearing signals are given according to orders.  On B.d.U. orders from 07.30 hours I am positioned in square 5330 center to search with U-48 and U-73 from 08.00 hours on general course 140° and 6 knots.
			NW 3-4, Sea 5-6, overcast, medium swell, dark night, Vis. 1-2 nm
		08.00	BE 5335 center	Because both other boats are not in sight up to 08.30 hours and also from sinking of BISMARCK nothing is seen, I must accept I have not found the correct sinking location (was missed due to the swell, sea, wind).
			NW 5, Sea 5-6, cloudy, medium swell, Vis. good, 8-12 nm
				Proceed at HF on general course, to lose no time.  The position of U-48 and U-73 was not known by me and in these swells and sea every minute counts for those swimming in the water.
				Believe that according to night observations (oil smell and red star) sinking location is approximately 5 nm more to the southeast than up to now supposed.
		10.55		Radio Message from U-48 concerning corpses and wreckage in BE 6141 strengthens my assumption.  I go towards 6141.  Meanwhile a navigation correction of 8 nm, 270°T was determined.  Recognition Signals are exchanged with a Condor aircraft by Recognition Signal Cartridge.
		12.00	BE 6152	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 169 nm
			NW 3, Sea 3-4, overcast, medium swell, Vis. 10-15 nm	Submerged =   --
		12.30		Fishing trawler SACHENWALD in sight abeam to starboard.  Does not answer searchlight call, so I continue to search to lose no time.
		16.00	BE 6145	From 13.00 hours in square BE 6145 NW-corner corpses and wreckage sighted.
			NW 2-3, Sea 3, gusty, overcast, Vis. 8-12 nm, light swell
				Because U-48 is in the south corner of BE 6141 and "SACHSENWALD" is now also to the north of me, I go in zig zags slowly to the southeast and sight up to  about 17.00 hours individual corpses, boards and rafts.
		20.00	BE 6184
			NW 2-3, Sea 2-3, rain, overcast, Vis. 10-15 nm	At about 20.00 hours I go again on a NW-course, because for about 2 hours nothing more is sighted.  At about 23.00 hours in BE 6142 corpses and cutter parts were sighted.
		24.00	BE 6117	At about 24.00 hours I go at 2 x HF on course 135°, in accordance with Radio Message orders from B.d.U. to start return transit.  About 30-40 corpses were sighted.  Nearly all bobbing up and down in life jackets, however with
			NW 2, Sea 2, overcast, light swell, Vis. 2-4 nm

Sun and Moon Data 28.05.41

	- 16 -
		continued
		28.05.41
				the head sagged through the lifejacket in the water.
				Meanwhile, the weather has abated slowly, the swell becomes much quieter. As if nature was satisfied with her work of destruction.
				The 27th and 28th of May 1941 will always be a bitter memory for me.
				Powerless and with bound hands we stood against the provoked forces of nature without being able to help our brave "BISMARCK".
				(On 29 May 4 years ago was the bombing attack on the "DEUTSCHLAND" at Ibiza).
		29.05.41
		04.00	BE 6431 center	Return transit to Lorient.  Course 135°.
			NW 1-2, Sea 1-2, light swell, sky partially overcast, Vis. 2-4 nm
		08.00	BE 6543	Return transit.
			NW 1-2, Sea 1, light swell, Vis. good 8-12 nm
		09.45		Crash dive for aircraft.
				Boat descends with large down angle (25°) to depth T = 25 meters [50 meters], and then settles further to depth T = 55 meters [110 meters].  Only caught by blowing main ballast tank V, I and III and brought up slowly.
				With the crash dive the starboard diesel clutch failed to disengage which also could not be moved by hand.
				Starboard shaft was thereby out of service for submerged cruise.  The sluggishness of the vent for main ballast tank 5 (caused by the depth charge attack) became unpleasantly noticeable.
		09.55		Surfaced.
		11.36 - 12.01		Test dive.
		12.00	BE 6592	Day's run:  Surfaced     = 263.5 nm
			NNW 1-2, Sea 1, light swell, sunshine, Vis. 15-20 nm	Submerged =   0.5 nm = 264.0 nm.
				Return transit continued.
		16.00	BE 6683 right edge	Return transit 90°.
			NNW 1-2, swell 1, lightly cloudy, Vis. good 15-20 nm

	Sun and Moon Data 28.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 29.05.41

	- 17 -
		continued
		29.05.41	Bay of Biscay
		20.00	BF 4731	Return transit Lorient.
			Weather unchanged
		24.00	BF 4823	Return transit 90°.
			NNW 1-2, light swell, Vis. good
		30.05.41
		04.00	BF 4921	Return transit
			N 1-2, Sea 1, overcast, Vis. 2-4 nm
		07.45		Due to the flooding of the forward battery [compartment] the boat is temporarily not clear to dive.
				Radio Message to B.d.U.:
				Special air lookout posted, MG C 30 and light machine guns ready.
		08.00	BF 5712	Return transit.
			WNW 1-2, Sea 0-2, cloudy, Vis. clear 15-20 nm	Radio Message from B.d.U. go shortly according to 2nd Radio Message (request shortest route).
		11.45		2nd Radio Message from B.d.U. concerning new entrance route.
		12.00	BF 5496 lower-right	Boat is again conditionally ready for dive after pumping battery bilge, suctioning the 8 damaged cells in the forward battery, filling again with distilled water and after continuous ventilating of the boat.
			WNW 2, swell 1-2, sky partly cloudy, Vis. good
				Port E-motor was proven by short submerged cruise at 2 x HF without damage.
		14.00		2 patrol vessels bearing 120°T.
		15.30		1 fishing trawler bearing 0°T.
		15.35		Transmitter I bearing 37°T.
		16.00	BF 5526	2 vessels bearing 50°T.
		16.35		Transmitter 1 bearing 38.0°T.
		16.39		2 vessels in sight bearing 130°T.
		16.40		One buoy with French flag (beneath it 1 red flag) passed.
		17.20	BF 5534	5-fan from a U-boat avoided (passed to starboard at about 20-50 meters)
		17.26		5 torpedo detonations heard. (at end of the run)
		17.27		Enemy U-boat surfaced shortly.
		18.10		1 vessel bearing 60°T.
		18.20		1 vessel bearing 70°T.
		19.15		1 vessel bearing 90°T.
		20.00	5 nm south of L 2
		21.00		Entered Lorient in mine convoy.
		23.00	Lorient	Made fast Lorient U-boat base, berth A 2.

	Sun and Moon Data 29.05.41
	Sun and Moon Data 30.05.41

	Enclosures to U-74's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
ChartA	Track chart covering entire war patrol                8 - 31 May 1941
ChartB	Track chart of BISMARCK Operation                      16 May 20.00 - 29 May 04.00
Torpedo	Torpedo firing reports
Radio	Excerpt of Officer-Only Radio Log
Report	Statement of BISMARCK Survivors

	T  r  a  n  s  c  r  i  p  t .
	Comments of the B.d.U.            "U-74"
	The patrol had to be broken off early due to depth charge damage.  The damage occurred when an attack on a slow tanker was initially carried out on the surface and the boat was seen by escorts.  It deliberately did not attack unnoticed, as a result was disrupted in the attack, did not achieve anything and itself suffered severe damage.  If the Kommandent had allowed himself more time, had he sat in ahead and then attacked undetected and submerged, the chances of success would have been greater and he might have escaped the pursuit which he virtually challenged.  He didn't behave like a U-boat and recklessly went into the wrong place.  His behavior and his commitment in the relief operation for "BISMARCK" despite the damaged boat is to be recognized.
	Sunken tonnage:
	- / / -
		Signed in draft:  Dönitz.
		For the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote
		The Chief of the Operations Department.
		Signed in draft:  G  o  d  e

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