U-83 - 9th Patrol

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

Departed
Date
Arrived
Date
Days at Sea
La Spezia
6 August 1942
Salamis
20 August 1942
15

 

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
Date
KTB Time
Position
Ship
Tons
Nationality
Convoy
17 Aug 42
02.05 - 02.15
41°53'N, 63°48'W
Princess Marguerite
5,875
Canadian
     
 Total = 5,875
   
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.


 
 
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
        Kriegstagebuch of U-boat " U-83 "  
           
           
           
           
        Kommandant:  Kapitänleutnant Kraus  
           
           
        Shipyard period Spezia   from 21.06 - 06.08.1942  
        War patrol                      from 06.08 - 04.09.1942  
           
           
           
           
        This Kriegstagebuch was written from recollection and from still existing documents.  The original was sunk after the bombing attack off Port Said with the other secret items.  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
     
           
           
           
           
           
        © U-boat Archive 2023 - all rights reserved  
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
 
- 1 -
 
           
           
           
           
    20.06 - 06.07.42
La Spezia
Cleared the boat.  Begin shipyard work.  Opening of the construction hatches.  
    06.07.42
"
Dry docking.  
    07.07 - 24.07.42
"
Shipyard overhaul in dry dock.  
    24.07.42
"
Undocking.  
    26/27.07.42
"
Dockyard testing.  
    28.07.42
"
Sea trial.  
    30.07.42
"
Brief dry docking and undocking for underwater repair.  
    31.07.42
"
Training service, fitting out for war patrol.  
                                                  
    06.08.42
"
   
    17.05 SSE 3, fair weather, Vis. good Departed Spezia for war patrol.  
    17.28 - 17.51
La Spezia
Final trim test.  
    19.20   Passed Point "C".  
    20.00 CJ 1623 Proceeding to the south.  
                                                  
    07.08.42
Tyrrhenian sea
   
    00.00 CJ 1931    
      SE 3, Vis. medium, moonshine Transit to Messina.  
    04.00 CJ 5174    
      NE 2-3, lightly cloudy Transit to Messina.  
    08.00 CJ 5465    
      NE 2-3, Sea 2, lightly cloudy, fair weather Transit to Messina  
    09.00 - 12.00   Dived to balance the boat and deep diving test.  
    12.00 CJ 5579 Surfaced.  Surface transit to the south continued.  
      NE 2-3, Sea 2, lightly cloudy, Vis. good Day's run:  Surfaced:  214.4 nm  
                       Submerged   6.5 nm        220.9 nm  
    16.00 CJ 5893    
      NW 3, Sea 2, fair weather, Vis. good    
    20.00 CJ 8365    
                                                  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 06.08.42
Sun and Moon Data 07.08.42
 
- 2 -
 
           
           
           
           
    08.08.42
Tyrrhenian sea
   
    00.00 CJ 9437    
      NW 3-4, Sea 1-2, lightly cloudy, Vis. medium    
    04.00 CJ 9584    
      NW 1, Sea 0, lightly cloudy    
    04.27   Taken under Italian escort at Point M.  
    07.06
Messina
Made fast.  Repaired the engines, topped off fuel oil and water, corrected malfunctions discovered while underway.  
    12.00
Messina
Day's run:  Surfaced 284.6 nm.  
    19.14
Messina
Departed.  With escort up to Point S 1.  
    20.00 CJ 9829    
      NNE 2, Sea 1, cloudy, Vis. medium    
    21.35   Passed Point S 1.  Dismissed escort.  
                                                  
    09.08.42      
    00.00 CJ 9979 Proceeding southeast to the operations area, heading for square CP 5455 in accordance with outbound orders.  
      NNE 2, Sea 1, lightly cloudy  
    04.00 CO 1145    
    08.00 CO 1514    
      NE 3, Sea 2, fair weather, Vis. good    
    12.00 CO 1596 Day's run:  250.4 nm.  
      NbyE 3, Sea 2, lightly cloudy, Vis. good    
    14.44   Dived.  Balanced the boat.  
    15.54   Surfaced.  Continued transit to the southeast.  
        G.H.G. out of service.  Auxiliary cooling water pump out of service.  Broken cooling water line on the starboard engine.  
    16.00 CO 1953 Continued the patrol only because of the favorable new moon nights.  
      NbyE 3, Sea 2, fair weather, Vis. good    
    20.00 CO 2775    
      NNE 3, Sea 2-3, lightly cloudy, Vis. good    
                                                  
    10.08.42      
    00.00 CO 5136 Easterly transit to the operations area.  
      NNE 3, Sea 3, lightly cloudy    
           
Sun and Moon Data 08.08.42
Sun and Moon Data 09.08.42
Sun and Moon Data 10.08.42
 
- 3 -
 
           
           
           
           
    10.08.42      
    04.00 CO 5261    
      NNE 3, Sea 2, lightly cloudy, Vis. good    
    08.00 CO 5358    
    09.06   Crash dive for aircraft.  
    10.00   Surfaced.  
    12.00 CO 5392    
      N 3, Sea 2, lightly cloudy, fair weather, Vis. good Day's run:  Surfaced     275.3 nm  
                       Submerged      8.4 nm  =  283.7 nm.  
    15.44   Crash dive for aircraft.  
    16.00 CO 6186    
      NW 1, Sea 1, lightly cloudy, Vis. medium    
    16.22   Surfaced.  
    20.00 CO 6284    
                                                  
    11.08.42      
    00.00 CO 6385    
      NNW 2, Sea 1, medium cloudiness, Vis. moderate    
    04.00 CP 4185    
    08.00 CP 4284    
      N 2, Sea 1, medium cloudiness    
    12.00 CP 4613 Day's run:  Surfaced     328.92 nm  
      N 2, Sea 1, medium cloudiness, Vis. moderate                  Submerged     2.75 nm  =  331.67 nm.  
    16.00 CP 5412    
    16.35   Crash dive.  Mast heads bearing 90°T.  
    16.40   Action Stations Torpedo.  
        Cruiser formation in sight consisting of 3 DIDO cruisers, 1 AURORA and 10 destroyers on a westerly course.  Appear to cruise in this sea area, running slowly, recognize signal traffic with flags while getting closer.   
        Broke through destroyer screen.  
        Absence of the sound locator is sorely noticed.  
    17.09 CP 5413 Four-fan on AURORA-class.  Depth = 2.5 meters, range = 3000 meters, target speed = 16 knots, target angle 90°.  
        Entire formation turns back after the shot of the 4 torpedo by 180° and disappears on an easterly course.  1 depth charge.  No pursuit.  
    18.33   Dismissed from Action Stations.  Tubes 1 and 3 reloaded.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 10.08.42
Sun and Moon Data 11.08.42
 
- 4 -
 
           
           
           
           
    11.08.42      
    19.50   Surfaced.  Tubes II and IV reloaded on the surface.  
    20.00 CP 5424    
      NW 1, Sea 1, medium cloudiness and Vis.    
                                                  
    12.08.42      
    00.00 CP 5541 Because I do not know where the formation went to, I decide to go in direction of Haifa to catch it on arrival.  
      NW 1, Sea 1, medium cloudiness and Vis.  
    04.00 CP 5591    
    04.42   Dived.  
    08.00 CP 5599    
    10.10   Surfaced.  
    12.00 CP 5917 Day's run:  Surfaced        175.5 nm  
      W 2, Sea 1, lightly cloudy                  Submerged      24.1 nm  =  199.6 nm.  
    16.00 CP 5978    
    19.01   Crash dive for aircraft.  5 aircraft bombs.  Well placed but too high.  No major damage.  
    20.00 CP 8232    
      W 2-3, Sea 1-2, medium cloudiness    
    20.30   Surfaced.  
                                                  
    13.08.42      
    00.00 CP 5883 Occupying operations area between Alexandria and Damietta as ordered.  
      W 3, Sea 2, lightly cloudy  
    04.00 CP 8132    
    04.48   Dived.  
    08.00 CP 5797    
    10.24   Surfaced.  
    12.00 CP 8113 Day's run:  Surfaced        189.3 nm  
      W 3, Sea 2, lightly cloudy, fair weather                  Submerged      22.7 nm  =  212.0 nm.  
    15.46   Dived due to sun glare.  
    16.00 CP 7323    
    20.00 CP 7321 Surfaced.  
      W 2, Sea 2, lightly cloudy    
                                                  
           
Sun and Moon Data 11.08.42
Sun and Moon Data 12.08.42
Sun and Moon Data 13.08.42
 
- 5 -
 
           
           
           
           
    14.08.42      
    00.00 CP 7238 Absolutely no traffic observed by day and night up to the 30-meter line.  
      W 2, Sea 2, lightly cloudy  
        Traffic is probably only at the 10-meter line.  
    04.00 CP 7238    
    04.51   Dived.  
    08.00 CP 7237    
    10.26   Surfaced.  
    10.29   Crash dive for aircraft.  
    12.00 CP 7229 Day's run:  Surfaced        127.45 nm  
                         Submerged      32.82 nm  =  160.27 nm.  
    12.18   Surfaced.  
    13.43   Crash dive for aircraft.  
    15.53   Surfaced.  
    16.00 CP 7233    
      NW 2, Sea 1, cloudy, Vis. medium    
    16.45   Crash dive for aircraft.  
    19.30   Surfaced.  
    20.00 CP 7312 Radio Message with time group 1814/14/590 received:  To Kraus:  Free to hunt in the area east of longitude of square 6875, south of the latitude of square 7855.  Focal point north of "Port Said".  Own mined area is pointed out.  
      NW 2, Sea 1-2, lightly cloudy  
                                                  
    15.08.42      
    00.00 CP 7331    
      NNW 1-2, Sea 0-1, lightly cloudy    
    04.00 CP 8122 Dived.  
    04.51   Heavy propeller noises in the boat, went to periscope depth.  8000 ton steamer passed just now, running off at target angle 150°.  Only one patrol vessel.  With a sound locator I would have had him for sure.  Can not remain at periscope depth because of the heat.  Only bearable at 80 meters.  
    08.00 CP 8134    
    11.04   Surfaced.  
    12.00 CP 8174 Day's run:  Surfaced        157.67 nm  
    [typo, probably CP 8124] NW 2, Sea 1, lightly cloudy, fair weather                  Submerged      35.47 nm  =  193.14 nm.  
    14.34   Crash dive for aircraft.  
    16.00 CP 8125    
    19.26   Surfaced.  
    20.00 CP 8132    
      NW 1-2, Sea 1, lightly cloudy    
                                                  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 14.08.42
Sun and Moon Data 15.08.42
 
- 6 -
 
           
           
           
           
    16.08.42      
    00.00 CP 8215    
      NW 1-2, Sea 1, lightly cloudy    
    04.00 CP 8125    
    04.43   Dived.  
    08.00 CP 8125 Went at least every hour to periscope depth.  The temperatures are indescribable.  
        Water = 30°, control room = 34°, living room = 38°, diesel engine room = 56°.  
    10.33   Surfaced.  
    10.57   Crash dive for aircraft.  
    11.57   Surfaced.  
    12.00 CP 8167 Day's run:  Surfaced        139.7 nm  
      NW 2, Sea 1, medium cloudiness, fair weather                  Submerged      81.1 nm  =  170.8 nm. [typo 220.8]
    13.58   Crash dive, masthead on the horizon.  Patrol vessel group, does not come into shooting range.  
    14.51   Surfaced.  
    16.00 CP 8214    
      NW 2, Sea 1, medium cloudiness    
    17.43   Dived due to heavy sun glare.  
    19.05   Surfaced.  
    20.00 CP 8214    
      NW 1, Sea 0-1, lightly cloudy    
                                                  
    17.08.42      
    00.00 CP 8237    
      NW 2, Sea 1, medium cloudiness    
    04.00 CP 8244    
    04.54   Dived.  
    07.45   Surfaced.  
    08.54 CP 5739 Crash dive for aircraft.  
    12.00 CP 8126 Day's run:  Surfaced        176.2 nm  
                         Submerged      25.4 nm  =  201.6 nm.  
    12.17   Surfaced.  
    12.32   Crash dive (aircraft)  
        In the periscope a formation of one torpedo cruiser, 1 two-stacked ship = 8000 tons, 1 three-stacked ship = 12-15000 tons, 4 destroyers in sight.   Strong battle and hunting protection around the formation.  
    12.45   Action Stations Torpedo.  
    14.08   4-fan on large auxiliary cruiser, Type  
                                                                 "CHAMPOLLION"  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 16.08.42
Sun and Moon Data 17.08.42
 
- 7 -
 
           
           
           
           
    17.08.42      
    14.08   "CHAMPOLLION" 12500 GRT.  2 hits.  
        Depth = 2 meters, target speed 15 knots, range = 500 meters, target angle 70°.  
    14.07   Depth charges.  
    14.20   Conning tower cleared, steering by magnetic compass.  
    14.53   Heavy sinking noises heard in the boat.  Bursts and grating, as if pieces fell on the boat.  
    15.00 - 19.50 CP 5794 Ran off to the north at silent speed.  
    20.00 - 20.35   Tube III reloaded.  
    20.45   Gryoscope employed.  
    21.03   Surfaced.  Radio Message to F.d.U.:  1409/17/538.  
        "Naval square 8134 auxiliary cruiser sunk from a naval formation.  3-stacked ship of about 12000 GRT.  Request Salamis for most important repairs.  Set off to the north, 2 torpedoes."  
    23.50 CP 5841 Crash dive for aircraft.  6 aircraft bombs at 20 meters.  Foredeck carpeted, all instruments and engines failed.   Diesel engines and battery out of service.  Water entry in the radio room, bow room and conning tower.  Vent valves stuck open.  All rudders jammed.  Boat went approximately 50° down by the stern and settled.  
      NW 3, Sea 2-3, medium cloudiness, dark night  
        Boat was caught by closing emergency vent valve and blowing main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank IV and main ballast tank III and was brought to the surface.  
                                                  
    18.08.42      
    00.00 CP 5841 A second attack was repulsed with M.G. fire. 1 bomb approximately 30 meters from the bow.  
        Parachute flares in a circle about the boat  
        MG strafing by aircraft, an old bi-plane.  Foredeck is submerged.  Boat is completely unmanageable.  All radios destroyed.   Front battery develops heavy chlorine gas.  Foreship can only be entered with rescue lung.  The boat's interior gives the impression of a big garbage dump.  Initially an attempt is made to restore a diesel, the aft battery, the bilge pumps and the emergency transmitter.  
        A diesel soon becomes operable again, proceeding with hand steering and north star abeam, as well as possible on a westerly course.  
        When bilge pumps are back in service, the entering water can be held by continuous pumping.  
        In the boat clearing work.  On the bridge every new approach is met with all artillery  
           
Sun and Moon Data 17.08.42
Sun and Moon Data 18.08.42
 
- 8 -
 
           
           
           
           
    18.08.42   weapons.  Only flares now.   [no more depth charges]  
        Sank all secret items except for recognition signals and keying material.  Scuttling charges placed in the boat.  The appearance of a destroyer must be expected at any moment.  
    02.00   Ran at about 7 knots to the west.  New advanced aircraft have not detected me again.  They probably regard me as sunk, because a gigantic oil slick arose through an emptied fuel oil tank in which parts of the life boat, a marker buoy and many wooden gratings which were thrown up by the detonation, float.  
        By blowing the bow buoyancy tank the foredeck comes well out of the water in spite of crushed diving cell V.  Both diesels operable up to 9 knots.  Battery is made free of chlorine by lime-wash.  
    04.00 CP 5752 Trying to reach the coast at El Alamein  
      NW 2-3, Sea 2, medium cloudiness, Vis. good    
    04.33   Diving attempt unsuccessful.  
        Ran off on a westerly course and highest speed.  Not capable of diving.  
        Emergency transmitter provisionally operable.  Antenna lead by cable through the conning tower hatch.  
        Large aircraft to the north; evaded.  
        Was not seen.  
        Gyroscope runs again, however steering must still be by hand.  
    07.00   First Radio Message sent with 40W emergency transmitter:  
        "0501/18/549 From Kraus:  Not capable of diving.  Square 5751, westerly course.  Request immediate assistance."  
        Thereupon Franken and Schonder are ordered to assist.  
    08.00 CP 4930    
      NW 2-3, Sea 2, lightly cloudy, fair weather    
    08.11   Short signal:  
        Urgently need support by air forces.  Square CP 4930.  
                                                                  - U-83 -  
    09.11   Incoming Radio Message:  
        To Kraus:  Air escort is requested.  
                                                                  - F.d.U. -  
        Now hope to reach Crete. Come to approximately 285°.  
    12.00 CP 4684 Day's run:  Surfaced        140.4 nm  
      WbyN 3, Sea 2, lightly cloudy, fair weather                  Submerged      24.8 nm  =  165.2 nm.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 18.08.42
 
- 9 -
 
           
           
           
           
    18.08.42      
    13.33   Radio Message:  To Kraus:  Request position, course, speed.  
                                                    - Schonder -  
    13.43   To boat by short signal:  
        My position is CP 4676, 285°.  
                                                    - U-83 -  
    14.40   Radio Message:  To Kraus:  2 Me 110 to take over protection.  
                                                    - F.d.U. -  
    16.00 CP 4591 However, no other aircraft (own or enemy) were sighted.  
      WNW 4-5, Sea 4, increasing cloudiness  
    20.00 CP 4544 Thank God it is getting dark!  
    20.17   Incoming Radio Message:  Eastern boats:  Destroyer ZG 3 departed today 18.00 hours to assist U-83.  Route ZG 3 east of Milos through the Kasos Passage transit speed 24 knots.  To facilitate at 04.00 hours Kraus report position, course, and speed to F.d.U.  
        Schonder requests bearing signals or red stars at 22.45 hours.  
                                                  
    19.08.42      
    00.00 CP 4428    
      WNW 4-5, Sea 4, medium cloudiness    
    02.20   Incoming Radio Message:  To Kraus:  
        At 02.00 hours report position by short signal.  
                                                                  - F.d.U. -  
    03.13   Radio Message sent:  Naval square 4415, 285°, 7 knots.  Bomb hit in foreship.  Difficult to hold the boat into the seas.  Red stars.  - Kraus -  
    03.25   Incoming Radio Message:  To Schonder, Kraus Bürgel:  
        No bearing signals and stars.  Schonder and Bürgel dismissed, Kraus will soon be taken up by "ZG 3".  
                                                    - F.d.U. -  
    04.00 CO 6633    
      NW 5, large sea, medium cloudiness, fair weather Between 05.00 and 06.00 hours 1 Ju 88 arrives as air escort.  "Schonder" appears from astern.  
    06.19   Incoming Radio Message:  Kraus:  From 06.30 hours report position hourly by Short Signal.  From 07.00 hours every 30 minutes 4 minute long bearing signals on 468 kHz.  Alternate frequency 375 kHz.  
                                                    - F.d.U. -  
    06.37   Radio Message sent from Schonder:  
        Positioned with Ju 88 for Kraus.  Square 6389.  
    07.43   Short Signal:  My position is square 6388.  
                                                                  - U-83 -  
        At about 08.00 ZG 3 appears.  Destroyer takes station ahead, takes over protection on a westerly course.  
           
Sun and Moon Data 18.08.42
Sun and Moon Data 19.08.42
 
- 10 -
 
           
           
           
           
    19.08.42      
    08.00 CO 6387    
      NW 7-8, Sea 6, medium cloudiness, fair weather    
    08.28   Radio Message sent from Schonder:  ZG 3 has taken over escort.  Continuing return transit.  
    12.00 CO 6296 Return transit to Salamis, "U-83" on the lee side ZG 3 due to sea state.  
      NNW 6, Sea 6, medium cloudiness, fair weather  
      Day's run:  Surfaced  220 nm.  
    16.00 CO 6262 Heading for the Kasos Passage on northerly courses  
      NNW 3, Sea 3-4, lightly cloudy, Vis. good    
    20.00 CO 3889    
      N 4-5, Sea 4-5, changing cloudiness    
    23.00   Passed through the Kasos Passage.  
                                                  
    20.08.42      
    00.00 CO 3869 Transit through the Aegean.  
      NNW 7, Sea 7, changing cloudiness    
    04.00 CO 3813    
    08.00 CO 3465    
    12.00 CO 3413 Heading for Piraeus on the easterly route.  
      NNW 3, Sea 3, lightly cloudy, Vis. good Day's run:  Surfaced  187 nm.  
    16.00 CO 2362    
    20.00 CK 8986    
    23.30
Salamis
Made fast at the base.  
     
                                          
    21.08 - 30.08.42
"
Shipyard repair for surface transit to Spezia.  
    31.08.42
Salamis
Departed for transfer to Spezia.  Transit through the Corinth Canal to Patras with "U-565".  Franken assumes radio watch.  
    08.20 NNW 1, flat sea, fair weather, Vis. good  
    12.00 CK 8865 Day's run:  Surfaced = 34 nm.  
    12.10 - 12.41   Canal transit with Italian pilot.  
    18.21
Patras
Made fast to be taken under Italian escort.  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 19.08.42
Sun and Moon Data 20.08.42
Sun and Moon Data 31.08.42
 
- 11 -
 
           
           
           
           
    31.08.42      
    18.41
Patras
Departed.  Transit with "U-565" and Italian torpedo boat to Messina.  
        After passing the Patras barrier "ARETHUSA" provided U-boat protection. [typo, ARETUSA, Italian Spica-class torpedo boat]  
    20.00 CK 8726
 
      NNW 1-2, Sea 1, lightly cloudy    
                                                  
    01.09.42      
    00.00 CK 7966    
      NW 2, Sea 1, cloudless    
    04.00 CK 7866    
    08.00 CK 7847    
    08.05   Meet Italian air protection.  
    12.00 CK 7748 Day's run:  Surfaced  288.7 nm.  
      NW 2, Sea 1, lightly cloudy    
    16.00 CJ 9949    
    20.00 CJ 9856    
    21.55
Messina
Made fast.  Dismissed escort.  
     
                                          
    02.09.42
Messina
Repairs to cooling water piping.  
    16.15   Departed with U-565 for transit to Spezia.  
    18.15   Escort dismissed, U-565 dismissed.  
        Independent transit.  
    20.00 CJ 9812    
      S 1-2, Sea 1, medium cloudiness, Vis. moderate    
                                                  
    03.09.42      
    00.00 CJ 9449 Transit to the north.  
      NNW 1, Sea 0-1, cloudless    
    04.00 CJ 8389    
    08.00 CJ 8317    
    12.00 CJ 5857 Day's run:  Surfaced  249.3 nm.  
      NW 1, Sea 0-1, medium cloudiness, fair weather About 13.00 hours meeting with unknown Italian U-boat on opposite course.  
    16.00 CJ 4598    
    20.00 CJ 5451    
      NW 1, Sea 0-1, increasing cloudiness, hazy                                           
         
           
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
 
- 12 -
 
           
           
           
           
    04.09.42      
    00.00 CJ 1992    
      NW 1, flat sea, continuous haze    
    04.00 CJ 1931    
    08.00 CJ 1637    
      NW 0-1, flat sea, fair weather, easing haze    
    10.00   Taken under escort at Point "C".  
    11.30 La Spezia Made fast at the base with "U-565".  
                                                  
           
        A  d  d  e  n  d  u  m.  
     
1.) Complete failure of the sound locator in the operations area is grounds for breaking off the patrol at short notice, if special circumstances do not require an unconditional stay.
2.) During a night bombing attack in general it is better to remain on the surface and to repulse the aircraft with artillery.  Dive only after all bombs are dropped.
3.) Taking the small yacht liquid-compass along has paid off.
4.) According to later findings the sunken auxiliary cruiser must have been at least 15000 GRT.  The same ship was seen earlier by U-77 and U-561 and was attacked without success and reported as a 15-20000 GRT ship.
 
           
                                                  
                                                   Kaptlt. and Kommandant  
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 04.09.42

 

Enclosures to U-83's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
ChartA Track chart covering entire war patrol                15 August 1942 to 6 October 1942
   
Chart B Combat sketch                                                      17 August 1942
   
ChartC Combat sketch                                                      11 August 1942
   
Torpedo Torpedo firing reports

 

 
 
     
                                             Comments of the F.d.U. on the K.T.B. of " U-83 "  
 

                                                             from 28.06 to 04.09.1942

 
 

 

 
 
1.) The patrol was carried out by the Kommandant with his usual energy and courage, with corresponding good success.
2.) The prudent action of the commander and the good behavior of the crew is especially noteworthy after the most severe bomb damage.
3.) The failed attack on 5 August is regrettable and shows that with failure of the G.H.G. or bad sound conditions running periscope use is required while proceeding submerged.  In this case special circumstances were present as the very strong heat demanded more frequent visiting of greater depths.
4.) The attack on the auxiliary cruiser was exquisitely planned and executed with prudence and cool-headedness.  Setting the torpedoes to a greater depth would have been more appropriate, because at 2 meters depth the explosive effect of the torpedoes is partly dissipated.
5.) Point 2 in the "supplement" of the commander is agreed to most emphatically.  As the commander reported orally, he would also have proceeded the same way if he had been on the bridge.
6.) The newly provided boat compass has proved itself with failure of the permanently installed compasses.  This will be reported in detail elsewhere and along with other experiences.
7.) Accredited:  1 auxiliary cruiser, 15,000 tons sunk.
 
     
     
                                                                          
     
     
 
 

 

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