U-124 - 1st War Patrol

Translation by Jerry Mason with help from Andi Forster

Departed
Date
Arrived
Date
Days at Sea
Wilhelmshaven
19 August 1940
Lorient
16 September 1940
29

 

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
25 Aug 40
23.50 - 23.56
58°39'N, 6°24'W
STAKESBY (damaged)
3,900
British
HX-65A
25 Aug 40
23.50 - 23.56
58°39'N, 6°24'W
HARPALYCE
5,169
British
HX-65A
25 Aug 40
23.50 - 23.56
58°39'N, 6°24'W
FIRCREST
5,394
British
HX-65A
     
 Total = 14,463
   
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.


                                                                                        
           
           
           
           
           
              
           
           
           
            K  r  i  e  g  s  t  a  g  e  b  u  c  h        "U  124"  
           
           
           
           
            Kommandant:  Kapitänleutnant    S  c  h  u  l  z  .  
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
            Beginning:  11.6.1940.  
            Ending:       16.9.1940.  
           
                                
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
        © U-boat Archive 2024 - all rights reserved  
Click the flag to view the above page from the original German KTB
 
- 1 -
 
           
           
           
           
           
                "U-124"    On 11 June 1940 in Bremen  
                                 placed in service..  
    11. - 12.06.40 Bremen Took over the boat.  
         
    13.06.40 Departed Bremen 16.00 hours ready for sea.  
    10.00   Passed Brake.  
    20.30 Bremerhaven Made fast in Bremerhaven alongside a Sperrbrecher.  
                                                     
    14.06.40      
    07.30   Ready for sea.  With mine escort on the way from Bremerhaven to Kiel.  
    11.46   Passed Elbe I position buoy.  
    15.40   Boat made fast in the Brunsbüttel lock.  
    21.28   Boat went into the Holtenau Lock.  
    22.05   Boat made fast at Blücherbrücke.  
                                                     
    15.06.40      
    to      
    29.06.40 in Kiel U.A.K. testing.  
                                                     
    29.06.40      
    to      
    30.06.40   Transfer cruise to Danzig for U.A.G. 1.  
                                                     
    01.07.40      
    01.24   Boat made fast in Danzig.  
                                                     
    01. - 03.07.40   Testing at U.A.G. 1.  
                                                     
           
           
 
 
- 2 -
 
           
           
           
           
    04.07.40   Sound trials off Kahlberg.  
           
    5. - 9.07.40   TEK in Gotenhafen.  
         
    10.07.40   Independent training, transit to Memel.  
         
    11. - 16.07.40   2. U.A.G. in Memel torpedo shooting.  
         
    17.07.40   Independent training in Memel.  
         
    18.07.40   Transit to Gotenhafen, prebriefing on "WILHELM BAUER" for tactical training.  
         
    19. - 25.07.40   Tactical training in the sea area south of Gotland to Bornholm.  
         
    25.07.40   Final conference off Könne and afterwards transit to Saßnitz.  
         
    26.07.40   Artillery firing off Arkona.  
         
    27.07.40   Transit to Point 14 rot, there joined convoy ("AMMON" - "GRILLE")  
        Continued transit to Kiel in convoy.  
           
    28.08.40      
    08.00   Entered Kiel.  
    11.00   Continued transit to Brunsbüttel.  
    18.00   Made fast Brunsbüttel inner harbor.  
           
    29.07.40      
    03.30   Departed the Brunsbüttel lock and proceeded to Wilhelmshaven with 3 destroyers behind a Sperrbrecher.  
    12.30   Arrived Wilhelmshaven.  
           
    30.07.40      
    06.30   Departed Wilhelmshaven behind a Sperrbrecher for Bremen.  
    16.30   Made fast Deschimag, Bremen.  
           
    31.07. - 11.08.40   Final adjustments and overhaul in Bremen (Deschimag).  
         
    12.08.40      
    07.30   Departed Bremen for Wilhelmshaven.  
           
 
 
- 3 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    12.08.40      
    18.00   Made fast Wilhelmshaven U-boat Base.  
           
    13. - 18.08.40   Outfitting and minor repairs in Wilhelmshaven.  
                                                     
    19.08.40      
    17.30   Ready for sea.  Departed for patrol behind Sperrbrecher 5.  
    21.00 NW 5-6, moderate Sea, bright moonlit night Continued transit with 2 M-Booten.  
                                                   
    20.08.40 AN 6638 Crash dive, aircraft.  Threw 4 bombs.  
    09.48      
    10.24 Boat pounds heavily in the large NW-Sea and Swell In the vicinity of the M-Boote, continued transit.  
    10.55   Crash dive .  Aircraft in sight.  
    11.42   .  
    12.02   Crash dive , aircraft in sight.  
    13.45   While surfacing several bomb detonations were heard.  Boat remained submerged.  There followed 3 more bomb detonations.  Because the position of the boat was betrayed by the M-Booten from the first sighting in the morning, the boat remained submerged.  
        Kommandant intended to first surface at darkness.  
    21.14 AN 6369 Transit continued on the surface.  Nothing more is seen of the accompanying M-Booten.  Contact lost since 12.02 hours.  
      S 4, Swell lets up, at times drizzle  
                                                     
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 19.08.40
Sun and Moon Data 20.08.40
 
- 4 -
 
           
           
           
           
    21.08.40 Wednesday AN 3548 Continued transit submerged.  
    05.50 Wind shifts to NW 5 Course 315°.  
    12.00 AN 3463    
    15.30 AN 3463 lower edge One detonation was heard.  Quite far off.  
    17.30   Once more one detonation, also very far off.  
    21.30 AN 3434 Course 315°.  Continued transit.  
      NW 5, quite large Swell, overcast,                                              
    22.08.40 Thursday Course 315°.  Continued transit.  
    05.50 AN 4339    
      N 5-6. quite high Swell During the entire morning and early afternoon far distant depth charge detonations were heard.  
    21.50 AN 2884 Because the boat lies badly against the seas and does not get ahead, came to course 0°.  
      Stiff NW 7, large Sea and Swell  
                                                   
    23.08.40 Friday AN 2315 Boat gets ahead badly against the seas.  Low hanging clouds now and then the cloud deck breaks up a bit.  Lookouts greatly hindered from strong spray, therefore course 290°.  
    05.45 Squalls, NNW 7, wind increasing, cloudy  
    14.15 AN 2232 Cloud deck is breaking up.  Partly sunny.  Tried to dive against the sea.  Strong visibility reduction due to spray.  
      Heavy Sea NNW 8-9  
    15.00   Dove again.  Continued transit submerged.  Course 300°.  
    21.40 AF 7987 Course 300°.  
      NNW 7, large Sea and Swell                                              
    24.08.40 Saturday Course 240°.  
    07.52 AF 7819    
      N 4-3, abating, moderate NW-Swell    
    13.37 AF 7841    
      W 2-3, long    
           
Sun and Moon Data 21.08.40
Sun and Moon Data 22.08.40
Sun and Moon Data 23.08.40
Sun and Moon Data 24.08.40
 
- 5 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    24.08.40      
      Swell Course 240°.  
    23.00 AN 1142 Enemy patrol vessel in sight, bypassed.  
                                                     
    25.08.40 Sunday Course 230°.  
    07.05 AM 374    
      W 3-4, moderate Swell    
    15.17   From Radio Messages at hand a convoy steers in the direction of Cape Wrath.  
    16.00 AM 3326 Changed course to 170°.  Am attempting to cut off the convoy at the Butt of Lewis.  
    17.00   Changed course to 160°.  
    17.15 - 17.45   Avoided a fishing trawler.  
    19.14   Crash dive, aircraft course 300°.  
    20.06   .  
    21.43 - 22.05   Avoided a fishing trawler.  
    22.17 AM 3617 Enemy convoy in sight, abeam to starboard.  It is getting dark.  Because it is still too bright changed course to 80°.   Boat will be positioned ahead of the convoy.  
    22.43   Changed course to 170°.  Boat moves away [from the convoy] on the land side.  
    23.37   Forward destroyer turns sharply towards the boat, changed course to 190°.  The boat angled away from the destroyer.  
    23.43   At target angle 60 stern shot on the destroyer.  Shortly thereafter the destroyer turned away.  Missed.  
        Now shooting direction towards the steamers is clear.  Turned towards for a bow shot.  
                                    Detonation heard,  
    23.50 AM 3645 1st shot                        23.52  
    23.51   2nd   "                          23.55  
    23.53   3rd    "                         23.56  
    23.56   4th    "                          23.57  
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 24.08.40
Sun and Moon Data 25.08.40
 
- 6 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    25.08.40      
        The steamer shot at second was hit first forward 40 meters.  Range = 1500 meters.  
        The 2nd detonation was the first shot.  Sinking observed.  Range = 2000 meters.  
        The 3rd detonation was seen as a water column.  Range = 1500 meters.  
        4th shot range = 700 meters.  Hit center.  Sank immediately.  
        Tonnage sunk: about 28000-30000 tons.  
        Crash dive.  A destroyer of the stern screen ran towards the boat at a sharp target angle.  
                                                     
    26.08.40 Monday  AM 3645    
    00.02 - 00.30 W 6, large W-Sea and Swell, at times moonshine 12 depth charges thrown.  Boat touches bottom at depth 90 meters.  
    01.20   Course 340°.  At the shooting location a bright burning steamer.  Otherwise nothing seen, only a small searchlight.  
        In the heavy Sea State, which is still increasing, ran off athwart the seas at high speed.  
    05.55 AM 3392 Changed course to 270°T. The tubes were reloaded during the day.  
    21.47 AM 3375 Transit to AM 3450.  
                                                     
    27.08.40 Tuesday    
    00.30 AM 2492 2 fishing trawlers with set lights.  
    10.00   Test dive, re-trimmed with ballast weights.  Checked negative buoyancy tanks.  
    11.40   Continued transit to AM 3450.  
    12.00 AM 2358    
      N 3-4, long moderate W-Swell, Vis. very good    
    16.00 AM 1468    
    20.30 AM 1444 Changed course to 242°T (Received orders to operate between 60°N and 55°N.)  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 25.08.40
Sun and Moon Data 26.08.40
Sun and Moon Data 27.08.40
 
- 7 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    27.08.40      
    24.00 AM 1385    
      NE-Swell, SSW 4, overcast                                              
    28.08.40 Wednesday    
      West of the Hebrides    
    04.00 AM 1512    
      W 4    
    08.00 AL 3637    
    12.00 AL 3643 Torpedoes reloaded.  Day's run 199 nm  
      W 6, increasing Sea    
    16.50 AL 3640  
    20.00 AL 3646    
    24.00 AL 3568    
      WNW 3-4, Sea abating, weather clearing Nothing seen.  
                                                   
    29.08.40 Thursday    
      350 nm west of the Hebrides    
    04.00 AL 3713    
    08.45 AL 2838 .  
      Fog, Vis. 800 meters, South 2-3    
    12.00   Day's run= 102 nm  
    13.20 AL 2861 Course 180°.  
    14.14 AL 2864 .  
    18.00 AL 2891 Fog the entire day.  
    24.00 AL 2886 Nothing seen.  
                                                     
    30.08.40 Friday    
      West of the Hebrides    
    04.00 AL 2879    
    08.00 AL 2878 Visibility is very bad.  
      SSW 5-6, at times drizzle, fog, Vis. 1000 meters    
           
Sun and Moon Data 27.08.40
Sun and Moon Data 28.08.40
Sun and Moon Data 29.08.40
Sun and Moon Data 30.08.40
 
- 8 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    30.08.40      
    12.00 AL 0245 Day's run:  Carried forward  245     1181 nm  
                         29/30 August            28             44   "  
                         To 30 August        273.5         1225 nm  
    13.20   .  
    16.00 AL 2939    
      W 2-3, clearing, medium W-Swell, Vis. 6 nm After 2 days of fog reasonable visibility.  
    20.00 AL 2988 Shortly after 20.00 hours light water intake in the aft W.C. due to  faulty repair work.  
      Weather clearing further  
        Damage was corrected quickly.  
    24.00 AL 5163 Nothing seen.  
                                                     
    31.08.40 Saturday    
      350 nm west of the Hebrides    
    04.00 AL 5135    
    08.00 AL 0153 After 3 days a ship's position again.  
    12.00 AL 1879 Day's run:  Carried forward  273.5     1225 nm  
      WSW 4-5. Vis. moderate (5 nm), medium-long SW-Swell                  30/31 August              3.0           129   "  
                       To 31 August          276.5         1354 nm  
    16.00 AL 1855    
    20.00 AL 1834 Nothing seen.  
    24.00 AL 1689                                              
    01.09.40 Sunday    
      400 nm west of the Hebrides    
    04.00 AL 1639    
    08.00 AL 1496    
      Wind and Sea increasing again, WSW 6-7, SW-Swell quite large, Vis. 5-6 nm    
    12.00 AL 1466 Day's run:  Carried forward  276.5     1354 nm  
              31 August/1 September          1.0          142.5   "  
                        To 1 September        277.5        1496.5 nm  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 30.08.40
Sun and Moon Data 31.08.40
Sun and Moon Data 01.09.40
 
- 9 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    01.09.40      
    13.37 AL 1463 Received orders to operate to 56°N.  Came to course 170°.  
    16.00 AL 2347    
      Wind and Sea abating, SW 4-3    
    20.00 AL 2378    
    24.00 AL 2542 Nothing seen.  
      Wind abates further and shifts to the SE                                              
    02.09.40 Monday    
      500 nm west of the Hebrides    
    04.00 AL 2713    
    08.00 AL 2781    
      SE 3-4, mist to fog, NW-Swell Visibility varies between 2 nm and 400 meters.  
    12.00 AL 2928 Day's run:  Carried forward  277.5     1496.5 nm  
                          1/2 September            2.0          172.0   "  
                        To 2 September        279.5        1668.5 nm  
    16.00 AL 5212 Received orders for 6 September by Radio Message.  
    20.00 AL 5256 Reached 56°N.  Moved pack and forth in position.  
    22.36 AL 5267 An independent steamer course 230°.  Came with entire superstructure out on the dark horizon.  Boat is positioned unfavorably.  Had to dive.  Darkness comes on slowly.  Nothing is seen in the periscope.  
    23.47 AL 5267 Nothing more is seen of the vessel.  
        Steered course 290°.  
                                                     
    03.09.40 Thursday    
      500 nm west of the Hebrides    
    04.00 AL 5252    
    08.00 AL 5217    
      SW 6, quite large Sea and Swell, Vis. 10 nm    
    12.00 AL 5134 Day's run:  Carried forward  279.5     1668.5 nm  
                          2/3 September            6.0          143.5   "  
                        To 3 September        285.5        1812.0 nm  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 01.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 02.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 03.09.40
 
- 10 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    03.09.40      
    16.00 AL 5121    
    17.00   Changed course to 320°.  
    20.00 AL 0167    
      High long SW-Swell, SSW 7-8, squalls    
    20.40   Received orders to go NW of the position given Friday.  Changed course to 0°.  
    24.00 AL 0131                                              
    04.09.40 Wednesday    
      500 nm west of the Hebrides    
    04.00 AL 1861    
    08.00 AL 1689    
      Wind shifts to NW 5, SW-Swell, squalls, Vis. 10 nm, at times sunny    
    10.25 - 11.55   Dived.  
    12.00 AL 1659 Day's run:  Carried forward  285.5     1812.0 nm  
                          3/4 September            3.0          155.5   "  
                        To 4 September        288.5        1967.5 nm  
    16.00 AL 1637    
    18.37   Standing orders to go to square AL 13 and 14 to report weather.  
    20.00 AL 1631    
    24.00 AL 1486 Course 270°.  
      NNW 5-6, completely overcast, at times rain, N-Swell                                              
    05.09.40 Thursday    
      500 nm west of the Hebrides    
    04.00 AL 1476    
    08.00 AL 1395    
      WSW 4-5, overcast, Vis. 5 nm, NW-Swell    
    10.07   Dived.  
    12.00 AL 1385 Surfaced.  Changed course to 70°.  
        Day's run:  Carried forward  288.5     1967.5 nm  
                          4/5 September            5.0          106.5   "  
                        To 5 September        293.5        2074.0 nm  
           
Sun and Moon Data 03.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 04.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 05.09.40
 
- 11 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    05.09.40      
    16.00 AL 1369    
    20.00 AL 1455    
    22.45   Changed course to 300°.  
    24.00 AL 1461    
      Wind and Sea increasing WSW 5-6, rain showers                                              
    06.09.40 Friday    
      500 nm west of Hebrides    
    04.00 AL 1428    
    08.00 AL 1416 Changed course to 210°.  
      W 9, large Sea and Swell, squalls    
    12.00 AL 1419 Day's run:  Carried forward  293.5     2074.0 nm  
                          5/6 September           --             108.0   "  
                        To 6 September        293.5        2182.0 nm  
        Storm from the west.  Boat lies hove to.  
    16.00 AL 1442    
    17.46 W 8-9, large Sea Received orders to report weather.  Report was sent 3 times, because no understanding was reached.  
    20.00 AL 1444    
    23.30 W 7-8, large long Sea The starboard aft over deck canister for torpedoes goes over board.  
    24.00 AL 1471                                              
    07.09.40 Saturday  
      500 nm west of the Hebrides    
    04.00 AL 1396    
    08.00 AL 1398    
      Wind and Sea abating, WNW 7-6    
    10.18   Received orders to go to AL 19 to 52.  
        Changed course to 180°.  
    12.00 AL 1562 Day's run:  Carried forward  293.5     2182.0 nm  
      WNW 5, squalls                   6/7 September           --               67.5   "  
                        To 7 September       293.5        2249.5 nm  
    16.00 AL 1735    
    16.24   Dived.  
    16.44   Surfaced.  
    20.00 AL 1794    
           
Sun and Moon Data 05.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 06.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 07.09.40
 
- 12 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    07.09.40      
    24.00 AL 1964 Changed course to 110°.  
      WSW 4, at times rain squalls                                              
    08.09.40 Sunday    
      500 nm west of the Hebrides    
    04.00 AL 0148    
    08.00 AL 0184    
      W 3, lightly cloudy, NW-Swell    
    12.00 AL 0194 Day's run:  Carried forward  293.5     2249.5 nm  
                          7/8 September          0.5            218.0   "  
                        To 8 September       294.0        2467.5 nm  
    13.20   Changed course to 140°.  Filled the battery with water.  
    16.42 AL 2974 Changed course to 110°.  
    20.00 AL 5132    
    21.55 AL 5214 Independent steamer in sight, course 250°, - - to attack.  
        Outer tube doors of tubes 1 and 2 can only be opened with difficulty.  Tube 1 was closed again and does not close completely.  
    22.45 AL 5214 Shot with tube 2 on a freighter which proceeded darkened.  
        Range = 1000 meters, Speed = 8 knots, target angle 90°  
        Miss.  Apparently speed was lower.  
    23.05   Steamer was still in sight.  Tried to maintain contact at 2 x HF.  In the quickly gathering darkness the steamer was lost from sight shortly thereafter. Maneuvered ahead of the steamer by plotting and then steered changing courses.  Nothing more seen.  
    01.55 AL 5126 Changed course to 300°.  
                                                     
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 07.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 08.09.40
 
- 13 -
 
           
           
           
           
    09.09.40 Monday    
      500 nm west of the Hebrides    
    04.00 AL 0199    
    08.00 AL 5122 Main ballast and reserve fuel oil tank VII emptied of residual oil.  
      W 6, quite large Sea and Swell, Vis. good  
      Examined the torpedo tubes.  
        Tube 1.  Outer tube door can only be opened 4 turns, then strong forces on the linkage until it stops completely.  Outer tube door was closed again and then holds tight after several hard turns.  
        Tube 2.  Outer tube door can only be moved with strong force.  Door cannot be completely opened or closed.  Believe the boat is only clear to dive to 40 meters.  
        Tube 3.  Outer tube door cannot be opened past 10 turns.  Door was closed.  Tube holds tight.  
        Tube 4.  Operable.  
        Stern tubes.  Operable.  
        As cause Sea State is suspected.  The outer tube door fairings of tube 2 can be seen from the bridge.  It sticks out overboard and seems chopped off by the seas.  
    13.45 AL 5112 Course 180°.  
      W 6-7, quite large Sea Day's run:  Carried forward  294.0     2467.5 nm  
                          8/9 September         20.0              75.0   "  
                        To 9 September      304.0          2542.5 nm  
    16.00 AL 5118    
    17.14   Radio Message concerning condition of the tubes is repeated.  
    20.00 AL 5142    
      W 5    
    21.48 AL 5127 A steamer in sight bearing 40°T, 5 nm away in square AL 5127.  
        Boat angled off to the south.  
        At the beginning of darkness angled in.  
    22.34   Last sighting.  Boat changed course towards the steamer.  The enemy was lost in the quickly gathering darkness.  
        On sighting the steamer the boat was positioned on the bright  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 09.09.40
 
- 14 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    09.09.40      
        west horizon.  
                                                     
    10.09.40 Thursday    
      500 nm west of the Hebrides    
    01.12 AL 5115 After several search courses the boat came to course 70°.  Broke off the search.   
        From the experiences so far with 3 steamers, further traffic is to be expected.  
    04.00 AL 5121    
    08.00 AL 5133    
      NW 3, light NW-Swell, beautiful weather    
    09.30 AL 5212 A steamer bearing 122°T, 7 nm away.  Course 250°.  
    09.30 - 11.12   Maneuvered ahead.  
    11.12   ,  
    12.35 AL 5137 Shot from tube V.  
        Target speed = 8 knots, target angle 80°, range = 800 meters
        Miss.  
        Shot from tube VI.  
        Target speed = 6 knots, target angle 120°, range = 1000 meters
        Miss.  
        Day's run:  Carried forward  304.0     2542.5 nm  
                         9/10 September          5.0           134.5   "  
                         To 10 September    309.0         2676.0 nm  
    13.55    Began new maneuver ahead.  
    14.22   Vent for main ballast tank VII leaks.  Stopped to examine.  A bolt was removed from the over deck valve.  
    14.26   Rudder failure.  
    16.00 AL 5146    
    17.33 AL 5145 Steamer in sight bearing 270°T, 11 nm away in square AL 4266.  Steers 250°.  
    20.00 AL 4288    
      SW 2, beautiful weather, Vis. very good    
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 09.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 10.09.40
 
- 15 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    10.09.40      
    20.30 Fog Fog comes up.  Occasionally clears again.  Last steamer bearing 2°T.  As the fog set in again reached the enemy course line on a northerly course.  Came to course 250° there.  
    22.17   At 23.00 hours the fogs lits a bit, visibility 1500 meters. After searching on changing courses up to 01.00 hours gave up the search.  
    to    
    01.00 on 11 September AL 4197  
                                                     
    11.09.40 Wednesday    
      500 nm west of the Hebrides    
    04.00 AL 4274 First weather report from U-47.  Own course 70°,  Began transit to the steamer route to the North Channel.  
    08.00 AL 4281    
      WSW 4, Vis. up to 5 nm, clearing    
    12.00 AL 4265 Radio Message orders to go to Lorient.  
        Day's run:  Carried forward  309.0     2676.0 nm  
                          10/11 September       3.0            242.0   "  
                        To 11 September      314.0        2918.0 nm  
    16.00 AL 5152 Came to course 100°.  
      W 5    
    17.10   .  
    17.35   .  
    20.00 AL 5253    
    24.00 AL 6146 Came to course 150°.  
                                                     
    12.09.40 Thursday    
      400 nm west of Ireland    
    04.00 AL 6423    
    08.00 AL 6571    
      W 6, quite large Sea and Swell    
    12.00 AL 6826 Day's run:  Carried forward  314.0     2918.0 nm  
      W 7, wind increasing                   11/12 September       1.0            240.0   "  
                        To 12 September      315.0        3158.0 nm  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 10.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 11.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 12.09.40
 
- 16 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    12.09.40      
    14.08 AL 6855 A steamer in sight bearing 150°T, 11 nm away course 250° in square AL 6883.  A maneuver ahead must be given up after an hour as hopeless.  The large Sea State does not allow the boat to come forward.  
    16.00 AL 6846    
    20.00 AL 6889    
    24.00 AL 6269    
      WNW 7, long W-Swell                                              
    13.09.40 Friday    
      200 nm west of Ireland    
    04.00 AL 9613    
    08.00 AL 9683    
      Squalls, NW 6, long W-Swell    
    11.08 - 11.24   .  
    12.00 AM 7741 Day's run:  Carried forward  315.0     3158.0 nm  
                          12/13 September       0.5           228.5   "  
                        To 13 September      315.5        3366.5 nm  
    16.00 AM 7779    
    20.00 BE 3167    
      NW 5, squalls, long W-Swell    
    24.00 BE 3541    
      Changing cloudiness, squalls, long W-Swell, NW 6                                              
    14.09.40 Saturday    
      200 nm west of Ireland    
    03.13 BE 3821 A light  seen bearing 240°T.  While closing disappeared in a squall and was not seen again.  
        Shortly thereafter on old course 150°, 2 independent dimmed white lights, a bit later a third was seen.  Closed the latter and recognized 3 destroyers course 270°.  In so doing got too close.  Cloudiness was greatly changing, at times bright moonshine.  A  
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 12.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 13.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 14.09.40
 
- 17 -
 
           
           
           
    continued      
    14.09.40      
    05.00   destroyer turned to a sharp target angle.  Moved off at 14 knots on course 170°.  After 1 hour the destroyer remained astern and disappeared in the mist.  No further contact.  
    08.00 BE 3899    
      Misty, drizzle, Vis. 2 nm    
    08.35 BE 6311    
    10.50 BE 6341 Avoided fishing cutters.  
    12.00 BE 6345 Day's run:  Carried forward  315.5     3386.5 nm  
                          13/14 September         --           261.5   "  
                        To 14 September      315.5        3648.0 nm  
    14.42 BE 6376 Avoided fishing cutters.  
    16.00 BE 6622 Came to course 120°.  
      Wind abating, WNW 4-5    
    20.00 BF 4446    
    24.00 BF 4733                                              
    15.09.40 Sunday    
      Bay of Biscay    
    02.25 BF 4827 One fishing cutter.  
    04.00 BF 4856 Came to course 90°.  
    08.00 BF 4955    
    10.08 BF 4962    
    11.44 BF 5743    
    12.00 BF 5743 Day's run:  Carried forward  315.5     3648.0 nm  
      Misty, at times clear, heavily cloudy                   14/15 September                                        
                      To 15 September     
    15.02   .  
    16.00 BF 5844    
    20.00 BF 5845    
    21.40   Two sailing vessels on the horizon.  
    24.00 BE 5854 Came to course 35°.  
      Bright moonlit night, Vis. very good, WNW 2    
                                                     
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 14.09.40
Sun and Moon Data 15.09.40
 
- 18 -
 
           
           
           
           
    16.09.40 Monday    
      Bay of Biscay    
    02.30   A dimmed sailing vessel.  
    04.00 BF 5592    
    05.30 BF 6441 Several fishing trawlers with set lights.  
    07.03 BF 6416 .  
    14.00    Course 0°.  Headed for Point 2.  
    14.50   Isle de Groix in sight.  
    15.20   Recognition Signal exchanged with U-boat escort.  
    15.45   Taken in convoy with "U-101".  
    18.30   Made fast in Lorient.  
           
           
                                                     
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
Sun and Moon Data 16.09.40

 

Enclosures to U-124's KTB - click on the text at left to proceed to the document
Radio Excerpt of the Radio Log

 

     
     
 

Comments of the Befehlshaber der Unterseeboote.

 
     
 
1.) The attack on the convoy on 25 August was an excellent performance by the Kommandanten.
2.) The Kommandanten held contact on a number of steamers, but did not succeed under difficult conditions.  It remains to be seen whether contact could have been held.
3.) The possible weaknesses and disadvantages of a wide-ranging mine escort were clearly shown here on 20 August.
 
     
     
   

For the Befehlshabers der Unterseeboote

 
   
- The Chief of the Operations Department -
 
                              
     
     
 


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